Daily News: 01/15/14

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Kingdom Under Fire II – Localized version for Thailand announced

Kingdom Under Fire II – Localized version for Thailand announced:
[Source] In a recent entertainment event in Thailand attended by several online gaming companies, it was announced that Kingdom Under Fire II will be localized for Thailand (not sure if it will be English or Thai), with publisher

Blog: Making games safe for kids is getting more complicated

Blog: Making games safe for kids is getting more complicated:
Every API or service that touches player data could open you up to violations of the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, writes Roy Smith. Be prepared with knowledge in advance. ...

Review: Rail Racing

Review: Rail Racing:
It may just be a case of racing cars fixed on single tracks, but Scalextric demands a surprising amount of skill - as anyone who has played with a set will attest. Rail Racing manages to capture the same challenge while adding

Breed and raise dinosaurs in Happy Dinos on Facebook

Breed and raise dinosaurs in Happy Dinos on Facebook:
Pandastic Games is finding growing success with Happy Dinos on Facebook, its colorful simulation game that allows players to build their own island full of happy dinosaurs. The game is similar to dragon breeding titles

Arcane Chronicles Heads to Closed Beta January 16th | Ten Ton Hammer

Arcane Chronicles Heads to Closed Beta January 16th | Ten Ton Hammer:
Nexon Europe’s latest gaming entry into heads to closed beta on Wednesday with Arcane Chronicles.

Players will be "sucked into Steam Machine" as digital swells - IDC

Players will be "sucked into Steam Machine" as digital swells - IDC:
IDC's Lewis Ward says that Valve has a "significant opportunity" in the living room; PC/Mac digital game sales to top $24 billion by 2017

Holiday hangover: How to deal with the hike in CPI over Christmas

Holiday hangover: How to deal with the hike in CPI over Christmas:
January can be a time of reflection for many mobile games developers. Were you a winner during the festive fiesta that typically grips the app stores during the previous month, or did you lose out? With Christmas bringing both a rush

The Charticle: Thanks to support for 11 languages, Gamevil's Monster Warlord is now generating $1.9 million a month

The Charticle: Thanks to support for 11 languages, Gamevil's Monster Warlord is now generating $1.9 million a month:
Demonstrating the power of Google Play, Gamevil has announced some impressive figures for its game Monster Warlord. Developed by Everple, which fellow Korean outfit Gamevil acquired in November 2013, the card-

General: Pantheon: Rise of the Fallen - A Game No One Else Will Make

General: Pantheon: Rise of the Fallen - A Game No One Else Will Make:
Brad McQuaid has finally revealed the details behind his KickStarter project called Pantheon: Rise of the Fallen. The game is described as a return to challenge-based group play, hearkening back to the golden era of MMOs.

Chat attack: Messaging and social apps jump 203% in 2013

Chat attack: Messaging and social apps jump 203% in 2013:
2013 was a year of growth for mobile, as overall app use increased 115 percent year-over-year. Flurry reports that messaging and social apps, however, were the real force behind this growth, and saw an impressive 203

Major Herokon Online update includes sequel to Blade of Destiny, new region

Major Herokon Online update includes sequel to Blade of Destiny, new region:
Filed under: Fantasy, Galleries, Screenshots, MMO Industry, Patches, News Items, Free-to-Play Denizens of Aventuria have a lot more to keep themselves occupied thanks to Herokon Online's latest update. Not only has an entire

A whale's-eye perspective of mobile game monetization

A whale's-eye perspective of mobile game monetization:
How does a whale think? Gree's Mike Lu spent "thousands of dollars" on another studio's mobile and found out for himself. He shares the lessons he learned by becoming one here. ...

Mobile game usage grew in 2013, but more slowly - report

Mobile game usage grew in 2013, but more slowly - report:
Although mobile game usage amongst smartphone and tablet owners isn't growing as quickly as the rest of the mobile app market, it's still showing signs of healthy growth year-over-year. ...

General: SOE's Smedley on Re-Imagining the All-Access Pass

General: SOE's Smedley on Re-Imagining the All-Access Pass:
This past week John Smedley of SOE has been talking about some moves towards an open price model with a flat fee for players. With such a huge slate of games under their mantle anyone playing an SOE game on the PC

Smedley expounds on benefits blunder and SOE's philosophy

Smedley expounds on benefits blunder and SOE's philosophy:
Filed under: EverQuest, EverQuest II, Interviews, MMO Industry, Free-to-Play, DC Universe Online, EverQuest Next, PlanetSide 2, Dragon's Prophet When SOE first announced the membership changes coming to some of its titles,

Chinese in-app search platform Wandoujia raises $120 million

Chinese in-app search platform Wandoujia raises $120 million:
Chinese mobile entertainment platform Wandoujia has closed a $120 million investment round. The lead investor was SoftBank, while existing investors such as DCM and Innovation Works Development Fund also participated.

Eternity Warriors 3 Review

Eternity Warriors 3 Review:
Eternity Warriors 3 Review By Jennifer Allen on January 14th, 2014 Our Rating: :: SHALLOW YET SATISFYINGUniversal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad Eternity Warriors 3 might be shallow and very familiar, but that

'Doctor Who: Legacy' Review - Swapping Gems With The Doctor and Friends

'Doctor Who: Legacy' Review - Swapping Gems With The Doctor and Friends:
Out of all the possibilities in time and space, Doctor Who: Legacy is a gem-matching game. It's the sort of gem-matching game where you don't simply swap gems, you drag them around for a good five seconds leaving as many

'UsagiMan' Review - A Quirky Homage to Mega Man

'UsagiMan' Review - A Quirky Homage to Mega Man:
In an era with so many platforms for developers to put their works on, many games have seen the light of day that otherwise would have been shot down in the past. One of those games is UsagiMan , a quirky Japanese game that

'Super Splatform' Review - A Super Platformer With Plenty Of Splat

'Super Splatform' Review - A Super Platformer With Plenty Of Splat:
As readers of this site know well, there are a lot of games that get lost in the shuffle on the App Store. With tens of thousands of new apps every year, it's like sifting through a haystack the size of a barn in search of a handful of

Korean News and Beta Test Announcements

GameUs 3D airplane shooting game “HIS Online” starts Cloud Game channeling service.
The5 Interactive MMORPG “GoonZu Online” starts Web Game Channel channeling service.
Nvius MMORPG “EOS” starts Naver Game channeling service.
Aurora Games MMORPG “Hench” holds supporters test from January 14 to 17.
Nexon action RPG “Mabinogi” recorded 100,000 peak CCUs.
Mgame MMORPG “Yelhuel Kangho 2” starts commercial service in Singapore, Malaysia, and Philippines via Cubinet Interactive Sdn. Bhd.
Funnybee Soft tower defense game “Tower of Odin” to be released in China via Netease Games.
Akong RPG “Waggle Waggle Hero War” released in Naver Appstore.
Fobikr signs Japan publishing contract with WHRP for collectable card game for “Idol Paradise.”
TLS Ent MMORPG “Palseonnyeo” released in KT Olleh market.
Chukong Korea mobile RPG “Chaos Fighter” main image revealed, starts service in 1st Q 2014.

Archlord – Korean server closing next month as sequel continues struggles

Archlord – Korean server closing next month as sequel continues struggles:
After the closure of the English global server, the Korean version for Archlord will be closing on 13th February as well. Developer Webzen claims the reason as “being unable to provide players with a stable environment”. The

Zynga announces YoVille’s closure on Facebook, but its players aren’t letting go

Zynga announces YoVille’s closure on Facebook, but its players aren’t letting go:
Mobile and social game developer Zynga has announced the closure of YoVille, one of the longest running Facebook games on the platform. The life simulation and home decoration game has just 354,000 monthly active users

Vanguard: Saga of Heroes: Seven Years Later, Cave of Wonders Opens

Vanguard: Saga of Heroes: Seven Years Later, Cave of Wonders Opens:
Originally part of the Vanguard: Saga of Heroes beta, the Cave of Wonders never made it into the official release of the game. Now, seven years later, CoW has finally opened after being announced at SOE Live 2013.

U4iA Games, the studio founded by Activision vets, is closing

U4iA Games, the studio founded by Activision vets, is closing:
U4iA Games, a studio set up by Activision veterans back in 2011, has been suddenly closed down with little warning to its employees. ...

Fiete Review

Fiete Review:
Fiete Review By Amy Solomon on January 14th, 2014 Our Rating: :: CHARMING TODDLER APPUniversal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad Fiete is a charming, stylized app full of mini games young children will enjoy.

Cook, Serve, Delicious Review

Cook, Serve, Delicious Review:
Cook, Serve, Delicious Review By Lucy Ingram on January 14th, 2014 Our Rating: :: A SATISFYING TREAT TO PLAYiPad Only App - Designed for the iPad Taking the best elements of every restaurant simulation game, Cook,

Lost Toys Review

Lost Toys Review:
Lost Toys Review By Stacy Barnes on January 14th, 2014 Our Rating: :: LOSE YOURSELFUniversal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad A puzzler unlike others, Lost Toys is a gorgeous, other-worldly experience that evokes deep

Chart of the Week: Samsung owned the Christmas Android tablet market in the US

Chart of the Week: Samsung owned the Christmas Android tablet market in the US:
The Holiday season is a time for giving. And in 2013 that meant tablets. Of course, iPads remain the most desired item, but for Android developer Animoca that's not a device it really cares about. Instead, it's been crunching

EA PR chief moves to GoPro after 14 years

EA PR chief moves to GoPro after 14 years:
Jeff Brown initially only thought EA would be a "12-month gig" but he "fell in love with games"

Ahead of PlayHaven merger, Kontagent raises $4.8 million in fresh financing

Ahead of PlayHaven merger, Kontagent raises $4.8 million in fresh financing:
Having announced its merger with PlayHaven back in December, mobile analytics specialist Kontagent has secured $4.8 million in the firm's latest round of financing. The latest injection of funds – contributed by previoud

Aura Kingdom: A World Full of Critters & Bad Guys

Aura Kingdom: A World Full of Critters & Bad Guys:
Aura Kingdom is a free-to-play MMO from Aeria Games. Your character is one of a handful of classes of beings who are gifted with special abilities by a mystical cube called Gaia. You can call upon Eidolons as companions and

Exclusive preview of Guild Wars 2's Origin of Madness release

Exclusive preview of Guild Wars 2's Origin of Madness release:
Filed under: Fantasy, Trailers, Interviews, Patches, Previews, Guild Wars 2, Buy-to-Play The end is near! After a brief period of peace and quiet, Guild Wars 2's update cadence will begin again, and ArenaNet has no plans to

First RuneScape poll invites players to choose big update

First RuneScape poll invites players to choose big update:
Filed under: Fantasy, Polls, MMO Industry, News Items, RuneScape, Free-to-Play In a move to ensure that RuneScape's continued direction is shaped at a grassroots level by its players, Jagex has introduced an in-game polling

The Soapbox: Launching with a subscription is still a good idea

The Soapbox: Launching with a subscription is still a good idea:
Filed under: Business Models, Launches, MMO Industry, Opinion, Free-to-Play, Massively Meta, The Soapbox, Subscription, Buy-to-Play The massively multiplayer online game industry is constantly changing, but one thing about it

GameStop holiday sales up 9.3%

GameStop holiday sales up 9.3%:
Xbox One and PS4 launches drive results as new hardware revenues double

Ghost Recon Online: Steam Early Access Begins

Ghost Recon Online: Steam Early Access Begins:
Ubisoft has announced that Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Online has officially launched its early access program has started for Canadian Steam users. Early access for global users is anticipated to begin later this Spring.

ArcheAge: Finally Playable in English, Friends and Family Alpha Begins

ArcheAge: Finally Playable in English, Friends and Family Alpha Begins:
The Holiday season marked a significant milestone for ArcheAge at Trion Worlds: the Friends and Family Alpha, up 24x7 minus any patches and maintenance is in full swing. We caught up with CEO Scott Hartsman to talk

Mobile gaming to push industry above $100 billion by 2017

Mobile gaming to push industry above $100 billion by 2017:
Digi-Capital's Tim Merel says much of this growth will come from Asian markets

Final Fantasy XI introducing challenge versions of old bosses

Final Fantasy XI introducing challenge versions of old bosses:
Filed under: Fantasy, Final Fantasy XI, Patches, Previews, Endgame, News Items, Consoles Remember Rise of the Zilaart in Final Fantasy XI? For most American players that's kind of difficult to do; the expansion came baked in

Star Trek Online: Dan Stahl Moves On to 'Exciting New Project' at Cryptic

Star Trek Online: Dan Stahl Moves On to 'Exciting New Project' at Cryptic:
Star Trek Online is minus one executive producer with today's announcement that Dan Stahl has stepped away from the project to, as put in the official announcement, "pursue an exciting new project at Cryptic Studios". What

Turbine Reaffirms LOTRO Support for Years to Come | Ten Ton Hammer

Turbine Reaffirms LOTRO Support for Years to Come | Ten Ton Hammer:
For months Turbine has vowed to support LOTRO for years to come and reaffirms that with a licensing extension through 2017.

Majesco's stock down, as it walks away from Zumba

Majesco's stock down, as it walks away from Zumba:
Publisher lately best-known for games based on the Zumba exercise franchise to back away from that license in favor of other business segments. ...

Doctor Who Worlds in Time Shutting Down February 28th | Ten Ton Hammer

Doctor Who Worlds in Time Shutting Down February 28th | Ten Ton Hammer:
Matt Smith met his end as the 11th Doctor and regenerated. Doctor Who Worlds in time wasn’t quite so fortunate.

Rekoo partners up with Supersolid to bring Adventure Town to Chinese market

Rekoo partners up with Supersolid to bring Adventure Town to Chinese market:
Chinese social mobile publisher Rekoo has signed a deal with UK studio Supersolid. This will see the pair working together to localised and culturalise Supersolid's recently release city-building RPG Adventure Town for the

Jet Car Stunts 2 Review

Jet Car Stunts 2 Review:
Jet Car Stunts 2 Review By Carter Dotson on January 13th, 2014 Our Rating: :: FLYING SO HIGHUniversal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad Jet Car Stunts 2 doesn’t screw up what made the original game great, while adding

'Duke Nukem: Manhattan Project' Review - The Best Duke Nukem Game Of This Millennium

'Duke Nukem: Manhattan Project' Review - The Best Duke Nukem Game Of This Millennium:
I'm not sure if there's another character in the games industry that has achieved so much fame with so few noteworthy games to his name as Duke Nukem. I've got a lot of great memories of Duke, like many of you, I'm sure, but

Joe Danger Infinity Review

Joe Danger Infinity Review:
2013 Christmas flooding has been devastating to certain coastal areas of the UK. Hello Games was no small victim: The studio lost its working space in the deluge, in addition to much of its equipment and a collection of retro

Not So Massively: LoL team cheated out of winnings, SMITE's $100,000 tournament, and Star Citizen on plotting jump points

Not So Massively: LoL team cheated out of winnings, SMITE's $100,000 tournament, and Star Citizen on plotting jump points:
Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Business Models, Events (Real-World), Expansions, Patches, PvP, News Items, PvE, Free-to-Play, Legal, Dev Diaries, Not So Massively, Sandbox, MOBA, League of Legends, Diablo III, Player-

Line Knight Fortix Review

Line Knight Fortix Review:
Line Knight Fortix Review By Jennifer Allen on January 13th, 2014 Our Rating: :: TWISTING FAMILIARITYUniversal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad Draw lines to capture dragons and defensive positions in this enjoyable take on an