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['Staunchly British' Jagex sets the record straight about its new ownership]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/12/staunchly-british-jagex-sets-the-record-straight-about-its-new/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/12/staunchly-british-jagex-sets-the-record-straight-about-its-new/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/12/staunchly-british-jagex-sets-the-record-straight-about-its-new/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Jagex studios
Jagex doesn't take kindly to being called an American company these days, it appears. In an interview with GamesIndustry.biz, CEO Mark Gerhard set the record straight about the recently reported deal that put the British game studio under the purview of an American investment firm.

Because the deal was made earlier last year, Gerhard sees this as old news and stressed that the company was trucking on much the same as it ever was. "The insinuation that this is a company that somehow now is run by bankers in the US again couldn't be further from the truth," he said. "Sure we therefore have some American shareholders, but the management and the culture and the ethos and everything else is the same people, in the same hands, and staunchly British."

He also clarified why the studio's profits were reported to be down: "If you look at our company's house filings, revenues are up but profits are down, and those aren't because we're doing a crap job, that's because we're consciously taking those profits and ploughing them back into the business."

Gerhard said that the company was "very, very selective" when it came to investors, and that it feels completely comfortable with the current board of directors. He said that the new investors were not interfering with the day-to-day development and operations of Jagex's ever-expanding library of titles: "I'm very excited for the year ahead and everyone in the studio is very focused on, not just making RuneScape and 8Realms a financial success, but our work on Stellar Dawn and even Transformers coming together to make truly great games for this year."

Massively'Staunchly British' Jagex sets the record straight about its new ownership originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 12 Jan 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>8realmsboard-of-directorsbritishdealinsight-venture-partnersinterviewjagexMark-Gerhardpip-pip-cheerioprofitprofitsrevenuerunescapeshareholdersstellar-dawntransformers-universeThu, 12 Jan 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[God save the green: Deal makes Jagex a US company]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/09/god-save-the-green-deal-makes-jagex-a-us-company/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/09/god-save-the-green-deal-makes-jagex-a-us-company/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/09/god-save-the-green-deal-makes-jagex-a-us-company/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Jagex
Jagex is trading up the Union Jack for the Stars and Stripes, as controlling interest in the studio has changed hands to a US firm.

Insight Venture Partners, a venture capital firm from the US, completed a deal last year to increase its ownership to 55% of the UK-based company. Previously, the firm had 35% interest in Jagex. Now that the scales have tipped to the new ownership, this technically makes Jagex a US-controlled company and has US investors leading its board of directors.

While revenues were up 2% for Jagex in 2011, both operating and net profits were significantly down from the previous financial year. Jagex is a major player in the MMO free-to-play market, with RuneScape, Transformers Universe, and 8Realms as part of its project portfilio.

Develop reports that the controlling interest was made possible by Jagex co-founder Andrew Gower selling off his ownership claims to the firm for $115.65 million. As part of the deal, Jagex paid $3.85 million in expenses. The studio will remain in Cambridge while its controlling firm is in NYC.

MassivelyGod save the green: Deal makes Jagex a US company originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 09 Jan 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>8realmsandrew-gowerboard-of-directorsbreakingcontrolling-interestdealinsight-venture-brothersinvestorsjagexjagex-game-studiosprofitprofitsrevenuerevenuesrunescapetakeovertransformers-universeukusMon, 09 Jan 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Tiny Speck and Trion Worlds make gaming headlines in 2011]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/19/tiny-speck-and-trion-worlds-make-gaming-headlines-in-2011/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/19/tiny-speck-and-trion-worlds-make-gaming-headlines-in-2011/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/19/tiny-speck-and-trion-worlds-make-gaming-headlines-in-2011/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Glitch
Trion Worlds and Tiny Speck are two MMO studios that have made waves in 2011 with their ambitious plans and potential profit margins, according to the Wall Street Journal. The publication's article examines how these companies are running contrary to Zynga's model by producing top-tier content without trying to nickle-and-dime customers.

Trion's story is seen as one of high risk and higher rewards, especially considering that it was bringing in no revenue before last March while developing three titles. "RIFT has had tremendous success -- the commercial results are just astounding -- but we've got two more big games coming... There is no joy in Mudville," said Trion's David Reid. The article notes that once a MMO breaks even, the profit margin can be as high as 70%.

Trion is reportedly adding 100 new people to the team in the first part of 2012, which will put this studio in giant-sized territory: 520 employees in total.

Tiny Speck may not be as large, with just 41 employees, but the team is growing due to Glitch's success. Even though the potential to make money is there, co-founder Eric Costello says that the team puts in long hours as primarily a labor of love: "The game industry is famous for running their employees into the ground, and we definitely don't want to do that, but we've also found that building a game is a lot harder than we thought it would be."

MassivelyTiny Speck and Trion Worlds make gaming headlines in 2011 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 19 Dec 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>David-Reiddefianceend-of-nationsEric-Costelloglitchnickle-and-dimeprofitprofit-marginprofit-marginsrifttiny-specktriontrion-worldswall-street-journalzyngaMon, 19 Dec 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA['Little risk of failure': Analysts predict SWTOR will turn a healthy profit]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/01/little-risk-of-failure-analysts-predict-swtor-will-turn-a-hea/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/01/little-risk-of-failure-analysts-predict-swtor-will-turn-a-hea/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/01/little-risk-of-failure-analysts-predict-swtor-will-turn-a-hea/#commentsFiled under: , ,

SWTOR
Worried that Bobby Kotick has the right of things and that Star Wars: The Old Republic won't make bank for Electronic Arts? Market analyst Michael Pachter disagrees, saying that he not only predicts that EA will cover the costs of SWTOR's development, but come out just fine even with LucasArts taking its share.

Pachter says that LucasArts will claim 35% of SWTOR's revenue: "The revenue split is around 35 percent to LucasArts after EA earns back their investment. That means EA keeps most of the revenue from disc sales (they have marketing expenses and need to staff up the server farms), so they should earn a nice profit there. Keep in mind that EA expensed the development cost when incurred, so much of the disc sales revenue will be profit."

Pachter's predictions for the title are sizable yet reasonable; he thinks that SWTOR will get 1.5 million subscribers. This translates to $270 million per year in revenue, $80 million of which will be pure profit for EA after LucasArts and operating costs take their share. Even if SWTOR only draws in -- or sustains -- merely 500,000 subscribers, Pachter says the game will be sitting pretty.

Other market analysts, such as EEDAR VP Jesse Divnich, support the notion of SWTOR's profitability. "Based upon user commentary and consumer surveys, the profit potential for The Old Republic is high. We see little risk of failure for The Old Republic," Divnich stated.

Massively'Little risk of failure': Analysts predict SWTOR will turn a healthy profit originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 01 Dec 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowarebobby-kotickeaea-biowareEEDARelectronic-artsJesse-Divnichlalucasartsmarket-analysisMichael-Pachterprofitrevenuestar-wars-the-old-republicswtorThu, 01 Dec 2011 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[World of Warcraft is doing quite well in China, thank you very much]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/17/world-of-warcraft-is-doing-quite-well-in-china-thank-you-very-m/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/17/world-of-warcraft-is-doing-quite-well-in-china-thank-you-very-m/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/17/world-of-warcraft-is-doing-quite-well-in-china-thank-you-very-m/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

WoW
Earlier this month we heard the news that World of Warcraft's subscriber base took yet another substantial hit, although Blizzard was quick to say that most of these losses were coming from eastern countries like China. It's odd then that we've just received word that World of Warcraft is on the rise in China following an extremely profitable third quarter.

NetEase, which operates World of Warcraft in the region, announced that its Q3 earnings were actually up over the same time last year. Both revenues and profits for WoW in China are on the upswing, marking a 39.8% increase year-over-year. NetEase said that it pulled in $308.3 million in revenues, out of which $128.2 million is pure profit.

Subscriber hit or no, WoW continues to be a major force in the Asian market, and with numbers like these it's hard to imagine it going away any time soon.

MassivelyWorld of Warcraft is doing quite well in China, thank you very much originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 17 Nov 2011 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activision-blizzardblizzardchinafinancial-reportlossesneteaseprofitq3revenuesubscribersworld-of-warcraftwowThu, 17 Nov 2011 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Activision Blizzard loses 1.1 million WoW players since May, triples profits]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/08/activision-blizzard-loses-1-1-million-wow-players-triples-profi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/08/activision-blizzard-loses-1-1-million-wow-players-triples-profi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/08/activision-blizzard-loses-1-1-million-wow-players-triples-profi/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Activision Blizzard
Today's investor call with Activision Blizzard was a rollercoaster of news for MMO fans, with both good and bad news coming forth.

Starting with the bad -- everyone asks to start with the bad news, don't they? -- World of Warcraft's subscriber numbers are much lower than they were this past May. The company reports that subscriptions have dropped from 11.4 million in May to 11.1 million in June to 10.3 million, representing a loss of 10% of the playerbase. These numbers represent the total worldwide, and Blizzard CEO Mike Morhaime said that most of the losses were suffered in the eastern market. No matter where the losses come from, this continues the downward trend of the title during the past year. Blizzard declined to provide a subscriber forecast for the next quarter.

The good news is that the company has whooped expectations by nearly tripling its profit for the quarter over this time last year. During this past quarter, Activision Blizzard raked in $627 million worth of sales, of which $148 million is pure profit. A majority of the revenue -- 62% -- comes from its digital sales.

The company expects 2012 to be even better, with titles like Diablo III and another Call of Duty in the works. CEO Bobby Kotick is nothing if not confident in the company's future: "I believe our unyielding commitment to excellence and our creative talent around the globe will continue to position Activision Blizzard as the leader in interactive entertainment."

MassivelyActivision Blizzard loses 1.1 million WoW players since May, triples profits originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 08 Nov 2011 17:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activision-blizzardblizzardblizzard-entertainmentBobby-Kotickcall-of-dutydiablo-3diablo-iiiinvesters-calllossesMike MorhaimeMikeMorhaimeprofitq3subscriptionworld-of-warcraftwowTue, 08 Nov 2011 17:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Trion Worlds may go public following RIFT's success]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/25/trion-worlds-may-go-public-following-rifts-success/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/25/trion-worlds-may-go-public-following-rifts-success/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/25/trion-worlds-may-go-public-following-rifts-success/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

RIFT
Want to own a piece of your favorite MMO studio? If you're a fan of Trion Worlds, then you may yet get your chance.

The company announced that it is mulling over a decision to put the company on the market with an IPO. CEO Lars Buttler says that it's just a matter of time at this point: "As we build scale and become more profitable, [an IPO] is clearly on our horizon at some point. We've had a lot of bankers coming to us recently. We keep all of our options open at this point. We definitely have enough substance and enough skill to be a public company at the right time."

Trion has been doing well for itself lately, as it's doubled its staff in 2011 and raised $100 million from investments since 2007. RIFT's success has helped to convince the company that an IPO is a solid move. "RIFT is vastly profitable. It is profitable every single week and every single month," Buttler said.

RIFT isn't Trion's only project, as the company is working on End of Nations, Defiance, and the Red Door publishing platform.

MassivelyTrion Worlds may go public following RIFT's success originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 25 Oct 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>defianceend-of-nationsgoing-publicinitial-public-offeringipoLars-Buttlerprofitprofitablepublicred-doorriftstockstock-markettriontrion-worldsTue, 25 Oct 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO subscription dollars in decline for the first time since 2002]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/15/mmo-subscription-dollars-in-decline-for-the-first-time-since-200/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/15/mmo-subscription-dollars-in-decline-for-the-first-time-since-200/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/15/mmo-subscription-dollars-in-decline-for-the-first-time-since-200/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Money and lots of it
With all of the free-to-play MMOs coming onto the market and the F2P conversion of formerly subscription-only titles, it should come as no surprise that the subscription model is losing its grip on the industry. Eurogamer reports that starting in 2010, the money brought in from MMO subscriptions has actually gone into decline for the first time ever since analysts began tracking it in 2002.

2010's subscription revenue added up to $1.58 billion, a respectable amount but still 5% less than 2009. 2009 saw a 10% bump in subscriptions, and 2008 witnessed 21.6% growth. Connect the dots, and subscription revenue has most likely peaked and begun a downhill slide. Analysts predict that by 2015, revenue from subs will be as low as $1.33 billion. However, with the popularity of RIFT this year and the coming storm of Star Wars: The Old Republic, the subscription model may see a resurgence.

On the flip side, microtransactions from F2P models are rising exponentially, jumping 24% from 2009 to 2010 to account for $1.13 billion. With the two models combined, the industry saw a very modest 5% increase last year in revenue.

Screen Digest analyst Piers Harding-Rolls sees the writing on the wall: "The focus of many PC game operators has clearly shifted to micro-transaction‐based models -- in part due to competition in the subscription market especially in the high‐end MMOG segment, but also because of the flexibility micro-transactions offer operators in monetising gamers."

MassivelyMMO subscription dollars in decline for the first time since 2002 originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 15 Sep 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2002200820092010analysisanalysteconomyeurogamerf2pfree-to-playmicrotransactionsPiers-Harding-Rollsprofitrevenueriftscreen-digeststar-wars-the-old-republicsubsubssubscriptionsubscriptionsswtorthe-old-republictorThu, 15 Sep 2011 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[ChangYou reports impressive profit and revenue gains]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/02/changyou-reports-impressive-profit-and-revenue-gains/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/02/changyou-reports-impressive-profit-and-revenue-gains/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/02/changyou-reports-impressive-profit-and-revenue-gains/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

It's been a great year for ChangYou, and the Chinese developer responsible for Tian Long Ba Bu and Duke of Mount Deer recently reported its fifth consecutive double digit growth quarter.

Tian Long Ba Bu has seen two successful expansion packs thus far in 2011, with a third scheduled for September. According to Gamasutra, Duke of Mount Deer recently increased its server headcount to 110 (up from 64), and the success of both titles powered ChangYou's $54.2 million profit as well as a 35.1 percent revenue jump over the previous year.

ChangYou also bought into a browser-game specialist called 7Road last spring with the intention of expanding its interests beyond traditional MMORPGs. All told, Gamasutra says that ChangYou contributed an impressive $327 million in revenue to a $5 billion Chinese game market.

MassivelyChangYou reports impressive profit and revenue gains originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 02 Aug 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>7-road7roadbrowser-basedbrowser-gameschang-youchangyouduke-of-mount-deerf2pfantasyfinancefinancesfinancial-reportfree-to-playmmo-industryprofitrevenuetian-long-ba-buTue, 02 Aug 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Perfect World Entertainment surpasses market expectations]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/24/perfect-world-entertainment-stuns-itself-by-surpassing-market-ex/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/24/perfect-world-entertainment-stuns-itself-by-surpassing-market-ex/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/24/perfect-world-entertainment-stuns-itself-by-surpassing-market-ex/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Perhaps the belief that free-to-play games are bad and do not make money is unfounded. If you asked anyone with stock in Perfect World Entertainment, he would tell you that F2P is where it's at. The creator of the Perfect World International and Forsaken World has stunned the market as it reported a 15% revenue increase last quarter (January 2011 to March 2011) over last year (January 2010 to March 2010.)

However, the biggest surprise is the amount of profit the company generated. The 110% growth over last year greatly surpassed the high-end expectations of the company itself. CEO Michael Chi attributed the stellar growth to the recent release of Forsaken World and Empire of the Immortals. But the profit is due to more than the entry of these two games into the market. "At the same time, we also experienced lower sales and marketing expenses as we did not have as many new launches as we did in the previous quarter. All of these factors contributed to our strong bottom-line growth in the first quarter," Chi explains in a Gamasutra article.

Perfect World Entertainment hopes for continued growth as it continues to solidify its place in the F2P market with more games coming soon.

MassivelyPerfect World Entertainment surpasses market expectations originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 24 May 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>empire-of-the-immortalsf2pforsaken-worldfree-to-playftpgamasutramarket-growthMichael-chiperfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentperfect-world-internationalprofitpwepwiTue, 24 May 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony loses $3.2B, spends $170M in response to hacker attacks]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/23/sony-loses-3-2b-spends-170m-in-response-to-hacker-attacks/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/23/sony-loses-3-2b-spends-170m-in-response-to-hacker-attacks/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/23/sony-loses-3-2b-spends-170m-in-response-to-hacker-attacks/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Sony's bad year is getting a smidge worse. The company, which had previously predicted a healthy profit for the past fiscal year, is now expecting a loss of $3.2 billion for the period of April 2010 through March 2011.

The reverse in fortunes is mostly due to writing off a $4.4 billion tax credit, although the company has been struggling with both the recent earthquake and hacker attack that disrupted operations of both its physical operations and online services. Sony CFO Masaru Kato doesn't beat around the bush: "In the first quarter, we saw quite a major impact on our manufacturing activities."

Sony also has spent over $170 million in response to the hacking intrusion last month. These funds went to rebuilding the network, providing identity protection coverage, investigating the attacks, free game time, and customer support.

This is the second straight year that Sony has operated at a loss, although last year's $439 million wasn't nearly as severe as this promises to be.

MassivelySony loses $3.2B, spends $170M in response to hacker attacks originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 23 May 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>earthquakefiscal-yearhackershackinghacking-attackshacking-intrusionidentity-protectionlossMasaru-Katonet-lossnet-profitPlayStation-Networkprofitsoesonysony-online-entertainmenttax-credittsunamiMon, 23 May 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[NCsoft increases profits, maintains revenues]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/17/ncsoft-increases-profits-maintains-revenues/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/17/ncsoft-increases-profits-maintains-revenues/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/17/ncsoft-increases-profits-maintains-revenues/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

It's a banner year over at the NCsoft household, as the company is showing a strong rise in net profits for the first quarter this year. Even though NCsoft's revenues have held relatively steady during Q1 2011, profits are up by 30% for a total of $37.5 million due to recent promotions in Lineage and Aion.

The vast majority of NCsoft's money comes from Korea, with Chinese and Western markets trailing behind. According to Gamesindustry.biz, Aion is making the most bank for the company (accounting for 44% of revenues), followed by Lineage (28%) and Lineage 2 (22%).

NCsoft's Sara Rogers sees nothing but good news in these numbers: "NCsoft consistently delivers strong figures in a way that most other games publishers can only dream of. These results prove that we have the MMO brands that people want to play and that we're able to grow and maintain customer loyalty, which is crucial in successful MMO publishing. This year, Gamescom will be very significant for us. We'll have a major presence and maybe even steal a headline or two."

MassivelyNCsoft increases profits, maintains revenues originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 17 May 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aionchinagamescomgamesindustry.bizgrowthkorealineagelineage-2lineage-iincsoftnet-profitprofitprofitspromotionsrevenuesSara-RogersTue, 17 May 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The "big bet": EA aims at a half-million subscribers to make SWTOR profitable]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/02/the-big-bet-ea-aims-at-a-half-million-subscribers-to-make-swt/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/02/the-big-bet-ea-aims-at-a-half-million-subscribers-to-make-swt/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/02/the-big-bet-ea-aims-at-a-half-million-subscribers-to-make-swt/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


"It's a big bet, but it's the right kind of bet to make for EA."

These are the words of BioWare's Ray Muzyka, responding to a conference call to EA investors in which the company admitted that Star Wars: The Old Republic will need to pull in at least 500,000 subscribers to become profitable. This is substantially less than the two million subscriber mark that industry analysts previously predicted.

During the conference call, EA CEO John Riccitiello drew a line in the sand between financial failure and victory for The Old Republic: "At half a million subscribers, the game is substantially profitable, but it's not the sort of thing we would write home about. Anything north of one million subscribers is a very profitable business. Essentially it turns on a dime from being quite sharply negative in terms of its EPS [Earnings Per Share] impact to positive the day the product ships. So it's our view that we can be very successful without fundamentally challenging the market leader [World of Warcraft] because we think we'll probably hit the smaller competitors harder when we get out there. Of course, we have no particular ambition to be a distant number two. Our ambitions are higher than that, but we throttle back a little bit relative to our financial projections."

While Riccitiello admitted that the title has seen "significant development costs," he claims that costs proposed by the public are far higher than the actual costs of The Old Republic's development. He declined to share the actual costs or the number of staff working on the game.

EA also announced that The Old Republic's release date will be in calendar 2011. BioWare has as recently as this January targeted a spring 2011 release. EA's estimate puts its launch somewhere between March 31st and December 31st of this year.

MassivelyThe "big bet": EA aims at a half-million subscribers to make SWTOR profitable originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 02 Feb 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowareconference-callea-biowareinvestorsJohn-riccitiellolaunchlaunch-dateprofitprofitabilityray-muzykareleaserelease-datestar-wars-the-old-republicsubscribersswtorthe-old-republictorworld-of-warcraftwowWed, 02 Feb 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EA puts faith in The Old Republic's lifespan and profits]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/08/ea-puts-faith-in-the-old-republics-lifespan-and-profits/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/08/ea-puts-faith-in-the-old-republics-lifespan-and-profits/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/08/ea-puts-faith-in-the-old-republics-lifespan-and-profits/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

With all the cries of doom and gloom against Star Wars: The Old Republic -- not to mention accusations of a wildly bloated production budget -- one may be led to believe that TOR will fail even before it sees the light of day. EA, on the other hand, is expressing a calm confidence in the game's potential longevity and financial success.

According to Eurogamer, EA's CFO Eric Brown predicts that TOR will not only last over a decade, but will be profitable even if there are fewer than a million subscribers: "Our assumptions for break-even and profitability are not seven-digit subscribers. We think we can run and operate a very successful and profitable MMO at different levels. The key thing here is to really perfect the product. We're shooting for an extremely high quality game experience. We view this as a 10-year opportunity."

Brown previously admitted that TOR is the single largest project in the history of EA, and industry analysts have predicted that the title would need at least a million subscribers to break even.

MassivelyEA puts faith in The Old Republic's lifespan and profits originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 08 Dec 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>budgetcfoeaelectronic-artseric-browneurogamerprofitstar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicsubscribersten-yearsthe-old-republictorWed, 08 Dec 2010 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: Research: Five top tips, page 2]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/03/eve-evolved-research-five-top-tips-page-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/03/eve-evolved-research-five-top-tips-page-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/03/eve-evolved-research-five-top-tips-page-2/#commentsContinue reading EVE Evolved: Research: Five top tips, page 2

MassivelyEVE Evolved: Research: Five top tips, page 2 originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 03 Jan 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blueprintccpccp-gameseveeve-evolvedeve-onlinefeaturedguideindustryinventionproductionprofitresearchreverse-engineeringtech-1tech-2tech-3tipstips-and-tricksSun, 03 Jan 2010 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: Research: Five top tips]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/03/eve-evolved-research-five-top-tips/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/03/eve-evolved-research-five-top-tips/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/03/eve-evolved-research-five-top-tips/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

In the past three weeks, I've covered the ins and outs of research in EVE Online, from Tech 1 blueprints and the Tech 2 invention system to Tech 3 and reverse engineering. In my nearly six years of playing EVE, I've delved into every traditional profession and picked up some valuable tips and insights on each one. Having been involved in every aspect of the Tech 1, 2 and 3 industries, I've built up a fairly complete picture of how the research portion of any industry interacts with its production lines. In this final part to the EVE Evolved guide to research, I give five top tips that I consider invaluable for anyone getting into research and industry.

#5 - Chasing profit:
To keep your profit margins high in any business, you'll need to adjust your choice of products frequently to keep up with what's recently profitable. The most important tool you'll ever have in any industry is a spreadsheet or application to calculate build costs for you. By updating the prices on your spreadsheet regularly, you can quickly spot which items are profitable to build and stay ahead of the curve. This is important because in some areas, like the market for Tech 2 modules, it can take as little as a week for an item to go from high profit to making a loss. In EVE's highly competitive markets, it's the most agile players able to stay on top of market trends who make the most ISK. There are several freely available applications and websites that can help with practically every industry but I've always found it useful to make my own spreadsheets.

Skip past the cut for four other invaluable tips on reverse engineering chances, invention profit margins, predicting trends and more.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: Research: Five top tips

MassivelyEVE Evolved: Research: Five top tips originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 03 Jan 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blueprintccpccp-gameseveeve-evolvedeve-onlinefeaturedguideindustryinventionproductionprofitresearchreverse-engineeringtech-1tech-2tech-3tipstips-and-tricksSun, 03 Jan 2010 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: Research: Reverse Engineering and Tech 3, part 2]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/27/eve-evolved-research-reverse-engineering-and-tech-3-part-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/27/eve-evolved-research-reverse-engineering-and-tech-3-part-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/27/eve-evolved-research-reverse-engineering-and-tech-3-part-2/#commentsContinue reading EVE Evolved: Research: Reverse Engineering and Tech 3, part 2

MassivelyEVE Evolved: Research: Reverse Engineering and Tech 3, part 2 originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 27 Dec 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blueprintccpccp-gamesengineeringeveeve-evolvedeve-onlineguidelegionlokiprofitproteusreresearchreversereverse-engineeringskillssleepersstrategic-cruiserssubsystemtech-1tech-2tech-3tengutipstips-and-trickswormhole-explorationwormholesSun, 27 Dec 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: Research: Reverse Engineering and Tech 3]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/27/eve-evolved-research-reverse-engineering-and-tech-3/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/27/eve-evolved-research-reverse-engineering-and-tech-3/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/27/eve-evolved-research-reverse-engineering-and-tech-3/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

In the first two parts of this guide to Research in EVE Online, I covered the basics of Tech 1 blueprint research and the "Invention" system that allows players to make their own Tech 2 blueprint copies. The reverse engineering process used to make Tech 3 blueprints is a lot like invention except with a new set of materials, equipment and skills. Though the process used to create it will be familiar to inventors, the end product is a strange beast. Unlike Tech 2, Tech 3 isn't just a straight improvement over lower tech levels and doesn't use Tech 1 or 2 as a base. Instead, it's an entirely new technology used to make custom, modular ships. At the moment, the only Tech 3 products we have are the modular "Strategic Cruiser" class but more is planned for future patches. Tech 3 frigates are rumoured to be next on the development table and it's entirely possible that we'll see strange new Tech 3 modules thrown into the mix too at some point.

In today's part of this bumper guide to research, I look into EVE's newest addition to the researcher's repertoire as I examine Tech 3 and "Reverse Engineering". I'll look at how it all fits together to make a finished product, what's required to get involved and best practices for staying profitable in what has become a very competitive marketplace.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: Research: Reverse Engineering and Tech 3

MassivelyEVE Evolved: Research: Reverse Engineering and Tech 3 originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 27 Dec 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blueprintccpccp-gamesengineeringeveeve-evolvedeve-onlinefeaturedguidelegionlokiprofitproteusreresearchreversereverse-engineeringskillssleepersstrategic-cruiserssubsystemtech-1tech-2tech-3tengutipstips-and-trickswormhole-explorationwormholesSun, 27 Dec 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: Trading: Tips and tricks, part 2]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/29/eve-evolved-trading-tips-and-tricks-part-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/29/eve-evolved-trading-tips-and-tricks-part-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/29/eve-evolved-trading-tips-and-tricks-part-2/#commentsContinue reading EVE Evolved: Trading: Tips and tricks, part 2

MassivelyEVE Evolved: Trading: Tips and tricks, part 2 originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 29 Nov 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>buyingccpccp-gameschribbaeveeve-evolvedeve-onlineexpansionfeaturedguideisklotterymanipulationmarginmarketnyphuropinionpatchprofessionsprofitpvepvpsellingspeculationtipstips-and-trickstradetradingSun, 29 Nov 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: Trading: Tips and tricks]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/29/eve-evolved-trading-tips-and-tricks/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/29/eve-evolved-trading-tips-and-tricks/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/29/eve-evolved-trading-tips-and-tricks/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

So far in this guide to trading in EVE Online, I've covered the jobs best suited to new players and some of the more advanced trading techniques like margin trading, market speculation and price manipulation. This is by no means the entirety of what can happen in EVE's marketplaces, but serves as a good foundation for those trying to break into the trading game. In the hyper-capitalistic world of New Eden, the markets are hugely competitive and any edge you can get will help. With that in mind, this final part of the guide will cover a few of the tips and tricks I've learned over the years that have given me an edge in the marketplace. Some are common sense rules that most traders will learn eventually and will be invaluable to newer players. Others are more closely-guarded secrets that I've gleaned from years of gameplay.

What is a cyclic product and what do you do when you spot a price manipulation? In this final part of the trading guide, I dish out some of my personal top tips for budding marketeers.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: Trading: Tips and tricks

MassivelyEVE Evolved: Trading: Tips and tricks originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 29 Nov 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>buyingccpccp-gameschribbaeveeve-evolvedeve-onlineexpansionfeaturedguideisklotterymanipulationmarginmarketnyphuropinionpatchprofessionsprofitpvepvpsellingspeculationtipstips-and-trickstradetradingSun, 29 Nov 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: Trading: Advanced trading, part 2]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/22/eve-evolved-trading-advanced-trading-part-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/22/eve-evolved-trading-advanced-trading-part-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/22/eve-evolved-trading-advanced-trading-part-2/#commentsContinue reading EVE Evolved: Trading: Advanced trading, part 2

MassivelyEVE Evolved: Trading: Advanced trading, part 2 originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 22 Nov 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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In the first part of this guide I covered the basics of trading in EVE Online and some of the jobs best suited to newer players. There's a lot more to trading than buying low and selling high and in this week's installment, I'll cover some of the more advanced trading and marketeering tactics that have proven themselves effective in EVE. From margin trading on the market to making a living off the contracts page, anyone with enough dedication can learn to rake in hundreds of millions of ISK per day without even leaving the station. For the gamblers and risk-takers among you, market speculation and price manipulation can produce incredible short-term profit but with significant risks attached.

In this second part of my concise guide on trading, I look at margin trading on the market, playing the contract pages, market speculation around patches and the dirty art of market manipulation.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: Trading: Advanced trading

MassivelyEVE Evolved: Trading: Advanced trading originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 22 Nov 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>buyingccpccp-gamescontractsDominioneveeve-evolvedeve-onlineexpansionfeaturedguidehaulingiskmanipulationmarginmarketprofessionsprofitpvepvpsellingspeculationtipstips-and-trickstradingSun, 22 Nov 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: Trading: The basics, page 2]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/15/eve-evolved-trading-the-basics-page-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/15/eve-evolved-trading-the-basics-page-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/15/eve-evolved-trading-the-basics-page-2/#commentsContinue reading EVE Evolved: Trading: The basics, page 2

MassivelyEVE Evolved: Trading: The basics, page 2 originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 15 Nov 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>buyingccpccp-gamescontractscouriereveeve-evolvedeve-onlinefeaturedguidehaulingiskmarketprofessionsprofitpverefiningsellingtipstips-and-trickstradingSun, 15 Nov 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: Trading: The basics]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/15/eve-evolved-trading-the-basics/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/15/eve-evolved-trading-the-basics/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/15/eve-evolved-trading-the-basics/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Of all the moneymaking endeavours you can take in EVE Online, trading is perhaps the one with the highest potential for profit. While mission-running profit tops out at a few tens of millions per hour and the profit margin from production isn't that big, trading is limited only by the amount of effort you're willing to put in and is much improved by inherent business talent. At the low end of the trading spectrum, beginners can make a healthy income ferrying items from A to B. At the other extreme, a market-savvy individual can pull billions per week out of the players in EVE's great conglomerated marketplaces.

In this first guide in a short series on trading, I look at the different types of trading options available to newer EVE players.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: Trading: The basics

MassivelyEVE Evolved: Trading: The basics originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 15 Nov 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>buyingccpccp-gamescontractscouriereveeve-evolvedeve-onlinefeaturedguidehaulingiskmarketprofessionsprofitpverefiningsellingtipstips-and-trickstradingSun, 15 Nov 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMOs for gamers or businessmen (part 2)]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/23/mmos-for-gamers-or-businessmen-part-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/23/mmos-for-gamers-or-businessmen-part-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/23/mmos-for-gamers-or-businessmen-part-2/#commentsFiled under: ,

Continue reading MMOs for gamers or businessmen (part 2)

MassivelyMMOs for gamers or businessmen (part 2) originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 23 Oct 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businessmengame-designgame-developmentgamersmmo-industryopinionprofitFri, 23 Oct 2009 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[MMOs for gamers or businessmen?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/23/mmos-for-gamers-or-businessmen/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/23/mmos-for-gamers-or-businessmen/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/23/mmos-for-gamers-or-businessmen/#commentsFiled under: ,

We ran a column earlier this week by the fantastic Brendan "Nyphur" Drain about the gaming renaissance. One of the key points he made was that there is a new generation of game developers coming out of school who have played MMOs for nearly half their life. This sounds quite promising, doesn't it? I'm here today to play a little devil's advocate and say that while MMO gamers want MMOs made for and by MMO gamers, they get games made for and by businessmen instead. Oh, those businessmen (and women) may have been gamers at one time, but once they formed that studio and sought outside investment, their new priority became making money.

There are of course a number of indie developers working on niche titles and their ambitions might not be so great as their multi-million dollar indebted brothers and sisters, but don't kid yourself; they aren't slaving 16 hours a day over their computers for free. They have families to feed, do they not? So, let's start off by defining these two creatures and then analyzing the concept a bit more.

Continue reading MMOs for gamers or businessmen?

MassivelyMMOs for gamers or businessmen? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 23 Oct 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businessmenfeaturedgame-designgame-developmentgamersmmo-industryopinionprofitFri, 23 Oct 2009 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: Corporate Infiltration for fun and profit, part 2]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/27/eve-evolved-corporate-infiltration-for-fun-and-profit-part-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/27/eve-evolved-corporate-infiltration-for-fun-and-profit-part-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/27/eve-evolved-corporate-infiltration-for-fun-and-profit-part-2/#commentsContinue reading EVE Evolved: Corporate Infiltration for fun and profit, part 2

MassivelyEVE Evolved: Corporate Infiltration for fun and profit, part 2 originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 27 Sep 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Of all the EVE Online stories I've heard over the years, none have impressed and inspired me as much as those detailing a well-planned corporate heist. These aren't your run-of-the-mill contract scammers or corp hanger thieves. A professional corporate spy can earn the deepest levels of trust, destroy a corporation from the inside out, rob its members of their most prized possessions and then disappear without a trace. They're the people that pull the strings of war in the background, pitting alliances against each other to meet their own ends. The Guiding Hand Social Club's famous 2005 heist remains to this day possibly the single most impressive story in EVE history and serves as a benchmark of value and style for a heist that has seldom since been matched.

When I'm not busy writing about EVE or running sleeper anomalies with my buddies, I find myself delving more and more into the dark side of EVE. From wormhole piracy and courier contract theft to full-blown corporate infiltration, this year has bestowed on me a great deal of experience in the dirty underworld of EVE. In this article, I explain how to infiltrate a corp successfully and capitalise on the opportunities it throws at you.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: Corporate Infiltration for fun and profit

MassivelyEVE Evolved: Corporate Infiltration for fun and profit originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 27 Sep 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It looks like we're not the only ones on the block to talk to Matt Mihaly, as Gamasutra has recently sat down with the Sparkplay Media CEO. The topic of the conversation: microtransactions.

Matt's no stranger to microtransactions, having utilized them back with Iron Realms Entertainment and their many MUD games. His talk with Gamasutra starts out focusing on how microtransactions can generate a very modest income, but mainly center on a small segment of the game's population paying the most to play the game.

Beyond microtransactions, Matt gives a few very interesting details about the development of Earth Eternal and how it reached the form it's in today. Did you know that originally Earth Eternal was going to be a hyper-violent and hyper-sexualized fantasy MMO before it evolved into the playful multi-race animal/fable theme? No? Then you might want to check out the full article, as there's more where that came from regarding the game's evolution.

MassivelyMatt Mihaly talks microtransactions and Earth Eternal originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 07 Aug 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ceoearth-eternalfablefantasy-mmogamasutraincomematt-mihalymicrotransactionsprofitsparkplay-mediaFri, 07 Aug 2009 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Aion leading sales for NCsoft]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/11/aion-leading-sales-for-ncsoft/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/11/aion-leading-sales-for-ncsoft/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/11/aion-leading-sales-for-ncsoft/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


It's one of the must-play MMOs of 2009 and not even out here yet. However Aion, which was released in Korea late last year, is driving sales for NCsoft, according to Gamasutra. The company held a conference call to discuss their sales figures and revealed Aion has generated 42.65 billion Korean won (around $34.57 million). The call also touched upon the game's growth, stating that the Korean beta started with 25 servers and that figure has now risen, post release, to 41.

Check out the full press release from NCsoft after the jump.

Continue reading Aion leading sales for NCsoft

MassivelyAion leading sales for NCsoft originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 11 May 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aionaion-the-tower-of-eternityaion-tower-of-eternitygamasutrajaeho-leencsoftprofitprofitssales-figuresMon, 11 May 2009 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Jagex looking strong for 2009]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/30/jagex-looking-strong-for-2009/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/30/jagex-looking-strong-for-2009/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/30/jagex-looking-strong-for-2009/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,


Jagex, the developer of the popular free-to-play browser based MMO Runescape, is looking very good as they enter into 2009 with two of their best quarters behind them and a brand new game ahead. RuneScape has already been hailed as the largest free-to-play game in the world by the Guinness Book of World Records, featuring 1 million paying players and 5 million free players.

Besides giving Blizzard a run for "which company could fill a pool with money and swim in it," Jagex is also preparing a brand new MMO game, set in the confines of science-fiction and giant robots. MechScape, as the project is currently known, will feature deeper gameplay than its fantasy cousin to target a brand new audience. MechScape will be based from RuneScape's technology and will feature graphics of a higher caliber than RuneScape HD. You can look for much more information regarding this project in our GDC interview with Jagex, releasing tomorrow.

MassivelyJagex looking strong for 2009 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 30 Mar 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blizzardfree-to-playguiness-book-of-world-recordsjagexmechscapeprofitquarterrunescaperunescape-hdworld-recordMon, 30 Mar 2009 19:00:00 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[Mercs and their role in EVE's industrial warfare]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/30/mercs-and-their-role-in-eves-industrial-warfare/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/30/mercs-and-their-role-in-eves-industrial-warfare/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/30/mercs-and-their-role-in-eves-industrial-warfare/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,


Much of what's written about EVE Online focuses on the darker aspects of the game. It's not surprising, as those topics are often the ones most interesting to players and non-players alike, but EVE has a very deep industrial side to it as well. It's a side that gets much less fanfare; R&D (invention), manufacturing, trading, and investment are all possible within the game and occur in tandem with EVE's more violent pursuits. Most every ship, after all, has been manufactured and sold (or re-sold) by another player. Those who engage in EVE's industry on a serious level often come into conflict with rival corporations and alliances in wars played out on the market, which sometimes spill into formal war declarations and combat. But if you're not interested in or inept at PvP, what are EVE's industrialists to do?

While an industrialist may not be well-versed in the art of war, he or she can play to their own strength: financial influence. EVE has a number of merc corps who are willing to solve problems, be it through armed escorts in hostile space or simply obliterating your opposition... assuming you can meet their price. Benilopax, of Warp Drive Active: Industry podcast fame and an E-ON contributor, relates his experience with contracting mercenaries to solve such problems, in what he refers to as 'the dark side of industrialism'. "There is a growing use of mercenaries by industrial entities to either take out the competition or keep them from easily making a profit," Benilopax writes for EVE Tribune. If you're interested in knowing a bit more about this side of the game, start with Benilopax's article (and A-Team reference) to see what it's like to deal with mercenaries in EVE Online.

MassivelyMercs and their role in EVE's industrial warfare originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 30 Oct 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a-teamalliancesbenilopaxccpccp-gamescorporationse-oneveeve-onlineeve-tribunefinanceindustrial-warfareindustrialistindustrymarketmarket-pvpmarket-warfaremercmercenaryprofitresearch-and-developmentthe-a-teamwarwardecwarp-drive-activewdawda-industryThu, 30 Oct 2008 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Analyst: WAR subscriptions will eventually settle around 250,000]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/24/analyst--war-subscriptions-will-eventually-settle-around-250000/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/24/analyst--war-subscriptions-will-eventually-settle-around-250000/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/24/analyst--war-subscriptions-will-eventually-settle-around-250000/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Business analyst Arvind Bhatia shared his predictions about Warhammer Online's financial future with Edge magazine yesterday. Bhatia, who works at brokerage firm Stern Agee, said he believes EA is ultimately shooting for around 250,000 - 300,000 subscribers once the launch dust clears, with occassional bumps when major content releases such as expansons occur.

Given the hype around the game, those numbers seem a little low, but Bhatia said he based his projections on statements made by EA reps saying that the company hopes to break even on its investment. After the game shipped 1.5 million copies, some initial sales data began to emerge which indicated that sales are meeting but not significantly exceeding EA's conservative expectations. In the end Bhatia expects the company to pull in between $55 and 60 million dollars of revenue from WAR.

Numbers like the ones above would clearly not make WAR a WoW-killer, but they would make it one of the elite few truly successful Western, subscription-based MMOs. Certainly this prediction is a far cry from Paul Barnett's wild bet. But of course even Barnett admits his number is a little outrageous, and he only stands to lose $26 if he loses, y'know.

MassivelyAnalyst: WAR subscriptions will eventually settle around 250,000 originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 24 Sep 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>analystarvind-bhatiaeaea-mythicedgeelectronic-artsmythicmythic-entertainmentprofitrevenuesalesstern-ageesubscriptionswarwarhammer-onlineworld-of-warcraftwowWed, 24 Sep 2008 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ryzom devs describe plans, promise free play through October]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/18/ryzom-devs-describe-plans-promise-free-play-through-october/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/18/ryzom-devs-describe-plans-promise-free-play-through-october/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/18/ryzom-devs-describe-plans-promise-free-play-through-october/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Ryzom (or the game formerly known as The Saga of Ryzom), came back to life a little over a month ago. Rumors of its death had apparently been greatly exaggerated. Now the development team has published a document detailing its plans for the immediate future.

The first item on the agenda is "to get profitable." Good plan! Money will surely be helpful. The second item: "To get all our new Developer Teams up to date with the Ryzom code," a task that is apparently quite difficult because there are millions of lines of code to get used to. Finally, the team is putting together a development schedule for adding new missions, content, and features to the game.

Our first impressions of the re-launched game were positive. It's a bit laid-back compared to other titles. We're glad to see that some clear goals are being set for the game's future, but of course until the dev team manages "to get profitable," that future will remain uncertain. If you want to give it a try, though, the devs say it will remain free at least through the end of October.

MassivelyRyzom devs describe plans, promise free play through October originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 18 Sep 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>codedevelopmentfuturenevraxplanprofitrebornrelaunchrelaunchedryzomsaga-of-ryzomThu, 18 Sep 2008 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Economist on games and profit]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/27/the-economist-on-games-and-profit/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/27/the-economist-on-games-and-profit/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/27/the-economist-on-games-and-profit/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Newsmagazine The Economist ran an article titled "Playing for profit" about using video game technology to increase productivity in the workplace. The article -- which was a sort of book report on "Changing the Game: How Video Games Are Transforming the Future of Business" by David Edery and Ethan Mollick -- looked to trends such as game mods and web-based-games-as-marketing-tools for inspiration, but special emphasis was placed on MMOs, including World of Warcaft and EVE Online.

Believe it or not, the WoW feature that was heralded by the writer was the soul-crushing grind! Or rather, the grind was compared to the sorts of tasks that your average office worker has to sit through each day. WoW provides a context -- the leveling system and other rewards -- that (supposedly) makes the grind worth the trouble. Companies should emulate that, the article says.

EVE, on the other hand, was used to demonstrate what not to do. That's pretty ironic, since The Economist's editorial stance is all about economic and societal openness! Regardless, the author pointed to the famous incident in which a CCP employee provided inside help to a corporation at war, using it as an example of the dangers of game-playing in a business environment.

MassivelyThe Economist on games and profit originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 27 Aug 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businesschanging-the-gamecorporatedavid-ederyeditorialethan-mollickeve-onlinegrindgrindingmanagementprofitthe-economistworld-of-warcraftWed, 27 Aug 2008 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Anti-Aliased: It will all be fine in ten minutes]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/11/anti-aliased-it-will-all-be-fine-in-ten-minutes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/11/anti-aliased-it-will-all-be-fine-in-ten-minutes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/11/anti-aliased-it-will-all-be-fine-in-ten-minutes/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Back in the day when a 500 Mhz processor was fast, we were lulled into these weird online universes with multitudes of golden tongued promises. "Play online with thousands of others!", "Make a hero and save detailed and vast worlds!", and, my favorite, "Live in an persistent universe where your actions will have long lasting effects!"

Certainly, two of those promises have come true. Our worlds are traveled by thousands upon thousands of users daily, and the characters we have created are truly the stuff of legends who have saved these vast worlds countless times. But the one thing that has still eluded us all this time... persistence.

The funny thing is, it's not because we can't program or realize persistence in our games. We have the technology and expertise to do that just fine. We don't have persistence because persistence isn't profitable.

Continue reading Anti-Aliased: It will all be fine in ten minutes

MassivelyAnti-Aliased: It will all be fine in ten minutes originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 11 Jun 2008 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Last week your intrepid blogger was caught up in the other kind of beta testing - a Statistics final. Yeah, that was a bad pun. Oh well. Back to the money talk!

In the last column, we discussed value chains and how, in World of Warcraft, they work when dealing with NPCs but not the auction house. Today we are looking at another game and how it deals with value chains to ensure that they do not work when crafting by NPC purchases/sales alone.

Lord of the Rings Online offers players vocations - sets of three linked professions that cannot be chosen by themselves. In any given vocation, there is usually one "useful" gathering profession which supports one of the craft professions in the set and another, unsupported, profession. In other words, vocations are structured to enforce cooperation and trade between players by ensuring that no one can gather all the raw materials they will require to level their craft. But that doesn't mean that the supported profession is good to go from the start.

Continue reading Making/Money: Flawed by Design

MassivelyMaking/Money: Flawed by Design originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 18 May 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>craftingcraftseconomyfeaturedgatheringhousingingredientslord-of-the-rings-onlinelossmaking-moneynpcsprofessionsprofitrecipesvendorsvocationSun, 18 May 2008 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Investment of $1 billion+ wouldn't dethrone WoW, exec says]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/28/investment-of-1-billion-wouldnt-dethrone-wow-exec-says/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/28/investment-of-1-billion-wouldnt-dethrone-wow-exec-says/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/28/investment-of-1-billion-wouldnt-dethrone-wow-exec-says/#commentsFiled under: , ,


We all know that World of Warcraft is the big daddy on the MMO block. Hell, with the amount of money Blizzard is raking in, World of Warcraft is the big daddy on the gaming block. And what's more, it's still growing. According a report, Activision CEO Bobby Kotick stated in an investor meeting that his company had done extensive research on the MMO category, and came to the conclusion that even a game bolstered by an initial investment of $500 million to $1 billion would still probably have a hell of a time competing in the same space as the Blizzard juggernaut. This likely came as part of their research prior to the massive merger with Vivendi Universal late last year.

Kotick points to the relative failures of big companies like Microsoft in trying to develop a competitive product as proof in the pudding. Even companies with decades-long track records of extracting money from lose-lose situations don't stand to gain much from trying to directly compete in the same space. For his part, Kotick believes it's the ingenuity of the guys at Blizzard that is really the deciding factor. Since no amount of money is liable to recreate the success of Blizzard, they simply found the prospect of buying them out more amenable. If you're wondering why it seems like so many MMO development houses are scaling down their products to make them more niche oriented, this is why. Throwing money, even a billion dollars, into a competition with World of Warcraft is only likely to end in tears.

MassivelyInvestment of $1 billion+ wouldn't dethrone WoW, exec says originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 28 Feb 2008 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>$1-billionactivisionactivision-blizzardbillionblizzardbobby-kotickbreakinginvestmentprofitvivendi-universalworld-of-warcraftwowThu, 28 Feb 2008 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[GDC08: Bigger is not always better]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/26/gdc08-bigger-is-not-always-better/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/26/gdc08-bigger-is-not-always-better/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/26/gdc08-bigger-is-not-always-better/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


One good thing about being in such a net-savvy industry is that when you miss something, like the GDC presentation by NetDevil's Scott Brown and Hermann Peterscheck, somebody will inevitably put the powerpoint online for everybody to see. The NetDevil guys, currently working on Jumpgate Evolution and LEGO Universe, are well-known for their honesty and candor. So when they lay out their model for the future of the MMO industry, we're inclined to listen to them. Their premise is that the exponential growth that has been observed by many parties within the MMO space may in fact be somewhat illusory. While revenues for the industry as a whole continue to sky-rocket, the money and subscription numbers continue to be concentrated in only a few, extremely successful games.

Take one look at all the canceled titles and commercial failures that litter the landscape. They have a point. The advice that they lay out for burgeoning developers is to forgo huge teams, shiny graphics, fancy rec-rooms, and other accoutremonts for a lean team, lower minimum spec, sensible work conditions, and a realistic development timetable that won't lead to costly delays. Perhaps most importantly, they say that trying to take on the big boys with a $4 million budget is tantamount to suicide. Smaller development teams can actually make more money than big budget titles in the long-run if they find their niche and stick to it. Or as one slide says, "A little greatness is always better than a lot of mediocrity."

Gallery: GDC08: Small teams big dreams with Netdevil

MassivelyGDC08: Bigger is not always better originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 26 Feb 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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