Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Blizzard Entertainnmanet Announce Sam Raimi As Director Of Warcraft Movie.

Blizzard Entertainment have announced that Sam Raimi is the director behind a new movie based on the Warcraft Universe. Charles Roven is the producer, and the movie will fall under Legendary pictures and Warner Bros.

Press Release

LOS ANGELES --(Business Wire)-- Jul 22, 2009 Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. and Legendary Pictures announced today that Sam Raimi has signed on to direct the eagerly-anticipated major motion picture based on Blizzard Entertainment®’s award-winning Warcraft® universe. Raimi has, in the course of his career, clearly demonstrated a genius for developing and adapting existing fictional universes for mainstream audiences while staying true to the spirit of the original content.

Raimi directed the Spider-Man trilogy, which has broken box-office records around the world and garnered five Academy Award® nominations. Known for his imaginative filmmaking style, richly drawn characters and offbeat humor, Raimi wrote and directed the cult classic, The Evil Dead and produced 30 Days Of Night. He most recently wrote and directed the supernatural thriller, Drag Me To Hell.

“At its core, Warcraft is a fantastic, action-packed story,” said Raimi. “I am thrilled to work with such a dynamite production team to bring this project to the big screen.”

Charles Roven’s producing talents were recently seen with last summer’s blockbuster The Dark Knight, which grossed in excess of $1 billion, was nominated for eight Academy Awards® and won two. His body of work also includes the widely acclaimed Batman Begins and the sci-fi classic 12 Monkeys. Roven, with Atlas producing partner Alex Gartner, will be producing with Legendary Pictures CEO Thomas Tull, Legendary’s Chief Creative Officer Jon Jashni, Raimi and Raimi’s producing partner Joshua Donen. Raimi’s partner, Robert Tapert, will be an Executive Producer and Blizzard Entertainment’s Senior Vice President of Creative Development, Chris Metzen, a Co-Producer.

“Partnering with Sam Raimi exemplifies Legendary's mandate of marrying the highest quality intellectual property to world-class filmmakers,” said Legendary’s Tull. “Sam's passion for 'Warcraft' is undeniable and we know that he will create an incredible film worthy of Blizzard's phenomenal franchise. We look forward to collaborating with our partners at Warner Bros. and continuing our successful relationship with Chuck in bringing this rich new world to the screen.”
“Blizzard Entertainment and Legendary Pictures have a shared vision for this film and we searched at length to find the very best director to bring that vision to life,” said Paul Sams, chief operating officer of Blizzard Entertainment. “From our first conversation with Sam, we could tell he was the perfect choice. Sam knows how to simultaneously satisfy the enthusiasts and the mainstream audience that might be experiencing that content for the first time. We're looking forward to working with him to achieve that here.”

“Blizzard Entertainment’s Warcraft has become a second home for millions of players and Sam’s experience and talent make him the perfect director for this remarkable and action-packed world,” said Atlas’ Roven. “Alex and I are proud to be working with Sam and re-teaming with our friends at Legendary and Warner Bros.”

The film will fall under Legendary Pictures’ co-production and co-financing deal with Warner Bros. “Warcraft is emblematic of the kind of branded, event films for which our studio is best known. We have enjoyed great success with our partners at Legendary, and this is an incredible opportunity for us to work with Sam on a project that is so eagerly anticipated by so many,” said Jeff Robinov, President, Warner Bros. Pictures Group.

Blizzard Entertainment’s Warcraft universe is a rich fantasy setting that revolves around the epic conflict between the opposing forces of the Horde and the Alliance. Since its debut in 1994, Warcraft has developed a loyal following across the globe, with several bestselling, award-winning PC games and a range of popular licensed products including novels, action figures, apparel, comic books, board games, and more. World of Warcraft®, Blizzard Entertainment’s subscription-based massively multiplayer online role-playing game set in the Warcraft universe, is the most popular game of its kind in the world. Its most recent expansion, Wrath of the Lich King™, is the fastest-selling PC game of all time, with more than 2.8 million copies sold in its first 24 hours of availability and more than 4 million in its first month.

Further details about the upcoming Warcraft movie, including cast and targeted release date, will be revealed as development progresses.

About Blizzard Entertainment, Inc.
Best known for blockbuster hits including World of Warcraft® and the Warcraft®, StarCraft®, and Diablo® series, Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. (www.blizzard.com), a division of Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ:ATVI), is a premier developer and publisher of entertainment software renowned for creating some of the industry’s most critically acclaimed games. Blizzard Entertainment’s track record includes eleven #1-selling games and multiple Game of the Year awards. The company’s online-gaming service, Battle.net®, is one of the largest in the world, with millions of active users.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements: Information in this press release that involves Blizzard Entertainment’s expectations, plans, intentions or strategies regarding the future are forward-looking statements that are not facts and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Blizzard Entertainment generally uses words such as “outlook,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “might,” “remains,” “to be,” “plans,” “believes,” “may,” “expects,” “intends,” “anticipates,” “estimate,” future,” “plan,” “positioned,” “potential,” “project,” “remain,” “scheduled,” “set to,” “subject to,” “upcoming” and similar expressions to help identify forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause Blizzard Entertainment’s actual future results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements set forth in this release include, but are not limited to, sales levels of Blizzard Entertainment’s titles, shifts in consumer spending trends, the impact of the current macroeconomic environment, the seasonal and cyclical nature of the interactive game market, Blizzard Entertainment’s ability to predict consumer preferences among competing hardware platforms (including next-generation hardware), declines in software pricing, product returns and price protection, product delays, retail acceptance of Blizzard Entertainment’s products, adoption rate and availability of new hardware and related software, industry competition, rapid changes in technology and industry standards, protection of proprietary rights, litigation against Blizzard Entertainment, maintenance of relationships with key personnel, customers, vendors and third-party developers, domestic and international economic, financial and political conditions and policies, foreign exchange rates, integration of recent acquisitions and the identification of suitable future acquisition opportunities, Activision Blizzard’s success in integrating the operations of Activision Publishing and Vivendi Games in a timely manner, or at all, and the combined company’s ability to realize the anticipated benefits and synergies of the transaction to the extent, or in the timeframe, anticipated, and the other factors identified in Activision Blizzard’s most recent annual report on Form 10-K and any subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. The forward-looking statements in this release are based upon information available to Blizzard Entertainment and Activision Blizzard as of the date of this release, and neither Blizzard Entertainment nor Activision Blizzard assumes any obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements believed to be true when made may ultimately prove to be incorrect. These statements are not guarantees of the future performance of Blizzard Entertainment or Activision Blizzard and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond its control and may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations.

Re-Cap of Yesterdays News (oldest to newest)





Tuesday, July 21, 2009

New Screenshots for The Beatles RockBand


EA Has released new screenshots for their upcoming game The Beatles RockBand. They show some of the venues, gameplay and ingame movies in the game.

The Beatles RockBand



Konami Announces Original Jackson 5 Tracks For Karaoke Revolution

Konami has announced that their upcoming game, Karaoke Revolution, is getting original Jackson 5 tracks. additional bonus content like themes and photo's will be on the discs also.
The game features 50 songs, from master recordings, and online modes for up to 8 players to battle with or against each other on the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3. the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 versions also can download master tracks, share exclusive venues and clothing and accessories.
You can use the Playstation 3/Xbox 360 cameras to upload pictures of yourself to create yourself in the game.


Karaoke Revoltuion


Press Release

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. – July 21, 2009 – Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc., today announced it has secured the licensed music of the Jackson 5 from Universal Music Enterprises (Ume) to be featured in Karaoke Revolution® for Wii™, the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, and PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system. Players will be able to sing to original music of Jackson 5 classics including the number one hits “I’ll Be There,” and “ABC.” The Jackson 5 content will be featured on the final disc at launch along Jackson 5 themes and photos. This original Jackson 5 content and themes will further distinguish Karaoke Revolution in the marketplace by being the first karaoke game to feature licensed music of the Jackson 5 across all next-generation gaming consoles.

“The music of the Jackson 5 is timeless,” said Careen Yapp, Vice President of Licensing and Business Development. “We are thrilled to partner with UMe and EMI to pay homage to the American institution known as the Jackson 5 in Karaoke Revolution. The Jackson 5 was the first group to have four consecutive number one singles, and to have those iconic hits like ‘I’ll Be There’ or ‘I Want You Back’ will give fans both old and new a chance to experience their music in a way they have never before.”

“Konami are the pioneers of the karaoke gaming genre, in the same way that the Jackson 5 were
pioneers for many of the pop groups and artists that have followed in their path. We’re pleased to be able to have been able to provide fans of the Jackson 5 with a new way to experience the classic music that made them such worldwide stars.” adds Rod Kotler, Vice President of Music Resources at EMI Music Publishing Additionally, the game will let karaoke fans sing and compete against friends with expanded multiplayer modes, 50 all-new hit songs from master recordings, as well as an endless amount of customizable venue options and newly enhanced customizable characters, including dramatic facial and body morphing.

Karaoke Revolution’s expanded multiplayer modes allow players to throw karaoke parties with their friends, or perform solo in a single-player career. If you want to hear your favorite songs in succession, just create a playlist, pick up the microphone and jump in at anytime! Players can sing to a wide variety of contemporary hits and classic favorites from licensed master recordings. In addition, those using either the Xbox 360® or the PLAYSTATION®3 can utilize the co-op Party Mode with online game modes for up to 8 players or battle with or against each other in the ultimate competition.

Also new to this year’s version are the enhanced customizations that allow singers to design and
personalize their venues and characters in ways that are guaranteed to catch the attention of the crowd. Karaoke Revolution offers singers the opportunity to create a virtual representation of themselves with theabundance of character customization and body manipulation options. Players can record themselves with the Xbox LIVE Vision Camera or the PLAYSTATION® Eye to incorporate themselves right on screen inside their custom venues! While Xbox 360 and PS3 gamers can also select and download licensed master tracks, share exclusive venues and additional clothing and accessories Like all versions from this acclaimed franchise, Karaoke Revolution features a proprietary voice recognition technology which accurately recognizes and scores vocal pitch and rhythm.

Real-time Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. 2381 Rosecrans Ave. El Segundo, CA 90245 310-220-8100 Fax 310-220-8200
feedback is offered by the dynamic crowds that fill each virtual venue. The game comes packaged with a microphone providing players ready-to-perform access. Karaoke Revolution will be released in the fourth quarter of 2009. For more information on the game, please visit: http://www.konami.com/games/karaokerevolution/

About Konami
Konami is a leading developer, publisher and manufacturer of electronic entertainment properties. Konami's titles include the popular franchises Metal Gear Solid, Silent Hill, DanceDanceRevolution and Castlevania, among other top sellers. The latest information about Konami can be found on the Web at www.konami.com. KONAMI CORPORATION is a publicly traded company based in Tokyo, Japan with subsidiary offices, Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd. in Tokyo, Japan, Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. in the United States and Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH in Frankfurt, Germany. KONAMI CORPORATION is traded in the United States on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol KNM. Details of the products published by Konami can be
found at www.konami.com.
###
KONAMI is a registered trademark of KONAMI CORPORATION.
Wii and the Wii logo are trademarks of Nintendo. © 2006 Nintendo.
Microsoft, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox LIVE, and the Xbox logos are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies.
“PlayStation”, “PLAYSTATION” and “PS” Family logo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.



StarCraft II Accessories Announced by SteelSeries


SteelSeries, a manufactourer of peripherals and accessories, has announced that they are releasing a series of gaming surfaces with art from StarCraft II. The pads are designed for mice with laser and optical tracking, and have a non slip rubber base.
They are set for a July 2009 release at Amazon.com and GameStop for $14.99.



Press Release

CHICAGO --(Business Wire)-- Jul 21, 2009 Today, SteelSeries, a leading manufacturer of game peripherals and accessories, unveiled a new line of gaming surfaces featuring art from Blizzard Entertainment’s highly anticipated StarCraft® II. The QcK Limited Edition Terran Marine and Kerrigan vs. Zeratul editions are designed with a non-slip rubber base which prevents the pads from sliding, no matter what surface the mousepad is placed on, and is optimized for optical and laser technology providing an overall more reliable gaming experience.

“StarCraft and its expansion have together sold more than 11 million copies worldwide, and we believe StarCraft II will prove equally influential and popular, making this a great opportunity to provide gamers with surfaces that help to improve performance and game play,” said Brian Stech, SteelSeries President of the Americas. “We are incredibly excited to have an opportunity to continue our partnership with the designers from Blizzard Entertainment and develop surfaces that we know StarCraft players will enjoy.”

The SteelSeries QcK Limited Edition Terran Marine and Kerrigan vs. Zeratul gaming surfaces are made of high quality cloth material and optimized textured surface which guarantees both smoothness and glide. The special surface graphic on each mousepad depicts characters from the upcoming StarCraft II, which will pick up where the events of StarCraft: Brood War left off, following familiar characters and new heroes through the next chapter of the series’ epic story.
The gaming surfaces will be available in July 2009 and will be sold for $14.99 from GameStop and Amazon.

About SteelSeries
SteelSeries is a leading manufacturer of gaming peripherals and accessories, including headsets, keyboards, mice, software and gaming surfaces, selling in more than 75 countries. SteelSeries has been on the forefront of professional gaming gear since its inception in 2001, thanks to continued innovation and product development in cooperation with leading professional gamers. All SteelSeries products are developed in cooperation with professional gamers to ensure optimum performance and durability. SteelSeries supports the growth of competitive gaming and electronic sports through professional team sponsorships and community support all over the world. For more information, please visit www.SteelSeries.com.

About Blizzard Entertainment, Inc.
Best known for blockbuster hits including World of Warcraft® and the Warcraft®, StarCraft®, and Diablo® series, Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. (www.blizzard.com), a division of Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ: ATVI), is a premier developer and publisher of entertainment software renowned for creating some of the industry's most critically acclaimed games. Blizzard Entertainment's track record includes eleven #1-selling games and multiple Game of the Year awards. The company's online-gaming service, Battle.net®, is one of the largest in the world, with millions of active users.

Jumpgate Evoltuion Has Over 250,000 Beta Sign Ups.

Codemasters online has announced that Jumpgate Evolution currently has over 250,000 Beta Sign-Ups making it Codemasters Online biggest Beta.
Head to www.jumpgateevolution.com to sign up.

Press Release

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. --(Business Wire)-- Jul 21, 2009 Codemasters Online and NetDevil announced that Jumpgate Evolution, the eagerly anticipated new space combat MMO, has reached a landmark 250,000 Beta sign ups in North America and Europe and has subsequently become Codemasters Online’s biggest ever Beta campaign.
Jumpgate Evolution is currently in the Friends and Family testing phase, already providing select gamers with a chance to experience the game’s sci-fi thrills first-hand. NetDevil’s aim is that these tests will provide the community with the opportunity to change the game, on the basis of producing a highly enjoyable and quality experience.

“This is a fantastic achievement for everyone involved with Jumpgate Evolution,” said David Solari, Vice President, Codemasters Online. “We have received overwhelming support for the game since the commencement of its Beta sign up last year and our fans have been clamoring for the Beta. We expect our fans to agree that it was well worth the wait.”

“Our players’ enthusiasm continues to exceed our expectations at every milestone and we are extremely excited to achieve such fantastic support,” said Scott Brown, President of NetDevil. “We have thoroughly enjoyed obtaining some valuable feedback from the people in our Friends & Family test, helping us to take the next major step towards launch.”

Developed by the highly experienced US-based MMOG developer NetDevil, Jumpgate Evolution is an exhilarating space combat MMO, set in a vast expanding universe, that allows players to choose from one of three playable Nations and engage in an intense action-packed gaming experience. While embarking on an immersive and accessible space adventure, players can trade valuable commodities, take part in awesome intergalactic battles, meet and play with friends and live out the dream of an elite hero. The game features a rich and varied universe to explore and has been designed for experienced and novice MMO players alike.

For more information on Jumpgate, or to sign up for BETA, visit: www.jumpgateevolution.com

ABOUT CODEMASTERS
Codemasters is a leading developer and publisher of best-selling interactive entertainment products for a global audience across multiple gaming platforms and channels. Established in 1986, the company’s dominant brands include DiRT, Race Driver GRID, Overlord and Operation Flashpoint; the company recently secured the exclusive worldwide video game rights to FORMULA 1. Codemasters is headquartered in Warwickshire UK, with North American operations based in Universal City, California. The company also maintains operations in Germany, France, Spain, Benelux and Malaysia. Codemasters receives over two million visitors to its web site every month, discover why at www.codemasters.com

ABOUT CODEMASTERS ONLINE
Codemasters Online is a leading global publisher / operator of online persistent world games. Established in 2005 and part of the wider Codemasters organisation, in a short time Codemasters Online has become one of the west’s leading gaming companies specialising in persistent world services. With a suite of successful persistent games including the hugely popular The Lord of the Rings Online™, DUNGEONS & DRAGONS ONLINE®, ArchLord and forthcoming space based MMO Jumpgate Evolution, Codemasters Online is one of the fastest growing specialists in massively multiplayer online games in the world.

ABOUT NETDEVIL, LTD
NetDevil is a leading independent game development company that specializes in the development and construction of massively multiplayer online games (MMOs). Founded in 1997, under the inspiration of Jumpgate(TM), the world’s first massively multiplayer space simulator, the company carries on a commitment to creating interactive, virtual worlds in unique and elaborate settings. Currently, the company is developing two major MMO titles – Jumpgate Evolution and LEGO Universe. Led by a development team of talented and experienced industry veterans, NetDevil has grown to over 100 employees. All NetDevil employees share a common vision to bring the mysteries of new and exciting worlds to life as immersive online universes. For more information about the company, visit www.netdevil.com
NetDevil is a part of Gazillion Entertainment.

Disney Book Group Have announced A Graphic Novel Anthology Based On The New Prince Of Perisa Movie

http://disneybooks.disney.go.com/images/logo_disney_books.jpg

Disney book group has announced a Graphic novel anthology based on The Prince Of Persia. the first book is 128 pages, 6 stories, all a prequel to the Movie, Prince Of Persia The Sands Of Time, and is currently set for a April 2010 release. It will have an initial Hardback run of 125,000.
The novel will be written by Jordan Mecher, he wrote the Movie script, and will also have cover art by Todd McFarlane, Spawn and Spider-Man. the rest of the art will be done by talented comic book artists.
There will be a discussion at Comic Con regarding the new Prince Of Persia Graphic Novel with Jordan Mechner, Todd McFarlane, Bernard Chang, Tommy Lee Edwards, and Cameron Stewart.

Press Release

LOS ANGELES --(Business Wire)-- Jul 21, 2009 Disney Book Group announced today the Prince of Persia graphic novel anthology, the first-ever graphic novel written by the creator of Prince of Persia, Jordan Mechner. Todd McFarlane (Spawn, Spider-man) created exclusive art to be featured on the cover, and interior art will include some of the most talented names in comics.

The 128-page graphic novel, a full-color action-adventure anthology featuring six original stories, is a prequel to “Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time,” the feature film to be released by Walt Disney Pictures and Jerry Bruckheimer Films on May 28, 2010. The Prince of Persia graphic novel anthology will publish in April 2010 simultaneously in hardcover and paperback with a 125,000 first print run.

“We are thrilled to publish Jordan Mechner’s book debut,” said Jon Yaged, vice president, U.S. publisher, Disney Book Group. “We have developed a fantastic publishing program for the Prince of Persia film release and this graphic novel is an incredible cornerstone.”
At San Diego Comic-Con on Friday, July 24, 2009 Jordan Mechner, Todd McFarlane, Bernard Chang, Tommy Lee Edwards, and Cameron Stewart will discuss the Prince of Persia graphic novel anthology for the first time at Disney Press’s panel (11:30am-12:30pm, room 3) at the San Diego Convention Center.

Jordan Mechner
Jordan Mechner is one of the videogame industry's most respected creators. His titles, including Prince of Persia, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, Karateka and The Last Express appear frequently in critics' lists of the best games of all time.

Mechner's achievements in the videogame field are complemented by his work as a film writer and director. His documentary “Chavez Ravine: A Los Angeles Story” won the 2003 IDA award for Best Short Documentary, was shortlisted for an Academy Award®, and received its broadcast premiere on PBS Independent Lens in 2005.

Among his current projects, Mechner wrote the screen story and is an executive producer of the upcoming Walt Disney Pictures/Jerry Bruckheimer Films feature film “Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time.” Mechner recently signed on to write the feature film adaptation of the comic book Fathom for 20th Century Fox, which is set to star Megan Fox.
Mechner is currently collaborating with artists LeUyen Pham and Alex Puvilland on an original graphic novel trilogy for First Second Books.
Mechner received his B.A. from Yale University.

Todd McFarlane
Film director, artist, writer, and producer Todd McFarlane is widely recognized as one of the most influential comic book creators of the last two decades, McFarlane is best known as the creator of Spawn. That title’s hugely popular 1992 debut sold an amazing 1.7 million copies – an unprecedented feat in independent comics. The comic became an Emmy Award®-winning animated series on HBO and a live-action feature film from New Line Cinema.
McFarlane is the also the founder of McFarlane Toys, an international award-winning company and one of America’s top action figure manufacturers.

About The Movie
From the team that brought the “Pirates of the Caribbean” trilogy to the big screen, Walt Disney Pictures and Jerry Bruckheimer Films present “Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time,” an epic action-adventure set in the mystical lands of Persia. A rogue prince (JAKE GYLLENHAAL) reluctantly joins forces with a mysterious princess (GEMMA ARTERTON) and together, they race against dark forces to safeguard an ancient dagger capable of releasing the Sands of Time—a gift from the gods that can reverse time and allow its possessor to rule the world. Directed by Mike Newell (“Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire”) from a screenplay by Doug Miro & Carlo Bernard and a screen story by Jordan Mechner and Boaz Yakin with a cast that includes SIR BEN KINGSLEY and ALFRED MOLINA, “Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time,” hits theaters Memorial Day Weekend, 2010.

About Disney Press
Disney Press is an imprint of Disney Book Group (DBG); additional DBG imprints include Disney Editions, Disney-Hyperion, and Disney-Jump at the Sun. DBG is part of Disney Publishing Worldwide, the world's largest publisher of children's books and magazines, with over 300 children's magazine titles published and over 3500 children's books published each year. Headquartered in White Plains, NY, Disney Publishing Worldwide publishes books and magazines in 85 languages in 75 countries, reaching more than 100 million readers each month.