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 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Costco UK selling full-size F1 simulator for just £90,000]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/18/costco-uk-selling-full-size-f1-simulator-for-just-90-000/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/18/costco-uk-selling-full-size-f1-simulator-for-just-90-000/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/18/costco-uk-selling-full-size-f1-simulator-for-just-90-000/#commentsCostco UK selling fullsize F1 simulator for just 90,000 Costco UK is selling an FMCG International F1 racing simulator for £89,999.89 (including delivery and installation!), or $138,338.83, which is still significantly cheaper than owning an actual Formula 1 car. We also assume it's probably a tiny bit safer and easier to maintain, but that's just a hunch.

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

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

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

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>costcoF1FMCG-InternationalpcracingreplicasimsimulationsimulatorSat, 18 May 2013 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[WRUP: Xbox 720? NeXbox? Xboxfinity?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/wrup-xbox-720-nexbox-xboxfinity/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/wrup-xbox-720-nexbox-xboxfinity/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/wrup-xbox-720-nexbox-xboxfinity/#commentsWRUP Xbox 720 NeXbox Xboxfinity The next generation of Microsoft's Xbox console will be revealed next Tuesday, May 21. Swing on by here (and set those calendars, Siri reminders) to join us at 1PM Eastern (10AM Pacific, 6PM UK) for whatever happens.

What's everyone playing this weekend?

Continue reading WRUP: Xbox 720? NeXbox? Xboxfinity?

JoystiqWRUP: Xbox 720? NeXbox? Xboxfinity? originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 17 May 2013 21:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>what-are-you-playingwrupFri, 17 May 2013 21:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Celebrate Diablo 3's birthday with Magic Find and EXP boosts]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/16/celebrate-diablo-3s-birthday-with-magic-find-and-exp-boosts/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/16/celebrate-diablo-3s-birthday-with-magic-find-and-exp-boosts/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/16/celebrate-diablo-3s-birthday-with-magic-find-and-exp-boosts/#comments One year ago, The Diablo 3 servers went public. In celebration of the Lord of Terror's re-birthday, Blizzard is granting Diablo 3 players some special in-game boosts. From now until May 21, all dungeon-crawlers will receive an extra 25 percent bonus to both Magic Find and EXP. In addition, this bonus will stack above the usual 300 percent cap.

In addition, many Diablo 3 Twitch streamers are holding celebrations of their own, hosting special streams and giveaways. You can find the schedule right here.

Last week, Blizzard implemented a boost of a different sort, massively expanding Diablo 3's in-game gold reserves, but that was an accident.

JoystiqCelebrate Diablo 3's birthday with Magic Find and EXP boosts originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 16 May 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionActivision-BlizzardblizzardDiablo-3macpcThu, 16 May 2013 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Metro: Last Light dev warns against changing FOV with coming patch]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/15/metro-last-light-dev-warns-against-changing-fov-with-coming-pat/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/15/metro-last-light-dev-warns-against-changing-fov-with-coming-pat/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/15/metro-last-light-dev-warns-against-changing-fov-with-coming-pat/#commentsMetro Last Light devs respond to field of view requests Metro: Last Light features a fixed field of view, and while we didn't have a problem with that, other players have. Developer 4A Games heard the feedback and has a fix in the next title update coming to Steam - but it comes with a warning. Changing the field of view could trigger a range of bugs, including breaking cut scene animations and decreasing game performance in general.

"We had considered offering three FOV pre-sets, but this would still require significant work to re-do every animation, adjust the HUD and UI and other seemingly small but incredibly time consuming tasks," 4A writes on the game's Steam discussion board. "Even with a wider but still fixed field of view, Artyom's hands would look too far away. We know - we tried."

4A is looking at other possible solutions, but for now the next title update's fix will have to do.

"This may well trigger a number of issues listed above - you have been warned!" 4A says.

JoystiqMetro: Last Light dev warns against changing FOV with coming patch originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 May 2013 20:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>4a-gamesfield-of-viewfovmetro-2033-last-lightmetro-2034metro-last-lightpatchpctitle-updateWed, 15 May 2013 20:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Powering beyond 100 hours in Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/15/powering-beyond-one-hundred-hours-in-monster-hunter-3-ultimate/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/15/powering-beyond-one-hundred-hours-in-monster-hunter-3-ultimate/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/15/powering-beyond-one-hundred-hours-in-monster-hunter-3-ultimate/#commentsIn his weekly column, writer Bob Mackey will alternate between two of his passions: the Japanese RPG genre and classic games. This week, Bob returns to the world of Monster Hunter.

Since I don't play MMOs, it's a rare occasion to see the timer on any of my games roll past that magical 99:59 mark. Still, it's happened more times than I'd like to admit; whenever an especially deep or content-rich RPG hits me during a particularly inactive time in my life, I'll focus on it and it alone. Since I've chosen a career path laden with vast periods of inactivity, RPGs Fallout 3, the Persona and Dragon Quest franchises, and Dark Souls have done a fine job of soaking up free time that would have otherwise gone to waste on frequent power naps or community service.

Chalk it up to fate if you want, but Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate found me in the familiar condition of "nothing better to do," and for the past six weeks, Capcom's hardcore action-RPG has given me a whole new set of complex mechanics and arcana to obsess over with thousands of my fellow monster-hunting fans. Now that I've reached that monumental 100-hour mark, it's time to ask myself one question: Did I invest my time wisely?

Short answer: no, but I'll save regrets over playing too many video games for my death bed.

Gallery: Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate (1/17/13)

Continue reading Powering beyond 100 hours in Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate

JoystiqPowering beyond 100 hours in Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 May 2013 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsCapcommonster-hunter-3-ultimatenintendoOpinionwii-uWed, 15 May 2013 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Indie platform confessional: PSN, XBLA, eShop, 'all of the above']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/15/indie-platform-confessional-psn-xbla-eshop-all-of-the-above/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/15/indie-platform-confessional-psn-xbla-eshop-all-of-the-above/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/15/indie-platform-confessional-psn-xbla-eshop-all-of-the-above/#commentsIndie platform confessional, part 1 PSN, XBLA, eShop, 'all of the above' The internet is kind of like a classic confessional - except it's not a box, it's a lot brighter and everyone can hear what you have to say. Still, we asked a handful of independent developers for their thoughts on what exactly makes a platform effective, and they spilled it all, dissecting the pros and cons of the most popular, current models of distibution.

Today, we feature answers from SpyParty's Chris Hecker, Retro City Rampage's Brian Provinciano, Ska Studios' James Silva, Thomas Was Alone's Mike Bithell, and others. This group of developers had specific thoughts about Sony's PlayStation Network, Microsoft's Xbox Live Indie Games and Arcade services, the Nintendo eShop, and the dream of having it all.

Tomorrow we'll feature answers from the Steam, Humble Store, iOS and Android camps. Let the confessions begin:

Continue reading Indie platform confessional: PSN, XBLA, eShop, 'all of the above'

JoystiqIndie platform confessional: PSN, XBLA, eShop, 'all of the above' originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 May 2013 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Indieindie-confessionalWed, 15 May 2013 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Scribblenauts Unmasked amasses thousands of DC Comics characters]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/15/scribblenauts-unmasked-amasses-thousands-of-dc-comics-characters/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/15/scribblenauts-unmasked-amasses-thousands-of-dc-comics-characters/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/15/scribblenauts-unmasked-amasses-thousands-of-dc-comics-characters/#comments
The creators of Scribblenauts have ceaselessly documented and cutely illustrated nearly everything in the known universe, so why not turn to the parallel worlds of DC Comics? Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure contains a number of heroes, villains and weirdos - that number being over 2,000.

Developer 5th Cell claims to have scrutinized every single superpower, series and universe in DC Comics history, all to serve the game's trick of summoning whatever or whoever the player commits to a magical notepad. Maxwell returns as jotting protagonist, joined this time by his twin sister Lily.

If Scribblenauts Unmasked doesn't have the best Batmans (Batmen?), it certainly has the most at 33 pairs of pointy ears in total, joined by an extravagant 130 Green Lanterns. That emerald grouping includes Mogo, a sentient planet with a lot of gravitational pull in the Green Lantern Corps.

Scribblenauts Unmasked is hinged on using adjectives and objects to complete "heroic feats," a bombastic term for puzzles procedurally generated from a dynamic list of DC characters, locations and potential tasks. Custom-built characters can also be thrown into the mix, though only DC's official figures get a written biography on the Batcomputer.

Scribblenauts Unmasked will be available on 3DS, Wii U and PC this fall.

Gallery: Scribblenauts Unmasked

JoystiqScribblenauts Unmasked amasses thousands of DC Comics characters originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 May 2013 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3ds5th-celldc-comicsnintendopcscribblenauts-unmaskedwarner-broswii-uWed, 15 May 2013 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Shaq's licensing company trademarks 'Shaqfighter']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/15/shaqs-licensing-company-trademarks-shaqfighter/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/15/shaqs-licensing-company-trademarks-shaqfighter/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/15/shaqs-licensing-company-trademarks-shaqfighter/#comments
Mine O' Mine, the licensing company responsible for all things bearing the resemblance of the legendarily mononymous Shaq, has registered a trademark for "Shaqfighter." The trademark's Goods and Services qualifications cover the term for "providing online games" and "computer and video game characters," among many other purposes along that line, which leads us to believe that this is probably a video game thing.

Of course, when the words "Shaq" and "fighter" are thrown together in such close proximity, 1994's Shaq-fu immediately springs to mind for any of us old enough to remember it in all of its confusing, supernatural glory. Well, "glory." Here's hoping this new jam ends up being more than an Infinity Blade clone starring an endless bloodline of medieval Shaqs. Actually ...

JoystiqShaq's licensing company trademarks 'Shaqfighter' originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 May 2013 04:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>shaqshaq-fushaqfightertrademarkUSPTOWed, 15 May 2013 04:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Andy Schatz lets slip scrapped competitive modes for Monaco]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/14/andy-schatz-lets-slip-scrapped-competitive-modes-for-monaco/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/14/andy-schatz-lets-slip-scrapped-competitive-modes-for-monaco/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/14/andy-schatz-lets-slip-scrapped-competitive-modes-for-monaco/#commentsAndy Schatz and Austin Wintory AMA Andy Schatz took some time off from thievery in his recent release, Monaco, and sat down with the fine people of Reddit to answer all of the questions they threw at him, such as, "Which features didn't make it into the game?"

"Cops and Robbers, and Thief vs Thief," Schatz replied. "We wanted to add two additional competitive game modes to the game. We got them to playable, but we discovered that for both modes the balance didn't really work within the existing levels."

Thief vs Thief had players compete in a single stage, to see who could collect the most coins, grab the trophy and get out first - but the player who left the gate first had a huge advantage, sucking up all of the coins, and the mode didn't turn out to be as fun as Schatz had hoped, he said. Cops and Robbers added a police officer to every level, but the early stages were too easy and the later stages too difficult.

With some tweaks, Schatz said he hoped to bring Cops and Robbers to Monaco "at some point," possibly as DLC.

Monaco's characters evolved along with the gameplay, and Schatz described how each of them spawned, early in development: "The Gentleman used to be a hypnotist, The Lookout used to be the Prowler (parkour expert), The Mole used to be The Muscle, The Pickpocket used to be The Rat (could rat out teammates to save himself). The Redhead had a taser or a pistol at one point. The Pickpocket started out as dwarf twins instead of a man with a monkey." Stranger things.

Once Monaco's final touches were all settled, Schatz said he had an idea to develop a "good console RTS (or at least simple-controls RTS) that is as strategically as deep as the competitive RTSes." First, he has to work on the Monaco level editor, expansions and maybe more ports - he singled out Vita and PS4, while Mac and Linux ports are already on the books.

JoystiqAndy Schatz lets slip scrapped competitive modes for Monaco originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 14 May 2013 21:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>andy-schatzIndiemicrosoftmonacopcPocketwatch-Gamesredditreddit-amaxboxTue, 14 May 2013 21:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Hawken employees genderflip CEO's sexy lady poster, have a laugh]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/14/hawken-employees-genderflip-ceos-sexy-lady-poster-have-a-laugh/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/14/hawken-employees-genderflip-ceos-sexy-lady-poster-have-a-laugh/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/14/hawken-employees-genderflip-ceos-sexy-lady-poster-have-a-laugh/#commentsHawken pub employees genderflip CEO's sexy lady poster, have a laugh Hawken publisher Meteor Entertainment has a handle on the gender equality gig, with ladies making up a solid half of its executive branch, according to a female employee's post on The Hawkeye Initiative.

"Our gender awareness standards, compared to the industry at large, are top shelf," she writes. "We are talking Amelia Earhart in Atlantis, at a five star resort, getting a mani-pedi from Jensen Ackles. I have it good."

But CEO Mark Long (a dude, if that wasn't apparent) had a penchant for the sexy lady poster above (on the left, if that wasn't apparent), and the writer didn't particularly care for it. It was blown up to poster size and placed in his office so that it was the first thing the writer - and all visitors - saw upon entering, and the last thing when leaving.

"This little lady's undermeats have been the open- and close-parens to my work world for the last six months," she described. "I loathe this picture."

So she did something about it. The writer roped in a co-worker and artist, Sam Kirk, to whip up a gender-swapped version of the poster, which they named Brosie the Riveter. They blew it up to the same poster size, and on April 1, they swapped it with the female one in their CEO's office.

When Long saw the poster, he flipped. But then he came up to the writer and said something truly touching:

"That was a brilliant prank. You called me on exactly the bullshit I need to be called on. I put up pictures of half-naked girls around the office all the time and I never think about it. I'm taking you and Sam to lunch. And after that, we're going to hang both prints, side by side."

And so they did. The end.

JoystiqHawken employees genderflip CEO's sexy lady poster, have a laugh originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 14 May 2013 20:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adhesiveAdhesive-gamesequalitygendergender-equalityhawkenmark-longMeteor-EntertainmentpcTue, 14 May 2013 20:45:00 EST<![CDATA[VP Joe Biden: 'No legal reason' the US can't tax violent media]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/14/vp-joe-biden-no-legal-reason-the-us-cant-tax-violent-media/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/14/vp-joe-biden-no-legal-reason-the-us-cant-tax-violent-media/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/14/vp-joe-biden-no-legal-reason-the-us-cant-tax-violent-media/#commentsBiden says there's no legal reason the US can't tax violent media Vice President Joe Biden has been on the front lines of the gun violence debate since the mass shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, in December. In January, Biden led a task force assigned by President Barack Obama to examine possible means of curtailing gun violence in the US, and his findings prompted Obama to call for scientific research into the effects of violent media on young minds.

Earlier in May, Biden met behind closed doors with 20 representatives from faith-based organizations to discuss gun control and immigration, and he briefly addressed video games, Politico reports. Franklin Graham, son of evangelist Billy Graham, proposed to Biden that "media and entertainment that portray violence should be subject to a special tax, with the proceeds going to help victims and their families," according to Rabbi Julie Schonfeld.

Biden replied that there was "no restriction on the ability to do that; there's no legal reason why they couldn't" place a tax on violent media, Sister Marjorie Clark told Politico. Biden again emphasized the need for more research into the subject, Clark added: "He said they really need a good scientific study, which they've done on things like smoking."

During his initial fact-finding meetings in January, Biden expressed particular interest in speaking with inter-faith organizations, though he met with a wide swathe of communities, including entertainment companies, advocacy groups, youth organizations, the mental health community and the NRA.

JoystiqVP Joe Biden: 'No legal reason' the US can't tax violent media originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 14 May 2013 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gun-violencejoe-bidenpoliticstaxtaxesunited-statesUSATue, 14 May 2013 16:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Konami pre-E3 show gives the scoop on MGS5, Castlevania on June 6]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/14/konami-pre-e3-show-gives-the-scoop-on-mgs5-castlevania-on-june/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/14/konami-pre-e3-show-gives-the-scoop-on-mgs5-castlevania-on-june/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/14/konami-pre-e3-show-gives-the-scoop-on-mgs5-castlevania-on-june/#commentsKonami preE3 show gives the scoop on MGS5, Castlevania on June 6 Konami's third annual pre-E3 show is penciled in for June 6 at 1 p.m. ET, streaming live online via Konami's events site, on Gamespot and via the Xbox Live Gamespot app. For the second year in a row, Konami will show off a new trailer for Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2, which was announced during last year's pre-E3 briefing.

Konami also plans to show off some behind-the-scenes footage of the next Pro Evolution Soccer game, and will have "new announcements" from Kojima Productions. Kojima recently made a splash with the Joakim Mogren marketing campaign for Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain. Surely nothing will be able to compete with that.

Continue reading Konami pre-E3 show gives the scoop on MGS5, Castlevania on June 6

JoystiqKonami pre-E3 show gives the scoop on MGS5, Castlevania on June 6 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 14 May 2013 15:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>castlevania-lords-of-shadow-2e3-2013Kojima-ProductionsKonamimetal-gear-solid-5metal-gear-solid-ground-zeroesmicrosoftpcplaystationpro-evolution-soccerpro-evolution-soccer-2014ps3the-phantom-painxboxTue, 14 May 2013 15:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Steam is king in service wars, Humble Store a sleeping giant, indies say]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/14/steam-is-king-in-service-wars-humble-store-a-sleeping-giant-in/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/14/steam-is-king-in-service-wars-humble-store-a-sleeping-giant-in/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/14/steam-is-king-in-service-wars-humble-store-a-sleeping-giant-in/#commentsSteam is king in service wars, Humble Store a sleeping giant, indies say Twenty-one randomly selected indie developers walk into a digital room and ponder the question, "Which online distribution system has been the most effective for your games?"

If this were the set-up to a joke, the punchline would probably be, "Facebook." But for many indie developers, the question of which platform to publish their games on is a very serious one, with potentially dire consequences. Pared down, platform success is all about accessibility, upload and support, and in terms of those factors, there's a clear, unsurprising favorite: Steam.

But maybe not for long.

I asked 21 indie developers this question, and while the majority mentioned Steam in the same casual manner that begets an unchallenged king, there were consistent whispers of other platforms doing things well, perhaps even better than Steam, from a backend perspective. One of these platforms was the Humble Store, which received the second-highest number of solid votes and a handful of positive shout-outs.

"I owe pretty much my entire survival the last few years to iOS, the Humble Store, and to a lesser extent Android and Steam," Adam Saltsman, the creator of Canabalt, said. But iOS ran into some bad censorship issues, Android had discoverability problems and Steam was "obviously" too closed, he said. If Saltsman could choose just one of those platforms to release his next game on, it would be, "Humble Store," hands-down.

Continue reading Steam is king in service wars, Humble Store a sleeping giant, indies say

JoystiqSteam is king in service wars, Humble Store a sleeping giant, indies say originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 14 May 2013 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androideShophumble-storeiosipadiphonemicrosoftmobilenintendopcplaystationplaystation-vitaps3PSNSTEAMvitawii-uXBLAxbligxboxTue, 14 May 2013 13:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Warren Spector, Blizzard COO to lead University of Texas game program]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/13/warren-spector-blizzard-coo-to-lead-university-of-texas-game-pr/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/13/warren-spector-blizzard-coo-to-lead-university-of-texas-game-pr/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/13/warren-spector-blizzard-coo-to-lead-university-of-texas-game-pr/#commentsWarren Spector, Blizzard COO lead University of Texas game program Developer Warren Spector and Blizzard Entertainment COO Paul Sams will help oversee a new gaming academy being put into place at the University of Texas at Austin. The Denius-Sams Gaming Academy, named after co-founders Wofford Denius, Sams and his wife, will begin in 2014 with only 20 spots for students, and will award a postbaccalaureate certificate rather than a graduate degree, which the school says will help it remain industry-focused.

Spector, the creator of Deus Ex and the Disney Epic Mickey series, will put together the curriculum, which will include a 12-month intensive program where students will make a game themselves. Students selected for admission will also get a tuition waiver and a $10,000 stipend for fees and housing expenses. The program will begin next fall.

Continue reading Warren Spector, Blizzard COO to lead University of Texas game program

JoystiqWarren Spector, Blizzard COO to lead University of Texas game program originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 13 May 2013 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>degreedenius-sams-gaming-academyeducationgraduatemobilepaul-samspcschooltraininguniversity-of-texasuniversity-of-texas-at-austinwarren-spectorMon, 13 May 2013 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Novelist takes 'ghostwriting' to a new, emotional level]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/13/the-novelist-takes-ghostwriting-to-a-new-emotional-level/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/13/the-novelist-takes-ghostwriting-to-a-new-emotional-level/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/13/the-novelist-takes-ghostwriting-to-a-new-emotional-level/#comments

The Novelist stars three characters: Dan Kaplan, a father attempting to finish writing the most important book of his career; Dan's wife and their young son - and you won't play as any of these people. Instead, players control an omniscient presence in the family's summer cabin, able to watch their daily lives, read their thoughts, enter their memories and influence their actions. The only catch is that the ghost must stay out of sight.

"It's up to you to decide how Dan's career and family life will evolve, but choose carefully; there are no easy answers, and every choice has a cost," The Novelist's description reads. "Dan's relationships - to his work, his wife and his son - react and shift in response to your choices. With a different sequence of events in every playthrough, The Novelist gives life to a unique experience each time you play.

"The decisions you make will define the Kaplans' lives, but they may also tell you something about yourself."

The Novelist is the brain child of Kent Hudson, who worked on AAA titles such as BioShock 2, Thief: Deadly Shadows, Deus Ex: Invisible War, The Bureau: XCOM Declassified, and maybe even more games with subtitles. He left the mainstream industry in 2011, and has been working on The Novelist ever since. We hope he wasn't working all the time, though - all work and no play make Kent a dull boy.

The Novelist is due out on PC and Mac this summer, with pre-orders live now at a 25 percent discount ($15) via Hudson's site, with a Steam Greenlight page ready to roll.

Gallery: The Novelist

JoystiqThe Novelist takes 'ghostwriting' to a new, emotional level originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 13 May 2013 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Indiekent-hudsonmacpcpre-orderthe-novelistMon, 13 May 2013 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Shadow of the Eternals gets a secondary Kickstarter campaign]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/13/shadow-of-the-eternals-gets-a-secondary-kickstarter-campaign/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/13/shadow-of-the-eternals-gets-a-secondary-kickstarter-campaign/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/13/shadow-of-the-eternals-gets-a-secondary-kickstarter-campaign/#commentsShadow of the Eternals gets a secondary Kickstarter campaign Precursor Games has launched a second, simultaneous crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter for Shadow of the Eternals, the episodic horror game serving as a spiritual successor to Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem. This is a supplement to the crowdfunding project that Precursor launched on its own site on May 6. The Kickstarter campaign looks to raise $1.35 million, while Precursor's campaign asks for $1.5 million.

"Due to overwhelming popular demand, we are happy to announce that an official Kickstarter campaign has launched for Shadow of the Eternals," Precursor says. "This gives potential pledgers even more options to contribute to the game."

Precursor's campaign accepts payments through PayPal - unlike Kickstarter - and doesn't necessarily have to reach its goal to take whatever money it raises. That campaign has 24 days remaining and has raised $156,000. The Kickstarter campaign has 36 days to reach its goal, otherwise Precursor won't receive any of that money.

Precursor will use the money raised in its crowdfunding efforts to launch a pilot episode in Q3 2014, and pay for the engine and core system development. Future episodes of Shadow of the Eternals - there will be 12 in total - will be "significantly cheaper and faster to produce," and Precursor will announce more episodes based on the success of its fundraising(s).

JoystiqShadow of the Eternals gets a secondary Kickstarter campaign originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 13 May 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crowdfundingeternal-darknessfundraisingkickstarterpcPrecursor-Gamesshadow-of-the-eternalsMon, 13 May 2013 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[32 indie games show off in a super sale for five more days]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/13/32-indie-games-show-off-in-a-super-sale-for-five-more-days/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/13/32-indie-games-show-off-in-a-super-sale-for-five-more-days/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/13/32-indie-games-show-off-in-a-super-sale-for-five-more-days/#commentsWe'll show you 32 indie games that are on sale for the next five days For the next five days, Show Me the Games is hosting a super sale on 32 indie games, with all of the money going straight to the developers, no middle man and no cuts. Games on sale for up to 75 percent off include Offspring Fling, Voxatron, Gratuitous Space Battles, Revenge of the Titans, And Yet it Moves, Dangerous High School Girls in Trouble, Democracy 2, Space Pirates and Zombies, and Beat Hazard Ultra.

Whew. The full lineup of on-sale indies can be found at Show Me the Sales, a project of Show Me the Games, and wherein 32 developers are probably thinking, "Show me the money."

Joystiq32 indie games show off in a super sale for five more days originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 13 May 2013 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Indiemacpcsaleshow-me-the-gamesshow-me-the-moneyshow-me-the-salesMon, 13 May 2013 14:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Pokemon X and Y gets four new characters of various types]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/13/pokemon-x-and-y-gets-four-new-characters-of-various-types/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/13/pokemon-x-and-y-gets-four-new-characters-of-various-types/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/13/pokemon-x-and-y-gets-four-new-characters-of-various-types/#commentsPokemon X and Y gets four new characters of various types Four new Pokemon for Pokemon X and Y grace the pages of CoroCoro magazine, spotted and captured on film by Serebii.net. The fresh faces are a Fighting-type panda, Yanchamu; a rideable Grass-type, Gogoat; a Normal, Flying-type bird, Yayakoma; and an Electric-type, floppy-eared lizard creature.

The scan places Pokemon X and Y in the Karos region and says the game will support trainer hair and skin color customization. These four new Pokemon follow Pokemon X and Y's Mewtwo-inspired character, whom we've come to call Mewtwo With a Handle, or more lovingly, Super Saiyan Mewtwo.

JoystiqPokemon X and Y gets four new characters of various types originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 13 May 2013 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsGame-FreaknintendoPokemonpokemon-x-yMon, 13 May 2013 11:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Half-Life 2 on the Oculus Rift looks like double the trouble, fun]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/12/half-life-2-on-the-oculus-rift-looks-like-double-the-trouble-fu/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/12/half-life-2-on-the-oculus-rift-looks-like-double-the-trouble-fu/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/12/half-life-2-on-the-oculus-rift-looks-like-double-the-trouble-fu/#comments

Oculus Rift owner and YouTuber Vaecon recorded a 15-minute session of Half-Life 2 on Oculus Rift, and the entire experience can be summed up in a few words, spoken less than two minutes into his gameplay demo: "Whoa. This is really cool."

Valve launched official support for Half-Life 2 on the Oculus Rift virtual reality headset, in beta form, on Friday. Valve programmer Joe Ludwig cautioned that this beta was "a bit more raw" than Team Fortress 2's Oculus Rift prowess, noting HUD and UI issues.

Vaecon sported some anti-motion-sickness bands during his Half-Life 2 session, since previous games on the system left him woozy. Whether because of the bands or the game itself, Half-Life 2 on Oculus Rift didn't appear to affect Vaecon's stomach.

"This is the perfect scene to show on the Oculus because there's a lot of action, jumping and - oh, I feel like I'm swimming," he said.

JoystiqHalf-Life 2 on the Oculus Rift looks like double the trouble, fun originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 12 May 2013 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Half-Life-2HL2oculus-riftpcvalveVirtual-RealitySun, 12 May 2013 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[ANNE passes its Kickstarter goal with more than a week to go]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/12/anne-passes-its-kickstarter-goal-with-more-than-a-week-to-go/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/12/anne-passes-its-kickstarter-goal-with-more-than-a-week-to-go/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/12/anne-passes-its-kickstarter-goal-with-more-than-a-week-to-go/#commentsANNE reaches Kickstarter goal with 11 days left ANNE, the 2D nostalgia-laden platformer from developer Mo, hit its $70,000 Kickstarter goal, and from today it still has nine days left to earn more money. In a multilingual thank you update, Mo said words couldn't express his gratitude, so he created the happy robot image above.

"For sure the money is what will allow me to get the job done, but knowing that there are people like you out there that believe in my game, in me, just this is worth more than money," Mo said.

The first stretch goal for ANNE is $80,000 and it would add Mac and Linux versions of the game to Mo's development schedule. At $90,000, ANNE would have achievements and a Gender Swap mode, and later stretch goals (up to $150,000), add Ouya, PSN, Vita and Wii U versions.

ANNE is a combination of ideas from some of Mo's favorite 16-bit games, including Mega Man, Contra, Gradius and Super Metroid. That last one was a big inspiration, Mo told Joystiq in April.

"I remember at the beginning, you had this amazing ship," he said. "A crazy sprite landing slowly and then, the next thing you know, you're just on foot. And I was just, 'What a tease.' What if you could actually go in [the ship] and fly? What would that look like, and how fun would that be? So basically, it's picking up from just questioning myself and just trying to see what, you know, what am I really looking for as a player right now?"

JoystiqANNE passes its Kickstarter goal with more than a week to go originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 12 May 2013 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anneIndiekickstartermopcsuper-metroidSun, 12 May 2013 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Weekly Webcomic Wrapup loves BBQ wings]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/11/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-loves-bbq-wings/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/11/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-loves-bbq-wings/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/11/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-loves-bbq-wings/#comments We need to settle something, Wrapup readers. See, BBQ wings are amazing, right? Whether you're a huge fan of "my face is on fire" levels of heat or you just like a more mild, sweet BBQ sauce, as long as you're a meat-eater, you probably like wings. Wings are great.

Still, there are two groups of people that don't always mix: Those that prefer boneless wings and those that prefer wings with bones. We're not picky, we'll eat both, but let's just say that if a genie were to grant us a lifetime supply of boneless wings at the cost of eradicating wings that have bones for the rest of the world forever, we'd push that big red button in a heartbeat. This week's question: If you eat wings, do you prefer boneless or regular wings? While your stomach churns at the thought of a plateful of delicious finger food, check out last week's webcomics and vote for your favorite after the break!

The Young (Penny Arcade)
The Squeaky Wheel (Brawl in the Family)
Egg Roll (Awkward Zombie)
On the edge (Corpse Run)
True To Yourself (ReadySoup)
Exclusive (Ctrl+Alt+Del)

Continue reading Weekly Webcomic Wrapup loves BBQ wings

JoystiqWeekly Webcomic Wrapup loves BBQ wings originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 11 May 2013 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>webcomicSat, 11 May 2013 23:30:00 EST<![CDATA[$15,500 not enough for Sega Pluto prototype]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/11/15-500-not-enough-for-sega-pluto-prototype/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/11/15-500-not-enough-for-sega-pluto-prototype/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/11/15-500-not-enough-for-sega-pluto-prototype/#comments$15,500 not enough for Sega Pluto prototype Roger Vega (aka YouTube user kidvid666) continues to have trouble unloading his purported Sega Pluto prototype console, one of only two rumored to exist in the world. The auction, originally listed on eBay earlier this month, has ended with a final bid of $15,500 and its reserve price unmet. As such, no money will exchange hands and Vega's Pluto will stay where it is.

This is Vega's second attempt at selling the device. His first auction, listed on vintage gaming auction site GameGavel, also failed to meet its reserve with a high bid of $7,600.

It may seem odd that no one is willing to drop more than 15 large and some change on what may be the rarest game console in existence - especially considering how much people have paid in the past for other historical relics - but the world of gaming archeology is more complicated than that. Since a Sega Pluto had never been seen in the flesh until a few weeks ago, one has subsequently never been sold at auction before, and therefore there's no established perception of the device's market value.

Also, removing the Sega Pluto from its pedestal will trigger a giant spherical boulder to drop from the ceiling and chase whoever wins the auction, which could be a bit of a deterrent.

Joystiq$15,500 not enough for Sega Pluto prototype originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 11 May 2013 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auctionkidvid666prototypeRoger-Vegasaturnsegasega-plutosega-saturnsega-saturn-prototypeSat, 11 May 2013 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WRUP: Where do Sims go from here?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/10/wrup-where-do-sims-go-from-here/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/10/wrup-where-do-sims-go-from-here/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/10/wrup-where-do-sims-go-from-here/#comments
EA The Sims 4 is a 'singleplayer offline experience'
The SIms 4 was announced this week for early 2014. With The Sims 3 such a robust experience and still going full steam ahead, what type of original expansions can the next installment in mega franchise come up with? The Sims 4: Arctic Survival? Lunar Expedition? Noir Detective?

What's everyone playing this weekend?

Continue reading WRUP: Where do Sims go from here?

JoystiqWRUP: Where do Sims go from here? originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 10 May 2013 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>what-are-you-playingwrupFri, 10 May 2013 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The aging horror of Kenji Eno's D]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/10/the-aging-horror-of-kenji-enos-d/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/10/the-aging-horror-of-kenji-enos-d/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/10/the-aging-horror-of-kenji-enos-d/#commentsThis is Making Time, a column about the games we've always wanted to play, and the games we've always wanted to play again.


The inspiration to whip up a new column about an old game can come from anywhere, even a sad loss for the video game industry. In February, upon hearing about the death of Kenji Eno, I scanned Amazon and eBay for copies of his games, thinking I might write them up in remembrance, but ultimately never pulled the trigger on a purchase.

Two months later, I walk into a recently-opened used game shop (named ThrillHouse, if you can believe it), and what should I see under the glass? A boxed Sega Saturn copy of Kenji Eno's D in great condition, the creepy cover just as effective now as it was seventeen years ago. I gladly paid $30 for it.

Having played it for the first time since I was thirteen, D isn't as scary as I remember. While it isn't a very good game, I still find myself enjoying the experience.

Continue reading The aging horror of Kenji Eno's D

JoystiqThe aging horror of Kenji Eno's D originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 10 May 2013 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dkenji-enomaking-timepcwarpFri, 10 May 2013 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The troubled history of Kingdom Hearts reflects Square Enix's own]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/10/the-troubled-history-of-kingdom-hearts-reflects-square-enixs-ow/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/10/the-troubled-history-of-kingdom-hearts-reflects-square-enixs-ow/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/10/the-troubled-history-of-kingdom-hearts-reflects-square-enixs-ow/#commentsIn his weekly column, writer Bob Mackey will alternate between two of his passions: the Japanese RPG genre and classic games.

The troubled history of Kingdom Hearts reflects Square Enix's own
This Tuesday brought the announcement of Kingdom Hearts 1.5 HD Remix's American release date, and with it, feelings of ambivalence from people like me who once thought the strange pairing of Square and Disney would do more than tread water for a decade. I worked at a mall GameStop when the first installment launched in the fall of 2002, and even though I'd outgrown Disney (and had begun to outgrow Square), Kingdom Hearts felt like the first true RPG of the PS2 era, outclassing the at-the-time-recent Final Fantasy X, which relied on the same pre-rendered - albeit prettier - backgrounds that evoked the previous console generation's limitations.

Regardless of how you felt about the characters on display, turning away from our in-store TV during the Kingdom Hearts demo reel proved nearly impossible; Square's technical wizards worked overtime to ensure that an army of 2D Disney characters would look and move perfectly in real-time 3D - and they still do nearly 11 years later. For fans of Japanese RPGs and classic animation, the tag-team of Square and Disney felt like some impossible dream that somehow came true, despite the odds against it. After leaving the Capcom legacy behind in the mid-90s, the existence of Kingdom Hearts seemed like a second chance for Disney to make their games more than just cheap tie-ins sold on marketing alone.

Gallery: Kingdom Hearts 1.5 HD Remix (2/25/13)

Continue reading The troubled history of Kingdom Hearts reflects Square Enix's own

JoystiqThe troubled history of Kingdom Hearts reflects Square Enix's own originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 10 May 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DisneyKingdom-Heartskingdom-hearts-15-hd-remixOpinionplaystationps3Square-EnixFri, 10 May 2013 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[GamersGate offering Bethesda's best for cheap this weekend]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/10/gamersgate-offering-bethesdas-best-for-cheap-this-weekend/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/10/gamersgate-offering-bethesdas-best-for-cheap-this-weekend/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/10/gamersgate-offering-bethesdas-best-for-cheap-this-weekend/#commentsGamersGate offering Bethesda's best for cheap this weekend GamersGate is hosting a big sale on Bethesda titles this weekend, featuring games from the last few years of the company's history on sale for a fraction of the usual price. Dishonored, for example, is available for a low $14.99, or you can get Skyrim for $14.95, Rage for $9.95, or Fallout: New Vegas' Ultimate Edition for $9.95. Brink, Oblivion, Fallout 3, and Morrowind are all listed at bargain prices as well.

A few of the titles have dropped out of stock already, which means that GamersGate has run out of digital keys for them. But as long as the title is still available for purchase, you can buy it, and then GamersGate will deliver a key when more are available. The deals last through the weekend, so now's your chance to fill out that Bethesda back catalog you've been missing.

JoystiqGamersGate offering Bethesda's best for cheap this weekend originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 10 May 2013 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bethesdabethesda-softworksdealdiscountdishonoredelder-scrolls-5fallout-3gamersgatepcragesaleskyrimthe-elder-scrolls-v-skyrimFri, 10 May 2013 03:00:00 EST<![CDATA[This backlit Mega Man 25th anniversary NES has style]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/09/this-backlit-mega-man-25th-anniversary-nes-has-style/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/09/this-backlit-mega-man-25th-anniversary-nes-has-style/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/09/this-backlit-mega-man-25th-anniversary-nes-has-style/#commentsMega Man 25th anniversary NES is backlit, cool Who could possibly want a statue to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Mega Man when you know that somewhere out there a Blue Bomber-adorned NES exists? Ryan Fitzpatrick (aka Platinumfungi) created this one-of-a-kind blue NES, which features a backlit Mega Man on top of the case with a rather slick paint job.

Fitzpatrick has a bunch of photos of the system on his Facebook page. One issue we have is that it just wouldn't feel right to play any NES game on it that isn't the best Mega Man game ever, Mega Man 2.

JoystiqThis backlit Mega Man 25th anniversary NES has style originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 09 May 2013 23:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CapcomMega-Manmega-man-25th-anniversarymodsNESnintendoThu, 09 May 2013 23:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Steam Greenlight pulls in 2 million voters, has a chat with its indies]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/09/steam-greenlight-pulls-in-2-million-voters-has-a-chat-with-its/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/09/steam-greenlight-pulls-in-2-million-voters-has-a-chat-with-its/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/09/steam-greenlight-pulls-in-2-million-voters-has-a-chat-with-its/#commentsSteam Greenlight pulls in 2 million voters, has a chat with its indies Getting accepted through Steam's community-voting service, Greenlight, is an ongoing, complex project for many indie developers - and for Steam itself. Valve hosted a chat with Greenlight developers this week to discuss concerns, suggestions and propose what Greenlight may look like in the future.

Valve is "actively looking into" releasing the Steamworks API so developers can prepare their games prior to being Greenlit, though it has no timeframe to make that public. Currently all games go to the same Greenlight, but Valve said it would discuss the idea of separating the service by "games that are ready to go" and "games that are in development."

On May 1, Valve Greenlit a mini batch of games, and this system will most likely be the new standard, the team said: "Unfortunately, we have limited resources at the moment, so we cannot ship every game that we want. We're working toward having an open platform that Gabe has talked about, but we're not there yet."

Continue reading Steam Greenlight pulls in 2 million voters, has a chat with its indies

JoystiqSteam Greenlight pulls in 2 million voters, has a chat with its indies originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 09 May 2013 20:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crowdsourcinggreenlightIndieLinuxmacpcSTEAMsteam-greenlightvalveThu, 09 May 2013 20:37:00 EST<![CDATA[Mike Diva's live action Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon trailer is dumb bliss]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/09/mike-divas-live-action-far-cry-3-blood-dragon-trailer-is-dumb/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/09/mike-divas-live-action-far-cry-3-blood-dragon-trailer-is-dumb/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/09/mike-divas-live-action-far-cry-3-blood-dragon-trailer-is-dumb/#comments
There's something about Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon's ridiculous setting that is really resonating with people. Prominent YouTuber Mike Diva (real name: Mike Dahlquist) has constructed his own take on the universe, producing the above trailer whose highlight may be a chase sequence featuring cloud surfing. Or maybe it's Rex atop a flying shark with lasers on its head. We're having a tough time deciding.

Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon launched at the end of April through Xbox Live, PSN and PC digital distribution channels, a game our review said "broadens the appeal of its source, thanks to a hilarious, accessible dollop of nostalgia, coated in the mechanics that made Far Cry 3 great." Michael Biehn, who plays protagonist Rex Power Colt, has said that Ubisoft is currently considering a sequel based on sales exceeding expectations.

JoystiqMike Diva's live action Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon trailer is dumb bliss originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 09 May 2013 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>far-cry-3-blood-dragonmicrosoftmike-divapcplaystationps3trailerxboxThu, 09 May 2013 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The first 5 minutes of Star Wars recreated in Minecraft]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/09/the-first-5-minutes-of-star-wars-recreated-in-minecraft/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/09/the-first-5-minutes-of-star-wars-recreated-in-minecraft/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/09/the-first-5-minutes-of-star-wars-recreated-in-minecraft/#comments
This is the introduction to Star Wars, done entirely within Minecraft. Warning: Do not watch while eating a Hot Pocket, lest you explode into a supernova of pure nerdiness.

JoystiqThe first 5 minutes of Star Wars recreated in Minecraft originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 09 May 2013 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>macMinecraftmojangpcstar-warsThu, 09 May 2013 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Student film 'Brothers Rapture' revisits BioShock's underwater city]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/09/student-film-brothers-rapture-revisits-bioshocks-underwater-c/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/09/student-film-brothers-rapture-revisits-bioshocks-underwater-c/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/09/student-film-brothers-rapture-revisits-bioshocks-underwater-c/#comments

The Brothers Rapture is an upcoming short film put together by a group of Vancouver film students with a bit of Indiegogo funding, and this teaser should give you an idea of what it has in store. Plasmids, audio diaries, and the philosophical battle between art and commerce, oh my!

JoystiqStudent film 'Brothers Rapture' revisits BioShock's underwater city originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 09 May 2013 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Bioshockfanfanfilmfanmadefilmindiegogoshortthe-brothersthe-brothers-raptureThu, 09 May 2013 02:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Limited edition Mass Effect 3 Paladin pistol replica available for pre-order]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/08/limited-edition-mass-effect-3-paladin-pistol-replica-available-f/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/08/limited-edition-mass-effect-3-paladin-pistol-replica-available-f/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/08/limited-edition-mass-effect-3-paladin-pistol-replica-available-f/#commentsLimited edition Mass Effect 3 Paladin pistol replica available for preorder
BioWare has just revealed this snazzy real-life replica version of Mass Effect 3's M-77 Paladin pistol, available for pre-order today. The weapon weighs 7 pounds, is hand-finished and hand-painted, and is one of a set of only 200 made by collectible firm Triforce.

Buying one for yourself will run you a total of $400: You'll need to put down $200 now to reserve your own fake space gun, and then another $200 when it's ready to go, which is expected to be later this year. That's not cheap, but then again nobody said fighting off the Reaper Invasion would be.

JoystiqLimited edition Mass Effect 3 Paladin pistol replica available for pre-order originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 08 May 2013 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowarebioware-storemass-effect-3microsoftpaladinpcpistolplaystationps3real-lifereplicastoretriforceweaponxboxWed, 08 May 2013 22:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Battlefield 3 servers see DDOS attack, EA says no user data breached]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/08/battlefield-3-servers-see-ddos-attack-no-user-data-breached/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/08/battlefield-3-servers-see-ddos-attack-no-user-data-breached/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/08/battlefield-3-servers-see-ddos-attack-no-user-data-breached/#commentsBattlefield 3 suffering ongoing DDOS attack, EA working on it The Battlefield 3 servers have been under a DDOS attack for the past several days, aimed at interfering with network communication and preventing access to multiplayer, EA says. The barrage has not breached any user data and EA is working to stop the attack, the publisher adds.

"The current Battlefield 3 outages are a result of activity that appears to be aimed at overwhelming our back-end infrastructure. We are working on a variety of solutions to address this problem and are focused on resolution as quickly as possible. We appreciate your patience and support," EA writes. "We are incredibly disappointed by these activities and the impact they are having on all of our ability to enjoy BF3, thank you for your patience as we work to resolve these issues."

EA held rolling restarts of the Battlefield 3 servers to apply updates, and any new information will be posted on BattleLog.

[Thanks, Josh!]

JoystiqBattlefield 3 servers see DDOS attack, EA says no user data breached originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 08 May 2013 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battlefield-3ddosEAnetworkoutagepcWed, 08 May 2013 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[PSA: Fez remix album, FZ: Side Z, fills your earholes today]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/08/psa-fez-remix-album-fz-side-z-fills-your-earholes-today/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/08/psa-fez-remix-album-fz-side-z-fills-your-earholes-today/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/08/psa-fez-remix-album-fz-side-z-fills-your-earholes-today/#commentsPSA Fez remix album, FZ Side Z, takes over your earholes today FZ: Side Z is he second half of the Fez remix album and it's out today, assaulting your eardrums for $5 or more. The first half, FZ: Side F, launched on April 20 for the same semi-name-your-own price. Both albums feature tracks from various artists, including the original Fez soundtrack composer, Disasterpeace.

You can give all of the tunes a listen - or throw down your favorite bill for the whole album - right here.

JoystiqPSA: Fez remix album, FZ: Side Z, fills your earholes today originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 08 May 2013 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>disasterpeaceFezfz-side-zmusicpolytronremixsoundtrackWed, 08 May 2013 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Wolfenstein: The New Order won't have a multiplayer mode]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/08/wolfenstein-the-new-order-wont-have-a-multiplayer-mode/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/08/wolfenstein-the-new-order-wont-have-a-multiplayer-mode/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/08/wolfenstein-the-new-order-wont-have-a-multiplayer-mode/#commentsWolfenstein The New Order won't have a multiplayer mode Wolfenstein: The New Order will not include multiplayer, Bethesda and developer MachineGames told Gamespot. The New Order stuck its neck out (and its right arm) yesterday with an announcement trailer featuring series protagonist B.J. Blazkowicz in an alternate 1960s universe where the Nazis won World War II.

Previous Wolfenstein games to include multiplayer include Return to Castle Wolfenstein, released in 2001, Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory, out in 2003, and the 2009 Wolfenstein for PC, Xbox 360 and PS3. With a legacy as storied as Wolfenstein's, a few series fans may be dismayed to hear New Order won't include multiplayer.

Wolfenstein: The New Order is due out on Xbox 360, PS3, PC and next-gen consoles in Q4 2013.

JoystiqWolfenstein: The New Order won't have a multiplayer mode originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 08 May 2013 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Bethesda-Softworksmachinegamesmicrosoftmultiplayerpcplaystationps3wolfenstein-the-new-orderxboxWed, 08 May 2013 14:15:00 EST<![CDATA[EA kills licensing deals with gun makers, keeps those guns in games [Update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/08/ea-kills-licensing-deals-with-gun-makers-keeps-those-guns-in-ga/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/08/ea-kills-licensing-deals-with-gun-makers-keeps-those-guns-in-ga/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/08/ea-kills-licensing-deals-with-gun-makers-keeps-those-guns-in-ga/#commentsEA keeping guns in games but drops licensing Behind the scenes, EA is dropping licensing ties to real-life gun manufacturers, but on-screen it still intends to use branded guns in its games. Most recently, EA has worked with gun manufacturers such as McMillan Group International and gun magazine maker Magpul to promote Medal of Honor: Warfighter, but now those deals are off - even though EA still plans to use name-brand guns in its shooters.

"We're telling a story and we have a point of view," EA Labels President Frank Gibeau tells Reuters. "A book doesn't pay for saying the word 'Colt,' for example."

EA spokesman Jeff Brown says branded weapons lend games "enhanced authenticity," which is why EA wants to keep them in its games. However, all official agreements between EA and gun companies are now severed. "The action games we will release this year will not include licensed images of weapons," Brown says.

Following December's mass shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, the NRA and a handful of politicians and pundits blamed video games for encouraging gun violence. One week after the shooting, NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre said video games represented "a callous, corrupt and corrupting shadow industry that sells, and sows, violence against its own people."

Brown says that the NRA's comments have nothing to do with its decision: "The response from our audience was pretty clear: They feel the comments from the NRA were a simple attempt to change the subject."

EA is currently involved in a lawsuit with Bell Helicopter, who argues that use of its helicopters in the Battlefield games goes beyond fair use and infringes on Bell's trademark. A jury trial is set for June to decide the issue, which could easily apply to EA's new gun-licensing theory.

Update: Jeff Brown tells Ars Technica that EA has never paid a licensing fee to a gun manufacturer, nor has it been paid to use specific branded guns in its games. EA will simply continue this practice in the future.

"No other EA game or service has used licensed gun images in a game," Brown says.

EA did work with McMillan and Magpul for that Medal of Honor: Warfighter campaign, a charity benefiting veterans that encouraged gun makers featured in the game to donate. Those that did were featured on a Warfighter sub-page as "authentic brands" in the game. All of the money went straight to the charity, Brown says.

JoystiqEA kills licensing deals with gun makers, keeps those guns in games [Update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 08 May 2013 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>EAElectronic-Artsgun-violenceGunslicenselicensingmedal-of-honor-warfightermicrosoftpcplaystationps3xboxWed, 08 May 2013 13:45:00 EST<![CDATA[LucasFilm registers domains for 'Star Wars Rebels,' 'Wookie Hunters' and others]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/08/lucasfilm-registers-domains-for-star-wars-rebels-wookie-hunt/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/08/lucasfilm-registers-domains-for-star-wars-rebels-wookie-hunt/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/08/lucasfilm-registers-domains-for-star-wars-rebels-wookie-hunt/#commentsLucasFilm registers many domans for 'Star Wars Rebels,' 'Wookie Hunters' and others LucasFilm has registered a gaggle of domains for heretofore unannounced Star Wars projects, and while there are indications that at least some of them may be video games of some sort, whether that's a good thing depends on how you feel about Gungans.

The domains, which include StarWarsRebels.com, StarWarsWolfPack.com, WookieHunters.com and WolfPackAdventures.net (among others) were all registered by LucasFilm on May 6, the same day EA announced its exclusive agreement with Disney for all things Star Wars. That proximity, coupled with the fact that three of the domains appear to represent a series of Gungan Frontier sequels, indicate that all of these projects may be interactive in nature. Hit up the source link for a full list of the registered addresses.

JoystiqLucasFilm registers domains for 'Star Wars Rebels,' 'Wookie Hunters' and others originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 08 May 2013 12:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bothan-spiesgungan-frontier-2gungan-frontier-3gungan-frontier-4lucasfilmorder-67star-warsstar-wars-alliancestar-wars-rebelsstar-wars-wolf-packwolf-pack-adventureswookie-huntersWed, 08 May 2013 12:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Valve measures sweat during Left 4 Dead play]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/07/valve-measures-players-sweat-when-they-play-left-4-dead/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/07/valve-measures-players-sweat-when-they-play-left-4-dead/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/07/valve-measures-players-sweat-when-they-play-left-4-dead/#commentsValve measures players' sweat when they play Left 4 Dead Valve tinkers with a lot of things - whatever it feels like, mostly - but has a particular interest in biometrics and direct player feedback within games. At the Neurogaming Conference last week, Valve Experimental Psychologist (seriously, whatever if feels like) Mike Ambinder described a few tests he'd recently run, as reported by Venture Beat.

In one test, Valve measured how much players sweat while playing Left 4 Dead, as correlated to their levels of arousal - just as Valve boss Gabe Newell specified back in March, concerning biometrics in the Steam Box. Another experiment gave players four minutes to shoot 100 enemies, and the game would move more quickly as the player showed signs of nervousness.

Valve also created a successful version of Portal 2 controlled with players' eyeballs, but it was necessary to separate aiming and viewpoint - where your eyes are looking and where your head is facing - for that to work properly.

The Steam Box will host some sort of biometric scheme, Newell said in that March interview.

"What we've found is you can directly measure player state and it turns out to be very useful," Newell said. "You need to be able to directly measure how aroused the player is, what their heart rate is, things like that, in order to continue to offer them a new experience each time they play."

JoystiqValve measures sweat during Left 4 Dead play originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 07 May 2013 23:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biometricbiometricsL4DLeft-4-Deadmacmicrosoftpcplaystationps3STEAMvalvexboxTue, 07 May 2013 23:59:00 EST<![CDATA[American McGee's Spicy Horse working on a shiny new Oz game]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/07/american-mcgees-spicy-horse-working-on-a-shiny-new-oz-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/07/american-mcgees-spicy-horse-working-on-a-shiny-new-oz-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/07/american-mcgees-spicy-horse-working-on-a-shiny-new-oz-game/#commentsAmerican McGee's Spicy Horse working on a shiny new Oz game Spicy Horse, the studio founded by Alice creator American McGee in 2007, is working on a game based on The Wizard of Oz - but it's not American McGee's Oz, the game that was canceled in 2004 when publisher Atari pulled funding.

"This is not, in any way, shape or form, the title from 2004," Spicy Horse Community Manager Kelly Heckman tells Joystiq.

The new Oz game is still in its early stages, and Spicy Horse has yet to decide which genre it will be - strategy, puzzler, platformer, action, FPS - though the studio has a few ideas. The game will be cross-platform between tablets and PC, Mac and Linux, and while Spicy Horse likes the idea of a physical product, it has no concrete plans in that regard.

"It will be based on the entire Oz series - almost all 14 titles - so expect to see unique things not seen in previous incarnations," Heckman says.

As legend has it, nearly a decade ago McGee began crafting a Wizard of Oz game, but Atari canceled it in 2004, after producing a handful of action figures and concept art. McGee went on to found Spicy Horse and partnered with EA to launch Alice: Madness Returns in 2011. Spicy Horse is currently in talks with EA to retrieve the Alice license, and it has plans for a third game in the series, Alice: Otherlands.

Spicy Horse is working on two Kickstarters - one for Alice: Otherlands and one for Oz - but which project actually goes live will depend entirely on EA and how that Alice deal goes down, Heckman says.

Yesterday on the Facebook page for Alice: Otherlands, one fan suggested that if Spicy Horse couldn't work out the Alice rights with EA, it should develop "that Oz title instead."

Spicy Horse responded, "It's already in the works."

JoystiqAmerican McGee's Spicy Horse working on a shiny new Oz game originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 07 May 2013 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alicealice-otherlandsamerican-mcgeeamerican-mcgees-aliceamerican-mcgees-ozozspicy-horsethe-wizard-of-ozWizard-of-OzTue, 07 May 2013 15:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Humble Double Fine Bundle offers pre-order for Broken Age]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/07/humble-double-fine-bundle-offers-pre-order-for-broken-age/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/07/humble-double-fine-bundle-offers-pre-order-for-broken-age/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/07/humble-double-fine-bundle-offers-pre-order-for-broken-age/#comments

The latest Humble Bundle is all about Double Fine and it includes a pre-order for Broken Age, the game formerly known as Double Fine Adventure on Kickstarter. To secure a pre-order for Broken Age on Steam (PC, Mac and Linux), pay $35 or more.

This price will easily net buyers the "pay what you want" games - Costume Quest, Psychonauts and Stacking - and at the moment grabs the "pay more than the average" game, Brutal Legend. Since Double Fine saw such success with tiered payments in the past, there's one more option: Pay $70 or more to get all those games and a Double Fine Bundle t-shirt in black or cream.

As always, Humble Bundle payments can be allotted among Humble Bundle itself, Double Fine, and charities Child's Play and the Electronic Frontier Foundation. The Humble Double Fine bundle will be available for two weeks, with the clock starting today, May 7.

JoystiqHumble Double Fine Bundle offers pre-order for Broken Age originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 07 May 2013 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>broken-agedouble-finehumble-bundlehumble-double-fine-bundlemacpcpre-orderTue, 07 May 2013 14:30:00 EST