Retail

Blockbuster has launched a bid for US retailer Circuit City worth more than $1 billion, with the entertainment retailer suggesting that the move would help it compete more efficiently with the likes of Best Buy and Apple’s retail operations. Blockbuster’s chief executive James Keyes claimed that the combined company, which …

World of Warcraft enjoyed a record peak of one million simultaneous users in China last month, according to publisher The9. The figure was the title’s highest ‘concurrency’ since its commercial launch back in June 2005, and came after the territory’s release of expansion pack The Burning Crusade, in September last …

Manufacturing specialist The Producers is concerned that games may take longer to arrive at retail, but insists the manufacturing process will not be affected. It was feared that if the majority of new releases have to go through the BBFC, then games will take longer to receive certification and more …

HMV has revealed that it will be stepping up its commitment to Blu-Ray significantly as the format continues to go from strength to strength. After the demise of HD-DVD, the entertainment chain will be increasing Blu-Ray’s in-store presence through out the Summer and Autumn. It can only be a positive …

The parent of PEGI has told MCV that it has the ‘leading edge’ over the BBFC when it comes to online games ratings. However, the body has backed a collaborative future between the two classification bodies to ensure adult online games do not fall into the wrong hands. EU affairs …

Though many of the release dates to emerge from last month’s Play.com Live have proven unreliable, the date hinted for Lego Indiana Jones has been confirmed – with the title is due for release in Europe on June 6th. As per usual, the game will ship in North America on …

Nordic gamers will have 49 new GameStop stores to peruse after today’s acquisition deal for Norwegian chain Free Record. All Free Record outlest will be re-branded as GameStop, bringing the US retailer’s store count in Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland up to 160. The transaction is ecpected to close in …

Currently video games are subject to two classification bodies, PEGI and BBFC, with the latter only used for more adult software. PEGI is a voluntary system, with the ratings carried out by members of the industry itself. This takes place by means of a self-assessment form. Ratings proposed by the …

The online games market in china grew to $1.66 billion last year, according to market research firm Pearl Research. China’s most popular online games include Netease’s Fantasy Westward Journey, with 1.66 million peak concurrent users, followed by Giant Interactive’s Zhengtu Online with 1.52 million. The year 2007 exceeded expectations with …

Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter believes GameStop made a big mistake by not buying Gamestation, according to videogaming247 . GameStop was expected to come in for the ex-Blockbuster owned chain, before GAME made a bid, and Pachter feels this has slowed GameStop’s move into Europe. GameStop always had the capacity …