[E3'13, Multi] Konami's annual pre-E3 extravaganza will debut in seven languages

[E3'13, Multi] Konami's annual pre-E3 extravaganza will debut in seven languages

A few weeks ago we posted about Konami's pre-E3 show, which is certainly giving us the gift of E3, but now we've got an update on the situation.

Konami has confirmed that the pre-E3 showcase will debut in seven different languages; now how's that for offering options? The languages on offer include English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, German, and Japanese subtitles.

There's plenty to look forward to, especially now that Metal Gear Solid hype has started to kick in at last. Will you be tuning in? We'll be providing updates, of course, so keep an eye on our portal if you miss it.

The event will be streamed through GameSpot (including the GameSpot app available on Xbox 360) and Konami's own site on June 6th 10:00 AM PT/1:00 PM ET.

Written by: Kyran Morrison

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Toys for Bob and Vicarious Visions on keeping annual Skylanders 'magic' alive

by Bags Hooper on Feb 6th 2013 5:45PM

Since first launching in 2011, Activision has turned its toy-powered gaming franchise Skylanders into an annual release. The third game in the series, Skylanders: Swap Force, is set to arrive this fall and will allow players to mix-and-match parts of 16 new toys for over 250 in game character combinations.

Despite the franchise's success, solidifying it as an annual title in Activision's portfolio, it may not be immune to its new schedule. Activision has walked this road before, with the once-popular Guitar Hero franchise buckling under its own weight of too many releases in too short a time period. But Paul Reiche, Studio President at Toys for Bob [above, left], believes that innovation is the key to growing the franchise; innovation that will keep the "magic" alive for children.

"The way that we're going to succeed is by ensuring that every year we have a meaningful innovation both in the toys and in the software as well," Reiche told Joystiq. Though Toys for Bob first developed Skylanders and launched its successor, Skylanders Giants, in 2012, developer Vicarious Visions has taken over to help the third entry in the series – a studio that developed ports and iOS games in the Skylanders universe and, at one time, helped Activision port the Guitar Hero franchise to mobile and Nintendo platforms.

Going forward, both Toys for Bob and Vicarious Visions will lead the charge for Activision's Skylanders series. The two developers first collaborated in 2003, before Vicarious Visions became a part of Activision, on Disney Extreme Skate Adventure. Although Toys for Bob isn't heading development, they are still providing daily input on the toy design, character images and level feedback.

The two studios are fully invested in the Skylanders project and don't have any other projects in the works. "This is our entire focus," Guha Bala, co-head of Vicarious Visions [top, right], told Joystiq. "Between the two studios, that's all we're working on," Reiche added.

While Vicarious Visions takes the lead on Swap Force, Reiche has been exploring ways to innovate on the line. Last week was the first time he visited Skylanders' toy manufacturing facility in Shenzhen, China. Reiche wants to be more aware of the manufacturing process so that he can hone his craft and come up with new ideas for the toy line. He admitted that seeing the workers hand paint the Jet Vac's yellow talons was a joy.

As for next gen, Bala doesn't see technology, platform or rendering features as a driving force for the franchise. For Skylanders, his goal is to find play patterns that are enriching for kids and bring those concepts to life. The Swap Force concept hearkens back to the days when children broke apart their GI Joe toys and mixed and matched the tops and bottoms of their action figures. Bala hopes to stay ahead of the technology curve, by looking to simple ideas that make you think in new ways. "The fundamental experience will be about the magic of the toys."

Of course innovation isn't without a cost. Swap Force will only be available as a starter pack, as the franchise's original portals – where players place their figures to transport them into the game – will not be able to read new swap figures. The new Starter pack, which is expected to retail for $74.99, will include the new base as well as two Swap Force characters and one 'Core' character, a standard Skylander.

Activision has long-term ambitions for its successful franchise. "We have goals of making this a 10 to 20 year franchise that becomes a staple for kids," Joshua Taub, Vice President of Skylanders Business told Joystiq. The Giants franchise alone took in 195 million during Q4, while the entire franchise topped 500 million in sales. Toy sales continue to be "strong" across both lines.

Bags Hooper is a writer based out of Brooklyn, New York. He has contributed to multiple outlets, including BuzzFocus, USA Network, Showtime's Pop Tudors, Monsters & Critics and FHM. You can follow him on Twitter at @BagsHooper.

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Spike TV Announces Nominees for 10th Annual Video Game Awards

SPIKE TV ANNOUNCES NOMINEES FOR 10th ANNUAL VIDEO GAME AWARDS

“VGA TEN” TO STREAM ON XBOX LIVE WITH

GROUNDBREAKING NEW INTERACTIVITY

MARK BURNETT PRODUCED SHOW TO FEATURE HOST SAMUEL L. JACKSON AND

MUSICAL PERFORMANCES BY LINKIN PARK AND TENACIOUS 

Interactive Multiplatform Event Includes Exclusive World Premieres Of Highly Anticipated Titles Including

“The Last Of Us,” “Gears Of War: Judgment,” and “South Park: The Stick of Truth”

Complete List of Nominees Announced, with “Borderlands 2,” “Halo 4” 

and “Journey” Leading the Way with Seven Nominations Each

“VGA TEN” Will Air LIVE on Friday, December 7 on Spike TV at 9:00 PM ET/6:00 PM PT,

Simulcast on MTV2, MTV Tr3s, and Live Stream on Xbox LIVE, Spike.com and GameTrailers.com

New York, NY, November 15, 2012 – Spike TV today announced the nominees of “VGA TEN” (#VGA) – the network’s tenth annual live televised event to celebrate the best in video games.  “VGA TEN,” hosted by Samuel L. Jackson, willfeature exclusive world premieres as well as musical performances by Linkin Park and Tenacious D.  The interactive multiplatform special will premiere LIVE from Sony Picture Studios in Culver City, CA on Friday, December 7 at 9:00 PM ET/6:00 PM PT on Spike TV.  Additionally, “VGA TEN” will simulcast on MTV 2, MTV Tr3s, Xbox LIVE, Spike.com and GameTrailers.com.

Spike TV and Microsoft also unveiled plans to broadcast the 2012 Video Game Awards to Xbox LIVE users in multiple countries this December.  Fans will be able to view the “VGA’s” on Xbox consoles in the United States and additional countries to be confirmed at a later date.* The show will also be streamed internationally on Spike.com and GameTrailers.com. 

Airing alongside the tenth anniversary television broadcast, the U.S. Xbox LIVE stream of the VGAs will showcase groundbreaking interactivity that lets users “play” the show as it happens live in Los Angeles.  Responses to poll questions will be tabulated in real time on screen for the Xbox LIVE audience and users with Xbox Smartglass will get a unique second-screen experience that updates in real time alongside the show content.

Check out the entire nominees list at Spike TV

SPIKE TV’s “VIDEO GAME AWARDS” AIRS LIVE ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7

AT SONY PICTURE STUDIOS IN CULVER CITY

FOLLOW SPIKE TV PR ON TWITTER @SPIKETVPR

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Nintendo cuts annual profit forecast by 70%, first-half loss of $351 million

by Sinan Kubba on Oct 24th 2012 8:00AM

Nintendo slashed its annual net profit outlook by 70 percent, following first-half losses of approximately $351 million, 40 percent greater than expected. Ahead of the Wii U launch, the Japanese company now expects net profits of ¥6 billion ($75.2 million) for the fiscal year ending March 31 2013, compared to initial forecasts of ¥20 billion ($251 million).

In those initial forecasts Nintendo predicted losses of ¥20 billion for the six-month period ending September 30, but today revealed a significantly greater figure of almost ¥28 billion ($351 million). The company cited weaker than expected overseas sales of 3DS hardware and software, along with increased yen appreciation.

Nintendo also revealed the 3DS shifted 5 million units across the six months, taking the console to over 22 million worldwide sales to date. The company now expects 17.5 million sales for the 3DS by the end of the fiscal year, down 1 million from initial projections.

Nintendo of course expects the Wii U to takes figures back into the black in six months time, with the company now predicting 5.5 million units sold worldwide by March 2013.

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Nintendo Has Its First Annual Loss

Although Nintendo has been releasing some great content for their Wii and the handheld 3DS, they have reported a loss of $454. 54 million from 2011 to 2012. Even with price cuts on their Wii and 3DS, their net sales have dropped 36.2 percent. Doesn’t seem very good for Nintendo now does it? However, Nintendo still remains optimistic by stating that they will spin these losses around into a 35 billion yen profit thanks to new software for their current systems such as New Super Mario Bros. 2 for the 3DS and the launch of the Wii U. With that said, if Nintendo wants their new shiny system to provide the success that the Wii was able to accomplish, they’re going to need some great launch titles when the Wii U hits store shelves this holiday season. What do you guys think Nintendo needs to turn their Wii U into a hit success? Let us know in the comment section below!

Source: [Engadget]

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New York Videogame Critics Circle announces first annual awards show

by Ben Gilbert on Jan 13th 2012 8:30AM

Look, we're gonna be upfront about this, we're a little biased -- okay, I'm a little biased -- toward any news involving the New York Game Critics Circle (I'm the standing member for Joystiq), but we're putting together an awards show and it's gonna be totally boss. On February 2, a gaggle of us are taking over New York University's Cantor Film Center and holding an awards show to honor the best games of 2011 -- what we consider to be 2011's best, anyway.

Founding member (and occasional NPR correspondent) Harold Goldberg is heading up the proceedings with some assistance from various NYGCC members, while an unannounced, well-known voice man is on tap to MC the event. The first annual awards show will take place on February 2 and we've dropped the entire list of nominees after the break. It'll also be open to the public with limited seating, which we'll have more info on in the coming weeks.

Wondering who voted for said nominees? That list is right here, but rest assured that everyone involved is totally your favorite.

Big Apple Award – Best Game Batman: Arkham CityElder Scrolls V: SkyrimL.A. NoireMinecraftPortal 2Saints Row: The ThirdUncharted 3: Drake's DeceptionThe Legend of Zelda: Skyward SwordManhattan Award for Most New York-centric Game Batman: Arkham CityCrysis 2Resistance 3Sideway NYHerman Melville Award for Best Writing in a Game BastionBatman: Arkham CityL.A. NoirePortal 2Saints Row: The ThirdSerious Sam 3Battery Park Award: Best Handheld Console Game Aliens: InfestationProfessor Layton and the Last SpecterRayman 3DSuper Mario 3D LandTin Pan Alley Award: Best Overall Music in a Game BastionCatherineDark SoulsL.A. NoirePortal 2Saints Row: The ThirdThe Legend of Zelda: Skyward SwordThe A Train Award Best Mobile/iOS Game Contre JourFIFA 12Grand Theft Auto IIIInfinity Blade IISuperbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EPWhere's My Water?Off Broadway Award for Best Indie Game BastionFruit NinjaMinecraftRealm of the Mad GodSideway NYSuperbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EPThe Binding of IsaacStatue of Liberty Award for Best Open World Game Batman: Arkham CityDark SoulsDeus Ex: Human RevolutionL.A. NoireSaints Row: The ThirdGreat White Way Award for Best Overall Acting (Combines Male and Female Acting) Batman: Arkham CityL.A. NoirePortal 2Uncharted 3: Drake's DeceptionMad Man Award – Best Commercial Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (featuring Jonah Hill)Long Live Play – (Michael)The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3DS (featuring Robin Williams)Algonquin Roundtable Award for Best Videogame Book All Your Base Are Belong to Us by Harold GoldbergReady Player One by Ernest ClineReality Is Broken by Jane McGonigalReamde by Neal StephensonSuper Mario by Jeff Ryan

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4th Annual Mario Marathon triple-jumps into action today

by Griffin McElroy on Jun 24th 2011 10:00AM

For the fourth year in a row, a group of insane people will board themselves up in a small, Mushroom Kingdom-decorated room to beat every level, collect every star and stomp every Goomba the Super Mario franchise has ever produced. Why would someone purposefully, harmfully oversaturate themselves with such a wonderful, timeless franchise? Because they're the Mario Marathon. It's in their blood.

The crew is kicking off this suicide mission today at 11 a.m. ET, starting with a playthrough of Super Mario Galaxy 2. Even though it hasn't started yet, the event has already raised $13,000 for Child's Play. We encourage you to go watch these poor souls hurt themselves with Mario, and then, if you feel so inclined, reward their efforts with a donation to a good cause.

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