Clarification: Interactive Entertainment Merchants Assn. (IEMA) Pres. Hal Halpin, commenting on letter Sens. Kohl (D-Wis.) and Lieberman (D-Conn.) sent to IEMA criticizing its members for selling Mature-rated games to children (CED Dec 17 p5), said: “We appreciate the kind words of praise Senators Lieberman and Kohl had for both the IEMA and our efforts made in the past year regarding the industry’s role in selling content deemed unsuitable for minors. Many of our member companies have made significant investments in register-prompting and in-store education policies while under no obligation to do so. We recognize that more [needs to] be done, and that we have a role to play in the process. The IEMA will respond to the challenges voiced by the senators and continue working with all relevant parties in this matter, but again reiterate the need for patience when implementing long-term nationwide education policies and systems.”

Konami of America (KOA) announced 2 new titles for Game Boy Advance Mon. Motocross Maniacs Advance will ship in March and Konami Collector’s Series: Arcade Advanced will follow in April. Each will be priced at $29.99.

Rogue disc from BMG whose copy protection system caused playback anomalies since release last month doesn’t comply with Red Book standards for CD format, record label told us. Meanwhile, separate puzzle is new title released that purports to play only in CD players but runs fine in PC drives too and can be copied with ease.

Dallas-based Alchemedia Technologies (AT) said Mon. it signed deal with Nintendo of America (NOA) under which NOA would be using Alchemedia Mirage security software to protect proprietary and sensitive material, including artwork and screen shots of upcoming games, internal documents, other proprietary images on NOA’s Intranet. NOA Corp. Affairs Vp Perrin Kaplan said: “Security is paramount in our company. If information on our products is made public before we're ready, it could have a detrimental effect on our current and future revenues. However, as in any development process, it’s necessary to distribute confidential information throughout the company for ongoing production. By using Alchemdia’s Mirage solution to secure internal collaboration, we can be confident proprietary and sensitive information being distributed goes no further than the intended recipients.”

Jeffrey Yapp, formerly Hollywood Entertainment pres.-COO, joins Cablevision Systems as group pres. of Retail Div., which includes The Wiz… Philips Semiconductors Senior Vp-Distribution Mike Hamper appointed to supervise global distribution… Vernon Altman, Bain & Co. consulting firm, joins Roxio board.

Good Guys (GG) introduced new store design that it said gives products more individual presentations and brought videogames back into merchandise mix. L.A. store, for example, provides rear-projection TVs with separate individual displays offering product information, while Sony Playstation 2 and Nintendo GameCube videogames consoles and software are merchandised using 3 “pods” that allow user to try out titles. GG isn’t carrying Microsoft’s Xbox console.

Sega is entering short-film business via plan to distribute titles online and through DVDs, movie theaters and DVDs that will see annual sales of more than ?1 billion in first 2 years, Nikkei reported. As entry into short-movie arena, Sega plans to make movie at cost of ?70 million including 7 independent stories in collaboration with director Joji Iida and distribution over Web - - expected by end of 2002 -- will be handled by Gaga Communications, report said.

DVD player dollar sales increased 53.1% in Nov. 18-24 week that included Black Friday sales compared with comparable week last year, NPDTechworld said Mon. Research firm’s early- indicator panel found that other CE categories showing dollar gains included home-theater-in-box (173.2%, with and without DVD player); digital cameras (40.1%); TV combos (38.4%); color TV (23.1%); home speakers (17.6%); car speakers (9.2%) and PVRs (9.1%).

Online videogaming will soar in popularity over next 5 years, but online PC titles will continue to account for majority of subscription revenue on Internet until at least 2006, Jupiter Media Metrix said in report Connected Consoles: Preparing for the Next Cycle. Jupiter said it projected subscription revenues from online PC games would total $1.5 billion by 2006, but connected console gaming subscription revenue would hit only $250 million.

Lack of broadband standards and such things as “plug-and- play” equipment is delaying move toward broadband, according to surveys unveiled Mon. at digital rights management (DRM) conference sponsored by U.S. Commerce Dept. But speakers repeatedly emphasized they didn’t want govt. intervention in DRM. While Bush Administration isn’t yet “frustrated to the point of legislation” about lag in broadband deployment, it’s looking at ways to “generate some heat and maybe a little light” on issue, Commerce Undersecy. Phillip Bond said. Challenge is that despite its availability to 85% of U.S. homes, only about 10% have signed up, Asst. Secy. Bruce Mehlman said.