A global business analyst at Credit Suisse has claimed that the cost of manufacturing a Wii console has dropped by 45 per cent since the system launched in 2006. Furthermore, Kotaku reports that the analyst believes these drops will pave the way for a Wii price drop later this year …

Rick Gibson looks over the rise to power of one of the industry's biggest markets

Rick Gibson of Games Investor Consulting takes a look at the rise and rise of consumer network gaming in his monthly Develop column.

Best Buy has insisted that its push into the UK market is well on track, that it is ready to ‘revolutionise’ the country’s retail landscape, and that global economic pressures will mean rivals will be unable to ‘respond aggressively.’ The rollout of its big box retail stores, all of which …

DSGi is reportedly looking to raise several hundred million pounds through a rights issue, which would be the second attempt this year. CEO John Browett is expected to give a statement on the firm’s operations after the firm’s financial year end, which will go some way to decided the success …

High Street retailer GAME is the host of this year’s Pokmon tour: The Search for Giratina. The tour will feature face painting, balloon modelling, and a free prize draw with Pokmon prizes and GAME gift cards up for grabs. Gamers can also bring their DS along to battle, as well …

Leading independent chain Playtime Multimedia has entered administration, the retailer has told MCV. Insolvency specialists P&A Partnerships has been appointed by the retailer, and the Northern-based independent has cited a collapse in like-for-like sales as the reason behind its decision. We had to call in the administrators last week because …

Nintendo has launched its DSi console across Europe – and told MCV that the device’s new functions will ensure that consumers see DS as exciting and innovative”. The handheld, which features, a camera, sound playback and downloads via the DSiWare service, carries a retail price of 149.99 in the UK. …

Digital downloads were the talk of the Games Developers Conference last week. At the event Sony discussed releasing PSP games ‘simultaneously’ through retail and PSN, a new digital console called Zeebo was unveiled, and cloud-computing service OnLive grabbed the headlines, with certain corners of the media calling it ‘the future …

Microsoft has told MCV that it sees downloadable content and Xbox Live as a ‘complementary’ addition to boxed product – and that it doesn’t see the packaged goods business declining. However other standout companies have pointed to 2009’s explosion of download-only new releases – which cut out retail altogether. Speaking …