Manufacturing hardware is a mug's game" - Livingstone

November 17th, 2011, 23:42 Posted By: wraggster

Hardware manufacturers will wise up to the fact that creating dedicated consoles is a futile business strategy for the future of video games, according to Eidos life president Ian Livingstone.
Discussing his personal projections for the future of the interactive entertainment business, the industry veteran suggested that the closed environments created by multiple home and portable devices will eventually disappear allowing intellectual property to spread across any and all gaming formats.
"Hardware manufacturers will finally realise the fact that manufacturing hardware is a mug's game," Livingstone told the Launch Conference in Birmingham, yesterday.
"It's all about intellectual property and I think you'll see IP moving across all platforms and all devices. Walled gardens will one day disappear."
Portable hardware will the dominant gaming devices, said Livingstone, driven by a standard language in HTML5 - something that could become bigger for web-based gaming than social networks like Facebook.
"The dominant platform for me is going to be mobile," he offered. "Android might eat Apple's lunch but a connected device allowing gaming on the move is absolutely, undoubtedly the future."
"HTML 5 is going to create a real opportunity, a single platform with a single interface. That's going to be a bigger platform perhaps than Facebook."

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...me-livingstone

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Japan chart: MGS Peace Walker HD off to slow start

November 17th, 2011, 00:00 Posted By: wraggster

Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker HD Edition got off to a sluggish start in Japan last week, debuting at number seven in the weekly chart.Konami's HD makeover of the PSP original - which is being released separately in Japan rather than along with MGS1, 2 and 3 as in the rest of the world - sold 39,743 in its first week.Sega's PSP manga tie-in Hatsune Miku: Project Diva Extend topped the chart selling 184,673 copies, followed by Capcom's PS3 button-masher Sengoku Basara 3: Utage at two.Last week's number one, Super Mario 3D Land, fell to four, shifting 93,441 copies in its second week.Here's the full top 20, as seen on Andriasang:

1. Hatsune Miku Project Diva Extend (Sega, PSP): 184,673 - NEW
2. Sengoku Basara 3: Utage (Capcom, PS3): 124,197 - NEW
3. Ore no Shi wo Koete Yuke (Sony, PSP): 94,085 - NEW
4. Super Mario Land 3D (Nintendo, 3DS): 93,441 (Life to date: 436,933)
5. Final Fantasy Type-0 (Square Enix, PSP): 57,091 (651,630)
6. Sengoku Basara 3: Utage (Capcom, Wii): 50,747 - NEW
7. Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker HD Edition (Konami, PS3): 39,743 - NEW
8. Poképark 2: Beyond the World (Nintendo, Wii): 35,785 - NEW
9. Kirby's Adventure (Nintendo, Wii): 24,778 (217,368)
10. Battlefield 3 (Electronic Arts, PS3): 18,792 (142,171)
11. Uncharted 3 (Sony, PS3): 16,150 (141,139)
12. Just Dance Wii (Nintendo, Wii): 14,662 (203,779)
13. Winning Eleven 2012 (Konami, PSP): 14,183 (59,620)
14. Dragon Quest Heroes: Rocket Slime 3 (Square Enix, 3DS): 11,303 (50,163)
15. Tamagotchi Collection (Namco Bandai, DS): 9324 - NEW
16. Wii Sports Resort Wiimote Bundle (Nintendo, Wii): 7862 (645,953)
17. Go Vacation (Namco Bandai, Wii): 7021 (96,484)
18. PES 2012 (Konami, PS3): 6798 (387,954)
19. Idolmaster 2 (Namco Bandai, PS3): 6186 (82,419)
20. Labyrinth Cross Blood Reloaded (Kadokawa Games, Xbox 360): 6178 - NEW

The 3DS once again dominated the hardware chart. Sales were down from 145,271 last week to 103,962, but that was still a long, long way ahead of the PSP in second, which moved 23,472 units.The PlayStation 3 came in third, followed by the Wii, DS and Xbox 360.

1. 3DS: 103,962 (Last week: 145,271)
2. PSP: 23,472 (27,952)
3. PlayStation 3: 22,919 (26,966)
4. Wii: 11,782 (11,725)
5. DSi XL: 1751 (2041)
6. Xbox 360: 1531 (1699)
7. PlayStation 2: 1294 (1457)
8. DSi: 909 (1057)
9. DS Lite: 20 (33)

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Next generation to arrive in 2012

November 16th, 2011, 23:24 Posted By: wraggster

Ubisoft Montreal is hard at work on 'target boxes' based on the intended specifications of Microsoft’s Xbox 360 successor, according to an Edge source. Delivery of the first iteration of genuine devkits, running custom hardware, is expected to reach studios before Christmas, and all signs point to the finalised console arriving at retail in late 2012.
Ubisoft’s teams are said to be working on PCs containing off-the-shelf components provided by Microsoft, and it’s our understanding that several other major developers, including certain EA studios, are also in possession of these target boxes. While our source was unable to share precise specifications, it is believed that AMD is providing the bespoke GPU solution for Microsoft’s console. A Ubisoft spokesperson said: "We do not comment on rumour and speculation."
We can also reveal that one major Sony-owned studio has now ceased PlayStation 3 development, its entire focus having shifted to the console’s successor. The studio is also said to have been involved in the development process of the graphics technology adopted by Sony’s new hardware.
It is clear that both Sony and Microsoft have learned from their respective experiences this generation and recognise the importance of being first to market. Despite rushing Xbox 360's release - games shown at E3 2005 were running on overheating Power Mac G5s, just six months prior to the console's launch - Microsoft would no doubt view the billion-dollar loss caused by the RROD fiasco as more than justified by the console's eventual market share.
Sony, too, will have learned a painful lesson from coming to market a year after its competitor, with more expensive hardware. That the runaway leader of the previous generation is only now closing in on Microsoft's sales - 55.5 million PS3s had been sold by September 30, with Xbox 360 sales at 57.6 million - speaks volumes of the importance of not giving its competitor another head start.
A 2012 release would also do much to stop Wii U gathering momentum. While Nintendo's new console is significantly more powerful than its predecessor, it boasts little improvement over the current generation of HD consoles in terms of raw processing power.
Wii U has been positioned to developers as a suitable home for Xbox 360 and PS3 ports, and putting new consoles on shelves next year could leave Nintendo scrambling for thirdparty support. Reports this week claim that Microsoft could announce its console at CES in Las Vegas in January; Nintendo is not to reveal the finalised Wii U hardware until E3 in June.
Evidence of an approaching new generation of consoles has been building for some time. Square Enix announced its next-generation Luminous Engine in August, and showed it off last month, while Epic Games demonstrated an enhanced version of Unreal Engine 3, which VP Mark Rein said brought "unprecedented levels of realism and demonstrates what the next generation of gaming will be", at GDC in March.
Internet sleuth Superannuation last month found four Microsoft employees whose LinkedIn pages referenced the next-gen Xbox, and just last night discovered a casual forum reference to Kinect creative director Kudo Tsunoda's "NextGen team at MS".
Square Enix's worldwide technology director Julien Merceron told us in June that companies prepare for new hardware by moving their best talent off current projects. "In the next year and a half or so we'll see a drop in innovation," he said, "because the talent is moving on to something else."
Ubisoft Montreal is currently recruiting for a senior animation programmer, with one of the job's responsibilities the creation of a "next-generation animation system." Yves Jacquier, executive director of production services at the studio, said in July that AI, rather than better graphics, would be the "real battleground" of the next generation.
"Our challenge with the PlayStation 3 and Xbox [360] is that we're extremely limited in what we can do," he said. "It's a challenge for the engineers to provide nice graphics and nice AI and nice sound with a very small amount of memory and computation time.
"We think that the next generation of consoles won't have these limits any more." It appears Jacquier knew more than he was letting on; there is now a very real possibility that all three platform holders will have new consoles on sale this time next year.

http://www.next-gen.biz/news/next-ge...on-arrive-2012

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Gametel launches joypad for Android games

November 16th, 2011, 23:10 Posted By: wraggster

Bringing console-style controls to smartphones and tablets.
Swedish company Fructel is attempting to do what previous companies – most notably Zeemote – failed to do by launching a wireless controller that transforms an Android smartphone into a portable games console.
Gametel is currently compatible with Android devices running Android 2.1.1 or later. But it has plans to migrate to iOS, RIM and WinPho in the coming months.
It is available in the UK rom early December at an RRP of £49.95.
The peripheral connects to a phone/tablet via Bluetooth or via a spring-loaded clamp that docks to a handset. Once paired it automatically connects to the device every time it is powered on.
It looks like a standard console joypad, with D-pad, four buttons and two shoulder triggers.

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...d-games/016165

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Frustration as PEGI ratings delayed again

November 16th, 2011, 01:05 Posted By: wraggster

The introduction of PEGI ratings in the UK has been delayed again, meaning that any enforcement of the system is at least 6 months away.
PEGI ratings were part of the Digital Economy Act passed 18 months ago, but according to UK Interactive Entertainment, the passing of a Statutory Instrument needed to bring the Act into force has not been notified to Europe or put before the House of Commons.
"This further delay to PEGI's implementation is extremely frustrating not to mention disappointing," said UKIE chairman Andy Payne.
"We have received repeated assurances from Government that the process is in hand, yet PEGI is still no closer to implementation.
"It is also disappointing that a Government constantly - and quite rightly - pressuring industry to put measures in place to protect children - can't seem to deliver on its side of the bargain.
UKIE claims it has been in contact with the Department of Culture Media and Sport to ensure the Statutory Act is drafted correctly, as well as with the Regulatory Policy Committee - set up by the Government to analyse legislation and ensure it does not become a burden for the industry to adopt.
"The Government has set it stock by making the UK one of the best places in Europe to do business yet despite industry consistently calling on the Government to introduce the necessary measures to reduce the cost of doing business, we have been hit by delay after delay," added Payne.
"It seems that the much talked about red tape has yet again got in the way of creating wealth for UKPLC."

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...yed-once-again

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Kindle Fire torn down by iFixit, asbestos gloves curiously absent

November 16th, 2011, 00:34 Posted By: wraggster

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JoyToKey v5.0.2 Beta

November 15th, 2011, 13:47 Posted By: wraggster

News via http://www.emucr.com/

JoyToKey v5.0.2 Beta is released. This software is a keyboard emulator for joysticks. It converts joystick input into keyboard input (and mouse input).Use it when you want to control an application with joysticks that doesn't support joystick input. If you wish, you can control even Word, Excel, etc. with joysticks!

Features:
* Configuration for maximum 16 joysticks.
* Multiple configuration files
You can make many configuration files and choose it at any time.
* Support for many useful features...
o Automatic shooting of buttons
o Mouse emulation (including wheel input)
o "Adjust mouse movements" function
When it's pressed, mouse movement(or wheel rotation) becomes faster (or slower).
* "Switch to the other configuration file" function
You can switch to and activate the other configuration file with the button which is assigned to this function.
* "Use the setting of other joystick number temporarily" function
(Something like "shift" command of SNESKey. For example, you may usually use joystick1 for keyboard emulation, but during this button being pressed, joystick3's configuration (that emulates mouse or something) will temporarily be used. Note that joystick3 is not a real joystick, it's a virtual device to .)

JoyToKey v5.0.2 Beta Changelog:
* Bug fix: Preference "Highlight buttons when JoyToKey is active" was not
properly saved.

http://www.ac.auone-net.jp/~jtk/

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Where's cheapest? Halo: Anniversary and Assassin's Creed cut to £4.99

November 15th, 2011, 00:18 Posted By: wraggster

This week is a huge five days for big releases, and GAME is hoping to grab as much market share as possible with a raft of great offers.
Tomorrow sees the release of two huge games – Microsoft’s Halo Combat Evovled: Anniversary Edition and Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed: Revelations, and GAME will sell both for £4.99.
That is, of course, if you have the right games to trade-in against them – those being either Batman: Arkham City, Battlefield 3, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 or Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception.
Both offers end on November 24^th.
GAME also has offers on two of Friday’s biggest releases – Saints Row: The Third and Need for Speed: The Run.
The former will cost just £4.99 when either one of Assassin’s Creed: Revelations, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, Uncharted 3 or Skyrim are handed over.
Need for Speed will cost just 99p when any of the same titles is exchanged.

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/where...nd-4-99/087326

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NPD: US sales up slightly in October

November 15th, 2011, 00:14 Posted By: wraggster

Total physical videogame sales in the United States rose one per cent in October to $1.08 billion (£677.9 million) according to figures released by the NPD Group.
The market research firm attributes that modest rise to hardware sales, which rose six per cent year on year thanks to Xbox 360, of which sales climbed over 20 per cent. Nintendo's 3DS was the second-best selling hardware of the month, with combined sales of it and its DS predecessor up by more than 25 per cent year on year.
Software sales rose by three per cent, with Battlefield 3 the month's best-selling game with almost two million units sold, though NPD admits that figure would be significantly higher were digital sales included given the series' PC heritage. Batman: Arkham City was the second-best selling game in a month in which sales of the top ten rose 23 per cent.
The only decline was in accessories, with NPD putting a five per cent drop down to lower prices rather than lower sales.

http://www.next-gen.biz/news/npd-us-...ightly-october

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Study: 118.5 million social gamers in US and UK

November 14th, 2011, 23:04 Posted By: wraggster

The number of regular social gamers in the US and UK has risen 71 per cent in the past year to 118.5 million.
The research comes from a study carried out by Information Solutions Group for PopCap, and finds that social gaming is currently the industry's fastest-growing sector. Seventeen per cent of the total - some 20 million people - had never played a videogame before their first social game.
The study, which surveyed over 1200 social gamers in the US and UK, also found that 86 per cent of players had purchased in-game currency, and 68 per cent of respondents - 81 million people - play every single day.

http://www.next-gen.biz/news/study-1...mers-us-and-uk

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Channel islands VAT loophole to be closed

November 14th, 2011, 22:58 Posted By: wraggster

The Government has closed the VAT loophole that allowed companies to avoid paying tax on certain mail order deliveries
According to the BBC, the move will take effect from April 1st next year and addresses the Low Value Consignment Relief, which affects all packages worth less than £15 dispatched from the Channel Islands.
The loophole meant that a number of online and supermarket retailers based their storage and postage operations in the channel islands, and in turn gave them additional space to undercut any rivals based on the mainland.
“These reforms will ensure that UK companies, especially small and medium sized enterprises, can compete on a level playing field with those larger companies with the resources to set up operations in the Channel Islands,” said Treasury Minister David Gauke.
http://www.pcr-online.biz/news/read/...-closed/027519

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Android & iOS game sales 'surpass DS & PSP'

November 14th, 2011, 22:47 Posted By: wraggster

Games released on Apple and Google’s mobile operating systems are expected to make $1.9 billion in combined revenues across the US this year, new data suggests.
If 2011 estimates put together by analyst group Flurry are accurate, it would mean that smartphone games now bring in more revenue than DS and PSP games combined.

But the declining health of both PSP and DS – two systems at the end of their cycle – was as much a contributing factor than the rise of mobile phone gaming. Both companies are at the starting stages of their new hardware; Nintendo’s 3DS and Sony’s PS Vita.
Flurry, which has tracked data for the first ten months of 2011, as well as the two years prior, said iOS and Android games are set to make $1.9 billion in the US this year. Nintendo’s DS and Sony’s PSP, by comparison, are due to make $1.4 billion, down from $1.6 billion in 2010 and $2.2 billion in 2009.
Flurry claims that Nintendo’s and Sony’s share for mobile game revenue has thus dwindled from 81 per cent (2009) to 42 per cent this year. iOS and Android games have tripled their market share from roughly 20 per cent in 2009 to nearly 60 per cent in just two years.

http://www.develop-online.net/news/3...-exceed-DS-PSP

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Battlefield 3 bans issued across all platforms

November 14th, 2011, 16:51 Posted By: wraggster

EA has dishonorably discharged "hundreds" of Battlefield 3 cheaters and boosters. The publisher has banned and stats-wiped offending accounts that used known exploits. The company is still on the hunt, saying it has a "zero tolerance policy for cheating," so consider that fair warning.

The known glitches involve players earning tens of thousands of points in a round. If you happen to have experienced the "invincibility glitch" in a round, you likely didn't earn yourself enough points to garner attention on radar and a smack from the banhammer.

DICE is currently working on a patch for Battlefield 3, which should likely resolve known glitches, and will reduce the distance of those horribly annoying, blinding flashlights. Guys, seriously, keep those things pointed at the enemy!

http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/14/ba...all-platforms/

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MW3 takes #1, helps UK industry to record sales week

November 14th, 2011, 16:45 Posted By: wraggster

Modern Warfare 3 has sold just shy of two million units and raised £83.1 million in sales to take the number one spot in the UK chart during the domestic industry's biggest ever sales week.

The previous largest total weekly sales for the UK games industry were £113.8 million in week 45 of 2010 - bested by £7 million with this week's total of £120.8 million.

Units sales of Modern Warfare 3 this week were actually lower than Black Ops' launch week by 1.6 per cent, but revenue figures were 1.5 per cent higher. The revenue figure marks the game as the country's most successful ever entertainment launch, outselling the launch weeks of the previous four Harry Potter films combined.

Bethesda's Skyrim took second with the biggest ever launch week for the publisher, more than doubling sales of Fallout: New Vegas. Only Modern Warfare and Battlefield 3, along with FIFA 12 and Gears of War 3, have had bigger launch weeks this year.

Moshi Monsters: Moshling Zoo is the third top-ten new-entry at seven. Uncharted 3 slips from last week's second to sixth, with Battlefield 3 holding on to third place.

Last Week This Week Title
New Entry 1 Modern Warfare 3
New entry 2 Skyrim
1 3 Battlefield 3
2 4 FIFA 12
5 5 Just Dance 3
2 6 Uncharted 3
New Entry 7 Moshi Monsters: Moshling Zoo
4 8 Batman: Arkham City
8 9 Zumba Fitness
Re-entry 10 Wii Party
9 11 Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure
7 12 Forza 4
15 13 Michael Jackson: The Experience
6 14 Football Manager 2012
12 15 Kinect Sports: Season 2
14 16 LEGO: Pirates of the Caribbean
20 17 Rage
13 18 Pro-Evolution Soccer 2012
New Entry 19 Tintin: Secrets of the Unicorn
11 20 F1 2011

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...second-article

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Hori making Soulcalibur 5 branded fight sticks

November 13th, 2011, 19:16 Posted By: wraggster

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Best Buy Black Friday: Revelations for $35, Batman, Gears 3, BF3 for $30

November 13th, 2011, 00:48 Posted By: wraggster

We're really pleased we don't work at Best Buy during the holiday season. We're sure it's a wonderful company to work for in general, but its Black Friday sales are almost as legendary as Wal-Mart's, though thankfully not as lethal (yet, fingers crossed).

This year Best Buy is offering deals on Xbox 360, PS3, Wii and 3DS swag, including 360 and PS3 console-and-game bundles for $200, three months of Xbox Live Gold for $8, Assassin's Creed: Revelations for $35 and a bevy of major new titles for $30. You can even snag X-Men: Destiny for $30 in a special "pay more than it's worth" sale. If you're not brave enough to go to the store (we don't blame you), Best Buy is offering free shipping on everything from now until Dec. 27 on its website.

Click below for the complete list of Best Buy Black Friday deals, and before you get in line, remember, don't wear a blue polo or tan pants that day. Unless, you know, you want to.

Xbox 360

Xbox 360 250GB Holiday Bundle w/ Fable III & Halo Reach & 3 Month Xbox LIVE - $199.99
Xbox 360 Kinect - $99.99
Xbox LIVE 3 Month Gold Membership - $7.99
Xbox 360 Wireless Controller - $39.99
Turtle Beach X12 Wired Headset - $39.99
Battlefield 3 - $29.99
Rage - $29.99
Gears of War 3 - $29.99
Disney Universe - $29.99
Assassin's Creed Revelations - $34.99
Batman Arkham City - $29.99
Madden NFL 12 - $29.99
Need for Speed The Run - $29.99
Call of Duty Black Ops - $29.99
Disney Universe - $29.99
FIFA Soccer - $34.99
NBA 2K12 - $34.99
Forza 4 - $34.99
Gears of War - $7.99
Toy Story 3 - $7.99
Call of Duty World at War - $7.99
Homefront - $14.99
Dirt 3 - $14.99
Final Fantasy XIII - $14.99
Spiderman: Shattered Dimensions - $14.99
Just Dance 3 - $24.99
Dance Central 2 - $24.99
Kinect Sports Season 2 - $24.99
Sesame Street: Once Upon a Monster - $24.99
Wipeout In The Zone Kinect - $24.99
UFC Personal Trainer - $24.99
The Sims 3 Pets - $24.99
Rabids Alive and Kicking - $24.99
X-Men Destiny - $29.99
PS3

Playstation 3 160GB Console Bundle w/ LittleBigPlanet 2 & Ratchet & Clank - $199.99
Battlefield 3 - $29.99
Uncharted 3: Drakes Deception - $29.99
Rage - $29.99
Disney Universe - $29.99
Assassin's Creed Revelations - $34.99
Batman Arkham City - $29.99
Madden NFL 12 - $29.99
Need for Speed The Run - $29.99
Call of Duty Black Ops - $29.99
Disney Universe - $29.99
FIFA Soccer - $34.99
NBA 2K12 - $34.99
Toy Story 3 - $7.99
Call of Duty World at War - $7.99
Homefront - $14.99
Final Fantasy XIII - $14.99
Dirt 3 - $14.99
Spiderman: Shattered Dimensions - $14.99
Kinect Sports Season 2 - $24.99
The Sims 3 Pets - $24.99
X-Men Destiny - $29.99
Nintendo Wii

Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure Mega Pack - $79.99
Animal Crossing City Folk - $14.99
Go Vacation - $14.99
Pac Man Party - $7.99
Tetris Party Deluxe - $7.99
Jeopardy - $7.99
Survival Shadows of Katmai - $29.99
Cabelas Big Game Hunter 2012 - $29.99
Nintendo 3DS/DS

Flame Red 3DS Bundle w/ Super Mario 3D Land - $179.99
Cosmo Black 3DS Bundle w/ Zelda - $179.99
Ultimate Starter Kit for 3DS - $9.99
Scribblenauts (DS) - $7.99
Madden NFL Football - $14.99
The Sims 3 - $14.99

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Misc/Fre...at256700050024

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MW3 vs BF3 - has EA won market share?

November 12th, 2011, 01:06 Posted By: wraggster

Battlefield 3 sold really well. Modern Warfare 3 sold really, REALLY well. But who won the war?
Of course, that all depends on how you deal with the numbers.
EA’s mission prior to the release of Battlefield 3 and Modern Warfare 3 was simple – it wanted to prize some of Call of Duty’s prized market share from it.
“We will give Activision a hard time in the space,” EA’s European Publishing SVP Jens Uwe Intat, told MCV in September.
"That’s what we are doing in the shooter space. Rome wasn’t built in a day. We might not do it Day One. Activision has 90 per cent of the shooter market, and we want to see that go down to 70. I would be even happier if they were left with 60 per cent.”
Did EA achieve its goal?
Well. We now know that Modern Warfare 3 sold 6.5 units in its first 24 hours in just the UK and US. Battlefield 3 sold 5m units “in a matter of days”.
There are lots of variables and mitigating factors we have to consider here. First off, Activision’s numbers are for the UK and US while EA’s are, presumably, global. But as we’re not sure we’ll ignore that for now.
So taking those numbers and squaring them off against one another, that works out as a 56 per cent share for Modern Warfare 3 and a 44 per cent share for Battlefield 3.
That’s a big PR win for EA, right? It has achieved its aim. It has claimed some of Call of Duty’s cherished market share.
But of course, it’s also a PR win for Activision for the simply reason that it’s just launched the biggest entertainment release of all time and smashed the records set by Black Ops. It. Sold. More. Games.
Now, to the other mitigating factors. Then there’s EA’s ambiguous “a matter of days” statement. Its numbers were released a week after the US launch and four days after the European launch.
So let’s try and give Modern Warfare 3, which has now been out for over three days, a more even footing.
Black Ops grossed $360m in sales in its first 24 hours. By the end of its firth day on the market that had reached $650m, nearly doubling it sales.
So, following that sales pattern we can presume that by the weekend Modern Warfare 3, which will have then been on the market for five days, will have sold around 14m units.
Now, if we take the five day figures of 12m for Modern Warfare 3 and 5m for Battlefield 3 we get a very different result – a 7o per cent market share for Activision and 30 per cent share for Battlefield.
Who wins then?
Well, EA has successfully eroded Activision’s market share. Though Activision has sold many, many more games. EA has eroded Activision’s 90 per cent share of the market and claimed a bigger pie. Activision has blown EA out of the water.
My dad’s bigger than your dad. I can run faster than you. Digital claims its biggest market share ever. GameStop posts record sales and profits.
That’s the thing with numbers – you can do what you want with them.
The key thing here is that in face of the most hostile retail environment in over a decade two companies have successfully produced and released two games that have enjoyed huge popularity with consumers. Games are still a success.
We all win.

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/mw3-v...t-share/087306

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Games piracy up 20% in five years

November 12th, 2011, 01:00 Posted By: wraggster

The rate of games piracy is on the rise, according to new data.
Research firm Envisional says that illicit game downloads in the UK climbed 20 per cent over the last five years. It claims that “that the five top games of 2010” were illegally accessed online almost one million times.
None of the five titles were named, nor was the metric in how they were ranked.
Develop has more on this story. Including a graph!

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/games...e-years/087311

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Modern Warfare 3 sells 6.5 million day one in UK/US alone

November 11th, 2011, 23:11 Posted By: wraggster

Estimated day one sales of Modern Warfare 3, based on Charttrack and retailer figures, stand at 6.5 million units in the US and UK alone, raising $400 million in revenues.
The numbers make it the biggest entertainment launch of all time, beating the previous record held by Call of Duty: Black Ops which had an estimated day one revenue total in the territories of $360 million.
It's the third year in a row in which the series has broken all time entertainment sales records.
"We believe the launch of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 is the biggest entertainment launch of all time in any medium, and we achieved this record with sales from only two territories," said Bobby Kotick.
"Other than Call of Duty, there has never been another entertainment franchise that has set opening day records three years in a row. Life-to-date sales for the Call of Duty franchise exceed worldwide theatrical box office for 'Star Wars' and 'Lord of the Rings,' two of the most successful entertainment franchises of all time."
Alongside the announcement, Activision revealed that it had donated a further $3 million to the Call of Duty Endowment which Kotick set up in 2009, bringing the total to $5 million. The fund exists to provide training and employment to veterans of the US armed forces.

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...in-uk-us-alone

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Walmart Black Friday: Batman, Battlefield 3 $28 each, blue Wii $99

November 11th, 2011, 02:15 Posted By: wraggster



This year, you say, you're not going to watch retailer websites all Thanksgiving weekend for deals; you're not going to give in and drive to a store at midnight for cheap games. Walmart is the first to try to convince you otherwise, posting its Black Friday circular with discounts and exclusive offers it hopes will bring you back on the most dangerous shopping day of the year.

For $199, you have a choice of console bundles: an Xbox 360 4GB with Gears 3, 3 months of Live, and a $50 gift card; an Xbox 360 4GB with Kinect, Kinect Adventures, and a $50 gift card; or a 160GB PS3 with Ratchet & Clank All 4 One, LittleBigPlanet 2, and 3 months of Plus membership.

The blue Wii, announced in Europe as a Mario & Sonic bundle, will be released in America exclusively to Walmart ... at the crazy low price of $100.

If you're already set for systems, Walmart is also offering limited-time deals on games. From Thanksgiving night at 10pm through Friday, you can get recent releases like Batman: Arkham City, Battlefield 3, Gears of War 3, Infamous 2, and Call of Duty: Black Ops for $28. Dance Central 2, Kinect Sports Season Two, and Epic Mickey (among others) are $15. You can also get Yakuza 4 for ten damn dollars -- plus the cost of having to fight for your life at Walmart.

http://www.walmart.com/

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