Seth Gilbert, 08-21-2008
Convergence is the keyword and just about every media and technology company with a chip in the game is betting on it through some form of technology or content integration. Wednesday at the Intel Developers Conference, the biggest news among many announcements was the surprise pitch that Intel and Yahoo are joining together in a tie-up aimed at grabbing one of the biggest prizes: the marriage of Internet interactivity and traditional TV. They’re calling the offering “Widget Channel.”
Click to Read More
Seth Gilbert, 08-20-2008
When watching old movies, there’s always a prominent credit for Technicolor. When future generations look back on movies from our era, they may be shown a similar credit for Intel. The company known for being “Inside” our computers appears to be working just as diligently “behind”the scenes of Hollywood to advance the cause of 3D-Movie Making.
At the Intel Developers conference Wednesday, the 800lb Gorilla of the chip industry reaffirmed their deal with DreamWorks Animation. Jeffrey Katzenberg, the co founder and CEO of the studio was on hand to demonstrate what their joint venture is yielding.
Click to Read More
Seth Gilbert,
Wednesday was a busy day for Sony. The company’s gaming division used the Games Convention in Leipzig, Germany to reveal a number of new hardware offerings.
Topping the list was a new SKU for the Playstation 3 platform. With Sony’s focus evolving more and more toward connected entertainment, “PS3 owner’s are demanding more storage capacity,” said Jack Treton, President and CEO of SCEA. Sony will try and answer the call with a 160GB capacity PS3.
Click to Read More
Seth Gilbert, 08-19-2008
Picture it, it’s nearing October and the Red Sox and Yankees are meeting at Fenway for a final showdown. The pennant is potentially on the line (or at least a playoff appearance). Tensions are high. Mariano Rivera is on the mound. David Ortiz is at the plate. Tie game. Bottom of the 9th. Bases loaded. Full count. Two outs. Rivera just got off the disabled list and his shoulder may be troubled. Ortiz has had his number all season but he’s been slumping lately too; fatigued from the season and a lingering wrist injury. One pitch will set the teams fates. Win or lose. Here it comes.
Now adjust your screen. The same scenario is actually playing out in a video game on your PS3 or Xbox 360. The video game is mirroring reality. You’re playing a friend for bragging rights and beer. Same playoff race. Same scenario, right down to the injuries and fatigue.
Click to Read More
Seth Gilbert, 08-18-2008
The gloves came off today in Electronic Arts protracted hostile takeover effort to acquire Take Two but in a surprise twist, it wasn’t an escalation but rather a move toward a possible handshake and reconciliation.
EA announced they will allow their Tender Offer to expire tonight at midnight as planned. Take Two, in turn, will include EA in their discussions about “Strategic Alternatives.” As part of that dialogue, Take Two will provide EA with a formal presentation that includes non public product pipeline and financial projections.
The two companies talking amicably opens the door to the prospect of a possible friendly acquisition.
Timing is everything.
Click to Read More
Seth Gilbert,
When Google’s first cell phone ambitions started to fuel public conversation, the mysterious G-phone was a myth as exotic as an udumbara flower and as circulated as a chain email. In November 2007, Google settled the mystery by revealing their plans for Android, a linux based, open-source mobile O.S. platform. Now, there’s a tentative debut deadline for the first Android enabled phone. It will be here by November 10th at the latest, possibly earlier.
Click to Read More
Seth Gilbert, 08-14-2008
Summer is a time for BBQ’s and beaches. The weather is good and people tend to enjoy it. Not surprisingly, as a result, it’s a slower period for indoor entertainment products like video games. Still, “slower” is a relative term. According to newly released NPD sales data for July, even in a month of measured expectations, the industry delivered double digit year over year growth.
For the month of July, the US gaming industry rose 28% over last year in total sales with revenue of $1.19b for the month. Software was up the most with a 41% year over year gain. Hardware and accessories were up 17% and 19% respectively.
Click to Read More
