Gaming News Round-Up: December 3rd, 2004 2

Today's round-up includes a Hall of Fame entry for the classic Ocean Software founders, a little game design masquerading as learning, and news of Namco's continuing move into Europe as a mobile gaming force. - The founders of classic UK developer Ocean Software were inducted into the UK's Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association Hall of Fame at last night's ceremony. The award went to David Ward and John Woods, who formed the company that released home version of games such as Head Over Heels, Operation Wolf, Renegade, and Lost Patrol in the '80s and early '90s, before being subsumed into Infogrames. In presenting the award, ELSPA director Roger Bennett said: "Many people consider Ocean Software to be pioneers who helped to transform the UK computer and video games into a real multi national business. Together Ward and Woods coined much of the terminology of the games industry and instigated many of its milestones, including the use of brands and franchises from traditional media and the formal processes of protecting intellectual property." - Educational software company iSupportLearning.com has released a new interactive game creation curriculum intended for grades 6-12. The curriculum focuses on giving students an experience in basic programming through video game creation, but it can be used to teach subjects as diverse as math, language, science, and technology as well. The designers tout their curriculum by noting that those students who become interested in programming games can also achieve successes in the related fields of medical, military and aerospace simulation design. A brochure and other information is available at iSupportLearning.com. - Namco Europe is expanding its mobile content division, and has named Pramesh Chauhan as Head of Business Development for that branch of the company. Fresh from Kuju Wireless, where he worked in their publishing division, Chauhan will be responsible for business development within the Web & Mobile Content section. "This is part of an ongoing strategy to further strengthen the company's position as a key player in Europe's online and mobile games industries," said John McKenzie, director of Web & Mobile Content. "We would like to welcome Pramesh to Namco Europe and are looking forward to working with him as the market continues to grow." Namco doesn't have a console publishing base in Europe, but is clearly looking to capitalize on the mobile games boom in Europe using many of its classic or noted properties, including Pac-Man, Galaga, Dig-Dug and Mr.Driller.