Archives

Date

Sony Delays Launch of PSP Handheld Game Device Until 2005

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on February 26, 2004 - 7:51am.
Tokyo -- Sony Corp. has announced that it will not release its new PSP portable video game device in the U.S. in time for the 2004 holiday shopping season, instead opting to ship the PSP some time in the first quarter of 2005. Sony confirmed that the device will still launch this year in Japan, but will also delay the PSP's launch in Europe until 2005. "In order to ensure that the launch time frame is well supported, we want to allow developers and publishers sufficient time to optimize content for our new portable-entertainment platform," Sony spokeswoman Teresa Weaver told News.com. Analysts said the delay may benefit Nintendo, which plans to launch its own new portable handheld game, the dual-screened Nintendo DS, by the end of the year.
tags: Games | Sony | PSP | Handheld | Game Device |

Game Developer Majesco Raises $22.5 Million in Private Placement

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on February 26, 2004 - 7:50am.
Edison, N.J. -- ConnectivCorp, the parent company of video game developer and publisher Majesco, announced that it has raised $25.8 million in a private placement of its shares with a group of investors. The company also expects to close shortly on an additional $1.1 million in proceeds, and said total net proceeds after deducting the fees and other expenses related to the financing will be approximately $22.5 million. New Jersey-based Majesco's current titles include "BloodRayne," which will soon become a feature-length film; upcoming releases include "Advent Rising" and "Bomberman Jetters."
tags: Games | VC | Majesco | Private Placement |

T-Mobile, Sony Music Partner on Intl. Mobile Music Distribution

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on February 26, 2004 - 7:48am.
New York -- Wireless network operator T-Mobile and Sony Music announced on Thursday an international mobile music partnership that will bring music from Sony artists to the cell phones of T-Mobile subscribers in the U.S. and Europe. Under the agreement, T-Mobile will be able to distribute $1.99 HiFi Ringers -- featuring actual clips of song recordings -- from Sony artists including Beyonce, John Mayer and Nas, in addition to polyphonic MIDI tones, artist voice ringers and wallpaper images. The companies will also collaborate on "Artist Packs," each incorporating multiple artist-related mobile offerings.
tags: Deals | T-Mobile | Sony Music | Intl. Mobile | Music Distribution |

Norwegian Browser Maker Opera Releases Details of Upcoming IPO

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on February 26, 2004 - 7:48am.
Oslo -- Opera, a Norway-based developer of Internet browser technology that competes with Internet Explorer, Netscape and Mozilla, released full details of its planned initial public offering (IPO) on Thursday. The privately held company will launch on the Oslo Stock Exchange on March 11, issuing between 12.5 and 16.1 million shares with an indicative price range between $1.13-1.41, valuing Opera at between $27.5-39.5 million. Industry experts say Opera's IPO could be the first of many hi-tech flotations this year, a reversal that surely will be welcomed by the European technology sector after a nearly three-year IPO drought. Opera's subscription period will close March 10, the company said.
tags: IPO | Opera | Releases | Norwegian |

Actor Vin Diesel Launches Game Publishing Label Tigon Studios

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on February 26, 2004 - 7:46am.
Los Angeles -- Actor Vin Diesel ("XXX," "Iron Giant") has announced the launch of his own video game publishing firm, Tigon Studios, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Former Fox Interactive game producer Cos Lazoura will serve as CEO of Tigon, which will publish games from third-party developers. The studio's first title will be "The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape From Butcher Bay," based on the upcoming film from Universal Studios starring Diesel, who will also contribute his likeness and voice talent to the game. The title will be developed by Sweden-based Starbreeze, also responsible for the game "Enclave."
tags: Games | Vin Diesel | Actor | Tigon |

AOL, Cartoon Network Launch Contest for Online Game Developers

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on February 26, 2004 - 7:45am.
Atlanta -- Time Warner subsidiaries AOL and Cartoon Network on Thursday announced a contest that will let a video game developer create an online game for CartoonNetwork.com. The "Project Goldmaster" contest will be offered in conjunction with the Independent Games Festival, which will determine ten finalists from which Cartoon Network will choose a winner. The winner will then develop a game based on a Cartoon Network property such as "Codename: Kids Next Door," "The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy" or "Samurai Jack." Development of the title will be chronicled in an online AOL Journal, which will post video vignettes, early storyboards, screen images and interviews with the game-makers for AOL members.
tags: Internet | AOL | Cartoon Network | Game Developers | Contest |

ActiveCore Sells Mobile Game Division to SilverBirch for $1.75 Million

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on February 26, 2004 - 7:44am.
Toronto -- ActiveCore Technologies announced on Thursday that it has sold its mobile game development division to 1607590 Ontario Limited for $1.75 million. 1607590 Ontario Limited will immediately change its name to SilverBirch Studios. ActiveCore Technologies will retain an initial 5% equity holding in the new company with a right to participate in further equity raising to maintain its ownership level. SilverBirch Studios will be headed by Kevin Birch, who resigned from ActiveCore in connection with the transaction.
tags: Mobile Game | ActiveCore | SilverBirch |