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[Humble Weekly Bundle serves up Darksiders 2, also Android bundle]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/26/humble-weekly-bundle-serves-up-darksiders-2-also-android-bundle/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/26/humble-weekly-bundle-serves-up-darksiders-2-also-android-bundle/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/26/humble-weekly-bundle-serves-up-darksiders-2-also-android-bundle/#comments Darksiders 1 & 2 and Red Faction: Guerrilla & Armageddon comprise the second batch of weekly offerings from Humble Indie Bundle, with all four PC games currently on offer at ridicucheap prices. Pay up $1 and you'll pick up Darksiders and RF: Armageddon, with the soundtracks to both included along with the 'Path to War' DLC for Armageddon.

However, if you're willing to pony up more than the average paying price, you'll also get Darksiders 2 (plus soundtrack) and RF: Guerrilla. At the time of writing, the pair can be yours for around the very, very silly $7.50 mark.

Meanwhile on Android, there's another Humble Bundle for the platform called the Mobile Bundle. Featuring in the latest charitable collection are Contre Jour, Anomaly Korea, Plants vs. Zombies, and Bladeslinger. As ever you can pay what you want, but an average-cough up (around $5.50 at the mo) lets you unlock the secrets of The Room, and generally shoot up stuff in Metal Slug 3. The soundtracks to all, except Contre Jour, are also included.

JoystiqHumble Weekly Bundle serves up Darksiders 2, also Android bundle originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 26 Mar 2013 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidcharitydarksidersdarksiders-2humble-android-bundlehumble-android-bundle-6humble-bundle-weeklyhumble-indie-bundlemobilepcRed-Faction-ArmageddonRed-Faction-GuerrillaTue, 26 Mar 2013 14:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Amazon THQ sale: Metro 2033, Red Faction Guerrilla, more for 91% off]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/13/amazon-thq-sale-metro-2033-red-faction-guerrilla-more-for-91/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/13/amazon-thq-sale-metro-2033-red-faction-guerrilla-more-for-91/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/13/amazon-thq-sale-metro-2033-red-faction-guerrilla-more-for-91/#comments Amazon THQ sale Metro 2033, Red Faction Guerrilla, more for 91% offThe Tantalizing THQ Medley on Amazon includes downloads of Metro 2033, Homefront, Red Faction Armageddon, Red Faction Guerrilla, S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl and Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine, all for $12. Regularly priced, this bundle comes out to $118, so that's a savings of 91 percent. Buying all six games is cheaper than getting one by itself, so if you're in the market for any of these, it's your lucky day.

Actually, it's your lucky days: The Tantalizing THQ Medley will be on sale through January 20 as Amazon's Deal of the Week.

JoystiqAmazon THQ sale: Metro 2033, Red Faction Guerrilla, more for 91% off originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 13 Jan 2013 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazonhomefrontMetro-2033pcRed-Faction-ArmageddonRed-Faction-GuerrillasaleStalkerTHQwarhammer-40000-space-marinewarhammer-40k-space-marineSun, 13 Jan 2013 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Volition staffer: Red Faction: Armageddon's problem was 'consistency']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/31/volition-staffer-red-faction-armageddons-problem-was-consist/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/31/volition-staffer-red-faction-armageddons-problem-was-consist/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/31/volition-staffer-red-faction-armageddons-problem-was-consist/#comments Those in the UK with a strong stomach may want to pick up the new issue of Play Magazine which features Volition team members testifying on the death of the now-defunct Red Faction series. Specifically, staffers like environmental artist Wayne Adams detail where series swan song Red Faction: Armageddon went wrong.

"In the end hard decisions had to be made and what could have been was restructured into what the team could do with the amount of time they had," Adams told the magazine. "I can't say whether or not the original ideas would have been better but I think consistency was lost in all of the turmoil of change."

We're sure the full article is equally interesting/depressing and, after all, if Halloween isn't the day to visit the scene of the grisly murder of a franchise, what is?

JoystiqVolition staffer: Red Faction: Armageddon's problem was 'consistency' originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 31 Oct 2011 12:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftplaystationps3Red-Faction-ArmageddonthqvolitionxboxMon, 31 Oct 2011 12:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Red Faction: Armageddon 'Path to War' DLC now available on PS3 and 360]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/03/red-faction-armageddon-path-to-war-dlc-now-available-on-ps3-a/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/03/red-faction-armageddon-path-to-war-dlc-now-available-on-ps3-a/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/03/red-faction-armageddon-path-to-war-dlc-now-available-on-ps3-a/#comments
We may have finished Red Faction: Armageddon without the desire to play any more of it, but perhaps you're different. Maybe reading about THQ's decision to abandon the franchise after Armageddon, saying it won't continue "in any meaningful way," is prompting a sympathetic interest in "Path to War," the just released DLC pack for Armageddon.

You'll get to "relive the battle for the Terraformer through four incredible new surface missions" and be assisted on those missions by two new weapons. Whether that's worth $7 to you on either PS3 or Xbox 360, well ... that's between you and your maker.

JoystiqRed Faction: Armageddon 'Path to War' DLC now available on PS3 and 360 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 03 Aug 2011 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dlcmicrosoftPath-to-Warplaystationps3Red-Faction-ArmageddonthqvolitionxboxWed, 03 Aug 2011 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[THQ laments 'disappointing' quality in recent games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/27/thq-laments-disappointing-quality-in-recent-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/27/thq-laments-disappointing-quality-in-recent-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/27/thq-laments-disappointing-quality-in-recent-games/#comments THQ's earnings release and investor call have seemed to pile on the poor Red Faction series. CEO Brian Farrell called out Armageddon's disappointing sales in the release, and announced the effective cancellation of the series in the investor call.

Elsewhere in the call, he lamented the perceived quality of Armageddon and the other two most recent core games -- presumably MX vs. ATV: Alive and UFC Personal Trainer, though none are identified by name. "The last three launches we've had have been disappointing in terms of the quality," he said. "Mid-70s [in terms of Metacritic average] is not good enough, and the entire team in our core group knows that."

Farrell said the core group intends to focus on putting enough time and resources into its games to ensure higher quality. He specifically referenced Saints Row: The Third, for which "We believe strongly the quality bar is there." And that's how the game's signature weapon got its new nickname, "The Quality Bar."

JoystiqTHQ laments 'disappointing' quality in recent games originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 27 Jul 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Brian-Farrellmicrosoftmx-vs-atv-alivenintendoplaystationps3Red-Faction-Armageddonthqufc-personal-trainerufc-trainerwiixboxWed, 27 Jul 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Red Faction franchise won't continue 'in any meaningful way']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/27/red-faction-franchise-wont-continue-in-any-meaningful-way/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/27/red-faction-franchise-wont-continue-in-any-meaningful-way/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/27/red-faction-franchise-wont-continue-in-any-meaningful-way/#comments Red Faction: Armageddon has signaled the end of not just a familiar red planet, but an entire, transmedia universe. Speaking during an investor call this evening, THQ CEO Brian Farrell described the franchise's reach as "niche," and consequently no longer worth pursuing.

"Given that that title, now in two successive versions, has just found a niche, we do not intend to carry forward with that franchise in any meaningful way," Farrell said. He described the development team at Volition as "talented," and noted that they would be moving on to the company's Guillermo del Toro project, Insane.

Though Red Faction: Guerrilla fell victim to a B-for-botched launch campaign in 2009, it was received well enough by critics and "niche" consumers to warrant further exploration. 2011 brought a sequel (Red Faction: Armageddon), a promotional spin-off (Red Faction: Battlegrounds) and a SyFy original movie called Red Faction: Origins.

We'll try to get more info from THQ regarding its decision, but for now you can return to the older games (there were two before Guerrilla, by the way!) and extract some relevant lessons for the future. Bonus: If you complete Red Faction 1, you'll learn how to defuse a bomb.

JoystiqRed Faction franchise won't continue 'in any meaningful way' originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 27 Jul 2011 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftpcplaystationps3Red-Faction-ArmageddonthqvolitionxboxWed, 27 Jul 2011 18:01:00 EST<![CDATA[THQ disappointed in Red Faction performance, thinks fiscal Q3 could be its best ever]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/27/thq-disappointed-in-red-faction-performance-thinks-fiscal-q3-co/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/27/thq-disappointed-in-red-faction-performance-thinks-fiscal-q3-co/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/27/thq-disappointed-in-red-faction-performance-thinks-fiscal-q3-co/#comments Despite the fact that net sales were up year-over-year in THQ's fiscal Q1 (which ended June 30), from $149.4 million to $195.2 million, CEO Brian Farrell still wasn't satisfied. "We are disappointed in our first quarter financial performance," he said in the earnings release. "Sales of Red Faction: Armageddon and our licensed kids titles were below our expectations, and the late release of UFC Personal Trainer also adversely impacted the quarter." Of course, that disappointment is probably due to the fact that even with increased net sales, the company came out negative, with a net loss of $38.4 million. Most of the "losses" are from "deferred revenue" -- revenue that the company isn't counting now, because it'll go toward ongoing online services for its games.

However, Farrell is looking forward to a profitable Q3 (October through December) -- so profitable, in fact, that he said THQ expects it to be "the biggest third quarter, both in revenue and earnings per share, in our company's history," thanks to Saints Row: The Third, WWE 12, and the PS3/Xbox 360 versions of the uDraw tablet, all scheduled for November releases.

JoystiqTHQ disappointed in Red Faction performance, thinks fiscal Q3 could be its best ever originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 27 Jul 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brian-farrellearningsfy-2012microsoftpcplaystationps3q1Red-Faction-ArmageddonsalesthqxboxWed, 27 Jul 2011 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[PSN Euro update: Uncharted 3 beta, Sega Rally, Spelunker HD, Gex]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/06/psn-euro-update-uncharted-3-beta-sega-rally-spelunker-hd-gex/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/06/psn-euro-update-uncharted-3-beta-sega-rally-spelunker-hd-gex/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/06/psn-euro-update-uncharted-3-beta-sega-rally-spelunker-hd-gex/#comments Europe has received another sizable PSN update this week. The highlight is undoubtedly the Uncharted 3 multiplayer beta. Two full retail titles were added as well, namely Red Faction: Armageddon and the aging Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2. On the bite-sized downloadable front are Sega Rally Online Arcade, Spelunker HD and Alien Zombie Mega Death. Cohort Chess has also been added to PlayStation Minis, while Gex: Deep Cover Gecko joins PSOne Classics.

DLC has been added for several games, including Super Street Fighter IV, Hyperdimension Neptunia, DiRT 3, Mortal Kombat and WWE All Stars.

Head over to the PlayStation Blog Europe for the full rundown.

JoystiqPSN Euro update: Uncharted 3 beta, Sega Rally, Spelunker HD, Gex originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 06 Jul 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alien-zombie-mega-deatheuropeplaystationps3psnRed-Faction-Armageddonsega-rally-online-arcadespelunker-hduncharted-3uncharted-3-drakes-deceptionWed, 06 Jul 2011 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Buy one, get half off a second select Xbox 360/PS3 game at Best Buy]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/13/buy-one-get-half-off-a-second-select-xbox-360-ps3-game-at-best/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/13/buy-one-get-half-off-a-second-select-xbox-360-ps3-game-at-best/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/13/buy-one-get-half-off-a-second-select-xbox-360-ps3-game-at-best/#comments Before you indulge that sudden, irresistible desire to purchase two recent PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360 games, allow us to pass along some helpful information. Best Buy is offering a buy one, get one half-off deal on several PS3 and Xbox 360 games including Dirt 3, Portal 2, Marvel vs. Capcom 3, Red Faction: Armageddon, and Crysis 2.

You could even double up on Duke Nukem Forever and Homefront, if that's what you're into for some reason. Regardless of the critical response to the Duke, it's pretty impressive to get a 50% off deal on a brand new game like that ... right?

[Thanks, Eric!]

JoystiqBuy one, get half off a second select Xbox 360/PS3 game at Best Buy originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 13 Jun 2011 18:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>best-buyduke-nukem-foreverhomefrontmarvel-vs-capcom-3microsoftmortal-kombatplaystationportal-2ps3red-faction-armageddonxboxMon, 13 Jun 2011 18:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Duke Nukem Forever is all outta bubblegum for UK charts]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/13/duke-nukem-forever-is-all-outta-bubblegum-for-uk-charts/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/13/duke-nukem-forever-is-all-outta-bubblegum-for-uk-charts/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/13/duke-nukem-forever-is-all-outta-bubblegum-for-uk-charts/#comments
After 14 years, it'd be sad if Duke Nukem Forever didn't enter Chart-Track's UK All Formats chart in the top spot. So, hail to the king, baby. L.A. Noire graciously slipped only one spot into second, despite a 54 percent drop in sales. We knew Rockstar's crime drama had a massive premiere, becoming the UK's fastest-selling new IP, but those debut numbers must have been massive to survive several large double-digit percentage sales declines the past few weeks and yet maintain such a high ranking. Rounding out the top three: Zumba Fitness, which only saw a 2 percent decline.

Two other premieres made it into the top ten last week, with inFamous 2 and Red Faction: Armageddon heroically taking spots four and eight, respectively. Check out the full UK top ten after the break.

Continue reading Duke Nukem Forever is all outta bubblegum for UK charts

JoystiqDuke Nukem Forever is all outta bubblegum for UK charts originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 13 Jun 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Britainchart-trackchart-track-weeklyduke-nukem-foreverinFamous-2LA-Noirelego-pirates-of-the-caribbeanlego-pirates-of-the-caribbean-the-video-gamemicrosoftnintendopcplaystationps3Red-Faction-ArmageddonUKwiixboxZumba-FitnessMon, 13 Jun 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Red Faction: Armageddon review: Enemy mine]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/01/red-faction-armageddon-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/01/red-faction-armageddon-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/01/red-faction-armageddon-review/#comments Genius playwright Anton Chekov was famously aghast with some of the earliest productions of his play Three Sisters, which he, according to director Constantin Stanislavsky, considered to be a "happy comedy." It was staged then, as it is most often staged now, as a fairly gloomy drama, though a brilliant one.

Now Stanislavsky was probably exaggerating a tad, as much of Three Sisters is far too heartbreaking for anyone to mistake it as a gigglefest, but it illustrates an important point: Often the creator of something isn't the best judge of what makes it work.

In Red Faction: Armageddon, developer Volition has run from everything that made Red Faction: Guerrilla great, and is left with a drab, heartless lump of competence for its efforts.

Gallery: Red Faction: Armageddon (characters)

Continue reading Red Faction: Armageddon review: Enemy mine

JoystiqRed Faction: Armageddon review: Enemy mine originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 01 Jun 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftplaystationps3Red-Faction-ArmageddonthqvolitionxboxWed, 01 Jun 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Red Faction: Armageddon demo downloaded a million times, Mr. Toots unlocked]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/31/red-faction-armageddon-demo-downloaded-a-million-times-mr-too/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/31/red-faction-armageddon-demo-downloaded-a-million-times-mr-too/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/31/red-faction-armageddon-demo-downloaded-a-million-times-mr-too/#comments Since the Red Faction: Armageddon demo was downloaded over a million times, Mr. Toots, the rainbow-farting unicorn originally dangled in front of us as a prize by Volition, will be in the final game. He'll be rewarded to players after they complete the single-player campaign.

It's all well and good -- we certainly enjoy magical unicorns who can fire bursts of deadly color from their orifices, of course -- but we were kinda hoping for a return of the ostrich hammer. Hit the jump for the latest Mr. Toots trailer.

Gallery: Red Faction: Armageddon (Mr. Toots - 5/31/11)

Continue reading Red Faction: Armageddon demo downloaded a million times, Mr. Toots unlocked

JoystiqRed Faction: Armageddon demo downloaded a million times, Mr. Toots unlocked originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 31 May 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftpcplaystationps3Red-Faction-ArmageddonthqvolitionxboxTue, 31 May 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[A-ha! Red Faction: Armageddon's 'Sketch Mode']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/26/a-ha-red-faction-armageddons-sketch-mode/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/26/a-ha-red-faction-armageddons-sketch-mode/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/26/a-ha-red-faction-armageddons-sketch-mode/#comments Take on Red Faction: Armageddon. Take bugs on using the game's "Sketch Mode," showcased in a recently released trailer featuring A-ha's trademark song. It's almost as good as a rainbow farting unicorn ... almost.

Continue reading A-ha! Red Faction: Armageddon's 'Sketch Mode'

JoystiqA-ha! Red Faction: Armageddon's 'Sketch Mode' originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 26 May 2011 17:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a-hamicrosoftpcplaystationps3Red-Faction-ArmageddonTHQVolitionvolition-incxboxThu, 26 May 2011 17:08:00 EST<![CDATA[Red Faction: Armageddon PC demo hits OnLive exclusively (for now)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/26/red-faction-armageddon-pc-demo-hits-onlive-exclusively-for/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/26/red-faction-armageddon-pc-demo-hits-onlive-exclusively-for/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/26/red-faction-armageddon-pc-demo-hits-onlive-exclusively-for/#comments You may have already noticed, but cloud gaming service OnLive and publisher THQ have developed quite the relationship. First the two began offering free games and hardware as pre-order bonuses, and now they're offering an exclusive demo for Red Faction: Armageddon. While it's already available to Xbox 360 owners via Xbox Live, the only way that PC (and Mac) users are going to play the demo in the immediate future is through OnLive.

The service calls this an "industry milestone," saying that the demo will remain its exclusive until Armageddon's retail release on June 6. An OnLive account (free) is required to play the trial, which concludes with an offer to pre-purchase the full game from a retailer or the streaming service. Doing the latter will also net buyers instant access to Red Faction: Guerilla and a free MicroConsole system, in a promotion originally launched earlier this month.

Continue reading Red Faction: Armageddon PC demo hits OnLive exclusively (for now)

JoystiqRed Faction: Armageddon PC demo hits OnLive exclusively (for now) originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 26 May 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>demomaconlivepcred-factionRed-Faction-ArmageddonthqvolitionThu, 26 May 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Red Faction: Armageddon trailer breaks the seal, lets out the bad]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/17/red-faction-armageddon-trailer-breaks-the-seal-lets-out-the-b/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/17/red-faction-armageddon-trailer-breaks-the-seal-lets-out-the-b/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/17/red-faction-armageddon-trailer-breaks-the-seal-lets-out-the-b/#comments You've seen the aliens Darius Mason is tasked with squashing in Red Faction: Armageddon, but do you know how they became a threat to all of the humans on Mars?

Continue reading Red Faction: Armageddon trailer breaks the seal, lets out the bad

JoystiqRed Faction: Armageddon trailer breaks the seal, lets out the bad originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 17 May 2011 00:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftpcplaystationps3Red-FactionRed-Faction-ArmageddonTHQVolitionxboxTue, 17 May 2011 00:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Red Faction: Armageddon motion capture looks dangerous]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/13/red-faction-armageddon-motion-capture-looks-dangerous/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/13/red-faction-armageddon-motion-capture-looks-dangerous/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/13/red-faction-armageddon-motion-capture-looks-dangerous/#comments Most of us are familiar with the heavily destructible environments of Red Faction: Armageddon, but you may not know about its nearly indestructible motion capture actors. The video after the break features them doing any number of inadvisable physical activities. Someone could stub a toe!

Continue reading Red Faction: Armageddon motion capture looks dangerous

JoystiqRed Faction: Armageddon motion capture looks dangerous originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 13 May 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftpcplaystationps3Red-Faction-ArmageddonthqvolitionxboxFri, 13 May 2011 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Red Faction: Armageddon soundtrack coming from Sumthing Else]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/10/red-faction-armageddon-soundtrack-coming-from-sumthing-else/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/10/red-faction-armageddon-soundtrack-coming-from-sumthing-else/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/10/red-faction-armageddon-soundtrack-coming-from-sumthing-else/#comments Video game music peddler Sumthing Else has announced plans to release the soundtrack to THQ's Red Faction: Armageddon. The soundtrack was composed by Brian Reitzell, whose portfolio also includes film soundtracks for 30 Days of Night and Stranger Than Fiction. The soundtrack will be available via iTunes, Amazon MP3, retail and the Sumthing Digital website starting May 31. Amazon currently has the CD available for pre-order at just under $15.

Red Faction: Armageddon itself will hit shelves on June 7.

Continue reading Red Faction: Armageddon soundtrack coming from Sumthing Else

JoystiqRed Faction: Armageddon soundtrack coming from Sumthing Else originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 10 May 2011 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftpcplaystationps3Red-Faction-ArmageddonthqVolitionxboxTue, 10 May 2011 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Saints Row: The Third character creator available early with Red Faction pre-order]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/06/saints-row-the-third-character-creator-available-early-with-red/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/06/saints-row-the-third-character-creator-available-early-with-red/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/06/saints-row-the-third-character-creator-available-early-with-red/#comments Spore's "Creature Creator" let you build your own freak in advance of the release of the actual game. THQ is taking a page from Maxis' book, allowing you to design your own, well, freak for Saints Row: The Third. The "Initiation Station" app for PS3, PC and Xbox 360 will allow you to design a character, share it via the official community site, and even download other users' characters to import into the game.

There's a catch. Early access to the build-a-scumbag app is tied to pre-orders of Red Faction: Armageddon. "Early purchasers" of Volition and THQ's other upcoming game get a one-week head start in the Initiation Station. The app will be available for all some time before the "holiday" release of Saints Row: The Third.

JoystiqSaints Row: The Third character creator available early with Red Faction pre-order originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 06 May 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>character-creationinitiation-stationmicrosoftpcplaystationpre-orderps3red-faction-armageddonsaints-row-the-thirdthqxboxFri, 06 May 2011 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Armageddon a free OnLive MicroConsole with Red Faction pre-order]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/04/armageddon-a-free-onlive-microconsole-with-red-faction-pre-order/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/04/armageddon-a-free-onlive-microconsole-with-red-faction-pre-order/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/04/armageddon-a-free-onlive-microconsole-with-red-faction-pre-order/#comments A few months ago, THQ and OnLive partnered to give away free MicroConsole devices with pre-orders of Homefront. OnLive is launching another THQ promotion, and this one is arguably a better deal, because it doesn't include a copy of Homefront.

From now through June 6, if you buy a "Full PlayPass" for Red Faction: Armageddon through OnLive, you'll get a free MicroConsole, allowing you to play streaming OnLive games on your TV -- and a free copy of Red Faction: Guerrilla. Eventually, you're going to end up with a pile of these MicroConsoles!

JoystiqArmageddon a free OnLive MicroConsole with Red Faction pre-order originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 04 May 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>macmicroconsoleonlivepcpre-orderred-factionRed-Faction-Armageddonred-faction-guerrillathqWed, 04 May 2011 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Volition holds Red Faction: Armageddon's magical, rainbow-farting unicorn hostage]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/03/volition-holds-red-faction-armageddons-magical-rainbow-fartin/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/03/volition-holds-red-faction-armageddons-magical-rainbow-fartin/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/03/volition-holds-red-faction-armageddons-magical-rainbow-fartin/#comments Perhaps you were just downloading the Red Faction: Armageddon demo because you like blowing crap up, but you're also helping to set free Mr. Toots, a rainbow-expelling unicorn that Volition will put in the full game if the demo is nabbed one million times. See him in action after the break.

Continue reading Volition holds Red Faction: Armageddon's magical, rainbow-farting unicorn hostage

JoystiqVolition holds Red Faction: Armageddon's magical, rainbow-farting unicorn hostage originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 03 May 2011 19:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftmr-tootsplaystationps3Red-Faction-ArmageddonvolitionxboxTue, 03 May 2011 19:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Red Faction: Armageddon demo now live (and extra magnetic)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/03/red-faction-armageddon-demo-now-live-and-extra-magnetic/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/03/red-faction-armageddon-demo-now-live-and-extra-magnetic/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/03/red-faction-armageddon-demo-now-live-and-extra-magnetic/#comments The Xbox Live demo for Red Faction: Armageddon is now available and has everything you could want ... by which we mean "the only weapon you'll ever want:" the magnet gun. The weapon is anything but polarizing, as you might have noticed in our recent preview.

Beyond toying with the magnet gun, you'll get to reassemble demolished buildings and walkways with the nano forge, use collapsible worm holes to implode enemies, and just generally blow up everything in sight. The demo concludes with a note that says the game will launch on May 31, but we'll remind you that the title was recently moved to June 7.

JoystiqRed Faction: Armageddon demo now live (and extra magnetic) originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 03 May 2011 15:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>demomicrosoftRed-Faction-ArmageddonVolitionvolition-studiosxboxxbox-liveTue, 03 May 2011 15:15:00 EST<![CDATA['History of Red Faction' video needs more magnet gun]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/02/history-of-red-faction-video-needs-more-magnet-gun/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/02/history-of-red-faction-video-needs-more-magnet-gun/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/02/history-of-red-faction-video-needs-more-magnet-gun/#comments If you pay close attention to the new "History of Red Faction" video, you will receive an all-too-brief look at Red Faction: Armageddon's glorious magnet gun. Yeah, sure, you might also learn a little bit about the Mars-roving series but, come on, magnet gun.

Continue reading 'History of Red Faction' video needs more magnet gun

Joystiq'History of Red Faction' video needs more magnet gun originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 02 May 2011 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftplaystationps3Red-Faction-ArmageddonthqvolitionxboxMon, 02 May 2011 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Red Faction: Origins trailer defies our expectations]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/02/red-faction-origins-trailer-defies-our-expectations/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/02/red-faction-origins-trailer-defies-our-expectations/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/02/red-faction-origins-trailer-defies-our-expectations/#comments So, the very first trailer for SyFy's upcoming original film, Red Faction: Origins is posted right after the jump. It seems like it might present a fairly true-to-its-source story to bridge the canonical gap between Red Faction: Guerrilla and Red Faction: Armageddon -- of course, we knew that before watching the following video.

What we didn't know was that the trailer would surpass the quality bar we set for the film in our mind's eye when the Volition/Syfy collaboration was first announced. However, seeing as how this is a SyFy Original movie which is also a video game adaptation, our expectations were that upon watching the film, our eyeballs would be instantly incinerated. We might -- might -- just be safe from that fate.

Continue reading Red Faction: Origins trailer defies our expectations

JoystiqRed Faction: Origins trailer defies our expectations originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 02 May 2011 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>filmmovieRed-Faction-Armageddonred-faction-originssyfythqtrailerVolitionMon, 02 May 2011 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Red Faction: Armageddon pre-order bonuses get trailered]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/29/red-faction-armageddon-pre-order-bonuses-get-trailered/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/29/red-faction-armageddon-pre-order-bonuses-get-trailered/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/29/red-faction-armageddon-pre-order-bonuses-get-trailered/#comments If you've got Volition and THQ's upcoming, underground shooter Red Faction: Armageddon on reserve at Best Buy or GameStop, you've got one of two bonus equipment packs coming your way. Check out the trailers and galleries below to see what's included in the Recon and Commando bundles!

Continue reading Red Faction: Armageddon pre-order bonuses get trailered

JoystiqRed Faction: Armageddon pre-order bonuses get trailered originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 29 Apr 2011 20:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>best-buygamestopmicrosoftplaystationpre-orderpre-order-bonusps3Red-Faction-ArmageddonthqvolitionxboxFri, 29 Apr 2011 20:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Red Faction single-player preview: Magnetic attraction]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/29/red-faction-single-player-preview-magnetic-attraction/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/29/red-faction-single-player-preview-magnetic-attraction/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/29/red-faction-single-player-preview-magnetic-attraction/#comments I remember the exact moment I was hooked on Red Faction: Armageddon. I was about 20 minutes into a four-hour preview session in which I got to sample different missions and cutscenes from the campaign when I first witnessed the raw power of ... pause ... the Magnet Gun.

It's a simple device: place a node on one object (that's the Attractor node) then place a node on another object (the Anchor node), then watch the Attractor node be drawn toward the Anchor node ... with violent enthusiasm. Among my favorite uses were to quickly bring down buildings (node on roof then node on base, watch it all implode on itself) or to drop large pieces of debris on aliens. You want to put nodes on two enemies? You've got a mean streak ... also, that'll earn you a "Martian dating service" Achievement.

Continue reading Red Faction single-player preview: Magnetic attraction

JoystiqRed Faction single-player preview: Magnetic attraction originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 29 Apr 2011 18:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftplaystationps3Red-Faction-ArmageddonthqvolitionxboxFri, 29 Apr 2011 18:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Red Faction Armageddon delayed a week to June 7]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/28/red-faction-armageddon-delayed/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/28/red-faction-armageddon-delayed/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/28/red-faction-armageddon-delayed/#comments You might be somewhat upset by the news we're about to drop on you, but we encourage you to keep this fact in mind: You can't rush good destruction. THQ has announced that its upcoming underground shooter Red Faction Armageddon has had its May 31 release pushed back to a June 7 release. The international release date has similarly been bumped back a week, from June 3 to June 10.

The tacking-on of an extra seven days to our wait for the environment-obliterating action title is something of a tough pill to swallow. Just think of it this way: That gives you an extra week to spend with the soon-to-be-launched demo, giving you ample time to truly master your backhand. And, by "backhand," we mean "your devastating sledgehammer arc."

Continue reading Red Faction Armageddon delayed a week to June 7

JoystiqRed Faction Armageddon delayed a week to June 7 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 28 Apr 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>delaymicrosoftpcplaystationps3Red-Faction-Armageddonrelease-datethqvolitionxboxThu, 28 Apr 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Volition founder and president resigns]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/28/volition-founder-and-president-resigns/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/28/volition-founder-and-president-resigns/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/28/volition-founder-and-president-resigns/#commentsMike Kulas, the founder and president of Red Faction developer Volition, is leaving the company. His last day will be next Monday, reports The News-Gazette.

Kulas, 49, said his departure, which he had been considering since last year, wasn't triggered by any particular event. With Red Faction: Armageddon apparently complete (and all set for June 7), and Saints Row: The Third in "the home stretch," now is just a good time to make his move. Kulas will be succeeded by Volition's long-time vice president of product development, Dan Cermak.

Kulas founded Volition in 1996, when he and then partner Matt Toschlog split their Parallax Software outfit in two. The pair had formed Parallax several years earlier, producing the successful Descent series.

Volition was acquired by THQ in 2000 and has grown from some 30 employees in the late 90s to over 200 today, while continuing to maintain operations in Champaign, Ill. Kulas said he plans to remain in Champaign and will take some time to relax this summer before deciding on his next professional endeavor.

[Image credit: Volition, Inc.]

JoystiqVolition founder and president resigns originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 28 Apr 2011 13:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dan-cermakmicrosoftmike-kulaspcplaystationps3red-faction-armageddonresignationsaints-row-the-thirdthqvolitionxboxThu, 28 Apr 2011 13:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Red Faction: Armageddon demo on XBLM and (maybe) PSN May 3]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/26/red-faction-armageddon-demo-on-xblm-and-maybe-psn-may-3/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/26/red-faction-armageddon-demo-on-xblm-and-maybe-psn-may-3/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/26/red-faction-armageddon-demo-on-xblm-and-maybe-psn-may-3/#comments THQ will give you a chance to take a brief jaunt over to Mars on May 3, when it releases a demo for Red Faction: Armageddon. The demo will launch on Xbox Live and PlayStation Network simultaneously -- assuming that PSN will be functional again at that time, of course -- but no PC demo is planned.

According to THQ's description of the demo, players will get the opportunity to play with the Nano Forge's destructive and reconstructive abilities, and even "throw entire buildings at your enemies with Red Faction's signature weapon, the Magnet Gun." We'd certainly try that for zero dollars.

JoystiqRed Faction: Armageddon demo on XBLM and (maybe) PSN May 3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 26 Apr 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>demomicrosoftplaystationps3psnRed-Faction-ArmageddonthqxblmxboxTue, 26 Apr 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SyFy prepares Red Faction: Origins movie for June 4 release]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/16/syfy-prepares-red-faction-origins-movie-for-june-4-release/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/16/syfy-prepares-red-faction-origins-movie-for-june-4-release/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/16/syfy-prepares-red-faction-origins-movie-for-june-4-release/#comments NBC Universal held a "Summer press day" last Friday in Pasadena, California, and among the various panels was one for the SyFy Channel's new Red Faction: Origins movie. In cooperation with THQ, SyFy is bringing out a two-hour movie on June 4 that covers the story of Jake Mason, son of Red Faction: Guerilla's Alec Mason and father of Red Faction: Armageddon main character Darius Mason. Alec (played by Robert Patrick) makes an appearance, though Brian J. Smith, who plays Jake, says "he's fallen off a little bit as a hero."

Given how closely related to the games the movie will be, you'd think director Michael Nankin (second from right, above) would want to get in and play Guerilla at least. But the director of a few Battlestar Galatica episodes has no interest in technology. "I have a book that's a calendar," he says, "and I take notes on index cards."

Continue reading SyFy prepares Red Faction: Origins movie for June 4 release

JoystiqSyFy prepares Red Faction: Origins movie for June 4 release originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 16 Apr 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>michael-nankinmicrosoftmoviepcplaystationps3Red-Faction-Armageddonred-faction-originssyfythqtvxboxSat, 16 Apr 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Red Faction: Armageddon preview: Infestation mode]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/16/red-faction-armageddon-preview-infestation-mode/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/16/red-faction-armageddon-preview-infestation-mode/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/16/red-faction-armageddon-preview-infestation-mode/#comments In 2009's Red Faction: Guerrilla, Volition was able to incorporate some of the single-player campaign's heralded "emergent gameplay" -- the spontaneous entertainment of bringing down the gameworld's structures in fantastic, inventive ways -- into the game's competitive multiplayer. A wall you thought was suitable cover could suddenly come crumbling down, revealing a charging Martian opponent about to clobber you with a deadly ostrich.

The fragility of the gameworld added an element of tension; that you wielded the powerful and inventive abilities and weaponry that made it so fragile was just plain cool. Guerrilla's multiplayer seemed like a first step toward greatness -- a foundation that Volition could build into one of the truly great online experiences.

That's all on hold, however, as Volition's next Red Faction game, this May's Armageddon, won't have competitive multiplayer. In its place is "Infestation," a retread of Gears of War 2's often aped Horde mode.

Gallery: Red Faction: Armageddon (Infestation mode)

Continue reading Red Faction: Armageddon preview: Infestation mode

JoystiqRed Faction: Armageddon preview: Infestation mode originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 16 Apr 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>infestationinfestation-modemicrosoftmultiplayerplaystationps3Red-Faction-ArmageddonthqVolitionxboxSat, 16 Apr 2011 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[THQ lays off 33 across Kaos Studios and Volition]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/31/thq-lays-off-33-across-kaos-studios-and-volition/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/31/thq-lays-off-33-across-kaos-studios-and-volition/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/31/thq-lays-off-33-across-kaos-studios-and-volition/#comments And the hits just keep on coming. THQ has confirmed to Gamasutra that it has reduced the staff sizes of Red Faction developer Volition, Inc. and Homefront developer Kaos Studios. Volition, whose team of around 200 is also working on the next, bonersword-equipped installment in the Saint's Row franchise, had its headcount cut by 16 positions. Kaos Studios, which employs more than 100 developers, lost 17 across its departments.

In its statement to Gamasutra, representatives for THQ explained, "The changes are not expected to affect any current or future titles in development with Volition." The statement adds that Kaos has a "dedicated team in place" to continue supporting Homefront with post-launch content while preparing for future projects. We wish the 33 folks affected by the cutbacks the best of luck in getting back on their feet.

JoystiqTHQ lays off 33 across Kaos Studios and Volition originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 31 Mar 2011 17:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>kaos-studioslayoffsmicrosoftplaystationps3Red-Faction-ArmageddonthqvolitionxboxThu, 31 Mar 2011 17:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Red Faction: Armageddon pre-orders get Battlegrounds at GameStop, Amazon]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/28/red-faction-armageddon-pre-orders-get-battlegrounds-at-gamestop/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/28/red-faction-armageddon-pre-orders-get-battlegrounds-at-gamestop/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/28/red-faction-armageddon-pre-orders-get-battlegrounds-at-gamestop/#comments Red Faction: Armageddon may seem like a generally mean addition to the video game industry, what with all its subterranean maneaters and appetite for destruction. In reality, it's actually quite generous -- the list of pre-order bonuses for the title is long and varied, featuring in-game freebies like the sneaky Recon uniform (Best Buy), a 24-page comic prequel to the game (Walmart) and even vouchers for a free download of Red Faction: Battlegrounds (GameStop and Amazon).

Check out the full list of who's offering what just past the jump!

Continue reading Red Faction: Armageddon pre-orders get Battlegrounds at GameStop, Amazon

JoystiqRed Faction: Armageddon pre-orders get Battlegrounds at GameStop, Amazon originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 28 Mar 2011 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazonbest-buygamestopmicrosoftplaystationpre-orderps3Red-Faction-Armageddonred-faction-battlegroundsthqVolitionwalmartxboxMon, 28 Mar 2011 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Red Faction: Armageddon wants you to destroy everything in sight]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/27/red-faction-armagedon-wants-you-to-destroy-everything-in-sight/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/27/red-faction-armagedon-wants-you-to-destroy-everything-in-sight/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/27/red-faction-armagedon-wants-you-to-destroy-everything-in-sight/#comments Since its inception, the Red Faction franchise has been heaped with praise for its capacity for environmental destruction -- a fact that hasn't eluded the series' handlers. In an interview with CVG, Red Faction: Armageddon production lead Dan Sutton explained, "In Guerrilla there was a kind of moral issue. When you were destroying buildings, you thought, 'Should I really be doing this?' But in Armageddon we've completely thrown that out and we're basically motivating players to destroy everything in sight."

That quote is surprising in two distinct ways: First, we can destroy everything in sight? So, like, the whole planet? Wouldn't that ruin the game a little? Also, we were supposed to feel bad when destroying buildings in Guerrilla? We ... didn't get that. It's hard to feel guilty about something when you're busy giggling and yelling for your friends to come check out this totally dope new crater you made.

JoystiqRed Faction: Armageddon wants you to destroy everything in sight originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 27 Mar 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftplaystationps3Red-Faction-ArmageddonRed-Faction-GuerrillathqVolitionxboxSun, 27 Mar 2011 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Volition returns to in-house PC development]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/17/volition-returns-to-in-house-pc-development/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/17/volition-returns-to-in-house-pc-development/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/17/volition-returns-to-in-house-pc-development/#comments The PC ports of Volition's Saints Row 2 and Red: Faction: Guerrilla were handled by outside studios, and both suffered quality issues because of it. For the series' next iterations -- Red Faction: Armageddon (May) and Saints Row: The Third (Holiday 2011) -- Volition is reclaiming development duties, handling the PC versions in-house alongside the console editions.

"For us, the key thing was making sure the PC version [of Armageddon] was done in-house," Volition studio manager Eric Barker told Eurogamer, brushing aside the debate over the fate of PC gaming. "I can't predict the future, but I'm really happy with how Red Faction: Armageddon looks on PC. It's beautiful."

"We definitely believe PC games are great, and if they're done right, and done well by a studio, they're phenomenal," he added, before offering his cheeky response to concerns about the prevalence of piracy on the platform. "Let's make a game that's worth stealing, and then we'll worry about making sure they don't."

JoystiqVolition returns to in-house PC development originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 17 Mar 2011 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>pcpiracyred-faction-armageddonsaints-row-the-thirdvolitionThu, 17 Mar 2011 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Red Faction: Armageddon trailer shoots and scorches]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/11/red-faction-armageddon-trailer-shoots-and-scorches/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/11/red-faction-armageddon-trailer-shoots-and-scorches/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/11/red-faction-armageddon-trailer-shoots-and-scorches/#comments It's not exactly clear what's going on in this Red Faction: Armageddon trailer, but there's a lot of shooting and buildings being destroyed. Just give the fans what they want.

Continue reading Red Faction: Armageddon trailer shoots and scorches

JoystiqRed Faction: Armageddon trailer shoots and scorches originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 11 Mar 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftpcplaystationps3Red-Faction-ArmageddonTHQVolitionvolition-incxboxFri, 11 Mar 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Red Faction Armageddon to destroy, rebuild store shelves May 31]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/22/red-faction-armageddon-to-destroy-rebuild-store-shelves-may-31/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/22/red-faction-armageddon-to-destroy-rebuild-store-shelves-may-31/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/22/red-faction-armageddon-to-destroy-rebuild-store-shelves-may-31/#comments
Ahh, Spring. It's everyone's favorite of our Earth's four seasons, for obvious reasons: Flowers are blooming, birds are chirping, and underground revolutionaries use weapons of mass destruction to topple manmade structures onto the unexpecting, squishy crowns of extraterrestrial aggressors. Not familiar with that last bit? Oh, you probably haven't heard: THQ and Volition have announced a May 31 U.S. release date and June 3 international release for their upcoming, extremely explodable action title, Red Faction Armageddon.

That means we're just three short months from finding out what new methods of uncivil engineering the developer's thrown in this time around -- we've got our fingers crossed for some sort of double sledgehammer, which is, of course, a sledgehammer with another sledgehammer stuck on the bottom. Oh, man. Could you imagine?

Continue reading Red Faction Armageddon to destroy, rebuild store shelves May 31

JoystiqRed Faction Armageddon to destroy, rebuild store shelves May 31 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 22 Feb 2011 14:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftpcplaystationps3Red-Faction-Armageddonrelease-datethqVolitionxboxTue, 22 Feb 2011 14:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Red Faction Armageddon preview: Breaking new ground]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/20/red-faction-armageddon-preview/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/20/red-faction-armageddon-preview/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/20/red-faction-armageddon-preview/#comments There used to be a building here, I reflect as I put down the controller, ending my preview session of Red Faction Armageddon. I think back to what just happened: how the tower first collapsed after I disintegrated its base with my plasma rifle, before I pulled out my magnet gun and propelled a giant globe at the wrecked building, shattering the remains to pieces. For good measure, I aimed my singularity launcher at what was left and fired off a "black hole," ensuring that nothing would be left.

Like Guerrilla before it, Armageddon has been designed for emergent gameplay -- those uniquely entertaining scenarios that arise spontaneously out of a game's openness to the player's own creativity. It's the sort of fun that relies heavily on awareness of the entire gameworld, and thankfully Armageddon has the right toy box to inspire the level of engagement necessary to create the over-the-top destruction. When the "rocket launcher" is the most uninteresting weapon in a game, something's being done right.

Sure, Armageddon is, in many ways, the same game as its predecessor, but it appeared much more polished to me. The switch from Guerrilla's open-world design to a more linear one may seem regressive, putting greater limitation on the emergent gameplay, but, according to Roje Smith, of developer Volition, "It allows us to give the player much more focus in the experience -- not wander around and get lost in a huge environment."

"In order to really tell the story in Armageddon, it had to be much more linear," he added.

Gallery: Red Faction Armageddon (1/20/11)

Continue reading Red Faction Armageddon preview: Breaking new ground

JoystiqRed Faction Armageddon preview: Breaking new ground originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 20 Jan 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftpcplaystationps3Red-Faction-ArmageddonTHQVolitionxboxThu, 20 Jan 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Red Faction movie delayed to May 2011]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/03/red-faction-movie-delayed-to-may-2011/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/03/red-faction-movie-delayed-to-may-2011/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/03/red-faction-movie-delayed-to-may-2011/#comments Better re-mark those calendars. SyFy's Red Faction: Origins movie, originally slated for next March, isn't coming out until May. That's according to a tweet from THQ CEO Danny Bilson, who says that the company started prep work on the film this week, will be shooting in January and that the finished product "airs in May with game release."

"Game release," of course, means Red Faction: Armageddon, which recently got pushed back to May. Hopefully those ostriches they're using don't get too cold out there on the Martian landscape during filming.

JoystiqRed Faction movie delayed to May 2011 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 03 Dec 2010 19:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>danny-bilsonmicrosoftmovieplaystationps3Red-Faction-Armageddonred-faction-originssyfyxboxFri, 03 Dec 2010 19:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Red Faction: Armageddon coming May 2011; new Saints Row next fall]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/13/red-faction-armageddon-coming-may-2011-new-saints-row-next-fal/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/13/red-faction-armageddon-coming-may-2011-new-saints-row-next-fal/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/13/red-faction-armageddon-coming-may-2011-new-saints-row-next-fal/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

THQ today published a "core games" release calendar, highlighted by the revised May 2011 date given for Red Faction: Armageddon, which pushes it out of a crowded first quarter -- but just a few months beyond the initially proposed date. The calendar spans the publisher's fiscal 2012 (April 2011 - March 2012) and also includes a Spring 2011 release window for MX vs. ATV Alive, followed by the planned summertime launch of Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine. A new Saints Row game (or games?) and a WWE iteration are expected next fall.

Additionally, an upcoming UFC title has been slated for Winter 2012 (January-March 2012). Of course, all dates are "subject to change," THQ notes.

JoystiqRed Faction: Armageddon coming May 2011; new Saints Row next fall originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 13 Sep 2010 17:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>delaysfy-2012microsoftmx-vs-atv-alivepcplaystationps3q2-2011Red-Faction-Armageddonrelease-dateSaints-Row-3saints-row-the-thirdTHQUFCvolitionwarhammer-40k-space-marineWWExboxMon, 13 Sep 2010 17:12:00 EST<![CDATA[Volition's top changes between Red Faction: Guerrilla and Armageddon]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/30/volitions-top-changes-between-red-faction-guerrilla-and-armage/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/30/volitions-top-changes-between-red-faction-guerrilla-and-armage/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/30/volitions-top-changes-between-red-faction-guerrilla-and-armage/#commentsFiled under: , ,

During a recent presentation of Red Faction: Armageddon, we asked what the designers at Volition felt were the top five changes made from Guerrilla to the latest installment. Red Faction: Guerrilla stood out as one of our favorites in 2009, so we were interested to see if Volition would be covering up the same blemishes that we'd had in mind. You'll find the answers from RF:A's Lead Level Designer, Jameson Durall, after the break.

Continue reading Volition's top changes between Red Faction: Guerrilla and Armageddon

JoystiqVolition's top changes between Red Faction: Guerrilla and Armageddon originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 30 Aug 2010 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftpcplaystationps3Red-Faction-ArmageddonRed-Faction-GuerrillaTHQVolitionvolition-incxboxMon, 30 Aug 2010 11:57:00 EST