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(2008-07-30 16:58:00)

AIAS President: 'Game Reviewers Are Lazy'

Speaking on the current state of video game journalism and criticism, Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences president Joseph Olin has expressed his belief that "game reviewers are lazy" due to a reliance on scores and the desire to review a game as soon as possible.

"When I just see a score, whether it's a Metacritic score or 5 stars or 4 thumbs, that doesn't tell me anything," Olin told Shacknews during an extensive interview, to be published in full at a later date. "My pet peeve is that game reviewers are lazy."

"I think that there is a lot of game critics, but very little critical analysis," he continued. "Sometimes games are given very meaningful reviews."

"How can you review a game, how can you give a comment about a game like (2008-07-30 16:23:00)

Google Testing In-game Advertising Software

Internet giant Google is currently testing software that could bring the company's AdSense advertising protocol to PC and console games.

According to sources speaking to VentureBeat, the software is said to make use of a game's characters to introduce video ads, saying something similar to "and now, a word from our sponsor."

The advertising technology would make use of Google's contextual advertising system and is reportedly functional in console games, disc- and web-based PC titles, and games for mobile phones. The software has been in testing phases for several months.

Google first made its move on the market when it acquired in-game ad firm Adscape Media in late 2006. The company was led by former Sega of America president Bernie Stolar, who now serves as Goo...

(2008-07-30 16:00:00)

Vivendi Halting Production of Bourne Titles, Returns License to Author's Estate

The rights to develop and distribute games based on Robert Ludlum's Bourne series of novels have been reacquired by the late author's estate from former holder Vivendi Games, representatives of Ludlum Entertainment announced today.

The announcement follows the recently merged Activision Blizzard's streamlining of properties and studios owned by Vivendi Games, which saw a number of titles offloaded from the company's publishing operations.

Activision Blizzard announced its intentions to "realign staffing" at Vivendi-owned High Moon Studios, developer of Robert Ludlum's The Bourne Conspiracy (PS3, 360), the first title to be based on the Bourne license. The game hit stores last month.

"Our colleagues at Vivendi Games did a tremendous job of capturing the spirit and allure of Robert Ludlum's writing wit...

(2008-07-30 15:19:00)

Microsoft Denies High Castle Crashers, Braid Prices

Update: Microsoft has informed Shacknews that the reported $22.50 price point for Castle Crashers and $15 Braid price, believed to stem from a now-removed Microsoft Japan listing, are incorrect for both domestic and international markets.

The company further noted that it will officially announce price points for those titles on the Monday preceding Braid and Castle Crashers' respective release dates, or August 4 and 25.

Original Story: Following Microsoft's detailing of August's Xbox Live Arcade releases, Microsoft Japan has (2008-07-30 15:19:00)

Castle Crashers $22.50 Price Denied by Microsoft, $15 Braid Price Point Also Disputed