PC game Zoo Tycoon from Microsoft started shipping at $29.99. E-rated (Everyone) simulation-style title, developed by Blue Fang Games, challenges players to turn bunch of animals into money-making machine by building profitable animal park. Microsoft PC Games Div. Gen. Mgr. Stuart Moulder said company expected game to be one of its biggest titles this holiday season. After buying game, players can download new content including completed zoos and new animals via Zoo Tycoon Web site, www.microsoft.com/games/zootycoon/.
Film and TV actor Joe Pantoliano, who appears on HBO’s The Sopranos, will be in episode 4 of Electronic Arts’ (EA) online game Majestic. Pantoliano will play blackballed investigative journalist Tim Pritchard. For his work on EA’s game, Pantoliano spent 2 days filming and one day in studio to record voice mail messages that Majestic players will receive, game maker said.
Matsushita will start selling “Q” DVD player -- SL-GC10 -- that can play games for Nintendo’s GameCube system Dec. 14 in Japan at ?39,800 ($329). In addition to GameCube and DVD-Video discs, Q will be compatible with audio CD, CD-RW, DVD-R, Video CD formats. CE manufacturer said that while player also was compatible with DVD-R discs recorded with its Panasonic DMR-E20 DVD-Video recorder, “other DVD-R discs may not be able to play back depending on the DVD-R disc used and the recording conditions.” Matsushita said it intends to produce 15,000 units of new DVD player monthly. Player features LCD display on front panel. Matsushita said it had “various sound and visual effect functions for enhanced enjoyment of movies and games software.” But U.S. Matsushita spokesman told us Fri.: “There are no plans -- currently anyway -- for [a] U.S. launch. This is a Japan market product only.” Matsushita supplies disc drives and discs for GameCube console. Companies first announced they were collaborating on GameCube console in May 1999, when console was code-named Dolphin. Later, at Spaceworld show in Tokyo in Aug. 2000, companies revealed GameCube would incorporate drive that played 8 cm proprietary 1.5 optical disc from Matsushita. GameCube and Q represent reentry into videogame arena for Matsushita, which was one of original hardware licensees for 3DO’s ill-fated Multiplayer. Matsushita spent $100 million in 1995 to buy 3DO’s M2 gaming technology before eventually deciding against bringing product to market.
Our evaluation of Microsoft’s Windows XP operating system (OS) in advance of its Oct. 25 debut discovered much to like -- and little cause for complaint. Following frank and open briefings by Microsoft, we test-drove new O/S for week and found features such as System Restore, printing options, program compatibility options and Remote Assistance to be useful.
Microsoft late last week once again said it was on track to ship 1-1.5 million Xbox videogame consoles in N. America by year end. But Calabasas, Cal., game maker THQ predicted installed base of Xbox by year end instead actually would wind up being less than million.
Thomson will enter videogame peripherals market in 2002’s first quarter with wired and wireless controllers and other accessories for Microsoft Xbox and Sony PlayStation 2 (PS2). Bill Brown, product planning mgr. in Thomson’s Accessories & Components Div., Deptford, N.J., said his company also was looking at adding Nintendo Game Boy Advance products to line that eventually could number 40 SKUs by end of 3rd quarter. “It will be a soft introduction,” Brown stressed: “We won’t have a full line at introduction. It will start in Q1 and continue through the year.”
Telematics -- application of voice and wireless technology to in-vehicle services -- potentially creates major revenue stream to automakers but only with help of consumer electronics and telecom industries, experts said. Opportunity is huge, $9 billion by 2004, and expected to reach $20-$40 billion within 10 years, Booz-Allen & Hamilton consultants said. Despite recent restrictions on using cellphones while driving, telematics is poised to become recurring high-margin service, but auto industry may have difficulty reaping benefit, Booz-Allen said in report: “Telematics largely will be driven by external industry dynamics, such as the emergence of new telecom protocols, over which traditional automotive players have little control.”
Latest DVD-Audio supporter in U.S. is EMI Music, which will issue first 3 pop titles in Dec. Label already has shipped 9 titles in Europe, all classical. Like those, pop titles for U.S. are remastered for surround sound from original analog multitrack recordings for stereo, EMI spokeswoman told us Fri. Titles are Al Green -- Greatest Hits, Leon Russell -- Retrospective and Dave Koz -- The Dance. Spokeswoman said titles were mixed and mastered by Capitol Studios, authored by Henninger and would be replicated by Panasonic Disc Services Corp. That company’s parent, Matsushita Electric, is providing other support that industry sources characterized as subsidy to EMI for releasing DVD-Audio titles. EMI wouldn’t comment on nature of Matsushita’s support. Matsushita spokesman gave us following statement but declined further comment: “Matsushita Electric is offering the music industry technical support such as authoring services, marketing support such as hardware/software joint promotions, and also promotion of DVD-Audio in general.”
Corning posted 3rd quarter net loss amid restructuring and slumping revenue that stretched across entire company from telecommunications to CRTs. Glass maker, which increasingly has relied on optical fiber and components related to telecom to drive its business, said it had net loss of $220 million, down from year-earlier net income of $254 million. Revenue plunged 21% to $1.51 billion. It said latest results involved $339 million pretax charge that included $236 million for writing down fixed assets in closing plants related to telecom business in North Wales, U.K., and Henrietta, N.Y. Charge also covered layoffs that are expected to affect 12,000 employees by end of year. Restructuring will yield $400 million in annualized savings, Corning said.
Electronic Arts became pilot customer of Kontiki, company that offers secure network for delivering digital media files over Web. Kontiki said its network allowed its customers to deliver entertainment and other TV-quality content direct to users’ PCs. Other pilot customers of Kontiki include Amazon.com, LivePlanet, MP3.com, Palm, Sony Pictures Entertainment, TiVo, Verisign. Companies said Kontiki services might dramatically lower their cost of sales, marketing, training and travel, while increasing revenue and customer royalty. Preview of pilot network is available by downloading Kontiki at www.kontiki.com. Following pilot period, first production release of Kontiki Delivery Network is expected later in 4th quarter.