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'Toy Box' to bring Pixar and Disney characters together in game
Disney is working hard and spending a lot of money on an unannounced gaming initiative tentatively called Toy Box, according to an interview with the company's chief executive, Robert Iger, in the New York Times.Toy Box is an upcoming console game that will make use of both Pixar and Disney characters in the same environments for the first time. It will extend into mobile and online gaming realms, perhaps offering tie-in games on a number of different platforms, made for different audiences.Disney Interactive has been struggling lately to find a real hit, especially after the lukewarm reception to the company's Epic Mickey. But the House of Mouse has had some good news from the online and mobile divisions lately, where big titles like Club Penguin have worked with breakout mobile hits like Where's My Water? to prop up the ailing Interactive group.It sounds like the plan is to better incorporate future console titles like Toy Box with the online and mobile strengths. We'll have to wait and see just what this project turns out to be; it sounds like the official announcement isn't set until next year.
Apple announces changes to its board: Arthur D. Levinson named Chairman, Robert Iger joins
Apple has just announced some changes to its board of directors, including the appointment of a new non-executive chairman: Arthur D. Levinson. Currently Chairman of Genentech Inc., Levinson has been a co-director of Apple's board since 2005, having first joined the board in 2000. He'll be welcoming new board member Robert A. Iger, who you may know as the President and CEO of The Walt Disney Company. In a statement, Apple CEO Tim Cook said that Levinson "has made enormous contributions to Apple since he joined the board in 2000," and that his "insight and leadership are incredibly valuable to Apple, our employees and our shareholders." On Iger, Cook said: "Bob and I have gotten to know one another very well over the past few years and on behalf of the entire board, we think he is going to make an extraordinary addition to our already very strong board," further noting that "his strategic vision for Disney is based on three fundamentals: generating the best creative content possible, fostering innovation and utilizing the latest technology, and expanding into new markets around the world which makes him a great fit for Apple." The official press release is after the break.
Disney Interactive Media president resigns
Steve Wadsworth, head of Disney's Interactive Media Group -- better known to us as "the guy in charge of Disney's video game arm" -- has stepped down. According to a New York Times report, Wadsworth issued a late-night missive to his staff last Thursday announcing his resignation. "I have been thinking about this for quite some time, and while it is difficult to leave a great company, an exciting business and a wonderful group of people, my desire and excitement to pursue other opportunities is too great to ignore." Disney confirmed the news and offered an official statement from Wadsworth: "While there is never a good time to leave a great role at a great company, for many reasons now is the right time for me to move on. I am extremely proud of the huge progress we've made at Disney Interactive Media Group, and am confident that the business is well-positioned for continued significant growth." The split appears to be amicable, with Disney CEO Robert Iger offering only kind words about Wadsworth (found in full after the break). The NYT also heard from "people with knowledge of the matter" that a replacement should be revealed "shortly," with Playdom head John Pleasants allegedly being eyed for the position (a social game developer that Disney acquired earlier this year).
Bill Gates thinks the iPad needs a keyboard, Disney CEO loves it as it is
Here, finally, is one point on which the two giants of computing, Steve Jobs and Bill Gates, completely disagree on. Steve says netbooks are better at nothing, whereas Bill's view is the polar opposite: "You know, I'm a big believer in touch and digital reading, but I still think that some mixture of voice, the pen and a real keyboard - in other words a netbook - will be the mainstream on that." Unimpressed by the iPad, Bill goes on to say that he considers it a "nice reader," but not something that made him wish Microsoft had done it first. Don't tell that to Disney CEO Robert Iger though, who brings out the dreaded "game changer" tag when describing the potential he sees in the iPad for the creation of "essentially new forms of content." Lest we forget, Steve Jobs also sits on the Disney board, so this could be just a friendly tip of the hat by Iger. Either way, we're curious to see what new content Disney might scratch up, as well as to find out who's right in this newfound binary question: keyboard-equipped netbooks or longevous, ultrathin tablets -- what say you?
Disney Interactive to be more 'judicious' with HD games as losses abate
Though Disney's gaming division saw improved operating results during the company's first fiscal quarter of 2010 (which ended January 2) -- a loss of $10 million compared to a $45 million loss in Q1 the previous fiscal year -- CEO Robert Iger has maintained a prudent stance on upcoming projects. "Disney-branded games seem to perform better on the Wii and DS platforms," he noted during a recent investor call (via Computerworld). It seems Disney will continue to target non-Nintendo platforms, but with fewer shots and steadier aim. "While we'll continue to make high-end games, we'll be very judicious in how many we make and which ones we choose," Iger said. Iger is also likely to keep an eye on the performance of upcoming "high-end" titles like Tron Evolution and Black Rock Studios' Pure follow-up, Split/Second. And if neither of those work, you send in the spandex. "We have some interesting opportunities with Marvel," he said. "That's a brand we think would do extremely well on higher-end consoles." Source: ComputerWorld [via GamesIndustry.biz] Source: The Walt Disney Company Q1 results
Disney Interactive posts 20 percent losses in third quarter, citing bad economy
Businesses don't adhere to the same rules we silly humans do; the cycle of the Earth around the sun, for instance. Disney Interactive Media Group is no exception, posting its quarter three financial results -- the quarter that ends in June, folks -- just this week. According to Gamasutra, revenue dropped by $29 million year over year, which company CEO Robert A. Iger said during a conference call was due to "adverse economic conditions." Though Iger didn't specifically spell it out, we would imagine that investing in the development of multiple major titles in Split/Second and, um ... whatever it is that Warren Spector's working on at Junction Point isn't helping with the money intake either. The CEO is positive about the future, but remains worried about the current economy, saying, "We do see signs of economic stabilization, but the pace and strength of recovery remain uncertain and we are managing accordingly." We're guessing it's a bad time to ask for those free passes to Epcot?
Disney's CEO reaffirms commitment to Blu-ray
While it's not like we really needed another highfalutin executive to takes sides, Disney's CEO is making sure you aren't holding out hope for a Cinderella remake on HD DVD. During a recent analyst call, Robert Iger reportedly responded to an inquiry about his take on HD DVD by stating that Disney has "made its bed with Blu-ray because it believes more in that format for a variety of reasons." Among those reasons were beliefs that Blu-ray boasted a sales record that "outpaced" HD DVD, and even went so far as to suggest that the forthcoming Pirates release would "widen that gap" even further. Interesting, Iger also suggested that once prices on standalone players begin to fall for both camps, retailers will likely choose to stock just the BD players as it attempts to simplify its inventory. Oh, and in case that wasn't bold enough, he even stated that the US is practically the only remaining nation where Blu-ray hasn't quite finished HD DVD off, but that it was only a matter of time before America followed suit.
Gates to headline CES 2007
The Consumer Electronics Association has confirmed that Bill Gates will be a keynote speaker at CES 2007 in Las Vegas. Motorola's Ed Zander and Disney's Robert Iger are also on the keynote playbill. The Microsoft chairman recently announced that he will be stepping down from his daily role in the company at the end of next year, but will continue to work part-time for the software giant he co-founded. Just make sure you report any "part-time" or supplemental income to the unemployment office, Bill!
