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[Zentia developer ChangYou spends $68 million on a browser game company]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/25/zentia-developer-changyou-spends-68-million-on-a-browser-game-c/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/25/zentia-developer-changyou-spends-68-million-on-a-browser-game-c/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/25/zentia-developer-changyou-spends-68-million-on-a-browser-game-c/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Brower-based gaming is starting to really catch on, with a variety of games either staking out the browser as the sole required program or offering play options to browser-bound players. ChangYou, the development company most known to western readers for its game Zentia, has apparently decided that the browser field is worth investing in to the tune of $68.3 million, as it was just announced today that the company had purchased a controlling interest in Chinese company Shenzhen 7Road Technology Co.

The acquisition is intended to complete on June 30th, with up to $32 million more up for grabs if Shenzhen 7Road manages to meet certain performance milestones through the end of next year. While there's plenty of reason to speculate about what this means for the future, it's certainly interesting to note that a free-to-play game developer is making such a large investment in a browser company -- an action that could have long-term ramifications for both present and future games.

MassivelyZentia developer ChangYou spends $68 million on a browser game company originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 25 Apr 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acquisitionsbrowser-basedbrowser-based-gamingbrowser-clientsbusinessbusiness-modelschangyouf2pfree-to-playindustry-newsmergersmmo-industryzentiaMon, 25 Apr 2011 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Tattered Notebook: Merge this!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/15/the-tattered-notebook-merge-this/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/15/the-tattered-notebook-merge-this/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/15/the-tattered-notebook-merge-this/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Server mergers are coming this week to EverQuest II, and with it come some serious questions about what stays, what goes, and who gets stuck with a name with a lousy X at the end. But sometimes mergers are a good thing, and I think since we're on the subject, it's worth looking at what else could be merged in the world of Norrath.

In this week's Tattered Notebook, I'll consider how merging tokens, towns, classes, gods, guild halls and more could benefit EQII. Join me past the cut!

Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: Merge this!

MassivelyThe Tattered Notebook: Merge this! originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 15 Nov 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alternate-advancementclassesdeitiesEQ2EQIIeverquestEverQuest-2everquest-iifeaturedguild-hallguild-hallsLevelslootmergemergermergersopinionracesSOESony-Online-Entertainmentspellsthe-tattered-notebooktokensMon, 15 Nov 2010 15:00:00 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[Mythic's Mark Jacobs leaves EA]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/24/mythics-mark-jacobs-leaves-ea/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/24/mythics-mark-jacobs-leaves-ea/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/24/mythics-mark-jacobs-leaves-ea/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Mark Jacobs, the former General Manager of Mythic Entertainment and Lead Designer of Warhammer Online, has left EA on 23rd June, the company announced today. This comes as part of restructuring plans within EA which includes both Mythic and BioWare and have culminated in the formation of a new, as-yet-unnamed, studio which will focus on RPGs and MMOs.

The new studio will be led by BioWare co-founder and General Manager Ray Muzyka, who will become Group General Manager. BioWare's other co-founder Greg Zeschuk will become Group Creative Officer while Rob Denton will succeed Jacobs as General Manager.

You can certainly expect more from us as this story develops.

[Via The Examiner]

MassivelyMythic's Mark Jacobs leaves EA originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 24 Jun 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowarebioware-mmobreakingbreaking-newsbreakingnewselectronic-artsgreg-zeschukmark-jacobsmergersmythic-entertainmentray-muzykarob-dentonWed, 24 Jun 2009 12:00:00 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