Need For Speed Word Adds Free-to-Play

SEPT. 9, 2010 • Since its launch on July 27 Need For Speed World attracted 1 million registered players. The racing MMO was initially free-to-play up to level 10, at which point advancement in the game ceased until the $20 Starter Pack was purchased. But following the announcement, Electronic Arts opened up all levels to free play, and will monetize the title using virtual items to made available later. .....

Andre Vrignaud to Amazon

SEPT. 8, 2010 • Amazon.com hired away Microsoft’s director of game platform strategy, Andre Vrignaud. Vrignaud had been with Microsoft since 2002, and has been an instrumental participant in the establishment of Xbox Live. For what purpose Amazon hired Vrignaud has not been disclosed. Impact: We had been surprised that Amazon.com had not seemed to be very aggressive in focusing on digita.....

DARPA Wants Own App Store

SEPT. 8, 2010 • The U.S. military likes its iPads and iPhones so much it wants its own App Store for cool programs. That’s why the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) awarded $6.4 million to the Corporation for National Research Initiatives to create an apps marketpla.....

Duke Nukem Forever Has Risen

SEPT. 3, 2010 • Duke Nukem Forever is getting resurrected thanks to Gearbox Software, which acquired the rights to the oft-delayed project from 3D Realms. Take-Two will continue as publisher. Gearbox started work finishing the game in 2009, and plans to release it in 2011. The sequel to the mid-’90s hit FPS Duke Nukem 3D has been in development since 1997. Impact: Duke Nukem Forever fell.....

China Tracks Mobile Users

SEPT. 1, 2010 • Going into effect immediately, everyone who buys a new mobile phone number in China will be required to provide personal information to the vendor. The new  requirement is similar to regulations elsewhere in Asia like South Korea, and is int.....

Interplay Seeks Content

AUG. 31, 2010 • Interplay Ent. Corp. is showing more signs of life. In addition to development of its Fallout MMO, the firm has announced a new sub-brand label called Interplay Discovery to market third-party titles. The firm’s plan is to discover new develop.....

Xbox Live Gold Subscription Price Increased to $59

AUG. 30, 2010 • Starting Nov. 1 Microsoft will raise the annual Xbox Live Gold subscription to $59.99 from $49.99. The move will make the previously announced Family Subscription a greater value. The Gold Family Pack will provide four Gold memberships for $99. In addition, existing Gold user will be able to roll their single subscription into the Gold Family Pack, The family plan includes a more family-friending dashboard, and content availability will be slight.....

ATI Technologies Brand Retired

AUG. 29, 2010 • AMD is preparing to retire the ATI Technologies name regardless of 25 years of brand equity. The move is being driven by upcoming products that will combine the CPU and GPU on the same chip. AMD believes that it has “permission” to make the change following internal surveys that suggest consumers like the AMD brand and won’t mind it being associated with ATI product lines. .....

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