The Joystiq Podcast http://www.joystiq.com This is the Joystiq podcast http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/Joystiq_podcast_cover.png Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/The Joystiq FancastJoystiqAnd it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from the Internet that all the ears should be rocked with video game podcasts. And all went to be rocked, every one into his own iTunes account. And Chris Grant also went up unto the city to be taxed with Ludwig Kietzmann, his espoused co-host, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there he should be delivered. And he brought forth their firstborn podcast, and wrapped it in swaddling jokes, and laid it in a Zune; because there was no room for them in the iPod. And there were in the same country gamers abiding in the field, keeping watch over their ... games by night. And, lo, the angel who was named Justin McElroy came upon them, and the glory of video games shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, "Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day a savior, which is the Joystiq Podcast."<![CDATA[Japanese hardware sales, Feb. 16 - Feb. 22: Spit-take edition]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/01/japanese-hardware-sales-feb-16-feb-22-spit-take-edition/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/01/japanese-hardware-sales-feb-16-feb-22-spit-take-edition/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/01/japanese-hardware-sales-feb-16-feb-22-spit-take-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


"A spit-take is a comedic technique in which someone spits a beverage out of his or her mouth when he or she reacts to a statement during a take. In a spit-take, the reaction is usually one of surprise. Danny Thomas is sometimes credited with popularizing its use in comedy." (Source: Wikipedia, the lazy man's reference material.)

We thought it would be considerate to give you guys the ever-so-brief history of the knee-jerk reaction you're likely about to experience, depending on your level of self-investment in the overseas gaming electronics market, and whether or not you're currently drinking a nice, refreshing beverage. Amidst substantial drops in weekly sales totals for all its competitors, the rarely triumphant Xbox 360 pulled off a spectacular ascent with an increase of over 15,000 units. It performed this feat by riding upon the comfortable, pillowy back of Star Ocean: The Last Hope, a 360 exclusive that sold over 162,000 copies in its release week.

Then again, perhaps news that a Square Enix title featuring vaguely effeminate dudes pushed Japanese sales of its designated system doesn't surprise you to the point of expectoration. Your unflappable, steely nerves keep you from being startled by sales figures, let alone the GIANT SPIDER THAT'S ON YOUR SHOULDER. (Yeah, that probably did the trick.)

- DSi: 41,839 11,644 (21.77%)
- PSP: 29,552 4,704 (13.73%)
- Xbox 360: 25,334 15,501 (157.64%)
- Wii: 16,973 4,043 (19.24%)
- PS3: 16,149 2,507 (13.44%)
- DS Lite: 9,975 4,835 (32.65%)
- PS2: 5,029 303 (5.68%)

[Source: Media Create]

See: The expectorating archives

JoystiqJapanese hardware sales, Feb. 16 - Feb. 22: Spit-take edition originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 01 Mar 2009 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>japanesehardwaresalesSun, 01 Mar 2009 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Original DSi design had two DS slots, disliked by Nintendo EAD]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/21/original-dsi-design-had-two-ds-slots-disliked-by-nintendo-ead/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/21/original-dsi-design-had-two-ds-slots-disliked-by-nintendo-ead/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/21/original-dsi-design-had-two-ds-slots-disliked-by-nintendo-ead/#commentsFiled under:


In the most recent (and arguably most forthright) installment of Iwata Asks, the Nintendo head honcho sat down to bounce a few questions off of a few members of the company's Development Engineering Department regarding the recently released Nintendo DSi. The devs outlined an interesting history of the shutterbugged handheld, one characterized on their end with "some frustration" -- apparently, sticking to the technological standard of an extremely popular device while simultaneously increasing its desirable features is a difficult compromise to make twice in two years.

One of the interesting features that fell by the wayside during this compromise was an additional DS cart slot, allowing the handheld to house two titles simultaneously. This feature was apparently included in the DSi's initial design, but lent itself to a slightly bulkier frame for the handheld, much to the chagrin of Nintendo's Entertainment Analysis and Development division. They shot the design down, leading to the single-cart, slimmed-down design that's currently taking Japan by storm. Man, where were those guys when the Virtual Boy was designed?

JoystiqOriginal DSi design had two DS slots, disliked by Nintendo EAD originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 21 Feb 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dsisatoru-iwataSat, 21 Feb 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq impressions: DiRT 2]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/20/joystiq-impressions-dirt-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/20/joystiq-impressions-dirt-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/20/joystiq-impressions-dirt-2/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


click for bigger, dirtier image
The series that gave our own Ludwig Kietzmann his first gaming injury is thundering back this September on, well, pretty much every platform imaginable. Last night we were treated -- and it was a treat -- to a first look at in-game footage from Codemasters' hotly anticipated rally racer, DiRT 2.

There are some fundamental changes coming to the series for its second go-round. The biggest of which is a very strong focus on marrying rally racing with the world of extreme sports. Inspired by X-Games icons such as Dave Mirra strapping in behind the wheel and taking the sport to new heights (and lengths! We watched a video of a rally car landing a flawless 181ft jump) the game's designers are ratcheting up the edge, but, more importantly to gameplay, introducing whole new elements. Rally on after the break for more.

Note: all images associated with this preview are target renders (not to be confused with bullshots).

Gallery: DiRT 2

Continue reading Joystiq impressions: DiRT 2

JoystiqJoystiq impressions: DiRT 2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 20 Feb 2009 20:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>codemastersdirt-2Fri, 20 Feb 2009 20:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Japanese hardware sales, Feb. 2 - Feb. 8: Redundant redundancies edition]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/15/japanese-hardware-sales-feb-2-feb-8-redundant-redundancies/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/15/japanese-hardware-sales-feb-2-feb-8-redundant-redundancies/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/15/japanese-hardware-sales-feb-2-feb-8-redundant-redundancies/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


Here's an interesting fact: In order to earn money through product placements, you actually have to have a pre-arranged deal with the advertised company. You can't just start interjecting their brand name into conversations and wait for them to send you a check. Alas, our meticulous plan for bringing some much-needed economic growth to the Japanese Hardware Sales Institute has collapsed under the weight of its own immeasurable incompetence. We've been forced to take the last measure available to us in order to continue providing this valuable service: Workforce optimization.

We've elected to simplify a startling number of positions here at the Institute, including Stat Trackers, Adders, Subtractors, Analyzers, Percentage Calculators, Red and Green Arrow Breeders, Pun Writers, Pun Editors, and our LOLcat Locator. We even restructured the guy who was in charge of the optimization procedures. We'd like to call this irony, but we can't be sure. We smartsized our Literary Device Examiner.

We also unhired our Witty Remark That Actually Pertains to The Current Week's Sales Figures Guy -- luckily, his services won't be needed, as this week's chart looks alarmingly similar to the last fifty. Just hop into our archives, and choose your favorite wisecrack. Take our word for it -- it'll still be relevant.

- DSi: 49,529 6,084 (10.94%)
- PSP: 34,969 9,166 (20.77%)
- Wii: 20,412 2,866 (12.31%)
- PS3: 16,082 1,323 (7.60%)
- DS Lite: 12,484 2,663 (17.58%)
- Xbox 360: 8,311 204 (2.52%)
- PS2: 5,089 245 (4.59%)

[Source: Media Create]

See: The smartsized archives

JoystiqJapanese hardware sales, Feb. 2 - Feb. 8: Redundant redundancies edition originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 15 Feb 2009 20:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>japanese-hardware-salesjapanesehardwaresalesSun, 15 Feb 2009 20:50:00 EST<![CDATA[D3 throwing Puzzle Quest: Galactrix launch event -- and you could be there]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/13/d3-throwing-puzzle-quest-galactrix-launch-event-and-you-coul/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/13/d3-throwing-puzzle-quest-galactrix-launch-event-and-you-coul/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/13/d3-throwing-puzzle-quest-galactrix-launch-event-and-you-coul/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


What? The public being allowed into a game's launch event? We've never heard of such a thing. Okay, maybe we have. So has D3 Publisher, who is going to let the first 100 Joystiq readers that RSVP to PQGalactrixRSVP@d3p.us celebrate the release of its latest controlled substance Puzzle Quest game, Puzzle Quest Galactrix.

The event is being held in Los Angeles on Thursday, February 19 from 6:30 to 10:00 p.m. -- so bear that in mind before emailing. The publisher isn't going to fly you there or anything.

The first 50 "chosen ones" who show up with a Nintendo DS will receive a pre-release copy of the DS version of Galactrix. They'll also be able to play every version of the game pre-launch and have a chance to win T-Shirts, calendars ... and potentially even a customized Galactrix DS Lite. To your email clients, dear readers!

Update: 2/15 - 11:40PM EST : Tickets are still available, feel free to email the address above.

JoystiqD3 throwing Puzzle Quest: Galactrix launch event -- and you could be there originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 13 Feb 2009 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>d3launch-partypuzzle-quest-galactrixFri, 13 Feb 2009 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[January NPD: Industry up 13% over Jan. '08, handhelds down 80% from Dec.]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/12/january-npd-industry-up-13-over-jan-08-handhelds-down-80-f/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/12/january-npd-industry-up-13-over-jan-08-handhelds-down-80-f/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/12/january-npd-industry-up-13-over-jan-08-handhelds-down-80-f/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


With the 2008 holiday season behind us, this month's NPD sales data brings with it figures showing the inevitable -- and dramatic -- decline in hardware sold for the month of January '09. For instance, last December the Nintendo DS was the top-selling platform, with 3.04 million units moved that month alone. This month? 511K were sold. (It was still the second best selling hardware after the Wii.)

In the battle to decide who's going to play second fiddle to Nintendo, 360 continues to lead PS3 in sales, but the gap isn't nearly as wide as last month (roughly 106K versus December's 714K). Handheld saw the most significant drop-off in sales, with DS and PSP declining 82% and 83%, respectively.

Software-wise, there are only three platforms -- and companies -- to look at this month. Those would be the Wii, DS and 360 on the hardware representing the hardware on the backs of which EA, Activision and Nintendo rode to software sales success. EA's two most recent major releases, Skate 2 and Lord of the Rings: Conquest, both made it into the top 10.

Fun Fact: Three of this month's top games have something in common other than their publishers: they all have "Mario" in the title and they're all a bit ... dated. Mario Kart DS hit in 2005, New Super Mario Bros. in 2006 and Mario Kart Wii in April of last year. That's-a some lasting power!

-Wii: 679K1.47m (-68%)
-DS: 511K2.5m (-82%)
-Xbox 360: 309K1.1m (-76%)
-PS3: 203K523K (-72%)
-PSP: 172K848K (-83%)
-PS2: 101K309K (-75%)

Check out the software sales chart after the break.

Continue reading January NPD: Industry up 13% over Jan. '08, handhelds down 80% from Dec.

JoystiqJanuary NPD: Industry up 13% over Jan. '08, handhelds down 80% from Dec. originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 12 Feb 2009 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hardware-salesnpdsales-datasoftware-salesThu, 12 Feb 2009 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Grab 108 friends to watch this new Suikoden: Tierkreis trailer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/12/grab-108-friends-to-watch-this-new-suikoden-tierkreis-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/12/grab-108-friends-to-watch-this-new-suikoden-tierkreis-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/12/grab-108-friends-to-watch-this-new-suikoden-tierkreis-trailer/#commentsFiled under:


Konami's new trailer for Suikoden: Tierkreis does an excellent job of making the handheld RPG look epic and exciting, mixing dynamic animated scenes with in-game battle footage -- even if the narrator does totally murder the pronunciation of the title.

The accompanying press release offers a bit more detail about the unique online mode in the sequel. Players will be able to visit other players' games via Wi-Fi, using the in-game "door to the Infinity." They can then be hired by their host players to help with quests, dividing up the experience at the end.

Konami calls the game "the fight of your life," but the company has the fight of its life coming up March 17, when it releases Tierkreis in North America on the RPG-overloaded DS.

Gallery: Suikoden: Tierkreis

JoystiqGrab 108 friends to watch this new Suikoden: Tierkreis trailer originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 12 Feb 2009 15:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>konamirpgsuikodensuikoden-tierkreisThu, 12 Feb 2009 15:48:00 EST<![CDATA[Blood Bowl developer: making PS3 version 'a bit risky and expensive']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/09/blood-bowl-developer-making-ps3-version-a-bit-risky-and-expens/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/09/blood-bowl-developer-making-ps3-version-a-bit-risky-and-expens/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/09/blood-bowl-developer-making-ps3-version-a-bit-risky-and-expens/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


If you're a PS3-only gamer who happens to be a fan of vintage tabletop gaming, monsters, and football, then you are probably acutely, painfully aware of the lack of Blood Bowl video games in your future. Cyanide is making an Xbox 360 version -- why not use the same assets and codebase for the PS3 like so many others? What's the deal? Does it hate the PS3 or something?

In an interview with Destructoid, the developer explained its apparent snub on the platform. "Cyanide is a small company," a representative said. "We have no previous experience on that platform [and] it would have been a bit risky and expensive for us. But, we are hoping to do a PS3 version if the game is selling well."

So, rather than a lack of faith in the platform, Cyanide has somewhat of a lack of faith in its own ability to develop for it without killing the budget. It still means no PS3 version for now, but it also means no janky, poorly ported PS3 version for now. That's ... something. And if the other versions of the game, coming out in Q2 of this year, are successful, we may see a (good) PS3 version yet.

[Via VG247]

JoystiqBlood Bowl developer: making PS3 version 'a bit risky and expensive' originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 09 Feb 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blood-bowlboard-gamecyanidefootballgames-workshopMon, 09 Feb 2009 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Japanese hardware sales, Jan. 26 - Feb. 1: Money, money makin' edition]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/08/japanese-hardware-sales-jan-26-feb-1-money-money-makin-e/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/08/japanese-hardware-sales-jan-26-feb-1-money-money-makin-e/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/08/japanese-hardware-sales-jan-26-feb-1-money-money-makin-e/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Times are tough, folks. If you live in the economically beleaguered U.S. of A., we think you're probably aware of what we're DRINK PEPSI talking about. We know you guys place us on a towering, resplendent pedestal, high above the recession's unforgiving grasp, but just like everyone else, we've needed to find CRISP REFRESHING PEPSI-COLA alternative methods of earning some extra greenbacks in order to make ends meet. The wariest among you may have qualms with our new, surreptitious product placements, but hey, a blogger's gotta eat AND DRINK PEPSI IT'S SO CRISP AND GOOD.

Here's the charts, which are boring. There, we said it. Their order has IT'S PEPSI TIME barely changed over the past two months, and aside from the post-holiday drop-off, the changes in sales figures haven't exactly razzle-dazzled us either. C'mon, Japanese console buyers. We wanna DRINK PEPSI-COLA ALL NIGHT AND DAY see some shifts of apocalyptic proportions next week. Everyone in Japan under the thrall of our voice -- go buy PEPSI a few Game Boy Pockets, and nothing else. That oughta do the trick.

- DSi: 55,613 3,995 (7.73%)
- PSP: 44,135 5,855 (15.29%)
- Wii: 23,278 3,492 (13.04%)
- PS3: 17,405 303 (1.71%)
- DS Lite: 15,147 1,461 (10.68%)
- Xbox 360: 8,107 444 (5.79%)
- PS2: 5,334 257 (5.06%)

[Source: Media Create]

See: The TALL, SWEATY GLASS OF PEPSI-COLA archives

JoystiqJapanese hardware sales, Jan. 26 - Feb. 1: Money, money makin' edition originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 08 Feb 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>japanese-hardware-salesjapanesehardwaresalesLET-YOUR-TASTEBUDS-GET-LOST-IN-AN-ENDLESS-OCEAN-OF-REFRESHMENTOH-MAN-PEPSI-IS-SO-GOODPEPSISun, 08 Feb 2009 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo denies official DS developer status to 'Bob's Game' creator]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/06/nintendo-denies-official-ds-developer-status-to-bobs-game-cre/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/06/nintendo-denies-official-ds-developer-status-to-bobs-game-cre/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/06/nintendo-denies-official-ds-developer-status-to-bobs-game-cre/#commentsFiled under:

The latest post issued from rogue Bob's Game creator Robert Pelloni's secret lair features something we were quite sure we'd never see -- no, he didn't give up, but 25 weeks after sending his application for DS development authorization, he finally got his letter from Nintendo. The text of the note is identical to that received by rejected WiiWare developer Xiotex Studios.

His entire (not quite) 100-day protest was based on the fact that Nintendo had yet to respond to his application for a Nintendo DS SDK, so official communication from the company is, in one sense, vindication for Pelloni. But in another, more accurate sense, it's a rejection letter.

The text of the letter offers clues as to why Pelloni was not approved: Nintendo expects "secure business facilities, sufficient equipment and staffing, financial stability and other attributes that would distinguish the developer." We assume that a sealed office that you pretend is an alien spaceship does not constitute "secure business facilities."

Even more telling is the statement that Nintendo "provides Authorized Developers with highly confidential information" and thus "exercises a very high level of discretion" when choosing to whom it grants SDK access. If he really has heard back from Nintendo (and we must express a modicum of doubt in regard to anything Bob's Game-related), then Bob's constant blogging of his own wait for approval seemingly ruined his chances of receiving that approval.

JoystiqNintendo denies official DS developer status to 'Bob's Game' creator originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 06 Feb 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bobs-gamerobert-pellonirpgFri, 06 Feb 2009 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[LEGO Battles break out on DS this summer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/04/lego-battles-break-out-on-ds-this-summer/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/04/lego-battles-break-out-on-ds-this-summer/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/04/lego-battles-break-out-on-ds-this-summer/#commentsFiled under:

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and TT Games' latest LEGO game, coming this summer for DS, is not built around any license. Well, other than the LEGO license. But there's no Batman or Star Wars or anything like that: this is pure LEGO.

LEGO Battles, developed by Hellbent Games, sounds like a kind of LEGO-based strategy game, in which players build and defend bases in the LEGO Castle, Pirates and Space Themes, using units mixed and matched from the sets. The press release promises "pirate swordsmen fighting side-by-side with wizards and aliens; dragons battling ninjas; and pirate ships launching broadsides against spacecraft and knights!" In addition to the single-player mode, local multiplayer battles will also be available.

And because we haven't said the word "LEGO" enough in this post: LEGO.

Gallery: Lego Battles

.

JoystiqLEGO Battles break out on DS this summer originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 04 Feb 2009 11:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>legolego-battlesstrategytt-gameswarner-bros-interactiveWed, 04 Feb 2009 11:42:00 EST<![CDATA[Japanese hardware sales, Jan. 19 - Jan. 25: Super prediction edition]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/01/japanese-hardware-sales-jan-19-jan-25-super-prediction-edi/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/01/japanese-hardware-sales-jan-19-jan-25-super-prediction-edi/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/01/japanese-hardware-sales-jan-19-jan-25-super-prediction-edi/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


If the trusty mechanisms which usher our incoherent ramblings onto the internet do their job, then this particular edition of the Japanese hardware sales should be hitting monitors across the globe just before the beginning of the 43rd Super Bowl. We devised this clever bit of scheduling because -- prepare to be amazed -- we know exactly what the outcome of the big game will be. This way, you guys can be impressed by our soothsaying prowess, but it'll be too late for you to abuse our clairvoyance in a Pete Rose-esque fashion.

How did we coerce this prophecy from the swirling ether of fate? It was a two-step process:

1. Despite protests from a number of concerned parties, we arranged a boxing match between a construction worker and an aged higher-up of the Catholic church to determine the winner.

2. To discern the numerical statistics, we handed an overzealous five-year-old a crayon and a piece of graph paper containing the first 700 digits of pi. Following our explicit instructions, he drew a breathtaking portrait of a certain ambulatory sponge on the paper. We divided said sponge in half, assigning the digits touching his symmetrical parts to statistics for each team. We gave the child a bag of Skittles, and returned him to his extremely worried parents.

Here's our final tally: Cardinals over Steelers with a final score of 88 to 2. We know, we were surprised as well -- who would have anticipated that Monsignor Francis would be so darn scrappy?

- DSi: 51,618 10,907 (17.44%)
- PSP: 38,280 4,279 (10.05%)
- Wii: 26,770 5,563 (17.21%)
- PS3: 17,708 2,982 (14.41%)
- DS Lite: 13,686 5,123 (27.24%)
- Xbox 360: 7,663 1,913 (19.98%)
- PS2: 5,077 683 (11.86%)

[Source: Media Create]

See: The clairvoyant archives

JoystiqJapanese hardware sales, Jan. 19 - Jan. 25: Super prediction edition originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 01 Feb 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>japanesehardwaresalesSun, 01 Feb 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Jilted Bob's Game creator fights back by littering]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/01/jilted-bobs-game-creator-fights-back-by-littering/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/01/jilted-bobs-game-creator-fights-back-by-littering/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/01/jilted-bobs-game-creator-fights-back-by-littering/#commentsFiled under:


If you somehow managed to watch the video we've posted after the jump without reading this wall of text, you may be befuddled as to why we've posted a video of The Cure frontman Robert Smith gleefully vandalizing the Nintendo World store in NYC. Little do you know that the combat-booted troublemaker featured in the video is none other than Bob Pelloni, the jilted sole creator of Bob's Game, whom Nintendo is still refusing to sell a software development kit to. Gee, we can't imagine why.

Pelloni's assault on Nintendo World took place on "Stage 50" of his 100-day sit-in protest (the rules of which can apparently be bent to allow for a brief littering excursion). He and his accomplices plastered the store's walls in Bob's Game posters, covered the floor with business cards, and filled store shelves with mock-up game cases. Given this latest desperate attention grab, and the fact that his once-humble development blog currently shows Pelloni consorting with aliens, we're guessing he's exchanged his game development ambitions for fleeting e-lebrity status. What a shame.

Continue reading Jilted Bob's Game creator fights back by littering

JoystiqJilted Bob's Game creator fights back by littering originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 01 Feb 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bob-pellonibobs-gamenintendo-world-storeSun, 01 Feb 2009 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Iwata: Total DS install base could reach 152.2 million units]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/31/iwata-ds-total-install-base-could-reach-152-2-million-units/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/31/iwata-ds-total-install-base-could-reach-152-2-million-units/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/31/iwata-ds-total-install-base-could-reach-152-2-million-units/#commentsFiled under: ,


If the standard laws of the five-year console cycle apply to Nintendo's money-printing handheld, then said laws would dictate that the lifespan of the Nintendo DS (in its many, many forms) is nearing its end. The system's current install base of 84.1 million across the U.S., Japan and Europe is hardly anything to scoff at, and would certainly earn the device some form of lifetime achievement award at its retirement gala -- but according to Nintendo CEO Satoru Iwata, the DS will break the standard five-year cycle, and further expand its install base in the years to come.

Iwata claims that should interest in the DS expand in the U.S. and Europe as it did in Japan (where nearly one in every five people currently tote the handheld), the system's install base will nearly double -- his estimate for the handheld's final tally is a nice, round 152.2 million units. That's ... a pretty specific number. We're not usually one for conspiracy theories, but we're wondering if that estimate isn't, you know, time machine-assisted.

JoystiqIwata: Total DS install base could reach 152.2 million units originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 31 Jan 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>install-baseiwataSat, 31 Jan 2009 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Crave responds to Baby Pals controversy]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/30/crave-responds-to-baby-pals-controversy/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/30/crave-responds-to-baby-pals-controversy/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/30/crave-responds-to-baby-pals-controversy/#commentsFiled under:

Crave sent a statement to GamePolitics regarding the bizarre audio sample in its Baby Pals DS game that seemed (to at least one parent) to sound like "Islam is the light". Doug Panter, the company's marketing director, confirmed the belief of rational folks: that the company did not slip an endorsement of any religion into its baby game.

The licensed sound file, also found in Fisher-Price's Little Mommy Cuddle 'n Coo, is "a recording of a 5 month old baby babbling non-intelligible phrases," Panter said. "In over 200 hours of testing the product, no recognizable English words or phrases were discernible." He called the similarity between the baby's utterance and seemingly recognizable words "only coincidence as the baby recorded was too young to pronounce these words let alone a whole grammatically correct phrase".

Now, with that out of the way, we look to Crave for an explanation of the Purr Pals box. Kittens in bread? That is deplorable.

JoystiqCrave responds to Baby Pals controversy originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 30 Jan 2009 11:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>baby-palscraveinxile-entertainmentislamFri, 30 Jan 2009 11:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Is Islam the light for DS Baby Pals? [update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/28/is-islam-the-light-for-ds-baby-pals/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/28/is-islam-the-light-for-ds-baby-pals/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/28/is-islam-the-light-for-ds-baby-pals/#commentsFiled under: ,

Last fall, controversy about Fisher-Price's Little Mommy Cuddle 'n Coo doll rocked the local news circuit, when the doll was discovered to utter some kind of gibberish that sounded kind of like "Islam is the Light" if you were listening hard enough for things to be outraged about.

The odd sound sample has been found once again by a concerned parent, this time in Crave's Nintendo DS game Baby Pals, previously known only for being kind of creepy-looking. In a fairly hilarious coincidence, Rachel Jones of Indiana found the offending utterance first in the doll, then later in a copy of Baby Pals she had purchased for her daughter. Baby Pals came out in October 2007, a year before the row about the doll.

"Not just my daughters' toys, but we have a son too," Jones told Terre Haute's WTHI News 10. "Now I feel like I need to listen to all of his little toys to make sure they're not saying it." Check out the news footage after the break, and watch as the virtual baby intones the phrase in question over and over again while being bathed. Of course, the ability of fake babies to exert absolute influence on real children through nonsensical endorsements of religion is well-known. Everybody knows that.

If you listen to what is supposedly the original MP3 (provided by Fisher-Price, link goes straight to .mp3), it sounds much more like nonsense and less like some random attempt at indoctrination. We've contacted Crave to try to find out where it got the sample and hopefully solve this quirky mystery.

[Update: In case you haven't seen our more recent post about this, Crave has issued a response explaining the origin of the sound file.]

Continue reading Is Islam the light for DS Baby Pals? [update]

JoystiqIs Islam the light for DS Baby Pals? [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 28 Jan 2009 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>baby-palscasualcontroversycraveislamWed, 28 Jan 2009 17:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Satoru Iwata to deliver GDC 2009 keynote]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/27/satoru-iwata-to-deliver-gdc-2009-keynote/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/27/satoru-iwata-to-deliver-gdc-2009-keynote/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/27/satoru-iwata-to-deliver-gdc-2009-keynote/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Nintendo President Satoru Iwata will be putting his oratorical skills to the test, delivering a keynote entitled "Discovering New Development Opportunities" at this year's Game Developers Conference. There are no other details provided, and trying to discern any surprise announcements based on that speech title is pretty much a fruitless endeavor.

Iwata last gave a GDC keynote in 2006, when he showed Brain Age and Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass. Company man Miyamoto gave the 2007 speech and revealed ... the Everybody Votes Channel. As for last year, the House of Mario's presence was limited to a handful of sessions. Get your bingo cards ready, Iwata's keynote is set for Monday, March 25 at 9 a.m. PST (that's noon, Joystiq Standard Time).

JoystiqSatoru Iwata to deliver GDC 2009 keynote originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 27 Jan 2009 13:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>game-developers-conferencegdcgdc-2009iwatanintendosatoru-iwataTue, 27 Jan 2009 13:57:00 EST<![CDATA[GTA: Chinatown Wars drug dealing minigame explained ... a little]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/26/gta-chinatown-wars-drug-dealing-minigame-explained-a-little/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/26/gta-chinatown-wars-drug-dealing-minigame-explained-a-little/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/26/gta-chinatown-wars-drug-dealing-minigame-explained-a-little/#commentsFiled under: , ,


We're well aware that there's a drug-dealing component to GTA: Chinatown Wars, but the details on it have been a little lacking -- this post won't help much. MTV Multiplayer learned that players may want to sell drugs in Chinatown Wars because cash from missions won't dramatically increase in payout, unlike other GTA titles. Selling drugs is apparently one way to increase cash flow.

According to Rockstar, locations for deals are plentiful and won't detract from the action in the game. The drug economy is also affected by destruction of CCTV cameras. The more you break, the less valuable the drugs become (yes, less, it seems counter-intuitive). No word yet if Rockstar plans to have drug prices in the game reflect current standard market rates.

JoystiqGTA: Chinatown Wars drug dealing minigame explained ... a little originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 26 Jan 2009 20:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chinatown-warsgtagta-chinatown-warsrockstarMon, 26 Jan 2009 20:56:00 EST<![CDATA[Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time clocks in March 24]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/26/final-fantasy-crystal-chronicles-echoes-of-time-clocks-in-march/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/26/final-fantasy-crystal-chronicles-echoes-of-time-clocks-in-march/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/26/final-fantasy-crystal-chronicles-echoes-of-time-clocks-in-march/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Square Enix sent word by Moogle mail today that Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time should arrive punctually at North American retail on March 24. Echoes allows Wii and DS gamers to play alongside one another with a bit less hassle than the original Crystal Chronicles. Remember all those link cables?

The game will cost $40 on either platform and will allow Wii players to use their Miis, some of which no doubt already look like Final Fantasy creatures.

Gallery: Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time

JoystiqFinal Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time clocks in March 24 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 26 Jan 2009 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crystal-chroniclesechoes-of-timefinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-crystal-chroniclessquare-enixMon, 26 Jan 2009 16:57:00 EST<![CDATA[iPhone dominates list of IGF Mobile 2009 finalists]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/26/iphone-dominates-list-of-igf-mobile-2009-finalists/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/26/iphone-dominates-list-of-igf-mobile-2009-finalists/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/26/iphone-dominates-list-of-igf-mobile-2009-finalists/#commentsFiled under: ,

Whereas last year's entries seemed more diverse (with a heavy Java slant), the 2009 Independent Games Festival Mobile finalists are almost entirely composed of iPhone / iPod touch games -- 11 of the 14 contestants, to be exact. The remaining three entries are represented by a Nintendo DS, Java and Flash game.

A trio of games lead the pack with three nominations apiece: Wardive, Edge and Fieldrunners (pictured). We're not anywhere close to calling it "the future of gameplay," but the iPhone's App Store -- not to mention massive install base -- has proven to be a viable and tempting business model for aspiring developers.

JoystiqiPhone dominates list of IGF Mobile 2009 finalists originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 26 Jan 2009 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleigfigf-2009igf-mobileigf-mobile-2009independent-games-festivaliphoneipod-touchMon, 26 Jan 2009 16:29:00 EST