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After it earlier this year shut down Soldner developer Wings Simulations and Transport Giant's Ebensee studio, JoWood keeps trimming down its internal development studios. Aquanox developer Massive Development is the next casuality in JoWood's struggle to returning to profit. In a statement issued earlier today JoWood and Massive announced that current projects, such as the PS2 title AquaNox: The Angel's Tears, are not cancelled and will be finished, although timeframe was not provided. Rumours of an Aquanox 3, and whether it will also continue to be developed, could not be confirmed at this point.
'Evil Genuis' Developer Shuts Down
by Rainier on April 28, 2005 @ 8:54 a.m. PDT | Filed under News
It is with great sadness that Elixir Studios today announced it is to cease day-to-day operations, effective immediately, and will seek the orderly sale and re-use of all its remaining assets and IP. Read more for details ...
Film Giant MGM Shuts Down 'Stargate: Source' Mod
by Rainier on April 19, 2005 @ 12:24 a.m. PDT | Filed under News
The creators behind the Half-Life 2 mod Stargate: Source have received a cease and desist order from MGM to immediately stop working on their mod project. "We are very displeased to announce that apparently MGM the huge company feels very threatened by a group of individuals spread throughout the world. We have received a letter to desist from the creation of the Stargate: Source mod. At this time we are still discussing the issue but it does appear that we are going to be shutting down." Albeit regrettable, this decision by MGM was expected since they are involved in the Stargate SG1: The Alliance game project, under development at JoWood.
FBI Shuts Down SNES Piracy Operation
by Rainier on April 15, 2005 @ 12:49 a.m. PDT | Filed under News
The FBI has arrested four Chinese nationals in New York for allegedly distributing video game consoles that contain Nintendo's famous game software. With approximately 40 FBI agents, they seized more than 60,000 illegal products during five raids on April 13. The illegal products, marketed under the brand name "Power Player," contain dozens of pirated versions of popular Nintendo games like Donkey Kong, Mario Bros. and Duck Hunt.
Blizzard Shuts Down Tons of 'Warcraft III' Accounts
by Rainier on April 7, 2005 @ 10:21 a.m. PDT | Filed under News
Blizzard issued a small statement announcing they have once again banned a slew of Warcraft 3 accounts from players who were using hacks to cheat. "A number of additional accounts and CD keys have been tied to the use of a hack or cheat program while playing Warcraft III on Battle.net. In keeping with our aggressive stance against cheating, we have permanently closed 5,900 Warcraft III accounts. 2,300 of the Warcraft III CD keys used with the now-closed accounts have been banned from ladder play for one month, and 500 more have been banned from ladder play permanently." Read more about it on the official Blizzard website.
'Stolen' (PS2/Xbox/PC) Developer Blue 52 Shuts Down
by Rainier on March 18, 2005 @ 7:54 a.m. PST | Filed under News
MCV is reporting that UK development studio Blue 52 has closed its doors after failing to secure enough cash to pay for company overheads, MCV can reveal. The forthcoming release of Stolen, Blue 52’s highly-regarded stealth sim, to be published by Hip Interactive at the beginning of April, has not been affected. Sources close to the London-based developer indicate that a small team has relocated to alternative premises to complete work on Stolen, and that the company is set to rise from the ashes as a new business initiative, Curve Games Studios, with the same core staff later this year.
French Adventure Developer Galiléa Shuts Down
by Rainier on March 10, 2005 @ 8:19 a.m. PST | Filed under News
Founded in 1996, Galiléa started with the adventure/edutainment title Genesys before finding a much wider audience with Cameron Files series (Loch Ness and Pharaoh's Curse/Amenophis). The company's final adventure was Jack the Ripper in early 2004. Having already cancelled production on the third Cameron Files game and shutting down its main studio in Grenoble, France, Galiléa has existed since mid-2004 as a skeleton company based in Montreal, Canada. However, unable to secure any new development deals, co-founder Philippe Gaudé has now confirmed that budget considerations have forced them to close down and seek opportunities elsewhere (thanks Adventure Gamers).
Sony Undergoes Major Management Shuffle
by Rainier on March 7, 2005 @ 3:23 p.m. PST | Filed under News
Effective immediately, Sir Howard Stringer will replace longtime chairman Nobuyuki Idei, assume the position of Chairman, Group CEO and Representative Corporate Executive Officer, Sony Corporation. Sir Howard will be the first foreigner to take the Sony top spot and run Sony's overall group business operations on a global basis from headquarters in both New York and Tokyo. Sony Computer Entertainment president Ken Kutaragi also get the boot but will remain head of the SCE gaming division.
Atari Shuts Down Studios While 'Dragonshard' And 'Boiling Point' Get Delayed
by Judy on Feb. 9, 2005 @ 1:50 p.m. PST | Filed under News
Right after its financial results last year, Atari shut down Unreal 2 developer Legend Ent., and a few months later Deer Hunter powerhouse WizardWorks was next. This year is not looking any different as Atari revealed its still dropping financial results and to no surprise, decided to close down its publishing studios in Santa Monica, CA and Beverly, MA, and moving the functions handled by those studios to Atari's HQ in New York. On top of that the results also reveal that Liquid's Dragonshard and Deep Shadows' Boiling Point have been delayed until fiscal 2006, anywhere between April 2005, all the way to March 2006. We tried to contact Atari for comments but so far no replies.
'World Championship Poker' (PS2/GBA) Shuffles into Stores
by Judy on Nov. 19, 2004 @ 10:16 a.m. PST | Filed under News
Crave Entertainment announces the release of World Championship Poker for PS2 and GBA. The version for the Xbox will be available this holiday season and playable over Xbox Live.
'Games X Copy' Developer Shuts Down
by Judy on Aug. 3, 2004 @ 2:41 a.m. PDT | Filed under News
Electronic Arts Inc., Atari Inc. and Vivendi Universal Games sued 321 in June, claiming that 321's software allows illegal copying of CDs and DVDs. The company has suffered under the strain of suits by the various entertainment industries, and in June the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported it had laid off more than 300 employees. 321 has ceased operations and an independent online vendor is running a close-out sale on 321 products not subject to an injunction.
Valve Shuts Down WON Authentication Servers
by Judy on July 15, 2004 @ 11:59 a.m. PDT | Filed under News
Starting July 26th, the shutdown of the WON authentication servers will begin. This process will be completed on July 31st. This means players will no longer be able to access Internet features of Valve games, such as Counter-Strike 1.5, using the WON authentication servers. Users can continue using Valve games on the Steam service by downloading the Steam installer and setting up a Steam account. Counter-Strike 1.5 players will be upgraded to Counter-Strike 1.6 free of charge through Steam.
'Starfleet Command' Developer 'Taldren' Shuts Down
by Rainier on June 24, 2004 @ 6:00 p.m. PDT | Filed under News
Noticed on Starfleet Universe that the developer of the Starfleet Command series, Taldren, has shut down. Taldren was working on a new Xbox/PC title for publisher Majesco, which got delayed a few months back, but with the demise of the developer, that project seems to have gone under completely. An incarnation of Taldren will survive in South Korea as Taldren's CEO Erik Bethke has already struck roots in Korea and is forging plans to develop a myth-themed MMORPG.
Vivendi Shuts Down 'Papyrus'
by Rainier on May 8, 2004 @ 10:49 a.m. PDT | Filed under News
Vivendi has closed down famed NASCAR developer Papyrus (along with all their other East Coast Studios). The VUGames forum has the following about it : "Yes, Papyrus has closed up shop for good. Sorry, but it is true. The last time I asked a few weeks back, the statement was that multiplayer will continue to be fully supported. Nothing has been said to change this, but we are asking again to be sure. The reason parts are still down is they physically moved the servers from Boston to LA. The bugs arn't worked out yet."
Atari Shuts Down 'Unreal 2' Developer Legend Entertainment
by Rainier on Jan. 16, 2004 @ 5:37 p.m. PST | Filed under News
Noticed on VE3D that Legend Entertainment has today been shut down by the powers that be at Atari, according to credible sources. Legend recently completed work on the XMP addon, which added an excellent multiplayer mode to Unreal 2. This was released free on the internet for existing owners of Unreal 2 and also in a special edition version of the game that was released recently. The patch that is currently being tested will be released and that the master server for the game will continue to operate. The LEgend Ent. website has already been taken offline and the Unreal 2 Xbox port (developed by Tantalus) is still on track for release. No Atari representative could be reached for comments, no surprise there... Thanks Andy!
Gamers Shut Out In Asheron's Call 2 Billing Mess
by Thomas on Nov. 24, 2002 @ 6:53 p.m. PST | Filed under News
The Register report that after the launch of Microsoft's new multiplayer game - Asheron's Call 2 Fallen Kings - in the US and Canada has been mired in controversy after the giant software company admitted that the game is only available to subscribers in nine countries. Thousands of people around the world currently play Asheron's Call 1, an online role-playing game where players inhabit a 3D fantasy world. And many of this hardcore group of gamers have pre-ordered copies of the new game from Web sites outside of their own country. Now, many are up in arms after the launch of the latest much-anticipated game in North America, the game's producer has admitted that it cocked-up.
Retailers Shun New Acclaim 'XXX' Game
by Thomas on Oct. 15, 2002 @ 9:10 a.m. PDT | Filed under News
Three of the nation's top retailers, including Wal Mart, on Monday said they had refused to carry a new video game billed as the first major release to feature full-action nudity and with prostitutes and pimps as major characters. Using the tagline "Keep it Dirty," video game publisher Acclaim Entertainment Inc. is gearing up for the Nov. 19 launch of "BMX XXX," a game that also features copulating pink poodles and a variety of racing bike stunts. But major retailers Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Toys R Us Inc. and KB Toys all said they would not carry the game, a potential blow for the game's exposure. Full scoop here!!
TriLunar Shuts Down Operations
by Thomas on Aug. 28, 2002 @ 3:18 p.m. PDT | Filed under News
As i was surfing around the web today i found out that developers Trilunar had to cease development of the game Dragonkind for XBox as well as close down TriLunar. Here is a clip:
Today we have a disappointing announcement. Due to lack of resources, we have had to cease development of the game Dragonkind as well as close down TriLunar. The company was funded 100% internally, and without access to an external source of capital, we are unable to continue operating. This decision disappoints us as much as it probably disappoints all of our fans and supporters. Full scoop here!
Today we have a disappointing announcement. Due to lack of resources, we have had to cease development of the game Dragonkind as well as close down TriLunar. The company was funded 100% internally, and without access to an external source of capital, we are unable to continue operating. This decision disappoints us as much as it probably disappoints all of our fans and supporters. Full scoop here!
DreamCatcher Responds To Recent News About 'Cryo' Shutdown
by Rainier on July 5, 2002 @ 6:44 p.m. PDT | Filed under News
Richard Wah Kan, CEO of DreamCatcher noted that "while Cryo indirectly owns an interest in DreamCatcher, Cryo's unfortunate financial difficulties do not affect in any way, DreamCatcher's operations or positive outlook. DreamCatcher is, and will continue to be, a vibrant, growing and successful company and will continue to service its customers, deal with its suppliers, and acquire and distribute its wide range of quality game titles in its usual reliable and professional manner. DreamCatcher has and will continue to rely entirely on its own management, business strategies and financing, and it is business as usual at DreamCatcher."
WWE Smackdown! 4: Shut Your Mouth (PS2) - Screens
by Thomas on July 4, 2002 @ 9:53 a.m. PDT | Filed under News
In one corner stands the immortal Hulk Hogan. In the other stands the Undisputed World Wrestling Champion Triple H. Tensions mount, but suddenly Y2J’s music blares as he enters the arena and grabs the mic. Fans boo and chant “has-been”! Backstage, The Great One gets ready to layeth the smacketh down while Mr. McMahon sits with his personal assistant Stacy Keibler. It’s SmackDown! as you’ve never seen it before for the PlayStation 2. All-new Superstars, enhanced season mode and more matches then ever. Check out our new screens!
WWE Smackdown! 4: Shut Your Mouth (PS2) Screens & Features
by Thomas on June 13, 2002 @ 12:27 p.m. PDT | Filed under News
In one corner stands the immortal Hulk Hogan. In the other stands the Undisputed World Wrestling Champion Triple H. Tensions mount, but suddenly Y2J’s music blares as he enters the arena and grabs the mic. Fans boo and chant “has-been”! Backstage, The Great One gets ready to layeth the smacketh down while Mr. McMahon sits with his personal assistant Stacy Keibler. It’s SmackDown! as you’ve never seen it before for the PlayStation 2. All-new Superstars, enhanced season mode and more matches then ever.