Joystiq

Writers Guild of America announces 2010 game writing nominations

Ben Gilbert — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 23:15:00 EST

Well folks, we've been here twice before -- it's that very special time of year when the Writers Guild of America announces nominations in the category of "Videogame Writing." As has been the standard for the past two years, the list of games is a dubious mix. We'd certainly point to Naughty Dog's Uncharted 2 (our 2009 Game of the Year, lest you forget) and Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed 2 as worthy of the title, but ... well, nearly everything else on the list strikes us as either unworthy or straight up misplaced. It reads as follows:

Assassin's Creed 2
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
Wet
X-Men Origins: Wolverine

We're just as flummoxed as you are that titles like Wolverine and Modern Warfare 2 showed up -- especially while a litany of other great writing falls by the wayside (we're looking at you, Dragon Age and Professor Layton 2) -- but that might have something to do with the WGA membership requirement for consideration in the nominations. Regardless, we'll find out who's going to take the golden manuscript home when the show takes place simultaneously in both Los Angeles and New York City on February 20.

[Via GamesIndustry.biz]

Writers Guild of America announces 2010 game writing nominations originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 15 Jan 2010 23:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Best of the Rest: Ben's Picks of 2009

Ben Gilbert — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 16:30:00 EST

Red Faction: Guerrilla
Arriving approximately seven months late to the party, I didn't play RFG until earlier this month when I desperately cobbled together 2009's game releases for a massive pre-GOTY playstravaganza. That marathon came to a long pause while I smashed through the many structures of Mars with my trusty sledgehammer, constantly hearing "Space A$&%*#&" playing along the way in my mind. Sure, RFG was a bit rough around the edges, but what it lacked in mechanical prowess was more than made up for by the sheer amount of childlike joy I experienced while demolishing everything in my path.

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

Best of the Rest: Ben's Picks of 2009 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 01 Jan 2010 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Marvel not doing 'crappy' movie games anymore, says exec

Alexander Sliwinski — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 07:00:00 EST

Marvel Executive Vice President of Global Digital Media Group (wow, long title) Ira Rubenstein tells Joystiq that Marvel is done making "crappy" movie-based games. The executive told us that while the company would like to have games tied to the release of movies, each character should stick to their own worlds. He used the recent X-Men Origins: Wolverine game as an example of what the company is looking to do. The M-rated Wolverine game was clearly not based around the PG-13 escapade in theaters.

"We are not doing movie-based games anymore," Rubenstein said following yesterday's announcement of Digital Comics for PSN at Sony's GamesCom press conference. "Actually, wait ... we are not doing crappy movie-based games anymore. You can quote me on that." Oh, we did.

Rubenstein tells us that work on Iron Man 2 has been in process since the first game wrapped. He wasn't involved in the first one, so he asked us not to blame him for that wreck. However, he swears the second one is going to be good. He's also really excited about the Thor game and seems proud with the team working on it. If Wolverine is any indication of future Marvel games, it seems that Rubenstein is doing his best to make sure fans of the comics won't be served watered-down Hollywood entertainment.

Marvel not doing 'crappy' movie games anymore, says exec originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 19 Aug 2009 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wolverine commercial has glaring error

Richard Mitchell — Thu, 07 May 2009 02:00:00 EST

Now that Wolverine is finally available --and pretty decent, as it turns out -- Activision has seen fit to release a new live-action commercial to promote the game. Admittedly, the commercial is actually kind of cool. It reminds us a bit of Neill Blomkamp's Halo 3 shorts, and we particularly dig its first-person grittiness.

There is, however, one fatal flaw. Why on earth would Wolverine bash his way out of a cage? We know Wolvy's got some rage issues, but you'd think he'd have the presence of mind to use his claws to cut open the cage instead of ramming it. It would save time, time that could be spent dismembering people. Come on, Activision, details matter.

Wolverine commercial has glaring error originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 07 May 2009 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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X-Men Origins: Wolverine claws its way to 2nd in UK charts

David Hinkle — Tue, 05 May 2009 18:15:00 EST

You may wonder why we always report on the second-best game in the UK. Well, it's because nothing ever beats Wii Fit there. You're united by the power of the Balance Board!

So, we're forced to talk about the runner-up every week, and this week sees a new king on the almost-throne: X-Men Origins: Wolverine. The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena wore the crown last week, but Chart-Track data shows that it was a short-lived reign, with the residents of the UK coming out in droves to partake in some snikting and shockingly violent gameplay.

Gallery: X-Men Origins: Wolverine

X-Men Origins: Wolverine claws its way to 2nd in UK charts originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 05 May 2009 18:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Joystiq Review: X-Men Origins: Wolverine (Uncaged Edition)

Ludwig Kietzmann — Tue, 05 May 2009 16:30:00 EST

One thousand three hundred and fifty five people: murdered. Okay, some of them were unfeeling killer robots, but even after eliminating every piece of scrap metal from the virtual cemetery, you're left with a considerable number of motionless bodies by the end of X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Or at least things that, when reassembled, vaguely resemble bodies.

Wolverine is a game that exudes excess and revels in recklessness. The design mirrors that of its protagonist, an unhinged brute who lops off limbs, tears apart helicopters and frequently howls at the camera. Oh, and he apparently has a lot of fun, too. Like God of War and its ilk, Wolverine is at its best when it feels like all limitations have been dissolved, along with any possibility of you succumbing to a mere army of opponents. Even distance becomes an ex-factor, with an always satisfying lunge maneuver planting you in someone's chest before they can do something futile -- like shooting you.

Gallery: X-Men Origins: Wolverine

Continue reading Joystiq Review: X-Men Origins: Wolverine (Uncaged Edition)

Joystiq Review: X-Men Origins: Wolverine (Uncaged Edition) originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 05 May 2009 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wolverine demo now available on European PSN Store

Jem Alexander — Fri, 01 May 2009 17:45:00 EST

In an uncharacteristic move, Logan has snuck his way onto the European PSN Store today with nary a severed limb or exposed jugular to be seen. The hiariously violent, and surprisingly good, X-Men Origins: Wolverine demo arrives a day late, but late is better than never. It's still missing from the US Store and, we suspect, will be until the next update on Thursday. In the meantime, American PS3 owners with European accounts -- you know what to do.

[Thanks to everyone that sent this in!]

Wolverine demo now available on European PSN Store originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 01 May 2009 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wolverine demo available now on Xbox 360

Alexander Sliwinski — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 23:00:00 EST

It appears the demo for X-Men Origins: Wolverine is available now on Xbox 360. Go experience the thrills of watching Wolverine cut bad guys into meaty chunks and shove them head-first into ... well, you'll see. Don't be fooled, gamer parents out there: Activision may have the PG-13 rated movie's title on the box, but this game is certainly rated Mature and likely not suitable for the kiddies. Definitely take Wolverine for a test drive if you're up for an intense God of War experience set in the Marvel universe.

Wolverine demo available now on Xbox 360 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 30 Apr 2009 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Latest Wolverine vid picks at Sabretooth

Richard Mitchell — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 03:00:00 EST

We remind you to repeat a special mantra as you watch yet another behind-the-scenes video from X-Men Origins: Wolverine. That mantra is very simple: It's only a licensed game. Just say it over and over again. It's only a licensed game. It's only a licensed game. It won't be any good.

Keep repeating that while watching the video above, which focuses on the game's story, particularly that of Sabretooth. In the upcoming film, Sabretooth is actually portrayed as Wolverine's brother, which makes for some ... interesting family dynamics. The video also takes a quick look at both Gambit and The Blob. So, again, just remember to keep repeating the mantra ...

Latest Wolverine vid picks at Sabretooth originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 17 Apr 2009 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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See Wolverine battle Gambit in new X-Men Origins trailer

Justin McElroy — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 16:30:00 EST

Would someone please remind us that we're not supposed to be this excited about a licensed game? Because we're going to be straight with you, when ... well, when that last thing happens in this new trailer for X-Men Origins: Wolverine, our fists pumped above our heads of their own accord. It was like they had fist-minds of their own.

Though we've seen other trailers that were graphically slicker, we appreciate that Activision's using a lot of in-game footage here. If we get to ride The Blob through a grocery store in-game, we need to be excused to make a reservation.

See Wolverine battle Gambit in new X-Men Origins trailer originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 14 Apr 2009 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wolverine devs: Every other game is 'some pansy'

Richard Mitchell — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 20:30:00 EST

Apparently realizing it's become de rigeur to claim that your superhero game is practically perfect in every way, the developers at Raven Software seem pretty confident in X-Men Origins: Wolverine. The latest behind-the-scenes video goes a step further than just claiming that the title will be the best Wolverine game ever made, Raven actually calls out all other games. Senior Producer Jeff Poffenbarger lays it on the line at the end of the video saying, "Every other game is like ... some pansy."

Oh, no he didn't. Watch the video and see just what Raven is talking about. Be warned though, the video contains some pretty graphic violence against melons.

Wolverine devs: Every other game is 'some pansy' originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 09 Apr 2009 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Joystiq hands-on: X-Men Origins: Wolverine

Randy Nelson — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 13:08:00 EST

When we first got our hands on X-Men Origins: Wolverine, the fiercest of Charles Xavier's mutant do-gooders was carving his way through South America in a game that played like a mix of God of War and Uncharted. And we liked it.

We've now played a near final version -- once again starting out in the jungle -- and, well, we still like it. Luckily we got to see a lot more of what players are in for and found that, while Kratos probably has grounds for a civil suit, there are definitely plenty of unique elements to help Wolverine's adventure stand on its own.

Gallery: X-Men Origins: Wolverine (04-06-09)

Continue reading Joystiq hands-on: X-Men Origins: Wolverine

Joystiq hands-on: X-Men Origins: Wolverine originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 07 Apr 2009 13:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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X-Men Origins: Wolverine dev diary promises game 'does not suck'

Griffin McElroy — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 17:50:00 EST

The first installment in a series of developer diary videos for X-Men Origins: Wolverine dropped today, bringing with it a number of heady promises from the folks behind the sextuple-clawed slaughterfest. Included in these promises are reminders of the title's feral protagonist's badassedness (the frequent use of this adjective might make the video NSFW, if you work at like, a monastery or something), and a solemn vow that Wolverine will be "the movie game that finally does not suck." The dev team behind Street Fighter: The Movie: The Game begs to differ.

If developer boasting isn't your cup of tea, the video also provides some nice gameplay footage from the title. However, this footage could leave you worried about Logan's mental health -- we're fairly sure wielding knuckle cutlery whilst traversing a rope bridge isn't the safest way to get around.

X-Men Origins: Wolverine dev diary promises game 'does not suck' originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 02 Apr 2009 17:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Trophies: X-Men Origins: Wolverine

Andrew Yoon — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 14:55:00 EST

Have you ever dreamed of being Hugh Jackman? Don't worry -- you can now fulfill your wildest Wolverine fantasies by picking up these Trophies.

View Trophy List | Visit Trophy Portal

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Trophies: X-Men Origins: Wolverine originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 12 Mar 2009 14:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wolverine pre-order bonus: Dismemberment Room, other 'unique toys'

James Ransom-Wiley — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 18:30:00 EST

You are too much for us GameStop, you sonuva ... We wish we knew how to quit you! We swore, the last time was "the last time," but now here you are offering the most awesome-sounding DLC bonus of all time: The Dismemberment Room. And all we have to do is lay down five bucks toward X-Men Origins: Wolverine and it's ours -- all ours?! Fine, you win. But, for real, this is really: The. Last. Time.

The Wolverine GameStop pre-order bonus includes four "exclusive" in-game rooms (and is exclusive to the "Uncaged Edition" for PS3 and Xbox 360, at that). The rooms are separate from the main game, contained within a mysterious laboratory, the Weapon X Area. Players are loaded into a hallway with access to each room. (It doesn't take an "analyst" to predict that this content will become premium DLC, eventually.) You'll find full details of the rooms after the break.

Gallery: X-Men Origins: Wolverine (Weapon X Arena)

Continue reading Wolverine pre-order bonus: Dismemberment Room, other 'unique toys'

Wolverine pre-order bonus: Dismemberment Room, other 'unique toys' originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 10 Mar 2009 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Wolverine is one angry, awesome dude

Richard Mitchell — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 15:00:00 EST

Apart from being a bit on the short side, Wolverine is pretty much the ideal male hero. He's fast, strong, mean [Get a room! - Ed] ... and he has an adamantium skeleton complete with kick-ass adamantium claws. Judging by the latest trailer for X-Men Origins: Wolverine, if the game is even half as good as it looks -- which seems to be the case, incidentally -- we're in for a treat. There is no stealth here. There is only running, jumping and killing. Even better, it appears that the running and jumping are there purely to facilitate the killing.

Oh, and Wolverine deflects a rocket with his claws. With. His. Claws. That is all.

Video: Wolverine is one angry, awesome dude originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 10 Mar 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NYCC 09: Wolverine 'Claws of Olympus' hands-on

Andrew Yoon — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 20:15:00 EST

Filed under: Sony PlayStation 3, Microsoft Xbox 360

click to mutant-size

Imagine this: Wolverine, body riddled with bullets, climbs atop a helicopter. He bursts through the window, grabs the pilot and lifts the body up to the rotors. The pilot's head gets shredded apart.

Welcome to X-Men Origins: Wolverine. One could talk about the various nuances of its gameplay, but overwhelmingly only one aspect of the game truly stands out: it's violent. Really, really violent.

It shouldn't be surprising that X-Men Origins is so bloody. It is, in fact, about a man who has deadly claws coming out of his hands. For too long, the big-budget Hollywood movies and video games have presented a neutered Wolverine. X-Men Origins: Wolverine wants to tell the story of a man who's very, very angry at those that created him -- a weapon of war.

Gallery: X-Men Origins: Wolverine

Continue reading NYCC 09: Wolverine 'Claws of Olympus' hands-on

NYCC 09: Wolverine 'Claws of Olympus' hands-on originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 06 Feb 2009 20:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Snikt! X-Men Origins: Wolverine CG trailer

Xav de Matos — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 19:00:00 EST

"How come I can't ever just grab a guy and rip him in half?" When X-Men Origins: Wolverine Project Lead, Dan Vondrak, asked why Wolverine had been gimped in every other game he starred in, we got the sneaking suspicion that someone finally "got it." Wolverine is a badass, and this debut CG trailer slowly makes us believe that maybe, just maybe, he will finally get the game we all know he deserves. Check out the trailer after the break.

Continue reading Snikt! X-Men Origins: Wolverine CG trailer

Snikt! X-Men Origins: Wolverine CG trailer originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 31 Jan 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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X-Men Origins: Wolverine Is Going To Be Awesome

Justin McElroy — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 14:54:00 EST

Filed under: Action

A Play in One Act
by Electronic Gaming Monthly

Lights rise at Raven HQ on X-Men Origins: Wolverine Project Lead Dan Vondrak, sporting a Marvel T-shirt.

VONDRAK. I've read reviews of Wolverine games, I've played previous X-Men games, and you just hate it when you're like, 'This isn't what it's supposed to be like to fight this guy. I'm Wolverine. How come I can't ever just grab a guy and rip him in half?' Yeah, absolutely -- let's do that. Nothing's holding us back.

Curtain.

X-Men Origins: Wolverine Is Going To Be Awesome originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 14:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Activision details X-Men Origins: Wolverine: The Video Game based on the movie starring the Sexiest Man Alive ... THE. SEXIEST. MAN. ALIVE!

James Ransom-Wiley — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 17:30:00 EST

Filed under: Nintendo DS, PC, Sony PlayStation 2, Sony PlayStation 3, Sony PSP, Nintendo Wii, Microsoft Xbox 360

People.com writes: "At 6 ft. 2 in., all scruff and biceps, Hugh Jackman looms large in the epic Australia, which he says kept him 'dirty 95 percent of the time' and left people stammering, 'Oh ... my ... God,' according to costar Nicole Kidman, who adds, 'Women's jaws drop when Hugh walks into a room.'

"Jackman's wife of 12 years, Deborra-Lee Furness, calls his perfect form 'the Body of Doom -- but I like what's inside': a romantic who sings ballads at home and makes pancakes for Oscar, 8, and Ava, 3. A hard body with a soft center." 2008's Sexiest Man Alive will next star in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, coming May 2009.

Oh! And yeah, Activision is publishing the coinciding game.

Wait! We knew that ... hmmm ... what's new here? Ah yes! Here we are: "From the award-winning studio Raven Software, the video game enlists players to experience the tormented origins of Wolverine, from his escape of the Weapon X facility to the jungles of Africa and beyond ... the future X-Man enacts lightning-quick combat, evasive maneuvers, in-depth combo attacks, and an array of brutal finishing moves. Wolverine doesn't just deliver massive damage, either -- he also takes it." Hot damn! What we wouldn't give to ...

Activision details X-Men Origins: Wolverine: The Video Game based on the movie starring the Sexiest Man Alive ... THE. SEXIEST. MAN. ALIVE! originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 09 Dec 2008 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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X-Men Origins: Wolverine claws at your eyes next Spring

Jem Alexander — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 17:15:00 EST

Filed under: News

More and more movies based on comics are being made and, as a result, more and more videogames based on movies based on comics are beomg announced. X-Men Origins: Wolverine is the latest such title and will be released alongside the film of the same name in Spring 2009. Raven Software (Quake 4, X-Men Legends) will develop the game in which you learn the origins of Wolverine's character (hence the name).

With this and Watchmen releasing around the same time, it looks like we'll have a superhero filled Spring. Hopefully Raven can make a worthwhile game, despite the fact that it's obviously a movie license and will no doubt suffer from rushed development. Still, you never know. We'll find out next Spring.

X-Men Origins: Wolverine claws at your eyes next Spring originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 09 Dec 2008 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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X-Men Origins: Wolverine slashes in May '09

Dustin Burg — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: News

Today, Activision pulled back the developer curtain on their latest X-men title, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, informing us what it'll be about, showing off a snazzy screenshot and announcing its May 2009 release.

The Raven Studios developed Origins will slice up retail shelves to coincide with the release of the feature length movie of the same name (yup, it's a movie based game) where gamers will get to experience the "tormented origins of Wolverine, from his escape of the Weapon X facility to the jungles of Africa and beyond." We also can deduce from the lone screenshot that our in-game Wolverine will mirror the suave looks of Mr. Hugh Jackman and his hair gel rich 'do.

[Via press release]

X-Men Origins: Wolverine slashes in May '09 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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