Round-Up: Blitz Lashes Out, GameTap Launch Info, Global VR Chairman

Today's round-up includes the latest Midway-related EA football baiting, an apparently official launch date and pricing structure for Turner's GameTap gaming subscription service, and a new chairman for arcade manufacturer Global VR, as well as product news, two new Letters to the Editor, and the latest Gamasutra job postings. - Midway Games' answer to the EA-imposed strictures on professional football games will come in the form of Blitz: The League, a football game based on fictionalized teams to avoid EA's exclusivity deal with ESPN and the NFL. Blitz will feature more arcade-style football play in the tradition of its NFL Blitz titles, as well as simulation features such as franchise management and politics. "[Madden 2006] is so scared of the competition they should change the name of the game to John D. Rockefeller 2006," commented a new Midway press release, "as these fools needed a monopoly just to feel safe with their No Fun League game." - An official launch date and pricing scheme has been revealed for Turner Networks' GameTap service, according to consumer website GameSpot. Its PC-based games-on-demand service will allow subscribers to download both original PC games and sanctioned console games using emulators developed for the network. The service will launch on October 3rd and offer titles from systems such as the Atari 2600, Genesis, and Dreamcast. 300 games will be available from the outset, with a library of over 700 more scheduled to be released at intervals. Subscription pricing will be $14.95 per month, around the cost of a subscription to a current MMORPG. - Jim DeRose, president and CEO of arcade manufacturer Global VR (EA Sports PGA Tour Golf, EA Sports Madden Football), has also become the company's Chairman of the Board. DeRose's past positions include president of Acclaim and president and CEO of PDI/Dreamworks, as well as many other management positions in his 30-year career. "It is an honor to have earned the confidence of my colleagues, the company, and the board," said DeRose. "I intend to ensure Global VR continues to deliver quality products, innovative programs and to build a world-class organization." - Also updated today: product news including CanDo's new 3D Modelling Training Toolkit, Letters to the Editor both commenting on game/film comparisons and further discussing story and gaming, and the latest Gamasutra job postings from companies including Midway, THQ, and TournamentOne Corp.