Independent online game company NCsoft said special version of its CD-ROM game Lineage: The Blood Pledge was available now at more than 600 Electronics Boutique (EB) stores in U.S. and Canada at $2.99. Spokesman for Austin, Tex., company told us title previously had been available only via online download or mail order. Company said it had attracted more than 3 million subscribers and 250,000 concurrent users for game as of Fri. Gamers who download title receive free 30-day free trial, but company said EB customers who bought game would receive extra 15 days of free game time. After trial period, players are charged $15 per month or $11.25 per month if they buy 4-month block. Word that game was available at retail arrived only week after Electronic Arts started selling CD-ROM version of its online game Majestic at stores in attempt to expand number of subscribers.
InViso is said to have abandoned product plans in favor of finding licensees for microdisplay technology. Cal.-based company was to have shipped eGlasses head-mount display with Three-Five Systems’ 0.47” microdisplay in 2nd quarter, but plans came to halt as funding dried up, sources said. Indeed, Three- Five Systems, in quarter ended Sept. 30, wrote off $3.8 million investment in company after determining it was “impaired,” according to SEC filing. “InViso has been unable to raise funds to operate its business in a very difficult venture capital market,” Three-Five said. InViso most recently completed $16.6 million 2nd round of funding in June 2000 that attracted investors Chevron Corp., Cypress Semiconductor, Mitsui, Qualcomm. Mitsui is distributor for Three-Five in Japan. InViso officials weren’t available for comment. Company was one-time National Semiconductor group that struck agreement in 1998 with Three- Five, which is now said to be interested in licensing its technology.
EA Sports started shipping Madden NFL 2002 for GameCube and NASCAR Thunder 2002 for Xbox. NFL title now is available on 7 game platforms, game maker said, and Game Boy Advance (GBA) version will follow Nov. 19.
Integration of newly acquired MB Quart and Audio Innovations is proceeding on plan, Rockford Corp. executives told financial analysts in conference call Wed. to discuss 3rd quarter financial results.
Although some members of videogame industry have remained hopeful PlayStation 2 (PS2) price cut would come before year-end despite frequent Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) denials, SCEA Senior Vp Andrew House seemed to drive final nail into theory at Gerard Klauer Mattison (GKM) PlayTime conference in N.Y.C. when he told investors price drop from $299 is “not happening this holiday season.”
Sales and mktg. business development company Sales in Action (SiA) has been started by former Codemasters N. American Sales Vp Howard Horowitz. SiA said its goal was “to assist consumer electronic and game publishing companies in the North American market” sell and market their products to retailers. Horowitz said: “Given the predicted and past growth of the North American interactive entertainment market -- probably somewhere around $18 billion by 2004 for combined console and PC software sales -- foreign publishers, developers and distributors could add 40% to their gross revenue by getting in this market.” SiA said it could “reduce costs by outsourcing and shortening the time it takes to put together an effective sales, marketing and logistics plan and team,” adding that “outsourcing these functions allows companies to focus on their core competencies -- product development.” New company said it was composed of “entertainment industry veterans with over 15 years’ experience.”
Game maker NovaLogic said its upcoming action shooter game Comanche 4 went gold.
Ultimate Electronics said same store sales fell 6% in 3rd quarter, downturn tied to slowing of sales following Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on World Trade Center and Pentagon. Same store sales prior to Sept. 11 were down 3%, but from Sept. 11 through mid-Oct., sales plunged 11%, company said. Overall sales rose to $132.9 million from $117.2 million on strength of new stores in Colorado Springs, Oklahoma City and Phoenix. Chain said margins during quarter will be “slightly lower” than previous year due to “continued shift” in sales mix toward DVD players and TVS and away from home and mobile audio. Ultimate has expanded sales of PlayStation 2 chainwide along with new wireless dept. that is selling AT&T, Sprint and Qwest DSL services. As part of plans to expand operations in Texas, Ultimate has secured $50 million portion of increased credit line and is negotiating for another $30 million, CFO Alan Kessock said.
Ubi Soft Entertainment said it would ship Disney’s Tarzan Untamed and Batman: Vengeance for GameCube in time for rollout of Nintendo’s new console system Nov. 18.
Kopin Corp. filed universal shelf registration Thurs. with SEC to issue $150 million in senior and subordinated debt. Taunton, Mass., company said once statement is effective, it will offer stock to finance working capital and production of products including microdisplays that have been used as viewfinders in camcorders marketed by JVC, Matsushita and Samsung.