Yankidank.comYankidank.com, the standard for video game news. Home of the Gamer's Radiocast podcast.Target Pulling UMDs from Shelves- (Found August 15, 2008 ) 1UP.COM - UPDATE: We've received an additional update from Target on their approach to the UMD situation. Though PSP UMD movies will no longer be available in retail stores, they will still be stocked online via Target.com ORIGINAL STORY: We know UMDs haven't been performing spectacularly well in recent months. Though the format showed signs of grown when PSP launched, too many titles flooded store shelves at prices people weren't necessarily crazy about. The result Retailers have started...http://www.yankidank.com/article.php?story=20060715225936630 Sony Online Entertainment Licenses Unreal Engine 3- (Found August 15, 2008 ) GAMASUTRA.COM - Sony Online Entertainment announced a new licensing agreement with Epic Games to use the company's popular Unreal Engine 3 technology for the development of content for some of SOE's next-generation console and PC titles. SOE will use this technology for a number of future projects, including the earlier announced DC Comics-based game currently under development at Sony Online's Austin studio. Sony Online is the latest in a long string of publisher and developers licensing...http://www.yankidank.com/article.php?story=20060721015707921 Guitar Hero Headed to Xbox360- (Found August 15, 2008 ) GAMERANDY.COM - GamerAndy.com has recieved exclusive word from a source "in the know" who asked to remain anonymous that Red Octane is hard at work not only on a second PS2 iteration of their DDR-gone-electric gaming sensation, Guitar Hero, but also developing a version for the Xbox 360! When approached for comment, Microsoft declined as per their standard handling of unconfirmed information. Even taken with a grain of salt though, this is exciting to me. If the Guitar Hero...http://www.yankidank.com/article.php?story=20060721015337657 Microsoft Games Studio Looking for a Few Good Playtesters- (Found August 15, 2008 ) JOYSTIQ.COM - See how happy those people are That happiness does not come from the knowledge they are paid to get excited -- okay, so it does, but let's suspend reality and pretend they are actual playtesters. David Weller, the community manager at Microsoft's Game Technology Group, is putting out the call on his blog for participants under age 18, preferably between six and 12-years-old, to playtest some upcoming games.If you do decide to participate, do Microsoft a favor and come into the...http://www.yankidank.com/article.php?story=20060721015140713 Less Than 1 Out of Every 5,000 DS Lites Cracks, Claims Nintendo- (Found August 15, 2008 ) JOYSTIQ.COM - Nintendo finally got back to us about reports of cracked DS Lite hinges. Here's the official statement we were sent:"In the U.S., the reported number of small cosmetic cracks in the plastic hinge of DS Lite systems represents less than 0.02 percent of the total units sold. This cosmetic issue in no way impacts the gameplay or integrity of the DS Lite. Nintendo stands behind the quality of our products and encourages DS Lite owners to contact our Customer Service Department if.http://www.yankidank.com/article.php?story=200607210147596 Why Not Blu-ray Microsoft Explains- (Found August 15, 2008 ) HOLLYWOODREPORTER.COM - In his latest podcast, Microsoft Xbox Live director of programming Larry Hyrb (a.k.a. Major Nelson) spoke with Amir Majidimehr, vp of the company's Consumer Media Technology Group, all about HD DVD and Microsoft's decision to back that format and not Blu-ray (Sony's competing next-gen DVD format). Majidimehr said Microsoft was actually "quite active" with both formats before choosing to back HD DVD exclusively. The primary reason for that was to get...http://www.yankidank.com/article.php?story=2006072000142971 Spore: Exclusive Hands-On- (Found August 15, 2008 ) NEXT-GEN.BIZ - Will Wright does not do things by halves. That's just as well, since with Spore, he will attempt to outdo The Sims, now officially the biggest-selling game of all time, having overtaken Myst and shifted, in all its variants, in the vicinity of 60 million units. Spore, undoubtedly, is his most ambitious project: It consists of five distinct phases, each pretty much a game in its own right, and mixes action-adventure, space-simulation, and RTS gameplay. But what will it be like to..http://www.yankidank.com/article.php?story=20060719133518493 A Cartoon Network MMO for Spring 2008- (Found August 15, 2008 ) JOYSTIQ.COM - Cartoon Network is bringing its IPs into the online world with its own MMO title. Developed by Seoul-based Grigon Entertainment (Seal Online), the game is confirmed to feature characters from Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends, Ben 10, and Kids Next Door. The game will be free to download, but subscriptions and micro-transactions will be "available to players to enhance the gaming experience." Cartoon Network will launch the title, it hopes, in Spring of 2008. This...http://www.yankidank.com/article.php?story=2006071913322079 PS3 Production Begins In Taiwan- (Found August 15, 2008 ) GAMASUTRA.COM - According to a report from news service AFX Asia citing The Commercial Times, Taiwanese based electronics firm ASUSTeK Computer will deliver the first PlayStation 3 console to Sony this month, as full scale production of the company’s next generation console begins. The first consignment is for 4 million units, with monthly shipments beginning with 200,000 units and increasing to 2 million in October. Fellow Taiwanese company Hon Hai Precision Industry will also begin..http://www.yankidank.com/article.php?story=20060719133032901 Guild Wars: Nightfall announced- (Found August 15, 2008 ) JOYSTIQ.COM - NCsoft has announced the third Guild Wars campaign, Nightfall, which will have an exclusive PvP preview for current members on July 28-30. Like its predecessors, Nightfall is a standalone module with a new continent to explore, and will only require the earlier games if you have characters to transfer. However, veterans might be tempted to start fresh with one of the two new professions -- the angelic Paragon or the scythe-wielding Dervish, both of which are previewed at GameSpot..http://www.yankidank.com/article.php?story=20060719132926686 |