Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Activision Have Announced They Are Going To Publish A Videogame Based On Zhu Zhu Pets (Go Go Hamsters)

Activision have announced that, in partnership with GameMill Publishing, they are going to publish videogames based on the Zhu Zhu Pets (Go Go Hamsters) range. The first of these games is coming to the Nintendo DS in the Spring of 2010. Activision have said that the game will bring arcade action as well as the caring and nurturing of the hamsters.

Press Release

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Dec 15, 2009 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ -- Activision Publishing (Nasdaq: ATVI) and GameMill Publishing, Inc. announced today an agreement with Cepia, LLC to develop and publish video games based on the smash hit Zhu Zhu Pets(TM). The first Zhu Zhu Pets(TM) game will be released on the Nintendo DS(TM) system in the spring of 2010.

"Zhu Zhu Pets(TM) success in 2009 speaks for itself and we're confident it will be even bigger in 2010," said David Oxford at Activision Publishing. Gary Miller, President, GameMill Publishing, stated, "It is our goal to expand this proven franchise in a way that fans of the wildly popular hamster toy line and video gamers alike will embrace and love to play."

A genuine craze in the toy aisle, Zhu Zhu Pets(TM) was recently nominated for two top industry awards including: "Girl Toy of the Year" and "Innovative Toy of the Year." It is expected to be one of the top selling toys of the 2009 holiday season.

"Ever since Zhu Zhu Pets(TM) exploded in popularity, launching a video game has felt like a natural fit in product evolution," said Natalie Hornsby, Director of Marketing Strategies and Brand Development, Cepia, LLC. "We share our fans' excitement in bringing Zhu Zhu Pets(TM) to the video game space, and think this will help us reach more kids to engage in the Zhu Zhu Pets(TM) experience."

The video games will be created and marketed by Activision and GameMill in close collaboration with toy maker Cepia, LLC. The Zhu Zhu Pets(TM) video game for Nintendo DS is in development now with Black Lantern Studios, Inc., who is bringing forward the brand DNA elements that have made Zhu Zhu Pets(TM) a worldwide phenomenon - arcade action as well as care and nurturing of beloved hamsters!
For more information visit www.activision.com or www.gamemillpublishing.com.

About GameMill Entertainment
GameMill Entertainment is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. GameMill is a third party publisher of various Children's and Casual games for the PC, Nintendo DS, and Wii from Nintendo. With development across the globe, GameMill is a source of entertaining and fun games for all ages. www.game-mill.com

About Zhu Zhu Pets(TM)
Zhu Zhu Pets(TM) are innovative, realistic, interactive, plush, and artificially intelligent hamsters that talk and move around in their own playsets. Zhu Zhu Pets(TM) include two play modes: nurturing mode where the hamsters coo and purr and adventure mode where the hamsters explore their habitat with intelligent audio and mechanical responses to various habitat stimuli. Over a dozen add-ons can be purchased to build an ever-evolving hamsterworld for your hamster to play in and explore. Powered by 2 AAA batteries (included), Zhu Zhu Pets(TM) are suitable for ages 3 and up. For more information, please visit www.zhuzhupets.com.

About Cepia, LLC
Cepia was founded in 2002 in St. Louis, Missouri by a senior management team boasting over 100 years of combined history in the toy industry. Ingenuity, creativity, playfulness, and passion are the heart of Cepia and everything it creates. Cepia is especially known for its use of advanced technology, which is employed in such an unobtrusive way that the toys are not only fun to play with, but often viewed as "wonderful" or "magical." Cepia's toy brand building enterprises include Glo-e a light-up plush bear, Hydro Max a motorized water blaster, Sky Raptors, Sk8, and their newest venture Zhu Zhu Pets(TM). For more information, please visit www.cepiallc.com.

About Black Lantern
Black Lantern Studios, Inc. is an independent interactive entertainment software developer for consoles and the PC. Founded in 2003 and headquartered in Springfield, Missouri, Black Lantern Studios is committed to providing the highest quality, richest, and most satisfying gaming experience to its customers, and delivering value to its publishers and partners. For more information about Black Lantern Studios, please visit www.blacklanternstudios.com or e-mail info@blacklanternstudios.com.

About Activision Publishing, Inc.
Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, Activision Publishing, Inc. is a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and leisure products.

Activision Publishing maintains operations in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Sweden, Spain, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Australia, Russia, Japan, South Korea, China and the region of Taiwan. More information about Activision and its products can be found on the company's website, www.activision.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements: Information in this press release that involves Activision Publishing'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. Activision Publishing 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 identify forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause Activision Publishing'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 Activision Publishing's titles, shifts in consumer spending trends, the impact of the current macroeconomic environment, the seasonal and cyclical nature of the interactive game market, Activision Publishing's ability to predict consumer preferences among competing hardware platforms, declines in software pricing, product returns and price protection, product delays, retail acceptance of Activision Publishing's products, adoption rate and availability of new hardware (including peripherals) and related software, industry competition, rapid changes in technology, industry standards and consumer preferences, protection of proprietary rights, litigation against Activision Publishing, maintenance of relationships with key personnel, customers, licensees, licensors, vendors and third-party developers, counterparty risks relating to customers, licensees, licensors and manufacturers, domestic and international economic, financial and political conditions and policies, foreign exchange rates and tax rates, integration of recent acquisitions and the identification of suitable future acquisition opportunities, and the other factors identified in the risk factors section of 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 Activision Publishing and Activision Blizzard as of the date of this release, and neither Activision Publishing 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 Activision Publishing 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.

A(C)2009 Activision Publishing, Inc. Activision is a registered trademark of Activision Publishing, Inc. Wii and Nintendo DS are trademarks of Nintendo. A(C) 2006 Nintendo. All other trademarks and trade names are the properties of their respective owners. All other trademarks and trade names are the properties of their respective owners. All rights reserved.

Sony Online Entertainment Announce EverQuest Expansion UnderFoot Is Out Now

Sony Online Entertainment have announced that the new ExverQuest expansion ,Underfoot, is out now. you can buy the expansion at www.everquest.com. It has a suggest retail price of $39.99.

EverQuest Underfoot Brings:
New Content: New areas for adventurers to explore including Brell's Rest, Pellucid Grotto, The Underquarry, Brell's Arena, The Foundation, The Cooling Chamber, Arthicrex, Lichen Creep, Kernagir the Shining City, Fungal Forest, Volska's Husk, and Brell's Temple. Players can travel into Underfoot solo, with a group, or in raids to complete new quests, tasks, and events to acquire new items, spells, tradeskill recipes, and abilities.

New Achievement System: Users can display and manage their progress through the world of Norrath. The achievement system allows players to track various categories of their advancement such as levels, Alternate Advancements, quest completions, and other progression tracking events. At the launch of Underfoot, players can track their General, Tradeskill and Underfoot progression Achievements.

Extended Target Window: Players can now track friends and foes with greater accuracy. The target window now lets players assign people or group roles to specific locations on the window for easy re-targeting. Users can track main tank, raid tanks, main target, main assist, puller, etc., or just put a specific player or NPC in the window.

Master Tradeskilling: Tradeskillers can create powerful new weapons, armor, food and drink items, poisons and more.



UnderFoot


Press Release

SAN DIEGO, Calif. – DECEMBER 15, 2009 – Online gamers can now immerse themselves in EverQuest® Underfoot™, the latest expansion from the genre-defining massively multiplayer online game by Sony Online Entertainment LLC (SOE). Underfoot is the unparalleled 16th expansion for the EverQuest franchise, and is available today via digital download at www.everquest.com for the suggested retail price of $39.99.

“Celebrating a decade of EverQuest throughout this year has reinvigorated our community and development team alike, and that passion is clearly on display with the latest expansion,” said Thom Terrazas, Producer, Sony Online Entertainment. “Underfoot presents a world unlike anything you've experienced in Norrath, providing a deep and fun experience for all our players.”

To further demonstrate SOE’s commitment to its player community, on December 17th, the online resourcewww.EQPlayers.com will be included at no additional cost for EverQuest players with an active, paid subscription in good standing.

About EverQuest Underfoot:
New Content: New areas for adventurers to explore including Brell's Rest, Pellucid Grotto, The Underquarry, Brell's Arena, The Foundation, The Cooling Chamber, Arthicrex, Lichen Creep, Kernagir the Shining City, Fungal Forest, Volska's Husk, and Brell's Temple. Players can travel into Underfoot solo, with a group, or in raids to complete new quests, tasks, and events to acquire new items, spells, tradeskill recipes, and abilities.
New Achievement System: Users can display and manage their progress through the world of Norrath. The achievement system allows players to track various categories of their advancement such as levels, Alternate Advancements, quest completions, and other progression tracking events. At the launch of Underfoot, players can track their General, Tradeskill and Underfoot progression Achievements.
Extended Target Window: Players can now track friends and foes with greater accuracy. The target window now lets players assign people or group roles to specific locations on the window for easy re-targeting. Users can track main tank, raid tanks, main target, main assist, puller, etc., or just put a specific player or NPC in the window.
Master Tradeskilling: Tradeskillers can create powerful new weapons, armor, food and drink items, poisons and more.
For more information and in-game rewards EverQuest players are encouraged to signup for SOE ConnecDing at http://www.station.sony.com/promotions/

About Sony Online Entertainment
Sony Online Entertainment LLC (SOE) is a recognized worldwide leader in massively multiplayer online games, with hundreds of thousands of subscribers around the globe. SOE creates, develops and provides compelling entertainment for the personal computer, online, game console and wireless markets. Known for its blockbuster franchises and hit titles including EverQuest®, EverQuest® II, Champions of Norrath®, Untold Legends™, and PlanetSide®, as well as for developing Star Wars Galaxies™, SOE continues to redefine the business of online gaming and the creation of active player communities while introducing new genres on various entertainment platforms. Headquartered in San Diego, CA, with additional development studios in Austin, TX; Seattle, WA; Denver, CO; Tucson, AZ and Taiwan, SOE has an array of cutting-edge games in development.

SOE, the SOE logo, EverQuest, PlanetSide, and Champions of Norrath are registered trademarks of Sony Online Entertainment LLC. Untold Legends is a trademark of Sony Online Entertainment LLC. All other trademarks and trade names are properties of their respective owners.

EA Have Released A Mass Effect 2 Teaser Trailer For A Upcoming Xbox Live Trailer

EA Have released a new trailer for Mass Effect 2. this trailer is only part of a larger trailer that will go live on Xbox Marketplace on December 22nd. It appears to be a history trailer, describing a bit of the story for the game.




Sony Online Entertainment Have Released A Video Promoting The Animation Contest For DC Universe

Sony Online Entertainment have released a video promoting the Animation Contest they are currently running for DC Universe. the video asks people to animate a scene using downloaded software, upload the completed scene so it can be voted on, and if you win you can work with Animators on DC Universe to get it in the game.




Sega Has Released 2 New Trailers For Vancouver Olympic Winter Games 2010

Sega has released two new trailers for Vancouver 2010. these trailers show many of the events in the game. The trailers show in-game graphics and both also show in-game action with some of the events from various points of view.






Audio Re-Cap of Yesterdays News (oldest to newest)

Here is today's Audio Re-Cap of Yesterdays news.
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Re-Cap of Yesterdays News (oldest to newest)

  • QTE Blog: Re-Cap of The Weekends News (oldest to newest) http://ow.ly/169qkE

  • PS3: Sony looked at making the PS3 even smaller than the slim they released, using Flash memory or save data on the PSN http://ow.ly/LUcM

  • Warner Bros. Have confirmed that they hold the publishing rights to Batman Arkham Asylum, and that Eidos do not. http://ow.ly/LUeu

  • Amazon.com have listings for Star Wars The Force Unleashed 2 on both the DS and Wii. http://ow.ly/LUg4

  • PS3: Braid is set to come out in the UK on the PSN on December 17th http://ow.ly/LUh2

  • QTE Blog: Audio Re-Cap of The Weekends News (oldest to newest) http://ow.ly/169sq1

  • GameStop have Dead Space II as coming out in early 2011 http://ow.ly/LUhX

  • Square Enix's Akitoshi Kawazu has said he wants the Final Fantasy franchise to go on forever, http://ow.ly/LUjs

  • Famitsu reveals Japanese actress Aya Hirono is working on a new game for Capcom, its thought to be a new Monster Hunter http://ow.ly/LUkP

  • 360: its being reported that a "Private Match hack" glitch is becoming popular on the 360 version of Modern Warfare 2 http://ow.ly/LUoc

  • UK Game Charts, Modern Warfare 2, Wii Sports Resort, Assassins Creed II, Wii Fit plus, FIFA 10 are top 5 http://ow.ly/LUpq

  • PS3: AdHoc Party has a tentative release date of 22nd December for Europe. http://ow.ly/LXi4

  • Dante's Inferno runs at 60fps, whilst the cut-scenes run at 30 fps. http://ow.ly/LXk5

  • PS3: Star Ocean The Last Hope will have new characters and new character portraits. http://ow.ly/LXma

  • QTE Blog: Nintendo Releases It's USA Q1 Wii, WiiWare, DS, DSiWare Release Calendar http://ow.ly/169uxp

  • PS3: Digital Foundry look at Mini's on PS3. Emulator a work in progress. 2D games ok, 3D games can struggle + more http://ow.ly/LYxw

  • Wii: Blue and Pink WiiMotes are coming out in USA on February 14th. they will come bundled with WiiMotion Plus http://ow.ly/LYGs

  • Its being reported that Recoil Games have put Earth No More on Hold whilst they work on smaller titles. http://ow.ly/LYL3

  • PS3: Sony has talked about Monthly Fees when discussing the PSN and costs. they are looking at many ways to make money http://ow.ly/LYQt

  • Its reported that Europe will get a Limited Collectors Edition for Final Fantasy XIII, no specifics were mentioned http://ow.ly/LYRL

  • QTE Blog: Microsoft Has Released A New Trailer For Crackdown 2 http://ow.ly/169wbW

  • QTE Blog: Disney Interactive Reveal Tron Evolution Details http://ow.ly/169x5z

  • QTE Blog: 2K Reveal Spec Ops The Line Details http://ow.ly/169x5A

  • QTE Blog: EA Reveal That A Army Of Two The 40th Day Demo Is Coming Out December 17th http://ow.ly/169zk1

  • QTE Blog: Sony Announce The SingStar Viewer For The Playstation 3 http://ow.ly/169zk2

  • 360: Square Enix is releasing 0 Day Attack On Earth on December 23rd http://ow.ly/M4hn

  • 360: There are reports of matchmaking issues on the 360. a fix is already in the works http://ow.ly/M4hY

  • Left 4 Dead 2 DLC, The Passing, will feature the cast from Left 4 Dead. its coming out early 2010. http://ow.ly/M4jt

  • QTE Blog: This Weeks WiiWare, DSiWare, And Virtual Console Releases http://ow.ly/169AHg

  • QTE Blog: EA And BioWare Announce That Dragon Age Origins Is Coming To Mac's On December 21st http://ow.ly/169AHh

  • DSi: DSi LL could've been called DSi Executive or DSi Deka, DSi Premium, DSi Living, or DSi Comfort http://ow.ly/M4kR

  • Wii: Development on Zelda is well underway. hope to show the game at E3. http://ow.ly/M4my

  • PC: Actor Zachary Quinto, Spock in new Star Trek Movie, Will voice the tutorial EMH in Star Trek Online http://ow.ly/M4vt

  • QTE Blog: IDW Are Working On Audio Commentaries For PSP Digital Comics http://ow.ly/169BHA

  • QTE Blog: Funcom Announce A Unlimited Free Trial Offer For Age Of Conan Hyborian Adventures http://ow.ly/169BHB



hello and welcome to the audio re-cap of yesterdays news. This is mondays enws and its in oldest to newest order with news from qtegamers at the end.



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