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ArchivesGame Industry Sues to Overturn Calif. Ban on Violent Game SalesAuthored by Mark Hefflinger on October 18, 2005 - 11:34am.
Washington - The Entertainment Software Association (ESA), a video game industry trade group, announced on Tuesday that it has filed a federal lawsuit in California aimed at overturning the ban on the sale of violent video games to minors recently signed into law by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. "We believe this bill will meet the same fate as virtually identical statutes that federal courts have routinely struck down in recent years," said ESA president Doug Lowenstein. Bans on violent video game sales have been overturned on First Amendment free speech grounds in Washington state, St. Louis County and the city of Indianapolis. "It is not up to any industry or the government to set standards for what kids can see or do; that is the role of parents," added Lowenstein. Also siding with the ESA in filing the lawsuit was the Video Software Dealers Association (VSDA), a trade group of video game retailers and rental firms. The new law fines retail clerks who break the ban $1,000, and forces retail chains in California to more prominently display video game ratings in their stores. The governor responded to the lawsuit in a statement. "I will do everything in my power to preserve this new law and I urge the Attorney General to mount a vigorous defense of California's ability to prevent the sale of these games to children," said Schwarzenegger.
Sen. McCain to Press for Late 2006/Early 2007 Digital TV TransitionAuthored by Mark Hefflinger on October 18, 2005 - 11:26am.
Washington - Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) said on Tuesday that he will pressure fellow lawmakers to speed up the U.S. transition to digital TV broadcasting, lobbying for an analog shut-off date by the end of 2006 or early 2007, Reuters reported. The Commerce Committee, which has proposed an April 2009 timetable, is scheduled to vote on a date for the digital TV transition on Thursday. Lawmakers are eager to free up analog spectrum for emergency communication services, and also to reap billions for the government from the auction of spectrum to wireless companies. "Can we really afford to wait until 2009 before we go ahead and transfer this spectrum?" McCain said at a New America Foundation forum. "I believe the transition can be made by [early 2007]." The main roadblock to the transition is that current law states that 85% of consumers in a given market must have the expensive televisions necessary to receive digital signals before broadcasters can shut off their analog signals.
Apple Seeks 10% Royalty on iPod Electronic AccessoriesAuthored by Mark Hefflinger on October 18, 2005 - 11:24am.
San Francisco - Accessories makers for Apple's iPod are now required to pay Apple royalties for the right to sell their car stereo adapters, portable speakers or other electrical-powered add-ons for the music player, CNET News.com reported on Tuesday. "Yes, the electrical connection has specifications around that and licensing around that, and the way you get that assistance and information and licensing is through the 'Made for iPod' program," Apple senior vice president Phil Schiller told News.com. A source familiar with the "Made for iPod" licensing scheme told News.com that Apple is now seeking a mandatory royalty, on the order of 10% of a device's wholesale price. In return for the sizable cut of their revenues on iPod accessories, Apple told manufacturers it will ensure future iPods continue to support their products through a universal docking connection.
Report: MP3 Players to Lead 9% Rise in Holiday Consumer Electronics SalesAuthored by Mark Hefflinger on October 18, 2005 - 11:22am.
Arlington, Va. - The consumer electronics industry expects to see a 9% increase in sales revenue during the upcoming holiday season, with MP3 players topping both the gift-giving and gift wish lists of the 1,000 adults surveyed by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) trade group. "Despite concern about the overall economy, consumers intend to purchase, as well as hope to receive, a plethora of consumer electronics gifts this holiday season," said CEA director of industry analysis Sean Wargo. "More, our survey indicates that retailers and consumers alike will be humming a happy tune entering the New Year, as results show the MP3 player is going to be one of the hottest sellers." Consumer interest in buying a portable MP3 player has increased from 20% in 2004 to 28% this year; revenues from sales of MP3 players are already up 105% so far this year.
Nintendo, Wayport Team on Free Wi-Fi for DS Users at McDonald'sAuthored by Mark Hefflinger on October 18, 2005 - 11:20am.
Redmond, Wash. - Nintendo of America announced on Tuesday that it will bring free Wi-Fi wireless broadband Internet access to Nintendo DS users at some 6,000 U.S. McDonald's restaurants, though an agreement with Wi-Fi provider Wayport. The Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service, which allows DS owners to log on for multiplayer gameplay, is slated to launch on Nov. 14. "Beginning with free access at participating McDonald's, we have removed one of the major barriers that have kept people from going online to play games," said Reggie Fils-Aime, executive vice president of sales and marketing for Nintendo of America. In addition to the DS, the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service will also be compatible with Nintendo's forthcoming next-generation video game console, codenamed "Revolution," which is scheduled for release in 2006.
China's Linktone Acquires Majority Stake in Digital Music Retailer 9SkyAuthored by Mark Hefflinger on October 18, 2005 - 11:18am.
Shanghai - Linktone, a distributor of wireless entertainment services in China, announced on Tuesday that it has made an undisclosed investment and acquired a majority stake in 9Sky International, a Chinese digital music retailer. Under the terms of the transaction, Linktone has the option to acquire 9Sky outright over the next two years. 9Sky has licensing agreements with Sony BMG and EMI, among other labels, to sell full-track music downloads. "Given recent crackdowns on pirated websites and search engines facilitating access to those websites and trends among consumers who are increasingly willing to pay for licensed services, we believe that the market for the licensing and the sale of music download services is at its early stages of growth and it is the right time for Linktone to enter this promising market," said Linktone CEO Raymond Yang. Linktone said it plans to leverage 9Sky's brand strength in the music download market with its own wireless presence, and integrate 9Sky's services with its own wireless music offerings.
O2 Germany Launches Mobile Music Store With Nokia, LoudeyeAuthored by Mark Hefflinger on October 18, 2005 - 11:16am.
Seattle - Loudeye, a provider of branded digital music stores and other digital media services, announced on Tuesday that it has partnered with Nokia and wireless carrier O2 Germany, to launch a mobile music download store for O2 Germany subscribers. The store also allows users to shop online and download tracks to a PC, in addition to via cell phone. O2 Germany claims more than 8 million subscribers in Germany.
Sony Pictures Signs Kayak Interactive for Mobile GamesAuthored by Mark Hefflinger on October 18, 2005 - 11:14am.
Culver City, Calif. - Sony Pictures Digital said on Tuesday that it has signed a multi-year agreement with mobile entertainment publisher Kayak Interactive, which will develop and publish mobile games based on Sony Pictures properties. San Mateo, Calif.-based Kayak's first two games under the deal will be based on director Ron Howard's upcoming screen adaptation of "The Da Vinci Code."
CBS SportsLine.com Signs TWI to Produce Sports Video ContentAuthored by Mark Hefflinger on October 18, 2005 - 11:13am.
New York - CBS SportsLine.com announced on Tuesday that it has partnered with TWI, an independent distributor and producer of televised sporting events, to add exclusive news and features to the CBS online sports site. TWI, which governs the TV rights for Wimbledon, the Olympics, the ATP and WTA, will shoot and edit video on-site, and transmit digital files to SportsLine.com within hours. The first TWI clips to air on SportsLine.com include interviews with team members of the New Orleans Saints on the effects of Hurricane Katrina.
Cablevision to Provide Local Election Coverage on VODAuthored by Mark Hefflinger on October 18, 2005 - 11:11am.
Bethpage, N.Y. - Cable TV provider Cablevision announced on Tuesday that it will offer local election coverage for free on its video-on-demand services in Long Island, Westchester, Connecticut and New Jersey. Cablevision's 1.7 million iO digital cable subscribers will have on-demand access to candidates' debates and other election content through coverage produced by News 12.
XM Satellite Radio to Launch Fox News Talk ChannelAuthored by Mark Hefflinger on October 18, 2005 - 11:10am.
Washington - XM Satellite Radio said on Tuesday that it will begin broadcasting a Fox News Talk Channel in January 2006. The channel will offer programs from Fox News personalities including Bill O'Reilly, Tony Snow, John Gibson and Alan Colmes.
Fuse, Marketgraph to Produce SMS Interactive TV ProgramsAuthored by Mark Hefflinger on October 18, 2005 - 11:08am.
New York - Fuse, the music television cable channel owned by Cablevision, announced on Tuesday the premiere of three new TV series that will utilize text message interactive TV features, powered by technology from Netherlands-based Marketgraph. "Perfect Pair," "Heavy Texting" and "Dumped" are music video shows that encourage users to text information about themselves and their partners to Fuse, in turn receiving personalized return messages and also the chance to see their text messages scroll along the bottom of the screen during the broadcasts.
RealNetworks Expands RealArcade European DistributionAuthored by Mark Hefflinger on October 18, 2005 - 11:06am.
Seattle - RealNetworks, a provider of media delivery technology and content subscription services, announced on Tuesday that it has expanded European distribution of its RealArcade online game subscription service. The company said the 320 downloadable and over 100 Web-based game titles will now be available in Belgium through Belgacom Skynet's Arena 51 gaming portal, in France through RTL.fr, and in the Netherlands via Dutch media company ilse.NL.
Game Publisher Majesco Gets Increased Credit LineAuthored by Mark Hefflinger on October 18, 2005 - 11:02am.
Edison, N.J. - Majesco Entertainment, a New Jersey-based publisher and developer of video games, announced on Tuesday that its credit grantors have increased the company's available credit line to $16 million, from $7.5 million. Majesco also said it reactivated a $10 million letter of credit, for purchase order financing.
IDG to Supply Video Game Content on Ask JeevesAuthored by Mark Hefflinger on October 18, 2005 - 10:59am.
Oakland, Calif. - IDG Entertainment, a provider of interactive entertainment-related news and information, announced on Tuesday that it has signed an agreement to provide product descriptions, images, and links to video game cheats, FAQs and pricing information to search provider Ask Jeeves. The IDG content will appear at the top of relevant Ask Jeeves search results pages.
Activision Ships "Tony Hawk's American Wasteland," "Greg Hastings' Paintball"Authored by Mark Hefflinger on October 18, 2005 - 10:56am.
Santa Monica, Calif. - Video game publisher Activision on Tuesday shipped its "Tony Hawk's American Wasteland" title for PlayStation 2, Xbox and GameCube to retailers. The company said the title includes in-game branding for Sirius Satellite Radio, as the pro skateboarder recently debuted his own radio show on Sirius. Separately, Santa Monica, Calif.-based Activision released its "Greg Hastings' Tournament Paintball Max'd" title for the Xbox.
Atari Releases "Dragon Ball Z Budokai: Tenkaichi" for PS2Authored by Mark Hefflinger on October 18, 2005 - 10:54am.
New York - Atari on Tuesday announced the release of its "Dragon Ball Z Budokai: Tenkaichi" title for PlayStation 2 to retailers. Developed by Spike, the game is the latest installment in Atari's 8 million unit-selling Dragon Ball Z franchise; the children's anime TV series airs in the U.S. on Cartoon Network.
id Software Ships "Quake 4" for PCAuthored by Mark Hefflinger on October 18, 2005 - 10:51am.
Santa Monica, Calif. - Video game developer id Software announced on Tuesday that its "Quake 4" PC game has shipped to retailers. The title was developed by Raven Software and executive produced by id Software, while Activision will publish the game worldwide. Based on id Software's Doom 3 game technology, the game features both single player and multiplayer modes.
Buena Vista Games Begins Selling "Chicken Little" Video GameAuthored by Mark Hefflinger on October 18, 2005 - 10:46am.
Burbank, Calif. - Disney's Buena Vista Games on Tuesday announced the release of its "Chicken Little" title for PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube, Game Boy Advance and the PC. Developed by Salt Lake City-based Avalanche Software, and based on the Walt Disney Pictures animated film, the game's retail packaging will also include a $7.25 voucher for a free child's or adult matinee ticket to see the movie.
Take-Two Interactive Ships "World Poker Tour," "Shattered Union"Authored by Mark Hefflinger on October 18, 2005 - 10:44am.
New York - 2K Sports, a unit of Take-Two Interactive, on Tuesday shipped its "World Poker Tour" title for PlayStation 2, Xbox and Nintendo Game Boy Advance to retailers. The game features World Poker Tour TV announcers Mike Sexton and Vince Van Patten, in addition to pro players including Antonio "the Magician" Esfandiari and Phil "Unabomber" Laak. Separately, Take-Two's 2K Games unit said it shipped "Shattered Union" for Xbox and the PC. Developed by Take-Two's Pop Top Software studio, the game features both online and off-line multiplayer support on both platforms.
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