December 06, 2005 | Back

Protective Solutions invisibleSHIELD Screen Protector for the PSP

In true gaming fashion, and true gaming lingo, Protective Solutions, Inc., a developer of protective coverings for handheld electronic devices, has launched the invisibleSHIELD Screen Protector for the Sony PlayStation Portable (PSP). This transparent film covering protects PSPs from scratches and damage that can occur from handling and everyday use.

The invisibleSHIELD Screen Protector provides an invisible layer of protection for PSPs without adding to the overall bulk of the device. The protector covers the top side of a PSP, including the device's screen -- a highly critical area that is most relied on during gameplay. Providing protection for these areas preserves the overall quality of a user's PSP device, thus increasing its resale and/or trade-in value in the future. It's a win win, so to speak.

> Source: invisibleSHIELD
> Estimated price: $17
> Date released/expected: N/A

Posted at 01:14 PM | Permalink | Email to a friend | Comments

October 08, 2005 | Back

Glu Mobile Lets it Ride with DRIVER: VEGAS

It's Vegas, Baby! But faster... Glu Mobile has announced plans to create and publish DRIVER: VEGAS, a mobile-exclusive game that builds on the success of Glu's No. 1 selling hit, DRIV3R, which was based on a worldwide production and marketing collaboration with Atari.

"With DRIV3R, we were able to make a successful franchise title thrive on the mobile platform," said Joe Poletto, senior vice president of worldwide publishing, Glu Mobile. "The Driver brand has evolved to encompass more than just console, and DRIVER: VEGAS will demonstrate the brand's ability to carry a title exclusively for the mobile phone."

DRIVER: VEGAS will feature a completely new Driver environment, with high-stakes gameplay taking undercover agent, Tanner, through the streets, casinos and back roads of Sin City. Aspects of DRIVER: VEGAS will link DRIV3R with the fourth console version of the franchise with unlockable cheat-codes. Wonder if cameras follow you around like the real VEGAS - just to make sure you don't cheat?

> Source: Glu Mobile
> Estimated price: N/A
> Date released/expected: N/A

Posted at 09:41 PM | Permalink | Email to a friend | Comments

August 21, 2005 | Back

Hasbro's BOP IT BLAST Game Makes Hollywood Debut

Ready to BOB IT? Get in line... Hollywood's hottest celebrities will be among the first to "BOP IT", "PULL IT", and "TWIST IT" to the beat of Hasbro's all new, customizable BOP IT BLAST game during the Video Music Weekend from August 26-28 at the Sanctuary South Beach Hotel in Miami, Florida.

BOP IT BLAST is a customizable electronic game that lets you "prove you got game" as commands test your reflexes. BOP IT BLAST will be featured at the celebrity gift retreat area throughout the weekend, where some of today's most talented pop stars will put their skills to the test in a battle for BOP IT BLAST bragging rights. Additionally, some notable attendees will play with a specially created, one-of-a-kind BOP IT BLAST game to be auctioned off on eBay. Hasbro will donate all proceeds from the online auction to the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation.

The specially created, "bling'd out" BOP IT BLAST game to be auctioned is a chrome, bedazzled version of the hot new game. Both sides of the BOP IT BLAST buttons are hand-decorated, and the "PULL IT" and "TWIST IT" commands have a metallic finish and are surrounded by colorful ornaments. Sounds WHACK! Oops, I mean BLAST!

> Source: Hasbro
> Estimated price: $19
> Date released/expected: N/A

Posted at 09:13 PM | Permalink | Email to a friend | Comments

July 14, 2005 | Back

Glu Brings Nickelodeon's Popular everGirl to Mobile

The best friend a girl ever had - the phone - has just gotten more enticing for any tweenager. Glu Mobile and Nickelodeon have launched everGems, a mobile game based on the popular tween brand everGirl. The everGems launch gives tweens enthralled with everything everGirl an engaging elimination puzzle game featuring the everCool icons and the everGirl characters that tweens adore. everGems offers a different mode of play for each of the four everGirls: Hope's everClever Gems, Joy's Just in Time game, Skye's everPower Play, and Starr's Sets.

According to research conducted by Glu earlier this year, tweens (ages 10 to 12) lead mobile gaming usage. The study found that more than 84 percent of tween mobile gamers play one or more times per day (compared to 64 percent of the general population of mobile gamers), and 20 percent of tween mobile gamers play five times a day, demonstrating tweens' demand for great mobile games. Holy smokes! Does that figure alarm you, too?

> Source: Glub Mobile
> Estimated price: $5 - $10
> Date released/expected: N/A

Posted at 01:06 PM | Permalink | Email to a friend | Comments

June 24, 2005 | Back

Kopin and 3001 AD to Bring Virtual Reality to Xbox, PlayStation and PCs

Is it live or is it Memorex? Virtual reality gaming developer 3001 AD, LLC has incorporated Kopin's the BDM-230K into its Trimersion virtual reality system, which for the first time will bring virtual reality gaming to the Microsoft Xbox, Sony PlayStation and PCs. The Kopin BDM-230K, a complete binocular video subsystem, delivers crisp, full-color, QVGA-quality (320 x 240 resolution) video with a virtual image equivalent to a 35-inch display viewed from a seven-foot distance.

Head-tracking capability lets gamers control key elements of their virtual environments, such as point of view and player position, with an intuitive turn of the head instead of a thumb or finger command. A non-tracking version of the Trimersion is available for players who prefer a mouse or hand control. Trimersion also lets gamers wield a pistol-style input device, rather than push buttons, to shoot within the game (and guns are always better, right?). So, you may look really stupid wearing this helmet type apparatus, but no one in the game will notice.

> Source: 3001 AD - Kopin
> Estimated price: N/A
> Date released/expected: N/A

Posted at 09:54 PM | Permalink | Email to a friend | Comments

June 09, 2005 | Back

Glu Brings Mr. and Mrs. Smith to Mobile

Can't get enough of Brad and Angelina (and, NO, they are not a couple LOL)? Well, now you can BE Brad and Angelina (or at least you can be Mr. and Mrs. Smith from their upcoming movie). Twentieth Century Fox, one of the world's largest producers and distributors of motion pictures, and Glu Mobile, Inc., a creator and global publisher of mobile entertainment, have launched a mobile game based on the film, "Mr. and Mrs. Smith," starring Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. Twentieth Century Fox will release "Mr. and Mrs. Smith," a New Regency production on June 12, 2005.

The mobile game pits John and Jane Smith against each other in the ultimate battle of the sexes. Consumers can choose to play as either character and use reconnaissance technology to distinguish undercover agents from innocent suburban civilians. Night levels test sharp-shooting skills and each mission victory is recorded to reveal the superior sex among the community of players. Is your sex superior? Hmmm. Keep playing.

> Source: Glu Mobile
> Estimated price: $7
> Date released/expected: N/A

Posted at 09:17 PM | Permalink | Email to a friend | Comments

May 20, 2005 | Back

Turner Broadcasting's GameTap to Leverage the AOL Messaging Network

Will you pay to play? Well, of course you will! Especially if you can chat at the same time. In the true spirit of walking and chewing gum, Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. and America Online, Inc. have entered into a three-year agreement to add the AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) and ICQ instant messaging services to Turner's new GameTap service. GameTap, which will launch in fall 2005, is a first-of-its-kind broadband entertainment network that offers games-on-demand plus original programming via a broadband connected PC. Turner's new "all you can play" gaming service will launch with 300, and then roll out new titles and programming each week.

The games reside securely on the PC, not across a network, so they act just as if they were still on the console or at the arcade. Players get an optimal gaming experience - and real time chit-chat. Cha-Ching!

> Source: AOL - Turner
> Estimated price: N/A
> Date released/expected: N/A

Posted at 02:04 PM | Permalink | Email to a friend | Comments

SanDisk Introduces 2-GB Duo Gaming Cards to Meet Needs of Sony PlayStation Portable Owners

Bigger is definitely better, especially when you can take it on your travels... Responding to consumer demand for high-capacity flash memory cards that are needed for music and video-playing in Sony's PlayStation Portable (PSP), SanDisk Corporation has introduced a 2-gigabyte (GB) Memory Stick PRO Duo Gaming Card to provide PSP owners with plenty of removable storage for video clips, MP3 music tracks, digital still photos and game data.

Christina Day, SanDisk's product marketing manager for the gaming card line, said early sell-through reports from retailers indicate that nearly 20 percent of all PSP buyers are also purchasing extra memory cards, but she expects that to reach 50 percent over time. (But remember, she gets paid to say that.)

> Source: SanDisk
> Estimated price: $349
> Date released/expected: N/A

Posted at 02:02 PM | Permalink | Email to a friend | Comments

Nyko Live! Ultra Pak for Xbox Live Provides Everything But the Kitchen Sink

Nyko Technologies, a peripherals manufacturer, has created the Live! Ultra Pak for Xbox Live, a complete online gaming communication kit that allows players to easily choose between public speaker communication and private headset chat. The "Pak" combines three of Nyko's industry-leading Xbox Live accessories, the SpeakerCom, Live Adaptor, and headset, into a single affordable package, giving players a true real-time gaming experience, and new meaning to the term "multitask!"

> Source: Nyko
> Estimated price: $35
> Date released/expected: N/A

Posted at 02:00 PM | Permalink | Email to a friend | Comments