E-Commerce News: Gaming

Sony Posts Q4 Profit, Eyes Weaker Year Ahead

Wednesday - May 14, 2008

Sony punctuated its recovery by swinging to a profit for the January-March quarter from a loss a year ago on its way to a record performance for the fiscal year as it reduced losses from its PlayStation 3 video game business. Strong sales of flat panel TVs and digital cameras also helped nearly triple annual profit compared with the previous financial year, the company said Wednesday. However, Sony joined Japanese automakers Toyota Motor and Honda Motor in forecasting lower profit for the fiscal year through March 2009, citing the strong yen's erosion on overseas earnings. [More...]

Dell to Downplay XPS to Give Alienware Breathing Room

Tuesday - May 13, 2008

Dell has reportedly decided to scrub several models in its high-end line of XPS PCs. The computer maker is turning away from the XPS machines to limit competition with its Alienware systems, according to a Tuesday report. Dell acquired Alienware back in March 2006 but allowed the gaming PC maker to continue to operate independently and sell its brand of high-end computers. [More...]

Immersive Underworld Makes 'GTA IV' a Great, Gritty Ride

Tuesday - May 13, 2008

With the long-anticipated arrival of the next installment in the "Grand Theft Auto" series, Liberty City does little to disappoint. Car chases, assassinations and shady drug dealers still litter the landscape of Liberty City, yet this game adds an in-depth view from the perspective of the main character. The player's own choices and actions are more evident in "Grand Theft Auto IV" than in previous titles. [More...]

Gaming's Play for Social Networks

Monday - May 12, 2008

Long before social networking sites such as MySpace and Facebook set up shop online, there was a social element to playing video games. Gamers have always congregated together, extolling or deriding the merits of one game over another, participating in tournaments and broadcasting their gaming exploits and accomplishments. [More...]

'GTA' Sells, Yahoo Doesn't

Friday - May 9, 2008

Gas prices are setting record highs, homeowners are facing foreclosure, the dollar's slipping further down a black hole, and the credit industry is collapsing. These are frustrating times -- and perhaps that's partly why "Grand Theft Auto IV" just set some new records for video game sales. [More...]

'Grand Theft Auto' Gets Away With Half a Billion Dollars

Wednesday - May 7, 2008

Take-Two Interactive Software is reporting record-setting sales of $500 million for "Grand Theft Auto IV," with more than 6 million units sold in just one week. "We knew 'Grand Theft Auto IV' would break new ground in terms of the player's experience. ... Now, it has broken sales and rating records as well," said Strauss Zelnick, Take-Two's chairman. [More...]

'Mario Kart Wii' a Disappointing Ride

Monday - May 5, 2008

I may finally be feeling some Wii fatigue. The Wii, Nintendo's super-popular and notably innovative game console, is far from perfect -- but it's also easily forgiven when the flaws are weighed against the extraordinary fun it offers. That has been my attitude until now, anyway. It's the recent release of "Mario Kart Wii" that is giving me pause. [More...]

'Rock Band' Helps Drum Up 33 Percent Profit Growth for Viacom

Friday - May 2, 2008

Entertainment conglomerate Viacom, riding a wave of success from a video game launch and a strong showing by its television enterprises, reported a 33 percent increase in first-quarter profit Friday. Viacom, which owns the Nickelodeon, MTV and BET networks as well as moviemaker Paramount, reported earnings of $270 million, or 42 cents per share, from January through March. [More...]

'GTA IV' Draws Criticism for Simulated Drunk Driving

Thursday - May 1, 2008

Mothers Against Drunk Driving wants a stricter rating on "Grand Theft Auto IV." The organization is calling on the Entertainment Software Ratings Board, the independent organization that assigns video game ratings, to reclassify "GTA IV" as an Adults Only game. The action-driving game, which includes the ability to drive while intoxicated, is currently rated Mature. [More...]

'GTA IV' Takes Gamers on Wild and Crazy Spree

Tuesday - April 29, 2008

"Grand Theft Auto IV," the latest version of the controversial and outrageously popular series from game developer Rockstar, hit the street at midnight Tuesday. For an industry that has already set sales records in 2008, the release of the long-delayed but highly anticipated game will likely give Microsoft, Sony and Rockstar parent Take-Two even more sales fuel through the Spring. [More...]

'GTA IV' Primed for Burnout Sales Despite Mum Marketing Campaign

Monday - April 28, 2008

There's no Burger King tie-in or special flavor of Mountain Dew. No commercial directed by Peter Jackson, or even an action figure. The run-up to "Grand Theft Auto IV" has been considerably less ballyhooed than last year's over-the-top "Halo 3" debut. Yet when "GTA IV" parks on store shelves on April 29, the latest entry in the controversial video game franchise could be the most lucrative launch in entertainment history. [More...]

See More Articles in Gaming Section >>

Shortcuts