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Wall-E Blu-ray details seep out, it's unsurprisingly getting the royal treatment
To say that Wall-E was a hit for Disney would be grossly understating it, and that's evidenced by the robust Blu-ray release that's being primed for a November 18th release. Unsurprisingly, Disney and Buena Vista Home Entertainment will be releasing this one just before the holiday shopping season really gets going, and we have a hunch it'll probably do some record smashing of its own. The 3-disc BD package will include Digital Copy, Burn-E with Boards (PiP), Cine-Explor with director Andrew Stanton, Axoim Arcade: retro suite of video games with a twist and a few Blu-ray exclusive features including at least one that taps into BD-Live. So, are you going to hand over $40.99 (MSRP) to hear that sweetheart utter "EEEEEVVVAAAAAA!" once more?
Spector's Junction Point working on Disney / Pixar collaboration
Almost exactly one year after announcing that Disney Interactive Studios acquired his Junction Point Studios at last year's E3, Warren Spector – the famed game designer with his hands on everything from System Shock to Thief to Deus Ex – announced via his blog that his studio's first project will in fact be a "collaboration with folks from Disney Feature Animation and Pixar." He's not ready to say anymore (though he did say that he would "say nothing" just before telling us about the Disney / Pixar info) but we're holding out for some sort of announcement at E3 this week. Movie tie-in? New video game IP developed by Pixar and Disney? He's not telling![Via Nukoda]
WALL???E - Robot with the heart of a Mac
Several TUAW readers have reported after seeing midnight showings of Disney-Pixar's new and highly-rated movie WALL•E that when the robot boots up, he makes the standard Mac startup sound. That's not the only Apple connection with the movie.Of course, Steve Jobs is the largest single shareholder of Disney after Pixar was purchased by the entertainment giant for $7.4 billion in 2006. He still serves on a steering committee for Pixar that oversees the Disney-Pixar animation businesses, and he's on the Disney Board of Directors. I'm not sure, but he may be tapped to be the first CEO of BuyNLarge...WALL•E's job is to wander around an abandoned Earth, pick up trash, and compact it into small blocks. However, when he finds something nostalgic that he likes, such as an iPod or Rubik's cube, he keeps it.The object of WALL•E's desire, EVE, was actually designed with the assistance of Apple Senior VP of Industrial Design Jonathan Ive, who apparently spent a day with the Pixar team in 2005 consulting on the ultra-sleek floating robot.Thanks to Matt for the heads-up and inspiration for this post!
Apple helps Pixar out with WALL???E
I'm a big fan of almost everything Pixar does (Cars wasn't their best effort, though it was enjoyable), so it is a happy day when a story that links Pixar to my favorite computer company comes along.It would seem that the good folks at Pixar really wanted to play up the differences between the titular hero of Wall*E and a new robot that appears (Eve, pictured to the right). They wanted it to look very cool, and very high tech. Luckily for Pixar, they know a guy pretty high up in Apple who was able to get Jonathan Ive, Apple's famed product designer, to help out with Eve's look.I wonder if Eve's battery is user replaceable.
Pixar hops on bandwagon, also commits to 3D productions
Okay, so this 3D thing is really getting serious. Nearly a month after DreamWorks Animation made known that all of its future films would be produced in 3D, Pixar has hit back with an eerily similar announcement. Reportedly, Chief Creative Officer John Lasseter proclaimed that beginning with Up in May of 2009, each Pixar production will be released in 3D alongside the traditional 2D version. We're also given a look at what to expect from the studio in the next four years, with titles such as Bolt, Rapunzel, King of the Elves and of course, Toy Story 3 all on deck. Furthermore, the first two Toy Story pictures will likely be re-released in 3D, but sadly, no timeline was given. Better get used to rockin' those face-engulfing specs, it seems.[Via WidescreenReview, image courtesy of Moldova]
The future of Disney Online: An interview with SVP Steve Parkis
Last week, Disney Online merged multiple online divisions into a single entity now called Disney Online Studios. I had a chance to talk to the Senior Vice President in charge of it all, Steve Parkis, about the vision for one of the world's most recognizable brands as it tackles the fast-rising casual online gameplay market.Before now, Disney's online efforts spanned over many different areas: developing Flash based casual games; acquiring the online community, Club Penguin; and building the successful family-oriented MMORPGs ToonTown Online and Pirates of the Caribbean Online. Steve's mission is to bring all of those together to make Disney.com a dedicated casual games destination.He believes that casual players are more than just Women 35+ and that there is a large, untapped market of players that Disney's brand can draw in. But how does he plan to do that?
We're falling for Wall-E, the GameCube mod
Have you ever seen a GameCube as cute as this? Before you say "yes" and provide a million and ten links of cuter mods, just look into Wall-E's eyes. You'll make him cry! And we all know what happens when water gets on a GameCube -- it goes to console heaven. So, for Wall-E's sake, just let it be.Based on the character in the upcoming Disney Pixar film, this adorable mod was made with children's toys, Plexiglas, tubes, rods, plastic, metal, and acrylic paint. Oh, and let's not forget the GameCube. We're not sure if it can actually move (we suspect not), but even so, we're extremely impressed. Consider our hearts melted.%Gallery-16644%[Via Techeblog]
THQ handling game duties for upcoming Pixar film
With THQ handling duties on previous Pixar films' game adaptation Ratatouille, it comes as little surprise that they're taking care of business regarding the upcoming game based on the soon-to-release film WALL•E (short for Waste Allocation Load Lifter Earth-Class). The story follows a small robot (WALL•E, natch) on a journey of self-discovery. The movie is currently scheduled for a release this summer.[Via Joystiq]
THQ plans games based on Pixar's WALL???E, nobody surprised
With THQ still riding the wave of financial fortitude created by its adaptations of Disney Pixar's Cars and Ratatouille animated features, the company has unsurprisingly confirmed plans to give the film studio's next feature, WALL•E, similar treatment. Versions of the movie-made-game, which centers on a story of a robot named WALL•E (short for Waste Allocation Load Lifter Earth-Class) and his journey of self discovery, should begin to populate store shelves for every platform under the sun in time for the film's summer release. This game is the second title, following last year's Ratatouille, to stem from a new four game deal between THQ and Pixar, meaning that we expect these two will remain in bed together over the next couple of years at the very least. THQ hasn't shed many details on how the WALL•E games will play out, though given previous releases, we expect a handful of levels lifted from the film, partnered with mind numbing icon collecting and actors delivering lines with all of the enthusiasm of a cheese sandwich. Excited yet?
Disney making online game based on the movie "Cars"
According to the San Fernando Business Journal, Disney Online plans to release a virtual world game based on the hugely successful 3D-animated film Cars.Disney sees this as a way to keep kids invested in the franchise "for years to come" even without a sequel on the horizon. The article also says that Disney plans substantial future investments in these sorts of projects because they've had success with other titles like Toontown Online and Club Penguin.While games like this don't usually get as much attention from the gaming media, they're arguably no less successful or lucrative than games like EverQuest II. [Via Worlds in Motion]
Blu-ray movie releases for the week of November 4
While last week's Blu-ray releases underwhelmed the majority of us, everyone should be pleased this week as we get several great Pixar titles, two new editions of Best of Blu-ray and even a few Blu-ray 4-packs. Ratatouille Cars Pixar Short Films Collection, Vol. 1 The Aviator Oldboy Beowulf & Grendel Best of Blu-ray: Action Best of Blu-ray: Family Blu-ray 4-Pack: Disney Movies Blu-ray 4-Pack: Action Movies Blu-ray 4-Pack: Family Movies The Best of Blu-ray: Action is probably the best of the bundles despite the inclusion of the hilariously awful Alexander Revisited: The Final Cut, but with the newer, gorier Troy Director's Cut, Wyatt Earp and Blood Diamond, you're getting some really great movies at a really great price of only $59.
Eek! It's a Ratatouille demo on the XBLM!
If you've wiped your hands clean and are over the BioShock, Beautiful Katamari or Stranglehold demos that were recently released to the XBLM, then we've got some Disney not so fun for you. Available now on the XBLM is a new Ratatouille demo for you to suffer through enjoy. The demo clocks in at a middle-weight size of 708MB and is ready for download by anyone (except Japan), so please don't go give it a whirl and see what comic mischief awaits. Okay, okay, we'll quit* with the childish evil we're projecting towards Ratatouille's general direction. It simply can't could be a good game (though highly doubtful), so go ahead and give the demo a try and garner a reason for hating the game an opinion for yourself. And don't forget to have fun!*Childish evil be damned, we just can't quit!
THQ profits show power of licensing
Publisher THQ has posted net sales of more than $1 billion in their 2007 fiscal year, reportedly their 12th consecutive year of revenue growth. According to their annual financial report (PDF file), the company also managed to ship eight titles that exceeded one million units in sales. Their secret to success? Licensed titles.The annual report revealed that THQ's focus was 80% licensed intellectual property and 20% owned IP -- a 4-to-1 ratio. Key achievements include shipping 8 million units of Disney/Pixar's Cars, 4 million units of WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2007 and 4 million units combined of Nickelodeon franchises.THQ did establish two franchises this fiscal year, Saint's Row and Company of Heroes, and this upcoming fiscal year, THQ intends to increase its focus on owned IPs to a 33% share on the pie graph -- that's now only a 2-to-1 ratio of licensed-to-owned IP.Sure, licensed games may not be the most anticipated titles (or even the ones to receive the most coverage from the gaming press), but they do wonders to a publisher's bottom line.
Jobs/Pixar cleared of backdating issues
Well, it seems that all of this may blow over...at least for Steve and the Pixar execs. Late last year, Pixar, Steve's other company which he sold to Disney, was forced to take another look at some accounting actions. One of the suggested possibilities was that Pixar's John Lasseter was given a backdated stock options bonus. This past Friday, however, Disney announced that all of the accounting in question took place before Disney acquired Pixar, and that no one currently involved with the company "...engaged in any intentional or deliberate acts of misconduct."We don't know where this will all end up, but it looks like Uncle Steve is off the hook as far as Pixar is concerned.
Ratatoille (rat???a???too???ee) Gameplay Footage
The first gameplay video of the film to game adaption of Ratatouille is available over at GameTrailers. Unfortunately, the aspect ratio is a little wonky on the embedded video above, but the SD and HD versions at GameTrailers are correct. Still, we can get a good look at how the game feels and some of the misadventures you'll partake in as Rémy. Fortunately, the game seems to retain the atmosphere that Pixar puts forth in the film. So, after having played Cars on Xbox 360, how do you think this game will fare as a kids game. More importantly (to some), do you think the achievement difficulty will fall somewhere between Cars and Open Season?
THQ cooking up Ratatouille game
Not a lot of info is out yet on Pixar's summer release Ratatouille, but THQ has let out word that before the movie hits theaters in June, you'll be able to play the game adaptation on your PSP. There aren't much details about any version of the game besides the next-gen one, but if the PSP version is similar, it'll be an action platformer. Will the collective Ratatouille games be the best selling game of this year like Cars was last year? Either way, I'm looking forward to the movie and hoping the game is a worthwhile experience as well. [Via Gamespot ]
Steve in trouble over stock options deal?
There's some more news today on the stock options story. According to AppleInsider, it has been suggested that Steve gave Pixar director John Lasseter a questionable, backdated stock option bonus. I must admit that I haven't really paid much attention to this story, mostly because it's still speculation and hearsay at this point. So we'll see where it goes. For now, though, it's still news.
Jobs and Apple not out of the Options scandal woods yet
The Wall Street Journal has the best summary (subscription maybe required) of the Apple options backdating scandal that I have read to date. They take a look at Apple's filings and point that that Steve 'recommended the selection of some favorable grant dates,' though he was not involved in the improper backdating of options which he was granted. The WSJ also talks to a number of experts about what this could mean for Apple and everyone's favorite iCEO.I also found out, thanks to this article, that some options that Pixar granted to employees are also under investigation. Steve didn't receive any of those, but they were all granted while he was CEO of Pixar.Remember folks, just because Apple's internal investigation says that His Steveness has done nothing wrong that doesn't mean that the Feds aren't going to take a look for themselves. This story is far from over.[via Blogging Stocks]
Disney/Pixar's Cars movie now in iTunes, special pricing
Although I'm getting older and grayer by the day, I'm still really a kid at heart. That's probably why I love the movie Cars. I love it so much that it's about to become the very first full-length movie that I personally purchase on iTunes. Cars was released today in the iTunes Store [iTS link] and Apple has made it even more appealing with their special pricing of $12.99 for new releases. That makes me, as Mater would say, happier 'n a tornado in a trailer park! Boogity Boogity Boogity! Let's go racin'!
Disney opens dev studio for Nintendo consoles
Disney has opened a studio with one exclusive purpose. The studio, which is called Fall Line and is based out of Salt Lake City, Utah, has an exclusive purpose in creating games for nothing but Nintendo consoles. The studio is to be run by Scott Novis, who is responsible for the recent game adaptation of the film Cars. The move to create their own development studio occurred when Disney saw that it was spending a lot more than it wished when it was licensing out characters and content to third-party developers. Disney has spent over $200 million in the past two year acquiring or starting up game development studios, a sum that the company is expecting to double over the next two years.So why go exclusively with Nintendo? Nintendo, apparently, is a natural partner since its users tend to be a bit on the younger side. Combine that with Nintendo's approach of easing everyone into gaming with their console the Wii and Disney and Nintendo appear to be quite the match made in heaven.
