Category Archives: Game Industry News

Console VS PC/Mac gaming is no longer relevant…

March 26, 2018 Jax Xie

What it means for gamer

Good news for you if you are mostly playing games on your mobile phones. Already we have seen some very high quality mobile games recently such as Lineage 2 Revolution, Fate Grand Order and Onmyoji . With this ongoing trend, expect more investors pouring money into development of mobile gaming. So more choices and high quality games for you. On the flip side, being such a lucrative market, gamers may see more pay-to-win games emerging. Developers may also start to get creative with ways to get you to part your money via micro transactions.

Console game developers are fighting back

Not to lose out on the growth of mobile gaming, lately we have seen traditional console game developers such as Nintendo and Square Enix moving into the mobile space.

Nintendo now has a number of titles in the iOS and Android store. Amongst them Super Mario Run which was a paid game at $9.99. Traditionally, Mario had never leave the Nintendo console ecosystem. This game is the first for the Mario franchise and a pretty bold move for Nintendo.

Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp launched in October 2017 has also attracted a fervent group of gaming. Some of whom turned the game into a weird experimental cult game. Nonetheless, for Nintendo, it is an encouraging results from their early foray into Mobile gaming.

Then you have games that used to be on consoles but are now ported to mobile. Some like Final Fantasy VII and IX are mere direct port from the original console version.

The latest Final Fantasy XV (15) Pocket edition is Square Enix first attempt at repurposing a console game title into a mobile games built almost from ground up. I must say that the playability, graphics and experience of FF15 Pocket is way better than the normal direct port version of other Final Fantasy.

Gaming by region

Asia is the biggest spender in gaming. According to IDC and App Annie, 60% of the global spend on gaming came from the Asia Pacific region, led mostly by China, Japan and South Korea.

Gaming experience

Recently, there are many distasteful decision by game developers aiming at monetizing their game. You may have encountered some of these games.

Whatever the outcome of this gaming war is going to be, we sincerely hope that developers do not deviate from providing the best gaming experience to gamers.

Data source: IDC and App Annie

Game Industry News, Game News, General

MapleStory Launches 5th Job Advancement After an Almost Ten Year Long Wait

December 3, 2016 Jax Xie

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SINGAPORE: The wait is over. MapleStory, the free-to-play, 2D, side-scrolling massively multiplayer online role-playing game, has released the much-anticipated 5th Job Advancement that will entirely change the gameplay of MapleStory. The patch is for download since 16 November 2016 and it is live since 23 November 2016.

The 5th Job Advancement promises to break down boundaries, bridge new connections and boldly change the way players experience the game. New 5th Job skills will be introduced to all 39 characters a week later on 23 November, opening up endless play possibilities, with countless permutations and combinations for players to create the perfect game strategy.
For the very first time in the game’s history, the damage cap limit will be removed. In addition, the levelling curve from level 60 to level 200 has also been altered. This means that the experience that players require for levelling up will be significantly reduced, allowing them to quickly level up to gain special skills and strength, and making it easier to reach the 200th level required to unlock the 5th Job.

Commenting on the new patch, Quang, Managing Director at Asiasoft, one of the biggest publishers of MapleStory SEA, says, “We are extremely excited to roll out the 5th Job Advancement which players have been waiting for, for almost ten years. With a new boss, Lucid, a new continent, Arcane River, a new area, Chew Chew Island, and various revamps, the game-changing patch is definitely worth the wait. The new patch demonstrates MapleStory’s commitment to creating unique gameplay experience for every player.”
As one of the biggest games in the region, MapleStory has a wide base of active players in Malaysia and Singapore, MapleStory is ranked even higher than the most talked about games that exist today. With its consistently strong presence in both countries, its impressive 2D graphics, limitless cosmetic options and a wide variety of skills really embodies the concept of crafting your own unique gameplay experience.

New skill system – V Matrix

Key features of the V Patch

This patch will include updates such as:

New 5th Job skills introduced to all 39 characters
Levelling curve from level 60 to level 200 is reduced. This means that the experience that players are required to gain for levelling up, is significantly reduced
No damage cap limit
New skill system (V Matrix)
New Arcane system and equipment and a new level 200 Arcaneshade equipment set
Greater content rewards – players will receive better rewards in Party Quests
New continent such as Arcade River, Road To Extinction, is released (1st gateway to Black Mage)
Revamp of the User Interface – wider and cooler screens and customized adjustable quickslots
Expansion of inventory – each tab now has the capacity to store 128 items. Previously, each tab could only store up to a maximum of 96 items.

You can of course get the upgrade now at http://www.maplesea.com/ today!

Win Huggable Pink Bean Plushie!

Check out our facebook contest here! This huggable Pink Bean Plushie is up for grab! Just comment on the Facebook post in the link by 9th Dec 2016 to stand a chance to win this cute plushie.

Game Industry News, Game News, General

STGCC 2016 – Something for everyone

September 12, 2016 Jax Xie

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This is not a concert in Akihabara, the mecca for Otaku. It actually took place right here in Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands. This year, Singapore Toy, Game and Comic Convention was a blast! GameTrader.SG was there to soak in the atmosphere. Check out our photos below:

Cutest Ruby Cosplay from Love Live Sunshine! You can follow Momo at WorldCosplay

Fans of Cosplayer can get their autograph poster at the event too!

Transformer, robot…erm toys in disguise!

Never meddle with a man with 2 light sabers…

Avengers Exhibition has a booth to promote the upcoming Marvel Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N, an interactive exhibition where you get to know more about the avengers. From now till 28 October, you can get an early bird discount of 15%.

Where else can you find two Deadpools dueling in Singapore?