In an interview with the Nikkei, Nintendo announced that their first attempt at bringing Mario to mobile devices profited less than expected.
When Super Mario Run initially launched on iOS devices back in December, it was met with high praise and excitement. The app quickly tore Apple’s charts, topping free sections around the world.We reported back in January, that over 78 million players downloaded the initial free version of Mario’s mobile debut. Unfortunately, Super Mario Run’s momentum didn’t translate into profits. Many players were turned off by having to pay $10 dollars to continue once finishing the games first World. Profits will hopefully increase with Super Mario Run’s debut on Android earlier this week.
Fortunately, Nintendo’s following attempt at mobile games, Fire Emblem Heroes has been a huge success. Heroes’ “gatacha” style, which features you paying real money for in-game orbs to obtain new characters has provided a great profit for Nintendo. The game continues to lead top grossing charts on both iOS and Android. Despite its success, Heroes is likely the last Freemium game we’re getting from Nintendo.”Heroes’ is an outlier,” a senior company official said. “We honestly prefer the ‘Super Mario Run’ model.”
Nintendo values presenting their properties in the best possible light, and their characters as cool as they can be. Nintendo seems to feel that the gatcha style undermines most of their characters, reducing them to no more than an avatar. It’s surprising that Mario run didn’t make more. Hopefully, Nintendo has better attempts at mobile gaming in the future.
New World Interactive, the developer of the Insurgency series of tactical first-person shooters, has laid off an unknown number of employees as part of Embracer Group’s comprehensive restructuring plan.
Saber Interactive, which acquired New World in 2020, told Eurogamer that the studio had not closed. However, it confirmed an unknown number of layoffs.
Embracer says it is “actively working to fill existing open roles” with impacted employees and will provide severance packages. “Saber also assures that development will continue on Insurgency: Sandstorm, as well as on unannounced future projects,” it said.
Over 900 employees were laid off in an “agonizing” but “necessary” process. As always, we hope all victims recover.
Sony wants non-console owners to access its content beyond its PlayStation-walled garden. This strategy has been slowly implemented: the company has commissioned TV and movie adaptations of its biggest franchises, ported select software to the PC, and launched a mobile gaming division.
In an interview with Nikkei, head Hideaki Nishino explained how this strategy can boost console sales: We want to use movies and dramas to get non-gamers to try PlayStation games. Sales of The Last of Us increased during the live-action drama.
When HBO’s adaptation aired, our The Last of Us content skyrocketed, so we can understand its impact. As a PlayStation fan site, we support this strategy because we want to reach as many people as possible, so if Sony can appeal to non-console owners, that’s a win-win.
More PlayStation users is better, in our opinion.
PowerWash Simulator is one of this month’s PS Plus Essentials, but before you start scrubbing, check out the PS Store. The game has been well supported on PS5 and PS4 with free DLC packs based on Square Enix titles since its release at the start of the year.
Free Final Fantasy VII and Tomb Raider expansions let you clean Croft Manor and Seventh Heaven. The free DLC packs add 10 levels, and the paid ones add more.
Two more Back to the Future and SpongeBob SquarePants expansions cost £6.49 or $7.99 each. You can then scrub the Bikini Bottom and the DeLorean.
The Midgar Special Pack for PowerWash Simulator was another reason to use the cleaning kit. “It doesn’t add much, but getting close to FF7’s props and environments is fun. It offers a fresh take on the beloved title that will please both sides of this collaboration.”
Have you tried the latest PS Plus Essential game?
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