Washington, DC – October 22, 2008 – The 2009 Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) will take place from June 2-4, 2009, at the Los Angeles Convention Center (LACC), the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) announced today. The expanded E3 will welcome all qualified computer and video game industry audiences, including international and U.S.-based media, analysts, retailers, developers and business partners to preview the latest in interactive entertainment and technology.
“Video games are the fastest growing and most compelling sector of the entertainment industry. And, this upgraded event will reflect the growth, innovation and excitement of our industry,” said Michael D. Gallagher, CEO of the ESA, which represents US computer and video game publishers and organizes the annual event. “The breadth, scope and quality of the changes made to the show will make E3 the must-attend event of the year.”
“The E3 Expo will be the pre-eminent North American gaming show next year. The new, larger event is better for industry leaders and for serious gamers,” commented John Riccitiello, CEO of Electronic Arts.
“We also have Dragon Age, and we recently released the Sonic handheld game for DS, and we’ve got other DS plans that we’re thinking about these days. It’s quite a bit of stuff. We’ve a pretty a big plate full of things we’re working on. Across the studio we number probably over 400 people.” – Greg Zeschuk, BioWare co-founder
BioWare has expressed interest in making a sequel to Sonic Chronicles, but reviews on the game have been mixed. I’d expect the company’s next project to involve something other than Sonic.
Virtual Console
1 (1) – Super Mario Bros. 3
2 (4) – Secret of Mana
3 (3) – Super Mario Bros.
4 (2) – Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars
5 (6) – Super Mario World
6 (5) – Mega Man 2
7 (7) – Punch-Out!!
8 (9) – Mario Golf
9 (8) – Super Mario Bros. 2
10 (10) – Super Mario 64
11 (12) – The Legend of Zelda
12 (13) – The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
13 (15) – Sonic the Hedgehog
14 (11) – Super Dodge Ball
15 (14) – Shining Force II
16 (16) – Mario Kart 64
17 (17) – Donkey Kong Country
18 (18) – Pac-Man
19 (19) – Kirby’s Adventure
20 (N/A) – The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
WiiWare
1 (4) – World of Goo
2 (1) – Mega Man 9
3 (3) – My Aquarium
4 (N) – Tetris Party
5 (2) – Bomberman Blast
6 (8) – Midnight Bowling
7 (6) – Dr. Mario Online Rx
8 (9) – Defend your Castle
9 (7) – My Pokemon Ranch
10 (18) – Art Style: Cubello
11 (5) – Art Style: Orbient
12 (10) – Wild West Guns
13 (14) – TV Show King
14 (13) – Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a King
15 (12) – Strong Bad Episode 1: Homestar Ruiner
16 (15) – Pong Toss – Frat Party Games
17 (11) – Strong Bad Episode 2: Strong Badia the Free
18 (16) – LostWinds
19 (17) – Midnight Pool
20 (20) – Cocoto Fishing Master
Nintendo has been trying to market Wii Fit to grandmothers, the average Joe, and those who don’t really consider themselves to be a video gamer. Luckily for Nintendo, their strategy has been more than successful. Analyst Michael Pachter has stated that “Wii Fit is attaching at around a 30 percent rate” and he believes that the game “will outsell GTA.” No one is arguing the quality of both games, but this prediction by Mr. Pachter shows that some of Nintendo’s products have universal appeal. Even with an inflated price tag, Wii Fit has sold incredibly well.
CAMBRIDGE – October 21, 2008 – Based on the exciting new movie Coraline – the first-ever stop-motion animated feature to be made in 3-D – from Focus Features and LAIKA, the Coraline videogame is coming from D3Publisher (D3P). The game will let players take on the role of the adventurous heroine Coraline and interact with the wondrous characters from the movie while navigating the scheming Other Mother’s web of deceit in a fantastical adventure through two distinct and interactive worlds. Coraline is slated to ship to retail stores for the Wii™ system, Nintendo DS™ and the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system in early 2009.
“The Coraline movie is absolutely mesmerizing and we feel that the visual style and tone of the game will bring the amazing stop-motion animated film and thrilling storyline to life for players,” said Bill Anker, vice president of business development, D3P. “We’re confident that Coraline will offer a truly immersive and interactive gameplay experience that gamers as well as fans of the movie and best-selling book will enjoy.”
The latest Famitsu review scores are as follows…
Cid to Chocobo no Fushigi na Dungeon: Toki Wasure no Meikyuu + (NDS, Square Enix): 8 / 8 / 8 / 8 – (32/40)
Dr. Slump & Arale-Chan (NDS, Bandai Namco): 4 / 5 / 4 / 4 – (17/40)
LittleBigPlanet (PS3, Sony): 10 / 10 / 9 / 9 – (38/40)
Avalon Code (NDS, Marvelous): 7 / 8 / 7 / 8 – (30/40)
Boku to Sim no Machi Kingdom (Wii, EA): 7 / 8 / 7 / 7 – (29/40)
Fracture (PS3/Xbox 360, Activision): 7 / 8 / 7 / 6 – (28/40)
GTA IV (PS3/Xbox 360, Rockstar): 10 / 10 / 9 / 10 – (39/40)
Thunder Force VI (PS2, Sega): 7 / 7 / 6 / 6 – (26/40)
Brothers in Arms: Hell’s Highway (Xbox 360, Ubisoft): 8 / 8 / 8 / 7 – (31/40)
Yes! Precure 5 Go Go Zenin Shu Go! Dream Festival (NDS, Bandai Namco): 7 / 6 / 6 / 5 – (24/40)
Valkyrie Profile: Toga o Seoumono (NDS, Square Enix): 8 / 8 / 8 / 8 – (32/40)
Vitamin Y (NDS, D3): 6 / 6 / 6 / 7 – (25/40)
