Supercell Mulling Move To Android

BY

Supercell, a developer that has found massive success with its two iOS releases Clash of Clans and Hay Day, is considering making the move to Android very soon.

CEO Ilkka Paananen explained to FT.com that it’s considering the move, stating, “You can’t be global without being in Asia, and you can’t be big in Asia without being on Android. I guess that’s a long way of saying that we are very actively thinking about it.”

The developer, bringing in $2.4 million a day through its apps, currently ranks on the third and fourth positions for Apple’s top grossing list for game apps. Moving that business to Android would be very profitable, even if the company has to get used to a different kind of hardware.

Expect the move to happen soon.

Source: The Next Web

Maya Comes To Mobile

BY

Autodesk today introduced Autodesk Maya LT 2014, a new 3D modeling and animation tool tailored for independent and mobile game developers. Maya LT draws inspiration from the high-end Autodesk Maya software that’s commonly used in console and PC game development to bring an intuitive, affordable new toolset for the creation of professional-grade 3D mobile, PC and web-based game assets.

“We see indie game developers as a key part of the industry, driving innovative new production techniques and gameplay,” said Chris Bradshaw, senior vice president, Autodesk Media & Entertainment.”The market is fiercely competitive, and Maya LT can provide indie developers and small studios with a powerful, yet simplified workflow for designing and animating remarkable 3D characters, environments and props – at a price that fits within even the most modest budget. It’s a practical solution that closely matches the needs of the mobile game development production cycle and helps developers rise above the noise and really shine.”

Maya LT includes support for the Unity 3D Engine and the Unreal® Engine through the FBX file format, and can import and export textures and objects in a variety of formats. Key features are lighting and texture baking, as well as animation tools like a skeleton generator and inverse kinematics..

Perhaps the most important feature is how Autodesk has priced the software. Autodesk Maya LT 2014 is now available for Mac and Windows at a starting price of $795 SRP per perpetual license. Term licenses will also be available as part of a monthly, quarterly or annual rental plan in the near future, starting at $50 SRP, $125 SRP and $400 SRP respectively.

Sony, Rockstar Address ‘GTA V’ Leak

BY

When Sony launched digital pre-orders for Grand Theft Auto V on the PlayStation Network, it was a good initiative, one that promised players first crack at downloading the game upon its release. Unfortunately, it came with a catch – a data leak that not only revealed the game’s soundtrack, but also some story spoilers.  According to VG24/7, the early release of these files was to help speed up downloads of the game once it releases, with its full file size estimated at 18GB.

Both Sony and Rockstar have since issued apologies over the leak.

Said Sony, “Regrettably, some people who downloaded the digital pre-order of Grand Theft Auto V through the PlayStation Store in Europe were able to access certain GTA assets. These assets were posted online. We have since removed the digital pre-order file from the PlayStation Store in Europe. We sincerely apologize to Rockstar and GTA fans around the world that were exposed to the spoiler content. GTA V is one of the most highly anticipated games of the year with a very passionate following, and we’re looking forward to a historic launch on 17th September.”

Rockstar added, “Unfortunately, as many of you may already know, some people who downloaded the digital pre-order of Grand Theft Auto V through the PlayStation Store in Europe were able to access certain GTA V assets leading to leaked information and media from the game appearing online. As you can imagine, we are deeply disappointed by leaks and spoilers being spread in advance of the game’s launch. GTA V represents years of hard work by many people across the world, and we couldn’t be more excited to finally share it with you properly this September 17th.”

Source: IGN

Free-To-Play Dominates Top Google Apps

BY

When a game goes free-to-play, that doesn’t mean it loses out on its opportunity to make cash for the company.

A report from App Annie has indicated that 96 percent of the top 100 highest-grossing apps in Google Play are of the free-to-play variety. This exceeds the number of iPhone and iPad apps, which clock in at 77 percent and 69 percent when it comes to overall sales.

The full chart shows the breakdown for each category. It’s clear that free-to-play games certainly have a future on the market.

Source: Mashable

‘GTA V’ Brings The Swag

BY

Rockstar Games has continued to hype Grand Theft Auto V like crazy, especially considering that the game has just gone live. Today, it unveiled a number of new screens featuring items that will be included with the Special and Collector’s editions of the games.

Such items include additional weapons like the .50 Caliber Pistol and the Bullpup Shotgun; new outfits for each of the main characters – Michael, Franklin and Trevor; custom characters for Grand Theft Auto Online (in the collector’s edition only), a special ability boost that gives better marksman and speed skills to each specific character; stunt plane trials where you can show off your flying skills; and unique vehicles and garage property in the collector’s edition, such as the Hotknife hot rod, the CarbonRS sports bike and the Khamelion electric car. Follow the link below to see these items in action.

Grand Theft Auto V releases on September 17 for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.

Source: Rockstar Games

Giant Lesson In Localized Marketing

BY

Overseas, Giant Interactive released its long-awaited Long Journey 2 as promised, with hundreds of thousands of gamers flocking to the official game’s release following a highly popular beta. However, not everything about the game has people excited, as certain ads have left some with a bad taste in their mouths.

Giant’s advertising campaign includes a number of billboards and banners which advertise the game in Jinggang Shan, which once the home base of the Red Army, the cradle of China’s communist revolution. This location holds high historical value, and many feel that the game’s ad placements are completely out of place. Most noteworthy is their use of the word “revolutionary” in regards to its Quanebao payment system. Unfortunately, not many people are pleased about them hyping such a feature in a place where Chinese civil wars were fought, and in a conflict that killed millions.

A rep for Giant Interactive explained that the ads were part of a nationwide campaign, and it wasn’t focusing exclusively on that specific location. It’s not the first time the company has used controversy to get attention, and it’s probably not the last. Think of the reactions here if Ubisoft had put Assassin’s Creed 3 marketing on historic Revolutionary War sites… will this marketing help Giant Interactive or hurt them in the long run

Source: Techinasia

Microsoft Stores Display Xbox One

BY

It’s not uncommon to feature systems in stores before they release in order to give consumers an idea of what they’re going to be getting when they purchase them. Microsoft is using this practice a little bit early, and has begun putting Xbox One consoles on display in its Microsoft stores.

Though the system itself isn’t playable, it is an exact replica of the system that people will be able to snag when it’s released later this year. The items on display include the Xbox One console, the Xbox One controller and the Xbox One Kinect device. From what we’ve seen, they’re quite slick, and a bit bulky in size, especially the system.

No word yet when the system will be playable in stores, but it’s likely to be sooner rather than later.

The Xbox One will release later this year.

Source: The Verge

GameStop Managers Get Sony Love

BY

Some people can’t wait to get their hands on a PlayStation 4 this holiday season. A select few – namely GameStop managers – will be able to get one for free.

The company’s GameStop EXPO, which is happening this week in Las Vegas, is where a number of managers are gathering to see upcoming games for the holiday season. To entice them with its next-generation of hardware and software, Sony is reportedly offering a free PlayStation 4 system and seven games – Killzone: Shadow Fall, NBA 2K14, Madden NFL 25, FIFA 14, Need For Speed: Rivals, Battlefield 4 and the PlayStation 3 game Beyond: Two Souls – to said managers.

It’s a brilliant way to make sure GameStop managers will be very familiar with the PS4, and thus more likely to be effective at selling the systems. Microsoft, Nintendo – what’s your response?

The PlayStation 4 releases on November 15 in the U.S. and November 29 in Europe.

Source: Joystiq

EA Reaffirms Support For Sony, Nintendo

BY

Electronic Arts has a couple of large Xbox One exclusives coming up in Titanfall and the “Ultimate Team” feature for FIFA 14. However, it isn’t content on staying exclusively in Microsoft’s camp, and recently reaffirmed its intentions with Sony and Nintendo as well.

Speaking with CVG, EA Labels president Frank Gibeau insisted that the relationship between the publisher and the system makers was still a strong one.

“One of the things that struck me this week is how a tactical deal with one of our platform partners has been blown out and perceived as strategic tilt – that’s a messaging error on our part. There is no strategic tilt,” said Gibeau.

Even though Sony and EA don’t have any exclusives lined up at the moment, Gibeau insisted “it’s a long cycle” and something could easily come down the road.

As far as Nintendo goes, EA Sports executive vice president Andrew Wilson spoke with IGN about the relations with that company.

“We’re not building for Nintendo right now, but we have a tremendous relationship with them and have had a long relationship with them, and should it make sense for us to do so in the future we’ll absolutely roll on that plan,” he stated.

Source: GamesIndustry International

Ballmer Retiring Amidst Microsoft Transition

BY

Microsoft’s long-time preparations for the Xbox One launch has had its fair share of news over the past several months, and Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer’s announcement that he will leave the company next year is shaking things up even more.

Ballmer recently announced his plans to retire sometime within the next 12 months, although he intends to remain at the helm of the company until Microsoft can appoint a new CEO.

“There is never a perfect time for this type of transition, but now is the right time,” said Ballmer in a press release. “We have embarked on a new strategy with a new organization and we have an amazing Senior Leadership Team. My original thoughts on timing would have had my retirement happen in the middle of our company’s transformation to a devices and services company. We need a CEO who will be here longer term for this new direction.”

One immediate result since Ballmer’s decision: Microsoft stock gained more than 8 percent, making Ballmer’s enormous Microsoft stock holdings worth a cool $1 billion dollars more with his decision.

A CEO transition like the one Microsoft is currently undergoing affects any company large and small, but the Xbox One direction and launch plans have been set in stone for awhile.  The Xbox business is worth several billion dollars to the Redmond-based giant, and we don’t expect Microsoft’s overall direction with their home entertainment division to deviate from its set course.

Xbox One is scheduled for release in the U.S. later this year.

Source: TechCrunch