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[Zen Studios' CastleStorm marching onto Xbox Live Arcade this year]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/30/zen-studios-castlestorm-marching-onto-xbox-live-arcade-this-yea/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/30/zen-studios-castlestorm-marching-onto-xbox-live-arcade-this-yea/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/30/zen-studios-castlestorm-marching-onto-xbox-live-arcade-this-yea/#comments
Zen Studios is just as busy as can be, it seems. In addition to the upcoming Kickbeat, the studio is also bringing CastleStorm to Xbox Live Arcade and other unannounced platforms. Promising a mix of real-time strategy, tower defense and destruction gameplay, CastleStorm lets players take up the roles of either knights or vikings as they fight to destroy each others' castles.

The game bears some resemblance to Ronimo's Swords & Soldiers, and has players sending out various troops, building their castles and using spells. Castlestorm is slated to be released this year. Check out the first trailer above and some screens in the gallery below.

Continue reading Zen Studios' CastleStorm marching onto Xbox Live Arcade this year

JoystiqZen Studios' CastleStorm marching onto Xbox Live Arcade this year originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 30 May 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>castlestormmicrosoftxblaxboxxbox-live-arcadezen-studiosWed, 30 May 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rock Band Blitz tracks include Elton John, All-American Rejects, Iron Maiden, more]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/28/rock-band-blitz-tracks-include-elton-john-all-american-rejects/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/28/rock-band-blitz-tracks-include-elton-john-all-american-rejects/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/28/rock-band-blitz-tracks-include-elton-john-all-american-rejects/#comments
Harmonix has revealed some of the new tracks that will be headed to its controller-powered Rock Band Blitz. The list features plenty of variety, including Elton John's "I'm Still Standing," All-American Rejects' "Kids in the Street," Iron Maiden's "Wicker Man" and Fall Out Boy's "A Little Less Sixteen Candles." Living Colour has a track as well - we'll let you guess which one.

Harmonix has also released a short video explaining some of Blitz's power-ups. Check it out above, and find the partial track list after the break.

Continue reading Rock Band Blitz tracks include Elton John, All-American Rejects, Iron Maiden, more

JoystiqRock Band Blitz tracks include Elton John, All-American Rejects, Iron Maiden, more originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 28 May 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>harmonixmicrosoftplaystationps3psnrock-band-blitzxblaxboxxbox-live-arcadeMon, 28 May 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Minecraft edges Black Ops out of second spot on XBLA charts]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/25/minecraft-edges-black-ops-out-of-second-spot-on-xbla-charts/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/25/minecraft-edges-black-ops-out-of-second-spot-on-xbla-charts/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/25/minecraft-edges-black-ops-out-of-second-spot-on-xbla-charts/#comments

This week, two important things happened to Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition on Xbox 360 - one, the game topped the Xbox Live activity charts once more, this time beating out the longstanding Call of Duty: Black Ops for the number two spot (Modern Warfare 3 remains lodged in the top position). Second, and more importantly, I finally made a nether portal last night. This is important business, folks!

Regardless, it's likely many of you folks have also done so by this point - the game's also topping this week's "Top Arcade Titles" list as well, digging under the hills and valleys of big seller Trials Evolution. How about those crazy ghost things, huh? Straight up madness!

JoystiqMinecraft edges Black Ops out of second spot on XBLA charts originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 25 May 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>4j4j-studiosmicrosoftMinecraftmojangmojang-specificationssalesxblaxboxxbox-live-arcadexbox-live-marketplaceFri, 25 May 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Techland's Mad Riders touches down on PSN May 29, XBLA/PC on May 30]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/18/techlands-mad-riders-touches-down-on-psn-may-29-xbla-pc-on-may/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/18/techlands-mad-riders-touches-down-on-psn-may-29-xbla-pc-on-may/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/18/techlands-mad-riders-touches-down-on-psn-may-29-xbla-pc-on-may/#comments Image
If you've somehow managed to get your fill of Trials Evolution's dusty peaks and valleys already, Techland's latest, Mad Riders, may be perfect for you. And hey, the game is set to launch on May 30 according to the latest trailer. That's pretty soon!

Like Trials before it, Mad Riders is a digital-only title, but unlike Trials, it's not limited to a single console (Mad Riders is headed to PSN, XBLA, and PC). It'll be available one day earlier for PSN users on May 29, and May 30 on XBLA and PC, but it'll cost the same on all three: a cool $10. Techland describes that as "an awesome game for the price of a pizza," though we'd warn the studio against devaluing its games as such. What kind of pizza are you gonna get for $10? Terrible pizza, that's what!

JoystiqTechland's Mad Riders touches down on PSN May 29, XBLA/PC on May 30 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 18 May 2012 13:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hastemad-ridersmicrosoftpcplaystationplaystation-networkps3psnq2-2012release-datetechlandubisoftxblaxboxxbox-live-arcadeFri, 18 May 2012 13:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Serious Sam 3: BFE, Serious Sam Double D XXL run screaming to XBLA this fall]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/serious-sam-3-bfe-serious-sam-double-d-xxl-run-screaming-to-xb/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/serious-sam-3-bfe-serious-sam-double-d-xxl-run-screaming-to-xb/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/serious-sam-3-bfe-serious-sam-double-d-xxl-run-screaming-to-xb/#comments This fall, Xbox Live Arcade doubles down on Serious Sam. Serious Sam 3: BFE - which launched on the PC late last year and was ported over to the Mac last month - will ditch the disc for an Xbox Live Arcade release this fall. Serious Sam 3: BFE on XBLA will be the full game, losing nothing in the transition over to console.

Serious Sam Double D XXL is the new version of Mommy's Best Games' PC release. The XXL brings with it "new campaign missions, new challenges, new enemies, Gunstacker upgrades and a hot new two-player local cooperative mode." Serious Sam Double D XXL is priced at 800 MS Points ($10).

Gallery: Serious Sam Double D XXL (XBLA)

Continue reading Serious Sam 3: BFE, Serious Sam Double D XXL run screaming to XBLA this fall

JoystiqSerious Sam 3: BFE, Serious Sam Double D XXL run screaming to XBLA this fall originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 May 2012 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftmommys-best-gamesserious-sam-3serious-sam-3-bfeserious-sam-double-d-xxlxblaxboxxbox-live-arcadeWed, 16 May 2012 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Trials Evolution moves half a million in just three weeks]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/trials-evolution-moves-half-a-million-in-just-three-weeks/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/trials-evolution-moves-half-a-million-in-just-three-weeks/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/trials-evolution-moves-half-a-million-in-just-three-weeks/#comments ImageScreaming at monitors while attempting to make just one more crushingly difficult checkpoint is apparently a pastime shared by many, many gamers. This week, Ubisoft revealed that the latest Trials franchise entry - Trials Evolution - sold approximately 500,000 units since its launch in mid-April.

Sure, it's no Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition, but half a million sales in less than a month is quite impressive for a title on Xbox Live Arcade. How impressive, you ask? Well, we'd love to tell you, but Microsoft doesn't release sales numbers for XBLA games. Those rascals! For context's sake, though, we'd point out that it took just over a year for the first Trials game on XBLA to hit 1 million units sold. We get the feeling it'll take a bit less time with Evolution.

In the same slide, RedLynx is called out as having many brands with "great multiplatform potential." A quick glance at RedLynx's catalog confirms our suspicion that Trials is indeed the Finnish studio's biggest "brand." How about that!

JoystiqTrials Evolution moves half a million in just three weeks originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 May 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftredlynxsalestrials-evolutionubisoftxblaxboxxbox-live-arcadeWed, 16 May 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Castle Crashers (XBLA) on sale for $7.50 through May 21]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/castle-crashers-xbla-on-sale-for-7-50-through-may-21/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/castle-crashers-xbla-on-sale-for-7-50-through-may-21/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/castle-crashers-xbla-on-sale-for-7-50-through-may-21/#comments We can't imagine there are people out there who haven't ever played Castle Crashers - well, maybe babies haven't. Those babies should to take advantage of the current Xbox Live Arcade sale, which has priced Castle Crashers at 600 MS Points ($7.50) through May 21.

JoystiqCastle Crashers (XBLA) on sale for $7.50 through May 21 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 May 2012 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Castle-Crashersmicrosoftthe-behemothxblaxboxxbox-live-arcadeWed, 16 May 2012 00:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Deja Review: Minecraft (XBLA)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/10/deja-review-minecraft-xbla/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/10/deja-review-minecraft-xbla/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/10/deja-review-minecraft-xbla/#commentsWe're of the firm opinion that your time is too precious, too valuable to be spent reading a full review for a game that was already reviewed many, many years ago. What's the point of applying a score to a game that's old enough to be enrolled in the sixth grade? That's why we invented Deja Review: A quick look at the new features and relative agelessness of remade, revived and re-released games.
Image
Minecraft on Xbox Live Arcade is surreal. It's like eating jelly on eggs while watching a baby play in a lion cage: It doesn't belong where it is, but now that it's there you can't look away and, for some reason, there's a surprisingly delicious taste in your mouth.

Minecraft's shock value as an XBLA breakout isn't a result of it not making sense on the platform - in fact, it plays almost like a native title. It's surprising because Minecraft was never supposed to be big enough for a high-profile XBLA port. It's a voxel-based PC-only sandbox game with choppy graphics and no defined goal, which some argue makes it the opposite of a "game." Minecraft was never supposed to be a hit. It wasn't supposed to sell more than 5 million copies, generate $80 million or be played by more than 25 million people. It wasn't supposed to turn Markus Persson's developer persona, Notch, into a millionaire, a fashion icon, or a common name among Swedes and gamers alike,

But Minecraft has done all of these things, and now it's made its way XBLA. And just as it has everywhere else, Minecraft surprisingly succeeds.

Continue reading Deja Review: Minecraft (XBLA)

JoystiqDeja Review: Minecraft (XBLA) originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 10 May 2012 14:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>deja-reviewMarkus-PerssonmicrosoftMinecraftmojangnotchXBLAxboxXbox-360Xbox-Live-ArcadeThu, 10 May 2012 14:40:00 EST<![CDATA[How to buy Minecraft on Xbox 360 for $5 less than on your Xbox 360 [update: no more!]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/09/how-to-buy-minecraft-on-xbox-360-for-5-less-than-on-your-xbox-3/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/09/how-to-buy-minecraft-on-xbox-360-for-5-less-than-on-your-xbox-3/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/09/how-to-buy-minecraft-on-xbox-360-for-5-less-than-on-your-xbox-3/#comments ImageUpdate: Best Buy's price for Minecraft is back at $20, unfortunately. Congrats to those of you who managed to snap up the lower price!

With the launch of Minecraft today on Xbox Live Arcade for the lofty price of 1600 MS Points ($20), we searched long and hard to discover a way to buy the game for a full 25 percent off. There was lava and exploding Creepers and this skeleton that kept shooting arrows - pretty harrowing stuff. Anyway, we sussed out this precise formula for snagging the game on the cheap. Follow along below ... if you dare.
  • Step 1: Go to Best Buy's website.
  • Step 2: Purchase Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition for $15 instead of the $20 it costs on Xbox Live Marketplace.
  • Step 3: Laugh and throw money in the air, you baller.

[Thanks KP!]

JoystiqHow to buy Minecraft on Xbox 360 for $5 less than on your Xbox 360 [update: no more!] originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 09 May 2012 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>4j4j-studiosbest-buymicrosoftMinecraftmojangmojang-specificationsxblaxblmxboxxbox-livexbox-live-arcadexbox-live-marketplaceWed, 09 May 2012 14:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Fable Heroes review: For every choice, no consequence]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/01/fable-heroes-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/01/fable-heroes-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/01/fable-heroes-review/#comments ImageIn Fable Heroes, you and some friends take the role of cutesy Fable-based puppets, battling through a number of cookie-cutter levels on the couch or online. Put frankly, the game is a shameless abuse of the Fable property. The idea of a cartoonish hack-and-slash isn't necessarily a bad idea, if executed properly. Unfortunately, Fable Heroes struggles at its core concept.

Like most hack-and-slash games, the button scheme is fairly simple, featuring a light and heavy attack, along with a roll maneuver. You can open chests for various power-ups (some of dubious helpfulness) and there is a special move that none of my multiplayer party fully grasped. I knew how to do it, but for the life of me couldn't figure out when it was available. This led to rampant guesswork with limited success. The help section of the game didn't offer much assistance either. (Though it does include a 17-page description of all the power-up chests.)

Gallery: Fable Heroes (Marketplace, 3/4/12)

Continue reading Fable Heroes review: For every choice, no consequence

JoystiqFable Heroes review: For every choice, no consequence originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 01 May 2012 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fable-heroesLionhead-Studiosmicrosoftxblaxboxxbox-livexbox-live-arcadeTue, 01 May 2012 17:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Bloodforge review: God of sore ... thumbs]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/27/bloodforge-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/27/bloodforge-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/27/bloodforge-review/#comments Even before diving into Bloodforge's gore-soaked, beast-slaying combat or encountering one of its screen-enveloping enemies, the XBLA brawler announces itself as a God of War wannabe. From its pissed-off protagonist to its female narrator, the hack-and-slasher channels Kratos' exploits before the first entrails stain your sword. There are certainly worse series to crib from, and Bloodforge, while significantly flawed, generally feels more like a fan-made tribute than a cash-grabbing copycat.

The first thing Bloodforge hits you with isn't some ugly monster's sharp steel, but a striking visual presentation. Contrasting a desaturated color palette with buckets of bright blood, Bloodforge looks like it may have jumped off the paneled page of a mature graphic novel. The dark vibe is further complemented by sopping rain storms, snowy landscapes stained with viscera, and marshes blanketed with mist. If all that doesn't set the tone, silhouetted corpses impaled on spikes and hanging from nooses should do the trick.

Gallery: Bloodforge (XBLA)

Continue reading Bloodforge review: God of sore ... thumbs

JoystiqBloodforge review: God of sore ... thumbs originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 27 Apr 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bloodforgemicrosoftxblaxboxxbox-livexbox-live-arcadeFri, 27 Apr 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hybrid will cost $15; beta to kick off at 'the end of this month']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/26/hybrid-will-cost-15-beta-to-kick-off-at-the-end-of-this-month/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/26/hybrid-will-cost-15-beta-to-kick-off-at-the-end-of-this-month/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/26/hybrid-will-cost-15-beta-to-kick-off-at-the-end-of-this-month/#comments 5th Cell's XBLA-exclusive shooter, Hybrid, now has a price point: 1200 MS Points ($15). Producer Caleb Arseneaux confirmed the pricing with Joystiq during a preview session earlier this week.

Arseneaux also narrowed down the beta timeline. Initially set to launch the game sometime following GDC, 5th Cell is now targeting a live date by "the end of this month." Arseneaux wouldn't go into more detail, but reinforced how essential the beta would be to Hybrid's successful launch.

If you signed up for the closed beta, you should receive an email with your download code soon.

JoystiqHybrid will cost $15; beta to kick off at 'the end of this month' originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 26 Apr 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>5th-cellbetademohybridhybrid-xblamicrosoftxblaxboxxbox-live-arcadeThu, 26 Apr 2012 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Trials Evolution is 'highest grossing day-sales in Xbox Live Arcade history']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/21/trials-evolution-is-highest-grossing-day-sales-in-xbox-live-arc/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/21/trials-evolution-is-highest-grossing-day-sales-in-xbox-live-arc/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/21/trials-evolution-is-highest-grossing-day-sales-in-xbox-live-arc/#comments Maybe you haven't heard - Trials Evolution is kind of a big deal. Such a big deal, apparently, that Microsoft says it's the, "highest grossing day-sales in Xbox Live Arcade history." What does that actually mean? Your guess is as good as ours, as Ubisoft unfortunately "don't have any numbers that we can share." At least that's what a rep tells us. Harumph.

Gamasutra, however, sussed out from Xbox Live leaderboards that approximately 100K ruff ryders took to the hills and valleys (and tires and wood and ... you get the idea) of Trials Evolution. Not too shabby for day-one sales on Xbox Live ... we think? At 1200 MS Points ($15), that's approximately $1.5 million gross in a mere 24 hours, so, yeah, not too bad!

JoystiqTrials Evolution is 'highest grossing day-sales in Xbox Live Arcade history' originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 21 Apr 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftredlynxsalestrials-evolutionubisoftxblaxboxxbox-live-arcadeSat, 21 Apr 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Trials Evolution review: Try, try again]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/20/trials-evolution-review-try-try-again/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/20/trials-evolution-review-try-try-again/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/20/trials-evolution-review-try-try-again/#comments
I made a huge mistake. "So help me, Richard, if I don't review Trials Evolution," I said back in March, "I'll start walking to Oklahoma right now."

That was when I was younger, more foolish and willing to march to someone's house to get a downloadable game.

The Ben of mid-April, however? He knows better. He knows that a sequel to 2009's Trials HD, expanding greatly on the finely tuned physics masterpiece of the first game, would be a dangerous game to review. Not because it isn't good - sweet lord, it's glorious - but because reviews are things that happen quickly after release. What I want to do with Trials Evolution is play it for another decade. Maybe then - maybe! - I could speak to all the content RedLynx added this time around.

But here we are, and this is a review. So here it is: Trials Evolution is excellent.

Gallery: Trials Evolution (3/22/12)

Continue reading Trials Evolution review: Try, try again

JoystiqTrials Evolution review: Try, try again originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 20 Apr 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftredlynxtrials-evolutionubisoftxblaxboxxbox-live-arcadeFri, 20 Apr 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[How the community solved Fez's hardest puzzle]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/20/how-the-community-solved-fezs-hardest-puzzle/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/20/how-the-community-solved-fezs-hardest-puzzle/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/20/how-the-community-solved-fezs-hardest-puzzle/#comments Fez players be forewarned, the following contains spoilers. Stay far, far away if you want to uncover all of Fez's secrets for yourself. With that out of the way, dedicated fans know that collecting cubes is only half of Fez. The other half is solving puzzles, some of which hide their solutions in plain sight, while others taunt players with obtuse, seemingly indecipherable clues.

Continue reading How the community solved Fez's hardest puzzle

JoystiqHow the community solved Fez's hardest puzzle originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 20 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>communityFezmicrosoftpolytronpolytron-corporationxboxxbox-liveXbox-Live-ArcadeFri, 20 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Splatters review: Slip, slide, splat]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/18/the-splatters-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/18/the-splatters-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/18/the-splatters-review/#comments Physics-based puzzle games can be a little hit-or-miss - sometimes literally. While the element of unpredictability can be addictive in games about knocking down structures with furious birds, it can also lead the way to frustrating trial and error when the physics refuse to cooperate. The Splatters on Xbox Live Arcade hits more than it misses, but it has a few issues that keep it from splashing onto the walls of the physics puzzle hall of fame.

Gallery: The Splatters (XBLA)

Continue reading The Splatters review: Slip, slide, splat

JoystiqThe Splatters review: Slip, slide, splat originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 18 Apr 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftmicrosoft-studiosspikysnail-gamesthe-splattersxblaxboxxbox-livexbox-live-arcadeWed, 18 Apr 2012 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[FEZ topped XBLA activity charts last week]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/18/fez-topped-xbla-activity-charts-last-week/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/18/fez-topped-xbla-activity-charts-last-week/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/18/fez-topped-xbla-activity-charts-last-week/#comments Despite being released on a Friday, the long-awaited Fez topped the Xbox Live Arcade activity charts last week. We're just glad that so many people have discovered what we already know: Fez is a pretty good game. Skullgirls and I Am Alive came in second and third on the XBLA charts, respectively.

On the Xbox 360 retail game side, Major Nelson reports that Modern Warfare 3 yet again maintained dominance. It was followed by Black Ops and FIFA 12. If only some company could figure out a way to combine Call of Duty and soccer ... hey, it worked for Mega Man!

Finally, on the Games for Windows Live activity list - we're just kidding. Nobody cares about what's being played on Games for Windows Live.

JoystiqFEZ topped XBLA activity charts last week originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 18 Apr 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Fezmicrosoftpolytronxblaxboxxbox-live-activityxbox-live-arcadeWed, 18 Apr 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PSA: Fez finally for really real available to buy and play and everything]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/13/fez-out-now/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/13/fez-out-now/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/13/fez-out-now/#comments
Ready to get your Z-axis adventures on, all the while wearing an adorable (and potentially magical) hat? Polytron's Fez is finally (finally) available for you to do just that via Xbox Live Arcade. Better yet? It's just $10!

But you haven't heard of Fez, you say? Well, frankly, that's kinda weird. We're saying we think you're kinda weird. If that is the case, however, there's a brand new launch trailer for Fez just above so you can learn all about it. Oh, and hey, we think it's pretty great, in case that wasn't already clear.

JoystiqPSA: Fez finally for really real available to buy and play and everything originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 13 Apr 2012 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Fezmicrosoftphil-fishpolytronpolytron-corporationpsapublic-service-announcementrelease-datexblaxboxxbox-live-arcadeFri, 13 Apr 2012 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Ska Studios' Charlie Murder media blitz, Twisted Pixel buy-out prank]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/01/ska-studios-charlie-murder-media-blitz-twisted-pixel-buy-out-p/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/01/ska-studios-charlie-murder-media-blitz-twisted-pixel-buy-out-p/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/01/ska-studios-charlie-murder-media-blitz-twisted-pixel-buy-out-p/#comments

Ska Studios' next title is a gory RPG-dungeon-crawler punk-fest called Charlie Murder, and we have the first trailer available for the pleasure of your eyeballs and earballs above. Charlie Murder has a brand new website that developer Ska Studio promises to update with bios, wallpapers and music in the near future; for now it features a hefty batch of shiny screens.

In related Ska news, the studio's April Fools' joke materialized in a post about it being bought out by Twisted Pixel for a jet ski, in order to offset the number of fancy dinners Twisted Pixel ends up buying Ska at PAX.

In related related ska news, this.

JoystiqSka Studios' Charlie Murder media blitz, Twisted Pixel buy-out prank originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 01 Apr 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>april-fools-2012charlie-murdermicrosoftska-studiostwisted-pixelXBLAxboxXbox-Live-ArcadeSun, 01 Apr 2012 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Taste Sine Mora's fireworks of destruction in the launch trailer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/21/taste-sine-moras-fireworks-of-destruction-in-the-launch-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/21/taste-sine-moras-fireworks-of-destruction-in-the-launch-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/21/taste-sine-moras-fireworks-of-destruction-in-the-launch-trailer/#comments
Take a look at all the pretty things in Sine Mora ... and then see them get shot at until they explode in this launch trailer! Huzzah!

JoystiqTaste Sine Mora's fireworks of destruction in the launch trailer originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 21 Mar 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>digital-realitygameplaygrasshopper-manufacturelaunch-trailermicrosoftmicrosoft-studiosSine-Moraxblaxboxxbox-livexbox-live-arcadeWed, 21 Mar 2012 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[I Am Alive review: Do not resuscitate]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/07/i-am-alive-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/07/i-am-alive-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/07/i-am-alive-review/#comments Somewhere along the way, development of I Am Alive took a sharp turn. It shifted from a full retail release to a condensed downloadable title. Development was ripped out of the hands of one (now defunct) developer and given to another. The character and his backstory were changed. Even the setting was altered. It almost seemed that, like I Am Alive's protagonist, Ubisoft was attempting to pull itself out of a terrible disaster. Core ideas that exist in I Am Alive show an exceptional amount of promise, but the title shows its hand far too quickly, running out of captivating tricks within the first few hours.

Gallery: I Am Alive (1/23/12)

Continue reading I Am Alive review: Do not resuscitate

JoystiqI Am Alive review: Do not resuscitate originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 07 Mar 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>i-am-alivemicrosoftplaystationps3psnubisoftUbisoft-Shanghaixboxxbox-livexbox-live-arcadeWed, 07 Mar 2012 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Wreckateer smashing up XBLA this spring, and it's totally your fault]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/05/wreckateer-smashing-up-xbla-this-spring-and-its-totally-your-f/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/05/wreckateer-smashing-up-xbla-this-spring-and-its-totally-your-f/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/05/wreckateer-smashing-up-xbla-this-spring-and-its-totally-your-f/#comments Ever since you stormed -- and consequently destroyed -- your first sandcastle, you've relished the perverse joy in the destruction of inconsequential structures. And for you, oddly specific sufferer, Iron Galaxy Studios is crafting a great outlet for that particular fetish with Wreckateer. First revealed by various international rating associations, Wreckateer was finally officially announced last week during a San Francisco press event.

Heading to Xbox Live Arcade exclusively, Wreckateer employs Kinect as the sole controller and represents players in-game with their XBL Avatar. Players grab rocks of various types in a ballista (read: extra large slingshot), step back to take aim, and let loose to take down castles in as few shots as possible. "When we originally pitched it, we pitched as Angry Birds meets Boom Blox with some Burnout Crash Mode sprinkled in," Iron Galaxy's Dave Lang told us during a recent demo.

The latter part of his description plays out in mid-air, as the ball hurtles toward said castle -- players can add English to the ball or alter its trajectory by waving their hands, and some ammo types allow for other effects. One such ball splits into three separate, smaller balls attached by a string, allowing for bigger point chains and higher scores. At its core, Wreckateer is a high score game based around a singular, effective concept: throwing rocks at stuff. Microsoft Studios is publishing the game, and it's expected some time in "Spring 2012." So, like, soon.

Continue reading Wreckateer smashing up XBLA this spring, and it's totally your fault

JoystiqWreckateer smashing up XBLA this spring, and it's totally your fault originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 05 Mar 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dave-langiron-galaxyiron-galaxy-studioskinectmicrosoftmicrosoft-studioswreckateerxblaxboxxbox-live-arcadeMon, 05 Mar 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Trials Evolution date spotted on Xbox.com, backflips out of sight]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/01/trials-evolution-date-spotted-on-xbox-com-backflips-out-of-sigh/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/01/trials-evolution-date-spotted-on-xbox-com-backflips-out-of-sigh/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/01/trials-evolution-date-spotted-on-xbox-com-backflips-out-of-sigh/#comments Trials Evolution, the next installment in the addictive time-trial franchise from developer RedLynx, may be coming to the Xbox Live Arcade on April 18, if an Xbox Live Marketplace listing is to be believed.

Discovered by the folks at Eurogamer, the listing for Trials Evolution (now pulled, but captured above) originally listed the April release before disintegrating into nothingness -- like our chances of reaching the top of the Trials HD leaderboards. As the leaked date falls on a Wednesday, it would follow Microsoft's typical release schedule for the Xbox Live Arcade.

Joystiq has contacted Ubisoft, parent company of the Finnish developer, to find out if they're ready to spill the beans on a release date. We just can't wait to scream at our televisions for fudging up our balance ... again and again.

JoystiqTrials Evolution date spotted on Xbox.com, backflips out of sight originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 01 Mar 2012 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftRedLynxtrials-evolutionUbisoftXBLAxboxXbox-Live-ArcadeThu, 01 Mar 2012 19:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 2 details sneak out via XBLM listing]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/15/sonic-the-hedgehog-4-episode-2-details-sneak-out-via-xblm-listi/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/15/sonic-the-hedgehog-4-episode-2-details-sneak-out-via-xblm-listi/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/15/sonic-the-hedgehog-4-episode-2-details-sneak-out-via-xblm-listi/#comments Oh you crazy, crazy marketers, what with your inability to line up announcement times and what have you. Adorable, we say! For instance, Sega's big reveal of Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 2 probably wasn't intended for as inauspicious a venue as the Xbox Live Marketplace, but here we are with a whole mess of new screens and several new details about the game itself. A-dorable.

Anyway, according to the Xbox Live Marketplace listing, Sonic 4 Episode 2 will feature online and offline co-op play with Tails, all set in an "all new game engine" with updated physics. The blurb further promises "four brand new Zones" and a "new special stage." From the shots that were released thus far, it's looking like Sonic and Tails should pack an extra pair of snow boots!

Gallery: Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 2

JoystiqSonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 2 details sneak out via XBLM listing originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 Feb 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftpcplaystationplaystation-networkps3psnsegasonic-teamsonic-the-hedgehog-4-episode-2steamxblaxblmxboxxbox-live-arcadexbox-live-marketplaceWed, 15 Feb 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Skulls of the Shogun starts strategizing this fall]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/12/skulls-of-the-shogun-starts-strategizing-this-fall/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/12/skulls-of-the-shogun-starts-strategizing-this-fall/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/12/skulls-of-the-shogun-starts-strategizing-this-fall/#comments Skulls of the Shogun has been teasing us with cartoonish, captivating strategy since 2010, and as its previous release window of "early 2012" is rapidly passing us by, we can finally take heart in some solid news. Developer Haunted Temple Studios says it's "pretty confident" that Skulls of the Shogun will launch on XBLA in the fall.

Haunted Temple has been busy adding "a couple very cool features" and "a new platform," it says in response to a fan's inquiry on Facebook, and we can expect an official announcement with more information in the coming weeks.

JoystiqSkulls of the Shogun starts strategizing this fall originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 12 Feb 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Haunted-Temple-Studiosmicrosoftrelease-dateskulls-of-the-shogunXBLAxboxXbox-Live-ArcadeSun, 12 Feb 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Alan Wake's American Nightmare illuminated in latest dev diary]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/06/alan-wakes-american-nightmare-illuminated-in-latest-dev-diary/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/06/alan-wakes-american-nightmare-illuminated-in-latest-dev-diary/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/06/alan-wakes-american-nightmare-illuminated-in-latest-dev-diary/#comments
When Alan Wake makes his second appearance on the Xbox 360 this year in Alan Wake's American Nightmare, he's bringing more than just his flair for writing and a new set of clothes to the fight. He'll have ... umm ... a nail gun, too!

Continue reading Alan Wake's American Nightmare illuminated in latest dev diary

JoystiqAlan Wake's American Nightmare illuminated in latest dev diary originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alan-wakes-american-nightmaredev-diarydeveloper-diaryMatias-Myllyrinnemicrosoftoskari-hakkinenremedyremedy-entertainmentremedy-gamessam-lakexblaxboxxbox-live-arcadeMon, 06 Feb 2012 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Sanctum 2 defends PC, consoles in 2013]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/06/sanctum-2-defends-pc-consoles-in-2012/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/06/sanctum-2-defends-pc-consoles-in-2012/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/06/sanctum-2-defends-pc-consoles-in-2012/#comments Sanctum 2, the sequel to Coffee Stain Studios' hybrid tower defense and first-person co-op shooter, is expected to launch sometime next year Joystiq can exclusively reveal. The first Sanctum, which has sold over 300,000 units on Steam, was a PC-exclusive title. The sequel is planned for PC and "digital console platforms," with Xbox Live and PSN specifically mentioned.

"Sanctum has been a huge success on Steam for Coffee Stain Studios, and bringing the next version to console players as well as the PC market is a great next step to share this unique experience," said Ted Lange, executive producer for Reverb Publishing. "We all have logged quite a few hours with Sanctum and can definitively say that what Coffee Stain has in store for Sanctum 2 will blow the minds of Sanctum fans and new gamers alike."

Beyond revealing the title to us, along with a release year, details are still tight on Sanctum 2. Doug Kennedy, CEO of Reverb Publishing, told us, "The team is diligently working to get the title ready."

Update: After receiving updated information, altered 2012 launch window to 2013.

Update 2: Sanctum is $3.39 on Steam today.

JoystiqSanctum 2 defends PC, consoles in 2013 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 06 Feb 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>coffee-stain-studiosmicrosoftpcplaystationplaystation-networkps3psnrelease-datereverbreverb-publishingSanctum-2xblaxboxxbox-live-arcadeMon, 06 Feb 2012 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: XBLA prices rising (slowly), Summer of Arcade review scores dropping]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/04/report-xbla-prices-rising-slowly-summer-of-arcade-review-sco/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/04/report-xbla-prices-rising-slowly-summer-of-arcade-review-sco/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/04/report-xbla-prices-rising-slowly-summer-of-arcade-review-sco/#comments XBLA Fans has done an exhaustive analysis of Xbox Live Arcade sales, Metacritic scores, and trends over the past few years in a four-part writeup. The most interesting finding in the article, in our estimation, is how the perception of rising prices squares with reality. Yes, there are more 1200 point ($15) games being released on the service as compared to previous years, but there are more 800 point ($10) games coming out as well, and there are more of those than $15 games. The average is rising overall, but it hasn't yet reached the 1200 point mark, even if that price is being assigned to some of the more high profile (and high quality) games on the service.

The quality of the Summer of Arcade, on the other hand, is dropping overall, according to the average price and Metacritic score. In 2008, the first year the promotion existed, the games had an average Metacritic score of 84.8, with an average price of 960 points. This past year, however, the Metacritic score dropped to 78.8 (which still isn't too bad), but the average price was at 1120. This is purely mathematical, remember: The games are probably more complex these days, which allows Microsoft to set a higher price, and reviews on any site are subjective.

Finally, XBLA Fans found 73% of titles on XBLA have gone on sale within their first year, though many of the games on XBLA were only on sale for a day or so. That means that patient XBLA buyers can save a lot of money, if they pay attention and move quickly. There are a few other interesting conclusions in the analysis as a whole, and lots of insight on how Microsoft's Arcade has developed over the past few years.

JoystiqReport: XBLA prices rising (slowly), Summer of Arcade review scores dropping originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 04 Feb 2012 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>analysismetacriticmicrosoftsalesscoresxblaxbla-fansxboxxbox-live-arcadeSat, 04 Feb 2012 10:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Gotham City Impostors plays dress-up starting Feb. 7]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/01/gotham-city-impostors-plays-dress-up-starting-feb-7/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/01/gotham-city-impostors-plays-dress-up-starting-feb-7/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/01/gotham-city-impostors-plays-dress-up-starting-feb-7/#comments Gotham City Impostors is launching February 7 on North American PSN and PCs everywhere, and on February 8 for Xbox Live and PSNs across the globe. If you can't play it on the first release day, don't feel too bad -- it just means those systems and regions are better at lying, cheating and ensnaring the Batman.

JoystiqGotham City Impostors plays dress-up starting Feb. 7 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 01 Feb 2012 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gotham-city-impostorsmicrosoftMonolithpcplaystationPlayStation-Networkps3PSNrelease-dateWarner-BrosWarner-Bros-InteractiveXBLAxboxXbox-Live-ArcadeWed, 01 Feb 2012 11:40:00 EST<![CDATA[PSA: Double Fine's Happy Action Theater available now]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/01/psa-double-fines-happy-action-theater-available-now/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/01/psa-double-fines-happy-action-theater-available-now/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/01/psa-double-fines-happy-action-theater-available-now/#comments Nice HATGiven the joyous nature of Double Fine's latest, we figured a friendly reminder was in order. Happy Action Theater is now available on Xbox Live, reining in 18 different Kinect mini-games and supporting up to six simultaneous players. You can pick up your ticket (it's a theater, get it?) for $10.

Continue reading PSA: Double Fine's Happy Action Theater available now

JoystiqPSA: Double Fine's Happy Action Theater available now originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 01 Feb 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>double-finedouble-fine-happy-action-theaterhappy-action-theaterkinectmicrosoftxblaxboxxbox-livexbox-live-arcadeWed, 01 Feb 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[5th Cell's third-person ceiling shooter Hybrid arrives this summer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/31/5th-cells-third-person-ceiling-shooter-hybrid-arrives-this-summ/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/31/5th-cells-third-person-ceiling-shooter-hybrid-arrives-this-summ/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/31/5th-cells-third-person-ceiling-shooter-hybrid-arrives-this-summ/#comments
After pushing back its crazy shooter concept, Hybrid, to a 2012 launch window, Scrriblenauts dev 5th Cell is once more ready to talk about the forthcoming Xbox Live Arcade game. First things first: Hybrid is now scheduled for a summer 2012 launch window. Hooray!

Moreover, 5th Cell is promising a variety of major updates as a result of the delay time. Said promises include locking the shooter's framerate at 60FPS, a redesigned look, and a new twist on the in-air movement. Take a look at the improvements with the latest media straight from 5th Cell, above and below.

Gallery: Hybrid (XBLA)

Joystiq5th Cell's third-person ceiling shooter Hybrid arrives this summer originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 31 Jan 2012 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>5th-cellgameplayhybridhybrid-xblamicrosoftq2-2012q3-2012release-datexblaxboxxbox-live-arcadeTue, 31 Jan 2012 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Commandeering Anomaly Warzone Earth on Xbox Live Arcade]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/30/commandeering-anomaly-warzone-earth-on-xbox-live-arcade/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/30/commandeering-anomaly-warzone-earth-on-xbox-live-arcade/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/30/commandeering-anomaly-warzone-earth-on-xbox-live-arcade/#comments We've read the books, we've seen the TV shows and celebrated the films. Whether it's a skirmish with the neighborhood bullies or full-on worldwide war, everyone knows that you need to have a Keanu Reeves-type person on your side if you hope to win.

Yes, that's from South Park, but it doesn't make it any less true. And in the Xbox Live Arcade port of Anomaly Warzone Earth, everything rests on the shoulders of one man: the commander.

Gallery: Anomaly: Warzone Earth (XBLA)

Continue reading Commandeering Anomaly Warzone Earth on Xbox Live Arcade

JoystiqCommandeering Anomaly Warzone Earth on Xbox Live Arcade originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>11-bit-studiosanomaly-warzone-earthmicrosoftmicrosoft-gamesxblaxboxxbox-live-arcadeMon, 30 Jan 2012 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[PEGI: Silent Hill 2 and 3 separated from HD Collection on XBLA and PSN]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/26/pegi-silent-hill-2-and-3-separated-from-hd-collection-on-xbla-a/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/26/pegi-silent-hill-2-and-3-separated-from-hd-collection-on-xbla-a/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/26/pegi-silent-hill-2-and-3-separated-from-hd-collection-on-xbla-a/#comments The Silent Hill HD Collection is set to launch for retailers on March 6, containing remastered versions of Silent Hill 2 and 3 on a single disc, in the same distribution pattern as the Metal Gear Solid and Zone of the Enders collections -- that much we knew. But new PEGI ratings suggest Konami also plans to release Silent Hill 2 HD and Silent Hill 3 HD separately, most likely through XBLA and PSN, just as it did with the previous collections.

March is Silent Hill madness month, with the HD Collection hitting March 6, Silent Hill: Downpour on March 13, and the Vita's Book of Memories on March 27.

JoystiqPEGI: Silent Hill 2 and 3 separated from HD Collection on XBLA and PSN originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>KonamimicrosoftpegiplaystationPlayStation-Networkplaystation-vitaps3PSNsilent-hill-2silent-hill-3silent-hill-book-of-memoriessilent-hill-downpoursilent-hill-hd-collectionvitaXBLAxboxXbox-Live-ArcadeThu, 26 Jan 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Dead Island 'Ryder White' DLC drops a video bomb on your loved ones]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/26/dead-island-ryder-white-dlc-drops-a-video-bomb-on-your-loved-o/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/26/dead-island-ryder-white-dlc-drops-a-video-bomb-on-your-loved-o/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/26/dead-island-ryder-white-dlc-drops-a-video-bomb-on-your-loved-o/#comments

One thing we know Dead Island is extraordinarily good at is its trailers. The latest undead reel, seen above, explains the coming military-based, accented Ryder White DLC, hitting North America's XBLA and PSN January 31 for $9.99 (800 MS Points), and Europe on February 1 for £7.99.

JoystiqDead Island 'Ryder White' DLC drops a video bomb on your loved ones originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 26 Jan 2012 13:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dead-islanddeep-silverDLCdownloadable-contentmicrosoftplaystationplaystation-networkps3psnryder-whitetechlandxblaxboxxbox-live-arcadezombiesThu, 26 Jan 2012 13:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Deadlight first details: The meaning of 1986]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/25/deadlight-interview/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/25/deadlight-interview/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/25/deadlight-interview/#comments 1986 marked a legendary era in humanity's astronomical focus. Russia launched the Mir space station, Halley's Comet lit up Earth's February skies, the Antarctic ozone hole came under intense scrutiny, and America's Challenger space shuttle exploded in a fiery cloud 73 seconds after launch, killing all seven of the astronauts on board in clear view of their family, friends and the world.

1986 is also the era that Tequila Works' chose for its upcoming horror-puzzle platformer (coming to XBLA this summer), Deadlight. The two aspects could be completely unrelated, of course, if Tequila Works CEO and creative director Raul Rubio hadn't gone out of his way to mention the astronomical significance of the year to Deadlight's larger, seemingly robust story in an interview with Joystiq.

"The choice of the time frame was not random at all," Rubio said. "If you think about it, 1986 was the year that had a lot of lunar events. And if you put that with movies like First Blood or Day of the Dead, it's a strange mix and you can get a unique visual."

Rambo: First Blood and Day of the Dead both came out in the '80s, one as a hyperbolic action film and the other a zombie cult classic, and Deadlight draws on both of these tropes in a unique way, Rubio told us.

Gallery: Deadlight (XBLA)

Continue reading Deadlight first details: The meaning of 1986

JoystiqDeadlight first details: The meaning of 1986 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>deadlightmicrosoftRaul-Rubioshadowstequila-worksxblaxboxxbox-live-arcadeWed, 25 Jan 2012 16:20:00 EST<![CDATA[XBLA House Party kicks off on Feb. 15 with Warp]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/23/xbla-house-party-2012-release-dates/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/23/xbla-house-party-2012-release-dates/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/23/xbla-house-party-2012-release-dates/#comments We knew that Warp, Alan Wake's American Nightmare, Nexuiz, and I Am Alive would be participating in Microsoft's 2012 Xbox Live Arcade House Party promo, and we knew that the party would start on February 15, but we didn't have a clue as to how the specifics of the boogeying would progress. Today, Microsoft revealed that Warp will be the party's first attendee, arriving on February 15 for the nice price of 800 MS Points ($10), followed up in the proceeding three weeks by Alan Wake's American sojourn, the almost-but-not-quite-Quake multiplayer shooter Nexuiz, and one man's journey through the depths of human survival in I Am Alive.

Like Warp, Nexuiz will only cost 800 MS Points ($10), while the other two titles will run 1200 MS Points a pop ($15). As always with these XBLA promos, Microsoft is offering an extra 800 free MS Points to anyone who grabs all four games within a defined time period (between Feb. 15 and Mar. 13 in this case). As for what to do with those extra points ... well, might we suggest hanging onto it for the upcoming launch of Fez? 'Cause that's totally what we're doing.

JoystiqXBLA House Party kicks off on Feb. 15 with Warp originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 23 Jan 2012 13:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaelectronic-artshouse-party-2012i-am-alivemicrosoftnexuizq1-2012release-dateremedyremedy-entertainmentremedy-gamesremedy-studiosthqtrapdoortrapdoor-incubisoftWarpxblaxboxxbox-live-arcadeMon, 23 Jan 2012 13:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Get behind Trials Evolution's multiplayer handlebars, thanks to Inside Xbox]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/19/get-behind-trials-evolutions-multiplayer-handlebars-thanks-to/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/19/get-behind-trials-evolutions-multiplayer-handlebars-thanks-to/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/19/get-behind-trials-evolutions-multiplayer-handlebars-thanks-to/#comments
Wondering how Trials Evolution's multiplayer mode plays out? Based on the latest gameplay video from developer RedLynx and publisher Microsoft Studios, it's not the disaster of physics we envisioned.

JoystiqGet behind Trials Evolution's multiplayer handlebars, thanks to Inside Xbox originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 19 Jan 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gameplayinside-xboxmicrosoftmicrosoft-studiosmultiplayerredlynxtrials-evolutionxblaxboxxbox-live-arcadeThu, 19 Jan 2012 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Deadlight coming to XBLA, care of Tequila Works]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/18/deadlight-coming-to-xbla-care-of-tequila-works/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/18/deadlight-coming-to-xbla-care-of-tequila-works/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/18/deadlight-coming-to-xbla-care-of-tequila-works/#comments What is Deadlight? That's a good question. And other than telling you it's an Xbox Live Arcade game being published my Microsoft Studios and developed by Tequila Works, we wouldn't be able to do much in the way of answering said question.

Well, that's not entirely true. Tequila Works' website also includes a blurb describing the game as an "original cinematic puzzle platformer." It stars a lone man named Randall Wayne who's stumbling around the American West Coast in 1986 after a pandemic has killed off the rest of the population. We've yet to see the game in action, but it sounds to be puzzle rather than combat-focused.

The XBLA title is set to arrive sometime this coming summer, and we're certainly hoping to learn a bit more about it before then.

JoystiqDeadlight coming to XBLA, care of Tequila Works originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 18 Jan 2012 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>deadlightmicrosoftmicrosoft-studiosq2-2012q3-2012release-datetequila-worksxblaxboxxbox-live-arcadeWed, 18 Jan 2012 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Iron Brigade's 'Rise of the Martian Bear' on video]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/16/iron-brigades-rise-of-the-martian-bear-on-video/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/16/iron-brigades-rise-of-the-martian-bear-on-video/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/16/iron-brigades-rise-of-the-martian-bear-on-video/#comments
There has to a be a Yakov Smirnoff joke here, we just can't figure out what it is. "Rise of the Martian Bear" still remains without an official release date.

JoystiqIron Brigade's 'Rise of the Martian Bear' on video originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 16 Jan 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dlciron-brigademicrosoftrise-of-the-martian-beartrenchedxblaxboxxbox-livexbox-live-arcadeMon, 16 Jan 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Remedy: Alan Wake's American Nightmare campaign lasts 4-5 hours]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/13/remedys-hakinnen-alan-wakes-american-nightmares-campaign-las/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/13/remedys-hakinnen-alan-wakes-american-nightmares-campaign-las/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/13/remedys-hakinnen-alan-wakes-american-nightmares-campaign-las/#comments
GameTrailers has posted a handful of new videos on Alan Wake's American Nightmare. In the first video (embedded above), Remedy's Oskari Häkinnen discusses the game and its creation. One of the more interesting tidbits he revealed is that the average run through the campaign should last around four to five hours, depending on how much of the optional content you choose to pursue.

You'll find two more videos after the break. The first is a walkthrough of Ghost Town, one of American Nightmare's 'Fight till Dawn" (i.e. Horde Mode) maps. The second is a campaign walkthrough which we refuse to watch because, frankly, we don't want to spoil a single moment before the game launches during Microsoft's Xbox Live House Party event.

Continue reading Remedy: Alan Wake's American Nightmare campaign lasts 4-5 hours

JoystiqRemedy: Alan Wake's American Nightmare campaign lasts 4-5 hours originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 13 Jan 2012 16:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alan-wakes-american-nightmareces-2012microsoftremedyxblaxboxxbox-live-arcadeFri, 13 Jan 2012 16:40:00 EST