Other : games

Bristol Games Criminal Jailed For 15 Months

Zyuu — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 04:11:49 GMT

In a press release published today from the ELSPA Anti-Piracy Unit there's information about the man from Bristol (UK) that got prosecuted for copying a lot of things, such as games. The verdict was that he will spend 15 months in jail for possessing over $91,000-worth of illegally copied games, films and music.

A Bristol man has been sentenced to 15 months in prison after pleading guilty to a total of 23 offences relating to the possessing for sale of illegally copied games, films, music and pornography on recordable discs. He also requested that a further 144 offences be taken into consideration and was ordered to pay £12,000 towards prosecution costs. Gary Boulter, 51, of 15 Knapp Road, Thornbury, Bristol, appeared before Bristol Crown Court on August 26 to be sentenced for offences under the Trade Marks Act (1994) and the Video Recordings Act (1985) as a result of a prosecution brought by South Gloucestershire Trading Standards. In addition to this, a confiscation order for £10,500 was made under the provisions of the Proceeds of Crime Act (2002), requiring that the outstanding money be paid within six months or he would be face a further nine months in prison.

Boulter was origionally investigated by South Gloucestershire Trading Standards following a tip-off alleging that he was involved in running a copying factory from his premises. A warrant was subsequently executed in December 2005 involving Avon and Somerset Police, Trading Standards, ELSPA (the Entertainment & Leisure Publishers Association) undercover investigators and representatives of the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), which revealed that Boulter had a room dedicated to copying games, film, music and pornography.

Several computers and copying equipment was seized, as well as over 2300 copied discs including PlayStation®2 and Xbox® games, feature films, music and pornographic films. In addition, nearly 500 blank DVD-R discs and 173 copied inlays were removed.

The legitimate market value of the detained games, films and music is estimated to be in excess of £50,000.

Forensic examination of his computer established that Boulter was copying in response to orders that were being regularly placed with him by friends and contacts. During interview Boulter claimed that he did the copying as a hobby and gave the discs to friends and family at no cost despite the fact that it was costing him to do so. However, evidence retrieved from his computer clearly demonstrated that he was receiving payment for his efforts.

The maximum penalty upon conviction for offences under the Trade Marks Act is an unlimited fine and/or up to 10 years imprisonment.

In passing sentence, Judge Darwall-Smith commented that Boulter’s operation was a large commercial venture and that his illegal use of trademarks debases the industries affected.

Michael Rawlinson, managing director of ELSPA, said: “ I congratulate South Gloucestershire Trading Standards and local Police for successfully shutting down Gary Boulter’s criminal operation. ELSPA would like to thank the efforts of everyone concerned in their attempts to protect legitimate local traders and remove illegal products from the marketplace.”

Neil Derrick, Senior Enforcement Officer for South Gloucestershire Trading Standards, said: “ Mr Boulter has been dealt with severely by the court and this should stand as a stern warning to others who are tempted to engage in this type of activity. He has not only lost his liberty, but now also has to pay significant sums of money in costs and under the confiscation order, as well as having all of his discs and associated equipment forfeited. He obviously had no regard for the local retailers whose businesses are badly affected by counterfeiting and he was supplying pornographic films, which are age restricted and the content of which means they should only be sold by a licensed sex shop.”

LA Games Conference Brings Together the Industry

Zyuu — Fri, 16 May 2008 17:01:20 GMT

LA Games Conference Brings Together 300+ Top Media,Entertainment & Games Executives in Hollywood, May 21-22

Top Executives from EA, Disney, YouTube, Microsoft, Sony, G4, Spike TV, MTV, Nokia, Endemol, Qualcomm, Paramount, Vivendi Games, NBC Universal, I-play, DirecTV, Turbine, Playboy, RealNetworks, GSN, Playfirst and Glu Mobile to Converge for Annual "Insiders" Event

Los Angeles, CA (May 13, 2008) - Digital Media Wire today announced its agenda and list of confirmed speakers for LA Games Conference (http://www.lagamesconference.com/) to be held in Los Angeles on Wednesday & Thursday, May 21-22, 2008, at Hollywood’s Roosevelt Hotel.

This 2-day event brings together the leading game publishers, developers, carriers, portals, technology companies, advertising execs, venture capitalists, lawyers and analysts, to discuss the future of games and social media. Considered the “top event” for industry insiders, senior executives attend valuable sessions on online, mobile and casual games, covering consumer, investment, and advertising trends & other hot topics, network and do deals.

“Since last year's highly successful event with over 400 participants, we've had an ongoing dialogue with our amazing group of advisory board members about how to build on our success and make the event even bigger and better this year,” said Ned Sherman, the Event Chair and CEO/Publisher of Digital Media Wire. “This year's event will focus on "The Future of Connected Games & Entertainment" — a theme that reflects much of the innovation and mindset in the industry and provides a great platform to involve companies and participants from a broad range of areas — from game publishers and developers to technology innovators to online and mobile entertainment platforms such as communities, social networks, user-generated content platforms and virtual worlds.” Plenty of new ideas are sure to come of this "must attend" two-day event that brings together the industry's best of the best for two eventful days of high level discussions, networking and fun focused around the future of connected entertainment.

The conference covers the rapidly evolving landscape of online, casual and mobile games, the future of the consoles and the digital home and the growing relationship between the game industry, Hollywood, social networks and advertisers. Panels and roundtable discussions include:

Battle for the Digital Home

Is the Console the Entertainment Hub of the Future or Fighting to Stay Alive?

How to Win the Social Game

Harnessing the Power of Online Communities & Social Networks

Casual Games

What’s Next Now that Everyone’s Involved?

Killer Games

What Does it Take to Make a Successful Game?

Connected!

Innovations Driving the Future of Connected Games & Entertainment

Mobile Games

Challenges & Opportunities to Create a Mass Market Phenomenon

Advertising & Games

The Challenges & Opportunities for Brands & Games

Hollywood & Games

Is Hollywood Killing the Game Industry?

Attendees are over 300+ decision-makers from technology companies, wireless companies, industry bodies, gaming companies, advertising firms, attorneys, marketing companies, research companies and payment companies.

Speakers include:

Chris Early, General Manager, Microsoft’s Games for Windows
Brent Hurley, Strategic Partner Development, YouTube
Kay Gruenwoldt, Head of Industry Marketing, Nokia
Mark Donovan, CMO & Senior Analyst, M:Metrics
Andrew Wallenstein, Deputy Editor, The Hollywood Reporter
Geoff Keighley, Host, Spike TV's GTTV
John Welch, President & CEO, Playfirst
Mike Goslin, VP, Disney Online Studios
Lars Butler, CEO & Founder, Trion World Network
Mike Yuen, Sr. Director, Gaming Group, QUALCOMM Internet Services
Sandi Isaacs, SVP, Interactive & Mobile, Paramount Digital Entertainment
Eric Lavanchy, Director, Gaming, Endemol USA
Kate Connally, VP, AddictingGames, MTV Networks
Jill Braff, SVP, Worldwide Marketing & GM, Americas, Glu Mobile
Erica Chriss, VP of Strategy & Business Development, Greystripe
Ned Sherman, CEO & Publisher, Digital Media Wire
Spencer Hunt, VP, Game Production & Digital Product Development, Sony Pictures Television Int’l
Rob Uhrich, Senior Director, Digital Markets, PaymentOne
Julie Shumaker, SVP, Sales & Marketing, Double Fusion
Emmi Kuusikko, Director, User & Market Insight, Sulake Corporation
Teemu Huuhtanen, President, N.A., Sulake Inc.
Eric Goldberg, Managing Director, Crossover Technologies
Craig Sherman, CEO, Gaia Online
Matthew Bellows, VP of Consumer Strategy, Vivox
Barry Schaffer, President, Promotional Currency
Gabe Zichermann, CEO, rmbr.com / Advisor & Editorial Freak, Gamezebo
Craig Alexander, VP, Product Development, Turbine
Margaret Wallace, CEO & Co-Founder, Rebel Monkey
Scott Steinberg, Managing Director, Embassy Multimedia Consultants
Mike Vorhaus, Managing Director, Frank N. Magid Associates
Catherine Herdlick, Director, Game Production, GameLab
Peter Blacklow, President, Worldwinner.com
Steven Roberts, VP & GM, Games & Strategic Initiatives, DirecTV
Bill Kispert, VP, Interactive, NBC Universal
Mike Breslin, VP, Global Marketing, I-play
Russ Eisenmann, SVP, Marketing, Hands-on Mobile
Andy Reif, Commissioner & CEO, Championship Gaming Series
Cindy Cook, Chief Strategy & Marketing Officer, Vivendi Games
Keith Boesky, Principal, Boesky & Company
Josh Krane, SVP of Interactive & New Media, G4
Keith Kane, SVP, Ad Sales, Giant Realm
Ranah Edelin, VP, Electronic Arts
Daniel Offner, Partner, Nixon Peabody LLP
Robert Norton, VP, Business Development, King.com
Chris Lang, SVP, Research Strategies, SmithGeiger LLC
Stephen Jackson, CEO, Smashing Ideas
Matt Turetzky, VP, Non-PC Games, RealNetworks, Inc.
Dave Madden, EVP, Sales, Marketing & Bus. Development, WildTangent
Chris Petrovic, VP, Digital Media, Playboy Media Group
Jason Rubinstein, Senior Director, Entertainment, Mobile Devices, Motorola

Event sponsors and media partners include Nixon Peabody, LLP, Habbo, Sulake, PaymentOne, Promotional Currency, IGDA, Mary Margaret, Redline China, Pearl Research, South by Southwest Interactive, Casual Games Association, UCLA Anderson School of Management, Billboard Publicity Wire, Experiential Marketing Forum, DFC Intelligence, New York – Tokyo, and NVPR. For complete agenda, registration and event details please visit: http://www.lagamesconference.com/. In addition to LA Games Conference, Digital Media Wire will also host the 5th Annual Digital Media Conference in Washington, DC on June 26, which it produces in tandem with Potomac Tech Wire. Other prominent Digital Media Wire events include Digital Music Forum East & West, Future of Television East & West, Future of Film, Mobile Games Insider and The Millennials.

Games Convention 2008 Bigger Then Ever

Zyuu — Thu, 15 May 2008 19:00:07 GMT

Even More Registrations for Europe's Leading Games Fair Than Last Year
Spectactular Game Music Concert at the Start of the Fair
E-Sport Finals Bring the Best Gamers to Leipzig

Clear the stage for the biggest game show of the year: From 21 to 24 August 2008, the Leipzig Exhibition Centre hosts the seventh GC - Games Convention. With considerably more than 500 exhibitors (2007: 503 exhibitors), the fair organisers expect another record. Interest is particularly strong among international game publishers and developers. Around 115,000 square metres (gross) exhibition area is available in total for presentations at Europe's benchmark fair for interactive entertainment, edutainment, infotainment and hardware. "Registration figures for the GC 2008 are already considerably higher than last year. This and the large number of foreign exhibitors underline the importance attributed to Leipzig's GC - Games Convention as Europe's benchmark fair for the games industry", says Wolfgang Marzin, Leipziger Messe's CEO.

For the first time, the layout concept of the GC - Games Convention sets up key focus areas, making it easier for visitors to find their way around. Software entertainment is offered to them in Halls 2, 3 and 5. Alongside console providers, this is where leading game publishers from Germany and abroad introduce the latest video and computer games. The organiser say that more than 250 World, European and German premieres can be tried out this year. Meanwhile, in Hall 4, it is all about hardware and accessories. "The division of the exhibition halls enables exhibiting companies to make even more individual appeals to visitors", explains Peggy Schönbeck, project director, GC - Games Convention. The outdoor area will also be a play area, offering a variety of fun sport activities at the GC Beach-Club and featuring attractive exhibitor stands.

GC Business Center with New "Marketplace" Package Deal

The trade visitor area comes up with new features as well. As a direct response to the increased exhibitor demand the GC Business Center is much bigger this year and covers now a total area of 40,000 square metres (2007: 30,000 square metres). The Congress Center Leipzig (CCL), the entire Hall 1 and parts of Hall 2 are available to companies for their use in reaching agreement with their national and international business and trading partners and ordering for the important Christmas business.

Hall 2 is home to the Developers Village, where aspiring developer companies can present their innovative product ideas and set up initial contacts with games publishers. There are many international joint stands in the Developers Village, including from Australia, Finland, France, Germany, Korea, the Netherlands, Singapore, Sweden, Taiwan and the UK.

Limitless service is offered by the new "Marketplace" option. The modular joint stand in Hall 1 is fully fitted out and features a modern design. Beside a shared info counter with competent staffers and an attractive meeting lounge area plus café bar, exhibitors are also offered a range of services such as catering, cleaning and security. "With the new all in 'make-it-easy' package, we cut down on administrative effort for our exhibitors, so that they can concentrate entirely on taking care of their business contacts", says Peggy Schönbeck.

GC family with a New Look

Child-appropriate games and the facilitation of media literacy - these are the key focuses for the GC family 2008. The exhibition area in Hall 2 is a first port of call for beginners, parents, teachers and educationalists in search of information on age-appropriate media and their use. The new concept involves a division into three different areas. According to their specific positioning, exhibitors will be together in the sections "Children's Software/Edutainment", "Media World/Youth Protection" and "Application Software/Internet Security".

The GC family programme links these three sections with plenty of information, fun and entertainment. Headlined "Level 1 - Learning to Play", visitors can compete against one another interactively in the game arena. This involves edutainment and children's software titles as well as the use of actual console games. A professional live commentary on the contest and the "Genre Show" provide useful information relating to each game. Five theme-based game zones are available to those who prefer peace and quiet to test out recommendable software for children and family, or standard learning games. Experienced media experts explain the various options and are ready to answer questions if needed.

The "Media Meeting Place" is new. In a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere, representatives of media and youth protection are here to talk about their work. Visitors can glimpse behind the scenes of Germany's youth protection system and put their questions on the issue of child-appropriate facilitation of media literacy.

Chilling Out in the Heart of Town: GC Freestyle

This year's GC Freestyle has room for more than 5,000 tents. Just a few minutes on foot from the city centre, the open-air event on the festival ground at the main stadium has everything all gamers could wish for after a day at the show: the chance to chill out to relaxing DJ music, sweat out in the fun sports area or rock away in the city's clubs. The fair is easily reached in 20 minutes by tram.

The all-in-one package costs 130 euros and includes a four-day ticket for the GC, four overnights at the GC Freestyle campsite, the use of the sanitation facilities at the campsite and free use of local public transport. Visitors coming to Leipzig for just a day can have a one-day ticket to the fair and one overnight stay at the campsite for 38 euros.

Classical plus Happening: Kicking off with a Musical Premiere

Time to listen and watch at the GC - Games Convention's traditional game music concert on Wednesday, 20 August. Visitors can look forward to a very special premiere. After huge successes in the USA and the UK, the Video Games Live concert programme comes to Germany for the first time. The classic event transforms the Arena Leipzig into a multimedia concert hall and as it does so, it proclaims the start of the GC 2008 in Leipzig. Spectacular light effects, interactive game interludes and a top-class symphony orchestra with star pianist Martin Leung guarantee a fitting lead-in for the fair.

Lovers of classics are not the only ones to enjoy a treat. Scenes of the respective games are shown on a giant screen accompanied by the music. From crazy Pacman chases, clever Tetris twists and turns, or dangerous Myst voyages of discovery - Video Games Live takes the audience on a multimedia journey through time and the world of gaming. Tickets for the game music concert are available at all known advance sales outlets, from the ticket hotline + 49 (0) 1805-57 00 81 or from www.deag.de.

The Best of the Best: Prize Presentations at the GC

Visitors can experience a real glut of prizes at this year's GC - Games Convention. It starts on the Thursday with presentation of the "Best of GC" awards. Games journalists make up an independent panel choosing the best GC new productions in different categories. Innovative remodelling of computers are in the spotlight for the fifth GC CasemodMasters (GCCM). On the Sunday at the fair, the most creative ideas will win awards in the categories "Casemods" (remodelled series production PC cases) and "Casecons" (completely self-produced casings).

Things hot up at the GC for fans of e-sport too. For the first time ever, the German final of the World Cyber Games is being held in Leipzig. Altogether 200 of the best German gamers compete for the national title and for a place in Germany's selection. Another highlight is the final of the ESL European Nations Championship. Four national teams each compete for the European championship title in the disciplines Counter-Strike, Warcraft 3, FIFA 2008 and Counter-Strike:Source.

To Leipzig by Coach, by Rail or by Air

With six additional charter flights on offer, the GC - Games Convention is more accessible than ever before. Flights set off for Leipzig on 19 and 20 August from the key European airports Amsterdam, Helsinki, London/Luton, Munich, Paris/Le Bourget and Vienna. Return flights are available for either 21 or 22 August. Further information is available from Leipziger Messe Customer Services (Ms Sehr, +49 (0) 341 678 8954).

Deutsche Bahn AG is also ready for keen gamers. With its GC travel special, exhibitors and trade visitors can get to Leipzig quickly and easily from any DB railway station in Germany. And at a one-off special price: a return ticket to Leipzig costs only 99 euros 2nd class and 159 euros for 1st class travel. Tickets can be booked with Deutsche Bahn by phone on + 49 (0) 1805-31 3353, reference "Games Convention".

Deutsche Bahn is again providing special trains for GC day trippers. On 21 August, GC fans can take a train from Munich to Leipzig, and on 23 August, a special train from Cologne helps long-distance travellers on their way to Leipzig. Trains arrive in Leipzig at about 11.00 a.m., returning at 7.00 p.m. Tickets including GC admission cost 79 euros from Munich and 69 euros from Cologne.

For the first time and together with "Connect GC", the Leipziger Messe is also organising a blanket coverage coach service. In more than 30 German cities, coaches will be ready to travel to Leipzig on the Friday and Saturday of the fair. With no detours or stops on the way, they head straight for the games mecca, arriving by 10.00 a.m. at the latest. Whether or not coaches operate is up to the gamers: at least 50 bookings are needed for each journey. The price of the coach trip depends on the distance.

Detailed information on the various travel options is available on the website http://www.gc-germany.com.

London Games Festival is Back

Zyuu — Thu, 15 May 2008 18:55:02 GMT

15th May 2008: Following its huge success last year, the London Games Festival is back for its third year promising more events and mind-blowing entertainment then ever. The cultural celebration of everything gaming takes place across the capital from October 25.

The festival promises something for everyone: from casual gamers and parents seeking advice on safe gaming for their children to hard-core fans wanting glimpses of the hottest titles in development or those hoping to make a career for themselves in the UK’s games industry.

Last year’s festival drew 100,000+ attendees to the city-wide celebration. More than 50 events were staged including Video Games Live, which saw the Royal Philharmonia Orchestra bring London’s Festival Hall alive with the sound of Mario (plus Halo, Space Ace, Metal Gear Solid and Bioshock!). Trafalgar Square was packed for publisher Electronic Arts’ marathon celebrity-packed two-day Be The One event. Even the Science Museum got in on the act last year with a special experiment focusing on eye movements during gameplay.

Keith Ramsdale, Chairman of LGF comments:

“Last year’s London Games Festival was a huge success and we were thrilled with the feedback from many of those who attended and the publishers who took part. The Trafalgar Square event looked fantastic and it was great to see so many families come down and enjoy it. We’ve got plenty in store for 2008 and a whole host of major partners lined up with full support from the industry. We’re really looking forward to bringing the gaming industry to life in the capital again.”

Check out http://www.londongamesfestival.comfor the latest news and information on all of the events taking place this year.

Stephen King about game violence

Zyuu — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 04:24:44 GMT

The endless debate about game violence have gotten yet another addition. The author of many horror novels, Stephen King, share his thoughts in an article over at Entertainment Weekly about a law suggestion in Massachusetts, that would forbid selling violent games to young people. King feels that forbidding game violence is an easy way out for the politics to ignore two big problems in the USA: the love for weapons and the even larger social differences.

It was too easy for critics to claim - falsely, it turned out - that Cho Seung- (the Virginia Tech killer) was a fan of Counter-Strike; I just wish to God that legislators were as eager to point out that this nutball had no problem obtaining a 9mm semiautomatic handgun. Cho used it in a rampage that resulted in the murder of 32 people. If he'd been stuck with nothing but a plastic videogame gun, he wouldn't even have been able to kill himself.

Case closed.

Read the full article

Travel to be less troublesome for GC ‘08

Zyuu — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 21:03:54 GMT

It have never been easier to reach Games Convention as this year. There's new flight connections, coach and rail services to make the journey/accessibility of GC smoother.

Six New Flight Connections Shorten the Journey
Deutsche Bahn with GC Rail Travel Offer
First-time Direct Coach Services from German Cities

The appeal of the GC – Games Convention, Europe’s leading fair for international entertainment, is immense. Every year, exhibitors, visitors and journalists come to Leipzig from more than 40 countries. To make their journey pleasant, even from further away, the Leipziger Messe has three special offers this year. As well as additional flights, the familiar Deutsche Bahn GC-Special for rail travel is also available to exhibitors and trade visitors. Private visitors are catered for too: the new GC coach service guarantees affordable journeys for game fans from all over Germany.

International visitors can be particularly pleased. With six extra charter flights, the GC – Games Convention 2008 is closer than ever. The planes depart for Leipzig on 19 and 20 August from key European airports Amsterdam, Helsinki, London/Luton, Munich, Paris/Le Bourget and Vienna. Return flights can be on either 21 or 22 August. “By expanding the flight options, the Leipziger Messe underlines its reputation as one of the leading service providers in the German trade fair business”, says the project director of the GC – Games Convention, Peggy Schönbeck.

Flights can be booked now on the website http://www.gc-germany.com/index.php?page=64.... Further information is available from the Leipziger Messe customer services (Ms Sehr, +49 (0) 341 678 8954).

Rail & Play: To the GC 2008 with Deutsche Bahn

This year, Deutsche Bahn AG has something for frequent players as well as frequent travellers. With the attractive GC travel special, exhibitors and trade visitors can get to Leipzig quickly and easily from any DB railway station in Germany. And do so at a unique special price: a return ticket to Leipzig costs only 99 euros for 2nd class and 159 euros for 1st class.

Tickets can be booked by phone with Deutsche Bahn as from 1 April on +49 (0) 1805 – 311153, keyword “Games Convention”, with easy payment by direct debit or credit card. Tickets can then be obtained at ticket machines or will be sent by post to home addresses. The special offer: tickets are valid between 18 and 26 August 2008 on all DB trains, including the ICEs, so that visitors to the GC can plan their stay in Leipzig flexibly and independently of train times. Further information on the GC travel special is available on http://www.gc-germany.com/index.php?page=64....

Connect GC: Rally to Leipzig

Together with “Connect GC”, the Leipziger Messe is for the first time also organising a blanket coverage coach service. In more than 30 German towns, coaches will be ready to travel to Leipzig on the Friday and Saturday of the fair. With no detours or stops on the way, they head straight for the gaming mecca, arriving at 10.00 am at the latest. Whether or not coaches operate is up to the gamers: at least 50 bookings are needed for each journey.

The price of the coach trip depends on the distance. From Berlin, for example, a return ticket costs 39 euros, from Munich, 56 euros. A ticket for the fair can be ordered as well as the coach trip. Further information about this new option is available on the website http://www.connect-gc.de, where there is a complete overview of all connections.

Games industry can continue to grow

Zyuu — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 23:39:37 GMT

It appears that analysts are confident that the performance of the games industry will keep rising. An analyst by the name of Jesse Divnich of simExchange thinks that the videogames industry might continue to grow--regardless of the so-called ongoing downturn in global economic conditions.

NPD results for February show a 47 per cent year-on-year increase in sales in the US, despite bad news elsewhere.

"Today, retailers announced that they have posted negative same store sales growth for February and many economists warned that the United States economy is currently in a recession or on the verge of one," said Divnich.

"Irrespective to that, the videogame industry continues to post record growth and although no leisure/entertainment sector can be considered 'recession proof,' the videogame industry continues to prove to be one of the very few industries to have the least elasticity to the current economic environment."

Read the rest over at gamesindustry.biz here.

Games Convention 2008 Starts with a Bang

Zyuu — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 06:50:55 GMT

Video Games Live - The Spectacular Concert Event from the USA for the First Time in Germany

Spectacular light effects, interludes of interactive gaming and a top-class symphony orchestra - this is what makes up Video Games Live (VGL), the world's most successful concert series featuring game music. This year for the first time, the classic event is stopping off in Germany: at 8.00 pm on 20 August 2008, the VGL presents the official game music concert for the GC - Games Convention, Europe's biggest computer and video games fair. An audience of around 6,000 can look forward to a major musical event in the Arena Leipzig.

"I am delighted that with Video Games Live, we have been able to bring one of the internationally most successful game music events to Leipzig. The combination of classical music and interactive elements makes it an ideal prelude to Europe's biggest games festival", says Peggy Schönbeck, project director of the GC - Games Convention. Tommy Tallarico, the VGL producer, is also looking forward to the new partnership. "Video Games Live is the best way of making both video games and their wonderful music even better known. Anyone coming to our show will quickly see what a fantastic art form video games have become in recent years."

Conducted by Jack Wall, the Video Games Live Symphony Orchestra plays the best-known computer game melodies. The appearances of the American star pianist Martin Leung are particularly well worth hearing. For several years now, the exceptional 21-year-old talent has dedicated himself almost exclusively to the performance of well-known game melodies such as Earthworm Jim, Zelda and Final Fantasy. Leung's international breakthrough came in 2004 when he first performed the Super Mario title song blindfolded.

But fans of the classics will not be the only ones to have a good time at the GC 2008 game music concert. Parallel to the music, scenes from the various games will be shown on a giant screen. From wild Pacman chases and clever Tetris twists to dangerous Myst voyages of discovery - Video Games Live takes the audience with it on a multimedia time journey through the world of games. "Not just to give that special VGL feeling to the musicans onstage, but also to reach the whole audience, we have added many interactive elements to the concert", is how Jack Wall explains the VGL concept. Gaming has its turn too. A few lucky members of the audience have the chance to take part in an onstage interactive game competition. The evening also includes a specially arranged laser show and the appearances of many well-known game characters.

Tickets for the official GC 2008 game music concert can be ordered at all the usual ticket sales outlets, as well as at www.deag.de. The VGL combi-ticket also includes a day at the GC - Games Convention, where visitors to the concert can then try out the latest video games.

About Video Games Live

Video Games Live was first launched in 2005 by the American composers Tommy Tallarico and Jack Wall. Together, they developed the idea of performing computer game music as a multimedia live event. Video Games Live creates a link between a young generation of game fans and passionate lovers of clasical music. More than 11,000 people flocked to the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles for the premiere on 6 July 2005. Since then, there have been numerous other concerts in America and Europe.

Internet:

www.gc-germany.com

Men enjoy playing video games more than women?

Zyuu — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 09:26:56 GMT

Patterns: A Video Game, an M.R.I. and What Men’s Brains Do.

Why does it often seem that men enjoy playing video games more than women? Perhaps because they do.

A new study finds that when men play the games, a part of the brain involved in feelings of reward and addiction becomes much more activated than it does in women.

This may explain why men are more likely to report feeling addicted to video games than women are, the researchers say in an online article in The Journal of Psychiatric Research. The lead author is Fumiko Hoeft of the Stanford University School of Medicine.

For the study, the researchers took a group of 22 young volunteers — half men, half women — and had them play a game as an M.R.I. machine looked at what was happening in their brains. The study found that in the men, there was much more activity in the mesocorticolimbic system.

Given the abundance in video games of violence and other themes near and dear to many men, there may be a natural explanation for why their brains light up more. But the senior author of the study, Dr. Allan L. Reiss, said the researchers made a point of steering the game they used in a more neutral direction.

The volunteers played a simple game in which they were told only to click the images of balls they saw, with no mention of a goal.

The players soon figured out that if they kept the balls from advancing too close to a wall, they gained ground. Both the men and the women did well — but the men did a lot better and appeared more motivated to acquire terrain.

Oklahoma Law to Censor Violent Games Shot Down

Kody — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 04:06:22 GMT

Finally, a step in the right direction for video games that are under fire for being "too violent," or whatever other tripe the decision makers in the US want to call them.

GameDaily BIZ is reporting that the Oklahoma video game law that would have gone into effect November 1st, 2006 prior to an injunction, has been killed off entirely thanks to a new court ruling.

For those not familiar with the law that was put in motion, video games with violent content would have been placed in the same light as pornography magazines - having to cover the lower two-thirds of the box with "blinder racks." Luckily someone with common sense intervened, and the law has been thrown out. United States District Judge Robin Cauthron cited that the law was unconstitutional, as video games are a form of creative expression - protected by the First Amendment.

To read more, head over to the GameDaily BIZ article.

Man in China Dies, Played Online for 3 Days Straight

Kody — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 22:04:09 GMT

As if online games and video games in general weren't under enough fire from government officials wanting to hit them with the real life nerf bat, this news out of China is going to fuel the flames even further.

Yahoo is reporting that a 30-year old man collapsed and died in front of his cyber-cafe computer during a three-day stint online.

"According to preliminary findings, the length of time this man spent online might have triggered heart problems," the paper quoted a local hospital emergency medic in the city of Zhongshan as saying.

While it's certainly depressing to hear of anyone dying, I can't fathom what blame is brewing in the back of the minds of anti-video game separatists over this incident.

You can read more about it by visiting the Yahoo news story.

WSVG: Prizes Announced - Your chance to win $45,000!

Kody — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 23:12:53 GMT

The World Series of Video Games - a tournament which is going to take place in multiple cities across the world - has announced the prize pools for each game's competition.

The World of Warcraft prizes are quite impressive, with the first place prize at the finals being $45,000 USD.

Head over to the WSVG Prize Page to find out more.

Acclaim Resurrected with 1 Million Registered Players

Nimloth — Tue, 13 Mar 2007 00:19:30 GMT

Los Angeles (March 12, 2007) - Acclaim Games announces a major milestone with over 1 million registered players in just over a year since its rebirth as a free to play online game publisher. This breakthrough achievement marks an impressive new beginning for the resurrected company. With a loyal fan base and community of over a million players already registered across all their games and quickly growing, Acclaim has proven consumers cannot get enough from it's free games.

The new Acclaim has done something truly remarkable by achieving this success so quickly after starting from nothing just over a year ago. The new company was re-launched under the leadership of former Activision executive Howard Marks. Marks had a different vision for the online game industry and established a new business model offering Massively Multiplayer Online games (MMO’s) that players could download and play for free on their PC’s. Players just need to register for a free account, download the games online, install them on their PC, and play.

Instead of paying for the game and a monthly subscription fee, Acclaim’s games are totally free to download and play. That’s because all of Acclaim’s games are supported by in-game advertising and an item mall featuring optional items (such as clothing, weapons, accessories, etc.) to enhance the game experience. This innovative business model makes it easy for anyone to enjoy very high quality online games with their friends for free.

"I would like to thank all of our fans and players who have made this amazing milestone possible", said Howard Marks, CEO Acclaim Games Inc.

Presently, Acclaim has announced five online games.

BOTS!! features transforming robot fighters battling viruses and each other in cyberspace (officially released November 2006).

9Dragons is a martial arts themed MMORPG (Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game) set in ancient China where players train to become masters of kung fu (currently in Open Beta).

2Moons is a totally brutal MMORPG featuring lots of blood, an epic story, and extreme action, directed by video game industry superstar David Perry (Open Beta begins shortly).

DANCE! Online is a multiplayer online dancing game where players perform cool dance steps by keeping in sync with the beat using a keyboard or dance pad Open beta begins shortly).

Acclaim has also announced the Top Secret project directed by David Perry, where players are given a chance to participate in the development of an actual MMO title that Acclaim will publish with a winner who will be given a fully funded title to direct on their own.

For more information about Acclaim Games and any one of their free to play multiplayer online games, visit www.acclaim.com.

About Acclaim Games

Based in Beverly Hills, California, Acclaim Games is a revolutionary company with over 1 million registered players worldwide. CEO Howard Marks, a cofounder of Activision, purchased the Acclaim name in 2005, confident that the new company would surpass the former glory of its name and establish itself as one of America’s marquee brands. Today, Acclaim Games offers only the finest online games with a focus on accessibility, playability and most importantly fun. Acclaim’s free massively multiplayer games include BOTS!! (futuristic robot fighting action game), 9Dragons (Martial Arts MMORPG), 2Moons (Extreme Action MMORPG), DANCE! Online (hit music dancing game), and Top Secret (a fan developed online game). To learn more, please visit www.acclaim.com.