Weekly News & Notes Return
After a long absence, we have re-instated the weekly news and notes featurette to catch all of you up on the events that have taken place earlier this week.
Published: November 22, 2001
To make sure none of you out there get left behind in the dust by not being informed, we have temporarily re-instated our weekly news & notes featurette to get you up to speed on the weeks events, so here goes.
EA Recruits Former Duke Star Forward
Electronic Arts has signed former Duke star forward Shane Battier to be featured in all advertising, box art, and everything else related to their upcoming title NCAA March Madness 2002.
Shane Battier had the following to say about the deal:
[blockquote]"March Madness is such a great game because it's remarkably authentic. Whenever I'm feeling nostalgic about my Duke days, I can pick up March Madness and experience the energy and intensity of college ball."[/blockquote]NCAA March Madness 2002 for the PS2 is expected to ship this coming January.
EA Ships Simpsons Road Rage
Electronic Arts has shipped The Simpsons Road Rage for the PS2.
The game is an action racing title with a full Simpsons storyline. You can take the wheel as your favorite Simpsons character and wreak havoc throughout six expansive Springfield neighborhoods with the ultimate goal of buying back the Transit Corporation from the diabolical Mr. Burns.
The Simpsons Road Rage has a suggested retail price of $49.99 and has been giving a "T" (teen) rating by the ESRB.
NewKidCo Ships New PS One Title
NewKidCo has announced that they have shipped a new title for the PlayStation. Called E.T. Interplanetary Mission, it is an action/adventure odyssey that takes E.T. to numerous alien planets to search for rare and exotic plant specimens to try and save planets from extinction. E.T. will travel to mystifying planets, such as Botanicus (the Green Planet), Astrila (the Ice Planet), Barreine (the Desert Planet), Sclavus (Planet Metropolis) and Earth.
E.T. Interplanetary Mission has a suggested retail price of $29.99.
THQ & Comedy Central Score a Deal
THQ has announced that they have struck an exclusive deal with Comedy Central to publish games based upon their BattleBots TV show.
The agreement grants THQ rights to publish games for console systems such as the PS2, NGC, and Xbox. THQ also has the first right of refusal to publish "BattleBots" on wireless Internet cellular and other PDA devices. "BattleBots" games for PlayStation 2 and GameCube are currently in development by Warthog PLC and are scheduled for release in 2002.
VHQ Entertainment Announces Free Rental For Any New Console Purchase
In an absolutely stunning move, VHQ Entertainment has announced that they will reward any person who presents a receipt that they have purchased any new console between the dates of December 1st and January 31st, a two-day free game rental.
[blockquote]"Nothing is more exciting for a gamer than getting a new system," says Rick Orser, director of purchasing for VHQ. "At VHQ, we work hard to ensure that we have a great selection of the new games - and the kids know that, so this new promotion should be very exciting."[/blockquote]Don't worry as VHQ is reportedly bulking up their video game departments to get ready for demand. So make sure on December 1[sup]st[/sup] to go pick up your dream console and then head over to your nearest VHQ store to pick up your free rental.
NPD Reports Video Game Industry Ahead Of Its Game
Despite a weakening economy, retail dollar sales of U.S. video game hardware, software and accessories increased 33 percent year-to-date (January-September) 2001, according to NPD FunWorld.
Richard Ow, NPDFunworld senior account executive said the following about the report:
[blockquote]"When we consider that the fourth quarter typically makes up 50 percent or more of the annual dollar sales volume for the video games industry, and then add in the launch of two new console hardware systems, the Microsoft Xbox and Nintendo GameCube, a new record for the video game industry looks likely. While most of retail struggled in September, the video game industry not only survived, but thrived," said Ow. "Due to recent national events, Americans may be spending more time at home, which bodes well for video game sales this holiday. Kids and adults undoubtedly will drive video game sales as one of their top choices of entertainment at home."[/blockquote]Also of note, unit sales of video game hardware, software and accessories also rose 12 percent from January to September 2001, compared to the same time last year.
New Survey: Consoles Now In 36 Million+ Households
Roughly 36 million households in the United States own a video-game console; this is up from approximately 34 million a year ago, according to the Yankee Group's recently completed Technologically Advanced Family Survey.
[blockquote] "The results signal that while the industry is clearly a mature one, there is still room for growth," said Steve Vonder Haar, director of the Yankee Group's Media & Entertainment Strategies practice. "Console manufacturers are hoping that by transforming the console from a stand-alone video-game system into a home entertainment system, they will be able to jump-start console growth beyond its current 1% to 2% per year."[/blockquote]The survey results indicate that while a significant portion of next-generation video-game console sales is coming from households upgrading their video-game platform, the market is slowly continuing to expand. Families with children represent the lion's share of video-game system owners, with more than 80% of households surveyed with children ages 13 to 17 already owning at least one video-game system. On average, video-game households own 1.4 consoles per household.
SCEA Releases Frequency
Sony Computer Entertainment America has announced a unique interactive music title. Developed by Harmonix Music Systems, Inc., Frequency offers a new form of interactive entertainment for the PS2 by allowing gamers to immerse themselves with world renowned music acts and begin mixing and remixing in a musical environment filled with 3D graphics and video content.
[blockquote]"Frequency provides PlayStation 2 fans with the opportunity to understand music mixing and experience it first-hand," said Paul Oakenfold, world-renowned DJ. "Through its user-friendly gameplay, gamers can take advantage of their video game skills and use them to lay down music by some of the top music acts in the world."[/blockquote]In Frequency, music mixing begins with one instrument, such as drums where players must hit the appropriate controller buttons at the right time in order to match the rhythm of the song; incorrect timing will decrease players' musical time bar. Once this instrument is successfully mixed, players can move on to another instrument, such as guitar and continue through all the instruments to lay down the song and perform all instrumental tracks before the musical timing bar runs out. Players can also compete with their friends and family by saving re-mixes they create onto memory cards and trade them with their friends as unique levels in the game mode, providing a "multi-player challenge."
Frequency is rated "E" for Everyone by the ESRB and has a suggested retail price of $49.99.
EA Recruits Former Duke Star Forward
Electronic Arts has signed former Duke star forward Shane Battier to be featured in all advertising, box art, and everything else related to their upcoming title NCAA March Madness 2002.
Shane Battier had the following to say about the deal:
[blockquote]"March Madness is such a great game because it's remarkably authentic. Whenever I'm feeling nostalgic about my Duke days, I can pick up March Madness and experience the energy and intensity of college ball."[/blockquote]NCAA March Madness 2002 for the PS2 is expected to ship this coming January.
EA Ships Simpsons Road Rage
Electronic Arts has shipped The Simpsons Road Rage for the PS2.
The game is an action racing title with a full Simpsons storyline. You can take the wheel as your favorite Simpsons character and wreak havoc throughout six expansive Springfield neighborhoods with the ultimate goal of buying back the Transit Corporation from the diabolical Mr. Burns.
The Simpsons Road Rage has a suggested retail price of $49.99 and has been giving a "T" (teen) rating by the ESRB.
NewKidCo Ships New PS One Title
NewKidCo has announced that they have shipped a new title for the PlayStation. Called E.T. Interplanetary Mission, it is an action/adventure odyssey that takes E.T. to numerous alien planets to search for rare and exotic plant specimens to try and save planets from extinction. E.T. will travel to mystifying planets, such as Botanicus (the Green Planet), Astrila (the Ice Planet), Barreine (the Desert Planet), Sclavus (Planet Metropolis) and Earth.
E.T. Interplanetary Mission has a suggested retail price of $29.99.
THQ & Comedy Central Score a Deal
THQ has announced that they have struck an exclusive deal with Comedy Central to publish games based upon their BattleBots TV show.
The agreement grants THQ rights to publish games for console systems such as the PS2, NGC, and Xbox. THQ also has the first right of refusal to publish "BattleBots" on wireless Internet cellular and other PDA devices. "BattleBots" games for PlayStation 2 and GameCube are currently in development by Warthog PLC and are scheduled for release in 2002.
VHQ Entertainment Announces Free Rental For Any New Console Purchase
In an absolutely stunning move, VHQ Entertainment has announced that they will reward any person who presents a receipt that they have purchased any new console between the dates of December 1st and January 31st, a two-day free game rental.
[blockquote]"Nothing is more exciting for a gamer than getting a new system," says Rick Orser, director of purchasing for VHQ. "At VHQ, we work hard to ensure that we have a great selection of the new games - and the kids know that, so this new promotion should be very exciting."[/blockquote]Don't worry as VHQ is reportedly bulking up their video game departments to get ready for demand. So make sure on December 1[sup]st[/sup] to go pick up your dream console and then head over to your nearest VHQ store to pick up your free rental.
NPD Reports Video Game Industry Ahead Of Its Game
Despite a weakening economy, retail dollar sales of U.S. video game hardware, software and accessories increased 33 percent year-to-date (January-September) 2001, according to NPD FunWorld.
Richard Ow, NPDFunworld senior account executive said the following about the report:
[blockquote]"When we consider that the fourth quarter typically makes up 50 percent or more of the annual dollar sales volume for the video games industry, and then add in the launch of two new console hardware systems, the Microsoft Xbox and Nintendo GameCube, a new record for the video game industry looks likely. While most of retail struggled in September, the video game industry not only survived, but thrived," said Ow. "Due to recent national events, Americans may be spending more time at home, which bodes well for video game sales this holiday. Kids and adults undoubtedly will drive video game sales as one of their top choices of entertainment at home."[/blockquote]Also of note, unit sales of video game hardware, software and accessories also rose 12 percent from January to September 2001, compared to the same time last year.
New Survey: Consoles Now In 36 Million+ Households
Roughly 36 million households in the United States own a video-game console; this is up from approximately 34 million a year ago, according to the Yankee Group's recently completed Technologically Advanced Family Survey.
[blockquote] "The results signal that while the industry is clearly a mature one, there is still room for growth," said Steve Vonder Haar, director of the Yankee Group's Media & Entertainment Strategies practice. "Console manufacturers are hoping that by transforming the console from a stand-alone video-game system into a home entertainment system, they will be able to jump-start console growth beyond its current 1% to 2% per year."[/blockquote]The survey results indicate that while a significant portion of next-generation video-game console sales is coming from households upgrading their video-game platform, the market is slowly continuing to expand. Families with children represent the lion's share of video-game system owners, with more than 80% of households surveyed with children ages 13 to 17 already owning at least one video-game system. On average, video-game households own 1.4 consoles per household.
SCEA Releases Frequency
Sony Computer Entertainment America has announced a unique interactive music title. Developed by Harmonix Music Systems, Inc., Frequency offers a new form of interactive entertainment for the PS2 by allowing gamers to immerse themselves with world renowned music acts and begin mixing and remixing in a musical environment filled with 3D graphics and video content.
[blockquote]"Frequency provides PlayStation 2 fans with the opportunity to understand music mixing and experience it first-hand," said Paul Oakenfold, world-renowned DJ. "Through its user-friendly gameplay, gamers can take advantage of their video game skills and use them to lay down music by some of the top music acts in the world."[/blockquote]In Frequency, music mixing begins with one instrument, such as drums where players must hit the appropriate controller buttons at the right time in order to match the rhythm of the song; incorrect timing will decrease players' musical time bar. Once this instrument is successfully mixed, players can move on to another instrument, such as guitar and continue through all the instruments to lay down the song and perform all instrumental tracks before the musical timing bar runs out. Players can also compete with their friends and family by saving re-mixes they create onto memory cards and trade them with their friends as unique levels in the game mode, providing a "multi-player challenge."
Frequency is rated "E" for Everyone by the ESRB and has a suggested retail price of $49.99.