How Jagex plans to entice new players into its 12-year-old MMO 3
by Mike Rose [05.03.13]
RuneScape first launched 12 years ago, and is now one of the most content-filled MMOs available. With the upcoming RuneScape 3, Jagex has a plan to reel in those players still daunted by the scale.
Console/PC, Social/Online, Design, Business/Marketing, Exclusive

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Google hires a chief game designer, but isn't saying why 2
by Kris Ligman [05.02.13]
Industry veteran Noah Falstein joins Google's ranks as its new chief game designer, but the reasons behind the move remain a little unclear.
Console/PC, Smartphone/Tablet, Design, Production, Business/Marketing

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Sorry Nintendo, Madden just isn't that into (Wii) U 27
by Kris Ligman [05.02.13]
The Nintendo Wii U is still struggling to build a robust lineup of titles. Now, EA Sports has announced its Madden series will not be making an appearance on the console in 2013.
Console/PC, Production, Business/Marketing

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TimeGate in turmoil, owing creditors for engine licensing, pizza 6
by Kris Ligman [05.02.13]
The tale of Aliens: Colonial Marines' tumultuous development gained an additional layer on Wednesday with co-developer TimeGate Studios filing for bankruptcy protection.
Console/PC, Business/Marketing

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Shooter games boost Chinese online game market, as MMORPGs give way 3
by Kris Ligman [05.02.13]
Even as mobile devices take hold and MMORPGs give way to new genres, there's still an opportunity to build a business around online games in China, according to a new report.
Console/PC, Business/Marketing

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The cat memes in Scribblenauts are illegal, claims cat meme duo 20
by Kris Graft [05.02.13]
The owners of a couple of the most famous cat memes in internet history are suing Warner Bros. and independent game studio 5th Cell for allegedly using those cats without permission.
Console/PC, Business/Marketing, Video

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Facebook reported its best quarter for games, ever 1
by Kris Graft [05.02.13]
As social game giant Zynga makes major moves to free itself of Facebook dependence, Facebook recorded its strongest quarter for game revenue ever.
Social/Online, Business/Marketing

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Russia still leads in online piracy, says new Special 301 Report  
by Kris Ligman [05.01.13]
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) has released its 2013 Special 301 Report, highlighting non-US markets which fail to enforce US copyright.
Console/PC, Business/Marketing

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'Democracy is a killer, sometimes, in making games' 23
by Kris Ligman [05.01.13]
Richard Tsao, Ubisoft Chengdu's managing director, talks about the unique challenges (and advantages) of game development in the Chinese mainland.
Console/PC, Programming, Art, Design, Production, Business/Marketing

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Valve's new Counter-Strike experiment pays back modders 2
by Mike Rose [05.01.13]
As Valve continues to experiment with user-generated content on its Steam platform, the company this month launched a new series of limited-time DLC updates for its popular Counter Strike franchise.
Console/PC, Business/Marketing

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Blog: A quick look at April's Xbox Live Arcade arcade sales  
by Gamasutra Community [05.01.13]
Ryan Langley is a level designer at Halfbrick by day, an Xbox Live Arcade sales guru by night. See how many players Trials, Dust, Terraria and other games gained this past month.
Console/PC, Social/Online, Business/Marketing

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Blog: Building your mobile game for Chinese success  
by Gamasutra Community [05.01.13]
The difficulties and opportunities abound for mobile game success in China. CocoaChina's Lei Zhang outlines the most important things you can do to meet the challenge.
Smartphone/Tablet, Design, Production, Business/Marketing

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Gearbox, Sega sued over alleged Aliens discrepancies 18
by Mike Rose [05.01.13]
A lawsuit filed this week claims that Sega and Gearbox knowingly lied to consumers by releasing show demos for space shooter Aliens: Colonial Marines that were unrepresentative of the final product.
Console/PC, Business/Marketing

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Analysis: What's selling in the UK? 2
by Gamasutra Community [05.01.13]
Gamasutra's Matt Matthews preps a quick breakdown of 2013 software sales in the UK, showing the surprising strength of retail PC games, the state Nintendo's platforms, and Xbox's battle against PlayStation.
Console/PC, Business/Marketing

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Crowdfunding's hits and misses 3
by Staff [05.01.13]
Game Developer magazine speaks to Double Fine, Brenda Romero, and Chris Roberts in this sprawling article which takes in best practices and lessons learned -- including the harsh ones.
Console/PC, Indie, GD Mag, Business/Marketing, GD Mag Exclusive

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With online gambling legal in Nevada, door opens for Zynga and others  
by Kris Ligman [04.30.13]
Until recently internet poker has been deemed illegal within the United States. Three states have passed legislation to legalize it, with Nevada being the first to put it into practice.
Social/Online, Business/Marketing

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Gree's looking into monetizing fun instead of friction 6
by Kris Graft [04.30.13]
Charging players to circumvent the "grind" in free-to-play games is one way to make money. But now Gree's wondering if it can make money without the grind, and focus on selling the fun instead.
Social/Online, Smartphone/Tablet, Design, Business/Marketing, Exclusive

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As Zynga struggles on mobile, it invests $10 million in tablet game studio 1
by Kris Ligman [04.30.13]
As the Facebook-centric Zynga continues its transition to mobile, the company has invested $10 million in TapZen, a tablet game company founded by former Zynga exec Mike Verdu.
Smartphone/Tablet, Business/Marketing

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Richard Bartle on using his Bartle Types for gamification 2
by Gamasutra Community [04.30.13]
Bartle Types, which identify player types, are seminal -- and are often overextended away from the MUD players they were designed to understand. In this interview, Bartle discusses their expansion.
Social/Online, Smartphone/Tablet, Design, Business/Marketing

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Blog: Fixing Steam Greenlight: One indie's perspective 7
by Gamasutra Community [04.30.13]
His game may never make it onto Steam -- and while he waits, this indie dreams up ways Valve could radically revamp its approval system.
Console/PC, Indie, Business/Marketing

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