Consumer Electronics Daily News

Namco Networks Launches Pool Pro Online 3 Using Innovative UniteSDK Technology

Namco’s New Technology Enables Cross-Platform Play

 

Namco Networks, a leading publisher and developer of mobile, iPhone and PC games for mass-market casual gamers, today announced the launch of Pool Pro Online 3, the first of a series of games using UniteSDK™, Namco’s proprietary technology that provides cross-platform play. Developed by Order of Magnitude™, Namco’s newly-named internal Apple development team, the game is currently available for $4.99 on Apple’s App Store.

“This is only the beginning of where we are going as a company. Over the next several months, we will roll out a series of other features and games that are powered by UniteSDK, including tournaments for Pool Pro Online 3.”

Pool Pro Online 3 gives pool fans an opportunity to play friends online anywhere in the world in 8-ball, 9-ball and Snooker. In this 3D game, individuals can make in-game wagers against their opponent and use the winnings to purchase table felts, cue sticks and new pool halls. The iPhone and iPod touch version offers simple and intuitive controls allowing players to set up shots quickly, easily and precisely. Through the power of UniteSDK, players log-in using their device and receive instant access to multiple online features, including:

• Friends list to make it easy to find and challenge friends
• Global Leaderboards to share scores with people around the world
• Achievements to track accomplishments and share them with friends on Facebook
• Chat with opponents in real time

According to Jonathan Kromrey, general manager of apple games for Namco Networks, “This is only the beginning of where we are going as a company. Over the next several months, we will roll out a series of other features and games that are powered by UniteSDK, including tournaments for Pool Pro Online 3.”

“Allowing gamers with the option to play anywhere, anytime and on multiple platforms will be a true milestone for Namco Networks—wanting to play a friend that has an iPhone when someone only has a PC will no longer be a prohibiting factor,” stated Kirby Fong, executive producer of web development and online gaming community at Namco Networks. “UniteSDK allows Namco and in the near future, external developers, to create games that provide cross platform and cross game social community.”

Pool Pro Online 3 will be available for PC, iPad, Mac, Android, Java, BREW, RIM and Windows Mobile in the coming months. Other iPhone and iPod touch games that are powered by UniteSDK and coming out this month include PAC-MAN and Ms. PAC-MAN. For more information on Namco and its games, please visit www.namcogames.com or NAMCO GAMES on Facebook. To learn more about UniteSDK, please go to www.unitesdk.com.

About Namco Networks

Namco Networks America, Inc., a subsidiary of Namco Bandai Holdings (USA) Inc., is a worldwide leader in cutting-edge, digitally distributed casual entertainment including mobile, iPhone and casual PC games.

For more information, visit Namco Networks.

IP Vision Selects TV Genius To Power Three Screen Content Discovery For FetchTV

TV listings enhanced with search and relevant recommendation on web, mobile and hybrid TV services

 

TV Genius announced that its Content Delivery Platform has been selected by IP Vision, the UK-based platform owner, to enhance the functionality of the TV listings on IP Vision’s FetchTV service. TV Genius and IP Vision have worked together to provide a fully searchable solution across web, mobile and hybrid DTT/IP TV. The solution provides a central portal for the accurate search and relevant recommendation of programming from a variety of sources, whether it’s traditional linear broadcast, internet video or IPTV.

“Traditionally there has been concern that the increase in availability of content on the web will mean that viewers will start to migrate to internet video rather than the channels that they have more commonly watched on their chosen TV platform”

“Traditionally there has been concern that the increase in availability of content on the web will mean that viewers will start to migrate to internet video rather than the channels that they have more commonly watched on their chosen TV platform,” said Peter Cox, Marketing Director IP Vision. “The deployment of the TV Genius Content Discovery Platform on the FetchTV service helps ensure that the very best and most relevant content is still firmly in the viewing plans of the consumer, whatever the source. We are pleased to work with TV Genius to enable a consistent multi-screen experience for discovering great programming through FetchTV.”

In order to maximize the user experience, consumers need a content discovery solution that works in a multi-screen environment – there is no use in being able to search on the mobile but not on the television itself. Simplicity and consistency are paramount, or else the viewer will become frustrated and stop using the service. TV Genius’ Content Discovery Platform provides deeper, richer content aggregation, allowing viewers to discover programming from a variety of sources and its Relevance Engine suggests appropriate content according to individual preferences.

“Given the range of content available on the FetchTV service, relevance of search and recommendation is paramount,” said Tom Weiss, CEO, TV Genius. “It is essential to FetchTV that the recommendations made offer the consumer real value in order to maximize the viewing experience and help them discover fantastic new content. The TV Genius Content Discovery Platform is only one built from the ground up to work specifically with TV related content, offering a greater level of relevance to results. We’re delighted to equip IP Vision with the solution for the multi-screen discovery of the very best quality content available through FetchTV.”

FetchTV offers over 50 channels through the Freeview UK DTT service, PVR functionality, a comprehensive library of over 2000 hours of VOD content, and content over-the-top from the BBC iPlayer with the Sky Player service available soon. FetchTV’s Smartbox is the first ever traditional set-top box on the market to offer the opportunity to watch BBC iPlayer and Sky Player content on a TV screen.

About IP Vision

IP Vision was formed in 2007. Shareholders include Netgem S.A, a French company listed on the Nouveau Marché Stock Exchange in Paris and funds managed by F&C Reit, a major fund management company.

IP Vision's primary product is an HD-ready hybrid set top box platform that operates as a direct to consumer service or a white label platform offering third parties a fully managed service solution.

The platform delivers multichannel digital TV and video on demand entertainment, including HD downloads. The service can also be branded for affiliates and delivered without the need for expensive head-end servers or dedicated networks.

FetchTV is a registered trademark of IP Vision (UK) Ltd. All other brands, trademarks and names are the property of their respective owners and are solely used to identify their respective products.

About TV Genius

TV Genius enhances the TV experience with personalized search that provides relevant recommendations consumers want across TV, mobile and the web. Brands including AOL, Sky, What's on TV and ITV.com provide services powered by TV Genius to over 8 million users per month across the web, mobile, and set-top box.

For more information, visit IP Vision or TV Genius.

MOG Debuts Its All-You-Can-Eat Music Service For Mobile

$10 Per Month Delivers the Best On-Demand Music Experience on the Web and Mobile

MOG, the Web's best on-demand music listening service and music blogging hub,  demonstrated its new MOG All Access mobile streaming music application for smartphones. The application will be available initially on iPhone and Android platforms. The service, which will be available in early Q2, will cost $10 per month for unlimited listening and includes the desktop service as well.

“For $10 a month, you get access from your phone or PC to 7 million songs on demand along with our fantastic radio programming. It doesn't get any better.”

“The whole point of putting music in the cloud is to be able to get to it whenever you want it, from anywhere and mobile was always an end goal for us,” said David Hyman, founder and CEO of MOG. “We started by building the best desktop music experience and now we’ve taken all of the features of the website and created the best way to listen to music on a mobile device.”

With MOG All Access Mobile, users will be able to access MOG’s full music catalog of seven million songs from a smartphone. Features include:

• On-demand listening: Users can listen to any artist, album, or song, on-demand, in unlimited amounts.
• MOG Radio: Users can hear an unending stream of music based on a track or artist, with full control over how many similar artists are mixed in. Because MOG Radio is built right into the play queue, the music never has to stop.
• Music discovery technology: With an innovative slider control, users can decide if they want to listen to true “artist only” radio, or allow for the introduction of similar artists into the playlist queue.
• Seamless integration between website and mobile: Users can access the playlists they make at MOG.com for on-the-go listening. They can also bookmark favorites while using the mobile app that are then integrated into their personal library.
• My Downloads: Users can, in unlimited fashion, download songs to their phone into a “local cache” so they can continue to listen to music even when out of cell or WiFi range.
• HQ Audio: Users can download songs at the standard rate of 64 kbps or turn on HQ downloads to save the song as a larger file with higher audio quality.

“MOG All Access with mobile is the holy grail for music fans,” Hyman continued. “For $10 a month, you get access from your phone or PC to 7 million songs on demand along with our fantastic radio programming. It doesn't get any better.”

About MOG

Headquartered in Berkeley, CA., MOG was founded in June 2005 by David Hyman, former CEO of Gracenote, former SVP-Marketing at MTV Interactive, co-founder of Addicted to Noise, and self-proclaimed music junkie. MOG is comprised of the largest music ad network on the web and MOG All Access digital music service. MOG provides a single destination for people to discover and enjoy millions of songs and to immerse themselves in music content including news, reviews, playlists and lyrics. Grammy-winning record producer, Rick Rubin, named by Time Magazine as one of the "100 Most Influential People in the World," is a member of MOG's Board of Directors. Investors include Menlo Ventures, Balderton Capital, Simon Equity Partners, Universal Music Group and Sony Music. For more information go to .

For more information, visit MOG.

Darkworks Unveils TriOviz For Videogames

First Available Stereoscopic SDK for Game Consoles to be Demonstrated at Game Developers Conference

Darkworks, the Paris-based Action-Adventure developer, announced the availability of its TriOviz® for Games SDK. TriOviz is a patent-pending post-process that enables 3D games on consoles and regular 2D displays. The result is a high-quality, cutting-edge experience for the console audience without expensive barriers to adoption. Darkworks will be giving demonstrations of its 3D technology this week at the Game Developers Conference and Expo in San Francisco.

“We believe we can offer a quality, rich experience that honors the creators’ vision and is hassle-free for the end users as they explore the emerging in-home 3D trend.”

Developed by Darkworks, the TriOviz for Games SDK leverages existing three dimensional graphics information to greatly enhance the depth-of-field; as well as volume and position of geometry and characters within a scene. This negates the need for rendering multiple images so TriOviz for Games does not require intensive computing power – the resolution, performance and game play integrity are maintained.

As a post-process, Darkworks’ SDK easily integrates into the production pipeline, supporting both popular and proprietary game engines; requiring as little as a couple of days or a week to integrate, depending on the implementation.

“Darkworks is enthusiastic to bring a truly innovative technology to top game developers and publishers in order to make the 3D experience a reality today for even the most technologically demanding console titles. Always boundary-pushing, video games will lead the entire entertainment industry in the 3D era,” said Guillaume Gourand, co-founder and managing director of Darkworks. “Consoles already broadcast 3D interactive content in real-time and their interactivity – by nature – empowers game developers to make a more immersive experience than is possible in movies”

Previously a technology only available to Blu-Ray® & DVD video publishing, TriOviz processing utilizes innovative yet inexpensive glasses that render 3D entertainment with beautiful, true colors and sharp images. Unlike the red-and-blue anaglyph of the past, TriOviz for Games maintains the content’s art direction and images can be seen in 2D without glasses. Games can be enjoyed by everyone in the room with or without glasses seamlessly.

Key Features of TriOviz for Games

• First and Only 3D Software SDK for AAA Console Games: TriOviz for Games works on Xbox 360™, PlayStation®3 and PC, delivering an immersive 3D experience to the most demanding games while maintaining performance, game play and content integrity.
• 3D Experience on 2D TVs; No Additional Equipment Required: Consumers can enjoy 3D games on their existing HDTV or even SD televisions without having to purchase additional hardware.
• Low-Impact Integration for High-Impact Return: TriOviz for Games supports both popular and proprietary game engines, resulting in minimal man-hours to deploy or hit to performance, while maintaining the original creative vision.

“The success of films like Avatar and buzz over 3D devices at CES illustrates that audiences are ready to embrace 3D for their entertainment,” stated Gourand. “We believe we can offer a quality, rich experience that honors the creators’ vision and is hassle-free for the end users as they explore the emerging in-home 3D trend.”

The first game implementing the Darkworks 3D technology is already announced, with future titles to follow Spring 2010.

Darkworks will be giving demonstrations of TriOviz technology by appointment during the Game Developers Conference and Expo, Moscone Convention Center, March 11-13, 2010 in Meeting Room #BMR 341. To schedule an appointment or inquire about pricing, please contact Grady Hannah at G.Hannah@Darkworks.com

About Darkworks SA

Founded in 1998 by Antoine Villette and Guillaume Gouraud, Darkworks is a VC-backed original IP house based in Paris, France. In addition to game and IP development activities such as the critically-acclaimed Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare and Cold Fear, Darkworks develops future generation R&D. Darkworks has partnered with TriOviz SARL to deliver 3D stereoscopic game technology through its Darkworks Labs.

About TriOviz SARL

TriOviz is a Paris-based company specialized in computer vision science and stereoscopic applications. After three years of Research & Development, TriOviz has launched a brand new technology to display the 3D experience on regular 2D TV screen with incredible quality. Unlike the red-and-blue 3D glasses of the past, the innovative yet inexpensive TriOviz glasses render 3D entertainment with beautiful colors and sharp images, without any ghosting or discomfort. TriOviz images can be seen in 2D without glasses. It allows stereoscopic 3D contents to be quickly released in DVD, Blu-Ray®, Broadcast TV, IPTV, VoD and Video Games. The original 3D images, produced in a stereoscopic way, are simply processed with TriOviz technology. As a result, 3D movies can be enjoyed on all LCD and Plasma screens, CRT and Rear Projection Television sets, as well as any laptop computers. TriOviz breakthrough technology is live, available today, and unique on the market.

For more information, visit Darkworks SA.

First Fully Integrated End-to-End QoS Solution For Microsoft Mediaroom Launched At IPTV World Forum

Ineoquest Now Delivers Innovative End-to-End Monitoring, Analysis and Troubleshooting Right Down to Subscriber End Points for Microsoft Mediaroom Deployments

 

IneoQuest Technologies, Inc., the global provider of advanced quality and service assurance solutions for digital video, today announced that it is the first company to offer a complete end-to-end QoS solution for users of Microsoft™ Mediaroom™ right down to the level of the subscriber set top box (STB). This has been achieved by fully integrating the capabilities of IQDialogue™ Mediaroom™ Platform Manager at the level of the subscriber STB, coupled with IneoQuest’s existing family of products for monitoring, analyzing, troubleshooting and reporting performance of Microsoft™ Mediaroom™ deployments. This unique level of integration delivers an unparalleled capability for field test, work order administration, advanced signaling analysis and monitoring of the deployed base. Network operators can now easily identify the root causes of problems with subscriber-level granularity to reduce the costs of multiple truck rolls and inefficient troubleshooting. 

As a licensed Microsoft Ecosystem Service Assurance Partner, the exclusive IQDialogue™ Mediaroom™ Platform Manager interfaces directly with the Microsoft Mediaroom Web-Service Framework to evaluate STB performance and quickly identify when a fault occurs. From a centralized network management location, IQDialogue™ Mediaroom™ Platform Manager performs automated analysis of devices on the network through an intelligent scheduler system. Based upon configurable and user definable categories alarm notifications can be issued so problems can be promptly addressed and trending reports provided to facilitate network planning.

"IneoQuest’s unique relationship with Microsoft and the feedback from our customers enable and inspire us to provide the industry’s most comprehensive suite of products to ensure superior quality of Microsoft Mediaroom deployments. Now with the only end-to-end solution for monitoring, analyzing and troubleshooting these implementations, IneoQuest is able to further assist providers in improving quality of service and quality of experience," said Gino Dion, vice president of strategic solutions at IneoQuest. "As the industry increasingly deploys Microsoft Mediaroom for advanced features and IPTV platforms grow to offer more services, we'll continue to provide advanced solutions for assuring the delivery of high-quality video."

IneoQuest will be demonstrating its complete solutions for Microsoft Mediaroom implementations, including the new IQDialogue™ Mediaroom™ Platform Manager, IQDialogue™ Mediaroom™ Installer, IQDialogue™ Mediaroom™ Advanced and IQDialogue™ Mediaroom™ Installer Manager at IPTV World Forum, March 23-25, 2010 in London. To see demonstrations and learn more about this comprehensive family of Mediaroom products, as well as IneoQuest’s IPTV support solutions, please visit IneoQuest’s booth (#94). 

About IneoQuest Technologies

Recognized as one of the fastest growing companies in North America by Deloitte LLP for the third year in a row and receiving numerous awards for its product innovation, IneoQuest has a rich heritage of developing industry-first quality and service assurance solutions for both legacy video network delivery and leading-edge offerings like switched digital video (SDV), IPTV and video-on-demand (VOD).  The company enables its customers to design, build, deploy and manage digital video networks with unique combinations of hardware, software and services.

IneoQuest has been providing the cable, broadcast, satellite, telecommunications providers and equipment manufacturers with forward-thinking concepts and metrics for ensuring Quality of Service and Quality of Experience, including the three planes of video delivery networks, Program Availability, the patented Media Delivery Index (MDI) and other patent-pending technologies.  To deliver custom and complete solutions to its customer base, IneoQuest leverages a premier partner network, which includes Cisco Systems Inc., Microsoft® and Spirent® Communications.  Headquartered in Mansfield, Massachusetts, IneoQuest has sales operations in the North American, European, Asian and Latin American regions.

For more information, visit IneoQuest Technologies.

Motorola i890 Pairs Instant Communications & Robust Multimedia Features With Pocket-Friendly Style

Blue- and white-collar workers get things done with Nextel Direct Connect offering sub-one second push-to-talk call set-up and the world’s largest push-to-talk community

 

Combining a sleek, stylish look, advanced multimedia features and the best-in-class push-to-talk services of Nextel Direct Connect®, Sprint (NYSE: S) announced availability of Motorola i890 on the Nextel® National Network.

“Combined with the support of business applications and advanced multimedia features, Motorola i890 is perfect for anyone who needs to get work done, but still wants to look good.”

Priced at $129.99 with a two-year service agreement on a new-line activation or eligible upgrade and $50 mail-in rebate (excluding taxes), Motorola i890 is available with Nextel Direct Connect® calling plans in all Sprint sales channels, including Sprint retail stores, Business Direct Sales, Telesales (1-800-Nextel-9) and Web sales (www.nextel.com).

Motorola i890 is an ideal handset for those who need essential business tools, multimedia-rich features and instant communication in a slim form factor. It features a 2.0 megapixel camera and camcorder with fixed focus and 4x digital zoom, built-in MP3 player and stereo Bluetooth®1. It also offers the upgraded ability to switch from an active push-to-talk call to an interconnect voice call at the touch of a button. It also features a Quick Release button for easy, one-handed operation and external media keys with Haptics for localized tactile feedback.

“Motorola i890 combines the best-in-class features Nextel Direct Connect customers have come to depend on in a style-minded look,” said Fared Adib, vice president – Product Development, Sprint. “Combined with the support of business applications and advanced multimedia features, Motorola i890 is perfect for anyone who needs to get work done, but still wants to look good.”

Nextel Direct Connect is the only national push-to-talk product that offers industry-leading performance with sub-one second call set-up and integrated business solutions, including one of the largest selections of GPS-solutions. With more than 17 years of expertise, Sprint is the undisputed leader and has set the industry standard in push-to-talk with the largest community of users in the world serving millions of Nextel Direct Connect subscribers on the fastest national push-to-talk network.

For just $69.99 per month Sprint’s Everything Data 450 plan with Any Mobile, AnytimeSM gives customers unlimited calling with any U.S. wireless user, unlimited Direct Connect® and Group Connect, and unlimited nationwide texting, email, Web browsing and GPS Navigation for the same price AT&T and Verizon charge for unlimited talk only. (All price plans exclude surcharges and taxes.) Sprint Everything Data plans also automatically enroll customers in the Sprint Premier loyalty program, which provides annual device upgrades, discounted accessories and other benefits.

Sprint Business AdvantageSM plans, starting at $29.99 per month, offer savings of at least $10 per month versus comparable AT&T and Verizon plans with push-to-talk service; and the savings are even more with Business Advantage plans with included Messaging or Data.

About Sprint Nextel

Sprint Nextel offers a comprehensive range of wireless and wireline communications services bringing the freedom of mobility to consumers, businesses and government users. Sprint Nextel is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including two wireless networks serving more than 48 million customers at the end of the fourth quarter of 2009 and the first 4G service from a national carrier in the United States; industry-leading mobile data services; instant national and international push-to-talk capabilities; and a global Tier 1 Internet backbone. The company’s customer-focused strategy has led to improved first call resolution and customer care satisfaction scores.

For more information, visit Sprint Nextel.

StudioGPU Ships MachStudio Pro 1.4 Real-Time Non-linear 3D Workflow & Rendering Software

New Features Include Photoshop Integration, Physically-Based Cameras, Seamless Softimage Support and More

 

StudioGPU continues to streamline 3D workflow with MachStudio™ Pro 1.4 software, offering new features and functionality for unparalleled real-time 3D workflow and rendering performance. Available now, MachStudio Pro version 1.4 software further liberates creative workflow with dozens of new features and enhancements such as physically-based cameras, the ability to export directly into layered Adobe Photoshop files, a materials ID renderer, procedural ramp texture generation on projected lights, added Python programming functionality and more. The company also announced the immediate availability of a Softimage exporter for MachStudio Pro, a software only version of MachStudio Pro and support for most leading workstation graphics accelerators.

“The impetus for adopting MachStudio Pro in our pipeline was ‘V,’”

See StudioGPU MachStudio Pro 1.4 in action at the AMD Booth (#BS400) at GDC 2010, March 11-13 at the Moscone Center, San Francisco.

Customers now have the option to either integrate MachStudio Pro software into existing production pipelines with installed workstation graphics accelerators, or cost-effectively upgrade graphics performance with a value-added bundle featuring the industry-leading AMD ATI FirePro™ V8750 workstation graphics accelerator. With ATI graphics, customers can take advantage of MachStudio Pro features that are exclusive to ATI accelerators such as real-time hardware tessellation and displacement mapping.

Zoic Studios, winners in three categories at the 2010 Visual Effects Society’s VES Awards for work on ABC’s “V” and CBS’s “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” has integrated MachStudio Pro 1.4 into its pipeline to improve productivity. “The impetus for adopting MachStudio Pro in our pipeline was ‘V,’” says Mike Romey, pipeline supervisor at Zoic Studios. “It has so many virtual set shots, and the ‘V’ sets are quite robust. We needed a new way to get a beauty render as quickly as possible. Given the volume of work and type of shots we are creating, MachStudio Pro is the ideal candidate—in many instances it yields a 1500 percent speed improvement,” explains Romey. “The bottom line: a MachStudio Pro pipeline can yield more versions with a comparable quality in a shorter period of time, giving us the added ability to provide a better product to our clients and be more competitive.”

About MachStudio Pro 1.4

A real-time 3D workflow and rendering software that leverages the horsepower of off-the-shelf professional graphics processing units (GPUs), award-winning MachStudio Pro provides real-time and near real-time 3D workflow and rendering performance on the desktop.

MachStudio Pro allows artists, designers, engineers, directors, and technical directors (TDs) to work with 3D lighting, camera views and multi-point perspectives in an interactive non-linear fashion for real-time high fidelity views as they will appear in the final rendered format. With MachStudio Pro users can easily manage and interact with complex lighting, caustics, cameras, shaders, materials, ambient occlusion, and color grading for real-time shot finaling and compositing.

From computer-aided design (CAD) visualization and 3D animation to top-quality film and broadcast projects, MachStudio Pro offers seamless interoperability with leading professional 3D modeling, animation, and 3D CAD software packages. Some of the many new features and enhancements in MachStudio Pro 1.4 include:

• Physically-based cameras provide settings and controls that mimic real-world cameras.
• Export rendered images directly into Adobe Photoshop while maintaining all render passes as independent, editable Photoshop layers.
• Materials ID render pass for effortless identification of materials in third-party compositing applications.
• Added Python programming functionality provides endless options for tailoring the UI, workspace and production pipeline.
• Vertex animation compression greatly reduces the size and overhead of animation files that are being exported from 3D modeling packages into MachStudio Pro.
• Multi-threading improves speed and responsiveness of MachStudio Pro by separating the user interface (UI) and rendering into separate threads.
• Procedural ramp texture generation for projected lights allows for the creation of stylized lights from within MachStudio Pro without the need for imported textures.
• Ambient Occlusion (AO) depth peeling increases the accuracy and quality of AO passes.
• Transparency depth peeling boosts the accuracy of transparency sorting and the quality of opacity attributes.
• Support for 32-bit floating point TIFFs provide higher bit depth and consequently, superior-quality displacement maps.

The new Softimage exporter for MachStudio Pro enhances the company’s growing list of exporters for major modeling and animation packages such as 3ds Max, Maya, Revit, SketchUp Pro and Rhino and more.

MachStudio Pro supports Microsoft Windows 7, Windows XP Professional and Windows Vista operating systems on most professional graphic accelerator cards. MachStudio Pro software is now available in North America for $3,999 (USD) or bundled with the AMD ATI FirePro V8750 3D workstation graphics accelerator card for $4,999 (USD).

About StudioGPU

StudioGPU develops software and technology that frees digital artists from the creative shackles of time, money and resources. MachStudio Pro empowers artists and designers working in film, broadcast, game development, computer-assisted design (CAD), and pre- and post-production to create and manipulate fully rendered film-quality 3D design and animation in real-time.

For more information, visit StudioGPU.

2K Games Announces First Installment Of BioShock 2 Downloadable Content Now Available

Start of aggressive downloadable content campaign to expand the single and multiplayer elements of the award-winning game that has sold more than three million units worldwide

 

2K Games announced that the Sinclair Solutions Tester Pack*, the first downloadable content for the award-winning BioShock®2, is now available for download from both the Xbox LIVE® Marketplace for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and Games for Windows–LIVE for 400 Microsoft Points, and from the PlayStation®Network for $4.99. Future expansions into the world of BioShock 2 are slated to arrive over the coming months and will continue to expand upon the stories of the denizens of Rapture.

Sinclair Solutions Tester Pack, the first of several planned downloadable packages, contains a number of customization features that will allow players to further their character’s development in BioShock 2’s multiplayer modes and provide a deeper multiplayer experience. 

The pack includes:

• Rank increase to level 50 with rank rewards
• New playable characters - Louie McGraff and Oscar Calraca
• 20 new trials**
• A third weapon upgrade for each weapon
• Five additional masks**

**Some items are only available after a player achieves a rank of 41 or higher.

Sinclair Solutions Tester Pack is multiplayer content that requires Gold membership for Xbox LIVE® subscribers. In the coming months, 2K Games will also publish downloadable extensions of the single player experience that will provide new insights into the world of Rapture. These packages will include more narrative, new tools and challenges that will extend the lore and fiction of the failed utopia under the sea.

About BioShock 2

BioShock 2’s multiplayer modes provide fans with an engrossing prequel experience that expands upon the fiction of Rapture’s origins. Set during the year before Rapture’s descent into chaos, players assume the role of a Plasmid test subject for Sinclair Solutions, a key provider of Plasmids and Tonics in the underwater city that was first explored in BioShock. Players will enter into areas from the original title as they struggle to gain superiority and fight for survival in franticly paced battles.

The single player mode serves as a sequel to the original game and provides fans with an unsettling storyline, dazzling visual design and the evolution of the genetically enhanced shooter gameplay. Set almost a decade after a grueling civil war consumed the once magnificent city of Rapture, evil reverberates through the halls and a wickedness once thought gone forever returns along the Atlantic seaboard. An unspeakable series of kidnappings from local seaside communities by an unseen monster leads to the repopulation of Little Sisters in Rapture’s failed utopia under the ocean. Players must step into the boots of one of gaming's most iconic characters, the Big Daddy, as they traverse through the fallen city, fending off attacks from an army of genetically modified Splicers, while searching for escape and the key to their survival.

BioShock 2 has already shipped over three million units worldwide just four weeks after its release - cementing its place as one of 2010’s blockbuster games. Additionally, the original BioShock has now sold more than four million units globally since its release in August 2007, bringing the total sales of the franchise to seven million units.

BioShock 2 is currently available for Xbox 360, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and Games for Windows-LIVE and is rated M for Mature by the ESRB. For more information on BioShock 2 please visit www.bioshock2game.com, www.cultofrapture.com and www.somethinginthesea.com.

About Take-Two Interactive Software

Headquartered in New York City, Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. is a global developer, marketer and publisher of interactive entertainment software games for the PC, PlayStation®3 and PlayStation®2 computer entertainment systems, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, Wii™, Nintendo DS™, iPhone™ and iPod® touch. The Company publishes and develops products through its wholly owned labels Rockstar Games and 2K, which publishes its titles under 2K Games, 2K Sports and 2K Play. The Company’s common stock is publicly traded on NASDAQ under the symbol TTWO.

For more information, visit Take-Two Interactive Software.

Namco Networks Brings Final Fantasy To Mobile Devices In North America

Partners With Square Enix on Premier Role-Playing Title

 

Namco Networks, a leading publisher and developer of mobile games and interactive entertainment for mass-market casual gamers, launched the world’s most renowned role-playing game (RPG), FINAL FANTASY®, on mobile devices in North America. Developed through a licensing agreement with Square Enix Co., Ltd., players assume the role of the Warriors of Light, attempting to restore light to the four elemental crystals and save the world.

“Our partnership extends beyond FINAL FANTASY and we look forward to releasing additional games in the future.”

Choose one of six characters—each with their own unique skills and abilities—and enter an epic journey where mysteries are unraveled. Gamers will travel by land, sea and airship to battle hundreds of monsters and enemies. On the quest to re-establish the light, players can gain experience, learn new spells and purchase weapons.

According to Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Namco Networks, Scott Rubin, “Our goal for FINAL FANTASY was to enrich the user experience by bringing the true definition of RPGs to handhelds.”

“FINAL FANTASY revolutionized the RPG genre in video games and we are thrilled to work with Namco Networks to bring this dynasty to mobile phones in North America,” stated Takuya Okada, producer of Square Enix. “Our partnership extends beyond FINAL FANTASY and we look forward to releasing additional games in the future.”

The mobile version of FINAL FANTASY is available now across all major U.S. carriers and will be coming soon to Canadian carriers as well. 

About Square Enix Co., Ltd.

Square Enix Co., Ltd. (Square Enix), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd., with headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, develops, publishes and distributes entertainment content including interactive entertainment software and publications in Asia, North America and Europe. Square Enix brings two of Japan's best-selling franchises — FINAL FANTASY, which has sold over 92 million units worldwide, and DRAGON QUEST®, which has sold over 53 million units worldwide — under one roof. Square Enix is one of the most influential providers of digital entertainment content in the world and continues to push the boundaries of creativity and innovation.

About Namco Networks

Namco Networks America, Inc., a subsidiary of Namco Bandai Holdings (USA) Inc., is a worldwide leader in cutting-edge, digitally distributed casual entertainment including mobile, iPhone and casual PC games. 

For more information, visit Square Enix Co. or Namco Networks.

Internet Classic Bloons Popping Onto Mobile Phones Everywhere

The wildly popular Web phenomenon, Bloons®, is now available on mobile phones everywhere. From Hands-On Mobile, Inc., the world’s leading publisher and developer of connected games and applications, Bloons® can be downloaded now on all major carriers and app stores in the U.S. and worldwide through distribution with I-play.

“Already an internet classic, Bloons® was a natural fit for mobile with easy to learn gameplay based on the very simple fact that popping balloons is fun”

Bloons® is a highly addictive puzzle game where you play as a mischievous monkey whose goal is to pop as many balloons as possible using an arsenal of darts. Simple to learn, Bloons® requires skill, determination and a little monkey magic to move through 50 levels of puzzle adventure. The player must aim the dart which depending on the angle and strength of the dart throw, will arc through the air popping whatever balloons are in its path.

“Already an internet classic, Bloons® was a natural fit for mobile with easy to learn gameplay based on the very simple fact that popping balloons is fun,” said Lynn Monica, VP & GM of Mobile Games, Hands-On Mobile. “We’ve had great success with bringing these types of casual games to mobile phones and believe that once people get their hands on Bloons®, they won’t be able to stop popping.”

KEY FEATURES:

• Increasingly challenging configurations of balloons
• Introduction of other objects that assist, impair or impede the player’s darts
• The player must discover how to throw the darts around, through, or over these objects to pop the minimum number of balloons
• Ninja Kiwi’s addictive and award winning Flash-based web game brought to mobile
• 50 challenging levels
• Unlimited dart mode helps players practice
• Great replay ability
• Special features gained when popping special balloons

About Hands-On Mobile

Hands-On Mobile, Inc. is a premier mobile technology company as well as an award-winning developer and publisher of mobile entertainment. Its portfolio consists of the critically acclaimed Guitar Hero® Mobile and WPT® Texas Hold 'Em games and the universally popular Astrology Zone® Premier and NFL™ Mobile Live applications. Hands-On offers global distribution of the world's best entertainment brands and content from partners including Activision, Billboard, CBS, NBA, NBC Universal, and World Poker Tour. Utilizing its proprietary mobile development platform, Hands-On is a leader in providing complete mobile application solutions to companies worldwide. Established in 2001, Hands-On Mobile is headquartered in San Francisco, California.

For more information, visit Hands-On Mobile.