Category Archives: Trade

Tim Sweeney believes the industry is growing to embrace platform-agnostic development, and predicted a future where gamers can run any game in a browser.

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Analysts at PiperJaffray expect the upcoming April NPD report to continue a trend of year-on-year declines, with a 25% drop in game sales at $375 million.

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EA will release its Q4 earnings report for the period ending March 31 on Monday, May 7, and analysts are expecting the firm to report revenue of $960 – $980 million. Stock in the company closed at $15.87 a share, valuing the company at $5.26 billion. For the coming fiscal year, analysts expect the firm to revenue of $4.55 -$4.6 billion. Thanks, VentureBeat.

Former EA and Xbox executive John Schappert has said the troubled state of the games industry isn’t wholly the economy’s fault, but the larger game companies failing to adapt to changes in the market.

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Free Radical co-founder Steve Ellis feels there’s no room in the shooter market for anything but Battlefield and Call of Duty.

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In its efforts to build the new Toronto studio into an 800-strong team, Ubisoft is putting aside $505 million.

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Mark Kern, the former World of Warcraft designer now heading up Firefall developer Red 5, is ready to suit up and attend a funeral for consoles.

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Five executives are leaving GAME as part of the firm’s restructuring process, with the vacancies are to occur over the next five weeks.

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The Australian Government’s Convergence Review, commissioned to examine the shifting face of media, has concluded that the growing economic important of the industry means “games and other interactive genres make a significant contribution to cultural identity and innovation”. The report suggests between $2 million and $5 million should be awarded to Screen Australia to fund additional game projects. The full report in PDF form can be downloaded here.

Thanks, MCV Pacific.

Former Bizzare Creations design manager Gareth Wilson believes the simulation racing genre needs a boost from new hardware to become relevant again.

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Three former Bioshock developers have united to form a new studio called The Fullbright Company with the goal to “make a great game”.

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Australian Minister for Communications Stephen Conroy has kicked off a parliamentary inquiry into international pricing discrepancies on downloaded content, software, and technology.

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The long-silent Rebel Entertainment has tipped its hand at last, revealing plans for an upcoming Facebook MMO.

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As part of THQ’s restructuring process, SVP of European publishing Rory Donnelly has exited the firm. Donnelly joined the firm in 1999 and previously served as MD for France. His position will not be refilled as THQ has done away with it all together. THQ will report its Q4 results on May 15, so we expect to hear more about the restructuring at that time. Thanks, MCV.

EA shares are up after a South Korean newspaper rumored this morning Nexon has made a bid for EA. Shares spiked $1.22, or 8.1%, to $16.23 after a 52-week low. Nexon, which has offices in Japan, are the makers of free-to-play MMOs such as MapleStory and Combat arms. The firm’s market cap sits around $8.1 billion compared with EA’s $5.2 billion. If anything comes of this rumor the likely result would be Nexon purchasing a minor interest in the firm, as it would cost too much takeover EA, which is currently sitting on oodles of cash. Representatives for both firms have told MarketWatch it is neither’s policy to comment on rumors or speculation. Analyst Michael Pachter feels the rumor is rather silly, and outlines the reasons it will never happen through here.

Army of Two and Skate It developer EA Montreal will let some staff go as part of “routine changes”.

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Most digital retailers aren’t worth a publisher’s time, Gamefly co-founder Sean Spector has claimed.

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An HD remake of classic adventure Leisure Suit Larry in the Land of the Lounge Lizards has secured $500,000 in crowd funding.

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The European Commission will continue to offer a 20% tax rebate to French developers who can demonstrate their games have cultural significance

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THQ has sold its budget and casual PC firm ValuSoft to Cosmi for an undisclosed sum. The sale is part of the firm’s strategy to streamline focus on stronger franchises such as Darksiders and Saints Row. The Minnesota firm was purchased by THQ 10 years ago, and the publisher/distributor specializes in casual games sold through box retailers. Cosmi is also a budget-priced firm, and based out of California. Thanks, Gamasutra.