Angry Birds gets a sequel – and a film tie-in

Posted on January 29, 2011 by Chris Morris

Because there are so many app games on the market, we don’t write about them too often here at Technotainment, but we’re willing to make an exception for “Angry Birds.”

The sequel to the most popular game on the iPhone, iPad and pretty much any other mobile device it’s on has finally been unveiled. And this time, the birds are turning their wrath on… other birds. The game – called “Angry Birds: Rio” – is due out this spring and will have 45 initial levels. But to get you pumped up, creator Rovio and 20^th Century Fox have put together one heck of a trailer.

Doodle Jump’s different sort of big screen debut

Posted on January 28, 2011 by Chris Morris

Game titles in the app store have rewritten the rules of video game development – so it makes sense that they would rewrite the rules of tie-ins as well.

“Doodle Jump,” one of the most popular apps on iDevices, has announced a film partnership with Universal Pictures that will work a bit differently than the usual game/movie tie-in.

Disney nabs EA Mobile chief

Posted on January 28, 2011 by Chris Morris

As Disney was busy laying off a substantial portion of its games division this week, it was also doing some hiring.

The Mouse House has lured away Adam Sussman, vice president of Electronic Arts’ mobile division. Sussman will become Senior VP of publishing for Disney Games – further indicating the company’s plan to focus almost entirely on mobile and social titles moving forward.

Sony unveils next-gen handheld, Android integration

Posted on January 27, 2011 by Chris Morris

Most of the gaming world figured Sony would be rolling out the successor to the PSP at its Business and Strategy Meeting being held in Tokyo – but no one guessed it would embrace the smart phone market as well.

The company unveiled its next generation handheld system Thursday as well as a new initiative that would bring games from the original PlayStation to Android-based devices, as Sony prepares to launch its own ‘PlayStation Phone’.

Intel’s latest employee: will.i.am?

Posted on January 25, 2011 by Chris Morris

Intel is taking a page from Polaroid’s playbook: Grab a hot musician, give them an official sounding title and hope the PR blitz surrounding that will result in something good.

With the camera company having already snapped up Lady Gaga, the chip maker went with Black Eyed Peas front man will.i.am. His title: Director of Creative Innovation. His duties: No one seems to have any freaking idea.

Massive layoffs at Disney’s gaming arm

Posted on January 24, 2011 by Chris Morris

Disney is swinging the ax at Disney Interactive Studios, cutting hundreds of positions, sources have told Variety.

Disney declined to give a number of people affected, but speaking off the record, people who were affected by the move said it could be as much as half of Disney Interactive Studios. Several vice presidents and directors were among those cut. (Variety has been unable to verify the exact count.)

“Mortal Kombat” goes live-action – again

Posted on January 24, 2011 by Chris Morris

Another old-school video game is getting the live action treatment – but in a different way than its peers.

While Universal is trying to bring “Asteroids” to the big screen and Namco is shopping a 3D series AND reality series revolving around Pac-Man, Warner Premiere has announced plans to create a series of live action digital shorts around “Mortal Kombat”.

Pigs will fly on May 3, 2011

Posted on January 21, 2011 by Chris Morris

“Duke Nukem Forever,” the longest running punchline in the video game industry, finally has a ship date – and all signs are the game will actually stand by this one.

After more than a decade in development, an apparent cancellation, an IP ownership transfer and a miraculous revival, the long-in-development game will finally hit retail shelves on May 3.

Thoughts on the Google CEO swap

Posted on January 20, 2011 by Chris Morris

The tech world got one heck of a surprise Thursday afternoon when long-time Google CEO Eric Schmidt announced he would be ceding the position to company co-founder and president of products Larry Page.

It’s a move that tech analysts are trying to piece together to determine what it will mean for the future of the quickly expanding company. But what, if anything, does it mean for the entertainment industry?

The app revolution is well underway at Samsung