Paul Loughrey (Page 22)

Originally announced at the 2005 Electronic Entertainment Expo in May, Nokia has finally demonstrated its next-generation mobile games development tools to first party developers.

Retail giant GameStop has announced the promotion of ex-Electronics Boutique executive, Steve Morgan, following the recent acquisition of EB and the departure of former president Joe DePinto.

A trio of independent game developers have established the Independent Developers Association (IDEA Games), providing members and partners with a unique support structure to successfully bring new games to market.

The Child's Play children's charity, providing hospitals with industry supported donations of games, toys and electronic hardware, has announced that its third annual charity dinner event has raised over USD 200,000.

The Academy of Interactive Arts, organisers of the 2006 DICE (Design, Innovate, Communicate, Entertain) Summit, have announced the addition of several new industry execs to its list of keynote speakers.

California-based Spark Unlimited, has signed a long terms strategic partnership with in-game advertising firm Massive Incorporated, encompassing several currently undisclosed AAA titles.

Atari Interactive has announced the signing of a worldwide licensing agreement for the development, publishing and distribution of multi-platform videogames based on Arthur and the Minimoys.

The CMP Game Group, hosts of the annual Game Developers Conference, has announced a new partnership with The Hollywood Reporter to create the first Hollywood and Games convergence summit.

Despite a positive reception to its first batch of next generation console titles, videogame publisher Activision has issued a formal statement, lowering the previous financial estimates for the full fiscal year 2006.

NVIDA Corporation has announced the signing of a definitive agreement for the acquisition of ULi Electronics, a leading developer of core logic technologies and current partner of rival chip manufacturer, ATI.

Massively Multiplayer Online game developer and publisher, Funcom, has successfully listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange, securing almost USD30 million for investment in company growth and a new product portfolio.

The Casual Games Association, organisers and hosts of Europe's first casual games conference in February, is inviting submissions for a unique CD of pre-release and finished games from developers and publishers in the casual games arena.

Following the recent agreement with Electronic Arts for a USD 680 million acquisition deal, a shareholder of mobile game company Jamdat is seeking to prevent the closure of the deal by filing a class action lawsuit.

Celebrating the launch of the first next-generation games console, UK independent developers, Stainless Games and Pompom Software, announce the debut of two classic games in the Xbox 360 Live Arcade.

The Childs Play children's charity, established by the creators of the Penny Arcade comic strip and now in its third successful year of operation, has announced the overwhelming success of its 3rd annual toy drive.

Speaking at the 33rd annual UBS Global Media conference, Nintendo of America's chief marketing officer spoke candidly to an audience of analysts and investors about its approach to expanding the games market.

Fledgling technology start-up firm, Geomerics, has announced the hiring of industry veteran and former Kuju technical director, Julian Davies, to the senior position of chief technology officer.

The CMP Game Group, responsible for a number of industry events including the Game Developers Conference, has announced the introduction of a new China Games Summit.

Adding more fuel to the fire in the ongoing debate over violent videogames, the Entertainment Software Ratings Boards has issued a strong statement of rejection in response to the recent NIMF report card.

The fourth component in an ongoing initiative between the two companies, Activision and Nielsen Entertainment announce the results of a pioneering study into the effectiveness of in-game advertising.

The founder of two children's videogame companies has been convicted of bank fraud, and has been sentenced to more than two years in prison, despite pleading for a delay in sentencing.

After several reports of overheating issues with the Xbox 360, one consumer has accused Microsoft of releasing the machine with systematic defects in the development and manufacturing process.

Responding to the court ruling which deemed the Illinois violent videogames law as unconstitutional and prevented its implementation, Governor Rod R. Blagojevitch has vowed to appeal against the decision.

The Finesse Publishing Group has announced its acquisition of Kuju Wireless Publishing, the mobile game publishing arm of Kuju Entertainment.

The Entertainment Software Association has announced another court victory for the games industry, as an Illinois District Judge rules in favour of the ESA and halts the implementation of the proposed violent videogames state law.