Interplay Streaming Games rental Web site -- https://interplay.streamtheory.com/home -- was started by game maker Interplay and streaming delivery service provider Stream Theory. Web site streams PC games direct to consumers who have broadband capability at monthly cost of $5.99 per game. Cal Morrell, pres. of game maker’s Interplay.com online division, said his company had “been working with Stream Theory for over a year and we're impressed both with their technology and the acceptance we have received from our fan base.” He said Stream Theory’s “security features and gamer experience gave us a high level of confidence to rent games, [including MDK2], Fallout and Virtual Pool series, on our own Web site.” Gamers who use streaming service use 1.9 MB Stream Theory Player on their PC. Companies said “because the software is streamed to the users’ desktop, there is no installation, no downloading and no uninstalling of files” so “users can simply play the game without having to worry about the game affecting their desktop settings or hard drive.”

Fifty-eight percent of households with PC cite games/ entertainment as number one use for computer, Yankee Group’s annual Technologically Advanced Family survey said. Games/entertainment trailed online services/Internet access (76%) but topped personal/household finances (30%). Report said 93% of households that owned PCs now had Internet access, adding that online population also was becoming more experienced. Of PC owners with Web access, 83% have been online for more than one year, 40% for 1-3 years, 43% for more than 3 years, report said. Yankee Group Internet Mkt. Strategies Analyst Lisa Melsted said “results indicate that a vast majority of consumers are incorporating the online channel into their daily activities, ranging from providing entertainment content to tracking household finances.” She added: “As online consumers become more experienced, the opportunity for service providers to develop value-added services, content and applications to address consumers’ needs will continue to expand.”

Supreme Court on Mon. rejected Indianapolis appeal of lower court ruling on city’s law against violent videogames that was adopted in July 2000. Seventh U.S. Appeals Court, Chicago, ruled on case -- Kendrick v. American Amusement Machine Assn. -- in March 2001, saying Indianapolis law requiring parent’s consent for child to play violent videogames in arcades or other commercial locations violated First Amendment. Judge Richard Posner in decision held that studies so far hadn’t provided “evidence that violent videogames are any more harmful to the consumer or to the public safety than violent movies or other violent, but passive, entertainments.” He said “violent videogames played in public spaces are a tiny fraction of the media violence to which modern American children are exposed” -- and violence in movies and on TV seemed to be even more graphic, especially in light of games’ “cartoon characters” that “no one would mistake” for images of real people. Indianapolis later appealed to Supreme Court, asking it to decide on govt.’s power to limit chidren’s access to violent videogames. In turning down appeal, Supreme Court offered no comment. Under original law, Indianapolis could have fined arcade owners $200 per day for each violation.

Asger Falstrup appointed Ingram Micro senior vp and pres. of Ingram Micro Latin America; Acting Pres. Jorge Reyes resumes his role as vp-finance.

There’s 50-50 chance DirecTV-EchoStar merger will be blocked by antitrust regulators, said former Justice Dept. Antitrust Div. Chief Don Baker. Baker, who worked as staffer 1966-1975, was appointed by President Ford in 1976, and now is partner in Baker & Miller antitrust law firm. “Clearly there are a couple of different issues,” Baker told us. He and other attorneys said EchoStar faced uphill regulatory battle, but they said hiring antitrust lawyer David Boies should help. Former DoJ telecom legal expert Don Russell now is top EchoStar lawyer.

San Jose, Cal., game maker Bam! Entertainment filed amended registration statement with SEC Mon., changing terms of its IPO. Company said it now planned to offer 4 million shares of common stock at $8-$10 per share instead of 3.5 million at $12-$14 proposed in Sept. 4 SEC filing.

NPD Group started new toy and videogame market information service, NPDFunworld, Mon. New Web-based service (www.npdfunworld.com) enables on-demand access to marketing information by Port Washington, N.Y., company. NPD said site was “customizable” and “available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.” Features include “ClientCenter,” electronic library of information including access to full NPD reports and presentations. Site also includes 3rd-party content, feeds, links. NPDFunworld is 3rd marketing information portal started by company, following NPDFashionworld and NPDFoodworld. Company said it also would open NPDTechworld portal providing marketing information for technology industry, but didn’t provide specific date.

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 will be introduce title for Nintendo GameCube, Activision announced Mon. T-rated (Teen) game was developed by Neversoft Entertainment and will be priced at $49.99. Latest entry in popular skateboarding series from Santa Monica, Cal., game maker will allow players to create their own custom characters via Create-A-Skate feature. Separately, company said late last week that its E-rated (Everyone) PC game Supercar Street Challenge had gone gold and was ready to ship at $39.99.

Wal-Mart, Sony Computer Entertainment America and Denver Broncos teamed up for PS2 Football Frenzy promotion. As part of promotion, customers visiting select Wal-Mart stores have opportunity to receive autographs from Broncos alumni players, meet team’s cheerleaders, compete in NFL GameDay tournaments for chance to win 2 tickets to sold-out home football game. Grand prize winner will receive PS2 console and other prizes.

EchoStar accused Ultimate TV owner WebTV of violating their contract in a suit filed Thurs. in U.S. Dist. Court, Colo. It alleges that WebTV had violated 1998 agreement to develop and produce the first satellite receiver/decoder capable of receiving DISH network and WebTV’s online Internet service. EchoStar said WebTV had financial interest in seeing that DISHPlayer failed in marketplace and conspired with its competitor DirecTV to make sure it did. EchoStar said it had invested a “significant” amount of time, money and resources in developing system hardware, manufacturing products and peripherals and coordinating design and engineering of device. WebTV wasn’t available for comment.