The Digital Distribution Train Keeps Rolling

The competition for digital distribution in the video game market continues to grow. Now, GameFly may be acquiring direct2Drive.


GameFly is a video game service very similar to Netflix before their digital distribution model, offering media content (video game discs) straight to your door with a prepaid envelope for return to their distribution centers. Subscribers can hold on to the games for any length of time as long as the subscription is kept active.


The move by GameFly is very similar to GameStop’s recent news, acquiring a business that deals with digital distribution. By offering this service, it can increase the company’s revenue and drive profitability.


Much like other digital distribution models for video games, Direct2Drive incorporates digital distribution for Macs and PCs. It seems like more and more gaming distributors/retailers are focusing on digital distribution. Another computer game streaming service, OnLive, does not offer a download service but rather game “rentals,” and purchasing services.

Standard retailers and digital distributors are seemingly scrambling to figure out where the digital/physical retail space is heading as consumer tastes shift to social experiences, lower prices, and lighter loads on the desktop/notebook/mobile device. With GameFly moving into the digital distribution space, GameStop moving into the digital and on-demand space, Steam investigating the mobile space, and Nintendo gearing up to launch a new console, 2011 and 2012 looks to bring a huge wave of change in how gamers consume their favorite titles. (http://www.tomshardware.com/news/GameFly-Direct2Drive-IGN-GameStop-OnLive,12791.html)

As I continue to research this industry, I am starting to think that I may need to approach a company with my business plan once it is complete. There is still no discussion on streaming console games wirelessly through your specific console. Most of these models seem to be based on computer games. Fortunately, for what I am developing, we will be able to push technology even further.


In June, I am scheduled to meet with the Sr. Director of Global Content Operations for Napster. I will most likely document my interview with her here. I also hope to discuss digital content and the possibilities for the gaming world. This business plan is looking more and more like a solution.

Is Apple Getting an Audio Upgrade?

The past few days, there has been a lot of talk about Tomlinson Holman being hired by Apple to develop some sort of audio enhancement. Apple is regularly very secretive about their product developments, which is why this news comes as not so much of a surprise, but rather peaks the interest of those in audio. First tweeted by @leolaporte, "I have it on good authority that Tomlinson Holman (of THX fame) is joining Apple to run audio. Major upgrade."


Tom was chief electrical engineer at Advent Corporation, maker of the Apt/Holman preamplifier, and was at Lucasfilm Ltd for 15 years, winding up as the company's Corporate Technical Director and where he developed the THX Sound System and its companions the Theater Alignment Program, Home THX, and the THX Digital Mastering program.


“Tom Holman has always pushed the envelope of sound”(thmlabs.com.) Lucas gave him a year to study audio from on-set to the theater experience in turn developing Skywalker Sound’s state of the art audio mixing rooms. “ Realizing that this could change the way moviegoers experienced feature films, Lucas and the soon-to-be THX team designed a certification program to go beyond the walls of Skywalker Ranch. Thus, THX was born, and made available to movie audiences to coincide with the release of Lucas’ next film, “Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi" (THX.com)


Holman’s company, TMH Corporation, creates entertainment technology. They “provide solutions to industry-wide problems, make things that have never before existed, set world standards, and pioneer new markets" (tmhlabs.com) From the current business plan I am working on for my master’s in entertainment business, I too am developing entertainment technology, but my means of digital content.


I own Holman’s book on Surround Sound as it was used as a the text for a surround sound class I took at the University of Colorado Denver. After reading this news, I am certainly excited to see what Apple has in store. Though I have been talking about developing HD quality/surround sound streaming for video game content, I would not be surprised if this is the kind of project that Holman is assigned. Other possibilities include Apple developing their own HDTV, other something to do with the “theater” experience.


http://news.cnet.com/8301-27076_3-20059790-248.html
http://www.tmhlabs.com/about/about.html
http://www.thx.com/about-us/the-thx-story/

Do What you Love & Love what You Do

There's a heartache I fight when I'm not in the studio. In the several places I've lived, schools I've attended, locations I've worked, there's always that initial "new" feeling that seems to overcome me the first time I'm in a new place. In studios it's quite different. It's not that awkward "unknown place" feeling. I feel comfortable, like I'm home, and my heart is happy to just be in a place where I find so much joy. 


As an assistant, I run reports, create spreadsheets, scorecards and dashboards, use more math formulas  than I ever really thought I would, and analyze... everything to find a why and a solution. 


But in a studio, I create, develop, transform, and tell stories with sound effects, sound design, dialog, and music. I enhance an image and give the world a theatrical experience. I get to use my creativity, my education, my experiences, and analytical skills for something that truly makes me proud to say this is what I do. 


I've been in Burbank for almost a year. I've emailed several studios about internships, assistantships, and apprenticeships a few times. I've volunteered at events and have sat in on sessions, taking notes and asking questions, wondering when I would have a chance to just be in a studio and learn from the people doing what I want to do. I just want to be home, just be in a studio. And let me just say, the Brits tell me I make a great cup of tea.


When I was asked to work on a feature, I jumped on the opportunity. More recently I was worried that this was just another dream... until today. This is really going to happen and I'm really excited. I will be cutting sound effects, but it also sounds like might do some mixing. 


Audio post is where work is not a chore or just a paycheck, but a creative environment where innovation in the audio industry can be developed... and your tomfooleries can actually create some pretty awesome sounds. 

Roger Ebert: Without a Voice and Louder than Ever

Roger Ebert is an inspiration, not only to those interested in film, but in all aspects of the entertainment industry. His determination to keep sharing with the world his reviews and knowledge, even without an audible voice, is a prime example of pursuing your passion and overcoming obstacles. I have known people with big dreams but when it comes to working around the obstacles, they are not willing to make the sacrifices or adjustments to achieve their passion. Ebert has not only continued to pursue his passion, but with the development of a “personalized” computer voice, he is also helping advance computer/audio technology. Social networking has helped create a new voice for Ebert, inspiring others to never give up on doing what you love.  

In this video from TED.com, Roger Ebert discusses how he lost his voice, but also, how he gained an even larger audience by the power of social networking sites. Instead of using the Alex Apple voice, Ebert had three people close to him read his words. The first was his wife, Chaz. She details the complications with Ebert’s surgeries, including the ruptured artery that could have ended Ebert’s life. After several failing surgeries, Ebert was left without his jaw, no longer able to use any vocal capabilities. He first wrote several notes and then soon transitioned to the computer-generated voice, but with Apple’s release of Alex, there was more of a natural flow.

Ebert continues that you do not really put much value on your voice until it is gone, making him feel distant from the human mainstream. Chaz suggested using old recordings from interviews and commentaries to create a personalized computer voice. A company in Scotland took on the challenge of creating the first voice to sound like a person. The flow is not as natural and the company is still working to improve it, while Ebert continues to use Apple’s Alex.

Ebert is now able to communicate to a wider audience because of social networking. He uses his blog, email, twitter and Facebook to substitute. He agrees it is not an improvement but it is the best he can do. "Online everyone speaks at the same speed." Ebert says he cannot complain. He is writing as well as ever, has no cancer, and the digital revolution has provided a new voice for him.This shows a lot about Ebert's character and encourages me to keep pursuing what I love. 

“Only after we learn to pass knowledge from one generation to the next, does civilization become possible.” -Roger Ebert

Follow him on Twitter: @ebertchicago

Check out his blog: http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/