The Spootnic’s blog : The online games events - Market

Faster than original PSP

UserAdmin — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 17:27:00 +0100

Sony Computer Entertainment Japan has revealed it has sold over one million units of the PlayStation Portable Slim & Lite.

The Slim & Lite was released in the region on September 20, with a special edition Final Fantasy branded unit going on sale a full week before the official launch.

The redesigned handheld reached the one million mark two weeks quicker that its predecessor. The system now boosts over 500 software titles available in Japan.

New Research Program involved game platforms

UserAdmin — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 12:36:00 +0100

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) today launched Health Games Research, a new national program to support research to enhance the quality and effectiveness of interactive games that are used to improve health. The $8.25 million grant builds on RWJF ongoing work to understand the potential for games to improve health and health care, and to forge connections between the games and health fields. Health Games Research will be located at the University of California, Santa Barbara and directed by Debra Lieberman, Ph.D., communication researcher in the university Institute for Social, Behavioral, and Economic Research.

Research has shown that games can help increase players physical activity levels, reinforce anti-smoking attitudes or improve young cancer patients adherence to their treatment plans. They also provide simulation environments that health care professionals use to hone their skills, and help policy-makers and public health leaders plan for natural disasters and infectious disease outbreaks. Growth in this field has underscored the need for more research to understand how games and game technologies can be designed to benefit people health and health care.

Health Games Research focuses on interactive games that are delivered or supported by digital technology. Game platforms and formats of interest to the program range from traditional video games on game consoles, handheld game players, arcade machines, computers, Web sites and multiplayer online worlds, to new kinds of games delivered, for example, by mobile networked computing, exertion interfaces (dance pads, cameras pointed at players, motion-detecting remote controllers), robots, interactive television, virtual environments, electronic toys, context-sensitive programs (using sensors, physiological and health monitors, global positioning systems), or other emerging technologies that are becoming more affordable and accessible.

New iPod games

UserAdmin — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 16:50:00 +0200

Apple is acting very fast. The first casual games are here. The games on offer are Tetris, Ms. PAC-MAN, and Sudoku. They are all new from the titles that come with new iPod nanos and classics. (iQuiz, Vortex, Klondike).

There is no offer for these games on the iPhone or the iPod touch fro now.

I think that Apple is not really creative on this one. They release new games but no one of them is really exclusive and have a multiplayer device. (iPod Touch ?) They are a kind of expensive because you need to buy them on Itunes i you have already purchased them for an older iPod ($4.99).

The Online Games Alliance

UserAdmin — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 16:07:00 +0200

The China Hi-Tech adventure continue with a new alliance called "The Online Games Alliance Against Piracy" (OGAAP) between Games developpers and the Chinese Government to fight against piracy.

Peter Yip, CEO of CDC Games (remember Yulgang ?) said in a press release :

" Our primary objective is to reduce, and if its possible, eliminate these piracy challenges so our industry can continue its vibrant growth throughout China. This alliance and the recent successful convictions of illegal operators are major steps in achieving our objectives".

The online games pursuit of hapiness is getting faster and some big players are really interesting in wining the game.

Is the world of famous brands getting geek ?

UserAdmin — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 16:23:00 +0200

According to the telegraph in U.K, Aston Martin is the coolest brand. When you look at this new model, its easy to understand.

But what is strange after that is too see how geek brand are getting so popular in their list :

1. Aston Martin 2. iPod 3. YouTube 4. Bang and Olufsen 5. Google 6. Playstation 7. Apple 8. Agent Provocateur 9. Nintendo 10. Virgin Atlantic 11. Ferrari 12. Ducati 13. eBay 14. Rolex 15. Tate Modern 16. Prada 17. Lamborghini 18. Green & Blacks 19. iTunes 20. Amazon

Do you think that today in UK everybody is getting more and more influenced by the Hi-Tech universe of these brands ?

A new partnership in casual games is born

UserAdmin — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 18:05:00 +0200

Take 2 Interative Software is the latest publisher with its new label 2K play to announce a new partnership with Nickelodeon.

Indeed, casual games sounds more interesting than "hardcore games" in terms of return on investment. The first licensing agreement for the new label, 2K play, is based on Dora the Explorer and Go, Diego Go ! and will be released this fall.

There is no need to remind you that Nickelodeon is one of the world leader kids entertainment with kids games, kids TV show, videos and entertainment television.

That's a reminder for your kids. Personnaly, i am curious to see what will be the result for Dora the Explorer on the Nintendo DS. And you ?

Time to play and flush away !

UserAdmin — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 15:52:00 +0200

According to Yahoo news, Sony found a new way to target the gamers : follow them everywhere !

In fact, Sony has build a special stand during the Games Convention in Leipzig : restrooms for gamers.

Do you think that Sony try to reach a new public for its PSP (bad sales results) ?

Like for example the people who dont give a s..t for console games ?

Casual gaming drives the "fun market" of the Web 2.0

UserAdmin — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 17:48:00 +0200

According to a recent study from Park Associates called "Casual Gaming Market Update" : "34% of US internet users play games online on a weekly basis, compared to 29% who visit online video sites and 19% interested in social networking "

"Despite the growing popularity of YouTube, MySpace, and Facebook, gaming remains the king of online entertainment, driven largely by casual gaming activities," commented James Kuai, analyst at Park Associates.

"Gaming also has business advantages. Unlike sites for social networking and video streaming, which rely solely on advertising revenue, casual gaming has more mature and heterogeneous revenue models, including web-based and in-game advertising, try-before-you-buy, subscriptions, and micro-transactions," detailed Kuai. Year-on-year growth rates show that gaming has seen a 79% rise in frequent online players, compared to 46% using social networking sites. But the biggest growth rate is for users of video sharing sites such as YouTube, which leapt by 123%, according to Park Associates. "The casual gaming industry cannot rest on its laurels," said Kuai. "In order to counter the growing competition from other online activities, the industry needs to continue to grow its fan base and find ways to better monetize its existing audience."

I totally agree with Mister Kuai. But I was wondering if the casual gaming industry is ready for that change ?

In comparaison with universe and clouds like Facebook, what about the chance of the actual casual gaming to challenge these ?

For example, the "ajax" abilities of these social network sites are not present in most the actual casual gaming portal. So if you have a clue to see forward and imagine what is the exact solution, tell me !

Social Networks and Virtual Worlds are still seducing big players

UserAdmin — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 12:27:00 +0200

According to the Wall Street journal, the Walt Disney Co.'s purchase of the child-oriented Club Penguin online community aims to give the entertainment giant a lift into the social-networking world with a brand that has become hugely popular in just two years.

Disney said it paid $350 million for closely held Club Penguin, whose founders stand to make another $350 million if they meet performance targets through 2009.

The deal came as Disney reported stronger-than-expected earnings for its fiscal third quarter, bolstered by double-digit growth in operating income in three of its four major divisions. A 23% increase in operating income, to $1.4 billion, in the company's ...

That's a good deal for the Club Penguin, but now, they are a little under pressure, don't you think ...

Online Gaming Web sites Average Nine Visits per Visitor Each Month

UserAdmin — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 12:19:00 +0200

comScore released yesterday the results of a global study into online gaming, showing the number of unique visitors to these sites to have reached almost 217 million worldwide – a year-on-year growth of 17 percent.

The comScore World Metrix study took into account all sites that provide online or downloadable games, excluding gambling sites. The sector attracted 28 percent of the total worldwide online population in May and recorded an average of 9 visits per visitor.

Yahoo! Games was the largest property, attracting 53 million unique visitors. MSN Games followed in second place, and Miniclip in third place, having grown by over 18 percent since May 2006 to reach 30 million unique visitors in May 2007!
Read More...