MySpace launches Music site

MySpace Music launch
Social network is direct rival to i-Tunes
25 September 2008 - MySpace has today unveiled MySpace Music, artists can now make money, through Amazon, directly from downloads from their MySpace site.

Along with its joint venture partners which include SonyBMG, Universal, Warners, SonyATV/Music Publishing and The Orchard for independent digital music and EMI, who signed late yesterday, MySpace Music aims to give their massive community of musicians and artists a chance to make money.

Indies not happy as they have been left out, may be not the best way to handel this considering that the myspace has most definitely been helped by the presence of indie bands on network. I think they will do a deal but they should have sorted one prior to launching.

I also hear that they will offer variable prcing on MP3's somthing that I-tunes has refused to do. Its all an effort to get people to buy more music in stead of stealing it which can only be a good thing.

I think it also paves the way for the record industry to look to partner with more gaming destinations to leverage sales, in the likes of Habbo Hotel and other virtual worlds. Motor Head have just launched themselves into a virtual world. However I think it will be most successful when its in context with the game. A little bit like in game adverts, if you present music within context of the game and then offer the up sell to buy that music people are more likely to convert.

What more does it offer?

The MyMusic toolset allows users in the US to download, stream, and personalize their music content. Music fans can create both personal and public playlists and profile display, allowing friends to stream all playlisted content on-demand and purchase MP3s of their favourite songs. Users can virally add a friend's playlist to their own profile or take songs from a friend's profile to their own.

Beginning today, US users can purchase DRM-free MP3 music downloads through the system powered by Amazon MP3. MySpace Music will now feature buy buttons that will allow users to download and purchase MP3s playable on all digital music players.

The new venture also means artists can stream any number of tracks on their site, including back catalogue, whereas before the number of tracks were limited. This means artists who were previously cautious about allowing tracks for download, or to be streamed on the site, can now do so worry-free.

MySpace Music UK is rumoured to be launching before Christmas.

Sucess or Failure? Accessibility is the KEY

So many games come online these days with out taking into account how accessible they are....Causal games are among the most accessible online. But many of the virtual worlds and MMO's and browser based games are way off.

Over the coming weeks I'm going to pull together some examples of games that are not accessible and one that are and hopefully explain why. Some may argue with the points I make and say that they have a focus on a niche market and that's why they design that way. Fine but I'm interested in mass market and games that can reach millions of players. So if that's your goal you may find the data helpful.

Consoles could make a come back in the future

Occasionally I'm going to try an pear into the future and give my 2 cents.

Many have predicted that the future of the console is doomed.

Hold it there.....the PS3 may never recover the costs but the developments made in the technology and the programming will allow for the next generation of consoles to capture a market that has never been accessible in the past at a much lower cost.

This will be the age of mass market, consoles will dominate again but in a way we have never seen.

Everyone will play from your toddler to your grandparents they will all be players.

WHY....accessibility will be the key. AND IT WILL BE CONTROLLER DRIVEN. Controllers have always restricted the potential number of players.

Players of the future will use new controllers that make game play so simple that it literally becomes child's play. Opening up the potential for anyone to play out their wildest fantasy. Almost Star Trek holo deck style.

Probably made part from Wii type tech mixed with brain sensing equipment mixed with some form of goggles that provide the visuals and sound, SO you turn your head and the visual follow that movement. A kind of hybrid VR

Then think about the possibilities of entertainment and where you could go. Now think about how the movie studios are getting involved in gaming.

Casual gaming is paving the way for players who would never have been gamers...these gamers will progress if future technologies allow them to.

I will say that it could be possible that PC's will fill this gap.....But I just think that the PS3 is in such an early stage and future titles will literally blow us away. Right now the programmers are going through that learning curve. You have to remember that the results that they got after 5-6 years of PS1 arriving.

Big day Google release mobile OS ANDRIOD

Apparently Android isn’t nearly as “open” as Google and T-Mobile’s hype machine would have you believe. In fact, the most you could say about G1 is that it’s “almost open.”

What does this mean for Casual games, yet another platform to expand to...that promises great flexibility. Lets wait and see if developers can come up with games that best utilize online offerings mixed with Android capabilities.

Choices CHOICES choiceS

Having spent many years analyzing the market and coming up with business models and approaches to market its nice to see that there is common ground out there and some of the experts are thinking similar. I have published the summaries but you can read the full article on Gamesutra. Its also worth noting that Min Kim of Nexon has also picked up on the big Media companies involvement which I have touched on in the past, although I think his point is countered very well by Petursson.

"Right now, the MMO industry is in flux, with much discussion over whether the subscription or free-to-play model is the correct one for ongoing projects. When you figure in the world market, things get even more complicated.

Gamasutra was at a panel at last week's Austin Game Developers Conference which featured Robert Ferrari (VP Business Development, Turbine), Hilmar Veigar Petursson (CEO, CCP), Nicolay Nickelsen (VP, Business Development, Funcom), Min Kim (VP of Marketing, Nexon America Inc.), and was moderated by Jessica Mulligan (COO, ImaginVenture SA). It delved into the complexities of the two models -- how are they performing, and what do users want this year?

Asked about the five year evolution of the MMO genre and its business models, the participants had this to say.

Petursson: "I think most companies will evolve ... I think a dual currency system is the most efficient way."

Ferrari: "Games will evolve to all platforms -- PC and consoles -- and you will see multiple payment methods, it's not one-size-fits-all."

Nickelsen: "I think also you need to look at the local aspect and you need to have local services."

Kim: "I think three to five years out, and we're starting to see it now, that the PC's going to make a hardcore comeback... I think that online will become mass market entertainment.... the kids who are playing Club Penguin five years out are going to become our players."

Petursson's parting shot: "I think we will see more companies like Nexon. It's not a small company, but it's a company that grew up in the industry... I don't see a lot of offline companies evolving."

In response to Petursson's complimentary words for Nexon, Kim replied, "The scary thing is the diversified media companies... you see Viacom starting it now, and Disney with Club Penguin... I'm not worried about the EAs, but the big media companies."

But Petursson said, "I am actually not worried about the diversified media companies... when I talk to them they are so unable to understand our business, which involves a direct relationship with consumers." He thinks they are too used to producing content and sending it out via linear channels to fully engage.

GIVE PEACE A CHANCE

Its great to see a gaming communities being used to Raise awareness of issues. (thumbs up)

Habbo To Hold Global Peace Gathering With War Child

Habbo Developer Sulake has claimed that it is to stage 'the world's largest online gathering' within the virtual world of Habbo on the 19th of September with charity War Child, to 'raise awareness of the impact of conflict on young people' and in support for the UN International Day of Peace on the 21st of September.

Seven teens with whom War Child have been working with in Uganda are to also take part in the virtual event, and are to share their experiences of living and working in regions that have encountered conflict.

Sulake and War Child conducted a worldwide poll to explore young people’s views on conflict, which revealed that over 50% of teens globally think that social networking sites should be used to 'raise awareness of important issues,' and that they are 'more effective than real-world marches or petitions submitted to governments.”

“Teens around the world are passionate about serious subjects,' commented Phil Guest, Habbo Regional Director, Central Europe. 'They are using new communication tools, such as virtual worlds and social networks, to make their voices heard.”"

It's All in Your Head (EPOC game contoller)

Emotiv's EPOC headset is a game controller fitted with 16 brainwave sensors. After some calibrating, the gamer is able to control the action on the screen with his or her thoughts. Those who've tried it say it takes a little getting used to, and it's perhaps not as precise as they'd like to see in a video game controller. But, they add, when the action on the screen mirrors your actual thoughts, the effect is 'surreal.'"

So this could be great for less controller heavy games like the Casual Genera. Especially virtual worlds and MMO's.

This product also has great potential for medical apps.