Representatives from Konami have annouced the company’s intentions to release three new mobile phone titles in the US market - in the form of classic franchises Frogger, Gradius and Castlevania.
The company has distributed over 200 game titles through its Japanese mobile phone game site Konami Net DX. The three new titles will be initially offered through AT&T Wireless’ mMode content service in the US.
-David Jenkins
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Bits Show Positive First Half Results
Officials from UK developer Bits have reported the company’s financial results for the six months ended September 30. In this time the company’s turnover reached £1.06 million ($1.80m), up from £633,000 ($1.07m) the previous year. At the same time the company saw a profit of £23,000 ($39,048), compared to a loss of £566,000 ($0.96m) in 2002.
These positive results resulted from the release of Xbox and PS2 versions of Die Hard Vendetta and the US release of multiformat Rouge Ops.
-David Jenkins
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Microsoft Japan To Focus On RPGs
In an interview in Famitsu magazine Yoshihiro Maruyama, general manager of Xbox Japan, has indicated that the division will be refocusing its attention on producing more RPG titles for the console. The Xbox has virtually no market share in Japan, in part due to the almost total lack of RPGs for the system – the favorite genre by far in the country.
Although a positive step forward any half-knowledgeable observer could have advised Microsoft of this policy well before the Xbox’s launch. Worryingly, Maruyama has refused to elaborate on how he will attract major RPG developers to the platform, many of which have close and lucrative relations with Sony and/or Nintendo.
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Latest UK Sales Charts - Week Ending November 22
Electronics Arts’ soccer simulation FIFA 2004 has remained at the top of the UK charts for the fifth consecutive week, with the company also grabbing the second and third spots.
As with last week though the most interesting aspect of the chart is those titles that have failed to break into the top ten, with Ratchet & Clank 2, Manhunt, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, Grabbed by the Ghoulies and World Rally Championship 3 all failing to chart highly – the latter two failing to appear anywhere in the top forty.
Although some of these games may fare better as the weeks go on, and the Christmas present buying season intensifies, this is by no means guaranteed. Once again publishers have gambled, and in many cases lost, by releasing so many products in such a short space of time.
TW LW Title Publisher Formats Weeks
1 1 FIFA Football 2004 EA All 5
2 NE Need for Speed: Underground EA PS2/Xb/GC 1
3 4 The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King EA All 2
4 2 True Crime: Streets of LA Activision PS2/Xb 3
5 NE Tony Hawks Underground Activision PS2/Xb/GC/GBA 1
6 NE Championship Manager: Season 03/04 Eidos PC 1
7 6 The Simpsons: Hit & Run Vivendi PS2/Xb/GC 4
8 5 WWE SmackDown! Here Comes The Pain THQ PS2 3
9 7 Finding Nemo THQ All 8
10 3 Mario Kart: Double Dash!! Nintendo GC 2
The Official UK weekly leisure software charts (C)2003 ELSPA Ltd, compiled by ChartTrack
-David Jenkins
-------------
Latest US PC Console Sales Charts – October
In the run up to Christmas it is no surprise to see so many new entries in the monthly top ten and nor indeed are the big winners any immediate shock, with EA’s sports titles and Sony’s high-profile Jak II (despite its failure in Europe) being the biggest winners.
The closest these charts come to a surprise is Capcom’s Viewtiful Joe at number ten, which shows an impressive, and encouraging, performance for a game that has almost exclusively been referred to as ‘hardcore’ and ‘retro’ by the specialist press.
TM LM Title Publisher Format Release Date
1 NE NBA Live 2004 EA PS2 Oct. 03
2 NE Jak II SCEA PS2 Oct. 03
3 1 Madden NFL 2004 EA PS2 Aug. 03
4 NE Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3 Nintendo GBA Oct. 03
5 NE WWE SmackDown! Here Comes The Pain THQ PS2 Oct. 03
6 NE Tony Hawk Underground Activison PS2 Oct. 03
7 NE Star Wars: Rogue Squadron III - Rebel Strike LucasArts GC Oct. 03
8 3 Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2004 EA PS2 Sep. 03
9 NE NBA Live 2004 EA Xb Oct. 03
10 NE Viewtiful Joe Capcom GC Oct. 03
The NPD Group/NPD Funworld
-David Jenkins
===========
Video Games Listed In Toy ‘Dirty Dozen’
Maryland based public interest group The Lion & Lamb Project has listed a number of video games within its annual list of the twelve toys adults should definitely not buy for their children, because they are too violent.
Each of the twelve franchises mentioned has an attendant licensed video game and although one might expect brands such as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and WWE to appear the inclusion of Rockstar’s Manhunt and movie licenses such as The Matrix Reloaded/Enter The Matrix and Terminator 3 are puzzling since their packaging makes it clear they are not at all aimed at a child audience.
-David Jenkins
-----------------
PC Game Console Unveiled
Officials from Digital Interactive Systems Corporation (DISC) have previewed the company’s new DISCover PC Game Console at COMDEX, in advance of the product’s formal unveiling at the 2004 International Consumer Electronic Show.
The technology, which is intended to be licensed by others in the manner of video recorders and the 3DO console, is designed to play thousands of, but not necessarily all, unmodified PC games.
-David Jenkins
-----------------
Console Sales And Revenue Down; Xbox In Second Place
Analysts at In-Stat/MDR have confirmed the widely held belief that the current generation of consoles have already begun a cyclical downturn in demand, with 2003 world-wide shipments excepted to be down by more than 2 million units, compared to 2002.
However this drop is so far only being attributed to the PlayStation 2 with demand for the GameCube and Xbox still on the rise – largely due to their hitting the market a year later. Console revenues are expected to fall across the board though by $2 billion, due to price-cutting.
The most controversial element of the company’s statement is their assertion that the Xbox is still leading the GameCube in total world-wide sales – despite several other reports to the contrary.
-David Jenkins
-----------------
Sony Considers Consolidated PSP Studio
Amidst a background of complaints that PlayStation Portable development kits have still not been delivered to many third party developers, rumors are beginning to emerge that Sony is considering the creation of a single PSP development studio, to handle ports of older games produced by other first party teams – in an attempt to fast track the creation of viable launch titles.
The PSP is currently scheduled for a Japanese release at the end of 2004, although many are beginning to question whether this can be achieved since Sony has indicated more than once that there are unlikely to be any games available for viewing at next year’s E3.
-David Jenkins
---------------
Square Enix Show Positive Growth
Officials from Square Enix have announced the company’s fiscal first half results, with net sales of ¥19.7 billion ($181.0m) and a net income of ¥1.2 billion ($11.0m).
This is the first set of results for the newly combined company but the total figures for the two separate companies last year show a sales rise of 2.5% and an income increase of 67.7%.
The company predicts a consolidated net income for the whole year of ¥8.1 billion ($74.4m) on sales of ¥56 billion ($514.4m). The company has contributed the growth to an increase in its US and online ventures, with its traditionally strong Japanese sales actually down slightly on last year.
-David Jenkins
-----------------
Rumors Suggest Xbox 2 at GDC
Several websites are reporting rumors that Microsoft intends to unveil the Xbox 2 at next year’s GDC. Although there is no confirmation to this effect, the suggestion is that although the final retail version of the hardware will not be finalized by next Easter, several technical demos will be on show running on prototype hardware.
-David Jenkins
-----------------
Gamestop Profits Rise
Representatives from US retailer Gamestop have announced the company’s third quarter results with net profits rising to $10.7 million, or $0.18 per share, from $9.8 million, or $0.16 per share in the same period last year.
The company cited strong growth in new and used video game sales as the basis for the increase.
-David Jenkins
------------------
Namco Profits Exceed Expectations
Officials from Namco have announced the company’s fiscal first half results with figures exceeding even their own recently increased estimates. Final earnings for the period were ¥3.7 billion ($34.0m) on sales of ¥83.6 billion ($768.1m). Projects earnings were ¥6.6 billion ($60.6m) on sales of ¥174.6 billion ($1.6bn).
This represents a 14% increase in sales and a 180% increase in profits thanks to the global success of Soulcalibur II and Japanese titles such as Taiko no Tatsujin and Tales of Symphonia.
-David Jenkins
------------------
Top 15 US Game Publishers Revealed
As a part of the recent U.S. Bancorp Piper Jaffary report NPD has revealed the top fifteen publishers in the USA from January to September 2003. During this period (which does not include the crucial fourth quarter Nintendo claimed the biggest market share gain, followed by Electronic Arts and Ubisoft.
Activision and Take-Two Interactive fared the worst, with both publishers dropping 3% of their market share from the same period last year. Sega have also performed poorly so far this year, with a drop of 1.6% and a position of only eleven – making their goal of becoming the largest third-party publisher in the world seem all the more distant.
1. Electronic Arts
Q1-Q3 2003 Sales: $594,510,000 (+$99,397,300)
Q1-Q3 2003 Share: 20.0% (+2.7%)
2. Nintendo
Q1-Q3 2003 Sales: $349,783,800 (+$97,087,400)
Q1-Q3 2003 Share: 11.8% (+3.0%)
3. SCEA
Q1-Q3 2003 Sales: $206,650,800 (-$1,619,900)
Q1-Q3 2003 Share: 6.9 % (-0.4%)
4. Atari
Q1-Q3 2003 Sales: $183,246,800 (+$67,674,400)
Q1-Q3 2003 Share: 6.2% (+2.2%)
5. THQ
Q1-Q3 2003 Sales: $177,916,700 (+$4,447,900)
Q1-Q3 2003 Share: 6.0% (-0.1%)
6. Activision
Q1-Q3 2003 Sales: $136,621,400 (-$80,266,500)
Q1-Q3 2003 Share: 4.6% (-3.0%)
7. Take-Two Interactive
Q1-Q3 2003 Sales: $134,261,400 (-$79,466,700)
Q1-Q3 2003 Share: 4.5% (-3.0%)
8. Konami
Q1-Q3 2003 Sales: $131,839,500 (+$41,358,110)
Q1-Q3 2003 Share: 4.4% (+1.2%)
9. Ubisoft
Q1-Q3 2003 Sales: $119,768,300 (+$79,857,630)
Q1-Q3 2003 Share: 4.0% (+2.6%)
10. Namco
Q1-Q3 2003 Sales: $119,391,900 (+$27,521,420)
Q1-Q3 2003 Share: 4.0% (+0.8%)
11. Sega
Q1-Q3 2003 Sales: $93,172,950 (-$42,383,850)
Q1-Q3 2003 Share: 3.1% (-1.6%)
12. Vivendi Universal Games
Q1-Q3 2003 Sales: $87,222,580 (+$27,885,410)
Q1-Q3 2003 Share: 2.9% (+0.8%)
13. Capcom
Q1-Q3 2003 Sales: $86,605,320 (-$2,695,420)
Q1-Q3 2003 Share: 2.9% (-0.2%)
14. Microsoft
Q1-Q3 2003 Sales: $78,441,010 (-$10,150,800)
Q1-Q3 2003 Share: 2.6% (-0.5%)
15. Acclaim
Q1-Q3 2003 Sales: $60,292,620 (-$37,566,800)
Q1-Q3 2003 Share: 2.0% (-1.4%)
-David Jenkins
------------------
Microsoft And GameSpy Sign Agreement
In a joint press release today representatives from GameSpy and Microsoft Game Studios have announced a multi-year strategic technology and services agreement to facilitate online gaming for Microsoft Game Studios PC games.
As part of the agreement GameSpy will provide the company with SDKs to enable online matchmaking, community, administrative and networking functionalities.
-David Jenkins
-------------------
Nokia Announce 100 New Games
In an speech at USB’s Eighth Annual Global Telecommunications Conference in New York, Nokia company president Kari-Pekka Wilska has indicated that the company has “close to 100 titles [scheduled] within the next 12 months”.
However he would not be drawn on the titles or developers of the games, indicating that it was company policy not to announce any new products until a firm release date was assured.
-David Jenkins
------------------
E3 To Host “The Education Arcade”
Representatives from MIT Comparative Media Studies and the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) today announced the launch of a three-day conference focusing on games in education, as part of The Education Arcade initiative.
The new conference will offer discussion of key issues and emerging trends in the development, use, and marketing potential of games in education. The event will be held May 9th to 11th at the 2004 E3 in Los Angeles, prior to the opening of the Expo show floor, and will be open to the public.
Further details can be found at the following website: http://www.educationarcade.org
-David Jenkins
-------------------
Tecmo Results Rise By 40%
The fiscal first half results for Japanese developer Tecmo have proved to be in line with the company’s expectations, which were raised earlier in the year after higher than expected sales of Monster Farm 4 (to be known as Monster Rancher 4 in the West) and various pachinko simulators.
Although the company’s Western success has so far been limited to the Dead or Alive franchise it still managed to record a profit of ¥260 million ($2.4m) and sales of ¥3.9 billion ($35.8m). The results show a 40% increase in year-on-year turnover.
-David Jenkins
----------------------
Penn State Opens VideoGame.Net Experience
Representatives from Penn State University have announced a collaboration with VideoGame.Net to product a thirteen week interactive education program, focused on teaching kids and adults how to make video games.
The VideoGame.Net Experience started as a youth summer camp and has now expanded into a year round program for both children and adults.
For children in 6th through 12th grades the Introduction to 2D Games classes start December, 6 2003 and January 17, 2004, and run for thirteen Saturdays. The adult version starts in April 2004 and will run on Monday and Wednesday nights for seven weeks.
More information can be found at http://www.videogame.net
-David Jenkins
---------------------
Acclaim Losses Narrow
Officials from Acclaim have revealed the company’s fiscal second quarter results for the period ended September 28. The company reported a net loss for the quarter of $4 million, or $0.04 per share, compared to a loss of $28.2 million, or £0.31 per share, at the same time last year.
Although these results show a positive trend the company’s revenues still fell during the period to $41.3 million from $54.1 million. The company has also restated its warning that if it cannot renegotiate an existing domestic credit agreement with GMAC Commercial Finance it may not have sufficient cash flow.
The company is also in trouble with Nasdaq, which has threatened to delist it after a recent private offering of notes was deemed not to be in compliance with its rules.
-David Jenkins
------------------
Mobile Benchmark Tool Launched
Representatives from UK company Morpheme have announced the release of MorphMark – a proprietary benchmarking software application which tests Java enabled handsets' abilities to run games.
MorphMark uses Nokia's 7650 mobile handset as its baseline and the company intends to use the software to carry out tests on behalf of a range of clients.
-David Jenkins
------------------
"The Making Of The First Symphonic Game Music Concert In Europe" by
Thomas Boecker
http://www.gamasutra.com/features/20031 ... r_01.shtml
The Symphonic Game Music concert in Leipzig, Germany, was the first
event of its kind held outside of Japan. Here is a chronicle of the event,
from conception to the sold-out performance that took place in August,
2003.
"Manager In A Strange Land: The Second Law of Bad Management" by Jamie
Fristrom
http://www.gamasutra.com/features/20031 ... m_01.shtml
There's an old saying that says employees are promoted to their level
of incompetence. But there are ways to you get someone into a team
leadership position without training, as Jamie explains this week.
"How Funcom Squashed Bugs With Bugzilla" by Pål Frogner Hansen
http://www.gamasutra.com/features/20031 ... n_01.shtml
Here's the story of how Funcom modified Bugzilla, the Open Source
bug-tracking system, and turned it into a critical game production system
for the entire company.
--------------------------
I would like to mention that all of the above stories came from a web site for professional game developers called Gamasutra.com . You must check it out. -= Rogue
--------------------------
People and especailly BreakManX his self.
I am a packer at gamestop.com and i wanted to mention the few things i've noticed.
- You Must Have the PREMIUMS!!!!!!!!!!!-----
on certain games console and PC , you get free stuff. For example:
with kill.switch , Sphinx and the cursed mummy, and tony hawks underground, you get a T-shirt corisponding to the game, only off the internet. Final Fantasy XI - you get a mouse pad.
the upcoming Spawn game - a full color lithograph
and many many more.... order online at http://www.gamestop.com
(the reason i'm plugging it so much is because i'm just a seasonal employee and want to make it perminant, so pls. Help me.)
- You would not believe what leftovers we have laying around...
we have Halo Master Chief Mini Figures by the box load
Rockstar game hats, every other employee has one, except me
if your nostaligic then you'll know about the awsomely afforadable but oh so WIPED OUT by nintendo product known as NEO*GEO pocket color. i used to have this and i loved it cuz they didn't sell a 16 bit portable AND SNK titles (2d Forever!!!!!!!) but any way they are available at gamestop.com for like $69.00, PLUS they come with 6 games include the ever so arcade-o-gasmic Metal Slug 2nd mission. GET IT!
- Game Sound IS good business-----
i mentioned above that we have Premiums. some of those, two in piticular are sound tracks. #1: XIII sound track, free with purchase
#2: ManHunt: sound track, free with purchase
#3: Project Gotham 2 music sampler, free with purchase.
look them up, its good music to dance or play on a certain video game network radio.....hint hint wink wink.
NULLSoft is going Visual!!!!!!
you may not know it but NullSofts popular broadcast protocol known as Shoutcast is now going through certain procedures to have a new option..... online TV!
Follow the site known as http://www.nullsoft.com/ntv/
and
http://www.nullsoft.com/nsv/
to find out how you can become a popular Net TV personality,
its still in beta so don't become compulsive watchers yet, but thats an Idea that you might enjoy.
Welp, thats me. If you enjoyed the news and stuff give me a hollar at my email addy, [email protected] or just IM me at rogue_1982 on yahoo and [email protected] for MSNmessenger. i also use jabber, but i don't think you do. as for you new time, i love it, sundays are my only days off.