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[WWI08: Diablo 3 design fundamentals]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/30/wwi08-diablo-3-design-fundamentals/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/30/wwi08-diablo-3-design-fundamentals/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/30/wwi08-diablo-3-design-fundamentals/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


At the Blizzard Worldwide Invitational in Paris, Blizzard designers took to the stage to talk about the design goals and fundamentals behind their upcoming title, Diablo III. Jay Wilson, lead designer on the title, presented a rundown of the design philosophy behind the game, covering its origins, the game's approchability, and the design team's "better gameplay, less carpal tunnel" approach.

Gallery: Diablo III

Continue reading WWI08: Diablo 3 design fundamentals

JoystiqWWI08: Diablo 3 design fundamentals originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 30 Jun 2008 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battle-netbattle.netblizzardblizzard-entertainmentdiablodiablo-3jay-wilsonjoystiqfeaturesMacPCworldwide-invitationalwwiwwi08Mon, 30 Jun 2008 01:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WWI08: Diablo 3 design fundamentals (Part 2 - Q&A)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/30/wwi08-diablo-3-design-fundamentals-part-2-qanda/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/30/wwi08-diablo-3-design-fundamentals-part-2-qanda/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/30/wwi08-diablo-3-design-fundamentals-part-2-qanda/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Audience Q&A

Q: Do you plan to keep the 4/5 man typical group size or will you design for much larger groups?
A: Group size isn't a technical restriction, but a gameplay one. Smaller groups are better due to the camera restriction. We haven't really decided but we'll focus on whatever gives the best experience, that'll be 4 or maybe 5 person parties.

Q: Will you increase inventory size?
A: We haven't decided. We're improving the inventory system and it'll be easier to trade items between your characters or other players. We'll pick a size appropriate to gameplay.

Q: There are a lot of WoW players and Diablo II players, which audience are you aiming at?
A: We haven't a particular aim. We're making the game for people who love Diablo, and there's plenty of room for both WoW and Diablo, we've no intention to play one game against the other.

Continue reading WWI08: Diablo 3 design fundamentals (Part 2 - Q&A)

JoystiqWWI08: Diablo 3 design fundamentals (Part 2 - Q&A) originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 30 Jun 2008 00:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>MacPCMon, 30 Jun 2008 00:59:00 EST<![CDATA[UK sales charts, September 9-16: Lego leads the board]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/19/uk-sales-charts-september-9-16-lego-leads-the-board/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/19/uk-sales-charts-september-9-16-lego-leads-the-board/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/19/uk-sales-charts-september-9-16-lego-leads-the-board/#commentsFiled under:

Despite entering the charts at number three last week, Lego Star Wars II has proved a popular favourite with the British public, rising to snatch the top spot from Dead Rising this week. The rest of the chart follows in similar vein, demonstrating only a slight shuffle from last week's positions. Several Xbox 360 titles are selling well, but the multiformat nature of Lego Star Wars may have tipped it to the top -- that, and it's Lego, man.

1. Lego Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy
2. Dead Rising
3. Saints Row
4. Cars
5. Test Drive Unlimited
6. Dr Kawashima's Brain Training
7. New Super Mario Bros.
8. Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories
9. Lego Star Wars
10. The Sims 2

JoystiqUK sales charts, September 9-16: Lego leads the board originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 19 Sep 2006 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ActionchartsDSFamilyLegoLego-Star-WarsLego-Star-Wars-2Lego-Star-Wars-2-The-Original-TrilogyLucasartsMicrosoftNintendoTravellers-TalesTT-GamesukXboxXbox-360Tue, 19 Sep 2006 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Jackson talks about Halo film]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/18/jackson-talks-about-halo-film/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/18/jackson-talks-about-halo-film/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/18/jackson-talks-about-halo-film/#commentsFiled under: ,

Over at Ain't It Cool News, there's a lengthy interview with Peter Jackson, covering the director, script and visual effects for the upcoming Halo movie. Jackson's enthusiasm shines through, and it's clear he's aiming at something better than your average "video game movie":

It is original and new and has not been seen before on the screen. It's not Ridley Scott, it's not James Cameron, it's not what we've seen before, but it's something new and fresh and it's cool.

The interviewer suggests the concept of an "adult" Halo movie; fortunately, there's an older interview with director Neill Blomkamp to take your mind off the thought.

[Thanks, WebPimp]

JoystiqJackson talks about Halo film originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 18 Sep 2006 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bungiefilmhalohalo movieHaloMoviemicrosoftmoviepeter jacksonPeterJacksonMon, 18 Sep 2006 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Dance and cringe your way to a Pink concert]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/18/dance-and-cringe-your-way-to-a-pink-concert/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/18/dance-and-cringe-your-way-to-a-pink-concert/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/18/dance-and-cringe-your-way-to-a-pink-concert/#commentsFiled under: ,

While dance games don't lend themselves well to online competition, this latest gem from Codemasters UK -- promoting upcoming game Dance Factory -- is enough to make anyone bust a move. Almost.

By filming yourself dancing, then uploading the video, you could be voted to the top and find yourself at a Pink concert before long -- if you can survive the site's lurid colour scheme long enough to send in your video, that is. Armed with a terrible cameraphone and a drunken mate called Dave, we'll be shielding our eyes and entering; after all, lightweight fun is what dance mat games are all about.

[via Eurogamer]

JoystiqDance and cringe your way to a Pink concert originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 18 Sep 2006 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>codemastersdancedance competitiondance factoryDanceCompetitionDanceFactoryrhythm gameRhythmGameMon, 18 Sep 2006 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO golf game tees off]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/14/mmo-golf-game-tees-off/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/14/mmo-golf-game-tees-off/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/14/mmo-golf-game-tees-off/#commentsFiled under: ,

Massively multiplayer golf? Yes, you heard us right. Purporting to already have a million players worldwide, subscription-free MMO golf title Shot-Online hits retail stores this week. The game aims to combine the social aspects of MMO games with a serious golf mechanic, though its cartoony graphic style implies a less-than-serious approach.

From an outside view, this just looks like a golf game with a bit of social infrastructure slapped on; rankings, communication and levelling your character make a potentially dull sports game something that's potentially engrossing. It isn't true novelty -- the idea of ranking and progression in sports games, as well as competitive multiplayer, date back a way -- but at least it's not elves.

JoystiqMMO golf game tees off originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 14 Sep 2006 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>golfmmo golfMmoGolfmmorpgshot onlineShotOnlinesports mmoSportsMmoThu, 14 Sep 2006 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Gaming by introverts, for introverts]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/13/gaming-by-introverts-for-introverts/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/13/gaming-by-introverts-for-introverts/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/13/gaming-by-introverts-for-introverts/#commentsFiled under:

An interesting tidbit dredged up from Raph Koster's presentation at the Austin Game Conference comes via Wonderland: most gamers are introverts. Pardon us while we gasp in disbelief for a few minutes. Koster claims that most gamers fall into the Myers-Briggs types INTJ, INTP, ISTJ and ISTP. With INTJ being a classic scientist, and INTP a classic programmer, it seems as if games really are designed by nerds, for nerds.

As Alice points out, what would a game designed by an extrovert look like? How are those of us who have Myers-Briggs types beginning with E catered for by modern games? Perhaps we're more likely to head off to the pub and pay someone else to level our MMO characters -- perhaps we're more drawn to social or casual games -- or perhaps we just don't play at all.

JoystiqGaming by introverts, for introverts originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 13 Sep 2006 13:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agcaustingameconferencedesigngamersintjmmopersonalitywonderlandWed, 13 Sep 2006 13:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Innovative controllers rounded up]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/13/innovative-controllers-rounded-up/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/13/innovative-controllers-rounded-up/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/13/innovative-controllers-rounded-up/#commentsFiled under: ,

This article over at bit-tech.net looks at ten of the more offbeat game control schemes -- from bongos and maracas to cameras and dance mats. It's a nice reminder that gaming isn't all "up up down down" and that sometimes you can have a little fun with the controller as well as with the game.

Of course, collecting multiple peripherals, one for each game, quickly becomes a hassle -- will next-gen's out of the box accessories render a cupboardful of controllers unnecessary? Or will we see some manufacturers continue to make third-party peripherals because their games simply aren't possible otherwise? Perhaps it'll be a bit of both -- the thought of playing Guitar Hero with a PS3 joypad, or dance games with the Wii, has us reaching for our plug-in accessories already.

JoystiqInnovative controllers rounded up originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 13 Sep 2006 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bit-techbongocontrolcontrollersdance matDanceMatrezWed, 13 Sep 2006 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[UK sales charts, September 2-9: Dead Rising to top]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/13/uk-sales-charts-september-2-9-dead-rising-to-top/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/13/uk-sales-charts-september-2-9-dead-rising-to-top/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/13/uk-sales-charts-september-2-9-dead-rising-to-top/#commentsFiled under: ,

The UK's fastest-selling Xbox 360 game yet, Dead Rising has rushed straight to the top of the all-format charts this week. Beating popular newcomers Lego Star Wars II and Test Drive Unlimited to number one, Dead Rising's debut means a drop in position for last week's high-rankers Cars and Saints Row. A recent expansion pack means The Sims 2 is unfortunately still glued to the top-ten list.

1. Dead Rising
2. Saints Row
3. Lego Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy
4. Test Drive Unlimited
5. Cars
6. The Sims 2: Glamour Life Stuff
7. Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories
8. New Super Mario Bros.
9. The Sims 2
10. Dr Kawashima's Brain Training

JoystiqUK sales charts, September 2-9: Dead Rising to top originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 13 Sep 2006 09:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>capcomchartsdeadrisingukuk chartsUkChartsXbox-360Wed, 13 Sep 2006 09:59:00 EST<![CDATA[The 'death of childhood'? Blame games, say UK childcare experts]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/12/the-death-of-childhood-blame-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/12/the-death-of-childhood-blame-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/12/the-death-of-childhood-blame-games/#commentsFiled under:

An open letter in the UK's Daily Telegraph newspaper condemns "junk culture" -- junk food, junk entertainment and a fast-moving culture -- for its effect on children, with sombre phrases like "ruining our children" and "the death of childhood" weighing down its paragraphs. From the letter:

[Children] still need what developing human beings have always needed, including real food (as opposed to processed "junk"), real play (as opposed to sedentary, screen-based entertainment), first-hand experience of the world they live in and regular interaction with the real-life significant adults in their lives.

A scathing commentary on the evils of modern life -- and what's more, plenty of readers agree that the hands-off parenting enabled by video games is a big problem for today's youth. Perhaps the high profile given to this complaint (a national broadsheet) will open up some serious debate on the matter, rather than give a platform for rabid anti-gaming propaganda to spread to the UK as well.

JoystiqThe 'death of childhood'? Blame games, say UK childcare experts originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 12 Sep 2006 18:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>childhoodcommentcultureopinionsocietytelegraphTue, 12 Sep 2006 18:56:00 EST<![CDATA[Multiverse becoming popular with indie MMO developers]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/12/multiverse-becoming-popular-with-indie-mmo-developers/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/12/multiverse-becoming-popular-with-indie-mmo-developers/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/12/multiverse-becoming-popular-with-indie-mmo-developers/#commentsFiled under: , ,

According to this CNET article, MMO development platform Multiverse is becoming a hit. The "talk of the Austin Game Conference", about 100 developers are already signed up for the beta, and while some potential products seem to be going the sword-and-sorcery route, others look more interesting.

However, as a commenter at Wonderland points out, Multiverse isn't the only option out there. With a high-profile investor in James Cameron, and plenty of publicity, it's overshadowing products like HeroEngine -- more options for development mean more diverse final products, but the 'indie MMO' space could certainly become quite exciting thanks to Multiverse and its cronies.

JoystiqMultiverse becoming popular with indie MMO developers originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 12 Sep 2006 13:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agccnetdevelopmentmmommorpgmultiversePCTue, 12 Sep 2006 13:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Try Guild Wars expansion free ... again]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/12/try-guild-wars-expansion-free-again/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/12/try-guild-wars-expansion-free-again/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/12/try-guild-wars-expansion-free-again/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The next expansion in the Guild Wars series, Nightfall, is just around the corner -- but for anyone who can't wait until October, NCsoft are running an open preview event on September 22-24. During that weekend, Nightfall will be free to play for just about anyone, regardless of whether you have Guild Wars already.

The previous expansion, Factions, had a very successful preview event, so it's no surprise the idea's being repeated. It makes sense for NCsoft to capitalise on Guild Wars' free nature by, well, making it even freer -- if only for a short while. Those of us already resigned to paying monthly for MMOs may find it a nice change to try a new one without cost, but as every hour spent on a free game is one that we have already paid for on another MMO, it's hard to drag us away.

JoystiqTry Guild Wars expansion free ... again originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 12 Sep 2006 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arenanetdemofreeguild warsGuildWarsmmommogmmorpgncsoftPCpreviewrpgTue, 12 Sep 2006 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Video game BAFTA nominees announced]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/12/video-game-bafta-nominees-announced/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/12/video-game-bafta-nominees-announced/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/12/video-game-bafta-nominees-announced/#commentsFiled under:

Part of the London Games Festival, the BAFTA awards for video games will help provide some recognition to gaming that's on a par with film and TV -- at least, in the UK. The nominees, announced today, cover a wide range of games -- from popular favourites such as Tomb Raider: Legend and Oblivion to the more off-beat in Guitar Hero and Katamari.

Given the way the UK charts have been looking this summer, the mainstream games may well come out top in most categories, though we'd like to see more recognition for other titles. Fingers crossed; the awards are on October 5th.

JoystiqVideo game BAFTA nominees announced originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 12 Sep 2006 12:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>awardsbaftaeuropenomineesukTue, 12 Sep 2006 12:05:00 EST<![CDATA[PC gaming "becoming a niche" -- analysts speak]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/11/pc-gaming-becoming-a-niche-analysts-speak/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/11/pc-gaming-becoming-a-niche-analysts-speak/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/11/pc-gaming-becoming-a-niche-analysts-speak/#commentsFiled under: ,

Three analysts are spilling their thoughts over at Gamasutra, examining the state of the PC gaming industry at the moment. With console platforms offering an appealing piracy-free environment, it's no wonder soundbites like "becoming a niche" and "retail spending ... will decline" are springing readily to mind; however, the overall tone is mostly positive.

Will the PC market become one of digital distribution, MMOs and casual games only? Analysts disagree; digital distribution has limits, but offers the opportunity for more revenue and profit. MMOs and casual games are on the rise, but the "Games for Windows" initiative may provide a much needed consolidation and marketing effort for PC games in other genres as well.

JoystiqPC gaming "becoming a niche" -- analysts speak originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 11 Sep 2006 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>analystsgamasutragamesforwindowsPCpc gamingPcGamingvistaMon, 11 Sep 2006 15:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony keynote at London Games Summit, Games Festival hotting up]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/11/sony-keynote-at-london-games-summit-games-festival-hotting-up/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/11/sony-keynote-at-london-games-summit-games-festival-hotting-up/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/11/sony-keynote-at-london-games-summit-games-festival-hotting-up/#commentsFiled under:

This October, the London Games Festival will be hitting the UK's capital with a whole bevy of gaming events. (If you're in the industry, or you want to be, that is.) First up, we have the European answer to GDC, GDC London, for the development types -- sessions range from the excitingly-titled-yet-probably-dull "Combat: The Ninja Way" through to a Molyneux special on design inspiration.

More a business sort? The Games Summit is up your street, with buzzword-compliant "hard-hitting business content" for all tastes, from ARGs to -- surprise! -- another Molyneux special, this one on Lionhead. The newly-announced Games Summit keynote will be given by Michael Denny of SCEE, focusing on the networked age and digital distribution, which should provoke some interesting thought.

Other events in the Games Festival lineup include the London Game Career Fair and the BAFTA Video Games awards (a British Academy Awards, for games, with more swearing). For those of us interested in playing games, celeb-spotting and the slightly offbeat, events throughout the week of the Festival -- 2-7 October -- will hopefully deliver, with a showcase at HMV's Oxford Street branch and a 'fringe' show which both look to be worth attending.

JoystiqSony keynote at London Games Summit, Games Festival hotting up originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 11 Sep 2006 09:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>conferenceseuropeeventskeynotelgslondonlondon games summitLondonGamesSummitsonyukMon, 11 Sep 2006 09:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Video Games Live hits London on November 25th]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/11/video-games-live-hits-london-on-november-25th/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/11/video-games-live-hits-london-on-november-25th/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/11/video-games-live-hits-london-on-november-25th/#commentsFiled under:

Those of us this side of the pond may have been reading the various Video Games Live tidbits with a detached air of mild interest, but finally we'll be able to get in on the musical action. The concert of videogame music will be hitting London's Hammersmith Apollo on November 25th, and tickets went on sale last week.

We'll be there, so watch out for the Joystiq t-shirt amidst the crowds; now, if only the concert would do a UK or European tour for those of us aware that London isn't the only city on this continent.

JoystiqVideo Games Live hits London on November 25th originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 11 Sep 2006 08:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>concertcultureeuropeeventslondonvideogamesliveMon, 11 Sep 2006 08:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Gamer's Room 101: the argument AGAINST balance]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/19/gamers-room-101-the-argument-against-balance/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/19/gamers-room-101-the-argument-against-balance/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/19/gamers-room-101-the-argument-against-balance/#commentsFiled under:

The concept: During the 'Game Design Room 101' session at Develop, several developers brought out props to represent their pet peeves from games. If you've read the novel 1984 by George Orwell, you'll know where the concept comes from. In the UK, Room 101 is a weekly game/talk show presented by Paul Merton, who invites a guest to come on the show who then attempt to convince him that a certain annoyance in their lives should go in the bin, and never be seen again. This seminar (and series of posts) takes a look at certain elements of games that were nominated by the panel to go in the games designer's bin. Conrad and I are going to take opposite positions in the debate.

The point: Jonathan Smith of TT Games brought out a pair of scales to represent his nomination -- balance. Balance, according to Smith, is where a developer expressly sets out to tell the player "you can have this much fun", rationing the pleasure out piece by piece.

My stance: Balance should go.

Conrad's stance: Balance should stay.

You decide.

Continue reading Gamer's Room 101: the argument AGAINST balance

JoystiqGamer's Room 101: the argument AGAINST balance originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 19 Jul 2006 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>balancedesigndesign 101Design101developdevelop06game designGameDesignGamer's Room 101Gamer'sRoom101jonathan smithJonathanSmithRoom 101Room101Wed, 19 Jul 2006 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Develop: Everything you know about MMOs is wrong - apparently]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/14/develop-everything-you-know-about-mmos-is-wrong-apparently-/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/14/develop-everything-you-know-about-mmos-is-wrong-apparently-/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/14/develop-everything-you-know-about-mmos-is-wrong-apparently-/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Thomas Bidaux of NCsoft Europe didn't pull any punches with his presentation at the UK's Develop conference. Instead, the MMO giant's director of product development outlined four major ways in which the MMO world will be turned on its head. Or, rather, the 'online' world -- rather than limit himself to MMOs, Thomas talked about online games as a whole.

Continue reading Develop: Everything you know about MMOs is wrong - apparently

JoystiqDevelop: Everything you know about MMOs is wrong - apparently originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 14 Jul 2006 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bidauxdevelopdevelop conferencedevelop06DevelopConferencefuturemmommo designmmo developmentMmoDesignMmoDevelopmentmmorpgncsoftnotespredictionstalksthomas bidauxThomasBidauxFri, 14 Jul 2006 07:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Develop: Game design ideas worth stealing]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/13/develop-game-design-ideas-worth-stealing/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/13/develop-game-design-ideas-worth-stealing/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/13/develop-game-design-ideas-worth-stealing/#commentsFiled under:

Game development gets accused of stagnation on a near-daily basis, and yet recent games have all featured innovative steps that can appeal to a variety of players. From minor design choices which somehow redeemed a title, to major decisions shaping the entire nature of a game, it's easier than you might think to make a difference. Margaret Robertson of EDGE gave her top picks from the last year or so's crop of games at the Develop Conference; read on for the lowdown.

Continue reading Develop: Game design ideas worth stealing

JoystiqDevelop: Game design ideas worth stealing originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 Jul 2006 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>designdevelopdevelop conferencedevelop06DevelopConferencegame designGameDesignlecturemargaret robertsonMargaretRobertsonnotestalkThu, 13 Jul 2006 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[UK sales charts, June 4-10: World Cup fever]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/13/uk-sales-charts-june-4-10-world-cup-fever/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/13/uk-sales-charts-june-4-10-world-cup-fever/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/13/uk-sales-charts-june-4-10-world-cup-fever/#commentsFiled under:

Football fanaticism? It must be that time of year. Yes, FIFA World Cup Germany 2006 is back on top -- undoubtedly influenced by the big kick-off. New titles Brain Training, Moto GP 06 and Sensible Soccer 2006 debut in the top ten -- and people are still buying Tomb Raider.

1. FIFA World Cup Germany 2006
2. Hitman: Blood Money
3. Tomb Raider: Legend
4. Moto GP 06
5. Pro Evolution Soccer 5
6. Dr Kawashima's Brain Training
7. Sensible Soccer 2006
8. Half-Life 2: Episode One
9. Animal Crossing: Wild World
10. X-Men: The Official Game

JoystiqUK sales charts, June 4-10: World Cup fever originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 13 Jun 2006 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chartssalesukTue, 13 Jun 2006 07:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Japanese sales charts, May 29-June 4: Mario on top again]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/09/japanese-sales-charts-may-29-june-4-mario-on-top-again/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/09/japanese-sales-charts-may-29-june-4-mario-on-top-again/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/09/japanese-sales-charts-may-29-june-4-mario-on-top-again/#commentsFiled under: , ,

New Super Mario Bros is still going strong at the top of the Japanese sales charts this week. With over 330,000 sales -- well over a million, cumulatively -- the title's dominance has well and truly whipped the rest of the charts into submission, with only a small amount of reshuffling since last week:

1. New Super Mario Bros. [DS]
2. Brain Age 2 (Kahashima Ryuuta Kyouju Kanshuu: Motto Nouo Kitaeru Otona DS) [DS]
3. Brain Age: Train your Brain in Minutes a Day (Kahashima Ryuuta Kyouju no Nouo Kitaeru Otona DS Training) [DS]
4. Metroid Prime Hunters [DS]
5. World Soccer Winning Eleven 10 [PS2]
6. Tetris DS [DS]
7. Animal Crossing: Wild World [DS]
8. Eigo ga Nigate na Otona no DS Training: Eigo Duke [DS]
9. Jikkyou Powerful Major League [PS2]
10. Dragon Quest & Final Fantasy in Itadaki Street Portable [PSP]

JoystiqJapanese sales charts, May 29-June 4: Mario on top again originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 09 Jun 2006 06:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chartsDSjapanjapan chartsJapanChartsjapanesejapanese chartsJapaneseChartsnintendosalessuper mario brosSuperMarioBrosFri, 09 Jun 2006 06:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Why games suck]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/07/why-games-suck/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/07/why-games-suck/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/07/why-games-suck/#commentsFiled under:

When games suck, we tend to blame the developer. This piece by David A. Rodriguez over at Buzzscope tries to shed some light on the development process behind bad games -- helping us figure out why they suck.

As with many things in life, it's all about the money -- those who wield it have ultimate control, regardless of how unreasonable or impractical their desires. Rodriguez has a neat explanation: developers aren't artists, but they're in customer service. Whatever the customer wants, the customer gets. In this case, the customer is often the publisher, who wants to make more money by releasing a game that will sell. So, next time you think about picking up that copy of Crazy Frog Racer, remember this article -- and don't.

[Via Eurogamer]

JoystiqWhy games suck originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 07 Jun 2006 10:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>badbad gamesBadGamesdesigndevelopmentgame designgame developmentGameDesignGameDevelopmentgames suckGamesSuckindustryopinionsucksucky gamesSuckyGamesWed, 07 Jun 2006 10:57:00 EST<![CDATA[McDonald's in serious games hoax]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/07/mcdonalds-in-serious-games-hoax/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/07/mcdonalds-in-serious-games-hoax/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/07/mcdonalds-in-serious-games-hoax/#commentsFiled under: ,

"Today I'm going to tell you the story of a game so serious that it changed the direction of a company."

Grave words indeed, delivered at the International Serious Games Event on Monday. However, as Water Cooler Games explores, the delightful speech about games causing environmental change was, in fact, a set-up.

Related to the anti-McDonald's game we reported on back in February, the hoax presentation is a subtle and brave attempt at needling a large corporation, although others at the Serious Games Event may disagree with the choice of platform. Regardless of its (lack of) authenticity, the closing remark from the speech is a noble sentiment: serious software can change the world.

[Via Wonderland]

JoystiqMcDonald's in serious games hoax originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 07 Jun 2006 09:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activismhoaxmcdonald'smcdonaldsserious gamesSeriousGamesWed, 07 Jun 2006 09:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Kicking up a storm: The Escapist on Blizzard]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/07/kicking-up-a-storm-the-escapist-on-blizzard/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/07/kicking-up-a-storm-the-escapist-on-blizzard/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/07/kicking-up-a-storm-the-escapist-on-blizzard/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

This week's Escapist is fascinating as ever, dealing with the behemoth that is Blizzard Entertainment. While the pieces looking at the rise of Blizzard and its company culture are interesting enough, the real gem is the World of Warcraft article.

Of course, no mention of Blizzard would be complete without WoW these days. However, the game's dominance of the MMO genre means that, as the folks at Terra Nova noticed, no discussion of MMOs is really complete without WoW:

For better or worse, WoW is the face of the massive genre. In a very small part of the galaxy, it's a gravity well bending light that passes anywhere near it. When discussing PvP, questing, guilds or class balance, commentators now have a lingua franca: the common tongue of World of Warcraft.

When on the hunt for a MMO to play that isn't "just another WoW clone", then, bear in mind that many people are looking at what clearly works for inspiration. We will certainly see games with strange and innovative MMO gameplay, but will they attract the numbers necessary to survive?

JoystiqKicking up a storm: The Escapist on Blizzard originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 07 Jun 2006 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blizzardcultureescapistjournalismMacmmogmmorpgPCworld of warcraftWorldOfWarcraftwowWed, 07 Jun 2006 08:58:00 EST<![CDATA[UK sales charts, May 28-June 3: Double top for Hitman]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/07/uk-sales-charts-may-28-june-3-double-top-for-hitman/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/07/uk-sales-charts-may-28-june-3-double-top-for-hitman/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/07/uk-sales-charts-may-28-june-3-double-top-for-hitman/#commentsFiled under:

This week's UK charts look suspiciously similar to last week's, despite the impending World Cup. Since we English can't walk down a street without seeing at least five St George's Crosses, perhaps all those who would buy football games are already playing them. Noticeable changes this week are merely the slight ascension of The Sims 2 and the new arrival of Half-Life 2: Episode One at number eight.

1. Hitman: Blood Money
2. FIFA World Cup Germany 2006
3. Tomb Raider: Legend
4. Pro Evolution Soccer 5
5. X-Men: The Official Game
6. Animal Crossing: Wild World
7. The Sims 2
8. Half-Life 2: Episode One
9. Rockstar Games Presents Table Tennis
10. Championship Manager 2006

JoystiqUK sales charts, May 28-June 3: Double top for Hitman originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 07 Jun 2006 07:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chartsenglandfootballhalf-life 2Half-life2hitmansalesukuk chartsuk salesUkChartsUkSalesWed, 07 Jun 2006 07:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Carnival of Gamers #15: roll up, roll up!]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/02/carnival-of-gamers-15-roll-up-roll-up/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/02/carnival-of-gamers-15-roll-up-roll-up/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/02/carnival-of-gamers-15-roll-up-roll-up/#commentsFiled under: ,

We've followed the Carnival of Gamers for several months now, and its latest stop chez Kim Pallister is, once again, a treat. With articles on topics ranging from "why E3 sucked" to the next-gen console battle, via an assault on "girl gamer" articles, the subjects are as varied as ever.

If you have the time, it's worth checking Carnival #15 out for a cross-section of some of the past month's best games writing.

See also:
Carnival of Gamers celebrates first anniversary
Carnival of Gamers gets n3rfed
Carnival of Gamers rolls on to Virgin Worlds
Carnival of Gamers gathers under Slashdot's tent

[Thanks, Tony]

JoystiqCarnival of Gamers #15: roll up, roll up! originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 02 Jun 2006 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>articlescarnivalcarnival of gamersCarnivalOfGamerscross-sectionculturejournalismKim PallisterKimPallistermicrosoftmsftwritingFri, 02 Jun 2006 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA["Mac users aren't really into games"]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/02/mac-users-arent-really-into-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/02/mac-users-arent-really-into-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/02/mac-users-arent-really-into-game/#commentsFiled under:

This Business Week article laments the lack of games available for Mac, and asks "why doesn't Apple try its hand at building good games for the Mac on its own?". Given Apple's support for Windows as its gaming solution of choice, along with hardware that's not appealing to gamers, we wonder why Apple would bother.

Given that the article proposes a novel idea -- PC gamers playing with Mac gamers! -- and also claims that "Mac users aren't really into games" (most of the Joystiq staff would disagree), we're not quite sure that it entirely addresses the current state of Mac gaming. However, it's true that one game does not always make a system a decent gaming platform, and the message is clear -- if Apple wants to get its game on, then perhaps it should set the example.

Joystiq"Mac users aren't really into games" originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 02 Jun 2006 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aaplappledevelopmentmacmac gamingMacGamingFri, 02 Jun 2006 10:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Japanese sales charts, May 22-28: New Super Mario dominates]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/02/japanese-sales-charts-may-22-28-new-super-mario-dominates/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/02/japanese-sales-charts-may-22-28-new-super-mario-dominates/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/02/japanese-sales-charts-may-22-28-new-super-mario-dominates/#commentsFiled under: ,

Last week we saw the .hack franchise dominating the Japanese charts, but it's all change this week as newcomer New Super Mario Bros. flattens all competition. Just shy of 900,000 sales, it's exceeded the sales of the rest of the top ten combined -- and probably the rest of the top forty.

1. New Super Mario Bros. [DS]
2. Brain Age 2 (Kahashima Ryuuta Kyouju Kanshuu: Motto Nouo Kitaeru Otona DS) [DS]
3. Brain Age: Train your Brain in Minutes a Day (Kahashima Ryuuta Kyouju no Nouo Kitaeru Otona DS Training) [DS]
4. Dragon Quest & Final Fantasy in Itadaki Street Portable [PSP]
5. Tetris DS [DS]
6. KimiKiss [PS2]
7. World Soccer Winning Eleven 10 [PS2]
8. Eigo ga Nigate na Otona no DS Training: Eigo Duke [DS]
9. Animal Crossing: Wild World [DS]
10. Jikkyou Powerful Major League [PS2]

JoystiqJapanese sales charts, May 22-28: New Super Mario dominates originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 02 Jun 2006 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>asiachartsdsjapanjapan chartsJapanChartsjapanesejapanese chartsJapaneseChartsnintendosalessuper mario brothersSuperMarioBrothersFri, 02 Jun 2006 10:28:00 EST<![CDATA[WoW dominates MMO market share]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/01/wow-dominates-mmo-market-share/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/01/wow-dominates-mmo-market-share/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/01/wow-dominates-mmo-market-share/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


If you were in doubt about World of Warcraft's popularity amongst MMOs, the updated subscriber numbers over at MMOGChart will set you straight. The pie chart above shows the market share, as of May 2006, of subscription-based MMOs; the huge blue slice taking up 50.6% of the market is none other than Blizzard's behemoth.

While a number of smaller games have some slice of the pie, the MMO world is dominated by Lineage, World of Warcraft and Runescape -- the latter has been racking up subscribers recently.

Continue reading WoW dominates MMO market share

JoystiqWoW dominates MMO market share originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 01 Jun 2006 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>market shareMarketSharemmogchartmmorpgPCplayerspopularitystatisticsworld of warcraftWorldOfWarcraftwowThu, 01 Jun 2006 08:58:00 EST<![CDATA[European game addiction clinic opens next month]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/01/european-game-addiction-clinic-opens-next-month/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/01/european-game-addiction-clinic-opens-next-month/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/01/european-game-addiction-clinic-opens-next-month/#commentsFiled under:

Smith & Jones, addiction consultants, have latched on to a goldmine -- an obsessive type of behaviour that has few treatment options, save their soon-to-be-opened treatment centre in the Netherlands. The behaviour? Gaming, of course.

Their target is the gamer stereotype -- a socially awkward adolescent boy who spends 18 hours a day locked in his room pretending to shoot people. Their treatment? Get out more.

"You can't do a urine test to see that they're not still gaming. And if a coke addict said they wanted to go out to a club or to see people, we'd be worried about whether they'd meet a dealer. But if a gamer said he wanted to go out for the night and meet people we'd throw a party."

Whether there are sufficient game addicts in Europe with the funds for expensive private treatment, we don't know. However, for those who are addicted to games, in whatever form, a new form of treatment may well be welcomed.

JoystiqEuropean game addiction clinic opens next month originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 01 Jun 2006 07:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>addictionbbccliniccommentarydisordereuropestereotypestreatmentThu, 01 Jun 2006 07:55:00 EST<![CDATA[UK sales charts, May 21-27: Hitman hits the spot]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/31/uk-sales-charts-may-21-27-hitman-hits-the-spot/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/31/uk-sales-charts-may-21-27-hitman-hits-the-spot/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/31/uk-sales-charts-may-21-27-hitman-hits-the-spot/#commentsFiled under:

With the World Cup due to kick off in under a fortnight, UK consumers are doing the obvious thing -- and buying Hitman: Blood Money. The football-themed titles are still strong in the charts, but Eidos' Agent 47 has overtaken them in its first week of release. The recent Sims 2 expansion keeps the original fresh, too.

1. Hitman: Blood Money
2. FIFA World Cup Germany 2006
3. Pro Evolution Soccer 5
4. Rockstar Games Presents Table Tennis
5. Tomb Raider: Legend
6. X-Men: The Official Game
7. Animal Crossing: Wild World
8. The Da Vinci Code
9. Championship Manager 2006
10. The Sims 2

JoystiqUK sales charts, May 21-27: Hitman hits the spot originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 31 May 2006 06:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chartseidoshitmansalesstatisticsukuk chartsUkChartsWed, 31 May 2006 06:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Guitar Hero alongside bands at Download UK]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/26/guitar-hero-alongside-bands-at-download-uk/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/26/guitar-hero-alongside-bands-at-download-uk/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/26/guitar-hero-alongside-bands-at-download-uk/#commentsFiled under: , ,

There's something about playing Guitar Hero that appeals to the exhibitionist in all of us. This year, the UK's Download Festival will cater to that by allowing Guitar Hero players to take to the Third Stage in between acts -- although there will be limited walk-up opportunities, they'd like you to register in advance.

This might not seem like quite such a good idea when fifteen consecutive rockers fail to finish Bark at the Moon on expert, as events like this often lead us to overstretch ourselves in an attempt to show off. However, it's a clever marketing move for RedOctane as well as a great chance to break some of gaming's stereotypes -- or at least the one about us all being self-conscious tone-deaf nerds.

JoystiqGuitar Hero alongside bands at Download UK originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 26 May 2006 09:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>downloadeventsguitar heroGuitarHerolive gamingLiveGamingperformancePS2real worldRealWorldFri, 26 May 2006 09:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Japanese sales charts, May 15-21: .hack on top]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/26/japanese-sales-charts-may-15-21-hack-on-top/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/26/japanese-sales-charts-may-15-21-hack-on-top/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/26/japanese-sales-charts-may-15-21-hack-on-top/#commentsFiled under:

This week a new release has sped straight to the top of the chart -- .hack//GU Vol 1: Saitan (Rebirth in the west) dominates the charts with over 90,000 sales. There are two forthcoming sequels in this branch of the popular .hack franchise, though we have to wonder if Bandai will release a corresponding tie-in MMO.

1. .hack//GU Vol 1: Saitan [PS2]
2. Brain Age 2 (Kahashima Ryuuta Kyouju Kanshuu: Motto Nouo Kitaeru Otona DS) [DS]
3. Tetris DS [DS]
4. Brain Age: Train your Brain in Minutes a Day (Kahashima Ryuuta Kyouju no Nouo Kitaeru Otona DS Training) [DS]
5. World Soccer Winning Eleven 10 [PS2]
6. Animal Crossing: Wild World [DS]
7. Jikkyou Powerful Major League [PS2]
8. Eigo ga Nigate na Otona no DS Training: Eigo Duke [DS]
9. Pokémon Ranger [DS]
10. Mario Kart DS [DS]

JoystiqJapanese sales charts, May 15-21: .hack on top originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 26 May 2006 09:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>.hackchartsjapanjapanese chartsJapaneseChartssalessales figuresSalesFiguresFri, 26 May 2006 09:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Games sales figures show online is key]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/25/games-sales-figures-show-online-is-key/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/25/games-sales-figures-show-online-is-key/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/25/games-sales-figures-show-online-is-key/#commentsFiled under: ,

The NPD Group has released sales figures for 2005, estimating that the US spent $1.4 billion on games last year. An interesting and growing proportion of that income was from online games -- $344 million, about one quarter of the total spending, came from recurring subscription fees.

Breaking that down, NPD estimates about 85% of that recurring income is from specific games like World of Warcraft, whereas the rest -- a non-trivial $52 million -- comes from casual games portals. It's clear from the tremendous amount of money being generated by both games and gaming portals, as well as the popularity of MMOs and casual games, that online is a key area to watch in future.

While digital downloads are only a small part of the picture -- 3% of total market sales -- the area should grow, partly driven by the convenience of buying and delivering online. Of course, paying for a game through monthly subscriptions rather than a one-off box fee is appealing, though players of games like World of Warcraft don't seem to mind doing both.

JoystiqGames sales figures show online is key originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 25 May 2006 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>business modelBusinessModeleconomicsfiguresgames salesGamesSalesinternetnpdonlinereuterssalesThu, 25 May 2006 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Bang! Howdy now in open beta]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/25/bang-howdy-now-in-open-beta/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/25/bang-howdy-now-in-open-beta/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/25/bang-howdy-now-in-open-beta/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Those on the lookout for an online game that doesn't involve orcs, elves or magic may find Bang! Howdy refreshing. From Three Rings, the makers of Puzzle Pirates, Bang! Howdy is a western-themed online strategy game.

Although we featured it in our MMO roundup, it's not the same sort of MMO as Puzzle Pirates -- it features small-scale multiplayer strategy matches rather than a large persistent world. It's a Java-based game, meaning it runs on PC, Mac and Linux happily, and today it entered open beta. The game itself will be free, but with micropayments for various in-game features.

JoystiqBang! Howdy now in open beta originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 25 May 2006 16:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bang howdyBangHowdybetadownloadablejavalinuxmacmmoPCpuzzle piratesPuzzlePiratesstrategythree ringsThreeRingswild westWildWestwindowsThu, 25 May 2006 16:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Acclaim's MMO strategy examined]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/24/acclaims-mmo-strategy-examined/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/24/acclaims-mmo-strategy-examined/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/24/acclaims-mmo-strategy-examined/#commentsFiled under: ,

Next Generation brings us the lowdown from Howard Marks -- CEO of the newly-reopened Acclaim -- on Acclaim's MMO strategy. His plan is to bring Eastern games to the West with no subscriber fee, but instead to make money via in-game ads and micropayments.

Next Gen's feature asks if this will work in a market with no real precedent. By dropping the phrase "free game" and instead focusing on games as a service, Marks intends it to. However, his strategy doesn't come across with a lot of confidence in this article. It'll be interesting to see if Acclaim manage to set a good precedent for an East-to-West business model, and more importantly whether others follow suit.

JoystiqAcclaim's MMO strategy examined originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 24 May 2006 11:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acclaimbotsbusiness modelBusinessModeleast meets westeasternEastMeetsWesteconomicsfreefree gamesFreeGameskoreammopricingwesternWed, 24 May 2006 11:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Media Molecule: Rag Doll Kung Fu creator's new studio]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/24/media-molecule-rag-doll-kung-fu-creators-new-studio/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/24/media-molecule-rag-doll-kung-fu-creators-new-studio/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/24/media-molecule-rag-doll-kung-fu-creators-new-studio/#commentsFiled under: ,

Here's the newest installment in the ongoing adventures of Mark Healey, the ex-Lionhead programmer who created Rag Doll Kung Fu. After cutting loose from Lionhead -- which, let's not forget, has since been acquired by Microsoft -- Mark reportedly started to pursue "other projects".

He's now founded a new studio, Media Molecule, which includes other ex-Lionhead staff. For the next part of this ongoing soap opera, stay tuned -- the team are "mega busy" at the moment, and we're looking forward to what comes out of this new indie developer.

JoystiqMedia Molecule: Rag Doll Kung Fu creator's new studio originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 24 May 2006 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bizcompanylionheadLionhead-Studiosmark healeyMarkHealeymedia moleculeMediaMoleculenew projectnew studioNewProjectNewStudiorag doll kung fuRagDollKungFurdkfstudioWed, 24 May 2006 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Getting a game idea published]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/23/getting-a-game-idea-published/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/23/getting-a-game-idea-published/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/23/getting-a-game-idea-published/#commentsFiled under:

Over at the IGDA, there's some advice for a hobbyist game developer looking to pitch (and protect) a game design. Pitching a random idea for a game to a developer or publisher isn't easy, but there are some solid hints on how to get an idea towards reality:
Indie game development competitions and pitching opportunities offer a lot of scope for an idea to become an actual game; accessible platforms like Flash and the Xbox Live Arcade add further ways it can happen. One thing's for sure, though -- you have to be serious and committed to make this process work.

See also:
Advice for wannabe game developers
The life of a lapsed game developer

JoystiqGetting a game idea published originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 23 May 2006 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advicedevelopmentgame developmentGameDevelopmenthowtoigdalife cycleLifeCyclepitchprogrammingpublishingTue, 23 May 2006 08:58:00 EST<![CDATA[The great divide: UK vs US censorship]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/23/the-great-divide-uk-vs-us-censorship/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/23/the-great-divide-uk-vs-us-censorship/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/23/the-great-divide-uk-vs-us-censorship/#commentsFiled under: ,

When listing the differences between the UK and the USA one usually thinks of spelling, gastronomy and driving on the wrong side of the road, rather than film and game censorship. However, this fascinating post at Terra Nova (along with its thriving comments thread) delves into the differences between the BBFC and MPAA, as well as cultural factors, to try and establish why American consumers are less happy to have age restrictions on games.

The whole thread gives an international perspective to current debates over the censorship of violent games. While sexual content in games can be treated as pornography, the lack of existing US legislation covering violence across other media means that singling games out is plain unfair. In the UK, however, ratings of violent and extremely realistic games fall under the Video Recordings Act, which covers any recorded video media.

We have to wonder when games will get a category of their own and stand alongside more established media such as film and TV. In the meantime, to find out more about international game classification, Wikipedia's a great place to begin.

JoystiqThe great divide: UK vs US censorship originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 23 May 2006 07:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>americaatlanticbbfccensorshipculturalcultural differencesCulturalDifferencesdifferenceselspaesrbeuropeinternationalmpaapegiratingsukusTue, 23 May 2006 07:57:00 EST<![CDATA[PS3 price point initially "irrelevant" in UK]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/22/ps3-price-point-initially-irrelevant-in-uk/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/22/ps3-price-point-initially-irrelevant-in-uk/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/22/ps3-price-point-initially-irrelevant-in-uk/#commentsFiled under: ,

When we brought you news of the PS3's £425 UK price point, we speculated that the British public wouldn't react too well to it. Both the price and US/UK differential are down points, but Eurogamer has been talking to British retailers who have a much more cheerful outlook on things.

From calling the price point "irrelevant for the first six months" to "anticipating that demand will outstrip supply", retailers are confident that the PS3 will sell well, with the head of Action Replay even saying that the console could have been "twice the price and still sell-out twice over".

Continue reading PS3 price point initially "irrelevant" in UK

JoystiqPS3 price point initially "irrelevant" in UK originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 22 May 2006 18:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>console priceConsolePriceeconomyeurogamereuropeinternationallaunchpriceps3quotesretailsonyukMon, 22 May 2006 18:56:00 EST