derGoldstein tips a story at AllThingsD about a study into mobile gamers' spending habits:
"[The study] provides a fairly compelling argument as to why a developer should continue to give away his or her games for free ... After evaluating the spending habits of 3.5 million consumers across both iOS and Android, Flurry found that among those who pay for in-app transactions, greater than five percent will spend more than $50, which rivals the amount paid at retail for top console and PC games."

http://games.slashdot.org/story/11/0...ng-To-Spend-50 ...

Sony Corporation has reported a net loss of ¥15.5 billion ($191 million) for the first quarter ended June 30, compared to a profit of ¥25.7 billion for the same period last year.

The company said sale and profits were down mainly due to the impact of the Japanese Earthquake in March this year, although operations affected by the disaster are recovering faster than expected.

Sales of the PlayStation 3 dropped to 1.8 million units for the first quarter, down from 2.4 million for the same period last year.

Sales of PlayStation 3 games were up to 26.1 million units, from 24.8 million last year. Despite the slump in hardware, Sony still expects to outsell last year's PS3 total for the full financial year, forecasting 15 million sales compared to 14.3 million. Software sales are expected to be static at around 148 million games.

Sales of the PlayStation Portable were up on last quarter, from 1.2 million to 1.8 million, while PlayStation 2 sales dropped from 1.6 million to 1.4 million.

Sony's Consumer Products & Services division, which now includes PlayStation products as well as TV, home audio and video, mobile products and digital imaging, reported operating profits of ¥1.7 billion ($21 million), down from ¥28.5 billion last year, primarily due to a decline in LCD TV and video cameras.

Sales in the division were down 13 per cent to ¥732.3 billion ($9 billion), due to low sales in the US and Europe and competition in the PC market. The company made no detailed comments on the PlayStation business.

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...es-hit-USD191m ...

Update

Nintendo America and Europe have confirmed the relative price cuts in their territories, with both continents reducing the cost to retailers by around a third.

In the US, that cost will now be $169.99 as opposed to $249.99, whilst European retailers can expect a similar reduction.

"For anyone who was on the fence about buying a Nintendo 3DS, this is a huge motivation to buy now," NoA's Reggie Fils-Aime told press. "We are giving shoppers every incentive to pick up a Nintendo 3DS, from an amazing new price to a rapid-fire succession of great games."

Nintendo UK were less specific about price, but released the following statement to sister site Eurogamer.

"Nintendo of Europe will be reducing the European trade price of Nintendo 3DS to retailers by around a third from 12th August 2011, as part of a global trade price reduction initiative.

"The ultimate price to consumers is, of course, determined by retailers, however we look forward to consumers benefiting from much lower retail prices very soon."

Early adopters will receive some compensation following the cut, with an offer of twenty free download NES and GBA titles for the 3DS, as long as owners connect to the Nintendo e-shop before the changes on August 12.

Original story

Nintendo has announced a huge cut in the recommended price of the 3DS in Japan, slashing almost half the original ¥25,000 price to leave it at just ¥15,000 - roughly £118.

The price cut comes alongside the company's financial results for Q1, 2012, published this morning, which revealed a fairly static loss of ¥25.5 billion and halved sales revenues.

The 3DS sold just 710,000 units worldwide during the three months between April 1 and June 30, 2011.

In a brief release accompanying the announcement, Nintendo acknowledged the need to "build momentum" for the 3DS brand, adding that the cut was timed to coincide with the release of some big name games on the system, confirming that Super Mario 3D Land and Mario Kart 7 will be in shops in November and December respectively.

The adjustment will happen this quarter in the rest of the world, but the schedule will be "different in Japan", with the release also suggesting that the "range of the markdown" will also vary in Nintendo's home territory.

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...by-almost-half ...

Nintendo has slashed its full-year profit forecasts by 82 per cent to ¥20 billion ($257 million), compared to its previous estimates of ¥110 billion.

The extreme cut follows continued disappointing sales of the 3DS handheld console, which for three months ended June 30 sold only 710,000 units worldwide.

The company has announced that it intends to cut the price of the 3DS in Japan, Europe and the US this August.

Net loss for the first quarter was ¥25.5 billion, with sales at ¥93.9 billion, down 50 per cent compared to ¥188.6 billion for the same period last year. The company blamed poor sales, exchange rates and research and development costs for the Wii U.

Aside from respectable sales of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D, the company acknowledged "few other hit titles" for its new handheld. During the three month period, 4.53 million 3DS games were sold.

The DS series of handhelds sold 1.44 million units and 12.13 million games, while Wii hardware shifted another 1.56 million units and 13.44 million software titles.

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...-by-82-percent ...

The price of the Nintendo 3DS in the US is dropping precipitously August 12th from $249 to $169, with other regions getting a similar price break in their respective currency. Are you one of the 830,000~ US gamers that have already shelled out? Don't be too disappointed, the thank you gift for gamers that have logged into the eShop at least once before the price cut will be 10 free NES virtual console games September 1st, plus 10 more Game Boy Advance virtual console games -- that Nintendo is not planning on releasing to the general public -- before the end of the year. Left holding the bag for all this desperation generosity, are the company's investors. While pressure from the upcoming Vita is surely playing a part, Nintendo plans to sell 16 million 3DS units in the financial year, but still slashed its financial projections for the year from ¥110 billion to just ¥20 billion. Check out the financial PDFs at the source links below while you decide if 10 potentially-exclusive GBA games are worth paying $80 extra for.

http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/28/n...-12th-current/ ...

The wonders of iPlayer are no longer the reserve of the Brits. As of today, iPad users in 11 other countries across Europe can subscribe to the service for €7 per month or €50 per year. That equates to $10 -- just about living up to the Beeb's promised maximum price. The subscription grants access to a wealth of TV classics, like Fawlty Towers and Only Fools & Horses, as well as unwitting comedies like EastEnders. Some sort of motoring series by the name of Top Gear is also available, for those who like cars and middle-aged men in pointy shoes. The app will allow for downloading as well as streaming, and marks a "pilot phase" for the service, which should hopefully reach the former colonial outpost of America before too long.

http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/28/b...ads-7-per-mon/ ...

We all know what streaming Hoarders and other guilty pleasures via the interwebs has taken off over the past few years. No news there. However, what may be surprising is that, despite the ability to stream in HD to a number of other devices (including your computer), a quarter of all Netflix subscribers view Swamp People by way of the Wii. That's right, 1080p doesn't matter for these folks, who prefer to live the simple life... and by that we mean life in standard def. Most viewers prefer to watch instantly via PC for both Netflix and Hulu, with a whopping 89 percent of Plus customers taking this route to catch up on The Daily Show. With those looking to ditch the red envelope and, you know, with Mad Men now available, Wii viewers are sure to increase as a new console is just around the corner. Because nothing says 1960s drama like 480p, right?

http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/28/2...k-composite-c/ ...

Rhythm Heaven Wii has topped the Japanese chart in its first week on release.

As reported by Andriasang, the latest entry in Nintendo's quirky rhythm action series sold a healthy 118,173. It's due out here later this year.

The top 10 also saw new entries for Capcom brawler Sengoku Basara Chronicle Heroes at two, No More Heroes: Red Zone Edition (released as Heroes' Paradise in the West) at three and the PlayStation 3 version of EA's Alice: Madness Returns down at number nine.

Here's the full top 20:

Everyone's Rhythm Heaven (Nintendo, Wii): 118,173 NEW!
Sengoku Basara Chronicle Heroes (Capcom, PSP): 82,798 NEW!
No More Heroes Red Zone Edition (MMV, PS3): 40,313 NEW!
Inazuma Eleven Strikers (Level 5, Wii): 36,555 (Life to date: 110,782)
Jikkyou Powerful Pro Baseball 2011 (Konami, PS3): 35,739 (153,498)
Taiko Drum Master Portable DX (Deluxe) (Namco Bandai, PSP): 35,694 (115,910)
Jikkyou Powerful Pro Baseball 2011 (Konami, PSP): 27,158 (100,405)
Noora and the Time Studio: The Witch of the Misty Forest (Atlus, DS): 24,481 NEW!
Alice Madness Returns (Electronic Arts, PS3): 19,994 NEW!
Wii Sports Resort (Wii Remote Plus Pack) (Nintendo, Wii): 18,666 (421,465)
Puyo Puyo!! (Sega, DS): 14,877 (49,78)
Little Battle eXperience (Level 5, PSP): 12,098 (268,973)
Wiimote Plus Variety Pack (Nintendo, Wii): 11,817 (39,347)
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D (Nintendo, 3DS): 11,273 (267,647)
Pokémon Black & White (Nintendo, DS): 11,147 (5,249,434)
Sniper Ghost Warrior (Ubisoft, PS3): 10,772 NEW!
Alice Madness Returns (Electronic Arts, Xbox 360): 9093 NEW!
007 Goldeneye (Nintendo, Wii): 8920 (67,783)
Star Fox 64 3D (Nintendo, 3DS): 8626 (41,102)
Steins; Gate (5pb., PSP): 7576 (116,593)
The 3DS held on to the hardware chart top spot, selling 31,826 – well down on the 46,637 it managed last week.

The PSP came in second with flat sales of 26,854, followed by the PlayStation 3, Wii and DS. Here's the chart:

3DS: 31,826 (Last week: 46,637)
PSP: 26,854 (26,551)
PS3: 23,343 (23,322)
Wii: 17,114 (14,237)
DSi XL: 5258 (4693)
DSi: 4921 (4384)
Xbox 360: 1546 (1734)
PS2: 1475 (1405)
DS Lite: 155 (131)
PSP go: 14 (14)

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/20...ven-3ds-on-top ...

New Call of Duty: Black Ops map pack Annihilation headlines this week's massive PlayStation Store update.

Xbox 360 owners have had it exclusively for the past month. Available from tomorrow on PS3, its five new maps will cost you £11.49.

Looking for something a bit cheaper? Sony's massive summer sale reaches Europe this week, with more than 30 downloadable titles discounted over the next seven days. Highlights include Popcap's Peggle, Hothead's Swarm and Telltale's Sam & Max and Back to the Future.

EA is launching its own range of reductions, focusing on racer Burnout Paradise and multiple entries in the Need for Speed series. If you've yet to pick up the pricey DLC for last year's Hot Pursuit for example, you can now pick up the bundle pack at a cheaper price.

For one week only, gamers can get highly praised shooter Section 8: Prejudice bundled with both its downloadable Map Packs. There's also exclusive in-game armour for PlayStation Plus members and the first 1000 Plus members to purchase it get the original Section 8 free.

European PS3 gamers can finally download L.A. Noire's PlayStation 3-exclusive Traffic case "The Consul's Car". In North America it came as a free download with PS3 copies of the game. In Europe, you'll have to pay £3.19. Xbox 360 owners will never get this add-on.

The EU update listing is currently missing Dragon Age 2 DLC Legacy. It appeared as scheduled in this week's US update and is also available on Xbox 360.

The full listing, courtesy of the EU PlayStation blog, lies below:

Summer Sale Special Offers - available until 3rd August

Slam Bolt Scrappers (was £11.99/€14.99 – now £6.29/€7.99)
Swords and Soldiers (was £6.29/€7.99 - now £3.19/€3.99)
TerRover (was £8.99/€11.25 – now £4.39/€5.49)
Peggle (was £6.29/€7.99 – now £3.19/€3.99)
Acceleration of SUGURI X-Edition (was £4.79/€5.99 – now £2.39/€2.99)
Anarchy: Rush Hour (was £5.49/€6.99 – now £3.19/€3.99)
Tales from Space: About a Blob (was £9.99/€12.99 – now £5.10/€6.49)
Swarm (was £9.99/€12.99 – now £6.29/€7.99)
Blacklight: Tango Down (was £9.99/€12.99 – now £6.29/€7.99)
Dragon's Lair (was £7.99/€9.99 – now £3.99/€4.99)
Moon Diver (was £9.99/€12.99 – now £5.10/€6.49)
Crazy Taxi (was £7.99/€9.99 – now £4.79/€5.99)
Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People (was £11.99/€14.99 – now £6.29/€7.99)
Sam & Max' The Devil's Playhouse (was £19.99/€24.99 – now £9.99/€12.99)
Back to the Future: The Game (was £15.99/€19.99 – now £7.99/€9.99)
Bionic Commando Rearmed (was £7.99/€9.99 – now £6.29/€7.99)
Bionic Commando Rearmed 2 (was £11.99/€14.99 – now £6.29/€7.99)
Final Fight Double Impact (was £7.99/€9.99 – now £3.99/€4.99)
Super SF2 Turbo HDR (was £11.99/€14.99 – now £6.29/€7.99)
Flock! (was £11.99/€14.99 – now £6.29/€7.99)
1942 Joint Strike (was £7.99/€9.99 – now £3.99/€4.99)
Commando 3 (was £7.99/€9.99 – now £3.99/€4.99)
Age of Booty (was £7.99/€9.99 – now £3.99/€4.99)
Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo HD Remix (was £7.99/€9.99 – now £3.99/€4.99)
Ricochet HD (was £6.29/€7.99 – now £2.39/€2.99)
Wakeboard HD (was £11.99/€14.99 – now £4.79/€ 5.99)
Hamsterball (was £7.99/€9.99 – now £3.19/€3.99)
Interpol: The Trail of Dr. Chaos (was £7.99/€9.99 – now £3.19/€3.99)
Mahjong Tales (was £7.99/€9.99 – now £3.19/€3.99)
Smash Cars (was £11.99/€14.99 – now £4.79/€5.99)
Magic Orbz (was £7.99/€9.99 – now £3.19/€3.99)
Cuboid (was £7.99/€9.99 – now £3.19/€3.99)
Sky Fighter (was £7.99/€9.99 – now £3.19/€3.99)
EA's Summer of Speed

Burnout Paradise Big Surf Island (was £5.49/€6.99 – now £2.39/€2.99)
Burnout Paradise Boost Specials Collection (was £3.99/€4.99 – now £1.59/€1.99)
Burnout Paradise Cops and Robbers (was £3.99/€4.99 – now £1.59/€1.99)
Burnout Paradise Legendary Cars Collection (was £3.99/€4.99 – now £1.59/€1.99)
Burnout Paradise Party (was £3.99/€4.99 – now £1.59/€1.99)
Burnout Paradise Time Savers Pack (was £3.99/€4.99 – now £1.59/€1.99)
Burnout Paradise Toy Collection (was £5.49/€6.99 - now £1.59/€1.99)
NFS Hot Pursuit Game Modes Pack (Armed & Dangerous) (was £5.49/€6.99 – now £3.19/€3.99)
NFS Hot Pursuit Lamborghini Untamed Pack (was £5.49/€6.99 - now £3.19/€3.99)
NFS Hot Pursuit Porsche Unleashed Pack (was £5.49/€6.99 - now £3.19/€3.99)
NFS Hot Pursuit Super Sports Pack (was £5.49/€6.99 - now £3.19/€3.99)
NFS Hot Pursuit Three for All Bundle (was £15.99/€19.99 – now £13.99/€17.99)
NFS Pro Street Extender Pack Premium Car Bundle 1 (was £3.99/€4.99 – now £1.59/€1.99)
NFS Pro Street Extender Pack Premium Car Bundle 2 (was £3.99/€4.99 – now £1.59/€1.99)
NFS Shift Exotic Racing Series (was £7.99/€9.99 – now £2.39/€2.99)
NFS Undercover Boss Car Bundle (was £3.99/€4.99 – now £1.59/€1.99)
NFS Undercover Exotic Car Bundle (was £3.99/€4.99 – now £1.59/€1.99)
NFS Undercover Collector's Edition Upgrade (was £7.19/€8.99 – now £1.59/€1.99)
NFS Undercover Muscle Car Bundle (was £3.99/€4.99 - now £1.59/€1.99)
...