Joystiq PC http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq PC http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.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[Need for Speed Rivals on PC will look 'easily as good' as next-gen versions]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/need-for-speed-rivals-coming-to-pc-looks-easily-as-good-as-next-gen/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/need-for-speed-rivals-coming-to-pc-looks-easily-as-good-as-next-gen/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/need-for-speed-rivals-coming-to-pc-looks-easily-as-good-as-next-gen/#commentsNeed for Speed Rivals coming to PC, will look 'easily as good' as nextgen versions Need for Speed Rivals - the franchise's first turn into the new world of next-gen consoles - is also coming to the PC. In crafting the PC version, Ghost Games executive producer Marcus Nilsson promises "Need for Speed Rivals will look easily as good on PC as next-generation consoles."

The original press release for Need for Speed Rivals made no mention of a PC version; however, the PR has since been amended revealing the PC version will arrive on November 19 alongside the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions of the game. Xbox One and PS4 versions will launch "later this year."

Other than differences in graphical fidelity and online player count, Rivals features differences in its new marquee feature "AllDrive" across current- and next-gen systems. AllDrive is the ability for the game to "seamlessly" adapt to player interaction as they cross paths in the open-world space. On next-gen consoles, players will have unspecified exclusive ways to interact with the game using other devices.

Nilsson would not detail if the PC version's feature-set would be based on the current- or next-gen platform versions.

Expanding on how AllDrive would work, Nilsson offered an example of how the game would react to friends in the same world engaged in separate chases that come across each other. With the new feature, Need for Speed Rivals would recognize player proximity and any current missions and automatically shift objectives and scoring to that of a traditional co-op encounter. Players can enter and exit each other's worlds to race and interact "on-the-fly." The core features of AllDrive will be available on all platforms.

For more on Need for Speed Rivals, read our reveal post with additional comments from the game's executive producer.

[Ed. Note: This post was updated to reflect changes to the announcement press release.]

JoystiqNeed for Speed Rivals on PC will look 'easily as good' as next-gen versions originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 23 May 2013 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CriterionCriterion-GamesEAGhost-Gamesmicrosoftneed-for-speed-rivalspcplaystationps3xboxThu, 23 May 2013 10:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Need for Speed Rivals floors it to Xbox One, PS4 'later this year', PC and current-gen consoles Nov. 19]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/need-for-speed-rivals-speeds-to-xbox-one-ps4-and-current-gen-this-november/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/need-for-speed-rivals-speeds-to-xbox-one-ps4-and-current-gen-this-november/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/need-for-speed-rivals-speeds-to-xbox-one-ps4-and-current-gen-this-november/#commentsNeed for Speed Rivals races to currentgen Nov 19 Xbox One and PS4 'later this year' Recently renamed developer Ghost Games and the fellow racing fanatics at Criterion Games have banded together for Need for Speed Rivals: a new game that represents the franchise's first drift into the next-gen console world (which is not to be confused with the 2005 handheld spinoff).

Powered by Frostbite 3, Rivals aims to utilize the power of the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 to give players "the freedom to seamlessly go from single player to co-op to multiplayer" when it releases "later this year." [Update: This story has been updated for accuracy, removing mention of a release window for the next-gen versions from an outdated release draft.]

Need for Speed Rivals transports players to the fictitious Redview County, an open-world environment where players can take on the role as either street racer or police officer. Like Most Wanted before it, racers aim to become the most infamous person behind the wheel, while cops attempt to work together to drive the area's high-risk inhabitants off the road. Players can personalize the experience with custom license plates, paint, liveries decals and rims, and performance upgrades.

Current-generation consoles will also join the rivalry - powered by its own version of Frostbite 3 - on November 19. A PC version is also in the works.

Gallery: Need for Speed: Rivals

Continue reading Need for Speed Rivals floors it to Xbox One, PS4 'later this year', PC and current-gen consoles Nov. 19

JoystiqNeed for Speed Rivals floors it to Xbox One, PS4 'later this year', PC and current-gen consoles Nov. 19 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 23 May 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CriterionCriterion-GamesEAGhost-Gamesmicrosoftneed-for-speed-rivalspcplaystationPlayStation-4ps3PS4xboxXbox-1Xbox-OneThu, 23 May 2013 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Dying Light adds a dash of Parkour to Techland's zombie tour]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/dying-light-adds-a-dash-of-parkour-to-techlands-zombie-tour/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/dying-light-adds-a-dash-of-parkour-to-techlands-zombie-tour/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/dying-light-adds-a-dash-of-parkour-to-techlands-zombie-tour/#commentsDying Light adds a dash of parkour to Techland's zombie tour Techland is keeping its zombie vendetta going in Dying Light, a new first-person action game coming to Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in 2014, care of Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment.

The ruined-world game hinges on a realistic day/night cycle, as well as the agility and Parkour skills of the protagonist turned traceur. Day is pitched as a preparation phase, in which you scavenge a warmly lit urban wasteland for supplies and craft weapons to fend off undead walkers. The night requires a stealthier approach, if not a swift homeward retreat from deadlier monsters.

Combat in Dying Light appears to be largely based on upgradeable melee weaponry (eg. an electrified machete), with bone-breaking blows triggering an x-ray visual effect. Zombies can also be pushed into spiked walls with a jump-kick to the chest.

The frequency of fighting drops once night arrives and faster, more powerful creatures emerge. These can be detected via an on-screen pulse - one of the abilities you have by virtue of being an infected human yourself. When the monsters of the night do give chase, the camera can quickly flip 180 degrees to show their proximity, even while you dash and vault in the opposite direction. Movement certainly appears to be more fluid than in Techland's Dead Island, with which Dying Light shares a theme of smashing zombies in the tropical sun.

The openness of the environment, overall game structure and the true nature of nightfall, the publisher says, are details left for another day.

Gallery: Dying Light (2013-05-23)

JoystiqDying Light adds a dash of Parkour to Techland's zombie tour originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 23 May 2013 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2014dying-lighte3-2013microsoftpcplaystationps3ps4techlandwarner-brosxboxxbox-onezombiesThu, 23 May 2013 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Pid dev unveils 'early gameplay footage' of wildlife survivor Shelter]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/pid-dev-unveils-early-gameplay-footage-of-wildlife-survivor-sh/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/pid-dev-unveils-early-gameplay-footage-of-wildlife-survivor-sh/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/pid-dev-unveils-early-gameplay-footage-of-wildlife-survivor-sh/#comments
At first glance Shelter looks kind of cuddly; you play a badger mother looking after her cubs in some pleasant looking greenery. Pid developer Might & Delight is billing its next game as anything but. As this early footage shows, you'll have to hunt other animals for food, and avoid becoming prey yourself. That inferno at the end isn't too cuddly either.

Shelter, announced earlier this year, is still foraging on Steam Greenlight. Might & Delight's plans are to release it into the wilds of PC and Mac towards the end of this summer.

JoystiqPid dev unveils 'early gameplay footage' of wildlife survivor Shelter originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 23 May 2013 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>macmight-and-delightpcsheltersteam-greenlightThu, 23 May 2013 07:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Spellirium hits $10K in pre-order fundraiser]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/spellirium-hits-10k-in-pre-order-fundraiser/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/spellirium-hits-10k-in-pre-order-fundraiser/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/spellirium-hits-10k-in-pre-order-fundraiser/#commentsSpellirium hits first funding goal Spellirium - the graphic-adventure, wordsmithing puzzler from Ponycorn overseer Ryan Creighton - successfully raised $10,000 through a pre-order fundraiser that he describes as a "Kickender." Pre-orders at all tiers - $15 to $1,000 - get into the Spellirium alpha for PC and Mac. The game is almost done, and all funds go toward finishing the final cut scenes and adding sounds and polish.

"That was the hardest ten grand I've ever made. And I was a paperboy," Creighton tweeted.

Pre-orders are still open, and the Kickender is now on goal two, which is "Act 3, Adequately Animated." Check out Creighton's pre-order pitch video on the Spellirium site, but be warned - once you open the page, it auto-plays some intense medieval folk music.

Spellirium is also up for a run on Steam via Greenlight.

JoystiqSpellirium hits $10K in pre-order fundraiser originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 22 May 2013 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fundraisingmacpcpre-orderryan-creightonSpelliriumUntold-EntertainmentWed, 22 May 2013 23:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Joystiq Indie Pitch: Jamsouls]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/the-joystiq-indie-pitch-jamsouls/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/the-joystiq-indie-pitch-jamsouls/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/the-joystiq-indie-pitch-jamsouls/#commentsIt's not that there are too many indie games; it's that there aren't enough hours in a day to play all of them. The Joystiq Indie Pitch curates the best indies to play now and watch out for in the future.

The Joystiq Indie Pitch Jamsouls
What's your game called and what's it about?

Our game is called Jamsouls. We took inspiration from the famous tale of Pandora's Box to create crazy battles between naughty evil creatures in a vivid and colourful arena!

How have sales and visibility been on XBLIG? Is $1 a good price point for Jamsouls?

XBLIG has poor visibility compared to other games featured on the Xbox Marketplace. We feel that the platform is dying slowly, and that Microsoft is not really interested in this indie scene anymore, which is a shame.

We chose the price of $1 because we wanted the game to have maximum exposure. The price of 80 points is very reasonable for anyone wanting to try the game out.

Continue reading The Joystiq Indie Pitch: Jamsouls

JoystiqThe Joystiq Indie Pitch: Jamsouls originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 22 May 2013 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chromatic-dreamgreenlightIndiejamsoulsjoystiq-indie-pitchmicrosoftpcsteam-greenlightxbligxboxWed, 22 May 2013 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Alan Wake series featured in Humble Weekly Sale]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/alan-wake-series-featured-in-humble-weekly-sale/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/alan-wake-series-featured-in-humble-weekly-sale/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/alan-wake-series-featured-in-humble-weekly-sale/#comments
Downtrodden horror author Alan Wake stars in the latest Humble Weekly Sale, which offers up downloadable Windows versions of Remedy's third-person shooter Alan Wake and its follow-up American Nightmare for a buyer-chosen price (minimum $1).

Bundle buyers will receive DRM-free downloads of Alan Wake: Collector's Edition and Alan Wake's American Nightmare, along with Steam keys for both games. The package features a bevy of bonus material, including digital comic books, a playthrough video, and standalone episodes of the Remedy-produced "Night Springs" fictional television series - new episodes of which Joystiq debuted last year.

Xbox Live hosts its own Alan Wake series sale this week. Through May 29, the Xbox 360 Games on Demand version of Alan Wake is priced at 400 Microsoft points ($5), while the Xbox Live Arcade follow-up American Nightmare is a dollar cheaper at 320 points. Alan Wake DLC and avatar items are also on sale through next week.

In the announcement video above, Remedy's Sam Lake (who you might recognize as Max Payne's face model) reveals that the Alan Wake series has sold over three million units to date, and addresses fan reaction to the company's decision to develop the upcoming Xbox One-exclusive title Quantum Break, rather than an Alan Wake sequel.

"We definitely want to keep on working on Alan Wake," Lake assures. "I definitely want to create something new for Alan Wake, when the time is right."

JoystiqAlan Wake series featured in Humble Weekly Sale originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 22 May 2013 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Alan-Wakealan-wakes-american-nightmarebundlehumble-weekly-salemicrosoftpcremedysteamxboxWed, 22 May 2013 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Metro: Last Light gets season pass, first DLC in June]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/metro-last-light-puts-season-pass-in-the-spotlight-first-dlc-i/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/metro-last-light-puts-season-pass-in-the-spotlight-first-dlc-i/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/metro-last-light-puts-season-pass-in-the-spotlight-first-dlc-i/#comments Metro: Last Light developer 4A Games is planning to release four different content packs throughout the summer, all bundled together today in a season pass available on Xbox Live, PSN and Steam for 1200 MS Points ($15).

The Faction and Chronicle packs are the first listed, each aimed at continuing the single-player story of Metro: Last Light. Faction is due first, in June. The Tower pack will be aimed at Metro veterans, offering "a unique solo challenge." Finally, the Developer pack aims to offer some additional tools aiding in exploration. All season pass purchases will also unlock an exclusive semi-automatic shotgun rifle, while each piece of DLC will be available for individual purchase.

Metro: Last Light launched on May 14, with our review placing it in the company of another story-driven shooter, Half-Life. The game was originally set to be published by THQ, but after the studio's fall Deep Silver came in and acquired the game.

Continue reading Metro: Last Light gets season pass, first DLC in June

JoystiqMetro: Last Light gets season pass, first DLC in June originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 22 May 2013 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>4a-gamesdeep-silverdlckoch-mediametro-2033-last-lightmetro-2034metro-last-lightmicrosoftpcplaystationps3xboxWed, 22 May 2013 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[A.N.N.E. Kickstarter concludes at over $100,000]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/a-n-n-e-kickstarter-concludes-at-over-100-000/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/a-n-n-e-kickstarter-concludes-at-over-100-000/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/a-n-n-e-kickstarter-concludes-at-over-100-000/#comments
After clearing its $70,000 goal more than a week in advance, the A.N.N.E. Kickstarter has concluded at $100,272. The total is enough to unlock three of ANNE's stretch goals, namely Mac & Linux versions, gender swap mode and achievements, and New Game+. While stretch goals for Ouya, PSN/Vita and Wii U versions were not met, creator Moise "Mo" Breton promised in a previous update that these versions will still be made, though it will take longer.

Mo, whom we interviewed back in April, also posted an inspirational thank you video on YouTube, which retells the whole experience and, more importantly, heavily features his adorable children. "From now on, it's all about making the game," said Mo, thanking supporters for allowing him to develop full-time. He is planning to make monthly updates throughout development. ANNE is planned to launch in early to mid 2014.

JoystiqA.N.N.E. Kickstarter concludes at over $100,000 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 22 May 2013 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>annegamesbymokickstartermacpcWed, 22 May 2013 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Heavy Gear Assault kicks off its crowdfunding campaign]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/heavy-gear-assault-kicks-off-its-crowdfunding-campaign/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/heavy-gear-assault-kicks-off-its-crowdfunding-campaign/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/heavy-gear-assault-kicks-off-its-crowdfunding-campaign/#comments
Stompy Bot Productions and Mektek Studios have launched their Kickstarter project for Heavy Gear Assault, the return of the mech combat game originally introduced by Dream Pod 9, with later games published by Activision.

The multiplayer e-sports-focused, Unreal Engine 4-powered game is in development for PC and will be free-to-play with premium subscriptions options available for players. The development team is seeking $800,000 by June 29, with a dozen stretch goals already planned for the funding project.

JoystiqHeavy Gear Assault kicks off its crowdfunding campaign originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 22 May 2013 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crowdfundinge-sportsfree-to-playheavy-gearheavy-gear-assaultkickstartermechmektek-studiospcstompy-bot-productionsWed, 22 May 2013 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Mortal Kombat: Komplete Edition konfirmed for PC in July]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/mortal-kombat-komplete-edition-konfirmed-for-pc-in-july/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/mortal-kombat-komplete-edition-konfirmed-for-pc-in-july/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/mortal-kombat-komplete-edition-konfirmed-for-pc-in-july/#commentsMortal Kombat Komplete Edition konfirmed for PC in July The Komplete Edition of the 2011 Mortal Kombat finishes Windows PC this summer, with the digital distributed fatality pinned for July 3. Retail annihilation is due a month later, so duck and cover on August 2 in Europe, and on August 6 in North America.

As per the version released for consoles last year, Komplete Edition features all the game's DLC, with the expanded roster including a certain Freddy Kreuger (the regular creepy kind), Kenshi, Scarlet, and Rain. Conduit and Kinect Star Wars developer High Voltage Games, who've just released the "addictive" puzzler Zoombies for iOS, is handling the PC port.

Gallery: Mortal Kombat Komplete Edition

Continue reading Mortal Kombat: Komplete Edition konfirmed for PC in July

JoystiqMortal Kombat: Komplete Edition konfirmed for PC in July originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 22 May 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>high-voltage-gamesmortal-kombat-2011Netherrealm-Studiospcrelease-datewarner-broswarner-bros-interactivewbieWed, 22 May 2013 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Next-gen Kinect coming to PC]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/next-gen-kinect-coming-to-pc/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/next-gen-kinect-coming-to-pc/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/next-gen-kinect-coming-to-pc/#comments Microsoft says it's bringing the newly unveiled next-gen Kinect to PC as well as the Xbox One. The company disclosed its plans to Polygon and Shacknews. Microsoft Corporate VP of Interactive Entertainment Business Ben Kilgore told Polygon the device will come to PC "at some point down the line," while Kinect Program Manager Scott Evans told Shacknews Microsoft will have "more information soon."

The new Kinect features a 1080P HD RGB camera, 30 FPS color, Time of Flight technology, and microphone arrays. It has a greater sense of depth and field of view compared to the original Kinect, and thanks to infrared tech it can see in the dark. Microsoft showed us how the sensor can track two player profiles, each tied to a controller, and also demonstrated how it can estimate players' heart rates.

Each Xbox One ships with the device. The console launches later this year.

JoystiqNext-gen Kinect coming to PC originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 22 May 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>kinectkinect-2microsoftpcxboxxbox-onexbox-revealWed, 22 May 2013 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Cheap Firaxis bundle headlines Amazon Digital Mayhem sale]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/cheap-firaxis-bundle-headlines-amazon-digital-mayhem-sale/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/cheap-firaxis-bundle-headlines-amazon-digital-mayhem-sale/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/cheap-firaxis-bundle-headlines-amazon-digital-mayhem-sale/#comments Amazon is bundling together three of Firaxis Games' most recent at a really low price. For $20, you can snag PC download codes of XCOM: Enemy Unknown, Civilization 5: Gold Edition - a definitive version with Gods and Kings and a bunch of other DLC - and Civilization 4: The Complete Edition, also including a host of DLC and extra goodies.

The Firaxis bundle headlines Amazon's Digital Mayhem promotion, with other discounts spanning Telltale's The Walking Dead, Battlefield 3, BioShock, Mark of the Ninja and many more. The sale ends on May 31, so feel free to take your time perusing the hundreds of eligible discounts.

JoystiqCheap Firaxis bundle headlines Amazon Digital Mayhem sale originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 21 May 2013 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazonamazon-digital-mayhemfiraxis-gamesmacpcxcom-enemy-unknownTue, 21 May 2013 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Call of Duty: Ghosts deploys first dev diary, screens]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/call-of-duty-ghosts-deploys-first-dev-diary-screens/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/call-of-duty-ghosts-deploys-first-dev-diary-screens/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/call-of-duty-ghosts-deploys-first-dev-diary-screens/#comments
Infinity Ward is back in the driver's seat of Call of Duty with Call of Duty: Ghosts. In this behind-the-scenes video diary, key talent opine on what that means for them.

Continue reading Call of Duty: Ghosts deploys first dev diary, screens

JoystiqCall of Duty: Ghosts deploys first dev diary, screens originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 21 May 2013 15:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>call-of-duty-ghostsmicrosoftpcplaystationps3xboxTue, 21 May 2013 15:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Inhabit one soldier (and his dog) in Call of Duty: Ghosts]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/inhabit-one-soldier-and-his-dog-in-call-of-duty-ghosts/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/inhabit-one-soldier-and-his-dog-in-call-of-duty-ghosts/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/inhabit-one-soldier-and-his-dog-in-call-of-duty-ghosts/#comments The next-generation engine debuted in Call of Duty: Ghosts will not only power the franchise's signature 60 frames-per-second gameplay, but a more coherent experience overall. According to Infinity Ward executive producer Mark Rubin, Ghosts will stick with the same protagonist and squad of soldiers throughout the game.

"If you look at Call of Duty in general, you're on the high-tech, super-powered forces. You're America, you're strong, you're Britain, Germany," Rubin told Joystiq at a recent press event in Los Angeles. "It just felt like, what if we could reverse those roles a bit, what if we had America as the underdog and not the superpower? What if we had some other countries as the big superpower and we're fighting against this more technologically superior force. And so that is really where we got: now we've got this technologically superior super force, they devastate the western world, the US, with a weapon of mass destruction of some kind - I'm not going to go into that, it will come later, and what we did is we had that event start the game, but the story picks up ten to fifteen years later and you as a soldier grew up in this new changed world."

That soldier will be a focal point for the game, Rubin said, and won't contribute to the fractured, multi-perspective narratives for which the series has drawn ire in the past. "It's not like before where you have these multiple sides and trot around. You're pretty much the same person throughout."

You'll also be accompanied by a Navy SEAL dog (not to be confused with a Moreau-style seal-dog), which can sniff out dangers and aid the team in several ways as a companion AI of sorts. As you might expect from a production of Ghosts' caliber, Infinity Ward did full motion capture on a retired SEAL dog.

Continue reading Inhabit one soldier (and his dog) in Call of Duty: Ghosts

JoystiqInhabit one soldier (and his dog) in Call of Duty: Ghosts originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 21 May 2013 13:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisioncall-of-duty-ghostsinfinity-wardmark-rubinmicrosoftpcplaystationps3xboxTue, 21 May 2013 13:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Call of Duty: Ghosts written by 'Syriana' and 'Traffic' scribe Stephen Gaghan]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/call-of-duty-ghosts-written-by-syriana-and-traffic-scribe-s/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/call-of-duty-ghosts-written-by-syriana-and-traffic-scribe-s/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/call-of-duty-ghosts-written-by-syriana-and-traffic-scribe-s/#commentsCall of Duty Ghosts written by 'Syriana' and 'Traffic' scribe Stephen Gaghan

The latest Call of Duty, dubbed Ghosts, has drafted Syriana and Traffic writer Stephen Gaghan to provide its fiction.

Games don't get more Hollywood than Call of Duty, and Activision has shown little hesitance in acquiring composers and writers from the silver screen to aid in its ever bigger and brasher efforts. Gaghan's work on Traffic, a dour crime drama, and political thriller Syriana made him a standout candidate for Ghosts. The game follows the remainder of the US military in a world scarred by a weapon of mass destruction.

According to developer Infinity Ward, Gaghan didn't swoop in and drop off a script - he requested an office, and worked from one amidst the game's single-player team all throughout the game's production. That's a sterling gesture, but I asked Call of Duty: Ghosts executive producer Mark Rubin to explain why Gaghan was deemed suitable to write for players, not viewers.

"Basically, we looked at his work - he's a great writer, no doubt about it and that's fine, there are probably lots of great writers out there," Rubin said. "So what we did is we actually got the chance to talk to him a long time before we decided to go forward with it. And we realized he was getting it. We've had writers before, and they know how to write, but they don't understand the game aspect of it.

"And I feel like with Gaghan, he really understood what we were trying to do. He asked more questions than try to sell himself, and that was, I think, a really big selling point. He was asking how things work and how we do things, and was really interested in how we craft the story, not from a writing standpoint but from the visuals and gameplay. He was really asking more questions. Although he was a gamer - he knew it from that side - he didn't know it from the dev side. He really was asking a lot of questions about the dev side, he really wanted to know more. I think that interest in what we were doing is really what drove us to him."

JoystiqCall of Duty: Ghosts written by 'Syriana' and 'Traffic' scribe Stephen Gaghan originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 21 May 2013 13:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisioncall-of-dutycall-of-duty-ghostse3-2013infinity-wardmicrosoftpcplaystationps3stephen-gaghanxboxTue, 21 May 2013 13:53:00 EST<![CDATA[Civilization 5's 'Brave New World' expansion adds Indonesia, Morocco]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/civilization-5s-brave-new-world-expansion-adds-indonesia-mor/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/civilization-5s-brave-new-world-expansion-adds-indonesia-mor/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/civilization-5s-brave-new-world-expansion-adds-indonesia-mor/#comments Two more factions, Indonesia and Morocco, have been revealed for upcoming Civilization 5 expansion, Brave New World. Leading Indonesia is Gaja Mada, famous for his military insight as prime minister of the Majapahit Empire; Ahmad al-Mansur leads the Moroccans, sultan of the Saadi dynasty in the 1500s.

Brave New World, the second expansion to Civilization 5, is due in July and will add nine new civilizations, several new wonders and modified mechanics from the base game. The first expansion, Gods and Kings, arrived last summer, adding new espionage and religious mechanics.

Gallery: Civilization 5: Brave New World (Indonesia and Morocco)

JoystiqCivilization 5's 'Brave New World' expansion adds Indonesia, Morocco originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 21 May 2013 02:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2k-gamesAhmad-al-Mansurbrave-new-worldcivilization-5expansionfiraxis-gamesgaja-madaindonesiamoroccopcTue, 21 May 2013 02:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Steam weekly: Rochard, Strike Suit Zero, Sleeping Dogs, Unreal deals]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/steam-weekly-rochard-strike-suit-zero-sleeping-dogs-unreal-d/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/steam-weekly-rochard-strike-suit-zero-sleeping-dogs-unreal-d/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/steam-weekly-rochard-strike-suit-zero-sleeping-dogs-unreal-d/#commentsSteam weekly Sleeping Dogs, Rochard cheapskies This week's round of Steam weekly deals includes Sleeping Dogs for $12.50, Rochard for $2.50, Strike Suit Zero for $10, and the Unreal Deal Pack for $10. The Unreal Deal Pack includes Unreal Gold, Unreal 2: The Awakening, Unreal Tournament 2004: Editor's Choice Edition, Unreal Tournament 3 Black and Unreal Tournament: Game of the Year Edition.

Other games on sale for up to 75 percent off this week are Jagged Alliance: Back in Action, Wasteland Angel, Lords of Football, Spectraball: Extended Edition and Steel Storm: Burning Retribution. In software (and Greenlight) titles, game design tool articy: draft SE is $67 during this week's sale.

The weekly Steam sale ends on May 27 at 10 a.m. PT.

JoystiqSteam weekly: Rochard, Strike Suit Zero, Sleeping Dogs, Unreal deals originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 20 May 2013 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>jagged-alliance-back-in-actionlords-of-footballmacpcrochardSleeping-DogsspectraballSTEAMsteel-stormStrike-Suit-ZeroUnrealWasteland-AngelMon, 20 May 2013 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Rhode Island prepared to sell 38 Studios' Amalur intellectual property]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/rhode-island-prepared-to-sell-38-studios-amalur-intellectual-pr/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/rhode-island-prepared-to-sell-38-studios-amalur-intellectual-pr/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/rhode-island-prepared-to-sell-38-studios-amalur-intellectual-pr/#comments
The state of Rhode Island's last keepsake of 38 Studios - beyond a $100-million-plus loan debt - is the company's Amalur intellectual property, which it's planning to sell off shortly. The Providence Journal reports there is interest in the asset, but the lawyer in charge of the sale hasn't revealed a value.

Meanwhile, a hearing in the state's lawsuit against the architects of the 38 Studios loan is scheduled for this Wednesday, after studio founder and former Boston Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling was unable to get the suit dismissed in March.

The sale of the studio's physical assets net the state approximately $830,000. Following the sale of the IP, Rhode Island tax payers will have to pay off the rest of the debt.

JoystiqRhode Island prepared to sell 38 Studios' Amalur intellectual property originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 20 May 2013 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>38-studioscurt-schillingpcrhode-islandrhode-island-economic-development-corporationMon, 20 May 2013 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Batman: Arkham Origins challenge mode has a Deathstroke]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/batman-arkham-origins-challenge-mode-has-a-deathstroke/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/batman-arkham-origins-challenge-mode-has-a-deathstroke/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/batman-arkham-origins-challenge-mode-has-a-deathstroke/#commentsBatman Arkham Origins challenge mode A leaked pre-order image tipped us off yesterday and the press release past the break confirms it: Deathstroke is a playable character in Batman Arkham Origins. He'll be unlocked in the game's challenge mode, and all who plunk down cash early will enjoy some exclusive maps and character skins associated with him.

Deathstroke is seemingly a leading man in the video game world now, with Batman: Arkham Origins his second role of the year after Injustice: Gods Among Us in April. His real name is Slade Wilson, a mercenary and assassin created by teenage cartoonist Gary Wilson in 1980.

Continue reading Batman: Arkham Origins challenge mode has a Deathstroke

JoystiqBatman: Arkham Origins challenge mode has a Deathstroke originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 20 May 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>batman-arkham-originsdeathstrokemicrosoftpcplaystationpre-orderps3Warner-Bros-Interactivewb-gameswb-games-montrealxboxMon, 20 May 2013 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Now Playing: May 20-26, 2013]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/now-playing-may-20-26-2013/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/now-playing-may-20-26-2013/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/now-playing-may-20-26-2013/#commentsNow Playing May 2026, 2013
Shoot up the old west this week with Call of Juarez: Gunslinger...

Choose your platform to jump to a specific release list:

Continue reading Now Playing: May 20-26, 2013

JoystiqNow Playing: May 20-26, 2013 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 20 May 2013 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsdskinectmacmicrosoftmovenintendonow-playingpcplaystationplaystation-vitaps3pspsonyvitawiiwii-uxboxMon, 20 May 2013 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Resident Evil: Revelations review: Any port in a storm]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/resident-evil-revelations-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/resident-evil-revelations-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/resident-evil-revelations-review/#commentsResident Evil Revelations review Any port in a storm The 3DS is no graphical slouch. Aside from the glasses-free 3D feature, the system can kick out some impressive scenery, and it did so with last year's Resident Evil Revelations, a well-made little horror shooter in a series that's been looking for a lifeboat lately. After launching Resident Evil 6 fewer than six months ago, Capcom seems to think HD platforms need even more Resident Evil love, and so this week Revelations hits Xbox 360, PS3, Windows PCs, and the Wii U.

Playing it in enhanced form on an HD console, however, feels just a little goofy. The textures do look excellent, but the game's models are clearly made for a more lightweight graphics engine, which means you get characters with hair frozen in place and enemies with just a few animations to use over and over again. Revelations was made for a handheld machine, and its designers cut corners that the other platforms would have let them curve around more gracefully.

But Revelations' saving grace is that it's a Resident Evil game, and it's a good Resident Evil game at that. For that reason, fans of the series who missed out the first time around will probably appreciate the chance to see it for themselves.

Gallery: Resident Evil: Revelations (5/20/13)

Continue reading Resident Evil: Revelations review: Any port in a storm

JoystiqResident Evil: Revelations review: Any port in a storm originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 20 May 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>consoleshandheldmicrosoftnintendonintendo-3dspcplaystationportps3raid-moderesident-evilresident-evil-revelationsreviewwii-uxboxMon, 20 May 2013 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Penny Arcade launches Rain-Slick 3 giveaway, series finale coming June 7]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/penny-arcade-launches-rain-slick-3-giveaway-series-finale-comin/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/penny-arcade-launches-rain-slick-3-giveaway-series-finale-comin/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/penny-arcade-launches-rain-slick-3-giveaway-series-finale-comin/#commentsPenny Arcade's RainSlick 3 free on Steam today, series finale coming June 7 Cthulhu Saves the World developer Zeboyd Games announced that its series finale Penny Arcade's On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness 4 will launch on Friday, June 7 for Windows and the Xbox Live Indie Games service.

To mark the occasion, Zeboyd and Penny Arcade are giving away free Steam codes for Rain-Slick 3. Zeboyd assures that the giveaway has no strings attached, but fans have a limited window of opportunity to hop on this deal, as the offer ends tomorrow.

Zeboyd Games resumed the Rain-Slick series after the departure of previous developer Hothead Games, producing a pair of JRPG-inspired sequels. Rain-Slick 3 was supported with a wealth of free DLC, and the upcoming sequel will likely follow suit.

JoystiqPenny Arcade launches Rain-Slick 3 giveaway, series finale coming June 7 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 20 May 2013 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftpcpenny-arcade-adventures-3penny-arcade-adventures-4windowsxboxzeboyd-gamesMon, 20 May 2013 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Watch Dogs GameStop, Amazon pre-order goods have eyes on you]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/watch-dogs-gamestop-amazon-pre-order-goods-have-eyes-on-you/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/watch-dogs-gamestop-amazon-pre-order-goods-have-eyes-on-you/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/watch-dogs-gamestop-amazon-pre-order-goods-have-eyes-on-you/#comments North American retailers GameStop and Amazon are offering up their own pre-order incentives for Watch Dogs, Ubisoft announced today.

Those who commit early through GameStop will receive an additional single-player mission, with a perk that unlocks "exclusive investigation opportunities inside of the network" and bonus cash when hacking into bank accounts, plus an exclusive poster designed by Alex Ross. Amazon pre-orders also get an exclusive mission that, upon completion, unlocks a special biometric assault rifle and an outfit.

Watch Dogs launches on the Xbox 360, PS3, PC and Wii U on November 19. A port is also planned for next-generation consoles.

Gallery: Watch Dogs (Pre-Order Bonuses)

Continue reading Watch Dogs GameStop, Amazon pre-order goods have eyes on you

JoystiqWatch Dogs GameStop, Amazon pre-order goods have eyes on you originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 20 May 2013 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazongamestopmicrosoftnintendopcplaystationps3ubisoftubisoft-reflectionswatch-dogswii-uxboxMon, 20 May 2013 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Resident Evil: Revelations DLC characters, upgrades outlined]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/resident-evil-revelations-dlc-characters-upgrades-outlined/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/resident-evil-revelations-dlc-characters-upgrades-outlined/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/resident-evil-revelations-dlc-characters-upgrades-outlined/#comments
Resident Evil: Revelations launches this week and Capcom has promised some DLC. It starts on June 4 with the Resistance and Enhancement sets for 160 MS Points ($2), each including six different weapon upgrades. Then, on June 11, Capcom will issue two additional characters for use in Raid mode: Rachel Ooze and Lady Hunk. Each character costs 240 MS Points ($3).

Resident Evil: Revelations is a remake of the 3DS game bearing the same name launched by Capcom in early 2012. Bridging the story between Resident Evil 4 and Resident Evil 5, Revelations follows series regulars Jill and Chris, and takes place aboard a derelict cruise liner called the SS Queen Zenobia. A free demo has been available to all on Xbox 360, PS3, Wii U and Steam since last week.

Gallery: Resident Evil: Revelations (5/20/13)

Continue reading Resident Evil: Revelations DLC characters, upgrades outlined

JoystiqResident Evil: Revelations DLC characters, upgrades outlined originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 20 May 2013 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>capcomdlcmicrosoftnintendopcplaystationps3resident-evilresident-evil-revelationswii-uxboxMon, 20 May 2013 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Reinventing Shadow Warrior for the modern era]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/reinventing-shadow-warrior-for-the-modern-era/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/reinventing-shadow-warrior-for-the-modern-era/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/reinventing-shadow-warrior-for-the-modern-era/#commentsReinventing Shadow Warrior for the modern day player Just over 16 years ago, Shadow Warrior launched on PC. As the follow-up to 3D Realms' popular shooter Duke Nukem 3D, the two bore similarities; both donned an iconic first-person shooter style, substituting substance for violence at every turn. While Duke Nukem was a macho, chauvinist with all the ammo he could ever need, Shadow Warrior's main character was crass in a slightly different, albeit still offensive way.

The ninja assassin protagonist, Lo Wang, intended as a spoof on East Asian action heroes, was a walking racial stereotype. Lo Wang shouted "you want-a some wang?" with a mocking Asian accent, used chopsticks to catch flies, picked up fortune cookies in secret areas and fought sumo wrestlers. For many, Shadow Warrior was offensive and the game was criticized heavily for it.

Sixteen years later, Devolver Digital and developer Flying Wild Hog have announced a collaboration to reinvent Shadow Warrior; the spoils of the partnership due this fall on PC and in 2014 for unspecified next-gen consoles. While a modern Shadow Warrior will bare an updated skin, the "reinvention" isn't expected to be a departure from the original game's roots.

Gallery: Shadow Warrior (Announce)

Continue reading Reinventing Shadow Warrior for the modern era

JoystiqReinventing Shadow Warrior for the modern era originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 20 May 2013 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3d-realmsdevolver-digitalflying-wild-hoginterviewjan-bartkowicznigel-lowriepcreimaginingshadow-warriorMon, 20 May 2013 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Splinter Cell: Blacklist trailer features stealthy co-op]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/splinter-cell-blacklist-trailer-features-stealthy-co-op/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/splinter-cell-blacklist-trailer-features-stealthy-co-op/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/splinter-cell-blacklist-trailer-features-stealthy-co-op/#comments
Ubisoft has released a new trailer for Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Blacklist, showcasing gameplay from its co-op narrative campaign and some gruff banter between Sam Fisher and his partner-in-stealth Isaac Briggs.

Splinter Cell is beefing up its multiplayer offerings for the latest series entry, as Blacklist will feature both a two-player co-op campaign and the returning Spies vs. Mercs multiplayer mode. We had a chat with Blacklist's lead co-op designer Richard Carrillo earlier this month, in which he confirmed that teammates will need to adapt to multiple playstyles in order to survive.

Blacklist's co-op element spans four mission types and 14 maps, and is playable online and in local split-screen. Splinter Cell: Blacklist is set to launch for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii U, and PC platforms on August 20.

JoystiqSplinter Cell: Blacklist trailer features stealthy co-op originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 20 May 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftnintendopcplaystationps3splinter-cell-blacklistubisoftwii-uxboxMon, 20 May 2013 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Batman: Arkham Origins stars Roger Craig Smith as Batman, Troy Baker as Joker]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/batman-arkham-origins-stars-roger-craig-smith-as-batman-troy-b/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/batman-arkham-origins-stars-roger-craig-smith-as-batman-troy-b/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/batman-arkham-origins-stars-roger-craig-smith-as-batman-troy-b/#commentsArkham Origins stars Roger Craig Smith as Batman, Troy Baker as Joker Warner Bros. revealed Batman: Arkham Origins is fronted by two of gaming's most prominent voice actors. Roger Craig Smith is confirmed as the caped crusader, and Troy Baker is his nemesis, the Joker.

If you don't recognize the names, you'll definitely recognize their previous work. Craig Smith's immense portfolio includes Ezio Auditore from Assassin's Creed, Chris Redfield from Resident Evil, and he's the current voice of Sonic. While he's never starred in anything Batman related, he does have superhero experience. It is for the other side, however; he's played Captain America in both games and animations.

Baker is similarly prolific. While he recently graced our screens as Booker DeWitt in BioShock Infinite, his past work includes Sgt. Matt Baker in Gearbox's Brothers in Arms, Snow from the Final Fantasy 13 line, Kai Leng from Mass Effect 3, and Vincent from Catherine. When we profiled Baker around this time last year, he shared his love for all things Batman on the back of starring in Arkham City.

"Being a part of Arkham City was just incredible - because I'm a huge Batman fan," Baker told us, "And to play Two-Face and Robin after growing up watching The Animated Series was a banner moment for me."

The news follows apparent confirmation long-time Batman vocalist Kevin Conroy does star in Origins, but how he features remains to be seen. We know Origins deals with Batman's "initiation into that insane world" of the other Arkham games, so perhaps Conroy's role is something retrospective. Even if Conroy doesn't play the dark knight in any sense in Origins, to fans he's still the goddamn Batman.

Bat-click here to check out our preview and the new trailer.

JoystiqBatman: Arkham Origins stars Roger Craig Smith as Batman, Troy Baker as Joker originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 20 May 2013 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>batman-arkham-originsmicrosoftnintendopcplaystationps3roger-craig-smithtroy-bakerwarner-brosWarner-Bros-Interactivewarner-bros-montrealWBIEwii-uxboxMon, 20 May 2013 09:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Year Wane: The challenges facing Batman in Arkham Origins]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/batman-arkham-origins-preview/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/batman-arkham-origins-preview/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/batman-arkham-origins-preview/#comments
Batman: Arkham Origins follows the world's most enduring vigilante after just two years on the job. The developers at Warner Bros. Montreal, taking over from Rocksteady Studios and their critically acclaimed construction of Arkham Asylum and Arkham City, want to convey a "rawer, scarier Batman." He's all growl and grimace in the cutscenes, dangling squirming henchmen from clock towers until they turn verbose, but in play his rookie temper is more difficult to detect.

The prequel is a tricky proposition, especially when it concerns history that's been dissected again and again across comics, movies and games. It's harder to conjure narrative tension while it's colored by the inevitable outcome, and that draws greater scrutiny on mechanical expansion and refinement. Why does this younger Batman make for a better Batman game?

Gallery: Batman: Arkham Origins (5/20/13)

Continue reading Year Wane: The challenges facing Batman in Arkham Origins

JoystiqYear Wane: The challenges facing Batman in Arkham Origins originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 20 May 2013 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>batman-arkham-originse3-2013microsoftnintendopcplaystationps3warner-bros-montrealwii-uxboxMon, 20 May 2013 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Metro: Last Light shines in this week's UK charts]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/metro-last-light-shines-in-this-weeks-uk-charts/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/metro-last-light-shines-in-this-weeks-uk-charts/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/metro-last-light-shines-in-this-weeks-uk-charts/#comments It's another familiar week of UK cha-... oh wait, it isn't.

After Dead Island: Riptide sliced through its competition for three weeks, this time it's dethroned by another follow-up in the form of Metro: Last Light. By debuting in top spot, it does what Metro 2033 failed to do when it placed fifth in 2010.

Chart-Track says Metro 2033 sold stronger than Last Light in its launch week. Back then, Metro 2033 was fighting March megatons like Final Fantasy 13, God of War 3, and Battlefield Bad Company 2. In contrast, May 2013 has been dead quiet - emphasis on dead.

Having said that, this week sees another new release in the top ten via Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity. The spinoff charts fourth this week. We expect the next 3DS Poke-game to do slightly better.

In other movers and shakers, Last Light only nudged Riptide into second place, making this week a 1-2 for Deep Silver and Koch Media. Tomb Raider drops out of the top five for the first time in its 11th week, slipping down to sixth. Meanwhile, Injustice: Gods Among Us and The Walking Dead (packaged retail edition) shuffle into eighth and seventh.

Continue reading Metro: Last Light shines in this week's UK charts

JoystiqMetro: Last Light shines in this week's UK charts originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 20 May 2013 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chart-trackchart-track-weeklydeep-silverKoch-mediametro-2033-last-lightmetro-2034metro-last-lightmicrosoftpcplaystationps3ukxboxMon, 20 May 2013 07:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Spicy Horse's Oz game is OZombie: 'If I only had some brainsss']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/19/spicy-horses-oz-game-is-ozombie-if-i-only-had-some-brainsss/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/19/spicy-horses-oz-game-is-ozombie-if-i-only-had-some-brainsss/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/19/spicy-horses-oz-game-is-ozombie-if-i-only-had-some-brainsss/#commentsSpicy Horse's Oz game is OZombie 'If I only had some brainsss' Spicy Horse's Oz game combines the undead with "an Oz not of our remembering" - it's called OZombie, and it stars Dorothy, Toto, the Lion and the Tin Woodsman. The Scarecrow, who always wanted brains, is cast as the villain in this iteration, and instead of carrying around a basket, Dorothy gets a repeater.

Spicy Horse is unsure which game it will make next, OZombie or Alice: Otherlands, and it all depends on whether the studio can regain the Alice rights from EA. If Spicy Horse and EA work out a good deal, then Alice it is. If not, OZombie gets the green light and probably a Kickstarter.

"Actually, the more I think about it - and the more I see/hear feedback from you guys - the more I'm personally leaning towards Oz," Spicy Horse founder American McGee writes on the OZombie Facebook page. "There's so much fun stuff to explore, so many interesting characters and locations to discover. Wonderland will also be there, if not today, if not the next project, then perhaps the one after that?"

Keep in mind (and mind your brains) that OZombie is entirely separate from American McGee's Oz, the game Atari canceled in 2004.

JoystiqSpicy Horse's Oz game is OZombie: 'If I only had some brainsss' originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 19 May 2013 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alice-otherlandsandroidiosipadiphonemobileozozombiepcspicy-horsethe-wizard-of-ozWizard-of-OzSun, 19 May 2013 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Terry Cavanagh picks up 'proper, meaty puzzle game,' Halting Problem]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/19/terry-cavanagh-picks-up-proper-meaty-puzzle-game-halting-pro/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/19/terry-cavanagh-picks-up-proper-meaty-puzzle-game-halting-pro/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/19/terry-cavanagh-picks-up-proper-meaty-puzzle-game-halting-pro/#commentsTerry Cavanagh working on 'Halting Problem,' a puzzle game Terry Cavanagh throws a ton of game ideas into the online hive mind, and it looks like he found one that sticks with Halting Problem (tentative title). Last week Cavanagh posted a set of Vines - "Pushing a block" and "Fistbump" - and this weekend he wrote in his blog that Halting Problem will probably be his "main focus for a while."

"A proper, meaty puzzle game is something I've wanted to make for ages, and I'm having lots of fun just messing around with the mechanics for this one and seeing what I can make out of them," Cavanagh said. It's inspired by DROD, but also things like Qrostar games, Zachtronic games, and my flatmate Increpare's games."

Cavanagh said he's really excited about this one - and so is that happy little sprite.

JoystiqTerry Cavanagh picks up 'proper, meaty puzzle game,' Halting Problem originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 19 May 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>halting-problemIndiepcterry-cavanaghSun, 19 May 2013 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Arkham Origins stars Deathstroke in some playable capacity]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/19/arkham-origins-stars-deathstroke-in-some-playable-capacity/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/19/arkham-origins-stars-deathstroke-in-some-playable-capacity/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/19/arkham-origins-stars-deathstroke-in-some-playable-capacity/#commentsAmazon listing shows Deathstroke playable in Arkham Origins A Batman: Arkham Origins pre-order image on Amazon offers Deathstroke as a playable character via DLC. Check it out in a rolling image header here.

Batman and Deathstroke went head-to-head in last week's teaser video, but there was no word on how the striker of mortality would be incorporated into Arkham Origins. This could be a Catwoman in Arkham City situation, where she got an entire spin-off campaign, or it might be something entirely new.

One aspect of Arkham Origins is confirmed today - Kevin Conroy will return as a voice actor.

JoystiqArkham Origins stars Deathstroke in some playable capacity originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 19 May 2013 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazonbatman-arkham-originsDeathstrokeDLCmicrosoftnintendopcplaystationps3wii-uxboxSun, 19 May 2013 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Why Defiance's 'fun now, depth later' is great for MMORPGs]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/19/why-defiances-fun-now-depth-later-is-great-for-mmorpgs/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/19/why-defiances-fun-now-depth-later-is-great-for-mmorpgs/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/19/why-defiances-fun-now-depth-later-is-great-for-mmorpgs/#commentsThis is a weekly column from freelancer Rowan Kaiser, which focuses on "Western" role-playing games: their stories, their histories, their mechanics, their insanity, and their inanity.

Why Defiance's 'fun now, depth later' is great for MMORPGs
I had my World of Warcraft year. In 2007, when 'The Burning Crusade' came out, the game clicked with me and it became almost the only thing I played for months on end, to the point where I started raiding with an up-and-coming guild. I know many other people who've had that year, with WoW or some other massively multiplayer game, before they lost interest, burnt out, or continued out of habit more than joy. In the last year or so, I've tried several massively-multiplayer role-playing games - Star Wars: The Old Republic, Guild Wars 2, The Secret World - and couldn't find that magic again. I could admire the design, but quickly lost interest in playing them. I was starting to think I'd never really like a massively multiplayer game again - and then, on a whim, I decided to check out Defiance.

Defiance is the main game I've been playing for two weeks now, and this may continue. It's not that it's less flawed than the other MMORPGs, but instead that the parts of the game that it focuses on hold much more appeal to me. To put it another way: Most games within this genre are focused on combat, and Defiance's combat is significantly more fun for me than its competitors'.

Gallery: Defiance (PAX East 2012)

Continue reading Why Defiance's 'fun now, depth later' is great for MMORPGs

JoystiqWhy Defiance's 'fun now, depth later' is great for MMORPGs originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 19 May 2013 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>defianceHuman-Head-Studiosmicrosoftpcplaystationps3Trion-WorldsxboxSun, 19 May 2013 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Kevin Conroy returns for Batman: Arkham Origins [Update: But not as Batman]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/19/kevin-conroy-returns-for-batman-arkham-origins/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/19/kevin-conroy-returns-for-batman-arkham-origins/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/19/kevin-conroy-returns-for-batman-arkham-origins/#comments

Update: Kevin Conroy will be in Arkham Origins, but not as Batman, despite his storied career with that character. Arkham Origins stars Roger Craig Smith as Batman and Troy Baker as the Joker, Warner Bros. announced on May 20.

Original story: Kevin Conroy will be in Batman: Arkham Origins, and he's already spent 10 months in the studio recording those gruff-yet-dulcet tones. Conroy confirmed his involvement at Dallas Comic-Con, but didn't specify if he plays The Bat himself - not that he has to. He opened the panel with, "I am vengeance. I am the night. I am Batman." Because, you know, he is.

NAG magazine reported in April that Warner Bros. had passed on Conroy for Arkham Origins.

Conroy voiced Batman in both Arkham Asylum and Arkham City, and he was the man behind Bruce Wayne in Batman: The Animated Series, Batman: Beyond and subsequent DC universe cartoon spin-offs. Arkham Origins is scheduled to launch on October 25 for Xbox 360, PS3, PC and Wii U.

JoystiqKevin Conroy returns for Batman: Arkham Origins [Update: But not as Batman] originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 19 May 2013 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Batmanbatman-arkham-originskevin-conroymicrosoftnintendopcplaystationps3wii-uxboxSun, 19 May 2013 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Get $20 to $25 off BioShock Infinite on Amazon today]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/19/get-20-to-25-off-bioshock-infinite-on-amazon-today/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/19/get-20-to-25-off-bioshock-infinite-on-amazon-today/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/19/get-20-to-25-off-bioshock-infinite-on-amazon-today/#comments Today's Gold Box deal of the day on Amazon is BioShock Infinite. Downloadable PC versions of the game are $25 off ($35), whereas boxed copies of the PC, Xbox 360 and PS3 versions are $20 off ($40) for today only.

Meanwhile, $35 Steam codes through Groupon for the game appear to still be available until the end of the day. What we're trying to say is, today might be a good day to buy a new game.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

JoystiqGet $20 to $25 off BioShock Infinite on Amazon today originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 19 May 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2K-Gamesamazonamazon-gold-boxbioshock-infiniteIrrational-Gamesmicrosoftpcplaystationps3salexboxSun, 19 May 2013 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Among the Sleep Kickstarter ends nearly $50k beyond its target]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/18/among-the-sleep-kickstarter-ends-nearly-50k-beyond-its-target/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/18/among-the-sleep-kickstarter-ends-nearly-50k-beyond-its-target/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/18/among-the-sleep-kickstarter-ends-nearly-50k-beyond-its-target/#comments Krillbite Studio's first-person baby simulator/horror game Among the Sleep has completed its 30-day Kickstarter campaign, raising a grand total of $248,358 from 8,110 backers - nearly $50,000 more than the $200,000 fundraising goal originally set.

All that extra cash will be put towards buying ice cream, Oculus Rift compatibility and a developer commentary track, though the campaign's bonus earnings didn't extend far enough for the "supersecret free DLC" stretch goal to be funded. Among the Sleep is expected to launch on PC, OSX and Linux during the fourth quarter of this year, but intrigued folks can go ahead and check out the game's public alpha.

JoystiqAmong the Sleep Kickstarter ends nearly $50k beyond its target originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 18 May 2013 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>among-the-sleepkickstarterkrillbite-studiolinuxmacpcsuccessSat, 18 May 2013 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Resident Evil: Revelations adds Pirate Jill, Sailor Chris, Ninja Keith]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/18/resident-evil-revelations-adds-pirate-jill-sailor-chris-ninja/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/18/resident-evil-revelations-adds-pirate-jill-sailor-chris-ninja/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/18/resident-evil-revelations-adds-pirate-jill-sailor-chris-ninja/#commentsResident Evil Revelations adds Pirate Jill, Sailor Chris, Ninja Keith The upcoming console/PC iteration of Resident Evil: Revelations will include a trio of confusing new costumes for Jill Valentine, Chris Redfield and Keith Lumley, Capcom has announced. As can be seen in the gallery, Jill and Chris both sport equally leggy nautical-themed outfits, while Keith channels his inner One Piece character as a shirtless sword-guy in hammer pants.

Costumes are unlocked by playing through the game's Campaign and Raid modes, in addition to "other unlocking mechanisms" that Capcom is keeping a secret. We're just hoping Capcom eventually rides this train of thought all the way to its logical extreme: Pretty Soldier Sailor Claire Redfield.

Gallery: Resident Evil: Revelations (New costumes)

JoystiqResident Evil: Revelations adds Pirate Jill, Sailor Chris, Ninja Keith originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 18 May 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Capcomchris-redfieldcostumesjill-valentineKeith-Lumleymicrosoftnintendopcplaystationps3resident-evil-revelationswii-uxboxSat, 18 May 2013 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Costco UK selling full-size F1 simulator for just £90,000]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/18/costco-uk-selling-full-size-f1-simulator-for-just-90-000/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/18/costco-uk-selling-full-size-f1-simulator-for-just-90-000/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/18/costco-uk-selling-full-size-f1-simulator-for-just-90-000/#commentsCostco UK selling fullsize F1 simulator for just 90,000 Costco UK is selling an FMCG International F1 racing simulator for £89,999.89 (including delivery and installation!), or $138,338.83, which is still significantly cheaper than owning an actual Formula 1 car. We also assume it's probably a tiny bit safer and easier to maintain, but that's just a hunch.

The body is available in "your own choice of colour" and is made out of various combinations of composite materials, alloys and carbon fiber, with real wheels, tyres, chromed-out exhaust tips and everything. There's no engine or transmission, obviously, but it does come with one of those totally awesome detachable steering wheels.

The gaming portion of the rig is powered by an Intel Core i7, an SSD of unknown capacity, 16 gigs of RAM and a non-specified graphics card outputting to three 23-inch adjustable TFT monitors. Meanwhile, sweet jams are pumped through a 5.1 audio system into both the car's body and your body, since the subwoofer is located directly behind the driver's seat.

JoystiqCostco UK selling full-size F1 simulator for just £90,000 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 18 May 2013 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>costcoF1FMCG-InternationalpcracingreplicasimsimulationsimulatorSat, 18 May 2013 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Sims 3 producers guide you through Island Paradise DLC]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/18/sims-3-producers-guide-you-through-island-paradise-dlc/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/18/sims-3-producers-guide-you-through-island-paradise-dlc/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/18/sims-3-producers-guide-you-through-island-paradise-dlc/#comments
EA recently provided us with a producer walkthrough video for The Sims 3 Island Paradise DLC, an upcoming expansion pack for the game. The DLC takes players to the Isle Paradiso where, as seen in the video, they can cruise on houseboats from port to port.

Players will also get to build their own resort on the island when the expansion launches June 28. Before that, however, The Sims 3 Dragon Valley world will open on May 30.

Gallery: The Sims 3 - Island Paradise (5/16/13)

JoystiqSims 3 producers guide you through Island Paradise DLC originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 18 May 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>EAElectronic-ArtspcThe-Sims-3Sat, 18 May 2013 12:00:00 EST