Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Zynga delaying stock IPO, due to 'rocky stock markets' and SEC questioning]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/29/zynga-delaying-stock-ipo-due-to-rocky-stock-markets-and-sec-q/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/29/zynga-delaying-stock-ipo-due-to-rocky-stock-markets-and-sec-q/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/29/zynga-delaying-stock-ipo-due-to-rocky-stock-markets-and-sec-q/#comments Zynga delays IPO Zynga was all revved up to release the initial public offering of its stock, but has had to delay that plan due to market instability and to answer questions from the SEC, according to The New York Post.

The IPO was planned for next month, but the SEC is looking into how the social games company is reporting both its user numbers and revenue, two factors which would obviously greatly influence a stock's performance. Zynga's also citing "the rocky stock markets" as a factor in the delay, which means the IPO will be pushed back to sometime later this year, possibly in November.

Zynga also needed some time to post its performance numbers on all of its friends' walls on Facebook, as well as send out Free Mystery Gifts to everyone on the SEC's ruling board.

JoystiqZynga delaying stock IPO, due to 'rocky stock markets' and SEC questioning originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 29 Aug 2011 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>macmobilenew-york-postpcreuterssecurities-and-exchange-commissionstocksuszyngaMon, 29 Aug 2011 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumorang: Reuters sources say Hulu may expand to Xbox and iPad]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/09/rumorang-reuters-sources-say-hulu-may-expand-to-xbox-and-ipad/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/09/rumorang-reuters-sources-say-hulu-may-expand-to-xbox-and-ipad/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/09/rumorang-reuters-sources-say-hulu-may-expand-to-xbox-and-ipad/#comments International news agency Reuters is adding to the "rumor and speculation" that the Hulu video service is coming to Xbox 360 and iPad. Sources claim Hulu is developing a subscription model to be rolled out on numerous devices over the next couple months, but it's unclear if the pay model will occur after the service is available on more devices. Although the report mentions "multiple devices," the only ones specifically mentioned are Microsoft's console and Apple's tablet.

The Hulu subscription service will allegedly charge for "older episodes and other content," while new shows will continue being free. Apple didn't mention the service during its big iPhone 4 reveal this week, so perhaps Microsoft will make it official at its E3 press conference next week.

JoystiqRumorang: Reuters sources say Hulu may expand to Xbox and iPad originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 09 Jun 2010 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applehuluipadmicrosoftreutersxboxXbox-360Wed, 09 Jun 2010 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Reuters: Video games are for adults, too]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/22/reuters-video-games-are-for-adults-too/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/22/reuters-video-games-are-for-adults-too/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/22/reuters-video-games-are-for-adults-too/#comments
Probably the best way to read the Reuters article entitled "New arsenal of shooter games target older players" is to imagine it being reported live by your local news station. You know, the same way local news stations tend to report the latest technological innovations -- Twitter, for example -- months or even years after their invention. The article is filled with inaccurate (and downright false) information, no doubt intended to thrill and mystify anyone that just upgraded to a 56k modem (congrats, by the way).

One statement likely to jump out at anyone even remotely familiar with games: "The popularity of shooter games has been proven by Activision Blizzard's 'Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2' which has raked in over $1 billion (617 million pounds) worldwide and counting." Sure, Modern Warfare 2 is a blockbuster success, but it's hardly the first multi-million selling shooter in the last decade. Another tidbit claims that MAG's 256-player multiplayer is "the largest multiplayer experience for a video game." We're assuming this statement excludes, oh, every MMO ever made.

The best assertion in the piece, however, is that today's games are "not all for children," which is offered as though it's some kind of revelation. Honestly, there are no words for that one, so we'll just leave it to Captain Picard.

[Via Aeropause]

JoystiqReuters: Video games are for adults, too originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 22 Jan 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businessfacepalmindustrymodern-warfare-2reutersFri, 22 Jan 2010 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Reuters: RE5 sold 1.94M in US; Dead Space 2 in development for 2010]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/30/reuters-re5-sold-1-94m-in-us-dead-space-2-in-development-for-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/30/reuters-re5-sold-1-94m-in-us-dead-space-2-in-development-for-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/30/reuters-re5-sold-1-94m-in-us-dead-space-2-in-development-for-2/#comments In a story about the scarier games (it's almost Halloween, don'tchaknow?), Reuters mentioned two things we thought would be good for this website we got going here. First, there's Capcom's Resident Evil 5, which Reuters reports has managed to sell 1.94 million copies in the US, according to NPD Group figures.

The second part of the Reuters story talks about EA and its spookier titles for 2009: Left 4 Dead 2 and Dead Space: Extraction. While there isn't anything new on the former, in a discussion of the latter, Reuters revealed that Dead Space 2 is apparently planned for a 2010 release, which would seem to confirm what we've heard about the game so far.

JoystiqReuters: RE5 sold 1.94M in US; Dead Space 2 in development for 2010 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>capcomdead-spacedead-space-2eaElectronic-ArtsMicrosoftnpdre5resident-evilresident-evil-5reuterssequelvisceral-gamesXbox-360Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft has 'no plans' to purchase EA [update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/23/rumor-microsoft-looking-to-take-over-ea/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/23/rumor-microsoft-looking-to-take-over-ea/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/23/rumor-microsoft-looking-to-take-over-ea/#comments We have no idea where this meshugaas is coming from, but Reuters is reporting unsubstantiated rumors that Microsoft is interested in purchasing the second place third-party software publisher, Electronic Arts. Shares of EA are up today (around eight percent as of this writing) on the speculative purchase.

Although we've yet to hear from EA, Microsoft was immediate with its response of: "We don't comment on rumors or speculation." If true, the acquisition would be ... um, wow.

Update 2: Microsoft has followed up on its earlier statement, telling Joystiq: "Microsoft has no plans to purchase Electronic Arts."

Update: Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter spoke to IndustryGamers and thinks the whole idea is rubbish. "[It makes] no sense at all," he says. "One platform exclusives would likely nullify NFL exclusivity, could kill off all sports and other licenses. EA's value on one platform is probably half its value to a multi-platform buyer (such as a media company)." A handful of other analysts weigh in, pouring even more water on the increasingly unlikely fire. We'll bring you more information as we hear it.

[Via The Street; thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

JoystiqMicrosoft has 'no plans' to purchase EA [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 23 Sep 2009 14:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businesseaelectronic-artsmichael-pachtermicrosoftreutersrumorWed, 23 Sep 2009 14:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Former EA COO says EA is in 'investment mode,' focusing on digital distribution]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/19/former-ea-coo-says-ea-is-in-investment-mode-focusing-on-digital-d/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/19/former-ea-coo-says-ea-is-in-investment-mode-focusing-on-digital-d/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/19/former-ea-coo-says-ea-is-in-investment-mode-focusing-on-digital-d/#comments
Right before hitting the ol' dusty trail for Playdom, now ex-EA COO John Pleasants sat down with Reuters for an interview all about the future of EA. In it, he speaks to the multifaceted future of EA (especially with regards to business models), as well as the importance of EA's current "investor mode," saying the company will announce new deals with various social networking services "some time in the near future."

Though we're not sure if the recent change in guard from Pleasants to Microsoft alum John Schappert will alter what the ex-COO said to Reuters, things like the recently announced Tiger Woods PGA Tour Online point to "not likely." This isn't exactly a dramatic change from statements that Pleasants has made in the past regarding the company's business strategy, so it remains to be seen whether or not Schappert will steer the EA ship in another direction or stay the course.

[Via Edge]

JoystiqFormer EA COO says EA is in 'investment mode,' focusing on digital distribution originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 19 Jun 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businesseaelectronic-artsinvestmentjohn-pleasantsjohn-schappertplaydomreuterstiger-woods-pga-tour-onlineFri, 19 Jun 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Reuters closes Second Life bureau, opens mysterious island lair]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/03/reuters-closes-second-life-bureau-opens-mysterious-island-lair/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/03/reuters-closes-second-life-bureau-opens-mysterious-island-lair/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/03/reuters-closes-second-life-bureau-opens-mysterious-island-lair/#commentsThe Reuters news service has just announced the closure of its bureau inside Second Life. The post announcing the closure is actually the first (and now only) activity on the secondlife.reuters.com site since September 30, when the only remaining reporter, Eric Krangel, left the site for another job. This news was posted under the account of Adam Pasick, who hasn't posted on the site since May 2008. We suppose that just having everyone leave wasn't an official shutdown of the site, just an effective one.

However, that's not the end of Reuters' virtual machinations. The company may have just closed its virtual space, but another island owned by parent company Thomson Scientific is now being rebranded with Thomson Reuters logos. If only Reuters had someone on the scene to keep us updated about Reuters.

[Via Massively]

JoystiqReuters closes Second Life bureau, opens mysterious island lair originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 03 Mar 2009 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>pcreuterssecond-lifevirtual-worldsTue, 03 Mar 2009 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony reveals restructuring plans to retaliate against massive losses]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/22/sony-reveals-restructuring-plans-to-retaliate-against-massive-lo/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/22/sony-reveals-restructuring-plans-to-retaliate-against-massive-lo/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/22/sony-reveals-restructuring-plans-to-retaliate-against-massive-lo/#commentsFiled under:

Sony has stated (via Reuters) that it expects losses from its entire corporation to equal around 260 billion yen for the fiscal year ending March 2009. According to GI.biz, the games division is expected to post increased losses of 30 billion yen ($337 million), though there's no mention of what that's an increase from.. This is in stark contrast to last fiscal year, where Sony posted a profit of 369.4 billion yen. Of course, the economic downturn is predominantly blamed. As a result Sony has revealed accelerated restructuring plans for the remainder of the fiscal year.

According to Reuters Sony plans on cutting costs by 250 billion yen by the end of March by consolidating all TV design and production into a single factory, closing another. There will also be a 30% headcount reduction within the TV division. LCD TVs and batteries will be consolidated and managers and directors will receive a paycut. Overall it looks like the games division has remained largely unscathed. Hopefully the measures that are taken prove effective and Sony ends up posting a profit for FY 2009.

JoystiqSony reveals restructuring plans to retaliate against massive losses originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 22 Jan 2009 08:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businesslossesreuterssonyThu, 22 Jan 2009 08:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony reveals restructuring plans to retaliate against massive losses]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/22/sony-reveals-restructuring-plans-to-retaliate-against-massive-lo/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/22/sony-reveals-restructuring-plans-to-retaliate-against-massive-lo/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/22/sony-reveals-restructuring-plans-to-retaliate-against-massive-lo/#commentsFiled under: ,

Sony has stated (via Reuters) that it expects losses from its entire corporation to equal around 260 billion yen for the fiscal year ending March 2009. According to GI.biz, the games division is expected to post increased losses of 30 billion yen ($337 million), though there's no mention of what that's an increase from. This is in stark contrast to last fiscal year, where Sony posted a profit of 369.4 billion yen. Of course, the economic downturn is predominantly blamed. As a result Sony has revealed accelerated restructuring plans for the remainder of the fiscal year.

According to Reuters Sony plans on cutting costs by 250 billion yen by the end of March by consolidating all TV design and production into a single factory, closing another. There will also be a 30% headcount reduction within the TV division. LCD TVs and batteries will be consolidated and managers and directors will receive a paycut. Overall it looks like the games division has remained largely unscathed. Hopefully the measures that are taken prove effective and Sony ends up posting a profit for FY 2009.

JoystiqSony reveals restructuring plans to retaliate against massive losses originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 22 Jan 2009 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businesslossesreuterssonyThu, 22 Jan 2009 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Reuters: Sony may post $1.1 billion loss]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/13/reuters-sony-may-post-1-1-billion-loss/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/13/reuters-sony-may-post-1-1-billion-loss/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/13/reuters-sony-may-post-1-1-billion-loss/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Reuters reports that Sony Corp "will likely" have an operating loss of approximately $1.1 billion this year, its first in 14 years. According to the wire service, some global economic slump that's going on right now has caused inventory for the company to stack up in all its divisions and prices to fall.

It was already expected that Sony would be cutting thousands of jobs and closing manufacturing plants, but an analyst quoted in the report believes the company will now "further accelerate its restructuring." There's no word on how the PS3 and PSP divisions of the company will be affected. The silver lining in this for consumers is that the PS3 is rumored to receive another price drop in the next few months.

JoystiqReuters: Sony may post $1.1 billion loss originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 13 Jan 2009 08:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>layoffsPS3PSPreuterssonyTue, 13 Jan 2009 08:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Mainstream jumps on Xbox 360 price cut bandwagon]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/11/mainstream-jumps-on-xbox-360-price-cut-bandwagon/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/11/mainstream-jumps-on-xbox-360-price-cut-bandwagon/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/11/mainstream-jumps-on-xbox-360-price-cut-bandwagon/#commentsFiled under: ,


The Wall Street Journal, Reuters, and we expect a few other mainstream news outlets, are finding it in vogue to report the $50 price drop for the Xbox 360 Pro is imminent. As evidenced by our gallery below, we're fairly certain that the new $299 price for the Pro console will be in effect by this Sunday.

Microsoft still has not confirmed the Pro price drop, which is making us wonder. We're slowly gathering evidence, and it's still too early to say for sure, but there's a niggling suspicion that Microsoft is pulling a repeat of Sony's great PS3 clearance sale switcharoo from 2007, but that's just a rumor for now.

Source -- WSJ (Subscription required)
Source -- Reuters

Gallery: Xbox 360 $299 price drop

GameStopBest BuyRadio ShackBest BuyKmart

JoystiqMainstream jumps on Xbox 360 price cut bandwagon originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 11 Jul 2008 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftprice-cutprice-dropreuterswall-street-journalwsjXbox-360xbox-360-price-cutFri, 11 Jul 2008 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Kojima talks about pressure and MGS' future]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/29/kojima-talks-about-pressure-and-mgs-future/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/29/kojima-talks-about-pressure-and-mgs-future/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/29/kojima-talks-about-pressure-and-mgs-future/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Hideo Kojima, in a recent interview with Reuters, speaks about the pressure placed on him and wrapping up the Metal Gear Solid storyline. Kojima expresses that the pressure to not only sell MGS4, but to help boost PS3 sales, isn't negative pressure to him. He believes that, thanks to a mixed metaphor by the translator, the pressure helped him "push up the bar" to create a sense of "positive pressure."

Kojima also tells Reuters that MGS will always be around, noting that he feels a responsibility to fans to keep the series going, though all the plot lines introduced in the MGS series so far will be wrapped up in MGS4. He says he'll take a different role with the next game and possibly sit in as producer when the "young staff takes control of the new series."

JoystiqKojima talks about pressure and MGS' future originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 29 May 2008 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hideo-kojimakojimametal-gear-solidmetal-gear-solid-4Metal-Gear-Solid-4-Guns-of-the-Patriotsmgs-4mgs4PS3reutersThu, 29 May 2008 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Video games give B-list actors a second chance]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/03/video-games-give-b-list-actors-a-second-chance/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/03/video-games-give-b-list-actors-a-second-chance/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/03/video-games-give-b-list-actors-a-second-chance/#commentsFiled under:


While some of you might recognize the gap-toothed gentleman pictured above as actor Keith David, from such films as "The Thing" or "Requiem for a Dream", we'd wager that more of you know his voice -- David is arguably the most prolific celebrity-turned-video game voice actor on the planet, picking up roles in Fallout, Saints Row, Planescape: Torment, Mass Effect, and, of course, providing the guttural dialogue for the Arbiter in Halo 2 and Halo 3. Though his on-screen career isn't booming, David has found a comfortable niche in the video game voice acting market.

According to a recent Reuters article, he's not the only celebrity to slip through the cracks of big screen Hollywood, only to find solace and celebrity in video games. Terrence 'T.C.' Carson, whose career dried up after his role in the moderately successful sitcom "Living Single", has voiced a number of video game characters -- including everyone's favorite brooding Spartan, Kratos. Michael Ironside of Top Gun and Starship Troopers fame provides the voice of Splinter Cell's Sam Fisher.

These kinds of jobs are quickly gaining popularity in Hollywood, says Reuters, as voice work provides a much steadier paycheck than that of on-screen roles. We see it as a win-win situation -- down on their luck actors with distinct voices can find a nice amount of celebrity in the gaming realm, and as a result, we don't have to suffer through another era of wretched, Tenchu-esque voice acting. God bless you, Keith David.

JoystiqVideo games give B-list actors a second chance originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 03 Feb 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>actorArbitercelebrityHalokeith-davidkeithdavidreutersvoice actingVoiceActingSun, 03 Feb 2008 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[18,000 attend E for All; but first, a little panic]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/22/18-000-attend-e-for-all-but-first-a-little-panic/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/22/18-000-attend-e-for-all-but-first-a-little-panic/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/22/18-000-attend-e-for-all-but-first-a-little-panic/#commentsFiled under:


Imagine our absolute panic and horror this morning when we checked the news wires to discover that E3 -- yes, the E3 -- was going on this week! No flights scheduled, no hotels booked and we didn't even send Ludwig to the doctor for his dry-wit injection this week -- wait, we didn't even get our invitations to the event! Thankfully, after reading through the first couple paragraphs we discovered that there was just some horrible computer error and there actually is no E3 this week ... we think. They could be hiding it.

In related news, IDG World Expo, the organizers of the E for All event, say that 18,000 attended the inaugural show. Maybe they'll be able to up those numbers by getting Sony and Microsoft to attend when they hold E for All again (yup, it's already planned) much earlier next year at the LA Convention Center from Aug. 28 -30. Anybody who actually attended the event want to chime in on how it went?

Read: E3 video game trade show in radical downsizing
Read: 18,000 Attend E for All

Joystiq18,000 attend E for All; but first, a little panic originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 22 Oct 2007 09:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eforallerrorpanicreutersMon, 22 Oct 2007 09:10:00 EST<![CDATA[SEC considering charges against Take-Two]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/16/sec-considering-charges-against-take-two/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/16/sec-considering-charges-against-take-two/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/16/sec-considering-charges-against-take-two/#commentsFiled under: ,

The US Securities and Exchange Commission has sent publisher Take-Two a Wells notice, which indicates that the agency is considering filing charges and pursuing a "civil monetary penalty," according to Reuters.

Though the publisher has previously been entangled with the government over a cup of warm java, the issue here arises from improper backdating of employee stock options. An internal review by the publisher discovered that their financial records for the last decade were unreliable. Former CEO Ryan Bryant has already plead guilty and was punished five years of probation and millions of dollars in fines.

The Wells notice gives Take-Two a final chance to convince the SEC not to take action. Though their financial quarter already looks bleak given the GTA IV delay, the company may have a hit on their hands with BioShock given the inordinate amount of praise that title has received.

JoystiqSEC considering charges against Take-Two originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 16 Aug 2007 13:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>reuterssectaketwoThu, 16 Aug 2007 13:55:00 EST<![CDATA[PS3 to have 380 games by March 08 says Kaz Hirai]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/21/ps3-to-have-380-games-by-march-08-says-kaz-hirai/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/21/ps3-to-have-380-games-by-march-08-says-kaz-hirai/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/21/ps3-to-have-380-games-by-march-08-says-kaz-hirai/#commentsFiled under: ,

Reuters is reporting that the president of Sony Computer Entertainment, Kaz Hirai, has stated that by March 2008 the PlayStation 3 will have a total catalgue of 380 games. This will be a solution to the current slump in sales the PS3 is currently seeing worldwide. Apparently Kaz only just realised that having actual games to play might persuade more people to pick up a system.

The current plan is for the release of 200 titles in shops and 180 downloadable from the PlayStation store. Hirai states that there are currently 60 titles in stores and 50 downloadable. If the software library really does almost quadruple in less than a year, then the PS3 will have no problems selling worldwide. The games drought has been hard on early adopters of the console, but with the release of Rainbow Six: Vegas, Ninja Gaiden Sigma, The Darkness and Super Stardust HD all in the next two weeks, the drought looks to be almost over.

So start saving those pennies. Before long there will be so many games vying for your attention, you won't know where to start.

[Via Gameindustry.biz]

JoystiqPS3 to have 380 games by March 08 says Kaz Hirai originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 21 Jun 2007 06:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gamesHiraiKaz HiraiKazHirailots of themLotsOfThemReutersThu, 21 Jun 2007 06:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo closing gap on Sony's market value]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/20/nintendo-closing-gap-on-sonys-market-value/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/20/nintendo-closing-gap-on-sonys-market-value/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/20/nintendo-closing-gap-on-sonys-market-value/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Phenomenal success with the Wii and DS have Nintendo closing in on Sony in market value -- not just the PlayStation sector, mind you, but the entire Sony corporation.

According to Reuters, Nintendo's market capitalization is now 6.30 trillion yen (approximately US $51.1 billion), vesus Sony's 6.64 trillion yen ($53.8 billion). Though Sony shares have increased 72 percent over the last two years, Nintendo shares have reportedly shot up four-fold in the same period; it's that same increase that has made former Nintendo CEO Hiroshi Yamauchi now the third wealthiest in Japan.

Sony obviously still has sizable market value over Nintendo and current success is not indicative of long-term staying power (e.g. Nintendo's pre-PlayStation dominance), but the House of Mario has certainly found (and capitalized on) a large market. Nintendo, Sony Defense Forces: don't shoot the messenger.

[image credit]

JoystiqNintendo closing gap on Sony's market value originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 20 Jun 2007 15:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DSGameCubenintendoPS2PS3PSPreuterssonyWiiWed, 20 Jun 2007 15:26:00 EST<![CDATA[New Wii-like phone unveiled, everyone ducks]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/23/new-wii-like-phone-unveiled-everyone-else-ducks/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/23/new-wii-like-phone-unveiled-everyone-else-ducks/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/23/new-wii-like-phone-unveiled-everyone-else-ducks/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Are we missing something here? Mitsubishi's new DoCoMo D904i model phone has a motion sensor inside it, allowing, according to Reuters, gaming like on the "popular Nintendo Wii console." We wish we could play Wii outdoors too, but never really hoped that the thing we were flailing around wildly could also be what we were watching the game on.

Actually, the actions look less pronounced than Wiimote movement on the DoCoMo site, though we're still not super crazy about waving our expensive phone around like it was on fire. This isn't the first time Mitsubishi is trying something like this though (see their DS-esque phone), so maybe they've thought of the possibility of their phone becoming an extremely dull shuriken. (If so, can you share a little of that non-slip love with Nintendo?)

There's no mention of whether the gadget will come to the U.S., but the Wii has garnered a few fans here, so maybe there's hope we could someday see DoCoMo injury lawsuits on our shores.

JoystiqNew Wii-like phone unveiled, everyone ducks originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 23 Apr 2007 09:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>docomoMobilenintendoreuterswiiMon, 23 Apr 2007 09:56:00 EST<![CDATA[Reuters calling the console fight early?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/03/reuters-calling-the-console-fight-early/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/03/reuters-calling-the-console-fight-early/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/03/reuters-calling-the-console-fight-early/#commentsFiled under:


Reuters has an interesting piece up where they analyze the current state of the console war, taking a look at all three major console's offerings. Most important, however, is the dominance the Wii is enjoying right now, as they take a look at the February NPD sales data, along with other factors including price and extra features of each console. Michael Gartenberg of Jupiter Research, who was interviewed for this piece we imagine, thinks that Nintendo has everything to lose.

"Their challenge going forward is to make sure this is not a passing fad by getting a stream of content into the market," he says. Continuing on that same thought, Gartenberg states "The game console purchase driver is still going to be first and foremost games. The secondary stuff is the icing on the cake." We couldn't agree more and, really, this is the reason we think Nintendo will continue to dominate in the long run.

What do you guys think?

JoystiqReuters calling the console fight early? originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 03 Apr 2007 14:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>nintendonintendowiinpdreuterswiiTue, 03 Apr 2007 14:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Stop the press: Gaming grows up with demographic]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/14/stop-the-press-gaming-grows-up-with-demographic/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/14/stop-the-press-gaming-grows-up-with-demographic/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/14/stop-the-press-gaming-grows-up-with-demographic/#commentsFiled under:

Reuters informs that gamers born before the first Bush administration aren't all suffering from Peter Pan syndrome -- game systems are growing up with them. 37 percent of adults own a gaming console and 16 percent own a portable gaming device according to Nielson/NetRatings. Of those, 71 percent are married and 66 percent have at least one child.

According to Reuters, analysts predicted the Wii did well because adult gamers wanted to introduce their children to gaming. These "Nintendads" helped sell a lot of units. Oh please, "Nintendads" wanted the Wii for themselves. The kid was just the add-on peripheral excuse that allowed the wife to let them purchase the console.

Beyond Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft are clearly fighting it out for an adult focused media hub. Although neither is succeeding in making that all-in-one unit, we don't really care, as long as they focus on the games. All we know is as this "Nintendad" generation takes control, we'll see a significant decline in silly game legislation.

JoystiqStop the press: Gaming grows up with demographic originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 14 Mar 2007 09:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adultscaptain obviousnintendadspeter panreutersWed, 14 Mar 2007 09:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Reuters and the misleading PS3 chip-drop headline]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/10/reuters-and-the-misleading-ps3-chip-drop-headline/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/10/reuters-and-the-misleading-ps3-chip-drop-headline/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/10/reuters-and-the-misleading-ps3-chip-drop-headline/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Reuters caused Sony a little bit of unnecessary bother yesterday with a headline which read "Sony dropping PlayStation 3 chip." The implication being that Sony was dropping the Cell chip, which next to Blu-ray, is one of the key components of the product. What Reuters' Tokyo bureau was actually reporting as news was the three-week-old story of the European PS3 being not so backwards compatible.

This caused an appropriate eye-roll by Sony's corporate communications director, Dave Karraker, in a conversation with Joystiq yesterday. Saying that one of the last things he wanted to deal with after the GDC marathon was a three-week-old story getting a second wind. He said he even got a call from a reporter at Reuters in New York saying, "I'm so sorry."

JoystiqReuters and the misleading PS3 chip-drop headline originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 10 Mar 2007 14:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dave karrakkerGDCgdc07playstation 3ps3reuterssonySat, 10 Mar 2007 14:10:00 EST<![CDATA[MS defends Crackdown/Halo 3 beta decision]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/15/ms-defends-crackdown-halo-3-beta-decision/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/15/ms-defends-crackdown-halo-3-beta-decision/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/15/ms-defends-crackdown-halo-3-beta-decision/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Ever since it was first announced that Crackdown would contain an invite to the coveted Halo 3 multiplayer beta, comments have been flying around the intertubes. Some have said that the beta was added in order to push an otherwise lackluster product. That theory, more or less, has been quashed now that the Crackdown demo has won the hearts and minds of the people. Others have expressed outrage at being "forced" to buy Crackdown in order to get into the beta. Frankly, this argument doesn't really hold water, as a beta test is just that, a beta test. In a recent Reuters article, Microsoft's Craig Evans defends the choice. In response to the claim that Crackdown was virtually off the radar before the Halo 3 beta was announced, Evans says, "I can understand why people might think that, but the bottom line is that Crackdown is a game that stands on its own." Referring to the common joke that people are buying the Halo 3 beta and not Crackdown (see image), Evans notes, "People are definitely saying 'I'm getting a free beta with Crackdown', not the other way around," adding, "The Halo 3 beta isn't going to push the game's sales into the millions. Crackdown is going to push its sales into the millions."

We certainly won't argue that Crackdown is a good game on its own merits, but it would be foolish to assume that the inclusion of the Halo 3 beta had nothing to do with its quick rise into the spotlight. In the end, it was a slick way for Microsoft to promote a good original game with no franchise history to exploit. Grand Theft Auto, for example, practically markets itself. Crackdown didn't have an obvious marketing hook. The beta put Crackdown in the public eye, and now that we've had a taste, we want more. Halo 3 beta or not, we're picking Crackdown up next week. Anyone want to take bets on how long it takes to become a million seller?

[Via HBO]

JoystiqMS defends Crackdown/Halo 3 beta decision originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 15 Feb 2007 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crackdownhalo 3halo 3 betaHalo3Halo3Betareal time worldsrealtime worldsRealtimeWorldsreutersThu, 15 Feb 2007 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The MSM responds to Microsoft's HD announcement]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/08/the-msm-responds-to-microsofts-hd-announcement/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/08/the-msm-responds-to-microsofts-hd-announcement/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/08/the-msm-responds-to-microsofts-hd-announcement/#commentsFiled under: ,

The mainstream media (or MSM for those of you down with the Web 2.0 lingo) doesn't cover every video game story out there, so when they dom, we always perk up and take notice. Following Microsoft's big HDTV announcement Monday night, several major mainstream outlets covered the news. Let's see what they had to say:
  • Time Magazine considers the downloadable space as a whole, where "many companies including Microsoft competitors Apple, Amazon.com and Google are getting into the video distribution business. Microsoft's ace is that the Xbox 360 is already connected to the TV, a hurdle others try to overcome by marketing multimedia set-top boxes or creating unwieldy hardware partnerships."
  • The New York Times compares Apple and Microsoft's similar, but oh so different, strategies, writing, "Microsoft will go into the video business with a different business model. Apple, most analysts believe, does not make much money selling iTunes content, but makes up for it by selling more iPods, which are extremely profitable. Microsoft, which analysts say loses money on each Xbox 360 it sells, expects to make up for that shortfall by selling games -- and now video.
  • Reuters looks to the more obvious competitor. "Sony Corp., which ships its PlayStation 3 on November 17 with its own digital-distribution network, PlayStation Network, also will look to movies, TV content and music down the line but has not yet announced specific deals. Games will be the first focal point, as they have been for Microsoft during the past year with its Xbox Arcade service."
So, Microsoft got there first (or, rather, they will when the service launches on November 22nd): A high-definition video download service connected to a set-top box already installed in millions of living rooms (and counting). But there's still more questions than answers in this shady, poorly-lit basement cockfight for living room supremacy. Like: what about the borderline impossibility of future cooperation with Sony Pictures? That would make it hard to be a comprehensive service. What about iTV?

JoystiqThe MSM responds to Microsoft's HD announcement originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 08 Nov 2006 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>HDMSMNew York TimesNewYorkTimesNYTimesReutersTimeXBLMXbox LiveXbox-360XboxLiveWed, 08 Nov 2006 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Reuters: Wii novelty will cause console death without software]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/13/reuters-wii-novelty-will-cause-console-death-without-software/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/13/reuters-wii-novelty-will-cause-console-death-without-software/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/13/reuters-wii-novelty-will-cause-console-death-without-software/#commentsFiled under:

Reuters recently published an article where they took a look at the Wii's position going into the holiday shopping season. They assume that Nintendo is banking on the novelty of the Wii's control scheme as being its primary point of appeal, however they state that they believe without the proper software line-up constantly raising the bar in utilizing the console's unique attributes, it is doomed to failure.

Isn't that the whole lesson learned from the GameCube, though? We look at Nintendo's launch window line-up, third party support and technological advancements of the new console and see plenty of selling points beyond the fact that movement in reality can be mimicked in-game and feel that if developers didn't have plenty of ideas, they wouldn't be pledging so much support to the console. Regardless of how you think Reuters comes off, it's an excellent piece comparing the three companies and provides an unbiased look at Nintendo's goals.

JoystiqReuters: Wii novelty will cause console death without software originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 13 Oct 2006 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>nintendonintendowiireuterswiiFri, 13 Oct 2006 16:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii: it's all about the bling, son]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/15/wii-its-all-about-the-bling-son/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/15/wii-its-all-about-the-bling-son/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/15/wii-its-all-about-the-bling-son/#commentsFiled under: ,


A report over at Reuters is quoting Reggie Fils-ass kicker, name takerAime as saying that the Wii "will make a profit on the entire Wii proposition out of the box -- hardware and software." This is good news for Nintendo, who are not adapting the business models of their competition. With Sony and Microsoft, initial units sold are at a loss, so in this manner Nintendo has already managed to win in the next-gen console wars.

Now that we have the pricing on the hardware, is this the reason the Wiimote and nunchuk attachment cost a ridiculous amount of money, to ensure profit immediately?

[Via Joystiq]

JoystiqWii: it's all about the bling, son originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 15 Sep 2006 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>consolejoystiqnintendoprofitreuterssystemwiiFri, 15 Sep 2006 16:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Media coverage of the Wii looking good]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/09/media-coverage-of-the-wii-looking-good/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/09/media-coverage-of-the-wii-looking-good/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/09/media-coverage-of-the-wii-looking-good/#commentsFiled under:


We've seen nothing but positive coverage of the Wii from media, and for good reason. As evidenced above, a local NBC news affiliate had a short feature on the console, showing gamers enjoying the Wii Sports' Tennis title. Another video report on the Wii may be found here courtesy of Reuters. While a bit longer than the local news feature, the Reuters video intersperses sections of the video that was presented at E3 2005.

[Thanks Nushio!]

JoystiqMedia coverage of the Wii looking good originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 09 Jun 2006 11:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>coveragemedianintendoreuterswiiFri, 09 Jun 2006 11:41:00 EST<![CDATA[Games sales figures show online is key]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/25/games-sales-figures-show-online-is-key/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/25/games-sales-figures-show-online-is-key/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/25/games-sales-figures-show-online-is-key/#commentsFiled under: ,

The NPD Group has released sales figures for 2005, estimating that the US spent $1.4 billion on games last year. An interesting and growing proportion of that income was from online games -- $344 million, about one quarter of the total spending, came from recurring subscription fees.

Breaking that down, NPD estimates about 85% of that recurring income is from specific games like World of Warcraft, whereas the rest -- a non-trivial $52 million -- comes from casual games portals. It's clear from the tremendous amount of money being generated by both games and gaming portals, as well as the popularity of MMOs and casual games, that online is a key area to watch in future.

While digital downloads are only a small part of the picture -- 3% of total market sales -- the area should grow, partly driven by the convenience of buying and delivering online. Of course, paying for a game through monthly subscriptions rather than a one-off box fee is appealing, though players of games like World of Warcraft don't seem to mind doing both.

JoystiqGames sales figures show online is key originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 25 May 2006 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>business modelBusinessModeleconomicsfiguresgames salesGamesSalesinternetnpdonlinereuterssalesThu, 25 May 2006 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Film and TV tie-in MMOs on the way]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/02/24/film-and-tv-tie-in-mmos-on-the-way/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/02/24/film-and-tv-tie-in-mmos-on-the-way/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/02/24/film-and-tv-tie-in-mmos-on-the-way/#commentsFiled under: ,

MMO platform startup Multiverse recently announced that movie-makers James Cameron and Jon Landau have joined its board of directors, and this has some interesting implications for the future of MMOs and other entertainment media. While movie tie-in games are ten a penny, and franchised MMOs lurk around every corner, Cameron has a more ambitious project up his sleeve.

The plan? Before releasing an upcoming sci-fi flick, Cameron intends to create a tie-in MMO that will get players hooked on the film's setting--think advergame, franchise and viral promotion rolled into one. Similarly, Multiverse is in talks with a TV network to create a related MMO that will help viewers get closer to their favourite characters.

The numbers look appealing; Multiverse's low-cost approach means that franchises and developers who have been shying away from the MMO bandwagon can jump without sacrificing millions of dollars on an experiment. However, this could have its downsides--we may end up seeing an endless parade of cookie-cutter MMOs that equate IP with instant revenue without much thought for gameplay or originality.

Hopefully this won't happen; it's up to Multiverse, and Cameron's novel tie-in, to set the scene for the future. Their MMOs will be competing with standalone franchised products, and it will be a battle for player revenue well worth witnessing. However, the big question is: when will Uwe Boll get wind of this?

JoystiqFilm and TV tie-in MMOs on the way originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 24 Feb 2006 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cameronfranchisemmomultiversenytreutersFri, 24 Feb 2006 14:00:00 EST