Paul Loughrey (Page 7)

Football is once again dominating the charts this week, EA's <i>FIFA World Cup Germany 2006</i> back in first place despite an overall slump brought on by a combination of warm weather and World Cup excitement.

Non profit software developer organisation the Independent Game Developers Association has announced several changes to its board, including the appointment of three new board members.

The NPD Group has released the latest US software sales data for May, revealing a 10 per cent decline compared to last year, next-gen titles failing to offset the impact of the current hardware transition.

Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry has signed into law a new bill which revises the definition of what is harmful to minors to include "inappropriately violent" videogames and is certain to be challenged by the ESA.

Organisers of the Austin Game Conference have announced two keynote speakers for the September event, which begins with an address from Blizzard Entertainment's VP game design, Rob Pardo.

Mad Catz Interactive has announced its fourth quarter and full fiscal year financial results, showing a marked decline in sales and a Q4 loss of USD 3.3 million as a result of the console hardware transition.

Take-Two Interactive has released its financial results for the second quarter ended April 30th, revealing an increase in revenues but an overall loss of USD 50.4 million as cost-cutting exercises continue.

UK consumers are responding positively to the availability of fast, secure mobile Internet access, network operator O2 recording 250,000 customers for its i-mode service launched last October.

Bungie Studios has announced that its award winning and phenomenally successful Xbox title, Halo 2, has surpassed an astonishing milestone with more than half a billion online games played on Xbox Live.

Majesco Entertainment has posted its Q2 financial results, revealing a small increase in profits as the troubled publisher continues restructuring plans following its exit from the premium games market.

Kuju Entertainment has announced plans to further expand development at its Brighton studio, picking up two new software titles and hiring an additional twenty members of staff.

GOA, the videogames publishing division of France Telecom, has secured the exclusive European publishing and online operational rights to Mythic Entertainment's Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning.

Osaka-based developer Yukes has announced the establishment of its first North American office, continuing the company's push towards multi-platform software publishing.

The Entertainment Software Association has filed a lawsuit against the state of Minnesota, reaffirming its commitment to striking down the latest restrictive videogame legislation efforts.

UK developer Rebellion has confirmed its acquisition of Starship Troopers creator Strangelight Studios, which has been sold off by embattled software publisher Empire Interactive.

Sony Computer Entertainment subsidiary SN Systems has announced a reduction in the price of its suite of development tools for the PlayStation 2, slicing a third off with immediate effect.

Eidos' contract killer steals its second week at the top of the all-formats charts this week, <i>Hitman: Blood Money</i> continuing to fend off the football fever having casually knocked <i>FIFA World Cup Germany 2006</i> into second place last week.

Los Angeles-based Pandemic Studios' next-gen title has been labelled as psychological warfare and is feared to be the first step towards a real life invasion by supporters of Venezuela president Hugo Chavez.

Nintendo of America has promoted Reggie Fils-Aime to the role of president and COO, implementing a top level executive shake-up as the company prepares for the launch of Wii.

The latest figures from retail analysts the NPD Group have revealed revenues of USD 1.4 billion for PC game sales in North America during 2005, significantly bolstered by a sharp rise in digital spending.

Nintendo has confirmed a sub USD 250 price point for its next-generation Wii console, finally breaking its silence on the much debated launch strategy following the machine's unveiling at the recent E3 conference in Los Angeles.

The Entertainment Software Association has offered its approval of a videogames bill which has been signed by Maryland governor Robert L. Ehrlich Jr, following a revision to the proposal which removed a government-created ratings system.

Amsterdam-based software publisher Playlogic Entertainment has revealed its Q1 financial results, showing a massive rise in revenue driven primarily by strong sales throughout Europe.

The merger between retail trade organisations the Interactive Entertainment Merchants Association and the Video Software Dealers Association has now completed, creating a single unified organisation.

Mark Healy, former designer at Peter Molyneux's Lionhead Studios, has established a new independent development studio and is currently working on the creation of a new next-generation software title.