The publisher that pioneered episodic gaming and online distribution is back.
Dallas, TX Jul 14, 2008 Apogee Software is back to re-establish itself as an innovative leader in interactive entertainment. Apogee is reviving some of its legacy catalogue of 30+ releases as well as publishing all-new properties in collaboration with diverse creators and developers.
Apogee is bringing the King of Action himself, Duke NukemTM, to the handheld console market with three new missions, together called the Duke Nukem TrilogyTM. Apogee Software is producing the Trilogy under an exclusive license agreement with 3D Realms and MachineWorks Northwest LLC. The Trilogy is comprised of three episodes: Critical MassTM, Chain ReactionTM, and Proving GroundsTM.
“This marks a new beginning for a famous publisher with a history of market-making innovation,” said Terry Nagy, co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Apogee. “I can’t think of a better character than Duke or a better franchise than the Trilogy to usher in a new era for Apogee.”
Apogee pioneered the shareware game revolution in 1987 by inventing the concept of game demos, distributed online, which advertised the remaining episodes in a series. Before this time, game demos and episodic releases were unheard of. These concepts created by Apogee have become mainstream today.
“It’s funny how what’s old is new again in this industry,” remarked Apogee co-founder, Scott Miller. “Many of the things Apogee pioneered are back in style, so it only makes sense to bring back Apogee and its properties with a visionary team that will once again create innovation for gamers around the world.”
According to IGN sources, not only is a motion-sensing peripheral in development for a new Tony Hawk game, but we could also see a new, redesigned DS Lite at E3 tomorrow. The motion/tilt add-on would be coming from Activision, who apparently has plans to utilize the technology in a new Tony Hawk game for the DS. Alternative rumors say Nintendo could be showing off a smaller DS redesign with a cheap price tag. Additionally, the big N may very well be developing their own motion/tilt-based cartridges, which would render Activision’s technology superfluous.
Gamers already got a sneak peak of Sim Animals thanks to the latest issue of NGamer, but now – during their E3 press conference – EA revealed the game, exclusively for the Wii and Nintendo DS. You take the helm as the “creators hand,” and take care of animals to maintain their happiness level. There are many other elements to the game as well, including banding together animals to create new families. Sim Animals is expected to launch in January 2009.
As most of you have probably already assumed, I am unable to attend E3. I was invited, but unfortunately, personal reasons stopped any chances of me going out to see the event. However, I’m fully prepared to keep you guys covered on all of the news and will do so most of the day tomorrow. Moreover, I’m considering doing a liveblog of the event, even though I’m not there (doesn’t make much sense, right?). I am a bit bummed I can’t see Nintendo up close and personal, but perhaps in future years I can experience what Nintendo has to offer.
Rock Band Platform to Encompass More Than 500 Songs by End of 2008
Los Angeles, Calif. – July 14, 2008 – Harmonix, the world’s premier music video game company, and MTV Games, a division of Viacom’s MTV Networks (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), along with marketing and distribution partner Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS), today revealed at the 2008 E3 Media & Business Summit the song set list for Rock Band™ 2, the next evolution of the groundbreaking Rock Band music platform. The Rock Band 2 soundtrack will feature over 100 songs with over 80 songs on disc plus an additional 20 bonus tracks which will be made available for free download this fall. This builds upon the unparalleled depth and diversity of Rock Band’s original set list and its ever-expanding library of downloadable tracks. Comprised entirely of master recordings from some of rock’s most prolific and untouchable artists, including AC/DC, Guns N’ Roses, Bob Dylan, Metallica, Pearl Jam and more, Rock Band 2 will deliver the most impressive and largest music catalogue of any music-based videogame ever.• After 14 years since Guns N’ Roses last official music release, Axl Rose selects Rock Band 2 to debut official new track “Shackler’s Revenge” from the highly-anticipated album Chinese Democracy.
• Rock Band 2 is the first and only video game to feature the music of AC/DC. It includes their epic rock anthem, “Let There Be Rock.”
• For the first time ever, music from American music icon, Bob Dylan, is featured in a video game with “Tangled Up In Blue.”
Videos
Get Wii Fit with Alyson: Balance Games
Major League Eating Info Video
MLB Power Pros 2008 Info Video
Carnival Games Info Video
Harvest Moon: Tree of Tranquility Info Video
Harvest Moon: Island of Happiness Info Video
The Sims 2 Apartment Pets Video
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 09 All-Play Video 2
Digest Video
There aren’t any new DS demos, but if you missed out on any of these, now’s your chance to download them (all expire 7/20)
Trauma Center : Under the Knife 2
Carnival Games
Wall-E DS Demo
Contra 4
Nintendo’s upcoming Wii MotionPlus accessory for the revolutionary Wii Remote controller again redefines game control, by more quickly and accurately reflecting motions in a 3-D space. The Wii MotionPlus accessory attaches to the end of the Wii Remote and, combined with the accelerometer and the sensor bar, allows for more comprehensive tracking of a player’s arm position and orientation, providing players with an unmatched level of precision and immersion. Every slight movement players make with their wrist or arm is rendered identically in real time on the screen, providing a true 1:1 response in their game play. The Wii MotionPlus accessory reconfirms Nintendo’s commitment to making games intuitive and accessible for everyone. Nintendo will reveal more details about the Wii MotionPlus accessory and other topics Tuesday morning at its E3 media briefing.
Enjoying a nice hot dog, tending to your flowers—not exactly the hallmarks of an adventurous lifestyle, right? Think again. This week’s additions to the Wii™ Shop Channel feature action and excitement in unlikely settings, from super-charged eating contests to a greenhouse that’s been invaded by a certain world-famous ape. We’ve also thrown in a classic scrolling actioner for those who prefer a more familiar brand of fist-flying combat. For WiiWare™ lovers and Virtual Console™ devotees alike, it’s a great week to get some unexpected kicks.Nintendo adds new and classic games to the Wii Shop Channel at 9 a.m. Pacific time every Monday. Wii owners with a high-speed Internet connection can redeem Wii Points™ to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel or at retail outlets. This week’s new games are:
“I’ve played a Nintendo Wii. I don’t see it as a competitor. It’s more of an expensive niche game device. We’re selling a lot of PlayStation 3s now and it’s still the best way to buy a Blu-ray player.”- Sony boss Howard Stringer
The Wii may not have the most advanced and up-to-date technology, but it’s still the cheapest console out there. Also, even though the Wii has its flaws, it’s still the cheapest available on the market.
