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Xbox coming
Microsoft Corp. said Monday it will unveil the next generation of its Xbox video game console in a May 12 special on cable music and entertainment channel MTV.
EA exclusive
Video game publisher Electronic Arts Inc. Monday said it signed an exclusive six-year deal to publish officially licensed college football games.
'Four' score
20th Century Fox/Marvel Studios' "Fantastic Four" will benefit from an innovative and extensive cross-marketing program that leverages how important music and video games are to each other.
China: Game on for Web
Online video game revenue is the driving force for China's gaming market that comprises 28.8 million users, a new report has found. After all, Chinese gamers spend more money on online games than PC, console and hand-held games combined.
Games over tunes
While still spending slightly more on movies, American men dedicate more of their cash to video games than they do to music, according to a study released Thursday.
Strategy shift
About two weeks after accepting an all-cash takeover bid by private equity firm Elevation Partners, in which U2's Bono and former executives of Electronic Arts and Apple Computer are partners, U.K. video game maker Eidos changed course Thursday.
Atari's game plan
As part of its restructuring plan from video game publisher to broader entertainment media company, Atari Inc. is closing down its Santa Monica, Calif., and Beverly, Mass., publishing studios by June and moving all aspects of the game company to New York.
Nintendo's new store
Japanese videogame maker Nintendo Co. Ltd. Wednesday said it would open its first-ever Nintendo World Store in New York this spring, stepping up efforts to extend the reach of its popular gaming machines in a key market.
Theron voices 'Flux'
Oscar winner Charlize Theron is the latest actress to go virtual. In addition to starring as sexy agent Aeon Flux in the Paramount Pictures and MTV Films movie this fall, it was confirmed Tuesday that she will provide the voice and likeness for Majesco's "Aeon Flux" video game.
Connery's 007 return
Sean Connery has agreed to reprise his role as James Bond for Electronic Arts' upcoming video game version of "From Russia With Love." Connery will record dialogue for the game, and his likeness will appear as it did in MGM's 1963 hit movie.
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PLAYING GAMES: To gain desired game ratings from the Entertainment Software Rating Board, developers must sometimes tone down violence. But the board allowed the nudity in "Playboy: The Mansion," pictured, because it was in context for the brand.
 Read the column
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Top video games
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1.
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Gran Turismo 4 (PS2) |
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2.
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NBA Street V3 (PS2) |
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3.
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Grand Theft: San Andreas (PS2) |
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4.
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MVP Baseball 2005 (PS2) |
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5.
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Zelda: The Minish Cap (GBA) |
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6.
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NBA Street V3 (XBX) |
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7.
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Mercenaries (PS2) |
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8.
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Resident Evil 4 (GCN) |
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9.
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Champions: Return to Arms (PS2) |
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10.
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Madden NFL 2005 (PS2) |
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Source: NPD Group. Month ending Feb. |
Playing Games
Massive multiplayer online games immerse users in huge, "persistent" worlds. The learning curve and time commitments can be steep, a hurdle newer titles such as "The Matrix Online" seek to solve.
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Playing Games
Developers are mostly mum on their plans for the E3 videogame convention in May. But all expect news of next-generation game consoles to drive the event.
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Game time
Video game developers are seeing their clout in Hollywood grow as more projects are combining game and film properties.
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Rating reset
A new video game rating aimed at "tween" players seeks to provide more guidance for those seeking family-oriented titles.
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By the numbers
PwC predicts global revenues for video games will rise to $55.6 billion in 2008, led by Asian markets. Read more in our exclusive Media Analyst Corner.
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