Take-Two Interactive Software, the distributor of Grand Theft Auto 4 (Xbox 360, PlayStation 3) and other games, has given word that it is planning to expand into Asia Pacific markets. The company has tapped an experienced senior executive to help them establish a foothold in Asia. For more information, don't hesitate to click on the "read more" link below.

Here's a little fun with numbers. Net Asia Co Ltd. did a survey in Japan once again regarding the use of the handhelds. Gender differences was a factor with the Sony PlayStation Portable lording over men and the Nintendo DS Lite over women. More details after the jump.

Anxiously waiting for LucasArts' Star Wars: The Force Unleashed (Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, Wii, DS)? You'll be pleased to know that the game has already been dated and that Spike TV will be showing some exclusive segments on the game. Head on over to the full article for more information

The organizers of the Games Convention Asia (GCA) and Games Convention Asia Conference (GCAC) must be very happy about the success of last year's events. This year's show has already been dated so  those who plan on attending might want to start clearing their schedules. For the venue and dates, head on over to the full article.

If you think you've gotten an eyeful from last year's Ubidays event sponsored by French video game company Ubisoft, then make sure to set your calendars this May 28 and 29 when the Ubidays event makes a comeback. Ubidays 2008 will be held in the heart of Paris' world-famous Louvre museum and will feature some of the biggest titles that the company has to offer gamers in the coming year. For more details, check out the full article!

The Games Convention Asia Conference is currently underway and has attracted respected delegates from over 20 countries. Industry bigwigs from North America, Asia and Europe were all at hand to share their thoughts on the state of the business.

 

The inaugural GCAC started on September 6 and wraps up on Sunday with an opener courtesy of  Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports, and Second Minister for Information, Communication, and the Arts.

Managing Director for the Conference & Exhibition Management Services  Edward Liu and Leipzig Trade Fair President Wolfgang Marzin were also in attendance to welcome everyone. The two are the main organizers of the Games Convention events.

Marzin commended the host nation at the opening ceremonies and said, "Singapore is the gateway to the booming Asian-Pacific market, and opens up exciting new opportunities for the global games industry." Bob Wallace of Strategic Alternatives agrees:

The games business is a fast-growing entertainment market with participants from all nations. Asia, however, is the fastest growing part of this market, and many new world-class games companies are expected to emerge from Asia. GCA promises to be the first truly pan-Asian games conference showcasing game products and companies, and it is not to be missed by those who look toward the future.

The GCAC is happening alongside the GC Asia exhibit, which shows off the latest in the gaming industry, encompassing all platforms from consoles, PCs, handhelds and mobile phones.

The GCAC is expected to go off with a bang when Electronic Arts Worldwide executive of Music and Marketing Steve Schnur takes on the podium and offers his thoughts. Schnur says he is proud to be a part of GCAC and is excited about his turn to speak.

During the first ever Games Convention Asia Conference (GC Asia Conference) held in Singapore, many countries proved how the industry is also strong in Asia outside Japan. Singapore, known as a big market for MMORPGs, even took a step forward to announce that they're ready to become a games industry center of excellence.

Minister for community development, Vivian Balakrishnan, revealed that around US$ 330 million (SG$ 500 million) of government funds went to research and development in the digital interactive sector.

A student exchange program called "GAMBIT" is also under way for Singapore and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to share their expertise.

Other parts of South East Asia expressed interest in the industry. A memorandum that "signifies the recognition of each other as ideal counterparts for future collaboration and co-operation in this region for the benefit of the games industry" was signed by ten Asian game developers associations from various countries like Japan, Korea, Australia, Thailand and Vietnam.

The Asia-Pacific is expected to contribute 40% of gaming industry's US$ 39.8 billion annual revenue by the end of 2008, and Singapore wants a piece of the cake. "Singapore intends to be part of the action," said Balakrishnan.

  

Fancy yourself going to Japan this September? Well, here's one good reason (or in this case, several) why you should. If Europe has their own Games Convention in Leipzig, Asia has the Tokyo Game Show (TGS). The event will be showing off some much awaited games that everyone has been anticipating, as well as some new ones to whet everyone's gaming appetite.

Capcom has revealed a partial list of games that they'll be showcasing for the event:

• Devil May Cry 4 (PS3, Xbox 360)
• We Love Golf (Wii)
• Treasure Hunter Z (Wii)
• Resident Evil Umbrella Chronicles (Wii)
• Sengoku Basara 2 (PS2)
• Rockman Star Force 2 (DS)
• Wantame Music Channel (DS)

Anyone going to the event will be able to try out all of these games (except Basara 2, sadly). It will be intriguing to see what other games Capcom will be showing everyone during the TGS as they have some unrevealed games on their site. We'll keep you updated on any more news as they arrive, so until then stay tuned.

Two new games are lined up from the Singapore-based dev team who worked on the Phoenix Wright ports to the mobile platform. Mikoishi will be showing off their new titles at the Games Convention Asia on September 6 to 8 of this year. Sorry. No. Not Phoenix Wright games. But they definitely look promising enough to hold their own ground despite the courtroom big shot eating up the market.

SteamIron. This title will be spanning across various platforms; its epic journey will start on 3G mobile phones later this year, with other installments on the Nintendo DS and PC platforms to follow. It's a sci-fi fantasy game that is set far into the future in an alternate timeline where electronic revolution never happened. Think futuristic technology (space ships and satellite radars included), but all of which are designed in a retro fashion. The game isn't called SteamIron for nothing. It probably hints on something very much like a steampunk world.

DropCast. Mikoishi's DropCast will follow the life of Ingrid and her living, breathing plush dolls. While a series of casual games are planned across different platforms, the first installment will drop in as an action-puzzler on the Nintendo DS early next year.

Specific details about gameplay for both titles are close to none, however, if there's one thing to keep an eye on, it's that upcoming game convention in Singapore where Mikoishi will finally reveal their games. And with that, watch this space!

EA is revving up the engine on its upcoming Need For Speed ProStreet's career mode which promises to give you a taste of what may be the trend bubbling up on the street racing scene worldwide. The devs took the liberty to explain all the elements in a nutshell, so listen in:

As mentioned in the trailer, you'd have to be good in all four street racing styles to qualify for the world-class arena of the unorthodox motorsport. Master drag, drift, grip and speed challenge styles and be rewarded with unlockable organizations and locations across Europe and Asia.

Need For Speed ProStreet deviates a bit from the raucous, open-track style that made the franchise popular. Racing circuits are now more closed and physics have gotten more realistic than ever. Will the infusion of simulation elements give the series a boost? We'll see, but judging from what we're seeing, it very well could. This hotrod is slated for almost every platform available: the PC, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PS2, Wii, PSP, and DS.