Search

Reports on the launch of Microsoft Corp.'s Halo 2, a video game that plays exclusively on its Xbox console. Estimated first-day sales of Halo; Suggestion that the electronic entertainment industry has adopted the film industry's marketing strategies such as the use of movie and television trailers, glossy and full-page magazine advertisements and special web sites.

Features several video games released in the United States. Halo2: Half-Life 2; Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas; Snake Eater.

Reports on New York City-based Kuma Reality Games' development of an Internet game based on the missions of Senator John Kerry in Vietnam in 1969 where he was awarded the Silver Star. Game features; Subscription cost; Contact information.

Reports that Team Fusion has developed a video game for Playstation Portable gaming system.

Discusses how video game makers are gearing their new products toward kids between the ages of 4 and 6. Popularity of games such as Halo 2 and Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater; Development of a line of PC games for children 3 to 6 by Atari; How the video games meant for shopping malls and movie theaters are designed to resemble popular kids toys and with themes that correspond with characters from films such as 'The Lion King'; Details about the V.Smile system which is designed like a traditional video game console but with larger buttons and controllers; Goals of the video game industry to expand its base beyond its core consumers which include males from 14 to 34 years old.

Focuses on the opportunity of developing electronic games for mobile phones in New York City. Potential offered by instant-messaging window for game designers; Considerations of designing electronic games for mobile phones; Challenges in creating scale-down versions of certain electronic games.

Features the latest sequel to Doom video game series, Doom 3, due to be released in North America from Id Software Inc. Concept of the game; Efforts to promote the game in Europe and Asia; Contribution of John Carmack, co-founder of Id Software, to the creation of the program.

Describes a technique used in designing video games called normal mapping to render characters and objects. Provision of a high level of detail without requiring so much computer processing power that the game play would slow down; Use of polygons to render characters, objects and scenery in video games like The Chronicles of Riddick; Escape from Butcher bay; Pressure on game developers to improve realism into their computer-generated characters and environments; Aim of matching the realism of video games adapted from films.

Discusses the overlap of the motion picture industry and the developers of electronic games such as the new James Bond game, 'Everything or Nothing.' Comparison of the standards of graphics and sound for Hollywood films and video games; How the games are interactive which allows players to make choices about characters and action; Popularity of games such as 'The Sleeping Drag' and 'Run the Gauntlet'; Involvement of the films' writers and directors to develop the concepts for the games.

Discusses digital models and virtual walk-throughs. AEI Digital, one of the architectural firms that designed the Philadelphia Phillies' $458 million ballpark; Digital models as a vital tool in giving prospective investors a good idea of just how their company's name might look above a ballpark; Bringing digital models to the building industry from the video game industry.

Reports on the 101st Annual American International Toy Fair which opens in New York. Advances in the video game industry where toy makers are using smarter technology to make products as simple and easy to enjoy as marbles and jump rope; What to expect to see on the toy store shelves soon; Plush animals who can respond to television programs without special receivers or wires; Video games who responds to thousands of words and phrases spoken by players; Virtual games on the home television set; 70%of toys which now have microchips; Several examples of specific new products and how they use smart technology.

Reports on individuals who broke the codes to get into computer games and changed the way the games are played; Creation of an underground movement known as the mod makers; Alteration of games which is encouraged by the game makers; Inclusion of the tools to get inside the games from the developers; Profiles of several mod makers; Suggestions from the professionals on how to alter the game characters and abilities; Comments from game maker company executives.

Discusses the rising popularity of the casual computer game. Easy to learn games that can be played on a variety of devices including laptops and cellphones; Attractiveness of the cellphone games because they can be played anywhere; Games that are direct translations of classic arcade games; Multiplayer options.

Discusses the use of consultants in developing military video games. Attempts to make digital warfare look and sound convincing; Advantages of using military consultants, who provide operational details; How military advisers associated with the games are establishing a brand identification that helps games differentiate themselves; Influence of consultants on cooperative play; Comments of military consultants.

Focuses on the competition between makers of video-game consoles due to the shift to the next level, which involves the Internet. Increase in competition between Sony, Nintendo, and Microsoft; Outlook for the movement of video-game play online; Background on Sony's PlayStation 2, Microsoft's Xbox, and Nintendo's GameCube.

Discusses the development of computer games for the personal computer. Details of Crimson Skies, a computer game by Microsoft; Class of games which are displaying movielike design, tone and texture; Fear that the experience of interaction of gaming is being lost in the movielike designs.

Features video game developer and mathematician Alexey Pajitnov. Information on Tetris video game; Development of Pandora's Box by Pajitnov; His educational background; Personal information; Popularity of Tetris with women; Comments from Pajitnov.

Reports on immersion technology that is being used by programmers to deliver interactive games in which players show up as themselves. Examples of games that use immersion technology; The outlook for these products; How the technology could have applications beyond games.