A bit of sad news here: Activision has decided to pull the plug on its Foster City studio, Underground Development. Some 45 employees will be affected by the closure of the firm recognized for its work on extreme sports sims and Enemy Territory: Quake Wars. More details after the jump!

Game publisher Crave Entertainment is letting the word out via press wire that they'll be hosting an open house this Thursday, June 28 in New York. Among other things, the presentation will have the company showcasing their line-up of games being prepared for the Wii, PlayStation 2, Nintendo DS, and PSP:

• Brunswick Pro Bowling
• Napoleon Dynamite
• George of the Jungle
• Spelling Challenges and More
• Crayola Adventures
• Dave Mirra BMX Challenge
• Pinball Hall of Fame: the Williams Collection

Lunch and snacks are expected to be served at the event. Crave Entertainment's press day is expected to take place on the sixth floor of the Millennium Broadway Hotel, 145 West 44th Street (between 6th and 7th Avenues), in New York City, from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

We guess this next one will finally settle the score for video game Dave Mirra BMX Challenge. As you all probably know by now, this game didn't do well in North America. This time, Oxygen Games will try to score a Perfect 10 as it makes BMX Challenge available in UK.

The game itself has a lot of noteworthy features such as an intuitive control system, different modes, customizable characters, around 17 levels in nine environments, and a host of collectable and upgradeable in-game items.

Speaking about modes, Dave Mirra BMX Challenge offers Ad-hoc wireless play for up to four people. Prior to all these, we've already shared with you a lot of screenshots and gameplay videos for this video game. Have you already made up your mind if this game's worth your money or not?

If you're still undecided, maybe this official statement from Oxygen Games itself will finally sway you over, "Utilizing sophisticated bike and rider physics to give the game realistic responses, 'Mirra' allows players to experience all the thrills and spills of one of extreme sports’ most popular activities."

Here's another trailer video for upcoming title Dave Mirra BMX Challenge. Basically, the clip below is similar with all the previous trailers released for the title: It shows Dave Mirra doing his thing interspersed with in-game footage, most possibly to show the similarities between BMX Challenge and the real thing.

Anyway, more than for North American fans, this promotional video is for those in UK as the title will be arriving there on June 15. Dave Mirra BMX Challenge first arrived in the U.S. back in November 2006. It was developed by Oxygen Entertainment and will be published by Crave Entertainment.

It should be remembered that BMX Challenge didn't quite rate well in North America. It would be interesting to know what reception PSP owners in other markets are going to give it.

   

It really took Oxygen Entertainment a long while before delivering Dave Mirra BMX Challenge in UK. It should be remembered that the video game title had several release date reschedules beginning April to May. Maybe IGN's words really got in the way and Oxygen as well as Crave Entertainment took the time to polish the game.

Anyway, if all things go well, fans in UK should finally find BMX Challenge in retail stores starting June 15. Despite the delays and many road blocks, the star Dave Mirra still sounded excited about the game as he said, "this game is the closest thing to reality without the cost of the bumps and bruises."

For the benefit of those who have no idea what Dave Mirra BMX Challenge has to offer, we listed down some of the game's noteworthy features:

• Dave Mirra BMX Challenge is a first to format release
• Intuitive control system, realistic responsiveness, and pumping sound track
• Ad-hoc wireless play for up to 4 people
• Trick attack, training and race playability with exhibition, novice and pro modes
• Evolving track progression
• Flips, grinds and grabs have all been implemented into the game - performing them grants speed boosts
• Create your very own customizable riders with detailed create-a-character mode
• In depth career mode
• 17 levels, nine environments and a selection of bikes to unlock and upgrade
• Earn better bikes, increase trick ability, complete gravity-defying moves
• Perform over 100 tricks
• Clothing collectables throughout the levels – gather these items to unlock extra clothing options
• Compete head-to-head with other opponents online in mini games such as Simple Race, Capture the Clown, Who's the Leader, Biggest Trick Combo and Best Score.

In addition to some up and coming new video games on the Wii and DS platforms, Nintendo of Europe has also released some updates to their already extensive list of titles, with some exciting additions for the Q2 lineup.

Here's the pretty extensive Wii games lineup for you. Combine this with our previous coverage of the listings for the most up-to-date report on the happenings from Nintendo's game makers. Enjoy!

Wii Software:

• April 13 Wing Island (Nintendo / Hudson)
• April 20 Chicken Little: Ace in Action (Disney Interactive Studios)   
  
• April      Cooking Mama Wii (505 Games)    
  
• April      Elevator Action (505 Games)   
• April      Pop’n Pop (505 Games)

More Wii and DS goodies after the jump!

Yeah, yeah. We know Dave Mirra BMX Challenge is not one of the most sought-after video game titles out there, and that's probably because gaming site IGN labeled it as "the worst game ever." Well, for UK fans who disagree with that label, you will get the chance to try BMX Challenge by May, so that you can give the game a spin first before passing judgment on this title.

As it goes, Oxygen Games and Crave Entertainment seem unfazed by critics, and the two are still banking heavily on the popularity of Dave Mirra. In fact, they just released a new video for the title that aims to better associate the game with the real-life biker. The new video even has the slogan, "The King of BMX is back. Kiss the sky. Or the concrete. It's up to you."

Also, the said video is interspersed with in-game footage and cut-scenes of the real Dave Mirra performing gravity-defying stunts himself. We're guessing that Oxygen and Crave are aiming for is for fans who want to feel the rush brought by the sport through their PlayStation Portable (PSP) units.

Enough yadda. We hosted the video and you can download it below. Watch it tell and feel free to tell us what you think.

Download: Dave Mirra BMX Challenge 30-sec video

Yesterday, we had a report regarding Oxygen Interactive's rather elusive theme park-based party game, King of Clubs, which is said to be released on various platforms. Some of you might be interested in the flavor of games that Oxygen brings to the table, so we decided to share with you some of the company's upcoming titles in the UK for 2007.

The titles are grouped according to the platforms which they will be released on, and we also indicated the title's genre, in case you're an Puzzle or platform-only kind of person, and want to take your pick early. On top of that, we also have the games' scheduled release dates as well as suggested retail prices. Are you ready? You might want to grab a pen and some paper, so you won't forget.

PlayStation Portable (PSP):

• Dave Mirra BMX Challenge (BMX) - May 25 / 29.99 GBP
• World Championship Poker 2 (Poker) - June 15 / 19.99 GBP
• Hard Rock Casino (Gambling) - July 13 / 19.99 GBP
• The King of Clubs (Action-Puzzle) - July 20 / 24.99 GBP
• C.I.D 925: An Ordinary Life (Platform) - October 19 / 24.99 GBP

Nintendo Wii:

• The King of Clubs (Action-Puzzle) - July 20 / TBC
• C.I.D 925: An Ordinary Life (Platform) - October 19 / TBC
• 8 Ball All Stars (Pool) - November 1 / TBC
• PDC World Championship Darts 2008 (Darts) - November 24 / 29.99 GBP

Games for Windows (PC):

• World Championship Poker 2 (Poker) - April 20 / 19.99 GBP
• Quest for Aladdin's Treasure (Action-Adventure) - May 25 / 19.99 GBP
• C.I.D 925: An Ordinary Life (Platform) - October 19 / 24.99 GBP
• PDC World Championship Darts 2008 (Darts) - November 24 / 29.99 GBP

View the list of Xbox 360 and Nintendo DS titles after the Jump!

Confirmed! Crave Entertainment officially announced today that PlayStation Portable-original Dave Mirra BMX Challenge is indeed headed to Nintendo's hot, hot console - the Wii. This is going to be interesting, as we all know how the game suffered under the brutal rating hands of giant gaming site IGN.

The Wii version of the game will allow players to choose from 13 different bikes. There are going to be 12 unique environments, with each one consisting of two race paths and available in race or trick-oriented modes. Dave Mirra is the featured character, of course, but players have the option to create and customize their own characters.

Crave Entertainment Vice President Jim Flaharty shared his comments regarding this latest development: "Dave Mirra BMX Challenge will be the first BMX game for Wii. The immersive Wii controls combined with the thrill of BMX racing will make Dave Mirra BMX Challenge a real treat for action sports fans."

Dave Mirra BMX Challenge was actually developed by Oxygen Games. It will become available later this June for a curiously low price of US$ 29.99.

Two bits of news for the Wii fans, one regarding a sword, and one regarding a game. For the game side, Crave Entertainment is reported to be readying a new bike game for the Wii that PlayStation Portable (PSP) owners may recognize: Dave Mirra's BMX Challenge.

The video game's PSP version is already set for a May release in the UK, with the Nintendo Wii version of the game expected to hit the console this Q3. This may turn out to be an interesting opportunity to see how the Wii port will turn out, given its previous IGN ratings...

As for the new sword, accessory manufacturer Intec is reported to be working on a new sword accessory for the Wiimote for this April, although details for now are scarce - though a sword-wielding Zelda gamer does sound...scary. Wii owners may remember this maker for its previous release of a Wii Racing Wheel and Wii vertical stand, among other products. Stay tuned for further details on these new developments.