Animation World News - Internet & Interactive

Internet & Interactive
(continued from Internet & Interactive page 1)

PlayStation 2 Glitch Gouges Stock. Sony Corp. shares took a gouge on Friday, March 10, 2000 after the company reported it was investigating customer complaints about a glitch in their new PlayStation 2 gaming system. A spokesman for Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE), Sony's game unit, said it was looking into problems associated with the new console's playing of DVDs. The company's shares fell 6.41% to end at ¥26,300 (US$249), extending a seven straight day losing streak that has brought a 22% price drop in the stock. The glitch news came on the same day Microsoft announced it would challenge Sony with the launch of its powerful X-Box gaming system. "It would be embarrassing if Sony found a bug in the player just launched. But it's understandable given the hasty launch. I don't think Sony had enough time for perfect quality control," said Yoshio Imanaka, a Commerz Securities analyst, to Reuters. "It would be costly if Sony had to recall or repair the new player, but this does not mean its top position in the game industry would be shaken. No one bought the PlayStation 2 to watch DVDs," he added. The SCE spokesman said the company was investigating whether the reported technical glitches resulted from problems with the new machines, software or the way users were operating the system. The spokesman did not comment on how long the investigation would take or whether there is a chance that consoles might be recalled. "We would make it public as soon as possible if we find any problem in our hardware. But we need to deal with the case according to the cause of the problems," he said. After hitting a record high of ¥33,900 ($321) on March 1, the Sony fall is seen as a correction of a bloated price. "The PlayStation (2) problem gives the market the best excuse to sell Sony, which was already heading downward," said Hiroyuki Nakai, senior executive officer at Nippon Global Securities' investment research department to Reuters. Since the start of 1999, Sony shares had almost quadrupled, which prompted its president Nobuyuki Idei to warn investors in January, that a share price above ¥20,000 ($189) would be a "bubble about to burst."

The Simpsons’ Gracie Films Rides Shockwave. Shockwave.com has finalized an exclusive deal with Oscar and Emmy award-winning director, producer, screenwriter James L. Brooks' Gracie Films to create animated programming. Gracie Films and Brooks, whose credits include executive producer of The Simpsons, The Mary Tyler Moore Show and Taxi, will hold complete artistic control over the characters and properties created for shockwave.com. "We couldn't be more pleased about being in business with Gracie Films," said Rob Burgess, chairman of shockwave.com. "Jim's creative talent and versatility has entertained so many of us for so long. It will be a great day for the Internet when programming from Gracie Films premieres." The new content should hit shockwave.com beginning Fall 2000. Brooks' feature film credits include: the Oscar winning Best Picture of 1983 Terms Of Endearment, which he produced, wrote and directed; As Good As It Gets, which he produced, wrote and directed; Jerry Maguire, which he produced; Broadcast News, which he produced, wrote and directed; Big, which he produced; War Of The Roses, which he produced; Say Anything, which he produced; Bottle Rocket, which he produced; and Starting Over, which he produced and wrote. With all these outstanding credits, Brooks is sure to bring interesting content to shockwave.com.

Massive Multi-Player Star Wars Goes On-Line. LucasArts Entertainment Company LLC announced it has teamed with Verant Interactive Inc. and Sony On-line Entertainment to create the first massive multi-player Star Wars on-line role-playing game. Gameplay will jettison players into a unique combination of combat, specialized missions and daring quests. The Star Wars on-line game will be developed by Verant, distributed and sold at retail stores by LucasArts, and available for play exclusively on-line at The Station@sony.com. This alliance partners together three of the foremost companies in the interactive entertainment industry. LucasArts has produced successful titles from its Star Wars franchise since 1991. Verant is the creator of Everquest, one of the most successful multi-player on-line games. Sony On-line Entertainment produces and distributes on-line games and gameshows targeted to mainstream consumers and game enthusiasts, including Everquest. "The combined expertise of LucasArts, Verant, and Sony On-line Entertainment will bring to gameplayers an incredibly dynamic on-line gaming experience worthy of Star Wars," said Simon Jeffery, president of LucasArts. "The immensity and richness of the Star Wars universe lends itself ideally to a game of this nature," added Jeffery. "We couldn't possibly ask for a better universe in which to create a massively multi-player game, " said president and CEO of Verant, John Smedley. "Star Wars offers such an incredible amount of depth and detail that we'll be able to create a place for fans to feel right at home. This game is going to be incredible!" added Smedley. "Star Wars on-line will be a phenomenon that transforms on-line gaming for both gamers and casual game players," says Lisa Simpson, president of Sony On-line Entertainment. "It is a great addition to the blue chip brands our audience has come to enjoy at The Station. We are delighted to work with LucasArts and continue our close association with Verant Interactive."

Read "Cruddy Sketches and a Red Pen: Pre-Production on LucasArts' The Curse" by Russell Bekins in Animation World Magazine.