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Archive for July, 2010
WoW Could Go Free-To-Play One Day
Jul 1st
Following the resounding success of Dungeons & Dragons Online once it went free-to-play, other companies have been adopting the model, with fellow competitor Lord of the Rings Online being the most recent convert. Now the company whose success got everyone into the MMO market in the first place says it’s watching the trend with some interest. Blizzard Lead Designer Tom Chilton spoke to PC Gamer about the future of World of Warcraft’s business model.
Chilton feels that free-to-play is a new way to compete when a title’s subscription numbers cannot keep it afloat. “I feel like they’re doing that to compete with other games that are on a similar subscriber level to what they were at. I imagine that when one of them went free to play it cannibalized some of the other subscribers,” he said. “I can definitely imagine that being the case with World of Warcraft. If another game comes along and blows us away it may not make sense for us to have a subscription fee. Or even further down the line, when we have another MMO out.”
Blizzard has long experimented with different business models as the market allows. In Russia for instance, Starcraft II’s episodes are further broken down and sold in monthly installments to combat piracy. In Korea, World of Warcraft is a digital download-only with a subscription fee and subscribers can also play StarCraft II for free. Even in Western markets the company has expanded their offerings, allowing players to change their characters for a small fee and purchase new in-game addons like a remote auction house, new pets, and new mounts.
For the time being, World of Warcraft is still the big dog in the market, so don’t expect it to go free-to-play anytime soon. “We’re not spending a lot of time thinking about it. It’s not something that’s a reality for us in the near future,” Chilton said.
Video Games Need a Billboard Top 10, says ESA
Jul 1st
Video games have become a solid figure in the entertainment industry. As sales have grown and video games have moved into the mainstream audience, the need for solid stat tracking has been on the minds of some within the industry. ESA President Michael Gallagher believes that a tracking system needs to be put in place.
“I do think that the movie industry has a significant advantage over other forms of media because on Monday morning… whether you are driving, or looking at the newspaper, what’s there: The top ten movies. What’s next to that? Numbers,” Gallagher told a gathering of reporters earlier this month. “I don’t know if they are completely accurate, but we’re trained to believe they are. And that helps the movie industry.”
Though the music and movie industries are well established, Gallagher believes that the gaming industry is still organizing into something more cohesive, “We’re still seeking our center of gravity.”
The need for this stat tracking isn’t just for the consumers; it represents major news to investors, reporters, industry professionals and developers. “I think there is thought, because you now have significant revenue, and growth and investment and where that flows you tend to get better information,” Gallagher said. “Reporters ask for it, investors certainly do and then there are consumers. There is an advantage to the companies to figure out a way to report that.”
“We are looking forward to that evolution, I’d like to see it move faster,” he added. “I think this industry is accomplishing great things across a far great reach, than is traditionally reported.”
The video game industry has only one major group tracking sales figures for the industry. NPD Group releases a monthly stat figure that covers top games sales; this comes at a hitch though. NPD is unable to gather sales data from Wal-Mart, digital sales and the group does not offer full numbers with the public.
“Will NPD be releasing comprehensive digital sales tracking insight into the public domain? We will probably issue some research on a regular basis, but it won’t be at the level of detail that you may be expecting,” said NPD’s David Riley to Kotaku. “This is information we will keep close to the vest. Remember, we are here to serve our clients.”
The ESA has stated that the need for this stat tracker is necessary. “Someone had better do it or you’re going to have a trade association doing it,” Gallagher said. “It has got to be done.”
Mortal Kombat Set to Deliver ‘Most Robust Online Mode Ever’
Jul 1st
One of the most recognized IP out there, Mortal Kombat, is looking to re-imagine the online fighting component to bring about the most “robust online fighting system ever imagined,” says the game’s lead designer John Edwards.
In a very brief interview with Gaming Union, Edwards tells fans of the series that the game is back, and back in a big way. Though Midway closed down, Warner Brothers and NetherRealm Studios are already working to bring back the recognized series.
“We have a really robust online system,” he says. “I can’t go into too many details but it’s going to be pretty much the most robust online fighting system ever imagined.” This lofty claim coincides exactly with Warner Bros. wishes for the upcoming game, and with plans for downloadable content support, the franchise could come right back to the hearts and minds of gamers everywhere once more.
FarmVille and World of Warcraft Partially to Blame for Ruining Marriages?
Jul 1st
An article from USA Today has detailed that popular online games and social networking such asFarmVille and World of Warcraft are being used as evidence to showcase dates and times where partners might have been using their time unwisely.
The American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers has stated that 81% of its members have used or faced evidence from such sites as Facebook, Myspace and Twitter over the last five years.
What this showcases is that dates and times are recorded for game plays and “status updates.”
Evidence such as:
“Father seeks custody of the kids, claiming (among other things) that his ex-wife never attends the events of their young ones. Subpoenaed evidence from the gaming site World of Warcraft tracks her there with her boyfriend at the precise time she was supposed to be out with the children. Mom loves Facebook’s FarmVille, too, at all the wrong times.”
These games represent several things to a vast amount of people. Wasting time, playing games, socializing and even committing to extra-marital affairs are all fair game in the digital space. It is more than apparent that the collection of dated gameplay records and efficient stat tracking methods are being used in ways that few could have imagined.
Sega Saturn Digital Downloads Might Be In The Cards
Jul 1st
Sega has been mining their extensive back catalog to provide digital downloads on Virtual Console, Xbox Live Arcade, and PlayStation Network. Players can replay classic Master System, Genesis, and Dreamcast titles across many platforms. Unfortunately Sega’s ugly duckling, the Sega Saturn, has been absent in this recent digital push. In an interview with Impress WatchYosuke Okunari, producer of the Dreamcast remakes, says that there’s still hope for Saturn remakes.
“When you look globally,” Okunari replied, “the Genesis and Dreamcast are well known, but Saturn is unknown. During that period, PlayStation and Nintendo 64 were a success overseas, but to be honest Saturn was not a success. Because of this, we decided on Dreamcast.”
“It’s not that we’re ignoring Saturn I think you can see this, considering that we ported Nights Into Dreams and other titles,” he said, referring to the 2008 PlayStation 2 version of Nights Into Dreams.
Okunari points out that Saturn remakes would stand as a separate project from the Dreamcast titles like Sonic Adventure and Crazy Taxi. “What we announced this time is a project where we will have consecutive releases of titles that were debuted on Dreamcast. Separate from this, we’re of course thinking about ports of Saturn games,” he said. “It’s the same as how Sega Ages and Virtual Console were separate existences. It’s not that we have no intention of porting Saturn titles, so please share your requests.”
Sega Working Hard On Another PS3 Yakuza
Jul 1st
Sega is pumping out those Yakuza games at a rate that would make most developers blush. Black Leopard: New Yakuza Chapter for PSP is still under development, but the team is also working on another Yakuza game for PlayStation 3. Yakuza producer Toshihiro Nagoshi spoke to Famitsu about the upcoming game.
“While I can’t give a release time frame yet,” Nagoshi told Famitsu, “we’re working to deliver it at a time Yakuza series fans will want.” There was no clarification on what time frame that is.
Nagoshi says this title will feature Goro Majima as a playable character. The eyepatch-clad gangster has a long-standing feud with series protagonist Kazuma Kiryu. Playing as crazy Goro should give players a new perspective on the entire series.
Image Metrics Acquires Character-FX
Jul 1st
Image Metrics, a leading facial animation technology provider for video games and film (which recently animated over 100 characters in Rockstar’s Red Dead Redemption), has announced today that it is expanding its scope by acquiring Character-FX, an avatar creation company founded by 3D animation pioneer John Riggs. Character-FX is a toolset for use with Autodesk’s Maya and 3DS Max (two very commonly used tools at game studios). The toolset “helps to create character facial rigs using a proprietary automated weighting transfer system that rapidly shifts a character’s facial motion for incredibly life-like movements.”
Image Metrics intends to merge the Character-FX tech into its FACEWARE animation suite. The integration will improve believable character animation while minimizing avatar creation time. The joint technology was already used to animate a “photo-real recreation” of hailed basketball coach John Wooden in a recent NCAA commercial.
“The Character-FX rigging process was designed to create a highly flexible character model, in a way that fits with any production environment,” said Riggs. “As Image Metrics’ unique animation technology is the perfect platform for animating Character-FX avatars quickly and believably, the integration of Character-FX with Image Metrics’ performance-based animation software will produce characters whose expressions and movement resonate with audiences and gamers.”
“It takes a great computer-generated character and a great performance driving it to make a scene feel real and believable. To create facial animation that features these elements, Image Metrics has developed a unique technology for capturing the soul of an actor’s performance, and the addition of the Character-FX technology will massively accelerate our ability to create and animate great character models,” said Image Metrics CEO Michael Starkenburg. “Image Metrics is dedicated to providing our customers with the technology they need to efficiently and cost effectively create incredible character performances. This acquisition allows us to take another step in that direction.”
Image Metrics will also appoint Riggs as Director of Avatar Development.
BioShock Movie Still Coming, Facing Budget Constraints
Jul 1st
The BioShock movie has long been in development. With delays and budgetary concerns, there is worry that BioShock might go the way of Halo. Gore Verbinski, however, remains optimistic about the project. Verbinski, producer on the project recently sat down with IGN to discuss the movie.
“We’re working trying to make it. The problem with BioShock was: R-rated movie, underwater, horror. It’s a really expensive R-rated movie,” he said. “So we’re trying to figure out a way working with [director] Juan Carlos Fresnadillo to get the budget down and still keep so it’s true to the core audience, you know? The thing is it has to be R, a hard R.”
The recent release of a somewhat mediocre Prince of Persia movie does little to dissuade Verbinski. Does he think Persia will affect BioShock? “No, I think BioShock’s a rare one because it’s actually a great story,” he says. “Me? I don’t want to make movies based on video games, butBioShock’s the one Oedipal, crazy kind of – it’s just got really good bones, and we’re really trying to figure out a way to make it work.”
“We don’t want to dumb it down, we don’t want to make it PG-13. We want to keep it really edgy, and it’s a huge bill,” Verbinski insisted.
Halo Team Is Looking For Squad
Jul 1st
Microsoft is not going to let the Halo brand die just because Bungie has jumped ship. The software giant established 343 Industries to handle all things Halo. This includes the extension of the franchise into novels, comic books, and anime. Well now, 343 Industries is looking to fill the gap left by Bungie’s departure.
The studio is on a hiring spree at the moment, having posted 24 jobs in the past three weeks. The positions include a number of senior-level slots, including Lead Environment Artist, Senior Producer, Senior Software Development, Senior Concept Artist and Senior Business Manager. The postings also include some mid-level positions that are key to early development like Systems Designer, Storyboard Artist, and Mission Designer.
The game is obviously still a ways off with this many senior staff still unaccounted for. Until then, player will have to tide themselves over with Bungie’s swan song on the series. Halo: Reach will be shipping on September 14, 2010.
Jul 1st
Sony: We’d Like to Work with Nintendo on Promoting 3D Message
When it comes to 3D gaming, Nintendo and Sony would seem to be at odds with each other. While Sony has a corporate-wide 3D initiative with TVs, glasses and pushing 3D on the PS3 console, Nintendo is simply focused on its 3D, glasses-free handheld, the 3DS, which impressed just about everyone at this year’s E3.
Sony, however, would like it if Nintendo would embrace the overall 3D industry. Sony Worldwide Studios President Shuhei Yoshida has commented that he’d like to cooperate with Nintendo, rather than seeing the company “bash” the 3D experience seen through glasses. He wants to see Nintendo have a “broader perspective on 3D.”
Speaking to IGN, Yoshida remarked, “When you listen to what they are saying about the effect of 3D perspective to the games, they are saying the same message we are, but they don’t have to bash some small part of what the other company is doing. I think as an industry we should preach this new perspective, from a very large cinema screen to a small portable, because that helps advancing the games and the game industry. We’d like to work together to promote 3D.”
Yoshida noted that the glasses have become more comfortable to wear recently too. “If you really want a big theatre experience, of course you have to wear glasses. With the latest technology, the glasses are light and you kind of forget you’re wearing them after awhile,” he said.
