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“SCROLL FACEBOOK…WITH YOUR FACE” it promises. “YOU’LL NEVER FACEBOOK WITHOUT YOUR FACE AGAIN.”

Lacking mystical powers of prophecy (try as we might to guess the end of tonight’s Eastenders), we can’t yet see exactly what will be the fallout of Facebook bought Oculus and its Rift virtual reality goggles for $2 billion. However, thanks to GNAH! and Skipping Stones developer KO-OP Mode, we can now experience the majesty and wonder of browsing Facebook in virtual reality. The wags behind have whipped together a vision of the future with Face It: It’s Complicated, letting Facebookers into glimmering cyberspace to look at photos of their friends’ children.

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GRAPEVINE, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--GameStop Corp. (NYSE: GME), a global, multichannel video game, consumer electronics and wireless services retailer, today reported sales and earnings for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended Feb. 1, 2014.

Paul Raines, chief executive officer, stated, “The launch of new consoles in 2013 marked the return of innovation to the video game category and GameStop's market share increased to an all-time high. Our emerging digital and mobile businesses, which did not exist three years ago, surpassed $1 billion of revenue. As we push forward into 2014, both the re-energized video game category and our new Technology Brands business unit provide us with solid growth opportunities in the consumer electronics and wireless markets.”

Fourth Quarter Results

Total global sales for the 13-week fourth quarter of 2013 were $3.68 billion, a 3.4% increase compared to $3.56 billion in the 14-week prior year quarter. Consolidated comparable store sales increased 7.8% compared to the prior year quarter. The growth in sales and comps was driven by the successful launches of Microsoft’s Xbox One and Sony’s PlayStation 4.

GameStop’s fourth quarter net earnings were $220.5 million, including goodwill and asset impairment charges, compared to net earnings of $261.1 million in the prior year quarter. Diluted earnings per share were $1.89 compared to diluted earnings per share of $2.15 in the prior year quarter.

Fourth quarter net earnings included goodwill and asset impairment charges of $28.7 million ($22.8 million, net of tax benefits), or $0.20 per diluted share, primarily due to the closure of Spawn Labs and store asset impairments. The company also recorded a non-recurring benefit of $33.6 million ($20.9 million after tax), or $0.18 per diluted share, from a change in accounting estimates primarily related to redemption rates in our PowerUp Rewards and other customer liability programs. A reconciliation of non-GAAP adjusted net income to GAAP net income is included with this release (Schedule III).

Fiscal 2013 Results

For fiscal year 2013, total global sales were $9.04 billion, a 1.7% increase compared to $8.89 billion in fiscal 2012. Full year consolidated comparable store sales increased 3.8% compared to fiscal 2012, primarily driven by a 29.7% increase in new video game hardware sales related to the launches of Microsoft’s Xbox One and Sony’s PlayStation 4.

New video game software and pre-owned and value products sales declined 2.8% and 4.1%, respectively. Until the fourth quarter, these two categories were impacted by limited new title releases and a decrease in store traffic. For the full year, digital receipts increased 15.1% to $724.4 million, or $217.7 million of sales on a GAAP basis. Mobile and consumer electronics sales, which include Technology Brands revenues, increased 51.6% over 2012.

GameStop’s fiscal 2013 net earnings were $354.2 million, including the aforementioned charges and non-recurring benefit, compared to a net loss of $269.7 million, including restructuring, impairment and debt retirement expenses of $680.7 million ($672.7 million, net of tax benefit), in fiscal 2012. Diluted earnings per share were $2.99 compared to a loss per share of $2.13 in fiscal 2012.

Capital Allocation Update

During the fourth quarter of 2013, the company repurchased 1,037,800 shares, or $49.5 million of stock. For fiscal 2013, the company repurchased 6.28 million shares, or $258.3 million of stock. In addition, the company paid out $131 million in dividends during fiscal 2013.

For fiscal 2014, through March 20, GameStop has repurchased 555,200 shares at an average price of $37.17, or $20.6 million worth of stock. Currently, there is $436.5 million remaining on the existing repurchase authorization.

On March 4, 2014, the company announced a 20% increase of its regular annual cash dividend from $1.10 to $1.32 per share. On March 25, 2014, the company paid its quarterly dividend of $0.33 per share.

- See more at: http://news.gamestop.com/press-release/business/gamestop-reports-sales-and-earnings-fiscal-2013-and-provides-2014-outlook#sthash.MoBupguI.dpuf

GDC was jam-packed with brilliant talks, and I missed far too many of them because infinity appointments beckoned. One of the absolute best I *did* see, however, was Mass Effect 4 designer Manveer Heir making an impassioned plea to developers for more diversity in games. He gave a talk equal parts well-reasoned and resolute, arguing not that all games should change their icky ways, but that our industry’s predominate pattern needs to shift away from generic leads and hurtful stereotypes. ”I sincerely hope that you are ready for that challenge, because I sure as hell am!” he bellowed before being mobbed by fellow designers. I caught up with Heir afterward to discuss some of his talk’s finer points and how BioWare’s become more sensitive to these issues as time has progressed.

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Everything you ever wanted to know about Pokemon sex (but were too afraid to Google).

Hi guys! I finally sent Cubit Update to Precheck!

— CoderChild★ (@coderchild) March 27, 2014

Back in 2001, Nintendo delivered the next generation of portable entertainment in the shape of Game Boy Advance, a 32-bit handheld console with an intuitive design and a host of memorable titles. To celebrate some of the classic gaming moments delivered by this handheld gem, Nintendo will begin releasing Game Boy Advance titles on Nintendo eShop for Wii U Virtual Console starting next week, allowing fans and newcomers alike to enjoy some of gaming’s greatest highlights on the living room TV or on their Wii U GamePad. In addition, Restore Points that save progress during gameplay and Miiverse connectivity both offer new features when enjoying these classic games.

A selection of GBA titles will be coming to Wii U from 4th April, with a few of gaming’s most renowned characters kicking off the roster.

On 4th April, three very different titles comprise the initial launch line-up:

Advance Wars (AU$9.10 – NZ$11.90) is a critically acclaimed turn-based strategy game, in which you must lead your Commanding Officers to victory. Take control of ground, air and naval forces and face enemies across more than 100 battlefields, tackling a range of terrains and weather conditions.

Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga (AU$9.10 – NZ$11.90), the first game in the Mario & Luigi series is a zany, action-filled role-playing game, which lets you control both of these stars simultaneously and take part in turn-based battles. Mario and Luigi must work together to explore the vast lands of the Beanbean Kingdom and defeat the evil witch who has stolen Princess Peach’s voice.

Metroid Fusion (AU$9.10 – NZ$11.90) offers classic bounty hunter, gun-toting action but with an added twist: hero Samus Aran has been attacked by a deadly parasite! Cured by Metroid DNA, Samus is bestowed with unique new powers, and sets out on a quest to hunt down and face the mysterious ‘SA-X’. Metroid Fusion combines an engaging original story with intense platform action in classic Metroid series style.

Two more great titles follow on 11th April:

In Kirby & The Amazing Mirror (AU$9.10 – NZ$11.90), there is not just one Kirby but four, with the powerful pink hero splitting into different coloured copies of himself! Together they must restore harmony to Dream Land, sucking up foes big and small along the way. Seek out the hidden collectibles in-game which can alter the appearance of Kirby – all part of this wacky, fun-packed adventure!
Before he branched out his business to more recent systems, Wario first set up shop on Game Boy Advance in Wario Ware Inc.: Minigame Mania (AU$9.10 – NZ$11.90). Join Wario and experience a dizzying whirlwind of over 200 minigames, each one simple but played at lightning fast speed.

On 18th April blast to unthinkable speeds and try your hand at mystical role-play:

F-Zero: Maximum Velocity (AU$9.10 – NZ$11.90) launched on Game Boy Advance with supersonic force, where descendants of famous stars from F-Zero put their driving skills to the test in 10 brand new, high-speed hovercraft, and 20 different courses and four difficulty levels to master. From lowly rookie to F-Zero champion, face deadly tight turns, gravity-defying jumps and stomach-churning speed boosts on the road to success.
In the epic role-playing adventure Golden Sun (AU$9.10 – NZ$11.90), evil is slowly covering the world, with the forces of darkness pursuing the lost art of Alchemy. Alongside trusty companions, use weaponry, magic and a host of elemental creatures to return peace to this mystical world.

And on 25th April an epic ‘egg-stravaganza’ awaits:

In Yoshi's Island: Super Mario Advance 3 (AU$9.10 – NZ$11.90) the evil Kamek attempts to kidnap the baby Mario brothers, leading to the heroic Yoshi stepping in to save the day. With Baby Mario on your back, traverse a beautiful crayon-illustrated world filled with fiendishly designed levels to defeat Kamek and his master, Baby Bowser!

Relive some of your old Game Boy Advance favourites this April on Wii U, and keep an eye out for further releases in future months. To catch a reminder of what lies in store with the above titles for April, a new Wii U Virtual Console trailer can be viewed here.