Round Up: 100 Bullets Signed, GameTap At E3, King Reviewing Games

Today's round-up includes news of D3 signing an exclusive deal for 100 Bullets, GameTap launching webcasts from E3, and King Features Syndicate reviewing video games, as well as the latest GameSetWatch posts, Serious Games Source news, product news and Gamasutra job postings. - D3 Publisher of America has signed a deal with Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment allowing the developer to create console, handheld, and PC games based on DC Comics/Vertigo's 100 Bullets, a comic book series that is part crime story and part espionage thriller. The first game is scheduled for release in Q3 2007. "100 Bullets has all the elements necessary to translate exceptionally well into video games," said Careen Yapp, vice president of licensing and business development of D3PA. "We look forward to bringing the unique characters and storyline of 100 Bullets to life with the latest interactive technology and graphics, and will work closely with Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and DC Comics/Vertigo to maintain the authenticity consumers demand." - GameTap, Turner Broadcasting's subscription-based gaming service, today announced that it will broadcast live at E3 from May 8-12, including coverage of Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo's anticipated press conferences. In addition to webcasting from the convention, GameTap will stream live content daily, including interviews between popular figures in the video game industry and animated character Space Ghost, of the 'Space Ghost Coast to Coast' television show. GameTap will also broadcast live on Friday with editorial takes on E3 and big news items from editors and pundits from a number of leading online and print publications. - King Features Syndicate is throwing its hat into the video game arena by launching a weekly feature devoted to the video game industry. The weekly feature, sensibly titled simply “Video Game Reviews,” will be written by gaming critic and founder of the International Game Journalists Association David Thomas, and will be devoted to game reviews, game play tips, and other relevant information. “I consider video games to be ‘the new cinema for the 21st century.’ I believe that a review of a video game should provide the same kind of consumer advocacy that a television, rock music or movie critic offers, with a journalistic voice that is accessible and intelligent, and with writing that both informs and entertains,” explains Thomas. “That’s exactly what I am trying to offer newspaper readers and arts and entertainment editors every week with Video Game Reviews.” - The latest updates on Gamasutra sister weblog GameSetWatch include questionable video game broadcast GameLife hitting the big time, a kind of “research” pointing out conflicting messages in game reviews, and the terrifically named Tougeki '06- Super Battle Opera. - Also updated today: Serious Games Source news on a CNET report on finalists in a contest involving diplomatic games, plus a new 3D Design and Trailer Project by Codefire Studios, as well as the latest Gamasutra job postings, featuring openings from AGEIA Technologies, Buzz Monkey Software, Electronic Arts, HumaNature Studios, Iron Lore Entertainment, LucasArts, Monolith Productions, Radical Entertainment, Vancouver Film School, Vivendi Universal Games, and Volition.