PSN Fiasco Could ‘Undermine People’s Confidence’ In Digital, Says Denis Dyack

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Sony’s reputation has no doubt taken a hit from consumers for the hacking of PSN and SOE accounts. As Silicon Knights founder Denis Dyack indicates, it could hurt both Sony and the industry in general in the future.

“It s very concerning and I think getting as much information out there – factual information out there as soon as possible is good. I know, personally, I just changed all my passwords because I was an active user of the PSN and I didn’t even want to take a chance. I just started changing all my passwords. It s concerning from an industry standpoint . . . digital distribution is the future of our industry and that s what PSN is and I hope it doesn’t undermine people s confidence in that delivery medium.”

Source: IndustryGamers

Social Games To Lift Chinese Market To $11.1 Billion: Niko Partners

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Lisa Cosmas Hanson, managing partner at Niko Partners, estimated that the Chinese game industry is expected to grow 21 percent to $5.8 billion in 2011. By 2015, the market is expected to grow to $11.1 billion, thanks in large part to social games that can be played with friends.

People are jumping on this train, and it is going faster and faster, said Cosmas Hanson. They re fun and free-to-play, and there are a wide variety of alternatives. Younger gamers in particular are playing social games.

Source: VentureBeat

InFamous Movie ‘Far Away’ From Happening, Says Sucker Punch

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Lots of gaming franchises are being considered for non-interactive media, like Uncharted, Red Faction and Dead Space. However, Sucker Punch co-founder and InFamous 2 producer Brian Flemming, indicated that their super hero franchise probably isn’t going to become a movie any time soon.

“I don’t know, I get asked this question a lot and I should have been prepared for it but the reality is I’m a video games guy and I know there’s been Uncharted and Halo and there was even a script written for an InFamous movie two years ago, said Flemming. “It feels like we’re still infinitely far away from having an InFamous movie. Could it happen Absolutely it could happen. Will it happen I’m pretty skeptical, I don’t know.

“You know you hear these weird stories,” he continued. “I heard some weird rumors about one of these video game movies where they changed the character to a guy so that they could cast this actor and you’re like, ‘What the heck is going on ‘ It seemed kind of disrespectful to the game. I would be excited only because of the life experience for me. Would it be a good movie I don’t know. I don’t know anything about making movies. I know about making games.”

Source: CVG

EA As ‘Consumer Game Platform’

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Electronic Arts has a forward looking attitude that includes not just retail products, but social, mobile and online games. As EA CEO John Riccitiello outlined during a recent conference call he sees digital integration increasing for the company going forward.

When we established objectives around reducing title count, cutting costs and starting a digital business, we did so recognizing that we needed to execute a turn-around and the major part of what needed to change was to reduce titles and cost, said Riccitiello. Our strategies could be defined as fundamentally ‘defensive’. Today, we are announcing a big shift to ‘offense’. Over the coming years, we will transform EA from a packaged goods company to a fully integrated digital entertainment company.

Right now, EA is a publisher of games on several, disparate platforms. Going forward Riccitiello sees EA as the platform in and of itself.

Increasingly, we see ourselves as a software platform every bit as much as we see ourselves as a content maker for other companies platforms. We have a great start with 112 million consumers in our Nucleus registration system, up from 61 million a year ago, he continued. And, while we will continue to be a great partner to our best retail customers and first party partners, you will see the beginnings of a consumer game platform emerge at EA that complements and extends the console ecosystem and addresses the wider opportunity on other devices.

 

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Star Wars: The Old Republic Removed From Release Schedule

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Electronic Arts has confirmed that Star Wars: The Old Republic no longer appears on the company s release schedule. The game was recently delayed from Spring 2011 to Fall and now might slip until January 2012.

“We’re holding the date for two reasons,” EA Games boss Frank Gibeau stated. “First, we don’t want to tip off the competition; second, we want more data from the beta test to guarantee a spectacular experience at launch.”

Pepsi Vending Machines Go Social

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Pepsi has launched what they have launched a new “social vending system.” The new touch-screen machines will allow users to connect with the Pepsi Refresh Project.

Along with dispensing sodas, the machine also allows users to distribute drink codes as gifts through the Internet. User can also record a video message for their friends along with the drink codes.

Source: AdWeek

Assassin’s Creed Gets ‘Final Chapter Of The Ezio Trilogy’

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Ubisoft has confirmed that the rumored Assassin’s Creed Revelations is in development, which will switch between the roles of Ezio, Desmond, and Altair, but will mostly take place in 15th century Constantinople. Desmond’s memories will be manipulated in the animus that will result in a new way to fight and move about the world; there will also be new multiplayer maps and modes.

“Delivering the final chapter of the Ezio trilogy is an important milestone in the Assassin’s Creed franchise for us and for our fans,” said Alexandre Amancio, creative director at Ubisoft Montreal. “Assassin’s Creed Revelations includes lots of new features and some significant surprises.”

Dead Island Being Published By Square Enix In U.S.

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Square Enix has announced that it has acquired the U.S. publishing rights to Dead Island. The Techland developed game quickly became one of the most anticipated of the year after its striking and controversial trailer.

Square Enix’s impressive distribution and marketing capabilities, combined with their proven success with launching top-notch AAA titles, makes them the absolute best partner for Dead Island, said Deep Silver COO Geoff Mulligan. We’re thrilled to be partnering with their dedicated and talented team and look forward to collaborating with them in order to bring Dead Island to gamers.

“Dead Island is a truly extraordinary title and we couldn’t be more excited about leveraging our unified Square Enix resources in bringing it to audiences in the Americas, added Square Enix president and CEO Mike Fischer.

Facebook Tests Video Ads For Social Games

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Facebook has announced an agreement with ShareThrough wherein players can earn Facebook Credits by watching sponsored videos embedded in games. These sponsored videos will initially be available in 350 games and apps on Facebook.

It s another way to get users to be more comfortable with Credits, said Deb Liu, head of Facebook Credits. It gets developers to adopt Credits and helps users understand what Credits are.

This program should encourage users to watch video ads, something they are usually reluctant to do. It will also raise awareness for Facebook Credits, which will be the universal currency for Facebook games by July 2011.

TrialPay, EpicSocial, ShareThrough, SocialVibe, and SupersonicAds will all be partners making the video ads possible. The level of engagement and sharing elements make social video ads appealing to marketers, usually resulting in 100-percent plus lift in brand awareness.

Source: VentureBeat

People Less Optimistic About Future Life In America

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Gallup has been asking the question”How likely do you think it is that today’s youth will have a better life than their parents ” since 1983.   If the responses are any indication, the majority of Americans don’t think that Gen Y or the younger iGen will have a good go of it.

In the wake of 9/11, the poll question was answered the most optimistically, with 71 percent responding “somewhat likely or very likely” to the question. Now, however, that percentage has dropped to 44 percent, though millennials themselves responded 57 percent positive to the question.

Source: AdAge