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NEWS
Encore for Nordic Games’ We Sing The battle for the Wii karaoke crown heats up as Euro publisher prepares packed sequel for July release by Christopher Dring NORDIC GAMES will fight to top the Wii karaoke market this summer with We Sing Encore. The game features 40 new songs that span rock, pop, rap and R&B, from artists such as Coldplay, Black Eyed Peas, Elton John, Lady GaGa and more.
Other new additions to We Sing Encore include a singing lessons area, a ‘real-karaoke’ mode and a jukebox mode. The entire game engine has been overhauled, and now boasts a visual makeover, antilag features and HDTV support. We Sing Encore will launch for Nintendo Wii in July.
Wii. And the addition of 10 tracks exclusive to the English, Swedish and German versions will ensure players in those markets will benefit from even more of their favourite tracks. “With major improvements and more tracks, We Sing Encore represents incredible value for money, and will once
www.nordicgames.se
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We Sing Encore will once again prove that we’re the only karaoke game on Wii with mainstream appeal. Nik Blower, Nordic Games
Encore is due for launch around the same time as Mindscape’s U-Sing: Girls Night. “We Sing Encore takes the central premise of We Sing and builds upon it in every way,” said Nordic Games’ sales and marketing director Nik Blower. “With free rein to pick any song from any label, we’ve come up with what we think is the best line-up on Nintendo
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again prove that we’re the only karaoke game on Nintendo Wii that has such a broad, mainstream appeal.” Nordic Games says that the title will be backed by a monster marketing campaign, including a celebrity-packed launch event, a heavyweight TV ad push as well as sponsorship of the VIP areas at some of this summer’s festivals.
Eutechnyx wins System 3 sets sights on Japan £6m investment AMSTERDAM-BASED company Prime Technology Ventures has invested £6 million in Ferrari Challenge developer Eutechnyx. The funds will help the studio finalise plans for a new racer that Eutechnyx believes will revolutionise the genre. The firm also plans to use the money to boost a licensed project that will be unveiled in June, as well as develop a freeto-play infrastructure that will help it establish itself in the casual online gaming space. “We’re thrilled to have secured this investment
headed up by Europe’s most successful technology venture capital,” said Eutechnyx CEO Brain Jobling. “As an independent developer, this infusion will help us to continue to forge our own destiny within a rapidly changing games industry.” Prime Technology Ventures’ general partner Monish Suri added: “When we saw what Eutechnyx was working on, we knew we had to be involved. We’re excited to play a role in something that will drive the future of video games.” Eutechnyx: 0191 460 6060
BRITISH publisher System 3 has taken a major step towards global expansion with the opening of a dedicated Japanese office. The new subsidiary will operate out of Tokyo and handle the launch of back catalogue and future releases in the region, starting with Williams Pinball Classics. System 3 Japan will be headed up by Takeshi Shimizu. He formerly worked as board director and chief producer for Opus, a Japanese developer that produces content for publishers such as Capcom and Eidos. System 3 CEO Mark Cale said: “I’m delighted to announce
ALL SYSTEMS GO: Veteran Takeshi Shimizu will head up System 3 Japan
the expansion of our publishing operation into where I would consider to be the homeland of electronic gaming. “The territory has always been considered somewhat of a Holy Grail for European publishers but I strongly
believe that now, more than ever, we are in the best position to do it. “Opening a dedicated Japanese office is the next logical step in realising our worldwide portfolio potential.” System 3: 0207 491 4441