EA makes more from mobile than PSP or PS3

"The console industry doesn't always treat mobile with the respect that we'd say it's due. Yet the latest set of financial figures from Electronic Arts could change that.In the third quarter of 2007, EA made a whopping great $640 million (£311m) in revenues from all its gaming platforms. But it's the breakdown that's interesting.Xbox 360 was the publisher's biggest cash cow with $218 million (£106m), followed by PlayStation 2 ($73m/£35m), Wii ($59m/£29m), and DS ($47m/£23m). But next comes mobile with $37 million (£18m), ahead of PSP ($21m/£10m) and PS3 ($17m/£8m).That's right. Just to restate the point, EA made more than double the revenues from mobile games than it did from PlayStation 3 in the third quarter this year." Pocket Gamer, November 2007

US mobile market opens up like Europe - content boom market

"Verizon Wireless is opening up its cellular network to any device or application that meets the “minimal technical standard” to run on its network. That means pretty much any CDMA device or application, even ones that are not officially offered by Verizon. The devices and apps will have to be tested and certified in a new $20 million Verizon lab being set up for that purpose, but by early next year if you don’t like the phones that Verizon sells, you will be able to bring your own unlocked CDMA phone to the network—maybe one you bought from Sprint or overseas." Tech Crunch, November 2007

AT New Media set up to help PACT accord IP owners

"TV production trade body Pact has created a new media rights framework that gives interactive and digital content producers ownership rights of their commissioned content for the first time. The framework, which has been negotiated initially with the BBC, lets interactive content producers retain and manage the rights to their content-led ideas. The deal covers all interactive digital content commissioned by the BBC, such as new media games, websites, pieces of technology, voting engines.." New Media Age, November 2007

Decode and online developer investment

"Halifax, Canada-based DHX Media, the umbrella corp that houses both Decode Entertainment and Halifax Films, has invested US$2 million in Montreal, Canada-based on-line game developer and VOD broadband kids-channel operator Tribal Nova, and now holds a 16.7% interest in the company. Tribal Nova works with children's broadcasters and ISPs in North America and Europe to produce online game content, recently launching its first channels in France and Canada. Another channel is scheduled to launch in the US in early 2008. The company has designed online games for kid faves such as Caillou, Toopy and Binoo, Totally Spies! and Di-Gata Defenders. The partnership will provide another distribution platform for DHX Media's content and enable both its production houses to present broadcasters with fully developed multiplatform proposals. Tribal, for its part, stands to benefit from DHX's contacts within the global children's entertainment industry to widen its client base." Kidscreen November 2007

Women & mobiles

"Women love mobile, but they’re not too keen on mobile content. Research published today reveals that 60 per cent of UK women say they can't live without their mobile phones, but only 33 per cent of them have used their mobile phone to surf compared to 47 per cent of men." Mobile Entertainment November 2007

Monster creation from Mind Candy

"New web community for kids lets users adopt a monster. Mind Candy has taken the wraps off its new kids virtual world and online social community, Moshi Monsters.Aimed primarily at seven to 12 year-olds, the site – which can be found at www.moshimonsters.com - incorporates an in-game economy, casual games, social networking capabilities and a range of educational elements in a safe environment.Children can adopt an animated monster from the world of Monstro City, which they can then customise, name and nurture by interacting with other monsters and by solving the daily puzzle games created for them. By completing the brainteasers, players earn rewards called Rox which keep their pet healthy and happy.
They can spend Rox on virtual items like food, furniture and monster treats to update and accessorise their monster’s home.The beta launch period will begin mid-November, during which consumers will be invited to adopt a monster by purchasing a Moshi Monsters MoPod. Each will contain a unique UD code to allow access to the website. MoPods are mobile phone accessories which light up and spin when the phone rings or receives a text message.“The social networking aspect of Moshi Monsters will make it especially appealing to children, allowing them to connect with friends and show off their monsters in a safe environment.”" Licensing.biz November 2007