http://www.casualgaming.biz/ casualgaming.biz Latest News en-uk Copyright 2009, Intent Media http://www.casualgaming.biz/news/28062/ELSPA-Family-gaming-is-key-to-UK-success ELSPA MD Michael Rawlinson has singled out the popularity of family-based gaming as the key force behind 2008's market growth. http://www.casualgaming.biz/news/28062/ELSPA-Family-gaming-is-key-to-UK-success http://www.casualgaming.biz/news/28061/Nintendo-spearheads-UK-games-market-growth 2008 was a record year for video games sales in the UK, with the games market hitting an all time high last year according to ELSPA/GFK Chart-Track figures. The total software and market was worth £4.034bn, up greatly from £3.4bn in 2007 - and it's Nintendo's casual revolution that has lead the way. http://www.casualgaming.biz/news/28061/Nintendo-spearheads-UK-games-market-growth http://www.casualgaming.biz/news/28058/New-conference-to-focus-on-iPhone-gaming Gaming on the iPhone is to get its own dedicated conference with the debut of the iGames Summit, taking place on March 19th in San Francisco. http://www.casualgaming.biz/news/28058/New-conference-to-focus-on-iPhone-gaming http://www.casualgaming.biz/news/28057/Littlest-Pet-Shop-springs-back The sixth entry in the Littlest Pet Shop series of games is to be released for the Nintendo DS in March 2009. http://www.casualgaming.biz/news/28057/Littlest-Pet-Shop-springs-back http://www.casualgaming.biz/news/28056/Hasbro-and-EA-now-aiming-for-Xbox-Live Just yesterday EA and Hasbro were beating their chests about the success enjoyed by their game ventures in 2008 - and now the duo have announced that they are to launch a dedicated Hasbro Family Game Night channel on the recently rejuvenated Xbox Live Marketplace. http://www.casualgaming.biz/news/28056/Hasbro-and-EA-now-aiming-for-Xbox-Live http://www.casualgaming.biz/news/28055/US-EA-bringing-Scrabble-to-DS-and-PSP Following news of a successful 2008 for the EA-Hasbro partnership, the US games publisher has announced that the pair are to release a handheld version of popular board game Scrabble on the Nintendo DS and Sony PSP. http://www.casualgaming.biz/news/28055/US-EA-bringing-Scrabble-to-DS-and-PSP http://www.casualgaming.biz/news/28054/Fingertime-launches-casual-games-Facebook-app Branded content specialist PlayerThree has become the latest firm to use Facebook to boost the accessibility and popularity of its casual gaming business by releasing a brand new dedicated app within the popular social networking store. http://www.casualgaming.biz/news/28054/Fingertime-launches-casual-games-Facebook-app http://www.casualgaming.biz/news/28053/Christmas-Wiis-quickly-passed-on Despite courting a reputation as a consistently sought after Christmas gift year on year, in the wake of the recent festive season the Wii has been one of the most readily returned and sold-on presents. http://www.casualgaming.biz/news/28053/Christmas-Wiis-quickly-passed-on http://www.casualgaming.biz/news/28052/Hidden-object-game-heading-to-Xbox-Live One of the most popular genres in the casual games market is heading to Xbox Live Arcade tomorrow with the release of hidden object title Interpol: The Trail of Dr. Chaos on the North American version of the portal. http://www.casualgaming.biz/news/28052/Hidden-object-game-heading-to-Xbox-Live http://www.casualgaming.biz/news/28051/Lenovo-debuts-motion-controlled-PC PC manufacturer Lenovo has lifted the lid on its upcoming multimedia PC the IdeaCentre A600, which interestingly will include a Wii-like motion sensing remote control. http://www.casualgaming.biz/news/28051/Lenovo-debuts-motion-controlled-PC