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10 Potentially Game-Changing Games for 2009

January 5, 2009 by Steven R. Gerbsman

What games stand the best chance of changing the broader industry in 2009, either by dramatically influencing what consumers play and purchase, or by demonstrating the commercial viability of new revenue models and genres? Below is a list of the 10 most likely candidates, culled from several experts in the field and myself. Keep an eye on these titles to see how well they perform — and whether they really do impact the future business of games. All are scheduled for 2009 release, but of course, dates are always subject to change.

The Games:

Allstate’s “Insight” Games
A series of “serious games” sponsored by Allstate that are designed to gauge reaction time and perception, the insurance company is currently testing them on older drivers, and may use them as a resource for offering discounts to successful players (who are assumed to be better insurance risks).

The Beatles Video Game
The upcoming music game from Harmonix is set for a 2009 holiday season release, and will fully integrate music from the Beatles’ massive catalog, with creative input from Sir Paul McCartney himself.

EyePet
“EyePet uses augmented reality technology to insert a virtual pet into a live camera feed of whatever room the camera is pointed at, and advanced motion and shape detection to make it interact convincingly with its virtual environment,” notes Thor Jensen.

EyePet
“EyePet uses augmented reality technology to insert a virtual pet into a live camera feed of whatever room the camera is pointed at, and advanced motion and shape detection to make it interact convincingly with its virtual environment,” notes Thor Jensen.

Free Realms
Now in beta, this is an MMORPG aimed at kids from Sony Online Entertainment, and “represents a new area both in terms of demographic and business model for SOE,” Cole said.

Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars for the DS
The enormously popular Nintendo DS generally skews to very young gamers or older consumers who enjoy Brain Training and the DS’s many other “eduplay” games.

Killzone 2
Is the epic shooter and PS3 exclusive the last, best hope to revive Sony’s ailing console?

Lego Universe
Thor Jensen believes the upcoming MMORPG has the best chance to become the world’s most popular one.

Noby Noby Boy
A strange, nay, near indescribable game from the creator of the bizarre cult masterpiece Katamari Damacy, it’s a downloadable title for the PlayStation Network, and if it’s successful, Washburn foresees a renaissance for indie games, which usually earn far less significant profit margins than AAA mainstream games.

Scribblenauts
Developed for the Nintendo DS, Jensen described it as a traditional side-scrolling platform game that very cleverly incorporates the DS stylus control and word-recognition technology: write “ladder” on the touchscreen, for instance, and a realistic, usable ladder materializes in front of you.

Wii Sports Resort
Sequel to the popular but modest Wii Sports, David Cole sees the follow-up as a consumer loyalty test for Wii’s many casual users.

Read the full article here at NY Times.

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Job Losses Hit the Tech Sector

December 24, 2008 by Steven R. Gerbsman

In the fine print of a  jobs report published today is some mixed news for Silicon Valley.
For the first time in this downturn, the region lost jobs; it has 4,000 fewer jobs than it did a year ago at this time, and its unemployment rate is 7 percent, according to the Center for the Continuing Study of the California Economy, which analyzed the California Bureau of Labor jobs data.

That rate compares favorably to California over all, which has an 8.4 percent unemployment rate, the research firm reported.  “California is following the nation into the longest and deepest national recession since the 1980s and, possibly, since the Great Depression,” writes Steve Levy, the firm’s research director.

As for Silicon Valley, he asserts the fundamental economic strengths of the region put it in a relatively good position, but a vulnerable one nonetheless. “Silicon Valley will enter the recession from a stronger position and be in a stronger position when the recession ends BUT the next 12 months will bring recession to the Valley — more job losses and rising unemployment,” he wrote in an e-mail message.

At this point, that sounds like a far cry from the technology-centric implosion of 2000 when unemployment hit 9.2 percent. Perhaps, even, the valley will benefit from stimulus and infrastructure spending by an Obama administration that favors the green technology that Silicon Valley’s venture investors — and big compa nies too — have banked on heavily.

Meantime, company executives and workers here say this downturn feels different from the dot-com bust. Then, the downturn felt more specific to the region. Not just tech companies, but commercial and residential real estate brokers, restaurant owners, hairdressers — everyone in the region — felt the pain of the bust, directly or indirectly. As one tech industry worker told me the other day, “When the bubble burst in 2000, it felt very personal to those working in the Web world.”

This time is less scary for some here because the pain is less concentrated and localized. On the other hand, there is a sense that this downturn has less of a simple explanation, and thus the factors behind it fell more out of control. The person I spoke to, a manager at a Web design firm, said: “It’s different because it’s everyone.”

By Matt Richtel

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Thank You to our “TROOPS”

December 21, 2008 by Steven R. Gerbsman

When i was growing up in New York City, during the holiday season of Hanukah and Christmas, we always used to watch the Bob Hope specials. They were entertaining, funny, poignant, but most of all they focused on the “Troops”.

Let us not forget the lessons of history. This nation was founded, grew and maintains our freedoms of democracy today on the courage, selflessness, blood and guts of young men and woman.

On this holiday season, if you see a serviceman or servicewoman, go over to them and say “Thank You”.

In June of 1968, while I was completing basic training, a couple came over to me, handed me a $ 20 bill and said “thank you for your service and go out and enjoy yourself”. Well a $ 20 bill is not what it used to be, but I will never forget that thoughtfullness.

So, on this Holiday Season, acknowledge our military personnel. You will feel better as an American and a person.

May your families be healthy, be safe and enjoy.

Steve Gerbsman

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Growth Slows for Video Game Market

December 18, 2008 by Steven R. Gerbsman

Sales of video game software grew far less rapidly in November than they did in October, according to a report published Thursday by the NPD Group, a market research firm.

The data suggests that the video game market, which industry executives and analysts have characterized as relatively recession-proof, is feeling the pinch of consumer caution.

For the month of November, software sales in the United States were $1.45 billion, up 11 percent from the same month a year earlier. But that growth rate is down sharply from October, when sales were up 35 percent over a year ago.

More broadly, sales in the video game market over all — which includes software, hardware and accessories — rose 10 percent in November as compared with a year ago. In October, the increase was 18 percent.

Click here to read the full article at NY Times.com

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Gerbsman Partners wishes you and your family a Happy, Healthy and Safe Holiday Season & New Year

December 16, 2008 by Steven R. Gerbsman

We also say “thank you” to our clients, advisors, business partners and all the people the team has been involved with. Gerbsman Partners’ goals have been and always will be, to “Earn the Trust and Confidence” of our clients, and to maintain the highest standards of “Ethics and Integrity”.

As we enter this New Year, we are living in challenging times that our generation has not seen before. The economy, jobs, financial concerns, the security of our nation and the concern regarding the health care system support for our families. However, we look to the New Year with “Hope for the Future” and with the belief that the heritage of our nation and its leaders will continue to demonstrate the values of life, liberty and the pursuit of goodness.

Please accept our appreciation for your past support, confidence and continued trust. May 2009 be a successful, stable and profitable year for you and more importantly, provide a gateway and foundation to a bright and prosperous future.

May you and your family be healthy, stay safe and enjoy.

Best Regards,

Steven R. Gerbsman
Principal, Gerbsman Partners

Gerbsman Partners
211 Laurel Grove Avenue, Kentfield, CA 94904
Phone: +1.415.456.0628, Fax: +1.415.459.2278
Email: Steve@GerbsmanPartners.com
Web: www.gerbsmanpartners.com
BLOG of Intellectual Capital: www.boic.wordpress.com

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