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每日观察:关注TJ Galda称游戏故事应向电视剧取经(2.13)

发布时间:2012-02-13 11:24:29 Tags:,,,

1)据pocketgamer报道,《无尽之剑2》与《超级马里奥3D大陆》分别斩获第15届互动成就大奖(简称IAA)最佳手机游戏和掌机游戏桂冠;而从手机移植到Xbox平台的Halfbrick游戏《Fruit Ninja Kinect》则获得最佳休闲游戏大奖。

IAA-Awards-Blue(from interactive.org)

IAA-Awards-Blue(from interactive.org)

2)据The Next Web报道,有匿名知情者透露苹果最近正寻求与相关开发商合作,希望后者能够制作可体现iPad 3品质和功能的内容。

在此之前,苹果曾使用《无尽之剑2》展示iPhone 4S图像效果,还曾经选择Chair的Epic Citadel演示版,以及原版《无尽之剑》展示iPhone 4功能,在2010年1月还选用Gameloft游戏《N.O.V.A》和EA游戏《极品飞车》展示第一代iPad。本次苹果所选用的应用程序仍将以图像质量,以及展现Retina屏幕功能为主。

ipad3 will coming(from pocket-lint.com)

ipad3 will coming(from pocket-lint.com)

据称iPad 3设备将采用2048 X 1536像素的屏幕,但不太可能像传闻所言的那样,推出两种价位的iPad设备以满足不同市场需求,预计iPad 3将于3月份面世。

3)日本开发商5pb.Inc.最近发布了一款iOS游戏《Corpse Party BloodCovered: …Repeated Fear》(PSP游戏移植版本),该游戏目前仅售日语版本,在日本iTunes应用商店售价为2200日元(约28美元)。

Corpse party(from itunes.apple.com)

Corpse party(from itunes.apple.com)

值得注意的是,即使是Square Enix手机游戏《最终幻想策略版》也仅售15.99美元,Taito游戏《RayForce》则是11.99美元。

4)独立开发商Spacetime Studios最近透露,用户体验其跨平台3D手机网游《口袋传奇》和《星际传奇》已达1亿次。

Pocket-Legends(from nextgn.com)

Pocket-Legends(from nextgn.com)

《口袋传奇》发布于2010年4月,而科幻题材的《星际传奇:暗黑星球编年史》则问世于2011年8月,该公司计划于2012年第一季度发布僵尸题材的MMO游戏《黑暗传奇》(Dark Legends)。

据该公司所称,这些游戏可在iOS、Android设备以及Chrome网页浏览器运行,玩家平均每月投入游戏时间达25.2小时,相当于玩家在其他手机游戏中投入时间的2倍。

5)据Shack News报道,EA最近为备受期待的《质量效应3》发布了一款iOS衍生应用《质量效应:渗透者》。这款第三人射击游戏将支持玩家从中赢取可用于掌机版《质量效应3》的相关奖励。

mass-effect-3-ios-infiltrator(from beefjack.com)

mass-effect-3-ios-infiltrator(from beefjack.com)

6)Bionic Panda Games公司最近表示,他们认为在Android Market仅使用Google Checkout这一种支付服务,可实现更多收益。

google-checkout-icon(from iconarchive)

google-checkout-icon(from iconarchive)

据其所称,他们放弃PayPaly支付服务转向Google Checkout后(游戏邦注:该公司之前同时采用这两项支付服务),发现在过去6个月中每用户盈利能力上升了25%。不过他们也指出,公司添加了新的盈利功能,简化了支付流程以提高付费转化率,这些因素也是用户盈利性上升的重要动力。

该公司同时也承认,Android Market仍是新生事物,其盈利性不可与出道10年之久的iTunes应用商店相提并论。

7)Strategy Analytics最新报告显示,平板电脑在2011年第四季度所消耗的移动网络流量已占比35%,2011年9月时的这一数据尚不足30%。

从目前的LTE/4G网络发展速度及规模来看,Strategy Analytics预测未来半年到1年的时间中,针对平板电脑的LTE/4G网络使用率还将飞速增长。

8)广告分析公司Chikita最新数据表明,移动设备所消耗网络流量正迅速上升,iOS设备在本月首次超越Mac设备,占据8.15%的网络流量,而后者流量仅占比7.96%。

ios_mac_web_share_chart(from chitika)

ios_mac_web_share_chart(from chitika)

尽管如此,但手机移动设备所占流量的总和仍不敌桌面电脑(毕竟Windows电脑用户规模仍很庞大),多数用户仍只是将平板电脑和智能手机作为个人电脑的辅助工具而非替代性设备。

9)据TechCrunch报道,DeNA美国子公司Ngmoco最近裁员30人,其中包括“数名平台技术及营销主管”。报道指出,该公司还叫停了一个游戏项目,并削减了对另一款游戏的投入(但并未指明具体游戏)。

观察者认为,多数高管出走,在美国鲜有作为,以及数款游戏项目关闭等情况,对正在重组业务的DeNA来说是个不利的情况。

10)EA高管TJ Galda最近指出,他认为连续剧方式是游戏故事的未来发展趋势。他称《使命召唤》每天创收的速度超过《阿凡达》,也许游戏故事情节不应该再向电影看齐,而要以电视剧为范本。

TJ Galda(from flickr.com)

TJ Galda(from flickr.com)

游戏公司应该学习电视剧的故事框架,将其用于游戏开发。成功的电视剧一般都会先创造一个世界,然后吸引观众不断回访这些内容。而成功的游戏也同样会创造一个引人入胜的世界,也同样需要出色的故事写手。开发商不可再像出售一把新宝剑或新帽子那样销售DLC,而应接二连三地向玩家出售下一个故事(这方面可以借鉴订阅模式)。

Galda强调了故事线索的重要性,他称这就是电视剧惯用的强制性循环,电视剧常在某一集的故事中插入A线索,但同时也会透露将在随后几集出现的B线索,这样可以让用户持续跟进电视剧情,而游戏领域却鲜少采用这种做法。(本文为游戏邦/gamerboom.com编译,拒绝任何不保留版权的转载,如需转载请联系:游戏邦

1)Infinity Blade II and Super Mario 3D Land win big at IAAs 2012 ceremony

by Matt Sakuraoka-Gilman

The winners of the 15th annual Interactive Achievement Awards (IAAs) for 2012 have been announced, with mobile and handheld titles such as Infinity Blade II and Super Mario 3D Land making appearances.

Actor Jay Mohr hosted the ceremony, held at the Red Rock Resort in Las Vegas.

Winning big

Halfbrick’s mobile-to-Xbox port Fruit Ninja Kinect won the award for best casual title, while Infinity Blade II picked up the award for best mobile game.

Super Mario 3D Land was also victorious nabbing best handheld game.

“Each year the Interactive Achievement Awards sees the top minds and personals of our industry coming together to not only celebrate, but recognise one another for the achievements of the year,” said Martin Rae, president of the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences.

“2011 produced an outstanding number of fantastic games in all areas of the industry – console, PC, social and mobile – we are truly witnessing a new golden age of gaming. Bravo to our winners!”

You can see the full list of winners by checking out the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences’ statement.(source:pocketgamer

2)Apple’s looking for keynote quality games to demonstrate iPad 3′s graphical excellence

by Matt Sakuraoka-Gilman

According to a report from The Next Web, Apple is beginning the search for developers who can work up content capable of show off iPad 3 during its launch keynote event.

Unnamed sources in the know have revealed that the Cupertino firm is in ‘crunch mode’ as it searches for apps to demonstrate the power of its latest tablet offering.

Just tell us when…

It certainly wouldn’t be the first time that Apple lined up apps for on-stage demos.

In terms of games, Apple used Infinity Blade II to show off the iPhone 4S’ graphical capabilities ahead of launch at the Let’s Talk iPhone event in October 2011.

Chair’s Epic Citadeldemo and the original Infinity Bladewere used to highlight iPhone 4, whileApple employed Gameloft’s N.O.V.Aand EA’s Need for Speedto demo the original iPad back in January 2010.

TV spot up for grabs

“Our sources tell us that this selection process is continuing at an increased rate as Apple looks to finalise the lineup for the iPad 3,” the site says.

“There is also emphasis on graphics-oriented applications with high-definition assets, which appears to be in line with the new iPad featuring a ‘Retina’ display.”

Apparently Apple is also forwarding considered apps to its long-time advertising partner TWBA/Chiat/Day, ahead of potential inclusion in iPad 3 TV ads.

Churning the rumours

Previous rumours have suggested that the device will tote a 2,048 x 1,536 resolution screen, although the possibility of Apple launching two separately priced iPads in 2012 in order to meet consumers at both ends of the market now seems unlikely.

There are whispers, though, that iPad 3 could see launch as early as March 2012.(source:pocketgamer

3)PSP horror remake Corpse Party launches on iOS for a terrifying $24.99

by Matt Sakuraoka-Gilman

Japanese developer 5pb.Inc. has launched a game at a price point high enough to make even the most opulent consumer blush.

The iOS remake of PSP visual novel Corpse Party BloodCovered: …Repeated Fear, is priced at a console-esque $24.99.

That’s fair above previous contentiously priced titles such as Square Enix’s Final Fantasy Tactics, at $15.99 or Taito’s RayForce at $11.99.

Throw in the fact that the game’s only available in its original Japanese language and there’s every reason to look confused.

Horrific

It’s worth pointing out that the game represents somewhat a bargain in one respect, given that the Japanese iTunes store sells it for 2,200 yen, which is around $28.

It’s another example of the experimental nature of pricing on digital downloads stores.

For example, Imangi co-founder Natalia Luckyanova is all for tearing down premium models in order to drive downloads after the success of Temple Run, whereas Cresent Moon’s Josh Presseisen highlighted in a guest column here on PG.biz his belief that the premium model has legs.

Still, while the high price point of Corpse Party will certainly garner it attention, it’s hard to see many consumers, apart from those Japanese-speaking fans of the franchise, who might want to get it cheaper than on the domestic store, willing to part with that much cash.(source:pocketgamer

4)Spacetime’s mobile Legends MMORPGs reach 100M play sessions

by Eric Caoili

Newsbrief: Austin-based independent developer Spacetime Studios revealed that its free-to-play, cross-platform mobile 3D MMORPGs, Pocket Legends and Star Legends, have been played 100 million times.

Spacetime released the fantasy-based Pocket Legends in April 2010, and science fiction-themed title Star Legends: The Blackstar Chronicles last August. It intends to put out a new Vampire-themed MMO called Dark Legends in the first quarter of 2012.

The developer’s games can be played on and across iOS devices, Android devices, and the Chrome web browser. Spacetime says that players spend an average of 25.2 hours on its games each month — which it claims is twice as long as what the average player spends on other mobile games. (source:gamasutra

5)EA to release Mass Effect 3 companion mobile app — EA is releasing an iOS companion app for its hotly anticipated game Mass Effect 3, according to Shack News. Called Mass Effect Infiltrator, the game is a third person shooter. According to EA, playing the iOS game will help players earn the best of many possible endings on the console version of Mass Effect 3.(source:insidemobileapps

6)Android monetisation rates jumped 25% after we switched solely to Google Checkout, reveals Bionic Panda’s Hudson

by Keith Andrew

The ability to utilise different payment methods – such as PayPal – might appear to give Android Market an advantage over the App Store.

Interestingly, however, Bionic Panda Games has claimed that streamlining its payment options to solely focus on Google Checkout actually resulted in a revenue rise.

Passing on PayPal

The company claims per user monetisation has jumped 25 percent since it dropped support for PayPal to go Google Checkout only.

“Since we’ve switched from a combination of PayPal and Checkout to just Checkout, monetisation is up about 25 percent in the last six months,” said CEO and co-founder Charles Hudson at Inside Social Apps in San Francisco.

“We went 100 percent Google Checkout to make the user flow better.

“We also added new monetisation features. Simplifying the checkout to one button improved the conversion rate, new features improved the revenue generated, so it’s a mix.”

Any clue will do

It’s by no means an exact science, but Android developers have long complained monetisation rates fall below those enjoyed on iOS – which, coincidentally or not, sports one of the most streamlined payment systems available.

As such, any clue as to how developers working on Google’s platform can level the playing field will be well received by Android studios currently struggling to monetise their titles, and – according to Hudson – Google Checkout’s set up is only likely to improve in the future.

“The good news on payments for developers is that we have a standardised thing to shoot for with Google Checkout instead of hacking together our own solution,” he concluded.

“It’s still in its early days and they’re still working out some of the kinks. Google is new and not 10 years old like iTunes.”(source:pocketgamer

7)Tablet tariffs account for third of mobile internet plans

by Zen Terrelonge

Operators favour supply of iPad and Galaxy Tab.

The tablet tornado continues to storm ahead, following research from US-based Strategy Analytics, that says operators now have a minimum of five tablets on offer to meet consumer demand.

Tablet-specific tariffs are now responsible for almost 35 per cent of all mobile price plans now, compared to less than 30 per cent in September 2011, according to the report.

Pawel Kmiec, report author, says: “Q4 2011 brought rapid growth in tablet tariffs in all countries.  Operators today offer on average four-five tablet devices — usually a first or second-generation iPad, a seven or ten-inch Samsung Galaxy Tab, and increasingly, an operator-branded tablet device.

“Given the scale and speed of LTE/4G developments, Strategy Analytics predicts that the number of tablet-specific LTE/4G plans will grow rapidly over the next six to 12 months.”(source:mobile-ent

8)iPads and iPhones Make Up More Web Traffic Than Macs

By John Paul

The tablet revolution. The post-PC era. The smartphone explosion. Whatever label you want to apply to it, personal computing is changing. People are spending more time with smaller devices like tablets and smartphones and less time on desktops and laptops. This been evident for awhile, but the trend is still relatively young and the data points are only just beginning to trickle in.

For evidence of this shift, look no further than Apple. The company just reported an absolutely bonkers financial quarter, in which it sold 37 million iPhones and 15.4 million iPads. The two products now make up 72% of Apple’s quarterly revenue and the consumer demand shows no sign of letting up.

As iOS devices sell like crazy, it only makes sense that the amount of Web traffic coming from these gadgets would increase. But by how much? Well, that traffic is now greater than the traffic that comes from Mac OS X, according to data from advertising analytics firm Chikita.

This month, iOS edged past Mac OS X for the first time, accounting for 8.15% of all Web traffic, compared to the 7.96% coming from Mac desktops. Of course, this data does include Android, which probably constitutes a share of Web traffic that’s roughly comparable to iOS. Even so, the combined mobile operating systems likely do not even begin to outnumber desktops overall, as there are still plenty of Windows machines out there.

Indeed, it will be some time before tablets and smartphones truly outnumber desktops and laptops. For now, most consumers are not replacing their computers with smaller devices, but rather supplementing them. (source:readwriteweb

9)Reports: ngmoco Laid Off 30 People, Including the CMO [Social Games]

by Dr. Serkan Toto

DeNA‘s US company ngmoco recently laid off 30 people, TechCrunch and Inside Mobile Apps are reporting. According to TechCrunch, the group includes ”senior leaders including a director of platform tech and the chief marketing officer”.

The same blog is reporting that one game has been shut down and that another title has been “pared down” (it’s unclear which ones).

Since bolstering/kicking off their US operations, both DeNA and GREE have been hiring at a very fast clip. This is especially true for GREE, which just last week added a total of eight people to its American office.

DeNA may just restructure the business, but the departure of top executives, the lack of success stories from the US so far, and the shut down of games are certainly not good news for the Mobage operator.

Again (for the record), my personal view is that as platform providers, both DeNA and GREE will fail in America for multiple reasons. This has nothing to do with today’s news but is something I have been telling anyone who asked me for months.(source:serkantoto

10)DICE 2012: EA’s Galda says TV’s episodic model is the future of game narrative

by Brandon Sheffield

TJ Galda, senior CG supervisor at EA, believes that the future of storytelling is episodic.

“Call of Duty literally earned a billion dollars a day faster than Avatar,” he said. “Maybe we shouldn’t always be trying to aim for the film [with our stories]. And I’m a film guy saying that.”

The model we should look at, Galda believes, is television. We should learn from the framework of television, and figure out how to leverage that to make games, Galda proposed. Successful television creates a world, he says, and plants the seeds to make viewers want to come back. Successful games, he hinted, also create a compelling world. You also need staff writers and a writer room, he says.

“What I’m really talking about is episodic content,” he said, arguing that instead of selling people DLC like a new sword or a hat, “let’s sell stuff that people want.” Developers should sell players the next story, and the next, he says.

“It could be even a subscription model – there’s some serious money here.”

Television and games can work together if you know what you’re doing, Galda asserts. “Arguably if you could create a world that makes sense you’ve got something people want to come back to,” he says.

Galda stresses the importance of story arcs. “This is what television uses as their compulsion loop,” he said. One story in one episode is the A arc, but television shows will also place a B arc, which will take place over several episodes. This compels people to stick with the series. But in games, “we don’t plant arcs!” he says. “We just say ‘here’s a story, do you like it? Cool!’ but we don’t plant arcs to bring people back.” (source:gamasutra


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