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Filed under: Microsoft (MSFT), Sony Corp ADR (SNE), Electronic Arts (ERTS), Activision Inc (ATVI), Technology

Sony (NYSE: SNE) has one heck of a powerful video-game system in its PlayStation 3. In fact, I'm really looking forward to playing Resident Evil 5 on it. But Sony is having a tough time competing against Microsoft's (NASDAQ: MSFT) Xbox 360, as well as the system that no one can touch, the Nintendo (OTC: NTDOY) Wii. Forget that it has the Blu-ray, forget that it has the Cell processor. Right now, it has something that consumers just can't ignore: a pretty hefty price tag.

So, as we look into our crystal balls, do we see the chance of a price cut coming for the PlayStation 3? I think we see more than a chance. I think it may be a foregone conclusion. That's because I've read a news item that says Sony has succeeded in reducing the amount of money needed to make one of the high-end units.

Until recently, every PlayStation 3 reportedly set Sony back by about $690. Now, a little under $450 is required to create one of the consoles. It really costs a lot to make a PlayStation 3, and that's what's causing all the financial headaches for Sony's latest video-gaming ambitions. Not only does the company not make a profit on any of the units, the retail price of the console ($400 for the 80-gigabyte system) has arguably shifted consumers to the other platforms.

Continue reading Will Sony cut the price of PlayStation 3 in '09?

Will Sony cut the price of PlayStation 3 in '09? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 31 Dec 2008 13:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Electronic Arts (ERTS), Activision Inc (ATVI), Technology, Marvel Entertainment (MVL)

Take-Two Interactive (NASDAQ: TTWO), a video-game company that competes with Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ: ATVI) and Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: ERTS), hit a 52-week low on Monday. When I saw that the stock hit this level, I immediately began thinking about buying it. But, I must admit, it seems a little scary to be buying in now.

The reason I'm hesitant is that the magic of Grand Theft Auto IV has essentially come and gone. You know how it's fun and inspiring to buy Marvel (NYSE: MVL) ahead of some big movie releases? Trades like that don't always work out, but at least you feel a little more confident about owning the stock.

Then there's the recent earnings report from Take-Two. The publisher disappointed investors, as Zac Bissonnette observed. The numbers weren't great, and you have to wonder how much interest the institutions on Wall Street will have in a company that not only might be susceptible to the slowdown in consumer spending, but which has already used up its major ace.

Continue reading Is Take-Two Interactive a buy?

Is Take-Two Interactive a buy? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 30 Dec 2008 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Analyst upgrades and downgrades, Electronic Arts (ERTS), Activision Inc (ATVI)

I'm still bullish on Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ: ATVI), which competes with Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: ERTS) and Take-Two Interactive (NASDAQ: TTWO), among others. For now. I qualify my stance because, I have to admit, my confidence has been shaken. Although I recently wrote a positive piece about the publisher's prospects, there's some word that the company's two major franchises may not have sold as well as expected during the holidays.

Two analysts have cut their price targets on the company's stock, and the stock has hit technical trouble. Indeed, if you own shares of Activision Blizzard, you've noticed the recent deterioration in the stock's momentum. The problem is that sales of Guitar Hero and Call of Duty may have been affected by the bad economy. Although they undoubtedly sold very well, they may not have rocked enough to justify the company's multiple. Now, the business is certainly a great longer-term play (at least until the current video-game cycle starts to wane), and the World of Warcraft online asset should be an incredible growth driver going forward, but on the short term, I have to say that traders need to be cautious. I see a bit more downside to the stock before it possibly recovers, which, at this time, I think it will.

Continue reading Is Activision Blizzard a sell?

Is Activision Blizzard a sell? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 28 Dec 2008 14:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Microsoft (MSFT), Sony Corp ADR (SNE), Electronic Arts (ERTS), Media World

This post is part of our feature on Money Losers of 2008. See all 20.

Take-Two Interactive's (NASDAQ: TTWO) Grand Theft Auto IV has made a lot of money. It's been the recent driving force for the software publisher's fortunes. And the Grand Theft Auto franchise is the reason why Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: ERTS) made a bid for the company earlier in the year (that transaction was never ultimately consummated).

But there's something of a sad story behind the glitz and glamor of the game. According to The New York Times, an actor named Michael Hollick, who played a character named Niko Bellic in the fourth Grand Theft Auto, received a small pittance in compensation when compared to the hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue that Take-Two took home for itself. Did Hollick earn only $2 million? $1 million? Did he only make $500,000?

Try $100,000. That's all Hollick grossed for himself and his major role in the incredibly successful game title! The Times article says that Hollick supplied his voice and motion-capture assets to the software, and he worked for about 15 months on the project. Can you believe that? No residuals, royalties, or anything else that begins with an r. Take-Two simply paid him a set fee and did not allow him to participate in any of the gross dollars captured by the mature-rated juggernaut.

Continue reading Money losers of 2008: Michael Hollick, voice actor in Grand Theft Auto IV

Money losers of 2008: Michael Hollick, voice actor in Grand Theft Auto IV originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 25 Dec 2008 10:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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US stocks finished mostly higher after President Bush approved the emergency loan program for automakers to prevent their bankruptcy. Dow however finished in red as energy stocks and retailers retreated.[More...]

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