Well, guys…Nintendo’s conference will be starting about 13 hours from now. Can you believe that once tomorrow is over we’ll know about Zelda Wii, the 3DS/software, and the Vitality Sensor? This is quite an odd E3 since we know a good amount of what Nintendo will show. There’s also a few rumors going around, including one about a Donkey Kong game for Wii as well as a brand new Animal Crossing title for the 3DS.

Like we’ve been doing since NE opened its doors, we’ll be here live to provide you with updates literally the moment they happen. I’ll be making one more post tomorrow morning about the conference times, but until then, have a good night and make sure not to dream about Nintendo too much!

Publisher Partners with The Estate of Michael Jackson for Ultimate Performance Experience

Los Angeles – June 14, 2010 – Today, Ubisoft® announced the development of an interactive performance-based video game, inspired by the legendary King of Pop, Michael Jackson. The game is family entertainment at its best and will provide an interactive experience that enables players to step into the shoes of Michael Jackson himself and re-live his most iconic performances through their own singing and dancing. The upcoming game will include the most famous tracks from Michael Jackson’s extensive catalogue such as Beat It and Billie Jean, as well as an array of his awe-inspiring dance moves for players to learn and emulate within the game. Additionally, fans will be able to sing along and test their vocal skills while immersed in the performance.

Michael Jackson, one of the most widely beloved entertainers and the most popular global icons of all time, leaves an indelible imprint on popular music and culture. During his extraordinary career Jackson sold an estimated 750 million records worldwide, released 13 No.1 singles and became one of a handful of artists to be inducted twice into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He won 13 Grammy Awards and received the American Music Award’s Artist of the Century Award. His album “Thriller” is the world’s best-selling album of all time with more than 110 million copies sold.

Read More

Ubisoft has announced a new Rabbids title at their E3 press conference. This time around, they’ll be traveling in time. This news isn’t entirely surprising as a trademark for the game was discovered a few months ago. According to Ubisoft, it’ll be a Wii exclusive.

LOS ANGELES – Performance Designed Products LLC (“PDP”), a worldwide leader in the videogame accessory market, today announced the upcoming launch of the first licensed online chat headset for the Wii™. PDP’s Headbanger® Headset brings online headset chat to Wii for the first time. When used with compatible games, players will be able to send voice messages, converse online, and chat simultaneously in real time.

“We’re delighted to be working with Nintendo to create this exciting product,” commented Tom Roberts, Senior Executive VP and Chief Technology Officer at PDP. “This important project is a testament to our engineers’ software and hardware expertise. We look forward to working with developers and publishers across the world to bring their players a new way to chat online using their Wii consoles.”

Read More

Cops and Racers + Hot Cars + Your Friends = Endless Competition
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – June 14, 2010 – Criterion reinvents Need for SpeedTM Hot Pursuit for the connected generation. Criterion Games, a studio of Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) announced today that the award-winning development team is making the latest installment in the renowned Need for Speed franchise. Inspired by the classic game of the same name, Criterion will reveal Need for Speed Hot Pursuit for the very first time today at the Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles. Launching in November 2010, Need for Speed Hot Pursuit brings the franchise back to its roots with intense cops vs. racer chases. Criterion also ups the ante with the introduction of an all-new online network called Need for Speed Autolog where players compare racing stats and automatically get personalized gameplay recommendations from their friends– a feature that is poised to transform online racing for the connected generation.

Need for Speed Hot Pursuit players will experience the thrill of the chase and the rush of the escape as they play through full careers as both a cop and a racer – solo or connected. The high speed busts and heart-stopping getaways are all connected via Need for Speed Autolog. This network not only connects friends for epic head-to head pursuits and races, but also enables players to compare performances and stats, thereby setting the stage for the ultimate in social competition.

Read More