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[Heroes of Newerth goes free-to-play, keeps freeloaders separate]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/29/heroes-of-newerth-goes-free-to-play-keeps-freeloaders-separate/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/29/heroes-of-newerth-goes-free-to-play-keeps-freeloaders-separate/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/29/heroes-of-newerth-goes-free-to-play-keeps-freeloaders-separate/#comments The increasingly crowded Multiplayer Online Battle Arena genre (MOBA for you acronym junkies) has one standout star: the free-to-play League of Legends, whose developer just announced it's surpassed 15 million registered players, with 1.4 million of those playing daily. In an effort to boost its player base of "460,000 unique active players," fellow MOBA title Heroes of Newerth will also be adopting the free-to-play model, says the game's developer S2 Games. "With the transition to free-to-play we're opening HoN up to new audiences as our players can now easily introduce the game to their friends," S2 Games CEO and co-founder Marc DeForest told a press release.

The HoN model will feature three account types: Basic, the most, uh ... basic account, is what new players get immediately upon signing up; Verified status is reserved for players who drop real coin on Goblin Coins, the in-game currency, or surpass "a certain threshold of play time" if that's how you roll; and lastly, Legacy status is reserved for users who've already purchased the game prior to today's free-to-play announcement. "These accounts receive a lifetime of free access to all HoN heroes and are able to play in Verified Only games, to ensure that experts and beginners are separated." Want in on that Legacy action? Sorry, "Legacy accounts can no longer be purchased."

Of course, being free-to-play means there's the requisite microtransaction business model under the hood. While Legacy players get all the characters for free, Basic and Verified players will have access to "a rotating pool of 15 free heroes" with the option to purchase more. S2 is also segregating the player base (similar to what the Team Fortress 2 community is doing itself): "Players with Basic accounts are only eligible to participate in one mode of matchmaking," the press release states, while "Verified and Legacy accounts are eligible to queue up in matchmaking for Verified Only games allowing them to play in higher quality games with more experienced players."

With MOBA titles coming from Valve (Dota 2), Blizzard (Blizzard Dota), and Petroglyph (Rise of Immortals), the genre is about to either greatly expand or bear witness to a lot of failed project launches.

Continue reading Heroes of Newerth goes free-to-play, keeps freeloaders separate

JoystiqHeroes of Newerth goes free-to-play, keeps freeloaders separate originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 29 Jul 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f2pfree-to-playheroes-of-newerthpcs2-gamesFri, 29 Jul 2011 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Alleged Valve employee speaks out on DotA co-developer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/13/alleged-valve-employee-speaks-out-on-dota-co-developer/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/13/alleged-valve-employee-speaks-out-on-dota-co-developer/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/13/alleged-valve-employee-speaks-out-on-dota-co-developer/#comments An alleged Valve employee seeking to air grievances with his employer and one specific employee has taken to an anonymous blog titled "The Truth About IceFrog." In it, the person -- supposedly working on "an unrelated project" from "IceFrog" -- describes not just a poor working environment with the Defense of the Ancients co-developer (whose real name is said to be Abdul Ismail), but also details "something fishy" regarding his past.

Though "IceFrog" apparently told colleagues and Valve execs he never worked at S2 Games -- developers of Heroes of Newerth, a DotA clone -- a handful of online evidence suggests he did at one point (DotA co-developer Steve "Pendragon" Mescon even outright states as much). Furthermore, the anonymous blogger likens "IceFrog's" actions to being "the CEO of McDonald's (DOTA) looking for a job at Burger King (Riot Games), then working for Fatburger (S2 Games), then quitting and going to work for Wendy's (Valve) but outright lying to Wendy's (Valve) of involvement with ANY previous employer," adding, "In the corporate world, this would be the equivalent of stealing trade secrets." As announced this morning, "IceFrog" is currently working on Dota 2 for Valve.

When we contacted S2 Games to confirm whether or not a man named Abdul Ismail or "IceFrog" ever worked there, we were repeatedly told, "No comment." Valve representatives didn't mince words, saying only, "It's fake," while League of Legends developer Riot Games offered, "At no time did Abdul Ismail, or anyone known as 'IceFrog,' work at or for Riot Games in any capacity." Now if you don't mind us, we can't fight the sudden urge for a fast food burger. If you've got first-hand knowledge regarding any of the accusations, feel free to drop us a line.

JoystiqAlleged Valve employee speaks out on DotA co-developer originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 13 Oct 2010 17:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>abdul-icefrog-ismailabdul-ismaildefense-of-the-ancientsdota-2heroes-of-newerthicefrogleague-of-legendsmacpcpendragonriot-gamess2-gamessteve-mesconsteve-pendragon-mesconvalvevalve-softwareWed, 13 Oct 2010 17:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Heroes of Newerth free to play this week]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/03/heroes-of-newerth-free-to-play-this-week/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/03/heroes-of-newerth-free-to-play-this-week/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/03/heroes-of-newerth-free-to-play-this-week/#comments Maybe you're a fan of the developer behind Heroes of Newerth (S2 Games, creators of the Savage series) or "Defense of the Ancients," the Warcraft 3 mod that inspired it, but haven't tried it for yourself. Maybe you've been waiting for just the right nudge to push you out the plane door and send you plummeting into HoN's waiting arms. Consider this your shove: S2 is running a free-to-play event from now until Monday, August 9 and registration is live right here.

Still clinging to the edge of the plane like an obstinate gremlin? We've got a little more persuasion for you in the form of an exclusive trailer after the break.

Continue reading Heroes of Newerth free to play this week

JoystiqHeroes of Newerth free to play this week originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 03 Aug 2010 15:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dotafree-to-playheroes-of-newerthpcs2-gamesTue, 03 Aug 2010 15:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Independent Games Festival 2010 finalists announced]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/04/independent-games-festival-2010-finalists-announced/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/04/independent-games-festival-2010-finalists-announced/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/04/independent-games-festival-2010-finalists-announced/#comments The contenders for the 12th Annual Independent Games Festival awards have been announced today -- you can find the full list of finalists after the jump. In addition to the Seamus McNally Grand Prize (nominees for which include Joe Danger and Super Meat Boy), there are specialized categories recognizing excellence in art, design, audio, and technical achievement. There's also the Nuovo Award, which honors "abstract, shortform, and unconventional game development." Previous winners of the Nuovo include N+ co-creator Mare Sheppard and Passage developer Jason Rohrer.

We find ourselves particularly invested in this year's awards show, as -- deep breath now -- AaaaaAAaaaAAAaaAAAAaAAAAA!!! -- A Reckless Disregard For Gravity was nominated for Excellence in Design. We've got, like, a million jokes we still want to make about that game title, but we're running out of opportunities to do so.

Continue reading Independent Games Festival 2010 finalists announced

JoystiqIndependent Games Festival 2010 finalists announced originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 04 Jan 2010 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AaaaaAAaaaAAAaaAAAAaAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa-a-reckless-disregard-for-gravityawardsclosureheroes-of-newerthigfigf-2010independent-games-festivalindiejoe-dangerlimboshanksuper-meat-boytraumaMon, 04 Jan 2010 11:28:00 EST