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<generator>Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/</generator><itunes:author>Joystiq</itunes:author><itunes:image href="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/Joystiq_podcast_cover.png" /><itunes:summary>The Joystiq Podcast combines insightful commentary on the week&apos;s video game news and culture with several disembodied, often spooky, voices. Voices may or may not belong to Chris Grant, Ludwig Kietzmann, Joystiq.com editors, or their guests. Spookiness not guaranteed where prohibited, please check local laws. More information available at www.joystiq.com</itunes:summary><itunes:category text="Games &amp; Hobbies"><itunes:category text="Video Games" /></itunes:category><item><title>Rock Band Weekly: European release tracks</title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/rock-band-weekly-european-release-tracks/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/rock-band-weekly-european-release-tracks/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/rock-band-weekly-european-release-tracks/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/ps3/" rel="tag">Sony PlayStation 3</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/xbox360/" rel="tag">Microsoft Xbox 360</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/online/" rel="tag">Online</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/rhythm/" rel="tag">Rhythm</a></p><div align="center"><a href="http://www.rockband.com/forums/showthread.php?t=50144"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2008/05/rockbandeuropenon.jpg" alt="" /></a><br /></div>
Hopefully, people have been brushing up on their non-English. This week's <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/tag/rock-band-weekly/">Rock Band Weekly</a> brings us the songs <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/08/rock-band-touring-europe-in-may-360-gets-it-first/">packaged with the European release</a> of <em>Rock Band</em>. We've known for a while these tracks were <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/08/exclusive-euro-rock-band-tracks-will-become-dlc/">coming as DLC</a>, and Harmonix has seen fit to do it the week of <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/08/rock-band-touring-europe-in-may-360-gets-it-first/"><em>Rock Band</em>'s European release</a>. Also, all DLC available in North America should be available in Europe beginning May 20.<br /><br /><strong><a href="http://www.rockband.com/forums/showthread.php?t=50144">Individual songs</a></strong><br />
<ul>
    <li>"Beetlebum" - Blur (Cover, 160 MS Points / $2)</li>
    <li>"Hier Kommt Alex" - Die Toten Hosen (160 MS Points / $2)</li>
    <li>"Countdown to Insanity" - H-BlockX (160 MS Points / $2)</li>
    <li>"Perfekte Welle" - Juli (160 MS Points / $2)</li>
    <li>"Manu Chao" - Les Wampas (160 MS Points / $2)</li>
    <li>"Hysteria" - Muse (160 MS Points / $2)</li>
    <li>"Rock N Roll Star" - Oasis (160 MS Points / $2)</li>
    <li>"New Wave" - Pleymo (160 MS Points / $2)</li>
    <li>"Monsoon" - Tokio Hotel (160 MS Points / $2)</li>
</ul>
<br />Le sigh, videos for all of next week's tracks can be found after the break. The DLC will be available next Tuesday and Thursday for Xbox 360 and PS3 respectively.<p><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/rock-band-weekly-european-release-tracks/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Rock Band Weekly: European release tracks</em></a></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.rockband.com/forums/showthread.php?t=50144>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/rock-band-weekly-european-release-tracks/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/1197802/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/rock-band-weekly-european-release-tracks/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><br /><p><font size="1"><hr>SPONSORED BY: <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game</a> Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">AOE3</A> introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">http://www.ageofempires3.com/</a></font></p>]]></description><category>europe</category><category>rock-band</category><category>rock-band-weekly</category><category>rockband</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Alexander Sliwinski]]></dc:creator><dc:date>2008-05-16T15:30:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>World of Warcraft graphics overhaul 'probable,' says producer</title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/world-of-warcraft-graphics-overhaul-probable-says-producer/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/world-of-warcraft-graphics-overhaul-probable-says-producer/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/world-of-warcraft-graphics-overhaul-probable-says-producer/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/mac/" rel="tag">Mac</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/pc/" rel="tag">PC</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/online/" rel="tag">Online</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/rpgs/" rel="tag">RPGs</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/mmo/" rel="tag">MMO</a></p><a href="http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=140903">
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</a> Although <em>World of Warcraft </em>is still the ever-reliable top dog, the game has lost that "new MMO smell." Producer J. Allen Brack <a href="http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=140861&amp;page=3">told Eurogamer</a> that a graphics overhaul is likely for the title's future. "That's actually something we talk about every expansion," he said, later adding, "Will we need a graphical update from the ground up at some point? Yep, probably."<br /><br />Brack cited two previous MMOs - <em>Ultima Online</em> and <em>EverQuest - </em>that have tried the graphics reboot with only moderate success. "In each case a lot of people continued to play with the original client, because it was faster, or they preferred it, or were just used to it or whatever," he said. <em>Wrath of the Lich King</em>, which will have some optional effects for high-end PC users, is scheduled for release <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/14/vivendi-wrath-of-the-lich-king-coming-second-half-of-2008/">Fall 2008</a>. <h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=140903>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/world-of-warcraft-graphics-overhaul-probable-says-producer/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/1197575/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/world-of-warcraft-graphics-overhaul-probable-says-producer/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><br /><p><font size="1"><hr>SPONSORED BY: <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game</a> Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">AOE3</A> introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">http://www.ageofempires3.com/</a></font></p>]]></description><category>blizzard</category><category>word-of-warcraft</category><category>wow</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Ross Miller]]></dc:creator><dc:date>2008-05-16T11:45:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>PSN Thursday: Secret Agent Clank PSP demo</title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/15/psn-thursday-secret-agent-clank-psp-demo/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/15/psn-thursday-secret-agent-clank-psp-demo/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/15/psn-thursday-secret-agent-clank-psp-demo/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/ps3/" rel="tag">Sony PlayStation 3</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/psp/" rel="tag">Sony PSP</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/online/" rel="tag">Online</a></p><div align="center"><a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/2008/05/15/playstation-store-update-34/"><img width="490" vspace="4" hspace="0" height="482" border="1" align="top" src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2008/05/secretagentclankmain.jpg" alt="" /></a><br /></div>
Well, PS3 owners don't really have much to look forward to <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/2008/05/15/playstation-store-update-34/">this week</a> from the PSN update, but those with a PSP can try out the new <span style="font-style: italic;">Secret Agent Clank</span> demo. Maybe we spoke too soon, <span style="font-style: italic;">some</span> people might be interested in the <span style="font-style: italic;">Rocketmen</span> expansion or the <em>Dragon Ball Z</em> demo. Don't forget that new <span style="font-style: italic;">echochrome</span> levels are <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/14/first-free-echochrome-levels-up-tomorrow/">now available</a>, although it isn't technically part of the PSN update, it seems worth mentioning here. Find the full NA update after the break.<br /><br />The European PSN update is happily posted in the town square over at <a href="http://www.ps3fanboy.com/2008/05/15/european-psn-update-for-may-15th/">PS3 Fanboy</a>.<p><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/15/psn-thursday-secret-agent-clank-psp-demo/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>PSN Thursday: Secret Agent Clank PSP demo</em></a></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://blog.us.playstation.com/2008/05/15/playstation-store-update-34/>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/15/psn-thursday-secret-agent-clank-psp-demo/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/1196608/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/15/psn-thursday-secret-agent-clank-psp-demo/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><br /><p><font size="1"><hr>SPONSORED BY: <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game</a> Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">AOE3</A> introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">http://www.ageofempires3.com/</a></font></p>]]></description><category>psn</category><category>psn-store</category><category>psn-thursday</category><category>secret-agent-clank</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Alexander Sliwinski]]></dc:creator><dc:date>2008-05-15T18:30:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>GameTap Thursday: Playing Five Card Deluxe at Outpost Kaloki</title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/15/gametap-thursday-playing-five-card-deluxe-at-outpost-kaloki/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/15/gametap-thursday-playing-five-card-deluxe-at-outpost-kaloki/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/15/gametap-thursday-playing-five-card-deluxe-at-outpost-kaloki/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/mac/" rel="tag">Mac</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/pc/" rel="tag">PC</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/online/" rel="tag">Online</a></p><div align="center"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" alt="" src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2008/05/outpostkalokimain.jpg" /><br /></div>
<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/tag/gametap">GameTap</a> does a little better <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/08/gametap-thursday-alpha-prime-chameleon-gems-flip-words/">than last week</a> with the addition of <span style="font-style: italic;">Outpost Kaloki</span> to the subscription lineup. With <em>Kaloki</em>'s addition, this is a good time to mention <a href="http://www.gametap.com/indies/">GameTap's indies section</a>, where subscribers can peruse all the games which don't come from big evil publishers keeping the little man down. Yeah, like, la vie boheme, man.<strike><br /> </strike>
<ul><strike> </strike>
    <li><a href="http://www.gametap.com/play/gameDetails/131003950"><em>Five Card Deluxe</em></a> (Windows) - Poker-themed solitaire. Sure, it sounds lonely, but isn't it supposed to be?<br /> </li>
    <li><a href="http://www.gametap.com/play/gameDetails/000572750"><em>Outpost Kaloki</em></a> (Windows) - A "tycoon" game where players create a space station to stand the test of time and keep aliens happy.</li>
</ul>
GameTap's list of <a href="http://www.gametap.com/home/play/free.html">free games</a> can be found after the break. The <a href="http://www.gametap.com/play/gameDetails/000428250"><span style="font-style: italic;">Battle of Europe</span></a> flight-sim joins the free lineup this week for your Luftwaffe-destroying pleasure.<p><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/15/gametap-thursday-playing-five-card-deluxe-at-outpost-kaloki/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>GameTap Thursday: Playing Five Card Deluxe at Outpost Kaloki</em></a></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.gametap.com/>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/15/gametap-thursday-playing-five-card-deluxe-at-outpost-kaloki/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/1195815/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/15/gametap-thursday-playing-five-card-deluxe-at-outpost-kaloki/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><br /><p><font size="1"><hr>SPONSORED BY: <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game</a> Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">AOE3</A> introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">http://www.ageofempires3.com/</a></font></p>]]></description><category>five-card-deluxe</category><category>gametap</category><category>gametapthursday</category><category>outpost-kaloki</category><category>outpostkaloki</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Alexander Sliwinski]]></dc:creator><dc:date>2008-05-15T03:00:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>First batch of free echochrome levels up tomorrow</title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/14/first-free-echochrome-levels-up-tomorrow/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/14/first-free-echochrome-levels-up-tomorrow/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/14/first-free-echochrome-levels-up-tomorrow/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/ps3/" rel="tag">Sony PlayStation 3</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/online/" rel="tag">Online</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/puzzle/" rel="tag">Puzzle</a></p><div align="center"><a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/2008/05/14/new-echochrome-user-created-levels-coming-soon/"><img width="490" vspace="4" hspace="0" height="307" border="0" align="top" src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2008/05/echochrome-guy-falling-490.jpg" alt="" /></a><br /></div>
The <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/2008/05/14/new-echochrome-user-created-levels-coming-soon/">PlayStation Blog</a> announced today that 20 new user-generated levels will be available in <em>echochrome</em> between May 15-21, and those new levels may be replaced with even more content the following week. Despite our mixed feelings on the idea that the puzzles are replaced rather than added to a mega-list, it's still great to see how quick the <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/05/echochromes-free-updates-will-add-more-levels/">promise of free extra content</a> for the $10 Escher-iffic puzzler was fulfilled.<br /><br />The additional levels will appear randomly in freeform mode if the difficulty is set to level 2 or 3 and there's also been a <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/playstationblog/sets/72157605042692548/">Flickr page</a> created to give some recognition to the level designers. Definitely check out <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/01/psn-thursday-echochrome-and-canadian-equality/">the demo</a> for the game if you haven't tried it,<h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://blog.us.playstation.com/2008/05/14/new-echochrome-user-created-levels-coming-soon/>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/14/first-free-echochrome-levels-up-tomorrow/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/1195864/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/14/first-free-echochrome-levels-up-tomorrow/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><br /><p><font size="1"><hr>SPONSORED BY: <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game</a> Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">AOE3</A> introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">http://www.ageofempires3.com/</a></font></p>]]></description><category>echochrome</category><category>levels</category><category>psn</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Alexander Sliwinski]]></dc:creator><dc:date>2008-05-14T23:30:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>Readers pick best webcomic: I'd be less nervous</title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/14/readers-pick-best-webcomic-id-be-less-nervous/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/14/readers-pick-best-webcomic-id-be-less-nervous/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/14/readers-pick-best-webcomic-id-be-less-nervous/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/culture/" rel="tag">Culture</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/online/" rel="tag">Online</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/polls/" rel="tag">Polls</a></p><a href="http://www.asofterworld.com/index.php?id=302"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="0" align="right"  src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2008/05/less-nervous-225.jpg" class="imagepadding" alt="" /></a>It's simple, though not hand-drawn. Still, it gets the point across. We loved A <a href="http://www.asofterworld.com/index.php?id=302"><em>Softer World's</em></a> entry in this week's <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/11/weekly-webcomci-wrapup-looks-up-at-the-stars/">webcomic wrapup</a> and, lo and behold, so did you. Congratulations on top honors.<br /><br />Second and third place go to <em><a href="http://www.vgcats.com/super/?strip_id=2">Super Effective</a></em> and <em><a href="http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2008/5/5/">Penny Arcade</a></em>, respectively. Thanks to everyone who voted, and be sure to let us know of any game-related webcomics you stumble upon this week!<h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.asofterworld.com/index.php?id=302>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/14/readers-pick-best-webcomic-id-be-less-nervous/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/1195582/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/14/readers-pick-best-webcomic-id-be-less-nervous/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><br /><p><font size="1"><hr>SPONSORED BY: <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game</a> Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">AOE3</A> introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">http://www.ageofempires3.com/</a></font></p>]]></description><category>a-softer-world</category><category>grand-theft-auto</category><category>grand-theft-auto-iv</category><category>gtaiv</category><category>penny-arcade</category><category>super-effective</category><category>vg-cats</category><category>webcomic</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Ross Miller]]></dc:creator><dc:date>2008-05-14T23:15:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>The Agency to let players buy-a-spy [update]</title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/14/kill-skill-the-agency-to-let-players-buy-a-spy/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/14/kill-skill-the-agency-to-let-players-buy-a-spy/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/14/kill-skill-the-agency-to-let-players-buy-a-spy/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/pc/" rel="tag">PC</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/ps3/" rel="tag">Sony PlayStation 3</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/online/" rel="tag">Online</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/mmo/" rel="tag">MMO</a></p><div align="center"><a href="http://sev.prnewswire.com/computer-electronics/20080514/AQW075A14052008-1.html"><img vspace="4" hspace="0" border="1" src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2008/05/agencymainquick.jpg" alt="" /></a><br /></div>
<strong>Update:</strong> Added source -- this <a href="http://sev.prnewswire.com/computer-electronics/20080514/AQW075A14052008-1.html">press release</a>, which vaguely implies that Live Gamer's RMT service, called Live Gamer Exchange, will allow players to "customize their characters through attire, weaponry, gadgets, vehicles, gear and aliases that tailor their game play." However, Massively's <a href="http://www.massively.com/bloggers/kyle-horner/">Kyle Horner</a> spoke last night with <em>The Agency</em> lead designer Hal Milton who said that no weapons will be sold. The team is currently discussing the sale of low-level operatives (analogues to low-level equipment), but currently, everything planned to be sold will be purely cosmetic and not gameplay affecting.<br /><br /><strong>Original: </strong>Remember all the hoopla over virtual arms dealing in <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/24/ea-explains-battlefield-bcs-pay-to-play-weapons/"><em>Battlefield: Bad Company</em></a>? Sony Online Entertainment's <em>not</em> hearing it. In fact, it announced today that its upcoming espionage MMO FPS, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/11/sony-officially-announces-the-agency-for-pc-and-ps3/"><em>The Agency</em></a>, will feature real money trading (RMT) of everything from clothing and gear to vehicles and weapons. <br /><br />SOE has yet to declassify its business model for <em>The Agency</em>, so this could go in one of two directions. If it's free-to-play (a la <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/tag/Battlefield-Heroes/"><em>Battlefield: Heroes</em></a>) the cash-for-guns program would be (slightly) easier to swallow. Since <em>The Agency</em> is a PC <em>and</em> PS3 title, we're laying a bet on a free model given the latter platform's already free online gaming service and today's announcement, which provides a means for SOE to subsidize free play with a cut of player trades. If it's subscription-based? Someone best send some fire-retardant undergarments to SOE brass.<br /><br />FPS players -- console ones specifically -- are used to earning their way to the top and into better weapons and gear, as seen in <em>Call of Duty 4</em>. The idea of playing a game where they're at an immediate disadvantage based on cash money is unlikely to sit well. At least trade works both ways; those who take the route of being skilled players -- and not <em>payers</em> -- can profit from their homegrown skills by selling stuff to noobs (and people with dead presidents lighting fires in their trousers).<br />%Gallery-3830%<h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://sev.prnewswire.com/computer-electronics/20080514/AQW075A14052008-1.html>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/14/kill-skill-the-agency-to-let-players-buy-a-spy/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/1195589/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/14/kill-skill-the-agency-to-let-players-buy-a-spy/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><br /><p><font size="1"><hr>SPONSORED BY: <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game</a> Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">AOE3</A> introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">http://www.ageofempires3.com/</a></font></p>]]></description><category>microtransactions</category><category>pay-to-play</category><category>real-money-trading</category><category>soe</category><category>sony-online-entertai...</category><category>the-agency</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Randy Nelson]]></dc:creator><dc:date>2008-05-14T20:45:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>Vivendi: Wrath of the Lich King coming second half of 2008</title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/14/vivendi-wrath-of-the-lich-king-coming-second-half-of-2008/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/14/vivendi-wrath-of-the-lich-king-coming-second-half-of-2008/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/14/vivendi-wrath-of-the-lich-king-coming-second-half-of-2008/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/mac/" rel="tag">Mac</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/pc/" rel="tag">PC</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/online/" rel="tag">Online</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/rpgs/" rel="tag">RPGs</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/mmo/" rel="tag">MMO</a></p><div align="center"><img vspace="4" hspace="0" border="1" src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2008/04/wotlk-prince-arthas.jpg" alt="" /></div>
In a press release announcing Q1 2008 results (<a href="http://www.vivendi.com/corp/en/press_2008/documents/20080514_PR_Q12008.pdf">PDF File</a>), Blizzard owner Vivendi Universal asserts that the upcoming <em>World of Warcraft </em>expansion <em>Wrath of the Lich King </em>is "anticipated to be released in the second half of 2008." Mark your calendars, as we suspect the Christmas season is going to be a lot less productive.<br /><br />While we always expected release this year, Blizzard, who has yet to make a formal announcement, is notorious for delaying games until they've met some in-house standard of quality. Our attention is now focused intently on Blizzard's <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/tag/wwi">WWI event</a> in Paris next month.<br /><br />[Via <a href="http://news.bigdownload.com/2008/05/14/vivendi-press-release-asserts-wrath-of-the-lich-king-to-be-relea/">Big Download</a>]<br /> <br /><a href="http://www.vivendi.com/corp/en/press_2008/documents/20080514_PR_Q12008.pdf">Read</a> (PDF File)<h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/14/vivendi-wrath-of-the-lich-king-coming-second-half-of-2008/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/1195733/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/14/vivendi-wrath-of-the-lich-king-coming-second-half-of-2008/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><br /><p><font size="1"><hr>SPONSORED BY: <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game</a> Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">AOE3</A> introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">http://www.ageofempires3.com/</a></font></p>]]></description><category>blizzard</category><category>breakingnews</category><category>vivendi</category><category>world-of-warcraft</category><category>wotlk</category><category>wow</category><category>wrath-of-the-lich-king</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Ross Miller]]></dc:creator><dc:date>2008-05-14T17:15:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>Joystiq hands-on: Left 4 Dead</title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/13/joystiq-hands-on-left-4-dead/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/13/joystiq-hands-on-left-4-dead/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/13/joystiq-hands-on-left-4-dead/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/pc/" rel="tag">PC</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/xbox360/" rel="tag">Microsoft Xbox 360</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/firstpersonshooters/" rel="tag">First Person Shooters</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/online/" rel="tag">Online</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/photos/left-4-dead/803651/full/"><img vspace="4" hspace="0" border="0" src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2008/05/alleygroup1.jpg" alt="L4D" /></a><br /><em><small>click to enlarge</small></em></div>
<br /><span style="float: left; margin-right: 10px; margin-top: 7px;"> <script> var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/gaming_news/Hands_on_with_Left_4_Dead_2'; </script> <script src="http://digg.com/api/diggthis.js"></script></span> Having fortunately escaped a swift booting from last night's EA Spring Break event by PR folk for making an innocent (we swear) "If you make a sequel, will it be titled <span style="font-style: italic;">Right 4 Dead</span>?" query, we sat down and got our kill-on in <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/10/valve-acquires-left4dead-dev-turtle-rock-studios/">Turtle Rock Studios</a>' PC and Xbox 360 shooter. Our first thought: Maybe this shouldn't be published under the EA Games label; EA Sims might suit it better. Because, frankly, we can't conjure a game that could better be described as a "zombie apocalypse simulator." Take that, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/tag/gran-turismo-5" style="font-style: italic;">GT5</a>, with your "driving" simulation. <br /><br />Highlighting the four-player Survivor co-op mode, the event's <span style="font-style: italic;">Left 4 Dead</span> station featured four HP Blackbird PCs, so we were definitely experiencing the game as an owner of a high-spec gaming rig would. To that end, the game is looking even better than it did at previous showings, wowing us with a bevy of neat visual tricks (flashlights produce rainbow halos when you stare at them straight on, for instance) and fluid character animation that had us making mental comparisons to <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/tag/call-of-duty-4"><span style="font-style: italic;">Call of Duty 4's</span></a> lifelike character motion. <span style="font-style: italic;">Left 4 Dead's</span> visual style -- which is largely realistic with just enough style and saturation to lend it a slight arcade hue -- worked its magic and we were soon firmly in the game world's clutches. Not that we were complaining.<br />%Gallery-22771%<p><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/13/joystiq-hands-on-left-4-dead/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Joystiq hands-on: Left 4 Dead</em></a></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/13/joystiq-hands-on-left-4-dead/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/1194651/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/13/joystiq-hands-on-left-4-dead/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><br /><p><font size="1"><hr>SPONSORED BY: <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game</a> Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">AOE3</A> introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">http://www.ageofempires3.com/</a></font></p>]]></description><category>ea</category><category>ea-spring-break-2008</category><category>handson</category><category>l4d</category><category>left-4-dead</category><category>turtle-rock-studios</category><category>valve</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Randy Nelson]]></dc:creator><dc:date>2008-05-13T19:00:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>Joystiq hands-on: Battlefield Heroes</title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/13/joystiq-hands-on-battlefield-heroes/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/13/joystiq-hands-on-battlefield-heroes/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/13/joystiq-hands-on-battlefield-heroes/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/pc/" rel="tag">PC</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/firstpersonshooters/" rel="tag">First Person Shooters</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/online/" rel="tag">Online</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/casual/" rel="tag">Casual</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/photos/battlefield-heroes-5-13-08/803364/full/"><img width="490" vspace="4" hspace="0" height="344" border="1" align="middle" alt="" src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2008/05/battlefield-heroes-landingpage-490.jpg" /></a><br /> <small><em>click to enlarge</em></small> </div>
<br />Producer Alexander Grondal said the team wants <em>Battlefield Heroes</em> to run on your Grandma's PC and -- with a sub-250MB download and the ability to run on Intel's anemic integrated video offerings -- we're sure it will. But that doesn't mean Grams is going to kick the Pogo crack pipe and be racking up levels in <em>Heroes</em> anytime soon. It's about as simple a shooter as you can imagine -- everything from the cartoon aesthetic to the streamlined controls reinforce the game's message: have fun -- but it's still a shooter at heart. <br /><br />It's a curious message coming from the same team that's been bringing the popular, and complicated, multiplayer <em>Battlefield</em> games to the hardcore shooter fans of the world. Has some of their audience grown up? Run out of free time? Still using the same gaming rig they built to play <em>Battlefield 1942</em> in 2002?<br /><br />In our brief experience with the game at EA's Spring Break event in San Francisco last night, we were initially disoriented by the third-person perspective. Even though you see your character, <em>Heroes</em> doesn't play like a third-person shooter; it's an FPS through and through. A quick mental adjustment later, and we were running after enemies, grabbing flags, flying planes, and driving tanks.<br />%Gallery-22758%<p><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/13/joystiq-hands-on-battlefield-heroes/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Joystiq hands-on: Battlefield Heroes</em></a></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/13/joystiq-hands-on-battlefield-heroes/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/1194194/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/13/joystiq-hands-on-battlefield-heroes/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><br /><p><font size="1"><hr>SPONSORED BY: <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game</a> Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">AOE3</A> introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">http://www.ageofempires3.com/</a></font></p>]]></description><category>Battlefield-Heroes</category><category>DICE</category><category>EA</category><category>EA-Spring-Break-2008</category><category>handson</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Christopher Grant]]></dc:creator><dc:date>2008-05-13T15:30:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>SOE president sees more MMOs on PS3</title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/13/soe-president-sees-more-mmos-on-ps3/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/13/soe-president-sees-more-mmos-on-ps3/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/13/soe-president-sees-more-mmos-on-ps3/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/ps3/" rel="tag">Sony PlayStation 3</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/online/" rel="tag">Online</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/business/" rel="tag">Business</a></p><div align="center"><a href="http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2004407482_brierqa12.html"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" alt="" src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2008/05/agencymainquick.jpg" /></a><br /></div>
In an interview with the <a href="http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2004407482_brierqa12.html">Seattle Times</a>, Sony Online Entertainment head, John Smedley, sees a future for MMOs on the PS3. He tells the paper that MMOs are going to be a "real strong selling point for the PS3" and uses <em>The Agency</em> as an example. More collaboration between the online and console divisions makes sense now that SOE <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/13/soe-to-report-directly-to-kaz-hirai-scei/">reports to Sony Computer Entertainment Inc</a>.<br /><br />Smedley believes that MMOs will reach a 50/50 ratio between men and women over the next decade. He believes some of these games will be "as big as hit movies." Funny thing is that there's already a few out there, like <a href="http://www.wowinsider.com/"><em>World of Warcraft</em></a> -- too bad that one only belongs to Blizzard.<br /><br />[Via <a href="http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/news/soes-smedley-mmos-will-be-selling-point-for-the-ps3/?biz=1">GameDaily</a>]<h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2004407482_brierqa12.html>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/13/soe-president-sees-more-mmos-on-ps3/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/1193965/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/13/soe-president-sees-more-mmos-on-ps3/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><br /><p><font size="1"><hr>SPONSORED BY: <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game</a> Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">AOE3</A> introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">http://www.ageofempires3.com/</a></font></p>]]></description><category>smedley</category><category>soe</category><category>the-agency</category><category>theagency</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Alexander Sliwinski]]></dc:creator><dc:date>2008-05-13T13:45:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>Weekly Webcomic Wrapup looks up at the stars</title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/11/weekly-webcomci-wrapup-looks-up-at-the-stars/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/11/weekly-webcomci-wrapup-looks-up-at-the-stars/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/11/weekly-webcomci-wrapup-looks-up-at-the-stars/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/culture/" rel="tag">Culture</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/online/" rel="tag">Online</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/polls/" rel="tag">Polls</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thelibrarianist.com/colours/colours7.jpg"><img vspace="4" hspace="0" border="1" alt="" src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2008/05/colours-libr-490.jpg" /></a></div>
Have you ever just looked up at the stars, trying to make your own constellations ... and suddenly everything becomes a star cluster of <span style="font-style: italic;">Pac-Man</span>-related shapes? (Imave via <a href="http://www.thelibrarianist.com/colours/colours7.jpg">The Librarianist</a>) Here are our picks for the week's best game-related webcomics; voting after the break.<br />
<ul>
    <li><a href="http://www.sharcbate.com/comic/real-life-application">Real Life Application</a> (Sharcbate)</li>
    <li><a href="http://truckbearingkibble.com/comic/2008/05/06/battle-fighter-iii-hyper-edition/">Battle Fighter III: Hyper Edition</a> (Truck Bearing Kibble)</li>
    <li><a href="http://www.myextralife.com/archive.php?date=2008-05-07">Starcraft Blues</a> (Extra Life)</li>
    <li><a href="http://digitalunrestcomic.com/index.php?date=2008-05-05">p=mv</a> (Digital Unrest)</li>
    <li><a href="http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2008/5/5/">The Expected Result</a> (Penny Arcade)</li>
    <li><a href="http://www.vgcats.com/super/?strip_id=2">Oh, you're choosing fire?</a> (Super Effective)</li>
    <li><a href="http://cad-comic.com/comic.php?d=20080505">Options</a> (CAD)</li>
    <li><a href="http://www.qwantz.com/archive/001219.html">Grand Theft Dinosaur</a> (Dino Comics)</li>
    <li><a href="http://www.2pstart.com/2008/05/07/define-addiction/">Define Addiction</a> (2P Start)</li>
    <li><a href="http://www.duelinganalogs.com/comic/2008/05/08/its-dyn-o-mite/">It's DYN-O-MITE</a> (Dueling Analogs)</li>
    <li><a href="http://www.asofterworld.com/index.php?id=302">"I'd be less nervous"</a> (A Softer World)</li>
</ul><p><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/11/weekly-webcomci-wrapup-looks-up-at-the-stars/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Weekly Webcomic Wrapup looks up at the stars</em></a></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/11/weekly-webcomci-wrapup-looks-up-at-the-stars/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/1192331/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/11/weekly-webcomci-wrapup-looks-up-at-the-stars/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><br /><p><font size="1"><hr>SPONSORED BY: <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game</a> Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">AOE3</A> introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">http://www.ageofempires3.com/</a></font></p>]]></description><category>asteroids</category><category>astronomy</category><category>constellations</category><category>librarianist</category><category>stars</category><category>webcomic</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Ross Miller]]></dc:creator><dc:date>2008-05-11T20:00:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>A dwarven explosion of Wrath of the Lich King info</title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/09/a-dwarven-explosion-of-wrath-of-the-lich-king-info/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/09/a-dwarven-explosion-of-wrath-of-the-lich-king-info/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/09/a-dwarven-explosion-of-wrath-of-the-lich-king-info/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/mac/" rel="tag">Mac</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/pc/" rel="tag">PC</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/online/" rel="tag">Online</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/rpgs/" rel="tag">RPGs</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/mmo/" rel="tag">MMO</a></p><div align="center"><a href="http://www.wowinsider.com/category/wrath-of-the-lich-king/"><img vspace="4" hspace="0" border="1" alt="" src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2008/05/death-knight-pic-490.jpg" /></a></div>
Last night Blizzard waved its Arcane Staff of Embargo Lifting, unleashing an torrential downpour of <em>World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King</em> information from an event held recently. Our friends at <a href="http://www.wowinsider.com/category/wrath-of-the-lich-king/">WoW Insider</a>, whose invitation must've gotten lost in the mail along with ours, are gathering all the news from around the internet. In case you missed anything:<br />
<ul>
    <li><a href="http://www.wowinsider.com/2008/05/09/gamespys-hands-on-with-wrath-of-the-lich-king/">Gamespy's hands on with Wrath of the Lich King</a></li>
    <li><a href="http://www.wowinsider.com/2008/05/09/dungeons-and-raids-in-wrath-of-the-lich-king/">Dungeons and Raids in Wrath of the Lich King</a></li>
    <li><a href="http://www.wowinsider.com/2008/05/09/more-wrath-of-the-lich-king-impressions-and-information-coming-o/">More of the Wrath of the Lich King impressions and information coming out</a></li>
    <li><a href="http://www.wowinsider.com/2008/05/09/death-knight-info/">The Death Knight class revealed</a></li>
    <li>   <a rel="bookmark" href="http://www.wowinsider.com/2008/05/09/gamespy-interviews-j-allen-brack/"><span id="pt1190890">Gamespy Interviews J. Allen Brack</span></a>   </li>
</ul>
A flood of videos are also coming in. We've embedded several from GameTrailers after the break.<br /><a href="http://www.wowinsider.com/2008/05/09/gamespys-hands-on-with-wrath-of-the-lich-king/"><br /></a><p><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/09/a-dwarven-explosion-of-wrath-of-the-lich-king-info/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>A dwarven explosion of Wrath of the Lich King info</em></a></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.wowinsider.com/category/wrath-of-the-lich-king/>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/09/a-dwarven-explosion-of-wrath-of-the-lich-king-info/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/1191192/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/09/a-dwarven-explosion-of-wrath-of-the-lich-king-info/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><br /><p><font size="1"><hr>SPONSORED BY: <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game</a> Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">AOE3</A> introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">http://www.ageofempires3.com/</a></font></p>]]></description><category>blizzard</category><category>world-of-warcraft</category><category>wotlk</category><category>wow</category><category>wrath-of-the-lich-king</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Ross Miller]]></dc:creator><dc:date>2008-05-09T16:30:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>Rock Band Weekly: Sonic Youth, The Clash and Blondie</title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/09/rock-band-weekly-sonic-youth-the-clash-and-blondie/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/09/rock-band-weekly-sonic-youth-the-clash-and-blondie/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/09/rock-band-weekly-sonic-youth-the-clash-and-blondie/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/ps3/" rel="tag">Sony PlayStation 3</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/xbox360/" rel="tag">Microsoft Xbox 360</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/online/" rel="tag">Online</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/rhythm/" rel="tag">Rhythm</a></p><div align="center"><a href="http://www.rockband.com/forums/showthread.php?t=48864"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" alt="" src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2008/05/blondiemainimage.jpg" /></a><br /></div>
Bring out the haters for this week's <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/tag/rock-band-weekly/">Rock Band Weekly</a> update post. The songs are perfectly fine, but considering the amount of hate there is in any given week for really good tracks, we can only imagine what it'll be like for these songs. Come on, "Random Song Lover Defense Force," where are you?<br /><br /><strong><a href="http://www.rockband.com/forums/showthread.php?t=48864">Individual songs</a></strong><br />
<ul>
    <li> "Hanging on the Telephone" - Blondie (160 MS Points / $2)</li>
    <li> "Train in Vain" - The Clash (160 MS Points / $2)</li>
    <li> "Kool Thing" - Sonic Youth (160 MS Points / $2)</li>
</ul>
Videos for next week's tracks are after the break for people to make <em>informed</em> decisions on whether they actually hate the songs.The DLC will be available next Tuesday and Thursday for Xbox 360 and PS3 respectively.<p><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/09/rock-band-weekly-sonic-youth-the-clash-and-blondie/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Rock Band Weekly: Sonic Youth, The Clash and Blondie</em></a></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.rockband.com/forums/showthread.php?t=48864>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/09/rock-band-weekly-sonic-youth-the-clash-and-blondie/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/1191383/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/09/rock-band-weekly-sonic-youth-the-clash-and-blondie/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><br /><p><font size="1"><hr>SPONSORED BY: <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game</a> Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">AOE3</A> introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">http://www.ageofempires3.com/</a></font></p>]]></description><category>blondie</category><category>rock-band</category><category>rock-band-weekly</category><category>sonic-youth</category><category>the-clash</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Alexander Sliwinski]]></dc:creator><dc:date>2008-05-09T16:00:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>Rockstar releases GTA IV multiplayer guide</title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/08/rockstar-releases-gta-iv-multiplayer-guide/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/08/rockstar-releases-gta-iv-multiplayer-guide/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/08/rockstar-releases-gta-iv-multiplayer-guide/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/ps3/" rel="tag">Sony PlayStation 3</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/xbox360/" rel="tag">Microsoft Xbox 360</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/online/" rel="tag">Online</a></p><div align="center"><a href="http://www.rockstargames.com/IV/#?page=multiplayer"><img vspace="4" hspace="0" border="0" alt="gta iv" src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2008/05/gtaiv-waterfront-showdown.jpg" /></a></div>
If you're not the type of noob to simply dial up your new pal "Multiplayer" and leap blindly into a hail of bullets and screaming 12-year-olds (er, "<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/08/federal-legislation-proposes-id-checks-for-video-game-retailers/">18, right?</a>"), then you may find Rockstar's just published -- and carefully reproduced after the break! -- <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.joystiq.com/tag/gtaiv">Grand Theft Auto IV</a> multiplayer guide just the sort of literature you've been pining for. Want to know how to get the "Party" started? Unlock new threads? Flip someone the bird? It's all in the details that follow.<br />%Gallery-3442%<p><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/08/rockstar-releases-gta-iv-multiplayer-guide/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Rockstar releases GTA IV multiplayer guide</em></a></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.rockstargames.com/IV/#?page=multiplayer>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/08/rockstar-releases-gta-iv-multiplayer-guide/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/1190464/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/08/rockstar-releases-gta-iv-multiplayer-guide/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><br /><p><font size="1"><hr>SPONSORED BY: <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game</a> Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">AOE3</A> introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">http://www.ageofempires3.com/</a></font></p>]]></description><category>grand-theft-auto-iv</category><category>gtaiv</category><category>multiplayer</category><category>psn</category><category>rockstar</category><category>xbox-live</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[James Ransom-Wiley]]></dc:creator><dc:date>2008-05-08T18:59:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>Home 'too ambitous,' but 'definitely' coming this Fall, Reeves says</title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/08/home-too-ambitous-but-definitely-coming-this-fall-said-ree/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/08/home-too-ambitous-but-definitely-coming-this-fall-said-ree/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/08/home-too-ambitous-but-definitely-coming-this-fall-said-ree/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/ps3/" rel="tag">Sony PlayStation 3</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/online/" rel="tag">Online</a></p><div align="center"><a href="http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=188622"><img vspace="4" hspace="0" border="1" src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2008/04/ps-home-lobby-old-490.jpg" alt="" /></a></div>
While confirming <em>Home</em> will "definitely be coming out in Autumn," SCEE president David Reeves said that "<span class="text_article_body">maybe we were too ambitious with the non-gaming applications within Home, getting sponsors and stuff like that."</span> In an interview with <a href="http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=188622">CVG</a>, Reeves continued to say, "I<span class="text_article_body">n that sense we were deserting gamers. So, we're concentrating on the gaming by launching games in Home</span>."<br /><br />The closed beta for <em>Home </em>is <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/22/sony-pushes-home-open-beta-out-until-fall-08-closed-beta-exte/">still ongoing</a>. Earlier today, EA Sports president (and former Xbox executive) Peter Moore said he was interested in the service but "disappointed" by its delays. <em>Home </em>producer Daniel Hill told our friends at <a href="http://www.ps3fanboy.com/2008/05/08/home-game-spaces-being-shown-off-later-this-month/">PS3 Fanboy</a> that game spaces will be shown later this month.<h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=188622>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/08/home-too-ambitous-but-definitely-coming-this-fall-said-ree/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/1190360/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/08/home-too-ambitous-but-definitely-coming-this-fall-said-ree/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><br /><p><font size="1"><hr>SPONSORED BY: <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game</a> Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">AOE3</A> introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">http://www.ageofempires3.com/</a></font></p>]]></description><category>david-reeves</category><category>europe</category><category>home</category><category>ps-home</category><category>SCE</category><category>SCEE</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Ross Miller]]></dc:creator><dc:date>2008-05-08T17:00:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>PSN Thursday: A Haze-y afternoon of killin' PixelJunk Monsters</title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/08/psn-thursday-a-haze-y-afternoon-of-killin-pixeljunk-monsters/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/08/psn-thursday-a-haze-y-afternoon-of-killin-pixeljunk-monsters/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/08/psn-thursday-a-haze-y-afternoon-of-killin-pixeljunk-monsters/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/ps3/" rel="tag">Sony PlayStation 3</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/online/" rel="tag">Online</a></p><div align="center"><a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/2008/05/08/playstation-store-update-33/"><img width="490" vspace="4" hspace="0" height="275" border="1" align="top" src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2008/05/pixeljunk-monsters-encore-490-2.jpg" alt="" /></a><br /></div>
We're sure PS3 owners can carve out a little time today from all the <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/Grand-Theft-Auto-IV/"><em>GTA IV</em></a> and <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/tag/echochrome"><span style="font-style: italic;">echochrome</span></a> playing to check out the demo for "<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/19/haze-ps3-exclusivity-clouds-over-again/">exclusive</a>" shooter <em>Haze</em>. Of course, what most are probably excited about is that <em>PixelJunk Monsters</em>' <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/07/pixeljunk-monsters-expansion-invades-psn-this-week/">expansion</a> is out today at a reasonable $6 price. There are also plenty of other little interesting things in the <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/2008/05/08/playstation-store-update-33/">North Amercan update</a> that might pique some of your interests, and it can all be found after the break.<br /><br />The lists for this week's <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/02/double-euro-psn-update-next-week/">double dose</a> of European PSN updates can be found over at <a href="http://www.ps3fanboy.com/2008/05/08/european-psn-store-releases-for-may-8th/">PS3 Fanboy</a>. Be sure to check out all their <a href="http://www.ps3fanboy.com/tag/playstation-day-2008">PlayStation Day coverage</a> as well.<br />%Gallery-6686%<p><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/08/psn-thursday-a-haze-y-afternoon-of-killin-pixeljunk-monsters/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>PSN Thursday: A Haze-y afternoon of killin' PixelJunk Monsters</em></a></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://blog.us.playstation.com/2008/05/08/playstation-store-update-33/>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/08/psn-thursday-a-haze-y-afternoon-of-killin-pixeljunk-monsters/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/1190272/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/08/psn-thursday-a-haze-y-afternoon-of-killin-pixeljunk-monsters/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><br /><p><font size="1"><hr>SPONSORED BY: <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game</a> Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">AOE3</A> introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">http://www.ageofempires3.com/</a></font></p>]]></description><category>demo</category><category>haze</category><category>psn</category><category>psn-store</category><category>psn-thursday</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Alexander Sliwinski]]></dc:creator><dc:date>2008-05-08T16:30:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>GameTap Thursday: Alpha Prime Chameleon Gems Flip Words</title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/08/gametap-thursday-alpha-prime-chameleon-gems-flip-words/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/08/gametap-thursday-alpha-prime-chameleon-gems-flip-words/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/08/gametap-thursday-alpha-prime-chameleon-gems-flip-words/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/mac/" rel="tag">Mac</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/pc/" rel="tag">PC</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/online/" rel="tag">Online</a></p><div align="center"><a href="http://www.gametap.com"><img width="490" vspace="4" hspace="0" height="368" border="1" align="top" src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2008/05/flipword2.jpg" alt="" /></a><br /></div>
Um, so, this week <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/tag/gametap">GameTap</a> doesn't necessarily scrape the bottom of the barrel, but sort of skims the goo that's formed atop the stagnant water over the weeks. Really nothing to see here, <strike>but if we want to get optimistic, the good news is <em>Deus Ex</em> <a href="http://www.gametap.com/articles/gamefeatures/coming_to_gametap_may_15-05062008">will be added</a> to the service next week.</strike><br />
<ul>
    <li><em>Alpha Prime</em> (Windows) - A first-person shooter we've never heard of, but <a href="http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/pc/alphaprime?q=alpha%20prime">reviewers didn't like it much</a>.<br /> </li>
    <li><em>Chameleon Games</em> (Windows) - A <em>Zuma</em> clone.</li>
    <li><em>Flip Words 2</em> (Windows) A casual game where you make words. </li>
</ul>
GameTap's list of <a href="http://www.gametap.com/home/play/free.html">free games</a> can be found after the break. This week adds <em>Morning's Wrath</em> ... a <em>Diablo</em> clone. This week is just painful all around.<br /><br /><strong>Update</strong>: It's true, <em>Deus Ex </em>has been on the service for a while. That link he have in the first paragraph definitely went to an announcement that the game was being added <em>next week </em>(you can even tell by the pull-quote used on the GameTap page). Ninjas have swooped in and made changes.<p><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/08/gametap-thursday-alpha-prime-chameleon-gems-flip-words/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>GameTap Thursday: Alpha Prime Chameleon Gems Flip Words</em></a></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.gametap.com/>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/08/gametap-thursday-alpha-prime-chameleon-gems-flip-words/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/1189351/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/08/gametap-thursday-alpha-prime-chameleon-gems-flip-words/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><br /><p><font size="1"><hr>SPONSORED BY: <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game</a> Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">AOE3</A> introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">http://www.ageofempires3.com/</a></font></p>]]></description><category>alpha-prime</category><category>chameleon-gems</category><category>flip-words-2</category><category>gametap</category><category>gametapthursday</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Alexander Sliwinski]]></dc:creator><dc:date>2008-05-08T03:00:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>inXile founds SparkWorkz, former Microsoft exec to head</title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/08/inxile-founds-sparkworkz-former-microsoft-exec-to-head/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/08/inxile-founds-sparkworkz-former-microsoft-exec-to-head/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/08/inxile-founds-sparkworkz-former-microsoft-exec-to-head/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/culture/" rel="tag">Culture</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/ds/" rel="tag">Nintendo DS</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/wii/" rel="tag">Nintendo Wii</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/online/" rel="tag">Online</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/casual/" rel="tag">Casual</a></p><div align="center"><a href="http://www.sparkworkz.com/"><img vspace="4" hspace="0" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2008/05/lineridercomingsummer2008yo.jpg" /></a><br /></div>
<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/tag/inxile-entertainment/">inXile Entertainment</a>, the developer behind 2004's tongue-in-cheek RPG <em>The Bard's Tale</em>, has announced the founding of a new online-focused division called SparkWorkz, with former Microsoft exec David Heeley tapped to call the shots. According to inXile, SparkWorkz will "build an online network and community" for showing off user-generated content.<br /><br />All of this sounds a bit like inXile is attempting to recapture YouTube's lightning in a bottle, as inXile CEO Brian Fargo notes that the company's goal is to create an "online destination for people to show off their creative talents across a number of different game and non-game media environments." Among other things, players can expect to use the network to create and share content created using the company's upcoming Wii and DS adaptations of <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/tag/linerider/"><em>Line Rider</em></a>, giving us another reason to look forward to the cult Flash time waster's launch <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/11/line-rider-coming-to-pc-wii-ds-this-summer/">this summer</a>.<h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.sparkworkz.com/>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/08/inxile-founds-sparkworkz-former-microsoft-exec-to-head/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/1189185/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/08/inxile-founds-sparkworkz-former-microsoft-exec-to-head/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><br /><p><font size="1"><hr>SPONSORED BY: <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game</a> Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">AOE3</A> introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">http://www.ageofempires3.com/</a></font></p>]]></description><category>inxile-entertainment</category><category>inxileentertainment</category><category>line-rider</category><category>linerider</category><category>sparkworkz</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Jason Dobson]]></dc:creator><dc:date>2008-05-08T01:00:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>Patch for Mr. Driller Online by end of May</title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/07/patch-for-mr-driller-online-by-end-of-may/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/07/patch-for-mr-driller-online-by-end-of-may/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/07/patch-for-mr-driller-online-by-end-of-may/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/arcade/" rel="tag">Arcade</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/xbox360/" rel="tag">Microsoft Xbox 360</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/online/" rel="tag">Online</a></p><div align="center"><a href="http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/871/871751p1.html"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" alt="" src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2008/05/mr_driller_online_topper.jpg" /></a><br /></div>
Namco has told <a href="http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/871/871751p1.html">IGN</a> that a patch for <span style="font-style: italic;">Mr. Driller Online</span> (which should currently just be called <span style="font-style: italic;">Mr. Driller</span>) is coming by the end of this month. When the game released in early April the online feature was <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/03/mr-driller-onlines-lag-tastic-online-play/">fundamentally broken</a>, as is evidenced by the video from X3F we've placed after the break.<br /><br />As for the game's less-than-HD quality presentation? Don't expect a patch for that. The fix is pretty much designed to allow the game to keep the <span style="font-style: italic;">Online</span> portion of its name without becoming a case of consumer fraud.<br /><br />[Via <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/07/patch-for-mr-driller-online-by-end-of-may/">X3F</a>]<br />
<div class="postgallery">
<p><strong>Gallery: Mr. Driller Online (XBLA)</strong></p>
<a href="http://www.xbox360fanboy.com/photos/mr-driller-online-xbla/727128/"><img title="" alt="" src="http://www.xbox360fanboy.com/media/2008/03/mrdrilleronline_screenshot8_thumbnail.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.xbox360fanboy.com/photos/mr-driller-online-xbla/727127/"><img title="" alt="" src="http://www.xbox360fanboy.com/media/2008/03/mrdrilleronline_screenshot7_thumbnail.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.xbox360fanboy.com/photos/mr-driller-online-xbla/727126/"><img title="" alt="" src="http://www.xbox360fanboy.com/media/2008/03/mrdrilleronline_screenshot9_thumbnail.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.xbox360fanboy.com/photos/mr-driller-online-xbla/727125/"><img title="" alt="" src="http://www.xbox360fanboy.com/media/2008/03/mrdrilleronline_screenshot5_thumbnail.jpg" /></a></div><p><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/07/patch-for-mr-driller-online-by-end-of-may/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Patch for Mr. Driller Online by end of May</em></a></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/871/871751p1.html>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/07/patch-for-mr-driller-online-by-end-of-may/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/1188749/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/07/patch-for-mr-driller-online-by-end-of-may/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><br /><p><font size="1"><hr>SPONSORED BY: <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game</a> Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">AOE3</A> introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/DEI/go/wblgsxbx0080000528dei/direct/01/">http://www.ageofempires3.com/</a></font></p>]]></description><category>mr-driller</category><category>mr-driller-online</category><category>patch</category><category>xbla</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Alexander Sliwinski]]></dc:creator><dc:date>2008-05-07T10:00:00+00:00</dc:date></item></channel></rss>