Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogobig.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Ubisoft sale on PSN has some big titles at tiny prices]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/ubisoft-sale-on-psn-has-some-big-titles-at-tiny-prices/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/ubisoft-sale-on-psn-has-some-big-titles-at-tiny-prices/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/ubisoft-sale-on-psn-has-some-big-titles-at-tiny-prices/#comments ImageUbisoft is celebrating the gorgeous, inviting weather of May with a sale on PSN titles designed to keep you indoors for days. Today through May 22, a large Ubisoft lineup is 30 percent off for standard PSN users and 50 percent off for PlayStation Plus members.

Titles include Assassin's Creed Brotherhood, Scott Pilgrim, Prince of Persia Classic Trilogy HD and Far Cry 2, among other full games and DLC packs. Check out the full list and prices below, you hermit.

Continue reading Ubisoft sale on PSN has some big titles at tiny prices

JoystiqUbisoft sale on PSN has some big titles at tiny prices originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 May 2012 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>playstationplaystation-plusps3PSNsalescott-pilgrim-vs-the-worldUbisoftTue, 15 May 2012 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Dear Esther comes to Mac on Steam, is half off through Thursday]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/dear-esther-comes-to-mac-on-steam-is-half-off-through-thursday/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/dear-esther-comes-to-mac-on-steam-is-half-off-through-thursday/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/dear-esther-comes-to-mac-on-steam-is-half-off-through-thursday/#comments ImageDear Esther has finally wandered across the barren PC wasteland to end up on Mac as part of the larger Steam island system. Dear Esther, developed by current Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs team thechineseroom, now supports SteamPlay and is half off for Midweek Madness, through May 17.

JoystiqDear Esther comes to Mac on Steam, is half off through Thursday originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 May 2012 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dear-esthermacpcSTEAMSteamPlaythechineseroomTue, 15 May 2012 22:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Capcom re-evaluating on-disc DLC, is 'listening']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/capcom-re-evaluating-on-disc-dlc-is-listening/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/capcom-re-evaluating-on-disc-dlc-is-listening/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/capcom-re-evaluating-on-disc-dlc-is-listening/#comments ImageCapcom is revising its DLC strategy to include less content on-disc at launch, senior vice president Christian Svensson writes in a post in the Capcom forums. "We would like to assure you that we have been listening to your comments and as such have begun the process of re-evaluating how such additional game content is delivered in the future," Svensson says.

This introspection follows vicious complaints about Street Fighter X Tekken's on-disc DLC, to which Capcom responded that it sees no distinction between on- and off-disc DLC. A few titles currently in production will ship with on-disc DLC, including Dragon's Dogma, Svensson writes.

Capcom decided to add DLC on Dragon's Dogma discs "at the beginning of the game's development cycle as at the time this was determined to be the most efficient way of ensuring certain content was made available," according to Svensson. "You are being heard," Svensson concludes.

JoystiqCapcom re-evaluating on-disc DLC, is 'listening' originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 May 2012 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CapcomDLCmicrosofton-disc-dlcpcplaystationplaystation-vitaps3street-fighter-x-tekkenvitaxboxTue, 15 May 2012 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[PSN Tuesday: PixelJunk 4am, Sonic 4: Episode 2, Rock of Ages]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/psn-tuesday-pixeljunk-4am-sonic-4-episode-2-rock-of-ages/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/psn-tuesday-pixeljunk-4am-sonic-4-episode-2-rock-of-ages/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/psn-tuesday-pixeljunk-4am-sonic-4-episode-2-rock-of-ages/#comments ImagePixelJunk 4am drops its sick beats on PSN today, daring anyone to look cooler or make prettier sounds come out of a TV than mixmaster Baiyon. Seriously, launching this game is a dare in itself - to create something beautiful and share it with the world - so don't be a wuss. Today PSN also gets Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 2, Prototype 2 and Rock of Ages for download on PSN.

PlayStation Plus members get Rock of Ages for free, Goldeneye 007 Reloaded for half price ($30) and Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood Complete Edition for 40 percent off ($15). The entire run-down of content, free, discounted and just-launched, is available on the PlayStation Blog.

JoystiqPSN Tuesday: PixelJunk 4am, Sonic 4: Episode 2, Rock of Ages originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 May 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>movepixeljunk-4amplaystationprototype-2ps3psn-tuesdayrock-of-agessonic-the-hedgehog-4-episode-2SONYTue, 15 May 2012 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[THQ sees net loss of $239.9 million, still in business]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/thq-sees-net-loss-of-239-9-million-still-in-business/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/thq-sees-net-loss-of-239-9-million-still-in-business/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/thq-sees-net-loss-of-239-9-million-still-in-business/#comments ImageTHQ saw a net revenue loss of $239.9 million for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2012, $100 million more than the previous fiscal year's loss of $136.1 million.

"We have made significant changes to our business, and are on track to execute our strategy of delivering quality connected core gaming experiences, beginning with the sequel to the award-winning Darksiders in August," president and CEO Brian Farrell said in a THQ earnings statement.

THQ has seen a rough year, with plummeting revenue despite the success of Saints Row: The Third and WWE '12. THQ laid off 240 employees, slashed the salaries of its head honchos and cut its "kids' licensed video games" department earlier this fiscal year, following quarter losses of nearly triple the previous period.

THQ has sold through 84 percent of its shipped uDraw tablets and expects to sell its remaining inventory in fiscal 2013. The company's "future kids' license commitments" have been reduced by $30 million, THQ reports.

THQ describes its emergency layoffs, salary cuts and company rehashing as follows: "The company exited the traditional kids' licensed games business, and streamlined its product line, organization and cost structure to support a smaller company positioned for sustained profitability."

JoystiqTHQ sees net loss of $239.9 million, still in business originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 May 2012 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fy-2012kinectlossmicrosoftmobilemovenintendopcplaystationps3THQwiixboxTue, 15 May 2012 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[South Park: The Game delayed to early 2013]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/south-park-the-game-delayed-to-early-2013/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/south-park-the-game-delayed-to-early-2013/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/south-park-the-game-delayed-to-early-2013/#comments ImageSouth Park: The Game was originally announced with a launch in the second half of 2012, but it has been pushed to Q4 of FY2013, THQ's financial statement reveals. THQ's financial years run April through March, putting the new launch window in early 2013 territory.

Developer Obsidian Entertainment was hit with layoffs in March, with a few losses coming from the South Park: The Game development team.

JoystiqSouth Park: The Game delayed to early 2013 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 May 2012 16:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Delayfy-2012microsoftObsidian-Entertainmentpcplaystationps3south-park-the-gameTHQxboxTue, 15 May 2012 16:38:00 EST<![CDATA[Somebody finished Diablo 3 in 12 hours [Update: Others did it in 7]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/somebody-finished-diablo-3-in-12-hours/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/somebody-finished-diablo-3-in-12-hours/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/somebody-finished-diablo-3-in-12-hours/#comments ImageWe wonder - when someone finishes an epic, sprawling title such as Diablo 3 in a matter of hours, does he experience the years of excitement, adrenaline and joy had by unrushed players as a super-compressed ball of electric hype? And if so, how does his heart not explode?

Diablo 3 player Yoshichan would know the answers to these questions, as he posted final stats from Diablo 3 showing that he finished the entire game in 12 hours and 29 minutes. Yoshichan played as a Barbarian on Normal difficulty, reached level 32, had 8,368 Lifetime Kills, 412 Elite Kills and collected 168,481 gold during his run. He obviously didn't run into many Templar followers.

We suggest Yoshichan pop an aspirin and give Diablo 3 another, heartier go, but only if he promises to stop and smell the brimstone along the way.

Update: It appears a few more players have gotten past this dreaded "Error 37" monster we keep hearing so much about to finish Diablo 3 in just seven hours. A group of four Korean players ran through the entire title in seven hours on Normal difficulty, and a group of Chinese players did the same, Tom's Hardware reports. [Thanks, AlexLiebensfeld.]

JoystiqSomebody finished Diablo 3 in 12 hours [Update: Others did it in 7] originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 May 2012 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>12-hoursBlizzardDiablo-3finishedpcTue, 15 May 2012 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Ubisoft profits in 2012, 'core gamers' drive rise in sales]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/ubisoft-profits-in-2012-core-gamers-drive-rise-in-sales/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/ubisoft-profits-in-2012-core-gamers-drive-rise-in-sales/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/ubisoft-profits-in-2012-core-gamers-drive-rise-in-sales/#comments ImageUbisoft ended the 2012 financial year on the up, reporting a gross profit of €718 million ($917 million) and sales up 2.1 percent to €1 billion ($1.4 billion) year-over-year, according to its financial results for 2011-2012.

Ubisoft ended fiscal 2011-12 with net income of €37.3 million ($47.6 million), up from a net loss of €52.1 million ($66.5 million) in the 2011 fiscal year.

Sales from "core gamers" in Assassin's Creed Revelations, Rayman Origins, Driver San Francisco and free-to-play title The Settlers Online generated €578 million ($738.1 million) in revenue, Ubisoft reported. Casual games brought in €483 million ($616.8 million) in revenue, mainly from Just Dance, Rocksmith and free-to-play title Howrse.

Core and casual titles contributed to a 110.8 percent jump in online and digital sales, bringing that figure to €80 million ($102.1 million), Ubisoft reported.

Ubisoft's net cash position is down from €99.2 million ($126.6 million) in 2011 to €84.6 million ($108 million) in 2012, while current operating income rose 90 percent to €56 million ($71.5 million) year-over-year.

JoystiqUbisoft profits in 2012, 'core gamers' drive rise in sales originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 May 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>financialsfy-2012kinectmicrosoftmovenintendopcplaystationps3UbisoftwiixboxTue, 15 May 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Knights of the Old Republic, Jedi Knight 2 now on Mac via Steam]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/knights-of-the-old-republic-jedi-knight-2-now-on-mac-via-steam/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/knights-of-the-old-republic-jedi-knight-2-now-on-mac-via-steam/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/knights-of-the-old-republic-jedi-knight-2-now-on-mac-via-steam/#comments ImageMay the fourteenth be with you: Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic and Jedi Knight 2: Jedi Outcast are each available on Mac and are 25 percent off on Steam today, in celebration of "May the 10 days after May the fourth be with you" day or something. Each title costs $7.50 with the sale, which ends May 21 at 10 a.m. PST.

Both games first dropped in 2003 but they hold up pretty well nine years on, especially at less than $10 -- at least they've aged better than we imagine The Old Republic will have by 2020.

JoystiqKnights of the Old Republic, Jedi Knight 2 now on Mac via Steam originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 May 2012 00:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>KOTORmacpcStar-WarsStar-Wars-Jedi-Knight-2star-wars-knights-of-the-old-republicSTEAMTue, 15 May 2012 00:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Lionhead seeks multiplayer level designer for game development, long walks on beach]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/14/lionhead-seeks-multiplayer-level-designer-for-game-development/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/14/lionhead-seeks-multiplayer-level-designer-for-game-development/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/14/lionhead-seeks-multiplayer-level-designer-for-game-development/#commentsImageMicrosoft's Lionhead Studios is looking for a multiplayer level designer with "a deep understanding of online multiplayer games," a job posting reveals.

We assume Lionhead also would like any new designer to be adept at making the public forget Fable Heroes ever happened.

Lionhead's recent time in the spotlight hasn't focused on what games it may be creating, but instead on Fable creator Peter Molyneux's departure and what that might mean for the studio. With no other information or speculation on Lionhead's next title, aside from this multiplayer designer business, we're going to throw our best guess out there: A Team Fortress 2 clone that looks like Minecraft, plays like Call of Duty and is called "Half-Alive 3."

JoystiqLionhead seeks multiplayer level designer for game development, long walks on beach originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 14 May 2012 23:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Fable-HeroesjobLionheadLionhead-StudiosmicrosoftmultiplayerPeter-MolyneuxxboxMon, 14 May 2012 23:15:00 EST<![CDATA[RealD tech heightens 3D programming on Unreal Engine 3]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/14/reald-tech-adds-3d-capability-to-pc-programming-on-unreal-engine/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/14/reald-tech-adds-3d-capability-to-pc-programming-on-unreal-engine/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/14/reald-tech-adds-3d-capability-to-pc-programming-on-unreal-engine/#comments ImageEpic is broadening Unreal Engine 3's stereoscopic 3D capabilities, with RealD technology now available to any users in Epic's paid licensing program and to users of the Unreal Development Kit, the free version of the Unreal Engine 3 toolkit. The RealD update is included in today's May 2012 UDK Beta download.

RealD allows developers to render PC and console games in stereoscopic 3D, with camera separation and 3D depth effects rendered in real-time, among other features. The first Unreal Engine 3 title to use RealD is Seamless Entertainment's SOL: Exodus, which received an update on Steam today to include 3D effects.

Unreal Engine 3 first received stereoscopic 3D capabilities in 2010 with TriOviz. TriOviz was used in Batman: Arkham Asylum Game of the Year Edition, Arkham City, Thor: God of Thunder and Enslaved: Odyssey to the West.

RealD is used in many other high-profile 3D endeavors, including films such as The Avengers, and the forthcoming titles Prometheus and The Amazing Spider-Man.

JoystiqRealD tech heightens 3D programming on Unreal Engine 3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 14 May 2012 21:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3DEpicRealDseamless-entertainmentsol-exodusSTEAMstereoscopic-3dudkUnrealunreal-engine-3Mon, 14 May 2012 21:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Watch the entire Ghost Recon Alpha short film]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/14/watch-the-entire-ghost-recon-alpha-short-film/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/14/watch-the-entire-ghost-recon-alpha-short-film/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/14/watch-the-entire-ghost-recon-alpha-short-film/#comments
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If you appreciate violent art in forms other than gaming, you'll probably enjoy the desaturated bullet frenzy of Ghost Recon Alpha. If you think gaming is the only pure way to portray murderous creativity, wait until Ghost Recon: Future Soldier drops May 22 and silence the critique.

JoystiqWatch the entire Ghost Recon Alpha short film originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 14 May 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ghost-recon-alphaGhost-Recon-Future-Soldiermicrosoftpcplaystationps3short-filmUbisoftxboxMon, 14 May 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Murderer's Row: Max Payne 3's Classic Multiplayer Character Pack]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/14/murderers-row-max-payne-3s-classic-multiplayer-character-pack/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/14/murderers-row-max-payne-3s-classic-multiplayer-character-pack/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/14/murderers-row-max-payne-3s-classic-multiplayer-character-pack/#comments ImageThe newest installment in the Max Payne series hits tomorrow, and with all those new features, altered characters and updated graphics, some players may crave the explosive stability of the original cast. The Max Payne 3 Classic Multiplayer Character pack allows players to control eight beloved killers in the online Deathmatch mode, and comes standard in the Special Edition. The pack will be available for stand-alone purchase later on.

The Classic Multiplayer Character pack includes Vladimir "Vlad" Lem, Vincent "Vinnie" Gognitti, Jack Lupino, Alfred Woden, Mona Sax, Valerie Winterson, Nicole Horne and Max Payne 2's NYPD detective version of Max Payne.

JoystiqMurderer's Row: Max Payne 3's Classic Multiplayer Character Pack originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 14 May 2012 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>charactersclassicDLCMax-Payne-3microsoftmultiplayerpcplaystationps3RockStarspecial-editionxboxMon, 14 May 2012 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Minecraft XBLA sold 1 million copies in five days]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/14/minecraft-xbla-sold-1-million-copies-in-five-days/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/14/minecraft-xbla-sold-1-million-copies-in-five-days/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/14/minecraft-xbla-sold-1-million-copies-in-five-days/#comments ImageYep, that's a 1 followed by six 0s and two - count 'em, two - commas. Minecraft on Xbox 360 has sold 1 million copies since its launch on May 9, Microsoft announced today. Minecraft runs $20 a pop on XBLA, making its initial revenue bump against $20 million, supposedly split between Mojang, port developer 4J Studios and Microsoft.

Players have so far spent more than 5.2 million hours mining on XBLA, played 4 million multiplayer sessions and clocked more than 2.4 million multiplayer hours, Microsoft reported. Original Minecraft developer Markus "Notch" Persson reacted to the news in what we think is an appropriate manner: "Wow."

JoystiqMinecraft XBLA sold 1 million copies in five days originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 14 May 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1-million4j-studiosmicrosoftMinecraftmojangnotchsalesXBLAxboxMon, 14 May 2012 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Diablo 3 'Starter Edition' is a quickfire demo]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/14/diablo-3-starter-edition-is-a-quickfire-demo/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/14/diablo-3-starter-edition-is-a-quickfire-demo/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/14/diablo-3-starter-edition-is-a-quickfire-demo/#comments ImageDiablo 3's Starter Edition gives hesitant players a free trial of the game, available for a limited audience for 30 days following its launch tomorrow. The Starter Edition will first be accessible with a Guest Pass key, which can be found in all boxed versions of Diablo 3, and without a Guest Pass after one month. It includes the same contents as the beta: Play up to the Skeleton King in Act 1, and to character level 13. Starter Edition players won't be able to access the real-money auction house and will be able to use Matchmaking only with other Starter Edition players.

The Starter Edition was leaked during the beta in April, but the hole was patched before we discovered if it was a demo, trial or nuclear launch code.

Blizzard has also detailed the Character Profiles feature, which will populate the official Diablo 3 website and allow players to read character stats and track their progress.

JoystiqDiablo 3 'Starter Edition' is a quickfire demo originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 14 May 2012 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BlizzardDemoDiablo-3diablo-3-starter-editionpcstarter-editiontrialMon, 14 May 2012 14:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Two new Halo 4 enemies give away their position on McFarlane toy box]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/14/two-new-halo-4-enemies-give-away-their-position-on-mcfarlane-toy/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/14/two-new-halo-4-enemies-give-away-their-position-on-mcfarlane-toy/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/14/two-new-halo-4-enemies-give-away-their-position-on-mcfarlane-toy/#comments ImageTwo new enemies for Halo 4 have been outed on the back of a Series 1 McFarlane toy package, dubbed the "Crawler" and "Watcher," a photo from All Games Beta shows. The box includes images of each new enemy: The Crawler looks like a hellhound stuck its head in a vat of boiling yellow glow-stick liquid, while the Watcher appears to be a moth-mounted, flying beetle creature.

343 Industries better throw a leash on these Halo 4 image leaks before All Games Beta renames itself to "Official Halo 4 Pictures For Everyone Always, Enjoy."

JoystiqTwo new Halo 4 enemies give away their position on McFarlane toy box originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 14 May 2012 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>343-Industriescrawlerenemieshalo-4imagesleakmicrosoftwatcherxboxMon, 14 May 2012 13:45:00 EST<![CDATA[The Joystiq Indie Pitch: Finger Puppet Frenzy]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/13/the-joystiq-indie-pitch-finger-puppet-frenzy/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/13/the-joystiq-indie-pitch-finger-puppet-frenzy/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/13/the-joystiq-indie-pitch-finger-puppet-frenzy/#comments Indie developers are the starving artists of the video-game world, often brilliant and innovative, but also misunderstood, underfunded and more prone to writing free-form poetry on their LiveJournals. We believe they deserve a wider audience with the Joystiq Indie Pitch: This week, iOS title Finger Puppet Frenzy gives your kids something to do, which gives you the free time to do your own things. Like mix a martini. Or two.
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What's your game called and what's it about?

Our first release is a kids' game, Finger Puppet Frenzy, where you tap puppets in a whack-a-mole style and you can find rare puppets who help you increase your score and stay alive. Surprisingly enough it seems to require a significant level of concentration - this is not the kind of game you can daydream while you play.

Does Finger Puppet Frenzy appeal to hardcore gamers, or are you not interested in tapping that market with this title?

No, Finger Puppet Frenzy is not targeted to the hardcore gamer market. It is specifically designed for the "I Seldom Play Games" market. The simplicity of the game appeals to the young and will likely just frustrate hardcore gamers who often require a more complicated level of gameplay.

Continue reading The Joystiq Indie Pitch: Finger Puppet Frenzy

JoystiqThe Joystiq Indie Pitch: Finger Puppet Frenzy originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 13 May 2012 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Finger-Puppet-FrenzyiosipadiphonekidsmobileNeonBlueSun, 13 May 2012 22:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: GameStop discontinuing PSP games at smallest stores]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/13/report-gamestop-discontinuing-psp-games-at-smallest-stores/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/13/report-gamestop-discontinuing-psp-games-at-smallest-stores/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/13/report-gamestop-discontinuing-psp-games-at-smallest-stores/#comments ImageGameStop is going to stop selling PSP titles at the smallest 25 percent of stores, Kotaku reports. A GameStop representative called this move a "consolidation" and used phrases such as "maximize the merchandising space" to justify the dropped titles, Kotaku says.

GameStop will continue to sell PSP titles at its larger stores and online -- where it's also selling the PlayStation Vita. Just saying.

JoystiqReport: GameStop discontinuing PSP games at smallest stores originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 13 May 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gamestopplaystationpspsonySun, 13 May 2012 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Study: Xbox 360 most popular non-PC device for watching video ads]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/13/study-xbox-360-most-popular-non-pc-device-for-watching-video-ad/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/13/study-xbox-360-most-popular-non-pc-device-for-watching-video-ad/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/13/study-xbox-360-most-popular-non-pc-device-for-watching-video-ad/#comments ImageThe Xbox 360 is the most popular non-PC device for viewing online video, beating out iOS and Android handhelds, according to a study by online-video ad company Freewheel. Freewheel measured "professional content" only, meaning video that runs with ads -- meaning it really conducted a study on how many online ads we watch -- from companies such as NBC, CBS, ESPN and Vevo. The study didn't account for Netflix or YouTube viewership.

Xbox 360 took 28.2 percent of all viewership, followed by iPad with 27.1 percent, then iPhone, Android and iPod Touch on a decreasing scale.

In March, Microsoft announced that Xbox 360 owners use the console more for its entertainment apps than for any actual gaming purposes, spending more than half of their Xbox time on Netflix and other music and video applications. Even though the Freewheel study doesn't include Netflix views, it does support the console evolutionary theory: One day our gaming consoles will have mutated so drastically that we'll have an entirely new species, called simply "entertainment consoles."

JoystiqStudy: Xbox 360 most popular non-PC device for watching video ads originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 13 May 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appsentertainmentkinectmicrosoftmusicvideoxboxSun, 13 May 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New MechWarrior Online trailer has no music, just giant robots]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/13/new-mechwarrior-online-trailer-has-no-music-just-giant-robots/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/13/new-mechwarrior-online-trailer-has-no-music-just-giant-robots/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/13/new-mechwarrior-online-trailer-has-no-music-just-giant-robots/#comments
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When your game involves giant robots with massive rockets, lasers and high-tech HUDs, you don't need epic rock music drowning out the sound of metallic hellfire and thundering footsteps, as MechWarrior Online demonstrates with the above teaser trailer.

You also don't need dubstep, but that's only because no one ever needs dubstep. That's right, not even you.

Gallery: MechWarrior Online (5/11/12)

JoystiqNew MechWarrior Online trailer has no music, just giant robots originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 13 May 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dubstepinfinite-game-publishingmechwarrior-onlinepcpiranha-gamesRobotsrockSun, 13 May 2012 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA['Hundreds of thousands' have already bought Guild Wars 2, played beta]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/13/hundreds-of-thousands-have-already-bought-guild-wars-2-played/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/13/hundreds-of-thousands-have-already-bought-guild-wars-2-played/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/13/hundreds-of-thousands-have-already-bought-guild-wars-2-played/#comments ImageThe Guild Wars 2 beta opened the weekend of April 27 to anyone who had pre-purchased the title, free from NDAs or embargoes, and "hundreds of thousands" of people signed on to test it out, ArenaNet president Mike O'Brien writes. ArenaNet couldn't handle all of the potential players, but as any practiced spokesman would, O'Brien frames the insufficient server capacity in its most positive form:

"The number of people who pre-purchased the game far exceeded our expectations, and we had to temporarily disable pre-purchases," O'Brien says. "In the end that wasn't enough, and even with 48 worlds we didn't have enough server capacity to meet the huge demand. Fortunately, the vast majority of players were able to get into the game and experience Guild Wars 2 in all its glory."

If a developer has to have a problem, we think "too many people want to play our game" is a pretty good one. ArenaNet will host a stress test tomorrow, May 14, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. PDT, again open to anyone (including us) who's pre-purchased Guild Wars 2.

Joystiq'Hundreds of thousands' have already bought Guild Wars 2, played beta originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 13 May 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arenanetbetaGuild-Wars-2mike-obrienpcSun, 13 May 2012 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Joystiq Indie Pitch: Offspring Fling]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/11/the-joystiq-indie-pitch-offspring-fling/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/11/the-joystiq-indie-pitch-offspring-fling/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/11/the-joystiq-indie-pitch-offspring-fling/#comments Indie developers are the starving artists of the video-game world, often brilliant and innovative, but also misunderstood, underfunded and more prone to writing free-form poetry on their LiveJournals. We believe they deserve a wider audience with the Joystiq Indie Pitch: This week, Kyle Pulver's Offspring Fling is the best PC and Mac game you could ask for in the week approaching Mother's Day. Or any other day, really.

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Pre-pitch-post-gray-intro note: Offspring Fling launched on Steam today for PC and Mac, and it's 20 percent off through May 18. It includes the Mother's Day Update, which has a level editor, replay and sharing features. Go make momma proud!

What's your game called and what's it about?

It's called Offspring Fling, and it's a game about a poor forest creature that has misplaced her children in a mostly happy but sometimes spooky forest. She'll have to make her way through more than 100 levels of baby throwing, puzzle solving, button pressing, bee-avoiding action if she wants to get them all home by dinner.

What inspired you to make Offspring Fling?

May 2011: I went to a local game jam in the Phoenix area. The theme: Motherhood. After an hour or so I had an idea of a puzzle-platformer game where you have to get a bunch of babies safely to an exit, and you could use them in all sorts of ways to solve puzzles and platforming challenges. Forty-eight hours later I had a pretty solid prototype of the game with 15 playable levels, and I ran with it from there.

Continue reading The Joystiq Indie Pitch: Offspring Fling

JoystiqThe Joystiq Indie Pitch: Offspring Fling originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 11 May 2012 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>joystiq-indie-pitchkyle-pulvermacmothers-dayoffspring-flingpcretro-affectFri, 11 May 2012 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony shares drop to 31-year low in Japan, 19-year low in US]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/11/sony-shares-drop-to-31-year-low-in-japan-19-year-low-in-us/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/11/sony-shares-drop-to-31-year-low-in-japan-19-year-low-in-us/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/11/sony-shares-drop-to-31-year-low-in-japan-19-year-low-in-us/#comments ImageShares of Sony stock have dipped to their lowest number in 31 years in Japan and to a 19-year low in the US, following a dismal earnings report for the previous fiscal year. Sony shares dropped 7 percent in Japan, to 1,135 Yen ($14), and 2 percent in the US, closing at $15.37.

Sony CEO Kaz Hirai plans to lose 10,000 employees in a company-wide reorganization effort. Sony reported a net revenue loss of 9.6 percent for fiscal year 2012, dropping from $89 billion to $79.1 billion year-over-year.

JoystiqSony shares drop to 31-year low in Japan, 19-year low in US originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 11 May 2012 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>downfy-2012Japanplaystationplaystation-vitaps3pspsharessonystocksusvitaFri, 11 May 2012 14:45:00 EST<![CDATA[The International Dota 2 Championships invade PAX Prime]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/10/the-international-dota-2-championships-invade-pax-prime/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/10/the-international-dota-2-championships-invade-pax-prime/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/10/the-international-dota-2-championships-invade-pax-prime/#comments ImageValve's International Dota 2 Championships 2012 will be held at PAX Prime in Seattle, running August 31 through September 2. The International kicked off last year at Gamescom in Cologne, Germany, with the winning team, Ukraine's Na'vi, walking away with $1 million.

Na'vi has received an invitation to defend its title, along with Chinese team DK; 16 teams will compete overall. The International will be broadcast for free in multiple languages, and Valve will release information about obtaining tickets in the coming weeks.

Continue reading The International Dota 2 Championships invade PAX Prime

JoystiqThe International Dota 2 Championships invade PAX Prime originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 10 May 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dota-2pax-prime-2012pcthe-internationalthe-international-2012valveThu, 10 May 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[This realistic Portal turret is the reason you should stay in school]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/10/this-realistic-portal-turret-is-the-reason-you-should-stay-in-sc/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/10/this-realistic-portal-turret-is-the-reason-you-should-stay-in-sc/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/10/this-realistic-portal-turret-is-the-reason-you-should-stay-in-sc/#comments
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This shooting, talking, laser-pointing Portal turret made by a Penn State University Advanced Mechatronics student is pretty impressive, even without its final casing. The turret tracks the position of a specific pink shirt and asks innocently after potential victims if it goes without stimulation for too long, eventually locking on and shooting foam darts at the rosy intruder.

We say it's pretty impressive in the sense that we want a dozen and we're astounded at the level of detail and care put into such a project, but at first we read the title too quickly and thought this guy had created working portals, which would be way cooler. The lesson here: However awesome your final university project may be, the things we make up in our heads will forever be more awesome. Sorry, dude.

We'll still take 12 of those turrets. Thanks.

JoystiqThis realistic Portal turret is the reason you should stay in school originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 10 May 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftpcpenn-stateplaystationportalportal-2portal-turretps3schoolturretuniversityxboxThu, 10 May 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Minecraft XBLA was profitable within an hour, broke digital sale records]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/10/minecraft-xbla-was-profitable-within-an-hour/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/10/minecraft-xbla-was-profitable-within-an-hour/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/10/minecraft-xbla-was-profitable-within-an-hour/#comments ImageMinecraft is digging its own grave with its latest release on XBLA -- and by "grave" we mean "lavish, gold-plated throne room with indoor pool and grape-feeding robots." Minecraft was profitable within an hour of its launch on XBLA, developer Markus "Notch" Persson tweeted today. That's on top of Notch's multi-million-dollar PC version.

Based on leaderboard participation numbers, Minecraft sold more than 400,000 copies in 24 hours, Notch said. Minecraft broke digital sales records for the console, selling more than any other XBLA title in its first day, according to Microsoft.

Earlier today, Notch tweeted that he had sales numbers for Minecraft (turns out they were the above leaderboard figures), which sparked a conversation about the inner workings of XBLA developer contracts with Fez's Polytron. Polytron still doesn't know Fez's exact numbers, even though it came out a month ago.

"Standard procedure" according to Polytron is "you find out how much you sold when you get your first check three-four months later." Notch thought getting immediate numbers was standard, but he avoided contract negotiation and doesn't know what it says on the subject, he replied.

Minecraft also gets free updates, "which is something every other developer on the platform is told is simply not an option," Polytron wrote. Notch replied: "We had to fight for that, and we got a limited number of them. Not sure why they don't like it."

We may have discovered Notch's hidden talent and secret to his success: fighting for something in a contract while avoiding contract negotiation, and winning.

Continue reading Minecraft XBLA was profitable within an hour, broke digital sale records

JoystiqMinecraft XBLA was profitable within an hour, broke digital sale records originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 10 May 2012 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>contractfezmicrosoftMinecraftmojangnotchpolytronsalesXBLAxboxThu, 10 May 2012 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Surprise: XBLA Minecraft's split-screen multiplayer requires HDTV]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/10/surprise-xbla-minecrafts-split-screen-multiplayer-requires-hdt/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/10/surprise-xbla-minecrafts-split-screen-multiplayer-requires-hdt/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/10/surprise-xbla-minecrafts-split-screen-multiplayer-requires-hdt/#comments ImageSplit-screen multiplayer in the Xbox 360 version of Minecraft requires an HDTV connection, but the game's description on the Xbox Live Marketplace website fails to note this necessity. Minecraft's description on XBLA does list "HDTV 720p" under the "Local Capabilities" details, but that generally is taken to mean the title will support up to HD 720p, and not as a requirement. In-game, a screen prompts players to "play the game in High Definition mode" for split-screen multiplayer.

Notch wasn't aware that local multiplayer wouldn't work with standard-definition TVs, he tweeted and apologized to a fan today.

Port developer 4J Studios has justified the HD requirement on Twitter: "The inventory and crafting just didn't work in splitscreen Standard Definition - it was too small to make out."

Some fans want a refund from Microsoft, saying they wouldn't have bought Minecraft if the HD requirement was clearer, but Microsoft is holding out on a few of them, Kotaku reports.

JoystiqSurprise: XBLA Minecraft's split-screen multiplayer requires HDTV originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 10 May 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hdhd-720hdtvlocal-multiplayermicrosoftMinecraftmojangmultiplayernotchsplit-screenXBLAxboxThu, 10 May 2012 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Deja Review: Minecraft (XBLA)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/10/deja-review-minecraft-xbla/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/10/deja-review-minecraft-xbla/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/10/deja-review-minecraft-xbla/#commentsWe're of the firm opinion that your time is too precious, too valuable to be spent reading a full review for a game that was already reviewed many, many years ago. What's the point of applying a score to a game that's old enough to be enrolled in the sixth grade? That's why we invented Deja Review: A quick look at the new features and relative agelessness of remade, revived and re-released games.
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Minecraft on Xbox Live Arcade is surreal. It's like eating jelly on eggs while watching a baby play in a lion cage: It doesn't belong where it is, but now that it's there you can't look away and, for some reason, there's a surprisingly delicious taste in your mouth.

Minecraft's shock value as an XBLA breakout isn't a result of it not making sense on the platform - in fact, it plays almost like a native title. It's surprising because Minecraft was never supposed to be big enough for a high-profile XBLA port. It's a voxel-based PC-only sandbox game with choppy graphics and no defined goal, which some argue makes it the opposite of a "game." Minecraft was never supposed to be a hit. It wasn't supposed to sell more than 5 million copies, generate $80 million or be played by more than 25 million people. It wasn't supposed to turn Markus Persson's developer persona, Notch, into a millionaire, a fashion icon, or a common name among Swedes and gamers alike,

But Minecraft has done all of these things, and now it's made its way XBLA. And just as it has everywhere else, Minecraft surprisingly succeeds.

Continue reading Deja Review: Minecraft (XBLA)

JoystiqDeja Review: Minecraft (XBLA) originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 10 May 2012 14:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>deja-reviewMarkus-PerssonmicrosoftMinecraftmojangnotchXBLAxboxXbox-360Xbox-Live-ArcadeThu, 10 May 2012 14:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Play as Stan Lee, Rhino in The Amazing Spider-Man pre-order perks]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/10/play-as-stan-lee-rhino-in-the-amazing-spider-man-pre-order-perk/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/10/play-as-stan-lee-rhino-in-the-amazing-spider-man-pre-order-perk/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/10/play-as-stan-lee-rhino-in-the-amazing-spider-man-pre-order-perk/#comments ImageThese two pre-order bonuses for The Amazing Spider-Man couldn't be more different: One has players rampage through Manhattan as Rhino, the hulking, horned villain, and the other has players run around as an old man as he tries to collect some papers he's misplaced, yapping non-stop about "kids these days" and Liza Minelli's golden era.

GameStop's pre-order bonus is The Rhino Challenge, a timed destruction event where players suit up as Rhino and break as much stuff as possible. Amazon's bonus is "Play as Stan Lee for the First Time Ever," and has players travel through Manhattan as the Marvel mastermind himself. He uses special abilities borrowed from Spider-Man to collect pages from his latest script, punctuated by "witty banter." A "special surprise" is revealed at the end of the Stan Lee mission, tied into Spider-Man's 50th anniversary this year.

JoystiqPlay as Stan Lee, Rhino in The Amazing Spider-Man pre-order perks originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 10 May 2012 01:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazing-spider-manamazonbonusgamestopmicrosoftplaystationpre-orderpre-order-bonusps3rhinostan-leethe-amazing-spider-manxboxThu, 10 May 2012 01:15:00 EST<![CDATA[LittleBigPlanet Vita beta now accepting applications]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/09/littlebigplanet-vita-beta-now-accepting-applications/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/09/littlebigplanet-vita-beta-now-accepting-applications/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/09/littlebigplanet-vita-beta-now-accepting-applications/#comments ImageThe beta for LittleBigPlanet on Vita is gearing up, and Sony is inviting interested players to enroll in the test run right here. Sony promises "many of you" will have the opportunity to participate in the beta. The enrollment form consists of simple questions, such as "Which LittleBigPlanet games have you played before?" and asks if you've created levels in any of the LittleBigPlanet titles.

It also asks, "Do you own a PS Vita?" For those looking to get in the Vita beta, we think that may be the only question with a wrong answer.

JoystiqLittleBigPlanet Vita beta now accepting applications originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 09 May 2012 19:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Applicationbetadouble-11double-elevenenrollmentlittlebigplanet-vitaplaystationplaystation-vitasackboyvitaWed, 09 May 2012 19:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Novelist suing over Assassin's Creed has his lawyer respond to gamer rage]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/09/novelist-suing-over-assassins-creed-has-his-lawyer-respond-to-g/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/09/novelist-suing-over-assassins-creed-has-his-lawyer-respond-to-g/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/09/novelist-suing-over-assassins-creed-has-his-lawyer-respond-to-g/#comments ImageAuthor John Beiswenger poked the sleeping dragon that is the Internet when he filed a lawsuit against Ubisoft, claiming the Assassin's Creed franchise infringes on copyrights in his novel, Link. Namely, Beiswenger says Assassin's Creed stole themes such as "assassinations," "spiritual and biblical tones" and a battle between good and evil from Link, which was published five years prior to the first Assassin's Creed title.

Beiswenger is seeking up to $5.25 million in damages. The lawsuit could also delay the release of Assassin's Creed 3, a fact that wiped the grins from many a gamer's face and set a few (hundred) to review-bombing Beiswenger's Amazon pages.

Beiswenger's lawyer, Kelley Keller, has now responded to Eurogamer on the negative reaction and her client's claims:
"We understand that many gamers are upset about the litigation and potential for delay in the release of the next Assassin's Creed video game, and as a result of that anger have been posting negative comments on Amazon - and other forums - about our client and his novel Link. However, copyright laws exist to protect authors and creators from others who copy or create works that are, under the law, substantially similar; failure to enforce copyright laws renders them meaningless.

"The Amazon 'bombing,' storm of negative comments and threats to our client have no bearing on the appropriateness, merits or outcome of this suit. They have no material effect on the legal claims."
Keller says she believes the similarities in Link and Assassin's Creed are more than coincidence and that despite the five-year delay in filing charges, the lawsuit was brought within an applicable time period.

We don't know about you guys, but the only applicable time periods we see here are the American Revolution, and October 2012.

JoystiqNovelist suing over Assassin's Creed has his lawyer respond to gamer rage originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 09 May 2012 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>assassins-creed-3authorcopyrightjohn-beiswengerlawsuitlawyermicrosoftnovelistpcplaystationps3sueUbisoftxboxWed, 09 May 2012 19:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Namco Bandai has solid fiscal year thanks to Dark Souls, arcade sales]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/09/namco-bandai-has-solid-fiscal-year-thanks-to-dark-souls-arcade/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/09/namco-bandai-has-solid-fiscal-year-thanks-to-dark-souls-arcade/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/09/namco-bandai-has-solid-fiscal-year-thanks-to-dark-souls-arcade/#comments ImageNamco Bandai saw a net income of 1.9 billion yen ($24 million) in its fiscal year 2012, with help from strong US sales of Dark Souls and Ace Combat Assault Horizon. Dark Souls sold 1.19 million units across the US and Europe, while Ace Combat Assault Horizon sold 1.07 million units in Japan, the US and Europe.

Across all platforms, Namco sold 23.3 million software units, led by 8.5 million for PS3, 4.2 million for PSP and 3.2 million for Xbox 360. Revenue from Namco's mobile sector increased, although number of paid subscribers dropped from 3.34 million to 2.15 million year-over-year. Sales of Namco's arcade game machines grew from 56 billion yen ($701.3 million) in FY 2011 to 73.4 billion yen ($919.2 million) in FY 2012.

JoystiqNamco Bandai has solid fiscal year thanks to Dark Souls, arcade sales originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 09 May 2012 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ace-combat-assault-horizondark-soulsfinancialsfy-2012microsoftmobileNamco-Bandaipcplaystationproject-darkps3pspsonyxboxWed, 09 May 2012 01:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Dream Machine slips into your subconscious this Friday on Steam]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/08/the-dream-machine-slips-into-your-subconscious-this-friday-on-st/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/08/the-dream-machine-slips-into-your-subconscious-this-friday-on-st/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/08/the-dream-machine-slips-into-your-subconscious-this-friday-on-st/#comments
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The Dream Machine, the award-winning point-and-click adventure from Cockroach Inc., is hitting Steam on Friday, May 11. To celebrate, Cockroach has unleashed the above trailer, which shows off The Dream Machine's cardboard and clay art style, while hinting at the dark secrets buried deep within the game's conscious plot.

The Dream Machine has been nominated for IGF, Indiecade, and Indie Game Challenge awards, and has won Into the Pixel and indiePub contests. If you can't wait for the Steam launch or want to give the game a go, chapters one through three are available now via its main site, and all five planned chapters are available for purchase from the same place. Chapters four and five are expected to drop "as soon as they're done," which Cockroach almost-clarifies as being "in a slew of months."

JoystiqThe Dream Machine slips into your subconscious this Friday on Steam originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 08 May 2012 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cockroach-incIndiepcrelease-dateSTEAMthe-dream-machineTue, 08 May 2012 23:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Fullbright Company's first game explores the drawers of a strange home]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/08/the-fullbright-companys-first-game-explores-the-drawers-of-a-st/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/08/the-fullbright-companys-first-game-explores-the-drawers-of-a-st/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/08/the-fullbright-companys-first-game-explores-the-drawers-of-a-st/#comments
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We were excited about The Fullbright Company because it was founded by three ex-BioShock developers, but now we have another, more tangible reason to eagerly anticipate such a glorious union: the games. The Fullbright Company has announced its first project, Gone Home, a mysterious exploration game set in a "modern, residential locale" and shown as a pre-alpha build in the above video.

Fullbright hopes to make Gone Home a rich simulation title with an emphasis on interaction, where players are able to open every drawer and examine the smallest details of their environment to unravel what happened there. The video teases these elements, as well as an audio diary system that plays at its end.

Gone Home is native to PC but will support gamepad, and Fullbright will not have a Kickstarter for this title. In related news, "Are you planning to do a Kickstarter?" is now a question that developers consider a standard FAQ.

JoystiqThe Fullbright Company's first game explores the drawers of a strange home originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 08 May 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>explorationGone-HomeIndiemysterypcThe-Fullbright-CompanyTue, 08 May 2012 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[This is not a test: Portal 2 sales top 4 million, map editor DLC out today]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/08/this-is-not-a-test-portal-2-sales-top-4-million-map-editor-dlc/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/08/this-is-not-a-test-portal-2-sales-top-4-million-map-editor-dlc/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/08/this-is-not-a-test-portal-2-sales-top-4-million-map-editor-dlc/#comments ImagePortal 2 has sold more than 4 million units worldwide since its launch on April 18, 2011, and Valve is slowly but steadily (mostly slowly) supporting it with new content, such as today's batch of DLC, the Perpetual Testing Initiative. The Perpetual Testing Initiative offers players a map-editing tool, which looks a lot like this, so fans can make testing chambers to rival GLaDOS'. And make maps shaped like penises, probably.

The map editor in today's DLC is accessible for new players, yet robust enough to satisfy hardcore ones, Valve tells NeoGamr. Valve's first attempt at fan-made maps, the Hammer editor, is tech-heavy and complicated for most people to get a hang of, most likely because it's Valve's in-house map creation tool - still, players have created more than 400 maps with Hammer. However, without a standardized way to share the maps, most of these have gone unnoticed by the larger community.

The Perpetual Testing Initiative's puzzle maker allows users to export their creations in Hammer's native format and continue building with the more powerful tools, if they so choose. The simple map editor is "incredibly powerful for all of its simplicity and can easily reproduce pretty much every puzzle from Portal 2," Valve said.

JoystiqThis is not a test: Portal 2 sales top 4 million, map editor DLC out today originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 08 May 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DLCeditormap-editorpcperpetual-testing-initiativeportal-2puzzlepuzzle-makersalesvalveTue, 08 May 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Pac-Man Kart Rally out now on Windows Phone]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/08/pac-man-kart-rally-out-now-on-windows-phone/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/08/pac-man-kart-rally-out-now-on-windows-phone/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/08/pac-man-kart-rally-out-now-on-windows-phone/#comments ImagePac-Man Kart Rally, a 3D multiplayer racing game for Windows Phone, is available now via the Windows Phone Marketplace for $2.99. Pac-Man Kart Rally features 10 classic characters and 17 tracks from Namco Bandai's repertoire, including the Fighter from Galaga, the Prince from Katamari Damacy and Pac-Man, of course.

This is the first Windows Phone game to support real-time, four-player multiplayer over Wi-Fi, and it includes Xbox Live Achievements and leader boards. A trademark for Pac-Man Kart Rally was first spotted in 2010, along with Pac-Man Rally Kart. We assume the second will be an iOS-only title that looks just like Kart Rally, but is published by a group of shady con artists in Wisconsin and crashes at the start menu every time.

JoystiqPac-Man Kart Rally out now on Windows Phone originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 08 May 2012 00:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3DmobileNamco-Bandaipac-man-kart-rallypac-man-rally-kartwindows-phonewindows-phone-7Tue, 08 May 2012 00:15:00 EST<![CDATA[The first taste of Super Meat Boy mobile art]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/07/the-first-taste-of-super-meat-boy-mobile-art/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/07/the-first-taste-of-super-meat-boy-mobile-art/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/07/the-first-taste-of-super-meat-boy-mobile-art/#comments ImageEdmund McMillen of Team Meat has so far been coy about what the mobile version of Super Meat Boy is, but he's fairly vocal about what it isn't. Super Meat Boy: The Game won't be a shallow, easy-to-play money-making machine like so many other mobile titles today, McMillen writes in his latest update. He even tells us a little bit about what it will be:
"We want to make a game that WE would love to see on the platform, a feature-length reflex-driven platformer with solid controls that doesn't manipulate you with business bullshit in order to cash in. We want SMB:TG to show the player we respect them, not only by not manipulating them, but also by understanding they want a real challenge and they want a real sense of fulfillment when they have achieved something that's difficult... you know, like real games do."
Team Meat has also revealed the first bit of art from Super Meat Boy: The Game, the chapter screen for The Green Hills you can see above. McMillen assures us that even though there are only eight visible level pads, the mobile title "will rival the original" and have dark worlds.

JoystiqThe first taste of Super Meat Boy mobile art originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 07 May 2012 22:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>edmund-mcmillenmobilesuper-meat-boyteam-meatMon, 07 May 2012 22:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Krater gameplay trailer looks cool, interesti -- whoa, that's a shark]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/07/krater-gameplay-trailer-looks-cool-interesti-whoa-thats-a/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/07/krater-gameplay-trailer-looks-cool-interesti-whoa-thats-a/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/07/krater-gameplay-trailer-looks-cool-interesti-whoa-thats-a/#comments
Image

We're sure Krater, the top-down post-apocalyptic RPG from Fatshark, looks like a great game. We assume it does, but we can't know because there's a vicious shark in the intro of the above gameplay video and we about died and couldn't watch the rest. If you're brave enough, give it a go yourself.

JoystiqKrater gameplay trailer looks cool, interesti -- whoa, that's a shark originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 07 May 2012 21:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>FatSharkgameplaykraterpcsharkMon, 07 May 2012 21:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Leisure Suit Larry won't finish early or on time, delayed to 2013]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/07/leisure-suit-larry-wont-finish-early-or-on-time-delayed-to-201/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/07/leisure-suit-larry-wont-finish-early-or-on-time-delayed-to-201/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/07/leisure-suit-larry-wont-finish-early-or-on-time-delayed-to-201/#comments ImageThe HD remake of Leisure Suit Larry in the Land of the Lounge Lizards is breaking out the slow jams. Its Kickstarter campaign successfully raised $655,000 last week, which means more content in-game and a longer development cycle in reality, Replay Games has announced. The title was originally slated to drop in October, but it has now been pushed to launch in 2013 so Replay can add "more rooms, another girl, and all new dialogue in the game."

Founder Paul Trowe said Replay could probably make the game complete by December, but he wants to avoid the holiday madness and make sure it's fully polished at launch. He's set up a development blog for voyeurs fans to keep track of Leisure Suit Larry's progress.

JoystiqLeisure Suit Larry won't finish early or on time, delayed to 2013 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 07 May 2012 19:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Delayleisure-suit-larry-in-the-land-of-the-lounge-lizardsPaul-TrowepcreplayReplay-GamesMon, 07 May 2012 19:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Need for Speed and Dead Space titles coming by March 2013]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/07/need-for-speed-and-dead-space-titles-coming-in-eas-fy-2013/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/07/need-for-speed-and-dead-space-titles-coming-in-eas-fy-2013/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/07/need-for-speed-and-dead-space-titles-coming-in-eas-fy-2013/#comments ImageEA has new Dead Space and Need for Speed titles in the works for the coming year, ending March 31, 2013, it announced during a financial call today. "Need for Speed" is listed on EA's financial results slideshow scheduled for Q3 of FY 2013, which places it around October 2012. EA mentioned Dead Space among its coming "blockbuster" titles for the year.

Need for Speed: Most Wanted 2 and Dead Space 3 were listed in April by South African retailer BT Games.

JoystiqNeed for Speed and Dead Space titles coming by March 2013 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 07 May 2012 17:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dead-spacedead-space-3EAElectronic-ArtsmobileNeed-for-SpeedpcMon, 07 May 2012 17:25:00 EST