ESRB to Use Computer Grading

APRIL 17, 2011 • The ESRB announced that it was now going to use computers to decide whether to rate online games E, T or M. Faced with an explosion of online titles in recent years, the ESRB believes the move is necessary. Retail titles will still be evaluated first by humans. Publishers will have to provide a detailed digital questionnaire that gauges all examples of violence, sexuality, profanity, drug use, gambling and bodily functions that appear in-game. T.....

IGDA Warns Against Amazon

APRIL 15, 2011 • The International Game Developers Association (IGDA) warned its membership in a letter to be wary of contracting with Amazon’s digital Appstore, which reserves the right to pay developers, “the greater of 70% of the purchase price or 20% of the List Price.” While noting many retailers exert control over the price of products, the IGDA said it was not aware of any other retailer having a formal policy of paying a supplier just 2.....

Best Buy Adds Video Game Staff

APRIL 14, 2011 • During its 2012 fiscal year Best Buy will add dedicated sales staff to its in-store video game sections. The employees will man their own special gaming desks where  preorders and DLC can be ordered. The plan is to create a more effective gaming destination within each location. Impact: Unlike a chain such as GameStop, Best Buy has limited customer support for selling video g.....

British Petroleum Stocks Nintendo 3DS

MARCH 28, 2011 • Novel for non-traditional game retailer at the launch of a new console, British Petroleum is stocking the £229.99 Nintendo 3DS, and a selection of games for the system, at more than 100 of its service stations in the United Kingdom. Impact: Retail expansion of video games has been slowly occurring on a global basis.  Games bring consumers in the door and they can be used as .....

Interview Joymax Set For A Breakout

MARCH 26, 2011 • Ask gamers in Turkey about South Korean publisher Joymax and there’s a very good chance they will recognize the company thanks to the popular free MMO Silkroad Online. The same would not be true in North America where Joymax is not very well known. However, that situation is changing. Joymax is making a big push to raise its market share worldwide. Last year Joymax merged with another Korean gamemaker, WeMad.....

Interview Bigpoint & 3D Browser Games

MARCH 24, 2011 • Bigpoint GmbH is one of the major online game success stories, not only in its home territory of Europe, but progressively worldwide. Since the company was founded in 2002, it has attained lofty milestones along the way, including the world’s largest browser game provider servicing more than 170 million registered users. As an online game company to watch, attracting 250,000 new users a day in 25 languages, .....

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