MCV Issue 514, November 21 2008

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THE INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY

Friday November 21 2008 £3.25

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THE MARKET FOR COMPUTER AND VIDEO GAMES

Issue 514 Friday November 21 2008 £3.25

04 Euro Champions?

14 Beth’ from above

Microsoft declares victory over Sony as 360 European installed base passes 7m

Sean Brennan, Bethesda’s UK boss, interviewed after Fallout 3’s mega success

06 Wrath at Retail

22 Stocks & scares

MMO giant Blizzard praises retail after its latest title becomes PC bestseller

The ups and downs of publishers’ share prices analysed and dissected

10 Apple’s game seeds

24 Mystery Shopper

The iPhone’s marketing boss explains why the firm is gunning for games

We examine whether new mall Westfield is any good for games retail

EVERY BUYER EVERY BRANCH EVERY INDIE EVERY WEEK

INCORPORATING

PEGI to be legal by 2010?

ELSPA thinks Government is close to ‘making the right decision’ on classifications

Neil Thompson Senior Regional Director, Northern Europe, Microsoft Entertainment & Devices Division

by Michael French and Tim Ingham THE GOVERNMENT could be on the cusp of throwing out BBFC games ratings to make PEGI a legally-enforced standard, should it follow recommendations made by ELSPA this week.

The Byron Review’s consultation period closed yesterday (Thursday, November 20th), with ELSPA handing over a detailed document to the Department of Culture, Media and Sport. The report details why the Government should favour PEGI in the

“

The 30-page written response outlines not only the advantages of the PEGI system and the recently-unveiled ‘traffic light’-style ratings, but how, according to ELSPA, an extension of film censor the BBFC’s role would create “a heavy burden to the industry, including logistical and compliance issues plus more operational costs”.

Rawlinson has been encouraged that authorities will back ELSPA after key ministers acknowledged PEGI as a strong

“The whole industry would like to see a solution that effectively protects children. I’d like to see the Government embrace the extensive work the industry has done in recent months and quickly back the PEGI standard.”

Ray Maguire, Senior VP and Managing Director, Sony Computer Entertainment UK

The Government understands that the games industry wants to sell its products in a responsible manner.

Michael Rawlinson, ELSPA

response to the proposal that new classifications for video games be introduced.

“The correct solution is for the Government to accept the PEGI system is the best way for games to be rated and classified – and empower it with legal status in the UK, establishing a means in which some games, if necessary, can be banned,” ELSPA MD Michael Rawlinson told MCV.

”

option during a Westminster Forum debate last week.

Added Rawlinson: “We’ve had a strong dialogue with the Government and it understands that the games industry wants to sell its products in a sensible and appropriate manner.”

But the BBFC is confident as well, with director David Cooke telling us: “After the consultation we would like to

[OPINION]

GETTING A GREEN LIGHT? If the Government backs PEGI, game boxes might soon boast ratings like this

see greater collaborative working by all, as envisaged by Dr Byron in the interests of the public, between all the parts of this important and creative sector of the economy and gamers themselves.

“The issues have been fully aired over the last 18 months.

The BBFC is confident that the Government fully understands them, and is able to distinguish good from bad arguments.”

The DCMS has now promised the industry a full and swift verdict, telling MCV: “We will now look at the evidence and announce the result in due course. It has been a full and thorough consultation.

“The Government is keen to move as quickly as possible.”

A formal response from the Government is expected by early next year.

“A lot of effort has been spent communicating the new system to the Government. We now believe they have all the information and tools in order to make the right decision which will benefit consumers, and the industry as a whole.”

Keith Ramsdale VP of UK, Ireland and Nordic Territories, Electronic Arts “We firmly believe that PEGI is the only viable rating system for the UK. PEGI is designed to be easy to understand and has the flexibility to scale and keep pace with industry growth, particularly in online gaming.

We trust that the Government will do a thoughtful review of the issues.”

Rosenblatt joins EA UBISOFT’S Jon Rosenblatt is to make a shock return to Electronic Arts, as senior European marketing director for the publisher’s Sports label.

MCV understands that Rosenblatt, Ubisoft’s UK marketing director, will begin

his new role in the New Year.

He will report to Todd Sitrin, VP of marketing for EA Sports.

Rosenblatt will oversee a slate of titles including megafranchises such as FIFA and Tiger Woods. He joined Ubisoft in July 2005 following a two-

year stint at EA as European football marketing manager – where he was responsible for a number of key launches, including major FIFA releases.

MCV understands that Ubisoft has started looking for a replacement.

PERSONNEL 30 RETAIL BIZ 31 NEW RELEASES 41 HIGH STREET 42 CHARTS 44

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NEWS

[LEADER]

Xbox claims European

DECISION TIME THERE isn’t much else to say about the Byron Review consultation that hasn’t been said by ELSPA, its members – or even ‘the opposition’, the BBFC. Is the industry’s hunch that Government is on its side jumping the gun? We’ll have to wait and see (and according to the DCMS we won't have to wait long).

But it's not like ELSPA's positive attitude is without merit. Unless it was just a spectacular coincidence that, when speaking at a committee debate in Westminster last week, the DCMS’s Barbara Follett echoed, almost word for word, ELSPA's own material when she said “we need mechanisms that are robust and strong, and also future-proof”.

“

It’s not as if ELSPA’s positive attitude is without any merit…

”

A “trustworthy and uniform system with a clear set of systems that is absolutely clear to someone when they look at it” which has “got to work for the games industry and support retailers”, certainly sounds like the PEGI this industry has been describing.

ELSPA's Michael Rawlinson – who has driven much of this activity – has done a lot of work to unite the industry and put together a coherent argument.

Regardless of the Government’s eventual decision, you won't be able to argue that ELPSA didn’t go after this one 100 per cent.

BREWING UP A STORM Alright, so you might think the MCV Awards are way off. Five months and all that.

But there is method in our madness. We plug the event this early for a few reasons.

One is that it always sells out we can never accommodate everyone who wants to buy a table.

So the sooner we give people the chance to book, the less they can moan at us.

Also, we like to give everyone decent notice regarding the lobbying period, which will start when we announce the 2009 categories (in about two weeks) and closes in February.

By lobbying, you can make sure MCV considers fully whether or not you should be a Finalist.

After we've chosen the Finalists, it's all down to those 100 named judges from all corners of the business.

But, you're right, there won't be any shortage of further reminders...

EA SPORTS' LATEST SIGNING And congratulations to Electronic Arts for snaffling John Rosenblatt as its new EA Sports senior marketing director for Europe.

Coincidentally, we argued long and hard as to where he should fit in our ‘Fantasy Publisher’ (see page 17), so it’s little wonder that EA has swooped to sign the Eidos and Ubisoft vet to lead the marketing charge for big hitters like FIFA. michael.french@intentmedia.co.uk

Microsoft declares victory over PlayStation 3 in territory’s key regions as

by Tim Ingham MICROSOFT has claimed that Xbox 360 is outselling PS3 in the UK and across Europe – as the console cruises past seven million sales in EMEA. The firm told MCV this week that the combination of Xbox 360’s September price cut and blanket Q4 marketing had helped the console begin to beat PS3 in European “swing states” in which it had traditionally struggled.

And Xbox European boss David Gosen even admitted that Microsoft’s Entertainment and Devices division had pledged the biggest marketing spend in its history – “hundreds of millions of dollars” – on a wide-reaching Q4 campaign that is already dominating UK TV ad breaks in the lead-up to Christmas.

The company last released a European sales figure for Xbox 360 in June, when it told MCV that it had shifted five million units in EMEA. Now that number has grown by two million – and has been greatly affected by September’s price reduction, which saw the 360 Arcade SKU reduced to just £169.99 (€239).

Gosen told MCV: “We’re spending more money on [Q4] marketing than we’ve ever

invested before – almost to the degree that we would to launch a new console.

“That’s many hundreds of millions of dollars across the region, to get the brands out there. Since the price cut, our weekly UK sales volume has been more than double PS3.”

European interactive entertainment boss Chris Lewis added: “In Italy, we were double PS3’s sales last week. In France and Germany we are at

Countdown begins to biggest Big night rewarding stars of the UK games industry returns on Thursday, THE COUNTDOWN to the biggest night on the industry calendar starts here.

Next year’s MCV Industry Excellence Awards will take place on the evening of Thursday April 23rd at The Brewery, Chiswell Street, London.

Awards will once again be split across three categories, namely Retail, PR & Marketing and People & Industry.

There will also be a Special Recognition Award voted exclusively by the MCV Retail Advisory Board, which is made up of the leading games retailers in the UK. Over 650 representatives from all corners of the UK games industry are expected to attend, including all leading retail accounts.

“From our popular Star Store award to the most prestigious

of all, the Grand Prix, every MCV award is hugely sought after,” said MCV editor-in-chief, Michael French.

“An MCV award is hard to win, which is one of the reasons they mean so much.

And it the industry itself that does the voting, so everyone is involved.”

Over 100 named judges will choose the winners of the 2009 awards.

A

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NEWS

pole position EMEA installed base reaches seven million

UK records [PRE ORDERS] historic game TOP 10 RESISTANCE 2 release week PS3 SONY

...and GFK-ChartTrack says it’s going to get even better before Christmas 2. ROCK BAND 2 (SOLUS) 360 ......................................................EA

3. LEFT 4 DEAD 360 ......................................................EA

“

4. TOMB RAIDER: UNDERWORLD PS3..................................................EIDOS

We’re spending more money on Q4 marketing than ever before – as much as a console launch.

5. TOMB RAIDER: UNDERWORLD 360..................................................EIDOS

6. ANIMAL CROSSING: TO THE CITY WII ............................................NINTENDO

David Gosen, Microsoft

”

STRIDING FORWARD: Microsoft’s David Gosen (above) has told MCV that Xbox 360 has reached seven million sales in Europe

or better than PS3 consistently now. We dominate in Russia and the Nordic countries and in Spain – a traditional Sony stronghold – we’re now outselling PS3. It bodes incredibly well for our Christmas prospects.”

When asked by MCV if Microsoft had pledged to double its third-party

publishing partners’ marketing spend for individual products in Q4 – so long as they promoted them with Xbox branding – Gosen added: “That’s confidential, but we will invest with partners where we see a real mutual benefit. If there’s an opportunity, we’ll evaluate it. And if it makes sense, we’ll find a way to do it.”

ever trade awards April 23rd Over 600 expected to attend

For preferential seating or sponsorship options, contact Jodie.Holdway@bhpr.co.uk

7. NFS: UNDERCOVER PS3 ......................................................EA

8. LIPS (INCLUDING 2 MICROPHONES) 360 ..........................................MICROSOFT EXPLOSIVE START: Activision Blizzard’s COD: World At War enjoyed the third biggest ever debut week for a game

THE UK enjoyed its biggest ever release period this week, as new titles Call Of Duty: World At War and World Of Warcraft: Wrath Of The Lich King both made history.

According to official UK sales monitor ChartTrack, this week’s software market value stood at £70.16 million, up 35 per cent on the previous week, whilst unit sales grew 37 per cent.

Total UK market value (including hardware and software) was £77.9 million – up 25.8 per cent on the previous week’s £57.8 million.

Compared to weeks one to 46 last year, this year’s software market has grown 26.2 per cent in value and 14.7 in units.

“We put 101 new products on our system for week 46 – which is almost unheard of,” GFKChartTrack director Dorian

Bloch told MCV. “In terms of the size of the week, it was the tenth biggest ever in terms of units and eighth biggest week ever in terms of value – but the biggest ever in terms of new releases.

“Such a huge amount of new releases should really stimulate the market – and momentum should now build now every week up to the end of the year.”

Call Of Duty: World At War took the No.1 spot in the ELSPA/GFKChartTrack All Formats list, becoming the third biggest selling game ever, behind GTA IV and GTA: San Andreas.

World Of Warcraft: Wrath Of The Lich King claimed the second spot after recording the second fastest ever sales week for a PC game – toppling Championship Manager 4, which has held the accolade since 2003.

9. LEFT 4 DEAD PC ........................................................EA

10. SOCOM: U.S. NAVY SEALS PS3 ..................................................SONY Week ending November 15th Source: SHOPTO.COM

[MARKET VALUE]

£77.9m 70

60

50

40

30

20

10

£47.3m

£57.8m

£77.9m

1,869,095 Units

2,225,207 Units

3,041,931 Units

Week Ending October 31st

Week Ending November 7th

Week Ending November 15th

0

Total UK Software Sales Source: ELSPA/ChartTrack and Intent Media

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NEWS

Retail continues to be vital for MMO success, says Blizzard Online giant believes traditional retail still has a place as Lich King becomes UK’s fastest-selling PC game

by Jonathon Harker BLIZZARD has told MCV that it is the MMO firm’s retail relationships – not necessarily its strengths in the online space – which have driven its recent successes.

Last week’s release of expansion World of Warcraft:

“

that saw the title feature on BBC One’s breakfast news, GMTV and in national papers.

And one of Blizzard’s most senior execs told MCV that it wouldn’t have been possible without Activision’s retail power.

“I think Activision has the strongest sales and marketing

I believe that Activision has the strongest sales and marketing organisation in the games industry.

Paul Sams, Blizzard

Wrath of the Lich King made it to second in the GFK All Formats Chart this week – and it’s now the fastest selling PC game of all time in the UK. The game launched at over 15,000 midnight opening events around the world last Thursday to almost unprecedented media coverage

”

organisation in the industry.

That’s my opinion and was one of the key reasons that made the merger really attractive from our perspective,” Blizzard COO Paul Sams said.

“When we launched The Burning Crusade we had between five and six thousand midnight openings. Under the

Pinnacle signs 1C TOP RUSSIAN publisher 1C has signed up with Pinnacle Software to bring a number of its leading PC games to the UK market in 2009.

The first agreement is for the critically acclaimed RTS XIII Century: Death or Glory, which will reach UK shores in Q1 2009. It will be followed by 12 budget titles, which include Vivisector, World War I, Parkan II, Freight Tycoon, Border Zone and Desert Law. “We are extremely happy to be forming this partnership with 1C on these titles,” said Pinnacle Software MD Peter Sleeman. “We believe XIII will continue its vast European success in the UK. The high profile budget range provides

SLEEMAN: The Pinnacle boss reveals the firm’s latest signing

hours of quality gaming at a price crunching and affordable cost to the consumer.”

The 12 budget titles are priced at £4.99 each, and will be released in three batches in Q1. XIII Century: Death of Glory will retail for £19.99.

Pinnacle: 020 8309 3600

RETAIL STORM: Blizzard COO Paul Sams tells MCV how tradional retail is still key for the publisher

new regime we’re nearer 15,000,” Sams explained.

The online giant will be offering The Wrath of the Lich King by download, but only after a period of exclusivity for retail – which it says is ever more important to the firm:

“The relationship we have with retail globally is exceptionally important and they’re helpful in building word of mouth and buzz for a product – it helps generate excitement and enthusiasm.

We still have a tremendous

amount of sales at retail so it’s imperative to us and will continue to be for a long time.

“People talk about a switch to digital, but retail is a strong partner for us and will be for a long time.”

Blizzard: 020 3060 1081

COLLECTOR’S OVERKILL HITS RETAIL IN Q1 2009 MCV CAN exclusively reveal that Sega will release a special collector’s edition of forthcoming House of the Dead Overkill when the title arrives early next year.

The collector’s edition will be available from selected retailers and includes a graphic novel and an exclusive limited edition slipcase.

“The graphic novel shows off the great art style and adult content of the game,” explained Sega UK senior product manager Joanne Fawell. “It’s a must have for any fan.”

Sega: 020 8995 3399

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NEWS

TRADE BULLETIN

Indies get publisher promos Grainger Games besieged by WWE fans at event Sony launches LittleBig indie comp

by Christopher Dring

LITTLEBIGPRIZES THQ PROVED that not all publishers have turned their backs on the independent community last week, with big name WWE stars visiting Grainger Games in Newcastle to promote WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2009.

The event was greeted by a huge queue of fans, with the first 400 getting the opportunity to meet wrestlers Cody Rhodes and Kelly Kelly.

“It’s fantastic that a publisher has given an independent and growing company the opportunity to host a big event in Newcastle rather than let it go to a national chain,” enthused Grainger Games’ Tony Blenkinsop.

“The queues started before lunch time on Thursday. WWE fans had brought with them loads of wrestling merchandise to be signed, including T-shirts and replica WWE belts. By 3pm the queues were phenomenal, stretching through the Metrocentre. One fan, who was at the head of

WWE STARS: Kelly Kelly and Cody Rhodes pose with the staff of Grainger Games’ Newcastle store at the WWE launch event

the queue, had been there since 8am before our staff had even arrived to open the store.

The first 400 fans were given tickets to see the wrestlers and Grainger Games gave away over 200 gift bags, containing WWE T-shirts.

“Grainger Games would like to take this opportunity to thank THQ and the stars of

WWE for making this visit possible.”

WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2009 was released on November 7th on DS, PS2, PS3, PSP, Wii and Xbox 360, and reached fifth in the ChartTrack All Formats Top 40.

THQ: 01483 767656

SCEE and CentreSoft have also teamed up in support of indies, offering one lucky independent the chance to win a four-night trip to Las Vegas.

To enter, stores must design a new level for LittleBigPlanet that is at least 90 seconds long, featuring Centresoft and Sony brands plus the retailer’s logo.

The level must include a host of features to qualify.

The competition runs until December 19th, with the designer of the best level winning four-nights at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas. Two runners up will win a PSP 3000.

CentreSoft commercial director Margaret Pearson said: “Our independent retailers are always very enthusiastic about taking part in competitions and I’m sure the levels they submit will be excellent.”

LittleBigPlanet product manager Claire Backhouse added: “This competition will give indie retailers the chance to be part of the LittleBigPlanet community.”

Indies wishing to take part should contact their Sony representative at CentreSoft.

MK set to fight its Traffic flies high way into the charts WITH SOUL Calibur IV and Smash Bros. both topping the charts this year, Midway is confident Mortal Kombat vs.

DC Universe can make it a hat trick of comebacks for the beat ‘em up genre.

The latest Mortal Kombat hits retail today (November 21st), and brand manager Mark Cook says it capitalises on the return of the genre.

“Super Smash Bros. was a fantastic game, Soul Calibur did very well, Street Fighter is clearly a big one next year, and we shouldn’t forget Tekken,” said Cook. “I think there is a

COOK: The MK brand manager sees a revisit for beat ‘em ups

resurgence in the genre, especially compared to recent years where other genres such as FPS have dominated.”

Midway: 020 7382 7720

JUST FLIGHT has released the latest instalment in what it says is the flight sim genre’s equivalent to Mario, Traffic.

The series sold over 20,000 units in the UK alone in 2005 and latest release Traffic X is set to follow that success, according to the publisher.

This latest iteration from the eight year-old Traffic series FORD: Just Flight’s publishing contains over 1,700 different aircraft variants based on more director introduces Traffic X “The Traffic series is to than 80 aircraft models and Flight Simulator what the will capitalise on the huge fan Mario series is to Nintendo,” base the series enjoys, marketing manager Scott according to Just Flight: “The Phillips told MCV. “It’s the series has become a relative first title that Flight Simulator phenomenon within the Flight customers add to their Sim community,” publishing shopping list.” director Alex Ford enthused.

OUT 21st NOVEMBER PC-DVD and Mac

This Parts Pack includes over 100 new creature building components and animations themed in two distinct styles: cute/cartoon and scary/monster. Similar to The Sims 2 Stuff Pack series, the Parts Pack adds new content aimed at creative users who want to further customize their creatures, and make the scariest monsters or cutest critters possible.

OUT 21st NOVEMBER Wii and Nintendo DS

Skate It unleashes the Flickit revolution on the Nintendo Wii and NDS. Use the Wii Remote or the NDS stylus to string together your sickest tricks for the ultimate line. Deepen the gameplay experience by planting your feet on the Wii Balance board. Ride with the pros, own the best spots in San Vanelona, and rake in sponsorships on your path to becoming Thrasher Magazine’s Skater of the Year.

OUT 21st NOVEMBER PS2, PS3, PSP, Xbox 360, PC-DVD, Wii, Nintendo DS

Race into an action-packed story of pursuit and betrayal. Fight off the cops and others as you chase down your prey in high-speed, high stake multi-car chases.

Trust no one. Outrun everyone.

ea.com

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Crowded shelves spark budget boom Number of full-priced PC titles is on the wane as publishers are opting for the ‘straight-to-budget’ model

by Jonathon Harker INCREASINGLY packed shelf space filled with triple-A titles has led many PC publishers to bypass the full price market by releasing their titles at budget prices.

The rise of casual gaming, fierce competition from major

“

Williams told MCV that the change comes as publishers look to balance budgets of console SKUs against PC ones: “Publishers who cannot make the grade tend to look for that midpoint price level now as there are fewer ‘destination’ titles driving retail footfall to compete with.

Publishers are looking to the midpoint price level as there are fewer destination titles to compete with.

Garry Williams, Mastertronic

publishers and increasing space for budget at retail has made the area more attractive.

Mastertronic business development director Garry

RISE OF BUDGET: Mastertronic’s Garry Williams, Focus’ Grant Hughes and Avanquest’s Simon Reynolds

”

“I think that there may be a time when the rollercoaster revenue rides of console publishing dictate that whole development teams have to

work flat out on the expensive console version of the game,” Williams added, speculating that PC-based counterparts of console games will dry up.

Focus PR and marketing manager Grant Hughes added that merchandising units specific to budget are being

eyed by many as they ensure games get a good exposure: “Shelf space is continually being squeezed, so straight-to-budget is becoming an attractive option for those launching casual and kids’ games.”

Simon Reynolds, European games director at Avanquest

Capcom is looking for 2 dynamic professionals to play a key role in its expansion plan within Europe.

Consistently at the forefront of videogames with some of the industry’s highest quality and most loved original properties such as Resident Evil, Devil May Cry and Street Fighter, as well as new IP’s Lost Planet and Dead Rising, Capcom is the place to be. You’ll be working alongside some of the greatest development talent in the industry and they’ll want you to play an integral role in shaping the entertainment content of the future.

2 European Product Managers Reporting into the European Marketing Managers (EMMs), you will have day to day responsibility for devising marketing plans for some of our leading brands across Europe.

You’ll also be responsible for supporting the EMMs in building industry leading campaigns, driving forecasts and ultimately delivering commercial success for Capcom.

Working closely with some of the best development talent from around the world, you’ll be empowered to get results, challenge convention and put your stamp on the company.

You’ll be hard working, innovative, organised but creative and have a sound knowledge of the marketing discipline with a keen interest in on-line and community. With 1-2 years of product marketing (preferably in an International/European dept) experience, you’ll be keen to take your career to the next level within a company that is going places. A second language is preferred but not essential.

All positions offer competitive industry salaries as well as attractive benefits.

If you are interested in any of the above positions please send your CV and covering letter to: Rebecca George, HR Manager, rebecca.george@capcomeuro.com

© CAPCOM U.S.A., INC. 2008 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

added that budget is booming because of an increasingly cramped market: “Titles do come out at budget price, especially with the increase of casual releases, but this is because of market forces and the fact that there isn’t room at full price.”

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Hello Kitty chases girl gamers EMPIRE has lined up a marketing campaign designed to make its Hello Kitty title the ‘must have’ game for girls this Christmas.

The game marks the first time Hello Kitty has appeared in her own game on the DS, something Empire hopes to capitalise on. A huge part of the push will involve a direct mail campaign via Love Film’s children, family and teen movies, with flyers promoting Hello Kitty Big City sent to customers during one of the DVD rental service’s busiest periods in December.

The game will also feature on both the Nintendo official website and the Wii’s Nintendo Channel – supported by exclusive trailers and images.

Hello Kitty has also scored the cover of Future’s Girl Gamer magazine, which is inserted into Mizz, Bliss and online with Official Nintendo Magazine. The game also features in kids’ mag NG Kids this month. Empire has also booked online banners on girls’ lifestyle sites.

Empire plans to keep momentum rolling after the game’s November 28th release with a PR campaign targeting the girls’ press. The title will also be further promoted postChristmas with a television campaign running across major children’s TV channels.

“Hello Kitty is the must-have girl’s game this year,” said Empire’s Rob Lightbody. “It is the gift every little girl will be looking for under the Christmas tree.”

Empire: 020 8343 7337

Sponsored by

New games site on the way from Imagine [IN BRIEF] Publisher to challenge likes of Games Radar, IGN and Gamespot

by Michael French IMAGINE Publishing reckons it can teach the likes of Gamespot, IGN, and Games Radar a thing or two with the launch of NowGamer.com.

The new site, which goes live next month, will offer news and reviews, but also promises special closelyguarded features which MD Damian Butt said the firm will unveil in the coming weeks.

“NowGamer is our first major gaming portal, our ‘supersite’,” he told MCV. “It’s been over a year in development and we have put aside a substantial investment sum to launch it.”

Butt said readers and rivals will be surprised by what NowGamer has to offer.

“From the outset we wanted something that was cleaner and more mature than other sites; something we as Imagine would be proud of.

We didn’t want to do go down the teen-focused route, which a lot of other sites do – those sites do my head in and are really hard to read, and are hard to navigate.

“NowGamer is easy to access – something that

IMAGINE: Publisher boss Butt tells MCV about new web venture – NowGamer

“

NowGamer has been in development over a year and is our first major gaming portal – this is our ‘supersite’.

Damian Butt, Imagine

doesn’t give you a headache when you read it,” added Butt, describing many of NowGamer’s rivals as “a nightmare to decipher”.

Imagine will use its print expertise to good effect: “Print is our heartland, yes, but we do understand online.

“Day one we will launch with 100,000 articles from our

”

back catalogue – we have so much content ready to go.

Even though we are seen as late to the party, we will be there with just as much great content as anyone else. And the cool, extra functions we will offer and will unveil soon are what will keep people reading and coming back to us.”

Imagine: 01202 586200

EA: The publishing colossus has unveiled EA SPORTS Active – the first in a line of fitness products. The Wii exclusive will be available next spring around the globe and features a ’30 Day Challenge’ where players aim to reach fitness targets with the help of a virtual personal trainer.

SOLD OUT: The budget publisher has brought Codemasters’ Clive Barker’s Jericho to the value PC market this week. Priced at £9.99, the publisher is hoping it will repeat the success of the original release, which notched up over 100,000 unit sales.

UBISOFT: The French publisher’s Far Cry 2 has sold over one million units worldwide in less than three weeks. The fierce first person shooter sequel is available on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC. TIGA: Independent software developer Endrant Studios has joined national trade association TIGA. Kent-based Endrant Studios is currently hard at work on Activision’s new multiplatform Wolfenstein game.

MICROSOFT: Gears of War 2 managed to shift over two million units in its opening weekend. The title is, according to Microsoft, set to be one of the biggest releases on this generation of consoles.

Kalypso set to grow PUBLISHER Kalypso has told MCV that acquiring IP from Take 2 and opening a new studio is just the first step in plans to grow its business, with more product signings and development deals ahead.

The firm established Realmforge Studios in Munich with developer Boxed Studios last week. Adventure title Ceville is the first game from the team, releasing on PC next February. Kalypso is planning

to double the size of the studio next year, with a management sim slated for release next Q4.

Meanwhile, the publisher also acquired the rights to strategy franchise Tropico from Take 2. A third iteration of the series is slated for next year.

“We are keen to secure strong titles over the next year and we see the studio acquisition as a natural progression,” said Kalypso UK MD Andy Johnson.

“Although we’re a small company, we’ve a proven track record of delivering strong titles and sales globally. We work closely with our strategic partners and have total focus on our products with few distractions other than marketing, PR and sales.

Johnson added: “We have signed other titles, offering a strong, more comprehensive release schedule for next year.”

Kalypso: 0116 242 4130

LATEST NEWS STRAIGHT TO YOUR MOBILE Bookmark us in your phone:

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NEWS ANALYSIS: IPOD’S GAMING GAMBIT

SCREENING PROCESS: Apple has been talking up the advantages its multi-touch touchscreen and bigger screen has over rivals like the Nintendo DS

APPLE PLANTS ITS SEED With over 1,000 titles available to download and a loud marketing campaign backing it, Apple is taking its iPod games strategy deadline seriously. But why should the industry care? Develop’s Ed Fear spoke to Greg Josiwak, Apple’s head of iPhone and iPod marketing, to find out…

GIVEN ITS previously dismissive attitude towards the games industry, it was quite a surprise to last week hear the Californian technology giant finally – and clearly – state that it was officially out to dominate the portable gaming arena with the iPod Touch and its bigger brother the iPhone.

Cynicism towards its plans wouldn’t be unfair, especially from those who dabbled with Apple’s half-hearted attempts to feature games on its previous iPod models. But, explains head of iPhone and iPod marketing Greg Josiwak, the open nature of the iPhone platform means that this is a whole different beast.

LOSING CONTROL “Well, it was a much more controlled environment for click-wheel iPods. This is different – we've opened up Apps, and we’ve had a lot of takers. That we’ve accumulated 1,500 games in such a short order is pretty amazing. It’s all in our marketing – we talk about this being ‘the funnest iPod ever’ – music, movies and games.

“You see our TV advertisments now – we’re showing the gaming aspects of it because it’s so clear that people want to do that with this product. We’ve got people playing these games and buying the iPod Touch to play these games. I think it’s a tremendous opportunity for us, for our customers, and for developers and publishers,” he said.

While the iTunes-based exclusively digital content delivery model might not be ideal for retailers, Josiwak is keen to espouse the benefits over physical media for publishers.

“You know the challenges you face in distributing physical goods – licence; manufacture. You’ve got to worry about forecasting – what if you get it wrong? If you do too many, you’ve got returns coming back. If you do too few you haven’t satisfied demand – not to mention normal customer returns.

“

thinking publishers – the process is significantly more efficient, and therefore costs much less. Which means those costs can be passed on to the consumer: the average iPhone game price hovers somewhere between £2 and £6. Most of which is pure revenue.

“The apps get submitted to us, and you get to keep 70 per cent of revenue, with no hidden charges,” says Josiwak.

“It’s all handled in that 30 per cent.

Combine all of that together, and the proposition is a good one economically.”

It takes more commitment to buy a boxed game: you’ve got to go to a store, you’ve got to pay more money.

Greg Joswiak, Apple

“And what if you find you’ve got a bug in there? You have to pull the product back from the channel. It all adds up for a very expensive proposition for a developer, and as a result game titles are more expensive when in a physical form.”

As such, Apple’s digital distribution model benefits both the publisher and customer in more ways than mere convenience, says Joswiak. The argument is that by going digital exclusively – as opposed to the hybrid model seen by the more forward-

”

The fact that Apple’s games push is piggybacking off its sexiest iPod hardware yet is about more than just having a dedicated gaming machine out there – it will also propel the platform to far beyond the usual games player, broader even than Nintendo’s diverse userbase says Joswiak. The iPod Touch, he asserts, is the future of the iPod – and when that platform reaches the 100 million-plus audience that its predecessors have done, the potential to buy and play games will be just a few taps away from every one of those users.

“The App Store goes out to every customer – it’s on every iPod Touch; it’s on every iPhone,” he says. “So you’re hitting the entire space of people with a single tap of a button, all without having to leave their house. Maybe in the physical world it takes more commitment to buy a game: you’ve got to discover these things, you’ve got to go to a game store, you’ve got to pay a significantly bigger amount of money. So maybe that’s limiting your userbase common sense would say that having it out there on every device is an advantage.”

CHALLENGING THE COMPETITION Apple is also bullish when talking about the advantages of its games platform and its ability to provide a viable alternative to the PSP, and in particular the DS. During our meeting Josiwak holds the Nintendo and Apple machines side-by-side to highlight screen clarity.

“But it’s not just the screens,” he adds quickly, “the graphics capability, the computing power, the App distribution model [are all advantages]. I had an analyst tell me in September that the DS is the past of gaming devices, and the iPod Touch is the future of gaming devices – and he was so right.

It certainly has our competitors scrambling in what they’re going to do in reaction to this. It’s a tremendous start that we’re having at entering this gaming market, and there's no doubt that's happening – it just is.”

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MCV INTERVIEW SEAN BRENNAN, EUROPEAN MANAGING DIRECTOR, BETHESDA

Fallout Boy Bethesda Softworks has had a pretty good start, having set up in Europe as a standalone publisher just earlier this year. And it’s obviously in no small part down to this month’s million-selling smash hit Fallout 3.

Lisa Foster spoke to the publisher’s European Managing Director Sean Brennan…

Fallout 3 has been an great success for you. Can you walk us through the topline numbers, revenue figures, etc?

As a private company we don’t generally give out financial information, I’m afraid. Our target unit ship-out was 750,000 for the UK/Eire and we came very close to that. If Paul Oughton had spent less time eating cakes we may have sold more.

Have sales been in line with your expectations so far?

Yes, sell-through in week one hit our forecast and we expect the product life cycle to be extend to nine months at least, following a similar pattern to Elder Scrolls: Oblivion.

Which territories have been particularly successful for you?

The UK, US, Australia and Nordic countries have been the best performers to date. We’ve not done so well in Chernobyl, though.

How are you looking to maintain sales going forward?

Word of mouth will spread from the hardcore opinion formers to the wider market first of all. Quality is always paramount. Promotional activity at retail and above-the-line will continue to Christmas and the downloadable content and add-on discs will help maintain a consistent sales pattern.

How do you feel about the Christmas season this year?

The release schedule appears to be even more packed than ever…

For next-gen consoles and PC in particular it’s not a question of the volume of releases – as there is still a lot of crap out there

– but the sheer quality of the big hitters. 9/10 reviews are ubiquitous for Fallout 3. Our key advantage is that we are not just another FPS... and our game won’t be completed in a few days and traded in! Thank the Lord we are not trying to compete on other formats at this time of year.

There have been some aggressive price promotions at retail on key new releases recently. Has Fallout 3 been affected by this? And what are your thoughts generally on the price cutting of new releases?

We have been affected by this as Fallout is such a key title. In a free market

“

Australia and Germany in particular and had some issues initially with the BBFC. The key concern was ensuring the game delivered on all the promises to consumers, which I think we achieved.

We would certainly like to see one unitary system.

Going forward, what do you have lined up for 2009 and beyond? Can you maintain this momentum?

We have a number of key releases from our internal studio and from third parties, with the emphasis on quality not quantity. We are not setting release dates until we ascertain what quality threshold we can reach. Anything less

Anything less than an average 85 per cent score is meaningless to us. We’d delay products to achieve it.

Given the fact that Fallout 3 had some issues in certain territories regarding classification, what are your thoughts on the PEGI versus BBFC scenario?

Would you prefer one system over another?

We have worked hard to get the game rated in

You signed a long-term development agreement with Splash Damage earlier this year. Are there any more details on this project? And is your general strategy to sign deals with studios, rather than acquiring development outfits?

Our strategy is a mixed portfolio of third party development deals and acquisitions to bolster internal development. We are just waiting for the right deal to present itself on the acquisition front. Splash Damage was a great deal for us as those guys ooze quality... even though they are based south of the river

than an average 85 score is meaningless on Bethesda-branded products. We will delay releases until we are confident we can achieve this. As a private, cash rich company we are able to do this, which gives us a unique advantage over publically traded competitors.

Last year your parent company Zenimax invested $300m in Bethesda and at the time it was suggested that much of this would be used to fund a move into the MMO sector. Is that still the case? Are there anymore details on this?

We are remaining typically tight lipped on the MMO at the moment. Most of the $300 million will be invested in retail product rather than the MMO though. And a significant portion of that will be here in Europe.

Compared with many other publishers, you appear to have a strategy of releasing fewer titles per year. What benefits – and problems – does this bring?

The mantra is quality over quantity – clichéd but true. We shipped 4.7 million units globally on one product with Fallout 3. That is more than many publishers ship in a lifetime on their entire catalogue. The key problem with this approach is that you need to guarantee a highly-rated product and

You’ve got the likes of Jerry Bruckheimer and MGM’s Harry E Sloan on your Board. That must give you good access to Hollywood movie licences? Are licensed-based games going to play a big part in your long-term strategy?

We have access to a lot of licences, although most of them are not that interesting for us. The moment you have a licence, consumers are often reminded of their previous bad experiences and then you face an uphill

Sean Brennan, Bethesda

economy there is little we can do to alleviate this. My personal belief is that the price promotions from retail are a year early and consumers would pay more for the top titles – although in the current economic recession this may be less valid. Our industry may be somewhat insulated but it does not exist in a vacuum.

back this up with substantial marketing support or you can’t compete. The key advantage is that you can have long holidays inbetween – I wish.

”

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NU-CLEAR THINKING: Bethesda European MD Sean Brennan says the publisher will not let quality drop in the wake of Fallout 3’s release

FALLOUT 3: THE STORY SO FAR struggle from the start to change their minds. We prefer creating original IP which has more value. However, certain licences are appealing if they are well established and match our core values. I would still like to enter the driving genre in a big way – with a well established cult brand like Driving Miss Daisy...

And finally, is it true that Wonder Woman is related to Bethesda?

Yes, Linda as we call her (Linda Carter) is married to our chairman Robert Altman. And no, before you ask, I have not seen her in her famous costume in the office – despite constant requests on my part.

After being released in Europe on October 31st, Bethesda’s Fallout 3 has garnered amazing critical and commercial success at an incredibly congested time for games releases.

The press reaction has been unprecented, with a 93 per cent average review rating on Metacritic.

The game did so well, it’s now placed as the ninth highest-ever rated 360

game; eighth in the PS3 list. A number of top publications gave the title full marks and glowing praise. Even the notoriously hard to please Eurogamer reported: ‘Fallout 3 almost effortlessly succeeds in its central aim of reviving a much-loved brand to appeal to the vast majority of players.

‘It’s a thrilling, all-consuming experience that will absorb you for

weeks, whether you’re attracted by the action, the adventure, or the role-playing, as you fall in love with the relentless excitement, incredible atmosphere, sense of place and sheer choice.’

This was soon reflected in sales, as Fallout 3 crashed into the UK All Formats chart at number one – going on to sell over 4.5 million worldwide.

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MCV 21/11/08 17

FANTASY PUBLISHER: PART THREE

MCV’s dream team: UK We’ve carefully mulled over which individuals our perfect publishing house would employ – on a global, European and UK level. In this third and final feature, we present MCV’s fantasy team for our British office…

GENERAL MANAGER: DAVID YARNTON, NINTENDO For the top, we go Down Under. With all Nintendo’s recent success, cynicism dictates that it should be easy to sneer at their UK boss.

However, Yarnton’s infective cheer, enviable experience and hugely respected standing ensures this would never happen; all qualities we’d adore having at the top of our UK office.

If we ever managed to get him on side (which we wouldn’t, but we’re fantasising here), Yarnton would hopefully reward us with his famed company loyalty. He has been with Nintendo for 13 years, first joining Nintendo Australia in March 1995. During his time in Oz, in charge of sales and marketing, he launched the N64, GBA SP and GameCube in the region.

Since joining Nintendo UK as General Manager in October 2003, Yarnton has steered the company into the most successful era in its long history – ensuring huge first-party software success and maintaining fantastic retail relations en route.

Second Interview: Andrew Brown (Activision), Ray Maguire (Sony), Rod Cousens (Codemasters), Keith Ramsdale (EA), Rob Cooper (Ubisoft)

MARKETING DIRECTOR: STEPHEN McGILL, MICROSOFT

SALES DIRECTOR: JOHN CLARK, SEGA

If you’re wondering why you can’t go a day without key Xbox 360 messaging popping up in front of your eyes, it’s largely down to Stephen McGill.

From Microsoft’s Leicester Square extravaganza during London Games Festival to the firm’s sponsoring of the Xbox 360/MCV fivea-side football tournament, McGill is a master of promoting the benefits of the console and its software both to Johnny Consumer and the core retail community.

This relationship with the trade has resulted in an incredible reaction to major Xbox moments: note the retail reaction, and subsequent sales lift, the console enjoys after every price cut and/or major game release.

He’s currently excelling at Sega, but Clark’s record at former employer Eidos wasn’t too bad either; overseeing not only the resurgence in popularity for Lara Croft, but also Hitman’s golden period and the shock success of BattleStations: Midway.

Since joining Sega, his handling of major titles such as Football Manager has been exceptional, but, of course, his real epic achievement has been Sonic & Mario At The Olympic Games. Sales have been phenomenal, making the title a permanent resident in the Wii top ten in 2008.

Now, thanks to some smart bundle deals with retailers, it’s even a shock Christmas No.1 contender – over a year after it was released.

Second Interview: Dawn Paine (Nintendo), David Tyler (Activision), Gary Booker (EA), Jon Rosenblatt (Ubisoft), Alan Duncan (Sony)

Second Interview: Darren Bowen (Ubisoft), Jonathan Grimes (Microsoft), James Dixon (THQ), Matt Castle (Disney), Andy Yates (Nintendo)

MARKETING MANAGER: DAN HOLMAN, EA

SALES MANAGER: DOUG BONE, SQUARE ENIX

It’s a perfect time for us to hire Holman, fresh after he managed the striking release of FIFA 09 – which became the first football title to top a million UK sales in its debut week.

Although his specialism is in sports, Holman holds many vital transferable skills – handling huge brands, working with major commercial representatives and aiming titles at a true family audience – which would suit a whole range of software.

Juggling the rights to FIFA, the Premier League, NBA, NHL, John Madden, NFL and more is no easy feat – and we’d be sure to tap into Holman’s skill in this area when it came to our licensed titles.

Bone would probably laugh in our face at the offer of our mere manager’s job – he’s an established sales director these days.

But his incredible knowledge of the Japanese software market – and handling of Far Eastern titles that succeed in the UK – would be invaluable. That, alongside his ability to keep sales flowing on major releases (Final Fantasy XII and, more recently, Crisis Core are both great examples) make him a very attractive proposition.

As a former ‘go-to guy’ for games at Woolworths and HMV, his list of contacts within the retail business is another string to his bow, and one most publishers would happily pay handsomely for.

Second Interview: Rob Lowe (Nintendo), Jon Brooke (Eidos), Adam Boita (Sony), Rosie Dalton (Konami), Ali Mitchell (505 Games), Jo Fawell (Sega)

Second Interview: Ralph Pitt-Stanley (505 Games), Annabel Wallace (Capcom), Rob Gross (Black Bean), Sam Collins (Ghostlight), Richard Stickler (Gem)

BRAND MANAGER: LUCY GARNETT, SONY Following her promotion earlier this year, it might be a little difficult to tempt Garnett over. But her very impressive handling of SingStar not only shows she can skillfully promote a premium brand to both a family and core audience – but also that she has a long-enriched understanding of the casual market from its very beginnings.

Second Interview: Simon Wells (Activision), Claire Ridley (EA), Simon Turner (2K)

TRADE MARKETING MANAGER: ROSEMARY BUAHIN, WARNER BROS Buahin’s natural repartee with retailers up and down the UK would be an absolute Godsend to any publisher – something Warner realised when they snapped her up from PlayStation earlier this year. Her ability to get Sony’s console and first-party titles eye-catching space at retail was second-to-none; something she’s continued in her new role.

Second Interview: Claire Brown (Sega), Oliver Birch (Pinnacle), Amy Curtin (Koch)

HEAD OF PR: ROB SAUNDERS Show us a journalist who dislikes Rob Saunders and we’ll show you a personality disorder. More to the point, show us a PR who can boast that sort of warm regard without kissing goodbye to credibility (or their own personality) and we’ll show you a very rare breed.

Saunders has a well-earned reputation as an Honest Joe – telling journos what they require without compromising Nintendo’s corporate realities.

He’s also a smart spokesperson and never one to shy away from a serious workload. Sign that man up.

Second Interview: Andy Irving (Microsoft), Simon Smith-Wright (EA), Lee Kirton (Atari), Rich Eddy (Codemasters), Kate Ward (Activision)

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PROFILE: NCSOFT WEST

Company of Heroes Last week we revealed that marketing boss Dirk Metzger has returned to NCsoft as part of the restructured NCsoft West. He spoke to Christopher Dring to reveal more about the MMO publisher’s plans for Europe…

What brought you back to NCsoft?

At the risk of sounding cheesy, the honest answer is the people and the products. NCsoft West has made some significant changes and the team they’ve put in place is a group of extremely smart, passionate and focused individuals who I enjoy working with.

That type of drive is infectious and makes you want to be a part of it.

In terms of the product line-up for the next three to five years, there is no other games publisher I’d rather be working for right now, and no MMO publisher better equipped to dominate that space. MMO gaming is still in its infancy – it’s just fun to be working on the front line of an emerging market.

You mention the line-up of games there; tell us a bit more about what games are on the way.

The next big thing we are working towards in 2009 is the launch of Aion.

Aion is a large fantasy MMO that combines the best qualities of Eastern-

“

There are also very exciting products in development in our studios here and in our Korean studios, all of which we will talk about more when the time is right.

We are also continuing to update our current products from Korea including Lineage, Lineage II and Exteel. All of these products, with their various genres and business models, will solidify NCsoft’s position as the premier publisher and developer of triple-A MMO games.

How do you feel about the prospects of NCsoft West? How will it change the operation in the UK? I am excited. Originally NCsoft in North America and in Europe was a company that had tremendous growth over quite a short period of time. Now that everything has settled down a little there’s been some time to take stock of where the company is from a global perspective and take some measures to fine tune. NCsoft West has a much stronger global focus now in all areas of

MMOs have broken the perceived lifecycle of a product and challenged the normal approach to retail, marketing, price and product sustainability.

Dirk Metzger, NCsoft West

style MMOs, meaning highly detailed visuals and a focus on style and design, with much more Western actionoriented quest-based gameplay. It doesn’t ship until next year, but already looks and plays great, and was very well received at both Leipzig and PAX. We have some exciting updates planned for the City of Heroes franchise, including a groundbreaking feature called Mission Architect, which I think really is MMO2.0.

Since we took over the IP, that team has done some amazing things and has one of the strongest communities in the MMO industry.

”

the business. The NCsoft West operation which runs out of the Brighton office will benefit from these changes, as all strategy, support and development will have a much more cohesive global focus. Bottom line, this consolidation of our businesses helps NCsoft have a more unified organisation with its Western markets and will provide a more dedicated focus towards becoming the world’s premier publisher of MMOs. And what of the Brighton, UK office run

by NCSoft West?

The NCsoft office based in Brighton still provides the same function it always has.

HEROIC MOVE: Metzger has taken the role of marketing VP at NCsoft West, and has tipped upcoming games like the City of Heroes revamp for greatness

The only major change was to the internal development studio. The major functions that the Brighton office facilitates and implements are sales and marketing, QA, localisation, creative services, community and customer support.

Do you anticipate NCsoft West to drive significant growth in the European territories?

As we know, Europe is a strong market for PC products and there is still massive potential to grow the business with the right product. Guild Wars has been amazingly successful and City of Heroes and Lineage II have had steady growth for the last three years. There’s also growth potential in the emerging Eastern European markets. In addition, we

believe Aion will have a positive impact on our business in all of those territories.

What kind of further influence do you think the MMO market will have on the business?

MMOs have broken the perceived lifecycle of a product and challenged the normal approach to retail, marketing, pricing and product sustainability. The launch, drop and move-on approach to product rollouts does not apply to MMOs. We don’t merely provide a product, we provide an ongoing service.

As MMOs move onto consoles there will be another upswing. It will be interesting to see what happens as more publishers get into the MMO space and which companies will make it stick and which won’t.

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SPECIAL FOCUS: SHARE PRICES

Stocks & scares THIS TIME last year we began to understand that US sub-prime mortgages had infected the entire financial system, bringing on an acute case of credit crunch. Markets have fallen ever since, as relief at the unprecedented global government assistance that’s been doled out at what’s left of the banking industry is tempered by fear of the sharp and likely deep recession ahead.

Games are said to be recession-proof, but you wouldn’t know it from the share prices of the leading US companies – investors have slapped the entire sector (bar Activision Blizzard) with a sub-prime rating. Forced selling by hedge funds, a return to the 1930s, and, more recently, weaker earnings due to dollar strength have all been blamed for a rout that’s taken EA back to 2000 levels: A post-millennium bug, or the buying opportunity of a lifetime?

(All prices are correct as of the close of business on November 13th 2008)

Owain Bennallack highlights the sagging share prices of the US’ leading games publishers…

TAKING A CLOSER LOOK AT THE FIGURES: While gaming has so far been largely immune to the credit crunch, share prices of top publishers have not been so fortunate

Share Price: $22.22 Market Cap: $7.1 billion High: $60.35 Low: $19.28 (52 Weeks) Down: 60 per cent (past 12 months)

Share Price: $12.57 Market Cap: $16.5 billion High: $19.28 Low: $9.41 (52 Weeks) Up: 21 per cent (past 12 months)

Share Price: $11.86 Market Cap: $829 million High: $27.95 Low: $10.77 (52 Weeks) Down: 31 per cent (past 12 months)

With Electronic Arts’ share price headed back towards the level it traded at when the 20th Century kicked off (adjusted for splits), CEO John Riccitiello’s pre-Halloween warning on October 30th that retailers were growing cautious – suggesting consumers were closing their wallets – further spooked investors. The shares fell 25 per cent in a day and have languished ever since, as investors weigh the success of Spore and Madden ’09 and new titles like EA Sports Active on Wii against higher costs. EA is cutting six per cent of its workforce, but Riccitiello insists he’s still bullish long-term.

Twice the company, Activision Blizzard’s combined value has held up since its merger formally completed to make it twice the size of former leader EA. Still, the share price is well off recent highs, despite better than expected Q3 earnings and a $1 billion share buyback plan.

Guitar Hero: On Tour is pouring money into the firm, and rival MTV winning the Beatles’ rights won’t matter much – there are plenty of valuable band brands around. Rather, investors will watch Christmas sales, WoW subscription numbers, and look for merger synergies, such as Asian inroads and the rollout of Blizzard’s online smarts.

Take 2 isn’t the first entertainment firm to create zeitgeisty products while being stalked by deeppocketed predators. GTA IV’s release may have been over-shadowed by EA’s pre-emptory bid attempt, but after EA walked away in September and T2’s share price cratered to below pre-bid levels, memories of Liberty City proved more enduring. Chairman Straus Zelnick insists the company’s development roster and financials are solid, but with the Housers’ contracts expiring next year a new bid can’t be discounted – particularly if the credit market thaws, freeing other firms to table an acquisition.

Share Price: $21.25 Market Cap: $189 billion High: $36.72 Low: $20.28 (52 Weeks) Down: 37 per cent (past 12 months)

Share Price: $0.37 Market Cap: $31.1 million High: $4.48 Low: $0.20 (52 Weeks) Down: 86 per cent

Share Price: $4.20 Market Cap: $497 million High: £29.94 Low: $3.99 (52 Weeks) Down: 85 per cent

Pundits point to Microsoft’s failed bid for Yahoo and the Google threat, but in reality the firm has all but followed the Nasdaq. With over $20 billion in cash reserves, Microsoft has only had secondorder effects to fear from the credit crunch.

Cutting the 360 price has boosted console sales.

In 2005, Midway Games’ share price passed $23, which puts the 86 per cent 12-month plunge into an even more horrific context. The company reported losses of $75 million and new chairman Peter Brown must hope cost-cutting and Mortal Kombat Vs DC Universe can lead a fightback.

Try telling THQ shareholders that games hold up in recessions. Another member of the 85 per cent-down-in-a-year club, THQ reported ballooning second quarter losses of $115 million.

The company plans to cut 250 jobs and development spend by $100 million.

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Marketing Activity Three-month PR Drive Two-month print campaign in women’s press Cradle of Rome & Colour Cross Two new easy to pick-up-and-play Nintendo DS games

For national account enquiries, please contact Mastertronic on: 0845 234 4242

For independent sales, please contact Advantage Distribution on: 0121 506 9585

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MYSTERY SHOPPER: WESTFIELD

Go West Two weeks ago, Europe’s biggest shopping centre opened its doors with considerable fanfare. MCV’s Mystery Shopper spent the afternoon in the brand new Westfield Centre to find out how it fares on the gaming front…

6/ 10

HMV TAKES one of the prime retail spots at Westfield, amongst the many first floor boutiques. At only one floor, however, it’s smaller than you might expect, but the gaming section takes up a fairly substantial part of it.

There were few staff around, and those we did manage to spot paced determinedly through the store, making it difficult to ask them for help. After ten minutes looking confused at the DS display (an expression we’d like to think we do pretty well, if usually unintentionally) no help was forthcoming, despite someone pottering around at a counter nearby.

When we did corner a sales assistant, she was reasonably well-informed. When asked if a PSP or DS would be more

appropriate for a young niece, she steered us to the DS. She pointed to the DS bundle with Big Brain Academy, but also recommended High School Musical 3, Bratz and any of the Mario games.

When we said that our niece had mentioned LocoRoco, she had to checked on the computer to discover it was a ‘PlayStation’ game.

When we asked if that might be a better choice, she persisted in recommending the DS, saying that it was better because it was portable, likely confusing the PSP for PS2 or PS3.

Aside from this slip-up and the difficulty in tracking down a member of staff, we were quite impressed the friendliness of our helper and how she performed, given the store’s wide remit.

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MYSTERY SHOPPER: WESTFIELD

PRIMARILY a toy shop, The Entertainer had a small Nintendo concession in the middle of the store selling DS and Wii games. There were very few staff around, and those who were seemed quite busy. We cornered a helper and asked him to recommend us a Wii game for a nephew.

His top tip was Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games, which he told us he owned and was good at getting everybody up and playing together. However it took him a while to find a copy, hidden behind another game in the badly organised and sparse display. He also pointed to Mario Party 8 and Wario Ware: Smooth Moves, again saying that they were good as titles suited to party play, and ignored

some of the more single-player focused games on the shelves such as The Legend of Zelda.

He also talked to us about Wii Music, which he told us would be in their warehouse the next day and should be in the store by that Friday, pointing out that it was supposed to be good.

Overall, the performance was relatively good given the store’s very small focus on games. But the selection was very limited – with the assistant even saying to us that if we wanted a better range we should head to the GAME around the corner. The focus on multiplayer gaming was also encouraging, given Nintendo’s promotion of experiences over games.

6/ 10

THE WHSMITH was similar to HMV, not just because they occupy the space above and below each other, but because they are smaller than you might expect in such a large mall.

Nevertheless, a corner of this store is marked as ‘WHSmith digital’. One wall of this section is dedicated to games, with a selection of the hottest titles.

After some time looking for someone to help, we grabbed a member of staff who seemed reticent to give us any advice. Posing as someone looking to buy an Xbox 360 shooter for a nephew, without asking his age we were recommended Fable 2 – resolutely not a shooter, despite the presence of guns, admittedly – and then Gears of War 2

and Call of Duty 4. The attendant clearly wanted to leave and so we thanked him and wandered off, still pulling our best confused face.

We were then approached by another person, this time more friendly. After asking the age – we said 16 – he recommended Gears of War 2 if our mythical relative’s parents didn’t mind him playing violent games. Apparently our nephew would ‘love us forever’ as Gears is brilliant, but brutal. He also pointed out Call of Duty 4 (although it’s ‘a year old’) and Fallout 3 (despite also being an ‘18’).

We were impressed with the second staff member’s attitude and knowledge, although disappointed it took so long before we were given assistance.

9/ 10

AS THE only specialist at Westfield, you’d expect GAME to lead the pack – and it did, by a considerable margin.

After looking at the Xbox 360 display for only a few seconds, we were approached by one member of staff.

We said we couldn’t decide whether to buy a PS3 or Xbox 360 for a nephew, to which the assistant said we should ‘flip a coin’. He said both had their advantages and disadvantages, but stated several times that, despite the 360’s stronger line-up of games, in time the PS3 will dominate.

He added that if you were buying for the future rather than for now, the PS3 would be a better choice.

After a short while we were approached again by a different

member of staff, and we asked the same question. He steered us to the 360, pointing out the low price of the Arcade and GAME’s free title bundle. He also reiterated the ‘PS3 will dominate’ line. He praised Xbox Live but admitted that it might not be appropriate for our 12 year-old nephew.

At this point, the first assistant came back over and, on hearing the age of our fictitious nephew, agreed that the 360 would be the better machine, as ‘all his friends would have it’. Both agreed that FIFA 09 was the key title to buy, as well.

We were very impressed with GAME: the staff were friendly, very chatty and well informed, giving age-appropriate recommendations.

5/ 10

CONCLUSION Perhaps the most striking thing about our visit to Westfield Centre was the lack of gaming outlets, with only one dedicated retailer and just three other stockists. It’s a situation not just limited to gaming, though: there are only two booksellers, one of those being WHSmiths; and only two stores stocking DVDs, both of which are featured here. Compared to most other malls, there are far fewer entertainment outlets – largely due to the centre’s massive emphasis on fashion shops and food outlets. As such, once the credit crunch weeds out the questionably unsustainable number of clothes retailers, there could be a large opportunity for the big players to enter and clean up.

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GMA WINNERS: TOM FRANCIS

On the write track Emerging triumphant at last month’s Games Media Awards was PC Gamer’s very own Tom Francis. Christopher Dring speaks to the 2008 best print specialist games writer…

Were you surprised to claim this year’s award?

To the extent that my ears decided not to hear the name announced, and just assume it was Jon Blyth’s. It took a second to realise why my friends where cheering so loudly. I spent a lot of that night pretty confused.

* You can tell he works for PC Gamer, eh?

What do you feel was the reason behind your win?

We didn’t mention we were up for any awards in our mag or on our site, because it seemed a little self-indulgent, so I can only assume my votes came from MCV readers and online.

There’s a popular blog by Chris Livingston where he’s trying to play through Oblivion without getting into any adventures – which is, of course, itself a brilliant adventure. It turns out he bought Oblivion in the first place because of my review, so he wrote me an amazing endorsement on his site.

I’m sure I owe a big chunk of votes to him for that.

What has been the highlight of your career so far?

Well, I hope this doesn’t offend any of the PRs who’ve put me up in rock star hotels or taken me snowboarding, but the highlights tend to be sitting in a dingy office for days at a time with a really good game. I got to do that with Oblivion, BioShock and The Orange Box. And so far the only way I’ve found to ease my guilt at having the privilege of reviewing stuff so good is to go completely insane writing about it.

I’ll write ten thousand words of stuff I don’t use, start again four times, write until the security staff kick me out of the building, then take it home and write till 4am.

I know those reviews end up sounding like standard stuff anyway, but if anyone emails in to say something nice about them, I feel like I partially justified my existence as an epiphyte* rather than a parasite on the industry.

This will sound appallingly tacky, and I apologise, but another highlight really would be the night of the GMAs.

SIR FRANCIS: The GMA’s best print specialist games writer wants to see games coverage move beyond just news and reviews

Not because of the shiny chunk of perspex – though, by God, is it shiny, and thank you for that, I just got a new sofa and it looks good behind it – but because people came out of the woodwork to say nice things to me.

People I thought had never read anything by me, people I’ve known for years but assumed were indifferent to my stuff, and even friends who just surprised me with their sincerity.

What have been your biggest influences?

Bad games writing. As long as people are writing the phrases: ‘You can’t just go in guns blazing’, ‘The shotgun is great at close range’ or ‘At the end of the day, while game X might not be perfect, it remains a solid effort that fans of the genre will enjoy,’ the only way I’ll

“

The real highlight of the job is sitting in a dingy office for days at a time with a really good game. I got to do that with Oblivion, BioShock and The Orange Box. Tom Francis, PC Gamer

”

be able to restrain myself from stabbing them each through the ear with a fiveand-a-quarter-inch toolless drive assembly bent into a wonky shiv is by trying to drown them out with text which, while it may not be good, at least suggests its author has taken the time to press keys other than CTRL + V. How would you like to see the games media develop?

I think news and reviews are only part of the conversation, and the least interesting bit.

So when a game like Fallout 3 comes out, I don’t want to read an objective judgement of its quality, or its latest sales figures. I want to hear what other people found interesting about it, and what they got up to playing it. More of that, please.

™

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PERSONNEL

Porter takes charge of Imagine portfolio GamesTM boss promoted to Editor-In-Chief of publisher’s games mags Strawdog Studios recruits new duo IMAGINE PUBLISHING Bournemouth-based magazine publisher Imagine has promoted RICK PORTER to editor-in-chief of its key games publications.

Porter will oversee GamesTM, the magazine of which he is currently editor, plus X360 Magazine. He will also oversee the two magazines’ accompanying sites gamestm.co.uk and X360magazine.com.

Porter stated: “To be at the helm of two of Imagine’s finest publications is a great feeling and an even greater challenge

– one I’m pleased to have the opportunity to take on.”

Elsewhere in the Imagine portfolio, the publisher has promoted DEBBIE ALLAN to take control of its photography publications.

STRAWDOG STUDIOS Derby-based Strawdog Studios has recently expanded with two new hires.

JAMES CURRAN (pictured above) joins Strawdog Studios as an artist/animator and brings with him his extensive experience from working as a freelance producer of music promos.

Meanwhile DAVID HAYWOOD (pictured above) joins the studio fresh from Derby University’s Computer Games Programming course, and has been an active MAME developer for a few years.

Both are currently working on a soon-to-be announced Xbox Live Arcade project to be launched in the New Year.

NAMCO BANDAI The European arm of the Japanese games publisher has hired NAOKI KATASHIMA as head of distribution, working out of the company's Cergy, France office. Katashima previously worked for Koei.

NCSOFT WEST Marketing head DIRK METZGER has returned to the company following its restructuring, which saw senior staff brought together at new offices in Seattle. Metzger previously worked at Hollywood games firm Brash Entertainment.

The Game Creators are one of 25 finalists in the Facebook bFund competition.

5 winners can win $250,000 and user votes count!

We’re the only UK entrant - a great reason to support us.

Just three simple steps to vote:

1. Log in to your Facebook account 2. Go to this web page

apps.facebook.com/fbfundvote 3. Click on the “Vote Now” for Social Arcade button:

Thank you for supporting us.

You can vote again 24 hours after each vote and continue each day up to and including 30th November.

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RETAILBIZ RECOMMENDED GAMES PRICE CHECK CHARTS NEW RELEASES

SONIC UNLEASHED After a successful spell alongside Mario, Sonic is back for more action this month Pages 32

ALSO THIS WEEK...

PRINCE OF PERSIA P34 One of gaming’s best-loved franchises jumps back into retail ACTIVISON Q4 LINE-UP P36 Guitars, lightsabers, dragons and lions are on offer from Activision HELLO KITTY P38 Empire brings the famous pussybased franchise to UK retail COLOUR CROSS P39 This casual puzzler with a difference heads to stores via Rising Star TRACKMANIA DS P40 This nifty title is set to race into the handheld market later this month

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RETAILBIZ: RECOMMENDED 32 MCV 21/11/08

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CURSE OF THE WERE-HEDGEHOG: The titular character shows his dark side in Unleashed, with a curse that gives the affable fella unusual powers...

Curling himself up into a tight ball to defend himself from the dangers of the world outside, Rob Power is getting ready to sprint away into the distance with Sonic Unleashed…

THERE IS a rash of classic characters Appealing to those who met Sonic making timely comebacks this many years ago as well as the new Christmas, and Sega’s world-beating breed of attention-deficit gamer is no hedgehog was never going to be left out mean feat, and so bringing the two of the party. Sonic is one of the most together and balancing the needs of the recognisable, loveable and downright two is understandably of prime successful game characters out there, importance to Sega. and Sonic Unleashed could be his most The introduction of the significant appearance on Werehog gives a new facet to the next-gen yet.

Sonic and a fantastic Pushing the series combination of game play. forward with more new features than you could Joanne Fawell, Sega shake a blurry blue stick at, Sonic Unleashed represents a fresh This time round Sonic will be attempt by Sega to give fans a taste of suffering from something of a split what 21st Century Sonic is capable of. personality: “The introduction of the Taking the best aspects of the past and Werehog gives a new facet to Sonic,” splicing them with updated technology, Joanne Fawell, senior product manager there is plenty to spark the interest of for Sega UK, tells MCV. Sonic fans – even if they are a good “The combat and puzzle elements many years older now. together with the super sonic speed give

“

a fantastic combination of game play,” Fawell explains.

Speaking of combinations, Sonic Unleashed will also see two types of play with classic 2D together with explosive 3D action, putting a brand new spin on the spiky hero. This cunning blend of mixing the best of the franchise with the best of recent technology shows Sonic in a previously never seen before light.

The game itself centres on Sonic’s quest to save a dying world from the evil Doctor Eggman –- the man who has caused a catastrophic event that not only breaks apart the world but also brings about that new hairy side of Sonic.

And Sonic Unleashed promises to be the fastest Sonic adventure so far – no mean feat for a franchise with that speedy pedigree. With that speed comes

”

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RETAILBIZ: RECOMMENDED WWW.MCVUK.COM

RELEASED: NOVEMBER 28 (360, WII, PS2), DECEMBER (PS3) FORMATS: WII, PS2, PS3, 360 PUBLISHER: SEGA DEVELOPER: TEAM SONIC PRICE: VARIOUS DISTRIBUTOR: CENTRESOFT CONTACT: 020 8995 3399

MCV 21/11/08 33

a host of moves, including ‘Quick Step’, where players avoid obstacles without losing speed, and ‘Sonic Boost’ – where ring collection provides even more pace.

Sega will of course be pushing Sonic Unleashed with a serious marketing effort, as Fawell explains: “We are supporting the release with a fantastic seven week marketing campaign from launch, encompassing all key media channels focusing on family, kids and gifting audiences for the Christmas purchasing season.

With such a colourful and varied back catalogue of Sonic titles to take into consideration, there is always the danger – at least amongst long standing Sonic vets – that Sega will stray too far from the original and lose some of its inherent charm. But by honoring the

past and updating it in a way that will win new fans but not frustrate old fans, Sega clearly has a hit on its hands.

A fresh taste on a classic then, with all the associated hoopla that goes with the latest release of a title containing a dyed in the wool hero to be expected.

As a family friendly, core gamer friendly game that has the ability to appeal to punters right across the board, it looks very likely that hedgehog will be on the menu in more than a few homes this Christmas.

Hollyoaks, Heroes and The Simpsons on the biggest terrestrial and satellite channels – ITV1, Channel 4, E4, CITV, Nickelodeon, Jetix, MTV and Fiver.

Print won’t be neglected either, with a two month-long children’s lifestyle print campaign and an ongoign PR lifestyle and specialist press PR campaign.

Online consumers can expect to see a four week-long campaign on specialist and children’s sites.

Over on the silver screen Sonic Unleashed will be promoted in a three week national cinema campaign.

Other marketing highlights include a five week outdoor ad campaign in UK shopping centres.

“Alongside this we have an integrated in-store campaign to drive home the message that Sonic Unleashed is a must have gift purchase this Christmas.”

SPIKY CHARACTER

SUPER SONIC CAMPAIGN A fierce marketing campaign will be in place for the legendary hedgehog’s latest release.

Marketing highlights include a seven week terrestrial and satellite TV campaign featuring 30, 20 and 10 second spots in highly rated TV shows.

Consumers can expect to see Sonic in the ad breaks of The X Factor,

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PERSIAN EMPIRE: Time to sharpen swords and strap on those sandals as Prince of Persia makes its next-gen debut

Strapping on his best turban and curly-toed shoe combo, Rob Power takes a running jump into the world of the all-new, next gen Prince of Persia to find out just where the swarthy scrapper has been hiding…

BACK IN the mists of time, Prince of Persia stood out on its own as one of the truly great early titles across PC and the first brace of consoles.

The initial tale, an exotic plot derived from the Prince’s attempts to escape imprisonment and save his missus from the clutches of a suitably sinister bad guy, was a massive success thanks to the enthralling gameplay, charismatic lead player and naturalistic movement that set it apart from many of its clunky contemporaries.

The series evolved into a whirling, time-shifting beast of a game that retained all the Middle Eastern mystique of the original whilst attracting a whole new type of gamer.

This latest effort, POP’s first next-gen outing, sees a fresh start for the Prince, with a new protagonist, updated storyline and re-jigged style of play, and looks set to once again prove that the

“

oldies never die, they just get better.

“What we are doing at Ubisoft is reinitialising and re-kick-starting the franchise,” brand manager Matt Benson told MCV. “The team are starting fresh in a lot of areas in order to make sure that there’s a real bang. It’s not just a sequel – it’s a re-imagining of the franchise

fresh start for POP, has thankfully stayed true to its rich heritage. “We definitely have brand elements that we won’t deviate from drastically because they work,” says Benson. “You’ve got your young hero, who is an adept swordsman. He’s supremely athletic and acrobatic. This is reflected through all aspects in the game both in combat, movement and It’s not just a sequel – it’s puzzles.

“There's a departure a re-imagining of the from other elements that franchise for the current people assumed were generation of hardware. intrinsically connected Matt Benson, Ubisoft with the series, such as the Sands of Time. It’s a new Prince, for the current generation of hardware.” new environments, a new enemy, and a There were always aspects of POP new quest.” that set it apart from the flock, right Using the same engine that powered from the Prince’s very first sidescrolling another sword and sandals epic, escape attempt. The realistic, flowing Assassin’s Creed, POP has taken a movement of the hero, his long-jumpers dramatic leap onto the next gen, strides, his Errol Flynn capers with a pushing the series to a whole new level sword – these are all trademarks of the that has all the old school appeal that a series that fans have come to expect. title like this should retain whilst The new title, though something of a bringing plenty of fresh ideas to the

”

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ALL CHANGE: POP’s first outing on next-gen signals a significant makeover for the series

MCV 21/11/08 35

party. “We have an amazingly unique visual style billed as illustrative that looks distinctly different from previous Prince of Persia titles and from any other in the market right now,” continues Benson.

“The game has been built on the Anvil engine that powered Assassin’s Creed. It really lends itself to the mythological backdrop, and enables the art team to build vast outdoor environments consisting of sprawling citadels, deserted kingdoms and perilous lava rifts.”

With the run up to the end of the year packed with big hitters, the return of POP is one more title for already – giddy gamers to get excited about.

“It’s another busy fiscal Q3 this year, with some extremely strong competition,” confirms Benson. “To our advantage, we’re the last major blockbuster release before Christmas, with a confirmed December 5th release that we’re actively communicating.

We’re expecting strong day one sales via various pre-order initiatives we’re

RELEASED: DECEMBER 5 FORMATS: PC, PS3, 360, DS PUBLISHER: UBISOFT DEVELOPER: UBISOFT MONTREAL PRICE: VARIOUS DISTRIBUTOR: TRILOGY CONTACT: 0845 456 6400

IT TAKES TWO…

running with trade, and sustained sellthrough throughout December.”

Another new addition to this instalment of POP comes in the form of a new companion for the Prince to accompany him through the game, helping him scrap his way through the story and solve riddles like all good glamorous assistants should.

“The new AI support character, Elika, is perhaps the most significant addition for newcomers and fans alike,” says Benson. “Elika behaves like no other NPC has ever behaved in a video game. She is integrated into every element of gameplay and is integral to the storyline.

“In terms of control, she will be controlled by AI but the player will have a specific context sensitive ‘Elika’ button to interact with the player in combat, acrobatics and puzzle-solving. She also helps the player with navigating through the more open ended progression structure in the game.”

THE PEOPLE’S PRINCE

The marketing campaign will build upon POP’s big reputation and, alongside a significant TV campaign, will feature a specialist print pre-order campaign, a huge online assault and a series of cross-community events and campaigns.

With years of classy, and addictive gameplay behind it, the Prince of Persia series is one that is close to the heart of many, and as such can expect plenty of interest. Successive generations of gamers have been enthralled by the Prince’s exploits and this timely reboot will undoubtedly captivate many more.

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It’s not over yet. Activision has even more top-notch games primed and ready to make a gambit for the consumers wallets. MCV takes as gander at the rest of the mighty Q4 line-up…

IF THERE’S one thing that Guitar Hero: On Tour has accomplished already in its short life, it’s made rocking out on the bus slightly more acceptable – freeing closet axe-grinders from society’s steely grip and changing the way the DS is held forever more.

Never one to let social conventions lie unchallenged for too long, it’s time for a follow-up; this time chronicling the history of guitar music from ‘70s classics to modern rock. Featuring master tracks from bands as diverse as Queen, Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Fall Out Boy, On Tour: Decades brings together the biggest music selection ever on DS and includes all-new venues inspired by the important rock trends of the past 40 years, all playable in three different career paths: lead guitar, bass guitar and guitar duel.

The game also features brand new Song Streaming technology, which means that owners of On Tour: Decades can share songs and play together with people who own the original On Tour. Gamers can

RELEASED: OUT NOW FORMATS: DS PUBLISHER: ACTIVISION DEVELOPER: VICARIOUS VISIONS PRICE: £39.99 DISTRIBUTOR: CENTRESOFT CONTACT: 0121 625 3388

wirelessly connect to players of either version and go head-to-head on songs from both editions.

ROCKING ON THE BUS

In terms of multiplayer offerings, the game features both co-operative and competitive battles, split into three types – but players need to be careful of exploding pyrotechnics, extinguished by blowing into the microphone.

Activision will be promoting the title extensively in the run-up to Christmas, where it will be joining its big brother on a tour of shopping centres. There will also be a huge online presence across gaming, kids and social networking sites, supported by an advertising blitz across the press.

YOU MIGHT think that Spyro games are all cutesy candyfloss and primarycoloured dragons, but things are taking a turn for the darker with Dawn of the Dragon – the climax of the Legend of Spyro trilogy.

As the Dark Master’s evil spreads across the globe, Spyro comes to realise that he can’t fight it on his own – and so teams up with previous nemesis Cynder to bring him down. But more than just a story twist, this allows cooperative play to be introduced to the franchise for the first time, with an extra partner able to drop in or out of the game at any time. Even if playing solo, the game can be completed with either character, giving users the ability to explore the world in new ways.

Cynder is also positioned to attract the all-important growing girl gamer demographic by providing a strong female lead for girls to identify with.

But just because it’s the final chapter doesn’t mean that Activision is letting this one sell on its past successes – all the stops are being pulled out to ensure

RELEASED: NOVEMBER 21 FORMATS: DS, PS2, PS3, WII, 360 PUBLISHER: ACTIVISION DEVELOPER: ETRANGES LIBELLULES TANTALUS MEDIA PRICE: VARIOUS DISTRIBUTOR: CENTRESOFT CONTACT: 0121 625 3388

that the trilogy ends on a high note rather than a whimper.

WAY OF THE DRAGON

The all-star voice talent line-up returns once again, with Lord Of The Rings star Elijah Wood reprising the role of Spyro and Gary Oldman back to voice his mentor Ignitus. This time, however, they’re joined by such household names as Christina Ricci, Blair Underwood and Mark Hamill, adding more Hollywood flair to the proceedings.

The game will be getting a Hollywood-esque level of promotion too, with a five week targeted TV campaign and a high impact online campaign on major kids’ websites.

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IF THERE’S one word to sum up Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa, it’s ‘more’.

Taking its lead from the new Dreamworks film – itself the sequel to the number one animated movie of 2005 – the game tracks the adventures of Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe and Gloria the Hippo as they crash-land on the plains of Africa and explore 12 themed levels based on the film locations and several game-exclusive areas.

Rather than just appearing sequentially, each level can be tackled as the player chooses, giving the freedom to tackle what they want at their own pace. Each level is packed with missions that go beyond simple platforming and into exploration, collection and combat challenges. Each of the game’s cast has unique characteristics to vary gameplay, such as Marty’s kick attacks and Melman’s ability to fly through the air like a helicopter – not a skill that we thought giraffes were accustomed to – and stretching as far as Moto Moto the Hippo, a new ensemble member

THERE’S nothing like a new Star Wars film to whip up the excitement of kids worldwide (and a fair proportion of adults, too). So creating an animated TV show set in the Star Wars universe, as LucasFilm has done with Star Wars: The Clone Wars, is a masterstroke in keeping that rabid fanbase salivating.

And, of course, there’s the tie-in game for the series – or, in this case, two games; one for the Wii and one for the DS. The Wii version – Star Wars The Clone Wars: Lightsaber Duels – answers the cries of a million Wii owners worldwide by letting gamers control a lightsaber with the Wii remote, and putting the power of the universally-known weapon literally into in the hands of the player.

STAY ON TARGET

The game features the most memorable duels from the Clone Wars film and series, as well as a wide selection of Clone Wars heroes and villains, each with a unique fighting style and set of skills. It’s all controlled intuitively by the remote, making it ideal for gamers new and veteran, but it’s not just

RELEASED: OUT NOW FORMATS: WII (LIGHTSABER DUELS), DS (JEDI ALLIANCE) PUBLISHER: ACTIVISION DEVELOPER: KROME STUDIOS LUCASARTS SINGAPORE PRICE: £39.99 (WII), £29.99 (DS) DISTRIBUTOR: CENTRESOFT CONTACT: 0121 625 3388

lightsabers – players can also utilise Force powers to throw enemies around the interactive environments.

Star Wars The Clone Wars: Jedi Alliance on the DS is less about fighting and more about co-operation, with players able to pick their favourite Jedi pairings with which to play through missions. It also features an allnew story, taking the Clone Wars universe into new directions, making it a must-buy for fans eager to experience the whole picture.

The titles will be supported via a PR blitz across various child gift guides and an advertising campaign across kids and gifting online sites coupled with promotional tie ins with companies such as Warner Bros, Lego and Sky.

RELEASED: NOVEMBER 28 FORMATS: 360, WII, PS3, PS2, PC, DS PUBLISHER: ACTIVISION DEVELOPER: TOYS FOR BOB IDOLMINDS/GRIPTONITE GAMES PRICE: VARIOUS DISTRIBUTOR: CENTRESOFT CONTACT: 0121 625 3388

introduced in the film, whose ‘smooth charm’ comes in useful during the game’s many rhythm-based missions and challenges.

ANIMAL MAGIC

Further variety is introduced with numerous mini-games, each different enough to capture the attention of even the most hyper children. These cover activities such as swimming, driving, racing, safari photography and even football. The focus on ‘more’ even carries over to the game’s multiplayer modes, which features twice as many co-operative and competitive mini-games as its predecessor, including dancing, racing and soccer.

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An international brand that fans of small fluffy animals across the world hold dear to their hearts, Hello Kitty is a big deal. Rob Power puts a pink bow in his hair and finds out more…

FROM HUMBLE beginnings – as a character on a purse in the late 70’s, designed by Japanese company Sanrio – Hello Kitty is now a huge brand with fans across the world snapping up anything pink and kitten-shaped.

Hello Kitty Big City Dreams for the DS is another potential cash cow in the making as the favoured handheld of the key Hello Kitty demographic gets a big eyed, pink bowed title all of its own.

With younger girls regularly going cock-a-hoop over the huge amount of Hello Kitty merchandise that is already in existence, you can bet that any of them with a DS will be placing this title in pole position on this year’s Christmas list. The game features plenty to keep

“

choosing new clothes for Hello Kitty. All of this and over 16 Hello Kitty mini games to play.”

An instantly recognisable brand, even amongst rugged chaps who claim ignorance, this title looks set to be a big, deal and, as such, has a comprehensive marketing strategy in place. “Hello Kitty Big City Dreams will feature on both the Nintendo official website and the Nintendo Channel,” explains Lightbody.

“These dedicated areas will be supported by exclusive trailers and Hello Kitty images. Significant Hello Kitty presence in the print press will be achieved with Future's leading Girl Gamer magazine. Hello Kitty will be featured on the magazine’s front cover,

Big City Dreams contains all the game elements young girls love, including a fun city to explore.

Rob Lightbody, Empire

those little tykes occupied as the turkey settles, thanks to a host of mini games and the inclusion of an all-important ability to give Hello Kitty a make over.

“Hello Kitty: Big City Dreams is the gift every little girl will be looking for under the Christmas tree this year, available on Nintendo DS for the first time ever,” comments Empire’s Rob Lightbody.

“In Big City Dreams you get to play as the lovable and cute Hello Kitty and explore a whole new world of excitement, fun and friends.

“Big City Dreams contains all the game elements young girls love – including a fun city to explore, meeting new Sanrio friends, a changing rooms theme that allows gamers to redecorate Kitty’s apartment, and of course

”

in a full DPS and will sponsor the competition section. Hello Kitty will also feature as the lead poster insert in popular kids’ magazine NG Kids in November.

Further girls press will also be targeted pre and post release with both advertorial and extensive competitions.

“Online, Big City Dreams will be supported by a dedicated and fun website. This will feature screenshots, game information, trailers, competitions and downloads that include exclusive wallpapers and more. Hello Kitty fan sites and Blogs will also be targeted with updated game news and imagery.”

“Hello Kitty will be also be supported by a post-Christmas television campaign running across many major children's TV channels.”

LOVE FILMS, LOVE KITTY With an innovative direct marketing campaign, in association with LoveFilm, Empire has conjured up a rather brilliant way of tapping into the vast potential buyer base for Hello Kitty Big City Dreams. “A major Big City Dreams campaign will run with the leading LoveFilm DVD rental service,” confirms Lightbody. “This direct mail campaign will target children’s, family and teen movies in the LoveFilm envelopes with a bright and fun insert that will direct people to the Hello Kitty website at www.hellokittybigcity.com. This promotion will run at one of their busiest periods throughout December. We will also support the promotion with online banners across the LoveFilm website.”

RELEASED: NOVEMBER 28 FORMATS: DS PUBLISHER: EMPIRE DEVELOPER: SANRIO DIGITAL PRICE: £29.99 DISTRIBUTOR: ADVANTAGE CONTACT: 0121 506 9590

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Jonathon Harker finally gets to put his Art ‘A’ Level to good use with Rising Star’s paintutilising casual puzzler, Colour Cross…

MANY A parent has foisted a paint-bynumbers set upon their young child in the vain hope that it might ignite a passion or rare talent for artistry. Sadly those paint-by-numbers sets usually results in an unholy mess and crestfallen mothers and fathers who’ve seen their hopes of having a child prodigy in the family dashed cruelly.

But many of us still have happy memories of those old paint-by-numbers sets. Like an episode of the A-Team or a sherbert dib-dab, they’re a relic from a rose-tinted and less complicated time.

Frankly the fondly remembered pastime is due a reboot – and that’s just what it’s got with Rising Star’s latest title for the casual market.

ART ATTACK

Teaming the paint-by-number concept with the awesome might of the DS, Rising Star has cooked up its own miniature masterpiece in Colour Cross.

The title also takes advantage of the booming puzzler market, which consumers simply can’t get enough of at the moment.

The title itself is a cunning and unique puzzle game where the goal is to uncover the hidden picture by applying the right colour to the appropriate square. It’s a deceptively simple but addictive set-up as Martin Defries, Rising Star COO and managing director, points out to MCV: “Colour Cross is a simple 'hidden picture' game perfectly built for the touch screen mechanic of the DS.” Using that classic paint-by-numbers mechanic, gamers have to complete a grid. That will then unveil a portion of a larger hidden image while unlocking increasingly difficult challenges too.

With a generous 150 individual grids to unlock and complete, Colour Cross offers up hours of brain-teasing game RELEASED: NOVEMBER 28 FORMATS: DS PUBLISHER: RISING STAR DEVELOPER: LITTLE WORLDS PRICE: £24.99 DISTRIBUTOR: MASTERTRONIC CONTACT: 01582 433700

play to challenge and entertain gamers and unlock their inner artist.

Players have to decipher the correct position of each colour to form a picture and can mark suspected locations to prevent mistakes. With ten themes and a high ‘return-to-play’ draw, the title promises to tax the dexterity of gamers whilst luring them in with a pick up and play friendly style. Colour Cross surely has all the elements to appeal to a broad market of gamers.

Colour Cross clearly requires puzzlesolving skills, but it also engages cognitive skills in a very unique and visual way. Testing co-ordination abilities

“

Colour Cross is a simple ‘hidden picture’ game perfectly built for the touchscreen mechanic of the DS. Martin Defries, Rising Star

”

and gamers’ eye for colours and numbers, Colour Cross is set to stretch the grey matter of those casual players.

RIDDLE ME THIS

A classic idea with a puzzler twist that is perfectly suited to the DS, all indications point towards a title with the potential to snare those ever-appealing casual gamers.

“Just about every person who has taken the time to play Colour Cross loves it as it simply ‘does what it says on the tin’. I’m hopeful we can get to prove the worth of the title to a broader audience,” Defries concludes.

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Whilst Clarkson concentrates on making smarmy comments in unobtainable cars, the rest of us prefer a bit of out and out fun.

Rob Power pulls on the driving gloves and takes to the tracks for a look at Trackmania DS...

SOME FOLKS like accuracy in their racing titles – minutely detailed cars, real life tracks and realistic speeds, all so they can do their best Lewis Hamilton impression from the sofa. Others, generally of the non-Clarkson worshipping variety, like their driving games to be a bit more entertaining, and this is where Trackmania steps in.

Trackmania is all about lots of speed, silly looking tracks, a complete lack of po-faced car worship, and a whopping great big bag labelled ‘fun’.

PEDAL TO THE METAL

Putting the emphasis on simple, jumpstraight-in gameplay, ridiculous speeds and spectacular stunts and crashes – not to mention a bit of good old fashioned competition – there is an instant and wide-reaching appeal to Trackmania that should see its first outing on the DS prove successful. Desert, rally and stadium environments are included, with each demanding different skills from players and providing them with a new vehicle type for each track.

Rally courses, for example, require some off-road panache from drivers as they deal with dirt tracks and steep hill climbs in an ultra light car with plenty of power, whilst stadium fans get to enjoy the

pleasures of a souped up, stylised F1 car as they thunder round the track.

“Whilst the DS platform is catering very well for the growing casual market, there are few new titles for a teenage audience looking for some hardcore fun this Christmas,” comments Ascaron managing director Roger Swindells.

“TrackMania DS is a racing game through and through and is unique in its genre on account of the Track Editor, which means endless new tracks can be created to test the most advanced players, and the single-cart multiplayer aspect. This will be a great playground feature as only one person needs the cartridge, all the others simply connect to the track on their own machine and race each other.”

A targeted marketing campaign is planned for the DS title, which will include TV advertising across key channels such as Jetix,

RELEASED: OUT NOW FORMATS: DS PUBLISHER: ASCARON DEVELOPER: FIREBRAND PRICE: £29.99 DISTRIBUTOR: PINNACLE CONTACT: 020 8309 3934

Nickelodeon, CITV, Cartoon Network, Trouble and Sentanta Sports. Full page adverts in Match, Match of the Day, TOXIC, Sky Kids and the Beano amongst others will ensure a high profile print campaign, whilst consumer PR including previews, reviews and a whole host of competitions will be running across gaming and lifestyle media. The PR campaign has been designed with teenage audiences in mind, as well as automotive and car modification types – ‘petrol heads’ to you and I. Needless to say, there’s going to be a lot of loop-the-loop fun in store for DS owners…

TRICKS AND TRACKS One of the best things about Trackmania is that it has the ability to bring out the dormant Scalectrix lover in its fans, thanks to its hugely entertaining track building system, which allows players to construct ridiculous race tracks full of loops, jumps, and other such unrealistic (but lets face it, endlessly more entertaining that Formula One) additions.

The in-game Track Editor is a stalwart of the Trackmania series, and this first outing on the DS will have a comprehensive one, so that the handheld gamers certainly won’t feel cheated. The Track Editor will include over 300 construction blocks, including loops, skate parks and super speed boosts. New tracks can be saved and exchanged via Wi-Fi, and in addition to the 300 tracks already on the game, the re-play value of Trackmania DS looks formidable.

POLE POSITION: The in-game track editor allows players to put together some spectacular creations

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Check out MCVUK.COM/RELEASE-DATES for more

Archaeology, guns and karaoke Next week the trade is offering up everything from the latest adventures of Lara Croft to the sugar-sweet karaoke challenge Sing It: High School Musical 3. Both have massive brand power and are set to be big hits with families...

TITLE

FORMAT

GENRE

PUBLISHER

TELEPHONE

DISTRIBUTOR

PC DS PS3 / XBOX 360 DS Wii PSP Wii Wii PS3 PS2 DS DS Wii DS PC Wii / PS2 DS DS DS 360 / PS2 / PS3 / Wii / PC / DS DS Wii DS DS DS DS Wii DS DS PS3 PS2 / PC Wii Wii DS DS DS XBOX 360 PSP

Flight Sim Strategy Gun God Sim Party Buzz!

Edutainment Edutainment Dance Quiz Sports Sport Kids Sports Rail Sim Racing Sim Simulation Simulation Action Simulation Kids Action Action Planet Rescue Action Action Puzzle Puzzle First Person Shooter Sports First Person Shooter Kids Action Quiz Brain Movie Action

Just Flight THQ Ubisoft Deep Silver Ubisoft Sony Midas Midas Disney Interactive Disney Interactive Deep Silver Pinnacle Atari Ghostlight Just Flight Zoo Digital Deep Silver Deep Silver Deep Silver Activision Blizzard Deep Silver Atari Pinnacle Ubisoft Ubisoft Ubisoft Ubisoft Deep Silver Pinnacle Sony Ubisoft Midas Atari Ignition Entertainment Ubisoft Zoo Digital Microsoft Konami

0845 234 4242 0121 506 9590 0845 456 6400 0870 027 6510 0845 456 6400 0121 625 3388 01376 555 333 01376 555 333 0121 625 3388 0121 625 3388 0870 027 6510 0208 309 3600 0121 506 9590 01376 555 333 0845 234 4242 01279 822 822 0870 027 6510 0870 027 6510 0870 027 6510 0121 625 3388 0870 027 6510 0121 506 9590 0208 309 3600 0845 456 6400 0845 456 6400 0845 456 6400 0845 456 6400 0870 027 6510 0208 309 3600 0121 625 3388 0845 456 6400 01376 555 333 0121 506 9590 01344 451 507 0845 456 6400 01279 822 822 01279 822822 020 8987 5730

Mastertronic Advantage Trilogy Koch Trilogy Centresoft Open Open Centresoft Centresoft Koch Pinnacle Advantage Open Mastertronic Gem Koch Koch Koch Centresoft Koch Advantage Pinnacle Trilogy Trilogy Trilogy Trilogy Koch Pinnacle Centresoft Trilogy Open Advantage Open Trilogy Gem Gem Open

XBOX 360 / PS3 PC PC / PS3 / XBOX 360 XBOX 360 / PS2 / PS3 / Wii PS3 XBOX 360 / PS3

Sports Action/Adventure Action Action RPG Action

Midway Ubisoft Deep Silver Sega Sega Lexicon

0845 456 6400 0845 456 6400 0870 027 6510 020 8995 3399 020 8995 3399 0114 258 2255

Trilogy Trilogy Koch Centresoft Centresoft Open

Wii PS3 DS PC / PS3 / XBOX 360 Wii Wii PS2

Sim Puzzle Puzzle Shooter Dance Quiz Action

Nintendo Ubisoft Rising Star Games Codemasters Disney Interactive Disney Interactive Atari

08700 270 985 0845 456 6400 01582 433700 01279 822 822 0121 625 3388 0121 625 3388 0121 506 9590

Koch Trilogy Mastertronic Gem Centresoft Centresoft Advantage

NOVEMBER 28th 757 Captain Age of Empires Armoured Core 4 Answer Baby Life Baby Sitting Party Buzz! Brainbender Clever Kids: Farmyard Fun Clever Kids: Pirates Disney Sing It: High School Musical 3: Senior Year Disney Think Fast Ellen Whitaker's Horse Life Football Director Freddi Fish 1: Case Of The Missing Kelp Seeds International Athletics Isle of Wight & Class 66 Jeep Thrills Let's Play: Fashion Designer Let's Play: Schools Let's Play: Shops Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa My Animal Centre Pajama Sam: No Need To Hide When It's Dark Outside Peppa Pig The Game Planet Rescue: Animal Emergency Planet Rescue: Endangered Island Planet Rescue: Ocean Patrol Planet Rescue: Wildlife Vet Professor Heinz Wolff's Gravity 101 in 1 Explosive Megamix Resistance 2 Shaun White Snowboarding Skyscraper Spy Fox 1: In Dry Cereal Tornado Who Wants To Be A Millionaire 2 Word Master You're In the Movies Yu-Gi-Oh! Tag Force 3

NOVEMBER MISC Blitz The League 2 CSI: New York Sacred 2 Sonic Unleashed Valkyria Chronicles Voltage

DECEMBER 5th Animal Crossing: Lets Go to the City Brain Challenge Deluxe Colour Cross Damnation Disney Sing It: High School Musical 3: Senior Year Disney Think Fast Dragon Ball Z: Infinite World

MUSTSTOCK .......TOMB RAIDER: UNDERWORLD Released: November 21st Format: DS, PC, PS2, PS3, Wii, 360 Publisher: Eidos Distributor: Centresoft Contact: 0121 625 3388

Video gaming’s own A-lister Lara Croft has returned to the fray with brand new Underworld. Thankfully not set in the Corrie knicker factory, this new Tomb Raider title has the kind of brand power that makes it a real contender this Christmas.

MUSTSTOCK ..................DISNEY SING IT: HSM3 Released: November 28th Format: PS3 Publisher: Disney Distributor: Centresoft Contact: 0121 625 3388

Anyone who knows their Efrons from their Hudgens will be massively excited about this upcoming release from Disney Interactive. With the recent High School Musical film performing well in cinemas, this title is sure to be hanging around in the charts for weeks to come.

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Sponsored by

INDIE CHARTS - ALL FORMATS THIS WEEK

LAST WEEK

1

TITLE/FORMAT

PUBLISHER

GEARS OF WAR 2 FORMAT: 360

DEVELOPER: EPIC PUBLISHER: MICROSOFT

2

NEW

LITTLEBIGPLANET PS3

3

NEW

GEARS OF WAR 2 LIMITED EDITION 360

MICROSOFT BETHESDA

SONY

4

1

FALLOUT 3 360

5

NEW

WWE SMACKDOWN VS RAW 2009 360

6

NEW

PROFESSOR LAYTON: CURIOUS VILLAGE DS

7

NEW

WWE SMACKDOWN VS RAW 2009 360

8

3

FALLOUT 3 PS3

BETHESDA

9

2

FABLE II 360

MICROSOFT

10

6

QUANTUM OF SOLACE 360

11

16

MARIO KART WII WII

12

11

PRO EVOLUTION SOCCER 2009 360

KONAMI

13

4

PRO EVOLUTION SOCCER 2009 PS2

KONAMI

THQ NINTENDO THQ

NINTENDO

14

15

PRO EVOLUTION SOCCER 2009 PS3

10

QUANTUM OF SOLACE PS3

16

18

FIFA ‘09 360

17

5

FAR CRY 2 360

UBISOFT UBISOFT

18

9

FAR CRY 2 PS3

13

SAINTS ROW 2 PS3

20

8

FALLOUT 3 PC

IT’S NO SURPRISE to see that Microsoft’s latest chapter in mankind’s fight against those pesky Locusts went straight in at number one in the Indie Charts. So strong was the performance of Epic-developed Gears of War 2 that the Limited Edition SKU managed to arrive at three in the list.

Sandwiched between the Gears of War 2 iterations was Sony’s LittleBigPlanet, which fared better in the Indie Chart than it did in

“Will LittleBigPlanet prove to be the start of a shift towards a more family-friendly Indie Chart in the run up to Christmas?”

ACTIVISION BLIZZARD

15

19

SACK BOY GETS CAUGHT BETWEEN THE GEARS

KONAMI ACTIVISION BLIZZARD EA

THQ BETHESDA

Charts compiled by Game Guide/Complete EPOS Solutions. For more information about Complete EPOS Solutions call 01543 370002. For more information about the Game Guide call 01606 836347.

the GFK ChartTrack All Formats Chart – where it debuted in fourth – an interesting result for an Indie Chart famed for leaning towards the hardcore.

And will the Sony title prove to be the start of a bigger shift towards a more family-friendly Indie Chart in the run up to Christmas? While LittleBigPlanet is one of a very few massmarket titles amongst more hardcore offerings (like last week’s number one Fallout 3), there’s every chance that as December looms the appeal of more mass-market titles will win over consumers looking for presents for the big day. But will that impact the Indie Chart? Watch this space.

Meanwhile, PES 2009 and WWE Smackdown both prove that big franchises are still big hitters at retail, with the footballing title notching up no less than three versions in the chart and the wrestling game mustering up two iterations. jonathon.harker@intentmedia.co.uk

speaks to Andy Lees of Lancashire’s Lees FROM THE FRONTLINE MCV Games, a store that enjoys big 360 software sales...

What’s been the biggest challenge for Lees Games this year?

Keeping up with all the new releases.

Even with thirteen years of game buying experience I still get some titles in that I shouldn’t. Also, the growth of the supermarkets with their massive buying power and huge discounts has been a problem for us.

What has been performing above expectations?

Defintiely Xbox 360 – a large percentage of our customer base is the 360 market.

Games such as COD 4, GTA IV and Mercenaries 2 have been excellent sellers for us. We also have a large sale section of mainly PS2 and Xbox games, which is very popular with the local kids.

What hasn’t been doing so well?

We stock every PlayStation 3 title and we offer great trade-ins on them, but the PS3 is still a long way from the 360 in terms of sales. DS game sales have slowed down this year as well, especially on newer titles. I’m sure the R4 has something to do with it.

What’s unique about your store?

We have a friendly, indie atmosphere and we stock retro games, which are surprisingly popular. We’re also not pushy sales people, we’re gamers just like our customers and we try to be as helpful as possible by offering advice on anything – from how to set up your highdefinition TV to completing a level on Lego Batman.

TO TAKE PART PLEASE CONTACT: CHRIS.DRING@INTENTMEDIA.CO.UK

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RETAILBIZ: HIGH STREET W.MCVUK.COM

MCV 21/11/08 43 Sponsored by

Check out RETAILBIZ at WWW.MCVUK.COM

PRICE CHECK BRADFORD

Gears of War 2

LittleBigPlanet

Professor Layton: Curious Village

Guitar Hero: World Tour

WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2009

360, Microsoft

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DS, Nintendo

Wii, Activision Blizzard

PSP, THQ

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IN STORE

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Pick up an Xbox 360 60GB console with Gears of War, Gears of War 2 and Fallout 3 for just £199.99.

TM and © Nintendo 2008

Customers can Buy One Get One Free on selected PSP titles, including Killzone, God of War and LocoRoco.

The retailer is selling Xbox 360 20GB Pro Consoles for a mere £150 at its online store zavvi.co.uk.

There’s no doubt the Wii will continue to sell by the shed load this Christmas, with many retailers expecting another Christmas sell-out for Nintendo’s box of tricks.

With this in mind, Wii peripherals are vital for add-on sales, and one such product is the Engima Wii Console Bag. The bag is ideal for transporting the Wii to friends or family, and

comes in no less than two colours – pink and black.

The case also features extra pockets and sections ideal for storing games and accessories, and even allows gamers to connect the console up without taking it out of the bag.

The bag is fully waterproof, has a retail price of £14.99 and is available now.

Pinpoint: 01606 558 428

44,45 MCV514_final:46-47 MCV405

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RETAILBIZ: RETAIL CHARTS 44 MCV 21/11/08

WWW.MCVUK.COM

Check out RETAILBIZ at WWW.MCVUK.COM

OFFICIALUKCHARTS NINTENDO DS THIS LAST WEEK WEEK

[1] [FULL PRICE]

TITLE

1 2 3

2 7

DR KAWASHIMA’S BRAIN TRAINING BIG BRAIN ACADEMY

NINTENDO

4 5 6 7 8 9 10

6 4 3 8 5 18 12

MORE BRAIN TRAINING MORE TOUCHMASTER HSM 3: SENIOR YEAR MARIO KART DS NINTENDOGS: LABRADOR & FRIENDS CARNIVAL: FUNFAIR GAMES COOKING GUIDE: WHAT TO EAT

NINTENDO

DEVELOPER: NINTENDO PUBLISHER: NINTENDO

PLAYSTATION 2 THIS LAST WEEK WEEK

NINTENDO

DISNEY NINTENDO

2

NEW

WOW: WRATH OF LICH KING PC, MAC

NINTENDO

3

NEW

FOOTBALL MANAGER 2009 MAC, PSP, PC

4

1

GEARS OF WAR 2 360

MICROSOFT

5

2

FIFA ’09 DS, PS2, PC, 360, PS3, Wii

EA

6

17

GUITAR HERO: WORLD TOUR PS3, WII, 360, PS2 ACTIVISION BLIZZARD

7

6

PROFESSOR LAYTON DS

NINTENDO

8

7

MARIO KART WII Wii

NINTENDO

9

9

PRO EVO 2009 PC, PS3, 360, PS2, PSP, Wii

KONAMI

10

5

WWE SMACKDOWN VS RAW 2009 DS, PS2, PS3, PSP, Wii, 360 THQ

2K PLAY NINTENDO

PUBLISHER

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

PRO EVOLUTION SOCCER 2009 KONAMI FIFA ‘09 EA CALL OF DUTY: WORLD AT WAR ACTIVISION BLIZZARD QUANTUM OF SOLACE ACTIVISION BLIZZARD GUITAR HERO: WORLD TOUR ACTIVISION BLIZZARD STAR WARS: FORCE UNLEASHED LUCASARTS LEGO INDIANA JONES LUCASARTS CRASH: MIND OVER MUTANT ACTIVISION BLIZZARD MANHUNT 2 ROCKSTAR

4 6 5 8 9 7

[3]

DEVELOPER: YUKE’S PUBLISHER: THQ

[4]

RELEASE SCHEDULE Star Wars: The Force Unleashed Fracture Rapala’s Fishing Frenzy Spider-Man: Web of Shadows Transformers Animated Crash Bandicoot Mind Over Mutants Quantum of Solace World of Warcraft Wrath Of The Lich King Call of Duty: World of War Guitar Hero On Tour Decades Guitar Hero World Tour Software only Guitar Hero World Tour Solo Guitar Pack & Software Guitar Hero World Tour Complete Band Pack & Software Kung Fu Panda - Legendary Warriors Star Wars The Clone Wars: Lightsaber Duels Star Wars The Clone Wars: Jedi Alliance Barbie Fashion Show: An Eye for Style Barbie Horse Adventures: Summer Camp Guitar Hero World Tour Complete Band Pack & Software Shrek’s Carnival Craze Spyro Dawn Of The Dragon Tony Hawk's Motion World Championship Off Road Racing Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa

DS, PS2, PS3, PSP, Wii, 360 PS3, 360 PS3, 360, Wii DS, PC, PS2, PS3, PSP, Wii, 360 DS PS2, PSP, 360, Wii, NDS DS, PC, PS2, PS3, Wii, 360 PC Xbox 360, PS3, PC, Wii, NDS, PS2 NDS Wii, Xbox 360, PS3, PS2 Wii, Xbox 360, PS3, PS2 Wii, Xbox 360, PS3 DS, Wii Wii DS DS DS, PS2, Wii PS2 DS, PS2, Wii Xbox 360, DS, PS2, PS3, Wii NDS Wii, PS3, 360 DS, PC, PS2, PS3, Wii, 360

FORMAT: DS, PC, PS2, PS3, Wii, 360 DEVELOPER: TREYARCH PUBLISHER: ACTIVISION BLIZZARD

LAST WEEK

[FULL PRICE]

TITLE

1 CALL OF DUTY: WORLD AT WAR THIS WEEK

1 NEW

[2]

MIDWAY

WWE SMACKDOWN VS RAW 2009

1 3

TOP 40ALL

PUBLISHER

PROFESSOR LAYTON: CURIOUS VILLAGE

[ENTERTAINMENT - FULL PRICE]

Out Now Out Now Out Now Out Now Out Now Out Now Out Now Out Now Out Now Out Now Out Now Out Now Out Now Out Now Out Now Out Now Out Now Out Now Out Now Out Now Out Now Out Now Out Now 28 Nov

[5]

TITLE

PUBLISHER ACTIVISSION BLIZZARD SEGA

11

11

WII PLAY Wii

NINTENDO

12

10

WII FIT Wii

NINTENDO

13

12

DR KAWASHIMA’S BRAIN TRAINING DS

NINTENDO

14

3

FALLOUT 3 360, PS3, PC

BETHESDA

15

15

MARIO & SONIC: OLYMPIC GAMES Wii, DS

16

NEW

WII MUSIC Wii

17

13

LEGO BATMAN DS, PC, PS2, PS3, PSP, Wii, 360

18

8

QUANTUM OF SOLACE PS2, PS3, 360, WII, PS2, DS ACTIVISION BLIZZARD

19

4

LITTLEBIGPLANET PS3

20

NEW

MIRROR’S EDGE PS3

PSP

[FULL PRICE]

THIS LAST WEEK WEEK

TITLE

SEGA NINTENDO

WARNER BROS.

SONY EA

PUBLISHER

1 FIFA ‘09

DEVELOPER: EA PUBLISHER: EA

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

NEW

4 2 3 5 6 7 8 NEW

FOOTBALL MANAGER 2009 SEGA PRO EVOLUTION SOCCER 2009 KONAMI LEGO BATMAN WARNER BROS. WWE SMACKDOWN VS RAW 2009 THQ MIDNIGHT CLUB: LA REMIX ROCKSTAR STAR WARS: FORCE UNLEASHED LUCASARTS LEGO INDIANA JONES LUCASARTS MANHUNT 2 ROCKSTAR CRASH: MIND OVER MUTANT ACTIVISION BLIZZARD

44,45 MCV514_final:46-47 MCV405

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RETAILBIZ: RETAIL CHARTS WWW.MCVUK.COM

MCV 21/11/08 45

PS3

[FULL PRICE]

THIS LAST WEEK WEEK

TITLE

L FORMATS 1 Highest New Entry

21

Highest Top 40 Climber

LEGO INDIANA JONES DS, PC, PS2, PS3, Wii, 360, PSP

RE

LUCASARTS

22

19

CARNIVAL: FUN FAIR GAMES Wii, DS

2K GAMES

23

27

BIG BRAIN ACADEMY DS, Wii

NINTENDO

24

RE

KUNG FU PANDA DS, PC, PS2 PS3, Wii, 360

25

18

MIDNIGHT CLUB: LOS ANGELES PS3, 360

26

14

FAR CRY 2 PC, PS3, 360

27

16

FABLE II 360

MICROSOFT

28

26

MORE BRAIN TRAINING DS

NINTENDO

29

28

BEN 10: PROTECTOR OF EARTH PSP, DS, PS2, Wii

30

22

MYSIMS KINGDOM Wii, DS

31

NEW

HSM3: SENIOR YEAR DANCE PC, PS2, Wii, 360

32

24

C&C: RED ALERT 3 PC

33

23

MORE TOUCHMASTER DS

MIDWAY

34

NEW

MORE GAME PARTY Wii

MIDWAY

35

29

MOTORSTORM: PACIFIC RIFT PS3

SONY

36

35

WALL E Wii, PS3, PS2, 360, DS, PSP, PC

THQ

37

ACTIVISION BLIZZARD

DEVELOPER: TREYARCH PUBLISHER: ACTIVISION BLIZZARD LITTLEBIGPLANET FIFA ‘09 PRO EVOLUTION SOCCER 2009 GUITAR HERO: WORLD TOUR WWE SMACKDOWN VS RAW 2009 MOTORSTORM: PACIFIC RIFT MIRROR’S EDGE FALLOUT 3 QUANTUM OF SOLACE

SONY EA KONAMI ACTIVISION BLIZZARD THQ SONY EA BETHESDA ACTIVISION BLIZZARD

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

MICROSOFT

39

30

TOM CLANCY’S ENDWAR DS, PS3, 360, PSP

UBISOFT

40

34

MARIO KART DS DS

NINTENDO

TITLE

PUBLISHER

DEVELOPER: NINTENDO PUBLISHER: NINTENDO

EA

DISNEY

[FULL PRICE]

1 MARIO KART WII

EA

HSM 3: SENIOR YEAR DS

3 2 NEW

4 19 5 NEW

9 7

WII PLAY WII FIT WII MUSIC MARIO & SONIC AT THE OLYMPIC GAMES GUITAR HERO: WORLD TOUR CARNIVAL: FUN FAIR GAMES HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 3: SENIOR YEAR MORE GAME PARTY BIG BEACH SPORTS

XBOX 360

[FULL PRICE]

TITLE

3 5

THIS LAST WEEK WEEK

DISNEY

20

THIS LAST WEEK WEEK

NEW

WII

D3P

38

PC CD-ROM

1 2 7 13 4 6

CALL OF DUTY: WORLD AT WAR

ROCKSTAR UBISOFT

VIVA PINÁTA 360, PC

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

PUBLISHER

(c) ELSPA, Compiled by ChartTrack

WEEK ENDING 15/11/08

PUBLISHER

THIS LAST WEEK WEEK

NINTENDO NINTENDO NINTENDO SEGA ACTIVISION BLIZZARD 2K GAMES DISNEY MIDWAY THQ

[FULL PRICE]

TITLE

PUBLISHER

1 WOW: WRATH OF LICH KING 1 CALL OF DUTY: WORLD AT WAR DEVELOPER: BLIZZARD PUBLISHER: ACTIVISION BLIZZARD

NEW NEW

1 2 NEW

3 4 6 7

FOOTBALL MANAGER 2009 CALL OF DUTY: WORLD AT WAR C&C: RED ALERT 3 FALLOUT 3 LOTR ONLINE: MINES OF MORIA FAR CRY 2 SPORE THE SIMS 2: APARTMENT LIFE THE SIMS 2: DOUBLE DELUXE

SEGA ACTIVISION BLIZZARD EA BETHESDA CODEMASTERS UBISOFT EA EA EA

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

1 9 3 2 4 10 5 NEW

8

GEARS OF WAR 2 GUITAR HERO: WORLD TOUR FIFA ‘09 FALLOUT 3 FABLE II PRO EVOLUTION SOCCER 2009 WWE SMACKDOWN VS RAW 2009 MIRROR’S EDGE MIDNIGHT CLUB: LOS ANGELES

MICROSOFT ACTIVISION BLIZZARD EA BETHESDA MICROSOFT KONAMI THQ EA ROCKSTAR

[SOURCE]

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

DEVELOPER: TREYARCH PUBLISHER: ACTIVISION BLIZZARD

XZk`m`j`fe%Zfd DX[X^XjZXi1 <jZXg\ ) 8]i`ZX )''/ ;i\XdNfibj 8e`dXk`fe C%C%:% 8cc i`^_kj i\j\im\[% >Xd\ )''/ 8Zk`m`j`fe GlYc`j_`e^# @eZ% 8Zk`m`j`fe `j X i\^`jk\i\[ kiX[\dXib f] 8Zk`m`j`fe GlYc`j_`e^# @eZ% 8cc i`^_kj i\j\im\[% D`Zifjf]k# N`e[fnj# k_\ N`e[fnj M`jkX JkXik Ylkkfe# OYfo# OYfo *-'# OYfo C@M<# Xe[ k_\ OYfo cf^fj Xi\ kiX[\dXibj f] k_\ D`Zifjf]k ^iflg f] ZfdgXe`\j# Xe[ Ê>Xd\j ]fi N`e[fnjË Xe[ k_\ N`e[fnj M`jkX JkXik Ylkkfe cf^f Xi\ lj\[ le[\i c`Z\ej\ ]ifd D`Zifjf]k% Ë # ÊGcXpJkXk`feË Xe[ ÊGC8PJK8K@FEË Xi\ i\^`jk\i\[ kiX[\dXibj f] Jfep :fdglk\i <ek\ikX`ed\ek @eZ% E@EK<E;F ;J# N`` 8E; K?< N`` CF>F 8I< KI8;<D8IBJ F= E@EK<E;F% 8cc fk_\i kiX[\dXibj Xe[ kiX[\ eXd\j Xi\ k_\ gifg\ik`\j f] k_\`i i\jg\Zk`m\ fne\ij%

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Page 1

TO ADVERTISE CONTACT ROB BAKER ON: 01992 535647 OR DISTRIBUTION

DIRECTORY KEY CONTACTS

CREATIVE & PROMOTIONAL SERVICES Wrapstar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0)7778 204970 DISTRIBUTION Creative Distribution . . . . 020 8664 3456 Gem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01279 822800 Ideal Software . . . . . . . . . . . 01767 689 720 Keyne Distribution . . . . . . . . . 0870 1216051 Logic3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01923 471 000 Meroncourt . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01462 680060 Music Express . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0113 234 4112 GAMES CONSOLE REPAIR Total Console Repair Ltd . . 087 19 18 17 21

LOCALISATION Absolute Quality . . . . . . . . . 0141 220 5600 Partnertrans . . . . . . . . +49 (0)2104 172660 Testronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01753 653 722 Universally Speaking. . . . . . . 01480 210621 STORE FITTINGS AMA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01924 507 217 DISC REPAIR Scratch Busters . . . . . . . . . . 01992 535 701 TDR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01202 489 500 Perfect Play . . . . . . . . . . . . . 020 8778 5164 RTI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01895 252 191

Gem Creative Get your message out Gem Creative offer retail specific design and production support including trade & consumer advertising campaigns, Point of Sale, marketing collateral, repackaging, bundling and concept solutions.

Contact Neil Handa Gem Distribution Ltd St George House Parkway Harlow Business Park Harlow Essex CM19 5QF 01279 822822 www.gem.co.uk POS

Packaging

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GEM. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01279 822800 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.gem.co.uk

CREATIVE & PROMOTIONAL SERVICES

DISTRIBUTION

WRAPSTAR . . . . . . . . . . . . . +44 (0) 7778 204970 . . . . . . . . www.wrapstar-skins.com

IDEAL SOFTWARE . . . . . . . +44 (0) 1767 689720 . . . . . . . . . . www.idealsoftware.net

DISTRIBUTION

DISTRIBUTION

Keyne Distribution "Looking for a new reliable supplier! Look no further!"

Software and hardware distributor All top platform new releases in stock Flexible next day delivery to the UK and most European destinations Over 500 different products in stock at all times Terms of trading will be 30 days on insured Customers Shipping is by Customers account, or on our UPS - Fedex or DHL account.

The fastest growing independent distributor in the United Kingdom

Tel: 0870 1216051 Fax: 0870 1216053 Email: phil@keynedistribution.co.uk Unit C105, MKTWO Business Centre, 1-6 Barton Road, Water Eaton Ind Est, Milton Keynes, MK2 3HU

CREATIVE DISTRIBUTION. . . . 0208 6643456 . . . . www.creativedistribution.co.uk

KEYNE DISTRIBUTION . . . . . . . . 0870 1216051. . . . . . . phil@keynedistribution.co.uk

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ROB.BAKER@INTENTMEDIA.CO.UK DISTRIBUTION

EDITORIAL PLANNER Some of the special issues coming up in MCV, the only trade publication that covers all sectors of the market...

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 28th

DISTRIBUTION SPECIAL FOCUS MCV takes an in-depth look at the big issues involved in the everimportant distribution sector. We speak to the major players about the future of the supply chain, and how they will be tackling the challenges ahead for the distribution side of the games trade. There’s also a comprehensive run-down of Christmas opening hours – enjoy!

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 28th

TERRITORY REPORT: SPAIN MCV investigates the gaming market in Spain and Portugal with an indepth territory report. Boasting a significant ex-pat community and decreasing product costs in the sector, these southern European countries are expected to see increased growth in the near future.

MCV speaks to local industry faces and analysts for a detailed look at the present and future of video gaming in the territories.

FRIDAY DECEMBER 5th

CHRISTMAS MARKETING SPECIAL With the battle for Christmas number one well and truly in full swing by early December, we report on how platform holders, publishers and retailers are attempting to get the upper hand through marketing their wares. Expect interviews with key marketing players and a look at the most effective campaigns from years gone by. Who are you backing to take the top spot?

FRIDAY DECEMBER 12th

TERRITORY REPORT: ITALY Italy isn’t all about pizza, pasta and gondolas – it’s got a burgeoning games market too. The Italian video game sector has grown steadily over the past few years, and MCV will take a closer look at the territory following its first Video Game Developers Conference, which kicks off in Milan.

FRIDAY DECEMBER 12th

ANNUAL RETAIL SURVEY MCV publishes the results of its annual retailer survey, quizzing a huge number of retailers for their views on 2008. We’ll ask retailers which products have been key, how confident they are in their business and their thoughts on what the next 12 months have in store.

FRIDAY DECEMBER 19th

REVIEW OF THE YEAR With what is surely the biggest year ever for the video games trade drawing to a close, there is plenty to talk about in MCV’s Review of the Year. We take a look back at the stories that rocked the industry and examine the highs and the lows of 2008. We’ll also take a look at what the trade believes 2009 has got in store for gaming.

FRIDAY JANUARY 9th

50 THINGS TO LOOK FORWARD TO IN 2009 Let’s face it, the post-Christmas hangover that we call New Year can be a touch depressing, but there’s no need to be a miserable old sod – there’s plenty coming up. To prove it MCV will list 50 things to look forward to in 2009, and if you’ve got any suggestions, why not let us know?

FOR MORE DETAILS CONTACT:

JONATHON.HARKER@INTENTMEDIA.CO.UK LOGIC 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01923 471000 . . . . . . . . . . . www.uksales@logic3.com

50-55 MCV514_FINAL:Layout 1

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Page 3

TO ADVERTISE CONTACT ROB BAKER ON: 01992 535647 OR DISC REPAIR

Develop is the only dedicated publication for the UK and European games development community. It reaches over 8,000 request-only subscribers every month.

STUDIOS 7 Seas Tech ..................................................www.7seastech.com Atomic Planet...........................................+44 (0) 1642 871 100 Blitz Games Studios..................................+44 (0) 1926 880 000 Broadsword Interactive ..............................+44 (0) 1970 626299 Creative North ...........................................+44 (0)1484 487904 Fuse Games ..........................................careers@fusegames.com Oxygen ....................................................+44 (0) 1933 446437 Realtime Worlds.......................................+44 (0) 1382 202 821 Stainless Games...................................jobs@stainlessgames.com Strawdog Studio.......................................+44 (0) 1332 258 862 TOOLS bluegfx ....................................................+44 (0) 1483 467 200 Epic Games ....................................................+1 919 870 1516 Fork Particle ...............................................00 (1) 925 417 1785 Natural Motion ..........................................+44 (0)1865 250575 SERVICES 3D Creation Studio ..................................+44 (0) 151 236 9992 Absolute Quality .......................................+44 (0)141 220 5600 Air Studios ...............................................+44 (0) 207 794 0660 Cadjobs .........................................................+31 107 504 588 Datascope ...............................................+44 (0) 20 7580 6018 Partnertrans .............................................+49 (0) 2104 172 660 Philips amBX .......................................................www.ambx.com Testronic Labs ...........................................+44 (0)1753 653 722 Tsunami Sounds.......................................+44 (0) 207 350 2828 Universally Speaking ................................+44 (0) 1480 210 621 COURSES Goldsmiths ................................................+44 (0)20 70785052 University of Hull......................................+44 (0) 1482 465 951

PERFECTPLAY . . . . . . . . . . . . . 020 8778 5164 . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.perfectplay.co.uk

SUPPORT YOUR PRINT ADVERTISING WITH AN

ONLINE PRESENCE £450 PER MONTH SITE WIDE BUTTON Size: 300x100 pixels File type: Animated Flash swf or animated gif

£550 PER MONTH TOP 4 BUTTON PLUS EMAIL NEWSFLASH Size: 140x120 pixels File type: Static jpeg or animated gif

To be included in the Develop Directory (which appears every month in Develop and every week in MCV) contact jaspreet.kandola@intentmedia.co.uk.

All subscription requests should go to mcv.subscriptions@c-cms.com

DISTRIBUTION

For further online advertising information please contact

Lesley.Blumson@intentmedia.co.uk or call 01992 535647

MCVUK.COM March ‘08 Page Views 471,735 Sessions served 304,870 Unique Visitors 215,754

Feb ‘08 404,964 242,537 163,712

www.mcvuk.com MERONCOURT . . . . . . . . . . +44 (0) 1462 680060 . . . http://trade.meroncourt.co.uk

MCV. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01992 535647 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.mcvuk.com

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ROB.BAKER@INTENTMEDIA.CO.UK GAMES CONSOLE REPAIR

Insider’s | Guide

TOTAL CONSOLE REPAIR . . . . . . 087 19 18 17 21. . . . . www.totalconsolerepair.co.uk LOCALISATION

In this week’s Insider’s Guide, MCV speaks to Total Console Repair’s MD Rob Austin…

ABSOLUTE QUALITY . . . . . . +44 (0)141 220 5600 . . . . . www.absolutequality.co.uk LOCALISATION

Could you tell us a little about Total Console Repairs?

Total Console Repairs offers a fully comprehensive repairs service for all gaming consoles and iPods. The turn around time for repairs from the day received is on average three-tofive working days, and Total Console Repairs will also arrange inbound and outgoing carriage with a courier.

TCR started off three years ago as a two-man band and now has a repairs workshop with 30 dedicated console repair technicians and staff.

What’s been the secret to your success?

The secret behind TCR’s success is the ammunition behind the team work of the staff members and the constant progression of the company.

TCR has a very strong team of staff working together in harmony to offer a great service

PARTNERTRANS . . . . . . . . . +49 (0)2104 172660. . . . . . . . . . . www.partnertrans.com

to gamers. What makes TCR unique is that they also offer an iPod repairs service even for the older generation with poor battery life – TCR makes the impossible possible.

What message would you like to give to potential customers?

We would like to offer our new customers a 10 per cent discount off any repair when quoting 5997.

Have you any funny stories to share with MCV readers?

The funniest thing the team can recollect was one evening on a late shift the guys asked another team member if he thought he would fit into a cardboard box. Willingly the volunteer got into the box to prove his point. Unaware of what the motive behind the task was, the volunteer got wrapped up and ready for posting – game on!

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TO ADVERTISE CONTACT ROB BAKER ON: 01992 535647 OR LOCALISATION

DISC REPAIR

TESTRONIC LABORATORIES . . . +44 (0) 1753 653 722. . . . www.testroniclabs.com

SCRATCHBUSTERS . . . . . . . . . 01992 535701 . . . . . . . . . . . www.scratchbusters.co.uk

LOCALISATION

DISC REPAIR

We’ll make sure your disc repair is up to scratch All the disc repair options you need, from entry level machines to state-of-the-art electronic systems.

Call or visit our website to find out more.

Disc-Go-Devil Devilishly good and only £666

TDR OneStep just £1295

01202 489 500

www.totaldiscrepair.co.uk

UNIVERSALLY SPEAKING . . . . . . . 01480 210621 . . . . . . . . . . . www.usspeaking.com

TOTAL DISC REPAIR. . . . . . . . . . 01202 489500 . . . . . . . . . www.totaldiscrepair.co.uk

STORE FITTINGS

DISC REPAIR

HIGH PERFORMANCE OPTICAL DISC REPAIR SYSTEMS Eco Senior Fully Automatic Repair System

Eco Smart

Entry Level Repair System

Call 01895 252191 for Introductory Offers Eco Master

50 disc Automatic Repair System

AMA DISPLAYS . . . . . . . . . . +44 (0) 1924 507217 . . . . . . . . . www.ama-displays.co.uk

www.rtico.com RTI-inbox@rtiuk.co.uk

High Speed Optical Disc Inspection System

RTI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01895 252191 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.rtico.com

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ROB.BAKER@INTENTMEDIA.CO.UK DISC REPAIR

DISC-GO-DEVIL Only

£666 Plus VAT

DIARY DATES ‘08 From the MCV PES Industry Tournament to the PC Retail Awards, here are all the essential industry dates for your diary…

DECEMBER THE DEVELOP QUIZ Wednesday, December 10th AKA Bar, London orlaith.kennedy@intentmedia.co.uk MCV PES INDUSTRY RANKINGS Thursday, November 27th Rex Cinema, Soho pesrankings.com/ industry

JANUARY

HELL OF A PRICE FOR A WICKED MACHINE. Introducing the new Disc-Go-Devil - a stunning price-performance breakthrough in disc repair.

One-stage, fully automated repair O Simple to use O Small and robust O History function for accurate monitoring of usage O 30 day money-back guarantee and 1 year warranty as standard O

CES INTERNATIONAL 2009 Thursday, January 8thJanuary 10th Las Vegas, USA www.CESweb.org BETT 2009 Wednesday, January 14thSaturday, January 17th Olympia, London www.bettshow.com

FEBRUARY INTERNATIONAL MOBILE GAMES AWARDS Wednesday, February 18th Barcelona, Spain www.imgawards.com THE ELAN AWARDS Saturday, February 28th Vancouver, Canada www.theelans.com/2009

MARCH PC RETAIL AWARDS 2009 Friday, March 13th Royal Garden Hotel, Kensington Katie.rawlings@intentmedia.co.uk

JULY

01202 489 500 www.totaldiscrepair.co.uk/devil

TOTAL DISC REPAIR. . . . . . . . . . 01202 489500 . . . . . . . . . www.totaldiscrepair.co.uk

Konami is now accepting teams interested in looking into the whites of their opponents’ eyes at the latest MCV PES Industry Tournament. It is open to all MCV readers although, of course, there is a strict limit on the number of teams that can be granted a starting place.

You must enter in teams of two and you must work for the same company. Head to the site above for more...

DEVELOP CONFERENCE 2009 Tuesday, July 14thThursday July 16th Brighton, UK www.develop-conference.com

MCV/XBOX 360 PUB QUIZ Wednesday, December 3rd AKA Bar, London dave.roberts@ intentmedia.co.uk

MCV provides retailers, suppliers and media the chance to show off their general knowledge skills in an appropriate arena for our industry – the local pub.

There will be thousands of pounds worth of prizes up for grabs to the best performers on the night, as well as loads of topnotch booze and food.

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International Distribution Guide AUSTRALIA

CYPRUS

All Interactive.................Helensvale Town Centre

Gibareio.............................................................Nicosia

GOODTONES GREAT GAMES LTD AFA INTERACTIVE 66 Hughes Street, Mile End, South Australia 5031 Tel: +61 8823 41355

1 Alkaiou Street / Office 1 / Engomi / Nicosia 2404 / Cyprus tel. +357 22 666612 www.greatgames.com.cy

GERMANY

Coop Italia..........................................Sesto F.NO (FI) Digital Bros spa................................................Milano Leader Spa.................................Gazzada Schianno Newave Italia...................................................Firenze Promovideo SRL ...........................................Senago

DTP ENTERTAINMENT AG Goldbekplatz 3-5, 22303 Hamburg, Germany Tel: +49 (0)40 66 99 10 0 Fax: +49 (0)40 66 99 10 10 email: s.lass@dtp-entertainment.com Web: www.dtp-entertainment.com

DENMARK

GREECE

QVS ENTERTAINMENT TRADING APS Stenholm 1, 9400, Norresundby, Denmark Phone: +45 70277640 Fax: +45 70277650 email: sales@entertainment-trading.com Web www.entertainment-trading.com

THQ AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND & ASIA. Asia Pacific HQ - Level 8/606 St.Kilda Rd, Melbourne, Vic, Australia, 3004 Web: asiapac-sales@thq.com Tel: +6139573.9203

Gameworld BV............................Capelle A/D Ijssel Micromedia BV...........................................Nijmegen Favour Games..................................................Tilburg Rigu Sound B.V................2153 GB Nieuw Vennep

NEW ZEALAND Groß Electronic .......................................Rohrnbach Otto Group ...................................................Hamburg Playcom Software Vertriebs .......................Erfurt Vitrex Multimedia Großhandel.....................Erfurt

Australia email: paulelliot@qvsoftware.com.au Web: www.qvsoftware.com.au Tel: 61 2 9748 2555

NETHERLANDS

Centric ...............................................................Athens Nortec Multimedia.........................................Athens Zegetron S.A....................................................Athens

Gamewizz..........................................................Albany

NORWAY Pan Vision Norway.....................................Trollasen MPX.no .......................................................Sandefjord Platekompaniet....................................................Oslo Massemedia AS...........................................Notteroy Pan Vision Norway..............................................Oslo

POLAND

HUNGARY

CD Projekt Sp. z o.o......................................Warsaw

Antec .............................................................Budapest

COMGAME 576 LTD GATEWAY DISTRIBUTION APS Gateway Distribution ApS +44 1279 408 665 (UK) +45 7026 0870 (DK) dt@gatewaydistribution.dk www.gatewaydistribution.dk

1042 Budapest, Arpad UT 112, Hungary Tel: +36 1 369 2686 Fax: +36 1 272 0109 Email: bzsolt@576.hu Web: www.576.hu

ICELAND Sena ................................................................Reykavik

Red Ant...................................Baulkham Hills, NSW

AUSTRIA

ESTONIA

Koch Media GmbH...............................Rottenmann Play Art Multimedia Handels GmbH....Rankweil

Andrico ..............................................................Tallinn

TECHLAND Sp. z.o.o.

Kazmierza Wlk 27, 50-077 Wroclaw, Poland Email: business@techland.pl Web: www.techland.pl Tel: +48 71 341 76 95 Fax: +48 71 343 98 96

PORTUGAL ecofilmes...............................Sao Joao Da Madeira

INDIA TM

BELGIUM Horelec S.A. ...........................................Bruxelles CLD Distribution S.A. .........................Fernelmont

BENELUX

FINLAND Panvision Oy.......................................................Turku

FRANCE EMC GROUPE CASINO..........Croissy Beaubourg

Contact Data......................................................Breda

INNELEC MULTIMEDIA GAMEWORLD Cornusbaan 1, 2908 KB Capelle A/D IJssel Tel: +31 10 298 3838 Web: rishi@gameworld.nl

45 rue Delizy, 93692 PANTIN Cedex France Email purchase: f_alglave@innelec.com Email export sales: g_armspach@innelec.com Tel: 00.33.1.48.10.55.55

MILESTONE INTERACTIVE SOFTWARE LIMITED

PLANETA DEAGOSTINI INTERACTIVE

Pramukh Plaza, 2nd Floor, Cardinal Gracious Road, Chakala, Andheri East, Mumbai 400 099, INDIA. Tel: +91 22 28203319 Fax: +91 22 28203334 email: distribution@milestoneinteractive.com website: www.milestoneinteractive.com

Diagonal, 662-664, 3ª planta D, 08034, Barcelona, Spain, Tel: +34 93 492 08 89 Web: distributioninteractive@ planetadeagostini.es www.planetadeagostini.net

ISRAEL Hed-Arzi......................................................Or-Yehuda

ITALY Cidiverte Spa ...............................................Gallarate

v.2 PLAY. LDA Studio Office Marquês de Pombal – Avenida de Loulé nº 123 1069-152 Lisbon, Portugal Tel. 00351 21 31 46 51 0 Fax 00351 21 31 61 12 5

TO ADVERTISE IN THE INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTION GUIDE

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The International Distribution Guide is dedicated to promoting companies outside of the UK. If you are looking for new customers overseas, then look no further...

RUSSIA

SWEDEN Bergsala AB............................................Kungsbacka Panvision....................................................Stockholm SIBA AB ...................................................Gothenburg

SWITZERLAND ABC Software GmbH.......................................Buchs

AKELLA 12/1 Bolshaya Novodmitrovskaya st., 127015, Moscow, Russia Phone: +7 (495) 363-4612 Fax: +7 (495) 363-4615 http://en.akella.com Hitzona.............................................................Moscow Noviy Disk .......................................................Moscow Soft Club..........................................................Moscow Vellod...................................................................Mitishi

SINGAPORE Replay Interactive....................................Singapore

SOUTH AFRICA

TURKEY ARAL Import..................................................Istanbul Nortec Eurasia...............................................Istanbul

UNITED STATES BASCO, INC. 118-21 Queens Boulevard, Suite 509, Forest Hills, NY 11375 Tel: +001 917 627 3000 Fax: 1-718-228-4401 email: sales@bascogames.com Web: www.bascogames.com

x

Midigital ..............................................Johannesburg Nu Metro Interactive ......................Johannesburg

SPAIN Ardistel. S.L..................................................Zaragoza Distribuciones Videográficas Digitales ....MADRID Lamee Software S.L. .....................................Madrid

DREAMGEAR, LLC

FRIENDWARE Marques de Monteagudo 18, 28028 Madrid, Spain email: juan.bustamante@friendware.es

20001 S. Western Ave. Torrance, CA 90501 Phone: 310-222-5522 x 111 Fax: 310-222-5577 Contact: Moris Mirzadeh Email: moris@dreamgear.net

U.S. GAMES DISTRIBUTION, INC. 16700 Schoenborn St. #2 North Hills, CA. 91343 Tel: +1 818 920 9393 info@usgamesdist.com www.usgamesdist.com

PLANETA DEAGOSTINI INTERACTIVE Diagonal, 662-664, 3ª planta D, 08034, Barcelona, Spain, Tel: +34 93 492 08 89 Web: distributioninteractive@ planetadeagostini.es www.planetadeagostini.net

UAE Red Entertainment Distribution ..................Dubai

VIRGIN PLAY

PLUTO GAMES

Paseo de la Castellana 9 – 11, 28046 Madrid, Spain Tel: +34 91 789 35 50 Web: www.virginplay.es

PO Box 10705, Office 103-104 Emirates Islamic Bank Building,Dubai, UAE. www.pluto-games.com Tel: +971 4261 8111 Fax: +971 4261 8112

DistribucionesVideográficas Digitales ....Madrid Distribuye Palmera................................Las Palmas JC Distribuciones .............................................Getxo Shine Star, S.A...........................................Barcelona

Modern Pluto Trading LLC...............Saudi Arabia NXT Global LLC .................................................Dubai Pluto Derinton Games LLC............................Egypt

INTERNATIONAL NEWS LYON-based Game Connection Europe wrapped up earlier this month, with plenty of endorsements for the trade event from across the games industry.

Focusing on the future of gaming, Game Connection Europe saw developers, publishers, and service and tech providers descend on the French city.

Boasting a scheduling headache of 5,900 meetings, trade professionals from 34 countries attended the event, which dealt with all of the major platforms – including the increasingly important iPhone format.

“GC Europe is the opportunity for us to expand on fast-growing markets like the iPhone. The event is an essential component of the videogame calendar year,” said Empire Interactive country manager for France and Benelux Stéphane Grand-Chavin. “Game Connection is a very unique meeting place for publishers and developers on all formats to

establish and develop strong relationships.”

Other industry figures joined in the praise for the event, not least of all Mark Rein, Epic Games VP and co-founder: “In 2007, I attended Game Connection in Lyon for the first time and I’ve been hooked ever since. It is now an annual event on my calendar, every bit as important to our business as GDC or E3. I’m convinced that many of the upand-coming developers I’ve met at Game Connection events are future game industry superstars and I look forward to watching their careers blossom.”

Naturally the event organiser Game Connection also had a word or two to add about the event: “The relationships created and renewed at each Game Connection are essential to the future of the industry, and to the future success of each attendee,” said Pierre Carde, managing director of Connection Events.

PLEASE CONTACT ROB.BAKER@INTENTMEDIA.CO.UK

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MCV FORUM JOIN THE DEBATE AT MCVUK.COM/FORUM

Do you welcome ‘anti -used’ technology?

We asked the MCV forum what they thought about the recent measures being made to combat second hand selling...

Chris Ratcliff The Game Guide

Don McCabe CHIPS

Gary Noakes Game Player

It’s not a matter of whether I welcome them, but whether the game buying public welcomes them. As we enter a recession it seems an odd thing to start doing.

Specialist retailers can’t make money from new games and now it seems they won’t be able to make money from used games either. I am concerned about the potential PR issue this may have.

Then there’s the administrative burden publishers have taken on to deal with members of the public who have bought a new computer, or have effected some repair or upgrade that invalids the registration.

But my main worry is that while the publishers can make it difficult for both retail and the public to deal in used games, the R4 cartridge grows in popularity every day. Why not tackle that rather than put the boot into the specialists again?

Of course retailers will be happy to sell them and we have been compiling a database of games that have no used value for some time, which will be uploaded to the Game Guide Epos systems we update every month.

It really depends on the reasons for the technology – if it’s an antipiracy method then that’s absolutely fine, apart from the fact that the majority suffer for the actions of the few.

It then comes down to how its implemented; as the more hurdles you place in the road of a consumer the less enjoyment they will get out of that product.

Piracy is real but the publisher’s issue with pre-owned is a perceived problem. It would be very easy to argue that the market would not have grown to its present size had pre-owned not become part of the overall sector. Therefore I think that it is unfair that publishers now seek to change the dynamics of the market.

The use of DRM is always a part of the decision to stock a game or not and at the moment adverse or confusing DRM falls into the reasons against stocking a title.

No I don’t welcome it, it is ridiculous. The owner of the game should be allowed to re-sell. You don’t get this with a second hand car; you don’t need to pay to get the engine started.

These are unfair bullying tactics and it will fail. Customers, when buying a new game, take into account the value of the game when re-selling, especially with today’s economy.

I won’t sell any of these games and will deliberately boycott them. I’ll also ensure that customers understand the problems these games will bring to their wallet when they’re finished with them. I hate big companies that use these tactics. There is nothing wrong with pre-owned, and introducing technological measures to stop this market is a sign of panic due to decreased sales. All new sales are suffering in all sectors, it isn’t the fault of pre-owned.

I am opening my third store in two weeks, I specialise in preowned and it accounts for 90 per cent of my stock. This move from publishers won’t stop me expanding, that’s for sure!

Avneet Kandola, We feel this new technology would put people off from buying the Games Connection game. We already have had customers who complained about this when they heard the news that System 3 were looking into it.

We stock pre-owned games to stay in business as we can’t survive on the pennies that we make from new releases, especially when supermarkets are always discounting. For instance, Call of Duty: World at War at Asda was £27 – which is madness as we do not get the game that cheap ourselves.

‘tasch of the titans Hi all, I thought it was time for a return to the ‘charity appeal / lets all laugh at games people looking stupid in the back of MCV’-style letter… so I hoped we might get a bit of coverage for our Movember efforts?

Bit of background for you: Movember (www.movember.com) is a men’s health charity that works to promote awareness and education of both Testicular and Prostate cancer all over the world.

So why does that mean people should sponsor us (other than it being a bloody good cause and one that should be close to a least half the population)?

Well, those of us industry types who have assumed the mantle of Mo Bro have, for the last couple of weeks, been growing, grooming, shaping and generally preening some of the finest Mo’s seen since Magnum PI, Burt Reynolds and Merv Hughes.

We’re now scrabbling around our friends and loved ones to sponsor us for a very worthy cause – and for looking damn cool in the process.

Anyone who wishes to sponsor us just needs to visit www.movember.com/mospace , followed by the donation number(s), which are listed below: Greg Jones (THQ) 1498101 Mark Cantwell (THQ) 1498061 Gary Simmens (Ubisoft) 1518591 Phil Smith (Ubisoft) 1778651 Ian Watson (THQ) 1880056 Jonty Cowan (THQ 1889706 James Truter (THQ) 1687816 Also, please find enclosed a selection of pictures of everyone’s truly fantastic 14day-old mo’s.

Greg Jones, PR Manager THQ

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OFF THE RECORD This week, we take the mickey out of a man with biceps bigger than our thighs, and enjoy a long gander at EA’s beautiful celebrity friends. Elsewhere, there are goodies to be won, and people dressed up as World of Warcraft characters...

CATCH THEM

IF YOU CAN… We might like to think we’ve cracked ‘video games for everyone’, but there are plenty out there who still think DS is something that needs to be treated by a doctor. Here we profile a section of society that don’t ‘get it’ – and are simply never likely to...

‘SHENMUE JOE’ As every publisher in the land seeks to widen its audience, there are those handful of embittered cases that feel left behind by this brave new world. And then there are the hardcore of the hardcore. A geek and proud, Joe refuses to play video games any more because they’re no longer ‘a pure art form’ like they were when the only people to understand them had a UV deficiency.

Nowadays, he sits cold and lonely in his bedroom – adorned with snipes on his blog all day long. In between the porn sessions, obviously.

Loves: Seaman 2, Mother 3, disappointment Hates: Wii, ‘casual’ gaming, success Marketing says: “This will really serve the core’s needs – whilst flirting with appeal for a mainstream audience.”

He says: “Traitors!”

READ ALL ABOUT IT PIC OF THE WEEK Let’s get one thing clear: Jeff Hardy, of WWE wrestling partners The Hardy Boyz, is one hard bastard. He might pretend to slap girly men for a living, but you know for a fact that you wouldn’t mess with him. Not that you’d know it from his satorial decisions. His demi-emo black fingernail paint is more New Look than The Omen, whilst his foliage-tattooed hand makes it looks like Rain Man’s gone to work on his skin with a biro. Even if we cast aside the George-Michael-In-bumwiggling-and-leather-chaps-era stubble and the Stacey Slater earrings, it still leaves that hair – which is so spectacularly daft, former Official Nintendo Mag editor Chandra Nair must be spitting feathers. Everyone who met Jeff at Zavvi’s official launch of THQ’s SmackDown Vs Raw 2009 last week knew all this, of course. But they all just meekly said a very polite “hello” or “thank you” when in his vacinity. Funny that. (ps. Please don’t tell him we wrote this. Cheers.)

When will the national newspapers get a grip on games – and stop talking nonsense? Here’s this week’s worst offender…

More than 11 million are hooked to this neverending multi-player game [WoW], pressured to log in and not let down fellow addicts.

The Sun, 18/11/08

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THREE THINGS WE LEARNT THIS WEEK 1) Linda Carter, who played Wonder Woman, is married to Bethesda boss Robert Altman

How we wish we had EA’s contacts book. The beautiful celebs they had at Be The One event in Trafalgar Square the other week incuding (from left to right): Natasha Bedingfield, Gemma Atkinson, Justin Hawkins and the boys from McFly. In contrast to these glamourous lovelies, MCV’s list of famous buddies doesn’t amount to much: Chas (not Dave), Noddy Holder’s cousin and one of The Crankies. Rock’n’Roll.

2) Rebellion cofounder Jason Kingsley is a fully-qualified jouster – and he competes 3) Sega PR Stefan McGarry used to be in a band - and has auditioned for ITV’s X-Factor

COMPETITION Koch Media is giving away five copies of Golden Balls and Deal or No Deal on Nintendo DS. To be in with a chance of winning a copy of each, answer the following question correctly:

WHICH TV LEGEND USED TO HAVE A HOUSE PARTY ON SATURDAY NIGHTS ON BBC1?

A) BOB HOLNESS B) NOEL EDMONDS C) LES DENNIS

SEND YOUR ANSWER TO

KOCHMEDIA @INTENTMEDIA.CO.UK

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e Th f o py o Square Enix is offering one lucky reader c a d the chance to win an Xbox 360 and a an copy of epic RPG The Last Remnant – if 0 36 they can answer the below question: ox b X

WWW.MCVUK.COM

A DRESS YOUR ISSUES

Who is the main protagonist of The Last Remnant?

A) Rush Limbaugh B) Rush Sykes C) Rush Inabout

SEND YOUR ANSWER TO

REMNANT @INTENTMEDIA.CO.UK

There are few moments where a man can get away with being dressed up as a silky cow without things getting a little Max Mosely*. But then, the release of a new Warcraft game is not exacty a normal day. Here we have a selection of the finest attendees of HMV’s official launch of Wrath Of The Lich King last week. Yes, we appreciated the ‘geek maiden’ look rocked by two of the jolly souls – as well as the horny fuscia costume of another (including pink breasts – good work). But it is surely the bizarre bovine effort of our friend in the bonnet that must take first prize. No wonder the game enjoyed moo-sive sales this week. No, seriously, revenues went through the hoof. It was an udderly momentous occasion. etc. etc. * To the best of our knowledge, Max Mosely has never indulged in a bovine-themed sex party.

FANBOY COMMENT OF THE WEEK

They just can’t help themselves, can they? Ladies and gents, allow us to showcase the audience you DON’T want the lifestyle mags to know about…

GAMEFAQs Forum 18/18/08 Name: twisted_metal2 Title: RE: sony disapointed Comment: god of war sucks never got into it, killzone 2 aint coming out this gen, team icos next game could suck, infamus what the **** is that? now will anyone start answering me?

EDITORIAL: 01992 535646 ADVERTISING: 01992 535647 FAX: 01992 535648 Managing Editor: Lisa Foster Lisa.Foster@intentmedia.co.uk

Advertising Manager: Lesley Blumson Lesley.Blumson@intentmedia.co.uk

Editor-In-Chief: Michael French Michael.French@intentmedia.co.uk

Art Director: Stuart Moody Stuart.Moody@intentmedia.co.uk

Associate Editor: Tim Ingham Tim.Ingham@intentmedia.co.uk

Design: Adam Butler Adam.Butler@intentmedia.co.uk

Deputy Editor: Jonathon Harker Jonathon.Harker@intentmedia.co.uk

Production Manager: Suzanne Powles Suzanne.Powles@intentmedia.co.uk

Retail Editor: Ben Parfitt Ben.Parfitt@intentmedia.co.uk

Business Development: Dave Roberts Dave.Roberts@intentmedia.co.uk

Staff Writer: Chris Dring Chris.Dring@intentmedia.co.uk

Contributing Editor: Samantha Loveday Samantha.Loveday@intentmedia.co.uk

Contributors: Ed Fear, Andrew Wooden, Ben Furfie, Owain Bennallack

Circulation & Marketing: Hannah Short Hannah.Short@intentmedia.co.uk

Please address all enquiries to:

Finance Director: Hilary Cole Finance Manager: Siobhan Cook Finance Assistant: Zarah Aslam

MCV, Intent Media, Saxon House, 6a St. Andrew Street, Hertford SG14 1JA. Managing Director/Publisher: Stuart Dinsey Stuart.Dinsey@intentmedia.co.uk Telephone: 01992 535688

Printed By: Pensord, Tram Road,Pontllanfraith Blackwood, NP12 2YA

MCV is a member of the Audit Bureau of Circulation and the Periodical Publishers Association.

Membership of the ABC and PPA provides our advertising partners with confidence in our circulation statements. For the 12 months ending December 2007, MCV had an average weekly net circulation of 9,086. MCV’s circulation is 100 per cent named and zero per cent duplicated.

ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS United Kingdom £150 l Europe £175 l Rest of the World £250 To order your subscription via Visa, Mastercard, Switch or AMEX or to make changes to your subscription details, contact mcv.subscriptions@c-cms.com or call 01580 883848.

SAXON HOUSE, 6A ST. ANDREW STREET, HERTFORD, HERTFORDSHIRE, ENGLAND SG14 1JA Intent Media specialises in trade titles for entertainment and leisure markets. As well as MCV, Intent publishes PC Retail for retailers and suppliers to the computer trade, Develop Magazine for games programmers, producers and artists, ToyNews for all sectors of the toy industry and Mobile Entertainment.

Intent has also recently launched BikeBiz and MI Pro. www.intentmedia.co.uk

ISSN: 1469-4832 Copyright 2008

MCV has an exclusive media partnership with Famitsu - Japan’s leading video games analyst and news source

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