+ Casual Games Market
+ Chinese Consumer and Trendspotting Studies
+ Games Market in Asia/China
+ Google and Baidu
+ Web 2.0 in China/Xiaonei
internet
Activision Blizzard Announces Better-Than-Expected Results, Raises Outlook
Fri, May 8, 2009 Games | internet
Activision Blizzard, Inc. (NASDAQ: ATVI) announced better-than-expected financial results for the first quarter 2009.
NetDragon Launches Expansion Pack for Eudemons Online
Fri, May 8, 2009 Games | internetNetDragon announced the release of a new English language expansion pack, "The Divine Path", for its fantasy online game, Eudemons Online, on May 8, 2009. The English version follows the l
Nexon America Celebrates Fourth Anniversary of MapleStory in the US
Thu, May 7, 2009 Games | internetNexon America celebrates the fourth anniversary of free-to-play game, MapleStory. Launched on May 11, 2005, the game claims to have six million users in North America. The foundation of all Nexon America titles is the item selling business model, in which users access the full game for free and can later opt to pay for game enhancements.
Perfect World to Launch Closed Beta Testing for Title in the US
Thu, May 7, 2009 Games | internetPerfect World (Nasdaq: PWRD) will launch closed beta testing for "Zhu Xian" in North America on May 26, 2009. The game will be released as "Jade Dynasty" through its wholly owned U.S.
Warner Bros. Launches Socialthing Platform
Tue, May 5, 2009 internetWarner Bros. Television Group (WBTVG) will launch Socialthing, a new online platform for socializing websites across WBTVG’s digital destination businesses, such as CWTV.com, TheWB.com, KidsWB.com, DCHeroZone.com, Essence.com and Momlogic.com
Perfect World Plans 2D MMORPG
Tue, May 5, 2009 Games | internetPerfect World (Nasdaq: PWRD) plans to release a brand new 2D turn-based cartoon MMORPG "Fantasy Zhu Xian" in 2009. "Fantasy Zhu Xian" is Perfect World's first 2D turn-based cartoon MMORPG, based on a popular internet fantasy novel "Zhu Xian." The game will also be the first online game to adopt Perfect World's engine EPARCH, which targets the market for 2D online games.
EA Renames Redwood City Studio
Tue, May 5, 2009 Games | internetElectronic Arts' Redwood Shores Studio has been renamed and rebranded Visceral Games to better reflect the studio’s focus on creating action-oriented intellectual properties. The studio is currently working on Dante’s Inferno and Dead Space: Extraction, and two other unannounced titles.
Visceral Games is part of the EA Games Label and is led by Vice President and General Manager Glen Schofield. The studio falls under the auspices of Senior Vice President Nick Earl who manages all Games Label studios in California including Maxis, EALA and Pandemic.
Changyou Grows Revenues 6% Quarter-over-Quarter
Mon, May 4, 2009 Games | internetChangyou.com (Nasdaq: CYOU), a game developer and operator in China, said total revenues for the first quarter of 2009 increased 6% quarter-over- quarter and 50% year-over-year to US$61.6 million. The increases were mainly due to an increase in TLBB (Changyou's flagship MMORPG) revenues as a result of user base expansion and increased revenues from Blade Online. Net income increased 15% quarter-over-quarter and 120% year-over-year to US$33.5 million.
Average Salary in the US Games Industry Reaches $79,000
Fri, May 1, 2009 Games | internet
Editors at Game Developer magazine have released the results of its eighth annual Game Developer Salary Survey, calculating an average American game industry salary in 2008 of $79,000, a 7% increase from 2007's figure of nearly $74,000.
Online Games Company Zynga Adds 2 Executives
Thu, Apr 30, 2009 Games | internetZynga, a developer of social games, added two individuals to its executive team. Steven Lurie has been named general manager of Zynga’s Mobile Group and Roy Sehgal has been named general manager of a recently created game studio that has yet to be officially named. Lurie will spearhead Zynga’s mobile division and will oversee development of all iPhone applications and be responsible for new digital revenue opportunities. Sehgal will be responsible for building out a studio within Zynga.
