Manor Lords: The Indie Game That Took Steam by Storm

"Manor Lords" is making waves in the gaming industry, proving that a single developer can achieve extraordinary success. This medieval city-building game, developed by solo developer Slavic Magic, has entered Early Access on Steam and has quickly become a sensation, garnering impressive sales figures, player counts, and reviews.

Within just over 24 hours of its release, "Manor Lords" sold over one million copies on Steam, according to its publisher, Hooded Horse. This achievement is remarkable for an indie game with minimal marketing and no major publisher backing. To put this in perspective, Sony's blockbuster "Spider-Man 2" sold 2.5 million copies in the same timeframe, setting a new record for PlayStation Studios in October 2023.

Player numbers are equally staggering. According to SteamDB, the game reached a peak of 170,000 concurrent players on April 27th, propelling it to the 7th spot on Steam's most-played games list. This milestone even surpassed stalwarts like "GTA Online," "Fallout 4," and "Helldivers 2." Hooded Horse claims this is a record for city-building games on Steam, surpassing titles like "Civilization" and "Cities Skylines."

Despite its immense popularity, "Manor Lords" is still in Early Access and shows signs of being unfinished. However, its unique blend of medieval setting, city-building, and strategy has captivated players, earning a "Very Positive" rating on Steam. This success story not only highlights the game's appeal but also showcases the potential for indie developers to make a significant impact in a highly competitive market.

Steam Faces German Authorities Over Missing Age Ratings: Developers Asked to Comply

Steam, the world's largest digital game distribution platform, has found itself in the crosshairs of German authorities due to an issue with age ratings. The German Federal Office for the Protection of Children and Youth (BzKJ) has informed Valve, the parent company of Steam, that all games on the platform must have an age classification.

In 2023 alone, over 14,000 new games were released on Steam, with nearly 3,000 more in early 2024. This massive influx of new titles includes games that might not be suitable for all age groups, making age ratings crucial for consumer protection and compliance with German regulations.

The recent clarification from the BzKJ has broader implications, as it requires Steam to ensure that not only newly released games but also all existing titles in its extensive catalog have appropriate age classifications. This requirement aligns with a 2023 regulation mandating that content providers, whether they offer games, movies, or TV series, must include age ratings.

Valve has issued a notice to developers, urging them to obtain the necessary age ratings to avoid having their games removed from the German market. The easiest way to achieve this is through Steam's integrated rating process, which involves completing a questionnaire that results in an age classification. Alternatively, developers can submit their games for evaluation to the German entertainment software self-regulation body, the USK (Unterhaltungssoftware Selbstkontrolle).

Steam has made it clear that games lacking age ratings may be removed from the platform in Germany. However, games that are already in users' libraries will not be affected, ensuring that previous purchases remain intact.

This move by German authorities highlights the importance of compliance with age-rating regulations, especially in a market as vast and diverse as Steam's. It also underscores the growing need for platforms to ensure that users are adequately informed about the content they access, promoting safer gaming experiences for players of all ages.

Bethesda Considers Third-Party Fallout Spin-Offs Like New Vegas

Bethesda's Todd Howard recently hinted at the possibility of third-party developers creating Fallout spin-offs akin to Fallout: New Vegas, offering hope to fans waiting for new content in the Fallout universe. With Fallout 5 not expected until after The Elder Scrolls 6, Microsoft is reportedly planning to launch a new Fallout game "sooner rather than later." This news has reignited speculation and interest in the franchise.

Howard stated in a recent interview with Kinda Funny Games that Bethesda has "always" been open to third-party developers creating Fallout spin-offs. Despite past rumors suggesting Howard was unhappy with the success of New Vegas, he clarified that he appreciates the game and the work that Obsidian put into it. As Microsoft now owns Bethesda, Obsidian, and inXile Entertainment, the potential for new Fallout content from third-party developers has grown significantly.

Xbox's Jez Corden noted that a new Fallout game could launch "this decade," indicating a possible release within the next six years. Howard mentioned that Bethesda has "had those conversations" and pointed out the additional content created for Fallout 76, including the upcoming Skyline Valley map expansion.

Given Microsoft's ownership of Bethesda, Obsidian, and inXile, the chances for a new Fallout spin-off have increased. Obsidian, which developed New Vegas, has expressed interest in returning to the series. InXile, founded by Interplay co-founder Brian Fargo, and with experience in classic Fallout, is another potential developer.

However, Microsoft could choose to give the Fallout IP to a different studio entirely. With various possibilities on the table, the direction of a new Fallout spin-off remains uncertain. While fans eagerly await any announcement, they can rest assured that Bethesda and Microsoft are exploring the idea of additional Fallout content.

Skull And Bones Price Slashed to $29.99 Two Months After Launch

Ubisoft's long-awaited pirate adventure, Skull and Bones, has seen its price dramatically slashed to $29.99 on Amazon, a little over two months after its release. This steep discount, which is more than 50 percent off the original $70 price tag, suggests the game hasn't quite lived up to Ubisoft's expectations in terms of sales and reception.

Following more than a decade in development, Skull and Bones was released amid high expectations, with Ubisoft's CEO Yves Guillemot even describing it as the world's first "quadruple-A" game. However, mixed reactions and a general lack of buzz have likely contributed to this swift price cut. Ubisoft's efforts to boost interest in the game included offering an eight-hour free trial and running an open beta ahead of launch, but these initiatives seem to have had limited success in boosting its popularity.

The $29.99 price tag is available for both PS5 and Xbox Series X|S versions, marking a significant discount over the original price. This makes it an attractive option for those who were on the fence about giving Skull and Bones a try, especially given the game's rich pirate theme inspired by Assassin's Creed: Black Flag.

However, despite the massive price reduction, it remains unclear whether enough players will take the plunge at this new, lower price point. The game's initial release saw many players returning to Black Flag, suggesting that Skull and Bones didn't quite meet the high expectations set by its predecessor. While Ubisoft still hopes to turn Skull and Bones into a success, the early signs aren't promising.

Ultimately, Ubisoft's hopes for Skull and Bones now hinge on whether the reduced price will attract enough players to give it a second chance. The initial hype may have waned, and with the game receiving mixed reviews, it's uncertain whether a lower price will be enough to reignite interest in Ubisoft's ambitious pirate adventure.

Game of Thrones MMO Reportedly in Development, Set in the North

A new Game of Thrones massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) is reportedly in development by Korean publisher Nexon. According to a report by Redanian Intelligence, the game will take place in the North, during the time frame between Seasons 4 and 5 of the hit HBO series.

Players can expect to encounter familiar characters like Jon Snow, Roose Bolton, and Samwell Tarly as they explore the Wall and the Northern territories. However, the report indicates that the original actors from the TV show will not be reprising their roles in the game.

While it's not clear yet how extensive the game world will be, Redanian Intelligence notes that the MMORPG could potentially expand beyond the North. Although the primary focus is on the Northern territories, there's a chance that other key locations in Westeros could be included, offering players the opportunity to interact with different houses and explore more of the seven kingdoms.

No details have been released about the mechanics, but the report suggests players will have story mode options and can choose to play as either a male or female character. Whichever gender players do not select will still play a role in the story, just not as the protagonist. The inclusion of an online component implies there will be opportunities for interaction with other players.

Game of Thrones video games have had mixed success in the past, with notable cancellations like the second season of the Telltale series and the MMORPG Game of Thrones: Seven Kingdoms. Currently, Arya Stark's inclusion in MultiVersus is among the latest Game of Thrones-related content in the gaming world, with whispers that Daenerys Targaryen could also make an appearance.

Given the high expectations from fans, Nexon will need to navigate the complex world of Game of Thrones carefully. There's no confirmation on whether the game will stay true to the show's narrative or offer branching paths that could alter the course of the story. If the latter is true, players might even be able to reshape the history of Westeros as they see fit. With no further details on a release date or gameplay features, fans of the series will have to wait for more information to see if this new MMO will be the Game of Thrones game they've been waiting for.

Kratos Gaming Network's Nationwide Campaign to Promote Web3 Gaming in India

Kratos Gaming Network (KGeN), previously IndiGG, launched a six-month educational campaign to raise awareness about web3 gaming among students and young gamers across India. With events in major cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Indore, and Kolkata, and smaller tier 2 and tier 3 cities, the campaign aims to highlight the career opportunities and benefits of web3 gaming. Activities include student meetups, college competitions, and roundtable discussions with educators and psychologists. Kratos also emphasizes data ownership through its Proof of Gamer (PoG) engine, enabling gamers to build, own, and monetize their data. Ishank Gupta, from Kratos Gaming Network, stated that this shift to data ownership represents a fundamental change in how gamers interact with technology, with users shaping the future of the digital world.

Anichess Raises $1.8 Million to Reinvent Chess for the Modern Era

Anichess, a web3 chess game developed in collaboration with Chess.com and Magnus Carlsen, recently completed a funding round of $1.8 million, led by Sfermion and Amber Group, with participation from Fenbushi Capital, Aspen Digital, SNZ Capital, and others. The funding will go towards game development, marketing, and team expansion, with the aim of reinventing chess for a modern audience. Anichess introduces a new tactical twist on the classic game, integrating spells and unique gameplay elements that require players to rethink traditional chess strategies.

Anichess, launched in January 2024, has amassed over 1,000,000 registered players, with 150,000 daily active users solving more than 50 million chess puzzles. The Season 1 leaderboard, ranking players based on points from solving puzzles and collecting Orbs of Power, was launched on March 11, 2024. An online player-versus-player (PvP) mode is set to launch in Q2 2024.

Animoca Brands, the company behind Anichess, is a global leader in gamification and blockchain, with a large portfolio of over 400 web3 investments. Yat Siu, co-founder and executive chairman of Animoca Brands, emphasized the company's mission to advance digital property rights and contribute to building an open metaverse.

CARV Secures $10 Million For Gaming Data Layer and AI

CARV, the innovative company behind the CARV Protocol, has successfully raised $10 million in Series A funding to further develop its modular data layer for gaming and artificial intelligence (AI). This funding round aims to advance user empowerment and data ownership while expanding the scope of CARV's protocol, which integrates with over 40 chain ecosystems and 700 games.

The funding round was led by Tribe Capital and IOSG Ventures, with support from other significant backers such as Consensys, OKX Ventures, Fenbushi Capital, and Draper Dragon. This strategic investment underscores CARV's mission to transform data use, emphasizing privacy and user control. CARV co-founder Victor Yu shared that the company's immediate focus is on growing its consumer adoption and refining its tools for individual data ownership and monetization.

CARV's ultimate goal is to pioneer a future where data generates value for all. The company seeks to lead the charge in building an equitable data economy, ensuring transparency and user-centric design throughout its development process. This $10 million funding will allow CARV to continue pushing boundaries, ensuring users have unprecedented control over their data while fostering ethical and sustainable innovation. As CARV expands its creator base and enhances scalability, it is poised to revolutionize gaming, AI, and data ownership, aiming to create a more equitable online economy.