Michael Comeau's  Instablog

Here's a quick and clean round-up of the hottest news stories impacting the video-game world:

First things first, THQ (THQI) reports first-quarter earnings after the close on Tuesday. Riding high on the success of UFC Undisputed 2009, THQ is set to begin what looks like an impressive comeback following two lackluster years. Here's a full preview of the quarter, courtesy of PleaseActAccordingly.com.

Elsewhere in THQ news, the company hired a new executive from Midway to head up marketing for the upcoming title Darksiders, which is generating considerable buzz within the industry.

Activision's (ATVI) Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 continues to excite gamers. Watch this brand-new trailer to find out why this game will set the world on fire.

Disney (DIS) Interactive boss Graham Hopper had this to say about movie-game crossovers: "I don't think they've all lived up to their potential, but again: the future doesn't always arrive exactly when you want it to." 

Elsewhere in big media, Viacom (VIA) saw Q2 profits fall by 32%, with declining sales of Rock Band being one of the culprits. That's not a good sign for Electronic Arts (ERTS), which publishes the music/rhythm title.

In my first feature for The Excapist, I discuss why consumers should be very wary about the the exploding market for direct video game downloads, and what it could mean for companies like GameStop (GME).

And finally, is the recession killing the video-game industry? I answer that question here.

Disclosure: long ATVI, THQI