video game developers news stories on Newser

Video Games Score Vast Subsidies

Mark Russell — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 08:21:40 CDT

By combining tax breaks, deductions, and subsidies designed for the Cold War, video game production is now one of the most highly subsidized businesses in the United States, reports the New York Times . Leading software developer Electronic Arts, for example, has made $1.2 billion in profits worldwide over the...

Gaming, Not the Military, Today's Technology Driver

Matt Cantor — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 13:33:35 CST

It used to be the military that spurred cutting-edge technology—but these days, video games are doing the heavy lifting. To wit, the world’s fastest supercomputer is powered by processing cores manufactured by a gaming graphics-chip maker. As for the iPhone, "much of its technology—color LCD displays, low power...

iPhone Game App Makes $1M in 9 Days

Harry Kimball — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 13:45:59 CST

A popular game for the iPhone may have had the best rollout ever with more than $1 million in sales in just 9 days. Plants vs. Zombies , already a hit on Macs and PCs, has sold more than 300,000 copies at $2.99 a pop through the App Store....

The New Video Gamer Is a Chick

Jason Farago — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 08:23:12 CDT

In 2001, women and girls constituted just 12% of video gamers; now, fully 40% of game players are female, and the gaming industry has taken notice. EA, Sony, Nintendo, and several other companies are rolling out new products catering to girls, from a dancing game to a Hannah Montana adventure...

Iran Launches Islamic Video Games

Jason Farago — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 05:54:06 CDT

Video game developers are in Cologne for one of Europe's biggest gaming conventions, and one booth is standing out: the Iranian National Foundation for Computer Games, which is trying to get a foothold in the West. The games have a decidedly nationalist slant, reports the BBC. One game is a...

Fallujah Video Game Sparks Vet Family Fury

Mary Papenfuss — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 03:59:13 CDT

A realistic video game featuring a historic Fallujah battle involving US forces in Iraq has incensed vets and their families, reports ABC News. Six Days in Fallujah is due out next year, and involves Marine consultants to ensure accuracy of the action. "It's upsetting," said a mom who lost a...

Sims Creator Leaving EA for Think Tank

Rob Quinn — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 07:14:39 CDT

The creator of The Sims is departing Electronic Arts to focus on "strange products and ideas," the San Francisco Chronicle reports. Will Wright plans to work full-time at his Stupid Fun Club think tank, which develops ideas for film, games, and TV. Wright says he has already cooked up some...

Japan's Square Enix to Buy 'Tomb Raider' Maker

Nick McMaster — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 14:28:01 CST

Looks like Lara Croft has a new sugar daddy: Japan’s Square Enix will buy Eidos, maker of the “Tomb Raider” videogame franchise, for $119.9 million, Forbes reports. That's more than double the per-share price at yesterday's market close. With Square willing to pay such a premium, it is unlikely...

Hollywood Getting Its Videogame On

Rebecca Smith Hurd — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:36:01 CDT

Videogames, once the bane of Hollywood studios, are making a comeback—and Disney appears to be leading the pack, reports Portfolio . Facing flat box-office sales, dwindling DVD revenues, and fickle TV audiences, the entertainment industry is seeking better ways to make a buck. That means revisiting the lucrative game market...