Vivendi introduces more video games

Vivendi Universal Games (VUG) has strengthened its market presence in the Philippines by introducing more video games, and taking serious actions to fight piracy through its local licensee Asian Media Development Group (AMDG).

VUG is the publisher of popular computer games such as Warcraft, Starcraft, Diablo, Half-Life and Counter-Strike. AMDG is the sole partner of Vivendi in the country after it inked an exclusive contract with VUG in 2002. It is part of a conglomerate engaged in telecommunications, broadcasting and information technology.

Arturo B. Diago, Jr. AMDG president said they are expanding their product line with the introduction of more video games this year. He also told reporters that they are taking serious action to eradicate piracy in the country.

A joint team of AMDG and the National Bureau of Investigation personnel have confiscated over 500 computer sets worth P10 million loaded with pirated games last year after conducting a series of raids in several gaming centers across Metro Manila. Owners of these computers and gaming centers are now facing the legal consequences of their actions in violation of the intellectual property code, and for having deprived the rightful revenues of AMDG and Vivendi.

The group officially launched last March 27 the latest video game offering called Counter-Strike: Condition Zero at the Eastwood Commercial Center in Libis, Quezon City. The product was simultaneously launched in several countries where Vivendi operates.

Diago said Counter-Strike continues to be the world’s most popular war game with an estimated two million players addicted to it and sales revenues of $75 million (or P1.4 billion) worldwide. Counter-Strike is also generating revenues for local game centers or those accredited with Philippine Network Gaming Association (PNGA) with around 7,500 to 10,000 gaming centers in the country.

Universal Vivendi representative Gerard Cerruti said Condition Zero, the sequel to Half Life counterstrike offers more scenarios and stories with 25 millions; there are new images added to the game and one game could also be played at home unlike Half Life which has to be played with several players connected to a local area network (LAN) in a gaming center.

Video games have beefed up the Internet café industry in the country with more shops introducing video gaming in their operations thereby making themselves into cyber cafes, Cerruti added. Locally, there are around 100,000 regular players of PC games based on statistics from AMDG, he said.