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Rock Band Music Store Passes 2,000 Songs

07 Oct

The latest in a long line of milestones for the Rock Band franchise, MTV Games and Harmoix have announced that the last track pack released for the Music Store will put the total amount of available tunes passed 2,000. Rock Band has now surpassed all other music-rhythm games available combined in terms of content, offering over 800 bands once the third installment in the series releases later this month. Harmonix also announced that gamers have downloaded from the store a massive 75 million times.

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Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences President Resigns

07 Oct

Joseph Olin, President of the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences for six years (and friend of the site), announced his resignation from the organization. Having assumed the presidency in 2004, he oversaw the organization during its largest membership and publicity expansion. Olin has stated the reason for his departure was “to pursue new opportunities,” but will remain working with with organization heads through the calendar year to insure the quality of the 10th annual D.I.C.E. Summit and the 14th Interactive Achievement Awards.

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ZeniMax Seals Deal for $150 Million Investment

06 Oct

Today, ZeniMax Media Inc., the parent organization behind Bethesda Softworks, id Software, Arkane Studios, and several other studios, has announced that it has managed to secure an investment with a total value of $150 million. The investor, Providence Equity Partners, already acquired a stake of $300 million in the organization in October 2007.

ZeniMax CEO Robert Altman stated that several other parties were interested in investing in the organization, but that Providence was chosen because it wholly shares the vision of the organization.

Altman indicated that the investment will be used to ramp up game development, expand publishing activities of subsidiary Bethesda Softworks, and fund additional strategic acquisitions. (more…)