Archives

Electronic Arts President John Riccitiello Resigns

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on April 8, 2004 - 6:48am.
Redwood City, Calif. -- Video game developer Electronic Arts, responsible for the popular "Madden NFL" and "Battlefield 1942" game franchises, announced yesterday that company president and chief operating officer John Riccitiello has resigned to start a private equity business. Electronic Arts CEO Larry Probst will take on Riccitiello's duties until a replacement can be found.
tags: President | Electronic | Arts | John Riccitiello |

Activision, Nielsen to Measure Response to In-Game Advertising

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on April 8, 2004 - 6:46am.
Santa Monica, Calif. -- Video game developer Activision said on Thursday that it has partnered with ratings firm Nielsen Entertainment to develop audience measurement metrics to help the industry assess the impact of in-game ad exposure. The companies also released details of a survey of the video game habits of 1,000 males in Nielsen TV households. The survey found that 75% of Nielsen TV households with a male between ages 8-34 own a video game system, and that TV viewership among male gamers aged 18-34 appears to be slightly less than the group in general. The survey found that more than one quarter (27%) of active male gamers noticed advertising in the last video game they played, with heavy (31%) and older (35%) gamers being the most likely to recall advertising. Over half (52%) said they like games to contain ads for real products, with a majority (70%) feeling that real products make a game more "genuine."
tags: Games | Advertising | Activision | Nielsen |

EarthLink Launches For-Pay Sports Service with NFL, NHL Content

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on April 8, 2004 - 6:45am.
Atlanta -- Internet service provider EarthLink on Thursday launched a premium subscription sports service for its subscribers that will offer streaming audio and video of Major League Baseball, the National Hockey League, NASCAR and college sports. The company's $9.95 per month EarthLink Premium Sports service will be powered by New York-based Synacor, which enables ISPs to offer bundled premium media content through its deals with various providers. The service will also include a fantasy sports offering, and content from SportingNews.com and Motor Trend magazine.
tags: Sports | NFL | EarthLink | NHL |

Take-Two Acquires U.K. Handheld Game Developer Mobius

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on April 8, 2004 - 6:43am.
New York -- Video game publisher Take-Two Interactive announced on Thursday its acquisition of Leeds, U.K.-based Mobius Entertainment, a developer of games for handheld platforms. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Founded in 1997, Mobius has developed titles such as the Game Boy Advance version of Take-Two subsidiary Rockstar Games' "Max Payne," and "Pop Idol" for publisher Codemasters. The Mobius team, currently at work on titles for Sony's forthcoming PSP handheld gaming device, will now be known as Rockstar Leeds.
tags: U.K. | Handheld Game | Acquires | Mobius |

Calif. PTA Backs Bills Limiting Kids' Exposure to Violent Video Games

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on April 8, 2004 - 6:41am.
Los Angeles -- The California State Parent Teachers Association (PTA) on Thursday voiced its support for two proposed pieces of California state legislation that would restrict sales of violent video games to minors. The laws would require retailers to display "Mature"-rated games separately from other titles, and clearly display signs explaining game ratings, in addition to prohibiting sales or rental to minors. "AB 1792 will assist parents by prohibiting vendors from selling or renting harmful video games to children, and AB 1793 will assure parents that video games with excessive violence will be displayed in such a way as to protect children from easily viewing them in stores," said Pat Klotz, California State PTA vice president for community concerns.
tags: Games | Video | Violent | Calif. PTA |

Chipmaker Sand Video Acquired for $77.5 Million by Broadcom

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on April 8, 2004 - 6:38am.
Andover, Mass. -- Three years after its founding, Sand Video, a venture capital-backed developer of video-related semiconductors for broadband communications, has agreed to be acquired for $77.5 million in cash and stock by California-based Broadcom, a provider of semiconductors for broadband communications and networking of voice, video and data services. Terms of the deal include $7.5 million in cash and about $70 million in Broadcom stock. Founded in 2001, Massachusetts-based Sand Video has raised $8 million in venture capital from Baker Capital, CommonAngels, and Navigator Technology Ventures.
tags: Video | Broadcom | Deal | Chipmaker |