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[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[The surrealistic Dragon's Dogma tech demo]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/25/thats-action-baby-dragons-dogmas-surreal-tech-demo/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/25/thats-action-baby-dragons-dogmas-surreal-tech-demo/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/25/thats-action-baby-dragons-dogmas-surreal-tech-demo/#comments
What you're looking at is an internal Capcom video made by the team behind Dragon's Dogma, designed to demonstrate the ease with which the game's character creation system can make universal use of animation data, regardless of a humanoid creature's size or configuration.

Aside from being an effective measure of the technology's capabilities and a surprising glimpse into the lighthearted nature of Capcom's internal development process, it's also a surreal, often hilarious and pointedly bizarre carnival sideshow of bulging eyeballs and dancing cyclopes.

As you may have noticed, it doesn't really look like footage from a fairly recent game, and there are two main reasons for that: First of all, this is an internal production that was never originally intended for mass consumption. Moreover, this is an early prototype from five years ago, when development on Dragon's Dogma was first underway, and the game still went by its original codename: BBS-RPG.

You may have also noticed that this video has no sound, which is more of a legal issue than an effort to enhance the production's already potent hypnagogic qualities. Since Capcom never intended for this video to be distributed to the public, it had to have its uncleared soundtrack removed before the developer could share it with us. If you're willing to have two tabs open, however, we thing we've found an elegant alternative.

JoystiqThe surrealistic Dragon's Dogma tech demo originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 25 Apr 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BBS-RPGCapcomcharacter-creationcharacter-customizationdemodragons-dogmainternalmicrosoftplaystationprototypeps3xboxThu, 25 Apr 2013 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Papo & Yo's howls, grunts, steps and chirps are straight out of Panama]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/24/papo-and-yos-howls-grunts-steps-and-chirps-are-straight-out-of/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/24/papo-and-yos-howls-grunts-steps-and-chirps-are-straight-out-of/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/24/papo-and-yos-howls-grunts-steps-and-chirps-are-straight-out-of/#comments

"I can watch any five-second clip and think about the amount of hours that were put into it to make it sound just that way."

Papo & Yo Sound Designer Brian D'Oliveira isn't exaggerating - he traveled to Panama to capture unique, authentic sounds for the game, with a pledge to not use any pre-existing or canned noises. If Quico, the main character in Papo & Yo, ran across a tile roof in the game, D'Oliveira and his team actually walked across a tile roof. The same went for mud, water, dirt, foliage, the ambient jungle noises, animal sounds and ticking cogs throughout the game.

D'Oliveira trudged through the tropics for some of the noises, and for others he brought the tropics to the studio, to record in a controlled, aurally clean environment. The result is a complex blend of nature noises, befitting an emotionally complex game. Papo & Yo is out now for PC, currently on sale on Steam for $13.50 through April 28.

JoystiqPapo & Yo's howls, grunts, steps and chirps are straight out of Panama originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 24 Apr 2013 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>minority-mediapanamapapo-and-yopcplaystationps3sound-designWed, 24 Apr 2013 17:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq invites you into the Tactical Intervention beta [Keys are gone!]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/01/joystiq-invites-you-into-the-tactical-intervention-beta/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/01/joystiq-invites-you-into-the-tactical-intervention-beta/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/01/joystiq-invites-you-into-the-tactical-intervention-beta/#comments

Update: We're all out of codes!

It's time for you and 5,999 of your closest friends to start getting stoked, because Joystiq is distributing six thousand beta keys for Tactical Intervention - and we're the only place on the web to get them.

Developed by a team helmed by Minh Le - co-creator of Counter-Strike - Tactical Intervention is a free-to-play first-person shooter that features concepts Le always wanted to bring to Counter-Strike. Yeah, you've got all that shooting action between terrorist scum and the heroic CTs, but then you have driving missions, attack dogs, tactical maneuvers, and more.

Joystiq readers with codes can play beginning March 4 through March 8. To use the code, go to the OGPlanet beta registration page, log in or sign up for an OGPlanet account, submit your unique key to gain access. The PC-only client will be available on Monday.

Get your Tactical Intervention beta code

JoystiqJoystiq invites you into the Tactical Intervention beta [Keys are gone!] originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 01 Mar 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beta-keysCounter-StrikeFIX-KoreaJoyswagMinh-LeOGPlanetpctactical-interventionFri, 01 Mar 2013 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Toy Fair 2013 features such wonderful toys]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/11/toy-fair-2013-features-such-wonderful-toys/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/11/toy-fair-2013-features-such-wonderful-toys/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/11/toy-fair-2013-features-such-wonderful-toys/#comments Toy Fair 2013 features such wonderful toysToy Fair 2013 is happening up in New York this week, and in addition to those Tomb Raider minimates we spotted earlier, there are a bevy of various playthings, action figures, and replica items available from a number of famous video game franchises and settings. Just down below, we've compiled a few galleries of the video game-related toys on display for you to browse through at your leisure.

Thrill, for example, at the newly revealed Motorized Patriot figure from Bioshock Infinite. Gaze upon the (still boxed!) figures from Batman: Arkham City, including Talia, Deadshot, and Bats himself. Or if full-sized replicas are more your thing, you can see some closeup shots of the Gears of War Judgement "Taxi Lancer," as seen above. Sure, your significant other may exclaim that you're too old to play with these toys, but they didn't say you couldn't look through a few galleries of them, right?

Continue reading Toy Fair 2013 features such wonderful toys

JoystiqToy Fair 2013 features such wonderful toys originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 11 Feb 2013 23:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arkham-citybatman-arkham-citybioshock-infinitegalleriesgears-of-war-judgementgears-of-war-judgmentimagesmicrosoftmotorized-patriotpcplaystationps3toy-fair-2013toysxboxMon, 11 Feb 2013 23:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Fractured Soul demo on 3DS eShop Dec. 6]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/27/fractured-soul-demo-on-3ds-eshop-dec-6/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/27/fractured-soul-demo-on-3ds-eshop-dec-6/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/27/fractured-soul-demo-on-3ds-eshop-dec-6/#comments
We've talked up Endgame Studios' punishing 3DS eShop platformer Fractured Soul, but perhaps you need more hands-on evidence before jumping in. Endgame will provide it in the form of a downloadable demo, the developer told Joystiq today.

The demo will comprise the first four levels of the game, and will be downloadable in North America on December 6. The European and Australian releases of the game are still pending, but the demo will be available upon the game's release in those regions as well.

Learn a bit more about Fractured Soul in the videos above and after the break.

If you're already playing, you might be relieved to hear of an update coming soon. "We're also working on submitting an update for the game to make the infamous level 8 a little easier - by adding checkpoints," Endgame managing director Grant Davies said. "It's no secret that Fractured Soul is a damn hard platformer ... probably a little too hard. Hopefully this will smooth out the difficulty curve somewhat."

Continue reading Fractured Soul demo on 3DS eShop Dec. 6

JoystiqFractured Soul demo on 3DS eShop Dec. 6 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 27 Nov 2012 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsdemoeshopfractured-soulnintendoTue, 27 Nov 2012 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Halo, Skyrim and Mass Effect feature in London Philharmonic's new game album]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/06/halo-skyrim-and-mass-effect-feature-in-london-philharmonics-ne/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/06/halo-skyrim-and-mass-effect-feature-in-london-philharmonics-ne/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/06/halo-skyrim-and-mass-effect-feature-in-london-philharmonics-ne/#comments Those who love rousing musical accompaniment with their intergalactic war-waging should keep an ear out for today's release of "Greatest Video Games Music 2," a new orchestral album featuring tracks from some ... well, let's settle on "great-ish" video games so as not to devolve into argument. This is the second video game album performed by London's famous Phil Harmonic, an immodest man whose musical talents have congealed with a tragic array of multiple personalities to create what he calls "an orchestra."

The selection in this album skews more toward modern, with orchestrated songs from Skyrim, Mass Effect 3, Fez, Batman: Arkham City and Deus Ex: Human Revolution. Standouts include a snazzy symphonic suite from Sonic the Hedgehog, a blend of Halo's "Never Forget" and the jaunty "Peril," a sweet, classy take on "Still Alive," and the insta-happiness of "Dragon Roost Island" from The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker.

Oh, and there's the obligatory song from Final Fantasy VII. Yes, it's that one.

The album's available as of today on iTunes, Amazon and Spotify. You'll find the track list and an embedded stream of the full album right after the break.

Continue reading Halo, Skyrim and Mass Effect feature in London Philharmonic's new game album

JoystiqHalo, Skyrim and Mass Effect feature in London Philharmonic's new game album originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 06 Nov 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsmicrosoftnintendopcplaystationplaystation-vitaps3vitawii-uxboxTue, 06 Nov 2012 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Q&A: Martin Rae, President of the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/24/qanda-martin-rae-president-of-the-academy-of-interactive-arts-and/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/24/qanda-martin-rae-president-of-the-academy-of-interactive-arts-and/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/24/qanda-martin-rae-president-of-the-academy-of-interactive-arts-and/#comments The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences has announced the dates for next year's D.I.C.E. summit, which will once again encourage the game industry to Design, Innovate, Communicate and Entertain. Joystiq's especially aligned with the "C" and "E" parts, so we thought it apt to accompany the summit's aesthetic upgrade with a look at what the AIAS (Academy of Interactive ... okay, you get it) does to promote and augment games.

We'll be publishing several Q&As with high-profile designers in partnership with the AIAS, but today we're starting with Martin Rae, President of the AIAS.

Continue reading Q&A: Martin Rae, President of the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences

JoystiqQ&A: Martin Rae, President of the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 24 Oct 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsmicrosoftmobilenintendopcplaystationplaystation-vitaps3vitawii-uxboxWed, 24 Oct 2012 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Magical Drop V magically drops on PC November 15]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/18/magical-drop-v-magically-drops-on-pc-november-15/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/18/magical-drop-v-magically-drops-on-pc-november-15/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/18/magical-drop-v-magically-drops-on-pc-november-15/#comments Magical Drop V magically drops on Steam November 15You've waited forever for a new Magical Drop game, and Ignition Entertainment and developer Golgoth Studio will finally deliver. Magical Drop V will be released on Steam for PC on November 15.

As we discovered to our surprise and delight last E3, Magical Drop V is not just a new game in the Data East color-matching puzzle series, it also contains the characters and gameplay from another unreleased puzzler, Ghostlop. Players can choose to play either game, even facing off in multiplayer across two different games.

JoystiqMagical Drop V magically drops on PC November 15 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 18 Oct 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ignition-entertainmentmagical-drop-5pcsteamThu, 18 Oct 2012 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Monaco coming to XBLA and PC simultaneously]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/16/monaco-coming-to-xbla-and-pc-simultaneously/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/16/monaco-coming-to-xbla-and-pc-simultaneously/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/16/monaco-coming-to-xbla-and-pc-simultaneously/#comments
For years, Pocketwatch Games' multiplayer heist-action game Monaco has been a hit at trade shows, award ceremonies and Joystiq parties. Now, Joystiq can exclusively reveal that it's going to be playable in your very own home on XBLA and Steam (for both Mac and PC).

There's no release date, but the self-published PC version will be released simultaneously with the Majesco-published XBLA release - Pocketwatch isn't sure if the Mac version will be day-and-date, but "we're doing our best."

"Monaco was originally designed to be played with four friends on the couch, all planning and executing a heist together," designer Andy Schatz said. Pocketwatch has added four-player online co-op to all the versions, in addition to the couch-based co-op and the single player ("the stealthiest version," Schatz calls it.) The XBLA release facilitates the authentic couch multiplayer by putting the game on a couch-friendly console. Schatz said that he met with Majesco at PAX East and "the stars aligned."

Gallery: Monaco

Continue reading Monaco coming to XBLA and PC simultaneously

JoystiqMonaco coming to XBLA and PC simultaneously originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 16 Oct 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>macmajescomicrosoftmonacopcpocketwatch-gamessteamxblaxboxTue, 16 Oct 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fractured Soul comes to eShop September 13]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/29/fractured-soul-comes-to-eshop-september-13/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/29/fractured-soul-comes-to-eshop-september-13/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/29/fractured-soul-comes-to-eshop-september-13/#comments Fractured Soul comes to eShop September 13Developer Endgame Studios has informed Joystiq that its eShop action game Fractured Soul will be released in North America on September 13, at an $11.99 price point. Fractured Soul is a sci-fi action game that has players jumping back and forth between two slightly different parallel worlds, one on each screen of the 3DS. This mechanic is used as the basis for insane challenges. For more information, check out our preview from earlier this year.

The $12 price is "less than half of the retail price" decided upon when Fractured Soul was still a packaged release, Endgame managing director Grant Davies told me. The price, which is higher than many eShop releases, is such "for us not to end up completely broke."

Davies is happy about Nintendo's new program of rolling out digital versions of retail games simultaneously. "The more quality products you can find in the eShop the better," he said. "Gamers need to be confident that when they go to the eShop, they're getting a quality offering. That's one of the problems that something like the App Store has." With things like New Super Mario Bros. 2 on the service, people will be "more willing to engage with eShop and check out what's on there."

JoystiqFractured Soul comes to eShop September 13 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 29 Aug 2012 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsendgame-studiosfractured-soulnintendoWed, 29 Aug 2012 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Arc the Lad series, Tomba among Vita PSOne Classics launch lineup]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/27/arc-the-lad-series-tomba-among-vita-psone-classics-launch-lineu/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/27/arc-the-lad-series-tomba-among-vita-psone-classics-launch-lineu/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/27/arc-the-lad-series-tomba-among-vita-psone-classics-launch-lineu/#comments Arc the Lad series, Tomba among Vita PSOne Classics launch lineupMonkeyPaw Games will make five of its PSOne Imports and Classics available to Vita users tomorrow, when the new firmware adds PSOne support to the handheld. Alundra, Arc the Lad 1 and 2, Vanguard Bandits, and the recently released Tomba will all be playable on Vita in North America starting tomorrow, the publisher told Joystiq.

The overall list of supported PSOne Classics for tomorrow's Vita launch, outside of MonkeyPaw's offerings, is largely a mystery. When announcing the feature at E3, Sony showed off a selection of games including Tomb Raider, Final Fantasy VII, Wild Arms, Twisted Metal 2, Cool Boarders 2, and Jet Moto, but didn't say if those games would be part of the launch lineup.

MonkeyPaw hopes to have the rest of its PSOne games on Vita "soon."

JoystiqArc the Lad series, Tomba among Vita PSOne Classics launch lineup originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 27 Aug 2012 09:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alundraarc-the-ladMonkeyPaw-Gamesplaystationplaystation-vitapsone-classicstombavanguard-banditsvitaMon, 27 Aug 2012 09:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Watching TV together: The seasoned business strategy of Frost Wars]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/22/watching-tv-together-the-seasoned-business-strategy-of-frost-wa/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/22/watching-tv-together-the-seasoned-business-strategy-of-frost-wa/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/22/watching-tv-together-the-seasoned-business-strategy-of-frost-wa/#comments Watching TV together The seasoned business strategy of Frost WarsAustin Hice and Carlo Eugster began their professional careers in the film industry, working on television shows and on-camera, live entertainment in Los Angeles. When they decided to quit those jobs and start an independent game development studio in 2011, it wasn't simply to get away from the repetitive hierarchy of Hollywood - it was to fulfill a lifelong passion for gaming and engaging storytelling.

"Video games seemed like the natural tansition. We've both been avid gamers since we were very, very small," Hice tells Joystiq. "We saw an opportunity to take the experience we got in film and television and establish something new. That's how Lantern got its start."

Lantern now has a dozen core staff and is working on its first game, Frost Wars: The Rise of Fatty Sparkles, which will debut at PAX on August 31 in the form of a booth with a four-player demo.

Frost Wars is a turn-based strategy, comedy and adventure game planned to launch for iOS, Droid, PC, Mac and eventually Linux. It's set in the Arctic, where Toxi Co., a foreign corporation, interrupts the peaceful life of the Eskimos by drilling the ice and accidentally tapping into an ancient goo that, once released, mutates the native animals. The Eskimos and Toxi Co. employees are then thrown into a vicious war. Fatty Sparkles, for those wondering, isn't on either side; he's the arms-dealing polar bear pulling the strings behind the scenes.

Gallery: Frost Wars: The Rise of Fatty Sparkles

Continue reading Watching TV together: The seasoned business strategy of Frost Wars

JoystiqWatching TV together: The seasoned business strategy of Frost Wars originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 22 Aug 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidfrost-warsfrost-wars-the-rise-of-fatty-sparklesiosipadiphonelanternmacmobilepax-2012pax-prime-2012pcWed, 22 Aug 2012 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Pop open this Zombeer trailer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/08/pop-open-this-zombeer-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/08/pop-open-this-zombeer-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/08/pop-open-this-zombeer-trailer/#comments Zombeer
There is, in fact, a game called "Zombeer," and this exclusive trailer is proof of that unlikely proposition. Upon watching it, you will learn something important: a game that combines "zombies" and "beer" also produces cute, gross and organic projectile weapons. You will also learn that Lollipop Chainsaw does not have a monopoly on unsettling combinations of cheerleading and zombies.

Zombeer is the work of Spanish studio Moonbite, and is set to hit PC, Mac, and HD consoles this year.

JoystiqPop open this Zombeer trailer originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 08 Aug 2012 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>macmicrosoftmoonbitepcplaystationps3xboxzombeerWed, 08 Aug 2012 20:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Magicka says 'WOOT' with new Olympics-themed DLC pack]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/06/magicka-says-woot-with-new-olympics-themed-dlc-pack/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/06/magicka-says-woot-with-new-olympics-themed-dlc-pack/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/06/magicka-says-woot-with-new-olympics-themed-dlc-pack/#comments Magicka says WOOT with new Olympicsthemed DLC packSome new content for use in Magicka's Challenge and Versus mode is set to debut tomorrow, and takes a cue from the ongoing Olympic games taking place in London right now - well, kinda. The Olympics doesn't try to kill its competitors, after all.

Magicka's WOOT Tournament DLC features four new PVP maps, three new challenge maps and a host of new items and magic spells for competing wizards. These items and spells include the Musketball Dunker - a gun that fires a volley of explosives - and the ever-important Wave maneuver, a mainstay at any sporting event.

Tomorrow's content dump will be free to all Magicka players. In the meanwhile, we've got some screens courtesy of Paradox to help pass the time, available in our gallery below.

Gallery: Magicka (Woot DLC)

JoystiqMagicka says 'WOOT' with new Olympics-themed DLC pack originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 06 Aug 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arrowhead-game-studiosdlclondonmagickamagicka-woot-tournamentolympicsolympics-2012pcpieces-interactivewootMon, 06 Aug 2012 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Capcom and iam8bit remember 25 Years of Street Fighter with art gallery]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/04/capcom-and-iam8bit-remember-25-years-of-street-fighter-with-art/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/04/capcom-and-iam8bit-remember-25-years-of-street-fighter-with-art/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/04/capcom-and-iam8bit-remember-25-years-of-street-fighter-with-art/#comments Capcom and iam8bit remember 25 Years of Street Fighter with an art gallery
Last night in iam8bit's Los Angeles headquarters, Capcom opened up its 25 Years of Street Fighter show, revealing a full gallery of artists' work featuring the now classic fighting game characters and settings. In a launch event open to the public, visitors got to see (and buy) the art on display, take pictures in front of a Street Fighter background, and even smash up a car pinata in a tribute to the games' Bonus Round mechanic.

Gabe Swarr was one of the artists in attendance last night - his piece in the show, a comic from his Life in the Analog Age series, was a little more personal than all of the various representations of Chun Li, Ryu, and Blanka. In it, he portrays the change that Street Fighter brought to the arcades when it debuted, from sillier games featuring monkeys and spaceships to fire punches and spinning kicks. "Right when Street Fighter started there were two different crowds at that point," says Swarr, "and I wanted to remember that shift in the arcades."

Swarr says that Street Fighter as a brand has lasted so long because its characters were so identifiable. Not only are these archetypal characters easy to connect to, but "it's also an international thing," he says. "It's one of the first games where they say this guy's from Brazil, this guy's from Japan and this guy's from the US. They did a really great job of incorporating that into the game."

"You could tell that that was like the basis for all the fighting games afterwards," Swarr says. "This was the template that everyone followed." Capcom's 25 Years of Street Fighter show is running at iam8bit through August 19. You can see what's on display there in the gallery below.

Gallery: Capcom's 25 Years of Street Fighter at iam8bit

JoystiqCapcom and iam8bit remember 25 Years of Street Fighter with art gallery originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 04 Aug 2012 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artblankacapcomchun-ligabe-swarrgalleryiam8bitopeningphotospicturesryushowstreet-fighterstreet-fighter-2Sat, 04 Aug 2012 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Exploring the unknown parts of XCOM: Enemy Unknown]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/30/exploring-the-unknown-parts-of-xcom-enemy-unknown/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/30/exploring-the-unknown-parts-of-xcom-enemy-unknown/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/30/exploring-the-unknown-parts-of-xcom-enemy-unknown/#comments Speaking with XCOM: Enemy Unknown producer Garth DeAngelis earlier this year, I managed to unearth a little information that had been (appropriately) unknown about the game at the time. Specifically, I learned that aerial combat is returning in Enemy Unknown. Dogfighting alien aircraft played a huge role in the original X-COM, a game that developer Firaxis is trying very hard to live up to.

But what other secrets are housed within Enemy Unknown? We've been privy to plenty of information when it comes to ground combat and tactics. Make no mistake, that's the meat of the XCOM experience, but the core gameplay of outwitting alien combatants is all supported by the structure of scientific research and aerial combat.

To uncover more pieces of Enemy Unknown's intricate design puzzle, DeAngelis has returned alongside designer Jake Solomon to exclusively explain to Joystiq about gunning down UFOs, scouring its wreckage, and turning its alien tech back against the invaders.

Gallery: XCOM: Enemy Unknown (UFO Combat and Research)

Continue reading Exploring the unknown parts of XCOM: Enemy Unknown

JoystiqExploring the unknown parts of XCOM: Enemy Unknown originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 30 Jul 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2k2k-gamesfiraxisgarth-deangelisjake-solomonmicrosoftpcplaystationps3xboxxcom-enemy-unknownMon, 30 Jul 2012 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA['Avatar Famestar' introduces persistent, cross-game rewards to XBLA]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/20/avatar-famestar-introduces-persistent-cross-game-rewards-to-x/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/20/avatar-famestar-introduces-persistent-cross-game-rewards-to-x/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/20/avatar-famestar-introduces-persistent-cross-game-rewards-to-x/#comments 'Avatar Famestar' introduces persistent, crossgame rewards to XBLAWhen Iron Galaxy's Wreckateer is launched next week - the second game in Microsoft's Summer of Arcade annual promotion - it'll include a brand new feature that will show up in several upcoming XBLA games: Avatar Famestars. We first heard the name back in February when a trademark popped up for the phrase, but what exactly is it?

"Avatar Famestars is a new program from Microsoft Studios and is part of a select group of games that delivers new and exciting ways to play online with your friends and compete for social recognition," says Microsoft. Okay, what does that mean? A variety of in-game challenges (think: "get a perfect score five times on this game mode") are included in Avatar Famestar-supported games, and you'll earn rewards based on earning Famestar points (think: Avatar stuff).

Those rewards will cross from game to game, as will your point total. It's kind of like Ubisoft's UPlay program, but less ubiquitous - for now, Avatar Famestars is locked to your Xbox 360, though we wouldn't be shocked to hear about it heading to Surface, Windows 8, and Windows Phones in due time.

Beyond Wreckateer, Microsoft's adding Avatar Famestar support to already released games Full House Poker, and A World of Keflings, and several upcoming games: Fire Pro Wrestling, Homerun Stars, and Avatar Motocross Madness. Unfortunately, it's not clear when any of the already available games will get the update, but we expect upcoming games will simply debut with the functionality. Wreckateer launches next Wednesday on Xbox Live Arcade, and it'll be the first game on Xbox with Avatar Famestar support. Keep an eye out for our review early next week.

Gallery: Wreckateer

Joystiq'Avatar Famestar' introduces persistent, cross-game rewards to XBLA originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 20 Jul 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>avatar-famestariron-galaxyiron-galaxy-studiosmicrosoft-studioswreckateerFri, 20 Jul 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Epic's Mark Rein on UE4, Epic Baltimore and Gears of War: Judgment]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/11/epics-mark-rein-on-ue4-epic-baltimore-and-gears-of-war-judgme/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/11/epics-mark-rein-on-ue4-epic-baltimore-and-gears-of-war-judgme/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/11/epics-mark-rein-on-ue4-epic-baltimore-and-gears-of-war-judgme/#comments Mark Rein interview
Given the engine's dynamic illumination features, it's only appropriate for Epic Vice President Mark Rein to start lighting up when he starts talking about Unreal Engine 4. We spoke to Rein on the last day of E3 about the engine's possibilities, and how its robust developer toolset addresses the dangerous costs of game development.

Rein also comments on the multinational efforts behind Gears of War: Judgment (with special mention of People Can Fly's Creative Director, Adrian Chmielarz) and the recent addition of Epic Baltimore to the family.

JoystiqEpic's Mark Rein on UE4, Epic Baltimore and Gears of War: Judgment originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 11 Jun 2012 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3-2012epicepic-baltimoreepic-gamesgears-of-war-judgmentmark-reinue4unreal-engine-4Mon, 11 Jun 2012 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Activision talks Skylanders Giants and the future of the franchise]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/06/activision-talks-skylanders-giants-and-the-future-of-the-franchi/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/06/activision-talks-skylanders-giants-and-the-future-of-the-franchi/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/06/activision-talks-skylanders-giants-and-the-future-of-the-franchi/#comments Activision talks Skylanders Giants and the future of the franchise

We had a quick chat with Mike Graham, a design producer at Activision, about Toys for Bob's extremely popular Skylanders franchise, and the second release in the series, Skylanders Giants. Graham kindly let us in on the reasoning behind the new game and bigger toys, and what other possibilities might be in store for Skylanders.

We also hear a little bit about where Spyro now fits in the Skylanders universe (That purple dragon that the whole series is based on? Remember him?) Turns out he's still in there, even if his name has been taken off the title for now.

JoystiqActivision talks Skylanders Giants and the future of the franchise originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 06 Jun 2012 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisione3e3-2012microsoftmike-grahamnintendoplaystationps3skylandersskylanders-giantsskylanders-spyros-adventurespyrovideowiixboxWed, 06 Jun 2012 23:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq Presents: RiffTrax versus Final Fantasy, Metal Gear, Mega Man and Sonic]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/01/joystiq-presents-rifftrax-versus-final-fantasy-metal-gear-meg/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/01/joystiq-presents-rifftrax-versus-final-fantasy-metal-gear-meg/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/01/joystiq-presents-rifftrax-versus-final-fantasy-metal-gear-meg/#comments Image
If you're a product of the late 80s and early 90s, or if you're a Netflix junkie, you may have heard of Mystery Science Theater 3000. For ten seasons, the series perfected the art of poking fun at terrible movies with its biting and hilarious commentary.

Years later, Mystery Science Theater 3000 alums Michael J. Nelson, Kevin Murphy, and Bill Corbett have continued their important work of making us laugh with RiffTrax.

Today - finally - the hilarious team at RiffTrax takes on the video game industry. Teaming up with Joystiq, the RiffTrax team pokes fun at our selections from Final Fantasy X, Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, 2006's Sonic the Hedgehog, and Mega Man 8.

For more hilarious videos, make sure to check out the RiffTrax website and their official YouTube channel.

JoystiqJoystiq Presents: RiffTrax versus Final Fantasy, Metal Gear, Mega Man and Sonic originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 01 Jun 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>RiffTraxFri, 01 Jun 2012 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Invite a yellow Yoshi into Mario Tennis Open, our treat]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/29/invite-a-yellow-yoshi-into-mario-tennis-open-our-treat/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/29/invite-a-yellow-yoshi-into-mario-tennis-open-our-treat/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/29/invite-a-yellow-yoshi-into-mario-tennis-open-our-treat/#comments ImageIf you'd like to play doubles in Mario Tennis Open with someone who looks vaguely like a tennis ball in hue, we can help with that. Nintendo shared the above QR code exclusively with Joystiq, and now we're sharing it with you. From within the 3DS game, you can snap a picture of this code and unlock a yellow Yoshi for your game.

We hope you love it! Get it - because "love" is a tennis term ... but wait, "love" is bad in tennis. We're going to have to think about this joke and get back to you. Anyway, here's that Yoshi.

JoystiqInvite a yellow Yoshi into Mario Tennis Open, our treat originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 29 May 2012 17:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsmario-tennis-3dsmario-tennis-opennintendoTue, 29 May 2012 17:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Turn the pages of Orcs Must Die! 2's new Spellbook]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/29/turn-the-pages-of-orcs-must-die-2s-new-spellbook/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/29/turn-the-pages-of-orcs-must-die-2s-new-spellbook/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/29/turn-the-pages-of-orcs-must-die-2s-new-spellbook/#comments Orcs Must Die! 2 builds upon the excellent foundation of its predecessor with multiplayer - our first taste was pretty pleasant. As revealed exclusively to Joystiq today, it also adds an expanded Spellbook. The Spellbook itself is now divided into five different subsections: My Gear, Traps, Weapons, Trinkets and Vanity.

Gallery: Orcs Must Die! 2 (Spellbook)

Continue reading Turn the pages of Orcs Must Die! 2's new Spellbook

JoystiqTurn the pages of Orcs Must Die! 2's new Spellbook originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 29 May 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>orcs-must-die-2pcrobot-entertainmentspellbookTue, 29 May 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Tomba! comes to PlayStation Network as a PSOne Classic this summer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/23/tomba-comes-to-playstation-network-as-a-psone-classic-this-summ/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/23/tomba-comes-to-playstation-network-as-a-psone-classic-this-summ/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/23/tomba-comes-to-playstation-network-as-a-psone-classic-this-summ/#comments ImageOne of Sony's most beloved first-party PlayStation 1 games is coming to the PS3 and PSP via ... a company other than Sony. Tomba!, the platformer starring the pink-haired caveman, will be released on the PlayStation Network soon by MonkeyPaw Games.

In addition to being just incredibly cute, Tomba! has some serious credentials. After an illustrious career at Capcom during which he designed the Ghosts 'n Goblins games and produced the Mega Man series, Tokuro Fujiwara founded his own studio, Whoopee Camp, where he directed Tomba! and its sequel for publisher Sony Computer Entertainment.

"Sony and MonkeyPaw have a good working relationship," MonkeyPaw CEO John Greiner told Joystiq. "I think they appreciate the titles we've brought to the Store. And they value the support we give the games. Having a plethora of Japanese content is a distinct advantage PlayStation has over Xbox. But the games still need to be brought Stateside. So our model helps Sony spread their Japanese edge and we help Japanese developers get their titles to a wider audience. Hence, Sony is willing to work with us on titles that may not have otherwise been licensed out. Support is key."

MonkeyPaw has been working on acquiring the Tomba! rights for a year. "We often have to chase down multiple right holders," Greiner said. "In this case, Sony and Whoopee Camp had rights that needed to be negotiated." The deal didn't necessarily include the sequel, however. "Tomba! 2 is a possibility but we need to really sell Tomba! 1 well before we can extend our relationship," Greiner explained. "It's the first time to work with Fujiwara-san so we're trying to make a good impression. Good sales have a way opening doors a bit wider."

Gallery: Tomba! (PSN)

JoystiqTomba! comes to PlayStation Network as a PSOne Classic this summer originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 23 May 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>monkeypaw-gamesplaystationps3pspsonytombaWed, 23 May 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Six years in, Journey studio rewards itself with two new hires]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/six-years-in-journey-studio-rewards-itself-with-two-new-hires/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/six-years-in-journey-studio-rewards-itself-with-two-new-hires/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/six-years-in-journey-studio-rewards-itself-with-two-new-hires/#comments ImageDid you know that today is thatgamecompany's sixth birthday? It's true! In those six years, the team of approximately a dozen people created Flow, Flower, and, most recently, Journey, all the while cementing their place as heads of the art games movement. The company recently completed its contract with Sony for three exclusive titles, but that doesn't mean it's resting on past successes. For instance, TGC is already in talks with publishers for whatever's next.

Alongside its success, some big names at the studio recently moved on - co-founder Kellee Santiago and executive producer Robin Hunicke both exited in the past few months, following the launch of Journey this past March. Today, TGC adds two new employees.

In light of its big sixth birthday, thatgamecompany is announcing the appointment of two new stars: former director of marketing and business development of PowerMMO Games, Sunni Pavlovic, becomes studio manager, and taking up the new position of audio director is Cloud and Flower contributor Vincent Diamante.

In a prepared statement from TGC, Diamante said, "I'm very excited to be a part of thatgamecompany, joining forces with both friends from past projects as well as new faces. The last time around, I worked with TGC mostly as a music contractor. Things this time around will be a bit different, as I'll be dealing with all sound and music issues on their upcoming game."

Diamante related his first several weeks at TGC as akin to "tight-rope walking with chainsaws," which is, like, the exact opposite of what we imagine working at TGC to be like. Isn't it all floaty stuff and soft music? Quit ruining our illusions, Diamante! You've only just started!

JoystiqSix years in, Journey studio rewards itself with two new hires originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 May 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cloudflowflowerjourneykellee-santiagorobin-hunickesunni-pavlovicthat-game-companythatgamecompanyvincent-diamanteTue, 15 May 2012 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Carmageddon earns Reincarnation as a Kickstarter project]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/08/carmageddon-earns-reincarnation-as-a-kickstarter-project/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/08/carmageddon-earns-reincarnation-as-a-kickstarter-project/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/08/carmageddon-earns-reincarnation-as-a-kickstarter-project/#comments Image

Carmageddon: Reincarnation, initially announced as a downloadable multiplatform game last year, now depends on Kickstarter for completion.

Patrick Buckland and Neil Barnden, CEO and Executive Director of Stainless Games, tell an all-too-common horror story from creatives stuck in a bad business deal. After doing work-for-hire projects with their new company in the mid '90s, they finally released a passion project, called Carmageddon, which featured goofy and gory, over-the-top vehicular carnage, and still claims a place in the heart of older PC gamers everywhere. In order to get published, they sold rights for the title to SCI, which co-published the game with Interplay.

The title was followed up with a sequel in 1998 (it was called Carmageddon II: Carpocalypse Now, back when games could be called things like that), but when the sequel didn't do as well, the worst happened: Buckland and Barnden lost their own creation. They've spent years since then trying to get the rights back.

Gallery: Carmageddon Reincarnation (PC)

Continue reading Carmageddon earns Reincarnation as a Kickstarter project

JoystiqCarmageddon earns Reincarnation as a Kickstarter project originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 08 May 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carcarmageddoncarmageddon-reincarnationdestructionneil-barndenpatrick-budlandpcracingstainless-gameswreckageTue, 08 May 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[From pitch to product: Elastic Games on bringing Police Warfare to life]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/12/from-pitch-to-product-elastic-games-on-bringing-police-warfare/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/12/from-pitch-to-product-elastic-games-on-bringing-police-warfare/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/12/from-pitch-to-product-elastic-games-on-bringing-police-warfare/#comments Image"It's definitely something that's a work in progress," Elastic Games lead game designer James Wearing admits. He's talking about the name of the product his newly formed team is pitching to Kickstarter users, a first-person shooter called 'Police Warfare.' The name is more descriptive than it is memorable.

"There were definitely a lot of comments where people said it was the worst name they ever heard." But the name of the product is on a short list of post-development things to take care of.

Right now, the focus at Elastic Games is to use the goodwill built up by Police Warfare's original pitch, which was labeled as a fan-made concept for the future of Call of Duty in February, and turn it into funding for an actual product via the crowd power of Kickstarter.

Gallery: Police Warfare 'Concept Art and Renders' - (04/12/12)

Continue reading From pitch to product: Elastic Games on bringing Police Warfare to life

JoystiqFrom pitch to product: Elastic Games on bringing Police Warfare to life originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 12 Apr 2012 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Elastic-GamesKickstarterpcPolice-WarfareThu, 12 Apr 2012 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA['Police Warfare' pitch looks to become reality with Kickstarter]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/12/police-warfare-pitch-looks-to-become-reality-with-kickstarter/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/12/police-warfare-pitch-looks-to-become-reality-with-kickstarter/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/12/police-warfare-pitch-looks-to-become-reality-with-kickstarter/#comments ImageIt was originally labeled as a pitch for the future of Call of Duty, with no plan to create a finished product. "The intent was to create a sweet game pitch and see what people thought of it," Police Warfare producer Shawn Wallace tells Joystiq.

After the video exploded on YouTube, the team behind it realized they had hit on something. "There was such a strong response on YouTube from people who are clearly gamers who want this, which sort of validated our feelings for how strong the concept is," Wallace adds.

Today, Police Warfare becomes the next in a long line of indie projects looking for funding via Kickstarter.

Continue reading 'Police Warfare' pitch looks to become reality with Kickstarter

Joystiq'Police Warfare' pitch looks to become reality with Kickstarter originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 12 Apr 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Elastic-GamesKickstarterpcPolice-WarfareThu, 12 Apr 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Illuminating Penny Arcade's On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness 3]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/02/penny-arcade-adventures-episode-3-revealed/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/02/penny-arcade-adventures-episode-3-revealed/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/02/penny-arcade-adventures-episode-3-revealed/#comments The story behind the third episode of Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness is almost as long as its title. Following disappointing sales of Episode 2, Penny Arcade kicked off its first PAX East conference by informing Joystiq that the series had been discontinued altogether. At the time, Penny Arcade stated that developer Hothead Games left the project in order to focus on developing DeathSpank, as working on both projects would have impacted the quality of Episode 3. Hothead would later claim that Penny Arcade wordsmith Jerry "Tycho" Holkins had trouble keeping up with the development cycle.

Now, two years later, Episode 3 is not only back in development, but is being taken in an entirely new direction by indie developer Zeboyd Games, creators of cheeky role-playing throwbacks Cthulhu Saves the World and Breath of Death VII. Along with a new developer, the game has also received a slightly shorter title: Penny Arcade's On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness 3. It's slated to launch this summer on PC, Mac, Xbox Live Indie Games, iOS and Android. The price hasn't been announced, though I've been told it should be in line with Zeboyd's previous games or, in other words, cheap. Eager fans will get a chance to see a first look at PAX East in Boston later this week.

The project began, Zeboyd's Robert Boyd told Joystiq exclusively, in a single forum thread on Penny Arcade's website.

Gallery: Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness - Episode 3

Continue reading Illuminating Penny Arcade's On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness 3

JoystiqIlluminating Penny Arcade's On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness 3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 02 Apr 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidiosipadiphonemacmicrosoftmobilepcpenny-arcade-adventures-3xboxMon, 02 Apr 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[An all new episode of Alan Wake's Night Springs: 'Doomed Samaritan']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/30/an-all-new-episode-of-alan-wakes-night-springs-doomed-samarit/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/30/an-all-new-episode-of-alan-wakes-night-springs-doomed-samarit/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/30/an-all-new-episode-of-alan-wakes-night-springs-doomed-samarit/#comments
Last week, Joystiq featured the six original episodes of Night Springs -- the Twilight Zone-inspired series featured in Remedy Entertainment's Alan Wake. But a new week deserves a new set of mysteries and Joystiq has three never-before-seen episodes of the popular series debuting exclusively all week.

Tonight's episode is the final -- and perhaps most mind-bending -- of the never-before-seen series. Allow us to introduce you to "The Doomed Samaritan."

JoystiqAn all new episode of Alan Wake's Night Springs: 'Doomed Samaritan' originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 30 Mar 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Alan-Wakealan-wakes-american-nightmaremicrosoftnight-springspcremedyremedy-entertainmentxboxFri, 30 Mar 2012 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[An all new episode of Alan Wake's Night Springs: 'What's in a Name']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/28/an-all-new-episode-of-alan-wakes-night-springs-whats-in-a-na/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/28/an-all-new-episode-of-alan-wakes-night-springs-whats-in-a-na/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/28/an-all-new-episode-of-alan-wakes-night-springs-whats-in-a-na/#comments
Last week, Joystiq featured the six original episodes of Night Springs -- the Twilight Zone-inspired series featured in Remedy Entertainment's Alan Wake. But a new week deserves a new set of mysteries and Joystiq has three never-before-seen episodes of the popular series debuting exclusively all week.

Tonight's episode... "What's in a Name."

JoystiqAn all new episode of Alan Wake's Night Springs: 'What's in a Name' originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 28 Mar 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Alan-Wakealan-wakes-american-nightmaremicrosoftNight-SpringspcRemedyremedy-entertainmentxboxWed, 28 Mar 2012 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[An all new episode of Alan Wake's Night Springs: 'Eternal Endurance']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/26/an-all-new-episode-of-alan-wakes-night-springs-eternal-endura/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/26/an-all-new-episode-of-alan-wakes-night-springs-eternal-endura/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/26/an-all-new-episode-of-alan-wakes-night-springs-eternal-endura/#comments
Last week, Joystiq featured the six original episodes of Night Springs -- the Twilight Zone-inspired series featured in Remedy Entertainment's Alan Wake. But a new week deserves a new set of mysteries and Joystiq has three never-before-seen episodes of the popular series debuting exclusively all week.

Tonight's episode... "Eternal Endurance."

JoystiqAn all new episode of Alan Wake's Night Springs: 'Eternal Endurance' originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 26 Mar 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Alan-Wakealan-wakes-american-nightmaremicrosoftNight-SpringspcRemedyremedy-entertainmentxboxMon, 26 Mar 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Alan Wake's Night Springs: The Complete Series - 'Quantum Suicide' and 'Absence of Creativity']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/23/alan-wakes-night-springs-the-complete-series-quantum-suicid/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/23/alan-wakes-night-springs-the-complete-series-quantum-suicid/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/23/alan-wakes-night-springs-the-complete-series-quantum-suicid/#comments
The Twilight Zone-inspired series within Alan Wake -- dubbed "Night Springs" -- was popular among fans. Each short episode not only helped to expand Alan Wake's universe, but it also led to the downloadable spin-off Alan Wake's American Nightmare, in which the character of Alan Wake was caught in the middle of a Night Springs episode arc.

Six original episodes were featured in Remedy Entertainment's Alan Wake, and Joystiq has the exclusive season pass. Today, perhaps the best of the original series run: "Quantum Suicide." After the break is the final episode from Alan Wake, "Absence of Creativity."

But the season extends beyond its original run of six, and Joystiq has more Night Springs coming with new, never-before-seen episodes landing exclusively next week.

Continue reading Alan Wake's Night Springs: The Complete Series - 'Quantum Suicide' and 'Absence of Creativity'

JoystiqAlan Wake's Night Springs: The Complete Series - 'Quantum Suicide' and 'Absence of Creativity' originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 23 Mar 2012 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Alan-Wakealan-wakes-american-nightmaremicrosoftnight-springspcremedyremedy-entertainmentxboxFri, 23 Mar 2012 16:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Alan Wake's Night Springs: The Complete Series - 'Taken In His Prime']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/22/alan-wakes-night-springs-the-complete-series-taken-in-his-p/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/22/alan-wakes-night-springs-the-complete-series-taken-in-his-p/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/22/alan-wakes-night-springs-the-complete-series-taken-in-his-p/#comments
The Twilight Zone-inspired series within Alan Wake -- dubbed "Night Springs" -- was popular among fans. Each short episode not only helped to expand Alan Wake's universe, but it also led to the downloadable spin-off Alan Wake's American Nightmare, in which the character of Alan Wake was caught in the middle of a Night Springs episode arc.

Six original episodes were featured in Remedy Entertainment's Alan Wake, and Joystiq has the exclusive season pass. Today, a brutal episode about free will, dubbed: "Taken In His Prime."

But the season extends beyond its original run of six, and Joystiq has more Night Springs coming with new, never-before-seen episodes landing exclusively next week.

JoystiqAlan Wake's Night Springs: The Complete Series - 'Taken In His Prime' originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 22 Mar 2012 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Alan-Wakealan-wakes-american-nightmaremicrosoftNight-SpringspcRemedyremedy-entertainmentxboxThu, 22 Mar 2012 13:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Alan Wake's Night Springs: The Complete Series - 'Dream of Dreams']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/21/alan-wakes-night-springs-the-complete-series-dream-of-dream/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/21/alan-wakes-night-springs-the-complete-series-dream-of-dream/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/21/alan-wakes-night-springs-the-complete-series-dream-of-dream/#comments
The Twilight Zone-inspired series within Alan Wake -- dubbed "Night Springs" -- was popular among fans. Each short episode not only helped to expand Alan Wake's universe, but it also led to the downloadable spin-off Alan Wake's American Nightmare, in which the character of Alan Wake was caught in the middle of a Night Springs episode arc.

Six original episodes were featured in Remedy Entertainment's Alan Wake, and Joystiq has the exclusive season pass. Today, we feature the third -- and perhaps strangest -- episode of the bunch: "Dream of Dreams."

But the season extends beyond its original run of six, and Joystiq has more Night Springs coming with new, never-before-seen episodes landing exclusively next week.

JoystiqAlan Wake's Night Springs: The Complete Series - 'Dream of Dreams' originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 21 Mar 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Alan-Wakealan-wakes-american-nightmaremicrosoftNight-SpringspcRemedyremedy-entertainmentxboxWed, 21 Mar 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Alan Wake's Night Springs: The Complete Series - 'Family Occasion']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/20/alan-wakes-night-springs-the-complete-series-family-occasio/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/20/alan-wakes-night-springs-the-complete-series-family-occasio/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/20/alan-wakes-night-springs-the-complete-series-family-occasio/#comments
Some of the most memorable moments in Remedy Entertainment's thriller, Alan Wake, sprang from episodes of a short, Twilight Zone-inspired television show hidden throughout Bright Falls.

"Night Springs" fleshed out Wake's world and also helped inspire the downloadable spin-off, Alan Wake's American Nightmare, in which the hero is caught in the middle of an episode arc. Six original episodes were featured in the original Alan Wake, and Joystiq has the exclusive season pass.

Today, we seal the Night Springs series with a kiss in "Family Occasion."

JoystiqAlan Wake's Night Springs: The Complete Series - 'Family Occasion' originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 20 Mar 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Alan-Wakealan-wakes-american-nightmaremicrosoftnight-springspcremedyremedy-entertainmentxboxTue, 20 Mar 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Alan Wake's Night Springs: The Complete Series - 'Man in the Mirror']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/19/alan-wakes-night-springs-man-in-the-mirror/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/19/alan-wakes-night-springs-man-in-the-mirror/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/19/alan-wakes-night-springs-man-in-the-mirror/#comments
Some of the most memorable moments in Remedy Entertainment's thriller, Alan Wake, sprang from episodes of a short, Twilight Zone-inspired television show hidden throughout Bright Falls.

"Night Springs" fleshed out Wake's world and also helped inspire the downloadable spin-off, Alan Wake's American Nightmare, in which the hero is caught in the middle of an episode arc. Six original episodes were featured in the original Alan Wake, and Joystiq has the exclusive season pass.

Today, we feature one of the most chilling episodes: "Man in the Mirror."

JoystiqAlan Wake's Night Springs: The Complete Series - 'Man in the Mirror' originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 19 Mar 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Alan-Wakealan-wakes-american-nightmaremicrosoftNight-SpringspcRemedyremedy-entertainmentxboxMon, 19 Mar 2012 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Runner2 development fueled by 744 beers (so far)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/14/runner2-development-fueled-by-744-beers-so-far/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/14/runner2-development-fueled-by-744-beers-so-far/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/14/runner2-development-fueled-by-744-beers-so-far/#comments How do I know? I consulted the "beer count" note on the title screen of the in-progress build I played. Gaijin Games has implemented a counter to track the number of beers drank by the team during development of Runner2: Future Legend of Rhythm Alien. Eventually, it'll be automated -- and keeping track live even after the game is released -- but for now it's a manually updated spreadsheet.

"We have a whole system," co-director Alex Neuse told me. "We have a spreadsheet; we're thinking of developing an iPhone app just to use internally. Then if you drink wine or something, we have a conversion, so it converts it to beers for the beer count." There was talk of a bottle opener that automatically logs every cap it opens.

At this point I began to think that I was being told a very fanciful tale about programmers drinking programmatically, but Neuse assured me otherwise. "We are completely serious about this. This is a real thing."

JoystiqRunner2 development fueled by 744 beers (so far) originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 14 Mar 2012 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beerbeer-countgaijin-gamesplaystationps3runner-2Wed, 14 Mar 2012 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[My first dance with Runner2: Future Legend of Rhythm Alien]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/14/my-first-dance-with-runner2-future-legend-of-rhythm-alien/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/14/my-first-dance-with-runner2-future-legend-of-rhythm-alien/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/14/my-first-dance-with-runner2-future-legend-of-rhythm-alien/#comments Runner2: Future Legend of Rhythm Alien is easier than Bit.Trip Runner.

I'm saying this up front because I'm guessing the difficulty in Runner turned some would-be fans away, and I want those people to keep reading. If you liked the simple rhythm-platforming gameplay of Runner but hit a metaphorical wall after hitting so many literal walls, this will be more your speed. I think I got through about 8 stages in a row of fast-moving, autoscrolling, jumping, sliding, kicking gameplay without dying.

In fact, a lot of the game is designed to welcome lapsed or new players. The retro look has been replaced by a polygonal style that co-director Alex Neuse describes as "whimsical," with a rounded, cartoony CommanderVideo and cute creatures bouncing happily to the music. Cutscenes in a Saul Bass art style act as both exemplars of a popular style and, as co-director Mike Roush explained, a "stepping stone between the old style and the new style." bridges between the 2D Bit.Trip look and Runner2's in-game presentation. As an XBLA/PSN title, it's also available to people who couldn't play the WiiWare-based Runner. "So this is like, hey everyone, this is our fun little gameplay thing, rhythm music platformer, and we can all play it," Neuse said.

Even if you're a bad enough dude to enjoy the insane difficulty of Runner 1, there's plenty in the sequel to capture your interest. Like choices.

Continue reading My first dance with Runner2: Future Legend of Rhythm Alien

JoystiqMy first dance with Runner2: Future Legend of Rhythm Alien originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 14 Mar 2012 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aksys-gamesgaijin-gamesgdcgdc-2012microsoftplaystationps3psnrunner-2runner-2-future-legend-of-rhythm-alienxblaxboxWed, 14 Mar 2012 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Joyswag & Unboxing: Alan Wake PC Collector's Edition]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/13/joyswag-and-unboxing-alan-wake-pc-collectors-edition/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/13/joyswag-and-unboxing-alan-wake-pc-collectors-edition/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/13/joyswag-and-unboxing-alan-wake-pc-collectors-edition/#comments
At GDC 2012, Remedy Entertainment handed Joystiq two copies of the PC Collector's Edition for Alan Wake. We're passing them on to our readers!

Distributed by Nordic Games in Europe and Legacy in North America, the Collector's Edition includes a number of bonuses. Like the Xbox 360 Collector's Edition, Alan Wake's retail release for PC includes a behind-the-scenes DVD, 'The Alan Wake Files' book, and more. There are also exclusive PC bonuses, like additional music on the soundtrack disc, Bright Falls postcards, and stickers.

For a detailed look at the Collector's Edition, check out our unboxing video above. Find out how to enter the giveaway after the break.

Continue reading Joyswag & Unboxing: Alan Wake PC Collector's Edition

JoystiqJoyswag & Unboxing: Alan Wake PC Collector's Edition originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 13 Mar 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Alan-Wakejoyswaglegacynordic-gamespcRemedyremedy-entertainmentTue, 13 Mar 2012 17:00:00 EST