China’s Top Ten PC Games For October

The popularity of League of Legends continues to grow worldwide, and it’s conquered China yet again as the most played game in the country. According to the report from Games In Asia, Legends easily led the charge followed by a variety of genres.

1. League of Legends – Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) run by Tencent in China
2. CrossFire – a tactical shooting game that works similarly to Valve’s Counter-Strike series, this game originally came out in 2007
3. DNF – also known as Dungeon & Fighter or Dungeon Fighter Online, this beat-em-up from 2005 is still quite popular
4. QQ Speed – a racing game from Tencent Games that came out back in 2008
5. QQ X5* — a casual dance game, also released by Tencent back in 2008
6. AgainstWar – a first-person online shooter, and another popular entry from Tencent; it’s a little more recent, having released in 2011
7. Dream of the Three Kingdoms – a fantasy-battle game developed by Electric Soul, this one’s been on the charts since 2009
8. Asura – a popular fantasy massive multiplayer online role-playing game loosely based around Journey To the West
9. New Dahua Xiyou 2 – another popular role-playing game from Netease,released back in September
10. NBA2KOL – a variation of 2K Sports’ NBA 2K series, and another recent release

As you can see, role-playing games, first-person shooters and, of course, League are quite popular, and the audience may grow once the country allows certain game developers to release their software next year. We shall soon see.

Source: Games In Asia

Internet Explorer, Anime Hero

If at first you don’t succeed, try something new. That’s exactly what Microsoft is doing with its venerable Internet Explorer browser.

Following the launch of a popular “Child of the 90’s” ad, the company has unveiled its latest commercial, which features a beautiful, hand-drawn Japanese animation style. In it, a young girl, Inori Aizawa, the “official mascot of the Internet Explorer,” is on the run from rogue Internet robots, but finds herself saved when she locates a shield with a monogrammed “I” on it, transforming into a warrior in the process.

Considering the popularity of the “90’s” ad (it led to a 57.8 percent hold of worldwide market share), this new commercial could be the next big viral campaign.

Source: Mashable

 

Super Mario, Super TV Campaign

Nintendo’s been needing a hit game for its Wii U console for some time now, and in a couple of weeks, it’ll be getting it with the latest adventure from the familiar plumber, Super Mario 3D World.

To prep gamers for the forthcoming game, Nintendo of Europe has already launched a huge TV campaign that features the plumber in action, aimed at kids, families and girls alike. Though the general focus on the ads will be the hardware, the game will also be featured, including bits and pieces of the new four-player cooperative multiplayer. Print and social media advertising is also being planned.

“Mario is the perfect title for families this Christmas, not only is it a title that family members of all ages will enjoy, but it’s the first multiplayer 3D Mario platformer ever,” said Nintendo UK product manager Roger Langford.

“Pre-launch the focus will be on online and Facebook activity, aimed at Mario fans. We will also be launching a significant TV campaign targeted towards families and kids, highlighting the key features of the game and the Wii U hardware itself. Post-launch activity will centre around gifting via online, TV and PR.”

No word yet if Nintendo of America is planning a similar campaign…but come on, it’s Mario.

Source: MCV UK

Ten Years Ahead For Xbox One

Microsoft has invested quite a few years into its popular Xbox 360 console, and it’s still got a ways to go. That said, it believes that the Xbox One will last even longer.

Talking with GamesIndustry International during the X13 showcase event in Toronto earlier this week, Microsoft Canada’s Xbox director of marketing Craig Flannagan explained the numbers behind the Xbox One. “I’ve been here for the launch of Xbox 360. I was here for the launch of Kinect. This is far and away the biggest launch we’ve ever done,” Flannagan said. “It’s the most hardware we’ve ever produced. It’s the most we’ve ever pre-sold. We’re preselling a little over 2-to-1 from what we did with Xbox 360. The momentum on launch has been really good. And we didn’t have a 40-foot console at the launch of the 360, either.”

As far as shelf life, Flannagan believes it has longevity to spare. “Xbox One is going to start ahead, in terms of the experience we can deliver,” he said. “And because we’re built for the future, we’re going to stay ahead. I think there is not a better experience you can buy this holiday, and there will not be a time this generation where there’s a better experience you can buy than Xbox One…And it’s probably going to be a pretty long generation. We’re probably here for a while because we’re built for the future. This is a console that will last you, conservatively a decade, if I had to put a bet down today.”

Regarding the system’s durability, Flannagan wasn’t fazed. “We feel great about where the hardware is at right now,” he stated. “Our yields are good. It’s allowing us to produce more consoles than we ever have for a launch. We feel great about how the hardware is performing.”

Flannagan concluded, “Much like 360, Xbox One’s not going to look a whole lot five years from now like it does on November 22, 2013. I don’t know where it’s going to go, but that’s kind of fun because we’re built for the future. We do have a connection; we can change what things look like and how it performs.”

We’ll see how the Xbox One fares when it arrives at retail on November 22.

Source: GamesIndustry International

‘Candy Crush’ Candy Launches

Candy Crush Saga has addicted millions of players since its mobile release from King, and now it’s made its way to the candy aisle.

The developer has announced that it has launched four kinds of candies based on the game, including Color Bombs, Jelly Fish, Fruit Gummies and Sour Fruit Gummies.

The candy is only available in the U.S. for the moment, but King is working on plans to release it worldwide. For the time being, potential buyers can visit Dylan’s Candy Bars website and order however many they desire.

Candy Crush Saga is available for download on both iOS and Android devices, and playable on Facebook.

Source: Modojo

Nintendo Lounges At PBteen

In a matter of weeks, Nintendo will have a new hit for Wii U owners to get invested in with its latest Mario adventure, Super Mario 3D World. To help celebrate, the company has partnered up with the PBteen retail chain to create special game lounges advertising the game.

These lounges will be available in a number of the stores nationwide, and will allow potential players to stop by and check out 3D World before it’s released in stores on November 22.

On top of that, shoppers can also submit votes in ballot boxes and register for the chance to win a copy of 3D World, along with a Mario and Luigi Wii U deluxe Set, which includes the system and two additional games on one disc.

The event kicks off this week and runs through November 24 at various PBteen locations.

Source: Nintendo Enthusiast

Activision Blizzard Cautiously Optimistic

Activision Blizzard continues to advance into the changing game market with a largely traditional publishing strategy, and the results were better than expected this last quarter — though still down from the same quarter last year. There were no great surprises revealed in the earnings call, with the numbers and the statements by executives showing the company poised to do well if the console market revives as expected. Still, there are challenges ahead in the market and with different products — success will not be easy.

First off, let’s look at the numbers. Non-GAAP revenue was $657 million, handily beating the consensus of estimate of $589 million and the company’s own guidance of $585 million. Still, this was down 2012’s $751 million. On a GAAP basis, the company’s $691 million was down 18 percent from last year’s $841 million, and profits dropped 75 percent to $56 million. The drop versus last year was expected, since the World of Warcraft expansion Mists of Pandaria shipped last year and there was nothing comparable this year. This underscores the importance of World of Warcraft to Activision Blizzard, and why it’s important for the company to maintain that title as long as possible.

Activision’s stronger than expected results were driven by digital sales, which comprised a record 59 percent of the company’s total net revenues. The company joins other traditional publishers in providing a steady stream of downloadable content (DLC) for major franchises, and of course the World of Warcraft subscriptions count as digital revenue. Operating expenses were up, which CFO Dennis Durkin said was “due in part to increased marketing investment for our franchise launches.” In other words, Activision ramped up the marketing spend on Call of Duty and Skylanders because of tough competition. 

World of Warcraft continued to decline in subscribers, but only by 100,000 this quarter. The franchise still has 7.6 million subscribers, and if Blizzard can keep things going with content updates like the Siege of Orgrimmar, the old cash cow may still be providing milk for years to come. Here’s the key thing to watch: How do WoW subscriber numbers look in a quarter when there isn’t a major update or expansion This quarter saw a drop of 100,000 subscribers even with a major release, so we could see larger declines unless something else changes.

Will going free-to-play be Blizzard’s big move They continue to resist, and certainly no mention was made of such a step. The company has to choose between waiting to move to F2P until the subscriber decline is unmistakable and irrevocable, and moving to F2P early and leaving subscription money with excellent profit margins on the table, or hoping that somehow WoW subscriptions will stabilize. That’s one of the tough calls ahead for Activision Blizzard management.

Activision’s key franchises Call of Duty and Skylanders are under increased pressure this year, which the company acknowledged. Skylanders had some particular issues, which Activision Publishing CEO Eric Hirshberg noted. “Overall, we’re down, which is not unexpected. The two main issues here are that we’ve invented a category two years ago, and for the past few years, we’ve had a competitive landscape completely to ourselves,” noted Hirshberg. “This year, we’ve had two major competitors, with both Disney and Pokemon launching the day before us, as you guys know. And second, Skylanders is also not immune to the effects of the console transition year. In fact, our quantitative research has shown that this is one of the top reasons that parents who’ve shown an intent to purchase the game are hesitating.” Hirshberg expects that the strong final quarter of the year will take care of the current softness in sales.

Meanwhile, although Call of Duty:Ghosts racked up an impressive $1 billion in sales right away, the franchise is still posting numbers below last year’s Call of Duty installment. It looks like the peak years for the boxed retail product are behind it, but Activision is making up for that with increased DLC. The positive sign for this year is the increased engagement so far among Call of Duty players. “On the Xbox 360, we’re seeing average player sessions for Ghosts which have been longer than either Black Ops II or Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 during the same time period,” noted Hirshberg. Interestingly, Hirshberg also pointed out that “Call of Duty: Ghosts will be available via digital download on Xbox 1 and PS4 on the same day that it’s available in stores.” This is a harbinger for retail, as next-gen consoles will accelerate the move away from buying boxed products.

Next year looks strong for Activision Blizzard, with a Diablo III expansion, more Call of Duty and Skylanders (of course), and the highly anticipated launch of Bungie’s Destiny title. Analyst Michael Pachter expects those titles to do very well (he projects Destiny to drive $500 million in sales next year), and also noted the Call of Duty Online in China could be a major revenue generator.

Activision Blizzard is relying on its core franchises and the continued strength of the console market for the bulk of its revenue, while hoping that Destiny and Call of Duty Online can become major new franchises. This strategy looks good for 2014, but there are till no major bets being placed on mobile. CEO Bobby Kotick hinted that Activision may be moving in that direction, when he said “tablets and mobile devices are now starting to provide opportunities to create differentiated and compelling new types of games and access to new audiences and new geographies.” Sounds like a game or two might be in consideration for those platforms in the future.

Skype Brings Special Friends Together

Sarah and Paige grew up separated by the Pacific Ocean, but that didn’t stop them from being best friends, thanks to Skype. Now, they’re finally getting a chance to meet in person in a tearful ad for connecting using the messaging service.