Massively http://massively.joystiq.com Massively http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Massively http://massively.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Transition details for Champions Online, Star Trek Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/18/transition-details-for-champions-online-star-trek-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/18/transition-details-for-champions-online-star-trek-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/18/transition-details-for-champions-online-star-trek-online/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Champions Online screenshot
Last week, we reported that F2P giant Perfect World Entertainment completed its acquisition of Cryptic Studios, having spent just under $50 million to seal the deal. Today, entries on the Champions Online and Star Trek Online websites announce that Cryptic is "now a wholly owned subsidiary of Perfect World Entertainment," and they outline certain changes coming to both games as a result. The posted transition FAQs include additional details on the status of Cryptic Points, the C-Store, account and support services, and privacy issues. Cryptic and PWE also reiterate that lifetime subscriptions will continue to be honored for the full duration of both games.

Of particular note to current players is the response to the question about dev team size:
There are no plans to change the development team on any of our titles. If anything, we plan on increasing the number of team members to serve you better.
Finally, the FAQ notes that work on Neverwinter continues as planned.

MassivelyTransition details for Champions Online, Star Trek Online originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 18 Aug 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acquisitionc-storechampionschampions-onlinechampscocrypticcryptic-pointscryptic-studiosf2pfaqfree-to-playneverwinterperfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentpwestar-trekstar-trek-onlinestoThu, 18 Aug 2011 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Perfect World Entertainment completes acquisition of Cryptic Studios]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/10/perfect-world-entertainment-completes-acquisition-of-cryptic-stu/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/10/perfect-world-entertainment-completes-acquisition-of-cryptic-stu/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/10/perfect-world-entertainment-completes-acquisition-of-cryptic-stu/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Perfect World Entertainment: I will be reborn as many times as it takes! Bison is eternal!
A couple of months back, we announced that Atari was in the court to sell off Cryptic Studios, and that Perfect World Entertainment had stepped up to the plate to take the studio off Atari's hands. Well, as of now, the sale is complete and Cryptic is now firmly in the grasp of free-to-play leviathan Perfect World Entertainment.

According to reports, the sale cost Perfect World a staggering $49.8 million, and $30.7 is said to be going straight toward paying off Atari's existing debt. As for the projects Cryptic was previously working on -- namely Star Trek Online, Champions Online, and the upcoming Neverwinter -- it remains to be seen what will happen, but you can be sure we'll bring you the latest as soon as we get word.

MassivelyPerfect World Entertainment completes acquisition of Cryptic Studios originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 10 Aug 2011 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acquisitionataribuyoutchampionschampions-onlinecocrypticcryptic-studiosf2pfree-to-playindustryneverwinterperfect-world-entertainmentpwesalesstar-trek-onlinestoyour-despair-feeds-my-powerWed, 10 Aug 2011 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[GamersFirst announces acquisition of Fallen Earth with new F2P business model]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/15/gamersfirst-announces-acquisition-of-fallen-earth-with-new-f2p-b/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/15/gamersfirst-announces-acquisition-of-fallen-earth-with-new-f2p-b/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/15/gamersfirst-announces-acquisition-of-fallen-earth-with-new-f2p-b/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

After last month's announcement by GamersFirst that the company is taking over the hardware side of Fallen Earth, most of us made the obvious connection that the post-apocalyptic MMO would be heading into free-to-play territory. Even while hinting at it in a recent E3 interview, GamersFirst never really came out and said anything definitively.

Well, it has now. Today, GamersFirst has given us the exclusive news that it will be taking over the operations of Fallen Earth immediately. Of course, following all other games in the GamersFirst library, Fallen Earth will also adopt a F2P business model.

But what does this mean for the development of Fallen Earth? Will GamersFirst take over production and content design? Just how free will the game be? Follow along after the jump for answers to those questions and more.

Continue reading GamersFirst announces acquisition of Fallen Earth with new F2P business model

MassivelyGamersFirst announces acquisition of Fallen Earth with new F2P business model originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 15 Jun 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acquisitionBjorn-Book-LarssonBreakingNewsexercisef2pfallen-earthfallen-earth-llcfefree-to-playgamersfirsticarusicarus-studiosjoe-rushjoseph-willmonmarie-croallrahul-sandilreloaded-productionsWed, 15 Jun 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Captain's Log: To boldly go where... Perfect World has never gone before?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/02/captains-log-to-boldly-go-where-perfect-world-has-never-gon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/02/captains-log-to-boldly-go-where-perfect-world-has-never-gon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/02/captains-log-to-boldly-go-where-perfect-world-has-never-gon/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Captain's Log, Stardate 64918.1...

Hello, computer (and players)! Isn't it amazing how the MMO gaming world works? One week you might be ecstatic about the planned updates for your favorite game, and the next week you are wondering if that same game is even going to last another day. Like many other Star Trek Online players, I was in this boat just last week. When Atari announced that it was going to be divesting interest in Cryptic, many players initially went into panic mode. But as I stated in my entry last week, I strongly felt that things were going to turn out just fine, possibly for the better -- and they definitely have.

Earlier this week, Perfect World Entertainment announced that it would acquire a 100% equity stake from Atari, with Cryptic Studios remaining as the sole shareholder. Made famous for its free-to-play games, including Perfect World International, Pocketpet Journey West, and Forsaken World, Perfect World has the potential to help STO continue to grow. While the new owners are very excited at the opportunity to utilize the engine Cryptic is famous for, they are also excited at the fact that Champions Online uses the free-to-play business model. Oh dear -- here we go again.

Ensign, warp 10! Everything is going to be OK and here's why...

Continue reading Captain's Log: To boldly go where... Perfect World has never gone before?

MassivelyCaptain's Log: To boldly go where... Perfect World has never gone before? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 02 Jun 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acquisitionataricrypticcryptic-star-trekcryptic-studiosdan stahldan-stahlDanielStahlDanStahldiscontinueddstahlElliot Tanelliot-tanElliotTanfeaturedfor-saleforsaken-worldfree-to-playlifetime-subscriptionLiveStreamLiveStreamingopinionPerfect Worldperfect-world-entertainmentPerfectWorldpocket petsPocketPetspvppwerumorst-onlinestar-trek-mmostar-trek-onlinestoStudiosThe Quantum CafeTheQuantumCafetrek-onlineThu, 02 Jun 2011 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Perfect World acquires Cryptic Studios]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/31/perfect-world-acquires-cryptic-studios/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/31/perfect-world-acquires-cryptic-studios/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/31/perfect-world-acquires-cryptic-studios/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

We've been on pins and needles since Atari announced two weeks ago that it was planning to sell off Cryptic Studios. Champions Online and Star Trek Online players were worried about the future of their titles, generating many rumors as to what might happen next .

Today, we know the answer. Perfect World Company has inked a deal to purchase Cryptic from Atari. Euro Investor has the full agreement between the two companies, which details the specifics of this $50+ million purchase. The Chinese firm, which already has a host of MMOs under its umbrella, is taking over 100% of Cryptic's equity from Atari.

Perfect World's Michael Chi thinks that this will give the company more credence in the western market: "We are very pleased to sign the agreement to acquire Cryptic Studios. This strategic acquisition will add attractive game titles to our portfolio, which will help us further penetrate into the U.S. and global online game markets. More importantly, Cryptic Studios' highly reputable development team and its technology platform will further strengthen our well-established R&D capabilities. We deem this as another noteworthy achievement of our global expansion efforts."

Hopefully, this deal will mean nothing but good things for Cryptic, which is also deep into development with Neverwinter.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

MassivelyPerfect World acquires Cryptic Studios originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 31 May 2011 08:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acquisitionagreementataribreakingchampions-onlinecocontractcrypticcryptic-studiosdealeuro-investorlegal-contractmichael-chineverwinterperfect-worldperfect-world-companyperfect-world-entertainmentpurchasesalestar-trek-onlinestoTue, 31 May 2011 08:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Global Agenda patch 1.4 goes live today]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/14/global-agenda-patch-1-4-goes-live-today/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/14/global-agenda-patch-1-4-goes-live-today/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/14/global-agenda-patch-1-4-goes-live-today/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

It's patch day for Global Agenda, and Hi-Rez Studios is re-working several aspects of its massively multiplayer third-person shooter. Version 1.4 kicks off the new Free Agent branding, and players can now experience all 50 levels, as well as every bit of the game's content, for no charge.

The long-awaited Dome Defense Raid makes its first appearance in today's patch, and agents level 40 and above can team up to protect Dome City against a nasty invasion of Recursive Colony bots. Global Agenda's Demolition PvP mode is also undergoing a makeover. The game type has been re-dubbed Acquisition, and teams will now need to cross the map and pick up their robot from the opposing team's base, then return it to their own. Additionally, the robots have been upgraded with a new sprint ability and a heat ray weapon.

Finally, agents will notice that their skill points have been reset, as the game's skill trees have been tweaked to address balance issues and encourage specialization. Head to the official Global Agenda website to learn more and download the game.

MassivelyGlobal Agenda patch 1.4 goes live today originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 14 Apr 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1.4acquisitionbalancedalton-bancroftdemolitiondome-defensedome-defense-raidf2pfree-to-playglobal-agendaglobal-agenda-free-agenthi-rezhi-rez-studiospatchesrecursive-colonyrobotssci-fishooterskill-resetskill-treesupdatesversion-1.4Thu, 14 Apr 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Joymax merges with WeMade Entertainment]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/22/joymax-merges-with-wemade-entertainment/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/22/joymax-merges-with-wemade-entertainment/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/22/joymax-merges-with-wemade-entertainment/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Free-to-play MMO gamers are probably familiar with Joymax, or more specifically, the company's flagship Silkroad Online MMORPG. In a press release earlier today, the Korean gaming firm announced that it has joined forces with WeMade Entertainment (a dev house responsible for The Legend of Mir 2 and 3, the latter of which boasts 350,000 concurrent users).

The new entity will retain the Joymax name, and CEO Kwan Ho Park says the merger is a shot in the arm for the Joymax brand. "Together with WeMade's development team and the recent partnership with Dragonfly, the co-developer of QuakeWars Online, we now have all the components to create the best and most compelling games for players across North America, Europe and Asia."

Silkroad Online, launched in 2004, is just the beginning for Joymax. The company has also announced that it plans to leverage WeMade's development expertise to launch a new global gaming portal in the spring.

MassivelyJoymax merges with WeMade Entertainment originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 22 Feb 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acquisitionbusinessf2pfantasyfree-to-playgaming-portaljoymaxmergermmo-industrysilkroad-onlinewemade-entertainmentTue, 22 Feb 2011 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Frogster acquires unnamed Shanda Games MMORPG]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/29/frogster-acquires-unnamed-shanda-games-mmorpg/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/29/frogster-acquires-unnamed-shanda-games-mmorpg/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/29/frogster-acquires-unnamed-shanda-games-mmorpg/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Frogster's online gaming portfolio just got a bit bigger, though details are scarce as to the name and the nature of the company's newest acquisition. The German publishing giant, most famous for bringing Runes of Magic to the masses, announced that it has secured the rights to a new fantasy MMORPG from Shanda Games, a Chinese developer.

The unnamed title will reportedly distinguish itself by featuring a setting developed expressly for Western audiences, and Frogster plans to launch the game using a free-to-play business model some time in 2012. "This deal with Shanda Games adds yet another prominent MMORPG to our portfolio. By licensing the game for North America and Europe, we have taken another step in establishing Frogster as one of the leading MMO game publishers in the world," said Andreas Weidenhaupt, a Frogster executive board member.

MassivelyFrogster acquires unnamed Shanda Games MMORPG originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 29 Nov 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acquisitionf2pfantasyfree-to-playfrogsterfrogster-americafrogster-interactivefrogster-internationalmmorpgpublishersrunes-of-magicshandashanda-gamesshanda-games-limitedShandaGamesMon, 29 Nov 2010 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[A Mild-Mannered Reporter: Places to go, questions to answer]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/04/a-mild-mannered-reporter-places-to-go-questions-to-answer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/04/a-mild-mannered-reporter-places-to-go-questions-to-answer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/04/a-mild-mannered-reporter-places-to-go-questions-to-answer/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

It's hard to believe that in just two weeks, all of the debates about whether or not Going Rogue will revitalize City of Heroes will be out of the land of theory and into the realm of practice. And while we've still got another week in the land of theory, right now we're taking a trip... well, still into the land of theory, but into the land of theories you asked for. Which is different, in a way! I have a hard time writing these introductions.

Haggs asked:
"...now that you're getting new lower-level content, why would you want to go through it as fast as you're going through the old content?"

It's not always a question of "want." Levels 1-20 in City of Heroes are not nearly as slow as the later levels -- they don't start to really feel long until you reach the 30s, but it's much faster to go from 1-20 than from 20-30 even if you're just playing casually. The flow of leveling appears to be tuned so that players will be able to hit a level of moderate competence fairly quickly, spend a bit of time fleshing out their powers, and then spend quite some time filing off any rough edges via the 40+ powers.

Continue reading A Mild-Mannered Reporter: Places to go, questions to answer

MassivelyA Mild-Mannered Reporter: Places to go, questions to answer originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 04 Aug 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acquisitioncity-of-heroescity-of-heroes-going-roguecity-of-villainscohcovcoxdevelopmentdevelopment-timefeaturedgoing-roguegrlevel-speedlevelingleveling-speedmelissa-bianconcsoftparagonparagon-studiospatchesreward-programsspeedtask-forcestime-playedupdatesveteranveteran-rewardsyearsWed, 04 Aug 2010 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Nexon acquires controlling interest in GameHi]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/28/nexon-acquires-controlling-interest-in-gamehi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/28/nexon-acquires-controlling-interest-in-gamehi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/28/nexon-acquires-controlling-interest-in-gamehi/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Earlier this month, Nexon acquired NDOORS Interactive, but apparently that's just the beginning of their acquisition spree. The company behind popular free-to-play titles MapleStory and Mabinogi has just acquired GameHi, makers of Dekaron among others. The deal reportedly took place for 73.2 billion won (nearly 60 million dollars in US currency), which looks to be higher than GameHi's overall revenue for 2009 (which was reported at 41.5 billion won). No word yet on how this will affect any services for GameHi's games.

Considering the recent NDOORS acquisition, Nexon seems to be taking advantage of their dominant share to buy out several smaller free-to-play developers in both the Korean and American marketplace. All signs point to their acquisitions focusing on developers, which raises the question of whether Nexon is aiming in the direction of overarching companies such as NCsoft, with several owned studios working with the central company. It's food for thought, although the promise of the quick-approaching Vindictus certainly dissuades any notions that Nexon's own developers are sitting idle.

MassivelyNexon acquires controlling interest in GameHi originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 28 May 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acquisitionbusinessdekarongamehimabinogimaplestorymmo-industryncsoftndoorsndoors-interactivenexonvindictusFri, 28 May 2010 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Warner Bros. appoints Turbine's new boss]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/27/warner-bros-appoints-turbines-new-boss/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/27/warner-bros-appoints-turbines-new-boss/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/27/warner-bros-appoints-turbines-new-boss/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Ever since hearing the news of Turbine's acquisition by Warner Bros. last month, players have been anxiously awaiting a sign of how this might affect Asheron's Call, Dungeons & Dragons Online and Lord of the Rings Online. While answers are still in short supply, now we know who Turbine answers to: Jeff Junge.

Junge was named Senior Vice President of Online Games and Digital Games Platforms by Warner Bros., a new position for the company. He was a key player in the purchase of Turbine, and will now be Turbine's direct boss. Junge has had a lot of influence within Warner Bros. as they moved into the games industry -- he convinced them to invest in OnLive, and led the initiative to purchase other game studios, such as Rocksteady Games and Midway Games.

As one of the largest independent MMO studios is folded into the WB umbrella, we will continue to keep a close eye on the direction Junge and WB will take Turbine in the future. You can read the full press release here.

MassivelyWarner Bros. appoints Turbine's new boss originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 27 May 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acacquisitionasherons-callddodungeons-and-dragons-onlinejeff-jungejudge-jeff-junge-would-be-an-awesome-crossoverlordlotromergermidway-gamesonliverocksteady-studiosturbinewarner-brosWarner-Bros-Interactivewarner-bros-interactive-entertainmentThu, 27 May 2010 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Playdom acquires Acclaim Games]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/19/playdom-acquires-acclaim-games/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/19/playdom-acquires-acclaim-games/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/19/playdom-acquires-acclaim-games/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

If there was any doubt that the world of Facebook social games and traditional MMOs are becoming further intertwined, this should hopefully silence it. Playdom, well-known as one of the three major powers in Facebook gaming (alongside Zynga and Playfish), has acquired Acclaim Games, owner of several free-to-play MMOs including Chronicles of Spellborn, 9Dragons, and 2Moons. Unfortunately for the business mavens in the audience, the exact details of the acquisition including price were not disclosed.

In terms of management, there's going to be little changing on the ground for Acclaim Games, as previous CEO Howard Marks will continue to run the studio for Playdom. Playdom itself has been purchasing several smaller developers and studios, especially those focusing on Facebook development. No word on whether this will affect management of any of Acclaim's existing games, although it seems unlikely given the circumstances. What is certain is that it's another installment in the distance between social gaming and MMOs being shortened.

[ Thanks to Animagnum for the tip! ]

MassivelyPlaydom acquires Acclaim Games originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 19 May 2010 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acclaimacclaim-gamesacquisitionbusinessbusiness-dealsfacebookmmo-industryplaydompurchasesocial-gamesWed, 19 May 2010 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Nexon acquires NDOORS Interactive]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/04/nexon-acquires-ndoors-interactive/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/04/nexon-acquires-ndoors-interactive/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/04/nexon-acquires-ndoors-interactive/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

It's not quite as stunning as the earlier announcement regarding Turbine and Warner Bros, but for the free-to-play world a big shakeup has taken place. Nexon, known for MapleStory, Mabinogi, and the upcoming Vindictus among others, has acquired a controlling share of NDOORS Interactive, known principally for Atlantica Online. The deal was announced in Korea late Monday evening, with Nexon explaining that they had acquired 67% of the company's shares including those of the former chairman, Seung-Mun Kwon.

Nexon CEO Su-Min was quite pleased about the acquisition, stating that the addition of the technical expertise and experience of the NDOORS team would help with the company's long-term plans and global expansion. There's no word yet on what this will mean for the operation of Atlantica Online in the US and elsewhere, although it's reasonable to assume that Nexon would likely consolidate their operations. We'll have more for you on this story as it develops and as further details come to light.

MassivelyNexon acquires NDOORS Interactive originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 04 May 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acquisitionatlantica-onlinebreakingbusinessf2pfree-to-playlegalmabinogimaplestorymergermergersnexonoperationsvindictusTue, 04 May 2010 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Artix Entertainment acquires EpicDuel, starts test of master account system]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/05/artix-entertainment-acquires-epicduel-starts-test-of-master-acc/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/05/artix-entertainment-acquires-epicduel-starts-test-of-master-acc/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/05/artix-entertainment-acquires-epicduel-starts-test-of-master-acc/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Artix Entertainment (soon to be Battle On Games), the team behind the easily addicting AdventureQuest series of games and the AQ Worlds flash MMO, has recently announced their acquisition of another flash-based pseudo-MMO -- EpicDuel.

The EpicDuel team has been completely integrated into the Artix Entertainment staff, keeping them in charge of their own game while still allowing them the expanded resources and technology that drives the Artix Entertainment products. To celebrate, EpicDuel is getting a complete overhaul, including adding hips (which was a whopping 3,500 frames of animation changes alone), a new player housing system, changes to the battle system, and more.

All of this comes with the new test of the Artix master account system, which will unify accounts across all Artix Entertainment games with a master login. This will, of course, include AdventureQuest Worlds, our specific title of interest here on Massively.

MassivelyArtix Entertainment acquires EpicDuel, starts test of master account system originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 05 Dec 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acquisitionadventurequestaq-worldsartixartix-entertainmentbattle-on-gamesbattlefield-bad-companyepicduellegalmergerupdateSat, 05 Dec 2009 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[38 Studios estimates it will take 50 to 100 million to finish Copernicus, Schilling looking for investors]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/28/38-studios-estimates-it-will-take-50-to-100-million-to-finish-co/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/28/38-studios-estimates-it-will-take-50-to-100-million-to-finish-co/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/28/38-studios-estimates-it-will-take-50-to-100-million-to-finish-co/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Curt Schilling is out on the field again -- the investing field, that is. The former baseball star turned game developer is looking for more investors to back 38 Studios and their first game, the title codenamed Copernicus. The company's estimates for their game requires 50 to 100 million more in funding for the staff, all with their tentative December 2010 launch in mind.

Keep in mind, of course, that 38 Studios has acquired Maryland developer Big Huge Games, the company known for Rise of Nations, Rise of Legends, and Xbox Arcade's version of Catan. That acquisition doubled the company's headcount and has possibly driven operating costs into the 15 to 20 million a year range, according to the Boston Globe.

So far Schilling hasn't had any luck with potential investors. However, as he said to the Boston Globe, "I'm not going to complain about the economy. It's like pitching on a rainy day. The other guy has to pitch in it, too."

[Via Cuppycake]

Massively38 Studios estimates it will take 50 to 100 million to finish Copernicus, Schilling looking for investors originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 28 Jul 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>38-studiosacquisitionbig-huge-gamesboston-globebreakingbudgetcatancopernicuscopernicus-mmofundinginvestorskurt-schillingr-a-salvatorerise-of-legendsrise-of-nationsTue, 28 Jul 2009 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PoxNora joins the Sony Online Entertainment family of games]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/19/poxnora-joins-the-sony-online-family-of-games/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/19/poxnora-joins-the-sony-online-family-of-games/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/19/poxnora-joins-the-sony-online-family-of-games/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Sony Online Entertainment has announced the acquisition of a new games studio, adding to their roster of development houses from Seattle to Austin. The Tucson, Arizona-based Octopi, LLC will now be the basis for SOE Tucson, a new studio specializing in online strategy-based gameplay. SOE now also wholly owns PoxNora, Octopi's online fantasy miniatures combat game. The release suggests that the corporate megapublisher plans to continue running the game, even as SOE Tucson positions itself for new projects within the SOE umbrella.

SOE Denver, the studio responsible for the company's collectible card games, is an obvious ally for the newly acquired studio. Indeed, the official release notes that the two studios will be positioning themselves together to tackle new projects in the near future. "The new SOE Tucson studio will work closely with SOE's Denver studio on maintaining and expanding SOE's lineup of strategy games, as well as pushing into new genres and developing new projects." Definitely interesting to see the acquisition of such a great little game company; we'll keep you posted on the new studio's plans as they are announced. Read on below the cut for the full press release.

Continue reading PoxNora joins the Sony Online Entertainment family of games

MassivelyPoxNora joins the Sony Online Entertainment family of games originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 19 Jan 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acquisitionbreakingpoxnorasoesoe-tucsonsony-online-entertainmentMon, 19 Jan 2009 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ubisoft failed at courting Cryptic before the Atari takeover]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/11/ubisoft-failed-at-courting-cryptic-before-the-atari-takeover/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/11/ubisoft-failed-at-courting-cryptic-before-the-atari-takeover/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/11/ubisoft-failed-at-courting-cryptic-before-the-atari-takeover/#commentsFiled under: ,

According to CFO Alain Martinez, Ubisoft was also looking into acquiring Cryptic before Atari stepped in and inked a deal. Though they are disappointed at having missed this opportunity, there seems to be no shortage of acquisition options. Martinez states that they are looking at taking over two to three small companies in the next few months, but details of what products this may involve are unknown.

Ubisoft has been busy advertising their latest console-and-PC title, Prince of Persia, for the holiday season and working on Assassin's Creed 2 - currently expected to be released in fiscal year 2010. CEO Yves Guillemot states they are planning to launch online game products in 2009, but says the experience will be more casual than the expansive Cryptic titles like Champions Online and Star Trek Online. This would have been one giant leap in moving to the MMO model.

MassivelyUbisoft failed at courting Cryptic before the Atari takeover originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 11 Dec 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acquisitionacquisitionsataricrypticcryptic-studiosmergermergersubisoftThu, 11 Dec 2008 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EA acquires J2M, a South Korean free-to-play MMO studio ]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/04/ea-acquires-j2m-a-south-korean-free-to-play-mmo-studio/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/04/ea-acquires-j2m-a-south-korean-free-to-play-mmo-studio/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/04/ea-acquires-j2m-a-south-korean-free-to-play-mmo-studio/#commentsFiled under: ,

EA has made another move in what looks like an overall strategy to ramp up its MMO efforts by acquiring J2M, a South Korean game development studio known for making top notch free-to-play MMOs for the Asian market. The company is 50 employees strong, so it has the potential to crank out some quality products.

Just what will those products be? Your guess is as good as ours. EA Asia president Jon Niermann was quoted saying that the studio will work on both "new properties and powerful EA franchises." This is not the first time EA has set up shop in Korea. Back in January the company announced plans to open a studio there to work on online versions of the NBA Street and Battlefield franchises.

Add that to the big western MMO products from the company (Warhammer Online and Star Wars: The Old Republic), and it looks like EA is pretty keen on the genre these days.

MassivelyEA acquires J2M, a South Korean free-to-play MMO studio originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 04 Dec 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acquisitionbusinesseaelectronic-artsf2pfree-to-playindustryj2mjourney-2-mediakoreasouth-koreastar-wars-the-old-republicswtorwarwarhammer-onlineThu, 04 Dec 2008 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Guildcafe merges with Uberguilds]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/22/guildcafe-merges-with-uberguilds/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/22/guildcafe-merges-with-uberguilds/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/22/guildcafe-merges-with-uberguilds/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Guild site hosting is an interesting business-- on the one hand, it's really an ISP function, where you've got to keep the site up and running and make sure it has enough power to take on all that traffic. But on the other hand, it's also a community building venture-- it's your job to put the tools in place to keep guilds together and progressing in game. I have no idea what kind of money is going through it (from my experience, it's mostly an ad-based business-- you provide free hosting in exchange for ad views), but as online games get more and more popular, there's bound to be larger and larger companies coming out of the mix.

And here's two now-- Guildcafe has announced on their blog that they've acquired Uberguilds. Guildcafe, from the press release, is apparently going to handle that technical side of things, and Uberguilds, with their broad reach of the community, is going to act as the "Guildcafe Alliance," and use Guildcafe's application to connect guilds and players together.

I don't have a lot of experience with either (my WoW guild uses Guildportal, and while it's super ugly, it gets the job done connecting us out of game), but this could be the start of something big-- an ISP/application site combining with known community builders might be just what this "guild hosting" industry needs to become even more widespread.

[Via Virgin Worlds]

MassivelyGuildcafe merges with Uberguilds originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 22 Nov 2007 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acquisitionbusinesscommunity-buildingguild-hostingguild-sitesguildcafeguildcafe-allianceguildsmergeruberguildsThu, 22 Nov 2007 16:00:00 EST