For monster-collector nerds like me, it's exciting to know that Spectrobes: Beyond the Portals has doubled the number of Spectrobes you can unearth through touch-screen archaeological digs, and it looks like they've expanded upon the battle system, too.

So how does the new Spectrobes stack up?

It's no Pokemon, but it looks cute and complex enough to possibly be fun. You play as either Jeena or Rallen, interplanetary police officers, and as you traverse the story you unearth fossils that you can take back to your ship to make into creatures. Each one has a child form, an adult form and an evolved form, and, paging through the scrapbook of character designs, I was thoroughly impressed.

That level of detail, though, doesn't translate so well to the full 3D graphics on the DS. The 3D adds depth, but looks a little bit crude. Not that that's necessarily a deal-breaker — after all, no one ever called Pokemon graphically sophisticated, and it thrives on gameplay.

When you get a fossil, you actually use the DS' microphone to wake it up — you need to pitch your voice exactly the right way, and certain variations in how you speak can affect what color affinity your new Spectrobe will have (red, green and blue in Spectrobes work the same way element types in Pokemon do). This has the potential to make me feel pretty silly — I generally feel dumb making noise at a video game machine — but I bet kids would love it.

You can take two Spectrobes adventuring with you at a time; one follows you like a pet or "helper," and the other one handles the combat, which you engage by approaching ominous-looking funnel clouds. The color surrounding the cloud tells you what element you should get ready to face.

When they're not with you, Spectrobes "live" in one of many little environment screens you can access from your ship; there you can check on them and feed them, which helps them get ready to evolve. Spectrobes will do better in a screen that suits their elemental affinity.

The game was developed by Japanese developer Jupiter Corp., and as such retains a lot of JRPG aesthetic that should help it appeal to traditional monster-hunter fans.

What got me thinking about this was a stroll through Disney Interactive's E3 booth, where I peeped Ultimate Band for Wii and DS. In the Wii edition, players can pick one of four band roles - frontman, guitar, drums and bass - and simulate the instrument of choice through what's essentially air guitar using the Wii remote and Nunchuk. The frontman role focuses more on aerobic performance - think Namco's new We Cheer or the new Rabbids title, to which I saw a lot of people my age or older joyfully disco-dancing on the show floor.

It looked challenging enough that I'd want to have it if it were more my sort of music - no thanks on the Jonas Brothers, and I've had my fill of Weezer's Beverly Hills. Track list is decent for the tween set, though, and in a cool twist, since players can pick either a male or female vocalist, there are both male and female-voiced versions of the songs, swapping the song's romantic context appropriately (like "Fell in Love With A Boy" instead of "Fell in Love With A Girl."

The DS version's rhythm-action gameplay looked innovative and promising enough that I really wished that they'd just aimed it at our audience stylistically and let us have at those mechanics. We'd never have known it was meant to be a kids' title.

In the DS Ultimate Band, you navigate the different venues via a touch-screen map. Once you choose ones, here's how playing goes down — you've got the six strings of your guitar on the touch screen, and little D-pad icons rain down from the top screen into the touch screen indicating what direction you should be holding when you tap the string it hovers over. It looks like it works surprisingly well, and gets quite complex on harder modes.

And as long as you're hitting the notes, there's no penalty for strumming extra notes — between chords, if you're feeling noodly, you can riff your own little solos and extra twangs just for your own entertainment.

Rhythm-action can be a bit hit or miss on the DS — since the astounding (and yet simple) success that was Ouendan and EBA, I've seen many other approaches attempted and none that I really think are a worthwhile alternative to the good old timed beat tapping. But beat-strumming along with the buttons looked really appealing. It made me wish that they'd picked a trendy art style, added a silly narrative, and gotten either some unintentionally hilarious or some more grown-up tracks, and pointed it squarely at rhythm-addicted core gamers.

Disney caters to the 8-14 year old set. But their DS rhythm game appealed to me at least as far as core mechanics, while their kids' title for Wii looks like the exact sort of gameplay we're seeing from the publishers who normally serve our audience. Makes you wonder — what is a "kids' game," really?

My team and I have been working hard on our own and (get ready for the cool factor to go way up) in collaboration with folks from Disney Feature Animation and Pixar. If I say anymore, I’ll get in trouble, so let’s just leave it at that.

Yes, Warren, the cool factor just went up by about as far as a Disney games-related coolfactorometer can go.

I’m ba-ack…[Warren Spector's Blog]

This band game light is both peripheral and original music free, using only cover bands so the developers would be allowed to tweak the music to better fit the game. Those tweaks include the ability to have the lead singer be either a man or a woman, no matter who originally sang it.

The Disney folks told me that they did a number of focus tests during their development of the game. In them they asked potential gamers which of nine versions of the game they would want to play. The options ranged from a peripheral-heavy version of the game with original music, to the game they ended up producing. All of the tests showed, they told me, that gamers wanted a game that didn't require peripherals.

To play Ultimate Band gamers use the remote and nunchuk to strum, drum and flick their way through songs on a bass or lead guitar or drums.

To play lead guitar a player strums with the remote to the beat, matching the on screen timing, while holding different buttons or no buttons on the nunchuk. Depending on difficulty settings, you can guitar with just rhythm strumming or with as many as four virtual frets. The frets are triggered by holding the C, the Z, the C and the Z buttons or no buttons.

Bass is played by flicking the nunchuk and strumming while drums are played by drumming straight down with both controllers for standard drums, to the side for cymbals and then twirling the controllers in the air to mimic grandstanding.

A fourth option for playing, called frontman, consisted of dancing with the controllers. Because the game is peripheral free there is no way to sing in the game.

It may sound like the recipe for a douche simulator, but I actually found the game quite a bit of fun. The biggest problem I saw was that it was far to easy for even the most novice of Guitar Hero or Rock Band players.

I play guitar on medium usually (yes, I suck) but even on the expert setting in Ultimate Band I was able to score above 80 percent.

Hopefully this is something that can be tweaked, though it may be they'll be satisfied trying to drawn in younger, less dexterous gamers instead.

ULTIMATE BAND FACT SHEET

Publisher: Disney Interactive Studios
Developer: Fall Line Studio
ESRB Rating: E10+ (anticipated)
Audience: Tweens, teens and music fans

Coming Holiday 2008 for Wii™ home video game console

It’s no secret that the music video game genre has exploded in recent years. While the attention of this genre has focused mainly on creating music simulation games for an older demographic, Disney Interactive Studios has been developing a performance-based music video game that will appeal to tweens, teens and families alike. With songs that represent new favorites and old classics, truly interactive venues, and innovative controls using only the Wii Remote™ and Nunchuk™ (no peripherals), Ultimate Band for Wii will round-out any family’s entertainment library: right music, right console, right price.

Why Disney Interactive Studios?
Video games rated E through T represent an $11 billion market and no one knows the audience for those games better than Disney Interactive Studios, especially when it comes to developing third party titles for Nintendo platforms. From January to November 2007, Disney Interactive Studios was the No. 2 publisher of Nintendo DS™ games in North America according to NPD. Also in 2007, the company sold 3.4 million units of Nintendo DS video games in the United States alone (source: NPD Data). Fall Line Studio, which is developing Ultimate Band, is Disney Interactive Studios’ Nintendo-dedicated entity, focusing exclusively on developing games for Wii and Nintendo DS™. Fall Line Studio co-developed last year’s Hannah Montana: Music Jam video game that introduced new music mechanics to Nintendo DS titles through its unique “Creative Play Mode” where players could compose original songs using four different instruments. It also helped solidify Disney Interactive Studios’ position as a leader in creating music video games for tweens and families.
The Gameplay
· In Ultimate Band, there are four band roles that players can take on – drums, lead guitar, bass guitar and a band front man - all with unique motion mechanics using the Wii Remote and Nunchuk.
· Players can either follow a unique narrative story mode or stand up and jam to any songs and venues they’ve already unlocked.
· Ultimate Band offers group and family entertainment through multi-player modes that include head-to-head competition or cooperative play.
The Music
· 30+ songs made famous by artists such as The White Stripes, The Who, The Jonas Brothers, Weezer and more.
· All of the songs are re-mastered so they are performed in the gender of the front man and lyrics are age-appropriate.
The Atmosphere
· Players can customize their bands by creating characters that look just like them, or by selecting from different character genres.
· Imaginative and real-life venues, such as a haunted mansion or a garage, come to life during gameplay and react to how well fans perform.

Disney not making Turok movie [Variety]

“Disney Fairies has become a phenomenon all around the world,” said Craig Relyea, senior vice president of global marketing, Disney Interactive Studios. “Bringing the game to DS allows fans to play as Tinker Bell and take the Fairies world everywhere they go, while having fun learning about the importance of creativity, teamwork and responsibility.”

Hit the jump for the full press release, which includes information on ladybug painting, dew drop catching, and silkworm tickling.

Silkworm tickling?

Disney Interactive Studios Announces the Whimsical Arrival of Disney Fairies: Tinker Bell for Nintendo DS™ This Holiday

This New Video Game Brings the Popular Disney Fairy, Tinker Bell, and Her Magical World to Life for Girls Nationwide

BURBANK, Calif.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Disney Interactive Studios today announced Disney Fairies: Tinker Bell for Nintendo DS™ will be available nationwide this 2008 holiday season. For the first time on the handheld platform, fans of Disney Fairies and beloved Tinker Bell can explore the delightful world of Pixie Hollow and play as the popular Fairy herself. Disney Fairies: Tinker Bell allows girls to interact with dozens of enchanting Disney Fairies, including Silvermist, Iridessa and Fawn, and explore Pixie Hollow through time-based activities and mini-quests.

“Disney Fairies has become a phenomenon all around the world,” said Craig Relyea, senior vice president of global marketing, Disney Interactive Studios. “Bringing the game to DS allows fans to play as Tinker Bell and take the Fairies world everywhere they go, while having fun learning about the importance of creativity, teamwork and responsibility.”

Disney Fairies: Tinker Bell is a color-rich, deep and detailed game that mirrors the beautiful Fairies world that girls have come to love and cherish. In the game, Tinker Bell invites players to discover her mystical world, embark on adventures, explore their fashion tastes and complete fun quests to prepare for the coming seasons. Fans of the franchise will see even more of Pixie Hollow on Oct. 28 with the DVD release of the first Disney Fairies film, also entitled “Tinker Bell.”

Disney Fairies: Tinker Bell game features:

Choose from hundreds of dresses, costumes, shoes and accessories to fully customize Tinker Bell.
Create new designs featuring hearts, flowers and other patterns to place onto outfits.
Barter and trade items collected in Pixie Hollow with other Fairies for new clothing and accessories.
Create trends by gifting outfits to friends and watch as Pixie Hollow becomes filled with Fairies dressed in those outfits.
Earn medals and form new friendships when completing special tasks for other Fairies in Pixie Hollow, including repairing broken items using Tinker Bell’s special tinkering power and locating missing items.
Engage in challenging and fun mini-games, such as catching dew drops, painting ladybugs and tickling silkworms.
Utilizes the DS real-time clock, so environments will reflect time of year or time of day. Girls will witness snow falling in the winter time, fireflies coming out at night and Fairies throwing a huge bash on their birthday.
Use DGamer to chat in a Disney Fairies chat room, share Fairies accessories with friends and dress avatars in outfits from the game.
Disney Fairies: Tinker Bell for Nintendo DS features Disney’s new DGamer functionality allowing players to engage with other Disney game players in a secure online community via their Nintendo DS (Wi-Fi or ad hoc) or computer. The service allows users to log into their DS and online accounts to create and customize a unique 3-D avatar and persistent profile. Kids can chat, view user profiles of their DGamer friends, and post high scores to leaderboards.

Published by Disney Interactive Studios and developed by Genius Sonority, Disney Fairies: Tinker Bell has an anticipated Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) rating of E for Everyone and will be available holiday 2008 on Nintendo DS.

"DGamer was built around the vision to connect Disney video game fans in a secure, fun environment and it is truly the first integrated online community of its kind to do so on multiple platforms," said Graham Hopper, executive vice president and general manager for Disney Interactive Studios. "We recognize the importance of delivering unique experiences to our consumers and how crucial it is for parents to feel confident that the community is secure for their kids."

Disney Interactive Studios Launches DGamer Community With Disney/Walden Media's The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian on Nintendo DS™ Brand New Online Network Enables Disney Gamers and Narnia Fans to Communicate via Nintendo DS and Online

Prince Caspian Game to Be Available on Multiple Video Game Platforms

BURBANK, Calif.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Disney Interactive Studios today announced the availability of DGamer in North America for Nintendo DS™ users in conjunction with the launch of the Nintendo DS version of Disney/Walden Media's The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian. DGamer from Disney is the first-of-its-kind online community developed exclusively for Disney video gamers. Players can now use their Nintendo DS handhelds to interact with each other while on the go via the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection and online through the DGamer Web site (www.DGamer.com). The integrated service is scheduled to be included at no additional cost on subsequent Nintendo DS titles from Disney. DGamer is also scheduled to be available in other international regions by 2009.

"DGamer was built around the vision to connect Disney video game fans in a secure, fun environment and it is truly the first integrated online community of its kind to do so on multiple platforms," said Graham Hopper, executive vice president and general manager for Disney Interactive Studios. "We recognize the importance of delivering unique experiences to our consumers and how crucial it is for parents to feel confident that the community is secure for their kids."

DGamer, which leverages the community technology of Disney.com, allows players to log into their DS and online accounts to create and customize a unique 3-D avatar and persistent profile. A wide variety of outfits, hats, eyewear and accessories are available to choose from, including special Disney-themed costumes, such as Buzz Lightyear, Tinker Bell and familiar Disney theme park mouse ears. Kids can chat, view user profiles of their DGamer friends, and post high scores to leaderboards. In addition, players earn "honors" which represent what players have been rewarded when completing in-game missions. Honors can also trigger unlockables such as special gear for player's avatars, all of which transfer automatically between the DGamer Web site and the DGamer feature in DS games from Disney when users log in. For example, when playing The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, players can unlock Prince Caspian character costumes that can be worn by their DGamer avatar. Certain "honors" also unlock exclusive content in Nintendo DS games from Disney and within the DGamer channel online.

Parents are also encouraged to play an active role in the DGamer community. By accessing parental controls at www.dgamer.com, they can specify the level of interactivity that kids have online and feel confident that their child's experience is age appropriate. For example, parents can choose between three chat levels for their kids' use by utilizing the familiar security features and infrastructure at Disney.com, which hosts the DGamer site. Kids can either communicate using a predetermined list of words and phrases called "Speed Chat," through modified free-form typing that blocks inappropriate language or suggestive phrases called "Speed Chat Plus," or via "Open Chat" which requires an exchange of a True Friend Code outside of the DGamer system. Disney.com employs several safety features to ensure all chat communication is moderated for safety.

Fall Line Studio, the Nintendo platform-dedicated development studio of Disney Interactive Studios, developed both DGamer and The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian for Nintendo DS. The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian is an action/role-playing adventure game that takes players through Narnia and beyond the events of the much-anticipated second film, which is set to open in theaters across North America tomorrow.

"The Chronicles of Narnia franchise has such a massive following that it made this the perfect game to launch DGamer on because it keeps fans connected like never before," said Hopper. "Through the DGamer functionality, fans can chat, share honors, and engage in a truly unique and different experience that immerses them in the world of Narnia in only a way that Disney can deliver."

In addition to Nintendo DS, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian video game will be available for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, the Wii™ home video game console, the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system and Windows-based PC. The console and Windows-based PC versions of the game were developed by Traveller's Tales and take players on a fast-paced action/adventure that features 20 playable characters and combat, exploration and puzzle solving that extends beyond the film. The console versions also include two live action scenes that were created exclusively for the video game and accompany 16 scenes taken from the film.

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian for Nintendo DS has an Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) rating of E10+ for Everyone 10 years and older and is now available for $29.99. The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian for consoles and Windows-based PC is rated T for Teen and will be available for Xbox 360, the PLAYSTATION 3 system and Wii for $49.99; and the PLAYSTATION 2 system and Windows-based PC for $29.99.

For more information about DGamer, log on to www.dgamer.com. For more information about The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian video game, log on to www.princecaspianthegame.com.

Absolutely, I'd be silly if I said I wasn't. We built this for our kids - I mean we built it scalable, and part of why we didn't have any VC money, no investors, was because we didn't build it as a business - we built it as a side project.

Lance, another of the partners - his oldest child and mine are about three months apart, and we were talking about how they were learning to use the mouse, starting to use the computer and the internet.

And it was that dialogue, and some technologies that Lance had been working on that really was the birth of Club Penguin. So a lot of this has come as a surprise.

I think there's a tendency to brush off these niche games since they're not 'serious' MMOs — even though they've done an incredible job of pulling in the subscribers with reasonably limited advertising and so on. Where will these types of games go from here — and their players? Club Penguin player today, WoW addict in a decade? I guess time will tell.

MMO Week: Club Penguin [GamesIndustry.biz via PlayNoEvil]

The kids' market was extremely competitive during fiscal '08. In fact, it was the most crowded market for video games for kids in recent memory. With a tough Pixar comparison to Cars [Ratatouille] and new competition from Nintendo's first-party titles — as well as new music games — our traditionally strong kids' business did not meet expectations.

"The special filmed content that is exclusive to the video game provides insight into Narnia and the events around the 'Prince Caspian' story like nothing else," said Andrew Adamson. "With movie fans' enthusiasm for unique experiences in video games as well, these scenes are ideal to complement the 'Prince Caspian' game's action."

Disney Interactive Studios Introduces Original Scenes Exclusive to Disney/Walden Media's the Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian Video Game Ben Barnes Reprises Role as Prince Caspian in Two Live Action Filmed Segments

BURBANK, Calif.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Fans of The Chronicles of Narnia will get to experience two unique film scenes only one way - on their home consoles or Windows-based PC. Disney Interactive Studios announced today that two original scenes for Disney/Walden Media's The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian video game were filmed exclusively for the product and appear separately from the film. The unique scenes link The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe and Prince Caspian stories with Dr. Cornelius (Vincent Grass) telling Prince Caspian (Ben Barnes) the story of how Narnia fell to the Telmarines hundreds of years ago.

The scenes were shot on the film set in Prague, Czech Republic, during principal shooting and feature dialogue revealing plot based on the events of the book, game and film. The creation of the live action content was directed by Andrew Adamson, the film's director. The two original scenes are part of 18 live action moments in the game, which include 16 excerpts from the feature film.

"The special filmed content that is exclusive to the video game provides insight into Narnia and the events around the 'Prince Caspian' story like nothing else," said Andrew Adamson. "With movie fans' enthusiasm for unique experiences in video games as well, these scenes are ideal to complement the 'Prince Caspian' game's action."

The England-based game production and development teams worked in cooperation with the London-based film crew and Andrew Adamson to assure the game's overall accuracy to the film. Capturing two original scenes was only possible through the collaborative partnership between Disney Interactive Studios; and Walt Disney Pictures and Walden Media.

"The close partnerships we maintain with our film division and Walden Media allowed us to utilize the cast, crew and set to create two unique scenes exclusively for the video game," said Ed Bainbridge, vice president of European production, Disney Interactive Studios. "These entertaining and memorable scenes enable us to portray a part of the Narnia history that is drawn from the fiction and played out in the game."

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian video game will be available for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, the Wii™ home video game system, the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system and Windows-based PC. A separate Nintendo DS™ version will also be available.

Developed by Traveller's Tales, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian for home consoles and Windows-based PC takes players throughout Narnia and includes a gameplay level, which is unique from both the novel and the film. The level, which is set between the events of "The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe" and "Prince Caspian," takes place at the castle of Cair Paravel and tells the story of how Narnia fell to the Telmarine hordes. In "Prince Caspian," Cair Paravel is seen only as abandoned ruins the Pevensies discover hundreds of years later.

The action/adventure game offers gameplay for one or two players on the same system and drop-in/drop-out features, allowing either player to join the game and leave. With combat, exploration and puzzle solving that extends beyond the film, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian is the ideal complement to the movie-going experience. The game features more than 20 playable characters including the ability to play as Prince Caspian. The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian console game is the sequel to The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe for consoles, which received the prestigious IGN.com Editor's Choice Award.

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian for Nintendo DS, which is an action/role playing game, will include the debut of DGamer, Disney Interactive Studios' innovative new technology that provides a fun, connected game community for Disney video game fans. With DGamer, players earn content, interact and chat with others on Nintendo DS through the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection or on a computer through the Disney.com website. DGamer will be offered in North America in future Nintendo DS games from Disney Interactive Studios with a future launch scheduled in other global regions. The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian for Nintendo DS and DGamer are being developed by Fall Line Studio, the Nintendo platform-dedicated development studio of Disney Interactive Studios.

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian for consoles and Windows PC is rated T for Teen by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) and will be available for Xbox 360, the PLAYSTATION 3 system and Wii for $49.99; and the PLAYSTATION 2 system and Windows-based PC for $29.99. The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian for the Nintendo DS has an ESRB rating of E10+ for Everyone 10 years and older and will be available for $29.99.

For more information about The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian video game, log on to www.princecaspiangame.com.

As with Habbo Hotel, Virtual Magic Kingdom was developed by Finnish studio Sulake and shared many similarities with the social networking site. Players with registered accounts are able to decorate their personal rooms, earn and spend in-game credits, and participate in a variety of online events and activities with their customized avatars, all in a "safe, non-threatening environment."

Disney Closes Gates To Virtual Magic Kingdom [Worlds In Motion]

Disney Interactive Studios General Manager Graham Hopper was quoted as saying that Gamestar will contribute to his company's "global growth plans" and new products.

... Following the acquisition, Gamestar will help with existing projects but may move on to developing original games for the Chinese market, Variety reported.

The terms of the acquisition were not divulged, but considering the excitement over the Chinese market, it seems to be unsurprising that Disney would want to throw their hat into the ring.

Disney game arm to buy Chinese developer [Business Week]

Wall-E has a pretty powerful laser himself, as well as the ability to make "trash cubes" that can help solve puzzles or be used as projectiles. Players can also partner the two up to help solve some of the game's many puzzles. Wall-E can be played as a single player experience or with up to three other friends.

The version I saw demoed was on the Xbox 360, but like most movie franchise games these days, it will be released on every console known to man, including the Mac. Now there's a shocker for you! However, each platform will have its own unique brand of gameplay. For instance, the home console versions are more exploration/platformer based, while the PSP will concentrate more on the racing aspects and the Nintendo DS version is more of an action puzzler.

The graphics for the 360 version that was displayed seemed rather nice and exactly what you'd expect form a Pixar fueled production, but overall the gameplay aspect seemed rather typical. I always hate passing too harsh judgment on things that are still in production, but from what I saw, Wall-E isn't really a game I'm going to be running out to buy on launch day.

Disney Interactive Studios' Original Franchise Continues with Spectrobes: Beyond The Portals for Nintendo DS

LONDON, England. — (March 19, 2008) — Details of the next game in the highly popular anime-inspired, sci-fi action/role playing game series Spectrobes have been uncovered. Disney Interactive Studios today announced the name of Spectrobes: Beyond The Portals, the sequel to Spectrobes, one of the most successful third-party Nintendo DS™ games of 2007 with more than 1 million units shipped worldwide.

Spectrobes: Beyond The Portals for Nintendo DS continues the story of Rallen and Jeena, interplanetary patrol officers who discover, excavate, awaken and train mysterious fossilised creatures known as Spectrobes and then use them to battle enemies. The story surrounds the origins of mysterious portals that lead to distant dimensions.

Developed by Kyoto, Japan-based Jupiter Corp., the studio behind Spectrobes, Spectrobes: Beyond The Portals has a wealth of new features, including an entirely new story; a new three-dimensional perspective; a map to assist with exploration; new excavation and battle features; more creatures; and the debut of an online battle system utilising the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. Spectrobes: Beyond The Portals also includes DGamer, Disney Interactive Studios' innovative new technology that provides a fun, connected online game community for Disney video game fans. Spectrobes: Beyond The Portals is currently planned for a Autumn 2008 release.

"Spectrobes has become an international sensation," said Craig Relyea, senior vice president of global marketing, Disney Interactive Studios. "By continuing to build on its enthralling story, unique gameplay features and memorable characters, Spectrobes: Beyond The Portals will continue to thrill fans. This second game is part of our plan to expand the series in the coming years."

The game is being overseen by Disney Interactive Studios' Tokyo office.

"With Spectrobes: Beyond The Portals, we're working with Jupiter Corp. again and ensuring the series adheres to its defining features while capturing new elements of anime style and storytelling," said Kentaro Hisai, producer, Disney Interactive Studios, based in Tokyo. "Spectrobes was a major success last year and we look forward to continuing the series."

In Spectrobes: Beyond The Portals, players can take on the role of either Rallen or, for the first time, Jeena. Jeena uses her research and technological skills so the duo can solve puzzles and complete their missions.

For more information about Spectrobes: Beyond The Portals, log on to www.spectrobes.com/beyondtheportals.

The Hollywood Reporter previously wrote that Joseph Kosinski, currently said to be working on a Logan's Run remake, will be helming the project and that Lost writers Eddie Kitsis and Adam Horowitz would write the script. We just hope they haven't abandoned Tron's spandex roots. That, and that the discs are still deadly.

Disney Plans A Bumper 2011 [Dark Horizons - thanks, Matty!]

The DS version lets you jam to classic tunes or create your own music, sharing via a secure online community that utilizes Disney's new DGamer functionality. As with any music game, the songs can make or break it, so I'll reserve my opinion until I can be sure they aren't slipping any Hannah Montana in there.

DISNEY INTERACTIVE STUDIOS INTRODUCES ULTIMATE BAND - THE ONLY ALL-INCLUSIVE MUSIC VIDEO GAME EXPERIENCE FOR ALL AGES

No Peripherals Required, Ultimate Band Makes the Power to Rock Truly Accessible

BURBANK, Calif. - (February 27, 2008) - Disney Interactive Studios announced today, Ultimate Band, an all new music experience for fans of the Wii™ home video game system and Nintendo DS™. Gamers and music lovers of all ages will realize their dream of becoming a rock legend when they build their own band or jam alone, all fueled only by the power of the Wii controllers and the DS stylus. Disney is working with some of the very biggest names in rock, alternative, popular, emo and indie rock music, allowing band mates to play sets from a broad selection of current hits and all-time rock favorites. Friends and families can rock out on guitar, bass, drums or as the front man.

"Ultimate Band invites kids, tweens and teens to join in the jam session," said Craig Relyea, senior vice president, global marketing, Disney Interactive Studios. "And whether they choose guitar, drums, bass or front man, members don't need to buy costly, single-function peripherals to play their way through Ultimate Band's deep song list, dynamic venues, and customizable characters. The Wii Remote™ and DS stylus are the only tools they'll need to reach rock stardom in Ultimate Band."

Working with leading London-based music consultants, Radial Music, Disney has chosen to combine familiar classics with today's hottest songs in creating Ultimate Band - a product with global appeal across all age groups. Instantly-recognizable songs from classic rock to current hit singles will bring players together for endless hours of entertainment.

"Radial worked closely with Disney to compile the perfect song list for Ultimate Band," said David Hill of Radial Music. "With iconic songs from every decade since the 60s, these games feature music for everyone."

Ultimate Band, being developed by Fall Line Studio in Salt Lake City, UT, is slated for release during the 2008 holiday season. When Disney formed Fall Line Studio in November, 2006, Ultimate Band was the first project the team began building. Fall Line Studio's focus is to develop Wii and Nintendo DS games based on new intellectual property, Disney brands (with Disney/Walden Media's The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian on the Nintendo DS being its first release), and innovative new technologies such as DGamer which will provide a fun, connected game community for Disney video game fans.

Ultimate Band for Wii allows players to live the life of a rock star, by advancing their music careers and popularity from playing in a neighborhood garage to performing in front of an international audience at a world famous venue. Ultimate Band utilizes the innovative Wii Remote and Nunchuk™ to give fans the ability to play the drums, bass guitar, lead guitar, or take on the role of the front man. Players can also create and customize characters that reflect their own unique personalities and attributes. Along the way, players will unlock new songs, venues, and accessories that can be used to customize their band members.

Ultimate Band for Nintendo DS is a rhythm-based music game with a built-in recording studio. Players can jam to current and classic songs using the drums, lead guitar, bass guitar, or rhythm guitar. Players can also create their own original songs using the DS touchscreen and stylus to lay down tracks for each instrument and apply creative mixing effects. Ultimate Band for Nintendo DS will also include DGamer functionality which will allow players to engage with others in a secure online community via their DS (Wi-Fi or ad hoc) or computer.

Ultimate Band will be rated E10+ (anticipated) and available this holiday season for Wii and Nintendo DS.

The DGamer service will integrate with with Disney's already established online programs at Disney.com and other owned properties, allowing for a unified sign-on requiring only a PIN to check in. The avatar customization we saw at GDC allows for basic clothing choices and color options, in addition to Mii-style character editing. Well-known Disney costumes, such as a Buzz Lightyear get up, will also be available when unlocked.

The Honors system works in a fashion similar to Xbox Live or Steam achievements, showing off gameplay accomplishments and leaderboard style stats. DGamer looks like an interesting, if unfortunately proprietary system. While Disney's work on the cross-game application is commendable, we hope that Nintendo answers the call to supplant it with an officially supported system that can work across all titles. Breath holding commences... now.

Disney DS looks promising, but programs like this would be killer apps were the DS just a tad more pocketable. But what do you think? Hot or not?

Disney DS GPS details emerge [cvg]

The key thing for us is being flexible. We never said that we wanted to move away from licensing, and we don't intend to. Great examples of licensed games that we make that we would love to continue to make those licensed games.

A great example of that is Kingdom Hearts. It's a great collaboration between Square and ourselves. Disney characters are in there, and Final Fantasy characters are in there. It's the kind of collaboration that works, and where we see other opportunities like that, we will do them.

We've got a relationship with THQ, and things with Konami. It's not an aberration for us to be licensing. They stay part of our portfolio. But a big piece of the focus is that we didn't feel that purely following a license would give us the right kind of investment focus on quality, and building our brand in games where we thought we had the potential to do.

As tempting as it can be to dismiss a lot of the more casual and kid-geared offerings from companies like Disney, those markets are growing by leaps and bounds - a lot of kid games may fly under the proverbial radar while they're snapping up new users like no tomorrow. It's interesting to read how one company with a very well defined image is trying to cater to a number of pretty diverse markets.

Evolving Disney: Graham Hopper Speaks [Gamasutra]

Kingdom Under Fire: Circle of Doom (X360)
The Kingdom Under Fire series continues. This time as an RPG.

Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity (WII, PS2)
Sonic is at it again. That little blue ball just keeps on rolling.

Omega Five (X360)
Side scrolling shooter action.

NFL Tour (X360, PS3)
More football from EA Sports.

Harvey Birdman: Attorney at Law (WII, PS2, PSP)
Harvey Birdman goes all Phoenix Wright style

Jackass the Game (DS)
Words cannot describe the horror.

World Championship Paintball (PS2)
Paintball, a kinder, gentler way to shoot your friends.

Dance Dance Revolution: Disney Channel (PS2)
Get down and funky with your favorite Disney Channel Stars. If you actually have any.

Sea Monsters: A Prehistoric Adventure (DS)
Get cozy with creepy underwater dinosaur things.

THQ Announces Plans To Launch Disney•Pixar's WALL●E Across All Major Gaming Systems

Gamers Will Bring Humanity Back to Earth in Summer 2008

AGOURA HILLS, Calif. - January 3, 2008 - THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) today announced plans to release the WALL●E video game in conjunction with the film's eagerly awaited theatrical debut from Disney•Pixar in the summer of 2008. WALL●E is anticipated to launch across all major gaming systems including the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, WiiTM home video game system, Nintendo DSTM, Windows PC and Mac, as well as wireless devices.

The long-running relationship between THQ and Disney•Pixar has achieved shipments of more than 35 million units worldwide. THQ's current agreement with Disney•Pixar, which was announced in 2004, includes rights to create games based on four newly created Disney•Pixar film properties. Last year's Ratatouille video game was the first property released by THQ under this agreement.

WALL●E is expected to release this summer and will mark THQ's next installment in the company's well-established and successful association with Disney•Pixar. Development for WALL●E will be led by THQ's internal Heavy Iron Studios.

About the WALL●E Videogame
Players will take control of WALL●E and EVE through a fast-paced adventure based on the upcoming Disney•Pixar film. The game will allow fans to relive some of the movie's most thrilling moments as they explore 10 worlds filled with non-stop action and adventure, along with head-to-head multiplayer challenges. Players will recognize the storyline, characters and key locations from the WALL●E film as they carry out intense missions, dodge dangerous enemies and navigate their way through a futuristic world. In addition, the game will contain new storylines and environments that movie-goers will not see in theaters.

New Content For Pirates Of The Caribbean Online Coming In February

Just after the launch of Pirates of the Caribbean Online, Disney Online has already announced new content that will give players the opportunity to give their customized Pirate avatars a whole new look!

In Pirates of the Caribbean Online, players create and customize their own pirate choosing from over a million combinations - from gender, body type, face, and hair, to clothing and names. Adding to the already extensive character creation system, Disney Online will introduce new customization options in February. Just a few of these include:

- Clothing: New pants, hats, coats, and more
- New hairstyles
- Tattoos
- Jewelry: Including earrings, nose rings, necklaces and more

In addition to new character customization features, Disney Online has additional content planned for 2008 including expanding ship customization, extending quest story lines, and adding more enemies and challenges.

Pirates of the Caribbean Online, developed and published by Disney Online, is rated E10+ and features lower PC and Mac system requirements than most other games in this genre, allowing for easier access to a broader audience of players.

Players can download the game directly and access additional information at the game's Web site, www.PiratesOnline.com. A portion of the game is available for free and players can get unlimited access for a monthly subscription fee.

Shadowgrounds Survivor (PC)
Fight against aliens for control of the planet.

Geometry Wars: Galaxies (DS)
Now smaller and with multiplayer!

Boogie (DS)
Dance the night away on your DS.

Omega Five (XBLA)
A new sidescrolling shooter on LIVE.

Cruis'n (WII)
Racing to the Wii.

Cranium Kabookii (WII)
The board game in video game form.

Master of Illusion (DS)
Learn magic tricks. Fun at parties, fool your friends.

Speedball 2 - Tournament (PC)
Future sports hurt.

Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords (WII)
The insanely addictive RPG puzzle game continues it's system wide dominance.

Disney Princess: Enchanted Journey (PC)
You know you want it.

It's not a videogame movie. It's a great story. If you had read the script, you would know that it wasn't a videogame. It's very exciting and it's immensely romantic and it's like Lost Horizon. It takes you to somewhere you've never been.

We intend to use [a multi-platform approach] to do exactly what we did in the music business to our video games business, but on a much larger scale...

DISNEY'S PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN ONLINE SETS SAIL

Highly Anticipated Free-to-Play Massively Multiplayer Online Game Launches for PC and Mac Platforms

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, Calif. - October 31, 2007 - Disney Online today announced that Pirates of the Caribbean Online (www.PiratesOnline.com), an immersive massively multiplayer online game (MMOG) and virtual world inspired by the popular film franchise, has launched for the PC and Mac platforms. Pirates of the Caribbean Online allows thousands of players to fully experience the adventures made famous in the films and explore beyond these boundaries in a quest to become the most legendary pirate on the high seas.

"The launch of Pirates of the Caribbean Online opens up an entirely new world of pirate adventures to thousands of fans who can now play alongside their favorite characters in a fully-immersive environment that builds on and goes beyond the epic stories created in the films," said Paul Yanover, Executive Vice President and Managing Director, Disney Online. "We believe the game's focus on action and adventure, combined with many customization options will appeal to a broad audience of both gamers and fans of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise as they set out on their own course to live the legend."

In Pirates of the Caribbean Online, players create and customize their own pirate, captain their own ship, and assemble a crew of their fellow rogues in an effort to become the Caribbean's most legendary Pirate. Along the way, players will interact with characters made popular by the films, like Jack Sparrow, Will Turner and Elizabeth Swann, and will also encounter a host of new characters and enemies unique to the game. To become the most notorious pirate, players must forge alliances, hunt for buried treasure, battle evil undead forces, and use cunning and strategy to outwit their foes.

Game features include:

• Create your own Pirate character - Players choose from over a million combinations to fully customize their own Pirate (body type, face, hair, clothing, names, etc.).

• Set sail on your own Pirate ship - Captain your own ship then recruit a crew of fellow players to set sail for the adventure of a lifetime.

• Quest for adventure and treasure - Embark on ship and land-based missions to locate buried treasure. Explore lush jungles, volcanic caves, and vast tropical islands but beware of traps, ambushes, and double-crosses which are an every day occurrence when keeping company with Pirates.

• Use advanced weaponry - Players engage in epic battles using a variety of weapons such as cutlasses, grenades, pistols and cannons and can unlock more powerful weapons as they improve their reputation as a fighter to be reckoned with.

• Become a legend - Master a variety of skills, including sword fighting, card playing, and treasure hunting to become the most notorious pirate in the world.

• Work your Voodoo Magic - Voodoo magic is used to heal, travel and cast curses on enemies.

• Get some Booty - Earn extra loot by competing in parlor games such as poker and blackjack.

• Build a notorious crew or guild - Players band together with others for expanded adventures and added power, forming a crew for quick battles or joining a guild for longer-term strategy.

• Grow your wealth with money and rare items - Hunt for buried treasure including gold, precious gems and mysterious artifacts.

The successful Pirates of the Caribbean film franchise, including Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl (2003), Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006) and Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (2007), has grossed close to $2.7 billion at the worldwide box office.

Pirates of the Caribbean Online, developed and published by Disney Online, is rated E10+ and features lower PC and Mac system requirements than most other games in this genre, allowing for easier access to a broader audience of players.

Players can download the game directly and access additional information at the game's Web site, www.PiratesOnline.com. A portion of the game is available for free and players can get unlimited access for a monthly subscription fee. At launch, Disney Online is offering new players subscriptions to Unlimited Access for a first-month fee of $4.95 and continuing with a $9.95 fee for following months.

Pirates of the Caribbean Online Pre-Order [Disney]

Still, it's difficult to see Tron as a remake. Either the film sticks to the original 80s-rrific setting, or it's updated with Tron being some hero in GTAIV with Jeff Bridges participating in time races to collect prostitutes. One approach seems disingenuous while the other seems, quite simply, horrible.

Then again, Tron was a pretentiously bad movie redeemed by incredible special effects and wonderful art direction. So it's not exactly Citizen Kane 2 that we're talking about here.

New 'Tron' races on [thehollywoodreporter]

Other than renaming the service "Disney's Club Penguin," Disney said it has no immediate plans to change Club Penguin's operations, which will continue to run from Kelowna, Canada.

"Club Penguin is going to continue to exist as is," Iger said during the company's conference call to report quarterly earnings. "The experience will not change at all. We don't intend to get in the way of that or do anything that would in any way have a negative impact on their business."

Over at Terra Nova, Mike Sellers weighed in on how this might positively impact the future of browser-based MMOs: "If you were betting on a new MMO, would you bet on a scrappy, quickly deployed no-download, no-choking-on-retail, low-cost world, or one that sucks up $50M and five years on a roulette-like bet? Maybe those are the extremes, but I have to think that the bar for what might be considered to be viable worlds has just been lowered, and in a very good way."

Disney Acquires Club Penguin for $350M [Forbes via Terra Nova]

Disney today announced that Pirates of the Caribbean has been bumped back to this fall to give developers more time to enhance the game, tweak gameplay based on beta-tester suggestions and, I would think, fix bugs.

The first phase of the beta testing will wrap up on July 16, with a second phase kicking off in September once the tweaks for the game have been implemented. I guess by fall they mean late fall. Hit the jump for the full, but brief, press release.

Pirates of the Caribbean Online - Launch Update

Disney has been in the beta testing process for Pirates of the Caribbean Online for the past several months. After a careful internal assessment of the state of game development as well as a review of external feedback, we have elected to spend additional development time and move to a fall launch. We will use this extra time to further enhance the game, respond to additional data we've collected during beta testing and incorporate more of the input we have gathered. July 16 will conclude phase 1 of the beta testing and we will resume phase 2 with a new game build in September.

In the meantime, we will continue to support and grow the strong community that has congregated around Pirates of the Caribbean Online through monthly developer diaries and newsletters, the delivery of new screen shots and assets, hosting a variety of in-game and fan events and through other exciting creative campaigns. All new materials and community information can be found at www.PiratesOnline.com.

Little girls who are just cute as a button will step into the sensible shoes and glass slippers of cartoon heroines like Ariel, Cinderella, Jasmine and Snow White in Magical Jewels, with Enchanted Journey giving young girls the chance to create their own regal, customized character.

I'm nominating this for the Kotaku Game Club! Michael McWhertor

Girls Receive a Royal Invitation to Join the Disney Princesses in Video Game Adventures This Fall

Disney Interactive Studios Announces New Video Games Based on Beloved Disney Princess Brand and Designed Specifically for Young Girls

BURBANK, Calif.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—This fall, young girls will join their favorite Disney Princesses in exciting adventures designed just for them. In Disney's first console video game created specifically for young girls, players befriend their favorite princesses — including Ariel, Cinderella, Jasmine and Snow White — and enter their enchanted worlds. The princess worlds are in peril and only the player can save them in Disney Princess: Enchanted Journey for Wii™ from Nintendo, PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system and Windows PC. In Disney Princess: Magical Jewels, also releasing this fall for Nintendo DS™, girls play as a Disney Princess, including Ariel, Aurora, Belle, Cinderella, Jasmine and Snow White. Entering a fun-filled enchanted adventure to regain a kingdom's magical power, players strive to break the spell that binds the kingdom by recovering the stolen Magical Jewels.

"Based on a brand that girls and parents already know and trust, the Disney Princess video games are designed with young girls in mind through accessible, challenging and fun game play," said Jessica Oifer, senior brand manager for Disney Interactive Studios. "We know that Disney Princess could be a young girl's first entry into videogames. We embrace the simplicity required by this age group while providing a challenging and rewarding experience set in beautiful Princess worlds. Not only are the games fun, they also introduce players to the positive attributes that make a true princess: courage, friendship, trust and the joy of discovery."

In Disney Princess: Enchanted Journey for Wii, PlayStation 2 system and PC, girls play as their own customized heroine, taking part in a fantastic adventure and helping the Disney Princesses restore order in their kingdoms. Girls exercise their creativity by choosing their character's name as well as customizing her look - selecting hair color, skin tone, dresses and more. As they meet and interact with their favorite Disney Princesses, girls discover that each Disney Princess has a unique story and magical world. These stories inspire players as they ascertain the attributes of being a true princess — courage, friendship, trust and discovery. The game's two-player mode allows girls and their moms or friends to work together to fix the princess worlds.

Disney Princess: Magical Jewels for Nintendo DS invites girls to play as their favorite Disney Princesses in an enchanted adventure. Girls explore the game at their own pace and skill level to recover the Magical Jewels and restore the magical power of a kingdom. In a magic-filled romp through locations familiar to young girls, players experience the excitement of interacting with the environments through the Nintendo DS touch screen to solve puzzles and tasks that help each Princess on her adventure. A tiered design provides an accessible play experience for the younger player, yet also provides layers of challenges for older players. Multiplayer modes allow the player to have a friend join the fun.

Published by Disney Interactive Studios and developed by Papaya Studio, Disney Princess: Enchanted Journey for Wii, PlayStation 2 system and PC is scheduled for release this fall at an anticipated MSRP of $29.99 for the PlayStation 2 system and $39.99 for Wii. Also scheduled for a fall release is Disney Princess: Magical Jewels for Nintendo DS, being developed by 1st Playable Productions, at an anticipated MSRP of $29.99. All titles will be rated E for everyone.

About Disney Interactive Studios

Disney Interactive Studios is the interactive entertainment affiliate of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS). Disney Interactive Studios self publishes and distributes a broad portfolio of multi-platform video games and interactive entertainment worldwide. The company also licenses properties and works directly with other interactive game publishers to bring products for all ages to market. Disney Interactive Studios is based in Glendale, California and has four internal game development studios around the world including Avalanche Software, Fall Line Studio, Propaganda Games and Climax Racing.

High School Musical titles coming to DS, Wii real soon [Wii QJ]

Stan's new superheroes—with colorful names like Doubleman, Thunder Rider, Nightbird and Blaze—will be developed for films, television, books and, of course, video games, reports the BBC.

While Stan's recent creations, like Stripperella, Lightman, and re-imagined versions of Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman for DC Comics, weren't exactly on-par popularity-wise with his previous work, we'll have to wait to see what he comes up with before mocking him for it.

Ah, I'm just teasing old Stan. If I can come up with my own name when I'm 85, I'll feel pretty damn proud. Michael McWhertor

Disney to unleash new film heroes [BBC]