Primed for a Wii-peat

Posted on January 24, 2013 by Chris Morris

The Wii U didn’t exactly light the world on fire when it made its grand debut at 2011’s E3 gaming expo. A year later, it still didn’t have the gaming faithful quivering in their fanboy boots. But now that the system is widely available, that old Nintendo magic could be brewing once again.

In the system’s first six days, Nintendo sold 400,000 units to eager consumers, who lined up early to grab a system – and eBay sellers were commanding a 40 percent premium for a Wii U. If all of this sounds familiar, it should: It’s reminiscent of the madness we saw when the original Wii went on sale in 2006.

DejaQ – Devil May Cry

Posted on January 24, 2013 by Chris Morris

If it weren’t for Dante and Trish, we might never have met Kratos.

When Devil My Cry debuted in 2001, it didn’t just start a new franchise for Capcom, it introduced a new genre to the video game industry. Blending frenetic combat with stylish moves and a smooth play mechanic, it opened the doors for titles like God of War, Bayonetta and the modern incarnation of Ninja Gaiden.

Zynga, Rovio And The IPO Issue

Posted on October 19, 2011 by Chris Morris

You don’t have to be a wizard of Wall Street to know the market sucks these days. While the Dow Jones Industrial average is slightly higher than it was at the start of the year, persistent fears of a double-dip recession – or worse – are preventing both individual and institutional investors from jumping into the market with any gusto.

That’s starting to affect the valuations of companies with looming public offerings, including a high profile one in the gaming world. And it should be a lesson to other game companies thinking about an IPO.

Analysis: How Netflix Could Shake Up The Game Rental Business

Posted on September 19, 2011 by Chris Morris

Gamasutra columnist Chris Morris looks at how Netflix’s recent decision to add video games to its rent-by-mail service could pose a threat to competitor GameFly and shake up the video game rental market significantly.

Maybe it’s a good thing that GameFly has been unable to get its act together and launch that IPO it filed for last February – because if it had, its stock would surely be taking a prison yard beating today.

Netflix has made some baffling moves in the last couple of months, and Sunday’s announcement that it would be spinning its DVD-by-mail service into a separate division certainly qualifies as one of them. But the addition of video games to its offerings could be just what the business needs to prop that service up for a few more years.

PSA: Redbox game rentals begin today

Posted on June 17, 2011 by Chris Morris

The retail availability of video games just grew dramatically.

Redbox, whose movie rental vending machines are scattered in all sorts of unlikely locations — from convenience stores to pharmacies to fast-food restaurants — has added video games to its selection.

Interview: Redbox Ramps Up Game Rental Business

Posted on April 28, 2011 by Chris Morris

There’s nothing new about video rental chains mixing video games in with the latest Harry Potter film on their shelves. The practice has historically helped supplement dwindling income from film rentals as companies like Netflix shifted the paradigm.

But now, starting in June, Redbox is getting into the game rental business — and it’s a different story than before.

Redbox gets into game rental business

Posted on April 28, 2011 by Chris Morris

Come this summer, that trip to the corner convenience store for a Slim Jim and a Coke will also give you the chance to check out the newest video game releases.

Redbox, whose vending machine rental kiosks revolutionized the film industry, is moving into the video game space with plans to begin offering titles at 21,000 locations starting June 17.

Chris Morris: Journalist

Tag Archives: gamefly