Late Night Consoling

German developer 4Head Studios has announced that it is currently collaborating with animation studio 3D-IO on a video game adaptation of the classic epic poem Beowulf. The game has been semi-announced for quite some time now, though few concrete details have been availble. That hasn't really changed, though it was again confirmed that it is a combat-oriented action adventure in the original Nordic setting rather than a modern day or futuristic translation. The game's intended platforms were not specified beyond "next-generation consoles." 4Head notes that it is "an officially licensed Xbox and Nintendo developer," but it is more likely that this game is in development for Xbox 360 and PS3. - Press release.

Publisher Majesco, best known for publishing Double Fine's critically acclaimed Psychonauts (PS2, Xbox, PC) and GlyphX's Advent Rising (Xbox, PC) last year, has seen continual financial trouble since its two showcase titles saw poor retail reception upon release. The company's share price has plummeted, its former CEO resigned, and it has seen lawsuits from its shareholders. Now Majesco investors, including 12% shareholder Trinad Group, are currently offering to buy two million shares in the company at $1.50/share. A similar offer made by Trinad last year was ignored by Majesco's board of directors. As part of the proposed deal, Trinad is also demanding to make three nominations to Majesco's board of directors and is requesting that current president Jesse Sutton and executive VP of research and development Joseph Sutton resign. The Suttons are sons of CEO Morris Sutton, and have taken flak in the past for accepting alleged illicit payments on the part of the company, as well as receiving preferential treatment from their father. In addition to the personnel-related demands, Trinad is threatening yet another lawsuit against various company executives.

Trinad's offer expires tomorrow. It is unknown what action will be taken if Majesco again refuses.

Microsoft has made updates to its Xbox website, further integrating the Xbox Live gaming service with the site. Gamers can now send, accept, and decline friend requests through Xbox.com. "When we shipped My Xbox back in the fall, we were pretty pumped to be extending the Xbox experience to the Web," explained My Xbox Lead Program Manager Clinton "Tonic" Fowler. "How cool was it to see your gamer card on Xbox.com, in the forums, and on your own personal Web site!?" he asked excitedly. "Pretty cool, right!?" he demanded. "Well, that's only a portion of what we've got up our sleeves, and we're going to continue working 24/7/365 to bring more to you," noted Mr. Fowler.

Have you ever wanted to make a soccer team? Do you live in Europe? Do you have a PS2? If so, you're in luck, because Sega has just announced that it plans to publish its soccer management game Let's Make a Soccer Team! for PS2 in Europe at an as yet unannounced date! The game allows players to create a club and face off against licensed teams and players."A mix of the very best in fantasy football with intuitive gameplay, real players and empire building--this is SEGA at it's best," said Sega creative director Matt Woodley. - Press release.

EA has decided on the cover model for its upcoming team management game NFL Head Coach (PS2, Xbox, PC), and the honor is going to Pittsburgh Steelers coach Bill Cowher. Cowher has led his team for 14 years, the longest of any current coach, and recently achieved his first Superbowl victory with the Steelers. NFL Head Coach is in development by EA Tiburon, the Florida-based studio that handles EA's other football titles such as Madden NFL, NCAA Football, and Arena Football. EA currently holds the exclusive rights to NFL and NCAA football video games. - Press release.

Kotaku speaks with GameSpot's Greg Kasavin and IGN's Peer Schneider about the sites' practice of selling front page prominence to game publishers.