NEWS BigBen makes its Move
European peripherals specialist to self-publish titles for Sony’s motion controller in 2011 by James Batchelor
IT’S NOT JUST publishers developing titles for the new motion controllers – peripherals vendor BigBen is also making PlayStation Move games.
The firm will release at least one title for Sony’s 1.5 million-selling hardware next year as it re-establishes its publishing business, the company told MCV.
BigBen already develops and publishes accessories- related titles for Nintendo Wii such as Pool Party, which comes bundled with plastic cues, and Western Heroes, which features gun-shaped Remote shells. Now the European peripherals specialist is turning its attention to other platforms. “In 2011, BigBen
Interactive will launch its first PS3 titles that utilise PlayStation Move,” international PR and marketing co-ordinator Isabelle Houzet told MCV. “We have plenty of new offerings in store for next
year, and not only on Nintendo Wii.”
Details are expected to follow in the next month. Houzet also revealed that the firm has several titles under development that will be sold as standalone games without accessories bundled in.
Of course, the company will continue to self-publish titles and peripherals bundles for Wii, as these games account for one fifth of the BigBen group’s global turnover.
“ by Dominic Sacco
A NEW independent- friendly distribution firm has been set up just in time for Christmas.
A Game Distribution – which also sponsored the MCV/Xbox 360 industry Pub Quiz yesterday (Thursday, December 2nd) – focuses on independent retailers across Europe. It also offers logistics and promotional services. The London-based firm was established last month
8 December 3rd 2010
by operations director Adam Harris. “We are a full service games distributor focused on supporting the global independent market as well as the promotions market,” he told MCV. “We can offer brand- targeted white-label logistics for any store or promoter in Europe. The indie market is our key focus when it comes to distribution, but we believe firmly in supporting Europe as a whole and not just the UK.”
In Brief
UBISOFT: Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhoodsold over 1m copies across Europe in less than a week, making it the publisher’s fastest-selling game ever. The franchise has sold over 20m units worldwide.
KONAMI: Castlevania: Lords of Shadowhas shipped 1m copies across Europe and North America since its release in October. It will arrive in Japan later this month.
ACTIVISION: Call of Duty: Black Opson PS3 has topped the Japanese games charts with 129,000 units sold last week. The Xbox 360 SKU has sold 30,000 units.
“Our most successful title
We have plenty in store for next year, and not only on Wii.
Isabelle Houzet, BigBen
– Cocoto Magic Circus, which came with a rifle accessory – has sold more than 280,000 units in Europe, while Hunting Challengeand Cyberbike Cycling Sportshave each sold 100,000,” said Houzet. “Our strength has always been to offer family content titles with tailored accessories to provide added value for both consumers and the retailer.” BigBen Interactive: 07976 609389
New distributor targets indie games stores
promotional campaigns throughout Christmas. A Game Distribution also
A Game’s Adam Harris and sales director Anna Salach hope to expand the team in 2011
The firm is working with a number of household brands and marketing agencies on
told MCVabout its ongoing plans for the year ahead. “Having only begun trading at the beginning of October, we are in line with targets and will complete our first quarter just ahead of budget,” Harris added. “We will look to expand our sales team early next year to give us good footing for the busy first half of 2011.” A Game Distribution: 020 7016 7777
SONY: Consumers who buy a 3DTV from a Sony Centre will receive a free PS3, a copy of Gran Turismo 5 and two pairs of 3D glasses. The offer runs until December 5th or whenever stock sells out.
PIRATE BAY: The team behind file-sharing website The Pirate Bay has lost an appeal against its prosecution for piracy. The judge increased the fines imposed by $2m to $6.5m.
CRYTEK: Free-to-play PC FPS Warfaceis in development at Crytek’s Korean studio. It is currently planned as an Asia- only release.
CHECK OUT THIS WEEK’S VIDEOS:
Golden Sun: Dark Dawn Test Drive Unlimited 2 Disney Epic Mickey
Videos are available within the free iPad Edition of MCVon iTunes and the free Browser-based Digital Edition, which can be accessed at
MCVUK.com
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