New York Post: Can’t Steal ‘Theft’
Gaming analyst Mike Hickey, after reviewing pre-sales of the game, anticipated shipments and other data, predicted “GTA4″ would sell 5.8 million units in the first seven days after its April 29 release - which would nearly double the current record set by “Halo 3″ last year.
With sales of its flagship Madden football video flattening out, Electronic Arts is looking to open up its offense. CEO John Riccitiello, who rejoined the company last spring, has extended EA’s pricey, exclusive NFL license, negotiated a new, exclusive in-game ad deal with Microsoft’s Massive Inc., jumped into iPhone game development and, in perhaps his boldest gambit, kicked off a hostile takeover attempt of Take-Two Interactive, the maker of the lucrative “Grand Theft Auto” series.
A ‘Grand’ Chance For Vid Makers
There’s an extra $420 million up for grabs in the video game sector this holiday season and game producers Activision and Electronic Arts could grab a large chunk of the cash. The huge cash cache is an estimate of sales that Take-Two Games’ ill-fated “Grand Theft Auto IV” could have racked up - seven million units at $60 a pop
Wii Woe: Holiday Shortages Seen
Nintendo will be offering up nothing but disappointment to tens of thousands of kids this holiday season.
The red-hot video game company, whose stock has more than doubled this year on the runaway strength of the Wii game console, said it cannot keep up with demand and that U.S. consumers should expect shortages this holiday season.
NBC Slept On Video’s Digital Rights
THE latest skit-turned-video-cult-classic from “Saturday Night Live” is Andy Samberg’s “I Ran So Far,” and it’s burning up the Internet, bringing well-earned attention to the comedic talent - but it is also leaving NBC’s legal eagles a bit red-faced.
No Free Sample Credits (New York Post)
Kanye West may seem like the big winner in this week’s hip-hop battle royal with 50 Cent - but the real victor is likely ’70s group Steely Dan.
Pod People Get A Sight For Sore I’s (New York Post)
Keep the “i,” hold the “Phone.” Apple’s next-generation iPod, expected to be unveiled this week, will mimic the touch-screen look and feel of the popular iPhone, insiders say.
Nintendo and Apple Platforms Are Gaming Each Other
Two of the hottest tech companies - Nintendo and Apple - appeared headed for a showdown after Nintendo moved to patent its tilt sensitivity on its best-selling portable system, Nintendo DS, essentially to turn it into a mobile Nintendo Wii.
Profits to Come In Gobs For Jobs
The millions of early adopters who will buy an iPhone over the next several months will be helping Apple continue one heck of a profits winning streak.
Sony Plans PSP Phone
Embattled Sony is making a move to reverse extremely disappointing sales of its PSP game system. The electronics giant has filed for a patent to add a cellphone to the next generation of PSPs.
Damon Brown writes about sex, technology, music and video games for Playboy, New York Post and Family Circle, and is the tech columnist for AARP Online and PlanetOut. He is the author of several books, most recently Porn & Pong: How Grand Theft Auto, Tomb Raider and Other Sexy Games Changed Our Culture.
Damon has a Masters in Magazine Publishing from Chicago’s Northwestern University and a degree in Journalism and Computing from Detroit’s Oakland University. The Jersey native considers New Orleans, Chicago and Lansing (Michigan) his hometowns, but recently established his secret headquarters in Southern Northern California. Reach him at damon at damonbrown dot net.
