Publishing

Microsoft lines up Skype acquisition

Microsoft is close to completing a deal to acquire Skype, beating out other suitors thought to include Google and Facebook. The Wall Street Journal reported that Microsoft was set to pay between $7 and $8 billion for the cross-platform voice and video chat service. Skype has been a loss making …

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Next COD gets premium online features

Activision has confirmed that its 2011 Call of Duty game will be revealed in full within weeks. But one detail has been announced – COD 2011 will be the most online-enabled Call of Duty title ever. It will use a range of dedicated online technologies and social networking features that …

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INTERVIEW: Pete Stone

Konami has a bank of brands that many publishers would envy. At the top of the pile is its famous five: Metal Gear Solid, Pro Evolution Soccer, Silent Hill, Castlevania and Yu-Gi-Oh. The constant challenge for the publisher is to maximise the return on the gilt-edged portfolio – whilst also …

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Konami: ‘Rebuilding PES is a long process’

Konami has told MCV that while Pro Evolution Soccer may never beat EA’s FIFA in terms of sales, it can still be a success on its own terms. It also claimed that after losing its status as the critics’ favourite, PES is closing the gap on its great rival in …

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Net income up 258% at Capcom

Japanese publisher Capcom has posted its best ever annual net sales report for the year ending March 31st 2011. Net income for the period jumped 257.6 per cent year-on-year to YEN 7,750m. Operating income jumped 155.8 per cent to YEN 14,295m and ordinary income increased 132.6 per cent to YEN …

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Hackers planning fresh PSN attack?

With PSN seemingly on the verge of a return to service, worrying rumours have emerged online claiming that Sony is being targeted for a third PSN attack this weekend. CNET reports that talk on the Internet Relay Chat channel used by hackers suggests that one group is planning a major …

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