Macrovision adding over 1,000 Windows Marketplace titles

Macrovision announced today that it has signed a multi-year agreement with Microsoft to make its Trymedia catalogue available through Windows Marketplace, Microsoft's online store which a large selection of software that works best with people's Windows-based PCs, Smart Phones and Pocket PCs. Through the agreement, Macrovision is already offering over 1,000 popular core and casual downloadable games on Windows Marketplace. In addition, Macrovision has integrated its games and software content with Microsoft’s digital locker service, which provides a consumer-friendly virtual repository of a user’s software licenses and downloads on Windows Marketplace. This should make it easier for people with all different types of preferences to find something that suits their liking.

Fonix announces a Karaoke edition of VoiceIn

Karaoke video games may have received a step up in the gaming universe today as Fonix announced its newest piece of voice recognition software, VoiceIn 4.1 Karaoke Edition. The software is specifically designed for game developers creating karaoke games. Since 2003, karaoke games, not to mention karaoke in general, have become an increasingly popular segment of the game market (Singstar comes to mind). With the production of karaoke-themed games on the rise, Fonix anticipates increased interest in VoiceIn voice recognition technology as developers look for specialized tools for the karaoke genre. With this turnkey solution, Fonix makes it very easy for game developers to create karaoke-themed games and anticipates addressing the needs of a whole new set of customers. “In the past, karaoke games have only analyzed a singer’s pitch and timing,” explained Tim K. Hong, VP, Fonix Games. “By utilizing Fonix voice recognition technology, the game can now also analyze how well the player sings the words of the song. This function allows game developers to add another layer of accuracy to their scoring systems.” VoiceIn KE provides a customized solution for karaoke game developers. Fonix technology compares the timing, pitch and voice of the karaoke singer to the reference song and reports on the accuracy of the karaoke singing. VoiceIn Karaoke Edition supports multiple languages including American English, UK English, French, Italian, Spanish, German, Korean and Japanese and is available for Xbox, Xbox 360, Playstation 2, and Windows.

D3 defends the earth

D3 Publisher of America put out a call for recruits who wish to help save the world today. Swarms of enormous, ravaging space invaders will be landing this coming March, and only people who own Xbox 360s will be able to help the cause as D3's newest third person shooter, Earth Defense Force 2017, will only be available for Microsoft's next generation system. The game equips players with an extensive arsenal of diverse weapons, pilotable vehicles and loyal teammates in order to defeat a wide variety of attackers ranging from gigantic ants and spiders to robots and monsters standing more than 20 stories tall. Not only do will players have more than 150 weapon variations to choose from – including assault rifles, rocket launchers and flamethrowers – but they will also have the support of AI-controlled Earth Defense Force teammates who battle beside them throughout the game. Players can also join forces with live teammates in co-op mode and battle together. Fighting within a wholly destructible environment where bridges, skyscrapers and other structures can just as easily be destroyed by friend or foe, players can either save their world or demolish it in the process. Earth Defense Force 2017 lands March of 2007.

News maps for COD3 coming for Xbox Live

Today, Activision announced plans to release two waves of Call of Duty 3 multiplayer maps after the holidays: the Bonus Map (free) and the Valor Map Pack (800 Microsoft points). The Bonus Map, named “Champs,” will take players to Port Royal de Champs, France for classic Call of Duty infantry-based combat that’s great for small to medium-sized online games. The Valor Map Pack will contain five new multiplayer maps that will take players through a maze of French locales that serve up settings primed for intense close-quarters action, whether via online, split-screen or System Link play.

Join the Wii Internet beta, and get it free!

Pretty soon, the Wii won't just be revolutionizing how people play video games, but how the surf the Internet too. Starting December 22^nd, Wii owners who are connected to the Internet and have activated the Wii Shop Channel can download a free beta version of the Opera browser to activate the Internet Channel of the Wii Menu and begin surfing the Web. “ This newest Wii Menu channel provides yet another feature to draw non-gamers in,” says Ron Bertram, vice president and general manager, Nintendo of Canada Ltd. “All kinds of people already have discovered that Wii is like nothing they have ever tried before, and our red-hot sales reflect this public enthusiasm.” The final version of the Opera browser will be available at the end of March 2007, and will be free for all Wii owners to download through the end of June 2007. After June, users who haven’t already downloaded the Opera browser can go to the Wii Shop Channel to download it for 500 Wii Points. The beta will already be Flash-enabled, and act as any other web browser, allowing users to browse with ease, enabling them to check sports scores, plot maps or visit their favourite web sites, but in a format optimized for television viewing. The pointing abilities of the Wii Remote allow users to click on links they want to see or to zoom into any part of the screen through the motion of the controller. In addition, the Wii Remote can be used with an on-screen keyboard to make text entry as easy as point and click.