server-based-gaming
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Wada emphasizes online delivery, advises devs to shift focus
Square Enix president Yoichi Wada estimates digital distribution and server-based gaming is poised for "exponential growth" within the next decade, advising developers to prepare for the shift. "In the past the platform was hardware, but it has switched to the network. A time will come when the hardware isn't even needed anymore," he said in an interview with MCV.According to Wada, consoles as we know them will change dramatically, as "any kind of terminal becomes a potential platform on which games can be played." Wada believes platform holders have been preparing for the shift to network-based games and delivery systems since 2005, forcing his company to respond by increasing production of social and browser games. Square Enix is also preparing a beta release for the MMORPG Final Fantasy XIV in 2010.While the Square Enix boss believes this shift has a greater global impact, especially in regions which do not have large console markets, our major fear is having to download an entire single-player Final Fantasy. Seriously, that's a lot of gigs.
Trion surpasses $100m in fundraising ... without releasing ANYTHING
Take note: Certain really rich folks are showering Trion World Network Inc. with money. Wait ... Trion who? Exactly. Don't fret being out of the loop, we've only mentioned Trion a handful of times (read: just three) and it's our job to be in the know. Today Trion reminds us there's good reason to keep tabs on the server-based gaming company, as it's now raised over $100 million after a recent $70 million Series C funding round (a very formal way of saying, venture capital firms and media companies, like Time Warner and NBC Universal, have been dropping their change in the collection cup since 2006 -- a lot of it). And the best part is, Trion still hasn't released anything. So if you're wondering how to get rich like Trion, we strongly advise taking our crash course on the company after the break.
