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Ubisoft announces ManiaPlanet (which is not a video game)
But! "ManiaPlanet" is a platform that supports video games. Specifically, it's a "user-powered PC gaming zone" (according to Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot) for TrackMania 2 (beta coming Q4 2010) and additional "Mania" games, including the previously announced FPS ShootMania (beta Q1 2011) and RPG QuestMania (beta "soon"). Like TrackMania before them, the new Mania titles from Nadeo will emphasize player-created content. Presumably, ManiaPlanet connects the content and creation systems across all Mania games in one convenient application. Imagine that.
Ubisoft announces Innergy (which is not a video game)
So what is it? "Innergy can help you with a job interview or simply to better sleep at night," explains concept director Tommy Francois (the one with the dyed-red hair). So how do you play it? You slap a sensor on your finger (no, not that sensor) and just breathe. "It's not magic," says Francois. No -- no it's not. In fact, we're pretty sure you can "play" it right now. Go on: breeeeeathe in ..... breeeeathe oooouuuut. That's it. That's your "innergy."
Ubisoft announces Battle Tag (which is not a video game)
The capabilities of modern consoles are constantly expanding but "laser tag scorekeeper" is one we never expected. Ubisoft just announced Battle Tag for this year, a game-- err ... application that keeps track of a laser tag game you play with included blasters and hit-detecting vests. Near as we can tell, it's a real laser tag game, but your expensive game console (platforms are unannounced) keeps score for you. Kentia Hall: Gone but not forgotten.
