Given that the Harry Potter films have been immeasurably successful, it’s no surprise that Warner Bros. would like to continue capitalizing on the success of the property despite the fact that the story has come to a conclusion. Solution? Spin-off. Warner is producing a series of films based on the fictional textbook (which was later turned into a real book) Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. The spin-offs will not be prequels, per-se, but it sounds as though the first film will begin in New York 70 years before the events of The Sorcerer’s Stone and is intended to expand the fictional universe. And make cash. That’s probably the real reason behind this.
The next Tex Murphy game is headed to Steam in early 2014. It’s been years… many, many years since the last installment and the gaming world has changed drastically since Tex has been relevant. That doesn’t mean Tex has to change with the world. The game looks wonderfully retro, albeit more high-rez, with full motion video (FMV) cutscenes packed with just the right amount of camp. Don’t believe me? Check out this 8-minute trailer to the game:
With the end of one of television’s best drama’s in sight, Breaking Bad‘s creator, Vince Gilligan, and co-conceiver of beloved character Saul Goodman, Peter Gould, are working on a spin-off of AMC’s Breaking Bad. Set before the events of Walter White’s journey into cooking meth, the new series, currently titled Better Call Saul, will focus on Saul Goodman and have a lighter tone than its soon-to-end counterpart. Bob Odenkirk will reprise his role as Saul Goodman in the hour-format series. There’s currently no set date for a series premiere, but given the success of Breaking Bad, it’s likely we’ll be seeing this show sooner rather than later. Better Call Saul has been, expectedly, licensed to AMC.
Similar to Microsoft’s originally announced (but later retracted) Family Sharing Plan, Valve is looking to bring game sharing to their PC game distribution platform Steam. This new sharing plan will allow gamers to share their entire game library with up to 10 of their friends.
Games that are shared can only be accessed by one user at a time with the owner’s account being able to access the game at all times (i.e. if a friend is playing a game you’re sharing and you want to play, feel free to boot him off). When the parent account logs into a game, the player borrowing the game will be “given a few minutes to either purchase the game or quit playing.”
A closed beta will begin later this month. You can join the Steam Family Sharing Plan group to express your interest in the beta. There’s no word yet about when the whole Valve community will be able to utilize this feature, but it’s sure to be a welcome addition to the world of PC gaming.
Microsoft’s Surface tablets are ready for a refresh and an upcoming announcement tease has September 23 set as the big reveal date. The next models of the Surface tablets will reportedly be called the Surface 2 and the Surface Pro 2. These devices will be packing a little more horsepower and feature adjustable kick stands. We’ll know more about this when the 23 rolls around, but it’s nice to see that they haven’t abandoned the tablet market.
Microsoft’s rebranding of Zune services, Xbox Music, has now found its way to competing mobile devices. The service allows music streaming similar to online radio providers, but a subscription to the service enables unlimited music downloads as well as access to full albums. The service is live on iOS and Android now through the App Store and Google Play respectively. A subscription to Xbox Music is $9.99/month or $99.99/year.
Microsoft made a bold business move with acquiring their mobile phone partner Nokia. The deal is worth 7.2 billion dollars and includes Nokia’s mobile phone division and a 10 year contract for Nokia’s patents. Said contract can be extended indefinitely.
With Nokia being the biggest and inarguably best provider of Windows Phone devices, the move makes sense for Microsoft. The software giant is currently making a push to encompass a more rounded structure that includes devices and having a division for mobile phone development, especially one as highly regarded as the Nokia brand, under their banner will be a huge win for Microsoft.
There will undoubtedly be some changes under the new ownership, but I have faith that Microsoft will help expand the brand and Windows Phone’s market share. As a Nokia phone owner and a Windows Phone user, I’m happy to have some confirmation that I’ll be able to upgrade to a new Nokia phone running my preferred OS when upgrade time rolls around.
Gamer’s looking to experience Nintendo’s new handheld library (like the upcoming Pokemon X and Y), but unable (or unwilling) to shell out the cash for a 3DS will be happy to hear that Nintendo is releasing a cheaper alternative. Dubbed the 2DS, this new hardware will allow gamers to play classic DS and 3DS games at the lower entry fee of $130. The system doesn’t have the clam shell design of DS systems past and doesn’t have a 3D display, but does offer the capability to play games made for the 3DS without the risk of eyestrain.
It’s no doubt this new entry in the DS family will confuse consumers (and more than likely disappoint eager children this holiday season), but it’s, in my opinion, a needed move by Nintendo to try to expand the 3DS user base. Having a cheaper system out there will drive up hardware revenue and have a positive impact on attach rate as well as boost the sales of the system’s upcoming killer app – the aforementioned Pokemon games.
Microsoft’s CEO since 2000 Steve Ballmer is working on choosing his successor and will be retiring from Microsoft within twelve months. Ballmer has been with Microsoft since 1980 and was the first business manager hired on by Bill Gates. Ballmer will stay on as CEO as he completes the process of choosing a successor.
There’s no doubt that the man has had a huge impact on the software giant, and it’s almost weird to think of a Microsoft without the high-energied Ballmer, but maybe this isn’t a bad thing. Some great changes have happened under his leadership, but having a new man in charge could usher in a new era for Microsoft. The press release is below:
REDMOND, Wash. — Aug. 23, 2013 — Microsoft Corp. today announced that Chief Executive Officer Steve Ballmer has decided to retire as CEO within the next 12 months, upon the completion of a process to choose his successor. In the meantime, Ballmer will continue as CEO and will lead Microsoft through the next steps of its transformation to a devices and services company that empowers people for the activities they value most.
“There is never a perfect time for this type of transition, but now is the right time,” Ballmer said. “We have embarked on a new strategy with a new organization and we have an amazing Senior Leadership Team. My original thoughts on timing would have had my retirement happen in the middle of our company’s transformation to a devices and services company. We need a CEO who will be here longer term for this new direction.”
The Board of Directors has appointed a special committee to direct the process. This committee is chaired by John Thompson, the board’s lead independent director, and includes Chairman of the Board Bill Gates, Chairman of the Audit Committee Chuck Noski and Chairman of the Compensation Committee Steve Luczo. The special committee is working with Heidrick & Struggles International Inc., a leading executive recruiting firm, and will consider both external and internal candidates.
“The board is committed to the effective transformation of Microsoft to a successful devices and services company,” Thompson said. “As this work continues, we are focused on selecting a new CEO to work with the company’s senior leadership team to chart the company’s course and execute on it in a highly competitive industry.”
“As a member of the succession planning committee, I’ll work closely with the other members of the board to identify a great new CEO,” said Gates. “We’re fortunate to have Steve in his role until the new CEO assumes these duties.”
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
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