Sega Superstars Tennis gives us the most conflicted early feelings of any game we know of in development. On the one hand, it's Sega. On the other, Sumo Digital is actually doing the work. On the original hand, it's going to prominently feature Sonic the Hedgehog and Shadow the Hedgehog. On that other hand again, it has Ulala and Gum and Beat. But back on the negative hand, this is certainly not how we expected to hear from Space Channel 5 and Jet Set Radio's main players. Returning to the positive hand, we are pleasantly surprised to see how well Chu Chu Rocket mini-gameplay seems to be integrated.

My brain is about to be ripped in half as I struggle to come to terms with Sega's answer to Mario Tennis. Do we hate it to death or smother it into oblivion? Someone! Do the thinking for us!

It's coming to everything—PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii and Nintendo DS—for maximum profit. A handful of screens await you.

For Immediate Release

SUMO DIGITAL TO BE ACQUIRED BY FOUNDATION 9 ENTERTAINMENT

Transaction marks F9E's first expansion overseas

NEWPORT BEACH, CA - August 20, 2007 - Foundation 9 Entertainment announced today that UK-based Sumo Digital, along with its recently established Indian development facility, will be joining the F9E family of studios. The transaction will mark F9E's first expansion outside of North America and strengthen the company's ability to deliver top titles across multiple gaming platforms and genres.

"The team at Sumo has done a tremendous job building a world class studio in a relatively short amount of time," said Jon Goldman, chairman and CEO of F9E. "By bringing them into our family of existing studios, we're now able to tap into the vast talent pool of game developers overseas and expand the company's presence in the sports and racing genres."

Since its founding in 2003, Sumo has developed a number of critically-acclaimed titles, including Virtua Tennis 3 for Xbox 360(TM), Super Rub 'a' Dub for PLAYSTATION(R) Network, and Outrun 2006: Coast to Coast for multiple platforms. Sumo is based in Sheffield, with an additional office in Pune, India. Sumo is currently working on a number of unannounced titles for major publishers.

"We're excited to join Foundation 9 and help expand its European presence," said Sumo CEO James North-Hearn. "We believe joining F9E will bring us tremendous opportunities for growth in the future, as well as the chance to offer many more great games to our publishing partners." As part of the deal, North-Hearn will transition into the position of Managing Director, Foundation 9 Europe, overseeing all European operations.

Sumo Digital will join F9E's current studios and brands: Amaze Entertainment, Backbone Entertainment, The Collective, Digital Eclipse, ImaginEngine, Pipeworks and Shiny Entertainment. F9E develops in multiple genres for all platforms and age groups, and has shipped more than 400 titles, including many bestsellers.

The company's studios are currently at work on more than 20 titles, including The Golden Compass, to be published by SEGA(R), and Godzilla(R): Unleashed, to be published by Atari, Inc. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2007. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

The full game, some 60 levels of rubber duck amusement, will set PS3 owners back 4.99 or 3.49. A demo featuring five playable levels, however, is free. The SIXAXIS controlled game sees gamers tilting a floating sink/bathtub thing in an effort to lead a trail of baby ducks down the drain to safety.

I'd be jealous, but I'd wager they don't have a trailer for Ice Cube's "Are We Done Yet?" to fill the hollow in their lives. Oh, the laughs I've had with that one! Michael McWhertor

Ubisoft is bringing the Driver franchise to the PlayStation Portable, courtesy of developers Reflections and PSP wizards Sumo Digital. Set in 1976, the game has nothing to do with the previous 1976 classic Interstate 76, but will pre-date the previous Driver title, Parallel Lines, by a good two years. That means you can expect familiar territory, textures and afros.

The title promises "Hollywood-style car chases" which, as a Los Angeles resident, I assume means heavy traffic and stop-and-go gameplay. While Driver Parallel Lines wasn't warmly received by critics, who dubbed it little more than a GTA clone, the addition of Sumo Digital gives one hope for a decent port. Oops! I mean prequel!

Full release with further details are after the jump. Michael McWhertor

Ubisoft to Launch All-New Driver 76 on the PSP System March 2007


SAN FRANCISCO - JANUARY 22, 2007 - Today Ubisoft, one of the world's largest video game publishers, announced that it will launch the Driver 76 video game for the PSP (PlayStation Portable) system. Driver 76 will feature all-new content with 27 new missions exclusively designed for gaming on the go. Driver 76 is the first all-new edition of the famed Driver series to be released since Ubisoft acquired the franchise in 2006. Developed by Sumo Digital Ltd. and Ubisoft's Reflections studio, Driver 76 will be released in March 2007.

Faithful to the brand spirit, Driver 76 is an action driving game that features Hollywood-style car chases while also letting the player experience the open environment on foot. The game thrusts the player into the heart of the 1970s, through 27 missions divided into six main plots. Players can take side jobs, earning cash that can be used to modify their rides. Driver 76 also offers an extensive multiplayer mode and a host of mini-games ranging from street races to all out carnage in Destruction Derby mode.

Features Include:

* All-New Content Developed Exclusively for the PSP system - Twenty-seven all-new missions created for the PSP system.
* Prequel Storyline to Driver Parallel Lines - The year is 1976, two years before Driver Parallel Lines.
* Multiplayer Games and Downloadable Content - Games include Street Racing, Destruction Derby, Pink Slip Racing and Swap Meet. Also download new paintjobs to use on your collected vehicles in the garage.
* Experience Open Environments in Authentic 1970's New York - All the architecture, music, cars and clothes of the '70s. Spans New York from Jersey to Coney Island.
* Vehicle Modification System - Collect your favorite vehicles and complete side job missions to get the cash to modify your ride.
* High-Speed Hollywood Racing Action - High-speed car races and crashes. Go even faster by customizing your car with special parts.
* Authentic '70s Soundtrack - Immerse yourself in the '70s with classic songs from the decade.

About Ubisoft:
Ubisoft is a leading producer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment products worldwide and has grown considerably through its strong and diversified lineup of products and partnerships. Ubisoft has offices in 21 countries and sales in more than 50 countries around the globe. It is committed to delivering high-quality, cutting-edge video game titles to consumers. Ubisoft generated revenue of 547 million Euros for the 2005-2006 fiscal year. To learn more, please visit www.ubisoftgroup.com.

2007 Ubisoft Entertainment. Driver, Ubisoft, Ubi.com, and the Ubisoft logo are trademarks of Ubisoft Entertainment in the U.S. and/or other countries. "PlayStation", "PS" Family logo, and "PSP" are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Memory Stick Duo may be required (sold separately).