The MMO market is rapidly changing and the competition is getting more fierce and creative. World of Warcraft still stands on top but that doesn’t stop Blizzard from considering what their opposition is doing.  World of Warcraft Lead designer Tom Chilton comments on how companies have moved on to the free-to-play model,”I feel like they’re doing that to compete with other games that are on a similar subscriber level to what they were at. ” He goes on applying this situation to Blizzard, talking about the potential scenario of another MMO with a similar subscriber number coming along forcing them to drop their subscription fee, “I can definitely imagine that being the case with World of Warcraft. If another game comes along and blows us away it may not make sense for us to have a subscription fee. Or even further down the line, when we have another MMO out.”

While we all know that it’s highly unlikely that any MMO can compete to WoW’s 11 Million subscribers, it’s still a good thing to think about. There are a lot of MMOs of varying sizes and popularity that have adopted the freemium model and have proved somewhat successful because of it. Games like Dungeon and Dragons Online and Maple Story–while still free to play–have made a good profit off of micro transactions for small things like items, or costumes, and other things of the sort.

Tom doesn’t see this happening in World of Warcraft’s future, though. “We’re not spending a lot of time thinking about it”, and for obvious reasons, WoW is the most subscribed MMO in the market and it doesn’t look like anyone can take that spot except for– maybe–Blizzard themselves.

(Source 1up.com)

Liar’s Dice sound a little familiar?  If you have been playing Red Dead Redemption you may have played a few times by now, or maybe you are not a Red Dead Redemption fan and you have seen it played by Will against his father Davy Jones.  Where ever you have played this or have seen it played if you are a Facebook user I suggest you check this one out.  Don’t know how to play?  Well that is no big deal as it is a very easy game to catch onto and before you know it you will be addicted to the gameplay.  Here is a little bit about the game play:

Casino Liar’s Dice is an online version of the real world game of the same name. It is said that, long ago, this easy-to-play game was played by pirates. The game is notably seen in the Pirates of the Caribbean movies.

To play, each player rolls his five dice in a concealed manner, the result kept hidden until the end under the player’s personal cup. The players must then make bids on the result of all rolls, without being able to see the other players’ dice. Winning requires a little luck, a little mathematic skill and a little bluff.

Now do you know what I am talking about?  If not here is the link to check it out for yourself on Facebook.  So what are you waiting for go check it out and before you do here is a little more about Liar’s Dice:

• Playing Online
• The facebook game allows friends to play together at a special friends-only table.
• A chat window allows players to communicate.
• There are many types of cups and dice to use, allowing for personalisation.
• The game is free to play, but those who wish it may obtain extra perks via micro-transactions, which are small real-money purchases made via PayPal.
• A leaderboard allows players to find out what their rank is in the game according to the number of rounds won or the number of chips accumulated.
• The game also allows players to post chips and other surprises to their wall, to share with their friends.
• Players earn experience points while playing (and winning), gaining extra levels that show their friends their relative level of experience in the game.

• More to Come
• As player comments roll in and player numbers grow, Sarbakan plans to insert surprises in the game, such as tournaments.
• There’s no doubt that other Facebook games will follow, whether they’re made for clients or for Sarbakan’s own satisfaction.

EA has announced a free to play PC version of their widely popular FIFA series that will be available to download online.  The game will use mouse only controls and will be available for open Beta testing starting in June.

REDWOOD CITY, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Electronic Arts (NASDAQ:ERTS) announced today development of a free*, downloadable game called EA SPORTS™ FIFA Online that will make its most popular and highest rated^ videogame franchise available to soccer fans with a broadband internet connection and an average spec laptop computer or desk-top personal computer. The free-to-play EA SPORTS FIFA Soccer videogame will call on soccer fans and gamers to help shape features during closed beta testing prior to its English language European open beta release in June 2010.

“There are a large number of soccer fans who do not want a console gaming experience due to time and other priorities in their personal lives but they still want to be able to play a top-quality soccer videogame,” explained Makita. “FIFA Online will be designed specifically for them.”

EA SPORTS FIFA Online will offer an authentic soccer experience with 30 licensed leagues, 500 clubs and more than 15,000 players. During the first closed beta stage beginning February 3, the game will feature a 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa tournament mode and a control system that uses the mouse only. At the second stage of closed beta, the game will feature a League Mode that enables fans to manage and compete as their favorite soccer club, and the ability to play online matches. FIFA Online will enable soccer fans and gamers to build their favorite club into their dream team by developing or acquiring players, upgrading skills, and getting unique apparel by earning in-game currency to acquire items or through micro-transactions. Additional content will be designed for the game based on feedback by fans.

Doing my duty as an investigative reporter, I tried signing into my EA account to sign up for the open beta but the following occurred:

I entered open beta, read and signed agreement, allowed a profiling of my system, clicked accept and my system crashed ( I repeated this a few times actually), I tried to decline profiling and was denied access to open beta and was told that by not sending the information I was not allowed to participate in this beta but maybe eligible for future betas.  Well so much for that.  If any of you have better luck please let us know in the comment section.

Hey, check that out!  Eighteen podcasts means we’re legal now!  (So does that mean we should be *more* inappropriate, or just that it’s socially acceptable now?)  Either way, it’s the perfect time to announce our new association with Platform Nation and all of the fine folks therein!  Since we were celebrating anyway, we’re also treating you to extra outtakes (because there was just too much hilarious floating around) and a special guest!  Confetti!  LOUD NOISES!  Listen up as we chat about health-conscious DSi peripherals, the movie franchise that wouldn’t die, and DLC that doesn’t suck.  Also, pants.  Always pants.

Linksterz!

Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune

Assassin’s Creed

Final Fantasy III

Persona 3

Crimson Gem Saga

Halo

BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger

Prototype

Street Fighter IV

WoW could be including micro-transactions in the future, because they don’t have enough of people’s money

Ubisoft files trademark for Lady Gaga’s “Just Dance”

Bayer announces a glucose meter for the DS

Bioware: “We don’t need violence to attract gamers anymore;” Us: “Yeah, right”

Electroplankton coming to DSiWare

Two Worlds 2 coming this winter…. why, again?

Milla Jovovich confirms Resident Evil: Afterlife, dated for September 17, 2010

Fez coming to XBLA in 2010

Tony Hawk: Ride board could be used for Silver Surfer game

We hope you love writing questions, because we sure do love reading them!  Send more to podcast@someothercastle.com! ]]> http://www.platformnation.com/2009/07/10/some-other-podcast-episode-18-just-how-i-like-it/feed/ 0 1:00:12 Hey, check that out!  Eighteen podcasts means we’re legal now!  (So does that mean we should be *more* inappropriate, or just that it’s socially acceptable now?)  Either way, it’s the perfect time to announce our new association[...] Hey, check that out!  Eighteen podcasts means we’re legal now!  (So does that mean we should be *more* inappropriate, or just that it’s socially acceptable now?)  Either way, it’s the perfect time to announce our new association with Platform Nation and all of the fine folks therein!  Since we were celebrating anyway, we’re also treating [...] Podcasts Steve@platformnation.com no no http://www.platformnation.com/2009/06/24/free-realms-has-guild-support/ http://www.platformnation.com/2009/06/24/free-realms-has-guild-support/#comments Wed, 24 Jun 2009 18:22:55 +0000 Delano Townsend (Dmilano23) http://www.platformnation.com/?p=10704

Free Realms which is Sony’s latest attempt at the MMO genre, just sent out an email announcing that Guild support is the newest thing to their browser based game. They even have a handy “how-to” guide explaining how it works.

Still no word on PS3 support, but with over 2 3 Million users, maybe there is no rush and they are doing the happy dance for all of the micro transactions on the way?

RTS, real time strategy, games were exclusively played on PCs.  Recently, more and more RTS developers have been looking at console sales and wanting parts of the action.  Slowly developers have discovered that porting a PC RTS to the console will result in disaster.  Changing the formula and working from the ground up for consoles is the only way to have a console RTS work.  These games have been met by differing degree of sales and critical success.  Now another PC genre is about to try its hand in the console game market.

MMOs, massively multiplayer online games, have been a genre thoroughly owned by PC gamers.  The current giant of MMOs, World of Warcraft, is played by millions of people worldwide.  Following in RTS’s footprints, MMOs are coming to consoles.  The Agency, Champions Online, DC Universe, Huxley, FFXIV and APB have been announced and they are hoping to introduce the persistent world to the PS3 and Xbox 360.

MMOs have fewer obstacles to overcome to be successful on a console.  The control systems for many PC MMOs are much more easily translated to a controller than the very mouse and keyboard specific controls of an RTS game.  MMOs can also learn for the RTS genre’s mistakes.  MMO developers will work to make controls feel good on a controller.  They will know that simply porting a PC game to consoles will not result in a game anyone wants to play.

MMOs do have unique problems when coming to consoles.  Using a subscription service will immediately cripple their sales, especially for people who are already paying yearly for Xbox Live.  MMO developers will have to find a way to market a subscription or try to find other ways of making money.  PlayStation Home’s system of micro transactions is an option.  Paying to customize your character with new clothes or accessories could work to recover revenue lost from not having a pay to play subscription service.  Developers must make sure that these micro transactions do not affect actual gameplay.  Ask the developers of Battlefield Bad Company how well gamers react to paying for an advantage.

If console MMOs can maneuver around the obstacles in their way and take the lessons from RTS game’s journey to the console, then they can bring the genre to the console market with success.  If they fall into the same traps and try to cut corners, then MMOs better get used being played only on the PC.

MLB Dugout Heros is a PC based baseball game, published by Game Campus that will be available in North America in time for the 2009 baseball season and is going to be a free PC based game that is fully licensed by MLB Advanced Media which allows use of all 30 MLB clubs, ballparks and logos and will include micro transactions.

MLB Dugout Heros has a RPG type element to it but the point system is unique to this game.   As you play your players get stronger and better as they complete certain missions (and winning games) that are given out on a  daily or weekly basis and as you complete those missions you will earn points to purchase equipment and uniforms for your favorite team.

I had the opportunity to play MLB Dugout Heros closed Beta and I am going to say I was very impressed with the game and the ease of controlling a PC based baseball game.  You start off by picking your user name and then you pick your favorite MLB team in which you have total control over.  The team I got to pick was  based on the 2008 MLB baseball lineup and I am unsure, but I do believe once the game does get released the team you pick will be based on the 2009 lineup.  After you pick your team you take the field and start some batting practice, your player steps up to the batters box and you are presented with a cartoon likeness of your favorite MLB player.  You get onscreen instructions during practice and your coach is on the bottom of the screen giving you tips as you take batting practice.  The ease of the batting controls where surprisingly easy to use and you got into the groove real fast slamming the ball  over the fence.  Next up was pitching practice and that was just as easy as the batting controls as you get a large variety of pitches you can throw and where you are going to place that pitch.  After those tutorials you are then able to to chose from Batting and Pitching drills  or you can dive right into a Exhibition game and test your newly learned skills.  There is also a Pennant race mode but I was unable to preview that part (due to time constrictions), but I did dive into a Exhibition game that allows you to play 3 innings and test your newly learned pitching and batting skills.  The three innings I played was a riot due to ease of the controls with batting and controlling your players on base, everything you wanted to due was a mouse click away ( you could even use your keyboard) from stealing bases to advancing a player to take an extra base.   Even when your team took the field and you starting pitching that proved to have the simplest controls and ease of use, from controlling the players in the field to throwing out the base runner it was very easy to use.

My overall view on MLB Dugout Heros is if you are a baseball fan and you enjoy playing baseball games this is a something I would recommend that you checkout,  you will have nothing to lose as like I said it will be free, (with of course those micro transactions) and the ability to play a baseball game with all the playing options you would expect from a Next-Gen console.  The other reason I like the game was the cartoonish way they portrayed the game and players it was visually appealing and just fun to play.  I did not come away with anything that I would change as this was a truly polished closed Beta and was a pleasure to play.

MLB Dugout Heros