Autodesk

JULY 22, 2008 • Autodesk has been a leading software tools provider since it was founded back in 1982.  Over the years, Autodesk has expanded its game tool software portfolio through a series of acquisitions. In February of this year, Autodesk announced it was purchasing Kynogon SA, a Paris-based provider of artificial intelligence middleware for the video game industry.  The acquisition was finalized in May and Kynogon was folded into the newly created Game .....

Wii Fastest to 500K in Australia

JULY 22, 2008 • The Nintendo Wii took 84 weeks to reach sales of one-half million in Australia, according to GfK Australia. That performance makes the Wii the platform swiftest to reach that mark. The previous record holder was the PlayStation 2, which reached 500,000 units sold in 107 weeks. In related news, Nintendo r.....

Moore Says Wii to Match PS2

JULY 21, 2008 • EA Sports president Peter Moore told the Financial Times that he expects the Wii to hold the same market share power in this console generation that the PS2 held in the last.  “It looks to me as if the Wii is going to have at least half the installed base of the overall industry and the Xbox 360 and PS3 are going to fight over the balance, based on the run-rates we’re seeing,” Moore told the newspaper. Impact: Peter.....

Crytek Acquires Black Sea Studios

JULY 21, 2008 • Crytek GmbH acquired Black Sea Studios in Sofia Bulgaria. The latter will operate as a fully-owned owned studio of Crytek. Black Sea is best known for its co-operative multiplayer RTS, WorldShift. Impact:  The generally well-educated technology community in Eastern Europe has proven to be a boon for European and U.S. publishers looking for lower cost margins and high-quality talent. Counted alongside similar trends in Asia, such acqu.....

Logitech Releases Wii Keyboard

JULY 18, 2008 • Logitech will release a wireless $50 keyboard for the Wii in August. In addition to standard keys, the peripheral will include special console keys similar to those found on the Wiimote. The keyboard will likely have particular appeal to players of the upcoming Animal Crossing: City Folk, wh.....

Activision Blizzard’s Thomas Tippl

JULY 18, 2008 • Activision Blizzard is now a reality having passed muster with both shareholders and regulators. The merger creates the largest video game publisher in the business, at least for the near future. That kind of clout is one of the reason why the company felt secure in withdrawing from the Entertainment Software Association, and why DFC wanted to speak with Activision Blizzard chief financial officer Thomas Tippl. Thanks to solid choices in product development, Activisio.....

Wii Best Seller In U.S.

JULY 17, 2008 • As of June 30, the NPD Group reported that the Nintendo Wii had eclipsed the Xbox 360 to become the best selling current-generation console in the U.S. at 10.9 million units. Total U.S. sales of the DS were 20.8 million. June DS sales in the U.S. were 783,000, and Wii sales were 666,000. .....

Konami Sues Over Rock Band

JULY 10, 2008 • Konami Corp. filed a lawsuit against Viacom Inc. claiming the latter’s Harmonix studio violated Konami patents in creating the hit Rock Band. The suit cites 2002 and 2003 patents regarding simulated musical instruments in a music game. Konami is seeking cash compensation and an injunction against Viacom from further selling products based on the patents. Impact: Success has a thousand fathers. Viacom and EA have a huge hit in Ro.....

End of content

End of content