Why Is This Knight Different From All Other Knights?

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and TT Games will bring "Lego Batman: The Videogame" to next-generation/current generation platforms and the PC in 2008 with Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment serving as the game's North American publisher, including all sales and distribution functions.

"Batman spans several generations as one of the most popular DC Super Heroes, and LEGO BATMAN will appeal to several generations of gamers who grew up idolizing the 'Dark Knight' and playing with LEGO toys," said Samantha Ryan, Senior Vice President, Development and Production, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment.

"We're sure our fans will be excited to know that we have the same fantastic team at Traveller's Tales responsible for 'LEGO Star Wars' and 'LEGO Star Wars II' working on 'LEGO BATMAN'," said Tom Stone, Director of TT Games Publishing.

"There's a special magic to the LEGO incarnation of Batman that makes him accessible to a younger generation of his fans," said Paul Levitz, President, DC Comics. "We look forward to the videogame version extending this fantasy."

The "Lego Batman: The Videogame" story unfolds with Batman's greatest foes escaping from 'Arkham Asylum', creating their usual mayhem throughout 'Gotham City'. Tracking criminals, including 'The Joker' and 'The Penguin', players will utilize Batman's gadgets as well as build and operate fantastic vehicles in one or two player cooperative gameplay.

About TT Games

TT Games is the combined publishing and development group behind "LEGO Star Wars", "LEGO Star Wars II" and "BIONICLE Heroes". Incorporating UK developer Traveller's Tales, TT Games has a distinctive focus on console and PC games.

About the LEGO Group

The LEGO Group is a privately held, family-owned company, based in Billund, Denmark. It was founded in 1932 and today the group is one of the world's leading manufacturers of play materials for children, employing approximately 4,500 people globally.

About DC Comics

DC Comics, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, is the English-language publisher of comics and home to such iconic characters as 'Superman', 'Batman' and 'Wonder Woman'. These DC super heroes and others have starred in comic books, movies, television series (both animated and live-action) and cyberspace.

About Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, a division of Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group, is a publisher, licensor and a developer of entertainment content for the interactive space across all current and future platforms, including consoles, PC-based gaming and wireless applications.

Top Cow Casts Light On "The Darkness"

Developed by Starbreeze Studios, 'The Darkness" is a next-gen, first-person actioner featuring a storyline written in collaboration with comic book writer Paul Jenkins.

Set in New York City, players experience the role of 'Jackie Estacado', heir to "The Darkness," an ancient power that awakens on his 21st birthday.

Jackie must use traditional weapons as well as learn to command his new powers as he seeks revenge on a crime family.

"The Darkness", based on the comic of the same name published by Top Cow Publishing and created by Marc Silvestri and Paul Jenkins will be available in June for the Xbox 360(tm) and PLAYSTATION.

More "Godfather" Games Hit The Streets

Electronic Arts Inc., and Paramount Digital Entertainment have announced that "The Godfather® The Don's Edition" for the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and "The Godfather® Blackhand Edition" for the Wii(TM) have shipped in North America.



The games will be available worldwide on March 23rd.

These fully interactive living world titles are based on the classic film by Paramount Pictures and the critically-acclaimed book by Mario Puzo.

"The Godfather Blackhand Edition" redesigns the motion-based Blackhand Control system specifically for the Wii Remote and Nunchuk. The power is in your hands as you take down the opposition, or point directly at the screen using the Wii Remote for pinpoint firearm accuracy.

"The Godfather The Don's Edition" contains 'The Corleone Expansion Pack' with new compounds to control, missions to conquer, and the new Corleone Challenges mode.

"The Godfather The Don's Edition" also takes full advantage of the SIXAXIS(TM) controller for PLAYSTATION 3 as you 'manhandle' your controller to manhandle your opponent.

Developed by EA Redwood Shores "The Godfather The Don's Edition" and "The Godfather Blackhand Edition" have been rated "M" for Mature.
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Ubisoft's "TMNT": The Old Shell Game

The "TMNT" video game, based on the upcoming CGI feature-length film starring the "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" is now available at video game retailers in North America.

Developed by Ubisoft's Montreal and Quebec City studios, "TMNT" the video game is rated E10+ and available for the Xbox 360(TM) video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, Windows® PC, Game Boy® Advance, Nintendo DS(TM), Nintendo GameCube(TM) and Wii(TM).

The game incorporates the same environments and extends the adventurous themes featured in the new TMNT CGI film being developed by Imagi Animation Studios and Mirage Licensing and distributed by Warner Bros., opening March 23, 2007.

Set in a New York City plagued by villains and otherworldly creatures, the Turtles experience their most trying time both as heroes and as a family.

'Raphael', 'Donatello' and 'Michelangelo' lose their focus while struggling to maintain their unity and ninja discipline.

In the movie and in the game, it's up to 'Leonardo' and father figure 'Splinter' to reunite the band of brothers and save New York City from a monstrous evil that lurks around every corner.

Game players will engage in over-the-top acrobatic navigation, collaborative combat and powerful fighting moves.

"Ubisoft is proud to be introducing everyone's favorite Turtles to the next generation of video games," said Tony Key, vice president of marketing at Ubisoft.

"Ubisoft has worked closely with the creators at Imagi and Mirage to develop an immersive gaming experience that gives players a chance to expand the adventures in the film by submerging themselves in the sewers and scaling the rooftops of New York City in true ninja style."

New Line Enlisting for "Gears Of War"

New Line will adapt the Microsoft/Epic Games video game "Gears of War" into a feature film, from a screenplay by Stuart "Collateral" Beattie.
Marty Bowen and Wyck Godfrey will produce through their Temple Hill production company.

"Gears of War" has sold more than 3 million units, released in November and available only for the Xbox 360 console.

Premise of the film will focus on the planet 'Sera', invaded by aliens known as the 'Locust', while a group of elite soldiers, led by 'Marcus Fennix', fight to reclaim the land.

Go Go Gorgo

With a 2-week total of $127.4 million, Warners Montreal-shot, $60 million budgeted "300", has again claimed the number one North American box office spot.

Director Zack "Dawn Of The Dead" Snyder's adaptation of Frank Miller's graphic novels, had a per-theater average of $9,537.



Meanwhile the video game based on the film , "300: March To Glory" continues to show strong sales.

"Starship Troopers: Marauder" In Cape Town

"Starship Troopers: Marauder" is a an upcoming sequel movie, that starts filming May 21 in Cape Town, South Africa, written/directed by Edward Neumeier, focusing on 'General Johnny Rico' (Casper Van Dien) called back into action to defeat the space bugs.

A new game will follow ...

"FF2": They Got Game

Click here for more "Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer"

"Spider-Man 3": He Got Game

NeuroSky Markets Games Using Brain Waves

Video games with action dictated by brain waves will be available by the end of the year, according to San Jose-based, Silicon Valley company NeuroSky.

"Its like 'The Force'", said a company spokeman dressed as 'Darth Vader', demonstrating the invention at the recent Game Developers Conference in San Francisco.

How it all works is that 'sensors' gauge moods by measuring brain wave emissions, translated into video game action by CPU software, according to NeuroSky spokesman Greg Hyver.

Onscreen objects can be pushed or pulled by focusing and aiming with a computer mouse.

"The technology has been around for a hundred years," Hyver said.

Lara Croft: Anniversary

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Road To Respect

According to reports, HBO will bring "The Sopranos" back April 8, returning for its sixth season with one more episode than expected.

Creator David Chase produced nine episodes, rather than the eight that had been ordered.

Sopranos: Road to Respect

Meet 'Joey LaRocca': Punk. Lowlife.

In the part of Jersey where he grew up, guys like Joey are a dime a dozen. As common as rooftop pigeons and pignoli cookies.

One thing though. Joey is the son of 'Sal "Big Pussy" Bonpensiero' and he's got an "Uncle" Tony.

'Tony Soprano' to be precise.

Reacquainted with Joey, Tony lets his guilt get the best of him and decides to put Pussy's kid to good use. It's not long before Joey becomes the newest member of the 'Sopranos' crew.

Now he's Joey LaRocca: Mobster.

But being the new guy is never easy. It's even harder when the only rep you have is for being the son of a rat. Joey's got a long way to go if he's going to make a name for himself.

Cleaning up the mess that 'Paulie' made with a local Philly crew will get very complicated.

Will you be able to navigate Joey through the pitfalls and minefields on the road to respect?

Joining the family you'll lend extra muscle to Tony, 'Silvio', Paulie and 'Christopher', while going back to the old neighborhood, 'The Bada Bing!, 'Satriale's' and 'Nuovo Vesuvio'.



Click here for more "Sopranos"

Tony Montana

Detective Vic Mackey

Norrin Radd of Zenn-La

Click here for more "Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer"

Official Categories for 2007 "ELANS"

The 2nd Annual Canadian Awards for the Electronic and Animated Arts (CAEAA) have completed their list of Official Categories for the "Elans" Award: Video Gaming, Animation, and Students of the Digital Arts.

On Monday, February 26th, Producers of the CAEAA held panel discussions with Vancouver reps from each industry, then took the resulting 'Category' and 'Criteria' selections and sent them to all three sectors, to ensure the 2007 Elans reflected the industries they were awarding.

"The panels constituted a perfect cross-section of many companies and institutions from each industry," reports Holly Carinci, CAEAA Owner and "Elans" Producer.

"I was very impressed with the way they determined the best categories for this coming year’s awards."

Each industry not only chose the Categories they wanted to see for the Canadian Awards, but also for the new International Awards that have been added.

"Including the rest of the world into our awards is an incredibly exciting addition for all involved," said Carinci.

"The mere nature of these three sectors involves global technology and while we are setting out to define Canada's important role in these booming industries, we recognize the fact that communication between the countries is key, and what better way to accomplish that than through accolade."

This year the Submission for Nomination process will be held in two separate segments: Student Submission for Nomination opens Monday, March 5th and closes Friday, June 1st. The Animation and Video Game Submission for Nomination opens Monday, June 4th and closes Friday, August 31st.

The 2007 "Elans" will be held Friday, November 2nd at The Centre in Vancouver for the Performing Arts. The state-of-the-art structure, regarded as the premiere entertainment facility in the city, will host nearly 2000 worldwide guests and participants including yours truly, reporting from the "Elans" for the second year.

The day following the Awards Night, the CAEAA Producers, with their Event Partners Ernst & Young, Electronic Arts (EA), Autodesk and the British Columbia Provincial Government will host a high-end networking day at their Official Hotelier The Sutton Place Hotel, Vancouver for CEOs and Upper Management who attended the 2007 "Elans".

Other players already onboard to support the Awards includes: Foundation 9/Backbone Entertainment, Radical Entertainment, next level games, Studio B Productions, Western Imperial Magnetics, David Kaye Productions, Selkirk College, The Art Institute of Vancouver, Emily Carr Institute, Sheridan College, Vancouver Film School, "Elan" statuette artist Dean Lauzé of D’Arts and the Awards Auditing firm, Buckley Dodds & Assoc.s.

"As the Movie Industry goes to Hollywood for its Oscars, so will the world of Video Gaming and Animation come to Canada for their Elans", declared Carinci.

And the Categories are:

ELECTRONIC GAME CATEGORIES

1. GAME OF THE YEAR
2. BEST CONSOLE GAME
3. BEST PC GAME
4. BEST NEW VIDEO GAME COMPANY
5. BEST ORIGINAL MUSICAL SCORE
6. BEST CHARACTER
7. BEST ART DIRECTION
8. BEST HANDHELD GAME OF THE YEAR (psp, ds, etc...)
9. BEST GAME DESIGN OF THE YEAR
10.BEST MOBILE/CASUAL/ARCADE GAME OF THE YEAR
11 BEST WRITING FOR A GAME PRODUCTION

VIDEO GAME HALL OF FAME
OUTSTANDING INNOVATION IN GAMING
INTERNATIONAL VIDEO GAME OF THE YEAR

ANIMATION CATEGORIES

1. BEST FEATURE LENGTH ANIMATED PRODUCTION
2. BEST ANIMATED PRODUCTION (Television Series)
3. BEST ANIMATED SHORT SUBJECT
4. BEST DIRECTION in a FEATURE LENGTH ANIMATED PRODUCTION
5. BEST DIRECTION in an ANIMATED TELEVISION SERIES
6. BEST MALE VOICE OVER IN AN ANIMATED FEATURE OR TELEVISION PRODUCTION
7. BEST FEMALE VOICE OVER IN AN ANIMATED FEATURE OR TELEVISION PRODUCTION
8. BEST ORIGINAL MUSICAL SCORE
9. BEST SOUND DESIGN
10. BEST STORYBOARDING
11. BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN OR ART DIRECTION
12. BEST WRITING IN AN ANIMATED PRODUCTION

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
BEST INTERNATIONAL FEATURE LENGTH ANIMATED PRODUCTION
BEST INTERNATIONAL ANIMATED PRODUCTION (Television Series) **

STUDENT ANIMATION AND ELECTRONIC GAME CATEGORIES

1. STUDENT ANIMATED OR MOTION GRAPHIC PRODUCTION OF THE YEAR
2. STUDENT GAME OF THE YEAR
3. BEST ORIGINAL SOUND DESIGN/MUSICAL SCORE FOR AN ANIMATED PRODUCTION OR GAME
4. BEST Student ART DIRECTION - GAME PRODUCTION
5. BEST STUDENT ART DIRECTION - ANIMATED PRODUCTION
6. BEST STUDENT WRITING FOR AN ANIMATED OR GAME PRODUCTION

"READY TO ROCKET" AWARD (ANIMATION AND GAMES)
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT OF THE YEAR

Click here for more "Elans Awards"