NEW YORK: In the six years since the last major video game system launched, Apple unveiled the iPhone and the iPad, “Angry Birds” invaded smartphones and Facebook reached a billion users. In the process, scores of video game consoles were left to languish in living rooms alongside dusty VCRs and disc players.
On Sunday, Nintendo Co. launched the Wii U, a game machine designed to appeal both to the original Wii's casual audience and the hardcore gamers who skip work to be among the first to play the latest “Call of Duty” release. Just like the Wii U's predecessor, the Wii, which has sold nearly 100 million units worldwide since 2006, the new console's intended audience “truly is 5 to 95,” says Reggie Fils-Aime, the president of Nintendo of America, the Japanese company's US arm.
But the Wii U arrives in a new world. Video game console sales have been falling, largely because it's been so long since a new system has launched. Most people who wanted an Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 or a Wii already have one. Another reason: People in the broad 5-to-95-age range have shifted their attention to games on Facebook, tablet computers and mobile phones.
US video game sales last month, including hardware, software and accessories, totaled $ 755.5 million, according to the research firm NPD Group. In October 2007, the figure stood at $ 1.1 billion.
The Wii U is likely to do well during the holiday shopping season, analysts believe —so well that shoppers may see shortages. But the surge could peter out in 2013. The Wii U is not expected to be the juggernaut that the Wii was in its heyday, according to research firm IHS iSuppli. The Wii outsold its competitors, the Xbox 360 and the PlayStation 3, in its first four years on sale, logging some 79 million units by the end of 2010. By comparison, IHS expects the Wii U to sell 56.7 million in its first four years.
In the age of a million gadgets and lean wallets, the storied game company faces a new challenge: Convincing people that they need a new video game system rather than, say, a new iPad.
The Wii U, which starts at $ 300, isn't lacking in appeal. It allows for “asymmetrical game play,” meaning two people playing the same game can have entirely different experiences depending on whether they use a new tablet-like controller called the GamePad or the traditional Wii remote. The GamePad can also be used to play games without using a TV set, as you would on a regular tablet. And it serves as a fancy remote controller to navigate a TV-watching feature called TVii, which will be available in December.
Nintendo, known for iconic game characters such as Mario, Donkey Kong and Zelda, is expected to sell the consoles quickly in the weeks leading up to the holidays. After all, it's been six long years and sons, daughters, brothers and sisters are demanding presents. GameStop Corp., the world's No. 1 video game retailer, said last week that advance orders sold out and it has nearly 500,000 people on its Wii U waitlist.
Even so, it's a “very, very crowded space in consumer electronics” this holiday season, notes Ben Bajarin, a principal analyst at Creative Strategies who covers gaming.
Apple's duo of iPads, the full-size model and a smaller version called the Mini, will be competing for shoppers' attention. Not to be outdone, Amazon.com Inc. has launched a trove of Kindle tablets and e-readers in time for the holidays. These range from the Paperwhite, a touch-screen e-reader, to the Kindle Fire HD, which features a color screen and can work with a cellular data plan. Then there are the new laptops and cheaper, thinner “ultra books” featuring Microsoft's new Windows 8 operating system —not to mention smartphones from Apple Inc., Samsung and other manufacturers.
“Nintendo has to be a cut above the noise here,” Bajarin says.
The Wii U is the first major game console to launch in years, but in some ways Nintendo is merely catching up with the HD trend. Sony Corp. and Microsoft Corp. began selling their own powerful, high-definition consoles six and seven years ago, respectively. Both Sony and Microsoft are expected to unveil new game consoles in 2013.
Baird analyst Colin Sebastian thinks the question is not how well the Wii U will do during the holidays, but how it will fare three and six months later.
Gaming has changed significantly in the past six years, especially when it comes to the type of mass-audience experiences that serve as Nintendo's bread and butter.
Research firm IHS iSuppli estimates that by the end of the year, people will have snapped up 3.5 million Wii U consoles worldwide, compared with 3.1 million Wii units in the same period through the end of 2006.
After the Wii went on sale, shortages persisted for months. Stores faced long lines of shoppers trying to get their hands on a Wii as late as July 2007, more than seven months after the system's launch.
Though supply constraints are expected this time around, Fils-Aime says Nintendo will have more hardware available in the Americas than it had for the Wii's initial months on the market. The company says it will also replenish retailers more frequently than it did six years ago.
An initial sell-out doesn't mean the Wii U will be successful over the long term, IHS notes, citing its estimate that the Wii U won't match the Wii's sales over time.
Bajarin believes it's going to take “a little bit of time” for the Wii U's dual-screen gaming concept to sink in with people. If it proves popular, Nintendo could see even more competition at its hands.
“Technologically, it's not a leap of the imagination to see Apple, Google, Microsoft do something like this,” he says.
Nintendo to shake up gaming again with Wii U
Nintendo to shake up gaming again with Wii U
Blacklane, Lucid partner to boost sustainable mobility in Kingdom
Blacklane, a global chauffeur service, and Lucid Group, maker of advanced electric vehicles, have announced a strategic partnership to expand sustainable, premium transportation solutions across Saudi Arabia.
Through this collaboration, Lucid’s vehicle lineup will be integrated into Blacklane’s chauffeur service platform across the Kingdom. The partnership will support Blacklane on its trajectory to double operations in the region by the end of 2025, including significantly expanding services in key cities like Riyadh and Jeddah.
The agreement represents Blacklane’s most ambitious initiative to date, aimed at expanding a robust network of electric vehicle options within the region’s mobility sector, and furthers Lucid’s ongoing efforts to provide more opportunities to experience its advanced electric vehicles in the region. To further support this effort, Lucid and Blacklane will also work together to support the rollout of EV charging infrastructure in the region.
“Our relationship with Lucid marks a significant step forward in our global mission to deliver high-end, sustainable and scalable mobility solutions and a key milestone to further electrifying the Kingdom,” said Dr. Jens Wohltorf, CEO and co-founder of Blacklane. “Together we are investing to set new industry standards and are proud to be part of a thriving and innovative business culture in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, fostered by Vision 2030.”
“Partnering with Blacklane reflects our strong commitment to pioneering the future of mobility in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” said Faisal Sultan, president, Middle East at Lucid. “Through this partnership, Blacklane guests will now have access to the Lucid lineup, including the award-winning Lucid Air sedan and the new Lucid Gravity SUV, offering superior range, elevated comfort, and extensive room for guests and all their luggage.”
The Lucid Air sedan will be available to Blacklane guests immediately. The Lucid Gravity SUV will be added later this year as the rollout of the new SUV intensifies.
Partnerships, strategic deals drive next era of Saudi entertainment
Momentum built over three days at the SEA Expo 2025, held from May 20-22 in Riyadh, as partnerships progressed, discussions deepened, and the region’s entertainment priorities commanded the program for the day.
Now in its seventh edition, the Saudi Entertainment and Amusement Expo has proven itself as a strategic anchor for the global entertainment business. With participation from 36 countries — including Saudi Arabia, the UK, the US, Germany, and the UAE — the SEA Expo continues to attract the industry’s decision-makers as they look to tap into Saudi Arabia’s fast-expanding leisure and attractions market.
SEA Expo provides direct access to trade intelligence, partnership opportunities, and practical insights. At the center of SEA Expo is the SEA Summit, which has the generous support of leading sponsors BAAN Holding, Al-Othaim, RWS Global, Storyland Studios, RC Almana, and TAIT. In this focused arena, this year’s sessions explored immersive technology, artificial intelligence, esports, and the design of sustainable, future-ready entertainment destinations.
Further to this, a key highlight of the summit was the compelling opening keynote panel, “Partnership in Practice: Building Saudi’s Next Entertainment Hubs,” where public and private sector leaders explored how new investments shape the physical and creative landscape of Saudi Arabia’s next-generation venues. The strength of SEA Expo 2025 is reflected in its industry backing, with sponsors invested in realizing the region’s entertainment ambitions.
The show days also saw the signing of several significant agreements that will strengthen the country’s entertainment infrastructure, including:
• Mack Rides, SPARKS, and Fawasel are finalizing an exclusive sales agreement that will enable the delivery of advanced amusement rides across the Kingdom.
• INFINIA and BLOCKS signed a memorandum of understanding to co-develop digital theming, smart experiences and immersive design for public and private environments.
These partnerships reflect the sector’s continued movement toward tailored, high-impact solutions and long-term project development, bringing both international expertise and local insight into alignment.
Sarkis Kahwajian, associate vice president at dmg events, said: “SEA Expo is an important working platform, and it continues to deliver on its purpose: bringing together the right people to move from vision to implementation. The outcomes we’re seeing here will define the next phase of growth.”
Co-located with the Saudi Light and Sound Expo, SEA Expo is supported by the Kingdom’s General Entertainment Authority and the Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia, indicative of its direct alignment with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 objectives — building a globally competitive entertainment sector, expanding employment opportunities and diversifying the economy through leisure and tourism.
Bupa CareConnect signs four global partnerships
Bupa CareConnect, the healthcare delivery arm of Bupa Arabia, announced the signing of four strategic partnership agreements with global health tech companies, namely GOQii, Comarch, Nuralogix, and We Healthify. These partnerships will expand the scope of digital services and enhance the quality of healthcare for members within the Kingdom.
The announcement came during Bupa CareConnect’s participation as a gold sponsor at the 6th MENA Telehealth and Virtual Care Expo 2025, held recently in Riyadh. The agreements were signed under the patronage of the Ministry of Health and Seha Virtual Hospital, and in the presence of prominent leaders and experts in healthcare, innovation, and technology from around the world.
These partnerships and sponsorship of the conference come following Bupa CareConnect’s recent receipt of two awards from the Council of Health Insurance: Digital Innovation for Private Sector Providers and Innovative Sustainability for Private Sector Providers.
Bupa CareConnect became the first private sector provider to receive these honors, reflecting its position as a key driver of innovation and digital transformation in Saudi Arabia’s healthcare sector.
Bupa Arabia showcased a range of its innovative digital solutions during the conference through Bupa CareConnect, most notably the Digital Clinic Pod, and AI-powered intelligent care services, in addition to its integrated digital application.
On the second day of the conference, Dr. Abdullah Khafagy, executive medical director at Bupa CareConnect, participated as a keynote speaker in a session titled “Managing Virtual Care for Chronic Conditions,” during which he reviewed Bupa Arabia’s experience in improving patients’ lives using advanced digital technologies. He highlighted the “Bupa Pro” program, which eliminated the need for prior medical approvals, contributing to faster access to care and enhancing the patient experience.
Khafagy emphasized that its participation in the Virtual Healthcare Conference affirms its commitment to supporting digital transformation in the healthcare sector, aligned with Saudi Vision 2030. He expressed pride in offering an integrated care model focused on easy access to healthcare services and delivering the highest quality treatment, while harnessing modern technologies such as AI to predict medical conditions and provide proactive responses that ensure prevention and improve health outcomes.
Tal Nazer, CEO of Bupa Arabia, said: “At Bupa Arabia, our vision is to redefine the future of healthcare through continuous innovation, global partnerships, and a patient-first approach. These international collaborations are a key step in fulfilling our promise to deliver world-class healthcare solutions to the Kingdom.”
Nazer added: “Our international partnerships with leading health technology pioneers reflect our commitment to delivering world-class healthcare solutions within the Kingdom, as we believe the optimal healthcare experience is one that balances technological advancement with a human touch.”
This conference is considered a leading regional platform to drive digital transformation in the healthcare sector and to promote the adoption of value-based virtual care models.
It also represents an important opportunity to expand frameworks for international cooperation, exchange expertise, and explore innovative health solutions. This is supported by prestigious international organizations such as the WHO, the World Bank, the World Trade Organization, and the American Telemedicine Association.
Bupa CareConnect’s participation in the conference reflects its role as a strategic partner in the digital transformation journey of the national healthcare sector, striving to provide more sustainable and integrated care that contributes to improving quality of life and advancing digital transformation in the sector.
SLS Expo 2025 propels Vision 2030 infrastructure goals
The three days of Saudi Light and Sound Expo 2025 reinforced the event’s position as a central platform for advancing Saudi Arabia’s professional lighting, sound, and AV technology sector. With broad international participation and a focus on actionable business outcomes, SLS Expo continues to support the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals by accelerating infrastructure development and building strategic industry capabilities.
Global and regional stakeholders convened to explore new solutions and partnerships essential to Saudi Arabia’s growing live event production market. The exhibition featured 127 exhibitors from 21 countries, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, US, China, and Italy, showcasing technologies designed for high-performance venues, immersive experiences, and large-scale productions.
Several significant agreements were signed, contributing to Saudi Arabia’s infrastructure and capability-building objectives. The MoU signing between Saudi Entertainment and Events Management Academy and IPS marked the beginning of a strategic partnership aimed at enhancing talent development in the live events sector in Saudi Arabia, aligning its goals with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.
Additional MoUs formalized as the event progressed, reflecting the Kingdom’s broader strategy to attract global expertise, foster local skills development, and support the execution of major national projects.
At the heart of the show’s programming was the SLS Summit, supported by sponsors IPS, Shure, Procom, Venuetech, Proloab, RST, SONOS, ShowPower and Media Pro. More than 40 international speakers delivered expert-led sessions across topics including smart production, sustainable AV, immersive design, and next-generation venue infrastructure. One of the standout sessions, Stadiums 2.0, explored how integrated AV systems and architectural design are enabling a new era of live event experiences.
“What we saw at SLS Expo was not just about momentum, it was focused, results-driven engagement that’s shaping the sector’s future,” said Sarkis Kahwajian, associate vice president at dmg events. “The MoUs already confirmed, and those in development, speak to the depth of commitment across the public and private sectors.”
Hands-on features such as the Shure Wireless Workshop provided live audio professionals with opportunities to deepen their technical capabilities and engage in peer learning through practical demonstrations and real-time troubleshooting.
SLS Expo is supported by the Kingdom’s General Entertainment Authority and the Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia.
The event continues to serve as a strategic business environment where government entities, technology providers, integrators, and venue operators align around a shared vision for growth.
Co-located with the Saudi Entertainment and Amusement Expo, SLS offers a complete ecosystem for live event professionals seeking to connect, collaborate and contribute to the development of Saudi Arabia’s AV and production sectors.
Riyad Bank and Mastercard join forces to empower MSMEs
Riyad Bank and Mastercard have collaborated to provide small and medium-sized businesses in Saudi Arabia with enhanced access to funding. The two entities have introduced a unique credit card program offering micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises access to financial solutions to grow and thrive.
As part of the agreement, Riyad Bank will enable MSMEs across the Kingdom with a three-tier credit program providing greater choice and flexibility in the form of unique cards: the Mastercard NMOO Business Credit Card, Mastercard NMOO Executive Credit Card, and Mastercard NMOO World Credit Card.
Each of these unique products will offer flexible limits, supporting enterprises and entrepreneurs to take greater control of their futures. They will deliver real-time solutions that support MSMEs to help buy, operate and sell, bridging financing gaps, and providing access to funding by enabling enterprises to get approved for credit facilities, for example, for business expansion.
“As one of the largest financial institutions in the Kingdom, we are fully committed to serving as a trusted financial solutions partner to the people, businesses, and entities we support,” said Mohammed Abo Al-Naja, chief corporate banking officer, Riyad Bank. “Over the years, we have helped to drive the growth and development of Saudi Arabia’s micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises ecosystem, and today, we are more determined than ever to empower businesses to realize their potential. We are pleased to have partnered with Mastercard to launch our truly novel three-tier credit program, powering the future of MSMEs with timely access to crucial funding.”
“At a time when Saudi entrepreneurship is truly beginning to flourish, we recognize that effective partnerships and innovation are essential to empowering micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises to advance and thrive,” said Adam Jones, EVP and division president, West Arabia, Mastercard. “Our partnership with Riyad Bank was launched with this goal in mind. Together, we aim to provide MSMEs with essential access to critical lending and funding. We look forward to expanding our first-of-its-kind program to more businesses across the country and supporting them in achieving their goals.”
