Posts Tagged ‘North America’
Wednesday, November 19th, 2008
Acclaim has recently released more info about Frogster’s Chronicles of Spellborn, the highly anticipated free-to-play, or Freemium as Acclaim has recently dubbed it, MMORPG. The closed beta testing is scheduled to get underway starting November 27th, and has a release date of January 2009. Acclaim has licenses for Spellborn in North America, the United Kingdom, New Zealand and South America.
European countries will go live on the 27th of November, while Acclaim plans a simultaneous closed beta opening. Both launches will have the exact same product featuring identical Freemium (read: free-to-play, microtransaction monetization models) models, but the Europeans will act as guinea pigs, ensuring that everything is smooth sailing before the Acclaim launch.
The game has undergone some key upgrades and enhancements, now allowing more players to participate and enjoy the game. Spellborn will feature a Freemium model whereby the game will start with a free-to-play zone, but a Premium subscription service will be required to unlock additional zone of play.
The Spellborn client will be free to download and install, and will feature said free-to-play zone with no time restrictions. Spellborn will however, impose a level limit before kicking in the ‘Want to play more? Pay up’ process. Some key features of this free-to-play zone include:
- Free players are limited to the starting zones Hawksmouth and Aldenvault.
- A gameplay limit occurs at Fame level 7, when free players have progressed approximately 90% towards Fame level 8.
- Upon reaching this limit, all character progression is blocked and the player will receive a pop-up informing them of this block and what is obtainable beyond this with a premium subscription.
Some element will specifically be blocked including:
- Players will be unable to gain Fame in any way or form, frozen at a fixed amount.
- The player will be able to accept quests, but not able to complete any objectives/quests.
- Able to kill mobs, but the player will receive no kill credit. This means, no fame reward, no pep reward and no item reward.
Unable to travel beyond the zones Hakwsmouth and Aldenvault.
Acclaim’s freemium model is moderately priced, clocking in a $15/month to open all game content. A decent break from the standard $30 $15 or so per month (Thanks Aetherworld and Armory Light for the catch) most MMO players are used to via World of Warcraft. Feedback thus far has been outstanding, while MMORPG.com places Chronicles of Spellborn at #3 over the past 30 days (WoW ranks #8!), and developers have been keen to incorporate this feedback. The hype machine is gearing up, and all I can say is, it’s worth it. I personally played Chronicles of Spellborn at the Games Convention in Leipzig, and had a full walk through with Frogster Developers. Spellborn really is delivering what they’ve promised; a top notch MMO at an amazing price, with a ton of features that you’d expect at this level of development.
For more, visit Chronicles of Spellborn at: www.tcos.com
Tags: beta testing, chronicles of spellborn, enhancements, european countries, Freemium, Frogster, gameplay, Hawksmouth, Leipzig, microtransaction, MMORPG, monetization, New Zealand, North America, South America, Spellborn, time restrictions, United Kingdom
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Friday, October 31st, 2008
Think Services Game Group’s Game Developer Research has recently published its Game Developer Census 2008 report with some interesting numbers. Surveying all companies working in the video game development and publishing in North America, the survey uncovered a 12 percent year on year increase of US employees. This years number clocks gaming industry jobs at a rockin’ 44,400 – up from 39,700 in 2007. If the 12 percent in the US wasn’t enough to make you sit up and take notice, take a look to our neighbors to the north: Canadian video game jobs leaped a healthy 17 percent; up to 9500 from 8100. Combined the North American gaming industry increased 13 percent, from 47,800 to 53,900. Now that’s alotta jobs, and outstanding industry growth.
While a portion of this increase comes from increased staffing numbers related to next-gen games, the driving factor has been continued development and investment in MMOs and Virtual Worlds. VC’s have obviously put their reservations on the shelf, as continued growth in the free-to-play game worlds has spurred increased investments.
Breaking it down in geographic terms, while Governor Schwarzenegger’s statewide economy might not be rocking the Kasbah, 21,200 game developers couldn’t be happier in the Golden State. Washington State ranks a healthy #2 with over 4,700 employees, and the longhorns of Texas calling 3,330 video game industry professionals state residents. In total, seven states (California, Washington, Texas, New York, Massachusetts, Illinois, and Florida) have over 1,000 game professionals as inhabitants. North Carolina and Maryland are just below the 1,000 threshold.
Interesting to note; the census did NOT include game tools companies (who’s your favorite microtransaction payment method firm?), game contracting/services companies, external PR, marketing, legal, and other business services and liaison or licensing divisions at larger media companies. Game Developer Research estimates this number to be in the 18,000 range in North America.
“We’re delighted to present our second Census report, showing a notable increase in the amount of professionals employed in the game industry. With industry revenues at an all-time high, we believe that we’ll continue to see a vibrant market for those employed in the art and science of gaming,” said Simon Carless, publisher of Game Developer Magazine and director of Game Developer Research.
To view a sample data set, or purchase the entire 170 page Game Developer Census 2008 report, visit Think Services at gamedevresearch.com.
Tags: american gaming, California, Florida, game professionals, game worlds, governor schwarzenegger, Illinois, longhorns, Maryland, Massachusetts, microtransaction, MMOs, New York, next gen games, North America, North American, North Carolina, pr marketing, Simon Carless, staffing, Texas, US, video game development, video game industry, virtual worlds, Washington
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Friday, October 24th, 2008
Philippine-based Asian Media Development Group (AsianMedia) has inked a deal with Korean developer NCSoft to bring Exteel to the massive Philippine, Singapore, and Malaysian gaming markets in a free-to-play format. AsianMedia is the operator responsible for bringing Lineage II and GuildWars to the Philippine market. This announcement signals AsianMedia’s first free-to-play title and is NCSoft’s first time allowing an in-house developed titles to be serviced by a partner abroad.
Founded in 1999, AsianMedia is a Philippine based company, but is rapidly expanding into the Singapore and Malaysian markets. The Asian Media Development Group is the largest PC games distributor in the Philippines and host a diverse cyber café network, 90% of which is currently in the Philippines, along with over 200 retail outlets.
Exteel is not a new game, having been released on December 4, 2007, but is currently unavailable in the Philippines/Singapore/Malaysia market. The game has been successfully serviced in South Korea, Taiwan, a number of European countries, and North America. In these markets, Exteel operates on a free-to-play basis and is funded via in-game item mall microtransactions using NCcoins. In North America, real world money can be used via NCSoft pre-paid gaming cards available at Best Buy and Target locations. No word yet on how the microtransaction model will function in these markets.
Exteel is a third person shooter online game where players command mechanaughts, or human robots, and battle other mechanuaghts. The game features fast action, easy arcade controls, and a massive selection of items available for players to customize their killing machine. The two companies plan on expanding gamer’s experience.
AsianMedia has already made tentative plans to begin closed beta testing in the Philippine market as early as Q1 2009. Philippine gamers will be given first hand experience with Exteels powerful Unreal Engine 2.0 graphics engine, interactivity and gameplay.
In an interview with Alex Villafania from inquirer.net, AsianMedia COO Ronald Allan Aquino said:
“…the decision to go free-to-play was due to the huge market for such games.”
While the games’ local portal is still under development, interested gamers can check in at the North American home of exteel at: exteel.com.
Tags: Alex Villafania, arcade controls, asian media, asianmedia, best buy, exteel, gaming cards, GuildWars, human robots, lineage ii, Malaysia, malaysian markets, NCSoft, North America, pc games distributor, Philippine-based, Philippines, Ronald Allan Aquino, singapore malaysia, South Korea, Taiwan, third person shooter
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Tuesday, September 30th, 2008
Go grab a calendar and put a big bright red circle around November 27th. From here on out November 27th will be officially know as the North American Chronicles of Spellborn release date.
The Chronicles of Spellborn is an impressive free-to-play MMORPG in which players enter a world containing the remnants of a destroyed world. Players delve into a fantasy world where they must collect powerful shard fragments before the forces of evil do. Powered by the Unreal engine 2.5, Chronicles of Spellborn promises a highly developed playing environment with stunning graphics, spectacular effects, and numerous fine details. One of Spellborn’s unique features is a rotating Skill Deck that allows players to refine and enhance their skills in real time. In addition to a well developed Player vs. Player system, Chronicles of Spellborn also features a wide variety of nasty little creatures just waiting to be crushed, and intelligent hostile factions that can react to players abilities and known combat techniques, thereby providing a ‘smart’ battle scenario.
Naturally, coming out of the Acclaim stables in North America, Chronicles of Spellborn will be a free-to-play adventure BUT: the game will only feature a starting area that is 100% free. The best way to think of it is as an open trial in a limited area. If gamers like what they see, and want to continue further with their adventure, they can purchase a premium service that will unlock additional game content. This premium service is slated to offer a wide variety of payment options.
“I’ve been playing and testing the game, and I’m having a fantastic time. The only thing that’s missing is our gamers! I can’t wait until November 27th to greet them all in the amazing world of Spellborn,” says David Perry, the US Director for Spellborn.
Acclaim is set to release details regarding the opening of Spellborn’s closed beta test in the upcoming weeks. This closed beta is scheduled to feature several upgrades an enhancements in the class system, fame system, combat, and the quest structure. If you’re not a resident of North America, no worries, as Acclaim is also making The Chronicles of Spellborn available in the UK, Australia, New Zealand and South America.
Players can sign up for the beta at http://spellborn.acclaim.com/
Having seen and played TCoS personally at the games convention in Leipzig, I’m chomping at the bit to get my hands on this one again. Sure, there are overtones of another MMORPG involving fantasy and classes that you might already be familiar with, but The Chronicles of Spellborn truly does have some unique features that help it to stand out from the crowd. Think of Spellborn as a blender. Take a dash of this MMO, a slice of that fantasy RPG, two scoops of this shooter, a pinch and a half of the Unreal Engine and blend to perfection. The Chronicles of Spellborn features some of the best parts of a wide variety of popular MMOs, blends them all together, adds it’s own touch of originality and packs it all into an exciting new MMORPG.
Tags: Australia, chronicles of spellborn, combat techniques, David Perry, fantasy world, free to play, game content, hostile factions, Leipzig, MMORPG, New Zealand, North America, player vs player, premium service, South America, spectacular effects, Spellborn, stunning graphics, TCoS, UK, unreal engine
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Sunday, September 21st, 2008
It looks like THQ is wasting no time in getting the new Shanghai office into the game. They’ve recently announced a joint venture in cooperation with ICE Entertainment to bring Dragonica to the North American market in 2009.
Dragonica will be a cartoony, sticky sweet, side scrolling game that is free-to-play and supported by pay-for-content micro-transactions. The game was developed by Korean design house Barunson Interactive Co. Dragonica has spent sever years in the development shop, and is finally ready for it’s coming out party. With 3D rendering, new cartoon characters and scenery modeling, Dragonica promised to raise the bar on traditional side scrolling games. The game mixes elements of action and arcade, and creates various skills to enhance play. ICE realized the potential of Dragonica, and has the exclusive rights to operate Dragonica in China.
ICE’s CEO Sun Tai is the former CTO of Chinese major player, The9, a leading operator of Chinese online games including World of Warcraft. This joint venture will combine ICE’s online operating expertise and THQ’s product development and retail experience to create a new platform for the North American market.
“We are extremely excited to be working with ICE Entertainment to bring this free-to-play, micro-transaction-based online game to the robust yet largely untapped market for online casual gaming in North America,” said Doug Clemmer, president of THQ’s casual gaming subsidiary. “We are even more pleased to be building a strong and mutually beneficial relationship, which we hope will lead to additional opportunities to deliver online gaming content globally.”
“We are looking forward to combining THQ’s extensive marketing and retail expertise with our advanced technology and proven online game operating know-how to deliver a great new casual gaming experience for North American consumers,” said Sun Tao, chief executive officer, ICE Entertainment. “We also look forward to working with THQ more closely to develop new games and explore future publishing opportunities in both markets.”
Current estimates of the North American casual game market peg it at approximately $2.2 billion by 2013 (DFC Intelligence). In 2007, China’s online games market clocked in at a whopping $1.7 billion, and reached 42 million gamers. According to Niko Partners, this market is expected to balloon to $4.2 billion by 2010.
Tags: advanced technology, american consumers, barunson, cartoon characters, China, CTO, Doug Clemmer, gaming content, micro transactions, North America, North American, Shanghai, shanghai office, thq, Warcraft, World of Warcraft
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Thursday, September 11th, 2008
Nexon Europe Limited, the European branch of top free-to-play publisher Nexon recently announced that they plan on launching ‘Combat Arms Europe’ via a closed beta test starting in late October of this year.
Combat Arms is a multi-player first person shooter that has already received praise far and wide, and features non-stop action in various battlefields where players engage enemies in different game modes. Not just your typical FPS, Combat Arms takes the genre to a new level by allowing for massive character customizations, as well as a weapon modification system. This modification tool allows players to attach various enhancements to their weapon(s) of choice including, scopes, silencers, and extra ammo. Combat Arms also features a unique backpack system which allows players to combine various sets of weapons, thereby creating their own customized bringer of death.
My own personal experience with Combat Arms matches up with company jargon – it is rather easy to pick up and learn the basic and more advanced controls, thereby allowing just about anyone to have a fair chance at fragging goodness. Racking up some in-game spendable cash is easily obtainable, but also providing a decent challenge. Experience points and cash are handed out based on the number of victories and kills shots made. Once accumulated, these cash points allow players to rank up and acquire mounts and new weapons and equipment. As with most MMO’s, Combat Arms features a full clan system, allowing players to recruit, manage, and communicate with other clan members.
“The FPS genre is traditionally an area for hardcore gamers with a steep learning curve, but Combat Arms takes it to another level, offering a low barrier of entry with its free-to-play offering and low system requirements,” says Sung-Jin Kim, Manager of Europe Business Team at Nexon. “Yet, the sophisticated graphics and in-depth gameplay mechanics do not fall behind the FPS titles that are out in the market, and can therefore accommodate beginners as well as hardcore gamers at the same time. The response to Combat Arms in the North American region was huge, and we have experienced a great demand from the European audience to set up a service for Europe. Now we are happy that we are just about to bring the title to the European continent, starting with the closed beta in late October”.
Nexon’s Combat Arms is free-to-play and financed via various cosmetic microtransactions. If you’re living in North America, or don’t mind a bit of lag with your frag, you can pick up the combat arms client at: http://combatarms.nexon.net/. The client is currently available only to PC users, but runs just fine in either Parallels or VMWare on Mac.
While most of Nexon’s titles focus around ‘fun’ and ‘play’ offering a first person shooter is certainly a great way for Nexon to expand it’s portfolio and start bringing in a completely different type of gamer. Response thus far as been mostly positive, from an often skeptical target audience.
Tags: backpack, battlefields, beta test, bringer of death, clan members, clan system, combat arms, Europe, experience points, first person shooter, fps genre, fps titles, free to play, gameplay mechanics, hardcore gamers, Kim, micro transaction, microtransaction, MMO, Nexon, North America, silencers, sophisticated graphics, steep learning curve, Sung-Jin
Posted in industry news | 4 Comments »
Thursday, September 4th, 2008
Perfect World Co., Ltd. announced yesterday that they are opening the beta doors to allow more players to experience the gripping action of their new free-to-play title: Perfect World.
An interesting point to note is that Perfect World was originally developed with a subscription based budget in mind including all the features one would expect from an MMORPG: guilds, crafting, mounts, etc. Since flipping the switch on the free-to-play model, Perfect World has increased the player base to number in the millions across 10 countries. The former subscription based business model could also herald a new standard for free-to-plays as the 3D gaming engine and graphics are of a quality not normally found in a free-to-play title. In other words: Perfect World is raising the bar.
The official full release of Perfect World is slated for later this fall, complete with international servers (localized specifically for American audiences). The launch will also feature several already released expansion packs, mirroring the current state of play in the Chinese market.
“I am very pleased by the successful closed beta testing in North America, and we are excited to introduce ‘Perfect World International’ to more online game players,” said Mr. Alan Chen, Senior Vice President of Perfect World and Chief Executive Officer of PWE. “I believe that the efforts we have devoted to the localization work and our execution ability will enhance our position in North America.”
“Our progress in North America again evidenced our commitment to executing our international expansion strategy. I believe the launch of ‘Perfect World International’ in North America marks a key milestone for us and helps us further position Perfect World as a leading provider in the global online game market in the long-term,” added Mr. Michael Chi, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Perfect World.
While the game only features three races (Humans, Untamed, and Winged Elves), with two classes per race, the customization levels are where players can really dig deep. Other features include guild vs. guild wars, territory wars (up to 80 vs. 80 for land and monetary rewards), crafting, world events, and an in-game marriage system. No MMO would be complete without a decent land and air mount, and Perfect World doesn’t disappoint. Instead of an overall general mount, Perfect World features race specific mounts. Humans ride something akin to a broomstick, but in the form of a massive sword, while Untamed can rise from the ashes and fly their phoenix. Speaking of mounts – PVP players should be happy to know that mounted combat is possible.
To give Perfect World a go of your own, head on over to the website and download the client (2.32 gb).
Tags: 3d gaming, american audiences, chief executive officer, chinese market, game market, international expansion strategy, international servers, MMO, MMORPG, Mr. Alan Chen, Mr. Michael Chi, North America, perfect world, pwe, winged elves
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Thursday, July 24th, 2008
Trialpay and NHN USA have announced a partnership that will give online gamers 50 “G Coins”, the portal’s in game currency, just for completing a real world transaction via TrialPay. TrialPay is a familiar e-commerce site where users can do everything from buying clothes, sending flowers, signing up for a movie rental service, etc.
With the increasing popularity of Free to Play games in North America, thousands of returning and new gamers are arriving at ijji.com’s portal everyday. To sweeten the deal, and in an attempt to bring the ‘casual gamer’ into the fold, NHN brokered the partnership with TrialPay.
Ijji.com already has 6 Million registered users, and is rapidly becoming a hotspot for any and all things free to play. The portal is home to a wide ranging catalogue of unique online games that run the gamut on interests and styles. Hardcore FPSs and Fantasy role players are the most popular and appeal to the widest range of ijji’s registrants. Players utilize G coins to customize every aspect of their gaming experience.
“This partnership with TrialPay helps everyone enjoy the advantages of using G Coins simply by doing business with name-brand advertisers,” said Whon Namkoong, CEO, NHN USA Inc. “Virtual money makes a good online gaming experience event even better. Whether you’re a Drift City racer looking to upgrade your car or a Luminary adventurer in need of a Miracle Hammer or Teleportation Ticket, the TrialPay partnership enables our community to get the G Coins necessary to ‘purchase’ virtual goods for free.”
“NHN USA’s ijji.com has quickly emerged as one of the most popular online gaming destinations in North America, and we are thrilled to partner with them as they continue to bring more players into the incredibly lucrative F2P U.S. market with the site,” said Alex Rampell, co-founder and CEO, TrialPay. “TrialPay has partnered with more than 2,000 advertisers, so there is an ideal offer for every ijji.com user.”
To get 50 G Coins for free through TrialPay, please visit: https://billing.ijji.com/payment/freeGCoin.nhn
About NHN USA
Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., NHN USA, Inc. is the North American subsidiary of Korea’s leading Internet company NHN. Founded in 2006, NHN USA has quickly emerged as a premier online entertainment publisher. The company’s game portal ijji.com, which boasts more than six million unique registered gamers, hosts a diverse suite of free-to-play online games each with an optional micro-currency model that enables players to enhance their gaming experiences by purchasing in-game items. ijji.com’s extensive game portfolio includes GUNZ The Duel®, SOLDIER FRONT™, GUNBOUND® Revolution, DRIFT CITY™, LUMINARY Rise of the GoonZu™ and MINING BOY™, and will soon include the highly-anticipated Unreal Engine 3-based massively multiplayer online first-person shooting (MMOFPS) game Huxley.
About TrialPay
TrialPay unites advertisers, merchants and shoppers to create the first payment platform that benefits all parties. Using TrialPay, merchants turn lost and indecisive shoppers into paying customers by giving away their product for free when a shopper completes an offer from blue-chip advertisers. Advertisers pay a bounty that equals or exceeds the merchant’s regular price to create a profitable transaction out of a stalled or abandoned cart. TrialPay ensures that every shopper finds an offer that compels him or her to purchase by pairing premium brands with the added value of a free product. With TrialPay everyone wins: shoppers get a free product, advertisers acquire new customers and merchants earn significant revenue from lost or unlikely customers.
Tags: Alex Rampell, casual gamer, drift city, fantasy role players, fpss, free to play, G Coins, gaming experience, ijji, micro transaction, nhn usa, North America, Trialpay, virtual money
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Sunday, June 29th, 2008
While retailers were dropping enough hints to walk from Europe to North America and back without getting one’s feet wet last week about a December 3rd Starcraft II release date, Blizzard VP Rob Pardo effectively put the squash on these rumors at the Blizzard Worldwide Invitational.
Speaking about the game’s development, he answered that the Blizz crew was “about a third of the way through”, and are concentrating on story structure and cinematics at this point. In other words, all the pretty go betweens we see between battles, etc. Pardo did comment however that by the end of 2008, Blizzard should have something very impressive to show off.
So there we have it. Rumors squashed. I guess it’s time to update that Christmas wish list as it looks like Starcraft II isn’t going to hit the streets until 2009.
Blizzard didn’t let us walk away with an acrid taste in our mouths. They DID provide some tasty screenshots to make that anticipation just a bit sweeter:
And don’t forget what we’re already been privy to:
Tags: Blizzard, christmas wish list, Europe, game, houston we have a problem, Invitational, North America, starcraft, starcraft ii release date, VP Rob Pardo, Worldwide
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Monday, June 9th, 2008
Now here’s one that’s near and dear to my heart. Not that I drive a Ferrari (unless you want to think of VW as a watered down Ferrari?) but for that exact point. Driving sims are about as close as most of us are ever going to get to sitting behind a million dollar super machine.
So, last year, when waves started being made by Koch Media that they’d be distributing a Ferrari based game in Europe, my heart felt a little pitter patter. Not much more news hit the stands for a while until recently.
Activision announced that they’d be distributing the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli via System3 in North America. The Italian Stallions are expected to be on shelves this summer and available for the PS2, PS3, Nintendo DS, and Wii systems.
The game will feature more than 15 international real deal racing circuits, along with multiple game play modes such as Ferrari Challenge Seasons, Time Trials, Endurance, and Quick Sprint. Up to 16 players can rock out with their stallions out online in a variety of challenges including racing circuits and hill climbs.
Dave Oxford from Activision Publishing said, “For the last sixty years Ferrari has been synonymous with precision, performance and graceful design, so expectations for the game will be high from auto enthusiasts and racing game fans alike. Everyone involved in Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli has been committed to ensuring this product over-delivers on the experience of this legendary brand.”
System 3 CEO Mark Cale commented, “Without a doubt, this is the defining Ferrari experience for video games. It has been a collaboration with professionals on every level and we have justly captured the power, beauty, and excitement that is the Ferrari Challenge Series. This excitement is taken to a whole new level with the partnership of Activision’s power within the North American marketplace.”
To add even more goodness to the already smokin’ hot exhaust pipes, The Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli will also feature downloadable content such as cars, tracks, and customization options available on a monthly basis.
Tags: activision, CEO Mark Cale, challenge series, dave oxford, Europe, exhaust pipes, ferrari challenge, ferrari experience, game fans, graceful design, koch media, mark cale, Nintendo, North America, North American, north american marketplace, precision performance, racing circuits, Wii
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European countries will go live on the 27th of November, while Acclaim plans a simultaneous closed beta opening. Both launches will have the exact same product featuring identical Freemium (read: free-to-play, microtransaction monetization models) models, but the Europeans will act as guinea pigs, ensuring that everything is smooth sailing before the Acclaim launch.![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=cc9a272a-9ac2-4891-a9b5-2bfe342f575c)
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