Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogobig.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Joystiq Top 10 of 2011: Batman: Arkham City]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/04/joystiq-top-10-of-2011-batman-arkham-city/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/04/joystiq-top-10-of-2011-batman-arkham-city/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/04/joystiq-top-10-of-2011-batman-arkham-city/#comments This might sound familiar. In 2009, Joystiq awarded Batman: Arkham Asylum its number three spot in that year's top ten list of games and here we are, two years later, giving that game's sequel the same honor. But it's not the same honor.

Referencing the failure to launch of Pandemic's open-world Dark Knight movie tie-in game, I identified Rocksteady's success as one primarily of scale: "Instead of building an open-world Gotham City, they built an intimate (and immediately captivating) Arkham Asylum, as full of history and lore as you'd expect the comic book icon to be." Of course, Batman: Arkham City is an open-world game.

Continue reading Joystiq Top 10 of 2011: Batman: Arkham City

JoystiqJoystiq Top 10 of 2011: Batman: Arkham City originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 04 Jan 2012 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Batman-Arkham-Asylum-2Batman-Arkham-Cityjoystiq-best-of-2011microsoftpcplaystationps3Rocksteady-StudiosWBIExboxWed, 04 Jan 2012 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[This is a goodbye post]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/27/this-is-a-goodbye-post/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/27/this-is-a-goodbye-post/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/27/this-is-a-goodbye-post/#comments Two thousand, two hundred and thirty three days ago, I wrote my first post on Joystiq. Just days before, I was still employed as a carpenter while writing video game reviews for an alternative newsweekly in Philadelphia. My first weekend with the site was marked by the launch of the Xbox 360 and the import of the "next generation" moniker wasn't lost on me. Realizing the scale of the opportunity I had, I started working full-time as a freelancer for what was then a bustling Weblogs, Inc. Six months later, at just $5 a post, I had exhausted my savings and made a plea to become a full-time AOL employee. Option B was to return to carpentry. Finding out I would be hired as Joystiq's first salaried editor easily ranked as one of the greatest moments in my life, and still does.

But I'll be leaving Joystiq, effective the end of the month. In my six plus years at the site, I've found myself surrounded by some of the most talented and dedicated writers covering an industry full of talented and creative developers. More scrappy startup than corporate outlet, Joystiq has been defined by the commitment of its team more than any other factor; this team lives at Joystiq, with equal parts wit, enthusiasm, and caffeine. It's been thrilling, humbling, and exhausting; a truly formative experience for me. But like all formative experiences, this one has come to an end.

Joystiq has always evolved - the integration of the Fanboy sites (Ultrastiq) or our 2010 redesign (Futurestiq) - and it will move forward under the guidance of a veteran team led by the singularly talented Ludwig Kietzmann replacing me as editor-in-chief. Now it faces another evolutionary phase, marked by my absence, and I'm no less confident in the team's ability to address that challenge. After all, the boss always changes into a different form.

I want to thank Joystiq's original editor, Vlad Cole, for offering me the position in the first place. I want to thank the original Weblogs Inc. team including Jason Calacanis, Brad Hill, Barb Dybwad, Brian Alvey, and others, along with the original Engadget team, including Ryan Block, Peter Rojas, and current Editorial Director Josh Fruhlinger. While it might not have seemed like much at the time, these people offered me an opportunity that changed my life with the kind of permanence and indelibility usually reserved for tragedy or parenthood. I couldn't be more thankful.

And lastly, I'd like to thank everyone reading this site. Video game media is changing and has been changing for as long as I can remember and there's one simple reason for that: the readers. Weaned on innovation and excellence, video game players are practically bred to be the most critical, passionate, and invested audience imaginable. There is no harsher critic or stronger supporter and that investment will continue to lead to great things.

And that's where I'm going. To discover the next generation again, and see what other opportunities are available. You can follow me on Twitter (@chrisgrant) to find out more but, until then, I can promise you the latest, breaking news on what I'm having for lunch.

JoystiqThis is a goodbye post originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 27 Dec 2011 10:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bittersweetchris-grantchristopher-grantTue, 27 Dec 2011 10:18:00 EST<![CDATA[12 Days of Joyswag: PlayStation 3D Display, 3D PlayStation 3 games, Air Flow controller]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/26/12-days-of-joyswag-playstation-3d-display-3d-playstation-3-gam/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/26/12-days-of-joyswag-playstation-3d-display-3d-playstation-3-gam/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/26/12-days-of-joyswag-playstation-3d-display-3d-playstation-3-gam/#comments Another year, another 12 days of holiday giveaways! Between now and Christmas Day (give or take a day), we're doing the one thing that makes us feel truly alive: giving. Specifically, we're giving you fine folks some of the swag we've managed to collect in our cluttered home offices. And the good will and merriment doesn't stop here! Don't forget to follow us on Twitter and Facebook for even more chances to win!

This is it: Our final holiday giveaway. Christmas is over, and our mountain of home office swag has become a mound ... but there is one box left over that's taking up an impressive amount of real estate. It's Sony's PlayStation 3D Display, a 24" LCD whose ability to simultaneously display gameplay for two separate players sporting 3D glasses is kind of awesome. Just so you get the full 3D experience, we'll be bundling some first-party Sony titles like Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception and Resistance 3, along with the madcap insanity of Saint's Row: The Third.

And lest you think we're only concerned with your eyeballs, we want to tell you about the Astro A40 Wireless headphones we're including. But these aren't any Astro headphones, oh no! These headphones include custom Joystiq inserts, as pictured after the break. And to satisfy one more sense, we're throwing in Power A's PS3 Air Flow controller, which will bathe your sweaty mitts in a cool breeze. We're missing taste and smell, we know, but we trust your diet of pizza-blasted Doritos will take care of both of those.

Gallery: PlayStation 3D Display

Continue reading 12 Days of Joyswag: PlayStation 3D Display, 3D PlayStation 3 games, Air Flow controller

Joystiq12 Days of Joyswag: PlayStation 3D Display, 3D PlayStation 3 games, Air Flow controller originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 26 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>12-days-of-joyswag-2011astro-a40playstationplaystation-3d-displayps3resistance-3saints-row-the-thirduncharted-3uncharted-3-drakes-deceptionMon, 26 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[12 Days of Joyswag: 250GB Xbox 360 with Kinect, Forza Motorsport 4, and Wireless Speed Wheel]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/25/12-days-of-joyswag-250gb-xbox-360-with-kinect-forza-motorsport/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/25/12-days-of-joyswag-250gb-xbox-360-with-kinect-forza-motorsport/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/25/12-days-of-joyswag-250gb-xbox-360-with-kinect-forza-motorsport/#comments Another year, another 12 days of holiday giveaways! Between now and Christmas Day, we're doing the one thing that makes us feel truly alive: giving. Specifically, we're giving you fine folks some of the swag we've managed to collect in our cluttered home offices. And the good will and merriment doesn't stop here! Don't forget to follow us on Twitter and Facebook for even more chances to win!

It's Christmas morning and, while we long ago lost the ability to be surprised by a video game console under the tree, that doesn't mean you have to be. So we're plopping this bundle under all of your virtual trees. Alas, thanks to the laws of "physics" there can be only one winner who gets the 250GB Xbox 360 Kinect bundle, the Wireless Speed Wheel, and Turn 10's Forza Motorsport 4 to help you put all this gear to good use. Head past the break for details on how to enter.

Oh, and Happy Festivus!

Continue reading 12 Days of Joyswag: 250GB Xbox 360 with Kinect, Forza Motorsport 4, and Wireless Speed Wheel

Joystiq12 Days of Joyswag: 250GB Xbox 360 with Kinect, Forza Motorsport 4, and Wireless Speed Wheel originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 25 Dec 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>12-days-of-joyswag-2011forza-4forza-motorsport-4kinectkinect-forzamicrosoftturn-10-studioswireless-speed-wheelxboxSun, 25 Dec 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[12 Days of Joyswag: Nintendo 3DS plus eight games (and a ton of Skylanders)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/24/12-days-of-joyswag-nintendo-3ds-plus-eight-games-and-a-ton-of/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/24/12-days-of-joyswag-nintendo-3ds-plus-eight-games-and-a-ton-of/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/24/12-days-of-joyswag-nintendo-3ds-plus-eight-games-and-a-ton-of/#comments Another year, another 12 days of holiday giveaways! Between now and Christmas Day, we're doing the one thing that makes us feel truly alive: giving. Specifically, we're giving you fine folks some of the swag we've managed to collect in our cluttered home offices. And the good will and merriment doesn't stop here! Don't forget to follow us on Twitter and Facebook for even more chances to win!

Here we are, Christmas Eve. To pre-celebrate pre-Christmas, we're giving away a Flame Red Nintendo 3DS along with a pile of 3DS games. Here, let us list them for you:
  1. Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure (plus a gob of figurines!)
  2. Cave Story 3D
  3. Star Fox 64 (plus ... scarf?)
  4. Thor: God of Thunder
  5. Pokemon Rumble Blast
  6. Tetris Axis
  7. Super Mario 3D Land
  8. Resident Evil: Mercenaries
Not a bad haul, right? All you have to do to be eligible to win this bounty is follow the rules found right past the break.

Continue reading 12 Days of Joyswag: Nintendo 3DS plus eight games (and a ton of Skylanders)

Joystiq12 Days of Joyswag: Nintendo 3DS plus eight games (and a ton of Skylanders) originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 24 Dec 2011 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>12-days-of-joyswag-20113dsnintendoskylanders-spyros-adventureSat, 24 Dec 2011 23:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Rochard now available in Mac App Store for just $2.99]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/24/rochard-now-available-in-mac-app-store-for-just-2-99/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/24/rochard-now-available-in-mac-app-store-for-just-2-99/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/24/rochard-now-available-in-mac-app-store-for-just-2-99/#comments As the first Unity-powered game on PlayStation 3, it should have been obvious that Recoil Games' Rochard would eventually find itself on other platforms supported by the famously cross-platform engine. The PC release followed some two months after the PS3 release, dropping just last month, and now this puzzle-platformer is also available on the Mac App Store. The best part: At just $2.99 (a 70% discount!) it's an effortless recommendation. We've asked Recoil if it plans to bring the Mac release to Steam and we'll let you know what we hear back.

JoystiqRochard now available in Mac App Store for just $2.99 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 24 Dec 2011 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>macrecoil-gamesrochardunityunity-engineSat, 24 Dec 2011 22:30:00 EST<![CDATA[12 Days of Joyswag: Halo Reach-themed Xbox 360, Halo Anniversary, and Turtle Beach PX5 headset]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/23/12-days-of-joyswag-halo-reach-themed-xbox-360-halo-anniversary/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/23/12-days-of-joyswag-halo-reach-themed-xbox-360-halo-anniversary/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/23/12-days-of-joyswag-halo-reach-themed-xbox-360-halo-anniversary/#comments Another year, another 12 days of holiday giveaways! Between now and Christmas Day, we're doing the one thing that makes us feel truly alive: giving. Specifically, we're giving you fine folks some of the swag we've managed to collect in our cluttered home offices. And the good will and merriment doesn't stop here! Don't forget to follow us on Twitter and Facebook for even more chances to win!

With just a few days left before Christmas, it's time to break out the big, Spartan-sized guns. We've got a 250GB Halo Reach-themed Xbox 360 S but since Halo Reach is sooo 2010, we're complementing it with a copy of this year's Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary. And if you want to take Anniversary online so you can relive the magic of the Magnum pistol, we're including Turtle Beach's top-of-the-line PX5 wireless headset. To give you a better chance of getting in on this haul, we're leaving entry open for three days; head past the break to learn how to enter.

Gallery: Halo: Reach Limited Edition Xbox 360 Bundle

Continue reading 12 Days of Joyswag: Halo Reach-themed Xbox 360, Halo Anniversary, and Turtle Beach PX5 headset

Joystiq12 Days of Joyswag: Halo Reach-themed Xbox 360, Halo Anniversary, and Turtle Beach PX5 headset originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 23 Dec 2011 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>12-days-of-joyswag-2011343-studiosbungiehalo-combat-evolved-anniversarymicrosoftxboxFri, 23 Dec 2011 23:30:00 EST<![CDATA[OnLive updated for Xperia Play (meaning: leave the external gamepad at home)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/23/onlive-updated-for-xperia-play-meaning-leave-the-external-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/23/onlive-updated-for-xperia-play-meaning-leave-the-external-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/23/onlive-updated-for-xperia-play-meaning-leave-the-external-game/#comments You may have greeted the news that OnLive was playable on tablets with a certain amount of apprehension. "But how am I supposed to control complicated console games with a touchscreen," you bemoaned. "I know I could use the external gamepad at home but what about when I'm on the go? I'm a busy, important person."

We understand your frustration, but the OnLive wizards have concocted a solution, enabling full slide-out gamepad controls for the Sony Ericsson Xperia Play or, as you may prefer to call it, the PlayStation Phone. So instead of virtualized buttons, a formula that OnLive knows doesn't work, and instead of carrying your smartphone and the not-so-convenient OnLive controller, you can bust out your gamepad-enabled phone for that console-gaming experience on the go.

Continue reading OnLive updated for Xperia Play (meaning: leave the external gamepad at home)

JoystiqOnLive updated for Xperia Play (meaning: leave the external gamepad at home) originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 23 Dec 2011 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidmobileonlivesony-ericssonxperia-playFri, 23 Dec 2011 11:45:00 EST<![CDATA[12 Days of Joyswag: Nintendo DS and eleven (11!) games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/22/12-days-of-joyswag-nintendo-ds-and-eleven-11-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/22/12-days-of-joyswag-nintendo-ds-and-eleven-11-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/22/12-days-of-joyswag-nintendo-ds-and-eleven-11-games/#comments Another year, another 12 days of holiday giveaways! Between now and Christmas Day, we're doing the one thing that makes us feel truly alive: giving. Specifically, we're giving you fine folks some of the swag we've managed to collect in our cluttered home offices. And the good will and merriment doesn't stop here! Don't forget to follow us on Twitter and Facebook for even more chances to win!

We're nearing the end of our giveaway spree and, in order to keep things interesting, we're gonna step things up a notch. No more one-off games; it's time for game consoles plus games. We're handing over a Cobalt/Black Nintendo DS Lite and ... eleven games. That's eleven, as in one more than ten. That's a lot of games, so lest you think we're handing out a bunch of junk, we wanted to detail what we're offering, so here goes:
  1. Aliens Infestation
  2. Mario Party DS
  3. New Super Mario Bros.
  4. Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story
  5. Super Mario 64 DS
  6. Mario Kart DS
  7. Mario vs. Donkey Kong
  8. Fossil Fighters Champions
  9. Professor Layton and the Last Specter + horrible slide puzzle
  10. Kirby Mass Attack + plush
  11. Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker 2

Continue reading 12 Days of Joyswag: Nintendo DS and eleven (11!) games

Joystiq12 Days of Joyswag: Nintendo DS and eleven (11!) games originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 22 Dec 2011 22:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>12-days-of-joyswag-2011aliens-infestationdsnintendoThu, 22 Dec 2011 22:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Limbo is in Mac App Store now, damned to Steam in January]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/21/limbo-is-in-mac-app-store-now-damned-to-steam-in-january/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/21/limbo-is-in-mac-app-store-now-damned-to-steam-in-january/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/21/limbo-is-in-mac-app-store-now-damned-to-steam-in-january/#comments Playdead promised you a Mac OS release of its charming (but grim!) indie platformer, Limbo, by "the end of the year," and while we're not quite ready to call it a Christmas miracle the Danish developer has delivered on its promise. Limbo is live in the Mac App Store today, with a $9.99 sticker price accompanying the 83 MB download.

Waiting for the Steam release, so you can take advantage of the cross-platform SteamPlay feature? Playdead's Dino Patti tells Joystiq that Limbo will be available on Steam on January 13th, a little over three weeks from today. But if that's too long to wait and/or you don't want to drop cheddar on the Mac App Store release, we think we've got a solution: Patti gave us a handful of codes to share with you all, which we'll be dropping onto Facebook and Twitter sometime today.

JoystiqLimbo is in Mac App Store now, damned to Steam in January originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 21 Dec 2011 12:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dino-pattilimbomacmac-app-storeplaydeadWed, 21 Dec 2011 12:50:00 EST<![CDATA[12 Days of Joyswag: uDraw tablet, games, Sony digital photo frame, and Meon]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/20/12-days-of-joyswag-udraw-tablet-games-sony-digital-photo-fram/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/20/12-days-of-joyswag-udraw-tablet-games-sony-digital-photo-fram/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/20/12-days-of-joyswag-udraw-tablet-games-sony-digital-photo-fram/#comments Another year, another 12 days of holiday giveaways! Between now and Christmas Day, we're doing the one thing that makes us feel truly alive: giving. Specifically, we're giving you fine folks some of the swag we've managed to collect in our cluttered home offices. And the good will and merriment doesn't stop here! Don't forget to follow us on Twitter and Facebook for even more chances to win!

While uDraw may not have fared so well on Xbox 360 and PS3, we imagine you won't say no to a free game tablet and two games, uDraw Pictionary (Ultimate Edition!) and uDraw Marvel Super Hero Squad: Comic Combat.

Still not interested? Let's sweeten the pot with a Sony digital photo frame, which THQ sent to promote the uDraw tablet. Still not convinced? We're not sure what a Meon Interactive Animation Studio is, but we've got one of those in the office as well and it's not doing us any good. Win the entire pile simply by leaving a comment. Rules after the break!

Continue reading 12 Days of Joyswag: uDraw tablet, games, Sony digital photo frame, and Meon

Joystiq12 Days of Joyswag: uDraw tablet, games, Sony digital photo frame, and Meon originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 20 Dec 2011 23:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>12-days-of-joyswag-2011meonmicrosoftthqudraw-game-tabletudraw-marvel-super-hero-squadudraw-pictionaryudraw-studioxboxTue, 20 Dec 2011 23:50:00 EST<![CDATA[12 Days of Joyswag: Modern Warfare 3 Hardened Edition and Munitio headphones]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/19/12-days-of-joyswag-modern-warfare-3-hardened-edition-and-muniti/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/19/12-days-of-joyswag-modern-warfare-3-hardened-edition-and-muniti/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/19/12-days-of-joyswag-modern-warfare-3-hardened-edition-and-muniti/#comments Another year, another 12 days of holiday giveaways! Between now and Christmas Day, we're doing the one thing that makes us feel truly alive: giving. Specifically, we're giving you fine folks some of the swag we've managed to collect in our cluttered home offices. And the good will and merriment doesn't stop here! Don't forget to follow us on Twitter and Facebook for even more chances to win!

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3. It's the biggest game of the year but something tells us that at least one of you still hasn't picked it up. And for that person, we've got the Hardened Edition on Xbox 360 along with a pair of MW3-themed Munitio headphones which, while they won't work with your console at all, will illustrate your brand allegiance to everyone outside your home.

Continue reading 12 Days of Joyswag: Modern Warfare 3 Hardened Edition and Munitio headphones

Joystiq12 Days of Joyswag: Modern Warfare 3 Hardened Edition and Munitio headphones originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 19 Dec 2011 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>12-days-of-joyswag-2011activisioncall-of-duty-modern-warfare-3infinity-wardmicrosoftmodern-warfare-3sledgehammer-gamesxboxMon, 19 Dec 2011 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[12 Days of Joyswag: The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Collector's Edition (or: free dragons)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/17/12-days-of-joyswag-the-elder-scrolls-v-skyrim-collectors-edit/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/17/12-days-of-joyswag-the-elder-scrolls-v-skyrim-collectors-edit/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/17/12-days-of-joyswag-the-elder-scrolls-v-skyrim-collectors-edit/#comments Another year, another 12 days of holiday giveaways! Between now and Christmas Day, we're doing the one thing that makes us feel truly alive: giving. Specifically, we're giving you fine folks some of the swag we've managed to collect in our cluttered home offices. And the good will and merriment doesn't stop here! Don't forget to follow us on Twitter and Facebook for even more chances to win!

Seeing as how the latest Elder Scrolls installment is a big game, both in terms of scope - our review called it "the deepest, loveliest world ever created for a single player to explore" - and sales - Bethesda's already shipped 10 million of the damn things - it only makes sense that the Collector's Edition of Skyrim would also be big.

And by "big" we mean the box is seriously massive. And we've got two of them. So either we start charging them rent, or we give them away so two of you can deal with it. We're going with the latter option because we like making you happy ... also, we don't want to ask that plastic dragon for rent money.

Gallery: The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (Collector's Edition unboxing)

Continue reading 12 Days of Joyswag: The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Collector's Edition (or: free dragons)

Joystiq12 Days of Joyswag: The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Collector's Edition (or: free dragons) originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 17 Dec 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>12-days-of-joyswag-2011bethesda-softworkselder-scrolls-5microsoftskyrimthe-elder-scrolls-v-skyrimxboxSat, 17 Dec 2011 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Kojima teases unknown Fox Engine title with ... 'See-thru underwear'?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/16/kojima-teases-unknown-fox-engine-title-with-see-thru-underw/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/16/kojima-teases-unknown-fox-engine-title-with-see-thru-underw/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/16/kojima-teases-unknown-fox-engine-title-with-see-thru-underw/#comments
With Platinum Games taking the reins on Metal Gear Rising, what's Kojima Productions up to? KojiPro captain Hideo Kojima took to Twitter to tease the above image writing, "'New title' run by 'Fox Engine.'" It features a refreshing change of pace for the veteran game designer; namely, soldiers and tanks.

Alright, so you're not impressed with what Fox Engine is showing off. Kojima suspected as much, so he followed up with another tweet. "One of the key features about 'Fox Engine,' here's the transparent technique," Kojima wrote. "See-thru underwear." Now you're tasked with the following dilemma: Do you click past the break to see what he's talking about, or do you simply move on, content in the knowledge that you were the stronger person?

Continue reading Kojima teases unknown Fox Engine title with ... 'See-thru underwear'?

JoystiqKojima teases unknown Fox Engine title with ... 'See-thru underwear'? originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 16 Dec 2011 23:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fox-enginekojima-productionsmicrosoftplaystationps3xboxFri, 16 Dec 2011 23:50:00 EST<![CDATA[12 Days of Joyswag: Battlefield 3 superkit - the game, controller, vault, wall graphics]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/16/12-days-of-joyswag-battlefield-3-superkit-the-game-controlle/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/16/12-days-of-joyswag-battlefield-3-superkit-the-game-controlle/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/16/12-days-of-joyswag-battlefield-3-superkit-the-game-controlle/#comments Another year, another 12 days of holiday giveaways! Between now and Christmas Day, we're doing the one thing that makes us feel truly alive: giving. Specifically, we're giving you fine folks some of the swag we've managed to collect in our cluttered home offices. And the good will and merriment doesn't stop here! Don't forget to follow us on Twitter and Facebook for even more chances to win!

So you're pumped about Battlefield 3 ... but you don't actually have it yet. We understand there may not be many of you out there, but if you fit that description, we've got the giveaway for you.

One lucky winner will get Battlefield 3 on either Xbox 360, PS3 or PC, along with a BF3-themed Razer Onza gamepad for Xbox 360 and a Calibur 11 "vault" for your Xbox 360 Slim. Oh, and some Battlefield 3 wall graphics from Walls360.com. It's enough Battlefield 3 stuff to let your friends know you're serious about the game, and to warn members of the opposite sex that you're not ready for committal. Find rules on entry, and pictures of the swag, after the break.

Continue reading 12 Days of Joyswag: Battlefield 3 superkit - the game, controller, vault, wall graphics

Joystiq12 Days of Joyswag: Battlefield 3 superkit - the game, controller, vault, wall graphics originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 16 Dec 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>12-days-of-joyswag-2011battlefield-3diceea-dicemicrosoftpcplaystationps3xboxFri, 16 Dec 2011 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[12 Days of Joyswag: Rocksmith, Epiphone guitar, and Astro A40 headphones]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/15/12-days-of-joyswag-rocksmith-epiphone-guitar-and-astro-a40-he/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/15/12-days-of-joyswag-rocksmith-epiphone-guitar-and-astro-a40-he/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/15/12-days-of-joyswag-rocksmith-epiphone-guitar-and-astro-a40-he/#comments Another year, another 12 days of holiday giveaways! Between now and Christmas Day, we're doing the one thing that makes us feel truly alive: giving. Specifically, we're giving you fine folks some of the swag we've managed to collect in our cluttered home offices. And the good will and merriment doesn't stop here! Don't forget to follow us on Twitter and Facebook for even more chances to win!

Hey, you. Yeah, the nerdy dude (or lady dude) in the back. Do you know how to rock? Yeah, we can do the plastic guitar thing too, but we're talking about with a real axe. While Rocksmith may not have been our exact cup of tea, there's no denying that it actually works: You can control a video game with a plain old guitar. And we're going to prove it to one of you by giving away a copy of the game on Xbox 360, an Epiphone SG G-310 electric guitar, and a pair of wired Astro A40 headphones with the Rocksmith logo. That's everything you'll need to get the lead out. Whatever that means.

Continue reading 12 Days of Joyswag: Rocksmith, Epiphone guitar, and Astro A40 headphones

Joystiq12 Days of Joyswag: Rocksmith, Epiphone guitar, and Astro A40 headphones originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 15 Dec 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>12-days-of-joyswag-2011microsoftrocksmithubisoftubisoft-san-franciscoxboxThu, 15 Dec 2011 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[12 Days of Joyswag: Lord of the Rings: War in the North (Collector's Edition)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/14/12-days-of-joyswag-lord-of-the-rings-war-in-the-north-collect/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/14/12-days-of-joyswag-lord-of-the-rings-war-in-the-north-collect/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/14/12-days-of-joyswag-lord-of-the-rings-war-in-the-north-collect/#comments Another year, another 12 days of holiday giveaways! Between now and Christmas Day, we're doing the one thing that makes us feel truly alive: giving. Specifically, we're giving you fine folks some of the swag we've managed to collect in our cluttered home offices. And the good will and merriment doesn't stop here! Don't forget to follow us on Twitter and Facebook for even more chances to win!

Here, on day two of our history-making giveaway, we're unloading two particularly large packages from the ol' home office. The Lord of the Rings: War in the North Collector's Edition not only includes a copy of the game (on Xbox 360) and an art book, but it also includes ... a massive quiver. And lucky us, we've got two of them. Find out how you can adopt these needy Collector's Editions just after the break.

Continue reading 12 Days of Joyswag: Lord of the Rings: War in the North (Collector's Edition)

Joystiq12 Days of Joyswag: Lord of the Rings: War in the North (Collector's Edition) originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 14 Dec 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>12-days-of-joyswag-2011Lord-of-the-Rings-War-in-the-Northmicrosoftsnowblind-studioswbiexboxWed, 14 Dec 2011 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[12 Days of Joyswag: Batman: Arkham City game, controller, shirt]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/13/12-days-of-joyswag-batman-arkham-city-game-controller-shirt/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/13/12-days-of-joyswag-batman-arkham-city-game-controller-shirt/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/13/12-days-of-joyswag-batman-arkham-city-game-controller-shirt/#comments Another year, another 12 days of holiday giveaways! Starting today and running through Christmas Day, we're doing the one thing that makes us feel truly alive: giving. Specifically, we're giving you fine folks some of the swag we've managed to collect in our cluttered home offices. And the good will and merriment doesn't stop here! Don't forget to follow us on Twitter and Facebook for even more chances to win!

To kick things off, we're assembling a Batman: Arkham City prize worthy of three wise men but, instead of going to a bunch of bookworms, it's going to one of you. You'll get a copy of Batman: Arkham City for your Xbox 360, a Power A Batman: Arkham City controller for your hands, and a Batman: Arkham City t-shirt for your curiously unclothed torso. How do you win a prize of this magnitude? Head past the break for the answers to all life's questions.

Continue reading 12 Days of Joyswag: Batman: Arkham City game, controller, shirt

Joystiq12 Days of Joyswag: Batman: Arkham City game, controller, shirt originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 13 Dec 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>12-days-of-joyswag-2011Batman-Arkham-Asylum-2Batman-Arkham-CitymicrosoftRocksteady-StudiosWBIExboxTue, 13 Dec 2011 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rhythm Heaven Fever arrives February 13, with a budget price tag]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/13/rhythm-heaven-fever-arrives-february-13-with-a-budget-price-tag/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/13/rhythm-heaven-fever-arrives-february-13-with-a-budget-price-tag/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/13/rhythm-heaven-fever-arrives-february-13-with-a-budget-price-tag/#comments To be honest, we were worried that Nintendo had decided against bringing the decidedly quirky Rhythm Heaven series to Wii after all. But much like the surprise announcement of a North American release of Xenoblade Chronicles, Nintendo revealed a new name and release window for Rhythm Heaven Fever in the pages of this month's Nintendo Power.

And now we know the specific date and price: Come February 13th, make your special Valentine (that's us!) happy with a fresh copy of Rhythm Heaven Fever, reasonably priced at $29.99. That's one way to overcome a perceived niche audience!

Gallery: Rhythm Heaven Fever (12/13)

JoystiqRhythm Heaven Fever arrives February 13, with a budget price tag originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 13 Dec 2011 09:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>nintendorelease-daterhythm-heaven-fevertsunkuwiiTue, 13 Dec 2011 09:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Circle Pad Pro gloms onto 3DS on Feb. 7, exclusively at GameStop for $20]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/13/circle-pad-pro-gloms-onto-the-3ds-on-feb-7-exclusively-at-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/13/circle-pad-pro-gloms-onto-the-3ds-on-feb-7-exclusively-at-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/13/circle-pad-pro-gloms-onto-the-3ds-on-feb-7-exclusively-at-games/#comments You'll be able to get your hands - and specifically your right hand - on the Circle Pad Pro in the US on February 7th, when the peripheral goes on sale exclusively at GameStop for $19.99. That's a full two weeks before the PlayStation Vita reminds portable gamers why a second analog stick is so important.

In addition to the obvious second stick, the Circle Pad Pro adds "additional shoulder buttons to give it a feel more akin to traditional console controllers." You'll get to put those shoulder buttons and that second stick to work playing both Resident Evil Revelations - which is much better with the peripheral - and Metal Gear Solid 3D: Snake Eater, which is targeted for a loose Q1 2012 release. While both Revelations and the Circle Pad Pro share a February 7th release, they don't appear to share Europe's "special limited edition" bundle offering. That's alright, you're probably waiting for the inevitable redesign with the second stick built-in, right?

JoystiqCircle Pad Pro gloms onto 3DS on Feb. 7, exclusively at GameStop for $20 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 13 Dec 2011 08:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dscircle-pad-prokojima-productionskonamimetal-gear-solid-3-snake-eater-3dmetal-gear-solid-3d-snake-eaternintendoTue, 13 Dec 2011 08:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Spike Video Game Awards 2011 video roundup]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/12/spike-video-game-awards-2011-video-roundup/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/12/spike-video-game-awards-2011-video-roundup/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/12/spike-video-game-awards-2011-video-roundup/#comments Didn't get a chance to watch the Spike Video Game Awards on Saturday night? Maybe you don't have cable, or your appetite for awkward television programming is limited; regardless, we want to help you help yourself and we're going to do that the only way we know how. A video game blog post.

Want to see every single premiere or trailer from the VGAs? We've got them helpfully assembled just past the break. Start at the top and work your way to the bottom, and your friends and family will all just assume you were glued to Spike all Saturday night ... so plan accordingly.

Continue reading Spike Video Game Awards 2011 video roundup

JoystiqSpike Video Game Awards 2011 video roundup originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 12 Dec 2011 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftpcplaystationps3spike-vga-2011xboxMon, 12 Dec 2011 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Here are the winners of the 2011 Spike Video Game Awards]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/10/here-are-the-winners-of-the-2011-spike-video-game-awards/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/10/here-are-the-winners-of-the-2011-spike-video-game-awards/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/10/here-are-the-winners-of-the-2011-spike-video-game-awards/#comments Regardless of what you think about the actual Spike Video Game Awards broadcast, with its frustrating focus on everything but the actual video game awards, we don't think that means the awards themselves are any less valid.

That could be because this writer is a judge (disclosure!) but if you have a look at the list of winners past the break, you won't find a single award for Mountain Dew, though you will find plenty for games like Skyrim, Portal 2, Bastion, and Skyward Sword.

Continue reading Here are the winners of the 2011 Spike Video Game Awards

JoystiqHere are the winners of the 2011 Spike Video Game Awards originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 10 Dec 2011 23:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>elder-scrolls-5skyrimspike-vga-2011the-elder-scrolls-v-skyrimSat, 10 Dec 2011 23:14:00 EST<![CDATA[November NPD: A new record, with Xbox 360 joined by MW3 and Skyrim on top (Update 2: Sony PR added)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/09/november-npd-a-new-record-with-xbox-360-joined-by-mw3-and-skyr/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/09/november-npd-a-new-record-with-xbox-360-joined-by-mw3-and-skyr/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/09/november-npd-a-new-record-with-xbox-360-joined-by-mw3-and-skyr/#comments (Update: Microsoft Chief of Interactive Entertainment Aaron Greenberg has released Xbox 360 sales via Twitter, which are included below.)

It's a little good, a little bad with this year's November 2011 NPD results. While "unit sales grew for console hardware, as well as console, portable, and PC software," NPD analyst Anita Frazier warns that "a decline in average retail price in all categories" besides portable hardware resulted in dollar sales that were flat compared to last November. That said, November 2011 "marks the best November on record for sales of new physical content," besting the previous record holder, November 2008.

Unsurprisingly, the Xbox 360 was the top selling piece of gear for the month and Frazier notes that the "gap between 360 sales and sales of the next best selling platform was the largest we've seen since December 2008 when the Nintendo DS was the top selling system." Microsoft Chief of Interactive Entertainment Aaron Greenberg later added via Twitter that the Xbox 360 sold 1.7 million consoles during the month of November, up 23% year over year. For the month, Nintendo announced it sold more than 860,000 Wii systems, more than 795,000 Nintendo 3DS systems and more than 350,000 Nintendo DS systems.

Meanwhile, Sony declined to provide specific sales numbers for the PS3. According to Sony PR chief Patrick Seybold, "PlayStation 3 is off to a phenomenal start to the holiday season, recording the best ever Black Friday sales period in the console's five-year history. According to the November NPD report the PS3 saw a 70% increase in hardware and a 30% increase in software year-over-year." The PS3 sold 530,000 units last year, which would situate PS3 sales for November 2011 in the neighborhood of 901,000 units.

In the software arena, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 took its perch at the top of the charts, besting Black Ops "by about 7%," while Skyrim managed "a five-fold increase over Oblivion's first month sales" coming in just a half-million units short of matching its predecessor's lifetime sales. Other newcomers include single SKU exclusives like Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception in seventh place and The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword in ninth.

[Image source: onrpg.net]

Continue reading November NPD: A new record, with Xbox 360 joined by MW3 and Skyrim on top (Update 2: Sony PR added)

JoystiqNovember NPD: A new record, with Xbox 360 joined by MW3 and Skyrim on top (Update 2: Sony PR added) originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 09 Dec 2011 17:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dscall-of-duty-modern-warfare-3dsmicrosoftmodern-warfare-3nintendonpdnpd-monthlyplaystationps3pspskyrimsonythe-elder-scrolls-v-skyrimwiixboxFri, 09 Dec 2011 17:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Bastion gets The Stranger's Dream DLC next week, $0 on PC, $1 on XBLA]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/09/bastion-gets-the-strangers-dream-dlc-next-week-0-on-pc-1-on/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/09/bastion-gets-the-strangers-dream-dlc-next-week-0-on-pc-1-on/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/09/bastion-gets-the-strangers-dream-dlc-next-week-0-on-pc-1-on/#comments It looks like the folks at Supergiant Games are really getting into the holiday spirit. As "a show of thanks" to their fans, the Bastion devs are releasing The Stranger's Dream DLC on December 14, "a new fully narrated Who Knows Where sequence, bigger and more challenging than the others. You'll gain a bit more insight into Rucks' backstory as well as the history of Caelondia if you can survive this fight."

In addition to that Who Knows Where sequence - think challenge arena, if you haven't played Bastion yet - this DLC pack will enable a "Score Attack Mode" in which your combat performance is evaluated in each level, and a "No-Sweat Mode" so those of you who really stink at video games can still enjoy the narrative and aesthetic experience of playing Bastion. The catch: To access The Stranger's Dream and Score Attack Mode, you'll need to finish the game at least once; fortunately, No-Sweat Mode can help you make short work of that challenge.

The other catch: Though the update will be available for free for PC, via Steam, the Google Chrome version, or other online vendors, the Xbox Live Arcade version needs to cost something. That's Microsoft's policy, holidays be damned. So Supergiant has priced this DLC at just 80 Microsoft Points or, as you and I may call it, $1. Supergiant's Greg Kasavin said that price is "about as close as we could get" while following Microsoft's policy. We appreciate that.

JoystiqBastion gets The Stranger's Dream DLC next week, $0 on PC, $1 on XBLA originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 09 Dec 2011 11:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bastionDLCmacmicrosoftpcsteamsupergiant-gamesXBLAxboxFri, 09 Dec 2011 11:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Halo Waypoint hits iOS, Android and Windows Phone on Dec 10, ATLAS 'GPS' is $4.99]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/08/halo-waypoint-hits-ios-android-and-windows-phone-on-dec-10-atl/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/08/halo-waypoint-hits-ios-android-and-windows-phone-on-dec-10-atl/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/08/halo-waypoint-hits-ios-android-and-windows-phone-on-dec-10-atl/#comments Microsoft wants to make sure that you're thinking Xbox even when you're far away from your Xbox. First, the My Xbox Live and Xbox Companion apps debuted on the iOS App Store and Windows Phone Marketplace, respectively. And now we've got Halo Waypoint for iOS, Android and, of course, Windows Phone 7. And while Waypoint will pack the expected Halo: Reach stats, service record, and challenges, the ATLAS "companion experience" is a little more unique.

As we reported in October, ATLAS is short for Assisted Tactical Assault System and it's a "near-real-time player data and tactical guidance" supplement for your Halo: Reach multiplayer matches. What does that mean? Detailed maps of the game's multiplayer levels, including boring stuff like spawn and health pack locations, and the cool stuff like "near-real-time locations for weapons and vehicles." That means GPS-like pinpointing of your location while you play the game. You can find more data direct from Xbox at the Source link below.

There is one catch, however: While Waypoint will be free for all three platforms on December 10, ATLAS will run iOS and Android users $4.99 while Windows Phone 7 users get something to gloat about, with the app's $0 asking price.

JoystiqHalo Waypoint hits iOS, Android and Windows Phone on Dec 10, ATLAS 'GPS' is $4.99 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 08 Dec 2011 17:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidHalo-Reachhalo-waypointiosipadiphonemicrosoftmobilewindows-phonewindows-phone-7xboxThu, 08 Dec 2011 17:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Prope reimagines three little piggybanks in FlickPig for iOS]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/08/prope-reimagines-three-little-piggybanks-in-flickpig-for-ios/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/08/prope-reimagines-three-little-piggybanks-in-flickpig-for-ios/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/08/prope-reimagines-three-little-piggybanks-in-flickpig-for-ios/#comments
Meet FlickPig, the latest from former Sonic Team bossman Yuji Naka and his team at Prope. This iOS title tasks players with - can you guess? - flicking pigs across three lanes, while avoiding obstacles, gathering coins and ... chasing down wolves?

These three little pigs are really piggybanks who lived in a brick house, so instead of blowing it down a pack of wolves broke in and stole their coins. Out of their bodies! While we find it difficult to believe the pigs didn't wake up during this surgery / looting, they did eventually awake and give chase. That's where you and your finger come in - collecting coins not only gives you a feeling of moral victory, but you can use those coins to buy items to help your progress.

This hard-boiled tale of robbery and revenge can be yours for just $0.99, and will work on just about any recent iOS device, post-iPhone 3G. And for those of you lucky enough to have both an iPhone and an iPad, FlickPig will support iCloud data transfer, so your progress will be beamed across devices.

Gallery: FlickPig (iOS)

JoystiqPrope reimagines three little piggybanks in FlickPig for iOS originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 08 Dec 2011 16:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>flickpigiosipadiphonemobilepropeyuji-nakaThu, 08 Dec 2011 16:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Xbox Live Companion app hits Windows phone, bests iOS app]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/08/xbox-live-companion-app-hits-windows-phone-bests-ios-app/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/08/xbox-live-companion-app-hits-windows-phone-bests-ios-app/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/08/xbox-live-companion-app-hits-windows-phone-bests-ios-app/#comments
While the statistical majority of us were busy checking out Microsoft's new (and entirely unexpected!) iOS app, My Xbox Live, there was another mobile Xbox app released that may be of interest to some of you. The Xbox Companion is a Windows Phone app that goes beyond what the iOS app can do. In addition to checking out your Gamerscore, sending messages to friends, or setting a beacon, the Companion app can navigate the "unified Xbox catalog for movies, TV shows, music, games and apps." And if you connect your Windows Phone to your Xbox, you can "launch a movie, TV show, game or app on the connected console" and even control playback of video or audio.

What's less clear (and less likely we suppose) is whether or not that level of functionality will ever make it to the iOS app. For now, we suppose we should be thankful that the powers-that-be at Microsoft released anything outside of Windows Phone, so we won't push it just yet. We'll definitely push it later, though.

Gallery: Xbox Companion for Windows Phone

JoystiqXbox Live Companion app hits Windows phone, bests iOS app originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 08 Dec 2011 10:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dashboard-update-fall-2011microsoftmobilewindows-phonewindows-phone-7xboxxbox-companion-appThu, 08 Dec 2011 10:53:00 EST<![CDATA[The Darkness 2 gets 4-player co-op mode in 'Vendettas,' we count the wieldings [update: video, more screens!]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/06/the-darkness-2-gets-4-player-co-op-mode-in-vendettas-we-count/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/06/the-darkness-2-gets-4-player-co-op-mode-in-vendettas-we-count/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/06/the-darkness-2-gets-4-player-co-op-mode-in-vendettas-we-count/#comments
So, we're not mathemagicians but we're pretty sure we've got this worked out. The big marketing gotcha in The Darkness 2 is quad-wielding, meaning your character, mob boss Jackie Estacado, can not only dual wield pistols but also dual wield Darkness arms at the same time. With 2K's announcement of a co-op mode in the game, playable by up to four friends, we had to use all of our fingers and toes to figure out how much wielding is going on and ... we think we have it. Ladies and nerds, allow us to introduce: hexadeca-wielding. Google says that's the Greek prefix for "sixteen."

The co-op mode, dubbed "Vendettas," is a "team-focused, mission based experience" with new environments and new story elements, "that takes place parallel to the single-player story." And instead of getting stuck with ol' Jackie Boy, perhaps you might try your hand(s) at another of the new co-op characters: Inugami, "a dark and mentally unstable character with revenge-driven motives" ... and a samurai sword; Shoshanna, an Israeli Intelligence agent with a gun that fires "multiple rounds of gunfire at one time" which, real talk, is impossible; Jimmy Wilson, an alcoholic Scotsman (really!) who hates the English and summons Darklings with his "Dark Axe"; and lastly, J.P. DuMond, a New Orleans-based practitioner of voodoo medicine or, as he would perhaps be more commonly called, a witch doctor!

So that's Vendettas, the first game to feature four-player hexadeca-wielding co-op play, a back-of-the-box feature that's sure to bring all the boys to the killing yards.

Gallery: The Darkness 2 (Vendettas Co-op Mode)

JoystiqThe Darkness 2 gets 4-player co-op mode in 'Vendettas,' we count the wieldings [update: video, more screens!] originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 06 Dec 2011 09:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2k-gamesco-opdigital-extremesmicrosoftplaystationps3the-darkness-2xboxTue, 06 Dec 2011 09:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Notch steps down as lead developer on Minecraft to focus on 'new project']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/02/notch-steps-down-as-lead-developer-on-minecraft-to-focus-on-new/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/02/notch-steps-down-as-lead-developer-on-minecraft-to-focus-on-new/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/02/notch-steps-down-as-lead-developer-on-minecraft-to-focus-on-new/#comments You know Notch. He's the behatted Swedish developer that eats, breathes, and sleeps Minecraft, right? Well ... he was. Now Mr. Markus "Notch" Persson is relinquishing lead development duties on the massively successful indie game so he can invest his time as head honcho at his growing development house Mojang.

So who's going to take over that high-profile (don't mess up!) spot while Notch starts "work on some new project"? Meet cat-lover Jens Bergensten (pictured), who's no stranger to Minecraft. "We've been working together on Minecraft for a year now, and I'm amazed at how much in synch we two are when it comes to how to design the game," Notch wrote on his Tumblr. "And when we don't agree, we discuss it and something much better comes out at a result. He's truly a great person to work with, and I feel very confident handing over the leadership of Minecraft to him."

In fact, Notch is so confident he's going to take a break for "rest." With the first MineCon convention over, a 1.0 version of Minecraft released, and some four million plus paying users (!) we think he's earned it. But not you, Bergensten. Back to work!

JoystiqNotch steps down as lead developer on Minecraft to focus on 'new project' originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 02 Dec 2011 10:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>jens-bergentsenmacMarkus-PerssonMinecraftmojangMojang-SpecificationsnotchpcFri, 02 Dec 2011 10:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Protip: GamePro gives up on print and online]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/30/protip-gamepro-gives-up-on-print-and-online/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/30/protip-gamepro-gives-up-on-print-and-online/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/30/protip-gamepro-gives-up-on-print-and-online/#comments
Gaming magazine icon GamePro announced that the November issue - its first quarterly installment - will be its last, after 20-plus continuous years of publishing. The website will also be closed, effective December 5, IndustryGamers reports. If you're looking for gaming content, expect to be redirected to "the PCWorld GamePro channel on pcworld.com," publisher IDG says. And that means that GamePro's editorial staff is out, while PCWorld's will attempt to make up the slack.

But GamePro isn't going away completely; instead, it's "refocusing its US business exclusively on its growing custom publishing and solutions business." That means custom content, like the E3 show daily, which publisher IDG and GamePro historically produce. But for you, dear reader, GamePro is dead. So we leave you with the above video, of a simpler time, when magazines still ruled and jean jackets were still cool.

RIP GamePro, and good luck (former) GamePro staff.

JoystiqProtip: GamePro gives up on print and online originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 30 Nov 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gameproidgmagazineprintWed, 30 Nov 2011 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumors: Dead Space expands into FPS and flight, Dragon Age goes multiplayer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/30/rumors-dead-space-expands-into-fps-and-flight-dragon-age-goes/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/30/rumors-dead-space-expands-into-fps-and-flight-dragon-age-goes/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/30/rumors-dead-space-expands-into-fps-and-flight-dragon-age-goes/#comments Kotaku cites an anonymous "insider" on two new rumors regarding two of Electronic Arts' biggest "new" franchises: Dead Space and Dragon Age. Though Dead Space 2 managed to ship over two million units in its first six months of release, EA wants to "make the series bigger and better," says the insider. The plan: A Dead Space first-person shooter, a Dead Space "flight game" and, lastly, a Dead Space "Uncharted-like game."

Apparently, that recent EA management shift in August "brought in new brass that nearly killed off Dead Space 3," if this insider is to be believed. But it's not dead and, as previous rumors suggested, Dead Space 3 takes place on ice planet Tau Volantis and will feature co-op.

Now for Dragon Age ... this one is good. Kotaku's insider says that, like BioWare's other major RPG brand, Dragon Age will get a multiplayer offering, reportedly powered by DICE's Frostbite 2 engine. This could be part of a future Dragon Age installment, let's call it Dragon Age 3, or a separate downloadable title; the gameplay will be arena-based, and feature both PvE and PvP combat, as well as ... dragons. Because Dragon Age, and all that.

Here's our advice, EA: If you want to increase awareness of the Dead Space brand, making games that aren't like Dead Space seems like a poor strategy. Also, a flight game? Are you trying not to sell games? And the problem with Dragon Age isn't a lack of multiplayer. The (extraordinarily) fast turnaround on Dragon Age 2 resulted in a rushed RPG that was dwarfed (and, frankly, embarrassed) by productions like The Witcher 2 and Skyrim (which managed to ship a not-so-shabby seven million units at launch).

JoystiqRumors: Dead Space expands into FPS and flight, Dragon Age goes multiplayer originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 30 Nov 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowaredead-spacedead-space-2dead-space-3dragon-agedragon-age-3eaelectronic-artsmicrosoftplaystationps3visceral-gamesxboxWed, 30 Nov 2011 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Stardock sends Elfsquad7 down the Xbox Live Indie Games chimney]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/30/stardock-sends-elfsquad7-down-the-xbox-live-indie-games-chimney/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/30/stardock-sends-elfsquad7-down-the-xbox-live-indie-games-chimney/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/30/stardock-sends-elfsquad7-down-the-xbox-live-indie-games-chimney/#comments
Michigan-based developer Stardock may be better known for strategy titles like Galactic Civilization and Sins of a Solar Empire - not to mention its one-time ownership of PC gaming service Impulse - but what would you say if we told you Stardock made "a festive retro co-op adventure side-scroller" available now on Xbox Live Indie Games for the festive price of $1?

We hope you're saying "we believe you" because it's totally true. Elfsquad7 is Stardock's first time off the PC gaming reservation, and it goes a little something like this: "Join up with friends and family members in a frantic four-player co-op as you demolish freakish "un-toys", wrap presents and help Santa pack for his one-night journey delivering gifts to children around the world."

This game plus a surfeit of fire log simulators truly makes Xbox Live Indie Games the most festive of all out-of-the-way digital storefronts.

JoystiqStardock sends Elfsquad7 down the Xbox Live Indie Games chimney originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 30 Nov 2011 06:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>elfsquad7microsoftstardockXBLIGxboxWed, 30 Nov 2011 06:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft moves 960K Xbox 360 consoles, 750K Kinect units 'week of Black Friday']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/29/microsoft-moves-960k-xbox-360-consoles-750k-kinect-units-week/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/29/microsoft-moves-960k-xbox-360-consoles-750k-kinect-units-week/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/29/microsoft-moves-960k-xbox-360-consoles-750k-kinect-units-week/#comments After clocking ten months as the top console on the NPD sales charts, Microsoft had little incentive to lower the price of the Xbox 360 this holiday. Instead, Redmond's strategy has been to partner with retailers to push sale prices, so frugal shoppers have no problem getting a deal while post-holiday pricing remains high so long as strong numbers continue.

To that end, Microsoft just announced that it moved 960,000 consoles in the US "during the week of Black Friday." When asked if that included Cyber Monday, which had some notable Xbox sales of its own, we were told, "These numbers are from Saturday, Nov. 19 through Friday, Nov. 25 and do not include Cyber Monday." Still, without the unfortunately named Cyber Monday, this represents the "biggest week of sales in Xbox history," according to internal Microsoft numbers.

Big whoop, right? What we're really curious about is Kinect. Will it manage to be one of this holiday's "must-have" gifts for a second year in a row? Considering Kinect moved an equally impressive 750,000 units in the US across standalone and bundled offerings, we're inclined to say it's getting there.

JoystiqMicrosoft moves 960K Xbox 360 consoles, 750K Kinect units 'week of Black Friday' originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 29 Nov 2011 15:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>black-friday-2011cyber-monday-2011kinectmicrosoftretailsalesxboxTue, 29 Nov 2011 15:53:00 EST<![CDATA[Kotick: SWTOR better for Lucas than EA, Skylanders could sell out]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/29/kotick-swtor-better-for-lucas-than-ea-skylanders-could-sell-ou/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/29/kotick-swtor-better-for-lucas-than-ea-skylanders-could-sell-ou/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/29/kotick-swtor-better-for-lucas-than-ea-skylanders-could-sell-ou/#comments

Next month, Electronic Arts will release its second title this year meant to undermine the hearty foundations of cross-industry rival Activision. Last month Battlefield 3 went "above and beyond the call" - though notably didn't go above and beyond Modern Warfare 3's sales numbers or Xbox Live rankings - and next comes The Old Republic, which hopes to provide lapsing World of Warcraft subscribers with a Star Wars-flavored MMO-ternative.

"Lucas is going to be the principal beneficiary of the success of Star Wars," Activision CEO Bobby Kotick said at the Reuters Media Summit, referring to EA publishing partner (and more importantly Star Wars license owner!) LucasArts. "We've been in business with Lucas for a long time and the economics will always accrue to the benefit of Lucas, so I don't really understand how the economics work for Electronic Arts."

Earlier this year, EA said half a million subscribers would be all it needed to make the immense investment in The Old Republic a profitable one. With more than 1.1 million players abandoning Azeroth between March and November of this year, EA won't have a hard time hitting that minimum, but longevity is the true sign of a successful MMO and something that WoW has in spades.

While analysts and investors worry about Activision's lack of diversity in its portfolio, Kotick points out that Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure has outperformed expectations and the game's superpowered figurines run the risk of selling out. "(Skylanders) are in high demand," Kotick said. "Retailers across the board are concerned that they will be out of inventory well before Christmas." But can't Santa just make more?

[Image credit: Flickr user yum9me]

JoystiqKotick: SWTOR better for Lucas than EA, Skylanders could sell out originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 29 Nov 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bobby-kotickmicrosoftnintendopcplaystationps3skylandersskylanders-spyros-adventurestar-wars-the-old-republicwiixboxTue, 29 Nov 2011 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Dragon Shout app brings interactive Skyrim map to iOS soon, for free]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/29/dragon-shout-app-brings-interactive-skyrim-map-to-ios-soon-for/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/29/dragon-shout-app-brings-interactive-skyrim-map-to-ios-soon-for/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/29/dragon-shout-app-brings-interactive-skyrim-map-to-ios-soon-for/#comments You could always download a large PDF of the entire world of Skyrim and either print that out or clumsily navigate it on your phone, or you could wait for Dragon Shout, an upcoming interactive map for iOS. "The first version of the app contains an interactive map where you can drop annotated markers / journal entries down," the developer told Touch Arcade. "For example, yesterday I played Skyrim and left a bunch of dragon scales and bones on the side of a mountain because they were too heavy."

Even better, future updates plan to incorporate a social aspect, allowing "marker sharing, party or app-wide chats, pictures, and more." Want to tell your friend to "STAY AWAY" from that one cave you got whomped in? Or maybe, for the devious amongst you, encourage them to "CHECK OUT" said cave?

The app has been submitted to Apple and "should be out within the next couple of days" for both iPhone and iPad. With a $0 asking price, you can't really go wrong, can you?

JoystiqDragon Shout app brings interactive Skyrim map to iOS soon, for free originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 29 Nov 2011 07:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Bethesda-Softworksdragon-shoutelder-scrolls-5iosipadiphonemicrosoftmobilepcplaystationps3skyrimthe-elder-scrolls-v-skyrimxboxTue, 29 Nov 2011 07:10:00 EST<![CDATA[2K Australia is 2K Australia again and is working on BioShock Infinite, Levine confirms]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/27/2k-australia-is-2k-australia-again-and-is-working-on-bioshock-in/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/27/2k-australia-is-2k-australia-again-and-is-working-on-bioshock-in/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/27/2k-australia-is-2k-australia-again-and-is-working-on-bioshock-in/#comments So we don't run the risk of burying the lede, let's start with the news: MVC Pacific reports that the Canberra, Australia-based arm of developer 2K Marin is once again known as 2K Australia and is now working with former sister studio Irrational Games on BioShock Infinite. When asked for comment, Irrational boss man Ken Levine said, "We had a number of open positions on BioShock Infinite. When we found out our former sister studio 2K Australia was becoming available, we thought they would perfectly fill those roles."

He added, "If every decision was this easy..."

Now, some history. In 2007, after Irrational Games was purchased by Take-Two and just before the release of the original BioShock, the studio was split apart and renamed 2K Boston and 2K Australia. Since then, 2K Boston has become Irrational Games, once again, but 2K Australia hasn't had it so easy.

After working with 2K Marin on BioShock 2, it was decided that 2K Australia would lose its name and become a part of 2K Marin (which is a tad geographically misleading, no?) and help develop the XCOM reboot. Less than a year later, the 2K Australia studio head Martin Slater resigned and just last month it was reported that 15 employees were cut from the studio.

And now, over four years after the creation of 2K Australia, 2K Australia is back and once again working with Levine's team in Boston. We've reached out to 2K Games for any additional commentary on the shuffle and whether or not 2K Australia has any more involvement in XCOM. But while we're waiting, we wanted to say "welcome back" to the team in Canberra. Oh, and enough navel gazing. BioShock Infinite isn't going to make itself.

Joystiq2K Australia is 2K Australia again and is working on BioShock Infinite, Levine confirms originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 27 Nov 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2K-Australiabioshock-infiniteIrrational-GamesKen-Levinemicrosoftplaystationps3Take-TwoxboxSun, 27 Nov 2011 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA['Dear Esther' now launching in early 2012, moved over to Portal 2 engine]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/26/dear-esther-now-launching-in-early-2012-moved-over-to-portal/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/26/dear-esther-now-launching-in-early-2012-moved-over-to-portal/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/26/dear-esther-now-launching-in-early-2012-moved-over-to-portal/#comments It's strange, isn't it? The day after we're supposed to give thanks for all the special things in life, we subject ourselves to unknown abuse all in the name of saving a buck. Let's instead give thanks for indie game projects that you won't ever find under the heel of a particularly ill-tempered Walmart shopper on this or any other Black Friday. Like Dear Esther for example, the promising Half Life 2 mod turned real boy, coming to Steam ... when exactly?

The more calendrically challenged amongst you may not have realized this, but Dear Esther has already missed its proposed summer 2011 release window so you'll be glad to know it hasn't been summarily forgotten. Developer Dan Pinchbeck says the project has been successfully ported to the Portal 2 engine, and discussions with Valve indicate a release "very likely to be either the end of January or the beginning of February next year." Right alongside Episode 3, right guys?

Guys?

Gallery: Dear Esther

Joystiq'Dear Esther' now launching in early 2012, moved over to Portal 2 engine originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 26 Nov 2011 06:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dan-pinchbeckdear-esthermicrosoftmodpcrobert-briscoesource-enginethechineseroomSat, 26 Nov 2011 06:17:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft acquires VideoSurf to 'enhance video discovery capabilities' for Xbox Live]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/25/microsoft-acquires-videosurf-to-enhance-video-discovery-capabil/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/25/microsoft-acquires-videosurf-to-enhance-video-discovery-capabil/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/25/microsoft-acquires-videosurf-to-enhance-video-discovery-capabil/#comments
Though Microsoft's still mysterious Dashboard update is due to arrive in just under two weeks' time, on December 6, Big Redmond isn't resting on its money-covered laurels just yet. The company announced this week the acquisition of "video discovery technology company" VideoSurf.

What the what is video discovery technology and how will it "enhance" Xbox Live? "This holiday we will launch voice search across our entertainment partners on Xbox LIVE," Microsoft's Alex Garden said in a press release. "Over time, as we integrate VideoSurf's technology into our system, we are excited about the potential to have content tagged in real time to increase the speed and relevance of the search results." VideoSurf's back-end technology "'sees' frames inside videos," an ability that Microsoft appears to want to couple with the integrated Bing voice search coming to Xbox 360.

Just imagine, you can make your own streaming "World Funniest Videos" show with the following command: "Xbox, Bing people getting hit in the genitalia."

JoystiqMicrosoft acquires VideoSurf to 'enhance video discovery capabilities' for Xbox Live originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 25 Nov 2011 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acquisitionbingdashboard-updatemicrosoftvideosurfxboxXbox-liveFri, 25 Nov 2011 22:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Retro took Mario Kart 7 from 'emergency' to 2011 launch]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/25/retro-took-mario-kart-7-from-emergency-to-2011-launch/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/25/retro-took-mario-kart-7-from-emergency-to-2011-launch/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/25/retro-took-mario-kart-7-from-emergency-to-2011-launch/#comments In the latest Iwata Asks column, not yet translated into English by Nintendo, the CEO discusses development of December's high-profile 3DS release, Mario Kart 7, with not only recent series developer Nintendo EAD but also Austin-based Retro Studios.

"But Retro Studios only worked on the Donkey Kong Country Returns level," you whimper. While that was true as of last E3, Hideki Konno, Manager and Producer at EAD Software Development Group No.1, tells Iwata that since several production designers were working to get Nintendogs + Cats ready for the 3DS launch, as well as other Nintendo projects, there was "an act of emergency" to get Mario Kart 7 finished by the end of the year.

Retro was brought in to help on some courses, notably the aforementioned DKC-themed level, and to work on the game's 16 classic courses, while EAD ostensibly worked on the 16 new tracks. With the 3DS still recovering from a rough launch, plagued by pricing concerns and a paucity of premium software, we'd say it was a smart move to ensure Mario Kart 7 would find its way onto shelves this year.

JoystiqRetro took Mario Kart 7 from 'emergency' to 2011 launch originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 25 Nov 2011 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsemergencymario-kart-3dsmario-kart-7nintendoretro-studiosFri, 25 Nov 2011 14:45:00 EST<![CDATA[People Can Fly doing Gears of War prequel trilogy 'a likely scenario,' says OXM]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/25/people-can-fly-doing-gears-of-war-prequel-trilogy-a-likely-scen/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/25/people-can-fly-doing-gears-of-war-prequel-trilogy-a-likely-scen/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/25/people-can-fly-doing-gears-of-war-prequel-trilogy-a-likely-scen/#comments Here we are, roughly six years into the "next-generation" lifecycle and we're seeing the third installments of major franchises. In a one-year period, we'll see Resistance 3, Modern Warfare 3, Uncharted 3, Mass Effect 3, Assassin's Creed: Revolution (sort of), and Gears of War 3. And while not all of these episodes represent the end of a considered story arc, Epic Games hasn't been shy about calling Gears of War 3 the end of the line for Dom and crew. Which raises the question: Who will handle the lucrative Gears franchise going forward?

"Gears of War will live on, of course, but in what form?" the latest issue of Official Xbox Magazine posits, via CVG, before suggesting "a prequel trilogy developed by Epic-owned People Can Fly (Bulletstorm) as a likely scenario." With Bulletstorm failing to reach profitability (and presumably failing the basic litmus test for being franchised), People Can Fly will be looking for something to work on.

With three Gears titles under their belts, the core North Carolina-based Epic team may be eager to move onto greener pastures. For now, they're working on RAAM's Shadow, the first piece of campaign DLC in the Gears trilogy, and notably a prequel. Sounds like a nice way to hand things off, doesn't it?

JoystiqPeople Can Fly doing Gears of War prequel trilogy 'a likely scenario,' says OXM originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 25 Nov 2011 13:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>epic-gamesgears-of-warGears-of-War-3microsoftMicrosoft-Game-Studiosmicrosoft-studiosOXMpeople-can-flyxboxFri, 25 Nov 2011 13:15:00 EST