Category Archives: Variety (Print)

‘Journey’ big winner at D.I.C.E. Awards

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The variety-logobest videogames of 2012 weren’t found on store shelves, but they could be downloaded.

Thatgamecompany’s “Journey” was the big winner at the 16th annual D.I.C.E. Awards, capturing eight awards, including Game of the Year, Outstanding Innovation in Gaming, and Outstanding Achievement in Game Direction. “The Walking Dead,” an episodic downloadable game based on the Robert Kirkman comic, captured four awards, including Adventure Game of the Year and Downloadable Game of the Year for Telltale Games.

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Valve touts PCs for videogame innovation

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The variety-logobulk of the media focus in the videogame world might be on the mobile and consoles, but Valve Software co-founder Gabe Newell thinks they’re looking at the wrong platform.

In his keynote address at the D.I.C.E. Summit in Las Vegas, Newell evangelized the potential of the PC ecosystem, noting that it would help revolutionize the living room.

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‘Halo’ universe feeds fans on multiple platforms

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The variety-logoHalo franchise is one of the biggest in the videogame world, but when series creator Bungie Studios walked away from the series after 2010’s “Halo: Reach,” it left Microsoft with a problem.

The series, of course, would continue — but keeping the loyal community fanbase satisfied wouldn’t be easy — and neither would managing a property that had quickly grown into a transmedia giant.

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Hollywood, games biz unite around ‘Defiance’

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While variety-logoJ.J. Abrams’ Bad Robot and Valve Software are planning to develop films around the developer’s “Half-Life” and “Portal” franchises, Trion Worlds and Syfy have a warning for them: It’s not as easy as it looks.

At the D.I.C.E. Summit on Thursday, Syfy president Mark Stern and Trion’s VP of production Nick Beliaeff talked about the collaboration of their companies for the upcoming TV series and game “Defiance” and the changes both had to make in their operational procedures.

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Game pantheon inductees

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Gabe honorees-gabe-newellNewell, latest inductee in the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences Hall of Fame, has helped revolutionize the videogame industry.

The co-founder and managing director of Valve Software has overseen development on several beloved and influential franchises, including “Half-Life,” “Portal” and “Left 4 Dead.” And he led the charge in digital distribution efforts with Steam, Valve’s online sales and digital rights management platform. With more than 54 million users, Steam’s sales have doubled every year since 2005. Forbes estimates Steam sales make up 50%-70% of the $4 billion downloaded PC game market — and give publishers a much bigger profit margin.

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Ouya game console targets TV play

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Any variety-logoconsole going up against Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft faces an enormous challenge. And no one knows that better than Ouya founder Julie Uhrman.

The Ouya console, an Android-based console videogame system that will sell for $100, is looking to shake up the gaming biz by eschewing the growing world of mobile to focus on the television as its primary platform. While some have questioned the plan, Uhrman said there was never any doubt from the company which raised nearly $8.6 million from Kickstarter.

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Game developers should look beyond violence, says Quantic’s Cage

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The variety-logovideogame industry might have taken in nearly $15 billion in the U.S. last year, but one of the industry’s more controversial developers thinks the industry needs to reinvent itself if it wants to ensure long-term success.

David Cage, founder of the Quantic Dream development studio and creator of 2010’s Heavy Rain and the upcoming Ellen Page starring game “Beyond: Two Souls,” accused the industry of having a Peter Pan complex during a seminar at this year’s D.I.C.E. Summit — and offered his own vision for the future.

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‘Dead Space’ vidgame creator inspired by Hollywood

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When variety-logoGlen Schofield looks for inspiration, he often turns to Hollywood, the co-founder and general manager of Sledgehammer Games told an audience in a Wednesday talk at this year’s D.I.C.E. Summit in Las Vegas.

Schofield, whose studio co-developed “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3” and created the “Dead Space” franchise, discussed the art of inspiration — which, he noted, can come from a variety of sources, ranging from ear-piercing sounds on the subway to vacation pictures.

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THQ split-up complete as competitors take pieces

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THQ, saints_row_2once the third-largest publisher in the videogame industry, is no more.

A bankruptcy auction, concluded Wednesday, has broken up the company into pieces and sold them to competitors, along with its key videogame titles and licenses, dashing executives’ hopes that it could remain intact with the help of a corporate white knight.

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While studies loom, vidgame biz can use some sensitivity training

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The violence-digital-editionnation and its politicians are desperately seeking an answer for a horrific event that no sane mind can grasp. And that’s leading to calls for studies. Unfortunately, some parties are announcing the results they’re hoping to find before they’ve done any research.

In the days after the Dec. 14 Sandy Hook school shooting, Sen. Jay Rockefeller said, “Recent court decisions demonstrate that some people still do not get it. They believe that violent video games are no more dangerous to young minds than classic literature or Saturday morning cartoons. Parents, pediatricians and psychologists know better.”

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