Lindows said it was “gearing up to deliver” preview version of its LindowsOS operating system, which San Diego company called “modern and affordable OS for Pentium-based computers.” Company was started recently by former MP3.com CEO Michael Robertson, who has same job at Lindows. OS, at under $100, will be able to run Linux and Windows software. Goal of company, Robertson said, “is to give the consumer a choice when it comes to their computer.” LindowsOS preview release will be available for purchase or digital download in 4th quarter from Lindows.com Web site for under $100. Availability date was unavailable at our deadline.
Standout titles at Electronic Arts (EA) game showcase in N.Y.C. this week included Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit 2 for PS2. EA spokesman told us title, currently in pre-alpha stage of development cycle, was scheduled to ship next spring. He said Need for Speed was key franchise from company’s EA Games division and it spent time evaluating capabilities of PS2 before developing title for system. Objective, he said, was to gain “photo realism” with cars featured in game. Title features more than 20 licensed vehicles from car makers including Ferrari, Lamborghini and Porsche rendered with more detailed graphics than had been possible in past. Cars in game, he said, are about 60% complete at this point. Other titles at game showcase included Cel Damage, debut title for Xbox next month that will ship in mid-Dec. for GameCube. Also spotlighted were Command & Conquer Renegade for PC (Feb. 12), Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone for Game Boy Advance/Game Boy Color/PC/ PlayStation (Nov. 16, day and date with feature film of same name), James Bond 007 in Agent Under Fire for PS2 (Nov. 17), Motor City Online (Oct. 30), NBA Live 2002 for PS2 (Oct. 30) and Xbox (Dec. 4), Knockout Kings 2002 for PS2/Xbox, Sid Meier’s Sim Golf for PC (late Jan.-early Feb.), The Simpsons Road Rage for GameCube (Dec.), PS2 (Nov. 20) and Xbox (Nov. 13), The Sims Hot Date for PC (Nov. 13), SSX Tricky for GameCube (Dec. 4), PS2 (Nov. 13) and Xbox (Dec. 18), Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2002 for PC/PS2 (mid-Feb.).
Infinite Ventures will ship what it’s billing as “the first interactive live-action horror game on DVD-Video” in Nov. Game - - Dracula Unleashed -- will be available online at www.draculaunleashed.com. Purcellville, Va.-based independent production company said it was “in discussions with a number of companies about worldwide retail distribution.” Company said it acquired rights to Dracula Unleashed from Viacom in 1997, along with rights to Sherlock Holmes, Consulting Detective. Infinite said titles, originally developed by ICOM Simulations, were released on CD-ROM in early 1990s. Digitally remastered version of Holmes title was released on DVD-Video in 1999. Infinite Pres. Eugene Evans said DVD owners “have come to expect depth through bonus content” and “we're taking that expectation to unmatched levels by creating a fully interactive mystery game” that consumers would use more often than typical DVD-Video movie.
Alan McGlade, ex-MTV, named pres.-CEO, MusicNet… Scott Mercer, ex-Dell, rejoins Western Digital as interim CFO, replacing Terry Hopp, resigned… W.S. Wen, HannStar exec. vp, advanced to gen. mgr. of new LCD panel business div… John Foster, Bender/Helper Impact dir., promoted to vp.
Clarification: Matsushita’s proposed 50 GB dual-layer recordable disc is 1.1 mm thick, composed of 1 mm thick substrate and 0.1 mm thick cover plate. Although disc is 0.1 mm thinner than standard DVD, Matsushita engineers say they anticipate no compatibility problems with existing laser optics and drives when dual-layer 50 GB disc is commercialized.
Prima Games signed exclusive deal with Eidos to create, publish and distribute official strategy guides for 7 titles. Games included in agreement include: Blood Omen 2 for PlayStation 2 (PS2) and Xbox, Commandos 2: Men of Courage for PS2, Deus Ex: The Conspiracy for PC, Eve of Extinction for PS2, Herdy Gerdy for PS2, Hitman 2 for PS2 and Xbox, TimeSplitters 2 for PS2. Prima said it has created guides for more than 900 titles to date and currently has more than 50 million guides in print. Company said it was publishing more than 70 guides for new games this holiday season.
Sega will start charging $9.95 per month for unlimited access to its SegaNet online multiplayer videogame network on Nov. 1, spokesman told us Oct 23. But company’s most successful online game -- Phantasy Star Online, which has 300,000 players -- will remain free. ISP service offered by SegaNet was scrapped this past summer and subscribers were transferred to EarthLink. New SegaNet service that will be in place Nov. 1 will offer features including game tournaments, instant messaging, member profiles. Separately, report out of Japan said Sega Corp. expected to report larger group net loss for fiscal first half ended Sept. 30 because of appraisal loss of ?23.8 billion on its securities holdings after share prices dropped. Report said Sega now expected to post group net loss of ?20 billion yen, compared with ?4.3 billion predicted earlier. But company expects to report group pretax income of ?4.5 billion instead of previously projected ?2.4 billion loss on sales of ?97 billion instead of earlier-projected ?82 billion. Report said Sega expected to report group net loss of ?15 billion for full year instead of earlier-projected profit of ?2.1 billion, and group pretax profit for year of ?10 billion on sales of ?200 billion -- improvement over previously-expected ?5.4 billion pretax profit and ?198 billion sales forecasts.
International Game Developers Assn. (IGDA) opened “members profile” section at its Web site, www.igda.org/Community/Profiles/profiles.htm
Apple Computer took wraps off digital audio player on Tues., joining already crowded market with device containing 5 GB hard drive with space for 1,000 songs. IPod ($399) connects to Macintosh PCs using FireWire port, has 10-hour lithium polymer battery, 20-min. antiskip protection and works with Mac OS 9 and Mac OS X operating systems. Device also automatically links to Apple’s iTunes software that allows downloading of digital audio files and burning CDs. Unit has LED backlight and LCD with 160x128 resolution that displays artist and album names and song titles. Using FireWire port, iPod can download CD in under 10 sec., 1,000 songs in less than 10 min.
Single packs of Memorex DVD+RW discs will be available this month at $19.99 list, company announced Tues. Memorex already markets DVD-R and DVD-RAM blank media, and Pres. Michael Golacinski said company’s sales of those products had “far exceeded our expectations.”