Video Games

NATSUME TO BRING THE HIGHLY ANTICIPATED
RUNE FACTORY 2: A FANTASY HARVEST MOON TO NINTENDO DS LATER THIS FALL

Sequel to the Critically Acclaimed RPG Makes Its First Public
Appearance at E3 Next Month

Burlingame, Calif., June 24, 2008 – Natsume Inc., a worldwide developer
and publisher of family-oriented video games, announced today that
Rune Factory 2: A Fantasy Harvest Moon will be released for the
Nintendo DST system later this fall. The company has also released the
first screen shots of the game. The Rune Factory series is a unique
blend of elements from the world of Harvest Moon and that of a fantasy
RPG, offering Harvest Moon fans and traditional RPG players the best
of both worlds.

“We are thrilled to announce that Rune Factory 2 is on its way to the
U.S. The first Rune Factory title was a great success for us and our
fans have been eagerly awaiting a sequel,” said Hiro Maekawa,
President and CEO at Natsume. “The Rune Factory series is a great
expansion of the Harvest Moon universe; it takes the addictive Harvest
Moon gameplay that fans know and love and combines it with the action
and adventure of a fantasy RPG. Rune Factory 2 offers better graphics
and even deeper gameplay than the first, along with many innovative
new features.”

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SAN MATEO, Calif — June 24, 2008 — Capcom®, a leading worldwide developer and publisher of video games, today announced that Mega Man Star Force™ 2 for Nintendo DS™ is now available at retail. The second game in the Mega Man Star Force™ series will offer an updated battle system with new Battle Cards and diabolical enemies. Mega Man Star Force 2 will have two versions: Zerker X Ninja and Zerker X Saurian. Mega Man Star Force 2 is rated E10+ for everyone 10 and older and carries a suggested retail price of $29.99.

Developed by the team behind the popular MegaMan Battle Network® series, Mega Man Star Force 2 continues two months after the previous game left off. Geo Stelar and crew return to battle a whole host of UMA’s (unidentified animated beings) and a new rival character called “Rogue.” Amidst this new conflict, a mysterious organization emerges with plans to revive the ancient civilization of “Mu” by utilizing the force of an ancient heritage “OOPArt.” It’s up to Geo and his virus-busting buddy, Omega-Xis, to thwart this latest threat.

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Wired: Is the traditional joystick dead?

Miyamoto: Well, as the individual who created the traditional controller, I certainly don’t want to speak badly of it! What we’re trying …
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Top Curriculum-Based Quiz Series Offers New Way for Kids to Learn And Play On The Go

Product Description
EA brings American’s #1 bestselling educational series to the Nintendo DS™ handheld system this September, just in time for back-to-school! Brain Quest, the brand recognized by teachers, trusted by parents, and adored by kids is now interactive for today’s tech savvy kids. In partnership with the series’ publisher Workman Publishing Company, Inc., EA will release two Brain Quest games centered on the curriculum-based series: one for third and fourth graders, and another for fifth and sixth graders.
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Top Curriculum-Based Quiz Series Offers New Way for Kids to Learn and Play on the Go

LOS ANGELES, Calif., June 23, 2008 – The Casual Entertainment label of Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) today announced plans to bring America’s #1 educational bestseller*, Brain Quest®, to the Nintendo DS™ handheld system, just in time for back-to-school this September. In partnership with the New York based Workman Publishing Company, Inc., EA will release two Brain Quest games centered on the curriculum-based series that has sold more than 28 million copies**: one for third and fourth graders, and another for fifth and sixth graders.

“Brain Quest is EA Casual Entertainment’s first educational game and we are thrilled to bring this beloved brand into the videogame space,” said Robert Nashak, VP of Casual Studios, EA Casual Entertainment. “By adapting the series to the DS, we are able to reach today’s tech savvy children and provide them with an educational experience that is interactive, engaging, and fun.”
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I had Ninja Gaiden 1 and 3 for my NES. I did not think the game was to hard, at least not hard enough to be number …
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Target and Activision Partner with Chip Ganassi Racing to Feature Guitar Hero: Aerosmith on No. 40 Dodge
Wrapped Car Will Run in New Hampshire NASCAR Race on June 29; Target to Offer Exclusive Guitar Hero: Aerosmith Wii Bundle

CONCORD, N.C.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates announced today it has partnered with Activision and its long-time sponsor Target® to feature the latest version of the Guitar Hero® series, Guitar Hero®: Aerosmith®, on Dario Franchitti’s No. 40 Dodge in the NASCAR Sprint Cup race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway (NHMS) on June 29.

Guitar Hero: Aerosmith, which will be released June 29, is the latest installment from the Activision franchise that was the top-selling video game in 2007. The game puts players in the shoes of Joe Perry (guitar), Brad Whitford (guitar) and Tom Hamilton (bass), as they rock out alongside front man Steven Tyler and drummer Joey Kramer. Gamers will experience Aerosmith’s GRAMMY® winning career, from their first gig to becoming rock royalty while jamming to the band’s top songs.
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EDISON, N.J., June 16, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ — Majesco Entertainment Company Inc. (Nasdaq: COOL), an innovative provider of video games for the mass market, today reported financial results for the fiscal second quarter ended April 30, 2008.

Jesse Sutton, Chief Executive Officer of Majesco Entertainment, said, “We continue to execute on our mass market, family-friendly strategy and build on our presence in one of the industry’s fastest growing genres. Our second quarter results are in line with our expectations and reflect the impact of our release schedule and seasonality of our business. For the first six months of 2008, our combined DS and Wii business, which is at the core of our mass market strategy, is up roughly 50% versus last year. We remain on pace to achieve modest gross margin gains in 2008 and continue to believe that we can achieve cash break even or better at an operating level with full fiscal year net revenue between $53 and $58 million.

“We launched six new titles in the second quarter and 10 titles year to date. Two titles shipped for Nintendo’s Wii system, seven for Nintendo’s DS handheld, and one title for the PSP(R) (PlayStation(R)Portable), aimed to maintain our focus on the family-friendly market,” continued Sutton. “We are prudently expanding our portfolio of titles and our studio is on schedule in developing its first titles. With our targeted strategy, improved operating execution and commitment to cost controls we are well positioned to continue improving our financial performance.”
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London, 16th June 2008, Stourbridge, England. Crazy Mini Golf; known the world over as the thing you do when you’re at the seaside, when the kids are bored or when adults have had far too many drinks and see themselves as the next Tiger Woods………

Now you can have this much crazy fun in your own home thanks to Data Design Interactive – a successful video games publisher and games developer, who today announced a new title to be added to their Nintendo Wii label, Popcorn Arcade, kidz Sports – Crazy Mini Golf.
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Sheffield, England – June 13th, 2008 – Video games publisher Lexicon Entertainment today announce that the Commando: Steel Disaster website is now live and can be viewed at:

www.commandosteeldisaster.com

Due for a July 2008 release you play as the heroic Storm who must put an end to an evil organisation called Rattlesnake. Of course, you get to do this with a range of heavy weaponry and Lexicon assures us there are plenty of different weapons and pick-ups – each with its own attack method and power. Plus, some guns can be used to find secret items.
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Two Nintendo video games designed to appeal to both novice and expert gamers posted healthy numbers in the May sales charts, according to the independent NPD Group, which tracks …
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TAMPA, Fla.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Last month, radio consultant Jacobs Media’s Tech Survey IV: Rock-Based Video Games found that music-based video games are having a significant, positive impact on music discovery and sales. Nearly one-third of players surveyed said they’ve purchased songs featured in the popular video music games Guitar Hero (Activision) and Rock Band (Harmonix/MTV Games).

More new versions have been announced for release soon (Guitar Hero on Tour on 6/22, Guitar Hero: Aerosmith on 6/29, Rock Band for Wii on 6/29, and Guitar Hero 4 in Fall 2008, with Guitar Hero: Metallica and Rock Band 2 reported to be in the works), and Chris Martin of rock band Coldplay recently announced that his band has added a new song to Guitar Hero, for the first time.
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NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–2K Sports, the sports publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO – News), today announced that the next iteration of the popular hockey franchise, NHL 2K9, will be coming to the Wii™ console from Nintendo this fall. As the first and only officially licensed NHL and NHLPA video game for Wii, NHL 2K9 will offer fans the fun opportunity to play like the pros using the Wii Remote™ controller as a hockey stick, and enjoy playing hockey in a wholly unique and entertaining experience like never before.

“Nintendo is thrilled to have 2K Sports’ NHL 2K9 on the Wii platform this season,” said Steve Singer, VP of Licensing at Nintendo of America Inc. “This title has been highly anticipated by our Wii consumers who will now be able to use the Wii Remote to face-off, play hockey, and fire a slap shot in their living rooms.”

In celebration of NHL 2K9 for Wii, Nintendo’s most iconic video game character, Mario™, will be walking down the red carpet during the 2008 NHL Awards tonight at the Elgin Theatre, 6:15 p.m. ET in Toronto. Fans in attendance will also have the special opportunity to meet and greet Mario and have their picture taken with him.

“It’s our goal this year to bring the fun back to hockey video games,” said Christoph Hartmann, president of 2K. “NHL 2K9 for Wii includes the full feature set as available on other platforms, and added Wii Remote controls and other exciting features specific for the Wii console will allow dedicated fans the opportunity to fully enjoy and embrace NHL hockey in a brand new experience.”

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REDMOND, Wash., June 12, 2008 – Most musicians dream of one day reaching platinum success. A new Nintendo DS™ bundle lets aspiring axe shredders claim that coveted status right from day one. The new Silver/Black Nintendo DS branded with the Guitar Hero® logo will be available exclusively as part of a limited-time bundle with Guitar Hero®: On Tour. For the first time, this smash-hit franchise is playable on a portable video game system using the revolutionary Guitar Hero™ Guitar Grip™ peripheral and fully tapping into the distinctive abilities of the Nintendo DS hardware.

Available on June 22, 2008, at North American retailers nationwide, the bundle provides a cool combo package for grads about to head off to college as well as summertime, road-tripping rockers of all ages.

“This one-of-a-kind bundle makes Nintendo DS even more appealing to our ever-growing audience of players,” said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. “Like Nintendo DS itself, the Guitar Hero franchise has attracted millions of new players to the world of video games.”
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Colossal Competition To Culminate In Performances of Guitar Hero^® III: Legends Of Rock on the Festival’s Main Stage

Thursday 12th June/… Activision, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) and the Isle of Wight Festival today announced a unique collaboration which will see Guitar Hero III: Legends Of Rock performed by fans on the same stage as The Sex Pistols, The Kaiser Chiefs and The Police in front of thousands of concert-goers throughout the Isle of Wight Festival 2008 which runs from June 13 – 15, 2008 at Seaclose Park, Newport, Isle of Wight.

Event attendees will have the opportunity to unleash their inner rock star in dedicated Guitar Hero areas, with the best rockers projected onto big screens throughout the festival grounds. A few of the best players will be invited to perform on the main stage in what will be one of the biggest public performances of the game ever.
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BELLEVUE, Wash., June 10 /PRNewswire/ — Pokemon USA, Inc., and Burger King Corp. today announced a promotional partnership that will bring popular characters like Pikachu(R), Darkrai(TM), Dialga(TM) and Palkia(TM) to children around the world. Participating BURGER KING(R) restaurants worldwide will offer an exclusive Pokemon Trading Card Game (TCG) card and accessory with each purchase of a BK(R) Kids Meal. These BURGER KING(R) restaurants will be the only place where children can obtain each of the 12 different Pokemon TCG cards and accessories. The promotion will run from July 7 through August 3 domestically and throughout the late summer and fall internationally.

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Earlier this year a petition was sent to the UK Government which asked for support for gaming companies, providing tax or other incentives to support the UK computer and video …
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