Bigpoint and Unity have announced that Battlestar Galactica Online is set to come out fall this year on PC. Battlestar Galactica Online is a Browser based MMOG, that is based on Syfy's Battlestar Galactica series, that will go live worldwide on syfy.com.
Players will be able to choose to play as the Cylons or Humans, in a struggle to control the universe or just survive. Battlestar Galactica Online will have a mix of tactical space combat, exploration, and mission based gameplay.
Press Release SAN FRANCISCO --(Business Wire)-- Mar 09, 2010 The global market leader in browser-based Massively Multiplayer Online Games (MMOG), Bigpoint,(http://www.bigpoint.com/) will be demonstrating the next generation of client-free PC gaming at Game Developers Conference 2010. Leading its product slate for 2010 will be Battlestar Galactica Online, a tactical space combat and adventure MMOG based upon Syfy’s Battlestar Galactica series. The game, inspired by one of the most popular science fiction series in television history, will launch worldwide exclusively this fall on Syfy.com for a 30 day period. The Unity co-developed MMOG will offer state of the art graphics that can be played directly in an Internet browser. The teaser website for Battlestar Galactica Online is available at http://www.bgo.bigpoint.com and Bigpoint will be discussing this announcement at booth 2038 at Game Developers Conference, March 9th-12th. Battlestar Galactica Online is licensed through Universal Partnerships & Licensing, on behalf of the NBC Universal Television Consumer Products Group.
Battlestar Galactica is the gripping saga of humanity's last remnants and their struggle to find a new home while fleeing from their deadly Cylon enemies. Redefining the space opera with its gritty realism, Galactica's intensity, issues-driven topicality, and command performances have garnered it numerous awards, including three Emmy® Awards and the prestigious George Foster Peabody Award. The show was recognized by the American Film Institute (AFI) as one of the most outstanding programs of the year two years running. The series was produced by Universal Cable Productions and executive produced by Ronald D. Moore and David Eick. The outstanding ensemble cast was led by Edward James Olmos, Mary McDonnell, Katee Sackhoff, Jamie Bamber, James Callis, Tricia Helfer and Grace Park.
"Battlestar Galactica is a supremely gameable intellectual property, with compelling character classes, a fantastic array of ships and weaponry, multiple worlds, and a dramatic storyline," said Bill Kispert, VP & GM, Digital Platforms, Universal Partnerships & Licensing. " We are excited to work with Bigpoint – and our partners at Universal Cable Productions and Syfy – to bring an epic, accessible, and ‘always on’ BSG experience to fans of the franchise and online gamers alike."
"Cooperation between Bigpoint and NBC Universal is a very important strategic step for us," explains Heiko Hubertz, CEO and founder of Bigpoint. "Battlestar Galactica has a huge and passionate fan base. We are proud to be able to publish such an internationally famous title as one of our online games. For the first time ever, we're relying completely on Unity in order to offer our users fantastic game graphics right in their browsers."
Battlestar Galactica Online is the first game inspired by a blockbuster Hollywood franchise to be fully developed on Unity technology for MMOG audiences. This platform independent engine makes it possible to produce real-time 3D applications such as MMO games with exceptionally high quality graphics without having to download a client.
Players will be able to choose to play as cylons or humans in a constant struggle to control the universe or just survive its perils. A blend of tactical space combat, exploration, and mission-based gameplay will provide a diverse experience. The dramatic missions will define the game's overall storyline, enabling the player to delve into mysteries of the Battlestar universe. Battlestar Galactica Online will create a new standard for web games, with beautiful 3d graphics and innovative game mechanics bringing a new level of game play to browser based MMOG. Assets from the television production will be integrated into the game to deliver an even more authentic experience.
The game is being developed by Artplant (http://artplant.no), a Norwegian development studio specializing in 3D MMO games.
Megumi Ikeda from NBC Universal's strategic venture capital arm, Peacock Equity Fund, investors in Bigpoint, said, "Our investment strategy is to help high-growth companies like Bigpoint that can also drive growth for NBCU, so we're excited to see this collaboration working so well."
About Bigpoint Bigpoint is an online-game publisher, content provider for large media concerns and browser-based game developer. The company’s game portfolio has achieved the same high level of quality usually associated with CDs or consoles. More than 300 employees from over 35 different nations work together in Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany at the headquarters of the world’s largest browser-game portal. The company also has locations in Berlin, San Francisco and Malta. The games are available in over 30 languages and provide more than 108 million gamers from Europe to America and beyond with free, first-class entertainment, without the hassle of having to download or install any additional software.
Bigpoint has pocketed such prestigious honors as the Eco Award "Best Content Provider" 2009, the Ruban d’Honneur at the European Business Awards 2009, the Red Herring 100 Europe, the OnlineStar for the most popular website in Germany and the MTV Skyscraper Award for extraordinary achievement in game development. People’s choice awards and user awards such as the Dutch HME Award 2009 and the American Website of the Year Award 2009 confirm Bigpoint’s sensational success. Bigpoint placed third in the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 due to company growth of 4,094.06% within four years. Founder Heiko Hubertz was awarded second place as Internet Entrepreneur 2007. For further information about Bigpoint and its games, please visit http://www.bigpoint.net.
About Universal Partnerships & Licensing UP&L oversees Universal’s consumer product licensing, film and home entertainment promotions, and all corporate alliances for Universal’s theatrical, home entertainment, theme parks and stage productions. This dedicated division is also responsible for monetizing the Studio’s vast library of films and characters through licensing, branding and marketing opportunities. UP&L is part of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Formed in May 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80%-owned by General Electric, with 20% owned by Vivendi.
About Syfy Syfy is a media destination for imagination-based entertainment. With year round acclaimed original series, events, blockbuster movies, classic science fiction and fantasy programming, a dynamic Web site (www.Syfy.com), and a portfolio of adjacent business (Syfy Ventures), Syfy is a passport to limitless possibilities. Originally launched in 1992 as SCI FI Channel, and currently in 95 million homes, Syfy is a network of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies. Syfy. Imagine greater.
About NBC Universal Television DVD, Music, and Consumer Products Group NBC Universal Television DVD, Music, and Consumer Products Group manages all global ancillary television business endeavors for the NBC Universal Television Group, including third-party home entertainment distribution, consumer products, musical soundtracks, special markets projects and the NBC Universal Online Store.
About Unity Unity Technologies is revolutionizing the game development industry and was named one of the top five game companies of 2009 after just four years in the market. Today Unity Technologies has more than 100,000 registered users worldwide – including leading companies like Cartoon Network, Electronic Arts, LEGO and NASA, large and small studios, independent professionals, students and hobbyists – using the Unity platform to develop high performance interactive 3D content for the Web, for mobile and for consoles. Unity Technologies is one of the fastest growing software companies and is aggressively innovating to expand usability, power and platform reach so that it can deliver on its vision of democratizing interactive 3D technology. Unity Technologies is headquartered in San Francisco and has development offices worldwide. For more information, visit unity3d.com.
EA have announced that Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 11 will have The Ryder Cup and support the Playstation 3 Motion Controller. The Cover athletes for Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 11 represent the addition of The Ryder Cup so Tiger Woods represents the USA whilst Rory McIlroy represents the Europeans. The game is set for release on 8th June on the Nintendo Wii, Xbox 360, Playstation 3, and iPhone.
The Ryder Cup feature will allow gamers to choose whether they want to play for the USA or the EU. there are also different formats which the compition can be played in, for example Foursomes, Fourballs, and Singles. The Ryder Cup mode can be played offline or online.
The Nintendo Wii version of the game is compatible with Wii Motion Plus and has new swing mechanics to choose from. The Advanced Plus swing will read rotation and swing angle while the Tour Pro swing mechanic assesses rotation, swing plane and point of contact. The Tour Pro swing features an innovative first-person camera angle from the tee box to the putting green called True View
Press Release REDWOOD CITY, Calif. --(Business Wire)-- Mar 09, 2010 Electronic Arts Inc., (NASDAQ:ERTS) announced today that one of the most prestigious tournaments in golf, The Ryder Cup, will be featured in Tiger Woods PGA TOUR® 11. In addition,Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 11 will support Sony’s new PlayStation 3 Motion Controller to give gamers an authentic interactive swing experience. The game will be available on June 8 on the Wii™, Xbox 360®, PlayStation®3 and iPhone™ platforms.
Gamers will select a team and square off to try and bring home The Ryder Cup for their squad in Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 11 on all console platforms. The Ryder Cup is one of the last great sporting events to be founded in prestige rather than prize money. Choose from the U.S. or European squad and participate in the various competition formats – foursomes where players hit alternate shots, fourballs and singles which traditionally bring the biennial event to a close with players going head to head. When playing The Ryder Cup mode offline, gamers will have the option to swap matches, thus giving you the ultimate control over the outcomes of other matches.
The Ryder Cup, a competition hosted by Ryder Cup Europe LLP and the PGA of America, brings together the best American and European golfers in a team competition format, and the cover of Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 11 is a direct reflection of the tournament – as Tiger Woods denotes the U.S. team and Rory McIlroy represents the Europeans. McIlroy, hailing from Northern Ireland and currently ranked 9th according to the Official World Golf Rankings, has posted several impressive showings early in his professional golfing career. Last year, McIlroy had five top 10 PGA TOUR finishes including a third-place tie in the 2009 PGA Championship and made the cut in all four majors. As an amateur, McIlroy also has a strong history in team play events, which include appearances in the Junior Ryder Cup and Walker Cup.
“This is a huge honor for me to be the on the cover with Tiger Woods as I grew up idolizing Tiger,” said McIlroy. “The Ryder Cup has always been my favorite sporting event and the tournament is being played at The Celtic Manor Resort in Wales in 2010. Also, I’m hopeful to have an opportunity to represent the European team later in the year – it’s all very special.”
Not only will players have the ability to participate in team play but they will now be able to take a team online* via the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. A first for the franchise, this all-new mode will allow up to 24 players to compete head-to-head as members of team. Team members can also talk strategy with their teammates over Xbox LIVE or PlayStation Network.
Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 11 on the Wii brings the links to your living room with two all-new enhanced swing mechanics while using the Wii MotionPlus™. The Advanced Plus swing difficulty will read rotation and swing angle while the Tour Pro swing mechanic assesses rotation, swing plane and point of contact. The Tour Pro swing features an innovative first-person camera angle from the tee box to the putting green called True View. True View creates the most immersive and authentic golf experience in any video game – you are no longer watching the golfer, you are the golfer!
Since 1986, EA has produced immersive golf experiences that give fans the ability to hit the links via an authentic gameplay experience. Since the launch of Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 99 the franchise has sold more than 25 million units worldwide**. The critically acclaimed Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 10 on the Wii was a finalist for IGN.com’s 2009 Sports Game of the Year.
For Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 11 assets, go to www.info.ea.com.
EA SPORTS™ is one of the leading sports entertainment brands in the world, with top-selling videogame franchises, award-winning interactive technology, global videogame competitions and breakthrough digital experiences. EA SPORTS delivers personal access to the emotion of sports through industry-leading sports simulation videogames, includingMadden NFL football, FIFA Soccer, NHL® hockey, NBA LIVE basketball, NCAA® Football and NCAA Basketball, Fight Night boxing and Tiger Woods PGA TOUR® golf, EA SPORTS MMA and EA SPORTS Active.
For more information about EA SPORTS, including news, video, blogs, forums and game apps, please visitwww.easports.com to connect, share and compete.
* Internet connection and EA account required. ** Based on totals from NPD data and EU-based retail tracking services, including internal EA sales data.
About Electronic Arts Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, California, is a leading global interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, the Company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive software worldwide for video game systems, personal computers, wireless devices and the Internet. Electronic Arts markets its products under four brand names: EA SPORTSTM, EATM, EA Mobile™ and POGOTM. In fiscal 2009, EA posted GAAP net revenue of $4.2 billion and had 31 titles that sold more than one million copies. EA's homepage and online game site is www.ea.com. More information about EA's products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at http://info.ea.com.
EA, EA SPORTS, EA Mobile and POGO are trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. John Madden, NFL, NBA, FIFA, NHL, NCAA, NASCAR, Tiger Woods and PGA TOUR are trademarks of their respective owners and used with permission. Wii is a trademark of Nintendo. Xbox and the Xbox 360 are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies. PlayStation is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. iPhone is a trademark of Apple Inc. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.
About PGA TOUR The PGA TOUR is the world’s premier membership organization for touring professional golfers, co-sanctioning more than 100 tournaments on the PGA TOUR, Champions Tour and Nationwide Tour.
The PGA TOUR’s mission is to entertain and inspire its fans, deliver substantial value to its partners, create outlets for volunteers to give back, generate significant charitable and economic impact in communities in which it plays, and provide financial opportunities for TOUR players.
In 2010, the three Tours collectively have tournaments in 34 states and in 12 countries outside of the U.S. PGA TOUR tournaments are broadcast to nearly 600 million households in 231 countries and 30 languages.
Virtually all tournaments are organized as nonprofit organizations in order to maximize charitable giving. In 2009, tournaments on the three Tours generated nearly $109 million for local charitable organizations, bringing the TOUR’s all-time total of charitable contributions to nearly $1.5 billion.
The PGA TOUR's web site is PGATOUR.COM, the No. 1 site in golf, and the company is headquartered in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL.
TellTale and Warner Bros. have released a new trailer for Lego Harry Potter. this trailer is a behind the scenes look at the game. The Trailer discusses new features like Split Screen Co-op, both local and online, as well as features specific to a Harry Potter title. The Trailer also looks into what goes into brining Lego and Harry Potter together. The Trailer is made up of interviews with people behind the game and has new in-game footage from Lego Harry Potter.
TellTale and Warner Bros. have released 2 new trailers for Lego Harry Potter. both of these trailers have in-game footage and show various parts from the Year 1 and Year 2 stages of Lego Harry Potter. The trailer appear to be from both the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 versions of the games.
Sony have detailed the upcoming update to the PSN game, Hustle Kings. They have listened to the Hustle Kings community and bought together some of the most requested features in this new update.
Game Update Brings:
General improvements to game stability
In-game Voice Chat
In-game Video Chat
Game Launching from PlayStation Home
More stats for the loading screens
The sound effect for the chalk has been turned down
Chalk can now be used by pressing the R3 button as well as shaking your SIXAXIS
Free Play mode
Blue chalk only online rooms
Online: Opponents are now allowed to change view while watching the player at the table
Online: The player that breaks is now randomly chosen
A new, “minimal” aim line
Dampening effect on the pockets, to stop accurate high powered shots from always bouncing out of the pockets
Small adjustments to the fine tune aiming to make it easier to use
Sony have also announced that soon after this update is released, a new Time Saver Pack will be released on the PSN. this pack will unlock everything in the game. Coming later will be two free Crazy Table Packs that add new shaped Pool Tables to the game.
Seven45 Studios have announced Power Gig: Rise of the SixString for the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360. Power Gig: Rise of the SixString will become the first major band game that has a guitar peripheral that is also a functioning six string electric guitar. The Game is currently set for a Fall 2010 release and will be shown at this years GDC.
Power Gig: Rise of the SixString is set in a new universe that has its own mythology, politics, settings, heroes and villains, where music rules all.
Power Gig: Rise of the SixString features traditional gameplay mechanics similar to those found in the Guitar Hero and Rock Band series as well as a "power Gig" mode which will introduce gamers to actual Guitar Chords and, as the difficulty increases Power Chords in such away that gamers should come away from the game with a understanding of Guitar fundamentals.
Press Release BOSTON --(Business Wire)-- Mar 09, 2010 The true evolution of the band videogame experience is set to occur this fall when Seven45 Studios unleashes Power Gig: Rise of the SixString for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and Xbox 360® videogame and entertainment system. New publisher, developer and hardware manufacturer Seven45 Studios is a sister company to music instrument manufacturing giant First Act, making it uniquely positioned to introduce the first major band game for which the guitar peripheral is a functioning six-string electric guitar. The guitar features Seven45’s proprietary technology that can distinguish and recognize gamers’ input all along the guitar, making the guitars as easy to pick up and play as any other band game button controllers. They also include all the guts of an electric guitar so players can plug their SixString guitars into any standard amp to jam with their friends.
“Power Gig: Rise of the SixString is meant to be the answer for all of those gamers who have wanted to take their band game experience to the next level; we’re confident that players will agree that the transition from the existing games is both seamless and exhilarating,” said Seven45 Studios Chairman and CEO, Bernard Chiu. “We believe that there is something unmatchable about the feeling of an authentic guitar in your hands, and Power Gig brings that excitement to all gamers with an instrument that absolutely anyone can pick up and play.”
Power Gig: Rise of the SixString will transport players to an entirely new universe, with its own mythology, politics, settings, heroes and villains, where music rules all. On the gameplay front, Power Gig uses new technology that represents the next evolution of music performance games to provide all players — from casual gamers to the hardcore, from those who have never before picked up a guitar to those who play guitar on a regular basis — with a more authentic and fun experience. The game offers two overarching modes of play. In addition to traditional beat-matching that will be familiar to fans of the band game genre, Power Gig also introduces the option to switch on chording, or chord play. Chording presents the added challenge of playing the game using chords that require specific finger placement on the strings. As players progress through the game, becoming more comfortable with a genuine guitar and potentially choosing to play real power chords, they will find that the byproduct of playing the game is coming away from it with an understanding of some real-life guitar fundamentals.
Seven45 Studios’ relationship to music instrument manufacturing stalwart First Act means not only that the two share an ownership, but also that Seven45 can leverage deep expertise when it comes to the manufacturing and distribution of quality musical instruments for mass audiences. Seven45 has also put together a veritable dream team of game development talent whose collective experience includes time spent at companies such as Vivendi, LucasArts, Atari, StormFront Studios, Foundation 9, Pandemic, Capcom, Backbone Entertainment, SEGA and many more.
Power Gig: Rise of the SixString will be available for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and Xbox 360® videogame and entertainment system fall of 2010. The SixString guitar makes its public debut at the 2010 Game Developers Conference, which begins today at San Francisco’s Moscone Center. For more information, please visit http://www.powergig.com.
About Seven45 Studios Seven45 Studios, headquartered in Boston, MA, is an innovative video Game Developer and Publisher of music games across all platforms. Composed of game and music industry veterans, the Seven45 team blurs the line between music and gaming by focusing on truly immersive experiences and character-driven storytelling to create revolutionary new games.
THQ have announced that they have launched a European E-Shop. From this shop consumers can buy Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II, Company of Heroes RTS range, and Red Faction: Guerrilla. New and future titles, including Metro 2033, will also be available for download.
THQ have also announced that any users who pre-order Metro 2033 from the e-Shop will also get Red Faction: Guerrilla for free. The first 6,000 pre-order copies of Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II – Chaos Rising will also get a exclusive Librarian Wargear Pack fro free. THQ have revealed that future promotions like these will only become available exclusively from the E-Shop.
Press Release AGOURA HILLS, Calif. March 9, 2010 – THQ Inc. today announced the launch of the European E-Shop allowing gamers to buy, download and play a wide range of THQ PC titles including the award winning Warhammer® 40,000™: Dawn of War® II, Company of Heroes® RTS range, and explosive new titles like Red Faction®: Guerrilla™.
In addition to these time honored classics the E-Shop will also act as a distribution channel for THQ’s upcoming PC titles allowing consumers to pre-order and pre-load their games. As an added incentive in the UK any users who pre-order the atmospheric Metro 2033™ will receive a digital copy of the ground-breaking Red Faction: Guerrilla for free, while the first 6,000 pre-orders of Relic® Entertainment’s upcoming Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II – Chaos Rising will receive the exclusive Librarian Wargear Pack for free.
Jon Rooke, UK & European Marketing Director commented: “Digital distribution is clearly becoming a widely accepted way for consumers to transact their PC purchases. THQ has some of the industry’s best known and critically acclaimed franchises and we are very pleased to be able to offer our consumers the ability to purchase these titles direct from THQ.”
“We plan to offer consumers added value on our key franchises with exclusive content such as the Librarian Wargear Pack, only available through the THQ E-Shop, and a range of other promotional offers on an ongoing basis so users are encouraged to check back regularly.”
About Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II – Chaos Rising Set in the grim, war-ravaged world of Games Workshop’s vast Warhammer 40,000 science fiction universe, Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II – Chaos Rising transports players into the midst of an intergalactic war between ancient enemies. Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II – Chaos Rising introduces the Chaos Space Marines as a new playable army, continues the single player campaign from the original Dawn of War II with 15 new missions, delivers all new wargear and raises the level cap from 20 to 30. Relic Entertainment will also deliver new multiplayer maps and new units for the Orks, Eldar, Tyranids and Space Marines. For more information on Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II – Chaos Rising, please visit www.dawnofwar2.com.
About THQ THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) is a leading worldwide developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software. The company develops its products for all popular game systems, personal computers and wireless devices. Headquartered in Los Angeles County, California, THQ sells product through its global network of offices located throughout North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. More information about THQ and its products may be found at www.thq.com. THQ, Relic Entertainment, Company of Heroes, Red Faction: Guerrilla and their respective logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of THQ Inc. All other trademarks, logos and copyrights are the property of their respective owners.
The statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts may be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about the business of THQ Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as “THQ”), including, but not limited to, expectations and projections related to the company’s E-Shop for PC games, including Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II – Chaos Rising and Metro 2033, and are based upon management’s current beliefs and certain assumptions made by management. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, business, competitive, economic, legal, political and technological factors affecting our industry, operations, markets, products or pricing. Readers should carefully review the risk factors and the information that could materially affect THQ’s financial results, described in other documents that THQ files from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal period ended March 31, 2009, and particularly the discussion of risk factors set forth therein. Unless otherwise required by law, THQ disclaims any obligation to update its view on any such risks or uncertainties or to revise or publicly release the results of any revision to these forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release.
