gaming

More Downloads, Fewer Discs: U.S. Video Game Sales Remain Flat

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.

Will Microsoft Kinect Topple the Nintendo Wii?

How long can Nintendo Wii maintain its position as the reigning video-game console? Microsoft shipped an astronomical 8 million Kinect game systems in the past two months, undermining Wii's leadership -- already weakened by competition from the Xbox and PlayStation 3.

Online Video-Game Pirates Outgun the Publishers

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.

Can Barbie and Hot Wheels Give THQ Another Boost?

Video-game publisher THQ, who makes the popular uDraw tablet and fighting game UFC, has signed a deal with Mattel to bring Barbie, Hot Wheels and other brands to gaming consoles. Can it help give the gaming company -- whose stock has soared 47% in less than two months -- increase its revenue?

'Call of Duty: Black Ops' Video Game Sales Soar Past $1 Billion

Activision Blizzard's "Call of Duty: Black Ops" video game has raked in more than $1 billion in sales since its Nov. 9 release, making it the fastest-selling video game in history -- and one of the fastest-selling entertainment products of all time.

Motorcycle Robber Steals $1.5M in Bellagio Casino Chips

In the 10th Las Vegas casino robbery this year, an armed man stole about $1.5 million in betting chips from the Bellagio hotel early Tuesday morning and escaped on a motorcycle. No shots were fired and no one was injured.

Harry Reid Goes All In for Online Poker

The Nevada Democratic Senator is trying to introduce legislation that would legalize online poker gambling. Advocates say Congress's lame-duck session could provide an opening for the bill, while opponents put its chances at slim to none.

Panasonic to Re-enter Portable Gaming with New Device

Panasonic is gearing up to challenge Nintendo and Sony with a new handheld video-game player code-named "Jungle," Bloomberg News reported Tuesday. After leaving the portable-gaming market a decade ago, can this new device make Panasonic a major player?

Retail Video-Game Console Sales Plunge 26% in October

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.