WRAL Tech Wire

 Epic Games moves into Android space with new app

Tech Wire Gamer: Epic Games is becoming more diversified in its product capabilities with the launch of its first Android project - an app based on its Infinity Blade game that was developed for Apple mobile devices.

Epic Citadel

 Epic Games exec, Ubisoft embrace new Nvidia game console

Tech Wire Gamer: Nvidia, best known as a maker of powerful gaming, mobile device and PC chips, unveiled a portable gaming console at CES on Monday night. And Epic Games exec mark Rein likes what he sees.

 New Epic 'Gears' video takes focus back to games rather than management

Tech Wire Gamer: Epic Games unveiled a trailer for its forthcoming "Gears of War: Judgment" at the Spike Video Game Awards on Saturday. The video drew attention at least for the moment away from the company's changes in management. Plus: Wrapping up Spike Video Game Awards winners.

 Epic Games' long-time president Mike Capps stepping down

The changing of the executive guard continues at Epic Games, which turned the Gears of War franchise into a billion dollar empire. President Mike Capps is the latest executive to depart in the past few months.

Epic President Mike Capps - and a huge guardian warrior

 Video game firms iEntertainment, Great Outdoors merge

Cary-based iEntertainment, a developer of video games such as WarBirds and other combat simulation titles, is merging with Great Outdoors, LLC.

 Video game industry is focus of Association for Corporate Growth panel

Several executives from the Research Triangle's growing video game industry will participate in a panel discussion Thursday put on by the Triangle's Association for Corporate Growth.

 Nintendo's new Wii U console sells out in many places

Tech Wire Gamer: Nintendo has sold more than 400,000 of its new video game console, the Wii U with a touch-screen GamePad, in its first week on sale in the U.S.

Nintendo's Wii U

 Halo 4: An ancient evil awakens to much disappointment

Review: Halo 4 is fun, but compared to the scope and drama of the best titles in the franchise, the campaign just doesn't have that ability to awe. Furthermore, as the story unfolds, it seemed to me it was more of a skeleton or outline than an actual story, there was no meat to it.

 President of LucasArts joins Epic Games to lead product development

Tech Wire Gamer: Paul Meegan, formerly president of LucasArts, has joined the Cary-based company as vice president of product development.

Paul Meegan joins Epic Games

 Epic to preview new Gears of War at Spike Video Game Awards

Tech Wire Gamer: "Gears of War: Judgment" will have a premier of sorts at the Spike Video Game Awards - a trailer with footage from the forthcoming title.

Gears heroes in prison

 Video-game industry sales plunge 25% in October

Tech Wire Gamer: U.S. retail sales of video-game software, hardware and accessories declined 25 percent in October to $755.5 million from a year earlier, according to researcher NPD Group.

 Joystick Labs fades as startup hub for videogame companies

Joystick Labs in Durham is fading as a startup hub for videogame companies. John Austin, who runs Joystick as well as Groundworks Labs, says Joystick's business model has changed and it has cut way back on funding for new ventures.

Joystick Labs

 Video-game industry sales drop for 10th straight month

Video-game industry sales this year have shrunk as fewer consumers buy packaged titles, which sell for about $60 each. Sharp gains in games played on mobile devices have failed to offset an overall decline.

 Epic licenses game engine to new company in Poland

The Astronauts, a videogame company formed by three ex Epic employees at People Can Fly, sign license agreement for use of Epic's Unreal game engine.

 Hollywood puts a 'Gears of War' movie back in play

Variety reports that Epic Games' "Gears of War" may finally be turned into a movie. Creative Arts Agency is shopping the idea to producers after years of talk and preliminary work on a big screen project.

Flames, death and mayhem in Gears 3

 What's next at Epic in wake of Cliff Bleszinski's exit?

Industry veteran Alexander Marcis of Durham-based Themis Media and publisher of The Escapist, says Epic's scale should offset the loss of "CliffyB." But he acknowledges Cliff Bleszinski's exit "hurts."

Epic turns 20

 Fans, media shocked by Cliff Bleszinski's exit at Epic

The videogame industry, media that cover gaming and especially fans are reacting with shock and incredulity to Cliff Bleszinki's decision to leave Epic Games where he became a legendary creative figure.

Cliff Bleszinski was a creative force behind Gears franchise

 Microsoft takes $10M 'Halo' film direct to YouTube, not theaters

Microsoft plans to release weekly installments of "Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn" on the Web before offering the game and DVD, a move that highlights the influence of new media, including promotional options and the ability to cut out traditional channels like theaters.

Halo 4 and the Master Chief coming to YouTube

 Creative genius Cliff Bleszinski leaves Epic Games

In a blog post, Cary-based Epic Games tells its millions of fans worldwide that Cliff Bleszinski, a driving creative force behind many of its its such as "Gears of War," has left the firm. Bleszinki says he needs "a much needed break."

Cliff Bleszinski

 Nintendo to launch new entertainment console Nov. 18

Nintendo set pre-holiday release dates for the Wii U, the world's first new home console since 2006, betting a broader offering of games, movies and TV shows will help it revive sales.

The Wii U