BizSpots: IDG, WCG, THQ

By Tom Magrino, GameSpotPosted Jun 7, 2007 3:20 pm PT

IDG nabs another former ESA exec; Cyber Finals up for auction; THQ teams with GBA through 2009.

Carolyn Rauch named new IDG VP
Last November, the Entertainment Software Association outsourced management duties of the new Electronic Entertainment Expo to IDG World Expo CEO, helmed by newly appointed CEO Mary Dolaher. The move was unusual, considering Dolaher had just left the ESA, where she was the show runner for the old E3. The brambles grow thicker today, as IDG has announced another former ESA exec, Carolyn Rauch, has been tapped as vice president of event development. Rauch's new charge will be the development of new events and initiatives for IDG, with a particular emphasis on event planning and branding.

WCG taking bids on Finals host
With the World Series of Video Games having just signed CBS to host its 2007 broadcasts, the World Cyber Games Committee has announced it is taking bids on the host city for its 2009 Grand Final. First established in 2000, the World Cyber Games focuses on global competition and boasts more than 1 million participants from 70-plus countries. Seattle played host to the 2007 World Cyber Games Grand Final, and gamers will converge on Cologne, Germany, for the 2008 finals. The host for 2009's Grand Final is scheduled to be announced in March 2008.

THQ renews GBA license through 2009
In a recent SEC filing, it was revealed that THQ has signed on to develop for Nintendo's aging Game Boy Advance through 2009. Originally set to expire July 18, 2007, the extension may come as a bit of surprise, given the widespread popularity of the Nintendo DS. However, THQ holds the exclusive license for Nickelodeon and Pixar properties, and will release Ratatouille and Nicktoons 2007 on the kid-friendly portable later this year. The handheld is also relatively cheap to develop for, and has a nearly 80 million-strong install base.

25 Comments

  • okassar

    Posted Jun 8, 2007 9:26 pm PT

    Well,why not,the GBA outsold the PS3 by a margin

  • comthitnuong

    Posted Jun 8, 2007 1:08 pm PT

    Seems THQ is taking the easy road on this one.

  • Skuad_Knight

    Posted Jun 8, 2007 12:09 pm PT

    Why is it crazy? If you release a GBA game people who a DS can also buy, that's more potential customers.

  • Nforspeed

    Posted Jun 8, 2007 11:40 am PT

    the gba till 2009, thats so crazy. Wow nintendo must be loving this.

  • charizard1605

    Posted Jun 8, 2007 9:50 am PT

    I was thinking bout upgrading to a PSP now dat d GBA is finally dead... lux like i have 2 wait 2 more years before I can get m hands on it... sigh...
    Oh, and THQ, pls make better games dan wat u hav bin makin these past few year, will u? these recent games sucked!

  • rokkuman09

    Posted Jun 8, 2007 8:53 am PT

    I can't really say this a bad thing. I still love my GBA, I love playing all the old school style RPGs, and the super nintendo games on it. Oh and Chrisdojo nice avatar.

  • chrisdojo

    Posted Jun 8, 2007 5:28 am PT

    GBA through 2009? crazy....

  • decebal

    Posted Jun 7, 2007 11:08 pm PT

    title sucks

  • Troy-M

    Posted Jun 7, 2007 9:45 pm PT

    sweet, some e-sports news on GameSpot...keep it up, fellas!

  • -Squirrel-

    Posted Jun 7, 2007 8:56 pm PT

    Don't we all remember last month's sell charts where the GBA was out selling the PS3? When you think about that it might make more sense to develop for the GBA instead of the PS3. 'From Square Enix, Final Fantasy 13!!! exclusively for the Game Boy Advance!!!'

  • theclaw135

    Posted Jun 7, 2007 8:17 pm PT

    Most of you are close on the answer--> GBA is still selling incredibly well in the US and Europe, it's JAPAN where GBA died months ago.

  • allright6334

    Posted Jun 7, 2007 6:57 pm PT

    smart biz i guess

  • Takalth

    Posted Jun 7, 2007 5:52 pm PT

    People always forget about development costs. When you have a team that's spent years developing for the GBA and a large amount of reusable code designed for the system, you can crank out another game without spending much money.


    It's one reason (though not the only one) that the PS2 is still getting Games. Companies have people who are used to developing for it and there are a ton of potential customers.

  • V-Nine

    Posted Jun 7, 2007 5:49 pm PT

    Well at least this is another reason to keep my Gamecube alive via the Gameboy player advance.

  • DoctorFu

    Posted Jun 7, 2007 5:41 pm PT

    "Every DS sold is a GBA as well."

    Yeah, totally true. But I'd rather play a DS game instead. Two screens with touching are better than one.

  • Pete5506

    Posted Jun 7, 2007 5:39 pm PT

    ok good luck

  • cluelesspunk

    Posted Jun 7, 2007 5:38 pm PT

    Haha, this will be Seanbaby's dream come true.

  • ScreamDream

    Posted Jun 7, 2007 5:14 pm PT

    Bring on the GBA games, yahoo.

  • Jaysonguy

    Posted Jun 7, 2007 5:11 pm PT

    "Every DS sold is a GBA as well."

    This is the quote everyone should listen to. He wins

  • Agreb91

    Posted Jun 7, 2007 5:05 pm PT

    THQ remaining with the GBA? That is kinda crazy, you would think that they would put more focus on the DS.

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