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[Former NYT digital head joins EA's board as Gregory Maffei leaves]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/16/former-nyt-digital-head-joins-eas-board-as-gregory-maffei-leave/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/16/former-nyt-digital-head-joins-eas-board-as-gregory-maffei-leave/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/16/former-nyt-digital-head-joins-eas-board-as-gregory-maffei-leave/#commentsEA reorganization Former NYT digital head now on board Following last week's "restructuring," Electronic Arts has announced a new addition to its board of directors. Denise F. Warren has been appointed to both the board and EA's Audit Committee. Warren is the Vice President of the Digital Products and Services group at the New York Times, where she previously oversaw operations on NYTimes.com and the Times' other digital properties.

Warren will be stepping in as director Gregory Maffei steps out, passing on re-election at the stockholders meeting to be held on July 31. Maffei is the president and CEO of Liberty Media, the distributor that owns cable channels Discovery Channel, USA, Starz and more. Maffei has been on the EA board for 10 years, but is resigning to work with his own company.

Continue reading Former NYT digital head joins EA's board as Gregory Maffei leaves

JoystiqFormer NYT digital head joins EA's board as Gregory Maffei leaves originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 16 May 2013 23:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>boardboard-membersboard-of-directorsceodenise-f-warreneaelectronic-artsgregory-maffeiliberty-medianew-york-timespresidentThu, 16 May 2013 23:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Obama, Romney get chiptuned in battle for presidential seat]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/17/obama-romney-get-chiptuned-in-battle-for-presidential-seat/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/17/obama-romney-get-chiptuned-in-battle-for-presidential-seat/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/17/obama-romney-get-chiptuned-in-battle-for-presidential-seat/#comments New York Times gets roofied by autotune news guysThe battle for the White House is an epic, intense drama to rival those of legend and myth, so of course it makes a great chiptune video game. The Gregory Brothers, creators of Autotune the News and all those viral videos about burgers and bed intruders, songified Barack Obama and Mitt Romney from the Democratic and Republican national conventions (respectively, in case you get those two mixed up).

The video is titled "Patriot Game" and presents the presidential candidates side-by-side, comparing their talking points as if they were literal points in an 8-bit video game, set to an upbeat tune. Watch the piggy banks, (bleeding) hearts and American flags stack up over at The New York Times, and see who wins to be the fictional, autotuned President of Earths and Moon. It might surprise you.

JoystiqObama, Romney get chiptuned in battle for presidential seat originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 17 Sep 2012 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>8-bitAutotunebarack-obamachiptunedncMitt-RomneyNew-York-TimesnytpresidentRNCsongifythe-gregory-brothersthe-new-york-timesunited-statesusMon, 17 Sep 2012 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[NYT: EA tried to buy Valve]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/10/nyt-ea-tried-to-buy-valve/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/10/nyt-ea-tried-to-buy-valve/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/10/nyt-ea-tried-to-buy-valve/#comments Report EA tried to buy ValveEA has tried "over the years" to buy out Valve, the New York Times reports. These talks, had they ever reached negotiation, would have valued Valve at "well over $1 billion," NYT says, which is most likely a ridiculous understatement.

Valve is a private company controlled by founder Gabe Newell, who doesn't release any of its financials, but Wedbush Securities analyst Michael Pachter estimates Valve is worth $2.5 billion today.

Newell says it's likely Valve's employees would scatter and the company would "disintegrate" before it would be sold.

"It's way more likely we would head in that direction than say, 'Let's find some giant company that wants to cash us out and wait two or three years to have our employment agreements terminate,'" Newell says.

JoystiqNYT: EA tried to buy Valve originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 10 Sep 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>buy-outbuyoutEAElectronic-ArtsmacNew-York-TimesnytpcSTEAMvalveMon, 10 Sep 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Medal of Honor must sell 'at least three million copies' for sequel consideration]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/09/medal-of-honor-must-sell-at-least-three-million-copies-for-seq/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/09/medal-of-honor-must-sell-at-least-three-million-copies-for-seq/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/09/medal-of-honor-must-sell-at-least-three-million-copies-for-seq/#commentsFiled under: , ,

EA's upcoming Medal of Honor is a risky proposition for the company. Unlike Activision's Modern Warfare series, Danger Close's game is based upon a real-life conflict. With battles ongoing in the Middle East, MOH has rightfully attracted its fair share of controversy -- some are eager to say that the game is simply going too far.

The military advisors EA has hired have the difficult job of "selling authenticity and realism" while making sure "it didn't go too far." Originally titled Medal of Honor: Anaconda, the game's pitch was essentially "Black Hawk Down for Afghanistan." It would be based on a failed operation called Anaconda, where a Navy SEAL was dragged to his death by Al Qaeda fighters. One consultant told the New York TImes that the original concept "hit a little too close to home" and would "put a sour taste in our brothers' mouths."

Medal of Honor has evolved over its development, with a new found focus on "telling the soldier's story." One designer told the NYT that, differing from Infinity Ward's approach to the genre, "we want the player to feel, not like they're in a movie, but like they're in Afghanistan." Funding such an ambitious goal is certainly not cheap, with executive producer Greg Goodrich telling the newspaper that "if the game doesn't sell at least three million copies, I'm not going to be able to do another one."

Certainly, the stakes are high for EA, attempting to capitalize on the success of its competitor's flagship franchise. But will Medal of Honor's approach resonate with gamers? We'll find out in one month's time.

JoystiqMedal of Honor must sell 'at least three million copies' for sequel consideration originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 09 Sep 2010 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>danger-closeeaMedal-of-Honor-2010microsoftnew-york-timespcplaystationps3xboxThu, 09 Sep 2010 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[PSA: Alan Wake prequel 'Bright Falls' available now]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/25/psa-alan-wake-prequel-bright-falls-available-now/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/25/psa-alan-wake-prequel-bright-falls-available-now/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/25/psa-alan-wake-prequel-bright-falls-available-now/#comments As promised, the first two episodes of Alan Wake's live-action prequel, titled "Bright Falls," became available to Xbox Live Gold subscribers earlier this morning. However, though Microsoft said we shouldn't expect to see the videos anywhere else for a couple of days, the New York Times managed to get its hands on the series' first two installments. They're on the newspaper's website right now, and they are weird as hell.

If you're short on time, we suggest you at least get to the "Happy Birthday" scene in the first episode. Watching it is like staring into the inky, black eye of madness.

JoystiqPSA: Alan Wake prequel 'Bright Falls' available now originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 25 Apr 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alan-wakebright-fallsmicrosoftnew-york-timesremedyvideoXbox-360Sun, 25 Apr 2010 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[NYT: PS3 to stream live Major League Baseball games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/22/nyt-ps3-to-stream-live-major-league-baseball-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/22/nyt-ps3-to-stream-live-major-league-baseball-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/22/nyt-ps3-to-stream-live-major-league-baseball-games/#comments According to a report in the New York Times, Sony will announce today that PS3 users will gain access to live streams of Major League Baseball games. By week's end the console will enable subscriptions to the MLB.TV service, which provides access to out-of-market contests, but not local games or others that are broadcast on TV.

The NYT doesn't have the scoop on pricing, but a web subscription to the service will run you between $100 and $120 annually, or $20 to $25 per month, depending on the features. Count on more details when the official announcement drops. Sony has been considering new subscription services for PSN since the end of last year.

Update: Here's the official release, though it doesn't have much new info. The PS3 app will be free, according to PlayStation Blog, but it requires an MLB.TV subscription to stream games.

[Thanks, Ryan G.]

JoystiqNYT: PS3 to stream live Major League Baseball games originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 22 Apr 2010 07:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>baseballmajor-league-baseballmlbmlb.tvnew-york-timesps3psnsonysportsstreamingThu, 22 Apr 2010 07:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Visceral Games prepping DLC for Dante's Inferno]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/31/visceral-games-prepping-dlc-for-dantes-inferno/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/31/visceral-games-prepping-dlc-for-dantes-inferno/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/31/visceral-games-prepping-dlc-for-dantes-inferno/#comments In a recent interview with the New York Times, Dante's Inferno executive producer Jonathan Knight responded curiously to a query about the possibility of upcoming adaptations of the other two installments in the Divine Comedy, Purgatorio and Paradiso. According to the Times, "Knight said his team was focused on the release of Dante's Inferno as well as on additional downloadable content for that game," though he later confessed "I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought about that."

We think Visceral's missing out on a great chance to kill two birds with one stone -- why not make Purgatorio and Paradiso DLC packs for Inferno? For instance, a few months after the game comes out, release a patch that makes the game's load times last for 49 days. Boom. Purgatorio in the bag.

Update: As awesome as that sounds, it's more likely he was talking about the "Dark Forest" prequel DLC that will come bundled with the Limited Edition version of the game on PS3. We're still going to hold out hope, though!

JoystiqVisceral Games prepping DLC for Dante's Inferno originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 31 Jan 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dantes-infernodark-forestdigital-distributiondlceaElectronic-Artsjonathan-knightMicrosoftnew-york-timesparadisopurgatoriothe-divine-comedyvisceral-gamesXbox-360Sun, 31 Jan 2010 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[NYT: Microsoft in talks with ESPN to stream content on Xbox]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/18/nyt-microsoft-in-talks-with-espn-to-stream-content-on-xbox/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/18/nyt-microsoft-in-talks-with-espn-to-stream-content-on-xbox/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/18/nyt-microsoft-in-talks-with-espn-to-stream-content-on-xbox/#comments The New York Times reports that Microsoft has "held in-depth discussions" with the Walt Disney Company to stream ESPN programming through Xbox Live. According to anonymous sources, ESPN would provide live streams (like it does with the titularly similar - though unrelated - ESPN360) to subscribers for a fee. There is also the possibility that Microsoft may "create some interactive games in association with ESPN" ... as compared to non-interactive games?

The idea described sounds similar to that of the sports-heavy - and UK -only - Sky Player. While North America doesn't currently have a TV streaming application, it does have Netflix. If the Times' sources are on the money, it seems like the ESPN offering would be a similar streaming app, not to mention the next step in an increasingly non-interactive battle for the living room.

[Via @GeoffKeighley]

JoystiqNYT: Microsoft in talks with ESPN to stream content on Xbox originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 18 Jan 2010 18:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>disneyespnMicrosoftnew-york-timesXbox-360Mon, 18 Jan 2010 18:15:00 EST<![CDATA[NY Times gives Game of the Year honors to GTA IV]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/21/ny-times-gives-game-of-the-year-honors-to-gta-iv/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/21/ny-times-gives-game-of-the-year-honors-to-gta-iv/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/21/ny-times-gives-game-of-the-year-honors-to-gta-iv/#commentsFiled under:


The New York Times gaming correspondent Seth Schiesel recently defied the mold for year-in-review video game wrap-ups -- rather than handing out commonplace awards such as "Best Action Game" or "Best Indie Game Fueled by Dew", his honorable mentions were awarded based on "Best Zombies" (Left 4 Dead, natch) and the fairly inflammatory "Best Explanation of Why Nintendo Hardly Needs Big Games Anymore" (the Wii).

However, at the bottom of his list of odds-and-ends, Schiesel follows the example of Time Magazine and the VGAs, ultimately choosing Grand Theft Auto IV as his Game of the Year. Schiesel was swooned by Rockstar's crime drama due to its mature writing, which makes GTA IV "one of the few games that even [tries] to take on the real world in any adult way." Obviously, he's never heard of a little game called 50 Cent: Blood in the Sand.

JoystiqNY Times gives Game of the Year honors to GTA IV originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 21 Dec 2008 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>best-of-2008grand-theft-auto-ivnew-york-timesrockstarseth-schieselSun, 21 Dec 2008 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Book sales are strong with The Force Unleashed]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/03/book-sales-are-strong-with-the-force-unleashed/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/03/book-sales-are-strong-with-the-force-unleashed/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/03/book-sales-are-strong-with-the-force-unleashed/#commentsFiled under:


People are kind of stoked for this The Force Unleashed thing, enough so that the book for the game has managed to score a spot on the NY Times bestseller list. Written by Sean Williams, the piece of fiction managed to top the hardcover list over the weekend, showing that this whole Star Wars thing is pretty popular. Could this be indicative of strong sales for the game that's planned to release on September 18th in North America? We'd tell you, but the Dark Side the future has clouded.

[Via Joystiq]

JoystiqBook sales are strong with The Force Unleashed originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 03 Sep 2008 16:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>books-ny-timeslucasartsnew-york-timesnew-york-times-bestsellerny-times-bestseller-listthe-force-unleashedWed, 03 Sep 2008 16:25:00 EST<![CDATA[New York Times review thinks Metal Gear Solid 4 isn't a game]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/07/new-york-times-review-thinks-metal-gear-solid-4-isnt-a-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/07/new-york-times-review-thinks-metal-gear-solid-4-isnt-a-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/07/new-york-times-review-thinks-metal-gear-solid-4-isnt-a-game/#commentsFiled under:


Seth Schiesel of the New York Times declared twice in his review of Metal Gear Solid 4 that it "isn't really my kind of game." He started off by stating his prejudices early; blatantly telling the reader that his "favorite games provide a sort of social framework within which the players set their own storylines" and that he favors one-player games like SimCity that deliver open-ended gameplay. Surprisingly though, he still claimed MGS4 is very much enjoyable.

Schiesel saw MGS4's production values and attention to detail as quasi-negatives, which lead him to "pretty much stopped caring about playing the game." He then gave a backhanded compliment to the game by saying the "combat scenes ... are just as good, if not better in their intensity, than anything I have ever seen in a film. No lie." Because ultimately, Schiesel thought it is too much like watching an interactive film. According to him, the player lacked control over the storyline. He though it's "Mr. Kojima's world, and you are just passing through for the moment." He ended the review on fully negative note, with an implication that MGS4 isn't even game: "By the time those credits did roll, I was ready for the MGS4 experience to be over ... I was ready to play a game."

Schiesel also thought MGS4 as-it-is would not be possible on the Xbox 360 and that "the PS3 has more pure silicon horsepower under the hood" which will eventually result in "Microsoft ... playing catch-up." Perhaps by lavishing praise on the hardware, Schiesel thinks he will sound neutral. We can't help but think his view on MGS4 is from a guy who walked into a restaurant ordering Omakase from a world-renowned chef whose specialty is an ingredient he is mildly allergic to.

JoystiqNew York Times review thinks Metal Gear Solid 4 isn't a game originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 07 Jul 2008 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>metal-gear-solid-4mgs4new-york-timesnytMon, 07 Jul 2008 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[New York Times looks under cardboard box over MGS storyline]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/22/new-york-times-looks-under-cardboard-box-over-mgs-storyline/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/22/new-york-times-looks-under-cardboard-box-over-mgs-storyline/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/22/new-york-times-looks-under-cardboard-box-over-mgs-storyline/#commentsFiled under:


A New York Times article in the Week in Review section published today discusses the latent meanings within the Metal Gear series' epic storyline and attempts to answer the bigger question of whether video games can be a capable medium, on par with films and literature, in conveying a narrative.

NYT's Dave Itzkoff delves into the world of MGS by exploring the hidden messages from every MGS game; for example, MGS is a statement about atomic weapons, the Patriots of MGS2 portrayed as an Illuminati-like secret society suggests a worldwide conspiracy, MGS3 hints at how a "military-industrial complex" changed the world and MGS4 has Itzkoff describing Solid Snake as a "James Bond meets Rambo" who blur the line between hero and villain. Finally, Snake's endless mission is seen a parable of modern war and invokes the philosophical debate of "determinism and free will."

The article also debates the validity and effectiveness of the cinematic cut scenes -- according to Itzkoff's interviews, 1UP's Shawn Elliott equates this methodology as "kind of cheating" and accuses the game of using "a language that isn't native to its own medium." On the other hand, Leigh Alexander of Kotaku argues the cut scenes are embedded into the game and essential. She even takes a jab at Halo, describing the Xbox series as mindless action that is only popular because "you shoot people."

Just as films have evolved into an acceptable means of telling a full, gratifying story, it won't be long before video games achieve the same distinction.

JoystiqNew York Times looks under cardboard box over MGS storyline originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 22 Jun 2008 20:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>metal-gear-solidmetal-gear-solid-4mgsmgs4new-york-timesnytSun, 22 Jun 2008 20:15:00 EST<![CDATA[New York Times talks Miyamoto, Wii Music]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/27/new-york-times-talks-miyamoto-wii-music/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/27/new-york-times-talks-miyamoto-wii-music/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/27/new-york-times-talks-miyamoto-wii-music/#commentsFiled under: ,


Following Time Magazine's announcement of Shigeru Miyamoto as the most influential person of the year (as chosen by you!), The New York Times has a lengthy biography of the legendary game designer, focused around a candid talk with the man.

Among other things, Miyamoto discusses his emphasis on gameplay over characters (it sounded strange to us too), and Nintendo's transition from fantasy games to those grounded in reality. He also briefly discusses Wii Music, Nintendo's original music title, which will emphasize creating original musical compositions, unlike Guitar Hero or Rock Band. More details on Wii Music are expected this summer.

JoystiqNew York Times talks Miyamoto, Wii Music originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 27 May 2008 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>miyamotonew-york-timesnytimesshigeru-miyamotoWiiTue, 27 May 2008 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New York Times one half]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/06/new-york-times-one-half/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/06/new-york-times-one-half/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/06/new-york-times-one-half/#commentsFiled under:

With the release of Crosswords DS this week, will a $10 price cut compel you to buy New York Times Crosswords instead?

Amazon's "Deal of the Day" happens to be everyone's favorite alf-loving crossword game (again). While $10 for any game is hard to resist, keep in mind that puzzles from the New York Times are tough -- make sure you have the mental fortitude before picking this one up. You might also want to note, though, that Mother's Day will be here soon, and this might make a nice, cheap gift for DS-owning moms.

JoystiqNew York Times one half originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 06 May 2008 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazoncrossworddealdeal-of-the-daydotdmajescomothersdaynew-york-timesnew-york-times-crosswordpuzzleTue, 06 May 2008 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Poking holes in the New York Times's claims]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/23/poking-holes-in-the-new-york-timess-claims/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/23/poking-holes-in-the-new-york-timess-claims/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/23/poking-holes-in-the-new-york-timess-claims/#commentsFiled under:


Refuting perceived negative statements against your console of choice is usually a very petty, fanboy kind of thing to do, but the New York Times' recent coverage of the Wii's terrible attach rate deserves it. The article has some problems that make the Wii seem to be in a worse situation than it is, though we don't know whether it's an intentional angle or a bit of haphazard reporting. John Scalzo of the Video Game Librarian blog identified some of the issues.

Scalzo identifies the paper's dependence on numbers from VGChartz (a "a team of analysts who study video-game sales"), their claim that Smash Bros. sales have tanked, and their spurious analysis of Guitar Hero III sales as noticeable problems with the coverage. The last is especially startling: the NYT claims that "Guitar Hero, for example, sold 2.2 million copies for the Wii, but 2.8 million copies for the Xbox 360 and almost 5 million for two versions of the PlayStation," bringing in the PS2 to make its point. "The only way the author could get the numbers he was looking for," Scalzo said, "was to combine the sales of Guitar Hero III on the PS2 and PS3 to push it past the Wii."

Hit the break for some of our own thoughts on the article.

Continue reading Poking holes in the New York Times's claims

JoystiqPoking holes in the New York Times's claims originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 23 Apr 2008 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>attach-rateguitar-hero-iiinew-york-timessmash-bros-brawltie-ratioWed, 23 Apr 2008 11:15:00 EST<![CDATA[NY Times tackles Wii's tie-in ratio]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/21/ny-times-tackles-wiis-tie-in-ratio/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/21/ny-times-tackles-wiis-tie-in-ratio/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/21/ny-times-tackles-wiis-tie-in-ratio/#commentsFiled under: ,

The Wii has comfortably outsold its rivals since it first launched, but it does lag behind in at least one other respect: the number of games sold per console. The low software tie-in ratio of the Wii is hardly a new issue, but it's one that shouldn't be ignored.

According to a new article in The New York Times, Wii owners typically purchase only 3.7 games a year, a figure that compares unfavorably with Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 owners (4.7 and 4.6 games per year respectively). This, argues the article, is just one of the effects of the expanded audience that Nintendo has captured -- as the New York Times piece observes, most Wii owners seem to treat their console as little more than a Wii Sports machine.

There are solutions, however, with Wii Fanboy favorite Michael Pachter suggesting third-party publishers should adopt a different approach to marketing their wares. As Pachter puts it, "Advertising on GameInformer and 1up.com just isn't reaching [the expanded] audience."

[Via Joystiq]

JoystiqNY Times tackles Wii's tie-in ratio originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 21 Apr 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businessnew-york-timesnytimespachtersoftwareMon, 21 Apr 2008 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[NYTimes looks at Wii's software sales problem]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/21/nytimes-looks-at-wiis-software-sales-problem/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/21/nytimes-looks-at-wiis-software-sales-problem/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/21/nytimes-looks-at-wiis-software-sales-problem/#commentsFiled under: ,

Despite consistently strong hardware sales, the Wii has thus far lagged behind its competitors when it comes to the all important software tie ratio. The New York Times looked into the problem today, with an article highlighting Wii owners' reluctance to buy games at the usual rapid pace.

On average, Wii owners only buy 3.7 games a year, compared to 4.7 and 4.6 for the Xbox 360 and PS3 respectively. "These new gamers are content with the games they have, often going no further than the Wii Sports game that comes with the machine," the Times author states. "They don't buy new games with the fervor of a traditional gamer who is constantly seeking new stimulation."

Analysts say fixing the problem will require changing the way third parties market their games to the new audience of casual Wii gamers. "Advertising on Game Informer and 1up.com just isn't reaching this audience," Wedbush Morgan's Michael Pachter said. Advertising on Joystiq.com, though? Always a great idea!

JoystiqNYTimes looks at Wii's software sales problem originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 21 Apr 2008 12:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>new-york-timesnintendoNYTimessoftware-salestie-ratiowiiMon, 21 Apr 2008 12:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Will we ever see Imagination Is the Only Escape?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/10/will-we-ever-see-imagination-is-the-only-escape/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/10/will-we-ever-see-imagination-is-the-only-escape/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/10/will-we-ever-see-imagination-is-the-only-escape/#commentsFiled under:

Imagination is the Only Escape is only in its early stages, and yet, the game is already causing controversy.

This Holocaust-themed title is about a Jewish boy in Eastern France during WWII, when the Nazis occupied the territory. The game's world then becomes a fantasy land, imagined by the boy in order to "escape" the harshness of reality. The New York Times caused some alarm this morning, though, reporting that Nintendo wouldn't be releasing Luc Bernard's DS game to America.

The article, however, might have been jumping the gun. It's true that Nintendo of America has no plans to distribute this title, but Bernard hasn't even approached the company yet. A representative from Alten8, Imagination's potential publisher, also told Eurogamer that no one has blocked the game and that it's still in its early stages.

Does that mean the game is in the clear, though? Not necessarily.

Continue reading Will we ever see Imagination Is the Only Escape?

JoystiqWill we ever see Imagination Is the Only Escape? originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 10 Mar 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alten8censorshipgenocideholocaustimagination-is-the-only-escapeluc-bernardnew-york-timesMon, 10 Mar 2008 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[NY Times oopsies over Nintendo's Holocaust game remark]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/10/ny-times-oopsies-over-nintendos-holocaust-game-remark/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/10/ny-times-oopsies-over-nintendos-holocaust-game-remark/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/10/ny-times-oopsies-over-nintendos-holocaust-game-remark/#commentsFiled under: ,

In a recent article about Imagination is the Only Escape, an under-development edutainment title about the Holocaust, the New York Times' headline writer apparently didn't read the story before slapping at the top: No Game About Nazis for Nintendo.

Turns out the actual quote from Nintendo was something far more inert: "At this time, there are no plans for this game to be released for any Nintendo platforms in North America." Which in industry speak simply means "wait and see."

GI.biz's follow up with Imagination's publisher, Alten8, reveals the game is in its "early stages" and wasn't blocked by Nintendo. A spokesperson for the Anti-Defamation League even said the group welcomed the use of new technology to educate. Although this isn't our favorite NYT error about gaming in recent memory, not channeling FOX News when writing headlines is always a good start.

[Via GamePolitics]

Read -- NY Times: No game about Nazis for Nintendo
Read -- Alten8 disputes reports of Nintendo blocking DS release

JoystiqNY Times oopsies over Nintendo's Holocaust game remark originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 10 Mar 2008 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alten8DSerrorholocaustImagination-is-the-Only-Escapenew-york-timesnewyorktimesnintendonytMon, 10 Mar 2008 17:15:00 EST<![CDATA[A million bajillion crossword games for the DS]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/16/a-million-bajillion-crossword-games-for-the-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/16/a-million-bajillion-crossword-games-for-the-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/16/a-million-bajillion-crossword-games-for-the-ds/#commentsFiled under:

We hope that many of you flocked to stores this week to get Barnyard Blast. If so, or if you're a fan of crosswords, you might be happy to know that the same developer (Sanuk Games) is coming out with Crossword Challenge.

Or, you might be thinking, "Another crossword game?" Aside from the New York Times title, Nintendo is coming out with one in May. Then there are iterations using The Sun's crosswords and a USA Today's. So, in other words, five games. If you speak Japanese, there's also Compile Heart's release.

We don't mind an oversaturated crossword market, though. New York Times puzzles can be too hard, Nintendo ones might be too easy, The Sun's will be too trashy, and USA Today's crosswords are always too similar. In our opinion, there's definitely a place for this Sanuk Games project.

Of course, whether there's room in the market is another question. The New York Times rendition came out long ago, but surely sales for the other four will eat into each other, with (we think) Nintendo's being the most successful. Whether or not the publishers do well, though, there's no doubt that with competition, the consumer always wins.

JoystiqA million bajillion crossword games for the DS originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 16 Feb 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crosswordcrossword-challengenew-york-timessanuk-gamesthe-sunusa-todaySat, 16 Feb 2008 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Video game industry seeks political clout]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/15/video-game-industry-seeks-political-clout/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/15/video-game-industry-seeks-political-clout/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/15/video-game-industry-seeks-political-clout/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The strange relationship between the video game industry and politics just got more complicated. Mike Gallagher, president of the Entertainment Software Association, spoke with the New York Times today about his intentions to start a political action committee (PAC) for making campaign contributions. The PAC -- which represents major publishers like Disney, Electronic Arts, Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony -- was approved by the board last fall and will reportedly be ready to go in March.

Gallagher estimated the PAC would donate $50,000 to $100,000 to national candidates this year, a number which he labels as small, but a good start. He also talked about combining contribution efforts with the ESA initiative Video Game Voters Network. "If I can walk into the office of a member of Congress and tell them we have 20,000 voters in their state who are already signed up to write letters and act based on game-related issues that concern them, that's powerful," he said. You know what also helps? Money; good thing that's covered too. We're interested in seeing how game rhetoric on Capitol Hill changes, if at all, following the PAC initiative.

[Via Game Politics]

JoystiqVideo game industry seeks political clout originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 Jan 2008 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electionnew-york-timesnytnytimespacpoliticsTue, 15 Jan 2008 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[NYTimes names Mass Effect game of the year]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/23/nytimes-names-mass-effect-game-of-the-year-screws-up-details-ag/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/23/nytimes-names-mass-effect-game-of-the-year-screws-up-details-ag/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/23/nytimes-names-mass-effect-game-of-the-year-screws-up-details-ag/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


A little lesbianism goes a long way as the New York Times names Mass Effect its game of the year for 2007. The NYT bestowed Mass Effect with the honor for its "focus on character development, personal growth and moral tension, all fueled by a graphics system created to evoke emotional empathy." Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction was honored for being the shining star on the PS3 and BioShock was named the "best newcomer." There's also digs at Halo 3 and Super Mario Galaxy for being "unambitious representations of the state of the art."

Speaking of unambitious, for the second time in less than a month the New York Times copyeditors took a nap (albeit a minor one) on a video game-related story, which is slowly becoming inappropriate in covering an $18 billion-plus industry. There's no telling when reporter Seth Schiesel submitted his copy for this piece, but E3 2008 was already confirmed for the Los Angeles Convention Center last Tuesday, so the article's suggestion that "the solution for [E3] next year can be summed up in one word (or is that two?): Las Vegas" is just about 1,000 New York minutes behind the times.

JoystiqNYTimes names Mass Effect game of the year originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 23 Dec 2007 18:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>errormasseffectnew-york-timesnewyorktimesnytPS3ratchetandclanksuper-mario-galaxysupermariogalaxyWiiXbox-360Sun, 23 Dec 2007 18:25:00 EST<![CDATA['Remember ALF? He's back! In crosswords form.']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/06/remember-alf-hes-back-in-crosswords-form/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/06/remember-alf-hes-back-in-crosswords-form/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/06/remember-alf-hes-back-in-crosswords-form/#commentsFiled under:

This late-night post marks the fourth time we've referenced Milhouse's ALF quote from "Bart Sells His Soul," the Simpsons episode in which Bart trades in his soul for five bucks. Out of all the ALF pog allusions, however, we can confidently hold up this one as the best. How is that, you ask? Two reasons:
  1. Check out this screenshot that Gray Whitten took from a New York Times Crosswords puzzle on his DS! Any game that makes an effort to mention furry, large-nosed Melmacians sounds like an obviously fantastic game to us!
  2. We've finally obtained a video clip of that classic scene from when Bart confronted Milhouse about getting his soul back. We've embedded it right after the five-letter word for interruption.

Continue reading 'Remember ALF? He's back! In crosswords form.'

Joystiq'Remember ALF? He's back! In crosswords form.' originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 06 Dec 2007 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alfcrosswordgordon-shumwaymajescomilhousenew-york-timesnew-york-times-crosswordspogThu, 06 Dec 2007 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[NYTimes: PS3 is $299, GT5 'best seller,' and Xbox uses Cell chip]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/30/nytimes-ps3-is-299-gt5-best-seller-and-xbox-uses-cell-chip/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/30/nytimes-ps3-is-299-gt5-best-seller-and-xbox-uses-cell-chip/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/30/nytimes-ps3-is-299-gt5-best-seller-and-xbox-uses-cell-chip/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Talk about all the news that's fit to copyedit. The New York Times has a hat-trick of errors in a recent technology piece discussing video game options. They manage to make it through the Wii spot on -- but then the real fun comes.

First the Old Gray Lady says Gran Turismo 5 is "a hyper-realistic, high-speed journey, [and] is one of the best sellers for [the] Sony console." One little problem, the game isn't out yet. Next up they say the PlayStation 3 is $299, which would be awesome and perhaps the Times has some incredibly privileged info about Sony's holiday strategy, but we're pretty sure the system is going to be starting at $399 for a while. Oh, but they're not done yet. Did you realize the PS3 and Xbox 360 are both powered by the Cell processor? This is being reported by the venerable New York-freakin'-Times, so it must be true, right?

[Thanks, Murph]

JoystiqNYTimes: PS3 is $299, GT5 'best seller,' and Xbox uses Cell chip originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 30 Nov 2007 18:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>copyediterrornew-york-timesnytPS3Xbox-360Fri, 30 Nov 2007 18:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Black Friday online bargains for the Nintendo DS]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/23/black-friday-online-bargains-for-the-nintendo-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/23/black-friday-online-bargains-for-the-nintendo-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/23/black-friday-online-bargains-for-the-nintendo-ds/#commentsFiled under:

Stuck at home while every one else is out shopping, reaping the savings of Black Friday deals? Or maybe you just didn't want to deal with the crowds, afraid that you'll end up in a fist fight over the last Gold Nintendo DS Lite bundle? No need to worry -- there are a few sales you can still take advantage of online!

Amazon
Circuit City
EB Games
[Via CAG]

JoystiqBlack Friday online bargains for the Nintendo DS originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 23 Nov 2007 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazonarcade-hitsbest-buyblack-fridaycake-maniacircuit-citycooking-mamacrosswordskonami-classicsnew-york-time-crosswordsnew-york-timesFri, 23 Nov 2007 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Halo: Contact Harvest lands #3 on NY Times list]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/19/halo-contact-harvest-lands-3-on-nytimes-books-list/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/19/halo-contact-harvest-lands-3-on-nytimes-books-list/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/19/halo-contact-harvest-lands-3-on-nytimes-books-list/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

See, mom? Video games do encourage reading. The novel Halo: Contact Harvest, which was released October 30, has this week landed on The New York Times' Best Sellers list for Paperback Trade Fiction, just behind Gabriel García Márquez's Love in the Time of Cholera and Sara Gruen's Water for Elephants.

Contact Harvest was written by Bungie's Joseph Staten and tells of the human race's first encounter with the Covenant. Next week's bestseller list has already been tabulated it seems, as the Paperback Trade Fiction list for November 25 places Contact Harvest in the number four slot, swapping places with Khaled Hosseini's The Kite Runner.

JoystiqHalo: Contact Harvest lands #3 on NY Times list originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 19 Nov 2007 17:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bookbungiecontact-harvesthalojoseph-statennew-york-timesnovelnytXboxXbox-360Mon, 19 Nov 2007 17:55:00 EST<![CDATA[The biggest game phenom in 20+ years: World of Warcraft [update 1]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/05/the-biggest-video-game-phenom-in-over-20-years-world-of-warcraf/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/05/the-biggest-video-game-phenom-in-over-20-years-world-of-warcraf/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/05/the-biggest-video-game-phenom-in-over-20-years-world-of-warcraf/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Today's New York Times examines the success of World of Warcraft from a global perspective, concluding that "World of Warcraft has become the first truly global video-game hit since Pac-Man in the early 1980's."

In addition to the new angle, this piece provides a nice benchmark for mainstream media coverage of MMOGs. Just a few years ago, media were wont to "report" on the gameplay habits of Everquest and Asheron's Call players with a sensational "watch these people ruin their lives playing games!" tone that just wasn't fair. Often, introversion, depression, and suicidal tendencies were ascribed to people who choose to play games for hours at a time. The Times's coverage is much more balanced, finally allowing an eloquent gamer (Jason Pinsky) the opportunity to defend his hobby:

"I play this game six nights a week from 8 p.m. to midnight.... most people watch TV at least that much, and television is a totally mindless experience."

Word.

[Update 1: fixed a clumsy headline and formatting in body of post.]

JoystiqThe biggest game phenom in 20+ years: World of Warcraft [update 1] originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 05 Sep 2006 09:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blizzardMacmmommogmmorpgNew-York-TimesPCturbineworld of warcraftwowTue, 05 Sep 2006 09:37:00 EST