mcv806 september 26th 2014

WAR GAMES

THE BUSINESS OF VIDEO GAMES

ISSUE 806 FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 26TH 2014

PAGE 16

HOW SMARTPHONE GAMES CAN HELP WARGAMING.NET CONQUER THE NEXT 100M PLAYERS PAGE 04

FORZA’S BACKWE GO UNDER THE HOOD OF THE LATEST UK-DEVELOPED XBOX ONE EXCLUSIVE

Q4 ACCESSORIES GUIDEWE TAKE A LOOK AT SOME OF THE PRODUCTS SET FOR STORES THIS CHRISTMAS

GAMES MEDIACRISISHAS A GAMER BACKLASH PERMANENTLY HARMED GAMES JOURNALISM?

PAGE 18 PAGE 12

CHEAT SHEET

02September 26th 2014 www.mcvuk.com

THE WEEK IN VIDEO GAM

Once upon a time a new generation of consoles brought with it a major

step forward in game content.From Super Mario World to

Super Mario 64 and Grand Theft Auto III to Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, each generation has brought with it something that has forever transformed how video games are played and built.

Almost 12 months into the life of PS4 and Xbox One, I can’t help but wonder: when are those platforms going to get those types of redefi ning experiences?

Titanfall, Watch Dogs and Destiny were heralded as next-gen proof of concepts. But they aren’t. Call of Duty with jet packs, GTA with hacking, Halo as an MMO... these are not things that were ‘impossible’ on the previous consoles. Hell, they’re even available on the previous consoles. And they hold up quite nicely.

Too easily, ’new’ games chase the same trends. This Christmas racing fans will be truly spoilt for choice in terms of amazing-looking driving games. Well, they are spoiled if they want nothing but an ‘open world socially-connected racing experience’. What I would give for a racing game on a track that allowed for four-player split-screen multiplayer. Now that would be a real social gaming experience, even if it would cost £135 in extra controllers (but retailers wouldn’t be sniff y about that...).

The new machines need more variety, content and inspiration. So far, my oft-repeated ‘best thing’ about the new consoles is the fact I can update my PS4 in the background without waiting.

This may be a contradictory thing for the editor of MCV to write. Xbox and PlayStation have both broken their own records this year. Titanfall, Watch Dogs and Destiny are entirely new brands that are now fi rmly established. The latter two proved to the world that a new IP can be as powerful and successful as a major sequel. In a business sense, those games have performed wonderfully.

But for all the sales and the corporate back slapping, these new machines still need to prove themselves. There’s no room for complacency.

This year, PS4 and Xbox One have had it all their own way. There’s no Wii-style game changer to upset their progress. But next year? Well, that’s when the Steam Machines arrive, that’s when virtual reality becomes a reality... and who knows, maybe Nintendo will drop one of those once-a-decade wild cards. And that’s not to mention the inevitable progress of tablet tech and streaming platforms.

The sales charts suggest that console gaming is back on top of the world. Yet the current range of content makes you wonder if it’s doing enough to stay [email protected]

THE EDITOR

These new machines still need to prove themselves. There’s no room for complacency.

WHERE IS THE REAL NEXT-GEN REVOLUTION?

Market DataIt’s the week after Destiny and unsurprisingly the market plummets by more than half. FIFA will change all that next week

Week EndingSeptember 7th

Week EndingSeptember 14th

Week EndingSeptember 21st

£30m

£15m

£0m

£27m653,827 units

£10m344,220 units£7.6m

260,998

Alden Kroll (right) says Steam’s new UI combats discoverability issues

CHEAT SHEET

03www.mcvuk.com September 26th 2014

GAMES industry giant Valve has signifi cantly updated its Steam PC store in an eff ort to appease developers who say there are ‘just too many games.’

PC developers are confronted with a similar problem faced by the mobile sector, where there are so many games that it makes discovering content diffi cult. Valve says over 1,000 games

have been released on Steam so far this year.

So the fi rm has updated its Steam home page in a bid to make fi nding games easier. The new update off ers user recommendations based on past purchases, recent play time and friend recommendations. Steam Search has also been updated with extra detailed fi lters, while a new mode called ‘Curators’ will let gamers set their own recommended list and, if they’re lucky, attract a following.

Some of the ideas are similar to discoverability measures introduced by Green Man Gaming and social games website GamesGrabr.

“Our old problem was throughput,’” explains Valve’s UI designer Alden Kroll. “As soon as we started increasing the number of titles being published, we knew discoverability would be the new problem.

“With an increasingly large number of new, interesting

games getting made, we foresee our throughput continuing to increase as well.

“These updates are designed to utilise community feedback to help identify the right games in the Steam catalog to highlight to each player.”

He added: “At the end of the day, New Releases and Top Sellers are interesting categories. But that isn’t the only way customers want to shop. And giving customers more options means giving developers more places for their product to make a connection.”

Kroll says the fi rm can make recommendations based on how long people play for, what sort of games they actually fi nish and whether they buy DLC or not. But he is wary of putting too much emphasis on player behaviour.

“There are many great opportunities. But we also know there is danger in trying to make assumptions of a player’s intent based on their behaviour, so we’ll continue carefully down this path.”

DOWNIt is still No.1 but Destiny’s sales are down 78

per cent week-on-week

TOP ONLINE STORIES THIS WEEKOur biggest stories for the week ending Sep 23rd

1 Sony has the potential to make the game console market its exclusive territory, analyst claims

2 UK PS4 sales up 300 per cent thanks to Destiny launch

3 Super Smash Bros sells 1m in Japan as Wii U release date seemingly leaks

4 Digital version of Minecraft Xbox One Edition is exclusive to GAME on the High Street

5 Roberts: There’s ‘potential’ for Star Citizen on PS4 and Xbox One

MESSTEAM OVERHAULED TO CALM UNHAPPY PC DEVS

UP Wii U game sales spiked 270 per cent

thanks to Hyrule Warriors

UK RETAIL TOP 10

DESTINY ACTIVISION BLIZZARD12 Disney Infi nity 2.0 Disney

3 Hyrule Warriors Nintendo

4 Watch Dogs Ubisoft

5 The Sims 4 EA

6 Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition Microsoft

7 Call of Duty: Ghosts Activision Blizzard

8 Minecraft: PS3 Edition Sony

9 The Last of Us: Remastered Sony

10 Plants vs Zombies: Garden Warfare EA

FIFA 15 INCL BONUS FUT CARDS (PS4) EA

PRE-ORDER TOP 10

12 FIFA 15 Ultimate Team Edition (PS4) EA

3 FIFA 15 Ultimate Team Edition (Xbox One) EA

4 FIFA Inc Bonus FUT Cards (Xbox One) EA

5 Super Smash Bros (3DS) Nintendo

6 Grand Theft Auto V (PS4 Rockstar

7 The Evil Within Inc DLC (PS4) Bethesda

8 Fantasy Life (3DS) Nintendo

9 Forza Horizon 2 Day One Edition (Xbox One) Microsoft

10 FIFA 15 Ultimate Team Edition (Xbox 360) Microsoft

SPONSORED

There’s been a few developments at Wargaming recently...Oh yes. We have announced that we have 100m registered players across all of our products.

It has been four years since the commercial launch of World of Tanks. It feels like yesterday, of course, but it’s been a long time; the game has evolved and it’s now a much, much better product. The industry also changed along the way, and we think we helped it to do that with this ‘free-to-play, free-to-win’ concept.

We keep working, the company is growing; it is now more than 3,000 people. We have 16 offices all around the world; in every major territory we have a physical presence.

But we are not just updating World of Tanks; we are producing new games. It is not that easy to make yet another hit game, and we know that it’s not just a case of copying a few good ideas and building another legendary game. So that is why we have to work hard, and right now we are more data-driven and produce a lot of analysis around our games.

We are also moving to new platforms. Three months ago we released World of Tanks Blitz on iOS, and we are currently readying the Android version.

And at Gamescom we showed World of Warships gameplay to people for the first time.

World of Warships looked quite far along. Is it close to release?I don’t know. It is not about me saying: ‘We have to be out October 1st.’ It doesn’t work

like that. Through focus testing and data-driven decisions, we have to make sure that this game will be enjoyable. We need to make sure people will eagerly play it for days and months and years. Our bosses, our final decision makers, are the players. We don’t want them to play ten battles and then go away. And there is no investment bank or stock exchange to tell us when to release.

Is this approach a reaction to the disappointment around the World of Warplanes launch?Yes, we had certain misconceptions there. We thought that because we had this nice free-to-play idea and these nice visuals, it would automatically become a global success. It does not work like this. Every game, we found out, is completely different. Yes, it is from Wargaming, it has this similar progression line, yes it has this free-to-win philosophy. But at the end of the day, tanks are tanks, planes are planes and ships are nothing like either of those.

World of Warplanes was not as successful as we had anticipated, and that’s partly because its biggest competitor is World of Tanks. But we are not in despair. We have now moved to this data-driven method. We have carefully analysed the player engagement with World of Warplanes, we have talked to the players, and we realise that some things need to be done differently. So right now the team is finalising significant changes to the game. And we will make World

WAR OF THE WORLDS

Last year, online games giant Wargaming finally launched its World of Tanks follow-up – World of Warplanes – to disappointing results. Now in 2014, it believes it can

bounce back with its first foray onto mobile and the impending launch of World of Warships. Christopher Dring speaks to CEO Victor Kislyi


INTERVIEW WARGAMING

World of Warships is the third ‘World of ’ title from Wargaming

Nobody can say we stopped innovating and just sat back with our success, relaxing and sipping cocktails.

Victor Kislyi, Wargaming

of Warplanes more enjoyable now that we know how.

On the other hand, the reaction to World of Tanks Blitz on iOS has been pretty positive...Yes, we already have something like 5m registered users. And on the technology side it is pushing the limits. Blitz is one of the most beautiful and technological games on those devices. Apple likes it and featured it on the front page of the App Store. And the reviews have been great.

Mobile is a world away from hardcore PC gaming. How have you found it?Right now the mobile gaming world is dominated by those ‘whale economy games’, where if consumers don’t pay they’re cannon fodder, and if they do pay they have to pay a lot. But here we follow our free-to-win philosophy, where you can keep playing without paying a thing and still win and be competitive.

It requires courage and character to do that, because the investment in Blitz is in the millions. It is probably one of our most expensive games; it took a long time, but it

was worth it. But the work has only just begun. We are introducing new elements and updates.

What about other platforms like Virtual Reality?In today’s fast-moving world, you never say never. Of course, we have tried the Oculus Rift, but right now it is not quite there. VR will be a big part of the entertainment industry, that is for sure, but for the free-to-win model you need huge critical mass and install base, because 75 per cent of people will never pay anything.

One of your recent announcements was that you’ve integrated Twitch. Why do that?It is part of our eSports initiative. We have to have streaming involved. eSports is a new economy but I think it will be a very big part of entertainment in the near future.

It’s not only us doing this, of course, but together we are pushing and making eSports part of everyday lives.

A couple of months ago we had the grand finale for our first year of the Wargaming.net league, with 40,000 teams around the world competing online. The best 14

teams came together in Warsaw for the finale, which was watched live and streamed online to millions of people. It was great for publicity and engagement of the players.

We and a few companies are writing history today. But you can’t build a game thinking it will be for the eSports community and have it become that automatically; it works the other way around.

First of all, you have to make an enjoyable product for the masses, and then a certain percentage of those will feel more competitive about it and want to be the best. Those people are the ones that join professional eSports teams.

It is quite a sophisticated ecosystem and we have a special programme to help new teams find sponsors. There’s an entire business here, and it is growing fast. By its very nature it is social, viral and online.

Today we have 40 people in the company working solely on eSports. It’s a new venture for us, but we are helping to shape this industry and it feels natural for our times.

100m registered players is a lot for such hardcore titles. Can it really get any bigger?There are 1bn computers in the world. In China alone there are over 600m internet users. It’s a big world but, via social networks and online, it’s a small world as well. The whole world is our market place, and then the whole world is our factory as well. That is why we are spread all over the world; we go where the talent is, and also so we are closer to the markets and the consumers.

With the rapid growth of mobile devices, our userbase will grow beyond 100m. The only really challenge is quality. You have to stay true to your principles and philosophy.

But we have to make sure to avoid screw ups, as well. If you do screw up, never lie. Because those millions of players will figure it out and they will backlash.

Nobody can say we stopped innovating and just sat back with our success, relaxing and sipping cocktails. We keep reinvesting our money in new game modes, new studios... we are very active in finding new ways to bring fun to players all around the world.

www.mcvuk.com September 26th 2014

WARGAMING INTERVIEW

05

CAMPAIGN OF THE WEEKTHIS WEEK: ASSASSIN’S CREED UNITY

[INFO]Released: November 14th

Publisher:Ubisoft

Developer: Ubisoft Montreal

Distributor: Exertis Gem

Contact:01279 822 822

UBISOFT has launched a unique online experience to promote its upcoming Xbox One and PS4 title Assassin’s Creed Unity.

Entitled Project Widow – referring to a nickname for the guillotine – the city night walk experience provides gamers with an online interactive guided tour around late 18th century Paris – the location where the open-world game takes place.

Leading players around the city will be Lord of the Rings and Rise of the Planet of the Apes actor Andy Serkis, who provides the narration.

Users can view the sites of key moments in the French Revolution in a 360-degree street level view, immersing them in the historical setting of Unity protagonist Arno’s tale.

Participants can also discover hotspots, locate hidden Unity art

and video content, and win prizes and exclusives.

The experience has been created by Biff New Media and Villain and Co in partnership with Ubisoft UK, and will be supported with targeted paid promotion on Facebook and Twitter, and through Ubisoft-owned channels, the EGX event and a Yogscast promotion, as well as earned media opportunities.

Mark Bassett, digital marketing manager at Ubisoft UK, commented: “The night walk is a great digital concept and delivers an exciting online experience in anticipation of the blockbuster video game, Assassin’s Creed Unity.

“The teams at Biff New Media and Villain and Co have truly embraced bringing the game’s setting to life for consumers in an exciting, shareable and innovative way.”

The Project Widow tie-in experience will allow players to explore sites of the French Revolution

Jodie Brock, creative director at Villain and Co, added: “Ubisoft gave us scope to get really creative in our thinking, leading to the idea of a uniquely dark and immersive guided tour.

“We wanted to inspire gamers by breathing vivid bloody life into 18th century Revolutionary Paris, and allow them to explore its secrets, generating even more excitement about the game.”

Biff New Media’s creative director, Leigh Kirwan, said the project did have its challenges: “Project Widow really gave us the opportunity to push the boundaries and to explore creative and interesting ways to align it with the world of Paris during the French Revolution. It has been a huge technical undertaking but we feel we’ve managed to create a completely immersive and engaging experience for Assassin’s fans.”

September 26th 2014 www.mcvuk.com06

MARKETING

CONSOLIDATED data for August 2014 reveals an increase in total TV market ad pressure for the games and consoles sector, correlating with a month-on-month increase in the number of individual brands on air.

In total, the market is 57 per cent up in terms of total individual

TV viewer ratings (TVRs) in the market year-on-year.

This is despite fewer games and consoles brands having TV advertised so far this year vs the same period last year (162 vs 179).

As has often been the case this year, King.com reigned supreme in

August with its Farm Heroes Saga campaign averaging over 100 individual TVRs per week. When taking all King.com brands into account, the advertiser retained a 35 per cent total TV advertising market share across the month (individual TVRs).

The second biggest campaign for August 2014 was for Naughty Dog’s smash hit The Last of Us Remastered on PlayStation 4. Starting at the back end of July, this campaign averaged just over 60 individual TVRs per week across the month.

AUGUST 2014: THE MONTH IN REVIEWThis week, GameTime looks at how Farm Heroes Saga and The Last of Us rule the airwaves

MCV GameTime is provided by Generation Media0207 255 4650 | www.generationmedia.co.uk

DOVETAIL Games started life as Railsimulator.com back in early 2009 with a team of six staff .

Established to develop simulation products for train enthusiasts, the company started by acquiring the rights to an existing product called Rail Simulator, which had originally been developed by Kuju

Entertainment Limited and was published in partnership with EA.

The team’s focus was on improving the game to make it more accessible to a wider range of consumers. In June 2009, it released its fi rst train simulation title, RailWorks, on the Steam digital platform, having recognised that the video games market was increasingly moving to an online distribution model.

The RailWorks games continued to be launched every year until 2011, when the game was

rebranded to Train Simulator. The company wanted to have a name that gave a clear and precise indication of exactly what the product was about.

Today Train Simulator is the market-leading train simulation series. The game caters to an enthusiastic community of players globally and an updated version is released annually, encouraging new players into the series year-on-year. In a unique move, existing players receive the latest updates free of charge via Steam every year.

The series off ers a wide range of downloadable content, allowing players to fully customise their own gaming experience with their preferred routes and locomotives, making Train Simulator the ultimate digital hobby.

Since its launch in 2009, Dovetail Games has grown to a staff of over 70, working across three UK sites – Chatham (HQ), Godalming and Stirling. Its aim is to become the number one simulation entertainment company in the world.

BRAND PROFILE TRAIN SIMULATORDovetail’s Doug McConkey on the journey of the blockbuster rail simulation title

0 0

2,000

201,500

151,000

10

500 5

2,500

25

30

Jun Jul Aug

Indi

vidu

al T

VRs B

rand Count

Rank Owner TVRs (IND)

1 KING.COM FARM HEROES SAGA 430

2 SONY THE LAST OF US REMASTERED 247

5 KING.COM CANDY CRUSH SAGA 127

6 GOODGAME EMPIRE ONLINE 111

3 MICROSOFT XBOX ONE CONSOLE 223

4 ACTIVISION DIABLO III 128

7 NINTENDO 3DS & 2DS GAMES 110

8 KING.COM BUBBLE WITCH SAGA 2 74

9 NINTENDO TOMODACHI LIFE 65

10 NINTENDO YOSHI’S NEW ISLAND 63


MARKETING


MARKET MOVES

MCV RAB | SIMON URQUHART (left) and CRAIG WATSON (below left) have joined MCV’s Retail Advisory Board (RAB).

Formerly PC gaming and components

category manager at Dixons Retail, Urquhart departed the business in April

He recently joined Microsoft as a buyer for Microsoft Store EMEA, and re-joins the RAB in his new role.

Watson takes over from Urquhart as the representative for Dixons Retail on the board.

Now assistant category manager for PC gaming, Watson

previously served as assistant category manager for Windows laptops and tablets.

KONAMI | JON MURPHY, team leader for PES in the UK, has departed the company.

Murphy spent 16 years at the firm, during which he stewarded the PES brand throughout its early success and later battle against EA’s FIFA franchise.

For a long period Murphy served as the public corporate face of the PES series in the UK.

“After 16 years at Konami I’ve decided to seek new challenges,” he tweeted. “Amazing messages from all. Genuinely surprised/touched. Thank you. Really

interested in demo feedback, but for now off to walk dog.”

Murphy’s parting follows that of Castlevania veteran Dave Cox last month, who left the company “to explore new opportunities”.

Murphy’s responsibilities will be taken over by PES European product manager Adam Bhatti.

ERA | The Entertainment Retailer’s Association has named RAOUL CHATTERJEE as its

new chairman.Chatterjee is the SVP for music

at 7Digital and replaces PAUL QUIRK, who led ERA for the past six years. His past experience includes a stint at Warner Music UK.

“I am honoured to have been elected by my peers to chair ERA at this crucial point for entertainment retailing,” said Chatterjee. “It is vital that we work together with our suppliers, our fellow trade associations and with legislators to ensure the healthy business environment we need to continue this work.

Rudy Osorio, head of visual at HMV, has been re-elected deputy chairman and Chris O’Reilly of Presto Classical has been re-elected treasurer.

Sanjay Kooper (Asda), Charlotte Knight (GAME) and Michael Mulligan (Tesco) were re-elected to the ERA board. Meanwhile, Markus Bhatia (The Hut) and Drew Hill (Proper Music) join for the first time.

NEW FACES JOIN MCV RETAIL ADVISORY BOARDMicrosoft’s Urquhart and Dixons’ Watson join board PES chief leaves Konami New members for ERA

APPOINTMENTS

MLG | Internet celebrity Felix ‘PewDiePie’ Kjellberg has signed a timed exclusivity deal with Major League Gaming.

Under the agreement, episodes of PewDiePie’s BroKen podcast have begun to debut on MLG.tv before becoming available elsewhere.

“We’re excited to introduce PewDiePie to the MLG.tv network as we continue to deliver exclusive content from the best producers in the world,” MLG’s VP of programming Ryan Wyatt said. “Our vision for MLG.tv is to make it the home for premium content and producers like PewDiePie and his show BroKen. This programming deal with PewDiePie is a great example of the premier talent we have joining the growing MLG.tv line-up.”

In August a US survey named Kjellberg as one of the most

influential people on the planet amongst 13 to 18-year-olds.

Kjellberg tweeted: “We are hosting the Broken podscast live on MLG for a few weeks, that’s it. My soul is still mine, honest.”

FUTURE | The publisher is restructuring, moving all of its gaming magazines to its Bath HQ.

Daniel Dawkins has been appointed group editor-in-chief for games. James Jarvis has been appointed senior producer for games and tech, and will be responsible for all of games video output.

Among the brands moving is OXM, with editor Jon Hicks, staff writer Aoife Wilson and production editor Jenny Meade departing the company.

Future tech mag T3 has also seen some changes; editor Matt Hill has moved across to Gizmodo UK, becoming editor.

AROUND THE INDUSTRY

EDITORIAL CONTACTS

Publisher: Michael [email protected]

Group Sales Manager: [email protected]

Account Manager: Conor [email protected]

Production Manager: Alice [email protected]

Designer: Sam [email protected]

Special Projects: Lisa [email protected]

Head of Operations: Stuart Moody [email protected]

Circulation: Lianne [email protected]

Finance Manager: Michael Canham [email protected]

Head of Design and Production:Kelly [email protected]

US CorrespondentErik [email protected]

THE RETAIL ADVISORY BOARD

www.mcvuk.com September 26th 2014 09

EDITORIAL CONTACTS

MCV has an exclusive media partnership with Famitsu – Japan’s leading video

games analyst and news source

ISSN: 1469-4832

Copyright 2014

Please address all enquiries to:Intent Media, MCV, Saxon House, 6a St. Andrew Street, Hertford, SG14 1JA.

Printed By: Pensord, Tram Road, Pontllanfraith,Blackwood, NP12 2YA

Intent Media specialises in trade-dedicated print and digital publishing for entertainment and leisure markets. As well as MCV, Intent publishes Develop, PCR, ToyNews, Music Week, MI Pro, Audio Pro International and BikeBiz. It also has two online-only brands: Mobile Entertainment, dedicated to the growing mass market smartphone sector, and Licensing.biz, for everyone in the global licensing industry. It also runs a number of events including the MCV Industry Excellence Awards, the London Games Conference and the Games Media Awards.

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© Intent Media 2013All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or any information storage or retrieval system without the express prior written consent of the publisher. The contents of MCV are subject to reproduction in information storage and retrieval systems.

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WE ARE PLAYING...I played the FIFA 15 demo. My keeper fell over when a penalty was fi red right at him. I wonder what PES is like?Christopher Dring, [email protected]

Some Destiny with Matt and more Desert Golfi ng, but mainly just waiting for the last bit of Dark Souls II DLC.Ben Parfi tt, Associate EditorBen.Parfi [email protected]

Surprise, surprise, I’ve been playing Destiny. 20 levels and countless loot drops, and I’m still not brave enough to enter the Vault of Glass.Matt Jarvis, Staff [email protected]

MCV takes soundings from its Retail Advisory Board on the biggest issues in the industry. The current members are...

Charlotte Knight GAME

Steve Moore Simply Games

Jon Hayes Tesco

Ketu Patel Amazon

Sarah Jasper The Hut

Phil Moore Grainger Games

Igor Cipolletta ShopTo

Dermot Stapleton Get Games

Niall Lawlor GameStop

Phil Browes HMV

Craig Watson Dixons Retail

David Firth Shop Direct

Don McCabe CHIPS

Gurdeep Hunjan Sainsbury’s

Steve Thomas Xbite

Simon Urquhart Microsoft

Robert Lindsay Games Centre

Stephen Staley Gameseek

Robert Hennessy John Lewis

Paul Sulyok Green Man

James Cooke Argos

Out of frustration with Dark Souls, I bought a PS4 and Destiny. Something had to force my hand.Alex Calvin, Staff WriterAlex [email protected]

DATA ANALYSIS


Destiny holds off the return of Disney Infi nity and the debut of Hyrule Warriors

THIS week saw a number of new releases, but none of them manage to knock ACTIVISION’s Destiny from the chart top spot.

The ambitious sci-fi shooter also continued to bolster PS4 hardware sales, with the Destiny bundle comprising over 72 per cent of PS4 sales.

This means that Disney Infi nity 2.0 has to settle for number two.

However, DISNEY’s toys-to-life sequel does place one higher than its predecessor’s debut, with approximately a third more units sold in its fi rst week.

The interest in toys-to-life seems to have benefi tted Infi nity rival Skylanders, with

Swap Force rising 12 places to 23rd.

Also joining the multiple new releases this week is NINTENDO’s Wii U exclusive Zelda/Dynasty Warriors mashup Hyrule Warriors, which sees a podium entry at number three.

Nintendo fans are in for another treat this week, too. SQUARE ENIX’s rhythm game followup Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call is now on 3DS and achieved 17th place inthe rankings.

All of these new releases obviously shake up the chart stalwarts. Among the biggest drops is EA hockey title NHL 15, which plumments from seventh to 25th.

TW LW TITLE FORMAT PUBLISHER 02 NEW DISNEY INFINITY 2.0 PS4, XO, Wii U, PS3, 360 Disney03 NEW HYRULE WARRIORS Wii U Nintendo04 03 WATCH DOGS PS4, XO, PS3, 360, PC Ubisoft 05 02 THE SIMS 4 PC EA06 06 MINECRAFT: XBOX 360 EDITION 360 Microsoft 07 04 CALL OF DUTY: GHOSTS PS4, XO, PS3, 360, PC Activision Blizzard08 09 MINECRAFT: PLAYSTATION 3 EDITION PS3 Sony09 05 THE LAST OF US: REMASTERED PS4 Sony10 08 PLANTS VS ZOMBIES: GARDEN WARFARE PS4, XO, PS3, 360 EA 11 12 THE LEGO MOVIE VIDEOGAME PS4, XO, Wii U, PS3, 360, 3DS, Vita, PC Warner Bros12 11 GRAND THEFT AUTO V PS3, 360 Rockstar13 16 TOMODACHI LIFE 3DS Nintendo14 15 TITANFALL XO, 360, PC EA 15 13 DIABLO III ROS ULTIMATE EVIL EDN PS4, XO, PS3, 360 Activision Blizzard16 20 SNIPER ELITE 3 PS4, XO, PS3, 360, PC 505 Games17 NEW THEATRHYTHM FINAL FANTASY: CURTAIN CALL 3DS Square Enix18 19 TERRARIA PS3, 360, PC 505 Games/Merge19 RE LEGO MARVEL SUPER HEROES PS4, XO, PS3, 360, PC Warner Bros20 14 METRO REDUX PS4, XO, PS3, 360 Deep Silver21 23 ASSASSIN’S CREED IV: BLACK FLAG PS4, XO, Wii U, PS3, 360, PC Ubisoft22 27 FROZEN: OLAF’S QUEST 3DS, DS GPS/Avanquest23 35 SKYLANDERS: SWAP FORCE PS4, XO, Wii U, PS3, 360, Wii Activision Blizzard24 26 SKATE 3 PS3, 360 EA 25 07 NHL 15 PS4, XO, PS3, 360 EA26 17 INFAMOUS: FIRST LIGHT PS4 Sony27 10 NARUTO ULTIMATE NINJA STORM REV PS3, 360 Bandai Namco28 18 MADDEN NFL 15 PS4, XO, PS3, 360 EA29 25 BATTLEFIELD 4 PS4, XO, PS3, 360, PC EA30 28 MARIO KART 8 Wii U Nintendo31 21 WOLFENSTEIN: THE NEW ORDER PS4, XO, PS3, 360, PC Bethesda32 RE POKÉMON BLACK VERSION 3DS Nintendo33 30 RAYMAN LEGENDS PS4, XO, Wii U, PS3, 360, Vita, PC Ubisoft34 32 LEGO THE HOBBIT PS4, XO, Wii U, PS3, 360, 3DS, Vita, PC Warner Bros35 40 FORZA MOTORSPORT 5 XO Microsoft36 RE POKÉMON WHITE VERSION 3DS Nintendo37 31 FIFA 14 PS4, XO, PS3, 360, Wii, 3DS, Vita, PSP, PC, PS2 EA 38 RE JUST DANCE 2014 PS4, XO, PS3, 360, Wii Ubisoft39 36 NEED FOR SPEED: RIVALS PS4, XO, PS3, 360 EA40 RE WWE 2K14 PS3, 360 2K Games

TOP 40 UK RETAIL01 DESTINY ACTIVISION

FORMATS: PS4, XO, PS3, 360 DEVELOPER: BUNGIE

TW LW TITLE PUBLISHER 02 01 The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim – LE Bethesda03 02 Counter-Strike: Global Off ensive Valve04 RE Left 4 Dead 2 Valve 05 NEW Life Is Feudal: Your Own Bitbox 06 04 DayZ Bohemia Interactive07 08 Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm Bandai Namco08 06 Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor (P) Warner Bros09 RE Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel (P) 2K Games 10 03 Dead Rising 3: Apocalypse Edition Microsoft

01 WASTELAND 2PUBLISHER: INXILE ENTERTAINMENT DEVELOPER: INXILE ENTERTAINMENT

Week ending September 21st Week ending September 21st

TOP 10 STEAM CHARTS

DATA & RESEARCHSource

Games and Charts compiled by GfK Chart-Track

PRESENTS5 SECOND FACTS

PDP design & manufacture the Afterglow Communicator PlayStation

[email protected]

Read and remember these stats so you can sound clever at the next Monday morning meeting...

300%PS4 console sales shot up by over three times week-

on-week following the release of Destiny

52%More women than men now play games in the UK, with 52 per cent of

women playing games in the last six months, according to the IAB

$325MDestiny generated more

than $325m worldwide in its first five days

1MNintendo’s Super Smash

Bros for 3DS sold in excess of one million units in its

first week in Japan

TW LW TITLE FORMAT PUBLISHER 02 02 DESTINY XO Activision03 03 DESTINY 360 Activision04 NEW HYRULE WARRIORS Wii U Nintendo05 NEW DISNEY INFINITY 2.0 360 Disney06 05 THE SIMS 4 PC EA07 04 DESTINY PS3 Activision08 07 MINECRAFT: XBOX 360 EDITION 360 Microsoft09 09 MINECRAFT: PLAYSTATION 3 EDITION PS3 Sony10 NEW DISNEY INFINITY 2.0 PS3 Disney11 06 THE LAST OF US: REMASTERED PS4 Sony12 08 WATCH DOGS PS4 Ubisoft13 NEW DISNEY INFINITY 2.0 PS4 Disney14 11 TOMODACHI LIFE 3DS Nintendo15 NEW THEATRHYTHM FINAL FANTASY: CURTAIN CALL 3DS Square Enix16 15 GRAND THEFT AUTO V 360 Rockstar17 NEW DISNEY INFINITY 2.0 XO Disney18 20 CALL OF DUTY: GHOSTS XO Activision19 10 CALL OF DUTY: GHOSTS PS4 Activision20 NEW DISNEY INFINITY 2.0 Wii U Disney

TOP 20 INDIVIDUAL FORMAT

01 DESTINY ACTIVISION

FORMAT: PS4 DEVELOPER: BUNGIE

TW LW TITLE PUBLISHER 02 RE MONKEY ISLAND 2 SPECIAL EDITION: LECHUCK’S REVENGE LucasArts03 01 MINECRAFT: XBOX 360 EDITION Microsoft04 RE VALIANT HEARTS: THE GREAT WAR Ubisoft05 03 TERRARIA: XBOX 360 EDITION 505 Games06 02 APOCZ Sick Kreations07 05 CASTLEMINER Z DigitalDNA08 06 WHITE NOISE ONLINE Milkstone Studios09 08 AVATAR WARFARE Raoghard10 09 THE WALKING DEAD: SEASON TWO Telltale

TOP 10 XBOX LIVE (UK)01 THE SECRET OF MONKEY ISLAND: SE

DEVELOPER: LUCASARTS

TW TITLE PUBLISHER 02 Goat Simulator 2 Coffee Stain Studios 03 Theory Test UK 2014 DTS Focus Multimedia 04 Flightradar24 Pro Flightradar24 AB 05 Football Manager Handheld Edition Sega 06 Fantasy Premier League 2014/15 All Apped Up 07 The Chase Barnstorm Games 08 Terraria 505 Games 09 Poweramp Full Version Unlocker Max MP 10 The Room Fireproof Games

TOP 10 GOOGLE PLAY CHARTS

TW TITLE DEVELOPER 02 Football Manager Handheld 2014 Sega 03 Flightradar24 Pro Flightradar24 AB 04 Gruffalo: Games Magic Light Pictures 05 Goblin Sword Eleftherios Christodoulatos 06 Terraria 505 Games 07 Tipping Point Barnstorm Games 08 Worms 3 Team17 09 Photon Flash Player for iPad Appsverse 10 The Chase Barnstorm Games

TOP 10 IPAD PAID CHARTS

01

01

01

MINECRAFT – POCKET EDITIONDEVELOPER: MOJANG

FANTASY PREMIER LEAGUE 2014/15 DEVELOPER: PREMIER LEAGUE

MINECRAFT – POCKET EDITIONDEVELOPER: MOJANG

TW TITLE DEVELOPER 02 7 Minute Workout Challenge Fitness Guide Inc03 Football Manager Handheld 2014 Sega 04 Minecraft – Pocket Edition Mojang 05 Worms 3 Team17 06 Heads Up! Warner Bros07 All-in Fitness Plus Sports 08 The Official DSA Theory Test TSO 09 Sleep Cycle Alarm Clock Northcube AB 10 Afterlight Afterlight Collective

TOP 10 IPHONE PAID CHARTS

Week ending September 21st



Week ending September 21st Correct as of September 22nd


DATA ANALYSISSource

Anything that makes journalists assess how they operate is probably a good thing.

Keith Stuart, The Guardian

Will the recent events deter people from joining the industry?Matt Lees: It’s already caused people to loudly leave, and we’ll see plenty more quietly shuffle off because of this in the next few months.

Multiple events across a number of years have made one simple fact clear: success as a woman in the games industry will likely lead to severe harassment at some point.

We’ve seen the media and a few studios stand up against this awful trend, but publishers need to have a stance on the matter – it’s an environment where vocal women can never feel safe. Who wouldn’t feel deterred by that?

Simon Parkin: There are already many deterrents for would-be journalists in 2014; there’s the decline of print media, the economic impossibility of static freelance rates, the erosion of salaried positions and the resultant increase in competition for those that remain. Then there’s the on-going struggle for many online publications to make the kind of money necessary to support interesting and rigorous journalism, and the fact that writing about games is still culturally stigmatised.

By this point, any prospective writer who still wants to enter the profession won’t be deterred by a hostile, yet ultimately niche, element of the prospective audience.

Keith Stuart: I really hope not - but if it does, maybe they were not cut out for this in the first place.

As a media professional in the digital era, you are going to attract criticism, and some of it will hurt.

It is fine for the media to be under constant scrutiny - but unfortunately that can become invasive.

Journalists, like developers, have to be able to cope.

GAMES MEDIA’S CONFIDENCE CRISIS

It seems like the dust is finally settling on the recent #gamergate scandal, but what longer- term effects could accusations of corruption have on games journalism as a whole?

Matthew Jarvis asks Simon Parkin, Matt Lees and Keith Stuart

Freelance journalists Matt Lees (above) and Simon Parkin (above), and The Guardian’s games editor Keith Stuart (above)

SP: Sadly, this will not affect relationships between journalists and powerful companies so much as it will affect relationships between journalists and independent creators.

It will, perhaps, cause some writers to think more carefully about potential conflicts of interest between a subject and coverage but, alas, the focus of the ethical debate, such that it is, has been mainly focused in the wrong places.

KS: Anything that makes journalists assess how they operate is probably a good thing - even if there are utterly horrible aspects to the events of the last few months.

Most major sites are doing okay - they understand their reader bases; they understand that alienating them will directly affect revenue eventually, and they behave accordingly.

I honestly don’t understand the endgame of some of those in the Gamergate movement. If you don’t like sites, don’t read them - set up alternatives. Maybe that - a lot more game sites - will be the outcome. I hope so, because that would be something positive, and lord knows we need some positivity right now.

We also have to maintain perspective. Whatever the motivations of the Gamergate movement, it represents a minority of gamers. It’s bloody hard to retain perspective, but it’s vital.

Have the events affected the ways you address your audience?ML: So much of the ire aimed at the media boils down to a complete disdain for games journalists and a complete lack of any kind of trust.

I don’t see any point in negotiating – anyone who thinks we’re scumbags and liars will never be convinced of anything otherwise.

When dealing with people who have irrational beliefs about widespread conspiracies and corruption, you’ve got to be pragmatic about what you’re likely to gain from any conversation.

KS: Will Gamergate make us re-assess who we use as freelance writers and columnists? No. If you employ columnists who don’t challenge and even sometimes upset people, you are employing the wrong columnists.

What other long-term effects could the events have?ML: This movement has actually exacerbated a very real and present problem; too much games media is solely supported by advertisements from video game publishers.

The advertising issue is also being hurt by the swarming nature of angry hate-mobs. People don’t

want to advertise on websites filled with comments by scumbags, which is rough – because these people aren’t indicative of the actual audience, and often aren’t even a part of the audience at all.

Unless something changes, the future of games journalism will either mean arriving with a thick suit of armour or explicitly avoiding all contentious topics.


GAMES MEDIA

STOP THE PRESS: MCV CATCHES UP WITH SOME OF THE BIGGEST GAMES MEDIA OUTLETS IN THE UK, AND ASKS HOW THEY’RE ADAPTING TO CHANGE IN THE INDUSTRY

We’re seeing increased engagement around titles that take a drip-feed approach to PR as opposed to consistent fl oods of information.

Dan Kilby, IGN

The challenge facing the industry is its popularity, and the diversity that creates: you need to pick your battles, and know how to delight your audience.

Daniel Dawkins, Future

FOR nearly two decades IGN has remained one of the most recognisable names in games.

This is partly thanks to the site’s ability to change with the times – from apps to podcasts, video content to mobile, IGN has embodied much of the games media zeitgeist of the last 18 years. And it is continuing to do so.

“This year we launched IGN First – month-long coverage of new and unannounced games – which has been a huge success, and we have some really exciting things coming up in the next few months,” Dan Kilby, commercial projects and marketing manager, tells MCV.

What are your main campaigns at the moment?We’re busy with the Golden Joysticks Awards, which move to a fantastic new venue this year, Indigo at 02. We’ve already broken a million votes, and are hoping to beat last year’s whopping 10 million votes before the awards on October 24th.

Our social media presence has rocketed: OXM has over 2.7m Facebook followers, OPM is budging toward a million – having been on less than 50k eight months ago – and PC Gamer is closing in on 3m. Kotaku UK welcomed its millionth visitor only four months after launch, and we’re working on another

AROUND THE WORLDIGN continues to be one of the biggest media outlets in the world. Dan Kilby, commercial projects and marketing manager, explains how it plans to expand further

A LOOK INTO THE FUTUREDaniel Dawkins, group editor-in-chief for games, tells MCV about Future Publishing’s major transition and the challenge of good journalism

Kilby adds that content on mobile is also a hit.

“Campaign performance overall on mobile is very strong as the IGN mobile environment is uncluttered and attracts high engagement; we are continually urging marketers to include mobile in their IGN campaigns,” he explains. “We are also increasingly working with our partners around content marketing, and in part this is driven by the fact that it works well across all platforms.”

‘New Future’ is the response to our biggest challenge: how do we structure our multiple successful brands – or rather, our volume of fantastic journalists – to face the myriad demands of the new games industry? I’m hopeful we can showcase our best content when and where people want to find it – be that online, print, video or on mobile.

The wider challenge facing the industry is its popularity, and the diversity that creates: you need to pick your battles, and know how to delight your audience.

Of course, there’s a small, but militant, section of the audience that believes all journalists are foie gras-munching servants of the illuminati, but great journalism stands on its own two feet.

And IGN’s video content remains a hot destination for consumers.

“Video is proving ever-popular and is the reason we launched Watch/Read this summer, which gives the user the option to consume content in either video or written form before they’re even taken to the article page,” says Kilby.

“We’re witnessing a pattern in content popularity where less is becoming more; we’re seeing increased engagement around titles that take a drip-feed approach to PR drops as opposed to consistent floods of information.”

volume of our successful Minecraft bookazine before Christmas.

PCGamer.com debuts its new responsive site design in early October, with a renewed focus on hardware and kit.

How is ‘New Future’ coming along?I don’t want to make wild promises, but I’m delighted by our renewed clarity of focus, especially in digital, which will allow us to showcase the brilliant work of Future’s 50-plus world-class games journalists in one place.

What are the biggest challenges you are currently facing?


GAMES MEDIA

13

Gareth Whelan, editor of DC Thompson’s kids gaming title 110% Gaming, outlines the publisher’s entry into the market

ONE of the UK’s longest-standing publishing houses, DC Thompson has been behind some of the biggest kids magazines of the last century. Now the firm is breaking into games journalism for the first time with 110% Gaming, a new publication aimed at children aged eight to 13.

It’s arguably a bold move, with many now decrying print journalism as dead. But editor Gareth Whelan is confident that 110% Gaming has what it takes to succeed.

“The primary boys’ magazine market is a highly competitive sector,” he admits. “That being said, DC Thomson has a long history of investment in innovation and we’re doing just that.

“Our research showed that parents limit children’s screen time and kids are keen on having a physical magazine to read when they aren’t playing games,” he adds. “It’s important for us to ensure that the content we produce is engaging and relevant enough to ensure that kids become regular readers.

“It’s challenging marrying the requirements of the children and their parents, but I think we’ve done a great job.”

THINK OF THE CHILDREN

While journalism serves a purpose, it’s certainly getting some stiff competition from homegrown community activists.

Nathan Lindberg, Curse

DESPITE being less than a decade old, Curse has quickly established itself as a player to watch.

The firm’s Union for Gamers network on YouTube, a tool which allows players to monetise their channels, now has over 26 million global unique visitors and over 500 million monetisable views each month; 1.3 million and 14 million respectively of these in the UK.

In total, the firm’s portfolio of websites, video channels, social media profiles and a desktop application now reaches over 50

MORE OF A BLESSINGCurse’s Nathan Lindberg discusses how the young fi rm rivals old veterans of the industry – and what it has set its targets on next

Lindberg. “We’ve added talented developers to increase our mobile offerings to not only our users, but our advertisers.”

Lindberg sees Curse’s success as a sign of the shift towards user-generated content among gamers.

“While journalism serves a purpose, it’s certainly getting some stiff competition from homegrown community activists,” he explains. “Does that mean editorial is done? Absolutely not, but it means there’s another player in the marketplace.”

million people. But the firm isn’t finished growing.

“Our YouTube network and eSports social media reach is massive and that’s grown like a rocket over the last two years,” says Nathan Lindberg, vice president of sales for Curse.

“According to ComScore, our website Futhead.com in the UK has more monthly pages consumed than IGN Entertainment and Gamespot, combined.”

So what’s next?“Mobile expansion is huge for

us, it is a main priority,” says

LAUNCHED back in 2008, Ginx TV has managed to avoid the early death suffered by many of its video games TV channel rivals.

In fact, the London-based network is growing, now reaching 26 million households around the world.

Senior staff writer and producer for Ginx Chris Bond tells MCV that the company aims to double-down on this global expansion.

“As an international TV channel, our main focus is expanding into new territories and widening our cross-cultural appeal,” he says. “At home, our focus is on Videogame Nation on Challenge, which we’ve just revamped to huge success. The drive has been to make the format more authentic, and bring in some of the most talented people in the UK gaming scene.”

Currently broadcast through Virgin Media’s cable TV offering, Ginx is also looking at making the jump to more modern video platforms.

“At the moment we’re working on additional avenues of bringing

FAR FROM JINXEDChris Bond, senior staff writer and producer for Ginx TV, chats about the success of Videogame Nation and what’s next for the outlet

our TV channel to our viewers; the first one of these will be streaming through Amazon Fire TV, where we’re launching in October,” reveals Bond. “We want to be where the audience is, which everyone knows is increasingly using multiple devices to access their favourite content.”

So what can we expect next from the flourishing outlet?

“We are focusing on adding immediacy to the channel and you will shortly see the introduction of a weekly live show to allow us to deliver true cross-media news and entertainment. That’s what’s next.”

14

GAMES MEDIA

September 26th 2014 www.mcvuk.com

2014 is a big year for VideoGamer – the site has doubled down on its titular format and is preparing to launch a complete refresh of its site.

Adam McCann, MD of website parent Pro-G Media, says the site has grown in key areas.

“Video has been a big focus for us in the last 18 months, and we’ve had good results – our YouTube channel exploded early last year and continues to go from strength to strength, and our weekly live streams on Twitch have been very well received,” he tells MCV.

“We’re still working on improving and growing our written editorial, continually adapting to see how we can more efficiently convey coverage to our users,” he explains. “There’s also been more of a spotlight on indie games over the last year, and we have followed suit with some fantastic coverage.”

VIDEO STARAdam McCann, MD of Pro-G Media, tells MCV about VideoGamer’s rebirth and the constant battle against Google

And now it’s launching a new website.

“The company is gearing up for the launch of the next version of VideoGamer, which has been developed completely from scratch with a modernised design and backend infrastructure,” states McCann.

But despite this evolution, McCann says that VideoGamer still struggles to keep up with the shifting challenge of discoverability.

“Google and its constant algorithm changes are an ongoing challenge for us,” he admits. “Their guidelines state that you should not think too hard about your sites from an SEO perspective, but instead build them around what your users want and expect to see.

“But we find we have to focus on appeasing their always-evolving requirements to not fall behind.”

Gamer Network co-founder and CEO Rupert Loman talks about the future of hit games event EGX

EUROGAMER has long been a staple of the UK games press, and the outlet’s events are similarly becoming a cornerstone of the consumer games circuit. The firm’s EGX show is expected to attract over 80,000 gamers this year – 20 times the number of visitors its debut in 2008 saw.

“In addition to our events, we’ve just seen record web traffic on Eurogamer.net,” Gamer Network

co-founder and CEO Rupert Loman tells MCV. “The fact that we’re seeing record traffic on our websites whilst video and mobile also surge forward proves that there is an appetite for different media and content depending on what users are looking for.”

Eurogamer is now spread across a variety of mediums – so what does Loman think of the future for traditional media?

“The role of games media is undoubtedly changing,” he replies. “Having a strong editorial identity, a large and loyal audience and the best writers means we are well placed to adapt our content offering as the industry continues to evolve.”

EGX-PANSION

The power of crowdfunding has seen the birth of hundreds of new games, new studios, and classics titles being brought back to life.

GameSpot

REBORN in 2006 after a four-year hiatus, GameSpot UK has quickly distinguished itself as more than just a subsidiary of its American brethren.

And now it’s working on new video content – with some British flavouring.

‘SPOT THE DIFFERENCEThe GameSpot team reveals what its been working on over the last year – and what to expect in the next twelve months

we’ve also been working on an original show that Lucy will host.

“Look out for some excellent British humour, and some calls back to GameSpot UK’s former magazine show, Start/Select.”

GameSpot has also been expanding its coverage of hardware.

“We’ve introduced GameTech, a new section of the site focusing on the latest in gaming technology.”

But new mediums and genres of software is also a key concern.

“There’s a brand new interest in indie games. The power of crowdfunding has seen the birth of hundreds of new games, new studios, and classics titles being brought back to life. Free-to-play continues to attract a huge audience.”

“We’ve has been working in partnership with Activision to produce Aim Down Sights, a weekly show eading up to the launch of Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare,” a spokesperson tells MCV. “Following the hiring of Lucy James as GameSpot’s newest video producer


GAMES MEDIA

It’s a rare thing to hear a racing game described as ‘magical’.

‘Pulse-pounding’, ‘rubber-burning’, ‘white-knuckle’; these are the staple phrases associated with zipping along roads in exotic sports cars. But for Ralph Fulton, creative director for Forza Horizon 2 at developer Playground Games, it seems that driving is as much about where you go and who you get there with as it is about how fast you can move.

There are other games coming this Christmas that promise a similar ‘socially-connected open-world’ racing experience, namely Ubisoft’s The Crew and Sony’s DriveClub. But Fulton remains unmoved by these potential rivals.

“We’ve been heads-down, trying to achieve the things which are really important to Horizon,” he says. “One of them is the social aspect; making sure that players can enjoy the game together with their friends, and maybe even make new friends through the game via features like car meets and clubs. It’s also about fun, it’s about beauty, it’s about freedom; those are the pillars of Horizon that we look to when we try to judge how well we are doing.”

THE OPEN ROADPlayground’s vision for Horizon 2, the follow-up to the Xbox 360-exclusive racer released in 2012, is built around an open world (based on picturesque European landscapes) designed to give players the freedom to explore – road or otherwise.

Fulton says that the key to the game’s vast environment is motivating players to go against conventional driving wisdom and depart from the racing line to explore every hidden secret scattered across the world.

“The approach we take is less ‘How are people going to find these things?’, more ‘How can we encourage people to go off the beaten track and explore this world we’ve created?’” he explains. “Horizon 2 is so much more open than the original game; we’ve knocked away all the barriers, you can smash through fences, you can drive through fields and forests. That’s fun in and of itself – we’re all about fun with Horizon.But also we want to reward you for that exploration, so we’ve put bucket list challenges at the top

ON THE HORIZONForza Horizon 2 brings the Xbox open-world racing sub-series to a new generation.

Ralph Fulton, creative director at Playground Games, takes Matthew Jarvis for a spin

Horizon 2’s sprawling cities and fields are based on European landscapes

We want Forza Horizon 2 to be a racing game, but we also want it to be a laid-back driving game as well.

Ralph Fulton, Playground Games

of hills or in forests. We hide discoverables and secrets. We have barn finds, which in Horizon 2 you’ll really have to look for, because this world is wide open. But the upside is the cars you will discover and restore from barn finds, more than half of them are cars you’ve never seen in Forza before. So there’s a real payoff for that exploration.”

And this is all part of the ‘magic’ that makes Horizon something other than a racing game, Fulton adds confidently.

“We want this to be a racing game, but we also want it to be a laid-back driving game as well,” he explains. “A game you can play to relax, a game in which you’re not always competing with people; a game that is just about the joy of driving and seeing what you can find.”


FORZA HORIZON 2

Boundaries are no problem – players can smash through fences to drive where they want

OBVIOUSLY, a racing game would be nothing without something to race. Horizon 2 sees the franchise’s vehicular portfolio expand to over 200 machines. But it’s not all muscle and rally cars – players are bound to be surprised by some of the less conventional automobiles on offer.

“We take the view of: why not?” says Ralph Fulton, creative director at Playground Games. “One of the luxuries of having more than 200 vehicles is that we’re able to have the cars that you have to have for a racing game. But beyond that, we’re able to listen to our community and bring some cult classics into the game.”

One such classic is the 1963 Volkswagen Camper van –

hardly the obvious choice for a high-octane racing title.

“Horizon is the kind of game that will allow for some unexpected choices,” explains Fulton. “Conventional wisdom is: what’s a Camper van doing in a racing game? Honestly, it’s giving you loads and loads of fun. It’s an iconic vehicle, it looks really cool, it’s awesome for painting liveries on, and with Forza’s upgrading and tuning system you can engine swap it and stick a much more powerful engine into it – you can really make that thing move. Those are the kind of principles that we use across our car list when we’re selecting; what are the cars that fans really want to drive? What new and fun experiences can we give them?”

HAPPY CAMPERSMAGICAL MULTIPLAYERThe idea of an open world can present issues for some titles – large maps can often transform into wastelands if bereft of other life.

But Fulton says that the Drivatar technology, which debuted in Forza Motorsport 5 and replaces AI rivals with virtual recreations of real players’ driving styles, combined with new seamless multiplayer, will make the motor-filled world feel distinctly human.And with the use of cutting-edge tech like Drivatar, and new connectivity options, Fulton says that Horizon 2 will also highlight just what the new generation of console hardware can offer that the older consoles can’t

“We’ve talked a lot about how social a game Horizon 2 is,” he states. “A lot of that has been enabled by the power of Xbox One and Xbox Live. We’ve been able to spin up dedicated servers just on demand, and that’s been a great boon for us. It’s enabled us to cut out the waiting time from joining an online session.

“We felt right at the start that going to sit in a lobby while you’re waiting to join an online session feels like a very last-gen thing to do. So now we do it all seamlessly in the background.

“We have true match technology, which is always just finding sessions and asynchronously matchmaking you, so when you press a button to say ‘Yeah, I want to join online’, you can do it without even stopping your car. It’s a little thing but, with that legacy of always having to sit in lobbies and wait in racing games, experiencing this new system in Horizon 2 is a revelation. It’s a really magical moment which has been enabled by moving to Xbox One.”

BEYOND THE HORIZONThere’s that word – ‘magical’. Between its open world, new multiplayer technology and next-gen graphics, Fulton hopes Forza Horizon 2 stands out as something other than a mere sequel – and says there’s more magic to come as the new console hardware matures.

“We’re right at the start of a generation,” he states. “We’re in a very privileged position in that, at Playground, we have developers who have worked on two next-gen titles now.

“For us, we’re only just starting to realise the power that the new generation of Xbox One technology gives us. I can’t wait to see where we go in the future. There’s a lot more to come.”


FORZA HORIZON 2

17

Christmas is three months away, and retailers need to be prepared for the influx of

consumers looking for accessories and peripherals. But what will gamers be searching for on store shelves this year?

In years gone by, motion controllers and cameras were top sellers (See ‘Christmases Past’). But today it’s more high-end products... and toys.

“2011 saw sales of gaming headsets take off,” says Chart-Track senior account manager Chris Poole. “More recently, the majority of revenue comes from digital content and non-traditional gaming products such as Skylanders and Disney Infinity.”

With market demand continually evolving, Tom Hodge, sales director at accessories specialist Venom, adds that retailers should be aware that consumers are far more clued-in when shopping for products.

“As the games market has fluctuated, the appetite for accessories has endured,” he states. “Consumers have changed their buying habits, becoming increasingly more brand aware and knowledgeable when it comes to the purchase. The explosion of social media has meant that accessories are becoming more transparent with online reviews and feedback playing a big part.”

HEADSET FOR SUCCESSHeadsets are among the products currently most in demand, driven by the integration of online multiplayer and people live-streaming their gameplay online.

“The growth in online gaming over the last five years has had an impact on how gamers like to play, and a key aspect has been having the ability to communicate with their friends quickly and effectively,” comments Neal McCann, marketing assistant at SCEE.

Retailers may also consider stocking products targeted at certain platforms.

“It looks like Xbox Live users, rather than PSN gamers, are more inclined to use a headset,” advises Poole.

According to GfK, premium console gaming headsets for the Xbox One have helped to grow the gaming headset sector to its highest year-to-date share of ‘traditional’ console gaming accessories (non-Skylanders, non-

ALL THEY WANT FOR CHRISTMAS

As we enter one of the busiest periods for retailers, Matthew Jarvis looks at one of the biggest sectors for the games industry – accessories – and finds out what

UK stores should be stocking this Q4

Headsets are set to be a big seller this Christmas, thanks to online games

Consumers have changed their buying habits, becoming increasingly more brand aware and knowledgeable when it comes to the purchase.

Tom Hodge, Venom

digital cards), now comprising 27.8 per cent of the market.

Hodge says headset charging stations are also popular.

“Headsets and charging solutions are proving to be our biggest categories,” he tells MCV. “As people game for longer and online they want to be able to do that without being interrupted because their batteries have run out or their headset is uncomfortable.”

It’s not just expensive Turtle Beach headsets that are doing the business either.

“The majority of sales are in the sub-£50 price point,” explains Gioteck GM Alan Jones, adding that PC players are a particularly prospective audience for retailers: “The PC market, with a smaller serious gaming community, tends to be less fashion-orientated;


Q4 ACCESSORIES

The next-gen consoles stimulate demand in the gaming market and the need for accessories.

Tom Hodge, Venom

whilst hardware penetration has stalled in recent years as the mass market has adopted the tablet format, the accessories market is still sizeable and probably worth £40 million per annum in the UK alone.”

PRODUCTS OF CHRISTMAS FUTUREWith headsets seemingly set to be at the top of many gamers’ Christmas lists this year, what will be the product picks of Q4s to come?

“Beyond the continued importance of audio and controller products we see opportunities in wired and wireless charging, storage devices for downloaded content and new ways of interfacing with multimedia consoles other than a traditional joypad,” says Jones.

Hodge expects headsets to continue to generate strong sales. He adds that while the PS4 and Xbox One provide the perfect

CHART-Track’s Chris Poole looks back at the biggest accessories of years gone by.

“Five years ago, the Wii MotionPlus was the biggest selling gaming accessory,” he says. “In fact, the Top Five best-selling gaming accessories that year were all Wii accessories – MotionPlus, the Wii Fit Balance Board, Wiimote, Wheel and Nunchuk.”

He continues: “Microsoft’s Kinect and Sony’s PlayStation Move in 2010 created a big shift in the accessories market.

“The original Kinect sensor is currently the biggest-grossing gaming accessory we have on record.”

CHRISTMASES PASTopportunity to stock next-gen accessories, existing last-gen products will continue to sell well.

“The next-gen consoles obviously stimulate demand in the gaming market and the need for accessories,” he explains. “The market has undoubtedly benefitted from this additional publicity and associated interest.

“The new hardware launches offer a welcome opportunity for new fresh designs. Headsets and charging solutions continue to be our focus. We’ve seen significant uptake of next-gen accessories, with very little effect on our existing product portfolio.”

Jones predicts that the accessories market is finally on the up.

“We expect the overall console accessories market to grow this year by five to 10 per cent,” he forecasts. “But growth in 2015 and 2016 will be far stronger.”


Q4 ACCESSORIES

19

PS4 DUALSHOCK 4 RECHARGABLE BATTERY PACK

The Rechargeable Battery Pack is an offi cially licensed product designed for use with the PS4. The pack fi ts to the DualShock 4 wireless controller and provides up to 20 hours of gameplay on a full charge. The battery pack is powered by USB ports on the PS4 system.

SRP: £19.99Distributor: VenomContact: 01763 284 181

4GAMERS PS4 WHITE STEREO GAMING HEADSET

The dual format headset is designed for gaming on the go. The device can be disconnected from the PS4’s DualShock 4 controller and connected to the PlayStation Vita, allowing players to continue their gameplay on the move.

SRP: £24.99 Distributor: A4T Contact: 01204 369 230

PLAYSTATION WIRELESS STEREO HEADSET 2.0

Using this offi cial PlayStation headset, gamers can experience gameplay audio in 7.1 virtual surround sound on their PlayStation 4. The high-quality internal microphone allows communication with friends in party chat and online multiplayer. The headset is also compatible with PlayStation Vita and other mobile devices.

SRP: £79.99Distributor: CentreSoftContact: 0121 625 3388

XBOX ONE CONTROLLER TWIN DOCKING STATION

This rapid recharge cradle enables players to power up two wireless controllers without having to leave their Xbox One on. The cradle has a polished black fi nish to match the controllers and red charging LED indicators which turn green to indicate a full charge. The two rechargeable battery packs provide up to 18 hours of gameplay.

SRP: £24.99 Distributor: VenomContact: 01763 284 181

PS4 DUALSHOCK 4 THUMB GRIPS

Venom’s Thumb Grips are designed to allow gamers to play for longer stretches of time in comfort.. The ergonomically-designed textured rubber grips fi t over both analogue sticks of the DualShock 4 wireless controller to boost grip and increase comfort for endurance during longer playing sessions. Two diff erent designs are available.

SRP: £4.99Distributor: Venom Contact: 01763 284 181

20

Q4 ACCESSORIES


4GAMERS PS3 CP-01 STEREO GAMING HEADSET

The PS3 CP-01 Stereo Gaming Headset has been released in two new colour schemes. The current black model is joined by high gloss blue and red SKUs. The new headsets are aimed at teenagers now playing PS3 games in their bedrooms following the launch of the PS4.

SRP: £19.99Distributor: A4TContact: 01204 369 230

4GAMERS BT-01 ARCTIC CAMOUFLAGE BT HEADSET

Gamers can connect the PS3 BT-01 Arctic Camouflage Bluetooth Headset to their console in order to chat and commentate while playing online titles.


PS4 CONTROLLER KIT

This Controller Kit provides two additions for the DualShock 4. The textured rubber grips fit over the controller, while thumb grips attach to the analogue sticks for improved grip and comfort. Decals are included for the Home button and also for the PS4 light bar.

SRP: £12.99Distributor: Venom Contact: 01763 284 181

4GAMERS PLAYSTATION 4 DUAL CONTROLLER STAND

This desk stand securely holds DualShock 4 controllers for charging or storing between gameplay. It charges the gamepads using the included USB cable, and can hold up to two wireless controllers. The stand is covered with a smooth gloss and matte textured finish to complement the design of the PlayStation 4.


4GAMERS PS4 COMPACT RACING WHEEL

The PlayStation 4 Compact Racing Wheel will launch alongside upcoming PS4 racing game DriveClub on October 10th, providing the ideal product for driving fans picking up the game. The accessory is designed to enhance gameplay with all driving games that support tilt-to-steer control. It is fully compatible with all DualShock 4 controllers.


Q4 ACCESSORIES



MARKETPLACE

How has business been?Pretty quiet this year, but we’ve seen it pick up in the last few weeks.

Has that been due to any particular new releases?It’s been generally across the board that it’s picked up. With there having been very few new releases out, it has been a bit slow up until recently – but now it’s getting there.

Did you do anything for the launch of Destiny?No. It went out in bigger numbers than most normal titles, but it didn’t go out in huge numbers.

So you didn’t hold a midnight launch event for the game?We didn’t, no. We only do a midnight launch for Call of Duty.

We did ask customers to see if there would be demand for Destiny, but it seemed like there wasn’t enough – it wasn’t worth it.

We will be holding a midnight launch for Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare. That looks like that will be a Sunday night for that Day Zero edition.

What is your social media presence like?We’ve got a lot more Facebook followers recently. I don’t know why, because we haven’t really done anything, but all of a sudden there’s a lot of people who’ve liked us on Facebook and Twitter.

MCV chats with Bryan Grieve, business partner at Video Gaming 247 in Chester-le-Street, about the lack of demand for Destiny and the decline it’s seen in local competition

SHELF LIFE

TOP 10 PRE-ORDERS

PRE-ORDER CHARTS

1. FIFA 15 INC PRE ORDER BONUS 15 FUT PACKSEA, PS4

2. FIFA 15 Ultimate Team EditionEA .............................................................................PS4

3. FIFA 15 Ultimate Team EditionEA ................................................................................XO

4. The Evil Within Inc The Fighting Chance DLCBethesda ...............................................................PS4

5. Grand Theft Auto VRockstar ................................................................PS4 6. FIFA 15 Inc Pre Order Bonus 15 FUT PacksEA ................................................................................XO 7. Super Smash BrosNintendo ............................................................... 3DS

8. Bayonetta 2 Inc Bayonetta 1Nintendo ............................................................. Wii U

9. Forza Horizon 2 Day One Edition Microsoft ..................................................................XO

10. The Evil Within Inc The Fighting Chance DLCBethesda ................................................................. .XO

UPLOADINGThe latest digital releases coming

to market

JUST DANCE NOW

Ubisoft’s hit rhythm franchise makes its debut on iOS and Android

The game about a naked astronaut streaks onto Steam Early Access

Players can now duke it out in this fi ghting game on PS3 and Vita

COSMOCHORIA ARCANA HEART 3: LOVE MAX!!!!!

OUT: SEPTEMBER 29THOUT: NOW OUT: NOW

In this day and age you’ve got to have a presence on social media. I’m surprised how many shops don’t.

Bryan Grieve, Video Gaming 247

PRICE CHECK: CONSOLES

ON

LINE

PS4(500GB)

XBOX ONE(500GB without Kinect)

XBOX 360 (500GB with FIFA 15)

PS3 (Super Slim 500GB)

£349.99 £329.99 £239.99 £199.99

£349 £329 £229 N/A

£349.99 £329.99 £249.99 N/A

£328.99 £324.85 £229.95 £199

£329.97 £319.97 £229.97 N/A

www.mcvuk.com SSeptember 26th 201423

MARKETPLACE

Do you think stores need to have a social media presence?In this day and age you’ve got to have it. I’m surprised how many shops don’t.

What’s the local competition like in Chester-le Street?Recently we lost Blockbuster when that went bust, so now we’re the only games store in this town. We saw CHIPS go two or three years ago. There’s no GAME; we’re quite a small

town, there’s only a population of about 23,000 here, and the big boys tend to stay away from that – they go for towns with a population of about 90,000 to 100,000.

How has that benefi tted you?It’s good. A lot of people don’t have cars and it’s about a 15 to 20-minute drive or half-hour to 40-minute bus ride to go to somewhere else, so they come to us.

WANT TO FEATURE YOUR OUTLET IN MCV?Contact [email protected] or call 01992 515 303

Video Gaming 247134 Front Street,Chester-le-Street,DH3 3AY

Website: videogaming247.co.ukPhone: 0191 387 5620Twitter: @joy_stixFacebook: /VideoGaming247

INCOMING Sports behemoth FIFA 15 shoots on store shelves this week, ahead of the launch of open-world racing sequel Forza Horizon 2 in early October

TITLE FORMAT GENRE PUBLISHER TELEPHONE DISTRIBUTOR

September 26th

Ar Nosurge: Ode to an Unborn Star PS3 RPG Koei Tecmo 01462 476 130 Open

Fairy Fencer F PS3 RPG NIS America 020 8664 3485 Open

Fantasy Life 3DS RPG Nintendo 01753 483 700 Open

FIFA 15 PS4/XO/PS3/360/PC Sports EA 0121 625 3388 CentreSoft

Violetta: Rhythm & Music Wii/3DS/DS Strategy Bandai Namco 01215 069 590 Advantage

October 3rd

European Ship Simulator PC Simulation Excalibur 01869 338 833 Contact Sales

Forza Horizon 2 XO Racing Microsoft 01279 822 800 Exertis Gem

Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor PS4/XO/PS3/360/PC Action Warner Bros 0121 625 3388 CentreSoft

Natural Doctrine PS4/PS3/Vita JRPG NIS America 020 8664 3485 Open

Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures 2 Wii U/PS3/360/3DS Action Bandai Namco 01215 069 590 Advantage

Sherlock Holmes: Crimes and Punishments PS4/XO/PS3/360/PC Adventure Focus Home 01889 570 156 Open

Super Smash Bros 3DS Nintendo Nintendo 01753 483 700 Open

October 7th

Alien Isolation PS4/XO/PS3/360/PC Survival horor Sega 0121 625 3388 CentreSoft

NBA Live 15 PS4/XO Sports EA 0121 625 3388 CentreSoft

MX vs ATV Supercross PS3/360 Racing Nordic Games 01256 391 209 Open

October 10th

Akiba’s Trip: Undead and Undressed PS3/Vita JRPG NIS America 020 8664 3485 Open

DriveClub PS4 Racing Sony 0121 625 3388 CentreSoft

NBA 2K15 PS4/XO Sports 2K Games 01279 822 800 Exertis Gem

Project Spark XO Construction Microsoft 01279 822 800 Exertis Gem

Skylanders: Trap Team PS4/XO/Wii U/PS3/360/3DS Toys-to-life Activision 0121 625 3388 CentreSoft

October 17th


LORD OF THE RINGS

Lord of the Rings’ clout was multiplied further when combined with the similarly dominant LEGO brand.

DESPITE being originally published over six decades ago, The Lord of the Rings continues to be one of the strongest franchises for retail, with myriad products based on the fantasy series and its predecessor, The Hobbit, released every year.

The popularity of Peter Jackson’s cinematic Lord of the Rings trilogy released in the early 2000s reignited mass-market popularity for the series, with publisher EA securing the rights to all three movies and releasing titles based on

the second and third films. The firm also produced a variety of spin-off games, including turn-based RPG The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age and RTS series The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle Earth.

In addition to this, developer Turbine released an MMO in 2007 entitled The Lord of the Rings Online. Initially supported by subscriptions, the game’s revenue tripled when it switched to a free-to-play business model in 2010. The game continues to be

THE ONE RING COSTUME RING

One ring to rule them all, one ring to fi nd them,One ring to impress them all and at retail be purchased by them.

SRP: £17.99Distributor: The Noble CollectionContact: [email protected]

The worlds of Tolkien are a powerful force for games retailers, with a massive range of titles and merchandise based on The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. Matthew Jarvis sets off on an unexpected journey

MOLESKINE THE HOBBIT LIMITED EDITION POCKET NOTEBOOK

Tolkien fans can write their own epic with this debossed pad.

SRP: £13.99Distributor: MoleskineContact: www.moleskine.com/gb/

TREE OF GONDOR BATHROBE

Consumers can dry off from the Dead Marshes in this emblazoned cotton robe.

SRP: TBCDistributor: Warner BrosContact: affi [email protected]

THE HOBBIT FEET SOCKS

These socks will keep feet comfy on the long walk to Mount Doom.

SRP: £8.99Distributor: Gaming Merchandise UKContact: [email protected]

THE LORD OF THE RINGS


LORD OF THE RINGSSponsored by

gamingmerchandise uk

popularity among players, bolstered by the release of multiple expansion packs, most recently in 2013.

Powerful alone, the franchise’s clout was multiplied further when combined with the similarly dominant LEGO brand. Both The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit have been given the plastic brick treatment, resulting in a string of successful LEGO video games and construction kits inspired by the iconic licence.

Tolkien’s world returned to the silver screen in 2012 with Peter

Jackson’s expansive adaptation of The Hobbit, with the last of the cinematic triplet set for release this December.

Before then is the highly-anticipated release of the next Lord of the Rings video game. Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor will land on PC on September 30th, followed by PS4 and Xbox One on October 3rd.

With the franchise clearly set to endure for years to come, now is the time to stock Tolkienesque merchandise.

LEGO THE TOWER OF ORTHANC

This brick-based replica of Saruman’s iconic tower includes a LEGO Great Eagle and buildable Ent. The product is the ideal kit to stock alongside the LEGO Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit titles.

SRP: £169.99Distributor: LEGOContact: 01753 495 000

WREBBIT CITADEL OF MINAS TIRITH 3D PUZZLE

Lord of the Rings enthusiasts can recreate the Gondorian capital with this 3D puzzle.

SRP: £30Distributor: Coiledspring GamesContact: [email protected]

BEARDS OF MIDDLE EARTH T-SHIRT

Fans can show their appreciation for Middle-earth facial hair with this shirt.

SRP: £19.99Distributor: Gaming Merchandise UKContact: [email protected]

GANDALF THE GREY ILLUMINATING STAFF REPLICA

YOU SHALL NOT PASS (up the chance to stock this full-size replica of the grey wizard’s staff ).

SRP: £159.99Distributor: The Noble CollectionContact: [email protected]

26

HOT PRODUCTS


MCV takes a look at the best accessories heading to UK retail. This week, Matthew Jarvis checks out the PC version of the Xbox One controller and a new Mad Catz keyboard

HOT PRODUCTS

XBOX ONE CONTROLLER AND CABLE FOR WINDOWS

The Xbox One Controller is about to make the leap onto PC.

The Xbox One Controller and Cable for Windows allows PC players to connect the controller directly to a Windows computer to use with compatible games. All games that currently support the Xbox 360 controller should support the Xbox One controller by default.

The controller is identical to the wireless Xbox One controller, featuring the latter’s comfort-boosting ergonomic shape, redesigned thumbsticks – improving grip and accuracy – and all-new D-pad.

Just like the original controller, players can feel tactile feedback from games in their fi ngertips thanks to vibrating Impulse Triggers.

Overall, Microsoft claims that it has made over 40 innovations and improvements to the controller.

Arguably, the controller features one major improvement over the wireless console controller – the wired connection means that gamers never need to change the batteries in their controller.

In addition to the wired connection to Windows, the Xbox One Controller and Cable for Windows can be used as a wired or wireless controller on gamers’ Xbox One consoles.

The controller supports machines running Windows 7, 8 and 8.1. PC drivers for the original wireless Xbox One controller were released by Microsoft earlier this year.

MAD CATZ STRIKE TE MECHANICAL GAMING KEYBOARD FOR PC

The Mad Catz STRIKE Tournament Edition (TE) is a tournament-focused addition to the accessories specialist’s STRIKE keyboard range, designed to appeal to professional and high-level players.

The keyboard is constructed from an aluminium chassis and 109 mechanical keys. The keys are of the ‘Kailh Brown’ standard, providing rapid keyboard response times for gamers playing fast-paced titles.

The ‘Brown’ keys are said by Mad Catz to be the switch of choice for the worlds’ leading eSports athletes. This popularity

partially stems from the keys’ reliability – every key has an estimated lifetime of more than 50 million keystrokes.

In addition to this, the keyboard incorporates full-key anti-ghosting with 30-key rollover, meaning that the TE registers up to 30 keys pressed simultaneously without creating ‘phantom’ strokes.

12 programmable macro buttons are included for players looking to create their own custom commands. Three modes can be saved, enabling 36 diff erent user-defi ned executions.

Pre-made profi les are included for more than 25 of the PC’s most popular games, but for those looking to assign their own, the drag-and-drop macro programming provides uncomplicated setup.

The TE also looks the part. The keyboard features multi-zone illuminated backlighting, which can be programmed to individually brighten specifi c areas of the peripheral.

A Windows Key lock switch disables the key to avoid accidental switching.

The STRIKE TE will be available in matte black and gloss black, white and red colours.

[INFO]

RRP: £44.99Release Date: TBCDistributor: Exertis GemContact: 01279 822 822

[INFO]

RRP: £119.99Release Date: September 30thDistributor: EntatechContact: 0333 101 1000

TO LIST YOUR COMPANY HERE AND ONLINE EVERY WEEK PLEASE CONTACT [email protected] OR CALL 01992 535647

DIEGO MANCA MURATel: +44 (0) 2032909246 (UK) +39 328 2730697 (Italy)www.diegomancamura.com

........................................................................................................

PRESSXTRA.NET(Part of the Indigo Pearl Group)Tel: 0208 964 4545http://PressXtra.net

........................................................................................................

PERFORMANCE DESIGNED PRODUCTS LTDTel: 01628 509047www.pdp.com

........................................................................................................

INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTION

GAMING ACCESSORIES & MERCHANDISE

CREATIVE & PROMOTIONAL STUDIO DIVATel: 0117 214 0404www.studiodiva.co.uk........................................................................................................

BRIDGE MEDIA GROUPTel: 020 3283 8466www.bridgemediagroup.com........................................................................................................

FLUIDTel: +44 (0)121 212 0121www.fl uidesign.co.uk........................................................................................................

GAME ROOMTel: +44 (0) 20 7729 3033www.gameroom-agency.com........................................................................................................

BY FRONTROOM

CLD DISTRIBUTIONTel: +32 81 83 02 02www.cld.be........................................................................................................

GAMING MERCHANDISE UK LIMITEDTel: +44 207 269 7900www.gamingmechandiseuk.com

........................................................................................................

SOUNDING SWEET LTDTel: +44 (0) 1789 297453www.soundingsweet.com........................................................................................................

STUDIO CO2Tel: +44 (0)1483 414 415www.studioco2.com........................................................................................................

SUPERHEROTel: +4020 3031 6180www.superheroscreen.com........................................................................................................

THE AUDIO GUYS LIMITEDTel: +44 (0) 1934 710024www.theaudioguys.co.uk

........................................................................................................

ÜBERTel: +44 (0)114 278 7100www.uberagency.com

........................................................................................................

CLICK ENTERTAINMENT LIMITEDTel: +44 203 137 3781www.click-entertainment.com

........................................................................................................

Wholesaler and distributor of video games, consoles and accessories

DEAD GOOD MEDIATel: +44 (0)7780 600 728www.deadgoodmedia.com........................................................................................................

KENNEDY MONKTel: 020 7636 9142www.kennedymonk.com........................................................................................................ MANUFACTURING

OK MEDIA LTDTel: 02076886789www.okmedia.biz........................................................................................................

KEYWORDS STUDIOS GROUPTel: +353 1 902 2730www.keywordsstudios.com

........................................................................................................

U

LOCALISATION, QA & TESTING

LOCALSOFTTel: +34 952 028 080www.localsoftgames.com........................................................................................................

POLE TO WIN EUROPE LTDTel: +44 (0) 20 8607 7900www.poletowineurope.com

........................................................................................................

Localization Services

UNIVERSALLY SPEAKINGTel: +44 (0) 1480210621www.usspeaking.com

........................................................................................................

VMCTel: +44 (0)1753 849 700 (UK)www.vmc.com........................................................................................................

MONETISATION & PAYMENT

MILLENNIAL MEDIATel: +44 (0) 207 151 3320www.millennialmedia.com........................................................................................................

KEY CONTACTS:James Glover, Creative Directorjames@fl uidesign.co.uk

Neil Roddis, Operations Directorneil@fl uidesign.co.uk

Andrew Bowyer, Digital Directorandrew@fl uidesign.co.uk

ADDRESS:Fluid Studios12 Tenby StreetBirminghamB1 3AJ

FLUID is an award-winning creative agency launched in 1995 which off ers innovative and engaging creative for some of the largest entertainment brands in the world.

Fluid is not only our name, but also our branding philosophy. We embrace the changing media landscape with a fl exible, reactive approach enabled by a rich pool of outstanding talent from a wide range of artistic disciplines. At every stage of the creative process we guarantee fl exible, comprehensive creative solutions that bear testament to the breadth of our experience and versatility of style.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THIS COMPANY AND MANY MORE ONLINE NOW AT:

COMPANY PROFILE / FLUID

THE ESSENTIAL GUIDETO INTERACTIVEENTERTAINMENTAGENCIES AND SERVICE COMPANIES

AMIQUSTel: 01925 839700www.amiqus.com........................................................................................................

RECRUITMENT

MEDIA & MARKETING

LIS WELSH SEARCH & SELECTION LTDTel: +44 (0) 7968 114812www.liswelsh.com

........................................................................................................

SPECIALMOVE CONSULTANCY LTDTel: +44 (0) 141 530 4555www.specialmove.com

........................................................................................................

WAYFORWARD RECRUITMENT LIMITEDTel: 020 7734 4664 (London) 0117 966 6038 (Bristol)www.way-forward.com ........................................................................................................

CURSE, INC.Tel: +1 415 856 0056www.curseinc.com........................................................................................................

IGNTel: 0203 701 5682www.ign.com........................................................................................................

DIRECTORY


CREATIVE Fink ................................................................. info@fi nkcreative.com

DISC REPAIR Total Disc Repair ..................................+44 (0) 1202 489500

DISTRIBUTION Click Entertainment ............................ +44 (0) 203 137 3781

Creative Distribution ......................+44 (0) 20 8664 3456

Curveball Leisure ................................... +44 (0) 1792 652521

Enarxis Dynamic Media ............................. +302 1090 11900

Sony DADC ............................................ +44 (0) 207 462 6200

GAMING ACCESSORIES L3I............................................................................+ (0)1923 471 020

Venom ............................................................... +44 (0)1763 284181

MCV DIRECTORY KEY CONTACTS

RATES £70 per two column box (100mm x 75mm). To run weekly for a minimum of 1 year. Please phone for other size and/or position requirements.

TOTAL DISC REPAIR DISC REPAIR

Tel: +44 (0) 1202 489500 Web: www.totaldiscrepair.co.uk

DIRECTORY


ENQUIRIES

CONOR TALLONTel: 01992 [email protected]

SONY DADC DISTRIBUTION

Tel: +44 207 462 [email protected]

www.sonydadc.com

Empowering your creative business

Tel: +44 (0) 207 462 6200 Web: www.sonydadc.com

CLICK ENTERTAINMENT DISTRIBUTION

Tel: +44 (0)203 137 3781 email: [email protected]

FINK CREATIVE

Artworking Mastertronic Brand Identity Ukie Localisation Rising Star Games Advertising BBFC Website Design Deep Silver Exhibition Bethesda Illustration Appynation Digital Media IntentMedia Charity GamesAid Banners & Takeovers Konami Packaging Design Just Flight

Email: info@fi nkcreative.com Web: www.fi nkcreative.com

CREATIVE DISTRIBUTION DISTRIBUTION

Tel: +44 (0) 208 6643456 Web: www.creativedistribution.co.uk

CURVEBALL LEISURE DISTRIBUTION

Tel: +44 (0) 1792 652521 Web: www.curveball-leisure.com

ENARXIS DYNAMIC MEDIA DISTRIBUTION

Tel: +302 1090 11900 Web: www.enarxis.eu

DIRECTORY


L3I GAMING ACCESSORIES

Tel: + (0)1923 471 020 Web: www.logic3.com

VENOM GAMING ACCESSORIES

w w w . v e n o m u k . c o m

@VenomGamingUK

Venom UK Gaming

SERIOUS ABOUT GAMING

SERIOUS ABOUT ACCESSORIES

Rechargeable Battery Pack

“ ”, “PlayStation” and “DUALSHOCK” are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Also, “ ” is a trademark of the same company. All rights reserved.

New officially licensedproduct coming soon

Fully recharges the DUALSHOCK®4 wireless controller for up to 20 hours of gameplay.

Sleek, contemporary design fits securely to the DUALSHOCK®4 wireless controller.

Web:www.venomuk.com

Phone:+44 (0)1763 284181

Email:[email protected]@[email protected]

Tel: +44 (0)1763 284181 Web: www.venomuk.com

WANT TO ADVERTISE IN OUR DIRECTORY?

ADVERTISE WITH US

CALL CONOR TALLON ON 01992 535647 OR EMAIL HIM AT [email protected]


INSIDER’S GUIDE

Tell us about your company.DeltaDNA is a player relationship management platform that helps publishers and developers to improve engagement in online games by personalising the player experience.

Our platform allows deep analytics and real-time targeted tailored intervention strategies to different player segments.

What is your biggest success to date?We’ve been able to work with some of the smartest and most innovative people in our industry and really make a difference to their game performance. Clients such as Sony, Ubisoft and Sega, as well as newer free-to-play publishers, have experienced up to a 350 per cent increase in engaged players and up to a six-fold increase in revenues.

What are you working on?We recently launched our acquisition optimiser tool. This allows developers to improve the effectiveness of their acquisition budget by understanding which player segments and acquisition channels are delivering high-value and engaged players.

Accurate predictive models allow early decisions to be made about acquisition spend, improving the return on marketing investment by three to five-fold.

What are the biggest challenges you face?

Uniquely cross-platform, we improve player satisfaction and increase game revenue for free-to-play games, social casino and real money gambling. However, the biggest challenge for us lies in actually grasping this global opportunity that we have created for our proposition.

Tell us something about your company no one knows.Fellow co-founder Chris Wright and I planned the business launch over post-match beers after Sunday night squash matches.

Mark Robinson, CEO of analytics firm DeltaDNA, tells MCV about the company’s work in free-to-play

Specialism: Data and analyticsLocation: 25 Greenside Place,Edinburgh,EH1 3AA

Contact:W: www.deltadna.comE: [email protected] P: +44 (0) 131 466 3690T: @delta_DNA

INSIDER’S GUIDE

THIS MONTH’S DIRECTORY SPOTLIGHT:

DELTADNA

Epic Games .................................................. www.epicgames.com/careers

To be included in the Develop Directory (which appears every month in Develop and now every week in MCV) contact [email protected]

WWW.DEVELOP-ONLINE.NET

Develop is the only dedicated publication for the UK and European games development community. It reaches over 8,500 subscribers every month.

DIRECTORY WHO?

[email protected] OR CALL 01992 515 303

FOR GREAT ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES, CONTACT ALEX [email protected]

PLEASE CONTACTWANT TO FEATURE YOUR COMPANY IN INSIDER’S GUIDE?

Our clients have experienced up to a six-fold increase in revenues.

Mark Robinson, DeltaDNA

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POLAND is a burgeoning market for games firms, driven by the popularity of PC titles.

According to recent statistics from the Ministry of Treasury for the Republic of Poland, revenue for the Polish games industry is expected to see steady growth of approximately four per cent over the next three years.

Market tracker PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) estimates that the Polish games market was worth $375 million (£231m) at the end of 2012, equivalent to a 0.56 per cent share of the global video games industry. The Ministry of Treasury expects this amount to rise to $437 million (£269m) by 2017.

There are an estimated 11.8 million active gamers in Poland. Of these, the Ministry of Treasury predicts that just over half (53 per cent) are consumers who purchase titles legally – a

proportion slightly lower than that of European countries and the US.

Polish gamers are big fans of the PC – research firm Newzoo states that 98 per cent of gamers play computer titles.

Those who play on PC prefer to purchase games in traditional outlets. 60 per cent of PC games are bought in brick and mortar stores, with the remaining 40 per cent purchased online.

Unusually, when it comes to consoles (which according to Newzoo are preferred by 43 per cent of Polish gamers) the exact opposite is true – 60 per cent of console titles are downloaded digitally, with only

40 per cent brought in-store. While PC is more widespread

than consoles, the latter segment is far more profitable. The Ministry of Treasury says that console titles comprise 25 per cent of games sales revenue due to higher average selling prices than PC.

60 per cent of PC games are

bought in brick and mortar stores by

Polish players.

FACTFILE POLAND

FACTFILE: POLANDPopulation: 38,485,779Capital City: WarsawCurrency: ZlotyGDP (Per Capita): $13,334

KEY RETAILERSEmpik, Gram.pl, Gry Online, Media Markt, Toys R Us, GOG.com, Sklep Gram TOP DISTRIBUTORSCD Projekt, Cenega, Galapagos, LEM

TOP DEVELOPERSCD Projekt, Wargaming, Epic Games Poland, Techland, Flying Wild Hog, CI Games

PUBLISHERS IN THE REGIONCI Games, Codemasters, EA, Microsoft, Nintendo, Sony, Ubisoft

INTERNATIONAL

MEANWHILE IN... NORTH AMERICA

THE PS4 has outsold the Xbox One for the eighth consecutive month in the US.

Analyst NPD reports that the Sony console remained the top-selling piece of gaming hardware throughout August, driven by strong sales of games originally released on the PS3 last year.

These included Diablo III: Reaper of Souls – Ultimate Evil Edition and The Last of Us Remastered. The former sold more on PS4 than Xbox One, while the latter was the month’s best-selling fi rst-party title. EA’s American football sports title Madden NFL 15 was the overall top-selling software for the month.

Despite the success of both new consoles, total US software sales declined year-on-year, due to consumers departing from the last-generation PS3 and Xbox 360 consoles.

However, NPD says the US

hardware market grew by 116 per cent in comparison with 2012. The PS4 and Xbox One accounted for 70 per cent of sales – a record high for both.

Sony’s PS4 is winning the US next-gen console race, outselling Microsoft’s Xbox One for the eighth month running


POLAND FACTFILE

35

INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTION

POLAND

TECHLAND SP. Z O.O.ul. Jana Szczyrki 12, 54-426 Wroclaw, PolandEmail: [email protected]: www.techland.pl Phone: +48 71 354 46 10Fax: +48 71 354 46 10

TO ADVERTISE IN THIS SECTION PLEASE CONTACT [email protected]

MCV WORLDWIDE

GLOBAL DISTRIBUTORSIF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR NEW PARTNERS OVERSEAS,

THEN LOOK NO FURTHER

SWEDEN

GAME OUTLET EUROPE ABPO Box 5083, S-650 05 Karlstad, SwedenSales dept: [email protected] dept: [email protected] dept: [email protected] dept: [email protected]: www.gameoutlet.se

AUSTRALIAAFA Interactive, Bluemouth Interactive, Five Star Games, Mindscape, Namco Bandai Partners, Turn Left DistributionBENELUXCLD Distribution, Koch Media, Gameworld Distribution B.V.CANADAE One, Importel, Just4Games, Solutions 2 Go, VidéoglobeCYPRUSAccess, Gibareio, Zilos, Nortec MultimediaCZECH REPUBLICCenega, Conquest, Comgad, Playman, ABC DataDENMARKBergsala, Elpa, Impulse, Koch Media, Nordisk Film Interactive, Nordic Game Supply, PAN VisionFRANCEBig Ben, Innelec, Koch Media, SDO, SodifaGREECEZegatron, CD Media, Namco Bandai Partners, IGE, Nortec, Enarxis, BeaconHUNGARYCNG.hu/Cenega Hungary, CTC Trading, Magnew, PlayON, StadlbauerICELANDSena, Myndform, Samfilm, OrmssonINDONESIAMaxsoft, Uptron, Technosolution IRELANDMSE Group, BaumexJAPANAjioka, Happinet, JesnetNORWAYBergsala, Game Outlet, Koch Media, Nordic Game Supply, Nordisk Film, Pan VisionPOLANDCD Projekt, Cenega, Galapagos, LEMPORTUGALEcoplay, Infocapital, Koch Media, Namco BandaiROMANIABest DistributionSERBIAComTrade, Computerland/Iris Mega, Extreme CCSPAINDigital Bros, Koch Media, Namco Bandai Partners, NobilisSWEDENBergsala, Koch Media, Namco Bandai, Nordic Game Supply, PAN Vision, Wendros, Ztorm (digital)UAERed Entertainment Distribution, Pluto Games (LS2 Pluto), Viva Entertainment, Gameplay Entertainment, Geekay Distribution

UAE

ALESAYI UNITED COMPANYVideo Games Distributor in the Middle East, P.O BOX 16999 Jebel Ali Free Zone Dubai U.A.E.Tel: 00971 4 883 5960Fax: 00971 4 883 5175Email: [email protected] U.A.E. Website: www.alesayi.ae Group Website: www.alesayi.com

NORDIC

WENDROS AB SWEDEN, NORWAY, DENMARK & FINLANDJakobsdalsvägen 1712653 HägerstenSwedenPhone: +46 8 51942500Fax: +46 8 7466790Email:[email protected]@wendros.seWeb: www.wendros.se

BELGIUM

CLD DISTRIBUTIONRue du Grand Champs 14 , B 5380 Fernelmont BelgiumTel: +32 81 83 02 02Fax: +32 81 83 02 09Email: [email protected]: www.cld.be home of www.dragonwar.eu & www.mawashi.eu

NETHERLANDS

SOEDESCO B.V.Koddeweg 13, 3194 DH RotterdamThe NetherlandsTel: +31 104722462Fax: +31 104722893Email: [email protected]: www.soedesco.com

IRAN

DC GAMES GROUPNo.9, Hemmatian St.,Takestan St., SattarkhanTehran, IranTel: +98-912-1014090 +98-21-44228670Email: [email protected]: www.Doostan-Co.com

WWW.MCVPACIFIC.COM

Editorial: + 61 (0)424 967 263Leigh.Harris@mcvpacifi c.com

Advertising: + 61 (0)417 084821Joel.Vandaal@mcvpacifi c.com


GREECE

ENARXIS DYNAMIC MEDIA LTD.68 llia lliou Street117 44, Neos Kosmos, Athens, GreeceTel: +30 210 9011900Fax: +30 210 9028700Email: [email protected]

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OFF THE RECORD

Last week marked the inaugural Games Retail 2020 event, which burst into London’s BAFTA to let UK fi rms know what was on the horizon for games retail over the next six years.

For the attendees, it was a day to remember, stuff ed full of useful facts and advice on how to future-proof their business until 2020 – and beyond.

Like any good conference, once the speakers and panel discussions had their say, it was time for networking. Delegates from companies including Konami, Xbox, GAME, Amazon, Tesco and Nintendo hit the BAFTA bar to discuss over a few drinks.

Thanks to our sponsors Xbox and GamesGRABR.

OFF THE RECORD This week we grab some drinks after Games Retail 2020, stay up all night with Nvidia’s latest event, burn rubber with indies and go for a run with GamesAid

RETAIL RELAXATION

@djbteamsters @MCVonline Congrats guys great event. Today and thanks for letting me be involved was fun.

Deborah Bestwick, Team 17Tuesday September 16th

@kobunheat Three years ago, Rovio turned down a buyout off er of exactly $2.5B. Would anybody pay that for Angry Birds now?

Chris Kohler, WiredTuesday September 16th

@byronicman Race to the bottom fi nished: Can’t even be bothered to get a free game from Humble.

Simon Byron, Premier PRTuesday September 16th

@Laralyn It’s really convenient to discount casual games and their players when you want to make the point that “games are for men”.

Laralyn McWilliams, The Workshop EntertainmentWednesday September 17th

@TheGamingBrit People like to talk shit about the 7th gen, but I tell ya, everything’s gonna change when they fi nally unlock the power of the cell.

Charlie Cade, games criticWednesday September 17th

@LydiaWinters Please be kind to the Mojangstas. The founders made this decision, so we have a lot of emotions going on too :)

Lydia Winters, MojangMonday September 15th

@D_Nye_Griffi ths Well, that’s Minecraft for Oculus Rift back on, everyone!

Daniel Nye Griffi ths, WiredMonday September 15th

@MikeDrucker I just hope Microsoft will keep Minecraft a fun, easy-to-use experience like they did with Windows, Microsoft Offi ce, Xbox Live, and– God no.

Mike Drucker, writerMonday September 15th

@sarcan Thanks @Michael_French for inviting me to participate in #gamesretail2020 with awesome @InsertCoinTees and Egmont!

Sandra Arcan, KonamiTuesday September 16th

@adam_hopkinson #gamesretail2020 this conference is fascinating. Really enjoying. Thanks @MCVonline.

Adam Hopkinson, IGNTuesday September 16th

THE WEEK IN 140 CHARACTERSThe Tweets you might have missed in the last seven days

OFF THE RECORD


ALL DAY AND ALL OF THE NIGHT

‘There are only so many hours in the day,’ people say. And Nvidia wants to fi ll every single one of them with PC gaming.

The graphics hardware specialist kicked off its fi rst 24-hour PC gaming event Game24 last Friday.

At the events, which took place in cities including Stockholm, Shanghai, Los Angeles and London, Nvidia fans were given the opportunity to play upcoming PC titles, grab freebies, win competitions and try new tech.

INDIE CAR RACING

Bracknell-based indie retailer Virtual Games has sponsored local racing driver Paul Inglis, who represented Team Hard in the last round of this year’s Volkswagen

Cup at Donington race circuit.Tony Gilham, British Touring Car racer and

Team Hard owner, commented: “Paul drove an excellent race. It’s all

about experience.”Virtual Games added that

it hopes to get involved in the racing sector itself in the future.

SORE FEET FOR GOOD CAUSES

Not content with sending members of the industry pedaling from Cologne to Brighton, GamesAid is now inviting fl eet-footed games folk to run the Windsor Half Marathon this weekend (September 28th).

Of course, it’s all in the name of charity, with the money raised going towards helping disadvantaged and disabled children and young people.

Among those taking the challenge is Amazon’s Frazer Locke, who also aims to complete the Great North Run less than a month later – having already trekked up Mount Snowdon last Saturday. If that doesn’t deserve a donation, we don’t know what does.

You don’t even need to jog 13.1 miles or climb a peak to help out – support the team by donating at www.justgiving.com/teams/GamesAid-Windsor-Half-Marathon.

Michael Hutchesson@apoisonedgift

TBH, shallow and disappointing but still fun somehow. Not enough MMO features, not enough shooter elements.

Matteo Scannavini @mattscanna

It’s good, plus setting and gameplay are ace. Even though it’s not the revolution or the behemoth they promised, by far.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF DESTINY AND HOW DOES BUNGIE’S EPIC NEW SCI-FI

SHOOTER COMPARE TO OTHER SHOOTERS AND YOUR EXPECTATIONS?

#GMGASKS

Elvin Jensen@Nivle84

It’s like a #overhyped puppy that knows only one trick, and everyone loves puppies. Hoping for more tricks as it matures.

Roland Veasey @Roltron

I love it so much! Most fun I’ve had with a game in a long time. Although, there are some serious issues with the story.

Kory Harsh @kharsh07

Great core gameplay loop. Coop experience is great, but almost every feature of the game seems incomplete in some way.

Brian Wolf @Blacksteel25

I think it may just be an introductory 1st chapter of Destiny. It’s going to be an ongoing game that may get better.

John Pinnick @ProtoFoe

A little light on lore, epic loading times... Otherwise, a fantastic entry in to the gaming world. #Hooked

Phil Cummings @Hydronus

I can see the things it is

playing it.

Gamer Amelli @GamerAmelli

Hate the PvP but love everything else. Too much focus on PvP and PvP rewards.

william @dubbtherogue

Streams look fun but I’ll never know for myself if it doesn’t come to PC.

Picture credit: Paul Mortimer

mcv806 september 26th 2014

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