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[Nexon Vice President discusses the company's future and the free-to-play market]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/12/nexon-vice-president-discusses-the-companys-future-and-the-free/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/12/nexon-vice-president-discusses-the-companys-future-and-the-free/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/12/nexon-vice-president-discusses-the-companys-future-and-the-free/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Nexon has been putting quite a bit of effort into growth and expansion these days, and the newfound variety of games is a testament to that.

What is the goal behind all this work, though? What does Nexon see in the future? Vice President Min Kim recently spent some time chatting with Worlds In Motion about these and other subjects that affect Nexon. He discussed Nexon's planned amount of growth (a lot), the company's thoughts on expanding into the Western market, and the target audience for Nexon games.

Kim also spent a fair amount of time on the subject of the free-to-play market: Where it's been, where it's going, and how much room there is for more free-to-play games. The full interview can be found on Worlds In Motion.

MassivelyNexon Vice President discusses the company's future and the free-to-play market originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 12 Aug 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>interviewmin-kimmmo-industrynexonworlds-in-motionThu, 12 Aug 2010 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Gameforge buys majority stake in Frogster]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/03/gameforge-buys-majority-stake-in-frogster/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/03/gameforge-buys-majority-stake-in-frogster/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/03/gameforge-buys-majority-stake-in-frogster/#commentsFiled under: , ,

MMO business news isn't normally as sexy as the latest press release from BioWare or as divisive as the newest F2P conversion announcement. That said, occasionally an industry-related story comes along that indicates something equally big is in the water. Today's announcement of Gameforge's bid to take control of noted free-to-play publisher Frogster seems destined to turn a few industry heads, including ours.

Gameforge, which heretofore has specialized in smallish F2P games like Cabal, has just acquired a 60 percent majority holding in Frogster, the German publisher known primarily for distributing Runes of Magic. The purchase deal went through at $33 US a share, which places Frogster's overall value in the neighborhood of $85 million US. Frogster, and now Gameforge, is looking to grow its portfolio not only with Runes of Magic but also by publishing the forthcoming Mythos dungeon crawler as well as by securing the European publishing rights to the highly anticipated TERA action MMO from Bluehole Studio.

The Gameforge folks have been busy little bees this summer, as they earlier announced an agreement with CBS to publish several browser-based games centered around the Star Trek intellectual property.

MassivelyGameforge buys majority stake in Frogster originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 03 Aug 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acquisitionsBlueHolebluehole-studiobrowser-basedbrowser-based-MMOsbusinesscabalcabal-onlinecbsf2pfree-to-playfrogstergameforgemythosrunes-of-magicstar-trekteraworlds-in-motionTue, 03 Aug 2010 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Study claims that women spend double what men do on virtual goods]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/22/study-claims-that-women-spend-double-what-men-do-on-virtual-good/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/22/study-claims-that-women-spend-double-what-men-do-on-virtual-good/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/22/study-claims-that-women-spend-double-what-men-do-on-virtual-good/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Worlds in Motion is reporting on a new survey that takes a look at purchases of virtual goods and money.

PlaySpan and VGMarket surveyed just over 2,200 people between the ages of 13 and 64 regarding their purchases of virtual goods and currency. Women are the big spenders here, particularly when it comes to in-game money. They spend an average of $50 per year as opposed to the $25 a year that men spend.

The gap is a bit smaller but still significant when it comes to actual in-game items. Women spend an average of $55 a year and men an average of $30.

The survey covered a few other similar results, including combined spending and a different result when overall median spending was compared. The full survey is an interesting read, particularly considering the increasing popularity of microtransactions in the MMO world.

MassivelyStudy claims that women spend double what men do on virtual goods originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 22 Jul 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cash-shopin-game-spendingmicrotransactionsplayspansurveyvgmarketvirtual-goodsworlds-in-motionThu, 22 Jul 2010 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rhode Island pitches a $75M loan offer to 38 Studios]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/13/rhode-island-pitches-a-75-m-loan-offer-to-38-studios/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/13/rhode-island-pitches-a-75-m-loan-offer-to-38-studios/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/13/rhode-island-pitches-a-75-m-loan-offer-to-38-studios/#commentsFiled under: , ,

States are always highly competitive when it comes to luring industries to their neck of the woods to bolster the local economy. From movie shoots to auto plants to hospitals, states tend to be shameless in offering incentives and tax breaks to benefit from an economic injection by these companies. It's interesting to see that MMO studios are being courted as well.

Worlds in Motion is reporting that Rhode Island is enticing Curt Schillings' 38 Studios to relocate from Massachusetts in exchange for a $75,000,000 guaranteed loan under relief provisions for high-tech companies -- a provision that Massachusetts does not offer. The loan would represent a significant investment for the company, but Massachusetts is attempting to provide reasons for 38 Studios to stay put, including citing that it has better access to talent in the state.

As the MMO genre expands and more studios pop up, will we see an increase in states fighting over these companies in an effort to help their economies? In any event, Copernicus' developer now has a difficult decision to make, especially for this ex-Boston Red Sox pitcher.

MassivelyRhode Island pitches a $75M loan offer to 38 Studios originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 13 Jul 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>38-studiosboston-red-soxcopernicuscopernicus-mmocurt-schillingi-would-relocate-for-75-millionloanmassachusettsred-soxrhode-islandtax-breakstax-incentivesworlds-in-motionTue, 13 Jul 2010 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Interview: the 'necessary evil' of a steep learning curve]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/01/eve-interview-the-necessary-evil-of-a-steep-learning-curve/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/01/eve-interview-the-necessary-evil-of-a-steep-learning-curve/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/01/eve-interview-the-necessary-evil-of-a-steep-learning-curve/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Worlds in Motion has published an interesting interview with CCP Games' senior producer Torfi Olafsson. The piece focuses on the deliberate decision by the Icelandic development studio to produce EVE Online exclusively for a hardcore audience, as well as a few brief comments about the ongoing fight against RMT.

"Well, we always knew that the game would be hardcore. The majority of the players are players that immigrate from other MMOs then say, "Okay. I've reached the level cap. That was great. Now, I want something that's really challenging," Olafsson says. "We took strides in trying to improve it [the learning curve], but I think that as well is a necessary evil. The challenge and learning curve is a necessary evil if you want to provide the game that delivers such a broad range of experience."

The article paints a portrait of a stubborn studio that refuses to bow to industry pressures of increasing accessibility. "There are a lot of gamers out there that are hardcore players but just don't know it yet. So, we're trying to attract those," Olafsson comments. Check out the full piece over at Worlds in Motion.

MassivelyEVE Interview: the 'necessary evil' of a steep learning curve originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 01 Jun 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpCCP-Gameseveeve-onlinehardcorehardcore-gamerinterviewsandboxworlds-in-motionTue, 01 Jun 2010 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Blue Mars experiencing slow but steady growth]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/24/blue-mars-experiencing-slow-but-steady-growth/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/24/blue-mars-experiencing-slow-but-steady-growth/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/24/blue-mars-experiencing-slow-but-steady-growth/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Blue Mars entered a scaled open beta back in September, and we've not heard a lot from that quarter since then. It's still there, though, quietly doing its thing and keeping its fans happy. Jim Sink, the CEO of Honolulu-based Avatar Reality, spoke recently with Honolulu Weekly about where Blue Mars stands today.

Blue Mars has a fairly small audience of around 100,000 and adds roughly 10% to that figure every month. Part of the reason for the small audience is the limitations given by the game itself, but Sink hopes to change that in the near future: "The current version of the game is slow on older PCs. We're adopting a new technology called the Cloud Fusion Server this summer though that will allow anyone to play Blue Mars online."

The team behind Blue Mars hopes that this will open the doors for a much larger player base. Plans for things such as a switch to browser based play and Facebook applications give Sink hopes for a bright future for the game.

Honolulu Weekly has the full interview with Sink, and it's well worth a read for anyone interested in the genre.

[via Worlds in Motion]

MassivelyBlue Mars experiencing slow but steady growth originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 24 Apr 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>avatar-realityblue-marshonolulu-weeklyjim-sinkvirtual-worldsworlds-in-motionSat, 24 Apr 2010 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Virtual Whirl: Community guide to Virtual Worlds]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/24/the-virtual-whirl-community-guide-to-virtual-worlds/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/24/the-virtual-whirl-community-guide-to-virtual-worlds/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/24/the-virtual-whirl-community-guide-to-virtual-worlds/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Welcome to The Virtual Whirl, a new weekly Massively column covering virtual environments generally. The term 'virtual world' is slowly seeing less use, being supplanted by the more general 'virtual environment', but the world term still has a fair bit of life left in it.

Virtual environments covers a whole lot of ground. From William Crowther's original efforts in 1976 that based a game in a virtual version of the Mammoth Cave in Kentucky, virtual environments have been a part of gaming, artificial intelligence and behavioral research, modeling, telemetry and process control and more.

Nowadays we're seeing Second Life, Blue Mars, There.com, IMVU and others trying to find places in non-game contexts, like content-development and prototyping, publishing and performance, entertainment and social, education and business; efforts that are met with varying amounts of success.

Continue reading The Virtual Whirl: Community guide to Virtual Worlds

MassivelyThe Virtual Whirl: Community guide to Virtual Worlds originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 24 Jan 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blue-marscopper-robotdusan-writerfacebookfeaturedforterraforterra-systemsfrenzoohaitiidentityimvulinden-labm-lindenmammoth-cavemark-kingdonmark-zuckerbergmetanomicsmichael-wilsonmitch-wagnernew-world-notesprivacysecond-lifesecond-life-2.0second-life-viewersimon-newsteadthe-metaverse-journalthe-virtual-whirlthere.comvirtual-worldsvirtual-worlds-newswilliam-crowtherwindlightworlds-in-motionSun, 24 Jan 2010 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Nexon bringing Poptag to North America]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/08/nexon-bringing-poptag-to-north-america/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/08/nexon-bringing-poptag-to-north-america/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/08/nexon-bringing-poptag-to-north-america/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Hey, you guys know about Nexon America, yeah? The people who brought us MapleStory and Dungeon Fighter Online among many other titles. Well, they've announced that Poptag is coming stateside, which is sort of Bomberman only fully online and with water balloons... So, it's definitely got a specific "thing" going on. While throwing water filled balloons may not quite match up to tossing explosives, the game goes for a fast paced arcade style that should still appeal to people looking for that sort of experience albeit with cutesy water balloon throwing characters.

And yes, this will be a free-to-play title with an item store, but that being Nexon's only business model thus far should've had you guessing as much already. But hey! The game also features a "sweetie" system that actually allows players to marry one another in-game proper -- aww.

Poptag is scheduled to be released sometime during the first half of 2010, so if you find yourself interested in playing, keep on the lookout.

MassivelyNexon bringing Poptag to North America originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 08 Jan 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arcadebombermandfodungeon-fighter-onlinef2pfree-to-playmaplestorynexonnexon-americapoptagspringspring-2010worlds-in-motionFri, 08 Jan 2010 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Market research company explores MMO gaming]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/20/market-research-company-explores-mmo-gaming/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/20/market-research-company-explores-mmo-gaming/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/20/market-research-company-explores-mmo-gaming/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Worlds in Motion reports that a recent poll from market research specialists TNS and Gamesindustry.com talked to over 13,000 gamers in North America and Europe about their favorite subject: gaming, what kind they do, and how much time they spend on it.

The survey addressed players as young as 8, and found that the largest group of players in the U.S. is comprised of 8-12 year olds. That may come as a surprise to many players whose idea of a console or PC game isn't really geared toward children, but makes sense when you consider games and virtual worlds such as Virtual Family Kingdom, Free Realms, and any console game with Mario in the title.

Delving further into the MMO side turned up some interesting information. Of the US players surveyed, 21% said that they play MMOs, and 45% of those players define themselves as paying customers -- presumably that includes both subscription models and gamers that take advantage of cash shops. In spite of the large percentage of paying players, a free-to-play model is one of the biggest factors for those considering a new game. The rising success of many games in the past year that use a free-to-play model seems to support this.

Worlds In Motion offers further number crunching, and if you're interested in seeing the full survey report, gamesindustry.com offers it for a fee.

MassivelyMarket research company explores MMO gaming originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>free-realmsgamesindustry.compollssurveyvirtual-family-kingdomworlds-in-motionFri, 20 Nov 2009 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Nexon revenues are up, largely driven by MapleStory]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/23/nexon-revenues-are-up-largely-driven-by-maplestory/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/23/nexon-revenues-are-up-largely-driven-by-maplestory/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/23/nexon-revenues-are-up-largely-driven-by-maplestory/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


One of the most successful companies operating in the free-to-play games arena is Nexon, which reported their July revenues are up 35 percent year-on-year, according to Worlds In Motion. Much of this good fortune can be attributed to MapleStory, which set a new max concurrent user record of over 70,000 users last month. While the number of registered users in a free-to-play MMO doesn't tell the whole story, Nexon recently announced MapleStory has 92 million registered users worldwide, six million of which are in North America.

Nexon America VP of Marketing Min Kim was quoted by Worlds in Motion about the company's plans for North America. Kim said, "We're heavily investing on all fronts -- in our games, our publishing platform, aggressive marketing efforts as well as customer service. The best news for Nexon America is that our success isn't just reflected in registered users, but in actual, dramatic revenue growth."

MassivelyNexon revenues are up, largely driven by MapleStory originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 23 Aug 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f2pfree-to-playmaplestorymin-kimmmo-industrynexonnexon-americanorth-americaregistered-usersworlds-in-motionSun, 23 Aug 2009 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[GDC09: Applied RMT Design with GoPets and Live Gamer]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/28/gdc09-applied-rmt-design-with-gopets-and-live-gamer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/28/gdc09-applied-rmt-design-with-gopets-and-live-gamer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/28/gdc09-applied-rmt-design-with-gopets-and-live-gamer/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Massively sat in on a GDC 2009 session this week titled Applied RMT Design which was part of the Worlds in Motion Summit. Andrew Schneider, Founder and President of Live Gamer and Erik Bethke, CEO of GoPets, Ltd. presented a case study on balancing a game's primary and secondary markets, using GoPets as an example of how it can be done.

The market for virtual goods in massively multiplayer online games and virtual worlds is worth billions. Not all of this is grey market, and more games are now being designed with microtransactions in mind. Live Gamer aims to bring greater legitimacy to microtransactions through a regulated secondary market providing benefits to companies as well as the players themselves. Thus far they've worked with EverQuest II, Vanguard, and GoPets, with Acclaim's 9 Dragons on the way.

Bethke and Schneider kick off their talk by explaining the fact that RMT in MMOs is inevitable, explaining how developers can be proactive about incorporating RMT into their titles rather than having it exist outside of the game. Live Gamer works with developers to create a legitimate system for trading virtual items for real money, one that's safe and secure. Of course, legitimizing RMT can also stir up controversy.

Gallery: GDC09: RMT Design panel

Continue reading GDC09: Applied RMT Design with GoPets and Live Gamer

MassivelyGDC09: Applied RMT Design with GoPets and Live Gamer originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 28 Mar 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>7-11andrew-schneiderbusiness-modelscase-studycasualeconomyerik-bethkeeventsfree-to-playgame-designgdcgdc-2009gopetslive-gamermicrotransactionsmmo-industryprimary-marketreal-money-tradingreal-money-transactionsrmtsecondary-marketvirtual-goodsvirtual-itemsworlds-in-motionworlds-in-motion-summitSat, 28 Mar 2009 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[GDC09: Raph Koster kicks off Worlds in Motion Summit]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/23/raph-koster-kicks-off-worlds-in-motion-summit-at-gdc-2009/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/23/raph-koster-kicks-off-worlds-in-motion-summit-at-gdc-2009/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/23/raph-koster-kicks-off-worlds-in-motion-summit-at-gdc-2009/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Game Developers Conference (GDC) 2009 has begun and Massively is in the trenches to report on all the big announcements for the massively multiplayer online gaming industry, plus we have some great interviews lined up all week as well. Our GDC 2009 coverage begins with today's Worlds in Motion Summit, kicked off by Raph Koster, MMO and virtual worlds luminary.

Koster's speech is short, essentially a quick review of the virtual worlds trends he's observed over the past year. It's important to see things in perspective, Koster points out, mentioning that virtual worlds have recently turned 30, and are now a far cry from their MUD origins. Hardcore, geeky stuff Koster says, and we've come a long way since then. "We've kind of arrived, haven't we?" Koster asks. "One half of American adults are gamers today, which is an incredible step."

Continue reading GDC09: Raph Koster kicks off Worlds in Motion Summit

MassivelyGDC09: Raph Koster kicks off Worlds in Motion Summit originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 23 Mar 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ambiencebreakingconvergencecultureeconomyeventsflashgdcgdc-2009governancelegalmassively-event-coveragemcdonalds-3.0mmo-industryraph-kostersafaricomsilverlightsocial-networkingtaxationvirtual-currencyvirtual-goodsvirtual-worldsworlds-in-motionworlds-in-motion-summitMon, 23 Mar 2009 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fallen Earth lead designer Lee Hammock on game's approach to genre]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/20/fallen-earth-lead-designer-lee-hammock-on-games-approach-to-gen/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/20/fallen-earth-lead-designer-lee-hammock-on-games-approach-to-gen/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/20/fallen-earth-lead-designer-lee-hammock-on-games-approach-to-gen/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


The post-apocalyptic massively multiplayer online game Fallen Earth has been getting more frequent mentions in the gaming press, earlier this month at Worlds in Motion and now at Italian gaming site Gamesource. Nolvadex from Gamesource recently caught up with Fallen Earth's lead designer Lee Hammock, who shared a bit about the inspiration that Icarus Studios has drawn from post-apocalyptic games and films. Their aim was to incorporate the best of these elements into a game that can stand on its own.

In addition to discussing how Fallen Earth will balance content between PvE and PvP, Hammock addresses the competition the title is likely to get from the other post-apocalyptic MMO on the horizon, Earthrise. The two games are differentiated in ways beyond backstory Hammock says, such as Fallen Earth's 'use what works' approach to found objects and combat, specifically using "non-traditional weapons -- a parking meter or a baker's rolling pin for instance -- to provide more innovative combat and the sense of using whatever means necessary to stay alive."

See the Gamesource interview with Lee Hammock for more on what Icarus Studios is doing with Fallen Earth.

MassivelyFallen Earth lead designer Lee Hammock on game's approach to genre originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 20 Feb 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>competitionearthrisefallen-earthgame-mechanicsgamesourceicarus-studiosinterviewslee-hammockmmo-industrynolvadexpost-apocalypticpvepvpsci-fiworlds-in-motionFri, 20 Feb 2009 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Shaking the stigma of "Free-to-Play"]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/19/shaking-the-stigma-of-free-to-play/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/19/shaking-the-stigma-of-free-to-play/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/19/shaking-the-stigma-of-free-to-play/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


David Chang from Gamescampus has written a piece for Gamasutra which tackles the stigma that is "free to play" or F2P. Chang's "Opinion: Why We Need To Rebrand Free To Play" addresses the cynicism and perceptions of questionable quality that tends to surface in discussions about free-to-play games.

Chang's piece points out similarities between the F2P business model and Google, although he admits it's not a perfect comparison. Google's service itself is free, but ultimately fuels its revenue streams through monetized services offered. The large userbase who simply wants to use the service for free is vital to the company's business model, and thus there are some parallels to an MMO operating without subscriptions. "In both situations, people receive a valuable service -- free search or a free game experience," says Chang.

Continue reading Shaking the stigma of "Free-to-Play"

MassivelyShaking the stigma of "Free-to-Play" originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 19 Feb 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advertisingbrowserbusiness-modelscasualdavid-changf2pfree-to-playgamasutragamescampusgooglemicrotransactionsmmo-industryopinionstigmasubscriptionsworlds-in-motionThu, 19 Feb 2009 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Top 10 ways Fallen Earth is different from all other MMOs]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/06/top-10-ways-fallen-earth-is-different-from-all-other-mmos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/06/top-10-ways-fallen-earth-is-different-from-all-other-mmos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/06/top-10-ways-fallen-earth-is-different-from-all-other-mmos/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


According to a recent interview at Worlds in Motion, Fallen Earth's lead designer Lee Hammock discusses everything we know about the game, and more. It could be considered a summary of features, all in one interview, yet there are still a few small exclusive tidbits of info. We get a brief summary of how the faction system will work, based on reputation quests instead of a choice you make at character creation. We also get word of a launch date in Q2 of this year, with an open beta coming just before.

But you came here for the top 10 list, didn't you? Follow along after the cut for one of the most nonsensical (but funny) top 10 lists of design features for Fallen Earth that set it apart from other MMOs, according to Mr. Hammock.

Continue reading Top 10 ways Fallen Earth is different from all other MMOs

MassivelyTop 10 ways Fallen Earth is different from all other MMOs originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 06 Feb 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fallen-earthicarus-studiosinterviewlee-hammockworlds-in-motionFri, 06 Feb 2009 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[FusionFall Executive Producer explains the importance of accessibility]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/26/fusionfall-executive-producer-explains-the-importance-of-accessi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/26/fusionfall-executive-producer-explains-the-importance-of-accessi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/26/fusionfall-executive-producer-explains-the-importance-of-accessi/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,


By this time, you've probably heard about Cartoon Network's FusionFall MMO. We've given our extensive first impressions here, and it's managed to create its own little buzz already. How much of a buzz? How about 2.5 million accounts created during beta?

So what makes a game like this so popular? According to a recent interview with Worlds in Motion, Executive Producer Chris Waldron says it's all about accessibility. "From our experience with the Sneak Peek weekends, we realize that FusionFall is going to be the first MMO for a lot of players. We based a lot of our design decisions on that, and so far it's working out pretty well." Check out the entire interview for more from FusionFall's Chris Waldron.

MassivelyFusionFall Executive Producer explains the importance of accessibility originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 26 Jan 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accessibilitybrowser-basedcartoon-networkcasualfree-to-playfusionfallinterviewkidsworlds-in-motionMon, 26 Jan 2009 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Composer Jeremy Soule on creating the music for zOMG!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/22/composer-jeremy-soule-on-creating-the-music-for-zomg/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/22/composer-jeremy-soule-on-creating-the-music-for-zomg/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/22/composer-jeremy-soule-on-creating-the-music-for-zomg/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


If you're the type of person who turns your game music off, to listen to your favorite mp3s while gaming, then this post is not for you. Anyone who has bought a game soundtrack in the last 15 years is probably aware of the name Jeremy Soule. He has worked on such mega hits as Guild Wars, Oblivion, Morrowind, Company of Heroes, KOTOR, Neverwinter Nights and many more. I guess you could say he's kinda legendary.

His latest endeavor includes music for Gaia Online's zOMG! MMO. Worlds in Motion was fortunate enough to sit down with Soule and discuss his work on this game, and his origins in the business. Since 1994, Soule has created some amazing in-game music, so working with a Flash-based MMO is something new for him. He sees it as a way for more people to hear his work, and enjoy what he creates. Check out the entire article and his official website for more on Jeremy Soule.

MassivelyComposer Jeremy Soule on creating the music for zOMG! originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 22 Jan 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gaia-onlinejeremy-soulemusicsoundtrackworlds-in-motionzomgThu, 22 Jan 2009 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[2008 Worlds in Motion Summit schedule announced]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/20/2008-worlds-in-motion-summit-schedule-announced/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/20/2008-worlds-in-motion-summit-schedule-announced/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/20/2008-worlds-in-motion-summit-schedule-announced/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

The 2008 Worlds in Motion Summit schedule has been announced, along with a synopsis of this year's speeches and panels. The conference on virtual worlds and social gaming will be held on September 16th and 17th, during the Austin Game Developers Conference.

Worlds in Motion bills the 2008 Summit as a conference geared toward those who wish to better understand the business opportunities offered in the expanding social game networking space, and who plan to leverage their content and brands into interactive online worlds. Early bird registration ends July 31st; details can be found at the Austin GDC homepage. Read on after the jump for highlights of the upcoming 2008 Worlds in Motion Summit.

Continue reading 2008 Worlds in Motion Summit schedule announced

Massively2008 Worlds in Motion Summit schedule announced originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 20 Jul 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>areaeaustinbunchballbusiness-modelsconferencedouble-fusionelectric-sheepelectric-sheep-companygame-mechanicsgdcmetaversenbcneopetsnumedeonopportunitiesopportunityraph-kostersecond-lifesocialsocial-gaming-networksulakesummitthree-ringsvirtual-worldswhyvilleworlds-in-motionzwinkySun, 20 Jul 2008 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Canadian company launches girls' gaming portal, plans girls' MMO]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/18/canadian-company-launches-girls-gaming-portal-plans-girls-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/18/canadian-company-launches-girls-gaming-portal-plans-girls-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/18/canadian-company-launches-girls-gaming-portal-plans-girls-mmo/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

It's full of hearts and the color pink. It frequently alludes to shopping and fabulous hair. It's AllGirlArcade.com, the casual gaming portal for -- you guessed it -- girls. The glitzy website and girly games are just the beginning, though. Fuel Industries (the Canadian company behind AllGirlArcade.com) plans to release an MMO this fall. It too is intended specifically for girls.

There's a whole Sci-Fi-esque mythos underlying the site. At the core of that mythos is The All Girl Star Squad -- animated female heroines, each of whom has a favorite game genre. While Fuel Industries has announced precious few details about the upcoming MMO's gameplay, it has said that those heroines and the universe they live in will be the game's focus. The company has already released webisodes to set the stage.

The site's FAQ notes that AllBoyArcade.com is coming next year. Don't worry, though; if your son really, really wants to play in the girls' arcade (and MMO) instead, Fuel Industries says that's A-OK.

MassivelyCanadian company launches girls' gaming portal, plans girls' MMO originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 18 Jun 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>all-boy-arcadeall-girl-arcadeall-girl-star-squadallboyarcadeallboyarcade.comallgirlarcadeallgirlarcade.combrowsercasualfuel-industriessci-fiworlds-in-motionWed, 18 Jun 2008 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hey, look, another Korean developer licenses Unreal Engine 3]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/17/hey-look-another-korean-studio-licenses-unreal-engine-3/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/17/hey-look-another-korean-studio-licenses-unreal-engine-3/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/17/hey-look-another-korean-studio-licenses-unreal-engine-3/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Epic Games is apparently doing a good job selling and supporting its Unreal Engine 3 in the Korean market. Yet another developer has licensed the engine for an MMO project. This time it's T-Entertainment, which is working on a "space opera" MMO called L2. Wow, that sounds like the name of another Korean MMO!

Welcome to the club, T-Entertainment! Meet AcroGames and Bluehole; they're also Korean developers using Unreal Engine 3. Oh, and of course you know about Webzen's Huxley, which is built on Unreal Engine 3. Yes, also Korean. Let's not forget the illustrious NCsoft, which already used the previous version of Unreal for Lineage II, and plans to use version 3 for not one but two new projects.

There was an interview with Epic Games' Mark Rein at Gamasutra several months back. He said that Epic is working hard to propagate Unreal Engine 3 in Korea, but described serious challenges -- particularly with customer support. It looks like Epic is finding ways to deal with those challenges after all.

[Via Worlds in Motion]

MassivelyHey, look, another Korean developer licenses Unreal Engine 3 originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 17 Jun 2008 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acrogamesblueholeepic-gamesgamasutrahuxleyinterviewl2lineage-2lineage-iimark-reinncsoftt-entertainmentue3unrealunreal-engineunreal-engine-3unreal-engine-3.0webzenworlds-in-motionTue, 17 Jun 2008 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New soccer/football MMO seeks to profit on Brazil's passion]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/11/new-soccer-football-mmo-seeks-to-profit-on-brazils-passion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/11/new-soccer-football-mmo-seeks-to-profit-on-brazils-passion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/11/new-soccer-football-mmo-seeks-to-profit-on-brazils-passion/#commentsFiled under: , ,


A Chicago-based company called Interzone Entertainment will be publishing a new soccer MMO in Brazil in the fourth quarter of this year. The game is called Interzone Futebol, and of course it will at first be in Portuguese. Interzone says it will translate the game for other markets shortly, though.

It's actually a pretty cool concept. It's not a team management game like most sports titles. Rather, it's a bit like EA Sports' quasi-recent Superstar mode trend. That it is to say, each player will control one athlete who improves and learns new moves over time. Every athlete on the field in every match will be controlled by a human player, and those players will be able to invite their friends to join them in the middle of any match.

Interzone chose to launch in Brazil first because ... well, if you can't answer that, you don't know much about soccer. Or Brazil, for that matter.

MassivelyNew soccer/football MMO seeks to profit on Brazil's passion originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 11 Jun 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brazilfootballinterzone-entertainmentinterzone-futebolsoccersportsworlds-in-motionWed, 11 Jun 2008 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Is Facebook gaming 'the next big thing'?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/29/is-facebook-gaming-the-next-big-thing/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/29/is-facebook-gaming-the-next-big-thing/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/29/is-facebook-gaming-the-next-big-thing/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Worlds in Motion recently covered events at the InterPlay Conference in San Francisco. InterPlay is devoted to social gaming, and is billed as 'the premier conference on the business of games on the Social Web.' Among the speakers at InterPlay were Charles Yong and Jing Chen, co-founders of Developer Analytics. The company offers a social networking metrics platform that provides a leaderboard of the top Facebook applications, where casual games predictably rank high. Their talk focused on the monetization of social games and the feasibility of adding greater depth to casual games, an opportunity that's drawing a 'significant surge of venture capital funding,' Worlds in Motion reports.

On the topic of generating more revenue from social games, Charles Yong said, "Social gaming is where the really great monetization is at. You can prototype with little to no money down. The whole premise of this is that marketing cost is really, really low, compared to a real game, like Grand Theft Auto IV." Before casual gamers could take offense at this statement, Yong clarified that casual gamers can be hardcore about their chosen style of play, but "they haven't seen GTA IV, they haven't seen Half-Life 2, and real money is coming out of virtual goods and currency."

Continue reading Is Facebook gaming 'the next big thing'?

MassivelyIs Facebook gaming 'the next big thing'? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 29 May 2008 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>casualcasual-gamesdeveloper-analyticseconomyfacebookgtahalf-lifehardcoreinterplaymonetizationsocialsocial-gamingworlds-in-motionThu, 29 May 2008 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Dizzywood mapped by Worlds in Motion Atlas]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/26/dizzywood-mapped-by-worlds-in-motion-atlas/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/26/dizzywood-mapped-by-worlds-in-motion-atlas/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/26/dizzywood-mapped-by-worlds-in-motion-atlas/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Dizzywood is a Flash-based virtual world for kids, with a wide variety of environments to explore, ranging from Mayan-themed jungles to skateparks. Worlds in Motion took at in-depth look at Dizzywood and weighed in on how Dizzywood innovates, and how it flounders. The game is developed by Rocket Paper Scissors, who have been getting some love by the media in recent weeks. It's clear to see why; the relatively new company has a simple, compelling vision:

Our aim is to create a website for kids that inspires a sense of imagination, discovery, exploration, and most of all, fun. Frankly, when we took a good look at what was already out there, we felt that kids deserved a lot better. Our hope is that through a commitment to quality storytelling, creative vision, and technological innovation, Dizzywood will deliver an outstanding entertainment experience for young people that inspires the imagination in a safe environment. Our goal is to be the most popular web destination for kids in the 8-12 age range. It's a lofty goal, to be sure, but we're all about dreaming big.

Dizzywood runs in a web browser, with no additional install beyond Flash required. Rocket Paper Scissors has billed the title as free-to-play, but there are pay options to unlock new clothing, items, emotes and powers, as well as avatar customization. The games in Dizzywood are solo-friendly, but encourage cooperative play and socializing in order to solve mysteries. The excellent Online World Atlas over at Worlds in Motion put Dizzywood through its paces, ultimately finding some flaws in the virtual world, yet praising it as one of the 'tween worlds to watch.

Via Gamasutra

MassivelyDizzywood mapped by Worlds in Motion Atlas originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 26 May 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>avatarcustomizationdizzywoodflashfree-to-playgamasutramicropaymentmicrotransactionparentsrocket-paper-scissorsvirtual-worldworlds-in-motionMon, 26 May 2008 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Study says 90% of virtual worlds don't last 18 months]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/17/study-says-90-of-virtual-worlds-dont-last-18-months/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/17/study-says-90-of-virtual-worlds-dont-last-18-months/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/17/study-says-90-of-virtual-worlds-dont-last-18-months/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

A study released by Gartner, a large research firm based in Connecticut, claims that 90% of all "business forays into virtual worlds" fail within 18 months.

According to the study, most businesses focus too much on expensive and unnecessary technology such as powerful physics engines, and don't pay enough attention to the demands and interests of users actual or potential. This is not surprising to us; savvy MMO developers will talk your ear off about how multi-million dollar graphics are at best a red herring and at worst a harbinger of doom.

On the other hand, the study also said that by 2012, 70% of all organizations will be using virtual worlds, and that those endeavors will more successful because businesses will have learned exactly what to expect and will plan development accordingly.

[Via Worlds in Motion]

MassivelyStudy says 90% of virtual worlds don't last 18 months originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 17 May 2008 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businessdevelopmentfailuregartnergraphicsphysicspredictionpredictionsresearchstudytechnologyvirtual-worldsworlds-in-motionSat, 17 May 2008 07:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Korea loves games, except virtual worlds]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/06/korea-loves-games-except-virtual-worlds/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/06/korea-loves-games-except-virtual-worlds/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/06/korea-loves-games-except-virtual-worlds/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

WorldsInMotion.biz has covered a report from the Korea Times stating that the virtual world business over there is beginning to falter.

While we're embracing technology like Facebook and MySpace, bringing these social networking sites into our mainstream culture, Korea is experiencing a slump in their business. Cyworld, the leading social network in Korea, has reported 6% loss in their service revenue. To cope, Cyworld is going to be upgrading to a fully functional virtual space, instead of the current "room system" that it has now, in an attempt to attract more users.

In comparison, MySpace Korea's launch was almost disastrous, their opening week garnering 1/20th of what Cyworld gets a week in traffic. It's quite easy to say, perhaps the virtual bubble has burst?

MassivelyKorea loves games, except virtual worlds originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 06 May 2008 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cyworldfacebookkoreamyspacesecond-lifesecond-life-koreasocial-networkingvirtual-spacesvirtual-worldsworlds-in-motionTue, 06 May 2008 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Bridges backhands Rosedale, Second Life]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/20/bridges-backhands-rosedale-second-life/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/20/bridges-backhands-rosedale-second-life/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/20/bridges-backhands-rosedale-second-life/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Corey Bridges, founder of Multiverse another player in the increasingly large virtual world space, had a number of things to say to Worlds in Motion about the announcement that Philip Rosedale was planning to step down as CEO and step up as chairman.

A sort of freehand summary would be, "Second Life can't deliver, and Multiverse can. So long, Philip, and thanks for all the fish."

Intentional or not, it comes across as unbecoming smack talk, basically.

Continue reading Bridges backhands Rosedale, Second Life

MassivelyBridges backhands Rosedale, Second Life originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 20 Mar 2008 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>corey-bridgesmmo-industrymultiversephilip-rosedalesecond-lifevirtual-worldsworlds-in-motionThu, 20 Mar 2008 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[GDC08 Highlights: Freaky Creatures, Habbo and Love]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/02/gdc08-highlights-freaky-creatures-habbo-and-love/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/02/gdc08-highlights-freaky-creatures-habbo-and-love/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/02/gdc08-highlights-freaky-creatures-habbo-and-love/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,


Freaky Creatures

"This is like Pokémon, but far, far cooler."

Drive to toy store. Buy cool monster action figure. Discover flash drive buried in packaging. Use it to upload a digital version of your creature and then pit that bad boy in head-to-head combat against other players and their pet arsenal online. That, my friends, is Freaky Creatures. Don't pretend you're not drooling to learn more.

Gallery: GDC08: Freaky Creatures

Continue reading GDC08 Highlights: Freaky Creatures, Habbo and Love

MassivelyGDC08 Highlights: Freaky Creatures, Habbo and Love originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 02 Mar 2008 12:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>abandon-interactiveeskil-steenbergflash-drivegdc08gdc08-highlightsmonster-pvppokemonsulka-haroworlds-in-motionSun, 02 Mar 2008 12:57:00 EST<![CDATA[GDC08 Highlights: The future of Virtual Worlds and the end of GDC08]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/02/gdc08-highlights-the-future-of-virtual-worlds-and-the-end-of-gd/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/02/gdc08-highlights-the-future-of-virtual-worlds-and-the-end-of-gd/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/02/gdc08-highlights-the-future-of-virtual-worlds-and-the-end-of-gd/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,


The Future of MMOs

The Future of MMOs panel liveblog

Team Massively was there to live blog one of the most anticipated panels of GDC08. On it were a few names you might have heard of, like Cryptic Studios' Jack Emmert, Nexon's Min Kim, BioWare's Ray Muzyka, and Rob Pardo (who has apparently worked on some sort of popular fantasy game). We blogged a blow-by-blow account of the jabs, cuts, and parries from these Massive genre heavyweights.

Gallery: GDC08: The Future of MMOs

Continue reading GDC08 Highlights: The future of Virtual Worlds and the end of GDC08

MassivelyGDC08 Highlights: The future of Virtual Worlds and the end of GDC08 originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 02 Mar 2008 12:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowareblizzardcryptic-studiosfuture-of-mmo-panelgdc08gdc08-highlightsgirl-scholarshipjack-emmetmin-kimnetdevilnexonraph-kosterray-muzykarob-pardosoevideo-capturevideo-recordingvoice-chatwil-wrightworlds-in-motionxfireSun, 02 Mar 2008 12:56:00 EST<![CDATA[GDC08: Thinking outside the virtual world]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/21/gdc08-thinking-outside-the-virtual-world/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/21/gdc08-thinking-outside-the-virtual-world/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/21/gdc08-thinking-outside-the-virtual-world/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Tuesday afternoon, Michael Acton Smith, CEO of Mind Candy, presented attendees at the GDC's Worlds in Motion summit with an interesting look at the confluence between real goods and virtual worlds. For some background on where Smith is coming from, Mind Candy "creates games and puzzles that span multiple media.... [they] use all forms of technology to tell stories and interact with... [their] audiences." They run Perplex City, an alternate reality game that uses clues puzzles in the real world combined with web-based resources to create a unique type of gameplay. Their upcoming game Moshi Monsters is an adoptable pet game geared towards kids. Smith says it's a "new type of virtual pet experience." The pets will be very alive with their own emotions (driven by a behavior engine which will cause your pet to act different ways depending on how you treat it) that will be reflected in the pet's animations. The game will also incorporate a number of social tools, so both you and your pet monster can hang out with friends. And, of course, there will be toys, oh glorious toys. (Some already available, though the game itself is still in beta and closed to the public.)

Gallery: GDC08: Worlds in Motion summit day 2

Continue reading GDC08: Thinking outside the virtual world

MassivelyGDC08: Thinking outside the virtual world originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 21 Feb 2008 07:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>barbiegirlsbe-bratzbeanie-babiesbuild-a-bearbuild-a-bearvillefeaturedgdcgdc08gdc08fanboyhabbohabbo-hotelmaplestorymichael-acton-smithmind-candymoomoshi-monstersneopetsshining-starsthinkgeektoyswebkinzwimworld-of-warcraftworlds-in-motionwowThu, 21 Feb 2008 07:14:00 EST<![CDATA[GDC08: MapleStory's road to the US marketplace]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/19/gdc08-maplestorys-road-to-the-us-marketplace/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/19/gdc08-maplestorys-road-to-the-us-marketplace/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/19/gdc08-maplestorys-road-to-the-us-marketplace/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Microtransactions aren't very well understood in the US, and so that was a big part of the massive subject that Nexon America's Min Kim delved into this morning at the Worlds in Motion conference. Beginning with a rundown on Nexon's ramp up to the RMT-based juggernaut it is today, he went into a great deal of detail about the tiny transactions that have built an industry (almost) overnight.

The rest of his talk centered on Nexon'f foray into the United States. If you've been wondering about those MapleStory commercials, the cards at Target and 7-11, or all that adorable art - Nexon is the source. Read on for a discussion of how a foreign title built in South Korea can become so integrated with our own culture that they can offer up a Vegas-style wedding ceremony.

Hail to the king.

Gallery: GDC08: Worlds in Motion summit day 2

Continue reading GDC08: MapleStory's road to the US marketplace

MassivelyGDC08: MapleStory's road to the US marketplace originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 19 Feb 2008 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredgdc08gdc08fanboykart-ridermaple-storymin-kimnexonworlds-in-motionTue, 19 Feb 2008 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[GDC08: Is Asia the Hollywood of MMOs?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/19/gdc08-is-asia-the-hollywood-of-mmos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/19/gdc08-is-asia-the-hollywood-of-mmos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/19/gdc08-is-asia-the-hollywood-of-mmos/#commentsFiled under: ,

When you talk about gaming in North America, it's almost presumed you're talking about console or single-player PC games -- but in Asia it's the other way around. With the vast success of massively multiplayer games in the Asian market, it's no surprise to see American companies attempting to emulate similar models -- both in North America and overseas. But that level of success has proven difficult to emulate. Yesterday afternoon at the Worlds in Motion Summit, Susan Choe, David Wallerstein, Daniel James, and Bryan Pelz got together to chat about the future of the Asian market.

Continue reading GDC08: Is Asia the Hollywood of MMOs?

MassivelyGDC08: Is Asia the Hollywood of MMOs? originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 19 Feb 2008 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>asiabryan-pelzchinadaniel-jamesdavid-wallersteinfeaturedgdcgdc08gdc08fanboysusan-choethe9worlds-in-motionTue, 19 Feb 2008 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[GDC08: Exercise - the MMO?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/18/gdc08-exercise-the-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/18/gdc08-exercise-the-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/18/gdc08-exercise-the-mmo/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Early this afternoon during Erik Bethke's discussion of the cross-over between Virtual Worlds and Massively multiplayer games, he hit on a fantastic idea that I'd love to see explored. What if you could incentivize people to do things that were good for them by giving them goal structures? Players provide goals for themselves all the time in ostensibly 'goal-less' virtual worlds, from Second Life to Club Penguin.

In an aside, Bethke noted that assigning goal structures - reasons to play - is actually a fairly easy part of game design. Though it takes some effort to make those goals fun and interesting, working them up in the first place is a fairly trivial piece of work.

So what if you could make eating right and exercising fun by leveling up and earning loot?

Gallery: GDC 08: Worlds in Motion summit

Continue reading GDC08: Exercise - the MMO?

MassivelyGDC08: Exercise - the MMO? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 18 Feb 2008 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>erik-bethkeexercisefeaturedgdc08gdc08fanboyvirtual-worldsworlds-in-motionMon, 18 Feb 2008 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[GDC08: Leigh Alexander introduces us to Worlds in Motion]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/18/gdc08-leigh-alexander-introduces-us-to-worlds-in-motion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/18/gdc08-leigh-alexander-introduces-us-to-worlds-in-motion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/18/gdc08-leigh-alexander-introduces-us-to-worlds-in-motion/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

The Worlds in Motion summit kicked off this morning with an introduction from Leigh Alexander, the organizer of the event. Leigh is the blogger-in-residence over at CMP's Worlds in Motion, a site we've linked to many times here from Massively. In her work there, she does what she can to highlight the work of pioneers in the Virtual World industry.

This morning, she asked the basic question: What does gaming have to do with Virtual Worlds? We normally think of VWs as brand experiences, collaborative business environments, or opportunities for social interaction like Second Life. So what do these virtual spaces, the leadup to the 'Metaverse', have to do with gaming?

Gallery: GDC 08: Worlds in Motion summit

Continue reading GDC08: Leigh Alexander introduces us to Worlds in Motion

MassivelyGDC08: Leigh Alexander introduces us to Worlds in Motion originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 18 Feb 2008 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredgame-developers-conferencegdc08gdc08fanboyintroductionleigh-alexanderwimworlds-in-motionMon, 18 Feb 2008 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively's at GDC!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/18/massivelys-at-gdc/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/18/massivelys-at-gdc/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/18/massivelys-at-gdc/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Happy Monday, everyone! Joystiq and Massively are out in force on the streets of San Francisco this week covering the Game Developers Conference. Through we're bleary-eyed from late night Rock Band sessions and just starting on our daily caffeine allotment (hey, it's still morning in California!) we're here for you, covering all the news that's fit to virtually print. Today and tomorrow we'll be at the Worlds in Motion Summit, where it's all virtual worlds, all the time, and for the rest of the week we'll be out on the show floor searching out every tidbit of MMO news. Keep an eye out for the latest on all of your favorite games this week from GDC!

Gallery: GDC 2008 Pre-show

MassivelyMassively's at GDC! originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 18 Feb 2008 13:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gdcgdc08gdc08fanboymassivelymosconesan-franciscoworlds-in-motionMon, 18 Feb 2008 13:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Ragnarok developer waking up to a Bloodymare]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/04/ragnarok-developer-waking-up-to-a-bloodymare/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/04/ragnarok-developer-waking-up-to-a-bloodymare/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/04/ragnarok-developer-waking-up-to-a-bloodymare/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Gravity Interactive is the developer for the game Ragnarok Online, an extremely popular South Korean title. Gravity has announced that they've been working hard on another title for almost four years now, and it's nothing like the stylized cuteness of Ragnarok. Requiem: Bloodymare is the name of the new game, and it sounds about as different from Ragnarok as night is from day.

The game will make use of the high-tech Havok engine to portray a violent dystopian future. PCs will take the part of creatures forged via magic and technology to kill demons and undead creatures loosed by years of experimentation.

The article at Worlds in Motion includes commentary from Gravity's CEO Peter Kang about the company's goals, and their deliberate decision to move away from their past work. At the moment there's no expected release date, but one would expect to hear something soon; four years is a pretty good amount of game development time.

MassivelyRagnarok developer waking up to a Bloodymare originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 04 Jan 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>announcementgravity-interactivenew-titleragnarok-onlinerequiem-bloodymareworlds-in-motionFri, 04 Jan 2008 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Disney making online game based on the movie "Cars"]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/30/disney-making-online-game-based-on-the-movie-cars/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/30/disney-making-online-game-based-on-the-movie-cars/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/30/disney-making-online-game-based-on-the-movie-cars/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


According to the San Fernando Business Journal, Disney Online plans to release a virtual world game based on the hugely successful 3D-animated film Cars.

Disney sees this as a way to keep kids invested in the franchise "for years to come" even without a sequel on the horizon. The article also says that Disney plans substantial future investments in these sorts of projects because they've had success with other titles like Toontown Online and Club Penguin.

While games like this don't usually get as much attention from the gaming media, they're arguably no less successful or lucrative than games like EverQuest II.

[Via Worlds in Motion]

MassivelyDisney making online game based on the movie "Cars" originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 30 Nov 2007 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animationcarscars-onlinecasualclub-penguindisneydisney-onlinefamilykidsmmo-industrypixarsan-fernando-business-journaltoontown-onlineworlds-in-motionFri, 30 Nov 2007 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[7-Eleven sells Nexon Game Cards]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/30/7-eleven-sells-nexon-game-cards/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/30/7-eleven-sells-nexon-game-cards/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/30/7-eleven-sells-nexon-game-cards/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Worlds in Motion reports that you can now buy game cards for MapleStory and other Nexon games at your local 7-Eleven convenience store. The game cards -- which cost $10 or $25 -- can be used to purchase in-game items.

At first, this struck us as bizarre, but it actually makes some sense. A 7-Eleven representative is quoted in the Worlds in Motion article saying that the cards are perfect for the "tweens and teens" who enjoy MapleStory -- a demographic that also happens to frequent 7-Eleven. The representative calls it "the Slurpee-beverage crowd."

It's a strange world. Next thing you know we'll be buying EQ2 game-time cards at the gasoline pump!

Massively7-Eleven sells Nexon Game Cards originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 30 Nov 2007 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>7-117-elevenauditioncash-shopconvenience-storegame-cardskartridermaplestorynexonretailstoreteenstweensworlds-in-motionFri, 30 Nov 2007 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Financial bigwig says virtual worlds leading digital currency charge]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/27/financial-bigwig-says-virtual-worlds-leading-digital-currency-ch/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/27/financial-bigwig-says-virtual-worlds-leading-digital-currency-ch/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/27/financial-bigwig-says-virtual-worlds-leading-digital-currency-ch/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Andy Kyte, vice president of Gartner, Inc., told Gartner Symposium attendees last week that virtual worlds such as Second Life are "contributing to the drive to use electronic currencies." This comes from a ZDNet report on Kyte's talk about the potential of electronic currencies to reduce overhead costs for pretty much every one. He said Singapore has already introduced an electronic currency and that the rest of the world is watching what happens there.

He also said, though, that online currencies like Second Life's Linden Dollar carry with them security issues that create "phenomenal opportunities for money laundering and tax evasion." Those issues would have to be resolved before online currencies similar to the L$ or EVE Online's ISK can be used with confidence in the real world.

[Via Worlds in Motion]

MassivelyFinancial bigwig says virtual worlds leading digital currency charge originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 27 Nov 2007 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>currencydigital-currencyeconomicseconomyeve-onlinefinancegartnergartner-symposiumisklinden-dollarlindenssecond-lifesingaporeworlds-in-motionzdnetTue, 27 Nov 2007 07:00:00 EST