Mom's Minute

Lots of fun are to be had at Walt Disney World Resorts.  It may not be surprising to you that Walt Disney World Resorts are expanding  video game experiences you can have  while enjoying all the other activities and attractions.

For  example, Walt Disney World in Orlando has a brand new game called Sorcerers' of the Magic Kingdom.  This is a real life interactive video game that you play as you walk through the park and consists of 90 minutes of animation.

Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom

The storyline is that Disney villains are trying to take over the park and you must use your magic cards to stop them. The players' routes are controlled real-time by technology that shows the flow of foot traffic.  Players must learn to interact with 20 kiosks hidden throughout the park. This game is being compared to a real-live version of Magic: The Gathering and is described as a live action role playing game similar to Everquest.

Video game influences are also inherit in the redesign of the Test Track at Epcot Center.  You will be able to redesign your own concept car and take it for a test drive.

Concept art for the redesign of Epcot test track for 2012

Of course these video game influenced rides are just the tip of the iceberg of all the excitement to be experienced at Walt Disney World Resorts. With the theme parks growing, including the addition of an Avatar Theme Park and an expansion of Fantasyland, it follows that video game influenced attractions will grow as well.  

Screenshot from Dragon's Dogma

Are you ready to battle dragons  in an epic open world?  Then you will enjoy playing Dragon's Dogma video game when it is released on May 22, 2012 in the U.S., and May 25, 2012 in Europe.

Capcom's team of developers who worked on Resident Evil 6, will bring you an action-role playing game with some exciting game playing changes.

Scene from Dragon's Dogma

Dragon's Dogma will have vocal pawns who will give you instructions, as well as useful hints and strategies important to survive tough boss encounters and dungeons.  New also is the "grab" system where the main character can grab or cling to enemies, objects, or non-playable characters (NPCs) for more advanced attacks.  The open world will include over 200 NPCs who will move around according to their own time schedules.

Art for  Dragon's Dogma

Additional features include the ability to customize your character and a day-night cycle that affects the game play depending on if you play the game during the day or at night.

Dragon's Dogma is rated Mature and will be playable on the Xbox 360 and the PlayStation 3.

 Trailer for Dragon's Dogma 

NBA Baller Beats for the Xbox 360 Kinect

Majesco Entertainment Company today announced its line up for Entertainment Expo (E3) will include NBA Baller Beats, the first Kinect motion game where you play basketball using an actual basketball. You can raise your game as you participate in this first of a kind basketball video game launching exclusively for the Kinect for Xbox 360.

Once released, you can play this video game in the comfort of your living room. You will be able to master basketball handling skills while playing to the beat of high energy sound tracks.

You can play alongside your favorite NBA franchise as you unlock songs and difficulty levels. 

Art for NBA Baller Beats

Majesco Entertainment debuts NBA Baller Beats in the West Hall Booth #5200 during E3, Los Angeles, CA June 5-7, 2012.

Trailer for NBA Baller Beats  

THe Elder Scrolls V Skyrim will be online

Bethesda Softworks, A ZeniMax Media Company,  just announced that The Elder Scrolls Online, a Massively Multiplayer Online (MMO) video game is in development at ZeniMax Online Studios. ZeniMax Online Studios, located in Hunt Valley, Maryland, is a division of  ZeniMax Media Company.

The Elder Scrolls Online will be the first Elder Scrolls game to allow you to explore the legendary Elder Scrolls world with others.

Scene from The Elder Scrolls V. Skyrim

The Elder Scrolls online is being developed under the leadership of industry veteran and game director Matt Firor who has spent the last two decades working in online video game development.  Matt Firor states: "We have been working hard to create an online world where players will be able to experience the epic Scrolls universe with their friends, something fans have long said they wanted."

He goes on to pledge, "The entire team is committed to creating the best MMO ever made -- and one that is worthy of the Elder Scrolls franchise."

Screeenshot from The Elder Scrolls V. Skyrim

And what a franchise it is.  Skyrim was released in November 2011 and enjoyed worldwide critical and commercial success. Skyrim won hundreds of video game awards, including top honors at the 2012 Game Developers Choice Awards, and the 15th annual Interactive Achievement Awards held at the 2012  Design Innovate Communicate Entertain (D.I.C.E.) Summit.  Skyrim shipped over 10 million units internationally, within the first month of its release, was the second highest grossing title in the industry last year and is the fastest selling title in Steam's history.

The Elder Scrolls Online MMO will be playable on the PC and the MAC.  A specific release date was unannounced at press time. 

The Avengers

The Avengers movie broke previous records on its opening weekend on May 4-6, 2012, and is in the position to become the highest grossing domestic movie.  The Avengers estimated $641.8 million cumulative 12 days global box office gross is one of the highest ever.

The Avengers

What does such an impressive movie opening mean to the upcoming Avengers video games? The video game developers and publishing for the Avengers has already shifted from being made up of multiple companies, including Sega, THQ and Activision to Disney Interactive Media Group overseeing the video games. In addition to the Avengers, standalone video games for Iron Man, Captain America and Thor are planned. Also in the works is a Massively Multiplayer Online (MMO) being developed by Gazillion, Marvel Heroes, which will let you take control of the Avengers as well as other super heroes.

Trailer for Playdom's Marvels: Avengers Alliance Facebook video game that's playable now.

TQ Jefferson, Vice President of games production for Marvel has stated that the facebook Avengers game is just the tip of the iceberg.  He goes on to say that the Avengers is more than  just one game, and will  support the franchise across different platforms to be available for all to enjoy.

With the blockbuster status of the Avengers movie, the developers, publishers and others aligned with the video game will have their work cut out for them.