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[SingStar becoming a 'free download,' mic still required]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/13/singstar-becoming-a-free-download-mic-still-required/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/13/singstar-becoming-a-free-download-mic-still-required/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/13/singstar-becoming-a-free-download-mic-still-required/#comments SingStar becoming a 'free download,' mic still requiredSony's SingStar Viewer app for the PlayStation 3 previously just allowed players to check out SingStar content for free; they'd have to put the game's disc in if they actually wanted to sing along with any of the game's songs. But a new message in the app hints that will be changing very soon. The Viewer app has reportedly been discontinued, and a message when the app is loaded says that "The complete SingStar experience will be available as a free download very soon!" Presumably, that means that anyone will be able to download SingStar, and then play Sony's karaoke game for zero cost (with extra songs being purchaseable separately).

The one catch: The game will still require a mic, so if you haven't bought one of those yet, you'll need to do so. But the good news is that the mics are available for just a few bucks in certain places, so those interested should be able to pick one up easily. We'll look for more official news on this next week from the PlayStation Blog.

JoystiqSingStar becoming a 'free download,' mic still required originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 13 Oct 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>downloadsfreefreemiumplaystationps3SingStarsingstar-viewersongssonySat, 13 Oct 2012 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Warface takes a shot at the west, from Crytek and Trion Worlds]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/26/warface-takes-a-shot-at-the-west-from-crytek-and-trion-worlds/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/26/warface-takes-a-shot-at-the-west-from-crytek-and-trion-worlds/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/26/warface-takes-a-shot-at-the-west-from-crytek-and-trion-worlds/#comments Warface takes a shot at the west, from Crytek and Trion WorldsWarface, Crytek's free-to-play social FPS currently live in Russia, has a deal to launch in western markets, published by Trion Worlds. Warface will hit North America, Europe, Turkey, Australia and New Zealand through Gface, Crytek's social gaming network, and the Trion Platform.

Warface has two million registered users in Russia. This marks Crytek's grand entrance into the freemium era, after CEO Cevat Yerli announced in June that all future projects from Crytek will be F2P. The budget for Warface and each of Crytek's other F2P titles is "between $10 million to $30 million... but at the price-point of $0 entry," Yerli said.

Continue reading Warface takes a shot at the west, from Crytek and Trion Worlds

JoystiqWarface takes a shot at the west, from Crytek and Trion Worlds originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 26 Jul 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Crytekf2pfree-to-playfreemiumgfacepcsocialtrion-worldswarfaceThu, 26 Jul 2012 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[NPD: 40% of Free-to-play players have bought something]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/23/npd-40-of-free-to-play-players-have-bought-something/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/23/npd-40-of-free-to-play-players-have-bought-something/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/23/npd-40-of-free-to-play-players-have-bought-something/#comments A hefty chunk of free-to-play or "freemium" gamers have spent real dinero on their hobby of choice, according to a new report from the NPD Group. An online survey conducted by the group determined that four out of ten free-to-play gamers have made an in-game payment of some kind. Males are more likely to make such purchases, though females are more likely to have played free-to-play titles.

The report contains a few other interesting tidbits. For one, those who make an in-game payment tend to do so within the first month of playing, and those who try free-to-play titles tend to keep playing them, with 84 percent continuing to play after first trying them. Among those who abandon free-to-play titles, men aged 13 to 34 are most likely, while women in general are more likely to stay.

Perhaps the most interesting (horrifying?) statistic: data for the survey was gathered from 6,416 respondents aged two and older. Please, keep your two-year-olds away from the smurfberries.

Continue reading NPD: 40% of Free-to-play players have bought something

JoystiqNPD: 40% of Free-to-play players have bought something originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 23 Apr 2012 12:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidfree-to-playfreemiumiosipadiphonemacmobilenpdpcMon, 23 Apr 2012 12:15:00 EST<![CDATA[ngmoco's Cousins expects free-to-play equivalent of Skyrim in a few years]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/29/ngmocos-cousins-expects-free-to-play-equivalent-of-skyrim-in-a/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/29/ngmocos-cousins-expects-free-to-play-equivalent-of-skyrim-in-a/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/29/ngmocos-cousins-expects-free-to-play-equivalent-of-skyrim-in-a/#comments Ben Cousins, who spearheaded Battlefield Heroes and Battlefield Play4Free for EA before being snatched up by ngmoco to head up its offices in Sweden, envisions an industry landscape where big-budget free-to-play titles dominate.

Cousins spoke of several different tiers of freemium games at the Free-2-Play Summit in London, as reported by GI.biz. The highest he predicts as a "monetization super-highway," with no limit to what players can spend and rewards that are more interesting and complex. "I believe that single-player will be the next to be cracked in terms of freemium monetisation," he said. "And I'm talking about traditional, story-based, scripted, linear and non-linear single-player that we see on consoles.

"I am totally 100 percent confident -- I will bet large amounts of money -- that we will have, in the next few years, a free-to-play equivalent of Skyrim," Cousins said. "A game like Skyrim, where you accrue skills and equipment over time, that you can play for hundreds of hours, is actually one of the easiest games to develop for a free-to-play model. That would be a big hit."

In this future, Cousins said the average user would have no problem dropping $60 over the course of playing the game. "In the future I believe free-to-play will be the way that nearly everyone plays games, it will be nearly every genre, and it will be nearly every platform."

[Image credit: OfficialGDC]

Joystiqngmoco's Cousins expects free-to-play equivalent of Skyrim in a few years originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 29 Mar 2012 04:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ben-cousinselder-scrolls-5free-2-playfree-2-play-summitfree-to-playfreemiumngmocoskyrimthe-elder-scrolls-v-skyrimThu, 29 Mar 2012 04:30:00 EST<![CDATA[EA now has 25 million registered Play4Free accounts worldwide]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/13/ea-now-has-25-million-registered-play4free-accounts-worldwide/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/13/ea-now-has-25-million-registered-play4free-accounts-worldwide/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/13/ea-now-has-25-million-registered-play4free-accounts-worldwide/#comments EA's move into the freemium market appears to be working, with the company boasting yesterday that it now has a total of 25 million registered players across all Play4Free titles. Of course, that number is far less impressive if those people aren't actively playing, but that hasn't stopped EA from patting itself on the back and calling the number a "remarkable achievement." For those keeping score at home, that's 25 million registered players combined in Battlefield Heroes, Need for Speed World, Battlefield Play4Free, Dragon Age Legends, Battleforge and Lord of Ultima.

Battlefield Heroes and Need for Speed World are the top dogs, each with a registered base of players exceeding ten million.The remaining five million comes from the total players registered in the other four games. "Developing a community of 25 million players is a remarkable achievement. It is a testament to the explosive growth of the free-to-play market and a reflection of EA's commitment to spearheading the digital transformation," said Play4Free VP Sean Decker in the press release.

As a thanks to the community for taking time to at least register for its games, EA is offering some free in-game bux for its two heavy hitters: entering promo code EQ9M-TYYT-TXR3-5GU3 will net players 300 Battlefunds in Battlefield Heroes, while promo code EWPD-3KGA-VBVF-9HYS is good for 750 SpeedBoost in Need for Speed World. Codes expire on January 17, 2012 at 12:00 AM GMT.

JoystiqEA now has 25 million registered Play4Free accounts worldwide originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 13 Jan 2012 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battlefield-heroesbattlefield-play4freeeafree-to-playfreemiumlords-of-ultimamacneed-for-speed-worldpcFri, 13 Jan 2012 03:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Need For Speed World caters to your need to spend money]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/16/need-for-speed-world-caters-to-your-need-to-spend-money/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/16/need-for-speed-world-caters-to-your-need-to-spend-money/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/16/need-for-speed-world-caters-to-your-need-to-spend-money/#comments You know how they say money can't buy you happiness? Well, if happiness to you is having the best thing possible in a game, then that saying doesn't apply to Need for Speed World.

The Play4Free title added the Koenigsegg CCX "Elite" Edition car pictured above, available to all players for $100. You can grab the flashy whip through the in-game Car Dealer. Your regret will immediately follow, after realizing you've spent a hundred bucks on an imaginary car.

Continue reading Need For Speed World caters to your need to spend money

JoystiqNeed For Speed World caters to your need to spend money originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 16 Dec 2011 21:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eafree-to-playfreemiumneed-for-speed-worldpcplay4freeFri, 16 Dec 2011 21:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Study: In-game transactions account for 72% of iPhone app revenue]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/20/study-in-game-transactions-account-for-72-of-iphone-app-revenu/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/20/study-in-game-transactions-account-for-72-of-iphone-app-revenu/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/20/study-in-game-transactions-account-for-72-of-iphone-app-revenu/#comments At the Verizon Developer Community Conference in Las Vegas, Hendrik Koekkoek of Distimo, a firm that monitors app stores, spoke about iPhone revenue. According to his research firm, most app revenue doesn't come from direct sales -- it comes from in-game micro-transactions.

The number of free apps on the App store has grown by 34 percent since last year, while paid apps have only grown by seven percent, he estimates. The real money's with in-game purchases, he says, with 48 percent of total revenue coming from in-app transactions of free titles. 24 percent comes from in-app purchases of paid titles, leaving 28 percent of iOS revenue to straight-up paid apps.

Of course, this is all an estimate: Apple certainly won't divulge exact revenue information, though if we're going to say any person's opinion carries weight, it's gotta be the guy's whose job it is to monitor App store revenue, right?

JoystiqStudy: In-game transactions account for 72% of iPhone app revenue originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 20 Sep 2011 21:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>app-storedistimofreemiumiosiphonemobilestudyTue, 20 Sep 2011 21:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Freemium isn't free: 25 to 34 year olds spend the most on extra content]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/10/freemium-isnt-free-25-to-34-year-olds-spend-the-most-on-extra/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/10/freemium-isnt-free-25-to-34-year-olds-spend-the-most-on-extra/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/10/freemium-isnt-free-25-to-34-year-olds-spend-the-most-on-extra/#comments The "freemium" business model has infected a wide swath of the gaming universe, from casual Facebook games, to shooters, MMOs and all manner of mobile offerings, and for good reason: These games hemorrhage cash money. That free-flowing river of skrill has to come from somewhere, though, and the mobile research group Flurry seems to have found an answer.

Drawing from a sample size of approximately 20 million users across 110 thousand Android and iOS apps, Flurry has determined that people aged 25 to 34 are responsible for 49 percent of the money spent on content in freemium titles. Interestingly, users between the ages of 18 to 24 played the most, contributing 32 percent of overall playtime, but they actually spent far less than their wizened elders. No specific dollar amounts were referenced, but we have a feeling they'd be fairly significant.

JoystiqFreemium isn't free: 25 to 34 year olds spend the most on extra content originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 10 Sep 2011 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chartsfacebookfreemiumgraphsleague-of-legendsmacmobilepczyngaSat, 10 Sep 2011 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[PSA: 'Free' Crimson Alliance download isn't the full game]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/07/psa-free-crimson-alliance-download-isnt-the-full-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/07/psa-free-crimson-alliance-download-isnt-the-full-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/07/psa-free-crimson-alliance-download-isnt-the-full-game/#comments It may be thrilling to see the "full game" of Crimson Alliance available on XBLM for free -- you may think it's a pricing error on Microsoft's part -- but that's just how the game works. It's not actually the full game.

We knew that Crimson Alliance would be available either as an 800 point single-character pack or a 1,200 point download with all three; what we're just now learning on release day is how Microsoft is handling that.

The "full game" is available for free, presumably so everyone online is playing the same base game. But that free download only includes "trial characters," and warns the player upon character creation that "You are creating a Trial Character. Game content will be limited for this character." There are prompts ... everywhere to buy the characters for 800 points each.

This model of giving the game away for free, but severely limiting it, almost makes Crimson Alliance the first freemium game on XBLA, which already offers free trials for all games.

[Thanks to everyone who emailed us about this.]

JoystiqPSA: 'Free' Crimson Alliance download isn't the full game originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 07 Sep 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>certain-affinitycrimson-alliancefree-to-playfreemiummicrosoftpsaxblaxblmxboxWed, 07 Sep 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Age of Conan sees 300,000 sign up after free-to-play switch, double revenue in first month]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/11/age-of-conan-sees-300-000-sign-up-after-free-to-play-switch-dou/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/11/age-of-conan-sees-300-000-sign-up-after-free-to-play-switch-dou/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/11/age-of-conan-sees-300-000-sign-up-after-free-to-play-switch-dou/#comments Age of Conan Like Lord of the Rings Online before it, Age of Conan has sipped from the free-to-play goblet and, oh, it was a good sip. Developer Funcom reports that, since migrating the previous subscription-based game into free-to-play territory last month, Age of Conan: Unchained (the game's new moniker) has seen a spike in users to the tune of 300,000 -- overall, revenues doubled over the last month. That is, like, the total opposite of lamentation for Funcom!

And to celebrate the upcoming movie remake of the original Arnold Schwarzenegger vehicle, Funcom is hard at work on a free movie tie-in content pack called Savage Coast of Turan. It will add new areas, equipment, enemies and charatcers from the upcoming film, which is set to pillage your local cinema on August 19.

Hit the jump for the full press release.

Continue reading Age of Conan sees 300,000 sign up after free-to-play switch, double revenue in first month

JoystiqAge of Conan sees 300,000 sign up after free-to-play switch, double revenue in first month originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 11 Aug 2011 20:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanAge-of-Conan-Hyborian-Adventresage-of-conan-unchainedbusinessfree-to-playfreemiumfuncommmopcsalesThu, 11 Aug 2011 20:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Capcom forms Beeline mobile brand]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/19/capcom-forms-beeline-mobile-brand/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/19/capcom-forms-beeline-mobile-brand/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/19/capcom-forms-beeline-mobile-brand/#comments Capcom has created its first publishing sub-brand, Beeline, to create social and freemium-based games for the mobile market. The parent company's forays into the space have seen success, with titles in the casual market like Smurfs' Village, Zombie Cafe and Lil' Pirates reaching 15 million downloads.

Beeline is meant to keep up the publisher's buzz in the space, capitalizing on its success so far with "a brand and team focused on the mobile casual gamer." Worker bees will be humming along out of four hives set up in LA, Tokyo, Toronto and London. Beeline is expected to publish eight games by next April.

As for targeting the "hardcore" mobile gamer, the publisher will continue to develop (and copy) such titles under the familiar "Capcom" name.

Continue reading Capcom forms Beeline mobile brand

JoystiqCapcom forms Beeline mobile brand originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 19 Apr 2011 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BeelineCapcomcapcom-mobilefreemiummobilesocial-gamessocial-gamingTue, 19 Apr 2011 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Dungeon Defenders goes freemium on Android, gets optimized for iPad 2]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/31/dungeon-defenders-goes-freemium-on-android-gets-optimized-for-i/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/31/dungeon-defenders-goes-freemium-on-android-gets-optimized-for-i/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/31/dungeon-defenders-goes-freemium-on-android-gets-optimized-for-i/#comments Thanks to the addition of in-app purchases, Trendy Entertainment has made the Android version of Dungeon Defenders: First Wave free-to-play. The updated version of the hack-and-slash, tower defense hybrid game will allow Android users to purchase "pets, armor, equipment, and a host of other in-game items," and it's available now on the Android Market.

Trendy has also updated the iOS version of the game, which is now optimized for iPad 2 (though the app is still universal). To celebrate, the game has been discounted to $0.99 for the next week. Check out a video of the iPad 2-optimized Dungeon Defenders after the break.

Continue reading Dungeon Defenders goes freemium on Android, gets optimized for iPad 2

JoystiqDungeon Defenders goes freemium on Android, gets optimized for iPad 2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 31 Mar 2011 15:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androiddungeon-defendersfree-to-playfreemiumiosipadipad-2iphonemobiletrendy-entertainmentupdateThu, 31 Mar 2011 15:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Battlefield Heroes is far from 'practically ruined,' GM Ben Cousins says]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/03/battlefield-heroes-is-far-from-practically-ruined-gm-ben-cous/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/03/battlefield-heroes-is-far-from-practically-ruined-gm-ben-cous/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/03/battlefield-heroes-is-far-from-practically-ruined-gm-ben-cous/#comments Today's GDC panel on Battlefield Heroes had general manager Ben Cousins rectifying the misconceptions about his studio's first free-to-play Battlefield game being "practically ruined." Cousins' talk centered around the allegations made by press (originating with his game's own forumgoers) that paid weapons were introduced that allegedly unbalanced the game in favor of players willing to shell out cash.

Rather than panicking and reacting directly to the loudest voices -- and perhaps some overly reactionary press -- Easy Studio instead applied math. The develoeprs noticed that, despite all the negative attention, user numbers weren't dropping. Furthermore, they took the information of their forum members and discovered that, while the average BFH player would spend around 25 cents per month, forum members were spending -- on average -- about $22 (dollars!) per month.

Moreover, the actively complaining population only made up about 2 percent of the overall player base. What Cousins' team discovered as a result is that most folks playing the game really didn't care about the introduction of the paid weapons. Cousins likened it to fancy sports equipment -- while it might impart a slight advantage to folks willing to pay, the disparity was made up for by the game's mechanics. User numbers remained consistent and, eventually, the complaints subsided.

Having established what he considers to be this working business model in Heroes, Cousins is confident in East Studio's next effort, Battlefield Play4Free.

JoystiqBattlefield Heroes is far from 'practically ruined,' GM Ben Cousins says originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 03 Mar 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battlefield-heroesben-cousinsdiceeaeasy-studioselectronic-artsfreemiumgdcgdc-2011pcplay-for-freeThu, 03 Mar 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fruit Ninja Frenzy to plant seeds on Facebook]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/03/fruit-ninja-frenzy-to-plant-seeds-on-facebook/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/03/fruit-ninja-frenzy-to-plant-seeds-on-facebook/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/03/fruit-ninja-frenzy-to-plant-seeds-on-facebook/#comments Halfbrick's Fruit Ninja has grown into a wildly lucrative property since first sprouting up on the App Store in April 2010. It's since branched out onto Android and Windows Phone 7, and its first true offspring won't fall far from the (money) tree.

Fruit Ninja Frenzy will be a free-to-play Facebook game and is currently in development with no confirmed launch date. Halfbrick says Frenzy will offer "60 second gameplay with many powerups, unlockables and achievements," and will lean on a collectible in-game "juice" currency, which players can purchase with real money.

Halfbrick promises that beta tests "will be announced soon."

JoystiqFruit Ninja Frenzy to plant seeds on Facebook originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 03 Mar 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>casualfacebookfree-to-playfreemiumfruit-ninja-frenzyhalfbrick-studiosmacpcThu, 03 Mar 2011 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Freemium 'Buzz!: Quiz Player' comes to PSN today, with DualShock support]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/21/freemium-buzz-quiz-player-comes-to-psn-today-with-dualshock-s/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/21/freemium-buzz-quiz-player-comes-to-psn-today-with-dualshock-s/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/21/freemium-buzz-quiz-player-comes-to-psn-today-with-dualshock-s/#commentsYou know that one team at the pub quiz nights that just crushes it every week? Well, we'd like to see you get even, and today's announcement and (free) release of Buzz!: Quiz Player, previously outed by the ESRB, seems like a good start.

Quiz Player features 90 sample questions in the free base app launching on PSN today, plus classic Buzz! staples like Point Builder, Fastest Finger, Point Stealer and Final Countdown. The game supports the traditional Buzz! controllers and DualShock 3s -- which is most welcome, since it allows everyone a chance at those those quiz night know-it-alls. Honestly, they have it coming.

Vendettas aside, other question packs will be available through in-game purchase, covering such topics as Comedy, Rock Legends, Space and U.S. Sports, according to associate producer Jenny Barbour, who also confirmed Facebook integration. Though, the feature questionably involves publishing your game details online. You wouldn't want your Facebook friends to find out you had no idea which volcano leveled Pompeii in 74 AD, would you?

Psst, it was "Mount Suvius."

JoystiqFreemium 'Buzz!: Quiz Player' comes to PSN today, with DualShock support originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 21 Dec 2010 18:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>buzzbuzz-quiz-playerdualshock-3DualShock3freemiumplaystationps3psnTue, 21 Dec 2010 18:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Lorne Lanning laments 'The Brutal Ballad of Fangus Klot' that never was]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/22/the-brutal-ballad-of-fangus-klot/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/22/the-brutal-ballad-of-fangus-klot/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/22/the-brutal-ballad-of-fangus-klot/#comments Game Informer has posted its recent print interview with Oddworld Inhabitants founder Lorne Lanning, a (five-years-later) followup to the magazine's April 2005 announcement of The Brutal Ballad of Fangus Klot, OWI's would-be effort to delve further into the "more hardcore" elements of the Oddworld ... world.

After finding the situation with EA (which published OWI's Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath on Xbox in 2005) "unworkable," Lanning recounted, OWI turned to Majesco to fund and publish the Fangus project, another Xbox game built on Stranger's core framework. But only a month after the game's announcement, "the shenanigans started" and OWI shut down its development studio. "Sometimes developers get fired by publishers and sometimes developers fire publishers," Lanning said coyly, "and that's probably all I should say about it."

Publisher "incompetence" aside, Fangus did sound like an odd pitch: A "close to the Earth" dog-man herdsman turned "pit fighting" slave -- to the Russian-like cat mafia -- who escapes his years-long imprisonment a hardened killer dead set on vengeance and the liberation of his people ("the timeless mythical battle between cats and dogs," in other words). Also, Fangus has terminal rabies and "would control a flock of ravenous sheep-like creatures to take down enemies and solve puzzles," according to GI's description. "We wanted it to be really hardcore," Lanning concluded.

Continue reading Lorne Lanning laments 'The Brutal Ballad of Fangus Klot' that never was

JoystiqLorne Lanning laments 'The Brutal Ballad of Fangus Klot' that never was originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 22 Nov 2010 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brutal-ballad-of-fangus-klotbusiness-modelscanceledcancellationcancelledfree-to-playfreemiumlorne-lanningmajescomicrosoftoddworldoddworld-inhabitantssocial-gamesxboxMon, 22 Nov 2010 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[APB acquired by GamersFirst, relaunching as APB: Reloaded in the first half of 2011]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/16/apb-acquired-by-gamersfirst-relaunching-as-apb-reloaded-in-the/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/16/apb-acquired-by-gamersfirst-relaunching-as-apb-reloaded-in-the/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/16/apb-acquired-by-gamersfirst-relaunching-as-apb-reloaded-in-the/#comments The earlier reports are true: Reloaded Productions Inc., a subsidiary of GamersFirst -- which is, in turn, part of K2 Network -- has purchased the presumed-deceased MMO, APB, from its creator Realtime Worlds. The publisher plans to relaunch the game sometime in the first half of 2011 as APB: Reloaded, a free-to-play iteration utilizing the micro-transaction model.

Come back later today for an interview with GamersFirst's COO and CTO, Bjorn Book-Larsson, for an answer to the most crucial question: Why?

Continue reading APB acquired by GamersFirst, relaunching as APB: Reloaded in the first half of 2011

JoystiqAPB acquired by GamersFirst, relaunching as APB: Reloaded in the first half of 2011 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 16 Nov 2010 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>all-points-bulletinAPBeafree-to-playfreemiumgamersfirstk2-networkk2-network-incmacmmopcrealtime-worldsreloaded-productionsTue, 16 Nov 2010 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Battlefield Play4Free engages hostiles in Spring 2011]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/05/battlefield-play4free-engages-hostiles-in-spring-2011/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/05/battlefield-play4free-engages-hostiles-in-spring-2011/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/05/battlefield-play4free-engages-hostiles-in-spring-2011/#comments Following a tease earlier this week, EA has announced Battlefield Play4Free this morning, a freemium title that will support 32-player online warfare. The game will activate in the spring of 2011 but, if you just can't wait, you can enlist early and test out the closed beta beginning November 30. Aesthetically -- and, apparently, in tone -- BP4F appears to be a departure from EA's other freemium warfare title, Battlefield Heroes, which has a cartoony, colorful nature (though the two games will share a single "battlefunds" wallet, confirms Ben Cousins of developer Easy, an EA Games studio).

Easy's Battlefield Play4Free will combine maps from Battlefield 2 with the classes and weapons found in the hit (and neglected) Battlefield: Bad Company 2. Players can drive 16 different vehicles, including the F35 VTOL (vertical take-off landing) jet fighter -- which certainly isn't found in BFBC2. Players will progress through the game to learn skills or, as you've probably already guessed, drop some f'real bling to pimp out their soldier.

Gallery: Battlefield Play4Free

Continue reading Battlefield Play4Free engages hostiles in Spring 2011

JoystiqBattlefield Play4Free engages hostiles in Spring 2011 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 05 Nov 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battlefieldbattlefield-heroesbattlefield-play4freeea-easyeasyfree-to-playfreemiumpcrelease-dateFri, 05 Nov 2010 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Company of Heroes Online seeking beta recruits]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/22/company-of-heroes-online-seeking-beta-recruits/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/22/company-of-heroes-online-seeking-beta-recruits/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/22/company-of-heroes-online-seeking-beta-recruits/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Company of Heroes Online, Relic's freemium real-time strategy title, has opened up registration for its upcoming closed beta. To receive a code, applicants will have to make sure to check both "Receive News" and "Receive Offers" when making their account, as beta keys will be sent out using the opt-in mailing list. A post on the CoHO site states that a limited number of keys will go out in the first phase but that they'll "soon be announcing a partnership" to expand the beta.

For those uninterested in helping with the process of finding entrenched bugs, the full free-to-play title should be released this autumn.

JoystiqCompany of Heroes Online seeking beta recruits originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 22 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>company-of-heroes-onlinefree-to-playfreemiumpcRelicRelic-EntertainmentRTSTHQThu, 22 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Battlefield Heroes celebrates first birthday with free in-game items]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/29/battlefield-heroes-celebrates-first-birthday-with-free-in-game-i/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/29/battlefield-heroes-celebrates-first-birthday-with-free-in-game-i/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/29/battlefield-heroes-celebrates-first-birthday-with-free-in-game-i/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Wow, has it already been a year since DICE's freemium version of its popular Battlefield FPS series, Battlefield Heroes, launched on the PC? Sure enough, that's the case and EA is looking to celebrate by hooking up players with a free $5 voucher for use in-game, which can be redeemed here to unlock a two-day XP boost, a two-day VP boost and 25 bandages. You'll have to act fast, as the code below is only valid until tomorrow:
  • 49TP-ZJB7-NVTR-P8AE
Other than free in-game items, EA also offers some stats on the first year of the game. Turns out, more than 4.8 million players have registered for play and the community as a whole has managed to commit 1.2 billion heinous murders in a total of 29 million hours of gameplay -- equal to 3,724 years, you monsters.

JoystiqBattlefield Heroes celebrates first birthday with free in-game items originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 29 Jun 2010 21:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battlefieldbattlefield-heroesdiceeaelectronic-artsfree-to-playfreemiumTue, 29 Jun 2010 21:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Company of Heroes Online reports to North America for duty this fall]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/03/company-of-heroes-online-reports-to-north-america-for-duty-this/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/03/company-of-heroes-online-reports-to-north-america-for-duty-this/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/03/company-of-heroes-online-reports-to-north-america-for-duty-this/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Company of Heroes Online
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Relic's freemium real-time strategy game, Company of Heroes Online, will launch in North America this Fall, THQ has announced. The adaptation of PC exclusive Company of Heroes was previously announced for South Korea and is currently in beta in the Chinese market.

Company of Heroes Online features a persistent online world and, while being free to play, offers player customization through micro transactions. If you're unfamiliar with the franchise, you might want to check out an earlier version of the acclaimed WWII strategy title on Steam. Find the trailer after the break.

Gallery: Company of Heroes Online


Continue reading Company of Heroes Online reports to North America for duty this fall

JoystiqCompany of Heroes Online reports to North America for duty this fall originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 03 Jun 2010 10:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Company-of-HeroesCompany-of-Heroes-Onlinefree-to-playfreemiumRelicRelic-EntertainmentrtsShandaThu, 03 Jun 2010 10:37:00 EST<![CDATA[PSP RPG adopts 'freemium' model in Japan]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/28/psp-rpg-adopts-freemium-model-in-japan/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/28/psp-rpg-adopts-freemium-model-in-japan/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/28/psp-rpg-adopts-freemium-model-in-japan/#comments Acquire and Zero Div are working on a new PSP RPG -- and it'll be completely free. Bakumatsu Revolution will be free to download via PlayStation Network and will feature a full ten-hour quest, which can be played solo or cooperatively with up to three others (Monster Hunter style). According to IGN, players will even be able to freely distribute the game through PSP-to-PSP wireless connectivity.

Of course, there's always a catch. While the core game will be free, for-pay add-ons, such as downloadable items and quests, will be available after release. Essentially, this is the "freemium" model that's been successfully utilized by many PC MMOs and casual titles, especially in Asian markets.

Bakumatsu Revolution will be available on June 25 in Japan; but no plans for a North American release are currently in the works.

JoystiqPSP RPG adopts 'freemium' model in Japan originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 28 May 2010 12:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acquirebakumatsu-revolutionfreemiumjrpgpsnzero-devFri, 28 May 2010 12:15:00 EST<![CDATA[EA launches free-to-play 'Lord of Ultima' browser-based game]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/20/ea-launches-free-to-play-lord-of-ultima-browser-based-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/20/ea-launches-free-to-play-lord-of-ultima-browser-based-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/20/ea-launches-free-to-play-lord-of-ultima-browser-based-game/#comments Electronic Arts is again setting its sights on conquering the lucrative lands of free-to-play gaming with Lord of Ultima, launching today on a browser near you. The online strategy game certainly has more of a "core" audience in mind -- as if the Ultima license didn't already give that away -- with players constructing kingdoms through war, trade and diplomacy.

We haven't had a chance to play yet, so we're not exactly sure where the microtransactions in this game fit in. The press release and main Lord of Ultima site are very sketchy on the details. A quick scan of the site mentioned that the game is free to play, but "there is the option to purchase additional features etc." If you've taken LoU for a spin, feel free to drop the microtransaction details in the comments below.

Gallery: Lord of Ultima

Lord of Ultima

JoystiqEA launches free-to-play 'Lord of Ultima' browser-based game originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 20 Apr 2010 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaelectronic-artsfree-to-playfreemiumlord-of-ultimastrategyTue, 20 Apr 2010 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Battlefield Heroes gets jetpacks, new map and new game mode]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/19/battlefield-heroes-gets-jetpacks-new-map-and-new-game-mode/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/19/battlefield-heroes-gets-jetpacks-new-map-and-new-game-mode/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/19/battlefield-heroes-gets-jetpacks-new-map-and-new-game-mode/#commentsDICE's freemium FPS, Battlefield Heroes, has had its finger on the pulse of what's hip for quite some time now. It offered content for sad MJ fans when the King of Pop passed away and even implemented some supernatural content when that New Moon flick came out. Then there was the latest stuff celebrating the release of Battlefield: Bad Company 2.

DICE clearly hasn't forgotten about its baby and now, for its three million and growing userbase, it's offering a trio of new goodies, headlined by the new in vogue multiplayer item: jetpacks. Players will use the jetpacks on a map called Midnight Mayhem, which sports a brand-new game mode called V2 Vengeance -- players must battle to capture and control a giant rocket.

The content is available right now, so head on over to the Battlefield Heroes site if you want to throw down.

JoystiqBattlefield Heroes gets jetpacks, new map and new game mode originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 19 Apr 2010 18:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battlefieldBattlefield-HeroesdiceeaElectronic-Artsfpsfree-to-playfreemiumJetPackjetpacksMon, 19 Apr 2010 18:34:00 EST<![CDATA[DFC: 88 percent of gamers have bought virtual goods]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/29/dfc-88-percent-of-gamers-have-bought-virtual-goods/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/29/dfc-88-percent-of-gamers-have-bought-virtual-goods/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/29/dfc-88-percent-of-gamers-have-bought-virtual-goods/#comments According to a recent study, 88 percent of gamers have purchased digital content over the last several years. The study was conducted by market research firm DFC Intelligence using a survey of 5000 gamers from the US and Europe during the first two months of 2010. The study also looked at data from several different countries -- including South Korea, the U.S., Japan, Germany, Vietnam and the Philippines -- gathered over the last seven years. The worldwide data was provided by Live Gamer, a company that helps developers and publishers monetize their products.

It's worth noting that the content described by the survey includes music and movies as well as in-game content. Still, 60 percent of those surveyed have purchased in-game items, most of which were offered as part of free-to-play games. DFC analyst David Cole notes that the free-to-play model gives games distinct advantages over traditional single releases, saying that "a single product can have a lifespan of years online as opposed to a few months on the retail shelf."

According to DFC, free-to-play games like Farmville and Combat Arms, which the firm refers to as "MMOG Lite," are expected to grow substantially over the next few years. DFC sees what it calls "MMOG Lite" products growing substantially in the next few years. Specifically, DFC predicts that the MMOG Lite market in Europe and North America will grow from $800 million in 2009 to over $3 billion by 2015.

But don't feel left out, core gamers, these finding apply to all kinds of games. Live Gamer's Andrew Schneider points out that core gamers are "increasingly engaging in the purchase of virtual goods" and adds that the study illustrates "the market potential as traditional Western game publishers migrate towards microtransactions as the central monetization method."

Frankly, the study's findings seem just a little far-fetched. Now, if you'll excuse us, the crops need tending.

[Via Gamasutra]

JoystiqDFC: 88 percent of gamers have bought virtual goods originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 29 Mar 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>combat-armsdfc-intelligencefarmvillefree-to-playfreemiumlive-gamerstudyMon, 29 Mar 2010 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Study: America spent $3.8 billion on MMOs in 2009]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/11/study-america-spent-3-8-billion-on-mmos-in-2009/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/11/study-america-spent-3-8-billion-on-mmos-in-2009/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/11/study-america-spent-3-8-billion-on-mmos-in-2009/#comments Massively multiplayer online game players in the States allegedly spent $3.8 billion last year, according to the Today's Gamers MMO Focus Report by Gamesindustry.com and TNS. The report claims that the MMO market in the US has reached 46 million users, with 21 million paying for online games. The rest play without spending a dime (think "freemium").

In a shocking upset victory dripping in sarcasm, World of Warcraft was the most popular MMO with the US, besting NeoPets, Club Penguin, Disney ToonTown and Runescape. Ah freemium, where even the traditional MMO companies can make money.

[Via Massively, Gamasutra]

JoystiqStudy: America spent $3.8 billion on MMOs in 2009 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>free-to-playfreemiummmommo-industrymmo-sales-2009spendingworld-of-warcraftThu, 11 Mar 2010 05:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ngmoco acquires iPhone game dev Freeverse]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/24/ngmoco-acquires-iphone-game-dev-freeverse/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/24/ngmoco-acquires-iphone-game-dev-freeverse/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/24/ngmoco-acquires-iphone-game-dev-freeverse/#comments Despite a still-wavering economy (and industry-wide layoffs), Neil Young's ngmoco has just bought up large Brooklyn-based iPhone game developer Freeverse. Gamasutra talked to both ngmoco and Freeverse, who (expectedly) had nothing but sugary kisses to throw at each other. "We've been thinking about how to accelerate our strategic growth though acquisitions of companies and intellectual property, and Freeverse was really at the top of our list," said Neil Young. Meanwhile, vice president of Freeverse Colin Lynch Smith described the relationship between his company and Young's as "like the perfect dating situation." Now things are really steaming up!

The ngmoco head further describes his company's goal in the purchase as, "to acquire the companies we think have the right blend of talent and DNA and intellectual property we think will work well in the freemium space," echoing comments he made recently on why Rolando 3 never got to roll around on our iPhones. With plans to reach out to developers with the Plus+ SDK (the company's social networking service) in the coming weeks and an outwardly aggressive strategy to pursue the free-to-play market, ngmoco certainly has plenty on its plate in 2010.

JoystiqNgmoco acquires iPhone game dev Freeverse originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 24 Feb 2010 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acquisitionApplecolin-lynch-smitheconomyfree-to-playfreemiumfreeverseiPodneil-youngngmocoplus+rolando-3Wed, 24 Feb 2010 21:00:00 EST