News (Page 3902)

Developer trade body TIGA is set to host its annual finance seminar on November 6th, with a focus on investing in game development and speakers from key developers, investment firms and accountants.

Enterprising coders have created a software solution which allows GameCube owners to play Mario Kart: Double Dash over the Internet using a tunnelling system which runs the game's LAN mode online.

New reports suggest that Microsoft is preparing to drop the price of its Xbox console to 16,800 Yen (€133) in Japan next month, in a move which will give the hardware a significant price edge over the PS2 in time for Christmas.

The innovative PS2 webcam game, Eye Toy Play, has passed a million sales in Europe and continues to sell strongly, with a second set of games for the peripheral due in time for Christmas.

Japanese gaming bible set to covermount Xbox jukebox software

GameCube's much-publicised sales recovery in the UK has slowed already according to the latest set of ChartTrack hardware figures which reveal that Xbox has once again overtaken Nintendo's console.

British publisher Eidos has announced several changes to its board, along with the creation of a new media division for the company which is tasked with building on the success of the mobile versions of Tomb Raider.

Nintendo has announced Christmas plans for the GBA, with special limited edition packs featuring a GBA SP console, a copy of Pokemon Ruby or Sapphire and a matching carry case due for release in late November.

EA scored another No.1 success this week following the PS2, Cube and Xbox debut of FIFA Football 2004, deposing Konami's rival footy title Pro Evolution Soccer 3 to No.2 in the process.

Leading publisher Nintendo has scored yet another number one in the Japanese software charts, with quirky GameCube title Made in Wario taking the top spot as Cube hardware sales were boosted by a price cut.

Lionhead Studios founder Peter Molyneux is set to receive an honorary Doctorate of Technology from the University of Abertay Dundee for his achievements in the field of game creation and design.

Dennis Publishing has announced the final shortlists for its annual Golden Joystick awards, with Grand Theft Auto Vice City and Soul Calibur II leading the pack with three and four nominations respectively.

A new consumer initiative from publisher trade body ELSPA, supported by leading publisher EA, will see a leaflet explaining the new game rating systems being widely distributed at UK retail outlets in the run-up to Christmas.

Software giant Microsoft has announced slightly better than expected results for the first quarter of its financial year, ended September 30, with the figures revealing a 20 per cent climb in revenues from the Xbox.

Major US games retailer GameStop.com has reduced the price of Nokia's N-Gage game deck to $199 only two weeks after the system launched, in a time-limited offer which also includes free shipping for all N-Gage products.

The first shot in Microsoft's Christmas offensive against its console rivals has come in the form of a new bundle deal, which offers an Xbox system along with copies of Halo and Midtown Madness 3 for £139.99.

Consumer electronics giant Sony has reported a 25 per cent drop in its quarterly profits, and predicts a 23 per cent fall in annual operating profit, partly due to falling hardware sales in the games division.

British development studio Computer Artworks, whose games included The Thing and Evolva, has become the latest UK studio to be forced to shut down, with the company entering receivership this week.

Japanese entertainment giants Bandai and Nintendo have both moved to play down merger and acquisition rumours which have surrounded the companies since Nintendo purchased a minority shareholding in Bandai last week.

Leading publisher Electronic Arts has announced a strong set of second quarter figures, showing rises in both turnover and profit, and expects the current quarter to be its biggest ever holiday sales season.

Finnish mobile phone giant Nokia has released its first set of sales figures for the N-Gage since the device launched earlier this month, claiming that the device sold some 400,000 units worldwide in its first two weeks on sale.

Eidos is celebrating twin successes for its mobile adaptations of the Tomb Raider franchise, as Lara Croft's handheld adventures top both the N-Gage software chart and the Vodafone live! games chart.