Highlights – MMO Fallout

Steam Leak Reveals New Games, DLC

Gaikai

A recent leak from the Steam Helpdesk has resulted in the outing of games and DLC packages coming to Steam. The list is massive and includes numerous test apps not meant to be viewed by the public. It makes references to games that we know are coming out (Rise of the Tomb Raider, Dark Souls III, etc) with some surprises (Final Fantasy X/X2, Danganronpa), VR games, and movies (Sin City, Clerks, etc).

The leak supposedly originates from Steam’s recent move to allow games to be permanently removed from accounts. A hole in the process has allowed all previously unknown sub names becoming publicly available.

How reliable this list is in unknown, as it not only includes a new DLC pack for Alganon but also shows The Missing Ink, an MMO that went down nearly two years ago for “upgrades” and hasn’t been heard from since. We do know that the list was hit with a DMCA takedown notice shortly after appearing online, hence the mirror link to Pastebin. Also be aware that listings for games like Half Life 3 could very well be third party developers having a joke.

(Source: Pastebin)

341830 = Aika Online
350681 = Alganon – DLC2
344020 = Block N Load: Developer DLC
345450 = Star Sonata 2 – 1 Month Subscription
345451 = Star Sonata 2 – 3 Month Subscription
345452 = Star Sonata 2 – 6 Month Subscription
345453 = Star Sonata 2 – Annual Subscription
345454 = Star Sonata 2 – SPEX
345455 = Star Sonata 2 – 20 Space Points
345456 = Star Sonata 2 – 40 Space Points
345457 = Star Sonata 2 – 60 Space Points
345510 = Vindictus: Free Steam Package
353150 = The Missing Ink
353880 = Vendetta Online

Return to ROBLOX: A Highlight in Creativity

I’ve been meaning to dive back into ROBLOX and see what the community is up to these days. Luckily for me, I had some free time in the couple of days leading up to my septum surgery to look about and come up with a few more creative highlights to show you all. The creation pictured above is Hunting Simulator 2015 Beta, which I haven’t listed because it currently costs 25 Robux to get in.

I’ll be doing more of these in the future. If you’d like to submit a creation for future pieces, throw me a message on my ROBLOX account.

1. Call of Robloxia 5

Whenever I return to Roblox, I have to stop and see how Call of Robloxia is progressing. This is easily the most impressive game I’ve seen on ROBLOX, not just on the technical side of the vast number of weapons/attachments, but the dedication of its creator(s) to keep the project going after six years. The end result, so far, is a game that handles as fluidly as something you’d expect to pay for, tied to a progression system that’s bound to keep you addicted.

I usually try to get what I can in a timely manner with these spotlights, but I have to admit this one wound up taking a fair bit of my time. Also I have no idea what this is, but it gave me a good chuckle.

Check out Call of Robloxia here.

2. Fall Down The Longest Hole

Mini-game collections are like the bread and butter of ROBLOX, and I have to say hold a special place in my heart. It’s the simplicity of their design that makes these collections so much fun, and I love looking through each version to see how the creator has added his own touch. You can also see how Roblox happens to be trending at the time based on the theme of the levels.

Check out Fall Down The Longest Hole here.

3. Speed Run 4

I spent a lot more time than expected while checking out this creation, before resigning myself to defeat at the last five feet of the last level. Speed Run 4 is a speed run game (go figure) where you run quickly and jump across obstacles while collecting cards. This one was pretty challenging, and I will admit ultimately beat me out in the end, on the last level.

Check out Speed Run 4 here.

[Special Mention] Apocalypse Rising

I discovered this one thanks to its creator in the comments section of another creation. The comment said “don’t visit my creation,” so I didn’t.

It’s closed to the public now.

NCSoft Q1 Profits Down 22%

NCSoft has released their finances for the first quarter of 2014, and the results are certainly worth taking a look at. Revenues and profits fell by approximately 20% in the first quarter due to a drop in sales in Lineage 1. The report states that in-game item sales were “scaled back,” and were responsible for much of the loss in profit. Lineage’s sales dropped by nearly half, from $70 million last quarter to $40 million this quarter. Lineage II and Guild Wars 2 saw a drop in revenue, while Aion and Blade & Soul increased by a modest amount.

Blade & Soul continues to perform strongly in China, adding to NCSoft’s royalty revenues. NCSoft did not market as heavily in the first quarter, seeing marketing expenses drop nearly 40%. As for demographics, royalties now make up 25% of the overall income distribution. European revenue dropped heavily, down to just under 3% of NCSoft’s total income. Korea dropped off heavily but still remains at the top with 52% of revenue, and North America increased slightly to 13%.

(Source: NCSoft Financial Documents)