Corporate Venture Capital and Strategic Partnerships: Mobility and Gaming – Trends and Opportunities
February 23, 2012 | 6:00-8:30 PM | Two Palo Alto Square | Palo Alto
Event Sponsor: Morgan, Lewis & Bockius, LLP
Register now!
Many of Silicon Valley’s most successful companies have capitalized on their relationships with strategic partners and investors, taking advantage of key customer relationships and sharing development costs for new products. In addition, leveraging corporate strategic investors/partners can help accelerate a young company’s momentum in a rapidly evolving sector. However, working with a strategic investor for a growing company also has its risks with respect to investment terms and the liquidity event. How can early stage companies and venture capital investors that co-invest with strategic investors better manage their relationships with these investors and partners while leveraging their expertise and presence?
VC Taskforce’s Corporate Venture Capital special interest group has formed a panel of some of the leading mobile and gaming corporate VCs and executives to address some of these issues and provide insight to early stage/growing companies and venture capital investors.
Moderators:
John Park, Partner, Morgan Lewis
Charlene Yu Vaughn, CEO, The Algonquin Group
Panelists:
Rob Trice, Managing Director, SK Telecom Ventures
Jeff Karras, Managing Director, SingTel Innov8 Ventures
JT Nguyen, COO, Aeria Games
Matt Sarrel, Gaming/Technology Analyst, Sarrel Group & TopTechDog
Randy Lee, Director Business Development, Crowdstar
Agenda:
Registration, Networking: 6:00 – 6:30
Panel Discussion: 6:30 – 8:00
Q&A: 8:00 – 8:30
Hors d’oeuvres, wine and soft drinks will be served.
Registration:
$55 VC Taskforce members
$75 Affiliates Organization Members
$95 General
(If space is available, door registration is an additional $10)
Seating is limited; register early!
Register now!
Corporate VC SIG Board
Chair Person: John Park, Partner, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
Co-chair Person: Charlene Yu Vaughn, CEO, The Algonquin Group
Program Manager: Rose Mortilla, Vice President, Yes Partners
Abu Dhabi – December 7, 2011 – Karkadann Games announced that its debut action fighting game Manny Pacquiao: Pound for Pound is now available to download for free as a special promotion with FreeAppADay.com. Normally a $2.99 download, the promotion is a one-time only event taking place for a limited time only, a great way for the millions of Manny Pacquiao fans worldwide to spend the holidays fighting as the beloved international superstar. Pound for Pound is now available as a universal app for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad devices, downloadable now for free from the App Store: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/manny-pacquiao-pound-for-pound/id474156877?mt=8
Featuring 3D-rendered graphics, accessible game mechanics, and a deep storyline, Pound for Pound sends Manny into the underground fighting pits in search of a kidnapped friend. Execute Manny’s legendary combination of pummeling punches in the fight against corruption and evil, using an arsenal of martial arts fighting techniques and combos. Accessible controls will have gamers swiping the screen in various directions to unleash and dodge attacks as they battle their way through an army of minions and bosses. Gaining experience unlocks skill points and item upgrades that will improve Manny’s fighting power and help gamers progress through increasingly difficult challenges.
A press kit for Manny Pacquiao: Pound for Pound may be downloaded www.p4pgames.com/Pound-for-Pound-PressKit.rar
For more information, visit:
· Website: www.p4pgame.com
· Facebook: www.facebook.com/Manny.Pacquiao.P4P.game
· Twitter: www.twitter.com/P4Pgame
· YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/P4Pkarkadanngames
Manny Pacquiao: Pound for Pound is also being developed for Android and Facebook, with more information coming soon.
About Abu Dhabi Media
Abu Dhabi Media is a leading media organization in the Middle East, with businesses in free and pay television, radio, publishing, digital media, games, feature films, music, digital signage, outside broadcast/production and printing.
The company manages over 20 market-leading brands such as the TV channels Abu Dhabi Al Oula, Abu Dhabi Riyadiya/AD Sports; Emarat FM and Star FM radio stations; Al Ittihad and The National newspapers; Majid and Zahrat Al Khaleej magazines; the websites, anazahra.com and admcsport.com; and subsidiaries Image Nation, LIVE and United Printing Press. Abu Dhabi Media partners with Universal Music Group and Sony Music Entertainment on VEVO, the world’s leading all-premium music video and entertainment platform, and with National Geographic on National Geographic Abu Dhabi, the Arabic language television channel and National Geographic Al Arabiya magazine.
About Karkadann Games
Karkadann Games is a world-class developer and publisher of video games. Launched in January 2011 as a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi Media, the studio creates original and engaging games for Middle East and international audiences of all ages. By combining game development expertise, cutting-edge technology, a scalable platform and an exceptional creative pool, Karkadann Games aims to identify and develop the market segments that present the best opportunities for growth in online gaming. www.karkadanngames.com
New hidden object game is immersive and a touch disturbing, kind of like the book.
I-play recently released a new hidden object game called Classic Adventures: The Great Gatsby. After playing it, I feel a bit like I did after reading The Great Gatsby: a little off-balance. Like the book, the game is fairly quick. I’m a slow player and the first play-through didn’t take more than a few hours—but I can see playing through again.
The game follows the story of The Great Gatsby, so don’t play it before reading the book (instead of or after, but the game includes narration that absolutely spoils key plots points from beginning to end). Ninety percent or so of the game is finding hidden objects in really lovely scenes that include minor animation, such as leaves rustling, and some narration after you’ve found a certain number of objects. There are story-appropriate word puzzles and a few different theme-appropriate minigames, as well as a library you can furnish with your winnings, and in which your gameplay trophies reside.
The lush scenes, period music and classic storyline, complete with casual violence and loathsome characters, actually make for a fun and relaxed experience. The game is replayable, promising to mix up the hidden objects when you change your profile name, but too fast a play-through for the $19.95 price tag (major discounts available with I-play subscription). Facebooky types can post their accomplishments to Facebook, although the game nags only once, and I was very pleased to see that integration is opt-in, not opt-out.
Highly anticipated action shooter defines new chapter in the Transformers universe.
Santa Monica, CA – June 22, 2010 – The legendary conflict between the AUTOBOTS and DECEPTICONS has come to a head, as Activision Publishing, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) announced today that Transformers: War for Cybertron has landed in retail stores nationwide. Developed by award-winning High Moon Studios and based on Hasbro’s legendary TRANSFORMERS property, the game allows players to become the ultimate TRANSFORMERS weapon in the final, epic war set on the TRANSFORMERS home planet of CYBERTRON. Complete with full online co-op and a variety of deep, competitive multiplayer modes including the ability to create your own TRANSFORMERS character for the first time ever in a video game, Transformers: War for Cybertron is the title fans have been waiting for.
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“The Penal Zone”—tee hee—is the first installment of “The Devil’s Playhouse,” a point-and-click exploration game continuing the adventures of protagonist Sam, a pudgy canine PI and Max, a wise-cracking rabbit with newfound psychic abilities. The duo’s task is to prevent the James Earl Jones–sounding alien invader General Skun’ka’pe from taking over the planet. As you find out in the incredibly long intro/demo/tutorial—which takes something like 20 minutes and doesn’t save until you finish it—this involves interacting with a disembodied brain and obtaining various supernatural abilities for Max, including the power to look like an inanimate object.
I really wanted to finish this episode before reviewing it, but I honestly thought I might die of frustration first. It’s true exploration games aren’t my favorite—and that playing the game on a system with integrated graphics, such as my brand-new MacBook, isn’t recommended, but the game is unforgivably slow. You cannot combine slow gameplay with slow game performance. It’s deadly dull, unless you really enjoy the witty character banter. Other than that, it’s just a whole lot of looking around for unidentified items to solve obscure puzzles which, as Sam says, are “probably clever but overly complicated.”
Dead to Rights—Retribution, from Namco Bandai, isn’t a game-changer, but it’s engaging and fun, with some cool and unique ideas. The “Retribution” comes from your character’s drive for vengeance for his father’s murder. Accompanying you on your quest: your seemingly unstoppable, smart and stealthy dog, Shadow. And how cool is that, to have a reliable partner in a single-player game? Shadow has two kill moves—he can rip out a man’s throat or perform a…well, a teste-kill. You can also take advantage of some normal dog behavior, such as the propensity to pee on things.
The game isn’t terribly difficult, even on the highest level. There are some reliable strategies to get through the levels, one involving freezing time—a special power that you’ll have to pick up along the way. As in real life, finding cover is a fairly reliable way to keep your head attached to your body—and as in real life, no cover is indestructible, so you can’t just sit tight (although, why would you want to?).
I recommend playing this game on an Xbox 360 over a PlayStation3 because for some reason, the the PS3 supports only 1080i resolution while the Xbox 360 lets you play at 1080p. With all the textures, effects, and of course, spraying blood, the full resolution is more rewarding. The game isn’t what I’d call “extreme realism,” but it looks good and is convincing. Overall, between the look and the gameplay, I’d rate Dead to Rights—Retribution a 7 or 8 on a scale of 1 to 10. It won’t be the greatest gaming experience of your life, but it’s a lot of fun, the headshots are stellar, and this bears repeating: Your partner is an awesome dog.
PLEASE NOTE THAT IN THE VIDEO I SAY THAT CAPCOM IS THE PUBLISHER BUT IT IS NAMCO BANDAI. THIS IS ALICIA KIM’S FAULT BECAUSE I ASSOCIATE HER WITH THE GAME AND SHE WAS PREVIOUSLY AT CAPCOM.
Wii adaptation of fantasy classic receives new teaser website
Las Vegas, April 23rd 2010 – TopWare Interactive today launched the brand new teaser site for the upcoming Wii title Enclave: Shadows of Twilight. Scheduled for release in the middle of June, the RPG classic has received an expansive overhaul for the Nintendo console version which includes improved AI, renovated game systems, and Wii Remote motion support. For more information and game assets visit the new teaser site at www.enclave-game.com.
About the Game
“Enclave – Shadows of Twilight” links the fabulous features of the PC version (already showered with awards) with the unique possibilities provided by the Nintendo Wii console – and this combination takes the successful fantasy RPG universe of “Enclave” to a completely new level! The innovative gameplay elements provide players with a completely new game experience, one which pushes the original version’s envelope in all directions. The player can now use the Wii remote to enter the fray – and experience the game’s many sword fights more realistically than ever. Accompanied by cunningly-created cutscenes, the hero presses on into a fantastic world with each successful mission, massacring his way through the armies of the enemy and capturing lots of loot. As he progresses, the player can activate up to 12 more types of hero to fight on the side of the Light and the Dark. Various puzzles for opening doors or activating specific switches also provide extra brain exercise. Many scripted events which take place continuously in the game also guarantee unique moments of surprise. Walls that suddenly collapse, window glass shattering as an enemy jumps through it to attack and exploding powder kegs will keep players’ nerves jangling right up to the last level. Last but not least, spectacular Boss opponents are guaranteed to give the player goose bumps during the extensive indoor and outdoor levels – and the individual combat strategies of these difficult opponents will provide a stiff challenge, since the right skill must be selected to fight each individual Boss.
Capcom Redefines the Fighting Game Genre Again as Super Street Fighter IV Is now Available in North America
The follow-up to one of 2009’s highest-rated games features 10 new characters, new ultra combos, new stages, enhanced online play and much more, for $39.99.
SAN MATEO, CA — April 27, 2010 — Capcom, a leading worldwide developer and publisher of video games, today announced Super Street Fighter IV, the ultimate vision of Street Fighter, is now available in North America for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PlayStation3 computer entertainment system. The follow up to one of Metacritic’s highest-rated games of 2009, Super Street Fighter IV features 10 new characters, new Ultra Combos, new stages, the return of Bonus Stages, and beefed-up online modes (including the free Tournament Mode DLC after launch) all for a low price of $39.99.
Super Street Fighter IV features the full roster of 25 characters from Street Fighter IV such as Ryu, Ken, Crimson Viper, Abel, El Fuerte, and Rufus, while adding 10 characters new to the world of Street Fighter IV. The impressive new roster includes classic combatants from previous Street Fighter games including Dudley, Ibuki, Makoto, Guy, Cody, T. Hawk, Dee Jay and Adon, as well as all-new characters to the series such as the mysterious and deadly Korean fighter Juri and the over-the-top oil wrestler Hakan.
Super Street Fighter IV adds new Ultra Combos for every character and advancements to the online matchmaking and online gameplay introduced in Street Fighter IV, including new modes Team Battle, Replay Channel, and Endless Battle. This will be followed by the all-new Tournament Mode, coming as a free download in June 2010, which will determine the best players in the world as Street Fighters compete online for unique Championship Titles.
For more information about Super Street Fighter IV, including screens, art and video, visit Capcom’s official press site at www.press.capcom.com.
Ed. note: We’ll meet you at the Pepper Pot…
About Capcom
Capcom is a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment for game consoles, PCs, handheld and wireless devices. Founded in 1983, the company has created hundreds of games, including best-selling franchises Resident Evil®, Street Fighter®, Mega Man® and Devil May Cry®. Capcom maintains operations in the U.S., U.K., Germany, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Korea, with corporate headquarters located in Osaka, Japan. More information about Capcom can be found on the company web site, www.capcom.com.
NAPOLEON: TOTAL WAR
The 1st Gameplay trailer is now live!
Napoleon: Total War
The first Napoleon: Total War gameplay trailer is now live and unveils a brand new Story Mode with three unique theaters of War: Northern Italy, the Middle East and Grand European campaigns. This is your chance to rewrite history as or against, Napoleon, the greatest military tactician in history.
Whether you play as the legendary General or against, the outcome of war can never be guaranteed. The course of history relies on your ability to lead your troops through the most intense battles as never seen before in a Total War game.
The seamless mix of objective-based missions and sandbox experience makes this the most complete Total War experience to date. Advanced weaponry enables new tactical options and even more exciting real-time battles on an epic scale, while the highly detailed environments and improved battlefield buildings guarantee a realistic recreation of famous historical battles.
Napoleon: Total War is developed by award winning developer the Creative Assembly, the team behind the revered Total War franchise and most recently the critically acclaimed Empire: Total War RTS game for PC.
For further information on Napoleon: Total War please visit www.totalwar.com.
The 1st Gameplay trailer is now live!
http://segapr.segaamerica.com
The first Napoleon: Total War gameplay trailer is now live and unveils a brand new Story Mode with three unique theaters of War: Northern Italy, the Middle East and Grand European campaigns. This is your chance to rewrite history as or against, Napoleon, the greatest military tactician in history.
Whether you play as the legendary General or against, the outcome of war can never be guaranteed. The course of history relies on your ability to lead your troops through the most intense battles as never seen before in a Total War game.
The seamless mix of objective-based missions and sandbox experience makes this the most complete Total War experience to date. Advanced weaponry enables new tactical options and even more exciting real-time battles on an epic scale, while the highly detailed environments and improved battlefield buildings guarantee a realistic recreation of famous historical battles.
Napoleon: Total War is developed by award winning developer the Creative Assembly, the team behind the revered Total War franchise and most recently the critically acclaimed Empire: Total War RTS game for PC.
For further information on Napoleon: Total War please visit www.totalwar.com. For assets on Napoleon: Total War or other SEGA games please visit http://segapr.segaamerica.com
UBISOFT ANNOUNCES PRINCE OF PERSIA: THE FORGOTTEN SANDS
New Adventure in the Prince of Persia Sands of Time Series Debuts May 2010
SAN FRANCISCO – November 30, 2009 – Today Ubisoft announced that Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands(TM) video game is in development and is scheduled to be released May 2010 for consoles and handhelds. This new installment in the critically-acclaimed franchise marks the return to the Prince of Persia Sands of Time storyline. Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands(TM) will feature many of the fan-favorite elements from the original series as well as new gameplay innovations that gamers have come to expect from the Prince of Persia brand.
Tune in to Spike TV’s “Video Game Awards 2009″ on Saturday, December 12, 2009 at 8 p.m. EST for the exclusive world premiere of the Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands(TM) trailer.
For ongoing updates about the game, please visit www.princeofpersiagame.com.
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