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[EA to show Star Wars plans at E3]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/ea-to-show-star-wars-plans-at-e3/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/ea-to-show-star-wars-plans-at-e3/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/ea-to-show-star-wars-plans-at-e3/#comments In an E3 conference not so far away, EA will offer a first look at its upcoming Star Wars games. The ink has barely dried on the exclusive contract with Disney in the wake of LucastArts' demise, but with next-gen consoles around the corner, it's no surprise EA is keen to offer a glimpse of what's to come.

The news was spilled on EA's The Beat blog by Labels President Frank Gibeau, who name-checked Battlefield 4, EA Sports games, and the Need for Speed franchise as part of the company's E3 showcase of next-gen games.

Around the time the post went up, Need for Speed's Facebook page uploaded a new screenshot (below the break) of what's very likely the next game in the racing series. The shot was tagged with the description "Have no rules, show no mercy."

The screenshot completely negates any possibility of it, but we're gonna call it anyway. At E3 next month, prepare to meet Need for Hyperspeed. You heard it here first.

Continue reading EA to show Star Wars plans at E3

JoystiqEA to show Star Wars plans at E3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 22 May 2013 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>disneye3-2013eaneed-for-speedstar-warsWed, 22 May 2013 07:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The troubled history of Kingdom Hearts reflects Square Enix's own]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/10/the-troubled-history-of-kingdom-hearts-reflects-square-enixs-ow/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/10/the-troubled-history-of-kingdom-hearts-reflects-square-enixs-ow/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/10/the-troubled-history-of-kingdom-hearts-reflects-square-enixs-ow/#commentsIn his weekly column, writer Bob Mackey will alternate between two of his passions: the Japanese RPG genre and classic games.

The troubled history of Kingdom Hearts reflects Square Enix's own
This Tuesday brought the announcement of Kingdom Hearts 1.5 HD Remix's American release date, and with it, feelings of ambivalence from people like me who once thought the strange pairing of Square and Disney would do more than tread water for a decade. I worked at a mall GameStop when the first installment launched in the fall of 2002, and even though I'd outgrown Disney (and had begun to outgrow Square), Kingdom Hearts felt like the first true RPG of the PS2 era, outclassing the at-the-time-recent Final Fantasy X, which relied on the same pre-rendered - albeit prettier - backgrounds that evoked the previous console generation's limitations.

Regardless of how you felt about the characters on display, turning away from our in-store TV during the Kingdom Hearts demo reel proved nearly impossible; Square's technical wizards worked overtime to ensure that an army of 2D Disney characters would look and move perfectly in real-time 3D - and they still do nearly 11 years later. For fans of Japanese RPGs and classic animation, the tag-team of Square and Disney felt like some impossible dream that somehow came true, despite the odds against it. After leaving the Capcom legacy behind in the mid-90s, the existence of Kingdom Hearts seemed like a second chance for Disney to make their games more than just cheap tie-ins sold on marketing alone.

Gallery: Kingdom Hearts 1.5 HD Remix (2/25/13)

Continue reading The troubled history of Kingdom Hearts reflects Square Enix's own

JoystiqThe troubled history of Kingdom Hearts reflects Square Enix's own originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 10 May 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DisneyKingdom-Heartskingdom-hearts-15-hd-remixOpinionplaystationps3Square-EnixFri, 10 May 2013 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Disney Interactive down $54 million in Q2]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/08/disney-interactive-down-54-million-in-q2/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/08/disney-interactive-down-54-million-in-q2/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/08/disney-interactive-down-54-million-in-q2/#comments By the end of the second quarter of its fiscal year, Disney Interactive was once again the media conglomerate's only unprofitable sector, reporting a $54 million operating income (read: pre-tax) loss for the three month period ending March 31, 2013. This is, however, a 22 percent year-over-year improvement when compared to Q2 2012's reported operating income loss of $70 million.

Disney contributes the loss to "growth at our Japan mobile business from a licensing agreement that started in February 2012 and lower acquisition accounting expense at our social games business." No mention is made of Junction Point Studios, which Disney closed in January after lackluster sales of Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two, or of the company's forthcoming game/toy platform Disney Infinity.

JoystiqDisney Interactive down $54 million in Q2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 08 May 2013 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsDisneydisney-infinityDisney-InteractiveEpic-Mickey-2financialsjunction-point-studiosmicrosoftnintendopcplaystationplaystation-vitaps3Q2Q2-2013vitawii-uxboxWed, 08 May 2013 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[EA obtains exclusive rights to Star Wars]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/06/ea-disney-exclusive-rights-star-wars/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/06/ea-disney-exclusive-rights-star-wars/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/06/ea-disney-exclusive-rights-star-wars/#commentsEA obtains exclusive rights to Star Wars
Electronic Arts and the Walt Disney Company, which obtained the Star Wars franchise as part of its $4.05 billion acquisition of LucasFilm last year, have signed a multi-year exclusive licensing agreement to develop and publish Star Wars games.


"While we don't have any details to share today on specific titles, our development teams are already brimming with design ideas," said EA Labels President Frank Gibeau. "The EA Studios that will develop these games are some of the most innovative and popular creative teams in the world, and include DICE and Visceral, in addition to the BioWare team, which is already developing for the Star Wars franchise."

The financial terms of the deal weren't disclosed. EA will develop and publish new Star Wars games for the "core gaming audience" across all interactive platforms and "most popular game genres." Disney will retain certain rights to mobile, social, tablet and online games.

JoystiqEA obtains exclusive rights to Star Wars originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 06 May 2013 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>disneyDisney-Interactiveeaelectronic-artsLucasArtslucasfilmstar-warsMon, 06 May 2013 16:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Disney Infinity shows off 'Toy Box' gameplay]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/11/disney-infinity-shows-off-toy-box-gameplay/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/11/disney-infinity-shows-off-toy-box-gameplay/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/11/disney-infinity-shows-off-toy-box-gameplay/#comments

The struggling Disney Interactive division's non-mobile hopes and dreams are all-in on Disney Infinity. Here's the company showing off gameplay of the game's Toy Box mode. Disney recently delayed Disney Infinity by two months to "capitalize on the critical fall retail season."

JoystiqDisney Infinity shows off 'Toy Box' gameplay originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 11 Apr 2013 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsdisneydisney-infinityDisney-Interactivemicrosoftnintendopcplaystationps3xboxThu, 11 Apr 2013 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Patent troll Lodsys sues Gameloft, Disney and more for using in-app purchases]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/08/patent-troll-lodsys-sues-gameloft-disney-and-more-for-using-in/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/08/patent-troll-lodsys-sues-gameloft-disney-and-more-for-using-in/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/08/patent-troll-lodsys-sues-gameloft-disney-and-more-for-using-in/#comments Patent troll Lodsys sues Gameloft, Disney and more for ingame app purchasesA company named Lodsys has filed suit against a number of mobile game developers, including Gameloft, Gamevil, and Disney, claiming that they're infringing on patents describing the technology behind in-app purchases. Lodsys is well known for its patent battles, previously filing suits against a number of smaller iOS developers, which forced Apple to get involved to say that it had already licensed Lodsys' patents and any other claims were superfluous. That case is scheduled to go to trial later this year.

The new lawsuits all name one specific title from each company: Gameloft is targeted for the in-app purchases in Real Soccer 2012, and Disney's suit mentions Where's My Water? [pictured]. The Electronic Frontier Foundation has also posted about the lawsuits, calling Lodsys a "patent troll" and asking for legal help to fight the company.

JoystiqPatent troll Lodsys sues Gameloft, Disney and more for using in-app purchases originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 08 Apr 2013 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androiddevelopersdisneygameloftgameviliosipadiphonelawsuitlegallodsysmobilepatentpatent-trollpatentspocket-gemsMon, 08 Apr 2013 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[A eulogy for LucasArts, from LucasArts]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/07/a-eulogy-for-lucasarts-from-lucasarts/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/07/a-eulogy-for-lucasarts-from-lucasarts/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/07/a-eulogy-for-lucasarts-from-lucasarts/#comments A eulogy for LucasArts, from LucasArtsImagine former LucasArts Composer Jesse Harlin standing at the lectern, dressed in black, and delivering the following eulogy while pictures of his colleagues fade in and out in a slideshow behind him:

"LucasArts died today. It was 30 years old. Ask gamers to recall George Lucas' gaming company and they'll tell you about fulfilled childhood fantasies inside the cockpit of a TIE Bomber or laugh with you about insult sword fighting. They remember the time they spent in the boots of Kyle Katarn, Ben Throttle, or Boss. They remember our successes and they remember our stumbles. But that was the public face of LucasArts."

The speech continues, noting times of triumph and the deep, personal relationships shared by employees of LucasArts over the years, told from an inside perspective. Disney shut down LucasArts on April 3, after more than 30 years of operation, halting production on all of its games.

Harlin penned the words of what he dubs "A Eulogy for LucasArts," and he put it to photos that Joel Aron snapped of employees on their final day in the office, compiled in a heartfelt series here.

When we recall LucasArts, we think of point-and-click adventures, the SCUMM engine and TIE Fighter, among many more fond memories.

JoystiqA eulogy for LucasArts, from LucasArts originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 07 Apr 2013 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>disneyeulogyLucasArtsSun, 07 Apr 2013 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Remembering the life and legend of LucasArts]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/04/remembering-the-life-and-legend-of-lucasarts/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/04/remembering-the-life-and-legend-of-lucasarts/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/04/remembering-the-life-and-legend-of-lucasarts/#commentsLife, death and legend of LucasArts LucasArts has become one with the Force. The venerable studio and publisher was shuttered by owner Disney yesterday, halting production on its games, including Star Wars 1313. Though the amount of content coming from the studio had been drastically reduced over the last few years - well before Disney acquired Lucasfilm in October 2012 - LucasArts was a beloved studio finding success in multiple decades.

But what made LucasArts games so special?

Although LucasArts may be best known for its Star Wars games - starting as the gaming branch of Lucasfilm, George Lucas' production company - the developer's biggest successes in the 1980s were point-and-click adventure games. The classic Maniac Mansion, released in 1987, introduced the SCUMM engine, that would provide the model for most of their two-dimensional adventure games (including several Indiana Jones games, Loom, Day Of The Tentacle, and The Dig).

It has a very familiar look to a certain type of gamer: a collection of verbs like "Look at" or "Open" on the bottom of the screen, and bright inventory. It looks somewhat ungainly now, but at the time it was a revolutionary step toward mouse-based interfaces and away from text adventures that forced players to type in all actions.

Continue reading Remembering the life and legend of LucasArts

JoystiqRemembering the life and legend of LucasArts originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 04 Apr 2013 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DisneyLucasArtsThu, 04 Apr 2013 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Star Wars 1313 'halted,' says LucasFilm]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/04/star-wars-1313-halted-says-lucasfilm/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/04/star-wars-1313-halted-says-lucasfilm/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/04/star-wars-1313-halted-says-lucasfilm/#comments A LucasFilm representative confirmed that production on Star Wars 1313 and what's rumored to be Star Wars: First Assault has ceased following yesterday's closure of LucasArts by Disney. Speaking to the BBC, LucasFilm spokesperson Miles Perkins said, "Both current Star Wars games projects have been halted."

A LucasArts representative previously indicated to Game Informer that Star Wars 1313 could be released via external licensing. However, a Kotaku source told that site the chances of that happening are "effectively zero."

"It is worth noting that we are looking for proven external partners who can help us provide video games to our fans," the LucasArts rep told Game Informer. "We still believe in the video game industry, we still will provide Star Wars games, we're just looking at different models rather than internal production... They're evaluating everything. There's always a possibility that it [Star Wars 1313] can still come out via licensing."

The last we'd seen of Star Wars 1313 was an "inaccurate" PlayStation Germany posting, which said the game would be available on PS3 this year. Leaked materials indicated Star Wars: First Assault as a multiplayer shooter coming to XBLA, although LucasArts had yet to officially confirm the game or any details surrounding it.

JoystiqStar Wars 1313 'halted,' says LucasFilm originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 04 Apr 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>disneylucasartslucasfilmstar-wars-1313Thu, 04 Apr 2013 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Disney closes LucasArts]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/03/disney-closes-lucasarts/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/03/disney-closes-lucasarts/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/03/disney-closes-lucasarts/#comments http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2013/04/lucasartslogo.pngDisney, which acquired Lucasfilm and LucasArts last year in a $4.05 billion deal, has shut down the legendary LucasArts division.

"After evaluating our position in the games market, we've decided to shift LucasArts from an internal development to a licensing model, minimizing the company's risk while achieving a broader portfolio of quality Star Wars games," Disney informed Game Informer in a statement. "As a result of this change, we've had layoffs across the organization. We are incredibly appreciative and proud of the talented teams who have been developing our new titles."

Although a Star Wars game factory in recent years, the publisher will be remembered for its work defining the adventure genre from the '80s to the '90s, on such titles as Maniac Mansion, The Secret of Monkey Island, Grim Fandango and Day of the Tentacle. The soul of those games and that era moved on from the company after the departure of Ron Gilbert and Double Fine's Tim Schafer.

The last announced LucasArts project was Star Wars 1313, but rumors have circulated for months about the action-adventure's halted development. The fate of Star Wars: First Assault, a multiplayer shooter, has been just as unclear.

As for Disney, the company is all-in on Disney Infinity and mobile games, having shut down the last of its core developers.

JoystiqDisney closes LucasArts originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 03 Apr 2013 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>disneyLucasArtsWed, 03 Apr 2013 13:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: Star Wars: First Assault is a multiplayer shooter]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/11/rumor-star-wars-first-assault-is-a-multiplayer-shooter-curren/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/11/rumor-star-wars-first-assault-is-a-multiplayer-shooter-curren/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/11/rumor-star-wars-first-assault-is-a-multiplayer-shooter-curren/#comments Star Wars: First Assault, an unannounced game from LucasArts, was a multiplayer shooter designed to test interest in Battlefront 3, Kotaku reports. First Assault was going to host a closed beta in September, with a launch scheduled for this spring, but when Disney bought LucasFilm in September the project was put on hold, the website says.

The September beta timeline agrees with a leaked image promoting First Assault on XBLA, uncovered in early October.

Kotaku cites someone "no longer familiar with the goings-on" at LucasArts, but with knowledge of the project for the following information: First Assault was a downloadable, multiplayer shooter supporting up to 16 players in various Star Wars worlds, and was supposed to gauge interest in a rebuilt Battlefront game. After years of being passed around studios, having been nearly completed and canceled, starting Battlefront 3 from scratch would probably be a good call.

We've reached out to LucasArts for more information.

JoystiqRumor: Star Wars: First Assault is a multiplayer shooter originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 11 Mar 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>disneyLucasArtslucasfilmmicrosoftpcplaystationps3star-wars-battlefront-3star-wars-first-assaultxboxMon, 11 Mar 2013 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Castle of Illusion ratings suggest re-release of Mickey's Genesis classic]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/07/castle-of-illusion-ratings-suggest-re-release-of-mickeys-genesi/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/07/castle-of-illusion-ratings-suggest-re-release-of-mickeys-genesi/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/07/castle-of-illusion-ratings-suggest-re-release-of-mickeys-genesi/#comments Multiple ratings for Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse indicate the classic Sega-developed Genesis platformer is getting a digital re-release. An Australian Classification Board rating for a PS3 game by the same name popped up this week, while Pockett.net spotted Brazilian classification ratings from last month for PS3, Xbox 360, Wii U, and Vita.

A couple of other Sega retro games turned up with ratings recently; we saw multiplatform ratings for Game Gear platformer-puzzler Tails Adventure earlier this week, which was soon followed by an ACB rating for fellow Game Gear entry Crystal Warriors - that came to Japan's 3DS eShop last month.

It seems likely Tails Adventure and Crystal Warriors are headed for the 3DS Virtual Console in the west. However, bearing in mind Sega's penchant for bundling retro re-releases, does Castle of Illusion point towards an 'Illusion' collection, with Land of Illusion and World of Illusion also on the way? Let's hope so, if only for all the Arrested Development clips we could link to.

JoystiqCastle of Illusion ratings suggest re-release of Mickey's Genesis classic originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 07 Mar 2013 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>castle-of-illusioncastle-of-illusion-starring-mickey-mousecrystal-warriorsdisneymicrosoftnintendoplaystationplaystation-vitaps3segatails-adventurevitawii-uxboxThu, 07 Mar 2013 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Temple Run 2 travels to the land of Oz]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/05/temple-run-2-travels-to-the-land-of-oz/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/05/temple-run-2-travels-to-the-land-of-oz/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/05/temple-run-2-travels-to-the-land-of-oz/#comments

Disney and Imangi Studios are collaborating again with Temple Run: Oz, a mishmash of Temple Run 2 and the coming film Oz the Great and Powerful. The two previously played nice on Temple Run: Brave.

If you've played Temple Run 2 - and it would appear at least 50 million of you have - this latest version has the same running, jumping and sliding gameplay, but now with a yellow brick road.

The gameplay isn't just confined to the wizard's inexhaustible stamina; there are sections where players will be tasked with guiding a hot-air balloon. Unlike Temple Run 2, which is free, this movie tie-in will set you back $1, but comes with 1500 coins of in-game currency.

JoystiqTemple Run 2 travels to the land of Oz originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 05 Mar 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>disneyimangi-studiosiosipadiphonemobileozoz-the-great-and-powerfultemple-run-2Tue, 05 Mar 2013 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Disney Infinity's Cars set on display in these screens and trailer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/24/disney-infinitys-cars-set-on-display-in-these-screens-and-trail/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/24/disney-infinitys-cars-set-on-display-in-these-screens-and-trail/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/24/disney-infinitys-cars-set-on-display-in-these-screens-and-trail/#comments
Disney Infinity's Cars-themed play set springs to life in these screens and trailer, showing Lightning McQueen, Mater, Holley Shiftwell and Francesco Bernoulli racing through Radiator Springs. The game combines physical figures with virtual play areas, each play set costing $34.99 in addition to the starter pack's $74.99 cost.

Previously announced play set themes include The Incredibles, Monsters University and Pirates of the Caribbean. Disney Infinity is set to arrive in June for Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, Wii U and 3DS.

Gallery: Disney Infinity (Cars Play Set)

JoystiqDisney Infinity's Cars set on display in these screens and trailer originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 24 Feb 2013 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dscarsdisneydisney-infinitymicrosoftnintendopixarplaystationps3trailerwiiwii-uxboxSun, 24 Feb 2013 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Obsidian has a new Star Wars game pitch for Disney]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/08/obsidian-has-a-new-star-wars-game-pitch-for-disney/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/08/obsidian-has-a-new-star-wars-game-pitch-for-disney/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/08/obsidian-has-a-new-star-wars-game-pitch-for-disney/#comments Obsidian Entertainment, developer of Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 2, has an idea for a new Star Wars game, and is eager to pitch it to new IP holder Disney.

"We pitched a between-Episode III and Episode IV game [to previous Star Wars owner LucasArts]," Obsidian CEO Feargus Urquhart told RPS. "Because we think that timeframe is super interesting. It's the fall of the Republic, the extermination of the Jedi, it's Obi-Wan going off and making sure Luke is OK. You have the Sith, but you have the extermination of all Force users except for very, very few. So it was an interesting time to set a game, and you know, Chris Avellone came up with a really cool story."

Obsidian hasn't brought its pitch to Disney yet, but it plans to present this same concept - which LucasArts was enthusiastic about before it was sold to the company."We haven't [talked with Disney yet]," Urquhart said. "We're kind of waiting for the smoke to clear. But that's one of my next big things to do."

JoystiqObsidian has a new Star Wars game pitch for Disney originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 08 Feb 2013 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>disneyFeargus-UrquhartObsidian-Entertainmentstar-warsFri, 08 Feb 2013 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Disney Infinity's fourth play set features Pixar's Cars]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/06/disney-infinitys-fourth-play-set-features-pixars-cars/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/06/disney-infinitys-fourth-play-set-features-pixars-cars/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/06/disney-infinitys-fourth-play-set-features-pixars-cars/#comments Disney Infinity's fourth play set features Pixar's CarsThe latest issue of Game Informer has details on the fourth play set announced for Disney Infinity, the Avalanche Software-developed game combining virtual play areas and characters with physical toys. Pixar's Cars universe will join Pirates of the Carribbean, Monsters Inc, and The Incredibles as announced properties contributing a play set to the Disney Infinity platform.

The first three universes are set to be included in a Starter Pack available for $74.99, while play sets like this one will cost $34.99, and add about six to nine hours of gameplay to the proceedings. In addition to the Cars world and the characters (including Lightning McQueen, Mater, Holley Shiftwell and Francesco Bernoulli), the set will also have extra items like track pieces and other goodies from the town of Radiator Springs.

Disney Infinity is set to debut on store shelves this June, and the company says we'll see more play sets announced as ready for launch before then.

JoystiqDisney Infinity's fourth play set features Pixar's Cars originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 06 Feb 2013 23:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carsdisneydisney-infinitymicrosoftnintendopcpixarplay-setplaysetplaystationpropertiesps3toyswiixboxWed, 06 Feb 2013 23:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: Disney video game division lays off 50 employees]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/30/report-disney-video-game-division-lays-off-50-employees/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/30/report-disney-video-game-division-lays-off-50-employees/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/30/report-disney-video-game-division-lays-off-50-employees/#comments Separate from the closure of Warren Spector's Junction Point Studios, the developers of the Epic Mickey series, 50 more employees reportedly lost their jobs at Disney Interactive yesterday, according to the LA Times. The paper's source is "a knowledgeable person not authorized to discuss the matter publicly."

Disney Interactive Studios endured huge layoffs across 2011, including the closure of Split/Second developer Black Rock. We've reached out to Disney Interactive Studios for comment on today's report.

We learned yesterday Epic Mickey 2 sold 529,000 copies in the US during 2012, with that return on investment certainly sealing the deal on Junction Point's closure. Since then, Epic Mickey creator and Junction Point founder Warren Spector posted a public goodbye to his studio on Facebook, which we've printed in full after the break.

Spector was effusive in his farewell to Junction Point, saying he's rarely worked with a "team more dedicated or harder working." While he noted the games "polarized" critics and fans, Spector said he's never been part of anything as deeply touching as his Epic Mickey series.

Will the man behind Deus Ex be back? "Let just say, now it's time to move to the next adventure," Spector wrote. "I honestly don't know what that will be yet, so don't ask."

Continue reading Report: Disney video game division lays off 50 employees

JoystiqReport: Disney video game division lays off 50 employees originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 30 Jan 2013 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>disneydisney-interactive-mediadisney-interactive-studiosepic-mickeyepic-mickey-2junction-pointwarren-spectorWed, 30 Jan 2013 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two life-to-date sales 529K in US]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/29/epic-mickey-2-sales-at-529-in-us/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/29/epic-mickey-2-sales-at-529-in-us/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/29/epic-mickey-2-sales-at-529-in-us/#comments

Disney's multiplatform Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two sold 529,000 units over November and December of 2012 in the United States, according to new data provided by the NPD group. Joystiq was also informed that sales of Epic Mickey 2, plus Nintendo 3DS title Disney Epic Mickey: The Power of Illusion, across North America reached 695,000 units over the same period. An unconfirmed report previously pegged Epic Mickey 2's sales at 270,000 copies.

Disney Epic Mickey developer Junction Point Studios was closed today, with the House of Mouse noting it was due to an ongoing effort to address fast-evolving gaming platforms and the marketplace.

Junction Point was the last studio standing of Disney's previous attempt to break into the triple-A "core" market, with many studios lost along the way, including the critically acclaimed Pure and Split/Second developer Black Rock Studios. Disney has readjusted its sights and is now developing Disney Infinity.

JoystiqDisney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two life-to-date sales 529K in US originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 29 Jan 2013 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>disneyDisney-Interactivedsepic-mickey-2junction-pointjunction-point-studioslayoffsmicrosoftnintendonpdplaystationps3wiiwii-uxboxTue, 29 Jan 2013 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Disney Infinity makers confirm annual rollout, future content on disc]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/25/disney-infinity-makers-confirm-annual-rollout-future-content-on/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/25/disney-infinity-makers-confirm-annual-rollout-future-content-on/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/25/disney-infinity-makers-confirm-annual-rollout-future-content-on/#comments Disney Infinity warns filmmakers that yearly releases will include future content

Disney Infinity's executive producer John Vignocchi has told Videogamer.com that the new series (which uses physical toys to access digital content) is targeted for a yearly release schedule. The starter pack of the brand new "gaming platform" is due out this June, and Vignocchi says it will contain content for the first 12 months of the title, some of which is still unannounced. That means that hackers who are able to dive into the disc's code may indeed find so-far-unrevealed Disney characters and movies, a possibility that Vignocchi confirms developer Avalanche Software has "made the film-makers aware of."

"There's absolute potential that people are going to see characters prior to their PR campaigns kicking off," says Vignocchi, adding that he hopes that won't "ruin the magic for the consumer." Future consoles, he promises, will allow for more widespread digital distribution of the new content, which means Disney will be able to release it out into the wild as needed. "But given the current generation of consoles," says Vignocchi, "the content needs to be on the disc."

JoystiqDisney Infinity makers confirm annual rollout, future content on disc originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 25 Jan 2013 04:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>consolescontentdisneydisney-infinityfuture-consolesjohn-vignocchimicrosoftnintendoplaystationps3releaseswii-uxboxFri, 25 Jan 2013 04:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Actor teases new Kingdom Hearts voice work]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/25/actor-teases-new-kingdom-hearts-voice-work/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/25/actor-teases-new-kingdom-hearts-voice-work/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/25/actor-teases-new-kingdom-hearts-voice-work/#comments Voice actor teases Kingdom Hearts work, could be HD RemixJesse McCartney is a voice actor for the Kingdom Hearts series; he's played Roxas for a few different games now. Earlier today, McCartney tweeted that he was "recording the next chapter" of the series, along with a picture of Roxas on a monitor, which you can see above. Unfortunately, the tweet and picture featuring the game have been removed; however, an earlier update confirmed McCartney is currently "behind the mic" working on something.

The question remains: what game in the Kingdom Hearts series is McCartney working on? The likely answer is it's the North American release of Kingdom Hearts 1.5 HD Remix, which features Final Mix, Chain of Memories, and 358/2 Days. Time will tell.

JoystiqActor teases new Kingdom Hearts voice work originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 25 Jan 2013 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>actingactordisneyjesse-mccartneykingdom-heartskingdom-hearts-15-hd-remixplaystationps3square-enixvoice-actorFri, 25 Jan 2013 02:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Disney Infinity starter pack priced $74.99, Play Sets $34.99]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/16/disney-infinity-starter-pack-priced-74-99-play-sets-34-99/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/16/disney-infinity-starter-pack-priced-74-99-play-sets-34-99/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/16/disney-infinity-starter-pack-priced-74-99-play-sets-34-99/#comments The Disney Infinity starter pack, which will include the game, three figures and their three respective 'Play Sets,' will cost $74.99 when it debuts this June. The three figures bundled with the starter pack are Pirates of the Caribbean's Jack Sparrow, The Incredibles' Mr Incredible, and Sully of Monsters University.

Each of the 20 launch figures has its own associated 'Play Set,' these being gameplay worlds and stories linked to the character and their original habitat. Play Sets will cost $34.99, while Power Disc bundles, which sit underneath character figures and provide in-game buffs, will start at $4.99.

If you want to learn more, check out Mike Schramm's in-depth look at Disney's newly unveiled answer to Skylanders.

JoystiqDisney Infinity starter pack priced $74.99, Play Sets $34.99 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 Jan 2013 13:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>disneydisney-infinitymicrosoftmobilenintendopcplaystationps3wiiwii-uxboxWed, 16 Jan 2013 13:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Disney reaches into the Toy Box with the new Infinity platform]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/16/disney-reaches-into-the-toy-box-with-the-new-infinity-platform/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/16/disney-reaches-into-the-toy-box-with-the-new-infinity-platform/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/16/disney-reaches-into-the-toy-box-with-the-new-infinity-platform/#comments The signs were all there in the rumors leading up to yesterday's big Disney Infinity reveal in Los Angeles. Disney's been working on a new gaming "platform," designed to bring all of its properties together in one IP spanning across multiple consoles and outlets. But the one note we missed was the most important: this game is connected to a series of real toys that interact with Disney's digital worlds, Skylanders-style.

There are a few important differences, but the similarities between Activision's enormously popular toys-into-games platform and Disney's new Infinity initiative are quite striking. Both are inspired by smaller developers with big ideas: Toys for Bob on the Activision side, and Avalanche Software on Disney's, which developed the "Toy Box" idea in a much smaller form as part of the Toy Story 3 game. Both are big, expandable product lines with lots of options for console (and eventually mobile) titles, and both take retail-friendly physical toys and tie them directly into engagement-friendly video game experiences.

Oh, and both franchises are probably going to make their owners lots and lots of money.

Gallery: Disney Infinity

Continue reading Disney reaches into the Toy Box with the new Infinity platform

JoystiqDisney reaches into the Toy Box with the new Infinity platform originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 Jan 2013 12:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>avalancheavalanche-softwaredisneydisney-infinityinfinityinterviewjohn-daymicrosoftmobilenintendopcplatformplaystationproducerps3skylanderstoyswiiwii-uxboxWed, 16 Jan 2013 12:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: Epic Mickey 2 sold 270K copies in North America last year]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/16/report-epic-mickey-2-sold-270k-copies-in-north-america-last-yea/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/16/report-epic-mickey-2-sold-270k-copies-in-north-america-last-yea/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/16/report-epic-mickey-2-sold-270k-copies-in-north-america-last-yea/#comments Report Epic Mickey 2 sold 270k copies in North America by end of 2012Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two reportedly sold 270,000 copies in North America by the end of last year, around a million fewer than its Wii-only predecessor in roughly the same amount of time post-release. That's according to the LA Times, which reports it learned the figure from a person with access to recent NPD data.

Epic Mickey, released in November 2010, reportedly sold 1.3 million copies by the close of that year. If accurate, Epic Mickey 2's sales represent a commercial plummet for the series, despite the sequel coming to PS3, Xbox 360, and Wii U last year in addition to the Wii, not to mention the 700 or so people who worked on the game.

In a recent interview, Epic Mickey creator Warren Spector showed plenty of interest in continuing his series, saying "there are plenty of stories still to tell about Wasteland and Oswald the Lucky Rabbit and Mickey Mouse." Going by these figures, Disney might not share his enthusiasm.

Update: New information provided places Epic Mickey 2 sales at 529,000 copies in US since November 2012 launch.

JoystiqReport: Epic Mickey 2 sold 270K copies in North America last year originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 Jan 2013 09:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>disneyepic-mickey-2junction-point-studiosmicrosoftnintendonpdnpd-decembernpd-december-2012playstationps3wiiwii-uxboxWed, 16 Jan 2013 09:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Warren Spector would love to see more Epic Mickey games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/20/warren-spector-would-love-to-see-more-epic-mickey-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/20/warren-spector-would-love-to-see-more-epic-mickey-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/20/warren-spector-would-love-to-see-more-epic-mickey-games/#comments Warren Spector wants to make more Epic Mickey gamesWarren Spector, the (mad)man behind Disney's Epic Mickey, would like to continue making games in the series, he tells Red Bull for some reason. He and the development team at Junction Point have troves of ideas for follow-ups:

"I'd love to see the Disney Epic Mickey series continue - there are plenty of stories still to tell about Wasteland and Oswald the Lucky Rabbit and Mickey Mouse," Spector says. "I'd love to see some Oswald games, where he's on his own. He deserves a shot at solo stardom. Then there are the 'duck' games - Donald, Scrooge, etc. - that are just waiting to be made. And a bunch of us at Junction Point have thoughts about Goofy and the Gremlins and a hundred others."

More than just wanting to create one extra game, Spector says there is enough material in the past 80 years of Disney history to make 80 more Epic Mickey games.

"I should probably keep some secrets, but I'd love to do something with all the rejected versions of Tinkerbell [from Peter Pan] we saw in the archives - I think fans would get a huge kick out of that."

Yes, Spector retains this enthusiasm even after our review of Epic Mickey 2.

JoystiqWarren Spector would love to see more Epic Mickey games originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 20 Dec 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>disneyepic-mickey-2microsoftnintendoplaystationps3warren-spectorwiiwii-uxboxThu, 20 Dec 2012 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: Disney Infinity is a sandbox game for consoles, iOS and Android]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/20/rumor-disney-infinity-is-a-sandbox-game-for-consoles-ios-and-a/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/20/rumor-disney-infinity-is-a-sandbox-game-for-consoles-ios-and-a/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/20/rumor-disney-infinity-is-a-sandbox-game-for-consoles-ios-and-a/#comments Next month, Disney Infinity will be revealed to the press at an event in Los Angeles. Aside from a lenticular invitation, there's nothing else concrete on Disney Infinity right now.

According to a Polygon source, what we're going to see is an open-world sandbox game with characters from Disney and Pixar. It mixes elements of Minecraft, such as building, with Just Cause's open-world gameplay - if you played Toy Story 3: The Video Game, it sounds reminiscent of that game's Toy Box mode. In fact, "Toy Box" is a codename for a project that sounds an awful lot like these rumors about Disney Infinity.

Disney Infinity is rumored to be on multiple platforms, including current consoles, iOS and Android devices, with development duties falling squarely on Utah-based Avalanche Software, the same developer responsible for Toy Story 3: The Game. According to Polygon's report, the mobile versions of Disney Infinity lacked the building aspects seen in the console versions. It also suggests that Disney considers the game as a "platform" to be expanded with more characters and scenarios as time goes by.

JoystiqRumor: Disney Infinity is a sandbox game for consoles, iOS and Android originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 20 Dec 2012 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidavalanche-softwaredisneydisney-infinitydisney-interactiveiosipadiphonemicrosoftmobilenintendopixarplaystationps3toy-storytoy-story-3-the-video-gamewii-uxboxThu, 20 Dec 2012 17:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Disney Interactive revealing 'Disney Infinity' next month]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/18/disney-interactive-revealing-disney-infinity-next-month/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/18/disney-interactive-revealing-disney-infinity-next-month/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/18/disney-interactive-revealing-disney-infinity-next-month/#comments Disney Interactive revealing 'Disney Infinity' next monthDisney Interactive will unveil a new "gaming initative" called Disney Infinity on Jan. 15, according to an invitation received today by Joystiq. Disney Interactive co-president John Pleasants and Disney/Pixar CCO John Lasseter will speak at the event, suggesting that Disney Infinity is a Big Deal.

The lenticular card also suggests a big deal.

An interview with Disney CEO Robert Iger in October revealed plans for something called "Toy Box," which would have Disney and Pixar characters interacting in games across multiple platforms. It's possible that Disney has renamed that project "Infinity." We'll find out in January.

JoystiqDisney Interactive revealing 'Disney Infinity' next month originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 18 Dec 2012 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>disneydisney-infinitydisney-interactiveTue, 18 Dec 2012 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Epic Mickey - Power of Illusion review: Uneven strokes]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/28/epic-mickey-power-of-illusion-review-uneven-strokes/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/28/epic-mickey-power-of-illusion-review-uneven-strokes/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/28/epic-mickey-power-of-illusion-review-uneven-strokes/#comments Epic Mickey Power of Illusion reviewEvil witches - they're always up to something. In the case of Mizrabel, that something typically involves the Castle of Illusion. That's where she wreaked havoc on the Sega Genesis back in the early 90s, and it's where she's breaking out her bag of evil tricks once again, this time on the Nintendo 3DS.

A spiritual successor to Castle of Illusion with an Epic Mickey makeover, Epic Mickey: Power of Illusion sees Oswald the Rabbit calling on his old pal Mickey to once again quell trouble in the Wasteland. People have forgotten about Mizrabel and her castle, so both have been banished to Oswald's dimension of forgotten Disney properties. But she's not just going to sit there and take it. Instead, she's kidnapping plenty of popular characters and stealing their "heart power," all so she can make the return trip to Toon World.

Gallery: Disney Epic Mickey: The Power of Illusion (E3 2012)

Continue reading Epic Mickey - Power of Illusion review: Uneven strokes

JoystiqEpic Mickey - Power of Illusion review: Uneven strokes originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 28 Nov 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsdisneydisney-epic-mickey-the-power-of-illusiondreamriftnintendoWed, 28 Nov 2012 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Disney Epic Mickey 2 - The Power of Two review: Of mice and meh]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/21/disney-epic-mickey-2-the-power-of-two-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/21/disney-epic-mickey-2-the-power-of-two-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/21/disney-epic-mickey-2-the-power-of-two-review/#comments Keep track of all of Joystiq's Wii U launch coverage on our Wii U hub page!

When an earthquake rattles the denizens of Wasteland, a melancholic dumping ground for Disney creations long forgotten, the Mad Doctor emerges with evil mustache intact - but a nicer public act. He's changed his tune, he says and sings, convincing all within earshot that he's due for a second chance. And never mind that he just burst forth from the earth on a gigantic robot, just as the town broke in half. That's no cause for suspicion, surely.

Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two is something of a second chance for Junction Point's series, at least to my mind. The first game was tinged with a strange sadness as it caught up with characters discarded by their creators, though what empathy there was came in cutscenes more often than play. Mechanically, Mickey Mouse's house wasn't in order.

The sequel promises an improved camera, more elaborate choices, a musical flair, a playable partnership with Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, and the same exquisite appreciation and restoration of Disney's dusty history. Sadly, these claims of a better game are about as believable as the Mad Doctor's sudden turnaround, and Epic Mickey 2 slides into mediocrity after just a few steps.

Gallery: Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two (Wii U)

Continue reading Disney Epic Mickey 2 - The Power of Two review: Of mice and meh

JoystiqDisney Epic Mickey 2 - The Power of Two review: Of mice and meh originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 21 Nov 2012 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>disneyepic-mickey-2junction-point-studiosmicrosoftmovenintendoplaystationps3warren-spectorwiiwii-uxboxWed, 21 Nov 2012 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Disney's mobile, social push improves its bottom line]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/11/disneys-mobile-social-push-improves-its-bottom-line/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/11/disneys-mobile-social-push-improves-its-bottom-line/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/11/disneys-mobile-social-push-improves-its-bottom-line/#comments Disney's focus on the mobile space improves its bottom lineDisney Interactive, the arm of Walt's empire that handles video games, saw an operating loss of $216 million for the fiscal year 2012, which ended on September 29. Loss for the quarter came to $76 million, an improvement of $18 million from Q4 2011.

Revenue for the year decreased 14 percent from 2011's $982 million, bringing 2012 to $845 million - the $216 million loss, however, improved from 2011's $308 million. Disney attributed the loss improvement to a focus on social games and decreased production of console games:

"Improved segment operating results for the year reflected an increase at our social games business.... The reduction in console games product development reflected an ongoing shift from console game releases to mobile and social game releases."

In 2011, Disney Interactive shut down all core studios except for Junction Point, the house responsible for the Epic Mickey series. Disney acquired Lucasfilm for $4.05 billion on October 30, and the deal included LucasArts, Industrial Light & Magic and Skywalker Sound, the Star Wars games and effects studios. During the acquisition, Disney said it was likely to develop social and mobile games in the Star Wars universe, leaving console games to licensed third parties.

JoystiqDisney's mobile, social push improves its bottom line originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 11 Nov 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsandroiddisneyDisney-Interactivefy-2012iosipadiphoneLucasArtslucasfilmmacmicrosoftmobilenintendopcplaystationps3wiiwii-uxboxSun, 11 Nov 2012 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PSA: Angry Birds Star Wars is no longer far, far away, out now]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/08/psa-angry-birds-star-wars-is-no-longer-far-far-away-out-now/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/08/psa-angry-birds-star-wars-is-no-longer-far-far-away-out-now/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/08/psa-angry-birds-star-wars-is-no-longer-far-far-away-out-now/#comments
Rovio catapulted Angry Birds Star Wars into hyper-availability today, the game now live on iPhone, iPad, Android, Windows Phone 8, Windows 8 tablets, Kindle Fire, PC, and Mac. The developer promises over 80 levels of crossover larks, in which you guide the Rebel Birds through the trials and tribulations of deep-space physics as they flap their way towards, yup, the Pig Star.

Rovio also unveiled the above "cinematic" trailer, which offers an Angry Birds take on the iconic Mos Eisley Cantina scene from A New Hope. It's probably truer to the original than the digitally remastered re-release.

JoystiqPSA: Angry Birds Star Wars is no longer far, far away, out now originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 08 Nov 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidangry-birds-star-warsdisneyiosipadiphonelucasfilmmacmobilepcrelease-daterovioThu, 08 Nov 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Disney Epic Mickey 2 demo available on XBLM, PSN]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/06/disney-epic-mickey-2-demo-available-on-xblm-psn/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/06/disney-epic-mickey-2-demo-available-on-xblm-psn/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/06/disney-epic-mickey-2-demo-available-on-xblm-psn/#comments Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two is available now for a test drive on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. The demo has players taking control of Mickey, experiencing some early levels of the game, along with some Oswald co-op abilities.

The game will be available November 18 on all major platforms, including Wii U. The same date goes for the 3DS game, Epic Mickey: Power of Illusion.

Gallery: Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two (Wii U)

Continue reading Disney Epic Mickey 2 demo available on XBLM, PSN

JoystiqDisney Epic Mickey 2 demo available on XBLM, PSN originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 06 Nov 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>demodisneyDisney-Interactiveepic-mickey-2microsoftplaystationps3xboxTue, 06 Nov 2012 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Angry Birds Star Wars character video wrap up]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/05/angry-birds-star-wars-character-video-wrap-up/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/05/angry-birds-star-wars-character-video-wrap-up/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/05/angry-birds-star-wars-character-video-wrap-up/#comments

Previously on Angry Birds Star Wars... Angry Birds Luke and Leia, followed by C3PO and R2-D2 slammed into imperial piggie stuff. Since we noticed a theme developing, we decided to hold off and post the latest trailer, with Han, Chewie, Obi-Wan and Darth Piggie here.

Continue reading Angry Birds Star Wars character video wrap up

JoystiqAngry Birds Star Wars character video wrap up originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 05 Nov 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidangry-birds-star-warsdisneyiosipadiphonemobilerovioMon, 05 Nov 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wreck-It Ralph iOS game launches alongside film today]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/02/wreck-it-ralph-ios-game-launches-alongside-film-today/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/02/wreck-it-ralph-ios-game-launches-alongside-film-today/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/02/wreck-it-ralph-ios-game-launches-alongside-film-today/#comments
Tie-in games aren't typically wells of expectation, but it's a little different when the thing tied into is an homage to gaming. So as much as we're expecting big things from the movie, we're also hopeful for Wreck-It Ralph's tie-in games, including the iOS one released today.

Wreck-it Ralph on iOS is actually a mini-game collection, so there's a good start. The first mini-game is the 8-bit styled 'Fix-It Felix Jr,' in which you hop across an apartment block trying to repair windows, avoiding bricks chucked at you by the Kong-like Ralph. The second, 'Sweet Climber,' plays like a candy-sprinkled version of Doodle Jump. The final mini-game is 'Hero's Duty,' which based on the corresponding film trailer ought to be like Mass Effect or Halo. In fact it's a top-down twin-stick shooter, although you're still fending off loads of aliens.

Wreck-It Ralph will get future mini-game updates, including a racer called 'Turbo Time.' In the meantime, you can buy it with the 3 mini-games currently available for 99 cents. If you'd prefer to try before you buy, Fix-It Felix Jr. is also available as a free standalone.

Gallery: Wreck-It Ralph 3-in-1 (iOS/Android)

JoystiqWreck-It Ralph iOS game launches alongside film today originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 02 Nov 2012 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>disneyiosipadiphonemobilerelease-datewreck-it-ralphFri, 02 Nov 2012 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Angry Birds Star Wars has droids, works on Droid]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/31/angry-birds-star-wars-has-droids-works-on-droid/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/31/angry-birds-star-wars-has-droids-works-on-droid/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/31/angry-birds-star-wars-has-droids-works-on-droid/#comments mini First look at Angry Birds Star Wars gameplay

Angry Birds Star Wars - now a collaboration between developer Rovio and the Walt Disney Company - jettisoned its latest trailer today, featuring everyone's favorite droid life partners. ABSW will use the force of fingers on November 8 across iOS, Android, and Windows 8 PCs.

JoystiqAngry Birds Star Wars has droids, works on Droid originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 31 Oct 2012 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidangry-birds-star-warsdisneyiosipadiphoneLucasArtsmobilepcrovioWed, 31 Oct 2012 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Disney acquires Lucasfilm for $4.05 billion, LucasArts included]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/30/disney-acquires-lucasfilm-for-4-05-billion-lucasarts-included/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/30/disney-acquires-lucasfilm-for-4-05-billion-lucasarts-included/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/30/disney-acquires-lucasfilm-for-4-05-billion-lucasarts-included/#comments Disney acquires Lucasfilm for $405 billion, LucasArts includedDisney has just announced its purchase of Lucasfilm Limited, the umbrella corporation responsible for all things Star Wars, Indiana Jones and pretty much anything else George Lucas has ever had his hand in. The purchase will set ol' Walt back $4.05 billion.

Industrial Light & Magic, Skywalker Sound and LucasArts are all included in the purchase price, meaning that Disney has not only found a way to profit from the production of movies that it isn't making, but also how to get Jar-Jar Binks into a Kingdom Hearts game.

The company also announced that Star Wars 7 exists and is aiming for a 2015 release date, which makes this the most insane thing ever. Lucasfilm co-chairman Kathleen Kennedy will become president of Lucasfilm under Disney, and will also act as executive producer on "new Star Wars feature films, with George Lucas serving as creative consultant."

JoystiqDisney acquires Lucasfilm for $4.05 billion, LucasArts included originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 30 Oct 2012 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acquisitionbuyoutDisneygeorge-lucasindiana-jonesIndustrial-light-and-magickingdom-heartsLucasArtsLucasfilmpurchaseskywalker-soundstar-warsstar-wars-7Tue, 30 Oct 2012 16:31:00 EST<![CDATA['Toy Box' to bring Pixar and Disney characters together in game]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/23/toy-box-to-bring-pixar-and-disney-characters-together-in-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/23/toy-box-to-bring-pixar-and-disney-characters-together-in-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/23/toy-box-to-bring-pixar-and-disney-characters-together-in-game/#comments Disney working on Toy Box, console game bringing Pixar and Disney characters togetherDisney is working hard and spending a lot of money on an unannounced gaming initiative tentatively called Toy Box, according to an interview with the company's chief executive, Robert Iger, in the New York Times.

Toy Box is an upcoming console game that will make use of both Pixar and Disney characters in the same environments for the first time. It will extend into mobile and online gaming realms, perhaps offering tie-in games on a number of different platforms, made for different audiences.

Disney Interactive has been struggling lately to find a real hit, especially after the lukewarm reception to the company's Epic Mickey. But the House of Mouse has had some good news from the online and mobile divisions lately, where big titles like Club Penguin have worked with breakout mobile hits like Where's My Water? to prop up the ailing Interactive group.

It sounds like the plan is to better incorporate future console titles like Toy Box with the online and mobile strengths. We'll have to wait and see just what this project turns out to be; it sounds like the official announcement isn't set until next year.

Joystiq'Toy Box' to bring Pixar and Disney characters together in game originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 23 Oct 2012 20:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>disneymicrosoftmobilepcpixarplaystationps3robert-igertoy-boxxboxTue, 23 Oct 2012 20:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Kingdom Hearts 1.5 HD Remix announced for PS3, features remastered PS2 games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/19/kingdom-hearts-1-5-hd-remix-announced-for-ps3-features-remaster/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/19/kingdom-hearts-1-5-hd-remix-announced-for-ps3-features-remaster/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/19/kingdom-hearts-1-5-hd-remix-announced-for-ps3-features-remaster/#comments Kingdom Hearts 15 HD Remix announced for PS3Square Enix has revealed Kingdom Hearts is finally on its way to current-era home consoles. In typical wacky naming fashion for the publisher, the bundle including HD remastered versions of Kingdom Hearts Final Mix, Kingdom Hearts - Re:Chain of Memories, and Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days will launch in 2013 under the banner of Kingdom Hearts 1.5 HD Remix.

No stranger to re-releases, the Kingdom Hearts franchise will further update the PS2 re-release of Chain of Memories - originally a GBA game - to the PS3. Final Mix was a Japanese-exclusive re-release of the first game, which added new content found in the North American version of the game. Though the DS-exclusive 358/2 Days would probably see the most tweaking to get it to land on home consoles, speculation based on a Famitsu report is the PS3 release will only feature remade cutscenes from in the handheld title and not its gameplay.

Additionally, Square Enix revealed a browser-based, online social card game set within the Kingdom Hearts universe, according to the same Famitsu report.

Joystiq has a team in Japan for TGS 2012 - which officially begins tomorrow - and will look to have Square Enix explain exactly what the PS3 bundle includes and whether the company plans to bring it stateside.

JoystiqKingdom Hearts 1.5 HD Remix announced for PS3, features remastered PS2 games originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 19 Sep 2012 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DisneyKingdom-Heartsplaystationps3Square-EnixTGS-2012Wed, 19 Sep 2012 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Avengers Initiative lets Hulk loose on iOS and Android tomorrow]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/05/avengers-initiative-lets-hulk-loose-on-ios-and-android-tomorrow/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/05/avengers-initiative-lets-hulk-loose-on-ios-and-android-tomorrow/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/05/avengers-initiative-lets-hulk-loose-on-ios-and-android-tomorrow/#comments Avengers Initiative lets Hulk loose on iOS and Android tomorrow
The first episodic Marvel game, Avengers Initiative, will debut on iOS and Android devices tomorrow for $6.99. The first episode, starring The Hulk, is reminiscent of Chair's gesture-based combat series, Infinity Blade. We've got some preview code and will write up a Portabliss soon.

Avengers Initiative foregoes the typical episodic price model, instead offering updates free of charge. Each addition will be a new character from The Avengers' huge HR folder - the initial teaser image suggests Iron Man, Captain America and Thor are amongst planned characters. And with each new character comes personalized stories and content, so they'll be more than just skins over the same frame.

JoystiqAvengers Initiative lets Hulk loose on iOS and Android tomorrow originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 05 Sep 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidavengers-initiativedisneyiosipadiphonemarvelmobilewideload-gamesWed, 05 Sep 2012 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Epic Mickey 2 dev diary illustrates the power of characters]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/17/epic-mickey-2-dev-diary-illustrates-the-power-of-characters/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/17/epic-mickey-2-dev-diary-illustrates-the-power-of-characters/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/17/epic-mickey-2-dev-diary-illustrates-the-power-of-characters/#comments
Oswald isn't just a lucky rabbit in Epic Mickey 2 - he owns one of the best inventions we've ever seen, a remote control that turns foe into friend. If only we had that back in middle school! We could've avoided so many swirlies.

JoystiqEpic Mickey 2 dev diary illustrates the power of characters originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 17 Aug 2012 05:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>disneyDisney-Interactiveepic-mickey-2junction-pointjunction-point-studiosmicrosoftnintendoplaystationps3wiixboxFri, 17 Aug 2012 05:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Disney Interactive is only division running at a loss]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/08/disney-interactive-is-only-division-running-at-a-loss/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/08/disney-interactive-is-only-division-running-at-a-loss/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/08/disney-interactive-is-only-division-running-at-a-loss/#comments
The Walt Disney Company saw the largest earnings in the company's history for the quarter ending June 30, which is all sunshine and lollipops until you get down to the interactive (games) division. A year after gutting nearly all its core projects - and shuttering all core studios except Epic Mickey studio Junction Point (under the protection of Warren Spector) - the interactive division is the only part of the conglomerate operating at a loss.

Sales during the quarter were down 22 percent from the same period last year to $196 million, with an operating loss of $42 million, which is better than the $86 million loss last year. The improvement is thanks to social games. The company is still in an "ongoing shift from console games to social and other interactive platforms."

There is one exception to that: Junction Point's Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two, which will be available this November. Hopefully, sales of the sequel will let the House of Mouse continue to show leniency toward Junction Point.

JoystiqDisney Interactive is only division running at a loss originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 08 Aug 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>disneyDisney-Interactiveepic-mickey-2fy-2012junction-pointjunction-point-studiosq3Wed, 08 Aug 2012 16:00:00 EST