Round-Up: GameTap/Logitech, Chattering Pixels Middleware, Katamari Sells 500K

Today's round-up includes news on GameTap's partnering with controller firm Logitech, a new game development middleware line from UK firm Chattering Pixels, and a milestone for Keita Takahashi's critically acclaimed Katamari Damacy series, as well as today's GameSetWatch links and Gamasutra job postings. - GameTap, Turner Broadcasting's PC games-on-demand service, has partnered with peripheral manufacturer Logitech to offer free trials of the service to Logitech customers. Those who purchase Logitech controllers will receive a two weeks of GameTap service free, and a discount on the first three full months of service should they decide to subscribe. "Since we want to offer our subscribers the ultimate gaming experience," said GameTap general manager Stuart Snyder, "it was important that we partner with a company that has consistently led the technology industry in innovation and product design, especially with USB controllers -- Logitech fits that bill." - UK firm Chattering Pixels has announced its new middleware line, which is broken up into component modules customers can pick and choose from. The line is launching with a core library and memory manager, and will expand in the future to offer further modules. "While other middleware providers insist that developers should be buying expensive one-size-fits-all solutions," said Chattering Pixels commercial director Neil Holmes, "we feel strongly that by offering our middleware as individual components we empower developers to pick and choose the exact functionality they require. Why should you have to pay for functionality you’re never going to use?" - According to consumer site GameSpot, the Katamari Damacy series, which includes Katamari Damacy for PS2, its sequel We Love Katamari, and PSP spinoff Me & My Katamari, has reached 500,000 units sold in Japan. No U.S. numbers were available for the franchise, which was initially received more positively in the West than Japan, according to post-launch sales figures. Me & My Katamari, currently unreleased in the U.S., will arrive in March 2006. - The latest posts on Gamasutra's new sister weblog GameSetWatch include an interview with classic game musician Yuzo Koshiro and some suggestions on cunning ways to 'game' MMOs, among other stories. - Also updated today: the latest Gamasutra job postings, including new positions from 7 Studios, Backbone Entertainment, Blizzard Entertainment, Blue Fang Games, Boanerges Studios, Datascope Recruitment, International Internet Technology, Midway Games, Sucker Punch Productions and Surreal Software.