EA - Grand Slam Tennis Stadiums. Screens and a Q&A (Not done by QTE)

EA Have released screenshots for their Upcoming Grand Slam Tennis, highlighting the different venues. the Pictures show US Open, Australian Open, Wimbledon and Roland Garros.
The Q&A is more about the producers own experience at going to these venues. when talking about putting these venues into the game he does go on to say that they brought the Art Director along to make sure the unique features of each venue were captured.



Q&A

Producer Q&A with Thomas Singleton

Grand Slam Tennis – Venues

Which venues did you go to?

In developing EA SPORTS Grand Slam Tennis, I went to Roland Garros, Wimbledon and the U.S. Open. It was also my first time at any of them.

What was the most impressive thing about being at the Grand Slams?

The most impressive thing about the being there was the sheer scale of the tournaments and the different vibe and cultural aspects of each location from France to England to New York and how unique each one was. Overall I don’t think you truly appreciate how massive these tournaments are and how big the sport of tennis is across the globe until you’ve been to one of the Grand Slams. They’re almost the equivalent of the Superbowl. But instead of one, there are four of them taking place each year.

Which was your favourite and why?

Wimbledon was my favourite because of the history of the event and the scale and the tradition of the tennis there.

What was the atmosphere like at them?

The atmosphere was really different at each one. The Wimbledon fan base was definitely much more about the tradition of tennis, from the attire to the respect to the players, to the etiquette that everybody had. Then when you travel over the U.S. Open where it’s much more about seeing the celebrities at courtside or having a hot dog, it was almost like watching a baseball game. It was about the glitz and glamour, under the lights, the announcers outside constantly talking about what’s coming up. It was a bit more Hollywood style. For the French Open, it seems like everyone in France plays tennis. Everybody at the venue came from work in their suits, very light-hearted. The crowds would constantly shout things out so there was an element of humour. Fashion was definitely a big thing, people got dressed up to go to Roland Garros, and I mean dressed up, the suits, the dresses. It was a pretty interesting thing.

Was it challenging to recreate the venues in the game?

No, we’re all about authenticity, one of the main reasons to go was to not only experience them first hand but also to capture the essence of them visually and audibly.

Did it help that you were there?

It helped immensely to be there. It was myself and our art director that went so that we could make sure they were being built in their 3D in-game form. It also helped us to determine which elements were priorities and what the signature elements were.

What did you learn about tennis that you didn’t already know?

I truly never appreciated the speed of the game at that level, the pace on the ball, the major differences between the court surfaces, from grass to clay to hard court. Seeing the athleticism of the pro tennis player, I have a new found respect for the longevity of the matches and how they can sustain such athletic ability and power throughout.

Mad Catz - Deal Struck with Microsoft for a Multi Year License to make speciality Controller for the 360 - Press Release

Mad Catz have announced an exclusive deal with Microsoft to make specialty Wireless peripherals for the Xbox 360. the first of these will be the wireless Fender bass guitar for Rock Band

Press release

SAN DIEGO --(Business Wire)-- May 29, 2009 Mad Catz Interactive, Inc. (AMEX/TSX: MCZ), a leading third-party interactive entertainment accessory provider, announced today that it has signed a multi-year licensing agreement with Microsoft Corporation (“Microsoft”) (MSFT: NASDAQ). Pursuant to the agreement, Mad Catz has global rights to manufacture, market and sell Xbox 360-branded wireless specialty videogame controllers.

“This agreement expands our relationship with Microsoft and we look forward to shipping a range of new wireless specialty controllers, the first of which will be our wireless Fender bass guitar for Rock Band, later this month,” said Darren Richardson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Mad Catz. “The Xbox 360 platform is a key focus of our growing licensed accessories business and we look forward to bringing Xbox 360 fans a variety of innovative and distinctive wireless specialty controllers to enhance their gaming experiences.”

About Mad Catz Interactive, Inc.

Mad Catz is a global leader in providing innovative peripherals for the interactive entertainment industry. Mad Catz designs and markets accessories for video game systems and publishes video game software, including the industry-leading GameShark video game enhancements, under its Mad Catz, GameShark and Joytech brands. Mad Catz also designs and markets mice, keyboards, headsets, PC gaming controllers and other PC peripherals through its Saitek brand, and recently began manufacturing and marketing proprietary portable earphones under its AirDrives brand. Mad Catz distributes its products through most of the leading retailers offering interactive entertainment products and has offices across Canada, Europe and Asia. For additional information please go to www.madcatz.com, as well as www.gameshark.com, www.airdrives.com, www.saitek.com and www.joytech.net.

Safe Harbor for Forward Looking Statements: This press release contains forward-looking statements about the Company's business prospects that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. The Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements contained in this press release as a result of new information or future events or developments. You can identify these statements by the fact that they use words such as "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "project," "intend," "should," "plan," "goal," "believe," and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial performance. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially are the following: the ability to maintain or renew the Company's licenses; competitive developments affecting the Company's current products; first party price reductions; the ability to successfully market both new and existing products domestically and internationally; difficulties or delays in manufacturing; or a downturn in the market or industry. A further list and description of these risks, uncertainties and other matters can be found in the Company's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Canadian Securities Administrators.

THQ - MX VS ATV Reflex Screenshots and Trailer

THQ have released screenshots and a trailer for their upcoming game, MX VS ATV Reflex.

THQ - Darksiders Trailer and screenshots

THQ have released new screens for Darksiders as well as a new trailer.

EA - The Sims 3. New Screenshots and Trailer for Riverview Town

EA Have released new screens for Sims 3 and a trailer for Riverview Town, a town only available Online.

PS3 - No EU Afrika Release Information At Present

After reading that Natsume is publishing Afrika in the USA i asked Sony Europe if there was any information regarding a EU/UK release.

"There is no information regarding the European market" was the response. Not saying that it won't come out, but not a confirmation either.

Xbox 360 - Partnership With Sky TV announced in the UK. - Press Release

Microsfot has announced a partnership with Sky TV in the UK. Coming this Autumn, you will be able to watch Sky TV Via your Xbox 360. More channels will be announced nearer launch, but expect to see football, test match cricket, documentaries and programs aimed at children. These will be able to be viewed either live or on demand. Interactive Programs will be developed using the 360, for example, watching a football match you will also be able to see the league and news also.

The Pictures are from Gadgetoid

Press Release

Xbox 360 joins forces with Sky to offer first ever console-based live TV service

LONDON & DUBLIN - 28 May 2009: Millions of entertainment fans will soon have the way they watch TV transformed, as Xbox 360 and Sky announce a ground-breaking partnership which will enable, for the first time ever, premium live television to be watched through a games console.

In a UK and Ireland first, Sky Player, Sky’s online TV service, will come to Xbox LIVE in the autumn, allowing Xbox owners to access a range of channels and programmes to either view live or on-demand.

Details of the full channel line-up will be revealed closer to launch, but it is anticipated that Xbox LIVE users will be able to access blockbuster movies, must-see entertainment shows, thought-provoking documentaries, programming dedicated to kids, music and the arts, as well as all the excitement of Premier League football, Test Match cricket and a wide variety of other sports through Sky Sports.

The news, officially unveiled today in Central London by Sky Sports News Georgie Thompson, reveals there will be a number of viewing options.

For a new customer joining Sky through their Xbox, Sky Player will offer a wide range of live channels and on-demand content via a number of different packages. These customers will also be able to access their favourite shows on a pay-per-view basis.

Existing Sky customers who already own an Xbox will benefit from another way to view their favourite shows, in addition to their Sky set-top box and PC or Mac

There will be a range of unique interactive services available to the Xbox LIVE / Sky Player offering. For Sky Sports, for example, this will mean that live coverage will be supported by range of applications to enhance the viewing experience further. As well as fans being able to communicate with one another in real time via their broadband connections, they will also be able to check news and access fixtures, league tables and other on-demand information. Interactive applications will also be developed across other programmes genres.

Stephen Nuttall, Director of Sky’s Commercial Group comments:” Our partnership with Xbox is a further example of our commitment to put choice and control in the hands of customers. Xbox owners now have a range of ways to access Sky content and can pick and choose the platform and packages that are right for them. We are extremely excited about the opportunity of reaching Xbox owners who are looking to experience Sky for the first time, as well as giving our existing customers yet another way to experience the content they love.”

Echoing this, Neil Thompson, Head of Xbox UK and Ireland, adds: “Our customers have told us that they want the opportunity to use their consoles as a way to access TV and once again Xbox has pulled off an entertainment first with amazing content and rich interactive experience. The combination of Sky’s leadership in content creation and aggregation and our own in creating a constantly evolving new generation of rich 360 entertainment experiences means we are one step closer to our goal of offering Xbox owners the best entertainment experiences out there, whether it’s movies, music, games, interactive experiences or high quality TV.”

Sky Player joins Xbox LIVE’s ever-expanding interactive online offering spanning on-demand films, music videos and games. It also enables users to communicate with each other via live video chat and MSN Messenger, beating console rivals to cement Xbox 360 as a true pioneer of home entertainment.

Sky Player currently provides access to a range of live TV channels – including Sky Sports – and a comprehensive on-demand library of thousands of programmes spanning entertainment, movies, documentaries, kids, culture, news and sport.

- Ends -

About Sky Player TV
Sky Player TV was launched in December 2008 as a dedicated online subscription TV service, providing an alternative way to subscribe to Sky TV, without the need to subscribe to an existing TV-based service. It built upon the success of Sky Player, which launched in 2006 as a bonus service for Sky’s Direct-to-Home (DTH) customer base, allowing Sky customers to access live channels and on-demand content via their computers. It currently provides access to the likes of Sky Sports, Sky Movies, Sky News, The History Channel, National Geographic, the BBC, G.O.L.D, Eden, MTV ONE, Sky1, Disney Channel and Nickelodeon, among others.

About Sky
Sky is the UK’s leading entertainment and communications company, operating the most comprehensive multi-channel television service. Over 9.3 million homes - a third of households across the UK and Ireland - enjoy the very best entertainment, movies, news and sports channels on Sky Digital. In delivering entertainment through the TV, PC and mobile, customers have more control and flexibility over what, how and when they watch.

Over 5 million customers now choose Sky+, Sky’s digital video recorder, to record and store their favourite programmes and over a million homes enjoy the unprecedented picture and sound quality of Sky+HD, which offers 33 dedicated HD channels. Sky is also the UK’s fastest growing broadband and fixed-telephony provider with over 2 million customers taking Sky Broadband and just under 1.7 million customers taking Sky Talk.

Xbox 360
Xbox 360 is a superior video game and entertainment system delivering the best games, unique entertainment features and a unified online gaming network that revolve around gamers. Xbox 360 has a portfolio of more than 300 games in nearly 40 countries. More information can be found online athttp://www.xbox.com/xbox360.

About Xbox LIVE
Xbox LIVE is the first and most comprehensive unified online entertainment network seamlessly integrated throughout the entire console experience, making it easy for people to find the friends, games and entertainment they want from the moment they power on their Xbox 360 system. Xbox LIVE connects millions of members across 26 countries to enjoy hundreds of multiplayer games, downloadable games via Xbox LIVE Arcade, free and premium playable game demos, music videos, TV shows and movies as well as new game levels, characters and vehicles for all their favourite retail games. More information can be found online athttp://www.xbox.com/en-us/live.

About Xbox LIVE Arcade
Xbox LIVE Arcade on Xbox 360 is the premier destination for digitally distributed high-definition games. Xbox LIVE Arcade is a fast-growing phenomenon with a diverse library of original development and classic titles from the world’s best independent and established developers and publishers. With a dynamically updated library and free trials for every title, Xbox LIVE Arcade makes it easy for every type of gamer — from casual to hard-core — to get instantly immersed in the fun. Xbox LIVE Arcade also lets friends connect and play these incredible games either from the same room or from around the world via the Xbox LIVE online entertainment network. More information can be found online at http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/livearcade.

About Microsoft Game Studios
Microsoft Game Studios is a leading worldwide publisher and developer of games for the Xbox and Xbox 360 video game systems, the Windows operating system and online platforms. Comprising a network of top developers, Microsoft Game Studios is committed to creating innovative and diverse sales for Windows (http://www.microsoft.com/games), including such franchises as “Age of Empires,” “Flight Simulator” and “Zoo Tycoon”; Xbox and Xbox 360 (http://www.xbox.com), including such games as “Gears of War” and franchises such as “Halo,” “Fable,” “Project Gotham Racing” and “Forza Motorsport”; and MSN Games (http://www.games.msn.com), the official games channel for the MSN network and home to such hits as “Bejeweled” and “Hexic.”

About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential. If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft Web page at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass on Microsoft’s corporate information pages. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may since have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft’s Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at: http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/contactpr.mspx