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Microsoft's MSN Dumps Web Sports Partner ESPN for FoxSports.com

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on May 7, 2004 - 2:46am.
Redmond, Wash. -- Microsoft announced on Friday that it will replace its current MSN sports content partner ESPN with rival FoxSports.com. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. The co-branded site will offer video from FoxSports.com and Fox's sports-related networks, including its "The Best Damn Sports Show Period" program and content culled from rights to the MLB All-Star Game, the NFL season, the NFC Playoffs and the 2005 Super Bowl. Both companies will collaborate on advertising sales for the site. Microsoft's decision to part ways with ESPN ends a three-year relationship. "We did see some differences in strategy that we wanted to pursue," MSN product manager Lisa Gurry told CNET News.com. "The delivery of video is a good example." ESPN.com recently launched a video service that does not use Microsoft's Windows Media Player. Microsoft also recently signed another sports-related deal with Major League Baseball, to distribute live audio and video of baseball games.
tags: Deals | Sports | Microsoft | MSN | ESPN | Website | FoxSports.com |

FBI, File-Sharing Networks Team to Combat Child Pornography

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on May 7, 2004 - 2:45am.
Washington -- P2P United, a trade group representing a number of peer-to-peer file-sharing networks, on Thursday submitted a letter to Congress detailing how it is working with the FBI to create a "most wanted" list of suspected child pornography traders on their networks. In Congressional hearings, peer-to-peer networks have been vilified for offering easy access to pornography, and in some cases for trafficking adult content files mislabeled to possibly attract children. "Any time we can work with private industry to help us identify people who are using the Internet for child pornography, we are more than open to having talks with them," Keith Lordeau, a deputy assistant director in the FBI's Cyber Division, told Reuters. The program is expected to launch within two or three months.
tags: FBI | Combat | File-Sharing Networks | Pornography |

TechTV Lays Off 285 in Wake of Comcast Merger

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on May 7, 2004 - 2:44am.
San Francisco -- TechTV, the technology-focused cable TV network acquired by cable TV operator Comcast in March, gave notice to 285 employees in San Francisco on Thursday, saying their jobs were being eliminated as a result of the merger. Comcast plans to merge TechTV, which was launched in 1998 by publisher Ziff Davis Media, with its own G4 video game network. The company said it would hire 80 employees from TechTV's offices to work at G4's Los Angeles facility, and the rest were given two months notice on Thursday, CNET News.com reported.
tags: TechTV | Wake | Comcast Merger |

Vivendi Universal Games Names President, Announces E3 Slate of Games

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on May 7, 2004 - 2:42am.
Los Angeles -- Vivendi Universal Games, the video game publishing unit of the Franco-American media conglomerate, announced that it has named Philip W. O'Neil as president of its North American operations. Previously, O'Neil was the company's executive vice president for sales and marketing. The company also announced on Friday the lineup of 18 new games it will display at next week's Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles. Among them will be "World of Warcraft," the company's first massively multiplayer online roleplaying title; the highly anticipated "Half-Life 2;" "Crash Twinsanity" and "Spyro: A Hero's Tail," the latest installments from two of VU Games' original character franchises; and movie tie-in titles including "Van Helsing," "The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay" and "Fight Club."
tags: Games | Vivendi | President | Universal Games | E3 Slate |

Activision to Unveil 10 Games at Electronic Entertainment Expo

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on May 7, 2004 - 2:41am.
Santa Monica, Calif. -- Video game publisher Activision on Friday announced the 10 new titles it will preview at the Electronic Entertainment Expo next week. The company will highlight its movie-related titles like "Spider-Man 2," "DreamWorks' Shark Tale" and "Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events," as well as id Software's anticipated "DOOM 3." Santa Monica-based Activision will also bring its "Rome: Total War," "The Movies" and "Call of Duty: Finest Hour."
tags: Games | Activision | Electronic Entertainment | Expo |

Sega Announces List of E3 Game Titles

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on May 7, 2004 - 2:40am.
San Francisco -- Independent video game developer Sega announced on Friday the games it will feature at the Electronic Entertainment Expo next week. The company will debut titles including "Astro Boy" and "Otogi 2," and preview sequels for franchises including "Sonic the Hedgehog," "Virtua Fighter" and "Samba de Amigo," which will feature compatibility with Sony's EyeToy USB camera accessory for PlayStation 2. Sega will also showcase updates for its co-branded sports franchises with ESPN, including "ESPN NFL 2005," "ESPN NHL 2005," "ESPN NBA 2005" and "ESPN College Hoops 2005."
tags: Games | E3 | Sega | Titles |

Acclaim Entertainment Announces Games on Display at E3

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on May 7, 2004 - 2:39am.
Glen Cove, N.Y. -- Video game publisher Acclaim Entertainment on Friday announced the slate of titles is plans to preview at next week's Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles. The company will showcase "100 Bullets," based on the DC Comics franchise, as well as "All-Star Baseball 2005," "Combat Elite: World War II Paratroopers," "Juiced," "Showdown: Legends of Wrestling," "The Red Star" and "World Championship Rugby." In addition, New York-based Acclaim said it hired Hollywood casting director Louis DiGiamo to assist in hiring talent for inclusion on two new action video game brands the company will announce at E3.
tags: Games | E3 | Acclaim Entertainment |