Casual News – April 12, 2009

The Sims 3 sells 1.4 million copies within the first week of launch; Gamezebo interviews Playrix Entertainment’s Igor Bukhman; and an MTV Networks study concludes that casual games offer advertisers "more opportunities than ever." These headlines and more below.

News

• Casual gaming offers advertisers "more opportunities than ever"
• Innovative new social fashion game debuts June 15th: What To Wear
• eGmaes summons G.H.O.S.T. Chronicles to retail lineup
• Millions embrace The Sims
• EA’s MySims Racing hits store shelves this week
• Nintendo’s newest star shines in The Legendary Starfy
• WorldWinner players make "The Money List"
• Ubisoft confirms camera for Wii exer-game
• Zula launches science-focused kids virtual world
• Majesco Entertainment’s Go Play Lumberjacks and Go Play Circus Star now available on Wii
• Analyst upbeat on THQ prospects
• Tapulous strikes deal with Universal Music Group for iPhone game music
• cerasus.media licenses DS games through the world and celebrates number two position in the UK charts
• Offerpal Media to help IMVU cash in on its virtual chat rooms
• Thrustmaster announces new Tennis Duo Pack accessory for aspiring tennis stars

Features

• Interview with Igor Bukhman, Playrix Entertainment
• DinerTown Detective Agency Blog, Part 1
• The Top 10 children’s video games coming your way
• Otoy joins the fray of companies offering games on demand
• Puzzle Pirates’ James reveals free-to-play MMO revenue specifics
• Interview: App Treasures on whether branding can expose quality iPhone games
• Interview: Secret Exit on the rise of iPhone, why cellphones don’t work for indies

Erin Bell