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Posts Tagged “

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rockstar

Why There's No GTA IV In India

April 29th. Remember that? Some game called Grand Theft Auto IV went on sale (wha?) pretty much in planned regions save for India. According to Indian game distributors E-xpress interactive, the game has been delayed for Xbox 360 and PS3. The reason? There are global shortages. You know, we hear a lot of game shortages, which is something I often have a hard time believing, but looking at the staggering number of copies sold in the game's first week, I believe it. No word when the game will finally drop in India, but imported PS3 versions are available. At a price!
GTA IV Delayed [GameGuru]

11:00 PM on Wed May 7 2008
By Brian Ashcraft
4,743 views, 21 comments

Latest by NeoStarr: For only one easy payment of $59.99, you can save a child in India from a life without murder simulation. more »

music video

Irrational's 'The Lost' Gets the Bollywood Treatment

I love promotional music videos for games, since they're usually so wonderfully terrible they're fantastic. It's even better when there's a weird story attached: GameSetWatch turned up a NeoGAF post regarding the fate of Irrational's cancelled release, The Lost. The game has resurfaced (with reworked graphics, but with core mechanics and story relatively intact) as an Indian release for PCs under the title of Agni: Queen Of Darkness. As GSW neatly sums up, "... evidently this title went south, Irrational got bought by 2K and turned their attention to BioShock, and FXLabs managed to rejigger it for a Bollywood PC release." But that's not all! It even got its own music video featuring Bollywood star Malaika Arora. I'm entranced.

Irrational's 'The Lost' Turns Up... In Bollywood?! [GameSetWatch]

6:00 PM on Sun Mar 9 2008
By mgreene
3,080 views, 80 comments

Latest by farlad: Here's something that shows that Bollywood isn't tacky crap + Watch video more »

business

Xbox India Honcho Quits, Refuses to Sell Rockets

Phil Harrison isn't the only game exec to recently leave his former employee and end up elsewhere! Xbox India boss Mohit Anand oversaw the Xbox 360 launch there and was one the most recognizable faces in India's quickly growing gaming industry. A few days earlier, he made the unexpected announcement that he would be leaving the company. Rumors swirled that he'd be heading up Nintendo's effort to bring the Wii to India. If true, that's pretty much make Anand the go-to-guy for launching stuff on the Indian subcontinent! Says Anand:


There are rumors and speculations floating around for that as well, but all I will say is that right now I am not going to be making any formal announcements as to where I am headed. But whatever I do will be in the cusp of entertainment, convergence, youth, gaming. It's all there.

I am not going to suddenly start selling rockets.


Not that there's anything wrong with selling rockets! But where exactly will Anand end up? Hey, bet Infograme's keen on India!
Mohit Anand Quits Microsoft India [Game Guru]

9:00 PM on Thu Mar 6 2008
By Brian Ashcraft
1,738 views, 31 comments

Latest by Jagzthebest: @faiz1: lol i know how it is more »

india

India Considering Ban on Violent Video Games

With a backstory that is apparently the absolute height of family melodrama, the Indian Parliament is currently considering a ban on violent games. According to speculation in a GameGuru article, after a political figure realized that the game she helped her grandson acquire - Manhunt 2 - was banned in the UK, she set out to make sure it would also be banned in India. Oh dear. As Desicritics intones:

Since when have we let these Bollywood actors and socialites dictate what the citizens of India can or cannot do? Maybe it's time Mrs Tagore sorted out her own house, paid more attention to the kind of games her grandkids played especially when the games have big letters saying MA printed on them instead of urging the government to baby sit the nation's children at the expense of the tax payers hard earned money.

Why should others pay for her blatant ignorance and negligence?

Will the parliamentary proposal be successful? We'll find out soon - this doesn't seem like a huge surprise (everyone loves an easy target), but the family drama is enough to make my head spin.

Video Games Censorship Comes to India [GameGuru] and Government To Regulate Video Games in India [Desicritics] [both via GamePolitics]

2:30 PM on Sun Jan 13 2008
By mgreene
1,693 views, 36 comments

marketshare

Sony Wants India (India Looks At Sony As 'Just A Friend')

India, like many countries that aren't known as massive gaming markets now, has the potential to expand massively in the next few years. And SCE (Sony Computer Entertainment) is interested, planning to build multiple retail partnerships in India's top 20 cities. From SCE's Atindriya Bose:

The Indian gaming market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 78 per cent by 2010, and barely one per cent of the country's gaming potential has been tapped...However, we are still at a very nascent stage, even though there is a lot of potential for the industry.
It's tough to talk about the growth of video games in an area where they aren't a very large deal to begin with. But if we can be so forward as to offer Sony two words of encouragement: "SingStar Bollywood."

SCE to Increase Penetration in India [via maxconsole]

12:00 PM on Wed Dec 26 2007
By Mark Wilson
1,065 views, 17 comments

Latest by df747jet: @Witzbold: Actually, it makes you a better person because your embracing other races. lol. more »

rumor

Rumor Smash: SOE Not Being Sold to Indian Company

When I am cruising the interwebs for news, I usually tend to breeze right by ridiculous headlines like India's Zapak set to buy Sony Online, but apparently things like this are taken very seriously by some.

Website Massively received an email from none other than Sony Online Entertainment CEO, John Smedley himself. The tip regarded a rumor that had begun circulating regarding SOE being purchased by Indian company, Zapak Digital. Reports of the rumor had gotten to Smedley via concerned emails from SOE employees and he immediately stepped forward to nip it in the bud.

This story is 100% false. We aren't for sale and never have been. Nothing like this has ever been discussed with the Zapak guys. The truth is we were talking to them about distribution rights to one of our games. And we have no idea how this story got started.

Frankly I'm a little surprised something this far fetched ended up on Reuters. Thank you, interwebs, for yet another completely blown out of proportion rumor.

John Smedley: Sony Online is not getting purchased by Zapak [Massively]

3:00 PM on Sun Dec 23 2007
By fdemarco
1,989 views, 48 comments

industry

Sony Online Entertainment Looks To India

India may be the world's best source for colorful musical numbers and technical support, but the MMO industry is just getting started there, and Sony Online Entertainment will be there. They are currently in taks with local talent, with plans on opening a studio in the country early next year.

"We need to have Indian content for our games and we are looking for local partners," said Dave Christensen, VP of business development and international operations at SOE, speaking during a gaming conference in Mumbai, India.
SOE is currently working on an MMO based on Ramayan 3392 A.D, the futuristic comic book retelling of an ancient Hindu epic. The game will launch in India, and if successful it will spread to Europe and the US.

SOE Heads to India [Next-Gen]

9:20 AM on Wed Nov 28 2007
By Mike Fahey
1,005 views, 17 comments

Latest by Sabre_Justice: @asTer0id: Yeah. There's also lots of fat idiots. more »

india

Indian Game Portal Gunning For Global Launch

Not content to let East Asia alone make a play for global domination, an Indian company called Zapak is getting in on the act: the online games portal is starting a wide-ranging plan of investment and development, aimed at opening portals in China, Europe, and the rest of the world, as well as development and opening more internet cafes: More »

1:00 PM on Sun Sep 30 2007
By mgreene
685 views, 14 comments

don't eat aluminum powder

Finally, Etch A Sketch The Game

Race from Level 99 is going to completely blow a gasket when she catches wind of this one. Indian developer Gameshastra (which is extremely fun to say) has signed a deal with California casual game publisher Freeze Tag to create Etch A Sketch for the PC, Web, and MAC. Gameshastra also has the rights to create platform versions of the game, listing specifically Xbox Live Arcade and the Wii, though no concrete plans have been announced. What will you do in Etch A Sketch: The Game? I'm hoping it is only limited by your imagination, as well as the need to only move horizontally or vertically in a single, unbroken line.

Early on in life I was an Etch A Sketch fanatic, though I ruined more than a few smashing them open to see what was inside (its delicious candy, kids!). This announcement brings my gaming life nearly full circle. Just waiting for the release of virtual womb and I am done.

More »

9:20 AM on Mon Jul 30 2007
By Mike Fahey
2,145 views, 37 comments

Latest by joelface: a MAC is an apple computer. not a PC but a MAC. its short for Macintosh. more »

bollywood

Bollywood to Boost Indian Gaming?

In the perfect example of a happy symbiotic relationship, the Bollywood film industry looks like it's ready to pair up with companies to develop mobile games. The main intent is (of course) to boost revenues for the films, but a pleasant potential side effect would be to boost India's gaming industry. Of course, since a great percentage of Bollywood films are spectacles including catchy song and dance numbers, we're not talking about the easiest types of film to convert into games (although we have previously covered the Bollywood games with SingStar and Dance Mela), never mind games for mobile phones. More »

2:30 PM on Sun Jul 29 2007
By mgreene
1,244 views, 16 comments

Latest by inochi: @IHEARTPOKEMON: no way in hell. and the biggest reason as to why is that Japan cares about things other than money. Don't think of this announcement in the sense that India is trying to bring gaming into their market, think more »

rumor

Bollywood Star for Prince of Persia Film

One thing we know: the Michael Bay/Jerry Bruckheimer adaptation of Prince of Persia will feature explosions, slow-mo and at least ONE fruit cart exploding in slow motion. What we don't know: who will play the lead. Mumbai tabloid MID DAY is reporting that Bollywood actor John Abraham (above) will. See, a fan named Venetia Sarll has been rallying for Abraham to get the part and has posted sketches of him in Persia garb. What does Abraham think?

Venetia is the most dedicated member of my site. I just loved the sketches she has made. In fact, there was even an online poll on a fan site and her sketches topped the list.

Still, nothing has been confirmed. Until then, keep encouraging 'em John.
Abraham to Star? [GameGuru]

12:00 AM on Tue Jul 10 2007
By Brian Ashcraft
3,287 views, 31 comments

Latest by tentaclesex: He's hot. more »

about effing time

India Getting Xbox Live

Good people of India! This September Xbox Live will rolling out for consoles on the sub-continent. Currently, gamers there have been without Live, somewhat defeating the purpose of owning an Xbox 360! The Live launch will take place in late September, and will correspond with both the Halo 3 drop and the Xbox 360's first anniversary in India. Subscriptions will come in 1 month, 3 month and 12 month incriments and will be "attractively priced." Apparently, an Xbox Live bundle is being planned as well and would include a Live subscription, broadband internet connection and a game. So, start practicing those f-bombs today!
Live Coming [Game Guru]

10:00 PM on Mon Jul 2 2007
By Brian Ashcraft
1,476 views, 29 comments

Latest by Bez: but is it really worth it? will india get all the Live content available to US/UK users?? somehow i doubt it. you're better off going with a fake id imho. more »

mmo

Nothing Says Dancing More Than Bollywood

Dance Mela is an Indian online rhythm game complete with Bollywood soundtrack! MMO developer Kreeda Games has lined up "less than $10 million" in venture capital for its debut title Dance Mela. While it will be free to play, the game will use micro-transactions in hopes of turning a profit. Not a fan of micro-transactions, but Bollywood soundtrack? Oh, man that sounds AMAZING. Brian Ashcraft More »

3:00 AM on Mon Jun 18 2007
By Brian Ashcraft
1,093 views, 14 comments

print

Sony's Advertising PS3 Campaign For India

Late last month, the PS3 launched in India. Well, we hear it launched, but didn't really see any photos of the people lining up and buying the console. Most India news sites were running stories that read like a press release. Reader Dave provides this update: More »

7:00 AM on Wed May 16 2007
By Brian Ashcraft
1,713 views, 15 comments

gotta cut em all

Inflatable Pokemon Ash Decapitated In India

Ack! What have they done to Ash?! Reader Dave in Mumbai explains: More »
open your wallets

PS3 Launches In India

India, you've got your PS3 launch! Sony's new gaming 60GB machine went on sale late this week for Rs 39,990. For those keeping score, Rs 39,990 is US $975. And that is a lot of money, especially to when you compare it to the Rs 7,990 ($195) needed to get a PS2. But, hey, it's like that EVERYWHERE, so why should India be different? Sony Computer Entertainment Europe's Tim Stokes says: More »

6:30 AM on Fri Apr 27 2007
By Brian Ashcraft
1,649 views, 28 comments

india

India And The Future of Gaming

Ishaan over at game site Flame War ADVANCE has a two part interview with execs at Exigent, a Noida-based Indian outsourcing company that deals with video game art. The company's founders cut their teeth working on games like Quake and Wing Commander. The company's Chief Creative Officer Paul Steed sits on the GDC's advisory board and had this to offer about the future and India's role in that future: More »

3:00 AM on Fri Mar 30 2007
By Brian Ashcraft
1,111 views, 21 comments

pc gaming

World's Longest Epic To Be India's First Hit?

Indian game site GameGuru interviewed the team behind upcoming PC title and possible Xbox 360 port Mahabharata: The Dawn of Kaliyuga — A game created by Gujarat-based dev Syncere Arts. Says the team: More »

11:00 PM on Mon Mar 12 2007
By Brian Ashcraft
902 views, 10 comments