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

To: Richard Spitzer who wrote (10883)	5/19/1999 11:07:00 AM
From: Kory	Respond to of 14266

Richard, I think the Nintendo system before SNES was just "Nintendo", which was the first. My parents still have one in there family room and my Dad & I play Dr. Mario whenever I get home. Devil Dice is definitely as much fun, especially in War mode once you figure the game out. As one of 6 children, nothing is more satisfying that daisy chaining 5 PSX controllers and squashing your sibling's Devil with a big stone die. As for buying a Playstation, $129 is still the retail price. If you can get it for cheaper than that on the Internet (including shipping), I'd think you are doing good, but then I am no expert on Internet buying. Devil Dice is selling for $29.95 in my local stores. Don't know if that is the going rate everywhere or not. Have fun, Kory

To: Richard Spitzer who wrote (10883)	5/19/1999 12:54:00 PM
From: Jim Oravetz	Read Replies (3) \| Respond to of 14266

OT++, for technical look at next gen. Nintendo --Matsushita allies with Nintendo on next-generation game console-- After several failed attempts at partnerships for game-console storage media, Nintendo Co. Ltd. has forged an alliance with Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. Ltd. The deal will help Nintendo gain access to key DVD technology for its next-generation game console, which is scheduled to hit the market by the end of 2000. At the same time, Nintendo said the forthcoming game machine will use a custom PowerPC from IBM (see story, above), an undisclosed high-bandwidth memory architecture and a 0.18-micron custom graphics chip with embedded DRAM to be manufactured by NEC Corp. Executives from Nintendo and Matsushita billed their alliance as a comprehensive development agreement spanning not only game consoles but also networked digital consumer products. edtn.com --IBM grabs next Nintendo system win-- In a stunning coup for its new Pervasive Computing strategy, IBM Microelectronics has won the design for the next-generation Nintendo game console ICs. The estimated $1 billion win, snatched from the jaws of long-time Nintendo partner NEC Corp., has the potential to make IBM the dominant figure in ASICs at the 0.18-micron generation, and to establish the PowerPC as the highest-volume RISC processor. The new Nintendo system-code-named Dolphin-will rely on two key chips. The first chip, Gekko, will be a highly-customized PowerPC CPU and memory device, and the second will be a graphics engine. The CPU chip is being designed by IBM, and the graphics chip by startup ArtX Inc. The chips are expected to tape out shortly, on schedule for a Nintendo product launch in time for the year-2000 holiday season. edtn.com Jim

To: Richard Spitzer who wrote (10883)	5/19/1999 2:25:00 PM
From: Todd D. Wiener	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 14266

The first Nintendo was called the NES in the states and Famicom in Japan. It totally leapfrogged Atari, Intellivision and Colecovision, even though it came out in 1984, I believe. It hit the states in 1985. Nintendo has always had the best technology (they would have had the best package with the N64 if they had used CDs). I believe Buy.com is the best place. I thought I saw the PSX for $95. By the way, thanks to all posters for their THQ/E3 reports. I was very interested in a few specific points: 1. THQ possibly announcing a game with a similar demographic as Rugrats. It would be nice to become the leader of the children game bracket. It would contrast with ATVI/GTIS who lead the adult, blow 'em away, gratuitous violence games. Perhaps we sign Southpeak Interactive as developer? 2. I believe that MTV could be huge. I don't think it will ever approach EA Sports, but THQ could have a long-term major franchise with MTV if they play their cards right. It would be nice to have two or three titles per platform each year (i.e. snowboarding, skateboarding, beach volleyball). 3. I wonder if THQ could develop a mass market game with the same target audience as Rodeo, hunting and fishing? It could be a tobacco spitting contest, kind of a target practice. Instead of using people as target practice, the player could spit hi-resolution tobacco juice into a moving spitoon (sp?). That could definitely sell at the low price point. 4. I'll tell you why THQ didn't overpay for PCP&L. For one thing, PCP&L will now comprise only 5% of the overall company. That's not bad if Harper and Traeger have been signed to employment agreements (IF), so they can't just jump ship and start another company. If THQ has long-term possession of these two guys, as well as the programming technology and other developers at PCP&L, the deal was pretty good. Moreover, if PCP&L is going to develop the MTV titles and perhaps the Rodeo titles, then this deal will be great. I disagree with the person who said that THQ would lose its flexibility because it's acquiring developers. I think that it's still the lightest company, as far as internal development goes. It's not weighed down by unproductive assets. But THQ is acquiring developers that possess something special that will help THQ become a top 3 publisher in the next console war. 4. Gameboy Color could be huge for THQ. Because of the decision 4 years ago to stay in the Gameboy market, it is the leader (aside from Nintendo). It can continue to be the leader as this market expands to rival PSX and other TV consoles. That's sure to be a long-term driver for THQ's top and bottom line. My estimate is that GBC titles will comprise well over 20% of total revenues in the next 18 months. 5. I agree with the impatience on GameFX. I admit the technology is pretty damn impressive, but where are the games? An OEM bowling sim and Sinistar? There must be more. Now that we know GameFX isn't doing the wrestling games, what will they do? The PC market is very tough, so THQ's going to need a real category killer to establish a PC presence. 6. Why would Gysi get upset if an analyst expected $3 for 1999? THQ should do $3.50 easily. It's this type of reticence, on the part of THQ management, that almost gives analysts the right to low-ball numbers. ALMOST. 7. I think Sinistar will be somewhat successful on the PC, but not a top 20 game. Space battles are not mainstream titles, no matter how good the pictures are. 8. If only GameFX were to develop Danger Girl...Whew! And people though Lara Croft looked good on PC. If THQ were to sell a PC game with the realistic look that GameFX can produce, with the characters in Danger Girl, you're looking at a title that could sell 300,000 units in a heartbeat. 9. THQ not too hot on Dreamcast? Very interesting. I agree that it's going to be crowded, especially by desperados like MWY. THQ is a confirmed developer for DC, but it doesn't mean they have to publish for it at the start. Will THQ be putting all its resources into Dolphin and PS2? It could be a good move, since we can assume that ERTS will be there from the beginning with these consoles. It, too, is looking past DC, I believe. 10. ECW...It would be nice to make a couple million from selling this one. 11. Great E3. Thanks again to all reporters. Todd