Atlus released the sixth character trailer for Dragon's Crown today, and it features the Amazon - remember when you saw that word and thought of female warriors rather than online deals? What this Amazon lacks in outerwear (or anywear), she makes up for with brute strength. ...
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EA senior vice president and General Counsel Stephen Bene followed suit, today exercising an option to buy 25,000 shares from EA at $16.06 per share for $401,500 in total, well below the current market value. Bene then sold those shares for $22.40 each, making $560,000. After subtracting the amount originally spent when the option to buy the shares was exercised, Bene made a net profit of $158,500. Unlike Wilson, Bene is still in possession of 6,700 shares of EA, according to SEC documents.
Sony reports that DrinkBox Studios' side-scrolling luchador brawler Guacamelee emerged as last month's biggest seller on the PlayStation Network, topping the PlayStation 3 and PS Vita sales charts in North America and Europe.
Guacamelee launched in both regions the week of April 9, and was bolstered by a week-long sale for PlayStation Plus members. The game beat out Terraria and the downloadable version of Square Enix's Tomb Raider for the top PS3 chart spot stateside, and overtook Sony's Soul Sacrifice and Muteki's Dragon Fantasy Book I to lead PS Vita sales.
Over in Europe, Guacamelee toppled PSN favorites Journey, Hitman: Blood Money HD and Crysis to champion the PS3 sales list, and outsold Urban Trial Freestyle and Sound Shapes in a no-holds-barred Triple Threat match on the Vita.
Guacamelee launched in both regions the week of April 9, and was bolstered by a week-long sale for PlayStation Plus members. The game beat out Terraria and the downloadable version of Square Enix's Tomb Raider for the top PS3 chart spot stateside, and overtook Sony's Soul Sacrifice and Muteki's Dragon Fantasy Book I to lead PS Vita sales.
Over in Europe, Guacamelee toppled PSN favorites Journey, Hitman: Blood Money HD and Crysis to champion the PS3 sales list, and outsold Urban Trial Freestyle and Sound Shapes in a no-holds-barred Triple Threat match on the Vita.
Atlus has also revealed the game's North American box art, which does a good job of obfuscating the art design's more controversial aspects. Dragon's Crown will drop for PlayStation 3 and Vita August 6, at $49.99 and $39.99 respectively.
Namco Bandai released its financial results for the end of its fiscal year today, noting increased earnings in multiple sectors despite missing sales targets for Tekken Tag Tournament 2 and Tales of Xillia 2.
The company's worldwide net sales grew by 7.3 percent, ending this fiscal year at ¥487 billion (approximately $4.9B), compared to last year's earnings of ¥434 billion. Namco Bandai's net income for the year ending March 31, 2013 was ¥32.4 billion ($327M), a 67.8 percent increase over last year's reported ¥19.3 billion.
Regional sales saw significant boosts. Net sales of Namco Bandai products in Japan increased 7.3 percent year-over-year to ¥406 billion ($4.1B), while sales for the Americas rose 38.3 percent, finishing at ¥33.6 billion ($339M).
The report additionally reveals that Namco Bandai failed to meet shipping targets for some of its key titles. Siliconera notes that Namco Bandai expected to ship 1.7 million units of Tekken Tag Tournament 2 worldwide, but came up short at 1.5 million. The Japan-exclusive RPG Tales of Xillia 2 shipped 500,000, missing its initial target of 650,000 units.
Other big titles for the company include SoulCalibur V, which shipped 1.05 million units worldwide in the fiscal year ending in March, and two entries in its Naruto Shippuden series, which shipped a combined 1.76 million units across all regions.
The company's worldwide net sales grew by 7.3 percent, ending this fiscal year at ¥487 billion (approximately $4.9B), compared to last year's earnings of ¥434 billion. Namco Bandai's net income for the year ending March 31, 2013 was ¥32.4 billion ($327M), a 67.8 percent increase over last year's reported ¥19.3 billion.
Regional sales saw significant boosts. Net sales of Namco Bandai products in Japan increased 7.3 percent year-over-year to ¥406 billion ($4.1B), while sales for the Americas rose 38.3 percent, finishing at ¥33.6 billion ($339M).
The report additionally reveals that Namco Bandai failed to meet shipping targets for some of its key titles. Siliconera notes that Namco Bandai expected to ship 1.7 million units of Tekken Tag Tournament 2 worldwide, but came up short at 1.5 million. The Japan-exclusive RPG Tales of Xillia 2 shipped 500,000, missing its initial target of 650,000 units.
Other big titles for the company include SoulCalibur V, which shipped 1.05 million units worldwide in the fiscal year ending in March, and two entries in its Naruto Shippuden series, which shipped a combined 1.76 million units across all regions.
Konami has released details of its financial performance in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2013, reporting sizable year-on-year losses in its digital entertainment and pachinko divisions but growth in its social gaming sector.
Company product sales and service revenue for the year amounted to ¥226 billion ($2.4B), down 15 percent from its earnings of ¥266 billion last year. Net income sank to ¥13.2 billion ($140M), a decrease of 42.8% compared to last year's reported income of ¥23 billion.
Konami saw its largest losses in the pachinko sector, in which revenue fell more than 70 percent compared to last year. The company's Digital Entertainment division reported a loss of 17.1 percent in year-on-year revenue, though solid worldwide performances for titles like Pro Evolution Soccer 2013 and Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance boosted earnings.
Konami's finances are buoyed by the success of Metal Gear Solid Social Ops and another popular online game, Dragon Collection, which it operates in partnership with Japanese social networking service GREE. Konami's social games currently boast more than 35 million registered users worldwide.
Company product sales and service revenue for the year amounted to ¥226 billion ($2.4B), down 15 percent from its earnings of ¥266 billion last year. Net income sank to ¥13.2 billion ($140M), a decrease of 42.8% compared to last year's reported income of ¥23 billion.
Konami saw its largest losses in the pachinko sector, in which revenue fell more than 70 percent compared to last year. The company's Digital Entertainment division reported a loss of 17.1 percent in year-on-year revenue, though solid worldwide performances for titles like Pro Evolution Soccer 2013 and Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance boosted earnings.
Konami's finances are buoyed by the success of Metal Gear Solid Social Ops and another popular online game, Dragon Collection, which it operates in partnership with Japanese social networking service GREE. Konami's social games currently boast more than 35 million registered users worldwide.
Tearaway hits retail and PSN on October 23 in Europe. And, once again, your choices for pre-orders in that region are soundtrack or rideable pig. We think you'll make the right decision.
Muramasa Rebirth, the PlayStation Vita port of Muramasa: The Demon Blade, is still all set for handheld questing on June 25. The game is different from the original in that it has four new playable characters and four downloadable scenarios. There's also a special edition available for $60. ...
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Sony had a net income for fiscal 2012 (ending March 31 2013) of ¥43 billion, which converts to $458 million. It's the first time the company's posted annual net profit since 2008. A far better situation than the company's $456.7 million loss last year.
As the company predicted following several cost-cutting measures across the previous year – including the sales of major buildings in Tokyo and New York, as well as thousands of layoffs - Sony posted an operating profit for the fiscal year, which came in at ¥230.1 billion ($2.45 billion).
Sony shifted 3.4 million PS3 and PS2 units across the last quarter, while the Vita and PSP came in at 1.3 million. Sony's fiscal year figures were in line with projections made last quarter, with the home consoles at 16.5 million and the portables at 7 million.
However, the portables' figures compare unfavorably with the company's initial estimate for the year, which was 16 million. Sony is being much more cautious for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2014, predicting only 5 million units in what's approximately the Vita's second year at retail. PS3 figures are estimated at 10 million, while Sony chose not to include PS4 projections.
The PlayStation division saw 12.2 percent year-on-year decline in sales, coming in at ¥707.1 billion ($7.52 billion). Operating income saw a much sharper drop, down 94.1 percent to ¥1.7 billion, or $18 million. Sony put the declines down to decreased hardware sales, as well as the "strategic price reduction" for the Vita in Japan earlier this year.
One area where growth is predicted is software, even without including the PS4. Sony projects an increase from the 266 million units sold in fiscal 2012 to 319 million (including digital units).
As the company predicted following several cost-cutting measures across the previous year – including the sales of major buildings in Tokyo and New York, as well as thousands of layoffs - Sony posted an operating profit for the fiscal year, which came in at ¥230.1 billion ($2.45 billion).
Sony shifted 3.4 million PS3 and PS2 units across the last quarter, while the Vita and PSP came in at 1.3 million. Sony's fiscal year figures were in line with projections made last quarter, with the home consoles at 16.5 million and the portables at 7 million.
However, the portables' figures compare unfavorably with the company's initial estimate for the year, which was 16 million. Sony is being much more cautious for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2014, predicting only 5 million units in what's approximately the Vita's second year at retail. PS3 figures are estimated at 10 million, while Sony chose not to include PS4 projections.
The PlayStation division saw 12.2 percent year-on-year decline in sales, coming in at ¥707.1 billion ($7.52 billion). Operating income saw a much sharper drop, down 94.1 percent to ¥1.7 billion, or $18 million. Sony put the declines down to decreased hardware sales, as well as the "strategic price reduction" for the Vita in Japan earlier this year.
One area where growth is predicted is software, even without including the PS4. Sony projects an increase from the 266 million units sold in fiscal 2012 to 319 million (including digital units).
Disney contributes the loss to "growth at our Japan mobile business from a licensing agreement that started in February 2012 and lower acquisition accounting expense at our social games business." No mention is made of Junction Point Studios, which Disney closed in January after lackluster sales of Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two, or of the company's forthcoming game/toy platform Disney Infinity.
"The shift in release dates of competing products, the disappointing launch of the Wii U, uncertainties regarding next-generation hardware, and subscriber declines in our World of Warcraft business all raise concerns, as do continued challenges in the global economy," CEO Bobby Kotick said in the report. "For these reasons, we remain cautious."
Despite this, Activision Blizzard is raising its net revenue outlook for calendar year 2013 by 3.3 percent, from $4.085 billion to $4.22 billion. Kotick attributed the company's successful quarter to Starcraft 2: Heart of the Swarm and World of Warcraft, as well as continued consumer interest in Call of Duty and Skylanders.
In its ever-vigilant push to become a heavy hitter in the independent development scene, Sony has made it free to publish games on PlayStation Mobile. Previously, developers had to pay a $99 publisher license fee, but Sony has waived that to encourage more developers to sign up.
That means the barrier of entry to bring games to PlayStation certified devices and the PlayStation Vita is now effectively zero. You know, except for programming knowledge, talent and a head for game design. You still need that stuff.
That means the barrier of entry to bring games to PlayStation certified devices and the PlayStation Vita is now effectively zero. You know, except for programming knowledge, talent and a head for game design. You still need that stuff.
Greg Johnson, creator of the funky Sega Genesis classic Toejam & Earl, is heading up studio HumaNature's development of Doki-Doki Universe, a newly announced game for the PlayStation 4, PS3, and PS Vita.
Doki-Doki Universe, which Johnson describes as an "RPG/Simulation/Interactive Story game," stars an abandoned robot who travels across the universe and interacts with a host of living creatures, growing more human-like as the narrative progresses. The expansive game world features a wide variety of collectible items and character-driven puzzles, and players will develop a unique, shareable personality profile as they play.
Doki-Doki Universe will launch as a free download that allows players to fly around the game's universe, take personality quizzes, and send animated cross-platform messages via the included Doki-Doki Mail messaging app. The game's full story mode will be available as add-on content.
Doki-Doki Universe, which Johnson describes as an "RPG/Simulation/Interactive Story game," stars an abandoned robot who travels across the universe and interacts with a host of living creatures, growing more human-like as the narrative progresses. The expansive game world features a wide variety of collectible items and character-driven puzzles, and players will develop a unique, shareable personality profile as they play.
Doki-Doki Universe will launch as a free download that allows players to fly around the game's universe, take personality quizzes, and send animated cross-platform messages via the included Doki-Doki Mail messaging app. The game's full story mode will be available as add-on content.
Sony will publish CounterSpy, the first game from developer Dynamighty, a San Francisco outfit comprised of former LucasArts and Pixar talent, on PS3 and PS Vita. CounterSpy (working title) is a 2D action and stealth game set during the Cold War, in which you infiltrate Soviet and US military installations and sabotage war efforts to prevent the destruction of mankind. And just maybe set it straight, this Watergate.
Lead designer David Nottingham calls CounterSpy "primarily" a single-player game in the PlayStation Blog announcement, though he adds Dynamighty is "working on some interesting ways to let you compete with friends that go a little beyond traditional high scores." In an interview with Game Informer, Nottingham says an endless mode with procedurally generated levels is also in the works for the extended replay crowd.
There is no launch timeframe for CounterSpy at the moment. All we know is that the game will launch on PS3, PS Vita and mobile platforms – no mention of PS4.
Lead designer David Nottingham calls CounterSpy "primarily" a single-player game in the PlayStation Blog announcement, though he adds Dynamighty is "working on some interesting ways to let you compete with friends that go a little beyond traditional high scores." In an interview with Game Informer, Nottingham says an endless mode with procedurally generated levels is also in the works for the extended replay crowd.
There is no launch timeframe for CounterSpy at the moment. All we know is that the game will launch on PS3, PS Vita and mobile platforms – no mention of PS4.
United Front's open-world action game, Sleeping Dogs, is now available for free to PlayStation Plus members as part of Instant Game Collection.
Papo & Yo is available for $9 this week (or $12 if you want the soundtrack tossed in), while Retro City Rampage is down to $7.50. Fatal Frame 2 joins the PS2 Classics list, and a multiplayer demo for Fuse teases Insomniac's latest shooter before its launch later this month. Check the PlayStation Blog for the full list of new content.
Papo & Yo is available for $9 this week (or $12 if you want the soundtrack tossed in), while Retro City Rampage is down to $7.50. Fatal Frame 2 joins the PS2 Classics list, and a multiplayer demo for Fuse teases Insomniac's latest shooter before its launch later this month. Check the PlayStation Blog for the full list of new content.
Sony Santa Monica is working with artist Richard Hogg and Frobisher Says! developer Honeyslug to produce Hohokum, an upcoming title for the PlayStation 4, PS3, and PS Vita.
Hogg describes Hohokum as a "whimsical colorful game with an emphasis on playful exploration and creativity." Players control a wormish, kite-like flying creature as they navigate a virtual playground and ferry around its inhabitants. It resembles Keita Takahashi's Noby Noby Boy in premise, and Hogg notes that the experience is free from the "usual pressures" common to video games, such as persistent hand-holding and failure states.
Hohokum was named as a finalist in the Excellence in Visual Arts category of 2011's Independent Games Festival. Hogg expects the game to launch in 2014.
Hogg describes Hohokum as a "whimsical colorful game with an emphasis on playful exploration and creativity." Players control a wormish, kite-like flying creature as they navigate a virtual playground and ferry around its inhabitants. It resembles Keita Takahashi's Noby Noby Boy in premise, and Hogg notes that the experience is free from the "usual pressures" common to video games, such as persistent hand-holding and failure states.
Hohokum was named as a finalist in the Excellence in Visual Arts category of 2011's Independent Games Festival. Hogg expects the game to launch in 2014.
EA released its FY 2013 results today, complete with expectations for 2014 that put net revenue at $3.50 billion. This is based on the launch of 11 games and 15 mobile titles, EA Labels President Frank Gibeau said. In FY 2013, EA saw a net revenue of $3.797 billion, down from $4.143 billion in 2012.
Gibeau called out the next Battlefield, FIFA, Madden, NBA Live and Need for Speed games as next-gen titles. It's notable that NBA Live is on the schedule at all, considering that series' rocky launch history.
"In fiscal 14, we will release 11 major titles across consoles, and on the PC. This includes our core sports titles," EA Labels President Frank Gibeau said, before listing the following franchises and games:
Players can choose to contribute their high scores to either the Galactic Empire or Rebel Alliance, with the game's interface changing dynamically depending on the global balance of power. The game will be Cross-Buy enabled at $9.99/€9.99, though anyone who already owns these tables in Zen Pinball 2 can download the new solo app for free. Likewise, anyone that purchases Star Wars Pinball will unlock the equivalent tables in Zen Pinball 2.
FIFA 13 sold through 14.5 million units in fiscal year 2013, up 30 percent compared with FIFA 12 sales from the prior year. Net revenue from digital sales hit $200 million in adjusted, non-GAAP terms, an increase of 94 percent compared with FIFA 12 year-over-year. The entire FIFA franchise generated $350 million in digital net revenue in FY 2013, including sales from FIFA Online and FIFA World Class Soccer.
By Q3 2013, which ended on December 31, 2012, FIFA 13 clocked a total of 12 million sales.
By Q3 2013, which ended on December 31, 2012, FIFA 13 clocked a total of 12 million sales.
The PlayStation Network will launch an "Indie Games" section for the PlayStation Store later today as part of the standard Tuesday update.
"This category builds on the support that PlayStation has offered independent developers in the effort to highlight some of the most unique gaming experiences on PlayStation platforms," notes the PlayStation Blog. "This new category will house all of our latest indie titles in one convenient place."
Clarifying some odd wording on the PlayStation Blog, Gamasutra has confirmed that Indie games will reside in both the normal section of the PSN store and this new indies section in Europe. We've confirmed with a representative for Sony America that the plan is to have indie games found in both sections in North America, as well.
"This category builds on the support that PlayStation has offered independent developers in the effort to highlight some of the most unique gaming experiences on PlayStation platforms," notes the PlayStation Blog. "This new category will house all of our latest indie titles in one convenient place."
Clarifying some odd wording on the PlayStation Blog, Gamasutra has confirmed that Indie games will reside in both the normal section of the PSN store and this new indies section in Europe. We've confirmed with a representative for Sony America that the plan is to have indie games found in both sections in North America, as well.