Hot Five

Ouya set for a comeback in 2014, Molyneux talks free-to-play, and where to party at GDC

Last week's top 5 stories

Ouya set for a comeback in 2014, Molyneux talks free-to-play, and where to party at GDC

Welcome to PocketGamer.biz's weekly rundown of the stories clocking up the hits, picking up the click-throughs and generally keeping the advertisers happy by serving up page views.

Or, if you'd prefer, the top five stories currently dominating our readers' attention.

Each week, we'll be counting down the biggest news from the previous seven days, giving just a glimpse of the industry's big issues, from five to one.


Click here to view the list »
  • 1 Updated: Pocket Gamer's ultimate GDC 2014 party guide

    Updated: Pocket Gamer's ultimate GDC 2014 party guide logo

    With GDC 2014 right around the corner, PocketGamer.biz party mogul Martine Paris has put together a comprehensive party guide to make sure that you don't miss out on any of the mind-blowing events the city of San Francisco has to offer.

    This year promises to be more spectacular than the last, with the fun beginning on one of the most important days in any partygoer's calendar: St Patricks Day.

    So, if you want to work hard, and play harder at this years GDC, click here, and be sure to check back regularly for updates to the schedule.

    Oh, and feel free to buy us a 'thank you' drink.


  • 2 Molyneux: Free-to-play is like 'smashing consumers over the head with a sledgehammer'

    Molyneux: Free-to-play is like 'smashing consumers over the head with a sledgehammer' logo

    Free-to-play. Love it or hate it, everyone has an opinion on it, and industry giant Peter Molyneux - who offered his thoughts on the polarising monetisation model at this years Casual Connect in Amsterdam - is no different.

    In a chat with GameBeat's Dean Takahashi, Molyneux suggested that in its current form, free-to-play is nothing more than a way for developers to "smash consumers over the head with a sledgehammer".

    "There cannot be a term that's less true about the current generation of free-to-play games than 'free-to-play'," said Molyneux.

    "What we need is a new term, something like 'invest-to-play'. Because, at the moment, what really are we doing? We're tempting people to invest some of their money into a game."


  • 3 Rumour: Supercell hack reveals DAU and ARPDAU, access to internal emails

    Rumour: Supercell hack reveals DAU and ARPDAU, access to internal emails logo

    Last week Supercell's security was well and truly breached when a hacker, who goes by the name of Ethical Spectrum, broke into the firm's official Clash of Clans, and Hay Day, Facebook pages.

    The intruder posted an unverified screenshot which appeared to show some of Supercell's more interesting figures - namely, its DAU and ARPDAU.

    Not content with simply revealing sensitive company information, the hacker gained access to an employee email account, and posted an internal email from Ilkka Paananen that acknowledged the attacks.

    Seemingly mad with power, Ethical Spectrum has hinted that the attacks aren't over, tweeting at Supercell with the ominous words "wait for me".


  • 4 How can developers deliver the next Flappy Bird? (And should they even try?)

    How can developers deliver the next Flappy Bird? (And should they even try?) logo

    When we need answers to life's tougher questions, we know there's only group of people we can turn toÂ…

    Of course! I was talking about our group of ever-present, and always-pleasant, Mobile Mavens, who were back last week to answer the question on everyone's lips: What does the rise of Flappy Bird say about mobile in 2014?

    Go and get yourself some answers, you deserve them.


  • 5 Microconsole matters: Why Ouya is more than just a 'dumb games computer'

    Microconsole matters: Why Ouya is more than just a 'dumb games computer' logo

    Could 2014 be a small turning point for the microconsole?

    Ouya's Tadhg Kelly seems to think so, suggesting in a talk at this years Casual Connect Europe that 2014 could be a more potent year for hardware that, he admitted, is still finding its feet.

    "All three major console makes seem to continually exist in a world of near total collapse," said Kelly.

    "A microconsole is a lot of things that aren't that, essentially.

    "It's still a dumb console, but one that's a bit smarter. Ouya pretty much actively encourages users to break it open and mod it – it operates more as a hacker's box rather than just a dumb entertainment channel."


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What do you call someone who has an unhealthy obsession with video games and Sean Bean? That'd be a 'Chris Kerr'. Chris is one of those deluded souls who actually believes that one day Sean Bean will survive a movie. Poor guy.