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MCV 18/09/09 9
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HMV to launch digital games service? Acquisition of stake in 7Digital could lead to retailer launching its own download store by Christopher Dring
[IN BRIEF]
HMV HOPES to use its stake in digital delivery service 7Digital to take on the likes of Steam and Metaboli. The retailer acquired a 50 per cent stake in 7Digital last week, for £7.7 million in cash. The London-based firm has a catalogue of over six million digital music tracks and will become the single supplier for all HMV’s digital operations. 7Digital will also provide an ebooks store for HMV.
NAMCO BANDAI: The Xbox 360, Wii, DS and PC versions of Ghostbusters will finally hit Europe on November 6th – a couple of weeks later than originally expected.
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SEGA: The publisher has revealed it is currently working on an all-new 2D Sonic title, codenamed Project Needlemouse. EIDOS: Batman: Arkham Asylum has sold almost two million units worldwide since launch.
This partnership will let us develop our entire digital offer and we very much hope games can be a part of this.
HMV CEO Simon Fox told MCV: “The great thing about this partnership is that it will give HMV the infrastructure to
Simon Fox, HMV
HMV CEO Simon Fox is confident the retailer can become a key player in the digital space and games will play a major role in this
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develop its entire digital offer across all formats, and we very much hope games can be a part of this when the time is right.”
The HMV Group’s UK and Ireland division posted 12.5 per cent total sales growth for the 18 weeks to August 29th last week – with like-for-like sales up 1.7 per cent. The full group’s total sales advanced 4.4 per cent and were down 1.8 per cent likefor-like.
“With the Government, ISPs and the entertainment industry now working together to restrict illegal downloading, this is the right time for HMV to invest in digital entertainment. Our joint venture with one of its leading players gives us a strong position in a market poised to grow faster,” added Fox.
Al King returns to games industry FORMER EA and 20th Century Fox marketing director Al King has made a return to the video games industry with Creative Partnership. The marketing firm specialises in creating movie trailers, and has hired King to head up an expansion of its service offering to include video games. Creative Partnership has produced trailers and TV spots for hundreds of blockbuster titles including 28 Days Later, Spider-man 3, Pirates of the Caribbean and 24. King said: “More than ever before, games are competing
equally with movies for consumers’ attention. With the launch of a blockbuster title, there is a huge level of anticipation in the target market, regardless of whether the title’s a movie or a game. “The trailers for both products need to do exactly the same thing: deliver an aspirational, compelling and emotional narrative that satisfies the viewers’ anticipation whilst simultaneously creating more. “Unfortunately, some game trailers, like some movie trailers, fail to do this. There is a very unique skill set required to summarise, sell and entertain
Veteran Al King heads up Creative’s games offering
within a 90 second window. We believe that over our 30 year history we’ve sharpened
those skills and can now bring a fresh perspective to games publishers who are looking for a different, high-end approach to trailer making.” King was marketing director at EA from 1993 to 2003, and joined 20th Century Fox in 2004. He also held roles at Midway and startup Kwari. Nic Ost of Creative Partnership added: “The Call of Duty 4 and Grand Theft Auto IV trailers have caught the eye of the movie industry, and from our perspective are achievable benchmarks for the entire video games industry.” Creative: 07747 487270
RISING STAR: A new partnership has been formed with Italian distributor Cidiverte. The company will now handle Rising Star products in Italy. NORDIC GAMES: Upcoming Wii singing title We Sing is to be distributed in Australia and New Zealand by THQ Asia Pacific. WARNER BROS: The firm has created DC Entertainment, a division tasked with prioritising DC Comic and franchises as key growth points for Warner in films and games.
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