[Source] According to an article on PC Gamer and confirmed by Trion Worlds, the developer/ publisher is closing its San Diego studio. Operations for Defiance, the company’s latest online title, will shift back to its Redwood City main offices, alongside…
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…
ArcheAge – Beta signup now available for first English server
[Game website] Even though I am a few hours late, I am glad to see that Trion has finally brought the beta signup page up for ArcheAge, 1 of the biggest MMORPGs to hit the market in recent times. …
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.…
Trion Worlds – Report claims servers hacked along with over 30 others
[Source] A recent report from internet security specialist, Kaspersky, is claiming that “a Chinese hacking ring that they say broke into the servers of dozens of online video gaming companies and stole valuable source code over a four-year period.” Among the companies…
ArcheAge – Interview with Trion Worlds for upcoming epic title
[Game website] 1 of the most anticipated MMORPGs in the western market since its Korean announcement a couple of years back, ArcheAge’s all-round content has kept gamers glued ever since. Over a hundred of possible classes, player housing, farming, trading,…
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…
Defiance – Game going live next week with no monthly subscription
[Game website] Mainly just a PSA (public service announcement), Trion’s latest MMORPG, Defiance, will be going live next week on 2nd April 2013. For those who are worrying about the business model, it is be buy-to-play (B2P), with no monthly…
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…