Michael Comeau

Is There a Need for Game Publishers Any More?

Developers can and often do retain IP ownership when another company publishes a game.

Activision's Modern Warfare 2 and Console Game Pricing

MW2 is also a monster on the charts already:

bit.ly/WqXuu

Activision's Modern Warfare 2 and Console Game Pricing

40% is way too aggressive of an estimate. Retailers pay about $48 for a $60 game.

Game Sector Update: Ghostbusters Up, Ubisoft Down

I get the feeling that Ubisoft is trying to get out of the way of Modern Warfare 2. That game is just a damn monster.

Some Free Advice for Electronic Arts

The problem is that iPhones games cost almost nothing. Selling 10 million units of a $5 game does nothing for the bottom line.

U.S. June Video Game Sales Tumble 31%

The industry is getting wrecked by the economy. Sony is in a lot of trouble right now:

www.videogamestocks.ne...

Beneath the Game Sector Hype

It's a bit unfair that you selected just two stocks to make your point.

Five Reasons Activision Will Move Higher This Year

Seasonal trend is very favorable for them - I expect a strong rally through November at the very least - they will guide up regularly throughout the year.

Intuitive Surgical Is Toast

For the record, I feel the egg on my face. But I'm sticking to my guns...

NPD March Data Shows Video Game Industry Growth Dropping Off

Keep in mind that March of 2008 was an incredibly strong month for VG industry sales. April will be another tough comp due to GTAIV.

More details:

www.videogamestocks.ne...

Intuitive Surgical Is Toast

The company is obviously at a slowing stage of its lifecycle.


On Apr 17 06:56 AM Alan Brochstein wrote:

> One more thing - it is quite rare to be able to talk about a growth
> company at this phase of its life-cycle on a free cash yield basis.
> I urge you and other readers to take a look at the free cash flow
> relative to the enterprise value. It's a joke.

Intuitive Surgical Is Toast

Yes, I am jilted. But I'm learning from my screw-ups...


On Apr 17 08:05 AM wobatus wrote:

> Thw writer sounds like a jilted momo investor. I never bought. Was
> tempted when it was below 100. Thinking about it now.

Intuitive Surgical Is Toast

If the company is so great - why would you sell the stock?


On Apr 17 06:52 AM Alan Brochstein wrote:

> I don't agree with you either. In addition to the previous comments,
> I would point to several facts, including massive 60% procedure growth,
> strong international demand, continued innovation (the reason for
> the deferrals), steady pricing, great cashflow, continued outside
> leasing sources, high repeat purchases on the systems and steady
> margin guidance despite uncertainty on volumes.
>
> When the company was just beginning its growth phase, it suggested
> that the maximum any institution would buy would be 3 machines, but
> they now have two customers with 5. This technology, a monopoly,
> is becoming the gold standard. The company continues to plow its
> massive profits back into R&D, and the returns on its investment
> continue to be massive.
>
> I sold my stock earlier this week between 114 and 120. I had hoped
> to buy it back before they reported, but the snafu of the early release
> got in my way (luckily I think, given the drop in AH). I plan to
> be buying the dip this morning. I bought for the first time in years
> when they reported in January, but I first became involved in the
> name in early 2005 and have nothing but the highest respect for this
> management team and their mission.

Will OnLive Kill the Console Gaming Business?

I agree on the lag issue - my brain cannot comprehend how they get around it. When I was an active PC gamer I would get annoyed if my ping even got close to 100 - and now there's real processing happening on the other side? I'm REALLY eager to see OnLive up close.

On Mar 25 11:33 AM Dryshipbroker wrote:

> I am in the camp of the skeptics on this. To me, if they have that
> awesome video compression technology in place. This would be better
> served in the Home Video, Streaming Movies segment rather than games.
>
>
> The streaming video, downloading movies market is already there,
> and any "tearing" or lag due to delay issues does not affect the
> overall product.
>
> Whereas for games, all you will have are users who will be complaining
> because of delays where every second counts in their multiplayer
> gaming.
>
> Still I certainly hope Onlive delivers :-)