Fans will still be able to get their hands on the PSP remake of the original PSone Persona, as long as they are willing to make a trip to their local game store or wait for delivery from a reputable online vendor. Those who were hoping to download the game from the PlayStation Network will have to wait another week or so, as it won't be available for purchase until the 1st of October. See? I said it was very early, didn't I?

Atlus reminds fans that the physical version of the game comes with the full 2-disc soundtrack as a bonus, while the delayed PSN version comes with you not having to leave the house or pay shipping charges.

Ex-Naughty Dogs Form Steel Penny Games, Become WiiWare Dev

AUSTIN, TX — Steel Penny Games, an independent Austin, TX-based game developer, announced their acceptance into the Nintendo WiiWare developer stable, and is busy at work on an original IP title set to release in mid-2008. Steel Penny Games states that the upcoming title blends a challenging puzzle game with dramatic fantasy environments and appealing characters for an exceptionally satisfying experience. Other details about the upcoming product are not available at this time.

The company, organized in early 2007 by former Naughty Dog veterans Jason Hughes and Andrew Gilmour, joins the ranks of studios initially focused on digital distribution. Steel Penny Games president Jason Hughes described their strategy as "the modern equivalent of the garage method for an independent to gain a foothold in the industry—a unique opportunity WiiWare presents that we appreciate." At Naughty Dog, Hughes was a senior graphics tools engineer, and Gilmour was a senior background artist.

The team at Steel Penny Games have spent the past year building a proprietary engine geared toward the Wii platform's capabilities, and creating a new intellectual property to span a series of games. Hughes elaborated, "I am impressed with the egalitarian approach Nintendo has taken toward WiiWare developers. It allows the risk burden to shift back onto the creative developers."

"I'm very, very interested in digital distribution and the potential it has," said Cooper, speaking during GDC Lyon last month. "PlayStation Network is extremely interesting because it's a more flexible space."

Tomb Raider Anniversary developer eyes PlayStation Network [GamesIndustry.biz]

"We are very excited to become a PLAYSTATION®Network publisher," said Vladimir Starzhevsky, CEO of Creat Studios, Inc. "Digital distribution is a key component in our strategy of becoming a global leader in creating and providing interactive entertainment."

Creat Studios Becomes PLAYSTATION Network Publisher

December 4, 2007 (Canton, Mass.) - Creat Studios, Inc. today announced that it has signed an agreement with Sony Computer Entertainment America that allows Creat to publish games for the PLAYSTATION®Network and PLAYSTATION®Store online and network services.

"We are very excited to become a PLAYSTATION®Network publisher," said Vladimir Starzhevsky, CEO of Creat Studios, Inc. "Digital distribution is a key component in our strategy of becoming a global leader in creating and providing interactive entertainment."

Creat Studios will now be able to publish its own downloadable games, as well as serve as a PLAYSTATION®Network publisher for developers and content providers in the U.S. and abroad. Creat Studios, Inc. is a premier developer of current and next-gen console and handheld games. Founded in 1990, Creat's corporate headquarters is in Canton, Massachusetts, with development studios in Massachusetts and St.Petersburg, Russia.

With Sony already rumored to be planning an on-demand download service and Microsoft offering plenty of downloadable movies and television shows via the Xbox Live Marketplace, one has to wonder how open these monoliths would be to inviting a partner. My guess? Not open. Maybe the Phantom console would be a better bet.

Netflix Wants To Deliver Video Via Xbox 360, PS3 [Gamasutra]

GAMETAP APPROACHES 1000 GAMES IN SERVICE

Upcoming release schedule is highlighted by day-and-date offering of Clive Barker's Jericho, new original game episodes and the arrival of Game 1000

ATLANTA - October 18, 2007 - With its 1000th game on the horizon, GameTap, the first-of-its-kind broadband entertainment network from Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. (TBS, Inc.), announced today its upcoming video games on-demand offerings, including the October 23rd day-and-date release of Clive Barker's Jericho, the premiere of Sam & Max Season Two, and the season finale of Myst Online: Uru Live. By championing original broadband episodic content and the day-and-date offerings of new games, while boasting the video game industry's largest on-demand library of games, GameTap remains at the forefront of the digital distribution trend.

"GameTap is focused on providing our subscribers with new original games, as well as great partner titles like Clive Barker's Jericho, that will premiere on GameTap the same day it hits retail stores," said Ricardo Sanchez, vp of content and creative director for GameTap. "We are also excited to announce that on November 15th we will be setting an industry benchmark of 1000 video games on-demand, reinforcing our reputation as the leader in the space."

The following are details regarding GameTap's hottest upcoming video game offerings:

* Clive Barker's Jericho: As part of its groundbreaking distribution strategy, GameTap is making Clive Barker's Jericho from Codemasters available to subscribers on October 23rd, the same day it arrives in retail stores. Written by legendary author Clive Barker, this game adds a new level of depth to the horror adventure genre by arming players with a squad of parapsychological soldiers, each with unique skills and abilities.

* Myst Online: Uru Live: In the Season Finale of this GameTap Original title, players embark on an amazing adventure filled with new worlds to explore and captivating puzzles to solve. The episode begins on November 1st and features the release of new game areas and the climax of the current storyline.

* Sam & Max Season Two: November 8th marks the premiere of the sequel to one of the most critically-acclaimed games of 2006. Sam & Max, stars of the industry's first successful episodic game, return for a second season of hilarious adventures. The first episode, "Ice Station Santa," pits the rabbity-thing and dog sleuth duo against a crazed Santa Claus. To get the party started early, GameTap is also now featuring Episode 4 from Season One "Abe Lincoln Must Die!" free to play exclusively at www.gametap.com/samandmax.

* Game 1000: On November 15th, GameTap will further solidify its position as the leading provider of video games on demand by releasing its 1000th title. What will the milestone title be? With hundreds of games already available in the service and dozens available to play free, count on it to be from one of GameTap's top publishing partners.

In addition to brand new games, GameTap is still continuing to add hit titles from the past, including Clockwork Knight, the SEGA Saturn side-scrolling classic, and Typing of the Dead, the SEGA Dreamcast-popularized game that introduced an entirely new keyboard-driven way to combat zombies.

To play the latest titles, Gold level subscription plans are currently available for as low as $5.00 per month and new subscribers can get their first month for only 99 cents. Gamers can also visit GameTap.com to check out the selection of more than 40 free games which are updated each week.

"Given the limited shelf space and relatively quick turn of titles at retail nowadays, we consider GameTap to be a valuable vehicle that can help extend the video game lifecycle," said Ken Gold, vice president of Marketing, Majesco.

Majesco and GameTap Partner on New Digital Distribution Deal

Top titles now featured on leading broadband gaming network

EDISON, N.J. - Majesco Entertainment Company (NASDAQ: COOL), an innovative provider of video games and digital entertainment products for the mass market, announced today that several popular titles from its catalog, including Psychonauts, BloodRayne 1 & 2, and JAWS™ Unleashed are now available for subscription play and digital download on GameTap, the first-of-its-kind broadband entertainment network from Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. (TBS, Inc.). The new agreement includes that Majesco titles will also be made available on GameTap's recently launched ad-supported game play website.

"Given the limited shelf space and relatively quick turn of titles at retail nowadays, we consider GameTap to be a valuable vehicle that can help extend the video game lifecycle," said Ken Gold, vice president of Marketing, Majesco.

Along with the critically-acclaimed Psychonauts from Double Fine Productions that is currently available for subscription play and online purchase, BloodRayne 1 & 2 are also prominently featured as part of GameTap's 'Bloodsucker Summer,' an original content program that the 900+ game service utilizes to bring both newer and older titles from their massive library to the attention of their subscribers.

GameTap is also inviting fans to 'Hit the Beach' today by offering the best-selling JAWS™ Unleashed to their Gold Level members for the first time.

"Majesco's wide range of quality games are a great addition to our current product catalog," said Ricardo Sanchez, GameTap's vice president of content and creative director. "Psychonauts is consistently one of our top titles and we've had a great response to the recent launch of BloodRayne on our service."

Psychonauts is a unique, third-person psychic odyssey from the mind of Tim Schafer that received numerous accolades and awards, including the BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Television Arts) award for Best Screenplay.

JAWS™ Unleashed adapts the landmark film into a unique interactive experience that lets you play as one of Nature's most powerful and fearsome creatures, the Great White Shark.

BloodRayne is an original action-horror franchise starring the super-sexy, super-lethal, supernatural heroine Rayne.

GDI announces beginning of AWOMO Beta Test and hits the 20,000 registrant mark

More details announced on updated website for full Beta over 70 Free Games now signed for test phase

London, UK, 16th August 2007: Game Domain International Ltd (GDI), a company providing services to deliver games online using proprietary super-fast digital distribution technology, today announced it has now passed the 20,000 registrant mark for the AWOMO Beta Test program, coinciding with an extensive revamp of its website.

GDI has begun low level testing with a select group of Beta "Trainers" testing the basic download functionality. AWOMO ('A World Of My Own'), the revolutionary game digital delivery service embedded within a 3D "virtual world" island paradise for gamers, will be tested later in the summer.

Meanwhile, 20,000 gamers have now signed up for the Beta test. The AWOMO website has been revamped in preparation, with extensive material about the Beta test service including a full FAQ section, a feedback bulletin board and for the first time, a list of some of the publishers and now 70+ games supported in the Beta.

"We're really pleased with the response to our call for AWOMO testers," said Roger Walkden, CEO of GDI Ltd. "We're in the low-level technical test stage right now, but we're excited about rolling this out to a much larger test audience in the near future. Anyone can now visit our updated AWOMO site, and browse to get a much more in depth idea of what the Beta and AWOMO are all about."

There are still around 10,000 vacancies in the Beta Test to fill on a first come, first served basis, with no charges to gamers who sign up for the trial. The first gamers to set foot within AWOMO will also have access to a number of custom virtual items that will forever identify them as founder members of the community.

There will also be AWOMO subscriptions to be won, and introductory offers for the final service when it goes live. And for those who take their gaming super-seriously, there is the chance to become a member of the elite tester unit - a group of Beta testers chosen as permanent members of the GDI test team.

To sign up for the AWOMO Test or find out more, head to www.awomo.com.

While I can't speak for 9Dragons, BOTS!! is a hell of a good time, and the only thing that has kept me from installing it on my new PC at home is both the download time and the fact that I download so many things I often lose track. Perhaps a shiny CD in the mail would help, or maybe I'd just toss it out thinking it was an AOL disc. Either way this is definitely a triumphant day for digital delivery.

Atlanta, GA (June 29th, 2007) - Acclaim Games and SwiftCD.com have partnered to offer on-demand physical delivery of Acclaim's multiplayer online games on CDs and DVDs. In addition to being able to download the game for free, both BOTS!! (www.botsgame.com) and 9Dragons (www.9dragonsgame.com) games can now be obtained on a free CD or DVD shipped worldwide to the Acclaim Games customer (shipping & handling fees apply). The large file sizes of the games (e.g., 9Dragons is over 700MB) prompted many Acclaim customers to request a physical delivery option. Acclaim has now made quick and easy physical delivery available via the SwiftCD partnership.

"SwiftCD gave us exactly what we wanted; a turn-key solution incorporating all aspects of the order taking, on-demand production and worldwide fulfillment", said Howard Marks, Chief Executive Officer of Acclaim Games. "SwiftCD has a reputation for excellence and reliability along with unparalleled service. They made the implementation on our side almost effortless."

The BOTS!! and 9Dragons download pages are now live with the SwiftCD-powered physical delivery options. On-demand CDs/DVDs are free to Acclaim players and available for only a nominal shipping and handling charge. The CDs/DVDs are shipped worldwide, normally within 24 business hours of receiving the order. Since the CDs and DVDs are made 'on-demand', Acclaim customers are assured to always get the latest software versions. As a bonus, the 9Dragons DVD also contains BOTS!!.

"Acclaim Games is one of the most recognized brands in the world of online gaming. We're thrilled to have been selected to power the Acclaim physical media solution", said Jason Foodman, Chief Executive Officer of SwiftCD.com. "Offering a physical delivery option ensures that everyone who is interested in experiencing the magic Acclaim has created will have the chance to play these amazing games."

Acclaim plans to offer a CD or DVD for each of the downloads on its website so that consumers always have the option to have the large files delivered rather than downloaded on their PC. Customers with slow connections, as well as those who desire or prefer having media backup, will benefit from this new option making all of Acclaim's free to play multiplayer online games easily accessible to all.

All of Acclaim's multiplayer online games are fun, addicting, and best of all free to play. Simply register for a free account at www.acclaim.com and download the games (or order game software on CD/DVD from SwiftCD) to play now!

The virtual game delivery system is set to go live this fall, but they've just announced 30,000 slots opening up for the beta of AWOMO, expected in July. Early players will get a chance to play over 50 games using the system completely free, which sounds like reason enough to give the service a spin. On top of that testers will get access to special Founder's items to customize their avatar that will only be available during the test. There'll be chances to win subscriptions, special offers for the full service once it launches, and even a chance to become a permanent member of GDI's test team.

The company seems to expect the spots to go quickly, so hop on over to http://www.awomo.com and hit the beta sign up before 30,000 other people do. Michael Fahey

GDI opens registration for the Beta phase of revolutionary gaming community and digital delivery system, AWOMO

50 games available from top publishers free for select few

London, UK, 25th May 2007: Game Domain International Ltd (GDI) today announced that it has opened the registration for the free Beta test of AWOMO ('A World Of My Own'), a revolutionary game digital delivery service embedded within a 3D "virtual world" island paradise for gamers, in which launching a game is as simple as walking into a building.

Unlike other online delivery services, which require the entire game to be downloaded before the gamer starts playing, AWOMO delivers the same game playable in a matter of minutes on a standard broadband connection using GDI's new proprietary technology.

There are 30,000 places up for grabs in the Beta test, expected to begin in July. Over 50 PC games will be in the trial, with no charge to gamers who sign up. The first gamers to set foot within AWOMO will also have access to a number of custom virtual items that will forever identify them as founder members of the community.

"Competition to get in there first for the trial is likely to be intense," said Roger Walkden, CEO of GDI Ltd. "Apart from getting to play over 50 games for free, the early birds will grab the best usernames and have the kudos of being the elders of the island."

There will also be AWOMO subscriptions to be won, and introductory offers for the final service when it goes live. And for those who take their gaming super-seriously, there is the chance to become a member of the elite tester unit - a group of Beta testers chosen as permanent members of the GDI test team.

To register for the free Beta phase, gamers should visit www.awomo.com and click on the tab 'Beta test sign-up'. Places on the Beta are on a first come, first served basis so users should visit at the earliest possible opportunity to secure a place.