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SouthPeak doubles game sales in 2009 amid dropping profits
Though SouthPeak is keen to point out that its net revenues rose from last year by $7.2 million, the company's profits for the year remain firmly in the red, with a $12.1 million posted loss for the 2009 fiscal year ending June 30. SouthPeak's loss report comes confusingly paired with a 100% increase in units sold from fiscal year 2008 (from 1.2 to 2.4 million units) -- 2009's posted $12.1 net loss gets explained away by "approximately $12.5 million invested in game development and intellectual property for future title releases," among other things. The report also allows "$1.6 million of expenses relating to the Gamecock acquisition," hopefully some of which went to paying Gamecock debt now owed by SouthPeak -- this on top of another $4.6 million or so for "charges relating to write-downs on software values and sequel right values to certain titles." Unsurprisingly, the publisher hopes that upcoming titles Two Worlds 2 and My Baby: First Steps, as well as a "highly-anticipated sequel to Dementium," will bolster its next fiscal year. We're just hoping the games the company does sell will actually garner some profit this time around.
Gamecock acquisition goes south - vendors accuse SouthPeak of not paying up
Created by industry entrepreneurs Mike Wilson, Rick Stults and Harry Miller, the Gamecock Media Group set out to buck-buck-buck the trend -- a perceived sequence of retreads, rehashes and remakes that characterized a rapidly expanding games industry. The games were undoubtedly indie, the choices bizarre and the rooster costumes touted by Wilson and the gang were just plain weird. But not nearly as weird as the David vs. Goliath scenario that ended with the lowly rock slinger shaking hands with his imposing foe. But in October of 2008, SouthPeak Interactive Corporation stepped out of the role of opposition, instead donning the chivalrous and sharply dressed persona of corporate savior. A shaky economy had compelled Gamecock's main investor to tighten the belt, an act which former Gamecock CEO (and subsequent co-founder of Devolver Digital) Mike Wilson deemed a swift and unexpected crisis. "He and his board decided that with their main business bleeding so badly, they needed to cut off anything 'ancillary'," Wilson said, "such as his investment in outside businesses, one of which was our company." With the timing sitting uncomfortably close to the Christmas rush and promising titles like Legendary and Mushroom Men on the verge of completion, Gamecock needed help. "And suddenly there was NO money. So, we literally had to find someone to acquire us immediately ... someone who knew the business, could see the imminent revenues versus liabilities, and move very fast." And for a Goliath, SouthPeak was pretty fast. "A week later, we were bought, and all we could do was put on a happy face and hope for the best."
Firefly delays Dungeon Hero, says game 'lives on'
Now, there's no easy way to break this to you, so we're just going to come out and say it. Dungeon Hero, one of the last remaining remnants of Gamecock's feathery empire, has been delayed. For how long, we can't say, though Firefly Studios assures us that the tongue-in-cheek dungeon crawler still "lives on." According to the developer, Gamecock's purchase last October "created a number of challenges" for Firefly, forcing the company to put off the game's eventual release. Still, the dev has confidence in the property, writing on its site that in addition to Dungeon Hero, the studio is also working on "a couple of exciting projects built around the Dungeon Hero universe." Firefly also teases that it may be announcing a new Stronghold game in the "very near future." Until then, keep your chin up. It's not all bad.
Gamecock details E.I.E.I.O. 2008 expo
Self-described campaigner for independent titles and apologetic speech crasher, Gamecock Media Group, has detailed plans for its second annual and awkwardly worded Expo For Interactive Entertainment, Independent and Original. This year's E.I.E.I.O. is scheduled to take place on March 6 at the prestigious Stubb's Bar-B-Q in Austin, Texas. Gamecock's upcoming lineup will be on show and in the company of developers, "music, mayhem and good ol' fashioned Texas hospitality."The all-day event will lead into South by Southwest's (SXSW) Interactive Festival and culminate in a concert which hopes to feature "bands with members of the gaming press in them." Umm, does Rock Band count?
Fury introduces free-to-play option
Auran and Gamecock Media Group have made a press release announcing that a new free-to-download and free-to-play option for Fury will be available with the upcoming "Age of the Chosen" content update on December 14th. Those downloading the game for free (known as "Chosen") will be able to play as much as they want and not be charged anything, but will earn essence and gold at a reduced rate, and cannot trade with other players.Chosen players can purchase gold with real-life money, or pay to upgrade their account to "Hero" status and earn more gold and essence and have trading privileges. Buying Fury from a retail store will now give you a Hero status account straight away. The Age of the Chosen update will also introduce a 1v1 Elimination mode, and a Carnage mode that involves two teams slaughtering NPC bots and not each other.The changes to Fury's business model come amidst recent doubts about the game's future -- which were later quelled by Auran CEO Tony Hilliam -- and a painful reception from critics.[Via GameSpot]
Croteam announces their serious PS3 project
Croteam, makers of the hotly debated "is it cool or is it too silly" title Serious Sam, have announced a new PS3 project slated for 2009 release. After the crazy action found in Serious Sam, we'd be interested to see if they're continuing on their kooky streak, or will take a more serious tone with their work. This untitled new game will be published by Gamecock Media Group and will not be a sequel in the Serious Sam franchise.Mike Wilson at Gamecock issued this statement on the upcoming title: "It's definitely in a genre they are familiar with and will exploit their experience ... These guys also have a strong sense of style and design, so you will find the premise and gameplay intriguing ... You know that the one thing Croteam is the best at - better than most every other developer in the world - is making games that are frantic and, most importantly, fun. This title is definitely both of those things."From this quote, we imagine the game will be a first-person title with fast, frantic action. Not much else is known, so we'll find out later, probably. There are a few screenshots available and they look a lot more "realistic" and serious than previous titles, but it might just be a front to fool us. Thoughts?
