News

The keys to a company culture that works
The keys to a company culture that works
In a heartfelt talk at GDC Europe, Harald Riegler, co-founder of Sproing, frankly discussed the challenges and advantages of shaping a company culture that leads to respect and success.
Aug. 15, 2012
Craftsmanship vs. art -- what are games?
Craftsmanship vs. art -- what are games?
Are games art? Is it okay if games aren't art? Developers including Kellee Santiago and Alex Evans debated what it would take for the medium to get there -- if it hasn't already.
Aug. 15, 2012
'Why hasn't story in games advanced?' Amnesia's designer has some opinions!
'Why hasn't story in games advanced?' Amnesia's designer has some opinions!
During an animated talk at GDC Europe, Frictional Games co-founder Thomas Grip said storytelling in video games hasn't really evolved in decades. The culprit? Game design, of course.
Aug. 15, 2012
Command & Conquer is EA's next big free-to-play AAA franchise
Command & Conquer is EA's next big free-to-play AAA franchise
Electronic Arts' classic real-time strategy game series Command & Conquer is getting its own free-to-play online universe, powered by Battlefield 3's Frostbite 2 engine.
Aug. 15, 2012
Make your enemies stupider, if it helps your player learn
Make your enemies stupider, if it helps your player learn
"One of the main purposes of adding enemies to a game is to create an interesting challenge to teach the player, little by little, the mechanics of the game." - Ubisoft Montreal senior game designer Sébastien Lambottin.
Aug. 15, 2012
Bitcoinica, twice hacked in 2012, is being sued
Bitcoinica, twice hacked in 2012, is being sued
Bitcoinica is a UK-based online trading site for the online cash alternative ‘bitcoin’. Following its second hack, Bitcoinica was taken offline and will remain off-line until a ‘transitional’ period designed to improve security is complete.
Aug. 15, 2012
Security vendor Prolexic uncovers vulnerability in hacker toolkit
Security vendor Prolexic uncovers vulnerability in hacker toolkit
Security vendor Prolexic has turned the tables on cybercriminals and exposed a vulnerability in the Dirt Jumper toolkit used to launch distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks against corporate networks.
Aug. 15, 2012
To annoy Funcom Montreal's creative director, just say 'sandbox'
To annoy Funcom Montreal's creative director, just say 'sandbox'
"We need to try to move beyond that. I'd like to get rid of those phrases. I hate the terms 'theme park' and 'sandbox.'" -- Funcom Montreal creative director Craig Morrison.
Aug. 14, 2012
Desperately-needed Vita support, refreshing new PS3 games coming from Sony
Desperately-needed Vita support, refreshing new PS3 games coming from Sony
After an E3 that was lacking in excitement for the company, Sony came out swinging at Gamescom Tuesday, announcing some much-needed support for its Vita platform and interesting new IP out of Japan.
Aug. 14, 2012
In-depth: Business analytics with regression
In-depth: Business analytics with regression
In this reprinted #altdevblogaday in-depth piece, EEDAR's chief information officer Ted Spence offers an introduction to using the regression mathematical technique for business analytics with your game.
Aug. 14, 2012
If people are buying your 'premium' iOS game, why try free-to-play?
If people are buying your 'premium' iOS game, why try free-to-play?
FishLabs Entertainment's space-faring iOS games have proven successful, selling a complete experience for $6.99 and above. So why did the "old school" studio decide to turn to in-app payments?
Aug. 14, 2012
Don't let popular opinion get in the way of your vision
Don't let popular opinion get in the way of your vision
Simon Flesser and Magnus Gardeback of mobile game studio Simogo urged developers at GDC Europe today to "base [design and business] decisions on what feels right instead of what is considered right."
Aug. 14, 2012