The Games News

Retail reports are suggesting that Wal-Mart may be about to quit the UMD movie market, following the sales. Although sales of the PSP are quite impressive, press reports indicate that Sony’s proprietary UMD may be in danger of failure as a movie format. Universal Studios is not alone as 20th Century Fox, Paramount Pictures, Buena Vista and more are dropping the PSP’s format. Unfortunately, US giant Wal-Mart is losing faith, giving less space to the movie format.

An anonymous Hollywood executive was heard as saying that absolutely no one is watching movies on the PSP. However the real issue among consumers was pricing, as UMD movies are priced as high, or higher, than DVD versions.

According to the news, Microsoft will offer free access to its Xbox Live Gold service from March 31 through April 2, and anyone with an Xbox 360 and broadband Internet connection may play multiplayer games for free via Xbox Live. Normally, online multiplpayer functionality is reserved only for Gold-level subscribers, who will get more features: enhanced gamer feedback, better friends list management, access to more sophisticated online game play and more.

The Verizon sponsored Free Xbox Live Gold Weekend and will feature 72 hours of nonstop events, being the largest programming effort of online Xbox multiplayer games ever.

According to BBC News Online, Desperate Housewives is being made into a PC game. The game, which will be release in late 2006, puts the player in the role of a new housewife arriving in fictional setting Wisteria Lane. Desperate Housewives game will resemble the Sims series, making players to take part in the domestic issues that trouble the show’s stars.

Distributors Buena Vista Games say they are currently negotiating with cast members whose vocals will appear in the game.

Electronic Arts Inc. launched the long-awaited video game which based on the popular “Godfather” films. The game retails for $40 which is now in U.S. stores, and will debut in Europe on March 24.
The game, created via a licensing relationship with Viacom Inc. affiliates Paramount Pictures and Viacom Consumer Products, is available PS2, Xbox and PC; the Xbox 360 and PlayStation Portable editions are still under development. The Godfather game, inspired by the Mario Puzo book and the 1972 Paramount Pictures film, puts you at the centre of the action surrounding the Corleone family, and features some of the voices of the original actors.

According to news, television series currently showing on BBC2 - Family Guy is going to be turned into a series of video games. 2K Games yesterday announced its plans to develop and publish a series of Family Guy (DVDs) video games starting with a current-generation game being released in Autumn of this year. 2K Games will work closely with Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane on series of video games, which will feature all your favourite characters plus locations seen in the TV show.