Microsoft: Global video-game market hits $65 billion, and consoles still lead the way

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Microsoft is getting ready to reveal the next generation of the Xbox next week, and despite signs that the console market is struggling, the company this afternoon released a big batch of stats to make the case that the industry is very much alive and kicking. Spending on all types of video games (including hardware… Read More…

Xbox 360 marks 28 straight months atop U.S. market; industry sales sink 25%

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Just days before we get our first look at the next-generation Xbox, Microsoft’s Xbox 360 continues to dominate the U.S. video game industry. The latest numbers from NPD market research firm are out and the Xbox 360 was the top-selling console in April, marking the 28th straight month atop the U.S. console market. Microsoft sold… Read More…

The Startup Game! An 8-Bit Entrepreneurial Adventure

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It’s time to break out of your cubicle and play the startup game! Land some seed funding, build your team, create a product, take on some venture capital and battle the final boss in this one-of-a-kind entrepreneurial adventure. We’re pleased to present this special video, “Adventure of the Startup Kid,” which was created by the… Read More…

Always on? Study says 72% of U.S. gamers now play online

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The number of people who play video games without an online connection is quickly dwindling, according to the results of a study released today. The report by the NPD research firm found that 72 percent of U.S. gamers now play games online, up 5 percentage points from last year. It’s not a huge surprise, but the… Read More…

Game of the Year? Vote here in the GeekWire Awards

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The Seattle region may be known for operating systems, airplanes and coffee, but video games play a huge role in the technology scene, and today we’re pleased to present a new GeekWire Awards category that recognizes this important field. Below you’ll find the five finalists for Game of the Year — the top video games… Read More…

Nintendo’s digital sales on the rise as company stays focused on games

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While sales of Nintendo’s Wii U continue to suffer, it appears the move to digital games has been helping the company’s overall profit. Nintendo of America CEO Reggie Fils-Aime told GamesIndustry that digital sales are “soaring.” He said that of the 15 Nintendo-made games available on the 3DS eShop, 11 percent of sales have come… Read More…

Litesprite is helping people overcome medical issues with video games

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Whether you’ve just racked up the highest score on Halo or finally finished off the last level of Final Fantasy, video games can certainly make people happy. But can they go one step further and help people make changes to improve their health? Seattle-based Litesprite thinks so. “Whether it is managing stress or their diabetes,… Read More…

Top 10 cities for gamers: How the heck did Atlanta beat out Seattle for No. 1?

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Top-10 lists are fun, whether it’s the world’s best entrepreneurial hubs or tips for surviving at a startup. But many are slightly questionable, like the list we just found that ranks the top 10 cities for gamers. The folks over at Motovo, a San Francisco-based real estate content website, put in some work and analyzed… Read More…

How this UW grad left the coding world and created an Upstart-funded game company

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The path to the gaming world has been an interesting one for recent University of Washington grad Vincent Lucero. See, Lucero has always had a passion for technology. He was a Hewlett Packard Scholar in high school and landed a job with Xbox Live at Microsoft during college. But soon enough, Lucero knew he no longer wanted to spend his… Read More…

Xi3 responds after Valve tries to distance itself from Piston gaming console

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Two months ago at the Consumer Electronics Show, a new partnership between hardware manufacturer Xi3 and Valve seemed bright and happy. The two companies had announced a “development stage system optimized for computer gameplay on large high-definition television monitors” — a device called the Piston that can run Steam-based games on your TV. Xi3 even said it received an investment… Read More…