Wal-Mart has created a new online GameCenter this week, a site that will give “first-look” exclusives, game previews and monetary discounts off new releases.
As a launch promotion, Wal-Mart is giving a $50 off discount for any customer pre-ordering three games, or more.
Says Kelly Thompson, VP of merchandising for Walmart.com: “Walmart Gamecenter combines incredible savings with exclusive gaming content all in a compelling and interactive experience online. Gaming enthusiasts will be drawn in by the exclusive content and developer interviews, while moms will appreciate the special savings only Walmart can offer on the hottest video game titles.”
Each month, the GameCenter will update and feature new games, content and special offers.
Additionally, GameCenter customers can trade-in their games and consoles, with the retailer paying all shipping costs.
Result for: new game
Bungie, the developer behind the Halo franchise has announced they have signed an exclusive 10 year pact with Activision that will bring the developer’s “next big action game universe to market.”
For the next decade Activision will have exclusive, worldwide rights to publish and distribute future Bungie games “based on the new intellectual property on multiple platforms and devices.”
Financials of the deal were not disclosed.
Bungie formally had an exclusive partnership with Microsoft, but the two split in 2007.
“We chose to partner with Activision on our next IP because of their global reach, multi-platform experience and marketing expertise,” adds Bungie President Harold Ryan. “From working together over the past nine months on this agreement, it is clear that Activision supports our commitment to giving our fans the best possible gaming experiences.”
The Halo franchise has so far brought in $1.5 billion in revenue, and Bungie has sold over 25 million units worldwide.
“Bungie is one of the premier studios in our industry and we are extremely pleased to have the opportunity to work with their talented team over the next decade,” says Thomas Tippl, Chief Operating Officer of Activision Blizzard. “Bungie has developed some of the most compelling and successful games, multiplayer experiences and thriving fan communities, and this alliance underscores our long-standing commitment to foster the industry’s best creative talent. Our unprecedented partnership with Bungie will enable us to broaden our pipeline of exciting new games as we continue to strengthen our industry position and pursue long-term growth opportunities.”
Result for: new game
Left Behind Games, infamously known for their Christian-themed PC games, have decided to expand their games to gaming consoles, announcing the launch of Bible Adventures for the Xbox 360 and the Wii.
The game is not a port of the old NES game by the same name but instead “a brand new game that happens to have the same title, this one set in their “Charlie the Church Mouse” series of educational games on the PC,” says 1up.
The new adventure will “educate young children by teaching them academic lessons vital to early childhood development through Bible stories,” added Left Behind CEO Troy Lyndon.
“Parents and kids already love the Charlie Church Mouse Bible Adventure games for the PC,” Lyndon continues. “Our strategy is to follow Nintendo’s example by including up to 18 story animations and mini-games, providing significant value for our customers. We expect our financial projections to grow exponentially as we transition from a PC game developer to a Wii & Xbox developer.”
There was no word on why the PS3 was dis-included from the new development.
