Spellborn Works BV has declared bankruptcy. As a result, starting in 2010 The Chronicles of Spellborn will become a free-to-play MMORPG.
Until 2010, all players will still be required to pay a subscription fee to play, but there will be no bug fixes or added content in the game.
Despite the fact that the PS2 saw a sizable price cut just three months ago, Michael Pachter is claiming that the system is nearing the point of complete insignificance. In Wedbush’s "2009 Interactive Industry Report," Pachter explains that he expects "PS2 software sales to decline sufficiently (around 64%) to be almost irrelevant to overall software sales growth, with PS2 software comprising less than 4% of overall software sales in 2009."
Sony’s probably not ready to give up on its most cost-efficient console, but as history has proven, nothing gold can stay in the fast-paced, constantly evolving world of video gaming hardware.
Your worst fears about The Pirate Bay acquisition might be coming true: Peter Sunde told Torrent Freak that they are indeed closing down TPB’s tracker and decentralizing to the point listed torrents won’t be hosted on the site anymore.
Lens of Truth writes, "Finally, Lens of Truth got a chance to sit down with the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions of Prototype. Although Prototype has been out for over 2 weeks now, we had planed to compare Prototype the week of its launch, but on the day of this comparison an unexpected game slimed our entire staff and consequently postponed this comparison. So now that this long overdue Head2Head is finally here, which version of Prototype will evade the horde of infected and shape-shift into the superior version."
Industry Gamers writes:
"Sony’s struggles in this current console generation have been well documented. The company limped out of the gate with PS3 at $599 and is still struggling to hit a price point more palatable for consumers. Recently, Sony Computer Entertainment boss Kaz Hirai also admitted that the simultaneous global launch was a mistake. Now, here we are a few years later and the PS3 trails the Xbox 360 in worldwide installed base by 8 million and the Wii by 28 million. We’d be surprised to see Sony ever leave third place (we disagree with Mr. Pachter), even with Sony’s much touted 10-year plan. And at some point as a company you have to consider cutting your losses. Perhaps it’s just time for Sony to exit hardware, much like Sega, and go the route of software publisher?
IndustryGamers recently spoke to ngmoco founder Neil Young, who also seemed to think Sony’s days in hardware could be numbered. ‘It seems to me that if you’re competing for the living room, and there are three companies competing for it, then one of them is going to have to be on the ropes.’
Please keep in mind, we’re not saying this is necessarily going to happen, nor should this be viewed as "Sony bashing." We happen to think the PS3 is a fantastic machine with some great horsepower and an increasingly solid software lineup. That said, here are six reasons for Sony to exit hardware."
TVGB: "The browser-based Battlefield Heroes stealthily launched last week and has proven to be a fun little game to fire up every now and then when the boss isn’t looking. The game is free to play but brings in the cash by asking a few dollars here and there for microtransactions like faster leveling up, clothing etc. Not a bad plan and one that more and more games are using these days. But it appeared as if EA had taken it to a bad place when MTV Multiplayer reported earlier today that EA is asking 420 Battlefunds, the game’s currency that can be bought with real money, in this case ~$3, for each of the two of Michael Jackson’s outfits."
TPG writes, "Normally, the idea of playing through an RPG, even an action one, may appear like a daunting task. Most RPGs require hours of level grinding. Not because the game requires it, but it’s more of the fear of getting hours in and finding out that the level your character is at is far too low to defeat certain characters. Then idea of restarting at an earlier save point reminds you of how many hours you have already played. Atlus’ Steambot Chronicles: Battle Tournament takes some RPG design elements but streamlines them into a quick pickup and play style action-RPG. The small problem with this decision is that while hardcore elements can be removed, it can dilute other aspects of gameplay…"
TPG writes, "I can honestly say I do not remember the last time I had so much fun with an iPhone game. Reminiscent of the classic Descent series, AirMaster 3D hits a home run. Once the game is started it is obvious that this is not an ordinary 3D flight genre. From the wonderful true3D flight to the amazing control interaction, AirMaster 3D provides nonstop action from start to finish…"
"We haven’t heard much about the PS3 slim since E3, but that doesn’t mean it’s been entirely quiet out there — the hot rumor today is that Sony’s signed manufacturing agreements with both Foxconn and Pegatron to build the revised model in time for July delivery. That much we believe, since it’s been backed up by a couple different credible reports, but here’s where it gets totally insane: there’s a suggestion that the slim will be the last PS3 model of this generation, and that a next-gen console based on Sony’s motion controller is due in spring 2010. We don’t buy that at all, since the PS3 is just entering its prime and Sony was clear that the motion controller was for the existing console, so we think this rumor is getting garbled down the wire — it’s far more likely that the slim is being prepped for an August launch to coincide with those rumored price cuts, and that new PS3 bundles that include the motion controller are set to drop next year. That’s just our take on the matter, though — we’ll see how things shake out."
Koku Gamer writes: "Most popular characters in games seem to be the heroes, or the so called good guy. So to keep things fresh and interesting, this top ten is made up from the meanest, most evil, and damn right coolest characters ever to grace a games console. Of course, this list could easily have been a top 20 or even top 100, but we narrowed it down to just 10. Not everyone will agree on the list; in fact, the guys here at Koku Gamer didn’t all agree on the list. But such is life. We are all different and choose many different things. Right, enough of that. Lets get on with the list."