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MCV 22/05/09 5
NEWS
the new PSP? will be announced at E3 early next month
HANDS ON Whatever happens with the next iteration of the device, Sony is still committed to the current retail proposition for the PSP. MCV understands that the format-holder is still keenly working with stores on promotions for PSP-3000 and is even potentially lining up new hardware and software bundles for the handheld.
download a game,” said the site’s Igor Cipoletta. “There’s the risk that next time they’ll go directly to them again, unless Sony and the publishers are going to run an affiliate programme for the retailers.” But bricks and mortar retailers are nevertheless optimistic about any upgrade to the device. Should the device properly eschew software sales at retail, Asda’s Jon Biggs added, retailers will have to carefully examine how to position the
device: “It would certainly need careful consideration to understand the viability of a hardware platform as a retail proposition without the ability to bring consumers back to the store for software.” But a level-headed GAME says it is keen to work with Sony and keep watching and learning what consumers want when in comes to digital distribution – and it isn't worried about digital sales harming its business just yet. “We recognise that digital distribution will be part of the way consumers shop in future – we will just work very closely with the hardware manufacturers and the publishers as we do today and look at the ways in which we can ensure that we are driving the best value from our marketplace going forward," said CEO Lisa Morgan She added: “Regardless of all of these things that are evolving in terms of distribution streams, customers will tell us the way in which they want to shop. “Today, customers predominantly want to shop in our stores and a growing number want ecommerce.”
Codemasters bets on Wii success
[PRE ORDERS]
TOP 10 inFAMOUS
by Tim Ingham CODEMASTERS is targeting older Wii owners with its upcoming roster of games – in an attempt to grow its market share on the format. The publisher is set to release Overlord Dark Legend, Cricket 09, Dirt 2 and Formula One for the Wii this year. “Nintendo benefits from broad support as demonstrated by the offerings piling into it,” Codemasters CEO Rod Cousens told MCV. “The typical demographic is well served and it could be said is spoilt for choice. “Our research suggests moving beyond that and appealing to an older element with a game design that reflects that but targeted to the family as a whole. “Each game in our upcoming range for Wii has been specifically designed for the format and our presence on the platform may well increase as a consequence. We pick our bets.” Codemasters’ line-up on other formats this calendar
PS3 SONY
2. INFAMOUS LIMITED EDITION PS3 ..................................................SONY
3. UFC 2009 UNDISPUTED PS3 ....................................................THQ COUSENS: Codemasters boss optimistic about ‘great line-up’
year includes Overlord 2 and Minions, Cricket: The Ashes, Dirt 2 and Operation Flashpoint Dragon Rising. “That’s a great line-up,” added Cousens. “It plays to our strengths, has global appeal for the most part, the emphasis is on quality and it gives the consumer very high entertainment value. “We’re not complacent, and we’re respectful of our competitors. But we also believe that we will take some beating in certain segments – and that is something that our employees should take pride in.”
4. UFC 2009 UNDISPUTED 360 ....................................................THQ
5. COD: MODERN WARFARE 2 PS3 ............................ACTIVISION BLIZZARD
6. THE SIMS 3 PC ........................................................EA
5. COD: MODERN WARFARE 2 360 ............................ACTIVISION BLIZZARD
8. GHOSTBUSTERS PS3 ..................................................SONY
9. OPERATION FLASHPOINT 2: DRAGON 360 ......................................CODEMASTERS
10. TEKKEN 6 PS3 ....................................NAMCO BANDAI Week ending May 16th Source: SHOPTO.COM
C’masters: 01926 814132
NOW WAL-MART TURNS TO PRE-OWNED
[MARKET VALUE]
£13.7m 17.5
15
12.5
10
7.5
5
2.5
£17.4m
£16.6m
£13.7m
857,574 Units
828,746 Units
692,344 Units
Week Ending May 2nd
Week Ending May 10th
Week Ending May 17th
0
AMERICAN retail giant Wal-Mart is the latest chain to offer a trade-in offer on games. Last week the outlet started trailing a new vending machine which automatically takes used games and refunds their value to a debit or credit card. In recent months, Amazon, Toys’R’Us and RadioShack have all started moving into the sector traditionally dominated by GameStop in the US.
Total UK Software Sales Source: ELSPA/ChartTrack and Intent Media