This week’s links aren’t in any particular order. They are just some interesting links that I wanted to share that highlight some recurring themes in gaming culture like violence, acquisitions, studio closures and innovation. As stand alone tweets or Facebook statuses they might have been overlooked but grouped together I think they sum up the week nicely.
>> OUYA finds a friend with Amazon
Get your wallets ready folks! “OUYA, an Android-powered videogame console funded on crowd-funding site Kickstarter, will begin selling through Amazon, Gamestop and several other retailers,” states a WSJ article. OUYA pre-orders will start on Tuesday and should be available on June 2013.
>> Ziff Davis Acquires IGN
This kind of just happened and no one really commented on it. It’s also interesting to see companies change hands. Will have to see what is store IGN in the coming weeks.
>> Activision stock soars after strong results lift gaming gloom
This does not shock me in the least. Parents are shelling out big bucks for Skylanders figurines and with the success of Call of Duty, if they weren’t in the green something would be seriously wrong here.
>> Video Games and Violence
I’m gonna be honest: whenever people follow me on Twitter I take a look at their bios. Peter Scott Peterson (@OriginalPSP) started following me one day and I’m grateful to have followed back after looking at his bio. Below is a news piece where he tackles that oh so popular media topic of “violence in video games” and “how people forget that gamers are being left out of the conversation”.
>> No Impossible Studios
How could I miss this? This continues a slew of odd events happening at Epic beginning with the departures of Cliff Bleszinski, Lee Perry, and Rod Fergusson. With the upcoming release of Gears of War: Judgment, I can only wonder what’s happening at Epic Games and hope that everyone at Impossible Studios is able to find some new gigs soon. It’s a tough job market out there!
>> Variety’s D.I.C.E 2013 Youtube Playlist
I’ll end this week’s post with a link to Variety’s D.I.C.E 2013 YouTube Playlist. No explanation necessary. Just watch and enjoy!