Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Laser projector stuck to Wii Remote for faux 360-degree immersion]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/12/laser-projector-stuck-to-another-gaming-device-for-faux-360-degr/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/12/laser-projector-stuck-to-another-gaming-device-for-faux-360-degr/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/12/laser-projector-stuck-to-another-gaming-device-for-faux-360-degr/#comments We can already see a hot new trend surfacing in the gaming hardware modding world: Hastily conceived designs featuring the handheld ShowWX laser projector. Yesterday, we saw what happens when the pint-sized display was adhered to an iPhone 3GS; today, we see how Nirav Patel managed to stick the projector (and a Spacepoint Fusion gyrometer) to a Zapper-equipped Wii Remote. The result is a somewhat disorienting 360-degree "virtual reality" display, which is just perfect for playing simple, open source first-person shooters with.

Check out a video after the jump to see Patel's projectorgun in action. We'd hate to find ourselves on the business end of that bad boy.

[Via Hack a Day]

Continue reading Laser projector stuck to Wii Remote for faux 360-degree immersion

JoystiqLaser projector stuck to Wii Remote for faux 360-degree immersion originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 12 May 2010 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>360fpsNintendopico-projectorprojectorshowwxvirtual-realityWiiwiimoteWed, 12 May 2010 03:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Pachter: $299 PS3 would outsell 360, put Sony back in the game]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/16/pachter-299-ps3-would-outsell-360-put-sony-back-in-the-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/16/pachter-299-ps3-would-outsell-360-put-sony-back-in-the-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/16/pachter-299-ps3-would-outsell-360-put-sony-back-in-the-game/#commentsFiled under: , ,

A day after it was tabulated that PlayStation 3 was outsold by Xbox 360 nearly 2-to-1 in December, industry analyst Michael Pachter has told GameDaily he believes Sony would outsell Microsoft if it dropped PS3's price to $299 -- the going rate for the 360 "Pro" system.

"I think that PS3 will sell well once competitively priced," Pachter said, adding, "Should [Sony] price at parity with Xbox 360 ($299), I think that PS3 sales would exceed 360 sales, and eventually, they could catch up." Sony's cheer squad shouldn't get too charged up yet, though. Pachter also said that, "At present, it doesn't look like that is happening any time soon, so Sony should be prepared to remain in third place until well after they cut price."

For its article, GameDaily spoke with several other analysts, all of which echoed the same sentiment: given its current standing and the state of the US economy, PS3 needs to be priced below $300 -- and, if it is, it will eventually overtake Xbox 360 in sales.

JoystiqPachter: $299 PS3 would outsell 360, put Sony back in the game originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 16 Jan 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>360analysthardware-salesmichael-pachterprice-cutps3Xbox-360Fri, 16 Jan 2009 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Source: First images from 360 Avatar creator leaked]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/03/source-first-images-from-360-avatar-creator-leaked/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/03/source-first-images-from-360-avatar-creator-leaked/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/03/source-first-images-from-360-avatar-creator-leaked/#commentsFiled under:


We've all seen the adorably customizable lookalikes that we'll be generating with the Avatar system, due out with the Xbox 360 Fall update -- but we've yet to see the actual system that will let you let you create your virtual representation. However, a "super secret source" recently sent our green and white sister site, 360 Fanboy, a couple of images containing the icons used in the Avatar creator. Assuming they're legit, they give a great indication of what aspects of your avatar you'll be able to manipulate. Based on the images in the gallery below, it looks like our dream of walking through Xbox Live's virtual halls as a morbidly obese man in a rabbit costume might just come true.

[Thanks, DCB and SS1029.]

Gallery: Avatar Creator Customization



JoystiqSource: First images from 360 Avatar creator leaked originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 03 Aug 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>360avatariconsrumorXbox-360xbox360xboxliveSun, 03 Aug 2008 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[NPD says: A winner is Wii in the U.S.]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/17/npd-says-a-winner-is-wii-in-the-u-s/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/17/npd-says-a-winner-is-wii-in-the-u-s/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/17/npd-says-a-winner-is-wii-in-the-u-s/#commentsFiled under:

One of the benefits of being a major company is that you get to find out things first -- like how much stuff you sold. When the NPD Group informed Nintendo of the most recent figures, the Big N sent a love text to our Joystiq overlords, bragging about their current sales standings in the U.S.

But we already know that the Wii sells a lot, so what's the big deal this time? According to Nintendo, NPD figures confirm that the Wii has surpassed its competitors as the North American console leader. As of today, the Wii has sold almost 10.9 million units, which was enough to give it the edge over the Xbox 360.

Of course, there's much more to being the king of consoles than selling a lot of hardware, as you need the software to match. However you feel about the Wii's game library, though, this is quite an accomplishment for the little white console that could.

JoystiqNPD says: A winner is Wii in the U.S. originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 17 Jul 2008 18:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>360hardwarenpdplaystation-3ps3salesfiguresxbox-360Thu, 17 Jul 2008 18:09:00 EST<![CDATA[Xbox 360 Fancast E3 08 Special: Day 2]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/17/xbox-360-fancast-e3-08-special-day-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/17/xbox-360-fancast-e3-08-special-day-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/17/xbox-360-fancast-e3-08-special-day-2/#comments
Wow. We're really still doing these. Ahem. It's late, once again, but it's still E3 and that means you get another special edition of the Xbox 360 Fancast. Today we talk about our impressions of the XBLA offerings at E3 (Castle Crashers!), Halo Wars, Silent Hill Homecoming, and much much more. Oh, and yes, we're still super tired and super loopy. Enjoy.


[iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes (MP3).
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[MP3] Download the MP3 directly.

Hosts: Richard Mitchell (SenseiRAM), Dustin Burg (SuperDunners), Alexander Sliwinski (Sli Xander)

Produced by Richard Mitchell

Music: Intro/Outro: "Electromooq" by Uma Floresta.

For fans: Xbox 360 Fancast Facebook group

JoystiqXbox 360 Fancast E3 08 Special: Day 2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 17 Jul 2008 05:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>360360-fancast360-podcaste3-08e3-2008e308fancastpodcastxbox-360-fancastxbox-360-podcastThu, 17 Jul 2008 05:45:00 ESTXbox 360 Fancast E3 08 Special: Day 2Richard Mitchell, Dustin Burg, Alexander Sliwinski44:21xbox 360 fanboy e3 2008 08 fancast podcast<![CDATA[Amazon now taking pre-orders on 60GB Xbox 360]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/14/amazon-now-taken-pre-orders-on-60gb-xbox-360/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/14/amazon-now-taken-pre-orders-on-60gb-xbox-360/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/14/amazon-now-taken-pre-orders-on-60gb-xbox-360/#commentsFiled under:

Want to be the first kid on the block to own the brand new Xbox 360 60GB model? Amazon is now taking pre-orders for the console at the $349 price tag, with a release date of August 4.

JoystiqAmazon now taking pre-orders on 60GB Xbox 360 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 14 Jul 2008 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>360amazonpre-orderxboxXbox-360Mon, 14 Jul 2008 01:00:00 EST<![CDATA[360 Fanboy shows us real ultimate power with Ninja Gaiden II demo impressions]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/31/360-fanboy-shows-us-real-ultimate-power-with-ninja-gaiden-ii-dem/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/31/360-fanboy-shows-us-real-ultimate-power-with-ninja-gaiden-ii-dem/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/31/360-fanboy-shows-us-real-ultimate-power-with-ninja-gaiden-ii-dem/#commentsFiled under: ,


We can think of a lot of great things to sell our souls for, such as telekinesis, a swimming pool full of hundred dollar bills, or a seventh season of Mr. Belvedere. However, Xbox 360 Fanboy's Richard Mitchell (or as we like to call him around the office, Rich Mitch) recently showed his undying love for scarved ninjas by dealing with Beelzebub to get his hands on an early copy of the Ninja Gaiden II demo. Judging by the tone of his impressions as he plays the first seven minutes of the preview, it was totally worth it.

We strongly advise watching the above video -- not only will it get you totally pumped for the quickly approaching June 3 release date for the title, but you can also witness Rich Mitch's incredible proclivity for ninja flipping and henchman dismemberment.

Joystiq360 Fanboy shows us real ultimate power with Ninja Gaiden II demo impressions originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 31 May 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>360demoimpressionsninjaninja-gaidenninja-gaiden-2ninja-gaiden-iirealultimatepowerrichardmitchellrichmitchryuhayabusateamninjaXbox-360xbox360Sat, 31 May 2008 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Download now, or forever hold your points: Potential delisted Xbox Live Arcade titles]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/26/download-now-or-forever-hold-your-points-potential-delisted-xb/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/26/download-now-or-forever-hold-your-points-potential-delisted-xb/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/26/download-now-or-forever-hold-your-points-potential-delisted-xb/#commentsFiled under: ,


Our Xbox-toting brethren at 360 Fanboy recently came across a list of Xbox Live Arcade titles which may be up for expungement in Microsoft's spring cleaning of their online store. The list (available after the break) includes all titles that fulfill the first and second criteria of Microsoft's new standards -- that is, they've been available for six months, and currently hold a 65 percent or lower average score on Metacritic. A steady conversion rate (the number of people who purchase the complete title after downloading the demo, a figure only Microsoft has access to) is the only thing standing between these games and a date with the delete button -- so if you've been holding out on downloading Shrek-N-Roll, you may want to pick it up in an expedient manner.

Continue reading Download now, or forever hold your points: Potential delisted Xbox Live Arcade titles

JoystiqDownload now, or forever hold your points: Potential delisted Xbox Live Arcade titles originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 26 May 2008 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>360delistdelistedlivelivearcademetacriticmicrosoftspringcleaningxblaXbox-360xbox360xboxlivearcadeMon, 26 May 2008 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Habbo census reveals PS3 to be 'Console of Choice' for teens]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/17/habbo-census-reveals-ps3-to-be-console-of-choice-for-teens/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/17/habbo-census-reveals-ps3-to-be-console-of-choice-for-teens/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/17/habbo-census-reveals-ps3-to-be-console-of-choice-for-teens/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Those enlightened individuals who have experienced the rapidly metastasizing MMO hotel sim/social networking site known as Habbo (formerly Habbo Hotel) are already aware that the community for this "hangout for teens" is sizable, to say the least. Thus, when the Pixelated Nation of Habbonia endorses one of the current-gen consoles as being the "Console of Choice" for the teenaged, it resounds like the voice of a small nation -- albeit a nation of furniture-hording hotel dwellers.

Nearly 57,000 Habbonians took part in the survey late last year, where 69 percent of the pixelated participants gave the PlayStation 3 "great or good" rankings, followed by 64 percent for the Wii, and 58 percent for the Xbox 360. The Global Habbo Youth Survey went on to show that females preferred the Wii and Habbonians located in the Americas were more favorable to the Xbox 360 than their Eastern Hemisphere suitemates. Not exactly new information, but it is an excellent excuse for us to repeatedly type the word Habbonian.

JoystiqHabbo census reveals PS3 to be 'Console of Choice' for teens originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 17 May 2008 19:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>360censushabbohabbohotelhabbonianhotelps3surveywiiXbox-360Sat, 17 May 2008 19:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii closing in on the 360's U.S. lead]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/wii-closing-in-on-the-360s-u-s-lead/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/wii-closing-in-on-the-360s-u-s-lead/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/wii-closing-in-on-the-360s-u-s-lead/#commentsFiled under:

After Microsoft's brag-fest on Wednesday, during which Don Mattrick essentially declared the Xbox 360 as this generation's console winner, Nintendo made sure to strike back with a press release of their own.

Mattrick's exact words were, "History has shown us that the first company to reach ten million in console sales wins the generation battle. We are uniquely positioned to set a new benchmark for the industry."

Nintendo's response: "Oh no he didn't," followed by some snapping and a "talk to the hand" gesture.

In all seriousness, Nintendo replied to the comment in a more subtle manner. The company just released a press release to gloat over its success in April's NPD, casually stating in the process that over 9.5 million Wiis have sold in the U.S. In case you haven't noticed, 9.5 and 10 million aren't all that far apart, so Nintendo is trying to stop Microsoft from marking its proverbial territory just yet. Since the Wii outsold Microsoft's system 4:1 last month, many analysts are even predicting that the little white console will overtake the 360 some time soon.

So, which PR tactic do you enjoy more? The in-your-face, Mattrick approach, or the subtle "by the way, we're right behind you" statement from Nintendo?

[Via press release]

JoystiqWii closing in on the 360's U.S. lead originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 16 May 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>360don-mattrickmicrosoftnpdxbox-360Fri, 16 May 2008 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Explore Liberty City with Google Map application]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/03/explore-liberty-city-with-google-map-application/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/03/explore-liberty-city-with-google-map-application/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/03/explore-liberty-city-with-google-map-application/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Between the comprehensive in-game map, the GPS-imbued minimap, and the TomTom-esque functionality of certain vehicles, we've yet to misplace ourselves within Liberty City's digital boroughs. Still, if you find yourself lost whilst playing Grand Theft Auto IV, we guess this Liberty City map application (mapplication?) using the Google Maps interface would come in handy.

A number of user contributions have already been made to the map, showing the location of hidden items, easter eggs, pigeon locations, stunt jumps, and yes, even hookers, whom we assume were fitted with GPS locaters by trained prostitute handlers before being released back into the wild. It makes for a useful cartographical companion for those with a laptop near their console of choice -- if you don't mind ruining the fun of exploring the nooks and crannies of Rockstar's intricately crafted metropolis for yourself, that is.

JoystiqExplore Liberty City with Google Map application originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 03 May 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>360googlemapsgrand-theft-auto-ivgta-ivgta4gtaivlibertycitymapps3rockstargamesrockstarnorthXbox-360xbox360Sat, 03 May 2008 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft apologizes for 360 'cleaning' with Bill Gates-signed replacement]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/22/microsoft-apologizes-for-360-cleaning-with-bill-gates-signed-r/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/22/microsoft-apologizes-for-360-cleaning-with-bill-gates-signed-r/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/22/microsoft-apologizes-for-360-cleaning-with-bill-gates-signed-r/#commentsFiled under:


Most companies in the gaming industry never really atone for their egregious errors -- if so, Nintendo would have sent us a check for the $180 in hard-earned allowance money that we blew on the retina-singeing Virtual Boy by now. However, our poor investment in Nintendo's unwieldy system can't compare to the tragedy endured by Nathaniel, whose personalized 360 was wiped clean during a RROD repair. Luckily, Bungie jumped to the rescue with an equally collectible Halo care package -- and a recent delivery from Microsoft served as the caboose to Nate's apologetic gravy train.

Included in said delivery was a handful of games and, most notably, a new 360 signed by the Xbox team, Bungie (including replacement artwork by Rooster Teeth Comics' Luke McKay) and, with the flourish of a solid gold pen, Bill Gates. Whether you call it an act of kindness or a lesson in public relations, we think it's a neat gesture from the folks at Microsoft -- a gesture young Nathaniel will only enjoy for the next four months, of course, at which point the button above Gates' John Hancock will blink a menacing scarlet, leaving Nate with a highly collectible paperweight.

JoystiqMicrosoft apologizes for 360 'cleaning' with Bill Gates-signed replacement originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 22 Mar 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>360BillGatesbungiehalomicrosoftrepairrrodXbox-360xbox360Sat, 22 Mar 2008 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[DS Fanboy poll: Would you buy Puzzle Quest '1.5'?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/17/ds-fanboy-poll-would-you-buy-puzzle-quest-1-5/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/17/ds-fanboy-poll-would-you-buy-puzzle-quest-1-5/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/17/ds-fanboy-poll-would-you-buy-puzzle-quest-1-5/#commentsFiled under:

The Nintendo DS has a long way to go before it can match the Xbox 360's online features and capabilities, but that doesn't mean we're any less jealous of the XBLA-only Puzzle Quest "1.5" add-on. In addition to a new story and arch-villain (Antharg, Lord of the Plague), the expansion pack will feature new spells, items, and quests. The upgrades we're extra envious about, though, are the new classes -- Bard, Rogue, Ranger, and Warlock.

Seeing as the DS edition of Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords doesn't allow for downloadable content, if the expansion pack were to come out for the DS, it would have to be on a new cart. We doubt D3 will bother with porting the game, but we're interested to find out if you'd buy a Puzzle Quest 1.5, provided that the game allowed you to migrate your old character, of course.

View Poll


See also: GDC08: Hands almost-on with Puzzle Quest: Galactrix

JoystiqDS Fanboy poll: Would you buy Puzzle Quest '1.5'? originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 17 Mar 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>360challenge-of-the-warlordsdownloadable-contentexpansiongalactrixinfinite interactiveinfiniteinteractivepuzzle-questpuzzlequestxblaMon, 17 Mar 2008 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Xbox 360 to have over 1,000 titles by Summer 2008, says MS rep]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/15/xbox-360-to-have-over-1-000-titles-by-summer-2008-says-ms-rep/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/15/xbox-360-to-have-over-1-000-titles-by-summer-2008-says-ms-rep/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/15/xbox-360-to-have-over-1-000-titles-by-summer-2008-says-ms-rep/#commentsFiled under:


If there's one thing we appreciate about a home console, it's prolificacy -- and for quite some time now, the PS2 has claimed top honors in that respect. Sony's last-gen system currently holds the console record for having the most games (with more than 1600 titles), which we never expected to be toppled in this day and age, where console generations seem to pass more and more like smoke through a keyhole as technology continues to advance.

However, according to Chris Lewis, the Xbox Vice Prez for Microsoft Interactive Entertainment Europe, the 360 might yet pass the PS2 in its lifetime, as the system, he claims, will play host to over 1,000 games by this summer. While this news may come as a boon to MSoft fanboys, keep in mind that this doesn't mean there will be 1,000 good games for the system -- lest we forget, for every Bioshock that makes its way to store shelves, there will be an unavoidable handful of Bomberman: Act Zeroes.

JoystiqXbox 360 to have over 1,000 titles by Summer 2008, says MS rep originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 15 Mar 2008 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1000360chrislewishomeconsolelibrarymicrosoftxboxXbox-360xbox360Sat, 15 Mar 2008 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[How to ruin Christmas using only a 360 box and some clothes]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/02/how-to-ruin-christmas-using-only-a-360-box-and-some-clothes/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/02/how-to-ruin-christmas-using-only-a-360-box-and-some-clothes/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/02/how-to-ruin-christmas-using-only-a-360-box-and-some-clothes/#commentsFiled under: ,


We hesitate to post the soul-crushing video you see above -- it may put a damper on your whole day. You see, many of us have fond holiday memories of tearing through sheets of glossy paper and ribbons to reveal the greatest present a kid can receive -- a new gaming console. To see one family pervert those cherished memories by presenting young Jonathan with an Xbox 360 box filled with clothes just brings us irrevocably down, in a manner that only "Beaches" used to be capable of.

Those sweethearts at Engadget are attempting to contact Jonathan and his rapscallion parents to hook the kid up with a real 360 -- hopefully, they'll send Jonathan's folks a little something too. Perhaps a wrapped-up, car-shaped pile of parenting books left in their driveway would fit the bill.

JoystiqHow to ruin Christmas using only a 360 box and some clothes originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 02 Mar 2008 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>360badparentingchristmasgiftjonathanmeanparentspranktrickxboxXbox-360xbox360Sun, 02 Mar 2008 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft issues response to 360 shortages]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/16/microsoft-issues-reponse-to-360-shortages/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/16/microsoft-issues-reponse-to-360-shortages/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/16/microsoft-issues-reponse-to-360-shortages/#commentsFiled under:

We all know that the Xbox 360 suffers from a fairly high failure rate, as we've all known someone (or been someone) who has experienced first hand the devastating effect of the dreaded Red Ring. However, many of us haven't seen the widespread effect this failure rate is having on the gaming market -- in a recent convo with Reuters, Microsoft's Jeff "Jeff Bell" Bell reported that retailers are having a hard time keeping the system in stock, and that MS is "running short of product here in the United States."

Microsoft issued their own official announcement on the matter in their response to the January NPD report (the same response that those GameDaily gumshoes discovered was chock full o' statistical gerrymandering), saying that "due to this high demand, Xbox 360 is experiencing temporary shortages." We can't help but wonder how much of the shortage is caused by actual post-holiday demand for the system, and how much is caused by the high numbers of Red Ring replacements being shipped out.

Then again, we haven't bought any 360s in a while; the shortage might not be as bad as MS is making it out to be. Has anyone had a hard time getting their hands on Microsoft's console/radiator lately?

JoystiqMicrosoft issues response to 360 shortages originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 16 Feb 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>360demandjeffbellmicrosoftnpdrrodshortagexboxXbox-360xbox360Sat, 16 Feb 2008 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[X3F Week in Review: February 8, 2008 - February 14, 2008]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/14/x3f-week-in-review-february-8-2008-february-14-2008/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/14/x3f-week-in-review-february-8-2008-february-14-2008/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/14/x3f-week-in-review-february-8-2008-february-14-2008/#commentsFiled under: ,

Wowzers. X3F continues its rise to internet dominance this week with way more content than we could possibly compile here. With the addition of two new writers, we've got posts out the yin-yang. Seriously, it's ridiculous. A new Fancast, new Ask X3F, and a brand new community feature all await your consumption. We even take a look at all the latest XBLA releases, and that's before you even look at the news. Crazy, we say. Sup from our buffet of knowledge below.

Community Stuff
News:

JoystiqX3F Week in Review: February 8, 2008 - February 14, 2008 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 14 Feb 2008 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>360week-in-reviewweekly-recapxboxxbox-360Thu, 14 Feb 2008 17:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: Anonymous Microsoft source reveals truth about the Red Ring of Death]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/19/rumor-anoymous-inside-source-reveals-truth-about-the-red-ring-o/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/19/rumor-anoymous-inside-source-reveals-truth-about-the-red-ring-o/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/19/rumor-anoymous-inside-source-reveals-truth-about-the-red-ring-o/#commentsFiled under:


We're sure that many of our readers have experienced, or known someone who has experienced, the death of an Xbox 360. If not, you have now -- every member of the Joystiq staff has suffered the bitter taste of the Red Ring of Death or a ruined disc drive. In the midst of this veritable plague of hardware failures, you may find yourself asking questions of your spiritual leaders and community pillars -- questions like: "Why did my 360 stop working? Was the system rushed to release? How do they go about fixing them?"

All of these questions and more are apparently answered in a recent article by Jake Metcalf from 8Bit Joystick (no relation), who interviewed a nameless "inside source" at Microsoft who was involved in the testing and manufacturing of the console. According to the John Doe, the system was rushed to beat Sony to the market, had purposefully cheap heat sinks (which causes most of the RROD problems), and, most disturbingly, there's a chance that Microsoft may run out of systems with which to replace those that suffer hardware failures.

Jake has proven that he's well connected in the past, calling the Bungie-Microsoft split a week before it was announced thanks to another anonymous Microsoft tipster -- but some of the claims made in this particular article are inflammatory enough to merit higher-than-usual levels of skepticism.

JoystiqRumor: Anonymous Microsoft source reveals truth about the Red Ring of Death originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 19 Jan 2008 18:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3608bitjoystickmicrosoftredringofdeathrrodXbox-360xbox360Sat, 19 Jan 2008 18:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: Microsoft working on first party sequel for next Xbox console]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/05/rumor-microsoft-working-on-first-party-sequel-for-next-xbox-con/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/05/rumor-microsoft-working-on-first-party-sequel-for-next-xbox-con/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/05/rumor-microsoft-working-on-first-party-sequel-for-next-xbox-con/#commentsFiled under:

EGM's Quartermann (or, as we at the Joystiq offices like to call him, ScoopMaster Q) reports that he recently caught wind of a heretofore unannounced Microsoft project -- a sequel to one of their first party titles, which is being developed for the next Xbox console. Apparently, the game was being developed for the Xbox 360, but for reasons unknown, the company recently decided to postpone the game, putting it instead on their next system.

While it's no surprise that there will be another Microsoft gaming console (Xbox 720? 361? Ybox?), nor is it particularly strange for a company to work on games for a system before its release (or announcement), it is peculiar that this news, if true, comes pretty soon in the Xbox 360's life. Considering that Microsoft has repeatedly said that the 360 will outlast the usual five year console cycle, why would they start working on games for a new system just a little over two years after the 360 came out? Consider one of our eyebrows officially raised in skepticism.

JoystiqRumor: Microsoft working on first party sequel for next Xbox console originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 05 Jan 2008 13:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>360MicrosoftQuartermannRumorXboxXbox-360Xbox360Sat, 05 Jan 2008 13:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Major Nelson speaks about recent Xbox Live issues]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/30/major-nelson-speaks-about-recent-xbox-live-issues/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/30/major-nelson-speaks-about-recent-xbox-live-issues/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/30/major-nelson-speaks-about-recent-xbox-live-issues/#commentsFiled under:

Many of you might have noticed a bevy of problems facing Xbox live over this past week: An unresponsive marketplace, the inability to recover a gamertag (or even sign in), and aggravating matchmaking wait times, to name a few. Major Nelson issued a statement last night explaining that while there have been no complete outages of the service over the past week, "problems like this are not acceptable," and that they are working to get the service back to normal. Sadly, no time frame was provided on when repairs to the service would be complete.

There's been no official statement on why the service has been so shoddy lately, but if we were the guessing type, we blame it on the holiday season. We're sure that tons of people found a 360 under their trees (or candles), and immediately tried to hop online; only to collide with the millions of vacationing gamers who were already playing. Technology has come a long way, but the internet can still only hold so many racial epithet-slinging Master Chiefs before things start breaking down.

JoystiqMajor Nelson speaks about recent Xbox Live issues originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 30 Dec 2007 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>360Major-NelsonMajorNelsonMicrosoftXbox-360XboxLiveSun, 30 Dec 2007 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[PS3 sales surpass 360 in France, marginally]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/13/ps3-sales-surpass-360-in-france-marginally/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/13/ps3-sales-surpass-360-in-france-marginally/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/13/ps3-sales-surpass-360-in-france-marginally/#commentsFiled under:

In a twist of events, the PS3 has overtaken Xbox 360 in terms of hardware sales, according to a recent survey conducted in France. According to the survey, the PS3 has found a place to stay in 5% of homes, of the people surveyed. The Wii is, of course, way ahead of the other two consoles at 11% and the 360 actually fell short of the PS3 at 4%, despite having an extra year to accumulate sales.

So, does this mean anything? Not really. If we assume that every single home surveyed only has one console, then only 20% of people in France play videogames. That's silly. But if you want us to spin it, there you go. PS3 has overtaken the 360 in France. Kind of. If you're curious about other gaming-related revelations in France, check out the translated results. We'll light the fireworks when 65% or more of homes tout their PS3 proudly, even alongside another console.

JoystiqPS3 sales surpass 360 in France, marginally originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 Dec 2007 11:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>360franceplaystation-3ps3xbox-360Thu, 13 Dec 2007 11:05:00 EST<![CDATA[X3F Week in Review: November 23, 2007 -- November 29, 2007]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/29/x3f-week-in-review-november-23-2007-november-29-2007/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/29/x3f-week-in-review-november-23-2007-november-29-2007/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/29/x3f-week-in-review-november-23-2007-november-29-2007/#commentsFiled under: ,


It seems like only a week ago we were writing a wrap-up post just like this. Oh wait, we were. This week we must stress that we have an awesome Fancast featuring James Silva, creator of the Dream-Build-Play winner The Dishwasher: Dead Samurai for XBLA. The game sounds awesome. Give the Fancast a listen and find out why. Oh, and while you're at it, why not get your shot at winning a Dead Samurai T-shirt?

Community Stuff:
News:

JoystiqX3F Week in Review: November 23, 2007 -- November 29, 2007 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 29 Nov 2007 20:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>360week-in-reviewweekly-recapx3f-week-in-reviewxbox-360Thu, 29 Nov 2007 20:27:00 EST<![CDATA[New Avatar game awards 1K gamerpoints in 2 minutes]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/18/new-avatar-game-awards-1-000-gamerpoints-in-two-minutes/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/18/new-avatar-game-awards-1-000-gamerpoints-in-two-minutes/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/18/new-avatar-game-awards-1-000-gamerpoints-in-two-minutes/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Gamerpoint addiction is a serious problem, people. Did you know that 1.2 million Americans buy awful games every day, just to harvest the sweet gamerpoint nectar that lies within? That's close to 60 million dollars a day that could be donated to charity, or, at the very least, spent on good games. We've got good news and bad news for these people. The bad news? You're going to be buying another bad game soon. The good news? You'll only need to play it for two minutes.

Apparently, the creators of Avatar: The Last Airbender - The Burning Earth (Avatar: The Legend of Aang - The Burning Earth for our European readers) thought it would be much, much harder to rack up a 50 hit combo than it actually was. We wonder when someone will start up a Gamerpoint Regulation Council that will make the distribution of points between games like Avatar and games like Guitar Hero III a tad more uniform.

[Thanks, jstroh]

JoystiqNew Avatar game awards 1K gamerpoints in 2 minutes originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 18 Nov 2007 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>360AvatarGamerpointsGamerscoreXbox-360Sun, 18 Nov 2007 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Sexy shots of Xbox 360 Rock Band USB hub]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/30/sexy-shots-of-xbox-360-rock-band-usb-hub/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/30/sexy-shots-of-xbox-360-rock-band-usb-hub/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/30/sexy-shots-of-xbox-360-rock-band-usb-hub/#commentsFiled under: ,


Some may think Rock Band's Fender Stratocaster-inspired guitar is the sexiest thing in that $200 box [correction: $170 box!], but they're forgetting about the USB hub that Xbox 360 players will be using to plug in all those wired instruments. We have to admit, we got a little hot and bothered when we first spied the above picture of the sleek, stylishly-designed four-port hub.

1UP has even more naughty, gratuitous shots of this bad boy, and baby oh baby, they are smoking. We just can't wait until we get to fondle that hot piece of tech for ourselves come Nov. 20. *Drool*

Update: We just noticed that this hub seems to require external power from an A/C adapter wall unit. Significantly less sexy ...

JoystiqSexy shots of Xbox 360 Rock Band USB hub originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 30 Oct 2007 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>360hubrock bandRockBandUSBXbox-360Tue, 30 Oct 2007 11:40:00 EST<![CDATA[X3F Week in Review: October 4, 2007 - October 11, 2007]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/11/x3f-week-in-review-october-4-2007-october-11-2007/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/11/x3f-week-in-review-october-4-2007-october-11-2007/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/11/x3f-week-in-review-october-4-2007-october-11-2007/#commentsFiled under:


It's time for the first ever Xbox 360 Fanboy Week in Review, kiddies. If you haven't quite ascertained the portents of the headline above, it means we're breaking down all the best stories from the previous week and sticking them right here in an easily digestible list format. For the Joystiqers out there unfamiliar with our little establishment, Xbox 360 Fanboy is your one stop repository for all things Xbox 360. Please peruse, click, and enjoy.

Fanswag Weekly:
Xbox 360 Fancast (you do listen to our podcast, right?):
News:

JoystiqX3F Week in Review: October 4, 2007 - October 11, 2007 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 11 Oct 2007 20:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>360awesomeweekly-recapx3f-week-in-reviewxbox-360xbox-360-fanboyThu, 11 Oct 2007 20:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Using a 360 controller to play PSP games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/28/using-a-360-controller-to-play-psp-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/28/using-a-360-controller-to-play-psp-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/28/using-a-360-controller-to-play-psp-games/#commentsFiled under: ,

Imagine a gaming utopia, where Sony and Microsoft are friends. Gamers will be able to buy just one piece of hardware, and get all the best games on one machine. You'll be able to plug in whatever controller you like and it'll work. Unfortunately, that utopia will never emerge as reality. Until then, we're going to have to amuse ourselves with clever (and cute) pieces of homebrew like this. Maxconsole's Jay has made it possible to use a 360 controller on a PSP. It's certainly not the most useful thing to do -- but an impressive feat of engineering nonetheless!

[Via Engadget]

JoystiqUsing a 360 controller to play PSP games originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 28 Aug 2007 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>360controllerhomebrewxbox360Tue, 28 Aug 2007 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Recent 360 and Live buyers get two free XBLA games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/17/recent-360-and-live-buyers-get-two-free-xbla-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/17/recent-360-and-live-buyers-get-two-free-xbla-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/17/recent-360-and-live-buyers-get-two-free-xbla-games/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Microsoft offers two free Xbox Live Arcade games if you bought a 360 and Live account over the past year. Fill out a short registration form and enter code "XBX0807" to qualify. However, the site is cagey about which games you'll get. The terms and conditions state that you'll receive an email code by September 30 to download the titles, but the offer "will be for games selected by Microsoft."

360 fence-sitters still have until September 15 to buy the console and net the games. And the promotion includes buyers as far back as August 8, 2006. The wording sounds like Live account renewals don't qualify, but we still registered. We've contacted Microsoft for clarification but hadn't heard specifics when this post went live. We'll update you when we learn more.

[Update: Microsoft told us it hasn't announced which games you'll get and also stated that the promotion is for new Live accounts only. So officially at least, Live renewals get no love.]

[Via Dealnews]

JoystiqRecent 360 and Live buyers get two free XBLA games originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 17 Aug 2007 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>360dealdealsdownloadlivelivearcademicrosoftmicrosoftpointspromotionregistrationxblaxboxXbox-360Fri, 17 Aug 2007 16:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Cheapy D fixes red ring with towel in video]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/09/cheapy-d-fixes-red-ring-with-towel-in-video/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/09/cheapy-d-fixes-red-ring-with-towel-in-video/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/09/cheapy-d-fixes-red-ring-with-towel-in-video/#commentsFiled under: , ,

You want proof that Cheapy D isn't just a clever name? The lord of Cheap Ass Gamer proves it with this video, demonstrating his personal spin on the red-ring-of-death-repairing towel trick. It's an interesting process to watch if you haven't seen it, vaguely reminiscent of our college days when we would watch, enthralled as our stoner friend Rusty would turn his PlayStation completely upside down so we could all play Tony Hawk.

What makes this such a moving tribute to cheapness is not that Cheapy D will go to these lengths, it's that Cheapy D will go to these lengths every four days or so to avoid buying a new 360. Now that's a man who hates spending money.

JoystiqCheapy D fixes red ring with towel in video originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 09 Aug 2007 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>360cheapydrrodtoweltrickXbox-360Thu, 09 Aug 2007 11:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Gamestop email: Microsoft announcement on August 8]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/02/gamestop-email-microsoft-announcement-on-august-8/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/02/gamestop-email-microsoft-announcement-on-august-8/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/02/gamestop-email-microsoft-announcement-on-august-8/#commentsFiled under: ,


We've heard of this email from a couple of tipsters who shall remain nameless, and now, through the magic of the internet, we're able to share it with you. The note, sent out on Tuesday to Gamestop stores, lets them know that they can expect marketing materials about an "upcoming announcement" from Microsoft that should be posted on Aug. 8. The sternly-worded missive also says that those that receive the "materials" early should not display them. Also, "DO NOT" is capitalized, so you know the person on the other end is through playing around, mister.

Now, we know there's a temptation to think that the materials will be about the rumored 360 price drop. But, as we're sure that Microsoft would tell you were they here, it could be about anything. Maybe it's a ... super secret new Zune. Hmm, you're not buying it. Yeah, neither are we. We'll let you know when one of our super spies takes a picture of the materials with their ballpoint pen camera before activating their stealth suit and shimmying out a heating duct.

JoystiqGamestop email: Microsoft announcement on August 8 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 02 Aug 2007 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>360gamestoppricecutXbox-360Thu, 02 Aug 2007 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Geometry Wars video hurts]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/11/geometry-wars-video-hurts/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/11/geometry-wars-video-hurts/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/11/geometry-wars-video-hurts/#commentsFiled under:


We think we've underestimated Xbox 360 gamers. Not that we didn't hold them in high regard, but we just assumed that they were all humans. We don't know how anyone can play Geometry Wars and see what's going on through all the sparks and particle effects. It must require a feat of concentration just to track your own ship on the screen. We could barely play Bangai-O on the Dreamcast, and this is like Bangai-O with everything made of sparks.

Wii gamers are going to get extra complexity in Geometry Wars: Galaxies, since we'll have to track not only our ship but also the Wiimote-controlled aiming reticle. It's like training your brain! Also, oooooh pretty.

[Via Joystiq]

Continue reading Geometry Wars video hurts

JoystiqGeometry Wars video hurts originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 11 Jul 2007 10:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>360ActionArcadebizarreBizarre-Creationsgalaxiesgeometrygeometry warsGeometry-WarsGeometry-Wars-GalaxiesGeometryWarskujuKuju-EntertainmentshmupshootershootingSierrasparksvideoxboxWed, 11 Jul 2007 10:35:00 EST<![CDATA[If you like parkour, you'll like Mirror's Edge]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/06/if-you-like-parkour-youll-like-mirrors-edge/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/06/if-you-like-parkour-youll-like-mirrors-edge/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/06/if-you-like-parkour-youll-like-mirrors-edge/#commentsFiled under:

For those not in the know, parkour is essentially the running around a city and using buildings as stepping stones. The art of movement? Freerunning? Hmm, it's a bit complicated to sum up, so perhaps a video of it would explain it better. Or a fantastic movie. Regardless of our inability to describe the street acrobatics of parkour, know that it's awesome and DICE's upcoming FPS, Mirror's Edge, wants to capture the feeling of the human body doing such stunts. It's essentially moving Prince of Persia into first-person and we can dig that.

The game wants to pay attention to the body like no other FPS, taking note of acceleration and deceleration, head movements whilst running, and motion while you climb or jump. To pull off the parkour-inspired moves, you've got to set in a sequence of button-presses, utilizing some sort of "reaction time" slow motion feature. The game, you can infer, isn't about shooting people so much as it is about knowing your way around the huge levels and being able to pull off these escape stunts. Gunning someone down is the ultimate goal, but in multiplayer at least, chase sequences are going to be the fun part. We're excited to see how this one turns out!

JoystiqIf you like parkour, you'll like Mirror's Edge originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 06 Jul 2007 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>360DICEmicrosoftmirror's edgeMirror'sEdgeplaystation 3Playstation3ps3sonyxbox 360Xbox360Fri, 06 Jul 2007 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Last Remnant: swords, kidnappers, and wars, oh my!]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/04/the-last-remnant-swords-kidnappers-and-wars-oh-my/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/04/the-last-remnant-swords-kidnappers-and-wars-oh-my/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/04/the-last-remnant-swords-kidnappers-and-wars-oh-my/#commentsFiled under: ,


In addition to the nifty trailer we've embedded for you, we've got some more information regarding the Square Enix title Romancing SaGa Tactics The Last Remnant. No, we're not going to blab about the characters or basic plot (other than the kidnapping of your younger sister Irena). What we've learned is that there is only one main playable character, Rush Sykes, not two as previously rumored.

Even so, expect large-scale battles with numerous personalities instead of faceless infantry. If you played any of the old Ogre Battle games (which had subtitles named after many Queen songs -- March of the Black Queen, for example), imagine that. What we mean is a "main" character surrounded by some faceless infantry. With that, you'll imagine a fairly turn-based battle system with some more cinematic "realistic" experiences, such as the morale bar and some actions to take in the middle of something else (during a fight sequence, you may get some button cues to unleash a flurry of extra moves, increasing said morale bar). That's all we're going to say for now. Enjoy the trailer and we'll keep you up to date!

JoystiqThe Last Remnant: swords, kidnappers, and wars, oh my! originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 04 Jul 2007 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>360microsoftplaystation 3Playstation3ps3sonysquare enixSquareEnixthe last remnantTheLastRemnantxbox 360Xbox360Wed, 04 Jul 2007 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fracture details explode forth from the ground]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/04/fracture-details-explode-forth-from-the-ground/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/04/fracture-details-explode-forth-from-the-ground/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/04/fracture-details-explode-forth-from-the-ground/#commentsFiled under:

LucasArts is making a game called Fracture. We've covered it once or twice before. We're really excited about it. Taking that into consideration, when we read a new preview of the title, our excitement grew even more because the terrain deformation mechanic is starting to make more sense to us. We'll explain how it works without going into all the back story -- read that if you want. What we will tell you is the visuals look sharper and resolutions higher than 720p are being considered.

You can carry two weapons at a time, along with four types of grenades. Each weapon has a primary (shooting) feature and a secondary. The secondary features primarily (get it?) deal with terrain deformation -- the machine gun will chip away at the ground, making a staircase on a steep cliff. The shotgun bullets bounce off walls and the rocket launcher creates a subterranean torpedo. Another weapon serves as a type of vacuum, sucking up dirt and debris into a gigantic ball, then rolling it into enemies for an eventual explosion. The grenades serve different purposes as well, mostly for terrain deformation. They're really cool sounding, but that's for you to read up on. Look for the game in early 2008 as well as more coverage over E3!

JoystiqFracture details explode forth from the ground originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 04 Jul 2007 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>360fracturelucas artsLucasArtsmicrosoftplaystation 3Playstation3ps3sonyxbox 360Xbox360Wed, 04 Jul 2007 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[We're glad to announce that Turok is back and he's awesome]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/04/were-glad-to-announce-that-turok-is-back-and-hes-awesome/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/04/were-glad-to-announce-that-turok-is-back-and-hes-awesome/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/04/were-glad-to-announce-that-turok-is-back-and-hes-awesome/#commentsFiled under:

It's nice to see Turok come back from the horrible spiral it started to take after the first games. IGN got to test ride the dino-hunter title recently and their verdict is what we wanted to hear: "beyond sweet." Let's explain. The jungle you're stuck in on some foreign world is alive with options. Two soldiers approach your hiding place. Shoot them? They'll sound the alarm and waves of enemies will come, not to mention dinosaurs who grow hungry and like loud noises. Bow and arrow them? Yeah, but that's boring. Sneak around and knife 'em? Nah! How about you stick a silencer on your gun, aim carefully and shoot the nearby dinosaur egg nest, and watch the mother run out and feast on the intruders walking by? Now that sounds fun!

Much like plenty of other FPS titles out there, every weapon comes with a secondary fire option and each of these can be used appropriately in a multitude of situations. We hope Tek Arrows come back. Those were nifty. In addition to secondary fire on your weaponry, you'll have context-sensitive commands if you want to, er, "stealth kill" a dino, or if a dino is trying to eat your face. Sounds good, but might be a bit time consuming in those 16-player online matches complete with dinosaurs to kill everyone.

We're cautiously optimistic. The game sounds glorious, looks fantastic and from the hands-on, we get the idea the game has a lot going for it. What could ruin it? Not poor A.I., as it's being touted as something to be reckoned with. Length of the game? Nope, the online mode sounds unique and fun, too. We're not sure, but we think that this new Turok game will indeed bring the series to a new beginning and it will rock.

JoystiqWe're glad to announce that Turok is back and he's awesome originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 04 Jul 2007 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>360microsoftplaystation 3Playstation3ps3sonyturokxbox 360Xbox360Wed, 04 Jul 2007 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA['Heil Hitler' car auctioned in Forza 2, exposes kink in user-generated gaming]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/03/heil-hitler-car-auctioned-in-forza-2-exposes-kink-in-user-gen/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/03/heil-hitler-car-auctioned-in-forza-2-exposes-kink-in-user-gen/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/03/heil-hitler-car-auctioned-in-forza-2-exposes-kink-in-user-gen/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

forza 2Microsoft and Turn 10 might be determined to seek and destroy acts of hatred and discrimination plastered on Xbox Live, but the publisher and developer of Forza 2 couldn't act fast enough to prevent a 1957 Mercedes 300SL, defaced by pro-Nazi symbols and sentiments, from being offered through the game's online auction mode. 360-gamer recently pointed to the unsettling item, criticizing the moderators for their inability to keep this kind of content off of the Xbox Live servers; or at least promptly remove it (apparently the car's been Live for a while).

Whether adolescent mischief or true delusion, a small percentage of user-generated content is always going to incite "discrimination, hate, or violence towards one person or a group." While Microsoft clearly defines the boundaries of condemnable content in its Online User Policy*, the company fails to suggest how it might protect its users from being victimized by such content. Probably because it can't.

Continue reading 'Heil Hitler' car auctioned in Forza 2, exposes kink in user-generated gaming

Joystiq'Heil Hitler' car auctioned in Forza 2, exposes kink in user-generated gaming originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 03 Jul 2007 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>360forzaforza 2Forza2game3.0microsoftnazips3racingturn 10Turn10xboxxbox liveXbox-360xbox360XboxLiveTue, 03 Jul 2007 19:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Alone in the Dark: the definitive horror experience]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/03/alone-in-the-dark-the-definitive-horror-experience/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/03/alone-in-the-dark-the-definitive-horror-experience/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/03/alone-in-the-dark-the-definitive-horror-experience/#commentsFiled under:

You know that feeling you get when your gut just tells you something is going to be good? It's usually wrong in the end, but until you know for sure it's just a great means to power the hype train? We've got that feeling about Alone in the Dark. Because they scrapped using a subtitle or a numerical indicator, it tells us they've re-imagined the franchise and will take the game down a new, hopefully scary, path. An interview with producer Noir Polloni explains more, after the jump.

Continue reading Alone in the Dark: the definitive horror experience

JoystiqAlone in the Dark: the definitive horror experience originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 03 Jul 2007 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Read the title again, then think about Blu-ray. The small fraction of people taking advantage of a console's video playback function? We're almost certain most of that market is centered on the PS3 crowd. We're driving the Blu-ray format home. The Diffusion Group, however, isn't looking at the PS3 alone, but the three next-gen consoles together. How much do people use video playback on those? Apparently, "80 percent of console owners have the option, only 30 percent realized it was part of its feature set, and only 13 percent actually utilize it." Chances are we are the bulk of that 13 percent.

We know that many parents who may buy game systems for their children are largely uneducated to the video game industry and all the functions available not only to their kids, but to themselves as well. Thus why people still have parts of their homes dubbed "dens" or "game rooms". The PS3 deserves front-and-center attention to a family's media center and these results reflect that many are not even aware of the awesomeness of Blu-ray movies. Or nobody watches DVDs on the 360 or the Wii ... well, the 360. Wii owners don't exactly have a choice.

JoystiqOnly a small fraction of console gamers use video playback originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 28 Jun 2007 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If you're unfamiliar with TimeShift's development life, you should know it was originally slated as an Xbox and PC title. Original, fatty black n' green Xbox, we mean. It got stuck in development hell for reasons only the developers truly knew, but we now realize what was wrong. Saber Interactive was waiting. Waiting for the next-gen consoles, because what they wanted to do wasn't possible on old hardware. Forget about the full visual makeover it received, we're going to tell you some more detailed information about the game itself.

The old story, recorded dialogue with Dennis Quaid and Michael Ironside included, has been scrapped. Gone is the tragic war veteran who lost his daughter and replacing him is you, the player. Taking on a classic RPG style of unnamed protagonist, you're just a player in the war game, so to speak. If you were a silent protagonist, that'd be awesome, but unlikely. Regardless, you travel to an alternate timeline and take on an army of warriors protecting the man who changed the flow of time to make himself leader of all things gritty, dark, and somber.

A new time-control scheme lies in your suit, dubbed S.S.A.M. and given a female persona. One button controls the ability to stop, slow, or rewind time, depending on which would be most beneficial in a given situation. Using these in the levels would be nice, but the first four completed levels were completely scrapped, replaced by gigantic new ones, each with a specific purpose to advance the story. There's plenty more to discuss, like the enhanced AI, puzzle-solving opportunities and other gameplay gimmicks, but we'll stop here and let you check the rest out on your own. Shooters have to try harder to differentiate themselves from one another and this game is trying harder than most.

JoystiqEverything you want to know about TimeShift originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 17 Jun 2007 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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When you first read any hands-on material, you generally groan in disappointment because all you hear is fluffy statements about this or that. People who are given hands-on time typically won't say anything negative about a game, as that would be rude. However, sometimes you can pick out choice phrases or words that connote whether or not a game, to put it bluntly, blows. So when Games Radar posted their hands-on, we were surprised to see none of that in their hands-on of Dark Sector, recently rescheduled for next year due to a busy Fall lineup (but Summer is still completely empty).

The game is a melting pot of ideas. If we were to blurt out the influences, we'd probably scream a list similar to this: Rygar, Resident Evil 4, Gears of War, Zelda, and Metroid. You've got your spinning disc thingy that cuts people up, your third person shooting style from RE4 and the cover system from GoW and you learn new skills and solve puzzles with said skills/items like in Zelda and Metroid.

What Games Radar said about the game graphically is pleasing -- it used to be fairly ugly, but they've complimented how it has turned out. Sure, it doesn't look the killer app for the PS3 and 360, but if your level of fun slows down after the holidays, this might just give you the shot of excitement you need.

JoystiqIs Dark Sector something to keep our eyes on? originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 14 Jun 2007 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>360Dark SectorDarkSectorMicrosoftPlayStation 3Playstation3PS3SonyStarbreezeXbox 360Xbox360Thu, 14 Jun 2007 14:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Dark Sector slices calendar up, forgets about 2007 release]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/13/dark-sector-slices-calendar-up-forgets-about-2007-release/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/13/dark-sector-slices-calendar-up-forgets-about-2007-release/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/13/dark-sector-slices-calendar-up-forgets-about-2007-release/#commentsThank goodness! You may be wondering why we've got our arms raised high in elation as we praise the heavens at the news of the anticipated Dark Sector getting pushed back to early 2008. It isn't that the game has hit a roadblock during production. It isn't that they don't feel the game is ready for people to play. The real reason is fairly obvious: every game known to man is trying to get pushed out the door during the holiday season of 2007. Dark Sector doesn't want to be yet another hit in your wallet or something that simply gets forgotten about. D3 wants their title to get noticed and so do we. Thanks for taking one for the consumer team, Dark Sector, and we'll see you in 2008.

JoystiqDark Sector slices calendar up, forgets about 2007 release originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 13 Jun 2007 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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