The accolades just keep coming for Toy Story 3, which bodes well for Disney Interactive Studios’ Toy Story 3 catalog of videogames. The Disney•Pixar feature film has earned over $1 billion (and counting) at the worldwide box office, joining Alice in Wonderland as the second $1 billion film this year from The Walt Disney Studios. Disney’s the first studio in history to accomplish this feat – and the fact that both films are in 3D certainly played a role in the success story. Disney first crossed the $1 billion threshold with Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest in 2006 – the fourth film in that franchise is currently filming in 3D.  Toy Story 3 becomes the only animated film to reach this milestone and the seventh title in industry history. 

BURBANK – Bob Iger, president and CEO of The Walt Disney Company, drove over to the Disney/Pixar World of Cars Online launch event at the Bob’s Big Boy in Burbank. Iger took some time to test drive the newest online videogame from Disney Online Studios. He then took a pit stop to discuss the new game, as well as the larger role videogames now play within Disney, in this exclusive video interview.  

Epic Games has released its Epic Citadel App, which is now available from the Apple App Store. The app showcases the technical capabilities of Epic’s award-winning Unreal Engine 3 on iPad, iPhone and iPod touch. In Epic Citadel, players navigate a fictional castle realm using simple controls and the innovative Multi-Touch user interface. Epic Citadel also features stunning visuals and special effects, with an environment inspired by Project Sword, Epic’s newest game.

 

Game Developers Conference Europe 2010 (GDC Europe) has opened its doors at the Cologne Congress Center East in Cologne, Germany.  Produced by UBM TechWeb Game Network, organizers of the leading Game Developers Conference® series, GDC Europe is the largest professionals-only game event in Europe, and has increased in scope compared to its inaugural debut event in 2009, encompassing a robust selection of keynotes, lectures, panels, and sessions.  GDC Europe returns to Cologne, Germany on August 16-18, 2010 for three days of learning, networking, and inspiration.  For more information on GDC Europe visit: www.gdceurope.com.

Duke University School of Medicine and Virtual Heroes have entered into a partnership encompassing a broad range of initiatives to leverage interactive game technologies for medical education and training. The multi-faceted partnership will include initiatives in the following areas: healthcare team communication training, medical device and pharma product education, patient education, medical recertification, clinical trial education, CME courses and healthcare quality assurance training.

While Drew Brees and the Super Bowl Champion New Orleans Saints were at the White House, EA Sports celebrated the launch of the 22nd edition Madden with a Mardi Gras-themed event in New Orleans, entitled Madden Gras. As part of the event, EA SPORTS Orlando-based Tiburon studio, which develops the game, will make a $100,000 donation to the National Wildlife Federation to assist in the Gulf Coast oil spill relief and wetlands restoration efforts. Former USC wide receiver and current Tennessee Titan Damian Williams talks about Madden NFL 11 in this exclusive interview.

EA Mobile is bringing the fan-favorite Madden NFL videogame franchise out on the latest digital devices and platforms reaching new consumers.  For the first time, consumers can now play Madden NFL 11 on iPad. Madden NFL 11 for iPad, iPod touch and feature phone versions are launching alongside the franchise console offerings today. A version for Android phones will be available later in the year. Gerald McCoy of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers talks about the latest Madden game in this exclusive interview.