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[No relief in sight for 38 Studios after emergency meeting [Updated]]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/no-relief-in-sight-for-38-studios-after-emergency-meeting/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/no-relief-in-sight-for-38-studios-after-emergency-meeting/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/no-relief-in-sight-for-38-studios-after-emergency-meeting/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Gov Lincoln
Generally, when your company defaults on a major loan, you might expect an emergency meeting about the loan and the company's future would produce some results. But apparently today's meeting between 38 Studios owner Curt Schilling and Rhode Island governor Lincoln Chafee resulted in... absolutely nothing. Specifically, Rhode Island's Economic Development Corporation will take no immediate action to prevent the studio from going under, with Chafee on record as asking, "How do we avoid throwing good money after bad?"

It's a loaded question if you consider that the failure of 38 Studios would put the state's taxpayers on the hook for more than $112 million. Schilling has declined to elaborate on the company's state in interviews, and he has not made public how much more funding the company is seeking. It's bad news for the studio, bad news for the state, and bad news for any fans still looking forward to the possibility of Project Copernicus in the future.

[Update: Joystiq reports that "it appears 38 Studios put up all present and future IP by the company as collateral," meaning that if the studio defaults, the state of Rhode Island will own all of its game assets. We've tucked some of the ensuing news coverage in the video behind the break.]

Continue reading No relief in sight for 38 Studios after emergency meeting [Updated]

MassivelyNo relief in sight for 38 Studios after emergency meeting [Updated] originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 16 May 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>38-studiosbusinessbusiness-updatescurt-schillingfinancefinancesindustrylegalloansmmo-industrymoneyproject-copernicusWed, 16 May 2012 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: 38 Studios may be having financial trouble]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/14/rumor-38-studios-may-be-having-financial-trouble/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/14/rumor-38-studios-may-be-having-financial-trouble/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/14/rumor-38-studios-may-be-having-financial-trouble/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

In fairness, the MMO was always about 50-50 on happening.
38 Studios is one of many developers whose first big game (Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning) was rumored to lead into an MMO further on down the line. It looks like there may be storm clouds on the horizon before that project even gets moving, however, as the company may be facing financial issues. Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee has apparently been meeting with owner Curt Schilling to work on "different issues," with Chafee noting that his administration has always tried to ensure that Rhode Island companies remain financially solvent.

If you consider that Rhode Island invested about $75 million in the company, it's obvious that the government has an interest in making the company remain viable over the long term. Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning was a moderate hit, but that might not be enough for the company as it develops. We'll have more on this story as it develops, hopefully with better news.

MassivelyRumor: 38 Studios may be having financial trouble originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 14 May 2012 20:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>38-studiosamalurbusinesscurt-schillingfinancialindustrykingdoms-of-amalurkingdoms-of-amalur-reckoningmmo-industrymoneyrhode-islandrumorMon, 14 May 2012 20:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: 64% of Chinese gamers spend money on online games]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/03/report-64-of-chinese-gamers-spend-money-on-online-games/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/03/report-64-of-chinese-gamers-spend-money-on-online-games/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/03/report-64-of-chinese-gamers-spend-money-on-online-games/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Chinese gamer
Gaming in China is serious business, especially once you consider that a strong majority of players dish out money to support their habit every month. Analyst group Niko Partners polled 500 Chinese gamers and found that 64% of them dropped money on online titles monthly, including many free-to-play and MMO games. Considering that China has 180 million players and a $5.8 billion gaming market, the country continues to be watched closely as a major economic force in the online realm.

And while MMOs still account for a good portion of the income, they've lost some ground to other types of games, according to Niko Partners Managing Partner Lisa Cosmas Hanson. "Online games revenues are now more distributed among various platforms and genres than they have been in past years, when MMORPGs compiled the vast majority of domestic revenue," she said.

Other interesting details from this report include the news that players are spending less time per week on games and that one in 10 players in the country is over 40 years of age.

MassivelyReport: 64% of Chinese gamers spend money on online games originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 03 Apr 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>analystanalyst-groupanalystschinachinesechinese-gamerchinese-gamersf2pfree-to-playLisa-Cosmas-Hansonmoneynikoniko-partnersonline-spendingreportrevenuespendingTue, 03 Apr 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[NCsoft explains NA and EU Collector's Edition price difference [Updated]]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/29/ncsoft-explains-na-and-eu-collectors-edition-price-difference/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/29/ncsoft-explains-na-and-eu-collectors-edition-price-difference/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/29/ncsoft-explains-na-and-eu-collectors-edition-price-difference/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Screenshot -- Guild Wars 2
Many European Guild Wars 2 fans have been left scratching their heads over the pricing discrepancies between the U.S. and European Collectors' Editions of the title. As followers of the game are probably aware, the U.S. edition is being sold for $149.99 US while the European version is being sold for £129.99/€149.99.

The problem, of course, is that with the current exchange rates, £129.99 is closer to $206 US and €149.99 is just under $200 US, making the European versions of the game considerably pricier. NCsoft explained to PC Gamer today that the reason behind this discrepancy is that "currency fluctuations, distribution costs, taxes and market conditions in addition to the cost of goods are all contributing factors when setting pricing. These vary dramatically between NA and EU and our pricing is competitive and adjusted accordingly." As the article notes, this might make sense if we assume that the CE of the game is manufactured in the U.S., but even with the extra shipping costs, it's a pretty hefty addition to an already sizeable price tag.

[Update: NCsoft points out that the EU pricing includes VAT taxes (20%), while the North American pricing is pre-tax.]

MassivelyNCsoft explains NA and EU Collector's Edition price difference [Updated] originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 29 Mar 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetcecollectors-editioneconomyfantasyguild-wars-2gw2industrymmo-industrymoneymoneysncsoftThu, 29 Mar 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Cash rules everything around Pathfinder Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/28/cash-rules-everything-around-pathfinder-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/28/cash-rules-everything-around-pathfinder-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/28/cash-rules-everything-around-pathfinder-online/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Hey, pretend money is pretend money.
The latest in the series of Pathfinder Online developer diaries has just recently gone live, and this time it's covering something near and dear to the heart of many gamers: money. Even if you don't play an MMO specifically for the size of your bankroll, everyone likes having cash to spend and money in the bank. The diary explains that the heart of the game's economic system will be a currency known simply as coin, which is meant to be the driving force behind the virtual economy in-place.

Beyond the basics of the game's economic theory, however, the entry also reveals something of the game's business model, explaining that players will also be able to spend real money to purchase Skymetal Bits. These Bits work as microtransaction currency, running the gamut of the usual microtransaction services (skill training, cosmetic items, special content, and so forth). If you've been following the game along thus far, you'll probably want to see what information the latest entry is providing.

MassivelyCash rules everything around Pathfinder Online originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 28 Mar 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>business-modelscasheconomieseconomyfantasygoblinworksmicrotransactionsmoneypathfinderpathfinder-onlinepnpsandboxsandparkvirtual-economiesWed, 28 Mar 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New WAKFU dev diary highlights player freedom, sandbox features]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/13/new-wakfu-dev-diary-highlights-player-freedom-sandbox-features/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/13/new-wakfu-dev-diary-highlights-player-freedom-sandbox-features/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/13/new-wakfu-dev-diary-highlights-player-freedom-sandbox-features/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

WAKFU gameplay screenshot
If it's true that MMORPGs have become more linear as the genre has grown, it's also true that Ankama is setting out to do something different with WAKFU. The French development firm has released a new video dev diary titled Power to the Player, and it outlines how the free-to-play game is tackling some of the challenges inherent in sandbox design.

"We really wanted to make WAKFU a game based on freedom, a game which puts the player in control," says Ankama designer Azael. "Most current MMOs create a game and then insert the player. With WAKFU we aimed to create the game around the players."

WAKFU features very few NPCs (and no traditional vendor NPCs at all), and it also boasts mobs that don't drop money. Players create the game's currency themselves by harvesting ores and making use of minting machines, and players are also responsible for seeding the world with monsters since they don't respawn on their own. You can learn more about WAKFU by viewing the video after the break.

Continue reading New WAKFU dev diary highlights player freedom, sandbox features

MassivelyNew WAKFU dev diary highlights player freedom, sandbox features originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 13 Jan 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ankamaankama-gamesazaelcraftingcurrencydesigndev-diaryf2pfantasyfree-to-playgame-mechanicsin-game-currencyminting-machinesmobsmoneysandboxsandparksquare-enixvideowakfuFri, 13 Jan 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Newest F2P blog for Star Trek Online talks about dilithium]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/07/newest-f2p-blog-for-star-trek-online-talks-about-dilithium/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/07/newest-f2p-blog-for-star-trek-online-talks-about-dilithium/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/07/newest-f2p-blog-for-star-trek-online-talks-about-dilithium/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Looks like the Corvette of starships. And priced like one.
Star Trek Online has always had a variety of currencies for players, each allowing access to different stocks of items. But another form of money is coming into the game, and much like gold-pressed latinum, it's something that has a long history in lore. The rare and valuable dilithium is being introduced as a new form of reward, and the latest entry in the Path to F2P series discusses just how the new form of money will work.

The most important role that the ore will play will be in replacing the existing free ship tokens that had previously come when players achieved a new rank. Earning a new ship will now be a more difficult and involved task, with a discount coupon and a free offering of refined dilithium to make it easier to earn a ship on a rank increase, but it won't be automatic. The entry goes on to state that the current implementation on the test server is not quite right, and it includes more discussion about how much effort is meant to be involved in getting a brand-new ship.

MassivelyNewest F2P blog for Star Trek Online talks about dilithium originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 07 Oct 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crypticcryptic-star-trekcryptic-studioscurrenciescurrencydilithiumf2pfree-to-playgame-mechanicsin-game-currencymoneyorepath-to-f2prewardsshipsst-onlinestar-trek-mmostar-trek-onlinestotrek-onlineFri, 07 Oct 2011 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Soapbox: Subs and cash shops - Two great tastes that taste awful together]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/30/the-soapbox-subs-and-cash-shops-two-great-tastes-that-taste-a/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/30/the-soapbox-subs-and-cash-shops-two-great-tastes-that-taste-a/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/30/the-soapbox-subs-and-cash-shops-two-great-tastes-that-taste-a/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Lion dislikes sub + cash shop
Disclaimer: The Soapbox column is entirely the opinion of this week's writer and does not necessarily reflect the views of Massively as a whole. If you're afraid of opinions other than your own, you might want to skip this column.

Hoo boy, The Secret World. On the one hand, I was really looking forward to it. On the other hand, it's now joined the likes of EVE Online, pretty much every Sony Online Entertainment title ever made, Star Trek Online, Champions Online, and Funcom's own Age of Conan in my personal double-dipping doghouse.

Yeah, The Secret World is going to have a subscription model (hooray) and a cash shop (boo, hiss, and zomgwtf). This should surprise no one, really, since game industry devs have been going all Gordon Gekko on us for a while now, but it was nonetheless a disappointing reveal on several levels.

Equally disappointing are the folks who defend the subscription-plus-cash-shop model and erroneously refer to it as an example of consumer-friendly choice.

Continue reading The Soapbox: Subs and cash shops - Two great tastes that taste awful together

MassivelyThe Soapbox: Subs and cash shops - Two great tastes that taste awful together originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 30 Aug 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>business-modelscash-shopchampions-onlinechoiceconsumer-choicecostcryptic-studiosdouble-dippingeconomicseveeve-onlineevilf2pfeaturedfree-to-playfuncomgordon-gekkogreedgreed-is-goodjeff-strainmarketingmmo-industrymoneyopinionplayer-choicesecret-worldsoapboxsoapbox-jef-reahardsoeSony-Online-Entertainmentstar-trek-onlinesub-plus-cash-shopsubscriptionsubscription-basedsubscription-modelsubscription-plus-cash-shopthe-secret-worldthe-soapboxtswused-car-salesmenTue, 30 Aug 2011 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Study suggests one in three gamers has purchased virtual goods]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/04/study-suggests-one-in-three-gamers-has-purchased-virtual-goods/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/04/study-suggests-one-in-three-gamers-has-purchased-virtual-goods/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/04/study-suggests-one-in-three-gamers-has-purchased-virtual-goods/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Let's say you're playing an MMO with two of your mates. They could be online friends, real-world friends, or some combination of both. According to a new study conducted by PlaySpan and VGMarket, one of you has used real-world money to purchase virtual items.

The research was compiled last month and samples a pool of 1,000 gamers drawn from a VGMarket database. While the one-in-three statistic is interesting in its own right, even more compelling is the evidence that suggests 57 percent of participants purchase virtual items on a monthly basis.

You might think that social networking games are responsible for the lion's share of these percentages, but VGMarket's data show console games with online play accounting for 51 percent of the purchases, with social titles claiming second place at 30 percent (MMOs came in third, if you're curious). The study presents quite a number of curious factoids despite its relatively small sample size, and you can check out all the findings at the official PlaySpan website. It's also worth noting that downloading the full study requires providing PlaySpan with your personal info via a web registration form.

MassivelyStudy suggests one in three gamers has purchased virtual goods originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 04 Aug 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>console-gamesconsolesf2pfree-to-playmmo-industrymoneyplayspanpress-releasereal-moneyreal-money-tradingreal-world-moneyrmtsocial-networkingstatisticsvgmarketvirtual-goodsThu, 04 Aug 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[League of Legends boasts 15 million registered players]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/26/league-of-legends-boasts-15-million-registered-players/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/26/league-of-legends-boasts-15-million-registered-players/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/26/league-of-legends-boasts-15-million-registered-players/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

League of Legends has officially surpassed the 15 million player plateau. That means it's time for a smattering of silly stats from the marketing department to help illustrate just how large that number really is.

In a new press release published this morning, Riot Games touts everything from its peak concurrency numbers (500,000), to its daily player totals (1.4 million), to the headline-grabbing registered players figure. While those numbers are quite impressive, Riot doesn't stop there. "An average of ten games of LoL start every second of every day," the company says, before adding that "gamers spend 3.7 million hours in-game [...] every day."

The title's first season of competitive play is coming to a close, and Riot CEO Brandon Beck has a hearty thank you in store for the title's faithful. "We're committed to continuing to match their dedication with our relentless focus on ongoing enhancements to the player experience with great new features, content, and polish - and we have some very exciting surprises in store just around the corner," he says.

MassivelyLeague of Legends boasts 15 million registered players originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 26 Jul 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>15-million-playersbrandon-beckbusinessconcurrencyfantasyleague-of-legendslolmmo-industrymobamoneynumberspress-releaseregistered-playersriotriot-gamesstatisticsstatsTue, 26 Jul 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Global Chat: Broke and richer for it edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/24/global-chat-broke-and-richer-for-it-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/24/global-chat-broke-and-richer-for-it-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/24/global-chat-broke-and-richer-for-it-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Welcome to this week's Global Chat! We love hearing what you have to say at Massively, and we love it even more when we can share the best comments with all of our readers. Massively staffers will be contributing some of their favorite comments every week, so keep an eye out every Sunday for more Global Chat!

This week we're looking at all things money: Who has it, who doesn't, and why it makes the world go 'round. Naturally, Massively writers are richer than seven kings of Arabia combined and aren't concerned with such petty matters, but it seems to weigh heavily upon some of your heads. Hit the jump and let's see what the buzz was like in the comments section this past week!

Continue reading Global Chat: Broke and richer for it edition

MassivelyGlobal Chat: Broke and richer for it edition originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 24 Jul 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>commentscrypticglobal-chatgold-buyergold-buyersgold-buyinggold-farmergold-farmersgold-farminggold-sellergold-sellersgold-sellingmoneyopinionpre-orderrmtscott-hartsmanstar-trek-onlinestar-wars-the-old-republicstoswtorthe-old-republictorvisaSun, 24 Jul 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Do you like the idea of monetizing third-party utilities?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/16/the-daily-grind-do-you-like-the-idea-of-monetizing-third-party/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/16/the-daily-grind-do-you-like-the-idea-of-monetizing-third-party/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/16/the-daily-grind-do-you-like-the-idea-of-monetizing-third-party/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Between licensing issues and the general way of the internet, we've gotten used to the idea that MMO services outside of the company don't cost anything. World of Warcraft players might rely on Wowhead's database services, but that's free to anyone who knows where to look. But with the recent EVE Online move to allow third parties to make money on applications and services, there are some interesting questions to be asked about the way things work now.

On the one hand, charging money for services means that it's possible for good services and databases to go professional, helping to ensure a higher level of quality. On the other hand, no one likes paying money for something that used to be free, and the idea that said free services may not always be free is a bitter pill to swallow. So what do you think? Are you happy with the idea that independent developers can make money off of a game, or does the EVE Online change fill you with apprehension?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Do you like the idea of monetizing third-party utilities? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 16 Jun 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businesschargingeve-onlinefeesmoentizingmoneyopinionpaymenttdgthe-daily-grindthird-party-developmentThu, 16 Jun 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Road to Mordor: Making your alts work for you]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/03/the-road-to-mordor-making-your-alts-work-for-you/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/03/the-road-to-mordor-making-your-alts-work-for-you/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/03/the-road-to-mordor-making-your-alts-work-for-you/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

I have a confession to make. My name is Justin, and I'm a Lord of the Rings Online altoholic.

I know. I have a problem! I'm weak! DON'T STARE WITH THOSE ACCUSING EYES!

I always start out in games with the best of intentions: I'm going to stick with just one character, at least until I hit the level cap. I'll only make new characters to reserve names I like. I won't get class envy and wonder what's on the other side of the fence. I'll stay strong! I'll be an oak!

And then I turn out to be a willow tree, blowing about in the winds of whimsy, and suddenly I end up with alts staggered all over the leveling track. It's all right; I've come to embrace my altoholic tendencies because it really is who I am as a gamer. I like to sample everything, to try out different approaches to the game, and if I don't end up with a maxed-out uber-raider, then I can live with it.

If you follow this pattern and are prone to rolling up a lot of alts in LotRO, there are several advantages you can gain over the monogamous players out there. Today I want to take a look at how you can make your alts work for you, if only to give you an excuse to keep rolling them!

Continue reading The Road to Mordor: Making your alts work for you

MassivelyThe Road to Mordor: Making your alts work for you originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 03 Jun 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>altaltaholicaltitisaltoaltoholismaltsauction-housebank-altburglarcodepenencycraftingcurrencyeconomyf2pfeaturedfree-to-playhtclord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromichel-delvingmoneymulethe-road-to-mordorturbineturbine-entertainmentFri, 03 Jun 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Men outspend women on mobile social games]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/27/men-outspend-women-on-mobile-social-games/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/27/men-outspend-women-on-mobile-social-games/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/27/men-outspend-women-on-mobile-social-games/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Ladies (or gentlemen), is your man a gamer? If so, you may finally have a worthwhile retort for the next time he scoffs and rolls his eyes at that $10 non-combat pet you just had to have. A recent study by MocoSpace surveyed 1,500 "mobile social gamers" about their spending practices within social games. The results? "While 53 percent were male, and 47 percent female, 69 percent of men were buying virtual goods, while only 31 percent of females did."

Venturebeat adds: "On top of that, those male gamers are responsible for 90 percent of virtual goods that are purchased inside the games." The article goes on to note the recent practices of selling in-game items for real-world currency in World of Warcraft and EverQuest, though no numbers are available regarding the gender parity of those who purchased such items. For the full article -- which naturally could not resist one not-so-subtle stab at the SOE network outage -- click on over to MSNBC's Technoblog.

MassivelyMen outspend women on mobile social games originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 27 May 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>economicseconomymen-vs-womenmicrotransactionsmobile-gamingmocospacemoneymsnbcspendingspending-habitsventurebeatFri, 27 May 2011 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Gamigo doubles down to celebrate its 10-year anniversary]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/13/gamigo-doubles-down-to-celebrate-its-10-year-anniversary/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/13/gamigo-doubles-down-to-celebrate-its-10-year-anniversary/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/13/gamigo-doubles-down-to-celebrate-its-10-year-anniversary/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Birthdays are usually a time when you get to have more things for yourself -- people bring you cake and presents while letting you act more or less however you want. But Gamigo is turning that formula on its ear just a bit. The publisher of several free-to-play games (such as Black Prophecy and King of Kings 3) is celebrating its 10th anniversary by giving away some bonuses to players, starting with a chance to get twice as much in-game money.

While each individual game will be getting some more specific promotions in the coming days, every 10th player who purchases money from a game's cash shop will receive double the amount purchased. It's a decent chance to double the size of your in-game wallet at no extra charge, although the promotion is only running for the next 10 days. If you'd had your eyes on a big purchase lately, now might be the time to put down the money -- you just might get lucky.

MassivelyGamigo doubles down to celebrate its 10-year anniversary originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 13 May 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>black-prophecybpcashdealsf2pfree-to-playgamigoking-of-kings-3kok3microtransactionsmoneypromotionsreal-world-eventFri, 13 May 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Global Chat: Dollars and cents edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/10/global-chat-dollars-and-cents-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/10/global-chat-dollars-and-cents-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/10/global-chat-dollars-and-cents-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Welcome to this week's Global Chat! We love hearing what you have to say at Massively, and we love it even more when we can share the best comments with all of our readers. Massively staffers will be contributing some of their favorite comments every week, so keep an eye out every Sunday for more Global Chat!

Global Chat this week is all about money. Be it real-world cash or piles of virtual gold, money is the foundation of much of our MMO experience. Ready to see what some of our best commenters had to say about all sorts of transactions this week? Follow along after the jump!

Continue reading Global Chat: Dollars and cents edition

MassivelyGlobal Chat: Dollars and cents edition originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 10 Apr 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>consumerismcurrencyf2pfeaturedfree-to-playftpglobal-chatgoldgold-farmersgold-sellershaldursonmoneyopinionpoordevilriftrmtsnakecobraSun, 10 Apr 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Are you in favor of alternative currency?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/06/the-daily-grind-are-you-in-favor-of-alternative-currency/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/06/the-daily-grind-are-you-in-favor-of-alternative-currency/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/06/the-daily-grind-are-you-in-favor-of-alternative-currency/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

It seems to me that more and more MMO developers are utilizing alternative types of currency in our games. Whether they're tokens, barter scraps, or golden leaves, we're now having to chase down all manner of currencies to get the goodies we want.

Our subject for discussion today: Is this a good thing or not? On one hand, I can understand that alternative currency helps to limit the amount of damage that gold sellers and farmers can do, and it provides incentives for players to participate in certain zones or activities. On the other hand, it feels as though these alternative currencies are cluttering up our bags, confusing our minds, and devaluing the standard currency in the game.

So looking at your favorite games, are you in favor of barter systems and tokens as an alternative to gold, silver and copper? Should every game have a barter wallet if so? Or do you wish that devs would cut it out and stick with one type of money as the standard?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Are you in favor of alternative currency? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 06 Apr 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alternative-currencybarterbarter-systemcurrencygoldgold-farmergold-farmersgold-sellergold-sellersmoneyopiniontdgthe-daily-grindtokentokensWed, 06 Apr 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Soapbox: Time is money, friend]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/08/the-soapbox-time-is-money-friend/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/08/the-soapbox-time-is-money-friend/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/08/the-soapbox-time-is-money-friend/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Disclaimer: The Soapbox column is entirely the opinion of this week's writer and does not necessarily reflect the views of Massively as a whole. If you're afraid of opinions other than your own, you might want to skip this column.

MMOs are plagued by nasty -isms. Racism. Sexism. Nationalism. Ageism. Orientalism. Homophobia. Misogyny. OK, so those last two aren't really -isms, but you get my point. No matter how much we want our fantasy games to be zones of escapism, these prejudices chase us there. Sometimes we bring them with us as unwanted baggage that spills out in chat channels and character choices. And sometimes they're inherent in the game design itself.

Classism is one such problem you'd think the internet would reduce or conceal, but the divide between the haves and have-nots is stronger in MMOs than ever. To illustrate that point and how it affects us as gamers, I'd like to talk about another set of games ruled not by skill or talent but by money.

Continue reading The Soapbox: Time is money, friend

MassivelyThe Soapbox: Time is money, friend originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 08 Feb 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accessibilityaristocracybarrier-to-entrycasual-gamercasualsclassclassismelitismf2pfeaturedfree-to-playfreemiumhardcoreismsluxuriesmoneyolympicsopinionpoorbiesrabblesnobberysnobssoapboxsubscriptionsubscriptionsthe-soapboxTue, 08 Feb 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Game Archaeologist and the Forbidden RuneScape: The R-Team]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/14/the-game-archaeologist-and-the-forbidden-runescape-the-r-team/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/14/the-game-archaeologist-and-the-forbidden-runescape-the-r-team/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/14/the-game-archaeologist-and-the-forbidden-runescape-the-r-team/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


The Game Archaeologist is a lazy adventurer-slash-professor who dons his trademark cap for a weekly expedition through some of the most famous MMOs of the past few decades. Each month he chooses a different title to examine its highlights, talk with its developers, and invite its fans to share their experiences.

They come from all over the world just for one shot to be the elite of the elite. After a rigorous selection process, the survivors undergo months of hardcore training. Fingers aching from the strain and eyes itchy with sleep deprivation, these ripped warriors emerge to battle evil wherever it rears its ugly head. Budapest, probably. Or Easter Island. They loot with wild abandon, they craft with purpose, and they aren't afraid to jam on the caps lock button to make their voices heard.

So if you need their help -- and if you can afford them -- maybe you can hire the R-Team.

As we continue our month-long RuneScape safari, it's high past time that we hear from the R-Team members themselves. Four past and present RuneScape players graciously laid out the case as to why this MMO rocks socks off. To make a good thing even better, Jagex sent in five new screenshots for your enjoyment.

So what are you waiting for? Hit that jump like you mean it!

Continue reading The Game Archaeologist and the Forbidden RuneScape: The R-Team

MassivelyThe Game Archaeologist and the Forbidden RuneScape: The R-Team originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 14 Dec 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>budapesteaster-islandfeaturedgoldhackingi-love-it-when-an-article-comes-togetherjagexkill-ten-ratskill-xlibrarymoneymoney-makingpkpkingplayer-killerplayer-killingpvpquestquestingquestsr-teamrunescapethe-game-archaeologistthe-r-teamworld-of-warcraftwowTue, 14 Dec 2010 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Does game currency matter?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/12/the-daily-grind-does-game-currency-matter/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/12/the-daily-grind-does-game-currency-matter/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/12/the-daily-grind-does-game-currency-matter/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

They say that money makes the world go 'round, and this used to always be true in RPGs. Without solid bank, your character would be swinging a cardboard sword at enemy dragons and weeping from the humiliation. But once you performed enough virtual muggings, you'd be rolling in dough and able to equip the very best gear and weapons.

It struck me the other day that MMOs used to be more like this as well -- that the acquisition of gold, platinum or credits was a necessity to fund your character's gear. Older titles, like Anarchy Online, still function under this premise. However, it seems to me that with the rise of usable dropped loot, the value of money has decreased to the point where vendors are, in fact, a joke. Even stranger is the rise of alternative currencies in MMOs for decent gear that are gained through specific tasks instead of just picking it up off any old mob.

So does game currency matter to you? Is it there merely for a few pricey items (i.e., money sinks like mounts) or do you feel it has more purpose? Do you see some MMOs that give more worth to currency over others? Do you focus your time on building up wealth, or is money merely for travel costs and repair bills?
Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Does game currency matter? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 12 Nov 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anarchy-onlineaocurrencygold-sinkjustin-is-a-smartassmoneymoney-sinkmoney-sinksopinionrubi-is-on-a-power-triptdgthe-daily-grindvirtual-wealthFri, 12 Nov 2010 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WoW reaches 12 million concurrent subscribers]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/07/wow-reaches-12-million-concurrent-subscribers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/07/wow-reaches-12-million-concurrent-subscribers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/07/wow-reaches-12-million-concurrent-subscribers/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

It seems that World of Warcraft's oft-rumored (or is that wished-for) demise has been exposed as the usual forum scuttlebutt, thanks to a report today that confirms the MMORPG behemoth is cruising along with 12 million concurrent subscribers in tow. Our friends over at WoW Insider tipped us off to Blizzard's latest milestone, which you can view for yourself via a press release on the official European website.

With the December release of Cataclysm looming, things are looking up for the massive genre's reigning champion, and while many of WoW's would-be competitors are turning to free-to-play business models to survive, the gap between Azeroth and the various also-rans only seems to be growing.

MassivelyWoW reaches 12 million concurrent subscribers originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 07 Oct 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>12-million-subscribersBlizzardBlizzard-Entertainmentbreakingcataclysmconcurrent-subscribersmoneypress-releasesubscriptionsWorld-of-Warcraftwowwow-insiderThu, 07 Oct 2010 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Money money money! Money!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/25/the-daily-grind-money-money-money-money/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/25/the-daily-grind-money-money-money-money/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/25/the-daily-grind-money-money-money-money/#commentsFiled under: ,

Money: it makes the world go 'round. It's also one of those necessary staples to keep your character happy and well-outfitted. Whether used to get that sweet piece of loot on the auction house, fund a mount, pay for skills and repairs, or just to feel (for once) like a billionaire, it doesn't hurt to amass as much money in game as possible.

So what's your trick, your technique for raking in the dough? Are you a minimal earner, vendoring all of your loot and just getting by? Do you farm crafting components to auction off, or are you a crafty crafter who makes high-demand products? Do you complete every quest possible -- not for the XP, but for the cold, hard cash? Have you tip-toed down the dark side of RMT for easy gold?

We'd love to hear your secret for becoming an in-game Scrooge McDuck. So how do you make your money?

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Money money money! Money! originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 25 May 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auctionauction-housecashfarminggoldgold-farminglootmoneyopinionsynonyms-for-moneytdgthe-daily-grindTue, 25 May 2010 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[It pays to love Darkfall]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/04/it-pays-to-love-darkfall/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/04/it-pays-to-love-darkfall/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/04/it-pays-to-love-darkfall/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Do you like Darkfall? Does it go above and beyond the call of duty, insofar as paying a company a monthly subscription for their game can be described as a duty? Or, if you would consider your love for the game somewhat more pedestrian, would you be willing to go above and beyond for the tune of five thousand dollars? (Yes, yes, read it in the Dr. Evil voice if you must.) Then you may want to take a look at the recently announced contest on the official forums, the celebration of the game's birthday with the new "I Love Darkfall" contest.

Thraiax made the official announcement, calling for the game's fans to do... well... whatever they see fit. The contest makes no distinctions about how a fan shows their love, be it a video, artwork, or something completely out of left field. All that matters is that it shows the depth of your love for the game. The best entry, judged by the staff, will receive a whopping $5,000 prize, proof that love can indeed pay your bills. More will be revealed in the next few days, but for the time being, start thinking of how best to show your love. (Flowers probably won't work here.)

MassivelyIt pays to love Darkfall originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 04 Mar 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anniversaryaventurinebirthdaycontestsdarkfalldarkfall-contestdarkfall-lovelovemoneyprizesthraiaxThu, 04 Mar 2010 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Hey big spender!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/16/the-daily-grind-hey-big-spender/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/16/the-daily-grind-hey-big-spender/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/16/the-daily-grind-hey-big-spender/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Gil. Gold. Adeena. ISK. Influence. Infamy. Chips. Crowns. Whatever the game calls it (and there are a lot more words aside from those) money is an important part of most MMOs. Much like money in the real world, it generally follows three simple rules: you need it, you don't have enough of it, and you can't get it fast enough. And we all deal with it in our own way.

But when the time comes, almost every one of us will pony up seemingly astronomical sums for that one thing. It might be a mount, maybe weapons or armor, perhaps a piece of furniture in a game with player housing. Whatever the item is, the cost of obtaining it becomes a non-obstacle, and your cash display turns into a new experience bar that you need to fill for your precious treasure.

So, what was your biggest purchase? Was it something that was once expensive but now cheap, or is it still pricey as ever? Were you happy to have it or regretful at blowing your bankroll? And perhaps most importantly, do you still have it and use it, or has it long since been replaced?

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Hey big spender! originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 16 Feb 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adeenacashchipscrownsexpensivefundsgilgoldinfamyinfluenceiskmoneymoolahtdgthe-daily-grindTue, 16 Feb 2010 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Kung Foo! closed beta event]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/24/kung-foo-closed-beta-event/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/24/kung-foo-closed-beta-event/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/24/kung-foo-closed-beta-event/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

If you've been involved in a beta over the last several weeks and haven't been boldly going where no gender-neutral-pronoun has gone before, you've probably been taking a look at Kung Foo!. Statistically speaking. Maybe you're in on the Hello Kitty Online: Rise of Cthulhu beta testing, we're not sure. Anyway. If you have been testing Kung Foo! recently, you'll be familiar with the volume and intensity of events that the community team has been organizing to keep the beta tests as engaging as possible. In preparation for Closed Beta 2 next week, they've announced another testing event... and the rewards are cold, hard cash.

Well, cold, hard, item-mall cash. Which is still a nice freebie.

The servers will go live for Closed Beta 2 on January 26th, 4 PM PST (7 PM for those of us running on EST), and the event will start an hour later at 5 PM PST on Realm 4. The official blog for Perfect World Entertainment will update this blog entry with a screenshot hinting at where the GM is hiding. Be the first to find him, and you win $50 worth of Zen currency. Easy money, isn't it? And a perfect way to get more excited about the game's launch when testing starts.

MassivelyKung Foo! closed beta event originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 24 Jan 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>closed-betahide-and-seekin-game-eventkfkung-foomoneyperfect-world-entertainmentpwerise-of-cthulhutestingzenSun, 24 Jan 2010 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Being in it for the money]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/21/being-in-it-for-the-money/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/21/being-in-it-for-the-money/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/21/being-in-it-for-the-money/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

We might fight a lot of enemies in our MMOs, but a number of players will agree that there's one enemy that is bigger than anything else: the company that makes the game. Blizzard, Square-Enix, Funcom, Bioware -- according to this branch of the playerbase, they don't care at all about the people playing their game. All they're concerned about is making money. They just want to get your money by any means necessary.

However, the people who claim that say that like it's a bad thing.

Nobody ever smiles and says "boy, I'm sure glad Sony Online Entertainment is in this for the money." Oddly enough, when you start to think about it, the fact of the matter is that it's not only transparent that these companies are in it for the money, it's a good thing. We should be happy that most of these companies are there to get our money by any means necessary.

Continue reading Being in it for the money

MassivelyBeing in it for the money originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 21 Jan 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>allodsallods-onlinebiowareblizzardchampions-onlinecity-of-heroescocohcontent-costddodevelopment-costdungeons-and-dragons-onlinefallen-earthfefeaturedfuncomgreedin-it-for-the-moneyjack-emmertmicrotransactionsmoneysquaresquare-enixThu, 21 Jan 2010 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Korea rules that virtual currencies can be exchanged for real money]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/13/korea-rules-that-virtual-currencies-can-be-exchanged-for-real-mo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/13/korea-rules-that-virtual-currencies-can-be-exchanged-for-real-mo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/13/korea-rules-that-virtual-currencies-can-be-exchanged-for-real-mo/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

The odd thing about us gamers is that we seem to think of the various doodads in our games as being real -- even more to the point, as being ours. We think and act as if we're owed some compensation if we're deprived of them. Which is silly, really -- after all, that Monster Signa isn't a real staff, that Deputy Chain Coat isn't a real coat, and all that gold isn't real money.

Except that now, in South Korea, it is. A ruling by the nation's supreme court has stated that virtual currency is the equivalent of real-world money. Even more sweeping are the details of the case that led to the ruling, in which two men were on trial for exchanging a large amount of Lineage II Adeena for cold, hard currency.

For those of you who might not be drawing the link, the core there is that selling in-game currency for real money is essentially just an exchange of currency and perfectly legal in South Korea. This could have sweeping implications for RMT operations the world over, not to mention free-to-play games and... well, online games in general. The official story is available online from both the Korea Times and JoongAng Daily.

MassivelyKorea rules that virtual currencies can be exchanged for real money originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 13 Jan 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>koreal2liilineage-2lineage-iimoneymoney-exchangereal-money-tradingrmtsouth-koreavirtual-moneyvirtual-worldsWed, 13 Jan 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Code something for Ryzom's new API, win cash!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/21/code-something-for-ryzoms-new-api-win-cash/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/21/code-something-for-ryzoms-new-api-win-cash/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/21/code-something-for-ryzoms-new-api-win-cash/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


If you're bored, have some free time, and enjoy coding programs then do we have the contest for you! The team over at Ryzom have put together a brand new API for their game, and they're celebrating its launch with a contest for budding developers! Even better, the prizes are all monetary!

What the Ryzom team is looking for is people who can utilize their new API for whatever gadgets, tools, or websites they can dream up. The winning use of the API will be the one that displays innovation, usefulness, ease-of-use, multilingual support, validity and completeness, and optimized coding. Popularity, stability, and availability will be taken into consideration as well with all coding entries.

The winning entry will receive 3,000 euros (approximately 4,200 US dollars), second place will receive 1,000 euros (1,400 US dollars), and third place will be netting 500 euros (700 US dollars.)

So what are you waiting for? Get coding!

[Thanks, J3kyll!]

MassivelyCode something for Ryzom's new API, win cash! originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 21 Jul 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apicodingcontestgadgetmoneyryzomryzom-onlineryzom-ringtoolswebsitesTue, 21 Jul 2009 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Profiting from mods?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/25/the-daily-grind-profiting-from-mods/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/25/the-daily-grind-profiting-from-mods/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/25/the-daily-grind-profiting-from-mods/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


In case you missed the news the other day, Blizzard has essentially told everyone who has developed a mod for World of Warcraft - no matter how much time, effort and care they've put into it - that they can no longer ask for any money for their mods via the mod (in-game advertising). This includes soliciting for donations people optionally offer the mod maker for making such a great and useful item, if it's 'nagware'. Many mod developers put in a great deal of time creating their mods, and some of the mods have been good enough to actually wind up getting incorporated into Blizzard's in-game UI due to almost universal adoption by the player base.

This morning we thought we'd ask you what you thought about this? On the one hand, Blizzard has the right to completely block all mods from World of Warcraft altogether if they feel that the mod developers are making too much money by 'selling' their mods, or their advertising is too intrusive. It's their game. Like it or not, they get to dictate the rules. On the other hand, the base UI at launch was, in my opinion, horrid. It lacked a great many things that have since been added to WoW's base UI due to things modders dreamed up. Should all requests for funding stop? Should it only stop when it is a "pay" mod - or mod with a pay service attached like wowecon? Or should mod authors be allowed to solicit donations on their own web site (as they are essentially allowed now) for those who love the mod and want to donate something to keep it going, but not in game?

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Profiting from mods? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 25 Mar 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>base-uiblizzarddonationsmodmod-authorsmoneyui-modsworld-of-warcraftwowWed, 25 Mar 2009 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Majority of buyers use game "gift cards" for themselves]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/23/majority-of-buyers-use-game-gift-cards-for-themselves/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/23/majority-of-buyers-use-game-gift-cards-for-themselves/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/23/majority-of-buyers-use-game-gift-cards-for-themselves/#commentsPlaySpan, creators of the Ultimate Game Card, released findings on March 20 that nearly 80 percent of those purchasing the gift cards are using them for themselves. The UGC, which sells alongside other gift cards on store shelves, has a special code redeemable online at the company's website that can be applied toward over 200 online games. The games supported range from triple-A MMOGs to casual, browser-based games.

PlaySpan's research notes that nearly 50 percent of their customers are age 14-18, and they likely purchase the cards because they're too young to have credit cards of their own. Virtual Goods News has crunched the numbers further.

MassivelyMajority of buyers use game "gift cards" for themselves originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 23 Mar 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>financegame-cardmoneyplayspanresearchultimate-game-cardMon, 23 Mar 2009 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Chinese online game market operating in loss]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/13/chinese-online-game-market-operating-in-loss/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/13/chinese-online-game-market-operating-in-loss/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/13/chinese-online-game-market-operating-in-loss/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


When many of us think about MMOs, we think about companies who rake more money than we could dream about. Enough money to put together a scale model of Paris made out of 20 dollar bills.

Yet the truth is that many of these companies are operating in loss, as a recent article published in the Beijing Times has shown. Over 70% of Chinese online game companies are spending more than they are earning, while only a few notable names, like The9, the operators of World of Warcraft in China, stand to even make a profit.

Many games spend more in development and marketing costs than they stand to make in monthly subscriptions, leading to these problems occurring in many companies in the market. Analysts say that for every 10 online games made, only one stands to be a profitable venture.

For the full report on this, check out the article over at TradingMarkets.com.

MassivelyChinese online game market operating in loss originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 13 Mar 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beijingbeijing-timeschinadevelopmentdevelopment-costseconomygame-companieslossmarketmoneyonline-gamesprofitthe9world-of-warcraftFri, 13 Mar 2009 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Starting out in Vana'diel: Conquering conquest]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/10/starting-out-in-vanadiel-conquering-conquest/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/10/starting-out-in-vanadiel-conquering-conquest/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/10/starting-out-in-vanadiel-conquering-conquest/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,


Hello again Adventurers! So we've fought through the tutorial system, braved the Fields of Valor, and this week we get to go to WAR!

No, not Warhammer Online. We're going to learn about Final Fantasy XI's conquest! The conquest system is the weekly determination of who gets control of a region in Vana'diel. Remember that signet buff that you learned about in the tutorial? Well we're going to need that, first and foremost.

Signet may be a buff, but it enters you as a participant in conquest. Each time you destroy a monster, you will gain some conquest points and add to your nation's total for the zone. Each week, the Grand Dutchy of Jeuno will calculate all of the points and declare one nation as the winner of that zone. The nation that won gets to place their guards in the zone and will hold control of it until the next Sunday.

But what does control do? What can you get from the conquest system? Follow me, and let's find out!

Continue reading Starting out in Vana'diel: Conquering conquest

MassivelyStarting out in Vana'diel: Conquering conquest originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 10 Mar 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>conquestconquest-itemscrystalsffxifinal-fantasy-xigilmoneyoutpostsquare-enixstarting-out-in-vanadielwarpTue, 10 Mar 2009 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Man in the box]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/19/man-in-the-box/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/19/man-in-the-box/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/19/man-in-the-box/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

People usually play MMOGs as a way to escape real life. Well, according to The Guardian, real life may just be trying to push its way into MMOGs. Several EU government bodies recently came together and released a report titled, Virtual Worlds, Real Money: Security and Privacy in Massively Multi-Player Online Games and Social and Corporate Virtual Worlds. Sound heavy? It is.

It seems the impetus for creating this agency position paper was that "2007 was the year of online gaming fraud." The executive summary states that malware targeting MMOGs increased by 145% and over 30,000 new programs emerged with the aim to gain access to accounts and steal virtual goods to sell for real money. The report describes 14 key risks in detail, including avatar identity theft/identity fraud, harassment, problems with online dispute resolution, and security risks for minors just to name a few. The agency also makes 12 recommendations to governments and MMOG developers to address these risks.

It seems inevitable that one day we'll have Big Brother looking over our shoulders as we peck away at our keyboards pwning n00bs. It also raises a couple big questions. How far will they go? Will it improve things or make them worse? Time will tell.

MassivelyMan in the box originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 19 Feb 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eufraudgovernmentmoneyprivacysecurityThu, 19 Feb 2009 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: How much have you spent on your MMO habit?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/31/the-daily-grind-how-much-have-you-spent-on-your-mmo-habit/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/31/the-daily-grind-how-much-have-you-spent-on-your-mmo-habit/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/31/the-daily-grind-how-much-have-you-spent-on-your-mmo-habit/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Once upon a time, I sat down with a calculator and counted the months I'd spent playing World of Warcraft, multiplied by $15, added in costs for game boxes and character transfers... and came to a sum, in the end, that shocked me. (Though, considering the hours of enjoyment I've gotten from the game thus far, perhaps it shouldn't.) And that number was without spending a dime on buying characters, gear, gold, or paying for leveling. Putting the ethics of RMT aside for the moment, I must say I'm glad of it, as it means I've never had the opportunity to loose even more cash to an MMO, as in yesterday's story of an EVE player who lost $19,000 buying ISK. (Yes, you read that number correctly. It's a one and a nine followed by three zeros. Count 'em: three!) While that certainly makes my financial losses seem practically frugal by comparison, The Daily Grind is all about getting your opinions. So today, I ask: how much have you spent feeding your MMO habit?

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: How much have you spent on your MMO habit? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 31 Dec 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>goldiskmoneyreal-money-tradereal-money-tradingrmttdgwarcraftwowWed, 31 Dec 2008 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: Where's the grind?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/23/eve-evolved-wheres-the-grind/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/23/eve-evolved-wheres-the-grind/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/23/eve-evolved-wheres-the-grind/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,


Everyone who plays MMOs will be familiar with the concept of "grind", possibly one of the most debated topics in the MMO industry. Grind is essentially where users are forced to repeat something over and over again to get what they want. An example would be killing a certain type of monster repeatedly to get a certain piece of rare loot they can drop. Some people, such as World of Warcraft's Jeff Kaplan, suggest that grind and progression are essentially the same thing. Jeff asserts that we call progression a "grind" when it's not a fun experience and that grinding can be properly tuned. Whether you love it or hate it, repetitive elements exist in all MMOs and are necessary to maintaining long-term playability.

No grind in EVE Online?:
EVE Online is a game that's often lauded by players as having eliminated the grind present in other MMOs. However, it's clear that EVE still has a large amount of repetitive gameplay that can be considered grind. While nothing is forcing you to run missions over and over again or mine for hours on end, those areas of gameplay where heavy grind exists are very heavily used. When given a universe in which they don't have to grind, why then do so many players actively seek out something repetitive to grind on?

Join me as I take a look at the industry obsession with grind and identify where the grind is (and isn't) in EVE Online.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: Where's the grind?

MassivelyEVE Evolved: Where's the grind? originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 23 Nov 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpeveeve-evolvedeve-onlinefeaturedgoldgrindgrindingiskjoystiqfeatureslevelminingmissionsmoneyprofessionssandboxsci-fiskillworld of warcraftworld-of-warcraftWorldOfWarcraftSun, 23 Nov 2008 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Can we solve problems intertwined with MMO economies?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/25/the-daily-grind-can-we-solve-problems-intertwined-with-mmo-econ/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/25/the-daily-grind-can-we-solve-problems-intertwined-with-mmo-econ/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/25/the-daily-grind-can-we-solve-problems-intertwined-with-mmo-econ/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

In-game economies can make MMOs more vibrant places to play, lending depth to these games that generally isn't found in regular PC or console titles. Then again, the perceived value attributed to virtual currency and items can lead to a slew of problems, not limited to acts of real world violence, the plague of gold spamming, and the slippery slope of ownership in the virtual space.

At least one company out there is working with MMO publishers to create a regulated secondary market, the hope being that it's possible to reclaim the black and grey market commerce so often attached to massively multiplayer titles. Do you think this approach is a viable solution to some of the problems associated with MMO economies? What are your ideas on how these issues intertwined with virtual currency and items should be resolved? Is there even a solution at all?

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Can we solve problems intertwined with MMO economies? originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 25 Oct 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>craftingcrimecurrencyeconomygold-spammerlawlegallive-gamermoneyopinionownershiptdgthe-daily-grindvirtual-itemsvirtual-worldsSat, 25 Oct 2008 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: The cost of failure, part 2]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/12/eve-evolved-the-cost-of-failure-part-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/12/eve-evolved-the-cost-of-failure-part-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/12/eve-evolved-the-cost-of-failure-part-2/#commentsContinue reading EVE Evolved: The cost of failure, part 2

MassivelyEVE Evolved: The cost of failure, part 2 originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 12 Oct 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battleshipccpcheapcostcruiserdeath penaltyDeathPenaltyeveeve-onlinefeaturedfrigateinsuranceiskjoystiqfeaturesmoneytech 2Tech2Sun, 12 Oct 2008 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: The cost of failure]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/12/eve-evolved-the-cost-of-failure/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/12/eve-evolved-the-cost-of-failure/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/12/eve-evolved-the-cost-of-failure/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

The harsh death penalty in EVE Online is something that's talked about a lot. I even touched on the issue myself when I compared EVE Online's style of PvP to Age of Conan and when I investigated the phenomenon of suicide ganking. In EVE, your ship being destroyed means millions of your hard-earned isk is flushed down the drain. If you're unlucky enough not to get away in your escape pod, you'll be killed and recloned, costing yet more isk and destroying any expensive implants in your head. The brutal death penalty associated with PvP in EVE is responsible for putting a lot of players off playing the game but is the taste of death really as bitter as people make it out to be?

In this article, I examine the cost of defeat in PvP and how to minimise these costs without ruining your PvP performance.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: The cost of failure

MassivelyEVE Evolved: The cost of failure originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 12 Oct 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battleshipccpcheapcostcruiserdeath penaltyDeathPenaltyeveeve-onlinefeaturedfrigateinsuranceiskjoystiqfeaturesmoneytech 2Tech2Sun, 12 Oct 2008 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: Money for nothing]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/01/eve-evolved-money-for-nothing/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/01/eve-evolved-money-for-nothing/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/01/eve-evolved-money-for-nothing/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,


In most MMOs, making currency without actually playing usually involves rule-breaking macro-farming which risks getting your account banned. In EVE Online, however, a number of viable options exist for making ISK with absolutely no effort. From hiring research and development agents to public investment schemes and even a player-run bank, there are plenty of ways to make ISK in EVE without even logging in.

Investment Schemes:
In the market discussion forums, players can sell shares in their company and present a business plan to potential investors. The corporation receives ISK in exchange for its shares and agrees to make regular dividend payments to all shareholders. Buyers have to trust that the company owner won't just run off with their ISK, so only the most trustworthy players have managed to successfully start very large investment schemes.

In this article, I look at the different ways you can make ISK with virtually no effort, in some cases even if your account is inactive.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: Money for nothing

MassivelyEVE Evolved: Money for nothing originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 01 Sep 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bankblueprintccpeveeve-evolvedeve-onlinefeaturedfreeinvestinvestmentiskjoystiqfeatureskillboardmoneyrentstock marketStockMarketMon, 01 Sep 2008 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[City of Heroes respecs now available for purchase with real cash]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/01/city-of-heroes-respecs-now-available-for-purchase-with-real-cash/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/01/city-of-heroes-respecs-now-available-for-purchase-with-real-cash/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/01/city-of-heroes-respecs-now-available-for-purchase-with-real-cash/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

NCsoft announced yesterday that players of City of Heroes are now able to purchase respecs (opportunities to rollback character development decisions they've made in their characters' lifetimes) for $9.99 from a store in the character select screen. The company noted that this feature "does not allow the primary or secondary powerset to be reselected; it functions like existing respecs currently available in game."

Players are still able to find opportunities to respec through gameplay, but NCsoft claims that the community has been requesting a shortcut like this.

Some sites are characterizing this move as the introduction of microtransactions to a subscription-based game. That term conjures up images of players buying powerful items and stat bonuses with real-world currency. But Blizzard has been charging for character name changes in World of Warcraft for a long time. What's the distinction between charging for what's deemed an expected service, and the microtransaction business model?

MassivelyCity of Heroes respecs now available for purchase with real cash originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 01 Aug 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>characterchargecity-of-heroescity-of-villainscohcovcoxcustomizationmicrotransactionsmoneyncsoftrespecrespecializerespecificationrespecificationsrespecsserviceFri, 01 Aug 2008 10:00:00 EST