Customer Rewards points can now be exchanged for limited edition virtual goods in Zynga's games.
Zynga, the social games developer behind FarmVille, and American Express have announced a new strategic partnership. Cardholders will now be able to exchange their Membership Rewards points to pay for limited edition virtual goods, along with physical and virtual game cards for Zynga's games. This will be the first time a financial services provider has offered reward redemptions for virtual goods.
Research firm projects annual revenues will nearly double those of last year as in-app billing leads the charge.
A new study by UK-based research firm Juniper predicts that revenues from purchases made within app games, similar to the free-to-play model, are on track to exceed $11 billion annually in five years’ time.
UPDATE: Following Sony's announcement that it had "sold" 4.1 million Move units since launch, the company has since clarified that the figure actually represents units shipped to stores. "While we don't disclose our exact sell-through number, the key is that our retailers continue to ask for more Move units and are taking every unit we can supply them with based on their sales," said the company.
GamersFirst COO explains the new approach to customisation for the MMOG.
Bjorn Book-Larsson, COO and CTO of free-to-play company GamersFirst, has revealed details of the new structure for APB: Reloaded.
GamersFirst bought the IP rights to APB last month, following the closure of its UK-based developer Realtime Worlds in September.
Format: iOS
Release: Out now
Publisher: id Software
Developer: id Software
In tone and premise, Rage's debut has more in common with arcade high score attack games than anything in id Software's canon. Staged within a gameshow of death and hosted by a sadist blabbermouth, it's old-fashioned and schlocky, albeit realised with cutting edge technology.
US Black Friday shoppers help boost Microsoft’s worldwide hardware sales.
Microsoft has announced that sales of its Kinect sensor reached 2.5 million worldwide following the Black Friday weekend in the US, which is traditionally one of the busiest shopping periods of the year.
MMOG introduces microtransactions and free access for non-subscribers.
US-based developer Flying Lab Software has made its MMORPG Pirates Of The Burning Sea free-to-play.
John Riccitiello talks Rock Band, acquisitions and social game companies.
Electronic Arts CEO John Riccitiello has addressed Viacom’s recent decision to sell Rock Band developer Harmonix.
Highlights from our community-written blogs, featuring Banshee horses and footballing automatons.
In the final part of his blog titled 'A Changed Gamer's Perspective', Nothough explains how Microsoft's entry into the console market finally reignited his passion for gaming. Describing his first few steps in Halo, Nothough draws comparisons with Zelda: Ocarina Of Time.
Reggie Fils-Aime estimates 9,000 consoles sold every hour last week.
Nintendo has revealed sales figures for the period from November 21 to 27 (Black Friday) in the US.
The company sold 900,000 DS handhelds (combined line) and 600,000 Wii consoles. USA Today says that for the same period last year the company sold over a million DS units and a similar number of Wii consoles at 550,000.
Up to 19 staff may be affected by reorganisation plans at the Newcastle-based developer of Driver: San Francisco.
An Ubisoft spokesperson has told Develop that a number of employees may be made redundant or have contracts expire without renewal.
New system revealed by Index Holding will assess titles “based on the culture, society and the special values of Islam”.
At the Dubai World Game Expo today, the Index Holding corporation and Iran National Foundation Of Computer Games announced the formation and launch of the Entertainment Software Rating Association (ESRA).
The ESRA is designed to evaluate games in respect to Islamic values and rate them accordingly.
Format: 360, PC (version tested)
Release: Out now
Publisher: Atari
Developer: Vitamin G Studios
Worldwide videogame retailer files €3million pre-tax loss in the region.
The Irish Times reports that GameStop’s Ireland base in Dublin has recorded losses for the 12-month period up to January 30 this year.
The US-based company, which has 55 outlets in Ireland, recorded an operating loss of €1.64 million in the latest report, compared to an operating profit of €4.5 million in 2008.
SCEA applications reveal “touch control” feature for a new handheld device.
Sony Computer Entertainment Of America has filed new patents with the US Patent And Trademark Office which back up rumours regarding a new PSP handheld device.
Ready At Dawn’s co-founder on the Olympian task of PSP development.
Sony’s racer ends Activision’s winning-streak in the latest chart.
Gran Turismo 5 has debuted at the top of the UK multiformat chart for the week ending November 27.
Nintendo’s Art Academy on DS jumped from number 27 to number eight, while Fallout: New Vegas managed to re-enter the top ten.
EA's Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit fell three places in its second week of release while Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood maintains a strong presence in the top three.
Jade Raymond discusses production in a new video promoting the company’s Canada studio.
In a video published by the government of Ontario yesterday, Jade Raymond, managing director of Ubisoft’s Toronto studio, says: “We’re working on Splinter Cell 6, the next iteration of the blockbuster franchise and we’re doing it entirely here in Toronto.”
Call Of Duty: Black Ops remains king of the hill.
In the UK Top Sellers Buzz chart, Call Of Duty: Black Ops spends its second week at the top with its 54,289 mentions placing the game well ahead of closest rival, Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood, which debuted at number two with 14,978. Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit is living up to its name at number three while FIFA 11 and Kinect Sports round out the top five.
The videogame industry is dependent on sequels. They’re a more or less guaranteed source of income, a way to re-use expensive engines and assets, and they’re welcomed by fans and (most) critics alike. But one thing always presents a problem. Atmosphere. The thrill of the first time is almost impossible to replicate, and most sequels simply dilute what was there, turning well-remembered but isolated moments into series trademarks and nudge-nudge references. But for every rule there are exceptions. And then there’s Resident Evil 2.
PSP software lays the groundwork for Sony’s Qriocity cloud-based music network.
The latest firmware update for Sony’s PSP handheld (version 6.35) was released today and adds an icon for the company’s Qriocity (pronounced "curiosity") music service that will be launched soon.
Co-founder of id Software says the days of packaged goods are numbered.
John Carmack, technical director at US-based developer id Software, says the Apple App Store model of distribution is “the wave of the future for everything.”
Chief of marketing and sales at Ubisoft confirms a new game in the series and details Brotherhood’s sales success.
Geoffroy Sardin, chief of marketing and sales in Europe for Ubisoft, has told MCV that the company will release a new title in the Assassin’s Creed series next year.
No details were revealed about the project but Sardin says “more details will be forthcoming”.
New category for Sony’s PS3 download service dedicated to localised western titles.
Sony Computer Entertainment Japan launched a “Western Game Buyer Selection” category on PSN yesterday.
The new section hosts PS3 and PSP titles developed and previously released overseas, and currently offers Castle Crashers, Comet Crash and Young Thor for download at prices of ¥1,500, ¥1,000 and ¥500 respectively.
Activision and Ubisoft lead the charge in the latest software chart with EA in hot pursuit.
Call Of Duty: Black Ops and Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood hold the top two places in the Nordic software chart, which covers Denmark, Norway, Finland and Sweden in sales of combined SKUs.
Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit has made a strong debut in third place, as Microsoft’s Kinect launch games move out of the top ten for the week ending November 21.