Electronic Arts Star Wars: The Old Republic Goes Free-to-Play

AUG 1, 2012 • Electronic Arts described its road map for transforming Star Wars: The Old Republic into a free-to-play MMO. Starting Aug. 6, the game’s MSRP is being reduced to $14.99 to spur new sales. In November, the first 50 levels of the MMO will be free to play with restrictions on new content and high-level character options. “The pivot to free-to-play is really about opening up the top of the funnel and getting more players through and startin.....

Zynga Financial Results Disappoint

July 25, 2012 • Zynga Inc. posted bruising second quarter financial results that threw into question whether the social games powerhouse now faces declining fortunes ahead. The publisher posted a loss of $22.8 million for the quarter, with $332 million in revenue. Analysts had expected revenue of $343 million for the period. During the same quarter a year ago, Zynga turned a profit of $1.4 million. In worse news, Zynga cut its forcast for 2012 bookings, which is.....

World of Warcraft Mists of Pandaria Release Set

JULY 25, 2012 • Blizzard Ent. has set Sept. 25 as the release date for the new Mists of Pandaria expansion to World of Warcraft. The base package will be available at retail and digitally for $39.95. A $79.95 Collector’s Edition will also be available at retail. What is somewhat novel is that Blizzard is marketing a $59.95 Digital Deluxe version for $59.95 that includes all of the in-game virtual items from the more expensive retail edition. The most popul.....

Electronic Arts Antitrust Football Suit Settled

JULY 20, 2012 • Electronic Arts has reached a proposed settlement in a case where its EA Sports division was accused of violating antitrust and consumer protection laws in the overcharging of consumers for Madden NFL, NCAA and Arena Football League games. In each case EA had secured exclusive licenses to produce and market “official” third-party titles for the two professional leagues, and college football teams. The claim against EA Sports was that .....

Bigpoint Drops Mobile Development

JULY 19, 2012 • Bigpoint GmbH has made the economic decision that contracting with outside mobile development teams is preferable to maintaining in-house staff to create content for smartphones. The decision comes at the same time that executives Philip (chief games officer) and Tobias Reisberger (chief revenue officer) have stepped down to create their own mobile studio, AppFlag. While the departure of the brothers is said to be on good terms, it is reported th.....

Call of Duty Online Set For China

JULY 3, 2012 • Activision Blizzard, Inc. and Tencent Holdings Ltd. confirmed their partnership to release Call of Duty Online in China. The title has been in development for the last two years, and has been built upon the multiplayer experience of existing Call of Duty titles. Tencent says Call of Duty Online will introduce a new gaming model designed specifically for the Chinese market that gives players greater options to better personalize their weapons, ch.....

Ayzenberg Interview Economics & Social Games

JUNE 26, 2012 • DFC Intelligence recently published the report The Market for Browser and Social Network Games.  This report looks closely at not only growth prospects for the segment but also key business model issues such as development costs, customer acquisition issues and marketing and distribution challenges. Getting a grounding in the business of social network games can be equally daunting for companies with retail ga.....

Crytek Embraces Free-to-Play

JUNE 11, 2012 • Crytek, the game company best known for its Far Cry and Crysis PC game franchises, is determined to become an all free-to-play (F2P) developer. In an interview with Videogamer.com, Crytek chief executive Cevat Yerli said that the company’s upcoming multiplayer FPS Warface will begin the .....

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