‘Star Wars: The Old Republic’ loses 400,000 subscribers

The Force is, well, a little tepid with Star Wars: The Old Republic.

Electronic Arts’ much ballyhooed massively-multiplayer game set in George Lucas’s celebrated universe is bleeding customers, losing some 400,000 in the fourth quarter — a number much worse than anyone was expecting.

Read more at Yahoo! Games

Consumer electronics biz opposes infotainment ban

The consumer electronics industry is forming a defensive line for in-vehicle entertainment systems.

On the heels of the National Transportation Safety Board recommending the development of technology features that disable the functions of driver accessible, in-car electronics devices when a vehicle is in motion, the Consumer Electronics Association voiced opposition to the proposal.

Read more at Daily Variety

EA shares lowest since ’99 – is it now a takeover target?

With EA share prices at their lowest since July 1999, Gamasutra editor-at-large Chris Morris examines if one of game industry’s biggest players is a potential acquisition target.

Electronic Arts has been the rumor mill’s favorite grist for years — but in recent weeks, the company has found itself the subject of even more whispers than usual.

Reports that Nexon was planning a bid for the company proved to be a significant misunderstanding by a major news outlet, but with the company’s revelation Monday that subscribers to Star Wars: The Old Republic are leaving at an alarming pace and that the future earnings outlook is tepid, those takeover talks may be resurrected.

Read more at Gamasutra

Microsoft makes $99 Xbox 360 official – with a few catches

After a week of speculation, Microsoft has formally announced plans to offer a subscription-based Xbox 360/Kinect bundle requiring a two-year paid commitment.

Customers will pay $99 for a 4 GB Xbox 360 and Kinect up front, then will pay $15 per month for the next two years. They’ll enjoy an Xbox Live Gold subscription during that time period, but no additional functionality in the service.

Read more at Yahoo! Games

‘Call of Duty: Black Ops 2′ already setting records

While Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 won’t hit store shelves for more than six months, it’s already setting records.

Amazon reports the game, which was just announced this week, is on track to become the most pre-ordered game in its history, outpacing Modern Warfare 2, Black Ops and…um, well, a bunch of other Call of Duty games.

Read more at Yahoo! Games

Hollywood, Gaming Execs Step Into Porn Takeover Battle

The already hostile takeover fight for New Frontier Media, the publicly traded owner of nine adult-themed pay-per-view networks, has expanded to include a pair of Hollywood power players – one of whom is also a former video game executive.

Longkloof Limited, which launched the bidding in early March, recently announced its intention to nominate four new board members at New Frontier’s annual meeting in an apparent attempt to push its $19 million offer through. (Porn giant Manwin has made a competing $24 million offer for the company.)

Read more at CNBC.com