Wii price cut to $199.99 USD

Nintendo has finally decided that a price drop is in order, putting its Wii home console system in the familiar position of being the cheapest one on the market. Starting Sunday, Sept. 27, Nintendo will lower the suggested retail price for the system by $50 to $199.99. The new $199.99 Wii price point includes the same content as the original including 1 Wii Remote and Nunchuck, and Wii Sports.

“Wii has reached more video game players than any game system before because it attracts everyone—both men and women, and people of all ages,” said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. “Our research shows there are 50 million Americans thinking about becoming gamers, and this more affordable price point and our vast array of new software mean many of them can now make the leap and find experiences that appeal to them, whatever their tastes or level of gaming experience.“

This is the smartest move Nintendo could have made given that both Sony and Microsoft have already cut the price of their home consoles. 

Naturally this will open up new players to already popular franchises like Wii Fit, Wii Sports Resort, Metroid Prime Trilogy - and new stuff like New Super Mario Bros. Wii (Nov. 15), and Wii Fit Plus (Oct. 4). Nintendo also announced that it will run some in special events in select cities called World of Nintendo. Kicking off in Long Beach, Calif., World of Nintendo will show off the latest Nintendo Wii and DS games and give consumers hands on time with the likes of New Super Mario Bros. Wii, Wii Sports Resort, Wii Fit Plus, Punch-Out!! and WiiWare titles as well as DS/ DSi games like The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks, Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story, Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box and Nintendo DSiWare titles. A full list of dates for the month of Oct. after the break.

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cdv Software profits soar in first half of 2009

German publisher cdv Software Entertainment AG announced a “significant increase in revenues and profits” for the first half of fiscal year 2009. The company says that during 2009 it has strengthened its position and market share in the interactive entertainment industry. Most of its success so far this year can be directly attributed to the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions of Sacred 2: Fallen Angel, which helped the company reach a top 3 market position in North America.

Revenues for the company in the first six months in 2009 were 11.3 million euros, compared to 6.8 million euros for the same period in 2008. The increase of 66 percent was primarily due to revenues generated from the sales of video game software in key territories.

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North American Dragonica Online open beta opens August 18

THQ*ICE announced that the official start date for the North American Dragonica Online open beta test will be August 18th starting at approximately 2:00 p.m. PDT. Developed by Barunson Interactive, Dragonica Online merges 3D side-scrolling combat and a hilarious skill system.

Beginning on that day and date those that have signed up for the open beta will be able to experience the game and participate in various events and giveaways. These include a special Odellia Starter Pack, participation in the Dragonica Online Loot Hunt (hunt monsters to receive “Loot Drops” for a chance to win in-game and real world giveaways and other events and giveaways to be announced at a later date.

Ubisoft Q1 sales breakdown by region, platform

Again, as part of its fiscal quarter one financial results released this morning, Ubisoft detailed the breakdown of sales (by percentage) by region and by platform this morning.

First the regional data: according to Ubisoft sales were down in Europe by eight percent (48) from the same period a year ago (57 percent) , while sales in North America were up slightly by one percent (35 percent) from the same period a year ago (34 percent). Meanwhile, the “rest of the world” saw an increase of 9 percent - from nine percent to 18 percent. Europe remains the top region for Ubisoft, which makes sense given that its corporate HQ is based in that region (France).

By platform: Nintendo DS sales were down by 11 percent in the first quarter (from 37 percent to 26 percent), PC sales were up by six percent (from 14 percent to 20 percent), PSP sales remained steady at four percent, and PS2 sales continued to dry up (from three percent to one percent). PS3 sales were down eight percent (from 21 percent to 13 percent); Xbox 360 sales were up by seven percent (from 9 percent to 16 percent) and Wii sales were up by nine percent (from 11 percent to 20 percent).

Namco Bandai Games locks down Dragon Ball rights

Namco Bandai Games America has secured exclusive North American rights to publish future “official” video games for the longstanding classic anime and manga series, Dragon Ball across all major consoles and hand held platforms. The agreement will run for five years beginning in January 2010 and supersedes the existing rights granted to publish titles on the Nintendo DS, Wii, PS3, PSP, and Xbox 360.

“We are very excited to have signed this long term agreement with Toei Animation Co., Ltd and FUNimation Entertainment, which grants NAMCO BANDAI Games North American multi-platform rights to the testosterone driven action packed world of Dragon Ball, said Makoto Iwai, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Namco Bandai Games America. “This move reunites Namco Bandai Games with the Dragon Ball series in North America which will considerably increase our ability to develop titles that perfectly capture every nuance of what makes the Dragon Ball world exciting to the consumer.”

Namco Bandai Games America has secured the right to publish three titles in 2009: Dragon Ball: Raging Blast for the Xbox 360 and PS3, Dragon Ball: Revenge of King Piccolo for Wii, and Dragon Ball Z: Attack of the Saiyans for Nintendo DS.

Deborah Tillett joins Kalypso Media USA

Kalypso Media USA has appointed industry veteran, Deborah Tillett, as president of its newly established U.S. headquarters in Baltimore, MD. Tillett will be responsible for developing and implementing Kalypso’s strategic and creative vision for North America.

Tillett has held senior management positions at MicroProse and BreakAway Ltd. As president of BreakAway, Tillett grew the company from a handful of game developers into a staff of 100 with expertise in developing games, as well as using entertainment game technology to create virtual experiences for solving real-world problems. She has successfully established several technology start-ups including OT Sports, LLC an ABC/Walt Disney joint venture, and is an adjunct professor with Towson University teaching Entrepreneurship and Small Business.

Aion pre-order details

NCsoft today announced details and the official launch of its preorder program for Aion, the company’s fantasy MMORPG scheduled for release this fall. Players who want to secure the game early can now preorder the Aion Limited Collector’s Edition (only 50,000 being produced worldwide), which features a variety of exclusive items. Players can also lock down a standard edition of the game, which features an exclusive SteelBook case limited to the first production run. Aion’s Western availability comes on the coattails of its launch in Korea and China.

Players who preorder Aion receive guaranteed entry to all scheduled Aion beta events as well as early access to the servers at launch, exclusive in-game digital items, and special game benefits including character and server preselection privileges. Featured in-game digital items for Aion preorders include an exclusive Black Cloud Hat and Lodas’ Amulet, as well as one of five different Ancient Rings of Power dependent on retail purchase location.

As a special promotion in North America, Aion preorder participants will have a chance to win an Alienware Area-51 m15x gaming notebook (US$2,324), and other prizes such as HIS Hightech ATI Radeon HD video cards (US$164.99 and US$79.99) and one of ten yearly subscriptions to Aion. In order to qualify to win, players must preorder and participate in the beta events. For complete terms and conditions go to www.aiononline.com/preorder.

To take advantage of the special preorder promotion, players may visit one of several participating retailers, including GameStop, Amazon and Best Buy.