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 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Magicka sequel planned, first game and Vietnam expansion sold 'over expectations']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/03/magicka-sequel-planned-first-game-and-vietnam-expansion-sold-o/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/03/magicka-sequel-planned-first-game-and-vietnam-expansion-sold-o/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/03/magicka-sequel-planned-first-game-and-vietnam-expansion-sold-o/#comments Arrowhead Studios' first game, Magicka, has been a runaway success. Publisher Paradox Interactive told Joystiq in a recent interview that the game "sold over 30,000 copies in the first 24 hours," and the five dollar Vietnam-themed expansion has moved "well over 100,000" copies since launching in mid-April. Even at just $5, that's plenty of extra ducats.

Paradox CEO Fredrik Wester also confirmed a Magicka sequel on the books, though the folks at Arrowhead are still hard at work on the first game's PvP, set for a free release in the near future. "When we -- and I'm not saying 'if' -- but 'when' we are doing a sequel to this game, it's going to be done on a totally different technology," Wester explained, airing some of his company's grievances with Magicka's game engine, XNA Studios. "It was super buggy at release," he added, speaking to Magicka's less-than-perfect state at launch. "We addressed most of them in the first week, but there are still issues with laptops and a few other things. It's due to the engine that we produced the game on."

As for the oft-requested console version of Magicka, Wester and his company are taking an all-or-nothing approach at this point. "We wanna do XBLA or nothing for the Xbox," Wester matter-of-factly stated when asked about the possibility of the game still heading to Xbox Live Indie Games. Beyond it being a smaller marketplace, he noted, "We looked into that, but it was not as simple as it seemed at first." PlayStation Network, thankfully, is an easier task. "PSN should be a no brainer, and I'm saying should because ... I can't really say anything more at the moment," he coyly added, noting, "I'll let you know as soon as I can say more." ESRB listings discovered earlier this year certainly indicate that something is in the cards.

Continue reading Magicka sequel planned, first game and Vietnam expansion sold 'over expectations'

JoystiqMagicka sequel planned, first game and Vietnam expansion sold 'over expectations' originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 03 May 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arrowheadarrowhead-studiosfredrik-westermagickamagicka-vietnammicrosoftparadoxparadox-interactivepcplaystationps3psnsalesswedenxblaxbligxboxxbox-live-indie-gamesxnaxna-studios-engineTue, 03 May 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft kicks off Dream Build Play 2011 with $75K prize pool]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/28/microsoft-kicks-off-dream-build-play-2011-with-75k-prize-pool/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/28/microsoft-kicks-off-dream-build-play-2011-with-75k-prize-pool/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/28/microsoft-kicks-off-dream-build-play-2011-with-75k-prize-pool/#comments Registration for Microsoft's fifth annual Dream Build Play competition opened today. Submissions will be accepted from May 17 through June 14.

Dream Build Play challenges amateur developers to create a game using Microsoft's XNA Game Studio and rewards winners with a cash prize and "the opportunity" for an Xbox Live Arcade publishing contract (though it's a big commitment, previous winner James Silva warns). A total of $75,000 will be up for grabs this year, with $40,000 going to the grand prize winner, $20K to first prize, $10K to second and the remaining $5K to the third prize winner.

Last year's grand prize winner, Lumi (pictured), is available now as an Xbox Live Indie Game. Previous winners include Dust: An Elysian Tale and Silva's The Dishwasher: Dead Samurai. The latter was released on XBLA and its sequel is in the works, while Dust should arrive on XBLA in the near future.

Those wishing to enter this year's competition should head over to the Dream Build Play website.

JoystiqMicrosoft kicks off Dream Build Play 2011 with $75K prize pool originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 28 Feb 2011 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dream-build-playdream-build-play-2011microsoftxboxxnaxna-game-studioxna-game-studio-4Mon, 28 Feb 2011 23:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft's XNA Creator's Club is now 'App Hub']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/11/microsofts-xna-creators-club-is-now-app-hub/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/11/microsofts-xna-creators-club-is-now-app-hub/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/11/microsofts-xna-creators-club-is-now-app-hub/#commentsFiled under: , ,

If you fancy yourself an Xbox Live Indie Games developer, you might have noticed a change to the XNA Creators Club today. In conjunction with the unveiling of Windows Phone 7, it appears that Microsoft has quietly changed the Creators Club to the much more generalized "App Hub." The site purports to offer resources for developers to create applications for both Windows Phone 7 and Xbox 360, though the site currently seems to favor the former.

In fact, the Education Roadmap section -- which introduces would-be programmers to XNA Game Studio -- only offers tutorials for Windows Phone 7. Of course, it's understandable that Microsoft would want to recruit as many programmers as possible for its new baby. There are still examples and code snippets for Windows and Xbox 360 programming, but hopefully we'll see some more robust introductory tutorials in the future.

[Thanks, Niko]

JoystiqMicrosoft's XNA Creator's Club is now 'App Hub' originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 11 Oct 2010 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>creators-clubindie-gamesmicrosoftmobilewindows-phone-7xboxxbox-live-indie-gamesxnaMon, 11 Oct 2010 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[GDC Impressions: Gaming on Windows Phone 7]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/10/windows-phone-7-games-preview/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/10/windows-phone-7-games-preview/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/10/windows-phone-7-games-preview/#comments We already broke out the news you're looking for: Each of the Windows Phone 7 Xbox Live-infused games will offer its players 200 Gamerscore points. You'll be able to boost your Xbox rep in significant chunks without having to hunker down in front of a big screen for long stretches. You'll never again have to go so long without hearing that satisfying "Achievement unlocked" sound. The world, as you know it, has changed.

Fortunately, the channel through which you'll access these on-the-go 'cheevos looks like it has loads of promise. The handful of work-in-progress Windows Phone 7 games we were shown today at GDC didn't leave much of an impression -- however, the effortless portability of games between the platforms supported by the recently announced XNA Game Studio 4.0 opens up a lot of possibilities for development on Microsoft's new mobile device.

Continue reading GDC Impressions: Gaming on Windows Phone 7

JoystiqGDC Impressions: Gaming on Windows Phone 7 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 10 Mar 2010 18:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battle-punkscross-platformgdc-2010harvestindiemicrosoftmobileplatformerwindows-phone-7Xbox-360xbox-livexnaxna-game-studio-4Wed, 10 Mar 2010 18:22:00 EST<![CDATA[Interview: Microsoft on integrating Xbox Live into Windows Phone 7 Series]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/10/xbox-live-windows-phone-7-intergration-interview/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/10/xbox-live-windows-phone-7-intergration-interview/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/10/xbox-live-windows-phone-7-intergration-interview/#comments Windows Phone 7 isn't just Microsoft's attempt to compete against Apple's iPhone. It's also the introduction of the first portable Xbox platform. During GDC today, we talked to Xbox Live GM Ron Pessner and XNA Game Studio manager Michael Klucher about how games integrate into the mobile platform and what gamers and developers can expect in the future.

For the purpose of this interview, Pessner and Klucher merged into one entity (they spoke over each other a lot!) to answer our questions:

Microsoft plans to separate games that do and don't support Xbox Live functionality on Windows Phone. Are there any concerns that this will turn off indie developers?

Pessner and Klucher: The short answer is "no." The way that we built the Phone and Marketplace experience makes it very easy to search for what you're looking for. With XNA Game Studio 4.0, you can use the same set of tools to build an Xbox Live game or non-Xbox Live game on the platform. The benefit that developers get for working with Game Studio is everything we just described.

We also are very interested in seeing concept submissions from the indie community, and we're out talking to a lot of independent developers. Fortunately, we're working with a lot of these folks in context of the console today, and many of the console titles that have come to us through the Indie Channel or Xbox Live Arcade, we think will also make fantastic mobile titles. So we're reaching back out to these developers and accepting submissions for ideas as a way to help make those Xbox Live titles. It's up to the developer in terms of what they want to do on the platform, but we're really excited with the response we've seen so far.

Continue reading Interview: Microsoft on integrating Xbox Live into Windows Phone 7 Series

JoystiqInterview: Microsoft on integrating Xbox Live into Windows Phone 7 Series originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 10 Mar 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gdc-2010interviewmicrosoftron-pessnersilverlightwindows-phone-7windows-phone-7-seriesXbox-360xbox-livexnaxna-game-studioxna-game-studio-4zunezune-hdWed, 10 Mar 2010 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[XNA Game Studio 4.0 includes Windows Phone support]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/09/xna-game-studio-4-0-includes-windows-phone-support/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/09/xna-game-studio-4-0-includes-windows-phone-support/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/09/xna-game-studio-4-0-includes-windows-phone-support/#comments Microsoft took yet another step today in convincing us that Windows Phone 7 will be a legitimate gaming platform. The company just unveiled XNA Game Studio 4.0, which, in addition to supporting PC and Xbox 360, will also let designers make games for the new mobile platform. Besides being great news for indies, it also means that you'll be able to use your gamertag and Avatar on the phone, as well as unlock Xbox Live Achievements.

You can read more about the technical integration of XNA and WP7 on Microsoft program manager Michael Klucher's blog. Hopefully we'll have even more details for you as the tech is rolled out during GDC.

JoystiqXNA Game Studio 4.0 includes Windows Phone support originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>achievementsgdc-2010microsoftwindows-phone-7Xbox-360xnaxna-game-studioxna-game-studio-4Tue, 09 Mar 2010 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Snap Judgment: XNA Dream-Build-Play 2009 finalists]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/09/snap-judgment-xna-dream-build-play-2009-finalists/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/09/snap-judgment-xna-dream-build-play-2009-finalists/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/09/snap-judgment-xna-dream-build-play-2009-finalists/#comments
While nearly all of my demo appointments at PAX required me to absorb information about new games at blinding speed, the XNA Dream-Build-Play Finalists booth demo tasked me with getting a feel for six games in just under an hour. It would be difficult for me to develop any kind of deep analyses on these brief gameplay slivers -- instead, I've collected my initial, hastily acquired thoughts about the games after the jump.

Here's the short version: They're all pretty fun, but Dust: An Elysian Tail is clearly the leader of the pack.

Continue reading Snap Judgment: XNA Dream-Build-Play 2009 finalists

JoystiqSnap Judgment: XNA Dream-Build-Play 2009 finalists originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 09 Sep 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dream-build-playdream-build-play-2009dustdust-an-elysian-tailhurricane-x2-evolutionkaleidoscopemax-blastronautMicrosoftpaxpax-2009rotorscopesol-survivorXbox-360xnaWed, 09 Sep 2009 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[2009 Dream-Build-Play winners announced, Dust takes top honor]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/06/2009-dream-build-play-winners-announced-dust-takes-top-honor/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/06/2009-dream-build-play-winners-announced-dust-takes-top-honor/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/06/2009-dream-build-play-winners-announced-dust-takes-top-honor/#comments
It must be nice winning $40,000! We imagine Dust: An Elysian Tail developer Dean Dodrill will be drinking his fair share of shirley temples this weekend with all those extra duckets, after winning first place in this year's XNA Developer Dream-Build-Play competition. As you can see in the gallery below and video after the break, Dust is a beautiful, hand-drawn side-scroller that features action-RPG gameplay in the vein of Castlevania ... but with furries.

Second place (and $20,000) went to Panya Inversin from Coin App who created Max Blastronaut, which looks to be a mix between Super Stardust HD and ... Double Dragon? We're just as confused as you are, but see for yourself after the break, below the Dust clip. Third and fourth place went to Mauricio Garcia's Rotor'scope and Hu Ling's HurricaneX2 Evolution, respectively. Congratulations to all of this year's winners!

Gallery: Dust: An Elysian Tail

Continue reading 2009 Dream-Build-Play winners announced, Dust takes top honor

Joystiq2009 Dream-Build-Play winners announced, Dust takes top honor originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 06 Sep 2009 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>castlevaniacoin-appdean-dodrilldream-build-playdustdust-an-elysian-tailhu-linghurricanx2-evolutionindie-gamesmauricio-garciamax-blastronautMicrosoftpanya-inversinrotorscopesuper-stardust-hdXbox-360xnaxna-indie-gamesSun, 06 Sep 2009 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Impressions: Rock Band Network (Creation)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/27/impressions-rock-band-network-creation/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/27/impressions-rock-band-network-creation/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/27/impressions-rock-band-network-creation/#comments
Within seconds, it's clear that Rock Band Network isn't for amateurs. The tools being offered by Harmonix are fully-featured, professional programs that are meant for artists serious about getting their content into Rock Band and, yes, making money. With Harmonix admitting that first-time users will take 20-40 hours to finish a single song "all the way," it's clear that this isn't meant for the average gamers that have a bit of spare time on their hands.

There are four main steps in getting a song onto the upcoming Rock Band Network Store. The most important (and most time-consuming) part of the process is creating the note tracks. Harmonix has partnered with Reaper to create a Rock Band-specific plug-in that allows music producers to start creating Rock Band tracks. Caleb Epps demonstrated the program to us, noting, "what you see is what we use at Harmonix."

For anyone that's produced MIDI music, the interface should be incredibly familiar. What makes the Rock Band version of Reaper special is how everything is already clearly laid out and labeled: each color of each instrument has its own specific track. Producers simply add notes to each of the tracks, and a separate playback window will show how it will look like in-game. It's a time-consuming process made even more complicated by the fact that new tracks must be created for every difficulty: you won't be able to upload an Expert-only song, for example.

Gallery: Rock Band Network

Continue reading Impressions: Rock Band Network (Creation)

JoystiqImpressions: Rock Band Network (Creation) originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 27 Aug 2009 06:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>creators-clubMicrosoftreaperrock-bandrock-band-2rock-band-networkXbox-360xnaThu, 27 Aug 2009 06:01:00 EST<![CDATA[PSA: Dream-Build-Play submission deadline tomorrow]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/05/psa-dream-build-play-submission-deadline-tomorrow/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/05/psa-dream-build-play-submission-deadline-tomorrow/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/05/psa-dream-build-play-submission-deadline-tomorrow/#comments
Just a quick reminder for all the aspiring game creators out there: Tomorrow, August 6, is the last day to submit entries for the 2009 XNA Dream-Build-Play competition. So, put the finishing touches on that masterpiece because time is running out. Don't give up! Just tighten up those graphics in Level 3. Who knows, your game might be the next Dishwasher: Dead Samurai.

If you haven't actually started your XNA project, you might be in trouble. Still, we're confident that you could probably whip up a sweet, HD fart simulator in a day. How hard could it be?

[Thanks, Ted]

JoystiqPSA: Dream-Build-Play submission deadline tomorrow originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 05 Aug 2009 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dream-build-playdream-build-play-2009xnaWed, 05 Aug 2009 15:45:00 EST<![CDATA[How to make money as an indie dev]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/30/how-to-make-money-as-an-indie-dev/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/30/how-to-make-money-as-an-indie-dev/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/30/how-to-make-money-as-an-indie-dev/#comments
Every self-respecting indie developer we know treasures their poverty, wearing it as a badge of honor not unlike those bohemian kids in Rent. But for you monsters that are just interested in a payday, Jeff On Games has an interesting piece about how likely it is that you'll be able to make a living solely as an indie developer (i.e. not very) and how best to achieve that lofty goal.

Unsurprisingly, the keystone to the whole thing is being able to make a quality title. But we'd add another important step to Jeff's list: Capturing the heart of a blog and having it pimp your game in stories with only a threadbare connection to it.

On a completely related note, have you still not played Time Gentlemen, Please?

[Image credit: Sklathill]

JoystiqHow to make money as an indie dev originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 30 Jul 2009 09:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>indieiphonejeff-on-gamesjonathan-blowtime-gentlemen-pleasexbox-livexnaThu, 30 Jul 2009 09:06:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: Xbox Avatar golf game]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/25/rumor-xbox-avatar-golf-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/25/rumor-xbox-avatar-golf-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/25/rumor-xbox-avatar-golf-game/#comments
Supposedly leaked footage of Avatars playing golf has hit YouTube this week (find it after the break) and some are wondering if it's video of an upcoming golf title featuring the Xbox 360 characters. At E3 2009, Microsoft revealed the casual racing title Joyride -- a free, upcoming XBLA game featuring Avatars -- so it isn't out of the question for Avatars to star in another casual game.

The footage showcases Avatars enjoying a rousing game of golf, but still looks very early in development (if it even is). Perhaps it is an actual upcoming game, but it could also be some an Avatar update to the XBLA title 3D Ultra Minigolf or even some XNA-based genius. Time will tell on this rumor.

Continue reading Rumor: Xbox Avatar golf game

JoystiqRumor: Xbox Avatar golf game originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 25 Jul 2009 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3d-ultra-minigolfavatarsgolfmicrosoftminigolfrumorxblaxnayoutubeSat, 25 Jul 2009 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Xbox Indie Games get new pricing structure, improved update system]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/24/xbox-indie-games-get-new-pricing-structure-improved-update-syst/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/24/xbox-indie-games-get-new-pricing-structure-improved-update-syst/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/24/xbox-indie-games-get-new-pricing-structure-improved-update-syst/#comments
Microsoft announced plans yesterday to change a variety of XNA Creators Club features in the coming weeks. First and foremost, the recently renamed Xbox Live Indie Games will get a new pricing structure: games will start at 80 ($1) and cap off at 400 ($5). Second, the renaming of the service will take affect on Xbox Live and at the XNA Creators Club website.

Additionally, games on the Indie Games Channel can now receive automatic updates (a la Xbox Live Arcade and Xbox 360 games). Perhaps the most interesting piece of this update is the inclusion of 50 "tokens" for each creator per game; meaning that developers can now send out review codes of games to press (wink, wink), as well as giveaway copies of the game to fans. Interestingly, this is the same number of free codes that Apple grants its App Store developers. Well played, Microsoft.

[Via Xbox Indies]

JoystiqXbox Indie Games get new pricing structure, improved update system originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 24 Jul 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>community-gamesindie-gamesindie-games-channelmicrosoftxblaXbox-360xbox-livexnaxna-creators-clubFri, 24 Jul 2009 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Race your eyeballs to this Halfbrick Rocket Race trailer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/01/race-your-eyeballs-to-this-halfbrick-rocket-race-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/01/race-your-eyeballs-to-this-halfbrick-rocket-race-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/01/race-your-eyeballs-to-this-halfbrick-rocket-race-trailer/#comments
Click to fuel your eyeballs with more screens
The Brisbane-based Halfbrick Studios just sent us a press release informing us it has a new title on the way to Xbox Live's Community Games Indie Games section in Halfbrick Rocket Race. A racer with a twist, Halfbrick Rocket Race isn't all about getting from Point A to Point B ...

... okay, maybe it is, but there are subtleties here, like the boost you get from hitting your thrusters next to a wall. See what we mean in the game's first trailer, which is currently running qualifying laps past the break.

Continue reading Race your eyeballs to this Halfbrick Rocket Race trailer

JoystiqRace your eyeballs to this Halfbrick Rocket Race trailer originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 01 Jul 2009 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>halfbrick-rocket-racehalfbrick-studiosindie-gamesxnaWed, 01 Jul 2009 17:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Making an XNA game? Don't maim the poor Avatars!]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/22/making-an-xna-game-dont-maim-the-poor-avatars/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/22/making-an-xna-game-dont-maim-the-poor-avatars/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/22/making-an-xna-game-dont-maim-the-poor-avatars/#comments
It appears that a short while back, XNA developers were informed by the lordship at Microsoft of the things they can't have the Xbox 360 Avatars do in their games. The list is pretty much designed to stop some ambitious developer from making the most adorable Grand Theft Auto clone ever. Here's some of the rules:
  • Avatars can't engage in violence that causes "blood, gore, dismemberment, decapitation, maiming, or mutilation. ... Avatars can die temporarily to depict failure"
  • They can't talk.
  • Forget any sexual innuendo or "mildly explicit sexual descriptions or images or sexual posturing."
  • No bodily fluids can come from the Avatar.
  • Avatars can't go on glamorized crime sprees.
  • Avatars can't spend time with Mary Jane, shoot up, snort or do any other "controlled substances" ... they can't even smoke normal tobacco.
All use of Avatars must be approved by Microsoft -- and the full list is much longer. Check out the nitty gritty details here.

[Via CVG]

JoystiqMaking an XNA game? Don't maim the poor Avatars! originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 22 Jun 2009 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>avatarsdevelopmentmicrosoftrulesxnaMon, 22 Jun 2009 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Xbox Live: 'Community Games' become 'Indie Games']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/11/xbox-live-community-games-become-indie-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/11/xbox-live-community-games-become-indie-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/11/xbox-live-community-games-become-indie-games/#comments
Microsoft has released version 3.1 of its XNA Game Studio software to independent developers and, in doing so, revealed that a name change is in store for what's now known as Xbox Live Community Games. Beginning in July, these indie games will be known as ... Xbox Live Indie Games. We like it! Though it's not fully spelled out in today's notes from XNA HQ, we'd expect to see Live's game downloads section update with the new name sometime in July as well.

Also incoming is the ability for Xbox Live users to rate the newly-dubbed Indie Games -- the lack of such functionality has so far made tracking down the really good indie offerings on Live a chore.

[Via Kotaku]

JoystiqXbox Live: 'Community Games' become 'Indie Games' originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 11 Jun 2009 23:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>developmentindieMicrosoftXbox-360xbox-livexbox-live-community-gamesxbox-live-indie-gamesxnaThu, 11 Jun 2009 23:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Kodu to infiltrate Xbox 360, your imagination this month]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/09/kodu-to-infiltrate-xbox-360-your-imagination-this-month/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/09/kodu-to-infiltrate-xbox-360-your-imagination-this-month/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/09/kodu-to-infiltrate-xbox-360-your-imagination-this-month/#comments
We haven't had anything related to Kodu (not to be confused with Kudo) to excite us since early January, but, thankfully, we now know that this month is bringing us more than ridiculously hot weather. Courtesy of the Kodu dev blog, we know that the game will release sometime in June, however an exact date is something that needs to be ironed out.

If you're finding your memory of Kodu is a bit fuzzy, then refresh it with this video of Microsoft flagrantly ignoring child labor laws.

[Via Edge]

JoystiqKodu to infiltrate Xbox 360, your imagination this month originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 09 Jun 2009 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>koduMicrosoftXbox-360xnaTue, 09 Jun 2009 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ocean Scenes developer gives inside look into XNA platform]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/19/ocean-scenes-developer-gives-inside-look-into-xna-platform/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/19/ocean-scenes-developer-gives-inside-look-into-xna-platform/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/19/ocean-scenes-developer-gives-inside-look-into-xna-platform/#comments
We've heard from a number of XNA Community Games developers since the publication of GamerBytes' in-depth look at XNA sales statistics. While these indie devs have all provided some interesting insight into the infantile platform, we were curious to hear what a more casual member of the Creators Club thought about the service.

Adam Holmes, developer of the ultra soothing pseudo-game Ocean Scenes, provided us with just such a viewpoint. A self-proclaimed "hobbyist," Holmes' take on the XNA Community Games service is more optimistic than most. You can check out our entire interview (along with some tranquilizing images of lovely oceanic vistas) after the jump!

Continue reading Ocean Scenes developer gives inside look into XNA platform

JoystiqOcean Scenes developer gives inside look into XNA platform originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 19 Apr 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Adam-holmesinterviewmicrosoftocean-scenesxnaxna-community-gamesxna-creators-clubSun, 19 Apr 2009 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq interview: Halfbrick Studios]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/14/joystiq-interview-halfbrick-studios/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/14/joystiq-interview-halfbrick-studios/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/14/joystiq-interview-halfbrick-studios/#comments We recently fired off some long-distance questions to Halfbrick Studios, an independent developer located in Brisbane, Australia, about itself and its projects in the pipeline for Xbox 360 -- more specifically, for XBLA and XNA Community Games. Lead artist Matthew Knight generously accepted our assault and blasted back with his answers.

Warning: Stepping into our friendly exchange just might hit you like a ton of (half) bricks ...

Continue reading Joystiq interview: Halfbrick Studios

JoystiqJoystiq interview: Halfbrick Studios originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 14 Apr 2009 15:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>community-gameshalfbrickhalfbrick-blast-offhalfbrick-studiosinterviewMicrosoftraskullsthe-raskullsxblaXbox-360xnaTue, 14 Apr 2009 15:21:00 EST<![CDATA[The brighter side of XNA sales]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/01/the-brighter-side-of-xna-sales/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/01/the-brighter-side-of-xna-sales/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/01/the-brighter-side-of-xna-sales/#comments
We brought you a lot of doom and gloom on the day that XNA Community Sales numbers were initially released, but some more positive accounts have arrived in our inbox, and we thought we'd share them. For instance, we got a note from Zoomaroom developer Four Bros., which said that its game had nabbed 4,700 trial downloads and around 400 purchases, good for a 8.46% conversion rate.

Adam Holmes, the man behind Ocean Scenes, was pleased with his 2629 sales, though they came from around 48,000 trials. And, finally, there was Blue Rose Games of Dr. Popper fame, which wrote it sold 2,200 copies of its game at a 12 percent conversation rate, and that it was "happy" with how the game had done.

Things are looking up for some of you out there, and we're glad to hear it. Of course, it looks like there are still plenty of ways to improve Microsoft's service and pave the way to those XNA riches.

JoystiqThe brighter side of XNA sales originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 01 Apr 2009 08:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>community-gamesdr-popperfour-bros-studiosMicrosoftocean-scenesXbox-360xbox-livexnazoomaroomWed, 01 Apr 2009 08:50:00 EST<![CDATA[GamerBytes study shows disappointing sales for XNA Community Games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/30/gamerbytes-study-shows-disappointing-sales-for-xna-community-gam/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/30/gamerbytes-study-shows-disappointing-sales-for-xna-community-gam/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/30/gamerbytes-study-shows-disappointing-sales-for-xna-community-gam/#comments
Considering certain independent iPhone App developers have been making towering mountains of cash, you'd think that the financial status of the XNA Community Games market would be just as favorable. However, according to a recent report from GamerBytes, who dug up the sales figures of a number of XNA titles, this couldn't be further from the truth -- the combined sales total of the 24 titles they tracked was a mere 23,907 purchases, with an underwhelming conversion rate (ratio of people who purchase a game to total demo downloads) of just 7.1 percent.

Of course, with no impetus on the developers to reveal their financial data, the report is far from conclusive. When queried about their sales statistics, many of the developers gave rough estimates (or no answer at all), and a few of the service's "high-profile" titles, such as Colosseum and CarneyVale: Showtime, are completely unaccounted for. Take GamerBytes' conclusions with a few grains of salt, but based on their research, it certainly seems XNA Community Games have gotten off to a molasses-slow start.

JoystiqGamerBytes study shows disappointing sales for XNA Community Games originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 30 Mar 2009 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chartsgamerbytesindiemicrosoftsalesXbox-360xbox-livexnaxna-community-gamesxna-creators-clubMon, 30 Mar 2009 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Pick some fresh Clover screenshots]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/30/pick-some-fresh-clover-screenshots/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/30/pick-some-fresh-clover-screenshots/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/30/pick-some-fresh-clover-screenshots/#comments
click to enlarge
Binary Tweed has released some brand new screenshots for its upcoming Community Game, Clover. The new screens feature a redesigned version of lead character Sam, who was altered as a result of community feedback. Also featured in the screenshots is a new, dynamic sky-blending system. According to the Clover website, this system assures that the "player's view of the game world is constantly changing." Regardless of what that means, we're digging the watercolors-meet-South-Park visual style of the game. Check out the screens in the gallery below.

Gallery: Clover (3/30/2009)

JoystiqPick some fresh Clover screenshots originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 30 Mar 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>binary-tweedclovercommunity-gamesxnaMon, 30 Mar 2009 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[This Wednesday: Bust up fools in 'The Dishwasher: Dead Samurai' on XBLA]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/30/this-wednesday-bust-up-fools-in-dishwasher-dead-samurai/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/30/this-wednesday-bust-up-fools-in-dishwasher-dead-samurai/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/30/this-wednesday-bust-up-fools-in-dishwasher-dead-samurai/#comments
Announced via Major Nelson's podcast last night, this Wednesday's "Days of Arcade" XBLA game will be the 2D, side-scrolling, three-player co-op beat 'em up (breath), The Dishwasher: Dead Samurai. Coming in at 800 ($10), you might remember Dishwasher from GDC 2008 when, among other XNA titles, it was featured as a free download, showcasing the XNA development tools. Be sure to keep a lookout for the X3F Podcast-born achievement that pays homage to Peter Moore's fake guitar playing prowess! And if you're like us and can't spare the extra spacebucks just yet, feel free to window shop in our gallery below.

[Thanks Menno!]

JoystiqThis Wednesday: Bust up fools in 'The Dishwasher: Dead Samurai' on XBLA originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 30 Mar 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2dco-opdishwasher-dead-samuraijames-silvaMicrosoftside-scrollerthis-wednesdayweeks-of-arcadexblaxblawednesdayXbox-360xnaMon, 30 Mar 2009 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Some creators disappointed with XNA Community Games sales]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/30/one-creator-disappointed-with-xna-community-games-sales/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/30/one-creator-disappointed-with-xna-community-games-sales/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/30/one-creator-disappointed-with-xna-community-games-sales/#comments
If indie devs thought that XNA Community Games would be the ticket to untold riches ... well, let's just say they may not want to toss their name tags and hairnets just yet. Mobeen Fikree, the force behind caffeine monster software, revealed his XNA sales numbers, which he deemed disappointing. Of the 7595 downloads his game DUOtrix had received, only 157 were converted into full purchases, a conversion rate of around two percent. Unsurprisingly, Fikree doesn't think its an issue with his game's quality, rather blaming the lack of a user-rating system that allows the best games to rise to the top.

Though it didn't disclose all the numbers, Mommy's Best Games agreed, saying that the sales of fairly well-publicized Weapon of Choice fell well below expectations. Are you an XNA dev with numbers to share? Let us know!

JoystiqSome creators disappointed with XNA Community Games sales originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 30 Mar 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>caffeine-monster-softwareduotrixMicrosoftXbox-360xnaxna-community-gamesxna-creators-clubMon, 30 Mar 2009 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[PSA: You're doing it wrong, community game teaches foreplay [Update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/26/psa-youre-doing-it-wrong-community-game-teaches-foreplay/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/26/psa-youre-doing-it-wrong-community-game-teaches-foreplay/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/26/psa-youre-doing-it-wrong-community-game-teaches-foreplay/#comments
Update: Community game, Break One Out, has been pulled from the Xbox Live Marketplace.

Ladies and gentlemen, we're doing it wrong. After years of thinking we'd figured out every trick available from books and television, video games have revealed that the easiest method to get someone naked is by playing an Arkanoid clone over their (already naked) body.

How did we discover the answer to one of the world's greatest mysteries? The Xbox Community Game, Break One Out (yeah, that's the name) taught us, of course! The game features Kitty -- we're sure that's her real name -- covered with blocks that must be destroyed by sending balls flying toward her. In hindsight, we probably could have put that in a less "double entendre" kind of way ...

Even though the game doesn't feature any real nudity (naughty bits are covered up by black bars) it's surprising Microsoft wouldn't pull the content for fear of damaging its family friendly image. Thankfully, all Community Games are considered unrated content, which means the game isn't accessible when any of the Xbox 360 Family Settings are adjusted.

Here's the real PSA. Don't buy this game, folks. Not because it's a bad game (and it is), not because it's sad (and oh boy, is it) but because it's 200 ($2.50) ... and the sequel will probably include co-op.

JoystiqPSA: You're doing it wrong, community game teaches foreplay [Update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 26 Mar 2009 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arkanoidarkanoid-clonebad-gamescommunity-gamespsaxnaThu, 26 Mar 2009 16:45:00 EST<![CDATA[GDC09: The developers-only metallic blue Xbox 360 ]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/26/gdc09-the-developers-only-metallic-blue-xbox-360/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/26/gdc09-the-developers-only-metallic-blue-xbox-360/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/26/gdc09-the-developers-only-metallic-blue-xbox-360/#comments
Click to enlarge (developers only!)
Hey game makers, we're writing this post just for you. That's right, regular people, you can tune right out starting now. Just turn it off. Zone out. Do whatever it is common people do.

Are we alone? Alright, here's the deal: this summer Microsoft will be releasing a new blue-tinted Xbox 360 XDK Development Kit for developers, which not only adds some cool blue styling to the extra-tall dev profile, but doubles the console's memory to 1GB (a just-for-devs feature, of course). Until you can totally get one of your own in a couple months, stare at some more images in the gallery below ... since you're a developer ... since everyone else stopped reading, just like we asked.

Gallery: XDK Unit Test & Development Kits

JoystiqGDC09: The developers-only metallic blue Xbox 360 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 26 Mar 2009 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>GDCgdc-2009MicrosoftXbox-360XDKXNAThu, 26 Mar 2009 10:15:00 EST<![CDATA[GDC09: MS announces new XNA features, Dream-Build-Play 2009, new dev kit]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/24/gdc09-ms-announces-new-xna-features-dream-build-play-2009-new/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/24/gdc09-ms-announces-new-xna-features-dream-build-play-2009-new/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/24/gdc09-ms-announces-new-xna-features-dream-build-play-2009-new/#comments
Microsoft today announced an update to XNA Game Studio, its free Xbox 360 development tools. The update will allow Xbox Live Arcade or Community Game developers to include Avatar support in their games. The update will also include support for the Xbox 360's Party system. Additionally, the update gives professional XBLA developers the ability to release downloadable content.

Along with the new XNA Game Studio update, Microsoft announced this year's Dream-Build-Play competition. The contest charges developers with creating an XNA game and offers cash prizes to the winners as well as a chance to publish their games on Xbox Live Arcade. Joystiq readers may recognize CarneyVale: Showtime and The Dishwasher: Dead Samurai (pictured), both of which won previous Dream-Build-Play competitions. Dream-Build-Play 2009 will begin accepting submissions on April 6.

Finally, and much less interesting, Microsoft is previewing its latest development kit. The kit has "additional debugging memory" which should help developers "push the console to its maximum capabilities." Just don't push it too hard, mkay?

JoystiqGDC09: MS announces new XNA features, Dream-Build-Play 2009, new dev kit originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 24 Mar 2009 14:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dream-build-playgdc-2009MicrosoftXbox-360xnaTue, 24 Mar 2009 14:50:00 EST<![CDATA[SXSW 2009: Games By the People, For the People]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/14/sxsw-2009-games-by-the-people-for-the-people/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/14/sxsw-2009-games-by-the-people-for-the-people/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/14/sxsw-2009-games-by-the-people-for-the-people/#comments
So you enjoy playing video games, right? That's what probably brought you to Joystiq in the first place. But have you ever thought about making your own? Right now you're probably thinking, "But, Kevin... doesn't that take millions of dollars and a huge development team?" Well you happen to be in luck, because the answer is no. You can pretty much do it all on your own for pennies. But what's the secret to making it awesome? 5 out of 5 panelists agree: you need to have a good story, or a really interesting idea. Simple, right? Start thinking, and find out more after the break.

Continue reading SXSW 2009: Games By the People, For the People

JoystiqSXSW 2009: Games By the People, For the People originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 14 Mar 2009 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>boyd-multererdeveloperdevelopersgame-developmentgame-makingGareth-DavisIndieKongregateLee-UniackeScott-SteinbergSteve-Demetersxswsxsw-2009xnaSat, 14 Mar 2009 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[GamePro to publish indie games, free magazine]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/09/gamepro-to-publish-indie-games-free-magazine/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/09/gamepro-to-publish-indie-games-free-magazine/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/09/gamepro-to-publish-indie-games-free-magazine/#comments
Set to celebrate its 20th anniversary this year, GamePro -- and parent company IDG -- has made an unexpected announcement: it's getting into the business of publishing games. As reported by GameDaily, the newly formed label, GamePro Labs, will focus on publishing games from independent developers.

The label's official site makes mention of Xbox 360, PC, Zune, iPhone and PlayStation Network platforms, but is light on specific release plans. Game submissions are being accepted, although GamePro does say it will only be publishing a limited number of tiles each year. The company will act as a sort of "middleman" between indie devs and platformer holders, in addition to handling payouts and "regular promotion in GamePro Magazine." The latter hopefully refers to ad space and not any sort of paid editorial consideration. Titles from three currently signed developers will be announced at GDC later this month.

GamePro has also announced plans to produce a free, custom edition of its magazine for distribution exclusively at 7-Eleven stores. The convenience chain began selling games last year (and breaking street dates on them shortly thereafter).

JoystiqGamePro to publish indie games, free magazine originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 09 Mar 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1up7-elevengameprogamepro-labsiphonepsnxblaxnaziff-daviszuneMon, 09 Mar 2009 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Community Games devs still in the dark on sales figures]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/13/community-games-devs-still-in-the-dark-on-sales-figures/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/13/community-games-devs-still-in-the-dark-on-sales-figures/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/13/community-games-devs-still-in-the-dark-on-sales-figures/#commentsFiled under:


If you happen to be a developer for Microsoft's Community Games on the Xbox 360, our heart goes out to you. MTV's Multiplayer is reporting that since the Community Games service launched in November 2008, developers have yet to receive any sales information about their games. Thus far, the only official information available to the developers is the same information that's been released to the public, namely the top ten Community Games lists that Major Nelson compiles every week. As Multiplayer points out, knowing what rank a game is doesn't exactly tell the whole story without sales data: How many copies sold does it take to make number one? Thousands? Hundreds?

In response, Microsoft stated that the sales data will be available to Community Games developers via the XNA Creators Club website by March. Hopefully, Microsoft will see fit to release some information on the overall performance of Community Games in that time frame as well.

JoystiqCommunity Games devs still in the dark on sales figures originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 13 Jan 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>community-gamesxnaTue, 13 Jan 2009 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[CES 09: Is Kodu really that simple? Answer: Yes!]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/10/ces-09-is-kodu-really-that-simple-answer-yes/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/10/ces-09-is-kodu-really-that-simple-answer-yes/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/10/ces-09-is-kodu-really-that-simple-answer-yes/#commentsFiled under: ,


Our homies over at Joystiq got a chance to sit in on a demo of Microsoft's recently announced and supposedly user friendly Community Game Kodu and were able to answer the still lingering question that's on everyone's mind: Is Kodu really that easy to use? Quick answer, yes ... yes it is.

According to Microsoft's Matthew MacLaurin, Kodu was created with kids in mind and describes the game as "programming as a fourth-grade art class." And Joystiq's Justin McElroy agrees that it really is basic and well, simple. Check out the informative (and totally factual) Kodu bullet points listed below:
  • Will ship with 20 different objects/characters.
  • 20 pre-built (and editable) levels will be included.
  • Commands given to objects are called "Pages".
  • Kodu has been tested with kids for over a year.
  • Releasing this Spring for a yet to be disclosed price.

JoystiqCES 09: Is Kodu really that simple? Answer: Yes! originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 10 Jan 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ces-2009community-gameskoduxnaSat, 10 Jan 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[CES 2009: A closer look at Kodu]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/09/ces-2009-a-closer-look-at-kodu/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/09/ces-2009-a-closer-look-at-kodu/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/09/ces-2009-a-closer-look-at-kodu/#commentsFiled under:


We don't know about you, but we weren't quite sure what to make of junior game creation platform Kodu when Microsoft showed it off at its CES keynote. Sure, it looked interesting, but scary smart 12-year-old demonstrator Sparrow was so adept at building levels with the software, we couldn't tell if it was as easy as Microsoft was making it out to be.

The answer, judging from the brief demonstration we saw today, is a tentative "Yes."

Gallery: Kodu Game Creator

Continue reading CES 2009: A closer look at Kodu

JoystiqCES 2009: A closer look at Kodu originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 09 Jan 2009 18:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ces-2009koduXbox-360xnaFri, 09 Jan 2009 18:56:00 EST<![CDATA[Starting 2009 with a few popular Community Games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/06/starting-2009-with-a-few-popular-community-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/06/starting-2009-with-a-few-popular-community-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/06/starting-2009-with-a-few-popular-community-games/#commentsFiled under: , ,


For those of you have yet to jump into the ever growing library of gaming fun found in the Community Games, we urge that you do. Really, there's a lot of goodness to be found and even though each game is paid content, there are trial versions for each and ever title.

To get you started on your 2009 Community Games test drive, we took the liberty of compiling a list of the top seven most popular games available. All of which are, for the most part, good times (except Fireplace, it's that controversial title that got a Major plug). Go ahead, jump in!
  • Fireplace - "Enjoy the awesome ambiance of a crackling fireplace in your living room."
  • Air Legends - "Take to the skies in frenetic WWII dogfighting."
  • Johnny Platform's Biscuit Romp - "Play as Johnny Platform himself in this retro-styled platformer!"
  • sin(Surfing) - "Ever wished you could surf inside an oscilloscope?"
  • Weapon of Choice - "Insane action and humongous aliens tied together by a twisted story."
  • RPaints - "Do you like to mess with colors, or just doodle? RPaints allows you to do just that!"
  • Dr. Popper - "Dr. Popper is a bubble breaker game."

JoystiqStarting 2009 with a few popular Community Games originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>community-gamesxblaxnaTue, 06 Jan 2009 15:45:00 EST<![CDATA[GamerBytes picks top XNA Community Games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/30/gamerbytes-picks-top-xna-community-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/30/gamerbytes-picks-top-xna-community-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/30/gamerbytes-picks-top-xna-community-games/#commentsFiled under:


One of our New Year's resolutions is to do better at keeping up with all the XNA Community Games (it's a long-time-coming, we know). In the meanwhile, GamerBytes and XNPlay have picked up the slack, and have chosen the top games on the service from 2008.

Taking the top slots are Johnny Platform's Biscuit Romp, Ultratron and vertical ragdoll platformer CarneyVale: Showtime, which you really have to see to "get." Don't worry, we've put a video of it after the break.

Continue reading GamerBytes picks top XNA Community Games

JoystiqGamerBytes picks top XNA Community Games originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 30 Dec 2008 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>best-of-2008Xbox-360xnaxna-community-gamesTue, 30 Dec 2008 14:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Warm yourself by the Xbox Live fireplace]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/22/warm-yourself-by-the-xbox-live-fireplace/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/22/warm-yourself-by-the-xbox-live-fireplace/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/22/warm-yourself-by-the-xbox-live-fireplace/#commentsFiled under:


Oh, hello friends! Please, come in, we've been waiting for you. Here, let us get your coat. Dear, look at you, you're frozen! Why don't you come over here and stand by the fire. ... Go on, it's really warm. ... Oh, buttons! You've figured us out! It's not really a fireplace at all, but rather a fake fireplace created in XNA for download on Xbox Live. Sorry, we just couldn't resist a little yuletide chicanery.

... What? ... Oh, umm, 400 points. So -- so basically, yeah, five dollars. Huh? Oh, yes, we can watch the video after the break for free. ... No, you're right. That's probably ... no, you don't need to apologize. We're disappointed in us too.

Continue reading Warm yourself by the Xbox Live fireplace

JoystiqWarm yourself by the Xbox Live fireplace originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 22 Dec 2008 10:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>holidaze-2008Xbox-360xbox-livexnaMon, 22 Dec 2008 10:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Halo still rules Xbox Live, community games now included]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/09/halo-still-rules-xbox-live-community-games-now-included/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/09/halo-still-rules-xbox-live-community-games-now-included/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/09/halo-still-rules-xbox-live-community-games-now-included/#commentsFiled under: ,


There's a new top games of Xbox Live list up over at MajorNelson.com and, for the second week in a row, Halo 3 is sitting atop all other Xbox 360 games. That includes Gears 2 and World at War. Funny thing about World at War, this past week it actually beat out Gears 2 for the second most played game on Live. Poor Marcus, he never had a fighting chance ...

This week, Major also brings us a new weekly top ten list of Community Games, which should help you weed through game candidates and give you a weekly list of hot games. You know, hot games like Mr. Silva's ZSX4 Guitarpocalypse which made it into the top five.

JoystiqHalo still rules Xbox Live, community games now included originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 09 Dec 2008 15:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bungiebungie-studioscommunity-gameshalo-3xbox-livexnaTue, 09 Dec 2008 15:15:00 EST<![CDATA[MS expands Community Games into new regions]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/25/ms-expands-community-games-into-new-regions/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/25/ms-expands-community-games-into-new-regions/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/25/ms-expands-community-games-into-new-regions/#commentsFiled under: ,

Today, Microsoft announced that they've expanded their Community Games initiative into new regions, thus growing the amount of developer participants.

Singapore, Australia and New Zealand have just been added to the list of regions that can produce and participate in the Xbox Live Community Games program and create games like these. On top of the three new region additions, the Community Games program is available in:
  • United States
  • Canada
  • England
  • France
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Nordic Regions

JoystiqMS expands Community Games into new regions originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 25 Nov 2008 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>community-gamesxblaxbox-livexnaTue, 25 Nov 2008 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Watch out Little Big Planet, here comes Microsoft's Boku]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/03/watch-out-little-big-planet-here-comes-microsofts-boku/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/03/watch-out-little-big-planet-here-comes-microsofts-boku/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/03/watch-out-little-big-planet-here-comes-microsofts-boku/#commentsFiled under:


While the moniker of this webiste (as seen hanging ominously above) often causes readers to assume that we are a font of Microsoft biased gushing, we are, in fact, comprised of bloggers with a variety of gaming passions. As such, we have to admit that we're intrigued by the PS3 exclusive build-your-own-platformer Little Big Planet, yet woefully unable to afford the hardware necessary to play it. If you find yourself in the same position, you may find hope in Boku, a new programing tool from Microsoft. Boku allows users to create entire games using an entirely icon-driven system which can be controlled using only an Xbox 360 controller. In other words, Boku offers the promise of XNA (on which the tool is based) without the need for programming knowledge, allowing users of all ages to create their own games.

Most impressive is that it appears Boku can be used to create all kinds of games, including overhead shooters, 2D action, and even 3D platforming. Check out a video of it in action after the break.

The details of exactly how Boku will be released remain unclear, though it's expected launch in some form in 2009.

Continue reading Watch out Little Big Planet, here comes Microsoft's Boku

JoystiqWatch out Little Big Planet, here comes Microsoft's Boku originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 03 Nov 2008 15:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bokuxnaMon, 03 Nov 2008 15:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Boku, Microsoft's 'LittleBigPlanet' heading to 360, PC]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/03/boku-microsofts-littlebigplanet-heading-to-360-pc/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/03/boku-microsofts-littlebigplanet-heading-to-360-pc/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/03/boku-microsofts-littlebigplanet-heading-to-360-pc/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Little Big Planet captured players' hearts and free time with its unmistakable mix of ingenuity and cute. Now it appears that Microsoft has its own plan to tap into players' creative wellspring with Boku, a new XNA project billed by The Seattle Times blog as a "visual programming language for kids." Hello World.

Following a previous demonstration of the project in 2007, Boku was officially unveiled this week by project lead Matthew MacLaurin during Microsoft's Professional Developers Conference in Los Angeles. The effort looks to build upon Microsoft's ongoing work with the more complicated XNA Game Studio, allowing players to program their own games using a more inviting set of icon-driven instructions on either the PC or Xbox 360. Sort of makes us want to go back and revisit Carnage Heart.

No official release date has been announced yet, though MacLaurin noted during his presentation that players will be able to start playing with Boku sometime "early next year." Until then, check out a video of it in motion after the break.

[Via Gamasutra]

Continue reading Boku, Microsoft's 'LittleBigPlanet' heading to 360, PC

JoystiqBoku, Microsoft's 'LittleBigPlanet' heading to 360, PC originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 03 Nov 2008 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bokucarnage-heartlittle-big-planetlittlebigplanetmicrosoftPCuser-generated-contentXbox-360xnaxna-game-studioMon, 03 Nov 2008 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Xbox 360 community games: 48 hours from submission to release]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/18/xbox-360-community-games-48-hours-from-submission-to-release/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/18/xbox-360-community-games-48-hours-from-submission-to-release/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/18/xbox-360-community-games-48-hours-from-submission-to-release/#commentsFiled under: ,

In its latest developer diary, Microsoft's Gamerscore Blog highlights the NXE Community Games Channel, which we've heard about since February 2008. The separate channel will let theoretically anyone who submits a game and passes peer review to sell their title to other Xbox 360 owners (with Microsoft, unsurprisingly, taking a little bit off the top).

What is surprising to us is that the peer review process there's only 48 hours between the time of submission and release on the channel, a much shorter time frame than Microsoft's weeks-long certification process for Xbox Live Arcade games and title updates. Video embedded after the break; the New Xbox Experience launches November 19.

Continue reading Xbox 360 community games: 48 hours from submission to release

JoystiqXbox 360 community games: 48 hours from submission to release originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 18 Oct 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>community-gamescommunity-games-channelnew-xbox-experiencenxeXbox-360xnaSat, 18 Oct 2008 15:00:00 EST