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[SoulCalibur 5 hits up PSN, Games on Demand on April 23]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/17/soul-calibur-5-hits-up-psn-games-on-demand-on-april-23/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/17/soul-calibur-5-hits-up-psn-games-on-demand-on-april-23/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/17/soul-calibur-5-hits-up-psn-games-on-demand-on-april-23/#comments Soul Calibur 5 hits up PSN, Games on Demand on April 23SoulCalibur 5 takes on PSN and Xbox Live Games on Demand on April 23, for $20 on each system, direct from Namco Bandai.

SoulCalibur 5 launched in January of 2012, and we found it to be "simultaneously one of the best Soul Calibur games ever made, as well as the worst Soul Calibur game ever made." It makes sense in the context of the review, we promise - that's what all the text above those stars is for.

Gallery: SoulCalibur V (Games on Demand / PSN)

Continue reading SoulCalibur 5 hits up PSN, Games on Demand on April 23

JoystiqSoulCalibur 5 hits up PSN, Games on Demand on April 23 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 17 Apr 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>games-on-demandmicrosoftNamco-Bandaiplaystationps3PSNsoulcalibur-5soulcalibur-vXBLxboxWed, 17 Apr 2013 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Skyrim 1.9 update now on Xbox, later today on PS3]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/08/skyrim-1-9-update-now-on-xbox-later-today-on-ps3/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/08/skyrim-1-9-update-now-on-xbox-later-today-on-ps3/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/08/skyrim-1-9-update-now-on-xbox-later-today-on-ps3/#comments Update 1.9 for Skyrim is now live on Xbox 360, with the PS3 patch expected to drop later today. Apart from numerous bug fixes, the update's hallmark features are the new Legendary difficulty setting and Legendary Skill system. In the new system, once a skill reaches level 100, it can be rolled back to level 15. As Bethesda points out in the patch notes, this technically removes the level cap from Skyrim.

The patch went live on PC last month.

JoystiqSkyrim 1.9 update now on Xbox, later today on PS3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 08 Apr 2013 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Bethesda-Softworkselder-scrolls-5microsoftplaystationplaystation-networkps3psnskyrimthe-elder-scrolls-v-skyrimupdatexblxblxblmxboxxbox-livezenimaxzenimax-mediaMon, 08 Apr 2013 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Aliens: Colonial Marines gets new mode with Bug Hunt DLC today]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/19/aliens-colonial-marines-gets-new-mode-with-bug-hunt-dlc-today/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/19/aliens-colonial-marines-gets-new-mode-with-bug-hunt-dlc-today/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/19/aliens-colonial-marines-gets-new-mode-with-bug-hunt-dlc-today/#comments Aliens Colonial Marines gets new mode with Bug Hunt DLC todayThe Bug Hunt DLC for Aliens: Colonial Marines is available today on Steam, Xbox Live, or the PlayStation Network.

Bug Hunt is a new mode in the game that pits up to four players against waves of incoming xenos and enemy soldiers across three new maps: Broadside, Mercenary, and Tribute. You can earn money on the map by killing enemies, and then spend that money to open up extra areas, or buy more guns, ammo, or health.

If you invested in the Season Pass for the game, you'll get this DLC for free. Everybody else has to pony up the equivalent of around $15, though Steam has the game itself on sale for 33 percent off.

Careful, as fighting giant monsters with acid blood in cramped quarters might be exactly as fun as it sounds.

JoystiqAliens: Colonial Marines gets new mode with Bug Hunt DLC today originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 19 Mar 2013 22:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aliensbug-huntbug-hunt-dlcdlcmicrosoftpcplaystationps3psnsteamxblxboxTue, 19 Mar 2013 22:15:00 EST<![CDATA[PSA: Modern Warfare 3 'Chaos Pack' collection live on XBL]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/09/psa-modern-warfare-3-chaos-pack-collection-live-on-xbl/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/09/psa-modern-warfare-3-chaos-pack-collection-live-on-xbl/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/09/psa-modern-warfare-3-chaos-pack-collection-live-on-xbl/#comments
PSA Modern Warfare 3 'Chaos Pack' collection live on XBL

The third collection of content for Modern Warfare 3 is available on Xbox Live today: The Chaos Pack includes the new Special Ops 'Chaos Mode,' three new Face Off maps and four new Special Ops missions, shown off in the above video.

The Chaos Pack runs $15, or 1200 Microsoft Points, and it will hit PS3 and PC "at a later date."

JoystiqPSA: Modern Warfare 3 'Chaos Pack' collection live on XBL originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 09 Aug 2012 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>call-of-duty-modern-warfare-3chaos-packContent-Collection-2DLCmicrosoftmodern-warfare-3XBLxboxThu, 09 Aug 2012 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[XBL language filter prevents harmless words from being used in Quarrel]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/27/xbl-language-filter-prevents-harmless-words-from-being-used-in-q/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/27/xbl-language-filter-prevents-harmless-words-from-being-used-in-q/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/27/xbl-language-filter-prevents-harmless-words-from-being-used-in-q/#comments Microsoft's language filter on Xbox Live is strangling the linguistic skills of Quarrel players, banning such words as "help," "train," "balls" and "shaft" from being played. While we can understand the potential risque-ness of some of these words -- especially "help," which we're sure was added at the request of the XBL customer-service team -- without context we don't see the harm in them.

These words are fair game in singleplayer (with the Family Setting turned off), but Microsoft adds an extra filter to Live play, developer Denki's Gary Penn told Edge: "Quarrel uses the Collins official Scrabble dictionary comprising over 110,000 words up to eight letters in length, including a huge collection of words deemed 'offensive' by Collins, such as 'arse', 'shit', 'wank' and 'fuck.'"

Other banned words include "start," "skid," "poop," "hung," "dice" and "god." We're stumped on how to use "dice" in an offensive manner, but we've seen "fag" flung around Xbox Live chat with alarming, unfiltered regularity, so we're not going to try to figure out Microsoft's regulation process here.

JoystiqXBL language filter prevents harmless words from being used in Quarrel originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 27 Jan 2012 18:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chatdenkifilterlanguagemicrosoftquarrelXBLxboxXbox-LiveFri, 27 Jan 2012 18:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Battlefield 3's 'Back to Karkand' expansion arrives on PS3 Dec. 6, 360 and PC on Dec. 13]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/01/battlefield-3s-back-to-karkand-expansion-arrives-on-ps3-dec/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/01/battlefield-3s-back-to-karkand-expansion-arrives-on-ps3-dec/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/01/battlefield-3s-back-to-karkand-expansion-arrives-on-ps3-dec/#comments As promised, EA and DICE are delivering Battlefield 3's first expansion, "Back to Karkand," in December, though today we learned from the Battlefield blog that there's a specific date: December 6. Given that all of Battlefield 3's expansions will arrive one week early on PlayStation 3, the Xbox 360 and PC versions of said DLC won't arrive until December 13.

If you've missed the variety of videos showcasing Back to Karkand, the pack is composed of four maps from previous Battlefield games, all remade in Battlefield 3's "Frostbite 2.0" game engine. Put more simply: there will be a few more places to murder folks online, as well as a variety of new vehicles with which to do so.

The pack will be free for folks who picked up the "Limited Edition" version of BF3 at launch, and will cost $15 for the have-nots.

JoystiqBattlefield 3's 'Back to Karkand' expansion arrives on PS3 Dec. 6, 360 and PC on Dec. 13 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 01 Dec 2011 15:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>back-to-karkandbattlefield-3dicedlcdownloadable-contenteaea-diceelectronic-artsmicrosoftpcplaystationplaystation-networkps3psnq4-2011release-datexblxboxxbox-liveThu, 01 Dec 2011 15:47:00 EST<![CDATA[Xbox.com update is live, features Beacons and local Auto Renewal options]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/10/xbox-com-update-is-live-features-beacons-and-local-auto-renewal/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/10/xbox-com-update-is-live-features-beacons-and-local-auto-renewal/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/10/xbox-com-update-is-live-features-beacons-and-local-auto-renewal/#comments As expected, the new update to Xbox.com, featuring the new Beacons functionality to mark certain games you'd like to play with friends, has gone live and is now available to anyone with an Xbox Live account. The update looks clean and purty, and features not only those Beacons, but revamped friends and messaging functionality, and a nice quick interface for browsing through games and achievements.

And there's something else new on the page: The option, as seen above, to cancel your autorenewal subscription right there on the site. Previously, doing so was more of a pain, and you had to leave the site to go to Microsoft.com and do it, but now you can click through to your account and change any subscription settings right through Xbox.com.

A note of warning, however: Microsoft will put a few special deals in front of you as you click through, including a discount on the subscription designed to keep you around. But that's understandable -- someone's got to pay for the design money that went into this update. And speaking of update, where's that console dashboard update we were promised? Soon.

JoystiqXbox.com update is live, features Beacons and local Auto Renewal options originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 10 Nov 2011 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auto-renewaldashboard-updatemicrosoftoptionspcupdatexblxboxxbox-liveThu, 10 Nov 2011 20:01:00 EST<![CDATA[A platform, Karkand, and Battlefield 3]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/08/a-platform-karkand-and-battlefield-3/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/08/a-platform-karkand-and-battlefield-3/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/08/a-platform-karkand-and-battlefield-3/#comments I hope you like Battlefield 3, because based on my trip to EA's Redwood Shores offices yesterday, you're going to be getting a lot more of it. In a brief presentation prior to some extended time with next month's Back to Karkand DLC, the word "service" was used more than once. EA sees Battlefield 3 as a platform to deliver more content and Back to Karkand is the first salvo in that strategy.

Gallery: Battlefield 3 (Back to Karkand)

Continue reading A platform, Karkand, and Battlefield 3

JoystiqA platform, Karkand, and Battlefield 3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 08 Nov 2011 21:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battlefield-3microsoftpcplaystationps3psnxblxboxxbox liveXboxLiveTue, 08 Nov 2011 21:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Xbox Live Beacons and other new social features incoming to Xbox.com]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/08/xbox-live-beacons-and-other-new-social-features-incoming-to-xbox/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/08/xbox-live-beacons-and-other-new-social-features-incoming-to-xbox/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/08/xbox-live-beacons-and-other-new-social-features-incoming-to-xbox/#comments Microsoft has posted that the Xbox.com website is getting an update "in the coming days" that will remove the "My Xbox" frontpage currently there now, and replace it with a "Social" section to make use of the "Beacons" feature eventually making its way to the console. Beacons are a way to mark which games you're currently playing or want to play, and are supposed to encourage you and your friends to set up times to play together on Xbox Live. Players will be able to set up three Beacons at a time, and add an additional comment as well, like "between 7-9pm PST" or "Horde mode only."

The website update will also make use of the "Metro" setup coming to the console's dashboard, and of course allow for access to the usual Xbox.com actions like redeeming codes, messaging friends and checking out their profiles, or browsing for and purchasing Xbox Live titles.

Officially, the console's Dashboard Update is still scheduled for a "Holiday 2011" release, though previous reports have placed it sometime right around Thanksgiving. With this update coming to the website as soon as next week, however, it's a good bet the console update is also close at hand.

[Thanks, Liam!]

Gallery: Xbox.com (Social and Video Section Enhancements)

JoystiqXbox Live Beacons and other new social features incoming to Xbox.com originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 08 Nov 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beaconsconsoledashboard-updatefriendskinectmicrosoftsocialupdatexblxboxxbox-livexbox-live-beaconsTue, 08 Nov 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Trials Evolution to launch 'when it's done,' still being published by Microsoft]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/02/trials-evolution-to-launch-when-its-done-still-being-publish/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/02/trials-evolution-to-launch-when-its-done-still-being-publish/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/02/trials-evolution-to-launch-when-its-done-still-being-publish/#comments Trials franchise creator RedLynx may be warming up to its new publisher marriage with Ubisoft, as this morning's acquisition announcement revealed, but it doesn't mean that the Finland-based studio is moving in immediately. "We will still be working directly with Microsoft to bring Trials Evolution to Xbox Live Arcade once it's ready," RedLynx Director of Marketing and PR Jason Bates told me this morning.

It doesn't look like that'll be this year, however, as Bates explained that the company is taking a "when it's done" attitude to development and the game's launch date. "What we've been holding to is the 'when it's done' approach," Bates said. "We are going to take the time to polish and test the game to the best of our ability before we release it, to ensure it matches the quality people have come to expect from a Trials game."

Trials Evolution will be the last game that RedLynx puts out as an indie studio, as the game is still being published by Microsoft for Xbox Live Arcade, rather than Ubisoft. "We are looking forward to working with Ubisoft to ensure that Trials Evolution does get the attention it deserves when the game arrives," Bates said, though he also admitted that, "Ubisoft will respect the current commitments ... Microsoft is still the publisher of the title." The last Trials entry, Trials HD, has racked up over 2 million sales to date on Xbox Live Arcade -- a franchise Ubisoft is no doubt eyeing for potential future projects at the Finnish studio. Might we suggest TrialsMania? Just a thought!

Gallery: Trials Evolution (E3 2011)

JoystiqTrials Evolution to launch 'when it's done,' still being published by Microsoft originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 02 Nov 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>jason-batesmicrosoftmicrosoft-studiosredlynxrelease-datetrials-evolutiontrials-hdubisoftxblxblaxboxxbox-livexbox-live-arcadeWed, 02 Nov 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Xbox Live Marketplace sales bonanza, starting today [update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/27/xbox-live-marketplace-sales-bonanza-starting-today/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/27/xbox-live-marketplace-sales-bonanza-starting-today/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/27/xbox-live-marketplace-sales-bonanza-starting-today/#comments Microsoft is taking a set of sharp blades and ravenously cutting prices across the board on Xbox Live Marketplace content, starting right now. Already inexpensive (and wonderful) title Outland will cost you a cool 400 MS Points ($5), while deep multiplayer fare like Monday Night Combat and Section 8: Prejudice are going for 600 MS Points ($7.50) and 800 MS Points ($10), respectively.

Also, hey, if you're not one of the over 2 million people who own and adore Trials HD, here's another chance to grab it on the cheap (600 MS Points/$7.50). It's unclear when the "Extreme Shopping" sale will end, so we've asked Microsoft for more info. For now, enjoy the sweet, sweet savings while you can.

Update: This post originally had ilomilo listed as on sale for $5, which is false. Sorry about that!

[Image credit: Ronald Wong]

Continue reading Xbox Live Marketplace sales bonanza, starting today [update]

JoystiqXbox Live Marketplace sales bonanza, starting today [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 27 Sep 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>extreme-shoppingmicrosoftmonday-night-combatoutlandsalesection-8-prejudicetrials-hdxblxblmxboxxbox-livexbox-live-marketplaceTue, 27 Sep 2011 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Armed Forces now have billing address option on Xbox Live]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/05/armed-forces-now-have-billing-address-option-on-xbox-live/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/05/armed-forces-now-have-billing-address-option-on-xbox-live/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/05/armed-forces-now-have-billing-address-option-on-xbox-live/#comments Members of the Armed Forces living in U.S. military bases or stationed overseas used to be faced with an unforeseen hassle when accessing Xbox Live -- due to their roving home, entering billing information could be a genuine pain. Thankfully, the problem has been alleviated, as Major Nelson has announced the arrival of three new options for credit card addresses, which allow the armed forces to register cards using their respective Military States.

These users can update their information now through their console or the billing section of Xbox.com, changing their billing address to AA (Armed Forces of the Americas), AE (Armed Forces Europe) or AP (Armed Forces Pacific). We're big fans of anything Xbox can do to make our military personnel's leisure time as convenient (and, well, leisurely) as possible.

JoystiqArmed Forces now have billing address option on Xbox Live originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 05 May 2011 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>armed-forcesmicrosoftmilitaryXBLXBLMxboxxbox-livexbox-live-marketplaceThu, 05 May 2011 02:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Target discounting one-year Xbox Live cards with CoD: Black Ops purchase]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/04/target-xbox-live-call-of-duty-black-ops/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/04/target-xbox-live-call-of-duty-black-ops/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/04/target-xbox-live-call-of-duty-black-ops/#comments Starting this Sunday (Nov. 7) and running through the following Saturday (Nov. 13), Call of Duty: Black Ops buyers at Target are being offered a little something extra with their game purchase: an Xbox Live one-year subscription card for half price. As sent over by some Target-employed tipsters, the forthcoming week's advertisement flyer reveals the Black Ops-branded Xbox Live cards to be just $30 when purchased alongside next week's big release.

Just think of all the things you can do with that extra $30! You could get, like, a whole bunch of really delicious frozen yogurt! Or you could use it towards Microsoft Points -- sure to be useful when DLC for Black Ops inevitably arrives with a $15 price point per map pack. The choice is yours!

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

JoystiqTarget discounting one-year Xbox Live cards with CoD: Black Ops purchase originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 04 Nov 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionCall-of-Duty-Black-Opsmicrosofttargettreyarchxblxboxxbox-livexbox-live-goldThu, 04 Nov 2010 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Xbox Live Fall Dashboard update coming November 1]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/31/xbox-live-fall-dashboard-update-coming-november-1/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/31/xbox-live-fall-dashboard-update-coming-november-1/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/31/xbox-live-fall-dashboard-update-coming-november-1/#comments Looks like the handful of folks with early Kinect games who're locked out of Xbox Live won't have too much longer to wait -- Microsoft emailed fall Dashboard preview users last night with the announcement that the forthcoming Xbox Live update will go public on November 1. "On November 1, 2010, there will be a mandatory service update to Xbox Live. This update will both add new features to your service and also enhance the interface, navigation, and responsiveness of Xbox Live," the email reads.

Beyond Kinect functionality, the fall Dashboard update will add ESPN3, refreshed Avatars, and a new voice codec for chat (among other things). This means, besides all that stuff, you'll finally be able to chat with your friends in the Dashboard preview once more. It's been so long, friends!

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

JoystiqXbox Live Fall Dashboard update coming November 1 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 31 Oct 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dashboarddashboard-update-fall-2010kinectmicrosoftq4-2010release-datexblxboxxbox-liveSun, 31 Oct 2010 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[GameStop calling early Kinectimals purchasers about XBL lock-up]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/29/gamestop-calling-early-kinectimals-purchasers-about-xbl-lock-up/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/29/gamestop-calling-early-kinectimals-purchasers-about-xbl-lock-up/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/29/gamestop-calling-early-kinectimals-purchasers-about-xbl-lock-up/#comments In response to yesterday's news about early copies of Kinect games locking users out of Xbox Live, GameStop has begun calling up customers to warn them of the issue. Amazon.com forum user Sam Beckett and a Joystiq tipster both reported calls warning them not to play the games before their intended release date; all reports indicate Kinectimals is the only game that's been shipped out early thus far.

Additionally, GameStop customer support is said to not have offered any compensation for the mistake, resulting in at least a week of Xbox Live downtime until the public release of the Xbox 360 fall Dashboard update (read: by November 4) for those affected. We can only hope the potentially affected folks now receiving warning calls from GameStop are also avid Joystiq readers -- for their own safety, of course.

[Thanks Justin!]

JoystiqGameStop calling early Kinectimals purchasers about XBL lock-up originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 29 Oct 2010 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gamestopKinectimalsmicrosoftxblxboxxbox-liveFri, 29 Oct 2010 16:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Red Dead Redemption Avatar gear moseys on over to Xbox Live]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/27/red-dead-redemption-avatar-gear-moseys-on-over-to-xbox-live/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/27/red-dead-redemption-avatar-gear-moseys-on-over-to-xbox-live/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/27/red-dead-redemption-avatar-gear-moseys-on-over-to-xbox-live/#comments
 Does Rockstar's Red Dead Redemption not satiate your need for rough and tumble cowboy stuff? Relax a spell, friend. We'd like to tell you about some new Xbox Live Avatar items now available for download.

You'll find several full outfits are on offer, including the John Marston uniform above and the Walton Gang outfit in the bottom-right corner for the boys, while the fairer gender gains access to Bonnie McFarlane's in-game getup, as well as an Armadillo Woman ensemble -- each full outfit will set you back 320. If you're a bit short on coin (what did we tell you about spending all your time playing poker in the saloon?), there are cheaper fashions available -- including T-shirts with various characters and sayings on them and some hats. There's even a lasso prop your virtual self can play with.


Xbox.com: Add Red Dead Redemption Avatar gear to your Xbox 360 download queue

JoystiqRed Dead Redemption Avatar gear moseys on over to Xbox Live originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 27 May 2010 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>avatar-marketplaceavatarsred-dead-redemptionrockstarrockstar-gamesxblxblmxbox-liveThu, 27 May 2010 19:15:00 EST<![CDATA[JBO: Joystiq Box Office, April 5 - April 9]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/09/jbo-joystiq-box-office-april-5-april-9/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/09/jbo-joystiq-box-office-april-5-april-9/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/09/jbo-joystiq-box-office-april-5-april-9/#comments

We can't be gaming all the time, despite our best efforts, and from time to time we'll actually take advantage of the movie-playing abilities on our gaming systems. JBO features our top picks for XBL, PSN, Netflix's Watch Instantly and Blu-ray each week.

Recommendation of the Week:

The Killer (Blu-ray: $29.99 MSRP, much lower at most retailers)
This week's recommendation is a bit tongue in cheek, mostly because the video quality isn't the sharpest in the world. Granted, the source material is 21 years old, but I've seen what they can do with movies like The African Queen and The Wizard of Oz on Blu-ray, so why not one of director John Woo's and actor Chow Yun Fat's best films, The Killer? Still, all of that complaining aside, the film does look better than I've ever seen it look on home video format, and it runs circles around the murky theatrical print I saw back when I was in college. While probably not a disc you'll slap in to show off how much Blu-ray rocks, it still looks fantastic, and it's got a completely new interview on the disc with Woo (where's Yun-Fat, though?) that is well worth it. There's also a Q&A session where he talks about The Killer and Hard Boiled. This is being produced by Dragon Dynasty, a joint company venture from the Weinstein brothers and Genius Products, and I'm hoping things improve a bit in the transfer department. Let's get Chow Yun-Fat's God of Gamblers, A Better Tomorrow trilogy, City on Fire, and Treasure Hunt on Blu-ray, stat.
Read on after the break for the rest of our recommendations, then chime in below!

Continue reading JBO: Joystiq Box Office, April 5 - April 9

JoystiqJBO: Joystiq Box Office, April 5 - April 9 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 09 Apr 2010 21:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Blu-rayDVDFilmsjboJoystiq-Box-OfficeMicrosoftMoviesNetflixNintendoPSNWiiXBLXbox-360zune-video-marketplaceFri, 09 Apr 2010 21:47:00 EST<![CDATA[Xbox Live 12 Month Messenger Gold Pack for less gold]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/01/xbox-live-12-month-messenger-gold-pack-for-less-gold/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/01/xbox-live-12-month-messenger-gold-pack-for-less-gold/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/01/xbox-live-12-month-messenger-gold-pack-for-less-gold/#comments Are you late to the Xbox Live game? If you've been delaying the jump to Gold membership (which you can try for free right now), this might be what you've been waiting for. The kit includes a 12-month Xbox Live gold subscription card (retails for $49.99), the Xbox Live Text Messaging Kit that includes the chatpad and a headset (normally $29.99), and Project Gotham Racing 4 (retails for $19.99). Normally all of that would go for about a hundred bucks, but Amazon has the pack for $52.54 with free shipping (it usually lists for $69.99).

It's a great deal if you're needing to jump back in or renew, and you pick up a game and a chatpad in the process. We wish they'd included something sexier than PGR4, especially because you'd have to be nuts to pick that up for $19.99. But at this price, it's practically a freebie.

JoystiqXbox Live 12 Month Messenger Gold Pack for less gold originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 01 Apr 2010 18:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>GoldGold-MembershipXBLXbox-360Xbox-360-Text-Messaging-KitXbox-LiveXbox-Live-12-Month-Messenger-Gold-PackThu, 01 Apr 2010 18:45:00 EST<![CDATA[JBO: Joystiq Box Office, March 22 - March 26]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/26/jbo-joystiq-box-office-march-22-march-26/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/26/jbo-joystiq-box-office-march-22-march-26/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/26/jbo-joystiq-box-office-march-22-march-26/#comments

We can't be gaming all the time, despite our best efforts, and from time to time we'll actually take advantage of the movie-playing abilities on our gaming systems. JBO features our top picks for XBL, PSN, Netflix's Watch Instantly and Blu-ray each week.

We're back! The Game Developer's Conference in San Francisco and South by Southwest in Austin combined to double-whammy JBO out of existence, but it's back with a vengeance this week, even during the midst of PAX East. So read the gaming news, cue up a movie, and let us know what you're watching.

Recommendation of the Week:

Breaking Bad (Blu-ray, Season 1 -- $49.95 and Season 2 -- $39.95, lower at retailers)
Why are you reading this? You should be watching Breaking Bad. Seriously, I can wait until you're back to carry on. The internets will still be here. Back? See what we're talking about? Bryan Cranston is pure genius in this as a man at the end of his rope. He's a low-paid high school science teacher with a disabled son and a pregnant wife. He's working a demeaning second job at a car wash just to make ends meet, and, on top of that, he finds out he has inoperable lung cancer. So what does he do? He decides to start cooking crystal meth so he can leave his family a small fortune. The opening scene of episode one is worth the cost of both sets alone. This is genius basic cable programming from AMC that just started its third season this past week, so catch up on the first two seasons with these Blu-rays that look ultra-sharp with tons of extras.

Read on after the break for the rest of our recommendations, then chime in below!

Continue reading JBO: Joystiq Box Office, March 22 - March 26

JoystiqJBO: Joystiq Box Office, March 22 - March 26 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 26 Mar 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Blu-rayFilmsJBOJoystiq-Box-OfficeMicrosoftMoviesNetflixXBLXbox-360ZuneFri, 26 Mar 2010 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA['80s Track Pack available now for Guitar Hero 5 and Band Hero]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/26/80s-track-pack-available-now-for-guitar-hero-5-and-band-hero/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/26/80s-track-pack-available-now-for-guitar-hero-5-and-band-hero/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/26/80s-track-pack-available-now-for-guitar-hero-5-and-band-hero/#comments As expected, the '80s Track Pack for Guitar Hero 5 and Band Hero is now available for download on all the various consoles, featuring three respectable songs from the decade of New Wave and hair bands. Well, two or three, depending on how you like The Go-Gos. The entire thing is available for 440 on Xbox Live, $5.49 on PSN, or 550 Wii Points, and the individual songs are as follows:
Say what you want about "We Got the Beat," but we won't tolerate hating on the Crue or Night Ranger and, from the looks of those hairstyles above, they won't either. These songs are available now for both games, so get yourself mo-tor-in' on over to the store if you want 'em.

Joystiq'80s Track Pack available now for Guitar Hero 5 and Band Hero originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 26 Mar 2010 04:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ActivisionBand Heroband-heroBandHeroconsolesdlcdownloaddownloadabledownloadable-contentDSguitar-heroguitar-hero-5hair-bandsMicrosoftmotley-crueNeversoftnew-wavenight-rangerNintendopointspsnRed-Octanesongsthe-go-gostrack-packWiiwii-pointsxblxblaXbox-360Fri, 26 Mar 2010 04:57:00 EST<![CDATA[JBO: Joystiq Box Office, March 1 - March 5]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/05/jbo-joystiq-box-office-march-1-march-5/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/05/jbo-joystiq-box-office-march-1-march-5/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/05/jbo-joystiq-box-office-march-1-march-5/#comments

We can't be gaming all the time, despite our best efforts, and from time to time we'll actually take advantage of the movie-playing abilities on our gaming systems. JBO features our top picks for XBL, PSN, Netflix's Watch Instantly and Blu-ray each week.

Recommendation of the Week:
Ponyo (Blu-ray, $39.99 MSRP, much lower at most retailers)
If you don't know who Hayao Miyazaki is yet, then you need a crash course in gorgeous Japanese animated films with amazing storytelling. He's like the Japanese Walt Disney, and Ponyo is his latest film. It's a wonderful fantasy that was inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's The Little Mermaid and he's put his own particular spin on it. A young boy named Sosuke rescues a female goldfish, Ponyo, and they set off on an adventure together. The Blu-ray disc includes an ultra-crisp transfer of the film, which features hand-drawn animation, and a look inside Miyazaki's Studio Ghibli. We're offering up five sets of Miyazaki films with this Joystiq Box Office, so read the rules at the bottom of the post to enter. Five winners will receive Ponyo on Blu-ray, and standard DVDs of My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki's Delivery Service and Castle in the Sky. Truly magical filmmaking.
Read on after the break for the rest of our recommendations, and let us know what you're watching!

Continue reading JBO: Joystiq Box Office, March 1 - March 5

JoystiqJBO: Joystiq Box Office, March 1 - March 5 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 05 Mar 2010 20:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Blu-rayDVDFilmsJBOJoystiq-Box-OfficejoyswagMicrosoftMoviesNetflixPSNXBLXbox-360Fri, 05 Mar 2010 20:45:00 EST<![CDATA[JBO: Joystiq Box Office, February 22 - February 26]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/26/jbo-joystiq-box-office-february-22-february-26/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/26/jbo-joystiq-box-office-february-22-february-26/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/26/jbo-joystiq-box-office-february-22-february-26/#comments

We can't be gaming all the time, despite our best efforts, and from time to time we'll actually take advantage of the movie-playing abilities on our gaming systems. JBO features our top picks for XBL, PSN, Netflix's Watch Instantly and Blu-ray each week.

Recommendation of the Week:
Clash of the Titans ($34.99 MSRP, much lower at most retailers)
Kratos is coming back again soon for his final vengeance (and let's hope an anger management course or two) in God of War III (look for new interviews and a hands-on with the complete opening on Monday), and with Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief and a massive-budget remake of Clash of the Titans on the way, this is the Year of Olympus. To get that rolling, we're totally recommending the original from back in 1981. Yes, it's dated. Yes, it stars Harry Hamlin, and yes, it's completely amazing. There's an all-star cast with Sir Lawrence Olivier, Dame Maggie Smith, Burgess Meredith, and Ursula Andress, among others, and the incredible stop-motion effects of wizard Ray Harryhausen. The film looks impressive (for 1981) on Blu-ray, includes a conversation with Harryhausen and a trailer for the remake, and is packaged in Warner's nifty Digibook format. We recommended this back on New Year's as an XBL purchase, but this disc just gets the whole Olmypus thing Kraken. (Get it?)

Read on after the break for the rest of our recommendations, and let us know what you're watching!

Continue reading JBO: Joystiq Box Office, February 22 - February 26

JoystiqJBO: Joystiq Box Office, February 22 - February 26 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 26 Feb 2010 20:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Blu-rayFilmJBOJoystiq-Box-OfficeMicrosoftMoviesNetflixPSNXBLXbox-360Fri, 26 Feb 2010 20:58:00 EST<![CDATA[XBL Indie Game cover parodies ICO cover]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/22/xbl-indie-game-cover-parodies-ico-cover/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/22/xbl-indie-game-cover-parodies-ico-cover/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/22/xbl-indie-game-cover-parodies-ico-cover/#comments
[Siliconera]

Who doesn't like cover art inspired by Giorgio de Chirico and, more directly, Ico? Monsters, that's who. That'd be like saying you don't like playing games that require the combining of three objects in various patterns to earn points, especially when said games use Japanese food items. 'Cause it's those two things that Yaruhara no Omochi meshes on the Japanese Xbox Live Indie Game channel, mesmerizing Siliconera as it does us.

As if the idea of playing an XBL Indie Game with the premise of stacking "mochi (sticky rice cakes), fish, and seals" in a match-three-style game weren't enticing enough, it would appear from these screens that the game is gaijin-safe (read: in English). Time to fire up that dusty Japanese Silver account you've got sitting around, eh?

JoystiqXBL Indie Game cover parodies ICO cover originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 22 Feb 2010 14:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>box-artgiorgio-de-chiricoicoindie-gamesjapanxblxbox-livexbox-live-indie-gamesyaruhara-no-omochiMon, 22 Feb 2010 14:16:00 EST<![CDATA['Extensive' 90-min Darksiders demo on XBL, PSN Feb. 25]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/16/extensive-90-min-darksiders-demo-on-xbl-psn-feb-25/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/16/extensive-90-min-darksiders-demo-on-xbl-psn-feb-25/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/16/extensive-90-min-darksiders-demo-on-xbl-psn-feb-25/#comments
If a batch of positive reviews has yet to sway you towards picking up Darksiders, THQ and developer Vigil Games are hoping to change that by means of a demo planned to hit Xbox Live and PlayStation Network on February 25. Not just any demo, mind you, but one its publisher claims will "take approximately 90 minutes to complete for the average player." That claim is backed up by the fact that it will include the entire first dungeon -- which is home to two bosses -- from the retail release.

Vigil general manager David Adams explains in the demo's announcement that the dev "really wanted to give gamers a true idea of the variety of gameplay that the game offers," adding, "rather than just making a standard 20-minute demo version of the first few levels, we decided to give away this massive level and reveal the true essence of the game."

Here's what we want you to do. Bookmark this post, then, once the demo hits, come back here and leave a comment letting us know how long it took you to complete. Nothing official-like, but it'll be fun to put THQ's estimate to the test. Just remember -- it said "for the average player." We know you're all well above average.

Joystiq'Extensive' 90-min Darksiders demo on XBL, PSN Feb. 25 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 16 Feb 2010 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DarksidersdemoMicrosoftpsnPSN-Storethqvigil-gamesxblxblmXbox-360Tue, 16 Feb 2010 13:59:00 EST<![CDATA[JBO: Joystiq Box Office, February 8 - February 12]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/12/jbo-joystiq-box-office-february-8-february-12/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/12/jbo-joystiq-box-office-february-8-february-12/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/12/jbo-joystiq-box-office-february-8-february-12/#comments

We can't be gaming all the time, despite our best efforts, and from time to time we'll actually take advantage of the movie-playing abilities on our gaming systems. JBO features our top picks for XBL, PSN, Netflix's Watch Instantly and Blu-ray each week.

Recommendation of the Week:

District 13: Ultimatum (800($10) HD, 480($6) SD, to rent)
It's Mirror's Edge, the movie! Well, sort of. There's a hell of a lot of Parkour in both, but District 13: Ultimatum has much more plot, explosions and general ass-kickery. Written and produced by Luc Besson, D13:U is set several years after the original District 13 (and no, you don't have to have seen that to enjoy this one), and takes place within the same walled-off Parisian ghetto. This time around, some of the residents of D13 are falsely accused of murdering some cops, which sets up a race against time to contain the situation before the rival gangs blow it out of hand and mass hysteria reigns. Which wouldn't be so bad, would it? Everyone is so anti-mass hysteria. I say bring it on. Especially when there's a ton of Parkour involved, even though the word itself sounds so pretentious. Let's just agree to call it crazy running and jumping.

Also, just a reminder that today is the day that The Dungeon Masters is available on Amazon VOD. Go find your lucky 20-sided die, plunk down the $3.99 to rent this (or $14.99 to buy it) and enjoy.

Read on after the break for the rest of our recommendations, and let us know what you're watching!

Continue reading JBO: Joystiq Box Office, February 8 - February 12

JoystiqJBO: Joystiq Box Office, February 8 - February 12 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 12 Feb 2010 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Blu-rayfilmJBOJoystiq-Box-OfficeMicrosoftmoviesNetflixXBLXbox-360Zune-Video-MarketplaceFri, 12 Feb 2010 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Pour one out for Halo 2 and the original Xbox with Bungie on April 14]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/07/pour-one-out-for-halo-2-and-the-original-xbox-with-bungie-on-apr/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/07/pour-one-out-for-halo-2-and-the-original-xbox-with-bungie-on-apr/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/07/pour-one-out-for-halo-2-and-the-original-xbox-with-bungie-on-apr/#comments The plasma party may be almost over for those of you still gripping tight to your Xbox 1 and copy of Halo 2, playing game after desperate game before Microsoft shuts the online servers, but Bungie is looking for fans to join staff members in a last hurrah on April 14. Community manager Brian "Sketch" Jarrard proclaims on Bungie.net that, "We're all saddened at the realization that an era is coming to an end," before asking fans to "mark your calendars now - on April 14th let's all rally to go online for one last hoorah." And sure, he might not explicitly mention the emptying of various malt beverages from 40 ounce glass bottles, but that's why we read between the lines. It's right there, people!

JoystiqPour one out for Halo 2 and the original Xbox with Bungie on April 14 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 07 Feb 2010 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brian-jarrardbungiehalohalo-2MicrosoftsketchxblXbox-360xbox-liveSun, 07 Feb 2010 23:30:00 EST<![CDATA[JBO: Joystiq Box Office, February 1 - February 5]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/05/jbo-joystiq-box-office-february-1-february-5/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/05/jbo-joystiq-box-office-february-1-february-5/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/05/jbo-joystiq-box-office-february-1-february-5/#comments

We can't be gaming all the time, despite our best efforts, and from time to time we'll actually take advantage of the movie-playing abilities on our gaming systems. JBO features our top picks for XBL, PSN, Netflix's Watch Instantly and Blu-ray each week.

Recommendation of the Week:

Zombieland (Blu-ray: $39.95, much lower at retailers)
What goes perfectly with Zombieland on Blu-ray? Twinkies. Or Sno Balls, depending which side of the Hostess line you fall on. Although I have to agree with Woody Harrelson on this one: Sno Balls are disgusting. When I first heard about Zombieland, I didn't think I'd care for it much, but it ended up being fairly irresistible. The combination of Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone and Abigail Breslin fighting zombies is a post-apocalyptic, abandoned United States just works extremely well, and it makes you wish you had the same playground to explore. (Zombie-free, of course.) Between Eisenberg's essential rules for zombie survival and an extremely hilarious cameo appearance (don't spoil it for people who haven't seen it yet!) this movie rides the comedy-horror line perfectly. There's also a sweet Zombieland PS3 theme on the disc, just move to the game tab and you'll see it there to download. It's not advertised on the package, but it's a nice extra.

Read on after the break for the rest of our recommendations, and let us know what you're watching!

Continue reading JBO: Joystiq Box Office, February 1 - February 5

JoystiqJBO: Joystiq Box Office, February 1 - February 5 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 05 Feb 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Blu-rayDVDfilmJBOJoystiq-Box-OfficeMicrosoftmoviesNetflixPSNXBLXbox-360Fri, 05 Feb 2010 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Just Cause 2 demo falling from the sky any day now]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/04/just-cause-2-demo-falling-from-the-sky-any-day-now/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/04/just-cause-2-demo-falling-from-the-sky-any-day-now/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/04/just-cause-2-demo-falling-from-the-sky-any-day-now/#comments In the land of Twitter, Just Cause 2 developer Eidos is a fairly new entrant. Having just, 10(ish) hours ago, joined up via Square Enix Europe community manager Keir Edmonds, the company account has already dropped one bombshell: a Just Cause 2 demo is "on its way." Though the account merely alludes to "details to follow," we'd be downright surprised if the demo hit any later than the game's March 23 release date.

Just to make sure Eidos didn't want to say anything else, we've reached out for more information and we'll update this post if we hear anything else.

Gallery: Just Cause 2

[Via CVG]

JoystiqJust Cause 2 demo falling from the sky any day now originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 04 Feb 2010 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>demoeidosjust-causejust-cause-2keir-edmondsMicrosoftpsnsquare-enixsquare-enix-europetwitterxblxblmXbox-360Thu, 04 Feb 2010 17:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Dishwasher dev announces Charlie Murder for Xbox Live Indie Games, coming 'March 2010']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/19/dishwasher-dev-announces-charlie-murder-for-xbox-live-indie-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/19/dishwasher-dev-announces-charlie-murder-for-xbox-live-indie-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/19/dishwasher-dev-announces-charlie-murder-for-xbox-live-indie-game/#comments Between Ska Studios' The Dishwasher last year, this year's I MAED A GAM3 W1TH Z0MBIES 1N IT!!!1, and the recent announcement of Charlie Murder for Xbox Live Indie Games, the nascent developer has certainly been establishing a name for itself. The game's Facebook page offers us a first look at the characters and a bit of the gameplay (which seems to be an arcade beat-em' up with punk rockers/zombies), as well as a glimpse into the fictional band's history.

The game's announcement tells us that Charlie Murder follows the eponymous punk rock band on a side-scrolling journey to find the lead singer's girlfriend, Skelekitten, murdering everything in its path along the way. Ska Studios will be heading to PAX East and we've been told there's a "good chance" the game will be there, though a release window of "March 2010" means we might even be playing from the comfort of our couches before that.

Gallery: Charlie Murder

JoystiqDishwasher dev announces Charlie Murder for Xbox Live Indie Games, coming 'March 2010' originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 19 Jan 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>charlie-murderdishwasher-dead-samuraiI-MAED-A-GAM3-W1TH-Z0MB1ES1james-silvaMicrosoftpax-eastska-studiosthe-dishwasherthe-dishwasher-dead-samuraixblXbox-360xbox-live-indie-gamesTue, 19 Jan 2010 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[JBO: Joystiq Box Office, January 11 - January 15]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/15/jbo-joystiq-box-office-january-11-january-15/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/15/jbo-joystiq-box-office-january-11-january-15/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/15/jbo-joystiq-box-office-january-11-january-15/#comments

We can't be gaming all the time, despite our best efforts, and from time to time we'll actually take advantage of the movie-playing abilities on our gaming systems. JBO features our top picks for XBL, PSN, Netflix's Watch Instantly and Blu-ray each week.

Recommendation of the Week:

The Dungeon Masters ($3.99 three-day rental, $14.99 to purchase, Amazon VOD)
We don't normally include Amazon VOD in this list, simply because it's not (readily) accessible from gaming consoles ... although you can watch it on your Mac or PC. However, I just had to share this movie with you. I was lucky enough to see director Keven McAlester's The Dungeon Masters at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2008, and it is finally coming to a screen near you. The documentary chronicles the exploits of three D&D dungeon masters (and one who is also a gamer) and the trials and tribulations of living with their obsession. You can watch the trailer for the movie and pre-order it on Amazon VOD. The bad news? It doesn't come out until February 12. (Buy now, watch later!) The good news? It's amazing. Depressing at times, sure, but a telling and realistic portrait of certain types of gamers. You know the ones. A perfect movie to watch as you bust out the 4th Edition and start rolling.

Read on after the break for the rest of our recommendations, and let us know what you're watching!

Continue reading JBO: Joystiq Box Office, January 11 - January 15

JoystiqJBO: Joystiq Box Office, January 11 - January 15 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 15 Jan 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Amazon-VODBlu-rayFilmJBOJoystiq-Box-OfficeMicrosoftMoviesNetflixPSNXBLXbox-360ZuneFri, 15 Jan 2010 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Left 4 Dead 2 goes free-to-play on Xbox Live next weekend]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/10/left-4-dead-2-goes-free-to-play-on-xbox-live-next-weekend/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/10/left-4-dead-2-goes-free-to-play-on-xbox-live-next-weekend/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/10/left-4-dead-2-goes-free-to-play-on-xbox-live-next-weekend/#comments If you've been sitting around on your hands waiting for the next free opportunity to play Left 4 Dead 2 on Xbox Live with your friends, well, we think you're a bit strange and should likely find a better habit. That being said, you'll be happy to hear that the game will be free-to-play for all Xbox Live members (even you lower class Silver folks) next weekend, starting promptly at 12:00PM ET on Friday, January 15, and finishing up on Monday the 18th (also at noon, as confirmed to CVG by Microsoft). We can't imagine that those of you still holding out will be convinced of an Xbox Live Gold account's worth after just one weekend, but it certainly can't hurt, now can it?

Update: The free weekend has been confirmed for Europe only. A Microsoft representative tells Joystiq the company has "nothing to announce at this time" about a North American promotion. When asked if they had a timetable to announce something, the representative politely said that we'll hear something soon one way or another.

Gallery: Left 4 Dead 2

JoystiqLeft 4 Dead 2 goes free-to-play on Xbox Live next weekend originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 10 Jan 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>co-opfree-to-playleft-4-deadleft-4-dead-2Microsoftmultiplayeronlinevalvevalve-softwarexblXbox-360xbox-liveSun, 10 Jan 2010 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Scrap Metal rolls onto XBLA this Spring]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/09/scrap-metal-rolls-onto-xbla-this-spring/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/09/scrap-metal-rolls-onto-xbla-this-spring/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/09/scrap-metal-rolls-onto-xbla-this-spring/#commentsAmidst the handful of CES 2010 bombs that Microsoft dropped we found a small fact sheet and a smattering of new media for upcoming XBLA racer Scrap Metal. First revealed back in August with a trailer and a handful of screenshots from developer Slick Entertainment (the folks behind the XBLA port of N+, a game that we hold dear to our hearts), we now know that the title will be hitting Microsoft's digital distribution platform sometime in "Spring 2010." While we anxiously await its arrival, we'll be furiously practicing with Rock n' Roll Racing and Super Off-Road -- two games that Scrap Metal clearly draws inspiration from.

Gallery: Scrap Metal (XBLA - CES 2010)

JoystiqScrap Metal rolls onto XBLA this Spring originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 09 Jan 2010 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cesces-2010gameplayMicrosoftscrap-metalscreenshotsslickslick-entertainmenttrailerxblxblaXbox-360xbox-live-arcadeSat, 09 Jan 2010 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Japan's Xbox Live stats indicate proneness to Japanese-developed games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/06/japans-xbox-live-stats-indicate-proneness-to-japanese-developed/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/06/japans-xbox-live-stats-indicate-proneness-to-japanese-developed/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/06/japans-xbox-live-stats-indicate-proneness-to-japanese-developed/#comments It'd be impossible to discuss Japan's Xbox Live usage stats, recently released by Microsoft (and posted after the break), without pointing to the overwhelmingly Japanese-developed composition of them. Taking first place among the top XBLA purchases of 2009 was last year's Virtual On port -- a game so popular in Japan that it currently holds second place in the region's all-time bestsellers list. Games like Ikaruga and Trigger Heart Exelica populate the rest of the XBLA stats, though Western-developed Castle Crashers notably takes the number one position in all-time popularity.

The sheer Japanosity of these stats is even more apparent in the download numbers for all that other stuff. From demos (75 percent Japanese-developed) to Games on Demand (90 percent) to DLC (also 90 percent), Japanese players clearly have a hankering for homemade games -- even on their Western-developed consoles.

[Via Andriasang]

Continue reading Japan's Xbox Live stats indicate proneness to Japanese-developed games

JoystiqJapan's Xbox Live stats indicate proneness to Japanese-developed games originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 06 Jan 2010 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>castle-crashersdigital-distributiongames-on-demandikarugajapanMicrosoftstatstrigger-heart-exelicavirtual-onxblxblaxblmXbox-360xbox-livexbox-live-arcadeWed, 06 Jan 2010 12:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Gears of War now available via Xbox Live Games on Demand]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/29/gears-of-war-now-available-via-xbox-live-games-on-demand/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/29/gears-of-war-now-available-via-xbox-live-games-on-demand/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/29/gears-of-war-now-available-via-xbox-live-games-on-demand/#comments Put down that can of Imulsion energy drink, friend, 'cause we've got some good news for you (and we wouldn't want you to choke, you know). The original Gears of War has arrived on Xbox Live's Games on Demand service, making it that much easier to get ready for next year's big announcement from series creator Cliff Bleszinski (spoilers: it's probably Gears of War 3!).

For the usual $19.99, all 6GB of Marcus Fenix's Locust murder opus can be yours -- without all that pesky 'physical media' nonsense -- through the Xbox Live Marketplace (except in Japan, sorry!). We've linked it below of course, for your convenience.

Shortcut: Add Gears of War to your Xbox 360 download queue (via Xbox.com)

JoystiqGears of War now available via Xbox Live Games on Demand originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 29 Dec 2009 19:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cliff-bleszinskidigital-distributionepicepic-gamesgames-on-demandgears-of-warmajor-nelsonmicrosoftxblxblmXbox-360xbox-livexbox-live-marketplaceTue, 29 Dec 2009 19:45:00 EST<![CDATA[JBO: Joystiq Box Office, December 14 - December 18, plus Joyswag!]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/18/jbo-joystiq-box-office-december-14-december-18-plus-joyswag/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/18/jbo-joystiq-box-office-december-14-december-18-plus-joyswag/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/18/jbo-joystiq-box-office-december-14-december-18-plus-joyswag/#comments

Welcome to Joystiq's "Naughty or Nice" holiday giveaway extravaganza! It's simple: Just follow the instructions below to enter for your chance to win. Ah, but to win what? There's always a catch, isn't there? Each "Naughty or Nice" giveaway features two prizes: a totally sweet bundle of holiday cheer and, um, a lump of coal. Winners are selected randomly, we assure you. Of course, who's to say luck isn't dependent on virtue ... Have you been naughty? Or nice?

With the holidays in mind, we're going to be giving away ... wait for it ... MOVIES with each Joystiq Box Office post on Friday from today through January 1! Simply leave a comment below telling us what you'll be watching on your Xbox, PS3, PC, PSP, DS, OMG or whatever (whether it be naughty or nice) and we'll pick winners at random each week to receive a nifty prize. This week we're joining the rest of Joyswag and going Naughty or Nice. Five "Nice" winners will win a copy of District 9 on Blu-ray, which includes the God of War III demo, and one "Naughty" winner will wind up with a copy of the American Godzilla on Blu-ray. [Update: The entry period has closed.]

Recommendation of the Week:

Inglourious Basterds (Blu-ray, $39.95 suggested retail)
If you haven't already seen this film, then you owe it to yourself to check it out in high definition. This is definitely Tarantino's most mature film to date, and despite numerous trailers out there, it's not a gory, Nazi slaughter-fest. There is some violence, to be sure, but I've talked to people who avoided this in theaters because they thought it was going to be torture porn. There's an extremely good film in here, and what's really compelling is that it's nearly two movies in one. The story of the Basterds and the story of a woman who owns a theater run separate courses throughout the film until a head-on collision at the end, but they stand on their own very well. Extremely crisp and sharp in HD and filled with extras, including the bizarre but hilarious "Quentin Tarantino's Camera Angel," this is a must-see, must-own, must-covet title.

Read on for the rest of the recommendations, and as usual, we'll see you at the popcorn sta -- well, actually, we won't see you at all. But you catch our drift. Plus, be sure to tell us what you'll be watching, or what you've seen recently that bowled you over.

Continue reading JBO: Joystiq Box Office, December 14 - December 18, plus Joyswag!

JoystiqJBO: Joystiq Box Office, December 14 - December 18, plus Joyswag! originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 18 Dec 2009 21:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Blu-rayDistrict-9filmholiday-2009JBOJoystiq-Box-OfficejoyswagMicrosoftmoviesNetflixXBLXbox-360Fri, 18 Dec 2009 21:15:00 EST<![CDATA[PSA: Second Halo Legends episode free, available today only]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/21/psa-second-halo-legends-episode-free-available-today-only/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/21/psa-second-halo-legends-episode-free-available-today-only/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/21/psa-second-halo-legends-episode-free-available-today-only/#comments If you enjoyed the Cowboy Bebop-meets-Master Chief action presented in the first episode of Halo Legends (seriously, that main character looked just like Spike Spiegel!), then you may want to check out the second episode of the Spartan-themed anime premiering today on Halo Waypoint. For 24 hours starting at 12:00AM PST (about eight hours ago), Xbox Live Silver and Gold members will be able to access "The Duel" through the "all-things-Halo" hub.

Microsoft also notes that this will be the last week for Xbox Live Silver members to explore Waypoint, and in turn, enjoy the weekly free episodes of Halo Legends. If you're wondering what time the show will be available for you and you don't live in North America, a full list of showtimes is available on Xbox.com.

JoystiqPSA: Second Halo Legends episode free, available today only originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 21 Nov 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>343-industriesanimehalohalo-legendshalo-waypointMicrosoftpsathe-duelxblxblmXbox-360xbox-livexbox.comSat, 21 Nov 2009 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Firm considers class action over Xbox Live bannings]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/19/firm-considers-class-action-over-xbox-live-bannings/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/19/firm-considers-class-action-over-xbox-live-bannings/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/19/firm-considers-class-action-over-xbox-live-bannings/#comments Boutique law firm AbingtonIP is "investigating" what it considers the "convenient" recent Xbox Live bannings. The firm posits that the "tens of thousands" of banned Xbox Live subscribers who used modded consoles deserve recompense due to the timing of the action. The firm believes that said timing -- i.e., after Halo 3: ODST and shortly before Modern Warfare 2's releases -- was executed to net Microsoft as much money as possible out of potential Xbox Live subscribers before banning the modded devices. The class action lawsuit would attempt to obtain a refund for the prorated sums left on the banned Xbox Live subscriptions.

According to Joystiq legal columnist Mark Methenitis' analysis: "To me, this certainly sounds a lot like a cash grab directed at a company with deep pockets, but perhaps there are more facts than they are letting on." He explains that a user savvy enough to have a modded console would also know not to connect it to Live without "serious risk." Methenitis concludes, "If, in fact, Microsoft is inducing people to buy a service only to terminate them, then there's certainly a deceptive business practice concern. But this seems far more cut and dry than that."

[Thanks, C. Carl Carlston]

JoystiqFirm considers class action over Xbox Live bannings originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>abingtonipbannedbanningclass-actionlawlawsuitmark-methenitisMicrosoftxblXbox-360xbox-livexbox-live-banningsThu, 19 Nov 2009 14:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Band Hero clothing and accessories head to Xbox Live Marketplace]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/13/band-hero-clothing-and-accessories-head-to-xbox-live-marketplace/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/13/band-hero-clothing-and-accessories-head-to-xbox-live-marketplace/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/13/band-hero-clothing-and-accessories-head-to-xbox-live-marketplace/#comments We might normally scoff at the array of Xbox Live Avatar clothing being made available for Band Hero - a near ubiquitous occurrence with game releases for the Xbox 360 these days. Not today though, friends. Nope, today we have the opportunity to get our Avatar a totally rad, Say Anything style boombox. We know, we know - finally. For the low, low price of 240 ($3), you too can be as cool as Lloyd Dobler (though there's no promise of landing a lady as fine as Diane Court with said item).

We suppose you could pick up the other stuff too, available for 80 ($1) to 240 ($3), if you're into that kinda thing. You could get a microphone or a shirt or a ... just get the boombox, alright? You don't wanna end up being given a pen and getting told how "valuable the friendship" is, do you? Hmm?

JoystiqBand Hero clothing and accessories head to Xbox Live Marketplace originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionavataravatar-clothingavatarsBand Heroband-heroBandHeroboomboxGuitar-HeroNeversoftRed-Octanesay-anythingxblxblmxbox-livexbox-live-marketplaceFri, 13 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[1 vs. 100 Season 2 details dished on dev blog]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/29/1-vs-100-season-2-deatiles-dished-on-dev-blog/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/29/1-vs-100-season-2-deatiles-dished-on-dev-blog/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/29/1-vs-100-season-2-deatiles-dished-on-dev-blog/#comments
New information on Microsoft's still free for now Xbox Live-based game show 1 vs. 100 has been a bit on the light side since the game's initial release so many moons ago. The official 1 vs. 100 Blogs have detailed some new features of the game's second season.

For one, rather than Avatars amorphously apparating on-stage, "The One" will strut down a central staircase right after dropping a fancy pose on the plebeians below. Players in the hot seat will also have their Xbox Live statuses automatically set to "Busy," so as not to knock their concentration from the mind grape squeezing at hand. No details were revealed on when we might actually get to play more 1 vs. 100, unfortunately.

[Via Destructoid]

Joystiq1 vs. 100 Season 2 details dished on dev blog originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1-vs-100avatarsmicrosoftseason-2the-onexblxbox-liveThu, 29 Oct 2009 14:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Xbox 360 'Games on Demand' priced between $20-$30]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/05/xbox-360-games-on-demand-priced-between-20-30/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/05/xbox-360-games-on-demand-priced-between-20-30/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/05/xbox-360-games-on-demand-priced-between-20-30/#comments Microsoft informed us this afternoon that its initial offerings of Games on Demand, the company's selection of downloadable Xbox 360 titles, will be priced between 1600-2400 -- that's $20-30 in American credit card currency. We got a little curious after one price was revealed in a video earlier today, but we wanted to make sure about the rest.

We're currently working on getting the full list of prices for each game, but all will be revealed next week when the latest dashboard update goes live, on August 11.

JoystiqXbox 360 'Games on Demand' priced between $20-$30 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 05 Aug 2009 21:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>games-on-demandMicrosoftnxexblxblmXbox-360xbox-dashboardWed, 05 Aug 2009 21:58:00 EST