[GameRatty] tag: distribution

Gameloft plans to support DSiWare, says WiiWare one a month publishing limits may be removed, states no official DSi launch date, but has heard spring

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 19:41:02 +0000

A portion of a GameDaily interview with Gonzague de Vallois, senior vice president of publishing at Gameloft…

GameDaily BIZ: What are your plans for the Nintendo DSi?

Gonzague de Vallois: We’re preparing for the North American launch. There’s nothing official on when this will be. We’ve heard spring-summer. We’ve heard Q3. I believe from Nintendo’s perspective there’s no hurry to release the device in North America because DS is still selling extremely well. If the DSi and DS are close in price, the DSi will kill DS sales.

BIZ: How will you support Nintendo DSi?

GdV: We’ll support both Nintendo DS and DSi. We’re working on some games that we’ll release at retail through our distribution partnership with Ubisoft. These games will come in a single package and will work on both DS and DSi, with the DSi version taking advantage of additional options like the cameras and advanced sound capabilities. We’ll be much more aggressive with the DSi Store than at retail.

BIZ: How has Nintendo’s WiiWare been working for Gameloft?

GdV: WiiWare is pretty open. We have eight games on WiiWare, including Brain Challenge, TV Show King and games like bowling and pool. Downloads depend on the title on WiiWare. We’re experimenting a little. Party games do really well. Simple mono-player titles like bowling or pool aren’t doing as well. The target is family or Nintendo fans only looking for Nintendo games. We’re learning on the platform.

BIZ: How has working with Nintendo been?

GdV: Nintendo still limits publishers to one title a month. They’re talking about removing this limit. Nintendo seems to be more open to more titles.

Please make sure to read the full interview. Almost the entire piece is about Nintendo, in regards to the DSi or WiiWare. Click here to check it out.

Penny Arcade Episode Two Now Available Through Multiple Digital Distribution Platforms

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 11:26:07 +0000

You are all probably well aware that Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness, Episode Two has been available worldwide since October 29–but what you may not know is that there are many other ways to download the game digitally than you may have thought.

In addition to being available for the PC through Greenhouse, the madcap Penny Arcade experience can also be downloaded from the following sites:

Direct2Drive

GamersGate

Impulse

Steam (includes PC achievements)

It all depends on which service you prefer, and don’t forget that Xbox 360 owners can get Episode 2 off of Xbox Live. Hopefully soon, PS3 owners will also get to enjoy Gabe and Tycho’s latest adventure relatively soon.

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Related Articles at Gaming Today:

Sony on 360 Netflix issues: 'Not specific to Xbox'

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 10:30:00 +0000

Filed under: News

We're sure it happened to many of you out there who had preview access to the New Xbox Experience. You configured Netflix to run on your 360 and (naturally) the first thing you added was the anime film Paprika to your streaming queue. Who wouldn't, right? Let's say you watched most of the film and, for one reason or another, decided to finish it the next day only to find that it had been unceremoniously yanked from your queue. Early speculation held that the reason films were yanked was because they were owned by Sony which, as perhaps you've heard, is in direct competition with Microsoft.

Sony has spoken to MTV's Multiplayer and, according to them, competition has nothing to do with the films being pulled. According to a spokesperson, "This issue is not specific to Xbox or any other individual platform." The spokesperson added, "Sony Pictures is currently in discussions with the relevant parties to resolve certain licensing matters related to the distribution of its motion pictures. Given the ongoing nature of these discussions, we don't think it is appropriate to comment further at this time." So, licensing problems it is then. Let's just hope these problems are resolved soon because we you really need to finish watching Paprika.

[Via Joystiq]

Sony on 360 Netflix issues: 'Not specific to Xbox' originally appeared on Xbox 360 Fanboy on Thu, 20 Nov 2008 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony Pictures: Netflix issues 'not specific to Xbox'

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 08:49:00 +0000

Filed under: Microsoft Xbox 360

That's right, Xbox 360 owners. Speaking to MTV Multiplayer, Sony Pictures has insisted that its collection of films hasn't been yanked from the Netflix streaming list just to spite you and your whirring, off-white system. "This issue is not specific to Xbox or any other individual platform," said a Sony Pictures spokesperson. As reflected in Netflix's comments on the sans-Sony situation, it's all just a matter of licensing. "Sony Pictures is currently in discussions with the relevant parties to resolve certain licensing matters related to the distribution of its motion pictures. Given the ongoing nature of these discussions, we don't think it is appropriate to comment further at this time."

Sorry, conspiracy theorists. It seems a big film company actually does want you to watch its wares, regardless of your platform of choice. Well, as long as it's not a telephone. Get real!

Sony Pictures: Netflix issues 'not specific to Xbox' originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 20 Nov 2008 11:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony Pictures Says Netflix Streaming Issue Not Specific To Xbox

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 22:50:12 +0000

There’s been much speculation over movies by Sony Pictures losing the ability to stream via Netflix over Xbox 360.

Netflix revealed to MTV Multiplayer the issue was licensing-related and hoped the restriction was temporary.

We’ve now heard from Sony Pictures themselves, who have tried to squash rumors this was a secret power play.

“This issue is not specific to Xbox or any other individual platform,” said a Sony Pictures spokesperson in an e-mailed statement. “Sony Pictures is currently in discussions with the relevant parties to resolve certain licensing matters related to the distribution of its motion pictures. Given the ongoing nature of these discussions, we don’t think it is appropriate to comment further at this time.”

Sony Pictures’ statement suggests this remains a licensing issue, and it’s likely streaming will return to Xbox 360 sometime in the future.

Let’s just hope it’s sooner, rather than later. I want to finish “An Evening With Kevin Smith 2.”

Capcom talks Okami Wii sales

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 22:09:40 +0000

““Just a comment (and I’ve seen this done all over the place), you’re comparing WW sales [280,000 units] numbers on Wii with US sales numbers on PS2. NPD’s PS2 number (as cited on IGN some time ago… not me giving it out for the name of butt covering) was about 275K for just US. Again, is US only, North America would be higher than that and WW much higher still. That said, we continue to do slow, steady business on Okami Wii such that maybe someday it will get to the levels of the PS2’s sales, at least in the US. The day one number for each in the US was close to the same, we know Okami tends to have a nice long tail associated with it through distribution and a specific retailer or two. Secondarily, success for the project was never predicated on reaching the sales of the PS2, so from a profitability standpoint, I’m relatively pleased with where it’s at and where it’s going. We have more Okami hitting shelves of a couple retailers this month in the US so finding it should be reasonably easy. I think a lot of Okami’s long tail effect is due to word of mouth from fans like all of you. So if you think it’s something your friends should be playing, please do recommend it.”

Christian Svensson,
Corporate Officer/VP of Strategic Planning & Business Development

Link

Sony Pictures: Netflix issue not specific to Xbox, only temporary

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 19:19:54 +0000

Now we look at the other side of the fence. Yesterday, Sony was portrayed as the mean grinch who stole Netflix-Xbox 360 subscribers' Christmases -- more like their movie subscriptions, actually -- when it was discovered that Sony pictures are not allowed to run on the Microsoft console.

Competition much, eh?

Today, Sony Pictures steps up on the ring and defends itself, saying that there was now secret power play that went on with the whole thing. Sending out an e-mailed statement,

This issue is not specific to Xbox or any other individual platform. Sony Pictures is currently in discussions with the relevant parties to resolve certain licensing matters related to the distribution of its motion pictures. Given the ongoing nature of these discussions, we don't think it's appropriate to comment further at this time.

Given this development, it is then construed that once the licensing issue is fixed, then all will be well in the land of Xbox Live. Maybe.

Sony pulls a Grinch: Sony movies can't run on Netflix-XBL

EA getting into rhythm games?

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:29:08 +0000

Recently, That VideoGame Blog conducted an interview with Steve Schnur, EA’s Worldwide Executive of Music and Marketing and President of Artwerk (EA music publisher), to discuss how EA is expanding their involvement in bringing new music into games. Artwerk signs new talent and brings their songs into EA while also delivering master recordings, film and TV sync deals, advertising placement and distribution that goes far beyond games. If it has to do with music in many of EA’s games, he’s the one to talk to. So we did. And he had some pretty interesting stuff to say about how big the music world is getting within the gaming world.

Of course even an EA man has to attribute a lot of that success to Rock Band and Guitar Hero (though Madden was making artists famous before that). Those two games are making big bucks right now and as Schnur points out, “a recent survey shows that among all boys and girls in the 8-17 year-old age group, the upcoming Guitar Hero World Tour and Rock Band 2 are the ‘most wanted’ games this holiday season.” So without a doubt, there is high demand and big bucks there. And we were curious if Schnur knew anything about an EA rhythm game in the works.

“We have some pretty awesome things in development. Naturally, they’re all top-secret. In the meantime, keep your hands on a controller and your eyes and ears open!,” he said after asked if EA and Artwerk had any plans for music style games in that vein. Definitely sounds like EA might be entering the plastic guitar scene some time soon — they couldn’t let Activision have all the fun could they? Of course not.

Snoopy WWI Flying Ace - Interview

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 05:20:29 +0000

We scored an interview with Clark Stacey, Vice President of Smart Bomb Interactive, the folks who brought us Snoopy vs. the Red Baron on PS2, PSP and PC. Clark was nice enough to answer our questions and divulge the first details of Snoopy's brand new adventure.

QJ: I got some positive Crimson Skies meets Warhawk vibes from the trailer... am I crazy?

Stacey: Possibly, but it doesn t seem to be affecting your perceptions too much here. Crimson has certainly been an influence on the design of our flight mechanics and controls, and I think High Road to Revenge set a benchmark for approachable, addictive multiplayer dogfighting on a console. The comparison to Warhawk is more of a stretch our on-foot gameplay is very different and probably owes more to Ratchet, the Lego series, the A-Team, and McGyver .

QJ: I noticed Snoopy manning anti-air cannons and dispatching mean little enemy troopers with a slingshot, there even seemed to be what looked like a small amount of platforming involved, what can we expect from the ground based warfare and how integral is it to the overall experience?

Stacey: Our main thrust with this game is to tell a great story with a lot of action and humor. It s first and foremost an aerial adventure, but Snoopy and Woodstock both have some missions out of the planes. Snoopy is based out of a few different airbases over the course of the game as well; there he can explore on foot, quaff root beer with fellow pilots in the Officer s Club, upgrade his equipment, and a few other things too cool to talk about yet.

QJ: Does Flying Ace include a single player campaign?

Stacey: Absolutely.

QJ: I assume it would be fair to say the meat of the game is in the multiplayer, what kinds of game modes are there going to be?

Stacey: I think the meat of the game is in the dogfighting, which is easy to jump in and control but has a lot of depth with the different weapons, planes and skills. It s meat we serve throughout the single player campaign with a variety of side dishes, but pure carnivores might belly up to the online play and stay there. We have some co-op challenge modes and a variety of versus and team games. I can t spill them all just yet, but I can say that they range from the whimsical to the hardcore. Well, E-rated hardcore.

QJ: How many players does the game support in online matches, and is local split screen play supported?

Stacey: Our online specs vary by platform, and we haven t announced final numbers yet. We have already played some great 16-player matches at the studio, however. And yes, we will have local split-screen play.

QJ: Will there be any co-op missions?

Stacey: Yep.

QJ: Are planes and weapons upgradeable or customisable in any way?

Stacey: Yep. That s kind of a big deal in this game, actually. For now we have to leave it at that.

QJ: Are you looking at releasing the game on disc or via digital distribution on PSN, XBL or Steam?

Stacey: This game will release at retail on disc.

QJ: Do you have any plans for DLC?

Stacey: Plans for, yes. The multiplayer experience we have now is really fantastic, and this game s still a year away. If players online become as addicted to it as we are, there will definitely be DLC.

QJ: Now I know you can't talk about what platforms the game is being developed for just yet, but (hypothetically) if one of the supported platforms was the PS3, would you include support for motion control?... (hypothetically)

Stacey: In recognition of all the hours of non-frustrating fun and precise game control the PS3 motion control has blessed gamers with?

QJ Of course we don't know for sure whether Flying Ace is coming to the Wii, but if it were (again, hypothetically), how would it control?

Stacey: I m just thinking out loud here, but remember when you were a kid how you d run around the yard with a toy plane, making all these swooping and banking motions to guide it through enemy fire? Imagine the Wiimote is that toy plane, your living room is the yard, and Smart Bomb is the neighbor kid chasing you. No wait, we re your favorite uncle, coming to give you more toy planes. Actually, no - we re your big brother, showing you how to strap bottle rockets to the toy plane and shoot them at the neighbor's kid.

QJ: Who would win in a Lucy vs. Snoopy: No Holds Barred fight to the finish?

Stacey: A decorated veteran with decades of combat experience against a five cent psychiatrist... wasn t that the premise of all of Steven Seagal s movies? I m not sure I can pick a side in this, actually, since I have to work with both of them.

Sneak preview trailer of Snoopy WWI Flying Ace:

Shall we play a game?

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 16:00:00 +0000

Filed under: World of Warcraft, Fantasy, MMO industry, News items

When you think of a rapidly developing Asian nation, fast becoming a global superpower and now harnessing the potential of supercomputing, what's the first purpose for this supercomputer that comes to mind? Hint: think video games, not war games. Regardless of your first thought, we're betting you wouldn't have guessed "World of Warcraft"... but it's true. China's World of Warcraft servers are run by The9, who own Blizzard's distribution rights in the country. "Earlier this year, The9 boasted of hosting more than one million World of Warcraft players online at the same time.To support the...

Continue reading Shall we play a game?

Shall we play a game? originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 18 Nov 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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