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[Resident Evil 6 PC ships with new Mercs mode; Siege mode DLC for consoles in March]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/25/resident-evil-6-pc-ships-with-new-mercs-mode-siege-mode-dlc-for/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/25/resident-evil-6-pc-ships-with-new-mercs-mode-siege-mode-dlc-for/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/25/resident-evil-6-pc-ships-with-new-mercs-mode-siege-mode-dlc-for/#comments
The PC version of Resident Evil 6 will include a new mode, sort of. The Mercenaries: No Mercy (unofficial name: "The Naries") is based on the existing Mercenaries mode, but with "more enemies on screen than ever before." Ada Wong's campaign will be available when you start the game, playable in co-op, and you will be able to "fine tune the in-game camera," features that were added to the console versions in updates.

Sometime next month, in advance of the March 22 launch of RE6 for PC, Capcom will release a free benchmark test. We'll warn you: regardless of how well your computer handles it, it's still going to be Resident Evil 6.

In addition to the PC news, Capcom also revealed a March release window for Siege Mode on PS3 and Xbox 360, a $4 add-on for two to six people to play online. One team attempts to kill a rookie (AI-controlled) BSAA agent as monsters, while another team controls the living human characters from RE6 as they try to protect him.

Gallery: Resident Evil 6 (PC)

Continue reading Resident Evil 6 PC ships with new Mercs mode; Siege mode DLC for consoles in March

JoystiqResident Evil 6 PC ships with new Mercs mode; Siege mode DLC for consoles in March originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 25 Jan 2013 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>benchmarkmercenariesmercenaries-no-mercypcresident-evil-6the-mercenariesFri, 25 Jan 2013 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Resident Evil 6 pre-order Mercenaries maps DLC now just regular DLC]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/01/resident-evil-6-pre-order-mercenaries-maps-dlc-now-just-regular/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/01/resident-evil-6-pre-order-mercenaries-maps-dlc-now-just-regular/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/01/resident-evil-6-pre-order-mercenaries-maps-dlc-now-just-regular/#comments Previously only available as pre-order exclusives through retailers, the three Resident Evil 6 "Mercenaries" mode maps in our gallery below are now available for purchase through your preferred platform's digital store.

These maps are priced at $1 (80 MS Points) each and will take players to High Seas Fortress, Catacombs and Rail Yard. They sound like a refreshing change of pace for mercenaries who are used to being paid for traveling to distant locales and commit murders - instead you can now pay for the right to travel and murder.

Gallery: Resident Evil 6 (Pre-Order Mercenaries Maps)

JoystiqResident Evil 6 pre-order Mercenaries maps DLC now just regular DLC originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 01 Nov 2012 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>capcomcatacombsdlchigh-seas-fortressmercenariesmercenaries-modemicrosoftpcplaystationps3rail-yardresident-evil-6xboxThu, 01 Nov 2012 01:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Resident Evil 6 'Mercenaries' maps spread across retailers as pre-order bonuses]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/12/resident-evil-6-mercenaries-maps-spread-across-retailers-as-pr/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/12/resident-evil-6-mercenaries-maps-spread-across-retailers-as-pr/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/12/resident-evil-6-mercenaries-maps-spread-across-retailers-as-pr/#comments ImageResident Evil 6 will feature "Mercenaries Mode." That's the good news. The bad news is that Capcom is spreading three additional maps for the mode across three separate retailers as pre-order bonuses.

Gamestop pre-order customers will receive The Catacombs map, Amazon purchasers will obtain the High Seas Fortress and Best Buy buyers will be granted the Rail Yard. Capcom has some teaser images of each on its Unity site.

If you aren't looking to spend $180 to obtain all three merc maps, we're sure Capcom will make them available as DLC for a nominal fee sometime after launch.

JoystiqResident Evil 6 'Mercenaries' maps spread across retailers as pre-order bonuses originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 12 Apr 2012 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>capcomMercenariesmicrosoftpcplaystationps3resident-evil-6xboxThu, 12 Apr 2012 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA['Mercs Inc' officially announced, developed by Pandemic at EALA]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/24/mercs-inc-officially-announced-developed-by-ea-los-angeles/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/24/mercs-inc-officially-announced-developed-by-ea-los-angeles/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/24/mercs-inc-officially-announced-developed-by-ea-los-angeles/#comments This morning's leaked footage, purported to belong to a new multiplayer-capable Mercenaries game called "Mercs Inc," just barely beat EA's official announcement of the (working) title to our front page. In development at EA Los Angeles, the latest toy in the destructive sandbox is paraded underneath the Pandemic banner, held aloft by the "core creative team" that survived the physical studio's recent closure. No target platforms have been announced.

According to EA senior VP and group GM, Nick Earl, the swift announcement "demonstrates our continued commitment to Pandemic's rich catalog of intellectual properties." As the press release innocently points out, "Mercs Inc will also be the first Pandemic game" to be released after this December's The Saboteur, the last Pandemic game. Oh, the previous one, we mean.

Joystiq'Mercs Inc' officially announced, developed by Pandemic at EALA originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>actionea-los-angelesealamercenariesmercenaries-3mercs-incpandemicpandemic-studiosTue, 24 Nov 2009 15:48:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: Leaked video shows Mercenaries multiplayer sequel]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/24/rumor-leaked-video-shows-mercenaries-multiplayer-sequel/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/24/rumor-leaked-video-shows-mercenaries-multiplayer-sequel/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/24/rumor-leaked-video-shows-mercenaries-multiplayer-sequel/#comments A leaked video that's rumored to show gameplay of a pre-production, multiplayer version of Mercenaries -- titled Mercs Inc. -- has been unearthed by Bitmob. The project is reportedly in pre-production at EALA, being created by two dozen or so of the Pandemic team that weren't let go when the studio's doors were closed last week.

The video features plenty of car-on-car and car-on-dude violence, as well as the extremely rare Triple Teabag, which hasn't been seen since the Ukranian Ice Hurling team's dramatic win over Poland in the 1906 Winter Olympics. It must be seen to be believed, and you can do just that right after the break.

Continue reading Rumor: Leaked video shows Mercenaries multiplayer sequel

JoystiqRumor: Leaked video shows Mercenaries multiplayer sequel originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaealaElectronic-Artsmercenariesmercenaries-incpandemicrumorTue, 24 Nov 2009 10:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: Pandemic Studios to close its doors today]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/17/rumor-pandemic-studios-to-close-its-doors-today/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/17/rumor-pandemic-studios-to-close-its-doors-today/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/17/rumor-pandemic-studios-to-close-its-doors-today/#comments Pandemic Studios, the house behind games like Mercenaries and the forthcoming The Saboteur will be shuttered by EA today, according to sources speaking to Kotaku. Reportedly, the developer's 200-some staffers will be informed at 2 p.m. EST that all but a few (who will be integrated into other EA teams) are to be let go. Pandemic had previously been rumored as one of the studios that would be hit hardest by EA's 1,500-member staff reduction. Current Pandemic projects will reportedly shift to EA's Montreal branch, which handles Army of Two.

This story, that of a developer who puts their all into a game only to be rewarded with a firing upon its completion, is staring to become alarmingly familiar. Sure, we understand the logistics, but that's cold comfort to those Pandemic employees who may have to start tomorrow off by looking for work. We'll keep after EA for official word.

JoystiqRumor: Pandemic Studios to close its doors today originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaeconomyElectronic-Artslayoffsmercenariespandemicpandemic-studiosthe-saboteurTue, 17 Nov 2009 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Assassin's Creed 2's Ezio is a really popular guy]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/05/assassins-creed-2s-ezio-is-a-really-popular-guy/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/05/assassins-creed-2s-ezio-is-a-really-popular-guy/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/05/assassins-creed-2s-ezio-is-a-really-popular-guy/#commentsWe can just see Ezio now, dashing from one social circle to the next like a débutante on her coming out party. And how could we picture anything else after watching the latest developer diary for Assassin's Creed 2, where the game's main character is depicted as a card-carrying socialite.

So what if one of those groups happens to be full of vicious mercenaries? They'll help him learn how to fight! And sure, another group might be made up of "courtesans" (see: ladies of the night), but they'll teach him all about sneaking! And another group is full of ... well ... you get the gist, right? The game's handful of factions will assist Ezio as he murders his way through Renaissance Europe.

One final thing: even if you don't care about each group, make sure you stick around for the surprise treat nestled after the end splash screen. You'll thank us.

Gallery: Assassin's Creed II

JoystiqAssassin's Creed 2's Ezio is a really popular guy originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 02:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>assassins-creedassassins-creed-2courtesansdev-diarydeveloper-diaryfactionsmercenariesMicrosoftthievesubisoftubisoft-montrealXbox-360Thu, 05 Nov 2009 02:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Mirror's Edge and Mercenaries 2 fail to excite Japan]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/20/mirrors-edge-and-mercenaries-2-fail-to-excite-japan/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/20/mirrors-edge-and-mercenaries-2-fail-to-excite-japan/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/20/mirrors-edge-and-mercenaries-2-fail-to-excite-japan/#commentsAnecdotal evidence suggests that neither Mirror's Edge nor Mercenaries 2 took off in Japan. This picture shows stacks of new copies of both games on sale for ¥1,980 ($21). Mirror's Edge was released on December 11 in Japan, and Mercenaries 2 followed one week later. Both the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions are marked down, so the blame for poor sales doesn't fall solely on 360's lowly reputation in Japan.

Japan has no rental services, so people tend to buy games, complete them immediately, and then sell them back to stores asap, before the prices are slashed, leading to a precipitous drop in used prices of popular games. Even that isn't the case here -- these games are new, and retailer Sofmap's website shows used copies of Mirror's Edge at ¥4,780 for PS3 and 360, while new copies are marked down to a mere ¥1,980.

Would Mirror's Edge have benefited from a lead character redesigned for Asian audiences? Maybe, if that redesign had also encompassed not making the game a first-person shooter.

JoystiqMirror's Edge and Mercenaries 2 fail to excite Japan originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 20 Feb 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>A2MakihabaraEAElectronic-ArtsjapanMercenariesMercenaries-2Mercenaries-2-World-In-FlamesMicrosoftMirrors-EdgePandemicPandemic-Studiossandboxthird-person-shooterXbox-360Fri, 20 Feb 2009 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EA: 'There will be a Mercenaries 3']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/03/ea-there-will-be-a-mercenaries-3/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/03/ea-there-will-be-a-mercenaries-3/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/03/ea-there-will-be-a-mercenaries-3/#commentsFiled under: ,


EA boss John Riccitielo is the latest company bigwig talking up more sequels, just as his publishing megalith struck gold with Dead Space, one of the best original titles it's had in years. This time it's Mercenaries, which Riccitielo confirmed will see a third installment developed by series creator Pandemic.

"There will be a Mercenaries 3," Riccitielo said during an investor call, adding, "and, if I have anything to do with it, there will be a Mercenaries 10." With nearly two million copies sold worldwide, a sequel to the open-world action game was a given ... but another seven beyond that? Mattias will be 'jacking other residents' wheelchairs at the mercenary retirement home by that point.

JoystiqEA: 'There will be a Mercenaries 3' originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 03 Nov 2008 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>A2MEAElectronic-Artsjohn-riccitielloMercenariesMercenaries-2Mercenaries-2-World-In-Flamesmercenaries-3MicrosoftPandemicPandemic-Studiossandboxthird-person-shooterXbox-360Mon, 03 Nov 2008 22:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Palin and Obama team up and blow sh-t up (as Mercenaries 2 DLC)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/31/palin-and-obama-team-up-and-blow-sh-t-up-as-mercenaries-2-dlc/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/31/palin-and-obama-team-up-and-blow-sh-t-up-as-mercenaries-2-dlc/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/31/palin-and-obama-team-up-and-blow-sh-t-up-as-mercenaries-2-dlc/#commentsFiled under:


Have you ever wanted to see Republican darling Sarah Palin grab a bazooka and shoot down a moose a tank? Do you wonder if Socialist Democrat Obama is capable of taking on terrorists ... with his bare hands? Well, EA and Pandemic are letting you live out your wildest political dreams. Both Palin and Obama will be available as DLC characters for Mercenaries 2. Unlike Saints Row 2, Pandemic has created some truly accurate renders of these two candidates.

We're not sure what the legal ramifications of creating such accurate character models will be. At the very least, they can say the in-game Sarah Palin is actually Tina Fey. As for Obama? Well, we don't think he minds being in video games. See the trailer, after the cut. And then, don't forget that election day is on November 4th.

[Via Joystiq]

Continue reading Palin and Obama team up and blow sh-t up (as Mercenaries 2 DLC)

JoystiqPalin and Obama team up and blow sh-t up (as Mercenaries 2 DLC) originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 31 Oct 2008 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>barack-obamamercenariesmercenaries-2sarah-palinFri, 31 Oct 2008 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Trophies: Mercenaries 2]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/22/trophies-mercenaries-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/22/trophies-mercenaries-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/22/trophies-mercenaries-2/#comments
1 Platinum
4 Gold
11 Silver
24 Bronze
 Difficulty: Very Difficult
Online Trophies? Yes
Time to Completion: 30 hours
DLC Trophies? No
View Trophy List Read More About the Game

Continue reading Trophies: Mercenaries 2

JoystiqTrophies: Mercenaries 2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 22 Oct 2008 09:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>mercenariesmercenaries-2trophiestrophyWed, 22 Oct 2008 09:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Mercenaries 2 demo now on Xbox Live]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/16/mercenaries-2-demo-now-on-xbox-live/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/16/mercenaries-2-demo-now-on-xbox-live/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/16/mercenaries-2-demo-now-on-xbox-live/#commentsFiled under: ,

So, are we posting about a demo for Mercenaries 2 (that just arrived on Xbox Live) solely so we can have an excuse to share "Oh No You Didn't," which somehow, mysteriously, has eluded our grasp for weeks? Possibly. We hope you can forgive us.

If you came here for actual demo information rather than hilarious song stylings, you should know that it only pays out 20 minutes of fun before it shuts the whole operation down and kicks you to the dashboard. If you're looking for a really meaty taste, you may want to turn to renting.

JoystiqMercenaries 2 demo now on Xbox Live originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 16 Sep 2008 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>A2MdemosEAElectronic-ArtsMercenariesMercenaries-2Mercenaries-2-World-In-FlamesMicrosoftPandemicPandemic-Studiossandboxthird-person-shooterxblmXbox-360xbox-liveTue, 16 Sep 2008 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Mercenaries 2 demo explodes onto Xbox Live]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/16/mercenaries-2-demo-explodes-onto-xbox-live/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/16/mercenaries-2-demo-explodes-onto-xbox-live/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/16/mercenaries-2-demo-explodes-onto-xbox-live/#commentsFiled under: ,


Three days after Pandemic announced that a Mercenaries 2 demo was on Xbox Live Marketplace, it finally emerges. Where was it hiding? We're not sure. Venezuela perhaps. Regardless of where it's been, it's available now for anyone who wants to give its particular brand of open world destruction a try. Be warned though, the demo only lasts for twenty minutes, and the timer doesn't reset when you die, and it boots you back to the dashboard when time is up. Better get that destruction in while you can (and hope that you can figure the game out without a tutorial).

JoystiqMercenaries 2 demo explodes onto Xbox Live originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 16 Sep 2008 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaelectronic-artslive-marketplacemarketplacemercenariesmercenaries-2pandemicxblmxbox-live-marketplaceTue, 16 Sep 2008 09:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Mercs 2 gas giveaway causes 'chaos' in London]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/05/mercs-2-gas-giveaway-causes-chaos-in-london/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/05/mercs-2-gas-giveaway-causes-chaos-in-london/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/05/mercs-2-gas-giveaway-causes-chaos-in-london/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

While a similar publicity stunt in LA went off with relatively little drama, it appears the Mercenaries 2 petrol giveaway in London was "irresponsible and dangerous," according to local residents. The BBC reports that traffic was gridlocked as drivers waited to get their £40-worth ($70) of gratis gas. The promotion started at 6:30AM and ran until police apparently shut it down.

Local residents were quite upset about the traffic and honking the stunt caused in their neighborhood. Lynne Featherstone, MP for the district, stated that while a lucky few got free gas, "hundreds of residents have faced misery." She's demanding an apology. We're sure that EA is real sorry about all the free publicity and we're positive those people with tanks full of free gas are even more sympathetic.

[Thanks to all who sent this in.]

JoystiqMercs 2 gas giveaway causes 'chaos' in London originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 05 Sep 2008 10:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>A2MEAElectronic-ArtsgaslondonMercenariesMercenaries-2Mercenaries-2-World-In-FlamesMicrosoftPandemicPandemic-Studiospetrolpublicity-stuntsandboxthird-person-shooterXbox-360Fri, 05 Sep 2008 10:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Play with Mercenaries 2 devs, 'catch' an Achievement]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/04/play-with-mercenaries-2-devs-catch-an-achievement/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/04/play-with-mercenaries-2-devs-catch-an-achievement/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/04/play-with-mercenaries-2-devs-catch-an-achievement/#commentsFiled under: , ,


One of the more ... interesting Achievements in the Xbox 360 version of Mercenaries 2: World in Flames is the 50-point "Everybody Wants Some," which is earned by playing online with one of the game's developers, or someone who's already played with them. Yep, it's contagious. Actually, it's sort of like the STD of Live Achievements, if you'll pardon the icky analogy.

We think it'd be pretty cool to hear the 360 "Achievement Unlocked" sound in real life every time we came down with a cold or other ailment. Hear that Microsoft? Get on it - after all, you were all about "Live Anywhere." Mercs 2's devs will be playing September 5 through 12 using special easy-to-grok Gamertags, which we've listed after the break. Now, go forth and expose yourself to viral goodness.

Continue reading Play with Mercenaries 2 devs, 'catch' an Achievement

JoystiqPlay with Mercenaries 2 devs, 'catch' an Achievement originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 04 Sep 2008 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>A2MachievementsEAElectronic-ArtsMercenariesMercenaries-2Mercenaries-2-World-In-FlamesMicrosoftPandemicPandemic-Studiossandboxthird-person-shooterXbox-360xbox-liveThu, 04 Sep 2008 22:30:00 EST<![CDATA[GameTrailers compares 360, PS3 versions of Mercenaries 2]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/02/gametrailers-compares-360-ps3-versions-of-mercenaries-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/02/gametrailers-compares-360-ps3-versions-of-mercenaries-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/02/gametrailers-compares-360-ps3-versions-of-mercenaries-2/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Considering the inflammatory nature of these little side-by-sides, we're not even going to weigh in an opinion on which version of Mercenaries 2 comes out ahead in the GameTrailers comparison video we've put just after the break. Suffice to say: They're both better than the PS2, and that's as far as we're willing to go.

Even if we wanted to express some opinion (which we don't) we're not sure if we could even pick a side, as they seem pretty darn close to parity. Do you have a preference?

Continue reading GameTrailers compares 360, PS3 versions of Mercenaries 2

JoystiqGameTrailers compares 360, PS3 versions of Mercenaries 2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 02 Sep 2008 09:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>A2MEAElectronic-ArtsMercenariesMercenaries-2Mercenaries-2-World-In-FlamesMicrosoftPandemicPandemic-StudiosPS3sandboxthird-person-shooterXbox-360Tue, 02 Sep 2008 09:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Metareview - Mercenaries 2: World in Flames]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/01/metareview-mercenaries-2-world-in-flames/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/01/metareview-mercenaries-2-world-in-flames/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/01/metareview-mercenaries-2-world-in-flames/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

No doubt your eyes have already darted to that score at the bottom, recoiling in shock at the sight of a number so low, it actually manages to spell something: catastrophe. Five out of ten? What happened?

Well, it seems not everybody is blown away by Mercenaries 2 and its highly delayed destructive, open-world gameplay. Most reviews think the game accomplishes what it set out to do (i.e. set charges and blow the world to smoldering smithereens), but there's an undercurrent of dissatisfaction with the supposedly shallow combat, dubious AI, the adherence to the previous game's formula and, of course, the bugs.
  • 1UP (B+): "While Mercs doesn't do anything particularly new or interesting, the formula is inherently fun (as long as you enjoy blowing things up like I do). I can keep complaining about the quirks -- ridiculously repetitive voice samples from NPCs, a climax that consists of a trial-and-error button-pushing session -- but the wealth of smaller problems are insubstantial in light of the effective fundamentals."
  • IGN (79/100): "For every time I cursed the stupid AI, I cheered at the demolition of another building. For every bug that got me stuck in some bushes, there was an attack chopper waiting to be jacked. If Mercenaries 2 had more polish, it would have been a great game. As is, it's still worth playing - and enjoyable - but falls far short of its promise."
  • WorthPlaying (76/100): "Cars will flip for no reason, your character's legs will get stuck in the environment, things will explode for no reason, etc. It's impossible to play without encountering bugs on a regular basis."
  • Eurogamer (50/100): "We'd now go a little further than that: apart from some cool explosive effects and solid controls, Mercenaries 2 is utterly mediocre in almost every sense that matters. From the initial sorties onwards it's bogged down by the worst kind of brain-dead cannon fodder enemies, lead-you-by-the-hand level design, arbitrary boundaries, and some technical howlers."

JoystiqMetareview - Mercenaries 2: World in Flames originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>A2MEAElectronic-ArtsMercenariesMercenaries-2Mercenaries-2-World-In-FlamesmetareviewMicrosoftPandemicPandemic-StudiosPCPS2PS3sandboxthird-person-shooterXbox-360Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[New games this week: Mercenaries 2 edition]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/01/new-games-this-week-mercenaries-2-edition/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/01/new-games-this-week-mercenaries-2-edition/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/01/new-games-this-week-mercenaries-2-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

We hate to be the ones to break the news to you, but, with the season still three weeks away, the fall onslaught has officially begun. The biggest release is the oft-delayed Mercenaries 2, sure, put you've also got a new Viva Pinata, Trouble in Paradise, and Facebreaker, which ... well, at least it has Snoop Dogg in it.

See the rest of the week's releases right after the jump.

Gallery: Mercenaries 2

Continue reading New games this week: Mercenaries 2 edition

JoystiqNew games this week: Mercenaries 2 edition originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 01 Sep 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>A2MDSEAElectronic-ArtsMercenariesMercenaries-2Mercenaries-2-World-In-FlamesMicrosoftnewgamesPandemicPandemic-StudiosPCPS2PS3sandboxthird-person-shooterWiiXbox-360Mon, 01 Sep 2008 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EA free gas giveaway in Los Angeles for Mercenaries 2 promo [Update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/29/ea-gives-away-free-gas-in-los-angeles-in-mercenaries-2-promo/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/29/ea-gives-away-free-gas-in-los-angeles-in-mercenaries-2-promo/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/29/ea-gives-away-free-gas-in-los-angeles-in-mercenaries-2-promo/#commentsFiled under:


[Update: Apparently, this was today. Whoops. Thanks, Paul!]

You guys wanna make a bet? We think the above shown Mobil gas station was the most popular gas station in Los Angeles today. EA is hosting an event to promote Mercenaries 2 called "Petrol to the People, For Free!" that gave free gas away today at 6 AM until the pumps dried up. Fuel is a central element to Mercenaries 2 story, where players use gas to obtain weapons and supplies, as well as playing at integral part in the story. Additionally, the station was redecorated Mercenaries style and the attendants were dressed up as Mercenaries handing out information about the game.

So where would you have gone take advantage of this free gas giveaway? 8489 Beverly Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90048. For those of us who missed it , watch the action from today with videos at Break.com.


JoystiqEA free gas giveaway in Los Angeles for Mercenaries 2 promo [Update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 29 Aug 2008 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaelectronic-artsmercenariesmercenaries-2Fri, 29 Aug 2008 19:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Mercenaries 2 gets a Flash version]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/29/mercenaries-2-gets-a-flash-version/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/29/mercenaries-2-gets-a-flash-version/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/29/mercenaries-2-gets-a-flash-version/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

If you find yourself unable to wait until the Aug. 31 release of Mercenaries 2: World in Flames, we may have the perfect soothing balm for you: Armor Games and EA's Mercenaries 2: World (Nearly) In Flames. It's exactly like the console versions of Mercenaries 2, except it's free! (And it's made in Flash. And it's two dimensional. But other than that? Exactly the same.)

OK, so maybe it's not as technically impressive, but we could think of many worse ways to kill some time until the real release than with this solid, old-school diversion. Enjoy.

JoystiqMercenaries 2 gets a Flash version originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 29 Aug 2008 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>A2Marmor-gamesEAElectronic-ArtsflashMercenariesMercenaries-2Mercenaries-2-World-In-FlamesMicrosoftPandemicPandemic-StudiosPCsandboxthird-person-shooterXbox-360Fri, 29 Aug 2008 16:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Mercenaries 2 brings 'boom, boom, boom']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/27/mercenaries-2-brings-boom-boom-boom/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/27/mercenaries-2-brings-boom-boom-boom/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/27/mercenaries-2-brings-boom-boom-boom/#commentsFiled under:


Download to PSP

We like to give attention to a few multiplatform titles we've neglected (by accident, we swear!) over the past few months. Unfortunately, Mercenaries 2 is one of those games. Thankfully, this explosive trailer from EA really caught our attention. The ridiculous number of ridiculous explosions is ... well, ridiculous. It's a nice, refreshing break from other action games which have become a bit too heavy-handed and serious.

The game is coming out next week, but we really want to get our hands on a demo. With co-op multiplayer, and a massive open world to blow up, we're hoping that this upcoming game gives us the thrills we're looking for.


JoystiqMercenaries 2 brings 'boom, boom, boom' originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 27 Aug 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eamercenariesmercenaries-2Wed, 27 Aug 2008 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Mercenaries 2 dev diary talks destruction]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/26/mercenaries-2-dev-diary-talks-destruction/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/26/mercenaries-2-dev-diary-talks-destruction/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/26/mercenaries-2-dev-diary-talks-destruction/#commentsFiled under:

A new Mercenaries 2 developer diary has been released and it features lots and lots of destruction. Pandemic director Cameron Brown discusses all the various destructible elements of the game. Mercenaries 2 uses what Pandemic has dubbed "Crashable structures" which are objects that can be destroyed by a moving object like, say, a car. All that is just talk though. The highlight of the video is undoubtedly all the yummy footage of things being destroyed. Now imagine wreaking this havoc with a friend and we've really got something.

JoystiqMercenaries 2 dev diary talks destruction originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 26 Aug 2008 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eamercenariesmercenaries-2pandemicTue, 26 Aug 2008 14:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Mercenaries 2 co-op developer walkthrough]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/21/mercenaries-2-co-op-developer-walkthrough/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/21/mercenaries-2-co-op-developer-walkthrough/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/21/mercenaries-2-co-op-developer-walkthrough/#commentsFiled under:

We'll be honest: most of the staff at Joystiq has a serious medical condition that makes us physically unable to resist good co-op gameplay. We can't do it. It's a serious condition. There's only two known treatments: 1) massive amounts of mind-altering pharmaceuticals or 2) co-op video games. Sometimes, we're forced to seek out the former when there aren't any co-op games on the ol' release calendar while other times there are games like Mercenaries 2: World in Flames that would appear to provide enough co-op gameplay to keep us drug-free for a long time.

Above you've got another Mercenaries 2 developer walkthrough, this time sharing the wonders of the game's co-op functionality. Don't mean to brag, but we've already played it. That means you'll want to pay attention, lest you miss things like "drop-in," "drop-out," "campaign," and "explosion." Say, does anyone have an early copy of Castle Crashers, we're really hurting over here ...

JoystiqMercenaries 2 co-op developer walkthrough originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 21 Aug 2008 18:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>A2MEAElectronic-ArtsMercenariesMercenaries-2Mercenaries-2-World-In-FlamesMicrosoftPandemicPandemic-Studiossandboxthird-person-shooterXbox-360Thu, 21 Aug 2008 18:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq plays Mercenaries 2]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/14/joystiq-plays-mercenaries-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/14/joystiq-plays-mercenaries-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/14/joystiq-plays-mercenaries-2/#commentsFiled under:


Those lucky jerks passionate journalists at Joystiq recently got a chance to try out the online co-op in Mercenaries 2. Not only that, but they were playing it with a member of the Pandemic development team. From the sound of things, it sounds like they had a blast. It was quite literally a blast actually, what with the hands-on preview mentioning inappropriate use of surface-to-air missiles, using a tank to punch holes in concrete walls and calling in air support to sink a ship. And that's only a handful of everything that went down. Head over to Joystiq to check out the full preview.

JoystiqJoystiq plays Mercenaries 2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 14 Aug 2008 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaelectronic-artsmercenariesmercenaries-2pandemicThu, 14 Aug 2008 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq hands-on: Mercenaries 2 online co-op]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/13/joystiq-hands-on-mercenaries-2-online-co-op/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/13/joystiq-hands-on-mercenaries-2-online-co-op/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/13/joystiq-hands-on-mercenaries-2-online-co-op/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click to enlarge blow up
So many things in life are just that much better when enjoyed with a friend. Ice skating, canoeing, inline skating ... grappling a helicopter to escape the blast of a nuclear bunker buster strike you've just called in. That last scenario - and more! - is exactly what we experienced during a recent game of Mercenaries 2 online co-op with developer Pandemic Studios.

Unfortunately, there's no "Hi-Five!" peripheral (yet) for the 360 or it would have gotten plenty of use during our brazenly over-the-top cooperative mass destruction of a virtual Venezuela.

Gallery: Mercenaries 2 (8-13-08)

Continue reading Joystiq hands-on: Mercenaries 2 online co-op

JoystiqJoystiq hands-on: Mercenaries 2 online co-op originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 13 Aug 2008 21:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>A2MEAElectronic-ArtsMercenariesMercenaries-2Mercenaries-2-World-In-FlamesMicrosoftPandemicPandemic-StudiosPS3sandboxthird-person-shooterXbox-360Wed, 13 Aug 2008 21:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq interview: Mercenaries 2 senior producer Jonathan Zamkoff]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/10/joystiq-interview-mercenaries-2-senior-producer-jonathan-zamkof/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/10/joystiq-interview-mercenaries-2-senior-producer-jonathan-zamkof/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/10/joystiq-interview-mercenaries-2-senior-producer-jonathan-zamkof/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

We spent some time with the eagerly awaited Mercenaries 2: World in Flames at Electronic Arts recently, and we can safely say that it's a lot of fun blowing crap up in this game. In fact, if they dropped the storyline (you're chasing a druglord) altogether and called this game Blowing Sh*t Up!, we'd still buy it.

Senior Producer Jonathan Zamkoff answered several of our questions about the game after we took a breath to check for scorch marks and shrapnel wounds. We'll be spending a lot more hands-on time with this one at E3, so look for more coverage next week. In the meantime, check after the break to find out why they hope driving won't suck in this one... although they don't explain why this screenshot looks like Motorstorm 2: Save Your Own Ass.

Gallery: Mercenaries 2: 7/10/2008

Continue reading Joystiq interview: Mercenaries 2 senior producer Jonathan Zamkoff

JoystiqJoystiq interview: Mercenaries 2 senior producer Jonathan Zamkoff originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 10 Jul 2008 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>A2MEAElectronic-ArtsJonathan-ZamkoffMercenariesMercenaries-2Mercenaries-2-World-In-FlamesMicrosoftPandemicPandemic-StudiosPCPS3sandboxthird-person-shooterXbox-360Thu, 10 Jul 2008 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Verify your target with this Mercenaries 2 trailer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/09/verify-your-target-with-this-mercenaries-2-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/09/verify-your-target-with-this-mercenaries-2-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/09/verify-your-target-with-this-mercenaries-2-trailer/#commentsFiled under:


We haven't reported on Mercenaries 2: World in Flames since its delay back in 2007. Apparently, after almost a year, destroying entire buildings is still an option and the game is still coming on just about every console and PC. The video has a group of mercenaries in Venezuela, whose goal is to 'verify' a human target, dead or alive. Alive will bring in more money, but dead is just so much more fun. The trailer has a promise stamped at the end for a August 31st release date, but are you guys even still interested?

[Via Joystiq -- thanks, imperalpig!]

JoystiqVerify your target with this Mercenaries 2 trailer originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 09 Jul 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>mercenariesmercenaries-2mercenaries-2-world-in-flamespandemicWed, 09 Jul 2008 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Mercenaries 2 delivers the goods with 'Improvise' trailer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/09/mercenaries-2-delivers-the-goods-with-improvise-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/09/mercenaries-2-delivers-the-goods-with-improvise-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/09/mercenaries-2-delivers-the-goods-with-improvise-trailer/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

After what feels like countless delays, the new trailer for Mercenaries 2 rekindles our hope that the latest release date of Aug. 31 for the game actually sticks. The video gives examples of a couple different ways to complete missions within the game, from being all stealth-like to just going in guns blazing.

There's something disturbingly satisfying about the idea that, if a mission goes south while trying to sneak through it, the option of just flipping out and destroying everything is still on the table. Check out the video after the break.

Continue reading Mercenaries 2 delivers the goods with 'Improvise' trailer

JoystiqMercenaries 2 delivers the goods with 'Improvise' trailer originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 09 Jul 2008 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>A2MEAElectronic-ArtsMercenariesMercenaries-2Mercenaries-2-World-In-FlamesMicrosoftPandemicPandemic-StudiosPCPS2PS3sandboxthird-person-shooterXbox-360Wed, 09 Jul 2008 02:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Mercenaries 2 developer walkthrough previews different 'approaches']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/05/mercenaries-2-developer-walkthrough-previews-different-approach/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/05/mercenaries-2-developer-walkthrough-previews-different-approach/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/05/mercenaries-2-developer-walkthrough-previews-different-approach/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Those who enjoyed the economics-meets-explosions gameplay of Pandemic Studios' Mercenaries: Playground of Destruction will no doubt get a kick out of the latest trailer for the title's upcoming sequel. The three ExOps personalities we came to know and love in the first Mercs are making a comeback, and in the above video, Mercenaries 2: World in Flames lead designer Scott Warner gives us a sneak peek at how these well-trained operatives, you know, operate.

The gameplay looks solid, but for those of us too busy to watch a five-minute video on a Saturday afternoon, we'll briefly break it down using A-Team archetypes: Jennifer Mui is Templeton "Faceman" Peck, Mattias Nilsson is "Howling Mad" Murdock, and Christopher Jacobs is an amalgam of John "Hannibal" Smith and B.A. Baracus -- only he doesn't pity fools. He hastily shuffles them off this mortal coil using their own grenades.

JoystiqMercenaries 2 developer walkthrough previews different 'approaches' originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 05 Jul 2008 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a-teamdeveloper-walkthroughmercenariesmercenaries-2-world-in-flamespandemicpandemic-studiosPCPS2PS3trailerworld-in-flamesXbox-360Sat, 05 Jul 2008 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[New Mercs 2 trailer reveals August 31st release date]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/03/new-mercs-2-trailer-reveals-august-31st-release-date/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/03/new-mercs-2-trailer-reveals-august-31st-release-date/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/03/new-mercs-2-trailer-reveals-august-31st-release-date/#commentsFiled under: ,


Pardon us if we fail to sound particularly interested during this post. The above video for Mercenaries 2 almost made us fall asleep and now we're all grumpy. From what we can see, Mercs 2 will be another generic shooter with a second rate storyline. The only good thing about the trailer? It had a release date attached. The game will arrive on shelves on August 31st. Will it be worth picking up? Doubtful, there are plenty of games due this year that promise to be more worthwhile.

JoystiqNew Mercs 2 trailer reveals August 31st release date originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 03 Apr 2008 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>EAmercenariesmercenaries-2PandemicThu, 03 Apr 2008 22:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Mercenaries 2 blowing up August 31]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/03/mercenaries-2-blowing-up-august-31/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/03/mercenaries-2-blowing-up-august-31/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/03/mercenaries-2-blowing-up-august-31/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


We already knew that Mercenaries 2: World in Flames was headed for a delay, but now we know exactly how long we're going to have to wait. IGN is reporting today that the new date is August 31. We know! That seems like forever! They might as well make the date Nevervember the 37th.

The waiting isn't made any easier by this new trailer, which caters to that facet of our personalties games so often ignore: The part of us that likes to blow stuff up. ... Listen, we're sorry we got so upset earlier, we don't know what came over us. Just, please, for our sake, no more delays, OK? Please?

[Thanks, Jonah]

JoystiqMercenaries 2 blowing up August 31 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 03 Apr 2008 16:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>A2MEAElectronic-ArtsMercenariesMercenaries-2Mercenaries-2-World-In-FlamesMicrosoftPandemicPandemic-StudiosPS3release-datesandboxthird-person-shooterXbox-360Thu, 03 Apr 2008 16:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Mercenaries 2: World in Flames delayed (again)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/31/mercenaries-2-world-in-flames-delayed-again/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/31/mercenaries-2-world-in-flames-delayed-again/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/31/mercenaries-2-world-in-flames-delayed-again/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Shacknews reports that Pandemic Studios' action-packed Venezuela-wrecking shooter, Mercenaries 2: World in Flames, has been struck with another delay, this one sending it careening into publisher EA's 2009 fiscal year. Though the game "is likely to ship this year," the official release period now stretches from April 2008 to March 2009.

The news follows several rumors which suggested that EA would show gamers no Mercenaries until August. We'll let you know as soon as official release date debris details come hurtling through our office window.

JoystiqMercenaries 2: World in Flames delayed (again) originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 31 Jan 2008 19:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>A2MdelayEAElectronic-ArtsMercenariesMercenaries-2Mercenaries-2-World-In-FlamesMicrosoftPandemicPandemic-StudiosPCPS2PS3sandboxthird-person-shooterXbox-360Thu, 31 Jan 2008 19:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: Mercenaries 2 delayed until August]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/24/mercenaries-2-possibly-delayed-until-august/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/24/mercenaries-2-possibly-delayed-until-august/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/24/mercenaries-2-possibly-delayed-until-august/#commentsFiled under: , ,

In the gaming world, a good rule of thumb is that when a game is delayed once, chances are it could be delayed again. See as examples recently announced "follow-up" delays for Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Haze and Age of Conan, to name but a few. Now, after being delayed once to a Feb. 8 target, it seems EA's Mercenaries 2: World in Flames might be looking at a secondary push back to an August release date.

While EA hasn't said anything official yet, the circumstantial evidence is mounting. Exhibit A: A Eurogamer article citing an EA spokesperson as saying we'll see nothing of the game "within the next few months." Exhibit 2: An Aug. 25 release date for the game as listed on Amazon and Gamestop's web sites. Exhibit D: A decided lack of advertising, hype, or review code for a major game that's supposedly roughly two weeks from release.

The verdict? It seems pretty damning, but it's all still inconclusive until we hear something official from EA. We're following up with them and will let you know what we hear.

JoystiqRumor: Mercenaries 2 delayed until August originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 24 Jan 2008 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>delayEAelectronic-artsmercenariesmercenaries-2PS3world-in-flamesXbox-360Thu, 24 Jan 2008 14:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Mercenaries 2 viral videos = Tough guy + The Office]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/04/mercenaries-2-viral-videos-tough-guy-the-office/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/04/mercenaries-2-viral-videos-tough-guy-the-office/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/04/mercenaries-2-viral-videos-tough-guy-the-office/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Pandemic put together a small set of viral videos promoting its mercifully delayed Mercenaries 2: World in Flames. The mockumentary is The Office-esque and follows the exploits of Jim Holston, a "real" mercenary who visits the Pandemic studios to "check out the game."

There is no Mercenaries 2 gameplay footage or launch announcement in the videos that we can see, the first episode is above with the other three found after the break. If you like cringe-humor created by awkward situations then you may find a few moments of laugh-out-loud humor in the videos. We'll never view motion capture technology the same way again after seeing what Holston does to the Pandemic receptionist.

Continue reading Mercenaries 2 viral videos = Tough guy + The Office

JoystiqMercenaries 2 viral videos = Tough guy + The Office originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 04 Jan 2008 20:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>A2MEAElectronic-ArtsMercenariesMercenaries-2Mercenaries-2-World-In-FlamesMicrosoftPandemicPandemic-StudiosPS3sandboxthird-person-shooterXbox-360Fri, 04 Jan 2008 20:05:00 EST<![CDATA[EA to acquire BioWare Corp. and Pandemic Studios]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/11/ea-to-acquire-bioware-corp-and-pandemic-studios/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/11/ea-to-acquire-bioware-corp-and-pandemic-studios/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/11/ea-to-acquire-bioware-corp-and-pandemic-studios/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Monolithic publisher EA has today announced an agreement with Elevation Partners to purchase VG Holding Corp. -- a move which sees EA becoming the owner of both BioWare Corp. and Pandemic Studios. A shocking move to be certain, but one that should make complete sense to a publisher looking to strengthen its lineup of role-playing games and action titles. BioWare, currently finishing development on November's Microsoft-published Mass Effect, has proven itself to be one of the leading developers in the genre, and Pandemic Studios' Mercenaries franchise has shown an alarming propensity for blowing things up.

Closing January 2008, the purchase will cost EA up to $620 million in cash payment to the stockholders of VG Holding Corp., with another $155 million in equity going to "certain employees" of VG Holding Corp., "subject to time-based or performance-based vesting criteria." EA has also agreed to lend VG Holding Corp $35 million through the closing of the purchase. Ray Muzyka, Co-founder and CEO of BioWare Corp, thinks it's all money well spent. "This vision is consistent with BioWare's focus on crafting the highest quality story-driven games in the world," he says. "It will enable us to further the careers of the passionate, creative and hard working teams at BioWare Edmonton and BioWare Austin."

EA will hold a conference call later today to discuss the acquisition. Oh, and here are all the exclamation marks we wanted to put in the headline: !!!!!!!!!!

JoystiqEA to acquire BioWare Corp. and Pandemic Studios originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 11 Oct 2007 16:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BiowareEAElectronic-ArtsElevation-PartnersMassEffectMercenariesPandemicPandemic-StudiosPCPS3VG-Holding-CorpWiiXbox-360Thu, 11 Oct 2007 16:36:00 EST<![CDATA[PSP Fanboy Theatre: Volume 25]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/23/psp-fanboy-theatre-volume-25/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/23/psp-fanboy-theatre-volume-25/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/23/psp-fanboy-theatre-volume-25/#commentsFiled under:

PSP Fanboy offers the latest and greatest movie and game trailers, formatted for the PSP in this new weekly feature. Check it out every Saturday. PSP owners can download files wirelessly via m.pspfanboy.com.

Instructions: Save all movie and thumbnail files to the VIDEO folder. These high resolution 480x272 videos require firmware 3.30 or above. (Note: OE custom firmware will also play these videos.)

New for PSP: Get selected videos delivered automatically to your PSP via our new RSS feed.


Folklore [PS3]
Download MP4 (24.2MB) | Download JPG

The following videos are featured after the break: Call of Duty 4 (PS3, 360), Lair (PS3), Mercenaries 2 (PS3, 360), Motorstorm (PS3), Super Stardust HD (PS3), Transformers: The Game (All)

Continue reading PSP Fanboy Theatre: Volume 25

JoystiqPSP Fanboy Theatre: Volume 25 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 23 Jun 2007 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>call of duty 4CallOfDuty4folklorelairmercenariesmercenaries 2Mercenaries2motorstormsuper stardustsuper stardust hdSuperStardustSuperStardustHdtransformersSat, 23 Jun 2007 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: Mercenaries 2 trailer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/18/video-mercenaries-2-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/18/video-mercenaries-2-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/18/video-mercenaries-2-trailer/#commentsFiled under:


The debut trailer for Mercenaries 2: World in Flames has been released and we have it embedded above for your convenience. The action in the game looks pretty hot, and the graphics aren't too shabby either. The lighting and explosions are really impressive, and the destructive enviroments look really ... breakable? Either way it looks really cool, and a blast to play. Jacking helicopters looks completely crazy. Did you ever get your hands on the first Mercenaries, and are you ready for some new gen flavor?

[Thanks, Jonah Falcon]

JoystiqVideo: Mercenaries 2 trailer originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 18 Jun 2007 07:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>E AEAElectronic ArtsElectronicArtsMercenariesMercenaries 2Mercenaries 2 World in FlamesMercenaries IIMercenaries II World in FlamesMercenaries2Mercenaries2WorldInFlamesMercenariesIiMercenariesIiWorldInFlamesPandemicMon, 18 Jun 2007 07:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Mercenaries 2 to have no competitive multiplayer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/01/mercenaries-2-to-have-no-competive-multiplayer/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/01/mercenaries-2-to-have-no-competive-multiplayer/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/01/mercenaries-2-to-have-no-competive-multiplayer/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Like a long-lost lover seen in our periphery as they board a train to Paris, our dream of teabagging a friend's corpse right after we call an air strike on them continues to flit just out of our reach. Its latest elusion: The exclusion of competitive multiplayer from Mercenaries 2.

Do we take some comfort in the dozens of new weapons mentioned in the Eurogamer interview? The addition of boats? The hundreds of other new vehicles? Sure, some. But it's a cold comfort. And yes, we can already hear you now: "There's cooperative multiplayer, can't you air strike/teabag that way? Isn't that the same?" But that's obviously different. How can you teabag someone without a victory? It's just ... hollow.

[Via Xbox 360 Fanboy]

JoystiqMercenaries 2 to have no competitive multiplayer originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 01 Jun 2007 10:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>mercenariesmercenaries2PCps2ps3Xbox-360xbox360Fri, 01 Jun 2007 10:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Orta, Mercenaries, JSRF join 360 compatability list]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/19/orta-mercenaries-jsrf-join-360-compatability-list/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/19/orta-mercenaries-jsrf-join-360-compatability-list/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/19/orta-mercenaries-jsrf-join-360-compatability-list/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Microsoft has supplied 33 more compelling reasons to finally stuff your old friend the Xbox in the closet with their new backwards compatibility update for the 360. How compelling, you ask? How about Jet Set Radio Future and Mercenaries? How's that grab you? No, still not enough? How about Panzer Dragoon Orta? The BC update doesn't seem to be working just yet, but we hope that'll be rectified soon.

The full list is available here with all the new additions, like Return To Castle Wolfenstein and Breakdown. When asked to comment on the update, a Microsoft spokesperson wrote "We're continuing to work hard to certify as many original Xbox games to work on Xbox 360 as possible," and don't think we don't appreciate it. In fact, we're so grateful, we're not going to wonder aloud how NFL Fever 2004 snuck on to the list. We're rising above.

Still conspicuously absent from the updates: Your Favorite Game that No One Else Liked. But chin up, we hear it's a lock for the next update. You can see a full list after the break.

[via Snackbar Games]

Continue reading Orta, Mercenaries, JSRF join 360 compatability list

JoystiqOrta, Mercenaries, JSRF join 360 compatability list originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 19 Apr 2007 16:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Actionbackwards-compatibilityBreakdownJet-Set-Radio-FutureMajescoMercenariesMicrosoftMicrosoft-Game-StudiosPhantom-DustReturn-to-Castle-WolfensteinStrategyUnreal-Championship-2-The-Liandri-ConflictXboxXbox-360Thu, 19 Apr 2007 16:04:00 EST<![CDATA[Mercenaries 2 screenshots go boom!]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/19/mercenaries-2-screenshots-go-boom/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/19/mercenaries-2-screenshots-go-boom/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/19/mercenaries-2-screenshots-go-boom/#commentsFiled under:


Today, Pandemic released a few screenshots of their upcoming sequel Mercenaries 2. The graphics look okay, the lighting is fine, and the textures will pass, but there's nothing jaw dropping here. Maybe the in-game explosions will make us wet ourselves, but we don't get the same effect from screenshots. Also, who's enjoying the main character's badass image? Tattoos, stylish hair, tight jeans, and a sleeveless shirt ... he's my idol. Anyone eagerly anticipating Mercenaries 2 and want to share your impressions of the new screenshots?

[Thanks, un1qu3 n3wy0rk]

JoystiqMercenaries 2 screenshots go boom! originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 19 Mar 2007 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>mercenariesmercenaries 2Mercenaries2pandemicMon, 19 Mar 2007 17:30:00 EST