The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Ships 7 Million

NOV. 16, 2011 • According to ZeniMax Media Inc., 7 million units of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim were shipped to retailers for the game’s launch. The publisher did not break down how many of those copies were distributed between PC, PS3, and Xbox 360 systems. ZeniMax says more than 50% of the units shipped were sold during the first 48 hours after the title was released on Nov. 11, and more than 280,000 concurrent users were playing. .....

Microsoft AcquiresTwisted Pixel

OCT. 12, 2011 • Microsoft Studios acquired Twisted Pixel Games LLC based in Austin, Texas. The studio is best known for its Xbox Live Arcade titles such as Splosion Man and The Gunstringer. No financial terms were released. The acquisition was touted as a way to bolster Microsoft’s fortunes on e.....

Microsoft Zune Hardware Discontinued

MARCH 16, 2011 • After four versions of its Zune media player in five years, Microsoft decided there will not be new hardware in the series moving forward. Instead, the company will follow a software-only strategy to migrate its Zune business to other platforms. Impact: Microsoft has rarely proven to be a nimble innovator. With plenty of cash from its operating system and office suite business.....

Nokia and Microsoft Partner

FEB. 10, 2011 • Finland’s Nokia Corp., the world’s largest mobile phone maker, has partnered with Microsoft Corp. to adopt the Windows Phone 7 operating system for all of its future handsets. The rationale for the move away from Nokia’s own OS is to better compete with Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android platforms. Impact: The mobile world has evolved to the point w.....

Microsoft Parlays With TV Networks

NOV. 29, 2010 • The Reuters news service reports that Microsoft Corp. is in early discussions with media companies to license their TV networks for a new online pay-television subscription service to be distributed through devices such as, but not limited to, the Xbox 360 video game console. Microsoft has proposed a range of options including creating a “virtual cable operator” delivered over the Internet for which users pay a monthly fee. Another po.....