While Nintendo (NTDOY) has chosen to create second-screen experiences with the new Wii U GamePad, Microsoft's (MSFT) strategy for the Xbox 360 involves bringing your own devices (BYOD) with the Xbox SmartGlass app for Android, iOS, Windows Phone 8 and Windows 8. One of the more frustrating things initially about the Xbox SmartGlass app was that it wasn't natively compatible with 7-inch Android tablets such as Google's (GOOG) excellent Nexus 7, but Microsoft's gone ahead and updated the app to take advantage of 7-inch Android tablets while squashing a batch of bugs at the same time. While still in its infancy, Xbox SmartGlass is a glimpse at the future of smartphones and tablet and how they connect to the TV.
Last month, we said: "SmartGlass isn't just a fancy touchscreen remote control app for the Xbox 360 - it's much more than that. With the app, users can start a movie on any mobile device and resume on the Xbox 360 (and vice versa), monitor real-time sports stats, bios and highlights on a secondary display, navigate the newly added Internet Explorer with multitouch gestures such as pinch-to-zoom and enhance gameplay with new gameplay options."
The new Xbox SmartGlass is available for free in Google Play Store here.
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Friday, November 30, 2012
Zynga stock falls after Facebook terms change
NEW YORK (AP) - Shares of Zynga slumped Friday after it disclosed with its partner Facebook that they have loosened their close ties to one another.
THE SPARK: The companies said in regulatory filings Thursday that they have amended their 2010 contract to say Zynga will no longer have to display Facebook ads or use Facebook payments on its own properties, such as Zynga.com.
In addition, Zynga, which makes the games 'FarmVille' and 'CityVille,' will no longer be required to use Facebook as the exclusive social site for its games, or to grant Facebook exclusive games. Any social game Zynga launches will also be available on Facebook either at the same time or shortly after it launches elsewhere.
Facebook, meanwhile, will be able to develop its own games after the end of March, though it said it has no plans to do so. Its deal with Zynga previously prohibited Facebook from developing games.
THE BIG PICTURE: While it's not exactly splitsville, the original 2010 contract gave Zynga special status among Facebook game developers. Zynga relies on Facebook for most of the revenue it generates even as it works to establish its independence.
Facebook also makes money from Zynga, though the portion of its revenue that the game maker accounts for has declined. In the third quarter, Facebook said that 7 percent of its total revenue came from Zynga, down from 12 percent in the third quarter of 2011.
ANALYSIS: Wedbush analyst Michael Pachter said while Zynga investors reacted badly to the news, he sees the changes as a long-term positive for both companies.
'Zynga now has an incentive to expand the reach of its most popular social games beyond Facebook and Zynga.com and be able to offer additional payment options, likely resulting in additional payers who are not Facebook users,' the analyst wrote in a note to investors.
Pachter rates Zynga 'Outperform' with a target price of $4.
STOCK ACTION: Shares of San Francisco'S Zynga Inc. fell 19 cents, or 7.3 percent, to $2.43 in afternoon trading. Zynga went public in December 2011 at a price of $10 per share but its stock have fallen sharply amid concerns about its ability to keep growing quickly.
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THE SPARK: The companies said in regulatory filings Thursday that they have amended their 2010 contract to say Zynga will no longer have to display Facebook ads or use Facebook payments on its own properties, such as Zynga.com.
In addition, Zynga, which makes the games 'FarmVille' and 'CityVille,' will no longer be required to use Facebook as the exclusive social site for its games, or to grant Facebook exclusive games. Any social game Zynga launches will also be available on Facebook either at the same time or shortly after it launches elsewhere.
Facebook, meanwhile, will be able to develop its own games after the end of March, though it said it has no plans to do so. Its deal with Zynga previously prohibited Facebook from developing games.
THE BIG PICTURE: While it's not exactly splitsville, the original 2010 contract gave Zynga special status among Facebook game developers. Zynga relies on Facebook for most of the revenue it generates even as it works to establish its independence.
Facebook also makes money from Zynga, though the portion of its revenue that the game maker accounts for has declined. In the third quarter, Facebook said that 7 percent of its total revenue came from Zynga, down from 12 percent in the third quarter of 2011.
ANALYSIS: Wedbush analyst Michael Pachter said while Zynga investors reacted badly to the news, he sees the changes as a long-term positive for both companies.
'Zynga now has an incentive to expand the reach of its most popular social games beyond Facebook and Zynga.com and be able to offer additional payment options, likely resulting in additional payers who are not Facebook users,' the analyst wrote in a note to investors.
Pachter rates Zynga 'Outperform' with a target price of $4.
STOCK ACTION: Shares of San Francisco'S Zynga Inc. fell 19 cents, or 7.3 percent, to $2.43 in afternoon trading. Zynga went public in December 2011 at a price of $10 per share but its stock have fallen sharply amid concerns about its ability to keep growing quickly.
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Zynga shares slide after privileged status with Facebook ends
(Reuters) - Shares of gaming company Zynga Inc fell as much as 10 percent, a day after the 'Farmville' creator reached an agreement with Facebook Inc that reduces its dependence on the social networking giant.
The companies reported in regulatory filings on Thursday that they have reached an agreement to amend a 2010 deal that was widely seen as giving Zynga privileged status on the world's No.1 social network.
Zynga gets a freer hand to operate a standalone gaming website, but gives up its ability to promote its site on Facebook and to draw from the thriving social network of about 1 billion users.
'Although Zynga investors have reacted negatively to Thursday's announcements so far, we view them as a long-term positive for both companies,' Wedbush Securities analyst Michael Pachter said in a note to clients.
'Zynga now has an advantage to offer more payment options which could result in additional subscribers who are not Facebook users,' he said, maintaining his 'outperform' rating and price target of $4 on the stock.
Both internet companies have been trying to reduce their interdependence, with Zynga starting up its own Zynga.com platform, and Facebook wooing other games developers.
In recent quarters, fees from Zynga contributed 15 percent of Facebook's revenue, while Zynga relies on Facebook for roughly 80 percent of its revenue.
Francisco-based Zynga's shares were down 7 percent at $2.44 in morning trading on the New York Stock Exchange on Friday.
Facebook shares were down more than 1 percent at $26.98.
(Reporting By Aurindom Mukherjee in Bangalore; Editing by Don Sebastian)
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The companies reported in regulatory filings on Thursday that they have reached an agreement to amend a 2010 deal that was widely seen as giving Zynga privileged status on the world's No.1 social network.
Zynga gets a freer hand to operate a standalone gaming website, but gives up its ability to promote its site on Facebook and to draw from the thriving social network of about 1 billion users.
'Although Zynga investors have reacted negatively to Thursday's announcements so far, we view them as a long-term positive for both companies,' Wedbush Securities analyst Michael Pachter said in a note to clients.
'Zynga now has an advantage to offer more payment options which could result in additional subscribers who are not Facebook users,' he said, maintaining his 'outperform' rating and price target of $4 on the stock.
Both internet companies have been trying to reduce their interdependence, with Zynga starting up its own Zynga.com platform, and Facebook wooing other games developers.
In recent quarters, fees from Zynga contributed 15 percent of Facebook's revenue, while Zynga relies on Facebook for roughly 80 percent of its revenue.
Francisco-based Zynga's shares were down 7 percent at $2.44 in morning trading on the New York Stock Exchange on Friday.
Facebook shares were down more than 1 percent at $26.98.
(Reporting By Aurindom Mukherjee in Bangalore; Editing by Don Sebastian)
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The Xbox 720 Is Coming Sooner Than Anyone Anticipated
After almost three years without an update, and with Windows 8 sales flailing, Microsoft will release a new Xbox just in time for Christmas next year, sources told Bloomberg's Dina Bass and Ian King. Last year Microsoft had said that it wouldn't release a new version of the gaming system "anytime soon," with other sources talking up a date sometime in 2013 "at the earliest." This new Christmas launch makes perfect sense for the video-game nerd anticipated "Xbox 720," as the rumorers refer to it. An Xbox is one of those it toys that gets people lining up at 3 a.m. during holiday shopping craziness. Even the aging 360 console has managed to double the sales of the new Nintendo Wii so far this holiday season, according to numbers from the NDP Group. Microsoft hasn't put out an entirely new console since 2005, which led to riots during Black Friday of that year.
RELATED: Foxconn Is Still a Hard Place to Work
And Microsoft needs a super-anticipated something, since Windows 8 sales fell so flat this year. After whispers that the new operating system wasn't selling well, NDP research group found that sales fell 21 percent for new computers running Windows. The research group doesn't measure sales from Microsoft stores or online, but Microsoft has said most of its sales come from third-party retailers like Best Buy anyway. Windows 8 tablet sales were almost "nonexistent" said the report, making up just 1 percent of all Windows 8 sales. Yeesh. However, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer has said he is playing the long game on this one, claiming that people will get used to the new look and when they do fall in love with it. Maybe the people will line up for Windows 8 next year, too?
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If not, though, the new Xbox sounds like an upgrade that will get gamers excited and buying. As for what exactly the gadget will look like, the rumorers say it will be cheaper and smaller than the 360, which retails starting at $300. In addition, it will have an udpated Kinect controller, a quad core processor, 8GB Ram, Blu-Ray, and augmented reality glasses, according to "leaked reports."
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RELATED: Foxconn Is Still a Hard Place to Work
And Microsoft needs a super-anticipated something, since Windows 8 sales fell so flat this year. After whispers that the new operating system wasn't selling well, NDP research group found that sales fell 21 percent for new computers running Windows. The research group doesn't measure sales from Microsoft stores or online, but Microsoft has said most of its sales come from third-party retailers like Best Buy anyway. Windows 8 tablet sales were almost "nonexistent" said the report, making up just 1 percent of all Windows 8 sales. Yeesh. However, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer has said he is playing the long game on this one, claiming that people will get used to the new look and when they do fall in love with it. Maybe the people will line up for Windows 8 next year, too?
RELATED: Amazon's New Cloud Music Player Is Great, But Is It Legal?
If not, though, the new Xbox sounds like an upgrade that will get gamers excited and buying. As for what exactly the gadget will look like, the rumorers say it will be cheaper and smaller than the 360, which retails starting at $300. In addition, it will have an udpated Kinect controller, a quad core processor, 8GB Ram, Blu-Ray, and augmented reality glasses, according to "leaked reports."
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Microsoft's next-gen Xbox again said to launch ahead of 2013 holidays
More than a dozen reports to date have suggested Microsoft's (MSFT) next-generation Xbox console will launch ahead of the holidays next year, and Bloomberg now becomes the latest publication to chime in. Citing multiple unnamed sources, Dina Bass and Ian King report that the new console will launch in time for the Thanksgiving and Christmas shopping rushes. They also claim Microsoft hasn't yet decided whether it will unveil the console at next year's E3 gaming expo or at a dedicated press conference. Earlier reports stated that Microsoft's next-generation Xbox will feature a quad-core processor, 8GB of RAM, a Blu-ray disc drive, Kinect 2.0 and a redesigned controller, though no details surrounding the new console have been confirmed at this point.
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Angry Birds Star Wars updated with 20 additional levels, Princess Leia cameo
Rovio on Thursday updated its immensely popular Angry Birds Star Wars game to include 20 additional levels. The latest game in the bird-slinging franchise was released earlier this month and was an instant hit, topping the iTunes App Store in less than three hours. In the most recent update, gamers must help the birds escape from the AT-ATs and Pigtroopers on the remote ice world of Hoth. Luckily, the rebel birds have a secret weapon - Princess Leia.
"It is a dark time for the Rebellion," Rovio wrote on its website. "Evading the dreaded Imperial Starfleet, a group of freedom fighters has established a new secret base on the remote ice world of Hoth. Unfortunately the evil Lord Vader discovers their hideout, and the desperate Rebel birds must escape the AT-ATs and Pigtroopers hot on their trail. But the Rebels have an ace up their sleeve with the debut of PRINCESS LEIA and her attractive new power!"
Angry Birds Star Wars is available for Android, iOS, Macs and PCs. The Hoth trailer follows below.
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"It is a dark time for the Rebellion," Rovio wrote on its website. "Evading the dreaded Imperial Starfleet, a group of freedom fighters has established a new secret base on the remote ice world of Hoth. Unfortunately the evil Lord Vader discovers their hideout, and the desperate Rebel birds must escape the AT-ATs and Pigtroopers hot on their trail. But the Rebels have an ace up their sleeve with the debut of PRINCESS LEIA and her attractive new power!"
Angry Birds Star Wars is available for Android, iOS, Macs and PCs. The Hoth trailer follows below.
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Thursday, November 29, 2012
Zynga slides after updated agreement with Facebook
NEW YORK (AP) - Zynga shares tumbled nearly 12 percent in after-hours trading Thursday after the online game company and Facebook disclosed that they changed their relationship status to become less attached to each other.
Zynga Inc. said in a regulatory filing Thursday that it will no longer have to display Facebook ads or use Facebook payments on its own properties - such as Zynga.com. In addition Zynga will no longer be required to use Facebook as the exclusive social site for its games, or to grant Facebook exclusive games.
Facebook Inc., which filed a similar disclosure, will also be able to develop its own games after the end of March. Its deal with Zynga previously prohibited that.
The amendments change the companies' 2010 contract that gave Zynga special status among Facebook game developers. San Francisco-based Zynga relies on Facebook for most of the revenue it generates, but the company has been working to establish its independence - while also maintaining ties with Facebook.
Zynga's titles range from 'FarmVille' to 'CityVille' to 'Words With Friends,' the Scrabble-like game made popular on mobile devices.
Zynga shares fell 31 cents, or 11.8 percent, to $2.31 in after-hours trading. The stock closed up 11 cents, or 4.4 percent, at $2.62 in the regular session.
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Zynga Inc. said in a regulatory filing Thursday that it will no longer have to display Facebook ads or use Facebook payments on its own properties - such as Zynga.com. In addition Zynga will no longer be required to use Facebook as the exclusive social site for its games, or to grant Facebook exclusive games.
Facebook Inc., which filed a similar disclosure, will also be able to develop its own games after the end of March. Its deal with Zynga previously prohibited that.
The amendments change the companies' 2010 contract that gave Zynga special status among Facebook game developers. San Francisco-based Zynga relies on Facebook for most of the revenue it generates, but the company has been working to establish its independence - while also maintaining ties with Facebook.
Zynga's titles range from 'FarmVille' to 'CityVille' to 'Words With Friends,' the Scrabble-like game made popular on mobile devices.
Zynga shares fell 31 cents, or 11.8 percent, to $2.31 in after-hours trading. The stock closed up 11 cents, or 4.4 percent, at $2.62 in the regular session.
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Facebook can now develop own games after amending Zynga deal
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Facebook Inc could now develop its own games for its platform as part of a new agreement reached with Zynga Inc, the largest publisher of games on Facebook, according to regulatory filings from the two companies Thursday.
Under the new agreement, Zynga could elect not to use Facebook's payments mechanism to collect revenue or display Facebook's ads.
The two social Internet companies, which went public within seven months of each other, have been intimately tied. In recent quarters fees from Zynga have constituted more than 15 percent of Facebook's total revenues.
(Reporting By Gerry Shih)
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Under the new agreement, Zynga could elect not to use Facebook's payments mechanism to collect revenue or display Facebook's ads.
The two social Internet companies, which went public within seven months of each other, have been intimately tied. In recent quarters fees from Zynga have constituted more than 15 percent of Facebook's total revenues.
(Reporting By Gerry Shih)
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Sony sells over half a million PlayStation 3 consoles over Black Friday week
Both Microsoft (MSFT) and Nintendo (NTDOY) had a big week of console sales during Black Friday's week of shopping madness in the U.S. So how did Sony (SNE) do in comparison? Sony Computer Entertainment of America president and CEO Jack Tretton announced on Thursday that the company sold 525,000 PlayStation 3 consoles and 160,000 PS Vita handhelds during the Black Friday week. Overall PlayStation sales of hardware, software and accessories are up 9% over the same period last year. Tretton was also happy to reveal that subscriptions to its PlayStation Plus grew 259% since last year with customer satisfaction flying high at 95% after Sony added the Instant Game Collection to the service earlier this year.
Sony's PlayStation 3 and PS Vita sales were largely bolstered by $199.99 bundles packaged with free games that the company pushed to retails on Black Friday. The sell-out of the bundles within minutes at retailers such as Amazon (AMZN) is a good indicator that there is huge demand for a sub-$200 PlayStation 3. Currently, the lowest-priced PS3 is a second-gen 160GB slim model with an MSRP of $249.99. The redesigned third-gen PS3s start at $269.99 with a 250GB hard drive.
In terms of which home console did the best over Black Friday, it looks like the Xbox 360's 750,000 consoles took first place, while Sony came in second with 525,000 PS3s and Nintendo came in third with 400,000 Wii U systems.
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Sony's PlayStation 3 and PS Vita sales were largely bolstered by $199.99 bundles packaged with free games that the company pushed to retails on Black Friday. The sell-out of the bundles within minutes at retailers such as Amazon (AMZN) is a good indicator that there is huge demand for a sub-$200 PlayStation 3. Currently, the lowest-priced PS3 is a second-gen 160GB slim model with an MSRP of $249.99. The redesigned third-gen PS3s start at $269.99 with a 250GB hard drive.
In terms of which home console did the best over Black Friday, it looks like the Xbox 360's 750,000 consoles took first place, while Sony came in second with 525,000 PS3s and Nintendo came in third with 400,000 Wii U systems.
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Video Games: Art-Tested, MoMA-Approved
Citing a palpable "aesthetic experience" in classic games while eschewing others, the Museum of Modern Art announced Thursday that it has assembled a new collection of video games. The museum's initial collection includes 14 classics like Pac-Man and Tetris, but also more recent additions to the canon like Passage and Canabalt. The museum has a "wish list" of about 40 total games, which include Pong, The Legend of Zelda, and Minecraft. The games will be exhibited starting in March 2013, but the selections aren't necessarily what you'd expect.
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Video games are art. That's a fact (which has some notable dissenters) that's even been determined by the Supreme Court in a a case decided in 2011. And games have been embraced by art institutions before. In an exhibition this year, the Smithsonian American Art Museum explored The Art of Video Games. But in a blog post today, Paola Antonelli, senior curator in MoMA's department of design, explained that the museum's intention is not as simple as evaluating the artistic value of certain video games. They want to look at games from a design perspective: "Our criteria, therefore, emphasize not only the visual quality and aesthetic experience of each game, but also the many other aspects—from the elegance of the code to the design of the player’s behavior—that pertain to interaction design."
RELATED: China May Have Made Ai Weiwei an Offer That He Refused
Because the museum is looking for specific design traits, Antonielli explained that MoMA has not acquired, and is not looking for, some games that might seem like "no-brainers to video game historian."
RELATED: The National Portrait Gallery Found the 'Patron Saint of Transvestites'
Here are some images of the games MoMA has acquired, via the museum:
RELATED: Worried Video Games Are Making Your Kid Violent?
Tetris
RELATED: Filmmaker and San Francisco in a Graffiti Gridlock
flOw
Myst
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RELATED: Gaza, Nudists, and a Hero Dog
Video games are art. That's a fact (which has some notable dissenters) that's even been determined by the Supreme Court in a a case decided in 2011. And games have been embraced by art institutions before. In an exhibition this year, the Smithsonian American Art Museum explored The Art of Video Games. But in a blog post today, Paola Antonelli, senior curator in MoMA's department of design, explained that the museum's intention is not as simple as evaluating the artistic value of certain video games. They want to look at games from a design perspective: "Our criteria, therefore, emphasize not only the visual quality and aesthetic experience of each game, but also the many other aspects—from the elegance of the code to the design of the player’s behavior—that pertain to interaction design."
RELATED: China May Have Made Ai Weiwei an Offer That He Refused
Because the museum is looking for specific design traits, Antonielli explained that MoMA has not acquired, and is not looking for, some games that might seem like "no-brainers to video game historian."
RELATED: The National Portrait Gallery Found the 'Patron Saint of Transvestites'
Here are some images of the games MoMA has acquired, via the museum:
RELATED: Worried Video Games Are Making Your Kid Violent?
Tetris
RELATED: Filmmaker and San Francisco in a Graffiti Gridlock
flOw
Myst
This news article is brought to you by ANIMALS AND PETS - where latest news are our top priority.
Past hosts teaming for Spike Video Game Awards
LOS ANGELES (AP) - The Spike Video Game Awards are assembling past hosts.
The cable network announced Thursday that the gaming extravaganza's previous emcees would join 'The Avengers' star and four-time VGAs host Samuel L. Jackson at next week's show.
Previous hosts Zachary Levi, Snoop Lion, Jack Black and Neil Patrick Harris are set to appear at the 10th annual ceremony.
The show will also feature debut footage from upcoming games 'BioShock Infinite,' ''Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2' and 'Tomb Raider,' and from downloadable content 'Spartan Ops' for 'Halo 4' and 'The Tyranny of King Washington' for 'Assassin's Creed III.'
'Assassin's Creed III,' ''Dishonored,' ''Journey,' ''Mass Effect 3' and 'The Walking Dead: The Game' are vying for the best game trophy.
The VGAs will air live on Spike on Dec. 7 from Sony Picture Studios in Culver City, Calif.
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The cable network announced Thursday that the gaming extravaganza's previous emcees would join 'The Avengers' star and four-time VGAs host Samuel L. Jackson at next week's show.
Previous hosts Zachary Levi, Snoop Lion, Jack Black and Neil Patrick Harris are set to appear at the 10th annual ceremony.
The show will also feature debut footage from upcoming games 'BioShock Infinite,' ''Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2' and 'Tomb Raider,' and from downloadable content 'Spartan Ops' for 'Halo 4' and 'The Tyranny of King Washington' for 'Assassin's Creed III.'
'Assassin's Creed III,' ''Dishonored,' ''Journey,' ''Mass Effect 3' and 'The Walking Dead: The Game' are vying for the best game trophy.
The VGAs will air live on Spike on Dec. 7 from Sony Picture Studios in Culver City, Calif.
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Tuesday, November 27, 2012
The Wii U sells out in its first week: Evidence of a Nintendo comeback?
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Monday, November 26, 2012
Nintendo says more than 400,000 Wii Us sold in US
NEW YORK (AP) - Nintendo has sold more than 400,000 of its new video game console, the Wii U, in its first week on sale in the U.S., the company said Monday.
The Wii U launched on Nov. 18 in the U.S. at a starting price of $300. Nintendo said the sales figure, based on internal estimates, is through Saturday, or seven days later.
The Wii U is the first major game console to launch in six years. It comes with a new touch-screen controller that promises to change how people play games by offering different people in the same room a different experience, depending on the controller used.
Six years ago, Nintendo Co. sold 475,000 of the original Wii in that console's first seven days in stores, according to data from the NPD Group. The original Wii remains available, and Nintendo said it sold more than 300,000 of them last week, along with roughly 250,000 handheld Nintendo 3DS units and about 275,000 of the Nintendo DS.
At this early stage, demand isn't the only factor dictating how many consoles are sold. Supply is, too. This means it's likely that more people wanted to buy the Wii U in the first week than those who were able to. The original Wii was in short supply more than a year after it went on sale.
As of Monday afternoon, the website of Best Buy Co. was sold out of the Wii U. Video game retailer GameStop Corp. said there was at least a three day wait for a deluxe Wii U, which costs $350, has more memory and comes with a game called 'Nintendo Land.' GameStop still had the basic, $300 version available.
Wedbush analyst Michael Pachter estimates that Nintendo will ship 1 million to 1.5 million Wii Us in the U.S. through the end of January.
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The Wii U launched on Nov. 18 in the U.S. at a starting price of $300. Nintendo said the sales figure, based on internal estimates, is through Saturday, or seven days later.
The Wii U is the first major game console to launch in six years. It comes with a new touch-screen controller that promises to change how people play games by offering different people in the same room a different experience, depending on the controller used.
Six years ago, Nintendo Co. sold 475,000 of the original Wii in that console's first seven days in stores, according to data from the NPD Group. The original Wii remains available, and Nintendo said it sold more than 300,000 of them last week, along with roughly 250,000 handheld Nintendo 3DS units and about 275,000 of the Nintendo DS.
At this early stage, demand isn't the only factor dictating how many consoles are sold. Supply is, too. This means it's likely that more people wanted to buy the Wii U in the first week than those who were able to. The original Wii was in short supply more than a year after it went on sale.
As of Monday afternoon, the website of Best Buy Co. was sold out of the Wii U. Video game retailer GameStop Corp. said there was at least a three day wait for a deluxe Wii U, which costs $350, has more memory and comes with a game called 'Nintendo Land.' GameStop still had the basic, $300 version available.
Wedbush analyst Michael Pachter estimates that Nintendo will ship 1 million to 1.5 million Wii Us in the U.S. through the end of January.
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Wednesday, November 21, 2012
PlayStation Mobile Now Lets PS Vita Owners Create Their Own Games
Think you (or someone you know) has what it takes to write games for the PlayStation Vita? Sony just opened up its PlayStation Mobile game store to anyone who wants in. All you need is a half-decent Windows PC and a Vita, and the cash for a $99 developer fee -- the same yearly price Apple charges.
?How PlayStation Mobile fits in
PlayStation Mobile isn't the same thing as the PlayStation Store, where you can buy most PlayStation games and downloadable content. It's more like a separate department that's only on the PlayStation Vita and on PlayStation Certified Android devices like Sony's smartphones and tablets.
In a nutshell, it's Sony's version of Xbox Live Indie Arcade, except that it's for portable PlayStation consoles instead of home Xbox ones. It's where small, indie studios can get their work published and featured, and where PlayStation Vita owners can look for unique, inexpensive game titles.
?How developers can get started
Game developers can start with PlayStation Mobile by registering on its developer site. After that, they download the PlayStation Mobile SDK (software development kit), and get to work on their games. Third-party software like the free Blender 3D modeling program can be used to create in-game art assets, while the SDK itself is powered by the open source Mono version of C#, the same programming language used by Xbox Live Indie Arcade's XNA toolkit.
?How PlayStation Mobile compares to other game and app markets
For starters, the $99 annual fee and the cost of a PlayStation Vita or PlayStation Certified device put it right up there with Apple's App Store in terms of up-front expense, except that you don't have to buy a Mac to write things for it. This is a lot more than the $25 one-time fee to get in to the Google Play store, which you can use pretty much any computer and Android device to write for. On the other hand, anyone who's considering writing PlayStation Vita games probably already owns a Vita to begin with.
Developers aren't allowed to write non-game apps for PlayStation Mobile, unlike with most markets. Pretty much the only apps seen on the Vita so far are official licensed ones like YouTube and Flickr, while PlayStation Certified devices running the Android OS get their apps from the Google Play store anyhow.
Perhaps the strangest restriction? Developers don't get to set their own games' price. They instead specify a "wholesale price," as though they were selling their games to Sony, and it decides how much to sell them for. In essence, the company chooses its own profit margin on a per-game basis, unlike most app markets' 70/30 split. It also seems to be able to decide when and whether games go on sale.
?Success stories?
Rami Ismail told "The Story of Super Crate Box" on the PlayStation Blog, explaining how he and a fan managed to bring an iOS game that he'd already made to the PlayStation Vita on very short notice. He said the game "feels right at home" on the portable console, while Joystiq's JC Fletcher calls the Vita port "the definitive version." As for whether it's selling well or not, though, we may have to wait to find out.
Jared Spurbeck is an open-source software enthusiast, who uses an Android phone and an Ubuntu laptop PC. He has been writing about technology and electronics since 2008.
This article is brought to you by BUY COMPUTERS.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Nintendo's Wii U: First Impressions
The Wii U GamePad has a 6.2-inch touchscreen.
Click here to view this gallery.[More from Mashable: Meet the Super Fan Who Waited in Line for a Month for a Wii U [VIDEO]]
Nintendo's newest console has only been available for one day, but that's still enough time for early-bird consumers to get their hands on the Wii U, and test out its features and games. We spent the last 24 hours playing with the Wii U, and have organized our early thoughts on the system. Read on if you're on the fence about buying one.
[More from Mashable: Toys 'R' Us Says Wii U Pre-Order Shipments May Be Delayed]
After getting through the patch, user still face an involved setup. They have to create their Mii avatar before they start playing, and create a Nintendo Network ID for network play. Users must also set up the GamePad's universal remote functionality, which is thankfully the easiest part of the process. They only have to pick their TV manufacturer (the Wii U knows what to do next). The GamePad controls volume, input source and channels.
The most troublesome thing about the console is that everything moved slowly; launching games and apps took a long time. I felt like I spent awhile looking at a spinning blue circle.
SEE ALSO: Meet the Super Fan Who Waited in Line for a Month for a Wii U [VIDEO]
Wii U games definitely take advantage of the console's ability to support high-definition graphics. Cartoony games, such as Scribblenauts Unlimited or Nintendo Land look beautiful. For games such as ZombiU, which are supposed to appear more realistic, users might be disappointed. This system is supposed to be the next-generation of gaming consoles -- meant to outshine the Xbox 360 -- but I can't say it achieves that.
Unfortunately, the GamePad takes some getting used to as an actual controller, especially for games that require more than simple controls or the gyroscope. My biggest complaint is that Nintendo bucked all gaming-controller tradition by swapping the position of the right analog stick and the four letter buttons. Anyone who has played any other modern console (including Nintendo's own GameCube) knows instinctively that the analog stick goes below the buttons; but Nintendo flipped them on both the GamePad and the Pro Controller. If the company is only targeting non-gamers, they won't notice; but this will be a difficult change for many others. Despite this drawback, the buttons, and especially triggers, feel good.
The GamePad is mostly dominated by the 6.2-inch touch screen with a passable resolution: 854 x 480. The most appealing feature of the Wii U -- that users can play games or watch movies entirely on the GamePad -- may be spoiled for some looking for HD crispness. Still, I watched a whole episode of Portlandia from Netflix on the GamePad, and also spent time playing New Super Mario Bros. U with the television off. Being able to isolate your gameplay to a smaller screen is very novel, and one of my favorite parts of the system.
Some non-exclusive titles on other consoles are also appealing. I'm looking forward to digging in to Epic Mickey 2 and Tekken Tag Tournament 2. While the system had 24 launch titles, many more are expected to debut in the coming months.
I plan to spend Thanksgiving week exploring the Wii U, and will write a more detailed report on whether it's the right console for gamers, families or casual users.
This story originally published on Mashable here.
This article is brought to you by COMPUTERS.
Click here to view this gallery.[More from Mashable: Meet the Super Fan Who Waited in Line for a Month for a Wii U [VIDEO]]
Nintendo's newest console has only been available for one day, but that's still enough time for early-bird consumers to get their hands on the Wii U, and test out its features and games. We spent the last 24 hours playing with the Wii U, and have organized our early thoughts on the system. Read on if you're on the fence about buying one.
[More from Mashable: Toys 'R' Us Says Wii U Pre-Order Shipments May Be Delayed]
Out of the Box
Setting up the Wii U is easy, but installing the software is more of a process. Nintendo issued a day-one patch to activate features such as MiiVerse, the company's social features; this means users will spend between one to three hours (depending on connection speed) downloading and installing a patch that bricks their system. Not a great way to greet consumers excited to play your games. But there's a chance that servers won't be as busy in the coming weeks, so download times may improve. Each game I inserted had its own patch too, which users have to install on the second playthrough.After getting through the patch, user still face an involved setup. They have to create their Mii avatar before they start playing, and create a Nintendo Network ID for network play. Users must also set up the GamePad's universal remote functionality, which is thankfully the easiest part of the process. They only have to pick their TV manufacturer (the Wii U knows what to do next). The GamePad controls volume, input source and channels.
Look and Feel
The GamePad is the Wii U's main portal, so users need it to access all the relevant menus (the console shows a different menu from the television); here, users can launch applications by touch. The default view includes apps such as Netflix, Hulu Plus, Amazon Video Services and YouTube; but only Netflix is available now, which seems a bit like false advertising. Loading other options, such as the Nintendo eShop, requires pressing the Home button on the controller, which is unintuitive at first. But soon, the button quickly becomes a handy way to navigate to other parts of the Wii U, like the upcoming Nintendo TVii.The most troublesome thing about the console is that everything moved slowly; launching games and apps took a long time. I felt like I spent awhile looking at a spinning blue circle.
Wii U games definitely take advantage of the console's ability to support high-definition graphics. Cartoony games, such as Scribblenauts Unlimited or Nintendo Land look beautiful. For games such as ZombiU, which are supposed to appear more realistic, users might be disappointed. This system is supposed to be the next-generation of gaming consoles -- meant to outshine the Xbox 360 -- but I can't say it achieves that.
The GamePad
Pre-launch, Nintendo has spent much of its time crowing about the features of the GamePad, a hybrid touch screen and controller that's central to the Wii U. The first thing I noticed is its large size; but after spending a few hours with the GamePad, I've concluded that it won't weigh you down like an iPad, yet is substantial enough that it doesn't feel like a toy (though the glossy finish makes it look like one.)Unfortunately, the GamePad takes some getting used to as an actual controller, especially for games that require more than simple controls or the gyroscope. My biggest complaint is that Nintendo bucked all gaming-controller tradition by swapping the position of the right analog stick and the four letter buttons. Anyone who has played any other modern console (including Nintendo's own GameCube) knows instinctively that the analog stick goes below the buttons; but Nintendo flipped them on both the GamePad and the Pro Controller. If the company is only targeting non-gamers, they won't notice; but this will be a difficult change for many others. Despite this drawback, the buttons, and especially triggers, feel good.
The GamePad is mostly dominated by the 6.2-inch touch screen with a passable resolution: 854 x 480. The most appealing feature of the Wii U -- that users can play games or watch movies entirely on the GamePad -- may be spoiled for some looking for HD crispness. Still, I watched a whole episode of Portlandia from Netflix on the GamePad, and also spent time playing New Super Mario Bros. U with the television off. Being able to isolate your gameplay to a smaller screen is very novel, and one of my favorite parts of the system.
Games
Nintendo's Wii U has a better launch lineup coming out, compared to other consoles -- but only a few titles stick out. Almost everyone I talked to in line at the Nintendo World store during the Wii U launch wanted New Super Mario Bros. U or ZombiU, both of which are fun titles. Nintendo Land, which is a pack-in if users purchase the Deluxe model, is going to be a huge hit at parties; from what I've seen so far, it has some engrossing minigames. I haven't cracked open Scribblenauts Unlimited yet, but in demos it looks like a very promising title that would go well with a touch screen.Some non-exclusive titles on other consoles are also appealing. I'm looking forward to digging in to Epic Mickey 2 and Tekken Tag Tournament 2. While the system had 24 launch titles, many more are expected to debut in the coming months.
I plan to spend Thanksgiving week exploring the Wii U, and will write a more detailed report on whether it's the right console for gamers, families or casual users.
This story originally published on Mashable here.
This article is brought to you by COMPUTERS.
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Wii U: New console launches in a sea of gadgets
NEW YORK (AP) - In the six years since the last major video game system launched, Apple unveiled the iPhone and the iPad, 'Angry Birds' invaded smartphones and Facebook reached a billion users. In the process, scores of video game consoles were left to languish in living rooms alongside dusty VCRs and disc players.
On Sunday, Nintendo Co. is launching the Wii U, a game machine designed to appeal both to the original Wii's casual audience and the hardcore gamers who skip work to be among the first to play the latest 'Call of Duty' release. Just like the Wii U's predecessor, the Wii, which has sold nearly 100 million units worldwide since 2006, the new console's intended audience 'truly is 5 to 95,' says Reggie Fils-Aime, the president of Nintendo of America, the Japanese company's U.S. arm.
But the Wii U arrives in a new world. Video game console sales have been falling, largely because it's been so long since a new system has launched. Most people who wanted an Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 or a Wii already have one. Another reason: People in the broad 5-to-95 age range have shifted their attention to games on Facebook, tablet computers and mobile phones.
U.S. video game sales last month, including hardware, software and accessories, totaled $755.5 million, according to the research firm NPD Group. In October 2007, the figure stood at $1.1 billion.
The Wii U is likely to do well during the holiday shopping season, analysts believe -so well that shoppers may see shortages. But the surge could peter out in 2013. The Wii U is not expected to be the juggernaut that the Wii was in its heyday, according to research firm IHS iSuppli. The Wii outsold its competitors, the Xbox 360 and the PlayStation 3, in its first four years on sale, logging some 79 million units by the end of 2010. By comparison, IHS expects the Wii U to sell 56.7 million in its first four years.
In the age of a million gadgets and lean wallets, the storied game company faces a new challenge: convincing people that they need a new video game system rather than, say, a new iPad.
The Wii U, which starts at $300, isn't lacking in appeal. It allows for 'asymmetrical game play,' meaning two people playing the same game can have entirely different experiences depending on whether they use a new tablet-like controller called the GamePad or the traditional Wii remote. The GamePad can also be used to play games without using a TV set, as you would on a regular tablet. And it serves as a fancy remote controller to navigate a TV-watching feature called TVii, which will be available in December.
Nintendo, known for iconic game characters such as Mario, Donkey Kong and Zelda, is expected to sell the consoles quickly in the weeks leading up to the holidays. After all, it's been six long years and sons, daughters, brothers and sisters are demanding presents. GameStop Corp., the world's No. 1 video game retailer, said last week that advance orders sold out and it has nearly 500,000 people on its Wii U waitlist.
Even so, it's a 'very, very crowded space in consumer electronics' this holiday season, notes Ben Bajarin, a principal analyst at Creative Strategies who covers gaming.
Apple's duo of iPads, the full-size model and a smaller version called the Mini, will be competing for shoppers' attention. Not to be outdone, Amazon.com Inc. has launched a trove of Kindle tablets and e-readers in time for the holidays. These range from the Paperwhite, a touch-screen e-reader, to the Kindle Fire HD, which features a color screen and can work with a cellular data plan. Then there are the new laptops and cheaper, thinner 'ultrabooks' featuring Microsoft's new Windows 8 operating system -not to mention smartphones from Apple Inc., Samsung and other manufacturers.
'Nintendo has to be a cut above the noise here,' Bajarin says.
The Wii U is the first major game console to launch in years, but in some ways Nintendo is merely catching up with the HD trend. Sony Corp. and Microsoft Corp. began selling their own powerful, high-definition consoles six and seven years ago, respectively. Both Sony and Microsoft are expected to unveil new game consoles in 2013.
Baird analyst Colin Sebastian thinks the question is not how well the Wii U will do during the holidays, but how it will fare three and six months later.
Gaming has changed significantly in the past six years, especially when it comes to the type of mass-audience experiences that serve as Nintendo's bread and butter. Zynga Inc., the online game company behind Facebook games such as 'FarmVille' and 'Texas HoldEm Poker,' was founded in 2007. The first 'Angry Birds' game, that addictive, quirky distraction that has players flinging cartoon birds at structures hiding smug green pigs launched in late 2009. The first iPad, of course, came out in 2010 -three years after the first iPhone.
Fils-Aime acknowledges that Nintendo competes in the broad entertainment landscape, 'minute-by-minute,' for consumers' time.
'That's true today and that was true 20 years ago,' he says, adding that Nintendo's challenge is communicating to people 'what is so fun and appealing about the new system.'
Analysts expect Wii U sales to be brisk over the holidays. Nintendo's loyal -some would say, fanatical- fan base has been placing advance orders and will likely keep the systems flying off store shelves well into next year. The classic Mario and Zelda games are a huge part of the appeal, since they can't be played on any gaming system but Nintendo's.
Research firm IHS iSuppli estimates that by the end of the year, people will have snapped up 3.5 million Wii U consoles worldwide, compared with 3.1 million Wii units in the same period through the end of 2006.
After the Wii went on sale, shortages persisted for months. Stores were met with long lines of shoppers trying to get their hands on a Wii as late as July 2007, more than seven months after the system's launch.
Though supply constraints are expected this time around, Fils-Aime says Nintendo will have more hardware available in the Americas than it had for the Wii's initial months on the market. The company says it will also replenish retailers more frequently than it did six years ago.
An initial sell-out doesn't mean the Wii U will be successful over the long term, IHS notes, citing its estimate that the Wii U won't match the Wii's sales over time.
Bajarin believes it's going to take 'a little bit of time' for the Wii U's dual-screen gaming concept to sink in with people. If it proves popular, Nintendo could see even more competition at its hands.
'Technologically, it's not a leap of the imagination to see Apple, Google, Microsoft do something like this,' he says.
____
Follow Barbara Ortutay on Twitter at https://twitter.com/BarbaraOrtutay
On Sunday, Nintendo Co. is launching the Wii U, a game machine designed to appeal both to the original Wii's casual audience and the hardcore gamers who skip work to be among the first to play the latest 'Call of Duty' release. Just like the Wii U's predecessor, the Wii, which has sold nearly 100 million units worldwide since 2006, the new console's intended audience 'truly is 5 to 95,' says Reggie Fils-Aime, the president of Nintendo of America, the Japanese company's U.S. arm.
But the Wii U arrives in a new world. Video game console sales have been falling, largely because it's been so long since a new system has launched. Most people who wanted an Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 or a Wii already have one. Another reason: People in the broad 5-to-95 age range have shifted their attention to games on Facebook, tablet computers and mobile phones.
U.S. video game sales last month, including hardware, software and accessories, totaled $755.5 million, according to the research firm NPD Group. In October 2007, the figure stood at $1.1 billion.
The Wii U is likely to do well during the holiday shopping season, analysts believe -so well that shoppers may see shortages. But the surge could peter out in 2013. The Wii U is not expected to be the juggernaut that the Wii was in its heyday, according to research firm IHS iSuppli. The Wii outsold its competitors, the Xbox 360 and the PlayStation 3, in its first four years on sale, logging some 79 million units by the end of 2010. By comparison, IHS expects the Wii U to sell 56.7 million in its first four years.
In the age of a million gadgets and lean wallets, the storied game company faces a new challenge: convincing people that they need a new video game system rather than, say, a new iPad.
The Wii U, which starts at $300, isn't lacking in appeal. It allows for 'asymmetrical game play,' meaning two people playing the same game can have entirely different experiences depending on whether they use a new tablet-like controller called the GamePad or the traditional Wii remote. The GamePad can also be used to play games without using a TV set, as you would on a regular tablet. And it serves as a fancy remote controller to navigate a TV-watching feature called TVii, which will be available in December.
Nintendo, known for iconic game characters such as Mario, Donkey Kong and Zelda, is expected to sell the consoles quickly in the weeks leading up to the holidays. After all, it's been six long years and sons, daughters, brothers and sisters are demanding presents. GameStop Corp., the world's No. 1 video game retailer, said last week that advance orders sold out and it has nearly 500,000 people on its Wii U waitlist.
Even so, it's a 'very, very crowded space in consumer electronics' this holiday season, notes Ben Bajarin, a principal analyst at Creative Strategies who covers gaming.
Apple's duo of iPads, the full-size model and a smaller version called the Mini, will be competing for shoppers' attention. Not to be outdone, Amazon.com Inc. has launched a trove of Kindle tablets and e-readers in time for the holidays. These range from the Paperwhite, a touch-screen e-reader, to the Kindle Fire HD, which features a color screen and can work with a cellular data plan. Then there are the new laptops and cheaper, thinner 'ultrabooks' featuring Microsoft's new Windows 8 operating system -not to mention smartphones from Apple Inc., Samsung and other manufacturers.
'Nintendo has to be a cut above the noise here,' Bajarin says.
The Wii U is the first major game console to launch in years, but in some ways Nintendo is merely catching up with the HD trend. Sony Corp. and Microsoft Corp. began selling their own powerful, high-definition consoles six and seven years ago, respectively. Both Sony and Microsoft are expected to unveil new game consoles in 2013.
Baird analyst Colin Sebastian thinks the question is not how well the Wii U will do during the holidays, but how it will fare three and six months later.
Gaming has changed significantly in the past six years, especially when it comes to the type of mass-audience experiences that serve as Nintendo's bread and butter. Zynga Inc., the online game company behind Facebook games such as 'FarmVille' and 'Texas HoldEm Poker,' was founded in 2007. The first 'Angry Birds' game, that addictive, quirky distraction that has players flinging cartoon birds at structures hiding smug green pigs launched in late 2009. The first iPad, of course, came out in 2010 -three years after the first iPhone.
Fils-Aime acknowledges that Nintendo competes in the broad entertainment landscape, 'minute-by-minute,' for consumers' time.
'That's true today and that was true 20 years ago,' he says, adding that Nintendo's challenge is communicating to people 'what is so fun and appealing about the new system.'
Analysts expect Wii U sales to be brisk over the holidays. Nintendo's loyal -some would say, fanatical- fan base has been placing advance orders and will likely keep the systems flying off store shelves well into next year. The classic Mario and Zelda games are a huge part of the appeal, since they can't be played on any gaming system but Nintendo's.
Research firm IHS iSuppli estimates that by the end of the year, people will have snapped up 3.5 million Wii U consoles worldwide, compared with 3.1 million Wii units in the same period through the end of 2006.
After the Wii went on sale, shortages persisted for months. Stores were met with long lines of shoppers trying to get their hands on a Wii as late as July 2007, more than seven months after the system's launch.
Though supply constraints are expected this time around, Fils-Aime says Nintendo will have more hardware available in the Americas than it had for the Wii's initial months on the market. The company says it will also replenish retailers more frequently than it did six years ago.
An initial sell-out doesn't mean the Wii U will be successful over the long term, IHS notes, citing its estimate that the Wii U won't match the Wii's sales over time.
Bajarin believes it's going to take 'a little bit of time' for the Wii U's dual-screen gaming concept to sink in with people. If it proves popular, Nintendo could see even more competition at its hands.
'Technologically, it's not a leap of the imagination to see Apple, Google, Microsoft do something like this,' he says.
____
Follow Barbara Ortutay on Twitter at https://twitter.com/BarbaraOrtutay
Friday, November 16, 2012
TV, movie features on new Wii U delayed until Dec.
NEW YORK (AP) - Some of the entertainment features on Nintendo's new Wii U won't be available when the game machine goes on sale Sunday.
Nintendo didn't give a reason for the delay in Friday's news release, and representatives did not immediately respond to inquiries by email.
The new service, Nintendo TVii, promises to take into account all the ways users watch movies, TV shows and sports.
If you like the TV show 'Modern Family,' for example, it will present you with a list of the show's episodes gathered from available sources, whether that's Hulu, Netflix or traditional cable TV.
The Wii U is the first major game console to launch in six years. The free TVii - pronounced 'tee-veeee' - features were supposed to be available at the time of Wii U's launch in the U.S. and Canada. Nintendo said the TVii service will now be activated sometime in December.
With TVii the GamePad controller that comes with Wii U is supposed to work as a fancy remote control. Viewers will be able to browse shows to watch or send suggestions to other Wii users. The service also captures scenes from live TV and displays them on the controller's touch-screen display.
Nintendo also said the ability to watch Amazon, Hulu and Netflix content on the Wii U won't be available for a few more weeks. These are separate apps, though the content services will also be available through the Wii U app.
This news article is brought to you by INTERNET NEWS - where latest news are our top priority.
Nintendo didn't give a reason for the delay in Friday's news release, and representatives did not immediately respond to inquiries by email.
The new service, Nintendo TVii, promises to take into account all the ways users watch movies, TV shows and sports.
If you like the TV show 'Modern Family,' for example, it will present you with a list of the show's episodes gathered from available sources, whether that's Hulu, Netflix or traditional cable TV.
The Wii U is the first major game console to launch in six years. The free TVii - pronounced 'tee-veeee' - features were supposed to be available at the time of Wii U's launch in the U.S. and Canada. Nintendo said the TVii service will now be activated sometime in December.
With TVii the GamePad controller that comes with Wii U is supposed to work as a fancy remote control. Viewers will be able to browse shows to watch or send suggestions to other Wii users. The service also captures scenes from live TV and displays them on the controller's touch-screen display.
Nintendo also said the ability to watch Amazon, Hulu and Netflix content on the Wii U won't be available for a few more weeks. These are separate apps, though the content services will also be available through the Wii U app.
This news article is brought to you by INTERNET NEWS - where latest news are our top priority.
Nintendo seeks to shake up gaming again with Wii U
LOS ANGELES (AP) - It can scan zombies, replace a TV remote, open a window into virtual worlds and shoot ninja stars across a living room. It's the Wii U GamePad, the 10-by-5-inch touchscreen controller for the successor to the Wii out Sunday, and if you ask the brains behind the 'Super Mario Bros.' about it, they say it's going to change the way video games are made and played.
'You can't manufacture buzz,' said Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime. 'You can't manufacture word of mouth. All we can do is to provide the product and the games to foster some sparks that hopefully enable that to happen. We think we have that with Wii U.'
Much like the iPad, the curve GamePad features a touchscreen that can be manipulated with the simple tap or swipe of a finger, but it's surrounded by the kinds of buttons, bumpers, thumbsticks and triggers that are traditionally found on a modern-day game controller. There's also a camera, stylus, microphone, headphone jack and speakers.
While the Wii U can employ its predecessor's motion-control remotes with a sensor bar that similarly detects them in front of the TV, the console's focus on two-screen experiences makes it feel more like a high-definition, living-room rendition of the Nintendo DS and 3DS, the Japanese gaming giant's dual-screen hand-held devices, than the original Wii.
'It's a second screen like a tablet or a cellphone, but it's different,' said Mark Bolas, professor of interactive media at the University of Southern California. 'In addition to providing more information, the GamePad is also a second viewpoint into a virtual world. Nintendo is letting you turn away from the TV screen to see what's happening with the GamePad.'
The touchscreen controller can also serve as a makeshift TV remote control and online video aggregator for services like Netflix and Amazon Instant Video. (Nintendo cheekily calls it TVii.) Some games have the ability to flip-flop between the TV screen and the GamePad screen, allowing for non-gaming use of the TV.
There are limitations to the GamePad: it won't work after it's been moved 25 feet away from the Wii U console; it lasts about three to five hours after charging; and while its touchscreen is intuitive as those that have come before it, the GamePad is not quite as simple to use as the Wii controllers that had everyone bowling in their living rooms.
'Is the GamePad more complex than the Wii Remote was six years ago? Certainly,' said Fils-Aime. 'On the other hand, I believe consumers will easily grasp the GamePad and what we're trying to do with the varied experiences we'll have not only at launch but over the next number of years in this system's life.'
The abilities of the GamePad are most notably showcased by Nintendo Co. in the amusement park-themed mini-game collection 'Nintendo Land,' which comes with the deluxe edition of the console. 'Nintendo Land' turns the GamePad into several different tools, such as the dashboard of a spaceship or the ultimate advantage in a game of hide-and-seek.
In other titles, the controller mostly eliminates the need to pause the action to study a map in order to figure out where to go next or scour an inventory for just the right weapon. That can all be achieved simultaneously on the GamePad screen, which is best illustrated among the launch titles in Ubisoft's survival action game 'ZombiU.'
The GamePad acts as a high-tech scanner in 'ZombiU' that can analyze a player's surroundings in a version of London overrun by zombies. It pumps up the terror by drawing players' attention away from the horrors lurking around them.
Will gamers who've grown up with their eyes glued to the TV and hands gripped on a controller adapt to glimpsing at another screen? The Wii U edition of 'Call of Duty: Black Ops II,' for example, invites players to customize their arsenal on the fly on the GamePad, as well as engage in multiplayer matches without needing to split the TV in half.
Nintendo expects 50 games will be available for the Wii U by March 2013. There will be 23 games released alongside the console when it debuts Sunday, including the platformer 'New Super Mario Bros. U,' karaoke game 'Sing Party,' an 'armored edition' of 'Batman: Arkham City' and the Mickey Mouse adventure 'Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two.'
'New consoles come along and nobody exploits their full capabilities for the first two to three years,' said Warren Spector, creative director at 'Epic Mickey 2' developer Junction Point Studios. 'It's only after you've had two or three projects that you fully understand what the hardware is capable of doing. We're going to be experimenting with it more.'
Fils-Aime said he's already envisioning ways that developers will innovate with future games. He pointed to some of the console's features that aren't on display in the launch line-up, such as the ability to play with two GamePads at once or utilize the console's near-field communication technology to interact with other gadgets in the room.
'I think that developers and consumers are ready for new experiences,' said Fils-Aime. 'More than anything else, I think that's what is driving excitement for Wii U. They've experienced what this generation has to offer. They're ready for something new.'
___
Online:
http://www.nintendo.com/wiiu
___
Follow AP Entertainment Writer Derrik J. Lang on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/derrikjlang.
This article is brought to you by CHEAP COMPUTERS.
'You can't manufacture buzz,' said Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime. 'You can't manufacture word of mouth. All we can do is to provide the product and the games to foster some sparks that hopefully enable that to happen. We think we have that with Wii U.'
Much like the iPad, the curve GamePad features a touchscreen that can be manipulated with the simple tap or swipe of a finger, but it's surrounded by the kinds of buttons, bumpers, thumbsticks and triggers that are traditionally found on a modern-day game controller. There's also a camera, stylus, microphone, headphone jack and speakers.
While the Wii U can employ its predecessor's motion-control remotes with a sensor bar that similarly detects them in front of the TV, the console's focus on two-screen experiences makes it feel more like a high-definition, living-room rendition of the Nintendo DS and 3DS, the Japanese gaming giant's dual-screen hand-held devices, than the original Wii.
'It's a second screen like a tablet or a cellphone, but it's different,' said Mark Bolas, professor of interactive media at the University of Southern California. 'In addition to providing more information, the GamePad is also a second viewpoint into a virtual world. Nintendo is letting you turn away from the TV screen to see what's happening with the GamePad.'
The touchscreen controller can also serve as a makeshift TV remote control and online video aggregator for services like Netflix and Amazon Instant Video. (Nintendo cheekily calls it TVii.) Some games have the ability to flip-flop between the TV screen and the GamePad screen, allowing for non-gaming use of the TV.
There are limitations to the GamePad: it won't work after it's been moved 25 feet away from the Wii U console; it lasts about three to five hours after charging; and while its touchscreen is intuitive as those that have come before it, the GamePad is not quite as simple to use as the Wii controllers that had everyone bowling in their living rooms.
'Is the GamePad more complex than the Wii Remote was six years ago? Certainly,' said Fils-Aime. 'On the other hand, I believe consumers will easily grasp the GamePad and what we're trying to do with the varied experiences we'll have not only at launch but over the next number of years in this system's life.'
The abilities of the GamePad are most notably showcased by Nintendo Co. in the amusement park-themed mini-game collection 'Nintendo Land,' which comes with the deluxe edition of the console. 'Nintendo Land' turns the GamePad into several different tools, such as the dashboard of a spaceship or the ultimate advantage in a game of hide-and-seek.
In other titles, the controller mostly eliminates the need to pause the action to study a map in order to figure out where to go next or scour an inventory for just the right weapon. That can all be achieved simultaneously on the GamePad screen, which is best illustrated among the launch titles in Ubisoft's survival action game 'ZombiU.'
The GamePad acts as a high-tech scanner in 'ZombiU' that can analyze a player's surroundings in a version of London overrun by zombies. It pumps up the terror by drawing players' attention away from the horrors lurking around them.
Will gamers who've grown up with their eyes glued to the TV and hands gripped on a controller adapt to glimpsing at another screen? The Wii U edition of 'Call of Duty: Black Ops II,' for example, invites players to customize their arsenal on the fly on the GamePad, as well as engage in multiplayer matches without needing to split the TV in half.
Nintendo expects 50 games will be available for the Wii U by March 2013. There will be 23 games released alongside the console when it debuts Sunday, including the platformer 'New Super Mario Bros. U,' karaoke game 'Sing Party,' an 'armored edition' of 'Batman: Arkham City' and the Mickey Mouse adventure 'Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two.'
'New consoles come along and nobody exploits their full capabilities for the first two to three years,' said Warren Spector, creative director at 'Epic Mickey 2' developer Junction Point Studios. 'It's only after you've had two or three projects that you fully understand what the hardware is capable of doing. We're going to be experimenting with it more.'
Fils-Aime said he's already envisioning ways that developers will innovate with future games. He pointed to some of the console's features that aren't on display in the launch line-up, such as the ability to play with two GamePads at once or utilize the console's near-field communication technology to interact with other gadgets in the room.
'I think that developers and consumers are ready for new experiences,' said Fils-Aime. 'More than anything else, I think that's what is driving excitement for Wii U. They've experienced what this generation has to offer. They're ready for something new.'
___
Online:
http://www.nintendo.com/wiiu
___
Follow AP Entertainment Writer Derrik J. Lang on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/derrikjlang.
This article is brought to you by CHEAP COMPUTERS.
The Time Zynga's CEO Almost Cried to Save His Failing Business
With the company stock at less than $3 per share and having just announced recent lay-offs including the loss of its COO, you might verge on tears too while making a plea to the one man who could save your ailing gaming company. So, when put that way, maybe it's not so that embarrassing that "tears nearly welled up" in Zynga CEO Mark Pincus's eyes in a meeting with Apple director Bill Campbell, as The Wall Street Journal's Evelyn M. Rusli reports. Campbell, who has coached CEOs before had been called in by one of Zynga's investor to (hopefully) help him through this rough patch. During that meeting Pincus was, in Campbell's words, "discouraged" and "felt terrible about what was happening; he felt the turmoil." So much so that during this business meeting the CEO of the company almost cried.
RELATED: Zynga's Founder Mark Pincus: The Ultimate One Percenter
That's not embarrassing. It is just very sad.
RELATED: Games in Google+ Should Scare Facebook
But maybe this is karma. Zynga never had a warm and fuzzy culture, with the company's "Do Evil" motto, a play on Google's Do No Evil motto. "I would venture to say it is one of the most evil places I've run into, from a culture perspective and in its business approach. I've tried my best to make sure that friends don't let friends work at Zynga," a former senior employee told SF Weekly's Peter Jamison. Rusli described it as a "messy and ruthless war," in a DealBook post. "Employees log long hours, managers relentlessly track progress, and the weak links are demoted or let go," she wrote. These internal struggles are some of the reasons Pincus went to Campbell in the first place, says Rusli. Though we would never say Pincus deserves to cry. We imagine some hard working game-maker underlings cried over these tough working conditions or when they got let go for not performing—at least on the inside. You know what they say: A tear for a tear.
RELATED: Zynga's Stockholders Should Be Very Happy with Facebook Right Now
But hopefully (for Pincus's pride) that meeting with Campbell got the tears out of the way. Following his coaching, Zynga did some "internal reshuffling" and is trying to reposition the company better to make mobile games. The results of that, says Rusli, "remain to be seen." The game-maker has a long way to climb back up from the 75 percent value it has lost since going public.
This article is brought to you by BUY A COMPUTER.
RELATED: Zynga's Founder Mark Pincus: The Ultimate One Percenter
That's not embarrassing. It is just very sad.
RELATED: Games in Google+ Should Scare Facebook
But maybe this is karma. Zynga never had a warm and fuzzy culture, with the company's "Do Evil" motto, a play on Google's Do No Evil motto. "I would venture to say it is one of the most evil places I've run into, from a culture perspective and in its business approach. I've tried my best to make sure that friends don't let friends work at Zynga," a former senior employee told SF Weekly's Peter Jamison. Rusli described it as a "messy and ruthless war," in a DealBook post. "Employees log long hours, managers relentlessly track progress, and the weak links are demoted or let go," she wrote. These internal struggles are some of the reasons Pincus went to Campbell in the first place, says Rusli. Though we would never say Pincus deserves to cry. We imagine some hard working game-maker underlings cried over these tough working conditions or when they got let go for not performing—at least on the inside. You know what they say: A tear for a tear.
RELATED: Zynga's Stockholders Should Be Very Happy with Facebook Right Now
But hopefully (for Pincus's pride) that meeting with Campbell got the tears out of the way. Following his coaching, Zynga did some "internal reshuffling" and is trying to reposition the company better to make mobile games. The results of that, says Rusli, "remain to be seen." The game-maker has a long way to climb back up from the 75 percent value it has lost since going public.
This article is brought to you by BUY A COMPUTER.
Thursday, November 15, 2012
'Journey,' 'Assassin's Creed III' among Spike Video Game Awards nominees
LOS ANGELES, Calif. - The artsy downloadable game 'Journey' leads the pack of nominees for this year's Spike Video Game Awards.
The PlayStation 3 game received seven nods in such categories as best graphics, independent game, original score and game of the year.
Other game of the year nominees are 'Assassin's Creed III,' ''Dishonoured,' ''Mass Effect 3' and 'The Walking Dead: The Game.'
The nominees in the best shooter category are 'Borderlands 2,' ''Call of Duty: Black Ops II,' ''Halo 4' and 'Max Payne 3.'
The 10th annual ceremony on Dec. 7 will be hosted by Samuel L. Jackson and broadcast live on Spike.
The show will feature debut footage from such upcoming games as 'The Last of Us' and 'Gears of War: Judgment,' as well as musical performances by Linkin Park and Tenacious D.
This news article is brought to you by INTERNET NEWS - where latest news are our top priority.
The PlayStation 3 game received seven nods in such categories as best graphics, independent game, original score and game of the year.
Other game of the year nominees are 'Assassin's Creed III,' ''Dishonoured,' ''Mass Effect 3' and 'The Walking Dead: The Game.'
The nominees in the best shooter category are 'Borderlands 2,' ''Call of Duty: Black Ops II,' ''Halo 4' and 'Max Payne 3.'
The 10th annual ceremony on Dec. 7 will be hosted by Samuel L. Jackson and broadcast live on Spike.
The show will feature debut footage from such upcoming games as 'The Last of Us' and 'Gears of War: Judgment,' as well as musical performances by Linkin Park and Tenacious D.
This news article is brought to you by INTERNET NEWS - where latest news are our top priority.
'Journey' leads Spike Video Game Awards nominees
LOS ANGELES (AP) - The artsy downloadable game 'Journey' leads the pack of nominees for this year's Spike Video Game Awards.
The PlayStation 3 game received seven nods in such categories as best graphics, independent game, original score and game of the year.
Other game of the year nominees are 'Assassin's Creed III,' ''Dishonored,' ''Mass Effect 3' and 'The Walking Dead: The Game.'
The nominees in the best shooter category are 'Borderlands 2,' ''Call of Duty: Black Ops II,' ''Halo 4' and 'Max Payne 3.'
The 10th annual ceremony on Dec. 7 will be hosted by Samuel L. Jackson and broadcast live on Spike.
The show will feature debut footage from such upcoming games as 'The Last of Us' and 'Gears of War: Judgment,' as well as musical performances by Linkin Park and Tenacious D.
This news article is brought to you by MOVIE GOSSIP NEWS - where latest news are our top priority.
The PlayStation 3 game received seven nods in such categories as best graphics, independent game, original score and game of the year.
Other game of the year nominees are 'Assassin's Creed III,' ''Dishonored,' ''Mass Effect 3' and 'The Walking Dead: The Game.'
The nominees in the best shooter category are 'Borderlands 2,' ''Call of Duty: Black Ops II,' ''Halo 4' and 'Max Payne 3.'
The 10th annual ceremony on Dec. 7 will be hosted by Samuel L. Jackson and broadcast live on Spike.
The show will feature debut footage from such upcoming games as 'The Last of Us' and 'Gears of War: Judgment,' as well as musical performances by Linkin Park and Tenacious D.
This news article is brought to you by MOVIE GOSSIP NEWS - where latest news are our top priority.
Xbox Live Celebrates 10 Years of Connecting Gamers
Thursday marks the tenth anniversary of Xbox Live, Microsoft's online gaming platform for the Xbox and the Xbox 360.
[More from Mashable: Steve Ballmer Hints at Microsoft Building More Hardware]
For the last decade, Xbox Live has offered both a marketplace and online play space for gamers. It started in 2002 on Microsoft's original Xbox console; Xbox spokeperson Larry Hryb, better known as Major Nelson, said it launched with games like Ghost Recon, MechAssault and NFL Fever.
Now Xbox Live serves as a complete entertainment package for the Xbox 360. Players can still compete online and connect with others, but can also access all kinds of other services through their Xbox 360 as the console moves to position itself as a living room centerpiece. Streaming services like Netflix, Hulu Plus, Pandora, HBO Go, ESPN and NBA Live, as well as on-demand movies from Zune. During this year's election, Xbox Live offered full access to the debates and election coverage, thanks to a partnership with NBC.
[More from Mashable: New 'Grand Theft Auto V' Trailer Takes Game Violence to the Next Level [VIDEO]]
There are about 30 million Xbox Live subscribers, each with their own unique gamertag. Xbox Live was instrumental in the widespread adoption of achievements on games, which players unlocked for completing different in-game challenges. According to Hyrb's Twitter account, gamers have unlocked 14.5 billion achievements in the past decade.
Xbox Live is the only online network on consoles that charges its users, at $60 a pop for a 12-month subscription.
To celebrate today's anniversary, some long-time Xbox Live subscribers are receiving special edition Xbox 360s, according to Hyrb's Twitter feed. Hyrb is also giving out one-year subscriptions to Xbox Live on his Twitter all day Thursday.
Do you have fond memories of playing Xbox Live in the past decade? Please share them with us in the comments.
Click here to view this gallery. Image courtesy Rodrigo Denúbila, Flickr.
This story originally published on Mashable here.
This news article is brought to you by ECONOMY BLOG - where latest news are our top priority.
[More from Mashable: Steve Ballmer Hints at Microsoft Building More Hardware]
For the last decade, Xbox Live has offered both a marketplace and online play space for gamers. It started in 2002 on Microsoft's original Xbox console; Xbox spokeperson Larry Hryb, better known as Major Nelson, said it launched with games like Ghost Recon, MechAssault and NFL Fever.
Now Xbox Live serves as a complete entertainment package for the Xbox 360. Players can still compete online and connect with others, but can also access all kinds of other services through their Xbox 360 as the console moves to position itself as a living room centerpiece. Streaming services like Netflix, Hulu Plus, Pandora, HBO Go, ESPN and NBA Live, as well as on-demand movies from Zune. During this year's election, Xbox Live offered full access to the debates and election coverage, thanks to a partnership with NBC.
[More from Mashable: New 'Grand Theft Auto V' Trailer Takes Game Violence to the Next Level [VIDEO]]
There are about 30 million Xbox Live subscribers, each with their own unique gamertag. Xbox Live was instrumental in the widespread adoption of achievements on games, which players unlocked for completing different in-game challenges. According to Hyrb's Twitter account, gamers have unlocked 14.5 billion achievements in the past decade.
Xbox Live is the only online network on consoles that charges its users, at $60 a pop for a 12-month subscription.
To celebrate today's anniversary, some long-time Xbox Live subscribers are receiving special edition Xbox 360s, according to Hyrb's Twitter feed. Hyrb is also giving out one-year subscriptions to Xbox Live on his Twitter all day Thursday.
Do you have fond memories of playing Xbox Live in the past decade? Please share them with us in the comments.
BONUS: Holiday Gifts Perfect for Gamers
1. Triforce Lamp
Know a Zelda fan in need of some power, wisdom and courage? This beautiful wood and acrylic lamp can be hung or shelved. The pixelated carvings on each side warm the room with dappled light. Price: $95.00Click here to view this gallery. Image courtesy Rodrigo Denúbila, Flickr.
This story originally published on Mashable here.
This news article is brought to you by ECONOMY BLOG - where latest news are our top priority.
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Steve Wozniak, Danny Trejo to appear in 8-bit video game
LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - When it comes to the iPhone, Steve Jobs created it, but Steve Wozniak got game.
The Apple co-founder will appear as a playable character in an upcoming iOS video game 'Danny Trejo's Vengeance: Woz with a Coz.'
The game, slated to be released around November 22, puts Wozniak alongside 'Machete' star Trejo in an 8-bit mobile game, fighting a city full of enemies with an assortment of weapons.
The plot is simple: 'Woz' is forced to save his wife, J-Woz, after she is kidnapped by street thugs. Teaming up with Vengence, Woz tears up Fusion City in his quest to rescue her.
'Featuring an over-the-top, old school inspired action combined with a retro 8-bit and exciting gritty art style, players will enjoy Woz's brain power, translator apps, Danny Trejo's machetes, guns and other crazy upgrades,' a Facebook fan page devoted to the game says.
Other playable characters will include musician Baby Bash and MMA World Champion 'Suga' Rashad Evans.
This news article is brought to you by INTERNET NEWS - where latest news are our top priority.
The Apple co-founder will appear as a playable character in an upcoming iOS video game 'Danny Trejo's Vengeance: Woz with a Coz.'
The game, slated to be released around November 22, puts Wozniak alongside 'Machete' star Trejo in an 8-bit mobile game, fighting a city full of enemies with an assortment of weapons.
The plot is simple: 'Woz' is forced to save his wife, J-Woz, after she is kidnapped by street thugs. Teaming up with Vengence, Woz tears up Fusion City in his quest to rescue her.
'Featuring an over-the-top, old school inspired action combined with a retro 8-bit and exciting gritty art style, players will enjoy Woz's brain power, translator apps, Danny Trejo's machetes, guns and other crazy upgrades,' a Facebook fan page devoted to the game says.
Other playable characters will include musician Baby Bash and MMA World Champion 'Suga' Rashad Evans.
This news article is brought to you by INTERNET NEWS - where latest news are our top priority.
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Zynga CFO David Wehner deflects to Facebook
NEW YORK (AP) - Zynga's finance chief is leaving the troubled online game company to join Facebook.
San Francisco-based Zynga Inc. said Tuesday that David Wehner will take a 'senior finance position' at the social networking company. His exact title will be vice president of corporate finance and business planning, Facebook said.
Chief accounting officer, Mark Vranesh, is replacing Wehner as chief financial officer, returning to the post he held from 2008 to 2010, while Zynga was still a private company.
Zynga also reshuffled its executive ranks, a move CEO Mark Pincus said puts the company in a position for 'long-term growth.' Zynga, whose games include 'FarmVille' and 'Texas HoldEm Poker,' has seen its stock price fall sharply in recent months amid concerns about its ability to make money from mobile games, off of Facebook.
David Ko, who was previously chief mobile officer, is now chief operations officer. Barry Cottle, who came to Zynga from Electronic Arts Inc., is now chief revenue officer. He was previously executive vice president of business and corporate development.
The appointments seek to fill some of the holes left by executives who've left Zynga in recent months. John Schappert, Zynga's chief operating officer, left in August after less than a year and a half on the job. Schappert's exit was followed by that of Mike Verdu, the company's chief creative officer. And in September Jeff Karp, the chief marketing and chief revenue officer, left the company.
Zynga is also reaffirming its guidance. The company still expects adjusted earnings of 2 or 3 cents per share. Analysts polled by FactSet expect 3 cents.
Zynga shares closed up 1 cent at $2.11 and added 2 cents in after-hours trading.
This news article is brought to you by WOMEN'S BLOG - where latest news are our top priority.
San Francisco-based Zynga Inc. said Tuesday that David Wehner will take a 'senior finance position' at the social networking company. His exact title will be vice president of corporate finance and business planning, Facebook said.
Chief accounting officer, Mark Vranesh, is replacing Wehner as chief financial officer, returning to the post he held from 2008 to 2010, while Zynga was still a private company.
Zynga also reshuffled its executive ranks, a move CEO Mark Pincus said puts the company in a position for 'long-term growth.' Zynga, whose games include 'FarmVille' and 'Texas HoldEm Poker,' has seen its stock price fall sharply in recent months amid concerns about its ability to make money from mobile games, off of Facebook.
David Ko, who was previously chief mobile officer, is now chief operations officer. Barry Cottle, who came to Zynga from Electronic Arts Inc., is now chief revenue officer. He was previously executive vice president of business and corporate development.
The appointments seek to fill some of the holes left by executives who've left Zynga in recent months. John Schappert, Zynga's chief operating officer, left in August after less than a year and a half on the job. Schappert's exit was followed by that of Mike Verdu, the company's chief creative officer. And in September Jeff Karp, the chief marketing and chief revenue officer, left the company.
Zynga is also reaffirming its guidance. The company still expects adjusted earnings of 2 or 3 cents per share. Analysts polled by FactSet expect 3 cents.
Zynga shares closed up 1 cent at $2.11 and added 2 cents in after-hours trading.
This news article is brought to you by WOMEN'S BLOG - where latest news are our top priority.
Zynga overhauls upper management as CFO departs
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Zynga Inc announced on Tuesday sweeping changes across its upper ranks, including the departure of chief financial officer, David Wehner, as the troubled game publisher sought to revive its business and quell months of management turmoil.
The dominant publisher of games on Facebook named David Ko, 41, a top executive overseeing mobile games, its new chief operations officer. The position had been vacant since August when John Schappert stepped down after the company missed earnings expectations for two consecutive quarters and its stock price fell precipitously.
Wehner, who has joined Facebook Inc as a vice president of corporate finance and business planning, oversaw Zynga's high-profile initial public offering last December, which priced shares at $10 and valued the company at $8.9 billion. Since then, shares have tumbled almost 80 percent as investors questioned the durability of Zynga's business as gamers seemed to tire of aging hits like 'CityVille.'
Zynga shares edged up slightly in extended trade, rising by 2 cents to $2.13.
As part of the shakeup, Mark Vranesh, 45, Zynga's top accounting executive, will replace Wehner as CFO, while Steven Chiang was named to oversee all game development, the company said.
In addition, Barry Cottle, a business and corporate development executive, was named chief revenue officer.
The new appointments were approved by Zynga's board on November 7, according to regulatory filings.
Zynga's new look at the top comes as CEO and founder Mark Pincus fights to turn around his faltering company and re-establish its once-golden status in Silicon Valley. The appointments were made on a permanent basis, the company said Tuesday, although the position vacated by marketing head Jeff Karp, who departed abruptly in September, remains unfilled.
Pincus sought to instill a sense of stability in a memo to employees released to the public on Tuesday.
'Mark, David, Barry and Steve are rooted in our culture, committed to our future and part of the talented bench of leadership at Zynga,' Pincus said. 'I'm confident we have the right team to deliver on our mission of connecting the world through games and position us for long-term growth.'
Last month, the company sharply revised its full-year outlook and began layoffs after warning that its revenues were slowing as gamers left its once-popular titles published on the Facebook platform in droves.
The company has since begun cost-cutting measures, including layoffs, while Pincus vowed to personally supervise game development, which had been plagued by delays in the past year.
Wehner, whose last day at Zynga was Tuesday, will report to Facebook CFO David Ebersman at the Menlo Park-based social networking company, which has close ties to Zynga because it derives a significant percentage of its revenues from the game publisher.
Facebook said in a statement: 'Dave's deep expertise in finance, strategy and corporate development will be a great addition to our team.'
(Reporting By Gerry Shih; Editing by Steve Orlofsky, Bernard Orr)
This article is brought to you by BUY AFFORDABLE COMPUTERS.
The dominant publisher of games on Facebook named David Ko, 41, a top executive overseeing mobile games, its new chief operations officer. The position had been vacant since August when John Schappert stepped down after the company missed earnings expectations for two consecutive quarters and its stock price fell precipitously.
Wehner, who has joined Facebook Inc as a vice president of corporate finance and business planning, oversaw Zynga's high-profile initial public offering last December, which priced shares at $10 and valued the company at $8.9 billion. Since then, shares have tumbled almost 80 percent as investors questioned the durability of Zynga's business as gamers seemed to tire of aging hits like 'CityVille.'
Zynga shares edged up slightly in extended trade, rising by 2 cents to $2.13.
As part of the shakeup, Mark Vranesh, 45, Zynga's top accounting executive, will replace Wehner as CFO, while Steven Chiang was named to oversee all game development, the company said.
In addition, Barry Cottle, a business and corporate development executive, was named chief revenue officer.
The new appointments were approved by Zynga's board on November 7, according to regulatory filings.
Zynga's new look at the top comes as CEO and founder Mark Pincus fights to turn around his faltering company and re-establish its once-golden status in Silicon Valley. The appointments were made on a permanent basis, the company said Tuesday, although the position vacated by marketing head Jeff Karp, who departed abruptly in September, remains unfilled.
Pincus sought to instill a sense of stability in a memo to employees released to the public on Tuesday.
'Mark, David, Barry and Steve are rooted in our culture, committed to our future and part of the talented bench of leadership at Zynga,' Pincus said. 'I'm confident we have the right team to deliver on our mission of connecting the world through games and position us for long-term growth.'
Last month, the company sharply revised its full-year outlook and began layoffs after warning that its revenues were slowing as gamers left its once-popular titles published on the Facebook platform in droves.
The company has since begun cost-cutting measures, including layoffs, while Pincus vowed to personally supervise game development, which had been plagued by delays in the past year.
Wehner, whose last day at Zynga was Tuesday, will report to Facebook CFO David Ebersman at the Menlo Park-based social networking company, which has close ties to Zynga because it derives a significant percentage of its revenues from the game publisher.
Facebook said in a statement: 'Dave's deep expertise in finance, strategy and corporate development will be a great addition to our team.'
(Reporting By Gerry Shih; Editing by Steve Orlofsky, Bernard Orr)
This article is brought to you by BUY AFFORDABLE COMPUTERS.
Monday, November 12, 2012
'Angry Birds Star Wars' Is More Addictive Fun Fans Want [REVIEW]
Last month, Rovio announced a major partnership with Lucasfilm to create Angry Birds Star Wars. The game, out this week, represents a hybrid of the two powerful brands, and provides enjoyable gameplay for fans of both franchises.
[More from Mashable: Viral Video Recap: Memes of the Week]
For those unsure about the union, 'I find your lack of faith disturbing.' Rovio has shown in Angry Birds Star Wars that it can create a fun, challenging game that doesn't besmirch our favorite characters. Instead, laugh at images of Stormtroopers as pigs and Chewbacca as a giant, furry bird.
[More from Mashable: iPad 4: A Turbocharged Tablet With Nothing to Do [REVIEW]]
Likewise, Angry Birds Star Wars creates new challenges by adding Star Wars-inspired powers to all of the birds, based on which character they portray. Red Bird, a.ka. Luke Skywalker, can swing a lightsaber to destroy objects he's about smash into, or to take out an enemy. The bird version of Obi-Wan Kenobi can use The Force to push over obstacles while flying. Unsurprisingly, both of these powers are extremely fun to use (a lightsaber will always add entertainment value to whatever you're doing).
The entire main cast of Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope is represented in bird form; each has their own power to master. Similarly, many of the films' settings are portrayed in the game by beautifully drawn backgrounds. The levels that take place on Tantooine feature the planet's two suns setting on the horizon.
Angry Birds also reenact classic Star Wars movie moments in cutscenes that appear between every few levels. While they may be corny, the scenes will bring a smile to any player's face, especially when encountering the Jawas or bounty hunter Greedo rendered as birds or pigs.
SEE ALSO: 'Halo 4' Heralds a Dark New Chapter for Master Chief [REVIEW]
There are many other touches to Angry Birds Star Wars that clearly demonstrate the game's developers are passionate Star Wars superfans. For example, there are classic sounds that make nerd hearts flutter, such as the blaster noise that goes off whenever players hit a level's high score. The sound editing also incorporates the film's score with some cartoony remixes.
While Angry Birds Star Wars is playable on mobile, tablet and PC, it's a better fit for larger screens. Players won't be able to enjoy the tiny details of the world, not to mention the art and cinematics, as much when screen size is smaller. Targeting Angry Birds' powers to small, specific spots also proves more difficult.
This is a must-download for fans of either franchise, and Rovio has made it available on virtually every platform at launch. Angry Birds Star Wars is out now for iOS, Android, Kindle Fire, Windows Phone, Mac, PC and Windows 8, for either $0.99 or $2.99.
Click here to view this gallery. This story originally published on Mashable here.
This news article is brought to you by GOING GREEN NEWS - where latest news are our top priority.
[More from Mashable: Viral Video Recap: Memes of the Week]
For those unsure about the union, 'I find your lack of faith disturbing.' Rovio has shown in Angry Birds Star Wars that it can create a fun, challenging game that doesn't besmirch our favorite characters. Instead, laugh at images of Stormtroopers as pigs and Chewbacca as a giant, furry bird.
Creative Twists on Classic Gameplay
Angry Birds Star Wars doesn't deviate from the main concept behind the series. The slingshot is back, and you've got to propel birds towards their swine foe to knock them over and destroy their fortresses. This is Rovio's bread and butter, but it seems like each iteration of the game has been more creative, and asks more from players; Angry Birds Space added depth to the gameplay by including physics challenges, such as zero-gravity and planetary orbit.[More from Mashable: iPad 4: A Turbocharged Tablet With Nothing to Do [REVIEW]]
Likewise, Angry Birds Star Wars creates new challenges by adding Star Wars-inspired powers to all of the birds, based on which character they portray. Red Bird, a.ka. Luke Skywalker, can swing a lightsaber to destroy objects he's about smash into, or to take out an enemy. The bird version of Obi-Wan Kenobi can use The Force to push over obstacles while flying. Unsurprisingly, both of these powers are extremely fun to use (a lightsaber will always add entertainment value to whatever you're doing).
The entire main cast of Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope is represented in bird form; each has their own power to master. Similarly, many of the films' settings are portrayed in the game by beautifully drawn backgrounds. The levels that take place on Tantooine feature the planet's two suns setting on the horizon.
Angry Birds also reenact classic Star Wars movie moments in cutscenes that appear between every few levels. While they may be corny, the scenes will bring a smile to any player's face, especially when encountering the Jawas or bounty hunter Greedo rendered as birds or pigs.
There are many other touches to Angry Birds Star Wars that clearly demonstrate the game's developers are passionate Star Wars superfans. For example, there are classic sounds that make nerd hearts flutter, such as the blaster noise that goes off whenever players hit a level's high score. The sound editing also incorporates the film's score with some cartoony remixes.
While Angry Birds Star Wars is playable on mobile, tablet and PC, it's a better fit for larger screens. Players won't be able to enjoy the tiny details of the world, not to mention the art and cinematics, as much when screen size is smaller. Targeting Angry Birds' powers to small, specific spots also proves more difficult.
This is a must-download for fans of either franchise, and Rovio has made it available on virtually every platform at launch. Angry Birds Star Wars is out now for iOS, Android, Kindle Fire, Windows Phone, Mac, PC and Windows 8, for either $0.99 or $2.99.
Title Screen
The Angry Birds Star Wars title screen. The HD version is available for tablets, Mac, PC and Windows 8.Click here to view this gallery. This story originally published on Mashable here.
This news article is brought to you by GOING GREEN NEWS - where latest news are our top priority.
Friday, November 9, 2012
'NBA 2K13' tops video games titles in October
NEW YORK (AP) - U.S. retail sales of new video game hardware, software and accessories fell 25 percent in October, marking the 11th straight month of declining sales for physical game products, according to a report from NPD Group.
Many gamers are waiting for big holiday releases such as Activision's 'Call of Duty: Black Ops II.'
NPD said sales fell to $755.5 million from $1 billion a year earlier. Sales of video games themselves, excluding PC titles, fell 25 percent to $432.6 million. Sales of hardware such as Microsoft's Xbox 360 fell 37 percent to $187.3 million. Sales of accessories, meanwhile, grew 5 percent to $135.6 million.
Thursday's study from NPD Group tracks sales of new physical products - about 50 percent of the total spending. Excluded are sales of used games and rentals as well as digital and social-network spending.
NPD also listed the top-selling games in October:
1. 'NBA 2K13,' Take-Two Interactive Software Inc.
2. 'Resident Evil 6,' Capcom USA
3. 'Pokemon Black Version 2,' Nintendo Co.
4. 'Dishonored,' Bethesda Softworks
5. 'Pokemon White Version 2,' Nintendo Co.
6. 'Madden NFL 13,' Electronic Arts Inc.
7. 'FIFA Soccer 13,' Electronic Arts Inc.
8. 'Medal of Honor: Warfighter,' Electronic Arts Inc.
9. 'Borderlands 2,' Take-Two Interactive Software Inc.
10. 'Skylander Giants,' Activision Blizzard Inc.
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Many gamers are waiting for big holiday releases such as Activision's 'Call of Duty: Black Ops II.'
NPD said sales fell to $755.5 million from $1 billion a year earlier. Sales of video games themselves, excluding PC titles, fell 25 percent to $432.6 million. Sales of hardware such as Microsoft's Xbox 360 fell 37 percent to $187.3 million. Sales of accessories, meanwhile, grew 5 percent to $135.6 million.
Thursday's study from NPD Group tracks sales of new physical products - about 50 percent of the total spending. Excluded are sales of used games and rentals as well as digital and social-network spending.
NPD also listed the top-selling games in October:
1. 'NBA 2K13,' Take-Two Interactive Software Inc.
2. 'Resident Evil 6,' Capcom USA
3. 'Pokemon Black Version 2,' Nintendo Co.
4. 'Dishonored,' Bethesda Softworks
5. 'Pokemon White Version 2,' Nintendo Co.
6. 'Madden NFL 13,' Electronic Arts Inc.
7. 'FIFA Soccer 13,' Electronic Arts Inc.
8. 'Medal of Honor: Warfighter,' Electronic Arts Inc.
9. 'Borderlands 2,' Take-Two Interactive Software Inc.
10. 'Skylander Giants,' Activision Blizzard Inc.
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SEAL Team Six Members Reprimanded in Video Game Consulting Deal
Seven members of the Navy's now-famous SEAL Team Six have been issued letters of reprimand and docked pay after divulging classified information to video-game maker Electronic Arts, CBS News reports.
The SEAL's revealed the secret information in the course of their work as consultants for EA's "Medal of Honor: Warfighter" game, which boasts of its high level of realism thanks to input from current and former soldiers, according to CBS.
One of the disciplined SEALs participated in the raid that killed Osama Bin Laden, though that mission is not portrayed in the game, according to CBS. Four former members of the team who remain in the armed services are also under investigation, CBS reported.
The letters of reprimand can make it difficult to get promoted.
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The SEAL's revealed the secret information in the course of their work as consultants for EA's "Medal of Honor: Warfighter" game, which boasts of its high level of realism thanks to input from current and former soldiers, according to CBS.
One of the disciplined SEALs participated in the raid that killed Osama Bin Laden, though that mission is not portrayed in the game, according to CBS. Four former members of the team who remain in the armed services are also under investigation, CBS reported.
The letters of reprimand can make it difficult to get promoted.
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Thursday, November 8, 2012
'World of Warcraft' State Senate Candidate Wins Election
Add another demographic to the list of winners on Tuesday night; in addition to Democrats, women, and marijuana advocates, gamers scored a political victory in Maine's state senate.
Colleen Lachowitz, the Democratic state senate candidate in Maine whose race drew national attention when the state's Republican party attacked her for her world of warcraft persona, won election on Tuesday, ousting Republican incumbent Tom H. Martin Jr. by a little over 900 votes, according to the Morning Sentinel.
Lachowitz drew criticism from the Maine state GOP for comments the candidate made online while playing World of Warcraft (Lachowicz is a level 85 orc in the popular multi-player online role-playing game.) Only, it wasn't Lachowicz herself who made the comments-it was Lachowicz's warcraft alter-ego, Santiaga.
Santiaga said some not-so-nice things about Republicans, including conservative tax icon and promoter of the 'Taxpayer Protection Pledge' Grover Norquist. Santiaga commented that she 'may have to go and hunt down Grover Norquist and drown him in my bath tub.'
Republicans launched a series of attacks against Lachowicz, maintaining that their criticism was not based on Lachowicz's gaming habit, but rather the comments made by her alter-ego while gaming.
'This is not about her playing video games, this is about the comments she made while gaming,' David Sorenson, communications director for the Maine Republican Party, told ABC News, referring to the comments about Norquist, as well as things said about other Republicans. 'These are all things that are unbecoming to a state Senator.'
The attacks didn't sway voters though. Lachowicz, who works as a social worker in Kennebec, Maine, is now a state senator-elect in the Pine Tree state.
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Can a Fit Video Game Avatar Make You Healthier?
Time to reconsider the stereotype of doughy, fast food-guzzling online role players in dark basements. Strongly identifying with your avatar in virtual video game worlds like 'Second Life' could actually help make you healthier in the real world, research from the University of Missouri shows.
Elizabeth Behm-Morawitz surveyed 249 'Second Life' users to study how avatars - their customized virtual characters in games - affect real-world existence. She found that the amount of self presence, or identifying with a virtual representation, predicted the amount of influence an avatar had on a person's life in the physical world. A strong sense of self-presence improved how they felt about themselves and promoted better health and well-being.
In the study, published in the journal 'Computers in Human Behavior,' Behm-Morawitz wrote, 'The avatar links the virtual to the physical body, and, through this interplay of one's online and offline identities, the virtual may become meaningful to the physical body and self.'
For example, for people looking to lose weight, creating a fitter avatar helped them visualize being in better shape.
Curiously, the participants weren't specifically using 'Second Life' as a fitness tool, as they might with, say, a Wii Fit game. ''Second Life' is a social virtual world, where play is open-ended and not specifically designed to be used as a motivational health tool,' Behm-Morawitz told TechNewsDaily in an email. 'However, the findings . suggest that a person who is motivated to participate in a virtual world for social reasons is more likely to experience effects of the avatar.'
In other words, if you are into the game enough to care about how you come across online, that will motivate you to make a better impression offline, too.
[See Also: Rats Control Human Avatars]
Behm-Morawitz says the results should not be limited to 'Second Life' - other virtual worlds could show the same kinds of benefits. However, virtual worlds that offer the most control over avatar design and interaction will best foster self-presence and prompt healthy behavior change.
Avatars are useful for trying on a new appearance, Behm-Morawitz said, since they pose little risk to the creator.
Though it may seem like a throwback to the early 2000s, 'Second Life' remains one of the most popular online games. In July 2012, Nielsen rated it among the top 10 PC games.
Other studies support the new research. In an Indiana University study published in September, more people adopted healthy habits when they went through weight-loss programs delivered in a 3D virtual world than those who pursued a program in a traditional health club.
This story was provided by TechNewsDaily, a sister site to LiveScience. Follow TechNewsDaily on Twitter @TechNewsDaily. We're also on Facebook & Google+.
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Elizabeth Behm-Morawitz surveyed 249 'Second Life' users to study how avatars - their customized virtual characters in games - affect real-world existence. She found that the amount of self presence, or identifying with a virtual representation, predicted the amount of influence an avatar had on a person's life in the physical world. A strong sense of self-presence improved how they felt about themselves and promoted better health and well-being.
In the study, published in the journal 'Computers in Human Behavior,' Behm-Morawitz wrote, 'The avatar links the virtual to the physical body, and, through this interplay of one's online and offline identities, the virtual may become meaningful to the physical body and self.'
For example, for people looking to lose weight, creating a fitter avatar helped them visualize being in better shape.
Curiously, the participants weren't specifically using 'Second Life' as a fitness tool, as they might with, say, a Wii Fit game. ''Second Life' is a social virtual world, where play is open-ended and not specifically designed to be used as a motivational health tool,' Behm-Morawitz told TechNewsDaily in an email. 'However, the findings . suggest that a person who is motivated to participate in a virtual world for social reasons is more likely to experience effects of the avatar.'
In other words, if you are into the game enough to care about how you come across online, that will motivate you to make a better impression offline, too.
[See Also: Rats Control Human Avatars]
Behm-Morawitz says the results should not be limited to 'Second Life' - other virtual worlds could show the same kinds of benefits. However, virtual worlds that offer the most control over avatar design and interaction will best foster self-presence and prompt healthy behavior change.
Avatars are useful for trying on a new appearance, Behm-Morawitz said, since they pose little risk to the creator.
Though it may seem like a throwback to the early 2000s, 'Second Life' remains one of the most popular online games. In July 2012, Nielsen rated it among the top 10 PC games.
Other studies support the new research. In an Indiana University study published in September, more people adopted healthy habits when they went through weight-loss programs delivered in a 3D virtual world than those who pursued a program in a traditional health club.
This story was provided by TechNewsDaily, a sister site to LiveScience. Follow TechNewsDaily on Twitter @TechNewsDaily. We're also on Facebook & Google+.
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Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Video game maker Activision scores big gains in 3Q
SANTA MONICA, Calif. (AP) - Video game maker Activision Blizzard Inc. scored points in the third quarter with a performance that topped analysts' forecasts.
The results announced Wednesday encouraged management to predict more good times in the crucial holiday shopping season when the company is counting on video game aficionados to snap up the latest edition in its popular 'Call of Duty' franchise.
Activision credited 'Diablo III,' a role-playing game designed for personal computers, and its latest version of 'World of Warcraft' for moving its latest quarter to a higher level.
The company earned $226 million, or 20 cents per share, for the three months ending in September. That represented a 53 percent increase from net income of $148 million, or 13 cents per share a year ago.
Excluding items unrelated to its ongoing business, Activision made 15 cents per share. The company beat the average estimate of 8 cents per share among analysts surveyed by FactSet. Adjusted earnings included a gain of 4 cents per share from the resolution of a U.S. tax audit.
Revenue for the period increased 12 percent from last year to $841 million. That figure, though, includes sales of games with online components, a revenue stream that the company and analysts prefer to spread out over time.
With that adjustment, Activision's third-quarter revenue would have risen by 20 percent to $751 million - about $41 million above analysts' projections.
The third quarter ended with a flourish as Activision sold 2.7 million copies of 'World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria' in the first week after its Sept. 25 release.
CEO Bobby Kotick believes Activision has another hit on its hand with 'Call of Duty: Black Ops II,' scheduled to go on sale Tuesday.
'We feel good about our product line-up, in spite of a difficult and challenging macroeconomic environment that could worsen,' Kotick said in an interview Wednesday.
Activision, based in Santa Monica, Calif., doesn't expect the weak economy to keep people from buying its games as gifts during the upcoming holidays.
In the fourth quarter the company expects adjusted earnings of 70 cents per share on adjusted revenue of $2.41 billion. Analysts, on average, expect adjusted earnings of 67 cents per share on adjusted revenue of $2.34 billion.
Activision shares rose 23 cents, or 2 percent, to $11.36 in after-hours trading following the release of its earnings report.
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The results announced Wednesday encouraged management to predict more good times in the crucial holiday shopping season when the company is counting on video game aficionados to snap up the latest edition in its popular 'Call of Duty' franchise.
Activision credited 'Diablo III,' a role-playing game designed for personal computers, and its latest version of 'World of Warcraft' for moving its latest quarter to a higher level.
The company earned $226 million, or 20 cents per share, for the three months ending in September. That represented a 53 percent increase from net income of $148 million, or 13 cents per share a year ago.
Excluding items unrelated to its ongoing business, Activision made 15 cents per share. The company beat the average estimate of 8 cents per share among analysts surveyed by FactSet. Adjusted earnings included a gain of 4 cents per share from the resolution of a U.S. tax audit.
Revenue for the period increased 12 percent from last year to $841 million. That figure, though, includes sales of games with online components, a revenue stream that the company and analysts prefer to spread out over time.
With that adjustment, Activision's third-quarter revenue would have risen by 20 percent to $751 million - about $41 million above analysts' projections.
The third quarter ended with a flourish as Activision sold 2.7 million copies of 'World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria' in the first week after its Sept. 25 release.
CEO Bobby Kotick believes Activision has another hit on its hand with 'Call of Duty: Black Ops II,' scheduled to go on sale Tuesday.
'We feel good about our product line-up, in spite of a difficult and challenging macroeconomic environment that could worsen,' Kotick said in an interview Wednesday.
Activision, based in Santa Monica, Calif., doesn't expect the weak economy to keep people from buying its games as gifts during the upcoming holidays.
In the fourth quarter the company expects adjusted earnings of 70 cents per share on adjusted revenue of $2.41 billion. Analysts, on average, expect adjusted earnings of 67 cents per share on adjusted revenue of $2.34 billion.
Activision shares rose 23 cents, or 2 percent, to $11.36 in after-hours trading following the release of its earnings report.
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Sony PlayStation certificate sparks talk China may lift console ban
TOKYO/SHANGHAI (Reuters) - Sony Corp's PlayStation 3 has received a certification of quality from a Chinese safety standards body, sparking speculation that China will end a decade-old ban on home game consoles.
China has banned video game consoles since 2000, citing a need to protect the well-being of its young people. Some analysts cautioned against reading too much into Sony's new certificate, noting the organization that gave it has no regulatory authority.
'The Ministry of Culture has the regulatory authority over the console segment and is the sole organization that can revoke the ban,' said Lisa Cosmas Hanson, managing partner of U.S.-based video games consultancy Niko Partners.
The China Quality Certification Centre website showed two models of the PlayStation 3, labeled 'computer entertainment system' received approval this July. All products must pass the safety standard before they can be sold to Chinese consumers.
Sony confirmed that it had received certification but remained tightlipped about whether this heralded an imminent entry for the PlayStation into the world's second-largest economy or whether the company needed further certificates.
'This does not mean that we have officially decided to enter Chinese market,' Sony spokeswoman Mai Hora said.
'We recognize that China is a promising market so we will continuously study the possibility.'
Representatives for China's Ministry of Culture could not be reached for comment.
But there has also been some precedent that China authorities are taking a less hard-line attitude towards game consoles.
This year Lenovo Group launched Eedoo CT510, a motion sensing device that plays games similar in concept to Microsoft's Kinect extension for the Xbox game console, by touting by Eedoo as an 'exercise and entertainment machine'.
Although video game consoles are banned in China, online gaming and games on mobile devices are deeply entrenched -- limiting the potential upside for Sony and rival game machine makers like Microsoft Corp and Nintendo Co Ltd.
'It obviously has a huge population, but gamers in China have different consumption habits,' said Piers Harding-Rolls, senior games analyst at IHS Screen Digest in London.
'A lot of established gamers will use non-dedicated devices they have used over many years.'
Game machine makers would also have to find ways to ensure that piracy did not cut into their income from games software and other content, Harding-Rolls added.
(Editing by Edwina Gibbs)
This news article is brought to you by GLOBAL WEATHER NEWS - where latest news are our top priority.
China has banned video game consoles since 2000, citing a need to protect the well-being of its young people. Some analysts cautioned against reading too much into Sony's new certificate, noting the organization that gave it has no regulatory authority.
'The Ministry of Culture has the regulatory authority over the console segment and is the sole organization that can revoke the ban,' said Lisa Cosmas Hanson, managing partner of U.S.-based video games consultancy Niko Partners.
The China Quality Certification Centre website showed two models of the PlayStation 3, labeled 'computer entertainment system' received approval this July. All products must pass the safety standard before they can be sold to Chinese consumers.
Sony confirmed that it had received certification but remained tightlipped about whether this heralded an imminent entry for the PlayStation into the world's second-largest economy or whether the company needed further certificates.
'This does not mean that we have officially decided to enter Chinese market,' Sony spokeswoman Mai Hora said.
'We recognize that China is a promising market so we will continuously study the possibility.'
Representatives for China's Ministry of Culture could not be reached for comment.
But there has also been some precedent that China authorities are taking a less hard-line attitude towards game consoles.
This year Lenovo Group launched Eedoo CT510, a motion sensing device that plays games similar in concept to Microsoft's Kinect extension for the Xbox game console, by touting by Eedoo as an 'exercise and entertainment machine'.
Although video game consoles are banned in China, online gaming and games on mobile devices are deeply entrenched -- limiting the potential upside for Sony and rival game machine makers like Microsoft Corp and Nintendo Co Ltd.
'It obviously has a huge population, but gamers in China have different consumption habits,' said Piers Harding-Rolls, senior games analyst at IHS Screen Digest in London.
'A lot of established gamers will use non-dedicated devices they have used over many years.'
Game machine makers would also have to find ways to ensure that piracy did not cut into their income from games software and other content, Harding-Rolls added.
(Editing by Edwina Gibbs)
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