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 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[The violence-in-games debate 'didn't matter,' says Carmack]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/30/the-violence-in-games-debate-didnt-matter-says-carmack/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/30/the-violence-in-games-debate-didnt-matter-says-carmack/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/30/the-violence-in-games-debate-didnt-matter-says-carmack/#comments People have been arguing about violence in video games for as long as video games have had violence for people to argue about, and few titles have come under as much sustained fire as Id Software's Doom. It would stand to reason then, that John Carmack, a man who was instrumental in the game's development and the FPS revolution that followed, would be chief among those most affected by the debate's wide-reaching ramifications. Not so much, it turns out.

"I never took seriously the violence in video games debate. It was basically talking points for people to get on CNN and espouse their stuff on there," he said, speaking with IndustryGamers. "In the end it didn't matter, it didn't make any impact on things. I never felt threatened by it and it turned out not to matter." Carmack also believes that violent games help calm agressive players and are, in-fact, good for us: "If you go to QuakeCon and you walk by and you see the people there [and compare that to] a random cross section of a college campus, you're probably going to find a more peaceful crowd of people at the gaming convention."

JoystiqThe violence-in-games debate 'didn't matter,' says Carmack originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 30 Jul 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CarmackDOOMiDid-SoftwareJohn-Carmackmacmicrosoftmobilepcplaystationps3xboxSat, 30 Jul 2011 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Carmack says Rage will look worse on 360 on 2 DVDs]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/04/carmack-says-rage-will-look-worse-on-360-on-2-dvds/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/04/carmack-says-rage-will-look-worse-on-360-on-2-dvds/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/04/carmack-says-rage-will-look-worse-on-360-on-2-dvds/#commentsFiled under:

During the QuakeCon keynote, id Sofware's programming wizard John Carmack made it known that the Xbox 360 version of id's upcoming Rage will look worse than it's PC, Mac, and PS3 counterparts. The reason, according to Carmack, is purely a compression issue and "has nothing to do with the power of the Xbox 360 hardware." The compression needed to squeeze the game onto two DVDs will apparently affect the visual fidelity, and Carmack noted that the royalty fee that a third disc would require is too high. Carmack added that he hoped Microsoft would "make a concession."

Given that Rage is likely to be a very high profile title and that Microsoft has been known to give assistance to developers -- specifically, working with Capcom to accomodate Street Fighter II HD -- it's at least possible they may do the same for id. We're fairly certain the company probably isn't too keen to see a multiplatform title look noticably worse on its platform either. Here's hoping MS sees the light.

[Via Joystiq]

Gallery: RAGE

JoystiqCarmack says Rage will look worse on 360 on 2 DVDs originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 04 Aug 2008 12:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carmackidid-softwarejohn-carmackrageMon, 04 Aug 2008 12:15:00 EST<![CDATA[John Carmack says Blu-ray offers better graphics]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/01/john-carmack-says-blu-ray-offers-better-graphics/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/01/john-carmack-says-blu-ray-offers-better-graphics/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/01/john-carmack-says-blu-ray-offers-better-graphics/#commentsFiled under:

Right now, the PS3 version of id's upcoming shooter, Rage, will offer superior graphics performance on PS3 than Xbox 360. Not because of sheer horsepower, but because of storage. The game is shaping up to be a three disc game, a costly proposition due to Microsoft's licensing fees. Textures would need to be compressed "to fit the game's assets on two DVDs."

Microsoft may have to rescind any fees for additional discs, as it's becoming evident that more developers will require more space in the future. For example, how much compression will Square Enix use for the 360 version of Final Fantasy XIII if making multi-disc games becomes too costly? In the future, we're likely to see more games take advantage of the sheer space offered by Blu-ray disc.

[Via Joystiq; Thanks, stoo!]

JoystiqJohn Carmack says Blu-ray offers better graphics originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 01 Aug 2008 13:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blu-raycarmackdvdidjohn-carmackrageFri, 01 Aug 2008 13:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Gameloft, Id to develop for iPhone]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/10/gameloft-id-to-develop-for-iphone/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/10/gameloft-id-to-develop-for-iphone/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/10/gameloft-id-to-develop-for-iphone/#commentsFiled under:

Joining the ranks of Electronic Arts in game development for the iPhone, Gameloft and id Software have announced their commitment to Apple's portable. According to its press release, Gameloft intends to develop over 15 titles.

In a post on Slashdot, id's programming wizard John Carmack lauded Apple's 70% royalty deal and distribution deal. As for the SDK, Carmack said, "Just based on the blurbs, it looks very good -- a simulator plus debugging on the native device is the best of both worlds." Id also noted it had to put in an application for development like everyone else. Can we get an official version of Doom now?

[Via Engadget]

Read - John Carmack on iPhone SDK
Read - Gameloft Confirms Plans to Develop For iPhone With Over 15 Titles in 2008

JoystiqGameloft, Id to develop for iPhone originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 10 Mar 2008 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applecarmackdoomgameloftidid-softwareiphonejohn-carmackMobileMon, 10 Mar 2008 13:45:00 EST<![CDATA[id confirms Quake Arena DS]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/20/id-confirms-quake-arena-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/20/id-confirms-quake-arena-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/20/id-confirms-quake-arena-ds/#commentsFiled under:

The rumored project from id got a little more possible last week, when husband and wife super-duo John Carmack and Anna Kang commented to Wired that they'd been planning on bringing Wolfenstein to the DS and would like to do the same with Quake Arena (as well as bringing Orcs & Elves to the Wii). Now, it's been confirmed that Quake Arena DS is happening.

Carmack commented that Quake Arena DS would not be made for mobile and DS together, stating "...we're currently looking at potentially two more DS titles in the next year a Wolfenstein title and a Quake Arena title. Wolfenstein 1 being done in concert with a mobile title, the Quake Arena title would be DS specific." He also wants to assure us that the game won't just be another sloppy port and will maximize the handheld's unique features. "We're never going to try and cram a square peg into a round hole with this." He went on further to say "That's kind of our whole theory behind the mobile stuff, is, we're going to do things that work well on mobile, rather than try to do the things that we're historically known for and push it onto mobile."

We're excited, believe us, but if this game doesn't have Wi-Fi Connect support, we're not sure it could work.

[Via AMN]

Joystiqid confirms Quake Arena DS originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 20 Nov 2007 13:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carmackidquakequake-arena-dsTue, 20 Nov 2007 13:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Metareview: Orcs & Elves]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/17/metareview-orcs-and-elves/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/17/metareview-orcs-and-elves/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/17/metareview-orcs-and-elves/#commentsFiled under:


The choice to bring the title to the DS seemed like a no-brainer to id and publisher EA, as Orcs & Elves fared quite well on the mobile phone circuit. And, the critics that have tossed their two pennies into the virtual arena of thought seem to agree that the game has its merits. But, what's scarier, is the fact that the users over at Metacritic find the game to have a lot less value than the critics have said. So, who's to believe?
  • GameDaily (80/100) says "Although it's easy to poke fun at the story, it harkens back to a day when hardcore role players locked themselves in their basements and played Dungeons & Dragons with friends, and because of that, Orcs & Elves has an old school charm missing from the latest Final Fantasys."
  • GameTap (80/100) thinks "Fortunately, graphics aren't what makes a game fun--actual game content does. And while the story doesn't break any new ground, this is a solid little dungeon crawler to spend a few hours with."
  • GameSpy (70/100) is of the mind that "Its simple elements are well-blended in an adventure that only lasts about eight hours but still manages to fill its time with great fighting, fun puzzles and a general nostalgic atmosphere. It might not be for everybody, but it certainly hits a niche that has been neglected by mainstream developers in recent years."
Have any of you picked up the game yet, or given it a try?

JoystiqMetareview: Orcs & Elves originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 17 Nov 2007 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carmackeaidorcsandelvesSat, 17 Nov 2007 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Checking out spell casting in Orcs & Elves]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/26/checking-out-spell-casting-in-orcs-and-elves/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/26/checking-out-spell-casting-in-orcs-and-elves/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/26/checking-out-spell-casting-in-orcs-and-elves/#commentsFiled under: ,


While we'll agree that Orcs & Elves could definitely use some better graphics, as well as maybe a more intuitive control scheme as far as controlling your character's movement goes (not the spell casting, that certainly looks fun enough), but that doesn't mean we're just going to write the game off.

1UP recently got their hands on the game and found it to be oddly engaging. They obviously share our sentiment that the game lacks a fine touch in the graphics department, but feel the rest of the title they were lucky enough to get their hands on was actually pretty good. We're happy to hear that, to be honest.

Read - Spellcasting trailer
Read - 1UP preview

JoystiqChecking out spell casting in Orcs & Elves originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 26 Oct 2007 16:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carmackeaidorcsandelvesFri, 26 Oct 2007 16:40:00 EST<![CDATA[John Carmack ponders Orcs & Elves on Wii]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/04/john-carmack-ponders-orcs-and-elves-on-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/04/john-carmack-ponders-orcs-and-elves-on-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/04/john-carmack-ponders-orcs-and-elves-on-wii/#commentsFiled under:

"Maybe we will do a Wii version next... with a magic wand."

Those were the words of John Carmack, CTO and co-founder of id Software. While his company has made their fortune in the PC sector, the company has also outsourced development for some of its titles for gaming consoles, as well as most recently entering the mobile phone market. Now, they're bringing one of their mobile phone games, Orcs & Elves, to the DS.

But, John apparently thinks the game could do well on the Wii. Having never played Orcs & Elves before, we're looking forward to the DS installment. Still, the premise of utilizing the Wiimote as a wand, casting spells and cleaning up dungeons, is one we can get behind.

Any of you play Orcs & Elves before? Think the game can be adapted for the Wii?

JoystiqJohn Carmack ponders Orcs & Elves on Wii originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 04 Oct 2007 22:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carmackidid-softwarejohn-carmackorcs-and-elvesThu, 04 Oct 2007 22:11:00 EST<![CDATA[Quake Arena to rock the DS?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/06/quake-arena-to-rock-the-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/06/quake-arena-to-rock-the-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/06/quake-arena-to-rock-the-ds/#commentsFiled under:

John Carmack may have released quite a big cat from quite a big bag at QuakeCon. He made comments in regards to a version of Quake Arena making its way to the DS during his keynote. He also said that, should it happen, he'd want a different control scheme than you may initially expect.

Unlike the touch-screen input of Metroid Prime Hunters, Carmack voiced his opinion that a d-pad, restricted movement control scheme like that of Doom would be better-suited to the title. Personally, if this were even to happen, we'd prefer the touch-screen controls, as they more closely resemble the mouse and keyboard. Of course, Carmack's intent to put the game on the DS isn't anything new, but it's certainly a bit more plausible now, if we may say so.

JoystiqQuake Arena to rock the DS? originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 06 Aug 2007 12:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carmackidquakeMon, 06 Aug 2007 12:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Romero unearths unreleased Doom music]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/25/romero-unearths-unreleased-doom-music/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/25/romero-unearths-unreleased-doom-music/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/25/romero-unearths-unreleased-doom-music/#commentsFiled under: , ,

So you think you know everything about Doom, huh? You've beaten all the games on Nightmare without cheats? Played every fan-made WAD you could get your hands on? You're listening to a megamix of Doom MIDIs right now, aren't you? Well we've got some tunes here that we can guarantee aren't on your playlist.

Doom co-creator John Romero has posted these unreleased tracks on his blog with the warning that, much like deleted scenes on DVDs, "there's a reason these weren't released - they're not very good." And he's right -- with a few exceptions, the tracks are overly repetitive and a bit wonky. Still, if you worship anything and everything Doom-related, then, uh, I guess you should start worshiping ... because these are definitely Doom-related. Yeah!

JoystiqRomero unearths unreleased Doom music originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 25 Jun 2007 14:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carmackclassicdoomFPSjohn romeroJohnRomeromusicPCromerounreleasedMon, 25 Jun 2007 14:56:00 EST<![CDATA[Id has new IP, keep wishing for that Cmdr. Keen remake]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/31/id-has-new-i-p/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/31/id-has-new-i-p/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/31/id-has-new-i-p/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Id Software is working on a new game ... and it's not Doom, Quake, Wolfenstein or even Commander Keen related -- it's new. According to Id's CEO Todd Hollenshead the company is finishing off Enemy Territory: Quake Wars and moving onto this new game with a new engine developed by John Carmack.

Hollenshead told GI.biz, "It is a new Id brand with an all-new John Carmack engine and I think that when we show it to people, once again they'll see, just like they saw when we first showed Doom 3, that John Carmack still has a lot of magic left."

Hollenshead said they aren't ready to talk or show anything of the new concept. He says they like to play show and tell when they announce a game and they're just not ready to get in front of the class just yet. Hopefully we'll get something before or right around when Enemy Territory ships for PC, and then for PS3 and Xbox 360, later this year.

JoystiqId has new IP, keep wishing for that Cmdr. Keen remake originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 31 May 2007 17:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carmackdoomenemy territoryidipPCPS3quakeXbox-360Thu, 31 May 2007 17:26:00 EST<![CDATA[Carmack blasts Vista gaming initiative]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/11/carmack-blasts-vista-gaming-initiative/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/11/carmack-blasts-vista-gaming-initiative/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/11/carmack-blasts-vista-gaming-initiative/#commentsFiled under: ,

nope, not gonna upgradeid Software's John Carmack isn't ready for his studio to make the jump to Windows Vista. "Nothing is going to help a new game by going to a new operating system. There were some clear wins going from Windows 95 to Windows XP for games, but there really aren't any for Vista," Carmack recently told Game Informer during a lengthy interview, which also featured id colleague Todd Hollenshead.

While Carmack remains keen on Xbox 360, he thinks the Vista initiative is bogus, accusing Microsoft of using the new OS's "artificial" tie with DirectX 10 to lure consumers (and developers). "They're really grasping at straws for reasons to upgrade the operating system. I suspect I could run XP for a great many more years without having a problem with it," concluded Carmack. Good news for those content with XP.

[Via GamesIndustry.biz]

See also: Games for Windows Vista: how the new brand & OS will change PC gaming

JoystiqCarmack blasts Vista gaming initiative originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 11 Jan 2007 23:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CarmackDirectXDirectX 10Directx10Games for WindowsGamesForWindowsid SoftwareIdSoftwareJohn CarmackJohnCarmackPCVistaWindowsXPThu, 11 Jan 2007 23:26:00 EST<![CDATA[Orcs & Elves to take arms on the DS]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/09/orcs-and-elves-to-take-arms-on-the-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/09/orcs-and-elves-to-take-arms-on-the-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/09/orcs-and-elves-to-take-arms-on-the-ds/#commentsFiled under: ,

During an interview, id's John Carmack drops a bomb on us all, revealing that the company's game Orcs & Elves is headed to the DS. For those unaware, Orcs & Elves is one of the company's recent projects in the cell phone gaming community. John hopes that the game can be improved on Nintendo's handheld and is hoping "to do a DS game version of Orcs and Elves, moving over and enhancing the cell phone game on there, which would be our first real direct entry back into the Nintendo world."

Many of Nintendo's loyal had bad things to say about the guy and his company, and for good reason. However, the prospect of getting a Doom game on the DS is something we can get behind. What about you guys? Think that Orcs & Elves on the DS is something that noone will care about or enjoy?

JoystiqOrcs & Elves to take arms on the DS originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 09 Jan 2007 13:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carmackdoomdsdsliteelvesidlitenintendonintendodsnintendodsliteorcsorcsandelvesTue, 09 Jan 2007 13:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Carmack: Nintendo isn't really our thing]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/09/carmack-nintendo-isnt-really-our-thing/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/09/carmack-nintendo-isnt-really-our-thing/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/09/carmack-nintendo-isnt-really-our-thing/#commentsFiled under:

If you don't know the name John Carmack, then it's likely you aren't one who's ever traversed the hellish landscape of both Mars and, well...Hell. You've never taken a chainsaw to an Imp's face and you've likely never obliterated a Cyberdemon with a Big F**king Gun. Well, John Carmack, who is the id Software co-owner/technical director, recently spoke at Quakecon, commenting on both Nintendo platforms.

In regards to the Wii, John apparently wasn't all that impressed with it (GASP!) and commented that he had yet to even try anything on it. Citing that id Software had really no business relationship with Nintendo, nor had they worked with them in the past, Carmack didn't seem as though he was excited for the possibilities that the Wii presents. This is especially odd, considering that the bread and butter (FPS games) for id is such an easy fit for the control scheme of the system.

JoystiqCarmack: Nintendo isn't really our thing originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 09 Aug 2006 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carmackdoomidnintendosoftwarewiiWed, 09 Aug 2006 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Mobile MMOs in Carmack's future?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/19/mobile-mmos-in-carmacks-future/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/19/mobile-mmos-in-carmacks-future/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/19/mobile-mmos-in-carmacks-future/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

After recent mobile efforts including Doom and Orcs and Elves, John Carmack may have a new trick up his sleeve. Speaking to CNN Money, Carmack outlines his fears for the industry -- the unexpected cost of episodic gaming, along with security problems, make up his main concerns.

With id's recent move to the mobile phone platform, Carmack's got plans. By trying out franchises on cell phones before risking a big-budget console or PC title, games become a safer bet; Carmack's also "really into the idea of a massively multiplayer cell phone title". While some MMOs have made forays into the mobile world, an exclusive massively multiplayer mobile game is a fairly novel idea -- it may even help the flagging mobile market.

[Via Gamesindustry.biz]

JoystiqMobile MMOs in Carmack's future? originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 19 May 2006 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carmackcellphoneidmmommorpgmobilemobile phoneMobilePhonewirelessFri, 19 May 2006 18:59:00 EST<![CDATA[John Carmack on Doom RPG]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2005/12/28/john-carmack-on-doom-rpg-/http://www.joystiq.com/2005/12/28/john-carmack-on-doom-rpg-/http://www.joystiq.com/2005/12/28/john-carmack-on-doom-rpg-/#commentsFiled under: ,

The UK's Guardian Gamesblog recently got a chance to ask John Carmack seven hurried questions, and as a result John's rather terse replies chiefly talk about Doom RPG and the challenges posed by the mobile platform. Input and 3D capabilities are both sticking points for mobile developers, though John remarks that "it won't be too many evolutionary steps before you can get a cell phone with more guts than an Xbox."

Outside of the mobile sphere, there's also the cryptic (and hence entirely meaningless) remark that there's "something in store" for the next generation of PC hardware, and some advice to would-be independent games developers: "An independent breakout needs to be clever and cost effective." Wise words indeed.

JoystiqJohn Carmack on Doom RPG originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 28 Dec 2005 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carmackdoomWed, 28 Dec 2005 15:00:00 EST