In a recent editorial Patrick Goss, an MSN journalist, is asserting that it is time for Nintendo to retire Mario. He draws comparison to Disney's Mickey Mouse, who no longer stars in their headline films but still serves as a mascot for the company.
If Mario retires, then Nintendo will focus on more creativity and innovation and not resort to plugging Mario everywhere. So what you do think, time for the plumber to hang up his plunger?
To quote: Take a company like Disney. Even though Mickey Mouse is still the company’s mascot and a worldwide megabrand, he no longer stars in their headline films.
And perhaps without Mario to fall back on Nintendo will continue on their brilliant track of creativity and innovation - and not resort to forcing the old workhorse into cameos in games not worthy of his presence.
So, for me, Mario should be allowed to bow out on a high, leaving a legacy that I don’t think any gaming character wil... More »
With the launch of PS3 Firmware update 2.40 on July 2, Sony has officially launched their own gamer reward system to compete with Microsoft's well entrenched Achievement system. Microsoft was the first the out of the gate, and has had two and a half years to refine and improve their product.
With this experience under their belt, is Microsoft's Achievement offering better than their rival's Trophy system? Or has the extra time allowed Sony to develop a superior reward system?
Xbox Achievements - A Brief Description:
Since the launch of Xbox 360, Microsoft has mandated that retail games offer 1,000 points spread over a variable number of Achievements, while each Xbox Live Arcade title contains 12 achievements totaling 200 points. Developers also now have the option of adding up to 250 points via downloadable content (for a total of 1,250 points), and Xbox Live Arcade titles may add up to 50 points via downloadable content (for a total of 250 point... More »
Play as the galaxy's greatest undercover spy.. Secret Agent Clank!
Ratchet has been accussed of stealing the galaxy's most valuable gem, the Eye of Infinity, and only Clank's undercover alter ego, Secret Agent Clank, can discover the true mastermind behind the caper.
Luckily for Tachet, he's got Clank on his side! Download the FREE demo on both the PLAYSTATION Network and PLAYSTATION Store for PC.
This demo features the first level of the game. It’ll have you sneaking into a museum, dodging lasers, subduing guards three times your size, and even tossing out a tie-a-rang or two.
The controversial fourth version in the series hit stores a week ago, with Strauss Zelnick, ZelnickMedia, Take-Two Interactive chairman and CNBC's Michelle Caruso Cabrera.
When asked if there are any glitches in the game, Zelnick nervously smiled and replied - "No, No, No, uh, none whatsoever. The only issue is someone came up to me in a restaurant and said my thumbs are hurting from the weekend.."
Video is HERE courtesy of CNBC!
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Microsoft Corp. late Thursday was leaning toward going hostile in its pursuit of Yahoo Inc., according to people familiar with the matter, with an announcement likely Friday.
But the people cautioned that the situation was fluid as discussions continued and said the software company could change tack before announcing its decision. Microsoft declined to comment on its plans.
In an interview earlier Thursday, Microsoft Chief Executive Steve Ballmer declined to indicate Microsoft's decision and wouldn't say when the company would make a decision public. "With the right circumstances it'll happen. Without the right circumstances it won't happen," he said.
Price will be a key factor if Microsoft does take a hostile approach to Yahoo, which it made an unsolicited offer for in January. Microsoft's original cash-and-stock offer, which Yahoo has said undervalues it, was valued at $29.48 a share as of 4 p.m. Nasdaq Stock Market composite trading Thu... More »
Yahoo and Google, the world's two biggest search engines, have announced a two-week experiment that will see them share advertising space.
During the pilot, Google will be able to place ads alongside 3% of search results on Yahoo's website.
Analysts say the move is designed to frustrate Microsoft, which has offered to buy Yahoo for $44.6bn (£22.6bn), or extract a higher offer.
The news came as both sides were reported to be forging other alliances.
Joint offer
Microsoft and News Corp are discussing making a joint bid for Yahoo, according to the New York Times.
The idea would be to combine three of the world's most visited websites: MySpace, Yahoo and MSN.com.
News Corp had previously discussed working with Yahoo to see off Microsoft's offer.
At the same time, Yahoo is looking to Time Warner's AOL to keep out of Microsoft's hands, according to the Wall Street Journal.
... More »
Call of Duty 4 is now officially the biggest game on PlayStation 3, according to the latest Chart Track information – and Activision plans to celebrate with a high profile consumer event and new downloadable content.
Alongside a renewed marketing push that will include online promotions with The Sun, SkySports, FHM, Kerrang and the MSN network, Activision will be inviting gamers to a special Boot Camp event where they can play the new downloadable multiplayer maps and compete for prizes.
“Call of Duty is now one of the largest video game franchises worldwide, and this has been achieved by combining a truly groundbreaking game with creative marketing campaigns that reach out to casual gamers as well as to core FPS players,” said Activision marketing director David Tyler
“A whole programme of Call of Duty 4 related activities are in place for spring and summer. The Boot Camp event and refreshed marketing campaign are two examples of our ong... More »
The software giant says the management shake up has nothing to do with its proposed buyout of Yahoo.
Microsoft Corp. announced the departure of several executives Thursday, among them a Silicon Valley veteran recruited to help fix its unprofitable Web business and one in charge of marketing Windows Vista, and the promotion of more than a dozen others across the company.
The changes come just two weeks after Microsoft offered to buy Web portal and search competitor Yahoo Inc. for more than $40 billion, a move industry watchers broadly see as an admission that Microsoft's own Web strategy had failed.
If the proposed Yahoo (YHOO, Fortune 500) takeover is completed, Microsoft is expected to make more radical changes as it blends the two companies into a more formidable challenger to Google Inc., the dominant player in the lucrative Internet search and advertising markets.
Microsoft spokesman Lou Gellos said Thursday's announcement is un... More »
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