Joystiq

Gamestop Q1 sales and profits down, mobile/digital sales up

Jordan Mallory — Thu, 23 May 2013 19:00:00 EST

Gamestop's financial data for the first quarter of its fiscal 2013 have arrived like a pizza with nearly 25 percent fewer toppings than the pizza you ordered during the same 13-week period last year. Also, cheesy bread sales are way up? This may not be the strongest analogy.

In non-allegorical terms, gross revenue (overall sales) and net income (post-tax profit) were both down year-over-year, at $1.865 billion and $54.6 million, respectively. As far as net income, that's a 24.69 percent decrease from the $72.5 million Gamestop reported at the end of Q1 2012.

Meanwhile, mobile device sales were up 290 percent, though this massive increase was largely due to the fact that Gamestop's mobile trade-in/sales program was just getting started during Q1 of 2012. Digital sales also increased, to the tune of 47.3 percent year-over-year, while new software sales, both physical and digital, fell 3.8 percent.

As was the case during Q1 2012, used hardware and software sales accounted for the majority of Gamestop's pre-tax profit, with new hardware and software sales making up just 29.5 percent of the quarter's overall gross.

Gamestop Q1 sales and profits down, mobile/digital sales up originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 23 May 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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April NPD: Injustice: Gods Among Us reigns supreme

Jordan Mallory — Thu, 16 May 2013 18:30:00 EST

Another hot, fresh loaf of financial data has been pulled out of The NPD Group's analytical oven, and its buttery goodness contains sales information for the four week period between April 4 and May 7, 2013. During that time, the physical retail sector of the games industry was down 25 percent when compared with its performance over the same four weeks in 2012, pulling in a grand total of $495.2 million. It's worth noting, however, that this figure does not include the sale of PC games.

Hardware sales brought in $109.5 million, a 42 percent decrease from the $187.8 million seen last year, with the Xbox 360 once again enjoying the highest sales with 130,000 units moved. Meanwhile, the brief reprieve from year-over-year decline seen by the Accessories segment last month was short lived, as in April it by dropped 19 percent to a total of $131.4 million.

Software sales (including PC games) topped out at $267.8 million, with NetherRealm Studios' Injustice: Gods Among Us taking top honors as the best-selling game for the period, the first time a fighting game has finished in first since 2011's Mortal Kombat. Dead Island: Riptide and BioShock Infinite rounded out the podium in spots two and three respectively - meanwhile MMO/Syfy series Defiance debuted in fifth. As always, scope the full list after the break.

Continue reading April NPD: Injustice: Gods Among Us reigns supreme

April NPD: Injustice: Gods Among Us reigns supreme originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 16 May 2013 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ubisoft ends fiscal 2013 with €64.8 million in profit

Jordan Mallory — Wed, 15 May 2013 12:15:00 EST

Ubisoft has released its financial information for the 12 month period ending March 31, 2013, which by all accounts seems to have been a pretty legit fiscal year for the publisher/developer conglomerate. The company crossed the finish line with €1.256 billion ($1.615 billion) in revenue and €64.8 million ($83.3 million) in profit, an 18.3 and 73.7-percent year-over-year increase, respectively, when compared to the €1.061 billion ($1.364 billion) in revenue and €37.3 million ($47.9 million) in profit recorded at the end of 2012.

Ubisoft contributes its stellar year to the continued success of its main three franchises, Assassin's Creed, Just Dance and Far Cry, the latest entries in which have all sold between six and 12 million copies.

Ubisoft ends fiscal 2013 with €64.8 million in profit originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 May 2013 12:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Final Fantasy X and X2 HD Remaster coming to the west in 2013

JC Fletcher — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 10:11:00 EST

Final Fantasy X on PS3 and Vita will officially be accompanied by a similarly remastered version of Final Fantasy X-2, Square Enix revealed today. In the west as in Japan, they'll be bundled together on PS3 on a disc, and sold separately on Vita.

Both versions of Final Fantasy X HD Remaster and Final Fantasy X-2 HD Remaster are due for release in 2013. There will be a trailer on Monday. No, we don't know why Square didn't release the trailer today along with the news.

Gallery: Final Fantasy X and X-2 HD

Continue reading Final Fantasy X and X2 HD Remaster coming to the west in 2013

Final Fantasy X and X2 HD Remaster coming to the west in 2013 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 22 Mar 2013 10:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NPD counts 39M game consoles in US homes going into 2013

Mike Schramm — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 23:30:00 EST

The NPD's latest report says there are 400 million Internet-connected devices in American homes these days, 39 million of which are video game consoles.

The majority of connected devices (about 184 million) are still plain ol' desktop and laptop computers, and smartphones are in second place with about 133 million devices. Video game consoles come in third, right above tablets (31.8 million) and connected HDTVs (16 million), which means there's a significant number of game-oriented devices out there plugged into the Internet.

The NPD says it expects these devices to start connecting to each other more in 2013, with smartphones and tablets doing more sharing to larger television screens. Video game consoles serve plenty of functions outside of pure gaming already, including video streaming, networking, and Internet browsing. NPD's report says that if smartphones and tablets can provide those services in a combination that appeals to customers, those categories will continue to grow this year, possibly even leaving dedicated game consoles behind.

NPD counts 39M game consoles in US homes going into 2013 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 03 Jan 2013 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Blizzard 'working hard' to launch StarCraft 2: Heart of the Swarm in first half of 2013

Richard Mitchell — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 17:17:00 EST

Blizzard is hoping to push the first StarCraft 2 expansion, Heart of the Swarm, out the door during the first half of 2013. Blizzard head Mike Morhaime made the announcement during Activision's earnings call, saying the studio is "working hard towards a first half 2013 launch."

Heart of the Swarm is set to add several improvements to StarCraft 2, including multiplayer progression and new social features.

Blizzard 'working hard' to launch StarCraft 2: Heart of the Swarm in first half of 2013 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 07 Nov 2012 17:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Zynga's online gambling initiative to launch in the UK next year

Jordan Mallory — Sat, 27 Oct 2012 05:00:00 EST

Zynga CEO Mark Pincus is making good on his promise to expand the social/mobile developer's grasp into the world of online gambling in the first half of 2013, according to Gamasutra. As expected, the roll-out will take place in Not America -- the United Kingdom, specifically.

Facilitating this expansion is bwin.party Digital Entertainment, an existing online gambling operator that has partnered with Zynga to aid in its transition from fake addictions to the real deal. Zynga's first title in this new space will be a slots simulator based on the Farmville franchise, which may explain why the Zynga Slots team was the only one to survive this week's layoffs at Zynga Austin.

Zynga's online gambling initiative to launch in the UK next year originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 27 Oct 2012 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Need for Speed: Most Wanted coming to Wii U in 2013

Jordan Mallory — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 20:30:00 EST

Criterion Studio's fuel-injected, open-world playground in Need for Speed: Most Wanted has joined the likes of Batman: Arkham City and Tekken Tag Tournament 2 as yet another current-gen title that will also make its way to the Wii U.

"In 2013, Nintendo fans will be able to experience what it means to be Most Wanted amongst their friends on the Wii U," EA told Polygon. The announcement came after the game was spotted in a list of pending European Wii U titles, tucked inside Nintendo's recent financial statement. No further information regarding potential Wii U-exclusive features was available, nor was a more specific release window. Think someone will make a WiiPad steering wheel?

Need for Speed: Most Wanted coming to Wii U in 2013 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 26 Oct 2012 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Animal Crossing 3DS launches during 'first half of 2013'

Jessica Conditt — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 19:30:00 EST

Animal Crossing 3DS is poised to hit US shores during the 'first half of 2013," Nintendo of America tweets. The game features enhanced customization options and the ability to place your own head inside an Iwata frame, as seen above.

The Japanese version will hit on November 8, according to the Nintendo Direct broadcast from earlier today.

Animal Crossing 3DS launches during 'first half of 2013' originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 29 Aug 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 3 hitting NA in Spring 2013

Ludwig Kietzmann — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 23:00:00 EST

Come Spring 2013, North America will find itself directly in the path of another ninja-infused meteorological phenomenon. Namco Bandai has confirmed an English version of Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 3 for both Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, and has set up the first playable version at this week's San Diego Comic-Con.

Once again developed by the world's biggest Naruto fans at CyberConnect 2, this latest installment in the over-the-top fighting series pushes further into the story laid down by the popular manga, its sequel, and approximately 9,856 anime episodes.

Ultimate Ninja Storm 3 is the first in the series to pair the gorgeous cel-shaded art with 3D display support - "for the ultimate Ninja immersion experience," it says here. If you've been following the franchise for a while, however, you're probably wondering how 3D could happen before anti-aliasing.

Gallery: Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 3 (Comic Con 2012)

Continue reading Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 3 hitting NA in Spring 2013

Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 3 hitting NA in Spring 2013 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 12 Jul 2012 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wizorb dev's Mercenary Kings adds crafting to run-and-gun

JC Fletcher — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 10:00:00 EST

Wizorb developer Tribute Games (comprising a lot of people who worked on the Scott Pilgrim game) just revealed its new project, the Metal Slug-esque Mercenary Kings, a run-and-gun side-scroller with animations by Paul Robertson.

Adding depth to the blastin' are a mission system and the ability to craft new weapons from materials taken off of defeated enemies. "The game is currently in an early prototype stage, so a lot might still change," said Tribute co-founder Jonathan Lavigne in a blog post. The trailer gives Mercenary Kings a "2013" release date, which puts a lot of time between us and giant puppy robots.

Wizorb dev's Mercenary Kings adds crafting to run-and-gun originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 12 Jun 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Cave opens up to adventurers in 2013, care of Ron Gilbert and Double Fine

Ludwig Kietzmann — Thu, 24 May 2012 09:27:00 EST

Double Fine and Sega have officially announced The Cave, a side-scrolling, multi-character adventure game coming to Xbox Live Arcade, PlayStation Network and PC in 2013. Led by Ron Gilbert, The Cave sees an eclectic cluster of impromptu spelunkers - including a scientist, a monk, a knight and a time traveler - finding their fortunes (and perhaps more) in the titular, mysterious and, err, "sultry" subterranean network. That's right: The Cave can speak.

The rest of the protagonists are silent, but up to three can venture into The Cave at a time. After picking your trio, you guide them all deeper into the seamless network of underground rooms, switching control between each to solve puzzles and exploit their unique abilities. The knight, for instance, can activate a guardian angel that protects him from flames and falls, while the hillbilly can hold his breath underwater forever. (Take that, Guybrush Threepwood!)

The game can be completed with any combination of characters, but certain endings and unique areas are locked to individual characters. Having the knight in your group, for example, will open up the medieval castle and its puzzles for play. And yes, there just happens to be a castle buried deep within in The Cave. With a "New Grog" vending machine (among other inharmonious objects) cropping up in the network's lower bowels, we think it's safe to say that Ron Gilbert's touch is evident throughout the game.

He also programmed the whole thing himself, we think. Probably.

Gallery: The Cave

The Cave opens up to adventurers in 2013, care of Ron Gilbert and Double Fine originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 24 May 2012 09:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dreadline: a game about killing soon-to-be-dead people from ex-Irrational and Harmonix devs

David Hinkle — Mon, 14 May 2012 19:00:00 EST

As individuals whose chief export is words on the page, we know full well the power of a looming deadline - oh, wait, it's Dreadline? Well, that ruins our analogy.

Dreadline is a hybrid RPG, real-time strategy title from Eerie Canal, a new studio formed by individuals who have worked at Irrational Games, Harmonix and Iron Lore. In Dreadline, players control a group of monsters who travel back through time to human disasters and kill the humans who are doomed to die in the disaster - one level centers around the Titanic, for example.

Dreadline has been in the works for six months now and is slated for launch in the first half of 2013 on PC.

Dreadline: a game about killing soon-to-be-dead people from ex-Irrational and Harmonix devs originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 14 May 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tomb Raider delayed until Q1 2013

Ludwig Kietzmann — Mon, 14 May 2012 02:30:00 EST

The younger, dirtier and unvarnished version of Lara Croft still needs some polish, according to Crystal Dynamics. The developer is pushing back the release date of the next Tomb Raider, from Fall 2012 into the first quarter of 2013. (Yes, the same quarter that now hosts another one of 2012's former heavy hitters, Bioshock Infinite.)

"Our priority now is to make sure we fully deliver the very highest quality game," Crystal Dynamics Head Darrell Gallagher wrote. In a missive posted on the game's official forums, Gallagher shared the studio's push to make Tomb Raider "the best game of our careers." The delay will boost quality up to "a level that you deserve," he said.

The shift in release date has also given us an unexpected sense of optimism. If enough promising games get pushed into next year, we might actually start rooting for the world's continued existence beyond 2012.

Tomb Raider delayed until Q1 2013 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 14 May 2012 02:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Company of Heroes 2 revealed on PC Gamer cover

Alexander Sliwinski — Thu, 03 May 2012 16:15:00 EST

Comrades, Company of Heroes 2 will make for glorious cover on upcoming issue of PC Gamer. The reveal first leaked on NeoGAF, alongside word that the RTS will engage operations in 2013.

It will focus on the Eastern Front of World War 2, with keyboard and mouse commanders controlling the Russians. Snow will feature prominently, affecting movement and forming cover.

Game Informer got in touch with publisher THQ, which said it would share more details soon. You know, probably after the cover makes it to stands.

Company of Heroes 2 revealed on PC Gamer cover originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 03 May 2012 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Atlus picks up Dragon's Crown publishing, also assisting with development

JC Fletcher — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 22:05:00 EST

Dragon's Crown, the 2D, Tower of Doom-inspired PS3/Vita action game by Vanillaware, no longer rests upon Ignition Entertainment - but, true to Vanillaware's word, it still exists. In a post on the PlayStation Blog, Atlus PR manager Aram Jabbari revealed that his company has taken over publishing duties, and now plans to release it in 2013 (Ignition made its own announcement, after the break). This is a reversal of the fate of Muramasa: The Demon Blade, another Vanillaware game, which Ignition acquired from another company (XSEED) in 2009.

Atlus is not only publishing it in North America and Japan, internal Atlus staff members are now assisting with the production. The downside to this announcement is that, in Atlus's estimation, "the game simply cannot retail for $29.99." The upside is that, being an Atlus game, it's much more likely to ship with a soundtrack disc now.

Continue reading Atlus picks up Dragon's Crown publishing, also assisting with development

Atlus picks up Dragon's Crown publishing, also assisting with development originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 19 Apr 2012 22:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mistborn fantasy novels becoming Birthright game, due out Fall 2013

Mike Schramm — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 02:00:00 EST

Brandon Sanderson is the author who was selected to finish off the popular Wheel of Time series of fantasy novels after Robert Jordan passed away, and of course he's a legitimate author in his own right with a New York Times top ten series called Mistborn. Sanderson has announced on his own blog that he's teaming up with Little Orbit Games (creators of licensed games for Young Justice and Sherlock Holmes) to turn Mistborn's setting into a video game.

The game is set as sort of a prequel to the books, taking place hundreds of years in the past. Sanderson says he's been impressed by Little Orbit from working with them so far, and while there's not a lot of information on the game yet, he says the company "envisioned the game the same way I always had." Sanderson will be staying away from the actual game's design, but he will be writing the plot and dialogue. Mistborn: Birthright is due out on "video game platforms" later on in 2013.

Mistborn fantasy novels becoming Birthright game, due out Fall 2013 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 27 Mar 2012 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Expect Shinji Mikami's next game in 2013 or beyond

Jessica Conditt — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 21:00:00 EST

In December last year we predicted that Shinji Mikami's Zenimax-owned development studio, Tango, wouldn't produce any actual products within the next year -- on account of all the free Skyrim it received -- and it looks like we were right.

Mikami told 4Gamer, as translated by Andriasang, that Tango would not launch any games in 2012, but leave itself a rather wide berth for producing something after 2013. The new, unannounced title uses an external engine, but it has been customized to the point that it is almost an internal one, Mikami said, leaving out any other specifics about the game. He did note that Skyrim "stimulated him as a creator," though.

Expect Shinji Mikami's next game in 2013 or beyond originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 13 Mar 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Vita Phantasy Star Online 2 service begins in 2013

JC Fletcher — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 12:45:00 EST

The Vita version of Phantasy Star Online 2 will have the portability advantage over the PC release, but it'll also have one serious disadvantage. Sega revealed that it plans to release the handheld multiplayer action RPG in 2013. The PC version is still slated to begin service this year.

Andriasang has the first screens of the Vita version, which reveal a game that looks as if it could use that extra development time -- the screens are a bit rough. Sega said that the Vita game is just 10% complete, so presumably it'll look nicer as it approaches completion.

Vita Phantasy Star Online 2 service begins in 2013 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 12 Mar 2012 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Octodad 2 now 'Octodad: Dadliest Catch,' coming in 2013

JC Fletcher — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 15:50:00 EST

"Dadliest Catch." Octodad 2 is now called "Octodad: Dadliest Catch." Go gather up your family in front of the warm glow of the computer. A title like that is worth sharing.

Developer Young Horses informed us that the saga of a floppy octopus trying to pass as a loving human dad will continue in 2013, on Mac, PC, and Linux. One more time: Octodad: Dadliest Catch. Yep, still funny.

Octodad 2 now 'Octodad: Dadliest Catch,' coming in 2013 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 05 Mar 2012 15:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gearbox to move HQ to new $61 million building in Frisco, TX

Mike Schramm — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 19:30:00 EST

Randy Pitchford's Gearbox Software (currently working on Borderlands 2) has entered into a lease for a 61,000 square foot space in Dallas, Texas, part of a new $61 million "mixed-use" space called Frisco Square that will also host other businesses, "220 apartments, 50,000 square feet of retail space and an 800-space parking garage," according to the Dallas Business Journal.

The project is scheduled to break ground sometime next year, and will be done in 2013 if things go as planned. At that time, Gearbox is scheduled to move its headquarters from about 15 miles away in Plano, TX to Frisco. A developer for the project says that Gearbox is "the straw stirring the drink" in development, with various other businesses showing interest in space after the initial deal.

That's all fine and good, but we just hope there's a nice penthouse. Duke can't be expected to move in somewhere without a fully-stocked penthouse!

Gearbox to move HQ to new $61 million building in Frisco, TX originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 19 Nov 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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XCOM delayed beyond Q1 2012

Ludwig Kietzmann — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 17:10:00 EST

A tired but resourceful former cop delays an alien invasion. It sounds like the eventual outcome of the never-ending Die Hard franchise, but for now it's the picture of Take-Two's first quarter of 2012. We didn't think there'd be room for Max Payne 3 and 2K Marin's overhauled XCOM in the same month, and now the latter project has been bumped into the publisher's fiscal year 2013.

Originally scheduled to launch on March 6, 2012, the promising tactical shooter is expected sometime between April 1, 2012 and March 31, 2013. XCOM's public invasion has moved ahead in jolts since it was first announced, but has grown quiet in recent months following rumors of layoffs at 2K's Australian studio.

At least it's a chance for humans and aliens to agree on something: these things are never easy to plan.

XCOM delayed beyond Q1 2012 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 08 Nov 2011 17:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Warhammer 40K: Dark Millennium MMO coming March 13 ... 2013

Mike Schramm — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 10:25:00 EST

THQ has officially announced a date for the long-awaited Warhammer 40K MMO, subtitled Dark Millennium. Don't get too excited, because it isn't due until March 13, 2013. Given all of the games we have yet to see this year, not to mention next year, this Warhammer seems especially distant in the future. Our friends at Massively have a ton of info if you need something to tide you over.

At least THQ is staking an early claim on that "3/13/13" date. May we recommend the picturesque Hinesville, GA -- home of not one, not two, but three signers of the Declaration of Independence -- as a place on which to center the midnight launch proceedings? You'll really like the zip code tie-in.

Update: THQ sends a note that it has not yet officially announced a date for the title, and there is no more mention of 2013 on the official websites for THQ or the game itself. Unmark that calendar, we guess.

Warhammer 40K: Dark Millennium MMO coming March 13 ... 2013 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 Oct 2011 10:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Best case scenario: Del Toro's 'Lovecraftian' THQ game in 2013

Ludwig Kietzmann — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 15:40:00 EST

Filed under: News, In The News, Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Pan's Labyrinth director and The Strain co-author Guillermo Del Toro has confirmed earlier reports that he's collaborating with THQ on high-profile video games. Speaking to MTV news, Del Toro said talks involved "huge games, huge world creation and long deadlines." How long, exactly?

"With THQ we're looking at around a three year developing deadline for each game," he said. Though it's unclear how many projects are encompassed by the deal, the director claimed each is being explored in a "serious" manner. "Expect the first game, best case scenario, 2013." You can also expect it to be a "Lovecraftian thing" and a "very different type of horror game."

Del Toro also recounted his experience with the cancelled "Sundown," one of several games that he had pitched in 2006. "It was eerily similar to Left 4 Dead, which I adore and am addicted to and that, in the household, is considered a 'family game.'"

Wait ... if that's a family game, can you imagine how scary this THQ collaboration will be? We were just going to go with a "Boo Blox" joke, you know?

Best case scenario: Del Toro's 'Lovecraftian' THQ game in 2013 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 29 Sep 2010 15:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Games industry to $65 billion by 2013

Richard Mitchell — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 23:00:00 EST

According to IndustryGamers, a report from market intelligence firm Strategy Analystics predicts that the video game industry is primed for some serious growth in the coming years. Specifically, the report states that the worldwide game industry will likely reach revenues of $64.9 billion by 2013. As the industry just recently reached a value of 46.5 billion in 2009, that's an increase of $18.4 billion, or 39.5% over the next three years.

The report notes that sales of packaged software will increase, but increased sales of digital goods, in-game ads and subscriptions will play the primary role in growth. Specifically, online games are expected to grow to $24.8 billion by 2013, accounting for 38 percent of the overall games market. The firm expects social games to take up a major portion of growth, specifically the sale of virtual goods for use in online games (think Farmville).

Now, if you'll excuse us, Joystiq Publishing really needs to get to work on Social Networking Town, the social networking game in which you buy virtual people to fill your virtual in-game social networking friends list. Once that's done, you can play virtual social networking games, in which additional virtual goods are available. The only way to win is to never stop playing!

Report: Games industry to $65 billion by 2013 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 19 Feb 2010 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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