Next up from Electronic Arts is their flagship project of the year: the next big thing, some people say, to the best-selling Sims franchise. Spore looks to be shaping up perfectly for the September release, as constant media updates from E3 speak of polished, high definition graphics and striking visuals. But we won't just let hearsay keep the anticipation up - Will Wright himself and the folks at EA's booth have tendered several media presentations all for our viewing pleasure. Let 'em rip at the full story.

It looks like everyone's dishing out there own version of "Gamer's Day." Sega's own rendition, however, may be the one to stand out from the rest, since its multi-genre, multi-platform, and multi-franchise collection is studded with highly-anticipated hopefuls. So aside from Iron Man and upcoming game adaptation of The Incredible Hulk, Sega laid out teasers for fans of Aliens, Total War and the stealthy action title, Alpha Protocol.

Pandemic Studios and BioWare are currently on the hotseat after Electronic Arts' shocking acquisition of both development studios, and we're fortunate enough that they're giving answers to fans who aren't very happy. In an interview, Pandemic made it pretty clear that the partnership with EA won't hinder the developers from being creative.

According to Pandemic chief production officer Greg Borrud, nothing is changing in how Pandemic develops games or what games they choose to develop. He also adds that the acquisition will not break the company's "core pillars of building big brands", regular game events, or their ability to attract the best talent in the industry.

Co-founder and president Josh Resnick continued, saying that EA probably wanted to buy them because of Pandemic's "ability to be creative... and to really stretch our limits and innovative, and to really focus on creating blockbuster original IPs." He stressed out that new and original IPs will be coming without restrictions from EA.

What Pandemic can learn from the partnership, as Resnick sees it, is how to have a powerful marketing organization and make franchises go forward by spinning out many games. Pandemic CEO Andrew Goldman and Borrud agree that passing technology around is another positive draw to the US$ 860 million deal with a publishing giant like EA.

Aside from having access to support from Electronic Arts, Pandemic big wigs say nothing much will be changed in the development pipeline. Hopefully, we won't be seeing annual Destroy All Humans! titles or titles like Mercenaries 09 any time soon.

They say breaking things can actually relieve people of stress or anger, but some people simply don't get the chance to shoot their expensive HDTV with a shotgun. Fortunately, the guys behind Stranglehold (Xbox 360, PS3, PC) knew about the desire to destroy everything around, so they included Massive D to the game.

John Woo's name can't be avoided when talking about this blockbuster title, but that's a very good thing. The devs obviously did their homework just to put the feel of John Woo's films in the game, and most of us have seen it in action or even played it. It's no secret now that every single step Inspector Tequila takes is a step toward some gun-slinging madness.

In this video, the folks from Midway tell us just what's hot with Stranglehold and Massive D.

Buy: [Stranglehold (PS3)]
Buy: [Stranglehold (Xbox 360)]

Buy: [Stranglehold (PC)]

 

With the news of Take-Two's biggest gun in the games race, Grand Theft Auto 4 (360 and PS3) being shoved back into its holster until 2008, it's no surprise that analysts are predicting good tidings for those who were supposed to go up against the controversial company in the pre-holiday shootout.

The analyst being none other than Todd Greenwald of Nollenberger Capital Partners, and the rival companies being Electronic Arts and Activision. So why is the delay of Grand Theft Auto 4 a good thing for Electronic Arts and Activision?

Todd Greenwald believes that it frees up budgets that had been set aside for the fourth iteration of the legendary series, and thus giving room for other blockbuster titles currently out or will be out this season. Good ol' Todd puts it like so:

We believe the lack of GTA IV this holiday season is a clear positive for Take-Two's competitors, namely EA and Activision. We estimate that roughly US$ 400 to US$ 500 million in consumers wallets will be freed up to spend on other hardcore games.

While it's certainly a bit disappointing that Grand Theft Auto 4 has been pushed back well into next year, it certainly does give us gamers (especially those of us in a tight budget) a chance to splurge on other great-looking releases, with Call of Duty 4, Halo 3 and Assassin's Creed to only name a few. Let's just hope that Take-Two won't be pushing the title's release date any farther.

EA greatness coming your way! Electronic Arts has released its line-up of games down at E3 in Barker Hangar and Le Merigot Hotel.

Here's a shortlist of the games it's showcasing in E3: Madden NFL 08, NBA LIVE 08, NASCAR 08 and Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 08, Burnout Paradise, SimCity Societies, The Orange Box, Mercenaries 2: World in Flames, Crysis and Hellgate: London, The Simpsons on three platforms, Army of Two, Boogie, MySims, The Sims 2 Castaway, Medal of Honor Airborne, Need for Speed ProStreet, EA Playground, Skate, and Rock Band.

Says EA Games Label President: "In the next six months, EA will launch the most exciting line up of games in our 25 year history. We’re publishing brand new games ... delivering innovations in blockbuster franchises..." Some of these games will be available for demos for those who are lucky enough to attend E3.

For a quick lowdown of EA's wicked line-up, click on the full article.

With Activision's recently submitted financial performance report for fiscal year 2007, avid gamer and analyst Michael Pachter of Wedbush Morgan Securities remained optimistic about the future for Activision. For the fiscal year 2008, Pachter estimates a US$ 1.8 billion in revenue for the company, while eyeing a US$ 2 billion in revenue for 2009.

 

He also recommends a "Strong Buy" for the company's stock as a result, from a US$ 23 to US$ 24.50. But according to the analyst, "All things are not perfect in Activision's world." The so-so reviews of the game adaptation of blockbuster hit Spider-Man 3 were especially questioned by Pachter.

And then came the news that Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare was to be set in present-day Iraq, which Pachter points out as a bad move for the company. He said:

We understand that Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare is set in Iraq in the present, and we believe that if true, there is some potential for sales to suffer as a result of widespread dissatisfaction with the U.S. war effort in that country. Of course, prior to release, it may be possible to change the venue for the game (we prefer the fictional country of Kreplachistan), and we are confident that Activision will consider carefully how to best position the product in the marketplace this fall.

That's not all: due to recent friction between Harmonix and Electronic Arts' Rock Band with upcoming Red Octane and Activision's riff-maker Guitar Hero III, Pachter expects one tough fight ahead of the publisher. He expects that the original creators of Guitar Hero, Harmonix, will be able to create a competitive title against its former franchise with Rock Band, even if the analyst has heard little details about the new game under Electronic Arts' wing.

There are those blockbuster exclusives for a platform that just sell consoles outright. Then there are less-trumpeted games that push you even more to a console when you're trying to decide which one to get. Overlord for Microsoft's Xbox 360 and the PC is just that kind of game. It brings to mind a lot of Lord Zetta memories, but this one ain't no tactical RPG. It's a twisted world in full 3D glory and it has a lot of interesting new things to offer.

As the Overlord of the realm, you have two choices: to be humanely evil or just be plain evil. You'll command a gang of nasty impish creatures who will do your evil bidding. Depending on how you use your powers in given situation, your corruption level rises or falls. For instance, saving a village from thugs will earn the respect and gratitude of the townspeople. On the other hand, if you exact more tributes from the people, they'll tremble at your feet and line up the peasant girls to honor you.

Your Minions look real crazy and that can only spell out more fun when you let them loose on the unlucky bastards that invoke your ire. Very exciting stuff indeed and we can't wait for it to come.

Since GameStation was picked up by GAME for £ 74 million, a lot of people have been talking about a possible investigation by the Competition Commission over its larger market share and possible monopoly. GAME is unfazed by this talk and isn't worried about it. Why?

GAME's chief executive Lisa Morgan spoke to MCV regarding this, and stated that the company believes everything is in order with regards to their purchase of the franchise.

Blockbuster would not accept an offer that had any potential conditions attached to it. The deal will be subject to a regulatory review process and that will be an ongoing process during the first ten weeks. We have taken considerable advice in this area and we are confident and comfortable to proceed.

So given this new information, we have to wonder what the mega retailer has planned for their new acquisition. While some have speculated that a massive closing of stores will happen, Morgan assured that this wouldn't happen. In typical PR fashion, she stated that "we are looking forward to putting new GAME and Gamestation stores into the market. This transaction is not about store closures – this is about bringing a second brand into the fold and serving more customers."

All well and good if it pushes through. Now, what if an investigation is held and the Competition Commission finds Game to be holding too much of the market, what happens then?

Disney Interactive Studios has announced that Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End will be setting sail on May 22. This multiplatform title is inspired by both the upcoming film "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" and, to a certain extent, last year's "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest."

"With the action, excitement, unforgettable characters and expansive locations from the blockbuster films, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End will be the definitive 'Pirates' video game experience for fans," said Craig Relyea, vice president of marketing, Disney Interactive Studios. "Our games go beyond the films to introduce legendary pirates, new locations and unique endings that will satisfy the pirate in each of us."

Of course, there will be action and lots of it. Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End will also feature gameplay that takes advantage of the distinctive features of today's next gen videogame platforms. Case in point: the Nintendo Wii console will feature full Wiimote support for swinging and thrusting motions that are similar to fighting with a sword.