Ludwig Kietzmann
- http://www.joystiq.com
To Borderlands director, a sequel 'seems like a no-brainer'
by Ludwig Kietzmann 
{ 23 hours ago } 
An unexpectedly large number of people thought it made really good sense to purchase the colorful, FPS-RPG hybrid. Neumann jokingly admits surprise at seeing stores running out of stock, even though "it certainly doesn't suck to be the people who made the game you can't keep in stock."
Though plans for a sequel have yet to manifest outside of the water cooler area -- Gearbox is currently grinding through Borderlands DLC -- Neumann believes the "praise and love" for the franchise will make that first decision easier. "So yeah, if everything makes sense, Borderlands 2 seems like a no-brainer to me."
As easy as 1.23 million: Modern Warfare 2 breaks first-day UK sales record
by Ludwig Kietzmann { 1 day ago }
Smashing through the estimated 631,000 units sold by 2008's Grand Theft Auto IV, Infinity Ward's slick shooter grossed £47 million (roughly $78.3 million) in first-day sales, which ELSPA and GFK-ChartTrack pair with 1.23 million units sold. Sold to adults, of course! "So, as an 18-rated video game, it is important that this game is not played by children, and parents should be appropriately vigilant," said Rawlinson. "We ask everyone to make sure they check the packaging of games to ensure they are suitable for their players, especially as we enter the festive season when video games are one of the most popular gifts of the holiday."
We hope you don't take offense, people of the UK, but some of you have awfully high-pitched voices online.
ESA founder Doug Lowenstein receives AIAS Lifetime Achievement Award
by Ludwig Kietzmann { 1 day ago }
The AIAS has deemed Lowenstein a video game industry champion, noting his achievements in combating various forms of piracy, unfriendly legislature and anti-game sentiment. According to AIAS Board chair Jay Cohen, "It was under Doug's leadership that the industry fought off dangerous efforts to impose restrictions on video game content, in the process establishing unequivocally that video games are entitled to the same First Amendment rights as any other entertainment content." He added, "For those of us in the AIAS, it is no exaggeration to say that the artistic freedom we now enjoy stems directly from Doug's efforts."
Previous recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award include Nintendo of America founders Howard Lincoln and Minoru Arakawa, as well as PlayStation creator Ken Kutaragi. But do any of them know Jack as well as Lowenstein does?
Sanitarium now available on GoG.com
by Ludwig Kietzmann { 1 day ago }
If you're going to spend today playing an old adventure game, we can't imagine a more apt choice than Sanitarium, a tale of one man struggling to escape a world gone mad.
Left 4 Dead 2: now with 4 times as many pre-orders
by Ludwig Kietzmann { 6 days ago }
Having tested what the power of the people can accomplish (most of all when wielding skull-smashing implements) Valve can finally let that excitement wash over them, content that fans have latched on to what's in the game -- and not what's missing. "Honestly I made the joke and it's true: If you put $20 in a box and charge $10 for it someone would complain you didn't put $50 in a box," added Faliszek. "Not to say some of the concerns raised aren't valid, but you're always going to have some kind of upset and that's not how we work. We work at looking at the project and trying to get it out."
Valve gets Left 4 Dead 2 out on November 17th.
iPhone plays Doom, but what about Doom 3?
by Ludwig Kietzmann { 6 days ago } 
"I think we could do the real Xbox Doom 3 game on a 3GS if we targeted it exclusively," Carmack notes. "That is pushing it a bit. You could probably get that kind of visual fidelity." And here we thought portable devices were only good for recording spooky audio logs and unlocking doors within exploding barrel research laboratories.
Ubisoft reports first-half sales drop, deems Q4 most important quarter in company history
by Ludwig Kietzmann { 7 days ago }
Standout titles released during the period include the Western-themed first-person shooter, Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood (which has shipped 'close to 900,000 units'), reptilian brawler Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Smash Up and, "in certain countries," the Pelé-powered Academy of Champions.
Ubisoft points to its fiscal third quarter -- that's October to December on your official Secretive Hunks of Third Echelon Calendar -- as "the most important quarter in Ubisoft's history." Sales are expected to reach €540 million ($801 million) during the period, thanks to Assassin's Creed 2, Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines, James Cameron's Avatar: The Game, Rabbids Go Home and Shaun White Snowboarding World Stage. Ubisoft's also counting on several new casual and self-improvement games for the Wii and DS, which we imagine will help the financialz quite a bit.
Blue Dragon: Awakened Shadow coming to DS in Spring 2010
by Ludwig Kietzmann { 14 days ago } 
Dubbed Blue Dragon: Ikai no Kyojuu in Japan (and published by Namco Bandai, which owns the majority of D3Publisher), the second DS entry in the Mistwalker's role-playing franchise stars a new protagonist, with gender, facial features and clothing determined by your input. Awakened Shadow is set two years after the events of the Xbox 360 game and finds Shu and the gang returning to Blue Dragon's "contemporary" RPG gameplay. Expect to upgrade weaponry, tactically change shadows and skip every scene featuring Marumaro.
Blue Dragon: Awakened Shadow is scheduled for release in Spring 2010.
Molyneux: Milo will boast collective object recognition, accept half-eaten fruit
by Ludwig Kietzmann { 14 days ago }
Harnessing the motion-sensitive camera in Microsoft's Project Natal, Molyneux hopes to breathe that life into a young boy -- or girl! -- named Milo (or Millie!). While he admits that much of it is "smoke and mirrors and tricks," he provided some interesting insight into the technology put to use behind the scenes. It seems Milo won't just recognize you (his imaginary, otherworldly friend), but everyday objects as well. "Firstly the process of scanning is really lovely, you just reach your arm up, you can also scan in three dimensional objects, for example if you are eating an apple you can give that apple to Milo and he will carry on eating the apple," the Lionhead lead explained. But will Milo scan candy held aloft by strangers?
"Or the other thing that is amazing about this technology and this is the online portion of inspiration, we are collecting continuing to collect and improve his object recognition skills." If his plans come to fruition, Molyneux envisions "all the Milos that will be released" feeding their observations into a centralized recognition of "everything in the world."
To Skynet alarmists: Have you seen this boy?
Modern Warfare 2 has a bad scene in it for some reason
by Ludwig Kietzmann { 14 days ago }
Editors' Note: This is an addendum to our post, "New Modern Warfare: Airport Murder Simulator 2 video game glorifies terrorism."
Much like the level of anticipation amongst us gamers, controversy is set to reach uncomfortable levels when Activision and Infinity Ward's Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 starts shooting up the sales chart (and [SPOILER]) on November 10th. By now, you've likely seen or heard of the leaked footage depicting a [SPOILER], [SPOILER].
Speaking to Joystiq, Activision noted that consumers will be given the option to skip such scenes, which it claims are not representative of the overall game. They'll also be preceded by explicit warnings about their "[SPOILER]" nature. While we imagine most players will judge, discuss and react to the sequence within its context -- did you know that [SPOILER] -- don't expect the mainstream media to handle the issue with equal consideration. Witness Mirror.co.uk's initial reaction: "Modern Warfare 2: Leaked level makes light of [SPOILER]." [SPOILER] in my vidgame -- haha!
"The game includes a plot involving [SPOILER]" reads Activision's official statement, included in full after the break. "In order to defeat [SPOILER], [SPOILER] infiltrates his [SPOILER]. The scene is designed to [SPOILER]" Whether or not it crosses a line in doing so is up for debate ... but don't tell Fox News that.
On the bright side, at least you can't shoot a pair of alien lesbians having sex on the [SPOILER]. We'd never hear the end of it.
Much like the level of anticipation amongst us gamers, controversy is set to reach uncomfortable levels when Activision and Infinity Ward's Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 starts shooting up the sales chart (and [SPOILER]) on November 10th. By now, you've likely seen or heard of the leaked footage depicting a [SPOILER], [SPOILER].
Speaking to Joystiq, Activision noted that consumers will be given the option to skip such scenes, which it claims are not representative of the overall game. They'll also be preceded by explicit warnings about their "[SPOILER]" nature. While we imagine most players will judge, discuss and react to the sequence within its context -- did you know that [SPOILER] -- don't expect the mainstream media to handle the issue with equal consideration. Witness Mirror.co.uk's initial reaction: "Modern Warfare 2: Leaked level makes light of [SPOILER]." [SPOILER] in my vidgame -- haha!
"The game includes a plot involving [SPOILER]" reads Activision's official statement, included in full after the break. "In order to defeat [SPOILER], [SPOILER] infiltrates his [SPOILER]. The scene is designed to [SPOILER]" Whether or not it crosses a line in doing so is up for debate ... but don't tell Fox News that.
On the bright side, at least you can't shoot a pair of alien lesbians having sex on the [SPOILER]. We'd never hear the end of it.
New Modern Warfare: Airport Murder Simulator 2 video game glorifies terrorism
by Ludwig Kietzmann { 14 days ago }
Speaking to Joystiq, Activision noted that consumers will be given the option to skip such scenes, which it claims are not representative of the overall game. They'll also be preceded by explicit warnings about their "disturbing" nature. While we imagine most players will judge, discuss and react to the sequence within its context -- did you know that the plot tasks you with infiltrating a terrorist group? -- don't expect the mainstream media to handle the issue with equal consideration. Witness Mirror.co.uk's initial reaction: "Modern Warfare 2: Leaked level makes light of terrorist activities." Terrorists in my vidgame -- haha!
"The game includes a plot involving a mission carried out by a Russian villain who wants to trigger a global war," reads Activision's official statement, included in full after the break. "In order to defeat him, the player infiltrates his inner circle. The scene is designed to evoke the atrocities of terrorism." Whether or not it crosses a line in doing so is up for debate ... but don't tell Fox News that.
On the bright side, at least you can't shoot a pair of alien lesbians having sex on the luggage carousel. We'd never hear the end of it.
Modern Warfare 2 will feature third-person mode for playlists
by Ludwig Kietzmann { 16 days ago } 
"It's not something you can toggle on and off in ANY game," said Bowling. The special mode can only be played in private matches -- toggled on or off just like "Hardcore" settings -- or in playlists that are designated for third-person play. According to Bowling, everyone playing in a third-person playlist will be restricted to the viewpoint. "This is just another cool way to play the game," he said, "you obviously will still have the option to play gametypes normal as well."
Our friend, the internet, has an inscrutable video of some person running around in third person, but you're probably better off waiting for the "awesome trailer" the folks at Infinity Ward have planned.
Rumor: Animator resume lists work on 'GoldenEye 2010'
by Ludwig Kietzmann { 17 days ago }
It'll probably look a bit better than this
Eurocom previously worked on the PlayStation 2 version of Activision's Quantum of Solace tie-in. Assuming "GoldenEye 2010" isn't merely a nostalgic codename, it seems the publisher could be looking to a well-regarded classic for inspiration on a new James Bond game. Alas, Hollywood can't keep up with Activision's annual aspirations.
The publisher won't divulge any of its plans this early, leaving us to wait for further information or for our time-traveling correspondent to confirm the game's existence. He's really more of a GoldenEye 2020 fan -- looking back, that really was the best of the remakes.
PS3's Dragon Age: Origins back on track for Nov. 3
by Ludwig Kietzmann { 20 days ago }
European PS3 owners, however, still need to hang on until "a bit later in November." Don't worry, that brief disappointment will make eventual platform parity feel like something amazing again!
Peter Molyneux picks his 5 favorite innovators
by Ludwig Kietzmann { 20 days ago }
Molyneux praised Tomb Raider for subverting gaming's tough-guy protagonist and named Mario 64 as the genuine precursor to 3D titles like Grand Theft Auto 3. Dune 2 got a nod for its encouragement of more thoughtful tactics, while Bungie's first Halo earned mention for halfway introducing the now-ubiquitous regenerative health system and curtailed weapon swapping.
And the fifth title? World of Warcraft, which managed to lure Molyneux to level 40 with promise of a steed. You see? He's human, just like the rest of us.
