Sony Computer Entertainment has decided it's better to work with Connectix, a developer of software that helps PlayStation games run on PCs, than to fight the company.
Published:
16 March 2001 y., Friday
The companies announced Thursday a joint technology agreement under which they will work together on advanced "emulation" products that will allow PlayStation software to run on other systems. In addition, all legal issues surrounding San Mateo, Calif.-based Connectix's Virtual Game Station software have been resolved.
Sony filed a copyright and patent infringement suit against Connectix in early 1999. Sony argued that because Virtual Game Station allowed PlayStation games to be played on PCs, it was harmful to game publishers, developers, creators and ultimately consumers.
Sony makes a majority of its PlayStation-related revenue from licensing and royalty fees for PlayStation software; the actual consoles are sold at a loss. The same is true of other game manufacturers. But sales of peripherals such as controllers and memory cards help make up a significant revenue stream, and that may be part of the reason Sony has been so adamant about the suit against Connectix according to Gartner analyst P.J. McNealy.
Under the agreement, Sony will acquire Connectix assets related to Virtual Game Station, but Connectix will continue to sell the software for Macintosh and Windows until the end of June. The companies will continue to develop emulation technology.
Competition in the gaming industry is expected to get fierce this year as new consoles from Microsoft and Nintendo are released. However, Sony's PlayStation 2 will have a considerable head start. The consumer electronics giant said it expects to sell 3 million units in the United States by the end of the year and 9 million worldwide.
Šaltinis:
CNET News.com
Copying, publishing, announcing any information from the News.lt portal without written permission of News.lt editorial office is prohibited.
The most popular articles
The European Commission launched "The ocean of tomorrow " call for research proposals. Oceans cover about 70% of the Earth's surface, but human activity is increasing environmental pressure on them.
more »
The EBRD is stepping up its support to the real economy in Georgia with new funds for on-lending to local businesses.
more »
Lithuania’s Ambassador to Germany and Special Representative for EU External Relations in the German Foreign Office discussed the situation regarding the decision of private credit insurance company in Germany Euler Hermes to apply the rating of a maximum risk country for Lithuania.
more »
Peter Reiniger Business Group Director for Central Europe and the Western Balkans from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development visited Latvia to sign subordinated loan agreement with Parex banka.
more »
The European Commission has approved 16 programmes in 12 Member States to provide information on and to promote agricultural products in the European Union.
more »
New measures to help farmers through recession as milk prices tumble.
more »
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said the outlook for the long-suffering U.S. economy appears to be improving.
more »
The Swiss Government and the EBRD are providing €11.8 million to improve the supply of water to some 1 million people living in Bishkek, the capital of the Kyrgyz Republic.
more »
The Neighbourhood Investment Facility (NIF), a key instrument of the intensified European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP), will benefit in 2009 from a €70 million contribution by the European Commission.
more »
In response to the impact of the global crisis on the Romanian construction sector, the EBRD is supporting Lafarge Ciment (Romania) S.A. with a €20 million loan in Romanian lei to finance the company’s operations and to support its working capital requirements.
more »