Majesco-Entertainment
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'Mama' franchise reaches 12 million sales worldwide, 8.5 million in NA
Majesco had a timeline at its E3 booth showing all of Mama's jobs over the past five years. The poster stated that the franchise had reached 12 million sales globally, with a rep telling us that the sales in North America represented 8.5 million of the total. Mama is currently planning a return to the kitchen and the series that gave the gal her big break, after she does a little camping in September, in Cooking Mama 4: Kitchen Magic this October.
BloodRayne: Betrayal cuts up PSN, XBLA in early August
BloodRayne: Betrayal will eviscerate PSN and XBLA during the first weeks of August, representatives for Majesco told us at E3. We had specific dates for both consoles, but neither fit the standard release day schedule for a digitally distributed title and reps changed the date to "early August." It will cost $15 (1200 MSP). Developer WayForward has completely reinvented the concept of BloodRayne for the better, saying that Majesco pretty much gave them carte blanche to make the license their own. If you've never heard of BloodRayne, this is a great arcade slasher introduction. If you've heard of BloodRayne, forget what you know. If you enjoyed BloodRayne before, sorry. %Gallery-125881%
BloodRayne: Betrayal gameplay trailer turns us into loyal subjects
There's a lot to love about this Bloodrayne: Betrayal gameplay trailer, including blaring metal music, vampire chicks hanging around blood fountains and zombies getting curb-stomped. Plus, it looks absolutely killer.
Mama Mia! Majesco cooks up $2.1 million fiscal-year loss
Majesco Entertainment ended its last fiscal year (on October 31, 2010) with a $2.1 million loss -- which is better than the $6.6 million it flambéed the previous fiscal year. The financially troubled publisher is pinning its hopes in the new fiscal year (which began Nov. 1) on Crafting Mama, Babysitting Mama and Zumba Fitness, which has already sold a half-million units since its mid-November release. Majesco has also planted one of those money-growing trees: a Facebook game, Friends Cafe. With its focus on mass-market appeal, Majesco could well bake up some profits this fiscal year. We'll keep watch over its shoulder, though, mindful to leave a clear path to the fire extinguisher in case the money continues to burn.
Ghostwire no longer being published by Majesco, fate uncertain
DSi augmented reality game Ghostwire will no longer be published by Majesco. A representative for the publisher informed Joystiq that the game, which was supposed to be out this quarter, was removed from the release schedule over the summer; though apparently, Ghostwire wasn't publicly dropped until recently, as GameFly just sent out notices that the title was "canceled by its publisher." The game's website still notes Majesco as the publisher, and there hasn't been an update to the game's Twitter or Facebook account in quite some time. We're currently following up with developer A Different Game to find out if it's found a new publisher for the title, and if and when Ghostwire is now expected for release. [Thanks, Sam C.]
Majesco's CFO gets out of the kitchen
Financially troubled publisher Majesco recently announced the resignation of its chief financial officer, John Gross, who will be replaced by an interim executive when he leaves August 20. For what are likely his final official remarks at Majesco, Gross leaves with these words: "We have worked as a management team to put an operating plan in place to continue to improve the performance of the company and grow profitability. I wish the company and the management team all the best in the future." IndustryGamers notes the company lost another $1.6 million in its second fiscal quarter. Also, with a little under a month to go, the company is coming dangerously close to hitting its Nasdaq stock exchange delisting deadline. Come on, Majesco, have Cooking Mama bake up some compliance again.
Nobilis fires back at SouthPeak over My Baby IP, blames lack of payment for Majesco move
Responding to recent legal action between former My Baby franchise publisher SouthPeak Games and new publisher Majesco Entertainment, My Baby developer (and IP owner) Nobilis has placed blame for the move on "uncured breaches from SouthPeak, notably for non-payment." In so many words, it appears that Nobilis -- like other SouthPeak debtors -- is still waiting on unpaid bills from the publisher. Nobilis managing director Arnaud Blacher spoke with IndustryGamers regarding the lawsuit, saying that his company will also pursue litigation with SouthPeak over the issue. Furthermore, he confirmed that "all the contracts signed with SouthPeak in the US or in the UK have been terminated." As with most things legal, this situation is sure to get a lot more complicated long before we hear any sort of resolution. SouthPeak had yet to respond to a request for comment as of publishing.
SouthPeak suing Majesco over My Baby 3
Joystiq has confirmed with SouthPeak Games that the company has taken legal action against Mama game publisher Majesco Entertainment, specifically regarding the right to publish My Baby titles in the United States. The litigation was spurred by an announcement last month that Majesco would be publishing the Nobilis-developed My Baby 3 & Friends, an action SouthPeak claims Majesco wasn't legally allowed to take. For its part, SouthPeak issued this statement on the impending litigation: "We are exceptionally proud of our success in making the My Baby franchise a leader in the North American market; our innovative sales, marketing and PR strategies brought My Baby to a huge audience and built a loyal fan base for future products. SouthPeak continues to hold the rights to subsequent My Baby games and we intend to vigorously protect those rights." Additionally, we've confirmed that, while SouthPeak claims a contractual right to publish "subsequent My Baby games" in the US, Nobilis owns the My Baby IP. So, whose baby is it? That remains to be contested (Majesco and Nobilis reps hadn't responded as of publishing). And while SouthPeak recently acquired a $10 million loan, as well as another $5.5 million injection announced just this week, the company's still running into financial and legal issues left and right. "It's no secret that CDV is currently in dispute with SouthPeak Games along with many other companies, whilst CDV is itself in administration," SouthPeak exec Jonathan Hales told IndustryGamers recently, responding to the seizing of 40,000 units of SouthPeak stock by bailiffs on behalf of CDV. "We have sent High Court Enforcement Officers in last Friday and they took 40,00 units -- two trucks worth of stock -- out of the warehouse that SouthPeak uses. They had until yesterday to apply to court to stop that being sold at auction and as far as I'm aware they didn't make an application. We've also frozen the money from their distributor Centresoft," reps from CDV said. It looks like the custodianship of My Baby is just one of many legal battles SouthPeak may be facing in the coming months.
SouthPeak gets $10 million loan while losing biggest moneymaker
Outside of looming legal battles and down year-over-year revenues, SouthPeak recently received a $10 million "asset-based line of credit" that extends until February 28, 2012, reports IndustryGamers, effectively replacing an $8 million line of credit previously secured. We're not quite sure what debtors will have to take from SouthPeak should the publisher not be able to repay the $10 million, though, as Majesco Entertainment apparently scooped up SP's biggest franchise in mid June, My Baby. For what it's worth, SouthPeak chairman Terry Phillips said of the credit, "Securing this additional credit provides us with greater financial flexibility and presents a clear message to our investors that we are confident of our business prospects and growth opportunities over the near- and long-term." Here's hoping that Two Worlds 2 and Battle vs. Chess are enough to help the company get its feet back on the ground in the coming year.
Henry Hatsworth devs crafting Monster Tale on DS
Dreamrift, the new studio formed by Henry Hatsworth designer Peter Ong and programmer Ryan Pijai, is working on a new DS game that, once again, involves two distinct genres of running simultaneously across both screens. Instead of Hatsworth's weird mashup of platformer and falling-block puzzle, however, the new Monster Tale combines platforming and ... a pet simulation. The result is something reminiscent of A Boy and his Blob. In Monster Tale, Ellie fights her way through the Monster World in order to free its denizens from the control of the "Kid Kings." Acquired items can be sent to the bottom screen, home of a monster named Chomp. The items Chomp eats or plays with in the bottom screen boost his abilities, or even transform him into one of around 30 forms when summoned to the top screen to protect Ellie. Will a cup of tea transform him into a dashing British adventurer? Probably not! Majesco plans to release Monster Tale this December. %Gallery-92883%
Finding a new dimension for gaming at the 3D Gaming Summit
A small crowd of movie and game producers met this week at Universal City in Los Angeles for the first-ever 3D Gaming Summit, to sit down and discuss the trend of 3D imaging in gaming and film. Much of the talk at the summit was speculative -- with almost no actual consumer devices on the market and nearly none within price range of the average consumer anyway, gaming in 3D isn't much more than an idea at this point. Most of the technology companies in attendance are still working to get content producers to use their systems to create games and films rather than selling hardware directly to consumers. Still, the panels and discussions at the summit offered an interesting look at what many believe to be the eventual future of the industry. From a lunchtime interview with Mortal Kombat and Resident Evil director Paul W.S. Anderson to a Playstation Move demo (and a panel moderated by a Joystiq editor), the 3D Gaming Summit showed off a lot of guesswork, a few interesting demos, and a few big holes that will need to be filled if 3D gaming is going to ever take off.
Majesco says Martha Stewart games will bring 'sensibility' to the market
Nasdaq delisting candidate Majesco is betting on games based on domestically-faux corporate goddess Martha Stewart to up its cash flow. The agreement between the publisher and Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia will see the creation of "interactive electronic games" based on Stewart's vast empire of lifestyle products. "Women are increasingly engaged in social gaming," Stewart said in the announcement. "We feel confident that this new offering will delight loyal customers who are active in the space while introducing a new generation to the brand." And then it hit us: Martha Stewart + Farmville = ROFLCOPTERS of $.
Majesco reports drop in Q1 profits
This week, Majesco reported its earnings for its fiscal first quarter (which ended January 31). As you may have surmised from the recent news of its potential Nasdaq delisting, things aren't precisely where Majesco would want them to be, financially. Its net profit for the quarter was $3.8 million, showing a year-over-year decline compared to Q1 2009's $4.2 million profit. However, the slightly smaller Q1 still seems big enough to make Majesco happy. "Majesco had a very solid first quarter driven by strong holiday sales of our Cooking Mama franchise," CEO Jesse Sutton said, "which once again delivered impressive results, and Alvin & The Chipmunks: The Squeakquel." Yes, that's right, some of you bought something with the word "Squeakquel" on it. "Our results were in-line with our internal expectations and we remain on track to deliver improved profitability for 2010," he added. "We have made significant progress in fine tuning our strategy to meet the challenges of the current operating environment." The latest announcement from Majesco, of course, is another extension of the Cooking Mama franchise, Crafting Mama.
Cooking Mama taking on two more side jobs this year
In its latest financial results release, Majesco reported satisfying sales for its Cooking Mama franchise. It didn't provide specifics, but CEO Jesse Sutton said that Cooking Mama 3 "performed well," Gardening Mama was "very successful" and Cooking Mama in general was "the most successful third party franchise on the DS" and "an evergreen brand." So, naturally, Majesco is going to retire the series on a high note. Oh, did we say "retire the series on a high note?" We meant "release two more games this year." Sutton said that following the success of the gardening-based spinoff, Majesco is working on two "additional extensions for 2010," as well as looking to "new media channels" for further extensions of the brand.
Joyswag: Cooking Mama 3 and Cake Mania 3 (DS) [update]
Update: That's it, folks -- the contest has come to a close! Keep an eye on your email's inbox to see if you won! In our latest Joyswag, we're hooking one lucky reader up with a pair of new Majesco DS titles: Cooking Mama 3 and Cake Mania 3. Keep 'em to yourself or pass 'em along as a gift this holiday season. See how you can enter to win below: Leave a comment telling us whether you prefer to bake or cook You must be 18 years or older and a resident of the US or Canada (excluding Quebec) Limit 1 entry per person per day This entry period ends at 2:59PM ET on Tuesday, November 10 At that time, we'll randomly select one winner to receive Cooking Mama 3 for the Nintendo DS ($30 ARV) and Cake Mania 3 for the Nintendo DS ($20 ARV) For a list of complete rules, click here
Cooking Mama 3 trailer, fresh from the oven
Majesco's first trailer for Cooking Mama 3: Shop & Chop features one aspect of the Cooking Mama series we don't expect to see in the actual DS game: the voice acting, which is as endearing as ever. The trailer features the first look at the game's new shopping mode, which appears as a top-down RPG-style presentation. It also features flashes of the familiar cooking gameplay, including the return of the most ridiculous recipe from Mamas past -- instant ramen. Really? For the most part, it looks like Cooking Mama, which we've yet to become tired of, so we don't mind. And now with the addition of food with faces, we don't think we will ever get tired of it.
Cooking Mama 3: Shop & Chop your troubles away
Today, Majesco released new screens and the box art for Cooking Mama 3, revealing the subtitle Shop & Chop. Unfortunately for us, that subtitle, meant to reflect the new grocery shopping element in the minigame sequel, sounds kind of like "Slap Chop," and now we've got the "Rap Chop" remix stuck in our heads. We're going to be in a great mood all day, apparently! The "Let's Shop" game, in which players dodge distractions to pick up ingredients at a grocery store, leads to the other new mode, "Combine and Create," which somehow allows players to invent their own recipes based on ingredients used in existing in-game recipes. It's an iterative upgrade, sure, but here's a secret: Cooking Mama continues to be fun even when it's just new recipes. %Gallery-70003%
E3 2009 highlights: The Nintendo roundup
Nintendo E3 2009 checklist: Mario? *check* Zelda? *check* Metroid? *check* Are we missing something? Head past the break to find out!
Wonderful! 505 Games announces Cooking Mama 3 for DS
We may have known it was coming, but now we have a nice, official press release announcing Cooking Mama 3 for DS. 505 Games said that it will release the latest in Cooking Mama Ltd.'s surprisingly popular culinary minigame series "in time for Christmas." The new game will feature "over 80 recipes, 200 mini-games, four player multiplayer," and "two totally new game modes." "What Dish Can You Make" mode lets you and Mama create a new recipe from two recipes you choose. "Let's Go Shopping" gives you a shopping list to buy, with confusing signs and irritating store employees trying to hinder you! Majesco hasn't officially announced a US release date for Cooking Mama 3, but we expect a fall or holiday release here as well. It's basically Majesco's biggest title of the year!
Majesco serving Cooking Mama 3 to E3 attendees
Majesco just sent out a very cute invitation to a Cooking Mama-themed party to be held during E3. Listed among the activities planned for the party: a chance to play Cooking Mama 3. What a nice way to announce a new game! The last "numbered" Cooking Mama was Cooking Mama 2: Dinner with Friends on DS, so it seems likely that this latest iteration will be on the DS as well. It is very little surprise that Majesco and developer Cooking Mama Ltd. are planning another game. Cooking Mama is the cornerstone of Majesco's business, and we'd expect at least a couple of the "approximately 31 titles" the company plans to release (according to its financial report) to be Mama games. Probably more than a couple -- in addition to the newly announced 3, trademarks suggest both Babysitting Mama and Crafting Mama are on the way.
