Game industry business news

I hope we don’t lose sight of one thing – it was all started by a mouse.” Judging by this famous nod to humility, Mr. Walt Disney would be reassured to walk into the Hammersmith dwelling of his company’s UK interactive entertainment arm. For not only does Walt’s diminutive big-eared …

US retail giant Gamestop has announced a 586 per cent year-on-year increase in net earnings for its second quarter – as sales soared by 38.9 per cent in the period. For the quarter ended August 4th, the Texas-based retailer posted net income of $21.8 million, or 13 cents a share, …

Electronic Arts is preparing to offer its PC consumers the chance to download games from its own digital store. The publisher has launched a viral marketing campaign to promote the new portal. The video opens by with a wooden EA-branded box and the promise that: ‘Something BIG is about to …

Microsoft’s Special Edition Halo 3 Xbox 360 will cost 30 more than its recently reduced Premium console – but come with HDMI support. The system will be decked out with a snazzy Spartan green and gold finish and will launch with the Halo 3 game on September 26th. Alongside its …

Time for Wii-owning football fans to celebrate: Konami has announced that it is to release a version of Pro Evo built especially for the console. The publisher revealed the news during its Leipzig showcase yesterday. The as-yet-unnamed title will be released in ‘early 2008′. According to next-gen.biz , he firm …

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, which departs from the franchise’s usual World War Two setting, will be available worldwide on November 5th, reported Next Generation . Activision also revealed the international track list for Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock. Songs will include Minus Celsius (Backyard Babies), Hier Kommt …

Ubisoft PC titles will carry the Microsoft Games For Windows branding in future. The news was revealed by the platform holder at its Leipzig conference yesterday. The first Games For Windows Ubisoft title is The Settlers: Rise of an Empire. Other publishers already signed up to Games For windows include …

The Top Spin franchise will arrive on Wii in a format exclusive title called Top Spin Tennis next spring. The game play will be built around the Wii’s distinct remote and nunchuk, and as with other games in the Top Spin series, it will feature twelve real-life international tennis stars. …

The Official Halo 3 Guide will be launched into US stores alongside Halo 3 on September 25th. Piggyback produced the guide for Halo 2, which sold 270,000 units on its first day of release. "The Halo franchise has transcended the video game industry and become part of the culture at …

New Texas studio claims to reinvent the game development and publishing model