Posted by: Tiffany Leigh Smith at February 4, 2009 8:52:07 AM
The software entertainment industry is receiving some much deserved kudos for helping out the economy. The state of Texas have dedicated a day to the Entertainment software industry, labeling February 3 as Entertainment Software Day, as a way to recognize the impact that the industry has had on the local economy. It's the first time the entertainment software industry has been recognized in such a way, and follows a bill passed in 2007 which provides tax rebates to video game companies in Texas. In 2006 the industry was responsible for contributing USD 395 million to the local economy, growing by 16 per cent in the process.
Looks like Smartphones are now dominating the mobile gaming market. A consumer research group, has reported that the number of people downloading mobile games grew 17 per cent and that smartphones, such as the iPhone and Blackberry Curve, overtaking traditional mobiles for the first time ever. The study of US consumers showed that the number of smartphone owners downloading a game nearly tripled, while downloads on traditional phones dipped 14 per cent. iPhone owners now represent 14 per cent of all downloaded mobile game in November, with 32.4 per cent of all iPhone users reporting they downloaded a game in the month, compared with a market average of 3.8 per cent.
Not that we weren't expecting it, but online retailer Amazon has launched a casual games download service. With over 600 titles, the digital distribution service is currently being run as an open beta and Amazon promises more functionality as time goes on. Customers can download any game from the site for a free 30 minute trial before deciding whether to buy or not "Casual Games are a natural fit with our demographic," Greg Hart, vice president of video games and software told Kotaku. "We have 88 million active customers who can appreciate the convenience of the true Amazon shopping experience combined with the casual games experience." Hart also hinted that the service may move beyond casual games: "We always want to offer the widest selection possible, just like we've done with our boxed games over the past two years."
Any Bourne fans out there (like me) will be glad to know that Starbreeze, developers of The Chronicles of Riddick, is currently working on a new game based on the Jason Bourne character. The new game, will be published by Electronic Arts. EA has picked up the rights to create games based on the works of Robert Ludlum, previously held by Vivendi.
Thanks for the link to the Tomb Raider expansions pack.
That'll earn me some brownie points with my wife. :)
I wonder if thy also fixed the insane camera and crashing issues!! ;)
Although it might curtail my hopes of hogging our console to play the new Fallout 3 expansion!
Starbreeze is an incredible developer, and I'm positive that they'll make a better Bourne game than the one that just came out.
If you look at the Riddick "remake," you can see that they're a very talented group of people who want to add a ton of awesome stuff -- in fact, the remake almost has a complete new game included.
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scratt
Member since: 11/9/2005 From: Bangkok, Krung Thep
Posted - 2/4/2009 8:10:20 PM
Posted - 2/5/2009 12:55:08 AM
