Digital Media Wire - connecting people & knowledge

Good Summary of Potential Video Game Monetization Methods

Jay Baage — Fri, 4 Jul 2008 13:59:21 -0500

David Perry, Chief Creative Officer of Acclaim Games, has identified 29 possible ways to monetize video games in a recent CNET-article. There is nothing revolutionary here - the list includes Advertgames, Episodic Entertainment and Micro-Transactions. But the list illustrates an important point - the games industry (and all other mediums for that sake) has to diversify its revenue stream in the face of competition, piracy and the economy. Fortunately there are, at least, 29 ways of doing that readily available for developers. Looking forward to a lively discussion about this topic at our upcoming NY Games Conference, where we have several panels dedicated to monetization strategies. In the meantime, post a comment and let us know what you think of Perry's list.

Judge Orders Google to Provide YouTube User Data to Viacom

Mark Hefflinger — Thu, 3 Jul 2008 13:22:55 -0500

New York - The federal judge presiding over Viacom's (NYSE: VIA) $1 billion copyright infringement lawsuit against YouTube on Thursday ruled that Google (NASD: GOOG) will not have to turn over source code for its search technology for the proceedings, but will have to provide user data on who viewed which videos on YouTube, as well as copies of every video ever removed from the site for copyright violations, or any other reason.

Reports: Microsoft, Yahoo Holding Talks With Other Parties

Mark Hefflinger — Thu, 3 Jul 2008 12:47:22 -0500

New York - In the wake of their failed negotiations with one another, both Microsoft (NASD: MSFT) and Yahoo (NASD: YHOO) have been holding separate talks with other media partners on possible combinations, sources told The Wall Street Journal, Reuters and other outlets. The Journal reports that Yahoo is in talks with Time Warner (NYSE: TWX) about a possible merger with that company's AOL unit, although the talks apparently aren't as serious as they were in April, as Yahoo's stock has since seen a sharp decline in value.

Buzz Watch: The Pirate's Dilemma on Screen

Jay Baage — Wed, 2 Jul 2008 16:15:43 -0500

Some of you in the DMW community might recognize Matt Mason from Digital Music Forum East in February. He is the author of the controversial book "The Pirate’s Dilemma: How Youth Culture Reinvented Capitalism". Lately, he's been working on turning the book into a TV series with Jesse Alexander, the Executive Producer of Heroes and Lost (see YouTube clip above). In line with his reasoning in the book, he's also offering an electronic copy of it for a "pay-what-you-want" price here. Check it out.

Neil Young Working on iTunes-Alternative Digital Platform

Mark Hefflinger — Wed, 2 Jul 2008 15:51:30 -0500

London - Unsatisfied with the sound quality of MP3 and other current digital audio formats, veteran rocker Neil Young has been talking with record companies on "licensing an alternative digital platform that he had been working on -- something, he claimed, of far higher quality that could provide an alternative to the download world and perhaps even a new business model for music," the Financial Times reported.

Italian Police Shut Down File-Sharing Forum Downrevolution.net

Mark Hefflinger — Wed, 2 Jul 2008 15:33:13 -0500

London - Italian police have shut down popular music file-sharing forum Downrevolution.net and arrested four alleged operators of the site, which counted 30,000 registered users, according to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), a record label trade group.

Judge Denies Akamai Injunction Against Limelight in Patent Case

Mark Hefflinger — Wed, 2 Jul 2008 15:23:08 -0500

Tempe, Ariz. - Content delivery network Limelight Networks (NASD: LLWN) said on Wednesday that a federal court has denied rival Akamai Technologies' (NASD: AKAM) request for a permanent injunction against the company, which a jury previously ruled has infringed Akamai's patents.

FTC Settles With BurnLounge Operator Over Pyramid Scheme

Mark Hefflinger — Wed, 2 Jul 2008 14:58:27 -0500

Washington - The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has announced that one of the operators of BurnLounge, a digital music distribution service the agency had determined was actually a pyramid scheme, has settled charges and agreed to give up $20,000 in ill-gotten gains.

Justice Dept. Launches Formal Probe of Google-Yahoo Ad Deal

Mark Hefflinger — Wed, 2 Jul 2008 14:24:53 -0500

Washington - The U.S. Department of Justice has announced a formal probe of Yahoo's (NASD: YHOO) proposed online advertising partnership with Google (NASD: GOOG), and will seek documents and information from third party companies with a vested interest in the sector, The Washington Post reported on Wednesday. Google and Yahoo had agreed to voluntarily delay the deal -- which would see Google serve ads against Yahoo search results -- while the Justice Dept. made an informal inquiry, "but a formal investigation signals that the department may have found some cause for concern," The Post reported.

Giant Interactive Buys 25% Stake in Chinese Social Net 51.com

Mark Hefflinger — Wed, 2 Jul 2008 13:55:09 -0500

Shanghai, China - Chinese online game developer and operator Giant Interactive Group (NYSE: GA) announced on Wednesday that it has paid $51 million for a 25% stake in Five One, an online social network in China.