Thursday, December 19, 2013

From PoxNora to Conquest: Hard lessons in online game design and business

From PoxNora to Conquest: Hard lessons in online game design and business:
Sony Online Entertainment acquired successful online card game PoxNora -- and its developers learned a lot of hard lessons they applied to their next game, and share here. ...

Real Racing 3 for iPad and iPhone has been updated with real-time multiplayer

Real Racing 3 for iPad and iPhone has been updated with real-time multiplayer:
The Supercars update for Gold Award-winning driving sim Real Racing 3 has accelerated onto the App Store and the Google Play Store just in time for the festive break. This update contains two new cars (in the form of the McLaren

Blade Hunter transitioning to beta tomorrow

Blade Hunter transitioning to beta tomorrow:
Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Free-to-Play Blade Hunter is preparing to transition from its alpha test to beta tomorrow, December 19th, and is inviting players to check out the beat-em-up MMO. The game had an extremely short

Rise of Mythos, Exclusive Mythos Cards!

Rise of Mythos, Exclusive Mythos Cards!:
GameFuse, a leading publisher of free-to-play online games, is pleased to announce that Rise of Mythos, the #1 Strategy/RPG card game, is celebrating the Holidays with exciting new Mythos Cards and events Continue reading

Samsung launches Android controller that connects to your TV

Samsung launches Android controller that connects to your TV:
This year saw Apple introduce gamepad support for iOS devices. Now Android is about to get its own take on the mobile game controller, as Samsung today revealed its own controller hardware. ...

Wakfu Asia – Open Beta begins with cash shop due early next year

Wakfu Asia – Open Beta begins with cash shop due early next year:
[Game website] The Free-to-Play version of Wakfu, customized for the English Asia regions, has entered Open Beta a few hours ago. Unlike the North America and Europe versions, a premium monthly fee is not needed to enjoy

Review: The Walk

Review: The Walk:
All sport is essentially an elaborate trick to get you to exercise. Even as someone who enjoys playing sport, I know that. I'll chase a ball around all day long, but ask me to run to the end of the street and back for the benefit of my

Sky Boom Boom Review

Sky Boom Boom Review:
Sky Boom Boom Review By Jennifer Allen on December 18th, 2013 Our Rating: :: EXCITINGLY ENDLESSUniversal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad As excitable as a puppy, Sky Boom Boom is a familiar Endless Flyer but

Pixelberry's Oliver Miao on how weekly updates keep High School Story's day-7 retention over 50%

Pixelberry's Oliver Miao on how weekly updates keep High School Story's day-7 retention over 50%:
As part of an ongoing series, SponsorPay - together with PocketGamer.biz - is running an interview series about market trends and future opportunities with C-level executives from key game developers and publishers. This week

Chart of the Week: Chinese mobile advertising booms 151%

Chart of the Week: Chinese mobile advertising booms 151%:
Everyone has a view on the Chinese mobile games market. And one significant trend has been the expansion of the most forward-looking Chinese companies into international markets. Yet, as demonstrated by new research

INFOGRAPHIC: Digital games year in review 2013

INFOGRAPHIC: Digital games year in review 2013:
2013 year in review: Digital games hit $11.8B in the US; eSports blew up in Western markets; and the death of the dedicated gaming device.

Sony opens doors to PlayStation Mobile in 8 new European countries

Sony opens doors to PlayStation Mobile in 8 new European countries:
PlayStation Mobile's an odd platform. It boasts some great games, but it's gained little traction and developers have found exposure very hard to come by. Rejoice, then, PlayStation Mobile devs and fans alike. That's because

Tank Domination Review

Tank Domination Review:
Tank Domination Review By Carter Dotson on December 18th, 2013 Our Rating: :: IT'S DOMINATION!iPad Only App - Designed for the iPad War? What is it good for? Killing some time while driving a tank, I suppose. Developer:

Endless Boss Fight Review

Endless Boss Fight Review:
Endless Boss Fight Review By Carter Dotson on December 18th, 2013 Our Rating: :: IT'S BOSSUniversal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad Endless Boss Fight brings forth plenty of beat ‘em up action against just one boss, but

'KingHunt' Review - Slicing With an RPG Twist

'KingHunt' Review - Slicing With an RPG Twist:
There have been a few clones of Fruit Ninja that have popped up over the years, but few have really attempted to move the formula forward. That's where KingHunt comes in. With an engine that blows its competitors out of

Review: Walking Dead: Season Two - All That Remains

Review: Walking Dead: Season Two - All That Remains:
Spoiler alert: If you haven't played the first season yet but think you might, go away immediately and do not look down. Telltale's 2012 masterpiece The Walking Dead charted the final few months in the life of convict Lee

Dr. PetPlay Review

Dr. PetPlay Review:
Dr. PetPlay Review By Amy Solomon on December 18th, 2013 Our Rating: :: REALISTIC ROLE-PLAY FUNiPad Only App - Designed for the iPad Dr. PetPlay encourages creativity as children pretend to care for their stuffed

Location-based Android game Ingress is now available on Google Play

Location-based Android game Ingress is now available on Google Play:
Google startup Niantic Labs has just taken its free-to-play location-based augmented reality game Ingress out of beta and launched it on the Google Play Store. In Ingress, two teams of players race against each other to collect

Aura Kingdom: Closed Beta Coming Next Week

Aura Kingdom: Closed Beta Coming Next Week:
The Aura Kingdom team has let us know that the closed beta phase of development will kick off on Monday, December 23rd. Interested players can head to the official site to get signed on.

Closers Online Invitation Test Info

Closers Online Invitation Test Info:
Just a little update about the Closers Online Invitation Test posted on the official Facebook Page. My mailbox is overflowing with questions about the game so here is what it says. The first test is scheduled to start on December

Embers of Caerus making 'drastic changes' to its development

Embers of Caerus making 'drastic changes' to its development:
Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, MMO Industry, Crowdfunding Embers of Caerus has hit a crisis crossroads in its development, and as such the team is abandoning its current schedule as it seeks out a development studio to help

Lime Odyssey – Game closure confirmed by official announcement

Lime Odyssey – Game closure confirmed by official announcement:
Originally posted in a fan forum in Korea, Lime Odyssey’s closure was confirmed a few hours back on the official game website, slated for 20th February 2014. Revived for the 2nd time just a few months ago by Daum, the

Elsword: Ara Haan Fights Her Way Into the Game

Elsword: Ara Haan Fights Her Way Into the Game:
North American Elsword players haven't had a new character in nearly a year but the wait has been worth it with the arrival of the spear-wielding Ara Haan. She comes with a line of quests that, when completed, will yield Ara-themed

SMITE: Chaac, the Mayan god of Rain Released

SMITE: Chaac, the Mayan god of Rain Released:
Hi-Rez Studios has sent out the latest god reveal for SMITE. This time, Chaac the Mayan god of Rain makes his debut, a melee warrior of epic proportion. Check out the video to find out more about how Chaac plays as well as the

The Charticle: A Gameloft special

The Charticle: A Gameloft special:
While market intelligence outfit Distimo has already sewn up its 2013 coverage, rival App Annie is still working through November 2013. Its most recent App Annie game index breaks out the top titles and publishers across

Aion: Steel Cavalry to launch with new class in Q1 2014

Aion: Steel Cavalry to launch with new class in Q1 2014:
NCSOFT®, the world’s premier publisher and developer of massively multiplayer online games (MMOs), announced today Aion: Steel Cavalry, the latest in its line of free expansions for the game. Continue reading Aion: Steel

Korean News and Beta Test Announcements

  • Joycity basketball game “Freestyle 2” starts China service via Tian City.
  • CNC Media 3D MMORPG “Prelude of Chaos” opens official homepage, starts CBT on December 26.
  • Eyasoft action RPG “Dungeon Hero” starts Picaon channeling service.
  • Wemade Entertainment “Icarus” to be launched in 1Q 2014.
  • Gamevil 3D MORPG “Dark Avenger” selected “Great Multiplayer Game” at Apple Appstore 2013 Best.
  • GNT mobile card battle game “Beautiful Police” released in Google Play store.
  • Sega card battle game “Dragon Coins” to be released in Korea in 2014 via NHN Entertainment.
  • Colopl puzzle game “Zombie Slayer” released in Olleh market and U+ market.
  • Incross mobile 3D RPG “Elemental Arms” launched in T-store.
  • Efun Company Limited fantasy RPG “Deamoon” released in KT Olleh market and Apple Appstore.
  • High1 Entertainment defense mobile game “Tower of Odin” released in Japan via DeNA.

A Game About Collecting LEGO Figures Sounds Better Than The Real Thing

A Game About Collecting LEGO Figures Sounds Better Than The Real Thing:
Collecting real life LEGO figures involves tons of money, trips to Walmart, and many, many duplicates. I think I prefer LEGO Minifigures Online's take on the hobby.

Blog: Lessons from 5 of the best games of 2013

Blog: Lessons from 5 of the best games of 2013:
Penny Arcade: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness 3 designer Robert Boyd shares the lessons he learned from five of his favorite games of 2013, including Desktop Dungeons and Resogun. ...

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas Review

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas Review:
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas Review By Blake Grundman on December 18th, 2013 Our Rating: :: STILL BANGIN'Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad Not all games age elegantly. Though while Grand Theft Auto: San

Oddlight Review

Oddlight Review:
Oddlight Review By Angela LaFollette on December 18th, 2013 Our Rating: :: ODD YET FUNUniversal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad Oddlight is a quirky arcade adventure game that requires gamers to leave their finger on

The Room Two Review

The Room Two Review:
Moody, atmospheric lighting; overly intricate locks on hidden compartments; creepy whispers in the dark - this is The Room, all right. Actually, it's The Room Two, but you'd be forgiven for mistaking them. There's not much to

In Soviet Russia, ArcheAge betas you!

In Soviet Russia, ArcheAge betas you!:
Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, ArcheAge, Sandbox Russian players will become the latest in the worldwide community to get their hands on ArcheAge, as the closed beta begins for them tomorrow, December 19th. The Russian website

Gregg Review

Gregg Review:
Gregg Review By Lucy Ingram on December 18th, 2013 Our Rating: :: A GAME FOR PUZZLE AFICIONADOSUniversal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad Puzzle lovers will enjoy Gregg, a physics puzzler game where timing and

'Air Supply Infinite' Review - Rotational Retro Running

'Air Supply Infinite' Review - Rotational Retro Running:
While searching for an app that would play some sweet 80s ballads for me to slow dance with my best girl to, I happened to stumble on this little gem. Okay, that's a lie. Air Supply - Infinite , which has nothing to do with the

Evil Genius Online is now in open beta

Evil Genius Online is now in open beta:
Get ready to do some evil, evil do-ers! The free-to-play rethinking of Evil Genius, the well-loved strategy game from 2004, has just come out of its closed beta and is now available to all on Facebook.We've been told that the

Hope Springs Eternal: Can Mobile Offer a Console Experience?

Hope Springs Eternal: Can Mobile Offer a Console Experience?:
Ryan Payton on developing République, going episodic and why F2P is "manipulative, evil and anti-consumer"

Brave Tales Review

Brave Tales Review:
Social games are more or less dominated by the hidden object, sim, and match-three genres, so it's nice when something other than those comes along. Brave Tales, the new fantasy RPG by Avallon Alliance and Renatus

ArcheAge: Game On Speak and Library Dungeons

ArcheAge: Game On Speak and Library Dungeons:
Our recent Game On podcast interview with Trion Worlds' CEO Scott Hartsman covered all things Trion but, most importantly, ArcheAge information. We've got the wrap report about what was said and our analysis

Free for All: The rising cost of early access and exclusivity

Free for All: The rising cost of early access and exclusivity:
Filed under: Business Models, Culture, New Titles, Opinion, Free for All, Crowdfunding, Buy-to-Play Here I sit, waiting to log into Aura Kingdom, a new Anime MMO by Aeria Games. The beta I am going to log into is the Founder's

GameAnalytics and MobileApp Tracking team up to better track mobile players

GameAnalytics and MobileApp Tracking team up to better track mobile players:
Two tools -- one for tracking your ads and installs, and another for analyzing your game's performance -- join forces to allow a rounded picture of user behavior in-game. ...

Darkfall gets emotes, chat bubbles, deployable cannons

Darkfall gets emotes, chat bubbles, deployable cannons:
Filed under: Fantasy, Darkfall, Game Mechanics, MMO Industry, Patches, PvP, News Items, Roleplaying, Sandbox, Subscription Either Aventurine has an impish sense of humor or there really are Darkfall players who want to do

Dragon Nest – Major update sees the the arrival of the Black Dragon

Dragon Nest – Major update sees the the arrival of the Black Dragon:
In a major game update yesterday, the Korean server for Dragon Nest welcomed its latest boss in the form of the Black Dragon. Of course, there is the Black Dragon nest as well for players level 70 and up to conquer. The

December Content Update of Soldier Front 2

December Content Update of Soldier Front 2:
Players will have the opportunity to add themed weapons to their arsenal as an early holiday treat. Rifles like the M4A1 Merry, Bolt417 Snow, and AK103 XM will definitely bring joy to any soldier on the battlefield, while two new M67