NEWS In Brief
PEGI: Trade body UKIE today says the pan-European PEGI games ratings should be made legally enforceable in the UK on July 23rd. CEO Jo Twist warned: “Although we are not expecting any further hold ups, it is still technically possible for this date to change.”
GAME: Administrator PwC estimates that the financial gulf left by the demise of GAME Group will total £131.2m, according to documents obtained by MCV. The company’s most valuable asset was Gamestation, which had a book value of £86.2m. This compares to GAME’s book value of £37m.
IMAGINE: X360 and 360 Magazine have been merged by publisher Imagine, with the X360brand chosen as the identity with which the pair will adopt. The first post- merger issue of X360goes on sale on July 11th.
TOYS R US: Retail giant Toys R Us posted a $60m loss for its financial quarter ending April 28th, 2012. The entertainment category, which includes sales of electronics and video games, was down 14 per cent. Toys R Us said in a statement ‘this reflects the ongoing weakness in the global video game business’.
Gamescom 2012 gets bigger; UKIE offers financial help to retailers
Koelnmesse urges firms to book flights now 140,000 square metres of floor space added by James Batchelor
THE SUN has set on E3 but don’t relax just yet – the next major trade show is on the horizon, and it’s bigger than ever.
Gamescom organisers have urged UK attendees to book their flights now for this year’s trade show, which runs from August 15th to August 19th – once again at Cologne’s Koelnmesse. And it will be 140,000 square metres bigger. “Gamescom is the world’s largest games show, with 276,000 visitors in 2011,” said project manager Tim Endres. “Only in Cologne can retailers, publishers and journalists get to see the whole world of the gaming industry. And on even more space than last year – we’re adding another 140,000 square metres. Meanwhile, UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) has
Koelnmesse’s Tim Endres promises this year’s Gamescom will be bigger than ever. Literally.
Only in Cologne can you see the whole world of the gaming industry.
“ Tim Endres, Koelnmesse
Former Nintendo strategist starts new research firm
by James Batchelor
CHECK OUT THIS WEEK’S VIDEOS
Assassin’s Creed III LEGO Batman 2 The Last of Us
Videos are available within the free iPad Edition of MCVon iTunes and the free browser-based Digital Edition, which can be accessed at
MCVUK.com
DR. OLIVER HUGO, formerly Nintendo’s director of European market analysis and research, has co-founded a new consultancy business. Hugo (pictured)spent nine years at Nintendo of Europe, before leaving to set up Hugo & Muhr: Strategy and Research Consultants. Hugo’s former colleagues said he was “instrumental in planning Nintendo’s user expansion strategy” on Wii and DS across Europe. “I look at growth
opportunities and strategies
www.mcvuk.com
for unfolding a product’s or brand’s inherent potential,” he told MCV.
“Many people don’t realise that they can only overcome weaknesses by making use of their strengths.” To find out more, contact
oliverhugo@gmx.de.
appointed UKIE as the approved trade body for Gamescom and GDC Europe. As well as managing the UK games industry stand, UKIE has also arranged a funding package for key UK retailers wishing to attend Gamescom. The pack includes a VIP entry ticket, travel cost rebate and food vouchers.
A press conference will be held on Thursday, June 28th, providing information on exhibitors and the show’s program. This will be livestreamed at
gamescom.streamview.de. Visitors can also book flights and tickets through the event’s official website.
www.gamescom.de
Gioteck scores Asda deal by James Batchelor
UK PERIPHERALS specialist Gioteck will soon have its own-brand products stocked by Asda. The firm has signed a new partnership with the supermarket chain that will see its products in 350 stores.
The first items will arrive on shelves as of August 6th. “The growing influence of supermarket business is now reflected in our distribution not just in the UK but also in overseas markets,”
June 15th 2012 5
said Gioteck general manager Alan Jones. The new partnership follows similar deals Gioteck has signed with German retailer MSH and US distributor Solutions 2 Go as part of its ongoing international expansion. Gioteck: 07748 807617
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56