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Variety: Sierra devs need to justify games after Activision merger
Blizzard might get a free pass when Activision officially takes over Vivendi Games, but the Sierra branch of the company isn't so lucky. Variety reports that Sierra developers will have to justify their games currently in development to Activision executives once the merger is complete and re-pitch their work to survive.Variety believes games expected this year like Bourne, Prototype, Brutal Legend and Ghostbusters are safe, but that games for '09 (titles that we'd probably hear about for the first time at E3) are all in limbo. For example, will there be another Bourne game when it conflicts with Activision's James Bond license? The fate of Sierra titles now lies in the whims of Activision execs.*In case you're justifiably young enough not to know who Roberta Williams is, here's a link.
GameSetWatch analyzes Activision/Vivendi merger
While their enormous press release ironed out all of the technical details behind the Activision/Vivendi Games merger which occurred earlier today, there are still a number of questions left unanswered by the two companies. How is control over the new company going to be distributed? Will you be developing games together? What was the main reason for the merger? Will Activision now use a new logo and brand name? Where you get them jeans?Basing his analysis on the tone of the press release, and on recent movements in the video game industry, Simon Carless over at GameSetWatch addresses some of those outstanding questions. Apparently, Activision is going to be in charge of running the business, Electronic Arts has cause for concern, and Blizzard has more money than a number of countries, including Grenada, Tonga, and the Solomon Islands. Thanks, Wikipedia!
World of Warcraft continuing to boost Vivendi's bottom line
Vivendi, who happens to own Blizzard Entertainment, recently announced its earnings for the second quarter of 2007. Revenues from their gaming division are up 29% (with overall revenues up 7.4%), with the report claiming these numbers were up due to the continued success of World of Warcraft. Despite the fact that the game hasn't been growing as quickly during 2007 than it has in the past (Blizzard's official announcements suggest they're growing at a rate of approximately 160,000 new active subscribers a month compared to approximately 330,000 new active subscribers a month mid-2006), it's still a huge financial success that shows no signs of fading any time soon.
TimeShift trailer bends time on XBLM
The recently released trailer for TimeShift, the time-bending shooter from Sierra, has now landed on Xbox Live Marketplace. For those of you with unsuitable streaming capabilities, you can finally watch the trailer in all its high definition glory. In case you need a recap, TimeShift allows players to manipulate time in myriad ways. For example, you can stop time in order to evade oncoming bullets (and fire a few return bullets as well). Granted, time manipulation isn't exactly a new concept, but TimeShift looks to at least make it interesting. Go download the trailer and enjoy. Of course, if you're not picky about resolution, you could always just watch the streaming trailer right now.TimeShift is set to arrive this fall.
Riddick Remake coming from Starbreeze
According to UK magazine MCV, Starbreeze will be revisiting The Chronicles of Riddick after finishing The Darkness. Pro-G reports that the game, reportedly a remake, will be called The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena and that the game will feature a longer single-player campaign, online multiplayer support, and a developer's commentary mode. Frankly, we really dig the idea of hearing developer commentary as we play. Perhaps this is a feature we might see in more new-gen titles. When Pro-G contacted Vivendi Games for comment, a representative wouldn't provide any details but noted that an announcement is expected soon.Anyone out there excited to fight their way through a retooled Riddick?[Via Joystiq]
Vivendi acquires Wanako Games
Vivendi Games has announced its acquisition of the largest game development studio in Latin America, Wanako Games. Best known for its Xbox Live Arcade title, Assault Heroes, Wanako is expected to bolster Vivendi's Sierra Online division and expand its presence in the exceedingly colorful world of digitially distributed games. Wanako is currently working on 3-D Ultra Minigolf Adventures for Xbox Live Arcade. Wanako founder, Esteban Sosnik, seems pleased as punch by Vivendi's decision. "In working with Sierra Online on Assault Heroes it quickly became clear that our companies shared the same core values in game development and by joining together we could develop and deliver amazing products," he says. Indeed, this enhanced collaboration might just grant Wanako and Sierra Online the ability to develop and deliver an amazing patch for Assault Heroes, which has suffered from broken online multiplayer since its release over two months ago.
