ESRB: ‘Mature’ games only 9% of industry

Posted on February 7, 2013 by Chris Morris

They’re at the center of an increasingly heated debate these days, but when you look at the hard numbers, games carrying a ‘Mature’ rating aren’t quite as big a part of the video game industry as they seem.

The ESRB — the board that assigns ratings to games released in the U.S. and Canada — says only 9 percent of the 1,218 games released last year received an ‘M’ rating. Such games are intended for those 17 and up and “may contain intense violence, blood and gore, sexual content and/or strong language.”

Read more at Yahoo! Games

Ouya game console targets TV play

Posted on February 6, 2013 by Chris Morris

Any console going up against Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft faces an enormous challenge. And no one knows that better than Ouya founder Julie Uhrman.

The Ouya console, an Android-based console videogame system that will sell for $100, is looking to shake up the gaming biz by eschewing the growing world of mobile to focus on the television as its primary platform. While some have questioned the plan, Uhrman said there was never any doubt from the company which raised nearly $8.6 million from Kickstarter.

Game developers should look beyond violence, says Quantic’s Cage

Posted on February 6, 2013 by Chris Morris

The videogame industry might have taken in nearly $15 billion in the U.S. last year, but one of the industry’s more controversial developers thinks the industry needs to reinvent itself if it wants to ensure long-term success.

David Cage, founder of the Quantic Dream development studio and creator of 2010’s Heavy Rain and the upcoming Ellen Page starring game “Beyond: Two Souls,” accused the industry of having a Peter Pan complex during a seminar at this year’s D.I.C.E. Summit — and offered his own vision for the future.

‘Dead Space’ vidgame creator inspired by Hollywood

Posted on February 6, 2013 by Chris Morris

When Glen Schofield looks for inspiration, he often turns to Hollywood, the co-founder and general manager of Sledgehammer Games told an audience in a Wednesday talk at this year’s D.I.C.E. Summit in Las Vegas.

Schofield, whose studio co-developed “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3” and created the “Dead Space” franchise, discussed the art of inspiration — which, he noted, can come from a variety of sources, ranging from ear-piercing sounds on the subway to vacation pictures.

Monopoly axes the iron, introduces the cat

Posted on February 6, 2013 by Chris Morris

The Scottie dog is about to have a new friend to chase around the Monopoly board.

Following a month-long nationwide vote from fans, Hasbro took to the Today show to announce that it will retire the iron from the game’s iconic pieces, replacing it with a cat.

Read more at Yahoo! Games

PS4: What Sony needs to win next-gen

Posted on February 6, 2013 by Chris Morris

Columnist Chris Morris looks at opportunities and potential pitfalls for Sony in the upcoming console battle.

In just under two weeks, we’ll know a lot more about the PlayStation 4 than we do right now- well, in theory.

The truth is: The leaks about the PS4 have been coming fast and furious lately. And people with knowledge of the system (but who are still abiding by the NDA) indicate that there’s a lot of accuracy in the recent reports. For the sake of argument, let’s assume for the moment that the whispers are right. Given what we think we know, what things about the PS4 can put it in a leadership position in the next generation – and what things could turn it into the next Vita?

Why China Allowing Gaming Consoles Won’t Help Game Makers

Posted on February 5, 2013 by Chris Morris

Reports this week that China was considering lifting its 13-year ban on video game consoles sent shares of companies like Sony and Nintendo soaring.

But as the euphoria wears off and the waiting period for the country’s government to take action (if, indeed, it plans to) sets in, analysts say the potential impact on major U.S. video game publishers will likely be minimal.

Video Game Industry Can’t Catch a Break, Still Struggling

Posted on February 5, 2013 by Chris Morris

January was not kind to the video game industry.

One major publisher was split into pieces. One high profile development studio was shut down and another seems likely to be headed in that direction. And another publisher is trading in the Nasdaq red zone. What’s going on?

Tumultuous game industry rocked by wave of studio closures

Posted on February 5, 2013 by Chris Morris

The sad truth of the modern video game industry is that regardless of how talented (or lucky) a game maker is, nobody has unlimited lives.

January was certainly proof of that. A one-time powerhouse publisher was ripped to shreds. A legendary developer was handed a pink slip. If things don’t radically reverse course, the next month or two could see another studio and another game god meet the same fate.

Read more at Yahoo! Games

Activision expands the Skylanders with ‘Swap Force’

Posted on February 5, 2013 by Chris Morris

Given how phenomenally successful the Skylanders franchise has been for Activision, it was just a matter of time before the company accelerated its expansion.

Last year’s Skylanders Giants supersized the “toys meet video games” figurines. This year, you’ll be able to mix and match their components.

Read more at Yahoo! Games