Daily News: 04/24/13

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

King taps tech industry veteran Robert Cohn as a new member of its board of directors

King taps tech industry veteran Robert Cohn as a new member of its board of directors:
Game company King today announce that it’s adding tech industry veteran and former co-founder and CEO of voice mail supplier Octel Communications Robert Cohn to its

Social games' decline is holding digital market back - report

Social games' decline is holding digital market back - report:
Although March saw strong sales of downloadable titles, DLC and mobile games in the U.S., the overall digital sales market was offset by the decline in social

Eldevin: Closed Beta Key Handout!

Eldevin: Closed Beta Key Handout!:
MMORPG.com has been given beta access keys for the new browser based MMORPG from Hunted Cow Studios - Eldevin! Set in the Eldevin Kingdom and with a story based

UFO Online: More Beta Keys!

UFO Online: More Beta Keys!:
Yesterday we setup 500 keys for the closed beta of UFO Online and they were gone in just a few hours. Today we scored an additional 5,000 keys for our readers. Get

Anno Online goes into closed beta

Anno Online goes into closed beta:
Filed under: Betas, Trailers, Video, New Titles, Free-to-Play, Browser, MMORTS City-builders rejoice, for Anno Online has gone into closed beta for its English version. The

Xbox 360 owners get Pizza Hut ordering app

Xbox 360 owners get Pizza Hut ordering app:
Customers in North America can now use Kinect to order pizza. Microsoft and Pizza Hut have launched Pizza Hut for Xbox, an app that allows customers to tailor and

Don’t Forget These Five Things About App Store Economics

Don’t Forget These Five Things About App Store Economics:
We weren't at the conference that Martin Pasquier talks about in this post, but it seems this Singapore-based social media marketer took away a few good pointers: On

Conquer Online: New PvP Arena Gives Everyone the Chance to Win!

Conquer Online: New PvP Arena Gives Everyone the Chance to Win!:
The combat-oriented MMORPG Conquer Online has expanded its PvP action, yet again! This time, by adding a brand new match mode – the Champion’s

Get Your Admission to ChinaJoy 2013 Conference and BTOB Events

Get Your Admission to ChinaJoy 2013 Conference and BTOB Events:
The China Digital Entertainment Expo & Conference (hereafter referred to as "ChinaJoy") will be held at Shanghai New International Expo Center on July 25-28,

Concept Artists Want To Make Their Own Video Game

Concept Artists Want To Make Their Own Video Game:
No doubt tired of doing work for other people's games, British art studio Atomhawk has announced plans to develop a game of their own.Read more...

The Mighty Quest for Epic Loot Drops a Brand New Gameplay Trailer

The Mighty Quest for Epic Loot Drops a Brand New Gameplay Trailer:
Today, Ubisoft unveiled the first gameplay trailer for The Mighty Quest for Epic Loot. Developed by Ubisoft Montreal, the game puts players in an outrageous medieval fantasy world called Opulencia where

Zenimax Talks PvP & Roleplaying in New TESO Ask Us Anything | Ten Ton Hammer

Zenimax Talks PvP & Roleplaying in New TESO Ask Us Anything | Ten Ton Hammer:
PvP mechanics and potential locations for roleplaying are two of the things you’ll find in this week’s update for The Elder Scrolls Online.

Zenimax Details the Creation of TESO’s Ogrim, More Beta Invites Incoming | Ten Ton Hammer

Zenimax Details the Creation of TESO’s Ogrim, More Beta Invites Incoming | Ten Ton Hammer:
The Zenimax team goes behind the scenes of creating TESO’s ogrim and sends out another wave of beta invitations.

Shadowrun Returns will be released in June

Shadowrun Returns will be released in June:
Anyone interested in the $75 Collector's Edition will need to preorder it by April 28. Kickstarter success Shadowrun Returns will be released in June, developer Harebrained Schemes has announced. The game will be distributed through Steam--all backers of the Kickstarter project will receive a Shadowrun Returns Steam key--and

War Thunder One Step Closer to Launch

War Thunder One Step Closer to Launch:
Gaijin Entertainment, developer and publisher of the military MMO game War Thunder, announced that the game has been updated to version 1.29, receiving a

Razer Connects Gamers with New Free Chat System | Ten Ton Hammer

Razer Connects Gamers with New Free Chat System | Ten Ton Hammer:
Move over Ventrilo and TeamSpeak, Razer has announced Razer Comms, a new free communication system with VoIP, IRC-chat, and Instant Messenger support designed

Satoru Iwata named Nintendo of America CEO

Satoru Iwata named Nintendo of America CEO:
As part of Nintendo's plans to boost profits in the current fiscal year, the company today announced that its global president Satoru Iwata will take up an additional role as CEO

Massively's Darkfall launch week diary: Day three and recap

Massively's Darkfall launch week diary: Day three and recap:
Filed under: Fantasy, Darkfall, Game Mechanics, Launches, MMO Industry, New Titles, PvP, PvE, Opinion, Hands-On, First Impressions, Sandbox, Crafting,

Massively's Darkfall launch week diary: Day two

Massively's Darkfall launch week diary: Day two:
Filed under: Fantasy, Darkfall, Game Mechanics, Launches, MMO Industry, New Titles, PvP, PvE, Opinion, Hands-On, First Impressions, Sandbox I'm doing Darkfall

Massively's Darkfall launch week diary: Day one

Massively's Darkfall launch week diary: Day one:
Filed under: Fantasy, Darkfall, Game Mechanics, Launches, MMO Industry, New Titles, PvP, PvE, Opinion, Hands-On, First Impressions, Sandbox Darkfall Unholy

Darkfall Unholy Wars is Now Available

Darkfall Unholy Wars is Now Available:
Aventurine S.A today announced that the sequel for the innovative PvP MMORPG Darkfall Online, Darkfall Unholy Wars, is now available to players via digital

Namco Bandai opening Vancouver and Singapore offices in June

Namco Bandai opening Vancouver and Singapore offices in June:
Studios to focus on creating games for respective regions. Namco Bandai has announced that it will be opening game development studios in Vancouver and

WildStar: Patch Notes Leaked by Tester Then Shared by Carbine

WildStar: Patch Notes Leaked by Tester Then Shared by Carbine:
A current, though probably now former, WildStar beta tester opted to leak patch notes for the game that is currently in its closed beta phase. As a result, Carbine

LotRO hands out daily 'Hobbit presents'

LotRO hands out daily 'Hobbit presents':
Filed under: Fantasy, Lord of the Rings Online, Patches, Free-to-Play, Giveaways Hobbits love getting gifts, and Turbine loves players being in its game, so now everyone

Chartboost opens international office in Europe

Chartboost opens international office in Europe:
Ilja Goossens will lead the new Amsterdam office

Ragnarok Online 2 New Screenshots and Videos

Ragnarok Online 2 New Screenshots and Videos:
With the end of the Open Beta for Ragnarok Online 2, the team are aiming for a May 1st release of the official game. Now check out the new screenshots and videos below and

Darksiders Gets Bought By…Nordic Games? THQ's Other Games Sold Off Too

Darksiders Gets Bought By…Nordic Games? THQ's Other Games Sold Off Too:
The auctions following the closure of former publisher THQ are over. Homeworld, for example, was bought by Gearbox Software—as we learned earlier today. That's not all,

Origins Of Malu: Beta Slated for May 4th

Origins Of Malu: Beta Slated for May 4th:
Folks hoping to check out Origins of Malu will want to head to the official site and download the client in preparation for the commencement of the beta on May 4, 2013.

Blog: Why developers are leaving the Facebook platform

Blog: Why developers are leaving the Facebook platform:
Despite what Facebook says, developers have been migrating away from the platform. But why? Successful venture capitalist and entrepreneur Andrew Chen shares his theories on why. ...

Amid challenges, U.S. video game retail trudges ahead

Amid challenges, U.S. video game retail trudges ahead:
Console makers are positioning themselves to launch new hardware, amid some of the most difficult changes the game industry has ever faced. Gamasutra

Nintendo's Plan To Make The 3DS Stand Out From The iPhone

Nintendo's Plan To Make The 3DS Stand Out From The iPhone:
It feels as though Nintendo's 3DS handheld game system has "arrived." Over the last few months, the library of 3DS games available has reached some sort of critical

Atlantica Online: Tips for the Blade Master & Battle Mage

Atlantica Online: Tips for the Blade Master & Battle Mage:
Last week, Atlantica Online was updated and two new classes were brought into the game. The Battle Mage and Blade Master classes are now available and Nexon has

Finding the 'world' in Prime World

Finding the 'world' in Prime World:
Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Business Models, Classes, Culture, Events (In-Game), Game Mechanics, New Titles, Previews, PvP, Opinion, Hands-On, First

Effectively managing player rewards

Effectively managing player rewards:
There's a way to reward players to make them fulfilled and keep them coming back -- and this post details what you need to keep in mind, including not rewarding them too

Can Colonel O'Neill and Crew Survive Stargate SG-1 Unleashed?

Can Colonel O'Neill and Crew Survive Stargate SG-1 Unleashed?:
Seeking to prolong the magic of the popular science fiction television series, Arkalis Interactive gets the original Stargate SG-1 gang together for one last big score. Having

Uncharted Waters Online: Dipping Toes in the 'Ocean'box

Uncharted Waters Online: Dipping Toes in the 'Ocean'box:
Uncharted Waters Online is a game that has a small but dedicated fanbase. We took some time to dip our toes in the ocean to see how UWO plays these days. Check out

3D Open World MMORPG Dragon Nest 2 Is Under Development

3D Open World MMORPG Dragon Nest 2 Is Under Development:
Recently the CEO of SNDA and Eyedentity, Xiangdong Qian has unveiled an exciting news for Dragon Nest fans that the sequel of the masterpiece Dragon Nest 2 is under

Not So Massively: New Star Citizen column, Path of Exile Season Two, and MOBA news

Not So Massively: New Star Citizen column, Path of Exile Season Two, and MOBA news:
Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Video, Bugs, Game Mechanics, Launches, New Titles, Patches, PvP, News Items, PvE, Free-to-Play, MMOFPS, Dev Diaries, Not So

Ark of Sinners Advance Review

Ark of Sinners Advance Review:
Gamezebo Rating: Spanish developer Anima Game Studio’s Castlevania-ish side-scroller, Anima: Ark of Sinners, was previously released as a WiiWare game in

Quiz Buddies review

Quiz Buddies review:
Quiz Buddies is a new Facebook and mobile game from Playdemic. It’s available now on both platforms, and features cross-platform play between the Facebook and

Just Cause dev: Story-driven AAA games make no business sense

Just Cause dev: Story-driven AAA games make no business sense:
Avalanche Studios founder says exceptions exist, like The Last of Us; 18 percent of players finished Just Cause 2 story missions. Story-driven AAA games

Rhythm Sensation Idolmaster Makes It Out of Japan... as Three $55 Apps

Rhythm Sensation Idolmaster Makes It Out of Japan... as Three $55 Apps:
Since 2005, Namco Bandai's rhythm-tastic Idolmaster (Idolm@ster) series has been charming Japanese fans (and import gamers) at home and in arcades with its

Forging Ahead: Forge Developer Blog Details Massive Re-Launch Update | Ten Ton Hammer

Forging Ahead: Forge Developer Blog Details Massive Re-Launch Update | Ten Ton Hammer:
Dark Vale Games devs discuss the future of Forge as the MMO and FPS style class-based title prepares to re-launch later this month.

Pathfinder Online: Ryan Dancey Dishes with DM Fiat

Pathfinder Online: Ryan Dancey Dishes with DM Fiat:
DM Fiat is generally a tabletop gaming site but has some crossover with upcoming MMOs including Pathfinder Online. The DM Fiat team recently had the opportunity to

Fable developer Lionhead hires MMO veteran as new boss

Fable developer Lionhead hires MMO veteran as new boss:
Ex-Cryptic CEO joins UK developer to "lead Lionhead towards an ambitious online future." UK-based developer Lionhead, responsible for the Fable series, has

Team-based arena combat game Panzar goes live

Team-based arena combat game Panzar goes live:
Filed under: Fantasy, Launches, New Titles, News Items, Free-to-Play Do you enjoy crushing your enemies, seeing them driven before you, and all that fun stuff? Then

DRAGO Entertainment Pulls the Plug on Grimlands Kickstarter | Ten Ton Hammer

DRAGO Entertainment Pulls the Plug on Grimlands Kickstarter | Ten Ton Hammer:
Grimlands Kickstarter campaign ends early after DRAGO Entertainment ends the drive to begin talks with potential investors.

Win your way into the Plants vs. Zombies Adventures closed beta!

Win your way into the Plants vs. Zombies Adventures closed beta!:
Braaaaaaaainnnnsss. If you’ve got any, you’ll want to check out PopCap’s upcoming Plants vs. Zombies Adventures. But why wait for the game’s public launch on

3D Fantasy Action MMORPG HeroesGo Kicks Off CBT on April 26

3D Fantasy Action MMORPG HeroesGo Kicks Off CBT on April 26:
HeroesGo is a 3D Fantasy Action MMORPG centering around a wide selection of skills and talents that allow players to fully customize their way of combat. Be the first to

JOYHUBs Announces the Official Release of Siege on Stars

JOYHUBs Announces the Official Release of Siege on Stars:
After a successful beta testing period, JOYHUBs is proud to announce the release of their newest game Siege on Stars to the gaming public on April 26th at 12:00AM EST,

Protecting your IP in a new age

Protecting your IP in a new age:
In the era of crowdsourcing, user-generated content, and patent trolls, how do you protect your IP? This legal post explains how you can protect yourself. ...

Game of Thrones: Ascent is More Up-to-Date With the Show Than You Are

Game of Thrones: Ascent is More Up-to-Date With the Show Than You Are:
Well before the first episode aired on HBO late last month, members of Boston-based developer Disruptor Beam had already seen a little over half of season three of

BBC aspires to Defiance-like transmedia approach

BBC aspires to Defiance-like transmedia approach:
Robert Nashak, BBC's EVP for digital, explains how the company deals with its vast array of IP and why BBC is so excited for Microsoft's next-gen Xbox

Layoffs at Harmonix

Layoffs at Harmonix:
Rock Band and Dance Central studio cuts "small number" of jobs due to "shifting priorities" for company's upcoming games. Rock Band and Dance Central creator

Gameforge to close Berlin office

Gameforge to close Berlin office:
Company consolidates and offers positions to staff in Karlsruhe, Germany

ArcheAge CN May Adopt Free to Play Charging Model

ArcheAge CN May Adopt Free to Play Charging Model:
According to an Korean interview with the ArcheAge producer Jake Song, ArcheAge CN server may adopt the free to play charging model with cash shop which is

General: Will FireFall Rise or Fall?

General: Will FireFall Rise or Fall?:
This past year has been a hard one on game makers and publishers the world over. In some startling news, it has been revealed that Red 5's owner is in financial

Elsword: Summon Over 60 Different Monsters

Elsword: Summon Over 60 Different Monsters:
Kill3rCombo has teamed up with MMORPG.com to bring our readers exciting news about a new feature that will be added to Elsword on April 24th. Find out how

Bookworm Heroes Review

Bookworm Heroes Review:
Gamezebo Rating: The problem with the free-to-play (FTP) model is not that it exists. The problem is that some publishers who are in love with FTP implement the system

Lumber Jacked Review

Lumber Jacked Review:
Gamezebo Rating: One might think that with their shared interest in deforestation, lumberjacks and beavers would be natural allies. However, as Lumber Jacked makes

Red Blood (KR) Launches Open Beta on May 7

Red Blood (KR) Launches Open Beta on May 7:
The Grand Opening for Action MMORPG Red Blood Online kicks off early next month starting on May 7th, 2013. Gorilla Banana and BIG SPOON scheduled a lot of

A New CG Trailer Created by Avatar's Artists for Launched for Asura

A New CG Trailer Created by Avatar's Artists for Launched for Asura:
With the imminent arrival of Asura, Tencent, one of the most successful game companies in China, hosted a launch event to celebrate the game's release. During its 2013 annual game launch event, the game company announced Asura was heading into Open Beta testing with all records and game progress to be kept, and unveiled a brand new CG teaser trailer created by a team of Third Floor artists renowned for being an integral part of the creation of Avatar for this upcoming game to shed some light on the background story.

An RPG That's Drawn Entirely On Paper

An RPG That's Drawn Entirely On Paper:
This game was made by one man. And is entirely hand-drawn. Using actual paper and ink.Read more...

Words With Friends takes the top spot in this week’s fastest-growing Facebook games by MAU

Words With Friends takes the top spot in this week’s fastest-growing Facebook games by MAU:
Words With Friends is this week’s fastest-growing Facebook game by monthly active user, bringing in 7.1 million monthly active users for a 45 percent gain. Last week