Daily News: 05/20/13

Monday, May 20, 2013

Android and iOS Combine for 92.3% of All Smartphone Operating System Shipments in the First Quarter While Windows Phone Leapfrogs BlackBerry, According to IDC

Android and iOS Combine for 92.3% of All Smartphone Operating System Shipments in the First Quarter While Windows Phone Leapfrogs BlackBerry, According to IDC :
Android and iOS, the number one and number two ranked smartphone operating systems (OS) worldwide, combined for 92.3% of all smartphone shipments during the first quarter of 2013 (1Q13) as Windows Phone crept past BlackBerry for 3rd place. According to the International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker, Android smartphone vendors and Apple shipped a total of 199.5 million units worldwide during 1Q13, up 59.1% from the 125.4 million units shipped during 1Q12.

Korean News and Beta Test Announcements

Dragonfly “Kingdom Under Fire Online: Age of Storm” recorded 35,000 participants, 60% revisited, daily average play time was 130 minutes during frontier test.
Creant “Blitz 2” holds CBT from May 6 to 10.
NHN Hangame “Dungeon Striker” holds final stress test from May 7 to 9.
EA “MVP Baseball Online” starts Daum channeling service.
Perfect World web game “Three Kingdom Fantasy” to start service in Korea via Daum.
Liveplex mobile game “Queens Blade” to be released in mid-May.
Actoz MMORPG “TIR Online” releases story video, official service on May 30.
Neople “Dungeon Fighter” holds user test for its “character balancing update” until May 22.
Nexon FPS “Warface” releases “new map introductory video,” content update on May 16.
Nox Entertainment MMORPG for the females “Beat Online” starts OBT on May 10.
Creant “Blitz 2” Battle Line” ends CBT, 1,566 participants, daily average play time at 429 minutes, 75% re-logins.
Line Kong 3D non-targeting action game “Daybreak” to be available in Korea via Uniana, to hold CBT in the 2nd half of 2013.
ENP Games web RPG “Monghwan Jiseong” holds CBT from May 14 to 16.
Astorm “Hero Warz” opens official homepage, CBT starts on June 21.
Mvert FPS “Peta City” holds 2nd CBT from May 21 to 22.
Gravity Interactive “Ragnarok Online 2” recorded 300,000 users in only 10 days since start of service, daily users recorded at 100,000, ranks 1st in Steam service free MMORPG category, soon to be available in Japan, China, Thailand, Philippines, Brazil, etc.
Gala Lab “Zenobian” starts Japan official service via Gpotato (Japan).
Blue Side “Kingdom Under Fire 2” to be published in 4 SEA countries including Indonesia, Thailand via Lead Tek Korea.
Nox Entertainment MMORPG “Beat Online” starts formal service.
Eyasoft RPG “Dungeon Hero” holds guerilla test from May 24 to 26.
NGL MMORPG “Forsaken World” holds frontier test (open CBT) from May 23 to 28.
Kufeng Studio MMORPG “Emblem Saga” holds holds CBT from June 5 to 9.
ENP Games “Monghwang Jiseong” starts official service on May 20, 5 pm.
Com2us 2013 1stQ sales: 24,900,000,000won, operating income: 5,100,000,000won, net income: 8,600,000,000won.
NHN 2013 1Q sales: 673,600,000,000won, operating income: 191,100,000,000won, net income: 157,000,000,000won.
Joymax 2013 1Q sales: 12,900,000,000won, operating income: 4,500,000,000won, net income: 3,100,000,000won.
Wemade 2013 1Q sales: 59,500,000,000won, operating income: 4,500,000,000won, net profit: 5,200,000,000won.
YD Online 2013 1Q sales: 6,800,000,000won, operating income: 500,000,000won, net income: 200,000,000won.
Estasoft 2013 1Q sales: 96,900,000,000won, operating income: 3,200,000,000won, net income: 5,700,000,000won.

ROBLOX introduces new Dynamic Lighting engine

ROBLOX introduces new Dynamic Lighting engine:
ROBLOX, the popular social gaming site that encourages user-based creation has released a new lighting and shadow engine this week called Dynamic Lighting. When all

Siege on Stars Announces Arena Battles Are Now Available

Siege on Stars Announces Arena Battles Are Now Available:
Siege on Stars is pleased to announce that Arena battles are now available for players to be a part of. The Arena will allow players to fight in solo and group battles. Winners

Guild Launch Partners with SOE for Exclusive Dragon’s Prophet Beta Offer | Ten Ton Hammer

Guild Launch Partners with SOE for Exclusive Dragon’s Prophet Beta Offer | Ten Ton Hammer:
Are you ready to dive into the Dragon’s Prophet beta? Guild Launch is giving you the chance to snag a key.

Dragon's Prophet Free Beta Key(NA) Giveaway Event

Dragon's Prophet Free Beta Key(NA) Giveaway Event:
MMOsite has teamed up with Sony Online Entertainment to give away free beta key(NA). Dragon's Prophet is an action MMO that sets in a western fantasy world.

New action combat MOBA Skara begins Kickstarter campaign

New action combat MOBA Skara begins Kickstarter campaign:
Filed under: Video, MMO Industry, New Titles, Miscellaneous, MOBA, Crowdfunding "Imagine an experience with the action of Street Fighter inside a story and land like

Ruby Seven Studios bets big on casino games

Ruby Seven Studios bets big on casino games:
Back in April, I had the good fortune of moderating a panel at the Social Casino Summit in San Francisco. The panel was about how to stand out in the crowded

From MiniClip to Mega Brand

From MiniClip to Mega Brand:
CEO Rob Small on moving to mobile, facing the competition and turning down Facebook

Conquer Online Holds World Fighting League To Celebrate Its 10th Anniversary!

Conquer Online Holds World Fighting League To Celebrate Its 10th Anniversary!:
Although you can find a heap of online games in the market nowadays, it is rare to see one that has been going steady for over 10 years! So to celebrate this marvelous

Nintendo Wii U: Death By Apathy

Nintendo Wii U: Death By Apathy:
With no support from Electronic Arts, the Wii U just experienced its Dreamcast moment. Will other publishers now follow suit?

Building a games-as-a-service studio from the ground up

Building a games-as-a-service studio from the ground up:
Jeremy Blum tells the story of the founding of New World Interactive, developers of Insurgency, explaining how his background boosted his effort to build a community-

Lost Saga: Big Update Brings New Features

Lost Saga: Big Update Brings New Features:
WeGame USA has updated Lost Saga with a huge new patch that includes new a premium character, game map, and game mode. In additon, the Free Pass Community

'Coercive' free-to-play, or treating your players like a disease

'Coercive' free-to-play, or treating your players like a disease:
Monetization consultant Ramin Shokrizade explains how many free-to-play games are "coercive" towards players -- and how, inevitably, these business models will stop

Obsidian and Mail.ru Games partner up for Skyforge MMO

Obsidian and Mail.ru Games partner up for Skyforge MMO:
Obsidian and Allods Team's new game coming in 2014

Battlefield project manager moves to Call of Duty team

Battlefield project manager moves to Call of Duty team:
Kevin Flynn leaves the Battlefield to join the Ghosts

World War Z tie-in on the way

World War Z tie-in on the way:
iOS and Android game to launch May 30 ahead of upcoming Brad Pitt movie of the same name. Upcoming Brad Pitt zombie movie World War Z will be accompanied by

Play with the good kind of game pirates soon in Scurvy Scallywags

Play with the good kind of game pirates soon in Scurvy Scallywags:
Ron Gilbert's match-three, musical pirate role-playing game for iOS devices is almost here, and the designer has given...

Nintendo Re-Writes Rules of E3, Letting the Public Play...At Best Buy

Nintendo Re-Writes Rules of E3, Letting the Public Play...At Best Buy:
Nintendo will make several of their unreleased Wii U games playable at more than 100 Best Buy locations during the week of E3, according to Nintendo of

MMObility: What needs to happen to make the mobile market shine

MMObility: What needs to happen to make the mobile market shine:
Filed under: Game Mechanics, MMO Industry, Opinion, Mobile, Miscellaneous, MMObility I've recently written about what the MMO future might look like, but in case you

Legend of Edda: Vengeance Open Beta Begins

Legend of Edda: Vengeance Open Beta Begins:
GamesCampus has announced that Legend of Edda is returning with a new version, the Legend of Edda: Vengeance. Legend of Edda: Vengeance enters open

Jagged Alliance Online Locked and Loaded for Steam PvP | Ten Ton Hammer

Jagged Alliance Online Locked and Loaded for Steam PvP | Ten Ton Hammer:
Cliffhanger Productions have announced that Jagged Alliance Online is coming to Steam with a new PvP-focused version.

Maplestory celebrates eight years with events

Maplestory celebrates eight years with events:
Filed under: Fantasy, MapleStory, Events (In-Game), News Items, Free-to-Play, Anniversaries Do you remember what you were doing eight years ago? Nexon does. It

Snails Smoke Fast And Furious In The Battle Of The Mobile Movie Racers

Snails Smoke Fast And Furious In The Battle Of The Mobile Movie Racers:
This movie season sees not one but two different racing films hitting theaters — one aimed at a younger, less-mature audience, and the other an animated snail movie from

Saint Seiya Online Taiwan Publisher Is Confirmed

Saint Seiya Online Taiwan Publisher Is Confirmed:
The publisher, Iwan Interactive, was confirmed earlier today to be the 2nd overseas server for Saint Seiya Online after China. Saint Seiya Taiwan is scheduled for

Galaxy S4 sales approach 10 million

Galaxy S4 sales approach 10 million:
Samsung says latest smartphone is outpacing the S3, expects it to hit milestone next week

Blog: Don't rip off your community

Blog: Don't rip off your community:
Raptr CEO Dennis Fong explains how "milking players for cash" isn't the right way to make a profit from games -- when "what's good for the player is often good for

Ragnarok Online 2 Prepares to do Battle in PvP Colosseum

Ragnarok Online 2 Prepares to do Battle in PvP Colosseum:
WarpPortal is proud to introduce their first update to, Ragnarok Online 2: Legend of the Second, which offers players a whole new way to do battle in a new PvP Colosseum.

New York Times VP joins EA board of directors

New York Times VP joins EA board of directors:
Newspaper's EVP of Digital Products and Services Denise Warren appointed to leadership role at Battlefield publisher, is only woman on company's board of

The Game That Fights Pirates With Piracy Was Just Greenlit On Steam

The Game That Fights Pirates With Piracy Was Just Greenlit On Steam:
This batch of recently green-lit games looks fantastic, and not just because it includes the game development simulator where piracy battles piracy. Let's take a closer look

A Unique Marketing Tool For Japanese Mobile Games: Collaborations

A Unique Marketing Tool For Japanese Mobile Games: Collaborations:
Japan is the only country in the world where mobile games are regularly being advertised on television. And this isn’t about cheap night time slots in niche TV programs

King to launch Pet Rescue Saga on Mobile this summer; now has more than 70M DAU

King to launch Pet Rescue Saga on Mobile this summer; now has more than 70M DAU:
The London-based game studio behind Candy Crush Saga today announced that it’s launching Pet Rescue Saga on iOS and Android early this summer, while also

Can Knockdown 3 Officially Released

Can Knockdown 3 Officially Released:
Challenge your aim, hone your precision, and push your puzzle-solving skills to the next level in this insanely addictive game. This installment takes the critically

Real 3D Boxing Game: Real Boxing!

Real 3D Boxing Game: Real Boxing!:
Real Boxing brings you the most exhilarating, no holds barred fighting action ever seen on Android, Real Boxing's incredible graphics have been optimized for

A Mystical Land changes name to Villagers & Heroes, adds content

A Mystical Land changes name to Villagers & Heroes, adds content:
Filed under: Fantasy, Game Mechanics, MMO Industry, News Items, PvE, Free-to-Play, Casual, Player-Generated Content Remember A Mystical Land? Well, forget

Fizziology breaks down social media buzz surrounding next Xbox... err, 'Xbox 720'

Fizziology breaks down social media buzz surrounding next Xbox... err, 'Xbox 720':
Social media is a very powerful tool. Not only has it changed the way companies interact with consumers -- just see my...

New Team Fortress 2 update is completely user-made

New Team Fortress 2 update is completely user-made:
The newest free content update for Valve's Team Fortress 2, Robotic Boogaloo, is entirely the creation of the game's fans, with more than 50 modders contributing to the

Darkfall plans summer content update, suffers DDOS attack

Darkfall plans summer content update, suffers DDOS attack:
Filed under: Fantasy, Darkfall, Game Mechanics, MMO Industry, Patches, PvP, News Items, PvE, Sandbox, Dungeons Darkfall's long-awaited Unholy Wars

Darkfall: Unholy Wars: A Tough But Rewarding Nut to Crack

Darkfall: Unholy Wars: A Tough But Rewarding Nut to Crack:
For the past several weeks, we've been delving into Darkfall: Unholy Wars, and after along week spent experiencing the clan warfare, and more "hardcore" aspects of

ArenaNet Ceases Development on Guild Wars | Ten Ton Hammer

ArenaNet Ceases Development on Guild Wars | Ten Ton Hammer:
After more than 8 years, ArenaNet announces the end of development for Guild Wars and switches to automated service.

MMO Family: First Impressions of World of Trinketz

MMO Family: First Impressions of World of Trinketz:
Filed under: Business Models, Game Mechanics, Opinion, Free-to-Play, Browser, Hands-On, First Impressions, Kids, MMO Family, Family, Miscellaneous I have to

iOS App Store optimization: The basics

iOS App Store optimization: The basics:
This quick-hit blog post lists the essential things you need to keep in mind for your App Store listing -- making sure that you don't fail to connect with your players at the finish

MMOTCG HEX doubles Kickstarter goal with 3 weeks left

MMOTCG HEX doubles Kickstarter goal with 3 weeks left:
Filed under: Fantasy, MMO Industry, New Titles, Trading Card Games, Miscellaneous, Crowdfunding HEX: Shards of Fate, the MMO trading card game that we first

WorldAlpha: WorldAlpha's 2013 Plans

WorldAlpha: WorldAlpha's 2013 Plans:
We reached our to WorldAlpha's development team with a few questions about what the game has in store for 2013. Read up on our mini-interview to see what

Triumphant Return - Arcane Saga Review

Triumphant Return - Arcane Saga Review:
Prius Online was a game enjoyed by many people, who were very distraught when it went down last year. However, the world of Prius has now returned as Arcane Saga!

E3 still vital to industry, says ESA

E3 still vital to industry, says ESA:
Trade group exec says attendees overwhelmingly pleased with the show, confirms it will return to LACC through 2016

Help La Llorona Morgana find her children while celebrating the launch of League of Legends' Latin America servers

Help La Llorona Morgana find her children while celebrating the launch of League of Legends' Latin America servers:
As my first AP champion, me and Morgana go way back – she will always have a place in my heart. You know what...

2m downloads in 3 months for Pixel People

2m downloads in 3 months for Pixel People:
iOS game brings in $700,000 for creators Lambdamu

ChinaJoy 2013 Help to Boost Mobile Payment in China

ChinaJoy 2013 Help to Boost Mobile Payment in China:
Thanks to the maturing mobile Internet and the wide use of smart phones and tablets, mobile game has been enjoying a rapid growth. Figures indicate that the number of

ChinaJoy to See New Wave of Mobile Advertising

ChinaJoy to See New Wave of Mobile Advertising:
Mobile advertising saw a significant breakthrough in Q1 2013 in terms of customer acceptance and click volume of mobile advertising brands, with some

Sid Meier: We must not forget the value of the core gamer

Sid Meier: We must not forget the value of the core gamer:
Sid Meier is going mobile, but not casual - we talk to him about the evolving gaming landscape and how he's adapting his strategy

Massively's DUST 514 launch impressions

Massively's DUST 514 launch impressions:
Filed under: Sci-Fi, EVE Online, Game Mechanics, Launches, MMO Industry, New Titles, PvP, Opinion, Free-to-Play, Hands-On, Consoles, First Impressions, DUST

In free-to-play, don't toy with players' emotions

In free-to-play, don't toy with players' emotions:
Game Developer magazines's Patrick Miller takes a look at something he thinks a lot of free-to-play developers forget: Spending money is an intense emotional experience

General: Twitch.tv Offers F2P Kabam Titles

General: Twitch.tv Offers F2P Kabam Titles:
Players will now be able to take advantage of integrated F2P titles from Kabam all while watching their favorite Twitch.tv streams. The pair of companies announced the

Netmarble Introduces Online Board Game Sensation, Dice Venture

Netmarble Introduces Online Board Game Sensation, Dice Venture:
Netmarble, a leading worldwide game portal, expands its portfolio with Dice Venture, an online casual board game known internationally as Modoo Marble. The

SpryFox announces next game: Road Not Taken

SpryFox announces next game: Road Not Taken:
Triple Town developer SpryFox have announced their next game today, and it looks to be just as adorable and addictively fun as every other title in their impressive

Divide and conquer: Mode 7's move to multi-title, multi-platform

Divide and conquer: Mode 7's move to multi-title, multi-platform:
Paul Taylor lifts the curtain on growing a studio after indie hit Frozen Synapse

YoYo Games rolling out GameMaker: Studio module for Tizen

YoYo Games rolling out GameMaker: Studio module for Tizen:
"We strongly believe that Tizen will be a significant platform for mobile and other devices," says GameMaker: Studio developer YoYo Games, in announcing the

OnNet USA Releases Gameplay Trailer of Tour Golf Online

OnNet USA Releases Gameplay Trailer of Tour Golf Online:
OnNet USA has released the first video of its new golf online game Tour Golf Online. In this video you can see the stunning graphics of this new generation online golf

More on Watch Dogs and its 'seamless' multiplayer

More on Watch Dogs and its 'seamless' multiplayer:
Is anybody else really confused with Watch Dogs multiplayer offerings? From what I understand -- or more like from what...

MMObility: Exploring a tiny universe in Pocket Galaxy

MMObility: Exploring a tiny universe in Pocket Galaxy:
Filed under: Betas, Sci-Fi, Screenshots, Video, EVE Online, Game Mechanics, New Titles, Previews, PvP, PvE, Opinion, Free-to-Play, Casual, MMObility Pocket Galaxy, a

Marvel Heroes prepares for the end at the beginning

Marvel Heroes prepares for the end at the beginning:
Filed under: Betas, Super-hero, Classes, Previews, Endgame, Free-to-Play, Marvel Heroes With early access to Marvel Heroes coming on May 28th and the actual launch a

Rise and Shiny revisit: Mabinogi remains magical

Rise and Shiny revisit: Mabinogi remains magical:
Filed under: Fantasy, Screenshots, Video, Game Mechanics, Opinion, Free-to-Play, Hands-On, Casual, Virtual Worlds, Mabinogi, Rise and Shiny, Livestream,

TestFlight heads into open beta on Android

TestFlight heads into open beta on Android:
TestFlight, the free app for developers to beta test their software with users, is moving into open beta on Android today after 45 days spent in closed beta. ...

An Alien with a Magnet Releases Latest Gameplay Trailers

An Alien with a Magnet Releases Latest Gameplay Trailers:
Ricardo de Zoete (RZDESIGN) & Lukas Hoenderdos (Rejected Games) announced their first game a while ago, which is coming to iOS, Android, PC & Mac. An Alien

Action Thriller MMO MAZE: The Treasure Hunters Heading for Thailand

Action Thriller MMO MAZE: The Treasure Hunters Heading for Thailand:
Announced a couple of hours ago, Thailand publisher, Goldensoft Interactive, has signed MAZE: The Treasure Hunters and War Rock from Korean developer, Dream

Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn: Letter From the Producer #45 Published

Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn: Letter From the Producer #45 Published:
The forty-fifth installment of the Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn Letter from the Producer has been published on the official forums. The short note re-

General: Transcending MMOs with Transmedia

General: Transcending MMOs with Transmedia:
Transmedia is one of the biggest buzzwords in the entertainment industry. How can it fit in with the MMO-space? In her latest column, Genese Davis explores the

Mobile puzzler The Room breaks 2 million sales

Mobile puzzler The Room breaks 2 million sales:
Apple's selection for best iPad game of 2012 has achieved a new milestone. The Room has now passed 2 million in sales...

Fireproof: an alternative route to iOS success

Fireproof: an alternative route to iOS success:
GameHorizon Live: Barry Meade of developer Fireproof Games on the stubborn rise of the team behind The Room

Danny Bilson: building IP in the digital world

Danny Bilson: building IP in the digital world:
GameHorizon Live: The ex-THQ exec discusses the fallout of a publisher and his new digital gaming projects

Atlantica Online goes to West Atlantis

Atlantica Online goes to West Atlantis:
Filed under: Fantasy, Trailers, Video, Patches, Free-to-Play Atlantica Online is in the middle of a three-patches-in-three-months cycle right now, starting with

CounterSpy, an upcoming indie game for PS3, Vita, and mobile, looks pretty neat, like a stealthy Met

CounterSpy, an upcoming indie game for PS3, Vita, and mobile, looks pretty neat, like a stealthy Met:
CounterSpy, an upcoming indie game for PS3, Vita, and mobile, looks pretty neat, like a stealthy Metroidvania stuck inside a Pixar world. More on the PS Blog.Read more...