The Rundown: Feb. 17, 2009
Today we look at the Q Awards, Emergent’s fresh cash, Aspyr’s Treasure World and new Nirvana tracks for Rock Band 2 Wii tracks and a new Harvest Moon. Check it out after the break.
GameFly’s Sixth Annual Q Awards
GameFly took some time out of renting games by mail to hand out its Sixth Annual Q Awards. Fallout 3 (Bethesda Softworks) won multiple awards, including Game of the Year and Xbox 360 Game of the Year, Metal Gear Solid 4 for PS3 won PS3 Game of the Year, Kingdom Hearts: Re-Chain of Memories was named PS2 Game of the Year, God of War: Chains of Olympus won PSP Game of the Year, Super Smash Bros. Brawl picked up the Wii Game of the Year nod, and Final Fantasy IV was named DS Game of the Year. The winners were all chosen by the GameFly community.
Gamebryo Maker Secures $12.5 Million
Emergent Game Technologies, makers of the Gamebryo technology has closed more than $12.5 million in a new round of funding. Hopewell Ventures, a new investor, led the round. Other investors include Worldview Technology Partners, Jerusalem Venture Partners, Walker Ventures and Adena Ventures. Analysts see a healthy, worldwide market for development platforms and tools over the next five years and Gamebryo is competitive in the space.
Aspyr Reveals Treasure World
Aspyr Media announced Treasure World for Nintendo DS. Billed as “more than a game,” Treasure World is an explore-and-find experience that acts as a treasure detector, collector, creative canvas and community gateway. Treasure World’s core gameplay mechanic is driven by the Nintendo DS WiFi feature. While in “hunt mode,” any wireless hotspot that is detected will automatically unlock a unique dynamic in-game object that the player collects and incorporates into his or her game world. Gamers will use their treasures to customize, play, achieve numerous in-game goals or trade with other players. Look for it this summer.
Harvest Moon: Frantic Farming Announced
Natsume announced today that it will be publishing Harvest Moon: Frantic Farming for the Nintendo DS this spring. The game is scheduled to hit retail this May. Set in the world of the recent DS title, Harvest Moon: Island of Happiness, Harvest Moon: Frantic Farming continues the tale of the island and its residents. Players can choose from 12 playable characters, and play a variety of modes including Story Mode, Mission Mode, Score Attack and Free Play Modes. Players can test their farming skills against their friends and family in multiplayer and unlock character art, music, and some special surprises in their Collection Room. Harvest Moon: Frantic Farming will ship to retail this May.
Nirvana Tracks for Rock Band 2 Wii
Harmonix and MTV Games announced that Nirvana tracks are now available on the Rock Band Music Store catalog of downloadable content for Wii. The lineup includes seven master recordings from Nirvana’s 1991 album Nevermind including Breed, Lounge Act, On a Plain, Polly, Something in the Way, Stay Away, and Territorial Pissings. These tracks join In Bloom from the original Rock Band soundtrack and Drain You featured on the Rock Band 2 soundtrack. Each track cost 200 Wii Points, or $2 each.
