Windows Phone 7 Connects With Kinect

Windows Phone 7 entered a crowded smartphone marketplace and right now it is struggling to find its own niche. Microsoft is hoping to increase their mobile platform’s appeal with tie-ins with Office and Xbox 360.

At Barcelona’s Mobile World Congress Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer demonstrated Rally Ball. Using two Windows Phone 7 headsets and a Kinect device, the game had balls launched towards the player of the Kinect game using the headsets.

It’s only a tech demo for now, but its an interesting way to think about how the market for Windows Phone 7 would be expanded.

DCUO Discs Tied To Activation Code

Reports around the internet were circulating recently that copies of DC Universe Online for the PS3 were tied to one account, meaning that the Blu-ray disc could not be resold or used by someone else. Sony Online Entertainment has spoken out on the matter, confirming that it is indeed true for both the PS3 and PC versions of the game.

Once the PSN key has been consumed with a disk it cannot be resold/replayed with the second user adding a sub only the original consumer can use that acct, said an SOE rep. Disk and account are one.

This isn’t terribly common for console games, but given DCUO’s MMO nature, it makes sense in helping to prevent account fraud.

Source: LazyGamer.com

Voltron Games Powered By THQ

World Event Productions has revealed that they have signed a deal with THQ to produce video games based upon the Voltron license. The games will be based upon the original television series Voltron: Defender of the Universe, where four pilots and a princess must team up to control five robot lions and defend the galaxy.

The game version of Voltron will release later in 2011, coming out at the same time as the new TV series called Voltron Force. The show itself will debut on Nicktoons and is currently slated for 26 episodes.

A film version of Voltron is being pitched by Kickstart Prods and Charles Roven’s Atlas Entertainment. However, the CEO of World Event Productions wants to introduce Voltron to a new generation of fans before the film launches with toys and games.

Source: Variety

Angry Birds Dev Says, ‘Nokia Probably Beyond Saving’

Nokia recently announced that they would be teaming up with Microsoft to bring Windows Phone 7 to their phones as a means to combat Apple and Google. However, Angry Birds developer Rovio did not seem as optimistic about their fellow Finnish company.

When asked about saving Nokia by announcing Angry Birds for Windows Phone 7, Rovio responded, “Afraid there’s only so much we can do… Nokia probably beyond saving at this point.”

When asked that perhaps Rovio could buy Nokia in a year or two, Rovio responded, “Yes, we need more space and the Nokia House is very nice.”

Source: Twitter

Mirror’s Edge 2 Reportedly Rejected By EA

Mirror’s Edge had its fans for its unique free-running gameplay, but the game vastly underperformed EA’s initial expectations. Despite on-again, off-again rumors that a sequel might be coming, it seems like Mirror’s Edge has been put on hold permanently.

“Patrick [Soderlund – EA driving and shooting game boss] acknowledges that Mirror’s Edge didn’t match up to their expectations regarding sales, and that has stopped the sequel that has been in development,” said a recent report. “EA was shown a prototype, but declined with askance.

The project has been stopped – involved parties at DICE are working on something else now, it continued. Patrick himself seems to have Mirror’s Edge near his heart, but they are not in the business of charity.”

The team members are probably hard at work now on Battlefield 3. Soderlund was hopeful as recently as last summer that a sequel to Mirror’s Edge would be made. “Mirror’s Edge is an IP that’s close to my heart and EA’s as well. It was a bold move from us. I’m proud we made it. It obviously didn’t reach the commercial success we wanted, even though it wasn’t bad at all,” he said. “I still think as a company we’re going to talk about it when we’re going to talk about it. What I can say is, we haven’t buried it. We’re absolutely continuing to support Mirror’s Edge as an IP. When we’re ready to talk about it, we’ll talk about it.”

Source: Eurogamer

Nokia Integrates Windows Phone 7

Microsoft has announced that it has partnered with Nokia to bring the Windows Phone 7 operating system to future Nokia smartphones. This announcement comes very soon after Nokia’s CEO lamented his company’s inability to keep up with competition from Google and Apple.

“Nokia and Microsoft will combine our strengths to deliver an ecosystem with unrivalled global reach and scale,” Nokia CEO Stephen Elop stated. “It’s now a three-horse race.”

Nokia will incorporate Microsoft’s Bing search service across all of its devices and Nokia maps will become a key component of Microsoft’s own mapping services. As for Nokia’s current OS Symbian it will become what the company called a franchise platform.

“I am excited about this partnership with Nokia. Ecosystems thrive when fuelled by speed, innovation and scale,” added Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer. “The partnership announced today provides incredible scale, vast expertise in hardware and software innovation and a proven ability to execute.”

Killzone 3: Enlist In The ISA Marines

The advertising for Killzone 3 is in full swing and Sony has announced a special contest in the lead up to its release. A man calling himself Seargent McCain is looking for recruits for the ISA Marines.

Signing up for the ISA Ultimate Recruit Training (sadly only available to British residents) will give one grand prize winner a trip to E3 and the ability to fire a real Helghast weapon. Find out more at ultimaterecruit.killzone.com/prereg {link no longer active}.