Korean News and Beta Test Announcements

• SEGA football management game “Football Manager Online” acquires K League license, holds 2nd CBT from March 13 to April 6.
• ENP Games RPG “Jecheon Daeseong” holds CBT from March 18 to 20.
• Dragonfly FPS “Special Force 2” records 2,000,000 accumulated registered European users (Gameforge).
• NCsoft “Blade & Soul” starts Japan service on May 20, package starts sale on May 9, monthly fee will follow.
• Virtual Toys strategy action game “Pirates: Treasure Hunter” to starts service in 2Q 2014.
• Blueside MMORPG “Kingdom Under Fire 2” to starts Thailand CBT from March 14 to 16.
• Entermate RPG “Amheuk Samguk” ends CBT, to start service on March 14.
• Wemade MMORPG “Icarus” ends test.
• Wemade mobile MMORPG “Ark Sphere” starts pre-open service on March 12.
• Moon Black TCG “Yeonhee Mongsang” released in Google Play store.
• Nkoon Star mechanic puzzle action RPG “Line Zeta” premium version released.
• Touch Thunder mobile strategy action RPG “Legend Samgukji” released in T-store.
• TLS MMORPG “Palseonnyeo” released in the mobile reward game center Oh!MyGot.
• Bicore action party RPG “My Monster Party” released in Google Play store and T-store.
• Neowiz Games mobile action RPG “Soul Hearts” holds tester recruitment until March 17, holds test from March 18 to 31.
• Glitter PC card game “Unlight” being developed for mobile version, to start service in 1st half of 2014.
• nWay signs with CJ E&M Netmarble for mobile action RPG “ChronoBlade,” planned for release in 1st half of 2014.
• Wemade mobile MMORPG “Ark Sphere” starts pre-open service on March 12 via Google Play store.
• Efun fantasy action RPG “Tigyuk Tagyuk” released in T-store and Olleh market.
• Pixel Matic “Gem Wizard” released worldwide in iOS and Android versions.

Transatlantic indie studio Shark Punch founded by Disney vets

Transatlantic indie studio Shark Punch founded by Disney vets :
Three former Disney developers in Helsinki and San Francisco founded Shark Punch to develop a self-funded tactical turn-based heist game set in the '70s. ...

RIFT's Arbiter and Physician are incoming

RIFT's Arbiter and Physician are incoming :
Filed under: Fantasy, Classes, Game Mechanics, Patches, News Items, Free-to-Play, RIFT, Subscription Patch 2.7 is delivering a bundle of four new souls to RIFT, and that means that every calling will be able to play every role

The numbers don't lie: home gaming consoles are in trouble (PC)

The numbers don't lie: home gaming consoles are in trouble (PC) :
With new console launches from Sony and Microsoft mere months in the rear view mirror, we won't blame you if you buy into the hype and consider 2014 to be a golden age for gaming machines; a veritable Renaissance for living

Namco Bandai's ShiftyLook experiment was cool... but now it's over

Namco Bandai's ShiftyLook experiment was cool... but now it's over :
The ShiftyLook project has resulted in comics, animation, and games -- and resurrected classic Namco franchises and rehabilitated fan favorites. One game is left to be released, though, and that's it. ...

SoftBank invests in mobile start-up Turbo Studios

SoftBank invests in mobile start-up Turbo Studios :
Newly formed studio in Brooklyn gets backing from same firm that has majority stake in Supercell and GungHo

RuneScape's got a new 'one of a kind' grandmaster quest

RuneScape's got a new 'one of a kind' grandmaster quest :
Filed under: Fantasy, Game Mechanics, Lore, MMO Industry, Patches, News Items, PvE, RuneScape, Free-to-Play, Browser Jagex has announced RuneScape's new 'One of a Kind' grandmaster epic quest, which it says is

Star Trek Online now available for Macs

Star Trek Online now available for Macs :
Filed under: Sci-Fi, MMO Industry, News Items, Star Trek Online, Free-to-Play Apple fans, you can stop using Bootcamp to play Star Trek Online on your Mac. Cryptic and Perfect World have just announced the sci-fi MMOs

Ultima, WAR, DaoC vets form Citadel Studios, announce player-driven Shards title

Ultima, WAR, DaoC vets form Citadel Studios, announce player-driven Shards title :
Filed under: Fantasy, MMO Industry, New Titles, News Items, Sandbox, Player-Generated Content What do you get when you combine the dev talents of Derek Brinkmann, Chris Ondrus and Tim Cotten? Apparently you get a new

DeNA looks to widen its UA net with Zedge hook up

DeNA looks to widen its UA net with Zedge hook up :
It used to be that user acquisition was about pumping large amounts of cash through generic mobile advertising channels. The large amounts of cash remain, but the rise of the likes of Facebook, Kakao and LINE now

Raptr now adding 1.5 million users per month

Raptr now adding 1.5 million users per month :
Online community's focus on PC optimization has helped membership exceed 22 million

SOE has big plans for EverQuest, EverQuest II, and EQN Landmark in March

SOE has big plans for EverQuest, EverQuest II, and EQN Landmark in March :
Filed under: Fantasy, Video, EverQuest, EverQuest II, Interviews, MMO Industry, Free-to-Play, EverQuest Next The Year of EverQuest may still be in its early stages, but that doesn't mean that things are going slowly. EverQuest,

With a Walking Dead game in production, Next Games raises $6 million

With a Walking Dead game in production, Next Games raises $6 million :
Helsinki-based start-up studio Next Games has raised $6 million in investments through a successful series A funding round. Founded by a powerhouse of design veterans from the likes of Rovio, Supercell and Disney,

Age of Wushu's Tempest of Strife expansion announced for Spring

Age of Wushu's Tempest of Strife expansion announced for Spring :
Filed under: Fantasy, Expansions, PvP, News Items, Free-to-Play, Age of Wushu While many people are looking forward to better weather and sunshine come spring, Age of Wushu players will have thunderstorms,

Free-to-play author Will Luton parts ways with TinyCo

Free-to-play author Will Luton parts ways with TinyCo :
Free-to-play author Will Luton has left TinyCo only a matter of months after he joined the San Francisco-based developer back in October 2013. Luton, who made his name at Mobile Pie in Bristol before acting as a consultant for

Glyph is Trion Worlds' new DRM-free digital game platform

Glyph is Trion Worlds' new DRM-free digital game platform :
Trion Worlds announced today that it will be launching DRM-free a digital games platform featuring titles from Trion Worlds and select partners sometime after GDC 2014 next week. ...

Kabam hires Chris Petrovic

Kabam hires Chris Petrovic :
Ex-GameSpot digital head will focus on acquisitions, Hollywood deals

Elder Scrolls Online sounds rallying call for final stress test weekend

Elder Scrolls Online sounds rallying call for final stress test weekend :
Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Giveaways, The Elder Scrolls Online, Subscription With launch right around the corner, ZeniMax is pushing hard to get Elder Scrolls Online in top shape for its world debut. This means one last

Black Gold's alpha starts March 20, keys still available

Black Gold's alpha starts March 20, keys still available :
Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, MMO Industry, New Titles, News Items, Free-to-Play, Steampunk, Black Gold Snail Games has published a news post hyping its Black Gold alpha test that starts on Thursday, March 20th. The

Longtime NYC casual game shop Large Animal shutters

Longtime NYC casual game shop Large Animal shutters :
Today, co-founders Wade Tinney and Josh Welber announced that the studio has shut down and laid off all staff after failing to find investment. ...

CJ E&M gets mobile publishing rights for ChronoBlade in Asia

CJ E&M gets mobile publishing rights for ChronoBlade in Asia :
Flagship Ouya game ChronoBlade has an exclusive mobile publishing deal in Asia. US developer nWay has signed up with Korean powerhouse CJ E&M - specifically its gaming arm - CJ E&M Netmarble. It has the exclusive rights for

Defiance's Gunslinger Trials DLC is now available for season pass holders

Defiance's Gunslinger Trials DLC is now available for season pass holders :
Filed under: Sci-Fi, Video, Game Mechanics, Launches, Patches, PvP, News Items, Defiance, Buy-to-Play Defiance's newest DLC, Gunslinger Trials, is now available for season pass holders on both the PC and Xbox 360. Forum

Player retention is the key to success - Steve Nix

Player retention is the key to success - Steve Nix :
Former id software and GameStop exec launches Yvolver, a new loyalty rewards-based platform to assist mobile developers with engagement

Review: Trolls vs Vikings

Review: Trolls vs Vikings :
In the natural world, many pairs of living creatures are mortal enemies. Lions and zebra. Penguins and orcas. And, going by the tower defence game under examination today, there's no love lost between trolls and Vikings either. Trolls

Microtrip Review

Microtrip Review :
Microtrip Review By Cata Modorcea on March 11th, 2014 Our Rating: :: REFRESHINGLY SIMPLE FUN!iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad Microtrip is a simple, cheerful little physics-based

Smash Hit Review

Smash Hit Review :
Smash Hit Review By Charlie Miller on March 11th, 2014 Our Rating: :: SMASHING GOOD TIME!Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad Break lots of glass in this refreshing take on the classic endless-runner style game.

'Fright Fight' Review - Super Grimm Bros.

'Fright Fight' Review - Super Grimm Bros. :
Bringing the feel of Super Smash Bros. to the mobile platform is a tall order, but APPSolute Games is attempted to do just that with Fright Fight [Free]. The game is free, and its IAP structure is introduced to you immediately after

Defenders & Dragons Review

Defenders & Dragons Review :
Defenders & Dragons Review By Lee Hamlet on March 11th, 2014 Our Rating: :: FOR THY KINGDOMUniversal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad Fans of Samurai vs Zombies Defense will feel right at home with its medieval

Review: Block Fortress War

Review: Block Fortress War :
Block Fortress War is a game of ebb and flow. Its cuboid violence is all about the push and shove of the battlefield, as waves of grunts spawn from your base to clash with minions and heroes among resource-granting blocks and

Ratventure HD Review

Ratventure HD Review :
Ratventure HD Review By Cata Modorcea on March 10th, 2014 Our Rating: :: CHALLENGING AND FUN!iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad Ratventure HD may not be a spectacular or innovative new

Not So Massively: Elite's alpha, Diablo III's commercial, and Star Citizen's 40M milestone

Not So Massively: Elite's alpha, Diablo III's commercial, and Star Citizen's 40M milestone :
Filed under: Betas, Video, Expansions, Launches, MMO Industry, New Titles, Previews, News Items, MMOFPS, Miscellaneous, Not So Massively, MOBA, Crowdfunding Welcome back to No So Massively, where every Monday we

Deadlings Review

Deadlings Review :
Deadlings Review By Jennifer Allen on March 10th, 2014 Our Rating: :: ZOMBIE SPILLSUniversal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad Negotiate various traps and spikes in order to get the zombies away from the Grim

Ninja Newton Review

Ninja Newton Review :
Ninja Newton Review By Jordan Minor on March 10th, 2014 Our Rating: :: WHITE NINJAS CAN JUMPUniversal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad Ninja Newton brings surprising depth to its swinging arcade gameplay.

'Devious Dungeon' Review - Random Heroes Meets Rogue Legacy With Good Results

'Devious Dungeon' Review - Random Heroes Meets Rogue Legacy With Good Results :
Ravenous Games first landed on people's radars with the awesome League of Evil [$1.99] a few years back, but it's pretty safe to say their output has been a bit of a mixed bag overall since. Looking at their last couple of releases,

Superbloke Review

Superbloke Review :
Superbloke Review By Nadia Oxford on March 10th, 2014 Our Rating: :: NOT A BAD BLOKEUniversal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad Superbloke isn’t quite “super,” but it’s a solid mobile platformer with some interesting visuals.

TouchArcade Game of the Week: 'Wave Wave'

TouchArcade Game of the Week: 'Wave Wave' :
The idea behind the TouchArcade Game of the Week is that every Friday afternoon we post the one game that came out this week that we think is worth giving a special nod to. Now, before anyone goes over-thinking this, it doesn't

SHERLOCK: Interactive Adventure Review

SHERLOCK: Interactive Adventure Review :
SHERLOCK: Interactive Adventure Review By Jennifer Allen on March 7th, 2014 Our Rating: :: FRESH TAKEUniversal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad A classic murder mystery with plenty of interactive content; what more

Snip and Chu – The Game Review

Snip and Chu – The Game Review :
Snip and Chu – The Game Review By Jennifer Allen on March 7th, 2014 Our Rating: :: RETRO JUMPINGiPad Only App - Designed for the iPad Game & Watch games were once the height of portable gaming. Fortunately, despite

'Primal Flame' Review - Alone In The Dark Too

'Primal Flame' Review - Alone In The Dark Too :
For a game with a title which sounds like a 80’s rock band, Primal Flame [$2.99] is surprisingly serene. In fact, it’s more than serene, it’s beautiful; and not just a hackneyed beauty either, it’s poetic. And it’s beautiful in more ways

Principia Review

Principia Review :
Principia Review By Charlie Miller on March 7th, 2014 Our Rating: :: ENGINEERS REJOICE!Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad Principia is an in-depth building/tinkering/creation game aimed directly at

Betawatch: March 1 - March 7, 2014

Betawatch: March 1 - March 7, 2014 :
Filed under: Betas, MMO Industry, New Titles, Massively Meta, Betawatch, Miscellaneous This week in the world of MMO testing, Trion Worlds confirmed that development on End of Nations is formally and indefinitely on hold,

Review: Platforms Unlimited

Review: Platforms Unlimited :
The endless-runner genre has begun to resemble, rather appropriately, an endless-runner game. It's become an interminable trudge through the same basic motions, with the same familiar sights whizzing past. Platforms

'Floyd's Worthwhile Endeavour' Review - Hat's The Way To Do It!

'Floyd's Worthwhile Endeavour' Review - Hat's The Way To Do It! :
Ghost hats, packs of vicious dogs, and strutting ostriches. If you’re giving me a strange look, then you haven’t heard of Floyd’s Worthwhile Endeavour [$0.99], a platform game that utilizes a combination of magnificent 19th

'Midnight Bite' Review - A Bitesize Snack For Stealth Lovers

'Midnight Bite' Review - A Bitesize Snack For Stealth Lovers :
In a throwback to the days before fictional whiny teenage boys who sparkle in the sun, cute, quirky, stealth action game Midnight Bite [$1.99] manages to recapture the essence of the cool, caped retro style bloodsucker and

Nancy Drew: Ghost of Thornton Hall Review

Nancy Drew: Ghost of Thornton Hall Review :
Nancy Drew: Ghost of Thornton Hall Review By Arron Hirst on March 7th, 2014 Our Rating: :: CREEPILY ENJOYABLEiPad Only App - Designed for the iPad An eery soundtrack, high-fidelity voices, and strong art-style make Nancy

If... Review

If... Review :
Obvious moves aren't that interesting. So when it came to light that EA founder Trip Hawkins had a new startup working on a game to teach kids social and emotional learning (SEL), it raised some eyebrows. Well, mine anyway, and

Faif Review

Faif Review :
Faif Review By Nadia Oxford on March 7th, 2014 Our Rating: :: TAKE A GAMBLE ON ITUniversal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad Faif needs some work before it becomes worthy of ranking amongst the likes of

The Mighty Quest for Epic Loot Review

The Mighty Quest for Epic Loot Review :
The allure of loot is something that's hard to deny.Some argue the loot-based formula, popularized by action-RPGs like Diablo, aren't actually "fun," and instead wage psychological warfare against players to make them feel like

'Block Legend' Review - A Legendary Puzzler No One Should Miss

'Block Legend' Review - A Legendary Puzzler No One Should Miss :
When you have a trailer as awesome as Block Legend [$1.99], you better have a good game behind it to back up that hype goodness. Luckily the devs behind this RPG puzzler matched their self-made hype and then some.

Mines of Mars Review

Mines of Mars Review :
Mines of Mars Review By Carter Dotson on March 7th, 2014 Our Rating: :: I DIG ITUniversal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad Mines of Mars is a fantastic crafting game with a Metroidvania progression structure that helps

Review: Block Legend

Review: Block Legend :
It's easy to get swept up in the rat-a-tat gameplay of Block Legend and miss out on the fine detail. This is a game that's dripping in glorious little touches that build a brilliant pixel-art fantasy world for you to adventure through. Each

Review: Wave Wave

Review: Wave Wave :
When I play very difficult games, parts of my body involuntarily tighten and seize at particularly tricky moments. Wave Wave is absolutely a leg clencher. It's a brutally hard test of endurance, patience, and raw gaming skill, with