Gaming

Nintendo offers a raincheck for Wii shortage

By Yi-Wyn Yen

For all the last-minute Christmas shoppers who can't find a Wii, Nintendo (NTDOY) is offering gift certificates that guarantee you can pick one up in January. Consumers must pay the $249 for the sold-out video game console at a GameStop (GME) on Dec. 20 and 21 and will then receive an I.O.U. to pick up the Wii after the holidays.

"We expect this to be a great way to MORE

Sega head: Industry stunned by Activision/Vivendi merger

By Jeffrey M. O'Brien

On one level, the proposed $18.8 billion merger of Activision (ATVI) and Vivendi's Blizzard Entertainment (EPA:VIV) seems to make a lot of sense. Good mergers maximize revenue by combining non-overlapping products (like the Guitar Hero Franchise, Tony Hawk, and the World of Warcraft phenomenon), and maximize profits by consolidating administrative costs. But in an industry like gaming, there's an X factor, creativity. Sure, these companies fit MORE

Even at $600 the Wii is a must-have gift this season

By Yi-Wyn Yen

If you can't track down a Nintendo Wii this holiday season, you're not alone. Nintendo has not been able to keep up with the demand for its mega-hit console. Now thousands of desperate consumers who can't find the Wii on store shelves have turned to web outlets like Amazon (AMZN) and eBay (EBAY), where they're paying a premium to get one.

"We're seeing an unprecedented demand for a console," MORE

Gadgets and games score with Cyber Monday crowds

Shoppers headed online in droves on Cyber Monday, according to the latest stats: 32.5 million visitors entered virtual stores, up 10 percent from a year ago.

Intel unveils new chip technology

Intel's new Penryn chip. Image: Intel

Intel has launched a new generation of chips that it hopes will boost its lead over rival Advanced Micro Devices heading into 2008.

The line of chips, code-named Penryn, uses a new manufacturing method that allows Intel (INTC) to make the chips both smaller and more efficient. Penryn chips should help companies like Hewlett-Packard (HPQ), Dell (DELL) and Apple (AAPL) to design more energy-efficient servers, more MORE

Expect Blu-ray/HDTV bundles for the holidays

Samsung P-1400 Blu-ray player. Image: Samsung

It's been quite a busy few days for the high-definition format war between Blu-ray and HD DVD. First, Wal-Mart (WMT) confirmed that it has begun selling the Toshiba HD-A2 HD DVD player in stores for less than $200. The next day Amazon (AMZN) and Circuit City (CC) began offering the player online for a penny less.

Now there are reports that Wal-Mart today will sell the MORE

AMD on the future of the desktop computer

Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) is having a tough time battling Intel (INTC) for market share and profits in the PC business. While chipmaker AMD has forged relationships with market leaders like Hewlett-Packard (HPQ) and Dell (DELL), there are plenty of customers who haven't embraced the microchip upstart – most obviously, Apple (AAPL).

What EA's CEO learned from playing Madden NFL for 11 straight years

By Yi-Wyn Yen

All those years playing the video game Madden NFL has paid off for Electronic Arts CEO John Riccitiello. To succeed in the video game industry, Riccitiello suggests taking a playbook from the popular sports game. Learning to react quickly, trusting his team, and admitting defeat are some of the lessons he's applying to EA's (ERTS) new strategy.

Riccitiello is shifting the focus of the company from publishing licensed MORE

Nintendo hires Yahoo marketing chief, gears up for Q4

By Jeffrey M. O'Brien

Gaming powerhouse Nintendo (NTDOY) announced late last week a revamping of its Nintendo of America marketing department. Out go SVP of marketing George Harrison and VP of marketing Perrin Kaplan. In come the former head of marketing at Yahoo (YHOO), Cammie Dunaway, and Shigeyuki Takahashi, the former head of Nintendo Research. Dunaway will serve as EVP of sales & marketing, reporting to NOA president Reggie Fils-Aime, aka MORE

Big retailers launch HD DVD price war

Toshiba HD-A2. Image: Toshiba

A pre-holiday retail skirmish in high-definition DVD players has begun. Just days after Wal-Mart (WMT) slashed its in-store price on the Toshiba HD-A2 to $198, Circuit City (CC) and Amazon (AMZN) followed suit by offering the player online for $197.99.

Consumers seem eager to buy the HD-A2, which had been selling on Amazon for $230 and as much as $280 elsewhere. The Toshiba player, which had been one MORE