Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogobig.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Red vs. Blue season 10 premieres tomorrow]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/27/red-vs-blue-season-10-premieres-tomorrow/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/27/red-vs-blue-season-10-premieres-tomorrow/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/27/red-vs-blue-season-10-premieres-tomorrow/#comments
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We can barely believe we just wrote that headline. When we watched the first few episodes of Red vs. Blue in 2003, we thought they were pretty hilarious, but that the show would fade like so many other online parodies do. And now we're writing about the show's tenth season. Thanks for making us feel old and wrong, Rooster Teeth.

Season 10 of Red vs. Blue kicks off tomorrow, May 28, and features the vocal talents of Elijah Wood as an AI program called Sigma. This season will complete the Project Freelancer story line, as shown in the above, mature-language-filled trailer.

JoystiqRed vs. Blue season 10 premieres tomorrow originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 27 May 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>HaloHalo-Combat-EvolvedpcRed-vs-Bluerooster-teethseason-10Sun, 27 May 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Get the Awesomenauts theme song for free now, soundtrack next week]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/27/get-the-awesomenauts-theme-song-for-free-now-soundtrack-next-we/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/27/get-the-awesomenauts-theme-song-for-free-now-soundtrack-next-we/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/27/get-the-awesomenauts-theme-song-for-free-now-soundtrack-next-we/#comments ImageThe Awesomenauts theme song is made of the stuff of legend -- love, money and cheese -- and now it's available for free right here. Well, free as in it doesn't cost any cold, hard cash, but it does involve payment of a more modern kind: social network sharing.

Anyone can download the theme song after tweeting the link or sharing it on Facebook through the service Pay with a Tweet. Or, you can wait until Friday, June 1, to download the entire soundtrack from Bandcamp, from artist Sonic Picnic.

JoystiqGet the Awesomenauts theme song for free now, soundtrack next week originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 27 May 2012 13:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>awesomenautsmicrosoftplaystationps3ronimo-gamessoundtracktheme-songxboxSun, 27 May 2012 13:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Deadlight story trailer explains the saving powers of fear]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/25/deadlight-story-trailer-explains-the-saving-powers-of-fear/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/25/deadlight-story-trailer-explains-the-saving-powers-of-fear/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/25/deadlight-story-trailer-explains-the-saving-powers-of-fear/#comments
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"The only thing we have to fear is to fear yourself." We're pretty sure that's what president Franklin D. Roosevelt said to galvanize the American public when he took office in 1933, in the thick of the Great Depression. Nothing says "We can do it!" quite like "You're a monster!"

Thankfully Deadlight, which uses the tagline "Fear yourself" in its latest story trailer, isn't a historical-reenactment title, though it may be a simulator of potential future circumstances. If so, we may have a bit more to fear than metabolic reactions or mere humans.

Deadlight is set to launch this summer on XBLA.

JoystiqDeadlight story trailer explains the saving powers of fear originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 25 May 2012 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>deadlightfearmicrosoftPlatformersummertequila-worksXBLAxboxzombieFri, 25 May 2012 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Halo 4 pre-order bonuses include Deadeye helmet, Web armor skins]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/25/halo-4-pre-order-bonuses-include-deadeye-helmet-web-armor-skins/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/25/halo-4-pre-order-bonuses-include-deadeye-helmet-web-armor-skins/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/25/halo-4-pre-order-bonuses-include-deadeye-helmet-web-armor-skins/#comments ImageIf Master Chief were a superhero in the Marvel universe, he'd probably be called Space-Man and his armor would have seen dozens of disparate artistic interpretations over the years, from 1940s Americana to bloodthirsty zombie. He could have even looked like a melted candy cane, just as he does in one of the Halo 4 pre-order bonus skins revealed for EB Games, Play and Amazon today.

EB Games (Canada) has camo-style battle rifle and festive armor suit skins, Amazon gets the "Web" armor skin and Play puts Master Chief in the "Deadeye" helmet skin. GameStop also lists a pre-order bonus, the "Forest" armor skin, but hasn't yet provided an image.

JoystiqHalo 4 pre-order bonuses include Deadeye helmet, Web armor skins originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 25 May 2012 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bonushalo-4microsoftpre-orderskinsxboxFri, 25 May 2012 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Rhode Island: Fired 38 Studios staff are highly skilled, will find new work]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/25/rhode-island-fired-38-studios-staff-are-highly-skilled-will-fi/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/25/rhode-island-fired-38-studios-staff-are-highly-skilled-will-fi/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/25/rhode-island-fired-38-studios-staff-are-highly-skilled-will-fi/#comments ImageRhode Island Department of Labor and Training director Charles Fogarty said today that the staff of 38 Studios, all of whom were laid off yesterday, will be able to find new jobs because they are "highly skilled."

"The individuals in question, most of them are pretty highly skilled," Fogarty said. "They've already been contacted by a number of employers. Our department has been contacted by folks looking for people with that type of skill."

Governor Lincoln Chafee and his team today held another press conference to address 38 Studios' financial situation, leading with the information that his office wasn't informed of the layoffs yesterday. Chafee held a press conference one hour after news of the firings broke yesterday; about 300 people in Rhode Island and almost 100 from Big Huge Games in Maryland lost their jobs.

Today, Fogarty said he didn't think it would be difficult for these former employees to find new work.

"I don't expect that they're going to be unemployed for all that length of time," he said. "So far there's only been a small number who've actually applied for unemployment benefits at this point."

Fogarty didn't say how many former 38 Studios employees had applied for unemployment. To allay concerns of the wider economic impact of supporting an influx of people on unemployment, Fogarty said the following: "Don't forget, a number of them are not Rhode Islanders. They worked here but they were not Rhode Islanders."

Of the unspecific number of people who filed for unemployment, about half were Rhode Islander residents, he said, responding to questions about the "jobs for Rhode Islanders" pitch that came with 38 Studios' founding.

Gov. Chafee doesn't think it's futile to attempt to find investors in 38 Studios, saying that when a studio is basically defunct and has no employees, "some might argue that that's the time for an investor to come in, when you can get it for pennies on the dollar, but we're still fairly pessimistic."

Unfortunately, even if an investor did jump in, Rhode Island would be the "pennies" part of that analogy, not the dollar.

JoystiqRhode Island: Fired 38 Studios staff are highly skilled, will find new work originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 25 May 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>38-studioscharles-fogartykingdoms-of-amalur-reckoningLincoln-Chafeemicrosoftpcplaystationps3rhode-islandxboxFri, 25 May 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Industry rallies to get former 38 Studios, Big Huge Games staff new work]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/24/industry-rallies-to-get-former-38-studios-big-huge-games-staff/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/24/industry-rallies-to-get-former-38-studios-big-huge-games-staff/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/24/industry-rallies-to-get-former-38-studios-big-huge-games-staff/#comments ImageThe sudden firing of all 379 employees at 38 Studios and Big Huge Games today was a blow to the industry, even for those of us who expected it. Soon after news broke, many developers, artists, designers, PR people, journalists and fans took to the Internet to express frustration and anger -- and to help.

On Twitter, the hashtag "#38jobs" rose to trending in the US, with people shouting out which studios were hiring and generally sending support to those let go today. A Facebook group titled "38Jobs" popped up around the same time. Freelance games journo Alex Rubens gathered all of these jobs tips into a Google Doc that currently sports 84 studios with openings, including Irrational Games, Bungie, Activision, Klei Entertainment, Rockstar and other major and indie companies.

Access the full list here; it is still in the process of being updated and refined, courtesy of Rubens and The Side Of The Gaming Industry That Proves We're Not All Trolling Douchebags.

JoystiqIndustry rallies to get former 38 Studios, Big Huge Games staff new work originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 24 May 2012 21:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>38-studiosBig-Huge-Gamesjobskingdoms-of-amalur-reckoninglayoffsmicrosoftmobilenintendopcplaystationproject-copernicusps3wiixboxThu, 24 May 2012 21:45:00 EST<![CDATA[The politics of making games: Disconnect between 38 Studios and Rhode Island in quotes]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/24/the-politics-of-making-games-disconnect-between-38-studios-and/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/24/the-politics-of-making-games-disconnect-between-38-studios-and/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/24/the-politics-of-making-games-disconnect-between-38-studios-and/#comments ImageRhode Island governor Lincoln Chafee gathered his experts on finances and bond laws to discuss the dire situation of Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning publisher 38 Studios today, opening with a clear summation: "It's not a good situation; I'm not here to deliver good news."

Just an hour before the conference, news broke that all 379 staff of 38 Studios and its property Big Huge Games had been laid off. Chafee's adviser John Savage answered the first question regarding the layoffs: "In my conversations today, there were no discussions about layoffs."

Chafee agreed, saying "nothing changed today," and the tone of the conference was effectively set.

Of the layoffs that his administration wouldn't acknowledge, Chafee suggested, "Well, they could be rehired. Some investor might come in."

In a related optimistic response, Chafee said he believes 38 Studios will be able to hit its payment benchmarks, banking on the "emotional attachment" of gamers to the Amalur universe. "I would suspect that they are going to be on time and at the proper amount," he said. "All that investment, all that adherement to benchmarks. I think is going to be accurate in the end."

At the moment, Chafee said he couldn't assign blame in the situation to anyone specifically, but he did say "that's gonna come over time if we're not successful in getting this company financially solvent."

To keep 38 Studios solvent will be "very, very expensive," Chafee said, taking "tens of millions of dollars" in marketing alone. These projections come from "industry experts," who also told Chafee that he was doing the right thing the entire time. "Every indication I got from all this process is that everything is going according to the business plan," Chafee said.

"I asked the experts: What could have we done better? And they were telling me, 'You did everything right. You put your money in, you supported the game, and you're better off not meddling.' If I had meddled there wouldn't be all this violence in these games, all the sexism."

Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning sold 1.2 million units in its first 90 days, but for 38 Studios to break even it would have had to sell 3 million, Chafee said. Even though 38 Studios founder Curt Schilling said the game "outperformed EA's projections," Chafee was forced to disagree.

"The game failed," he said.

JoystiqThe politics of making games: Disconnect between 38 Studios and Rhode Island in quotes originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 24 May 2012 18:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>38-studioskingdoms-of-amalur-reckoningThu, 24 May 2012 18:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Dungeon Defenders shifts into an RTS with Summoner hero class]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/24/dungeon-defenders-shifts-into-an-rts-with-summoner-hero-class/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/24/dungeon-defenders-shifts-into-an-rts-with-summoner-hero-class/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/24/dungeon-defenders-shifts-into-an-rts-with-summoner-hero-class/#comments
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Dungeon Defenders has expanded its perspective on PC and Mac gameplay (and probably life and love and stuff) with the new Summoner character, who can conduct battle from on high as if in an RTS. Overlord Mode allows the Summoner to supervise entire armies from a top-down perspective, altering the game entirely.

Along with omniscient battle control, the Summoner gets two pets, can levitate for 15 seconds, build an army from sentient crystal and basically wreak havoc on the battlefield, as the above video shows. The Summoner DLC pack is available via Steam for $4.

Gallery: Dungeon Defenders (Summoner Hero Class)

JoystiqDungeon Defenders shifts into an RTS with Summoner hero class originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 24 May 2012 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DLCdungeon-defendershero-classmacpcreverb-publishingRTSsummonerTop-downtrendy-entertainmentThu, 24 May 2012 17:45:00 EST<![CDATA[This dude can control a pipe organ using Kinect [Update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/24/this-dude-can-control-a-pipe-organ-using-kinect/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/24/this-dude-can-control-a-pipe-organ-using-kinect/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/24/this-dude-can-control-a-pipe-organ-using-kinect/#comments
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Last year Chris Vik modded a Kinect to play the Melbourne Town Hall Organ, and he did it with way more style than any of those sweet Dance Central moves we've attempted to throw down in front of our own little camera boxes. The Melbourne Town Hall Organ is four stories tall, but Vik used his own software, Kinectar, with the organ's MIDI connection to play the whole thing from one moodily lit spot on the stage.

Vik and vocalist Elise Richards composed Carpe Zythum and performed it in November, and finally the full video will be available next week, according to Kinect Hacks. The above teaser plays a clip of the performance and reveals the madness behind the music, waving arms and invisible instruments included.

Update: As a few of you have mentioned below, the full performance is available now on YouTube. Enjoy!

JoystiqThis dude can control a pipe organ using Kinect [Update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 24 May 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Chris-Vikcomposerkinectkinectarmelbournemelbourne-town-hall-organmidimusicxboxThu, 24 May 2012 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[LittleBigPlanet Vita box art is as joyous as you'd expect]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/24/littlebigplanet-vita-box-art-is-as-joyous-as-youd-expect/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/24/littlebigplanet-vita-box-art-is-as-joyous-as-youd-expect/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/24/littlebigplanet-vita-box-art-is-as-joyous-as-youd-expect/#comments
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Media Molecule revealed the box art for LittleBigPlanet Vita, shown in its full glory below (that Sack Boy is naked, after all). The LBP team also dropped a behind-the-scenes video that describes how the collaboration between Media Molecule and developer Tarsier, well, developed.

Continue reading LittleBigPlanet Vita box art is as joyous as you'd expect

JoystiqLittleBigPlanet Vita box art is as joyous as you'd expect originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 24 May 2012 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>double-elevenlittlebigplanet-vitamedia-moleculeplaystationplaystation-vitaSONYtarsier-studiosvitaThu, 24 May 2012 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Molyneux: 22 Cans conducting '22 Experiments,' first one due in 6 weeks]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/23/molyneux-22-cans-conducting-22-experiments-first-one-due-in/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/23/molyneux-22-cans-conducting-22-experiments-first-one-due-in/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/23/molyneux-22-cans-conducting-22-experiments-first-one-due-in/#comments ImagePeter Molyneux's new studio is going to create his greatest game ever, but first it plans to make 22 of the almost greatest games ever. 22 Cans, Molyneux's studio, is rolling out a project called 22 Experiments, a series of digital releases leading up to the "final product," Molyneux told Beefjack.

The first experiment could drop in as few as six weeks for undisclosed platforms. Molyneux said the projects are "very very different, unusual, I think very intriguing things," probably because that's his thing. During a talk at Imperial College London's GaME12 event, Molyneux provided a vague vision for the direction of his studio, saying he wants to use current technology in ways no one else has, and sharing the following idea:

"I love this one thought, and I have experimented with this in previous games, that you find out more about yourself while being engaged with this experience than [you would] with anything else. And we all love finding out about ourselves - whether it's through personality tests, or someone turning around to you and saying X, Y and Z."

We look forward to a seriously introspective game of 22 Questions starting in six weeks.

JoystiqMolyneux: 22 Cans conducting '22 Experiments,' first one due in 6 weeks originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 23 May 2012 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>22-Cans22-ExperimentsmicrosoftmobilenintendopcPeter-Molyneuxplaystationps3wiixboxWed, 23 May 2012 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Squids Wild West hits this summer, free preview update for iOS out now]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/23/squids-wild-west-hits-this-summer-free-preview-update-for-ios-o/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/23/squids-wild-west-hits-this-summer-free-preview-update-for-ios-o/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/23/squids-wild-west-hits-this-summer-free-preview-update-for-ios-o/#comments ImageThe Game Bakers' mobile, PC and Mac RPG title Squids is getting a rough 'n rowdy update this summer with a new chapter: the Wild West.

To prepare players for the Wild West, Game Bakers launched a free update on the App Store today, featuring three western-ized levels in Seawood, a new Squid hero named Cleef and a new enemy, the Buffalo Shrimp. The update also brings a higher level cap, a new Game Center achievement and improved social media functionality.

We hope it also demonstrates how tumbleweeds blow across a dry dirt street in a fully underwater environment.

Continue reading Squids Wild West hits this summer, free preview update for iOS out now

JoystiqSquids Wild West hits this summer, free preview update for iOS out now originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 23 May 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidfreegame-bakersiosipadiphonemacmobilepcsquidsthe-game-bakersupdatewild-westWed, 23 May 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PSN scheduled maintenance tomorrow, some apps to be down]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/23/psn-scheduled-maintenance-tomorrow-some-apps-to-be-down/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/23/psn-scheduled-maintenance-tomorrow-some-apps-to-be-down/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/23/psn-scheduled-maintenance-tomorrow-some-apps-to-be-down/#comments ImageThe following is a PSA for all the PSN users out there, calibrated in PSI and utilizing linguistic psychology: The PlayStation Network is undergoing scheduled maintenance on Thursday, May 24, from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. PDT.

The PlayStation Store and PlayStation Home may not be accessible during this time, but online play and other apps such as Netflix and Amazon Instant will run as normal, provided you've signed into the network at least five days prior to Thursday. This means do it now if you have big PSN plans tomorrow.

JoystiqPSN scheduled maintenance tomorrow, some apps to be down originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 23 May 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>maintenanceplaystationplaystation-homePlayStation-NetworkPlayStation-Storeps3psaPSNscheduled-maintenanceWed, 23 May 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Crimson Dragon swoops into Japan on June 13]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/23/crimson-dragon-swoops-into-japan-on-june-13/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/23/crimson-dragon-swoops-into-japan-on-june-13/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/23/crimson-dragon-swoops-into-japan-on-june-13/#comments ImageCrimson Dragon will careen into Japan on June 13 for 1,200 Microsoft Points ($15), Andriasang reports. Crimson Dragon is a Kinect exclusive created by Panzer Dragoon director Yukio Futatsugi that will allow players to ride six different types of dragons while shooting fireballs and laser-inspired projectiles.

Yeah, we think it sounds like pretty much the best thing ever, too. Unfortunately, there is no word yet on a western release date.

JoystiqCrimson Dragon swoops into Japan on June 13 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 23 May 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crimson-dragongroundingJapankinectmicrosoftProject-Dracoxboxyukio-futatsugiWed, 23 May 2012 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Super Monkey Ball: Banana Splitz hitz Vita on October 23]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/22/super-monkey-ball-banana-splitz-hitz-vita-on-october-23/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/22/super-monkey-ball-banana-splitz-hitz-vita-on-october-23/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/22/super-monkey-ball-banana-splitz-hitz-vita-on-october-23/#comments ImageSuper Monkey Ball: Banana Splitz is stopping, dropping and rolling onto Vita on October 23 in North America and Europe. This is a tad later than the initial "early 2012" launch window we received in September, but with a title as adorable as this one our anger seems to just melt away.

Banana Splitz will feature more than 100 levels, eight minigames and a custom level builder that turns photos of real images into Monkey Ball-able objects.

JoystiqSuper Monkey Ball: Banana Splitz hitz Vita on October 23 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 22 May 2012 20:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>playstationplaystation-vitarelease-dateSegasuper-monkey-ball-banana-splitzsuper-monkey-ball-vitavitaTue, 22 May 2012 20:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Lawsuit outs West and Zampella's salaries, bonuses at Infinity Ward: Projected $13M bonus in 2010]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/22/lawsuit-outs-west-and-zampellas-salaries-bonuses-at-infinity-w/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/22/lawsuit-outs-west-and-zampellas-salaries-bonuses-at-infinity-w/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/22/lawsuit-outs-west-and-zampellas-salaries-bonuses-at-infinity-w/#comments ImageFormer Infinity Ward studio heads Jason West and Vince Zampella had projected salaries of $420,000 in 2009, with projected bonuses of more than $3 million each, emails between Activision bosses in 2009 show.

The spreadsheet lists the expected salaries of the top 20 Infinity Ward employees in 2009 and 2010. The 18 remaining employees -- the bulk including software engineers and game designers -- had projected salaries between $71,500 and $173,000. The seven employees under West and Zampella each expected a bonus of $603,000, while staffers seeing the lowest percentage of the bonus pool (1.5 percent) had a projected $278,000.

In 2010, the year Activision fired West and Zampella, they were each expected to earn $437,000, with projected bonuses of $13 million each. The rest of the top 20's projected salaries and bonuses rose accordingly, with salaries between $74,000 and $180,000, and bonuses ranging from $1.4 million to $2.5 million.

"If you recently worked on a hit FPS, read this and see how incredibly underpaid you are," ngmoco general manager Benjamin Cousins tweeted about the documents.

The emails were released into public record in the lawsuit between the Infinity Ward Employee Group and Activision; West and Zampella sued Activision in 2010 claiming they were owed $36 million in royalties associated with Modern Warfare 2, after Activision fired them earlier that year. West and Zampella now claim $1 billion in damages and the case is set for trial May 29.

JoystiqLawsuit outs West and Zampella's salaries, bonuses at Infinity Ward: Projected $13M bonus in 2010 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 22 May 2012 19:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ActivisionbonusInfinity-Wardinfinity-ward-employee-grouplawsuitmicrosoftModern-Warfare-2pcplaystationps3salariessalaryxboxTue, 22 May 2012 19:55:00 EST<![CDATA[NBA 2K13 slotted for October 2]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/22/nba-2k13-slotted-for-october-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/22/nba-2k13-slotted-for-october-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/22/nba-2k13-slotted-for-october-2/#comments ImageNBA 2K13 is set to launch on October 2 for Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, PSP and PC, Take-Two Interactive announced today. This is in line with the October precedence set by previous NBA 2K titles. Developer 2K Sports has yet to reveal any details about the game, but our best guess is that it will feature an orange ball and some tall dudes.

2K13's direct predecessor, NBA 2K12, shipped 5 million units, Take-Two said.

JoystiqNBA 2K13 slotted for October 2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 22 May 2012 17:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2K-Sportsfinancialsfy-2012microsoftNBA-2K13nintendopcplaystationps3pspsonyTake-TwowiixboxTue, 22 May 2012 17:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Max Payne 3 ships 3 million units, PC launch pushed worldwide June 1]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/22/max-payne-3-ships-3-million-units-pc-launch-pushed-worldwide-ju/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/22/max-payne-3-ships-3-million-units-pc-launch-pushed-worldwide-ju/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/22/max-payne-3-ships-3-million-units-pc-launch-pushed-worldwide-ju/#comments ImageMax Payne 3 has shipped 3 million units since hitting shelves last week, publisher Take-Two Interactive revealed in its FY 2012 financial report.

Take-Two also announced Max Payne 3 is now scheduled with an international PC release date of June 1. Rockstar initially planned to launch Max Payne 3 for North American PCs on Tuesday, May 29, but has pushed that back to meet the standard European launch day of Friday that week. All's fair in love and gritty, noir-style war.

JoystiqMax Payne 3 ships 3 million units, PC launch pushed worldwide June 1 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 22 May 2012 16:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>financialsfy-2012Max-Payne-3microsoftpcplaystationps3RockStarTake-TwoxboxTue, 22 May 2012 16:52:00 EST<![CDATA[Dungeon Hearts was made in the back of Devolver Digital's bus, out early 2013]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/22/dungeon-hearts-was-made-in-the-back-of-devolver-digitals-bus-o/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/22/dungeon-hearts-was-made-in-the-back-of-devolver-digitals-bus-o/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/22/dungeon-hearts-was-made-in-the-back-of-devolver-digitals-bus-o/#comments ImageDevolver Digital has teamed up with Cube Roots to publish the indie puzzle RPG Dungeon Hearts on PC, Mac and mobile in early 2013. Before any of you smart alecks ask: No, it's not a mashup of Dungeon Defenders and Kingdom Hearts.

Dungeon Hearts features a "nostalgic" blend of classic RPG elements and match-three puzzle mechanics for a "wholly unique experience," Devolver promises. It has 99 character levels and 16 unique environments, and players will use the matching game to perform powerful attacks in the game's mystical world.

At GDC in February, Cube Roots founder Chris Pavia got on a bus with Devolver Digital's Fork Parker as part of the Pitch Fork Parker Project. Pavia pitched Dungeon Hearts, left the bus, and by the end of the night his game was signed.

"The original pitch was for Dungeon Hearts to be a medieval brothel simulator," Parker said. "I recommended we shift development toward the puzzle/RPG hybrid because medieval brothel simulators just don't sell anymore."

Gallery: Dungeon Hearts

JoystiqDungeon Hearts was made in the back of Devolver Digital's bus, out early 2013 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 22 May 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Cube-Rootsdevolver-digitalDungeon-HeartsIndiemacmobilepcTue, 22 May 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Activision enlists former Rockstar bosses to help with new UK studio]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/22/activision-enlists-former-rockstar-bosses-to-help-with-new-uk-st/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/22/activision-enlists-former-rockstar-bosses-to-help-with-new-uk-st/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/22/activision-enlists-former-rockstar-bosses-to-help-with-new-uk-st/#comments ImageFormer Rockstar bossmen Mark Washbrook and Mark Lloyd are helping establish Activision's freshly announced UK studio. The studio, based in Leeds, will focus on mobile development and is led by Team17 co-founder Martyn Brown. Brown hopes to eventually have a staff of 40 at Activision Leeds.

Washbrook established Rockstar London, which worked on mobile aspects of Manhunt 2 and online features of Max Payne 3. He left Rockstar in February 2011 and worked as game director at Sony Computer Entertainment Europe for six months.

Lloyd was studio head of Rockstar Lincoln for 12 years, but left in March 2011 to found his own games consulting service, Titanium Consultancy, which has since been voluntarily dismantled.

Activision Leeds was established in November, but is just now blipping on public radar. Washbrook and Lloyd could be at Activision Leeds for the long haul or as initial consultants; Activision hasn't clarified.

JoystiqActivision enlists former Rockstar bosses to help with new UK studio originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 22 May 2012 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ActivisionActivision-LeedsleedsMark-LloydMark-Washbrookmartyn-brownmicrosoftmobilepcplaystationps3RockStarukxboxTue, 22 May 2012 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Babel Rising should've been named 'Babel Falling,' this trailer suggests]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/22/babel-rising-shouldve-been-named-babel-falling-this-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/22/babel-rising-shouldve-been-named-babel-falling-this-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/22/babel-rising-shouldve-been-named-babel-falling-this-trailer/#comments
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What would life be like if you could fell entire civilizations with a flick of your wrist, crush hordes of men with a downward swat and destroy worlds with a ridiculous, wide-armed downhill skiing motion? You'd either be Lord Voldemort, or you'd be playing Babel Rising on Kinect, like the stylish young man in the video above.

Babel Rising is set to launch in June for PlayStation Move and Xbox 360's Kinect.

JoystiqBabel Rising should've been named 'Babel Falling,' this trailer suggests originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 22 May 2012 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>babel-risingkinectmandomicrosoftmoveplaystationps3UbisoftvoldemortxboxTue, 22 May 2012 03:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Silicon Knights entitled to $1 per claim if it wins court case against Epic Games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/22/silicon-knights-entitled-to-1-per-claim-if-it-wins-court-case-a/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/22/silicon-knights-entitled-to-1-per-claim-if-it-wins-court-case-a/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/22/silicon-knights-entitled-to-1-per-claim-if-it-wins-court-case-a/#comments ImageSilicon Knights will be entitled to $1 in damages, per claim, if it wins a court case against Epic Games over inadequacies in the support of its Unreal Engine. Silicon Knights first sued Epic in 2007, alleging Epic didn't fulfill the promised delivery time or expectations of Unreal Engine 3, forcing Silicon Knights to build its own engine for the production of Too Human.

Silicon Knights didn't provide a breakdown of the damages it sought, and the judge assigned his own value of $1 per claim, Polygon reports. If Silicon Knights wins the case, it will be able to appeal how the value was chosen and perhaps raise it to a figure that can't be found on neighborhood lemonade-stand signs.

The case is in court this month and is expected to run for another week.

JoystiqSilicon Knights entitled to $1 per claim if it wins court case against Epic Games originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 22 May 2012 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Epic-Gameslawsuitmicrosoftsilicon-knightstoo-humanUnrealunreal-engine-3xboxTue, 22 May 2012 02:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Blizzard: Diablo 3 account compromises historically in line with WoW expansions]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/22/blizzard-diablo-3-account-compromises-historically-in-line-with/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/22/blizzard-diablo-3-account-compromises-historically-in-line-with/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/22/blizzard-diablo-3-account-compromises-historically-in-line-with/#comments ImageThe Blizzard forums are bursting with stories of Diablo 3 players' gold and items magically disappearing from their accounts, and while we bemoan the losses they're not entirely surprising.

"Historically, the release of a new game -- such as a World of Warcraft expansion -- will result in an increase in reports of individual account compromises, and that's exactly what we're seeing now with Diablo 3," Blizzards told Joystiq this evening. "We know how frustrating it can be to become the victim of account theft, and as always, we're dedicated to doing everything we can to help our players keep their Battle.net accounts safe -- and we appreciate everyone who's doing their part to help protect their accounts as well."

Continue reading Blizzard: Diablo 3 account compromises historically in line with WoW expansions

JoystiqBlizzard: Diablo 3 account compromises historically in line with WoW expansions originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 22 May 2012 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accountauthenticatorbattle.netBlizzardDiablo-3hackkeyloggerpcTue, 22 May 2012 01:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Molyneux's Populous rebuilt as Caplin's Reprisal, play God now]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/21/molyneuxs-populous-rebuilt-as-caplins-reprisal-play-god-now/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/21/molyneuxs-populous-rebuilt-as-caplins-reprisal-play-god-now/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/21/molyneuxs-populous-rebuilt-as-caplins-reprisal-play-god-now/#comments ImageThe first true god game for PC, Peter Molyneux's Populous, unleashed its fury in 1989. Today, that omniscient rage has been remapped, revamped and softened in designer John Caplin's first title, Reprisal, an homage offering to the deity that is Populous.

Reprisal is browser-based and free, playable right here. So far Reprisal has snagged more than 1 million players, going by the game's Universe Population counter. Maybe give your fingers a good stretch first -- we hear playing god isn't so easy a task.

JoystiqMolyneux's Populous rebuilt as Caplin's Reprisal, play God now originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 21 May 2012 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>browserJon-CaplinpcPeter-MolyneuxpopulousReprisalMon, 21 May 2012 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Three more playable characters for new Double Fine game]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/21/three-more-playable-characters-for-new-double-fine-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/21/three-more-playable-characters-for-new-double-fine-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/21/three-more-playable-characters-for-new-double-fine-game/#comments ImageDouble Fine is building up an intriguing cast of characters for its mysterious, bone-themed game. First we had the monk, the hillbilly and the time traveler, and now we have three more random occupations to ponder: the adventurer, the scientist and the knight.

Double Fine's Ron Gilbert posted images of each of these characters on his blog, Grumpy Gamer. The only other information gleaned from the reveals appears to be that the knight isn't exactly Sir Bravery, but we could have gotten that from the little shaking knees in his picture.

JoystiqThree more playable characters for new Double Fine game originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 21 May 2012 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>charactersdouble-fineimagesmicrosoftpcplaystationps3Ron-Gilbertthe-adventurerthe-knightthe-scientistxboxMon, 21 May 2012 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[007 Legends trailer reveals October 16 release date]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/21/007-legends-trailer-reveals-october-16-release-date/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/21/007-legends-trailer-reveals-october-16-release-date/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/21/007-legends-trailer-reveals-october-16-release-date/#comments
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We apologize that this trailer for 007 Legends is buried after an action-packed, tension-ridden, sexually charged video advertising the coming James Bond film, Skyfall. We're sure anyone interested in a James Bond video game is completely outraged by the violent hedonism of James Bond movies. Again, our sincerest apologies.

007 Legends is due out October 16, its trailer eventually reveals, following in-game scenes from Moonraker, one of the six James Bond storylines mashed up for the title. The 007 Legends trailer begins at 1:24, and in all honesty we could have very easily cut out just the video game portion and spared you the trouble of having to watch the Skyfall trailer.

If anyone has a problem with our editorial decision, feel free to take it up with our staff - all 0011 of us.

Joystiq007 Legends trailer reveals October 16 release date originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 21 May 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>007-legendsJames-Bondmicrosoftmoonrakerplaystationps3skyfallxboxMon, 21 May 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Joystiq Indie Pitch: Zytron II]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/20/the-joystiq-indie-pitch-zytron-ii/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/20/the-joystiq-indie-pitch-zytron-ii/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/20/the-joystiq-indie-pitch-zytron-ii/#comments Indie developers are the starving artists of the video-game world, often brilliant and innovative, but also misunderstood, underfunded and more prone to writing free-form poetry on their LiveJournals. We believe they deserve a wider audience with the Joystiq Indie Pitch: This week, Kevin Murphy of Trinosis unveils the neon beauty of Zytron II, a game that's firmly in the "If you like Geometry Wars..." category, and proud of it.


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What's your game called and what's it about?

Zytron II is a neon glow, twin-stick, multiplayer, scrolling shoot-em-up for Windows PCs. I like to describe it as a scrolling version of Geometry Wars.

What's with the "II" in the Zytron title? Is this game a sequel?

Yes it is. Zytron II is the sequel to my original 1990 C64 game Zytron Megablast, Sold though the classic Commodore 64 magazine of the time, Zzap64.

Continue reading The Joystiq Indie Pitch: Zytron II

JoystiqThe Joystiq Indie Pitch: Zytron II originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 20 May 2012 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>joystiq-indie-pitchKevin-MurphypcTrinosisZytron-IISun, 20 May 2012 22:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Newcastle University neuroscientists use video game for stroke rehab]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/20/newcastle-university-neuroscientists-use-video-game-for-stroke-r/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/20/newcastle-university-neuroscientists-use-video-game-for-stroke-r/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/20/newcastle-university-neuroscientists-use-video-game-for-stroke-r/#comments
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Video games aren't neuroscience, unless they're helping stroke victims recover physical function in a scientific, medical capacity: then they're totally neuroscience. The above video shows off Circus Challenge, an action game from Newcastle University and Limbs Alive Ltd designed to help stroke patients regain motor control of their weakened hands and arms.

Circus Challenge uses "next-gen" motion controllers - not the Wii, as other rehab systems have - to have patients fling pies at clowns, juggle, dive and perform other Big Top-inspired feats, with the difficulty progressing as motor skills improve. Newcastle received £1.5 million from the Health Innovation Challenge Fund for its project, and hopes to use the funds to provide remotely monitored, at-home therapy for stroke patients.

Aside from all the philanthropy and innovation in the Circus Challenge project, we think the game design is pretty pretty as well. Check it out for yourself up top.

JoystiqNewcastle University neuroscientists use video game for stroke rehab originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 20 May 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>circus-challengeLimbs-Alive-ltdmotion-controlneuroscienceNewcastle-UniversitypcrehabstroketherapySun, 20 May 2012 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Step inside the creepy concepts of Alan Wake's American Nightmare]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/20/step-inside-the-creepy-concepts-of-alan-wakes-american-nightmar/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/20/step-inside-the-creepy-concepts-of-alan-wakes-american-nightmar/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/20/step-inside-the-creepy-concepts-of-alan-wakes-american-nightmar/#comments ImageAlan Wake's American Nightmare is hitting Steam and GOG on Tuesday, May 22, and it's probably going to look a bit like the images in the gallery below, but with more 3D rendering and fewer "happy little trees" brush strokes. These concept images lay out the beginnings of a few key scenes in American Nightmare, along with the hatching of a few creepy crawlies and (much) larger foes.

Gallery: Alan Wake's American Nightmare PC (Concept Art)

JoystiqStep inside the creepy concepts of Alan Wake's American Nightmare originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 20 May 2012 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alan-wakes-american-nightmaregog.comMicrosoftpcRemedyremedy-entertainmentSTEAMSun, 20 May 2012 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA['Time Traveler' is another playable character in Double Fine's mystery game]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/18/time-traveler-is-another-playable-character-in-double-fines-m/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/18/time-traveler-is-another-playable-character-in-double-fines-m/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/18/time-traveler-is-another-playable-character-in-double-fines-m/#commentsImageDouble Fine's Ron Gilbert has revealed another character from his puzzling new title, this one called "the time traveler."

She is one of "three playable characters" that Gilbert has unveiled in three days on his personal gaming blog, Grumpy Gamer. Yesterday and the previous day Gilbert revealed the monk and the hillbilly.

The time traveler's silhouette is visible in the background of the puzzle Double Fine sent us earlier this month. We have to admit, she looks way cooler with glowing blue (we assume time-travel-inducing) accessories than as a vague, whispy shadow.

The plot, and the question, thickens: What do a hillbilly, a monk and a time traveler have in common?

Joystiq'Time Traveler' is another playable character in Double Fine's mystery game originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 18 May 2012 23:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>double-finemicrosoftpcplaystationps3Ron-Gilberttime-travelerxboxFri, 18 May 2012 23:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Former NCAA athletes' lawsuit against EA is so on]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/18/former-ncaa-athletes-lawsuit-against-ea-is-so-on/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/18/former-ncaa-athletes-lawsuit-against-ea-is-so-on/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/18/former-ncaa-athletes-lawsuit-against-ea-is-so-on/#comments ImageEA's request to dismiss a class action lawsuit from former NCAA athletes has been denied, meaning the trial will movie forward and EA stands to lose more than $1 billion if found at fault.

The former NCAA athletes claim EA conspired with the NCAA and the CLC to have players sign away their likenesses and names to be used in video games without compensation. The players allege that in order to participate in NCAA sports they were required to sign a form allowing EA their likenesses in games, even after their college sports careers ended.

The federal judge previously dismissed other claims in the lawsuit, but denied EA's attempt to have an antitrust claim thrown out.

EA is facing more than a few lawsuits at the moment, but it did recently settle a two-year-old lawsuit with Activision, with as-yet undisclosed concessions from either side.

JoystiqFormer NCAA athletes' lawsuit against EA is so on originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 18 May 2012 19:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>athletesclccollegedsEAElectronic-Artslawsuitlegalmadden-nfl-12microsoftncaanintendoplaystationps3pspsonysuewiixboxFri, 18 May 2012 19:45:00 EST<![CDATA[The Elder Scrolls Online main story will be '100 percent solo']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/18/the-elder-scrolls-online-main-story-will-be-100-percent-solo/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/18/the-elder-scrolls-online-main-story-will-be-100-percent-solo/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/18/the-elder-scrolls-online-main-story-will-be-100-percent-solo/#comments ImageThe main story in The Elder Scrolls Online will be a solitary experience, game director Matt Firor revealed in a video interview with Game Informer.

"In the Elder Scrolls games you're always the hero, whether you want to be or not," Firor said. "You go out there and you kill the dragons. You kill Mehrunes Dagon in Oblivion. In Morrowind, you're up there fighting the Tribunal - those are huge, global, epic things that you don't want to stand in line to do in an MMO. The last thing you want to do is have the final confrontation with Mehrunes Dagon as he's stomping across the Imperial City, and you see like 15 guys behind you waiting to kill him because they're on the same quest.

"We have a whole part of the game that is 100 per cent solo, which is the main story, where the world focuses on you. You are the hero, everything you do is solo and the world reacts to you that way," Firor said.

Previous details do include PvP matches of up to 200 players, but those are obviously separate from the main quest. The Elder Scrolls Online will be played in a third-person perspective and is attempting to be a "modern" MMO, blending The Elder Scrolls features into this new genre. Not all Elder Scrolls fans are happy with the new title's angle, but Firor said that's just fine.

"The worst situation for a game community to be in is where no one posts on the boards because they don't care," he said. "If they post on the boards, they care, even if they're not being so polite about it. But that's a fact of life: You're an Internet game, you're on the Internet, you have an Internet community. And the Internet community is always very vocal.

"So what you do is learn from it. You make sure you do the best job to deliver the best game that you can and they you go from there."

JoystiqThe Elder Scrolls Online main story will be '100 percent solo' originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 18 May 2012 16:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alonepcSolitarysolothe-elder-scrolls-onlinezenimaxzenimax-mediaFri, 18 May 2012 16:35:00 EST<![CDATA[This monk is suspicious of this hillbilly, only Double Fine knows why]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/18/this-monk-is-suspicious-of-this-hillbilly-only-double-fine-know/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/18/this-monk-is-suspicious-of-this-hillbilly-only-double-fine-know/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/18/this-monk-is-suspicious-of-this-hillbilly-only-double-fine-know/#comments ImageDouble Fine's Ron Gilbert isn't content with random websites leaking his own studio's work: he'll leak his own stuff, thank you very much. Gilbert posted the above two photos on Grumpy Gamer, his personal game industry blog.

His first post was a link to the monk. Apparently, no, it's not fanart for Diablo 3, unless developer JP LeBreton, who tweeted he'd been working on the related Monk link for nine months, has a lot of down time at Double Fine.

Gilbert later posted the hillbilly, a character we recognize from the puzzle Double Fine sent the press last week as an announcement of a new, spooky-tinged title. Now the age-old question returns: What do a monk and a hillbilly have in common? Besides mystery, of course.

JoystiqThis monk is suspicious of this hillbilly, only Double Fine knows why originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 18 May 2012 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>double-finehillbillymonkpcpuzzleRon-GilbertFri, 18 May 2012 02:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Patch breaks Street Fighter X Tekken in new and exciting ways]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/17/patch-breaks-street-fighter-x-tekken-in-new-and-exciting-ways/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/17/patch-breaks-street-fighter-x-tekken-in-new-and-exciting-ways/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/17/patch-breaks-street-fighter-x-tekken-in-new-and-exciting-ways/#comments
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Let's face it: Street Fighter X Tekken just wouldn't be Street Fighter X Tekken without at least one game-breaking bug. This was probably Capcom's thought process when it launched the latest patch, which introduces a glitch that freezes the game whenever Rolento's knife hits an opponent's fireball.

The above video demonstrates the bug, which affects Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 games that have been updated to version 1.04, Shoryuken reports. The patch does fix a few problems, such as hit box issues.

JoystiqPatch breaks Street Fighter X Tekken in new and exciting ways originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 17 May 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bugCapcomgame-breakingglitchmicrosoftplaystationps3street-fighter-x-tekkenxboxThu, 17 May 2012 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Dear Esther sales crash against 100,000]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/17/dear-esther-sales-crash-against-100-000/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/17/dear-esther-sales-crash-against-100-000/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/17/dear-esther-sales-crash-against-100-000/#comments ImageDear Esther, the atmospheric indie title from thechineseroom, has sold more than 100,000 copies, shortly following the title's launch for Mac on Steam. Developer Robert Briscoe shared the news on Dear Esther's official site:

"I have to admit I was a little unsure as to what to expect from sales of Dear Esther once we went to retail, we all were - there was no real benchmark to go by at the time, so I'm extremely pleased to see so many people enjoying the game, and most importantly, proving that gamers are open and eager to new ideas and experiences outside of the boundaries of 'traditional' gameplay. Thanks to everyone who has supported us through this journey, and who will hopefully continue to support us in the future!"

Dear Esther is half off through Thursday, May 17 in Steam's Midweek Madness sale, running just $5.

JoystiqDear Esther sales crash against 100,000 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 17 May 2012 04:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>100000dear-esthermacpcsalesSTEAMthechineseroomThu, 17 May 2012 04:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Lionhead listing for 'MMO-like title for next generation consoles']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/lionhead-listing-for-mmo-like-title-for-next-generation-console/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/lionhead-listing-for-mmo-like-title-for-next-generation-console/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/lionhead-listing-for-mmo-like-title-for-next-generation-console/#comments ImageLionhead's latest job post brings up two salient points:
  • That listing for a multiplayer level designer with "a deep understanding of online multiplayer games" may encompass more than a simple FPS title with online capabilities.
  • Microsoft could be looking to bring MMOs to its console market in a big way.
The most recent want ad, spotted by Superannuation and since removed, described the potential game as an "MMO-like title" and an original IP for the "future generation of platforms." It "will be an RPG-based game with a radical new take on how co-operative and multiplayer gameplay feeds into the experience, while blending online and single-player into one complete experience," the listing read, as reported by MCV.

The title "will have a complex progression system, multiple routes through the campaign and an MMO-like multiplayer experience that will affect the outcome of the player experience, and many other attributes surrounding their profile (such as the environment and the outcome of certain actions)." Superannuation notes that it was labeled as a multithreaded RPG with four-player co-op.

Lionhead's specific use of "MMO-like" and the description's emphasis on a "radical new" genre leaves the game's direction open to interpretation, while nodding at the style of former creative lead Peter Molyneux.

MMOs can be a big gamble, even for an established studio, and especially if its audience is tethered to a single console unfamiliar with the genre as a whole. Good luck, Lionhead. You may need it.

JoystiqLionhead listing for 'MMO-like title for next generation consoles' originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 May 2012 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>kinectLionheadLionhead-Studiosmicrosoftmmooriginal-iprpgxboxWed, 16 May 2012 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EA and Activision settle in Call of Duty lawsuit]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/ea-and-activision-settle-in-call-of-duty-lawsuit/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/ea-and-activision-settle-in-call-of-duty-lawsuit/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/ea-and-activision-settle-in-call-of-duty-lawsuit/#comments ImageEA and Activision have reached a settlement in a lawsuit that began two years ago, pertaining to the departure of Infinity Ward heads Jason West and Vince Zampella. EA had been accused of secretly recruiting the pair while they were still at Activision.

No details about the settlement are currently available, but both companies said today that they will file a settlement agreement in Los Angeles' California state court.

Former Infinity Ward developers Jason West and Vince Zampella sued Activision in 2010 after being fired, claiming damages of $36 million from unpaid royalties associated with Modern Warfare 2, which launched in 2009. After leaving Activision, the pair began their own studio, Respawn Entertainment, and inked a publishing deal with EA. Since then, West and Zampella's claim rose to $1 billion and Activision countersued with EA as a defendant.

Activision recently paid out $42 million to the Infinity Ward Employee Group, though not as a settlement; IWEG said it would pursue litigation and is still scheduled for trial May 29.

The settlement news comes the same day as a report on Activision's "dirt"-digging tactics has surfaced, stating that Activision launched an information-gathering IT spree on West and Zampella just before the launch of Modern Warfare 2, intended to see them both fired. Activision called it "Project Icebreaker."

No joke.

In Project Icebreaker, Activision's George Rose asked the IT department to access West and Zampella's email, voicemail and computer without anyone's knowledge, a court filing given to Giantbomb by West and Zampella's attorneys shows. The orders reportedly came from Activision CEO Bobby Kotick. Activision attempted to use third-party security specialists and threw around the idea of staging a fake fumagation to get into West and Zampella's offices, the report says.

But now the case is settled -- any verdict on the level of sanity of gaming companies is, however, still out.

JoystiqEA and Activision settle in Call of Duty lawsuit originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 May 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ActivisionEAElectronic-ArtsInfinity-WardlawsuitmicrosoftModern-Warfare-2pcplaystationps3xboxWed, 16 May 2012 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[There's already some Max Payne 3 DLC, and it's free]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/theres-already-some-max-payne-3-dlc-and-its-free/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/theres-already-some-max-payne-3-dlc-and-its-free/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/theres-already-some-max-payne-3-dlc-and-its-free/#comments ImageWe assume while everyone was waiting for the Diablo 3 servers to boot back up yesterday, they played as much Max Payne 3 as the downtime allowed. So, since everyone has finished the entire Max Payne 3 campaign, Rockstar is mixing up multiplayer gameplay with a free DLC pack for Xbox Live and PSN, titled "Gorilla Warfare."

The Gorilla Warfare pack contains a gorilla mask, which gives players extra adrenaline for melee kills from behind; the lucky coin, giving players extra booty for looting bodies; and the booby trap item, which has players' corpses explode when they're looted.

The Rockstar Pass is also now available for download on Xbox Live and PSN. The Rockstar Pass gives players all of the Max Payne 3 DLC for a one-time price of $30. These offers will hit PC on launch day, May 29.

JoystiqThere's already some Max Payne 3 DLC, and it's free originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 May 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DLCfreeGorilla-Warfare-Multiplayer-PackMax-Payne-3microsoftmultiplayerpcplaystationps3xboxWed, 16 May 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ubisoft sale on PSN has some big titles at tiny prices]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/ubisoft-sale-on-psn-has-some-big-titles-at-tiny-prices/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/ubisoft-sale-on-psn-has-some-big-titles-at-tiny-prices/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/ubisoft-sale-on-psn-has-some-big-titles-at-tiny-prices/#comments ImageUbisoft is celebrating the gorgeous, inviting weather of May with a sale on PSN titles designed to keep you indoors for days. Today through May 22, a large Ubisoft lineup is 30 percent off for standard PSN users and 50 percent off for PlayStation Plus members.

Titles include Assassin's Creed Brotherhood, Scott Pilgrim, Prince of Persia Classic Trilogy HD and Far Cry 2, among other full games and DLC packs. Check out the full list and prices below, you hermit.

Continue reading Ubisoft sale on PSN has some big titles at tiny prices

JoystiqUbisoft sale on PSN has some big titles at tiny prices originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 May 2012 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>playstationplaystation-plusps3PSNsalescott-pilgrim-vs-the-worldUbisoftTue, 15 May 2012 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Dear Esther comes to Mac on Steam, is half off through Thursday]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/dear-esther-comes-to-mac-on-steam-is-half-off-through-thursday/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/dear-esther-comes-to-mac-on-steam-is-half-off-through-thursday/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/dear-esther-comes-to-mac-on-steam-is-half-off-through-thursday/#comments ImageDear Esther has finally wandered across the barren PC wasteland to end up on Mac as part of the larger Steam island system. Dear Esther, developed by current Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs team thechineseroom, now supports SteamPlay and is half off for Midweek Madness, through May 17.

JoystiqDear Esther comes to Mac on Steam, is half off through Thursday originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 May 2012 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dear-esthermacpcSTEAMSteamPlaythechineseroomTue, 15 May 2012 22:30:00 EST