Newsbriefs: Darwinia Multi, MotoGP In 07, iTunes Ms. Pac-Man

Author: by Staff

[UPDATED: 2:30pm PST] Today's regularly updated newsbriefs include confirmation that Introversion's Darwinia will be receiving a multiplayer upgrade, THQ revealing the latest in its MotoGP series, and Ms. Pac-Man heading to iTunes. - Introversion Software (DEFCON) have announced that they are indeed working on Multiwinia, a long-rumored multiplayer version of their 2004 cult hit Darwinia, adding support for both cooperative and competitive battles between Darwinian armies across a set of unique levels. Lead Multiwinia designer John Knottenbelt explained, “We’ve created a new formation mode which will let you organise your Darwinians into ranks to create massive armies. In formation they’ll have greater firepower in the direction they’re facing, but virtually none from either sides or behind. It’s going to get pretty messy, requiring a whole new set of tactical skills from the gamer.” Darwinia has been the subject of a number of new developments, including an announcement earlier this month of a new customized Windows Vista version of the game available directly from Microsoft, with both DirectX 10 graphic upgrades and support for the Xbox 360 wireless controller. Introversion have promised that all of the Vista upgrades will be coming soon to previous Darwinia purchasers in time. - THQ has announced that the latest in their motorcycle racing franchise, MotoGP '07 will be coming to the Xbox 360 and PC in fall of 2007. The latest installment in the series will feature an upgraded "race day" experience that "captures the excitement and spectacle of a live MotoGP event," as well as new bikes, tracks, and more customization options building on the previous titles' “Extreme” mode which allowed players to "race on city streets around the world." Said THQ marketing senior VP Bob Aniello, “THQ’s MotoGP titles have shipped in excess of 1.5 million units and are critically acclaimed for pushing the limits of realism and console technology.” - Following on Apple's announcement in September regarding plans to bring portable gaming to its popular iPod portable music and video player, downloadable directly from the iTunes Store, Namco Networks has released coin-op icon Ms. Pac-Man over the service. The game joins the original Pac-Man, which launched last September, both of which carry a price of $4.99. “Appearing on almost every gaming platform, Ms. Pac-Man has achieved iconic status since debuting 25 years ago and has become one of the top-selling video games in history,” said Scott Rubin, Namco Networks' vice president of sales and marketing. "Launching on the iPod is a great way to kick-off a year-long anniversary celebration.”