Like all major publishers, there’s more to Activision Blizzard than costly triple-A hits like Call Of Duty and Guitar Hero. The company also caters for gamers with lower budgets and wider interests through smaller titles and its Fun4All label.
With the gifting season upon us, Activision has prepared a brand new line-up of such games, catering for the widest audience possible and providing plenty of potential impulse purchases in the run-up to Christmas.
“We have a great selection of family friendly titles coming out at the end of October and early November,” says senior brand manager Scott Wood.
“On October 30th, we have three new additions to our family-friendly Fun4All range: Science Papa, Arcade Zone and Mountain Sports. All three titles meet Activision’s requirements to engage as many consumers as posssible with fun and social activities.
“Meanwhile on November 6th, we have five new titles, which all offer a deep and immersive experience for the gamer: Madagascar Kartz, iCarly, Barbie and the Three Musketeers, Animal Planet: Pet Life and Rapala We Fish.”
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Animal Planet: Pet Life
Animal lovers are invited to experience the world of a veterinarian through a range of mini-games and challenges. Take care of a variety of virtual pets and ensure they recover from whatever ails them, either using the Wii Remote or DS stylus, in order to become the best vet around.
Released: November 6
Formats: Wii, DS
Developer: Silverbirch Studios
Price: Various
Arcade Zone
A more traditional mini-game collection, Arcade Zone provides more familiar challenges for Wii owners. The line-up includes such family favourites as Basketball Hoops and Air Hockey, all of which utilise the console’s motion controls. Each event can either be played in single-player mode, as gamers try to beat their high scores, or multiplayer with friends and family.
Released: October 30
Formats: Wii
Developer: Activision
Price: tbc
Barbie and the Three Musketeers
The official video game adaptation of Barbie’s recent DVD movie in which the blonde icon plays Corinne, a young country girl with dreams of becoming a Musketeer. Girls get to take on the role of Barbie as she journeys to Paris, undergoes the trials of a wannabe Musketeer and battles to save the Prince of France.
Released: November 6
Formats: Wii
Developer: Wayforward
Price: tbc
iCarly
Based on the hit Nickelodeon property, iCarly invites fans to join Carly, Sam, Freddie and the other characters from the popular TV series. Through numerous frantic mini-games, gamers create show skits that can be put together to form iCarly webisodes using the innovative iCreate mode, where they can change props, settings, transitions and more.
Released: November 6
Formats: Wii, DS
Developer: Activsion
Price: Various
Madagascar Kartz
Activision serves up a fresh dose of Madagascar in this kart racer based on the popular DreamWorks films. Choose from any of the familiar characters and tear up tracks set in the films’ locations. The game features the same humour as the movies, ensuring it will be great fun for the whole family.
Released: November 6
Formats: Xbox 360 PS3
Developer: SIDHE/VIRTUOS
Price: Various
Mountain Sports
Giving families the chance to enjoy a range of winter sports, this title brings popular events away from the mountains and into living rooms everywhere. Mini-games range from high-energy sports such as skiing, snowboarding and toboganning to more skill-based activities such as biathlon and curling. With plenty of multiplayer otions on all events, this is sure to be popular with families.
Released: October 30
Formats: Wii
Developer: Activision
Price: tbc
Rapala We Fish
The newest instalment in the Rapala fishing series, this title has been exclusively designed for Wii and takes the concept of video game fishing in a brand new direction. Players still use the Remote as a rod and try to land the biggest fish, but this time they do so while racing around in their fishing boat.
Released: November 6
Formats: Wii
Developer: Polygon Magic
Price: tbc
Science Papa
imed at younger gamers, this makes science fun and challenges them to become the world’s most famous scientist. As the newest member of Science Papa’s renowned research team, players explore chemistry, physics, palaeontology and biology as they play over 40 mini-games. They can also compete against rival scientists in heated competitions to win records and unlock new lab equipment.
Released: October 30
Formats: WII, DS
Developer: Activision
Price: Various
