Casual News – Jan. 16, 2009

Games based on Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musicals (such as Cats and Evita) are in the works; Classic text-based PC adventure Zork is being reinvented as a browser-based casual MMO; and Red Eagle inks a deal with EA to develop games based on Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time fantasy novels. These headlines and more behind the cut.

News

• Zork to return as browser-based casual MMO
• Lloyd-Webber tries gaming; singalong with Evita, Phantom
• Red Eagle signs distribution deal with EA for games based on Robert Jordan’s The Wheel of Time series
• Majesco Entertainment announces Puffins: Island Adventure for Nintendo DS
• Midnight Synergy releases Mysteries of Fire Island
• MindFuse Games hires former LucasArts producer for Gatheryn
• Cartoon Network launches first AAA, browser-based MMOG for kids
• Majesco Entertainment partners with Cartoon Network Enterprises to ship "Cartoon Network Universe: FusionFall" for PC and Mac
• Paradox Interactive serves up Restaurant Empire 2 in North America
• NPD: Recession inhibiting game biz growth
• Space Exploration: Serpens Sector development preview 8 released

Features

• Letter to the Editor: The Biggest Loser
• Interview with Keith Nemitz, Mousechief
• Interview: Jolt’s Collins on bringing back a more casual Zork
• Lasky: Innovate in distribution, not content
• "There are too many crappy games on Wii"
• Interview: Mousebreaker.com
• Post Mortem: Riverman Media’s MadStone

Erin Bell