Unity is now a better experience on Facebook  
by Mike Rose [03.27.13]
The makers of popular development platform Unity have released an update for the game engine that focuses on improved Facebook functionality, and a better Unity user experience on the social network.
Social/Online, Business/Marketing

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One Life Left returns for Official GDC Podcast 1
by Gamasutra Community [03.27.13]
Video game radio gurus One Life Left are in San Francisco this week, teaming up with Gamasutra for the Official GDC Podcast. Co-host Ann Scantlebury explains what's in store.
Console/PC, Social/Online, Smartphone/Tablet, Indie, Programming, Art, Audio, Design, Production, Business/Marketing, GDC

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The five reasons freemium sucks (according to QWOP's developer) 24
by Leigh Alexander [03.26.13]
The free-to-play business model has five big problems, says Bennett Foddy -- but being creative about solving them can result in a more meaningful application of free-to-play games.
Console/PC, Social/Online, Smartphone/Tablet, Indie, Exclusive, GDC

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Kongregate's 6 habits for keeping F2P players playing (and paying!) 12
by Frank Cifaldi [03.26.13]
Kongregate COO and co-founder Emily Greer has built her company on maintaining players for the long haul. At a GDC session she described the six pillars her company has identified for keeping players happy (and keeping the revenues flowing).
Social/Online, Design, Business/Marketing, GDC

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When arguments get in the way of making games 11
by Gamasutra Community [03.26.13]
A blog post that looks at the psychological effects that make us prone to boosting our own ideas -- and explores what happens when members of a team just can't agree.
Console/PC, Social/Online, Indie, Design

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GDC 2013 Day 1: Indies speak out  
by John Polson [03.26.13]
Highlights from the first day of GDC 2013 include Double Fine's Kipnis on the game jam inspired by @petermolydeux, Terry Cavanagh calling for indies to curate their own games, and Giant Sparrow on The Unfinished's Swan's journey to PSN.
Console/PC, Social/Online, Smartphone/Tablet, Indie, Programming, Design, GDC

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Are free-to-play games... socialist? 12
by Gamasutra Community [03.26.13]
If paying players support those who don't spend those who invest money into the game, are free-to-play games actually a form of socialism? One designer makes the argument.
Social/Online, Smartphone/Tablet, Business/Marketing

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New GamesAnalytics service offers analytic tools for free-to-play games  
by Mike Rose [03.26.13]
Monetization firm GamesAnalytics has launched a new monthly subscription service called Measure, aimed at providing publishers and developers with access to self-serve analytic tools for free-to-play games.
Console/PC, Social/Online, Smartphone/Tablet, Indie, Business/Marketing

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'Be suspicious of data,' says video game data guy  
by Kris Graft [03.25.13]
Joost van Dreunen is CEO of growing video game market and sales data company SuperData. But even as someone who supplies clients with data, he says data alone shouldn't dictate a developer's decisions.
Social/Online, Smartphone/Tablet, Business/Marketing, GDC

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Triple Town devs on finding the fun in free-to-play game design 4
by Patrick Miller [03.25.13]
Rapid iteration, early releases, and a broad design space are key to building original successful free-to-play games, say Spry Fox (Triple Town) devs during a session at GDC's free-to-play summit.
Social/Online, Design, Business/Marketing, Exclusive, GDC

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7 practical tips for making a moral game 4
by Kris Graft [03.25.13]
Video game writers have long had a strong desire to instill a moral component in their games. Microsoft senior designer Richard Rouse III offers some practical tips of incorporating morality into your game
Console/PC, Social/Online, Smartphone/Tablet, Indie, Design, GDC

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Jagex turns to HTML5 for RuneScape 3  
by Mike Rose [03.25.13]
UK-based developer Jagex today announced a big step forward for its popular RuneScape RPG franchise, with a new installment on the way, and a new engine.
Console/PC, Social/Online, Design, Business/Marketing, Video

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Press at GDC: Here are some media-friendly lecture recommendations  
by Simon Carless [03.24.13]
GDC 2013 kicks off tomorrow, and it'll be a busy week for not only game industry professionals, but also journalists. UBM Tech EVP Simon Carless recommends some of the more media-friendly GDC lectures.
Console/PC, Social/Online, Smartphone/Tablet, Indie, Serious

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GDC 2013: What you need to know onsite  
by GDC Staff [03.22.13]
With just three days before GDC 2013 begins, organizers are offering suggestions to maximize attendees' experience, including a full attraction line-up, the schedule builder and mobile app.
Console/PC, Social/Online, Smartphone/Tablet, Indie, Programming, Design, Production, Business/Marketing, GDC

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Warner Bros. forms new mobile game studio in San Francisco  
by Mike Rose [03.22.13]
Warner Bros. Interactive has formed a new studio in San Francisco, which it says will focus on developing free-to-play mobile and browser-based games.
Social/Online, Smartphone/Tablet, Business/Marketing, Recruitment

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What's with the secrecy in the game industry? 12
by Gamasutra Community [03.22.13]
The game industry isn't always as open as it could be. Why is that, and how do you know when to talk and when to shut up? One researcher explores our relationship with secrecy.
Console/PC, Social/Online, Smartphone/Tablet, Business/Marketing

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A new crowdfunding platform aims to gamify pledging  
by Mike Rose [03.22.13]
A new game crowdfunding website is hoping to better the competition through the gamification of user pledging, and the offer of international support.
Console/PC, Social/Online, Smartphone/Tablet, Indie, Business/Marketing

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Your indie guide to IGF 2013: A GDC primer  
by GDC Staff [03.21.13]
The week-long 2013 Game Developers Conference, which hosts the Independent Games Festival and Summit, begins Monday. We're highlighting some of the can't miss indie-related events happening every day.
Console/PC, Social/Online, Smartphone/Tablet, Indie, Design, Production, Business/Marketing, GDC

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Get a job: Blizzard is looking for a UI designer  
by Frank Cifaldi [03.21.13]
Blizzard Entertainment is looking for a talented and enthusiastic user interface designer to work on StarCraft II and Blizzard All-Stars. The ideal candidate will have a strong design sense of usability, aesthetics, and UI flow through various online screens and systems.
Console/PC, Social/Online, Design, Recruitment

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Zynga takes another giant leap toward Facebook independence  
by Frank Cifaldi [03.21.13]
Starting next week, players entering Zynga.com will sign in with a Zynga-specific account, which has the option of hooking up with a Facebook account via Facebook Connect. Previously, Facebook Connect was the only way to sign into the site.
Social/Online, Business/Marketing

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