Shanda Games acquires Mochi Media

Shanda Games, a Chinese online gaming company, says it will acquire US-based Mochi Media, in its latest move to expand worldwide, reports BusinessWeek.

The acquisition involves $60 million in cash and $20 million in shares.

Mochi Media's network of more than 140 million monthly active users, and its more than 15 000 browser-based games, were key attractions, Shanda Games says.

The extra large version of the Nintendo DS, otherwise known as the DSi XL, will be released on 5 March in the UK, and possibly in Europe, but no details about the pricing have yet been revealed, says ITProPortal.

The fourth version of the very popular portable gaming console from Nintendo has two 4.2-inch screens that are nearly twice as big as those on the previous DS Lite and significantly clearer, according to reviews.

According to the Official Nintendo Magazine, it will also be bundled with four different applications including a Web browser. The DSi XL is likely to cement the lead the DS family has over its Japanese archrival the PSP even if, according to observers, it will be sold for around £150 (R1 800).

Warner Bros Interactive Entertainment has made a deal with the Sesame Workshop to develop games based on Sesame Street, according to The Escapist.

The games will be educational, just like the television series which has over 4 000 episodes under its belt and has been going strong since 1969.

Specifically mentioned by Warner Bros were preschool console games that would mix Sesame Street characters with particular types of curricula. There weren't any other age groups mentioned, so as of now there isn't going to be anything that kids above the age of five would want to play.