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Ubisoft is Opening a New Studio in Abu Dhabi
Tue Oct 25, 2011 at 12:30 PM ETTags: Ubisoft, Industry News, Assassin's Creed (all tags)
They're partnering with a videogame academy known as twofour54 to get some of the brightest young talent they can.
The folks at Ubisoft have made a lot of games. Some are good, some aren't, but there sure are a lot of them. The company's track record has been pretty solid as of late what with all the Tom Clancy titles, 'Assassin's Creed' and 'Far Cry' to boot.
The company has just announced that it's going to be setting up a new studio in Abu Dhabi this December. There's going to be a group of Ubisoft vets at the helm and a flock of new recruits from a game academy known as twofour54. Maybe the name sounds better in its native tongue.
"The digital games played by Arabs have traditionally been developed outside the region, which means that they rarely have a direct relevance to Arab gamers," says twofour54 CEO Wayne Borg. "Our agreement with Ubisoft will benefit the region in that it will enable the development of titles that resonate with the local population, whilst also building the skills of young Arabs to allow the region to create its own games and developing a gaming industry base here at twofour54."
A new studio with new talent is always an exciting launch. It's unclear whether the games will be designed to go worldwide or just locally, but you can bet that if someone outstanding comes along they'll be bumped up to national games ASAP.
Source: Shack News
Disney Acquires Marvel in Four Billion Dollar Deal
Wed Sep 02, 2009 at 09:00 AM ETTags: Industry News, Disney, Marvel (all tags)
In the biggest media deal this year, Walt Disney Co agreed to purchase Marvel Entertainment for the princely sum of $4 billion.
While it was a higher price than many might have expected -- 37 times Marvel’s estimated earnings in 2009 -- Disney sees the addition as an important step.
Industry analyst David Joyce suggests that Disney is attempting to woo back boys and young men who have been a demographic missing from the company. “This helps give Disney more important exposure to the young male demographic that they have sort of lost some ground with in recent years,” said Joyce.
No word is out yet on how this will affect current Marvel properties or upcoming DVD and Blu-ray releases, but Disney says they have no interest in changing Marvel, and wish to keep the brand intact. The change in ownership could certainly be beneficial for both, with Marvel making up for Disney’s lost boys, and Disney promoting and utilizing Marvel’s lineup of over 5,000 characters like Marvel was never able to.
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Vizio Wins US Customs Ruling – No Infringement Found
Fri Jul 10, 2009 at 11:00 AM ETTags: Vizio, Legal Cases, Industry News, HDTVs (all tags)
A huge victory for Vizio, but it’s not over yet.
In an ongoing legal battle between Vizio and Funai, the United States Customs and Border Protection Agency ruled that Vizio’s televisions do not violate any copyrights held by Funai and that Vizio may continue importing their line of HDTVs.
”We are pleased that Funai's ill-advised tactics continue to falter and are being rejected by the U.S. authorities; we are determined and remain unshaken by merit-less claims from foreign competitors.” says Laynie Newsome, Co-Founder & Vice President of Sales and Marketing Communications in a recent press release. “In light of Funai's abusive actions, which were apparently anti-competitive in nature, designed to tortuously harm VIZIO's interests, we shall fully defend against any such claims and seek all appropriate remedies. In addition to recovering damages for such wanton behaviors, we shall hold the accused patent infringers, like Funai, accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”
Looks like Vizio’s going to keep this one going all 12 rounds.
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