Gaming News Round-Up: January 7th, 2005

Today's wrap-up includes news of yet more Mario crossover, an interesting tie-in between a science fiction novelist and a non-combat MMO, and new management for virtual currency/item trader IGE. - Nintendo characters are popping up in some unusual places these days: after Link's appearance in Soul Calibur II boosted the GameCube version's sales, Mario will feature heavily in a version of Konami's Dance Dance Revolution series for GameCube, entitled Dance Dance Revolution With Mario. Mario-themed stages and characters make up the backgrounds, and classic Nintendo themes will be part of the game's soundtrack as well. The collaboration with Konami comes right on the heels of the even-stranger news that Mario, Luigi, and Princess Peach will be playable characters in NBA Street Volume 3. - eGenesis, the creators of the non-combat-centered PC MMO A Tale in the Desert, has found the source for its next non-combat, "community-building" online title. Orson Scott Card's site reports that the Alvin Maker series from the noted science fiction novelist will be the basis for eGenesis' followup game, which will incorporate four separate magic systems and an evolving technology track to draw players into an alternate America. Progress reports and screenshot updates will be available at Card's site, as well as more mainstream gaming news outlets. - IGE, a somewhat infamous company whose product line is made up of virtual property and currency in third-party online games, has taken on new management members. Steve Salyer, former President of Business Development for Ubisoft will be IGE's new President, while Eric Berk, who comes from Martha Stewart Omnimedia, will serve as IGE's new Chief Financial Officer. "[Salyer and Berk's] experience and vision will help keep IGE the world-wide leader in this space," said IGE CEO Brock Pierce.