Posts Tagged ‘video games’
|This post was written by Elizabeth A. Reid
Online Acquisition of Video Games Growing in Canada
Thursday, June 23rd, 2011
According to a new report by The NPD Group, “Video Game Acquisition in Canada,” Canadian gamers are slowly shifting towards digital properties and away from traditional, packaged video games. The study polled 4,006 gamers across Canada, ranging from age 13-54, between September 2010 and February 2011.
According to the report, an estimated $84 million were spent on games through digital downloads. Sixty-five (65) percent of games were purchased via physical retail outlet.
Still, the study showed that some gamers are reluctant to buy through a digital download—88 and 81 percent of console and portable gamers, respectively, chose to purchase physical copies of games. Additionally, PC and Mac gamers totaled 20 percent of those who reported they have acquired at least one game via a social networking channel.
Of those who prefer to buy a physical copy, 58 percent say it’s because they just like having a physical copy, while 35 percent say they like going to the store because it has other things they need. The report also analyzed traditional gamers and the growing amount of gamers that are emerging from the smartphone and tablet markets.
Tags: Canada, NPD, online gaming, video games
Posted in News | No Comments »
This post was written by Jill Feigelman
The Results Are In For What’s Hot With Kids Today
Thursday, June 16th, 2011
Justin Bieber topped the list when The NPD Group, as part of its Kids Industry Data Service (KIDS), asked “what would the kids you know say is the hottest new thing these days?” in May. Mentions included celebrities, movies, television shows, toys, games, hobby, sports, web sites, brands, and retail stores. NPD compiled 2,095 mentions for kids ages 0-14. The results were:
- Justin Bieber (10 percent)
- Nintendo Wii (2 percent)
- Dora The Explorer (2 percent)
- Xbox 360 (2 percent)
- Cars: The Movie/ Cars 2 (2 percent)
- iPad (2 percent)
- SpongeBob SquarePants (2 percent)
- Disney (2 percent)
- Video games (2 percent)
- Thor (1 percent)
Bieber also topped the list in the same survey conducted in February, with 14 percent. The NPD Group’s Kids Industry Data Service (KIDS) provides monthly insight into purchases made on behalf of kids ages 0-14, across product categories, with an emphasis on licenses and brands. Each month, the service asks an open-ended, unaided question designed to provide insight into what is hot with kids today.
Tags: Cars 2, Cars: The Movie, Disney, dora the explorer, ipad, Justin Bieber, Nintendo Wii, NPD Kids Industry data Service, spongebob squarepants, Thor, video games, What's Hot, Xbox 360
Posted in News | No Comments »
This post was written by Jill Feigelman
Wii U: A New Console for Nintendo
Thursday, June 9th, 2011
Nintendo unveiled its new console, Wii U, at the E3 Expo. The Wii U console includes a controller with a 6.2–inch screen, creating an entirely new video gaming experience.
Some of the controller’s features include an accelerometer and a gyroscope, a rumble feature, an inward-facing camera, a microphone, and speakers. By adding these features to the controller’s classic buttons, the console can appeal to both casual and dedicated video game players.
Tags: E3 Expo, multiplayer games, Nintendo, video games, Wii U
Posted in New Products, News | No Comments »
This post was written by Elizabeth A. Reid
New Squinkies Video Games to Debut This Year
Thursday, January 13th, 2011
Blip Toys, the maker of the Squinkies line of collectible figures, has granted Activision Publishing, Inc. the exclusive worldwide rights to develop, manufacture, and distribute video games based on the Squinkies brand and characters. The agreement covers entertainment software products across multiple platforms such as handheld, console, and connected platforms, as well as PC and mobile devices.
The new Squinkies video games are expected to debut throughout 2011, with the first Nintendo DS title for girls releasing in April.
For more information on Squinkies, visit www.squinkies.com.
Tags: Activision Publishing, Blip Toys, DS, Nintendo, Squinkies, video games
Posted in Licenses, New Products, News | 1 Comment »
This post was written by Elizabeth A. Reid
New Product: The World is Your Canvas
Wednesday, September 22nd, 2010
From Electronic Arts’ Bright Light studio premieres Create, an open-ended game of puzzle solving and world creation. Players of all ages can solve level-based challenges using hundreds of objects in order to unlock rewards and further customization options. Once a puzzle is solved, it can also be uploaded to the Create website for others to download and enjoy. Create will have a simultaneous release on the PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii, Xbox 360, PC, and Mac OS X platforms and can be played with the PlayStation Move and Nintendo Wiimote.
Tags: Create, EA Bright Light, Electronic Arts, video games
Posted in New Products | 1 Comment »
This post was written by Christina Edwards
Ubisoft Unveils Holiday Season Releases
Monday, July 19th, 2010
Interactive entertainment company Ubisoft is releasing several additions to its existing series of games, in addition to introducing new games this holiday season across media platforms.
Battle Tag
Ubisoft introduces a laser tag-inspired game: Battle Tag. Set for release in late November in North America, the game is designed with 20 different game plays, and includes a port that connects to a PC, allowing the computer to act as “game master.”
Players use guns that are complete with RFID technology to store information. The guns have a 300 meter radius from the port, which acts as a base for the game. Sets come with ammo packs and medic packs that recharge ammo and life points when connected to the guns. Additional guns, bases, ammo, and medic packs will be available for purchase in addition to the basic set.
Tags: Battle Tag, Holiday, Imagine Fashion Stylist, laser tag, Nintendo DS, Petz, Petz Fantasy, Petz Nursery 2, Petz World, Rabbids, Raving Rabbids Travel in Time, Shaun White Skateboarding, Style Lab Fashion Design, Ubisoft, video games, Wii
Posted in New Products | No Comments »
This post was written by Elizabeth A. Reid
Target Debuts New Video Game Department Layout
Monday, May 24th, 2010
Target is introducing a new open layout for its consumer electronics and video game departments, aiming to give visitors a convenient, enjoyable shopping experience with easy access to information and products. The new layout includes a video game section that will be expanded by 30 percent; a large, open format that will include new product-accessible fixtures organized by platform and game genres; and a majority of stores will include video game Learning Centers and Trial Stations.
The new Learning Centers will feature a 40-inch high-definition touch screen where guests can read reviews, learn about game features, sort by ESRB ratings, view in-store price and inventory, receive recommendations on best sellers, or page a team member for assistance. Trial Stations will allow guests to try out the latest titles before they buy.
Tags: Learning Centers, Target, Trial Stations, video games
Posted in News | No Comments »
This post was written by Elizabeth A. Reid
New Video Game Rental Service for Kids Premieres
Tuesday, October 27th, 2009
A new online video game rental service for kids, SmartyRents.com, has launched. The service allows families to rent children’s educational video games, such as LeapFrog and VTech, in the same way as popular rental service Netflix. Parents can search for video games by a specific educational skill, such as learning addition, and have them delivered to their mailbox.
Rental packages start at $9.99 for one game a time. If a child becomes attached to a particular game, SmartyRents’ love it option allows renters to keep the game by purchasing it at a reduced price.
Tags: rental, video games
Posted in New Products, News | 2 Comments »
