Video Games
Nintendo has cut its earnings expectations for the year by a third, citing the strong yen – some reports indicate this made their profits drop 46 percent in the holiday quarter. This is despite the fact that their sales rose 17 percent in the last nine months of 2009. The DSi, by the way, is a solid smash in Japan, with 1.66 million units sold to date. Meanwhile, their rivals Sony saw a year-over-year sales decrease of 32 percent due to the strong yen and a decline in their hardware sales.
Are profits in video games shifting from the West to the East? A study from market researcher DFC Intelligence indicates that the faster adoption of broadband technology in Japan and Korea has meant increased profits from new online business models that keep the money coming in long after a customer buys a game at the store.
Udon Entertainment is hosting an art contest commemorating the 15th anniversary of Capcom's Darkstalkers. Pro,semi-pro and aspiring artists are all welcome to participate.
Technology
More layoffs coming at a big name in the cyber world: A memo from AOL CEO Randy Falco indicates that the company will reduce its staff by 10 percent over "the next several quarters" and will skip merit raises for 2009.
YouTube continues to be a very good bet as a career option, as it only continues to expand. The company is on the verge of a deal with the William Morris agency for an as-yet-unnamed joint venture. Given that the agency represents names such as Denzel Washington, Russell Crowe, and J.J. Abrams, this could be something very big indeed.
Economics/Geekonomics
More sobering signs that economic recovery is a way off yet: New home sales hit a record low in December and continued unemployment claims are at a record high.
Job Market
The Sacramento Bee recently offered a unique service to help its unemployed readers find jobs: video resumes. Such a tool is definitely worth considering in your job search, especially if you're pursuing a career in arts or video editing where you can show off samples of your work in between discussing your skills.
Publishing
Another magazine from a major publisher bites the dust: Conde Nast has shuttered Domino, as well as its accompaying Web site. Meanwhile, the venerable Readers Digest has cut 280 jobs and is forcing unpaid furloughs on employees through 2010, the Washington Post is confirmed to be dropping its standalone book review section and Times Publishing has put Congressional Quarterly up for sale.
- Bonnie