Retail Principles for Free-to-Play Games

Retail Principles for Free-to-Play Games:
Free-to-Play is the most radical model being adopted by many of the larger games studios and publishers.
I use the term ‘radical’ because it’s having far-ranging implications for developers.  In the past, games developers primarily needed two key skills: strong creative and strong development.  For that reason there are large numbers of small indie studios with only a couple of people: an artist and a programmer.  Of course other skills have always been desirable too such as sound and audio, animation, story telling, testing, server-side programming, infrastructure set up etc.  However, the shift towards Free-to-Play now alters the playing field and means that developers now need to have a new skill set around retailing.

Warner's Wolff: "We really have a competitive advantage"

Warner's Wolff: "We really have a competitive advantage":
Why the SVP of international games doesn't fear LEGO fatigue

Korean News and Beta Test Announcements

• Ibiz Networks web MMORPG “rebirth Online” starts formal service on October 10.
• Redroc FPS “A.V.A.” league system “Super League” to start beta test on October 7.
• Pictograph “Castle Hero” to be launched in Korea on October 10 via YD Online.
• Webzen mobile RPG “MU: The Genesis” to be released in October.
• Ubi Nuri card RPG “LOA: The Lost Legend of Avalon” to be released on October 15.

Bush Whacker 2 Review

Bush Whacker 2 Review:
Some people will tell you that Nintendo's Legend of Zelda series is all about exploring faraway lands, collecting treasure, and aiding a kingdom in peril. These people are wrong. The Legend of

Pull on your running shoes and sprint your way to free sandwiches for a year in Blimpie Run for iOS and Android

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Blimpie Run is a new and pretty unique arcade runner for iOS and Android. There

First gameplay videos of War Thunder: Ground Forces roll onto the scene

First gameplay videos of War Thunder: Ground Forces roll onto the scene:
Filed under: MMO Industry, New Titles, PvP, News Items, War, Free-to-Play Virtual pilots who revel in dogfighting

Path of Exile 1.0, Steam, and sweet, sweet revenge

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Filed under: Fantasy, Previews, Hands-On, Events (Massively's Coverage), Miscellaneous If you're in need of a healthy dose of monster-bashing, clicky

Game of Thrones Ascent launches alliance vs. alliance

Game of Thrones Ascent launches alliance vs. alliance:
Filed under: Fantasy, Game Mechanics, Patches, PvP, Endgame, News Items, Free-to-Play, Browser Last August, Disruptor Beam announced plans to

Going it alone: Adventures in self-publishing

Going it alone: Adventures in self-publishing:
Double Fine, Renegade Kid and Semi Secret have seen both sides of the publishing spectrum. Here, they share their self-publishing stories, and discuss

Sony not sure if PS3 support will last another five years, but at least 'the next couple'

Sony not sure if PS3 support will last another five years, but at least 'the next couple':
Worldwide Studios boss Shuhei Yoshida has reiterated the company's stance that the PlayStation 3 will be supported for...

WildStar's Interview With Carbine Studios - Talks PvE, PvP and More

WildStar's Interview With Carbine Studios - Talks PvE, PvP and More:
WildStar ESP bring us an exclusive interview with Carbine Studios Senior Community manager, David "Scooter"

Attack on Titan Has Finished, But the Games Are Just Beginning

Attack on Titan Has Finished, But the Games Are Just Beginning:
Attack on Titan has finished its TV run, and with no second anime announced, many of you are likely already jonesing for your colossus-killing fix. But don't worry.

Blog: The recipe for Candy Crush success

Blog: The recipe for Candy Crush success:
Candy Crush Saga's success is massive, but the game isn't flawless, Heather Stark argues -- and in this post, she dives in to its business and design

Konami appoints Julien Merceron as worldwide technology director

Konami appoints Julien Merceron as worldwide technology director:
Makes move from Square Enix, joins new European studio

Yulgang 2 To Release Soon in SEA

Yulgang 2 To Release Soon in SEA:
Yulgang 2, the 3D faction-based, open world and non-targeting MMORPG, will be released soon in SEA by Cubizone. And the game shall be launched in both

Ditch F2P with Allods Online's new subscription-only servers today

Ditch F2P with Allods Online's new subscription-only servers today:
Filed under: Fantasy, Game Mechanics, MMO Industry, News Items, Free-to-Play, Allods Online, Promotions, Subscription

Gamevil acquires Com2uS

Gamevil acquires Com2uS:
Korean mobile publisher taking over one of its earliest competitors

MMObility: Manyland is deceptively simple and surprising

MMObility: Manyland is deceptively simple and surprising:
Filed under: Betas, Screenshots, Video, Game Mechanics, New Titles, Opinion, Free-to-Play, Browser, Hands-On,

What's the point of a mobile game publisher?

What's the point of a mobile game publisher?:
On mobile where you can easily self-publish a game, there appears to be little point in asking a publisher to jump onboard with your project. We ask

Tiny Death Star: From the makers of Tiny Tower

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NimbleBit have done some pretty amazing things in short time that smartphone gaming has been a thing, though none of their subsequent

How Dead Rising 3, Project Spark, and Just Dance 2014 will make use of Xbox SmartGlass

How Dead Rising 3, Project Spark, and Just Dance 2014 will make use of Xbox SmartGlass:
Xbox SmartGlass, that is using your smart device as a companion app with your console, is said to be an integral

New ADC talks: Denim Group on security, Dreamkind on education

New ADC talks: Denim Group on security, Dreamkind on education:
ADC has added two new talks: Dreamkind president on making successful education apps without a

WB Games expanding Montreal studio by 100 devs

WB Games expanding Montreal studio by 100 devs:
Quebec invests $63 million into Batman: Arkham Origins studio to up headcount within five years

Microsoft: Mobiles won't hurt Xbox One

Microsoft: Mobiles won't hurt Xbox One:
Corporate VP Phil Spencer says the mobile market is "great for home consoles"; Microsoft would only release Halo FPS on mobile if it was "great."

General: Naruto Saga Browser-Based MMO Announced

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Icegames Co. has announced that an MMO based on the wildly popular Naruto anime series is in development. Characters will play as untrained ninjas

The 12 Best Games for Android Devices

The 12 Best Games for Android Devices:
Screw Apple, you say. You don't need to enter their closed system to taste sweet mobile bliss! Look, you have a perfectly fine Android handset or tablet on your

How embattled BlackBerry intends to entice mobile game devs

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Despite the turmoil surrounding the Canadian smartphone manufacturer, R& D and game execs speak to Gamasutra

Betawatch: September 28 - October 4, 2013

Betawatch: September 28 - October 4, 2013:
Filed under: Betas, MMO Industry, News Items, Betawatch, Miscellaneous So, do you want to play Destiny? Go pre-purchase it and you'll get some definite

The Weekend Is Cold And Lonely. Fill The Emptiness With Gaming Apps.

The Weekend Is Cold And Lonely. Fill The Emptiness With Gaming Apps.:
Did you guys see the Bests update for Android? It signals a renewed effort to cover the latest and greatest games

Wings Over Atreia: Aion's Black Cloud Marketplace evolves to let you play more your way

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Filed under: Fantasy, Aion, Business Models, Interviews, Opinion, Free-to-Play, Wings Over Atreia Those of you who

Make My MMO: Crowdfunding September 22 - October 5, 2013

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Filed under: Business Models, MMO Industry, Massively Meta, Miscellaneous, Crowdfunding, Make My MMO Not all games that turn to crowdfunding need a

Tera: Rising Steampunk Workshop Update Introducing New Dungeons

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Gameforge announced that the European version for Tera Rising will get a new update this month, called Steampunk