Newsbriefs: MySims, Alien Hominid XBLA, Game Connection

Author: by Staff

[UPDATED: 2:30pm PST] Today's regularly updated newsbriefs include EA's official announcement of the previously Japanese-revealed MySims for Wii and DS, Alien Hominid coming to Live Arcade this Wednesday, and over 200 companies confirmed for Game Connection @ GDC 2007. - Electronic Arts has announced the western release of its previously Japanese revealed MySims, the latest Nintendo DS and Wii exclusive franchise development in the massively popular Sims series. More "toy-like" than previous Sims developments, MySims "moves the player to a delightful but disorganized town" where players can "re-shape everything and make it their own" through the use of building blocks, patterns and creativity tools. EA promises players will be able to "design furniture and appliances, architect new homes and businesses, and re-define the entire MySims landscape." Said MySims executive producer Tim LeTourneau, “We want MySims to provide a creative play experience like never before on a video game system. By giving players the tools to create literally any kind of world they want in MySims, we’re reinforcing the idea that the players create the magic. Will the town support a plethora of spooky, mysterious townsfolk – or buzz with the laughter and smiles of fun-loving Sims? It’s your call! In MySims, what players make… makes all the difference!” The game is expected for a fall 2007 release on both DS and Wii platforms. - Microsoft has announced that this Wednesday's regular Xbox Live Arcade update will feature the premiere of The Behemoth's cult shooter favorite Alien Hominid HD. Previously released for a wide variety of platforms including PS2, Xbox, GameCube, GBA and mobile phone, the Xbox Live Arcade version will feature all 16 levels, seven minigames - including 'All You Can Eat' and the previous console version's 'PDA' platforming minigame. The Live Arcade version will also include leaderboard high score tracking for both the main game and the various minigames. Multiplayer for the main Alien Hominid HD game remains offline for this release, but up to four players can play its minigames over Xbox Live. The game will cost 800 Microsoft Points ($10). - Game business event producer Connection Events has announced its final list of exhibitors attending its 'Game Connection @ GDC 2007.' The event enables meetings between developers and publishers for the creation and financing of video games. Connection Events has confirmed that companies such as 1C Company, Akella, Rebellion, Blitz Games, Sumo Digital, and DC Studios will be attendance along with over 200 more. The full list of attendees (pdf) can be found via Game Connection's official website. - Professional gaming league Major League Gaming and retailer GameStop have announced a partnership supporting nonprofit organization Comfort for America’s Uniformed Services (Cause). As the first act of the partnership, GameStop donated 10 Wii's and MLG offered technical support and their 'top professional gamers' to Walter Reed Army Medical Center for an evening of competition. Said Cause executive director Barbara Lau, “Recreation and entertainment are vital to the recovery process, and the healthy competition and the social aspects of video gaming are very beneficial to these young men and women. The Wii is fun and easy to use, even for Soldiers with injuries that might prevent them from operating a standard game controller. We are grateful to the individual donors and to corporations like GameStop and MLG that help us make these events possible.”