Watchmen Games Are Prequels

Ah. Relax, Watchmen fans. When we heard the episodic Watchmen games were to be "brawlers", it was hard not to be a little disappointed. Reducing one of the greatest comic stories ever told to a "brawler"? It was a poor fit. But it's OK! Because the games aren't based on the comic. They're prequels, set in the gang's younger, more pugilistic days, where you'll take on (at least in the first "episode") the role of either Rorschach or Nite Owl. Good news, no? Much better they mess with that than ruin the storyline of the actual comic. Now for the better news. Dave Gibbons is working with the development team as an "advisor", so even if they cock the game up completely, it should at least look OK.

Previews: Watchmen [1UP]

Guinness World Records: The Videogame

No, I'm not talking about the Guinness World Records Gamer Edition. This is Guinness World Records: The Videogame, a new title from Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and TT Games for the Wii and DS. The game will allow players to experience breaking a world records via "quick-fire action challenges" (mini-games), from tightrope walking across the Grand Canyon to growing the world's longest, most disgusting fingernails. Ew.

“We are very pleased with how Guinness World Records: The Videogame looks and plays, this new development reflects the versatility of our content and how it can be tailored for almost any medium and format,” said Sam Fay, Senior Vice President of Guinness World Records. “We are sure that the game is going to be a favourite amongst all aspiring record breakers!”

Players who achieve the highest scores could even see their name appear in the official Guinness World Records book, a dream I had as a child that has since been replaced with the desperate need to avoid shitty licensed mini-games quick-fire action challenges. Guinness World Records is slated for a Fall release.

Somebody Wants To Make A Lost Planet Movie?

Yesterday's episode of Evil Avatar's podcast featured as a special guest David "Voice of Solid Snake" Hayter. They got chatty, they talked Metal Gear, but something else they talked about was Hayter's other line of work: as a Hollywood writer. Over the year's, Hayters worked on movies like X-Men 1 & 2 and the Scorpion King, and he's even at work on the upcoming Watchmen flick as well. Seems he's also in discussions with both Capcom and Warner Bros to write a screenplay for a Lost Planet movie. Interesting choice, Capcom. Can't say I enjoyed the game too much, but the setting could work as a flick, especially if it's pitched at the Chronicles of Riddick end of the budget/market.

Evil Avatar Radio Ep. Eleventy One - David Hayter [Evil Avatar]

LEGOs, Batman, Power Suits, it's all good. This latest gallery from Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment shows off Batman and Robin's spanky new Power Suits. It looks like the suits allow them to do things like walk up metal walls, breath underwater and get funky with a sweet pair of sunglasses.

Warner Bros. Gets Vivendi Vet For Prez

Warner Bros. has hired former Vivendi prez Martin Tremblay as president of its Interactive Entertainment business. In his new role, Tremblay will handle the studio's long-term strategy, from publishing and distribution to licensing and business development.

Tremblay was Vivendi's worldwide studios president since 2006, overlooking the release of titles including Scarface: The World is Yours, World in Conflict, the Crash and Spyro series and F.E.A.R on consoles. Prior to that, Tremblay was President and COO at Ubisoft Montreal.

Warner Bros. has been creating, licensing and publishing some of the best in class interactive entertainment out there today," said Tremblay. "I look forward to working with the team of talented and creative people at WBIE to expand on the great work they are already doing."

Tremblay will begin at WBIE in July 2008, and will report directly to Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group president Kevin Tsujihara.

SCi Spurns Infogrames Buyout Bid

French Atari parent Infogrames wants to purchase Eidos parent SCi, and has already extended it a "financially disciplined" offer, Infogrames revealed today via a regulatory announcement.

However, says Infogrames: "The SCi Board has declined, at this stage, to entertain Infogrames' offer."

Infogrames is still raring to go on the bid, though, saying that it has "sufficient resources" to satisfy the offer, and adding it has also "secured commitments" that will help fund SCi's potential working capital requirements. "Importantly," the statement adds, "Infogrames is in a position to move expeditiously with its proposal."

Report: Mass Layoffs Hit Eidos

SCi, the parent company of Tomb Raider publisher Eidos, got a cash injection from its investment buddies at Warner Bros., the company announced today. The $120 million bailout is good news for SCi, but not so much for Eidos, as 1UP writes today that "sources have informed 1UP that Eidos's entire PR, marketing, and sales department has been laid off as part of the deal with Warner Bros." Yikes! That must be the translation of SCi CEO Phil Rogers "I want more distribution muscle in North America" statement.

Eidos' parent company announced earlier this year that it would be laying off 25% of its staff and killing fourteen projects, focusing on "cornerstone" titles like Tomb Raider, Hitman, Championship Manager and Deus Ex.

Layoffs at Eidos in Light of Warner Bros. Deal? [1UP]
Lara Croft creator SCi gets cash boost [Reuters]

A game adaptation of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is being developed by EA's Bright Light Studio, the company announced today.

In the game, which is aiming for a release to coincide with the movie hitting later this year, Harry returns to Hogwarts for a sixth year. The game will include wizard duels, potion brewing and Quidditch play.

The game hits the DS, Mac, mobile devices, PC, Playstation 2, Playstation 3, Playstation Portable, Wii and Xbox 360. What no iPhone? Come on!

A Questionable Addition To The Lego Batman Cast

It was just a few hours ago that I posted about the HD DVD group canceling its CES press conference and now we have more news on the format war front lines. In an article in Variety yesterday, buried amongst the Warner's announcement was one line that was very important to the Blu-Ray cause:

Warner sister company New Line confirmed it will shift allegiance to Blu-ray only as well.

Warner's other companies which include HBO and BBC, still have not announced whether they will make the shift as well, but it seems unlikely that they would go the other way. But, time is of the essence for distributors it seems as Warner CEO Barry Meyer states:

"The window of opportunity for high-definition DVD could be missed if format confusion continues to linger."

One more nail in the HD DVD coffin?

Warner Bros. backs Blu-ray [Variety]

In light of yesterday's announcement that Warner Bros. will be going exclusively Blu-Ray, the HD DVD Promotion Group has canceled it's press conference for this year's CES. The news came in an email sent around to CES attendees yesterday.

"Based on the timing of the Warner Home Video announcement today, we have decided to postpone our CES 2008 press conference scheduled for Sunday, January 6th at 8:30 p.m. in the Wynn Hotel. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

We are currently discussing the potential impact of this announcement with the other HD DVD partner companies and evaluating next steps. We believe the consumer continues to benefit from HD DVD's commitment to quality and affordability - a bar that is critical for the mainstream success of any format.

We'll continue to keep you updated on new developments around HD DVD."

Yeeeeesh. Not that I think the entire format war relies on the decisions of Warner's, but it is one of the largest movie distributors and their choice will serve to start swinging things in Blu-Ray's direction. If a few more prominent companies choose this same option, we could well see an end to the format wars in the not too distant future. Man, am I glad I bought that PS3 when I had the money.

CES HD DVD Event canceled due to Warner announcement [Wesleytech.com]

Warner Bros Interactive Entertainment appointed John Quinn as their new executive vice president today for worldwide operations.

Quinn will be in charge of managing the expansion of the company's game publishing sales, including third party titles. That means that such babies as Speed Racer, LEGO Batman and Project Origin are all in his, no doubt, baby-soft hands.

Full release after the jump.

It's a Bird, It's a Plane...it's Lego Batman

Lego Batman Confirmed For 2008

Warner Bros. To Distribute Codemasters Games

Warner Bros. Invests in SCi Entertainment

"Investing in SCi further solidifies our commitment to the rapidly growing interactive and gaming space," said Kevin Tsujihara, President, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group. "This deal is consistent with our core strategy of delivering high quality entertainment based on some of the world's best-loved brands for all formats and channels. We look forward to working with SCi to build games the fans of these brands will truly enjoy."