Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Knuckle-puck time: NHL 13 slated for Sept. 11, collector's edition announced]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/19/knuckle-puck-time-nhl-13-slated-for-sept-11-collectors-editi/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/19/knuckle-puck-time-nhl-13-slated-for-sept-11-collectors-editi/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/19/knuckle-puck-time-nhl-13-slated-for-sept-11-collectors-editi/#comments Image

EA Sports Canada recently announced the feature set for NHL 13, which is due for release on September 11 in North America and September 14 in Europe on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. Among the more noteworthy features listed are the additions of "True Performance Skating" and "EA Sports Hockey I.Q."

True Performance Skating is the latest in EA Sports' apparent efforts to introduce physics-based engines to player movement. Much like FIFA 12's Player Impact Engine, True Performance Skating promises to deliver the "explosiveness, momentum and top end speed displayed by today's NHL players," while utilizing over a thousand new player animations. The result, according to the team, should allow for more realistic and creative player movement.

NHL 13 also features EA Sports Hockey I.Q., and unfortunately it isn't a sports-themed quiz show. EA Sports elaborated on the shortcomings of the computer A.I. in last year's game, saying that "players were only aware of skaters in their immediate proximity and goalies could only react to the player in control of the puck." EA Sports Hockey I.Q. is expected to encourage, you guessed it, more intelligent decisions by computer-controlled players, who will now "read the whole ice."

The series' Be a GM mode, traditionally a single-player feature, will allow players to pit their teams against one another in a full 30-team online league in NHL 13. EA Sports Canada says there will be a "companion mobile app" for players to connect to their online leagues as well.

EA Sports also listed details on collector's edition versions of the game, which mostly includes Hockey Ultimate Team card packs. Both the standard and collector's editions of the game are available to pre-order now from the Origin store.

JoystiqKnuckle-puck time: NHL 13 slated for Sept. 11, collector's edition announced originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 19 May 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>EA-Sportsmicrosoftnhl-13playstationps3xboxSat, 19 May 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Nexon's relationship with EA is much less exciting than we heard before]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/04/nexons-relationship-with-ea-is-much-less-exciting-than-we-heard/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/04/nexons-relationship-with-ea-is-much-less-exciting-than-we-heard/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/04/nexons-relationship-with-ea-is-much-less-exciting-than-we-heard/#comments US game publishing giant Electronic Arts isn't being purchased by South Korean social game company Nexon anytime soon, but the two companies are in talks. Not talks about an acquisition, mind you, but regarding Asian distribution of EA's FIFA Online series. Those two things are what we might call, "totally different," but Bloomberg's unnamed sources apparently didn't see a huge difference between the two when they informed the publication last week that Nexon was seeking a purchase of EA.

Bloomberg's backtracking on that report - which pretty much everyone called very unlikely at the time - is saying now that "three people with knowledge of the matter" tell the publication a deal is being brokered between Nexon and EA for distribution of the online-based soccer title in Asia. Specifically, EA could employ Nexon's "online servers and developers in Asia" to help bring FIFA Online to the continent. An announcement of the partnership is expected "as early as June," which, you know, would line up pretty well with E3 2012.

JoystiqNexon's relationship with EA is much less exciting than we heard before originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 04 May 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>asiaeaea-sportsea-sports-fifa-onlineea-sports-fifa-online-2electronic-artsfifa-onlinefifa-online-2nexonFri, 04 May 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SSX dares you to continue defying reality with latest DLC vid]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/24/ssx-dares-you-to-continue-defying-reality-with-latest-dlc-vid/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/24/ssx-dares-you-to-continue-defying-reality-with-latest-dlc-vid/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/24/ssx-dares-you-to-continue-defying-reality-with-latest-dlc-vid/#comments Image
SSX's Zoe doesn't care that you're comfy with reality - she's got a bone to pick with physics in general, actually. And she's taking that bone to the slopes, as evidenced in the latest DLC trailer for this year's SSX. The DLC arrives next week on May 1.

Continue reading SSX dares you to continue defying reality with latest DLC vid

JoystiqSSX dares you to continue defying reality with latest DLC vid originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 24 Apr 2012 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dlcdownloadable-contentea-canadaea-sportselectronic-artsgameplaymicrosoftmount-eddiemt-eddieplaystationps3ssx-2012xboxzoe-payneTue, 24 Apr 2012 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Barry Sanders joins Robert Griffin III on NCAA Football 13 cover]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/17/barry-sanders-joins-robert-griffin-iii-on-ncaa-football-13-cover/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/17/barry-sanders-joins-robert-griffin-iii-on-ncaa-football-13-cover/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/17/barry-sanders-joins-robert-griffin-iii-on-ncaa-football-13-cover/#comments ImageRobert Griffin III won 2011's Heisman Trophy, an award given to the best footballers who ever footballed in college football.

Griffin, who was selected to grace the cover of NCAA Football 13, will be joined by former Heisman recipient Barry Sanders, a football hall of famer. Sanders was voted to be on the cover by the fans in a contest which pitted eight past Heisman winners against each other in a bracket-style elimination tournament.

NCAA Football 13 launches on the Xbox 360 and PS3 on July 10. Hit up the trailer above to see some of the new passing system changes in the next installment.

JoystiqBarry Sanders joins Robert Griffin III on NCAA Football 13 cover originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 17 Apr 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>barry-sanderseaea-sportsmicrosoftncaa-football-13playstationps3robert-griffin-iiixboxTue, 17 Apr 2012 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EA explains why UEFA Soccer is now FIFA 12 DLC]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/30/ea-explains-why-uefa-soccer-is-now-fifa-12-dlc/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/30/ea-explains-why-uefa-soccer-is-now-fifa-12-dlc/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/30/ea-explains-why-uefa-soccer-is-now-fifa-12-dlc/#comments Every four years, EA releases a soccer game based on the UEFA championship. EA renewed the license for the franchise long enough to make a 2012 version. However, there won't actually be a standalone UEFA release this year -- instead, EA is putting out UEFA Euro 2012 on April 24 as a DLC pack for FIFA 12. EA still refers to it as the "officially licensed videogame," but it's a downloadable expansion.

Why relegate the UEFA to expansion pack status? Mostly because FIFA 12 has been so popular, EA communications manager Steve Frost told Gamasutra. "We felt this was the best way to extend that experience and deliver fresh new content to our fans," he said. Releasing UEFA as DLC helps keep players engaged in FIFA longer.

"We expect that some fans who may not have FIFA 12 will want to play Euro 2012 and therefore purchase both," he said later in the interview, "but the bigger opportunity for us is to offer our loyal and passionate FIFA fans new content." Chances are, if you like soccer, you'd be interested in FIFA anyway, so this seems like a win-win.

JoystiqEA explains why UEFA Soccer is now FIFA 12 DLC originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 30 Mar 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ea-sportsfifa-12fifa-soccer-12microsoftpcplaystationps3socceruefauefa-soccer-12xboxFri, 30 Mar 2012 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[FIFA Street review: When players collide]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/15/fifa-street-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/15/fifa-street-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/15/fifa-street-review/#comments There's no way FIFA Street could have merely been an additional mode in FIFA Soccer 12. The latter takes to the conventional styles of soccer, where setting up plays and well-timed crosses are the keys to victory. The former focuses on "the beautiful game," where one player juggles a ball around with blinding grace, tricking an opponent into moving one direction while taking the ball in the other.

FIFA Street utilizes the Player Impact Engine found in FIFA 12, which relies more heavily on the physics of players and the ball instead of using only animations. It's a good starting point for a game that, compared to other FIFA titles, spotlights soccer tricks more than ever. The end result, however, turns into a "FIFA lite" of sorts, with shoddy action frighteningly reminiscent of the problematic FIFA 12 demo.

Continue reading FIFA Street review: When players collide

JoystiqFIFA Street review: When players collide originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 15 Mar 2012 20:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaea-sportsElectronic-Artsfifa-streetmicrosoftplaystationps3xboxThu, 15 Mar 2012 20:10:00 EST<![CDATA[SSX review: The odd couple]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/28/ssx-2012-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/28/ssx-2012-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/28/ssx-2012-review/#comments Much like one of my favorite games of 2011, Saints Row: The Third, the franchise reboot of SSX kicks off with a leap out of an airplane. And as in Saints Row, the section of Twilight Zone-esque endless sky serves as a tutorial to a variety of gameplay mechanics. When complete, you deploy a damn wingsuit and fly off, presumably to do something else equally awesome.

Soon after, you're quickly mastering one of three control variants (or all three), before jumping directly in to the world of mountains and snow and, uh, wingsuits (did I mention there are wingsuits?). I was doing 1080 Switch Tailgrabs in under five minutes!

But before I go on, let me first take you back to SSX's original name -- SSX: Deadly Descents. Aside from sounding like a brand of violent deodorant, that subtitle is a nod to the nine major mountain ranges featured in SSX, each with its own "Deadly Descent" (essentially a boss battle, but, ya know, on a snowboard). They are supposed to punctuate a particular gameplay hook for each range of mountains. And they almost ruin the game.

Gallery: SSX (2/28/12)

Continue reading SSX review: The odd couple

JoystiqSSX review: The odd couple originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 28 Feb 2012 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaea-canadaea-sportselectronic-artsmicrosoftplaystationps3ssx-2012xboxTue, 28 Feb 2012 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Snapshot: FIFA Soccer (Vita)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/27/snapshot-fifa-soccer-vita/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/27/snapshot-fifa-soccer-vita/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/27/snapshot-fifa-soccer-vita/#comments There are so many games out there we couldn't possibly review them all. Welcome to Snapshot, where we tell you about games that might fall outside our usual coverage but are still something we think you should know about. Today: FIFA Soccer for the PlayStation Vita.
FIFA Soccer for the PlayStation Vita follows EA's typical response to new console launches: it does much to show off what hardware can do, but leaves a number of features on the cutting room floor.

After losing some of its simulation tilt in FIFA Soccer 10, developer EA Canada crafted a successor upon the ideal of slowing the game down to more real world standards. Fouls increased as consistency in deflected shots dropped, and the result was a much more methodical game on the pitch. It went from being too "arcadey" to leaning too heavily on "simulation" for my personal liking. FIFA Soccer 12 rebalanced those two halves and presented a much better representation of simulation soccer as a fun playing experience.

FIFA Soccer on Sony's new handheld is based on FIFA Soccer 11, and fans of the footie franchise will see the differences.

Gallery: FIFA Soccer (Vita)

Continue reading Snapshot: FIFA Soccer (Vita)

JoystiqSnapshot: FIFA Soccer (Vita) originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 27 Feb 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>EAEA-CanadaEA-Sportsfifa-soccerplaystationplaystation-vitasnapshotvitaMon, 27 Feb 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EA's next basketball sim is NBA Live 13]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/23/eas-next-basketball-sim-is-nba-live-13/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/23/eas-next-basketball-sim-is-nba-live-13/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/23/eas-next-basketball-sim-is-nba-live-13/#comments Back in 2010, EA released a demo for an upcoming reboot of its basketball sim series, NBA Live. It was called NBA Elite 11 and the demo was, well, pretty bad -- bad enough that EA decided to cancel the game outright.

Since then, we've been bugging EA about when it's going to offer another basketball title -- heck, we didn't even know if EA would get back into the basketball game-making game, period. And with the NBA 2K series dominating, it's an even steeper uphill battle for EA. But this fall, EA is bringing its basketball series back.

The EA Sports Twitter account revealed today the series would return as NBA Live 13. EA says it had Cavaliers beat writer Joe Gabriele and Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving out to the studio to check out NBA Live 13, but neither could offer more info. We'll have to wait for EA's announcement for more.

JoystiqEA's next basketball sim is NBA Live 13 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 23 Feb 2012 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cavaliersea-sportskyrie-irvingnba-livenba-live-13Thu, 23 Feb 2012 17:15:00 EST<![CDATA[SSX demo available now on Xbox 360, later today on PS3]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/21/ssx-demo-available-now/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/21/ssx-demo-available-now/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/21/ssx-demo-available-now/#comments It's time to return to SSX's pixel peaks and commit death-defying stunts from the comfort of your couch (hot cocoa optional). The demo for EA's SSX reboot is available now on Xbox 360, featuring classic SSX character Zoe Payne in "Race it" and "Trick it" events.

The demo also features some online functionality, allowing players to upload ghosts of their best runs in the "Explore mode." It's also possible to unlock Mac Fraser (pictured) by sending the demo to a friend.

PS3 owners itching to hit the slopes can join as soon as the PSN updates later today. The full tricky experience will be available February 28 in North America.

JoystiqSSX demo available now on Xbox 360, later today on PS3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 21 Feb 2012 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>demoea-canadaea-sportselectronix-artsmicrosoftplaystationps3ssx-2012xboxTue, 21 Feb 2012 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[SSX soundtrack surprisingly doesn't feature The Avalanches]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/08/ssx-soundtrack-surprisingly-doesnt-feature-the-avalanches/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/08/ssx-soundtrack-surprisingly-doesnt-feature-the-avalanches/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/08/ssx-soundtrack-surprisingly-doesnt-feature-the-avalanches/#comments True, SSX's soundtrack may not include any songs by The Avalanches, an appropriately named and incredibly talented Australian breakbeat group, but it does include 36 licensed tracks and 10 original songs produced specifically for the title by Amon Tobin, Camo & Krooked, Raffertie, and The Qemists.

There's a complete list of artists featured in the game after the break, but let us save you some time by telling you that yes, it does include Skrillex. Not only is it Skrillex, but it's our favorite song from his first EP: "Scatta," which features sick verses by Foreign Beggars and a drop so heavy that it may cause a few avalanches of its own. A new version of Run-DMC's "It's Tricky" also returns for old time's sake, remixed by soundtrack compatriots Pretty Lights, as well as cuts from DJ Shadow and a Lateef the Truthspeaker joint featuring Hiero-hero Del the Funky Homosapien.

Continue reading SSX soundtrack surprisingly doesn't feature The Avalanches

JoystiqSSX soundtrack surprisingly doesn't feature The Avalanches originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>EA-CanadaEA-Sportsmicrosoftplaystationps3skrillexsoundtrackssx-2012xboxWed, 08 Feb 2012 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Go from toddler to titan in Tiger Woods 13]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/07/go-from-toddler-to-titan-in-tiger-woods-13/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/07/go-from-toddler-to-titan-in-tiger-woods-13/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/07/go-from-toddler-to-titan-in-tiger-woods-13/#comments
Where's the fun in playing a Tiger Woods-infused golf game as the seasoned, acclaimed sports figure? Wouldn't you rather play as a small child? Having somehow extracted this incredible wish from your heart of hearts, EA Sports has announced a new mode for Tiger Woods PGA Tour 13, which follows the legend from toddler to titan.

The Tiger Legacy Challenge allows players to "relive Tiger's most memorable golf accomplishments," and revisit each era of his career. Playing through each of the ten eras will unlock unspecified bonus content. It all starts -- seriously -- with Tiger practicing in his backyard between the ages of two to six and runs into the future where Woods is chasing his 19th major.

It's unclear how much of Tiger's early years will be reserved for clean up your room-themed mini-games.

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 13 will also feature Kinect support for the Xbox 360 and Move support on PlayStation 3, when it arrives on March 27.

Gallery: Tiger Woods PGA Tour 13 (Legacy Challenge Mode)

Continue reading Go from toddler to titan in Tiger Woods 13

JoystiqGo from toddler to titan in Tiger Woods 13 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>EA-Sportskinectmicrosoftmoveplaystationps3Tiger-Woodstiger-woods-pga-tour-13xboxTue, 07 Feb 2012 18:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Take a tour of Tiger Woods PGA Tour 13's Kinect functionality]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/03/take-a-tour-of-tiger-woods-pga-tour-13s-kinect-functionality/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/03/take-a-tour-of-tiger-woods-pga-tour-13s-kinect-functionality/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/03/take-a-tour-of-tiger-woods-pga-tour-13s-kinect-functionality/#comments
Ever since Kinect was announced, we've wondered why EA has taken its sweet time to implement the tech in its Tiger Woods PGA Tour series. Why fake-golf with a controller when you could fake-golf as the controller, right? Finally, Kinect comes to the series in Tiger Woods PGA Tour 13.

A series of vignettes shows off some of the Kinect features, from the obvious such as miming a golf swing, to the more impressive like using voice and hand gestures to set up shot approach. Another video after the break shows Tiger fiddling with Kinect in an earlier build of the game -- turns out being amazing at golf in real life doesn't necessarily guarantee success in-game, as you can see when Tiger slices a shot into a bunker right off the green.

Gallery: Tiger Woods PGA Tour 13 (Kinect Integration)

Continue reading Take a tour of Tiger Woods PGA Tour 13's Kinect functionality

JoystiqTake a tour of Tiger Woods PGA Tour 13's Kinect functionality originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 03 Feb 2012 07:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaea-sportsgolfkinectmicrosoftmotion-controltiger-woodstiger-woods-pga-tour-13xboxFri, 03 Feb 2012 07:45:00 EST<![CDATA[SSX online pass doesn't lock out multiplayer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/31/ssx-online-pass-doesnt-lock-out-multiplayer/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/31/ssx-online-pass-doesnt-lock-out-multiplayer/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/31/ssx-online-pass-doesnt-lock-out-multiplayer/#comments The online pass for SSX will not lock players out of multiplayer competition. Instead, it is used to lock players out of obtaining in-game credits used to unlock content.

EA tells Game Informer that players without the online pass will be able to compete and play in both of SSX's online game modes, "Explore" and "Global Events," but that credits awarded to those without the online pass in Global Events will be inaccessible and banked until they pony up the $10 for the pass.

EA concludes, "Economy balance makes it possible to unlock all available content and allows you to participate in all event drops across both Explore and Global Events, with credits earned solely in Explore."

Gallery: SSX (2012) (9/30/11)

JoystiqSSX online pass doesn't lock out multiplayer originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 31 Jan 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>EAEA-SportsElectronic-Artsmicrosoftonline-passplaystationps3ssxssx-2012xboxTue, 31 Jan 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EA picks NY Giants as Super Bowl XLVI winner in Madden simulation]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/30/ea-super-bowl-46-prediction/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/30/ea-super-bowl-46-prediction/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/30/ea-super-bowl-46-prediction/#comments
Are you wondering who has the upper hand in this Sunday's National Football League sporting contest, but you're beyond trusting those silly old sports journalists? Let EA answer that for you, with its annual simulation of the Superbowl as conducted in Madden NFL 12 on Xbox 360. As evidenced in the video above, the New York Giants are set to overtake the New England Patriots in Superbowl 46 by three points (GO GIANTS WOOOO), with a field goal in the final quarter locking the win for big blue.

We might seem a tad dismissive, but EA has set a precedent in the past with annual predictions being spot on (at least in terms of a winner ... less so in terms of actual scores). That either tells us that Madden's numbers game has been spot on for several years, or that football is easily predicted. We'd rather avoid the pummeling that will assuredly result in supposing the latter, so we're gonna go with option A.

JoystiqEA picks NY Giants as Super Bowl XLVI winner in Madden simulation originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 30 Jan 2012 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaea-sportselectronic-artsfootballmadden-nfl-12microsoftne-patriotsnew-england-patriotsnew-york-giantsnflny-giantssimulationsuperbowlsuperbowl-46superbowl-xlvixboxMon, 30 Jan 2012 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[FIFA Street kicks off March 13]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/24/fifa-street-kicks-off-march-13/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/24/fifa-street-kicks-off-march-13/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/24/fifa-street-kicks-off-march-13/#comments FIFA Street's "March" launch now has a specific goal of a March 13 release. The series reboot will take it to the streets with 35 locations, street challenges, tournaments and new dribble controls (napkin sold separately).

Gracing the cover will be Lionel Messi, who is looking a little too calm and focused for a game with "street" in the in title. Needs more screaming.

Gallery: FIFA Street (11/25/11)

JoystiqFIFA Street kicks off March 13 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 24 Jan 2012 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaEA-canadaEA-SportsElectronic-Artsfifa-streetlaunch-datemicrosoftplaystationplaystation-vitaps3vitaxboxTue, 24 Jan 2012 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Do a spin kick with classic SSX character Zoe Payne]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/17/do-a-spin-kick-with-classic-ssx-character-zoe-payne/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/17/do-a-spin-kick-with-classic-ssx-character-zoe-payne/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/17/do-a-spin-kick-with-classic-ssx-character-zoe-payne/#comments
When she's not busy shredding the slopes and jumping out of planes, SSX veteran Zoe Payne is doing spin kicks and ... probably hanging out at Hot Topic or something?

JoystiqDo a spin kick with classic SSX character Zoe Payne originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 17 Jan 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaea-canadaea-sportselectronic-artsgameplaymicrosoftpcplaystationps3ssx-2012xboxzoe-payneTue, 17 Jan 2012 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SSX to change your working definition of 'tagging']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/13/ssx-to-change-your-working-definition-of-tagging/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/13/ssx-to-change-your-working-definition-of-tagging/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/13/ssx-to-change-your-working-definition-of-tagging/#comments
Forget about all that Facebook nonsense. SSX is trying to redefine the way you use the word "tagging" between friends with its geotagging feature, which allows you to set hard-to-reach points as challenges for other folks. That's way better than a photo gallery feature if you ask us.

JoystiqSSX to change your working definition of 'tagging' originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 13 Jan 2012 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaea-canadaea-sportselectronic-artsgameplaygeotaggingmicrosoftplaystationps3ssx-2012taggingxboxFri, 13 Jan 2012 11:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Pro snowboarder Travis Rice leaves Wyoming for the slopes of SSX]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/09/pro-snowboarder-travis-rice-leaves-wyoming-for-the-slopes-of-ssx/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/09/pro-snowboarder-travis-rice-leaves-wyoming-for-the-slopes-of-ssx/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/09/pro-snowboarder-travis-rice-leaves-wyoming-for-the-slopes-of-ssx/#comments
Being the first non-fictional dude in an SSX game is an honor, we imagine, and Wyoming native Travis Rice is the first gentleman to become just that. Above, he describes how he mentally prepares for taking to the real-life slopes, all set to a delightful dubstep wubwub.

JoystiqPro snowboarder Travis Rice leaves Wyoming for the slopes of SSX originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 09 Jan 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaea-canadaea-sportselectronic-artsgameplaymicrosoftplaystationps3ssx-2012travis-ricexboxMon, 09 Jan 2012 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EA unable to gain rights to SSX.com]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/06/ea-unable-to-gain-rights-to-ssx-com/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/06/ea-unable-to-gain-rights-to-ssx-com/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/06/ea-unable-to-gain-rights-to-ssx-com/#comments EA, in an attempt to gain ownership of SSX.com ahead of the series' February relaunch, challenged Abstract Holdings International LTD's claim on the address, saying that the URL was registered in "bad faith." A panel at The National Arbitration Forum, however, has determined that EA's argument was insufficient.

"The EA allegations of bad faith in part are based upon the lack of due diligence conducted by retailers of domain names like Respondent," the Forum determined. "EA would seem to require that entities like Respondent conduct an international search for relatively obscure trademarks in order to determine whether a name is a registered mark. The Panel is not willing to go so far."

In this case, EA's claim of "bad faith" hinged on the fact that SSX.com briefly contained video game-related advertisements. Since these advertisements are now gone, there's nothing inherently malicious or misleading about the site, negating EA's ability to claim any misuse. For now, SSX.com remains the property of Abstract Holdings, although we imagine several zeroes and a few commas written on EA letterhead would change their minds.

JoystiqEA unable to gain rights to SSX.com originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 06 Jan 2012 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Abstract-Holdings-International-LTDaddressEAEA-CanadaEA-Sportsmicrosoftnational-arbitration-forumplaystationps3SSXssx-2012URLwebsitexboxFri, 06 Jan 2012 14:15:00 EST<![CDATA[SSX gameplay gets tricky in latest trailer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/25/ssx-gameplay-gets-tricky-in-latest-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/25/ssx-gameplay-gets-tricky-in-latest-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/25/ssx-gameplay-gets-tricky-in-latest-trailer/#comments
We're told that it's ... somewhat difficult to put together a rhyme that's within a reasonable frame of time. What's even harder? Pulling off the humanly impossible moves featured in the latest trailer for next year's SSX reboot.

JoystiqSSX gameplay gets tricky in latest trailer originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 25 Dec 2011 08:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaea-canadaea-sportselectronic-artsmicrosoftplaystationps3ssx-2012xboxSun, 25 Dec 2011 08:45:00 EST<![CDATA[MLB: The Show dev leaves to become creative director on Madden]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/23/mlb-the-show-dev-leaves-to-become-creative-director-on-madden/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/23/mlb-the-show-dev-leaves-to-become-creative-director-on-madden/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/23/mlb-the-show-dev-leaves-to-become-creative-director-on-madden/#commentsKolbe Launchbaugh may not be a name you recognize (or pronounce correctly), but for the past 15 years he's been climbing the corporate ladder over at SCEA. He started out as a tester and, ever since the first edition launched back in 2006, has contributed to MLB: The Show's rise to prominence. Now he's leaving SCEA to take on the position of creative director at EA Sports.

More specifically, Launchbaugh will oversee the Madden franchise and take over the vacancy left by Ian Cummings back in April. In his farewell letter over on Operation Sports, Launchbaugh says he'll officially start at EA on January 9.

JoystiqMLB: The Show dev leaves to become creative director on Madden originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 23 Dec 2011 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaea-sportskolbe-launchbaughmadden-nfl-12microsoftnflplaystationps3xboxFri, 23 Dec 2011 05:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SSX takes path less traveled, delayed two weeks]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/21/ssx-takes-path-less-traveled-delayed-two-weeks/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/21/ssx-takes-path-less-traveled-delayed-two-weeks/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/21/ssx-takes-path-less-traveled-delayed-two-weeks/#comments EA broke our hearts today, delaying SSX, most recently intended as a Valentine's Day gift, by a couple extra weeks. SSX Creative Director Todd Batty notes the team decided to take the time to give the game a "final bit of polish." It will cruise in on February 28 and March 2 in North America and "the rest of the world," respectively.

"Over the course of more than 10 years of making games I have not worked on a single project where our team did not wish, coming down the home stretch, that we could have just a bit more time," wrote Batty on the game's official site. "There is a reason why Tricky and SSX3 are still among the highest rated games of all time, and it is because even playing them today they still stand the test of time. Our goal from Day 1 was to re-launch this amazing franchise with a new SSX game that could live up to that legacy."

This is the second delay for the game, adding an extra month of time on the ride up the mountain. On the sunny side, now we can all focus our attention on our significant others on V-Day.

Gallery: SSX (2012) (9/30/11)

JoystiqSSX takes path less traveled, delayed two weeks originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 21 Dec 2011 15:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>EAea-sportsElectronic-Artsmicrosoftplaystationps3ssx-2012xboxWed, 21 Dec 2011 15:49:00 EST<![CDATA[Virgin Gaming hosting million-dollar EA Sports online tournament]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/08/virgin-gaming-hosting-million-dollar-ea-sports-online-tournament/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/08/virgin-gaming-hosting-million-dollar-ea-sports-online-tournament/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/08/virgin-gaming-hosting-million-dollar-ea-sports-online-tournament/#comments If you're convinced that you're the best at virtual kicking, throwing, catching and running, Virgin Gaming and EA have teamed up to make your skillset into a profitable exercise. Well, potentially profitable -- the two are hosting an EA Sports online tournament for the PS3 versions of three titles: Players can compete for a $400k cash prize in both Madden NFL 12 and FIFA 12, and a $200k prize in NHL 12. Why half as much for the latter of the three? Simple: Hockey is way easier. (Please don't beat us up, hockey-people.)

Before you start chasing the dream of free money, you'll want to read the fine print -- to become one of 1,000 finalists (who must pay their own way to the finals in New York City), players must drop a $10 entry fee, then win six games in a row. If they break their six-game streak, they'll have to start all over, shelling out another $10 to enter again.

Of course, folks who are uncertain in their abilities can drop a cool $400, and automatically become one of the finalists. We suppose that's the ultimate sport: Having lots of money to begin with. Interested parties can read the full rules and enlist on the Virgin Gaming site -- just keep an eye out for, you know, fees.

JoystiqVirgin Gaming hosting million-dollar EA Sports online tournament originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 08 Dec 2011 16:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>contesteaea-sportsmadden-nfl-12playstationps3tournamentvirginvirgin-gamingThu, 08 Dec 2011 16:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Lionel Messi is the new face and feet of EA's FIFA franchise]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/26/lionel-messi-is-the-new-face-and-feet-of-eas-fifa-franchise/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/26/lionel-messi-is-the-new-face-and-feet-of-eas-fifa-franchise/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/26/lionel-messi-is-the-new-face-and-feet-of-eas-fifa-franchise/#commentsEA Sports has drafted Lionel Messi to be the face of its FIFA franchise, first set to appear on the cover of FIFA Street when it launches in March 2012.

Messi plays for Barcelona, is 24 years old, was drafted out of Argentina at 16 and has scored more than 200 goals in his professional career -- he's kind of a soccer superhero, which makes his photo (left) on the cover of FIFA Street disappointingly lackluster. Especially when this is an alternative.

Messi has signed a multi-year endorsement contract with EA Sports, so there will be plenty of opportunities for more action-packed game covers, probably featuring him screaming at something.

JoystiqLionel Messi is the new face and feet of EA's FIFA franchise originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 26 Nov 2011 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>EA-SportsFIFAfifa-streetLionel-Messimicrosoftplaystationps3xboxSat, 26 Nov 2011 22:30:00 EST<![CDATA[NFL Blitz is like a trip back in time]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/19/nfl-blitz-is-like-a-trip-back-in-time/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/19/nfl-blitz-is-like-a-trip-back-in-time/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/19/nfl-blitz-is-like-a-trip-back-in-time/#comments I should preface this by saying I love NFL Blitz. I dumped tons of quarters into the original arcade machine and when it came to N64, I was the guy going to the arcade with his memory card. Those were good times.

Now I know Blitz: The League and its follow-up left a bad taste in your mouth, but EA's NFL Blitz is exactly what you've been waiting for -- well, it's what I've been waiting for, anyway. The only difference in gameplay from the original is that there are no longer any post-play interactions. I'll admit I was sad to hear about the game's entire lack of elbow drops, but it's such a small thing when you consider how much EA has put into this $15 package.

Gallery: NFL Blitz

Continue reading NFL Blitz is like a trip back in time

JoystiqNFL Blitz is like a trip back in time originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 19 Nov 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaea-sportsea-tiburonelectronic-artsmicrosoftnfl-blitzplaystationps3xboxSat, 19 Nov 2011 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[EA gets tricky with latest SSX trailer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/18/ea-gets-tricky-with-latest-ssx-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/18/ea-gets-tricky-with-latest-ssx-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/18/ea-gets-tricky-with-latest-ssx-trailer/#comments
Remember SSX Tricky? Electronic Arts sure hopes you do. Presumably, it also hopes you don't mind having your nostalgia hijacked by a nearly unrecognizable remix of the game's title track, Run-D.M.C.'s classic, "It's Tricky."

JoystiqEA gets tricky with latest SSX trailer originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 18 Nov 2011 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaea-canadaea-sportselectronic-artsmicrosoftplaystationps3run-dmcssx-2012trickyxboxFri, 18 Nov 2011 14:15:00 EST<![CDATA[NFL Blitz returns to the gridiron in 2012]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/18/nfl-blitz-returns-to-the-gridiron-in-2012/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/18/nfl-blitz-returns-to-the-gridiron-in-2012/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/18/nfl-blitz-returns-to-the-gridiron-in-2012/#comments
You know that rumor we heard late last year about EA Tiburon working on a new NFL Blitz game? Consider it fact now: EGM has the exclusive scoop on the reboot, which will feature all of the elbow drops and brutality fans of the original series remember.

New changes include a currency system, called Blitz Bucks, which players can use to boost their teams and modify them in a bunch of ways -- think custom modes and loading screens and stat-boosting-type stuff. You can set up custom rosters, take part in the survival mode called Blitz Gauntlet, where you take on several teams in succession, or head online for some human competition.

No exact launch date or platforms were provided in the EGM report, though it is said that NFL Blitz is expected right around the same time as the real-life NFL playoffs, so we assume early 2012.

JoystiqNFL Blitz returns to the gridiron in 2012 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 18 Oct 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaea-sportsnfl-blitzTue, 18 Oct 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[FIFA-loving hackers accessing users' Xbox Live accounts to buy DLC]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/14/fifa-loving-hackers-accessing-users-xbox-live-accounts-to-buy-d/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/14/fifa-loving-hackers-accessing-users-xbox-live-accounts-to-buy-d/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/14/fifa-loving-hackers-accessing-users-xbox-live-accounts-to-buy-d/#comments We've begun hearing reports that Xbox Live users are finding their accounts accessed without their permission, with the hackers using the ill-gotten accounts to purchase Premium Gold Pack DLC for FIFA 12, and other FIFA content. Ars Technica has gathered a few user reports, including one from a victim who found his or her account used to buy over $100 in Microsoft Points, which were then applied to the full game of FIFA 12 and DLC.

We contacted Microsoft to see if it's aware of this rash of hacks. The publisher sent Joystiq a statement saying "We do not have any evidence the Xbox LIVE service has been compromised," and indicating that these unauthorized logins have only occurred for "a limited number of members," with whom MS is working directly. The full statement is after the break.

Continue reading FIFA-loving hackers accessing users' Xbox Live accounts to buy DLC

JoystiqFIFA-loving hackers accessing users' Xbox Live accounts to buy DLC originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 14 Oct 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ea-sportselectronic-artsfifa-12fifa-soccer-12hackingmicrosoftxboxxbox-liveFri, 14 Oct 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[FIFA 12 scores 3.2 million sales within first week]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/05/fifa-12-scores-3-2-million-sales-within-first-week/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/05/fifa-12-scores-3-2-million-sales-within-first-week/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/05/fifa-12-scores-3-2-million-sales-within-first-week/#comments As was foretold, FIFA 12 had the largest first-week sales of any sports game ever and of any video game in 2011 to date -- meaning, the window in which Gears of War 3 held that title was even smaller than expected. Electronic Arts estimates FIFA 12 sold 3.2 million units between September 27 and October 2.

EA also estimates that FIFA 12 sales are up approximately 23 percent over last year's record-breaking launch. Other stats from the publisher include FIFA 12 for iPhone and iPad selling 879,000 units, and October 1 being the busiest day for online gaming in EA Sports history. 10 million EA Sports game sessions were played, with eight million of those being FIFA 12.

If EA gets lucky, it'll double-dip some FIFA success within a year when FIFA Street launches in March.

JoystiqFIFA 12 scores 3.2 million sales within first week originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 05 Oct 2011 06:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>EAEA-SportsElectronic-Artsfifa-12fifa-soccer-12microsoftplaystationps3xboxWed, 05 Oct 2011 06:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SSX characters dunked into NBA Jam: On Fire Edition]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/01/ssx-characters-dunked-into-nba-jam-on-fire-edition/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/01/ssx-characters-dunked-into-nba-jam-on-fire-edition/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/01/ssx-characters-dunked-into-nba-jam-on-fire-edition/#comments
Some SSX characters are moving from the snow to on fire, from steep snowy slopes to flat parquet floors, from boards to ... basketballs. Boomshakalaka! In a bizarre crossover, EA announced that Elise, Kaori, and Mac from SSX will be a playable team in NBA Jam: On Fire Edition.

If you like the idea of controlling the sweatiest team in Jam history (they're in head-to-toe cold weather gear!), look forward to next week's PSN/XBLA release of On Fire Edition.

JoystiqSSX characters dunked into NBA Jam: On Fire Edition originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 01 Oct 2011 02:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ea-sportsmicrosoftnba-jam-on-fire-editionplaystationps3psnssxxblaxboxSat, 01 Oct 2011 02:30:00 EST<![CDATA[FIFA Soccer 12 review: Impactful]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/30/fifa-soccer-12-review-impactful/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/30/fifa-soccer-12-review-impactful/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/30/fifa-soccer-12-review-impactful/#comments Video games have a rich history of vaguely emulating sports while being subject to the limitations of the systems we play them on. Sports gamers are accustomed to repetitive animations, unnatural movement, and broken mechanics, all ripe for players to take competitive advantage of.

Somewhere along the lines, we lost the authenticity of sports in our video games. FIFA 12 does a magnificent job of depicting the sport of soccer in video game form, with all of its beautiful and natural imperfections.

Gallery: FIFA Soccer 12 (360/PS3)

Continue reading FIFA Soccer 12 review: Impactful

JoystiqFIFA Soccer 12 review: Impactful originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 30 Sep 2011 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ea-sportsfifafifa-12fifa-soccer-12microsoftplaystationps3soccerxboxFri, 30 Sep 2011 15:20:00 EST<![CDATA[EA: first-week NHL 12 sales break franchise record]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/21/ea-first-week-nhl-12-sales-break-franchise-record/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/21/ea-first-week-nhl-12-sales-break-franchise-record/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/21/ea-first-week-nhl-12-sales-break-franchise-record/#comments EA claims sales of its NHL series are up this year, a sure sign of Canada's culture spreading like spilled Tim Horton's coffee across the globe. NHL 12 sales were up 19 percent year over year, with first week sales for the series breaking franchise records, selling 451,000 copies at retail globally.

NHL 12 also had 6.9 million online connected game sessions last week, the most online games played in one week in franchise history and 17 percent more than last year's opening week.

All is not lost, America. Madden NFL 12 sold 1.4 million copies in its first week, so take comfort in that fleeting security -- and ignore that FIFA 11 sold 2.6 million in five days.

JoystiqEA: first-week NHL 12 sales break franchise record originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 21 Sep 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>EAea-sportsElectronic-Artsmicrosoftnhl-12playstationps3xboxWed, 21 Sep 2011 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Some NCAA Football 12 features reportedly broken by patch]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/12/some-ncaa-football-12-features-reportedly-broken-by-patch/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/12/some-ncaa-football-12-features-reportedly-broken-by-patch/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/12/some-ncaa-football-12-features-reportedly-broken-by-patch/#comments According to plenty of angry forum posts from players of NCAA Football 12, a recent patch for the game has broken or hampered several key features including no-huddle play calling, custom playbooks and, most rampantly, the Dynasty Mode. Apparently, players on both the 360 and PS3 have received frequent "Transfer Failed" errors when attempting to upload the results of games in the online mode.

A company staffer going by the name of EA_Jaga on the EA forums informed players that the error had been fixed, but the dozen or so posts right after from users still getting the "Transfer Failed" error indicates otherwise.

We've reached out to EA for some sort of timetable on a fix. We'll let you know what we hear.

[Update: EA tells us that the custom playbook issue was fixed by the recently released Title Update 2. The other issues are still under investigation.]

[Thanks, Russel]

JoystiqSome NCAA Football 12 features reportedly broken by patch originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 12 Sep 2011 17:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bugsdynasty-modeeaea-sportsfootballglitchesmicrosoftncaa-football-12playstationps3transfer-failxboxMon, 12 Sep 2011 17:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: EA offering refunds on PC version of Tiger Woods 12]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/12/report-ea-offering-refunds-on-pc-version-of-tiger-woods-12/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/12/report-ea-offering-refunds-on-pc-version-of-tiger-woods-12/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/12/report-ea-offering-refunds-on-pc-version-of-tiger-woods-12/#comments EA is offering refunds to customers of Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12: The Masters on PC, Eurogamer reports. While the PC version released this week, shares a name with the console versions released five months ago, it's quite a bit different than on 360 and PS3. And by "different' we mean "worse."

The retail PC Tiger Woods 12, is specifically lacking in graphics and features, using the browser-based Tiger Woods PGA Tour Online for its multiplayer mode. You can read more about the problem on the EA forums and Reddit which both dig deeper into the specific issues.

Those experiencing a lack of satisfaction with the product are recommended to putt on over to EA Support.

JoystiqReport: EA offering refunds on PC version of Tiger Woods 12 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 12 Sep 2011 12:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>EAEA-SportsElectronic-Artspctiger-woodstiger-woods-pga-tour-12-the-mastersMon, 12 Sep 2011 12:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Follow the bouncing ball in this new FIFA 12 video]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/11/follow-the-bouncing-ball-in-this-new-fifa-12-video/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/11/follow-the-bouncing-ball-in-this-new-fifa-12-video/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/11/follow-the-bouncing-ball-in-this-new-fifa-12-video/#comments
It's nice to know that Team Ninja isn't the only development house out there pioneering the field of bounce-physics. EA Sports, for instance, is more than happy to let FIFA 12 animator Kantcho Doskov and his surprisingly excellent football skills explain the simulator's fancy footwork.

JoystiqFollow the bouncing ball in this new FIFA 12 video originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 11 Sep 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>EA-SportsFIFAfifa-12fifa-soccer-12footballmicrosoftplaystationps3xboxSun, 11 Sep 2011 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Madden sells 1.4 million copies in first week]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/07/madden-sells-1-4-million-copies-in-first-week/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/07/madden-sells-1-4-million-copies-in-first-week/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/07/madden-sells-1-4-million-copies-in-first-week/#comments After somewhat disappointing launches for Maddens 10 and 11, first-week sales for Madden NFL 12 seem to have bounced back a bit. USA Today reports that in its first seven days on store shelves, the annual football franchise moved 1.4 million units, a 10 percent increase over last year's opening week.

What could have been the cause of this bump? The incremental changes to the Franchise mode? The improved player animations? The relative beefiness of cover player Peyton Hillis? Some combination of all three? No, no. It's almost certainly the beefiness.

JoystiqMadden sells 1.4 million copies in first week originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 07 Sep 2011 23:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businessea-sportsmadden-nfl-12microsoftplaystationps3salesxboxWed, 07 Sep 2011 23:16:00 EST<![CDATA[Metareview: Madden NFL 12]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/26/metareview-madden-nfl-12/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/26/metareview-madden-nfl-12/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/26/metareview-madden-nfl-12/#comments You already know how we feel about Madden NFL 12. But did the rest of the gaming press feel the same way about this year's virtual tailgaiting-enabler as our reviewer did? In short: kinda.
  • GameTrailers (8.5/10): "Despite the bugs and quirks, Madden NFL 12 still manages to play a convincing game of pigskin. Your tolerance for the gaffes will be directly proportional to how much you have on the line in each game. It doesn't always function realistically, but we like the idea behind dynamic player performance."
  • IGN (8.0/10): "If you're worried that EA has fumbled among the rough and tumble of sports politics, relax. Madden NFL 12 is a solid, tighter football game, even though it's a largely similar one."
  • Game Informer (7.5/10): "Like a desperate team that has stocked up on high-profile free agents thinking it's on the cusp of a championship, Madden NFL 12 looks good in practice, but where it counts it's a jumbled mess of frustration, unmet expectations, and sloppy play ... Past Maddens either delivered new features or fixed old problems, but this year you get neither. In too many instances Madden 12 takes you down promising paths that only lead to dead ends.
For more discussion, you can listen to a podcast roundtable of Madden NFL 12 reviewers featuring Mike Suszek (Joystiq), Kat Bailey (GamePro), and Rich Grisham (GamesRadar).

Gallery: Madden NFL 12 (8/25/11)

JoystiqMetareview: Madden NFL 12 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 26 Aug 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaea-sportsea-tiburonelectronic-artsmadden-nfl-12metareviewmicrosoftplaystationps3xboxFri, 26 Aug 2011 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Madden NFL 12 review: Vacuum-sealed]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/26/madden-nfl-12-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/26/madden-nfl-12-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/26/madden-nfl-12-review/#comments Reviewing, let alone investing in an annual sports game series is difficult. In my experience, Madden fans are typically the reluctant type; they hope for vast improvements every year and expect a new game that will blow them away. Madden NFL 12 is not that game. It's not the kind of game that answers every problem players have with football games. But this year, EA Sports tackled some core issues that elevates this game as one of the best in the series.

Gallery: Madden NFL 12 (8/25/11)

Continue reading Madden NFL 12 review: Vacuum-sealed

JoystiqMadden NFL 12 review: Vacuum-sealed originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 26 Aug 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaea-sportsfootballMaddenmadden-nfl-12microsoftNFLplaystationps3xboxFri, 26 Aug 2011 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[NHL 12, Warhammer 40K: Space Marine demos assault Xbox Live]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/23/nhl-12-warhammer-40k-space-marine-demos-assault-xbox-live/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/23/nhl-12-warhammer-40k-space-marine-demos-assault-xbox-live/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/23/nhl-12-warhammer-40k-space-marine-demos-assault-xbox-live/#comments Sticks and giant hockey players may break some bones, sure, but chainswords will rip flesh asunder. Today's high-profile and violent demo additions to the Xbox Live marketplace include hockey simulator NHL 12 and bulked-up shooter Warhammer 40K: Space Marine.

Don't forget, if you play the competently created downloadable game, Warhammer 40K: Kill Team, you'll unlock the "Power Sword" when Space Marine starts its orbital assault on September 6.

Gallery: Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine

JoystiqNHL 12, Warhammer 40K: Space Marine demos assault Xbox Live originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 23 Aug 2011 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>demosea-sportsmicrosoftnhl-12relic-entertainmentthqwarhammer-40k-space-marineXBLMxboxxbox-liveTue, 23 Aug 2011 21:30:00 EST