Industry Highlights
Metaplace to shut down
On Jan. 1, some 70,000 virtual worlds will vanish from the Internet. That’s becauseMetaplace, the company that made the open platform for the virtual worlds, will be closing its site. San Diego, Calif.-based Metaplce had created a site over the past few years that could host virtual worlds that users created by themselves. The quality of the worlds ranged from the simple to the elaborate. But it wasn’t working as a business. The company told its users today, “Unfortunately, over the last few months it has become apparent that Metaplace as a consumer user-generated content service is not gaining enough traction to be a viable product, requiring a strategic shift for our company.” »
Story on GamesBeat
Women outplay men in virtual worlds
They may not admit it, but female players of a large online game are more hardcore than men or teenagers, according to a sociologist of virtual worlds. Dmitri Williams, assistant professor at the USC Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism, found several surprises during his study of 7,000 anonymous players of “EverQuest II.” While 80 percent of players were male, female players spent more time in-world: 29 hours a week, versus 25 for males. “The women play more intensely than the guys do,” Williams said. “They’re less likely to quit, and they’re happier playing.” As the first game researcher granted access to a virtual world’s servers, Williams was able to measure playing time directly. That turned up another surprise: Women underestimated their playing time more than men. »
Article on USC News
Ray Kurzweil predicts how technology will change humanity by 2020
As we approach the end of the first decade of the new millennium, let’s consider what life will be like a decade hence. Changes in our lives from technology are moving faster and faster. The telephone took 50 years to reach a quarter of the U.S. population. Search engines, social networks and blogs have done that in just a few years time. Consider that Facebook started as a way for Harvard students to meet each other just six years ago; it now has 350 million users and counting. Between now and 2020, the trend will continue, spreading cutting-edge technologies to every corner of the country and beginning to make innovations once consigned to the realm of science fiction real for millions of Americans. Specifically what can we expect? Solar power on steroids, longer lives, the chance to get rid of obesity once and for all, and portable computing devices that start becoming part of your body rather than being held in your hand. »
Article on NYDailyNews.com
7-Eleven reports triple digit growth in prepaid gaming cards
The convenience store chain 7-Eleven has expanded their selection of prepaid gaming cards due to their increasing popularity. "Electronics and videogames are still the number one request on teens' holiday wish- lists," said Brian Haynes, 7-Eleven category manager for prepaid cards. "With tighter budgets, many are choosing more affordable online games. Virtual currency or points can go a long way to enhance these online games without much cost." 7-Eleven carries more than 30 titles through the virtual currency-loaded cards, with values ranging from $5 to $50, which is double the number of titles represented a year ago. »
Story on Convenience Store News
China's new cash cow: Tech firm spin-offs
Chinese Internet firms are eyeing more spin-off offerings after raising nearly $1.5 billion this year as they bank on strong foreign interest in high growth China plays. Chinese spin-offs have prospered on the back of successful IPOs such as Changyou's (CYOU.O), but pricing issues and corporate governance remain key concerns for investors. Tencent Holdings (0700.HK), China's largest Internet firm, NetEase.com (NTES.O) China's third-largest online games operator and Chinese software developer Kingsoft (3888.HK) could be prime candidates to spin-off some business units, analysts said. »
Story on Reuters
Curse closes $6m funding round
Curse Inc., the gaming company that offers tools for multiplayer online games, has completed a $6 million venture capital funding round, according to peHUB Wire. The San Francisco-based portal offers communications and information tools that allow gamers to interact for games including World of Warcraft, Final Fantasy IX, Warhammer Online and others. Curse Inc.’s portal also provides video, wikis, blogging, Website hosting and other tools for gamers. »
Story on San Francisco Business Times
China blames online games for drugs, murder, teen pregnancy
China's state news channel has blamed hugely popular online games for problems including drug addiction, teen pregnancy and even murder this month as regulators crack down on allegedly harmful content in games. In a program titled "Confession of a Murderer -- Focus on Pornography and Violence in Online Games (Part Two)," China Central Television (CCTV) on Thursday reported on a Beijing juvenile prison where one man was serving a life sentence for murders he committed to obtain virtual equipment in an online game. Up to 80 percent of the violent criminals in the prison turned to crime because of online games, the report said. »
Story on PCWorld
NASA prepping MMO, demo in early 2010
Perhaps witnessing the impact America’s Army has had on recruiting results, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is planning its own game—a massively multiplayer online title set in the year 2035. Astronaut: Moon, Mars and Beyond is in development by a team of three developers, including one behind America's Army: Virtual Heroes (America’s Army), Project Whitecard and Wisdom Tools. The full title is being created using the Unreal Engine and is set in a time when humans have begun forming settlements throughout the solar system. »
Story on GamePolitics.com
Sony's Home launches first freemium game
Sony's PlayStation Home for PS3 has expanded to encompass a microtransaction-oriented action game known as Sodium, marking its first anniversary and a new step in the PlayStation 3 virtual world -- as it repositions itself as a social networking service to the hardcore. Sodium One offers smaller games within a larger framework, with the first five levels of mini-game Salt Shooter available for free, and additional content unlockable after purchasing virtual items, priced between 99 cents and USD 4.99. »
Story on Gamasutra
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