US video game retail sales fall 16 percent in August, sixth month of double-digit declineSeptember 11th, 2009 US video game sales slide in August for 6th monthNEW YORK — Video games sales declined in August for the sixth straight month, following what analysts called a disappointing showing from the latest "Madden" game. Nonetheless, game makers are eyeing a stronger September, boosted by the much-hyped launch of "The Beatles: Rock Band" as well as "Guitar Hero 5."
Although the video game industry held out longer than many other sectors in the recession, it began recording double-digit declines in March when compared with the same period in 2008.
US video game retail sales tumble 29 percent in July, says market researcher NPD GroupAugust 14th, 2009 July video game sales show sharp declineNEW YORK — Hurt by the recession and few hit game launches, U.S. retail sales of video games dropped sharply in July, market researcher NPD Group says.
Squeezed by recession, video game sales drop for fourth straight month in JuneJuly 17th, 2009 June video game sales drop sharplyNEW YORK — Squeezed by the economic downturn, U.S. retail sales of video games dropped sharply in June.
Investors largely shrug off dismal July video game sales; EA, Activision post modest gainsAugust 14th, 2009 Sector Snap: Stocks shrug off low video game salesNEW YORK — Investors seemed to look past dismal July video game sales on Friday to expectations of a better second half to the year, with shares of game makers holding up despite the fifth straight month of declines. Market researcher NPD Group reported a 29 percent drop in sales of game hardware, software and accessories Thursday, an even steeper decline than analysts were expecting.
US video game sales slide 23 percent in May for third straight month of declinesJune 12th, 2009 US video game sales slide 23 pct in MayLOS ANGELES — Market researcher NPD Group says U.S. video gamers spent less on games, hardware and accessories in May compared with a year ago.
Video game shares take a hit as PlayStation price cut rumors mountAugust 17th, 2009 Sector Snap: Video games take a hitNEW YORK — Shares of video game companies took a hit Monday, even as rumors mounted about a looming price cut for Sony Corp.'s PlayStation 3. The shares dropped just a few days after market researcher NPD Group reported a sharp drop in video game retail sales for the month of July.
Take-Two cuts quarterly profit and revenue outlook on BioShock 2 delay, weak retail salesJuly 14th, 2009 Take-Two cuts outlook on BioShock 2 delaySAN FRANCISCO — Shares of Take-Two Interactive Software Inc. plunged 13 percent in after-hours trading after the video game maker cut its financial outlook, citing lackluster orders from retailers and the delay of a popular new title.
Viacom's 2Q profit falls 32 percent on weak ad market, slow video game salesJuly 28th, 2009 Viacom's 2Q profit falls 32 percentNEW YORK — Viacom's second-quarter profit tumbled 32 percent as revenue fell amid a weak advertising market, slower video game sales and fewer movie releases. The media conglomerate controlled by billionaire Sumner Redstone earned $277 million, or 46 cents per share, compared with $407 million, or 65 cents per share, in the same quarter last year.
Toyota's Prius hybrid best-selling car in Japan for 4th straight monthSeptember 3rd, 2009 Toyota Prius top-selling car in Japan for 4 monthsTOKYO — An auto industry group says Toyota's hugely popular Prius hybrid ranked as Japan's top-selling car in August for the fourth straight month. The Japan Automobile Dealers Association said Friday the Prius kept the top spot in auto sales with 21,669 vehicles sold.
Sony cuts price of PlayStation 3 by $100 to $299, plans new, slim versionAugust 18th, 2009 Sony cuts price of PlayStation 3 by $100NEW YORK — After months of rumors and anticipation, Sony says it's slashing the price of the PlayStation 3 by $100 to $299. Sony Corp. said Tuesday it will cut the price of the currently available 80 gigabyte PlayStation 3 effective immediately.
Microsoft cutting price of high-end Xbox 360 by $100August 27th, 2009 Microsoft cutting price of high-end Xbox 360NEW YORK — Microsoft Corp. is slashing the price of the high-end Xbox 360 console by $100, matching Sony's $100 price cut for the PlayStation 3 last week.
Electronic Arts posts smaller 4th-quarter loss despite sales slump as costs declineMay 6th, 2009 EA posts smaller 4Q loss as costs declineNEW YORK — Video game publisher Electronic Arts Inc. posted a smaller net loss Tuesday for its fiscal fourth quarter as it further slashed costs in a quarter that had fewer hit game launches.
Game maker pulls plug on 'Six Days in Fallujah' video game after criticismApril 28th, 2009 Company pulls plug on 'Fallujah' video gameNEW YORK — The publisher behind a video game based on one of the Iraq war's fiercest battles has pulled the plug on the title, called "Six Days in Fallujah."
A spokeswoman for Japanese game company Konami Digital Entertainment Inc. confirmed that the company is no longer publishing the game, which was set to go on sale next year.
GameStop profit falls 32 percent on fewer hit video game titles; full-year outlook cutAugust 20th, 2009 GameStop posts disappointing profit, cuts outlookGRAPEVINE, Texas — GameStop Corp., the world's largest video game and entertainments software retailer, posted disappointing fiscal second-quarter results on Thursday and lowered its full-year earnings forecast, citing fewer hit video games and cautious consumers. Shares tumbled in morning trading.
Beatlemania back as Britain celebrates B-Day in the place where it all beganSeptember 9th, 2009 Beatlemania back as Britain celebrates B-DayLONDON — Beatlemania is back as Britons snap up copies of the Fab Four's remastered albums and the new Rock Band video game. Critics are raving about the sound quality of the albums and the video game that were released Wednesday.