Category: Editorials

Everquest II’s Goblin Games Seems Inspired By Squeal of Fortune


I have to imagine that somewhere out there, at least one person has stopped playing RuneScape because of Squeal of Fortune, and wound up playing Everquest II instead. The odds are low, incredibly so, but with time my mind seems to think that such a person must be, and gee, will this news stink. For the uninformed, Squeal of Fortune is a cash shop game on RuneScape where players receive spins either through in-game activities, purchased through the store, or daily as an allowance. The mini-game is hosted by a goblin and has the chance of winning gold, resources, and equipment.

Today, Everquest II revealed the latest update: The goblin games. In this mini-game, players are issued tickets on a monthly basis, depending on their membership status, with the option to purchase more on the cash shop. Those tickets can be used to play one of several mini-games, each of which ultimately ends up in the player receiving a loot box that offers a random item from the list.

So what are the differences? In RuneScape, spin tickets are given on a daily basis while in Everquest II free tickets are offered monthly. Both games offer one ticket to free players and three to members (in RuneScape it is normally two, three for the summer event). In RuneScape, spins cost approximately $5 per ten tickets ($.50 per ticket) with bonuses for higher quantities, while in Everquest they cost $1 per ticket with no option to purchase in bulk.

Maybe I’m just reading too far into this.

Everquest II's Goblin Games Seems Inspired By Squeal of Fortune


I have to imagine that somewhere out there, at least one person has stopped playing RuneScape because of Squeal of Fortune, and wound up playing Everquest II instead. The odds are low, incredibly so, but with time my mind seems to think that such a person must be, and gee, will this news stink. For the uninformed, Squeal of Fortune is a cash shop game on RuneScape where players receive spins either through in-game activities, purchased through the store, or daily as an allowance. The mini-game is hosted by a goblin and has the chance of winning gold, resources, and equipment.

Today, Everquest II revealed the latest update: The goblin games. In this mini-game, players are issued tickets on a monthly basis, depending on their membership status, with the option to purchase more on the cash shop. Those tickets can be used to play one of several mini-games, each of which ultimately ends up in the player receiving a loot box that offers a random item from the list.

So what are the differences? In RuneScape, spin tickets are given on a daily basis while in Everquest II free tickets are offered monthly. Both games offer one ticket to free players and three to members (in RuneScape it is normally two, three for the summer event). In RuneScape, spins cost approximately $5 per ten tickets ($.50 per ticket) with bonuses for higher quantities, while in Everquest they cost $1 per ticket with no option to purchase in bulk.

Maybe I’m just reading too far into this.

Ultima Online Producer: Support Ultima For Ultima 2


It’s easy to forget sometimes that Ultima Online is still with us. After all, the game enjoys a healthy but quiet community, and the idea that Ultima Online 2 could be a reality was mostly given up on some time ago. Still, the reveal of Ultima Forever, the remake of Ultima 4 as a free to play game, has some fans worried about the future of the ancient MMO they love. In order to quell these thoughts, Jeff Skalski has posted a Letter From The Producer on the Ultima Herald. In the letter, he assures players that Ultima Online will remain stead in its tracks, and that neither Ultima Online or Ultima Forever have had an affect on the development of each other.

Finally, Skalski made a point of Ultima Online 2:

Lastly, for those interested in seeing a UO2.  No surprise announcements on that today, but what I will say by everyone continuing to support UO and Ultima Forever this is the kind of ammunition I need to convince the high level execs that the market is ready for more Ultima.

So fans of the much anticipated and oft-cancelled sequel can take solace in knowing that they aren’t they only ones who would like to see the franchise continue. If you want to see an Ultima Online 2, I suggest making your desires known to the executives at Electronic Arts.

(Source: Ultima Online)

World of Warcraft Mobile App Now Free For All


Good news, World of Warcrafters, your game just became a little bit freer. As a convenience service, Blizzard launched the World of Warcraft remote. This service allows players to connect to the auction house remotely, chat with their guild, review prices, and bid on items even if their character is not at an auction house. Up until now, this service cost about $3 a month on top of your regular Warcraft subscription. As announced today, Blizzard has made all of the features of WoW Remote available for free.

Starting today, all of the features that were previously part of the optional World of Warcraft Remote subscription service are now available for free to all World of Warcraft subscribers.

Players who had already been paying for WoW Remote have received a thank you note, as well as 7 free days of game time and a non-combat pet.

(Source: World of Warcraft)

Mortal Online Q2 2012: Sales Down, Profit Up Slightly


It is the end of August, and that means financial records aplenty. Star Vault has released their second quarter finances for 2012, and the results are mixed. The number of monthly payments during the second quarter decreased compared to the previous report, as well as the sale of licenses. In the release, Star Vault notes that the launch of the expansion Awakening aims to make Mortal Online appeal to a wider audience, and there is something for players to do constantly, even if they are not interested in conflict.

The launch of Awakening has also lead to the reactivation of accounts and an increase in sale of new licenses, according to Henrik. Star Vault now expects to break even at some point in September/October.

Bank of RuneScape: Coming Soon


Let me just say: MMO Fallout’s tagline for the past three years has been “cautious optimism.” The image above was leaked on RuneScape’s website for approximately fifteen minutes today, and it has set the community on fire. Understandably so, because as of late Jagex has used similar update teasers that lead into Squeal of Fortune and Solomon’s Shop updates. So the Bank of RuneScape could very well be yet another update to Jagex’s cash shop endeavor, we won’t know possibly until next week. It could just be an overhaul to the bank system, or some new quest or mini-game.

I would like to point out that the authenticity of this image is in question, for now at least. The link results in a 404 error, and because I wasn’t able to personally see it on the main website, I am treating it with a grain of salt.

Unless this does turn out to be real, in which case you all know the drill.

Starfleet Dental Presents: “Jumpin” Joe Maguuma and the Krytans


Dance on, Starfleet Dental.

Runecoins ToS Allows Cash Shop Coins To Expire


An intrepid explorer on the RuneScape forums came across an interesting update to Jagex’s Terms of Service. Specifically, Jagex’s virtual currency (Runecoins) expire three months after purchase.

Virtual currency expires and will be deleted if it has not been redeemed within a certain period after acquisition so you should redeem it as soon as possible. The expiry period is whatever we specify when you acquire the virtual currency or, if we haven’t specified a time limit, three months from acquisition.

Heading on to the forums, players asked if this was simply Jagex covering their backs or if the developer actually intends on allowing a player’s purchased coins to expire. Mod Crow responded to this thread with a confirmation that, while Jagex has not enforced the policy, they “reserve the right to have virtual currencies and items expire after a period of time.”

(Source: RuneScape Forums)

 

Star Vault's Greatest Risk: Lack Of Demand


Earlier this month, Star Vault released their Annual Income report for 2011. There wasn’t much in the document that we didn’t already know from last year, but at one point the company lays out what it refers to as Mortal Online’s “greatest risk.”

Star Vault’s greatest risk is a lack of demand for its product. An insufficient market risk the company’s earnings and ultimately the financial position. Risk is an inherent part of all business and continuously examined, and the highest priority. Based on each individual situation later approved measures to limit the risks.

In the past, Henrik Nystrom has admitted that Mortal Online’s steep learning curve, less than user friendly atmosphere, and hardcore PvP atmosphere were the biggest factors for Mortal Online’s lack of widespread appeal. In the first quarter of this year, however, Mortal Online’s sales sharply rose 50% in February, and the developer enjoyed a subsequent rise in revenue in profits for the appropriate quarter (Q1 2012).

Star Vault’s second quarter releases should be out by the end of the month.