After last week's financial news bias in the trade press, this week it's all speculation and scare stories. CTW (The Entertainment Computer Trade Weekly) report that distributors Centresoft have written to all of their peripherals suppliers, asking for clarification that their products don't infringe Sony's Intellectual Property Rights. This comes after Sony Computer Entertainment announced their intention to step up their programme of legal action against companies which they claim are infringing those rights. There's more scary news as retail chain MCV, who are on a big expansion plan at the minute (to coin a Geordie phrase), have become the first retailers to admit that they're ditching N64 after Christmas. The chain are already selling their N64 stock at cost price plus VAT. Nintendo distributors THE Games' Managing Director Dick Francis (no, really!) has counterstruck though, and warns retailers: "Do not underestimate the power of Pokémon". He could well have a point too.

Trade mag MCV (The Market for Home Computing and Video Games - not connected to the retail chain in any way) have some scary stories too as they lead this week with the story that Activision's International boss and industry veteran Bob Dewar has warned that publishers could go bust unless there's some serious dialogue between retailers and Sony over PlayStation games being discounted. Also making front-page news this week is the story of 3DO's continuing resurgence thanks to the addition of a strong back catalogue and affiliate label deals. Fasten your safety belts people, it could get bumpy...