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[Atari fiscal Q3 results indicate revival for embattled publisher]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/16/atari-fiscal-q3-results-indicate-revival-for-embattled-publisher/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/16/atari-fiscal-q3-results-indicate-revival-for-embattled-publisher/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/16/atari-fiscal-q3-results-indicate-revival-for-embattled-publisher/#comments Atari may not have published a ton of games in 2009, but that doesn't mean the company hasn't been picking up the bottom line. In a press release that reads like the exact opposite of those we saw from the company just a few years ago, CEO Jeff Lapin celebrates the €92.5 million ($126.25 million) in revenue earned in the nine months ending December 31, saying "the company has now strengthened its equity and is in a position to work on an expanded publishing plan." In so many words, Lapin's suggesting that Atari is financially bouncing back and maybe even gearing up to (dare we say it?) make more games.

The company cites sales of Ghostbusters, Chronicles of Riddick, Backyard Football, and Champions Online for bolstering revenues in fiscal Q3 and looks forward to a better 2010. The recent release of Star Trek Online certainly doesn't seem to be hurting his confidence in that department. Lapin says that he's "very enthusiastic about the launch" of the "promising MMO game."

But things aren't all gumdrops and money hats -- the Q3 revenues were still down by 1.9% year-over-year. We won't find out the full year's earnings until late May, but for now we'll comfort ourselves with the knowledge that the publisher's next title, Project Runway, is coming in a few short weeks. Finally!

Source (PDF) - Atari announces 9-month revenues for FY 2009/2010; [via Big Download]

JoystiqAtari fiscal Q3 results indicate revival for embattled publisher originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 16 Feb 2010 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ataribackyard-footballchampions-onlinechronicles-of-riddickfinancialsfy-2009-2010ghostbustersjeff-lapinMicrosoftmmomoneyNintendoproject-runwayq3star-trek-onlineWiiXbox-360Tue, 16 Feb 2010 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Tigon's Ian Stevens: For Hollywood, 'making video games has been the same thing as making action figures']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/30/tigons-ian-stevens-for-hollywood-making-video-games-has-been/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/30/tigons-ian-stevens-for-hollywood-making-video-games-has-been/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/30/tigons-ian-stevens-for-hollywood-making-video-games-has-been/#comments
Running Tigon Studios is a bit of a strange job to have. Ian Stevens, the man in charge, is responsible for not just organizing development talent to make games like this year's Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena, but also working with Hollywood. And, unsurprisingly, he says it's a bit of an uphill battle, telling GamesIndustry.biz, "It's really hard to take something that's native to a certain medium and just draw a line, which is what people are usually trying to do [with games based on movies.]"

He equates the attention Hollywood has been giving to game versions of its films with "action figures, pictures on cereal boxes, and [themed] pajamas," saying it's just part of the "licensing and merchandising" of a property, rather than creating something unique and well-crafted from the start. Furthermore, Stevens says that the development studios who are working with nothing (think Ben 10) and making something -- anything -- out of it, are the real talent in the industry. "If you gave that team in Newcastle [Midway Newcastle] - through all that they've struggled with, technology, corporate business, all these different things - the kind of opportunity that someone like Valve has," he says, leaving us to postulate on the ending there. We'll let you guys fill that in all by yourselves.

JoystiqTigon's Ian Stevens: For Hollywood, 'making video games has been the same thing as making action figures' originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chronicles-of-riddickchronicles-of-riddick-assault-on-dark-athenagamesindustry.bizhollywoodian-stevenslicensed-gamesmidwaymidway-newcastletigontigon-studiosubisoftvin-dieselTue, 30 Jun 2009 14:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Tigon's Ian Stevens sees an evolving relationship between gaming and Hollywood]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/25/tigons-ian-stevens-sees-an-evolving-relationship -between-gaming-and-hollywoo/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/25/tigons-ian-stevens-sees-an-evolving-relationship -between-gaming-and-hollywoo/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/25/tigons-ian-stevens-sees-an-evolving-relationship -between-gaming-and-hollywoo/#comments
No stranger to the Stiq, Tigon Studios head Ian Stevens has been talking Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena post-mortem recently. While speaking to GamesIndustry.biz, though, Stevens discussed the game industry and Hollywood becoming closer bedfellows, mostly due to -- wait for it -- money! Considering the $22 billion gaming made in the US in 2008, we're not exactly surprised when he says, "Hollywood and games, over the next decade, you'll see some really interesting things happen."

When asked whether he believes Hollywood's attitude towards gaming has changed over the past five years, he seems somewhat wishy-washy, saying, "It certainly has [but] people in Hollywood struggle to understand the creative decisions that we make." And that's likely how we end up with treasures like 2004's Van Helsing, which Stevens says took precedence over the first Chronicles of Riddick game, Escape From Butcher Bay. How the tables have turned, eh Ian?

JoystiqTigon's Ian Stevens sees an evolving relationship between gaming and Hollywood originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 25 Jun 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>assault-on-dark-athenabusinesschronicles-of-riddickchronicles-of-riddick-assault-on-dark-athenagamesindustry.bizhollywoodian-stevensindustrytigontigon-studiosThu, 25 Jun 2009 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Starbreeze: Indie studios 'always' more creative than corporate studios]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/19/starbreeze-indie-studios-always-more-creative-than-corporate/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/19/starbreeze-indie-studios-always-more-creative-than-corporate/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/19/starbreeze-indie-studios-always-more-creative-than-corporate/#comments
Speaking with Develop, Starbreeze Studios CEO Johan Kristiansson discussed his feelings about game development, specifically as it relates to independent studios. The subjects of the interview range from the decision to release Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena in April -- the game debuted at #2 in the UK but failed to make the top 10 in North America -- to the advantages of using established franchises versus creating new IP. Perhaps the most interesting part of the interview comes near the end, when Kristiansson discusses the differences between the independent and corporate development environments.

According to Kristiansson, corporate development environments can stifle creativity, as decisions are made more slowly. He stated that independent developers have "a stronger feeling of ownership-attachment to their properties," adding that indie studios can develop "a more tightly knit team" over time.

"An independent studio is always going to be more creative," said Kristiansson, noting that publishers should allow developers to maintain control over production. He concluded, "If indies are too close to their publishers, that can also damage the decision making process and the overall game quality."

JoystiqStarbreeze: Indie studios 'always' more creative than corporate studios originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 19 May 2009 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chronicles-of-riddickchronicles-of-riddick-assault-on-dark-athenastarbreezestarbreeze-studiosTue, 19 May 2009 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[NPD chronicles 100K debut for Riddick's Assault on Dark Athena]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/15/npd-chronicles-100k-debut-for-riddicks-assault-on-dark-athena/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/15/npd-chronicles-100k-debut-for-riddicks-assault-on-dark-athena/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/15/npd-chronicles-100k-debut-for-riddicks-assault-on-dark-athena/#comments
Despite staying well outside the game media's chronicles of ridicule, Starbreeze's Vin Diesel star vehicle (note: not the one that's about him driving vehicles) failed to appear among the NPD group's list of top sellers for April. According to the NPD's Anita Frazier, The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena sold 100,000 units across all platforms during its debut month. Oddly, the NPD data includes figures for March, even though the official North American release was on April 7th.

Since Starbreeze's previous effort, gothic comic adaptation The Darkness, broke into the top ten in June 2007, Riddick's performance may seem disappointing, especially in the face of positive word-of-mouth and a relatively quiet release month. Without a new tie-in film to generate buzz, the impetus fell on Atari's marketing -- and it seems to have failed to convince gamers that Vin Diesel still has some gas left in him.

Atari hadn't responded to our calls at the time of publishing, nor our suggestion to feed Vin a spicy burrito.

JoystiqNPD chronicles 100K debut for Riddick's Assault on Dark Athena originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 15 May 2009 16:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atarichronicles-of-riddickfpsMicrosoftnpdstarbreezeXbox-360Fri, 15 May 2009 16:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Metareview - Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/09/metareview-chronicles-of-riddick-assault-on-dark-athena/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/09/metareview-chronicles-of-riddick-assault-on-dark-athena/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/09/metareview-chronicles-of-riddick-assault-on-dark-athena/#comments
It's a strange concept, but Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena might be 2009's answer (in value) to The Orange Box. Riddick's return essentially includes three games for the price of one, with Butcher Bay, Assault on Dark Athena and new multiplayer features rounding out the retail package. Sure, the quality bar may not be as high as Valve's five-game release, but value is important. Here's the word around the industry campfire about Riddick's HD outing (a second opinion since you've already read our review, right?):
  • GamePro (90/100): "But when you step back and consider the entire package, you start to appreciate Dark Athena for what it truly is. Instead, look at Dark Athena as a flawed yet enjoyable way to extend the thrill ride that is Escape from Butcher Bay."
  • GameTrailers (84/100): "The Escape may handily trump the Assault, but neophyte Riddicks have a unique experience to work through. Though vets who return may begrudge Athena, it's doubtful they won't finish. It's an abridged effort, and more of a dreaded point-five than a true sequel, but with both missions it still reigns as the best first-person, melee, stealth, parkour game featuring Vin Diesel."
  • 1UP (B-): "As a product, this package is recommendable to anyone who hasn't experienced the first game, or wishes to add it back to their current library. It also includes a surprisingly fun multiplayer suite, with the Riddick vs. Everyone Else mode "Pitch Black" as the main attraction. But as single-player games, the unsatisfying Dark Athena should be played as a curiosity and then put back where it belongs: in Butcher Bay's shadow."
  • Worthplaying (75/100): "Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena is half excellent game, half mediocre game. Unfortunately, the excellent half is the same game that was released years ago, just with a small new segment taken from the PC port."
Source - Metacritic: Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena (X360)
Source - Metacritic: Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena (PS3)

Gallery: The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena

JoystiqMetareview - Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 09 Apr 2009 18:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>assault-on-dark-athenachronicles-of-riddickchronicles-of-riddick-assault-on-dark-athenametareviewMicrosoftvin-dieselXbox-360Thu, 09 Apr 2009 18:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq Review: Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/08/joystiq-review-chronicles-of-riddick-assault-on-dark-athena/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/08/joystiq-review-chronicles-of-riddick-assault-on-dark-athena/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/08/joystiq-review-chronicles-of-riddick-assault-on-dark-athena/#comments
This is an exceedingly weird release. On the same disc, you've got an older, graphically-juiced version of the classic Escape from Butcher Bay paired with Assault on Dark Athena, a modern take on the same game, but one that never feels like anything more than an expansion.

So, as the game's targeting a lot of different audiences, I thought I'd write short, separate reviews for each of these groups. I know, it's totally Web 3.0.

If you played and liked Butcher Bay: You're going to want this. You can't play your old version on your 360, and besides, the new version looks great. The one thing you may have forgotten from BB that hasn't aged so well? Load times. Seriously, when you're going from one area to another in the prison, it's brutal. We're talking 13 to 15 seconds every couple of minutes in some sections. The good stuff's still there, though. Melee combat is satisfyingly brutal, voice acting's great, and the stealth is really intuitive and well-handled.

Gallery: The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena

Continue reading Joystiq Review: Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena

JoystiqJoystiq Review: Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 08 Apr 2009 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>assault-on-dark-athenaatarichronicles-of-riddickchronicles-of-riddick-assault-on-dark-athenaMicrosoftstarbreezeXbox-360Wed, 08 Apr 2009 14:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena trailers to tide you over]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/02/riddick-assault-on-dark-athena-trailers-to-tide-you-over/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/02/riddick-assault-on-dark-athena-trailers-to-tide-you-over/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/02/riddick-assault-on-dark-athena-trailers-to-tide-you-over/#comments
For some, the April 7 release of Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena can't come soon enough. To help ease the pain of waiting, we present two new trailers from the game (viewable after the break). The first clip shows our anti-hero storming one of the ship's generators, while the second clip showcases the many enemies that try to get in Riddick's way. Oh, you silly NPCs ...

If you want your experience to be extra authentic, shave your head, turn off the lights, and don some shades while watching. Around the office, we call that Vin-O-vision.

Source - Generator room gameplay
Source - Riddick's enemies vignette

Continue reading Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena trailers to tide you over

JoystiqRiddick: Assault on Dark Athena trailers to tide you over originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 02 Apr 2009 03:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fans of the surprisingly well-crafted Escape from Butcher Bay have likely been salivating over the brutal possibilities offered by the multiplayer mode featured in its successor, Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena. With six different gameplay modes and 15 levels to choose from, the "shiv-happy" among you will probably have enough to keep yourselves busy for quite some time -- just in case, developer Starbreeze Studios will reportedly be dropping a five-map DLC pack some time after the game's release.

Little is known about the pricing, release schedule or arrangement of these extra maps, but given the gaming community's lack of enthusiasm for DLC that's announced for yet-to-be-released games, we suggest the additional levels have some extremely catchy titles. We suggest Shanktown, Knifewound Central, Laceration Station, or Stabbythroat Junction.

JoystiqRiddick: Assault on Dark Athena getting DLC map pack originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 28 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>assault-on-dark-athenaatarichronicles-of-riddickchronicles-of-riddick-assault-on-dark-athenadlcmap-packMicrosoftmultiplayerstarbreeze-studiosXbox-360Sat, 28 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Riddick dev diary drones on about drones]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/20/riddick-dev-diary-drones-on-about-drones/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/20/riddick-dev-diary-drones-on-about-drones/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/20/riddick-dev-diary-drones-on-about-drones/#commentsAtari has released a new developer diary video for Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena. The video centers around the game's story, which the developers at Starbreeze consider the next chapter in the Chronicles of Riddick saga. The video also spends a great deal of time talking about the drone enemy. The drone is essentially a cyborg with rudimentary AI that can also be controlled remotely. Kind of a crappy life, really.

Finally, the video highlights the different ways the game can be played. According to the developers, it's possible to play the game guns blazing or in a stealthier manner. Us, we'll probably opt for the method with the heaviest use of Riddick's razor-sharp "ulak" blades.

Check out some new screens in the gallery below.

Gallery: The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena (3/20/09)

JoystiqRiddick dev diary drones on about drones originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 20 Mar 2009 20:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atarichronicles-of-riddickchronicles-of-riddick-assault-on-dark-athenaMicrosoftriddickstarbreezestarbreeze-studiostigon-studiosXbox-360Fri, 20 Mar 2009 20:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Trophies: Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/10/trophies-chronicles-of-riddick-assault-on-dark-athena/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/10/trophies-chronicles-of-riddick-assault-on-dark-athena/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/10/trophies-chronicles-of-riddick-assault-on-dark-athena/#comments
1 Platinum
3 Gold
5 Silver
45 Bronze
 Difficulty: Difficult
Online Trophies? Yes
Time to Completion: 30 hours
DLC Trophies? No
View Trophy List Read More About the Game

Gallery: The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena

Continue reading Trophies: Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena

JoystiqTrophies: Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 10 Mar 2009 16:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>assault-on-dark-athenachronicles-of-riddickriddicktrophiestrophyTue, 10 Mar 2009 16:06:00 EST<![CDATA[Riddick's Assault on Dark Athena demo up on XBLM, full of 'ulaks']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/04/riddicks-assault-on-dark-athena-demo-up-on-xblm-full-of-ulaks/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/04/riddicks-assault-on-dark-athena-demo-up-on-xblm-full-of-ulaks/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/04/riddicks-assault-on-dark-athena-demo-up-on-xblm-full-of-ulaks/#comments
Gravelly-voiced space crook news now, with a demo version of The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena arriving on the Xbox Live Marketplace. In addition to piloting Vin Diesel through the presumably dark corridors of the titular Athena, you'll be able to pilot a "drone" through one of the demo's segments. We're not really sure how different those two really are, but the latter makes for an interesting bullet point in the press release.

Those uninterested in bullets can also take a stab at wielding Riddick's "razor-sharp ulaks," though we'll remind you that bringing an ulak to a disintegrator fight is always a bad idea. Look for the demo on PSN later this March, and the full game on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 on April 7th (April 24th if you live in Europe).

Gallery: The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena (3/4/09)

JoystiqRiddick's Assault on Dark Athena demo up on XBLM, full of 'ulaks' originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 04 Mar 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Assault-on-Dark-AthenaChronicles-of-RiddickChronicles-of-Riddick-Assault-on-Dark-AthenaDemoFPSMicrosoftStardockVin-DieselXBLMXbox-360Xbox-LiveWed, 04 Mar 2009 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Riddick assaults Dark Athena April 7 in North America, Europe April 24]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/23/riddick-assaults-dark-athena-april-7-in-north-america-europe-ap/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/23/riddick-assaults-dark-athena-april-7-in-north-america-europe-ap/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/23/riddick-assaults-dark-athena-april-7-in-north-america-europe-ap/#comments
Riddick better get all those dark, monotone soliloquies out of his system before assaulting the Dark Athena crew on April 7 in North America, and April 24 in Europe. Atari sends word that The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena will be available for PC, PS3 and X360, with demos releasing in March for the console versions.

Don't forget that Dark Athena also comes with an enhanced Escape from Butcher's Bay, so there'll be plenty of Riddick packed onto the disc come April.

Update: Big Download has word that a PC demo is in the works. No word of when it'll release, though.

Gallery: The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena

JoystiqRiddick assaults Dark Athena April 7 in North America, Europe April 24 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 23 Feb 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>assault-on-dark-athenaatarichronicles-of-riddickchronicles-of-riddick-assault-on-dark-athenaMicrosoftriddickstarbreezestarbreeze-studiosXbox-360Mon, 23 Feb 2009 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena gets new trailer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/22/riddick-assault-on-dark-athena-gets-new-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/22/riddick-assault-on-dark-athena-gets-new-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/22/riddick-assault-on-dark-athena-gets-new-trailer/#commentsFiled under: , ,

We hope we're not alone in this, but we sure miss Vin Diesel when we don't get to see him for a while. The reasons should be more than evident in this new trailer for Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena, which we've just lifted from our friends at Xbox 360 Fanboy.

Vin Diesel is a video game character. He's bald, he's buff, he speaks only in low growls and he loves to kill people. All he's missing is a bitchin' rock guitar soundtrack to follow him around everywhere, and we think you'll agree that the above trailer fills that need effortlessly.

JoystiqRiddick: Assault on Dark Athena gets new trailer originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 22 Jan 2009 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atarichronicles-of-riddickchronicles-of-riddick-assault-on-dark-athenaPS3starbreezevin-dieselXbox-360Thu, 22 Jan 2009 15:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: Riddick - Assault on Dark Athena 'Desperation' trailer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/22/video-riddick-assault-on-dark-athena-desperation-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/22/video-riddick-assault-on-dark-athena-desperation-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/22/video-riddick-assault-on-dark-athena-desperation-trailer/#commentsFiled under:

We couldn't have been more excited when we heard that one of the most under appreciated original Xbox titles, The Chronicles of Riddick, was going to get a next-gen upgrade. When we heard the upgrade also included an entire new campaign plus new multiplayer modes, our heads nearly exploded. Above is the latest trailer, titled "Desperation," for The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena, which showcases stealth action, both hand-to-hand and weapon combat, and more legendary Vin Diesel dialog.

JoystiqVideo: Riddick - Assault on Dark Athena 'Desperation' trailer originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 22 Jan 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>assault-on-dark-athenaatarichronicles-of-riddickstarbreezetigontrailerx3f-twitterThu, 22 Jan 2009 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Dark Athena is an 'episodic expansion']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/17/dark-athena-an-episodic-expansion/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/17/dark-athena-an-episodic-expansion/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/17/dark-athena-an-episodic-expansion/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Even with a new 10-hour campaign to its credit, we'd suggest portioning out your time with Starbreeze's shiny remake of The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay when it arrives next spring. According to Eurogamer, Tigon Studios views the upcoming Assault on Dark Athena as an "episodic expansion" to the original Xbox classic, while an actual sequel is still "a couple of years out."

The Diesel-fueled developer calls the theoretical sequel "ambitious," adding that its arrival is largely contingent on whether or not the fans like the upcoming title and "tell us [they] want more." In short, money talks if players want to continue to live vicariously through Vin Diesel's manly virtual physique. Then again, there's always The Wheelman ... maybe.

JoystiqDark Athena is an 'episodic expansion' originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 17 Dec 2008 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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With new publisher in tow, and new 10-hour campaign out in the open, Starbreeze's more-make-than-remake Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena is barreling towards that early 2009 release with a few more tricks up its sleeve ... well, Riddick rocks a tank-top, but you get the idea. CVG has details about the game's multiplayer modes - yup, they're adding in multiplayer, where the original 2004 release had none. Now, we're with you: not every FPS needs a multiplayer mode - more often than not, they seem like back-of-the-box bullet-point more than integral component - but let's give Dark Athena a chance, shall we?

In addition to standard-issue 12-player deathmatch and CTF modes, Dark Athena boasts an interesting "Butcher Bay Riot" gametype featuring three teams of four players each, ranging from guards to mercenaries to prisoners, each trying to make their way to a "central power cell." More interesting than that: a "Pitch Black" gametype featuring a (get this!) pitch black arena full of grunts armed with little more than a flashlight and a gun, each looking for he-can-totally-see-in-the-dark Riddick. Kill Riddick and you're Riddick next round. Rinse, repeat. With 20 maps "planned" for the final product, it sounds like Dark Athena's multiplayer may be more than an afterthought - but we'll let you know as soon as we see it.

Gallery: The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena

JoystiqChronicles of Riddick multiplayer includes 'Pitch Black' mode (no word on grues) originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 05 Dec 2008 20:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AtariChronicles-of-RiddickChronicles-of-Riddick-Assault-on-Dark-AthenaPS3RiddickStarbreezeTigonXbox-360Fri, 05 Dec 2008 20:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Riddick debut trailer is dark, gravelly]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/04/riddick-debut-trailer-is-dark-gravelly/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/04/riddick-debut-trailer-is-dark-gravelly/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/04/riddick-debut-trailer-is-dark-gravelly/#commentsFiled under:

"The darkness, for me, is where I shine," says Vin Diesel as Riddick, his greatest character (apart from the Iron Giant, of course). While it's clear that his daily breakfast of Gravel-Os probably ruined his chances at a singing career, it's also obvious that Riddick has a bright future in killing people with knives. Put bluntly (sharply?), The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena looks great, as is made plainly clear by the debut trailer above. Given that the game is being made by the same team that made the original (which fared very well), we're hopeful that it plays just as good as it looks. We'll find out when the game ships early next year.

JoystiqRiddick debut trailer is dark, gravelly originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 04 Dec 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Our PC loving brethren over at Big Download recently got a chance to sit down for a hands-off session of The Chronicles: Assault on Dark Athena. Dark Athena is essentially two games in one, as it is both a remake of the first Riddick title, Escape from Butcher Bay, and it also includes a brand new campaign entitled (you guessed it) Assault on Dark Athena. Fans of the original will be happy to hear that the new campaign can be started from the outset, so it won't be necessary to play the enhanced original unless you want to.

Big Download notes that the entire team that created Escape from Butcher Bay has returned to work on Dark Athena, ensuring that the game is more than just a simple remake. Dark Athena takes place directly after the first game, with Riddick tasked with escaping the Dark Athena, a ship replete with shadows and enemies that need killing. Among the new enemies are Drones, remote controlled androids that Riddick can incapacitate and use as shields. Riddick can also ustilise an incapacitated Drone's gun and, with the help of a control station, can even control Drones directly. This comes in handy should you find heavy opposition or otherwise impassable obstacles. Overall, it sounds like the game is shaping up well for its 2009 release.

Head over to Big Download for full impressions.

JoystiqNew impressions of Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 03 Dec 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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click to enlarge
It's no secret that Atari rescued Starbreeze Studios' hi-def remake of The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay after Activision-Blizzard kicked it to the curb. What you don't know - and we didn't know until we recently saw it in action - is that those added "Dark Athena" levels are quite substantial. They've been expended into an entirely new, 10-plus-hour campaign, complete with new game mechanics, full-game production values ... the works.

Starbreeze told us that, despite the game being absent from anyone's radar for quite some time, it never let up on development. In fact, the acquisition of the game by Atari has afforded the team upwards of nine additional months of development time, hence the (essentally) second full game and what the team was visibly ecstatic about: more time to polish every last detail.

The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena (Escape from Butcher's Bay is still there, looks amazing, and will incorporate new gameplay and tech developed for Dark Athena) is set for release in spring of 2009. Check back tomorrow for our full impressions of the new campaign.

Gallery: The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena

JoystiqRiddick: Dark Athena coming early '09, features new 10-hour campaign originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 02 Dec 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>assault-on-dark-athenaatariChronicles-of-RiddickChronicles-of-Riddick-Assault-on-Dark-AthenaJS-TwitterPS3remakeriddickstarbreezetigonvin-dieselXbox-360Tue, 02 Dec 2008 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Atari unleashes Tekken 6 and Riddick screens]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/02/atari-unleashes-tekken-6-and-riddick-screens/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/02/atari-unleashes-tekken-6-and-riddick-screens/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/02/atari-unleashes-tekken-6-and-riddick-screens/#commentsFiled under:


As part of today's press conference, Atari unloaded a bunch of fresh screenshots for next year's upcoming Tekken 6 and Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena. You can view the Tekken and Riddick screens below, but be warned about those Riddick screens. If you thought Gears of War was lacking color, then keep clear of Riddick's drab and dull "color" palette. Actually, it isn't so much a color palette as it is a black to white gradient.


JoystiqAtari unleashes Tekken 6 and Riddick screens originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 02 Dec 2008 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>assault-on-dark-athenaatarichronicles-of-riddickchronicles-of-riddick-assault-on-dark-athenariddicktekkentekken-6Tue, 02 Dec 2008 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Chronicles of Riddick picked up by Atari, now has brand new campaign]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/30/chronicles-of-riddick-picked-up-by-atari-now-has-brand-new-camp/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/30/chronicles-of-riddick-picked-up-by-atari-now-has-brand-new-camp/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/30/chronicles-of-riddick-picked-up-by-atari-now-has-brand-new-camp/#commentsFiled under:


Atari today announced that it will publish The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena from Tigon Studios and The Darkness developer Starbreeze Studios. The title was previously announced as a graphically enhanced remake of the original Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay that would also feature a new chapter and multiplayer support. According to the press release, not only will the game include the remake of the original campaign, but the new chapter has now been expanded to include "a brand new full-length campaign" as well as the previously announced online multiplayer support. We're just going to guess that might be why the game missed its original winter 2007 release date.

The newly revamped Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena is expected to release in spring 2009. Check out a hi-res version of the first screenshot by clicking the image above.

JoystiqChronicles of Riddick picked up by Atari, now has brand new campaign originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 30 Oct 2008 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Continuing its long climb back to Phil Harrison-lead relevance, Atari has picked up an Acti/Blizzard merger cast off and might have made a home for another, according to Variety. The company will publish Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena, adding not only multiplayer but a new campaign to the original Xbox release. "Originally it was just a remake, but we started thinking more and felt that wasn't super compelling," said Bill Kispert, head of interactive for Universal. Yeah, Bill. No kidding.

Variety also reports that Atari has picked up long-term licensing rights to Riddick to allow the possibility of more sequels. The trade pub says it understands that a similar deal could be in place for Ghostbusters, as was previously hinted by Dan Akroyd, though that hasn't been confirmed yet.

Well, finally, it seems all the Acti/Blizzard orphans have found good homes. ... Wait a minute, who's that sad, long-haired boy in the corner?

JoystiqRiddick remake and (maybe) Ghostbusters go to Atari originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 30 Oct 2008 08:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Universal and GRIN are working on a Wanted game, and we got to take a peek behind the scenes during E3. Faster than you can say "rushing a movie title into development" our cynical preconceptions were shattered. Not only were we impressed with the gameplay they showed us, we also were bolstered by the fact that one of the developers cared enough to drop the f-bomb several times during our appointment.

Find out more about this upcoming title after the break. If you haven't seen the film, watch out for spoilers and don't come crying to us later.

Gallery: Wanted

Continue reading Wanted game brings next-gen bullet curving

JoystiqWanted game brings next-gen bullet curving originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 Jul 2008 20:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Butcher-BayChronicles-Of-RiddickE3E3-2008joystiqfeaturesPCPete-WanatPS3UniversalWantedXbox-360Wed, 16 Jul 2008 20:22:00 EST<![CDATA[Ask X3F: Riddick-ulous edition]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/27/ask-x3f-riddick-ulous-edition/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/27/ask-x3f-riddick-ulous-edition/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/27/ask-x3f-riddick-ulous-edition/#commentsFiled under:


With so many editions of Ask X3F come and gone, one would think that we would have answered them all by now. But no, man is a curious creature, a creature whose thirst for knowledge will not be slaked. Also, it turns out, people just love asking questions about unreleased games. The most recent game-du-semaine is none other than The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena. Announced just over a year ago, it missed its projected 2007 release and sank into obscurity. What happened to it? Find our best theory (and feel free to submit your own) after the break Oh, and we answer other questions too.

Got a question for Ask X3F? Maybe you have a story or some information you'd like to share? Send it all to ask [at] xbox360fanboy [dawt] com.

Continue reading Ask X3F: Riddick-ulous edition

JoystiqAsk X3F: Riddick-ulous edition originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 27 May 2008 18:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ask-x3fassault-on-dark-athenachronicles-of-riddickchronicles-of-riddick-assault-on-dark-athenariddickTue, 27 May 2008 18:45:00 EST<![CDATA[GDC08: The eight best stories in gaming]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/21/gdc08-the-eight-best-stories-in-gaming/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/21/gdc08-the-eight-best-stories-in-gaming/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/21/gdc08-the-eight-best-stories-in-gaming/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Tuesday afternoon four well-known games industry writers and designers got together to discuss the best storytelling gaming has to offer in a panel entitled "Stories Best Played: Deconstructing the Best Interactive Storytelling." Each of the authors brought a pair of games that they viewed as some of the narratively strongest yet made. Prior to the panel all four men played the ten titles, and came prepared to talk about the strengths and merits of each. Panelists Richard Rouse (Paranoid Productions), Steve Meretzky (Blue Fang), Marc Laidlaw (Valve Software), and Ken Rolston (Big Huge Games) offered up, in essence, a 'top eight' list for gamers looking to get more from exposition than explosions.

Read on for views from a panel of expert opinions on the likes of Loom, BioShock, Phoenix Wright and the legendary Planescape: Torment.

Continue reading GDC08: The eight best stories in gaming

JoystiqGDC08: The eight best stories in gaming originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 21 Feb 2008 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bioshockchronicles-of-riddickfeaturedfool's-errandGDCgdc08icoken-rolstonloommarc-laidlawphoenix-wrightplanescapethiefThu, 21 Feb 2008 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Riddick devs to revisit EA classic in mystery project]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/21/riddick-devs-to-revisit-ea-classic-in-mystery-project/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/21/riddick-devs-to-revisit-ea-classic-in-mystery-project/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/21/riddick-devs-to-revisit-ea-classic-in-mystery-project/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Electronic Arts announced that it is working on a new project with The Darkness and Chronicles Of Riddick devs Starbreeze Studios to revisit one of EA's "most acclaimed classic franchises" for the Xbox 360, PS3, and PC. As for which one, EA's keeping mum, simply dubbing the effort Project RedLime and leaving our imaginations to run wild.

Work has apparently been ongoing on Project RedLime for some time, as Starbreeze CEO Johan Kristiansson comments that the team is " already deep in development" on the project. Nothing else, and mean nothing, is known about the mysterious project, though EA notes that more details will be revealed "in the coming months," leading us to hope that this game, whatever form it takes, will be among EA's salvo fired during this year's E3. We're crossing our fingers for James Pond.

JoystiqRiddick devs to revisit EA classic in mystery project originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 21 Feb 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atarbreezechronicles-of-riddickeaelectronic-artselectronicartsPCPS3the-darknessthechroniclesofriddickthedarknessXbox-360Thu, 21 Feb 2008 11:00:00 EST