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.

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!

It would be remembered that gaming site IGN was rather harsh on Oxygen Games' Dave Mirra BMX Challenge. IGN gave it a score of 2, meaning terrible, and dubbed it as "the worst PSP game yet".

But then again, reviews are still different from the actual experience. Our friends from UK will get to experience the game this May. Courtesy of Oxygen Games, Dave Mirra BMX Challenge showcases nine environments in which players could either race in or ride freestyle. Some of these environments include s Shipyard, Far East, Washington Heights, and a NASA space shuttle. There are 17 levels all in all and the different modes are Exhibition, Novice, as well as Pro Circuit.

Players, furthermore, could challenge their friends via the ad hoc wireless play (1 to 4 players). We really hope that the game will give justice to the athlete. Whenever we hear the name, all that comes to mind are gravity-defying moves that are nothing short of stellar.

If IGN's thumbs down review of Dave Mirra BMX Challenge didn't faze you, you'll be glad to know the game finally got a solid release date: April 2007. In case you missed the harsher-than-harsh criticisms of the game, IGN placed Dave Mirra BMX Challenge on the pile of Don't Buy saying the game takes only three hours to complete.

But then again maybe the IGN reviewer was having a bad day or he just didn't like the game on a personal level. You may have a different take on it. Anyway, Dave Mirra BMX Challenge is a a high profile extreme action title that features big air and sick tricks and challenging racing and trick competitions to prove their skill on and off the ground. Oxygen Games says the game's sophisticated bike and rider physics give the game realistic responses including diving hard into the ground.

Originally scheduled to ship two months ago, Dave Mirra BMX Challenge could be the best (or worst) thing you can buy for US$ 29.99.