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[Interplay says Bethesda turned down chance to purchase Fallout MMO]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/22/interplay-says-bethesda-turned-down-chance-to-purchase-fallout-m/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/22/interplay-says-bethesda-turned-down-chance-to-purchase-fallout-m/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/22/interplay-says-bethesda-turned-down-chance-to-purchase-fallout-m/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Interplay president Eric Caen claims that Interplay attempted to sell full Fallout rights to Bethesda, only to be turned down.

The latest news in the ongoing legal battle says that former Interplay president Hervé Caen offered the full rights to Bethesda for $50 million. Bethesda rejected the offer on the grounds that the price was too high, negotiating a lower price for everything except the MMO rights. There were conditions for development of the MMO attached to the deal, which Bethesda claims that Interplay has not met.

Eric Caen has his own thoughts on these claims: "I think Bethesda, off the back of Fallout 3's success, realised that Hervé was probably right about the value. They said: 'OK, how can we get that without paying?'""

Interplay is continuing work on Fallout Online with a projected release date of 2012, as the legal investigations continue.

[via gamesindustry.biz]

MassivelyInterplay says Bethesda turned down chance to purchase Fallout MMO originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 22 Oct 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bethesdabreakingeric-caenfallout-onlinegameindustry.bizherve-caeninterplaylegalFri, 22 Oct 2010 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Frogster cuts senior management staff]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/20/frogster--cuts-senior-management-staff/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/20/frogster--cuts-senior-management-staff/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/20/frogster--cuts-senior-management-staff/#commentsFiled under: ,


Things at Frogster have been pretty busy lately with publishing projects like Runes of Magic, Mythos and TERA. Since Gameforge purchased a majority stake in the company early last month, it's made another offer to remaining Frogster shareholders in order to solidify its position.

Things changed even more today. Three senior Frogster staffers have been relieved of their duties at the company, including two former Gameforge employees. CFO Ralf Kloppel, Frogster America CEO Lars Koschin (ex-Gameforge staff) and board member Bjorn Koschin have all been let go.

There are no details forthcoming at the moment, but we'll keep you up-to-date on any developments.

[via gameindustry.biz]

MassivelyFrogster cuts senior management staff originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 20 Sep 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bjorn-koschinfrogsterfrogster-americafrogster-interactivegameforgeGameIndustrygameindustry.bizlars-koschinralf-kloppelMon, 20 Sep 2010 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Funcom plans a more casual direction for future games]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/05/funcom-plans-a-more-casual-direction-for-future-games/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/05/funcom-plans-a-more-casual-direction-for-future-games/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/05/funcom-plans-a-more-casual-direction-for-future-games/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Back in December, we talked a bit about Funcom's new studio SweetRobot, which will be designing games for a much younger market than the Age of Conan crowd. Pets vs. Monsters is the first offering from the studio, with the promise of more to come. Funcom CEO Trond Arne Aas took some time to sit down with gameindustry.biz and discuss where the company stands now, and how that has influenced their decision to explore this new opportunity.

Of course, Funcom had to employ some cost-cutting measures in 2009: "...it's become almost a default thing for businesses in the last year it seems." Tapping into the vast tween market could be a very lucrative move in the face of those measures -- while their cash reserves are more than comfortable, gaining new subscribers is the way to keep the company moving forward.

Make no mistake - the grownup side of Funcom isn't going anywhere. Age of Conan is here to stay and The Secret World is still coming, but Funcom is also giving plenty of attention to their more casual new studio as well. The full interview can be read here.

MassivelyFuncom plans a more casual direction for future games originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 05 Jan 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanfuncomgameindustry.bizpets-vs-monsterssweetrobotthe-secret-worldtrond-arne-aasTue, 05 Jan 2010 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Prepare for the battle for the precious top spot]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/27/prepare-for-the-battle-for-the-precious-top-spot/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/27/prepare-for-the-battle-for-the-precious-top-spot/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/27/prepare-for-the-battle-for-the-precious-top-spot/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



BBC News has an interesting article regarding what might be shaping up to be a battle for online supremacy in 2008.

Analysts were expecting online subscription numbers to decline in 2007, but that wasn't the case. With the release of online games like Lord of the Rings Online, Tabula Rasa and Hellgate: London, there are now plenty of choices for gamers. However, analysts thought these games would steal players from the current king of the MMO - World of Warcraft. They didn't, and they're not sure why. Numbers for WoW jumped from eight million at the start of 2007 to 9.3 million by the end of summer. Experts say that the release of Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures and Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning in 2008 may turn out to be serious contenders because they come with a long history of earlier works, just like WoW.

In the article Rob Fahey, columnist for Gameindustry.biz, said all these new launches, along with the continued success of WoW, shows just how strong the MMO industry has become. He also notes that it's maturing as well. He points out that Vanguard, which was riddled with bugs at launch, proves that players are no longer willing to accept buggy games and won't stand to pay monthly fees to basically "test" unfinished products.

But Philip Wride, head of Elysium Gaming Consultants, thinks the biggest impact on online gaming in 2008 might be from something outside the industry. For the whole scoop, check out the BBC News article.

MassivelyPrepare for the battle for the precious top spot originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 27 Dec 2007 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BBC-NewsElysium-gaming-consultantsgameindustry.bizHellgate-LondonLord-of-the-Rings-OnlinemmommogmmorpgPhilip-WrideRob-FaheyTabula-rasavanguardWorld-of-WarcraftWoWThu, 27 Dec 2007 17:30:00 EST