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Guitar Hero, Call of Duty franchises lead Activision's 'better-than-expected' Q3 2009

by James Ransom-Wiley { Nov 5th 2009 at 5:32PM }

Look, just feign surprise, it makes these financial posts so much more exciting: Activision today reported net revenues of $755 million (on a non-GAAP basis) in the quarter ending September 30, 2009 -- that's $55 million more than the suits hoped to stack, according to previous projections. While the blockbuster adaptation of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen might have played a part in this outpouring of our money, we're gonna go with Kotick's explanation: "Our performance was driven by positive audience response to Activision Publishing's Guitar Hero 5, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2, and the Guitar Hero and Call of Duty franchises, as well as Blizzard Entertainment's World of Warcraft."

In fact, the CEO called Guitar Hero the year's "#1 best-selling third-party franchise in North America and Europe" through September, claiming that U.S. sales of music games increased 72 percent year over year in September. Last year's big-band-box edition, World Tour, and Call of Duty: World at War combined for total, world domination, becoming this year's "#1 and #2 best-selling third-party titles" in North America and Europe through September, according to Activision. Additionally, World at War DLC map pack sales continued to climb last quarter and have now surpassed 7.5 million purchases.

Needless to say, the publisher is not backing off of its prior financial outlook. Activision anticipates annual net revenues of $4.5 billion (on a non-GAAP basis) at the close of the year. Did you remember to feign surprise?

Blizzard opens real-money pet store in WoW

by JC Fletcher { Nov 4th 2009 at 4:00PM }

Blizzard just opened a huge can of worms -- or of pandas, in this case. The company announced the opening of an in-game pet store in World of Warcraft, wherein players can purchase their own Pandaren Monk or Lil' K.T., the Littlest Lich, for ten bucks. Half of the purchase price of the Monk goes to the Make-a-Wish Foundation until the end of the year, but all of the Lil' K.T. proceeds go to Blizzard's spare Ferrari fund.

Blizzard currently offers for-pay services including realm transfers, race and faction changes, and character appearance edits, but this shop offers the first in-game items for sale -- and these items are exclusive to the Pet Store. While we wouldn't be surprised to see a backlash related to this new offering, we expect it to be the kind of backlash that comprises very public complaining combined with furtive purchases.

[Via WoW.com]

The best of WoW.com: October 27 - November 3, 2009

by Mike Schramm { Nov 4th 2009 at 3:00AM }

That right there's a big ugly frost dragon named Sindragosa, and with the newest patch headed to the World of Warcraft (we expect it sometime this December), we'll be bringing her down. It won't be easy, but then again, WoW players have Joystiq's own WoW.com to guide them. You can read all about that fight, the new patch, and other popular stories in the World of Warcraft on our weekly roundup after the break.

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WoW 'rejected' in China, government at odds with itself over decision

by Randy Nelson { Nov 3rd 2009 at 1:00AM }

China's General Administration of Press and Publications (GAPP) has ordered NetEase, which has been operating World of Warcraft in the region since September, to cease collecting subscription payments and signing up new players for the game immediately, calling these acts "illegal behavior." According to a report by the site JLM Pacific Epoch, the GAPP (most recently in the news for outlawing foreign investment in Chinese online gaming) has suspended its review of the game and returned NetEase's application to operate it in the country.

For its part, NetEase claims it has yet to receive any sort of official decree from GAPP. At the same time, an official from China's Ministry of Culture is said to have stated that GAPP's actions are "not appropriate." The situation now becomes one of which agency has final say, and if it's simply "shut it down," why.

We're pretty sure this isn't the kind of Cataclysm Chinese WoW fans were hoping for.

[Via WoW.com]

Source -- GAPP Halts WoW Review
Source -- GAPP Says No for the Operation of WoW in China
Source -- NeatEase statement regarding announcement by GAPP

Race changes now allowed in World of Warcraft, cost a pretty penny

by Griffin McElroy { Oct 28th 2009 at 2:00PM }

The virtual lands of World of Warcraft have played host to a number of strange sights these past few days -- and we're not just talking about the Halloween festivities which have turned once proud heroes into foam-mouthed candy addicts. No, we're talking about the new "Race Change" feature, which has basically turned the game's sociological landscape into the ending of the music video for Michael Jackson's "Black or White." Only ... with, like, Trolls and Orcs and stuff.

For a cool $25, players can change the race (provided that race is in the same faction -- changing that costs extra!), gender, appearance and name of their character. We realize there's a number of people who wouldn't mind freshening up their old avatar, but why not just start a new character for free? Seriously, you haven't sunk that much time into your current level 80 Rogue, have you? Oh, you have? 2,800 hours, you say? That's ... that's actually really depressing. We're depressed by that.

The best of WoW.com: October 20-27, 2009

by Mike Schramm { Oct 28th 2009 at 1:00AM }

It's a great time to be a WoW player -- Hallow's End is in the air, patch 3.3 is being tested, and the Cataclysm expansion is slowly revealing its secrets to us. Heck, Eliza Dushku is playing World of Warcraft, why aren't you? After the break, ten of the most popular stories from Joystiq's Azeroth-obsessed sister site, WoW.com. If you haven't ever visited the biggest MMO around yet, now might be the time to finally take the leap.

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Peter Molyneux picks his 5 favorite innovators

by Ludwig Kietzmann { Oct 23rd 2009 at 12:02PM }

After discussing his vision for Fable's future, Lionhead's Peter Molyneux recently reiterated his mantra of inclusive gaming innovation to attendees of BAFTA's Annual Video Games Lecture. Citing their ability to challenge "the foundation stones of conventional wisdom," he revealed five titles (documented by That VideoGame Blog) that he considers to be among the most revolutionary within the last two decades.

Molyneux praised Tomb Raider for subverting gaming's tough-guy protagonist and named Mario 64 as the genuine precursor to 3D titles like Grand Theft Auto 3. Dune 2 got a nod for its encouragement of more thoughtful tactics, while Bungie's first Halo earned mention for halfway introducing the now-ubiquitous regenerative health system and curtailed weapon swapping.

And the fifth title? World of Warcraft, which managed to lure Molyneux to level 40 with promise of a steed. You see? He's human, just like the rest of us.

The best of WoW.com: October 13-20, 2009

by Mike Schramm { Oct 21st 2009 at 3:00AM }

It's that magical time of year in Azeroth -- pumpkins adorn the inns, players are chowing down on candy like crazy, and a deep rhyming voice echoes throughout the world, originating from somewhere in the Scarlet Monastery. Yes, it's the in-game Hallow's End holiday again, and the Headless Horseman is terrorizing newbies and veterans alike. Head past the break for all the information you need about trick-or-treating your way through Azeroth.

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WoW requires Battle.net login starting Nov. 11

by Richard Mitchell { Oct 14th 2009 at 6:00AM }

A quick note for the World of Warcraft fans out there: Starting on November 11 (Nov. 12 in Europe, apparently), all WoW players will be required to log into the game using a Battle.net account -- presumably to pave the way for the upcoming new features. Our friends at WoW.com have put together some handy resources to make the change as painless as possible. They've also compiled a quick list of solutions for players that are still resistant to the idea. For those that have yet to merge their current WoW account with Battle.net, now's the time to get it done. After all, no one wants to be deprived of even a second of sweet, sweet Azeroth.

Besides, players that merge their accounts get a free penguin pet named Oswald. You can't beat that!

The best of WoW.com: October 6-13, 2009

by Mike Schramm { Oct 14th 2009 at 4:00AM }

It's an exciting time over at WoW.com, Joystiq's site for everything World of Warcraft. The Public Test Realm (a.k.a PTR) is in full swing, which means we're swimming with all of the new features and items and dungeons that will come out soon in a brand new content patch to the game. While you're waiting, whether you're a WoW veteran or newbie, head on past the break and check out what's new in Azeroth.

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Saving Private Ryan's Rodat writing WoW movie

by JC Fletcher { Oct 12th 2009 at 8:30PM }

The good news about the Sam Raimi-directed World of WarCraft movie is that the game's built-in audience, by nature, has something else to do while it waits for details about the eventual film. The better news: those details are actually emerging.

MTV Movies Blog reports that the massively multiviewer onscreen RPG now has a writer: Robert Rodat, best known for writing the script for Saving Private Ryan. Hey, this movie might turn out okay! Of course, he also worked on the script for 10,000 BC. So this movie could be somewhere between Saving Private Ryan and 10,000 BC.

As for new details about the plot: Raimi didn't really bring up any when talking to MTV. But he did describe the ideal approach: to capture "the Horde and the Alliance and the mythology that takes place in the game, and the archetypes that the game presents. I think we would try and find touchstones within the game to make it accurate and true and choose one or some of the lands that are portrayed in the game with as much accuracy and authenticity as possible."

[Via WoW.com]

The best of WoW.com: September 29 - October 6, 2009

by Mike Schramm { Oct 7th 2009 at 1:01AM }

Things are hopping as usual over in Azeroth, and Joystiq sister site WoW.com is jumping in time with the tune. Patch 3.3 is being tested, and from what we know so far, it'll bring a new raid, new 5-mans, and possibly the end of the story of Arthas Menethil (a.k.a. The Lich King himself). Want to learn more? Read on!

News

World of Warcraft Patch 3.3 PTR patch notes
Here's what Blizzard has put in the new patch so far.
Blizzard releases details on Icecrown Citadel
Official details on what the new raids and instances will be like.
Cataclysm starting zone lore and other new details revealed
Hints on what we'll find in the starting zones of the new races. And boy do they sound fun.
Patch 3.3 PTR: New Tauren skins found
A new look for the cow people in patch 3.3.
Patch 3.3 PTR: New weekly quests to do while raiding
The new patch will bring with it more rewards for raiders who go after certain bosses.

Features

Patch 3.3 PTR: Pit of Saron first impressions
Our bloggers headed into the new instance, and survived long enough to come back with these impressions.
Patch 3.3 PTR: Undocumented paladin changes
Pally changes on the PTR so far.
Scattered Shots: Patch 3.3, what's on the horizon for hunters
Looking ahead to what's in store for ranged DPS.
Arcane Brilliance: Patch 3.3 PTR changes for mages
Blink is fixed? Go figure!
Patch 3.3 PTR: Undocumented druid changes
Updates for shapeshifters from the latest public test realm.

The best of WoW.com: September 22-29, 2009

by Mike Schramm { Sep 30th 2009 at 2:30AM }

The World of Warcraft is a strange and savage place: not only is there continually some Orc or Murloc or crazed cult attacking whatever various settlement you choose to spend your time in, but you've also got to deal with patch releases, forum trolls and the occasional crazed developer too! That's why you should be reading WoW.com -- we're your own personal sherpa for the biggest MMO around.

Peep our roundup of ten popular posts from the past week after the break.

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Blizzard COO one of the Pittsburgh Steelers' new owners

by Ben Gilbert { Sep 26th 2009 at 11:00PM }

Sure, he could buy his own private island or snag a ticket for the first Virgin Galactic flight to space, but Blizzard COO Paul Sams would much rather just buy a chunk of the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers' official website names Sams and his family as one of 10 new joint owners of Pittsburgh's football team.

We've already seen some of the fruits of Blizzard's labor in the company's fawncy new campus, but buying a share of a major football team wasn't exactly what we expected. Though with upcoming World of Warcraft expansion Cataclysm not too far in the distance and a subscriber base of over 11 million strong, we suggest owners of other football teams watch their backs. You could be next!

[Image credit]

The best of WoW.com: September 15-22, 2009

by Mike Schramm { Sep 23rd 2009 at 3:00AM }

It's a special time of year in the World of Warcraft -- the leaves are a'changing and the brews are a'flowing. Brewfest is upon us! Time to go imbibing the finest in Dwarven ales (and deliver some, too, on those crazy rams). If you need a guide to all of the festivities, you know Joystiq's WoW-obssessed sister site WoW.com has you covered -- here's our top ten posts from the past week.

News

Brewfest 2009: Coren Direbrew's new level 80 loot revealed
Same boss for the Brewfest ingame holiday, but there is some new loot.
Blizzard is tracking 180,000 bugs in WoW
That includes fixed bugs, but still -- that's a lot of edited code.
WoW.com's guide to Patch 3.2.2
A brand new patch in the game, with some special anniversary fun included.
High-rated PvPers do the robot
A little bit of sneakiness on the part of PvPers.
Tips for taking down Coren Direbrew
Want to bring down the Brewfest boss? We've got you covered.

Features