PORCast

Opinião em forma de desabafo de alguém que tentou montar um negócio de jogos:

Por este andar as lojas vão ficando sem clientela. Penso eu, corrijam-me se estiver errado, que a culpa é nada mais, nada menos, que das distribuidoras em Portugal.

Desculpem o offtopic mas gostaria de partilhar..
A título de exemplo, no planeamento da abertura da minha loja em santa Maria da feira a Ecofilmes obrigava para a minha 1ª encomenda um valor de 4000 €, sendo nessa altura o valor de lucro dos jogos fornecidos por eles de 8 a 10% e em consolas de 3 a 5%. Tinha de início o apoio de uma loja de São João da Madeira (drogaria Neves) mas ao me informar das "obrigações" impostas pelas distribuidoras (quantidade e valor das encomendas, produto imposto por eles e não o que necessitaria, entre outras coisas...) "parei" nesse preciso momento toda a papelada na câmara municipal de S.M.F. e desisti da ideia.
A Game em PT poderá ser a única que se vai safando pois também têm distribuição deles.
É o país que temos, infelizmente..

O meu deve chegar amanhã vindo da Dvd.co.uk por isso encontramo-nos online

em: http://forum.zwame.pt/showthread.php?t=171319&page=276

A crise...

Assim como todos os mercados, a área tecnológica tem seus altos e baixos. E está na vez do silício e da fibra ótica sentir a balança pender:
Nokia
A Nokia anunciou essa semana, 44% de redução nos lucros do fim do ano de 2008, relativos às vendas. O CEO da Empresa, Olli-Pekka, afirmou em nota que a indústria também se abalou com a crise financeira mundial.
Microsoft
O Big Brother demitiu na quinta-feira (22/jan) 5 mil funcionários. “A Microsoft também está sentindo no bolso. Ela não ficou imune aos efeitos da crise”, disse Steve Ballmer. Segundo dados, a gigante Microsoft apresentou queda de 11% de seu habitual lucro. Os brasileiros que suspirem! Dessas demissões, nenhuma será direcionada para as terras tupiniquins.
Xerox
A empresa das copiadoras é que bateu o recorde! De outubro a dezembro de 2007, a Xerox lucrou 382 milhões de dólares em vendas. No mesmo período do ano de 2008, a empresa lucrou 1 milhão apenas! Em anúncio divulgado no site, a companhia está organizando uma reestruturação com corte de 3.000 empregados.
Google
Discreta como sempre, porém com a moral baixa (fora da internet). Tentando expandir seus horizontes, a Google tentou a venda de publicidade via jornal. Tratava-se do Print Ads. Isso mesmo: tratava! A idéia não deu certo. Como último suspiro a empresa ainda demitiu cem funcionários e fechou três escritórios.
LG
Em 2008, quem cresceu foi a LG. A companhia registrou um aumento de 18,4% em 2008. No setor de telefonia móvel, a empresa subiu para 3° lugar no ranking dos mais vendidos. Palmas para a LG!

em: http://geekgeekhurrah.com/

Comunicado Oficial...

Estão na Holanda...


Ver mapa maior

Key Statistics about Guerrilla Games
Top Locations

* The Hague Area, Netherlands (6)
* Amsterdam Area, Netherlands (60)

Guerrilla Games Headquarters Address

Herengracht 410
Amsterdam 1017 BX
Netherlands
Phone: 31 20 427 2277
Fax: 31 20 427 4040

Headquarters Amsterdam Area, Netherlands

Industry Computer Games
Status Operating Subsidiary

Company Size 51-200 employees
Founded 2000
Website http://www.linkedin.com/redirect?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Eguerrilla-games%2Ecom&urlhash=BYCe


Common Job Titles

Artist 12%
Designer 7%
Animator 6%
Producer 6%
Senior Programmer 6%
Top Schools
Hogeschool van Amsterdam 8%
Hogeschool voor de Kunsten Utrecht 8%
Univ. van Amsterdam 6%
Technische Univ. Delft 5%
Design Academy Eindhoven 4%

Median Age 29 years
Gender
Male 91%
Female 9%



History

Prior to the acquisition of Guerrilla by Sony Computer Entertainment, the developer was a subsidiary of the large Dutch multimedia conglomerate Lost Boys, and operated under the moniker Lost Boys Games. The developer was formed as a result of a merger between 3 separate Dutch-based developers, including Orange Games, founded by Arjan Brussee, and Digital Infinity, founded by Arnout van der Kamp. Over the next 3 and a half years, Lost Boys Games would release four titles, two each for Nintendo's Game Boy Color and Game Boy Advance handheld gaming consoles.

In mid 2003, due to a variety of mergers and corporate reshuffling, the gaming unit was sold off to Media Republic, a new media venture by original Lost Boys' founder Michiel Mol, and in July of that year was renamed to Guerrilla Games. Shortly thereafter, the developer began work on its first two titles, Killzone, in development for Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation 2, and Shellshock: Nam '67, in development for Eidos Interactive, also for the PlayStation 2 as well as Microsoft's Xbox and the PC.

Both titles would release the following year to lukewarm reviews and reception, however Killzone enjoyed immense pre-release hype and anticipation, and despite the backfire effect much of this media coverage caused and the lackluster reviews the title received, went on to sell over a million copies worldwide, earning Greatest Hits and Platinum status in North America and Europe respectively. Thanks in part to this success, Guerrilla signed an exclusive development agreement with Sony Computer Entertainment in late 2004, that would see future development at the company exist solely for Sony's line of video game consoles, the PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable and the PlayStation 3. Shellshock sold over 900,000 copies.

The situation for Eidos is now desperate.

"If an offer for the Company has not been announced in accordance with Rule 2.5 of the Takeover Code or alternative funding has not been put in place by 25 March 2005, or if any such offer lapses, RBS has the right to require the Company to undertake an orderly disposal of assets, and/or intellectual property, of an amount equal to the facility plus associated fees," the statement continued.

"In that event, and if such disposal is not agreed by 22 April 2005, the adequacy of the Company's working capital facilities cannot be assured."

In other bad news, Eidos confirmed that new Hitman and Tomb Raider games have slipped to fiscal 2006, with a "strategic decision" having been taken to delay the next titles in both series from fiscal 2005, which ends on June 30th.

Eidos's leading product for the half year was Shellshock: Nam '67, which achieved sales of over 900,000 units worldwide.

In May 2005, the developer enjoyed yet another massive influx of attention and interest, both positive and controversial, after the release of a pre-rendered trailer of its upcoming Killzone sequel, Killzone 2 for the PlayStation 3, at the unveiling of the new console at Sony's press conference during the E3 video game trade show that year. The hysteria and skepticism surrounding both the game and its initial unveiling still resonates to this day, and has vaulted Guerrilla to the forefront of developers within Sony Computer Entertainment, despite the company's short history and small catalog of past titles.

In December of that year, Sony Computer Entertainment announced the acquisition of Guerrilla Games from then parent company Media Republic, making the developer a wholly owned first party studio within the publisher. Guerrilla has since gone on to release Killzone: Liberation for the PlayStation Portable in October 2006, and is currently still in development on Killzone 2 for the PlayStation 3.

A sequel to Shellshock: Nam '67 is in development, but is not being developed nor published by Guerilla.


Games developed

Game Title US Release Date Platform
Shellshock: Nam '67 September 14, 2004 PC, PlayStation 2, Xbox
Killzone November 2, 2004 PlayStation 2
Killzone: Liberation October 31, 2006 PlayStation Portable
Killzone 2 February 27, 2009 PlayStation 3


Key people

Hermen Hulst, Managing Director
Arjan Brussee, Development Director


Guerrilla Games is a first party video game developer and wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Computer Entertainment. The company is based out of Amsterdam in the Netherlands, currently employs approximately 140 individuals, and is headed by Managing Director Hermen Hulst and Development Director Arjan Brussee.

The developer is best known for its Killzone series of video games, of which they are currently developing the third entry in the franchise, Killzone 2 for the PlayStation 3.


Company Profile

Guerrilla is a young but rapidly expanding game development studio, with a growing reputation as one of Europe's leading game developers.

Historia

Founded at the beginning of 2000 as the result of a merger between 3 smaller Dutch game developers, the company now employs 130 developers, designers and artists, encompassing 20 different nationalities. Its commitment to recruiting, developing and retaining the best talent in the game industry has made Guerrilla an expert in 'the expat experience.'

Guerrilla's outstanding technology and strong creative and artistic vision quickly elevated the company to a prominent rank among Europe's game developers. After the successful release of Killzone for PlayStation 2, the company was acquired by Sony Computer Entertainment in 2005. It went on to release the critically acclaimed Killzone: Liberation for PlayStation Portable, and is currently working on Killzone 2 for PlayStation 3. The development studio is based in the heart of Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Route Description
From Amsterdam Central Station

Upon arrival at Amsterdam Centraal Station, leave by the main exit. Take tram 1, 2 or 5 (leaving from the right hand side). Leave the tram at the 4th stop, "Koningsplein". Continue walking across the bridge, following the tram tracks. Turn right into the Herengracht. Number 410 is on your left hand side a few doors down. Use the intercom by the door to gain access.
From Schiphol Airport

Take the train from Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam Central Station. Trains leave every 10 minutes or so, and the journey to Amsterdam takes around 15 to 20 minutes. The sales people at the ticket counter will be able to direct you to the next departing train.

The EA Sports Complex is part of Electronic Arts' "initial plans" for the PlayStation Home beta, bringing "exclusive new EA Sports multiplayer games" and an opportunity to hang with fellow virtual sports fans. There's also going to be a good chance you'll get to stare at some banners for FIFA 09, if the first glimpse of the EA Sports Complex is anything to go by.

“We’re proud to support the PlayStation Home Beta with a very robust offering from EA SPORTS,” said Peter Moore, president of EA SPORTS. “As part of our continued commitment to the connected experience and the digitization of our business, the EA SPORTS Complex is a rich new online environment that presents a compelling and immersive social gaming experience for the global sports audience.

Capcom Europe has revealed its release dates and/or windows for all of its first quarter games today. You can see the info in handy list format below. Looks like Capcom is single handedly making Q1 2009 a real gaming event, with plenty to sink your teeth into, even despite inFamous and Killzone 2 being released during the same period.

• Flock - February
• Street Fighter IV - February 20th
• Resident Evil 5 - March 13th
• Bionic Commando - March (It's not March anymore. Rather, it'll be in the first half of '09)
  

The American release dates are as follows:

• Flock - Early 2009
  
• Street Fighter IV - February 17th
  
• Resident Evil 5 - March 13th
  
• Bionic Commando - Early 2009