Korean News and Beta Test Announcements

• CJ E&M Netmarble 2D side-scroll action MORPG “Mystic Fighter” holds final test from March 13 to 16.
• Joycity football game “Freestyle Football” holds China pre-OBT from March 13 via Tencent.
• Blizzard “Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft” starts Korea OBT.
• Finger Planet strategy simulation game “Samgukji the Real” starts OBT on March 13.
• Sega “Football Manager Online” holds 2nd CBT on March 13 to April 6.
• Pearl Abyss MMORPG “Black Desert” holds 2nd CBT tester recruitment from April 4.
• YD Online 2013 sales: 34,500,000,000 won, operating income: 5,800,000,000 won, net income: 1,100,000,000 won.
• ENP Games RPG “Murim Kangho” released in Naver Appstore.
• TLS MMORPG “Palseonnyeo” launched in LG U+.
• Wemade mobile MMORPG “Ark Sphere” starts official service on March 13.
• Delusion Studio mobile RPG “Guardian Stone” teaser video released .
• Actoz Soft mobile RPG “Chain Chronicle” holds premium test from March 14 to 16.
• Gameloft “Amazing Spiderman 2” mobile to be released in April.

Perpetuum Online plans a Steam-based marketing push via Early Access

Perpetuum Online plans a Steam-based marketing push via Early Access :
Filed under: Sci-Fi, Launches, MMO Industry, Perpetuum While Perpetuum Online has already been Greenlit on Steam (and was launched almost four years ago), a recent forum post by DEV Zoom states that the team plans to

Social currency has real value

Social currency has real value :
Ninja Metrics CEO says industry has been forward-thinking in adapting to new business models, but still undervalues community

The World of Magic aims to take over for the Harry Potter MMO

The World of Magic aims to take over for the Harry Potter MMO :
Filed under: Fantasy, MMO Industry, New Titles Last week, we heard news that the Harry Potter MMO was put on hold by Warner Bros. while they decided "if the production would be a good investment or not." But the development team

Twitch: We have 45 million users a month ready to see your mobile games

Twitch: We have 45 million users a month ready to see your mobile games :
Video streaming specialist Twitch recently announced a 'deep and concerted' foray into mobile that would allow gamers to broadcast gameplay footage. This foray follows Twitch's integration into PC and console gaming, and would

Could Kik Messenger save HTML5 games? (iPhone)

Could Kik Messenger save HTML5 games? (iPhone) :
HTML5 games reminds me of Oakland, California. Oakland is the smaller sister next to San Francisco, on the wrong side of the Bay. Every year, we say, this will be the year that Oakland becomes the Brooklyn of the Bay Area. But, it

Final Fantasy producers talk player numbers, what makes an MMO fun

Final Fantasy producers talk player numbers, what makes an MMO fun :
Filed under: Fantasy, Final Fantasy XI, Culture, Game Mechanics, Interviews, MMO Industry, News Items, Final Fantasy XIV, Subscription An enterprising user on the Square-Enix forums has translated a lengthy interview with Final

Massively Exclusive: Turbine on the future of Asheron's Call and the studio

Massively Exclusive: Turbine on the future of Asheron's Call and the studio :
Filed under: Fantasy, Asheron's Call, Dungeons and Dragons Online, Lord of the Rings Online, Interviews, MMO Industry, Free-to-Play When has putting an MMO into maintenance mode ever signaled a bright future for a game? Even

The Reddit GIF that helped carry Bridge Constructor to the US App Store's top spot

The Reddit GIF that helped carry Bridge Constructor to the US App Store's top spot :
The animated GIF is usually reserved for dancing babies and sneezing pandas. For the guys behind mobile physics puzzler Bridge Constructor, though, a four-second long GIF was a totally unexpected marketing tool that

Chartboost aims to transform game discovery with launch of Video and InPlay

Chartboost aims to transform game discovery with launch of Video and InPlay :
San Francisco-based cross-promotion network Charboost has unveiled two new features - Video and InPlay - designed to augment its native in-game mobile ad offerings. Chartboost's new Video tool is billed as the industry's

Majesco's losses widen in fiscal Q1

Majesco's losses widen in fiscal Q1 :
Struggling publisher doubles year-on-year loss to $4.5 million

Mount & Blade: Warband is stomping its digital hooves all over Tegra 4-powered Android devices

Mount & Blade: Warband is stomping its digital hooves all over Tegra 4-powered Android devices :
The clash of steel. The stomp of hooves. The thud of shields. The cheers of bearded victorious men waving their arms over the corpses of vanquished foes. If you've got an Nvidia Shield or a Tegra 4-powered Android device (and a

Lead a team of the world's best footballers in management sim One For Eleven [Sponsored]

Lead a team of the world's best footballers in management sim One For Eleven [Sponsored] :
Do you love football? If you stand in the cold at Anfield every weekend and chant 'You'll Never Walk Alone' until your throat hurts, or sit in Stamford Bridge's Matthew Harding Stand scoffing cheap pies in the damp, there's a

Game of Thrones Ascent mobile dated: Winter is coming (this spring) (iPhone)

Game of Thrones Ascent mobile dated: Winter is coming (this spring) (iPhone) :
Back in January, Gamezebo's interview with Disruptor Beam CEO and founder Jon Radoff revealed that Game of Thrones Ascent was headed to mobile. The big question was when, but the company kind of answered that today: early

Sleepy Giant will keep you up 24/7 with backend services play fofofum

Sleepy Giant will keep you up 24/7 with backend services play fofofum :
US games-as-a-service outfit Sleepy Giant is looking to take full advantage of the new demand for live operations. It's announced the formal launch of a group within Sleepy Giant that offers developers a complete backend solution

Facebook: We're vital to mobile gaming success

Facebook: We're vital to mobile gaming success :
Julien Codorniou pushes social network's cross-platform credentials

Lords of War: The gunrunners of Counter Strike: Global Offensive

Lords of War: The gunrunners of Counter Strike: Global Offensive :
Virtual "gunrunners" cut deals inside and outside of Counter-Strike: Global Offensive's official channels. Mike Rose reports on a phenomenon only possible through a user-driven marketplace. ...

The In-App Purchase Inspector: Taking aim at Deadman's Cross

The In-App Purchase Inspector: Taking aim at Deadman's Cross :
Welcome to The In-App Purchase Inspector - our regular look at free-to-play games from the consumer's perspective. Each instalment, we'll be looking at the incentives or pressure applied to make in-app purchases, their perceived

This Week in China: A little bit of communism, a whole lot of capitalism (iPhone)

This Week in China: A little bit of communism, a whole lot of capitalism (iPhone) :
With so much business wheeling and dealing, sometimes it's easy to forget that China is a nation enshrouded in communist principles. This week's Chinese gaming news brings a subtle reminder of that - though it certainly

Dan Murray joins Walking Dead creator's Skybound

Dan Murray joins Walking Dead creator's Skybound :
Former Foundation 9 exec named president of division turning comic book properties into games

EVE's Rubicon 1.3 patch updating directional scanning

EVE's Rubicon 1.3 patch updating directional scanning :
Filed under: Sci-Fi, EVE Online, Game Mechanics, MMO Industry, Patches, News Items, Sandbox CCP's latest EVE Online dev blog focuses on some UI changes headed your way in the March 12 Rubicon 1.3 update. Tweaks

Make My MMO: Crowdfunding March 2 - March 8, 2014

Make My MMO: Crowdfunding March 2 - March 8, 2014 :
Filed under: Business Models, MMO Industry, New Titles, News Items, Crowdfunding, Make My MMO Crowdfunding news was lighter than normal for the week ending March 8th, but we nonetheless learned a bit more about

Here's pretty much everything known about Black Desert

Here's pretty much everything known about Black Desert :
Filed under: Fantasy, Game Mechanics, MMO Industry, New Titles, PvP, News Items, PvE, Sandbox, Black Desert 2P has put together a summary post of everything currently known about Black Desert. The open-world fantasy

Blizzard's latest Hearthstone update affects Tinkmaster, Nat, and Ranked Play

Blizzard's latest Hearthstone update affects Tinkmaster, Nat, and Ranked Play :
The final release of hugely addictive card game Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft is nearing, Blizzard has said, and the developer has slightly tweaked some of its cards to make way for the end of open beta.Tinkmaster

'Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft' Exits Beta and is Now Available for Mac and PC, iPad Version Still in the Works

'Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft' Exits Beta and is Now Available for Mac and PC, iPad Version Still in the Works :
Blizzard's highly-anticipated card-battler Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft feels like it's been in beta forever, but today that beta period officially ended and the game is now available for Mac and PC. That's great news and all, but what

Kotick nets $7.85 million bonus

Kotick nets $7.85 million bonus :
Activision chief executive sees 2013 cash compensation raised for "transformational" year

Kabam acquires RPG dev Phoenix Age for a rumoured $90 million

Kabam acquires RPG dev Phoenix Age for a rumoured $90 million :
Free-to-play specialist Kabam has announced that it's acquired fellow Bay Area dev Phoenix Age, known for its work on Castle Age on iOS and Facebook as well as Underworld Empire on iOS. The studio has a proven track record

Perfect World sees FY13 revenue up 10% to $504 million

Perfect World sees FY13 revenue up 10% to $504 million :
Chinese games publisher Perfect World (NASDAQ: PWRD) has announced its unaudited financials for FY13, the 12 months ending 31 December 2013. Total revenues were $504 million, up 10 percent year-on-year. Net income was

C9 introduces the Nightstalker

C9 introduces the Nightstalker :
Filed under: Fantasy, Video, Classes Webzen announced a new advanced class for its dungeon-based MMO Continent of the Ninth Seal, today. The Nightstalker is a mid-range class that can summon companions and absorb

Altitude Games raises seed funding

Altitude Games raises seed funding :
Philippine studio secures $275k to create its own mid-core IP

You can now pay $60 for a level 90 World of Warcraft character

You can now pay $60 for a level 90 World of Warcraft character :
Blizzard Entertainment announced today that World of Warcraft level 90 character boosts are now available to purchase from inside the MMO's store. The developer even released a step-by-step walkthrough video (below)

Stéphane D'Astous joins Hibernum as COO

Stéphane D'Astous joins Hibernum as COO :
Former Eidos Montreal GM and Ubi Montreal exec makes the jump to mobile

Improbable grows with award-winning sound designer

Improbable grows with award-winning sound designer :
Killzone: Shadowfall audio director Lewis James joins London start-up

ZTE and The9 partner on new console for China

ZTE and The9 partner on new console for China :
The Tegra 4-powered Fun Box will launch this month

Team Paul Skiing Review

Team Paul Skiing Review :
Team Paul Skiing Review By Jordan Minor on March 12th, 2014 Our Rating: :: GO FOR THE GOLDUniversal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad Like most good inspirational sports sagas, Team Paul Skiing is based on a true story.

Cloud Raiders Review

Cloud Raiders Review :
Game Insight's Cloud Raiders: Sky Conquest is a Clash of Clans-style combat sim that takes place in the breezy world of islands floating in the sky. It feeds you a handful of diamonds then sets you free to transform your tiny

Playing Favorites Review

Playing Favorites Review :
Playing Favorites Review By Rob Thomas on March 12th, 2014 Our Rating: :: FILL IN THE [BLANK]Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad Playing Favorites scratches that Cards Against Humanity itch in a much less crass

Review: Mines of Mars

Review: Mines of Mars :
My pickaxe smashes into the rock in front of me, the bronze glittering in the dim light my head torch gives off. At my feet there's a space iguana, stumbling around, minding its own business, half-trapped by my excavations. The rock

Numolition Review

Numolition Review :
Numolition Review By Jennifer Allen on March 12th, 2014 Our Rating: :: STRATEGICALLY EXPLOSIVEUniversal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad Match corresponding numbers together and clear the board in this simple to

Bloo Kid 2 Review

Bloo Kid 2 Review :
Bloo Kid 2 Review By Cata Modorcea on March 12th, 2014 Our Rating: :: CLASSIC STYLE FUNUniversal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad Bloo Kid 2 has arrived to give fans of classic platformers something to reminisce

Pillowcapers: A Sleepy Adventure Review

Pillowcapers: A Sleepy Adventure Review :
Pillowcapers: A Sleepy Adventure Review By Amy Solomon on March 12th, 2014 Our Rating: Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad Pillowcapers: A Sleepy Adventure is an interactive storybook that is superlative in every way.

Exploring WildStar's endgame raids and dungeons

Exploring WildStar's endgame raids and dungeons :
Filed under: Betas, Sci-Fi, Game Mechanics, Interviews, Previews, Endgame, News Items, PvE, Events (Massively's Coverage), WildStar, Dungeons, Subscription, MMORPG For those who like endgame PvE content, Carbine's

Battlegrounds, arenas, and warplots: How PvP works in WildStar

Battlegrounds, arenas, and warplots: How PvP works in WildStar :
Filed under: Betas, Sci-Fi, Game Mechanics, Interviews, Patches, Previews, PvP, Endgame, Opinion, Hands-On, Events (Massively's Coverage), WildStar, Subscription, MMORPG PvE is a staple of MMORPG gameplay, but if you

WildStar Launches Worldwide In June, Preorders Begin Next Week

WildStar Launches Worldwide In June, Preorders Begin Next Week :
Carbine Studios' animated space opera has been teasing MMORPG fans with colorful characters and hilarious CGI videos since its announcement in 2011. On June 3, WildStar opens the wild space frontier to the public. Let's

Backflip Studios Announces Third Party Publishing Initiative with New Games from HandCircus, Lightbox Interactive

Backflip Studios Announces Third Party Publishing Initiative with New Games from HandCircus, Lightbox Interactive :
Backflip has been around the block a few times. Starting with their original smash hit Paper Toss all the way through their recent hit Ninjump. In an plan to use their knowledge of making great games, and perhaps to utilize their

Laralyn McWilliams: The problem with "best practices" in free-to-play

Laralyn McWilliams: The problem with "best practices" in free-to-play :
The former Free Realms creative lead reflects on nearly a decade of wrestling with the divisive business model

Unreal Engine 4 heads to web browsers

Unreal Engine 4 heads to web browsers :
It might be hard to believe that a next-gen graphics engine like Unreal Engine 4 would be able to run in a browser, but here you go. ...

Firefall patch takes us to the kingdom of the Crystal Skull Pirates

Firefall patch takes us to the kingdom of the Crystal Skull Pirates :
Filed under: Sci-Fi, Patches, Free-to-Play, MMOFPS, Firefall A small update for Firefall is now live on the servers and with it comes a slew of small adjustments and additions including faster melee combat. Patch 0.8.1745

King's IPO share price range values company higher than Zynga and GungHo but lower than EA

King's IPO share price range values company higher than Zynga and GungHo but lower than EA :
King has released more details about its proposed IPO. The F2P game publisher has announced it will sell 15.5 million shares for a price that will be set between $21 to $24 per share. Investors Apax and Index Ventures will sell

Gumi and Ankama join forces for a strategic mobile partnership

Gumi and Ankama join forces for a strategic mobile partnership :
Currently riding high in the Japanese charts, Gumi is looking to make the most of international opportunities. It's just raised $18 million in funding, opened an office in Paris, and is extending its activity in the country,

Black Desert's next beta dated, new teaser site live

Black Desert's next beta dated, new teaser site live :
Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Video, Game Mechanics, MMO Industry, New Titles, News Items, Sandbox, Black Desert Korean fantasy sandbox Black Desert will kick off its second closed beta on April 4th. Pearl Abyss has put

Yvolver aims to keep mobile players engaged with physical prizes

Yvolver aims to keep mobile players engaged with physical prizes :
The new company, co-founded by a former GameStop executive, aims to reward mobile players for making IAP or completing challenges with points that can be redeemed for digital or physical prizes. ...

EVE Online: Rubicon 1.3 patch turns on the lights

EVE Online: Rubicon 1.3 patch turns on the lights :
Filed under: Sci-Fi, EVE Online, Patches, Sandbox, Subscription A new patch has landed in EVE Online today that features a laundry list of tweaks, the most notable of which is the first pass at the game's new linear lighting. Rubicon

Forgame spends $94.2 million on a 21% stake in Tower of Saviors dev Mad Head

Forgame spends $94.2 million on a 21% stake in Tower of Saviors dev Mad Head :
Chinese game publisher Forgame (HKG:0484) has announced it's purchased 21 percent of Magic Feature Inc. It's the holding company for Mad Head, one of the rising stars of Chinese mobile development. Its game <...

ChangYou triples down on mobile games with $600 million developers program

ChangYou triples down on mobile games with $600 million developers program :
Over the years there have been plenty of publishing funds to encourage mobile game developers to sign up with this or that publisher. Typically they've ranged in size from one or two million dollars to tens of millions. Chinese