by Yukari Iwatani Kane, Reporter, The Wall Street Journal
Blowing away terrorists, apparently, never gets old.
The new videogame Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, set to hit stores Tuesday, is a sequel spawned by sequels. But rather than following the frequent pattern of franchises fading as they age, Modern Warfare 2 is the most highly anticipated game of the season.
The turf battle between two Chinese bureaucracies appears to be escalating, with NetEase and the World of Warcraft videogame at its center.
According to a statement, China’s General Administration of Press and Publications said it rejected NetEase’s application to operate Burning Crusades, the latest version of World of Warcraft.
by Yukari Iwatani Kane, Reporter, The Wall Street Journal
When MTV Networks’ Harmonix Music Systems developed the videogame The Beatles: Rock Band, it made many small changes to some of the most beloved songs in rock history. All of them were made in consultation with Apple Corps, the Beatles’ management company, but some of the changes have come as a shock for fans.
by Eric Savitz, Blogger and Columnist, Barron's, Tech Trader Daily
Take-Two Interactive this afternoon posted revenue for its fiscal third quarter ended July 31 of $138.6 million, down from $433.8 million a year ago, but ahead of the Street consensus at $125.3 million.
by Eric Savitz, Blogger and Columnist, Barron's, Tech Trader Daily
Is the video game sector hitting a wall?
That’s the obvious conclusion of the latest monthly sales data from research firm NPD Group.
According to data released late Thursday, video game industry overall sales fell 17 percent in March from a year ago, with hardware down 18 percent, software off 17 percent and accessories off 15 percent.
by Eric Savitz, Blogger and Columnist, Barron's, Tech Trader Daily
THQ shares are posting a fat gain today after the videogame company announced that it has completed a previously announced cost-reduction plan designed to chop its annual spending by $220 million.
THQ CEO Brian Farrell said in a statement that the company’s goal is to return to profitability and generate positive cash flow in the March 2010 fiscal year, and to position the company for long-term sustainable growth.
by Eric Savitz, Blogger and Columnist, Barron's, Tech Trader Daily
Activision Blizzard shares are down sharply for the second straight day after CEO Bobby Kotick disclosed the sale of a large block of shares.
Kotick personally sold one million shares at an average price of $10.1834 a share, and another 242,425 shares held by a trust he controls.
by Eric Savitz, Blogger and Columnist, Barron's, Tech Trader Daily
The morning after top U.S. videogame maker Electronic Arts missed sales and profit estimates for its fiscal third quarter, cut its forecast for next year, and said it will cut 1,100 jobs, or 11 percent of its workforce, the stock is up $1.75, or 11 percent, at $17.25.
by Eric Savitz, Blogger and Columnist, Barron's, Tech Trader Daily
The troubles are mounting for Electronic Arts.
The videogame company today reported disappointing results for its fiscal third quarter ended December, cut its full year guidance, and announced plans to chop its workforce by 11 percent, or 1,100 people, while closing 12 facilities.
by Eric Savitz, Blogger and Columnist, Barron's, Tech Trader Daily
A little bit of vulnerability surfaced in the videogame industry today. Electronic Arts, admitting that its holiday game lineup isn’t selling as well as hoped, warned that its revenue and earnings would be below guidance for the March 2009 fiscal year.
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