Portable Planet

Wii has got a new developer that’s a familiar face in the gaming world.  Data Design Interactive will be bringing a whopping twelve games to Nintendo Wii, all of which appear at first glance to be ports from PS2 and PC.  But at least there’s titles like Earache Extreme Metal Racing which promises to be rated 18, which is certainly appreciated around these parts.

Details from DDI follow.

Data Design Interactive a Leading Value Price video games publisher and games developer is pleased to announce that they have secured developer status for Nintendo Wii, and are in the process of porting 6 of their leading titles for the Wii format, the first batch will include: Monster Trux Extreme: Offroad Edition, Urban Extreme, and the Myth Makers range of Super Kart GP, Billy the Wizard, Ninja Bread Man, and Elviz - Rock n Roll Adventure these are due for release in second quarter 2007, DDI will follow these 6 with another 6 later in the year.

Stewart Green MD of Data Design Interactive, said:

We have been developers for the past 24 years and we have seen many new consoles but the Nintendo Wii controller is exciting. Rather than just offering faster graphics and more memory this is the first real innovation in hardware, and because of the ease of use and dynamic control we can see both new games and new players being brought into the games market. Our Mythmakers range of titles have sold over half a million units and with their family friendly and cartoon style they are ideally suited to this Nintendo market, but we are not playing safe. Of the 12 titles we have planned for release we also have the 18 rated EARACHE EXTREME METAL RACING. A Death metal music game, which will open up the Wii to a whole new market.

Billy the Wizard: It’s no fairytale when there’s an evil force around. Use your magical spells to attack evil dragons that have taken over the skies above ‘The Wizards Castle’. Or take part in the sorcerer’s ultimate challenge as you race alongside other wizards in the enchanting Broomstick Grand Prix.

Myth Makers Super Kart GP: Fantastic friendly fun and mad cartoon racing, rolled into lots of exciting challenges against characters, with unique abilities. Challenge your friends to leagues, cups or time trails or face a solo challenge to try to defeat the evil Mumbra.

Anubis II: The evil spirit has risen again and taken physical form. A ‘Pharaohs Curse’ has been placed over the fastest, strongest and most poisonous of Egypt’s inhabitants. The Gods have called on the only warrior that could rid the sands of these evil monsters and return peace to Egypt… The mighty Anubis.

Ninjabread Man: Candy Land is under attack! This once sweet and tasty land has been taken over by hordes of snapping Cup Cakes, Angry Bees and Jelly Monsters. Only one man can stop this evil army of monster cakes. He’s one tough cookie; a guy that won’t crumble under the pressure…… ’Ninjabread Man’ is here!

Monster Trux Extreme: This is the super-charged turbo-driven world of Monster Trux Extreme - you and your friends will be racing huge V8 powered Monster Trucks around rugged terrain, including islands and volcanoes. Race well and earn prize money, which you can use to unlock extra Trucks, levels and bonus features.

Elviz: Rock N Roll Adventures: Bash and Trash crazed instruments with Elviz’s legendary guitar, or strum those strings for a bolt of Sonic Power to blast away Deadly Drums, Run, Push, Swipe and Jump your way through the massive levels with moving objects, intelligent enemies and hidden rooms! Its time to ROCK N ROLL!

Where have all the cowboys gone? After a long period of negotiations with Hollywood, BitTorrent announced today that they launched the BitTorrent Entertainment Network for movie rentals and download-to-own television shows and music videos. 

Movie rentals are $3.99 and $2.99 for new release and catalog titles, respectively. TV shows and music videos are download-to-own at $1.99 each.  Kosher, thy name is BitTorrent. 

The announcement from BT follows:

BitTorrent, the global standard for delivering high-quality media over the Internet, today announced the launch of the BitTorrent Entertainment Network at BitTorrent.com. The new network features the most comprehensive library of downloadable digital entertainment ever amassed on the Web, including content from 20^th Century Fox, Lions Gate, MTV Networks, Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment and BitTorrent’s newest partner, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, Inc. (MGM). The BitTorrent community will have the flexibility to rent movies, purchase television shows and music videos, and even publish and share their own high-quality content to be displayed alongside titles from the world’s largest studios.

“The BitTorrent Entertainment Network is created by and for the BitTorrent Generation, which has a vast appetite for high-quality, on-demand entertainment,” said Ashwin Navin, President and Co-founder of BitTorrent. “BitTorrent.com engages our community to contribute in profound ways – whether it’s by evangelizing their favorite titles; by submitting content they’ve created; or by contributing their bandwidth to enable faster downloads and an improved entertainment experience. Our uniqueness lies in the strength of our community, delivery technology, and the industry’s most comprehensive catalog of digital content.”

“As a leading entertainment content supplier across all media platforms, MGM is pleased to have such a significant role in launching BitTorrent’s groundbreaking and valuable online consumer destination,” said Rick Sands, COO, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, Inc. “MGM’s library, the world’s largest modern library of high quality film and television entertainment programming, appeals to a wide range of consumers and should drive significant traffic to the new BitTorrent Entertainment Network.”

BitTorrent’s newest entertainment network partner is MGM, the legendary Hollywood studio and owner of the world’s largest modern film library. With a roster of over 35 content partners, BitTorrent is offering a breadth and depth of content not found in any other download service. At launch, the network at BitTorrent.com will feature over 5,000 titles of movies, TV shows, PC games and music content, as well as over 40 hours of high-definition (HD) programming. Consumers will be able to enjoy both new releases and catalog movie titles such as “Superman Returns,” “Mission: Impossible III,” “World Trade Center,” “Jackass: Number Two,” “An Inconvenient Truth,” “Napoleon Dynamite,” “Sideways,” and “Thomas Crown Affair.” TV programming will include hits such as “24” and “Prison Break” from 20th Century Fox; “My Super Sweet Sixteen” from MTV: Music Television; “Celebrity Deathmatch” from MTV2; “Muscle Car” and “Xtreme 4×4” from Spike TV; Emmy and Peabody-Award winning “South Park” and “Mind of Mencia” from COMEDY CENTRAL; “Hogan Knows Best” and “Breaking Bonaduce” from VH1; “SpongeBob SquarePants” and “Avatar: The Last Airbender” from Nickelodeon; “Skyland” from Nicktoons Network

“BitTorrent has the infrastructure, technology and established user base to significantly move the needle on digital distribution with quick, easy and affordable delivery,” said Thomas Lesinski, President, Paramount Pictures Digital Entertainment. “The final piece of the puzzle is a wide array of content and Paramount is very pleased to be providing a vast selection of filmed entertainment to the site.”

“MTV Networks is constantly seeking new avenues for our consumers to access our content and to deliver it to them across multiple platforms,” said Mika Salmi, President, Global Digital Media, MTV Networks. “With BitTorrent’s new entertainment network, our content gains another high-quality, user-friendly touchpoint to connect audiences with their favorite programming.”

BitTorrent’s entertainment network can also be utilized as a distribution platform for independent content creators. Be it film, TV programming, music or podcasts, BitTorrent’s self-publishing capability offers artists an instant global audience through a personalized BitTorrent URL and online presence. “We’re leveling the playing field for independent artists who have been turned away by publishers who are traditionally bound by scarce distribution alternatives and limited shelf space. Our entertainment network is a true marketplace that embraces and welcomes contribution from the independents, allowing them to reach a vast user base with their high-quality creative expression,” said Navin.

Despite the breadth and depth of BitTorrent’s entertainment library, consumers can expect a very simple and straightforward pricing model. The site offers content for free, for rent and for purchase. Movie rentals are $3.99 and $2.99 for new release and catalog titles, respectively. TV shows and music videos are download-to-own at $1.99 each. There will also be a significant collection of HD titles available. Furthermore, a wide variety of entertainment content will be offered for free and without digital rights management (DRM), designed to be distributed across all platforms.

“Digital distribution represents a significant new revenue stream for the entertainment industry, but up until now, it has been hindered by the combination of long download times and the lack of good content for people to download,” said Rob Enderle, Principal Analyst for the Enderle Group. “BitTorrent has aggressively addressed both problems; first with their unique technology, which moves content closer to the customer and dramatically lowers the amount of time it takes to acquire it, and second with their unusually strong content library. In addition, the fact that they start with 135 million existing clients is incredibly powerful and makes them, at launch, a real force to be reckoned with in this market.”

The prodigal son returns.  John Riccitiello, former president and COO of Electronic Arts, is replacing Larry Probst and taking the mantle of CEO.  Riccitiello had left Electronic Arts in 2004 to join Elevation Partners. 

“We’re happy to welcome John back as EA’s new CEO,” said Probst, who is sticking around as executive chairman of the board. “His skill and vision as an executive and his experience in our industry have earned him the respect of our employees and shareholders.”

“Leading EA has always been my dream job and I am truly honored that Larry and the board have given me this opportunity,” Riccitiello said in a statement. “This is an extremely well-run company driven by outstanding studio and publishing teams. They’ve also made strategic investments in new platforms and markets that will help extend EA’s industry leadership in the years ahead.”

Source: Gamespot

There’s marvelous news for Sims fans out there — there’s a new line coming specifically for Wii and DS.  MySims promises to feature “easy and unique controls” for both Nintendo Wii and its portable buddy and is due to be released this fall.  

From EA: 

Electronic Arts announced today that the company is developing MySims, the first game in a revolutionary new line from the developers of the blockbuster franchise The Sims, designed especially for the Wii and Nintendo DS platforms.

MySims introduces a charming cast of whimsical characters while delivering the creativity, customization and classic open-ended gameplay that has enchanted Sims players worldwide. Players begin by creating their own toy-like Sim that reflects their personal style and attitudes. From pig-tails and baseball caps to dreadlocks and Mohawks, the options are endless and the style is unlike any Sims game to date. By unlocking cool new clothing, hairstyles and accessories, players explore the game’s incredible depth of customization and expression… and the characters are just the beginning!

Transforming the traditional Sims gameplay for the Wii and Nintendo DS platforms, MySims moves the player to a delightful but disorganized town where – thanks to the easy and unique controls – they can re-shape everything and make it their own. The town is rundown, but the player can make it much more dynamic. Using a selection of building blocks, unique patterns and engaging creativity tools, players can design furniture and appliances, architect new homes and businesses, and re-define the entire MySims landscape!

As players explore and build up the town, they will get to know dedicated, long-time residents like the always-busy Mayor Rosalyn P. Marshall and Buddy – the mostly-lazy hotel Bellhop. Once things start to look up, they’ll meet and choose from a variety of colorful, would-be residents. Will they build a restaurant for Gino Delicioso the Italian Chef, or will they help Ocean Breeze set up his Yoga studio instead?

Design is everyone’s domain in MySims. From building a new Pizza Oven for Gino to putting the finishing touches on a new roof for Buddy’s busy hotel, each completed task will help the town grow. As it expands to new areas, players will receive special building blocks, decorations and patterns which help customize their unique creations. From furniture and buildings to the town as a whole, every choice informs how residents and visitors feel and behave.

“We want MySims to provide a creative play experience like never before on a video game system,” said Executive Producer Tim LeTourneau. “By giving players the tools to create literally any kind of world they want in MySims, we’re reinforcing the idea that the players create the magic. Will the town support a plethora of spooky, mysterious townsfolk – or buzz with the laughter and smiles of fun-loving Sims? It’s your call! In MySims, what players make… makes all the difference!”

MySims will be available for the Wii and Nintendo DS platforms in Autumn 2007.