press-release
Latest
Destiny has already raked in $500 million in sales
Destiny's alleged big budget didn't end up being a big risk after all, as the title has become the highest-selling day-one digital console game release in history. From a combination of pre-orders, digital sales, and retail sales, Destiny has crossed the $500 million sales mark and doesn't look to be slowing any time soon. CEO of Activision Publishing Eric Hirshberg considers this massive validation for the project: "Since the beginning, we've been confident that our investment and belief in Destiny would pay off. But not many people believed we'd be able to say it did so on day one. We have more confidence than ever that Destiny will become one of the iconic franchises of this generation and Activision's next billion-dollar brand." However, if you're attempting to play Destiny from a college campus, you might be dealing with a frustrating impediment. Polygon notes that a networking error is blocking the game on certain campuises. Bungie said that it is aware of the issue and is working on a solution. [Source: Activision Blizzard press release]
World of Tanks shows off new game modes for 2014
World of Tanks continues rolling along and updating, and it has some big features on deck for 2014. The latest video development diary shows off some of the new game modes which will be coming to the game in the near future, starting with Fortifications. The Fortification system allows clans to build structures and collect bonuses while at the same time defending their fortifications against other clans. The result is a complex interplay of new elements like pillboxes and aerial strikes that give both sides the tools to take fortified structures or defend them as needed. That's not the least of the additions being made, however, as Historical Battles are also incoming. While this game mode has been in discussion for a long time, due to massive differences in tank capabilities, it's been tricky to create battles with an equal chance of victory for both sides. The solution is asymmetrical team composition, a rebalancing of stats for this specific game mode, and respawning lighter support tanks. Take a look at the video past the cut for a more in-depth examination of these changes. [Source: Wargaming.net press release]
CES news roundup for January 5, 2014
Imagine waking up on a snowy and cold winter Sunday morning only to find that something strange has happened overnight -- your Mail inbox is overflowing with press releases touting new products being introduced at the 2014 Consumer Electronics Show. That was the situation this morning, and I'm sure that the blizzard of news won't back down during the coming week. To help us shovel through the drifts of releases, we're going to send some of them your way in our regularly scheduled daily news roundups. For today, here's a special roundup of CES news for you. TAO-Wellness announces the app-enabled WellShell: Just when you thought you could get away from exercising after being good for the first four days of 2014, along comes word of the TAO WellShell. It's a small handheld device that works with an iOS app to help you tone your body through isometrics. As the company describes it, "you push, TAO resists." There are more than 50 isometric exercises that are explained in the app, and the app provides feedback on how hard you should push and for how long. You're also coached through reps and rest periods, and TAO logs your exercise and calories burned. There's no word on when the TAO WellShell will ship. Griffin Technology and Square intro Merchant case for iPhone 5/5s: Griffin has joined forces with mobile commerce powerhouse Square to develop the Merchant case, the first product to emerge from Square's Works With Square program. The $19.99 case is available now, and features a space for holding the Square reader when it's not in use. In addition, the bottom of the case has a slot that perfectly aligns with the Square reader's slot, allowing more consistent results when swiping cards. Griffin's venerable PowerMate goes Bluetooth: Griffin is also introducing a Bluetooth version of its PowerMate "clickable knob". The PowerMate Bluetooth can be used with any number of applications, allowing control of volume on Bluetooth 4.0-equipped Macs, highly-accurate editing in iMovie and GarageBand, and more. PowerMate Bluetooth cuts the cable and will retail for $59.99. More news will be forthcoming, so stay tuned to this post throughout the day for possible updates.
Apple goes after app news release for being 'at odds' with 'entire reason Apple exists'
Apple took a dislike recently to a press release announcing the availability of a new app. After Tim Cook passed this week on a question about sharing solutions across iCloud, the CEO of a company making an app named Glide, Donald Leka, sent out a press release for his app stating that "consumers really don't care that much what platform they are on, where their files are stored, or what the file types and file formats are." That apparently earned Leka the ire of Apple Worldwide Developer Relations, who sent him a memo suggesting he see things as a bit more Apple-centric. Customers do care about what platform they're on, said Apple's rep, adding that "the tone of your release and your product positioning is at odds with not just our primary marketing messaging, but the entire reason Apple exists." Apple suggested that Leka reword his messaging, to target specifically customers' feelings around the iPhone and the version of Glide for that platform, and not to talk about other platforms or apps connected to it. It is a bit strange to hear about Apple getting so involved in a single app's marketing, and I'm not sure I agree entirely with Apple's customers only wanting to hear about one option on one platform. But then again, Apple is going to be biased about what platforms customers should use -- the company wouldn't want its customers even considering any other platforms than iOS or Mac. The dev relations rep seems overeager, but at least he's pushing the company line, right? [via Forbes]
Parallels Desktop 8 for Mac launched
Last week it was VMWare that received an update; now the primary competition to that virtual machine software, Parallels, has been updated to a new, more capable version. Parallels Desktop 8 (US$79.99) is available starting today for current Parallels Desktop users, with full retail availability coming on September 4. Students can pick up the Parallels Desktop 8 for Mac Student Edition for $39.99, while the special "Switch to Mac Edition" -- which includes tutorials and other special features for people switching from Windows to Mac -- sells for $99.99. If you're a current user, your upgrade is priced at $49.99, and if you're a VMWare user who wants to switch to Parallels Desktop, you can get a full version for $49.99. Anyone who purchased Parallels Desktop 7 on or after July 25, 2012 is eligible for a free upgrade. So, why would you want to upgrade to the new version? Speed: Parallels Desktop 8 is up to 30 percent faster for I/O and VM operations (boot, suspend, shutdown and resume) compared to its predecessor. Retina display support: Retina display resolution in Windows and Windows apps Dictation: Mountain Lion Dictation can be used in both the Mac and Windows environments Windows apps on OS X Launchpad: Windows apps can be added to Lion and Mountain Lion Launchpad for quick launching. There are a number of other features, all of which are listed in the press release below. TUAW will have a complete review of Parallels Desktop 8 for Mac soon. Show full PR text EMBARGOED until Aug. 30th @ 12:01 a.m. PACIFIC TIME Parallels Desktop 8 for Mac Unites Mountain Lion and Windows in One Seamless Experience No. 1-selling software for running Windows applications on a Mac gives people at home, in the office and on-the-go the best of the world's two most popular operating systems Renton, WA, USA, and IFA Conference Berlin, Germany – Aug. 30, 2012 – Parallels® today launched Parallels Desktop® 8 for Mac, the newest version of the No. 1-selling* software for running Windows and Mac applications simultaneously on a Mac without rebooting. People love Macs but many still need to be able to use Windows applications for work, school or hobbies. Now they can enjoy the latest Mountain Lion features in Windows apps with Parallels Desktop 8. Starting August 30, current Parallels Desktop users can upgrade to Parallels Desktop 8 for Mac at www.parallels.com/desktop. For new customers, Parallels Desktop 8 will be available for purchase at retail stores and via the Parallels website on September 4. New and enhanced features of Parallels Desktop 8 make life even better for people who love their Macs and want to simultaneously run Windows apps like Internet Explorer, OneNote, Quicken and more. Bringing together the newest versions of the world's two most popular operating systems – OS X and Windows – opens up a world of opportunity by allowing users to choose how they want Mac and Windows to collaborate. From having the familiar Windows desktop in full screen to having Windows run invisibly, Parallels Desktop 8 delivers powerful performance to run Windows applications, even graphic-intensive ones, like they were made for a Mac. Use Mountain Lion's Dictation feature in Windows apps, organize Windows "Metro-style" applications in Launchpad, and enjoy the brilliant Retina-display resolution in Windows applications. "People don't need to make an either/or choice between Mac and Windows because Macs running Parallels Desktop 8 empower people to simultaneously use applications that best suit their needs – regardless of whether it's an app for OS X, Windows, Google Chrome OS, Ubuntu, or even Android," said Parallels CEO Birger Steen. "We hear amazing stories from people every day – from students and teachers who need Windows for classes, and developers working on iOS and Android mobile devices, to businesspeople and parents – who all enjoy the freedom Parallels Desktop for Mac gives them." As the "Bring Your Own Device" (BYOD) trend continues to grow rapidly, and more people use Macs in business and at home, Parallels Desktop also offers solutions tailored to specific needs. Parallels Desktop for Mac Enterprise Edition is tailored to the needs of larger companies and IT departments that want to support Windows-based applications on Macs with a configurable, policy- compliant solution. The Enterprise Edition easily fits into existing business processes and helps reduce the cost of deploying and maintaining client-based software. Details are available at www.parallels.com/desktop/enterprise. In conjunction with its enterprise focus, Parallels also recently launched the Apple-in-the-Workplace Barometer, a crowd-sourced project for gauging where companies stand in terms of BYOD Mac adoption and support. Discover where your company ranks and gain access to a host of resources  for learning about and implementing Macs in the enterprise by taking the survey at appleintheworkplace.com Parallels also announced the availability of Parallels Desktop 8 Switch to MacTM Edition, which includes Parallels Desktop 8 software plus a set of switching tools to automatically move programs, files and browser favorites to Mac, as well as in-box video tutorials to learn about the Mac. Details are available at www.parallels.com/products/desktop/stm. New and improved features in Parallels Desktop 8 include: Life Simplified Speak, don't type – Use the new Mountain Lion Dictation tool across both Windows and Mac environments Open in Internet Explorer – When a website doesn't render well within Safari, launch it in Internet Explorer with a click of a button Drag and drop email attachments – Simply drag and drop files from the desktop onto the Dock icons for Outlook and other Windows email clients to attach and share them Multilingual keyboard – Keyboard language changes made on the Mac automatically sync, to simplify switching languages in Windows Parallels Wizard –Download and automatically install Windows or other operating systems (OSes) including Google Chrome OS, Ubuntu and Android on your Mac. Parallels Desktop customers have downloaded more than 500,000 copies of Windows using the Parallels Wizard to-date, and many additional customers have moved their Windows PCs to their Mac or added Windows and other OSes. Bluetooth-sharing – Multiple Windows and Mac devices can now share Bluetooth connections Windows apps on OS X Launchpad – Add Windows applications to the Mountain Lion or Lion Launchpad to quickly launch Mac and Windows applications used most Consolidated notifications – Integration of Windows notifications into the Mac OS X Notification Center makes it easy to stay updated on Windows virtual machine operations Resource monitoring – Disk space and memory usage of virtual machines are conveniently displayed for easy customization and management Mountain Lion gestures for Windows apps – Enjoy seamless integration of Mountain Lion gestures with Windows apps – such as pinch to zoom, Mission Control, three-finger drag, swipe between full-screen apps, two-finger scroll, Launchpad and rotate USB 3.0 devices support – Benefit from easy access to all-important files and data from a virtual machine Visually Stunning Brilliant Retina display support – Enjoy stunning Retina display resolution in Windows OS and Windows applications to see crisper fonts, vivid photos, images and animations No-hassle presentations – The new Presentation Wizard makes presentations interruption- free by disabling screensavers on Mac and Windows, optimizing the full-screen display and automatically adjusting resolution Improved graphics – Don't compromise, even with graphically intensive applications  Proven Performance Unmatched performance - Enjoy improved Parallels Desktop 8 performance that is up to 30 percent faster for input/output (I/O) operations, 30 percent faster for games and up to 25 percent faster for virtual machine operations such as boot, suspend, shutdown and resume, when compared to Parallels Desktop 7 for Mac**. Parallels Desktop 7 beat the leading competitor in nearly 75 percent of the benchmark tests conducted by MacTech magazine and won 60 percent of the tests by a factor of 10 percent or more. Availability and Pricing Parallels Desktop 8 for Mac is available beginning Aug. 30, 2012, as an upgrade for current Parallels Desktop for Mac users. The full version will be available to new customers on www.parallels.com/desktop starting September 4. Packaged software will also be available starting September 4 at Apple retail stores, Apple.com, Amazon.com, Fry's Electronics, MicroCenter and hundreds of other resellers and retail locations nationwide. The standard retail price (SRP) of Parallels Desktop 8 for Mac is US$79.99, and the Student Edition is available for US$39.99. Parallels Desktop 8 Switch to Mac Edition is US$99.99. Upgrades are starting Aug. 30th for existing Parallels Desktop for Mac customers for US$49.99. Special pricing of US$49.99 for the full version is available to customers currently using VMware Fusion. Details are available online at www.parallels.com/desktop. Subscription offerings including business-class support, ongoing software updates and major version upgrades for Parallels Desktop for Mac Enterprise Edition are available by contacting the Parallels Sales Team at http://www.parallels.com/desktop/volume-licensing. Customers who purchased Parallels Desktop 7 for Mac from an authorized reseller on or after July 25, 2012, are eligible to upgrade to Parallels Desktop 8 for Mac at no additional cost. Customers who purchased from parallels.com or have a registered product activation key will automatically be emailed instructions on how to upgrade to Parallels Desktop 8 at no additional cost. Details are available at http://www.parallels.com/techguarantee2012. The Parallels Mobile app, which works with Parallels Desktop for Mac to give full access to both Mac and Windows applications from an iPad, iPhone or iPod touch, is currently available in the App Store for a special price of US$4.99. Parallels Desktop 8 for Mac will be available to the general public on September 4 in English, German-, French-, Italian-, Spanish-, Russian-, Japanese-, Chinese-, Korean-, Czech-, Polish- and Portuguese-language versions. Customers interested in testing Parallels Desktop 8 for Mac can download a free trial starting September 4, along with in-depth information, videos and screenshots of the new features, at www.parallels.com/desktop.  About Parallels Parallels is a global leader in hosting and cloud services enablement and desktop virtualization. Founded in 1999, Parallels is a fast-growing company with more than 900 employees in North America, Europe and Asia. For more information, please visit www.parallels.com, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ParallelsMac, and Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ParallelsDesktop.
Agility 4 SSD from OCZ announced, already in stock at $150
SSD makers often try to wow us with raw MB/S, but OCZ is talking up "enterprise-level" reliability, ops per second, and throughput equally with its new SATA III 6Gbps Agility 4. The 64GB / 128GB / 256GB / 512GB drives -- with Marvell-built Indilinx Everest 2 controllers -- have middling max read/write throughput of 400 MB/s and 48,000 IOPS / 85,000 IOPS, respectively. But with Indilinx Ndurance 2.0 technology and no data compression, they claim that the NAND memory will last "well beyond" the manufacturer's specs -- without backing that up with actual figures. Prices seem steep at Amazon next to the competition, but could drop when they hit the streets in volume. So, if you're after an all-rounder instead of a sprinter, check the PR after the break.
Razer outs Battlefield 3 aviator headsets
Can't satisfy your appetite for video game tie-in peripherals? Razer's new military aviator-inspired, Battlefield 3-branded BlackShark headsets might do the trick. Each memory foam, leatherette-lined ear cup packs 40mm drivers paired with ambient noise cancellation and enhanced bass. You can also use the detachable, unidirectional boom microphone to yell at teammates to take cover. The whole package rings up at $129.99 -- or €129.99 for those across the pond -- and will be ready for duty in July. Check out the gallery and full PR below.
GoSelectPass makes it easy to buy discount attraction tickets
A lot of Americans are planning on taking vacations starting this Memorial Day weekend, and now Smart Destinations wants to help iPhone-toting tourists get discount tickets to more than 400 attractions around the US. GoSelectPass.com provides a way for tourists to browse attraction info in seven major cities, purchase tickets online, and get valuable discounts in the process. At present, there's not an iOS app for GoSelectPass, although one will be available soon. For now, you can point your device browser to GoSelectPass.com to check out the mobile site and set up an account. Once you select the attractions you wish to visit, you pay one fee for a discounted pass. That pass appears as a QR code on your device that you show for entry to the attraction. As Smart Destinations adds more cities to the mobile site and future iOS app, this will be a very handy way to visit museums, aquariums, TV studios, and other attractions. Be sure to check out the press release for more info. Show full PR text Smart Destinations Launches Groundbreaking Mobile Ticketing Platform at More than 400 Attractions in Major U.S. Travel Destinations Go Select Provides Easy, Secure Purchase of Attraction Tickets via Smartphone to Allow Creation of Personalized, Dynamically-priced Mobile Attraction Pass and Fast, Real-time Validation at the Gate BOSTON (May 22, 2012) -Smart Destinations today released a groundbreaking mobile platform that turns any smartphone into an instant, money-saving pass for guests at more than 400 museums, tours and top attractions in major U.S. cities. The patent-pending Go Select mobile platform is the industry's first real-time dynamic mobile ticket pricing and validation system that is already accepted at the industry's largest network of attraction partners, including Boston's Museum of Science, Chicago's Shedd Aquarium, San Francisco's Golden Gate Bay Cruise, and the NBC Studio Tour in New York. "Our attraction partners now have access to the massive amount of travelers who expect the convenience and security of instant ticketing on their phones," said Kevin McLaughlin, CEO and co-founder of Smart Destinations. "It's the only such platform for attractions that combines real-time dynamic pricing and validation with the convenience of secure paperless ticketing." Today's launch at GoSelectPass.com means attractions nationwide can instantly accept mobile passes at their gates, while their guests enjoy big savings and flexibility of simply showing their phone for admission. A recent PhoCusWright study found three out of four travelers already use a mobile device while on business or leisure travel, and eMarketer predicts that 15.1 million Americans will book travel using their smartphone this year. Go Select includes major attractions in New York, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, Oahu, Miami and Orlando, with more cities being added in the coming weeks. YEARS OF INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY Since 2003, SmartDestinations.com has built the industry's largest network of popular tourist destinations using its proprietary dynamic pricing and packaging technology. More than 1.25 million travelers have used the company's popular Go City Cards to save money on ticket prices, get extra discounts at restaurants and gift shops and enjoy the convenience of admissions passes to dozens of attractions through one card at one low price. Now the company's partners and mobile customers and can take full advantage of the technological ease of instantaneous ticketing on a single phone – while competitors are still forcing customers to use flimsy coupon books that are easily lost or damaged. ATTRACTIONS GET MOBILE QUICKLY AND EASILY For attraction partners, Go Select is easy to implement, saving both time and money for the attraction, as well as guests. That's because admission fees are immediately credited to the attraction upon admission with secure, digital ticketing – avoiding the extra hassle of submitting paper vouchers for reimbursement. It also speeds ticket purchase lines as guests arrive with their pass in hand. Plus, the system is more secure than paper tickets that can easily be photocopied or counterfeited and Go Select is the only platform in the world that allows multiple attractions to be purchased on a single QR code to be scanned at gates. No printing is needed–unlike other mobile purchasing solutions. "It's fantastic that we can now welcome guests who have purchased Go Select passes through the convenience of mobile," said Deleyse Langdale, associate director of travel industry sales at the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park. "By partnering with SmartDestinations, the implementation for us was simple and the timing was just right as we gear up for the summer travel season. We expect this to catch on fast." TRAVELERS GET GUARANTEED SAVINGS AND CONVENIENCE "Go Select is the only mobile technology platform of its kind that allows guests to buy and redeem multiple attraction tickets all from their smartphone and get guaranteed savings off the gate price," McLaughlin said. To get mobile passes, travelers simply: • Use their smartphone to choose the attractions they want to see (2 or more), • Pay one low, dynamically generated price for admission to all, • Receive a secure QR code immediately on their phone for scanning at the front desk or admission gate upon arrival at each attraction, similar to an airline mobile boarding pass. The more attractions travelers add to the pass, the more they can save-up to 40 percent off the retail cost of admission at the gate. Plus, at many attractions, Go Select Pass holders can skip the ticket line, as they already have a pre-paid ticket, saving both time and money. Go Select provides all visitors with full access to photos, maps, directions, hours and other insider tips about all the attractions plus much more at no cost. The passes are available now at GoSelectPass.com and will soon be available as iPhone, Ipad, and Android apps.
Fujitsu unveils two new LifeBooks, shows some Ivy Bridge zen
Fujitsu's teased us before with Intel's hot new chipset, but now it's getting ready to actually ship two notebooks with Intel's third-gen Core i7 CPU. The first, like others before it, will be a refresh of an older model, the LifeBook LH532, with its last-gen i7 tech swapped out for Ivy Bridge. Other specs will stay the same, with 2GB of system memory, NVIDIA GeForce GT620M graphics with 2GB of VRAM and a 15.6 14-inch 1366x768 high definition TFT LED wide screen. The LifeBook LH772, on the other hand, is an all-new model which will have the same Ivy Bridge i7 horsepower and screen, but the addition of a 2GB NVIDIA Optimus graphics and 4GB of RAM. Being more upmarket than its cousin, it'll have added touches like Onkyo Box Speakers, a DTS UltraPC II Plus sound system and a fingerprint sensor. Both LifeBooks will have Fujitsu's Face Sense utility, which uses a front facing camera to detect your presence, and pause the system if you're not there. Fujitsu is also touting its Takumi design philosophy, supposedly offering zen-like simplicity and attention to detail -- with features like multiple color choices, rounded keyboard outlines, leveled palm rests and dichromatic keys. Fujitsu hasn't announced pricing yet, but if you need to hit your tasks quickly but harmoniously, check the PR below for more details. Update: The Lifebook LH532 is a 14" model, not 15.6". Apologies for any confusion.
Shin Megami Tensei transferred to Atlus in North America
If you're a fan of the venerable Shin Megami Tensei RPG franchise, you might be pleased to know that Atlus is taking over publishing duties on the Shin Megami Tensei: Imagine online title from California-based Aeria Games. Gamasutra reports that Atlus views the forthcoming April move as a "homecoming" for the game, which was originally released in 2007. Prior to the move, Atlus managed the Japanese servers while Aeria handled the North American operations. Gamasutra says that "all characters and player data will be carried over automatically, although there will be a short period of downtime while this occurs."
Nokia Series 40: over 1.5 billion served
Nokia has announced a major mobile milestone: over 1.5 billion (with a b) Series 40 handsets sold since the first device -- the 7110 -- was introduced in 1999. "We are incredibly proud to reach this milestone," wrote Nokia's Executive VP of Mobile Phones, Mary McDowell. "It is gratifying to consider how Series 40 devices have made mobile technology accessible." Breeze on past the break for the official PR with more information about the Asha 303 handset knighted number 1,500,000,000, then feel free to weigh in on how long will take the Lumia line to reach the same milestone.
NCsoft adding new Lineage II shard, server-first competitions abound
Lineage II's "truly free" gamble seems to be paying dividends, as NCsoft has just announced plans to roll out a new server to cope with the overwhelming demand. The shard is open for business as of today, and it's been christened Bartz as a nod to an older (and extremely popular) server that was merged earlier in the game's lengthy lifespan. NCsoft is not allowing transfers to the new shard, so you'll have to create a new toon if you want to check it out. On the plus side, there are several server-first rewards up for grabs, all of which will result in immortality via the Lineage II website. Competitions include forming the first party, defeating the Queen Ant raid, being the first clan to reach level five, and being the first player to complete the first and second class transfer quests. Finally, NCsoft has announced a spiffy exclusive for denizens of the Shilen server. The first character who completes his or her awakening quest will receive a jet bike mount bracelet that grants a permanent skill transformation and the appearance of riding on a huge steampunk bike (pictured above).
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]
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]
SOE touts one million new DCUO players
The success notices keep rolling in for DC Universe Online. This time Sony Online Entertainment is touting the fact that one million new players have joined the game's community over the past week. Executive director of development Lorin Jameson says that the numbers are split 50/50 between the PC and PlayStation 3 platforms, and he also intimates that more good news is in the works for fans of the superhero MMO. "We have a lot of exciting things coming up for players to enjoy in the game and are thrilled at the initial enthusiasm for the game's free-to-play transition," Jameson said via press release. [Source: SOE press release]
Wargaming.net heading to G-Star 2011
Wargaming.net's assault on the global MMO scene continues this month as the development firm heads to Korea for Asia's largest gaming-related tradeshow. The folks who brought you World of Tanks (and who will shortly be bringing you World of Warplanes, World of Battleships, and World of post-apocalyptic Volkswagen Beetles with chainguns mounted on their hoods) are traveling to G-Star 2011 to promote the recently released World of Tanks Korean language pack. The team has also launched a promotional Korean website, and Wargaming.net seems intent on creating a large presence in the Asian gaming market for its free-to-play action MMO brands. "We've created a truly high-quality AAA title with World of Tanks [which is] already wildly successful in Russia and in the West," said Wargaming.net CEO Victor Kislyi via press release. "Now we are looking forward to promoting our product [in] the mature and competitive Korean market." [Source: Wargaming.net press release]
AMD to cut workforce by 10 percent, invest savings in emerging markets and the cloud
After hitting a speed bump Q2 and making a modest bounce back in Q3, AMD doesn't seem to want to take any chances with Q4: the CPU firm just announced it's optimizing its cost structure to "enhance competitiveness and accelerate growth." In a press release, the outfit stated that it expects to save $10 million in the fourth quarter by cutting its global workforce by 10 percent and killing off a few contractual commitments. AMD says that the workforce reduction is global, and reaches all divisions of the company -- giving employees everywhere an excuse to rattle their boots. Combined with an efficiency heavy restructuring plan, the outfit predicts that the employee reduction will save more than $200 million in operational savings in 2012. AMD says it plans to reinvest a significant helping of the savings in projects targeting lower power, emerging markets and the cloud. Hit the press release after the break for official numbers and restructuring riffraff.
Vindictus EU updates with Lost Artifact episode
Vindictus may be a relatively new arrival on the European gaming scene, but Nexon is wasting no time updating the hack-and-slash game with a new episode. The Lost Artifact content pack comes loaded with a level cap increase, new bonus missions, and a new area called the Hilder Forest. Players will journey to the "icy caverns of Hoarfrost Depths and face fearsome foes," among them various Yeti clans, Formors, and new raid boss monsters. New skills are also the order of the day, and abilities like shield charge and reverse gravity are designed to decimate foes and add a bit of oomph to the game's combat visuals. Finally, new gameplay styles are coming to the EU client, and Hero Mode bumps up the difficulty level while Gauntlet Mode pits players against their "most dreaded enemies, one right after another." Surviving the gauntlet brings several rewards including a rare title. More info is available at the EU Vindictus website. If you're an American Vindictus player and all this is sounding a bit familiar, well, it should. The Lost Artifact update went live in the States back in February. [Source: Nexon press release] %Gallery-97587%
NCsoft releases brief Lineage II F2P trailer
Lineage II is going free-to-play. This isn't news (or rather, it's old news at this point, amirite?). We wish we could tell you when the stalwart fantasy title is flipping the free-to-play switch, but unfortunately NCsoft's big announcement earlier this afternoon made no mention of a release date. The company did unveil a new trailer that clocks in at just under a minute in length, and it boasts of 400 hours' worth of gameplay and optional leveling and quality-of-life enhancements from the L2 store. There's also a new section of the Lineage II website devoted to the "truly free" marketing campaign. Other than that, though, there are still more questions than answers, and your guess is as good as ours when it comes to release dates for the long-awaited Goddess of Destruction content and the business-model switcheroo. In terms of additional info, ZAM recently interviewed NCsoft bigwigs and wrangled some pricing-related details out of them (most items are in the one dollar range, with some as high as $15 depending on whether or not they're time-limited). We'll keep you update with more L2 F2P news bits as they happen.
Burning Dog announces cross-platform plans for Origins of Malu
We've got some more Origins of Malu news today courtesy of the team at Burning Dog Media. A new press release on the sandbox MMORPG's official website is touting a partnership with Dell and Alienware that will generate awareness of the sci-fi title as it heads into its beta phase and eyes a 2012 launch. The release also mentions cross-platform functionality, and though it doesn't elaborate, we contacted lead developer Michael Dunham for clarification. As it turns out, the Origins team is aiming for both PC and Mac clients, and some sort of mobile/tablet functionality is in the works as well. We'll keep you up to date on that as we learn more, and in the meantime you can head to the Origins website to read up on the game. Before you go, be sure and check out Massively's exclusive interview with the dev team.
