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February 20, 2012

3DS sets new Japan sales record

Nintendo's 3DS has set a new record for hardware sales in Japan, becoming the quickest system to reach five million sales. The glasses-free 3D handheld reached the five million mark within 52 weeks of its Japanese release on February 26 last year, according to Media Create data passed on by Andriasang.
http://andriasang.com/con00s/3ds_five_million/
Andriasang

Nintendo's 3DS has set a new record for hardware sales in Japan, becoming the quickest system to reach five million sales.

The glasses-free 3D handheld reached the five million mark within 52 weeks of its Japanese release on February 26 last year, according to Media Create data passed on by Andriasang.

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The Making Of: Alan Wake

Remedy’s game took five years to emerge from the darkness of development. The studio explains how it finally saw the light.

When Sam Lake was a kid, he spent his summer holidays on an apple farm in Raasepori in the south of Finland. One day, while exploring the rundown outbuildings, he stumbled across a treasure trove of junk. Among it was an old light switch. He called it his “clicker”. 

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The Making Of: Alan Wake

Remedy’s game took five years to emerge from the darkness of development. The studio explains how it finally saw the light.

When Sam Lake was a kid, he spent his summer holidays on an apple farm in Raasepori in the south of Finland. One day, while exploring the rundown outbuildings, he stumbled across a treasure trove of junk. Among it was an old light switch. He called it his “clicker”. 

read more


Spry Fox wary of social game addiction

David Edery, CEO of Triple Town developer Spry Fox, recognises that one of social game development's biggest challenges is making players want to continue playing, and paying, for a game without becoming addicted. In an interview, we pointed out to Edery that the App Store description of iOS Triple Town emphasised its addictive qualities, and asked if the notion of social games locking players into monetised compulsion loops was something with which he was comfortable.

David Edery, CEO of Triple Town developer Spry Fox, recognises that one of social game development's biggest challenges is making players want to continue playing, and paying, for a game without becoming addicted.

read more


Spry Fox wary of social game addiction

David Edery, CEO of Triple Town developer Spry Fox, recognises that one of social game development's biggest challenges is making players want to continue playing, and paying, for a game without becoming addicted. In an interview, we pointed out to Edery that the App Store description of iOS Triple Town emphasised its addictive qualities, and asked if the notion of social games locking players into monetised compulsion loops was something with which he was comfortable.

David Edery, CEO of Triple Town developer Spry Fox, recognises that one of social game development's biggest challenges is making players want to continue playing, and paying, for a game without becoming addicted.

read more


Region Specific: Texas education

Texas's world-class education system prepares the next wave of pro developers.

When was the last time you saw a developer’s motion- capture studio and it was painted with the colours and emblem of a local university? Well, that’s precisely how Houston’s TimeGate Studios, developer of the sci-fi shooter Section 8, has decorated its new facilities, which were built as a joint project between the studio and the University Of Houston. 
It’s a powerful symbol of the close ties between Texas’s game development community and educational institutions.

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Region Specific: Juegos Rancheros indie community

Austin’s new indie gaming collective just wants to show you something awesome.

Due to a combination of closures of big-budget Austin game studios in recent years and the newly available digital channels through which indies can sell their work, the city has seen a resurgence in small developers setting up shop. We speak to Semi Secret Software co-founder Adam Saltsman and Venus Patrol founder/IGF chairman Brandon Boyer about how they’re nurturing a community, along with Karakasa Games founder Wiley Wiggins, where indies can meet up, drink a few beers, and get inspired.

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Activision: we don't blacklist journalists

Activision has insisted that it "doesn't blacklist journalists" despite the owner of a French blog claiming the publisher severed all ties with him after he refused to remove a story about this year's Call Of Duty game. Speaking to Kotaku, Gameblog.fr editor Grégory Szriftgiser claimed that Activision requested that he take down a story about Call Of Duty: Black Ops 2, which was inadvertently revealed by Amazon France. When he declined, he was asked to reconsider bearing in mind "all the consequences this could lead to."
http://kotaku.com/5886237/reporter-activision-blacklisted-us-because-i-refused-to-pull-call-of-duty-sequel-story
Kotaku

Activision has insisted that it "doesn't blacklist journalists" despite the owner of a French blog claiming the publisher severed all ties with him after he refused to remove a story about this year's Call Of Duty game.

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Activision: we don't blacklist journalists

Activision has insisted that it "doesn't blacklist journalists" despite the owner of a French blog claiming the publisher severed all ties with him after he refused to remove a story about this year's Call Of Duty game. Speaking to Kotaku, Gameblog.fr editor Grégory Szriftgiser claimed that Activision requested that he take down a story about Call Of Duty: Black Ops 2, which was inadvertently revealed by Amazon France. When he declined, he was asked to reconsider bearing in mind "all the consequences this could lead to."
http://kotaku.com/5886237/reporter-activision-blacklisted-us-because-i-refused-to-pull-call-of-duty-sequel-story
Kotaku

Activision has insisted that it "doesn't blacklist journalists" despite the owner of a French blog claiming the publisher severed all ties with him after he refused to remove a story about this year's Call Of Duty game.

read more


Games within games: Hoarding

Tont Coles on the value of cheese, mutilated remains and torture tools in Skyrim, Oblivion and Fallout 3.

This is the first in a new series of articles in which Tont Coles examines the imaginative play you can perform within games. Each month, he'll look at different ways players can stretch rules outside their formal designs.

read more


Games within games: Hoarding

Tont Coles on the value of cheese, mutilated remains and torture tools in Skyrim, Oblivion and Fallout 3.

This is the first in a new series of articles in which Tont Coles examines the imaginative play you can perform within games. Each month, he'll look at different ways players can stretch rules outside their formal designs.

read more


City profile: Houston

The largest city in Texas has a keen interest in the potential of serious games.

Last year, a team of four students from Rice University in Houston created a game called Azmo The Dragon, which turns a wireless spirometer – a tool used to measure lung capacity – into a gameplay peripheral (we’re guessing calling it Spiro The Dragon would’ve raised copyright concerns). For children suffering from asthma, the ritual of blowing into this diagnostic tool provides data that can be used to anticipate the likelihood of an impending attack. Sadly, blowing into a spirometer is a chore that children frequently neglect.

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Angry Birds Space announced

Finnish studio Rovio has announced Angry Birds Space, a brand new game in its all-conquering franchise. On its website, the developer calls Angry Birds Space "a completely new game with innovative new gameplay, but with some of the familiar Angry Birds elements that fans already know and love - plus some surprises."
http://www.rovio.com/en/news/blog/133/angry-birds-space
Rovio

Finnish studio Rovio has announced Angry Birds Space, a brand new game in its all-conquering franchise.

On its website, the developer calls Angry Birds Space "a completely new game with innovative new gameplay, but with some of the familiar Angry Birds elements that fans already know and love - plus some surprises."

The game will launch for smartphones and at retail on March 22, with Rovio promising more details early next month.


Angry Birds Space announced

Finnish studio Rovio has announced Angry Birds Space, a brand new game in its all-conquering franchise. On its website, the developer calls Angry Birds Space "a completely new game with innovative new gameplay, but with some of the familiar Angry Birds elements that fans already know and love - plus some surprises."
http://www.rovio.com/en/news/blog/133/angry-birds-space
Rovio

Finnish studio Rovio has announced Angry Birds Space, a brand new game in its all-conquering franchise.

On its website, the developer calls Angry Birds Space "a completely new game with innovative new gameplay, but with some of the familiar Angry Birds elements that fans already know and love - plus some surprises."

The game will launch for smartphones and at retail on March 22, with Rovio promising more details early next month.


City profile: Austin

This culturally vibrant university town is quickly becoming the US's videogame capital.

When Twisted Pixel – the studio behind The Gunstringer – decided to relocate from Madison, Indiana, to Austin in late 2008, every member of its staff came along. Even some friends who’d been volunteering their services on a part-time basis for free insisted on following the studio south. A range of options had been considered, but the warm weather, low cost of living, deep talent pool, lack of a state income tax and budget incentives ultimately tipped the balance to the city.

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UFC Undisputed 3 tops UK chart

THQ's mixed martial arts title UFC Undisputed 3 is the new UK all-formats number one. It's the publisher's first UK number one since last year's Homefront, with top spot secured at FIFA 12's expense despite sales of the EA football game climbing 21 per cent week on week.

THQ's mixed martial arts title UFC Undisputed 3 is the new UK all-formats number one.

It's the publisher's first UK number one since last year's Homefront, with top spot secured at FIFA 12's expense despite sales of the EA football game climbing 21 per cent week on week.

read more


UFC Undisputed 3 tops UK chart

THQ's mixed martial arts title UFC Undisputed 3 is the new UK all-formats number one. It's the publisher's first UK number one since last year's Homefront, with top spot secured at FIFA 12's expense despite sales of the EA football game climbing 21 per cent week on week.

THQ's mixed martial arts title UFC Undisputed 3 is the new UK all-formats number one.

It's the publisher's first UK number one since last year's Homefront, with top spot secured at FIFA 12's expense despite sales of the EA football game climbing 21 per cent week on week.

read more


Mojang game jam raises $450,000

The Humble Bundle Mojam, a weekend-long game jam by Minecraft developer Mojang, has raised $458,207.95 for charity. The event, streamed live on Twitch TV, kicked off at 10am on Friday and ended last night. The theme and genre of the game were decided by public vote, with all those who donated to receive a copy of Catacomb Snatch, a "steampunk Egyptian-themed RTS shoot-em-up game".
http://www.humblebundle.com/
Humble Bundle

The Humble Bundle Mojam, a weekend-long game jam by Minecraft developer Mojang, has raised $458,207.95 for charity.

The event, streamed live on Twitch TV, kicked off at 10am on Friday and ended last night. The theme and genre of the game were decided by public vote, with all those who donated to receive a copy of Catacomb Snatch, a "steampunk Egyptian-themed RTS shoot-em-up game".

read more


Mojang game jam raises $450,000

The Humble Bundle Mojam, a weekend-long game jam by Minecraft developer Mojang, has raised $458,207.95 for charity. The event, streamed live on Twitch TV, kicked off at 10am on Friday and ended last night. The theme and genre of the game were decided by public vote, with all those who donated to receive a copy of Catacomb Snatch, a "steampunk Egyptian-themed RTS shoot-em-up game".
http://www.humblebundle.com/
Humble Bundle

The Humble Bundle Mojam, a weekend-long game jam by Minecraft developer Mojang, has raised $458,207.95 for charity.

The event, streamed live on Twitch TV, kicked off at 10am on Friday and ended last night. The theme and genre of the game were decided by public vote, with all those who donated to receive a copy of Catacomb Snatch, a "steampunk Egyptian-themed RTS shoot-em-up game".

read more


Report: Sony kicks off 3G Vita deal in Japan

Sony is telling Japanese retailers to offer a cashback deal on purchases of a 3G-enabled PlayStation Vita, according to reports. Andriasang reports that early last week Amazon began offering ¥2,000 (£16) to those that buy a 3G Vita and a game. It appears that it was designed not by Amazon, but Sony itself, with the company now telling retailers to offer the same deal from February 23.
http://andriasang.com/con00o/vita_cash_back/
Andriasang

Sony is telling Japanese retailers to offer a cashback deal on purchases of a 3G-enabled PlayStation Vita, according to reports.

Andriasang reports that early last week Amazon began offering ¥2,000 (£16) to those that buy a 3G Vita and a game. It appears that it was designed not by Amazon, but Sony itself, with the company now telling retailers to offer the same deal from February 23.

read more


Report: Sony kicks off 3G Vita deal in Japan

Sony is telling Japanese retailers to offer a cashback deal on purchases of a 3G-enabled PlayStation Vita, according to reports. Andriasang reports that early last week Amazon began offering ¥2,000 (£16) to those that buy a 3G Vita and a game. It appears that it was designed not by Amazon, but Sony itself, with the company now telling retailers to offer the same deal from February 23.
http://andriasang.com/con00o/vita_cash_back/
Andriasang

Sony is telling Japanese retailers to offer a cashback deal on purchases of a 3G-enabled PlayStation Vita, according to reports.

Andriasang reports that early last week Amazon began offering ¥2,000 (£16) to those that buy a 3G Vita and a game. It appears that it was designed not by Amazon, but Sony itself, with the company now telling retailers to offer the same deal from February 23.

read more


Microsoft improves Indie Game visibility

Last week's Xbox 360 system update contained good news for indie developers by moving the Xbox Live Indie Games service to the top level of the Marketplace - but, for some reason, only in the United States. In a statement passed to Eurogamer and due to be posted on the AppHub Forums and XNA Community Blog, Microsoft confirms that it has acted on feedback from indie developers following the release of the Metro dashboard update in December, which buried XBLIG deep in the Xbox 360 menu system.
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-02-18-xbox-360-dash-update-gives-xblig-more-visibility
Eurogamer

Last week's Xbox 360 system update contained good news for indie developers by moving the Xbox Live Indie Games service to the top level of the Marketplace - but, for some reason, only in the United States.

read more


Microsoft improves Indie Game visibility

Last week's Xbox 360 system update contained good news for indie developers by moving the Xbox Live Indie Games service to the top level of the Marketplace - but, for some reason, only in the United States. In a statement passed to Eurogamer and due to be posted on the AppHub Forums and XNA Community Blog, Microsoft confirms that it has acted on feedback from indie developers following the release of the Metro dashboard update in December, which buried XBLIG deep in the Xbox 360 menu system.
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-02-18-xbox-360-dash-update-gives-xblig-more-visibility
Eurogamer

Last week's Xbox 360 system update contained good news for indie developers by moving the Xbox Live Indie Games service to the top level of the Marketplace - but, for some reason, only in the United States.

read more


February 17, 2012

Starbreeze confirms layoffs

Swedish developer Starbreeze Studios has confirmed 25 staff have been laid off after the completion of Syndicate for publisher EA. The company also confirmed to gamesindustry.biz that Peter Tornquist is to resign from the board of directors, and will not be replaced.
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2012-02-17-25-jobs-cut-at-starbreeze-following-syndicate-completion
Gamesindustry.biz

Swedish developer Starbreeze Studios has confirmed 25 staff have been laid off after the completion of Syndicate for publisher EA.

The company also confirmed to gamesindustry.biz that Peter Tornquist is to resign from the board of directors, and will not be replaced.

read more


Starbreeze confirms layoffs

Swedish developer Starbreeze Studios has confirmed 25 staff have been laid off after the completion of Syndicate for publisher EA. The company also confirmed to gamesindustry.biz that Peter Tornquist is to resign from the board of directors, and will not be replaced.
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2012-02-17-25-jobs-cut-at-starbreeze-following-syndicate-completion
Gamesindustry.biz

Swedish developer Starbreeze Studios has confirmed 25 staff have been laid off after the completion of Syndicate for publisher EA.

The company also confirmed to gamesindustry.biz that Peter Tornquist is to resign from the board of directors, and will not be replaced.

read more


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