- With the new platform of the Softmax console game (family video game) business division posing a challenge, the company is set to enter the market through the localized release of a title for Nintendo DS.

- 2 types of Nintendo DS titles released in Korea this year (”Monster Farm DS,” “Hi! Hamtaro DS”)

Softmax (CEO: Jeong Yeong-won; www.softmax.co.kr) is making inroads into the game development business for Nintendo DS.

As a representative video game developer of Korea, Softmax is currently engaged in development projects on various platforms (online, console, mobile); it has developed major titles such as “Magna Carta: Tears of Blood” (PS2 & PSP; 2004, 2006 release) and “Magna Carta 2″ (Xbox 360, under development). Softmax announced that it would develop a game that can be enjoyed by a broader audience as well as various social classes by entering the Nintendo platform this time.

Since it engages in the business for Nintendo DS, Softmax is set to release 2 titles for Nintendo DS (”Monster Farm DS”, “Hi! Hamtaro DS”) in Korea this year. It is also planning to develop an edutainment contents title and an original game title later using representative characters at home and abroad.

Starting with the Korean release of 2 Japanese titles in 2008 as mentioned earlier, Softmax intends to operate the Nintendo DS business for the domestic as well as overseas markets through various styles of games targeting a broad range of users such as titles using popular Korean characters or contents and original orthodox RPG.

Even the development platform is not limited to a certain device like Nintendo Ds. Business on other platforms is currently under review.
“When we look at the game contents business strategy that Softmax had carried out until now, ‘family/children-oriented contents development’ can serve as a new challenge to Softmax. In the Nintendo platform in particular, which has various ranges of users, this will serve as an opportunity for Softmax to take a step further in developing global contents as its mid to long-term business strategy,” Softmax CTO Jo Yeong-gi said.

London, October 2008: Wrapstar, the London based company that designs and supplies protective skins for popular high-tech gadgets, today announces the launch of a new range of skins based on the highly popular Brit Chick license.

“The Brit Chicks brand is massively attractive to young girls, being as it is a story about a trio of aspirational young women in the modern world” said Max Haddow, Managing Director of Wrapstar. “We’ve got skins for the Nintendo© DS Lite and the iPod Nano 3G, both of which are gadgets that young girls are as happy to carry around, use and enjoy as much as the boys. And this, coupled with some fantastic designs that really showcase the girls and encapsulate the whole “Cool Britannia” brand surrounding the Chicks, makes these new range of skins an important first release in the Wrapstar line up for Q4 2008.”

Already a successful fashion-inspired lifestyle brand that features stationery and bags, gifts, cards and wrap and pre-paid mobile downloads, the Brit Chicks are also soon to star in their own animated cartoon series in the UK after receiving a very positive reaction at both Mipcom (Cannes) and the Brand Licensing Europe Show. The new Brit Chicks skins retail for £5.99 (DS Lite) and £4.99
(iPod Nano 3G)

With a week until the presidential election, I thought it was about time to get to my second part of this piece I call; “The Presidential Candidates and their View on Video games.” In the first part of this piece, (See HERE) I covered the views of Presidential hopeful Barack Obama. Now in part two, I will cover John McCain. Before I go on just wanted to remind you that I gave both campaigns plenty of time and opportunity to state for themselves what their stands on video games. I have brought it on myself to find as much quotes and info so I can properly get an idea of their views.

McCain has not said much about on the topic of video games. What he has said strongly opposes what Obama had to say. This was taken from a fellow blogger’s question to John McCain.

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Tired of Crawling Through Dungeons? Why Not Learn to Make Your Own?

IRVINE, Calif. - September 30, 2008 Normally a safe and quiet town, South Arc has come under attack by monsters infesting the nearby forest. As the town’s most ambitious young orphan, and the only person without a real job, you are charged with the responsibility of ridding South Arc of its monster infestation. You’ve just made friends with a magic talking shovel that can help you build a dungeon that will lure monsters inside. Once inside, you can use your strength and magic to exterminate the beasts - hopefully finding some rare items on the way out. But wait… how’s one young boy supposed to defend the whole town from an army of monsters?

The first step in mastering your skills and protecting South Arc from hordes of monsters is to understand the resources at your disposal. The citizens of South Arc are more than willing to help you with your quest. Most of the villagers own shops and, despite your working to save their lives from monsters, are totally willing to charge you a small fee for their services. These shops, along with some friends and local landmarks, will be the key to your success. Come, learn about the special town of South Arc.

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One more source saying that they got confirmation about the New DS, this time from spong.com. This thing is just to big not to be true.

We spoke to a source close to Nintendo — a software developer, for those who are wondering — and he confirmed that the company is indeed working on secret new hardware to replace the DS. What’s more, he stated that he has seen the new device, and could describe some of its features. The first thing he noted was that the prototype has saw had larger and higher-resolution screens than those in the current generation device. It appears to him that the company will be sticking with the same 4:3 aspect ratio, rather than opting for a wider display. However, he said that the new prototype DS had some features not currently included on the current model, most notably a camera. He told GameFlavor that the camera was of fairly high resolution and pointed away from the player. He and his colleagues had fun pointing the camera at background objects so as to make it appear that the screens of the DS were transparent.

“The pre-owned market will lead the way for us. It means we can offer better value than the supermarkets or independents, and customers are able to get rid of games they no longer want for a guaranteed best price on the High Street. Pre-owned games is the most important part of the store. It is crucial that we make sure that people know we give the best trade-in price and that our pre-owned stock is also cheaper than anywhere else. Basically, we are set to give the best value to our customers whilst making maximum margin.” - store manager Richard George

If Blockbuster just gives a $3 more better deal then Gamestop I am all over it.

Link

BETHESDA, Md. & REDMOND, Wash.–The Wii™ experience is just beginning for Marriott and Renaissance guests, who can now choose from 20 games, including the popular Mario Kart™ Wii, Super Mario Galaxy™, and Wii Sports™ as well as the revolutionary fitness game, Wii Fit™. In a lodging industry first, Marriott International, Inc. is piloting a new specially built Wii hotel game system from Nintendo in select guest rooms and lounges. Wii systems are available at six Marriott and Renaissance properties:

* New York Marriott Marquis
* Renaissance New York Hotel Times Square
* Boston Marriott Cambridge
* Bethesda (Md.) Marriott Suites
* Annapolis (Md.) Marriott Waterfront
* JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa, Phoenix (Lounge only)

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