Gaming Roundup: N-Revolution; Red Bull/Sony Home; Giant Realm; Army/Second Life; JumpStart; GH5
This story was written by Tameka Kee.
Imagine shutters N-Revolution gaming mag : UK-based magazine publisher Imagine is pulling the plug on N-Revolution, its Nintendo-focused title. But don't blame this one on the economyImagine is folding the mag because its core gamer target doesn't seem to be Nintendo's focus anymore. "[It] has become increasingly obvious that Nintendo's strategy for Wii and DS ... has moved increasingly away from the hardcore gaming community that is our specialty," said Damian Butts, Imagine's managing director, in an interview with MCV.
Red Bull sets up shop in PlayStation Home : Red Bull is developing an island inside Home, Sony's long-awaited virtual world for the PS3. Gamers will be able to race planes on the island in competitions modeled after the real world Red Bull Air Race World Series. Red Bull is the first company to set up shop in Home. Brand Republic says Sony (NYSE: SNE) execs kept mum on additional brand partners, but said they'd announce them in the coming months. Home's public beta is slated for the end of this year.
The Army invades Second Life : Not content with using in-game ads to recruit gamers, the U.S. Army is going virtual, setting up operations in Second Life. The Army is building two islands in the world: one will serve as a welcome center with an info kiosk and the means to contact a recruiter, and the other will let residents test out various Army experiences, including jumping out of a plane and using a weapon. Residents that do well in the simulations can earn Lindens (virtual currency) that can be used to buy branded Army merchandise. It's a notable effort, though Wired says Army brass has realistic expectations for just how effective a recruitment tool Second Life will be. Still, no word on how they'll deal with the inevitable protesters ... or the escorts.
More after the jump.
Giant Realm bows social media platform : Gamer-centric ad and media network Giant Realm has launched the Giant Realm Platform, a tool that gives online publishers (particularly in the gaming and young men's entertainment space) a way to add social media capabilities to their sites. Joining the Platform also nets publishers ad sales support, an advanced CMS and a unified portal at GameRiot.com. Current participants include GuitarHeroNews and Starfeeder, among others. Release.
Knowledge Adventure debuts kid-friendly virtual world : Educational game developer Knowledge Adventure has launched JumpStart World, a virtual world based on its JumpStart brand. Geared toward school-aged kids (and their parents) the world lets them create avatars, play learning games and socialize. JumpStart World runs on a $7.99 subscription, per Worlds In Motion.
Activision (NSDQ: ATVI) working on Guitar Hero 5 : Activision Blizzard revealed plans for a host of new advertiser-friendly games during Massive's gaming upfront in NYC, including Guitar Hero 5 and a Tony Hawk game that will likely come with a skateboard-style controller. Via MTV Multiplayer.
By Tameka Kee