901am

New Media News Every Morning

Warhammer Online’s army of beta players now 500,000 strong and growing

By

Electronic Arts Inc. announced that Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning (WAR), the highly anticipated massively-multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) from EA Mythic, has surpassed 500,000 closed beta registrants in North America and Europe.

Poised to be one of the biggest new MMORPG releases of next year, WAR is slated for official launch in second quarter of 2008. The Beta Center is still open and accepting recruits.

Based on Games Workshop’s epic and longstanding tabletop fantasy war game, Warhammer Online features revolutionary Realm vs. Realm game play that immerses players in a world of perpetual conflict.

war.png

Originally posted on December 13, 2007 @ 4:07 pm

LimeLife and Bravo partner to launch new mobile game ‘Top Chef Challenge’ based on the reality series ‘Top Chef’

By

topchef.png

LimeLife Inc., a publisher of mobile content for women, announced the launch of “Top Chef Challenge,” the mobile game extension for Bravo’s hit reality television series, “Top Chef.”

“Collaborating with LimeLife to create ‘Top Chef Challenge’ was a perfect addition to our ultimate goal of suiting our audiences’ lifestyles and making Bravo Media accessible on multiple platforms,” said Lisa Hsia, SVP, New Media, Bravo.

“Top Chef Challenge” is set behind-the-scenes of Tom Collichio’s fictional new restaurant. Players customize their character and enter the game’s virtual kitchen as an entry-level dishwasher. With commentary and advice from show host, Padma Lakshmi, players can rise from dishwasher to “Top Chef” and gain 5-star status and fame along the way. A series of mini-games and kitchen drama test reflexes, memory and patience to prove you have what it takes to be the next “Top Chef.” As an added bonus, the Trivia Challenge mini-game lets players demonstrate their culinary knowledge to earn extra points.

Originally posted on December 10, 2007 @ 9:59 am

The Entertainment Consumers Association launches GameCulture.com

By

gameculture.pngThe Entertainment Consumers Association (ECA), the non-profit association which represents game enthusiasts, announced the launch of GameCulture. The site will be a destination for gamers, mass media outlets and entertainment consumers of all sorts to visit and experience a unique editorial voice that will provide a sense of how videogames, game technology, and game culture are changing the world around us. GameCulture was designed and will be managed by veteran journalist Aaron Ruby, co-author of “Smartbomb,” a 2005 New York Times Editor’s Pick about game culture.

The site currently features daily headlines, webcomics and video from leading outlets, as well as original content. Additionally the publication will provide resources for those interested in game-related issues, including links to the ECA’s own site, career opportunities via GameJobs, and exclusive discounts on game-related merchandise and magazine subscriptions. GameCulture’s mission is to display and highlight the many ways in which gaming influences broader society and provides a glimpse into the future. The full site launch is planned for early 2008.

Originally posted on December 10, 2007 @ 9:00 am

Webs.com launches Social Gaming Network

By

sgn.pngWebs.com today launched its Social Gaming Network (SGN), the first gaming network designed exclusively for the development and integration of gaming into popular social networks. The launch is strengthened by SGN’s acquisition of the popular social network game
FightClub.

The successful game WarBook, the first game from SGN to launch on Facebook in August 2007, is now one of its most popular games. The SGN network will continue to leverage the power of the ‘network effect’ to build a library of new games exclusively for social networks.

Originally posted on December 7, 2007 @ 8:56 am

Nextcat launches “Gaming” community for video game developers

By

nextcat.pngNextcat announced the launch of “Gaming” to provide video game industry professionals with a new way to network and advance their careers. Nextcat’s new Gaming community supplements its marketplace for professionals across all genres of the arts and entertainment industries.

The new Gaming community through Nextcat will provide professionals in the space with free access to post rich media examples of their work and the opportunity to promote new titles, network, collaborate and look for work opportunities.

Originally posted on December 7, 2007 @ 4:19 pm