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- Waiting For Videogames To Play On Broadband: THQ Chief Executive Officer Brian Farrell says people want to play games online and not play online games (18MAY01) (CNET) (related.link) (related.link) (related.link)
CNET quotes THQ chief executive officer Brian Farrell as stating, "We're convinced people don't want to play online games - they want to play games online. That means they want the same quality of experience they get playing offline, but playing against a human opponent. We can't yet deliver that to consumers from a technology standpoint. We don't have the bandwidth." With regard to the human element, in the third related news item, Wired similarly quotes Funcom marketing vice president Tomas Schreiner as stating, "People like to play against humans rather than NPCs (non-player characters). People are unpredictable - it's more fun. And there's the social interaction." As for the broadband connection, in the first related news item, Reuters quotes Activision CEO Bobby Kotick as stating, "Today the only online opportunities are on the PC. Until consoles have integrated capacity, easy online access and broadband, I don't expect it to be a meaningful part of the [videogame] business." Reuters also quotes InfoGames chairman Bruno Bonnel as stating, "Only a half million people in the U.S. have broadband.... We're there [online with Games.com] and we're not making money. We need to be ready, but it's not an obsession" to pursue the broadband audience. On the other hand, in the third related news item, Wired reports, "The many new contenders think they can find a place in the online market and bring in the masses who have yet to make the plunge. Some argue that volume isn't necessary due to the recurring revenue."- Online Videogame Playing: Interactive Digital Software Association sixth annual survey finds 24% of videogame players now playing games online (17MAY01) (IDSA) (related.link) (related.link)
In Interactive Digital Software Association (IDSA) president Douglas Lowenstein's speech at the Electronic Entertainment Exposition in Los Angeles, Lowenstein states a forecasted "surge in high-speed access bodes well for the future of Internet games as faster connections mean that game designers will be able to deliver richer game experiences to users, and the entire online game experience will itself be more compelling."- Sony Playstation Broadband Multiplayer News: Sony and Telewest to provide broadband internet access for Sony Playstation 2 in the UK (word.doc) (16MAY01) (Sony) (related.link) (related.link) (related.link) (related.link) (related.link)
The news announcement states the Telewest broadband internet access for Sony Playstation 2 will enable "all forms of on-line game activity ... including pay per play and high quality multi-player on-line gaming" and that technical trials should begin by the end of 2001. You can click here for other recent videogame console news regarding Playstation 2, GameCube, and XBOX including AOL's role in the Playstation world.- Improving Sony Playstation 2 Broadband Access: Sony and Cisco to improve the net access features of the Sony Playstation 2 videogame system for accessing broadband-enabled content (word.doc) (16MAY01) (Sony) (related.link) (related.link)
- GameCube With DVD Movie Player: Matsushita to launch hybrid version of Nintendo GameCube videogame console with DVD movie player in Japan after official GameCube launch and in the US in 2002 or 2003 (17MAY01) (SCMP) (related.link)
The official Nintendo GameCube uses a smaller proprietary Nintendo digital game disc. A report from Gamesmania indicates Nintendo wants users to buy Nintendo videogame discs instead of buying DVD movies for the GameCube. Gamesmania quotes Nintendo of America executive vice president Peter Main as stating the Nintendo GameCube "is a gaming machine and we are going to keep it that way. Now if Matsushita wants to add a DVD player to their higher end version of the system then they have every right to do that." You can click here for a 1999 Nintendo-Matsushita news announcement which contemplated a future videogame console, which eventually became the GameCube, that played both videogames and DVD movies. Now, if you want to play a Pokemon videogame disc and then watch a Pokemon DVD, you'll have to wait for the Matsushita hybrid version of the GameCube. You can click here for the other recent videogame console news.- More Videogame News: CNET video coverage of XBOX, Playstation 2, and GameCube at Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles (17MAY01) (CNET) (related.link) (related.link)
- DVD Player Growth: Consumer Electronics Association says sales of DVD players increased 54% in April 2001 for the US (17MAY01) (CEA)
The news announcement quotes CEA senior industry analyst Sean Wargo as stating, "The current economic slowdown has made a visible impact on video unit sales during the month of April. However, in spite of the slight decrease, the growth maintained by DVD players and other products are proof that consumers are still embracing digital technologies. The long-term outlook for the industry remains strong."- Sony's PC-TV: Sony intros the Sony PCV-RX490TV Vaio Digital Studio PC with TV tuner, Giga Pocket Personal Video Recorder for recording up to 100 hours of TV shows, and DVD recorder with an approximate pricetag of $2600 (17MAY01) (Sony) (related.link) (related.link) (related.link) (related.link) (related.link) (related.link) (related.link) (related.link) (related.link) (related.link)
In the second related news item, the Associated Press quotes Sony PC products vice president Mark Hanson as describing the new Sony PC-TV as a "TiVo on steroids" that "PC-centric" rather than "TV-centric" for "tech-savvy consumers."- Interactive Tablet & Webpad News: Michel Marriott discusses Sony Airboard with TV and DVD capabilities, Airspeak tablet, SONICblue ProGear pad, and Intel's Web Tablet (17MAY01) (NYTimes)
The New York Times' Michel Marriott cites a Sony spokesman as indicating the Sony Airboard capabilities of "television and DVD features were consistent with Sony's strategy to expand business-oriented technologies by adding consumer-friendly entertainment features."- Microsoft Tablet News: Microsoft Software Architect Bert Keely shows off Microsoft Tablet prototype device with handwriting-recognition technology which requires near-perfect penmanship (16MAY01) (Standard)
- Mobile Wireless Video Pipedream: Jupiter Media Metrix Analyst Seamus McAteer says video over wireless devices is still a pipedream (16MAY01) (USAToday) (related.link)
The news item from USA Today is primarily about the possibility that porn may boost the wireless industry. USA Today quotes Jupiter Media Metrix analyst Seamus McAteer as stating, "If you have [mobile wireless] devices with good resolution and color displays and network infrastructure that supports the economical delivery of content, it could work for pictures. Although I think video over wireless devices is still a pipe dream."- Videophone News: InnoMedia provides $1500 IP videophone for business, distance learning, telemedicine, and long-distance consulting (17MAY01) (PCWorld)
- Telewebber Chat: NBCi and LiveWorld to provide online discussions and chats live from the 28th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards in New York on Friday May 18, 2001 (17MAY01) (LiveWorld) (alt.link)
- On-Demand Online Gameshow News: Microsoft's premieres pilot episode of "OutSmart" interactive online celebrity-based trivia gameshow with host Tim Parker and featured guest celebrity Jessica Alba at Zone.com (17MAY01) (Microsoft)
The news announcement quotes Microsoft Online Games group product manager Chris Di Cesare as stating, "It is part of our culture to be fascinated with the day's popular celebrities." The news announcement states, "The game starts with Tim Parker, 'OutSmart' host, making quick player introductions and catching up on the latest Hollywood gossip. Online contestants and the celebrity challenger then begin the game, a series of multiple-choice questions related to the celebrity's career. Celebrity confidence can sometimes fool contestants, but the stars don't always know the correct answer. Players who believe the celebrity's response is wrong can attempt an OutSmart, and gain extra points by providing the correct answer. Incorrect answers usually trigger a little ribbing from the star." Sounds almost like a single-square version of "Hollywood Squares" with a different celebrity twist. -ruel- Telewebber Auctions: Ibidlive.TV to conduct auctions with CHUM City TV in Canada as a daily show that pits studio audience bidders against internet bidders (17MAY01) (Digitrends)
Digitrends quotes Ibidlive.TV broadcasting and sales executive vice president Rolfe Auerbach as stating, "We're interactive TV." Digitrends also quotes Ibidlive.TV chief executive officer Steve Munatones as stating, "We really benefit from the segmented cable television market. There could even be auctions like the National Geographic Channel auctioning off trips to exotic locales or to go on sightings for endangered animals." Ibidlive.TV has an upcoming auction for "Leading Men Memorabilia" with goods from John Wayne that will air on the American Movie Classics cable channel on July 12. You can click here and here and here for previous news items regarding Ibidlive.TV.- Not TV But Check This Out: Ford Explorer birdseed banner advertisement that flies across a Yahoo webpage (17MAY01) (MarketingSherpa)
Watch the banner with the birds towards the top of the "Yahoo" webpage above the search input area as the birds fly down across the screen to eat up the birdseed covering a Ford Explorer banner. Then click the uncovered banner to start up the Ford Explorer - you may have to scroll down to get to the second banner. Some set-tops may not be able to see this rich media ad (WebTV compresses it all onto the TV screen but you can see the intended effect; doesn't work with AOLTV; and, of course, looks fine on a PC).- TV Commercial Email: Dynamics Direct provides Flash video and Java video formats in email video solutions to enable clients to embed existing video assets into rich media email campaigns (16MAY01) (DynamicsDirect) (related.link)
The news announcement quotes Dynamics Direct president and CEO Russ Gillam as stating, "Dynamics Direct offers a unique approach to e-mail marketing that delivers the power of TV commercials with the relevancy of one-to-one personalization."- Open Up The iTV Playing Field: Consumer Electronics Association files comments with FCC asking that a level playing field in the US be promoted for developing the interactive television market and to open up program and system information for the creation of cable-ready navigation devices and electronic interactive program guides (16MAY01) (CEA) (related.link)
The news announcement quotes the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) comments filed with the FCC as stating, "Unless the program and system information that makes possible the creation of EPGs is made available to manufacturers and other parties, such as providers of competing EPG services, then competition in both equipment and services will be stifled." The news announcement goes on to report that the lack of a FCC interactive television non-discrimination policy could place market concentration "in the hands of cable 'gatekeepers' to the ultimate harm of the consumer."- Copy-Protecting Digital TV Content: Consumer Electronics Association President Gary Shapiro tells FCC Chairman Michael Powell that the majority of television makers are planning to equip digital TVs with copy protection technology to encourage Hollywood to provide digital television content while blocking TV viewers from making digital copies of movies and television shows (16MAY01) (LATimes) (alt.link) (alt.link)
The Los Angeles Times quotes Consumer Electronics Association president Gary Shapiro as stating in a letter to FCC chairman Michael Powell as stating, "We believe a commonly accepted copy-protection system will be a major factor in promoting the roll-out of digital television ... and ensuring that content providers make high-value content available."
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- Waiting For Videogames To Play On Broadband: THQ Chief Executive Officer Brian Farrell says people want to play games online and not play online games (18MAY01) (CNET) (related.link) (related.link) (related.link)
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