Slip resistant gaming gloves
Here's an invention for those of you whose hands get so sweaty that the controller slips:
http://www.gamehandglove.com/html/home.htm
Frankly, I've never had that problem and I don't want you touching my consoles if you sweat that much. In fact, I don't want you in my house.
Sony taking a heavy loss on the PS3?
Looks like Sony may be taking an unusually large loss on the PS3 hardware:
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=9838
There are some problems with this article, though. It seems to assume that Sony gets $399 for each console they sell. Obviously, they don't. Distributors and retailers take a big bite out of that, so Sony's loss would be much larger if the other numbers are correct.
SAG saga continues
More on the SAG contract fight:
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=9770
C64 and Amiga games to be rereleased
Looks like some C64 and Amiga games will be rereleased for the original hardware:
http://spong.com/detail/news.asp?prid=8865
MS to license the XBox to other companies?
CNN reports that Microsoft may begin licensing XBox and/or XBox 360 system software to other companies in much the same way Windows is licensed to computer manufacturers now:
http://www.cnn.com/2005/TECH/fun.games/06/30/microsoft.xbox.ap/index.html
Extremists kill SAG deal
Hardliners on the Screen Actors Guild executive committee voted down the new standard contract for video game work:
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=9707
This sort of thing is why unions continue to fade into history.
New video game auction site online
Looking for deals on used games? Looking to sell off a few games and don't want to pay eBay's constantly rising fees? This looks pretty promising:
http://www.videogameauctions.co.uk/
UMD movies selling like hotcakes?
Movies in UMD format for the PSP have been selling surprisingly well, with Sony indicating that some titles have sold over 100K copies each in the U.S. It's hard to imagine how so many people would pay $20-$30 each for movies in a format that's only viewable on a single handheld.
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=9731
XBox 360 to sell 10 million in a year or so
Microsoft VP Peter Moore stated that Microsoft expects the XBox 360 to sell 10 million units within 12 to 16 months:
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=9659
New Sokoban Sounds From IndieSFX
Cheshire U.K. - 26 June 2005: IndieSFX (www.indiesfx.co.uk) have announced a new collection of sound effects. Sokoban Sounds was created with casual games in mind and includes slides and boulder rolls, jewel clinks, and Aztec wooden levers and trapdoors. Extra Pong sounds and weapon upgrade noises, as well as some new surface footsteps and explosions for items like crates make Sokoban Sounds an essential resource for any independent game developer.
Sokoban Sounds is available on CD-ROM or download for $24 US (£14 GBP), with a 25% discount on all bundles including the entire IndieSFX library. Visit www.indiesfx.co.uk for audio previews and more information.
PS3 marketshare to be 50% or lower
DFC Intelligence projects that the PS3 will grab no more than half of the video game market, at best:
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=9622
They project that the XBox 360 will grab as much as 40%, with the Nintendo Revolution potentially grabbing 35%. That last number seems awfully high, considering Nintendo's declining console fortunes.
GarageGames to support XBox 360
GarageGames has announced support for the XBox 360:
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=9476
Halo movie deal nearing completion
Microsoft is reportedly close to a deal with Universal and Fox on the Halo movie:
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=9469
Activision acquires WSOP license
Activision has licensed the World Series of Poker properties from Harrah's. Activision will have the exclusive right to develop WSOP games for the PC, consoles, and handhelds.
"The World Series of Poker is the world's premiere poker event, drawing thousands of entrants and millions of viewers worldwide," said Mark Meadows, Vice President of Marketing, Activision Value Publishing, Inc. "The World Series of Poker will deliver to consumers the same excitement and authenticity of pulling up a chair at the WSOP table and taking home the championship."
Miyamoto on game length
Miyamoto thinks video games are too long:
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=9318
He's flat wrong, though. Games are short but complicated these days. They need to be long enough to satisfy players. They also need to be simple (and don't confuse a lack of complexity with a lack of depth) and accessible.