Tag Archives: sne

Microsoft, Yahoo latest to fund original Internet TV shows

With linear television from broadcast and cable, it was pretty easy to keep track of new TV shows. But with the rise of original programs on Internet-based streaming video services, finding and watching new TV shows is becoming a lot more complicated. You can add Microsoft (MSFT), Sony (SNE) and Yahoo (YHOO) to the list of companies looking to make an impact with original TV shows for online streaming. They join Netflix (NFLX), Amazon.com (AMZN) and Hulu in funding shows for over-the-top television viewing. Today those Internet-based services largely complement existing pay TV services, but one day they could threaten traditional services from cable, satellite and telco TV providers.

Virtual reality goggles are a hot topic again with gamers

Virtual reality goggles are hip again, with Sony (SNE) and Microsoft (MSFT) developing headsets for their newest video game consoles. A staple of science-fiction movies since the 1980s, VR goggles have yet to break through to the consumer market. Now, major video game companies are jumping into the segment for the first time since Nintendo (NTDOY) flopped with its Virtual Boy goggles. Those goggles were launched in July 1995, but then discontinued within a year. Late Tuesday, Sony Computer Entertainment (SNE) announced the development of Project Morpheus, a virtual reality system for its PlayStation 4 game console. The device is in the prototype stage and the company is planning a future commercial launch, Sony said in a press release. Morpheus represents an opportunity “to push the boundaries of play,” Shuhei Yoshida, president of SCE Worldwide Studios, said in a statement. “Project Morpheus is the latest example of innovation from SCE, and we’re looking forward to its continued development and the games that will be created as development kits get into the hands of content creators.”

‘Everything is awesome’ for U.S. video game sales in Feb.

U.S. retail sales of video game products returned to growth in February thanks to strong sales of new consoles and “The Lego Movie” tie-in game. Sales of new video game hardware, software and accessories totaled $887 million last month, up 9% from February 2013, the NPD Group reported late Thursday. Game sales were down about 1% in January after rising for five consecutive months on a year-over-year basis. Next-generation game consoles from Microsoft (MSFT) and Sony (SNE) fueled hardware sales, which were up 42% year over year to $347 million. Accessories sales rose 3% to $221 million. Software sales dipped 9% to $318 million, because of lower average selling prices for top games like “The Lego Movie Videogame” from Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, a unit of Time Warner (TWX), and “Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare” from Electronic Arts (EA). Also, software sales declined for older consoles, including Microsoft’s Xbox 360…