Halo 3, the latest installment of one of the most popular video game franchises of all times, is launching today at midnight.
It is expected to bring Microsoft $150M in revenue on its first day. That will put it up there with the biggest opening weekend ticket sales for a movie (Spiderman 3: $151M).
Overall revenue over the lifetime of the video game is expected to hit $600M or more. Spiderman 3's total revenue (merchandising, DVD sales, ticket sales) is expected to hit $1.3B.
Where Halo 3 reigns supreme over Spiderman 3, however, is profit margin. Business analysts are expecting Halo 3 to have profit margins close to 90%, while Spiderman 3 will "only" have a 46% profit margin due to much higher production costs. The overall profit in dollars is about even between the two blockbuster products.
Update: Microsoft has now counted their money from Halo 3 launch day. The results come in as an impressive $170M as first day sales.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Monday, September 17, 2007
GamePolitics.com celebrates Constitution Day
Apparently September 17th is Constitution Day in the United States.
GamePolitics.com is celebrating the day by publishing a series of articles about the constitutional issues regarding video games. The articles would be a great read for our elected officials who seem hellbent on wasting our money on pointless, and unconstitutional, laws regulating video games.
The first article is about an article by Julie Hilden, a First Amendment expert. It's a primer on why laws regulating violence in video games have all failed. She makes a great argument about the difference of perpetrating violence and depicting violence.
The second article is regarding a speech by Professor Laurence H. Tribe of Harvard University Law School. He recently gave a speech at Progress and Freedom Foundation's 13th annual Aspen Summit about First Amendment issues relating to technology. His speech goes into considerable detail to explain why video games enjoy First Amendment protection in the first place.
GamePolitics.com is celebrating the day by publishing a series of articles about the constitutional issues regarding video games. The articles would be a great read for our elected officials who seem hellbent on wasting our money on pointless, and unconstitutional, laws regulating video games.
The first article is about an article by Julie Hilden, a First Amendment expert. It's a primer on why laws regulating violence in video games have all failed. She makes a great argument about the difference of perpetrating violence and depicting violence.
The second article is regarding a speech by Professor Laurence H. Tribe of Harvard University Law School. He recently gave a speech at Progress and Freedom Foundation's 13th annual Aspen Summit about First Amendment issues relating to technology. His speech goes into considerable detail to explain why video games enjoy First Amendment protection in the first place.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Video games not involved in the Virginia Tech shooting
GamePolitics.com reports the final report of Virginia State Governor Tim Kaine's Virginia Tech Review Panel has been released to the public today.
The report states in no uncertain terms that video games were not involved. Not that there really was any doubt about it in the first place.
The report's findings should, once and for all, now prove that people with self-serving agendas quick to rush to blame video games for the tragedy were completely wrong about it. I don't expect these people to ever admit they were wrong, however. It's just not like them to do so. In fact, I expect most of them to issue statements disputing the findings of the report.
I applaud the efforts of Governor Tim Kaine and his Review Panel. In this day and age, it seems media concentrates their reporting on the most scandalous and controversial topics no matter how inaccurate they might be. The Virginia Tech Review Panel, on the other hand, rigorously studied all aspects of the incident and produced a thorough report on their findings based on the facts they uncovered. I would encourage the critics of video games to do the same.
The report states in no uncertain terms that video games were not involved. Not that there really was any doubt about it in the first place.
The report's findings should, once and for all, now prove that people with self-serving agendas quick to rush to blame video games for the tragedy were completely wrong about it. I don't expect these people to ever admit they were wrong, however. It's just not like them to do so. In fact, I expect most of them to issue statements disputing the findings of the report.
I applaud the efforts of Governor Tim Kaine and his Review Panel. In this day and age, it seems media concentrates their reporting on the most scandalous and controversial topics no matter how inaccurate they might be. The Virginia Tech Review Panel, on the other hand, rigorously studied all aspects of the incident and produced a thorough report on their findings based on the facts they uncovered. I would encourage the critics of video games to do the same.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
The Constitutional issues with anti-video game laws
The New York Times writes about the Constitutional issues surrounding the anti-video game laws introduced by several US States in recent years.
The article takes a very skeptical view on New York State Governor Eliot Spitzer's anti-video game bill's chances to hold against a Constitutional challenge by the courts.
It also quotes Judge Richard A. Posner of the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. Judge Posner ruled on a case to regulate public game arcades in Indianapolis.
In his ruling to block the law in question he said:
The article takes a very skeptical view on New York State Governor Eliot Spitzer's anti-video game bill's chances to hold against a Constitutional challenge by the courts.
It also quotes Judge Richard A. Posner of the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. Judge Posner ruled on a case to regulate public game arcades in Indianapolis.
In his ruling to block the law in question he said:
“Violence has always been and remains a central interest of humankind and a recurrent, even obsessive theme of culture both high and low. It engages the interest of children from an early age, as anyone familiar with the classic fairy tales collected by Grimm, Andersen, and Perrault are aware. To shield children right up to the age of 18 from exposure to violent descriptions and images would not only be quixotic, but deforming; it would leave them unequipped to cope with the world as we know it.”
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Pro gaming hitting mainstream
CBS is broadcasting the 2007 World Series of Video Games on national network TV on Sunday July 27th at noon EST.
This is the first time a network TV channel is broadcasting a pro video gaming event to the national TV audience. Cable networks have done the same before, but obviously not at this scale.
It'll be interesting to see how the ratings turn out and what the TV coverage will be like.
The broadcast is sure to raise the profile of pro gaming in the national media. Let's see if it has any other positive effects as well.
This is the first time a network TV channel is broadcasting a pro video gaming event to the national TV audience. Cable networks have done the same before, but obviously not at this scale.
It'll be interesting to see how the ratings turn out and what the TV coverage will be like.
The broadcast is sure to raise the profile of pro gaming in the national media. Let's see if it has any other positive effects as well.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
The New York Times on Manhunt 2: less violent than R rated movies
The "controversy" over Rockstar Games' and Take Two Interactive's Manhunt 2, a violent action game, set to be released later this year has gone through the roof in the last week or so.
The British and the Irish banned it outright, and ESRB, the US organization which rates video games, issued it an Adult Only (AO) rating, which effectively kills the game in the United States. The AO rating means Microsoft, Nintendo nor Sony will allow its release on their video game platforms since all of them have licensing agreements with developers that prohibit releasing AO rated games. All major retailers in the United States also do not carry AO rated video games.
The video gaming industry has been silently sitting idle watching the fireworks and trying to remain quiet as if not to attract too much attention afraid of something else "bad" might come out of speaking out.
A New York Times journalist, Seth Schiesel, however did not remain quiet. He has written an article comparing Manhunt 2 to modern horror movies, all of which are rated R, a much less restrictive rating than the AO rating for Manhunt 2.
He found out the R rated horror movies are far more violent than the video game that's currently been labeled as a "murder simulator" and the most violent video game to date. But such is the power of objective research, rather than letting yourself be influenced by alarmists with self-serving agendas and by fear of "not doing something".
The British and the Irish banned it outright, and ESRB, the US organization which rates video games, issued it an Adult Only (AO) rating, which effectively kills the game in the United States. The AO rating means Microsoft, Nintendo nor Sony will allow its release on their video game platforms since all of them have licensing agreements with developers that prohibit releasing AO rated games. All major retailers in the United States also do not carry AO rated video games.
The video gaming industry has been silently sitting idle watching the fireworks and trying to remain quiet as if not to attract too much attention afraid of something else "bad" might come out of speaking out.
A New York Times journalist, Seth Schiesel, however did not remain quiet. He has written an article comparing Manhunt 2 to modern horror movies, all of which are rated R, a much less restrictive rating than the AO rating for Manhunt 2.
He found out the R rated horror movies are far more violent than the video game that's currently been labeled as a "murder simulator" and the most violent video game to date. But such is the power of objective research, rather than letting yourself be influenced by alarmists with self-serving agendas and by fear of "not doing something".
Thursday, June 07, 2007
Whyville - making learning science cool with games
The Escapist Magazine has an interesting article about Whyville, a sort of virtual world for young kids to learn about science through playing mini-games and communicating with other kids of their age.
Whyville is a web based virtual community launched in 1998. It's being sponsored by organizations such as NASA.
Whyville is a web based virtual community launched in 1998. It's being sponsored by organizations such as NASA.
Positive news from West Virginia's Dance Dance Revolution expirement continue to pile up
The Escapist Magazine writes about West Virginia's expirement to provide all public schools in the state with Dance Dance Revolution games to combat childhood obesity.
The article describes the positive results as experienced by Ryan Walker, a sixth grade student from Martinsburg, West Virginia.
The article describes the positive results as experienced by Ryan Walker, a sixth grade student from Martinsburg, West Virginia.
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
Vicarious Visions - a video game developer based in Albany, NY speaks out against the New York State anti-video game bills
Karthik Bala, the CEO of Vicarious Visions, a video game developer based in Albany, NY, has written an editorial in Times Union, a newspaper serving the New York State's capital region.
He's speaking out against the two different anti-video game bills recently introduced in New York State Senate and Assembly. He's pointing out how similar bills in other states have been struck down on constitutional grounds, and warns the legislators not to go down the same route wasting tax payers' money.
He rather recommends politicians spend our money on educating parents about the video game rating system already in use and about parental controls available in every video game console platform currently on the market.
I couldn't agree more.
He's speaking out against the two different anti-video game bills recently introduced in New York State Senate and Assembly. He's pointing out how similar bills in other states have been struck down on constitutional grounds, and warns the legislators not to go down the same route wasting tax payers' money.
He rather recommends politicians spend our money on educating parents about the video game rating system already in use and about parental controls available in every video game console platform currently on the market.
I couldn't agree more.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Video Games Turn 40
It's been 40 years this month since Ralph Baer invented Pong.
Within those 40 years the video game industry has surpassed both the music and film industry in terms of annual revenue generated. No small feat for "kids stuff".
The 1Up.com article recaps the history of inventing Pong.
Mr. Baer, thank you for all the wonderful gaming moments.
Within those 40 years the video game industry has surpassed both the music and film industry in terms of annual revenue generated. No small feat for "kids stuff".
The 1Up.com article recaps the history of inventing Pong.
Mr. Baer, thank you for all the wonderful gaming moments.
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
Wisconsin gamers raise $14K to help their fellow schoolmate
For the second time this year Kaukauna High School students stepped up to raise money for a schoolmate in trouble. In March they raised $13K for Michael Ederer, who was diagnosed with cancer, and this Monday they raised $14K to help Tiffany Pohl, who was seriously injured in a car crash.
The students were selling raffle tickets to win a Nintendo Wii, and tickets to play video games like Guitar Hero and Dance Dance Revolution.
Nicely done!
The students were selling raffle tickets to win a Nintendo Wii, and tickets to play video games like Guitar Hero and Dance Dance Revolution.
Nicely done!
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
Games are Good for You
Ben Silverman's article on Yahoo! Games discusses five different positive aspects of video games.
They are:
They are:
- They can improve your eyesight.
- They can help you focus.
- They can help you lose weight.
- They can help you understand classic literature.
- They can literally save your life.
Ben is a kindred spirit.
Monday, April 30, 2007
Progress report on West Virginia and Dance Dance Revolution
About a year ago the State of West Virginia decided it's going to add Dance Dance Revolution (DDR) into the physical education curriculum on all of its 765 public schools.
They've since added DDR on all 185 of their middle schools. The New York Times is writing about the results of the expirement.
They've since added DDR on all 185 of their middle schools. The New York Times is writing about the results of the expirement.
Friday, April 20, 2007
Virginia Tech and video games
MSNBC has published an excellent article about how video games get blamed for every violent act by a young male in the US. It goes on to discuss how certain people went on to blame video games for the Virginia Tech tragedy even before anyone knew anything about the shooter.
It quotes Dr. Karen Sternheimer, a sociologist at USC, who says it's disingenuous to blame video games, because pretty much all young males have, at some point in their lives played video games and despite every young adult male being a gamer youth violence rates are at an all time low.
It's a good read to get past the blame game.
It quotes Dr. Karen Sternheimer, a sociologist at USC, who says it's disingenuous to blame video games, because pretty much all young males have, at some point in their lives played video games and despite every young adult male being a gamer youth violence rates are at an all time low.
It's a good read to get past the blame game.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
My anti violence declaration
Gaming blog Joystiq.com has written a declaration about violence in video games from the gamers' perspective.
It lists a few statements that should be obvious to anyone with common sense. It's too bad most people these days do not have common sense, so people have to spell these things out.
The list includes, among others:
It lists a few statements that should be obvious to anyone with common sense. It's too bad most people these days do not have common sense, so people have to spell these things out.
The list includes, among others:
- I know the difference between right and wrong.
- I know that people have played Cops and Robbers for generations without becoming real robbers.
- I know that video games are a safe way to let out my aggression without hurting anyone.
- I know, in the end, that these are only games.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
British Board of Film Classification studies video gaming
The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC), an independent organization that rates film and video releases in the United Kingdom, has published their research on playing video games.
The BBFC prefaces the press release about the research with the following.
Well said.
The research is one of the first research on why people play video games and what do the gamers think of their gaming habits. The research included gamers from 7 to 40 years old, parents of young gamers, gaming industry representatives and games reviewers.
One of the most poignant, especially during this time when the witch hunt against video games has been fueled again by the tragic events at Virginia Tech University, findings of the research state:
The research also found out that most gamers find violence on television and in films more upsetting and more real than violence in video games.
The BBFC prefaces the press release about the research with the following.
Video games tend to polarise opinions in a way that other entertainment media do not. People who do not play them cannot understand their attraction and that lack of understanding can lead to some games being demonised.
Well said.
The research is one of the first research on why people play video games and what do the gamers think of their gaming habits. The research included gamers from 7 to 40 years old, parents of young gamers, gaming industry representatives and games reviewers.
One of the most poignant, especially during this time when the witch hunt against video games has been fueled again by the tragic events at Virginia Tech University, findings of the research state:
gamers are virtually unanimous in rejecting the suggestion that video games encourage people to be violent in real life or that they have become desensitised. They see no evidence in themselves or their friends who play games that they have become more violent in real life. As one participant said: "I no more feel that I have actually scored a goal than I do that I have actually killed someone. I know it’s not real. The emphasis is on achievement."
The research also found out that most gamers find violence on television and in films more upsetting and more real than violence in video games.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Video games used in Physical Ed classes to keep kids in shape
Monroeton Elementary school in North Carolina is using Dance, Dance Revolution video game to keep their kids in shape during PE classes.
According to the news article the kids are much more enthusiastic about exercising using the video game than they would otherwise be. A lot of them are playing the game at home, too, so that they'd get better when competing against their classmates at school. The end result is more exercising.
According to the news article the kids are much more enthusiastic about exercising using the video game than they would otherwise be. A lot of them are playing the game at home, too, so that they'd get better when competing against their classmates at school. The end result is more exercising.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Nintendo Wii keeping the elderly active
A retirement community in Lincolnshire, IL got a Nintendo Wii as a Christmas present and the residents haven't looked back since. The retirees living in the community have taken video gaming to heart and are having 20 person Wii Sports Bowling tournaments Sunday afternoons.
Looks like video game addiction is not just for the young.
Looks like video game addiction is not just for the young.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Anshe Chung becomes the first virtual millionaire
A Second Life resident, Anshe Chung, is the first virtual millionaire, according to a press release she's put out.
Anshe is a virtual real estate tycoon in Second Life, a virtual world game, where she buys, develops and sells virtual real estate.
Second Life currency can be exchanged freely to real currency. According to the current exchange rates her in-game assets are now valued in more than $1M USD in real US currency.
Her press release states she's made her million entirely within the virtual world in two and a half years starting with a mere $9.95 investment in a paid Second Life account.
Anshe is a virtual real estate tycoon in Second Life, a virtual world game, where she buys, develops and sells virtual real estate.
Second Life currency can be exchanged freely to real currency. According to the current exchange rates her in-game assets are now valued in more than $1M USD in real US currency.
Her press release states she's made her million entirely within the virtual world in two and a half years starting with a mere $9.95 investment in a paid Second Life account.
Burger King scores big with video game tie-in
Burger King Holdings reports its quarterly earnings ending at 12/31/2006 were better than expected. Net income increased from $27M to $38M over the same period last year. Quarterly revenues were up 9%.
Burger King is stating one of the reasons for the better than expected results is the cross marketing campaign with Microsoft. Burger King and Microsoft created Burger King branded video games for the XBox 360 video game platform and sold the games at Burger King locations for $3.99 each.
Burger King is stating one of the reasons for the better than expected results is the cross marketing campaign with Microsoft. Burger King and Microsoft created Burger King branded video games for the XBox 360 video game platform and sold the games at Burger King locations for $3.99 each.
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