Full FeedBrad Pitt producing Dark Void movie, may even star in it
Most of the movies made from video game adaptations up to date have been less than stellar productions (thanks Uwe Boll), to say the least. From Street Fighter to Doom every one of them has strayed far from the original material and ended up a mess.
Now there is some light shining on video game fans with the news that Brad Pitt’s production company, Plan B Entertainment, is making its debut on games-to-film adaptations with Capcom’s upcoming action title Dark Void. Plan B has secured the movie rights for the game and there is even some speculation that Brad Pitt himself might be up for the starring role.
EA closes Pandemic Studios
With the global economy going through hard times, most markets have been affected and unfortunately video games are not the exception. Sales are falling behind this year compared to 2008 and the holiday season is sure to bring a fierce price battle amongst the main retailers.
Not even the big companies are being spared from the effects of the economy. Video game giant Electronic Arts has decided to close Pandemic Studios, one of its recently acquired studios. This decision was part of a plan to cut 1,500 jobs in an effort to restructure the company.
Opinion: More studios need to follow Infinity Ward’s lead with Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
A couple of days ago I was playing the solo campaign of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 and I got to the much discussed “No Russian” mission. (Do yourself a favor and go get a copy of Modern Warfare 2.)
The mission puts the player in the shoes of a special forces operative who is working undercover in a Russian terrorist group. The terrorists arrive at an airport and proceed to shoot everybody in sight and then make their way out while cutting down the police. During the mission, the player can control this operative and in fact contribute to the massacre.
NASA hoping to recruit new talent with Astronaut: Moon, Mars and Beyond
In an effort to attract new and younger talent to its ranks, NASA has come up with a new strategy: Using video games to give people a chance to get a glimpse of outer space.
NASA believes that there are many teenagers who have the talent for a successful career but probably have never been in contact with the work that is actually done there. That is why they are joining forces with three different developers: Virtual Heroes (America’s Army), Project Whitecard and Wisdom Tools.
Using NASA’s knowledge and technical expertise the developers are working on a massively multiplayer online game (MMOG) that will allow players to engage in space exploration in a more realistic fashion. Astronaut: Mars, Moon and Beyond will allow players to visit Mars and see Spirit and Opportunity going about their business or see the Moon and look at the footsteps of astronauts (and all the gear they left there).
GameStop to offer digital downloads in stores
With the recent trend of video game companies offering complements and add-ons for games, digital downloads are becoming an increasingly lucrative market. As with other entertainment properties, more and more video game companies are shifting parts of their businesses to creating and delivering this form of content.
The ability to obtain this content straight from its source has generally left retailers out of this trend but now GameStop intends to change this. Starting early next year, GameStop will offer add-ons for games in the form of digital downloads at all of their stores.
These downloads will be offered on conjunction with the leading console manufacturers including Microsoft and Sony. Customers will be able to purchase these add-ons directly at the store and then have them available for download from their Xbox Live or PlayStation Network accounts.
Activision Blizzard creates CODE, war veteran support organization
Activision Blizzard is creating an organization dedicated to raising awareness on unemployment amongst war veterans. The non-profit foundation, called Call of Duty Endowment (CODE), will focus on raising funds and assisting organizations dedicated to job placement and training for war veterans.
Activision Blizzard’s CEO, Robert Kotick, decided to invite veterans from different branches of the military to form the advisory board for CODE. They will be in charge of raising awareness for veterans’ causes and deciding which organizations receive grants from CODE.
Halo Legends animated short films expand game’s mythology
Microsoft Studios and 343 Industries are taking the Halo universe one step further with a series of computer-generated and anime-styled new short films called Halo Legends. The stories will focus on the origins and history of the Halo universe as well as its characters.
Halo Legends comprises seven stories told throughout eight episodes and will be presented in a similar fashion to The Animatrix, in which each episode is created by a different team employing different styles of animation.
Opinion: Visually impaired gamer’s suit against Sony may be a bit frivolous
A visually impaired gamer named Alexander Stern is suing Sony, Sony Online Entertainment and Sony Computer Entertainment America for not offering features that make their games accessible for people with visual disabilities.
According to Stern, by not including these options, Sony is violating the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The law suit claims that Stern has written several emails and letters to Sony requesting these features for games - mainly on MMOs - and Sony hasn’t complied. The suit also mentions how other companies, including Blizzard, have allowed the use of mods or other third party programs to incorporate features including visual cues or voice overs for gamers with “disability impaired visual processing”.
Epic Games offers Unreal Engine 3 Development Kit for free
Epic Games is making a breakthrough in the games community by offering one of the most acclaimed game engines, the Unreal Engine 3, free to the public.
Now anyone can get their hands on this technology by downloading the UDK, or Unreal Development Kit.
The Unreal Engine 3 has been used in blockbuster first-person shooters including the Gears of War franchise, Unreal Tournament 3 and
Activision starts educational game ratings campaign directed at parents
Activision is launching a campaign to educate parents about the ESRB ratings system and how to make an informed decision when buying a game for their kids. This campaign, called “Ratings are not a Game”, is backed by Dr. Cheryl Olson, co-director of the Center for Mental Health and Media at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Activision has created a series of videos where Dr. Olson explains how parents can get involved in the different types of games played by their children. The videos also explain the different ratings of the ESRB and feature child psychologists that talk about the personal and social skills that children can develop by playing certain kinds of games. Engaging in multiplayer matches in certain games can help develop social skills and strategy games can help with problem solving skills. Also, some action games can help with coordination and motor skills.
These videos are a great idea as they help parents in having a better understanding of games and how they can even prove helpful in the right circumstances…
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Black Friday 2009
Black Friday is almost here! Gadgetell's got you covered with all the latest news on who's offering the best deals. Dangerous crowds? You're on your own.
Important Importables
Jenni Lada brings us information about all of the groovy new gaming imports from around the world.
