Nyko today said that the U.S. economy is hurting the company and will result in higher prices. The price increase "for most of its products" are a "result of the changing global economy." According to them, new Chinese labor laws is raising the cost of production significantly, while the price of oil continues to break records on the market, hitting as high as $130 a barrel recently.

"The cost of manufacturing continues to rise while the value of the U.S. dollar grows weaker, forcing us to adapt," said Herschel Naghi, CEO of Nyko Technologies. "Experience has shown that maintaining quality at a higher price, instead of degrading our product in order to keep costs low, is a strategy that will prevail in the long run."...

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Assault Heroes 2 Launches on Xbox Live Arcade

Wa wa wa wa wa - the kamikazes are attacking again! Sierra Online, a division of Vivendi Games, has released Assault Heroes 2 for Xbox Live Arcade for the Xbox 360. The highly anticipated sequel to the award-winning Assault Heroes game comes re-loaded with even more high-intensity battles, vicious enemies and brand new environments, including outer space. In the first sequel to a title that originated on Xbox LIVE Arcade, players can also hi-jack enemy vehicles, fight through more levels, spend more time on-foot and join up with friends with enhanced co-operative gameplay modes.

"Assault Heroes 2 has a lot to live up to and gamers won't be disappointed because this sequel takes the arcade shooter to a whole new level," said Nicole Perez, vice president of marketing, Sierra Online....

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Vertical Shooter Shikigami III Ships for Wii

Aksys Games has shipped Castle of Shikigami III, a vertical scrolling shoot-em-up for Wii, to retail today. Based on the hit arcade title Shikigami no Shiro, players will choose from a vast array of characters to go against the mystery that shrouds the country of Alcaland.

"Castle of Shikigami III is a nice throwback to arcade shooters: simple to pick up and play, but difficult to master," said Michael Manzanares, Project Lead. "If you are looking for a good time with a hilarious cast of characters or seeking a battlefield swarmed with grunts and gunfire, Castle of Shikigami won't disappoint."...

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WiiWare Downloads Launch on Wii

Nintendo's Wii console has already changed the way people play games. Now its new WiiWare service decisively tears down limitations for how developers create games and the way people receive them. Starting today, Wii owners with an Internet connection can download new, creative games from a wide range of developers, from large publishers to indie shops. By reducing the barriers that make console game development prohibitively expensive, WiiWare showcases original ideas in the most democratic environment in industry history, connecting the people who make games more directly with the people who play them.

WiiWare frees developers from the traditional constraints of video game development. WiiWare lets developers experiment with big ideas and small budgets to the benefit of players ...

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EA Announces Skate for Wii Using Balance Board

Electronic Arts today announced Skate It, a new game in the award-winning Skate franchise that taps into the heart and soul of being on a skateboard. Designed exclusively for the Wii and Nintendo DS systems, Skate It has Nintendo players riding with the skate pros, owning the best spots in San Vanelona and pulling off the sickest tricks using the popular FlickIt controls. Loaded with all-new gameplay features, Skate It breaks new ground by introducing innovative support for the Wii Balance Board which gives players a fresh way to create their own signature skateboarding style.

"We knew it would be an exciting challenge to bring the soul and feel of skateboarding to the Wii and Nintendo DS," said Scott Blackwood, Executive Producer - Skate franchise. "With fresh new designs and gam...

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BioShock Movie in the Works

2K Games announced Friday that they reached an agreement for BioShock to be developed as a feature film by Universal Pictures. 2K Games, whose 2K Boston and 2K Australia studios developed BioShock, said that the expected release date and terms of the agreement were not disclosed. BioShock is one of the most successful new interactive entertainment franchises to launch in recent years, selling more than 2 million units worldwide since its release in August 2007.

The prospect of bringing this blockbuster game to life has attracted not only a major studio, but top Hollywood talent. Gore Verbinski, director of the Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy, is slated to direct and produce the BioShock movie. John Logan, Academy Award-no...

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Grand Theft Auto IV Sales Top $500 Million in First Week

Take-Two said today that Grand Theft Auto IV has surpassed all-time entertainment records for day one and week one sales by dollar value. Released on Tuesday, April 29th, Grand Theft Auto IV has sold through to consumers approximately 6 million units globally with an estimated retail value of more than $500 million in the first week. Grand Theft Auto IV sold approximately 3.6 million units on its opening day with a retail value of approximately $310 million globally.

"We knew Grand Theft Auto IV would break new ground in terms of the player's experience, with its compelling story line, extraordinary gameplay and action that ranges over a broad urban canvas. Now, it has broken sales and rating records as well. Grand Theft Auto IV's first week performance represents the largest laun...

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Boom Blox Blows Up on Wii

Throw, grab, and blast your way through the must-have Wii game for Summer 2008! EA today announced that BOOM BLOX, the first game released in collaboration between EA and director and producer Steven Spielberg, has shipped in North America and will be available May 8 in Europe, May 13 across Asia, and May 22 in Japan for Wii. Perfect for kids 8-12 years old and fun for the entire family, BOOM BLOX offers action-packed destruction that takes Wii play to a new level of enjoyment and creativity.

"BOOM BLOX was designed to be interactive, pure escapism, and fun for kids of all ages," said Steven Spielberg. "My hope is that it will be a great shared family experience." In this high-energy game, players make their way through almost four hundred levels of strategic destruction! Kids and...

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Pokemon Puzzle League, Renegade Hit Wii Virtual Console

Which is more important: brains or brawn? Before you answer, check out this week's awesome additions to the Wii Shop Channel, which give you ample opportunity to flex both. One game features frantic puzzle action with a Pokémon twist, while the other invites players to brawl and battle in the name of justice.

Nintendo adds new games to the Wii Shop Channel at 9 a.m. Pacific time every Monday. Wii owners with a high-speed Internet connection can redeem Wii Points to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel or at retail outlets. This week's new games are:

Pokemon Puzzle League (Nintendo 64, 1-2 players, 1,000 Wii Points): Get ready for a new kind of Pokemon battle where the power and speed of your brain are just as important as the strengt...

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Crosswords DS Challenges Players to Fill in the Blank

Today's launch of Crosswords DS for the portable Nintendo DS puts more than 1,000 crossword puzzles into the palm of your hand. Crosswords DS includes puzzles at multiple skill levels, so anyone from beginners to experts can give it a try. As you progress, the puzzles get bigger and more challenging. Because you write all your answers directly on the touch screen with your stylus, there's no need for erasers. Just write your new answer over your old one. Crosswords DS also includes a sophisticated hint system if you get stuck. Just tap the Hint button with your stylus and choose to receive another clue, reveal a hidden letter or solve the whole word.

"Crosswords DS brings crossword puzzles into the 21st century in a way that's accessible to everyone," said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo...

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