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Bigpoint's DarkOrbit turns five this month
If you'd never heard of Bigpoint's browser MMO known as DarkOrbit prior to last month's space drone microtransaction brouhaha, you're not alone. According to the company, though, lots of people have heard of the game, which launched in 2006 and is currently celebrating its fifth anniversary. Bigpoint claims a community of over 65 million registered players, and a news release says that DarkOrbit is "the most popular and biggest space game worldwide." DarkOrbit is a 2-D flash game that puts players in control of a spaceship while working for one of three corporations. [Source: Bigpoint press release]
Drakensang announces 'massive content updates'
Bigpoint Games has announced that its free-to-play hack-and-slash title Drakensang Online is receiving a "massive content update." Between now and December 25th, Drakensang players will be receiving a couple of large updates, plus a few smaller changes as well. The updates will introduce players to the Norlande, which will provide "a dozen new levels, numerous monsters and champions, new bosses, and new character items and equipment." To top it off, a player can experience all of this content as a new class, the agile Ranger. Rangers will also bring with them "a whole new skill system that makes skills easier and better to use, and significantly improves gameplay." To get in on the action, head on over to the game's official site. [Source: Bigpoint Games press release]
Win a life-size Cylon statue from Bigpoint and Battlestar Galactica Online
Bigpoint's in the news again this week, and for once the company is steering clear of microtransaction controversies. It seems as if there's a giveaway afoot, and Battlestar Galactica Online fans will be pleased to note that they have a chance to win a life-size Cylon statue (settle down guys, it's a Centurion, not a Number Six). The browser-based sci-fi MMO also features 15 new paint jobs for Cylon and Colonial ships, each of which may be purchased with real money or in-game credits. Bigpoint says more color schemes are on the way, and oh yeah, if you want a chance at the statue, you'll need to log in at least five times during the month of December. Head to the official BSGO forums for the official contest rules.
MV Guide: December 5-11, 2011
MV Guide is a weekly rundown of the MMO gaming events planned on Massively TV. Every week, the Massively staff logs in to play various MMOs live and in person, and we'd love for you to drop by the channel and visit. We have a combination of regular weekly games and new surprises, so you'll find a variety of titles to take a look at. During our streamed events, you can participate in the live chat, ask questions to learn about the game, and simply spend some time with Massively staff and readers. (Of course, streaming is subject to the whims of outside forces like server-side gremlins once in a while.) Follow along after the jump to see what's on this week's schedule!
Bigpoint's €1000 space drone sale clarified
Last week we told you about Bigpoint's eyebrow-raising sale of a €1,000 virtual space drone. Gamesbrief recently updated its news posting after its readers chimed in with a healthy dose of skepticism regarding the numbers involved in the supposed windfall. As it turns out, said numbers are likely still impressive, but rather less impressive than the €2 million ($2.7 million) initially surmised. Gamesbrief's correction post states that the drone cannot be bought for real cash, and instead must be purchased with DarkOrbit's Uridium currency, which is available for real money or earned in game. Bigpoint has in fact sold 2,000 of the drones, but not at a direct cost of €1,000 each. "I no longer think that you can multiply 2,000 10th Drones sold times €1,000 to work out how much revenue Bigpoint made from this single item," Gamesbrief's Nicholas Lovell writes.
The Daily Grind: What's the most you'd spend on a virtual item?
So Bigpoint is apparently rolling around in piles of money these days, in no small part because of virtual item windfalls like the one resulting from its €1000 DarkOrbit space drone. Expensive cash shop items are nothing new, of course, and whether we're talking about World of Warcraft's $25 sparkle pony or EverQuest II's propensity for making you buy items for each character on your account, companies have figured out that there's a certain segment of the MMO-playing population with a good amount of disposable income. For today's Daily Grind, we're curious about your cash shop spending limits. In a nutshell, what's the most you've ever spent -- or that you'd be willing to spend -- on a virtual item? Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!
Bigpoint sells 2000 virtual space drones for €1000 each
Earlier this year Bigpoint made headlines for its pragmatic approach to pay-to-win business models in free-to-play MMOs. Today, Gamesbrief has published a story illustrating just how successful such strategies can be. Bigpoint recently made a rare space drone available in its DarkOrbit MMO. While this isn't newsworthy in and of itself, what caught our attention was the €1000 price tag. Our eyebrows arched a little higher as Bigpoint producer Simon Davis revealed that upwards of 2000 people bought one of the drones over a four-day period. If you're counting at home, that's over €2 million (nearly $2.7 million) in four days from a single virtual item.
Bigpoint may co-publish Star Trek: Infinite Space
There may be hope yet for Star Trek: Infinite Space. The title's future was called into question when a series of layoffs wracked Gameforge, causing the studio to state that the Star Trek title would be cancelled unless it could acquire a co-publisher. A post on the Star Trek: Infinite Space official forums stated that Bigpoint has taken an interest in the title. Now all that remains is to wait and see how Gameforge responds to Bigpoint's offer. Stay tuned, and we'll be sure to bring you the latest as it develops.
The MMO Report: Occupy Azeroth edition
This week on The MMO Report, Casey wonders whether we're occupying Azeroth yet -- after all, Blizzard seems to be one of the few MMO companies capable of losing a million players while increasing profits. "You guys gonna have to sell your Lear jets in order to cover your yacht maintenance costs?" wonders Casey. No. No, they are not. The Beard also discusses EverQuest II's latest free-to-play transition ("people are still paying for that game?!"), The Secret World's Templar week, Minecon in Las Vegas this weekend, and Bigpoint's Game of Thrones MMO -- an IP we'll probably be sick of "before the game even comes out." Casey winds down with a list of winners for the ongoing MMO Report drinking game contest and an amendment to the rules: "Taking a drink every time I say something sarcastic is not a drinking game. That's just called drinking. Because it never ends." Make the jump for the full MMO Report!
Bigpoint hypes Mummy Online's closed beta
We're not exactly sure how many of you were clamoring for a game based on the Mummy film franchise, but thanks to browser MMO specialist Bigpoint, we're about to find out. The company is now accepting closed beta registrations for The Mummy Online, and prospective players can look forward to a two-faction affair (Raiders or Cultists) and class-based progression with the usual focus on PvE, gear, and special abilities. PvP-specific areas are also included, and Bigpoint's press release says that players will battle across cinematic environments "based on the existing terrain of Egypt." Head to the official site to sign up for beta and learn more about the game. [Source Bigpoint press release]
This Week in MMO: Really? Bigpoint? Edition
Welcome to another super-exciting edition of This Week in MMO. On this episode, host Gary Gannon and a pair of Mikes have a bit of fun with the announcement that Bigpoint will be taking the helm of an MMO based on the super-trendy A Game of Thrones. Meanwhile, is WildStar a theme-park or a sandbox? Well, we don't know, but the TWIMMO guys have a bit to say on the matter. DC Universe Online gets a wild playerbase boost after its transition to free-to-play, and speculation abounds as to whether the upcoming Warhammer 40: Dark Millenium Online MMO could be free to play. For the full show, just jump on past the cut.
Bigpoint bringing A Game of Thrones to yet another genre: Free-to-play MMOs
2012 is going to present so many opportunities to pretend to live in George R.R. Martin's Song of Ice and Fire universe, we're not sure you'll still have time to larp. We knew that after releasing the RTS, A Game of Thrones: Genesis, Cyanide Studios turned its focus to a Game of Thrones RPG to be published by Atlus. Now, USA Today reports Bigpoint is also working on a free-to-play MMO. Though the article doesn't specify, we'd assume it'll be browser-based like Bigpoint's Battlestar Galactica game. USA Today also brings word of a social networking, FarmVille-esque take on Game of Thrones, which is the one we're really excited about. Really. "The gold's not hot enough to kill anyone yet! Try pouring on someone's head again in 14 minutes, or pay 7 ThroneBux to speed it up!"
The Mummy Online's beta is under wraps
Seeing as how Halloween is right around the corner, it seems like a perfect time to tap into your inner monster and unleash the spooky spirit of the holiday. And what better way to do so than to wrap yourself in gauze, drain your bodily fluids, be buried alive, and brew a vengeful spirit over the next two thousand years? Or, you know, you could just play The Mummy Online, which has recently gone into closed beta. Bigpoint's online version of Universal Studios' classic horror franchise looks to retain the best of the recent films as it mashes scares and high adventure thrills together. The game is free-to-play in your browser, and is presented in a top-down, isometric format. Applications for the closed beta are currently being accepted. You can get a closer look at The Mummy Online in the gallery below, but beware! Opening this gallery will unleash an ancient curse upon your spleen! %Gallery-137305%
Rise and Shiny recap: Kultan
Bigpoint's latest browser-based game is called Kultan, and it's a game that does plenty to show that the developer is continuing to push the boundaries of what a browser and the Unity engine can do. It's always comforting to have somewhere to point people when they ask, "A browser MMO? What's that?" I imagine that Bigpoint is not planning on stopping anytime soon, and Kultan will take its place as one of the rungs in a very tall ladder. How important will Kultan be considered in the future of Bigpoint's portfolio? In some ways, very important. In other ways, I can see it losing itself in an endless line of kill-10-rats grinders, but we'll talk more about that. Click past the cut and let's cover the details.
Drakensang Online boasts one million registered users
Bigpoint's free-to-play, browser-based MMORPG Drakensang Online has been in open beta for almost two months now, and according to the developers, it has amassed quite a following in that timespan. In a press release today, Bigpoint announced that the Diablo-esque MMO has garnered one million registered users since entering open beta in August. So what's next for the game? Bern Beyreuther, Head of Development at Bigpoint Berlin, claims, "We already have a plethora of new content updates planned -- and Drakensang Online is just in its infancy." If you want to add yourself to the million, just head on over to the game's official site. [Source: Bigpoint press release]
KULTAN: The World Beyond shoves off into open beta
Bigpoint Games, maker of Battlestar Galactica Online, announced in a press release today that its newest title, KULTAN: The World Beyond, has launched into open beta. Like BSGO, KULTAN is browser-based and powered by the Unity engine. In the game, players choose from three factions and three classes and then step into the role of a ship's captain. From there it's up to players to explore the uncharted, discover the unknown, and complete quests for their nation. Jump on past the cut for the game's official trailer, and to get behind the wheel of your own galleon, head on over to the game's official site.
Bigpoint buys out sports game development firm
The Bigpoint browser monster has gobbled up another game development firm, and it's still hungry, according to a news blurb at Reuters. 49Games is Bigpoint's latest acquisition, and the former is best-known for its winter sports games on the Wii, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360 consoles. 49Games is based in Germany (as is its new parent) and boasts around 40 developers. Bigpoint now features over 700 devs and says that it is the "world's largest browser-based online game provider" thanks to more than 200 million registered users. Bigpoint is best known for its Battlestar Galactica MMO as well as its controversial stance on selling in-game advantages.
Rise and Shiny recap: Drakensang Online
This week I was excited to spend some more time exploring Drakensang Online, the latest version in the long-running RPG series. I'd barely touched anything from the previous games, so I was blissfully unaware of what to expect from this one. I knew that Bigpoint was involved, so I had a feeling that the cash shop would be controversial but very convenient. I had also viewed screenshots and watched videos from before, so I was ready to see just how it would run on a basic laptop with three gigs of ram. The experience turned out more or less as expected, but it did throw me a few curveballs. Click past the cut and let's talk all about it.
Battlestar Galactica Online adding new ships this month, surpasses 5M registered players
Bigpoint just can't seem to stay out of the news today, and whether its the incendiary pay-to-win remarks of an executive or an update to its Battlestar Galactica browser MMO, there's a lot of interesting buzz swirling around the company of late. The devs are adding a new line of fleet recon ships to Battlestar Galactica Online, and the craft will enable both Colonial and Cylon players to jump directly to their targets while "in proximity of an erupting battle." The ships will debut in mid-September and are modeled on the Raptor and Heavy Raider craft from the beloved Syfy television series. Bigpoint's latest press release also mentions that the Brimir-class carrier will be "available this fall, though its size, complexity, and impact on game balance must be optimized before its general release." Finally, the company is trumpeting some new metrics, and the release says that BSGO has surpassed the five million registered player mark. [Source: Bigpoint press release]
Bigpoint says game publishers should sell in-game advantages
In case you were wondering where browser MMO specialist Bigpoint stands on the issue of selling in-game advantages, a new interview with the company's chief games officer leaves little to the imagination. "The crucial part of the design is not having to invest, but wanting to. Most people in the Bigpoint universe don't ever pay," says Philip Reisberger. "But if they want to pay, don't just offer hats -- offer them something that will help them." Reisberger doesn't stop there, though. He goes on to dismiss the retail business model and also chastises Electronic Arts for its decision to avoid giving Battlefield 3 pre-order players a competitive advantage. "It wouldn't ruin the game. If selling an advantage ruins the game, you haven't done the balancing right," he said.
