Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Technology Stocks : THQ,Inc. (THQI) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Emmo who wrote (12956)	2/3/2000 12:32:00 AM
From: Emmo	Respond to of 14266

Will franchise titles be important to anyone else in near future? Video Games To Be Main Driver For Broadband Services - Report SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A.,, Newsbytes via NewsEdge Corporation : A report out today says that video game systems will be themain driver of the rollout and demand for broadband services. The report, entitled "The State of Game Technology 2000," from DFC Intelligence, says that video games and interactive entertainment are of prime strategic importance in the race to provide consumer online and broadband services. In addition, the report says that the upcoming fight to establish next- generation video game platforms could become the key consumer electronics battle over the next decade. David Cole, the research company's president, said that the games industry is forecast to become a $20 billion global business within the next two years, but the impact of the interactive entertainment industry will be much greater than the revenue it generates. According to Cole, games hardware systems are likely to become hybrid devices that consumers use for many forms of digital entertainment including music, movies, Web access and interactive television. The report says that, of the next-generation console systems now coming to market, or coming real soon, such as the Sega Dreamcast, the Sony PlayStation 2, the Nintendo Dolphin and the Microsoft X-Box, the Sony PlayStation 2 is likely to be the brand leader. Ben Sawyer, the lead author of the report, said that the PlayStation 2 is an ambitious system that will have the capability to play DVD movies, access the Internet, and act as a complete entertainment box. "This is what we call an e-box," he said, adding that the report raises questions about how dominant the PlayStation 2 will be. "The PlayStation 2 (PS2) may turn out to be nothing more than a great game machine," he went on to say, adding that, whether people use the PS2 to watch movies or access the Internet remains to be seen. In the long term, DFC's report concludes that video game hardware devices will be a leading provider of multiple forms of digital entertainment products and services. Cole says, however, that it could take as long as five years to 10 years for this to happen. "Major media companies and online service providers are currently not focused on games," he said, adding that America Online and Time Warner are merging to become a complete interactive services provider. Cole added that, despite this, the one thing missing from this merger is games. As a result of this, he said, games are likely to become a major reason that consumers subscribe to broadband services. DFC's Web site is at dfcint.com . Reported by Newsbytes.com, newsbytes.com . (20000120/Press Contact: David Cole, DFC Intelligence 858-780-9680 /WIRES ONLINE, TELECOM, BUSINESS/)