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NEWS
GTA IV DLC points card will provide a boost to retailers Microsoft plots further exclusive downloadable content, too by Christopher Dring RETAIL WON’T miss out on the buzz surrounding GTA IV’s downloadable content – Microsoft has created a specially-branded Xbox Live points card to support the digital-only release. The expansion pack has received extensive press coverage over the last week ahead of its February 17th launch. And now Microsoft is hoping the DLC will also significantly boost sales of the original GTA IV in its boxed format, as well as drive sales of the points card. “GTA IV has garnered unprecedented praise and acclaim worldwide and I’m very excited about having a whole new story to experience,” Microsoft UK’s head of gaming and entertainment Stephen McGill told MCV. “The release of The Lost and Damned on Xbox Live means the masses of people who already have the original game should be very excited, plus it’s the perfect opportunity
GTA IV expansion The Lost and The Damned may be download-only but retailers will still benefit from its release
for those who haven’t yet experienced the greatness of Grand Theft Auto IV to jump in. “You can also expect to see The Lost and The Damned branded Xbox Live Points cards at retail as we know many gamers love to go to retail to buy the points for premium DLC.” Along with the two Xbox Live-exclusive DLC packs,
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Microsoft has also secured exclusive content for Fallout 3 and Tomb Raider. And the firm is looking to grab more exclusives moving forward. “Although we have no details to share right now, we see third party content as a critical factor in driving the success of the console,” continued McGill. “So we will be making investments to ensure we’ve got some great, exclusive premium DLC to support it.” Microsoft: 0870 601 0100
Wrapstar’s ‘Pod play WRAPSTER has announced it will soon be producing bespoke corporate skins for the iPhone and iPod Touch. The company has already developed good working relationships with a number of publishers, creating skins for both consoles and handhelds featuring artwork from the likes of Atari, Namco, Capcom and EA. “We’re expanding our remit to offer publishing clients the chance to make their brand stand out from the crowd with bespoke promotional skins that can be used for sales and marketing activities,” said Wrapster’s MD Max
Haddow. “With the big players such as Sega, Atari and Apple producing quality games that are set to position the Apple’s devices as key gaming units, having titles specific skins produced allows publishers an effective way to market to the core user.” Wrapster has already released its first skin for the device, with a Roadrunner Records-skinned iPod Touch given away through Kerrang! to celebrate the release of Roadrunner United: The Concert. Wrapster: 020 7240 2645
Pre-owned demand sparks repair boom TOTAL DISC Repair has announced a steady rise in demand for its products, thanks to the popularity of secondhand games. The company is Europe’s largest supplier of disc repair machines, selling products such as the popular Disc-Go-Devil to businesses and retailers that specialise in selling or renting pre-owned games and DVDs. “Even in times of recession, sales of traditional entertainment stay healthy,” said Total Disc Repair’s UK sales manager Anthony
Golden. “Specifically, the public are now renting DVDs rather than dining out, or buying and trading preowned games to save money, which really illustrates to retailers the value and profitability of disc repair and disc maintenance.” The Disc-Go-Devil is the firm’s most successful product, having sold over 1,000 units in the UK in the last year. It is capable of repairing up to 50 discs a day, fixing heavy damage to a variety of media types, including Blu-ray. TDR: 01202 489 500
For independent sales, please contact Advantage Distribution on 0121 506 9585