Kinect Launch Event Planner Sues Microsoft

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The presence of singer Ne-Yo at a Times Square event for the launch of Kinect almost didn’t happen says event coordinator P.R.omotion!, until they promised to pay the city $45,000 in fines. Now they are suing Microsoft, agency Mother, and Xbox executive Craig McNary who oversaw the premiere for $63,150 in compensation for the fines, legal fees and the difficultly of dealing with the scenario in a Manhattan Supreme Court.

I ve never had to do this, ever, and my clients are the biggest in the country. It s unfortunate that this happened, said P.R.omotion! owner Tom Hennigan. I’m about good karma. The fact that I had to file this is not good karma.”

“We asked P.R.omotion! to provide back up invoices or receipts for said fine and he was unable to provide them,” said Tom Webster, a partner at Mother. “This is something we’d prefer to handle out of court.”

Source: AdWeek {link no longer active}

MTV Re-Targets Gaming With 345 Games

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While they’ve parted ways with Harmonix, MTV Networks have announced 345 Games, which will be the gaming arm of the Viacom-owned Spike TV and Comedy Central. The studio is currently making a sequel to Deadliest Warrior: The Game and a new game based on animated show Ugly Americans called Ugly Americans: Apocalypsegeddon which will also be downloadable.

“Comedy Central and Spike TV squarely target the video game audience,” said Dan Yang as senior vice president, 345 Games. “With the launch of 345 Games, we are tapping into the passionate fan base of both Comedy Central and Spike and creating an enhanced interactive experience based on our hit shows and brands.”

Direct2Drive Expanding Trials

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Direct2Drive has announced that they are expanding their digital PC rentals to Europe. The system lets users download and play a game for five hours before they are asked to pay for the full version.

“Being able to try before you buy was the biggest request from Direct2Drive customers,” said Direct2Drive’s head of international digital distribution Paul Herron. “We re currently trialling the software in the U.S. As this is proving to be successful, we re now in the process of securing content for a U.K. and European launch. Publishers are positive and gamers love the service, with the conversion from rental to purchase remaining extremely high.”

Gatorade Sponsors Your Shape: Fitness Evolved Workout

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Ubisoft and Gatorade have announced a new partnership based around the game Your Shape: Fitness Evolved. With the help of celebrity-trainer Gunnar Peterson, they will develop a workout series created around the G Series FIT products.

The workout includes a 30-minute full-body toning program, and introduces new exercises including jumping jacks, squat raises, lunges, and other new moves that integrate free weights and dumbbells. It is available for free now on Xbox Live.

To find out more about the G Series Fit workout plan, please visit gatorade.com/gseriesfit/yourshape {link no longer active}.

Quite Cute Pinball

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Come on, get happy, with the contagiously Cute Pinball {link no longer active} featured on the Mac Cosmetics official Facebook page!  This adorable old school pinball game brings together fans on Facebook to test their old school pinball skills on a series of colorful, animated pinball tables.  Global rankings are tracked for each player that plays and unlockable achievements can be shared via a toggle switch automatically to the user s wall.  Each round the player gets 5 lives to try and unlock secret tables and are prompted to like and share elements from the game.  Floating elements on each table some taken from the line (lipstick, lip liner) and some just quite cute themselves (ghosts, rabbits, jellyfish, fried egg) – give the player points to help increase their rank.  A link to shop {link no longer active} connects the game to the official site destination on the MAC official website.

Minecraft Mines $31 Million

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Minecraft creator Markus Persson has confirmed that the game has sold upwards of 2 million copies and generated over $31 million. He also announced that the game will be dropping the beta label on November 11, same day that Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim releases.

“It’s a bit tricky to really do a release for Minecraft as we keep updating it all the time,” said Persson. “For one, the version we deem as the ‘full version’ won’t be very different at all from what the game was like a week ago, and we’ll keep adding features after the release as well, so it’s really more of a milestone when we finally get rid of the Beta label, and some kind of goal for us to work towards.”

Tron: Legacy DVD Hypes Commodore 64 Relaunch

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Synergistically matching the launch of the Tron: Legacy DVD, Disney is also helping with the relaunch of the Commodore and Amiga brands. The new personal computers became available on the same day as the launch of the DVD.

“As Tron: Legacy DVD buyers discovered, the disc case comes with a throwback ad for the Commodore 64 computer, an 8-bit PC that launched in 1982, and a call to action to visit Commodoreusa.net,” writes Abe Sauer.

The store is current taking pre-orders for the retro designed computers. The VIC Slim, Commodore 64 and VIC Pro are available in prices ranging from $395 to $895; Amiga computers are promised to be coming soon.

“Commodore USA is proud to present our cross-promotion with Disney on their Tron Legacy DVD and Blu-ray release, said the company’s site. In 1982, both the original Commodore 64 and Disney’s blockbuster Tron were released. Almost 30 years later, they both simultaneously reappear on April 5, 2011. Commodore USA keyboard computers are on sale now.”

Source: Brand Channel

MI6 Game Marketing Conference Awards 2011

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MI6 recently announced the winners at their annual Game Marketing Conference Awards. Halo: Reach, Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood and Call of Duty: Black Ops all received multiple awards, with the Xbox Marketing team getting a nod for all their efforts during the year.

Full awards as follows:

MI6 Marketing Team of the Year

Xbox Marketing

MI6 Agency of the Year

The Ant Farm

MI6 Media Partner of the Year

Spike / GT

Outstanding TV or Theatrical Ad

GOLD
There’s a Soldier In All of Us {link no longer active}

SILVER
Halo: Reach “Deliver Hope” :60 {link no longer active}

BRONZE
Splinter Cell Conviction – “TV60” {link no longer active}

Outstanding TV or Theatrical Ad Campaign

GOLD
Kinect Launch Campaign

SILVER
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II TV and Theatrical Campaign

BRONZE
Need for Speed Hot Pursuit Valets

Funniest Video Asset

GOLD
Halo: Reach The Ultimate Halo Smackdown

SILVER
TMZ / VGA viral clip

BRONZE
NBA 2K11 – Jordan Moments Longform

Outstanding Promotional Trailer

GOLD
Halo: Reach “Deliver Hope”

SILVER
Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood E3 CG Trailer

BRONZE
Halo: Reach “Birth of a Spartan”

Best Game Footage Trailer

GOLD
Assassin s Creed Brotherhood Enter Rome Single-Player Gameplay Trailer

SILVER
Crysis 2 The Wall

BRONZE
LittleBigPlanet2 – Actions Trailer

Best Long Format Promotional Content

GOLD
GTTV Presents God of War: Last Titan Standing Launch Special

SILVER
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II E3 2010 Trailer

BRONZE
Star Wars: The Old Republic “Hope” E3 2010 Trailer

Best Co-Branding and Video Asset

GOLD
ABC Family s Melissa & Joey /Just Dance integration

SILVER
Ubisoft’s Just Dance 2 and MTV’s Jersey Shore

BRONZE
Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood : Gamestop TV : Harlequin Doodle Dandy

Integrated Media Marketing Categories

Outstanding Overall Marketing Campaign of the Year

GOLD
Your Mom Hates Dead Space 2

SILVER
Halo: Reach

BRONZE
Call of Duty: Black Ops

Outstanding Overall Marketing Campaign – Family Entertainment

GOLD
Just Dance 2 Marketing Campaign

SILVER
Disney Epic Mickey

BRONZE
Star Wars: Clone Wars Adventures Marketing Campaign

Thinking Outside of the Box Award – Marketing

GOLD
Alan Wake Mobile Flashlight

SILVER
EA SPORTS Madden NFL 11 & Doritos: Change the Game

BRONZE
EA Sports Bootflows

Outdoor, Out-of-home, Print and Poster Categories

Standout Print Campaign

GOLD
Batman: Arkham City

SILVER
Disney Epic Mickey – Double Spread Accolade Ad

BRONZE
EA SPORTS NBA JAM

Standout Outdoor Advertising

GOLD
Call of Duty: Black Ops – “Sitting Bull”

SILVER
Disney Epic Mickey OUTDOOR

BRONZE
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II OOH Wildpostings

Standout Overall POP Display

GOLD
Halo: Reach Hero Display

SILVER
Halo: Reach Half Pallet DIsplay

BRONZE
Kinectimals Toys R US Feature Shop Endcap

Best Product Packaging

GOLD
Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood

SILVER
StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty Standard Edition

BRONZE
Call of Duty Black Ops

Best Limited Edition, Special Edition or Collection’s Edition Packaging

GOLD
Halo: Reach Legendary Edition

SILVER
Bioshock 2 Special Edition

BRONZE
Fable III Limited Collector’s Edition

Best Showing At a Trade Event

GOLD
Burgerstorm

SILVER
Zombie Makeovers at PAX

BRONZE
Homefront E3 2010

Interactive Categories

Best Website For a Product

GOLD
Halo: Reach “Monument of Light”

SILVER
LEGO Star Wars III Website

BRONZE
Mafia 2 Website

Best Website For a Product – Family Entertainment

GOLD
LEGO Star Wars III Website

SILVER
Kinect.me

BRONZE
uDraw Teaser Website

Best Online Advertising Campaign

GOLD
Fallout: New Vegas – Online Advertising Campaign

SILVER
Playstation.com Homepage Banner Campaign

BRONZE
EA SPORTS Madden NFL 11 Plan Accordingly

Best Community Based Web Experience

GOLD
LEGO Star Wars III Website

SILVER
World of Warcraft: Cataclysm – ‘Your Fortune Awaits’ Campaign

BRONZE
Halo: Reach “Monument of Light”

Best Online Take-over/Road Block/Rich Media Unit

GOLD
Halo: Reach YouTube Masthead – ‘Clicktacular’

SILVER
Mass Effect 2 – Diorama

BRONZE
Alan Wake Homepage Takeover “Darkness”

Best Use of Online Media Or Use of Online Social Media Marketing

GOLD
Rabbids Travel in Time Flash Game

SILVER
EA SPORTS MMA Sherdog Branded Content

BRONZE
Splinter Cell: The Search for Sam Fisher

MI6 Creative Craft Categories

Sharpest Edge Award – Best Editing

GOLD
LittleBigPlanet2 – Actions Trailer

SILVER
Launch Trailer – Michael Jackson The Experience

BRONZE
StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty TV Commercial

Sharpest Edge Award – Best Editing

GOLD
Mafia 2 – Kick In The Head Trailer

SILVER
LittleBigPlanet2 – Actions Trailer

BRONZE
DJ Hero 2 – Beatboxer

Best Use of Sound

GOLD
Crysis 2 The Wall

SILVER
Call of Duty: Black Ops – Launch

BRONZE
DJ Hero 2 – Beatboxer

Best Copywriting For Static Media or Online

GOLD
Homefront “Home is Where the War is”

SILVER
GoldenEye 007 – Friends Don’t Let Friends

Best Copywriting For a Video Asset

GOLD
Call of Duty: Black Ops – Ask Not

SILVER
Dead Space 2: Story Recap Video

BRONZE
Split Second “Vines”

Best Product Logo Design

GOLD
Bulletstorm Logo Animations

SILVER
God of War III

BRONZE
Kinectimals

Best Key Art

GOLD
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II Print Campaign

SILVER
Brink – Key Art

BRONZE
Alan Wake

Best Brand/Product Integration In A Game

GOLD
Gatorade and Madden 2011

SILVER
Free Realms and TinkerBell Integration

Most Creative New Product Announcement

GOLD
Kinect “Kinect.me”

SILVER
EA SPORTS Madden NFL 11 & Doritos: Change the Game

Most Effective Viral Marketing/Promotion

GOLD
Halo: Reach The Ultimate Halo Smackdown

SILVER
Bioshock 2- The Manhunt

BRONZE
Your Shape Fitness Evolved: Boot Camp Pre-Launch Campaign

Best Limited Edition or Collectors Edition

GOLD
Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood Collector’s Edition

SILVER
World of Warcraft: Cataclysm Collector’s Edition

BRONZE
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II Collector’s Edition

Best Swag

GOLD
Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood “Doctor Jack-in-the-Box” Collectible

SILVER
Vindictus’s Red Gnoll Chieftain Spirit Hoods

BRONZE
Zombie Makeovers at PAX

Most Effective Buzz Creation

GOLD
Kinect “You Are the Controller” Retail Teaser Campaign

SILVER
Heavy Rain

BRONZE
Splinter Cell Conviction “Set in Stone” Buzz Tactic

Don’t You Wish You’d Thought of This – Miscellaneous

GOLD
Halo: Reach Remember Reach

SILVER
Plants vs. Zombies E3 Breakdance Competition

BRONZE
EA SPORTS – EA SPORTS Madden NFL 11 Rivalry Tour for NFL Network Thursday Night Football

Best Work Never Seen

GOLD
YourShape Fitness Evolved: Outtakes

SILVER
Tween World

BRONZE
Kane and Lynch 2

Mass Effect Anime Planned For 2012

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BioWare and Funimation have announced an agreement to create an anime feature film based upon Mass Effect produced by Tokyo-based T.O Entertainment. Casey Hudson of BioWare, executive producer of the Mass Effect series, will serve as executive producer on the film, along with Funimation President and CEO Gen Fukunaga and Director of Original Entertainment Chris Moujaes and T.O Entertainment s CEO Takeichi Honda and Yui Shibata.

“Over the last few years, we have revealed different pieces of the Mass Effect world through different media. Extending the story through an anime medium is another amazing opportunity for us,” said Casey Hudson, Executive Producer for the Mass Effect series. “Partnering with Funimation ensures that we will bring this rich universe to life with the utmost quality and the same attention to detail that the Mass Effect games are known for.”

“It is thanks to the enormous and passionate Mass Effect fan base that this movie is made possible,” said Gen Fukunaga, President & CEO of Funimation. “With production underway on the Dragon Age video, we are excited to team up with another BioWare team to add an exciting new chapter to this vast sci-fi world.”

No specific details were given out about the plot or characters, except that it will be set in a vast universe filled with dangerous alien life and mysterious, uncharted planets. Production on the Mass Effect anime have already started, with a release on schedule for Summer 2012.