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[NPD: Digital game sales growing year-over-year 33 percent]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/30/npd-digital-game-sales-growing-year-over-year-33-percent/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/30/npd-digital-game-sales-growing-year-over-year-33-percent/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/30/npd-digital-game-sales-growing-year-over-year-33-percent/#comments Digital games and downloadable content sales are growing at a rate of 33 percent year over year in the US and Europe, according to data presented by NPD, iResearch and Digi-Capital analysts at GDC. The speakers at the digital games sales talk noted that sales in China are expected to grow over 10 percent every year for the next three years.

According to GamesIndustry International, NPD analyst Liam Callahan told attendees that digital game content sales in 2012 reached $5.9 billion in the United States. Sales in the UK reached $1.7 billion, followed by Germany with $1.4 billion and France with $1 billion. Callahan also said that digital content composes 40 percent of the United States' total spend on games, an increase from 28 percent in 2010.

NPD estimated that 48 percent ($7.1 billion) of the $14.8 billion spent on games in the US in 2012 came from purchases on brand new games at retail. The other 51 percent was from digital games and downloadable content ($2.22 billion), mobile game sales ($2.11 billion), used game sales ($1.59 billion), subscriptions ($1.05 billion), social network gaming ($544 million) and rentals ($198 million). The NPD also reported a drop in used game sales from 2011 by 17.1 percent.

JoystiqNPD: Digital game sales growing year-over-year 33 percent originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 30 Mar 2013 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>digital-distributionDLCGDCGDC-2013liam-callahannpdnpd-groupsalessubscriptionsused-gamesSat, 30 Mar 2013 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[GameFly PC sale: cheap Mass Effect Trilogy, Hitman Absolution, more]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/19/gamefly-pc-sale-cheap-mass-effect-trilogy-hitman-absolution-m/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/19/gamefly-pc-sale-cheap-mass-effect-trilogy-hitman-absolution-m/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/19/gamefly-pc-sale-cheap-mass-effect-trilogy-hitman-absolution-m/#comments GameFly is running a special on select Windows PC downloads, offering up Hitman: Absolution for $12.49, Max Payne 3 for $14.99, Deus Ex: Human Revolution for $4.99, Mass Effect Trilogy for $24.99, Anno 2070 for $17.49 and Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City for $12.49.

Late last year, GameFly introduced its standalone PC client, a digital storefront to purchase and rent PC games for subscribers and non-subscribers alike. Subscribers gain access to the Unlimited PC Play section, where they can persistently sample from hundreds of PC games.

JoystiqGameFly PC sale: cheap Mass Effect Trilogy, Hitman Absolution, more originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 19 Mar 2013 23:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aliens-colonial-marineanno-2070deus-ex-human-revolutiondigital-distributiongameflyhitman-absolutionmass-effect-trilogymax-payne-3pcresident-evil-operation-raccoon-cityTue, 19 Mar 2013 23:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Yoshida: PS Vita digital purchases beat PS3 each month]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/21/yoshida-ps-vita-digital-purchases-beat-ps3-each-month/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/21/yoshida-ps-vita-digital-purchases-beat-ps3-each-month/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/21/yoshida-ps-vita-digital-purchases-beat-ps3-each-month/#comments Last night's PS4 unveiling event showed Sony is a company committed to digital distribution and the cloud. Sony Worldwide Studios president Shuhei Yoshida echoed those sentiments during follow-up interviews, telling Destructoid that the digital business is quite booming for Sony, especially on the PS Vita - which has more people purchasing content on a monthly basis than on PS3.

"Digital business is the faster growing business," Yoshida said. "We do not publish numbers, but every month it's almost a new record that the purchase on Vita is higher than the PS3, because everything is available [digitally]."

Among the things we anticipated from last night's event was a price drop for the PS Vita in North America. Sony lowered the price in Japan last week, but during our own interview with Yoshida, he confirmed no such plan exists for North America.

JoystiqYoshida: PS Vita digital purchases beat PS3 each month originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 21 Feb 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>digital-distributionplaystationplaystation-2013playstation-vitaps3psnshuhei-yoshidavitaThu, 21 Feb 2013 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ubisoft's Uplay adds third-party games, EA's Origin nabs Ubisoft ones]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/19/ubisofts-uplay-adds-third-party-games-eas-origin-nabs-ubisoft/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/19/ubisofts-uplay-adds-third-party-games-eas-origin-nabs-ubisoft/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/19/ubisofts-uplay-adds-third-party-games-eas-origin-nabs-ubisoft/#comments Ubisoft's Uplay service, a hub for purchasing Ubisoft PC games, has expanded to include third-party titles from major publishers such as EA, Warner Bros., Focus Home Interactive, Freebird Games, Paradox Interactive, Telltale Games and more. A few games listed at launch are Batman: Arkham City GOTYE, Crysis 3, Orcs Must Die 2, The Walking Dead and To the Moon.

To entice potential customers to check out the new and improved Uplay, Ubisoft offers a free copy of one of the following games with a purchase of £16.99 or more (excluding pre-orders), now through March 4: Driver San Francisco Deluxe Edition, From Dust, Might and Magic Heroes 6 Deluxe Edition, Rayman Origins, The Settlers 7 Gold Edition or World in Conflict: Complete Edition. Uplay members can also redeem rewards for Assassin's Creed 3 and Far Cry 3 for free during this time.

As part of the deal, Ubisoft is throwing its own games onto EA's Origin service, another PC digital distribution hub.

In September, Ubisoft teased the idea of offering games from other publishers on Uplay, and said that the service would eventually feature things "beyond digital distribution."

At the time of publication, Uplay is down for maintenance.

Continue reading Ubisoft's Uplay adds third-party games, EA's Origin nabs Ubisoft ones

JoystiqUbisoft's Uplay adds third-party games, EA's Origin nabs Ubisoft ones originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 19 Feb 2013 13:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>digital-distributionEAElectronic-Artspcthird-partyUbisoftubisoft-uplayuplayTue, 19 Feb 2013 13:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Origin officially launches on Mac]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/08/origin-officially-launches-on-mac/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/08/origin-officially-launches-on-mac/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/08/origin-officially-launches-on-mac/#comments Origin officially launches on Mac todayOrigin has had an alpha client on Mac since back in September, and today the service officially launches. Origin features on Mac are pretty much the same as on PC - you can upload saves to the cloud, interact with friends and the community through Origin's social feeds and, uh, play games.

Select EA games that are compatible on both Mac and PC will also support cross-platform play - if you purchased a game on PC and it's also compatible with Mac, you also get access to that. Sound familiar?

EA launched its digital distribution platform Origin in the summer of 2011. During its first year, the service garnered 12 million downloads and signed 50 publishing partners. As of October 2012, Origin has accrued 30 million registered players, 4.4 million of whom have forked over cash for content.

JoystiqOrigin officially launches on Mac originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 08 Feb 2013 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cross-playdigital-distributioneamacmac-osxoriginFri, 08 Feb 2013 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[GTA Vice City PC 'temporarily' pulled from digital distributors over music licensing issue]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/16/gta-vice-city-pc-temporarily-pulled-from-digital-distributors/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/16/gta-vice-city-pc-temporarily-pulled-from-digital-distributors/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/16/gta-vice-city-pc-temporarily-pulled-from-digital-distributors/#comments Rockstar has decided to pull the PC version of Grand Theft Auto: Vice City from digital distributors for an undisclosed period while it deals with some licensing-related complications.

"Due to some music licensing issues, we've had to temporarily remove Vice City PC from digital stores. We'll make it available again as soon as possible," a statement to Game Informer reads. Rockstar hasn't specifically called out which song(s) are at the heart of this dispute, but tells Game Informer this current licensing issue won't affect the upcoming mobile port.

Cinema Blend suggests it's Michael Jackson's "Wanna Be Startin' Something" that's the problem, which Sony Music Entertainment owns. If you've already purchased Vice City through Steam or your other favorite digital distributor, you should run into no problems installing and playing the game - unless you do, in which case you'll want to call your cousin Carl. He's real good with them computers.

JoystiqGTA Vice City PC 'temporarily' pulled from digital distributors over music licensing issue originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 16 Nov 2012 23:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>digital-distributiongrand-theft-autogrand-theft-auto-vice-citygtagta-vice-citypcrockstarrockstar-gamesFri, 16 Nov 2012 23:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Ubisoft wants full games on Wii U eShop 'as soon as it's possible']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/10/ubisoft-wants-full-games-on-wii-u-eshop-as-soon-as-its-possibl/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/10/ubisoft-wants-full-games-on-wii-u-eshop-as-soon-as-its-possibl/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/10/ubisoft-wants-full-games-on-wii-u-eshop-as-soon-as-its-possibl/#comments Though no concrete plans have been outlined, Ubisoft's intention to join Nintendo's push towards more digitally available retail games on its new flagship console is now evident: "As soon as it's possible, we will do it," Ubisoft president Yves Guillemot told Polygon, speaking on whether his company had plans to sell full retail games as downloadable jams through Nintendo's eShop.

No further information regarding pricing and availability was given, so whether this expansion into the eShop happens at launch, or later down the road, remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that Ubisoft's games on the Wii U (regardless of purchase methodology) will eventually include UPlay integration, as its current-gen releases do. "Nintendo has been very open to us and allowed us to use our systems to communicate with our customers," Guillemot said. UPlay integration is expected sometime after launch.

JoystiqUbisoft wants full games on Wii U eShop 'as soon as it's possible' originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 10 Nov 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>digital-distributioneshopnintendoubisoftuplaywii-uYves-GuillemotSat, 10 Nov 2012 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Outlast is a new survival-horror game from industry vets at Red Barrels]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/17/outlast-a-new-survival-horror-game-from-industry-vets-at-red-ba/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/17/outlast-a-new-survival-horror-game-from-industry-vets-at-red-ba/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/17/outlast-a-new-survival-horror-game-from-industry-vets-at-red-ba/#comments
Outlast is a survival-horror game built on Unreal Engine coming from new studio Red Barrels. The Montreal-based studio was founded by industry veterans from Ubisoft and Naughty Dog, with Outlast being the newly formed outfit's first game. Outlast is set to debut in 2013 for the PC through digital distribution channels.

Outlast stars journalist Miles Upshur, who breaks into Mount Massive Asylum, located in the isolated mountains of Colorado. The long-abandoned asylum has been recently re-opened by the "research and charity" branch of the Murkoff Corporation and, acting on a tip, Upshur breaks in to ascertain exactly what the corporation is up to. If there's one thing we're certain of, it's that Upshur will probably come to regret that decision.

Continue reading Outlast is a new survival-horror game from industry vets at Red Barrels

JoystiqOutlast is a new survival-horror game from industry vets at Red Barrels originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 17 Oct 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>digital-distributionoutlastpcred-barrelsWed, 17 Oct 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ubisoft's Uplay may incorporate third-party games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/12/ubisofts-uplay-may-incorporate-third-party-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/12/ubisofts-uplay-may-incorporate-third-party-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/12/ubisofts-uplay-may-incorporate-third-party-games/#comments Uplay considering third party gamesUplay, Ubisoft's recently revamped PC client, may start selling third-party games, Ubisoft worldwide director for online games Stephanie Perotti says.

"We remain open to opportunities," Perotti tells MCV. "Right now, we're starting the service with our own games, but as we go forward, we plan to potentially add other titles."

Uplay first launched in 2009 as a hub for players to share media and unlock content in Ubisoft games. Uplay got a facelift last month and now allows players to directly download Ubisoft games, offers a collection of personalized player information for each title, and has a friends list and chat system.

Perotti says Uplay will offer more than similar services, such as Steam. "The plan for UPlay goes beyond digital distribution," she says.

JoystiqUbisoft's Uplay may incorporate third-party games originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 12 Sep 2012 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>digital-distributionpcthird-partyUbisoftuplayWed, 12 Sep 2012 13:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Downloads account for 5 percent of New Super Mario Bros. 2 sales in Japan so far]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/17/downloads-account-for-5-percent-of-new-super-mario-bros-2-sales/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/17/downloads-account-for-5-percent-of-new-super-mario-bros-2-sales/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/17/downloads-account-for-5-percent-of-new-super-mario-bros-2-sales/#comments Nintendo's digital distribution scheme for retail games has had a relatively slow start in Japan. Nintendo president Satoru Iwata told the Wall Street Journal that digital sales of New Super Mario Bros. 2, which was released in the region on July 28, have made up 5% of the total. Iwata seemed all right with this result: "This initial offering going forward, we've gotten a good reaction going," he said.

The other new retail/digital game, the Brain Age sequel Demon Training, has sold approximately 20% of its total audience digitally. Iwata believes the reason more people opted for the downloadable version of that game is the convenience of playing the daily challenges without swapping cartridges.

JoystiqDownloads account for 5 percent of New Super Mario Bros. 2 sales in Japan so far originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 17 Aug 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsdigital-distributioneshopnew-super-mario-bros-2nintendosatoru-iwataFri, 17 Aug 2012 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[GameStop CEO finds digital used market 'interesting']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/27/gamestop-ceo-finds-digital-used-market-interesting/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/27/gamestop-ceo-finds-digital-used-market-interesting/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/27/gamestop-ceo-finds-digital-used-market-interesting/#comments GameStop CEO Paul Raines mentioned recently the company finds used downloadable goods "interesting," but "it's not a meaningful business yet." Speaking to Gamespot, Raines said, "Right now we're not seeing that as a huge market, but I think we're on the leading edge. There are a few companies, a few startups, out there that we've talked to that are doing this."

Coincidentally, we already asked Gamestop about this topic when it purchased Stardock's Impulse digital distribution system, which had been playing with Goo, a system created to create a "used PC license market."

"We don't see a lot of interest in that model from our publishing partners," Steve Nix, manager of PC digital distribution for GameStop told us earlier this year. He noted the potential interest by customers, but had a hard time seeing publishers supporting the model.

Raines wouldn't share the companies they were talking to over concerns of "competitors rushing in." GameStop has seen great success in slowly applying its physical store practices to the digital realm.

JoystiqGameStop CEO finds digital used market 'interesting' originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 27 Jul 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>digital-distributionGamestopusedFri, 27 Jul 2012 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Origin update 9.0 streamlines friends list, library, clock]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/17/origin-update-9-0-streamlines-friends-list-library-clock/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/17/origin-update-9-0-streamlines-friends-list-library-clock/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/17/origin-update-9-0-streamlines-friends-list-library-clock/#comments EA is preparing to update its Origin client to version 9.0, which seems designed to make the experience of using the Origin client as painless as possible.

The upcoming update decouples the friends lists into its own little window, so you can move it around or hide it. The library view can now be customized. The help menu has more options, as part of a redesigned pulldown interface.

"Many of you will also be happy to hear that we've heeded your requests and moved forward production of our in-game clock," EA notes in the announcement, answering a request we didn't realize was common.

You can get a preview of this exciting new clock and other features by opting into a beta of Origin 9.0. Even more exciting: you can then use Origin to purchase and play video games!

JoystiqOrigin update 9.0 streamlines friends list, library, clock originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 17 Jul 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>digital-distributioneaoriginpcupdateTue, 17 Jul 2012 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Gibeau says EA mostly ignores NPD reports; NPD knows 'for a fact' major publishers use them]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/02/gibeau-says-ea-mostly-ignores-npd-reports-npd-knows-for-a-fact/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/02/gibeau-says-ea-mostly-ignores-npd-reports-npd-knows-for-a-fact/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/02/gibeau-says-ea-mostly-ignores-npd-reports-npd-knows-for-a-fact/#comments EA's Frank Gibeau NPDs are 'irrelevant' for not tracking digital salesLast year EA went on record calling the NPD's sales reports "a misrepresentation of the entire industry," and this year EA Labels president Frank Gibeau is taking that sentiment one step further, saying EA largely ignores NPD reports.

"An occasional bad report from NPD, which measures a sliver of what's actually happening in gaming, gives people an erroneous impression," Gibeau tells Games Industry International. "My point is it's an irrelevant measure on the industry. It's totally irrelevant. We don't even really look at it internally anymore."

NPD reports track retail games sales from stores such as GameStop and Wal-Mart, but don't provide a comparable breakdown of digital sales. In Q4 2012, EA saw digital sales generate $419 million, while packaged goods made more than double that, with $949 million.

David McQuillan, president of NPD Games, is "surprised" by Gibeau's comments for a few reasons, provided in a statement to Joystiq. The first: "While we will not comment on the specifics on our long-standing relationship with EA, we can say with confidence that we have daily dealings with all of our major publisher clients. And we know for a fact they're using the data."

The second reason McQuillan cites is the continued prevalence of physical sales, making up 56 percent of industry sales in 2011. "The current games industry is still largely rooted in retail and any industry player involved with AAA content simply can't take their eye away from the retail environment," he writes.

NPD Group's David Riley adds, "We do cover digital. Granted, it's not near the level of granularity that we provide via physical point of sale, but physical POS is still huge and needs to be taken seriously. In my opinion, you do a disservice to our industry when you dismiss the value of retail sales research."

EA's Digital sales are growing rapidly, Gibeau says, and EA is focused on riding that streaming, cloud-based, downloadable wave into the future, with or without NPD sales reports.

"We're going to be a 100 percent digital company, period," he says. "It's going to be there some day. It's inevitable."

JoystiqGibeau says EA mostly ignores NPD reports; NPD knows 'for a fact' major publishers use them originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 02 Jul 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>clouddigitaldigital-distributionmacmicrosoftmobilenintendonpdnpd-grouppcplaystationps3salesstreamingwiixboxMon, 02 Jul 2012 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[EA: first year with Origin 'a huge success,' service to become 'stickier']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/15/ea-first-year-with-origin-a-huge-success-service-to-become/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/15/ea-first-year-with-origin-a-huge-success-service-to-become/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/15/ea-first-year-with-origin-a-huge-success-service-to-become/#comments EA's Origin service is "a huge success" in its first year, according to EA senior VP of global e-commerce David DeMartini. Despite a rough start with end-user license agreement mishaps and banning some users from playing games they purchased offline, DeMartini said the service has seen 12 million downloads and counts 50 publishing partners among its catalog.

Still, he called the first year "foundational," and he's excited to add "more sticky features" to Origin. Not, like, "We're gonna pour maple syrup on the servers," but in the sense that players will see Origin more as a service (like Steam or Xbox Live) rather than yet another digital retail outlet.

"We want to put features in place where we fully take advantage of your friends lists and gameplay activities amongst all of your friends so you can compare achievements," DeMartini said. "We want you to be able to challenge your friends, and to challenge your friends to play other EA games to try and achieve things that might even be across EA games."

DeMartini insisted that EA games removed from Steam, such as Dragon Age 2, remain off the service due to Steam's rules. "We'd love to have those titles up on Steam, but unfortunately, those titles don't follow the rules that Steam has so therefore those titles are not up on Steam."

As for the future beyond those "stickiness" additions, DeMartini noted additional publishers he'd like to see join Origin. "If Activision was open-minded, we're absolutely willing to take on their great titles. Diablo III is a great game. Call of Duty will be very popular. Take-Two ... I mean there are a couple of large publishers out there that are not on Origin."

JoystiqEA: first year with Origin 'a huge success,' service to become 'stickier' originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 15 Jun 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisiondavid-demartinidigital-distributioneaea-originelectronic-artsmacoriginpcsteamtake-two-interactiveFri, 15 Jun 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Crysis 2 back on Steam with a clever new name, extra goodies]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/30/crysis-2-back-on-steam-with-a-clever-new-name-extra-goodies/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/30/crysis-2-back-on-steam-with-a-clever-new-name-extra-goodies/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/30/crysis-2-back-on-steam-with-a-clever-new-name-extra-goodies/#comments ImageCrysis 2 is back on Steam after being yanked in June because "an agreement with another download service" violated Steam's terms of service. The new, improved Crysis 2 is subtitled the "Maximum Edition" and it includes all the content in the limited edition, plus the Retaliation and Decimation DLC packs, all for $40.

Those who snagged Crysis 2 on Steam before it was pulled can get Maximum Edition for half off through June 12 at 10 a.m. PST. EA's other pulled or unreleased titles on Steam - namely Mass Effect 3 and Battlefield 3 - are still absent.

The new version, by including all the DLC, sidesteps the restrictions that kept the game off in the first place.

[Thanks, Steven!]

JoystiqCrysis 2 back on Steam with a clever new name, extra goodies originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 30 May 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Crysis-2Crytekdigital-distributionEAElectronic-ArtspcSTEAMWed, 30 May 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Indie Game: The Movie available digitally on June 12]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/25/indie-game-the-movie-available-digitally-june-12/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/25/indie-game-the-movie-available-digitally-june-12/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/25/indie-game-the-movie-available-digitally-june-12/#comments Steam has proven to be a boon for indie games like Super Meat Boy. Now we'll see if it's similarly helpful for movies about Super Meat Boy. Following its limited theatrical run, Indie Game: The Movie will be released digitally through Steam on June 12. Pre-orders are open for $9; normal price is $10. It'll also be streamable or downloadable from iTunes and the movie's own site the same day.

If you want it on a disc (remember those?) you can pre-order that, as well.

JoystiqIndie Game: The Movie available digitally on June 12 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 25 May 2012 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>digital-distributionindie-game-the-movieitunesrelease-datesteamFri, 25 May 2012 02:00:00 EST<![CDATA['Majority' of first-party 3DS and Wii U games to be sold digitally on Nintendo eShop]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/27/majority-of-first-party-3ds-and-wii-u-games-to-be-sold-digital/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/27/majority-of-first-party-3ds-and-wii-u-games-to-be-sold-digital/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/27/majority-of-first-party-3ds-and-wii-u-games-to-be-sold-digital/#comments In a statement to Joystiq today, Nintendo offered more insight into its plan to distribute new 3DS and Wii U games digitally in addition to retail. It won't just be select games like New Super Mario Bros. 2; according to the publisher, "The majority of Nintendo-published Nintendo 3DS games will have the same dual-distribution strategy. Likewise, the majority of Nintendo-published Wii U games will be available both as packaged products and as digital downloads starting on launch day."

The statement also describes the retail availability of codes for these digital games, which are described as "16-digit codes" for the "Nintendo eShop." So the Wii U's store is going to be called the eShop, just like the 3DS's, and use the same kind of codes. Between a unified store branding, availability of redeemable codes, and digital sales of full games, it looks like Nintendo is finally moving in the right direction in terms of the internet.

Now if it would only let you redeem those games to an account instead of a single 3DS. During last night's presentation, Satoru Iwata said that the new downloadable 3DS retail games "will be stored in the consumer's SD memory card and be playable only with the hardware to which it was downloaded so that, unlike how you can share the packaged software which are stored in game card format, the consumer cannot share the software with other Nintendo 3DS systems owned by other members of the family or friends." In other words, they'll operate just like eShop games operate now.

Continue reading 'Majority' of first-party 3DS and Wii U games to be sold digitally on Nintendo eShop

Joystiq'Majority' of first-party 3DS and Wii U games to be sold digitally on Nintendo eShop originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 27 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsdigital-distributioneshopnintendowii-uFri, 27 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii U retail games will be sold digitally at launch]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/26/wii-u-retail-games-will-be-sold-digitally-at-launch/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/26/wii-u-retail-games-will-be-sold-digitally-at-launch/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/26/wii-u-retail-games-will-be-sold-digitally-at-launch/#commentsNintendo is exploring digital distribution of "full" retail games on the 3DS with New Super Mario Bros. 2. The company is even more aggressive about digital distribution with its next console, the Wii U: president Satoru Iwata announced plans today to sell Wii U games both in stores and through digital distribution at launch.

This will be subject to the same plan as 3DS games, in which retailers will be able to sell download codes. Strangely, this is Nintendo's solution to the problem of its online games having fixed prices, as retailers will be allowed to set their own selling prices of digitally distributed games (in other words, put things on sale and discount them).

JoystiqWii U retail games will be sold digitally at launch originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 26 Apr 2012 22:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>digital-distributionnintendowii-uThu, 26 Apr 2012 22:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo releasing retail games on 3DS eShop, starting with New Super Mario Bros. 2]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/26/nintendo-releasing-retail-games-on-3ds-eshop-starting-with-new/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/26/nintendo-releasing-retail-games-on-3ds-eshop-starting-with-new/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/26/nintendo-releasing-retail-games-on-3ds-eshop-starting-with-new/#comments ImageSatoru Iwata dropped the proverbial bomb today in an investor presentation, announcing plans to distribute certain retail 3DS games on the eShop download service, where they will be stored on the SD card. The first game to receive this dual release treatment is New Super Mario Bros. 2, due worldwide in August. In addition, the "Onitore" Brain Training game will be sold in this manner.

As for the kinds of games Nintendo wants to distribute digitally, Iwata offered the following explanation: "Nintendo publishes various titles that enable you to enjoy daily communication, such as 'nintendogs,' 'Animal Crossing' and 'Tomodachi Collection,' in addition to the ones like 'Onitore' (temp.), with which you might like to practice every day, and database-type software like 'Hana to Ikimono Rittai Zukan' (sold in Japan only). It must be easier for the Nintendo 3DS owners to feel the merit of being able to carry around only the Nintendo 3DS system with, in particular, these kinds of software titles stored inside."

He added that even other, non daily-communication-related titles stored on a single system would be "handy."

Nintendo plans to sell codes for downloadable versions at retailers, in addition to directly through eShop, in order to avoid cutting its retail partners out, and to avoid alienating users who prefer to buy everything at retail. "Furthermore," he said, "we recognize that one of the biggest hurdles for the expansion of our digital business is the limited methods to expose digitally downloadable products to potential consumers. This recognition is one of the reasons why we are taking this sort of approach."

JoystiqNintendo releasing retail games on 3DS eShop, starting with New Super Mario Bros. 2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 26 Apr 2012 22:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsdigital-distributioneshopnew-super-mario-bros-2nintendosatoru-iwataThu, 26 Apr 2012 22:03:00 EST<![CDATA[GameStop touts large selection of in-store downloadable PC games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/23/gamestop-touts-largest-selection-of-in-store-downloadable-pc-gam/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/23/gamestop-touts-largest-selection-of-in-store-downloadable-pc-gam/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/23/gamestop-touts-largest-selection-of-in-store-downloadable-pc-gam/#comments GameStop announced today that its stores have "one of the largest PC game selections at retail," with - wait for it - over 1,500 downloadable titles available to purchase in its 4,400 stores. Oh yeah, you can also purchase this digitally distributed product on GameStop.com ... like a moon man living in some mad future.

The announcement today isn't so much "news," as it is a reinforcement of the digital world to come and how GameStop fits into it. As the company explained in February, it sees significant revenue from customers purchasing digitally distributed content by cash or store credit. Not everyone has credit cards or uses PayPal.

"This tremendous PC game collection ensures gamers will always find what they want, and they can use cash, gift cards and trade credit as currency," said Steve Nix, GameStop's GM of Digital Distribution, who also notes customers can use their PowerUp Rewards for added value. GameStop is also offering up to 75 percent off PC games like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, Civilization 5, Age of Empires 3, Deus Ex Human Revolution and Magicka Collection starting today.

JoystiqGameStop touts large selection of in-store downloadable PC games originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 23 Apr 2012 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>call-of-duty-modern-warfare-3digital-distributiongamestopimpulsemodern-warfare-3pcMon, 23 Apr 2012 19:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Extensive Max Payne 3 PC download pre-order incentives on Amazon]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/18/extensive-max-payne-3-pc-download-pre-order-incentives-on-amazon/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/18/extensive-max-payne-3-pc-download-pre-order-incentives-on-amazon/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/18/extensive-max-payne-3-pc-download-pre-order-incentives-on-amazon/#comments Amazon hopes to make an awfully compelling argument for your Max Payne 3 purchase. Pre-ordering the PC download version not only nets some in-game incentives, but some money that goes toward other Rockstar games.

First, Amazon is giving all pre-orderers a $10 voucher for an immediate download of Max Payne 2, which just so happens to cost $10 on Amazon, so that's free. Amazon will knock down the price for both L.A. Noire and GTA IV to $4.99 up until April 15. You'll be able to grab those gratis with another $10 voucher if you want, or spend it on other Rockstar wares.

On top of the free games, a pre-order will also grant you several pieces of in-game content: a classic skin pack for multiplayer that includes characters from past games; a multiplayer weapons pack; increased painkiller capacity; and a "Max Payne Retro Avatar."

Update: Whoops, as you probably noticed, it's April 18. Amazon just got in touch to say they are extending the deal on GTA IV and L.A. Noire until April 20.

JoystiqExtensive Max Payne 3 PC download pre-order incentives on Amazon originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 18 Apr 2012 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazondigital-distributionMax-Payne-3pcpc-downloadpre-orderRockStarrockstar-gamestake-twoWed, 18 Apr 2012 03:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Peter Molyneux 'not that interested' in retail]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/13/peter-molyneux-not-that-interested-in-retail/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/13/peter-molyneux-not-that-interested-in-retail/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/13/peter-molyneux-not-that-interested-in-retail/#comments Who goes into a store to buy games anymore? A lot of people, surprisingly, but Peter Molyneux ain't feeling it. For him, it's all about digital distribution.

"The incentives for driving me out of my seat and into a shop is becoming increasingly limited. I don't go to retail to buy a film. I don't go to retail to buy music. I don't go to buy books any more. And I'm certainly not that interested in buying games in shops, myself," he told Develop. "If you look at everything that's exciting, from the resurgence of PC to iPad and iPhones, it's hard to see where retail fits into that."

Molyneux, who recently left Microsoft and started up his own studio, 22 Cans, is hard at work on his first game under the new roof. It's unclear whether that title will rely entirely on digital distribution, but Molyneux has gone on record as saying it'll be his "best" game ever. We wouldn't take that at face value, though; he says that about every one of his games.

JoystiqPeter Molyneux 'not that interested' in retail originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 13 Apr 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>22-cansdigital-distributionfable-the-journeypeter-molyneuxretailFri, 13 Apr 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Amazon knocks some space bucks off Mass Effect and Mass Effect 2 downloads this week]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/26/amazon-knocks-some-space-bucks-off-mass-effect-and-mass-effect-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/26/amazon-knocks-some-space-bucks-off-mass-effect-and-mass-effect-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/26/amazon-knocks-some-space-bucks-off-mass-effect-and-mass-effect-2/#comments Any good smuggler or bounty hunter knows you have to take every opportunity to save a space buck. With intergalactic tolls and the rising cost of crystal fuel cells, it's important. Also, you need something to do while you're sitting around in hyperdrive all the time, y'know? So retailer Amazon is offering discounts for your downtime -- specifically, savings on Mass Effect and Mass Effect 2 downloads for PC.

Both Mass Effect and Mass Effect 2 can be downloaded for $5.99 each. The Digital Deluxe edition of Mass Effect 2 -- which includes several making-of videos, the game's soundtrack, some in-game items and a download code for more bonus content -- is also on sale for $8.99. Finally, a bundle of both the original Mass Effect and the digital deluxe edition of Mass Effect 2 can be had for $11.99. The sale ends on March 31.

JoystiqAmazon knocks some space bucks off Mass Effect and Mass Effect 2 downloads this week originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 26 Mar 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazonbiowaredigital-distributioneamass-effectMass-Effect-2pcMon, 26 Mar 2012 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[NPD: $3.3 billion spent outside of new boxed games across regions in Q4 2011]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/22/npd-3-3-billion-spent-outside-of-new-boxed-games-across-region/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/22/npd-3-3-billion-spent-outside-of-new-boxed-games-across-region/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/22/npd-3-3-billion-spent-outside-of-new-boxed-games-across-region/#comments Still in its infancy of tracking and reporting games that aren't new and from a box, the NPD reported sales for the US and key European markets reached $3.33 billion in the fourth quarter of 2011 (Oct. - Dec.). The number covers "used games, game rentals, subscriptions, digital full-game downloads, social network games, downloadable content and mobile games." To be extra clear, that means "everything besides new physical copies of games sold in retail stores."

The breakdown of the overall $3.33 billion has the States with a $2.04 billion spend, and the UK, Germany, and France forking over a combined total of $1.29 billion. Despite troubles at retail, UK consumers still dropped $508 million in the region, while Germany and France saw sales of $461 million and $320 million (respectively).

NPD usually reports monthly, strictly on US game sales. "Now that we've established our Europe based service covering the UK, France, and Germany, we can begin working directly with clients to help them dissect at deeper levels how the unique market drivers specific to each country can help them understand the increasingly global nature of the games industry," said NPD Euro analyst Sam Naji.

It's still hard to contextualize the data since the (publicly shared) tracking of digital spend is still so new. We do know that in 2011 the total spend in the States was around $16.6 billion, with new boxed games at retail reaching $9.3 billion.

[Image credit: Digital Storm via Shutterstock]

Continue reading NPD: $3.3 billion spent outside of new boxed games across regions in Q4 2011

JoystiqNPD: $3.3 billion spent outside of new boxed games across regions in Q4 2011 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 22 Mar 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>digital-distributionmacmicrosoftmobilenintendoNPDpcplaystationps3Q4wiixboxThu, 22 Mar 2012 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Sega's Shogun 2 expansion leads the charge on Origin]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/15/segas-shogun-2-expansion-leads-the-charge-on-origin/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/15/segas-shogun-2-expansion-leads-the-charge-on-origin/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/15/segas-shogun-2-expansion-leads-the-charge-on-origin/#comments Sega's PC games have been available on Steam and other internet portals for some time, and are now on the way to EA's Origin service.

Starting today, folks can pre-order the upcoming Total War Shogun 2 expansion, "Fall of the Samurai," and more content will follow in the coming weeks. Beyond the Japanese publisher, Origin added Team 17, Rebellion, Kalypso, "and more" to Origin today, and their games will start showing up "in the coming months."

JoystiqSega's Shogun 2 expansion leads the charge on Origin originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 15 Mar 2012 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>digital-distributioneaea-originelectronic-artskalypsokalypso-mediaoriginpcrebellionrebellion-studiosshogun-2-fall-of-the-samuraiteam-17team17Team17-SoftwareThu, 15 Mar 2012 03:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Origin ends offer of Battlefield 3 bonus with Mass Effect 3 early]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/17/origin-ends-offer-of-battlefield-3-bonus-with-mass-effect-3-earl/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/17/origin-ends-offer-of-battlefield-3-bonus-with-mass-effect-3-earl/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/17/origin-ends-offer-of-battlefield-3-bonus-with-mass-effect-3-earl/#comments During a brief period of fiscal insanity, EA decided to offer a free copy of Battlefield 3 to Origin pre-ordere of Mass Effect 3. That period has now ended, unfortunately, according to a tweet from EA's Origin account. Moreover, pre-orders won't receive a code to download BF3 immediately, but rather "by March 8th." So, just in time to play Battlefield instead of Mass Effect 3, then? That seems ... unfortunate.

EA originally claimed the deal would extend until March 5, though it seems that the publisher decided to cut it early. Regardless, Origin's tweet went up about 18 hours ago (around 2PM ET yesterday), so it stands to reason that the window of time for a free copy of BF3 was somewhere between Valentine's Day and yesterday afternoon. EA says "all pre-orders made during the deal" will snag a free code, so, uh, hopefully that's you!

JoystiqOrigin ends offer of Battlefield 3 bonus with Mass Effect 3 early originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 17 Feb 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowaredigital-distributioneaea-originelectronic-artsmass-effect-3originpcFri, 17 Feb 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii U getting Toki Tori 2 digitally, says Two Tribes]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/09/wii-u-getting-toki-tori-2-digitally-says-two-tribes/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/09/wii-u-getting-toki-tori-2-digitally-says-two-tribes/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/09/wii-u-getting-toki-tori-2-digitally-says-two-tribes/#comments You may not have played Toki Tori on the Nintendo Wii when it helped launch the WiiWare digital distribution service back in 2008, but Two Tribes is hoping you'll give its sequel a shot when it arrives on Wii U. The studio announced intentions to bring the sequel to Nintendo's next console in a blog post this morning, citing the recent information dump on the Wii U's internet connectivity as its reason for signing on -- Two Tribes is dedicated to releasing Toki Tori 2 digitally, it would seem!

"The 3DS eShop has been a big step in the right direction compared to the Wii and DSi online shops, and it would be strange if they did not at least match it's functionality on Wii U. Since Toki Tori 2 is designed to be a downloadable title, these things are vital to making the correct choice of which platforms to develop for," the post reads. And though Two Tribes has ideas for how best to use the WiiPad beyond its bevy of buttons and triggers, the concept sounds very early in the production stages (if even there).

The company does promise to offer a WiiPad-only option for playing the game, should you be simply unable to stop playing during sojourns to the water closet. It also outlined hopes for a level editor. All of this is of course highly nebulous considering that the Wii U has yet to receive even a release date, so don't go getting your hopes too high just yet.

JoystiqWii U getting Toki Tori 2 digitally, says Two Tribes originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>digital-distributionlevel-editornintendotoki-tori-2two-tribeswii-uwiipadThu, 09 Feb 2012 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[TIGA: 71% of UK startups focused on digital distribution]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/06/tiga-71-of-uk-startups-focused-on-digital-distribution/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/06/tiga-71-of-uk-startups-focused-on-digital-distribution/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/06/tiga-71-of-uk-startups-focused-on-digital-distribution/#comments Digital distribution is the future in the UK -- for the sake of a lot of jobs, it had better be. UK game industry trade organization TIGA issued a new census report today, revealing a heavy focus on downloadable or social games.

71% of UK game company startups between 2008 and 2011 are "focused exclusively on network gaming," the report indicates. Taking all of the UK industry in consideration (not just new companies), 67% work on digitally distributed games.

"For too long developers have laboured under the traditional 'give your IP away, never see royalties' model," said TIGA Self-Publishing Committee Patrick O'Luanaigh. "So TIGA strongly supports the trend towards online gaming and self-publishing. Online gaming can deliver greater company stability and revenue sustainability for studios. This is because studios can circumvent traditional publisher business models and build relationships directly with customers. Network gaming businesses can create original games, retain their IP and attain greater financial stability."

We suspect this boost in digital gaming involves two major factors: the rise of iOS and Android games, and the end of large UK game companies like Bizarre Creations.

Continue reading TIGA: 71% of UK startups focused on digital distribution

JoystiqTIGA: 71% of UK startups focused on digital distribution originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 06 Feb 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>digital-distributionindustrytigaukMon, 06 Feb 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Mass Effect 3 isn't launching on Steam, requires Origin]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/16/mass-effect-3-isnt-launching-on-steam-requires-origin/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/16/mass-effect-3-isnt-launching-on-steam-requires-origin/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/16/mass-effect-3-isnt-launching-on-steam-requires-origin/#comments Mass Effect 3 is yet another entry in EA's stable of PC games that can't be purchased via Steam. At least it can't be purchased "initially," that is, according to BioWare community manager Chris Priestly, who posted a variety of FAQ answers on the EA division's forums late last week. "During initial release, Mass Effect 3 will be available on Origin and a number of other 3rd party digital retailers, but not on Steam at this time," he said.

Unsurprisingly, this also means that all PC versions of Mass Effect 3 will require EA's Origin service to launch the game -- regardless of where you buy it -- just like Battlefield 3 before it. And despite EA's wording, which implies the game may end up on Steam at some point after launch, we're doubtful that's around the corner.

Alongside the confirmation that ME3 won't end up on Steam, Priestly goes on to list the issues his company sees with launching on Steam ("restrictive terms of service," BioWare claims). Given Steam's ubiquity across the PC gaming landscape, not to mention the vast majority of its clients not complaining about said terms of service, we're gonna go ahead and wager that the terms aren't being altered anytime soon.

JoystiqMass Effect 3 isn't launching on Steam, requires Origin originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 16 Jan 2012 13:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowarechris-priestlydigital-distributionelectronic-artsmass-effect-3originpcsteamMon, 16 Jan 2012 13:15:00 EST<![CDATA[EA PC games are rather cheap on Amazon today]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/29/ea-pc-games-are-rather-cheap-on-amazon-today/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/29/ea-pc-games-are-rather-cheap-on-amazon-today/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/29/ea-pc-games-are-rather-cheap-on-amazon-today/#comments You tried to be grateful, you really did. But with every Snuggie, Slanket and Opiate-Laced Cuddle Cocoon you opened, it became abundantly clear that you were getting none of the EA PC games you asked Santa for this Christmas.

Luckily, Amazon is there to set this sad situation right, with deeply discounted, digitally delivered diversions like Dead Space 2 ($4.99), Dragon Age 2 ($5.99), Mass Effect 2 ($4.99) and more. See the full list right here, and try to cut Santa some slack, okay? He always gets depressed this week.

JoystiqEA PC games are rather cheap on Amazon today originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 29 Dec 2011 15:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazondead-space-2digital-distributioneapcThu, 29 Dec 2011 15:15:00 EST<![CDATA[BioShock 2 brings dystopia to OS X in January 2012]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/22/bioshock-2-brings-dystopia-to-os-x-in-january-2012/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/22/bioshock-2-brings-dystopia-to-os-x-in-january-2012/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/22/bioshock-2-brings-dystopia-to-os-x-in-january-2012/#comments It's been nearly two years since BioShock 2 first came out on consoles and PC -- but, oddly enough, the game's still not finished being released. Next month, the game finally gets ported to Mac OS X and, like the first BioShock, the work is being done by Mac dev Feral Interactive, who will also handle distribution of the game online.

Maybe you're staunchly opposed to buying games from Feral Interactive's website, for fear of the game being untrainable and potentially disease-ridden? Gamersgate will also be offering the game as a bundle with the first, so you can totally chill out. BioShock 2 for OS X will become available at some point next month, but if you really want to give Feral your money early the company is already accepting pre-orders.

JoystiqBioShock 2 brings dystopia to OS X in January 2012 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 22 Dec 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2k-games2k-marinBioshock-2digital-distributionferalferal-interactivemacportq1-2012release-dateThu, 22 Dec 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: Good Old Games to offer Good New(ish) Games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/17/report-good-old-games-to-offer-good-new-ish-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/17/report-good-old-games-to-offer-good-new-ish-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/17/report-good-old-games-to-offer-good-new-ish-games/#comments During the CD Projekt Red Investor's Day conference in Poland today, GOG managing director Guillaume Rambourg announced an "audacious plan" to bolster the DRM-free retailer with the addition of new games, following the success of The Witcher 2 on the service.

"Traditionally, GOG.com has looked for great classics that are three years old or older," he said. "We will continue to add classic games, of course, but we are actively working to sign newer titles now." Rambourg noted that the newer games will cost more than most GOG releases --$13.99 to $16.99, but that the company plans to maintain its DRM-free model. The low prices suggest that these won't be brand new games, but simply games more recent than GOG's current three-year cutoff period.

According to a translation of GOG's action plan, the company's goal is to be the number two PC digital distribution platform. It's already the number one platform in our minds, whenever we think about old adventure games. Isn't that enough?

Update: GOG officially announced the initiative. Find the press release after the break.

Continue reading Report: Good Old Games to offer Good New(ish) Games

JoystiqReport: Good Old Games to offer Good New(ish) Games originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 17 Nov 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cd-projektdigital-distributiongoggood-old-gamesguillaume-rambourgpcThu, 17 Nov 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: Used and digital sales make up 35% of total console spending in the US]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/07/report-used-and-digital-sales-make-up-35-of-total-console-spen/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/07/report-used-and-digital-sales-make-up-35-of-total-console-spen/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/07/report-used-and-digital-sales-make-up-35-of-total-console-spen/#comments American gamers buy more used and digitally distributed games than their European doppelgangers, according to a study released by market analysis firm NewZoo. The organization's statistical findings show that 23 percent of console games purchased in the U.S. are used; slightly more than the European market where used games account for 20 percent of total console sales.

Digitally distributed titles rank lower in both regions, taking up 12 percent of the console market in America and 9 percent in Europe. That 12 percent, by the way, represents approximately $960 million, on account of 54 percent of American console owners reportedly spending an average of $49 a year on console downloads.

American PC gaming culture appears to have adopted the idea of digital distribution much faster than the console market, as an estimated 58 percent of all PC gaming dollars are spent on digitally distributed games or DLC. Now, we're no market analysts, but we think the disparity between PC and console download shares has a lot to do with PC gaming's readily available plethora of hats.

JoystiqReport: Used and digital sales make up 35% of total console spending in the US originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 07 Nov 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>digital-distributionmicrosoftnintendopcplaystationps3salesusedused-gameswiixboxMon, 07 Nov 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Pre-order Battlefield 3 on Origin, get Dead Space 2 for free]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/16/pre-order-battlefield-3-on-origin-get-dead-space-2-for-free/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/16/pre-order-battlefield-3-on-origin-get-dead-space-2-for-free/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/16/pre-order-battlefield-3-on-origin-get-dead-space-2-for-free/#comments That free game that Origin is offering for a Battlefield 3 pre-order? It's totally Dead Space 2! So now on top of early beta access and a host of DLC, EA is offering even more incentive by offering a great game.

Of course, there's a catch: there's only a limited number of copies of Dead Space 2 available. It's really silly, considering the free copy is a download. What's the matter, EA? No more storage space in the old digital warehouse?

If you want to go with Origin, you've got until September 19 to pre-order Battlefield 3 for your free ticket to the nightmarish space-romp.

JoystiqPre-order Battlefield 3 on Origin, get Dead Space 2 for free originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 16 Sep 2011 17:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battlefield-3dead-space-2dicedigital-distributioneaoriginpcvisceralvisceral-gamesFri, 16 Sep 2011 17:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Activision digital revenue up to $1.7 billion]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/01/activision-digital-revenue-up-to-1-7-billion/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/01/activision-digital-revenue-up-to-1-7-billion/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/01/activision-digital-revenue-up-to-1-7-billion/#comments Just 15 years ago, if you could make a few bucks selling homemade charm bracelets through Prodigy, you were in the vanguard of digital revenue. These days, while the model's still the same, the scale is just a bit different. Take Activision for instance: The company announced during its Analyst Day presentation that it made $1.7 billion in digital revenue over the last 12 months. We're not sure what that works out to in charm bracelets, but it's a lot.

Though World of Warcraft has always done huge digital business, the company has gotten a big boost this year from Call of Duty: Black Ops and its hugely popular DLC. As you can see in the chart above, this year's earnings are a big jump from 2010 and 2009, which respectively brought in $1.4 and $1.2 billion digital dollars.

Note: When Diablo 3 launches, Blizzard will be taking undetermined fees off the top of player-to-player items sales. So look out for the 2012 Analyst Day when Activision will have to use at least some of the digi-revenue to buy a taller chart.

JoystiqActivision digital revenue up to $1.7 billion originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 01 Sep 2011 13:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionActivision-Blizzardanalyst-dayblizzardCall-of-Duty-Black-Opsdigital-distributiondigital-revenueearningsThu, 01 Sep 2011 13:27:00 EST<![CDATA[Batman: Arkham City supports Games for Windows Live]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/30/batman-arkham-city-is-supports-games-for-windows-live/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/30/batman-arkham-city-is-supports-games-for-windows-live/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/30/batman-arkham-city-is-supports-games-for-windows-live/#comments For Batman, capturing criminals and maintaining safe, clean streets in Gotham is its own reward. For those of us lacking giant inheritances and cavernous basements, the incentive to do good just for the sake of being good isn't really enough. We need something we can hold; something we can point to and say, "I did that, here's my proof."

Achievements! It was just our roundabout way of saying Batman: Arkham City will support Games for Windows Live on PC, according to a Warner Bros. rep speaking to VG 247 today. We assume, just like its predecessor, the game will also be sold through Steam, though there has yet to be a games page created for it. We've contacted Warner Bros. for clarification. Achievements and DRM for Arkham City will be handled by Microsoft's platform.

JoystiqBatman: Arkham City supports Games for Windows Live originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 30 Aug 2011 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Batman-Arkham-Asylum-2Batman-Arkham-Citydigital-distributiongames-for-windows-livemicrosoftpcrocksteady-studioswarner-brosTue, 30 Aug 2011 22:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Atari appoints new CFO, digital and mobile VPs]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/19/atari-appoints-new-cfo-digital-and-mobile-vps/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/19/atari-appoints-new-cfo-digital-and-mobile-vps/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/19/atari-appoints-new-cfo-digital-and-mobile-vps/#comments After what we can only imagine was the most intense game of musical chairs the Atari conference room has ever seen, the company has announced it's appointed new executives at key positions. Robert Mattes is now the CFO, Owais Farooqui has taken over as senior VP of digital publishing and Maria Pacheco is now the new VP of mobile.

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

Continue reading Atari appoints new CFO, digital and mobile VPs

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

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ataribusinessdigital-distributiondungeons-and-dragons-heroes-of-neverwinterheroes-of-neverwintermacMaria-PachecomicrosoftmobileOwais-Farooquipcplaystationps3Robert-MattesxboxFri, 19 Aug 2011 04:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Newell: Valve wants to convince EA to get back on Steam]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/18/newell-valve-wants-to-convince-ea-to-get-back-on-steam/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/18/newell-valve-wants-to-convince-ea-to-get-back-on-steam/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/18/newell-valve-wants-to-convince-ea-to-get-back-on-steam/#comments Please come back to Steam, EA! Disappointed that EA's Battlefield 3 won't be sold on Steam? So, it turns out, is Valve's Gabe Newell. He takes a surprisingly responsible stance on the "complicated" issue of EA's absence from his digital distribution service, telling Develop that "we have to show EA it's a smart decision to have EA games on Steam, and we're going to try to show them that."

Newell says there isn't just one thing Valve can to do convince EA that Steam is a good place to sell its games -- instead, it has to "prove we are creating value on an ongoing basis, whether it's to EA or Ubisoft or whoever." Steam has a whole host of good reasons for EA to use it, says Newell, including "happier customers, a higher quality service, and [EA] will make more money if they have their titles on Steam. It's our duty to demonstrate that to them. We don't have a natural right to publish their games."

Newell didn't go into further detail about just how Steam would convince EA to come back, but we hear homemade cupcakes are always a nice option.

JoystiqNewell: Valve wants to convince EA to get back on Steam originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 18 Aug 2011 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battlefield-3digital-distributioneaelectronic-artsgabe-newellmacoriginpcsteamvalveThu, 18 Aug 2011 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Dragon Age 2 abducted from Steam, EA points finger at 'restrictive' terms of service as the culprit]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/28/dragon-age-2-abducted-from-steam-ea-points-finger-at-restricti/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/28/dragon-age-2-abducted-from-steam-ea-points-finger-at-restricti/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/28/dragon-age-2-abducted-from-steam-ea-points-finger-at-restricti/#comments The mysterious disappearance of Dragon Age 2 from Steam this week, just before the launch of the game's latest DLC, is yet another thorn in the side of EA's relationship with Valve's Steam digital distribution game service. As many had assumed, the game wasn't removed due to the recent (re)launch of EA's own digital distribution service, Origin, but in fact because DA2's latest DLC doesn't play nice with the Steam Terms of Service.

As the DLC -- named "Legacy" -- is delivered via an in-game store, rather than via Steam's own client, the game was removed. "Unfortunately, Steam has adopted a set of restrictive terms of service which limit how developers interact with customers to sell downloadable content," EA senior VP of global online David DeMartini noted in a statement. He also pointed out that the game is currently available on a variety of other "major download services," from GameStop to Direct2Drive, and that he hopes "to work out an agreement to keep our games on Steam." It's not clear why EA refused to deliver the DLC via Steam's client, but it appears the company won't be changing its stance just yet.

Gallery: Dragon Age 2 (Legacy DLC)

JoystiqDragon Age 2 abducted from Steam, EA points finger at 'restrictive' terms of service as the culprit originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 28 Jul 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowaredavid-demartinidigital-distributiondlcdownloadable-contentDragon-Age-2eaea-biowareelectronic-artslegacymacoriginpcsteamterms-of-servicevalvevalve-softwareThu, 28 Jul 2011 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo marketing exec says GameCube games coming to WiiWare]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/20/nintendo-marketing-exec-says-gamecube-games-coming-to-wiiware/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/20/nintendo-marketing-exec-says-gamecube-games-coming-to-wiiware/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/20/nintendo-marketing-exec-says-gamecube-games-coming-to-wiiware/#comments Nintendo Director of Entertainment and Trend Marketing Amber McCollom either outed a major feature of Nintendo's next home console unexpectedly, or she misspoke during an E3 interview. Speaking with Nintendo Gal on the subject of GameCube games not being playable on the upcoming Wii U, McCollom said, "GameCube discs will not be compatible with Wii U, but a number of the games that were playable on GameCube can be downloaded from WiiWare." Oh, really?

During E3, Nintendo admitted that the Wii U would not be able to run GameCube discs like the Wii could, but never said a peep regarding downloadable versions of GameCube games coming to Wii U. It looks like Wii U owners will get a chance to thoroughly employ that variety of storage options at their disposal.

Though McCollom's statement sounds pretty definitive, we remain skeptical, especially given Nintendo's track record with occasionally reneging on hardware/feature claims (how's that Wii DVD playback and USB storage coming along?). We've reached out to Nintendo for confirmation and details, and will update this post if we hear back.

Update: When asked directly to clarify whether the Wii U would offer downloadable GameCube content, Nintendo got back to us with this statement: "To clarify the capabilities of the Wii U system: As correctly stated, Wii U will not play Nintendo GameCube discs, however Nintendo has not made any announcements regarding downloadable content."

JoystiqNintendo marketing exec says GameCube games coming to WiiWare originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 20 Jul 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amber-mccollomdigital-distributiondownloadable-contentgamecubenintendonintendo-of-americawii-uwiiwareWed, 20 Jul 2011 12:00:00 EST