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[Google commemorates Atari's Breakout in interactive fashion]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/14/google-commemorates-ataris-breakout-in-interactive-fashion/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/14/google-commemorates-ataris-breakout-in-interactive-fashion/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/14/google-commemorates-ataris-breakout-in-interactive-fashion/#commentsGoogle commemorates Atari Breakout in interactive fashion Atari's Breakout turned 37 last month, and that apparently (but not unsurprisingly) is enough of an excuse for yet another Google easter egg. If you type 'Atari Breakout' into Google Images' search, instead of finding graphics of the classic game, the screen will transform into a playable Breakout clone made up from those images. Clever, no?

So, if by the end of today you're wondering where all the Joystiq posts have gone, be sure to blame/thank Google.

JoystiqGoogle commemorates Atari's Breakout in interactive fashion originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 14 May 2013 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ataribreakouteaster-egggoogleTue, 14 May 2013 05:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Special Forces: Team X getting price drop after going on sale on Steam]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/06/special-forces-team-x-getting-price-drop-after-going-on-sale-on/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/06/special-forces-team-x-getting-price-drop-after-going-on-sale-on/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/06/special-forces-team-x-getting-price-drop-after-going-on-sale-on/#commentsSpecial Forces Team X getting price drop after going on sale on Steam Special Forces: Team X, the third-person shooter from Blacklight: Retribution developer Zombie Studios, is taking its price down to $5 on Steam from May 6 at 10 a.m. PT, through May 13. After the sale, Special Forces: Team X will get a permanent price drop to $10, forever and ever, or until Zombie Studios, publishers Atari and/or Microprose decide to change that number again. Before 10 a.m. PT today, Special Forces: Team X costs $15.

Special Forces: Team X is a cel-shaded, cover-based shooter with more than 100 possible map combinations and five multiplayer modes. When it first hit Steam in February, the game had a bug that could randomly reset character XP, but that issue has been resolved via a series of patches, Microprose says in a press release. A Title Update for the XBLA version is in testing now.

"We are hoping that this price drop will bring players into the game that may have been scared away by the initial launch problems," the press release reads.

Continue reading Special Forces: Team X getting price drop after going on sale on Steam

JoystiqSpecial Forces: Team X getting price drop after going on sale on Steam originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 06 May 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AtariMicroProsepcprice-dropsalespecial-forces-team-xSTEAMzombie-studiosMon, 06 May 2013 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Atari closes Test Drive Unlimited developer Eden Games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/12/atari-closes-eden-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/12/atari-closes-eden-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/12/atari-closes-eden-games/#comments Eden Games, which developed Test Drive Unlimited and Alone in the Dark once upon a time, is done. Eurogamer reports the Lyon, France, company was placed into liquidation in January.

In May of last year, Atari worked some damage control when it was reported Eden Games was shuttered. The company stated at the time it wanted to "make it clear that the studio has not closed and that [Atari] will continue to support the console and PC games of Eden Games." However, seven months later...

JoystiqAtari closes Test Drive Unlimited developer Eden Games originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 12 Apr 2013 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atarieden-gameslayoffsFri, 12 Apr 2013 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Atari US secures $2 million in financing, prepares to sell assets]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/05/atari-us-secures-2-million-in-financing-prepares-to-sell-asset/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/05/atari-us-secures-2-million-in-financing-prepares-to-sell-asset/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/05/atari-us-secures-2-million-in-financing-prepares-to-sell-asset/#comments After declaring bankruptcy last month, the US branch of Atari has closed $2 million in debtor-in-possession financing. Another $3 million is expected once the credit documents are filed and subsequently approved by the court. The company will use the funds to finance its current operations while "evaluating its strategic options" for restructuring.

Pending court approval, Atari has also hired Perella Weinberg Partners, an independent advisory and asset management firm, to help evaluate said options. Part of that responsibility will be to aid in the sale of Atari's assets, which include everything from Pong to the company's logo. Anyone want to go halfsies on Combat?

Continue reading Atari US secures $2 million in financing, prepares to sell assets

JoystiqAtari US secures $2 million in financing, prepares to sell assets originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 05 Feb 2013 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ataribankruptcychapter-11Tue, 05 Feb 2013 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Atari US files for bankruptcy, selling iconic logo and assets]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/21/atari-bankruptcy-selling-assets/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/21/atari-bankruptcy-selling-assets/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/21/atari-bankruptcy-selling-assets/#comments Atari US files for bankruptcy, looks to separate from French holding companyAtari Inc. filed for chapter 11 (restructuring) bankruptcy this morning, as it aimed to detach itself from Atari SA, its French parent company, and acquire independent business. Atari Inc. said it plans to sell all of its assets in the next 90 to 120 days, including defining franchises such as Pong and Asteroids, and even its iconic logo. The company has already secured, pending approval, $5.25 million in debtor-in-possession investment from funds managed by investment advisory Tenor Capital Management.

While Atari boasts a 40 year history, and is tied closely to the pioneering years of the arcade, its name has meant a number of different things across that time thanks to several changes of hands.

The US-based company now called Atari. Inc was GT Interactive when it was founded in 1993. GT Interactive then became Infogrames Inc. in 1999 after French company Infogrames Entertainment acquired controlling interest in it. In 2001, Infogrames Entertainment bought Hasbro Interactive, who had acquired Atari Corporation and its Atari properties three years prior. In 2003, Infogrames Inc. became Atari Inc, now with license to use the Atari name and logo, and in 2008 Infogrames Entertainment completely acquired the company. Then, just to confuse everything that one step further, Infogrames Entertainment renamed itself as Atari, SA in 2009.

Continue reading Atari US files for bankruptcy, selling iconic logo and assets

JoystiqAtari US files for bankruptcy, selling iconic logo and assets originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 21 Jan 2013 08:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atariatari-incatari-sabankruptcyinfogramesMon, 21 Jan 2013 08:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Primal Rage 2 footage surfaces, breaks our heart]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/29/primal-rage-2-footage-surfaces-breaks-our-heart/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/29/primal-rage-2-footage-surfaces-breaks-our-heart/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/29/primal-rage-2-footage-surfaces-breaks-our-heart/#comments
Primal Rage 2 is one of the more mythical cancelled games of yore. Plenty of rumors and legends surround its life and death, but there's very little in the way of concrete, verifiable information when it comes to what the game was actually like. Now though, thanks to some new off-screen footage captured from a working prototype version, we have a slightly better idea of what could have been.

As shown in the video above, Primal Rage 2 maintained the claymation aesthetic found in the original game, though the character models and their various animations look much more fluid than Primal Rage's Harryhausen-esque staccato jitters. Furthermore, the combo system appears to have been improved and expanded, though to what extent is difficult to ascertain.

Essentially, it looks like everything we ever could have wanted. Finding absolute proof that we're not living in the best of all possible universes wasn't really on our "To Do:" list today, but here we are. Someday we'll open a worm hole to the bubble universe where Primal Rage 2 was released, and it'll be so great. Provided everyone in that universe breathes oxygen, of course; alternate universes can get complicated.

JoystiqPrimal Rage 2 footage surfaces, breaks our heart originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 29 Dec 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arcadeAtaricancelledclaymationPrimal-RagePrimal-Rage-2prototypeSat, 29 Dec 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Pong World paddles out into iOS App Store]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/29/pong-world-paddles-out-into-ios-app-store/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/29/pong-world-paddles-out-into-ios-app-store/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/29/pong-world-paddles-out-into-ios-app-store/#comments Pong World is not the Atari take on McWorld (hey, it could happen). It's the winning entry in Atari's Pong Challenge, which has just been officially released on iOS. It's the "first-ever official new PONG game for smartphones and tablet devices," at the cost of all those unofficial ones.

Pong World by zGames is a version of the ancient game with upgradeable (animal) paddles, special bonus abilities, and varying stages full of environmental hazards. You can see the game for yourself with no risk, except for the risk of extreme irritation after playing against the first AI opponent, who can curve the ball mid-flight. Pong World is free-to-play.

Continue reading Pong World paddles out into iOS App Store

JoystiqPong World paddles out into iOS App Store originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 29 Nov 2012 20:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atariiosipadiphonemobilepongpong-worldThu, 29 Nov 2012 20:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Atari classics go HTML5 for Windows 8 tablets and browsers]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/30/atari-classics-go-html5-for-windows-8-tablets-and-browsers/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/30/atari-classics-go-html5-for-windows-8-tablets-and-browsers/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/30/atari-classics-go-html5-for-windows-8-tablets-and-browsers/#comments A new platform means a new chance for Atari to sell its classics. For Windows 8 tablets, it's partnered with Microsoft for a browser-based "Atari Arcade," featuring updated, remade games like Pong, Missile Command, and Centipede, done in HTML5.

They're designed to work in all "modern" browsers, but have extra features on multitouch Windows 8 devices. Extra features ... and no ads. In addition, the Atari Arcade allows devs to create and publish their own Atari Arcade games through Atari's interface.

Pong seems like an odd way to emphasize the future-tech of your tablet, but hey, free Pong! Plus, a new development environment!

JoystiqAtari classics go HTML5 for Windows 8 tablets and browsers originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 30 Aug 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atariatari-arcadecentipedemissile-commandmobilepcpongwindows-8Thu, 30 Aug 2012 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rare Atari 2600 game, Red Sea Crossing, pops up in Philly shop]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/21/rare-atari-2600-game-red-sea-crossing-pops-up-in-philly-shop/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/21/rare-atari-2600-game-red-sea-crossing-pops-up-in-philly-shop/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/21/rare-atari-2600-game-red-sea-crossing-pops-up-in-philly-shop/#comments Old and rare 2600 game pops up in PhillyRed Sea Crossing is one of the rarest Atari games in existence. According to legend, the developer, Steve Schustack, made 100 copies in 1983 and promptly lost track of where they went or what happened to them. Until now, there was just one known, unauthenticated copy of the game on this planet, and after years of hoarding it the owner recently decided to auction it off on Ebay, on August 22.

Yesterday, another copy of Red Sea Crossing turned up at Medium Bob's Curiosity Shop in Philadelphia. The boys at Medium Bob's have since recorded themselves playing the game, providing proof of its functionality, which is more than the owner of the original copy has done. The owner of the first copy has since postponed his auction and made offerings to the drama llama over on the AtariAge forums.

Medium Bob's is accepting offers on its copy of Red Sea Crossing, but doesn't yet have a plan for proceeding with the sale. It will post details on its Facebook page once it decides a course of action, but for now "the game is buried deep in a vault somewhere near the Earth's core."

JoystiqRare Atari 2600 game, Red Sea Crossing, pops up in Philly shop originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 21 Aug 2012 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1983Atariatari-2600medium-bobs-curiosity-shopphiladelphiararered-sea-crossingsteve-schustackTue, 21 Aug 2012 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Special Forces: Team X is next game from Blacklight dev]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/21/special-forces-team-x-is-next-game-from-blacklight-dev/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/21/special-forces-team-x-is-next-game-from-blacklight-dev/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/21/special-forces-team-x-is-next-game-from-blacklight-dev/#comments Zombie Studios' new game Special Forces Team X
Blacklight: Retribution developer Zombie Studios is bringing players back to war this fall with Special Forces: Team X. Currently only confirmed for PC, the downloadable game features a cel-shaded art style akin to Ubisoft's XIII, along with a "dynamic tile map system," allowing for battlefields to be generated in "over 100" combinations based on player votes.

Though the reveal trailer for the game hides some of the more gruesome action with censor bars, the game itself won't shield fragile stomachs from such unrelenting action.

As well as standard gametypes like team deathmatch, capture point, and capture the flag, Special Forces: Team X will include high value target and hot zone modes. Other hot-button requests for any new shooter seem to be included as well, including dedicated servers, detailed player customization, and authentic weaponry. Also, blood.

Zombie tells Joystiq that PAX attendees will get a chance to see Special Forces: Team X at next week's event, though it won't be playable.

Gallery: Special Forces: Team X (08/20/12)

JoystiqSpecial Forces: Team X is next game from Blacklight dev originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 21 Aug 2012 00:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AtariMicroProsepcspecial-forces-team-xZombie-StudiosTue, 21 Aug 2012 00:30:00 EST<![CDATA['Pong Tournament' among finalists in Atari Pong development challenge]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/27/pong-tournament-among-finalists-in-atari-pong-development-chal/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/27/pong-tournament-among-finalists-in-atari-pong-development-chal/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/27/pong-tournament-among-finalists-in-atari-pong-development-chal/#comments Atari announces indie finalists in Pong challenge
The finalists in Atari's iOS Pong Indie Developer Challenge have been announced, and all seven game submissions look suspiciously like variations of Pong. The finalists in the competition are PegPeg's Retro Pong, Delusions' Pong Tournament 2012, Island Officials' Pong EVO, Fishbowl Productions' Pong 4033, zGames' Pong World, Eppy Games' Fong, and Mad Ruse Games' Pong Tournament.

The first-place team wins $50,000, the second-place team gets $37,500, third place gets $15,000, and the rest of the finalists automatically win $5,000 and a long-term publishing agreement with Atari to split revenue on the finished apps.

In January, Atari claimed copyright infringement on "hundreds" of games on the iOS App Store, as part of the company's plan to "vigorously protect its intellectual property."

Final submissions to the challenge are now being put to a public vote, with the winning game set to be announced on August 2. One of the submissions, Pong Tournament by Mad Ruse Games, can be viewed above.

Joystiq'Pong Tournament' among finalists in Atari Pong development challenge originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 27 Jun 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Atariindie-challengeiosipadiphonemobilepongWed, 27 Jun 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Atari says Eden Games isn't closed, plans to continue supporting the studio]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/11/atari-shuts-down-test-drive-series-developer-eden-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/11/atari-shuts-down-test-drive-series-developer-eden-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/11/atari-shuts-down-test-drive-series-developer-eden-games/#comments [Update] A few hours ago, we reported that Eden Games had been shuttered - you can read our original report below. An Atari representative has told Joystiq that despite the "divestiture process" wording in the financial statement sourced below suggesting closure of the studio, Eden Games has not been fully liquidated. Eden Games still exists, and Atari plans to support the studio moving forward.

"Our earnings statement contained a report about the divestment of Eden Games. We want to make it clear that the studio has not closed and that we will continue to support the console and PC games of Eden Games, notably Test Drive Unlimited 2, while this process is underway. The divestment is in line with our previously stated strategy of exploiting our popular intellectual property library on mobile devices, where he have seen strong initial success, and via online games and licensing."

[Original story] Eden Games is no more. Last year Eden Games engaged in a "symbolic" one-day strike in response to a first wave of layoffs, and today Atari has shut down what was left of the French studio responsible for the Test Drive series of racing sims.

"Eden Games has been accounted for as 'Discontinued Operations' under IFRS 5, as the Company has started a divestiture process of the studio," Atari's earnings report reads. (That's business speak explaining Eden Games has been dissolved.) Earnings for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2012 show Atari made $51.3 million - a 44% decline compared to last year's $77.8 million in revenue.

Last year, when the first round of Eden Games employees were dismissed, some went on to found Blossom Minds.

JoystiqAtari says Eden Games isn't closed, plans to continue supporting the studio originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 11 May 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atarieden-gameslayoffsmicrosoftpcplaystationps3Test-Drive-Unlimited-2xboxFri, 11 May 2012 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Commodore founder and former Atari owner Jack Tramiel passes away]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/09/commodore-founder-and-former-atari-owner-jack-tramiel-passes-awa/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/09/commodore-founder-and-former-atari-owner-jack-tramiel-passes-awa/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/09/commodore-founder-and-former-atari-owner-jack-tramiel-passes-awa/#commentsComputer and video game industry pioneer Jack Tramiel died today at the age of 83, his family reported. Tramiel, a Holocaust survivor, is best known for two achievements in the industry: the founding of Commodore International and the 1984 purchase of Atari Inc.'s post-crash consumer division from Warner.

Tramiel helped (re)revive Atari by starting a computer business there, launching the Atari ST and other desktop computers alongside new video game hardware like the Atari 7800 and Lynx.

JoystiqCommodore founder and former Atari owner Jack Tramiel passes away originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 09 Apr 2012 23:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ataricommodorejack-tramielobituaryMon, 09 Apr 2012 23:59:00 EST<![CDATA[New Witcher 2: Enhanced Edition trailer channels the encyclopedia britannica]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/31/new-witcher-2-enhanced-edition-trailer-channels-the-encyclopedi/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/31/new-witcher-2-enhanced-edition-trailer-channels-the-encyclopedi/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/31/new-witcher-2-enhanced-edition-trailer-channels-the-encyclopedi/#comments
The question posed by this by this latest Witcher 2: Enhanced Edition trailer ("What is a Witcher?") could easily be answered by visiting Wikipedia, both regular and Witcher-flavored. Getting your information that way, however, prevents you from seeing a dude's face ripped open by tiny shovels.

JoystiqNew Witcher 2: Enhanced Edition trailer channels the encyclopedia britannica originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 31 Mar 2012 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AtariCD-Projektmicrosoftpcthe-witcher-2Warner-Bros-Interactive-Entertainmentwhat-is-a-witcherxboxSat, 31 Mar 2012 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition arrives this summer [update: more news!]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/15/baldurs-gate-enhanced-edition-arrives-this-summer/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/15/baldurs-gate-enhanced-edition-arrives-this-summer/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/15/baldurs-gate-enhanced-edition-arrives-this-summer/#comments Nope, we still don't really know what this Baldur's Gate announcement business is, but we sure do know its name now: "Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition." Huzzah! As previously reported, Beamdog is working on the Baldur's Gate project, though the developer's Overhaul Games division is taking lead. Atari is handling publishing duties, and Wizards of the Coast is licensing its (D&D-based) IP.

From the few details we have, the project sounds an awful lot like an HD remake to us - especially given the fancier logo and "Enhanced Edition" subtitle. We've reached out to Beamdog for clarity on what the game actually is, and what platforms it'll end up on (among other things). For now, know that Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition will land on whatever those platforms are at some point this summer. We're gonna take a wild guess that it'll be on PC at the very least.

Update: Beamdog reps tell us that the team at Overhaul is adding "new, original content" to the original game to make up the Enhanced Edition. "This is the Enhanced Edition, it's not a repackage. We have the original source code and are doing a significant update." He also confirms that no platforms have been announced just yet.

Update 2: A Beamdog rep also confirms that the company is self-publishing. Though he wouldn't go into detail regarding the new content, he says that "it's being lovingly crafted in the spirit of the original with the help of some of the original developers." Additionally, Cameron Tofer and Trent Oster have been working on the project ("planning and organizing") for "over a year now." We'll also hear more soon, as the team is planning "regular announcements every week with more details."

Continue reading Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition arrives this summer [update: more news!]

JoystiqBaldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition arrives this summer [update: more news!] originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 15 Mar 2012 15:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ataribaldurs-gatebaldurs-gate-enhanced-editionbeamdogoverhaul-gamesremakewizards-of-the-coastThu, 15 Mar 2012 15:12:00 EST<![CDATA[Alone in the Dark creator hopes for an HD remake one day]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/09/alone-in-the-dark-creator-would-love-an-hd-remake/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/09/alone-in-the-dark-creator-would-love-an-hd-remake/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/09/alone-in-the-dark-creator-would-love-an-hd-remake/#comments HD remakes are becoming more prevalent in the video games industry, as a means of introducing a new generation of gamers to something they may have otherwise never played. Frédérick Raynal, designer of the original survival-horror game, Alone in the Dark, said he's totally on board with an HD remake.

"I would love an HD remake one day and I hope it will happen, one day," Raynal responded when asked about the possibility at the conclusion of his GDC postmortem. "I think Infogrames holds the rights; I'm not sure about that."

Atari published the last entry in the Alone in the Dark series back in 2008. If someone wants to get a remake out in time for the 20th Anniversary of the original game, they'll have to get it out within the next nine months.

JoystiqAlone in the Dark creator hopes for an HD remake one day originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 09 Mar 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atarifrederick-raynalgdc-2012hd-remakeinfogramespcFri, 09 Mar 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Test Drive: Ferrari Racing Legends announced by Atari]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/04/test-drive-ferrari-racing-legends-announced-by-atari/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/04/test-drive-ferrari-racing-legends-announced-by-atari/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/04/test-drive-ferrari-racing-legends-announced-by-atari/#comments
Atari has announced a new version of Test Drive, but instead of the open-world, tropical setting of the two Unlimited iterations, this time the franchise is headed back to the race track. Test Drive Ferrari Racing Legends will focus on Ferrari's history across almost all of the racing disciplines, including Formula One, rally racing, and GT. There will be over 50 different Ferrari vehicles to drive, and each will show off full realistic interior and exterior models, as well as damage effects, which means Atari didn't skimp on the Ferrari licensing budget.

The game should be out for Xbox 360, PS3, and PC later on this spring. Too bad the company didn't stick with the more fantasy-based version of the Test Drive series, this time based exclusively on night drives in Africa; They could have named the game the Starry Atari Ferrari Safari. Don't like that joke? Sorry.

JoystiqTest Drive: Ferrari Racing Legends announced by Atari originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 04 Feb 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>africaannouncementatarimicrosoftpcplaystationps3safaritest-drive-ferraritest-drive-ferrari-challengexboxSat, 04 Feb 2012 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: Ubisoft, Atari, many other publishers requesting payment from German pirates]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/16/report-ubisoft-atari-many-other-publishers-seeking-payment-fr/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/16/report-ubisoft-atari-many-other-publishers-seeking-payment-fr/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/16/report-ubisoft-atari-many-other-publishers-seeking-payment-fr/#comments Someone in Germany -- perhaps even some people -- illegally pirated a copy of Prison Break: The Conspiracy. Hard to believe as it may be, it appears to be the case according to TorrentFreak, who delved into German public records looking for game publishers who have employed German law to track down (and demand money from) people who allegedly pirated various games. In Germany, Koch Media publishes the Prison Break game, and has been demanding settlements of "several hundred Euros" from offending IP addresses.

The records indicate that several major publishers, either directly or through subsidiaries/secondary parties, have been sending out letters to German citizens requesting varying levels of payment in return for not being sued. Where things get murky, however, is how the publishers are seeking out the accused pirates, using not always reliable "IP address-only evidence" -- easily circumvented with proxy domains and such. You know, hacker stuff.

TorrentFreak's report indicates that a variety of publishers and distributors are involved, including (but not limited to): Atari, Koch Media (representing Techland's Dead Island and Prison Break, and Eidos/Square Enix's Deus Ex: Human Revolution as well as Dungeon Siege 3 and various Final Fantasy titles), Daedalic Entertainment (representing LucasArts), Codemasters, BitComposer, Ubisoft, Kalypso Media, dtp entertainment, and Aerosoft. It is currently unclear how many settlement notices have been sent out by each company, or if any will continue doing so after these actions have been brought to light.

Witcher 2 developer CD Projekt Red was recently pursuing similar cases in Germany until it announced the end of the practice last week.

JoystiqReport: Ubisoft, Atari, many other publishers requesting payment from German pirates originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 16 Jan 2012 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aerosoftataribabypiratesbitcomposercodemastersdaedalicdtp-entertainmenteidoseidos-interactivegermanykalypso-mediakoch-medialegallucasartsmacmicrosoftpcpiracypiratesplaystationps3square-enixtechlandubisoftxboxMon, 16 Jan 2012 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Indie: Atari claiming copyright infringement on 'hundreds' of iOS games, Atari responds]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/03/atari-allegedly-claiming-copyright-infringement-on-hundreds-of/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/03/atari-allegedly-claiming-copyright-infringement-on-hundreds-of/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/03/atari-allegedly-claiming-copyright-infringement-on-hundreds-of/#comments

Vector Tanks and Vector Tanks Extreme, two iOS games from Black Powder Media, have been pulled from the App Store after receiving a copyright-infringement claim from Atari. "Atari appears to be paving the way for a reissuing of their classics by putting the squeeze on hundreds of apps!" Black Powder Media's Kickstarter page reads. "Anything that has even a passing resemblance to an Atari classic has been issued a copyright infringement claim."

Atari recently released updated versions of Breakout and Asteroids, and has had an Atari arcade app for some time. And a new Battlezone isn't a ludicrous thought, which is one reason Vector Tanks programmer Peter Hirschberg previously tried to secure Atari's permission to make a game inspired by Battlezone. Atari never responded, Hirschberg told Edge. "Now this," he said. "It's very depressing."

When asked for comment, Atari released the following statement to Joystiq:
"For companies like Atari, our intellectual property portfolio is our most valued asset. While we have great respect for the indie developer community and greatly appreciate the enthusiasm that they have for our renowned properties, we need to vigorously protect our intellectual property and ensure that it is represented in highly innovative games. We have been actively engaging with numerous established and up and coming developers to help us re-imagine our iconic franchises, and outside app developers have already helped us produce two top 10 mobile game successes in Asteroids: Gunner and Breakout: Boost. We look forward to further developing strong relationships with the indie app development community through additional games that we will be releasing in the future."
Black Powder Media is now working on The Visceral Adventures of Vic Vector, a game that it believes "cannot fall under the Atari claw."

JoystiqIndie: Atari claiming copyright infringement on 'hundreds' of iOS games, Atari responds originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 03 Jan 2012 15:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>asteroidsAtaribattlezoneBlack-Powder-Mediabreakout-boostiosipadiphonemobileVector-TanksVector-Tanks-ExtremeTue, 03 Jan 2012 15:12:00 EST<![CDATA[cTrix's gATARI2600 chiptune "guitar"]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/01/ctrixs-gatari2600-chiptune-guitar/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/01/ctrixs-gatari2600-chiptune-guitar/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/01/ctrixs-gatari2600-chiptune-guitar/#comments
The chiptune music scene is known for its creative use of antiquated gaming hardware, and you'd be hard pressed to find a better example of "antiquated" than 1977's Atari 2600. Through a clever mix of custom software, handmade cartridges and three Boss stomp boxes, chiptune artist/modder cTrix has created the gATARI2600, an instrument as massive as it is massively impressive.

Check out the video above for cTrix's explanation of the device's components, as well as footage of the monstrosity (the instrument, not cTrix) in action at Blip Fest 2011. Personally, we're still holding out for an Intellivision viola.

JoystiqcTrix's gATARI2600 chiptune "guitar" originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 01 Jan 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atariatari-2600chiptunecTrixgatarigATARI2600hackmodSun, 01 Jan 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Test Drive Unlimited 2's DLC 2 planned for February, adds bikes and new content]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/08/test-drive-unlimited-2s-dlc-2-planned-for-february-adds-bikes/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/08/test-drive-unlimited-2s-dlc-2-planned-for-february-adds-bikes/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/08/test-drive-unlimited-2s-dlc-2-planned-for-february-adds-bikes/#comments As predicted way back before the game's release, Test Drive Unlimited 2 is indeed getting some bikes to play around with. In a post on the game's official forums, a community manager for Atari says the game's second DLC pack is scheduled for February 2012. It will bring three bikes, including a Harley and two Ducatis, as well as six new cars, new missions and locations to explore.

You'll also receive new clothes and furniture to buy, and notice some minor enhancements to the game, like the ability to change car positions in the garage or control headlights. Finally, Test Drive 2 will offer support for some more driving wheel accessories.

The first DLC for the game ended up arriving at no cost thanks to a buggy launch, but it's been a while -- about nine months -- since TDU2 has seen new content. Eden Games has, after all, been dealing with other issues.

JoystiqTest Drive Unlimited 2's DLC 2 planned for February, adds bikes and new content originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 08 Dec 2011 22:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ataridlcdlc2eden-gamespcrelease-datetdutdu-2Test-Drive-Unlimited-2Thu, 08 Dec 2011 22:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Atari announces Breakout: Boost for iOS]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/01/atari-announces-breakout-boost-for-ios/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/01/atari-announces-breakout-boost-for-ios/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/01/atari-announces-breakout-boost-for-ios/#comments Breakout Atari is bringing a new version of Breakout to iOS devices. Titled Breakout Boost, it adds plenty of modern features to the classic brick-breaker, including power-ups, special bricks and - the most modern feature of all - in-app purchases.

Yes, in addition to grenade balls, exploding bricks and the like, Breakout Boost will contain five (five) free levels and "over 200 more unique brick layouts available via in-app purchase." Specific prices and levels aren't mentioned, but here's hoping Atari opts for the popular "here's a ton of stuff for 99 cents" model.

Gallery: Breakout: Boost (iOS)

Continue reading Atari announces Breakout: Boost for iOS

JoystiqAtari announces Breakout: Boost for iOS originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 01 Dec 2011 13:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ataribreakout-boostiosipadiphonemobileThu, 01 Dec 2011 13:40:00 EST<![CDATA[iam8bit's American Icons gallery features portraits of toys and old consoles]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/19/iam8bits-american-icons-gallery-features-portraits-of-toys-and/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/19/iam8bits-american-icons-gallery-features-portraits-of-toys-and/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/19/iam8bits-american-icons-gallery-features-portraits-of-toys-and/#comments

Jason Brockert is traditionally a landscape painter, but one day he noticed a Star Wars Stormtrooper figurine sitting on his shelf, and decided to try painting it. "The first one came out terrible," he says. "A week later, I was like I'll try again. The second one, I was like oh, that's kind of cool. And it was a lot of fun, too. I had more fun doing that then I'd had in six months."

He finished the Stormtrooper painting a little while after that, and then decided to do more figures, and then old game consoles and cartridges, collecting them on eBay and then painting them in his elaborate, almost idealistic way. "Those were the two things I loved as a kid," says Brockert, "and the things I wanted to recollect, that my mother had thrown away I don't know how long ago."

Brockert's work is currently on display in a show called "American Icons" at the iam8bit gallery in Los Angeles' Echo Park. All of his works and prints are available for purchase, and the Exhibition (most of which you can see below) runs through December 18.

Gallery: American Icons at iam8bit

Continue reading iam8bit's American Icons gallery features portraits of toys and old consoles

Joystiqiam8bit's American Icons gallery features portraits of toys and old consoles originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 19 Nov 2011 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>american-iconsartataricolecovisionexhibitiongalleryiam8bitjason-brockertnesSat, 19 Nov 2011 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[(Rock) breaking news: new Asteroids game, more progress on Asteroids movie]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/10/rock-breaking-news-new-asteroids-game-more-progress-on-aster/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/10/rock-breaking-news-new-asteroids-game-more-progress-on-aster/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/10/rock-breaking-news-new-asteroids-game-more-progress-on-aster/#comments
Last time we checked, it was 2011, and yet we have two news items about Asteroids for you. First, Atari has released a new free-to-play Asteroids game to the iOS App Store called Asteroids Gunner, which adds multiple selectable ships, power-ups, upgrade shopping, achievements, dual-stick controls and other modern amenities to the well-known game of shooting big rocks to make them smaller rocks.

In other news, Slashfilm reports that Universal has just hired Evan Spiliotopoulos to write a new script for the Asteroids movie, which tenaciously continues existing despite the objection of everyone on Earth with some common sense.

Gallery: Asteroids Gunner (iOS)

Continue reading (Rock) breaking news: new Asteroids game, more progress on Asteroids movie

Joystiq(Rock) breaking news: new Asteroids game, more progress on Asteroids movie originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 10 Nov 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>app-storeasteriods-gunnerasteroidsasteroids-gunnerasteroids-movieatariiosiphonemobileThu, 10 Nov 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Heroes of Neverwinter brings D&D combat to Facebook]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/11/heroes-of-neverwinter-brings-dandd-combat-to-facebook/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/11/heroes-of-neverwinter-brings-dandd-combat-to-facebook/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/11/heroes-of-neverwinter-brings-dandd-combat-to-facebook/#comments
The actual Neverwinter MMO isn't set to come out until later on next year, but Heroes of Neverwinter is a new social game that's available to play right now on Facebook. According to the trailer above, it offers the "deepest RPG experience Facebook has ever seen," with some strategy-accented, turn-based combat based on the D&D system, and even a dungeon creation tool to play with. As you might imagine, the game is heavily microtransaction-based, so your journey through the Forgotten Realms will likely be punctuated with plenty of pitches to spend some real-life dough on the title.

But if you've been waiting for Facebook games to actually show a little more complexity (more complexity, at least, than those wooden animations in the trailer), Heroes of Neverwinter does up the ante. It's available for free right now on the big blue social network.

JoystiqHeroes of Neverwinter brings D&D combat to Facebook originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 11 Oct 2011 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ataridungeons-and-dragons-heroes-of-neverwintergameheroes-of-neverwintermicrotransactionspcsocialwizards-of-the-coastTue, 11 Oct 2011 07:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rollercoaster Tycoon takes a thrill ride to 3DS in 2012]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/07/rollercoaster-tycoon-takes-a-thrill-ride-to-3ds-in-2012/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/07/rollercoaster-tycoon-takes-a-thrill-ride-to-3ds-in-2012/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/07/rollercoaster-tycoon-takes-a-thrill-ride-to-3ds-in-2012/#comments
The latest Rollercoaster Tycoon game will let you manage an amusement park, build the craziest coaster you can imagine, and then get super sick while riding it virtually. That's because it's for 3DS, and thus has the ability to immerse you in a stereoscopic 3D roller coaster experience.

Developed by n-Space, the 3DS version of the classic PC franchise includes Coaster Creator as well as a "compressed" form of the traditional amusement park operation simulation. The "Coaster Story" mode delivers a series of park challenges as part of a storyline. "Park Sandbox" allows you to just build the park however you want, and share your creations with the system's "advanced networking capabilities." StreetPass park trading, perhaps?

Atari will release Rollercoaster Tycoon 3D sometime next year. Stock up on Dramamine.

Continue reading Rollercoaster Tycoon takes a thrill ride to 3DS in 2012

JoystiqRollercoaster Tycoon takes a thrill ride to 3DS in 2012 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 07 Sep 2011 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsataridsn-spacenintendorollercoaster-tycoonrollercoaster-tycoon-3dWed, 07 Sep 2011 11:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Atari appoints new CFO, digital and mobile VPs]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/19/atari-appoints-new-cfo-digital-and-mobile-vps/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/19/atari-appoints-new-cfo-digital-and-mobile-vps/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/19/atari-appoints-new-cfo-digital-and-mobile-vps/#comments After what we can only imagine was the most intense game of musical chairs the Atari conference room has ever seen, the company has announced it's appointed new executives at key positions. Robert Mattes is now the CFO, Owais Farooqui has taken over as senior VP of digital publishing and Maria Pacheco is now the new VP of mobile.

This appointment of new blood follows the company's focus on digital for the last year or so -- these appointments will help Atari to "shift its core focus to casual gaming experiences designed for mobile, social networks and emerging platforms," the press release reads. Atari will apparently use the expertise of its new VPs to aggressively target Atari.com, Facebook, Google+ (it has games now!), browser-based gaming and tablets and smartphone devices, leveraging classic Atari franchises such as Asteroid, Missile Command, Centipede, Breakout and Pong. First up is Dungeons & Dragons: Heroes of Neverwinter, expected to launch on Facebook this fall.

Continue reading Atari appoints new CFO, digital and mobile VPs

JoystiqAtari appoints new CFO, digital and mobile VPs originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 19 Aug 2011 04:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ataribusinessdigital-distributiondungeons-and-dragons-heroes-of-neverwinterheroes-of-neverwintermacMaria-PachecomicrosoftmobileOwais-Farooquipcplaystationps3Robert-MattesxboxFri, 19 Aug 2011 04:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Perfect World completes Cryptic Studios acquisition]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/09/perfect-world-completes-cryptic-studios-acquisition/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/09/perfect-world-completes-cryptic-studios-acquisition/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/09/perfect-world-completes-cryptic-studios-acquisition/#comments Atari announced earlier this year that it was trying to sell off City of Heroes developer Cryptic Studios, and it's now essentially done just that, according to the company. Chinese MMO developer Perfect World recently bought an equity interest in the studio, and Atari has now divested its own interest, meaning that Cryptic is in the hands of the same company that also owns a majority interest in Torchlight developer Runic Games.

Perfect World reportedly paid $49.8 million for the sale, and Atari says it will put $30.7 million of that total right back into its own debt, leaving the rest for investment in other deals and programs. Cryptic was working on Neverwinter, as well as developing content for Star Trek Online and the free-to-play Champions Online, but any other titles the company was working on with Atari are probably done for. We'll have to see just how the fate of these games plays out as Perfect World oversees things going forward.

Perfect World has said the purchase will use Cryptic's experience in the MMO space to "strengthen our well-established R&D capabilities," as well as "add [the aforementioned] attractive game titles to our portfolio."

JoystiqPerfect World completes Cryptic Studios acquisition originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 09 Aug 2011 19:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ataribusinesscryptic-studiosdealneverwinterpcperfect-worldsaleTue, 09 Aug 2011 19:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Learning to play Warlords isn't as easy as you'd expect]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/06/learning-to-play-warlords-isnt-as-easy-as-youd-expect/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/06/learning-to-play-warlords-isnt-as-easy-as-youd-expect/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/06/learning-to-play-warlords-isnt-as-easy-as-youd-expect/#comments

We considered ourselves pretty good at the Atari 2600 version of Warlords, but that boast required only proficiency at swinging a paddle around to hit a ball into our opponents' corners. So we questioned the necessity for a "how to play" video for the update, until we watched it and remembered this update is ... an update.

This thing's got actual strategy in it! You have to lead a "Rally Snoot" character to a control point -- a control point! -- and then have him wait for another to arrive in order to capture it. You can boost the shields around your castle, and even aim shots. In other words, there's stuff do do other than frantically moving a paddle around to deflect a single giant pixel.

JoystiqLearning to play Warlords isn't as easy as you'd expect originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 06 Aug 2011 03:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atarigriptonite-gamesmicrosoftplaystationps3psnwarlordsxblaxboxSat, 06 Aug 2011 03:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The battle for Breakout's copyright]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/29/the-battle-for-breakouts-copyright/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/29/the-battle-for-breakouts-copyright/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/29/the-battle-for-breakouts-copyright/#comments Were we to say the word "Breakout" you'd probably get a pretty clear image in your head -- the image of Atari's 1976 block-breaking game (which both Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak played significant roles in designing!) It may be totally distinctive, but it was once not seen as copyrightable.

In 1989, Atari brought legal action against Register of Copyrights Ralph Oman over the fact that he wouldn't give Atari a copyright on the game. The register, Patent Arcade reports, said that the elements of the game were "simple geometric shapes and coloring" and not enough "authorship" went into their production to be copyrightable. " "The idea . . . could have been expressed in expressive ways," a Register lawyer said during oral arguments for the case. "They could have added graphics to it. They could have had a brick wall that looked like a brick wall. They could have added ivy that was expressive."

It was future Supreme Court justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg who threw out that argument, citing the ball's variable, non-realistic-physics-based trajectory as a creative element of the game. And with that in mind, it was sent back to the Register for reconsideration. And thus Atari got the copyright that it could then use against other block-breaking games.

JoystiqThe battle for Breakout's copyright originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 29 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ataribreakoutcopyrightretroFri, 29 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EST<![CDATA[THQ to publish The Witcher 2 for Xbox 360 in several international regions]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/30/thq-to-publish-the-witcher-2-for-xbox-360-in-several-internation/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/30/thq-to-publish-the-witcher-2-for-xbox-360-in-several-internation/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/30/thq-to-publish-the-witcher-2-for-xbox-360-in-several-internation/#comments
The Witcher 2 is coming to Xbox 360, and not since EA's landmark Skitchin' have we been so excited for a game with a made-up "itch" word in the title. But what of our friends in Western Europe, Australia, New Zealand and the Middle East? Will they have to live with an itcher they can't scratcher? Not if THQ has anything to say about it.

And it does. Because it publishes games.

The company announced this morning that it will be bringing the game to 360 in the aforementioned territories. We'd still argue that North American publisher Atari is a better fit for a game about prestidigitation (as its continued existence as an operating entity almost certainly required use of the dark arts), but we'll take what we can get.

Continue reading THQ to publish The Witcher 2 for Xbox 360 in several international regions

JoystiqTHQ to publish The Witcher 2 for Xbox 360 in several international regions originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 30 Jun 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atariCD-Projektcd-projekt-redmicrosoftthe-witcher-2thqxboxThu, 30 Jun 2011 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Dungeons and Dragons: Daggerdale lands on PC]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/28/dungeons-and-dragons-daggerdale-limps-onto-the-pc/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/28/dungeons-and-dragons-daggerdale-limps-onto-the-pc/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/28/dungeons-and-dragons-daggerdale-limps-onto-the-pc/#comments Atari has announced that Dungeons & Dragons: Daggerdale is now available for the PC. We didn't really like the hack-and-slash title, calling it "a terrible use of Wizards of the Coast's timeless license" (ouch), but hey, maybe you're a huge completist and absolutely must play through anything and everything having to do Forgotten Realms. If that's the case, you can pick up the game for $14.99 at a fine e-tailer near you.

Continue reading Dungeons and Dragons: Daggerdale lands on PC

JoystiqDungeons and Dragons: Daggerdale lands on PC originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 28 Jun 2011 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ataridDdungeons-and-dragons-daggerdalepcretailwizards-of-the-coastTue, 28 Jun 2011 07:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Heroes of Neverwinter preview: Facebook fantasy]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/11/heroes-of-neverwinter-preview-facebook-fantasy/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/11/heroes-of-neverwinter-preview-facebook-fantasy/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/11/heroes-of-neverwinter-preview-facebook-fantasy/#comments I didn't see a Facebook game on the E3 show floor that I would consider passing along to you, honored readers, whose time I value more than my own -- with one noteworthy exception. Dungeons and Dragons: Heroes of Neverwinter represents a project which fans of its tabletop predecessor have been pulling for for a good, long time: An actual adaptation of the game's 4th Edition, complete with dungeon tiles, character progression and the move/minor/standard turn layout.

It is, of course, a simplified version of the robust RPG -- most of the series' constituent features are represented in some form or another, but in a limited capacity. Still, even with this one conceit, Heroes of Neverwinter looks like one of the beefiest titles on the platform; not to mention a dungeoneer's dream come true.

Gallery: Dungeons & Dragons: Heroes of Neverwinter (E3 2011)

Continue reading Heroes of Neverwinter preview: Facebook fantasy

JoystiqHeroes of Neverwinter preview: Facebook fantasy originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 11 Jun 2011 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ataridungeons-and-dragons-heroes-of-neverwinterfacebookheroes-of-neverwinterliquid-entertainmentpcsocial-gameswizards-of-the-coastSat, 11 Jun 2011 17:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Dungeons and Dragons: Neverwinter preview: The NeverEnding Story]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/10/dungeons-and-dragons-neverwinter-preview-the-neverending-story/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/10/dungeons-and-dragons-neverwinter-preview-the-neverending-story/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/10/dungeons-and-dragons-neverwinter-preview-the-neverending-story/#comments Cryptic and Atari's upcoming relaunch of the Neverwinter Nights franchise is a multiplayer online game with infinite content. I'm still trying to wrap my mind around what this means -- and I think its creators are, too.

The infinite-ness is provided by the Foundry system, a returning (and far more refined) feature which Cryptic implemented in one of its other flagship MMOs, Star Trek Online. Rather than patching in the campaign-crafting tools after launch, however, Cryptic is making the Foundry the keystone of the Neverwinter experience -- an appropriate callback to Nights' UGC-centric success.

Continue reading Dungeons and Dragons: Neverwinter preview: The NeverEnding Story

JoystiqDungeons and Dragons: Neverwinter preview: The NeverEnding Story originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 10 Jun 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ataricrypticmmommorpgneverwinterpcFri, 10 Jun 2011 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Neverwinter revealed in new trailer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/08/neverwinter-revealed-in-new-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/08/neverwinter-revealed-in-new-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/08/neverwinter-revealed-in-new-trailer/#comments We've got an appointment to see Neverwinter at E3 this week, but to tide all of us over until then, we've got a trailer showing off the new Cryptic-developed RPG. We like how colorful the world is, but doesn't the aesthetic seem a little done to death? Here's hoping there's something we're missing.

Continue reading Neverwinter revealed in new trailer

JoystiqNeverwinter revealed in new trailer originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 08 Jun 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ataricrypticDungeons-and-DragonsneverwinterpcWed, 08 Jun 2011 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Witcher 2 drops to $40 on Amazon]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/02/the-witcher-2-drops-to-40-on-amazon/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/02/the-witcher-2-drops-to-40-on-amazon/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/02/the-witcher-2-drops-to-40-on-amazon/#comments Look, we get it: You don't want to buy a game until you know it's good enough for the President of the United States. We hear you, bud, and you're in luck! The Witcher 2 is totally a game in the Presidential library!

Thus we'd like to inform you of a sale at Amazon. The game is available right now at a reduced cost of $40, both as physical media and a direct download. And if you're looking for further reason why you should care, know that we liked the game and stuff. We're no President by any means, but we're constantly asked to furnish a birth certificate to prove our citizenship. It doesn't help that it's our parents who keep requesting it, but still. That basically makes us President, right?

If you're not into that whole smiling logo thing, Steam also has the game on sale for $40.

[Thanks, Tyler C]

JoystiqThe Witcher 2 drops to $40 on Amazon originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 02 Jun 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazonataricd-projektpcrpgthe-witcher-2Thu, 02 Jun 2011 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Witcher 2 casting spells on Xbox 360 by the end of 2011]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/02/the-witcher-2-casting-spells-on-xbox-360/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/02/the-witcher-2-casting-spells-on-xbox-360/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/02/the-witcher-2-casting-spells-on-xbox-360/#comments During its "Summer Days" presentation in Los Angeles this afternoon, developer CD Projekt Red announced intentions to release critically acclaimed The Witcher 2 on Xbox 360 by the end of 2011. The confirmation comes after months of back-and-forth over the possibility of a console release, and hot off the bewitched heels of an ESRB rating for the game on Xbox 360.

Little is known about how exactly the title's gameplay, not to mention its impressive graphics engine, will translate to 360, but we're sure to find out more in the coming weeks. We'll keep an eye ... er ... ear on the streaming press conference as well and update this story as it develops.

Update: During the stage presentation, CD Projekt Red representatives pointed out that the Xbox 360 version will include all PC updates that have taken place since the game's launch. A teaser was also shown off (which we'll have for you soon), though no gameplay has been revealed as of yet -- it'll be shown off during E3. The reps also pointed out that the 360 version will look close or on par with the PC version, and also called it an "adaptation, not a port."

Update 2: The teaser is now live after the break!

Continue reading The Witcher 2 casting spells on Xbox 360 by the end of 2011

JoystiqThe Witcher 2 casting spells on Xbox 360 by the end of 2011 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 02 Jun 2011 15:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ataricd-projektcd-projekt-redcd-projekt-summer-dayse3-2011los-angelesmicrosoftq3-2011q4-2011release-datesummer-daysthe-witcher-2xboxThu, 02 Jun 2011 15:21:00 EST<![CDATA[Atari: Daggerdale to miss May 31 PSN launch, game may fall into publishing queue [update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/27/atari-daggerdale-to-miss-may-31-psn-launch-network-not-gonna/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/27/atari-daggerdale-to-miss-may-31-psn-launch-network-not-gonna/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/27/atari-daggerdale-to-miss-may-31-psn-launch-network-not-gonna/#comments Atari addressed fans waiting for the PS3 version of Dungeons & Dragons: Daggerdale today, announcing on Twitter that the game would miss its planned May 31 launch on the platform. The reason stated, however, is far more interesting than the news of a delay -- according to Atari, it "looks like Playstation Network is not gonna be ready for #Daggerdale release on 5/31."

Despite an internal memo from Sony stating that the PS Store would be up as early as this past Tuesday (which clearly didn't happen), and statements from the company that "all services" would be restored by the end of May, it seems (at least for this publisher) that the PS Store may remain offline longer than expected. The tweet also says to "Stay tuned for more details today." We've reached out to both Sony and Atari for comment, but had yet to hear back as of publishing.

Update: The PlayStation Store's revival might not miss its targeted launch date after all. An Atari representative responded to us, explaining, "Our recent tweet was not intended to speak to Sony's service coming back online or being delayed, but to inform our fans that we expect Daggerdale to be placed in PSN's publishing queue behind other titles that were meant to launch during the service outage and that it might not hit the May 31 date."

JoystiqAtari: Daggerdale to miss May 31 PSN launch, game may fall into publishing queue [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 27 May 2011 11:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ataridungeons-and-dragons-daggerdaleplaystationplaystation-networkplaystation-storeps-storeps3psnpsn-outage-2011Fri, 27 May 2011 11:46:00 EST<![CDATA[Dungeons and Dragons: Daggerdale review: Critical miss]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/25/dungeons-and-dragons-daggerdale-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/25/dungeons-and-dragons-daggerdale-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/25/dungeons-and-dragons-daggerdale-review/#comments Dungeons & Dragons: 4th Edition represents one of the most drastic facelifts the long-running tabletop RPG franchise has ever undergone. The game's once ethereal elements have been turned tangible, its mechanics made far less punishing for new players, and its every component finely tuned to a state of balance that few other tabletop developers can match. It is as accessible as the game has ever been -- and, as a result, as adaptable as the game has ever been.

Dungeons & Dragons: Daggerdale has been promoted as an opportunity for Bedlam Games and Atari to bring "an accessible version of Dungeons & Dragons: 4th Edition to life," a task at which they have failed in a huge, huge way. Some of the tabletop game's terminology and a few superficial concepts show up in Daggerdale, but the rest has been sacrificed to create a monotonous, hideously buggy hack-and-slash RPG.

Gallery: Dungeons & Dragons Daggerdale

Continue reading Dungeons and Dragons: Daggerdale review: Critical miss

JoystiqDungeons and Dragons: Daggerdale review: Critical miss originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 25 May 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ataribedlam-gamesdungeons-and-dragonsdungeons-and-dragons-daggerdalemicrosoftpcplaystationps3psnsteamWizards-of-the-CoastxblaxboxWed, 25 May 2011 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[D&D: Daggerdale launches May 25, PSN a week later]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/23/dandd-daggerdale-launches-may-25-psn-a-week-later/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/23/dandd-daggerdale-launches-may-25-psn-a-week-later/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/23/dandd-daggerdale-launches-may-25-psn-a-week-later/#comments Atari intends to send adventurers into the grimy world of Dungeons & Dragons: Daggerdale on PC and Xbox Live Arcade on May 25 (that's this Wednesday). The PSN version is optimistically expected to be available next Tuesday, May 31.

The loot-whoring dungeon crawler by Scratch: The Ultimate DJ dev Bedlam Games supports up to four players. We don't really know much about the game beyond "loot and co-op," but that seems to be all some people need from a game.

Gallery: Dungeons & Dragons Daggerdale

Continue reading D&D: Daggerdale launches May 25, PSN a week later

JoystiqD&D: Daggerdale launches May 25, PSN a week later originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 23 May 2011 17:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ataribedlam-gamesdaggerdaleDungeons-and-Dragonsdungeons-and-dragons-daggerdalemicrosoftpcplaystationps3xboxMon, 23 May 2011 17:28:00 EST