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Trine series tops 7 million sales, shares its level editor

The Trine series has surpassed 7 million sales worldwide, Frozenbyte announced today. That includes sales of Trine and Trine 2 across PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Wii U, PC, Mac, Linux and Android. To celebrate seven figures, Frozenbyte has launched the level editor for Trine Enchanted Edition and Trine 2: Complete Story on Steam.

"The editor for the Trine games gives users a first-hand look at the development process," Frozenbyte says in a press release. "Players can now do the same things to Trine or Trine 2 as the developers; they can edit existing maps to their liking, create entirely new ones from scratch, or even create a completely different game."

Both Trine and Trine 2 are free to play this weekend as part of Valve's biggest free weekend ever. Trine wasn't listed in the original free weekend announcement, so that's a nice surprise. Games in the deal are free through Sunday, October 19, at 1PM PT, and they're on sale through Monday, October 20 at 10AM PT.

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Meet the lovely actors behind Assassin's Creed: Unity

Image In what is either a knock against Ubisoft's art direction or a compliment to voice actors in general, this trailer introduces the people who provide the voices for Assassin's Creed: Unity, all of whom are better looking than their supposedly idealized in-game counterparts. [Image: Ubisoft] ... Continue Reading

Report: Minecraft movie finds its builder

Deadline reports that Night at the Museum director Shawn Levy is in talks with Warner Bros. to help develop the feature film based on Mojang's $2.5 billion giant, Minecraft.

With production helmed by the same producer behind the popular LEGO Movie, Roy Lee, the Minecraft property offers Warner Bros. both quality brand recognition and a canvas free of strict narrative. Levy has a proclivity for shaping high concepts into "hit films," such as his work on Real Steel and the Night at the Museum series, Deadline notes.

Language in the report is unclear, but it seems to indicate Levy would also act as director for the project, beyond helping shape the film: "Warner Bros is in talks with Shawn Levy to develop to direct Minecraft."

Warner Bros. acquired the film rights to Minecraft in February 2014.

PS4 '2.0 update' adds broadcast archiving, USB music player

PlayStation has revealed a fresh slate of changes coming to the PS4 interface in the upcoming 2.0 system update alongside a few items we already knew about, such as the ability to gussy up your console with themes.

As part of the new update, PlayStation 4 owners can jam out to their own beats with the USB Music Player. Though players can't transfer music to the console, they will be able to play MP3, MP4, M4A and 3GP files directly from an inserted USB stick as background music during gameplay sessions.

In an effort to increase social interaction, the PS4 will now list suggested "players you may know," recommending PS4 users your friends frequently game with. Additionally, if purchasing themes doesn't interest you, the update will allow players to customize the background color of the PlayStation 4 user interface.

Saving hard drive space, the new update will feature an option to add a game to your library, rather than forcing you through the steps of canceling a download. Growing libraries will also be easier to manage, with improved filters to organize your collection.

Enhancements to the PS4's live broadcasting tool are perhaps the most anticipated tweaks in the update, allowing users more control for following broadcasts, searching for specific games and, finally, archiving sessions.

A comprehensive list of changes coming to the PS4, including some tweaks coming to the Vita and PlayStation App, can be found on the Official PlayStation Blog.

[Image: PlayStation]

September NPD: Destiny leads as software sales decline

The gaming industry continues to grow with each passing month, though the rate of said growth in North America seems to be slowing, according to the NPD's latest report.

Though sales of video game hardware jumped an impressive 136 percent year over year - which makes sense given that the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 had yet to launch in September 2013 - total industry sales only grew by two percent. This is due to a 36 percent decline in year over year sales of new, physical console and portable games, that, while countered by a 33 percent increase in accessory sales, is complemented by a 35 percent decline in total software sales, which includes the aforementioned console games as well as their PC counterparts. However, the NPD notes that a direct comparison is difficult as September 2013 saw the launch of Grand Theft Auto 5, a game that holds the record as the most successful launch in history.

Despite the dip in software sales, Sony claims September 2014 was a "record-breaking month" for the PlayStation Network Store. "Last month's PlayStation Store revenue increased nearly 90 percent compared with Sept. 2013," stated Sony Network Entertainment International vice president Eric Lempel. "Working closely with Activision and Bungie, we wanted to make the launch of Destiny a special experience for PlayStation fans. We're thrilled to see this high engagement from PS4 and PS3 owners."

The top ten best-selling games saw a shakeup in September, with Destiny pushing Madden 15 out of the top spot and both Super Smash Bros. 3DS and Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor joining the list, at spots four and five, respectively. That success, Nintendo claims, is largely responsible for the sale of 140,000 3DS units during September. Likewise, Nintendo believes the Wii U's double-digit increase in sales can be attributed to Mario Kart 8 and Hyrule Warriors. Beyond the break, you'll find a full rundown of the top ten best-selling games for September 2014.

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Explore Dungeon of the Endless on October 27

Dungeon of the Endless, a game we once described as "a roguelike with elements of tower defense, RPGs and Dungeon Keeper," will reach Steam on October 27, according to developer Amplitude Studios.

"Dungeon of the Endless offers endless, randomly generated dungeons in the framework of a rogue-like game equally balanced with dungeon-defense and RPG elements," reads Amplitude's official description. "Presented with a retro 2D look using modern 3D graphics and lighting, Dungeon of the Endless enables players to equip a team in single-player, and now up to four people in cooperative multiplayer, to gather resources, construct defenses, and explore an infinite number of dungeons in an effort to reach the planet's surface."

As its name suggests, Dungeon of the Endless is canonically linked to Amplitude's 4X strategy games, Endless Space and Endless Legend, though it takes place in its own separate time period. Still, fans can expect to see common elements, such as the presence of Dust and certain creatures that just never seem to die off.

At launch, Dungeon of the Endless will feature a $13 price tag, though it is currently available in Early Access form at a 10 percent discount.
[Image: Amplitude Studios]

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ArcheAge's northern continent opens November 4

Trion has announced that ArcheAge's Auroria continent will officially launch on November 4th.

The northern landmass features six additional zones, four of which will be claimable by guilds. Trion also notes that "30 percent more housing space will be available to players throughout these four claimable zones."

A new dungeon is also included, as is a farm wagon and a submarine. Full details are yours on the official ArcheAge website.

Destiny Mythbusters tackles grenade headshots, other rumors

Image Like the earlier Titanfall Mythbusters series, the good people at DefendTheHouse have returned to test the community-generated rumors surrounding Bungie's polarizing yet addictive shooter Destiny. This episode focuses on grenade tricks and the benefits of repeatedly killing the same player over... Continue Reading

Driveclub patched again, server woes still plague the racer

Developer Evolution Studios has issued a new patch for socially-connected racing game Driveclub, which it hopes will alleviate the ongoing connectivity issues that have plagued the game since its debut.

"Over the next 24 hours we are rolling out a new game update alongside server upgrades that will help to improve server performance, clubs and multiplayer functionality," reads a recent post on the game's Facebook page. "We are also running essential diagnostics periodically to help us continue to improve server performance, which may disrupt online play for you when you get connected. This will be kept to a minimum."

Evolution then goes on to apologize for the connectivity issues that are especially troubling in a game based around a core gimmick of social networking, and claims it is "working around the clock to improve connectivity."

Our review of Driveclub was middling. Ludwig awarded the game three of five stars, and while he praised its undeniably attractive graphics he also noted that the game features braindead AI and a career mode he quite diplomatically described as "old-fashioned." These ongoing server woes have not improved our opinion of the game.
[Image: Sony]

Sony: PSN currently offline, no word on when it will return [update: it's back]

In a brief statement posted to its official support page, Sony notes that the PlayStation Network is currently down.

"PSN is currently offline, and we are hard at work to resume service," the message reads. "At this time an estimate as to when PSN will be online is unavailable; however, we will update this article as soon as there's additional information." Those affected by the outage are urged to follow the @PlayStation Twitter account for updates on when service has resumed.

Anecdotally, reports we've received suggest that the PSN Store is available to some players, while connecting to an online match results in a server error. Internal testing reveals that Joystiq staffers are unable to connect to Destiny's multiplayer Crucible mode.

Update: As commenter Mule points out, Sony's Twitter suggestion isn't quite accurate. For updates on the status of PSN, follow @AskPlayStation. The @PlayStation account may let you know once the service is back up, but for now is just angry PlayStation owners complaining en masse.

Update 2: PSN is once again online.
[Image: Sony]

Upcoming NBA 2K15 patch to address MyPark, other issues

2K Sports submitted an update to Sony and Microsoft for certification to patch issues with NBA 2K15 in the "coming days." The publisher's support team noted on Twitter that the patch will address a number of issues, including the game's MyPark mode. Since the game launched last week, players have been regularly booted from the online mode.

NBA 2K15 is the latest in the publisher's annual pro basketball series, and was generally met with critical approval last week. The game also received a card-battling companion app this week on iOS and Android. While the details of NBA 2K15's patch are not yet known, here's hoping it alleviates the nightmarish results of its face-scanning feature. The game is available for PS4, Xbox One, PS3, Xbox 360 and PC.
[Image: 2K Sports]

Mega mobile update to Godus is 'game-changing'

That is the general point of an update, after all. The first major expansion to the mobile version of Godus is live today, adding a seafaring migration mission and a new, desert land for your Followers to inhabit. Players will have to build an Ark, fill it with 500 Followers and set sail for the arid environment of Weyworld.

"It's a desert world where the trees and rocks you're familiar with in Homeworld are replaced by cacti and baked earth," 22Cans says in a blog post. "That's not the only difference, however – in Weyworld, crops need to be built on verdant land and mines on rugged land if your want them to flourish and your Followers to prosper."

This marks the beginning of the Frontier Age in Godus, and the update includes a new Timeline, cards, stickers and abilities to unlock. Abilities include the power to keep skies blue and clear or stormy, call down a more powerful meteor, dig directly downward, and crop rotation. The update also refines the Voyage system: "You no longer have to complete a Voyage within a limited amount of time. However, the more quickly you complete a Voyage, the more points you'll earn. What do points mean? Points mean prizes!"

The update also enhances the iOS version of Godus. The Android version is due out soon and the Steam version gets the Balance File Editor modding kit on October 31.

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Elder Scrolls game director talks Update 5, performance upgrades

Elder Scrolls Online game director Matt Firor has just released a new Road Ahead update post. Much of what he has to say relates to the forthcoming Update 5, which includes a new vet dungeon, new facial animations, repeatable pledges and writs, dungeon level-scaling, and additional stuff like the Dwemer crafting style and chat bubbles.

Firor also mentions "a series of stability and performance improvements for Cyrodiil in the works right now." Additionally, ESO players will be getting new performance options to "cull visual effects" and improve client framerates.

Joystiq Streams: No tricks, just treats with Costume Quest 2



Trick or treat, smell my feet, give me something good to eat. If you don't, I don't care, I'll just ask you some weird question about Halloween and give you a free copy of Costume Quest 2, Double Fine's new RPG! Joystiq's already run its review of Costume Quest 2, but there's just something special about seeing that trick, treating, and turn-based battling in real time while adults wax nostalgic about their old costumes. Plus, as hinted at before, we're giving away a ton of free copies of the game while we play.

Come 4:00PM EST, we'll play Costume Quest 2 live from the beginning on Joystiq.com/Twitch, giving away a copy of the game every six minutes. What do you do to get a copy of the game? Tune in to find out. No one will be forced to drink their Ovaltine. However, you might have to tell us how many Star Wars characters appear in the movie ET.

Joystiq Streams broadcasts live every Tuesday and Thursday at 4:00PM EST on Joystiq.com/Twitch, but as we did yesterday with Bayonetta 2, we regularly stream at odd times. Want to catch us? Follow us on Twitch.
[Images: Double Fine]

Son remembers his Sega-loving father in tribute video


Long before the days of YouTube, gaming enthusiasts had to make the best of home video recording equipment to express their passion for the medium. The above clip, unearthed and uploaded more than 20 years after its initial recording, shows a loving, geeky father sharing his hobby with his now-adult son.

Tyler Esposito's father produced this video in the hopes of selling his New York relatives on the Sega Genesis. Dad here has uncanny taste in games, and surely made a powerful argument with footage of 16-bit classics like Strider, Ghostbusters, The Revenge of Shinobi, and Castle of Illusion.

Esposito's father has since passed on, but his enthusiasm for gaming and love for his son is plain to see in the video he left behind. It's a must-watch if you want to see pure, generation-spanning appreciation for a medium that has since exploded in popularity.

[Video: The Sega Channel]

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The Joystiq Podcast

The Joystiq Podcast

Super Joystiq Podcast 116: Driveclub, FIFA 15, Pokemon iOS, licensed games

Latest episode: Friday, October 10th, 2014

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