Yobongo Raises 1.35 Million

MARCH 24, 2011 • Yobongo Inc. is a new studio based in San Francisco that just released an iPhone app by the same name. The app enables users to chat randomly with others in the same geographic area that have Yobongo installed. Following the launch, Yobongo raised $1.35 million from True.....

Kaz Hirai Promoted at Sony

MARCH 11, 2011 • In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Sony Corp. chief executive Howard Stringer said the promotion of Sony Computer Entertainment head Kaz Hirai to oversee the consumer electronics division makes Hirai the leading candidate to replace Stringer some day. Impact: Kaz Hirai started in the music business but came on with Sony Computer Entertainment America right around th.....

News Corp. Likes Making Fun

FEB. 26, 2011 • After many starts and stops over the years, Rupert Murdoch is returning to the video game business. His News Corp.’s Digital Media Division purchased Making Fun, a social-game startup headed by Lee Crawford who helped cofound Twofish, and PlayFirst cofounder John Welch. .....

Visa Buys PlaySpan

FEB. 10, 2011 • Visa Inc. is acquiring the digital goods transaction firm PlaySpan Inc. in Santa Clara, Calif. PlaySpan is being purchased for around $190 million in cash, plus additional consideration for performance milestones. The acquisition is expected to be completed in VisaR.....

Guitar Hero Disbanded

FEB. 9, 2011 • In the release of it financial results for the calendar year ending Dec. 31, Activision Blizzard reported that it was disbanding Activision Publishing’s Guitar Hero business unit and discontinuing development on its Guitar Hero 7 game for 2011. The publisher is also intends to establish a new Call of Duty-focused development studio called Beachhead that Activision will use to create a digital platform for the Call of Duty community. .....

Jagex Finds VC Funds

FEB. 8, 2011 • Independent U.K. studio Jagex, creator of the hit MMO Runescape, sealed new agreements with venture capital firms to help fund upcoming projects.  Investments came in from three VC groups: Insight Venture Partners, Spectrum Equity Investors and The Raine Group. Cash and eq.....