The BBFC has announced that it will be launching a new online rating scheme which will let them rate more media content such as downloadable games, films, and programs. Want to find out more about this? Head on over to the full article for more information.

Disney and Capybara's Critter Crunch was awarded the Best Game Award at the Independent Game Festival (IGF) which was held as part of the 2008 Game Developers Expo. If you haven't heard of this game, you might want to head on over to the full article for more information.

Riding on the fame Square Enix has developed for the series during the previous years, Kingdom Hearts readies itself for a new generation of games for the handheld and the mobile.

Announced during this year's Tokyo Game Show, the new games will be featured in Japan first before any thoughts of a U.S. release will be settled. However, we can give everyone a little preview into each of these releases.

First off, Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days for the Nintendo DS features the story of Organization XIII's Number 13 Roxas. The game looks into the life of the semi-protagonist of Kingdom Hearts 2's life during his days in Organization XIII. Kingdom Hearts 358/2 will feature single-player as well as multiplayer missions through the WiFi capabilities of the Nintendo DS.

Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep for the PSP is a sort of prequel to the entire series. It tells the tale of a trio of heroes who seek out a wayward Keyblade master. Those of you who've unlocked the hidden FMV found in Kingdom Hearts 2 will finally be able to follow the teaser ending it gave everyone through the end. The game will feature the same traditional controls, game system, and the visual style of its predecessors.

Finally, Kingdom Hearts coded for the mobile bring together the first collaborated project between Square Enix and the Walt Disney Internet Group. It tells the story of the events after Kingdom Hearts when Jiminy Cricket finds a mysterious message in his journal. King Mickey then digitizes the contents of the journal and asks Sora to investigate the matter. A digitized Sora enters the new world and tries to unravel the mystery behind it.

All these games definitely sound like a good way to extend the series and further flesh out an already fantastic story. Hopefully, the release for their respective U.S. versions won't be too far off so we can immerse ourselves in more Walt Disney video game goodness.

If for a second you think that mobile gaming war is not as exciting as the much talked about next-gen wars, you are dead wrong. It's as exciting, probably as much fierce - with each company not giving an inch, not allowing competition any moment of repose.

Analyst M: Metrics recently released new figures concerning market shares among various companies. Most glaring on their list is Electronic Arts' decreased market share for this round. Accordingly, three months ago, EA was enjoying a 32.2% share for overall new paid downloads. Now, they're down to just 26.5%.

This is not because people are turning their backs away from mobile gaming. It's more quite the opposite, if you really look at the list. Glu Mobile has now secured the second biggest share of the market, pushing rival Gameloft into third place. More familiar names Namco and Walt Disney occupy the next spots.

Gosub 60 CEO put the scenario in words very nicely:

It's a very fluid space with a lot of close competition, so these rankings are constantly in flux. But directionally, it's certainly very encouraging. The business is on a solid growth path and satisfying our aggressive forecasts. At the end of the day though, we still consider ourselves a boutique publisher.

The said company ended in number 8 this time, one notch better from its last outing.  Also, Gosub 60 is just one of the four companies that experienced growth in terms of shares and revenues.

If you live in Europe and you have a cellphone (who doesn't, right?), then this post is for you.

Disney has just announced the launch of their 3-in-1 Puzzle Pack for mobile which consists of these classic puzzlers: Solitaire, Sudoku and Mahjong.

Sunil Gunderia, VP of mobile for the Walt Disney Internet Group, Europe, says, "By presenting mobile versions in a bundled package, we hope to appeal to a broader range of mobile phone users who are looking for a fun and easy way to pass the time anytime, anywhere.”

So whether you're stuck in the subway or in a boring meeting where no one's obviously paying attention to the speaker, all you have to do is bring out your nifty cellphones, get caught in the addictive puzzle gameplay, and voila! Instant solution for boredom.

Puzzle games may be considered by some as part of the lower end of mobile games, but I can personally vouch for Solitaire. I mean, I used to spend hours just playing that damn game without even realizing it. Talk about addictive, eh? So anyway, Disney’s 3-in-1 Puzzle Pack is now available across Europe from all known carriers and leading mobile entertainment portals. Consult your mobile service providers for availability.

The makers of the Tamagotchi have got a surprise for dog lovers. Those who want a dog but are unable to own one because of various reasons can now have their own pet, this time in the virtual world. Living Mobile has announced the release of My Little Dogs: Kawaii Dogs. This mobile game gives mobile owners virtual dogs to own, rear, and play with.

According to Sunil Gunderia, VP of mobile for the Walt Disney Internet Group, Europe, "My Little Dogs: Kawaii Dogs is one of the most engaging, interactive and intelligent pet-rearing games in the world. We feel this is a game that will appeal to a broad audience beyond the usual gamers, and we’re excited to introduce it in the European market." Indeed, as this game allows mobile owners to access their virtual pet anytime thru their mobile phones.

The game is available in both 2D and 3D versions, and the good news is that both versions provide great gameplay and are combined with leading-edge graphics and animation. My Little Dogs: Kawaii Dogs will be available through all major mobile operators throughout Europe.


View the screenshots for this mobile game after the Jump!

PockerGamer today announced the results of their survey among UK mobile gamers on the most popular Muppets. Taking the top spot is Animal, the Wild Thing that beats the drum like nobody's business. The kooky Gonzo took second place and comedian Fozzie Bear made it to number three despite his oft-misfiring jokes.

The survey, commissioned by the Walt Disney Internet Group, marks the launch of Muppets Dance Party - their spoof of dance competitions. Muppets Dance Party is available now on Muppetsmobile and across O2, Orange and T-Mobile.

The complete results of the survey among 1000 respondents are:

• Animal – 33 per cent
• The Great Gonzo – 21 per cent
• Fozzie Bear – 19 per cent
• Kermit the Frog – 15 per cent
• Miss Piggy – 5 per cent
• Waldorf – 3 per cent
• Statler – 1 per cent

Walt Disney Internet Group brings us our beloved Muppets characters Kermit, Miss Piggy, Gonzo, Animal and Fozzie in this entertaining dance game for your mobile.

Consider it  a Muppets version of So You Think You Can Dance. After being thrown out of their own show, they'd have to go on auditions to get back on. Just like in the show, the Muppets are given dance performance ratings and detailed player feedback. If they didn't do so well, they will face the wrath of disgruntled duo Statler and Waldorf.

"The timeless appeal of The Muppets and accessibility of the gameplay make Muppets Dance Party a great game for consumers seeking entertainment on the go. We're looking forward to seeing much more of Kermit and Miss Piggy over the coming months." said Sunil Gunderia, vice president of mobile, the Walt Disney Internet Group Europe.

Catch the dance fever this coming June on their official website and across O2, Orange and T-Mobile.