Headline RePLAY – 6.15.12

Today on Headline RePLAY: Star Wars: The Old Republic considers free-to-play, Valve hires an economist and StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm is 99% done.

Signal the naysayers and I-told-you-so trolls, both BioWare and EA are orchestrating a discussion on Star Wars: The Old Republic going free-to-play; seen by many in the MMO community as a death-knell.

Speaking to GamesTM magazine, lead designer Emmanuel Lusinchi describes the challenges that BioWare faces over losing 400,000 subscribers and the competition coming from their free-to-play competitors.

“I think it’s more than the free-to-play model—it’s more that there is a lot of competitive offers,” said Lusinchi. “If it was just free-to-play games and they weren’t very good it wouldn’t even be a question but there are definitely good games out there and good games coming out, so of course all of this competition impacts your plan with what you want to do.”

When asked about SWTOR possibly switching to a F2P model, Lusinchi didn’t dismiss the idea. “The MMO market is very dynamic and we need to be dynamic as well,” he said. “Unless people are happy with what they have, they are constantly demanding updates, new models and situations. So we are looking at free-to-play but I can’t tell you in much detail. We have to be flexible and adapt to what is going on.”

EA labels boss Frank Gibeau agreed that a shift to a F2P is not out of the realm of possibility, but flexibility and timing is key. “We’re going to be in the business from a long term standpoint so absolutely we’re going to embrace free access, free trial, ultimately some day we can move in and embrace that model, Gibeau told GamesIndustry International. “It’s all a matter of timing and thinking things through. We have a great business right now and we’re not looking to make any abrupt changes.

“The advent of free-to-play is certainly a change in the dynamic of the PC market,” Gibeau continued. “I don’t think subscriptions ever go away, but when you have an IP as broad as Star Wars, we’re definitely going to look at opportunities to grow that business and look at different ways of bringing customers in and serving them.”

|Source: GamesTM 1, 2, GamesIndustry International

Virtual economies are economies too, and what better way to solve problems with an in-game economy than an economist? Valve has recruited Professor Yanis Varoufakis to consult on the issue of “linking economies in tow virtual environments” and the “balance of payments,” comparing it to the Eurozone crisis of Germany and Greece.  

The comparison wasn’t made out of a vacuum: Professor Varoufakis was writing about the economic imbalance between Germany and Greece in a blog, which co-founder Gabe Newell had been reading, and consequently inspired him to reach out to the economist.

Professor Varoufakis isn’t a gamer, but the economist was intrigued by Newell’s proposition on virtual economies and accepted a position at Valve.   

|Source: GamesIndustry International

How close is StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm to being done? So close, I’m shocked that a release date hasn’t been announced yet!

“We’re 99% done,” lead designer Dustin Browder told Kotaku writer Jason Schreier over the phone, “but that last 1% is a bitch.”

Browder says that all the missions are playable, all the units are ready, but the 1% comes down to whether “we like it or not” and lots of “tuning and polish.”

“Like we could do a play-through next week and we’re like, ‘Wow this is really great,’” he said. “Or we could do a play-through and we still have 250 items we wanna fix. You know, historically speaking we’re doing pretty well. We’re getting there. But I don’t know for sure yet when we’ll be done.”

|Source: Kotaku

Headline RePLAY – 5.22.12

Today on Headline RePLAY: The Nintendo 3D hits another sales milestone, the Star Wars: The Old Republic team experience layoffs and Blizzard responds to Diablo III hacking claims.

As PlayStation Vita sales continue to drop in Japan, Nintendo 3DS sales continue to rise as it crossed the six million mark this week in domestic sales, according to retail tracker Enterbrain, Famitsu’s publisher.

From its debut on February 26, 2011 to May 20, 2012, the handheld sold a grand total of 6,017,206 units in Japan alone.

According to Andriasang and Media Create data, the Nintendo 3DS was also the fastest handheld ever to reach 5 million in sales.  

|Source: Famitsu via Andriasang

BioWare doctors Greg Zeschuk and Ray Muzyka have confirmed layoffs with the Star Wars: The Old Republic’s development team today in a statement on the MMO’s official forums.

“Sadly, we are bidding farewell to some talented, passionate and exceptionally hard-working people who helped make SWTOR a reality,” said the BioWare doctors. “Impacting people’s lives this way is always very hard, but we’re ensuring the affected people are treated with dignity, fairness, and respect.”

Despite the layoffs, Dr. Zeschuk and Muzyka wanted to reassure fans that business will continue as usual with SWTOR. “We still have a very substantial development team working on supporting and growing the game, and we feel we are in a strong position, with your continued involvement and feedback, to continue to build Star Wars: The Old Republic as one of the most compelling and successful online experiences in the world today.”

|Source: SWTOR

In a coordinated effort to tackle the Diablo III hacking crisis, Blizzard has rejected allegations that hackers are bypassing authenticators and have devoted forum threads to aid players in buffing their Battle.net account security.

“We’ve been taking the situation extremely seriously from the start, and have done everything possible to verify how and in what circumstances these compromises are occurring,” said Blizzard Community Manager Micah “Bashiok” Whipple.

“Despite the claims and theories being made, we have yet to find any situations in which a person’s account was not compromised through traditional means of someone else logging into their account through the use of their password. While the authenticator isn’t a 100% guarantee of account security, we have yet to investigate a compromise report in which an authenticator was attached beforehand.”

In a separate thread dedicated to Battle.net account security, Community Manager Stephanie “Lylirra” Johnson explains that the rise of compromised accounts amidst the release of a new game is nothing new.

“Historically, the release of a new game—such as a World of Warcraft expansion—will result in an increase in reports of individual account compromises, and that’s exactly what we’re seeing now with Diablo III,” said Lylirra.  

“We know how frustrating it can be to become the victim of account theft, and as always, we’re dedicated to doing everything we can to help our players keep their Battle.net accounts safe—and we appreciate everyone who’s doing their part to help protect their accounts as well.”

|Source: Blizzard

Headline RePLAY – 4.24.12

Today on Headline RePLAY: BioWare denies any decline in Star Wars: The Old Republic subscription numbers, Diablo III open beta weekend had 300,000 concurrent users and the photos of one man’s family reenacted into videogame-inspired scenes. 

While not a direct challenge to the claim that Star Wars: The Old Republic subscription numbers are dropping, BioWare denies any such decline is taking place.  

BioWare’s Daniel Erickson told PC Gamer in an interview that any alleged drop is due to a decrease in users online at peak times. Erickson says that BioWare is doing “anything and everything” to keep users logging in.

“Nothing is off the table when it comes to making sure our communities are strong and active on each server,” said Erickson.

|Source: PC Gamer

Although the Diablo III open beta weekend was marred with login and Error 37 server full errors, it sure didn’t deter 300,000 demon slayers that came online to test the game Saturday.

In terms of total users that participated last weekend, Blizzard Community Manager Micah “Bashiok” Whipple can only guesstimate it as “a lot.”

For users that were able to login, a large part of the First Act was available: a level 13 cap and a battle with the Skeleton King.

Of course, everything was wiped once the beta weekend ended, but testers will have another chance to conquer the world of Diablo III when it launches on May 15th.  

|Source: Shack News

It all started as a family photo blog showcasing his kids to his sick mother, but once Jason Lee added a dash of creativity and a touch of talent to his photos, he transformed them into masterpieces depicting his daughters in a new light—like the Super Mario Bros. or Angry Birds.

“I started this project back in November of 2006, to document the lives of my children for my mom, who was diagnosed with Non Hodgkin’s Lymphoma,” Lee told Yahoo! Shine. “With the kids being sick all the time, it wasn’t a great idea to have them around her too often.”

For more on Lee’s amazing work, be sure to check out his gallery here and at the source link below. 

|Source: Yahoo!

Headline RePLAY – 3.30.12

Today on Headline RePLAY: BioWare receives and re-donates 400 cupcakes, Microsoft responds to a study that claims credit card information can be retrieved from pre-owned Xbox 360s and analysts believe that neither Sony nor Microsoft will block pre-owned titles on their next-gen hardware.

Yesterday, 400 cupcakes donated by Mass Effect 3 fans as a form of friendly protest to the game’s controversial endings arrived on BioWare’s doorstep at Edmonton, Canada. BioWare went to the forums to thank fans for their “creative” and “thoughtful” attempts but ultimately donated them to a local youth shelter.

“The gesture certainly gained our attention both with its creativity and deliciousness,” said BioWare’s Chris Priestly. “However, while we do appreciate that fans were creative in how they expressed their views, after a lot of discussion, we decided ultimately the reason that they were sent was not done in the context of celebrating the work or accomplishment of the Mass Effect 3 team. This is a subtle, but important aspect in determining how to pass the feedback to the team.”

In that context, rather than handing out the cupcakes to staff or “wasting good food,” BioWare instead donated them on behalf of the fans to a local Edmonton youth shelter.

“We know that for the kids that have to use this facility, something as simple as a cupcake is a rare treat and would definitely brighten up their day,” said Priestly. “Thank you for the fine folks at the local youth shelter for accepting the donation and to the fans who donated the cupcakes.”

*Source: BioWare Forums

After it was reported that hackers can obtain credit card information from pre-owned and refurbished Xbox 360s, Microsoft responded swiftly to assure owners that the company is investigating Drexel University’s research.

“We are conducting a thorough investigation into the researchers’ claims,” said Jim Alkove, Microsoft’s General Manager of Security of Interactive Entertainment Business, in a statement to Kotaku. “We have requested information that will allow us to investigate the console in question and have still not received the information needed to replicate the researchers’ claims.

“Xbox is not designed to store credit card data locally on the console,” Alkove explained, “and as such seems unlikely credit card data was recovered by the method described. Additionally, when Microsoft refurbishes used consoles we have processes in place to wipe the local hard drives of any other user data. We can assure Xbox owners we take privacy and security of their personal data very seriously.”

*Source: Kotaku

While it’s no secret that many in the videogame industry would love to see the pre-owned market disappear, analysts all agree that it would be suicidal for Sony or Microsoft to implement such technology on next-gen consoles despite rumors suggesting the contrary.

“It isn’t really in Sony’s or Microsoft’s best interests to blocked used games,” said Michael Pachter, a Wedbush Securities analyst. “It would benefit Activision and EA slightly, and would hurt GameStop a great deal. If Sony unilaterally did this, I could see GameStop refusing to carry their console, and sales of the PS4 would therefore suffer.”

Pachter is confident none of the big three console manufacturers (i.e. Nintendo, Microsoft, and Sony) “are stupid enough to do this unilaterally” nor “evil enough to do it together.” The analyst argues “if one does it and the others don’t, the one who does it will see a loss of market share.”

DFC Intelligence’s David Cole concurs, and adds that a console with anti-used technology would deter hardcore gamers. “A system that tried to stop used game sales would probably turn off the core consumers that rush to trade in their old product to buy a new product. In other words, I don’t think it would do so well in the core market.”  

“Customers would rebel,” agreed Lewis Ward, IDC’s research manager. “Until there’s the equivalent of a great ‘used’ digital console game trade-in program up and running, gamers will continue to like the ability to trade in discs and basically get discounts on other games.”

*Source: GamesIndustry International

Headline RePLAY – 3.27.12

Today on Headline RePLAY: The makers of Draw Something gets picked up by Zynga, a Mass Effect 3 cupcake campaign and the Navy wants to obtain user information from videogame consoles.   

Before Draw Something came along, Omgpop wasn’t doing so well: the company only had $17 million from investors and 35 games made—all of which brought little revenue. Omgpop was on the fast track of running financially dry by May if it wasn’t for Draw Something’s wild success. That very success led the company to be bought out by Zynga for $180 million.

“I had $1,700 in my bank account yesterday,” said Charles Forman, the founder of the New York-based studio, “and now I have a whole lot more.”

Initially, Draw Something only drew 30,000 downloads on release, but 10 days later, the downloads quickly approached and surpassed one million. When players posted their sketches on Twitter and Facebook and topped the Apple App Store charts the game started to generate hundreds of thousands of dollars per day.

“It never slowed down,” said Dan Porter, Omgpop’s chief executive. “The bigger it got, the bigger it got.”

Once Zynga caught wind of Omgpop’s success, the San Francisco-based company wasted no time cooking up propositions. A deal was announced Wednesday, and by Thursday all of Omgpop’s employees started working for Zynga.

*Source: New York Times

What better way to protest Mass Effect 3’s ending than sending hundreds of cupcakes to BioWare’s front door at Edmonton, Canada?

Enter the “RetakeME3 – Cupcake Campaign,” the latest movement to get BioWare to change the endings for Mass Effect 3 but to also “let BioWare know, that we trust them, and have faith in them.”

LoganKey, the campaign’s organizer, explains:

We are currently trying to organize the delivery of a mass of cupcakes to Bioware's studio in Edmonton. All the cupcakes will be divided into equal parts Red, Blue and Green colors... but they will all taste exactly the same. If you'd like to participate, please check out the thread below and let us know.   

This coming week, we should send Bioware boxes upon boxes of a dozen cupcakes. We are taking ideas as to what sort of notes we should have attached on each box. Some possibilities include:

- “No matter what color you choose, they all taste the same”;

- “No matter what color you choose, it’s all vanilla ;-D”

- “We rage because we love”

The campaign already exceeded its modest $1,005 goal at $1,131 and is ready to green light Fuss Cupcakes to start baking; the bakery will deliver the 400 cupcakes to BioWare.

*Source: BioWare Forums: RetakeME3 – Cupcake Campaign

Hide your files, hide your videogame consoles, ‘cause the Department of the Navy has contracted a company aptly called Obscure Technologies to obtain information from overseas, pre-owned consoles.

The almost $200,000 project aims to collect “sensitive and significant information from previous owners” by developing hardware and software tools that can be used for “extracting data from videogame systems.”

Obscure Technologies was chosen for the project because of their “substantial experience” working with videogame consoles’ “hardware of embedded systems” that contain “anti-tampering technology.” Notably, their lead scientist even reverse engineered a Xbox.

The project is prohibited from targeting any “U.S. persons.”

*Source: FedBizOpps.Gov via Kotaku

Headline RePLAY – 3.21.12

Today on Headline RePLAY: BioWare co-founder Dr. Ray Muzyka directly addresses fans on the Mass Effect 3 ending controversy, a bipartisan bill wants to put warning labels on videogames and a Final Fantasy XIII-2 and Mass Effect 3 crossover.

In an open letter to Mass Effect 3 fans, BioWare co-founder Dr. Ray Muzyka, expressed that the company is listening to players’ feedback about the game’s controversial endings and is working on content to address it.

“The team and I have been thinking hard about how to best address the comments on ME3’s endings from players, while still maintaining the artistic integrity of the game,” said Muzyka. “To that end, since the game launched, the team has been poring over everything they can find about reactions to the game – industry press, forums, Facebook, and Twitter, just to name a few.

From their research, Muzyka says that Executive Producer Casey Hudson and the Mass Effect 3 team will be working on “game content initiatives” to answer questions and provide more clarity “for those seeking further closure to their journey.”   

“We’re working hard to maintain the right balance between the artistic integrity of the original story while addressing the fan feedback we’ve received,” the co-founder emphasized. “This is in addition to our existing plan to continue providing new Mass Effect content and new full games, so rest assured that your journey in the Mass Effect universe can, and will, continue.

“Trust that we are doing our damndest, as always, to address your feedback. As artists, we care about our fans deeply and we appreciate your support.”

More details are to be revealed on April.

*Source: BioWare

Apparently, according to Congressmen Joe Baca (D-Calif.) and Frank Wolf (R-Va.) videogames are so dangerous that ta bill needed to be introduced that would require videogames to carry a warning label similar to the ones found on cigarettes:

“WARNING: Exposure to violent videogames has been linked to aggressive behavior.”

The bipartisan bill is H.R. 4204, or the Violence in Video Games Labeling Act. H.R. 4204 would require the Consumer Product Safety Commission to require most games to bear the warning label regardless of its rating by the ESRB; except for those rated “EC” or “early childhood.”

“The video game industry has a responsibility to parents, families and to consumers — to inform them of the potentially damaging content that is often found in their products,” said Baca. “They have repeatedly failed to live up to this responsibility.”

“Just as we warn smokers of the health consequences of tobacco, we should warn parents — and children — about the growing scientific evidence demonstrating a relationship between violent video games and violent behavior,” said Wolf. “As a parent and grandparent, I think it is important people know everything they can about the extremely violent nature of some of these games.”

The full bill can be read below:

To require certain warning labels to be placed on video games that are given certain ratings due to violent content.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION REGULATION.

a) REGULATION.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Consumer Product Safety Commission shall promulgate regulations to require the warning label described in subsection (b) to be placed on the packaging of any video game that is rated ‘‘E’’ (Everyone), ‘‘Everyone 10+’’ (Everyone 10 and older), ‘‘T’’ (Teen), ‘‘M’’ (Mature), or ‘‘A’’ (Adult) by the Entertainment Software Ratings Board.

(b) WARNING LABEL CONTENT.—The warning label required under a regulation issued under subsection (a) shall be placed in a clear and conspicuous location on the packaging of the applicable video game and shall state: ‘‘WARNING: Exposure to violent video games has been linked to aggressive behavior.’’.

(c) VIDEO GAME DEFINED.—As used in this Act, the term ‘‘video game’’ means any product, whether distributed electronically or through a tangible device, consisting of data, programs, routines, instructions, applications, symbolic languages, or similar electronic information (collectively referred to as ‘‘software’’) that controls the operation of a computer or telecommunication device and that enables a user to interact with a computer controlled virtual environment for entertainment purposes.

*Source: GamePolitics

Even Final Fantasy XIII-2 is not safe from Mass Effect 3—this week’s Famitsu magazine revealed new DLC that allows Serah and Noel to cosplay as Commander Shepard.

Most importantly, the same issue shows DLC for Final Fantasy VI’s favorite octopus Ultros as a coliseum participant to be fought and tamed! Typhon included, of course.

The costume and coliseum DLC are set for release on March 27.

*Source: Andriasang

Headline RePLAY – 3.19.12

Today on Headline RePLAY: Hideo Kojima hints about a film project, a complaint to the FTC and BBB is lodged against EA and BioWare for Mass Effect 3’s ending and speaking of endings, Tetsuya Nomura talks about Kingdom Hearts 3D’s.  

At Smithsonian Museum of Art, Hideo Kojima was asked if he was interested in making films, a lifelong passion that influenced the way he makes videogames.

Kojima noted he is always interested in filmmaking, but does not think Metal Gear Solid would work as one. However, the Metal Gear creator added that something is in the works.  

“I’m working on something, and I hope in the near future I’ll have something to announce,” said Kojima.

*Source: Joystiq 

The battle over Mass Effect 3’s ending has reached new heights when a fan took the cause to the Better Business Bureau and the Federal Trade Commission. The complaint lodged against EA and BioWare was for “false advertising.”

“After reading through the list of promises about the ending of the game they made in their advertising campaign and PR interviews, it was clear that the product we got did not live up to any of those claims,” said “El_Spiko” on the BioWare forums.

“This is not something I was happy to do,” continued El_Spiko, “but after the terrible ending that was in no way the product that had been advertised to me and the lack of any kind of response from BioWare/EA to address this, I felt it was one of my only recourses. I’ll be returning my copy of the game before the end of my 30 day return policy if the ending still hasn’t been addressed by then.”

El_Spiko encouraged like-minded fans to do the same and send complaints to the FTC and BBB.

While El_Spiko’s claims may be valid, BioWare has addressed the endings last week and most recently on Facebook.

*Source: Gamepur

Kingdom Hearts series director, Tetsuya Nomura, sure likes his surprise endings as he speaks to Famitsu magazine about Kingdom Hearts 3D’s main characters and its ending.

“If I had to say who the key persons were, I’d say they are the silver haired boy and Axel,” said Nomura. “This time at the end of the story, there will be the longest cutscene of the whole series where the true form of Ansem and Xemnas, as well as their goals and many other truths will be revealed all at once.”

Nomura added Kingdom Hearts 3D should take about 35 hours to complete.

*Source: Siliconera

Headline RePLAY – 3.16.12

Today on Headline RePLAY: BioWare is listening to fans on Mass Effect 3’s ending, Nintendo’s Koichi Hayashida clarifies statements about ideas for Super Mario Land 3D and Diablo III’s release date was predicted by math.

While Casey Hudson, Mass Effect 3’s director, defended the game’s controversial endings, BioWare recently told its community that the studio is listening to feedback from its fans and will respond once more people complete the game.

“We appreciate everyone’s feedback about Mass Effect 3 and want you to know that we are listening,” said BioWare’s Chris Priestly. “Active discussions about the ending are more than welcome here, and the team will be reviewing it for feedback and responding when we can. Please note, we want to give people time to experience the game so while we can’t get into specifics right now, we will be able to address some of your questions once more people have had time to complete the game.

“We understand there is a lot of debate on the Mass Effect 3 ending and we will be more than happy to engage in healthy discussions once more people get to experience the game. We are listening to all of your feedback.”

Of course, whether BioWare’s response will quell the controversy or birth new ones is another matter entirely.

*Source: BioWare Forums

When Nintendo’s Koichi Hayashida revealed that ideas like “Giant Mario” or “Pro Skater Mario” were considered as ideas for Super Mario Land 3D he apparently meant them as a joke and part of his speaking style.

“Just for this presentation I decided to turn my hilarity meter up to maximum for an American audience,” Hayashida told Joystiq. “If I was addressing a Japanese audience, of course, I would be much more subdued. I think if I tried to give that same presentation for a Japanese audience, they might not even be able to follow it.”

Exemplifying his point, Hayashida was surprised when the GDC crowd applauded for his “D. Mario” option that was on every multiple-choice question he offered during his presentation. “I was really surprised, because that's the sort of thing that Japanese audiences might have just sat there not clapping for.”

*Source: Joystiq

Math can divine many things like… Diablo III’s release date, for example. Extrapolated by Reddit user SweenWSweens, an equation nailed the recently announced release date exactly to May 15— and it was posted two months ago.

When asked about calculating the release date for Half-Life 3, SweenWSweens noted that would require “a division by zero.”

*Source: Reddit via Kotaku

Headline RePLAY – 3.14.12

Today on Headline RePLAY: LEGO Nintendobots are rolling out, Mass Effect 3 fans petition BioWare for a new ending through charity despite BioWare’s Casey Hudson defense of it.   

Domaster and Tetrawing are heroic Nintendobots that can transform from a Game Boy and Tetris cartridge to robot and bird and back. They are the creation of Julius von Brunk, and the best part is—they are entirely made out of LEGOs!

“The name Domaster is an amalgamation of “Dot Matrix with Stereo Sound,” Brunk explained on MOCpages, “the blurb written above the screens of old Game Boys. The name Tetrawing was coined by New York burlesque girl Dangrr Doll who does a Tetris-themed routine with D20 Burlesque—a geek/gamer sexy striptease troupe in my town!”

Domaster even comes equipped with a pair of LEGO AA Batteries that can be converted to a handheld gun and shoulder turret! Just how awesome is that?

For more on Domaster and Tetrawing, check out Brunk’s gallery at the source link below.

*Source: MOCpages

Rather than endlessly debate Mass Effect 3’s ending, one group of fans have decided to request BioWare that they craft an alternate ending by starting a donation drive to Child’s Play.  

“The Retake Mass Effect – Child's Play donation drive is a community driven effort to bring positive attention to our petition for an alternate ending to the fantastic Mass Effect series,” the site explained.

“To this end, we donate to the “Retake Mass Effect 3” Child's Play Charity drive in lieu of our signature to this petition, in order to establish our sincerity, our love for these games, and for the Mass Effect universe.”

Passionate fans have donated a grand total of $43 thousand to the cause in just two days since the charity drive’s inception.

Organizers have acknowledged that BioWare has the right to end the series “however they see fit.”

*Source: Retake Mass Effect – Child’s Play

Speaking to Digital Trends Casey Hudson, the Director and Executive Producer of Mass Effect 3, defended the game’s controversial endings.

“I didn’t want the game to be forgettable, and even right down to the sort of polarizing reaction that the ends have had with people–debating what the endings mean and what’s going to happen next, and what situation are the characters left in,” Hudson told Digital Trends.

“That to me is part of what’s exciting about this story. There has always been a little bit of mystery there and a little bit of interpretation, and it’s a story that people can talk about after the fact.”

*Source: Digital Trends