CNET - LOS ANGELES–When Vivendi Universal announced it was buying Activision last December, it was clearly a bid to compete with Electronic Arts for the top spot on the world’s roster of video game publishers.
Reuters - Riding the success of its popular Wii video game console, Nintendo Co Ltd (7974.OS) on Tuesday unveiled fresh titles for gamers to throw frisbees and rock on, while rival Sony Corp (6758.T) turned to Hollywood with a new video service.
PC Magazine - Sony unveiled new hardware packages for each of their systems during their E3 Press conference on Tuesday, including a new 80GB PlayStation 3 bundle for $399.
NewsFactor - Microsoft and Netflix have forged an exclusive partnership under which Netflix will begin streaming feature films and TV programs to owners of Microsoft’s Xbox 360 gaming console. Beginning this fall, Netflix subscribers who also have an Xbox Live Gold membership will be able to download and view movies at no additional cost, said Microsoft Corporate Vice President John Schappert.
AP - A sanctioned version of Scrabble for Facebook, released this week by video game maker Electronic Arts Inc., boasts animated graphics and true-to-the-board-game design.
AP - A tough little blob must splash color over a town wallowing in gray. Bug-eyed rabbits do a dance routine. And then there’s the “perfect equine farm” of wild horses for little girls to tame and train.
NewsFactor - On the heels of Microsoft’s $50 price cut for the Xbox 360, Sony has announced a price cut of $100 for its 80GB flagship PlayStation 3 and said it is dropping the 40GB version of the PS3.
AFP - Sony Online Entertainment is letting comic book lovers be first to try an online videogame that lets players invent superheroes that could go on to thrash even Superman.
AFP - Hot French videogame maker Ubisoft is launching titles geared for girl athletes in a bet that it’s not just boys that love sports both real and virtual.
Reuters - In the video game industry, the spoils of the console wars come in the form of support from third-party software publishers selling games to run on your machine.
AFP - Videogame makers are riding the social-networking wave with a flood of soon-to-be-released titles that let friends play online as teams and even create their own characters.
AP - LOS ANGELES (AP) Consider it “Star Wars III and a Half” complete with a pivotal plot twist.
Gametrailers have posted up a 2 part developer walkthrough for the Conduit. Its looking pretty impressive, check out both parts in the forums.
According to various internet reports, Kiefer Sutherland is set to voice a character in Call of Duty: World at War. No further details are available.
The latest internet rumor mill suggests that Nintendo may well unveil a new game during a private conference at E3 2008. The same report from GameKyo suggests that something great is coming as Super Smash Bros. Brawl for the Wii was announced two years ago in similar fashion.