German Minister Targets Games

APRIL 13, 2008 • The Welt am Sonntag newspaper reported that Hamburg interior minister Udo Nagel proposed a series of national measures to help stem juvenile delinquency, including forcing department stores and marts to turn off video game demo stations during school hours. Nagel cited cases of students who cannot afford to buy console systems that skip school to go play games in stores. Impact: Compared with markets like the U.S., the U.K., France .....

Wii Launches in S. Korea

APRIL 11, 2008 • Nintendo confirmed that it would launch the Wii in South Korea on April 26 for 220,000 won ($220). Wii games will be priced at 39,000 won ($39). To guard against imported titles, the South Korean Wii will only play discs released in that market. Although questions about how well consoles can sell in a country wher.....

Hellgate Takes Off In Korea

APRIL 11, 2008 • Hellgate: London became the most successful online game launch in South Korea in three years. The title was launched online at PC Bangs on Jan. 15, with retail sales commencing on Feb. 22. The game, released by Korean publisher Hanbitsoft, has already amassed more than 1 mil.....

Gamer Doc Looks to Expand

APRIL 10, 2008 • Gamer Doc, a new U.S. video game retailer, took its message to potential franchisees in the hopes of opening up to 20 locations during 2008. The 800- to 1,200-square foot stores feature an atypical design intended to immerse consumers into a popular game via wall murals, game scenes rather than merchandising stoc.....

Disney Buys Into China

APRIL 7, 2008 • Disney Interactive Studios made its first developer acquisition in China, GameStar Ltd. The Shanghai-based studio is best known for taking out-sourced work from publishers, including Disney. GameStar may create original IP for the Chinese market in the future. .....

360 Going Motion-Sensitive?

APRIL 7, 2008 • MTV.com reports that Microsoft has been working since last August on a motion-sensitive controller for the Xbox 360 to compete with Nintendo’s Wiimote. Microsoft’s Rare studio is supposedly tasked with creating the unified interface for the controller, as well as its look. The report went onto say the Xbox 360 motion-sensitive controller is slated to debut by the end of 2008, with functionality greater than available with the Wiimote. Microsoft did not comment on.....

Queensland Games

APRIL 5, 2008 • Game development has become a true global business and hit games come from all around the world. However, there are a few hot spots where developers tend to congregate. In many cases this is because regional governments provide support mechanisms to help incubate a local technology community. DFC Intelli.....