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Blizzard: Developing World of Warcraft clones 'not the right move'

by Griffin McElroy { Nov 30th 2009 at 6:30PM }

Say what you will about MMO market dominator Blizzard Entertainment, but it truly cares about the well-being of its competitors. In a recent interview with gaming magazine PC Zone, Blizzard's Shane Dabiri offered some helpful advice for his fellow MMO developers: "There are a lot of people that try to emulate World of Warcraft - and as flattering as that is our end it's definitely not the right move."

Dabiri posits that the MMORPG-playing community -- particularly those who've already sunk months into WoW -- want "to try something completely new and different" in their online games. This is terrible, terrible news for Snowstorm Interactive, whose fantasy-themed MMO Planet of ConflictMaking is due out next month. Time for some originality, guys. Ooh, we know! A superhero game! No, wait, a space simulator! Better yet, an interactive forum for sexual deviants! Brilliant!

The9 posts 94 percent drop in Q3 revenues after losing WoW

by Griffin McElroy { Nov 27th 2009 at 12:30PM }

Mother of pearl! We thought it was safe to assume that Shanghai-based MMO operator The9 would lose a chunk of its revenue after handing the license for World of Warcraft over to competing company NetEase. By "a chunk" we, of course, meant "a fraction." Not "almost all revenue," which according to the company's Q3 2009 financial report, is how much it lost year-over-year after passing off the rights to run WoW.

To put it numerically, The9's revenues dropped 94 percent from the same quarter last year. A hit that big must have left a sizable dent in the ol' pocketbook -- however, we're guessing the company's board members take some small, spiteful satisfaction from the tribulations the game has brought to its new operators.

World of Warcraft celebrates five years of domination

by Alexander Sliwinski { Nov 23rd 2009 at 2:58PM }

Alpha-build UI

Five years ago today, Blizzard unleashed the World of Warcraft, a scourge that went on to ruin countless lives and make venture capitalists around the globe throw millions at any monkey with an MMO idea. The game has sold beyond 8.6 million units in the US and that's not even accounting for the millions of players happily handing over $15 a month for an Azeroth fix.

The full cultural and financial impact of World of Warcraft can't yet be comprehended, as the phenomenon marches on into the Cataclysm. One day we may be able to grasp the myriad ways WoW has impacted gaming, but that date with epiphany appears to still be a ways off.

Survey says: MMOs taking up 15% of gaming time

by Ben Gilbert { Nov 19th 2009 at 1:00AM }

World of Warcraft may have around 25 hojillion subscribers (give or take), but it would appear that only a small fraction of our collective gaming time is being spent in massively multiplayer online worlds. A recent survey conducted by GamesIndustry.com (via IndustryGamers) asked 13,000 US and European citizens, aged eight and up, to break down how much time they spent playing various types of games.

The article detailing the survey's results, titled "Today's Gamers MMO Focus Report," claims that US citizens spend more time with MMOs than Europeans by far – 21 percent on this side of the Atlantic and 10 percent across the pond. Furthermore, 8-12-year-old males make up the majority of US players, "[which is] explained by the popularity of virtual worlds aimed at young children, such as Club Penguin and Disney Toontown," according to the report. We might normally wonder how the rest of our time stacks up in other gaming genres, but we're too busy playing Modern Warfare 2 online. See ya later!

The best of WoW.com: November 10-17, 2009

by Mike Schramm { Nov 18th 2009 at 2:00AM }

Gaze on it, and despair! The abomination above is a common sight in the World of Warcraft this week -- Blizzard has kicked off their marketing season with another commercial from Mr. T, as well as an in-game item to go along with it. It's the Mohawk Grenade, an item that, when thrown, makes WoW characters look like T himself. Awesome? Terrible? You decide.

That story and many more from Joystiq's Warcraft-obsessed sister site WoW.com. We pity the fool who doesn't check out the roundup after the break.

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The best of WoW.com: November 3-10, 2009

by Mike Schramm { Nov 11th 2009 at 2:31AM }

It's been a big week in the World of Warcraft -- aside from both the impending patch 3.3 release and the onset of the game's fifth anniversary (yes, it's been almost five years since Blizzard brought their MMO online), Blizzard has finally done something that many thought they would never directly do: start selling in-game items for real money. There was lots of argument about that one this last week, and you'll find that, along with the usual news and insights, over on Joystiq's sister site WoW.com. Check out our most popular posts of the last week in the second half of this post.

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WoW 'rejected' in China, government at odds with itself over decision

by Randy Nelson { Nov 3rd 2009 at 1:00AM }

China's General Administration of Press and Publications (GAPP) has ordered NetEase, which has been operating World of Warcraft in the region since September, to cease collecting subscription payments and signing up new players for the game immediately, calling these acts "illegal behavior." According to a report by the site JLM Pacific Epoch, the GAPP (most recently in the news for outlawing foreign investment in Chinese online gaming) has suspended its review of the game and returned NetEase's application to operate it in the country.

For its part, NetEase claims it has yet to receive any sort of official decree from GAPP. At the same time, an official from China's Ministry of Culture is said to have stated that GAPP's actions are "not appropriate." The situation now becomes one of which agency has final say, and if it's simply "shut it down," why.

We're pretty sure this isn't the kind of Cataclysm Chinese WoW fans were hoping for.

[Via WoW.com]

Source -- GAPP Halts WoW Review
Source -- GAPP Says No for the Operation of WoW in China
Source -- NeatEase statement regarding announcement by GAPP

Race changes now allowed in World of Warcraft, cost a pretty penny

by Griffin McElroy { Oct 28th 2009 at 2:00PM }

The virtual lands of World of Warcraft have played host to a number of strange sights these past few days -- and we're not just talking about the Halloween festivities which have turned once proud heroes into foam-mouthed candy addicts. No, we're talking about the new "Race Change" feature, which has basically turned the game's sociological landscape into the ending of the music video for Michael Jackson's "Black or White." Only ... with, like, Trolls and Orcs and stuff.

For a cool $25, players can change the race (provided that race is in the same faction -- changing that costs extra!), gender, appearance and name of their character. We realize there's a number of people who wouldn't mind freshening up their old avatar, but why not just start a new character for free? Seriously, you haven't sunk that much time into your current level 80 Rogue, have you? Oh, you have? 2,800 hours, you say? That's ... that's actually really depressing. We're depressed by that.

Ken Levine lists favorite games again, changes mind on a few

by Alexander Sliwinski { Oct 28th 2009 at 2:00AM }

Ken Levine plays video games. Shocking, we know! Speaking with IndustryGamers, Levine, who is currently working on a super-secret project, listed his ten favorite games. Occupying the top five spots in descending order are: World of Warcraft, Civilization, Beyond Good & Evil, Ultima Underworld and Company of Heroes.

Back in 2007, Levine produced a similar list for MSNBC. His top five have apparently shifted in the last two years, though, as Heroes of Might and Magic 2 and Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past have fallen even beyond the BioShock developer's top ten. How hast these games forsaken thee, Ken? What hast they done for thou to banish them from thy heart likest so?

Peter Molyneux picks his 5 favorite innovators

by Ludwig Kietzmann { Oct 23rd 2009 at 12:02PM }

After discussing his vision for Fable's future, Lionhead's Peter Molyneux recently reiterated his mantra of inclusive gaming innovation to attendees of BAFTA's Annual Video Games Lecture. Citing their ability to challenge "the foundation stones of conventional wisdom," he revealed five titles (documented by That VideoGame Blog) that he considers to be among the most revolutionary within the last two decades.

Molyneux praised Tomb Raider for subverting gaming's tough-guy protagonist and named Mario 64 as the genuine precursor to 3D titles like Grand Theft Auto 3. Dune 2 got a nod for its encouragement of more thoughtful tactics, while Bungie's first Halo earned mention for halfway introducing the now-ubiquitous regenerative health system and curtailed weapon swapping.

And the fifth title? World of Warcraft, which managed to lure Molyneux to level 40 with promise of a steed. You see? He's human, just like the rest of us.

The best of WoW.com: October 13-20, 2009

by Mike Schramm { Oct 21st 2009 at 3:00AM }

It's that magical time of year in Azeroth -- pumpkins adorn the inns, players are chowing down on candy like crazy, and a deep rhyming voice echoes throughout the world, originating from somewhere in the Scarlet Monastery. Yes, it's the in-game Hallow's End holiday again, and the Headless Horseman is terrorizing newbies and veterans alike. Head past the break for all the information you need about trick-or-treating your way through Azeroth.

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WoW requires Battle.net login starting Nov. 11

by Richard Mitchell { Oct 14th 2009 at 6:00AM }

A quick note for the World of Warcraft fans out there: Starting on November 11 (Nov. 12 in Europe, apparently), all WoW players will be required to log into the game using a Battle.net account -- presumably to pave the way for the upcoming new features. Our friends at WoW.com have put together some handy resources to make the change as painless as possible. They've also compiled a quick list of solutions for players that are still resistant to the idea. For those that have yet to merge their current WoW account with Battle.net, now's the time to get it done. After all, no one wants to be deprived of even a second of sweet, sweet Azeroth.

Besides, players that merge their accounts get a free penguin pet named Oswald. You can't beat that!

The best of WoW.com: September 22-29, 2009

by Mike Schramm { Sep 30th 2009 at 2:30AM }

The World of Warcraft is a strange and savage place: not only is there continually some Orc or Murloc or crazed cult attacking whatever various settlement you choose to spend your time in, but you've also got to deal with patch releases, forum trolls and the occasional crazed developer too! That's why you should be reading WoW.com -- we're your own personal sherpa for the biggest MMO around.

Peep our roundup of ten popular posts from the past week after the break.

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The best of WoW.com: September 15-22, 2009

by Mike Schramm { Sep 23rd 2009 at 3:00AM }

It's a special time of year in the World of Warcraft -- the leaves are a'changing and the brews are a'flowing. Brewfest is upon us! Time to go imbibing the finest in Dwarven ales (and deliver some, too, on those crazy rams). If you need a guide to all of the festivities, you know Joystiq's WoW-obssessed sister site WoW.com has you covered -- here's our top ten posts from the past week.

News

Brewfest 2009: Coren Direbrew's new level 80 loot revealed
Same boss for the Brewfest ingame holiday, but there is some new loot.
Blizzard is tracking 180,000 bugs in WoW
That includes fixed bugs, but still -- that's a lot of edited code.
WoW.com's guide to Patch 3.2.2
A brand new patch in the game, with some special anniversary fun included.
High-rated PvPers do the robot
A little bit of sneakiness on the part of PvPers.
Tips for taking down Coren Direbrew
Want to bring down the Brewfest boss? We've got you covered.

Features

The Overachiever: Guide to Brewfest 2009 achievements
Get all the points you can during the holiday celebration.
Insider Trader: Patch 3.2.2 madness
How to make some money in the newest patch.
Raid Rx: 14 Patch 3.2 trinkets to check out
Get some of the best raid healing trinkets around.
Ask a Faction Leader: Garrosh Hellscream
Everyone's least favorite Horde fanatic answers our readers' questions.
AGDC09: Blizzard talks about the world behind Warcraft
Interesting info from Blizzard's presentation at this years Austin Game Developers' Conference.

Listen to Blizzard's "Universe Behind World of Warcraft" keynote from Austin GDC

by Kevin Kelly { Sep 17th 2009 at 5:20PM }

If you're wondering what the internal goings-on at Blizzard consist of, grab yourself something to eat and kick back. We've got the entire hour-long keynote speech at the Austin Game Developer's Conference down below. Blizzard's J. Allen Brack and Frank Pearce were on-hand to walk a slightly hungover crowd through the way they make things work and how their teams are organized.

Click below for the full audio, or for those of you on the go, download it here.