Rob Fahey (Page 107)

Mobile game developer and publisher iFone has secured the rights to release Lemmings titles on mobile platforms, with the first ever mobile phone Lemmings game set to arrive in the North American and European markets in time for Christmas.

The latest game sales charts from GfK Australia show Sony Computer Entertainment's Olympics tie-in title, Athens 2004, moving up to the top of the chart as the Games get into full swing in the Greek capital.

Publisher Bigben Interactive has announced that it will be extending its Talent:UK Live touring talent contest into schools and city centre venues this autumn, to tie in with the arrival of the new Dance:UK : XL title.

The forthcoming Nintendo DS handheld console won't be shown off at the Game Stars Live show in London next week, as some had hoped, although Nintendo will have an extensive line-up on its stand at the show.

Publisher Acclaim has been granted additional breathing room by primary lender GMAC Commercial Finance, which has temporarily agreed not to act against the company despite the end of an extension to its credit facility.

US publisher and distributor Crave Entertainment Group has announced the appointment of industry veteran Rob Dyer as its new president and chief operating officer, following a six year tenure at the helm of Eidos in North America.

The Austin Game Conference, a development conference that focuses on the multiplayer, massively multiplayer and mobile markets, has announced that pavilions representing UK and Korean firms will be present at the event.

Electronic Arts has announced that work on The Sims 2, the sequel to the best-selling PC game of all time, has been completed at the firm's Maxis studio, with the eagerly awaited title set to arrive at retail in the middle of next month.

Independent developer trade body TIGA has announced that its mobile group is to host a one day conference exploring the issues facing mobile gaming as part of the European Developer's Forum conference next week.

id Software's PC first-person shooter Doom 3 is still at number one in the UK this week, despite a strong challenge for the top from Sony's Athens 2004, which climbs one place to number two on the back of a 55 per cent sales increase.

The relationship between publisher Midway and media empire Viacom is the subject of speculation again today, after Viacom chairman Sumner Redstone stated that Midway is seen as an acquisition candidate or potential licensee.

Magazine publisher Future Network has acquired Dennis Publishing's remaining videogames magazines, Computer & Video Games and PC Zone, in a UKP 2.5 million deal that sees Dennis exiting the game magazine market.