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Zynga closes the studio behind one of the most popular franchises of the second decade of the 2000s

Zynga has confirmed the closure of its studio Echtra Games, known for the development of Torchlight 3. This decision is made as part of a strategic restructuring of the company, which seeks to realign its resources and priorities. The closure ends the development of future titles and affects several roles within the studio, which was founded in 2016 by Max Schaefer, one of the co-founders of Runic Games, responsible for the original Torchlight series. Torchlight 3 did not perform well, but the franchise is very beloved Torchlight 3, released in 2020, received mixed reviews, being described as a game […]

Zynga has confirmed the closure of its studio Echtra Games, known for the development of Torchlight 3. This decision is part of a strategic restructuring of the company, which aims to realign its resources and priorities. The closure ends the development of future titles and affects several roles within the studio, which was founded in 2016 by Max Schaefer, one of the co-founders of Runic Games, responsible for the original Torchlight series.

Torchlight 3 didn’t perform well, but the franchise is very beloved

Torchlight 3, released in 2020, received mixed reviews, being described as a “mechanically solid” but “bland” game compared to other titles of that year. The transition from Torchlight Frontiers, which was initially conceived as an MMO, to a conventional format game failed to capture the magic of its predecessors, as evidenced by its reception from both the public and critics.

Since its acquisition by Zynga, less than six months after the launch of Torchlight 3, the studio had planned to develop a cross-platform RPG in collaboration with NaturalMotion, but the project never progressed beyond the initial announcement. Due to this lack of progress and other changes in the company’s strategy, Zynga has decided to close Echtra.

This closure comes shortly after the cancellation of the game Star Wars: Hunters, also developed by NaturalMotion, and a reduction in staff at Take-Two Interactive, the parent company of Zynga. In April 2024, Take-Two laid off approximately 5% of its workforce and recently sold its independent-style publishing division, Private Division.

The financial situation of Take-Two has been volatile, with declines in its stock price following the announcement of a delay in the release of Grand Theft Auto 6. However, the stock value has recovered since then. As the video game industry continues to evolve, changes in management and development strategies remain an uncertain landscape for many studios.

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RuneScape returns 24 years later with a new title that is nothing like what we expected

On April 15th, Jagex launched RuneScape: Dragonwilds, an unexpected twist for the famous franchise after 24 years since the original RuneScape. Instead of its traditional MMO format, the new title delves into the cooperative survival genre, quickly capturing players’ attention with this innovative proposal. A change that has suited the franchise well The game has reached a peak of 52,641 simultaneous players and has received 85% positive reviews, suggesting that this change in direction has been well received by the community. With a camera in […]

On April 15th, Jagex launched RuneScape: Dragonwilds, an unexpected twist for the famous franchise after 24 years since the original RuneScape. Instead of its traditional MMO format, the new title delves into the cooperative survival genre, quickly capturing the attention of players with this innovative proposal.

A change that has suited the franchise well

The game has reached a peak of 52,641 simultaneous players and has received 85% positive reviews, suggesting that this change in direction has been well received by the community. With a third-person camera and a cartoon art style, Dragonwilds moves away from the classic isometric view, presenting a more accessible world for new generations.

Dragonwilds incorporates collection and building mechanics typical of the survival genre, but adds a distinctive element: magic is accessible to all characters. This creative use of magic allows players to automate resource gathering or perform tasks that would normally be tedious, providing a fresh and engaging approach to the game’s survival mechanics.

Dragons, which act as active threats in the environment, are a relevant component of the gameplay, adding a level of tension to exploration and building. Players must stay alert, as these creatures can devastate their bases at any moment, introducing an element of risk and excitement.

Although Dragonwilds may not be what fans of the saga expected, its playful approach and the possibility of innovating in the survival genre could revitalize interest in the RuneScape universe. If the game overcomes the typical challenges of its early access period and optimizes its content, it could become a radically successful spin-off for Jagex.

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The beta of Dune: Awakening is a tremendous success among players, but it has a big problem ahead

Last weekend, Dune: Awakening held a large-scale beta that allowed nearly 40,000 players to experience the first 20 hours of the game, covering most of Act 1 of the story. This event turned out to be an ideal opportunity to immerse oneself in the world of Arrakis, while those who could not gain access to the beta were able to follow the experience through various live streams. The streaming restrictions that had previously limited the visibility of the game were lifted, allowing prominent streamers to enjoy and share their adventures, revealing […]

The knife is an iconic weapon… and it is surprisingly broken

One of the most discussed aspects during the beta was the imbalance surrounding the Crysknives, an iconic weapon from the Dune series. Many players reported feeling unable to defend themselves due to the excessive power of these weapons, which has raised concerns about the game’s mechanics. In a notable stream, the streamer summit1g became a victim of an unrelenting attack and could not escape the stunlock caused by a rival armed with a knife, being completely at the mercy of his attacker. These types of experiences, while fun to watch, have shown that a balance adjustment in the game is necessary.

The developers at Funcom have acknowledged these issues and confirmed that they already have an internal version of the game that addresses some of these situations, including the stunlock mechanics. In recent statements, they stated that these problems will be fixed in the final version of the title. For those looking to avoid falling into problematic situations, it is recommended to review lists of helpful tips available that assist in navigating the complexities of combat in Arrakis.

The announcement that the game mechanics will be adjusted before the launch has generated optimism in the community, although viewers can still enjoy the quirks and bugs of the game during this testing phase. With the official launch approaching, anticipation for Dune: Awakening continues to grow.

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10 years later, a Borderlands MMO exclusive to China is revived

Borderlands Online, an MMO that was announced in 2015 as exclusive to China, never got released. The game promised to immerse players in the Borderlands universe, offering a free-to-play business model aimed at conquering the Asian market. However, the project was canceled, leaving many wondering about the possibilities it offered. Fans want to revive it after it never even reached the market. Years later, the modder and dataminer EpicNNG has managed to make the character creator of Borderlands Online work, reviving a part of video game history that had been […]

Borderlands Online, an MMO that was announced in 2015 as exclusive to China, never got released. The game promised to immerse players in the Borderlands universe, offering a free-to-play business model aimed at conquering the Asian market. However, the project was canceled, leaving many wondering about the possibilities it offered.

Fans want to resurrect him after he didn’t even make it to market

Years later, the modder and dataminer EpicNNG has managed to make the character creator of Borderlands Online work, reviving a part of video game history that had been lost. This creator allows players to create their own characters, although the customization is quite limited. Despite this, it is a significant find for fans of the series and for those interested in the legacy of the franchise.

Borderlands Online would have allowed players to take on the role of Vault Hunters landing on Pandora, choosing from four character classes: Siren, Soldier, Berserker, and Hunter. The game would also have included iconic NPCs like Claptrap and Dr. Zod, as well as familiar locations from the Borderlands universe and PvP modes such as “last man standing,” “team vs. team,” and “capture the flag.” However, the version restored by EpicNNG presents instability, as it crashes when exiting the customization screen.

Meanwhile, Borderlands 4 is scheduled to be released on September 12, moving up from its original date of September 23. What we have seen so far maintains the series’ signature style, while introducing new mechanics such as the ability to summon a hoverbike anywhere. Fans hope that this new installment captures the humor and gameplay that made Borderlands 2 such a beloved title.

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RuneScape24 arrives with a sequel 24 years later

Jagex, the British developer behind the iconic RuneScape franchise, has surprised the gaming community with the announcement of its new title, RuneScape: Dragonwilds. This game marks a notable return, set 24 years after the release of the first RuneScape and almost a decade after the last project in the series. Dragonwilds takes players to the continent of Ashenfall, a region ravaged by wild magic and home to awakened dragons, offering a completely new experience in an open-world environment. 24 years in the making… almost nothing Unlike the traditional MMO formula, Dragonwilds […]

Jagex, the British developer behind the iconic RuneScape franchise, has surprised the gaming community with the announcement of its new title, RuneScape: Dragonwilds. This game marks a notable return, set 24 years after the release of the first RuneScape and almost a decade after the last project in the series. Dragonwilds takes players to the continent of Ashenfall, a region ravaged by wild magic and home to awakened dragons, offering a completely new experience in an open-world environment.

24 years of gestation… almost nothing

Unlike the traditional MMO formula, Dragonwilds will focus on exploration and camp building in cooperative matches of up to four players. This strategic shift is presented in a context where skill progression and the use of runes are expected to be key elements in gameplay, features that evoke the classic essence of RuneScape. Additionally, players will face the Dragon Queen, a powerful adversary designed to challenge all the skills acquired throughout the game.

The CEO of Jagex, Jon Bellamy, has emphasized the importance of the community in the development of Dragonwilds. From the beginning, the studio has conducted closed alpha tests and plans an early access that will start on April 15. The community has been key in the development of the game, and we will continue to listen to their feedback during early access, Bellamy stated, reaffirming the studio’s commitment to making the game an inclusive experience for both new players and veterans.

With over 300 million accounts and one billion dollars in profits since its launch in 2001, RuneScape remains one of the most prominent sagas in the video game industry. Dragonwilds represents a significant evolution, maintaining the essence of the franchise while introducing new mechanics that could redefine the future of the series.

City of Heroes will be resurrected through its first private server sanctioned by its developers

The popular massively multiplayer online role-playing game, City of Heroes, has achieved an uncommon milestone in the world of MMOs: it has received permission from the publisher NCSoft to operate a private server. This type of agreement is unusual, as many private servers face the constant risk of receiving cease and desist letters, which can result in their immediate shutdown. An excellent precedent for other MMOs City of Heroes, although it has not become a mainstream phenomenon, presents a clearer future compared to other MMOs that have shut down. While several titles like […]

The popular massively multiplayer online role-playing game, City of Heroes, has achieved an uncommon milestone in the world of MMOs: it has received permission from the publisher NCSoft to operate a private server. This type of agreement is unusual, as many private servers face the constant risk of receiving cease and desist letters, which can result in their immediate shutdown.

An excellent precedent for other MMOs

City of Heroes, although it has not become a mainstream phenomenon, presents a clearer future compared to other MMOs that have shut down. While several titles like ToonTown and Warhammer Online have seen their communities revitalized through private servers, the possibility of facing a legal threat is never far away, making the existence of these projects a fragile reality.

Unlike these cases, NCSoft’s explicit support could pave the way for other similar initiatives to emerge in games that have been shut down. However, the developers of these unauthorized servers often invest more time maintaining these virtual worlds than the original teams did during their commercial life. In the case of City of Heroes Homecoming, volunteers have created over 500,000 characters in the last year, continuing the game’s legacy with regular updates.

Despite NCSoft pointing out that negotiating this type of license is rarely resource-efficient, the current state of the video game industry shows a growing awareness of the ephemeral nature of online games. Some experts suggest that this trend could pave the way for an era where more developers consider supporting their fan communities, rather than viewing them as a threat.

With the example of City of Heroes, which has obtained permission to operate a private server, the call to action for those who defend their favorite games becomes stronger than ever, hinting at an uncertain but possibility-filled future.

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The director of The First Berserker: Khazan is firm: games must be engaging, not exhausting

Soulslike games continue to be an important phenomenon, 15 years after Demon’s Souls popularized the style. This trend has come to dominate the landscape of action games in general. We observe this evolution with titles like Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, which, although inspired by games like Sekiro, offers a more accessible experience. Its director is clear: video games must be fun above all. More recently, a new addition to the genre has been presented: The First Berserker: Khazan. Although during a demonstration at Steam Next Fest, its closeness to the […]

Soulslike games continue to be an important phenomenon, 15 years after Demon’s Souls popularized the style. This trend has come to dominate the landscape of action games in general. We observe this evolution with titles like Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, which, although inspired by games like Sekiro, offers a more accessible experience.

His director is clear: video games must be fun above all

More recently, a new addition to the genre has been presented: The First Berserker: Khazan. Although during a demonstration at Steam Next Fest its closeness to soulslikes can be perceived, the creative director, Junho Lee, insists that his game is more than that. In an interview with GamesRadar+, Lee explained that “Khazan is a unique hardcore action RPG experience, infused with the DNA of Dungeon & Fighter,” a successful MMO that started in 2005.

Despite the obvious similarities to soulslikes, such as precise pattern analysis and strategic combat, Lee emphasizes that his title stands out by offering “fast-paced and exciting action with a distinctive skill system”. When trying the demo, many players may find reminiscences of Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin in terms of skill trees and the pace of combat.

Lee does not consider the term soulslike to be derogatory and recognizes it as a powerful label that evokes in many players the idea of challenging combat and intricate game design. “When players compare Khazan to soulslike titles, they are not just noticing mechanical similarities. The pursuit of challenge and achievement, as well as immersive game design, are key pillars of our approach,” he added.

Finally, Lee shared his perspective on difficulty in video games, stating that “games should be engaging, not exhausting”, a statement that may resonate with enthusiasts of various genres. Something we will see on March 27, when the game is released.

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This MMO available on Steam Next Fest wants to compete with WOW and FF14

El próximo juego que ha capturado la atención en el evento Steam Next Fest es Fellowship, un título indie que transforma la experiencia de mazmorras de populares juegos MMO como World of Warcraft y Final Fantasy 14 en una aventura multijugador independiente, sin tarifas de suscripción mensual. Desarrollado por Chief Rebel, Fellowship busca capturar la esencia del sistema de dificultad escalable Mythic+ de WoW, permitiendo a los jugadores enfrentar desafíos como un equipo. Las fiestas de mazmorras están compuestas por cuatro jugadores: un tanque, un sanador y dos distribuidores de daño. Los jugadores podrán elegir entre varios héroes que […]

The next game that has captured attention at the Steam Next Fest event is Fellowship, an indie title that transforms the dungeon experience of popular MMO games like World of Warcraft and Final Fantasy 14 into a standalone multiplayer adventure, without monthly subscription fees. Developed by Chief Rebel, Fellowship aims to capture the essence of WoW’s scalable Mythic+ difficulty system, allowing players to face challenges as a team.

The dungeon parties are made up of four players: a tank, a healer, and two damage dealers. Players can choose from various heroes that embody classic fantasy archetypes, such as warriors, paladins, monks, wizards, barbarians, and druids. This diversity of characters provides a rich experience in strategy and teamwork, necessary to overcome the dungeons.

A MMO worthy of 2025

Una de las características más notables de Fellowship es su interfaz limpia y personalizable, que elimina la necesidad de plugins externos, a menudo confusos para los nuevos jugadores. Esto facilita que aquellos que no han tenido experiencia previa con los sistemas más complejos de otros MMOs se sumerjan en la jugabilidad sin sentirse abrumados. La mecánica del juego incluye un tiempo limitado para derrotar a los jefes de las mazmorras y eliminar un cierto número de enemigos, así como aumentar la dificultad para obtener mejores recompensas en mazmorras más complejas.

Fellowship will be available to play in an open trial during the Steam Next Fest, which will take place from February 24 to March 3, and will offer six different heroes to choose from. Although it is unknown if there will be a large audience for this new independent endgame experience, it seems that the game has managed to gather the essential components to attract both veterans of the genre and new players. Currently, no definitive release date has been announced.

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Yoshida unexpectedly presents the game we never expected: Final Fantasy XIV Mobile

Final Fantasy XIV is one of the most important MMOs of the present. It has managed to capture the essence of Final Fantasy while being an excellent MMO. Its popularity and success place it among the great MMOs. And with good reason. That’s why neither its longevity nor the fact that later Final Fantasy games look up to it is surprising. Because no other Square Enix game is such a safe bet, every time. Final Fantasy XIV, simplified, but with the same essence. Now Square Enix and Tencent have announced the development of Final Fantasy XIV Mobile. This is […]

Final Fantasy XIV is one of the most important MMOs of the present. Somehow, it has managed to capture the essence of Final Fantasy while being an excellent MMO. Its popularity and success place it among the great MMOs. And with good reason. That’s why neither its longevity nor the fact that subsequent Final Fantasy games look up to it is surprising. It’s because no other Square Enix game is such a safe bet, every time.

Final Fantasy XIV, simplified, but with the same essence

Now Square Enix and Tencent have announced the development of Final Fantasy XIV Mobile. This is a half surprise. We already knew about the existence of this mobile MMO since it was leaked last August, when it appeared on the list of games approved for release in China. The ones in charge of bringing the game to mobile will be LightSpeed Studios, who have previously handled PUBG Mobile, with great experience in the field of mobile development.

While the intention is for it to be as similar as possible to the PC and console version, including fishing, Chocobo racing, and the Triple Triad card game, it will be independent from the other versions. It’s aiming to recreate the grandeur of the original story and combat mechanics on mobile devices.

Although the developers are LightSpeed Studios, Naoki Yoshida is in charge of supervising this version of the game. Yoshida has been the director and producer of Final Fantasy XIV since the A Realm Reborn expansion, which was released fourteen years ago and completely revamped the game from scratch – so no one knows the game better than him. It ensures that this version, although with certain compromises, will be an experience as similar as possible to that of PC and consoles.

Although it does not have a release date yet, Final Fantasy XIV Mobile will be launched for both iOS and Android. And before the worldwide release, a series of tests will be conducted in China. Once these are concluded, the game will be released shortly thereafter on a worldwide scale, much to the delight of fans of this incredible MMO.

Final Fantasy XIV Online DOWNLOAD

FINAL FANTASY XIV Online is a premium role-playing game that has gathered a global player base of over 27 million adventurers. Developed by Square Enix, this captivating MMORPG has stood the test of time since its initially troubled launch. With its rich story, immersive gameplay, and a devoted community, it has become a benchmark in the MMORPG genre.

The player who killed 16,000 chickens by hand in a classic MMO just for fun

En una sola semana se ha ventilado a 16.000, consiguiendo de regalo 100.000 plumas. La pregunta no es cuánto tiempo le ha llevado o por cuándo va a vender las plumas, sino por qué demonios lo ha hecho.

23 years after its launch, ‘RuneScape’ is still making headlines. And that’s despite having evolved tremendously since its humble beginnings, witnessing games that have changed the genre like ‘World of Warcraft’ or ‘League of Legends’ come and go. However, ‘RuneScape’ and its players are cut from a different cloth. And the proof lies in the feat that one of them has undertaken this week.

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No one calls me chicken

MordorMordorMordor, which is an undeniably dark name for a player of anything, has decided to become the official chicken killer of ‘RuneScape’: in just one week, he has slaughtered 16,000 chickens, earning 100,000 feathers as a reward. The question is not how long it took him or when he will sell the feathers, but why on earth he did it.

100k feathers from 16k chickens
byu/MordorMordorMordor in2007scape

The answer is somewhat disheartening, but typical of the times we live in: it was a meme. He just wanted to embrace a running joke on Reddit, the joke of killing chickens for a whole week, testing the challenge of defeating the easiest opponent in all of ‘RuneScape’ over and over again. And believe it or not, he won’t even sell those feathers he has been collecting one by one, because he likes to keep them “drenched in blood” in his inventory. There’s people for everything.

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