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New Media News Every Morning

SaySwap, Cheat Code Central partner to launch social video gaming shopping platform

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cheatcc.jpgSaySwap, the first video game social network that allows users to trade for new games at a small fraction of the retail or used cost, has announced a major expansion of potential members with the launch of its white label partnership with Cheat Code Central, the largest video game cheat code site in the world with well over 5 million monthly unique visitors.

Cheat Code Central will leverage the SaySwap platform to facilitate video game trades for its members through a combination of trading tokens and purchase points (a virtual currency for each game).

SaySwap reduces costs of new games to the user, facilitating trades, through a combination of trading tokens and purchase points. Through the deal, SaySwap will provide a completely customized platform that enables CheatCC.com users to create their own profile pages with the ability to create game trading lists (including all PS3, Xbox 360 and Way titles). In addition, the SaySwap solution allows CheatCC.com members to bypass the negotiation phase, since all games have a predefined value.

Dave Allison, CEO of CheatCC.com said, “We are excited to allow our millions of users the ability get games like Guitar Hero 2 and Super Paper Mario for under $5 in our new social video game shopping platform.”

Originally posted on July 17, 2007 @ 9:25 am

Paltalk combines broadcasting, social networking and video chat into socialcasting platform

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paltalkscene_beta1.jpgPaltalk, a real-time, video-based community with over 4 million users, today solidifies its leadership position in socialcasting with the launch of Screening Rooms. Socialcasting brings together high quality programming and video content with social networking and live interactive community. This launch also coincides with the release of Paltalk’s latest video community service called PaltalkScene. Screening Rooms, PaltalkScene and all of its features support an active and participatory, rather than a passive, online video experience, where users not only watch content, but can interact with it and each other in real-time.

Screening Rooms allow anyone to watch shows and pre-recorded video content, either licensed or user-generated, in a public or private video chat room with up to 5,000 other Paltalk members. In the Screening Room, viewers can watch synchronized video content together while interacting with each other in the room through voice, video and text chat as the video plays. Screening Rooms are available in beta starting today and will be offered in general availability later this year.

Screening Rooms are debuting with programming from many leading online video content providers including ManiaTV!, Heavy.com, Rip.tv. Starting today Paltalk users will have access to original video content ranging from extreme sports, professional mixed martial arts, entertainment news, comedy and serialized programs. Paltalk members will also be able to upload and play their own video content and home movies to share and comment about it with their friends and family.

Originally posted on July 16, 2007 @ 10:01 am

Sony Computer Entertainment America unveils details for Playstation Network

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playstationnetwork-1.jpgSony Computer Entertainment America Inc. announced new games and services for its Playstation Network, an entertainment network aimed at delivering innovative content and community to a worldwide audience. SCEA unveiled new features for the highly-anticipated PlayStation Home, a 3D community-based service set to revolutionize the broadband entertainment world, and announced new content for its Playstation Network.

“Our goal is to deliver the most compelling entertainment experience to our PlayStation fans through Playstation Network,” said Jack Tretton, president and CEO, SCEA. “The interactive content sharing features of PlayStation Home, combined with the library of innovative downloadable games and entertainment, truly push the boundaries of our customer’s imaginations and deliver on the promise of an integrated content and community service.”

Originally posted on July 15, 2007 @ 11:00 pm

Manpower launches island in Second Life

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manpower_secondlife.jpgManpower Inc. announced the launch of the Manpower Island in Second Life, the online virtual community. Manpower Island is a place where job seekers, employers and entrepreneurs can come together in an interactive forum to learn about and explore the World of Virtual Work, share ideas and identify new opportunities in traditional and non-traditional meeting spaces ranging from an amphitheater to a relaxing spot on the virtual beach. Built as a learning community, Manpower Island features a variety of virtual work resources, including an orientation trail to teach “newbies” how to move around, interact and teleport around Second Life; and a series of work-related stations offering advice on creating a virtual resume, preparing for both Real Life and Second Life job interviews, obtaining appropriate attire and finding a job in the virtual world.

Manpower has developed a short informational video about the World of Virtual Work. The video examines how, in an environment of global competition, virtual work has become a powerful way to connect skills and demand, regardless of the distance between them.

Originally posted on July 13, 2007 @ 10:50 am

Chesspark raises $1 million

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chess.jpg Chesspark.com, an innovative new online chess community, has completed an investment round with angel investor Jon Callaghan of True Ventures, Burnt Norton, Inc. and Eaglebrook School to raise a total of $1 million. This will be used to complete public beta test and assure timely full-featured product launch this 3rd Quarter of the year.

This new chess Web site aims to provide the best chess playing experience on the web by offering a flexible and fun gaming environment for chess players worldwide, a social network for players, tournaments, lessons and team play.

“With over 100,000 users already enrolled in the beta test we have been able to refine and perfect our gaming platform. As we finish up some exciting additional features in coming weeks we remain on course to launch the best subscription-based experience for chess players,” says Jack Moffitt, co- founder of the venture.

Recently, Chess.com has launched its own social network and already registered 10,000 members after first month of launch.

Originally posted on July 13, 2007 @ 9:53 am