| GameStop holiday sales sink Jan 8th 2013, 15:19 Decline in store traffic results in sales for nine-week period dropping 4.6 percent to $2.88 billion; preowned category dives 15.6 percent; digital receipts jump 40 percent. GameStop did not have a happy holiday. The specialty retailer today announced sales results for the nine-week holiday period ended December 29, revealing global sales were down 4.6 percent year-over-year to $2.88 billion. Last year, GameStop took in $3.02 billion during the period. Total comparable store sales dropped 4.4 percent, with United States shops falling 3.5 percent and international outfits taking a heavier 6.4 percent hit year-on-year. Based on these holiday sales results, GameStop downgraded its comparable store sales range for the fourth quarter to -7.0 percent to -4.0 percent and the full year to -9.0 percent to -7.5 percent. “GameStop experienced mixed results during the holiday selling period. Our successful Wii U launch, strong digital growth and continued momentum in the mobile space were countered by a decline in store traffic,“ GameStop CEO Paul Raines said in a statement. “As a result, GameStop expects its fourth quarter 2012 earnings per share results to be at the low end of its current guidance range. Our strong market share positions us well for the future, and we look forward to new product launches in 2013.“ New hardware sales for the holiday period dropped 2.7 percent, which included 320,000 Wii U units sold worldwide. New game software also took a hit, falling 5.1 percent due to major games not be able to offset a decline in overall store traffic. GameStop's preowned category--one of its pillar businesses--dove the furthest during the period, tanking 15.6 percent. The company attributed this downturn to limited inventory due to fewer new titles released in 2012 as well as less promotional activity compared to last year. It wasn't all bad news for GameStop during the holiday period. Digital receipts jumped more than 40 percent and mobile business sales hit $76.5 million and have exceeded $160 million year-to-date. Further, GameStop's global e-commerce sales rose 20.5 percent. Investors reacted to the news negatively, as GameStop shares traded down sharply today. As of press time, the company's stock was going for $23.14, down nearly 7 percent. Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot
|  | Apple rejects iOS game about war in Syria Jan 8th 2013, 14:42 Mobile game from Auroch Digital denied distribution through App Store; remains available for Android and Web. 
Apple has rejected an iOS game aimed at raising awareness about the war in Syria, according to a statement provided to Polygon. Developer Auroch Digital explained that its Endgame: Syria was rejected because it violated a guideline that prohibits games that "solely target a specific race, culture, a real government or corporation, or any other real entity." Endgame: Syria remains available on Android devices and through its official website. An Apple representative was not immediately available to comment. "This decision is a shame really as it makes it hard to talk about the real world," developer Tomas Rawlings said in a statement. "Our aim is to use games as a format to bring news to a new audience and submission processes such as this do make it a lot harder for us. I get that Apple want to make sure really offensive titles don't pass into their store, but ours is far from that." Rawlings further explained that the development team will make changes to the game and re-submit it to Apple. This is not without cost, though, as he claimed doing so means some of the game's context and meaning will be lost. Developed in two weeks, Endgame: Syria has gamers exploring options available to the Syrian rebels. Each choice a user makes has consequences, and players can replay events to see how different choices would affect the final outcome. Rawlings and his development squad have been creating games based on current events at GameTheNews.Net since October 2012. The team has produced titles based on such events like child labor in Uzbekistan, rhinoceros poaching in Africa, and the United States' presidential debates. Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot
| | Child's Play raises $5 million in 2012 Jan 8th 2013, 14:01 Game industry charity dedicated to improving lives of sick children nets record-breaking year. 
Organizers of the game industry charity Child's Play recently announced that more than $5 million was raised in 2012, marking its biggest year yet. Last year's then-record-breaking tally came in at $3.5 million. The total 2012 Child's Play haul was $5,085,761. A Child's Play representative thanked event organizers, volunteers, and participants for their work to achieve the mark. In addition, the group called out the Humble Bundle team and made specific mention of various game marathons that benefited Child's Play, including the Mario Marathon, Zeldathon, Assassins4Kids, and more. "We are overwhelmed, honored, grateful, and incredibly proud to be a part of such an amazing community of generous gamers," reads a line from the statement. "Thank you for a record-breaking 2012!" Founded in 2003 by Penny Arcade's Mike Krahulik and Jerry Holkins, Child's Play works to improve the lives of sick children through offering toys and games at a network of over 70 hospitals worldwide. For more on Child's Play, see the organization's official website. Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot
| | Shadow of the Colossus movie gets Hanna writer Jan 8th 2013, 13:30 Seth Lochhead tapped to work on big-screen adaptation of popular PlayStation 2 adventure game. 
Sony Pictures has tapped Hanna co-writer Seth Lochhead to provide a screenplay for the upcoming film based on Shadow of the Colossus, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Josh Trank (Chronicle) will direct the Shadow of the Colossus film, with Kevin Misher (The Scorpion King, Public Enemies) on board to produce. No actors for the film have been announced thus far, nor has a release window for the project. Praised by reviewers on its release in 2005, the PlayStation 2-exclusive Shadow of the Colossus sold more than 900,000 copies in the US. The game follows a young warrior who has brought his fallen love to a faraway temple in the hopes of restoring her to health. According to a mysterious presence that dwells within the temple's walls, the only way to save this girl is to hunt down and destroy the 16 massive beasts that roam the surrounding lands. Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot
| | Pokemon X and Y announced for 3DS in October 2013 Jan 8th 2013, 12:14 First full-3D game in the mainline Pokemon series coming to 3DS later this year. 
Nintendo has announced Pokemon X and Y for the Nintendo 3DS, the sixth generation of the long-running RPG series. For the first time in the series, Nintendo will release the games simultaneously across Japan, America, and Europe in October 2013. Nintendo CEO Satoru Iwata announced the game during a Nintendo Direct presentation, showing off the game's fully 3D world and a new camera. Many of the traditional Pokemon elements were shown, such as a Pikachu hidden in some tall grass. The game will feature a mix of Pokemon old and new, and Nintendo unveiled its trio of new starting Pokemon--watery toad Froakie, firey deer Fennekin, and grass monster Chespin. An announcement trailer was also made available. Pokemon X and Y will be the first mainline Pokemon games made for the 3DS, although a series of spin-offs are already available on the device. Last year, GameSpot's review of Pokemon Black 2 for the DS criticised the lack of advancement in the series, and awarded the game a 6.5. “The stunning visuals, a completely redesigned environment, game scenario, music, and communication features will bring smiles to the faces of video game players around the world,“ said GAME FREAK director Junichi Masuda in a press release. Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot
| | Valve backs PC maker Xi3, announces Steam Box mini-PC Jan 8th 2013, 10:40 Specifics on tiny PC are kept quiet, but Valve invests an undisclosed amount into PC manufacturer. 
PC manufacturer Xi3 has announced a modular, grapefruit-sized computer designed around Steam's TV-focused Big Picture mode, and Valve itself has announced an undisclosed amount of investment in the company. While the oft-rumoured Steam Box was not shown directly, the Utah-based Xi3 showed off a prototype model of its tiny modular chassis, dubbed Piston, at CES Las Vegas. However, the company remained tight-lipped when it came to specs, price, and dates. Speaking to Polygon, Xi3 chief marketing officer David Politis mentioned that the diminutive device would be modular, with the option to upgrade components like the CPU and RAM. The device also allows for up to a terabyte of storage. While the exact differences between the Steam device and Xi3's current X7A and X5A prototypes have yet to be detailed, the demonstration unit of the Piston showed four USB 2.0, USB 3.0 and eSATA ports, an ethernet port, 3.5mm audio and S/PDIF, two Mini DisplayPorts, and an HDMI/DisplayPort. Xi3 also confirmed that the upcoming box is based on its bigger and more powerful prototype, the X7A, which will retail for $999. The entry-level device, the X5A, retails for $499 and runs on Linux--the open-source OS Valve engineer Ben Krasnow recently said the Steam box would utilise. “This new development stage product will allow users to take full-advantage of their large high-definition TV displays for an amazing computer game experience," said Xi3 CEO Jason A. Sullivan. "As a result, this new system could provide access to thousands of gaming titles through an integrated system that exceeds the capabilities of leading game consoles, but can fit in the palm of your hand.“ Valve's Jeri Ellsworth has previously said she would like to launch an external beta test of proprietary Valve hardware sometime in 2013. Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot
| |
Niciun comentariu:
Trimiteți un comentariu