martin-walfisz
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Massive co-founder worries effects of PS3 piracy could be worse than handhelds' plight
Wondering why there's such a hullabaloo over that PS3 security breach? According to Martin Walfisz, who co-founded Massive Entertainment (but left the company shortly after its purchase by Ubisoft to focus on development of new DRM strategies), it's because it's the end of the world. Well, okay, maybe it's not that bad -- but Walfisz paints a pretty grim picture for Sony, telling GamesIndustry.biz, "If that hack works as reported, I don't believe that Sony can regain any control." Walfisz predicts that Sony could employ a system similar to Microsoft's anti-piracy measures through Xbox Live, blocking hacked PS3s from connecting to the PlayStation Network; though if the hack works as reported, and doesn't require a mod chip to function, Walfisz worries Sony won't be able to detect which users are playing pirated games -- though Sony claims it can and will shut down "jailbroken" consoles. What's worse, Walfisz adds, "I would assume that pirated copies can be stored on the HDD as well, making it so easy to use that PS3 piracy, given time, might even surpass the handhelds." Piracy is pernicious enough on exposed systems, but super convenient piracy? Yikes.
Massive founder's new company making MMO quiz game
Massive Entertainment founder Martin Walfisz, who left the World in Conflict developer following its absorption into the Ubisphere, has given Joystiq details of his new company's first project -- something that is designed to be, yes, massive entertainment. His company, Planeto, announced a new "Massively Multiplayer Online Quiz Game" called Planeto Quiz, which is currently in closed beta. Combining aspects of WoW with basic quiz games, Planeto Quiz allows players to level up an avatar and earn items through successful performance in quizzes. Items will affect probability of certain kinds of questions or affect awards for correct answers, and other status effects. The free-to-play game is planned for the web, mobile platforms and game consoles, and will support not just its own accounts, but Facebook, MySpace, Google, and OpenID logins as well -- the idea seems to be making the game as accessible as possible. "In our game there is no need to run around wielding a sword and killing orcs," Walfisz said. "World of Warcraft and similar games are great fun but mainly cater to a niche audience interested in fantasy role-playing. Planeto Quiz gives our players the same depth, but in a much more accessible and inclusive environment." [Screen via ArcticStartup]
