Posts Tagged ‘Xbox 360’
« Older Entries |This post was written by Ericka Johnson
Second Annual STEM Competition
Thursday, December 8th, 2011
The National STEM Video Game Challenge is now accepting entries for its annual competition, hosted by the Joan Ganz Cooney Center at Sesame Workshop and E-Line Media. Submissions of original video game concepts and designs from students and educators are currently being accepted through March 12.
The challenge aims to motivate students who have an interest in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) by tapping into their natural passion for playing and making video games. The STEM competition is divided into four categories for individuals and teams: middle school, high school, collegiate, and educator.
Entries can be created by using any game-making platform, including, but not limited to, written concepts, Gamestar Mechanic, Microsoft’s Kodu Game Lab, GameMaker, and Scratch.
Tags: AMD Foundation, E-Line Media, Entertainment Software Association, Joan Ganz Cooney Center, National STEM Video Game Challenge, PBS Kids, Xbox 360
Posted in 9 and up, News | No Comments »
This post was written by Elizabeth A. Reid
New Microsoft Platforms to Thrust Kids in Popular TV Shows Via Kinect
Thursday, October 20th, 2011
At a press conference earlier this week, Microsoft announced two new platforms that will take kids into the world of Sesame Street and National Geographic via the company’s Kinect for Xbox 360.
Launching next spring, Kinect Sesame Street TV invites children to experience the world of Sesame Street alongside their favorite characters, such as Big Bird, Grover, Cookie Monster, and Elmo. The Kinect for Xbox 360 will allow preschoolers to visually and physically interact with Sesame Street characters on screen while watching Sesame Street episodes. Kids can help characters with tasks, such as finding shapes and counting objects, while playing in areas unique to Sesame Street, such as Elmo’s World. Soho Productions is the developer for Kinect Sesame Street TV.
Tags: Kinect, Kinect Nat Geo TV, Kinect Sesame Street TV, Microsoft, Xbox 360
Posted in New Products, News | No Comments »
This post was written by Elizabeth A. Reid
Build-A-Bear Enters Kinectimals World
Friday, September 30th, 2011
Build-A-Bear Workshop is working with Microsoft’s Xbox 360 to introduce a new interactive entertainment experience for store visitors. Starting October 11, select stuffed animals sold in all Build-A-Bear Workshop stores and at www.buildabear.com can be imported into the new Kinect for Xbox 360 game, Kinectimals Now with Bears.
Each of the four bears will include a special Kinectimals hangtag that features a Microsoft Tag. When the tag is scanned with the Kinect for Xbox 360, the bears are imported right into the game. Kids can then engage in activities, including training, caring for, and playing with their cubs, as well as embark on challenges across two mysterious islands.
Select North American and United Kingdom Build-A-Bear Workshop stores will have Kinect for Xbox 360 stations set up to showcase Kinectimals Now with Bears, along with Kinect-enabled Build-A-Bear Workshop bears.
Tags: Build-A-Bear, Kinect, Kinectimals, Kinectimals Now with Bears, Microsoft, Microsoft Tag, Xbox 360
Posted in 0-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9 and up, New Products, News | No Comments »
This post was written by Jill Feigelman
Rev Up for the New “Cars 2″ Video Game
Wednesday, June 22nd, 2011
Cars fans can race around the world this summer and hone their spy skills. Disney Interactive Studios has released Disney•Pixar’s Cars 2: The Video Game, available on all major gaming platforms.
The game, based on the soon-to-be-released movie Cars 2, will have players take on dangerous missions, attempt to become the fastest race car in the world, and use their espionage skills in combat racing and battle arenas. Avalanche Software developed the game in collaboration with the filmmakers at Pixar Animation Studios.
Players can choose to play as one of more than 20 different characters, including favorites like Mater and Lightning McQueen. Players are emerged in the Cars universe and in different locales around the world, including London, Tokyo and Italy.
Tags: Cars 2, Lighting McQueen, Pixar. Disney, PSP, spy game, video game, Wii, Xbox 360
Posted in New Products, News | No Comments »
This post was written by Jill Feigelman
The Results Are In For What’s Hot With Kids Today
Thursday, June 16th, 2011
Justin Bieber topped the list when The NPD Group, as part of its Kids Industry Data Service (KIDS), asked “what would the kids you know say is the hottest new thing these days?” in May. Mentions included celebrities, movies, television shows, toys, games, hobby, sports, web sites, brands, and retail stores. NPD compiled 2,095 mentions for kids ages 0-14. The results were:
- Justin Bieber (10 percent)
- Nintendo Wii (2 percent)
- Dora The Explorer (2 percent)
- Xbox 360 (2 percent)
- Cars: The Movie/ Cars 2 (2 percent)
- iPad (2 percent)
- SpongeBob SquarePants (2 percent)
- Disney (2 percent)
- Video games (2 percent)
- Thor (1 percent)
Bieber also topped the list in the same survey conducted in February, with 14 percent. The NPD Group’s Kids Industry Data Service (KIDS) provides monthly insight into purchases made on behalf of kids ages 0-14, across product categories, with an emphasis on licenses and brands. Each month, the service asks an open-ended, unaided question designed to provide insight into what is hot with kids today.
Tags: Cars 2, Cars: The Movie, Disney, dora the explorer, ipad, Justin Bieber, Nintendo Wii, NPD Kids Industry data Service, spongebob squarepants, Thor, video games, What's Hot, Xbox 360
Posted in News | No Comments »
This post was written by Jackie Breyer
Rocksmith Lets Players Use Real Guitars
Tuesday, March 15th, 2011
Ubisoft has just announced the development of Rocksmith, a new video game franchise. Rocksmith is the first and only game where players can plug any real guitar with a standard quarter-inch input jack into an Xbox 360, a PlayStation 3, or a PC, and play through an in-depth library of music including everything from the latest hits to classic rock songs.
Featuring gameplay that automatically adjusts to the player’s skill level and game design that makes reading music visually fun and intuitive, Rocksmith engages experienced musicians and those who are picking up a guitar for the first time. The game includes a library of music from classic rock bands to current artists, such as The Animals, The Black Keys, David Bowie, Interpol, Nirvana, and The Rolling Stones.
Developed by Ubisoft, Rocksmith is slated to be released in the second half of calendar year 2011. For more information on Rocksmith, follow the game on Facebook at www.facebook.com/rocksmithgame, or visit www.rocksmith.com.
Tags: guitar, Playstation 3, Rocksmith, Ubisoft, video game, Xbox 360
Posted in New Products, News | No Comments »
This post was written by Justin McCraw
Electronic Arts’ New Video Game Lets You Create
Wednesday, August 4th, 2010
I got a chance to view Electronic Arts‘ new video game Create at EA’s Holiday Preview event and thought it was one of the company’s more innovative titles. In Create, players are placed in various floating landscapes that can be altered with hundreds of items collected throughout the course of the game.
The developer I spoke with said Create is about two things: solving puzzles and creating worlds. There are dozens, if not hundreds, of puzzles scattered throughout the floating landmasses that act as canvases for creation. The game’s puzzles ask users to capture or transport various objects to designated points while deflecting rockets and other hazards. In this regard, the game feels like a combination of Capcom’s Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros’ Treasure and 5th Cell’s Scribblenauts in that puzzles have multiple ways of being completed, although the actual completion steps are passive (you don’t control the action so much as you create the setup. For example, a player can place a convertible car under some cannon balls, push play, and watch the balls fall into the car as it speeds away). (more…)
Tags: 5th Cell, Capcom, Create, EA, Electronic Arts, Mac, Nintendo Wii, PC, Scribblenauts, Sony PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure
Posted in New Products | 1 Comment »
This post was written by Justin McCraw
Electronic Arts Holiday Preview
Monday, August 2nd, 2010
I recently attended Electronic Arts‘ 2010 Holiday Preview press junket and found the company pushing a large amount of family-friendly video games this holiday season. Expect further announcements from EA regarding embargoed products, but until then you can read about the company’s upcoming Hasbro’s Family Game Night 3, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1, Littlest Pet Shop Online, Littlest Pet Shop 3: Best Friends, Monopoly Streets, and MySims SkyHeroes after the jump. (more…)
Tags: EA, Electronic Arts, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1, Hasbro's Family Game Night 3, Little Pet Shop 3: Best Friends, Littlest Pet Shop Online, Mass Effect, Monopoly Streets, MySims SkyHeroes, Nintendo Wii, Playstation 3, Xbox 360
Posted in New Products, News | 4 Comments »
This post was written by Justin McCraw
Nintendo Dominates Top Family Games for May
Wednesday, July 7th, 2010
The NPD Group has released its list of Top-Selling Family Entertainment Titles for May 2010, with games for Nintendo consoles filling 18 of the 20 spots. Maintaining its standing from April, Ubisoft‘s Just Dance for the Nintendo Wii came in at No. 1, while Picross 3D and Zhu Zhu Pets, both for the Nintendo DS, came in second and third, respectively.
The two non-Nintendo DS or Wii games on the list were Guitar Hero 5 and Rock Band 2, coming in at No. 11 and No. 16, respectively, both for the Xbox 360.
Tags: DS, Guitar Hero 5, Just Dance, Nintendo, NPD Group, Picross 3D, Rock Band 2, Wii, Xbox 360, Zhu Zhu Pets
Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
This post was written by Christina Edwards
DanceDanceRevolution for Wii Announced with New Upgrades
Thursday, June 17th, 2010
Konami Entertainment has announced the release of an all-new DanceDanceRevolution for Wii, to be released this fall.
The version for Wii will build on traditional game play while introducing new elements, most prominently the new Choreography Style mode. The new mode will allow users to move with the model dancer on screen using their body, mat controller, Wii Remote, and Nunchuk simultaneously. The game will also incorporate traditional Wii play style with the use of the Wii Balance Board. The game included a new multiplayer mode that allows up to four players to become ultimate dancers by using their upper body to follow the on-screen dance moves.
DanceDanceRevolution originally debuted in arcades in 1998 and has previously been available on the Xbox 360 gaming system and PlayStation.
Tags: dancedancerevolution, Konami, Nintendo Wii, PlayStation, Xbox 360
Posted in New Products, News | No Comments »
