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Funcom Q1 sales and restructuring keep studio moving forward
If it's not the best news ever, at least we've got some good news from Funcom today. The studio posted its first quarter financial report, showing that it had solid sales and "significant" operating expense savings because of the recent restructuring of its organization. Funcom made over $6.3 million of revenue in the first quarter, mostly thanks to sales and subscriptions of The Secret World and Age of Conan. The studio said that it saved almost $1.2 million of operating expenses in the same period thanks to the restructuring. Also, The Secret World made more money in Q1 2013 than Q4 2012 thanks to its new business model. In terms of game news, Funcom is pushing forward with its LEGO Minifigures MMO, the new Anarchy Online graphic engine, a summer release for Issue #7 of The Secret World, and development of several smaller titles. Both LEGO and Funcom will be working to "establish closer integration between the physical product and the game." Finally, thanks to recent decisions by the studio, both Anarchy Online and The Secret World are boasting larger numbers of players than in the previous quarter.
LEGO Universe lets pre-order customers start extra early
Anticipation for LEGO Universe has been building ever since the foundation was laid for the game. Considering the way in which players have assembled for the game's release, it seems no surprise that the team behind the game has put together something special for launch. We had known that there would be an early access event to allow players to start piecing things together, but now it seems that an even earlier release is being opened up for "Founders" to start playing -- one that starts this weekend. Starting at 10:08 a.m. EDT on Friday, October 8th, the pre-order customers known in community terms as "Founders" will be able to log in and start playing the game, allowing them full access over the weekend. If you can't wait until then and still haven't pre-ordered, however, you aren't out of luck yet, as the official announcement encourages players to visit the nearest LEGO store to pre-order the game and get a special mini-figure. LEGO Universe players will have to keep their eyes peeled for further instructions, as the end of the week is quickly approaching, and it promises quite a set of experiences.
First Impressions: LEGO Universe's Forbidden Valley
Welcome back to our series of First Impressions on the upcoming title, LEGO Universe. Before we get started, I must note very clearly that the experiences chronicled here are in the current beta client of the game. The reason for this note is that while my previous experience in the Gnarled Forest was largely bug-free and polished, the Forbidden Valley zone is a microcosm of the bugs that still reside within the game currently. But even with the bugs clearly showing themselves, the zone also has some of the more ambitious art, design, and amusing (if not punnier) quest writing currently in the game. Curious about how this new area in LEGO Universe stacks up? Join me after the break as we navigate the dangerous lands of the Forbidden Valley. %Gallery-97712%
New LEGO Universe trailer: "Bring your world to life" [Updated]
The newest trailer from the team at LEGO Universe gives a closer look at what most players consider to be the core of the game: building and customization. Developers Ryan Seabury, Mads Purup, Randall Furino, and Scott Brown lead us through the different building models that offer varying amounts of freedom and creativity, along with some interesting LEGO twists on character customization. Among other things, the game allows you to decide how you want to die. Do you want to fall apart into a pile of LEGO bricks, or something else? Want to see all the options for yourself? Follow along after the jump for the newest look at LEGO Universe! [Editor's note: At the request of NetDevil, we've replaced the European version of the trailer with the US version. Enjoy!]
LEGO Universe starts its countdown to launch
Traditionally, October is a time for spooks and ghosts, tricks and treats. This year, however, you can add nexus-infused undead pirates, ninjas, robots, and more, as we just got word today that LEGO Universe will be launching to pre-order "Founders" on October 12th, and to everyone else on October 26th -- just in time for Halloween hijinks. We also have news that the game will be available to both PC and Mac players, thanks to a Cider port for the LEGOmaniac Mac-heads in the house. Along with the update on launch, we've managed to scoop up several new videos that we've tucked behind the break; they run the gamut from cinematic trailer to actual game footage. Furthermore, we've got a gallery chock full of screenshots and bits of concept art from the folks at NetDevil and LEGO for you to check out too. As if that weren't tempting enough, we have an interview coming up with the minds behind this brick-filled MMO later this week, so be on the lookout for that if you're hungry for even more on LEGO Universe. %Gallery-95352%
Lego Universe pre-orders now available
Somehow -- and we don't know how -- pre-orders for Lego Universe kicked off this past Friday and, again, we don't know how, there's no "special edition" that includes some actual Legos. Some of you Legomaniacs may already know, but boxed copies of the upcoming Lego MMO from Netdevil are now available for pre-order at Lego retail outlets, the online shop, the amusement park (Legoland!) and on LegoUniverse.com. Dropping your 39.99 USD/EUR or 29.99 GBP on a copy will net you not just the game itself on DVD, but also a month of free play (30 days, to be precise), a "story leaflet," and a user guide -- some folks will also get an "exclusive Minifigure" and a code to redeem said Minifigure in-game ("while supplies last"). Though the game has been in closed beta for some time now, the game has yet to receive an official launch date. That said, we have to imagine that Netdevil is building towards that announcement, right? You know, with Legos? Isn't that what they do over there?
Lego Universe beta codes are starting to roll out
It's time to gather up your brightly colored blocks and figure out just what kind of cool things you're planning to build. Why? Because we're getting reports from around the Internets that the first invites for the beta for Lego Universe are starting to roll out to some very lucky gamers! Offering what looks to be tons of fun hearkening back to our childhood (or in some of our cases, our continuing childhood) the Lego Universe beta opened up for sign-ups just a month ago. Prior to that, we saw a pretty awesome pirate zombie trailer and even some pretty slick looking alpha footage. If you haven't signed up for beta as yet, you'd best head over to the Lego Universe site now. (What are you waiting for!) If you already signed up, be sure to check those spam folders -- your invite could be waiting for you already. Meanwhile, we'll be over here, obsessively checking our mail for any sign of some brightly-colored Lego brick love.
LEGO Universe to hold first public showing at CES
When you think Vegas, what do you think of? Why, LEGO of course! Wait, you don't? What do you think of when you think of...you know what? Never mind. At any rate, CES 2010 begins in Las Vegas this Thursday, and LEGO Universe will be on hand to show fans how the game is progressing. Fans awaiting this fun MMO will find plenty at CES that is being offered for the first time: hands-on demos, the debut game trailer, and of course the always coveted beta sign ups. The game is planned for launch in the second half of 2010, so this is probably the first of many previews we'll see in the next few months. If you're in the area and a LEGO fan, you'll definitely want to head to the Las Vegas Convention Center and take a firsthand look at what LEGO Universe has been up to. CES 2010 is scheduled to run from January 7th-10th.
Building the LEGO Universe MMO
It's slowly coming together -- brick by brick. The LEGO Universe MMO is still on track, and it's still under control of NetDevil. While the company has gone quite quiet on the production of Jumpgate Evolution, GamesIndustry.biz was able to catch up with the company at GamesCom in Cologne to ask them some questions about the LEGO Universe MMO.This interview is with Ryan Seabury, the creative director on the project, and focuses in on the challenges behind making a directed gaming experience coupled with the creative power of a sandbox game, and then making it all accessible for kids and their families. It's really a great read if you're interested in how game design decisions are made, and how LEGO Universe will bridge the gap between an entirely open sandbox world and a more "theme park" experience.
The Daily Grind: Childhood memory MMOs
The sheer amount of "oh how COOL" and squeeing when we first heard about the LEGO MMO was pretty heavy around the virtual Massively offices. While it wasn't entirely universal, many of us fondly remember playing with Legos for hours in our youth. (Hell, some of us haven't stopped playing with them.) Then we heard that the people behind Pokemon won't consider doing an MMO, which made some of us sad - that was from our youth too. Since then we've dreamed up all manner of childhood MMOs behind the scenes; from ones based on Voltron and Gundam, to trying to recreate worlds from young-adult reading like Harry Potter. This morning we thought we'd toss this question out to you - what childhood memory would you like to see developed into an MMO? From young to old, there must have been something you thought was a fantastic toy to play with, or world to imagine - can you see it developed into an MMO? What childhood memory MMO would you make if you could?
Building a LEGO Universe logo
If you are like me, then you have fond memories of building tall towers made of brightly colored plastic blocks to protect your knight in shining armor as he battles a vividly green, if slightly angular, dragon. Now that NetDevil's LEGO Universe is starting its development cycle, those of us who built worlds with our hands will get a chance to build an entire universe online. Like much about this project, the development team is opening up the design of the game's logo for fan input. They are asking the question what would make a good LEGO Universe logo, and even accepting concepts from young and old alike. A logo is a tough project to undertake, especially for an MMO, because it must convey the spirit of the project at first glance. When asked about the type of logo they are looking to create, Phillip Atencio of NetDevil mentioned that it must be something that conveys the creativity and energy of LEGO Universe, Fiorella Lee of LEGO.com brought up the phrase "global identity," and Matthew, and 10-year-old focus group participant talked about "lots of colors that shows what is going to happen in the game." So color, energy, and global identity. Well, that should be simple enough. Just draw a LEGO planet orbited by a LEGO cheetah, and throw in my LEGO dragon for good measure. I expect my check in the mail.
Jumpgate: Evolution takes to the unfriendly stars
Reader Excelsior dropped us a note about an MMO we haven't yet covered that he says is one to watch-- Jumpgate: Evolution is an upcoming MMO from NetDevil, the makers of Auto Assault, and also an "in the works" LEGO MMO. The game is actually an update of the original Jumpgate, also by NetDevil, which purports to be not an MMORPG, but a massively multiplayer space flight and combat simulator, where twitch is just as important as stats. All we've got are screens so far, but they are pretty good-looking, so if you're in the mood for a little hands-on spaceship flying in an MMO universe, Jumpgate: Evolution might be right up your warp route.They're still taking beta signups on the website, so get your email in now-- as Excelsior says, "the more players in the game, the better." And if you've got a pet MMO you've been watching that you'd like us to keep an eye on, make sure to throw a tip in our inbox. You find 'em, we follow 'em.\%Gallery-9918%
