GamePlay Unlimited

Many technology-based companies these days are looking to get into the game industry somehow so it came as no surprise when Amazon launched a beta of their digital download game service today. The service features many casual games boasting "over 600 games at $9.99 or less." The service allows users to download and try any game in their library free for 30 minutes and then either buy the full game or end the trial. Game categories now include action, adventure, card & casino, puzzle, shooter, simulation, and strategy. As a grand opening gift (for a limited time) they are offering one of three games for free. the games are Jewel Quest 2, Build-a-Lot, and The Scruffs. Hop on over and download a free game and check out their new service.

By now everyone has heard at the changing hands of 1Up from Ziff Davis to UGO, and have seen the after effects with a good amount of staff being laid off. What do you do with no job after being a part of a huge gaming and media site? Start a new one. Various staff members from 1Up/EGM including Dan Hsu, former EGM Editor-in-Chief, Demian Linn, former executive producer of The 1UP Show and GameVideos.com, Michael Donahoe, former senior writer and news editor, and ex-managing editor Greg Ford have come together to create Area 5 , a new media site. The site has their first (entitled "Co-op") show since leaving 1Up/EGM up (posted after the jump) and are encouraging users to subscribe to their youtube channel as well as help them find investors/ make donations to get the project started. In this economy starting anything is going to be an uphill battle so I commend them for staying on their feed with a great attitude.

In a good news/bad news situation it has just been announced (via 1Up ) that UGO Entertainment has acquired 1Up and its network of websites including GameVideos, MyCheats, and GameTab. The good news is that 1Up gains a whole new backing of support in the deal with UGO. "We are extremely excited to join the UGO team," said Sam Kennedy, editorial director and creator of 1UP. "Relying on UGO's publishing platform will allow us to focus on what we do best -- creating great content and 'owning the conversation' among gamers through our unique, authentic and definitive voice and community." (Via 1Up ) The bad news is that EGM will be shut down in the transition. EGM has been around since 1989 and will be discontinued after the January 2009 issue. Gamasutra has uncovered an e-mail sent to Ziff Davis employees that illustrates the EGM shut down: "With this transaction happening, we have also made the decision to discontinue publication of EGM. The January 2...

Update: Microsoft has just released news that the Xbox 360 has sold over 28 million units, which increases its lead over the Playstation 3 to 8 million consoles. MS also released a few fun facts including during the week of Christmas Xbox Live had its busiest week ever with 1.5 million users on at one time. Microsoft was looking to hit a home run in sales this holiday season and it looks as if they have, in Europe at least. The company announced today that this holiday's Xbox sales were the most in the brand's six year history in the region, and double what the sales were last holiday. To date eight million consoles have been sold over Europe,the Middle East, and Africa. Chris Lewis, Regional Vice President, Interactive Entertainment Business EMEA, said: “Christmas 2008 was a resounding success for Xbox 360. 2008 saw us grow faster than any of our competitors and we over-achieved in sales during the crucial Christmas selling period. We reduced the entry-level Xbox 360 ERP in S...

Midway announced today that it will be closing its Austin, Texas studio and halting development of "non-core" games to try and reduce costs. Staff reduction will cut approximately 25% of the company's global workforce over their Chicago, Austin, and San Diego locations. "“The cost-reduction measures are vital for us to rationalize our operations and provide the resources necessary for our core properties to succeed,” said Matt Booty, president and CEO of Midway. “These initiatives, along with the other steps we have taken this year, are a response to the specific challenges we are facing at Midway, many of which have been amplified by the current economic conditions.'" Full release after the jump. "CHICAGO — December 16, 2008 —Midway Games Inc. (NYSE: MWY) today announced that the company is taking significant steps to reduce its cost structure, including a reduction in workforce, the closure of its Austin, TX, studio, and the suspension of development ...

Have you always wanted to show your Playstation pride while racking up copious amounts of unneeded debt? Well now you can! Playstation Blog has the details on Sony's new Playstation branded Visa credit card. The card is decent by itself, but the deal you get if you sign up before December 31st 2009 is even better. Sign up before New Year's and get $150 off of a Playstation 3 console. "There are a couple ways to do this. You can go to to www.sony.com/newpscard to get instant approval for your card, and an immediate $150 credit when you purchase a PS3 directly through the website. Or you can go www.sony.com/getpscard to apply for the card and upon receipt of the card, use it at any authorized PlayStation retailer to purchase a PS3. The $150 credit will show up on your billing statement." Looks like a good deal for those of you who are old enough and are in need of a PS3.

Midway Games just cannot catch a break these days. First the publisher posted loses of $76 Million, then Shari Redstone stepped down as the companies chairperson, finally they were forced to lay off 20-30 staff, and now this. Midway received a warning today from the New York Stock Exchange that their stock had failed to meet the minimum closing price of $1 over 30 consecutive trading days. The warning stated that if the stocks did not rebound, they would be de-listed from the Exchange. Midway's stock will continue to be listed at least for the next 6 months where they must get the price about the $1 minimum. In a tough economy it is not a good sign to see yet another developer struggling. Hopefully Midway can get their affairs in order and turn the business around.

As an update to a story we posted a while back, it has been confirmed to Edge-online via Microsoft Game Studios head Phil Spencer that former Kojima Studios assistant producer Ryan Payton would be joining Microsoft game Studios. It was not confirmed whether or not Payton would be on a Halo team, but you can bet it is true. "Also confirmed to be joining MGS is programming ace Corrine Yu, formerly of Gearbox Software, and her husband, artist Kenneth Scott of Doom house id Software. Microsoft also confirmed that David Wu, former tech director at Full Auto developer Pseudo Interactive, and ex-Bungie content manager Frank O'Connor are also on Microsoft's Halo team."

GameStop is literally taking over the world. Today the game retailing giant announced that it was acquiring French game retailer Micromania for $700 Million. According to GamesIndustry.biz , Micromania had 332 stores in France, and when added to GameStop's European store count, brings the total to 1077 stores. These stores mark GameStop's entry to the French market where it previously had no stores.  "As we have accelerated our growth in Europe over the years, we have kept a close eye on the European retailers whose passion for the business is reflected in the quality of their stores and evident knowledge of their staff. Micromania has been that type of retailer," offered R. Richard Fontaine, executive chairman of GameStop." The total number of stores worldwide for GameStop is now 5,889.