Monday, January 7, 2013
December 28: Crowning The Winners of 2012
Crowning The Winners of 2012: We dish out awards to the sectors of the business that propelled the industry forward this year
December 28: Crystal Gazing: What to Expect in 2013
Crystal Gazing: What to Expect in 2013: Leading industry analysts join with our staff to prognosticate about what the future holds for the games business
December 28: World of Tanks launches in Korea
World of Tanks launches in Korea: Wargaming's title blitzes another region
December 28: 2012 Gave Facebook A Lesson In Mobile
2012 Gave Facebook A Lesson In Mobile:
Facebook had 425 million mobile users, but no significant mobile revenue, when it filed for its IPO in February.
Mobile users were visiting the site more often and staying longer than their desktopped counterparts. But because Facebook had no significant mobile advertising products, this increasing mobile usage was a liability rather than an asset.
Read Full Story
Facebook didn't launch its first mobile-only advertising product until June. Since then, it has built one of the biggest mobile advertising businesses in the world.
Mobile users were visiting the site more often and staying longer than their desktopped counterparts. But because Facebook had no significant mobile advertising products, this increasing mobile usage was a liability rather than an asset.
Read Full Story
December 28: I'm Only a Dog Person When the Dogs Are Solving Crimes
I'm Only a Dog Person When the Dogs Are Solving Crimes:
I've always favored cats over dogs. Cats clean themselves. Cats do not require action on my part in order to use the bathroom. Cats have an intelligent look about them, so when they do stupid things it's even more hilarious. I feel cats are superior to dogs in all ways but one—dogs make better detectives. That's why Relaxed Focus Games' Detective Dogs gets a pass. More »
December 28: The PlayStation 2 Ceases Shipping In Japan, Begins Well-Deserved Victory Lap
The PlayStation 2 Ceases Shipping In Japan, Begins Well-Deserved Victory Lap:
We've joked about its refusal to die before, but today, finally, the console begins its march into the history books. Having sold over 150 million units since its release in 2000, the PlayStation 2 has today ceased shipping to Japanese retailers, meaning once remaining stock is gone, it's gone. More »
December 28: The Ouya Is Real. Here's An Unboxing.
The Ouya Is Real. Here's An Unboxing.:
After millions of dollars, a ton of excitement and a spoonful of trepidation, the first Ouya consoles begin shipping to developers today. More »
December 28: Blizzard Axes Diablo III's 'Team Deathmatch' PVP Mode
Blizzard Axes Diablo III's 'Team Deathmatch' PVP Mode:
Diablo III's Team Deathmatch mode—shown off at a number of conventions and promised for the months following the game's launch earlier this year—has been axed, Blizzard says. More »
December 28: Take Over the World One RPG Dungeon at a Time
Take Over the World One RPG Dungeon at a Time:
Every corner of this dirty little ball we live on has been mapped and uploaded to the internet. Now it's time to play with it. Life is Magic gives players the chance to team up and take over a fantasy version of the real world, one city at a time. More »
December 28: Facebook's Favorite Games of 2012
Facebook's Favorite Games of 2012:
There are what Kotaku thinks are the best games on Facebook, and then there are the games Facebook's game curators and players think are the most playable pieces on the social network. I find their lack of Robot Rising disturbing. More »
December 27: A Glimpse At One Of The Dungeons In The New Final Fantasy XIV
A Glimpse At One Of The Dungeons In The New Final Fantasy XIV:
This one is called the Tam-Tara Deepcroft, an instanced dungeon from Final Fantasy XIV. The above video footage shows what this dungeon will look like in version 2.0 of the game, A Realm Reborn, which will launch next year for PC and PS3. Cool music. Reminds me of Final Fantasy Tactics. More »
December 27: Finger Tied Is Like a Game of Naked Twister You Play With Your Hands
Finger Tied Is Like a Game of Naked Twister You Play With Your Hands:
People who bitch about touchscreen games like to complain that "they're so simple." Those people need to shut up and play Finger Tied. More »
December 26: DragonSaga SEA Server Closed Beta Is Now Live
DragonSaga SEA Server Closed Beta Is Now Live:
DragonSaga SEA has entered Closed Beta! The rebirth version of Dragonica SEA, which closed after the contract ended previously, will see many more features and content catered for the gamers. The server is now opened, so download the client now!For more information, you can visit the game website.
DragonSaga SEA has entered Closed Beta! The rebirth version of Dragonica SEA, which closed after the contract ended previously, will see many more features and content catered for the gamers. The server is now opened, so download the client now!For more information, you can visit the game website.
December 26: New FPS: Penguin War's First Closed Beta Opens in January 2013
New FPS: Penguin War's First Closed Beta Opens in January 2013:
Snail Game's new game Penguin War is said to open its first Closed Beta in January 2013. This game is different from other FPSs, because this game does not follow the military style, and it is of nonsense style.
Snail Game's new game Penguin War is said to open its first Closed Beta in January 2013. This game is different from other FPSs, because this game does not follow the military style, and it is of nonsense style.
December 26: FIFA Online 3 Has Surpassed FIFA Online 2 in 3 Days
FIFA Online 3 Has Surpassed FIFA Online 2 in 3 Days:
According to the news from Korean media, the popular soccer MMO FIFA OL3 from Nexon has surpassed its prequel FIFA OL 2 in three days since its official launch, which has attracted wide attention from the media. The famous Korean statistics media Gametrics says that FIFA OL3 is NO.4 in the netbar ranking last week.
According to the news from Korean media, the popular soccer MMO FIFA OL3 from Nexon has surpassed its prequel FIFA OL 2 in three days since its official launch, which has attracted wide attention from the media. The famous Korean statistics media Gametrics says that FIFA OL3 is NO.4 in the netbar ranking last week.
December 25: ArcheAge: 100,000 Characters Being Created In One Day
ArcheAge: 100,000 Characters Being Created In One Day:
ArcheAge KR will enter its open beta on January.2nd, which is next week. The advance character customization activity from December 19th-30th has been highly welcomed by players, XLGAMES has opened ten servers for players to create their characters, and about 100, 000 characters have been created in one single day. It seems that both the pubulisher and the players are ready for the open beta of ArcheAge.
ArcheAge KR will enter its open beta on January.2nd, which is next week. The advance character customization activity from December 19th-30th has been highly welcomed by players, XLGAMES has opened ten servers for players to create their characters, and about 100, 000 characters have been created in one single day. It seems that both the pubulisher and the players are ready for the open beta of ArcheAge.
December 25: Top 10 Companies Take 48% of $68bn Global Games Market
Top 10 Companies Take 48% of $68bn Global Games Market:
Analysis by Newzoo, the independent games market research firm, of the results of the top 25 publicly listed companies by games revenues, shows the top 10 will take 48% of the $68 billion market in 2012. The top 25 will gross approximately two thirds. The analysis confirms that the global market is on track to grow 7% this year, and is expected to continue growing at the same pace in 2013, with underlying growth rates per region and market segment showing strongly different numbers.
Analysis by Newzoo, the independent games market research firm, of the results of the top 25 publicly listed companies by games revenues, shows the top 10 will take 48% of the $68 billion market in 2012. The top 25 will gross approximately two thirds. The analysis confirms that the global market is on track to grow 7% this year, and is expected to continue growing at the same pace in 2013, with underlying growth rates per region and market segment showing strongly different numbers.
December 26: Big TERA content update in the works, game going F2P in Korea and Japan
Big TERA content update in the works, game going F2P in Korea and Japan:
Filed under: Fantasy, Business models, Game mechanics, MMO industry, News items, TERA, Dungeons
NHN is reportedly taking steps to convert the Korean and Japanese versions of TERA to a free-to-play business model. MMO Culture says that TERA Korea will be F2P as of January 10th, while TERA Japan will finish its changeover in mid-February.
Free accounts will be restricted to three or four character slots depending on the region as well as longer dungeon cool-down times. Characters will be allowed 72 storage slots.
TERA is also getting a major content update in the near future. The patch includes a revamped political system, "content centered around guilds and the community," large-scale PvP events, sieges and airships, and new dungeons. NHN has released a story-focused teaser video for the update which you can view after the cut (there are no subtitles). Thus far En Masse has not commented on any business model changes for the American client.
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]
Continue reading Big TERA content update in the works, game going F2P in Korea and Japan
Big TERA content update in the works, game going F2P in Korea and Japan originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 26 Dec 2012 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
Filed under: Fantasy, Business models, Game mechanics, MMO industry, News items, TERA, Dungeons
Free accounts will be restricted to three or four character slots depending on the region as well as longer dungeon cool-down times. Characters will be allowed 72 storage slots.
TERA is also getting a major content update in the near future. The patch includes a revamped political system, "content centered around guilds and the community," large-scale PvP events, sieges and airships, and new dungeons. NHN has released a story-focused teaser video for the update which you can view after the cut (there are no subtitles). Thus far En Masse has not commented on any business model changes for the American client.
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]
Continue reading Big TERA content update in the works, game going F2P in Korea and Japan
Big TERA content update in the works, game going F2P in Korea and Japan originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 26 Dec 2012 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.- Source: MMO Culture
December 24: Snail addresses Age of Wushu brouhaha, Elite mounts to stay
Snail addresses Age of Wushu brouhaha, Elite mounts to stay:
Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Business models, MMO industry, New titles, PvP, News items, Free-to-play, Sandbox, Age of Wushu
Yesterday we reported on a significant brouhaha in the Age of Wushu pre-release community. Snail Games has since posted a lengthy message on its forums in response. There were two major points of contention from a customer perspective. First was the removal of a permanent mount from AoW Elite packages. "We will be giving all Elite package members the permanent mount that we promised," the company says. "In fact, it should be sent to all Elite package accounts by the time you read this."
The other major issue stemmed from the fact that Elite edition customers didn't know that their pre-order bonus items were only good for the first character on the account. Snail says that, as of now at least, that restriction will remain due to technical issues.
Snail addresses Age of Wushu brouhaha, Elite mounts to stay originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 24 Dec 2012 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Business models, MMO industry, New titles, PvP, News items, Free-to-play, Sandbox, Age of Wushu
The other major issue stemmed from the fact that Elite edition customers didn't know that their pre-order bonus items were only good for the first character on the account. Snail says that, as of now at least, that restriction will remain due to technical issues.
Age of Wushu was never made for players to have more than one character or for players to delete the character they decided to make. We had brought it up before and did not (at the time) see the need in specifying that if you get the items on a character and delete that character, those items are gone.[Thanks to Adam for the tip!]
VIP status does stay but any items gained during the character's life or anything done with that character does not carry over. Many of you see this as an easy fix. However, the goods that were included in the packages are tangible items and not account-bound. Because of this, there is no easy fix. We are currently discussing what can be done, if anything.
Snail addresses Age of Wushu brouhaha, Elite mounts to stay originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 24 Dec 2012 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.- Source: Announcement
December 24: Age of Wushu removes Elite benefits unexpectedly
Age of Wushu removes Elite benefits unexpectedly:
Filed under: Historical, Business models, Game mechanics, News items, Free-to-play, Promotions, Sandbox, Age of Wushu
So, enjoying Age of Wushu? Enough to purchase the game's Elite package with all its attendant benefits before launch? That's great, but if you bought it on the premise of having a permanent mount, you're going to be sadly disappointed. Snail Games USA has announced that the unlimited mount previously announced for purchasers has been removed, replaced by an increased quantity of gold and a few temporary mounts. While it's an understandable balance concern, it's also somewhat upsetting for players who have already purchased the package partly on this basis.
This comes in the wake of another announcement by the company clarifying that Elite/Deluxe edition rewards are only given to the first character you create. Deleting and remaking your character will not result in your rewards being resent. This has further angered several players, as this statement was not made until after many players had begun recreating characters without prior knowledge of this policy. The post announcing that these items are one-time-only explains the philosophy behind it, and encourages all players to do ample research before creating a first character for this exact reason.
[Thanks to Adam for the tip!]
Age of Wushu removes Elite benefits unexpectedly originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 23 Dec 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
Filed under: Historical, Business models, Game mechanics, News items, Free-to-play, Promotions, Sandbox, Age of Wushu
This comes in the wake of another announcement by the company clarifying that Elite/Deluxe edition rewards are only given to the first character you create. Deleting and remaking your character will not result in your rewards being resent. This has further angered several players, as this statement was not made until after many players had begun recreating characters without prior knowledge of this policy. The post announcing that these items are one-time-only explains the philosophy behind it, and encourages all players to do ample research before creating a first character for this exact reason.
[Thanks to Adam for the tip!]
Age of Wushu removes Elite benefits unexpectedly originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 23 Dec 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
December 26: You Might Have Missed the Five Coolest Indie Mobile Games of 2012
You Might Have Missed the Five Coolest Indie Mobile Games of 2012:
Earlier this year the folks that brought us IndieDB and ModDB launched SlideDB, a site dedicated to giving indie mobile game developers a means to reach players beyond showing up on the iTunes or Google Play top charts. It's given attention to games that otherwise might have been lost in the crowd — games like Dream of Pixels and Knights of Pen & Paper, two of SlideDB's top five gaming apps of 2012. More »
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