RIFT China – CEO claims Trion Worlds did not support content localization

Just a couple of weeks after RIFT China’s closure was announced, the CEO of Shanda Games, Mr Xiangdong Zhang, finally talked about the issue to the China media. He admitted that RIFT’s quality “wasn’t good”, with Trion Worlds not responding…

RIFT China – Shanda Games finally announce closure of China server

Just a few months after Shanda Games announced its determination to continue running RIFT China using the Pay-to-Play model and spending tens of millions on a ridiculous, unnecessary marketing campaign, the company has finally announced the game’s closure on 15th…

RIFT – North America server is Free-to-Play right now with new update

[Game website] RIFT has officially entered Free-to-Play now! Together with version 2.3, Empyreal Assault, this Free-to-Play conversion update also sees the arrival of the massive new zone, the Dendrome.   For the Free-to-Play newcomers, developer Trion Worlds has pledged “no…

RIFT China – Shanda Games determined to maintain P2P model

Over at the latest quarterly financial reveal yesterday, China MMORPG developer and publisher, Shanda Games, confirmed that RIFT China will not be going Free-to-Play like the North America server. Instead, it will continue using its 0.49 CNY (0.08 USD) per hour after level…

Trion Worlds – Former executive comments on new round of layoffs

I am sure most readers would have read about Trion Worlds’ new round of layoffs by now, in which many employees were apparently given the boot out. Teams in Austin, Redwood Shores and San Diego are said to be dramatically…

RIFT – North America server goes totally Free-to-Play in June

[Game website] Yes, you read it right. After disastrous trips to South Korea and China, RIFT will be converting to a totally Free-to-Play model on 12th June 2013. No more level limits, no more content restrictions, everything goes.   Of course, subscribers…

RIFT China – Local media reports game now struggling for players

Well, I am personally not surprised at this news. Following the demise of RIFT Korea, the various gaming media outlets in China are all reporting on how RIFT China is currently struggling for players less than 2 months after launch.…

RIFT Korea – Game closure finally announced

I added in the word “finally” as I saw the word “doom” written all over the game once RIFT was revealed to retain its monthly subscription model in South Korea. Published by CJ E&M, under the Netmarble portal, RIFT Korea…

RIFT China – American Idol alumni revealed as final spokesperson

As you can see in the image below, the final American spokesperson for RIFT China was revealed to be American Idol alumni, Adam Lambert. After NBA star Dwayne Wade representing American sports, actress Maggie Q representing American media, Adam Lambert…

RIFT China – Maggie Q wants to be taught how to play the game

RIFT China’s publisher, Shanda Games, is trying very hard to stress what an Western success the game is in order to attract the China gamers. Hence, American celebrities are recruited, the first being NBA star Dwyane Wade, while the second…

RIFT China – 2nd spokesperson revealed as Open Beta nears

After announcing NBA star Dwyane Wade as 1 of the 3 American spokesperson for RIFT China, publisher Shanda Games has revealed the game’s 2nd spokesperson, actress MaggieQ. This is Shanda’s marketing plan for the game, spending millions on American stars…

RIFT China – Publisher spends silly money on NBA spokesperson

While it is definitely none of my business caring about how much money is spent on marketing by MMO publishers, but I am still in awe of how Shanda Games, publisher of RIFT China, has reportedly spent an 8-figure sum…

RIFT – Developer announces workforce reduction

RIFT developer, Trion Worlds, earlier announced that the company went through a round of staff layoffs “in response to market conditions, product timelines and the natural evolution of our company”. It was estimated by various websites that around 30 to…

RIFT China – Weird event launched to give out Closed Beta keys

While I admire the almost no holds barred attitude the China MMO industry adopt when marketing products, a few of these campaigns can range from tasteless to pure outlandish. RIFT China’s publisher, Shanda Games, held an event ending last week…