| Imports |
Konami
Pocket Flood
A bevy of new handheld Bemani games from Konami are slated for
release this summer. NCS has compiled a listing below for your reference. Most of the
Pocket games will retail at US$30 while the Tokimeki Memorial item is US$70.
Pre-orders are welcome. |
| Tokimeki
Memorial Wrist Game |
June 17 |
| Beatmania
Pocket - Summer Mix |
July 29 |
| Pop
'n Music Pocket |
Aug 26 |
| Dance
Dance Revolution Pocket |
Sept 09 |
| Beatmania
Pocket - Animation Song Mix |
Sept 26 |
| NCS |
Playstation
Imports July
We've gotten a peek at what is expected in July for the Playstation
and things look good. Notable titles are listed and advance pre-orders are welcome. The
complete schedule of July's imports will be posted later this week. |
| Metal
Gear Solid Integral |
June
30 |
| Tron and Kobun |
June
30 |
| Vandal Hearts 2 |
July
06 |
| Dance Dance
Revolution 2 |
July
13 |
| Legend of
Mana |
July
13 |
| Dino Crisis |
July
20 |
| Guitar Freaks |
July
20 |
| Beatmania Append
4th Mix |
July
27 |
| Dragon Valor |
July
27 |
| Assault
Suits Valken 2 |
July
27 |
| NCS |
Dreamcast
Update
Imagineer's Expendable has been delayed from June 10
to June 24. This title is expected on PCs this month. One of our distributors in Japan has
provided us with a preview disc and has asked us to prepare a simple web preview for this
game but we're not quite sure if the expected sales volume warrants it. As an example,
Imagineer's Incoming sold 53,000 units to distribution. For a complete
schedule of confirmed Dreamcast imports expected in the next couple of months, click me. |
| NCS |
Import
Update
Pokemon Stadium 2 is now expected tomorrow morning. Please note that a
large shipment containing Rasetsu Swords, Playstation consoles and other imports was
expected today but this has been held up for clearance issues. We were asked to submit FCC
information and licensing information for the Japanese and Asian Playstations inside the
cartons. Hopefully there will be no problems with this shipment but we should have more
information from the brokerage house today. |
|
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| Everything
Else |
Yen Equilibrium
/ 09:15AM
The dollar broke to Y121.30 this morning and we initiated a short
position at that level. The strength of the dollar was surprising and we may see a further
run to Y122 but our position is a starting core that we'll build upon. Once we set the
initial stake, we can add positions based on forex movements. Usually works and has served
us well... |
| NCS |
Arcade Orders
All JAMMA, MVS and ST-V orders will ship today. Our vendor did not
include certain MVS cartridges but these will arrive with a new shipment expected next
week. Note that the stock that is held in Japan is revolving and changes on a daily basis.
Anything that we might not have this week should be restocked by next week. NCS can also
accept special requests for certain JAMMA or MVS stock and we'll check market availability
and current pricing for you. Due to the holiday in Japan, all special order inquiries will
be replied to on Friday. |
| NCS |
Dreamcast Gloom
- Distribution Perspective
A number of our distribution partners in Asia and Japan have recently
expressed declining confidence in the Dreamcast to NCS. They cite the lack of a populated
release schedule and slowing momentum in global export sales. Perhaps this is only a lull
but many distribution houses have scaled back their inventory plans for the DC and many
are unwilling to maintain any Dreamcast hardware and software stock now. Some of the
problem lies in the minimum order quantity of 1,000 units per software title that is
imposed by Sega on distributors. For example, if a company wants to restock Sonic
Adventure, they have to commit to 1,000 pieces but at this late stage in the game's life
cycle, it is doubtful that sales would be brisk. The same goes for other older DC titles.
On the hardware side of things, profit margins on DCs in Asia and Japan are now
negligible. All this presents a problem when companies such as NCS needs to restock
product. We keep a large stock of goods on hand but this sort of inventory planning is
defused when trading partners can no longer provide stock on a timely basis. We will see
how things pan out but things are looking grim for the DC if distributors are scaling back
support on the console so quickly. |
| NCS |
Capital Markets
/ 09:18AM
The Dow was impressive in the last session but the Nasdaq let us down.
We should see some tech buying today after the exhaustive run on the industrials. Goldman
begins trading today and it should pop up high but we think it'll close lower than it's
open. We are ignoring the NSOL trade right now but it is tempting to write covered calls
on the position and then use the proceeds to open a June straddle to lock it within a
limit. We'll stick to the original plans however and let the position float without
tending. |
NSOL Update:
04.23.99 / 09:35AM Bought 1000 shares NSOL at 79 5/16
Trade executed at market prices.
05.03.99 / 10.25AM NSOL at 75 7/8
05.04.99 / 11:13AM NSOL at 71 |
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