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 Indie Bundle 6 ends, earns over $2 million]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/02/humble-indie-bundle-6-ends-earns-over-2-million/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/02/humble-indie-bundle-6-ends-earns-over-2-million/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/02/humble-indie-bundle-6-ends-earns-over-2-million/#comments Humble Indie Bundle 6 ends, earns over $2 million316,258 individuals signed on for the latest Humble Indie Bundle, which is arguably the best Humble Indie Bundle yet. Humble Indie Bundle 6, which halted sales earlier this evening, managed to earn a total of $2,048,330.42 during the collection's sale.

Humble Indie Bundle 6 initially launched with the starting lineup of Rochard, Shatter, S.P.A.Z., Torchlight, Vessel and Dustforce. A week later, the bundle expanded to include Bit.Trip Runner, Wizorb, Jamestown and Gratuitous Space Battles for purchases equal or greater to the average sale price of the set. See? Best bundle yet!

JoystiqHumble Indie Bundle 6 ends, earns over $2 million originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 02 Oct 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bit-trip-runnerdustforcegratuitous-space-battleshumble-indie-bundlejamestownrochardshatterspaztorchlightvesselwizorbTue, 02 Oct 2012 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Humble Indie Bundle 6 devs ask you to ask them anything on Reddit]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/26/humble-indie-bundle-6-devs-ask-you-to-ask-them-anything-on-reddi/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/26/humble-indie-bundle-6-devs-ask-you-to-ask-them-anything-on-reddi/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/26/humble-indie-bundle-6-devs-ask-you-to-ask-them-anything-on-reddi/#comments Humble Indie Bundle 6 devs ask you to ask them anything on RedditA few of the developers with games in the rather fantastic Humble Indie Bundle 6 are hosting an AMA on Reddit right now.

In attendance is Runic Games co-founder Max Schaefer, representing Torchlight (and Torchlight 2, it seems); programmer Matt Bush and composer Terrence Lee of Dustforce's Hitbox Team; Jan Achrenius and Sampsa Lehtonen of Recoil and Rochard; Mario Wynands of Shatter's Sidhe, co-founders of MinMax Games Andrew Hume and Richard with Space Pirates and Zombies; and John Krajewski of Strange Loop Games representing Vessel.

Already the developers are discussing the likelihood of their Linux games on Steam, the benefits of being in the Humble Indie Bundle, and answering programming and gameplay questions galore. If you want to know what engines these guys use, how they handle physics or what those space pirates are doing hanging out with zombies in the first place, head on over to Reddit.

JoystiqHumble Indie Bundle 6 devs ask you to ask them anything on Reddit originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 26 Sep 2012 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ask-me-anythingdustforcehitbox-teamhumble-indie-bundle-6Linuxmacminmax-gamespcrecoil-gamesredditrochardrunic-gamesshattersidhespace-pirates-and-zombiesspazstrange-loop-gamestorchlightTorchlight-2vesselWed, 26 Sep 2012 15:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Torchlight 2 review: Up in the world]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/20/torchlight-2-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/20/torchlight-2-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/20/torchlight-2-review/#comments Torchlight 2 review Witty title goes hereI gave Diablo 3 a five-star review, and though the word "perfect" didn't come up, I did call it "a masterpiece." I still stand by that score, despite the somewhat bumpy reputation the game has earned since launch. Now, Torchlight 2 has finally arrived to complete the pair. Besides their obvious genre connection, Runic Games' Max Schafer co-founded Blizzard North (where he helped make Diablo and Diablo 2), and these two anticipated sequels have crossed paths more than a few times during production.

Spoiler: I'm giving Torchlight 2 a half-star less. The game makes some minor missteps in design, and I don't think the pacing or the scope matches up to that of Diablo 3.

I say that right here in the beginning so I can move on to a different point: Ratings and comparisons aside, Torchlight 2 is an accomplishment by this studio of less than 30 people, a feat that's impressive regardless of any other long-awaited dungeon crawlers that arrived earlier this summer. It's an excellent follow-up to the popular first game in the series, and at a ridiculous price of just $19.99 it demands to be played both by fans of the genre and of great PC games.

Gallery: Torchlight 2

Continue reading Torchlight 2 review: Up in the world

JoystiqTorchlight 2 review: Up in the world originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 20 Sep 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>pcrpgrunic-gamestorchlighttorchlight-2Thu, 20 Sep 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Humble Indie Bundle 6 shatters spatial reasoning with torches, vessels, brooms]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/18/humble-indie-bundle-6-shatters-spatial-reasoning-with-gravity-t/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/18/humble-indie-bundle-6-shatters-spatial-reasoning-with-gravity-t/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/18/humble-indie-bundle-6-shatters-spatial-reasoning-with-gravity-t/#comments Humble BundleHumble Indie Bundle part six is live, and it's a good'un. The current bundle includes Rochard, Shatter, S.P.A.Z., Torchlight and Vessel for any price you pick. Paying more than the average (currently around $5) unlocks Dustforce as well. The bundle includes soundtracks for each game, excluding Vessel. Normally priced, all these games would cost $86, Humble Indie Bundle reminds us.

As always, purchasers can decide how much of their payment goes to charity, the developers or Humble Indie Bundle itself. Humble Indie Bundle 6 will be live for 14 more days; check it out here.

JoystiqHumble Indie Bundle 6 shatters spatial reasoning with torches, vessels, brooms originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 18 Sep 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dustforcehumble-indie-bundlehumble-indie-bundle-6macpcrochardshatterspaztorchlightvesselTue, 18 Sep 2012 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Runic's post-Torchlight 2 plans: Mac port, patches, and a trip to the mountains]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/02/runics-post-torchlight-2-plans-mac-port-patches-and-a-trip-t/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/02/runics-post-torchlight-2-plans-mac-port-patches-and-a-trip-t/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/02/runics-post-torchlight-2-plans-mac-port-patches-and-a-trip-t/#comments Runic's CEO Max Schaefer seems both simultaneously relieved and nervous as he sits in the Torchlight 2 booth at PAX Prime 2012. Relieved, because his company finally announced a release date for its long-awaited game, and slightly nervous, because he knows the community's judgment is finally coming. But even launch won't bring a real break for Runic: Schaefer says the company has a clear plan laid out for post-release work.

A Mac port and language translations are first on the list, says Schaefer - both of those are real priorities for the team. Runic's also working on patching the game (if necessary), and getting the content editor up and running so both users and devs can make some mods and add-ons for the game. After that, says Schaefer, he's not sure. "We'll go up into the mountains or something and figure out what to do next."

Schaefer says that both a console port of Torchlight 2 and "an MMO" aren't out of the question, but there are problems with both of those ideas. "We will not be making a traditional MMO under any circumstances," he says, so a possible Torchlight MMO could look very different from what players might imagine - a pretty different stance from what we've heard in the past from Runic Games.

And while the studio had plenty of success with an Xbox Live port of its first Torchlight game (and Microsoft showed interest in a port of the second game), Schaefer says "it's a lot harder this time," given the way the game is built, to put together an Xbox port. All of that is a long way off, however - Schaefer's more concerned about getting this game released first.

JoystiqRunic's post-Torchlight 2 plans: Mac port, patches, and a trip to the mountains originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 02 Sep 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ceomax-schaeferpaxpax-2012pax-primepax-prime-2012pcrunic-gamestorchlighttorchlight-2xbox-liveSun, 02 Sep 2012 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Save on Grimrock, Torchlight, Ultima and more on GOG.com this weekend]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/24/save-on-grimrock-torchlight-ultima-and-more-on-gog-com-this-we/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/24/save-on-grimrock-torchlight-ultima-and-more-on-gog-com-this-we/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/24/save-on-grimrock-torchlight-ultima-and-more-on-gog-com-this-we/#comments If you've been looking for an excuse to pick up some new games, GOG.com has you covered this weekend. A selection of indie games is on sale for half-off this weekend, with Legend of Grimrock, Torchlight and Geneforge 1-5 all clocking in at $7.50. Meanwhile, Spacechem, Tiny & Big and Darwinia can all be had for $5 each.

If that's not enough, you can also grab GOG.com's entire Ultima collection, featuring Ultima 1 through 9 and both Ultima Underworld games, for $17.94. Alternatively, you can snag individual Ultima titles at a 30 percent discount.

JoystiqSave on Grimrock, Torchlight, Ultima and more on GOG.com this weekend originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 24 Aug 2012 17:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>darwiniagog.comlegend-of-grimrockpctiny-and-big-grandpas-leftoverstorchlightultimaFri, 24 Aug 2012 17:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Steam Summer Sale, Day 10: Batman Arkham City, Torchlight, Quantum Conundrum and more]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/21/steam-summer-sale-day-10-batman-arkham-city-torchlight-quant/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/21/steam-summer-sale-day-10-batman-arkham-city-torchlight-quant/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/21/steam-summer-sale-day-10-batman-arkham-city-torchlight-quant/#comments Steam Summer Sale, Day 10 Whew, we did it. It's finally the last day of the Steam Summer Sale and we ... what's that? There's another day of this madness? That's just great. Well, hopefully you didn't budget your lemonade stand money the way we did this year in order to account for tomorrow, the final day of the sales promotion.

It's hard to keep up when today's sales include Quantum Conundrum and Arma 2: Combined Operations, both at 40% off. Also, Batman: Arkham City stands alone at 66% off, plenty of reason for us to pretend July 22 isn't even on the calendar. While we're at it, Prince of Persia, Evochron Mercenary, Torchlight, Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War 2, and Fable 3 are tempting us with a 75% discount. Finally, the indie bundle for today includes Bit.Trip Runner, Eufloria, and Machinarium.

Enough about games, who wants to buy some delicious lemonade so we're ready for tomorrow's sales?

JoystiqSteam Summer Sale, Day 10: Batman Arkham City, Torchlight, Quantum Conundrum and more originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 21 Jul 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arma-2batman-arkham-cityBit-Trip-RunnerDawn-of-War-2eufloriaevochron-mercenaryfable-3machinariumprince-of-persiaquantum-conundrumSTEAMsteam-summer-salesteam-summer-sale-2012torchlightSat, 21 Jul 2012 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[EGLS to 'modify some parts' of its iOS MMO in wake of Torchlight asset theft accusations]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/19/egls-to-modify-some-parts-of-its-ios-mmo-in-wake-of-torchlight/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/19/egls-to-modify-some-parts-of-its-ios-mmo-in-wake-of-torchlight/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/19/egls-to-modify-some-parts-of-its-ios-mmo-in-wake-of-torchlight/#comments Chinese developer Entertainment Game Labs will remove "some parts" of its game, Armed Heroes Online, the company tells Joystiq. Those "parts," it sounds like, are the ones that Runic Games is saying were stolen from its Torchlight franchise. "Players always come first," EGLS said in a statement. "There, we prefer to modify some parts of Armed Heroes Online where have caused those disputes rather than go on arguing. As long as this carves out a way out of angry disputes, it will be definitely worth our efforts," the statement reads.

Despite the alterations coming to AHO, its developer sticks by the game, remaining defiant that any of Runic's Torchlight assets were used in the creation of its iOS MMO. "We want to make clear, if necessary, that we would like to submit the documents, files, and other materials related to the game developing to Apple to prove the originalities of the game and the efforts we devoted into the game developing," the statement says.

Runic Games president Travis Baldree contends that he's already looked through AHO's files, however, and that they're far more damning that EGLS wants to admit. "I also downloaded the app, and you can just unzip them and look at any iPhone app. And there was a sound manifest that listed all the sound files in the game, and they were verbatim all of our sound files, including our own misspellings," Baldree told us in an interview yesterday. "Our technical artist Adam Perin did voices for a sword called 'The Sword of Adam.' And it had goofy little things that he would say when you swung the sword. And those were in there [Armed Heroes Online], even in one of their videos," he said.

For Runic, this solution - should it actually play out - is exactly what Baldree was hoping would happen. "We're really just trying to get the thing pulled down from the App Store and to have them use their own assets. We were a little baffled by their initial response, and we'd be more than happy to talk to them and see what's up," he said. As of right now, Armed Heroes Online isn't available via the iTunes App Store, and it's seemingly been pulled by Apple following Runic's takedown request.

See the full statement from EGLS after the break.

Continue reading EGLS to 'modify some parts' of its iOS MMO in wake of Torchlight asset theft accusations

JoystiqEGLS to 'modify some parts' of its iOS MMO in wake of Torchlight asset theft accusations originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 19 Jul 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>app-storearmed-heroes-onlinechinaeglsentertainment-game-labsiosipadiphoneitunesitunes-app-storemmomobilerunicrunic-gamestorchlighttravis-baldreeThu, 19 Jul 2012 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Torchlight art found in iOS MMO; MMO dev denies theft against strong evidence]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/17/torchlight-art-found-in-ios-mmo-mmo-dev-denies-theft-against-st/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/17/torchlight-art-found-in-ios-mmo-mmo-dev-denies-theft-against-st/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/17/torchlight-art-found-in-ios-mmo-mmo-dev-denies-theft-against-st/#comments Torchlight art found in iOS MMO, MMO dev denies theft against strong evidenceArt assets from Runic Games' Torchlight franchise bear more than a passing resemblance to those used in iOS MMO Armed Heroes Online, from Chinese developer Entertainment Game Labs ("EGLS"). And Runic Games head Travis Baldree is calling foul, taking to Twitter this week to say, "So, wow - this game is releasing on the app store. They wholesale stole most of the assets from Torchlight," and linking to the EGLS game website.

Baldree made the image seen above as well, comparing the two games' art assets from source material he found in YouTube clips of Armed Heroes Online with those of his company's game. Beyond talking, Baldree tells us that Runic "have contacted Apple with a takedown request but haven't heard back yet." The company's goal at the moment is "simply to get the game removed from the App Store until it no longer infringes upon our copyright." It's unclear if representatives from Runic's parent company, Chinese MMO company Perfect World, have been in contact with EGLS separately.

Baldree says Runic "have been unable to directly contact the company," but a rep from EGLS posted on Touch Arcade's forums with a lengthy public statement today. "We can hardly agree with Mr. Travis Baldree who judged that EGLS 'wholesale stole most of the assets from Torchlight!' only based on the similarity between several small monsters. The judgment is simply untenable," the post reads.

It goes on to say that some EGLS employees "are both crazy game fans and ecstatic movie lovers," alleging that the comparisons drawn are nothing more than an accident at best. Bizarrely, the statement then compares Torchlight to WildTangent's PC RPG Fate, as well as Diablo 2 - both games that Runic employees were instrumental in developing.

Armed Heroes Online remains available via iTunes for now, but we don't expect it'll be there for much longer. The game is free-to-play with in-app purchases (read: microtransactions). An EGLS rep didn't respond to request for comment as of publishing.

JoystiqTorchlight art found in iOS MMO; MMO dev denies theft against strong evidence originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 17 Jul 2012 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>app-storeapplechinaeglsentertainment-game-labsfree-to-playin-app-purchasesiosipadiphoneitunes-app-storemacmicrosoftmicrotransactionsmmomobilepcperfect-worldrunicrunic-gamesserena-zhangthefttorchlighttravis-baldreexboxTue, 17 Jul 2012 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Torchlight purchased a million times, sequel still 'targeting' 2011 launch]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/06/torchlight-purchased-a-million-times-sequel-still-targeting-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/06/torchlight-purchased-a-million-times-sequel-still-targeting-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/06/torchlight-purchased-a-million-times-sequel-still-targeting-2/#comments Runic Games announced today that its little dungeon crawler that could, Torchlight, surpassed a million units sold across PC, Mac and Xbox 360. The company didn't provide a breakdown across platforms, but the title launched in October 2009, May 2010 and March 2011 for PC, Mac and Xbox 360, respectively. Torchlight has been discounted several times over that time to help it along the way to the million mark.

Runic is currently working on Torchlight 2. Checking in on the game's ever-shifting release window, a company representative informed us today that the developer is "still targeting 2011," but no launch date will be announced until Runic is "closer to being done."

Continue reading Torchlight purchased a million times, sequel still 'targeting' 2011 launch

JoystiqTorchlight purchased a million times, sequel still 'targeting' 2011 launch originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 06 Jul 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftpcrunic-gamessalestorchlightTorchlight-2xboxWed, 06 Jul 2011 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Explore Torchlight for $5.08 from Direct2Drive]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/16/explore-torchlight-for-5-08-from-direct2drive/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/16/explore-torchlight-for-5-08-from-direct2drive/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/16/explore-torchlight-for-5-08-from-direct2drive/#comments If some cosmically improbable chain of events has kept you from playing Torchlight, today just might be the day to rectify it. Direct2Drive is currently selling the dungeon crawler for the tantalizingly low price of $5.08. It should be just the thing to tide you over until Torchlight 2.

Continue reading Explore Torchlight for $5.08 from Direct2Drive

JoystiqExplore Torchlight for $5.08 from Direct2Drive originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 16 Jun 2011 16:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>direct2drivepcrunicrunic-gamestorchlightThu, 16 Jun 2011 16:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Torchlight 2 preview: Embers only]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/08/torchlight-2-preview-embers-only/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/08/torchlight-2-preview-embers-only/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/08/torchlight-2-preview-embers-only/#comments Runic Games is showing Torchlight 2 on the floor of E3 this week, and we're just as busy as you are looking at all of this E3 news, so we'll get right to it: It's great. All of the things you loved about the first Torchlight are back, polished and updated, along with one of the most long awaited features of the game, co-op multiplayer. Not a lot has changed, but not a lot needed to -- this is Torchlight with a lot of smoothing, a great graphical upgrade, and a whole lot of fan lovin'.

There are two big announcements for the game at E3 this week. First, the Berserker has been revealed as one of the game's new classes, joining the Railman, the Outlander, and one other as of yet unannounced class. Second, the game's multiplayer will support something we haven't seen developers talk about in a while: Local Area Network, or LAN, play.

Wait a minute. LAN support? As in offline, play-with-your-friends, Fritos and Mountain Dew-fueled late night LAN party support? Runic Games CEO Max Schafer knows you don't actually have to do that for games any more, right? Like dedicated servers, LAN support is something of a lost art in this modern age of console gaming. "But people asked for it," Schafer told us, so yes, Torchlight 2 will be playable on a LAN.

Gallery: Torchlight 2 (E3 2011)

Continue reading Torchlight 2 preview: Embers only

JoystiqTorchlight 2 preview: Embers only originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 08 Jun 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>berserkere3e3-2011max-schaferpcrunic-gamestorchlighttorchlight-2Wed, 08 Jun 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Torchlight marked down to $3.75 on Direct2Drive [update: deal's done, BioShock 2 on sale]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/14/torchlight-marked-down-to-3-75-on-direct2drive/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/14/torchlight-marked-down-to-3-75-on-direct2drive/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/14/torchlight-marked-down-to-3-75-on-direct2drive/#comments Update: the deal has expired, replaced by a new super-discounted game: BioShock 2 for $4.95.

Continue reading Torchlight marked down to $3.75 on Direct2Drive [update: deal's done, BioShock 2 on sale]

JoystiqTorchlight marked down to $3.75 on Direct2Drive [update: deal's done, BioShock 2 on sale] originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 14 Apr 2011 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>direct2drivepcrunic-gamestorchlightThu, 14 Apr 2011 13:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Runic: No subscription for Torchlight MMO]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/22/runic-no-subscription-for-torchlight-mmo/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/22/runic-no-subscription-for-torchlight-mmo/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/22/runic-no-subscription-for-torchlight-mmo/#comments It seems the MMO-ified version of Runic Games' mine-dwelling RPG Torchlight will attempt to avoid one of the genre's biggest pitfalls: trying to go head-to-head with Blizzard's gigantic, millions-of-players-strong monster. In a recent interview with Charge Shot, Runic CEO Max Schaefer explained, "I don't think really anyone can do [subscriptions] anymore because pretty much everyone that does subscriptions has one for World of Warcraft." Subsequently, the company will not pursue a subscription model for the Torchlight MMO.

We appreciate the sentiment, but we think Schaefer's underestimating how many of us MMO players are just fabulously wealthy. We can afford to subscribe to more than one thing, you know? As of right now, we're subscribed to WoW, EQ2, EVE Online, DC Universe Online, Final Fantasy XIV, Warhammer Online and the Potpourri of the Month Club.

... Let's just pretend that we didn't say that last one, okay?

JoystiqRunic: No subscription for Torchlight MMO originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 22 Mar 2011 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>mmommorpgpcrunic-gamessubscriptiontorchlighttorchlight-mmoTue, 22 Mar 2011 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Torchlight XBLA launch provided Runic its best sales day ever]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/15/torchlight-xbla-launch-provided-runic-its-best-sales-day-ever/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/15/torchlight-xbla-launch-provided-runic-its-best-sales-day-ever/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/15/torchlight-xbla-launch-provided-runic-its-best-sales-day-ever/#comments Runic Games announced today that last week's launch day of Torchlight's solid, gamepad-friendly Xbox Live Arcade port, was the company's "best sale day in its history."

"We're very excited to bring Torchlight to the 360, and have been really gratified by the positive reaction," said President Travis Baldree. "It's affirming to know that console players love this genre as much as we do. We think the experience translates pretty well to the couch."

Runic is currently working on Torchlight 2 for PC, which will "probably" launch in July. We're sure Blizzard is taking note of Torchlight's console success for its upcoming Diablo 3.

Gallery: Torchlight (XBLA)

JoystiqTorchlight XBLA launch provided Runic its best sales day ever originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 Mar 2011 20:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftrunic-gamessalesTorchlighttravis-baldreexblaxboxTue, 15 Mar 2011 20:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Torchlight XBLA cancelled in Japan due to text bug [update: It actually never existed]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/09/torchlight-xbla-cancelled-in-japan-due-to-text-bug/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/09/torchlight-xbla-cancelled-in-japan-due-to-text-bug/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/09/torchlight-xbla-cancelled-in-japan-due-to-text-bug/#comments Torchlight was set to launch on Xbox Live Arcade in Japan today, but it won't make its appointed release date, or any release date. In a brief statement on Xbox.com, Microsoft announced that the Japanese release of the dungeon crawler has been canned as a result of a bug in the Japanese language text display. due to difficulty of localization (see below for statements from Runic and Microsoft about exactly what happened).

Either that's one serious bug, or Microsoft decided the cost of the QA wouldn't be worth it for a game that already faced two strikes -- being a downloadable game in Japan, and being an Xbox 360 game in Japan.

The Torchlight avatar cap and other accessories are still available.

Update: Runic president Travis Baldree sent the following statement over to Joystiq:
"We're not privy to the decision making process in providing the game in Japan - but it was not due to bugs in the translation because the game has never been translated to Japanese. Since there was no existing Japanese version of the game, the complexity of a new translation combined with the randomly generated naming scheme for Torchlight made it beyond the scope of the project."
In other words, this is much weirder than just a bug that killed the whole project -- the Japanese version never existed, and the "cancellation" announcement came on the projected release date.

Update 2: And Microsoft has sent along the following: " "We made the decision to not launch "Torchlight" on Xbox LIVE Arcade in Japan due to localization complexities; not due to bugs. We apologize for any inconvenience."

JoystiqTorchlight XBLA cancelled in Japan due to text bug [update: It actually never existed] originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 09 Mar 2011 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cancelledjapanmicrosoftrunic-gamestorchlightxblaxboxWed, 09 Mar 2011 11:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Torchlight XBLA review: All the loot, half the noise]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/09/torchlight-xbla-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/09/torchlight-xbla-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/09/torchlight-xbla-review/#comments There's a large room up ahead. It's an uncharted space on the dungeon map and thus assuredly filled with very large, very nasty monsters. The room, unfortunately, is the only way forward. Physically weak and wielding only a bow, I'll need distraction and distance to survive.

First things first, I lob a couple of shock traps through the door to deal some consistent damage. Then I summon up a pack of skeletons to keep the heat off of me. I rush in, use my Hamstring ability to weaken enemies, unleash a few exploding arrows for crowd control, swallow a health potion, fling some needles into the closest group of baddies and, finally, rush back out. What monsters remain are left to either be electrocuted or bleed to death.

As cool as all that sounds, the most amazing part is that I did it all without a keyboard and mouse.

Continue reading Torchlight XBLA review: All the loot, half the noise

JoystiqTorchlight XBLA review: All the loot, half the noise originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 09 Mar 2011 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftrunic-gamestorchlightxblaxboxWed, 09 Mar 2011 09:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Torchlight XBLA video to warm up your screen]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/08/torchlight-xbla-video-to-warm-up-your-screen/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/08/torchlight-xbla-video-to-warm-up-your-screen/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/08/torchlight-xbla-video-to-warm-up-your-screen/#comments With the XBLA debut of Torchlight now set for March 9, the first gameplay footage has been released. Apart from some necessary HUD changes, the game seems identical to its computer counterparts. Hit the break to watch the video, after which you can continue intensely staring at the nearest calendar.

Continue reading Torchlight XBLA video to warm up your screen

JoystiqTorchlight XBLA video to warm up your screen originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 08 Feb 2011 20:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>house-partymicrosoftrunic-gamestorchlightxblaxboxxbox-livexbox-live-house-partyTue, 08 Feb 2011 20:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Xbox Live House Party titles (Beyond Good & Evil HD, Torchlight) dated, priced]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/08/xbox-live-house-party-titles-beyond-good-and-evil-hd-torchlight/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/08/xbox-live-house-party-titles-beyond-good-and-evil-hd-torchlight/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/08/xbox-live-house-party-titles-beyond-good-and-evil-hd-torchlight/#comments Just in the nick of time, Microsoft has announced dates and prices for its month-long Xbox Live Arcade House Party promotion. Things kick off on February 16 with Arc System Works' not-Contra side-scroller, Hard Corps: Uprising, priced at 1200 points ($15), followed by PopCap's Bejeweled Blitz on February 23, for 800 points ($10).

Things really get moving on March 2, when Beyond Good & Evil HD is released for the eminently reasonable price of 800 points. The last two releases will undoubtedly gather the most attention: the excellent, heretofore computer-bound, dungeon crawler Torchlight will be released on March 9 for 1200 points, while Microsoft's Live-enabled Full House Poker makes its debut on March 16 for a surprisingly low 800 points.

JoystiqXbox Live House Party titles (Beyond Good & Evil HD, Torchlight) dated, priced originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 08 Feb 2011 14:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beyond-good-and-evil-hdHard-Corps-UprisingHouse-Partymicrosoftq1-2011release-dateTorchlightxboxXbox-LiveXbox-Live-House-PartyTue, 08 Feb 2011 14:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Runic talks Torchlight's future, not afraid of Diablo 3]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/04/runic-talks-torchlights-future-not-afraid-of-diablo-3/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/04/runic-talks-torchlights-future-not-afraid-of-diablo-3/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/04/runic-talks-torchlights-future-not-afraid-of-diablo-3/#comments Speaking to Gamasutra, Runic's Max Schaefer shared some insight on the Xbox Live Arcade version of Torchlight, as well as the PC version's impending sequel and the eventual Torchlight MMO. He noted that the most difficult part of adapting Torchlight for XBLA was redesigning the interface."You don't realize how much interface is in your game until you have to go and reinvent it," said Schaefer, noting that the team was taken "a little bit by surprise" at how much work was required. The team is "nervous" to see how players react to the game's transformation, though Schaefer said that the game "feels right," adding that many Runic staffers now prefer the Xbox version.

He also discussed Torchlight's comparisons to Diablo -- something he must be getting used to by now. Schaefer isn't worried about the upcoming arrival of Diablo 3. In fact, he embraces it, saying, "I only see it as a good thing." In fact, it sounds like Diablo 3 will give Runic some extra time to work, with Schaefer stating "it'll delay whatever we're working on for at least a month."

Regarding the Torchlight MMO, Runic is currently focusing on Torchlight 2, though the MMO is definitely still in the pipeline. According to Schaefer, the success of Torchlight has afforded Runic the ability to make "the right strategic move and not make any moves out of desperation."

JoystiqRunic talks Torchlight's future, not afraid of Diablo 3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 04 Feb 2011 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftpcrunic-gamestorchlighttorchlight-2torchlight-mmoxblaxboxFri, 04 Feb 2011 23:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Torchlight (XBLA) preview: Cure for the common controller]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/10/torchlight-xbla-preview-cure-for-the-common-controller/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/10/torchlight-xbla-preview-cure-for-the-common-controller/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/10/torchlight-xbla-preview-cure-for-the-common-controller/#comments Runic Games' Torchlight has received lots of well-deserved acclaim since its release back in October of 2009. It took Diablo's well-traveled hack, slash, and loot action-RPG formula, and updated it with both some solid innovation and a lot of excellent polish. Now, after a lot of promises, Runic is bringing the game to XBLA, and the question is how such a PC-centric title will work on a console.

Microsoft let us have some hands-on time this week at CES, and after playing the game for hours on the PC and the better part of an hour on console, I can say the answer is: Pretty well. At this point, I wouldn't call the console version definitive at all -- there are a few quirks in the system like monsters getting caught in corners and some complicated menus (probably a given anyway, as Runic has revamped everything from the original with a brand new interface). But combat works great, the new menu systems are carefully considered and designed, and a vast majority of the PC version's polish shines right through like a Perfect-level gem.

Gallery: Torchlight (XBLA)

Continue reading Torchlight (XBLA) preview: Cure for the common controller

JoystiqTorchlight (XBLA) preview: Cure for the common controller originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 10 Jan 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>consolesmicrosoftpcrunic-gamestorchlightXBLAxboxxbox-live-arcadeXbox-Live-Arcade-House-PartyMon, 10 Jan 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Runic hopeful Torchlight 2 will come to consoles]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/07/runic-hopeful-torchlight-2-will-come-to-consoles/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/07/runic-hopeful-torchlight-2-will-come-to-consoles/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/07/runic-hopeful-torchlight-2-will-come-to-consoles/#comments Runic Games' long-sought goal to port Torchlight to consoles will come to fruition when the game is released on Xbox Live Arcade as part of Microsoft's "House Party" promotion, beginning in mid-February. Depending on its success on the platform, Runic could look to quickly port the sequel to consoles, too, following its launch on PC this spring.

"That will hopefully get to the consoles, as well," Runic CEO Max Schaefer told MTV Multiplayer. "Depending on how [Torchlight on XBLA] does ... we're excited to get Torchlight 2 onto consoles. Hopefully sooner than how long [Torchlight on XBLA] took. We've gone through the exercise, we know what it takes."

Additionally, Schaefer priced Torchlight on XBLA at 1200 Microsoft Points ($15), though a representative for the studio later said that that price was not official. "It will be set by Microsoft, not Runic Games," said the representative, "and we cannot confirm it."

JoystiqRunic hopeful Torchlight 2 will come to consoles originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 07 Jan 2011 18:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>house-partymicrosoftportpricingrunic-gamestorchlighttorchlight-2xblaxboxFri, 07 Jan 2011 18:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Runic details how Torchlight will be different on XBLA]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/06/runic-details-how-torchlight-will-be-different-on-xbla/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/06/runic-details-how-torchlight-will-be-different-on-xbla/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/06/runic-details-how-torchlight-will-be-different-on-xbla/#comments With the announcement that Torchlight will hit Xbox Live Arcade within two months, we're sure many players are curious as to what changes have been made during the transition from Mac and PC. Thankfully, the wait is over, as Runic has already detailed many of the changes on its website. First, the developer notes that the user interface has seen more than just a few tweeks: It's been redesigned from the ground up.

Furthermore, the inventory grid has been abandoned in favor of a hard item limit. Players will be able to carry 50 items at a time, regardless of their size. Certain items, like potions and scrolls, can still be stacked in a single slot. Speaking of potions, the game will automatically pick the best potion to use in a given situation, so there's no need to worry about using a strong potion when you only need a little bit of health or mana. Eight skills can be mapped at once, with Runic noting that many of its staffers "actually find it easier to use a variety of skills on the console vs. PC."

Finally, player control is done directly and there are "no virtual cursors ever." With no specific target control, melee combat has been tweaked, while ranged combat now uses an auto targeting system. Meanwhile, the distance of "lobbed skills" can be "finessed" using the analog triggers. Runic states that other console dungeon crawlers like Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance and Champions of Norrath offer a "general idea" of what to expect.

In other words, expect to start playing the game and discover that several hours have passed the next time you look at the clock.

JoystiqRunic details how Torchlight will be different on XBLA originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 06 Jan 2011 18:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftrunic-gamestorchlightxblaxboxThu, 06 Jan 2011 18:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Torchlight coming to Xbox Live Arcade with new content for House Party series]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/06/torchlight-coming-to-xbox-live-arcade-with-new-content-for-house/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/06/torchlight-coming-to-xbox-live-arcade-with-new-content-for-house/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/06/torchlight-coming-to-xbox-live-arcade-with-new-content-for-house/#comments Runic Games has announced that the Diablo-esque RPG Torchlight is coming to Xbox Live Arcade for the upcoming House Party series of releases. The game has apparently been remade to use the Xbox controller (with dual sticks for moving and attacking, bumpers for potions, and hotkeys assigned to triggers and buttons), and given a new interface for the console release. There will also be "new quests, armor sets, weapons, and a new pet" to play with as well. Consider us surprised -- it'll be interesting to see how a very PC title (that's found a lot of success on Steam) fits into Microsoft's arcade lineup.

The House Party will start on February 16, and will also include a release of the Beyond Good and Evil HD remake, Hard Corps Uprising, PopCap's Bejeweled Blitz Live, and Full House Poker. That's a quality lineup right there!

Gallery: Torchlight (XBLA)

Continue reading Torchlight coming to Xbox Live Arcade with new content for House Party series

JoystiqTorchlight coming to Xbox Live Arcade with new content for House Party series originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 06 Jan 2011 01:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bejeweled-blitzbejewled-blitz-livebeyond-good-and-evilbeyond-good-and-evil-HDCES-2011full-house-pokerhard-corps-uprisingmicrosoftrunic-gamestorchlightxblaxboxxbox-live-arcadeXbox-Live-Arcade-House-PartyThu, 06 Jan 2011 01:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Steam offering Machinarium, Torchlight and Indie pack for $5 each]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/26/steam-offering-machinarium-torchlight-and-indie-pack-for-5-eac/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/26/steam-offering-machinarium-torchlight-and-indie-pack-for-5-eac/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/26/steam-offering-machinarium-torchlight-and-indie-pack-for-5-eac/#comments Steam's "Give and Get" sale continues today, with yesterday's tempting one-day discounts giving way to an even better batch. You'll be able to buy the gorgeous Machinarium or Runic's dungeon jaunt, Torchlight, for $5 each. And if you're smart, you'll consider spending that same amount on the "Indie Clever Pack," which comprises World of Goo, VVVVVV, Eufloria, Doc Clock: The Toasted Sandwich of Time and Iron Grip: Warlord.

At the time of publishing (3PM EST), you have 22 hours left on the following options:
  • Machinarium -- $5
  • Torchlight -- $5
  • Indie Clever Pack -- $4.99
  • Blur -- $14.99
  • Tropico 3: Gold Edition -- $7.50
  • Burnout Paradise: The Ultimate Box -- $14.99
  • Empire: Total War -- $14.99
  • Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War 2 Gold Edition -- $13.60
  • ARMA 2: Operation Arrowhead -- $19.99
Steam's gift packs for today include a Portal six-pack for $14.99 and ten copies of Irrational's Freedom Force for a patently silly $7.49.

JoystiqSteam offering Machinarium, Torchlight and Indie pack for $5 each originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 26 Nov 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>black-friday-2010blurmacMachinariumpcsteamtorchlightvvvvvvworld-of-gooFri, 26 Nov 2010 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Torchlight PC discounted to $10 during 1-year anniversary sale [update 2: How to get the Mac version]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/27/torchlight-pc-discounted-to-10-during-1-year-anniversary-sale/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/27/torchlight-pc-discounted-to-10-during-1-year-anniversary-sale/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/27/torchlight-pc-discounted-to-10-during-1-year-anniversary-sale/#comments Runic Games' first release, Torchlight, came out on PC a year ago today, and the company is celebrating the anniversary with a sale. Starting today, and ending October 29 at 8AM PT, the PC version of Torchlight will be offered for half off on the official game site. That's $10 for all the dungeon crawling you can stand -- or mod, using the game's included editing tools.

Unfortunately, the Mac version remains $20, as Runic doesn't sell that version directly. The Mac version is only offered via Steam, and Runic informs Joystiq that Steam isn't participating in this particular sale. But don't lose heart, would-be Mac players, as Runic assures that a cross-platform sale will be held later this year (in case you missed the discounted Mac version the first time around). And don't forget: Torchlight will hopefully be out on consoles, too, before the year is out.

Update: Shacknews has discovered that the PC activation code for Torchlight can be registered on Steam, which unlocks the Mac version for play as well. Cheap Torchlight for everyone!

Update 2: Some users are reporting that the activation code is invalid on Steam, meaning neither the Mac or PC versions can be unlocked on the service. Shacknews reports that it used an older code obtained from Runic to confirm that it can be redeemed, however newly obtained codes may be invalid on Steam.

JoystiqTorchlight PC discounted to $10 during 1-year anniversary sale [update 2: How to get the Mac version] originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 27 Oct 2010 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anniversarypcRunic-GamestorchlightWed, 27 Oct 2010 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Torchlight 'hopefully' out on XBLA and PSN by holidays, has sold 750,000 units]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/21/torchlight-hopefully-out-on-xbla-and-psn-by-holidays-has-sold/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/21/torchlight-hopefully-out-on-xbla-and-psn-by-holidays-has-sold/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/21/torchlight-hopefully-out-on-xbla-and-psn-by-holidays-has-sold/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Runic Games had dreams of putting Torchlight on Xbox Live Arcade, then it put "serious effort" into a console version, and now the studio is hoping to have the game out by this holiday for PSN and XBLA. Runic CEO Max Schaefer told Joystiq at Gamescom today, "We're trying, we're talking [to Sony and Microsoft] and we hope to get that done quickly." Although there's no release window, he told us it'll "hopefully" be available "by the holidays."

Schaefer also told us the game has now sold over 750,000 units and is en route to a million. The RPG reached the half-million milestone back in May after launching in October, following a tiny development time of 10 months. If the sales figure seems a bit low, the executive mentioned that piracy has been an issue, but they have no way of tracking how many illegal copies were made.

As for Torchlight 2 on consoles, Schaefer told us Runic will "try" to get the multiplayer sequel to consoles sometime after the PC and Mac release.

Gallery: Torchlight

JoystiqTorchlight 'hopefully' out on XBLA and PSN by holidays, has sold 750,000 units originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 21 Aug 2010 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gamescomgamescom-2010max-schaefermicrosoftplaystationps3q4-2010release-daterunic-gamesTorchlightxboxSat, 21 Aug 2010 11:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Impulse drops prices for the Fourth of July]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/02/impulse-drops-prices-for-the-fourth-of-july/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/02/impulse-drops-prices-for-the-fourth-of-july/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/02/impulse-drops-prices-for-the-fourth-of-july/#comments Not to be outdone by Steam and its dangerously generous sale this week (you do own Torchlight by now, right?), Impluse is running its own 4th of July sale, with 68 different downloadable PC games given prices set to move, some even better than Steam. If you want some quality RTS action, the Company of Heroes pack is a great deal at $29.99, Command and Conquer 4 is $24.99 and the Sins of a Solar Empire expansions are $5 off.

Not quite as much variety as the Steam sale, but what's there is well-priced. PC gamers, you have no excuse to bother with any of the "going outside" or fireworks this July 4th weekend -- not when there are all these great cheap games to play!

JoystiqImpulse drops prices for the Fourth of July originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 02 Jul 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>command-and-conquer-4company-of-heroesfourth-of-julyholidayimpulsepcsaletorchlightFri, 02 Jul 2010 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New Torchlight MMO details come to light]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/30/new-torchlight-mmo-details-come-to-light/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/30/new-torchlight-mmo-details-come-to-light/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/30/new-torchlight-mmo-details-come-to-light/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Finally, some news on the MMO offshoot of Runic Games' exceptional (and popular) dungeon-crawler, Torchlight. Speaking with PC Gamer UK for its upcoming cover story on the game, Runic boss Travis Baldree confirmed that this free-to-play, massively-multiplayer apple won't fall far from its single-player tree.

Saying that the game's creators are out to make "an MMO that plays as close to single player as we can get it," Baldree expounded by adding, "It will have the same focus on relatively fast action: carving your way through hordes of monsters with a large number of hugely devastating skills." Skills that "make [players] useful in a party and make them work together" when not going it solo.

Baldree also flat-out stated that he "will never, ever buy a microtransaction item" -- the game's revenue system, by the way -- indicating that Runic has something unique up its sleeve when adding, "We don't want our monetisation stuff to offer ways to skip the game because the game is boring." We take it that means no paying to unlock everything in the game.

JoystiqNew Torchlight MMO details come to light originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 30 Jun 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>MMOpcRPGRunic-GamesTorchlightTorchlight-MMOWed, 30 Jun 2010 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Torchlight sales surpass 500,000 units]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/18/torchlight-sales-surpass-500-000-units/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/18/torchlight-sales-surpass-500-000-units/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/18/torchlight-sales-surpass-500-000-units/#comments Gamasutra reports that in the weeks preceding its launch on the shiny new Steam for Mac client, Runic Games' top-down RPG Torchlight hit a pretty substantial milestone. Since its launch last October the game, which typically sells for $20, has been purchased over 500,000 times.

We imagine Perfect World, the game's publishing partner that recently purchased a majority stake in Runic, is pleased as punch about reaching the sales milestone. You should be, too -- in honor of hitting the half-million mark, and in celebration of the game's launch on Mac, you can grab Torchlight on Steam for $10 for a limited time.

JoystiqTorchlight sales surpass 500,000 units originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 18 May 2010 19:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>industrymacperfect-world-entertainmentrpgrunic-gamessalessteamtorchlightTue, 18 May 2010 19:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Perfect World grabs majority share in Torchlight developer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/17/perfect-world-grabs-majority-share-in-torchlight-developer/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/17/perfect-world-grabs-majority-share-in-torchlight-developer/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/17/perfect-world-grabs-majority-share-in-torchlight-developer/#comments Perfect World, a China-based developer and publisher of several MMOs, revealed today it has acquired "a majority stake" in Runic Games for approximately $8.4 million. Runic is the studio that spawned from the ashes of Hellgate: London's Flagship Studios and is best-known for Torchlight, its single-player Diablo-inspired action-RPG. Previously, in April 2009, Runic had entered an agreement that made Perfect World the exclusive worldwide publisher of Torchlight.

Considering Perfect World is primarily an MMO publisher, it's fairly obvious the company gobbled up the majority stake in Runic in anticipation of the developer's Torchlight MMO, which is reportedly about two years away. With this acquisition, Perfect World has stated that it seeks to "create global titles" -- so more Hot Dance Party MMOs then?

JoystiqPerfect World grabs majority share in Torchlight developer originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 17 May 2010 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businessperfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentrunic-gamestorchlighttorchlight-mmoMon, 17 May 2010 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Steam for Mac rolls out tomorrow, Portal and Torchlight in tow]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/11/steam-for-mac-rolls-out-tomorrow-portal-and-torchlight-in-tow/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/11/steam-for-mac-rolls-out-tomorrow-portal-and-torchlight-in-tow/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/11/steam-for-mac-rolls-out-tomorrow-portal-and-torchlight-in-tow/#commentsSteam for Mac With PC games continuously losing retail shelf space and Mac games having little shelf space to begin with, Steam presents the first significant distribution platform, digital or otherwise, the Mac gaming platform has seen in years (ever?). It remains to be seen if Steam for Mac and Steamworks - the platform's suite of tools covering everything from copy protection, anti-cheat support, and key-based authentication to Steam community, Steam Cloud, and microtransactions - will be enough to encourage publishers to incur the added expense of porting games to the Mac OS X platform but tomorrow's launch offerings are certainly promising.

Valve says that, in addition to the games launching tomorrow, on "subsequent Wednesdays, additional collections of Mac titles will become available, each designed to highlight specific functionalities of Steam on the Mac." The first collection will highlight "Steam Play," meaning games that work on all "Steam supported platforms," currently Windows and Mac OS. Valve identified its own Portal and the Diablo-esque Torchlight as launch titles, the only two to be officially announced.

The Steam for Mac beta client reveals over three dozen "Mac games," all currently available via Steam on Windows. Notable entries include LucasArts classics like The Dig, Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis, and Loom, some of Telltale's episodic offerings, including the most recent installment of Sam & Max and the entire first season of Tales of Monkey Island, and several PopCap titles, like Peggle Deluxe, Peggle Nights, and Bejeweled 2. Also listed and currently playable (unlike every other listing in the Mac beta, short of Portal) is Team Fortress 2, though it's curiously not mentioned in Valve's press release which heralds Portal as "the first of Valve's Source engine based games available on the Mac."

Notably still missing from this list are Valve's Half-Life and Left 4 Dead series, PopCap's already-Mac-compatible Plants vs. Zombies, and plenty of other Mac-compatible titles currently on Steam. This forum thread has a nice list of potential Steam Mac games, and we've asked Valve to comment on how many of the currently listed games will be available tomorrow. Check out of a screenshot of the Mac store, as it looks today in its beta state, after the break.

Continue reading Steam for Mac rolls out tomorrow, Portal and Torchlight in tow

JoystiqSteam for Mac rolls out tomorrow, Portal and Torchlight in tow originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 11 May 2010 12:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betaportalrunic-gamesSteamSteam-MacTorchlightValveTue, 11 May 2010 12:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Direct2Drive's Spring Sale: Star Trek Online, Civ 4, Torchlight and more discounted]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/27/direct2drives-spring-sale-star-trek-online-civ-4-torchlight/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/27/direct2drives-spring-sale-star-trek-online-civ-4-torchlight/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/27/direct2drives-spring-sale-star-trek-online-civ-4-torchlight/#comments Once again, downloadable gaming retailer Direct2Drive has chosen to reduce the price of a whole gaggle of its offerings. Encheapened titles as part of the "Spring Sale" include interstellar MMO Star Trek Online ($29.95), Nazi-vanquishing sim The Saboteur ($14.95), mine-raiding RPG Torchlight ($9.95), world-dominating strategy title Civilization 4: Complete Edition ($9.95) and every X-Com game ever made, except for, you know, the new one ($4.95). To see the complete list of discounted games, click past the jump.

Now look, Direct2Drive. You really, really need to chill out with all of these sales. If you keep discounting the prices of your games with such regularity, then people are going to start thinking that these are your normal going rates for these titles. During the off-times when you're not holding a sale, they're going to start thinking that you're just having a temporary ... expensiveization. That can't possibly be good for business.

Continue reading Direct2Drive's Spring Sale: Star Trek Online, Civ 4, Torchlight and more discounted

JoystiqDirect2Drive's Spring Sale: Star Trek Online, Civ 4, Torchlight and more discounted originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 27 Apr 2010 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2K-GamesCiv-4CivilizationCivilization-4civilization-ivdealdirect2driveFiraxis-GamessaleSid-Meiers-Civilization-4star-trek-onlineStrategythe-saboteurtorchlightx-comTue, 27 Apr 2010 00:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Torchlight only $5 on Steam, you should buy it]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/27/torchlight-only-5-on-steam-you-should-buy-it/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/27/torchlight-only-5-on-steam-you-should-buy-it/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/27/torchlight-only-5-on-steam-you-should-buy-it/#comments Joystiq editors generally agree, Torchlight is one delightful little game. Anyone who enjoys a good dungeon-crawling action RPG should really give it a try, especially those looking for something to pass the time between now and Diablo 3. While it was already reasonably priced at $20, Steam has slashed the price to a ridiculously low $5 until Monday. At that price it's a definite, solid buy. Seriously, there's no need for deliberation here. Just go buy it.

JoystiqTorchlight only $5 on Steam, you should buy it originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 27 Mar 2010 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dealrunic-gamessalessteamtorchlightSat, 27 Mar 2010 00:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Runic Games 'putting serious effort' into console Torchlight]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/10/runic-games-putting-serious-effort-into-console-torchlight/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/10/runic-games-putting-serious-effort-into-console-torchlight/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/10/runic-games-putting-serious-effort-into-console-torchlight/#comments Speaking to The Rumble Pack, Runic Games CEO Max Schaefer declared that his company is actively pursuing a console port of its PC action RPG, Torchlight. "We're going to put some serious effort into it -- pretty quick -- getting Torchlight onto consoles," said Schaefer. "There's a lot of really cool things about the console world, too, that would work well with our game," he added, "So, we are definitely going to be going in that direction." He offered no specifics on the project, saying only that the company is "talking to a million people" and that it's "something we definitely want to do.

We were quite taken with Torchlight when it released on PC last year -- the game landed more than a few of our staff's best of 2009 lists -- so here's hoping we'll get some more details soon.

JoystiqRunic Games 'putting serious effort' into console Torchlight originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>action-rpgMicrosoftportpsnrunic-gamestorchlightxblaXbox-360Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Final day of Steam Holiday Sale wraps up the best-sellers]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/03/final-day-of-steam-holiday-sale-wraps-up-the-best-sellers/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/03/final-day-of-steam-holiday-sale-wraps-up-the-best-sellers/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/03/final-day-of-steam-holiday-sale-wraps-up-the-best-sellers/#comments Okay, this is it: The penultimate batch of offers in the long-running Steam Holiday Sale. For the final day of the long-running promotion, Valve has elected to re-encheapen some of the games that sold like hotcakes in the sale's earlier one-day discounts. Until 9 a.m. PST tomorrow, the following games will be available for the following prices:

JoystiqFinal day of Steam Holiday Sale wraps up the best-sellers originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 03 Jan 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bioshockdealdefense-griddefense-grid-the-awakeningFPSgrand-theft-autogrand-theft-auto-ivGSC-Game-Worldkilling-floorleft-4-deadleft-4-dead-2saleShadow-of-Chernobylstalkerstalker-shadow-of-chernobylsteamTHQtorchlightvalvevalve-softwareSun, 03 Jan 2010 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Best of the Rest: Kevin's Picks of 2009]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/02/best-of-the-rest-kevins-picks-of-2009/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/02/best-of-the-rest-kevins-picks-of-2009/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/02/best-of-the-rest-kevins-picks-of-2009/#comments Halo Wars
Yeah, that's right, Halo Wars. I've already caught enough flak for putting this on my best-of list for 2009 (it's hard to even remember that it came out way back in February), but it deserves to be recognized ... so pay attention once your laughter has died down. Ensemble Studios (RIP) proved that you could bring a real-time strategy game to a console, and still make it enjoyable. Sure, you'll never have 1:1 parity mapping everything a full-sized keyboard offers onto a controller, but this game came close. It's a pity Ensemble closed, since we'll never see any expansion packs or a sequel. The good news is that, since it wasn't received with blaring trumpets and the sounds of cash registers ringing, you can pick this up for under 20 bucks for some good fun.

Continue reading Best of the Rest: Kevin's Picks of 2009

JoystiqBest of the Rest: Kevin's Picks of 2009 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 02 Jan 2010 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Applebattlefieldbattlefield-1943best-of-the-rest-2009canabaltclansdefense-griddefense-grid-the-awakeningdominionensemble-studiosflowergalaxy-truckergigamichalo-warsillusioiPodkillzonekillzone-2last-night-on-earthMicrosoftpandemicpcpower-gridpsnpuerto-ricopylosstarcraftstarcraft-2torchlightxblaXbox-360Sat, 02 Jan 2010 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Best of the Rest: Richard's Picks of 2009]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/02/best-of-the-rest-richards-picks-of-2009/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/02/best-of-the-rest-richards-picks-of-2009/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/02/best-of-the-rest-richards-picks-of-2009/#comments
Halo Wars
Say what you will about the game's simplicity, or the brevity of the single-player campaign, but Ensemble Studios absolutely nailed console real-time strategy with Halo Wars. The controls work beautifully, allowing for the kind of granular management required in RTS games, and yet they remain simple enough for almost anyone to get the hang of the game. Add great online multiplayer and it's one tasty proposition.

Frankly, I was so addicted to the Skirmish mode when reviewing the game that it ate into my work hours. Remembering that makes it harder to face the fact that Ensemble was shuttered once work on the game was complete. I can only hope that Robot is given the chance to further the series, or at least work the controls into an entirely new game.

Continue reading Best of the Rest: Richard's Picks of 2009

JoystiqBest of the Rest: Richard's Picks of 2009 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 02 Jan 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>best-of-the-restbest-of-the-rest-2009climaxhalo-warsMicrosoftNintendopcplants-vs-zombiespopcaprunic-gamessilent-hill-shattered-memoriestorchlightvalveWiiXbox-360Sat, 02 Jan 2010 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Best of the Rest: Xav's Picks of 2009]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/02/best-of-the-rest-xavs-picks-of-2009/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/02/best-of-the-rest-xavs-picks-of-2009/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/02/best-of-the-rest-xavs-picks-of-2009/#comments Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars
Upon release, Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars immediately found its way on my top five games of 2009. With its style, humor and variety it's clear Rockstar was trying to shine a new light on the popular franchise. Not only that, Rockstar took chances in hopes to attract a similar audience to a handheld GTA as it has on consoles. From a new class of criminal, fighting for honor and turf in Liberty City to an addictive (albeit, mostly cloned from Drugwars) illegal narcotic mini-game, Chinatown Wars felt like a breath of fresh air. Sadly, the game was a commercial disaster, relative to its console-based siblings. Be that as it may, Chinatown Wars was not only my favorite on-the-go game of the year, it was easily one of the best games to release across any platform in 2009.

Continue reading Best of the Rest: Xav's Picks of 2009

JoystiqBest of the Rest: Xav's Picks of 2009 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 02 Jan 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Applebeneath-a-steel-skybeneath-a-steel-sky-remasteredbest-of-the-rest-2009chinatown-warsDSgta-chinatown-warsiPodleft-4-dead-2MicrosoftMonkey-IslandNHL-10NintendoThe-Secret-of-Monkey-IslandtorchlightWiixav-de-matosXbox-360Sat, 02 Jan 2010 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Best of the Rest: Dave's Picks of 2009]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/01/best-of-the-rest-daves-picks-of-2009/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/01/best-of-the-rest-daves-picks-of-2009/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/01/best-of-the-rest-daves-picks-of-2009/#comments Resident Evil 5
I've long been a fan of the Resident Evil series, and while the campaign here has problems and should never be played solo, the Mercenaries mode is what kept me coming back. Those action-packed levels spent trying to survive while running low on ammo and health were some of my most chaotic, yet highly enjoyable, experiences of 2009.

Continue reading Best of the Rest: Dave's Picks of 2009

JoystiqBest of the Rest: Dave's Picks of 2009 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 01 Jan 2010 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>best-of-the-rest-2009blazblueBlazBlue-Calamity-Triggerboard-gamescapcomDSFEARFEAR-2FEAR-2-Project-OriginFPSgears-of-war-2king-of-fightersking-of-fighters-xiileft-4-dead-2madworldmario-and-luigimario-and-luigi-bowsers-inside-storyMicrosoftMonolithMonolith-ProductionsNintendonoby-noby-boyresident-evilresident-evil-5skate-2torchlightWarner-BrosWarner-Bros-Interactive-EntertainmentWBIEwetWiiXbox-360Fri, 01 Jan 2010 17:15:00 EST