Christopher Gerlinger of gaming publisher Frogster is set to step down at the end of this year. After seven long years with company, the CEO is leaving to persue other entreupreneurial challenges. Though, fortunately, the man will be staying on as a consultant for the company in the future.
Gerhard Koning had this to say about Christophers resignation –
“Christoph Gerlinger founded Frogster in 2005 and took it public the very next year. He established Frogster as one of the leading European online games publishers with foreign subsidiaries and over 200 employees and conducted its recent integration into the company group of its new main shareholder constructively. We thank him in the name of the Supervisory Board and the employees for his entrepreneurial achievements and the value added for the shareholders.”
As many people are aware, Frogster is the main (and leading) publisher of MMO titles in Berlin. Players will recognise them from titles such as Runes of Magic, TERA and Bounty Bay Online. Whomever is next in the role has some pretty big shoes to fill.
Recently Macquarie University held a three-day event known as GAME. Day two was a stimulating day of academics presenting their thoughts on videogames, play, fun, education and games and lastly, the future of gaming. The Future of Games was the last discussion of the day, featuring a panel of experts discussing where they think this giant of a medium, this incredible industry, known as “games” might be heading. The panel included Dr Mark Finn of Swinburne University of Technology, Edward Fong of iGEA and Ubisoft Australia, Dr Michael Hitchens from Macquarie University, Dr Larissa Hjorth from RMIT and lastly Martin Slater from Darkstorm.
So, what exactly will the future of gaming hold for us, the players, the consumers or whatever you want to call us or identify yourself as? Well, apparently, the future is here. To be more blunt and completely pessimistic, the future is the same old stuff for the next fifty years, and apparently has been for since the beginning of gaming. At least that seemed to be the general vibe of the panel.
There were a few things that bothered me about this discussion. Firstly, the aforementioned statement that we are living in the future of gaming, or have been for the past 25 years. This claim completely ignores the effect of graphical realism and technological innovation this has on game mechanics. Sure, in 50 years we may still have the same genres: shooter, platformer or whatever your poison is. They’ve been around for some time. But what about the technological developments that allowed for larger, more engaging game worlds like GTA III or the way the controller and Halo together completely changed the way FPS are designed, let alone how they are played! The ignoring of the spectrum of subjective player experiences, the fundamental essence of videogaming (yeah, that’s right, more important than the money) seemed a little odd. I can understand that the discussion was framed by the topic of commercial games and was therefore leaning more towards the business side of things. But when it comes down to it, we buy the games, we play the games and we have experiences based on the games.
Elements such as the emergence of motion control and mobile devices were mentioned, but swept under the rug with a small “we eventually realised we didn’t have to move all that much” comment. The panel acknowledged that designers needed to adapt to these new technologies, but the argument around this seemed to be that the industry adapted, rather than changed. The games are essentially the same, but there are just different ways of interacting. Again, I feel that some discussion of the way we engage and interact would have been helpful.
The panel went on to discuss narrative in games: arguing that there are better media to tell stories with, indie games: stating that while they may make innovative products once they start to make money they are moving into commercial sector and even educational games: where cynical views about transfer of skills seemed to be across the board. Overall, we could argue that the future of gaming looks bleak. But perhaps this is just a commercial and industry-centric standpoint. We as players benefit from their work, and if we enjoy the games, even if they are the same games, then at least we are going to derive at least some small amount of pleasure from gaming.
While discussion was somewhat limited, there are still some valid points. Will the core mechanics of games ever change? Have they changed at all since gaming began all those decades ago? James Cameron argues that 3D is the future of gaming, but how does that impact game design, if at all? What of augmented reality? It’s widespread adaption to portable gaming devices surely will influence the means in which games are designed, and therefore played. Let’s not allow the discussion end at 5pm on October 28. Where do you think the future of gaming is heading?
Gamevil, the developers of the Android outing of the Cartoon Wars franchise, today announced that Cartoon Wars: Gunner+ would be available for free to all Android users. This marks the first time that a game in the Cartoon Wars series is available outside of iOS devices.
The game puts players in the shoes of Captain J as he battles the forces of an evil king with everything from guns to mech suits to area-clearing spells. Which is good because he’ll be up against 30 enemy types, including dragons. Players can upgrade their weapons and skills, giving the 2D action shooter additional depth and RPG functionality. The game is available for free download here.
Need for Speed: The Run is just a couple of weeks away, and just when you thought the game’s marketing campaign had pulled out the last of its surprises, we get this announcement for EA:
Hollywood’s biggest action director – Michael Bay – has joined forces with gaming’s biggest racing franchise – Need for Speed – to deliver a spectacular one-of-kind, blockbuster television commercial for this holiday’s most anticipated release, Need for Speed™ The Run.
For those of you who have not had the privilege of being bombarded by one of his films, Michael Bay is the director behind the Rock, the Transformers series, and Pearl Harbor.
Starting today, fans can go to the Need for Speed Facebook page and must work together to unlock the game’s new trailer which showcases a “heart-pounding, adrenaline-fueled race” which matches the action-packed tone the game is going for.
In order to create the trailer, Bay spent time with the development team at EA Black Box and went hands on with the game, and he was brought on for the trailer because his bombastic visual-style adds an “explosive touch to the blockbuster action already in the game.” So get unlocking people and check back at Capsule Computers when the full trailer is released!
Combined efforts of developer SpinVector and production company Palzoun gain momentum with the multicross-platform game called “BANG!”. This spaghetti western plays out as a unique card game that combines users from Apple devices and PC.
The original boardgame published by dVGiochi showed its success by selling over 600,000 units worldwide and can expect higher distribution across mobile devices. With 200,000 copies already dispersed on mobile devices, people that have already purchased the game will receive the update for multiplayer free. After November 12, the game will include the cross-platform function to mesh online play for all devices.
To see the fun enfold, check out the BANG! gameplay trailer below. Don’t worry if you get shot – it is only a flesh wound.
Sonic isn’t one for keeping release dates. After Sonic Generations breaking out a day early yesterday thanks to EB Games Australia, Sega of America have announced that the speedy blue one has ‘outrun his own re-release date’ for Sonic CD.
The game isn’t due for release until December, but anyone who buys a tablet from Gamestop (including a Samsung Galaxy, Acer 100 and ASUS Transfromer) will have a full copy of the game preloaded and ready to roll on their new gadget.
To match their tech orientated partnership, Sega have also revealed that Sonic’s long time sidekick Tails will be included in the game as an unlockable character – finish the game once and the little guy is yours – congratulations Sega, that’s two Sonic games everyone wants to play! Check out the screenshots below to see some more of Tails in action.
Sonic CD will eventually be released on PSN, XBLA, Android, iOs, Mac, PC and Windows Phone.
In junction with MonkeyPaw Games Inc, Konami is excited to announce that the release of BurgerTime World Tour today. Available exclusively for the Xbox Live Arcade, BurgerTime World Tour revitalizes an arcade classic with modern graphics and game mechanics.
The reinvention of the classic arcade puzzler offers a unique playing style seen similar on titles like Super Mario Galaxy. With a rotating 3D environment you can expect platform elements such as boss battles to keep players on their toes.
For being a loyal BurgerTime fan, gamers can download a delicious dashboard theme for free as part of BurgerTime World Tour DLC. This kind of customer service only gets better by offering the game for only 800 Microsoft points. Come get your economy burger at the BurgerTime World Tour Website! Check out the XBLA launch trailer below, and see if you can become a top burger chef.
Com2Us are a popular iOS developer, who you may have heard of from such iOS classics as Piggy Adventure and Tiny Farm. Today Com2Us have a lot to celebrate. Being a iOS developer based in Seoul, South Korea, Com2Us have been unable to release their software throughout their homeland due to South Korea not having it’s own app store.
That is, until now. An app store is now available in Korea and Com2Us will be celebrating it’s release “discount style.” All their titles besides those that are for free have been discounted down to a 99 cents for the next 5 days, worldwide.
So if you have been dying to get Piggy Adventure or one of Com2Us’ other great titles, now would be the perfect time. You can check out all their great titles right here in the iTunes app store.
Those who have been waiting for a truly unique side scrolling shooter have to wait no longer. Konami’s Otomedius Excellent has finally been released after multiple delays and is available on store shelves now. The title is available exclusively on the Xbox 360 and is the sequel to the Japanese only shooter Otomedius Gorgeous.
In Otomedius Excellent players will be able to experience the original Japanese character voices for the nine characters available. Gamers will also be able to play with up to three other players either on their own TV or team up with others online. Besides playing the game, gamers can also view various unlocked graphics in the expanded gallery mode.
Those with a bit of extra money to spend can look for the Special Edition of Otomedius Excellent which will contain a 2 sided pillowcase, a 65 page artbook and a soundtrack CD that contains music both from this game as well as Gradius. The normal edition will cost $29.99 while the Special Edition will run you $49.99, though there is plenty of extra bonuses available for that price.
If you can’t get enough Digimon in your life, or simply are tired of watching old episodes that have already been dubbed in English then Crunchyroll has some good news for you. They announced earlier today that they will be simulcasting Digimon Xros Wars in partnership with Toei Animation. For those who don’t know, simulcast means the episodes will be available to stream very shortly after the original airs in Japan.
Crunchyroll will be offering the episodes in United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand which means nearly everyone will be able to watch it. Don’t jump on their site quite yet however, the simulcast is set to start next week so you will not be able to find it currently.
