Rigorous set of security precautions await visitors to first Comdex show following Sept. 11 attacks, including strict rules barring “bags of any kind” on show floor. Organizers of Comdex, which opens Nov. 12 in Las Vegas for 5-day run, told reporters in news briefing Tues. that security measures were drawn up in consultation with Las Vegas authorities. Organizers said they would give special dispensation to news media on “no bags” policy, such as permitting reporters to carry notebook computers and cases and arranging for special checking and storage provisions near press room. Special password-protected security memos will be e-mailed within week to registered reporters that will describe procedures for carrying cameras and other equipment, they said.

Boston Acoustics and Visteon will develop and deliver Boston Acoustics-branded OEM autosound systems to automakers under joint development agreement announced Tues. Agreement could provide boost to Boston Acoustics OEM business, which has slumped because of its reliance on Gateway Computer as dominant customer of multimedia PC speakers.

Mythic Entertainment claimed it had attracted “over 100,000 registered players” for its massively multiplayer online role- playing game (MMORPG) Dark Age of Camelot since title’s Oct. 9 release. Fairfax, Va., game maker claimed title was, therefore, “the fastest selling pay-for-play MMORPG in the history of online gaming.” Title was co-published by Abandon Entertainment. Vivendi Universal Publishing distributes game in U.S. and Canada. Mythic, which recently announced deal with France Telecom’s goa.com and Wanadoo Edition to distribute and host title in France, Germany and U.K., said it was “currently in discussions” with companies it declined to name and would “soon announce a number of other overseas partners.”

BMC Industries, hampered by slowdown in sales of TV and PC monitor masks, reported $4.1 million 3rd quarter loss, vs. $2.7 million profit year ago as revenue plunged to $73.3 million from $90.2 million.

Broadband Web site and game developer MindComet released online 3D hockey game Power Puck, custom-designed for NHL team Tampa Bay Lightning. Game, available at http://www.tampabaylightning.com, is co-branded with Thompson’s Computer Warehouse (TCWO.com) and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD). Game is 2nd 3D hockey title from Orlando, Fla.-based MindComet. CEO Ted Murphy said: “Web sites are hungry for this type of rich media [and] we have seen an explosion in development requests from Web publishers and advertising agencies.” MindComet said Lightning joins Edge Gel, Sunshine Network and Yupo Corp. America, who “have all chosen to develop online games to promote their Web site and brand.”

Sega started shipping Bomberman Online E- (Everyone) rated Dreamcast game at $29.99.

NCUBE Corp. and Widevine Technologies announced agreement to offer streaming media security to broadband service operators. “Encryption on the fly” integrates nCUBE’s n4 Streaming Media Appliance with Widevine Cypher, Widevine video-on-demand (VoD) technologies. Idea is to provide broadband service operators, media and entertainment companies secure means for deploying digital content on-demand to consumer devices such as personal computer and TV set-top box. Partnership will work to secure “valuable and proprietary digital content from being stolen, hacked or otherwise compromised,” nCube Pres. Michael Pohl said.

Sears opened 2nd store that melds CE and appliances in freestanding location in Bolingbrook, Ill., and will add 3rd in Mount Prospect, Ill., by early Nov., Home Electronics Vp-Gen. Mgr. Ray Brown said. Sears opened first test store in Ind. earlier this year and thus far has posted sales incremental to existing department store locations, Brown said. “If you look at the trading area and the stores that used to service it incrementally we are growing that business,” he said. Brown declined to release sales figures. While first 3 stores have same format, “I can’t say we won’t looking at tweaking it next year and 2002, to a certain degree, will vary [in format] at least slightly.”

Chrysler and Activision signed marketing deal aligning car manufacturer’s Jeep brand with game maker’s Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 PlayStation 2 title, shipping now. DaimlerChrysler Mktg. Communications Vp Jeff Bell said strategic placement of Jeep brand would now reach console gamers, which he called “a most elusive audience target,” adding: “It’s an audience that has great spending potential, though they don’t buy into traditional marketing messages.” Companies said deal represented “first marketing partnership between the Jeep brand and Activision.” As part of deal, Activision Global Publishing-Brand Management Exec. Vp Kathy Vrabeck said: “Jeep will not only have branding within the gaming landscape such as virtual ad billboards and signs, but we have also worked closely with the company to put images of Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Liberty vehicles into the virtual street skate environment” of game.

XM Satellite Radio had more than 500 subscriber activations as of Sept. 30, 5 days after commercial service was introduced in Dallas-Ft. Worth and San Diego, company said in reporting 3rd quarter financial results. It said it since had seen “ramp-up” of subscriber activations as new markets were added and additional retail outlets began carrying XM receivers, but it didn’t specify figure. Terrorist attacks delayed Sept. 12 rollout activities in Dallas and San Diego and “slowed the delivery of XM radios into the distribution chain,” but problems there have been resolved, company said. Completion of national rollout is on schedule for mid-Nov., when XM receivers will be available in 6,000 storefronts, company said. XM consolidated losses narrowed to $70.8 million (-$1.14 per share) in quarter vs. year-earlier $160.1-million loss (-$3.26).