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NBA extends multi-year licensing agreements with 2K and EA Sports
Six years ago, the NBA counted five major game makers -- including Sony, Midway and Atari -- in its non-exclusive circle of licensees. That number has since dwindled to two, as the league today re-upped its multi-year licensing agreements with its longstanding (and still standing) video game partners, Take-Two Interactive and Electronic Arts. Unsurprisingly, through its 2K Sports label, Take-Two will continue to make use of its NBA license in its successful NBA 2K franchise. The most recent release, NBA 2K11, has now sold more than five million units since its October 2010 debut, according to the publisher. The next iteration, NBA 2K12, is expected to be announced at E3. Assuming 2K12 is on track to be released this fall (lockout or game on), it would mark a second straight year that 2K Sports' simulation series entered the market with no direct competition (Madden style!). EA, the NBA's oldest video game partner, permanently benched NBA Elite 11 last November after the company determined, "It was just going to be a bad game." EA Sports' next basketball sim won't be released until Fall 2012, with a download-only NBA Jam sequel subbing in this October. Additionally, Take-Two is expected to "explore and develop new NBA licensed gaming opportunities, including online on social media platforms," according to a press announcement. Counting itself as "the No. 1 U.S. sports league on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube," the NBA, through its NBA Digital label, has already released NBA Legends (developed by Lionside) and NBA Dynasty (in partnership with Disney-owned Playdom) on Facebook this year. [Pictured: Bulls versus Lakers and the NBA Playoffs (EA, 1991); source: Hoopedia]
Take-Two Q2 revenue up to $268M, BioShock 2 sales 'lower than expected'
Grand Theft Auto publisher Take-Two has announced its financial results for its second fiscal quarter, which ended April 30, 2010. Net revenue of $268 million represented an increase of 54 percent over the $174.3 million recorded during the same quarter last year; a change that Take-Two attributes to sales of Major League Baseball 2K10, as well as the introduction of Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City to PlayStation 3 and PC. In a related investor call, Take-Two Chief Financial Officer Lainie Goldstein noted that 32 perecent of revenue was driven by the publisher's catalog titles, including NBA 2K10 and Grand Theft Auto IV. And while BioShock 2 contributed to the increased revenue and became a profitable endeavor, Goldstein noted that the dystopian shooter incurred "lower than expected" sales. "The title was well-received by the media and was profitable for us," she said. "However, sales slowed down sooner than we had expected." Operating income for the quarter rose to $16.9 million (last year's second quarter represented a loss of $10.4 million), while total revenue for the company's first-half financial year totaled $431.2 million.
Assassin's Creed 2 takes seven at MI6 Awards
As if Assassin's Creed 2 hadn't already taken enough prestigious awards (not to mention a number two spot in our best of 2009 list), the MI6 released word today that the game also earned seven gold awards in marketing at the fifth annual MI6 Awards on April 1 in San Francisco. From "Outstanding Overall Integrated Marketing Campaign" (though all the cool kids call it the "OOIMC" -- pronounced "oo-imp-ka") to "Outstanding TV or Theatrical Ad Campaign," AC2 swept the awards show, only closely lead by Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles and NBA 2K10 at four each (remember folks, these are awards for marketing). If you'd like, the whole list is available here (in PDF format, so you know). And yeah, if you hadn't already guessed, the Darkside Chronicles shirt was totally voted "Best Swag." Deservedly so.
Take-Two revenue up $14m, laying off 15% of execs
Take-Two has released its fiscal 2010 Q1 financial report, dropping always thrilling financial news on us about the company's performance between November 1, 2009 and January 31, 2010. Aside from a $13.8 million year-over-year increase in net revenue ($163.2 million this year over $149.4 million last year), Take-Two also reports a diminished net loss (again, year-over-year) to the tune of $20 million. Take-Two also updated investors on current sales of several games and franchises, with GTA IV chocking up "over 15 million units globally" to date, NBA 2K10 already shipping "over 2 million units," and Carnival Games accruing 6 million units sold worldwide across both Wii and DS platforms. That's gotta be helping with that improved bottom line, eh? Aside from those highlights, the investor report additionally notes plans for "a targeted restructuring of its corporate departments," resulting in a "15 percent reduction in corporate headcount." More shocking, the "restructuring" (read: layoffs) will amount to "approximately $8 million in savings in fiscal 2010." Holy cow!
Dante's Inferno for $40 at Target next week
If you've been putting off that trip to Hell for financial reasons, it looks like Target might lend you a hand next week. Starting this Sunday, Dante's Inferno will be on sale for only $39.99, a full $20 off the normal retail price. Not a bad deal for a game that has thus far drawn passable reviews. The store is also knocking ten bucks off the the price of NBA 2K10, making it a cool $29.99. Just be warned, while the price is right, you might be waiting a while before you can play a proper game online. Oh, you can also snag a free Ho-Oh or Lugia Pokémon if you pre-order either Pokemon SoulSilver or Pokemon HeartGold. We suggest you do that and pick up Dante's Inferno. It'll be really confusing to the cashier.
2K Sports: NBA 2K10 PC online patch is 'currently being worked on'
Many PC players of NBA 2K10 are reportedly having serious issues with the game's online functionality. While the degree of difficulty appears to vary from player to player, there are some pretty epic threads of woe being sewn on the 2K Sports and Steam forums regarding the game. As one tipster explains to Joystiq: "Online support has been basically non-existent, despite it being clearly advertised by 2K. To be clear, when I say 'non-existent,' I mean 'non-existent.' This isn't an issue of slightly laggy gameplay, or anything like that. The lobbies in the game are completely non-functional, and it doesn't even seem possible to connect to other players." When contacted, 2K Sports told Joystiq that a patch is "currently being worked on, and in the testing phase. It will be released as soon as it is ready." That's probably of little consolation to office chair athletes left playing a pick-up game by themselves, as this patch has apparently been in the works for months. On the bright side, considering NBA 2K is an annual franchise, maybe the next installment won't have the same problems? [Thanks, Sam G]
NBA 2K10 nets two million sales
We're not sure what sort of numbers 2K Sports had hooped hoped for, but no one can argue that two million copies of its latest basketball sim, NBA 2K10, is anything but a ... slam dunk. The label announced today that the game has reached that lofty figure worldwide, which it says marks a 60% increase in units of NBA 2K9 sold during the same period last year. (Though it confesses that this year's sales figures include versions of the game for PSP and Wii.) Of course, there's always the question of whether the sales were spurred on by marketing money or, y'know, the actual quality of the game. The PS3 and Xbox 360 versions are averaging in the low 80s on Metacritic -- what did you think of it, sports fans?
NBA assists Avatars with new gear on XBLM
Are you upset by the fact that people who see your Xbox Live Avatar don't immediately know your favorite NBA team? Well, you can rectify that with the new Avatar gear available on Xbox Live, courtesy of NBA 2K10 and NBA Live 10. The subtle difference between each series on offer is that NBA2K10's set has numbers on 'em, whereas the NBA Live 10 jerseys only feature team names. You can snag your own virtual jersey for 240 ($3) right now on the Avatar Marketplace.
Technical foul: 2K looking into framerate issues in NBA 2K10
Posting on the official 2K forums, an admin has stated that the developer is aware of reported framerate issues encountered by several players in NBA 2K10. He's also put out a call to readers to describe any encounters with the slowdown, with the hopes that problems can be identified and resolved. The thread has grown to 25 pages at the time of writing this post.If you've run into the problem yourself, get over to the relevant thread and recount that traumatic experience with as much detail as you can. Heck of a way to celebrate a franchise's 10th anniversary, eh?[Thanks, Mark!]
NBA 2K10 Draft Combine coming to PSN and XBLA in September
It seems our tipster was on the level -- 2K Sports is, in fact, releasing an early NBA 2K10 character creation feature and stat-building minigames as an XBLA and PSN download titled NBA 2K10 Draft Combine, due out this September for 400 ($5). Players will be able to customize a basketballer, then run them through a number of drills and scenarios in order to boost their stats, which can then be carried over to the core game when it drops in October.We're curious to know what you guys think of 2K's recently announced side-project -- do you think it's an interesting teaser for the main course? Or a minigame that was removed from 2K10 and shamelessly sold separately? We've embedded an easy-to-understand poll after the break to gauge your reaction.%Gallery-68901%
Rumor: 2K Sports prepping NBA 2K10: Draft Combine for XBLA/PSN
2K Games is opening up a very dangerous door, apparently, as a source close to Joystiq has passed along info on the company's new game for PSN and XBLA, called NBA 2K10: Draft Combine. Set to release alongside NBA 2K10, the spinoff game will allow players to take potential draftees through a rigorous training routine, boosting their stats before being drafted into the retail game. We call it a "dangerous door," because, frankly, it is. Many criticize sports titles for offering little variety or improvements in each yearly iteration, and Draft Combine sounds like it could be a way to milk sports fans for even more dough. Of course, not knowing further details about the rumored game, this is just speculation, and should be taken as such. Still, if it turns out as our worst fears predict (that Draft Combine is a minigame-like feature split from NBA 2K10 and sold separately), then we're sure there are bound to be some upset gamers out there. Oh, and if you're a person in the know, then feel free to hit up our tips box with more details. Anonymity assured! [image credit]
NBA 2K10's oversized 10th Anniversary Edition revealed
2K Sports has unveiled the 10th Anniversary edition of NBA 2K10 -- or, rather, TeamXbox has discovered it as 2K Sports was about to unveil it -- and it may be the most overblown limited-edition release of any game yet. The $99.99 package includes the game (obviously), an exclusive Kobe Bryant figurine by McFarlane Toys, a Kobe Bryant poster, a video about the NBA 2K series, and an account on the "Gold Room," a special VIP online lobby for the game.Oh, the package also includes a storage locker designed to hold 20 games. That's furniture. This game comes with furniture.
NBA 2K10 selects Kobe, NBA Live 10 settles for Howard
Dwight Howard probably wasn't much consoled by his image on the recently revealed NBA Live 10 box cover after losing the NBA Finals to the Lakers on Sunday, but the honor must have meant a little something (if not just more pocket change) to the Magic's superman -- until now. Kobe Bryant, winner and MVP of the NBA Finals, has been selected as the boastful NBA 2K10 cover athlete, cementing another dominant victory over Howard. 2K Sports' b-ball franchise has long been superior to EA Sports' annual effort, after all. We're thinking Howard should demand a trade. Source - 2K Sports Congratulates Four-Time NBA Champion Kobe BryantSource - Dwight Howard Named Cover Athlete of EA Sports NBA Live 10
