Joystiq PS3 http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq PS3 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[The Bureau declassifies DLC plans]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/19/xcom-the-bureau-declassifies-dlc-plans/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/19/xcom-the-bureau-declassifies-dlc-plans/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/19/xcom-the-bureau-declassifies-dlc-plans/#commentsImage Publisher 2K Games announced today that The Bureau: XCOM Declassified will have pre-order and post-launch downloadable content, which is about as shocking of a revelation as knowing Marmite will divide humanity into the two groups of the next great war.

"We're excited that our stories will provide a new perspective on the war effort, much like how our critically acclaimed Minvera's Den DLC for BioShock 2 allowed us to present a unique perspective of Rapture," said Morgan Gray, development director at 2K Marin.

The game's pre-order bonus is the "Codebreakers" side mission. In it, Special Agent Carter and his squad must reestablish contact a top-secret government communications facility, eliminate any threats and decrypt the employee's combined lunch order. There are no details about the post-launch DLC, but the first pack "will be available exclusively to Xbox 360 players."

The Bureau: XCOM Declassified will fight the future on August 20 and 23 in North America and internationally, respectively.

JoystiqThe Bureau declassifies DLC plans originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 19 Jun 2013 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2k-games2K-Marinmicrosoftpcplaystationps3Take-Two-Interactivethe-bureau-xcom-declassifiedxboxxcomWed, 19 Jun 2013 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Bureau: XCOM Declassified files 'Battle Focus' trailer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/19/the-bureau-xcom-declassified-files-battle-focus-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/19/the-bureau-xcom-declassified-files-battle-focus-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/19/the-bureau-xcom-declassified-files-battle-focus-trailer/#comments
Unearthed from a crate thought lost to Hangar XCOM, this gameplay trailer shows how 2K Marin meshes real-time shooting with strategy in The Bureau. Time can be slowed down while players get tactical via a radial menu, from which they can command Special Agent Will Carter and his trusty squadmates.

Also, it shows us that if you're going to see off an extraterrestrial invasion, you may as well do it dressed to the nines - Carter is the definition of dapper in that vid. Independence Day could only have been improved if Jeff Goldblum had boarded that spaceship in a tux.

The fashion of alien warfare aside, The Bureau: XCOM Declassified touches down on PS3, Xbox 360, and PC on August 20.

JoystiqThe Bureau: XCOM Declassified files 'Battle Focus' trailer originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 19 Jun 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2k2k-games2k-marinmicrosoftpcplaystationps3the-bureau-xcom-declassifiedxboxxcomWed, 19 Jun 2013 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PSA: PS3 users reporting 'bricked' systems after 4.45 firmware update [Update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/18/psa-ps3-users-reporting-bricked-systems-after-4-45-firmware-u/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/18/psa-ps3-users-reporting-bricked-systems-after-4-45-firmware-u/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/18/psa-ps3-users-reporting-bricked-systems-after-4-45-firmware-u/#comments A new firmware update for the PS3 is live, but a significant number of reports indicate it's locking users out of their systems. Posters on the official PS3 Support forum noted they couldn't boot their systems after the update, and some users said restoring file systems didn't resolve the issue.

According to the PlayStation Twitter account, the 4.45 update includes trophy notification options and improves system stability - hmm.

We've reached out to Sony to clarify the situation. While the issues don't seem to be affecting all users, it might be wise to stay clear of the update for the time being.

Update: Sony Computer Entertainment sent us the following statement this morning:
"We are aware of reports that the recent PlayStation 3 system software update (version 4.45) has caused the XMB to not display on a small number of PS3 systems. We have temporarily taken 4.45 offline and are investigating the cause of the problem. We will announce when the system update is available for download as soon as possible. We apologise for the inconvenience."

JoystiqPSA: PS3 users reporting 'bricked' systems after 4.45 firmware update [Update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 18 Jun 2013 23:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>firmwareps3updateTue, 18 Jun 2013 23:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 gets 'Vengeance' DLC map pack July 2]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/18/call-of-duty-black-ops-2-gets-vengeance-dlc-map-pack-july-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/18/call-of-duty-black-ops-2-gets-vengeance-dlc-map-pack-july-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/18/call-of-duty-black-ops-2-gets-vengeance-dlc-map-pack-july-2/#comments
Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 is ready to fire off its next DLC salvo on July 2 on Xbox Live, with PS3 and PC versions to follow. The Vengeance map pack includes new multiplayer maps Rush, Detour, Cove and Uplink, which a remake of Summit from the original Black Ops.

Buried, a new Zombies mode variant, is included with Vengeance along with the Ray Gun Mark 2 weapon, available exclusively in Zombies mode. No pricing is announced in the video above, though the two previous DLC offerings - Revolution and Uprising - were both priced at 1,200 MS Points ($15) each.

Continue reading Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 gets 'Vengeance' DLC map pack July 2

JoystiqCall of Duty: Black Ops 2 gets 'Vengeance' DLC map pack July 2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 18 Jun 2013 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisioncall-of-duty-black-ops-2dlcmicrosoftpcplaystationps3treyarchvengeancexboxTue, 18 Jun 2013 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Destiny's online battlegrounds explained by Bungie]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/18/destinys-online-battlegrounds-explained-by-bungie/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/18/destinys-online-battlegrounds-explained-by-bungie/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/18/destinys-online-battlegrounds-explained-by-bungie/#comments
We spoke with Bungie's Chris Butcher, engineering lead for online shooter Destiny, about the overall concept of the game and its mishmash of genres. Destiny is primarily a shooter, as shown in gameplay footage released at the show, but we also discuss some of its other flavors and social components.

Butcher, being the engineering guy, also gets some time to geek out about the game's lighting and animation.

Gallery: Destiny (E3 2013)

JoystiqDestiny's online battlegrounds explained by Bungie originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 18 Jun 2013 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ActivisionActivision-Blizzardbungiedestinymicrosoftplaystationps3xboxTue, 18 Jun 2013 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[PSN Tuesday: Dungeons & Dragons, Giana Sisters, Jak & Daxters]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/18/psn-tuesday-dungeons-and-dragons-giana-sisters-jak-and-daxters/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/18/psn-tuesday-dungeons-and-dragons-giana-sisters-jak-and-daxters/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/18/psn-tuesday-dungeons-and-dragons-giana-sisters-jak-and-daxters/#comments
The weekly PSN update is live, unlocking Capcom's collected quest classics, Dungeons and Dragons: Chronicles of Mystara. Joining the 2D beat-em-up is Giana Sisters: Twisted Dreams, which finally makes its way to PSN after its Xbox Live Arcade debut back in March.

The Jak and Daxter Collection - which includes all three original PS2 games, Jak and Daxter, Jak 2 and Jak 3 - steps up on PS Vita today, along with Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two. Rounding out this week's update are free PS Plus games Saints Row: The Third and Gods Eater Burst.

For the full list of this week's PlayStation Network content, hit up the PlayStation Blog.

JoystiqPSN Tuesday: Dungeons & Dragons, Giana Sisters, Jak & Daxters originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 18 Jun 2013 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>capcomdungeons-and-dragons-chronicles-of-mystaragiana-sisters-twisted-dreamsjak-2jak-3jak-and-daxterplaystationplaystation-vitaps3psn-tuesdaypspsonyvitaTue, 18 Jun 2013 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[D&D: Chronicles of Mystara gets enhanced PS3 retail release in Japan]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/18/dandd-chronicles-of-mystara-gets-enhanced-ps3-retail-release-in-j/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/18/dandd-chronicles-of-mystara-gets-enhanced-ps3-retail-release-in-j/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/18/dandd-chronicles-of-mystara-gets-enhanced-ps3-retail-release-in-j/#commentsD&D Chronicles of Mystara gets enhanced PS3 retail release in Japan While Capcom's arcade brawler compilation Dungeons & Dragons: Chronicles of Mystara hits the PlayStation Network in North America tonight (and Xbox Live Arcade tomorrow), D&D fans in Japan might want to hold out for an upcoming PlayStation 3 retail release, which offers exclusive features and enhancements not found in the digital version.

The PS3 retail version's Facebook page describes the release as a treasure trove for retro gaming connoisseurs, comparing it to the well-received Street Fighter Alpha Anthology on the PlayStation 2. The collection includes a color-edit feature, and allows multiple players to play as same character. The retail edition also offers an in-depth series of options, allowing players to toggle features like random damage and breakable weapons. A similar "House Rules" system was announced for the digital release.

The digital version set for release this week is developed by Iron Galaxy, who previously produced arcade compilations like Darkstalkers Resurrection and Marvel vs. Capcom Origins. NeoGAF member toypop notes that the PlayStation 3 Blu-ray version of Chronicles of Mystara is developed by an internal Capcom team staffed by developers of the original Dungeons & Dragons arcade games.

The PlayStation 3 retail version of Dungeons & Dragons: Chronicles of Mystara will launch in Japan this August. Capcom confirmed with Joystiq that the retail edition is exclusive to Japan, and is not scheduled for a North American release.

JoystiqD&D: Chronicles of Mystara gets enhanced PS3 retail release in Japan originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 18 Jun 2013 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>capcomdungeons-and-dragons-chronicles-of-mystaraplaystationps3psnxblaTue, 18 Jun 2013 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Earth Defense Force 2025 adds another cheesy chapter to D3's bug book]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/18/earth-defense-force-2025-adds-another-cheesy-chapter-to-d3s-bug/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/18/earth-defense-force-2025-adds-another-cheesy-chapter-to-d3s-bug/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/18/earth-defense-force-2025-adds-another-cheesy-chapter-to-d3s-bug/#commentsEarth Defense Force 2025 adds yet another cheesy chapter to D3's longrunning series With all of the hubbub about next-gen at this year's E3, Earth Defense Force 2025 stood out as the product of an entirely different generation, one where wildly idiosyncratic Japanese-developed games both delighted and confused gamers willing to take a risk on untested and out-there concepts.

Technically, it's a complete mess, though I'm sure any fan of Earth Defense Force can tell you the series has never been known for its impeccable graphics or silky smooth action. Despite its rough edges in comparison to the polished Xbox One and PS4 games on display in the very same convention center, EDF 2025 still carries a unique charm.

Continue reading Earth Defense Force 2025 adds another cheesy chapter to D3's bug book

JoystiqEarth Defense Force 2025 adds another cheesy chapter to D3's bug book originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 18 Jun 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>D3-PublisherE3-2013earth-defense-force-2025microsoftNamco-Bandaiplaystationps3xboxTue, 18 Jun 2013 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Mad Max not Barlog's rumored project, says Avalanche CEO]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/18/mad-max-not-barlogs-rumored-project-says-avalanche-ceo/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/18/mad-max-not-barlogs-rumored-project-says-avalanche-ceo/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/18/mad-max-not-barlogs-rumored-project-says-avalanche-ceo/#comments
Avalanche's Mad Max game is not THAT Mad Max game, apparently
Though Mad Max has been a project spanning several years, going through several iterations in that time, Avalanche Studios CEO Christofer Sundberg claims it's not the game that was rumored in 2008.

God of War 2 lead Cory Barlog had reportedly gone to Avalanche Studios in 2010 to work on a Mad Max game, tied to a new movie. "I don't know what [Barlog] worked on before he started working with us," Sundberg told Polygon, "but when we worked together he wasn't on Mad Max."

Sundberg said the team has been in production on this Mad Max game for around 18 months, though it's been at Avalanche in some capacity for years now. "The game has gone through a series of iterations. We've been working for it for a couple years."

Mad Max is due in 2014, for PS4, PS3, Xbox One and Xbox 360. We saw the open-world action game game at E3 and caught up with our old hillbilly pal, Chumbucket.

JoystiqMad Max not Barlog's rumored project, says Avalanche CEO originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 18 Jun 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>avalanche-studioscory-barlogmad-maxmad-max-gamemicrosoftplaystationps3xboxTue, 18 Jun 2013 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Navigating the Castle of Illusion with a 3D Mickey Mouse]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/18/navigating-the-castle-of-illusion-with-a-3d-mickey-mouse/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/18/navigating-the-castle-of-illusion-with-a-3d-mickey-mouse/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/18/navigating-the-castle-of-illusion-with-a-3d-mickey-mouse/#commentsCastle of Illusion starring Mickey Mouse When players look back on the platformers of yore, it's easy to forget one important thing about them: They're tough. Modern platformers allow infinite retries and plentiful checkpoints, but old-school platformers, like Disney's Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse, required precise jumps over one-hit enemies and sent you back to the beginning of a level, or even the game itself, when all your lives were lost.

Sega has preserved that difficulty in the remastered version of the game, as seen on the floor of E3 2013 last week. Sega Studios Australia has teamed up with the original game's creator, Emiko Yamamoto (who still works for Disney in Japan), to recreate the game in 3D and add new elements.

Gallery: Castle of Illusion (E3 2013)

Continue reading Navigating the Castle of Illusion with a 3D Mickey Mouse

JoystiqNavigating the Castle of Illusion with a 3D Mickey Mouse originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 18 Jun 2013 06:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>castle-of-illusion-2013castle-of-illusion-starring-mickey-mousee3-2013microsoftplatformerplaystationps3segaxboxTue, 18 Jun 2013 06:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Yaiba: Ninja Gaiden Z trailers won't cost you an arm and a leg]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/17/yaiba-ninja-gaiden-z-trailers-wont-cost-you-an-arm-and-a-leg/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/17/yaiba-ninja-gaiden-z-trailers-wont-cost-you-an-arm-and-a-leg/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/17/yaiba-ninja-gaiden-z-trailers-wont-cost-you-an-arm-and-a-leg/#comments
Yaiba: Ninja Gaiden Z stars Yaiba Kamikaze, a ninja killed by primary series star Ryu Hayabusa during a duel. We're not sure how Yaiba came back from the dead, but at least we can see how he died.

Continue reading Yaiba: Ninja Gaiden Z trailers won't cost you an arm and a leg

JoystiqYaiba: Ninja Gaiden Z trailers won't cost you an arm and a leg originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 17 Jun 2013 23:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>comceptKeiji-Inafunemicrosoftplaystationps3spark-unlimitedteam-ninjatecmo-koeixboxyaibaMon, 17 Jun 2013 23:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Watch Brian Provinciano's Retro City Rampage talk from GDC]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/17/watch-brian-provincianos-retro-city-rampage-talk-from-gdc/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/17/watch-brian-provincianos-retro-city-rampage-talk-from-gdc/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/17/watch-brian-provincianos-retro-city-rampage-talk-from-gdc/#commentsBrian Provinciano's GDC talk now in The Vault One of our favorite talks from GDC was Brian Provinciano's session, in which the indie developer discussed bringing his game, Retro City Rampage, to just about every platform known to man. It's a valuable talk for many reasons, giving a clear picture of what it's like working with The Big Three[TM] and the types of hurdles a determined indie developer will inevitably hit.

Provinciano's determination to port Grand Theft Auto 3 to NES hardware escalated into a love letter to video games and pop culture. While Provinciano hasn't announced his next project yet, he says we should expect more humorous open-world games.

JoystiqWatch Brian Provinciano's Retro City Rampage talk from GDC originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 17 Jun 2013 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brian-provincianogdc-2013microsoftnintendopcplaystationplaystation-vitaps3psnretro-city-rampagesteamvblank-entertainmentvitawiiwiiwarexblaxboxMon, 17 Jun 2013 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Now Playing: June 17-23, 2013]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/17/now-playing-june-17-23-2013/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/17/now-playing-june-17-23-2013/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/17/now-playing-june-17-23-2013/#commentsNow Playing June 1723, 2013
Jump into the ultimate retro-style meta RPG experience this week with The Knights of Pen and Paper +1 Edition...

Choose your platform to jump to a specific release list:

Continue reading Now Playing: June 17-23, 2013

JoystiqNow Playing: June 17-23, 2013 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 17 Jun 2013 18:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsdskinectmacmicrosoftmovenintendonow-playingpcplaystationplaystation-vitaps3pspsonyvitawiiwii-uxboxMon, 17 Jun 2013 18:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy 13 hosts a party of one]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/17/lightning-returns-final-fantasy-13-hosts-a-party-of-one/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/17/lightning-returns-final-fantasy-13-hosts-a-party-of-one/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/17/lightning-returns-final-fantasy-13-hosts-a-party-of-one/#commentsLightning Returns piqued my morbid curiosity No development process has been as interesting to watch than the multi-game pile-up known as Final Fantasy 13. It's not that these RPGs have been of poor quality, per se; they just represent the totality of Square Enix's resource mismanagement during the first HD generation of consoles. So it shouldn't come as a surprise that Lightning Returns wasn't the only Final Fantasy 13-related product on the show floor during E3 2013, as Square unveiled the long-awaited Versus 13 under an entirely new (though slightly predictable) name: Final Fantasy 15.

This rebranding - combined with the Final Fantasy 13 name getting second billing to its lead character - provides some compelling evidence that the developer might be a little ashamed of that "lucky" number these days.

Gallery: Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII (E3 2013)

Continue reading Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy 13 hosts a party of one

JoystiqLightning Returns: Final Fantasy 13 hosts a party of one originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 17 Jun 2013 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>lightning-returns-final-fantasy-xiiimicrosoftplaystationps3Square-EnixxboxMon, 17 Jun 2013 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PS Plus freebies this week: Saints Row: The Third, Gods Eater Burst]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/17/ps-plus-freebies-this-week-saints-row-the-third-gods-eater-bu/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/17/ps-plus-freebies-this-week-saints-row-the-third-gods-eater-bu/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/17/ps-plus-freebies-this-week-saints-row-the-third-gods-eater-bu/#comments When the PlayStation Store updates tomorrow, both Saints Row: The Third and Gods Eater Burst will be available as free downloads. Saints Row is a PS3 game, while Gods Eater Burst initially launched on PSP but is also compatible with PS Vita.

Last week at E3, Sony detailed plans for PlayStation Plus moving forward. While it's required for online multiplayer on PS4, it won't be necessary for video services or certain free-to-play games, and won't see a price increase during its transition to next-gen.

JoystiqPS Plus freebies this week: Saints Row: The Third, Gods Eater Burst originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 17 Jun 2013 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gods-eater-burstplaystationplaystation-plusplaystation-vitaps-plusps3saints-row-the-thirdvitavolitionMon, 17 Jun 2013 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[EA: Dead Space team working on something new, series not dead]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/17/ea-dead-space-team-working-on-something-new-series-not-dead/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/17/ea-dead-space-team-working-on-something-new-series-not-dead/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/17/ea-dead-space-team-working-on-something-new-series-not-dead/#comments Despite being "an important IP to EA," there is no new Dead Space game in development; instead, Visceral Games is working on something else right now. "Is that team working on a Dead Space game today? No they're not," EA executive vice president Patrick Soderlund told Eurogamer at E3 last week.

"They're working on something else very exciting. You have to think of it from that perspective. Is it better to put them on the fourth version of a game they've done three previous versions of before? Or is it better to put them on something new that they want to build, that they have passion for?" This isn't the end for Dead Space, however, as Söderlund reiterates that it's "a brand that is close to Electronic Arts' heart."

"I am of the utmost opinion that we have to put the best possible games in the hands of our fans," Söderlund added. "How you get to a great game, the first thing you need is a great development team that have a passion for building what they're building. That's a simple parameter. Everything else follows. Money, time, everything else follows. It's less relevant. That's ultimately how you get success. It's as simple as that."

Dead Space 3, which launched earlier this year, failed to meet EA's sales expectations at launch and has had fewer sales than Dead Space 2.

JoystiqEA: Dead Space team working on something new, series not dead originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 17 Jun 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dead-space-3e3-2013eaelectronic-artsmicrosoftpcplaystationps3visceral-gamesxboxMon, 17 Jun 2013 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Superman defends Tamriel in Skyrim at the Movies]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/17/superman-defends-tamriel-in-skyrim-at-the-movies/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/17/superman-defends-tamriel-in-skyrim-at-the-movies/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/17/superman-defends-tamriel-in-skyrim-at-the-movies/#comments
The problem with movies is that none of them take place in Skyrim. This is Skyrim at the Movies, a take on the classic tale of Superman created by animation outfit Tyrannicon with Chris Hardwick playing the Man of Steel himself.

JoystiqSuperman defends Tamriel in Skyrim at the Movies originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 17 Jun 2013 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chris-hardwickelder-scrolls-5microsoftpcplaystationps3skyrimskyrim-at-the-moviesthe-elder-scrolls-v-skyrimthe-nerdistxboxMon, 17 Jun 2013 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Last of Us is the first in UK]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/17/the-last-of-us-is-the-first-in-uk/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/17/the-last-of-us-is-the-first-in-uk/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/17/the-last-of-us-is-the-first-in-uk/#comments The Last of Us represented several accomplishments during its first week of sale in the UK, where it took the number one spot on the region's sales chart. According to Chart Track, the game is the first Sony exclusive to take the top spot since Uncharted: Golden Abyss on Vita in early 2012. It's also the third fastest selling game of 2013 behind Bioshock Infinite and the "weak" Tomb Raider, along with being the biggest launch for a new intellectual property since L.A Noire in 2011. Overall, a fine start to developer Naughty Dog's swan song for PlayStation 3.

The cash infusions for the UK retail market didn't end with The Last of Us, as Nintendo's Animal Crossing: New Leaf debuted in second and became (wow, y'all love your Tom Nook debt programs) the biggest non-Mario 3DS launch ever. The UK top ten indentured to Tom Nook can be found after the break.

Continue reading The Last of Us is the first in UK

JoystiqThe Last of Us is the first in UK originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 17 Jun 2013 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsanimal-crossing-new-leafchart-trackchart-track-weeklymicrosoftnintendoplaystationps3the-last-of-usukxboxMon, 17 Jun 2013 07:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Seen@E3: The Evil Within's terrifying blockhead]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/15/seen-e3-the-evil-withins-terrifying-blockhead/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/15/seen-e3-the-evil-withins-terrifying-blockhead/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/15/seen-e3-the-evil-withins-terrifying-blockhead/#commentsSeenE3 The Evil Within's terrifying blockhead Pyramids don't have a monopoly on terrifying head shapes, at least not if The Evil Within has anything to say about it. You might be wondering what's inside this fellow's safe-head. We got as close as we dared to take a few pictures and, frankly, we're not sure we want to know.

Gallery: The Evil Within (Box Man)

JoystiqSeen@E3: The Evil Within's terrifying blockhead originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 15 Jun 2013 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftpcplaystationps3the-evil-withinxboxSat, 15 Jun 2013 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Rain: Boy meets invisible girl]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/14/rain-preview-ps3/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/14/rain-preview-ps3/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/14/rain-preview-ps3/#comments The concept at the heart of Rain is magical. Looking out his window, a boy witness a seemingly invisible girl, her silhouette revealed by the rain as she ran splashing through the night. She was followed by another invisible entity outlined by the rain, a ferocious bipedal monster, which was referred to only as an "unknown."

Fearing for the girl's life, the boy chases after her, following her and the monster through a strange door of light. Emerging on the other side, the boy finds himself in different though familiar world. It looks like his own, a seemingly European city filled with alleyways, though this world is cloaked in perpetual night and never-ending rain. In this world, he too is invisible, his presence revealed only by the rain pattering against his body. The boy sets off in search of the girl, looking for answers. Is he cursed to remain invisible? Can he ever return to his own world?

Those will have to wait though, as the boy is soon running from a pack of different four-legged monsters. He quickly discovers that invisibility has its advantages. By hiding under structures so that the rain doesn't give away his position, the monsters can no longer see him.

Normally, this sort of storybook world would be right up my alley (see: my Unfinished Swan review), but I'm afraid Rain's big trick may be its only trick.

Gallery: Rain (5/30/13)

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JoystiqRain: Boy meets invisible girl originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 14 Jun 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acquiree3-2013japan-studioplaystationps3rainsce-japan-studiosony-japan-studioFri, 14 Jun 2013 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[E3 2013 wrap-up with Joystiq and Engadget]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/14/e3-2013-wrap-up-with-joystiq-and-engadget/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/14/e3-2013-wrap-up-with-joystiq-and-engadget/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/14/e3-2013-wrap-up-with-joystiq-and-engadget/#comments E3 2013 is officially at an end. There was a lot to take in, so join Joystiq Reviews Editor Richard Mitchell and Engadget Senior Associate Editor Ben Gilbert as they do their best to encapsulate everything that went down this year.

They talk about the showings from Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo, as well as some of the industry trends that are cropping up and the Oculus Rift's surprising ability to crack through the jaded, cynical shell of game journalists.

We'll have more E3 previews and coverage over the next few days, so be sure to stay tuned to Joystiq!

JoystiqE3 2013 wrap-up with Joystiq and Engadget originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 14 Jun 2013 18:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dse3-2013microsoftnintendopcplaystationplaystation-vitaps3vitawii-uxboxFri, 14 Jun 2013 18:08:00 EST<![CDATA[Sherlock Holmes Crimes and Punishments' new mechanic inspired by BBC show]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/14/sherlock-holmes-crimes-and-punishments-inspired-by-bbc-show/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/14/sherlock-holmes-crimes-and-punishments-inspired-by-bbc-show/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/14/sherlock-holmes-crimes-and-punishments-inspired-by-bbc-show/#commentsSherlock Holmes Crimes and Punishments inspired by BBC show Sherlock Holmes Crimes and Punishments is a departure from Frogwares' previous investigation game, The Testament of Sherlock Holmes, in a number of ways. Crimes and Punishments aims to put players inside the mind of the world's greatest detective, to see the world as he sees it and deliberate the moral choices within Holmes' logistics of justice. It's emotional and dark, and in a demo showing off the story as told in Unreal Engine 3, it already appears insanely effective.

One of the most obvious changes is the new "Character Portrait" ability, which allows Holmes to take a moment and examine a suspect or witness with his keen, investigative eye. As he scans the person, words in white appear over certain features, noting how expensive or worn down certain articles of clothing are, noting scrapes or signs of labor on limbs, and deducing relevant, personal information.

This ability in particular is inspired by the BBC show Sherlock, designer Olga Chalovskaya told me. Sherlock is, itself, a dramatic interpretation of Holmesian detective stories, and Crimes and Punishments draws on many of the same, human-driven tones.

Gallery: Sherlock Holmes: Crimes and Punishments (6/7/13)

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JoystiqSherlock Holmes Crimes and Punishments' new mechanic inspired by BBC show originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 14 Jun 2013 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3-2013focus-home-interactivefrogwaresmicrosoftpcplaystationps3sherlock-holmes-crimes-and-punishmentsxboxFri, 14 Jun 2013 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The faces of Fox Engine in Pro Evolution Soccer 2014]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/14/the-faces-of-fox-engine-in-pro-evolution-soccer-2014/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/14/the-faces-of-fox-engine-in-pro-evolution-soccer-2014/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/14/the-faces-of-fox-engine-in-pro-evolution-soccer-2014/#commentsPro Evolution Soccer 2014 preview Heart and soul You could argue that EA Sports' FIFA series has a stranglehold on the simulation soccer game genre. The publisher locked up the FIFA license for many years to come, making it the only company with access to a number of real-life teams that other publishers such as Konami can't get its hands on.

If you care only about the number of teams that are in your sports games, then sure, FIFA is king. Until I played Pro Evolution Soccer 2014 at E3, I was still convinced that I am a "FIFA guy." That might be changing, now that Konami has introduced the Fox Engine to the series, which is being used to generate facial textures and animations in a more lifelike manner.

Sports game developers traditionally don't have the resources to commit to rendering lifelike emotion for in-game athlete's faces. In the case of games such as FIFA or Madden, expressions on athletes waver between lifeless and lifeless-with-an-open-mouth. Truly, one of the biggest tangible ways to convey the excitement of scoring goals or making crucial mistakes lies in generating that emotion through the athletes that players interact with, not unlike viewing sports broadcasts in real life.

Gallery: Pro Evolution Soccer 2014 (E3 2013)

Continue reading The faces of Fox Engine in Pro Evolution Soccer 2014

JoystiqThe faces of Fox Engine in Pro Evolution Soccer 2014 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 14 Jun 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3-2013Konamimicrosoftpcpes-productionsplaystationpro-evolution-soccer-2014ps3xboxFri, 14 Jun 2013 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The (Resident) Evil Within]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/14/the-resident-evil-within/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/14/the-resident-evil-within/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/14/the-resident-evil-within/#comments Shinji Mikami's creative influence on The Evil Within is immediately apparent. Mechanically, my brief hands-off E3 demo had a lot in common with Mikami's survival horror milestone, Resident Evil 4. The over-the-shoulder camera, slow pacing and pulse-quickening enemies were all there.

That The Evil Within shares so much with Resident Evil 4 is a two-sided proposition. Resident Evil 4 was one of the greatest games of its day, but its ground has been retread many times by subsequent survival horror games over the years, and even by Mikami himself in Shadows of the Damned.

Where The Evil Within seems to stake its greatest claim is in its visual and thematic elements. The game stars a detective named Sebastian - Seb to his friends - who is sent to investigate a disturbance at a mental hospital. An unknown event has claimed the lives of several patients and possibly a few police officers.

Gallery: The Evil Within (E3 2013)

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JoystiqThe (Resident) Evil Within originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 14 Jun 2013 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bethesdamicrosoftpcplaystationps3Shinji-Mikamitango-gameworksthe-evil-withinxboxFri, 14 Jun 2013 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[DCUO and PlanetSide 2 devs deal with good and bad on PS4 ports]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/14/dcuo-and-planetside-2-devs-deal-with-good-and-bad-on-ps4-ports/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/14/dcuo-and-planetside-2-devs-deal-with-good-and-bad-on-ps4-ports/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/14/dcuo-and-planetside-2-devs-deal-with-good-and-bad-on-ps4-ports/#commentsDCUO and PlanetSide 2 devs talk about the transition to the PS4 Sony Online Entertainment doesn't have any new games at this year's E3 conference. But the developers behind DC Universe Online and PlanetSide 2 are hard at work anyway, and not just because they're running two live MMOs. Both games, which currently run on the PC (for both) or the PS3 (for DCUO) are coming to the PlayStation 4, which presents both positives and negatives for the developers involved.

Adam Clegg, game designer on PlanetSide 2, says he's excited to develop for the PS4 rather than the PC, because it'll make optimization for the game's graphics "1000 times better." Currently, the PC team has countless builds of hardware to optimize the game for, but everyone playing on a PS4 will use the same hardware, which makes things much easier. Additionally, Clegg says improvements should go the other way, too, as optimizing for the PS4 should make the game better for PC users.

Continue reading DCUO and PlanetSide 2 devs deal with good and bad on PS4 ports

JoystiqDCUO and PlanetSide 2 devs deal with good and bad on PS4 ports originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 14 Jun 2013 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adam-cleggdc-universe-onlinedcuoe3-2013interviewjens-andersenpcplanetsideplanetside-2playstationplaystation-4ps2ps3ps4soeFri, 14 Jun 2013 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Reconstructing crimes in Batman: Arkham Origins]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/14/reconstructing-crimes-in-batman-arkham-origins/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/14/reconstructing-crimes-in-batman-arkham-origins/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/14/reconstructing-crimes-in-batman-arkham-origins/#comments
Warner Bros. Montreal is bringing a new side-mission distraction to Batman: Arkham Origins that will pique the interests of those who've enjoyed the forensic focus of Rocksteady's games. At E3 I put on my detective cowl to try out the new "Crime Reconstruction" mechanic.

It began, as it so often does, on a rooftop on a cold Gotham night. As Batman, I saw a police helicopter rise from behind the ledge, ordering me to surrender. Even if I wanted to, a gunshot took the helicopter down before I could respond. It spiralled out of control, tailspinning several stories into the icy street below. Confused, I swooped down to look for survivors. The helicopter was wrecked, and I found a body flung a few feet away: the dead pilot.

This is where the crime reconstruction began. First I analysed the body in Detective Mode with the Evidence Scanner, which takes in all of the crime scene's data in hyper-quick time to play Columbo within seconds. As I scanned, I saw the helicopter's crash trace back in time, in suitably cool-looking virtual blue bittiness. As it replayed, I saw the copter take out a first-story ledge before crashing into the earth below. Scanning the body, I learned he died on impact, and not from the gunshot.

Gallery: Batman: Arkham Origins (E3 2013)

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JoystiqReconstructing crimes in Batman: Arkham Origins originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 14 Jun 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>batman-arkham-originse3-2013microsoftnintendopcplaystationps3warner-broswarner-bros-montrealwbiewii-uxboxFri, 14 Jun 2013 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Zod revealed as next Injustice DLC character]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/13/zod-revealed-as-next-injustice-dlc-character-on-conan/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/13/zod-revealed-as-next-injustice-dlc-character-on-conan/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/13/zod-revealed-as-next-injustice-dlc-character-on-conan/#comments
The heroes and villains of the DC Universe will soon kneel before Zod, as the perennial Superman villain has been revealed as Injustice: Gods Among Us' next DLC character. The announcement was made during the latest installment of Conan O'Brien's Clueless Gamer series, wherein Conan loses to a blindfolded Aaron Bleyaert.

The segment also revealed a character based on Conan: "The Flaming C," which was co-designed by Conan and legendary DC animated universe pioneer Bruce Timm. We've reached out to Team Coco to find out whether The Flaming C will be coming to Injustice, or if his creation was solely for the show. We'll be simultaneously keeping our fingers crossed for The Flaming C, while also keeping our ears to the ground for more specific information about Zod's release, in the days to come.

[Thanks, Steve!]

JoystiqZod revealed as next Injustice DLC character originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 Jun 2013 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>clueless-gamerconanconan-obrienDLCflaming-cgeneral-zodinjustice-gods-among-usmicrosoftNetherrealm-Studiosnintendoplaystationps3the-flaming-cWarner-Bros-Interactive-Entertainmentwii-uxboxzodThu, 13 Jun 2013 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Call of Duty: Ghosts built with 'cinema quality' art assets]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/13/call-of-duty-ghosts-built-with-cinema-quality-art-assets/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/13/call-of-duty-ghosts-built-with-cinema-quality-art-assets/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/13/call-of-duty-ghosts-built-with-cinema-quality-art-assets/#comments
We had the opportunity to chat with Call of Duty: Ghosts Executive Producer Mark Rubin during E3, but instead of asking how many guns the latest installment has, we decided to focus on tech and art.

Rubin explains how the next-gen console architectures being so close to PCs will likely help all developers, from the mega studios, like Infinity Ward, to basement developers like Sally Perkins (you'll hear about her in five years). He also goes on to explain how Infinity Ward has reworked its art flow to benefit all platforms.

Gallery: Call of Duty: Ghosts (E3 2013)

JoystiqCall of Duty: Ghosts built with 'cinema quality' art assets originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 Jun 2013 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ActivisionActivision-Blizzardcall-of-duty-ghostsInfinity-Wardmicrosoftpcplaystationps3xboxThu, 13 Jun 2013 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[PlayStation 4 incompatible with PS3 Mad Catz Tournament Edition FightSticks]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/13/playstation-4-incompatible-with-ps3-mad-catz-tournament-edition/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/13/playstation-4-incompatible-with-ps3-mad-catz-tournament-edition/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/13/playstation-4-incompatible-with-ps3-mad-catz-tournament-edition/#commentsPlayStation 4 incompatible with PS3 Mad Catz Tournament Edition FightSticks Mad Catz's extensive line of PlayStation 3 Tournament Edition FightSticks will not function with Sony's new PlayStation 4, Joystiq confirmed today with Mad Catz senior product development manager Richard Neville. "Playstation 4 will require a whole new set of peripherals," Neville said.

Currently, Mad Catz has announced that it is launching a new and improved Tournament Edition 2 FightStick for the Xbox One when that console is released sometime this year, but the peripheral manufacturer was unable to comment on the availability of future PlayStation 4 sticks.

JoystiqPlayStation 4 incompatible with PS3 Mad Catz Tournament Edition FightSticks originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 Jun 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arcade-stickE3-2013fightstickmad-catzplaystationplaystation-4ps3PS4tournament-editionThu, 13 Jun 2013 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Returning to simpler days with Disgaea D2]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/13/returning-to-simpler-days-with-disgaea-d2/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/13/returning-to-simpler-days-with-disgaea-d2/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/13/returning-to-simpler-days-with-disgaea-d2/#commentsDisgaea D2 offers more of the same, which might not be a bad thing Nearly ten years ago, a quirky little game called Disgaea: Hour of Darkness put developer Nippon Ichi on the map for lovers of Japanese RPGs - the ones from America, anyway. This quirky strategy RPG combined Final Fantasy Tactics with a Tim Burton-inspired aesthetic, and just as the genre seemed to be fading from relevance. Nippon Ichi capitalized on the success of Disgaea by opening up an American branch months later, and continued to iterate on their particular brand of complex and bizarre mechanics.

For some (like myself), Nippon Ichi's prolific nature soon became a case of diminishing returns, and their audience gradually checked out from the company's regular forays into strategy RPG territory. Disgaea D2: A Brighter Darkness for PlayStation 3 stands as the developers' attempt to recapture that magic of 2003 with a spirtual remake of the game that made them, and by all accounts looks to be treading some very safe waters.

This might not be a bad thing, though; just as the New Super Mario Bros. series added a fresh coat of paint to old-school action, Disgaea D2 has the same intent. The latest installment to the series acts as a direct sequel to the first game, complete with the same mechanics and characters, but with an entirely new story.

Gallery: Disgaea D2: A Brighter Darkness

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JoystiqReturning to simpler days with Disgaea D2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 Jun 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>disgaea-d2-a-brighter-darknessNippon-Ichi-SoftwareNIS-Americaplaystationps3Thu, 13 Jun 2013 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New hybrid figures jump into the Skylanders: Swap Force toybox]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/13/new-hybrid-figures-jump-into-the-skylanders-swap-force-toybox/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/13/new-hybrid-figures-jump-into-the-skylanders-swap-force-toybox/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/13/new-hybrid-figures-jump-into-the-skylanders-swap-force-toybox/#commentsSkylanders Swap Force promises to build a better toybox
When you're tasked with previewing the latest and greatest in kid stuff, it's hard to not feel at least the slightest bit jealous. In my day, our molded lumps of China-manufactured plastics rarely interacted with technology in any meaningful way, and we liked it just fine.

Even so, if you lopped a good 20 years off my current age, it would be impossible to avoid the charms of Skylanders, a series that's successfully merged the worlds of physical and digital play - all with a booster pack-style setup that's only mildly predatory on parents' wallets. As backwards compatibility quickly becomes a thing of the past, Skylanders: Swap Force offers compatibility with every figure Activision has sold since 2011, along with a slew of new features that promise to make this installment the biggest and best its pint-sized audience has seen yet.

Gallery: Skylanders Swap Force (E3 2013)

Continue reading New hybrid figures jump into the Skylanders: Swap Force toybox

JoystiqNew hybrid figures jump into the Skylanders: Swap Force toybox originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 Jun 2013 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Activisionmicrosoftps3skylanders-swap-forceVicarious-Visionswii-uThu, 13 Jun 2013 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony's 'Best of 2012' E3 sale now live on PlayStation Network]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/13/sonys-best-of-2012-e3-sale-now-live-on-playstation-network/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/13/sonys-best-of-2012-e3-sale-now-live-on-playstation-network/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/13/sonys-best-of-2012-e3-sale-now-live-on-playstation-network/#commentsSony's 'Best of 2012' E3 sale now live on PlayStation Network In an effort to tide players over until the games shown at this year's E3 are ready to be released, Sony has kicked off a sale for a handful of last year's best-reviewed games on the PlayStation Network.

Through next week, PSN users can take advantage of steep price drops for a selection of PS3 retail and PSN-exclusive games, including Tomb Raider, The Walking Dead, and Sound Shapes, among others. PlayStation Plus members get an additional discount on top of Sony's announced sale prices.

A full list of discounted games is after the break below.

Continue reading Sony's 'Best of 2012' E3 sale now live on PlayStation Network

JoystiqSony's 'Best of 2012' E3 sale now live on PlayStation Network originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 Jun 2013 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>playstationplaystation-3playstation-networkplaystation-vitaps3psnvitaThu, 13 Jun 2013 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Activision bullish about Skylanders in face of Disney Infinity]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/13/activision-bullish-about-skylanders-in-face-of-disney-infinity/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/13/activision-bullish-about-skylanders-in-face-of-disney-infinity/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/13/activision-bullish-about-skylanders-in-face-of-disney-infinity/#comments
Eric Hirshberg, CEO of Activision Publishing, says the company isn't changing its sales projections on the Skylanders franchise, or this fall's Skylanders: Swap Force, in the face of Disney Infinity.

"We're still bullish on our projections. We feel like it was only a matter of time, given the scale of the success of Skylanders, that other competitors entered the genre. That's to be expected," said Hirshberg.

"I get this question a lot on Call of Duty. We have tough competition every year. We have tough competition in every category we play in, it's a part of the business. We try not to focus on it. We try to focus on making the best games we can and exceeding the expectations of our fans and bottling magic."

Skylanders has surpassed $1 billion in lifetime sales since launching in 2011. Disney Infinity will launch this August.

JoystiqActivision bullish about Skylanders in face of Disney Infinity originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 Jun 2013 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ActivisionActivision-Blizzarde3-2013Eric-Hirshbergmicrosoftnintendoplaystationps3wiiwii-uxboxThu, 13 Jun 2013 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Diablo 3 for consoles may be different, but it's still Diablo]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/13/diablo-3-for-consoles-may-be-different-but-its-still-diablo/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/13/diablo-3-for-consoles-may-be-different-but-its-still-diablo/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/13/diablo-3-for-consoles-may-be-different-but-its-still-diablo/#commentsDiablo 3 for consoles different, but still Diablo Utter the phrase "Diablo for consoles" to anyone that has some familiarity with gaming history and you're bound to hear some Sideshow Bob-style shudders in response. Blizzard's skeleton-clicking series didn't have the most graceful entry into the world of console gaming, and after a disastrous 1998 PlayStation port Diablo hasn't dared to leave its PC home.

This year, however, Blizzard revealed Diablo 3 would make the transition with versions coming to Xbox 360, PS3, Xbox One and PS4, finally giving console players a taste of the magic they've been missing out on for well over a decade.

Thankfully, Blizzard has been much more thoughtful this time about transitioning a mouse-and-keyboard-driven experience to console controls.

Gallery: Diablo 3 (E3 2013)

PS3 MultiplayerPS3 MultiplayerPS3 MultiplayerPS3 MultiplayerPS3 Multiplayer

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JoystiqDiablo 3 for consoles may be different, but it's still Diablo originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 Jun 2013 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ActivisionActivision-BlizzardBlizzardBlizzard-EntertainmentDiablo-3microsoftplaystationps3xboxThu, 13 Jun 2013 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Mad Max gets behind the wheel of Avalanche's open-world wasteland]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/13/mad-max-gets-behind-the-wheel-of-avalanches-open-world-wastelan/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/13/mad-max-gets-behind-the-wheel-of-avalanches-open-world-wastelan/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/13/mad-max-gets-behind-the-wheel-of-avalanches-open-world-wastelan/#commentsMad Max twists metal in Avalanche Studios' openworld wasteland Considering how many games trace their dystopian wasteland roots to it, it's interesting to see the E3 hands-off demo of the new Mad Max hone in something with plenty of room for exploration: vehicular combat. Just Cause dev Avalanche Studios promises 50 "authentic" Mad Max vehicles for players to enjoy in the third-person open-world game, as well as the ability to customize your own wrecking ball on wheels.

After seeing Max traverse the sand dunes, with pleasingly crisp dust clouds sweeping past his big old boots, the demo soon finds the road warrior behind the wheel of a creaking black sedan. Its back roof is ripped off, turning it into a makeshift pick-up truck. Couched in the back is Max's crazy hillbilly companion Chumbucket, who's spouting off nonsense as he clutches onto a harpoon gun, and ducking for cover from the unfriendly armored cars beginning to surround the pair.

Max pulls out a one-handed shotgun to take out a nearby driver in slow-mo, before Chumbucket fires his harpoon to rip the tire off the next vehicle, sending it sprawling into another for a satisfying double whammy. Frank Rooke, the game's creative director, says the harpoon gun can be used to pull off tires, armor and even other drivers - yoink!

Gallery: Mad Max (E3 2013)

Continue reading Mad Max gets behind the wheel of Avalanche's open-world wasteland

JoystiqMad Max gets behind the wheel of Avalanche's open-world wasteland originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 Jun 2013 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>avalanche-studiose3-2013mad-maxmad-max-gamemicrosoftpcplaystationps3ps4xboxxbox-oneThu, 13 Jun 2013 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[EA: Online Pass staying dead after PS4 reveal, program's expiration not tied to Xbox One]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/13/ea-online-pass-staying-dead/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/13/ea-online-pass-staying-dead/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/13/ea-online-pass-staying-dead/#comments "It's dead, it's dead, it's deep-sixed, it's at the bottom of the Mariana Trench," Electronic Arts' President of EA Labels Frank Gibeau stated plainly yesterday about the company's Online Pass program to Joystiq.

Following EA's announcement in late May that it was eliminating the Online Pass program, gamers braced for "the twist." That occurred last week when Microsoft finally announced the digital rights management (DRM) scheme for the Xbox One, which would have made an Online Pass program unnecessary. However, with Sony's announcement the PlayStation 4 will follow the current model of game console DRM and used games, it was a question if Online Pass was back on the table at EA.

"We're not crafting a strategy to bring [Online Pass] back, you will not input codes to unlock your game, it's not going to happen," said Gibeau. The executive then moved on to tell us the company's decision to kill Online Pass and Microsoft's Xbox One DRM plans weren't linked at all, therefore PlayStation 4's recent reveal wouldn't have changed their decision on the program anyway. He called the Online Pass program "flat out dumb."

Continue reading EA: Online Pass staying dead after PS4 reveal, program's expiration not tied to Xbox One

JoystiqEA: Online Pass staying dead after PS4 reveal, program's expiration not tied to Xbox One originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 Jun 2013 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>drme3-2013eaElectronic-ArtsFrank-Gibeaumicrosoftonline-passplaystationproject-ten-dollarps3xboxThu, 13 Jun 2013 09:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Assassin's Creed 4's Game Lab creates custom multiplayer modes]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/13/assassins-creed-4s-game-lab-creates-custom-multiplayer-modes/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/13/assassins-creed-4s-game-lab-creates-custom-multiplayer-modes/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/13/assassins-creed-4s-game-lab-creates-custom-multiplayer-modes/#comments
In the video above Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag multiplayer game director, Damien Kieken, explains the benefits of Game Lab, a new tool allowing you to create and share their own custom multiplayer match types. Over 200 different parameters can be tweaked through Game Lab, allowing you to limit certain abilities and change scoring in your own custom game type.

JoystiqAssassin's Creed 4's Game Lab creates custom multiplayer modes originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 Jun 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>assassins-creed-4-black-flagdamien-kiekene3-2013microsoftmultiplayerpcplaystationplaystation-4ps3ps4ubisoftxboxThu, 13 Jun 2013 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Assassin's Creed 4 exclusive PlayStation content continues Aveline's story]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/12/assassins-creed-4-exclusive-playstation-content-continues-aveli/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/12/assassins-creed-4-exclusive-playstation-content-continues-aveli/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/12/assassins-creed-4-exclusive-playstation-content-continues-aveli/#comments
We cornered (literally) Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag single-player game director Ashraf Ismail and asked him to detail the special Aveline content coming to PS3 and PS4 consoles. Ismail says the bonus PlayStation content will resume Aveline's story at the end of Assassin's Creed 3: Liberation and explains how Animus upgrades make it all possible.

JoystiqAssassin's Creed 4 exclusive PlayStation content continues Aveline's story originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 12 Jun 2013 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ashraf-ismailassassins-creed-4-black-flage3-2013playstationplaystation-4playstation-vitaps3ps4ubisoftvitaWed, 12 Jun 2013 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Splice cuts its way to PS3 this year]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/12/splice-cuts-its-way-to-ps3-this-year/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/12/splice-cuts-its-way-to-ps3-this-year/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/12/splice-cuts-its-way-to-ps3-this-year/#commentsSplice cuts its way to PS3 this year Splice is on its way to PSN for PS3, by early fall at the latest. Splice is the successful gaming experiment from Cipher Prime, a studio with a rich history of crafting clean, artfully scored and brain-twisting games, such as Auditorium, Fractal and Pulse.

It's a puzzle game disguised as a science project, asking players to create specific cell strands from an unorganized group of binary branches. Each strand has a max number of moves, and if the player can't complete it within that framework, it's possible to reverse time and try again. Splice offers more than 70 puzzles to tickle your own cell strands. In your brain.

Splice is available on PC, Mac, Linux (on Steam), iPad and Android.

JoystiqSplice cuts its way to PS3 this year originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 12 Jun 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cipher-primeplaystationps3PSNspliceWed, 12 Jun 2013 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Pac-Man Museum collection coming to digital platforms, includes Pac-Man Battle Royale]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/12/pac-man-museum-collection-coming-to-digital-platforms-includes/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/12/pac-man-museum-collection-coming-to-digital-platforms-includes/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/12/pac-man-museum-collection-coming-to-digital-platforms-includes/#comments Ghosts everywhere are quivering in terror, as Namco has made a pair of new Pac-Man announcements. First up is Pac-Man Museum, a collection of games spanning Pac-Man's history. The publisher hasn't announced the full line-up of games, though it will include Pac-Man's "humble beginnings," Championship Edition and Pac-Man Battle Royale. This marks the first time you'll be able to play the multiplayer Pac-Man game without visiting your local arcade (apart from an iPad demo, anyway).

Pac-Man Museum is coming to XBLA, PSN, PC and the 3DS and Wii U eShop. The press release also notes that, for whatever reason, Museum will not include Championship Edition on XBLA or PSN.

In other Pac-news, Pac-Man: Championship Edition DX is getting a free update that adds new content, including improved leaderboards, achievements and medals. It also features "access to additional DLC mazes, music and graphics." These include the ability to play with graphics from other Namco games, including Dig Dug and Rally-X. The update, which officially turns DX into DX+, is headed to Xbox 360, PS3, Steam and Windows 8 this summer.

Gallery: Pac-Man Museum (E3 2013)

Continue reading Pac-Man Museum collection coming to digital platforms, includes Pac-Man Battle Royale

JoystiqPac-Man Museum collection coming to digital platforms, includes Pac-Man Battle Royale originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 12 Jun 2013 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsmicrosoftnintendopac-man-museumpcplaystationps3wii-uxboxWed, 12 Jun 2013 16:00:00 EST