Gamers are getting 
grayer.
The average vidgame player is now 37 years old, and individuals who buy the most games are 41, on average, according to a survey of 1,200 households compiled by the Entertainment Software Assn.
Tag Archives: variety
E3 confab hits next level
The videogame industry 
is at a crossroads of whether to reinvent itself or continue hyping what’s working.
While Nintendo and Sony are expected to unveil new hardware at this week’s Electronic Entertainment Expo, the videogame biz’s biggest tradeshow, which kicks off Monday from various venues around downtown Los Angeles, Microsoft is putting more promotional muscle behind its Xbox 360 console.
Sony confirms recent hack, calls F.B.I.
Sony Pictures has confirmed that 
it was the victim of a large scale hacking operation this week and says it has called in law enforcement officials to help find the people responsible.
“The cybercrime wave that has affected Sony companies and a number of government agencies, businesses and individuals in recent months has hit Sony Pictures as well,” said Michael Lynton, chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures Entertainment, and co-chairman Amy Pascal in a joint statement. “[Thursday] afternoon a group of criminal hackers known as ‘LulzSec’ claimed to have breached some of our websites. We have confirmed that a breach has occurred and have taken action to protect against further intrusion. We also retained a respected team of experts to conduct the forensic analysis of the attack, which is ongoing.”
E3 2011: EA launches digital distribution service
Valve Software’s Steam has been the big dog 
in the PC digital distribution space for a while now, but one of the industry’s biggest publishers is ready to take it on.
Electronic Arts has announced Origin, an updated “direct-to-consumer gaming platform” that will let people buy titles directly from the company, rather than via retail or another service. Given how heavily EA is betting on PC games in the year to come, it’s not an altogether shocking move.
Hackers claim to hit Sony again
Hackers say they have once again penetrated Sony’s Website , and this time they’re releasing the information they found.
The hacker group LulzSec, which claimed responsibility for the takeover of PBS’s servers over Memorial Day, released a file Tuesday afternoon online that it says contains personal information for over 1 million users of SonyPictures.com.
Tennessee passes strict Web entertainment theft bill
If you live in Tennessee and a buddy 
offers to loan you his or her login to Netflix, it might be wise to politely decline.
A new law in the state, signed into legislation yesterday, makes it a crime to use another person’s log-in to stream video or music – even if that person has given you permission to do so.
Rovio has expansion plans
The Angry Birds are getting ready 
to fling themselves at Hollywood in an even more aggressive fashion.
Rovio Mobile has acquired Finish animation studio Kombo and plans to use the group to expand its push into new areas of the entertainment biz far beyond the company’s gaming roots.
Expect Microsoft to focus on more than games at E3
Granted, E3 is a video game trade show, but in between all
the talk about Kinect and “Gears of War 3” at its pre-show press conference this year, expect Microsoft to have plenty to say about the non-gaming world.
The Xbox 360 has been a leader in general entertainment among the major consoles – but other devices, particularly Sony’s PlayStation 3, have been playing a good game of catch up. A recent statement by the company’s VP of corporate communications, however, indicates the company is hoping to ready to jump back out in front.
PBS hackers threaten to target Sony
Just days after hacking the PBS servers, the 
hacker group that calls itself LulzSec says its is turning its attentions to Sony.
The group, which also claims responsibility for an attack on Sony’s BMG Website in Japan over a week ago, said via Twitter that it was “working on another Sony operation” – adding “this is the beginning of the end for Sony.”
Apple confirms iCloud
After months of speculation and expectation, Apple has confirmed plans to enter the cloud music space.
The company, in a press release issued Tuesday, said it would reveal iCloud at its Worldwide Developer’s Conference on June 6.
Chris Morris: Journalist 