Paul Loughrey (Page 15)

Codemasters Online Gaming has extended its relationship with developer Turbine Inc, the publisher signing a new agreement to bring massively multiplayer online game Lord of the Rings Online to Europe this year.

After sailing through the House of Representatives last week, Utah Representative David L. Hogue's controversial videogames legislation is dead in the water, the State Senate having failed to vote on the bill.

The legal battle over alleged theft of trade secrets by former Yahoo! employees is progressing rapidly, a California judge issuing a temporary restraining order against seven MForma employees.

Furthering the recognition and support for the continued growth of the independent games market, a new two-day conference is scheduled to take place in Texas this July.

Gamers of both genders and all ages lined up in their hundreds to buy Nintendo's redesigned DS Lite, the launch for which has dwarfed that of the original handheld, as retailers posted sold out signs within hours of opening.

World of Warcraft developer, Blizzard Entertainment, has announced that the subscriber base for its exceptionally popular massively multiplayer online game has now exceeded 6 million worldwide.

Vivendi Universal has posted its full year financial results, revealing a marginal decline in overall profits but increased revenue in several divisions, VU Games in particular showing a dramatic return to profitability for the media giant.

Yahoo Incorporated has filed a lawsuit against mobile games and content provider MForma, alleging that seven former employees stole trade secrets and technology data prior to joining the wireless publisher.

Chinese publisher and developer Shanda Entertainment has announced the financial results for its fourth quarter and full fiscal year 2005, revealing higher revenues but a significant loss in profits compared to the previous year.

Bernie Stolar, former president of both Sega and Sony Computer Entertainment America, and ex Sega sales and marketing exec, Chris Gilbert, have announced the official launch of new in-game advertising company, Adscape Media.

Take-Two Interactive has announced a number of internal changes and promotions within its sales team, as the publisher prepares for the completion of the current hardware transition and readies itself for the next-generation of videogames titles.

Telltale Games, developer of the highly anticipated sequel to PC adventure game Sam and Max, has secured an additional USD 825,000 in funding, bringing the total investment in the firm to USD 1.4 million.

Korea-based publisher Webzen has announced the signing of an exclusive worldwide publishing and distribution agreement for the debut MMO title from Red 5 Studios, a company established by three former key World of Warcraft development staff.

Senior Analyst P.J. McNealy of American Technology Research has stated that Microsoft's much publicised component shortages for the Xbox 360 are over, suggesting that the company is back on track to sell 10-12 million units worldwide by year-end.

Following an exceptional chart run with <i>Need for Speed: Most Wanted</i>, EA's reign has survived yet another challenge, as the publisher returns to the throne with its first all-formats number one based on original IP in almost a decade.

The International Game Developers Association (IGDA) has announced the industry selected nominees for the 6th annual Game Developers Choice Awards, God of War and Shadow of the Colossus leading the way.

Acclaim Games, under the ownership of industry veterans Howard Marks and Ken Chan, is re-entering the videogames industry, positioning itself as a free-to-play MMOG specialist.

Software publisher Codemasters has announced the appointment of Branded, a leading brand consultancy firm that will work with the publisher to strengthen its brand identity as the company expands its global portfolio.

The UK is set to host a new serious games event this summer, the two-day event created and organised in association with UK Trade and Investment, Coventry University and Advantage West Midlands.

ELSPA's top ten UK mobile downloads for January, compiled from information supplied by UK network operators 3, O2, Orange, T-Mobile and Vodafone, reveals another top selling month for Jamdat, as Tetris reclaims the number one position.

Utah Representative David Hogue's controversial violent videogames bill, which tags videogames onto existing obscenity laws relating to pornography, has sailed through the House of Representatives by a vote of 56-8.

Japanese consumers awaiting the March 2nd launch of Nintendo's re-designed DS handheld face disappointment, as the company announces a delay on two coloured versions following unspecified production issues.

Following the recent reduction in the workforce at its Santa Monica headquarters, software publisher Activision has confirmed reports that the company's restructuring plans will lead to further job losses in the UK.

Hopscotch Technology, co-founded by a concerned parent seeking to limit the amount of time his children spent playing videogames and watching television, has announced the launch of Bob, a new electronic time management device.

Capcom has secured a number one debut for its highly anticipated PS2 title, <i>Monster Hunter 2</i>, which sold in excess of 320,000 units and toppled Nintendo's DS titles from their lead position in the Japanese sales charts.