Realtime Worlds APB MMO Locked Down

SEPT. 15, 2010 • Only a month after Scotland-based developer Realtime Worlds went into administration – the British form of bankruptcy – its APB MMOG was shut down. The game had been live for less than three months.  No buyers were found to acquire the MMOG. Impact: Realtime Worlds and the APB MMOG show the risk associated with high end development.  Over the past five years, Realtime ha.....

Realtime Worlds in Admin

AUG. 18, 2010 • After releasing its APB online RPG on June 29th, Scotland-based developer Realtime Worlds went into administration. While buyers are sought, 157 of the company’s 210 staffers in Dundee lost their jobs, as well as 28 more in Colorado. .....

Apple Chasing Handseeing

AUG. 5, 2010 • Apple Inc. was reported to be negotiating to acquire Handseeing Information Technology Co., Ltd. for as much as $150 million. The firm is a mobile Internet service provider and a mobile game developer in China. Such an acquisition would make sense given rampant specul.....

Disney Acquires Playdom

JULY 27, 2010 • The Walt Disney Co. acquired the privately held Playdom for $563 million. Based in Mountain View, Calif. Playdom is best known for such games as Mobsters and Sorority Life. Both titles are popular on Facebook and MySpace. Should Playdom meet expectations un.....

Rhode Island Woos 38 Studios

JULY 13, 2010 • The state of Rhode Island is wooing 38 Studios LLC with up to $75 million in loan guarantees to move from nearby Maynard, Mass. Rhode Island recently set aside a total of $125 million to attract technology companies to the state. Commercial banks would issue the loans,.....