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[NintendoWare Weekly: VVVVVV, Bionic Commando]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/29/nintendoware-weekly-vvvvvv-bionic-commando/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/29/nintendoware-weekly-vvvvvv-bionic-commando/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/29/nintendoware-weekly-vvvvvv-bionic-commando/#comments Two games hit the eShop today, and they both seem worthwhile! Terry Cavanagh's devious puzzle platformer, VVVVVV, is now playable on the go, courtesy of Nicalis. Bionic Commando is also made portable, courtesy of ... the Game Boy version Capcom made years ago.

On DSiWare you can get Cake Ninja, though you'd probably hate yourself for buying such an outright Fruit Ninja clone. Get it only if you're lacking a conscience, much like its developers.

Continue reading NintendoWare Weekly: VVVVVV, Bionic Commando

JoystiqNintendoWare Weekly: VVVVVV, Bionic Commando originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 29 Dec 2011 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsbionic-commandocake-ninjacarmen-sandiegodsdsiwareeshopnintendonintendoware-weeklyslingo-supremevvvvvvwiiwiiwareThu, 29 Dec 2011 10:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Rad: Bionic Commando swings to 3DS eShop this week]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/27/rad-bionic-commando-swings-to-3ds-eshop-this-week/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/27/rad-bionic-commando-swings-to-3ds-eshop-this-week/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/27/rad-bionic-commando-swings-to-3ds-eshop-this-week/#commentsSurprise! The 3DS eShop is getting not-terrible! The original downloadable games are starting to stack up (Pushmo, Mighty Switch Force), and the Virtual Console is home to a lot of interesting games -- like, for example, the Game Boy version of Bionic Commando, coming out December 29 in both North America and Europe. We aren't sure how it's able to make it to the shop when the NES Bionic Commando never could.

That's the same day North America gets VVVVVV. See what we mean about the eShop no longer being a terrible destination for games?

Continue reading Rad: Bionic Commando swings to 3DS eShop this week

JoystiqRad: Bionic Commando swings to 3DS eShop this week originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 27 Dec 2011 09:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsbionic-commandocapcomeshopgame-boynintendorelease-datevirtual-consoleTue, 27 Dec 2011 09:38:00 EST<![CDATA[Let's play the blame game: Inafune on what went wrong with Capcom's original IP push]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/19/lets-play-the-blame-game-inafune-on-what-went-wrong-with-capco/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/19/lets-play-the-blame-game-inafune-on-what-went-wrong-with-capco/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/19/lets-play-the-blame-game-inafune-on-what-went-wrong-with-capco/#comments In the latter half of 2009 and early 2010, Capcom released two major retail games in collaboration with prominent Western devs: Crimson Skies dev Airtight Games created Dark Void, and gun-for-hire Grin rebooted Bionic Commando. Those two games, however, were prominent sales flops. One even contributed to the eventual closure of Swedish dev Grin.

For its part, Capcom promptly returned to its tried and true franchises, with a lineup today featuring many more sequels than back in 2009. At the time, Mega Man co-creator Keiji Inafune was overseeing production on Capcom's retail titles, and when I spoke with him this past week at the Tokyo Game Show, I wanted to know what went wrong. Beyond sales, neither game was particularly loved by critics, especially Dark Void.

"[It's] very, very simple: The publisher was Japanese and the developer was foreign. Even inside Japan, when you work in two different companies, they always blame each other for any small mistakes, so that's pretty much what happened in those two games -- blaming each other," Inafune explained. He went on to compare those development experiences with that of Dead Rising -- a game that has since become a major franchise for Capcom, not to mention a commercial success.

Continue reading Let's play the blame game: Inafune on what went wrong with Capcom's original IP push

JoystiqLet's play the blame game: Inafune on what went wrong with Capcom's original IP push originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 19 Sep 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airtightairtight-gamesbionic-commandoDark-Voidgrinkeiji-inafunemicrosoftpcplaystationps3tgstgs-2011tokyo-game-showtokyo-game-show-2011xboxMon, 19 Sep 2011 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Inafune: 'Messed up' working relationship led to Bionic Commando's Wifearm]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/17/inafune-messed-up-working-relationship-led-to-bionic-commando/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/17/inafune-messed-up-working-relationship-led-to-bionic-commando/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/17/inafune-messed-up-working-relationship-led-to-bionic-commando/#comments "At the end of developing Bionic Commando, things got really messed up between the two companies," Mega Man creator and former global head of production at Capcom Keiji Inafune told me in an interview this week. Sitting in a quiet corner of Tokyo Game Show's business area, Inafune was addressing the retail version of BC developed by the now shuttered studio Grin -- a game that helped nail the coffin shut on the Swedish dev house, and scared Capcom off of its big third-party push. In case you weren't aware, at the end of BC's main campaign, it's revealed that the protagonist's bionic arm is, at least partially, made from his dead wife. Seriously.

"I don't even know what happened there," Inafune lamented. The project was apparently rife with development issues, which Inafune exemplified with a phrase that represented the attitude Grin and Capcom had for each other at the time: "Whatever, do what you want, I don't care."

Though he couldn't say what specifically happened to result in such a bizarre game ending, Inafune explained that the issue of foreign companies working with Japanese ones was at the heart of the situation. "At the beginning, things are very, very good between the two companies. Things get kind of weird from the middle, and it gets really bad at the end -- especially for the Japanese companies," he said of the development process.

"They should be more flexible about things," Inafune added, no doubt part of his decision to leave his long-time employer late last year. "If you don't do that, everything will become messed up from the middle. And that's the most important part. Not the beginning, but in the middle and finishing the game."

JoystiqInafune: 'Messed up' working relationship led to Bionic Commando's Wifearm originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 17 Sep 2011 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Bionic-Commandocapcomgrinkeiji-inafunemicrosoftpcplaystationps3tgstgs-2011tokyo-game-showtokyo-game-show-2011wife-armwifearmedxboxSat, 17 Sep 2011 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Last Story, Pandora's Tower due in Europe in 2012, more Euro releases dated]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/17/the-last-story-pandoras-tower-due-in-europe-in-2012-more-euro/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/17/the-last-story-pandoras-tower-due-in-europe-in-2012-more-euro/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/17/the-last-story-pandoras-tower-due-in-europe-in-2012-more-euro/#comments The Wii does have a lifespan beyond 2011 -- in Europe. Nintendo of Europe sent out a list (PDF) of upcoming titles today, including the two other games for which Operation Rainfall is campaigning: Mistwalker's The Last Story and Ganbarion's Pandora's Tower. Both are slated for 2012 in Europe now, and have yet to be announced in North America. The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword will be released in Europe November 18 while Kirby's Adventure Wii is coming in December.

The release list also provides November and December windows for Super Mario 3D Land and Mario Kart 7 on 3DS, respectively. Super Pokemon Rumble will also be released in Europe this December. On DS, DQ Monsters Joker 2 is coming October 7, Kirby Mass Attack is due October 28, and Professor Layton will answer The Spectre's Call in November. Cave Story will finally come to DSiWare in Europe in Q4.

A few standout downloads listed: in Q4, the 3DS Virtual Console will see releases of Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins, Metroid II, and the Game Boy Bionic Commando game. Nintendo previously blocked the NES version from Virtual Console.

JoystiqThe Last Story, Pandora's Tower due in Europe in 2012, more Euro releases dated originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 17 Aug 2011 10:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>20123dsbionic-commandodragon-quest-monsters-joker-2dseuropemetroid-2nintendopandoras-towerprofessor-laytonq4-2011release-datesuper-mario-land-2-6-golden-coinsthe-last-storyvirtual-consolewiiWed, 17 Aug 2011 10:35:00 EST<![CDATA[GRIN founders say Square Enix turned their smiles upside down]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/29/grin-founders-say-square-enix-turned-their-smiles-upside-down/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/29/grin-founders-say-square-enix-turned-their-smiles-upside-down/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/29/grin-founders-say-square-enix-turned-their-smiles-upside-down/#comments Despite shipping three poorly received titles back-to-back - those would be Wanted: Weapons of Fate, Terminator: Salvation, and Capcom's reboot of Bionic Commando - it was still quite a surprise when developer GRIN suddenly closed its doors in August of 2009. Shortly after the shuttering, we learned that the Swedish developer had been working on a new Final Fantasy game titled 'Fortress' for Square Enix and now, nearly two years later, co-founders Ulf and Bo Andersson are finally pointing fingers. And they're both pointing right at Square Enix.

"We wanted to come in and revolutionize Final Fantasy, which is exactly what they need," the brothers told Sweden's Aftonbladet in a far-reaching article on the demise of the once-mighty studio. "The latest version sucks of course." After working on Fortress for Square Enix for six months without receiving any payment, the studio simply couldn't afford to stay open.

Square Enix, for its part, introduced seemingly impossible restrictions on the delivery of milestones. At one point, GRIN was directed to deliver its code to Japan via fax. Bo Andersson told Aftonbladet, "It is as silly as it sounds. It is an impossible requirement, you can not send ascii or binary codes on the fax. It is backward. Really retarded. It was almost a criminal activity." To make matters worse, Andersson claims that Square Enix then said the milestones were not being sent to the right person and instead should have been sent to the legal department.

The Andersson brothers suggest that Square Enix had already made up its mind that Fortress wasn't a project it wanted anymore. "Nothing seemed good enough. Square did not believe anymore that the Nordic style suited Final Fantasy," the Anderssons said. To test their hypothesis, they sent over concept art from Square Enix's own Final Fantasy XII, to which Japan responded, "It does not look like Final Fantasy."

While many former GRIN staffers landed at studios like Fatshark, others formed their own outfits, like Might&Delight, Outbreak Studios, and Whiteout. The Anderssons, however, have been hard at work on a new studio, one with a notable change: It won't be dependent on big publishers. They'll be at E3 next week showing off their new project, so expect to learn more about it - and more about the demise of GRIN - then.

JoystiqGRIN founders say Square Enix turned their smiles upside down originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 29 May 2011 16:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Bionic-CommandoBo-AnderssonFinal-Fantasy-FortressFortressGRINlayoffsSquare-EnixSwedenUlf-AnderssonSun, 29 May 2011 16:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Play Magazine rounds up haunting, embarrassing dev quotes]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/01/play-magazine-rounds-up-haunting-embarrassing-dev-quotes/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/01/play-magazine-rounds-up-haunting-embarrassing-dev-quotes/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/01/play-magazine-rounds-up-haunting-embarrassing-dev-quotes/#comments Play Magazine has realized every game director, producer and marketing flack's worst nightmare. The publication has dug up a collection of pre-release buzz quotes about games that failed to deliver on said hype.

Granted, nobody promotes a game by admitting how horrible it's going to be, but it's rare that we glimpse back at how so very wrong some stated expectations can be:
"We've listened to feedback and addressed the problems such as the targeting system, but we've also layered on what we did well the first time around. We listened to what we did well the first time round. We listened to what people liked and have given them more of it this time." -Brett Rector, producer, Star Wars: Force Unleashed 2
And how about these hauntingly prophetic words of a Bionic Commando dev:
"We want to make players open their minds because we believe that the new-gen isn't just about better graphics. But the gaming has to step up and go into a new direction. If we don't do that, we'll go out of business." -Ulf Andersson of shuttered developer GRIN
Play has more quotes on its website, with the full piece available in the next issue -- on sale now in Europe and available in the US around March 18.

JoystiqPlay Magazine rounds up haunting, embarrassing dev quotes originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 01 Mar 2011 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Bionic-commandomicrosoftPlayplaystationps3star-wars-the-force-unleashed-2xboxTue, 01 Mar 2011 03:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Interview: Might&Delight's Jakob Tuchten]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/07/interview-mightanddelights-jakob-tuchten/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/07/interview-mightanddelights-jakob-tuchten/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/07/interview-mightanddelights-jakob-tuchten/#comments With little more than a cursory announcement a few weeks back of Might&Delight's existence, the ex-GRIN staffers making up M&D's numbers haven't been vocal about what they're working on next. And according to art director Jakob Tuchten, that's (at least partially) because the future is still somewhat unknown for the fledgling studio. "We have had some really nervous and positive meetings with publishers, and we´re sketching up some promising ideas."

M&D has said, however, that it aims to "continue doing what we started with [Bionic Commando] Rearmed ... small, fresh games with strong old school flavor." So when we asked about working on more licensed properties, it wasn't surprising that Tuchten teased, "We have a tasty list with publishers and their old titles that we would love to remake." That said, he added that M&D probably won't head in that direction. Hit the break to find out more about the studio's plans for the future, as well as everything else that Tuchten had to tell us.

Continue reading Interview: Might&Delight's Jakob Tuchten

JoystiqInterview: Might&Delight's Jakob Tuchten originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 07 May 2010 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bionic-commandobionic-commando-rearmedbionic-commando-rearmed-2capcomdevelopmentgrininterviewjakob-tuchtenmight-and-delightFri, 07 May 2010 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Capcom calls earnings 'sluggish' over last fiscal year]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/07/capcom-calls-earnings-sluggish-over-last-fiscal-year/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/07/capcom-calls-earnings-sluggish-over-last-fiscal-year/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/07/capcom-calls-earnings-sluggish-over-last-fiscal-year/#commentsUsually, a company's financial results press release is just called "Financial results for [insert time period]" or something equally neutral, but Capcom went ahead and put "sluggish" in its own headline to describe its fiscal year ending March 31. The publisher's net sales for the year were ¥66.84 billion ($751.35 million), down 27.3 percent from the previous fiscal year, and net income plummeted 73.1 percent year-over-year to just ¥2.17 billion ($24.36 million).

Capcom blamed the financial decline on the delays of Lost Planet 2, Super Street Fighter IV and Monster Hunter Tri to the current fiscal year, though the company previously took these delays into account in a revised earnings forecast last December. (On the bright side, actual nets sales did surpass the predicted figures by about ¥1.84 billion.) In addition to the delays, earnings suffered from sluggish sales of Dark Void, Bionic Commando and Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles, which all failed to meet Capcom's expectations.

JoystiqCapcom calls earnings 'sluggish' over last fiscal year originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 07 May 2010 09:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bionic-commandocapcomdark-voidearningsfinancial-resultsfy-2009-2010lost-planet-2q4resident-evil-darkside-chroniclesResident-Evil-The-Darkside-ChroniclessalessoftwareFri, 07 May 2010 09:39:00 EST<![CDATA[Bionic Commando Rearmed 2 jumping into Q1 2011]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/20/bionic-commando-rearmed-2-q1-2011-release-date/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/20/bionic-commando-rearmed-2-q1-2011-release-date/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/20/bionic-commando-rearmed-2-q1-2011-release-date/#commentsDownload in HD from Big DownloadRumored over the weekend to have been revealed at Captivate 2010, Bionic Commando Rearmed 2 is now official. The game is slated to once again hit Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network in Q1 2011 -- no PC version has been announced. While fans might have hoped development would be helmed by Might & Delight, the studio formed by the ex-Grin staffers responsible for the original Rearmed, the task's been handed to Fatshark, the studio behind Lead & Gold.

The sequel sees Nathan Spencer return, this time fighting the presumably evil General Sabio, "a new technologically sophisticated foe," who is "on the brink of launching a deadly missile attack." Rearmed 2 also promises new weapons, two-player co-op (no word if it's online this time) and new tunes from the same composers who created the brilliant soundtrack for the original Rearmed.

Of course, none of that is important because, as the debut trailer makes quite clear, Nathan has learned how to jump.

Gallery: Bionic Commando Rearmed 2

JoystiqBionic Commando Rearmed 2 jumping into Q1 2011 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 20 Apr 2010 11:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bionic-commandobionic-commando-rearmedbionic-commando-rearmed-2capcomcaptivate-2010fatsharkGRINMicrosoftpsnq1-2011release-datexblaXbox-360Tue, 20 Apr 2010 11:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Marvel vs Capcom 3 for Xbox 360 & PS3 announced, along with Bionic Commando: Rearmed 2 [update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/17/rumor-marvel-vs-capcom-3-going-hd-on-360-ps3-in-late-2010-or/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/17/rumor-marvel-vs-capcom-3-going-hd-on-360-ps3-in-late-2010-or/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/17/rumor-marvel-vs-capcom-3-going-hd-on-360-ps3-in-late-2010-or/#comments Update: Capcom has officially announced both Marvel vs. Capcom 3 and Bionic Commando: Rearmed 2. Additionally, a Capcom representative clarified some details about the MvC3 character roster for Joystiq: "We're not necessarily hyping the number of characters with MvC3, we're hyping quality. These aren't just sprites you can plug into the game. This is a full, disc-based release with gorgeous 3D models powered by the latest version of MT Framework. At this point, there are roughly 30 characters in the game, but that number will increase. You can rest assured that Niitsuma-san and his team will be working hard to include as many characters as possible before the game hits next year."


Original Story: There have been rumors swirling around about a sequel to Capcom's superhero-flavored fighter Marvel vs Capcom 2 pretty much since the game arrived 10 years ago. And given Capcom's recent success with a Street Fighter revival -- not to mention the sales rampage of MvC2 on XBLA and PSN -- the sequel rumor mill has once again begun turning furiously. This week's press-only Captivate event in Hawaii, held yearly by the Japanese publisher, is said to have showcased just such a sequel in Marvel vs Capcom 3 for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, claims PlanetXbox360. At the same event, a sequel to Bionic Commando: Rearmed is alleged to have been announced, though no details were provided in the post.

According to the report, MvC3 will receive a retail release "later this year or early 2011" and will run in "full 1080p." Allegedly, while the full character list is unknown, some have been confirmed. "Wolverine, Spider-Man, The Hulk, Magneto, Storm, and a few others will be back; but the team behind MvC3 have said they will be blowing fans out of the water with the sheer number of characters this game includes," alleges PlanetXbox360. The rumored sequel is said to be a nontraditional 2D fighter, which suggests that it could feature 3D elements, as seen in Street Fighter IV. PlanetXbox360 claims we'll hear more about the title next week and that the game will be playable at E3 this June. When reached for comment, Capcom told Joystiq, "We don't comment on speculation and rumors."

[Thanks Nathan Garcia!]

Editors' note: Joystiq did not attend Captivate this year. We determined the perceived environment, and associated downtime, of the event was not in accordance with our editorial policy. We expect to provide firsthand preview coverage of all Capcom titles shown at Captivate during E3 this June. For more information on our policies, click here.

JoystiqMarvel vs Capcom 3 for Xbox 360 & PS3 announced, along with Bionic Commando: Rearmed 2 [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 17 Apr 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bionic-command-rearmed-2bionic-commandobionic-commando-rearmedbionic-commando-rearmed-2capcomfightingGRINmarvelmarvel-vs-capcommarvel-vs-capcom-2marvel-vs-capcom-3Microsoftstreet-fighter-ivXbox-360Sat, 17 Apr 2010 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[GameFly sale: Bionic Batman and the Brutal Beatles]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/24/gamefly-sale-bionic-batman-and-the-brutal-beatles/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/24/gamefly-sale-bionic-batman-and-the-brutal-beatles/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/24/gamefly-sale-bionic-batman-and-the-brutal-beatles/#comments Here's the good news: According to our budget-minded buddies (budgies?) at CAG, GameFly has a sale on several appealing Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 titles, including Batman: Arkham Asylum (360 / $19.99), Bionic Commando (360 / PS3 / $9.99), Brütal Legend (360 / $14.99) and The Beatles: Rock Band (360 / $21.99). We also spy some stellar deals on Red Faction: Guerrilla (360 / PS3 / under $15) and 2D fighter BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger ($19.99 / $24.99). GameFly games are guaranteed to be in working condition and include manuals and cases.

And here's the bad news: The sale comes to an end on March 30. Also, our industry is woefully ill-equipped to produce a product called "Bionic Batman and the Brütal Beatles" and will succumb to creative and financial bankruptcy long before you ever get to play something of such magnificent magnitude. Oh well.

JoystiqGameFly sale: Bionic Batman and the Brutal Beatles originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 24 Mar 2010 11:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>batman-arkham-asylumbionic-commandoblazblueblazblue-calamity-triggerbrutal-legendcagdealsgameflyMicrosoftred-faction-guerrillasaleXbox-360Wed, 24 Mar 2010 11:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Capcom Q3 2009 financials reveal monster sales of Monster Hunter Tri]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/01/capcom-q3-2009-financials-reveal-monster-sales-of-monster-hunter/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/01/capcom-q3-2009-financials-reveal-monster-sales-of-monster-hunter/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/01/capcom-q3-2009-financials-reveal-monster-sales-of-monster-hunter/#comments If you're anything like us, you immediately tore into the recently released Capcom Q3 2009 financial report looking for the number of Mario Party Fushigi no Korokoro Catcher arcade machines the company sold in the last nine months of 2009 (80, in case you were wondering) only to find a wealth of information about the publisher's other games. For instance, worldwide sales (sell-in, not sell-through, mind you) of Bionic Commando crept over 700k, while Monster Hunter Tri moved 1.15 million in Japan alone -- we worry deeply for the monsters of Japan, being hunted relentlessly by all of those people. At this point in the post, we'd like to point out that these numbers are for the nine months ending December 31, 2009, and thusly don't reflect January's sales. Also, things are about to get really boring.

The Japanese publisher is reporting a 5.9 percent increase in net sales for the nine month period, and boasts an 84.3 percent increase in "operating income compared to the same term in [Fiscal Year 2008]," which is to say sales increased by ¥49,987 million from the same time period last year (netting ¥1,731 million). Whew - glad we got through that! Capcom itself doesn't ruminate on the numbers too much either, saying "only a few flagship software titles were released from our home video game division, while both arcade operations and content expansion were weakening." Unfortunately for us, there's still no word on the US arrival of Mario Party Fushigi No Korokoro Catcher.

Source -- Capcom 3rd Quarter Financial Results (warning: PDF)
Source -- Capcom 3rd Quarter Financial Results press release

JoystiqCapcom Q3 2009 financials reveal monster sales of Monster Hunter Tri originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 01 Feb 2010 12:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bionic-commandocapcomfinancialfinancial-reportfy-2009mario-party-fushigi-no-korokoro-catcherMicrosoftmonster-hunter-triNintendoq3-2009WiiXbox-360Mon, 01 Feb 2010 12:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Best of the Rest: Justin's Picks of 2009]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/03/best-of-the-rest-justins-picks-of-2009/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/03/best-of-the-rest-justins-picks-of-2009/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/03/best-of-the-rest-justins-picks-of-2009/#comments
Time Gentlemen, Please
This was hands-down the funniest game released in 2009, and 2009 was a year in which we got a new Tim Schafer game and the return of the Monkey Island series, so that's saying something. If you missed out, please go buy it, it's cheap as can be and a true delight.

Continue reading Best of the Rest: Justin's Picks of 2009

JoystiqBest of the Rest: Justin's Picks of 2009 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 03 Jan 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>50-cent-blood-on-the-sandbest-of-the-rest-2009bionic-commandobrutal-legendcall-of-juarez-bound-in-blooddrop-7house-of-the-dead-overkillkillzone-2Microsoftqwoprock-bandscribblenautsthe-beatles-rock-bandtime-gentlemen-pleasewetXbox-360Sun, 03 Jan 2010 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Capcom may shift established franchise development overseas, Q1 delays 'strategic']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/28/capcom-may-shift-established-franchise-development-overseas-q1/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/28/capcom-may-shift-established-franchise-development-overseas-q1/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/28/capcom-may-shift-established-franchise-development-overseas-q1/#comments Capcom will apparently focus original IP development in its Japan-based studios and outsource established franchises to other lands, according to a Question and Answer session (warning: PDF link) posted on the company's investor relations site. No executives are named in the Q&A brief, but the transcript is of a phone meeting with analysts. In it, a Capcom representative states that the reboot of Bionic Commando, developed by the late GRIN, "demonstrated the difficulty of outsourcing the development of [a] new title to overseas companies."

The document adds that the company is "considering ways to separate the roles of activities in Japan and overseas." International companies may be used to develop existing games series with "well-established characters and universal themes." A little less clear is this note: "Overseas companies will also handle certain parts and/or lineups of such games."

Also mentioned is the "strategic decision" which prompted the recent Q1 2010 delays of major franchises, making for a rocky financial quarter. Capcom allegedly "combines management and development to reach various decisions ... [it] would not decide to postpone the launch of a title" purely for development reasons.

Source -- Q&A Summary [PDF Link]

JoystiqCapcom may shift established franchise development overseas, Q1 delays 'strategic' originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 28 Dec 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bionic-commandobusinesscapcomdelaydelaysgrinMon, 28 Dec 2009 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Capcom posts strong Q2 2009 earnings, despite 'soft' overseas sales]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/29/capcom-posts-strong-q2-2009-earnings-despite-soft-overseas-sa/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/29/capcom-posts-strong-q2-2009-earnings-despite-soft-overseas-sa/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/29/capcom-posts-strong-q2-2009-earnings-despite-soft-overseas-sa/#comments Capcom has posted its financial results for the six months ending September 30, 2009, and things are definitely looking good for the company. The publisher reported net sales of ¥38.892 billion ($426 million), up from ¥31.236 billion ($342 million) during the same period last year, which amounts to a 24.5-percent increase. The majority of those sales were generated by Capcom's home video games division, which pulled in ¥27.748 billion ($303 million) -- up from ¥16.486 ($180 million); a staggering 68.3-percent increase.

Capcom credits strong sales of Monster Hunter Tri in Japan, as well as continued sales of Resident Evil 5, Monster Hunter Freedom Unite and Ace Attorney: Investigations to its recent financial success. However, the company stated that overseas sales remained "soft" for the period thanks to the delay of Dark Void and the weak performance of Bionic Commando and Monster Hunter Freedom Unite. Joystiq readers will recall that Capcom leveled complaints at the same games in its first quarter report earlier this year. It's worth noting that overseas sales still amounted to ¥11.739 billion ($128 million), which accounted for 57-percent of the home video games division sales.

We suppose Capcom might consider that "soft," but the suits can't be too broken up about it.

Source -- Capcom | Favorable Financial Results for the 6 months ended September 30, 2009
Source -- Capcom | Consolidated Financial Results for the 2nd Quarter of the FY2009

JoystiqCapcom posts strong Q2 2009 earnings, despite 'soft' overseas sales originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bionic-commandocapcomearningsfinancialfinancial-resultsmonster-huntermonster-hunter-3monster-hunter-triprofitsresident-evilresident-evil-5salessoftwareThu, 29 Oct 2009 14:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Capcom may offer more game collections in 2010]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/10/capcom-may-offer-more-game-collections-in-2010/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/10/capcom-may-offer-more-game-collections-in-2010/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/10/capcom-may-offer-more-game-collections-in-2010/#comments
With the recent release of the Capcom's Xbox 360 Platinum Hits Triple Pack, many are wondering if we'll see similar, value-oriented bundles from Capcom in the future. Chris Kramer, Capcom's resident PR dude, told VG247 that while Capcom doesn't have any immediate plans for other titles, he "wouldn't rule out more collections in 2010."

Though the last $40 pack, containing Lost Planet, Devil May Cry 4 and Dead Rising, certainly appealed to our interests, our miserly ways have forced us to wait for some more triple-packs to arrive ... and then get a triple-pack of those. Sure, the cover art will be have degraded considerably by then, but just think of the money we'll save!

JoystiqCapcom may offer more game collections in 2010 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 10 Sep 2009 21:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bionic-commandobundlecapcomMicrosoftplatinum-hitsplatinum-hits-triple-packXbox-360yes-we-are-still-doing-bionic-commando-jokesThu, 10 Sep 2009 21:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Licensed game from High Voltage inspired by Bionic Commando ]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/14/licensed-game-from-high-voltage-inspired-by-bionic-commando/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/14/licensed-game-from-high-voltage-inspired-by-bionic-commando/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/14/licensed-game-from-high-voltage-inspired-by-bionic-commando/#commentsIn addition to the Wii Astro Boy game, High Voltage Software is making a Secret Saturdays game for D3 Publisher. Like Astro Boy, which is inspired by Treasure's Astro Boy: The Omega Factor, High Voltage took cues from an excellent game when designing this children's game: Bionic Commando. The good one, that is, not the new one.

"Yes, we were playing Bionic Commando Rearmed when we were initially pitching the concept for the game to D3Publisher," producer Josh VanVeld told Siliconera. The Claw allows Zak Saturday to grapple (amongst other things), so that kind of mechanic seemed like a perfect fit and gave us the opportunity to try out a new 2D/3D hybrid camera system in our engine."

While Zak's grappling-based gameplay seems to be most prevalent, VanVeld said that there are "literally dozens of other characters, all of which have unique play styles." The mere mention of grappling was enough to get us to try a game based on a cartoon we've never watched.

[Thanks, Ed!]

JoystiqLicensed game from High Voltage inspired by Bionic Commando originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 14 Aug 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bionic-commandod3high-voltageNintendosecret-saturdaysWiiFri, 14 Aug 2009 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Bionic Commando developer GRIN closes]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/12/bionic-commando-developer-grin-closes/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/12/bionic-commando-developer-grin-closes/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/12/bionic-commando-developer-grin-closes/#commentsRecent reports of layoffs revealed that Swedish developer GRIN was in financial trouble. Today, in a statement on the GRIN website, founders Bo and Ulf Andersson announced that the company was officially closing, citing an "unbearable cashflow situation" due to delayed payments from unnamed publishers.

In the statement, the founders mentioned "our unreleased masterpiece that we weren't allowed to finish" and thanked many of the companies they worked with, including Ubisoft and Capcom -- but not Warner Bros., for whom GRIN made Wanted: Weapons of Fate and Terminator: Salvation. As reported earlier today, several GRIN staffers who had previously been laid off have gone on to form Outbreak Studios.

[Via Kotaku]

JoystiqBionic Commando developer GRIN closes originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 12 Aug 2009 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bionic-commandogrinlayoffsterminator-salvationwanted-weapons-of-fateWed, 12 Aug 2009 16:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: Nobody's smiling about more GRIN layoffs]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/11/rumor-nobodys-smiling-about-more-grin-layoffs/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/11/rumor-nobodys-smiling-about-more-grin-layoffs/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/11/rumor-nobodys-smiling-about-more-grin-layoffs/#comments It appears that the rumors of layoffs at Stockholm-based developer GRIN are getting worse, with the company itself allegedly on the brink of collapse. Gamasutra has been informed by reliable sources that the studio has had another round of layoffs and that some employees have been told not to show up for work. Two of the company's studios have already shut down, with the main Stockholm office being the next domino.

Despite critical acclaim for Bionic Commando Rearmed, the studio saw sluggish sales and tepid reviews from big-budget titles like Terminator Salvation, Wanted: Weapons of Fate and -- the game that could really have given it a boost -- Bionic Commando. We'll update as we hear more.

JoystiqRumor: Nobody's smiling about more GRIN layoffs originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 11 Aug 2009 09:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bionic-commandobionic-commando-rearmedbusinesscapcomgrinlayoffsterminator-salvationwanted-weapons-of-fateTue, 11 Aug 2009 09:07:00 EST<![CDATA[Bionic Commando, Monster Hunter Freedom Unite 'underperform' in the west]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/31/bionic-commando-monster-hunter-freedom-unite-underperform-in/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/31/bionic-commando-monster-hunter-freedom-unite-underperform-in/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/31/bionic-commando-monster-hunter-freedom-unite-underperform-in/#comments
While Capcom may have reported strong numbers for its first quarter ending June 30, that doesn't mean that everything is rosy. The report mentioned that Bionic Commando and Monster Hunter Freedom Unite failed to perform in the west and, digging a little deeper into Capcom's documents, we've uncovered some more specific details. Bionic Commando, which Capcom released with western audiences in mind, only managed to sell 550,000 copies since its debut in May. Capcom, unsurprisingly, believes the title "underperformed."

Meanwhile, PSP title Monster Hunter Freedom Unite, which has been very successful in Japan, has "performed weakly" in western markets, though it sold 600,000 copies worldwide (not bad for a game that released over a year ago in Japan). The documents don't specify how many copies were sold in western markets, though it's clear the company is disappointed. It's also important to note that Freedom Unite's US release was on June 23, only a week prior to the end of Capcom's first quarter.

JoystiqBionic Commando, Monster Hunter Freedom Unite 'underperform' in the west originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 31 Jul 2009 12:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bionic-commandobusinesscapcommonster-hunter-freedom-uniteFri, 31 Jul 2009 12:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Bionic Commando grapples Steam, soundtrack released]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/29/bionic-commando-grapples-steam-soundtrack-released/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/29/bionic-commando-grapples-steam-soundtrack-released/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/29/bionic-commando-grapples-steam-soundtrack-released/#comments Get ready for a double bionic news whammy. First up, both Bionic Commando and its retro cousin, Bionic Commando Rearmed, are now available on Steam. Bionic Commando can be grappled for $39.99, while Rearmed will make heads explode for only $9.99. If you want to just go crazy and get 'em both, you can save a whole five bucks by picking up the Bionic Commando Pack for $44.99.

In other bionic news, the Bionic Commando soundtrack is now available from Sumthing Digital and iTunes for $9.99. While opinions on Bionic Commando are mixed, the soundtrack is definitely worth checking out (just like its cousin).

[Via 1UP]

JoystiqBionic Commando grapples Steam, soundtrack released originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 29 Jul 2009 04:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bionic-commandobionic-commando-rearmedcapcomgrinsteamWed, 29 Jul 2009 04:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Bionic Commando Rearmed Trophies are almost here]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/21/bionic-commando-rearmed-trophies-are-almost-here/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/21/bionic-commando-rearmed-trophies-are-almost-here/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/21/bionic-commando-rearmed-trophies-are-almost-here/#comments Hey, remember Bionic Commando Rearmed? Probably not, seeing as it came out almost a year ago. It was a pretty decent remake of the NES classic. Only one problem -- it didn't have Trophies. Still, Capcom promised they'd patch them in. Then they canceled that promise. Then they promised again.

Now, finally, we've been told via the company's official Twitter account that the Trophy patch has been approved for the US, with Europe scheduled to be approved in the next few days. The upshot of which is that you "may" be getting your long-awaited Trophies within the next "7 to 10 days." We're pretty sure most of you will have moved on by now, but it's the thought that counts.

JoystiqBionic Commando Rearmed Trophies are almost here originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 21 Jul 2009 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bionic-commandobionic-commando-rearmedBionic-Commando-RemakeBionic-Commando-XBLAcapcomGRINtrophiesTue, 21 Jul 2009 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Bionic Commando swings to PC July 17 in EU, July 28 in US]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/08/bionic-commando-swings-to-pc-july-17-in-eu-july-28-in-us/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/08/bionic-commando-swings-to-pc-july-17-in-eu-july-28-in-us/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/08/bionic-commando-swings-to-pc-july-17-in-eu-july-28-in-us/#comments
If you've been anxiously awaiting Nathan Spencer's latest romp, Bionic Commando, on the PC, then we've got some important days you'll need to mark on your calendar. First up, courtesy of Eurogamer, we know the title will release in Europe on July 17. Capcom has confirmed with us that the game will arrive in North America two weeks later, on July 28.

The PC version of Bionic Commando will feature the same gameplay as its console counterparts, but will boast new features in DirectX 9 and 10 support, higher resolutions, customizable controls and online options. Considering the game only managed to move 27,000 copies on consoles in its first month of US release, we wonder how the PC launch will fare.

JoystiqBionic Commando swings to PC July 17 in EU, July 28 in US originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 08 Jul 2009 20:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bionic-commandocapcomgrinWed, 08 Jul 2009 20:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Bionic Commando, Wheelman, more drop to $20 in GameStop sale]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/08/bionic-commando-wheelman-more-drop-to-20-in-gamestop-sale/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/08/bionic-commando-wheelman-more-drop-to-20-in-gamestop-sale/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/08/bionic-commando-wheelman-more-drop-to-20-in-gamestop-sale/#comments
GameStop is having a sale on a number of games; some of them flops that have plummeted from $60 to $20. Highlights include:
  • Guitar Hero: World Tour (Band Kit) - $90 [360/Wii]
  • Bionic Commando - $20 [PS3/360]
  • Wheelman - $20 [PS3/360]
  • Tom Clancy's HAWX - $20 [PS3/360]
  • Star Wars: The Force Unleashed - $20 [PS3/360]
  • Prince of Persia - $20 [PS3/360]
  • Tom Clancy's EndWar - $20 [PS3/360]
  • Cooking Mama: World Kitchen - $20 [Wii]
  • House of the Dead 2 and 3 Returns - $20 [Wii]
GameStop's summer sale runs from now until August 2. Check out all the goods here.

JoystiqBionic Commando, Wheelman, more drop to $20 in GameStop sale originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 08 Jul 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bionic-commandodealgamestopMicrosoftNintendosalewheelmanWiiXbox-360Wed, 08 Jul 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Bionic Commando Rearmed update coming to XBLA as well]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/29/bionic-commando-rearmed-update-coming-to-xbla-as-well/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/29/bionic-commando-rearmed-update-coming-to-xbla-as-well/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/29/bionic-commando-rearmed-update-coming-to-xbla-as-well/#comments Worried about news that Capcom's Bionic Commando Rearmed was getting patched with Trophy support as well as new difficulty levels on PlayStation Network, with no mention at all of an Xbox Live Arcade patch? We feared the worst and asked Capcom to set us straight. A spokesperson told us, "Yes yes of course, same new Easier modes on both platforms." There you have it!

Eleven days ago Capcom's John Diamonon assured us that the patch (at least on PSN) "should be available real soon"; however, as of today, neither patch has appeared. We'll go ahead and assume the new release date is "really really soon."

Gallery: Bionic Commando Rearmed

JoystiqBionic Commando Rearmed update coming to XBLA as well originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 29 Jun 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Bionic-CommandoBionic-Commando-RearmedBionic-Commando-RemakeBionic-Commando-XBLACapcomGrinXBLAMon, 29 Jun 2009 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Bionic Commando grappled only 27k sales in May]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/15/bionic-commando-grappled-only-27k-sales-in-may/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/15/bionic-commando-grappled-only-27k-sales-in-may/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/15/bionic-commando-grappled-only-27k-sales-in-may/#comments
The new Bionic Commando sold a mere 27,000 units during its first month of sale in the US this May, reports Gamasutra. Well, its "first month" might be stretching it (like a grapple arm) a bit. The title went on sale May 19, which means it was at retail for the Xbox 360 and PS3 for a little under two weeks. Although, even with that caveat, those sales figures still aren't good for the modestly reviewed title, which had plenty of promotion.

Terminator Salvation, also developed by (the allegedly downsized) Grin and released around the same time as BC, sold 43,000 units with exceptionally poor reviews. To really put things in perspective, Bionic Commando Rearmed -- the high-def remake of the classic game -- sold 130,000 copies during its first week late last year.

JoystiqBionic Commando grappled only 27k sales in May originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 15 Jun 2009 10:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bionic-commandocapcomgrinMicrosoftXbox-360Mon, 15 Jun 2009 10:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: GRIN lays off more than 100]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/27/rumor-grin-lays-off-more-than-100/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/27/rumor-grin-lays-off-more-than-100/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/27/rumor-grin-lays-off-more-than-100/#comments
GRIN sort of exploded onto the scene recently with Wanted, Bionic Commando and Terminator Salvation all releasing within a couple of months of each other. Like a star post-supernova though, it seems that the company might be shrinking in on itself. Kotaku's reporting that various sources have indicated to them that the company has let go of more than 100 staff members.

We're working on getting official confirmation from someone at GRIN, we'll let you know what we find out.

JoystiqRumor: GRIN lays off more than 100 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 27 May 2009 20:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bionic-commandocapcomgrinlayoffsrumorterminator-salvationwantedWed, 27 May 2009 20:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Grab Bionic Commando Rearmed on XBLA for $5 this week]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/25/grab-bionic-commando-rearmed-on-xbla-for-5-this-week/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/25/grab-bionic-commando-rearmed-on-xbla-for-5-this-week/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/25/grab-bionic-commando-rearmed-on-xbla-for-5-this-week/#comments Major Nelson received accurate information this week indicating that the Xbox "deal of the week" would be Bionic Commando Rearmed for 400 ($5). A small reminder: to take advantage of the deal, you must have an Xbox Live gold membership, otherwise it'll show as the standard 800 ($10).

It's also worth noting that the Metacritic average for BCR is an 85, while the super new and flashy Bionic Commando is 70. Which one is getting five of your dollars?

JoystiqGrab Bionic Commando Rearmed on XBLA for $5 this week originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 25 May 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Bionic-Commandobionic-commando-rearmedBionic-Commando-RemakeBionic-Commando-XBLAcapcomdeal-of-the-weekgrinMicrosoftXbox-360Mon, 25 May 2009 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Bionic Commando leaderboards swing online]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/20/bionic-commando-leaderboards-swing-online/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/20/bionic-commando-leaderboards-swing-online/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/20/bionic-commando-leaderboards-swing-online/#comments Capcom Unity reports that the leaderboards for Bionic Commando are now viewable on the game's website. The boards are fairly basic, displaying each players overall XP as well as their total kills, deaths and wins. Right now, it looks like the leaderboards are only available for the Xbox 360 version of the game, despite its availability on the PS3 and PC. Alas, there doesn't appear to be a search function, so good luck looking up how awesome you are.

Conversely, it will be much easier for bad players to hide their shame.

JoystiqBionic Commando leaderboards swing online originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 20 May 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bionic-commandocapcomgrinxbox-liveWed, 20 May 2009 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Future Capcom titles hitting Steam day and date with retail; more RE5 DLC considered]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/20/future-capcom-titles-hitting-steam-day-and-date-with-retail-mor/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/20/future-capcom-titles-hitting-steam-day-and-date-with-retail-mor/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/20/future-capcom-titles-hitting-steam-day-and-date-with-retail-mor/#comments
Capcom's business and strategy VP Christian Svensson mentioned in a recent interview that the company plans to release future titles on Steam day and date with retail. ButtonBasher, following up on information provided in a recent Rock Paper Shotgun interview, discussed the topic of PC digital distribution and Svensson noted that Dark Void and Bionic Commando will be available on Steam at the same time as retail. The executive also noted that Capcom's western offices take digital distribution "very seriously."

Svensson added that the company is "considering" more DLC for Resident Evil 5. He notes that "there's nothing to announce by any stretch," but that a request for DLC suggestions on the company forums created a thread that's "hundreds of posts long." That's not really shocking, considering fans are passionate enough to give their blood for RE swag.

[Thanks, Jono]

JoystiqFuture Capcom titles hitting Steam day and date with retail; more RE5 DLC considered originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 20 May 2009 13:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bionic-commandobusinesscapcomchristian-svenssondark-voidimpulseMicrosoftresident-evil-5steamXbox-360Wed, 20 May 2009 13:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Metareview - Bionic Commando (Xbox 360/PS3)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/19/metareview-bionic-commando-xbox-360-ps3/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/19/metareview-bionic-commando-xbox-360-ps3/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/19/metareview-bionic-commando-xbox-360-ps3/#comments
Now that we've subjected you to our own review of Bionic Commando, it's high time we check out what others had to say about Nathan Spencer and his latest exploits. In short, it would seem the game is a success with most outlets. So, swing your eyes below and see what the rest of the gaming community thinks of Capcom's franchise reboot.
  • IGN (80/100): "If you can look past the replayability issues that crop up due to the linear play, you'll find an enjoyable adventure that easily re-establishes the franchise for Capcom."
  • Giant Bomb (80/100): "Bionic Commando goes back and forth between moments of great, navigation-based gameplay and a lot of little touches that don't work as well as you'd like. It makes the final product a little frustrating, because you can almost see a better game trying to bust its way out of its constraints."
  • Eurogamer (70/100): "Bionic Commando succeeds in resurrecting a good idea lost to the Capcom archives, and giving it a new lease of life, but it falls foul of a few old standards in the process."
  • Game Informer (63/100): "It's hard to forget the unresponsive controls, ludicrous story, and questionable combat encounters. The game is uneven and inconsistent enough to scare away even eager fans who have patiently waited 20 years for another swing." [June 2009, p.83]
Source - Metacritic: Bionic Commando (Xbox 360)
Source - Metacritic: Bionic Commando (PS3)

Gallery: Bionic Commando

JoystiqMetareview - Bionic Commando (Xbox 360/PS3) originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 19 May 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bionic-commandocapcomgrinmetareviewMicrosoftXbox-360Tue, 19 May 2009 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq Review: Bionic Commando (single-player)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/18/joystiq-review-bionic-commando-single-player/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/18/joystiq-review-bionic-commando-single-player/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/18/joystiq-review-bionic-commando-single-player/#comments
It figures. Right after I reinvent the face of modern games criticism by deciding not to finish a game I hated, a title comes along that really does get better in its second half: Bionic Commando is a pretty good game, but you'd be hard-pressed to tell from the first few hours.

Make no mistake, I'm not talking about the level of disdain I had for Velvet Assasin. I never really considered giving up on this rethinking of the 8-bit classic. But in Bionic Commando's opening hours, it was hard to stop wondering where Capcom had gone wrong.

Gallery: Bionic Commando

Continue reading Joystiq Review: Bionic Commando (single-player)

JoystiqJoystiq Review: Bionic Commando (single-player) originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 18 May 2009 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bionic-commandocapcomgrinMicrosoftXbox-360Mon, 18 May 2009 14:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Bionic Commando Rearmed NOT swinging in at $5 this week [update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/18/bionic-commando-rearmed-swings-in-at-5-this-week/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/18/bionic-commando-rearmed-swings-in-at-5-this-week/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/18/bionic-commando-rearmed-swings-in-at-5-this-week/#comments Major Nelson notes that this week's Xbox "deal of the week" (which actually lives up to its name, for once) is Bionic Commando Rearmed for 400 ($5). That's less than what you'll spend at the McDonalds drive-thru -- and a whole lot healthier.

The only thing diminishing our fanfare of this deal is that the PSN already dropped the BCR price last week. Either way, the price is something worth jumping for joy over. Sorry, Radd. Too soon for jumping jokes?

Update: The Major was apparently given misinformation. BCR is still $5 on PS3's PSN.

JoystiqBionic Commando Rearmed NOT swinging in at $5 this week [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 18 May 2009 08:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bionic-commandobionic-commando-rearmedBionic-Commando-RemakeBionic-Commando-XBLAcapcomdeal-of-the-weekgrinMon, 18 May 2009 08:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Play Bionic Commando demo with Capcom (again)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/15/play-bionic-commando-demo-with-capcom-again/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/15/play-bionic-commando-demo-with-capcom-again/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/15/play-bionic-commando-demo-with-capcom-again/#comments We have to admit, we were really tempted to copy last week's post about this and just paste it in here. Alas, someone was looking, so the plans were scrapped. Suffice it to say that Capcom is once again hosting a little community playdate with the Bionic Commando demo. If you'd like a chance to own some Capcom fools, simply send an Xbox 360 friend request to "Snow Infernus" -- gamertag of Capcom's Shawn Baxter.

After that, just sign into Live when the action starts at 3:00pm Pacific (6:00pm Eastern). If you get invited to a private match, then congratulations! You're playing with Capcom. Finally, a story worth telling the grandkids someday. Also, sorry, but there is no word on whether or not Bionic Middle Manager will be taking part in the event.

JoystiqPlay Bionic Commando demo with Capcom (again) originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 15 May 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bionic-commandocapcomgrinxbox-liveFri, 15 May 2009 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: The big guns and big moves of Bionic Commando]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/15/video-the-big-guns-and-big-moves-of-bionic-commando/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/15/video-the-big-guns-and-big-moves-of-bionic-commando/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/15/video-the-big-guns-and-big-moves-of-bionic-commando/#comments The latest Lab Report video for Bionic Commando has been released, this time showing off some of the game's weaponry and finishing moves. While we enjoy watching Nathan Spencer -- the game's hero -- hurling boulders at giant robots, our favorite piece of kit in the video has to be the Tarantula gun, which fires fires a cluster of missiles at distant targets. Also shown in the video is what appears to be a female sidekick and a sniping villainess.

A bionic love triangle, perhaps? Let's hope so.

[Via Big Download]

JoystiqVideo: The big guns and big moves of Bionic Commando originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 15 May 2009 04:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bionic-commandocapcomgrinMicrosoftXbox-360Fri, 15 May 2009 04:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Bionic Commando Rearmed drops to $4.99 on PSN]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/14/bionic-commando-rearmed-drops-to-4-99-on-psn/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/14/bionic-commando-rearmed-drops-to-4-99-on-psn/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/14/bionic-commando-rearmed-drops-to-4-99-on-psn/#comments Capcom Unity has announced on its Twitter account that the excellent Bionic Commando Rearmed has received a price cut on the US Playstation Store. Specifically, the once $10 game is now available for only $4.99. If you haven't taken the plunge on the beautifully revamped remake, there's no time like the present.

After all, it's not like you get to explode the head of a resurrected World War 2 dictator every day. And, even if you did, it wouldn't be this cheap.

JoystiqBionic Commando Rearmed drops to $4.99 on PSN originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 14 May 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bionic-commandobionic-commando-rearmedBionic-Commando-RemakeBionic-Commando-XBLAcapcomgrinpsnThu, 14 May 2009 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Capcom inks soundtrack deal over Bionic Commando, more]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/11/capcom-inks-soundtrack-deal-over-bionic-commando-more/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/11/capcom-inks-soundtrack-deal-over-bionic-commando-more/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/11/capcom-inks-soundtrack-deal-over-bionic-commando-more/#comments With a great mechanical appendage, Capcom has reached out and penned a deal with game soundtrack engine Sumthing Else Music Works to bring music from Bionic Commando, as well as other titles, to CDs, Sumthing's own digital distribution channel, Sumthing Digital, and iTunes.

In addition to the king of swing, the agreement will find six other titles from Capcom's catalog getting the soundtrack treatment, including recent releases like Street Fighter IV, Resident Evil 5 and Dead Rising: Chop Till You Drop, as well as upcoming games such as Dark Void, Spyborgs and Monster Hunter Freedom Unite. No release dates for any of the soundtracks have been released. However, given that we're unable to get the catchy tunes heard while swinging through Bionic Commando's recent demo out of our heads, that's one we'll certainly be keeping an ear out for soon.

JoystiqCapcom inks soundtrack deal over Bionic Commando, more originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 11 May 2009 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bionic-commandocapcommusicsoundtracksumthing-else-music-worksMon, 11 May 2009 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[PSA: Play Bionic Commando with Capcom]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/08/psa-play-bionic-commando-with-capcom/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/08/psa-play-bionic-commando-with-capcom/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/08/psa-play-bionic-commando-with-capcom/#comments
Capcom's Shawn Baxter has announced that the company will be hosting a community play session of the Bionic Commando multiplayer demo later today. For your shot at playing with the folks at Capcom, sign on to Xbox Live at 3:00pm Pacific Time (6:00pm Eastern) and send a friend request to "Snow Infernus" (Baxter's gamertag). A few lucky gamers will then be invited to the match.

Of course, you could always just play the demo with your friends.

JoystiqPSA: Play Bionic Commando with Capcom originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 08 May 2009 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bionic-commandocapcomgrinxbox-liveFri, 08 May 2009 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Bionic Commando demo glitch allows friends, extends time limit]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/07/bionic-commando-demo-glitch-allows-friends-extends-time-limit/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/07/bionic-commando-demo-glitch-allows-friends-extends-time-limit/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/07/bionic-commando-demo-glitch-allows-friends-extends-time-limit/#comments If you've put much time into the Bionic Commando multiplayer demo on Xbox Live, you'll be aware of two painful facts. 1) You can't invite friends and 2) five minutes isn't nearly enough time to, ahem, get into the swing of things. If you would like to get rid of both of these annoyances in one swoop, Capcom Unity forum member Toshin has got you covered. The process is pretty simple:
  • Open up the demo and press start, which will open the main menu (with the Xbox Live, Options and Quit Demo selections). Don't leave this screen.
  • Have a friend send you a game invite for any game.
  • Accept the invite, then choose no when it asks if you want to quit your current game session.
  • You will be booted to the demo lobby, only now you can invite friends to the game and the time limit has been removed. Be sure you don't edit either the frag limit or the game mode, as doing so will crash the demo.
We tried it, and it definitely works. Watch the process in the video above.

JoystiqBionic Commando demo glitch allows friends, extends time limit originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 07 May 2009 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bionic-commandocapcomgrinThu, 07 May 2009 17:15:00 EST