Tag Archives: free-to-play

Train2Game news: Hawken closed beta open for registration

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Train2Game students have the opportunity to be a part of the closed beta for Hawken, the upcoming multiplayer mech combat FPS from indie studio Adhesive Games.

Hawken isn’t going to be released until 12th December 2012, but Train2Game students can sign up to be a part of the closed beta by registering details at https://playhawken.com/.

Adhesive Games have also announced that Hawken will be free-to-play. Want to know more about Hawken? Watch the trailer below.

Beta testing is an excellent way for Train2Game students, especially those on the Games QA Tester course to practice their bug hunting skills. Not only that, but in an interview with the Train2Game blog, Trion Worlds Senior QA Tester Karl Tars said that beta testing is potentially a way to get into the industry.

And in a recent interview with The Train2Game Blog, Brawl Busters developers Rock Hippo told us that beta testing is “crucial” to the game development process.

For more on beta testing, how it’s useful for Train2Game students, and opportunities to get involved with it, see the Train2Game blog.

So Train2Game, what are your initial thoughts on Hawken? Will you be applying for a place in the closed beta?

Leave your comments here on The Train2Game Blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

[Source: PC Gamer]

Train2Game news: QA Testing “crucial” says Brawl Busters developer Rock Hippo

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Train2Game students on the QA Testing course will be performing a crucial task during game development. That’s according to Brawl Busters developer Rock Hippo Productions who spoke to The Train2Game Blog in a soon to be published interview.

“QA is absolutely crucial to the development process. Something may seem like a good idea on paper, but we’ll never know for sure until we test it out.” Rock Hippo Productions Marketing Manager Flavio Caracas told The Train2Game Blog in an interview about their free-to-play combat title Brawl Busters.

Caracas added that beta testing is also a huge part of the game development process, and a helpful team of beta testers can provide great help to a studio.

“Beta testing allows us to involve our community in game balance decisions and with any bugs overlooked during QA.” He said.

“We’ve been very lucky so far with our community as they have been extremely helpful to us and new players during the open beta phase and our official release. We expect that to continue into 2012 and plan to involve them even more as the game progresses.” Caracas added.

Brawl Busters is a free-to-play multiplayer action combat title, which can be downloaded right here.

The full Train2Game Blog interview with Brawl Busters developer Rock Hippo Productions will be published in the near future.

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on Rock Hippos comments on QA? How crucial is it to development? And can helpful beta testers iron out troubles in games?

Leave your comments here on The Train2Game Blog, or the Train2Game forum.

Train2Game news: EverQuest goes free-to-play 13 years after launch

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Train2Game students have seen plenty of posts about MMOs going free-to-play, and the original Everquest is adopting that model almost 13 years after its 1997 launch.

Players will be able to use the free-to-play model, a ‘Silver’ model acquired for a one off payment of $5, and a ‘Gold’ model that continues with the $15 a month subscriptions.

“We’re excited to be expanding the EverQuest experience by making the game more accessible to every type of player so that you can choose to play the game in a way that suits you best.” said Everquest producer Thom Terrazas

“Anyone who wishes to start, return or continue to play one of the “Best Games of All-Time” can simply download and play EverQuest on their terms – think of it as Free to Play, Your Way.”

“Recurring subscriptions, non-recurring subscriptions, Silver or Free memberships, item unlockers, and more. The game will now be setup to be flexible so that *you* can decide how much to pay, based on how much fun you’re having.” he added.

EverQuest will go free-to-play for the first time since its 1997 launch in March.

For more information about EverQuest going free-to-play, see the full statement from Producer Thom Terrazas.

EverQuest II made the switch to free-to-play towards the end of last year, a move that saw a 300% jump in new player registrations.

Dungeons and Dragons Online, Lord of the Rings Online, DC Universe Online and Star Trek Online are among a number of previously subscription based titles that have made a leap to free-to-play.

For the latest news about industry trends, including free-to-play, keep reading The Train2Game Blog.

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on EverQuest going free-to-play? Have you played it in the time since its 1997 launch?

Leave your comments here on The Train2Game Blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

Train2Game news: Your chance to join the RiotZone open beta

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Train2Game students have the opportunity to take part in the open beta for Mail.Ru Games tactical military MMO RiotZone.

RiotZone is a free-to-play, browser based title set in a tropical jungle where players take part in the civil war of fictional Latin American state Merania. You take control of one of two factions, The Red Alliance or the Coalition of the Crown, and fight for supremecy. RiotZone sees players train their soldiers, upgrade weapons and expand their base in single player and PvP missions.

Train2Game students who wish to get involved with the RiotZone open beta should visit www.riotzone.net, where much more information about the game is available.

Beta testing is an excellent way for Train2Game students, especially those on the Games QA Tester course to practice their bug hunting skills. Not only that, but in an interview with the Train2Game blog, Trion Worlds Senior QA Tester Karl Tars said that beta testing is potentially a way to get into the industry.

For more on beta testing, how it’s useful for Train2Game students,  and opportunities to get involved with it, see the Train2Game blog.

So Train2Game, do you think you’ll get involved with the RiotZone open beta?

Leave your comments here on The Train2Game Blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

Train2Game news: Trion Worlds on why free-to-play is the best strategy for End of Nations

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Train2Game students have differing opinions on free-to-play titles, with some regarding them as a great way to get a game out there, while others worry that they encourage a “pay-to-win” culture.

Trion Worlds say the reason their upcoming MMORTS End of Nations uses the free-to-play model is because it’s the best way to make sure the game gets the numbers of players it needs to thrive.

“For a premium strategy game like End of Nations, we really want to bring as many players as possible into its massive-scale strategic warfare.” End of Nations Executive Producer David Luehmann told VideoGamer.

“And as we looked at the enormous battles and huge persistent world, we realised that the success of End of Nations would be driven by having thousands of players from around the globe battling daily in the world’s biggest strategy game, and that is why it made perfect sense to be free-to-play!” he said.

Luehmann also pointed out that End of Nations might be free-to-play, but Trion Worlds is being careful this doesn’t become “pays-to-win” with microtransactions mainly being for cosmetic items.

“We are very sensitive to the concept of pay to win. In End of Nations at similar experience levels, player skill will determine the outcome of battles, not player wealth.” said the Trion Worlds Executive Producer.

“From that precept the monetisation elements must adhere, therefore anything you purchase in the game with real money with focus on vanity or convenience item type. Examples being skins, or boosts the increase the players experience or wealth generation rates.” Luehmann concluded.

You can find out much more about End of Nations in The Train2Game Blog’s huge interview with Senior QA Tester Karl Tars.

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on End of Nations take on free-to-play? Do you think it’ll prove successful for Trion Worlds?

Leave your comments here on The Train2Game Blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

[Source: VideoGamer]

Train2Game news: Namco Bandai say free-to-play games can’t be high quality

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Train2Game students will probably have noticed the increasing rise of free-to-play titles, with Star Trek Online the latest previously subscription based MMO to switch to the model.

The move received a mixed reception on the Train2Game Facebook page, while Train2Game forum users were more positive.

The concept of free-to-play has received a more negative reaction from publisher Namco Bandai, who not only say it’s not possible to create high quality games using the model, but also that it’s bad for the industry.

“Free-to-play games can’t be high quality,” said Namco Bandai Senior VP for Europe Olivier Comte.

Namco Bandai are the publisher behind titles including Dark Souls, Enslaved: Odyssey to the West, and the upcoming Soul Calibre V.

“We need to put certain value on certain work,” he continued. “When you’re a big company… you can’t take risks too quickly, you can’t make a change just because there’s a fashion for a couple of years; you want to be there in 20 or 30 years.” he argued while speaking at Cloud Gaming Europe.

Dungeons and Dragons Online, Lord of the Rings Online and DC Universe Online are subscription based MMOs that have made the leap to free-to-play, while the model has also been successful for games including World of Tanks and Team Fortress 2.

TheTrain2Game Blog recently reported that Ubisoft believe their upcoming free-to-play title Ghost Recon Online will be AAA quality, something that won’t be possible if you’re convinced by Comte.

For the latest news about industry trends, including free-to-play, keep reading The Train2Game Blog.

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on the comments from Namco Bandai? Can free-to-play titles ever match the quality of AAA? Are there free-to-play titles you enjoy?

Leave your comments here on The Train2Game Blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

[Source: Industry Gamers]

Train2Game news: Star Trek Online is the latest MMO to go free-to-play

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Train2Game Blog readers may have read this piece earlier this week which argued that free-to-play games gives gamers a better experience than a subscription based MMO.

It’s timely then that now Star Trek Online from Cryptic Studios is the latest MMO to switch to the free-to-play model.

“We couldn’t be more excited,” said Cryptic Studios CEO “Anyone can download and play Star Trek Online at no cost. There’s no better way to see how sitting in the captain’s chair feels.”

Train2Game students who want to check out Star Treck Online now it’s free-to-play can do so here.

Dungeons and Dragons Online, Lord of the Rings Online and DC Universe Online are among a number of previously subscription based titles that have made a leap to free-to-play.

Last week, the Train2Game Blog reported that Ubisoft believe their upcoming free-to-play title Ghost Recon online will be AAA quality.

For the latest news about industry trends, including free-to-play, keep reading The Train2Game Blog.

So Train2Game, will you be giving Star Trek Online a go? Or are too many MMOs going free-to-play?

Leave your comments here on the Train2Game Blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

Train2Game news: Free-to-play can “give your consumers a better experience”

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Train2Game students will have noticed the increasing trend for developers to use a free-to-play model in games.

Dungeons and Dragons Online, Lord of the Rings Online and DC Universe Online are among a number of previously subscription based titles that have made a leap to free-to-play.

And in his latest column for Gamasutra, games industry analyst Nicholas Lovell argues that this free-to-play model is better both for both consumers and developers.

“By enabling free-to-play games that allow people to play cool games for free, forever and choose – flexibly, with no commitment – to spend a little money or a lot of money on things that they value in the game, I believe that you give your consumers a better experience and make more money than you would with subscriptions.” said Lovell, who has previously spoken to The Train2Game Blog about industry trends including the free-to-play model.

He also did a video interview with Train2Game at The Eurogamer Expo, which can be seen here.

Lovell added that the rise of free-to-play means Star Wars: The Old Republic will be the last big subscription based MMO.

“I think that Star Wars: The Old Republic will be the last, massive, subscription MMO because new models have been proven to be better business, especially for games with a niche audience.” he said.

Last week, the Train2Game Blog reported that Ubisoft believe their upcoming free-to-play title Ghost Recon online will be AAA quality.

For the latest news about industry trends, including free-to-play, keep reading The Train2Game Blog.

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts? Is free-to-play better for both game developers and consumers? Is it a model you’d use?

Leave your comments here on The Train2Game Blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

[Source: Gamasutra]

Train2Game news: Free-to-play Ghost Recon Online will be AAA quality say Ubisoft

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Train2Game students will be aware that some see free-to-play games as somewhat controversial, or perhaps not as well developed as AAA titles.

However, Ubisoft believe that their upcoming free-to-play title Ghost Recon Online will change these perceptions. Train2Game students can apply to be part of the beta test here.

“As a player, it’s difficult for me to accept that business models are relevant criteria to judge the quality of a video game.” Ubisoft’s Thomas Seris told [a]list.

“Some MMOs switched from a subscription to a free-to-play model, so it’s purely a perception issue. Because of this, Free is sometimes synonymous with low quality products, games that publishers cannot charge for.” he said

“The real question is to understand how the free-to-play model is impacting gameplay. The development philosophy behind Ghost Recon Online is to ensure payers are not given a specific advantage over players. This is great, because the game is all about competition, and it requires fairness. As a consequence, Ubisoft Singapore is focusing on providing players with a great AAA Ghost Recon game, regardless of the way it generates revenue.”

“We simply won’t hide from our free-to-play nature and this message will be prominent in our campaign.” Seris continued.

He added that Ghost Recon Online would get the same PR push as any other title in the series.

“We’re also looking forward to leveraging a franchise history made of various memorable extremely well-reviewed games. Ultimately, the promotional support behind the game, the quality of PR and advertising assets, or just simply the type of campaign behind Ghost Recon Online will definitely be on par with a AAA boxed product campaign.” said Seris.

The Train2Game Blog spoke to Ubisoft about their upcoming title Ghost Recon: Future Solder at GamesCom last year. Find out more about it here on The Train2Game Blog.

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on Ghost Recon Online? Will it be able to match the experience of a AAA title? And what are your thoughts on free-to-play in general?

Leave your comments here on The Train2Game Blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

[Source: Industry Gamers]

Train2Game news: Mode 7 Games on Steam, indie development and free-to-play

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Frozen Synapse by Mode 7 Games is published through SteamTrain2Game students should find this Gamesbrief guest post by Frozen Synapse developer Mode 7 Games very interesting.

The bulk of the post sees developer Paul Taylor take a look back at how both business and design influenced the design and marketing of their turn based tactical title.

As previously reported by the Train2Game blog, Mode 7 Games have argued that getting onto Steam is essential for an indie PC game developer. Taylor reiterates that this was vital to the success of Frozen Synapse.

“Steam’s position in terms of digital distribution right now is well documented; having seen the results, there is no doubt in my mind that aiming to create a game which would stand up against other titles on there was the right thing for us to do in this instance.” he said in the Gamesbrief post.

Taylor also suggests that release timing was an element in the success of Frozen Synapse, with Mode 7 Games releasing it in a quiet time for PC releases. His advice to indie developers is to avoid releasing titles during busy periods, such as the run up to Christmas.

“The end of May turned out to be a fairly quiet time and a good time to launch for us: I’d just suggest that indie devs focus on avoiding busy periods (e.g. Christmas and late June to early August) when they’re shaping up for launch.” wrote Taylor.

The Frozen Synapse developer also discusses the growth of Free-to-play, but insists that the ‘pay-once’ model was right for their game.

“Pay-once is the most maligned business model out there right now:I would suggest that even the most hardcore entrenched old-school developers have been won round by the raw data that free-to-play games have generated, so pay-once is in decline.” said Taylor.

“I’m yet to hear a sane scheme for an F2P Frozen Synapse – I don’t think that a free-to-play game along similar lines would be impossible; however I have not heard any viable suggestions for how we could have done it with this game, the game we cared so much about making.” he added.

The Gamesbrief post certainly makes interesting reading for Train2Game students and it can be read here.

Gamesbrief examines the business of games, and Train2Game students can watch an insightful interview with website founder Nicholas Lovell here on the Train2Game blog.

Lovell also spoke in-depth to the Train2Game blog last year, providing useful advice about indie and social game development.

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on Mode 7’s post-mortem of Frozen Synapse? Will you take the advice on board?

Leave your comments here on the Train2Game blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

[Source: Gamesbrief]