Star Trek Online, Neverwinter: Embarrassing PR Blunder – this Advertising Deal is Offered to YouTubers

Schuhmann Schuhmann Reading time 3 minutes

A marketing company has now approached the wrong person for advertising on behalf of the MMORPGs Neverwinter and Star Trek Online.

It is no secret that some YouTubers and gaming sites earn money by advertising a specific game. When everything is above board, they also say: This is an advertising format, it’s “Sponsored.”

The calculation of the advertisers: If a YouTuber, whom his fans trust, makes an advertisement for our game, it is worth a lot. Then we use his reach, his image, and his relationship with his fans for our purposes. Similar to well-known TV hosts passionately eating gummy bears.

Normally, however, one never learns under what conditions such advertising deals come about and what is in the fine print. This time it’s different.

Neverwinter-Tiamat-XBOX

PR agency makes immoral offer … but to the wrong person

Perfect World has hired an advertising agency that is supposed to ensure that good videos and press coverage for the two MMORPGs Star Trek Online and Neverwinter are obtained.

The problem: The advertising agency contacted not only YouTubers but also the US site Kotaku. They are known for leaking supposed internal information from the gaming industry. They seem unfazed by any conflicts with angry publishers.

Just recently, Kotaku expressed indignation in an article that they were allegedly on Ubisoft and Bethesda’s “black list” after they thwarted their plans and leaked details about their blockbuster games early in the past.

Kotaku feels a bit like an outlaw in this role. They are somewhat proud of it.

Neverwinter-XBox

They are now receiving an offer from a PR firm to say nice things about Star Trek Online and Neverwinter for money. They were allegedly offered $120 and then additional money for each person who registers in the game due to the video.

$120 upfront and then more for everyone who signs up through you

Kotaku had no interest in such deals: The two MMORPGs do not play a role on their site. Additionally, they seem to find the $120 that would have come with the offer a bit insulting. “That’s enough for two whole video games. Woohoo!”, they wrote.

However, Kotaku pretended to be interested, reported interest so that the agency would release details about the deal, and now published a fresh article about how it would look if they had shot an advertising video for Neverwinter or Star Trek Online.

This is a real trailer, just to hear the advertising messages in the original:

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Say in your own words how awesome we are

In the campaign recommendations, there was a series of messages that they would like to have included in the video, such as that Neverwinter is a “Large-Scale PvP game” or that in Star Trek Online you can become a warrior of the Klingons. In principle, the content of the advertising trailers of the two MMORPGs.

The advertising campaign also advised YouTubers to “find something in the game and make friendly fun of it, but absolutely do not curse or use bad words.”

For the end of the video, they recommended phrases like “You should definitely try out Neverwinter and play with me. It’s completely free and you can download it here under the link.”

One thing that Kotaku appreciates about the somewhat naive advertising agency is that they clearly demanded in the campaign that YouTubers make it clear: This is sponsored content.

Perfect World is certainly not an isolated case, companies usually are more skillful

Mein-MMO says: Fairly speaking, one has to say that Perfect World is certainly not an outlier here. Such tactics are likely employed by a number of companies when looking around on YouTube. Not just in the MMO sector. And at least, Perfect World insisted that everything be properly labeled as advertising.

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By the way, such practices have long also arrived in this country: The German YouTuber Gronkh had to face criticism from Golem when he appeared in a commercial for “The Evil Within”. Gronkh’s fans found that not cool at all from Golem.

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. Kotaku

WoW: Legion – How stylish is the new elf zone Suramar!

Cortyn Cortyn Reading time 3 minutes

With Legion, new zones await the players of WoW (World of Warcraft). First images from the elven city of Suramar show how idyllic these areas can be.

Center of Night Elf High Culture in WoW: Legion

The alpha version of World of Warcraft: Legion received a new update that significantly polished the area “Suramar”. While the new area still lacks NPCs, both allies and enemies, an alpha tester was able to get an impression of the zone. When he lost his internet connection, the game did not throw him back to the login screen – this allowed him to explore the new, still unfinished zone and take numerous screenshots, which he quickly uploaded to imgur. We would like to briefly present some of his images; you can find the complete list in our sources.

WoW Legion Suramar Forrest

In Suramar, you can see many influences from all the other “elven areas” from previous expansions. The warm colors are reminiscent of the Sunstrider Forest of the Blood Elves in Quel’Thalas …

WoW Legion Suramar Catacomb Entry

… but many cool colors are also in use. The blue shimmer of arcane energies and the overgrown entrances of buildings are found everywhere. One is never quite sure: Is it simply overgrown? Or are there druidic influences?

WoW Legion Suramar Seaside

A view of the sea is also worthwhile, because if you look closely …

WoW Legion Suramar Under See

… you can see the devastations on the seabed. When the Well of Eternity exploded, magic spilled over the world – these effects are still visible on the ground after 10,000 years.

WoW Legion Suramar Crystal Tower

Even though not all textures are present, I personally like the new area visually so much that I sincerely hope that large parts of it are also “peacefully” accessible without running into an enemy every 5 steps – I can hardly imagine a prettier location for roleplay at the moment. I even claim that Suramar will be one of the most beautiful zones of Legion – if not of the entire game. It was about time that the Night Elves got a little more shine, even if it is now in the guise of the “Nightfallen”.

For more information about the game, check out our World of Warcraft topic page.

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. kotaku.com
  2. imgur.com

Star Wars Battlefront: Behandelt Battlefront II die neuen Filme?

Cortyn Cortyn Reading time < 1 minutes

The business with Star Wars: Battlefront is booming. Is the next installment already in the works at Electronic Arts?

When is the next “Battlefront” coming out?

Star Wars: Battlefront will likely go down as one of the major successes in the history and business records of Electronic Arts. With 11 million copies shipped and over 1 million bundle sales of the PS4 version of the game, the equation worked perfectly. When Chief Financial Officer Blake Jorgensen announced the quarterly figures of the publisher Electronic Arts, some comments were made about a potential sequel. The conversation was that customers unexpectedly preferred a physical version of the game over a digital one.

Jorgensen stated that this could indeed be the case, “if we make the next Battlefront,” but added that there are no concrete plans for it yet. While this is not a definitive commitment, it is clear that this possibility is already being discussed internally.

Star Wars Kylo Ren
Kylo Ren in the next “Battlefront”? That is quite likely.

Fans can be sure of one thing. The footage from the new trilogy (Episode VII – IX), including characters, starships, vehicles, and other technological advancements can be used in a future game – but not in DLCs for the current games. The reasons behind this are likely of a legal nature. Will Kylo Ren rage across the battlefield in the next Battlefront instead of Darth Vader? We will see.

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. dualshockers.com

Destiny feiert Scharlach-Woche mit Shadern, Emblemen, Gesten und Geistern

Schuhmann Schuhmann Reading time 3 minutes

In the MMO shooter Destiny , the Valentine’s Day event “Crimson Days”, Scarlet Weeks, has been introduced.

The Weekly Update arrived, as announced, on Friday evening. Those who thought there would be any mention of the controversies of recent weeks or the leadership change will be disappointed. Not a word about it. There is also no information regarding the future.

You could say: Bungie currently sees Destiny through “rose-colored glasses”, well, actually – scarlet.

Scarlet Week

These are the rewards for Crimson Days, the Scarlet Week

Instead, the announced Valentine’s Day event Crimson Days is presented. In English, we fear it will be called Scarlet Week. Sounds a bit like something you should be vaccinated against, but it is a new one-week PvP event starting on Tuesday in a week.

It will be a kind of “Trials of Osiris for Couples” – players will compete in pairs in 2v2 teams. The mode is “Elimination”, you must win 5 rounds to achieve victory. The special twist: When a team member is dead, the partner becomes “angry.” They have a Broken Heart and draw faster, recover faster from damage. In gameplay terms, maximum values for armor, agility, recovery, and weapon handling will be provided.

Crimson Days Rewards

The rewards will include:

  • two shaders
  • two emblems
  • and ghost shells that can drop up to Light 320.

The emblems will be obtainable through searching, shaders, and ghost shells by playing Scarlet Doubles, so probably as rewards at the end.

Unlike the Trials of Osiris, the event is meant to be “casual-friendly.” It is designed so that one player can carry the other to the rewards.

Additionally, five new emotes will be added to the cash shop. One “awkward” and one “weird dance”, a secret greeting, a fist bump, and a “seductive” emote.

Gestures Scarlet

The mode starts on February 9 and ends on February 16. There will again be new quests and bounties from Lord Shax.

Nothing new on matchmaking, more next week about the February update

In the Iron Banner, there was currently on Friday evening a third change to the matchmaking rules (it should be active from 10:00 PM to 12:00 AM). They promise to evaluate the data they are collecting now and have collected, and then do something with it. According to the first feedback, the initial changes to matchmaking have been received “fairly positively”.

However, it will take a while before they expand this and changes come. Bungie wants to talk about it only when they have precise plans. Then they will consider how to apply the current Iron Banner experiment to the rest of the crucible.

Bungie also states that the “February update” will bring more than just Crimson Days, next week they want to talk more about the update that will also affect the lifestyle of the Guardians.

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. Bungie Scharlach Woche
  2. BWU

Warframe: “Ring of Fire” Update for Consoles heats you up

Pascal Pascal Reading time 2 minutes

Since last night, Xbox One and Playstation 4 players of the online shooter Warframe can finally hunt for a fiery companion – Nezha. We show you what else the update includes.

If January hasn’t been warm enough for you so far, Warframe has exactly what you need to get you and your console revved up. With nearly 12 GB in size for the ‘Ring of Fire’ update, some consoles (or internet connections) might be sweating a bit.

This large amount of data that you need to download once is not solely due to the new content. Rather, it optimizes Warframe’s storage, which according to developer Digital Extremes will allow for smaller updates in the future and bring faster loading times.

New Warframe ‘Nezha’

If you have been sitting on hot coals waiting to finally get back into the game, you can jump right into the sweat-inducing missions to get the parts of the new Warframe Nezha.

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Overview of Nezha’s Abilities:

  • Firewalker: Players ignite their path, burning enemies and purifying allies.
  • Flaming Chakra: They throw a ring of fire that burns enemies and triggers a wave of healing upon their death. Re-activation teleports them to the location of the flames.
  • Defensive Halo: Players create a protective ring of fire that stuns enemies who venture too close.
  • Holy Spears: They impale nearby enemies with spears that burst from the ground.

New Weapons

Warframe Tenno Nunchaku Shaku
Nunchaku Shaku

In addition to this fiery companion, you can get your hands on new weapons. These include:

  • Shaku: With this lightning-fast nunchaku, enemies won’t know what hit them.
  • Sydon: A massive Grineer trident for maximum devastation.
  • Destreza: The long-awaited Tenno rapier that turns their combat skills into an art form.
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With this, you can stylishly heat up your enemies.

New Customization Options

If you also want to look good, you can look forward to some new appearances, such as the Deluxe Skin ‘Knave’ for the tricky Loki. With the Nari and Vali skin, you can turn your Dual Kamas into a sword and dagger combo. Additionally, there’s a new hull for the Scimitar landing craft.

However, these two changes are only included in the large Loki Deluxe Skin package and are not available separately.

Warframe Loki Deluxe Skin
Loki Deluxe Skin

This is rounded off by three new nature-inspired Syandanas and the alternative helmet ‘Loxley’ for the huntress Ivara, all in the tradition of Robin Hood.

By the way: If the heat of anger gets to your head, since Nezha’s parts are only available as rewards from the missions, here’s a cool drink for you; his components are tradable. So, if you get something extra, just use the chat to find someone to trade with.

Recommended for new players: Warframe: The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide for New Players.

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.

Destiny: The Trials of Osiris on January 29th.

Schuhmann Schuhmann Reading time < 1 minutes

In the MMO shooter Destiny the Trials of Osiris will take place on January 29th on the map Pantheon.

The Iron Banner is still running with modified rules, the Trials of Osiris started at 7:00 PM on Friday and will still have the “normal rules,” so nothing changes there. This round of Trials of Osiris will end on Tuesday at 10:59 AM.

Bungie has selected the map “Pantheon” – snipers rejoice. Pantheon was already an Osiris map last year, so we can provide a video with tips – you will need to adapt it to today’s context, but the principles still apply.

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Regarding the rewards, just a quick note as always: Most come through bounties. Hardcore players manage to reach Mercury for flawless loot – activating the bonuses on the seal helps.

With 5 wins, there is a helm today, and with 7 wins, a machine gun. At least if the predictions are correct, as a pattern has been recognized in the last weeks that proves to be correct.

Interestingly, how Derek Carol, the Osiris manager at Bungie, describes the fans’ reactions to the announcement that Pantheon would be the Osiris map:

Translated: You can’t please anyone, really. And slowly, they’re even starting to call themselves Bungo at Bungie.

Tonight or late at night, a Weekly Update is also expected. This had been postponed yesterday.

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.

Crossout: Crazy Mad Max and Engine MMO wants you in its test

Schuhmann Schuhmann Reading time < 1 minutes

The slightly different post-apocalyptic MMO Crossout is looking for players for its tests.

Crossout is like a kind of bumper car, only that instead of bumper cars, there are crazy modified killing machines that have dashed straight from this Mad Max movie onto the PC. One of the focuses of the game is even on tinkering and messing with the machines.

In any case, Crossout is eager to show more players what it has. The action MMO is in a “Battle Test” and states: Anyone who signs up for the test by February 7th has significantly increased chances of getting in and trying it out.

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Here on this page, you can register for the Battle Test.

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.

The Division: Are you still on the waiting list for the beta?

Schuhmann Schuhmann Reading time < 1 minutes

For those on the waiting list for the beta of The Division, there is a message from Ubisoft.

Apparently, Ubisoft is being overwhelmed. This morning the access via PSN was already changed to PlayStation, now they are telling players on the waiting list: Guys, if you’re still on the list, your chances of getting into the game today are slim. It’s too crowded. However, we want to make sure that everyone who wants to play The Division can do so. That is still the plan.

Players on the waiting list should check back tomorrow to see if their status has changed.

The Division launched yesterday on Xbox One in a closed beta, today it was the turn of PS4 and PC. You can read everything about the beta here.

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. Ubisoft
  2. vg247

Blade & Soul: New Costumes in the Shop – sexy little angel (also as a man)!

Cortyn Cortyn Reading time 2 minutes

The in-game shop of Blade & Soul is receiving its first update since the release, exchanging some costumes. We reveal what is now available for purchase.

Sexy Angels and Schoolgirls

If MMORPGs from Korea are known for anything, it’s their extravagant costumes that aim to extract euros from the customers’ wallets – Blade & Soul is no exception. After the action MMORPG had a damn great launch in the West with over 1 million players, there is now the first small update in the shop. A ton of new costumes and accessories are being added, including angels in lingerie – for both genders. Naughty angels.

  • Blade and Soul Costume Rote Koenigin
  • Blade and Soul Costume Mein Engel
  • Blade and Soul Costume Dunkler Engel

However, some costumes have also been removed from the shop. The winter outfits are no longer available, but don’t worry: there are already replacements. Colorful dresses and a schoolgirl outfit should help make up for the absence of the red winter coats.

  • Blade and Soul Costume little girl
  • Blade and Soul Costume Schulzeit
  • Blade and Soul Costume Buntes Herbstlaub

A complete list of the new costumes can be found in our sources.

Newcomers should check out these 7 beginner tips to ensure a successful start in the game.

For more information about the game, visit our Blade & Soul topic page.

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. bladeandsoul.com/de/
  2. 2p.com

Knight Online: Koreanisches MMORPG jetzt kostenlos auf Steam spielbar

Andreas Bertits Andreas Bertits Reading time 2 minutes

More and more MMORPGs are finding their way to the gaming platform Steam. Now also the classic Knight Online.

The Korean MMO Knight Online is now almost 12 years old, yet it still has a very loyal fan base. This is partly because the game still plays like it did in 2004, when it was released. Even in the USA, Knight Online has a large and loyal fan base.

knight online 2
A classic finds its way to Steam

If you are not yet on board but would like to check out the classic, you can now do so through Valve’s gaming platform Steam. Because the MMO is now playable through it as well. However, if you think you can transfer your account to the Steam version, you are unfortunately mistaken. The Steam version uses its own servers and even its own client, so you have to start over.

http://youtu.be/Ve4tRWNr_Fk

Focus on fast PvP battles

knight online 3

The MMO Knight Online has always focused on PvP battles. You decide at the beginning whether you want to belong to the nation El Morad or Karus. This also determines whether you want to play as a human or an orc. Castle sieges and guild wars are part of the daily routine in the MMO. Besides that, you can also explore the vast world and complete quests. You can improve your hero throughout the adventures not only through skills but also through expandable equipment. 

Knight Online may be a bit outdated now, which is especially noticeable in the graphics. Nevertheless, the fast and sometimes chaotic PvP battles are still a lot of fun today. If you want to try it out, you can do so easily, as the MMORPG relies on a free-to-play model, allowing you to test it without having to pay anything.

Here is the free-to-play MMORPG Knight Online on Steam.

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. MassivelyOP

Heroes of the Storm: Das Mondfest 2016 – Dicke Goldbelohnungen!

Cortyn Cortyn Reading time 2 minutes

The Moon Festival in Heroes of the Storm is just around the corner – players can expect bonus quests and some unique skins!

The Nexus in Celebration

Almost simultaneously with the Moon Festival in World of Warcraft, the same event begins in Heroes of the Storm – though it is celebrated differently there. Players can look forward to limited-time quests, special portraits, new skins in the shop, and a fresh mount. If you want to take advantage of the various benefits of the event, you have plenty of time, the celebrations run from February 2 to March 1, so almost a month long.

Temporary Quests

If you’re only after free earnable bonuses, you should focus on the special quests available during the Moon Festival. This includes a new (and additional) daily event quest, as well as a longer task that applies throughout the entire event.

Hots Ancestor Monkey

Every day you will receive the task “Catch the Ancestor Monkey” and the name says it all. In each game, you have a 50% chance that the monkey will appear before the start of a match. The team must work together to slow it down and then catch it. If successful, you get 100 gold (once per day).

A total of 25 games must be completed to receive the portrait “Ancestor Monkey” – a victory is not required and the matches can also be completed in battles against AI.

New Shop Items – Jaina and Illidan in Japanese Style

Hots Moon Festival

As it should be, the Moon Festival also comes with unique skins. Besides last year’s skins, namely Moon Festival Chen and Moon Festival Li Li, this time there are two newcomers. Jaina and Illidan put on stylish, Asian festive clothing and can be purchased as part of a bundle. Only those who buy this “Bundle: Moon Festival 2016” will also enjoy the new mount “Moon Festival Dragon.”

For more information, such as about the two new heroes Li Ming and Xul, you can find it on our Heroes of the Storm theme page.

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. eu.battle.net/heroes/de/

RIFT will generate more revenue, tightens the reins in the cash shop

Cortyn Cortyn Reading time 3 minutes

Rift is currently in a bit of a crisis – players are going on the barricades, as certain armors can now only be unlocked with real money.

Keeping the Business Alive

RIFT has drawn the wrath of players last week and provoked a medium-sized shitstorm. Since January 27, certain equipment has effectively been behind a paywall. Over a year ago, new earrings and armors were introduced with “Nightmare Tide” that required “Plainswalker: Water” badges to wear them. These were either available if you purchased a specific version of the game, directly acquired in the in-game shop, or farmed for a long time with in-game currency. And this last option has now been removed.

Rift-3.1.-Titel

From now on, it is only possible to directly purchase the corresponding items from the in-game shop. The Pay2Win accusations – which are not entirely unfounded – followed immediately. Other players predicted that this change clearly shows that “Rift is dying” and that they just want to milk the players until they bury the MMO.

Linda Carlson, who holds the position of Director of Community Relations and is better known in the forum as “Brasse”, responded to accusations on another front of the same battle (Refer-Coins can no longer be exchanged for REX) and explained in an extensive forum post:

“Rift is not dying, not in the slightest. We are changing how we ask our players for support so that the game remains healthy in the future and we move in the right direction.”

Also intriguing is a figure she mentions, as even good Free2Play games only have 7-15% of players ever spending real money. “The truth is, the more you give away for free, the harder it is to keep game development going.” Patron players, people with monthly subscriptions, cannot finance the game alone, nor should they. And a company cannot survive by selling only cosmetic items in the shop – these are only for 5-10% of players.

She even resorts to bold text as she states: “This decision was not made out of greed. It was a decision based on the reality of running a business – as is the case with any kind of business.”

Rift 3_1
Fueling Gambling Addiction

They also justified the purchasable lockboxes. Numerous players complained about the system, as the items contained in the boxes are heavily dependent on chance – and this greatly bothers some players. Carlson writes:

“Lockboxes work [as a sales item] because they contain an element of surprise and anticipation that people (and dwarves) love. Countless data support the fact that people enjoy being surprised and therefore are more inclined to accept lockboxes than to buy individual items in the shop.”

Rift

Ultimately, she even compares the system to card packs from other games: “As a comparison, consider that other games like Magic: The Gathering and Hearthstone also sell ‘lockboxes’ in the form of card packs – that would never work if they sold the cards individually and directly. Don’t ask me how much money I have spent on these games. A lot.”

You can find more about the game on our RIFT theme page.

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. forums.riftgame.com
  2. massivelyop.com

Shroud of the Avatar bereitet den finalen Wipe vor und bekommt nie einen offiziellen Release!

Andreas Bertits Andreas Bertits Reading time 2 minutes

Portalarium, the developers of the selective multiplayer RPG Shroud of the Avatar, have now announced the plans for the release of the game.

On July 28, the final wipe will take place. All characters will then be deleted for the last time and the status of the world will be reset. On this day, the distribution of the limited building plots in the game will also begin. These will be allocated in waves based on the amount paid and the date on which a building plot was reserved.

shroud of the avatar dragon
Soft Launch for SotA

Portalarium also announces that there will be no regular release of the game. No one needs to wait for a final release date, as there will not be one. Rather, they will proceed in the same way as they have so far. Each month, a new update will be released, adding new content and new features to the game. This also means that the story of Episode 1 will not be completed by the final wipe but will gradually find its way into the game.

Is the Offline Mode disappointing?

Shroud of the Avatar

Some fans are quite disappointed with the planned features for the offline mode. This mode will have its own respawn rules, which are intended to give the feeling of being able to achieve something in the world. There will also be an NPC economy, through which players can make a profit by selling items, and NPC companions will find their way into the game, although nothing is yet known about them.

Disappointment arises because it is still uncertain whether multiple save games can be created in the offline mode. Furthermore, there will likely be no way to advance time by sleeping. This could lead to quite annoying gameplay. NPCs will have daily routines, and if, for example, you need to meet an NPC at a specific time in a specific place, but have no way to speed up time and must wait in real time, it could lead to frustration.

It is also demanded that at least for the offline mode, the UI should be worked on so it does not resemble an MMO UI and does not contain unnecessary windows and information for a single-player mode. The developers, however, have not yet commented on this, which in turn fuels players’ fears of an offline mode that is just an appendage.

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. Forum von Shroud of the Avatar

Monster Hunter Online und Dragon’s Dogma Online laufen gut – Kommen sie auch in den Westen?

Cortyn Cortyn Reading time 2 minutes

Capcom spoke about the revenue in the past year – they were good. Especially two titles performed well – including Monster Hunter Online.

Is there hope for a Western release of Monster Hunter Online?

The Japanese publisher Capcom presented its business figures for the past 9 months – and they are extremely positive. The net profit from April to December 2015 amounts to nearly 57 billion yen – approximately 365 million euros. This is a significant increase compared to the same time period last year, with a growth of 19% – rosy times for Capcom.

A special reason given is the increased focus on the mobile market: They have opened up a broader spectrum of players, especially “women, families and older players” have joined.

Dragons Dogma Online Battle

The game Dragon’s Dogma Online, released for PS3, PS4, and PC, has reportedly “developed strongly.” With more than 1,500,000 downloads, the game has made a “solid start” – and in the future, the title is expected to continue to grow and become one of the new core projects. DDO is planning to introduce a new class, the Elemental Archer, soon.

Interesting: Monster Hunter Online – Open beta starts, no country restrictions – this is how you can play MHO

The Monster Hunter Online (MHO) operated by Tencent launched in China last December and “had a good start, which raises the chances of business expansion.” While this is far from a promise, it may encourage Western fans that the title might ultimately find its way to Europe. MHO recently received an update with new weapons and tougher monsters.

Monster Hunter Online Gunlance

So far, they have opposed a translation – fans, however, are working with some developers on a translation patch to at least offer English menus and quest texts – gameplay will still be on the Chinese servers.

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.

My MMO asks: What is your opinion on microtransactions in full-price titles?

Tom Rothstein Tom Rothstein Reading time 3 minutes

In our today’s “My MMO Asks” everything revolves around microtransactions. Especially in full-price games, they are heavily criticized by gamers. What do you think about it?

Microtransactions in Full-Price Titles are Increasing

World of Warcraft Gold

More and more publishers are incorporating so-called microtransactions into their games; it now seems completely irrelevant whether the games are offered at full price or whether they are – at first glance – free to play. Especially in the latter, players have somewhat gotten used to investing either time or money to progress in the game.

But more and more full-price titles are also relying on microtransactions. Prominent examples include Evolve, the FIFA series, and since last autumn even Destiny.

What are Microtransactions?

destiny-everversum

For all these games (and of course countless others), smaller or larger packages are available that can be purchased with “real money”. Usually, a small in-game shop has been set up, such as the Eververse in the Tower of Destiny. Here you can obtain a specific currency for real money (in Destiny “Silver”, in FIFA 16 it’s “FIFA Points”), which you can invest in useful or simply nice things.

It must be distinguished whether these purchases provide a level boost, unlock entire game content, or are only cosmetic in nature.

Microtransactions Only for Cosmetics?

Destiny-Tess

Especially in full-price titles, for which one casually pays 60 euros at the register, microtransactions are predominantly limited to cosmetics or optional content that is not crucial to gameplay. In Destiny, you can only purchase amusing gimmicks, like additional gestures or dances; all important game content is available to everyone.

In FIFA 16, you progress faster in Ultimate Team with FIFA Points, as you can open several packs at once, for which you would otherwise have to play numerous games. But even here, microtransactions are completely optional; no additional money needs to be invested to play all game modes and contents successfully. However, it can also happen that you lose track a bit and – poof – 5000 euros from Dad’s credit card are gone.

fifa-16-fifa-points

In Evolve, people took to the streets when they found out that the game relies entirely on microtransactions and new monsters will cost around 15 euros. Players who do not wish to spend anything more after purchasing the game are limited in their selection to 12 hunters and 3 monsters that they can unlock over time. Of course, there are some savings offers, but most players would surely be happier if they could enjoy the thrill of this game in full without further investments. After all, they paid for a full-price game.

Is It All Just a Question of Price?

Evolve Kraken

It always depends on what such a package costs. If it’s a few cents or one or two euros, no one makes a big fuss. But 15 euros for a single monster in Evolve or the possibility in FIFA 16 to spend up to 99 euros at once for “micro”transactions is certainly hard for some to swallow. Even in Destiny, five euros for 500 silver is quite steep. You can’t buy much with that. In light of this development in the gaming market, it is by no means surprising that digital revenue has taken on enormous proportions and is likely not to decrease in the future.

What do you think? Do you see microtransactions in full-price titles as unacceptable profiteering or do you feel indifferent about it, following the motto: “Everyone has to decide for themselves; I’m not spending extra money.” As long as microtransactions are limited to cosmetics, you’re probably not doing too badly with that.

Or do you see it completely differently and say: “Hey, great, I’m happy to invest five euros and finally stand out from the crowd with my new dance moves?”

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.

Shaun of the Dead Easteregg in The Division

Andreas Bertits Andreas Bertits Reading time < 1 minutes

Developers have a sense of humor and often hide Easter eggs in their games, which are meant to make players smile. So it is in Ubisoft’s online shooter RPG The Division. The developers seem to be big fans of the movie “Shaun of the Dead” by director Edgar Wright.

Through the Fence!

In the film, a zombie apocalypse occurs and Shaun (played by Simon Pegg) wants to escape with his girlfriend and friends to the local pub, hoping to be safe there. Shaun of the Dead is part of Edgar Wright’s “The Cornetto” trilogy, where there is a recurring scene: The “heroes” try to flee over garden fences, which never works out.

https://youtu.be/r5446u686BM

In the currently ongoing beta of Ubisoft’s The Division, there is a spot in the game world where someone has attempted the same. While investigating the scene and realizing that someone apparently wanted to jump over the fence but instead knocked it over, one hears the corresponding dialogue from the matching scene in the movie “Shaun of the Dead”.

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Easter Eggs are Just Fun!

So even in a dark world full of chaos and terrorism, there is still plenty of humor. One can be curious about what other Easter eggs Ubisoft has hidden in the MMO. If you want to find out for yourself, you can participate in the closed beta until January 31 – provided you get access, which you can obtain by pre-ordering the game quickly!

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.

The Division: Mit diesen 7 Tipps überlebt ihr in der Dark Zone der Closed Beta

Tom Rothstein Tom Rothstein Reading time 3 minutes

Some players are already messing around in the closed beta of The Division. Here are 7 tips and tricks on how to survive in the Dark Zone.

Yesterday marked the start of the closed beta for Xbox One. Starting today at 1:00 PM, Playstation and PC players can also take a look at Ubisoft’s upcoming MMO shooter. A player on reddit has spoken up, someone who was able to test the alpha. He gives you seven tips on how to ensure that the Dark Zone, the PvP area in The Division, doesn’t lead to your demise.

the-division-dark-zone

7. Be sure to use the subway tunnels!

In a heated battle, it is certainly advantageous to have the option to disappear underground. The subway system is not a good means of quickly getting from A to B, but the tunnels are quite useful for surprising your opponents from ambush. Even if you are about to kick the bucket, you can quickly hide down there. At least as long as there isn’t an opponent waiting for you…

6. You should avoid the Extraction Zones!

The alpha tester strongly advises you to never, and I mean NEVER, wait unprotected out in the open for the helicopter. He has seen countless agents die because they were simply eliminated by the next sniper or flanked by opponents. Remember: Cover is your friend!

5. You should REALLY avoid the Extraction Zones!

Division-First-Person

You’re probably wondering why this point is mentioned twice. Quite simply: You can also use this “graveyard” to your advantage! Because here you can reap plenty of loot. It’s best to work as a team: one sniper clears from a distance and provides cover for the team, two of you keep watch on the flanks, and one, preferably a tank, causes a distraction and a ruckus in the middle. Of course, you can also come up with your own tactics!

4. Spend your money like there’s no tomorrow!

Be aware that you are only playing a beta and that you cannot transfer your statistics and achievements to the full game. So spend everything you have without feeling guilty. It’s advisable to buy as many weapons as possible, especially the purple ones with high damage, so you can find out which weapon type you prefer. And remember, just because a weapon looks cool doesn’t mean it’s a good weapon.

The Division Screenshot

3. Communicate with your team!

Not only in a good relationship but also in the Dark Zone, successful communication is invaluable. Don’t be like one of those guys who yell “They’re coming!” wildly without specifying from which direction or how far away they are.

It is indeed advantageous if you know the map. So, remember key locations as quickly as possible and familiarize yourself with the area. Your colleagues should then, of course, also know what is meant. By the way, this game uses the metric system. That’s not a problem for us, but Americans might struggle with it.

2. Become a “Rogue Agent”!

Division-Freunde-Feinde

One of the best memories of the alpha player was when he reached the maximum “wanted level” and had thereby turned the entire Dark Zone against him. The tension was indescribable as he hid with his buddy behind some scaffolding, pressed back to back, and kept a vigilant watch over the streets. That raises the pulse!

1. Have fun!

This tip may not be as trivial as it sounds. Because you also have to just relax sometimes. Many players took the game too seriously in the alpha and completely lost their composure when they were beaten. So go out there, don’t insult anyone, and have fun!

Agents, we’ll see you on the streets!

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. reddit.com

The Division: Ubisoft closes the loophole – PSN pre-orders no longer provide beta access

Schuhmann Schuhmann Reading time < 1 minutes

In The Division, a loophole has been closed that allowed Playstation players to access the beta of The Division.

It was a poorly kept secret: players could pre-order The Division through PSN, gained beta access, and then canceled the order. Then they were in the beta and done.

This was discussed in numerous forums and gaming sites over the last few days, and of course, Ubisoft took notice of it as well. But they are clever folks, and instead of saying: You cheated us, we will ban that, they say:

“We see an unprecedented interest in the Closed Beta of The Division, and we would like to sincerely thank our fans for their passion and enthusiasm.

We have already reached the maximum number of players we need to test the game and our infrastructure in the beta and to prepare for the launch on March 8.

Therefore, we will now close access to the beta through the PSN pre-order system.”

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. Ubsioft

Destiny: Xur on January 29. – What does he have today?

Schuhmann Schuhmann Reading time 2 minutes

In the MMO shooter Destiny , Xur will visit on Friday, January 29th. The tentacled alien sells exotic items.

Turbulent times in Destiny. However, not in the game, but around it. Somehow, in the last few weeks, it felt like: Something has to happen now. And then they tell us that they have changed the boss.

One could almost assume that there would be some information in the Weekly Update, so to speak, the weekly bulletin from Bungie, but it was quiet: They postponed the Weekly Update to Friday evening, only adjusted the Iron Banner to reduce lag. Something seems to be happening in Destiny, but not last night.

Let’s get to Xur.

Destiny-Turret

All about Xur in Destiny on January 29th, 30th, and 31st.

When does Xur arrive and when does he leave?

Xur arrives on Friday, January 29th, at 10:00 AM. He leaves on Sunday, January 31st, at 10:00 AM. Then he leaves the Tower.

Where is Xur today? What is his location?

Xur is currently in the tavern.

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What’s up with the Glass Needles?

These will re-roll armor. Here we have an article on the topic.

How do you get Strange Coins to buy from Xur?

We also have an article on this topic: How to farm strange coins today.

What does Xur have for sale? What is his inventory?

Xur has the machine gun Thunderlord today. He wants 17 strange coins for the Hell Machine, which was one of the most popular and rare weapons in Year 1. No current Engram.

Thunderlord Destiny

For armor pieces, he sells the Titan helmet Celestial Warrior (32/47 INT, 30/45 DIS). It costs 13 strange coins.

Celestial Warrior Destiny

For Hunters, there is the helmet Skyburner’s Annex. (34/49 INT, 36/51 DIS)

Skyburner’s Annex Destiny
Alchemist’s Robe-Destiny

And for Warlocks, Xur has the chest piece Alchemist’s Robe. (75/95 INT)

As a legacy engram, he has a chest armor piece. Year 1 chest armors with Year 1 stats can drop from it.

If you want to stay informed about the latest developments at Bungie, then subscribe to our Facebook page. Or follow our author Schuhmann on Twitter.

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.

Battlefront and SWTOR in Full Swing: MMORPG Has Most Subscribers in 3 Years

Cortyn Cortyn Reading time 2 minutes

The huge hype around the latest Star Wars film “The Force Awakens” has given the publisher Electronic Arts (EA) quite a strong final quarter in 2015.

Star Wars Drives Huge Profits

The publisher Electronic Arts can also look back on a good year in 2015 – especially in the last quarter, from October 1, 2015, to December 31, 2015, the gaming giant was able to make significant gains. The hype around the latest Star Wars film seems to have boosted sales across all platforms.

Star Wars Battlefront Domination Mass Battles
13 million copies of “Star Wars: Battlefront” are already in circulation.

One of the big successes was the shooter Star Wars: Battlefront, which was released on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC. In total, 13 million copies of the game were delivered to retailers – it is unknown how many actually reached players. However, it is noteworthy that the game has prompted many people to purchase a PlayStation 4; the various “Star Wars: Battlefront PS4 Bundles” sold more than 1 million units worldwide.

The appeal of the new players becomes even clearer when comparing revenue with the previous year. While in the autumn quarter of 2014 only “$388 million” in profit was achieved, this year it made a substantial “$596 million”.

However, a similar success was already predicted for EA – as pure revenue, a value of “$1.775 billion” was estimated, which was narrowly surpassed with “$1.803 billion”.

SWTOR KOFE
SWTOR experienced a new high in the last quarter.

The thematically appropriate MMORPG Star Wars: The Old Republic also seems to be flourishing, as it recorded the highest subscriber count in nearly 3 years over the past three months! This was brought about not only by the film but also by the expansion “Knights of the Fallen Empire”, which placed a strong focus on story – and its conclusion will last until summer 2016.

Apart from the lightsaber swinging, European players are thrilled by the round leather – even virtually. “Fifa 16” was the cross-platform bestseller in Europe in 2015.

For more details on the report, you can find them in our sources.

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Source(s):
  1. gamespot.com
  2. dualshockers.com