When you've got a business going, it's a wise idea to keep track of your cashflow. THQ has been doing precisely that. In fact, the company has recently reported the fourth quarter results of the fiscal year, which ended last March 31, 2008. More financial statistics in the full article after the jump.

Here's another movie turned video game from Luxoflux and Activision: Kung Fu Panda (PC, Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, and DS). Play the role of Po the Panda as he trains with five of the best Kung Fu masters in China to fulfill his destiny of becoming the Dragon Warrior. You can read more about the game in our full article after the jump.

Activision recently raised its forecasts for the fiscal year, raising its estimate by more than US$ 200 million which prompted Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter to give his own prediction.

Although Pachter predicted earlier that it will win over Rock Band, he adds now that when Rock Band is released, Guitar Hero 3: Legends of Rock will decline a little in sales. More in the full article.

Activision's fiscal 2008 Q2 report is in, and the results are very encouraging. Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock (Sony PS3, Microsoft Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, PC) is bringing the house down as it earns over US$ 100 million in its first week to seal its reputation as one of gaming's most successful launches ever. Activision is definitely on a roll and has openly predicted that Q3 2007 just might yield income of about US$ 1 billion. Want to know the full financial details? Read more, then.

See the full story after the jump!

What's up this week down under? A whole new bunch of gaming treats from Nintendo. This week will see a couple of title launches for the Wii, while there's seven new games for you to pick up for your DS.

The two new titles for the Wii are Mario Strikers Charged, which lands in Australia with online multiplayer capabilities, and the odd royal gang from the land of Far Away, Shrek the Third. As for the DS titles, take your pick from the list below:

• Shrek the Third (Dreamworks)
• Brothers in Arms DS  (Ubisoft)
• Harvest Moon DS
• Nicktoons Battle for Volcano Island (THQ)
• Picross DS
• Princess Natasha
• Puzzle Quest

Anyhow, we're sure there's already a healthy bunch from among you who have already grabbed a copy of Mario Strikers Charged. So, the next best thing to say is, of course, enjoy! Keep it posted here for more updates on what's hot and what's not. This list: definitely hot.

In an interview with Game Daily, Activision's Daniel Suarez, executive producer of Transformers: The Game (for the PC, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, DS, PSP, Wii), gave some details as to what people could expect from another movie to game adaptation, especially from one movie that is anticipated to be a big hit come July.

However skeptical many gamers may be of another Activision movie-licensed game, Suarez reassured gamers and fans of the franchise that Hollywood now understands how the game development process works and no longer just sees a game as another licensed consumer product to bring in the big bucks.

Having worked at both Vivendi and Disney Interactive, Suarez believes he has seen Tinsel Town's perspective of the video game change for the better. He added:

Video games are no longer considered another licensed consumer product like a coffee cup or beach towel like they were about 10 years ago. Film makers, studio executives and nearly everyone involved in the production, marketing and promotion of a film are now gamers or have kids who are gamers.

So in essence, the movie makers would love their children to enjoy the fruits of their movie work, especially over video games. Often trying to meet at a point beneficial to both the movie and the game, the game developers and the movie producers closely collaborate to meet the objectives of the developers in making a perceptively great game - hopefully just as great as the movie.

Technology especially helped Hasbro, DreamWorks Pictures, Paramount, and Bay Films share assets in the film and integrate them as authentically as possible in the game. In fact, Activision already made efforts to bring G1 into the modern mix, after announcing the sign up of the original voice cast of the animated series for Transformers: The Game.

But if Spider-Man 3: The Game was any indication opposing Suarez's opinion, well, we won't be surprised if the game isn't more than what the eye already sees.

  

Dreamworks and Hasbro are rushing full throttle towards the completion of the anticipated game tie-in of the Transformers movie for the PlayStation 3, Wii, Xbox 360, DS and PlayStation Portable. Aptly titled Transformers: The Game, the developers are bannering gameplay mechanics that will re-live the glory days of the immortal cartoon series all the while introducing it to the younger generation using a next-gen mantle.

For starters, players will get to choose whether they want to play as the heroic Autobots or the nefarious Decepticons. Both sides have a wide array of Transformers icons such as Optimus Prime, Megatron, Bumblebee, Starscream and many more. Switching from vehicle to robot form will be almost seamless in order to adapt to whatever the situation calls for.

Environments, as expected, will be fully destructible to up the sense of sheer, mindless mayhem. For those who would like to play with more of a thinking style, they can pretend to use on-screen objects to their advantage and be very proud.
 

   

Hasbro and Dreamworks also revealed that the PSP version will have 20 playable characters with unique stats, abilities, personalities and more.

The kingdom of Far Far away is in need of a new leader, after the Frog Prince who turned into King Harold (who turned back into the Frog Prince - you know the story) fell ill. 'Course, our big green ogre opts to save the day, but what of his beloved swamp?

Thus the adventures of Shrek and his friends begin, in the movie, and on the upcoming multi-platform game tie-in of Shrek the Third. Players will be able to play as Shrek, Donkey, Puss in Boots, Fiona, Artie (Fiona's rebellious cousin), and Sleeping Beauty. There will be tons of exciting levels and locations, as well as exclusive game content.

The game releases May 2007, receiving an E10+ rating. Here are even more screen shots of Shrek The Third - we know you can't get enough of 'em. The screens are for the Xbox 360, the DS and the Wii respectively.

More screens await after the jump!

The last time we heard from our favorite ogre was last year. As the third movie nears release in May so does the game's release. Today we have new info on the multi platform title - Shrek the Third from Activision.

In this newest Shrek title, players would be able to play as Shrek, Donkey, Puss-in-Boots, Fiona, Arthur (Fiona's rebellious cousin), and Sleeping Beauty. The game will take players on another adventure to Far Far Away, visiting movie locations plus some exclusive game content. In the game, Prince Charming attacks the city with his merry band of fairy tale villains. Challenges include fighting Charming's evil henchmen, gathering collectibles, numerous boss fights, and single player and multiplayer mini games.

Shrek the Third also features 20 movie-based and game exclusive levels like the Academy Grounds, Pirate Ship, and Evil Queen's Castle (exclusive). And what would a Shrek game be without the signature twisted humor? Each character has a special ability: Shrek’s Ogre Power, Fiona’s Flying Kick, Puss N’ Boots Cute Puss, Sleeping Beauty’s sleeping Swoon attack, and Artie’s Power of Excalibur.

The game also includes puzzle and platform challenges (including three Princess challenges with Fiona and Sleeping Beauty). Six multiplayer minigames also include Castle Attack, Shrekleboard, Frog Herder, Shooting Gallery, Catacombs Leap, and Ships Ahoy.

Shrek the Third's release would coincide with the movie - May 2007. It has a rating of E10+ and would retail at US$ 49.99 (Xbox 360, Wii), US$ 39.99 (PS2, PSP), US$ 29.99 (GBA, NDS), and US$ 19.99 (PC). Here are some screens for the Wii, PSP, and DS versions.

See the rest of the screens after the jump!

Better graphics isn't enough. If you just increase the polygons, you will end up with better-looking characters, but that doesn't mean they'll look more "realistic." You need to improve the motion physics. And you also need to improve gameplay.

This is the point made by Glenn Entis, Academy-Award-winning senior VP and chief visual and technical officer for EA games (he was formerly CEO from Dreamworks Interactive). At the Montreal Games Summit, he used Final Fantasy as an example:

In Final Fantasy, the modelling fidelity was really better than the motion fidelity. In other words, when you looked at the models, they signalled an expectation to the audience that the motion couldn't deliver upon.

Alert the Final Fantasy fandom...
...and let the carnage commence.

An EA VP has dissed Final Fantasy for having unrealistic graphics. We can just imagine the chaos this is causing in RPG forums everywhere.

EA, on the other hand, has been hard at work to not only make characters photo-realistic, they're also making them move realistically. An example of how EA is achieving realism, according to Entis, is Tiger Woods PGA Tour (for the PC, Wii, Xbox 360, PSP, and PS3). Entis has proof that Tiger Woods PGA Tour has achieved realism: Tiger Woods couldn't tell he was looking at computer graphics.