Casual News – Feb. 6, 2009

Amazon.com launches a casual game download service and analysts wonder if this will drive down the price of retail games; social network hi5 has started to offer casual games to its 60 million users; and Cake Mania 3 comes to the iPod. These headlines and more below.

News

• Amazon launches casual game download service
• RealNetworks announces big write-down, freezes game IPO, cuts staff
• Social network hi5 aims its 60 million users at casual games
• Alawar’s games to launch at MySpace
• cerasus.media reveals a new logo and new products at the Casual Connect in Hamburg
• The hit game from Sandlot Games, Cake Mania 3 comes to iPod
• Merscom launches Coyote’s Tale: Fire and Water
• EA announces new ship date for The Sims 3
• The Game of Love: Relationship experts say couples that play together stay together
• Atlus launching online division, games portal
• RocketON launches parallel virtual worlds with six partners
• Iminlikewithyou names new chief executive
• King.com user numbers jump 84%
• THQ faces $192 million loss, plans 600 layoffs
• PlaySpan Marketplace introduces in-game delivery for virtual items
• EA reports third quarter fiscal year 2009 results

Features

• Rebel Monkey’s Nick Fortugno previews CampFu
• Encounters with Dangerous High School Girls
• Will Amazon slow down GameStop?
• Analysis: Game prices dropping at retail
• Behind the Game: Top Chef
• Post Mortem: A Kingdom for Keflings
• Interview with SPIL Games CEO Peter Driessen

Erin Bell