BizSpots: Sony, Microsoft, PopCap, Conspiracy

Sony shares the Limelight
In 2005, Arizona-based content delivery service Limelight Networks helped establish Microsoft's Xbox Live by lending its technology to the online portal. Today, the company announced it would be extending similar services to Microsoft rival Sony Computer Entertainment. As part of the deal, Limelight's technology will power system software updates to the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Portable in sizes of up to 150MB. In addition to Sony and Microsoft, Limelight powers many other online networks, including Valve's online gaming service Steam and News Corp.'s MySpace.

Microsoft knocks 20 euros off HD-DVD add-on
Efluxmedia today is reporting that Microsoft has announced a price cut in Europe for its Xbox 360 HD-DVD add-on during consumer electronics trade show IFA in Germany. Previously retailing for 200 euros (about $272), the HD-DVD peripheral will now cost European 360 owners 180 euros (about $245). Efluxmedia did not mention when the new price would go into effect. In July, Microsoft cut the price of the high-definition media player in the US from $199 to $179, while in Japan, the add-on debuted at around $177.

PopCap Games finds one in four play at work
According to a recent survey conducted by casual game purveyor PopCap Games, 24 percent of white-collar workers admitted to playing casual games at work. This number increased to 35 percent at the senior executive level. Breaking down its statistics, PopCap noted that 14 percent claimed to have played during business meetings or conference calls, 61 percent played during lunch or official breaks, and 52 percent played during the work day when they needed a short break. The primary reason respondents cited for playing were stress relief, mental workouts, and memory strengthening. PopCap Games arrived at its numbers through an online sampling of 2,842 respondents.

Conspiracy revenues jump 128 percent
Conspiracy Entertainment has posted significant financial gains for the quarter ended June 30. The publisher/developer increased its quarterly revenue by 128 percent, from $360,032 to $819,330. Gross profits climbed 333 percent to $442,500, from $102,298. Unsurprisingly, the small-scale publisher attributed its success to Nintendo's platforms, citing flat-fee sales of $780,000 for Counter Force and Ninjabread Man on the Wii and Power Play Pool and Cocoto Kart Racing on the Nintendo DS.