Thought last week's game releases were a bit on the sparse side? This week should brighten you up especially if you own a Nintendo Wii or a Sony PlayStation Portable. A handful of releases have come out on each platform to keep owners busy. The Nintendo DS, as usual, has another crop of light games, while next-generation consoles Sony PlayStation 3 and Microsoft Xbox 360 also have something to share. What exactly? See for yourself in this week's list.

* Article originally posted Dec 03, 2007 at 12:10AM

With the movie version coming out very soon to theaters near you, and with the game version clearly almost finished, it is no surprise that people would want to know more about The Golden Compass . Acting on their curiosity, IGN had a little chat with the game's lead designer to get more details on how the game's progress is moving along. Check out the full article for the scoop.

Sega and New Line Cinema are pulling all the stops in promoting their upcoming cooperative effort The Golden Compass which debuts in cinemas and game systems this December. The Japanese game publisher says that they're hoping to succeed to the degree that The Lord of the Rings franchise did in both the movie and video game markets. Based on the book Northern Lights, this film tells the story of a girl named Lyra who sets out on a journey with her Daemon Pentalaimon.

Young talents Dakota Blue Richards and Freddie Highmore will grace the upcoming multi-platform video game The Golden Compass by sharing their voices to breathe life into the game's main characters. Richards plays as protagonist Lyra and Highmore assumes the role of Pentalaimon, Lyra's Daemon.

This is Dakota's first major voice-over acting job, while Freddie has prior experience in similar roles before. "I do find it quite difficult, but I also find it fun," comments the young star as she compares the challenge to acting in front of the green screen for the film tie-in.

On the other hand, Freddie says "I have performed voice over work in the past," and shares "to convey the essence of a character you've got to believe in it and I think you have to get into the character, because if you don't believe in it no one else will."

The Golden Compass from Sega and Shiny Entertainment is a game based on the upcoming film of the same name which tells the story of a girl named Lyra who sets out on a quest to rescue her kidnapped friend. Along the way, she must use her wits to elude enemies and get past obstacles. She must also befriend strange creatures who can help her in her cause.

Just about every gamer will have a chance to join Lyra in her journey when it becomes available on the PC, Microsoft Xbox 360, Sony PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii, Sony PlayStation Portable, and Nintendo DS.

Buy: [ The Golden Compass (PS3) ]

Buy: [ The Golden Compass (360) ]

Buy: [ The Golden Compass (Wii) ]

Buy: [ The Golden Compass (PSP) ]

Many authors of children's and young adult's fiction found their claim to fame when their books gave way to adaptations, either on the big screen or on the console platform. Phillip Pullman is no exception with the His Dark Materials trilogy. With a game based on the first book of the series, you can now keep yourselves updated on the status of The Golden Compass game on their new blog.

David Allen, Sega's official "Asset Wrangler" for the game, will be writing periodical blog entries on some of the cool stuff regarding the game. This is a job he considers "the best job in the world" as he tells his background and the reason behind his role in enticing readers in anticipation for the game's release.

For instance, he had this to write about why Sega thought him as the best candidate for this job:

I think they asked me to do this job because I’ve worked in TV so I’m used to working on sets and I know you need to turn your mobile phone off before they shout "action." I must have done something right somewhere because I secured the gig and was packed off to the set to meet producer Deborah Forte.... When I wasn’t stuffing my face with a beautifully prepared three course meal or buffet, I was there to make sure SEGA received what it needed from the film production team for The Golden Compass video game. It’s really about acting as the on-set eyes and ears for the developer, Shiny Entertainment.

The Golden Compass is set to be released alongside the movie this December and will be coming out for the PC, Xbox 360, PS2, PS3, PSP, Wii and DS.

How cool would it be to take an adventure through the frozen tundra with an armored polar bear? Well, since that is definitely the stuff of fantasy, we'll only be able to explore it through an upcoming movie tie-in video game, The Golden Compass from Sega. Today, we've got a trailer for the said title straight from the Leipzig Games Convention 2007 (GC).

It's based on a book that's part of a trilogy by Philip Pullman, and you can probably tell that it is of the fantasy fiction genre. The Golden Compass' story follows the adventures of Lyra Belacqua who is given an alethiometer, a device that can measure the truth (nifty eh?). Anyway, in the trailer, we see snippets of the movie and some in-game shots. It looks pretty grand.

We'll leave you to check out the trailer. The Golden Compass will be coming to multiple platforms: PC, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PS2, PlayStation Portable, DS and Wii and is scheduled to hit the shelves on December 4. In the meantime, enjoy the video.

Buy: The Golden Compass (PS3)

Buy: The Golden Compass (360)

Buy: The Golden Compass (Wii)

Buy: The Golden Compass (PSP)

 

Based on the book by Philip Pullman, Sega's upcoming game, The Golden Compass, shows us that the fantasy adventure genre has yet unmeasured depths yet to be plumbed. In an interview by PSU with Dax Berg, lead designer of the game, he gives us some in depth info about The Golden Compass.

Sticking closely to the plot of the book, the game features Lyra Belacqua and her shape-shifting daemon companion, Pantalaimon, as they travel through the frozen wastes of the North in search of their friend after being kidnapped by a mysterious organization known as the Gobblers.

Dax Berg tells us in detail about the unique abilities Lyra's companion has to help her on her quest:

When the player takes on the role of Lyra, they play as both Lyra and Pan - one cohesive unit. Pan can shape- shift into many different forms, all of which perform a unique set of tasks for the player. In the traversal aspect of play, using Pan’s variety of forms allows the player access to areas that Lyra could not reach without Pan’s help.

Shifting from one form to the next while moving across familiar (and unfamiliar universe environments) provides a very entertaining gameplay element. Pan can become 4 animal daemon shapes including a hawk, which allows Lyra to glide across areas that might be too far to jump. An ermine, which helps her to balance on unstable or narrow beams. A wild cat, that enables her to climb up walls. And a sloth form that, like a monkey, gives her the ability to swing from platform to platform. When a player controls Iorek gameplay shifts into a more interactive 3rd person combat game with attack combos and special action throws.

There won't be any multiplayer or online capabilities for the game, however it has been revealed that it will be utilizing the SIXAXIS wireless controller for some of Lyra's skills and some of the interactive mini-games involved.

The Golden Compass is slated for a release this December 4, three days before the actual film's release. It will be coming out on all platforms, including the PC, Xbox 360, PS3, PS2, PSP, DS and Wii.

Buy: The Golden Compass (PS3)

Buy: The Golden Compass (360)

Buy: The Golden Compass (Wii)

Buy: The Golden Compass (PSP)

 

A new batch of screenshots for Sega's The Golden Compass is out. Faithfully created to match the feel and sensibility of the movie, The Golden Compass is about Lyra Belaque and her quest to rescue her uncle in prison and her kidnapped best friend. Travelling with her on her quest is Pantalaimon, a daemon, and Iorek, the armored bear. The Golden Compass is her one true way to lead her on her journey.

The Golden Compass will be released in time with the movie on December 2007 for the PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS and PC.

PS3 Screenshots:

Wii Screenshots:

Epic-looking exploration and some very detailed background joy coming your way with these new batch of screenshots from Sega's The Golden Compass for the PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS and PC.

We get you the latest on the game about little Lyra Belacqua's mission to rescue her uncle and her best friend. As usual, the graphics are looking pretty solid and sharp. The environments are painstakingly detailed, and they really give you a sense of scale in terms of playing as a little girl out to explore the world on her own.

Lyra's personality looks to be successfully conveyed with her character's animations, such as how she holds her hands out for balance or while riding her polar bear. Very cute, if we may say. In any case, we'll leave you to enjoy the eye candy. Updates as we get them!

See the other screenshots after the jump!

Buy: The Golden Compass (PS3)

Buy: The Golden Compass (360)

Buy: The Golden Compass (Wii)

Buy: The Golden Compass (PSP)

Well, we promised you more details as soon as they arrive. Sega has released the latest trailer for The Golden Compass, featuring how the video game was created right alongside the movie. It provides an exciting look into the dynamics of the game from its atmosphere and background settings to gameplay and graphics. It also shows some of the steps the developers of the movie and the video game took to keep both mediums in tandem with each other.

The video game will be released for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii, Nintendo DS, PlayStation Portable, PC, and PlayStation 2, with the movie released about the same time.