Electronic Arts

Activision Blizzard has added video-game competitor Electronic Arts to its $400 million countersuit against two former executives of "Call of Duty" creator Infinity Ward, claiming that EA tried to lure the executives away while they were still under contract with Activision.

U.S. gamers spent about the same amount of money on video games last year as they did in 2009, even as sales of consoles and other hardware took a plunge. Purchases of physical game discs slid 5%, in spite of the record-breaking success of "Call of Duty: Black Ops," but downloadable and social-network games made up the difference.

At least 5.2 million copies of Activision Blizzard's Call of Duty: Black Ops were illegally downloaded between its Nov. 9 release and the end of 2010. All told, more than 19 million people illegally downloaded five of the top-selling games of 2010. As broadband spreads, so does the piracy.

Video game powerhouse Activision Blizzard (ATVI) is seeking $400 million in damages from Electronic Arts (ERTS) over its Call of Duty video game series. Activision wants to add Electronic Arts as a defendant in a case against two former employees who developed the hit Call of Duty franchise,...

Keep an eye on Falcon Gunner, a new breed of "augmented reality" game. It's far more sophisticated than a typical iPhone game, but still far cheaper than a console game. And that could give major game makers a much-needed opening.

Stores sold 4% less video-game equipment -- including hardware, software and accessories -- in October compared to a year ago, according to research firm NPD Group. While players are spending more on the games themselves, they aren't shelling out for new consoles: Sales of those systems declined significantly.

Microsoft motion controller for its Xbox videogame console, which launches this week, will outsell Sony's new PlayStation controller during the holiday season, according to a forecast report released Monday.