007 parody by Sebastian Faulks to get paperback reprint this year

A new paperback edition of Pistache, a collection of fanciful, satirical and surprising parodies, squibs and pastiches from Devil May Care author Sebastian Faulks, is due to be released this June in the UK.

Originally released in late 2006, this amusing collection featured the author’s first take on a James Bond adventure (of sorts) with the inclusion of Ian Fleming Thinks Even James Bond Goes Shopping, a story featuring 007 on a dangerous mission in a supermarket.

For a more detailed look at this Bond parody, check out the CommanderBond.net article: Even James Bond Goes Shopping.

Pistache will be published by Arrow Books Ltd. on 3 June 2010 and will retail for £6.99. Pre-order at a discounted price now at Amazon.co.uk…

• Order the UK paperback edition of Pistache from Amazon.co.uk

Keep visiting the CommanderBond.net main page and our Discussion Forums for the most up-to-date literary 007 coverage on the web.

James Bond first editions listed on Bloomsbury's 28 January sale

Another new Bloomsbury Auctions sale means another chance for bidders to land some of Ian Fleming’s original James Bond titles.

Scheduled to take place on Thursday, 28 January, the English & Continental Printed Books, Modern First Editions sale in London will feature seven 007 lots in total, including Fleming’s Dr. No, Thunderball and You Only Live Twice.

Bloomsbury Auctions is located at: Bloomsbury House, 24 Maddox Street, Mayfair, London, W1S 1PP. For further details, phone +44(0) 20 7495 9494 or visit the official Bloomsbury Auctions website.

Details on selected James Bond lots follow below:

Lot 370 – Dr. No

Fleming (Ian) Dr No, first edition, tape burns to free endpapers, original second state boards with silhouette, dust-jacket, crudely price-clipped, rubbed at corners, very small closed tear to head of upper panel, otherwise very good, 8vo, 1958.

Estimate: £350 – £450

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Lot 372 – Thunderball

Fleming (Ian) Thunderball, first edition, original boards, dust-jacket, a fine example with none of the usual browning, 8vo, 1961.

Estimate: £300 – £400

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Lot 373 – You Only Live Twice

Fleming (Ian) You Only Live Twice, first edition, first state, ink number on verso of title, tape marks, sticker and biro mark on endpapers, original boards, dust-jacket, small sticker on foot of spine, otherwise very good, 1964; and a price-clipped copy of Octopussy, 8vo (2)

Estimate: £120 – £180

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Lot 376 – Octopussy and The Living Daylights

Fleming (Ian) Octopussy and The Living Daylights, first edition, original boards, dust-jacket, not clipped but with publisher’s price-sticker, a fine copy, 8vo, 1966.

Estimate: £80 – £120

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Keep your browsers locked on the CommanderBond.net main page and our Twitter feed for all the latest news on James Bond-related events occurring around the world.

MGM continues to solicit bids

The Hollywood Repoter – MGM remains solicitous.

The Lion and studio consultant Moelis & Co. continue to solicit offers from companies interested in acquiring all or part of MGM. Almost 150 lenders bearing $3.7 billion in Lion debt are pushing for a sale of the studio, but don’t expect anything of that sort to happen quickly.

At least two bids were received by Sunday. Moelis has signaled bidding will be allowed to continue through the holiday-stretched weekend, despite a Friday deadline on first-round activity.

On Tuesday, representatives of MGM and Moelis will mull a next step in the process.

In an eleventh-hour development Friday, MGM relaxed some terms of its strict nondisclosure rules, which had kept Fox from participating in first-round due diligence. Studio execs refused to sign off on confidentiality agreements required for access to a virtual data room, with some industryites reading into that Fox’s intent to collaborate with a third-party suitor for MGM such as former News Corp. exec Peter Chernin.

With Fox finally signing off on the newly tweaked forms Friday, the Pico Boulevard studio or parent News Corp. is likely to make some sort of bid for the Lion. Ditto Time Warner and Lionsgate, though it remains to be seen whether their nonbinding offers will be for the entire company or simply select MGM assets or limited film rights such as a bid covering the James Bond franchise.

Those examining financial documents in the due diligence phase that preceded actual bidding included representatives of Warner Bros., Lionsgate, AT&T and Summit Entertainment, Reliance Big Entertainment and others. Fox will review MGM’s books this week.

A report in India’s Economic Times newspaper said Amitabh Jhunjhunwala, vice chairman of RBE-affiliated Reliance Capital, met with MGM execs and bankers in L.A. recently. Jhunjhunwala is also on the board of DreamWorks following RBE’s $325 million investment for an equal stake in Steven Spielberg’s studio.

If bids received in the first round prove sufficiently serious, lenders again would have to stretch the Jan. 31 deadline on a big interest payment owed by the studio if the search for buyers were to continue. MGM lenders did that twice previously.

In a statement Friday, MGM said it would proceed to a second phase of the bidding process after reviewing first-round offers. But that assumes additional debt forbearance, and lender-side sources caution that a further extension of the debt deadline would be unlikely if debt holders believe first-round bids were too low.

In any event, the Lion’s $250 million credit facility runs out in April. So MGM’s current owners are furiously searching for ways of protecting their holdings while the clock ticks down on a possible forced bankruptcy.

MGM’s current ownership group includes Providence Equity, TPG Capital, Sony, Comcast, DLJ Merchant and Quadrangle.

Lion production execs continue to develop several film projects. The studio will release its first theatrical title in six months on March 19, the John Cusack starrer Hot Tub Time Machine.

Stay up-to-date with all the latest James Bond news by visiting CommanderBond.net’s main page and our Discussion Forums.

Sam Mendes plays coy on Bond 23 reports

Oscar-winning director Sam Mendes has spoken out about reports he is attached to the 23rd James Bond film.

Mendes told the Wall Street Journal, “It’s only speculation and, you know, at the moment there isn’t even a studio to make the James Bond movie, because MGM is for sale.”

The comments are in line with claims by Hollywood blogger Nikki Fenke that Mendes is in negotiations to board Bond 23 not as a director but as a “consultant”, due to the impending sale of MGM.

Meanwhile, actor Simon Russell Beale further connected Mendes to Bond 23 in an interview with The Independent. Beale passed comment that he and Mendes are planning an adaptation of King Lear in the near future, which led the paper to ask whether he’d like a part in a Mendes-directed Bond film.

“YES! Of course! Every actor wants to be in Bond. I’d love to be a baddie. I saw Sam just before Christmas and dropped a hint – and he just looked wearily at me.”

Keep watching CommanderBond.net for the latest James Bond news.

The World is not Enough (2000) – Video Game Overview

The World is not Enough (2000)
(Nintendo 64 / PlayStation 1 / Game Boy Color)

Mission Overview

Bond Is Back.

Experience the intensity of being the world’s top secret agent. Equipped with a full arsenal of Q-Lab gadgets and weaponry, you must be suave and resourceful as you carry out action-packed missions based on the blockbuster movie. Are you cool under pressure? Deadly when necessary? Of course you are—you’re Bond… James Bond.

Welcome back, 007. An MI-6 agent has been murdered and a classified report from the Russian Atomic Energy Department has been taken from his body. An old friend, Sir Robert King, accidentally purchased this stolen document, believing it to contain information about terrorists who attacked his pipeline in Kazakhstan. In the meantime, a Swiss banker named Lachaise, a middle-man in this affair, has offered to return Sir Robert’s money. I want you to go to him, discover who killed our agent, and collect the money.

Cast

• James Bond – Pierce Brosnan (likeness)
• James Bond – Adam Blackwood (voice)
• R – John Cleese (likeness, voice)

Features

• Perspective: First-person
• Game Modes: Single player, Multiplayer (N64 only)

• Bond’s Best Missions! Battle through 14 dangerous levels with dynamic objectives based on your skill level.
• Over 40 Q-Lab Gadgets and Weapons! Bond’s P2K, X-Ray Glasses, Watch Stunner, and many more!
• Action-packed Multiplayer! Customizable multiplayer modes for 1 to 4 players plus AI controlled bots.
• Authentic Dialogue! Interact with your favorite characters and experience movie-like 3D cinematics with full speach.
• Expansion Pak Support for enhanced graphics and visual effects (100% of game playable without Expansion Pak).
• N64 Rumble Pack compatible.

• Bond’s Best Missions! Employ stealth, espionage action, and overwhelming fire power in each mission.
• Over 20 Q-Lab Gadgets and Weapons! Full arsenal of Q-lab gadgets including x-ray glasses, grappling hook watch, cufflink camera, and more.
• All-New 3D Engine! Follow the plot through real-time 3D cinematics based on the movie.
• Improved AI! Enemies will react to you, communicate with each other, and even retreat!
• Authentic Dialogue! Interact with your favorite characters and experience movie-like cinematics with full speach.

• First licensed Bond title for the Gameboy Color Video Game System.
• Fast, fluid action and spy-packed gameplay based on the film’s exciting storyline.
• Progress through eight environments based on movie locales, such as a Russian submarine and the streets of London.
• Utilize more than 15 Q-lab weapons and gadgets to accomplish your goal.
• Meet recognizable movie characters such as Dr. Christmas Jones, M and Renard.
• Five different power-ups, including access cards, health, ammunition, weapons and gadgets.

Release Information

• Platforms: Nintendo 64, PlayStation 1, Game Boy Color

• Release Date (UK): 8 December 2000
• Release Date (US): 17 October 2000
• Retail Price (UK): £29.99
• Retail Price (US): $49.95
• Publisher: Electronic Arts (EA), MGM Interactive
• Developer: Eurocom
• ESRB Rating: “T” Teen for: Animated Violence

• Release Date (UK): 17 November 2000
• Release Date (US): 8 November 2000
• Retail Price (UK): £29.99
• Retail Price (US): $44.95
• Publisher: Electronic Arts (EA), MGM Interactive
• Developer: Black Ops Entertainment
• ESRB Rating: “T” Teen for: Animated Violence

• Release Date (UK): 28 September 2001
• Release Date (US): 11 September 2001
• Retail Price (UK): £19.99
• Retail Price (US): $35.95
• Publisher: Electronic Arts (EA), MGM Interactive
• Developer: 2n Productions
• ESRB Rating: “E” Everyone for: Animated Violence

Cover Artwork

Cover artwork for The World is not Enough features Pierce Brosnan as James Bond along with Bond girls Elektra King and Dr. Christmas Jones. The same artwork is featured on all platforms.

Ordering Details

• Order The World is not Enough – Amazon.com
• Order The World is not Enough – Amazon.co.uk

• Order The World is not Enough – Amazon.com
• Order The World is not Enough – Amazon.co.uk

• Order The World is not Enough – Amazon.com
• Order The World is not Enough – Amazon.co.uk

Trivia & Notes

The World is not Enough was the second James Bond video game released by Electronic Arts (EA) after they acquired the licence to the 007 games. Their first was 1999’s Tomorrow Never Dies and then followed with 2000’s 007 Racing.

Following the mediocre critical success of their debut 007 title, Tomorrow Never Dies, EA decided to follow in the footsteps of the massively successful GoldenEye 007 and release The World is not Enough as a first-person shooter for both the Nintendo 64 and PlayStation 1 consoles. In addition, the N64 version of the game further included a customizable multiplayer mode complete with AI enemy bots. While the game did not reach the heights of GoldenEye 007, it was seen as an improvement over Tomorrow Never Dies and is generally considered a relative success.

The N64 version contains 14 single-player levels with three levels of difficulty (Agent, Secret Agent and 00-Agent), while the PS1 version features 11 single-player levels with two difficulty levels.

A website was set up at 007.ea.com in order to promote the The World is not Enough game.

The World is not Enough was originally scheduled to be released on the PlayStation 2 and PC platforms in 2001, as noted in the original Nintendo 64 and PlayStation 1 press releases drafted by EA. However, both versions of the game were later cancelled.

The World is not Enough was later released as a PlayStation Platinum title in September 2001 in the UK with an MSRP of £19.99.

A The World is not Enough official strategy guide was released by Prima Games and written by Anthony Lynch.

Credits

Eurocom (N64):

• Programming – Rob Watkins
• Programming – Tim Rogers
• Programming – Mark Duffill
• Programming – Simon Mills
• Tools Programming – Andy Mitchell
• Tools Programming – Chris Jackson
• Tools Programming – Kevin Marks
• Design – Bill Beacham
• Design – Kev Harvey
• Design – Aaron Jenkins
• Art – Rob Benton
• Art – Leavon Archer
• Art – Andy Bee
• Art – Nigel Bentley
• Art – Calvin Golkowski
• Art – Darren Hyland
• Art – Simon Kirk
• Art – Adrian Mannion
• Art – Paul Robinson
• Additional Art – Lee Ames
• Additional Art – Carl Cropley
• Additional Art – Ulf Dahl
• Additional Art – Hans Johansen
• Additional Art – Helen Jones
• Animation – Gary Edwards
• Animation – Darren Hyland
• Audio – Neil Baldwin
• Quality Assurance – Michael Robinson
• Quality Assurance – John Lee Barker
• Quality Assurance – Andrew Collins
• Quality Assurance – Mark Shaw
• Quality Assurance – Chris J. Jackson
• Quality Assurance – Richard Nicholls
• Quality Assurance – Michael Botham
• Quality Assurance – Phil Bennett
• Quality Assurance – Richard Higgins
• Quality Assurance – Andy Dilks
• Production Management – Tim Rogers
• Production Management – Bill Beacham

Black Ops Entertainment (PS1):

• Project Director & Producer – Jose Villeta
• Technical Director – William Botti
• Art Director – Mike Field
• Lead 2D Artist – Narry Kahng-Cinelli
• Lead Game Designer – Daryl Kimoto
• Executive Producer – John Botti
• Lead Game Programmer – Kyle Riccio
• Lead Game Programmer – William Botti
• Senior Game Programmer – Ryan Higa
• Senior Game Programmer – Doug Kuppinger
• Senior Game Programmer – Jose Villeta
• Game Programmer – Jesse Burneko
• Game Programmer – Scott Musler
• Additional Programming – Brett Hall
• Additional Programming – Scott Milner
• Additional Programming – Kelly McCarthy
• Tools Programmer – Rudi Kammerer
• Tools Programmer – Steven J. Batiste
• Artist – Jake Cotton
• Artist – Henry Ji
• Artist – Win Kang
• Artist – Milton Mariscal
• Artist – Andrew Marquis
• Artist – Garrett Nguyen
• Artist – Eric Serrano
• Artist – Chauwa Steel
• Storyboard Artist – Michelle Perone
• Level Game Design and AI Scripting – Aaron Casillas
• Level Game Design and AI Scripting – David Tseng
• Level Game Design and AI Scripting – Daryl Kimoto
• Animator – Brian Sanchez
• Animator – Don Johnston
• Animator – Eric Ciccone
• Additional Game Design – William Botti
• Additional Game Design – Jose Villeta
• Lead Quality Assurance – David Baker
• Game Tester – Jefrey Sedivy
• Audio/Video Editing – Daryl Kimoto
• Script Writing and Editing – William Botti
• Script Writing and Editing – Daryl Kimoto
• Line Producer – Jessica Budin
• Motion Capture Director – Jason Greenberg
• Motion Capture Stunt Coordinator – Chad Stahelski
• Motion Capture Stunts – Damon Caro
• Motion Capture Stunts – Janie Liszewski
• Motion Capture Stunts – Chad Stahelski
• Motion Capture Services – House Of Moves, Los Angeles
• Killer Game Character Engine Licensed from Killer Game

2n Productions (Game Boy Color):

• Additional Graphics – Derek Garvens
• Additional Graphics – Ed Pearson
• Additional Graphics – Terry Lloyd
• Additional Graphics – Vince Fung
• Audio – Peter Kerekes
• Executive Director – Pamela Trucano
• Executive Producer – Neil Haldar
• Game Design – Benjamin Lee
• Graphics – Gene Higashi
• Graphics – Glenn Wippich
• Graphics – Mike Roberts
• Programmer – Benjamin Lee

Press Release

EA Games “Shakes, Not Stirs” the Delivery of The World Is Not Enough, the Highly Anticipated First Person James Bond Action Game

REDWOOD CITY, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Oct. 18, 2000

Fans of the world’s most renowned top secret agent rejoice… Bond is back! Armchair espionage is taken to new heights with the highly anticipated release from Electronic Arts (NASDAQ:ERTS) of The World Is Not Enough for the Nintendo(R) 64. Shortly following will be the PlayStation(R) game console version in early November. This first person action title, based on the Eon Productions & MGM blockbuster 007 film of the same name, provides players the opportunity to once again moonlight as the super-spy. Both titles will be released under the new EA GAMES(TM) brand.

The World Is Not Enough for the N64(R) and the PlayStation stays true to the Bond legacy by delivering all the action, stealth, state-of-the art gadgets and sophisticated spy-craft that Bond fans expect. Building upon the intense movie storyline, players assume the role of James Bond and must progress through a series of challenging mission-based levels, while confronting treacherous movie villains like Electra and Renard. In the game, Bond also encounters recognizable allies such as Christmas Jones and is helped by Q’s new assistant R, played in the film by John Cleese, who also lends his voice to the game.

Each game is designed to take advantage of the strengths of the platform for which it was developed. For example, the PlayStation version of The World Is Not Enough, with its streaming video capability, uses actual action footage from the film to help drive the story. The Nintendo 64 version offers a deep multiplayer capability along with massive amounts of storage space for added graphics and visual effects.

About the Nintendo 64 Version

The World Is Not Enough carries the unique distinction of being the official next Bond-licensed game for the N64 system. The title features a completely new, robust game engine that can maintain crisp graphics at a constantly high frame rate for fast, fluid gameplay as well as contain hundreds of lines of spoken dialogue. This feature-packed version offers a total of 28 single and multiplayer levels, more than 40 Q-lab weapons and gadgets – some of which are N64 exclusive. In addition, there are several N64-only missions, multiplayer arenas, and modes. The World Is Not Enough for the N64 supports up to four players and four artificially intelligent (AI) bots on fast split-screen action in multiplayer mode. The game supports but does not require the Expansion Pak for added graphic enhancements.

The World Is Not Enough for the N64 was developed by Eurocom Entertainment Software.

About the PlayStation Version

The World Is Not Enough for the PlayStation will debut an improved graphics engine from the previous third-person perspective 007 game, the wildly successful Tomorrow Never Dies, that can render the most rich, highly detailed environment possible for the system. The game features 11 challenging single player levels – including a unique Casino level in which players must use their skills, or quickly learn, the game of BlackJack in order to acquire winnings and complete the mission objectives. Overall, the game features more than 30-Q lab weapons and gadgets, including a PlayStation exclusive video camera that doubles as a missile launcher. Also included is a revamped precision targeting system for pinpoint accuracy when using a weapon and/or gadget, and over 300 new motion-captured animations.

The World Is Not Enough for the PlayStation was developed by veteran game developer Black Ops Entertainment.

Both versions of The World Is Not Enough carry an ESRB rating of “T” (Teen). The N64 game will carry a MSRP of $49.95 while the PlayStation will be $44.95. Consumers may purchase the game directly at the EA Store SM (http://www.eastore.ea.com) or by calling EA Direct Sales at 1.877.324.2637. EA GAMES plans to release The World Is Not Enough for the PlayStation 2 and PC in 2001. More information on the James Bond games can be found on the Electronic Arts product web site at: http://007.ea.com.

The games based on The World Is Not Enough will mark the first projects to come out of an exclusive licensing deal EA secured with MGM Interactive, Danjaq LLC and Eon Productions for the highly coveted Bond franchise. Under the agreement, as previously announced, EA has secured the worldwide, multi-year rights to develop, publish and distribute worldwide a series of interactive titles on multiple platforms based on the James Bond character.

James Bond was first introduced to movie audiences in 1962 when Danjaq, LLC and United Artists, released Dr. No. The Bond films are one of the most valuable franchises in film history. More information about the films can be found on the official James Bond web site from MGM at: www.jamesbond.com, or at the Danjaq site at: www.007.com.

Danjaq, LLC is owned by the Broccoli family and has produced nineteen James Bond films since 1962. The Bond films make up the most successful franchise in film history and include the recent successes, GoldenEye, Tomorrow Never Dies, and The World Is Not Enough produced by Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli. Danjaq, LLC and its affiliate Eon Productions Limited, control all worldwide merchandising of the James Bond franchise.

MGM Interactive, a unit of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. (NYSE: MGM), manages creative development and production of interactive products for a variety of multimedia platforms, as well as talent and developer relationships. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. is actively engaged in the worldwide production and distribution of entertainment product, including motion pictures, television programming, home video, interactive media, music, licensed merchandise, a more than 4,100-title film library and a significant television library. For more information about MGM, visit MGM Online at http://www.mgm.com.

Eurocom Developments Ltd. develops action-based entertainment software for the Sony, Nintendo, Sega and PC platforms. Eurocom is an independent company, founded in 1988, and has developed more than 40 titles on console and PC platforms. The company employs a creative team of 100 development staff based in Derby, England. For more information, visit Eurocom at http://www.eurodltd.co.uk.

Black Ops Entertainment, LLC is an Academy-award winning developer of videogames for PlayStation, Nintendo, Playstation2 and XBox. Since its inception in 1994, the Santa Monica, CA company has produced over 10 videogame titles. For more information, visit their web site at http://www.blackops.com.

Electronic Arts (Nasdaq: ERTS), headquartered in Redwood City, California, is the world’s leading interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, Electronic Arts (EA) posted revenues of more than $1.4 billion for fiscal 2000. The company develops, publishes and distributes software worldwide for the Internet, personal computers and video game systems. Electronic Arts markets its products under three brand names: EA SPORTS(TM), EA GAMES(TM) and EA.COMSM. More information about EA’s products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at http://www.ea.com.

Electronic Arts, EA SPORTS, EA GAMES and EA Store are trademarks, registered trademarks or service marks of Electronic Arts Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. EA.COM is a service mark of EA.com Inc. James Bond, 007, James Bond Gun and Iris Logos and all other James Bond related properties (c) 1962-2000 Danjaq, LLC and United Artists Corporation. JAMES BOND, 007, James Bond Gun and Iris Logos and all other James Bond related trademarks TM Danjaq, LLC. PlayStation is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Nintendo, Nintendo 64 and N64 are trademarks of Nintendo of America Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

EA Games Fits Bond… James Bond Into the Palm of the Hand With The World Is Not Enough for the Gameboy Color System

REDWOOD CITY, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Sept. 17, 2001

Fans of the popular James Bond franchise will now be able to carry the experience of being the world’s most well known spy in the palm of the hand. EA (Nasdaq:ERTS) has released The World Is Not Enough the Game Boy(R) Color video game system, the first licensed Bond title ever to be published for the platform.

Based on MGM’s blockbuster movie produced by Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, The World Is Not Enough is a third person perspective arcade action title that places the player in the role of Bond. The game closely follows the movie’s exciting storyline as well as stays true to the Bond legacy delivering all the furious action, stealth, state-of-the-art gadgets and sophisticated spy-craft that 007 fans expect.

The World Is Not Enough for the Game Boy Color features characters from the movie including Dr. Christmas Jones, M and Renard. Each of the movie-based arenas and levels will contain a generous offering of challenging missions and objectives. Mission accomplishments require the clever utilization of an array of Q-lab weapons and gadgets such as electro-proof boots that protect the wearer from electrical damage. The game also feature power-ups in five separate forms including access cards, health, ammunition, weapons and gadgets.

The World Is Not Enough for the Game Boy Color was developed by 2n Productions under the EA GAMES(TM) brand. EA is the worldwide publisher and distributor. More information on the James Bond titles from EA can be found on the dedicated Bond franchise web site at: http://007.ea.com.

The game, along with its counterparts, stem from an exclusive multi-year worldwide licensing deal EA previously announced with MGM Interactive, Danjaq LLC and Eon Productions to develop, publish and distribute a series of interactive titles on multiple platforms based on the James Bond character. James Bond was first introduced to movie audiences in 1962 when Danjaq, LLC and United Artists, released Dr. No. The Bond films are one of the most valuable franchises in film history. More information about the films can be found on the official James Bond web site from MGM at: www.jamesbond.com, or at the Danjaq site at: www.007.com.

MGM Interactive, a unit of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. manages creative development and production of interactive products for a variety of multimedia platforms, as well as talent and developer relationships. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. (NYSE:MGM), is actively engaged in the worldwide production and distribution of entertainment product, including motion pictures, television programming, home video, interactive media, music, licensed merchandise, a more than 4,100-title film library and a significant television library. For more information about MGM, visit MGM Online at http://www.mgm.com.

Danjaq, LLC is owned by the Broccoli family and has produced nineteen James Bond films since 1962. The Bond films make up the most successful franchise in film history and include the recent successes, GoldenEye, Tomorrow Never Dies, and The World is Not Enough produced by Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli. Danjaq, LLC and its affiliate Eon Productions Limited, control all worldwide merchandising of the James Bond franchise.

About Electronic Arts

Electronic Arts (Nasdaq:ERTS), headquartered in Redwood City, California, is the world’s leading interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, Electronic Arts posted revenues of more than $1.3 billion for fiscal 2001. The company develops, publishes and distributes software worldwide for the Internet, personal computers and video game systems. Electronic Arts markets its products under four brand names: EA SPORTS(TM), EA GAMES, EA SPORTS BIG(TM) and EA.COMSM. More information about EA’s products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at http://www.info.ea.com.

Note to Editors: Electronic Arts, EA SPORTS, EA SPORTS BIG and EA GAMES are trademarks or registered trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. EA.COM is a service mark of EA.com Inc. JAMES BOND, 007, and all other James Bond related trademarks TM Danjaq, LLC. Game Boy Color is a trademark of Nintendo of America. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

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Keep your eyes on the CommanderBond.net main page for all the latest coverage of all the James Bond 007 video games.

CBn Competition: Win A James Bond 007 Colour Sketch By Artist Robert McGinnis

CommanderBond.net has once again partnered with the Robert McGinnis Hollywood Edition to offer members the chance to win a James Bond 007 colour sketch absolutely free of charge.

McGinnis is best known by Bond fans as the man behind the classic poster campaigns for Thunderball, You Only Live Twice, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, Diamonds Are Forever, and more. As previously reported on CBn, the following sketch accompanies the art prints that are part of the Robert McGinnis Hollywood Edition. Full details:

This colour sketch can be obtained by ordering two or more of the art prints (which cost $260 / £159 each), but CBn members can win one for free!

This competition is open to all members of CommanderBond.net. You must be a registered member of the CBn Forums and answer the following question correctly to be eligible to win. Not yet a member of CBn? Register here now–it is free and only takes a minute!

To enter, fill out the following questionnaire and send a Communiqué/Private Message on the CBn Forums to ‘CBn Competition’ (Subject: CBn McGinnis 3) by Midnight EST on 5 February 2010 (simply click on the link in this paragraph).

1. Which of the following James Bond film posters featured the tagline: “His New Incredible Women… His New Incredible Enemies… His New Incredible Adventures…”

1. From Russia with Love
2. You Only Live Twice
3. Live and Let Die
4. Octopussy

2. What is your CBn Forum Screen Name?
3. What country/state do you live in?

007 Magazine Archive Files #1: On Her Majesty's Secret Service

James Bond fans around the world can now order 007 Magazine Archive Files #1.

This brand new publication comes after the recent news that the popular Bond magazine would be returning to print to mark its 30th anniversary after three years as an internet-only publication.

As stated on the official 007 Magazine website, each issue of 007 Magazine Archive Files spotlights various elements of one particular James Bond film featuring rare and never-before-seen imagery coupled with informative and definitive information.

007 Magazine Archive Files #1 examines the filming of the exciting and brutal beach fight that opens the sixth James Bond film, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969) starring one-time Bond George Lazenby, and the filming at The College of Arms in London. Featuring never-before-seen images from a scene cut from the final movie when Bond discovers the villainous Ernst Stavro Blofeld’s spy has infiltrated the college and is listening-in to 007’s top secret conversation with Sir Hilary Bray.

Bond fans can purchase 007 Magazine Archive Files #1 at the official 007 Magazine website for the following prices: £9.99 (UK) | $15.99 (US) | €11.99 (EU) | £9.99 (Worldwide). Please be aware that prices do not include shipping.

Click here for further details and inquiries.

Visit this CommanderBond.net article to read more about the return of 007 Magazine in print for 2009. To view the detailed 1979 – 2005 bibliography of 007 Magazine on CBn, click here.

As always, keep your browsers pointed to the CommanderBond.net main page and our always active Discussion Forums for all the latest news from the world of James Bond.

MGM bids expected all weekend

The Hollywood Repoter – The studio auction that’s not an auction has a bidding deadline that’s not a deadline.

Moelis & Co. is MGM’s consultant on what the studio describes as an attempt to identify companies interested in acquiring part or all of the Century City studio. Executives won’t call the process an auction and insist that no outcome is guaranteed, but nearly 150 lenders bearing $3.7 billion in Lion debt are pushing for a turnover in ownership.

No bids were expected before Friday, the deadline on a first round of nonbinding offers for the studio, and Moelis has signaled that bidding would be allowed to continue through the holiday weekend. When the business week begins Tuesday, studio executives and their consultants will cull through offers received to determine how to proceed.

In the first round, strict nondisclosure rules kept Fox from participating, as studio executives refused to sign off on confidentiality agreements required for access to a virtual data room. Participants in the process include Warner Bros., Lionsgate, AT&T and Summit Entertainment.

Meanwhile, it’s clear that lenders again will have to stretch the Jan. 31 deadline on a $250 million debt payment by the studio.

MGM lenders, led by JPMorgan Chase and advised by Houlihan & Lokey, appear OK with that, provided some number of reasonable first-round bids are received. Nobody expects any offer to top $2 billion, but something well north of $1 billion would be necessary to validate the process.

Debt holders are anxious to see if first-round bids are worth considering or whether a serious overhaul of the bidding process might be required. An even more serious response by disappointed debt holders would see them force the Jan. 31 debt payment, potentially forcing the Lion into bankruptcy court.

Indeed, some in the lenders group fear that MGM CEO Stephen Cooper wants to elicit such lowball bids for the studio that debt holders are forced to allow current owners to fashion a simple debt restructuring rather than relinquish their hold on the Lion.

MGM’s ownership group includes Sony and Comcast as well as Providence Equity, TPG Capital, DLJ Merchant and Quadrangle.

Stay up-to-date with all the latest James Bond news by visiting CommanderBond.net’s main page and our Discussion Forums.

Charlie Higson's By Royal Command released as an unabridged audiobook

It was only a few days ago that an unabridged MP3 CD audiobook of Charlie Higson’s debut Young James Bond adventure, SilverFin, was released in the UK, and now there’s another one available for his latest, By Royal Command.

According to the Young Bond Dossier, this new edition of the fifth Young Bond adventure is published by Chivers Children’s Audiobooks and available to order online via alerts us to this new release, which can currently be ordered from BBC Audiobooks, where it retails for £36.60.

This audiobook version of SilverFin is read by Nathaniel Parker, who has previously lent his voice to the previous Young Bond audiobook releases.

• Order the MP3 CD audiobook edition of By Royal Command from BBC Audiobooks

Keep your browsers pinpointed on the CommanderBond.net main page and our Discussion Forums for all the latest news from the world of Young Bond.

Quantum of Solace Game Walkthrough (PS2) – Barge (10)

Quantum of Solace: The Game (PS2)

Mission 10: Barge

Walkthrough by: CBn Forum member Jaws0178

1. Once you have regained control of Bond, immediately use the crates to your left for cover because you will find yourself in the middle of a firefight. There are four tangoes in this section waiting for you. There are also two gasoline canisters that you can blow up. Use these to your advantage. Once you have taken out the four, gather up their ammo, and run along the side where the fourth tango came from. Go through the door to reach the next checkpoint.

2. Once through the door, you will find yourself in the barge. Run along to the open doorway, and use the side of the door as cover. You’ll hear a hatch open and a tango will come walking toward the door. Take him out and get his gun. It is a Hutchinson A4 shotgun. Now, run to the next wall and use it for cover. There is a second tango on the other side of the room. Shoot at the fire extinguisher beside the hatch to blind him. Once he is blinded, you can take him out at your leisure. Once you have dealt with him, get his gun, and leave through the hatch. Head for the wall past the opening. Once there, if you look out, you will see an oil drum with a starburst. Shoot at it and it will fall over spilling oil. After that an explosion will occur. There will still be a couple of tangos to deal with, but once they are gone, move along to the other end and through the door. At the other end of this new hallway, you will find our old friend, the hacking station. The combination is four digits, and you have nineteen seconds to solve it.

3. Once you have solved the hack, go through the door. You will find yourself outside at the stern of the barge. Once you get outside, you will get a quick cutscene involving a giant cargo trailer. Once you get control, look up, and you will see a giant starburst above the crane. Shoot at it to cause the trailer to fall. Once this is done, keep moving along the edge. You can either turn left and go into the little passageway or keep sneaking along straight to the steps. Take out the tango guarding the stern, and carefully keep moving along. Grab the R-68 that the tango on the walkway dropped, and be ready because there will be two other tangos coming from the other side of the trailer. Take them down, and continue on, making sure to get their guns. Make your way through the hatch to get a cutscene where you see Kratt leading Vesper along. Once you get control again, move along the walkway. Grab some cover as quick as you can because there will be two tangos patrolling on the other side. Take them out quickly (the Hutchinson does really well here), and move along to the other side. Grab the guns, and get to the hatch. Open the hatch and find the release lever that Tanner is talking about, (it’s on the right hand side). Pull the lever and go out the way you came in. There will be two tangos, one of them is on the walkway, the other will be running up the gantry you just opened. Take them out, and go down the gantry. Now, there are two ways you can go, you can either go behind the gantry and through the hatch or go around the long way, and through the other side. Either way takes you to the same place, behind the levers. There are two tangos in this area, take them out, and go around. You will see a wheel with a starburst on it. Turn this wheel to cut the steam to the small overhead pipes. Now this next section has given many people headaches, myself included. According to the game, you are supposed to use both wheels to get the steam that is blocking the door to stop. Now, basically, here is what you do: you will notice three speedometers (only thing I can think of). The one in the middle has a small section that is green. What you do is get the arrow in the section that is green. Once you’ve got it, move along to the next area. Go through the door where the steam was.

4. Once through, you will find two tangos. My recommendation is to use the Hutchinson to take them out using the chainlink as cover on the far left side. Once they are gone, get their guns, and go through to the next section. Use the side of the door for cover or you can take cover in front of the shelf to the right of the door. Whichever you do, there will be three tangos in the next room. Take them out and collect their weapons. One of them drops an LTK Super Magnum. Go through the opening on the left, and reload. After you have reloaded, go through the hatch and use the right wall as cover as you approach the opening. There are two tangos here, one of them is standing oblivious, the other is hiding in an alcove on the right with an electric box. Shoot the electric box for a “shocking, positively shocking” moment, (sorry, couldn’t resist.) Once they are gone, run to the other side through the opening, and turn right. Go through the next hatch.

5. Use the wall on the right for cover, and approach the opening along this wall. Take out the one tango here, and go through the hatch. Go through the next opening, which will give you a cutscene of Kratt and Vesper again. Once you have control, take out the two tangos that are jumping around. Go through the hatch and down the stairs. Head through the hatch on the left hand side. Go through the hatch next to the sign for the cargo hold (anyone who has seen the movie knows what is about to happen, albeit kind of watered down.) Once you have control again, go through the left hatch. You will not come up against any tangos for the next hallway and room, so run straight through until you get to the hatch. Halfway through the second room where the hatch is, you will come to a new checkpoint.

6. Run up to the hatch. Once you get control of Bond again, use the crate in front of you for cover. Now, for this section, you have to shoot the taps that have the starbursts on them. As you shoot one, another starburst will pop up. As you are shooting, also be on the lookout for the tangos, and try to shoot at Kratt whenever possible. Once you have gotten past the two sets of steps, take cover at the doorjamb of the next hatch. There are two tangos here, one of them is behind the box across from the hatch that you are at, the other is to the left, on the other side of the chain fence. Once they have been dealt with, go to the other side, where you will see that the corridor is on fire. There is a starburst on the overhead pipe above the fire. Shoot at this pipe to release a stream of water, dousing the fire and allowing you to continue. Use the jamb on the left hand door for cover. Kratt is underneath the landing to the left of the engine. Shoot at him enough and he will run up the stairs. Once you get to the hatch on the right, two more tangos will come running around the corner. Once you have taken out the two, run to the right and use the boxes you find there for cover because two more tangos will come running down the stairs, and one of them carries a Hutchinson A4 shotgun. Now, once you have made your way upstairs there are two tangos waiting for you. One is carrying a A4. Now, Kratt will run through a door and into another section across the way. To defeat him, you have to shoot at the wheels on the pipes. While you are doing this, watch out for tangos coming up the stairs. They are all armed with Hutchinson A4’s. Once you have shot all of the starbursts, Kratt will be dazed. Start shooting at him to get a cutscene and end the level. Congratulations and this ends the flashback levels. On to the Eco Hotel.

Mission Complete.

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Quantum of Solace is currently available on the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, Playstation 2, Nintendo DS and Windows PC platforms in the UK and US. Click here to order.

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