Joystiq

EA announces Hasbro Family Game Night for Wii, PS2

Jason Dobson — 2008-05-16T09:50:00+00:00

Filed under: Sony PlayStation 2, Nintendo Wii, Puzzle, Simulations, Casual

Electronic Arts has finally revealed the fruits of its recent partnership with board game evangelist Hasbro, announcing Hasbro Family Game Night, a collection of classic board games for the Wii and PlayStation 2. Shipping this fall, the game will include a wide assortment of Hasbro properties -- six in all -- from Battleship, Yahtzee, Boggle, and Connect Four to Sorry! and its more recent incarnation in Sorry! Sliders.

Purists will be happy to know that they'll be able to play the classic games as they remember, though EA notes that new versions will also be included as well for those looking for a different way to play. In addition, the collection will let players build and decorate a virtual game room, earn trophies, and play various mini-games once they tire of sinking each other's battleships. However, even with support for between two and four players, we doubt the compilation will have us tossing out our boxed favorites just yet, though at least with this game we know we'll never have to go searching though couch cushions for missing pieces before we can play.

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SPONSORED BY: Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. AOE3 introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. http://www.ageofempires3.com/

Viva Piñata, Scene It? sequels revealed by Microsoft

Justin McElroy — 2008-05-12T07:55:00+00:00

Filed under: Microsoft Xbox 360, Simulations

Yeesh, the good ship Microsoft has had so many leaks we'll be shocked if it can even stay afloat for tomorrow's Gamer's Day event being held in San Francisco. While doing some pre-briefing site combing, one intrepid NeoGAF user discovered confirmation to sequels for Viva Piñata (sub-titled Trouble in Paradise) and Scene It?. Can you guess which one we're more excited about?

What's more, the NeoGAFfers even dug up some screenshots from the game for you to enjoy. Just do us a favor and look surprised tomorrow. We don't want to hurt Jeff Bell's feelings.

[Via X3F]

Gallery: Viva Pinata: Trouble in Paradise

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Spore Creature Creator and demo coming June 17

Justin McElroy — 2008-04-25T08:00:00+00:00

Filed under: PC, Simulations

If you're the megalomaniacal sort who wants nothing more than a race of sentient creatures of your own design bending to your every whim, we have good news! The Spore Creature Creator, once only dated for the murky, fingerprinted window of June, has now been specifically nailed to June 17. If you're megalomaniacal but also too cheap to spring the $9.99 for the game, you'll be happy to hear that a free demo will also arrive that day on the Spore site.

Once the full game arrives on September 5, you'll be able to import in all your created beasts. Until then, they're a perfect way to see if friends and family love you enough to feign interest in the computer animal you made.

Gallery: Spore

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Joystiq interview: Demigod, Sins, and the death of PC gaming

Alexander Sliwinski — 2008-04-24T12:25:00+00:00

Filed under: PC, Sony PlayStation 3, Microsoft Xbox 360, RPGs, Simulations, Strategy, Casual

With publisher Stardock's rise the last couple of years and the announcement that it'll be publishing Gas Powered Games' next title, Demigod, it was time catch up with the two companies. We spoke with Stardock's CEO Brad Wardell and Gas Powered Games' founder Chris Taylor and asked some niggling questions on our minds ... and fired a few total shots in the dark which yielded results (like Demigod on consoles?). Find out more about Stardock and why Gas Powered Games decided to hook up with the little-publisher-that-could for its next title in our interview.

OK, let's get right into it, what's Demigod?

Chris Taylor - Demigod is a frantic team-based action game with RPG and RTS elements mixed in. If that doesn't sound familiar, it's because we're sort of inventing a new style of hybrid gameplay. The player selects a Demigod, and fights for a place in the pantheon of Gods in these incredible arenas. Each battle puts the player in command of either an Assassin Demigod, or General Demigod. These two types gives the player a choice of whether they command just the single Demigod, an Assassin, or whether they take command over every single unit in the game, like a traditional RTS, a General.
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Free, retail versions of Spore creature editor coming in June

Ross Miller — 2008-04-21T10:15:00+00:00

Filed under: Mac, PC, Simulations

While reaffirming Spore's September 7 release date, VP of Marketing at Maxis Patrick Buechner has told IGN that both trial (free) and retail (premium) versions of the creature editor are coming in June. The trial version will be available for download and in The SimCity Box, while the retail version should be available in stores around the same time Box launches.

"The free Creature Creator has about 25-percent of the creature making parts from Spore. The retail version will have 100-percent," said Buechner. Any creations you conjure can be shared online via the upcoming Sporepedia, and they will be compatible with Spore once it's released. No price was given for the retail version, and it wasn't mentioned whether any discount would be given to those who pay a premium to be teased about Will Wright's evolutionary time sink.
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Ace Combat series soars past 10 million copies sold

Jason Dobson — 2008-04-17T12:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Culture, Sony PlayStation 2, Sony PSP, Microsoft Xbox 360, Action, Simulations

While Namco Bandai's big news yesterday came with weapons in hand, the company also let slip that its long-running arcade-style aerial combat series, Ace Combat, has surpassed more than 10 million units sold worldwide, with the franchise's fifth offspring, The Unsung War, contributing more than a million to that total in North America alone.

The series first took to the skies in 1995 with Air Combat for the original PlayStation, and has since enjoyed the company of eight additional sequels and spin-offs on multiple platforms, from the PS2 and PSP, to even 2005's Ace Combat Advance for the GBA, with the visually stunning Ace Combat 6 for the Xbox 360 reminding us all that we feel the need ... the need for speed.

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Joystiq interview: EA talks The Sims, from milestones to expansions

Jason Dobson — 2008-04-17T09:30:00+00:00

Filed under: Culture, Nintendo DS, PC, Sony PlayStation 2, Portable, Sony PSP, Nintendo Wii, Microsoft Xbox, Simulations, Interviews, Mobile, Casual

With 100 million units sold to its name, The Sims is certainly the most prolific PC game in history, if not the most popular. The milestone says a lot about the industry and consumer tastes, as well as Electronic Arts and the gaming giant's love of little computer people ... and money.

We recently had the opportunity to speak with The Sims' studio head Rod Humble about the brand he holds so dear. Over the course of the conversation we went back and forth on a number of topics, from the expansions that never were to what he felt has been key to The Sims' widespread success. If you are at all a fan of the series, jump into the pool. We promise not to delete the ladder after you dive in.
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Majesco's Air Traffic Chaos to pull up to DS terminal this summer

Jason Dobson — 2008-04-16T12:30:00+00:00

Filed under: Nintendo DS, Simulations

Majesco, obviously annoyed with being told to put away approved portable electronic devices until after take off, has announced that its next game for the Nintendo DS will put controlling air traffic in players' hands. The aptly titled Air Traffic Chaos will allow players to direct numerous aircraft takeoffs and landings as an air traffic controller. The game marks the second DS release from Japanese studio Sonic Powered, a primarily mobile phone game developer behind From the Abyss for the DS and MiniCopter for the Wii.

Details are few and far between, though Majesco notes that the game will include Rumble Pack support and describes the gameplay as "frantic" as players "safely manage takeoffs, gate assignments and landings for all incoming and outgoing airport traffic for 14 different airlines in varying weather conditions." While we're sure safety is the goal, the urge to play chicken in the not-so-friendly skies might just be too much to resist when Air Traffic Chaos takes off this summer.

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The Sims surpasses 100 million units sold worldwide

Jason Dobson — 2008-04-16T08:50:00+00:00

Filed under: Culture, Nintendo DS, PC, Sony PlayStation 2, Sony PSP, Nintendo Wii, Microsoft Xbox, Simulations, Casual

The top-selling video game of all time has just surpassed another milestone, as EA announced that The Sims, which has been released in more than 20 different languages, has now sold 100 million copies the world over since it sprang from the mind of super-developer Will Wright in 2000. The first game's expansion-laden release was followed by The Sims 2 in the fall of 2004, while the recently announced The Sims 3 will drop sometime in 2009, for the first time letting sims venture beyond their front doors and into the neighborhood.

The idea of 100 million of anything is difficult for us to wrap our brains around, so we cornered Rod Humble, the brand's studio head, to pick his noodle on The Sims, particularly with regards to the franchise's expansion-heavy history. So, with pets, night-life, and even magic tricks to pick from, what add-ons do players continue to ask for that's not yet available? Says Humble, "Right now our players are keen to playing an expansion pack that focuses on living in a big city...other ideas I've seen in the community include a rave/party pack and science fiction pack." Little green sims? We can support that.

Look for the complete interview with the EA exec on The Sims franchise, expansions, and where it goes from here later today.

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Joystiq impressions: Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a King (WiiWare)

Zack Stern — 2008-04-15T17:45:00+00:00

Filed under: Nintendo Wii, Adventure, RPGs, Simulations, Casual, Galleries

Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a King turns RPG gamers into a coach, vicariously living out the glory of dungeon quests by sending in adventurers. I saw the game at the Nintendo Media Summit and didn't understand the appeal. Aren't the quests the best part of RPGs?

If you think upgrades and management are RPG highlights, maybe you'll like My Life as a King. Your young character returns to an abandoned castle to reclaim his dynasty after his dad left in exile. Your job is to spruce up the place, adding new shops that attract and upgrade townsfolk. Some buildings just allow for more people to move in, while weapon shops, magic guilds, and other structures help advance your people.

But with limited coffers, you'll have to send these citizens on quests to raid dungeons and return with more resources to keep building. Force a weak party into a dangerous situation, and they'll crawl back, beaten-down and loot-free. Send a well-equipped party into battle, and they'll bring back treasure.

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The SimCity Box starts construction in June for $40

Alexander Sliwinski — 2008-04-10T16:25:00+00:00

Filed under: PC, Simulations

EA announced today that it'll release The SimCity Box in June, which includes SimCity Societies, SimCity Societies Destinations, SimCity 4, SimCity 4 Rush Hour and The Sims Carnival SnapCity. The best part of the bundle is the very friendly $40 price tag; however, the only real draw inside the box is SimCity 4 and its expansion Rush Hour, which are available bundled for $15 - $20 at most retailers.

SimCity Societies, which was not developed by Maxis, stumbled on release for various reasons. The SimCity Box might be worth it to those who missed out on the last half-decade of the series and are looking to test out its traditional and more casual incarnations over the summer.

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EA Sports predicts Sharks as Stanley Cup champs

Jason Dobson — 2008-04-08T23:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Culture, PC, Sony PlayStation 2, Sony PlayStation 3, Microsoft Xbox 360, Simulations, Sports

With the puck set to drop tomorrow night for the 2008 NHL playoffs, the prognosticators at EA Sports have once again looked into the future vicariously through the studio's latest NHL video game offering to predict the outcome of the league's 16-win battle of attrition. By way of simulation using NHL 08, EA Sports named the San Jose Sharks as the team to finally earn the right to lift Lord Stanley's Cup, defeating Eastern powerhouse Montreal in seven games.

While this writer's favorite team, the Buffalo Sabres, are out playing golf, we agree that the Sharks, behind 2005-06's Hart Trophy winner Joe Thornton (not to mention former Sabres defenceman Brian Campbell), present a formidable force for any of the playoff race's 16 teams. Still, there's too much on-ice talent to write this off as gospel just yet, so we'll sit back and probably scream at the TV tomorrow evening as we wait and see if history mirrors EA's crystal ball.

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Atlus bringing Trauma Center 2 for DS stateside before Japan

Jason Dobson — 2008-04-07T23:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Nintendo DS, Adventure, Simulations

Atlus this afternoon announced plans to bring Trauma Center: Under the Knife 2 stateside, giving us plenty to keep busy amidst reruns of Scrubs and E.R. when the game ships for the Nintendo DS this summer. Atlus confirmed that the sequel, which follows the 2005 release that made us all believe that we could cure cancer with a flick of the wrist, will make it to retail on July 1, offering new modes and operations for armchair surgeons.

But wait, isn't that a full month before the game will be released in Japan? Has the world gone topsy-turvy? We touched based with Atlus and learned that this is indeed the case -- not that the world had gone into a tailspin, but rather that we can expect to stitch up wounds vicariously through Derek and Angie before our friends overseas. The official we spoke to also noted that while the team struggled with a number of titles for the sequel "there really was no other more fitting thing to call the game than Under the Knife 2." Honestly, they can call it anything they want, just get it in our hands STAT!
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Joystiq hands-on: Baja (360/PS3)

Zack Stern — 2008-04-05T00:30:00+00:00

Filed under: Sony PlayStation 3, Microsoft Xbox 360, Driving, Simulations, Galleries

At a recent sampling of THQ games, Baja entertained me, although I had a hard time deciding if it was a simulation or an arcade racer. Its developers touted the simulation and how accurately the game captures off-road racing. Not being an off-road driver, I can't make a comparison.

Relative to other driving games, Baja was unforgiving of my bad mistakes, pitching me off the track like a Colin McRae game. I'm not sure if it was difficult enough -- I guess I equate "difficult" with "realistic simulation" -- but I had fun playing it.

This August, 2008 game will include 50 licensed vehicles across nine classes, ranging from big trucks to VW bugs. So simulation fans will have those real-world elements. I drove a big F-series Ford over sand and dirt, even hitting a big jump with a soft landing. (Again, "simulation" doesn't seem quite right to me.)

Visuals looked good in my races, although nothing stood out against other games. Ambient life appeared a few times -- a rabbit dodged across the track, and a hawk flew overhead -- but the shadows and details blended together. Real-world billboards for Del Taco caught my eye, but mostly just as an exercise about in-game ads. (Still, there were a lot of billboards in the desert.)

But most of all, the game felt fluid, with close objects constantly flying by, and distant mountains drifting with turns. Arcade-and-simulation racing gamers will appreciate that smooth motion. It'll take more time to evaluate its realism, but Motorstorm has another game inching up in the rear-view mirror.

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Ubisoft reveals Tom Clancy's H.A.W.X.

Ludwig Kietzmann — 2008-04-03T08:00:00+00:00

Filed under: PC, Sony PlayStation 3, Microsoft Xbox 360, Simulations

Hilariously Arbitrary Waggle X-ercise! No, Ubisoft already did that one. Umm, how about Hillbilly Awareness Warrants Xenophobia? Harrowing Antagonistic Waffle Xtreme? Hygienically Attached Wailing Xylophone? Hobos Are Watching Xena? Please, somebody just tell us what Tom Clancy has to do with the Heinous Acronym We X-amined.

Why, thank you, IGN! It seems the first thing Ubisoft is doing with the wholly-purchased Tom Clancy is to put the man inside a high-tech jet and send him into High-Altitude Warfare ... X! Developed by the company's Bucharest studio, Tom Clancy's H.A.W.X. places couch pilots in over 50 different planes equipped with an "Enhanced Reality System (ERS)," an optional means of alerting you to incoming missiles, tactical position and the activities of your AI squadron.

If you're wary of having robots for wingmen, you'll be pleased to note the game offers a 4-player co-op campaign and a 16-player Versus mode. Ubisoft hawks its airborne wares on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC this Fall.

[Thanks, netgem21]

Continue reading Ubisoft reveals Tom Clancy's H.A.W.X.

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Vicious Engine made available to Indiana University students

Jason Dobson — 2008-03-27T23:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Culture, Simulations

Developers Vicious Cycle Software have offered up the studio's cross-platform Vicious Engine middleware to students attending the Indiana University School of Education, giving those aspiring to a life of game development some helpful hands-on time with real-world tools.

But don't go expecting the university to churn out the next Puzzle Quest or Dead Head Fred, as according to the school, students will be using the engine to make so-called 'serious games." Students' games will be "designed to teach various subjects of their choosing," and will be part of a larger university study on "how people learn through games." Even so, we imagine the experience will likely prove invaluable for those students wanting to eventually grease the wheels of game development with their sweat and blood.

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Pentagon project to put game-like display on contact lenses

Kyle Orland — 2008-03-21T15:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Hacks, Simulations, Fashion

Using contact lenses to simply change your eye color is so passé. Using contact lenses to augment reality is where it's at. At least it is for the Pentagon, which has put out a request for information on a system to display data "not unlike information provided to players of first-person, shooter-type video games" directly on the surface of the human eye. Sounds kind of like those TV display glasses you hear about sometimes, except, y'know, actually cool.

The technology is a little out there, but it's not a total pipe dream. Researchers at the University of Washington are already working on a nano-scale prototype, and the Pentagon wants actual results out the project in three to five years. The means the technology could trickle down into the consumer market in about ten to fifteen years, just in time to be integrated into the Sony PlayStation 5 and the MicroTendo HyperBox 1080. We can't wait!

[Via Wired]

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EA releases first details, screens of Sims 3

Justin McElroy — 2008-03-19T10:15:00+00:00

Filed under: PC, Simulations

click to enlarge

If you're a Sims fan you've probably been obsessively counting down the days until March 19 when EA would reveal more details on the next iteration of their ~~profit center~~ popular series: Sims 3. The official site ~~seems to be down at the moment~~ [update: it's back up!], but we received some details from EA in a written statement we can pass on.

Expect a new engine with a new, much more detailed Create-a-Sim feature. There are more physical and personality options for Sims, in fact, the release boasts over 700 million combinations. All of the objects in the world are going to be more customizable too. Also, as we already knew, your neighborhood is going to be a bigger factor in your gameplay. It all sounds promising, but don't get too excited just yet: There's no specific date, but EA says the game won't drop until 2009.
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Witness the greatest Animal Crossing cosplay ever

Scott Jon Siegel — 2008-03-06T09:20:00+00:00

Filed under: Culture, Nintendo DS, Nintendo GameCube, Simulations, Fashion

We're a bit torn between whether the above image is horrifying or brilliant. On the one hand, someone clearly drew massive eyebrows on this poor animal, whose uncanny likeness to Animal Crossing's resident musician K. K. Slider is certainly no fault of his (or her?) own.

On the other hand, someone did look at this dog, and realize that with the slightest modification they could create a most excellent cosplay. In either case, consider us in awe. Now all he/she needs is an adorable guitar, and a puppy-sized stool. But we suppose the poor thing's been through enough already.

[Via DS Fanboy]

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Plato to school kids with new learning games for PSP

Jason Dobson — 2008-03-04T08:50:00+00:00

Filed under: Sony PSP, Simulations, Casual

Despite a handful of 'me too' cash grabs for Sony's portable, exercising gray matter has been the domain of the Nintendo DS. However, Plato Learning, an e-learning company based out of Minnesota, has hatched a plan to bring educational games to the PSP beginning sometime in April.

The games, part of the company's existing Achieve Now line of educational products, will be targeted at helping elementary and middle school students "meet high academic standards and improve academic proficiency" in areas such as language, reading, and math. The project could potentially bring as many as 57 different educational titles to the PSP, but will the games give players an inferiority complex by telling them they think with an addled brain of someone twice their age? For now, this too remains Nintendo's exclusive domain.

[Via PSP Fanboy]

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