Meet Duncan Orrell-Jones

To show it's serious about a digital future, Nintendo of America has created a role — senior vice president of network business — and appointed Duncan Orrell-Jones to the new position.

Orrell-Jones will lead the company's digital strategy for 3DS and Wii U in North America, reporting directly to Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime. Before joining Nintendo, Orrell-Jones spent nearly 20 years at the Walt Disney Company, where his responsibilities included spearheading digital opportunities for Disney-owned IP.

Orrell-Jones takes up the role on 1st July. Here's hoping that date signals the start of a big improvement in Nintendo's online strategy.

Nintendo of America Hires New Senior VP of Network Business

Duncan Orrell-Jones to Lead Nintendo’s Online Efforts

REDMOND, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Nintendo of America announces the hiring of a new senior vice president of Network Business. Effective July 1, Duncan Orrell-Jones will take on the newly created position and spearhead the development and evolution of Nintendo of America’s digital strategy for the company’s Nintendo 3DS and Wii U video game systems. Orrell-Jones will work at Nintendo’s headquarters in Redmond, Wash., and report to Nintendo of America President and COO Reggie Fils-Aime.

“Duncan Orrell-Jones brings knowledge and hands-on experience to Nintendo that will help us develop and implement long-term digital initiatives for our systems,” Fils-Aime said. “By creating this new position we’re demonstrating our commitment to the expansion of our online business, and Duncan is the perfect person for the job.”

Orrell-Jones comes to Nintendo from The Walt Disney Company, where he has worked since 1993, most recently as senior vice president in the Disney Interactive Media Group. In that role, he was responsible for identifying opportunities to expand Disney’s games business outside North America across a variety of platforms. Prior to that he also served as the senior vice president and general manager for the Disney Interactive Media Group in Tokyo, where he led a 140-person team to drive the company’s digital properties on various platforms.

Orrell-Jones holds a bachelor’s degree in physics from UCLA and an MBA from Emory University’s Goizueta Business School.

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Oh and I've added an AC adaptor to my Game Gear über-lot. 32 games! Refurbished machine! http://t.co/w99mzqUw

I have two sealed Super Mario Galaxy 2 collector's edition strategy guides on eBay. They are cheap. Please buy them. http://t.co/vnf91Mo2

Sea change

SEGA Europe has closed regional offices in Spain, Germany, France, Benelux and Australia as it changes focus from retail to digital.

SEGA Europe will now shift its priorities to developing new and existing digital content while its retail games will stick to established IP like Sonic the Hedgehog, Aliens, Football Manager and Total War, as revealed back in March.

In recent years SEGA's original IP has struggled outside of Japan. Critically acclaimed games such as Vanquish and Valkyria Chronicles haven't found the sales their quality deserved, and its recent releases on Nintendo platforms like Rhythm Thief and the Emperor's Treasure and CRUSH3D haven't fared too well either.

SEGA Europe's chief operating officer Jurgen Post told MCV:

You have to embrace the new world, and you can’t continue doing everything like you were doing it in the past. If you only stick to what you know, you will have a very short success.

Here's hoping this realignment means SEGA's still in the game for many years to come, and our best wishes to all those affected by the office closures.

SEGA REVIEWS THEIR EUROPEAN STRUCTURE

Distribution partners in place across Europe

LONDON – 28th June 2012 – SEGA® Europe today confirmed that as a result of the recent restructure it will be shifting business to focus on developing new and existing digital content as well as driving key IP for packaged goods. SEGA has therefore realigned its business strategy and will be closing their offices in France, Germany, Spain, Australia and Benelux.

Koch Media have been appointed to assist SEGA with distribution across Germany, Switzerland, Austria, France and Spain of packaged goods, Level03 Distribution and 5 Star Games will assist with distribution across Benelux and Australia respectively which will be implemented from the 1st July 2012.

All other territories will continue to be run through the same channels as before, and along with Koch, Level03 and 5 Star, will be managed through the SEGA Europe Headquarters based in London.

“SEGA is entering a new and exciting phase that will position the company as a content led organisation maximising sales with strong and balanced IP such as Sonic the Hedgehog, Total War, Football Manager and the Aliens franchise”, commented Jurgen Post, COO of SEGA Europe. “The company will benefit from a clear focus and realigned strategy for our digital business and packaged goods and we are confident that this will lead to a successful future.”

SEGA will continue the sales, marketing and distribution of London 2012™ - The Official Video Game of the Olympic Games which will be launched on the 28th June in Australia and the 29th June across Europe for PC, the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system, and the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system.

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Monkeys, marvels and more

Some quality original content on 3DS and DSi reaches North America this week, with two free demos to pick up as well. Here's what's out this week.

Nintendo 3DS Download Software

Marvel Pinball 3D (Zen Studios, $7.99, 661 blocks) — Take four Marvel-themed tables for a spin in Zen Studios' follow-up to its very good Zen Pinball 3D. We're putting it through its paces and should have a review for you soon.

Bomb Monkey (Renegade Kid, $4.99, 68 blocks) — What do you get when you cross a monkey and a bomb? A baboom. Expect better gameplay than our jokes in this quirky little action puzzler. Read our Bomb Monkey first impressions while we work on our review.

3DS Demos

Rhythm Thief and the Emperor's Treasure (SEGA) — One of the most original titles to hit 3DS yet — though the title probably gives that away — try out SEGA's upcoming title and then read our Rhythm Thief and the Emperor's Treasure review for our verdict.

Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance (Square Enix) — OK, this actually hit during last week's Nintendo Direct conference, but it's worth reminding you that you can now try Square Enix's upcoming RPG for free.

3DS Weekend Sale

VVVVVV — $4.99 — Get Nicalis' superb version of this mind-bending platform puzzler for $4.99 this weekend. Read our VVVVVV review if you're even slightly on the fence, which you shouldn't be by now.

DSiWare

Escape the Virus: Swarm Survival (Teyon, 200pts, 31 blocks) — Almost exactly like WiiWare game Viral Survival, in this game you have to collect DNA and avoid viruses. We'll have a review soon.

Flip the Core (Engine Software, 200pts, 73 blocks) — A DSiWare shooter with a retro tinge, this could be an intriguing title, and we'll have a full review soon.

Quite a bumper week this week. What will you be buying, if anything? Let us know on our Facebook poll.

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Go for gold

UK video game celebration Games Britannia will be the first opportunity for fans to try out New Super Mario Bros. 2 on Nintendo 3DS.

Nintendo is bringing the platformer to Sheffield next week as part of its Nintendo Unleashed tour, alongside Kid Icarus: Uprising and 'quirky' (to say the least) Wii title Beat the Beat: Rhythm Paradise.

Get down to Sheffield's Magna Centre on 7th and 8th July to try out Mario and more. Tickets are available now.

FIRST EVER UK SHOWING OF NEW SUPER MARIO BROS. 2 ON NINTENDO 3DS

Games Britannia, 2-8 July 2012, Sheffield

Games Britannia will be host to the first ever UK consumer showing of New Super Mario Bros. 2, a side-scrolling adventure game for Nintendo 3DS featuring Mario, Luigi and lots of other favourite characters from the Mario universe.

Those keen to get hands-on will not be disappointed, with every level filled with coin collecting opportunities, the Mushroom Kingdom is bursting with adventure. The game records all the coins players collect throughout their quest, so completing a level is only part of the fun.

Nintendo 3DS enthusiasts at Games Britannia will also get the opportunity to play one of the biggest games to hit Nintendo 3DS this year, Kid Icarus: Uprising, and celebrate the revival of hero Pit with a dedicated Swap Shop and battle zone for the collectible AR Cards. AR cards will be available to win for all those victorious in battle.

That’s not all, for those looking to get hands on with the Wii, the quirky new rhythm-based game Beat the Beat: Rhythm Paradise will be available to demo with exclusive souvenir posters on offer for all those who trial the game.

For more information check out www.nintendo.co.uk/events which will be updated with events throughout the Unleashed tour.

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Out 5th July

North American 3DS owners can try out upcoming action adventure Heroes of Ruin with a free demo on 5th July.

The trial will be playable in single-player or multiplayer, both on and offline, and serves as a neat introduction to n-Space's ambitious 3DS game.

If you're keen to know more, check out our Heroes of Ruin review for details.

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Remember Pokémon fans, Ctrl + Alt + e is your friend. éééé.

7th for North America, 12th for Europe

DS owners will be able to return to Unova in October when Pokémon Black and White 2 launches in the West.

The sequel lands in North America on 7th October and follows in Europe just five days later on 12th October.

As well as new Formes of legendary Pokémon, there are several new features in this sequel. At Pokéstar Studios you can create your own movies using battle sequences and dialogue, which the in-game audience will rate according to quality.

3DS players will also be able to buy eShop accompaniment Pokémon Dream Radar on the same day; 7th October in North America, 12th October in Europe. Pokédex 3D Pro is also set for release in autumn, but there's no specific date for that one yet.

Will you be picking up this DS adventure and its eShop side order?

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POKÉMON BLACK VERSION 2, POKÉMON WHITE VERSION 2 AND POKÉMON DREAM RADAR LAUNCHING OCTOBER 12th 2012

A Massive Pokémon Adventure Continues on Nintendo DS and Nintendo 3DS

28th June, 2012 – Dive into the world of Pokémon like never before when two new Nintendo DS Pokémon games and a downloadable Nintendo 3DS title arrive this October. The successors to the acclaimed Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version games, Pokémon Black Version 2 and Pokémon White Version 2, are set to launch for the Nintendo DS family of systems (playable on Nintendo 3DS in 2D mode) on Friday 12th October 2012. Pokémon Dream Radar will also be available for purchase in the Nintendo eShop for Nintendo 3DS on the same day. This downloadable Nintendo 3DS title allows Nintendo 3DS owners to catch their favourite Pokémon, including some very rare ones, via the Nintendo 3DS cameras, using motion control and augmented-reality technology and transfer them into Pokémon Black Version 2 and Pokémon White Version 2.

Pokémon Black Version 2 and Pokémon White Version 2 bring players back to the Unova Region two years after the events of Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version. There are many new areas to discover, and changes to familiar places for you to explore. One new area is Virbank City, home to Pokéstar Studios. Players will be able to visit Pokéstar Studios and star in their own movie with their favourite Pokémon. The movie a player creates premieres at the in-game theatre, where the audience gives it a rating. Movies are rated based on script choices and battle move sequences, and players can even create sequels to existing movies. There are many movie genres to choose from, including romantic comedy and horror.

Pokémon Black Version 2 and Pokémon White Version 2 will also give fans of the original games a chance to catch up with some familiar friends. In this game, Cheren and Bianca return two years after the events of Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version, and a lot has changed. Bianca is now the assistant to Professor Juniper, helping her with Pokémon research and Cheren is now a Gym Leader and a teacher at a school in Aspertia City – the starting location for this adventure.

In Pokémon Black Version 2 and Pokémon White Version 2, players will also be able to catch some of the Pokémon from outside the Unova region ? such as Eevee, Riolu, Tyranitar, Arcanine and Mareep? right from the start of the game. If they are playing on Nintendo 3DS, players can also transfer Pokémon they have caught with the Pokémon Dream Radar into their Pokémon Black Version 2 and Pokémon White Version 2 games (visible in 2D only). Pokémon Dream Radar lets players use several different features of the Nintendo 3DS system, including the Nintendo 3DS camera, motion control and augmented-reality technology, to discover and catch Pokémon. The game includes hard-to-find Pokémon such as the new Therian Formes of Legendary Pokémon Tornadus, Thundurus, and Landorus.

Also launching this Autumn for purchase from the Nintendo eShop, players can learn all about their favourite Pokémon with Pokédex 3D Pro for Nintendo 3DS. This enhanced and upgraded version of the original Pokédex 3D includes detailed information about every known Pokémon featured in the history of the Pokémon video game series.

For more information about Pokémon Black Version 2, Pokémon White Version 2, Pokémon Dream Radar and Pokédex 3D Pro, visit http://www.pokemonblackwhite.com.

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All in good time

Annoyed the 3DS XL won't support the standard Circle Pad Pro? Don't worry, the machine will get its own peripheral later this year.

Satoru Iwata told shareholders that Nintendo will release an attachment for the larger machine later on in the year, but didn't share any more details like price, size or how hard it'd be hit with the ugly stick.

You won't need to replace all your 3DS accessories if you upgrade, though; the plastic stand from Kid Icarus: Uprising will work just fine and presumably not crumble under the weight.

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