The computer games publisher fell 4% in its first week on Aim, having raised £5m which it intends to plough into developing console games. Historically, Empire designed its products for PCs, but the impending launch of Sony's PS2, to be followed by Microsoft's and Nintendo's offerings in 2001, has concentrated industry minds. However, with broadband internet access expected to boost the popularity of downloaded multiplayer games, Empire will develop for all these platforms. As well as hoping to build a library of intellectual property licenses, Empire revealed that it was in negotiations with companies hoping to acquire the rights to its own back catalogue for interactive television and internet gaming sites.