Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Dungeons and Dragons Online also going free-to-play in Europe]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/20/dungeons-and-dragons-online-also-going-free-to-play-in-europe/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/20/dungeons-and-dragons-online-also-going-free-to-play-in-europe/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/20/dungeons-and-dragons-online-also-going-free-to-play-in-europe/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Turbine has announced that the free-to-play version of its die-casting MMO, Dungeons & Dragons Online: Eberron Unlimited, will launch in Europe on August 20. Turbine will take the reins from Codemasters Online for its European operations, and explained to Eurogamer that the two parties are working together "to facilitate a smooth transition" to its globally-oriented business model.

Potential players will be able to download the game client and play for free through DDO's official website. Players living in the UK who have been playing on U.S. servers will be able to transfer their characters to local servers shortly after the game launches. German and French-language servers are expected to enter beta later this year. Rôle d'initiative!

JoystiqDungeons and Dragons Online also going free-to-play in Europe originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 20 Jul 2010 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>codemasters-onlinedungeons-and-dragons-onlinedungeons-and-dragons-online-eberron-unlimitedeuropefree-to-playmmorpgpcturbineTue, 20 Jul 2010 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Dungeons and Dragons Online getting guild airships in next update]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/02/dungeons-and-dragons-online-getting-guild-airships-in-next-updat/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/02/dungeons-and-dragons-online-getting-guild-airships-in-next-updat/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/02/dungeons-and-dragons-online-getting-guild-airships-in-next-updat/#comments We're not sure who clued Turbine into this particular fact, but our two favorite things on this earth are, in order: boats which use primitive yet impossible technology to travel through the skies, and owning property. The fifth major update to Dungeons and Dragons Online: Eberron Unlimited will manage to incorporate both of these elements into the free-to-play MMO when it launches June 28.

Not only will the update give your guild access to soaring, winged home bases, it will also add the "Carnival of Shadow" scenario to the game, which sounds like the worst carnival ever. Check out the game's blog for more information on this new adventure, or check out the gallery below to catch a few glimpses of DDO's pretty new airships.

Gallery: Dungeons and Dragons Online Airships

JoystiqDungeons and Dragons Online getting guild airships in next update originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 02 Jun 2010 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airshipatariDungeons-and-Dragonsdungeons-and-dragons-onlinegallerymmommorpgturbineupdateWed, 02 Jun 2010 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Dungeons & Dragons Online rises in popularity among former WoW players]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/14/dungeons-and-dragons-online-rises-in-popularity-among-former-wow-p/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/14/dungeons-and-dragons-online-rises-in-popularity-among-former-wow-p/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/14/dungeons-and-dragons-online-rises-in-popularity-among-former-wow-p/#comments The NPD Group's recent annual poll of MMO fans' favorite online titles seems to indicate a pretty substantial power shift in the MMORPG space -- one that heavily favors Turbine's Dungeons & Dragons Online. The D20-friendly game, which went free-to-play last September, managed to wrestle the number three spot in the survey out of Guild Wars' hands. The percentage of participants who claim to be active DDO players doubled from four to eight since last year's survey.

The survey also inquired what MMOs former World of Warcraft players have switched over to in the past year. Though fellow free-to-play title Runescape fell from 20 percent to 13 percent in this category, DDO jumped from five percent to 11 percent year-over-year. That just goes to show: People don't just like free stuff, they like free stuff that didn't used to be quite so free. Also, they like dragons. And occasionally dungeons.

JoystiqDungeons & Dragons Online rises in popularity among former WoW players originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 14 May 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ataridungeons-and-dragons-onlinemmommorpgnpdrpgsurveyturbineworld-of-warcraftFri, 14 May 2010 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Turbine makes more money by giving its MMO away for free]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/02/turbine-makes-more-money-by-giving-its-mmo-away-for-free/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/02/turbine-makes-more-money-by-giving-its-mmo-away-for-free/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/02/turbine-makes-more-money-by-giving-its-mmo-away-for-free/#comments Here's a story that you're probably going to see a lot over the next few years: A company started giving away its game for free, and now reports that it's making more money than before. That's what happened to Turbine, maker of the Dungeons and Dragons Online MMO. Last year, it decided to move from a subscription model to free-to-play, instead earning its revenue off of in-game transactions, and now it's announced that income has increased by 500% and the game is making more money than ever.

DDO is sort of a special case here -- the game was already developed for a subscription model, so the content might be a little more in-depth (not to mention officially licensed) than you'd find on most free-to-play properties. And since the game still does offer subscription plans, the number of subscribers has actually doubled since the changeover (there's no information about whether more money is being made from selling in-game items or from new players who have decided to subscribe). But you can be sure other game developers are closely watching this model, and it's not a stretch to think that, in the next few years, we'll see many more publishers -- of MMOs and otherwise -- try to pull off the paradox of making more money by giving their games away for free.

JoystiqTurbine makes more money by giving its MMO away for free originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 02 Mar 2010 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atariddodungeons-and-dragons-onlineincomemmoparadoxprofitrevenuesubscription-modelturbineTue, 02 Mar 2010 02:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Third update hits for Dungeons & Dragons Online: Eberron Unlimited]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/04/third-update-hits-for-dungeons-and-dragons-online-eberron-unlimit/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/04/third-update-hits-for-dungeons-and-dragons-online-eberron-unlimit/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/04/third-update-hits-for-dungeons-and-dragons-online-eberron-unlimit/#comments
click to make resolution slightly less limited When a free expansion hits for a free-to-play MMO -- in this case, Turbine's Dungeons & Dragons: Eberron Unlimited -- no one is really free to complain (though some no doubt will). Today's drably-titled "Update 3" brings with it a removal of leveling sigils, extending all of the game's items to every player, plus a new Casual Mode for solo players and parties up to the level cap of 20.

More dungeons have also been added, geared toward high-level players, and two live events -- The Traveler's Treasure Hunt and The Risia Ice Games -- are planned to "celebrate DDO's fourth birthday" with prizes (of the physical variety). Most importantly, Ski Lift Hot Cocoa and Candy Cane Ice Skates have been added to the DDO Store. (Finally!)

Gallery: Dungeons & Dragons Online: Eberron Unlimited - Update 3

JoystiqThird update hits for Dungeons & Dragons Online: Eberron Unlimited originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 04 Feb 2010 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Ataridlcdungeons-and-dragonsdungeons-and-dragons-onlinedungeons-and-dragons-online-eberron-unlimitedfreeturbineThu, 04 Feb 2010 03:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hasbro suing Atari over alleged breach in D&D licensing agreement]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/17/hasbro-suing-atari-over-alleged-breach-in-dandd-licensing-agreemen/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/17/hasbro-suing-atari-over-alleged-breach-in-dandd-licensing-agreemen/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/17/hasbro-suing-atari-over-alleged-breach-in-dandd-licensing-agreemen/#comments It seems the Dungeons & Dragons franchise has brought more legal troubles upon Atari than it's probably worth. In August, Turbine Entertainment, developer of the MMO based on the tabletop game, sued the publisher for failing to "devote the necessary resources" to promoting and distributing the online RPG. Now, Hasbro, owner of subsidiary company Wizards of the Coast, which is the current owner of the D&D franchise, is suing Atari for allegedly breaching a licensing agreement the two parties struck up concerning Atari's use of the popular role-playing brand.

Hasbro's main complaint in the suit is that Atari might have taken part in an "unauthorized sublicensing relationship" with Namco Bandai during the latter's purchase of Atari's European distribution company this past March. According to the suit, Namco Bandai is a direct competitor to Hasbro and Wizards, and allowing them any access to the D&D license is a violation of the contract agreed to by Atari. Hasbro seeks compensatory damages, and also to terminate the allegedly violated licensing agreement, denying Atari further access to the brand.

In a press release statement, Wizards of the Coast president Greg Leeds said, "while unfortunate that we had to take this action, it is crucial for us to protect the Dungeons & Dragons brand." Leeds later added, "we have been working for several months now to reach resolution with Atari, and they have left us with no other choice than to pursue legal action."

Atari isn't taking these complaints lying down -- the publisher just distributed its own statement through PRNewswire, claiming, "Hasbro has resorted to these meritless allegations, in an apparent attempt to unfairly take back rights granted to Atari." The statement goes on to say, "we regret that our long-time partner has decided to pursue this action. Atari will respond appropriately through its legal counsel in court."

JoystiqHasbro suing Atari over alleged breach in D&D licensing agreement originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 17 Dec 2009 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ataridungeons-and-dragonsdungeons-and-dragons-onlinehasbrolawlawsuitlegallicensewizards-of-the-coastThu, 17 Dec 2009 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[D&D rolls with the changes, ported to Microsoft Surface]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/20/dandd-rolls-with-the-changes-ported-to-microsoft-surface/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/20/dandd-rolls-with-the-changes-ported-to-microsoft-surface/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/20/dandd-rolls-with-the-changes-ported-to-microsoft-surface/#comments By the time your average Dungeons and Dragons player has failed his third death save and gone off to that great dungeon in the sky, he or she's spent nearly $800,000 on miniatures and various-sided dice. (Trust us, it adds up.) Keeping that number in mind, we'd like to turn your attention to an alternative to tangible tabletop gaming: Surfacescapes, an in-development application for the Microsoft Surface, which attempts to recreate the D&D experience on an outrageously large touch screen. As the Surface currently costs $12,500, the lifetime savings would be abundant.

Sure, there's a few kinks to work out -- the dice roll a little slow for our tastes, though this would make saving throws infinitely more dramatic. There's also the small matter of how introducing this technology into the game might diminish the whole "role-playing" element. If used just for combat encounters, it could be a powerful streamlining tool. For everything else, it would need to be fitted with an Imagination Manifestation Drive[TM], and those don't exist yet.

Check out a demo of Surfacescape's proof of concept in the video after the jump.

[Via Engadget]

Continue reading D&D rolls with the changes, ported to Microsoft Surface

JoystiqD&D rolls with the changes, ported to Microsoft Surface originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 20 Oct 2009 11:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>d-and-ddungeons-and-dragons-onlinemicrosoftMicrosoft-SurfaceRolePlayingrpgsurfacesurfacescapestabletoptabletop-gamingwizards-of-the-coastTue, 20 Oct 2009 11:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Atari files Turbine D&D suit under 'frivolous']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/03/atari-files-turbine-dandd-suit-under-frivolous/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/03/atari-files-turbine-dandd-suit-under-frivolous/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/03/atari-files-turbine-dandd-suit-under-frivolous/#commentsWith a flick of its wrist, Atari has motioned to dismiss Turbine's lawsuit against the publisher, calling the Dungeons and Dragons Online developer's recent legal actions "frivolous" and "a great disservice to D&D fans and to the MMO community at large." Turbine alleges in its lawsuit that Atari failed to uphold a licensing agreement associated with the D&D MMO and did not devote the necessary resources to market the game, due in part to a supposed "strategy" to promote its Champions Online MMO instead.

Unsurprisingly, Atari has filed to dismiss Turbine's suit and, in addition, filed a secondary complaint seeking "monies" allegedly owed to the publisher by Turbine (as supposedly uncovered by a third-party audit). In its official statement, posted in its entirety on IndustryGamers, the publisher adds, "While Atari hopes for a quick and fair resolution, it remains fully committed to the D&D communities worldwide and will vigorously protect the franchise and its own integrity in this matter." Oh, by the way, did you see that Champions Online was released this week!

Gallery: DDO: Eberron Unlimited

JoystiqAtari files Turbine D&D suit under 'frivolous' originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 03 Sep 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ataridungeons-and-dragonsdungeons-and-dragons-onlinedungeons-and-dragons-online-stormreachdungeons-and-dragons-online-unlimitedlawsuitmmoturbineThu, 03 Sep 2009 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[DDO Eberron Unlimited rolls high initiative, gets early head-start release]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/01/ddo-eberron-unlimited-rolls-high-initiative-gets-early-head-sta/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/01/ddo-eberron-unlimited-rolls-high-initiative-gets-early-head-sta/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/01/ddo-eberron-unlimited-rolls-high-initiative-gets-early-head-sta/#comments
According to a recent Turbine press release, the developer's free-to-play, D20-rolling MMO, Dungeons and Dragons Online: Eberron Unlimited will be granting early access to ... well, to people who've already had their fair share of early access. Though the game launches on September 9, anyone who is a former or current subscriber to DDO, or those who participated in Unlimited's closed beta, can log onto the game right this hot second.

The game offers all the DDO action you (might) know and (may) love, albeit with a higher level cap and lower price. Sure, you'll still need to dish out a few bucks for access to the game's full catalog of zones, classes, races and items -- but even without this premium content, there's plenty of game available for the Gygax enthusiast on a budget.

Gallery: DDO: Eberron Unlimited

JoystiqDDO Eberron Unlimited rolls high initiative, gets early head-start release originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 01 Sep 2009 23:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ataricodemastersddoddo-eberron-unlimitedddo-unlimiteddungeons-and-dragonsdungeons-and-dragons-onlinepcturbineTue, 01 Sep 2009 23:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Turbine sues Atari over Dungeons and Dragons Online licensing]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/26/turbine-sues-atari-over-dungeons-and-dragons-online-licensing/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/26/turbine-sues-atari-over-dungeons-and-dragons-online-licensing/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/26/turbine-sues-atari-over-dungeons-and-dragons-online-licensing/#comments Stick with us, because this could get confusing: Courthouse News reports that Turbine - the Massachusetts-based developer behind the Dungeon and Dragons Online MMO - is suing Atari, publisher of the title. At issue is Turbine's claim that Atari has "breached a licensing agreement" related to the development of the free-to-play Dungeons and Dragons Online Unlimited. Turbine says that while it has spent millions developing the franchise "and continues to invest money to operate and maintain the service," Atari "acted unreasonably in its efforts to promote and distribute [Dungeons and Dragons Online] and failed to devote the necessary resources to it."

So, Atari continued to accept payments ("including future royalty payments") from Turbine for the Dungeons and Dragons Online "sublicense" though, Turbine alleges, Atari had a "strategy" to either "terminate Turbine as part of a shakedown" or "proceed with termination in bad faith to benefit from its own competing product at Turbine's expense." We can assume that "competing product" is Atari's upcoming Champions Online MMO, being developed by its recently acquired in-house MMO dev Cryptic Studios.

So, to recap: Atari wants to terminate the license agreement with Turbine to develop and maintain the Dungeons and Dragons Online MMO franchise, including the just-announced "Unlimited" free-to-play variant. Turbine says that such a termination threatens its "past investment" in the franchise and the "goodwill" it's developed with the DDO playerbase, and those they expect to play DDO Unlimited. And now, it's up to the courts!

[Thanks, Mark]

JoystiqTurbine sues Atari over Dungeons and Dragons Online licensing originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 26 Aug 2009 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AtariDungeons-and-DragonsDungeons-and-Dragons-OnlineDungeons-and-Dragons-Online-StormreachDungeons-and-Dragons-Online-UnlimitedMMOTurbineWed, 26 Aug 2009 11:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Dungeons and Dragons Online: Ebberon Unlimited dated for September 9]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/31/dungeons-and-dragons-online-ebberon-unlimited-dated-for-septemb/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/31/dungeons-and-dragons-online-ebberon-unlimited-dated-for-septemb/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/31/dungeons-and-dragons-online-ebberon-unlimited-dated-for-septemb/#comments
Turbine's free-to-play online game, Dungeons & Dragons Online: Ebberon Unlimited, has officially been dated for September 9. As in 9/9/09, the cursed date of cursing.

The game is currently in beta right now and the final product will support micro-transactions and paid accounts for those who find they fancy both dungeons and dragons a lot. If you want to check the game out, hit up DDO.com.

JoystiqDungeons and Dragons Online: Ebberon Unlimited dated for September 9 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 31 Jul 2009 21:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ddoddo-ebberon-unlimiteddungeons-and-dragons-onlinedungeons-and-dragons-online-ebberon-unlimitedebberon-unlimitedmmoturbineFri, 31 Jul 2009 21:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Dungeons and Dragons Online Unlimited coming Aug. 6]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/08/dungeons-and-dragons-online-unlimited-coming-aug-6/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/08/dungeons-and-dragons-online-unlimited-coming-aug-6/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/08/dungeons-and-dragons-online-unlimited-coming-aug-6/#comments
In a crowded MMORPG market, we always had trouble remembering which one, exactly, Dungeons and Dragons Online was. As of August 6, it'll be a little easier, and the game becomes Dungeons and Dragons Online: Unlimited, or "the one that used to be a paid one, but now is free."

It's an interesting strategy, and we're curious to see how it pans out. We'd issue a stern reminder, though, that the true cost of MMORPGs (your immortal soul) is much pricier than a few more bucks on your Visa every month.

JoystiqDungeons and Dragons Online Unlimited coming Aug. 6 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 08 Jul 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dungeons-and-dragonsdungeons-and-dragons-onlinedungeons-and-dragons-online-unlimitedmmommorpgpcturbineWed, 08 Jul 2009 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Dungeons and Dragons Online not free-to-play in Europe]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/10/dungeons-and-dragons-online-not-free-to-play-in-europe/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/10/dungeons-and-dragons-online-not-free-to-play-in-europe/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/10/dungeons-and-dragons-online-not-free-to-play-in-europe/#comments
Yesterday, Turbine made a startling announcement that wowed penny-wise online gamers -- its D20 rollin' MMO, Dungeons and Dragons Online would receive a free-to-play edition with the subtitle Eberron Unlimited. There's just one caveat -- Unlimited is going live this summer in North America only. Codemasters confirmed the European exclusion in a statement, explaining "DDO Europe will not be assuming this new business model and the European DDO game service will remain a monthly subscription-based game."

There's a chance that Europe could eventually gain access to Unlimited, as the statement mentions, "as the beta progresses we will release more information regarding the future plans for EU players." Keep your eyes peeled and your perception checks high for more news on the matter as the beta opens its doors.

JoystiqDungeons and Dragons Online not free-to-play in Europe originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 10 Jun 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>codemastersdungeons-and-dragons-onlineeuropemmommorpgsubscriptionturbineWed, 10 Jun 2009 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Turbine announces free-to-play Dungeons and Dragons Online: Eberron Unlimited]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/09/turbine-announces-free-to-play-dungeons-and-dragons-online-eber/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/09/turbine-announces-free-to-play-dungeons-and-dragons-online-eber/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/09/turbine-announces-free-to-play-dungeons-and-dragons-online-eber/#comments
Good news for MMO fans comes courtesy of Turbine today, as the company has announced it's starting beta on a new game, Dungeons and Dragons Online: Eberron Unlimited, a free-to-play version of its popular MMO. Players can download the game for free at DDO.com, and utilize the new DDO Store in-game to purchase a variety of items and whatnot for their characters.

The free-to-play game will also offer paid accounts (wait, what?) known as DDO VIPs, which unlock a host of features compared to the somewhat-robust feature set available to more frugal gamers. The fine folks at Massively were able to take a screenshot showing off what the differences are, and you can check that out right here. So while the cheapskate gamers get a surprising amount of content, you're really going to have to pony up for the full experience.

[Via Massively]

JoystiqTurbine announces free-to-play Dungeons and Dragons Online: Eberron Unlimited originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 09 Jun 2009 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ddodungeons-and-dragonsdungeons-and-dragons-onlinefree-to-playmmoturbineTue, 09 Jun 2009 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Turbine arrives at E3 with brand new CFO]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/01/turbine-arrives-at-e3-with-brand-new-cfo/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/01/turbine-arrives-at-e3-with-brand-new-cfo/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/01/turbine-arrives-at-e3-with-brand-new-cfo/#commentsFiled under: , ,


MMO maker Turbine started off E3 not with a new game announcement, but a new staff member. They've hired on M. Beau Paradowski, who's worked in the past for Clearwire Technologies and Optasite, as their brand new Chief Financial Officer. As CFO, he'll be in charge of both overseeing worldwide financial operations as well as scouting ahead for any hidden orc raider camps.

Massively has more, and says that Turbine will depend on Paradowski's financial knowledge to help guide their three big MMO titles, Lord of the Rings Online, Dungeons and Dragons Online, and Asheron's Call. Paradowski says in a press release that, "I'm thrilled to join and help this talented team take Turbine to the next level." And by "next level," we assume he means one floor deeper into the dreaded Mines of Moria. You need as many executives as you can get down there.

JoystiqTurbine arrives at E3 with brand new CFO originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 01 Jun 2009 19:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>asherons-callcfodungeons-and-dragons-onlinee3e3-2009financialm-beau-paradowskiturbineMon, 01 Jun 2009 19:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Former Glu Mobile exec Nate Jones joins Turbine ]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/28/former-glu-mobile-exec-nate-jones-joins-turbine/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/28/former-glu-mobile-exec-nate-jones-joins-turbine/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/28/former-glu-mobile-exec-nate-jones-joins-turbine/#comments Another executive has leveled up to MMO developer Turbine. Following recent appointments of Ken Surdan as operations vice president in March and ex-Flagship guys Dave Brevik and Jeff Lind last October, former Glu Mobile exec Nate Jones has joined Turbine as the company's new VP of corporate and business development. In his new job, Jones will look after licensing partnerships, joint ventures and mergers and acquisitions for the company.

The position should be familiar to Jones, who previously served as Glu Mobile's vice prez of strategy and corporate development, a role which to our untrained ears sounds very much the same as his new duties at Turbine. Granted we're sometimes not up to speed on the latest corporate speak, so while this all sounds impressive in truth this could just be a fancy way of describing Jones' work as Turbine's newest sandwich artist. He picked a hell of a day to quit working at Glu.

JoystiqFormer Glu Mobile exec Nate Jones joins Turbine originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 28 May 2009 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>asherons-callddodungeons-and-dragons-onlinelord-of-the-rings-onlinelotrommoturbineThu, 28 May 2009 03:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Turbine names travel mogul as operations VP]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/10/turbine-names-travel-mogul-as-operations-vp/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/10/turbine-names-travel-mogul-as-operations-vp/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/10/turbine-names-travel-mogul-as-operations-vp/#comments
There's a new sheriff in town at MMO factory Turbine. Well, sheriff is probably too strong of a word. How about deputy? Or, barring that, principal, maybe. Whatever the case, his name is Ken Surdan, and he's the dev's new VP of operations.

Surdan's duties will be many in the new role, from fostering customer relations to overseeing the global operations of each of Turbine's franchises, including The Lord of the Rings Online, Dungeons & Dragons Online and Asheron's Call. Now, looking over his resume, he doesn't have much -- well, okay any game industry experience. Still, the 15 year corporate vet has served in a number of high profile positions at such travel companies as TripAdvisor Media Network and National Leisure Group, making him the one to call on when execs want to get away ... even if he doesn't know his experience point from a platinum piece.

JoystiqTurbine names travel mogul as operations VP originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 10 Mar 2009 00:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>asherons-callddodungeons-and-dragons-onlinelord-of-the-rings-onlinelotroturbineTue, 10 Mar 2009 00:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Ex-Flagship execs recruited for new Turbine studio ]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/13/ex-flagship-execs-recruited-for-new-turbine-studio/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/13/ex-flagship-execs-recruited-for-new-turbine-studio/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/13/ex-flagship-execs-recruited-for-new-turbine-studio/#commentsFiled under: ,

While Flagship's maiden voyage may have ended up as splintered wreckage at the bottom of the massively multiplayer ocean, a pair of its former crew have found safe harbor at fellow MMO studio, Turbine. The Lord of the Rings Online developer announced that former Flagship execs Dave Brevik and Jeff Lind have joined the company, and will help spearhead a newly opened studio in Redwood City, CA.


The pair is joined by industry vet and former Sniper Studios president and CEO, Matt McKnight, who will serve as the new studio's Director, while Brevik and Lind will take on roles as creative director and engineering director respectively. We offer congratulations and best of luck to all three gentlemen, though we're particularly interested in seeing what Brevik does with his new position. Creative director marks a change from his previous role as Flagship's chief visionary officer, a wise course correction given that his foresight apparently stopped just short of predicting his former employer's impending doom.

JoystiqEx-Flagship execs recruited for new Turbine studio originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 13 Oct 2008 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dungeons-and-dragons-onlineflagshipflagship-studioslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotroturbinewest-coastMon, 13 Oct 2008 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Turbine working on console MMO]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/11/turbine-working-on-console-mmo/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/11/turbine-working-on-console-mmo/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/11/turbine-working-on-console-mmo/#commentsFiled under: ,


Half-confirming earlier rumblings, Turbine has gone on record to state that they are actively developing a console-based MMO. It's not known at this time whether the title is, as rumored, a cross-platform console adaptation of Dungeons & Dragons Online, Lord of the Rings Online, or whether it is an entirely new title.

According to Turbine Communications Director Adam Mersky, the company intends to fill 100 new positions in 2008, with 60 slots already filled thus far this year. A significant investment from media giant Time Warner is largely the cause of this sudden growth, which proves promising for the MMO developer.

[Via Gamasutra]

JoystiqTurbine working on console MMO originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 11 Jun 2008 22:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dnd-onlinedungeons-and-dragons-onlinelord-of-the-rings-onlinelotr-onlineturbineWed, 11 Jun 2008 22:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Time Warner Inc. invests in LOTRO developer Turbine]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/04/time-warner-inc-invests-in-lotro-developer-turbine/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/04/time-warner-inc-invests-in-lotro-developer-turbine/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/04/time-warner-inc-invests-in-lotro-developer-turbine/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Lord of the Rings Online and Dungeons & Dragons Online developer, Turbine Inc., today announced its success in raising $40 million in equity financing. In addition to operating a particularly ruthless lemonade stand, Turbine secured the funds via new investors Time Warner Inc. and GGV Capital (formerly Granite Global Ventures). "Turbine has an extraordinary team, incredible technology and a growing portfolio of games based on some of the most popular brands ever created," said president and CEO of Turbine, Jim Crowley. "With this funding we are uniquely positioned to change the future of online entertainment as we bring new titles to market, expand the platforms we support and introduce new technologies to sustain self-evolving game worlds."

New games and new technologies sound like responsible things to invest in, Mr. Crowley. Responsible, but boring. We would have gone for something like the world's biggest ice cream cake.

JoystiqTime Warner Inc. invests in LOTRO developer Turbine originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 04 Jun 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Asherons-CallDungeons-and-Dragons-OnlineLOTROMMORPGPCTurbineWed, 04 Jun 2008 15:00:00 EST