Gaming

Ever since the initial game was developed in the summer of 2007, it has managed to garner much press and acclaim, especially since developer Petri Purho revealed that he was working on a deluxe version that would include improved physics and more levels. Now Crayon Physics Deluxe has finally been released.

According to Famitsu's publisher Enterbrain, the Japanese game market is, like a frightened turtle, getting smaller compared to last year. But what was the biggest selling game hardware? Games? The 2007 data reflects the period from January 1, 2007 to December 3, 2007. The 2008 data reflects the period from December 31, 2007 to December 28, 2008.

Wow, videogames and the things they spawn! The industry produces everything from comics to vibrating mushrooms. You could listen to advertising, fanboys and Big Videogame?s secret infrared mind-control to find out what?s worth your money, but you?d end up buying two of everything. So how much of it is really worth paying attention to?

Ziff Davis has sold its 1UP division to Hearst's UGO Entertainment, and is shutting long-running print magazine EGM in the process. Ziff Davis Media's EGM Magazine, a consumer game print mainstay since 1989, will be discontinued. The January 2009 issue will be the final printed issue.

A Beijing treatment center for Web-addicted youths includes counseling, group games like laser tag, and physical exercise.

January 2009 issue featuring Wolverine cover story signals an end to magazine's nearly 20-year run; sister sites sold to UGO Entertainment.

Epic Games' Xbox 360-exclusive shooter slated to receive update for nagging multiplayer issues later this month, new DLC-related achievements.

Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe publisher now has until February 19 to pay back $75 million, in talks with remaining debt holders.

Xbox 360 purveyor said to be reducing workforce significantly as early as this month; initial estimates of 15,000 layoffs labeled "grossly exaggerated."

Resolve Partners said to have received "very strong" interest from a number of parties to purchase bankrupt TimeSplitters, Haze studio.

Funcom, WarCry and IGN are proud to offer you a chance to win 1 of 100 Beta Keys to the upcoming MMO Age of Conan. Based on the works of Robert E. Howard, this game offers players the chance to explore the mature and gritty world of Hyboria.

Contest winners will be notified via email on Monday April 28th with instructions on how to get a hold of their copy of the game.

For more information on AoC, check out Age of Conan WarCry and check back regularly for updates on the beta and upcoming launch of Age of Conan.

It's tonight! Flying Lab Software live on our IRC servers to talk about Pirates of the Burning Sea. For four lucky fans, some time cards await in a random draw, and one will get a t-shirt. So stop in at 8:00pm EST to talk to the developers. Here are the details:

When: 04/09/2008 8pm Eastern / 5pm Pacific (Wednesday)

Where: irc.chatspike.net 6667 in #WarCouncil
General chat will be available in #warcry

Who: The following Flying Lab developers will be on hand.

• Russell Williams (FLS CEO)
• Kevin Maginn (Lead Game Designer)
• Joe Ludwig (Producer)
• David Hunt (Game Designer)
• Drew Clowery (Game Designer)
• Troy Hewitt (Director of Community Relations)
• Tom Atkinson-Edwards (Community Specialist)

Need a way in? No problem just use our Java Client , Chatspike's IRC Client or an mIRC Client.

We look forward to seeing you there!

In on week's time, we'll have ourselves another developer chat with Pirates of the Burning Sea. This is your chance to talk to the people behind the biggest MMO launch of 2008. The chat is on Wednesday April 9th at 8:00pm Eastern (5:00pm Pacific)!

Your details:

When: 04/09/2008 8pm Eastern / 5pm Pacific (Wednesday)

Where: irc.chatspike.net 6667 in #WarCouncil
General chat will be available in #warcry

Who: The following Flying Lab developers will be on hand.

• Russell Williams (FLS CEO)
• Kevin Maginn (Lead Game Designer)
• Joe Ludwig (Producer)
• David Hunt (Game Designer)
• Drew Clowery (Game Designer)
• Troy Hewitt (Director of Community Relations)
• Tom Atkinson-Edwards (Community Specialist)

Need a way in? No problem just use our Java Client , Chatspike's IRC Client or an mIRC Client.

We look forward to seeing you there!

In the second half of his two part article called "To Be A Hero" (Part One is here), Jonathan Steinhauer gives us more of his personal take on how MMORPGs and how players want to be the center of that universe.

Every other Monday, Steinhauer brings us his design related MMO thoughts in this column.

Another method of achievement is through the use of competitions. Asheron's Call had a story writing contest that generated over a thousand submissions and the top nine were placed in game as actual books you could purchase from vendors. Other contests games have introduced have been as varied as screenshots and cloak designs.

But recognition isn't the sole property of game designers. Many guilds host contests, the most popular being PvP matches. Back when I played AC, my guild setup its own rank structure which awarded members for participation with the prize being different colored robes. Admittedly, player-based fame has the tendency to be more localized, but it does give the opportunity for increased prominence among the fellow gamers that you know the best.

Read more after the leap.

Sean Bulger is back with a new column in his bi-weekly look at issues of community and MMOs. This column focuses on player made content: what's good, what's bad.

As strange as it may seem to some, there are plenty of people out there who enjoy creating things by using parts of the game they play, or by creating something for the game. Even more people like to enjoy those creations - more so the videos in this day of age. This is also something that developers could take advantage of when trying to build a strong community.

Read more after the leap.