Fearing the micro-transaction future

Fearing the micro-transaction future: F2P and paymium are inevitable, and not just for EA - but critics of
this future aren't easily dismissed

Prius Online Comes Back with A New Name Arcane Saga

Prius Online Comes Back with A New Name Arcane Saga:

Previously known as Prius Online, Netmarble Brings Back the popular MMORPG with a new name "Arcane Saga" and fresh content. The refreshed game is set to launch in North America in the first half of 2013. Interested players can visit the Arcane Saga Facebook page for more information.

Continue reading Prius Online Comes Back with A New Name Arcane Saga.

Godsrule: War of Mortals Preview

Godsrule: War of Mortals Preview:
Don't you hate it when the Old Gods and the New Gods decide to throw down over the fate of your world? Yeah, me too. Sega and Gogogic want to make sure we aren't just pawns, whipping up Godsrule: War of Mortals to allow us to have some say in our fate. Because if mastering cross-platform RTS action won't show the gods who's boss, nothing will.

Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn: Crafting and the Economy

Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn: Crafting and the Economy:

Crafting seems to be one of the big topics as the shift in MMOs goes from developer created content to player created. In today's Eorzea Reborn, we take a look at the way that crafting has the potential to influence the Final Fantasy: A Realm Reborn economy. Read on and then craft a response in the comments.

Mark of Honor Update Hits MapleStory

Mark of Honor Update Hits MapleStory:

Nexon has released a new trailer to support the MapleStory update called Mark of Honor and the release of Kanna, an enchanted character who uses spirits to battle and buff up other characters.

Continue reading Mark of Honor Update Hits MapleStory.

Layoffs at GameFly rumored to be significant

Layoffs at GameFly rumored to be significant:
As many as one-third of the employees of games-on-demand and subscription games-by-mail company GameFly were let go as part of a corporate restructuring Thursday. CEO David Hodess says this won't affect its digital business. ...

For What It's Worth, AVP: Evolution is the Best Aliens Game Released This Year

For What It's Worth, AVP: Evolution is the Best Aliens Game Released This Year:

Other than the eponymous xenomorphs, general bugginess and some laughable artificial intelligence, Angry Mob Games' AVP: Evolution from iOS and Android has absolutely nothing in common with the train wreck that is Gearbox's Aliens: Colonial Marines. In just about every other way the mobile game is superior to the console/PC title. More »

Bubble Origins review

Bubble Origins review:
Bubble Origins is a new Facebook game from Level Up. It has been showing activity since early February and has been enjoying slow but steady growth since that time.

Godsrule Open Beta Orb Giveaway | Ten Ton Hammer

Godsrule Open Beta Orb Giveaway | Ten Ton Hammer:

Claim your 300 Orbs for Godsrule by registering for the beta through Ten Ton Hammer today.

AVP: Evolution Review (iPhone, iPad, Android)

AVP: Evolution Review (iPhone, iPad, Android):

Gamezebo Rating: Short of radio dramas, Aliens and Predators have waged war in pretty much every medium imaginable. The battle began in a series of comics—a few of which had the chutzpah to throw Superman, Batman, and The Terminator into the mix—but books and games were quick to follow (the films came much later). While all of these things are worthy of discussion, we actually only review games at this site. Bummer, right? The good news is that Alien vs. Predator: Evolution is a game, and I’m primed and ready to talk your ear off about it.

Real Racing 3 Review (iPhone, iPad, Android)

Real Racing 3 Review (iPhone, iPad, Android):

Gamezebo Rating: Firemint’s Real Racing franchise has long set standards for iOS gaming.  And not just racing games, either.  The team at Firemint (now FireMonkeys) have consistently set the bar ridiculously high for graphics, accessibility, and iOS-first design strategies.  This probably had a lot to do with why EA bought them back in 2011.

NPD Group: '29% of core gamers are likely to purchase a next-gen console'

NPD Group: '29% of core gamers are likely to purchase a next-gen console': With the gaming industry suffering from alleged "gamer fatigue" caused by aged console hardware, all eyes are on...

EverQuest Producer's Letter Outlines New Content and Team Changes | Ten Ton Hammer

EverQuest Producer's Letter Outlines New Content and Team Changes | Ten Ton Hammer:
New changes come to the EverQuest team with new content plans ahead of next month's anniversary.

Buddy Blitz Review (iPhone)

Buddy Blitz Review (iPhone):

Gamezebo Rating: Matching puzzle games have been around for a very long time. From Bejeweled to Puzzle Quest 2, it seems like every permutation has been created, remixed, and re-released several times over. That's not necessarily a bad thing, of course, and Buddy Blitz banks on that fact with some lovely artwork and a streamlined matching game complete with cute animal friends!

Toys”R”Us Towers coming to iOS

Toys”R”Us Towers coming to iOS:
Ubisoft’s Facebook game Toys”R”Us Towers is coming to iOS.
At this week’s Ubisoft Digital Day, we got to spend some hands-on time with the title on iPad. Based on what we saw, this will be a close port of the Facebook version, which we liked when we reviewed it December. Players still build up a Toys”R”Us skyscraper using a variety of resources and energy, working towards the ultimate goal of becoming the CEO of Toys”R”Us.
According to Damian Dale, Ubisoft’s Senior Partnership Manager for Mobile and Social, the iOS version will be focused on increasing user engagement rather than monetization; an example of this was the ability to watch video ads in order to gain energy immediately rather than waiting for it to recharge. Although promotion with Toys”R”Us is still being discussed (apparently Ubisoft is hoping to incorporate geolocation mechanics with push notifications when a user is near one of the retail chain’s stores). That said, Toys”R”Us is already starting to promote the game through its own website (seen in the image below), partner sites, and its “Great Big Book” of coupons.

One of Toys”R”Us Towers’ major advantages with engaging users is how it allows players to earn coupons that can be redeemed at Toys”R”Us stores across the United States, as well as the company’s website.
Toys”R”Us Towers will launch for iOS in either March or April.

EQII Player Studio challenges players to end bad hair days

EQII Player Studio challenges players to end bad hair days:
Filed under: Fantasy, EverQuest II, Events, real-world, MMO industry, News items, Free-to-play

Back when Player Studio first introduced the idea of adding player-created items for sale in EverQuest II's cash shop, only housing items and cloaks could be submitted. However, players were promised that more items would be allowed in time. Well, break out your Blender, because that time is now! Fans with a creative streak can now submit personally designed hairstyles, weapons, and shields for consideration and possible inclusion in the game.



Currently, hairstyles for only elves and humans can be submitted and must be shoulder-length or above. For weapons, various one- and two-handed stances are all possible, with the notable exception of caster staffs. Instructions, models, and samples are provided on the official site.

EQII Player Studio challenges players to end bad hair days originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 28 Feb 2013 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

• Source: Twitter

Farmville veterans raise $1.5 million for mobile games

Farmville veterans raise $1.5 million for mobile games: Red Hot Labs seeks to create a mobile development platform

Gameforge announces F2P anniversary celebration and 3.9 update for EU Aion

Gameforge announces F2P anniversary celebration and 3.9 update for EU Aion:
Filed under: Fantasy, Aion, Game mechanics, Patches, News items, Free-to-play, Dungeons, Anniversary

February 28th marks the one-year anniversary of Aion's conversion to free-to-play in Europe. In celebration of the occasion, Gameforge is kicking off some special events and has announced a new update that launches on April 17th.



The anniversary festivities include three 50% bonuses through March 6th -- an XP boost in the Abyss, an increased item drop rate, and an increase in the success rate when crafting. On February 28th, players can also take advantage of a special happy hour where they will receive 20% more Aion coins during a select two-hour window.



EU Aion's 3.9 update will introduce features that group-starved Daevas have been waiting for. Dubbed the Fast Track server in NA, the Rookie server will allow a PvP-free leveling mecca for players from all servers. The dungeon finder will allow players to find and join specific instance groups more easily.



[Source: Gameforge press release]

Gameforge announces F2P anniversary celebration and 3.9 update for EU Aion originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 28 Feb 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Journey developer Santiago joins Ouya

Journey developer Santiago joins Ouya: Kellee Santiago will serve as head of developer relations, and Portal dev Kim Swift will make an exclusive title for Ouya

Indie game development on the rise in a big way

Indie game development on the rise in a big way:
We knew it was true, but now we have the stats to show it: According to the Game Developers Conference's State Of The Industry survey, indie game development is on the upswing, with 53 percent of those polled calling themselves "indie." ...

Steam Linux sale results show there may be potential for Linux games

Steam Linux sale results show there may be potential for Linux games:
While it's still far from the revenue he's seen with the Windows version of Defender's Quest, developer Lars Doucet says that he's sold nearly three times as may Linux versions as he has for the Macintosh. ...

GameHouse Casino Review (Facebook)

GameHouse Casino Review (Facebook):

Gamezebo Rating: It seems kind of sad to suggest that a game needs to be something more than just fun, but that's kind of where we're at when it comes to free casino and slots games. With real online gambling starting to gear up in the U.S., titles like GameHouse Casino could easily be overlooked. That's a shame too, because it's one of the more promising Facebook casino games to hit the market.

Burt Destruction's Difficulty Gets in the Way of a Good Joke

Burt Destruction's Difficulty Gets in the Way of a Good Joke:

Full disclosure, I know one of the guys who worked on Burt Destruction, which landed on Android and iOS stores a couple weeks ago. Jeff Reitman is the CTO of RunWilder Entertainment, the game's maker. He and I performed in some stand-up comedy showcases together back before I joined Kotaku, and Jeff was a favorite target every time we did a roast together. This game plays like his revenge for that. More »