From EA's 8/18/2006 press release:
"Epic Games and Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:ERTS) today announced that they have entered into a license agreement for EA to adopt the Unreal(R) Engine 3 for use in several next-generation titles that are currently under development. With the largest studio operation in the world, EA employs a variety of engines, tools and technologies to best serve the needs of each game and development team.

Unreal Engine 3 is a vast array of core technologies, content creation tools, and support infrastructure used for developing next-generation console and PC games. The Unreal Engine has been designed to ease content creation and programming, with the goal of putting as much power as possible in the hands of artists with minimal programmer assistance; and to give programmers a highly modular and extensive framework for building, testing, and shipping games in a wide range of genres.

Paul Lee, president of EA studios commented, "At EA, we give our development teams the tools they need to make great games. We license cutting edge tools like the Unreal Engine 3 and combine them with our own systems to create state-of-the-art development technology."

"We're obviously thrilled to license Unreal Engine 3 to EA, the world leader in our industry," said Mark Rein, Vice President, Epic Games, Inc. "They have extremely talented development teams, and we're excited to see how they apply our technology to their high profile game projects."

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For the Sony PS3:
- An analysis by Boston Research firm Yankee Group says "By the time third-generation consoles reach market maturity in 2011, the PlayStation 3 will once again be the market leader," claiming the PS3 will have a 44% market share at that time.

- Estimated 700,000 PS3 consoles planned for launch in US (2 million worldwide). Shortage? Even at $600?

- The PS3 is currently not in production, but China is gearing up for it.

- A definitive list of launch titles (first and third party) is yet to be determined.

- The PS3's PlayStation Network Platform (online) is planned for November 17, 2006 alongside the launch of the PS3 console.

For the Sony PSP:
- The Connect service for the PSP is still in the works.

- Downloadable PSone games are being planned for this year (not all 1,200 at once!)

- There are no current plans for a Sony PSP hardware re-design.

- There are no price drops on the Sony PSP any time soon.

What I want to know: Can the Sony PSP get "Castlevania: Symphony of the Night" on their PSP/PSone emulation before Xbox gets it on Xbox Live Arcade?

Read the full interview at Gamespot here.

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From Joystiq: "Xbox Live Arcade Stick from Mad Catz will actually retail for $49.99 and will come bundled with extras. Several full Live Arcade games are to be included with the purchase."

Read the details at Joystiq.

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Read the full article, check out screenshots and the discussion thread here.

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From Gamasutra: "TotemBall is controlled almost entirely through gestures; that is, the game tracks a player's arm movements to control a rickety, wheeled totem pole tower around each level, collecting items and trying to reach the exit within a time limit. Gesture-based gameplay is not foreign to Freeverse, who previously developed ToySight for the Macintosh, compatible with Apple's iSight camera."

The camera is currently listed for a mid-September release for $39.99.

Read more from Gamasutra.

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Features listed from Nintendo:
"In the original Mario vs. Donkey Kong, Mario was trying to find all the Mini Marios ... but this time, it’s up to them to save the day. Players use the stylus and the touch screen to guide Mini Marios through mind-boggling, obstacle-filled levels.

Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2 allows players to create their own maps with a new level editor. Once a map is created, players can send it across the world via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. Players also can use Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection to download maps created by others, check out a player-ranking system and access special bonuses. These unique features are sure to be a smash hit with puzzle fans everywhere.

Pauline returns! Pauline appeared in the original Donkey Kong® as the woman that Mario was attempting to rescue, and was one of the first recognizable characters created by Nintendo. After a decades-long hiatus, Pauline is finally returning to the world of video games in Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2. Pauline is the object of Donkey Kong’s misplaced affections, so players must rescue her all over again."

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From ACONY's press release: "ACONY will present PARABELLUM® at Games Convention in Leipzig in a first look at their game based on "NextGen" - Unreal® Engine 3. PARABELLUM® draws the player into a likely scenario of nuclear terror in New York City. An extremist group known as “Black November” is holding the entire city hostage by threatening to detonate a thermonuclear bomb. Their condition is the withdrawal of all United States military forces from the middle east. If this condition will not be fulfilled within 10 days, Black November will detonate the 20 Megaton nuclear warhead. According to intelligence information, the bomb could be hidden almost anywhere in NYC."

"PARABELLUM® is a Strategy First Person Shooter (SFPS) focused on urban warfare in the biggest Multiplayer Environment ever created. A whole city is waiting to be conquered in a giant multiplayer campaign. PARABELLUM® offers intense round based action with tactical and strategic depth. PARABELLUM® is designed for 5 players per team, which is easy managable, and therefore the most popular clan size. "

PARABELLUM® is planned for the second half of next year on PCs. Sounds eeriely similar to "Black Death Day" threats to NYC a couple years ago.

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