
Third annual game conference shows strong presence from online and mobile game makers.

A new report highlights the building momentum of Android devices and the rise of paid-for game apps.
Research and consulting firm Futuresource Consulting has revealed projections for the future of mobile gaming worldwide.

Quarterly guide to greener electronics slams the Japanese games company for the second time in a row.
In the 16th edition of Greenpeace’s Guide To Greener Electronics report, Nintendo is ranked last place with a score of 1.8 out of 10. Nintendo achieved the same score in the last report, issued in May.

Inside the cavernous Anaheim Convention Centre, 30 miles west of downtown Los Angeles, worship is in full session. “This word is power. This word is identity. This word is our word,” bellows Blizzard’s answer to Billy Graham - senior vice president of creative development Chris Metzen - to rapturous approval from the 20,000-strong crowd gathered at his feet. Behind him a single word is emblazoned across a huge screen: ‘Geek’. This is a man who knows his audience.

Atari introducing a free-to-play option to its MMOG to attract a “new audience”.
US-based developer Cryptic Studios and publisher Atari will change the payment model for its super-hero themed MMORPG Champions Online in the first quarter of 2011.

Format: 360 (version tested), PS3, Wii
Release: Out now
Publisher: Activision
Developer: FreeStyleGames
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Social games giant’s estimated stock value has doubled since March.
US-based analyst SharesPost has valued FarmVille maker Zynga at $5.51 billion on its index for privately held companies. In March SharesPost valued the company at $2.61 billion. The new valuation puts Zynga ahead of Electronic Arts’ Nasdaq stock market value of $5.16 billion.

London-based studio remains open despite threat of closure and rumours surrounding cancellation of ambitious action game.
Develop is reporting that Ignition Entertainment's London development studio has survived the closure threat made last month.

Research reveals Nintendo has sold an average of 46,000 controllers per day since launch.
Yesterday Nintendo announced findings by the independent research group NPD regarding US Wii Remote sales.
The data includes Wii Remotes bundled with the Wii console as standard since launch in November 2006.
Of 65.3 million Wii Remotes sold, 30.41 were pre-packaged with the Wii hardware. This brings the average number of Wii Remotes per console to 2.15 in the US.

British Academy Of Film And Television Arts recognises the rise of social games.
Independent charity BAFTA has revealed a new Social Network Game category in its forthcoming awards, to be presented next year.
The new category has been introduced to identify and reward excellence and innovation in the area of social games.

Destroying a world that's taken years to build up is not a task you'd imagine a level designer would cheerfully go about. But that's exactly what Alex Afrasiabi, World Of Warcraft's lead world designer, will do in the upcoming expansion Cataclysm. We met up with Afrasiabi at this year's Blizzcon to discuss growing up with Everquest, learning from mistakes and where World Of Warcraft can possibly go once Azeroth is torn asunder.

Some of the social network’s biggest games have been sending user IDs to thirdparty companies.

Blizzard answers Age Of Conan designer’s claim that “more isn’t always better”.
Alex Afrasiabi, World Of Warcraft’s lead world designer, offered his perspective on story during an interview with us at Blizzcon in Anaheim, California, this weekend.

Nintendo of America president believes the iPhone-maker could cause more damage to the company than Microsoft.
Speaking to Forbes about the competition Nintendo is facing from Apple, Reggie Fils-Aime, says, “Do I think that in the near term they can hurt us more than Microsoft? Absolutely.”

Host of online gaming portal claims growth is currently at 250,000 registrations per day.
German-based game developer Bigpoint announced today that its browser-based gaming hub Bigpoint.com, has reached 150 million registered users.
In January Bigpoint announced it had reached one million registered users. Heiko Hubertz, CEO of Bigpoint.com, says “Our growth over the last few months has been incredible.”

Blizzcon 2010, Blizzard's fifth annual celebration of all things Warcraft, StarCraft and Diablo, took place over the weekend in Anaheim, California. We sat down with executive vice president of game design, Rob Pardo, in between Q&A sessions and tournaments, to discuss the event's continued growth, the importance of not becoming complacent in the face of sucess and the possibility of a Bungie MMOG.
How do you feel Blizzcon has evolved since it started in 2005? Do you miss the days when it was a smaller event?

WOW developer could share resources with ex-Halo studio.
Blizzard would consider offering support and expertise to a Bungie MMOG project, World Of Warcraft co-designer Rob Pardo revealed to us during Blizzcon, which took place in Anaheim, California over the weekend.

Sony announces a 10,000 yen ($130/£80) price cut for its download-only games device.
In a culture dominated by TV talent shows, overtly-sensationalist news and gratuitous amounts of advertising, it's difficult to go a day without raising the suspicion you're being looked down upon. There is a presumption with the onslaught that consumers are bovine: naturally passive and wilfully apathetic - not fizzing with anything that might even resemble creative energy.

Global Agenda developer using the FPS licence for "large scale fighting” game, Tribes Universe.
The US-based developer of thirdperson MMO shooter Global Agenda, Hi-Rez Studios, announced on Saturday that it is the new owner of the Tribes franchise.

Format: Xbox 360, PS3
Release: Out now
Publisher: THQ
Developer: Double Fine
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Bethesda’s debuting role-playing game knocks Medal Of Honor off the top spot.
The UK's multiformat chart in the week ending October 23 also saw DS puzzler Professor Layton And The Lost Future make a strong debut at number four. Wii games Just Dance 2 and Wii Party remained strong, slipping just two places each, while Wii Sports Resort managed to climb back into the top ten.
Halo: Reach and Castlevania: Lords Of Shadow both fell out of the top ten.

Persona publisher and developer's owner also reveals hopes for upcoming game sales, including Catherine.

Format: Xbox 360, PS3, PC
Release: Out now
Publisher: Bethesda
Developer: Obsidian
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Five charities will receive £20,000 each courtesy of the scheme funded by the UK game industry.
GamesAid, a UK-based children and young people’s charity that acts as a middleman for the game industry, has named five charities that will receive donations this year.
This year’s grants, of £20,000 each, will go to Action For Kids, Families Need Fathers, SpecialEffect, The Willow Foundation and Volunteer Centre Sutton: MAPS.