| Gaming Round Up for 2/8/07
D3Publisher of America has inked another deal with Cartoon Network in order to bring the action cartoon Ben 10 to video game format. Launching a little more than a year ago, the animated series debuted Ben Tennyson, who is not just a superhero, but 10 superheroes in one. Through an alien "wristwatch" device, Ben is able to transform into one of 10 alien being, each featuring their own distinctive superpowers. The series recently got a go-ahead from Cartoon Network to continue on to a fourth season on air. "Cartoon Network's Ben 10 has all the right ingredients for a successful game," said Careen Yapp, vice president of licensing and business development at D3PA. "Working with this strong franchise will give D3PA the opportunity to translate the smart and edgy action of the series into a fantastic game play experience for its large fanbase." The deal grants worldwide publishing rights to develop and publish console, handheld and PC games based on the series.
Steward guides Warriors to victory
Donovon Barrett, the boys basketball coach at Buckeye Valley, watched Eastmoor Academy a lot in recent weeks, knowing that his team might face the Warriors in the district tournament. At times, Barrett admitted last night, it was difficult to know when the scouting ended and the appreciation of Eastmoor guard Ronnie Steward began. What became impossible, he said, was separating the two. "He is everything such a special player," Barrett said. "I saw him a lot this season when I scouted Eastmoor, and Ive seen him a lot during the summer. Hes a lot of fun to watch." Hes just not that fun to defend, as Barrett and the Barons learned in a 63-52 loss to Eastmoor in a Division II district semifinal in the Ohio Expo Center Coliseum. Steward, a 5-foot-10 senior headed to the University of Akron, had 20 points, seven assists and six rebounds to lead the top-seeded Warriors (19-3) into the district final against DeSales.
Rockstar Games announces Manhunt 2 for PS2, PSP, Wii
Rockstar Games, the world-renowned publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc., is proud to announce Manhunt 2 for the PlayStation 2 system, PSP system, and Nintendos Wii. Manhunt 2 is the debut title from the newly formed Rockstar London studio, which is developing the game in conjunction with series creator Rockstar North. The Wii version is being developed by Rockstar Toronto. Manhunt 2 will be available this summer. "With Manhunt 2 we have tried to create a game that stays close to the original concept of chilling suspense and stealth, whilst pushing the game design and storytelling forward," said Sam Houser, founder and executive producer of Rockstar Games. "We are also excited to have our newest development team, Rockstar London, working on the title alongside our two established UK studios, Rockstar North and Leeds." For more information on Manhunt 2 please visit www.rockstargames.com.
GTA IV features Euphoria physics
Now here's a story for anti-freedom lawyer Jack Thompson, his nemesis Rockstar Games has announced it will be making use of NaturalMotion's Euphoria physics engine for several future titles, most likely including Grand Theft Auto IV.
If you've seen those impressive Indiana Jones demo movies from LucasArts, where Indy throws around a bunch of bad guys and breaks scenery then you'll know what an impressive slice of code the Euphoria Engine is.
According to NaturalMotion, Euphoria on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 will, "simulate the human body and motor nervous system, thus creating fully interactive game characters that act differently every time. With euphoria, games move away from canned animation, towards a much richer, life-like experience that is unique to the player."
"Euphoria is about giving people an interactive experience they have never seen before," said Torsten Reil, CEO of NaturalMotion.
Rockstar euphoric over NaturalMotion
NaturalMotion, the company behind the animation of both 'Indiana Jones' and 'Star Wars: The Force Unleashed', has announced a partnership with Rockstar Games to integrate NaturalMotion's revolutionary euphoria engine into upcoming next-generation Rockstar Games' titles. The news comes after "several months of close collaboration" between the two companies, with the level of euphoria's integration into Rockstar's upcoming next-generation titles described as "well advanced". Based on NaturalMotion's DMS technology, euphoria uses the processing power of PS3 and Xbox 360 to simulate the human body and motor nervous system, thus creating fully interactive game characters that act differently every time. With euphoria, games move away from canned animation, towards a much richer, life-like experience that is unique to the player.
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