Hooked on comics
There's a new generation of comic readers in America, and
they're not just Spider-Man fans or teenage boys.
Girls, boys and adults are getting lost in a comic world
featuring big-eyed characters, sophisticated illustrations
and diverse plots.
It's the world of manga (pronounced "mahn-gah"), Japanese
comics. Most Americans in their 20s got their first taste of
the manga look through TV anime shows, such as "Voltron" and
"Transformers," said Hatuey Diaz, the self-proclaimed "manga
guy" and clerk at Chicago Comics in Lakeview.
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Intro to manga
Want to sound like a manga master?
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Local artists crazy for manga
Manga is not just made in Japan anymore. The next big trend
is American illustrators and writers joining the industry.
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Working its magicYu-Gi-Oh! card game generates math
skills
Some have compared Yu-Gi-Oh! to the Pokemon phenomenon that
sprang up about seven years ago. But don’t tell that to a
Yu-Gi-Oh! enthusiast.
“It’s nothing like (Pokemon). It’s more of a strategy game.
… It takes a lot of math and it’s really fun to play,” said
Eric Fairchild, 16, of Butler Township.
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4Kids Notches Up Yu-Gi-Oh! GX Toy Partners
Mattel has developed Yu-Gi-Oh! GX action figures, including
the Yu-Gi-Oh! E-Hero Thunder Giant, which is 13-inches tall
and features a slate of sound effects. Mattel is also
offering a variety of collectibles and accessories including
a new sling pack for the top-selling Duel Disk.
From Upper Deck comes the trading card games Cybernetic
Revolution, Elemental Energy and the upcoming Shadow of
Infinity, while Konami has released the Game Boy Advance
video game Yu-Gi-Oh GX Duel Academy.
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Yu-Gi-Oh! Ultimate Masters - World Championship
Tournament 2006 Announced
Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc., announced today Yu-Gi-Oh!
Ultimate Masters - World Championship Tournament 2006. The
official video game of the 2006 Yu-Gi-Oh! World Tournament.
Yu-Gi-Oh! Ultimate Masters - World Championship Tournament
2006 will be available for the Game Boy® Advance this March.
Yu-Gi-Oh! Ultimate Masters - World Championship Tournament
2006 contains more than 2000 cards, including many of the
latest Structure decks from the TRADING CARD GAME as well as
cards from the new Yu-Gi-Oh! GX universe.
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Xbox 360 Web Browser Software Revealed!
A man by the name of Anthony Park has created a way for you
to browse the web through your Xbox 360. You are able to use
the Media Center remote to do the browsing. Once you have it
set up with your Xbox 360 and your PC with Windows XP Media
Center edition, you are able to use the Media Center remote
to surf.
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Magic on the cards
A fantasy game is thinking big about its future fanbase in
China.
Magic has captured imaginations throughout the North
America, Europe and Japan since being introduced in 1993.
But the scenario described above took place not in one of
the more traditional strongholds of fantasy game- playing.
It, and hundreds like it, was played out on tabletops and
imaginations just across the border in a hotel in Guangzhou
that, for a weekend last month, found itself the host of
some rather unusual guests: Chinese fantasy card game
acolytes.
The tournament was part of a weekend-long tournament
sponsored by Wizards of the Coast (WOTC), a subsidiary of
gaming giant Hasbro, and took place simultaneously in
Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.
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Upper Deck Teams With Nike to Launch 'The LeBrons'
Action Figure Line Based on Popular TV Ad Campaign
Upper Deck is releasing 750 sneak-peek versions of Athlete
LeBron to coincide with NBA All-Star week. All will feature
the red special edition Nike Zoom LeBron III shoes and L23
gear James will be wearing at the game.
The edgy, limited-edition figures -- a creation in
partnership with Nike -- will be available online via Upper
Deck's Web store on Feb. 15.
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Sony Ericsson phones vulnerable to attacks
If you use a Sony Ericsson mobile phone, you may want to
disable the Bluetooth function. The FrSIRT (French Security
Incident Response Team) has warned that a security
vulnerability potentially puts some of the company's phones
at risk of a DoS (denial-of-service) attack.
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Sony Ericsson W950i UMTS Walkman phone announced
Sony Ericsson decided to expand the Walkman family
line-up at 3GSM, with their newest addition, the Sony
Ericsson W950i. The W950i is an ultra-slim UMTS phone with
an amazing 4GB of storage and touch screen for simple
navigation through music genres, playlists, individual songs
or music albums.
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Pokemon Trozei - First Look (DS)
Every console/handheld ever made has had some form of
Tetris, and where there is Tetris there is someone trying to
better the tried and true formula. Nintendo is no different.
WITH 380 DIFFERENT POKEMON to be "found" in this upcoming
title you would expect it to be a similarly challenging and
time consuming game as any of the GBA Pokemon titles. But
this is where the twist comes in.
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Pokemon and Zingy tie up to introduce downloadable
mobile media content
Chart-topping children's property Pokemon is joining with
Zingy, Inc., the leading mobile media provider in the U.S.
to launch Pokemon Mobile. The announcement was made at the
American International Toy Fair.
Zingy will publish Pokemon Mobile content across a variety
of platforms on the major domestic cell phone carriers.
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Pokemon USA has announced plans for celebrating the
property's tenth anniversary.
In April, a one-hour TV special, Pokemon: The Mastermind of
Mirage Pokemon will debut on Kids' WB!
Later in the year, the eighth Pokemon movie, "Lucario and
the Mystery of Mew," will be released on home video.
Starting on February 25, through July 22, the Pokemon
Journey Across America tour will visit numerous cities
across the United States.
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Nintendo introduces voice-chat feature on the DS
Nintendo Co. has announced additional features to its DS
portable video games player on Thursday. These features
include a provision to allow users to load game
demonstrations and other related content directly onto the
device for free.
The additional features were announced at the DICE tech
conference being held in Las Vegas. Another exciting new
feature is the introduction of voice-chat in the gaming
device. Nintendo America's vice-president Reggie Fils-Aime
also announced at the conference that the company would be
opening electronic kiosks at various retail outlets in the
country.
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$20 Nintendo DS mod chip, PassMe
We've already considered how to make your DS more like your
PSP as far as media support goes, but what about emulation?
Another device that takes advantage of both the GBA and DS
game slots, the $20 "PassMe" mod chip for Nintendo DS
"redirects the DS to a GBA Flash cart, so you can run your
own programs... on the Nintendo DS. For PassMe to work it
requires the use of a commercial NDS cart (for
authentication) and a GBA Flash cart to hold your DS
programs."
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Nintendo to drop browser and TV Tuner to handheld
Nintendo announced on Wednesday that it will offer an
internet browser and a TV Tuner for its Nintendo DS handheld
in Japan.
The internet browser software will be sold in cartridge form
and is developed by Opera software.
The browser will allow owners to view webpages on the
handhelds two vertical screens or opt to have the top screen
display a magnified portion of the screen.
The TV tuner, in which the prototype plugged in the Nintendo
DS cartridge slot, does not yet have a release date.
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Fullmetal Alchemist Arrives in Canada on YTV
Canadian Broadcast Debut on March 3
FUNimation(R) Entertainment, a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Navarre Corporation (Nasdaq: NAVR), and a brand management
company and one of the nation's leading independent home
video entertainment companies, announced today that the
popular anime series Fullmetal Alchemist(TM) has been picked
up by YTV for broadcast in Canada.
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PRESS RELEASE
Gen Con Committed to Indianapolis
Indy¹s Largest Annual Convention to remain
SEATTLE, Washington (February 10, 2006) Gamers around the
world can continue to anticipate the fun and excitement of
the annual Gen Con convention right in the heart of downtown
Indianapolis. Gen Con LLC is pleased to announce the Gen Con
Indy convention will indeed remain in Indianapolis for the
next several years.
Gen Con has confirmed that they will be returning to
Indianapolis in 2006 to celebrate the company¹s 39th year
and to continue the fine tradition that has been established
in Indianapolis. Gen Con has signed an agreement for an
additional four more years in Indianapolis, keeping the
convention in the city at least through 2010.
At Gen Con gaming enthusiasts don't simply attend-they
participate in over 5,000 gaming events including
interactive game play, hobby-related events, and computer
gaming. Attendees can join in card games, board games,
role-playing games, live-action role-playing games, seminars
and workshops ranging in topics from how to develop games to
how to paint miniatures.
Gen Con has over 250 booths from which enthusiasts can learn
more about their favorite games and products with companies
ranging from the biggest in the business to hot, smaller
shops. Often game manufacturers use Gen Con as a stepping
stone to display their new games or to run premier
tournaments.
Gamers can now mark their calendars for the next great
gaming event. Gen Con Indy 2006 will take place August 10
through 13th at the Indianapolis Convention Center. With
more new-product introductions than any other game
convention in the U.S., Gen Con is THE place where
consumers, game manufactures, and vendors get together to
experience the latest and greatest in the gaming industry,
along with time-honored classics. For more information and
to register, call (800) 529-EXPO or visit www.gencon.com.
PRESS RELEASE
THE UPPER DECK COMPANY ANNOUNCES
NEW ENTERTAINMENT PRODUCTS FOR 2006 SEASON
CARLSBAD, Ca. – February 10, 2006 – Continuing the tradition
of delivering quality and innovative products, Upper Deck
Entertainment (UDE) -- a division of The Upper Deck Company
-- is pleased to announce its 2006 line-up of exciting new
card and board games. Teaming up with globally renowned
companies such as Konami, Marvel, Nickelodeon, Disney, DC
Comics, Rainbow Media -- and, with newly established
partners Blizzard Entertainment® and the AstroTwins -- this
year’s line-up features fresh new products including
collectible trading card game sets from the toy industry’s
top-rated properties, and UDE’s first-ever board game,
AstroStyle.
"We're very excited about 2006 as we bring both innovative
and familiar products to give added value to consumers
around the world. We pride ourselves on being leaders in the
card industry by creating new technologies for our
entertainment, sports and memorabilia categories," said Bob
Andrews, President & Chief Operating Officer for the Upper
Deck Company. "Our long-standing mission is to provide our
worldwide customers and consumers with the highest quality
sports and entertainment products."
Teaming up with award-winning and internationally recognized
online computer gaming company Blizzard Entertainment, UDE
will release the most anticipated trading card game of 2006
– the World of Warcraft Trading Card Game (August). Based on
the biggest name in the Massively Multiplayer Online Role
Playing Game (MMORPG) genre, the World of Warcraft Trading
Card Game captures all the action-packed combat and furious
competition online players expect. The game will feature
Ultra-Rare “Loot” cards available only in TCG packs, which
allow consumers to cosmetically upgrade their existing
online characters, never-before-seen artwork by renowned
artists such as Darrell Sweet, Greg Staples, Greg
Hildebrandt, Dave Dorman, Todd McFarlane, Rebecca Guay, and
R. K. Post, and will be supported by a robust organized play
structure that supports tournament play.
UDE adds the newest trading card game to its illustrious TCG
line-up in February with the new Avatar Trading Card Game.
Based on the highly-popular Nickelodeon animated television
series, the new TCG centers on the adventures of Aang -- a
twelve-year-old who must master his powers to conquer the
Firebenders, the evil magi who threaten the world – and will
debut the new QuickStrike gaming platform, UDE’s fast-paced
game mechanic featuring lightning-fast one-on-one card
combat. The Avatar Trading Card Game will be compatible with
future releases on the QuickStrike system such as the
upcoming Pirates of the Caribbean Trading Card Game (June).
The new Pirates of the Caribbean Trading Card Game
spotlights the swashbuckling adventures of sword fighting,
cannon fire, and pirates plunder as seen in Disney’s
blockbuster “Pirates of the Caribbean” and the sequel,
“Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest,” due out in
theaters later in July.
Continuing to serve the tween girl gaming market, UDE is
pleased to introduce the newest and first-ever board game
from Upper Deck -- AstroStyle (February). Based on premier
teen and young women astrologers Tali and Ophira Edut (AstroTwins™),
the board game utilizes zodiac signs and cooperative play to
emphasize self-acceptance. Players can have a fun and
exciting astrological experience by matching zodiac signs
with friends and answering questions about all girls’
favorite topics – love, life and style. The AstroTwins™
popular horoscope columns are published in Teen People,
HelloKitty.com, and AOL Red.com.
This year, UDE and the KONAMI CORPORATION will launch the
fifth season of the wildly popular Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD
GAME, complete with powerful monsters, power-packed
expansion sets and new cards featuring favorite characters
from the highly-rated Yu-Gi-Oh! GX animated television
series. UDE kicks February off with the exciting new Jaden
Yuki and Chazz Princeton GX Duelist Packs, UDE’s first Yu-Gi-Oh!
TCG-themed set featuring staple characters from the GX
series made especially for those wanting to play the Decks
seen in television Additional releases through the spring
and summer include: the new Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG Starter Decks
(April), the perfect product for beginner-level Duelists
featuring cards and a rulebook made to help teach new
Duelists how to play the game without the complex rules;
Shadow of Infinity (March) and Enemy of Justice (May)
expansion sets, both featuring new monsters and more cards
to build powerful GX-themed decks; and the power-packed
Invincible Fortress Structure Deck (May).
UDE’s award-winning Marvel TCG – part of the celebrated Vs.
System -- gets supercharged in 2006 with the newest
additions to the set. Comic vigilantes, heroism and
adventures arise in the newest booster sets for the Marvel
TCG series, which include the X-Men Starter and Booster Sets
(February), UDE’s follow-up to the debut set, Marvel
Origins, featuring new cards from the classic X-Menä library
such as Wolverineä, Professor Xä, Rogueä, Cyclopsä, Jean
Greyä and Nightcrawlerä, to name a few, and new game
mechanics bringing the Vs. System to a whole new level;
Heralds of Galactus (Fall) features all of the familiar
cosmic-beings comic fans have come to love, including Silver
Surfer, the Watcher, and the big man himself, Galactus; and
the popular Marvel holiday collector sets (Fall) feature new
and exclusive cards from the Marvel TCG series.
Also igniting the Vs. System in 2006 are power-packed
booster and starter sets for the critically- acclaimed DC
Comics TCG. This year’s releases include the Superman
Starter Set (May), a two-deck pack featuring favorite
characters from the Superman universe; the Infinite Crisis
(May) booster set, which features some of the most heroic
and darkest characters in the DC universe, new game
mechanics, and feature heroes such as Captain Marvel and Dr.
Fate to the Vs. System; the Legion of Super-Heroes (Winter)
features the teen sensations that protect the United Planets
from the perils of the future; and the popular DC Comics
holiday collector sets (Fall) featuring new and exclusive
cards for the DC Comics TCG.
UDE embarks on freaky adventures and unleashes ghoulish
monsters this fall with the new Monster Allergy Trading Card
Game. Based on the new animated series, “Monster Allergy,”
the game centers around pasty-faced Zick – a Monster Tamer
whose sole purpose is to control the misbehaving monsters
living in his house and his crazy adventures to protect the
world from monsters. Using Friend, Ghost, Monster and Dom
Power Cards, players assume the role of a Monster Tamer, and
try to capture and tame more ghosts and monsters than their
opponents. The easy-to-learn 2-player starter set will be
encased in an exciting “Bombo” monster carrying case, and
comes complete with with two 30-card decks, two game mats
and one rule book.
PRESS RELEASE
MAJESCO ENTERTAINMENT ANNOUNCES
“MECHASSAULT: PHANTOM WAR” FOR NINTENDO DS
Acclaimed ‘Mech Series Goes Handheld with All-New Touch
Screen Features
EDISON, N.J., February 15, 2006 – Majesco Entertainment
Company (NASDAQ: COOL) today announced MechAssault®: Phantom
War for the Nintendo DS will ship to stores later this year.
The first handheld installment of the critically acclaimed
series, MechAssault: Phantom War features popular franchise
elements while utilizing the Nintendo DS touch screen to
deliver a new level of control and maneuverability.
“MechAssault: Phantom War fuses the best game play elements
from the series with new features that take advantage of the
unique mechanics of the Nintendo DS,” said Ken Gold, vice
president of Marketing for Majesco Entertainment. “The touch
screen lets players intuitively ‘touch’ the cockpit controls
to hack into giant ‘Mechs, eject pilots, switch weapons and
check battle techniques.”
Developed by Backbone Entertainment, a division of
Foundation 9 Entertainment, MechAssault: Phantom War brings
the future of interstellar combat to today’s handheld gamers
in a third-person futuristic shooter. Players assume the
role of a MechWarrior, an elite fighter trained to control
the ultimate war machine of the 32nd century...the
BattleMech. Gamers experience fast-action, 3D ‘Mech combat
on the top screen, while the lower touch screen positions
them inside the cockpit at the controls.
Exciting MechAssault: Phantom War features include:
- Commandeer over 20 types of vehicles, including
‘Mechs, Tanks, Turret and BattleArmor;
- Wreak havoc on the enemy and environment with an
arsenal of powerful, fully upgradeable weapons;
MAJESCO/MECH ASSAULT DS/2
- Brand new story drawn from the popular BattleTech
series which spawned highly successful games like
MechWarrior & MechCommander for the PC and MechAssault &
Crimson Skies for the Xbox® video game system.
- Use the touch screen to sneak into enemy territory,
hijack enemy ‘Mechs and wield the most secret weapon in
the Inner Sphere;
- Wireless multiplayer combat for up to four players
simultaneously;
- Master 24 single player campaigns across four
planets and three exciting multiplayer game types;
- Unlockable ‘Mechs, maps and cheats enhance gameplay.
