Guess Which Three Games Help Keep Activision Afloat [Industry]

Activision is a giant company with a small problem: Most of their revenue comes from three video games. Buried in Activision’s annual report for Fiscal Year 2009, the same one that had news of a major shake-up at Call of Duty: Modern Warfare developer Infinity Ward , were some interesting numbers. “A significant portion of our revenues has historically been derived from products based on a relatively small number of popular franchises and these products are responsible for a disproportionately high percentage of our profits,” the report points out. For example, it points out that in fiscal 2009, which ended in December, that their top three franchises, Call of Duty, Guitar Hero, and World of Warcraft, accounted for about 68 percent of their net revenues for the year. Further into the report, the company points out that World of Warcraft accounts for a staggering 98 percent of Blizzard’s revenue. Ninety-eight percent! That’s up from the previous two years when the hugely popular massively multiplayer online game accounted for a mere 97 percent. What does all of that mean to Activision? “Due to this dependence on a limited number of franchises, the failure to achieve anticipated results by one or more products based on these franchises may significantly harm our business and financial results,” according to the report. Or, in Brian terms, one bad Call of Duty, one under-performing Guitar Hero, or, don’t even think it, a sudden disinterest in World of Warcraft leveling and Activision will be in a world of hurt. No wonder things are so tense over at Infinity Ward right now.

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Guess Which Three Games Help Keep Activision Afloat [Industry]

Scottish Prisoners May Get DSes For Brain Training [Ds]

The Sunday Times reports of a plan by the Scottish prison system to raise “literacy” and “numeracy” skills among its prison population by giving the inmates access to Nintendo DS systems. The program would be tested in a small number of prison libraries and would involve literacy experts working with the prisoners. Prison officials note that inmates already have access to PlayStations, so going with the DS is seen as consistent and, perhaps, an improvement: The devices, fitted with “brain training” software, will be put on trial on the advice of Scottish government officials who believe they will reduce the chances of the prisoners reoffending after they have served their sentences by improving their employment prospects. A government study into the education of prisoners, Learning in Custody: Report of the Offender Learning in Custody Workstream, concluded that convicts would benefit from the devices, which are currently being used in many primary schools to raise attainment. “Initial findings suggest it is both motivational and enables less confident learners to close the gap on others,” said the report. A Scottish group representing taxpayers calls the plan “ridiculous,” given that many Sottish citizens can’t even afford DSes for their kids in these tough economic times. Inmates to get Nintendo games [The Sunday Times of London]

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Scottish Prisoners May Get DSes For Brain Training [Ds]

Darksiders Banned In The United Arab Emirates? [Censorship]

Darksiders seems to be the flavour of the month so far, its rugged charms leading to good review scores and media opportunities . Just don’t tell that to the United Arab Emirates, who have reportedly banned the game. No reason was given (because it seems no reason is ever given by the authorities), but if this report by Arab news site GamesLatest is correct, the title has been blocked from sale in the UAE, a collection of seven emirates which includes Dubai. We’ve reached out to THQ for confirmation on this, and will update if we hear back. Darksiders gets the Ban Hammer in Emirates [GamesLatest, thanks Tim!]

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Darksiders Banned In The United Arab Emirates? [Censorship]

Study Finds Wii Fit Produces "Underwhelming Results" [Nintendo]

Anyone who does proper exercise could have pointed this out, but it’s always nice to have it in writing; the American Council on Exercise have claimed that Nintendo’s Wii Fit produces “underwhelming results”. The group has released a report on the super-popular home fitness program, drawing on research performed by the University of Wisconsin. And this report has found that even Wii Fit’s most physically taxing workouts can’t hold a candle to actual exercise. Wii Fit’s boxing, for example, burns only 1/3 the calories of actual boxing, while the other four most intensive modes – Free Island Run, Super Hula Hoop, Advanced Step, and Free Step – only burned between 100 and 160 calories every 30 minutes of exercise. Considering a cheeseburger has around 300 calories, you’ll be on Wii Fit all day if you want to really burn some fat. Perhaps most damning/hilarious, however, is the report’s finding that while Wii Fit burns more calories than a regular game – where you’re doing nothing – it’s not as good for you as a session on Nintendo’s own Wii Sports. Ah, the power of marketing. American Council on Exercise Charts ‘Underwhelming’ Wii Fit Health Benefits [Gamasutra]

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Study Finds Wii Fit Produces "Underwhelming Results" [Nintendo]

Nintendo Labels Large Screen DSi Article "Speculation" [DSI]

According to reliable Nikkei news service , a new DSi is coming to Japan this year and will feature a 4″ larger screen for the current model’s price of