Crazy Kart Jeep and More

July 29, 2008 · Filed Under Level Up, MMORPG News, MMOments, Marketing, Crazy Kart · 9 Comments

Crazy Kart is currently offline undergoing final preparations for the open beta on July 31. As per our announcement, we shall be deleting all CBT accounts. I know… some people may say “but I already have a high level character”. It’s standard practice for game companies to delete the contents of the CBT accounts (Update: We will only delete the avatars and the karts, accounts will remain). I mean, they are, after all, TEST accounts and were just given away to a limited few. Now, by Open Beta, all accounts will now belong to you (via registration at MyLevelUp) and yes, I promise, no more deleting afterwards.

Meanwhile, allow me to share what you’ll see once Crazy Kart goes back online for the CBT on Thursday.

Presenting, the Pinoy Jeep…

More after one more click… Read more

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Crazy Kart Presscon

July 28, 2008 · Filed Under Level Up, Events, Marketing, Crazy Kart · 11 Comments

Last July 23, 2008, we officially launched our newest racing game, Crazy Kart via a press conference held at the National Sports Grill, Greenbelt Makati.

The event was a huge success. It was even graced by the presence of Gaby Dela Merced, the country’s top female racer (iRL) as our special guest. Our friends from the media enjoyed an afternoon of racing with Gaby. In fact, in lieu of a traditional raffle, the press had to race for the main prize - a brand new Apple iPod Touch!

I’d like to thank everyone, especially Gaby, for attending and supporting the launch. Special thanks also to my bosses, CEO Jane Walker, Marketing Director Jake Sandiego and Gameboss Ben Colayco, of course.

And yes, what’s a racing event without race girls… here are our models, Chek, runner up for Mossimo Bikini Summit (left) and Ara who was once featured in FHM (right). Rawwrrr!

More photos after the jump…

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Finding the Best in Others

July 26, 2008 · Filed Under Musings, Marketing · 1 Comment

Am currently reading a book, Top Performance by one of my favorite authors, Zig Ziglar.

In it, he gives good advice on how to manage your people. He says that you have to find the good in others. This is one crucial thing managers seldom do. When you make an effort to find the best in others, it inspires them to work harder. True leadership is actually making them want to do their job since they believe in you, as their leader AND they believe that they can do better. If you don’t have a shared vision, it will be difficult to end up on the same “finish line”, so to speak.

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Why Would Players Pay?

July 21, 2008 · Filed Under Musings, Online, Marketing · 20 Comments

Most online games today are based on F2P or Free-to-Play model. Countries in Asia are more used to this type of business model than Westerners. In this part of the world, F2P games have been hugely succesful businesses. Only WoW has been the exception, most notably in China and Korea where it is bigger than some local F2p MMORPGs.

F2P games are based on “microtransactions”. You get the game for free, register for free and then you’re in. But if you want added value for your character, usually in the form of either a “premium service“; where you get more EXP and mods, or in the more common item mall, you’ll have to shell out cash.

This is where you separate the men from the boys. Those who know what they’re doing, both in terms of running (developing) the game and marketing (publishing) it will excel in getting players to pay.

But why would your players pay? Let’s find out.

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Level Up Rewards

July 11, 2008 · Filed Under Level Up, MMORPG News, Perfect World, Ragnarok, RF Online, Flyff, Marketing · Comment

It’s been a long time coming…

Remember all those Rewards points accumulating in your MyLevelUp? Yeah! Now there’s something in store for all you loyal Level Up players - the new Level Up Rewards program.

What is it, you may ask? Well, everytime you top up, you get special points (for every P5.00, you get 2 reward points). If you use the SMS service from the Gamer Sim you get 1 reward point for every service costing P2.50 and 6 reward points if you download MMS content.

You then simply go to the Rewards Program page and choose what in-game goodies you want for your character. If you can “afford” it, it’s yours! Automatically inserted. It’s that simple.

More after the break.

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Davao Cyber Expo 2008

July 9, 2008 · Filed Under Perfect World, RF Online, Events, Marketing, Crazy Kart · 7 Comments

Last weekend, Level Up was full force for the Davao Cyber Expo 2008.

Held at the NCCC Mall from Friday to Saturday, July 4-6, 2008, we featured 2 of our top MMORPGs, Perfect World and RF Online as well as a soft-launch for Crazy Kart, our newest online racing game.

It was 3 intense days of tournaments, stage shows, raffles, EBs, interviews, Crazy Kart CBT demos and free Level Up gaming. Thanks to the support of our Marketing Services team, ICT and our Sales force from Davao City, the event was successful and everyone had a blast.

Check out some more photos from the event after the jump…

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Blizzard Worldwide Invitational 2008

July 5, 2008 · Filed Under Videos, Gaming, Events, Marketing, LIVE 2008 · 7 Comments

When game leader Blizzard puts together a show, it’s a spectacle to behold. The Blizzard Worldwide Invitational 2008, held in Paris last weekend, was one awesome event!

That’s where they announced Diablo 3, my bosses, Ben “Gameboss” Colayco, Level Up international COO and Phil Cahiwat, Level Up international content director were there to witness everything. Wish I was with them. Anyways, it was a grand Blizzard party filled with talks, game demos, tournaments, cosplay and shops.

As Deckard would say… “Stay a while and listen”

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Best Posts of June 2008 - gmtristan.com

July 1, 2008 · Filed Under Level Up, MMORPG News, Blogging, Musings, Marketing · Comment

Wow! Time really flies fast… if you’re having fun (and stressed out too *wink*). But it was all worth it, mind you.

June was a busy month. Again. What else is new?

For starters, we announced a new game, Crazy Kart and then migrated the Level Up website to the Wordpress platform. This move was met with positive feedback and comments. Our sincerest gratitude. I’m glad that you liked it. On the downside, RF Online had to do a major economy fix so that we can fix a serious game breach - duping.

Oh well… we have our ups and our downs. But the thought that there are still thousands upon thousands of loyal Level Up players (like you) - keeps our blood running…. I kid thee not when I say that we’re all working hard to make your gaming experience even better.

In case you missed some of the stuff here at my blog, I’ve compiled the best posts of June 2008 for your convenience.

And that’s just a click away, sir…(or madam)

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A Call For Heroes

June 27, 2008 · Filed Under General, Level Up, Gaming, Marketing, LIVE 2008 · Comment

The drums of war beat wildly into the night. The dark skies light up as armies raise their weapons and shout their battle cries. In this time of conflict, despair, and trial – legends will be made, immortals will rise, and heroes will be born. Historians will write about their deeds and bards will sing of their glory.

From the Asgardian realm of Midgard, the war-torn continent of Pangu, the harsh deserts of Novus, the hard courts of Freestyle, and the vast islands of Roika…

… hails a new breed of heroes.

They’re coming.

CLICK HERE

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Video: Crazy Kart CBT

June 22, 2008 · Filed Under Level Up, MMORPG News, Videos, Marketing, Crazy Kart · 7 Comments

I’ve been playing the CBT of Crazy Kart for some time now. The game is fast and fun, that much I can tell you.

I’ve also been receiving a lot of your feedback via email and thank you for all the kind words and also for reporting some of the minor bugs and errors during the CBT. There are now a lot of players inside the games and the rooms are always full. It takes a mastery of the drift, the proper “curving” and strategy on using the “weapons” that makes the game exciting, challenging and fun. There are various degrees of difficulty when it comes to maps too.

The game gurus (or the GPS guys - Game Play Specialists) have helped me do an in-game video of the actual CBT. Thanks guys, I owe you merienda. There are individual and team races but the team races are the most fun.

Let’s see the video, shall we?