Nintendo announced that its ever popular Wii has been tapped by Norwegian Cruise Lines, as the company has become the first cruise line to offer guests a chance to play the Wii on board its ships.
Wii consoles are currently on NCL’s newest ship — Norwegian Pearl — and all NCL America ships. The Wii will be rolled out on the rest of the NCL fleet by next month. The systems are equipped with the console’s popular pack in game Wii Sports, while Wii Play, WarioWare: Smooth Moves and Excite Truck will also be available.
On each ship, Wii systems/setups will be located in the atrium and other public rooms allowing guests to gather and play against each other while viewing the game on large video screens. Each ship’s Kid’s Crew facility will also feature two Wii kiosks providing kids-only fun. The ships will also host tournaments and other activities around the games.
This sounds like the the absolute perfect captured audience for the Wii, and given the brevity of most cruises, patrons are almost guaranteed not to get board. And guess what they are likely to go out and guy once the dock ashore? Given that they can find a Wii in stock.
[img]http://www.snackbar-games.com/images/news/2007/03/cruise_ship.jpg[/img]
While E3’s exclusivity became somewhat of a joke over the years with people finding more and more ways to weasel their way into the event, it’s a sure bet that this will no longer be the case given the new E3’s “invite only” premise. However, those looking to score some hands on time with the newest games still can look forward to the Entertainment for All Expo (E for All), scheduled for October 18-21, 2007 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
The public show will feature several companies showing their ware, including Nintendo, as even organizers IDG announced today that the company will “anchor” the event, no doubt meaning that there will be Wii and Nintendo DS stations as far as the eye can see.
E for All Expo will offer consumers the opportunity to try out the latest in games and gadgetry, as well as purchase products they enjoyed over the course of the 4-day event at on-site retail facilities. Additional attractions are in the works, including high-profile video game tournaments; job fair/networking opportunities; and an iteration of the Video Games Live touring concert. In addition to the Expo at the Los Angeles Convention Center, the event will take advantage of soon-to-be-expanded LA Live/NOKIA Theatre area directly adjacent.
The Expo was launched in response to strong demand within the consumer audience for an opportunity to see and try new products before they reach store shelves. Event organizers anticipate its mid-October dates will launch an early and successful holiday shopping season for the industry.
“The E for All Expo supports Nintendo’s mission to reach as many types of consumers as possible to expand the world of video games to new audiences,” says George Harrison, Nintendo of America’s senior vice president of marketing and corporate communications. “Our Wii and Nintendo DS systems are all about gaming for the masses, and the E for All Expo will give consumers a chance to try out the hottest new Nintendo video games.”
It’s Wednesday again, and Microsoft continues its streak of releases on Xbox Live Arcade for the fifth week in a row. This Wednesday sees the release of [i]Jetpac Refuelled[/i], an update of the classic game made by Ultimate, the predecessor of Rare, in 1983.
[i]Refuelled[/i] has you playing as an astronaut on several alien worlds. It’s your mission to zap the aliens while collecting the parts and fuel to build a spaceship to get off the planet and finish the level. As the usual standard, a demo is also available showcasing the first two levels of the game. Like [i]Geometry Wars[/i], the game features both a “Retro” version as well as the enhanced “Refuelled” version, and like most classic arcade games, goes for 400 Microsoft Points.
With the official announcement of the Xbox Elite being the hot news item for the day I wanted to post a few more official shots of it and let you know that the official page on [url=http://www.xbox.com/en-US/hardware/x/xbox360elitesystem/default.htm]Xbox.com[/url] is now live. Below you can see exactly what comes packed in the box with this brand new 360.
I’m dating myself here, but one of my favorite games for the PC (and early Genesis) was New World Computing’s King’s Bounty. The predecessor to what would later become Heroes of Might & Magic, King’s Bounty offered the essence of those later games with a fraction of the complication. It was easy to dive into and amass an army, and I cannot count the number of hours spent alone or with friends spent conquering the countryside.
Now publisher 1C Company has announced that the previously announced game Battle Lord has been renamed as King’s Bounty: The Legend. The game will feature real-time RPG elements as well as battles that unfold in classic King’s Bounty style with “a strong emphasis on turn-based tactical elements”, says Ivan Magazinnikov, project lead designer. The game, which is being developed by Katauri Interactive (Space Rangers), is set for release in the fourth quarter.
According to a statement announcing the name change, the upcoming title is being developed by fans of the original King’s Bounty, and is described as “not just a spiritual successor for the critically acclaimed series, but its true rejuvenation.”
“Our aim was to create a game that would preserve the traditions of the classic PC title,” adds Nikolay Baryshnikov, international sales director of 1C Company. “King’s Bounty was a founder of a new and very popular genre. There are still people that remember and love this game throughout the world. I’m sure that together with Katauri Interactive, the creators of the successful Space Rangers series, we will able to deliver a game worthy of its famous predecessor.”
[img]http://www.snackbar-games.com/images/news/2007/03/kb.jpg[/img]
