IGN also received word that original Mega Man and Mega Man 2 will be released on the Wii Virtual Console. Can't wait! Watch for more details coming soon from E3!

From IGN

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"Konami's actions are extremely surprising. Unfortunately, successful products such as Rock Band can often become targets for baseless litigation. We have substantial defenses to this claim and intend to vigorously defend it."

Looks like it may be quite a battle of the bands.

From Wired.com

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Friday, August 22nd (beginning at 7PM):
Wizards
Damnation Alley
A Boy and His Dog

Saturday, August 23rd (beginning at 7PM):
The Last Man on Earth
The Omega Man
Twelve Monkeys

Tickets can be purchased beginning July 25th, from Fandango.com. Tickets are $10 for each day (3 films), which also includes popcorn, drink and a Fallout 3 goody.

“We are very excited to sponsor this film festival with the American Cinematheque and GEEK Monthly magazine as this event brings together fans of film and video games like never before,” said Vlatko Andonov, president of Bethesda Softworks. “This is an exciting time for us and this film festival gives us a fun platform to give people further insight into Fallout 3.”

From Bethesda Softworks

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EA has announced their games being showcased at the E3 Media & Business Summit 2008.

Dead Space
In this new game from EA’s Redwood Shores Studio, a massive deep-space mining ship goes dark after unearthing a strange artifact on a distant planet. Engineer Isaac Clarke embarks on the repair mission, only to uncover a nightmarish bloodbath—the ship’s crew horribly slaughtered and infected by an alien scourge. Now Isaac is cut off, trapped, and engaged in a desperate fight for survival.

FaceBreaker
A new game from EA Canada, FaceBreaker offers irreverent fun, immersive gameplay and eye-popping stylized graphics. In this in-your-face, arcade world full of ego-wielding characters, each boxer comes to life with unique attributes and distinct personal style. In addition, FaceBreaker K.O. Party, built exclusively with Wii™ consumers in mind, brings the magic of social play right into the living room with pick-up-and-punch intuitive gestures. In FaceBreaker, it just feels good to rearrange an opponent's face.

HASBRO FAMILY GAME NIGHT
A new game from EA’s Casual label, HASBRO FAMILY GAME NIGHT creates a whole new way for families and friends to play together. Players join host Mr. Potato Head as they play the classic Hasbro games well known by all as well as exciting new versions created for the Wii and PlayStation® 2 computer entertainment system. Launching this November, HASBRO FAMILY GAME NIGHT features family favorites such as CONNECT FOUR, BATTLESHIP, YAHTZEE, BOGGLE, SORRY! and the all new, SORRY! Sliders.

LITTLEST PET SHOP
A new game from EA’s Casual Label, LITTLEST PET SHOP pets come to life this October in the LITTLEST PET SHOP video game. Launching on the Wii, Nintendo DS™ (3 versions), and PC, girls can explore three unique worlds as they discover their own magical Pet Shop. LITTLEST PET SHOP gives girls the opportunity to play with and collect 20 LITTLEST PETS on the Nintendo DS and 30 on the Wii and PC. Earn Kibble Coins to buy over 100 accessories for pets as well as tons of digital playsets in game from the 2008 toy-line. Players can play in either explore in free-play mode or in compete in more than 15 different fun and accessible mini-games.

Madden NFL 09
Developed by EA Tiburon, the ground-breaking Madden NFL 09 marks the 20th anniversary of one of the best-selling and most critically-acclaimed videogame franchises of all time. Among the more than 85 new features and enhancements, the game includes adaptable gameplay tailored to every type of gamer, improved graphics and animations, and a new network-inspired broadcast style presentation that delivers an authentic NFL experience. With unique controls, modes and presentation, Madden NFL 09 All-Play is designed specifically for the Wii and features fun, approachable and innovative gameplay. No matter the skill level, players can be competitive with three gameplay styles to choose from, ranging from Easy to Advanced.

Mercenaries 2: World in Flames
From Pandemic™, an EA studio, Mercenaries 2: World in Flames is an explosive open-world action game set in a massive, highly reactive, war-torn Venezuela. A power-hungry tyrant messes with Venezuela's oil supply, sparking an invasion that turns the country into a warzone. But in this game where gamers play the role of mercenaries, international crisis is all upside and the mercenaries can only profit from all the chaos.

Mirror’s Edge
A new game from EA’s DICE Studio, Mirror’s Edge takes place in a city where information is heavily monitored, agile couriers called Runners transport sensitive data away from prying eyes. Gamers play a Runner called Faith, and this innovative first-person action-adventure is a personal story. In this seemingly utopian paradise, a crime has been committed, Faith’s sister has been framed and now she is being hunted. Mirror’s Edge delivers gamers straight into the shoes of this unique heroine as she traverses the vertigo-inducing cityscape, engaging in intense combat and fast paced chases. From the makers of the groundbreaking Battlefield franchise, Mirror’s Edge is an action-adventure experience unlike any other.

iPod Games from EA Mobile:
Spore Origins
Wolfenstein RPG
Tetris POP

The Sims 2 Apartment Pets (DS)

Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 09 (PSP)

Zubo (DS)

MySims (PC)

MySims Kingdom (Wii and Nintendo DS)

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From Bloomberg: "Konami is demanding cash compensation, plus an order that would block Viacom and Harmonix from using the inventions, according to the complaint, filed yesterday in federal court in Marshall, Texas. The suit names Harmonix Music Systems, Viacom, and Viacom's MTV Networks Co., which owns Harmonix."

We'll see how this pans out for Rock Band (and the upcoming Rock Band 2) and what'll it mean for Guitar Hero: World Tour as well. Konami is working on a new music/rhythm game of its own called Rock Revolution.

Read more on bloomberg.com.

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Update to iTunes 7.7 to download applications (and games!) from the App Store.

With the start of another significant platform for handheld gaming, we've added a link to iPhone and iPod games news on the top Gamingbits.com menu, via the Apple logo. Watch it for the latest game releases on the mobile gaming platform! Make way, DS and PSP!

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From First 4 Figures: "Looks incredibly on its own and really completes a display when put together with the Varia suit and Gravity suit statues. We completely reengineered the original Varia suit model to make the Phazon suit by casting it entirely in transparent resin, adding over 25 LED lights through the suit and finished it off by adding a mirror base which really shows off the lights. When the lights are turned off, an internal IC chip allows for the lights to fade out slowly. The statue is hand finished and hand painted with metallic paints to give an authentic representation of the suits. Comes packed in a foam interior full colored box with a card of authenticity.

The Metroid Prime Phazon Suit collectible has a $224.99 price tag and is limited to 1500 pieces. It will be available Quarter 1, 2009. See more images of it and pre-order here.

From First 4 Figures

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Anime has been an undeniable influence in my life, and specifically, in the variety of voices which has influenced me to become a living, breathing cartoon. Ironically, I myself happen to be an engineer within the animated voice-over community, and now find myself sharing my thoughts on a DVD based around the topic. The DVD I have finished watching is titled "Adventures in Voice Acting Vol.1: Anime" by Bang Zoom! Entertainment.

A.I.V.A. Vol. 1 is compiled with 5 episodes, in which various anime voice actors share their experiences and advice for a life in the industry. The vocal talent appearing in the DVD appear on shows such as Bleach and Naruto, but many more. Too many to list. Rest assured the industry advice is presented in a polished package which features talent who is experienced. The most important episodes to me are the ones dealing with breaking your way into the industry, and an episode which offers advice. From who you know to where you work, they factor into landing a job in the industry. The actors make sure you don't quit on your path to a career in voice acting.

You may wonder, how does this have anything to do with videogames. As previously mentioned, as an engineer in the VO (voice-over) community, the techniques and advice offered here are no different than advice given by VO actors in gaming (see a sampling of voice actors in videogames here). The two industries both have vocal directors, actors, microphones and scripts.

I will say that I was hesitant, thinking this DVD would be a cookie cutter movie showing nothing but the great times in voice acting. Proven wrong, I see this video as a wonderful insight on what a rookie or a veteran can do to improve on vocal acting, word annunciation, casting and the sorts. I really got a kick out of watching this movie. I think any aspiring voice actor, whether in anime, traditional animation, or specifically video games, will benefit from purchasing this DVD.

Adventures in Voice Acting - Volume One DVD will soon be available from Bang Zoom! Entertainment. See sample video clips and more information at the official website.

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Tecmo has announced their games being showcased at the E3 Media & Business Summit 2008.

TECMO BOWL: KICKOFF (Nintendo DS / September 2008)
Based on the most popular Tecmo Super Bowl™, Tecmo Bowl: Kickoff will deliver to long time fans and newcomers easy to employ controls, fun, huge plays and exciting cut-scenes. The classic, over-the-top, all-American football game enables players of all levels to engage in a fun filled, fast paced, arcade style of football.

Tecmo Bowl: Kickoff brings a host of new features that will further enhance the gameplay experience, including:

Customizable Teams: Choose team colors, emblems, player names, team cities and abilities.
Super Abilities: Tactically use over-the-top plays to take over a game.
Wi-Fi and Wireless Multiplayer: Play against friends across the country or across the room.
Variety of Teams: Choose from 32 different teams across the country.
Cut-Scenes: All-new cut-scenes showing off the dramatic presentation of various plays.
Stylus Control: Feel the action by using the stylus to control your player.
Customizable Playbook: Choose four running and four passing plays to your liking.
Music and Sound Effects: Turn up the heat on your opponent as you play the game to rock ‘n’ roll remixes of the most memorable tunes in football gaming history!
The game has not yet been rated by the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB).

ROBOCALYPSE™ (Nintendo DS / October 2008)
Developed by Vogster™ Entertainment, Robocalypse is an innovative, new, real-time strategy game for the Nintendo DS. Featuring robotic armies equipped with unique weaponry, Robocalypse offers deep strategic warfare and a twist of humor.

A technological breakthrough for the Nintendo DS, Robocalypse features over 50 A.I. driven units with advanced distributed path-finding, dynamic music and stunning 3D particle effects. Supporting these advancements is a hilarious storyline penned by Jay Lender, a writer and director for the acclaimed cartoon series SpongeBob Squarepants™, and Micah Wright, known for his writing contributions across multiple mediums.

Robots with Attitude: Create an army by choosing from a multitude of different robot units with specialized skills and weapons that gain power as you destroy the enemy.
Wacky Weapons: Over 20 groundbreaking weapon types with spectacular visual effects, including; Converter Cannons, Falling Anvils, the Head-Crack’n Gauntlet and Digitizers.
Total Stylus Control: Simplified controls and innovative Action Flag system reduces the complexity of commanding units. No buttons – just point and tap.
Multiplayer Mayhem: 2 to 4 multiplayer wireless DS multi-card play – play head to head or co-op with unique maps and multiple play modes, then track your progress in the Hall of Fame.
Heroes Win the War: Courageous Heroes embody powerful abilities and can be controlled directly in combat. Rampage Mode, Conversion (turn enemies into refrigerators) and Leadership (unite soldiers into a single fighting unit) are just a few of their supreme capabilities.
Epic Storymode: Military routines are accidentally installed into prototype robots, turning them into hunter killers. Disaster ensues and to save humanity, a new batch of robots is implanted with the brain scans of retired WWII vets, giving rise to an oil-swilling, brawling, robotic dirty dozen. Campaign includes 17 unique missions, hidden objectives and a robust reward system.
The game has not yet been rated by the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB). For additional information, please visit www.robocalypse.com.

SPRAY™ (Wii / Holiday 2008)
Tecmo has signed an agreement with Eko Software for the exclusive North American publishing rights to SPRay, an action-adventure game developed for the Wii that features a unique gameplay mechanic involving the use of several liquids that are sprayed onto the game universe.

Players will soak in the action in SPRay by playing a spirited Prince named Ray who must save his village from a banished evil Queen who’s returned to capture and enslave the villagers. After donning a magic crown which summons two liquid spraying spirits, he sets out to defeat the evil Queen and her army of anti-matter soldiers. Skillfully use the “angelic” and “wicked” spirits to spray water, oil, goo, and other liquids on enemies and surfaces to solve puzzles and wipe out evil!

Perform gravity-defying moves as you spray, stick, and slide your way through challenging puzzles
Creatively fight enemies by blasting various liquids on them and finishing them with a flurry of sword slashes!
Use the Wii Remote™ and Nunchuk™ to take hold of Ray’s “angelic” and “wicked” spirits
Get together with friends to play crazy multiplayer games like “Paint It!” and “Sticky Chewing Gum”
The game has not yet been rated by the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB).

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A demo for Two Human is coming out next week for the Xbox 360!
Source: Xboxic

Nintendo
If you love cooking games, then I'm sure you'll love Hell's Kitchen, which is suspected to be released this September for the Wii and DS. We got some pretty screenshots from the game as well.
Source: Joystiq

Well, Japan will be expecting a new Pokemon game this September called "Pokemon Platinum". The game will feature new Wi-Fi features, which supports up to 20 people online, and a new poffin-making machine. Also, a new item in the game called "Battle recorder" will allow players to playback their battles.
Source - N.Europe

Playstation 3:
Have you used a program called Google Earth? One of Japanese PSN's new games, "The Last Guy," uses Google Earth to allow you to protect tiny people from zombies by roaming around a city. No word on a US release date though.
Source: The PSN

2k Games has revealed that Bioshock will be using the new PS3's Trophy system! They have hinted that you can unlock trophies by hacking a machine or zapping a splicer in the water (like the 360 achievements).
Source: QJ

The voice of Solid Snake, David Hayter, addresses words taken out of context on his Metal Gear Solid 4 remarks.
Source: 1up

Multi-platform
For those Half-Life fans out there, I found some new concept art for the new game coming out, "Half-Life 2: Episode 3". We can expect the game out for the PC, PS3, and 360.
Source: Shacknews

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