Roundup: Yahoo cuts data retention, Sprint pushing WiMax and more
Here’s the latest action:
Yahoo cuts data retention to 90 days — The search company’s new policy will likely push Google and Microsoft toward similar reductions in the amount of time they keep user data.
Sprint plans first WiMax device for Dec. 21 — The first device that will work both on Clearwire’s growing WiMax network and Sprint’s existing network infrastructure will go on sale in time for Christmas. Clearwire previously released cards that worked only with WiMax.
California pushes… Continue Reading
Investors pour $161 million into 16 virtual worlds in second quarter
Google blessed the virtual world market with its own entry yesterday. But it is hardly alone. Investors poured $161 million in 16 virtual world companies in the second quarter, according to Virtual Worlds Management.
The investments help put the launch of Lively by Google into perspective. Lively is more like a virtual room business rather than a true virtual world. There is a ton of competition in a market that has had only a handful of… Continue Reading
Turbine confirms $40 million raised for online games
Online games powerhouse Turbine confirmed that it has raised $40 million, though the actual investors are different from what was previously rumored.
Time Warner and GGV Capital led the round along with existing investors Highland Capital Partners, Polaris Venture Partners, Tudor Ventures and Columbia Capital. The investment will be used to accelerate Turbine’s growth in online games. Previously, Granite Ventures was the rumored lead.
Turbine is expanding its properties, including “Lord of the Rings Online,” which is… Continue Reading
Turbine picks up $40 million, keeps mum about its next steps
Jim Crowley, the CEO of Turbine, isn’t an easy man to get a straight answer from. I heard that his company, which makes “massively multiplayer online” games such as “The Lord of the Rings Online,” was raising a new round of venture capital about a month ago. That’s a big deal, since Turbine is one of the big success stories in this industry and raising a new round could mean big new projects are in… Continue Reading
MMO game publisher Turbine raising $40M; former CEO launches Play Hard Sports
Turbine, a game publisher that makes massively-multiplayer online games but may soon be enacting a major strategic shift, is in the process of taking $40 million in new funding led by Granite Global Ventures, according to Dan Primack.
While its Lords of the Ring Online: Shadows of Angmar computer game franchise has found success, expectations are that the company will move toward the console market. Primack also speculates that it could be preparing to take a… Continue Reading