News of the day (13.02.2014)

King is again accused of theft, Square Enix wants to make mobile games based on Hitman, Gamasutra talks about the new Defcon. 

Industry

King is accused of stealing again

The scandal around Candy Crush Saga does not subside. The developer of the independent studio Runsome Apps accused King of cloning his 2010 CandySwipe project. Judging by the screenshots presented, King borrowed a lot from the brainchild of Runsome Apps.

http://www.candyswipe.com/king.htmlAnimoca – 200 million

The total number of downloads by Hong Kong-based Animoca has surpassed the 220 million mark. Since 2011, she has launched more than 300 projects. The studio’s most successful games are aimed at a female audience.

http://www.insidemobileapps.com/2014/02/13/animoca-crosses-220-million-downloads-releases-star-girl-valentine-heartsNexon was headed by a native of EA

The executive director of Nexon, one of the largest Asian gaming companies, was Owen Mahoney, who used to be the vice president of the same company for finance, and before that he worked at EA for more than nine years.

http://venturebeat.com/2014/02/12/asian-gaming-giant-nexon-announces-owen-mahoney-as-successor-to-ceo/Hitman will be mobile

Square Enix plans to release more mobile games, including the famous console franchises (including under IP Hitman).

http://www.gamespot.com/articles/square-enix-game-industry-undergoing-major-changes/1100-6417537Game design

We analyze the cult of Super Metroid

7 reasons why Super Metroid has become one of the masterpieces on the SNES. The article is not from a developer’s site, so we can talk about a view “from the player’s side”, but this makes it no less interesting for developers.

http://www.usgamer.net/articles/daily-classic-7-things-that-make-super-metroid-a-timeless-masterpieceKatkoff and Colossatron

Katkoff analyzes Colossatron in his blog.

http://www.deconstructoroffun.com/2014/02/game-of-week-colossatron.htmlGames

Rovio announce a new game

Rovio has announced a new game under the brand “Angry Birds” – Angry Birds Stella. There are no details about the project yet, but it is already known that many new female characters will appear in it. 

http://www.gamespot.com/articles/angry-birds-stella-introduces-a-new-lineup-of-irate-avians/1100-6417713/Preview of First Strike

An interview with the developers of First Strike, a mobile game very similar to Defcon, appeared on Gamasutra. 

http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/210483/Nuclear_war_game_First_Strike_a_dose_of_fun_and_bleakness.phpAbout French role-playing games, put in a word

Ancient Darkstone will appear on iOS and Android. Beta can be tried now.

http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/Android/Darkstone/news.asp?c=57351Other

In China, online games have been recognized as evil, because of what the current youth is degraded. 

http://www.gamesinasia.com/chinese-government-official-online-gaming-is-one-of-the-three-devil-claws-of-the-internet