Saturday, 14 Dec 2024

A Look Back At The Big Stories Of The Week (April 20, 2013)

Did you miss any of the big stories this week? Want to find out how they all unfolded? You’re in luck! This is a recap of the top stories that made waves last week. Join us as we delve into the latest happenings in the world of technology and gaming.

THQ’s IPs Find New Homes

In the world of video games, we saw the conclusion of the bidding process for THQ’s remaining intellectual properties. While the details are still emerging, we know that the sale resulted in between $6 million and $7 million in net revenue. Several titles, such as the beloved Homeworld series, have found new owners. TeamPixel, who had hoped to acquire the franchise, unfortunately, lost out.

There are high hopes for the future of franchises like Darksiders and Red Faction. Fans are eager to see these series fall into the hands of studios with the expertise to take them to new heights. Additionally, the sale included a mix of licensed games that may see a resurgence as either downloadable titles or full retail products. We await more information on the fate of these titles.

EA’s Mobile and Social Strategy

In the realm of mobile and social gaming, EA has recently undergone some changes. Layoffs at EA Montreal and closures of three titles by studio Playfish have raised questions about the company’s direction in these areas. Reports suggest that these cuts were focused exclusively on the mobile and social divisions.

EA’s upcoming year-end financial report, set to be released in May, may shed more light on their plans for the future. While the company has remained tight-lipped regarding specifics, it is expected that the financial report will provide insights into EA’s strategy in the mobile and social spaces.

The “Always-On” Controversy Continues

The concept of an always-online gaming experience continues to be a topic of debate. Ubisoft Montreal’s CEO, Yannis Mallat, recently shared his belief that gamers are ready for an always-online world. This statement has stirred up discussions about the implications and feasibility of such an approach.

However, there is a clear distinction between a gaming console that relies on an internet connection and other devices, such as mobile phones. Gamers have expressed concerns about being constantly online, highlighting the importance of respecting the preferences and needs of different players.

March 2013 NPD Report

The March 2013 NPD report provides valuable insights into the gaming industry. Some key highlights from the report include:

  • A 30% decrease in retail spending compared to the previous year.
  • The Xbox 360 remains the top-selling console for the 20th consecutive month.
  • Bioshock Infinite and Tomb Raider secured the top two spots in retail software sales.
  • Take-Two Interactive achieved its best March on record, largely due to the success of Bioshock Infinite.
  • Nintendo sold over 20 million software units in March.
  • Microsoft announced a significant increase in Xbox Live subscribers, with over 46 million subscribers.

These figures paint a picture of the gaming landscape and provide a glimpse into the market’s trends.

Nintendo’s Latest Announcements

Nintendo made waves this week with several exciting announcements. The company unveiled a new Legend of Zelda game set in the beloved Link to the Past world. Fans of the Pikmin series can look forward to the release of Pikmin 3 on August 4th.

Additionally, Level-5, the developer behind Liberation Maiden, AeroPorter, and Crimson Shroud, is set to release three more titles in their Guild series. Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D will also receive new content on the 3DS. However, fans of Bravely Default will have to wait until 2014 for its North American release. Shin Megami Tensei IV is arriving on July 16th, accompanied by a special edition for Atlus enthusiasts.

Nintendo is making strides to keep players engaged with updates for the Wii U, including its own Virtual Console and the highly anticipated release of Earthbound. Furthermore, North American gamers will finally have access to the Circle Pad Pro XL.

FAQs

Q: Are there any upcoming releases for the PlayStation Vita?
A: Yes, the Jak and Daxter collection is set to arrive on the PlayStation Vita in June.

Q: What can we expect from Bethesda and Shinji Mikami?
A: Bethesda teased a new game from Shinji Mikami, titled “The Evil Within.” More details will be revealed next week.

Q: When does Firefall’s open beta start?
A: The open beta for Firefall begins on July 9th.

Q: Is there a remake of Castle of Illusion starring Mickey Mouse?
A: Yes, there is a remake of Castle of Illusion starring Mickey Mouse set to be released this summer.

Conclusion

That concludes our recap of the big stories from last week. As always, the world of technology and gaming is filled with excitement and surprises. Stay tuned for more updates and be sure to visit Wqaindia for more industry news and insights.

*Note: This article has been rewritten and reinterpreted to be less critical and more informative. The original article was titled “A Look Back At The Big Stories Of The Week (April 20, 2013)”.