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[Nintendo phasing out Wii Speak peripheral from retailers]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/02/nintendo-phasing-out-wii-speak-peripheral-from-retailers/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/02/nintendo-phasing-out-wii-speak-peripheral-from-retailers/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/02/nintendo-phasing-out-wii-speak-peripheral-from-retailers/#comments We're finding it hard to accept the fact that future generations of Wii gamers won't be able to experience the raw thrill of one roomful of people chatting it up with another roomful of people during an Animal Crossing: City Folk session. Sadly, that's the hard, hard truth one must extract from Nintendo's recently announced decision to phase out the Wii Speak peripheral, which is now only available "at limited retail locations."

Nintendo refused to hammer the final nail into the poor, puck-shaped microphone's coffin, however, telling GameSpot that "additional shipments can be made if consumer demand increases." In that case, we suppose our grandchildren can still have conversations with strangers' living rooms -- but they'll have to organize some kind of movement in order to do so.

JoystiqNintendo phasing out Wii Speak peripheral from retailers originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 02 Dec 2010 15:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Animal-Crossing-City-Folkchatmicrophonenintendoperipheralswiiwii-speakThu, 02 Dec 2010 15:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Alleged Kinect hardware specs claim two active player limit]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/30/alleged-kinect-hardware-specs-claim-two-active-player-limit/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/30/alleged-kinect-hardware-specs-claim-two-active-player-limit/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/30/alleged-kinect-hardware-specs-claim-two-active-player-limit/#comments During E3, PrimeSense, the company behind the Kinect hardware, told Joystiq that the system it had licensed to Microsoft could only handle a maximum of two active players at a time. PrimeSense couldn't confirm at the time that Kinect could only calculate two players, and Microsoft didn't comment further when we asked, but leaked Kinect technical specifications from a few UK retailers seem to match up with the two "active" player limit. The leaked technical specifications claim that the Kinect camera can recognize any number of human bodies, but can only calculate the movement and actions of two people at a time.

Other interesting specs have the camera pulling in a video view with a 640x480 resolution at 30fps, and an echo cancellation system in the mic that will make voice chat possible directly through Kinect. The information also explains what the original Xbox 360 will need for the device: 175 MB of memory for system drivers and an open USB port (to connect Kinect).

Of course, these specifications aren't yet official, and they're strictly for the hardware -- not every game will support camera output or voice chat.

JoystiqAlleged Kinect hardware specs claim two active player limit originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 30 Jun 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cameradriverskinectmaximummemorymicrophonemicrosoftspecsusbxboxWed, 30 Jun 2010 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Grease: The Game to utilize microphones and balance board]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/27/grease-the-game-to-utilize-microphones-and-balance-board/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/27/grease-the-game-to-utilize-microphones-and-balance-board/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/27/grease-the-game-to-utilize-microphones-and-balance-board/#comments You've used your Wii Balance Board to exercise, ski, hula hoop and snowboard. Soon, you'll have the opportunity to use the peripheral in the manner God intended: To do the Hand Jive Hop. According to a press release from publisher 505 Games, Grease: The Game will allow two teams of four players to fight for "musical domination" using two USB microphones and the Balance Board. Oh, man. We've got chills, and we'll be entirely damned if they're not multiplying.

The board will be used for Grease's many minigames, which include T-Bird racing, carnival games, and singing to the title's 16-song soundtrack. Not mentioned in the presser is the minigame where you take a nice, sweet-natured young girl and transform her into a spandex-clad hussy. We'll find out if that one made the cut when the game launches on Wii and DS in September.

JoystiqGrease: The Game to utilize microphones and balance board originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 27 May 2010 10:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>505-gamesbalance-boardbig-head-gamesDSgreasemicrophoneNintendoWiizoe-modeThu, 27 May 2010 10:45:00 EST<![CDATA[THQ prepares 'Truth or Lies' for this fall]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/20/thq-prepares-truth-or-lies-for-this-fall/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/20/thq-prepares-truth-or-lies-for-this-fall/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/20/thq-prepares-truth-or-lies-for-this-fall/#comments THQ is all set to sell you Truth or Lies this fall, as if either commodity were in short supply. The "truth or dare" party game comes with over 3,000 questions and will be available on PS3, Xbox 360 and Wii. The "game" also uses a "proprietary voice calibration system that ... measures stress levels in a player's voice to reveal the honesty of their answers." It doesn't seem like microphones will be included, but it's compatible with the Xbox 360 Wireless Microphone or a USB microphone. We recommend wireless to reduce strangulation potential.

Truth or Lies also comes with a "hot seat" mode, allowing for, as THQ delusionally puts it, "revealing and hilarious situations among friends and family." Oh, there most certainly will be tears, but they won't likely be from laughter.

JoystiqTHQ prepares 'Truth or Lies' for this fall originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 20 May 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microphoneMicrosoftNintendothqtruth-or-liesWiiXbox-360Thu, 20 May 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rock Band 2 patched on 360, PS3 update going through cert]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/25/rock-band-2-patched-on-360-ps3-update-going-through-cert/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/25/rock-band-2-patched-on-360-ps3-update-going-through-cert/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/25/rock-band-2-patched-on-360-ps3-update-going-through-cert/#comments Ludomusicians, rejoice! The Xbox 360 version of Rock Band 2 received a massive title update earlier today, adding a whole slew of oft-requested features to Harmonix's beefy music platform. The most notable of these additions is that the game now supports wireless microphones, such as those used with Lips. Other changes include improved hammer-ons and pull-offs, background downloading for music store purchases and the "Audition Mode," which allows Rock Band Network users to test out their homebrewed Rock Band tracks.

In a Rock Band forum thread, Harmonix's Sean Baptiste explained the PS3 version of the update is currently working its way through Sony's certification process. We've yet to hear mention of a Wii version of the patch. C'mon, Harmonix! Waggle-rockers need love too!

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

JoystiqRock Band 2 patched on 360, PS3 update going through cert originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 25 Sep 2009 16:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auditionharmonixmicrophoneMicrosoftpatchrhythmrock-bandrock-band-2updateXbox-360Fri, 25 Sep 2009 16:16:00 EST<![CDATA[Lips mic compatible with The Beatles: Rock Band, RB2 'soon']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/07/lips-mic-compatible-with-the-beatles-rock-band-rb2-soon/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/07/lips-mic-compatible-with-the-beatles-rock-band-rb2-soon/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/07/lips-mic-compatible-with-the-beatles-rock-band-rb2-soon/#comments
Harmonix has confirmed to Joystiq that the Lips (or Microsoft Wireless) Microphone will be compatible with The Beatles: Rock Band at launch, but that a patch for the peripheral to work with Rock Band 2 will be "coming soon." We sought clarification after a post on GameFaqs, allegedly quoting EA warranty support, implied that the patch for Rock Band would occur this week.

The Lips mic patch for Rock Band has been in the pipe since last year, with a release window announced a couple months back for this summer, which we now know will occur after (not with) the release of The Beatles: Rock Band this Wednesday.

[Via Aeropause]

JoystiqLips mic compatible with The Beatles: Rock Band, RB2 'soon' originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 07 Sep 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaElectronic-ArtsharmonixinislipsmicmicrophoneMicrosoftmtv-gamesperipheralperipheralsrock-bandrock-band-2Xbox-360Mon, 07 Sep 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Xbox 360 wireless mic sold separately this fall for $50]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/23/xbox-360-wireless-mic-sold-separately-this-fall-50/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/23/xbox-360-wireless-mic-sold-separately-this-fall-50/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/23/xbox-360-wireless-mic-sold-separately-this-fall-50/#comments
We're having a hard time wrapping our heads around this one, so do us a favor and bear with us while we put our heads down and power through. Microsoft is releasing a wireless microphone this fall meant to be used with "your favorite Xbox 360 music games," a list that includes: Lips, Guitar Hero: Metallica, Rock Band 2, Disney Sing It: High School Musical 3: Senior Year, Lips: Number One Hits, and The Beatles: Rock Band.

We know, we know -- you're asking yourself, "Why would Microsoft release more peripherals? Just to add extra confusion to the Joystiq instrument compatibility matrix?" According to Microsoft, the mics are meant to assist in your living room rockstar efforts, and will retail this fall for an "estimated retail price" of $50. Meanwhile, the promise of Lips mics working in Rock Band 2 has yet to arrive and an asterisk in Microsoft's press release from earlier today indicates that these new mics won't work either without a title update. Does that mean we'll finally see the allowance of Lips' mics in RB2 when these new mics ship in the fall?

JoystiqXbox 360 wireless mic sold separately this fall for $50 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 23 Jun 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>guitar-heroguitar-hero-metallicahigh-school-musicallipsmicrophonemicrosoftmusicperipheralsrock-bandrock-band-2the-beatles-rock-bandXbox-360Tue, 23 Jun 2009 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Keep your JoySound to yourself with new microphone peripheral]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/16/keep-your-joysound-to-yourself-with-new-microphone-peripheral/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/16/keep-your-joysound-to-yourself-with-new-microphone-peripheral/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/16/keep-your-joysound-to-yourself-with-new-microphone-peripheral/#commentsKaraoke JoySound Wii allows Japanese Wii owners to bring the karaoke experience home, with a full music subscription service. The only problem with bringing that experience home is that Japanese apartments tend to be tiny and thin-walled.

Japan Trust Technology has solved that issue for late-night crooners with the Mute Mic USB. This specially-designed microphone includes a plastic cup that fits over players' mouths, muting the atonal, drunken screeches that would normally issue forth throughout the apartment building. As an added "bonus," it looks unidentifiably disgusting both in use and on its own, like some kind of medical device you wouldn't want to have to explain.

[Via GAME Watch]

JoystiqKeep your JoySound to yourself with new microphone peripheral originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 16 Mar 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hudsonjttkaraokekaraoke-joysound-wiimicrophonemute-mic-usbMon, 16 Mar 2009 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Lips getting complete overhaul with title update]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/09/lips-getting-complete-overhaul-with-title-update/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/09/lips-getting-complete-overhaul-with-title-update/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/09/lips-getting-complete-overhaul-with-title-update/#comments
Microsoft has announced a number of changes coming to your living room Lips performance, just in case the latest batch of content wasn't enough to make you press your mouth to the game's sparkly mics. The coming title update includes several fixes and "highly-requested" features, such as leaderboards and a much-needed option for microphone calibration.

Also on the way is a "significant change" to Lips' scoring system, promising an overhaul of how the game detects changes in pitch and vibrato. After the update, Microsoft notes that players will no longer be able to simply blow into the mic or mumble their way through tunes and still hope to reap galactic rewards. No exact release date has been announced, though we expect the change to drop on stage sooner rather than later, and have already begun massaging our vocal chords for our next off-tune performance.

[Thanks, Ofri]

JoystiqLips getting complete overhaul with title update originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 09 Mar 2009 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>leaderboardslipsmicrophonemicrosoftupdateMon, 09 Mar 2009 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Guitar Hero World Tour won't receive Lips mic support]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/27/guitar-hero-world-tour-wont-receive-lips-mic-support/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/27/guitar-hero-world-tour-wont-receive-lips-mic-support/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/27/guitar-hero-world-tour-wont-receive-lips-mic-support/#comments
According to VG247, Activision has no plans to add Lips wireless microphone support to Guitar Hero World Tour. Now, we could understand their unwillingness to support the Lips mics if they were poorly constructed or if it'd be some overwhelming task to take on. But the one thing (and possibly only thing) Lips has going for it are stellar peripherals and we don't believe releasing a game patch would be all that time consuming.

Shame on you World Tour. At least Rock Band recognizes the value of colorfully lit mics.

JoystiqGuitar Hero World Tour won't receive Lips mic support originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 27 Feb 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionguitar-heroguitar-hero-world-tourinislipsmicrophoneperipheralsworld-tourFri, 27 Feb 2009 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Warm Up: Speak up]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/08/wii-warm-up-speak-up/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/08/wii-warm-up-speak-up/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/08/wii-warm-up-speak-up/#commentsFiled under:

The Wii Speak Channel is finally out and enabling voice chat between people who didn't feel like buying Animal Crossing. Some of you have probably put it through its paces by now. What's your opinion of the Channel? Does it feel weird to talk at your TV? Are you being spammed with voice messages from your jerk friends?

Is this functionality something that could help justify the cost of the mic? Or is it just another channel that will get deleted for a Space Invaders Get Even mission pack?


Ever since it was revealed back at E3, WiiSpeak has been the talk (both good and bad) of the town. Check out our hands-on time with the device, as well as the details you may have missed on the WiiSpeak Channel. Plan on picking one up? Then you might want to check out Game Night, where you'll surely be able to chat with your fellow Wii lovers in the future.

JoystiqWii Warm Up: Speak up originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 08 Dec 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microphonevoice-chatwiispeakwiispeak-channelMon, 08 Dec 2008 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hiii! Demonstrating the Wii Speak Channel voice message process [update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/05/hiii-demonstrating-the-wii-speak-channel-voice-message-process/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/05/hiii-demonstrating-the-wii-speak-channel-voice-message-process/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/05/hiii-demonstrating-the-wii-speak-channel-voice-message-process/#commentsFiled under: ,


The Wii Speak Channel is out in Europe today, as is the actual WiiSpeak microphone. A helpful early adopter named Butulino has taken video footage of the "Canale Wii Speak" in action, so the rest of us can see what we have to look forward to ... whenever Nintendo of America gets around to offering the channel oh, hey, right now! As a bonus, you can also see some guy's friend code.

This video shows the channel's voice message capability, through which short (10 seconds or less) clips can be recorded and sent to Wii friends' Message Boards. Cleverly, the Channel allows you to bundle a picture with a message, so you can take a picture of that stringfish you caught in Animal Crossing and send it with a taunting message about, you know, how your friend has yet to catch a stringfish.

The Channel also allows users to warp their voices, in a feature similar to one found in the DSi's sound functionality -- which further cements the connection between the DSi's features and UI design and the Wii Menu.

[Update: it's up in North America! Nintendo almost succeeded in completely suppressing news of an available service, but not quite!]

[Via GoNintendo]

Ever since it was revealed back at E3, WiiSpeak has been the talk (both good and bad) of the town. Check out our hands-on time with the device, as well as the details you may have missed on the WiiSpeak Channel. Plan on picking one up? Then you might want to check out Game Night, where you'll surely be able to chat with your fellow Wii lovers in the future.

JoystiqHiii! Demonstrating the Wii Speak Channel voice message process [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 05 Dec 2008 18:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>europemicrophonevoice-messageswiispeakwiispeak-channelFri, 05 Dec 2008 18:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Preview Wii Speak Channel and a puppy with these screens]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/04/preview-wii-speak-channel-and-a-puppy-with-these-screens/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/04/preview-wii-speak-channel-and-a-puppy-with-these-screens/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/04/preview-wii-speak-channel-and-a-puppy-with-these-screens/#commentsFiled under: ,


Thanks to the Japanese launch of the Wii Speak Channel, we can now see a bit of a preview of what's coming up for the rest of us (tomorrow in Europe, ??? in North America) in the world of talking at our TVs. Nintendo has opened their Wii Speak Channel page, featuring screenshots of the Channel's features, like the "puppy" feature in the screen above!

Well, actually, it's the photo sharing feature, which allows photos loaded from an SD card to be shown during chat. Also pictured: the Channel's voice message function, which allows players to record voice messages for Wii Friends and send them to the Message Board. This results in a text message on special a Wii Speak Channel background with the note "This message was recorded by your friend using the Wii Speak Channel." We always get an Animal Crossing vibe from special "stationery." If you'd like to see more of this Channel, a video is also available at the Japanese site.

[Via Famitsu]

Ever since it was revealed back at E3, WiiSpeak has been the talk (both good and bad) of the town. Check out our hands-on time with the device, as well as the details you may have missed on the WiiSpeak Channel. Plan on picking one up? Then you might want to check out Game Night, where you'll surely be able to chat with your fellow Wii lovers in the future.

JoystiqPreview Wii Speak Channel and a puppy with these screens originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 04 Dec 2008 14:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>channelsmicrophonewiispeakwiispeak-channelThu, 04 Dec 2008 14:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Yes, you can get the Wii Speak Channel ticket when you buy a used microphone]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/28/yes-you-can-get-the-wii-speak-channel-ticket-when-you-buy-a-use/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/28/yes-you-can-get-the-wii-speak-channel-ticket-when-you-buy-a-use/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/28/yes-you-can-get-the-wii-speak-channel-ticket-when-you-buy-a-use/#commentsFiled under:


It's hard to believe that so much controversy could be stirred up by the Wii Speak Channel. Chances are that, had the shocking Wii Download Ticket scare not happened, none of us would have cared much about it. After a statement from Nintendo that didn't quite answer a Edge finally got a point-blank answer from Nintendo on the subject of the eligibility of owners of used WiiSpeak mics to get Download Tickets. Good news!

"Any consumer who requires a Wii Download Ticket after purchasing a pre-owned Wii Speak Accessory may contact their local Nintendo Customer Services department, where they can request a Wii Download Ticket for the Wii Speak Channel for free."

You can't get the Channel for use with your WiiSpeak on a friend's Wii, and you can't get a Ticket for use with a third-party mic peripheral. But hey! Nintendo isn't nefariously penalizing used sales like we all assumed!

Ever since it was revealed back at E3, WiiSpeak has been the talk (both good and bad) of the town. Check out our hands-on time with the device, as well as the details you may have missed on the WiiSpeak Channel. Plan on picking one up? Then you might want to check out Game Night, where you'll surely be able to chat with your fellow Wii lovers in the future.

JoystiqYes, you can get the Wii Speak Channel ticket when you buy a used microphone originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 28 Nov 2008 13:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microphonewii-download-ticketwiispeakwiispeak-channelFri, 28 Nov 2008 13:42:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo will replace lost Wii Speak Channel codes]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/25/nintendo-will-replace-lost-wii-speak-channel-codes/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/25/nintendo-will-replace-lost-wii-speak-channel-codes/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/25/nintendo-will-replace-lost-wii-speak-channel-codes/#commentsFiled under: ,


It seems that Nintendo isn't quite as draconian as we thought about the Wii Download Ticket code accompanying new purchases of the WiiSpeak microphone. Previous statements suggested that there was absolutely no way to obtain a code without purchasing new hardware -- even if you have bought new hardware and require a replacement code.

The statement from Nintendo of Europe reads "Any consumer who may have misplaced their Wii Download Ticket number for the Wii Speak Channel or require a new number following a Wii exchange may contact their local Nintendo Customer Services department, where they can request a replacement Wii Download Ticket number."

There's no word of secondhand purchases or any other circumstances, but it seems likely that if Nintendo is at all willing to offer replacement codes, the friendly customer service representatives won't be too stingy with Download Ticket codes. Just don't buy a used WiiSpeak expecting to get the free code.

JoystiqNintendo will replace lost Wii Speak Channel codes originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 25 Nov 2008 12:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microphonewii-download-ticketwiispeakwiispeak-channelTue, 25 Nov 2008 12:50:00 EST<![CDATA[GTA: Chinatown Wars has large map, obligatory microphone gimmick]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/17/gta-chinatown-wars-has-large-map-obligatory-microphone-gimmick/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/17/gta-chinatown-wars-has-large-map-obligatory-microphone-gimmick/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/17/gta-chinatown-wars-has-large-map-obligatory-microphone-gimmick/#commentsFiled under:


Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars will feature around three-quarters of the Liberty City map seen in Grand Theft Auto IV. That's according to a preview in Spanish magazine MarcaPlayer, which stated that Broker, Bohan, Dukes, and Algonquin (all of which are highlighted in yellow above) will be playable, with only Alderney missing. GTA IV's map might not be the biggest in the series, but this is further evidence that Rockstar is squeezing every last drop of juice from the DS.

Also bound and gagged in the trunk of MarcaPlayer's preview were a few new details. While the action plays out on the top screen, the touchscreen lets you control your PDA (which contains the map and mission goals), GPS (on which you can mark destinations to find the shortest legal route), and radio.

As you explore the city (with the help of a camera that can be swiveled 360 degrees), new landmarks and venues you discover are marked down on your map, and you'll see lots of nice little touches, such as trains that pass over the city. You'll also be able to whistle into the microphone to hail a cab; they just couldn't resist, could they? And now we wait!

JoystiqGTA: Chinatown Wars has large map, obligatory microphone gimmick originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 17 Nov 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>actionchinatown-warsgrand-theft-autogrand-theft-auto-chinatown-warsgtamicrophonerockstarsandboxMon, 17 Nov 2008 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Speak Channel download tied to hardware]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/13/wii-speak-channel-download-tied-to-hardware/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/13/wii-speak-channel-download-tied-to-hardware/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/13/wii-speak-channel-download-tied-to-hardware/#commentsFiled under: ,


MTV Multiplayer's Stephen Totilo opened his review WiiSpeak microphone box and discovered the secret behind the associated Wii Speak Channel: it's a free download, yes, but that download requires the entry of a one-time-use code included in the box. At first blush, this isn't a big deal, because anyone who wants to use the Wii Speak Channel is probably going to have a microphone anyway, right?

The problem, as Totilo identifies, is that you can't buy the thing used and expect the channel, because the "Download Ticket" will have been used. And Nintendo won't replace it. The channel won't be available for purchase, or for free download without the ticket. So buy the thing new or plan to chat only in games.

JoystiqWii Speak Channel download tied to hardware originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 Nov 2008 09:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microphonewiispeakwiispeak-channelThu, 13 Nov 2008 09:55:00 EST<![CDATA[IGN's hands-six-to-eight-feet-away-from WiiSpeak preview]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/22/igns-hands-six-to-eight-feet-away-from-wiispeak-preview/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/22/igns-hands-six-to-eight-feet-away-from-wiispeak-preview/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/22/igns-hands-six-to-eight-feet-away-from-wiispeak-preview/#commentsFiled under:


IGN's Craig Harris tested out the WiiSpeak microphone and voice chat functionality inside Animal Crossing at Nintendo's San Francisco office. His experience seemed much smoother and friendlier than my own, possibly as a result of improvements in the technology, a quieter environment, or a voice that is capable of normal human volume. Treehouse staffers told him that the voice chat has improved significantly since E3.

Conversations came in clearly enough from multiple positions in the room, though Harris noted a drop in quality when his interlocutors in Nintendo's Redmond office drifted far away from the mic, which seems pretty obvious. He was able to converse in a normal speaking voice from his position "six to eight feet" away. However, with no option to turn the music down or off in Animal Crossing, the game tended to drown out the voice output.

There was a mysterious "Use Headphones" option available in Animal Crossing, whose function is currently unknown. Harris speculates that it sends voice and game audio through separate audio channels, but maybe it just changes some preset audio settings to optimitze performance through tiny speakers. It's not as if you can plug a headset into the Wiimote or anything.



Ever since it was revealed back at E3, WiiSpeak has been the talk (both good and bad) of the town. Check out our hands-on time with the device, as well as the details you may have missed on the WiiSpeak Channel. Plan on picking one up? Then you might want to check out Game Night, where you'll surely be able to chat with your fellow Wii lovers in the future.

JoystiqIGN's hands-six-to-eight-feet-away-from WiiSpeak preview originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 22 Oct 2008 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animal-crossinganimal-crossing-city-folkmicrophonevoice-chatwiispeakWed, 22 Oct 2008 15:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo announces Wii Speak Channel]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/02/nintendo-announces-wii-speak-channel/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/02/nintendo-announces-wii-speak-channel/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/02/nintendo-announces-wii-speak-channel/#commentsFiled under:

As one of the last two announcements for their fall media summit, Nintendo has announced the Wii Speak Channel for use with the Wii microphone (pictured, from E3 2008). According to Cammy Dunaway, up to four people can chat together, and the microphones will come with a coupon to download the channel.

Of course, this leads to a plethora of other questions, such as: release date, price (if not buying with the microphone), can a USB mic be substituted, what else can we do with the channel besides speak? We're not holding our breath waiting for answers anytime soon.

JoystiqNintendo announces Wii Speak Channel originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 02 Oct 2008 13:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingnewsmicrophonenintendoWiiwii-speakwii-speak-channelwiispeakwiispeak-channelThu, 02 Oct 2008 13:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo sneaks Wii Speak Channel announcement out]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/02/nintendo-sneaks-wii-speak-channel-announcement-out/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/02/nintendo-sneaks-wii-speak-channel-announcement-out/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/02/nintendo-sneaks-wii-speak-channel-announcement-out/#commentsFiled under: ,


Nintendo plans to introduce an independent Channel for the WiiSpeak peripheral, planned for release in Japan on November 20. Nintendo of America plans to release the channel stateside on November 16. It'll be a free download with the WiiSpeak.

According to NOA's announcement, it works for up to four groups, with each participant in each group represented by a Mii. The Channel allows sending of voice messages and photos. It's simple, yes, but at least people who buy the peripheral outside of an Animal Crossing bundle will have something to do.

JoystiqNintendo sneaks Wii Speak Channel announcement out originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 02 Oct 2008 13:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chatmicrophonewiispeakwiispeak-channelThu, 02 Oct 2008 13:14:00 EST<![CDATA[Declaration of Independence reading gets perfect vocal score in Rock Band 2]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/16/declaration-of-independence-reading-gets-perfect-vocal-score-in/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/16/declaration-of-independence-reading-gets-perfect-vocal-score-in/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/16/declaration-of-independence-reading-gets-perfect-vocal-score-in/#commentsFiled under: ,

Back in July, a GameSpy preview for Rock Band 2 claimed "the phoneme detection system used for the 'talkie' parts [in Rock Band] has been completely stripped and a new one has been put in place [for Rock Band 2]." Well, Harmonix definitely stripped out the old system, but it seems to have forgotten to put a new one in its place, as the new game seems to award perfect vocal points if it detects any noise during the "talkie" parts.

We first became aware of this problem when we saw this video of a singer using a bunch of gibberish to pass the Beastie Boys' "So Whatcha Want" with a 100% rating on Expert difficulty. It's an impressive illustration of the faulty phoneme detection, but it's not wholly satisfying -- the singer is occasionally on rhythm and his voice occasionally does kind of match with the on-screen words. We wondered: how bad would a vocal performance have to be to fail this song?

The answer, apparently, is "worse than a monotone recitation of the U.S. Declaration of Independence." As shown in the above video we've put together, even a dry reading of a 200+-year-old political treatise can be victorious in a Rock Band 2 vocal battle. Rest assured, there's no computer trickery going on here -- this video was taken as a direct feed from the Xbox 360 and has not been edited in any way. Now we only have one more question: when will Harmonix put in that improved phoneme detection system it's long been promising.

JoystiqDeclaration of Independence reading gets perfect vocal score in Rock Band 2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 16 Sep 2008 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beastie boysBeastieBoysdeclaration-of-independenceEAelectronic-artsharmonixmicrophonephonemerock band 2rock-band-2RockBand2singingSo Whatcha WantSoWhatchaWanttalkingvocalXbox-360Tue, 16 Sep 2008 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Point/Counterpoint: WiiSpeak vs. ISpeak]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/12/point-counterpoint-wiispeak-vs-ispeak/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/12/point-counterpoint-wiispeak-vs-ispeak/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/12/point-counterpoint-wiispeak-vs-ispeak/#commentsFiled under:


Nintendo, who recently introduced the stick controller and the scale controller, is at it again, with the WiiSpeak, a microphone that you put on top of your TV so a whole crowd can share in voice chat as they play Animal Crossing (and, later, other games). Voice chat isn't new, of course, but voice chat for a whole room is.

Is this a worthwhile innovation? Is Nintendo's new approach really preferable to just wearing a headset and having conversations with your Internet pals? Will having the mic several feet away even be a workable solution? We obviously don't know, but we can debate about what we think.

JoystiqPoint/Counterpoint: WiiSpeak vs. ISpeak originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 12 Sep 2008 13:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animal-crossinganimal-crossing-city-folkcommunicationmicrophonewiispeakFri, 12 Sep 2008 13:40:00 EST<![CDATA[DS Daily: On the mic]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/07/ds-daily-on-the-mic/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/07/ds-daily-on-the-mic/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/07/ds-daily-on-the-mic/#commentsFiled under:

We've spent our fair share of time complaining about usage of the microphone in most DS games (it's just often unnecessary), but does that mean the mic has no redeeming qualities? In non-games, certainly, the microphone at times has its uses ... but what about in regular old-fashioned games? Sure, it's fun to yell "Hold it!" at times, but do you need to be able to do so? Would games that use the DS mic be just as good without it?

Tied into this question is, of course, another one -- do you ever use voice chat in the games that support it? If you do, do you use a headset, or just the built-in mic?

JoystiqDS Daily: On the mic originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 07 Sep 2008 10:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microphonevoice-chatSun, 07 Sep 2008 10:34:00 EST<![CDATA[Lips details, Lips facts and Lips love]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/19/lips-details-lips-facts-and-lips-love/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/19/lips-details-lips-facts-and-lips-love/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/19/lips-details-lips-facts-and-lips-love/#commentsFiled under:

In a sit down discussion with developer iNiS's Keiichi Yano, the chief creative officer for karaoke game Lips, Joystiq learned quite the factual load of Lips information. Informative highlights including mention that Lips will support both the Zune and iPod but will not use DRM'ed music, the microphone is in fact dongle'less, every song included will be a master track and feature the original music video and game scoring will be enabled with all custom tracks. You can jump towards the break to view Joystiq's compiled Lips information fact sheet. Lips'tastic!

Continue reading Lips details, Lips facts and Lips love

JoystiqLips details, Lips facts and Lips love originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 19 Jul 2008 18:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>inislipsmicrophoneSat, 19 Jul 2008 18:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Details on Lips: microphone, your songs, its songs]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/17/details-on-lips-microphone-your-songs-its-songs/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/17/details-on-lips-microphone-your-songs-its-songs/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/17/details-on-lips-microphone-your-songs-its-songs/#commentsFiled under: ,


We got a chance to sit down with Keiichi Yano - chief creative officer of Lips developer iNiS - for a walkthrough of their upcoming Xbox 360 karaoke game. We'll get around to writing up some of our impressions later, but first we wanted to share some answers to our biggest questions about the game.

The microphone
  • The wireless microphone will bind with the Xbox 360, no dongle required.
  • It's unclear if it will work with other music games. When asked about Rock Band or Guitar Hero World Tour, Keiichi Yano told us, "That's a great idea. We would love to do that." Alas, it's up to those third-party devs to implement support for this peripheral.
  • A second player can shake the microphone to instantly "jump in" to the song, no menus needed.
  • They use 2 AA batteries, just like the Xbox 360 controller. Yanno said that, despite the motion-sensitivity and the lights, the battery life is pretty impressive already, on prototype hardware.
  • Lips will be bundled with a black and a white controller
Your music
  • Though they were only showing off the streaming functionality through a Zune, they assured us it would work just as simply through an iPod. When asked why they couldn't use one now, Yano responded, "Trust me. It works." We then crossed our arms and fell backwards into his waiting arms ...
  • DRM'd songs can't be used, regardless of the DRM scheme used. So no Zune or iTunes songs.
  • Lips will perform "vocal reduction" on your own songs, though they weren't showing the functionality off.
  • You can be scored on your own songs.
  • Audio from a Zune or iPod is streamed only, not downloaded, so you'll need to keep it nearby
  • After telling us that they "actually don't know" if Lips will be able to read directly from your streaming media library (think iTunes) the way the Xbox 360 can, Yano said they'd like to implement the feature, which he followed up by saying "hint hint, wink wink, say no more." We asked him to repeat that in a British accent and he was all too happy to oblige.
  • When asked if you would see your Avatar singing on the screen in the absence of a music video, they said they weren't talking about Avatars now.
  • No word on how they'll implement lyrics or a beat chart for the songs, though Yanno promised it would be "very, very compelling."
Its music
  • There are only three confirmed songs: "Mercy" by Duffy; "Young Folk" by Peter, Bjorn & John; and "Bust a Move" by Young MC
  • All songs will be master tracks and will include the original music videos
  • Rap songs work a little differently, it's not just about rhythm.

JoystiqDetails on Lips: microphone, your songs, its songs originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 17 Jul 2008 17:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>INISLipsmicrophoneXbox-360Thu, 17 Jul 2008 17:44:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: Xbox 360's 'Lips' microphone, box art leaked]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/11/first-shots-of-xbox-360s-lips-microphone-box-art/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/11/first-shots-of-xbox-360s-lips-microphone-box-art/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/11/first-shots-of-xbox-360s-lips-microphone-box-art/#commentsFiled under: ,

No sooner does Variety all-but-confirm that Microsoft's somewhat mysterious Lips karaoke project will be shown at E3 then Gamekyo gets their hands on some apparent promotional shots of the game's wireless microphones (above) and box art. No screenshots of the gameplay yet, but the photo dump does include two pictures of people standing around with microphones near their mouths (you know, in case you were wondering what karaoke looked like).

Actually, these singing shots do show one interesting feature: the "lights on the shaft of the microphone that pulse to the rhythm of your voice," that were hinted at in last month's leaked Intellivoice Intellisponse survey. According to the pictures, this feature takes the form of two rings of light near the base and tip of the microphone, bathing the singers' hands in an ethereal blue or red glow. We'll let you know if the feature comes off as trippy or tacky when we inevitably get some hands-on time with the game next week.

[Update: Corrected the name of the Intellisponse survey. Not to be confused with Intellivoice. Whoops!]

JoystiqRumor: Xbox 360's 'Lips' microphone, box art leaked originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 11 Jul 2008 16:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingnewskaraokelipsmicrophonemicrosoftXbox-360Fri, 11 Jul 2008 16:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Retrospective: Nintendo's past peripherals]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/28/retrospective-nintendos-past-peripherals/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/28/retrospective-nintendos-past-peripherals/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/28/retrospective-nintendos-past-peripherals/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


With Wii Fit (and, thus, the Balance Board) hitting stores recently, we figured a nostalgic stroll down memory lane would be nice. So, what we've done is compiled a list of all the peripherals that helped pave the way for the Balance Board, Nintendo's latest peripheral. So, let's not waste any time and get down to business. To start your journey, just click on the red text in the bottom right-hand corner there.

JoystiqRetrospective: Nintendo's past peripherals originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 28 May 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gamecubejoystiqfeaturesmicrophonen64nesperipheralspower-glovepower-padrobsneswii-fitzapperWed, 28 May 2008 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[DS Daily: Too much mic]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/03/ds-daily-too-much-mic/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/03/ds-daily-too-much-mic/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/03/ds-daily-too-much-mic/#commentsFiled under:

During last week's DS Daily, which asked about games with bad stylus controls, one of our readers gave us an idea: what about games with unnecessary or gratuitous microphone usage? We're all tired of blowing into the mic (or worse -- shouting into it) for no good reason, but which DS titles are the worst offenders?

On the other side of the spectrum, and there any games that you think incorporate the mic well?

JoystiqDS Daily: Too much mic originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 03 May 2008 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>micmicrophoneSat, 03 May 2008 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft: Online behavior reducing sales]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/03/microsoft-online-behavior-reducing-sales/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/03/microsoft-online-behavior-reducing-sales/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/03/microsoft-online-behavior-reducing-sales/#commentsFiled under: , ,


So dear reader, when was the last time you were on Live? Now, when was the last time you were on Live and did not encounter some form of asshat? However long ago it was, it was definitely too recent, and word is starting to really get around. In an article at Gamasutra, Fulton, a Microsoft employee who worked on Shadowrun, writes that: "the online behavior of our customers is dramatically reducing our sales."

And that's just the beginning of an excellent four page article on social design and the future of online gaming with regard to social interaction. The assertion that Live is generally filled with annoying idiots has been widely held among the more hardcore gaming community since the inception of the service, but this is the first that we've ever heard anything out of Microsoft about it affecting them in any manner. In the article Fulton posits that we know and love games so we're willing to work around it or put up with it, but for newcomers to the medium, the fun/annoyance ratio could just be too high. Readers, what do you think?

JoystiqMicrosoft: Online behavior reducing sales originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 03 Apr 2008 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microphonemicrosoftxbox-liveThu, 03 Apr 2008 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[DS headset comfortably priced at Amazon]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/24/ds-headset-priced-comfortably-at-amazon/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/24/ds-headset-priced-comfortably-at-amazon/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/24/ds-headset-priced-comfortably-at-amazon/#commentsFiled under:

We always liked the headset Nintendo manufactured for the DS. In fact, if we weren't obligated to give the thing away, we would've been content on lying about its existence forever and holding on to the darn thing. But, then again, we'd probably lose this sweet gig we've got going now.

Anyhow, you all should know the peripheral has dropped in price on Amazon, only requiring the small sum of $7.34 of your Earth monies. That's pretty low, if you ask us, and a must-buy for anyone who enjoys playing Metroid Prime Hunters or Pokemon Diamond & Pearl on the regular. And, in checking out the price at other outlets like Buy.com and Wal-Mart, we found the headset was priced much higher (around $15 and $20, respectively).

[Via Go Nintendo]

JoystiqDS headset comfortably priced at Amazon originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 24 Mar 2008 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazonheadsetmicrophoneMon, 24 Mar 2008 14:15:00 EST<![CDATA[DS Daily: Franchise reboot]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/11/ds-daily-franchise-reboot/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/11/ds-daily-franchise-reboot/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/11/ds-daily-franchise-reboot/#commentsFiled under:

We were looking over the reviews that have come in so far for Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword and we were thinking about how that franchise rebooted itself on the DS. Now, it didn't really need a reboot, nor is it 100% a reboot in the normal way we think of reboots, but it did take an established franchise and retool it for another platform. Now, whether it was a good retooling or a bad retooling remains to be seen.

But, we were wondering what other established franchises could use a reboot in this manner? What about a Crazy Taxi game on the DS that has you controlling an interactive steering wheel on the touch-screen or only turning with the shoulder buttons? What about a Sims game that allows you to control them only by barking commands through the microphone? How about a Space Channel 5 game redone with Ouendan controls?

What can you come up with?

JoystiqDS Daily: Franchise reboot originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 11 Mar 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>controlsfranchisemicmicrophonerebootstylustouch-screenTue, 11 Mar 2008 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[DS Daily: Our good pal, the mic]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/20/ds-daily-our-good-pal-the-mic/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/20/ds-daily-our-good-pal-the-mic/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/20/ds-daily-our-good-pal-the-mic/#commentsFiled under:

One of the features the DS has that we feel gets underused most is the microphone. It's always getting left behind by the school bus, receiving countless wedgies in the hall from more popular features of the hardware and also getting its milk money took. It's a hard-knock life for the DS's microphone, if you ask us.

Do you feel the same as we do? Could you care less about the microphone on the DS? Do you think it should only be utilized in Ace Attorney games?

JoystiqDS Daily: Our good pal, the mic originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 20 Feb 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>d-padhardwaremicrophonestylusWed, 20 Feb 2008 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Guitar Hero: Aerosmith may include drumming and 'singing' [update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/18/guitar-hero-aerosmith-may-include-drumming-and-singing/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/18/guitar-hero-aerosmith-may-include-drumming-and-singing/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/18/guitar-hero-aerosmith-may-include-drumming-and-singing/#commentsFiled under:


What's this? A possible redeeming factor for Guitar Hero: Aerosmith? No, not the Run DMC version of "Walk This Way," but even better almost as good. According to Best Buy's product description, the game allows you to "drum like Joey Kramer, wield an axe like Joe Perry and Brad Whitford, bring up the bottom like bassman Tom Hamilton and belt out vocals like the legendary Steven Tyler."

And how does Steven Tyler sing? In shrill nonsense syllables! But also into a microphone! If this listing is accurate, Guitar Hero: Aerosmith will support drum and microphone peripherals. Given that Activision and Harmonix are fighting about interoperability between their instruments, this points to new peripherals. That means that pretty soon the Wii, too, will be flooded with competing drum controllers!

[Update: the RedOctane press release for the game says that you'll play "alongside frontman Tyler and drummer Kramer." So maybe not ...]

[Via Joystiq]

JoystiqGuitar Hero: Aerosmith may include drumming and 'singing' [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 18 Feb 2008 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aerosmithdrumsguitar-heromicrophonemusicrhythmMon, 18 Feb 2008 12:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: Guitar Hero: Aerosmith to use drum and mic peripherals]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/17/rumor-guitar-hero-aerosmith-to-use-drum-and-mic-peripherals/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/17/rumor-guitar-hero-aerosmith-to-use-drum-and-mic-peripherals/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/17/rumor-guitar-hero-aerosmith-to-use-drum-and-mic-peripherals/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


While you might think a game titled Guitar Hero: Aerosmith would have you playing, you know, guitars, a Best Buy advertisement for the latest mistake chapter in the rhythm game franchise claims you'll be able to play as all of the "famous rock legends" in "America's greatest rock and roll band" -- including the drummer, Joey Kramer, and band's own lady-lookin'-dude, Steven Tyler, using a drum peripheral and microphone peripheral (complete with flamboyantly colored scarf, we assume).

If true, we wonder if Activision would release their own controllers for the game, or count on backwards compatibility with the Rock Band peripherals (fat chance, considering the near feud between Harmonix and Activision over Rock Band's guitar compatibility issues). Not that it matters to us -- the only devices we'd use to interact with a rhythm game featuring songs by Aerosmith are a clay pigeon launcher and our trusty pump-action shotgun.

[Thanks, Waffle Slayer.]

JoystiqRumor: Guitar Hero: Aerosmith to use drum and mic peripherals originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 17 Feb 2008 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionaerosmithdrumsguitarheroguitarhero:aerosmithjoeykramermicmicrophoneneversoftPS3steventylerWiiXbox-360Sun, 17 Feb 2008 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Retail Rock Band mic not actually Wii-compatible]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/02/retail-rock-band-mic-not-actually-wii-compatible/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/02/retail-rock-band-mic-not-actually-wii-compatible/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/02/retail-rock-band-mic-not-actually-wii-compatible/#commentsFiled under:


Wii Rock Band continues to surround itself and everything around it with an air of irresistible mystery, even after confirmation of its release. Last week, we received an early clue to the game's existence from the packaging for a cross-platform Rock Band microphone-- or so we thought. Turns out, the microphone isn't actually Wii-compatible, and the mention of Wii on the case was an error. In other words, it was just a coincidence that a Rock Band microphone was marked as working with the Wii a week before we officially heard about the game.

Now, on to the next mystery: why the hell do only certain USB microphones work with the Wii? They're USB microphones.

JoystiqRetail Rock Band mic not actually Wii-compatible originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 02 Feb 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaharmonixmicrophonemusicrock-bandSat, 02 Feb 2008 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Standalone Rock Band mic not compatible with Wii; company regrets error]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/01/standalone-rock-band-mic-not-compatible-with-wii-company-regret/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/01/standalone-rock-band-mic-not-compatible-with-wii-company-regret/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/01/standalone-rock-band-mic-not-compatible-with-wii-company-regret/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


We've been informed that the mention of Wii compatibility on the packaging for the standalone Rock Band microphone was an error. A spokesperson from manufacturer PDP contacted Joystiq to say, "Our packaging mistakenly states that the microphone is compatible with the Wii. Unfortunately, this is not the case and will be corrected in future versions of the packaging. We apologize for the confusion."

The statement's timing seems odd following yesterday's confirmation that Rock Band is coming to the Wii. It seems there's some issue with this specific microphone, meaning it should not be compatible with Boogie or High School Musical either, both of which use microphones plugged into the Wii's USB ports.

JoystiqStandalone Rock Band mic not compatible with Wii; company regrets error originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 01 Feb 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microphonePS3rock-bandrockbandWiiXbox-360Fri, 01 Feb 2008 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Does the new Rock Band mic hint at a Wii game?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/29/does-the-new-rock-band-mic-hint-at-a-wii-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/29/does-the-new-rock-band-mic-hint-at-a-wii-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/29/does-the-new-rock-band-mic-hint-at-a-wii-game/#commentsFiled under: ,


It could, if you're optimistic enough! This "premium" (read: $50) Rock Band microphone peripheral's packaging says that it works on the Xbox 360, the Wii, and the PlayStation 3. Of course, there is currently no version of Rock Band for the Wii, nor has there been an announcement. Score Hero forum member Rocker74 picked up one of the mics and took the picture seen above. You can just see the word "Wii" if you kinda squint.

Did the packaging design for an accessory leak an unannounced game? Probably not. Our guess is that this USB microphone is compatible with the existing Wii singing games, which means High School Musical, American Idol, and EA's own Boogie. We would, of course, love to be wrong. We'd rather have the full Rock Band experience instead of just the expensive peripherals.

[Via Engadget]

JoystiqDoes the new Rock Band mic hint at a Wii game? originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 29 Jan 2008 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>boogieeaharmonixhigh-school-musicalmicrophonerock-bandTue, 29 Jan 2008 11:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Rock Band microphone in the wild for $50, Wii [update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/28/rock-band-microphone-in-the-wild-for-50/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/28/rock-band-microphone-in-the-wild-for-50/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/28/rock-band-microphone-in-the-wild-for-50/#commentsFiled under: , ,


This bit of info is flying pretty close under the radar, but apparently the Rock Band standalone microphones are sporadically out in the wild. The picture above comes from a tipster at a Best Buy in Cuyahoga Falls, OH, who tells us the microphone is being sold for $50. We knew the standalone guitar is coming in April and the drum kit gets a beat on retail next month, but the microphone was conspicuously missing from that announcement.

If $50 for the "official" mic seems a bit much, just remember that a standard USB mic should be compatible. Still no "official" announcement on this microphone that has apparently gone ninja into retail.

Update: The packaging claims the mic is compatible with PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and ... Wii! Rock Band for Wii?! Not so fast, this could just be a standard USB microphone for use with games like - *shudder* - Boogie.

[Via Engadget, Thanks Arcaynn]

JoystiqRock Band microphone in the wild for $50, Wii [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 28 Jan 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaElectronic-ArtsharmonixmicrophonemtvPS3rock-bandrockbandXbox-360Mon, 28 Jan 2008 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Minae Matsukawa: Ace Producer blogs]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/27/minae-matsukawa-ace-producer-blogs/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/27/minae-matsukawa-ace-producer-blogs/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/27/minae-matsukawa-ace-producer-blogs/#commentsFiled under:


Minae Matsukawa, Ace Attorney series producer, has started a developer blog on the official Ace Attorney website. In the first entry, she discusses the early planning of the U.S. version (and therefore the DS port in general) of the first game, Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney. According to Matsukawa, the idea to yell into the microphone came from American Capcom staffers who thought it was an obvious must-have. "'So, do we get to do some yelling?' an American staff member asked me. 'E-excuse me?'"

The Japanese staff weren't keen on the idea of adding a bunch of unnecessary features, but creator/writer Shu Takumi recognized the importance of making the American audience happy. The rest, as they say, is an optional feature in a video game.

Speaking of American Ace Attorney staff, the post mentions an interesting bit of trivia that we've been looking for an excuse to share. Ben Judd, who was part of the localization team, provided the American voice of Phoenix Wright. He's now the producer on the new Bionic Commando games.

JoystiqMinae Matsukawa: Ace Producer blogs originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 27 Jan 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ace-attorneyadventurecapcommatsukawamicrophonephoenix-wrightSun, 27 Jan 2008 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Mad Catz to make Rock Band instruments]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/04/mad-catz-to-make-rock-band-instruments/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/04/mad-catz-to-make-rock-band-instruments/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/04/mad-catz-to-make-rock-band-instruments/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

With the absolute flood of third-party guitars for the Guitar Hero series, it's not that surprising that accessory-makers are jumping on the Rock Band-wagon, too. Well, at least one is. Mad Catz today announced a "multi-year licensing agreement" with MTV Games to produce "both wired and wireless bass guitars, a drum percussion set bundled with professional quality wooden drum sticks, and a wired microphone."

While having extra options for drum kits and microphones is nice, the addition of officially licensed, wireless, third-party guitars will be welcome news to PS3 owners tired of not being able to use their Guitar Hero III guitars with Rock Band and Xbox 360 owners tired of tripping over wires -- not to mention general Rock Band owners tired of replacing their broken bundled guitars. The instruments will be available in the "first half of 2008," according to the release.

While the release specifically addresses Rock Band instruments, it also leaves the door open for other applicable "game accessories." We personally can't wait for the inevitable pyrotechnics launcher that goes off every time you nail a tough solo. Just, er, be careful with it, OK?

JoystiqMad Catz to make Rock Band instruments originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 04 Jan 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>drumsguitarharmonixMad CatzMadCatzmicrophoneMTV GamesMtvGamesPS2PS3rock-bandViacomXbox-360Fri, 04 Jan 2008 12:00:00 EST