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[Assassin's Creed 3 developer diary tackles the land and sea]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/19/assassins-creed-3-developer-diary-tackles-the-land-and-sea/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/19/assassins-creed-3-developer-diary-tackles-the-land-and-sea/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/19/assassins-creed-3-developer-diary-tackles-the-land-and-sea/#comments

The last of a four-part developer diary series for Assassin's Creed 3 is titled "America, by Land and Sea," and it takes place entirely in the skies above Morocco. Strange.

Not really - the final dev diary describes the historical accuracy of Assassin's Creed 3's main cities, positing that citizens of those areas today should get a creepy "I've been here before" feeling while wandering the digital streets. It also tackles the frontier and Connor's tree-running ability, along with epic naval battles. These are different than "navel" battles, bear in mind.

JoystiqAssassin's Creed 3 developer diary tackles the land and sea originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 19 Sep 2012 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Americaassassins-creed-3dev-diarydeveloper-diarymicrosoftpcplaystationps3UbisoftusxboxWed, 19 Sep 2012 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Watch American and European Wii U streams live [update: it's over!]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/13/watch-american-and-european-wii-u-streams-live/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/13/watch-american-and-european-wii-u-streams-live/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/13/watch-american-and-european-wii-u-streams-live/#comments

With the Japanese prelude come and gone, Nintendo are set to announce the price and release date for Wii U in North America and Europe. Nintendo of America is hosting a Wii U event in New York, while Nintendo of Europe has a Wii U Nintendo Direct broadcast.

Before it all kicks off, we already have a confirmation from our man in NYC of Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 for Wii U. So expect to see that game feature in both the presentations.

We've got both streams for you right here, with the Nintendo of America one up above and the European one after the jump just below (just like in georgaphy.) Both streams start at 10am ET (3pm UK time, 7am Pacific), and we'll have all the info for you here on Joystiq as it comes in.

Update: It's all over on both sides of the ocean. For your perusal, the American launch details and the European launch details.

Continue reading Watch American and European Wii U streams live [update: it's over!]

JoystiqWatch American and European Wii U streams live [update: it's over!] originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 Sep 2012 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>americaeuropelaunchnintendorelease-datestreamwii-uThu, 13 Sep 2012 09:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Hungary spanks America in Dragon Age: Origins contest]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/31/hungary-spanks-america-in-dragon-age-origins-contest/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/31/hungary-spanks-america-in-dragon-age-origins-contest/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/31/hungary-spanks-america-in-dragon-age-origins-contest/#comments The dust from the 24-hour Dragon Age: Origins Warden's Quest tournament has begun to settle, and the sleep-deprived, blood-soaked winner has been declared: The team representing the nation of Hungary. The Hungarians trailed in the rankings until the fourth round of the contest, when they rallied to pass the BioWare Community team (who finished in second place). We guess you could say they were just Hungarier for victory than everyone else.

America, however, must have only been slightly peckish, ending up with a disappointing ninth place (or next-to-last place) finish, and getting eliminated in the third round of the competition. This might be a small blow to our egos, but hey -- at least we're still better at dragon slaying than the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Booyah!

[Via Kotaku]

JoystiqHungary spanks America in Dragon Age: Origins contest originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 31 Oct 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>americabiowarecontestdragon-age-originseaElectronic-ArtshungaryMicrosofttournamentXbox-360Sat, 31 Oct 2009 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Survey says Americans play more games than Europeans]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/27/survey-says-americans-play-more-games-than-europeans/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/27/survey-says-americans-play-more-games-than-europeans/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/27/survey-says-americans-play-more-games-than-europeans/#comments
Today's Gamers recently conducted a survey of over 13,000 internet users from the Netherlands, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Belgium and the United States to see gaming trends across the various nations. According to their findings, a larger percentage of American respondents said they played video games of any kind: 87% of American males said they play games, versus 74% in the UK, 67% in Germany, and 66% in France. Not only are more Americans playing, they're spending much more time with games: the average American male spent 11.5 hours playing each week, versus 6.5 hours in the UK, 5.2 hours in Germany, and 7.1 hours in France. (Female respondents were less likely to game than males, but the ratios remain nearly identical.)

According to the survey, MMO games are vastly more popular in the US than in Europe, with 21% of respondents saying they play games in virtual worlds. In most other surveyed European nations, that rate is halved, at 10 or 11% percent, depending on the country.

While these numbers paint a very optimistic view of gaming as a whole, these results should -- as with all surveys -- be taken with a grain of salt. Considering internet access is a prerequisite for taking the survey, it excludes people most likely not to play video games. Regardless, the full report features a great deal of information ready for you graph-lovers to peruse through.

[Via IndustryGamers]

JoystiqSurvey says Americans play more games than Europeans originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>americaeuropestatisticssurveytodays-gamersTue, 27 Oct 2009 03:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft speaks out on Obama's Xbox remarks]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/18/microsoft-speaks-out-on-obamas-xbox-remarks/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/18/microsoft-speaks-out-on-obamas-xbox-remarks/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/18/microsoft-speaks-out-on-obamas-xbox-remarks/#comments
President Obama hasn't exactly been known for his positive stance on kids playing tons of video games (even though he owns a Wii and ran campaign ads on Xbox Live, ahem). Recently in a speech given to the NAACP, he pointedly noted that parents should be "putting away the Xbox," as well as other crazy ideas -- like "reading to your children" and "helping them with their homework." What-ever, President Obama.

Microsoft has responded with backhanded diplomacy, dropping knowledge on the US President in a statement released to the AP that says, "We agree with President Obama that it's a time for families to work together so that kids use media in ways that are safe, healthy and balanced ... Xbox 360 is the only console gaming system that has a timer feature allowing parents to set time limits for their kids, as well as parent controls to enable parents to set limits on what their kids are playing and watching." At this time, it's still unclear whether Microsoft followed that up with, "Word to your mother!"

[Via Game Politics]

JoystiqMicrosoft speaks out on Obama's Xbox remarks originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 18 Jul 2009 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>americabarack-obamachildrenmicrosoftobamausaXbox-360Sat, 18 Jul 2009 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Study: Two out of three in U.S. play casual games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/05/study-two-out-of-three-in-u-s-play-casual-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/05/study-two-out-of-three-in-u-s-play-casual-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/05/study-two-out-of-three-in-u-s-play-casual-games/#commentsFiled under: ,

Anyone who keeps up with gaming news knows that casual games are the biggest thing since sorted gems. But man, if a new report is to be believed, casual gaming is more popular than even we thought.

The report, from research firm Interpret, estimates that 145 million U.S. residents aged 12 to 65 played casual games in 2007. That's almost two-thirds of the roughly 222 million people in that age range. And just because they're casual games doesn't mean they're played casually -- the report estimates players spent an average of 5.1 hours per week on casual games in the fourth quarter of '07. That's nearly 740 million man hours spent playing casual games per week, outpacing activities like magazine and newspaper reading.

Even though most of these gamers only play games on free sites like EA's Pogo, Interpret still estimates industry revenues of $400 to $700 million by 2010. That's a drop in the bucket compared to estimates of $40 billion in total industry revenues by that point, but if we were a small developer, we sure we wouldn't mind having a piece of it.

[Picture credit]

JoystiqStudy: Two out of three in U.S. play casual games originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 05 Mar 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>americaanalysisbigcasualgameasureinterpretreportresearchWed, 05 Mar 2008 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Kuju goes west, opens casual studio in America]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/31/kuju-goes-west-opens-casual-studio-in-america/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/31/kuju-goes-west-opens-casual-studio-in-america/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/31/kuju-goes-west-opens-casual-studio-in-america/#commentsFiled under: ,


Developer Kuju opens new studios like most of us open Twinkies, though with less tearing of cellophane and swallowing of delicious creme filling. Since March 2007 the UK-based company has opened up three new specialized branches, including kid-friendly Nik Nak, online-focused doublesix, and Sheffield-based Chemistry, which looks to Epic's popular Unreal Engine as its tool of choice.

Now Kuju has added yet another studio to its collection with Kuju America, a new San Francisco office focused on the casual games space. Kuju's North American face is already pounding out code for its first title, which it describes on its website as a "high profile IP," something that doesn't mesh all that well in our brains when thinking of games with a casual flair -- though the company teases that more information is "due to be announced soon."

It's worth noting that Kuju America is a licensed dev for the PS3, PS2, Xbox 360, Wii, and DS. On the one hand, it's hard to get too excited about anything with so little to go on. On the other hand, however, we sure could go for a Twinkie.

JoystiqKuju goes west, opens casual studio in America originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 31 Jan 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>americakujuukusThu, 31 Jan 2008 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Gran Turismo 5 Prologue in the US on April 17th]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/29/gran-turismo-5-prologue-in-the-us-on-april-17th/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/29/gran-turismo-5-prologue-in-the-us-on-april-17th/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/29/gran-turismo-5-prologue-in-the-us-on-april-17th/#commentsFiled under:

We're not sure whether Gran Turismo 5 Prologue is meant to be a demo, a hype-builder or some sort of mid-development cash-in for Gran Turismo 5 (probably all three), but we do now know that it will be made available in America on April 17th. The game can be purchased on a retail Blu-Ray disc or as a PSN download, just like Warhawk. Whichever way you buy it you'll be paying the same - $39.99, though the Blu-Ray version will come with a HD behind the scenes video titled "Beyond The Apex".

The 60+ cars included can be raced online with up to 15 other people. Polyphony Digital will be holding official online races and Gran Turismo TV will allow you to watch motoring shows from all over the world via the PlayStation Network. Not bad for a demo, even if it does cost $40.

JoystiqGran Turismo 5 Prologue in the US on April 17th originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 29 Jan 2008 08:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>americagran-turismo-5gran-turismo-5-prologuegt5prologuerelease-dateTue, 29 Jan 2008 08:37:00 EST<![CDATA[EA: European developers more creative than American developers]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/11/ea-european-developers-more-creative-than-american-developers/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/11/ea-european-developers-more-creative-than-american-developers/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/11/ea-european-developers-more-creative-than-american-developers/#commentsFiled under: ,


Americans, bust out the boxing gloves; Europeans, bust out the champagne. A representative from EA has stated that European game developers are inherently more creative than American developers. This is either a tad insulting, or a very nice compliment (you know, depending on where you're from).

Nick Button-Brown, director of business development at EA Partners, spoke with GamesIndustry.biz recently, and admitted that U.S.-based game studios are less willing to take chances than their European counterparts, and are therefore less likely to innovate in the industry.

To be fair, he also argues that multiculturalism plays a big role in the creative output of Europe. Still, Button-Brown states that a paradigm-shifting game like Grand Theft Auto would have never come out of America. Stand up for yourselves, America! There are obvious exceptions to Button-Brown's argument. What games are the pride of the United States?

JoystiqEA: European developers more creative than American developers originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 11 Dec 2007 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>americaeaElectronic-ArtseuropeTue, 11 Dec 2007 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[If the DS didn't have a head-start in the US ...]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/17/if-the-ds-didnt-have-a-head-start-in-the-us/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/17/if-the-ds-didnt-have-a-head-start-in-the-us/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/17/if-the-ds-didnt-have-a-head-start-in-the-us/#commentsFiled under:


Here's some food for thought: what if the DS didn't have a four-month head-start ahead of the PSP? Both systems have had at least 22 months of sales in America. Looking at cumulative sales, this chart from VGcharts.org shows that the PSP has sold more than the DS in their first 22 months of sales. Certainly, Japan is a completely different story ... but does that really matter for gamers in the US? Americans love their PSP ... even if the video gaming press doesn't want to admit it.

JoystiqIf the DS didn't have a head-start in the US ... originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 17 Jan 2007 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>americadsdsfanboynintendo dsNintendoDssalesusvg chartsVgChartsWed, 17 Jan 2007 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The great divide: UK vs US censorship]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/23/the-great-divide-uk-vs-us-censorship/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/23/the-great-divide-uk-vs-us-censorship/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/23/the-great-divide-uk-vs-us-censorship/#commentsFiled under: ,

When listing the differences between the UK and the USA one usually thinks of spelling, gastronomy and driving on the wrong side of the road, rather than film and game censorship. However, this fascinating post at Terra Nova (along with its thriving comments thread) delves into the differences between the BBFC and MPAA, as well as cultural factors, to try and establish why American consumers are less happy to have age restrictions on games.

The whole thread gives an international perspective to current debates over the censorship of violent games. While sexual content in games can be treated as pornography, the lack of existing US legislation covering violence across other media means that singling games out is plain unfair. In the UK, however, ratings of violent and extremely realistic games fall under the Video Recordings Act, which covers any recorded video media.

We have to wonder when games will get a category of their own and stand alongside more established media such as film and TV. In the meantime, to find out more about international game classification, Wikipedia's a great place to begin.

JoystiqThe great divide: UK vs US censorship originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 23 May 2006 07:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>americaatlanticbbfccensorshipculturalcultural differencesCulturalDifferencesdifferenceselspaesrbeuropeinternationalmpaapegiratingsukusTue, 23 May 2006 07:57:00 EST<![CDATA[-eNCHANT arM- coming to America]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/02/enchant-arm-coming-to-america/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/02/enchant-arm-coming-to-america/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/02/enchant-arm-coming-to-america/#commentsFiled under: ,


From Software's RPG title [eM] -eNCHANT arM-, currently released in Japan, will be making its American and European debut this summer under the title Enchanted Arms. It's the first Japanese RPG to appear on the Xbox 360, and by the time it's released, Oblivion fans may well be looking for a new RPG to play.

IGN has previewed the game, describing it as an "eccentric, epic title rich with character, story, and an evolving combat system". While its review scores in Japan have been reasonably low, the quirky nature of Enchanted Arms may increase its worldwide appeal, paving the way for more Japanese titles to travel abroad.

Joystiq-eNCHANT arM- coming to America originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 02 May 2006 18:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>360americaanticipatedenchant armEnchantArmenchanted armsEnchantedArmsjapannew releasesNewReleasesportreleasesrpgtranslationupcomingxbox 360Xbox-360Xbox360Tue, 02 May 2006 18:56:00 EST<![CDATA[Governmental ads: "give your thumbs a rest"]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/02/27/governmental-ads-give-your-thumbs-a-rest/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/02/27/governmental-ads-give-your-thumbs-a-rest/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/02/27/governmental-ads-give-your-thumbs-a-rest/#commentsFiled under: ,

An ad campaign from the Centers for Disease Control is pulling no punches with their tagline "Give your thumbs a rest. Play for real." Supposedly encouraging active lifestyles rather than the way of the couch potato, the ad features an in-game style image of obese baseball players on an overgrown field.

As Water Cooler Games points out, this seems to have been created with no thought for its target audience. In particular, the ad mocks rather than reaches out to gamers; not the best way to connect with a demographic. Also, as governmental propaganda goes, jumping on the anti-gaming bandwagon is a disturbing trend--a sideline political campaign is one thing, but a government-approved message seems overkill.

With CDC themselves turning to games for educational purposes, we can't help but feel there's a mixed message here.

JoystiqGovernmental ads: "give your thumbs a rest" originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 27 Feb 2006 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advertisingamericaanti-gamesgame politicsGamePoliticsgovernmentpropagandawater cooler gamesWaterCoolerGamesMon, 27 Feb 2006 19:00:00 EST