Game industry business news

Nintendoâ??s answer to XBLA and PSN arrives in the Far East

EA and MTV Games have revealed details for the upcoming Wii version of Rock Band, which was first announced by CEO John Riccitiello during EA’s third-quarter conference call in February. The game is set to feature 63 songs, and will be available in the US on June 22nd – along …

Electronic Arts CFO Warren Jenson is to leave the publisher. Jenson has served in the position for six years. He will stay with the firm to assist with its fiscal year-end close and financial reporting process – and ensure a smooth transition for his successor. "I want to thank Warren …

Ubisoft will no longer have to pay royalties to Tom Clancy after the new deal goes through, with Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter estimating that Ubisoft will pay around €60 million over three years. Post acquisition, Ubisoft expects to have a net cash position of around €130m by the end …

The industry’s most respected financial analysts have been discussing EA’s ‘hostile’ tender offer for Take Two – with some saying that it could happen quickly enough for Grand Theft Auto IV and Manhunt 2 to have EA’s name on their box. The group also deliberated the timescale of the deal …

CEO of Midway David Zucker has resigned from the publisher. The company is now searching for a new leader to improve its market performance. Senior VP of worldwide studios Matthew Booty will take up the CEO role in the interim. "The board is confident that a new CEO will be …

Do you think that Take Two’s shareholders will accept EA’s new direct/hostile bid of $26-per-share? Why? Michael Pachter, Wedbush Morgan I do think the bid will be accepted, but think TTWO management will come back next week and offer a friendly deal for more money (probably $1). Over half of …

The Department for Children, Schools and Families has told MCV that Tanya Byron’s Review into violence in modern media is to be published next Thursday, March 27th. The paper is widely expected to recommend a ‘cinema style’ unified ratings system for games – which could spell the end for either …

Why was now the right time to drop the price of your hardware? Xbox 360 is a now a real mass market entertainment proposition. Through this price point, we can reach and introduce a much broader array of consumers to hi-def gaming. We had to hit and surpass key milestones …

Retail has hailed Microsoft’s mission to hit the mainstream after dropping its entry-level SKU to under 160 – and stores have seen sales rocket following the cut. MCVUK.com revealed this week (via ChartTrack figures) that the console enjoyed a 36 per cent rise in sales after three days at its …