|
 News
Week
of August 7- August 13, 2000
[Friday,
August 11, 2000]
Sony
Crusoe
Sony is planning a Transmeta based computer. Sony will put Transmeta's
Crusoe microprocessor into its Vaio C1 sub-notebook computer, making it
the first company to announce its use of the new, energy saving chip.
Sony maintains that the decision doesn't reflect a move away from Intel
but rather a decision to use the most appropriate processor for each machine,
in this case choosing Crusoe for its improved battery life. The Crusoe
powered Vaio is slated to ship next fall.
Havas
Rising
Havas Interactive has become the largest publisher of consumer PC software
in the US market. For the first six months of 2000 the company saw sales
climb 33 percent versus the same period last year, with net sales reaching
$243 million. These gain were driven by the success of Diablo II, which
has become the fastest selling computer game ever, and the success of
Flipside.com, which has become one of the ten largest properties on the
Internet.
[Thursday, August
10, 2000]
Jaleco
Buy
Hong Kong-based Pacific Century Cyber Works plans to buy controlling interest
in Japanese game maker Jaleco. The deal, valued at $250 million in cash,
will give PCCW and its partners an 81 percent stake in the company. PCCW
will use Jaleco to spearhead its ambitions to create broadband content
for the Japanese market. In addition, Jaleco's Tokyo stock listing will
smooth future PCCW acquisitions in Japan. Jaleco will be renamed PCCW
Japan and will be headed up by new CEO Ted Bonner.
EA
Gets Potter
Electronic Arts has grabbed the rights to create video games based on
the Harry Potter license. The agreement gives EA exclusive rights to publish
interactive games on all platforms based on existing Harry Potter novels
as well as any films produced during the life of the deal. "We are
extremely excited to become part of the Harry Potter phenomenon by bringing
our own brand of interactive magic to this fantastic series," said
EA President of Worldwide Studios Don Mattrick. EA will develop the games
in its new Chertsey, UK, studio. Financial terms have not been disclosed.
Thief
Move Confirmed
The Thief franchise has, indeed, found a new home. Eidos has confirmed
that a third installment in the popular series will find it way to both
Playstation 2 and PC, under the direction of Warren Spector and Ion Storm
Austin. "We here in the Austin office are thrilled, proud and a bit
humbled at the prospect of continuing and building on Thief and
Thief 2. We respect the Thief tradition and we'll do everything
in our power not only to live up to everyone's justifiably high expectations
but to surpass them," said Spector. A release date has not been announced.
[Wednesday, August
9, 2000]
Dolphin
Date
Nintendo has set a date for Dolphin details. The company confirmed that
it would unveil its much anticipated next-generation console and handheld
on August 24, just ahead of Nintendo's annual Spaceworld exhibition. Mobile
System GB, a device connecting Nintendo's Gameboy to mobile phones, will
also make its debut at the August 24 news conference.
Two
Dropped on DC
The Dreamcast axe continues to fall. The combination of mounting Playstation
2 and Dolphin momentum and the lackluster publisher bottom lines is taking
a toll on anticipated Dreamcast titles. Codemasters is canning all of
its ongoing Dreamcast projects, including its high profile Colin McRae
2 rally racing title. In addition, reports are surfacing that Dreamcast
editions of PC hits Baldur's Gate and Messiah are also being shelved.
[Tuesday, August
8, 2000]
Interplay
Results
Interplay has cut operating losses in the second quarter. The company
is reporting second quarter revenues of $24.9 million. That result is
down a bit from last year's second quarter revenues of $29.4 million,
but the company still managed to cut operating losses to $1.2 million
from $4.4 million in the same period one year ago. "We are extremely
pleased that we have continued to reduce our operating losses as we proceed
on our plan to return Interplay to profitability," said Interplay
CEO Brian Fargo, "We achieved the best operating results in eight
quarters without the benefit of a major hit title."
GDC
Call
The Game Developers Conference is looking for a few good speakers. Those
seeking to join the faculty of the conference, scheduled to run from March
20-24, 2001, in San Jose, can check out the speaker
page of the GDC Website to view suggested topics and submit proposals.
Submissions are due by October 3, 2000. Both the Game Developers Conference
and Gamasutra are products of the CMP Game Media Group.
Game
Aggression
Maybe games don't cause violence. Yet another study on the matter concludes
that playing video games doesn't make children more aggressive, at least
when playing for less than 15 minutes. The study, conducted by psychologists
Jeanne Funk and Debra Buchman, looked at the game play habits of 35 boys
and girls between the ages of eight and 12. While playing games didn't
seem to incite violent tendencies in the children studied, they did see
a link between a preference for violent games and an aggressive inclination.
In the end, the researchers concluded that more study would probably be
needed.
Take-Two
Expectations
Take-Two expects to meet or beat analyst forecast for its fiscal third
quarter. The company will announce its third quarter results on August
24, and is hoping to better estimated earnings of up to 11 cents per share.
[Monday, August
7, 2000]
Gore
VP
Al Gore has tapped Joseph Lieberman to be his running mate. The Connecticut
senator has long been the game industry's most consistent and high profile
critic, arguing that videogame violence influences violent behavior in
children. Leiberman is expected to official join the Democrat's 2000 presidential
ticket on Tuesday.
Spector
Gets Thief
Looking Glass's top title may have a new home. A post from ex-Looking
Glass programmer Mark LeBlanc suggests that Eidos has picked up the both
the intellectual property and the technology related to the Thief
series. "The Thief franchise will continue to be developed
at the Ion Storm Austin office," reports LeBlanc, "where it
is in Warren Spector's capable hands." Eidos has not released any
official information on the fate of the Thief franchise.
Sega
Trial
Sega of Japan is planning to roll out a try before you buy retail scheme.
The company will sell time limited Dreamcast games for under $10. Gamers
will be able to purchase an encryption key online to unlock the full version
of the game. The Hitachi developed technology will make its Dreamcast
debut with Eternal Arcadia, with a further fourteen titles to be
included in the trial.
Past
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