Prior to the release of “Grand Theft Auto IV” analysts had predicted a large increase in hardware sales which usually accompanies a high profile game like “Grand Theft Auto:IV”. However, this has not happened. While “Grand Theft Auto IV” was the top selling game two months in a row, those same two months the Wii (the only current gen system that “Grand Theft Auto: IV” is not on) doubled the sales of PS3/360’s combined. This has caused some to wonder whether casual market games such as “Rock Band” and not high profile AAA titles will lead gaming from now on. However, others such as this Variety blogger are not yet convinced. That blogger claims that it is still to early to tell.

To make any really definitive claims, I think we have to wait until the end of the year. That’s when we’ll have seen huge PS3 exclusive “Metal Gear Solid 4,” huge 360 exclusive “Gears of War 2,” and the holidays. If none of those 3 things, along with “GTA IV,” can move hardware sales, then we can probably say that the two systems are about tapped out, at least at their current prices. And then we’ll have to start asking some really serious questions about the wisdom of high powered, high priced game systems.

Reuters reports that Len Wiseman director of “Live Free or Die Hard” has signed on to direct an adaptation of the hit videogame “Gears of War”. In addition, New Line has also hired Chris Morgan who recently wrote “Wanted” and “The Fast and the Furious 4″ to write the screenplay.

For video game fans, this might seem like deja vu as only a few months ago, a writer and director were hired for an adaptation of the hit game “Halo”, “Gears of Wars” biggest competition in the video game world. That movie ended up falling through because of economic and creative differences. One can only hope that history does not repeat itself here.

Following that, all that remains is to create a good movie out of a video game, something that hasn’t been been done before. However, the creator of “Gears of War”, Cliff Bleszinski, is optimistic.

“Disney made a great movie out of a theme park ride, and somebody is sooner or later going to make a great one out of a video game,” Bleszinski said. “Having someone like Len really helps the odds. I think we’re going to create something special here.”

For many the Wii is thought of as a casual platform with unimpressive graphics. However, a large independent developer named High Voltage Software seeks to challenge that assumption with Conduit. Announced for Q1 2009, it will feature a deep single player campaign and competitive online multiplayer mode. However, most exciting to Wii owners is the news that it will run on High Voltage Software’s proprietary engine Quantum 3 and feature all of the latest graphical bells and whistles such as bump mapping, interactive water with real time reflections and many others. Whether all of that will be enough to change the public’s perception of the Wii, only time can tell.

Source

Variety has a not so great review of the LEGO videogame soon to be released “Lego Indiana Jones.” The author of the article, Ben Fritz, says the new game is disappointing considering the many smart and humorous touches in the “Lego Star Wars Saga”.

Those who have played either of the two “Lego Star Wars” titles will recognize almost the same game, adapted to the world of Nazis and whips instead of storm troopers and light sabers. Once again, gamers play through a trilogy of films…where every character and most objects are built out of brightly colored, breakable Lego pieces. Gameplay is extremely simple, with an emphasis on puzzle solving and collectables. Co-op play is a constant option, though annoyingly, developer Traveller’s Tales still hasn’t made it possible online.

Variety reports that games giant Electronic Arts has purchased the Korean subsidiary or San Fransisco based Hands on Mobile.

Best known for its mobile role-playing game, Heroes Lore. the former Hands-On Mobile Korea team will become EA Mobile Korea and will play a central role in the development of EA Mobile Asia. Gilbert Kim, CEO of Hands-On Mobile Korea will become head of EA Mobile Korea.

Deal terms were not disclosed and takeover is expected to complete by the end of June.

“Hands-On Mobile Korea brings us a great leadership team, proven studio talent, and outstanding carrier and OEM handset manufacturer relationships,” Barry Cottle, Senior VP and General Manager EA Mobile, said. “This acquisition is a major milestone in growing our mobile business in Asia.”

“We are excited about joining EA Mobile and its mission to bring to market some of the world’s most innovative, cutting-edge and commercially proven mobile games and applications. Korea is one of the most ubiquitous entertainment markets in the world,” Kim said.

Variety reports that Gore Verbinski is now set to direct Universal’s “Bioshock”, turning the bestselling videogame into a film. Universal signed on to produce Bioshock last year, and word in the industry is that this is the biggest game-to-film deal since 2005 when Universal and Fox signed on to make “Halo”. the makers of the game “Bioshock”, Take-Two Interactive

has been approached by a number of producers and studios since the game came out in August but waited until it had swept most of the end-of-year industry awards and racked up impressive holiday sales before working with CAA to package the project. Universal got a first look and made a preemptive bid.

Variety is reporting that THQ secured rights to Marvel’s new “Super Hero Squad” animated series for gaming purposes.

Though it doesn’t yet have a network home for the series, which will launch in 2009, Marvel is already busy turning “Super Hero Squad” into a multiplatform property. Along with the skein and vidgame, Hasbro has a related toy line and Marvel is working on a comicbook and a direct-to-DVD film.

Both companies hope the deal could lead to a lasting partnership. Marvel still doesn’t have a videogame company to partner with for its upcoming releases “Thor”, “Captain America” or “Avengers.”

Variety is reporting that Grand Theft Auto IV, like many assumed a month ago when pre-sales went through the roof, has surpassed ‘Halo 3′ and ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End’ to be the biggest opening week of an entertainment product ever.

Publisher Take-Two Interactive is set to confirm today that “Grand Theft Auto IV,” from its Rockstar Games label, sold over six million units in its first week, grossing over $500 million in consumer sales.

‘Halo 3′ grossed $300 mill in its first week, but it was only available on the XBOX 360, while Grand Theft Auto is also available on the Sony Playstation 3. ‘GTA IV’ sold roughly 3.6 million units in its opening weekend, worth about $310 million.

The $500 million-plus figure is even higher than the $400 million that sources close to Take-Two had been expecting based on retailer orders several weeks ago. Daily Variety, April 16)

According to PRnewswire, creator of ‘Earthworm Jim’ Doug TenNapel has sign a deal with Interplay to establish a partnership and relaunch the ‘Earthworm’ franchise.

TenNapel will serve as a creative consultant on Earthworm Jim 4, and
will simultaneously develop an animated series and feature film to expand
the well known brand.

TenNapel created the original Earthworm Jim character, which Interplay
developed into a video game with Shiny Studios for the Sega Genesis console
in 1994. The game became an immediate hit, and later spawned sequels on
various computer and video game platforms, including Earthworm Jim 2,
Earthworm Jim 3D, and Earthworm Jim: Menace 2 the Galaxy.

Variety reports that videogames jumped 57 percent in U.S. sales in the month of March, mainly due to the stellar sales of Nintendo games and systems.

Video game software sales jumped 63 percent from March 2007 to $945.6 million, blowing past analysts’ expectations. Wedbush Morgan’s Michael Pachter, for one, had expected game software sales to grow 47 percent over last year.

Top sales in games were the March releases of Nintendo Wii’s “Super Smash Bros.” with 2.7 million copies sold. In 2nd place was “Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six: Vegas 2″ with 752,300 units. “Army of Two” by EA was right behind with 606,100 units sold.

Americans bought 721,000 Wiis during the month, 67 percent more than in February. The DS was the second best-selling system with 698,000 units, and Sony Corp.’s handheld PSP came in a distant third with 297,000.