News Archive: Business
In this section you can look back on older stories that have appeared either recently as listed in order of most recent below, or using the calendar to navigate and look at certain dates.
Additionally you can use the keywords below to browse news via topic.
30th May, 2008
Dutch Game Garden to go live June 19
Government-backed group to provide business and educational advice to developers and students
29th May, 2008
Gamecock announces European distribution deal
Grants cdv Software Entertainment AG rights to license, market and distribute Gamecock's titles in Europe
Playlogic and Virgin Play announce joint venture
Playlogic Entertainment and Virgin Play have formed PlayV - a sales, marketing and distribution business
Consumers don't want single-player games, says Harrison
Infogrames' president claims "I don't think the industry is going to make many more."
Wii's Nintendo Channel set to launch
Service debuts in Europe and Australia tomorrow, offering videos, downloadable demos and user recommendations
Football Manager to get in-game ads
SEGA, Sports Interactive and IGA sign deal for forthcoming titles
360 consoles outselling PS3 since GTA IV launch
Despite 360 hardware sales boost, Sony's console is still ahead this year according to Chart-Track
Activision-Vivendi merger motivated by WoW, says Kotick
CEO Bobby Kotick says the deal was motivated by a desire to aquire Blizzard and buy into the MMO market.
28th May, 2008
Asylum Entertainment purchases Q Wii engine
The London-based studio is the first to make use of the engine, intending to use it on two upcoming titles
Sega extends Unreal Engine 3 license
The new deal will see the engine used on an unannounced, cross platform title
27th May, 2008
1m Japanese PS3 owners sign up to PSN
Sony to give away 1000 PSN vouchers for use in the Store, each worth JPY 1000, in celebration
Data Design Interactive opens new US office
Based in Florida, the company will operate as a separate US registered business
Disney adopts Pokemon-style expansion plan
Thierry Braille, managing director of Europe, has detailed plans to use content developed for games in other media
23rd May, 2008
Capcom reveals new Hollwood deals
Publisher wants to do for videogame movies what Marvel did for comic book movies
Interactive Nordic recruitment agency launched
The new initiative is the first dedicated games industry recruitment agency in the area
PSP takes top spots in Japan
Sony's portable device continues to outsell its platform rivals while Capcom's Monster Hunter Portable is the top selling game
22nd May, 2008
Castlevania, Tekken movie producer nets $200m financing
Cash to be used for Konami adaptation and movie based on Pac-Man
21st May, 2008
Voice of GTA IV's Niko Bellic wants more respect
The voice actor who portrayed Niko Bellic is unhappy with the wage disparity between traditional and electronic media
20th May, 2008
THQ's family games legacy "second to none," says DreamWorks
DreamWorks Animation's new partnership with THQ is a great opportunity, but company values its relationship with Activision
Wired publisher acquires Ars Technica
Conde Naste plans to merge tech news site with print publication
Vivox adds VP of consumer strategy
Online game and virtual world voice service provider Vivox has added Matthew Bellows as VP of consumer strategy
WiiWare launched in Europe
Six games avaliable to download from the Wii Shop Channel for European launch
Square Enix reveals plans to invest in rivals
Wada plans to take stakes in other businesses to combat increased competition
19th May, 2008
Take-Two digs heels in over EA acquisition
Following extension to offer, Zelnick and Feder continue to dismiss deal as undervaluing the publisher
EA extends Take-Two offer until June 16
Price remains at USD 25.74 per share for publisher of Grand Theft Auto
EA to extend Take-Two offer again?
Report suggests Electronic Arts will continue to pursue acquisition target
15th May, 2008
CBS purchases CNet for $1.8 billion
CBS Corporation has agreed to purchase CNet for $1.8 billion - a 45 per cent premium on its most recent share price
SEGA signs deal with Platinum Games
A multi-game publishing agreement has been reached with ex-Capcom developers
MS games not suitable for handheld, says Kim
Microsoft Game Studios' corporate VP Shane Kim says he is "very happy" it hasn't made a handheld games console
Court orders Nintendo to pay $21m
Company found guilty of patent infringement while designing a range of controllers
12th May, 2008
GamesIndustry.biz launches Network
GamesIndustry.biz has launched a networking tool allowing industry professionals to connect with each other
EA to acquire Rupture for $30 million?
Report suggests publisher swoops for Napster founder's MMO site
Zune sells 2 million units
The MP3 player has sold two million units to date, revealing a flat sales growth
9th May, 2008
Codemasters secures Formula 1 licence
Multiformat titles promised from DIRT and GRID publisher, first game in 2009
THQ's Marvel deal will fill gap left by Pixar - analyst
Will likely lead to more deals, says Pachter, but Marvel will continue with multiple partners
Real's casual games business to go independent
Gaming division to separate from RealNetworks with shares of the new company being apportioned to previous shareholders
8th May, 2008
Netherlands' gaming industry hits EUR 1 billion
NLGD expects the figure to continue to rise to EUR 1.2 billion this year
THQ signs new deal with Marvel
The publisher has obtained the exclusive rights to the Marvel Super Hero Squad brand
7th May, 2008
Specialmove appoints programming specialist
The UK-based games industry consultancy firm has hired a recruitment specialist for programming
THQ to cut 200 jobs
CEO Colin Slade says cost cutting and restructuring are needed to recover from recently reported losses
Hirai apologises for PS3s "difficult" first year
Humble president acknowledges disappointment of Home delay, but says 2008 will deliver key titles
4th May, 2008
Microsoft ends Yahoo takeover attempt
Microsoft has ended its bid to acquire Yahoo after an increased offer worth $47.5 billion was rejected
2nd May, 2008
GTA IV success vindicates EA share snub - Zelnick
But EA says USD 2 billion offer takes into account stock fluctuations
1st May, 2008
Gamer TV ends production
Videogame TV producer will shut down following a decision by brand owner IMG
GAME chairman sells £2.28m worth of shares
Peter Lewis sells 850,000 ordinary shares following retailers record profits
Kongregate receives $3m in investment
The games site hopes to grow and capitalise on the attention span of its audience

