Paul Loughrey (Page 14)

THQ has further extended its already extensive pool of development studios as the company continues its push for the creation of next-generation console games, with the acquisition of Austin-based Vigil Games.

THQ has announced its intention to generate additional revenue from the provision of downloadable content on next-generation consoles, beginning with its current offerings on Microsoft's Xbox 360.

Anti-piracy technology firm Macrovision has announced the appointment of a new general manager of emerging business, who will assume direct responsibility for overseeing the company's Trymedia Games division.

PC manufacturer Alienware has issued a statement in response to recent speculation of a take-over bid by industry rivals Dell, the company refusing to comment on what at this stage is merely a rumour.

According to an interview with legendary game designer Shigeru Miyamoto posted on the Nintendo of Europe website, the latest iteration in the hugely successful Zelda series will feature enhanced elements exclusive to the Revolution console.

Session tracks, speakers and topics have been confirmed for the forthcoming 2006 Electronic Entertainment Expo conference and workshop program, which will run over two days between the 9-11th May.

Casual games publisher and developer PopCap Games has announced further company expansion details, with the formation of a new development studio in the heart of San Francisco's bay area.

THQ has announced the formation of XDG, an external outsourcing team specifically established to streamline the company's future product development outsourcing needs.

Confirming the troubled publisher's heavy reliance on its controversial Grand Theft Auto series, Take-Two's latest 10-Q filing includes mention of a three-year, USD 25 million deal to secure and safeguard the creative team behind its flagship franchise.

Professional conference and events organiser, The Game Initiative, has announced details of the 2nd annual Advertising in Games Forum, which is scheduled to take place this April in New York City.

Israel-based games on demand provider, Exent Technologies, has announced that it has secured new investment from Intel and Cisco, which the company plans to use to further its portfolio of digital distribution technologies.

Nintendo's Wi-Fi connection service for the company's DS handheld has reached one million unique users, with more than 27 million connections logged since the service launched last November.

Recently formed 'super developer' BioWare Pandemic Studios has bucked the trend during what has widely been cited as a difficult period for the software industry, with combined sales generating revenue of USD 800 million.

Beleaguered publisher Take-Two interactive has posted its Q1 financial report, revealing further significant revenue losses, but fairing marginally better than both the company's own guidance and recent analyst predictions.

Specialist media investment and advisory firm, Ingenious Media, has announced the launch of a new venture, with plans to invest up to GBP 50 million in the interactive entertainment industry.

NCsoft has broken the mould for Collector's Edition box sets and pre-order bonuses, with the announcement of a wealth of in-game and exclusive merchandising items to be included with the company's forthcoming MMO, Auto Assault.

A fleeting glance at the all-formats top ten this week reads more like a product catalogue for Electronic Arts, the US giant utterly dominating the charts with three new entries in the top five and a total of seven titles in the top ten.

Microsoft has announced that it has reached a patenting milestone, the Redmond giant having been granted its 5,000th patent in the US for technologies that enable people to join online games as a spectator, from anywhere in the world.

Bigfoot Networks, a start-up firm established by Executive MBA students to eliminate lag in online gaming, has announced that it has secured USD 4 million in Series A financing, led by Venio Capital Partners.

Software giant Electronic arts has pledged its support for the continued improvements to Carnegie Mellon University's Alice programming software, which is used to teach US students the basics of computer programming.

Epic Games, creators of the widely adopted Unreal Engine 3, has announced that it will be showcasing the latest updates and enhancements at this year's Game Developers Conference in San Jose.

Cheyenne Mountain Entertainment has licensed BigWorld's client/server technology suite as the platform for development of its forthcoming MGM licensed MMO title based on the Stargate franchise.

Turner Broadcasting's unique broadband gaming service is set for further expansion, as the company secures a new licensing deal to provide game previews and trailers from developer and publisher, Strategy First.

The mobile gaming market continues to attract interest from major videogame publishers, including Vivendi Universal Games, which is now establishing its own dedicated wireless division for both licensed and original games based on Vivendi IP.

Backbone Entertainment, part of North America's largest independent developer, Foundation 9, has announced the launch of its UMD authoring services for the PlayStation Portable.