Video Games

Video Games

This report analyzes the worldwide markets for Video Games in Millions of US$. The market for Video Games Software is analyzed by the following platforms: Console Games, Handheld Games, PC Games, Online Games, and Wireless Games. The report provides separate comprehensive analytics for the US, Canada, Japan, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Latin America. Annual forecasts are provided for each region for the period of 2006 through 2015. A five-year historic analysis is also provided for these markets. The report profiles 169 companies including many key and niche players worldwide such as Activision Blizzard, Inc., Capcom Co., Ltd., Electronic Arts, Inc., EA Mobile, Inc., Infogrames Entertainment, S.A., Atari, Inc., Jadestone Group AB, Konami Corporation, Konami Digital Entertainment Co. Ltd., Konami Gaming Inc., Microsoft Corporation, Namco Bandai Holdings, Inc., Namco Bandai Games America Inc., Nintendo Co. Ltd., Oberon Media, Inc., Sega Corporation, Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc., Square Enix Holdings Co. Ltd., Eidos Plc, Take 2 Interactive Software, Inc, and Ubi Soft Entertainment S.A. Market data and analytics are derived from primary and secondary research. Company profiles are mostly extracted from URL research and reported select online sources.

I. INTRODUCTION, METHODOLOGY & PRODUCT DEFINITIONS

Study Reliability and Reporting Limitations I-1
Disclaimers I-2
Data Interpretation & Reporting Level I-3
Quantitative Techniques & AnalyticsI-3
Product Definitions and Scope of Study I-3
Console Games I-4
Handheld Games I-4
PC Games (Excluding Online Games) I-4
Online Games I-4
Wireless Games I-5

II. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1. INDUSTRY OVERVIEW II-1
A Prelude II-1
Video Games: An Evolution Scan II-2
Entertainment Software Industry: A Primer II-2
Market FundamentalsII-3
Changing Demographics of Modern Players II-4
Traditional Users II-4
Gray Gamers II-4
Women: Succumbing to the Charms of Video Games II-5
Competition II-5
Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo: The Three Battle Scarred
Warhorses II-5
Table 1: Worldwide Video Games Market (2007-2009):
Percentage Breakdown of Dollar Sales by Platform - Nintendo
Wii, Playstation 3, X360, Playstation 2, Nintendo GameCube
and Xbox (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) II-6

Table 2: Worldwide Video Game Market (2008): Percentage
Breakdown of Unit Sales by Category - Nintendo Wii,
Microsoft Xbox 360, Sony PS3 and Sony PS2 (includes
corresponding Graph/Chart) II-7
High Entry Barriers: A Characteristic Feature II-7
Market Majors Fall Prey to Backward-Compatibility Issues II-7
Microsoft’s Mighty Xbox 360 Stumbles II-7
Sony’s Powerful PS3 Follows SuiteII-7
Nintendo’s Wii Makes a Comeback to the Fore II-8
Spiraling Competition To Soften Prices II-8
Impact of the Recession: A Review II-9
Cautious Optimism Prevails II-9
Noteworthy Trends & Issues II-9
Technological Advancements To Drive Growth II-9
Hardcore Games Indispensable To Growth II-10
Rise in Casual Gamers To Help Drive Demand II-10
Serious Games to Enjoy Strong Growth in the FutureII-11
Perceived Educative Value Of Video Games On the Rise II-11
Video Games Industry Continues to Attract Investments II-12
Consolidation Blows In the Wind II-12
Handheld Game Consoles Depict Strong Growth II-12
Handheld Games: Downloads Gain Popularity Over Subscription Fees II-13
Rising Game Development Costs Jeopardizes Profitability II-13
Outsourcing: An Antidote to the Predicament II-14
Table 3: Global Video Games Development: Percentage Share
of Outsourcing Cost of Total Development Cost for Years
2005-2010 (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) II-14
Mobile Games Stand At the Forefront of Innovation & Growth II-14
Wireless Gaming Offers Opportunities On a PlatterII-15
Small Screen Games Send Cash Registers Ringing II-16
3G Mobile Communications Offer a Business Case for Mobile
Gaming II-16
Women: Major Revenue Spinners in the Mobile Games Market II-16
Broadband Broadens The Online Gaming Market II-17
Online Games Gather Steam II-17
Table 4: World Market for Online Video Games (2008):
Percentage Breakdown of Dollar Sales of Top Game Titles -
World of Warcraft, RuneScape, Lineage, Lineage II, Final
Fantasy XI, Dofus and Others (includes corresponding
Graph/Chart) II-18

Table 5: World Market for Video Games (2006 & 2010P):
Percentage Share Breakdown of Revenues by Segment - Online
(MMOG and Casual Online) and Offline (includes
corresponding Graph/Chart) II-18

Table 6: World Market for Online Games (2006): Percentage
Breakdown of Online Games Titles Developed Ranked by Region -
Japan, US, South Korea and Others (includes corresponding
Graph/Chart) II-19

Table 7: World Market for Video Games (2007): Percentage
Breakdown of Dollar Sales by Retail and Online Distribution II-19
Table 8: Global Digital Game Platforms (2009): Percentage
Breakdown of Revenues(includes corresponding Graph/Chart) II-19
Table 9: Percentage Breakdown of Cumulative Number of
Online Game Subscribers by Region - 2009 (includes
corresponding Graph/Chart) II-19
Challenges To Reckon With II-20
Growth in PC Gaming Tames Down II-20
Convergence & Improved Network Capability: Crucibles for Success II-20
Streaming Technology II-21
Growing Popularity of iPhone Casts a Long Shadow of Worry for
Nintendo DS II-21
New PS3 Lacks Emotion Engine: Raises Concern II-21
Outlook for PlayStation 3: A Straight Talk About the
Product’s Future II-22
Trends in Video Game Advertising II-22
Opportunities Are Afoot for Console Component Manufacturers II-23
Strong Growth in Video Games Echoes Downstream Into the
Semiconductor Market II-24
Table 10: Worldwide Video Game Semiconductor Market (2009):
Percentage Breakdown of Dollar Sales by Category - Logic,
Processors, DRAM, Flash, Analog, Optoelectronics, Discretes
and Sensors (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) II-24

Table 11: Worldwide Video Game Semiconductor Market (2007):
Percentage Breakdown of Dollar Sales of Leading Players -
IBM, Sony, NEC, ATI/AMD, Sharp, Nvidia and Others (includes
corresponding Graph/Chart) II-25
A Peek Into Challenges In Store II-25
Threat of Second Hand Products On the Rise II-25
Piracy Takes the Wind Out of the Market’s Sails II-26
Lack of Skilled Workforce II-26
Negative Publicity Over Violent Video Games Blemishes
Business Opportunities II-27
2009 & Beyond: A Recapitulation II-27
New & Popular Games in Retrospect II-28
Top 5 Video Game Titles in the US, UK & Japan, Ranked by
Unit Sales As of the Year 2008 II-28
Top Selling Mobile Games in 2008 II-28
Worldwide Video Game Releases in 2007 II-29

2. PRODUCT OVERVIEW II-31
Video Games: A Primer II-31
Video Games Software: A Definition II-31
Online Downloads II-31
DVDsII-32
CDsII-32
CD-ROMs II-32
Cartridges II-32
Video Games Software: Classification By Gaming Platform II-33
Console Games Software II-33
Popular Games for Xbox 360 II-33
Popular Games for Sony’s PlayStation 3 II-34
Handheld Games Software II-34
PC Games Software (Excluding Online Games) II-35
Online Games Software II-35
MMORPG (Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game) II-35
Perpetual State Worlds (PSW) II-36
Wireless Games Software II-36
Video Games Software: Classification By Game GenresII-36
Adventure/Role-Playing II-37
Action II-37
Fighting/Combat Game II-37
First-Person Shooter Games II-37
Sports II-37
Simulations II-38
Strategy Games II-38
Miscellaneous/OtherII-38
Rhythm/Action II-38
Platformer II-38
Puzzle II-38
Racing/Flying II-38
Popular Software Titles for Leading Consoles II-39
Popular Game Titles for Other Platforms II-39

3. PROCESS OVERVIEW II-40
Existing Model II-40
Design II-40
Development II-40
In-house Developers II-41
Third Party Developers II-41
Independent Developers II-41
Publishing II-41
Distribution II-42
Retail II-42
Existing Value Chain Model II-43
Emerging Models II-43
A Typical Model of Emerging Value Chain II-43

4. REGULATORY FRAMEWORK II-44
Recreational Software Advisory Council (RSAC) II-44
Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB) II-44
Pan European Games Information (PEGI) II-45

5. PRODUCT LAUNCHES/DEVELOPMENTS II-46
Majesco Entertainment Company to Launch Drama Queens II-46
THQ and JAKKS Pacific Roll Out Content Package II-46
Ncsoft® Introduces City of Heroes® II-46
Konami Digital Entertainment Introduces New Games II-46
PandemicTM Studios Introduces The Lord of the Rings: ConquestTM II-46
Electronic Arts to Launch Command & ConquerTM Red Alert 3:
Uprising II-47
Paramount Digital and Electronic Arts to Unveil Godfather® II II-47
Sony Launches Dynamic In-Game Advertising Feature II-47
Namco Bandai Announces Update For Tekken® 5: Dark
ResurrectonTM Online II-47
Oberon Media Launches New I-Play Brand II-48
Electronic Arts Launches Rail Simulator II-48
Hands-On Mobile to Introduce BMW Racing II-48
Netlog and Jadestone to Introduce Multiplayer GamesII-48
Infogrames Group Adds Two New Titles to Atari Line-Up II-49
Atari Unveils Namco Museum RemixTM II-49
Atari to Launch My Horse and Me 2 II-49
Atari to Introduce Naruto: Ultimate Ninja® Storm II-49
Gamecock Media Group and Atari to Launch Legendary II-50
Atari to Introduce Afro Samurai in Europe II-50
NAMCO BANDAI Games and Atari to Launch Eternal SonataTM II-50
Atari to Unveil GhostbustersTM: The Video Game II-50
Atari to Introduce Asterix Brain Trainer for Nintendo DSTM II-50
Atari to Launch Alone in the Dark II-51
Atari to Release Family Trainer II-51
Activision Publishing to Unveil X-Men Origins: Wolverine II-51
Activision Publishing Unveils Number of New Games II-51
Activision Publishing Unveils Big League Sports II-52
Activision Publishing to Release Guitar Hero® World Tour on
PlayStation®2 II-52
Activision Publishing Launches Quantum of SolaceTM II-52
Feld Entertainment and Activision Introduce Monster Jam®:
Urban Assault II-52
Activision Launches The Legend of SpyroTM: Dawn of the Dragon II-53
Marvel and Activision Release Spider-Man: Web of ShadowsTM II-53
Activision Publishing to Launch Call of Duty®: World at War II-53
Activision Publishing to Launch HISTORYTM Civil War: Secret
Missions II-53
Activision Introduces Little League® World Series 2008 II-54
Activision Launches Geometry Wars: Retro EvolvedTM 2 II-54
Activision to Unveil Vigilante 8®: Arcade II-54
Capcom to Launch Resident Evil 5 II-54
Capcom to Unveil Street Fighter IV II-54
Disney and Square Enix Release KINGDOM HEARTS Re: Chain of
Memories II-54
Disney Interactive Studios Unveils Club PenguinTM: Elite
Penguin Force II-55
Disney Interactive Studios Launches Bolt game II-55
Disney Interactive Studios Introduces Disney TH!NK Fast II-55
Disney Interactive Studios Unveils Disney Fairies: Tinker Bell II-55
Disney Interactive Studio to Launch Two New Games II-56
Disney Interactive Studios Releases Spectrobes: Beyond the
Portals II-56
Disney Interactive Studios to Introduce Phineas and Ferb II-56
Disney Interactive Studios Rolls Out Two new Games II-56
Disney Interactive Studios Unveils Disney Friends II-57
Disney Interactive Studios to Introduce Pure II-57
Disney Interactive Studios to Launch High School Musical: Work
this out II-57
EA Mobile Introduces SimCityTM on iPod® touch and iPhoneTM II-57
EA Mobile Unveils Five New Games II-57
EA Mobile Rolls Out Five Games for Phone II-58
EA Mobile Rolls Out EA Sports FIFA 09 II-58
EA Mobile Introduces Tiger Woods PGA Tour® 09 II-58
EA Mobile Unveils MONOPOLY Here & Now II-58
EA Mobile Launches EA SPORTSTM NASCAR 09 II-58
EA Mobile Rolls Out Tetris® POP II-58
EA Mobile to Introduce Ten Games II-59
EA Mobile Launches EATM Tetris® II-59
EA Mobile Unveils SimsTM DJ II-59
EA Mobile Rolls Out Kung Fu PandaTMII-59
EA Mobile Introduces Seven New GamesII-59
EA Mobile Launches Games for Smartphones II-60
EA Mobile Unveils Tetris® BlockoutTMII-60
EA Redwood Shores to Roll Out Dante's InfernoTM II-60
Electronic Arts Introduces SimsTM 2 Mansion and Garden Stuff Pack II-60
Criterion Games Launches BurnoutTM Paradise The Ultimate Box II-61
Casual Entertainment Label Unveils NERF "N-Strike"TM II-61
Casual Entertainment Rolls Out Poker For Dummies® II-61
Casual Entertainment Label Introduces MONOPOLY II-62
LucasArts and BioWare to Launch Star Wars®: The Old RepublicTM II-62
Electronic Arts Unveils Dead Space TM II-62
Electronic Arts to Roll Out Spore Creepy & Cute Parts Pack II-62
Crytek and Electronic Arts Roll Out Crysis Warhead®II-63
Electronic Arts Launches FaceBreakerTM II-63
PandemicTM Studios Unveils Mercenaries 2: World in FlamesTM II-63
Black Box Introduces Need for SpeedTM Undercover II-63
Casual Entertainment Rolls Out Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling
Adventure II-63
BioWare® Unveils Dragon AgeTM: Origins II-64
The SimsTM to Launch MySims II-64
Electronic Arts to Introduce Five Games II-64
Maxis Rolls Out SporeTM Creature Creator II-64
Electronic Arts Launches Skate It II-64
EA Casual Entertainment Label Introduces BOOM BLOXTM II-65
Electronic Arts to Unveil BattleForgeTM II-65
Electronic Arts Introduces The SimCityTM Box II-65
EA Casual Entertainment Label to Roll Out ZuboTM II-65
Electronic Arts Introduces ARMY OF TWOTM II-65
Nunchuck Games and Electronic Arts Launch Ninja ReflexTM II-66
Electronic Arts Unveils FIFA Street 3 II-66
Electronic Arts Rolls Out Need for SpeedTM ProStreet II-66
Warner Bros. And Electronic Arts to Release New Video Game II-66
Hands-On Mobile and Activision Launch Guitar Hero World Tour
Mobile II-67
Electronic Arts and GigaMedia to Introduce New Online Game II-67
Hands-On Mobile Launches Guitar Hero® III II-67
Electronic Arts Introduces the Sims Carnival BumperBlast II-67
Electronic Arts Introduces NFL TourII-68
Hands-On Mobile Introduces Big Buck Hunter Pro II-68
Hands-On Mobile Introduces Crystal Quest II-68
Hands-On Mobile and Marvel Introduce the Incredible Hulk II-68
Hands-On Mobile and Marvel Introduce Iron Man II-68
Hands-On Mobile Introduces Trickshot Hustler II-68
Jadestone Introduces a Detective Game II-69
KOEI Launches Dynasty Warriors®6 II-69
KOEI Unveils Pop Cutie! Street Fashion Simulation II-69
KOEI Introduces Romance of the Three Kingdoms II-69
KOEI Introduces Monster Racers II-70
KOEI Launches Fatal Inertia® EX II-70
KOEI Introduces Samurai Warriors®2 Xtreme Legends® II-70
KOEI Launches Warriors OrochiTM2 II-70
KOEI Introduces Samurai Warriors®: KATANA II-70
Konami Launches Sunday Vs Magazine Nettou! Dream Nine II-71
Konami to Launch Jikkyou Pawafuru Major League 3 II-71
Konami to Introduce Metal Gear Solid 4 II-71
LucasArts Introduces Star Wars the Clone Wars: Jedi Alliance II-71
LucasArts and Day 1 Studios Roll Out Fracture II-72
LucasArts Launches Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II-72
LucasArts and Sony Online Unveil Star Wars GalaxiesII-72
Majesco Entertainment Company to Introduce Gardening Mama II-72
Majesco Introduces Cooking Mama World Kitchen II-72
Nintendo Launches New Games II-73
THQ Wireless to Launch Worms 2008 II-73
Majesco Introduces Bananagrams® Game on Facebook® Platform II-73
Majesco Unveils Left Brain Right Brain 2 For Nintendo II-73
Majesco Launches Math Blaster in the Prime Adventure II-73
Majesco Entertainment Company Introduces Powerbike II-74
Majesco, AQ Interactive and Mistwalker Roll Out RPG AWAY II-74
Majesco Entertainment Company Unveils Marker Man Adventures II-74
Majesco Entertainment Company Introduces Orchard II-74
Majesco and Sandlot Games to Launch Cake Mania® 2 II-74
Majesco and Sandlot Games Roll Out Cake Mania: In The Mix II-74
Majesco and Gogii Games Introduce Babysitting ManiaII-75
Majesco Unveils Major Minor's Majestic March II-75
Sabi with Microsoft Introduces ItzaBitza II-75
NAMCO BANDAI Games America Rolls Out SURGETM II-75
Namco Bandai Games Re- Introduces Ace Combat® 6 Flightstick
Bundle II-76
NAMCO BANDAI Games America Unveils Soulcalibur® IV II-76
NAMCO BANDAI Games America to Launch We SkiTM & Snowboard II-76
Tecmo® Introduces TECMO BOWL®: KICKOFF II-76
Tecmo Unveils Ninja Gaiden® Dragon Sword II-76
NAMCO BANDAI Rolls Out Digimon World® Championship II-77
NAMCO BANDAI to Unveil New Video Game II-77
NAMCO BANDAI Introduces Tamagotchi Connection®: Corner Shop® 3 II-77
PopCap Games and Nokia to Introduce Multiplayer Mobile Games II-77
NAMCO BANDAI Games America Unveils We CheerTM II-77
Midway Games Introduces Mortal Kombat® vs. DC Universe II-78
Nokia Unveils SNAP Mobile SDK 2.2 II-78
Midway Games to Roll Out Blitz: The League® II II-78
Namco Bandai Games to Launch Splatterhouse II-78
NAMCO BANDAI Games America to Introduce TEKKEN® 6 II-79
Ncsoft Rolls Out City of Heroes Issue 13: Power and
Responsibility II-79
Nokia Games Publishing Launches Yamake II-79
Namco Bandai Games Introduces Namco MuseumTM: Virtual Arcade II-79
Ncsoft Introduces GraciaTM from The Chaotic ThroneTM II-80
Midway Introduces MidwayArcade.com Site II-80
Majesco Entertainment to Release New Game II-80
Sony Unveils MLB 09 The ShowTM II-80
Sony Computer Entertainment America Rolls Out Resistance 2TM II-81
Sony Introduces LittleBigPlanetTM II-81
Sony Rolls Out Gran TurismoTM 5 Prologue II-81
Sony Computer Entertainment America to Introduce God of War® PSP® II-81
Sony Computer Entertainment Japan to Roll Out New Product II-81
UBISOFT® Launches Planet Rescue II-82
UBISOFT® to Publish Hell's KitchenTMII-82
Ubisoft to Roll Out Another Prince of Persia II-82
RockStar Games to Launch Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars II-82
Rockstar Games Introduces Grand Theft Auto IV PC Version II-82
Rockstar Games Launches Midnight Club: Los Angeles II-83
Konami Digital and 2K Sports Unveil MLB Power Pros 2008 II-83
THQ Unveils Rock UniversityTM Presents: The Naked Brothers Band II-83
THQ Rolls Out Saints Row® 2 II-83
Atari to Introduce Naruto: Uzumaki Chronicles II-83
Atari Unveils Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 II-84
Atari to Roll Out Dragon Ball Z®: Burst Limit II-84
Atari to Launch Dragon Ball: OriginsII-84
Atari to Introduce Dragon Ball Z®: Infinite World II-84
Atari to Unveil Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Heroes 2: The Phantom
Fortress II-84
Atari to Roll Out Asterix at the Olympic Games II-85
Atari to Launch Jenga® World Tour II-85
Atari Introduces Godzilla® Unleashed and Godzilla Unleashed:
Double Smash II-85
Atari Unveils Namco MuseumTM DS II-85
Atari to Roll Out Smash Court TennisTM 3 II-856. RECENT INDUSTRY ACTIVITY II-86
Square Enix Completes Acquisition of Eidos Plc II-86
Jaleco Exits Video Game Business II-86
Ubisoft Takes Over Southlogic Studios II-86
Sony Online Entertainment Acquires Octopi's PoxNora II-86
City Interactive and Nintendo of America Ink Agreement II-86
Square Enix Enters into an Accord with Ubisoft II-86
Activision Publishing Pockets Budcat Creations II-87
Activision Publishing Takes Over Budcat Creations II-87
Capcom Acquires K2 Co Ltd II-87
Electronic Arts Takes Over ThreeSF II-87
Electronic Arts to Take Over Hands-On Mobile Korea Assets II-87
Ubisoft Entertainment to Acquire Gameloft Development Facility II-88
Disney Interactive Studios Inks Agreement with Gamestar II-88
Ubisoft Entertainment Acquires Tom Clancy Label II-88
EA to Acquire Take-Two Interactive II-88
Shanda Interactive and NCsoft Corporation Ink Agreement II-88
Electronic Arts Acquires VG Holding II-88
Infogrames Entertainment Acquires Atari II-89
THQ to Acquire Big Huge Games II-89
Take-Two Interactive Software Snaps Up Illusion Softworks II-89
Hands-On Mobile Receives License for Guitar Hero® World Tour II-89
Activision Inks Deal with System 3 II-90
CE Europe to Establish Capcom Entertainment France II-90
Atari Buys Cryptic Studios II-90
UTV Software Acquires True Games Interactive II-90
Electronic Arts and Eidos Interactive Sign Agreement II-90
Electronic Arts Signs Agreement with Endemol II-91
Electronic Arts and Taito Sign Agreement II-91
Electronic Arts Signs Agreement with Double Fine Productions II-91
Electronic Arts Acquires J2M Soft II-92
PopCap Games® Extends Agreement with Electronic Arts II-92
Electronic Arts and Grasshopper Manufacture Sign Agreement II-92
Electronic Arts Signs Agreement with Epic Games II-92
Electronic Arts and United Talent Agency Sign Agreement II-92
Electronic Arts Signs Agreement with id Software II-93
Electronic Arts Signs Agreement with IAHGames II-93
Electronic Arts Expands Agreement with Massive II-93
Image Comics and Electronic Arts to Unveil Comic Book Series II-94
Electronic Arts Expands Agreement with National Football League II-94
Hands-On Mobile Signs Agreement with XENDEXII-94
Jadestone Networks to Expand DiceArena Network II-94
Jadestone Networks Selects Gala Coral II-94
Jadestone Network Chooses PAF II-95
Rockstar Games Takes Over Mad Doc Software II-95
Double Fusion Signs Agreement with SEGA, Midway, THQ, and Eidos II-95
Marvel Entertainment Signs Agreement with THQ II-95
Majesco Entertainment and Scholastic Interactive Enter into
Agreement II-96
Codemasters Enters into Partnership with Majesco Entertainment II-96
Massive and Activision Publishing Enter into Agreement II-96
Massive Signs Deal with THQ II-97
Midway Games and National Amusements Enter into Agreement II-97
Midway Games to Integrate Operations of Midway Studios II-97
Microsoft Collaborates with Telecom Italia II-98
Namco Bandai Enters into Agreement with KOEI II-98
NAMCO BANDAI Enters into Partnership with National Geographic II-98
NCsoft® to Form NC WestTM II-98
Nokia and Rogers Wireless Signs Agreement II-99
THQ Acquires Elephant EntertainmentTM and Inks Agreement with
Oberon Media II-99
Sony Enters into Partnership with Double Fusion II-100
UBISOFT® to Open Studio II-100
Ubisoft® Inks Agreement with Tecmo II-100
Take-Two Interactive Inks Agreement with Creative Team of
Rockstar Games II-100
Take-Two Interactive and Ditan Distribution Sign Agreement II-101
THQ Acquires Publishing Rights II-101
THQ Inks Agreement with DreamWorks Animation II-101
Playboy Enterprises and THQ Wireless Ink an Agreement II-101
Jadestone Acquires GamArena Ab II-102
Oberon Media Acquires PixelPlay II-102
Ubisoft Acquires Digital Kids II-102
Oberon Media Acquires I-play II-102
Eidos Acquires Rockpool Games II-102
Ubisoft Acquires Sunflowers II-103
Eidos Acquires Bluefish Media II-103
Macrovision Acquires All Media Guide Holdings II-103
FXLabs Acquires Knibble.com II-103
Big Fish Acquires Thinglefin II-103
Mad Catz Acquires Saitek II-103
Warner Bros. Acquires TT Games II-104
WBIE On an Acquisition Spree II-104
Shanda Acquires Onwind II-104
Oberon Media Acquires Friends Games Developer II-104
Dynasty Gaming Acquires Junnet and Beijing Baihui II-104
Electronic Arts Acquires BioWare and Pandemic Studios II-105
Electronic Arts Acquires Super Computer II-105
Activision Acquires Bizarre Creations II-105
Intel Acquires HavokII-105
Mad Catz Acquires Joytech II-105
Red Mile Entertainment Acquires IR Gurus II-105
Epic Games Acquires PCF II-105
LM STS Acquires 3Dsolve II-106
Activision Partners with Vivendi, Creates Activision Blizzard II-106
Disney Interactive Studio Acquires Junction Point Studio II-106
Games Group Acquires Gamestation II-106
CDC Games Acquires Optisp II-107
Finet Group Acquires Hangzhou Tianchang II-107
GameStop Acquires Rhino Video Games II-107
Eworld Interactive Acquires Publishing Rights II-107
MNC Acquires Shares in Nexgen II-107
Electronic Arts Inc Acquires Headgate Studios Inc II-107
Gottaplay Interactive Acquires Gamershare LLC II-107
CNET Inc Acquires Gamekult.com II-108
THQ Inc Acquires Mass Media Inc II-108
Global Netoptex Inc Acquires Online Games Services Inc II-108
MumboJumbo LLC Acquires Ritual Entertainment Inc II-108
Sony Online Entertainment LLC Acquires Sigil Games Online Inc II-108
Electronic Arts Acquires Stake in The9 Ltd II-108
THQ Acquires Universomo Oy II-108
D3 Publisher Acquires Vicious Cycle II-109
Balderton Capital Takes Over Codemasters II-109
10TACLE STUDIOS AG Acquires Stormregion II-109
Linden Lab Acquires Windward Mark Interactive II-109
Nintendo Acquires Major Stake in Monolith Soft II-109
Eidos Acquires Morpheme Wireless II-110
Rebellion Acquires Clickwheel Ltd II-110
Traveller’s Tales Acquires Embryonic Studios II-110
Extra Mile Studios Acquires Vicious Engine Middleware Solution II-110
I-play Acquires License for Jenga II-110
PopCap Games Acquires SpinTop Games II-111
Shanda Interactive Acquires Aurora Technology II-111
Paradox Interactive Merges with Majesty IP II-111
Mojo Mediaworks Merges with eWorld Interactive II-111
Signature Devices Acquires Distribution Rights II-111
NanoSensors Enters Into Merger with Cuchulainn Holdings II-111
Game Group Merges with Gamestation II-111

7. FOCUS ON SELECT PLAYERS II-112
Activision Blizzard, Inc. (USA) II-112
Capcom Co., Ltd. (Japan) II-112
Electronic Arts, Inc. (USA) II-113
EA Mobile, Inc. (USA) II-113
Infogrames Entertainment, S.A. (France) II-114
Atari, Inc. (USA) II-114
Jadestone Group AB (Sweden) II-114
Konami Corporation (Japan) II-114
Konami Digital Entertainment Co. Ltd. (Japan) II-115
Konami Gaming Inc. (USA) II-115
Microsoft Corporation (USA) II-115
Namco Bandai Holdings, Inc. (Japan) II-115
Namco Bandai Games America Inc. (USA) II-116
Nintendo Co. Ltd. (Japan) II-116
Oberon Media, Inc. (USA) II-116
Sega Corporation (Japan) II-117
Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. (USA) II-117
Square Enix Holdings Co. Ltd (USA) II-117
Eidos Plc (UK) II-117
Take 2 Interactive Software, Inc. (USA) II-117
Ubi Soft Entertainment S.A (France) II-118

8. GLOBAL MARKET PERSPECTIVE II-119
Table 12: World Recent Past, Current and Future Analysis for
Video Games Software by Geographic Region/Country - United
States, Canada, Japan, Europe, Asia-Pacific (excluding Japan),
Middle East and Latin America Independently Analyzed by Annual
Sales in US$ Million for the Years 2006 through 2015 (incl