JP smartphone game sales hit US$5.4B in 2013
Market analysis firm CyberZ reports that smartphones game revenues in Japan rose 56 per cent in 2013 to US$5.4 billion.
Game sales in Japan totalled US$10.8 billion last year, up from $9.8 billion in the previous year. CyberZ also notes that Android, iOS and...
JP-exclusive DQ MMORPG tops 1M sold
Square Enix has announced that Dragon Quest 10: Rise of the Five Tribes Online, the publisher's Japan-exclusive Dragon Quest MMORPG, has sold over one million units since the title's launch in 2012.
Dragon Quest 10: Rise of the Five Tribes Online was originally released for...
Tencent predicts explosive CN mobile growth
Chinese Internet operator and game publisher Tencent expects explosive growth in the Chinese mobile games market, and predicts the strongest revenues to come from titles in the traditional RPG, FPS and RTS genres.
“In 2014 many Chinese phone manufacturers will release very cheap models,” said...
SQEX launches Nosgoth on Steam Early Access
Square Enix has announced that following last month's closed beta launch of the publisher’s upcoming F2P MMOG Nosgoth, the title will also be released on the Steam Early Access platform.
Nosgoth will be available in a closed beta version via Steam Early Access until the...
Gree to distribute titles via GamePop
Gree has partnered with US-based cloud technology firm BlueStacks to distribute the Japanese publisher's Android OS titles on BlueStacks' upcoming GamePop service.
According to platform developer BlueStacks, the Android-based game micro-console and subscription service will be compatible with any Android or Linux-based Smart TV or...
Hatsune Miku sequel confirmed for EU/NA
Sega of America has announced that the sequel to Crypton Future Media’s virtual singer game Hatsune Miku: Project Diva f will be released in Europe and North America in late 2014.
“We’re excited to bring this global phenomenon and share it with fans in the...
Starfish to release Steel Empire overseas
Japanese publisher Starfish has confirmed that the Nintendo 3DS version of Steel Empire will be launched in North America later this year. The remake of the classic Sega Genesis steam-punk shooter was released in Japan for the Nintendo 3DS in March.
Japanese publisher Starfish, founded...
SCE confirms layoffs at EU studios
Sony Computer Entertainment has confirmed layoffs at Sony's Evolution Studios, Guerrilla Cambridge and SCE London Studio in the UK. The number of staff affected has yet to be announced.
"Regular reviews take place throughout SCE Worldwide Studios, ensuring that the resources that we have in...
ChangYou to invest US$600M in mobile games
Chinese MMOG developer and publisher ChangYou has launched a US$600 million mobile game investment initiative. Announced just prior to the Game developers Conference in San Francisco, the CYOU Win Plan will support independent mobile game developers in marketing, distribution and business operations.
“2014 will be...
Hyperdimension Neptunia to launch overseas
Idea Factory has slated European and North American releases for the handheld version of Hyperdimension Neptunia for mid-2014.
Launched last October in Japan, Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth1 for PlayStation Vita is a remake of the original PlayStation 3 JRPG released in 2010.
The Hyperdimension Neptunia sequels...
Kutaragi, Zelda: ALBW honoured at GDC 2014
Former Sony Computer Entertainment chairman and CEO Ken Kutaragi was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to the games industry during the 14th Annual Game Developers Choice Awards at the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco.
"The PlayStation has become a...
MGS 5: GZ Android companion app released
Konami has launched a Metal Gear Solid 5: Ground Zeroes companion app for Android devices in conjunction with the worldwide console release of the action-adventure title in March.
The mobile app will provide a stand-alone training mode and complement console gameplay by displaying in-game maps,...
PS4 Camera sells 900K despite short supply
Sony Computer Entertainment America has revealed that the PlayStation 4 Camera has sold 900,000 units worldwide, despite shortages at retailers in several regions.
Sony also confirmed that the PlayStation 4 has sold over 6 million units globally since the console's roll-out in November last year.
According...
DeNA launches Crytek’s The Collectables
Tokyo-based DeNA has announced the worldwide release of The Collectables on the publisher's Mobage game service. The F2P action adventure game is also the mobile debut for renowned German game developer and CryEngine development software provider Crytek.
“Crytek managed to do the unthinkable and...
CM reports first profit decline in 14 years
China Mobile has posted a 5.9 per cent year-on-year decline in net income to 121.8 billion RMB (US$19.5 billion) for the 2013 fiscal year. The loss is the first reported by the publicly-traded telecom in 14 years.
The world's largest mobile carrier by subscribers also...
PSN to debut SPT fantasy drama Powers
Sony Pictures Television is developing an adaptation of the Powers comic book series to debut on the Sony PlayStation Network in North America.
“It’s about having a broad range of broadcast content to replicate the live TV experience,” said SCE president and CEO Andrew House...
Blizzard deploys AU-based D3 servers
Blizzard has announced that Sydney-based servers have been deployed to accommodate players in Australia and New Zealand in conjunction with the global launch of the publisher's Diablo 3: Reaper of Souls expansion on 25 March.
"We've listened to community feedback and set a goal of...
Sony joins indie dev platform GameMaker
Sony Computer Entertainment has joined with YoYo Games to provide licensed PlayStation developers native PS3, PS4 and PS Vita support for the Dundee-based company's GameMaker: Studio development platform free-of-charge. The partnership was announced at the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco.
“We are pleased...
Gamevil to launch KR titles overseas
Seoul-based game publisher Gamevil has announced at the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco that the company plans to release five Korean mobile titles for iOS and Android devices overseas.
The games include the RPG Zenonia Online, a popular title distributed via the Kakao mobile...
CryEngine AAS program announced
Crytek has announced an 'engine-as-a-service' program for the company's popular CryEngine game development software at the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco.
"When we announced the new CryEngine this was our first step towards creating an engine as a service," said Crytek Business Development...
