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Digital Leisure Grounds 'Space Ace' HD DVD
Fri Mar 14, 2008 at 09:00 AM ETTags: Street Date Changes, High-Def Gaming, Digital Leisure (all tags)
Citing Toshiba's "cessation of support for the format," Digital Leisure has pulled the plug on its planned HD DVD port of the arcade classic 'Space Ace.'
As previously reported, Digital Leisure had announced a dual-format release for 'Space Ace,' with both the HD DVD and Blu-ray due to touch-down on April 8. The company's decision now leaves only the Blu-ray still on track for release.
Also blasted like an asteroid is the "head-to-head" online gaming feature that was to be an exclusive to the HD DVD version. (At press time, Digital Leisure says the Blu-ray version of 'Space Ace' will not be BD-Live enabled. Whether the company plans to reissue the title in the future in a Profile 2.0-compliant version that includes the online gaming component remains to be seen.)
Although the company says it does not plan to issue an official statement regarding its HD DVD support, a company rep tells us that with the cancellation of 'Space Ace,' Digital Leisure is no longer planning any future titles for the format. That leaves 'Dragon's Lair II: Time Warp' (which the company had previously indicated in press materials would see a dual-format release sometime in 2008) also DOA on HD DVD.
As always, we'll keep you posted on all future Digital Leisure announcements as they come to us.
In light of the nixing of 'Space Ace,' we've removed the title's listing from our HD DVD Release Schedule. You'll find complete specs for the Blu-ray version in our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under April 8.
- Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
- Space Ace (Blu-ray)
- Dragon's Lair (Blu-ray)
- Dragon's Lair (HD DVD)
- Earlier on High-Def Digest:
- 'Space Ace' Rockets to Blu-ray, HD DVD (Feb 06, 2008)
First Look: 'Space Ace' Blu-ray, HD DVD Art
Thu Feb 07, 2008 at 03:00 PM ETTags: High-Def Disc Packaging, Digital Leisure (all tags)
Its release date is still a couple of months away, but we've got an early peek at the box art for the high-def bow of the arcade classic, 'Space Ace.'
As we reported earlier this week, Digital Leisure is launching 'Space Ace' on Blu-ray and HD DVD as a follow-up to last year's high-def release of 'Dragon's Lair.'
Previously announced specs for both versions include remastered 1080p video (with the option to view in 16:9 and 4:3 aspect ratios) and Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround audio.
Among the bonus features is a picture-in-picture video commentary with the game's creators, additional interviews, and (on the HD DVD only) a "Head 2 Head" mode allowing web-enabled users to play the game simultaneously.
Now comes the first look at the title's cover art, recalling the graphics of the game's '80s heyday:
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As previously announced, Digital Leisure has set a suggested list price of $29.95 for both the Blu-ray and the HD DVD.
You'll find final specs for 'Space Ace' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule and HD DVD Release Schedule, where it is indexed under March 11.
We've also set up dedicated threads for Digital Leisure's latest in our Forums area -- click the following links to discuss the 'Space Ace' Blu-ray release and the 'Space Ace' HD DVD release.
- Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
- Space Ace (Blu-ray)
- Space Ace (HD DVD)
- Dragon's Lair (Blu-ray)
- Dragon's Lair (HD DVD)
- Earlier on High-Def Digest:
- 'Space Ace' Rockets to Blu-ray, HD DVD (Feb 06, 2008)
'Space Ace' Rockets to Blu-ray, HD DVD
Wed Feb 06, 2008 at 11:00 AM ETTags: Disc Announcements, High-Def Gaming, Digital Leisure (all tags)
Digital Leisure is making a return trip to the '80s arcade, announcing an April Blu-ray and HD DVD release for the videogame classic 'Space Ace.'
Following the company's high-def success with 'Dragon's Lair' (which it released on blu-ray and HD DVD last year), Digital Leisure is now readying its 1986 successor, 'Space Ace,' for a simultaneous April 8 release on both high-def formats.
Utilizing the same gameplay format as 'Dragon's Lair,' 'Space Ace' combines hand-drawn 2-D animation from the Don Bluth Studios with disc-based technology, allowing gamers to pilot the heroic Ace on a series of adventures using simple joystick commands.
Fully remastered for high-def, 'Space Ace' will be presented in identical 1080p transfers on the Blu-ray and HD DVD, with the option to play the game in both the original 1.37:1 aspect ratio as well as recomposed 1.78:1. Audio options include remixed English Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround, plus subtitles in English, French, Spanish, Italian and German.
Extras shared across both versions include a picture-in-picture video commentary with game creators Don Bluth, Gary Goldman and Rick Dyer, additional interviews excerpts, as well as a "Watch Mode," which allows you to view the game's complete animation without playing.
Exclusive to the HD DVD version will be "Leisure Online," a format-first online player experience that includes "Head 2 Head" gaming, allowing multiple web-enabled users to play simultaneously.
Digital Leisure has set a suggested price of $29.98 a peice for the Blu-ray and HD DVD.
As always, you'll find disc details for 'Space Ace' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule and HD DVD Release Schedule, where it's indexed under April 8.
We've also set up dedicated threads for Digital Leisure's latest in our Forums area -- click the following links to discuss the 'Space Ace' Blu-ray release and the 'Space Ace' HD DVD release.
- Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
- Space Ace (Blu-ray)
- Space Ace (HD DVD)
- Dragon's Lair (Blu-ray)
- Dragon's Lair (HD DVD)
'Space Ace' to Race to Blu-ray, HD DVD in 2008
Fri Oct 05, 2007 at 08:00 AM ETTags: Disc Announcements, High-Def Gaming, Digital Leisure (all tags)
Following up its next-gen success with 'Dragon's Lair,' Digital Leisure has announced plans to bring 'Space Ace' to Blu-ray and HD DVD in 2008.
There are no details or even a street date yet, but the distributor has confirmed that next-gen versions of the arcade classic are a go for "sometime in the first half of 2008," following a new PC version (due this fall).
As was the case with 'Dragon's Lair,' Digital Leisure says it has gone back to the original audio and video elements of 'Space Ace' and produced a brand-new 1080p video master, as well as a 5.1 multi-channel surround mix.
Specs for the PC version of the game also indicate new making-of material featuring original creator Don Bluth and his animation team. We can only expect that this material will find its way to the next-gen versions as well.
As always, we'll let you know as soon as release dates for the Blu-ray and HD DVD editions are announced. In the meantime, we've added 'Space Ace' to the "Release Dates Pending" sections of both our Blu-ray Release Schedule and HD DVD Release Schedule.
We've also set up a dedicated threads for Digital Leisure's latest in our Forums area -- click the following links to discuss the 'Space Ace' Blu-ray release or the 'Space Ace' HD DVD release.
- Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
- Dragon's Lair (Blu-ray)
- Dragon's Lair (HD DVD)
Digital Leisure to Unleash 'Dragon's Lair' on HD DVD This August
Mon Jul 02, 2007 at 11:45 AM ETTags: Disc Announcements, High-Def Gaming, Digital Leisure (all tags)
Lagging behind its Blu-ray counterpart by several months, 'Dragon's Lair' will finally hit HD DVD on August 15 from indie developer Digital Leisure.
The hybrid animated film/video game was one of the big hits of the arcade boom of the early '80s. Combining hand-drawn 2-D animation from the Don Bluth Studios with laserdisc-based technology, 'Dragon's Lair' allowed gamers to pilot the heroic Dirk the Daring on a series of adventures using simple joystick commands.
Digital Leisure has since released the trend-setter on several different home platforms, including standard-def DVD and DVD-ROM for PCs, before finally debuting the Blu-ray version earlier this year on April 9. (You can find out more info about the various permutations of 'Dragon's Lair,' and other background on the game, at www.digitalleisure.com.)
Though the company had always listed an upcoming HD DVD version in their promotional materials and website since announcing the Blu-ray, an official date had not been issued until now.
No specs nor supplemental details have yet been revealed, although this HD DVD edition is expected at least all of the extras found on the Blu-ray version.
Retail price will list for $29.95 (also mirroring the Blu-ray).
We'll keep you posted as soon as official specs are announced for 'Dragon's Lair.' In the meantime, we've added a new listing for this HD DVD edition to our HD DVD Release Schedule, under August 15.
For a complete review of the Blu-ray edition of 'Dragon's Lair,' you can read our review in full here.
See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
- Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
- Dragon's Lair (HD DVD)
- Dragon's Lair (Blu-ray)
- Earlier on High-Def Digest:
- Digital Leisure Adds BD-Java Interactivity to 'Dragon's Lair,' Sets April Release Date (Mar 26, 2007)
Digital Leisure Adds BD-Java Interactivity to 'Dragon's Lair,' Sets April Release Date
Mon Mar 26, 2007 at 03:58 PM ETTags: Disc Announcements, High-Def Gaming, BD-Java, Digital Leisure (all tags)
Indie distributor Digital Leisure has announced an April 9 street date for the arcade classic 'Dragon's Lair' on Blu-ray, marking the format's first title to be authored with BD-Java picture-in-picture interactivity.
As first reported last week, Digital Leisure announced plans to bring the popular '80s arcade classic to Blu-ray. Combining hand-drawn 2-D animation from the Don Bluth Studios with laserdisc-based technology, 'Dragon's Lair' allowed gamers to pilot the heroic Dirk the Daring on a series of adventures using simple joystick commands.
Now, they have revealed full details for the release, which will include a fully remastered, frame-by-frame restoration in 1080p video done by Digital Leisure and authoring studio Infinite HD. The disc will also include a restored Dolby Digital 5.1 surround track taken from the game's original elements.
Supplements exclusive to the new Blu-ray include are brand-new interviews with game creators Don Bluth, Gary Goldman and Rick Dyer, and a full-length visual commentary of the game, all in full 1080p video.
But the most exciting news for Blu-ray is that 'Dragon's Lair' will make full use of the format's BD-Java authoring environment for video picture-in-picture enhancement. Since the launch of the Blu-ray format, titles containing interactivity comparable to that of current HD DVD releases, which routinely offer extras like "In-Movie Experience" picture-in-picture video commentaries, have been promised. Such plans, however, have continued held up due to production snafus with BD-Java authoring tools.
Should 'Dragon's Lair' arrive as scheduled on April 9, it will make history as the first BD-J title to hit the market. Among the enhancements planned for the release include increased functionality with the PlayStation 3, and fully interactive extras, including a visual commentary with the gamemakers. It may also prove to be the milestone that ushers in a new era of widespread studio support for full-capability BD-J-enhanced Blu-ray titles.
Digital Leisure has also announced an HD DVD version of 'Dragon's Lair,' but has so far not scheduled a street date for the release. Stay tuned.
Full specs for 'Dragon's Lair' have now been added to our Blu-ray Release Schedule, under April 9.
See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
- Earlier on High-Def Digest:
- Digital Leisure to Bring 'Dragon's Lair' to Blu-ray (Mar 20, 2007)
Digital Leisure to Bring 'Dragon's Lair' to Blu-ray
Tue Mar 20, 2007 at 07:50 PM ETTags: High-Def Gaming, PlayStation 3, Digital Leisure (all tags)
Indie developer Digital Leisure will bring the first interactive high-definition game to Blu-ray with the upcoming release of the classic 'Dragon's Lair.'
The landmark animated adventure was one of the big hits of the arcade boom of the early '80s. Combining hand-drawn 2-D animation from the Don Bluth Studios with laserdisc-based technology, 'Dragon's Lair' allowed gamers to pilot the heroic Dirk the Daring on a series of adventures using simple joystick commands.
Digital Leisure has since brought the classic to many different home platforms, including standard-def DVD and DVD-ROM for PCs. (You can find out more info about the various permutations of 'Dragon's Lair,' and other background on the game, at www.digitalleisure.com.)
The developer has not yet announced a date for Dirk's debut on Blu-ray, nor any specs, features or pricing info. However, they have sent out a series of flyers touting his imminent next-gen arrival, which is expected by summer 2007.
The company says they also plan to release a dedicated BD-ROM version of the title exclusively for the PlayStation 3. An HD DVD version of 'Dragon's Lair' was announced late last year, but so far has not yet been scheduled.
We'll certainly be looking forward to checking out the title with a full review, as the increased interactivity of Blu-ray should be far more seamless and enjoyable than the rather clunky standard-def DVD version.
We'll keep you posted on an official release date for 'Dragon's Lair' on Blu-ray as soon as it is confirmed. We've also added a preliminary listing for the game to our Blu-ray Release Schedule, under the "Release Dates Pending" section.
See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
- Related links:
- Digital Leisure [Official Site]
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