http://www.worldsinmotion.biz/ en Copyright 2008 Tue, 19 Aug 2008 14:00:23 -0500 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss With the recent launch of our new Worlds In Motion Job Board as a standalone board complete, complete with its own RSS feed and unique URL, every week, we will be highlighting the latest posted jobs relevant to our readership of professionals creating online worlds. The listings cover a wide range of companies and open positions, so everyone seeking jobs in the MMO/online/virtual world industry should find the board useful. - Blizzard Entertainment (Irvine, CA) Senior Software Engineer, Battle.net ("Blizzard Entertainment is looking for a talented and enthusiastic programmer to join our Battle.net team in Irvine, California. Battle.net is an online service enjoyed by millions of Blizzard Entertainment gamers around the globe. The senior software engineer must be self-motivated and able to work both independently and in conjunction with team members and product groups. Enthusiasm and flexibility in working on a variety of projects are also necessary. The ideal applicant is someone who enjoys technical challenges and the satisfaction of overcoming them.") - Cryptic Studios, Inc. (Los Gatos, CA) Customer Service - Director, Sr. VFX Artist, Sr. Sound Designer, and Game Design - Writer ("Cryptic's design process revolves around the vital question, "What is fun?" The close-knit team addresses this question at each stage of development, ensuring the creation of innovative, challenging and fun games. A solid foundation of efficient development tools allows Cryptic to focus on what they do best, creating games that break the boring, hardcore, high time commitment stereotypes of MMOG's.") As a reminder, once you've paid to post your job on Gamasutra, it's absolutely free to cross-post that job to any of Gamasutra's sister sites - including WorldsInMotion.biz! Worlds In Motion will continue to highlight the online worlds-related jobs posted at our new standalone Worlds In Motion Job Board, every week.]]> http://www.worldsinmotion.biz/2008/08/best_of_worlds_in_motion_jobs_9.php http://www.worldsinmotion.biz/2008/08/best_of_worlds_in_motion_jobs_9.php Announcements Tue, 19 Aug 2008 14:00:23 -0500 [Each day, Worlds in Motion will be taking a closer look at individual virtual worlds. We'll start with a nuts-and-bolts overview, then move on to an in-depth tour, to be followed up with a conclusion-- all with the aim of bringing you all the essential info and details on each world in the rapidly-developing virtual landscape. You can view Part 1 of our investigation here, and Part 2 here.] Online worlds are usually avatar based, and if they're games, they're normally RPGs. Developer GameForge bucks the trend with Ikariam, a browser based real-time strategy title that is most usually compared to Sid Meier's Civilization series. We reveal our conclusions on the title after the jump.]]> http://www.worldsinmotion.biz/2008/08/online_world_atlas_ikariam_pt_2.php http://www.worldsinmotion.biz/2008/08/online_world_atlas_ikariam_pt_2.php Online World Atlas Tue, 19 Aug 2008 14:00:00 -0500 Developer MindArk announced that its virtual world Entropia Universe will join graphics chip manufacturer Nvidia's "The Way It's Meant to Be Played" initiative, a program designed to help studios optimize and incorporate exclusive features in their games while promoting Nvidia's graphics hardware. According to MindArk, Nvidia will work with the company to "enhance" the game's visual effects, taking advantage of technologies in GeForce GPUs and Entropia Universe's upcoming implementation of Crytek's CryEngine2 game engine later this summer. Launched in January 2003, Entropia Universe has grown to over 720,000 registered accounts from over 200 countries. Users play as settlers tasked with colonizing a wild land, hunting monsters for by-products to trade and sell, mining for materials and exploring as they form new societies. The game is free to download and play, but all equipment and skills necessary for all but the most basic involvement must be purchased with Project Entropia Dollars (PED). Users may buy PED at a fixed exchange rate of $1 per 10 PED, or they may earn them in-game. The hallmark of Entropia Universe's business model is the fact that PED can also be changed back into real-world currency; theoretically, then, users can earn real money through in-world gains. Said MindArk's business development director David Simmonds: "We are thrilled to be working with Nvidia and look forward to a prosperous future together. The expertise that the Nvidia team has to offer is so valuable to us as we strive to continually provide the best gaming experience for our players."]]> http://www.worldsinmotion.biz/2008/08/entropia_joins_nvidia_consumer.php http://www.worldsinmotion.biz/2008/08/entropia_joins_nvidia_consumer.php Entropia Tue, 19 Aug 2008 13:54:00 -0500 Prepaid card distributor GMG Entertainment announced a partnership with animated avatar site Meez to offer prepaid cards, which include a "bonus free limited edition item" for the free-to-play community at Best Buy locations. GMG also reported that it extended its partnerships with current clients AdventureQuest, Gala-Net, and Stardoll. Meez claims over seven million registered teens and college-aged youths who visit the site to create customizable 3D avatars, play casual games, interact with others, and contribute to its virtual economy. The site's in-game currency, Coinz, can be used to purchase premium content, such as special animations or accessories. Said Meez CEO Sean Ryan: "Meez is very excited to announce our partnership with GMG Entertainment by introducing our prepaid cards into Best Buy stores across the country. This is a chance to not only offer our established user base an important new way to purchase virtual currency, but we look forward to inviting millions of new digital entertainment enthusiasts into the Meez community. Expanding further on his personal blog, Ryan described prepaid cards for virtual worlds as "perfect merchandise" for retailers because of their ability to deliver high value-to-floor-space ratios, offering margins closer to other physical products. "Given the decline of recorded music sales and the flattening of DVD sales, this can be a nice win for retailers who really focus on the digital entertainment category -- some of them will soon start to actually integrate their brands and links into these worlds so that users can move back and forth between virtual and physical spaces." He went on to applaud GMG's efforts to work with Best Buy to launch a specialized area for prepaid cards at the electronics retailer's video game sections: " ... retail placement and the resulting revenue will be a key driver for successful digital entertainment brands, and leading retailers will benefit by offering these options to their customers."]]> http://www.worldsinmotion.biz/2008/08/gmg_meez_partner_to_offer_prep.php http://www.worldsinmotion.biz/2008/08/gmg_meez_partner_to_offer_prep.php Announcements Tue, 19 Aug 2008 13:22:01 -0500 Perfect World Entertainment announced the launch of its closed beta for free-to-play MMORPG 3D Perfect World International. The game is expected to have an open beta later this fall. Serving as the English-based, international version of Perfect World II, which was released in China in July 2005, the game is inspired by Chinese mythology and based in the mythical world of Pangu. Players can create characters from three unique races, join guilds, control and battle over territory with their guilds, marry other characters, create items with crafting skills, and more. Players can also earn and spend money in the in-game Cash Shop to temporarily increase stats with consumables, expand storage capabilities, customize fashion and equipment, and purchase mounts that allow faster movements. Said Perfect World Entertainment CEO Alan Cheng: "Today’s beta launch is an exciting milestone for us as it provides the opportunity for North American gamers to receive their first introduction to Perfect World International. Providing early access to the full game underscores our commitment to customer satisfaction while demonstrating the well-designed, high quality entertainment experience that gamers can expect from Perfect World International."]]> http://www.worldsinmotion.biz/2008/08/perfect_world_closed_beta_laun.php http://www.worldsinmotion.biz/2008/08/perfect_world_closed_beta_laun.php Beta Tue, 19 Aug 2008 12:21:08 -0500 With the 2008 Austin Game Developers Conference coming this September 15-17 and registrations open for the Austin, Texas event - which includes both 'Online Gaming' tracks and a special Worlds In Motion Summit for businesspeople and brands looking to get into virtual worlds, we're highlighting one of our upcoming Worlds In Motion lectures. Rebel Monkey CEO and founder Margaret Wallace will answer the important question of how to ensure that people will come to your virtual world once you've launched it. Titled "If You Build It, Will They Come? ," the session will cover what considerations need to be made to elevate your virtual world business on a world-class scale. Before launching the casual games studio Rebel Monkey, Wallace served as CEO of Skunk Studios, also a casual games developer, and worked at Shockwave.com and PF Magic. She also serves on the Steering Committee for the International Game Developers Association (IGDA) Casual Games Special Interest Group (SIG). For more information, including a number of other key already-debuted lectures that we'll be highlighting weekly here on WorldsInMotion.biz, alongside further new Worlds In Motion Summit/online keynote specifics as they happen, check out the official Austin GDC 2008 website.]]> http://www.worldsinmotion.biz/2008/08/wim_highlight.php http://www.worldsinmotion.biz/2008/08/wim_highlight.php Conference Mon, 18 Aug 2008 12:38:50 -0500 Seeking to support schools affected by the country's recent economic downturn, children’s online protection company eGuardian and virtual world Woogi World launched a venture offering eGuardian's software and access to Woogi World for schools to use as a fundraiser. Schools not only receive eGuardian for free by registering for the offer before September 30th, but they can also make the software and membership available to parents for a nominal donation, with 100 percent of the proceeds going to the schools. Targeted at children in kindergarten to sixth grade, Woogi World is a virtual world and community in which kids worldwide can safely play educational games and chat while learning how to become “responsible internet users and goodwill ambassadors (good influences in their homes, schools, and communities).” Woogi World announced in April that it had enlisted eGuardian's software to keep dangerous adults and malicious content out of the children's virtual world with parental controls, site blockers, and access restrictors. Said Woogi World CEO Scott Dow: "WoogiWorld is committed to children's welfare -- whether they are in a virtual world or the real world. By providing our service to the schools free-of-charge, school districts around the country can potentially generate millions of dollars to go directly into its coffers."]]> http://www.worldsinmotion.biz/2008/08/eguardian_woogi_world_offer_sc.php http://www.worldsinmotion.biz/2008/08/eguardian_woogi_world_offer_sc.php Partnerships Mon, 18 Aug 2008 12:31:03 -0500 UTV Interactive, the gaming arm of Indian entertainment group UTV Software Communications, has entered an agreement to acquire an 80 percent stake in online game publisher True Games Interactive. The Mumbai-headquartered company previously announced in December 2006 that it had purchased mobile games developer Indiagames and UK-based console games developer Ignition Entertainment (Mercury Meltdown series). The latter recently announced two new executive placements as part of further plans to expand its U.S. operations following the opening of two new development studios in Tokyo and Florida . Founded in January 2008 by former execs of MMO service provider K2 Network, True Games focuses on free-to-play, microtransactions-driven business models for independent developers and publishers. The studio announced a partnership in April with developer Petroglyph (Universe At War, Star Wars: Empire At War) to release a free-to-play, microtransaction-funded PC online game. True Games intends to launch its first title in Q3 2008. Said UTV Interactive CEO Preneet Malhotra: "Online gaming is the platform of the future once broadband penetration reaches across world markets. While this phenomenon is led by Asia, it has started gaining traction in the west as well. The True Games acquisition gives UTV not only presence in the international online gaming space, both in content creation and publishing but is also a major step towards achieving UTV's 360 degree gaming vision."]]> http://www.worldsinmotion.biz/2008/08/uttv_acquires_majority_stake_i.php http://www.worldsinmotion.biz/2008/08/uttv_acquires_majority_stake_i.php Announcements Mon, 18 Aug 2008 12:13:22 -0500 [Each day, Worlds in Motion will be taking a closer look at individual virtual worlds. We'll start with a nuts-and-bolts overview, then move on to an in-depth tour, to be followed up with a conclusion-- all with the aim of bringing you all the essential info and details on each world in the rapidly-developing virtual landscape.] Online worlds are usually avatar based, and if they're games, they're normally RPGs. Developer GameForge bucks the trend with Ikariam, a browser based real-time strategy title that is most usually compared to Sid Meier's Civilization series. We go in-depth with the title after the jump. ]]> http://www.worldsinmotion.biz/2008/08/online_world_atlas_ikariam_pt_1.php http://www.worldsinmotion.biz/2008/08/online_world_atlas_ikariam_pt_1.php Online World Atlas Mon, 18 Aug 2008 12:00:00 -0500 Sony Online Entertainment announced two new expansions for its MMORPGs at its Fan Faire event over the weekend, EverQuest: Seeds of Destruction and EverQuest II: The Shadow Odyssey. Due October 21st, EverQuest: Seeds of Destruction marks the 15th expansion of the original EverQuest game. With the release, players will have access to 20 new zones, new raid content, new spells, new alternate advancement abilities, and mercenaries, which are player-controlled NPCs designed to assist with PvE encounters. The level cap has also been increased to 85. EverQuest II: The Shadow Odyssey, the fifth expansion for the EQII franchise, will be available on November 18th. The Shadow Odyssey will include 20 new zones, dungeon adventures, new deities, an achievement level cap increase to 200, five heritage quests, a shard reward system, and a new mission system for players to replay content with new and different experiences. The expansions were announced at 2008 SOE Fan Faire, the company’s annual social gathering event at Las Vegas held for fans of its online games. Attendees were given software for both expansions for free as part of SOE's recently-launched Living Legacy initiative. Said SOE president John Smedley: “It is such a privilege to announce the upcoming expansions for two of our most popular games, EverQuest and EverQuest II, in a venue like Fan Faire where we are joined by thousands of our loyal fans, and it seems more than appropriate to give those fans access to both of the expansions for free."]]> http://www.worldsinmotion.biz/2008/08/expansions_announced_for_everq.php http://www.worldsinmotion.biz/2008/08/expansions_announced_for_everq.php Sony Mon, 18 Aug 2008 11:06:47 -0500 Norway-based Funcom's Age of Conan has sold, both digitally and at retail, over 800,000 copies, the company says, and now has 415,000 customers. The successful launch, Funcom says, helped propel it to second quarter revenues of $13 million, exceeding its own estimations by $1 million primarily thanks to higher box sales than Funcom expected, while losses totaled about $5.7 million, largely in AoC launch costs. Funcom expects revenues of $16 to $20 million in the third quarter, primarily from AoC subscription dollars, while the company says it'll aim to maximize the length of current user engagement while earning new subscribers. The company says it's been issuing an average of one patch per week, and will continue to "commit enhancement and corrections" to AoC based on player feedback, as part of its retention strategy, with a focus on the "high end" parts of the game, along with items and bug fixes. Funcom also says that the average playtime per player is lower than it expected, and suggests this might be due to the fact that the average player, at age 29, is older and likely has less time for long sessions, and that at this time during the year many are on summer vacation trips. The company plans to enter the Russian and Polish markets with new localizations, and says it's also negotiating in the Asian markets to launch there in the second half of 2009. Finally, the company is "in the early development phase" of the Xbox 360 version of Age of Conan. [The preceding article by Leigh Alexander originally appeared on Worlds in Motion sister site Gamasutra.]]]> http://www.worldsinmotion.biz/2008/08/415000_age_of_conan_users_driv.php http://www.worldsinmotion.biz/2008/08/415000_age_of_conan_users_driv.php Announcements Mon, 18 Aug 2008 11:04:19 -0500 Organizers of the GC Asia Conference (GCAC), which will take place in Singapore from September 18 - 20, announced that Nexon Corporation (MapleStory) and Nexon Mobile CEO Joonmo Kwon will deliver a keynote speech titled "Online Game as Social Interactive Entertainment Media." Kwon is also currently president of the Korea Association of Game Industry. He has previously served as chairman of the Korea Game Award's screening committee and as a member of the Committee of Korea Media Rating Board. The convention will feature several other notable industry figures as panelists, including as Lucasfilm Animation Singapore's Games Division project lead Feargus Carroll, Electronic Arts' Asia Pacific vice president and general manager Christopher Thompson, and IGDA Singapore coordinator Allan Simonsen. Said GCAC conference director Frank Sliwka: "Joonmo Kwon is a veteran in the online and mobile games industries and his knowledge of online games and entertainment will be very valuable to the GCAC attendees. His keynote is a great addition to the conference program, which intends to bring together industry specialists from around the globe to share their ideas and strengthen their business relationships."]]> http://www.worldsinmotion.biz/2008/08/nexon_ceo_kwon_to_keynote_gc_a.php http://www.worldsinmotion.biz/2008/08/nexon_ceo_kwon_to_keynote_gc_a.php Conference Fri, 15 Aug 2008 12:41:32 -0500 Singapore-based distributor New Era Digital Interactive Media will bring two online games to the Philippines, MMORPG Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures and teen social networking site and virtual world Habbo, according to a report from the Philippine Daily Inquirer's gaming news site, hackenslash. Sulake Corporation, the developer behind Habbo, announced in June that it registered its 100 millionth user-created avatar since the service's launch in 2000. According to Sulake, Habbo receives 10 million monthly visitors worldwide. In just the past six months, the community has grown by nearly 20 million registered new users, mostly due to a mix of factors -- new marketing and in-game campaigns, celebrity appearances in various countries, enhanced user features, and a recent site redesign. Though New Era plans to distribute and promote Habbo in the Philippines, the game will be hosted in Singapore. The company is currently in the process of opening an office in Pasig City and intends to eventually introduce prepaid cards for the game in the country, with denominations of ₱50 and ₱100 (approximately $1.23 and $2.45, respectively).]]> http://www.worldsinmotion.biz/2008/08/new_era_bringing_habbo_to_phil.php http://www.worldsinmotion.biz/2008/08/new_era_bringing_habbo_to_phil.php Habbo Fri, 15 Aug 2008 12:40:35 -0500 Developer Fluid Entertainment announced Emerald Island, an environmentally aware children's MMO currently in open beta and scheduled for release in fall 2008. Though trying out the beta requires a downloadable application, Fluid intends to launch the game as a web-based application. Set against an environmentally themed story, Emerald Island is designed to encourage self-expression, exploration, community participation, and global consciousness. Players will be able to take part in events and complete quests to help Tamino, the game's hero, save the island from a group of Pirat rodents. Players can also try out a gardening simulation to plant and cultivate 150 different species of plants. Furthermore, Fluid has partnered with non-profit organization Trees for the Future to plant ten trees for every child that participates in the beta. Based in Mill Valley, California and founded in 1998, Fluid Entertainment is an independent children's interactive entertainment developer led by founder and chief creative officer Scott Mathwes. The company secured $3.2 million in Series A funding led by Trinity Ventures in March 2008.]]> http://www.worldsinmotion.biz/2008/08/fluid_entertainment_announce_e.php http://www.worldsinmotion.biz/2008/08/fluid_entertainment_announce_e.php Announcements Fri, 15 Aug 2008 12:11:42 -0500 Teen and 'tween social networking site and doll dress-up community Stardoll announced that it reached 20 million registered users since launching in 2006. Backed by $10 million in venture funding from Sequoia Capital and Index Ventures, Stardoll has doubled membership since announcing in August 2007 that it reached its 10 million members registered milestone. The company also announced that it has experienced a 33% increase in monthly unique visitors and that it has so far sold over 208 million virtual items. To celebrate its 20 millionth member, Stardoll is giving away 20 Stardollars, the site's currency, to anyone who log in within 36 hours after the site reaches the milestone. The company is also giving away twenty couture creations to thousands of its members through a lottery. ]]> http://www.worldsinmotion.biz/2008/08/stardoll_celebrates_20_million.php http://www.worldsinmotion.biz/2008/08/stardoll_celebrates_20_million.php Announcements Fri, 15 Aug 2008 11:44:06 -0500