Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Next-gen Microsoft: What the new Xbox can do for indies]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/next-gen-microsoft-what-the-new-xbox-can-do-for-indies/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/next-gen-microsoft-what-the-new-xbox-can-do-for-indies/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/next-gen-microsoft-what-the-new-xbox-can-do-for-indies/#commentsWhat the Xbox can do the same, different for indies in next gen The Xbox 360 accrued an arguably bad reputation in terms of indie games publishing over the past few years. Many vocal observers - players, mostly - saw Xbox Live Arcade as a closed, unsupportive platform that asked developers for thousands of dollars to update their own games, and Xbox Live Indie Games was a stagnant hole filled with Minecraft clones and zombie games.

Microsoft may have to overcome this public perception with its next-gen Xbox conference today at 10 a.m. PT. But from an indie developer's standpoint, the issues in publishing with Microsoft are different - or nonexistent.

"Working with Microsoft is great," writes James Silva, one half of Ska Studios and creator of The Dishwasher series of XBLA games. "I have heard a few stories that contradict my experience, and I know quite a few people who are happier on platforms other than XBLA, and that's fine for them. XBLA is a closed, carefully curated platform with its own set of fairly rigid standards and protocols."

Ska Studios works with only Microsoft, publishing The Dishwasher: Dead Samurai after winning the Dream Build Play competition in 2007, and from there developing The Dishwasher: Vampire Smile for XBLA, I MAED A GAM3 W1TH ZOMB1ES 1N IT!!!1 on XBLIG and a version on Windows Phone, and now polishing another XBLA game, Charlie Murder.

Silva makes enough money developing games for Microsoft platforms to support a life of developing games for Microsoft platforms. He says that with Microsoft as a publisher, he retains full creative control, and Microsoft supports him in terms of bug-squashing, meeting goals, play-testing, and even taking him to dinner when he's in town.

"Shortly after The Dishwasher: Dead Samurai launched, I absolutely spent a night at my producer's cabin in Snoqualmie, drinking IPA and playing around with GarageBand," Silva says. "Yes, it was fine, it was fun, and it's unfortunate that 'everything's fine' doesn't really register as newsworthy, because there is currently a 'Microsoft is bad for indies' narrative trending in gaming news."

Continue reading Next-gen Microsoft: What the new Xbox can do for indies

JoystiqNext-gen Microsoft: What the new Xbox can do for indies originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 21 May 2013 11:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Indiemicrosoftnext-xboxXBLAxbligxboxXbox-Live-Arcadexbox-live-indie-gamesxbox-nextxbox-revealTue, 21 May 2013 11:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: Freefall Racers for Kinect being published by Deep Silver, headed to XBLA [update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/16/rumor-freefall-racers-for-kinect-being-published-by-deep-silver/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/16/rumor-freefall-racers-for-kinect-being-published-by-deep-silver/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/16/rumor-freefall-racers-for-kinect-being-published-by-deep-silver/#commentsRumor Freefall Racers, Kinect racer for XBLA, being published by Deep Silver Deep Silver will publish an upcoming gesture-based racing game for Kinect called Freefall Racers. The first breadcrumb in this trail comes from an Australian rating that has surfaced, outing Deep Silver as publisher.

The developer is Smoking Gun Interactive, whose most recent work includes two Kinect experiences, Mars Rover Landing and Home Run Stars, so a new Kinect project would make sense. The Vancouver-based studio at least partly funded Freefall Racers with help from the Canadian government, as evidenced by the $461,243 contributed through the Canada Media Fund (PDF) last year.

Our first glimpse of the game is courtesy of environmental artist Anthony Leonati, who published six screens from Freefall Racers on his personal website. [Update: The images have been pulled from Leonati's website.] In addition to the screens, he also pegs Freefall Racers for Xbox Live Arcade, though his LinkedIn profile indicates he has since moved on from Smoking Gun to become a senior environment artist at EA.

We've followed up with Deep Silver and Smoking Gun Interactive for comment and will update this post accordingly.

[Thanks, lifelower]

Gallery: Freefall Racers

JoystiqRumor: Freefall Racers for Kinect being published by Deep Silver, headed to XBLA [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 16 May 2013 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>deep-silverfreefall-racerskinectmicrosoftSmoking-Gun-Interactivexblaxboxxbox-live-arcadeThu, 16 May 2013 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Xbox Ultimate Collection gathers best XBLA games in the UK]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/25/xbox-ultimate-collection-gathers-best-xbla-games-in-the-uk/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/25/xbox-ultimate-collection-gathers-best-xbla-games-in-the-uk/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/25/xbox-ultimate-collection-gathers-best-xbla-games-in-the-uk/#comments
In the UK, Microsoft has initiated the Xbox Ultimate Collection program, a gathering of Xbox Live Arcade top dogs with biweekly battles where fans can vote to add a new game to the list. The winner is then available for purchase at half-price the following week.

The Xbox Ultimate Collection spans six different categories, each comprised of the top five games within said category. Games such as The Walking Dead, Peggle, Full House Poker and Tony Hawk's Pro Skater HD are all represented here, with five open slots of the total 60 awaiting fan-chosen games in the biweekly voting campaigns.

The full list of current Xbox Ultimate Collection games is available past the break. The Xbox Ultimate Collection program will span eight weeks in total. We've contacted Microsoft to find out if the program will be extended outside of the UK and will update this post with what we find out.

Continue reading Xbox Ultimate Collection gathers best XBLA games in the UK

JoystiqXbox Ultimate Collection gathers best XBLA games in the UK originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 25 Apr 2013 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftthe-walking-deadukxblaxboxxbox-live-arcadexbox-ultimate-collectionThu, 25 Apr 2013 02:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Flashback gets a do-over on XBLA, PSN]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/11/flashback-gets-a-do-over-on-xbla-psn/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/11/flashback-gets-a-do-over-on-xbla-psn/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/11/flashback-gets-a-do-over-on-xbla-psn/#comments
Ubisoft has a remake of Flashback in the works for Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network. This Unreal-powered version is helmed by VectorCell, the French studio behind horror game Amy. It is owned by the original Flashback's lead designer, Paul Cuisset.

Flashback was first developed by Delphine Software and released over 20 years ago on the Amiga. The stylized platformer, which was later ported to Genesis, Mega-CD, PC and Mac (amongst others) centers on Conrad B. Hart, an amnesiac who finds a message - recorded by himself - warning of an alien plot threatening Earth.

Gallery: Flashback (Concept Art)

Continue reading Flashback gets a do-over on XBLA, PSN

JoystiqFlashback gets a do-over on XBLA, PSN originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 11 Apr 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>flashbackmicrosoftpaul-cuissetplaystationplaystation-networkps3psnubisoftvector-cellxblaxboxxbox-live-arcadeThu, 11 Apr 2013 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Battleblock Theater review: Bring some friends and beat 'em up]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/05/battleblock-theater-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/05/battleblock-theater-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/05/battleblock-theater-review/#comments Every week, a group of friends and I get together to watch the television show, The Walking Dead. By "watch" I mean we make fun of the terrible acting and bemoan the missing parts that made the comic so good. It's a joyful, heartfelt tradition that we look forward to each week, and not much distracts us from this routine. Except, of course, a really good excuse to beat each other up.

This week we started our screen session with a local co-op round of The Behemoth's Battleblock Theater in Arena mode. Arena mode features a handful of four-player mini-games, all of which are co-op, two-on-two or every man for himself. We started with "Ball Game." After two hours of passing the controllers, running through various levels, rolling in laughter and punching each other whenever a sweet move went awry, someone suggested we start up The Walking Dead. The response was immediate.

"No way. We're playing this." And so we did, all night long.

Gallery: BattleBlock Theater (4/5/13)

CampaignCampaignCampaignArena ModeArena Mode

Continue reading Battleblock Theater review: Bring some friends and beat 'em up

JoystiqBattleblock Theater review: Bring some friends and beat 'em up originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 05 Apr 2013 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battleblock-theatermicrosoftthe-behemothxblaxboxxbox-livexbox-live-arcadeFri, 05 Apr 2013 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[XBLA sale: Mark of the Ninja, Trials and more cheap until Apr. 9]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/02/xbla-sale-mark-of-the-ninja-trials-and-more-cheap-until-apr-9/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/02/xbla-sale-mark-of-the-ninja-trials-and-more-cheap-until-apr-9/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/02/xbla-sale-mark-of-the-ninja-trials-and-more-cheap-until-apr-9/#comments Another sale has spread across Xbox Live Arcade, running until April 9. The sale's highlight is 50% off Mark of the Ninja from Klei Entertainment - one of Joystiq's favorite games of 2012 - bringing it down to 600 MS Points ($7.50).

Other cheap contenders include Trials Evolution for 800 MS Points ($10) and some discounted Pinball FX 2 tables. There's also Dust: An Elysian Tale and Deadlight for 600 MS Points ($7.50) to consider.

On top of this promotion highlighting Microsoft Studios games, there's also the ongoing Xbox Live Arcade Deal of the Week sale. Retro City Rampage has been knocked down to 600 MS Points ($7.50) and Quarrel is 200 MS Points ($2.50). The full list of both sales can be seen through the source links below.

JoystiqXBLA sale: Mark of the Ninja, Trials and more cheap until Apr. 9 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 02 Apr 2013 23:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>deadlightdeal-of-the-weekdust-an-elysian-tailmark-of-the-ninjamicrosoftmicrosoft-studios-saleretro-city-rampagetrials-evolutiontrials-hdxblaxboxxbox-live-arcadeTue, 02 Apr 2013 23:45:00 EST<![CDATA[A.R.E.S. Extinction Agenda getting an EX version for X.B.L.A.]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/09/a-r-e-s-extinction-agenda-getting-an-ex-version-for-x-b-l-a/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/09/a-r-e-s-extinction-agenda-getting-an-ex-version-for-x-b-l-a/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/09/a-r-e-s-extinction-agenda-getting-an-ex-version-for-x-b-l-a/#comments ARES Extinction Agenda EX coming to XBLAThe manic side-scrolling shooter A.R.E.S. Extinction Agenda, originally developed for Windows by a Thai developer named Extend Studio, is making its way to the Xbox Live Arcade in an extended version, courtesy of Origo Games and publisher Aksys Games. The console version of the title (which placed second in Microsoft's 2010 Dream.Build.Play. competition) will feature new controls, a new UI, redesigned maps and enemies, and new high resolution textures and animated cutscenes.

The XBLA version, called A.R.E.S. Extinction Agenda EX, will also include both the original soundtrack, and a new soundtrack for the second campaign by Peruvian heavy metal guitarist Charlie Parra Del Riego. Aksys hasn't announced a date or price for the game yet.

JoystiqA.R.E.S. Extinction Agenda getting an EX version for X.B.L.A. originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 09 Mar 2013 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aksys-gamesares-extinction-agendaares-extinction-agenda-excharlie-parra-del-riegoextend-gamesmicrosoftorigo-gamespcshooterthailandxblaxboxxbox-live-arcadeSat, 09 Mar 2013 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Serious Sam 3 and DLC prices permanently reduced on XBLA]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/04/serious-sam-3-and-dlc-prices-permanently-reduced-on-xbla/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/04/serious-sam-3-and-dlc-prices-permanently-reduced-on-xbla/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/04/serious-sam-3-and-dlc-prices-permanently-reduced-on-xbla/#comments Serious Sam 3 BFE and DLC receive permanent XBLA price reductionSerious Sam 3's Xbox Live Arcade port has received a permanent price reduction, down from 1200 MS Points ($15) to 800 MS Points ($10), a savings of $5. The Jewel of the Nile DLC has also been reduced to the same price.

Serious Sam 3 originally launched on the PC in late 2011, a game our own Ludwig Kietzmann says "is like a dam filled with cookies." Last year, Serious Sam 3 was ported to Mac and Linux before its Xbox Live Arcade debut in October.

JoystiqSerious Sam 3 and DLC prices permanently reduced on XBLA originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 04 Mar 2013 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>croteamdevolver-digitalmicrosoftserious-sam-3serious-sam-3-bfexblaxboxxbox-livexbox-live-arcadeMon, 04 Mar 2013 15:45:00 EST<![CDATA[CastleStorm makes a run at Xbox Live Arcade, Windows 8 in April]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/05/castlestorm-makes-a-run-at-xbox-live-arcade-windows-8-in-april/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/05/castlestorm-makes-a-run-at-xbox-live-arcade-windows-8-in-april/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/05/castlestorm-makes-a-run-at-xbox-live-arcade-windows-8-in-april/#comments
Zen Studios has been working on its tower-defense game CastleStorm for well over a year now. During an appointment with the developer, Joystiq has learned the game is currently set for launch on Xbox Live Arcade and Windows 8 sometime in April.

CastleStorm is essentially a 2D, physics-based destruction game with tower-defense elements tossed in. As the Knights, you defend your castle from waves of attacking Vikings; players can defend with ranged weapons such as ballistas, or choose to put their boots on the ground and get right into the conflict as a hero.

There will also be a host of other modes to play outside of the campaign's 12 different environments, including online multiplayer and co-op, plus a castle editor - you can set up your own look and weapon loadouts for your castle, and test weapons within the editor to see how they'd bring it down.

Zen Studios hasn't announced a price for CastleStorm yet, but with only around a month left until launch, we're sure the developer will lob a price point over toward us soon.

JoystiqCastleStorm makes a run at Xbox Live Arcade, Windows 8 in April originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 05 Feb 2013 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>castlestormmicrosoftpcwindows-8xblaxboxxbox-live-arcadezen-studiosTue, 05 Feb 2013 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Zen Studios launching Star Wars Pinball this month]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/05/zen-studios-launching-star-wars-pinball-this-month/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/05/zen-studios-launching-star-wars-pinball-this-month/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/05/zen-studios-launching-star-wars-pinball-this-month/#comments
Whether you're playing Pinball FX 2 on Xbox Live Arcade or Windows 8, Zen Pinball 2 on PlayStation Network or Mac, or Zen Pinball on iOS or Zen Pinball HD on Google Play, you'll be able to supplement your virtual table collection with a trio of new Star Wars-themed tables later this month. These three tables will be available standalone on iOS and Google Play, or in the aforementioned games as DLC.

The first three tables offered are themed around Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back, Boba Fett and the animated Clone Wars series, each with their own unique missions and layout - and in the case of Episode V, even has footage taken directly from the film that will display in the dot matrix window prior to every mission.

A total of 10 different Star Wars Pinball tables are planned. Zen Studios has yet to finalize pricing, but we'll be sure to pass along that info as soon as it's announced.

Gallery: Star Wars Pinball

Boba Fett TableBoba Fett TableBoba Fett TableBoba Fett TableBoba Fett Table

JoystiqZen Studios launching Star Wars Pinball this month originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 05 Feb 2013 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidiosipadiphonelucasartsmacmicrosoftmobilepinball-fx-2playstationplaystation-vitaps3psnstar-wars-pinballvitaxblaxboxxbox-live-arcadezen-pinballzen-pinball-2zen-pinball-hdzen-studiosTue, 05 Feb 2013 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Top Xbox Live, Arcade, Indie and Windows games of 2012]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/23/top-xbox-live-arcade-indie-and-windows-games-of-2012/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/23/top-xbox-live-arcade-indie-and-windows-games-of-2012/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/23/top-xbox-live-arcade-indie-and-windows-games-of-2012/#comments The top Xbox Live, Arcade, Indie and Windows games of 2012If an alien intelligence agency got a hold of this "Top Xbox games of 2012" list, it might come away with the conclusion that humans are really, really into mining. The aliens might also conclude that we enjoy warfare, including the kind that affects extraterrestrials, so let's hope that they focus on the harmless digging thing and keep their lasers to themselves.

Major Nelson breaks down 2012's top 20 games of the following categories: Live, Arcade, Indie and Games for Windows Live. The top Xbox Live games of 2012, determined by average unique users per day, are Call of Duty: Black Ops 2, Modern Warfare 3, Halo 4, Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition and Black Ops. Following that is a round of sports games, including FIFA Soccer 13 and 12, and Halo: Reach, Assassin's Creed 3, Battlefield 3, Borderlands 2, Far Cry 3 and Skyrim.

The top five Xbox Live Arcade games, determined by full versions purchased, are Minecraft, Trials Evolution, The Walking Dead, Pinball FX2 and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. Castle Crashers is hanging out at No. 6, followed by Fez at No. 13. Indie games are ranked with the same method, and they carry a familiar theme, headlined by CastleMiner Z, CastleMiner, Total Miner: Forge, Avatar Deathmatch and FortressCraft Chapter 1.

Games for Windows Live games get ranked by average unique users per day, and the top five are Grand Theft Auto 4, Dark Souls: Prepare to Die Edition, Age of Empires Online, Batman: Arkham City and Super Street Fighter 4: Arcade Edition. Remember, aliens, humans sure do love the smell of fresh, pixelated dirt. See for yourself with the full lists, provided by Major Nelson, after the break.

Continue reading Top Xbox Live, Arcade, Indie and Windows games of 2012

JoystiqTop Xbox Live, Arcade, Indie and Windows games of 2012 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 23 Jan 2013 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012games-for-windows-livemicrosoftpctoptop-2012XBLAxboxXbox-LiveXbox-Live-Arcadexbox-live-indie-gamesWed, 23 Jan 2013 01:00:00 EST<![CDATA[XBLA countdown to 2013 daily deal: Them's fightin' games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/30/xbla-countdown-to-2013-daily-deal-thems-fightin-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/30/xbla-countdown-to-2013-daily-deal-thems-fightin-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/30/xbla-countdown-to-2013-daily-deal-thems-fightin-games/#comments XBLA countdown to 2013 daily deal Them's fightin' gamesToday's Xbox Live deal offers 50 percent off of Virtua Fighter 5 Final Showdown, Mortal Kombat Arcade Kollection, Dungeon Defenders, Street Fighter 3: Third Strike Online Edition and Dungeon Fighter Live, all for XBLA. Virtua Fighter 5, Dungeon Defenders and Street Fighter 3 are each 600 MS Points, while Mortal Kombat Arcade and Dungeon Fighter Live are 400 MS Points. You could say today's deals pack a real punch.

These sales mark the latest installment of Xbox Live's really long New Year's countdown, which offers daily deals on a variety of games until that big, reflective ball falls out of the sky on January 1.

JoystiqXBLA countdown to 2013 daily deal: Them's fightin' games originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 30 Dec 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dungeon-defendersdungeon-fighter-liveMajor-Nelsonmicrosoftmortal-kombat-arcade-kollectionstreet-fighter-3-third-strike-online-editionvirtua-fighter-5-final-showdownXBLAxboxXbox-LiveXbox-Live-ArcadeSun, 30 Dec 2012 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: Minecraft XBLA selling between 40K and 60K units a week]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/06/report-minecraft-xbla-selling-between-40k-and-60k-units-a-week/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/06/report-minecraft-xbla-selling-between-40k-and-60k-units-a-week/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/06/report-minecraft-xbla-selling-between-40k-and-60k-units-a-week/#comments The Xbox Live Arcade version of Minecraft is selling at a good clip, shifting between 40,000 and 60,000 copies a week - it's just below Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 and Halo 4 in the weekly Xbox Live activity charts. As of November's end, total XBLA sales are at 4,476,904.

This is data according to Mojang itself, as reported by Gamasutra. This would indicate the Xbox Live Arcade port has exceeded half the total sales of the PC version, which reached the eight million mark back in the middle of November. Minecraft version 1.5 will be released in January.

JoystiqReport: Minecraft XBLA selling between 40K and 60K units a week originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 06 Dec 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftMinecraftmojangxblaxboxxbox-live-arcadeThu, 06 Dec 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Sega fighters this week on Xbox Live, Dragonborn, Tony Hawk DLC next week]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/28/sega-fighters-this-week-on-xbox-live-dragonborn-tony-hawk-dlc/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/28/sega-fighters-this-week-on-xbox-live-dragonborn-tony-hawk-dlc/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/28/sega-fighters-this-week-on-xbox-live-dragonborn-tony-hawk-dlc/#comments Xbox Live's Major Nelson has released the list of content coming to Xbox Live over the next few weeks. It all kicks off today with a trip of Sega fighters launching on Xbox Live Arcade: Virtua Fighter 2, Sonic the Fighters and Fighting Vipers. You can take your pick at 400 MS Points ($5) each, half the initial asking price.

Guardians of Middle Earth will make its trek to Xbox Live Arcade on December 5. The Revert DLC for Tony Hawk's Pro Skater HD also drops in on December 5 for 400 MS Points ($5). Finally, that week will also see the debut of Skyrim's second DLC pack on Xbox Live, the 1600 MS Point ($20) Dragonborn expansion on December 4.

On the savings front, this week's Deal of the Week revolves around GTA IV - the vanilla game starring cousin Niko is available through Games on Demand (price varies by region) with the Lost and Damned and Ballad of Gay Tony expansions being offered until December 3 for 400 MS Points and 800 MS Points each, respectively. Next week, from December 4 to the 10th, Deadliest Warrior and all of its DLC will be discounted.

Additional Kinect-focused deals are available through Xbox Live's Sales & Specials app - this week Burnout Crash is on sale for 400 MS Points ($5) with next week's deals focusing on Ubisoft's stable of Kinect games.

JoystiqSega fighters this week on Xbox Live, Dragonborn, Tony Hawk DLC next week originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 28 Nov 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dlcdragonbornelder-scrolls-5elder-scrolls-v-skyrimfighting-vipersmicrosoftrevertsegaskyrimsonic-the-fighterstony-hawks-pro-skater-hdvirtua-fighter-2xblaxblmxboxxbox-livexbox-live-arcadeWed, 28 Nov 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PSA: Pid lights up XBLA, PS3 and PC today]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/31/psa-pid-lights-up-xbla-ps3-and-pc-today/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/31/psa-pid-lights-up-xbla-ps3-and-pc-today/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/31/psa-pid-lights-up-xbla-ps3-and-pc-today/#comments
Pid, the puzzle-platformer from ex-Grin folks at Might and Delight, is now available on PC, PS3 and Xbox Live Arcade for $10 (800 MS Points). But you don't have to spend a dime to watch this launch trailer - well, okay, you pay for internet but you know what we mean. Yeah, you get it.

JoystiqPSA: Pid lights up XBLA, PS3 and PC today originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 31 Oct 2012 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftmight-and-delightpcpidplaystationps3psnreverbreverb-publishingsteamxblaxboxxbox-live-arcadeWed, 31 Oct 2012 23:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Worms: Revolution unearths 'Funfair Pack' DLC October 24]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/22/worms-revolution-unearths-funfair-pack-dlc-october-24/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/22/worms-revolution-unearths-funfair-pack-dlc-october-24/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/22/worms-revolution-unearths-funfair-pack-dlc-october-24/#comments Team 17 is adding to its macabre worm murder simulator Worms: Revolution with some new DLC on October 24. The 'Funfair Pack' adds five new puzzle missions, a new backdrop theme for matches and customization options for your worms. The content also includes four new weapons, three of which should be instantly recognizable to veterans of the franchise: Armageddon, Skunk, Napalm Strike alongside a new weapon dubbed Knock-Out.

The Funfair Pack for Worms: Revolution will debut on Steam, PSN and Xbox Live Arcade this Wednesday, October 24 for 400 MS Points ($5). Worms: Revolution is an entirely new entry in the series, one our review says doesn't really mix things up too much - but never really needed to.

Gallery: Worms Revolution (Funfair Pack DLC)

Continue reading Worms: Revolution unearths 'Funfair Pack' DLC October 24

JoystiqWorms: Revolution unearths 'Funfair Pack' DLC October 24 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 22 Oct 2012 23:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dlcmicrosoftpcplaystationps3psnsteamworms-revolutionxblaxboxxbox-live-arcadeMon, 22 Oct 2012 23:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Pool Nation drops into XBLA's corner pocket on October 31]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/17/pool-nation-drops-into-xblas-corner-pocket-on-october-31/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/17/pool-nation-drops-into-xblas-corner-pocket-on-october-31/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/17/pool-nation-drops-into-xblas-corner-pocket-on-october-31/#comments Pool Nation drops into XBLA's corner pocket on October 31Pool Nation is a brand new billiards game by Cherry Pop Games that's coming to the Xbox Live Arcade, and while we previously posted that it was due out sometime last week, Cherry Pop has instead confirmed it for release on October 31. That's what the official Twitter account says, so if you were excited to break with a virtual cue already, you'll have to wait just a few more weeks.

Pool Nation allows for online or singleplayer billards play, and will let players use slow-time, rewind, or a number of other powers while cracking the various colored balls around the table. There's also a mode called Endurance, which tasks players with finishing the table quickly to try and earn the most money. When it does arrive, the game will be available for 800 Microsoft Points, or about $10.00.

JoystiqPool Nation drops into XBLA's corner pocket on October 31 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 17 Oct 2012 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>endurancemicrosoftmodepool-nationxblaxboxxbox-live-arcadeWed, 17 Oct 2012 07:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PSA: Trials Evolution 'Origin of Pain' DLC out tomorrow]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/04/psa-trials-evolution-origin-of-pain-dlc-out-tomorrow/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/04/psa-trials-evolution-origin-of-pain-dlc-out-tomorrow/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/04/psa-trials-evolution-origin-of-pain-dlc-out-tomorrow/#comments
Trials Evolution's first DLC pack, 'Origin of Pain,' hits the track on Xbox Live Arcade tomorrow, October 5. The expansion pack takes everyone's favorite faceless dirtbiker to a new island where he can clumsily fall around through 36 new tracks, ten of which are new Supercross levels.

Origin of Pain will cost 400 MS Points ($5) and also adds 100 new objects to the level editor suite for all you masochists out there.

Gallery: Trials Evolution (Origin of Pain DLC)

Continue reading PSA: Trials Evolution 'Origin of Pain' DLC out tomorrow

JoystiqPSA: Trials Evolution 'Origin of Pain' DLC out tomorrow originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 04 Oct 2012 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dlcmicrosoftorigin-of-painredlynxtrials-evolutionubisoftxblaxboxxbox-live-arcadeThu, 04 Oct 2012 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Silver Lining: Sins and punishment in Deadlight]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/20/silver-lining-sins-and-punishment-in-deadlight/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/20/silver-lining-sins-and-punishment-in-deadlight/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/20/silver-lining-sins-and-punishment-in-deadlight/#comments'Silver Lining' is a column from freelancer Taylor Cocke dedicated to highlighting moments of real potential in less than perfect games. This week he examines Tequila Works' Deadlight. The following may contain story spoilers.
Scrawled on the wall in a frenzied font a warning reads "The Inferno Begins Here." Just in case you weren't positive the opening scenes of Deadlight from developer Tequila Works were referencing Dante's Inferno, a nearby collectible journal directly quotes the epic poem: "Through me the way into the suffering city, Through me the way to the eternal pain, Through me the way that runs among the lost." In other words, protagonist Randall Wayne will soon be suffering through his own version of Hell.

The scene isn't exactly subtle, and is indicative of a large problem with the rest of the game. Rather than allowing events to play out and ask players to draw their own conclusions about them, Deadlight practically tells you what to feel through a series of notes, diary entries, and flashbacks. Randall's story is a tragic one, to be sure, but it'd be much more powerful if it had been given more room to breathe within the player's own mind.

Gallery: Deadlight

Continue reading Silver Lining: Sins and punishment in Deadlight

JoystiqSilver Lining: Sins and punishment in Deadlight originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 20 Sep 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>deadlightmicrosoftOpinionSilver-LiningTequila-WorksXBLAxboxXbox-Live-ArcadeThu, 20 Sep 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft's first wave of Xbox Live games for Windows 8]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/31/microsofts-first-wave-of-xbox-live-games-for-windows-8/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/31/microsofts-first-wave-of-xbox-live-games-for-windows-8/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/31/microsofts-first-wave-of-xbox-live-games-for-windows-8/#comments http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2012/08/gunstriner831.jpgMicrosoft revealed its first wave of Xbox Live games coming to Windows 8, with 29 games from Microsoft Studios. The first batch will be available October 26 and will span "Windows 8 PC, laptop, or tablet."

Some curious titles that jump out to us in this list are Gunstringer: Dead Man Running and Hydro Thunder Hurricane. There are also some cool ports like ilomilo, Pac-Man Championship Edition DX, Toy Soliders: Cold War, Pinball FX2 and... BlazBlue Calamity Trigger?

Continue reading Microsoft's first wave of Xbox Live games for Windows 8

JoystiqMicrosoft's first wave of Xbox Live games for Windows 8 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 31 Aug 2012 09:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftpcwindows-8xboxxbox-liveXbox-Live-ArcadeFri, 31 Aug 2012 09:23:00 EST<![CDATA[Manage an 80s arcade in Arcadecraft, coming to PC and Xbox Live]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/30/manage-an-80s-arcade-in-arcadecraft-coming-to-pc-and-xbla/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/30/manage-an-80s-arcade-in-arcadecraft-coming-to-pc-and-xbla/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/30/manage-an-80s-arcade-in-arcadecraft-coming-to-pc-and-xbla/#comments Orbitron Revolution dev unveils arcade manager sim Arcadecraft
Orbitron Revolution developer Firebase Industries today unveiled Arcadecraft, an upcoming arcade management sim for PC and Xbox Live (though the developer hasn't clarified if it's coming to Arcade or Indie Games). As the above trailer shows, finally we'll all be able to realize our universal life goal: owning a dingy backstreet arcade.

Arcadecraft, Firebase tells us, chronicles the rollercoaster that was the 1980s arcade industry; the golden age of the early 80s, the mid-decade crash, and the return to glory towards the 90s. While Firebase hopes to include around 100 fictional machines in Arcadecraft, it's the real ups and downs of the 80s that impact how arcades evolve. As time goes on, black and white games progress into color, Laserdisc arrives along with two-player machines, and then there's the sacred invention of the 'continue.'

Similar to the 'Theme' games of the 90s, subtleties like the pricing and difficulty of machines can affect customer loyalty. There are peripheral influences too, like a home version reducing a machine's popularity, or a classic game riding a nostalgic second wave. Meanwhile, as the above trailer shows, arcades can be customized with pillars, graphics, and neon - lots of neon - while Xbox Live players get to see Avatars gracing their establishments.

While there's no word on a release date, Firebase reckons Arcadecraft should be completed around October. In the meantime, you can find some screenshots after the break.

Continue reading Manage an 80s arcade in Arcadecraft, coming to PC and Xbox Live

JoystiqManage an 80s arcade in Arcadecraft, coming to PC and Xbox Live originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 30 Aug 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arcadecraftavatarsfirebase-industriesmicrosoftorbitron-revolutionpcxboxxbox-live-arcadeThu, 30 Aug 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Walking Dead Episode 3 hits today on PSN, tomorrow on XBLM, PC, and Mac]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/28/walking-dead-episode-3-hits-today-on-psn-tomorrow-on-xblm-pc/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/28/walking-dead-episode-3-hits-today-on-psn-tomorrow-on-xblm-pc/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/28/walking-dead-episode-3-hits-today-on-psn-tomorrow-on-xblm-pc/#comments Walking Dead Episode 3 available later todayThe Walking Dead: Episode Three: Long Road Ahead arrives on PSN today, and tomorrow on XBLM, PC, and Mac. The PSN price is $4.99, while on XBLM it's 400 MS points. PC and Mac players will have access through Telltale's Season Pass or various online portals, including Steam. International release dates remain unconfirmed, though Telltale Games hopes to have word on that soon.

Telltale announced the news after yesterday teasing the next episode of the zombie-stuffed adventure would drop "very soon." Meanwhile, iOS shuffles along just behind the pack, with Episode Two releasing as an in-app purchase for the Walking Dead game tomorrow.

JoystiqWalking Dead Episode 3 hits today on PSN, tomorrow on XBLM, PC, and Mac originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 28 Aug 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>iosipadiphonemacmicrosoftmobilepcplaystationps3psnrelease-datesteamtelltaletelltale-gamesthe-walking-deadxboxxbox-live-arcadexbox-live-marketplaceTue, 28 Aug 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Minecraft for XBLA reaches 3.6 million units sold]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/27/minecraft-for-xbla-reaches-3-6-million-units-sold/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/27/minecraft-for-xbla-reaches-3-6-million-units-sold/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/27/minecraft-for-xbla-reaches-3-6-million-units-sold/#comments Developer Mojang continues to dominate the Xbox Live Arcade charts, announcing today that Minecraft for the Xbox 360 has sold 3.6 million copies. Mojang's business developer Daniel Kaplan revealed the latest numbers on the game on Twitter earlier today, saying he was "really surprised" to learn of Minecraft's latest milestone.

Minecraft on XBLA broke sales records when it launched, becoming profitable within an hour of its release. In July, Mojang founder (and Minecraft mastermind) Markus "Notch" Persson revealed the game had surpassed the three million unit sales mark.

On PC, the tree-punching simulator has surpassed seven million units sold. That's a lot of punching.

JoystiqMinecraft for XBLA reaches 3.6 million units sold originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 27 Aug 2012 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftMinecraftMojangMojang-SpecificationsXBLAxboxXbox-Live-ArcadeMon, 27 Aug 2012 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Rock Band World social app coming to Rock Band 3, Rock Band Blitz this month]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/24/rock-band-world-social-app-coming-to-rock-band-3-rock-band-blit/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/24/rock-band-world-social-app-coming-to-rock-band-3-rock-band-blit/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/24/rock-band-world-social-app-coming-to-rock-band-3-rock-band-blit/#comments
Just in case there weren't enough ways to bug your friends online, Harmonix revealed "Rock Band World" this morning, a new social app for Facebook. The app integrates with both Rock Band 3 and Rock Band Blitz, allowing players to challenge their friends, compare scores, shop for music, and accomplish social goals. Accomplishing said goals can earn players in-game coins for Rock Band Blitz, which can then be used to purchase power-ups.

The app is now available on Facebook. Rock Band Blitz arrives on PSN August 28 and on XBLA August 29.

Continue reading Rock Band World social app coming to Rock Band 3, Rock Band Blitz this month

JoystiqRock Band World social app coming to Rock Band 3, Rock Band Blitz this month originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 24 Aug 2012 10:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>facebookharmonixharmonix-music-systemsmicrosoftplaystationplaystation-networkps3psnrock-band-blitzrock-band-worldxblaxboxxbox-live-arcadeFri, 24 Aug 2012 10:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Joe Danger 2: The Movie - the Nintendo-flavored XBLA game with jetpacks]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/20/joe-danger-2-the-movie-the-nintendo-flavored-xbla-game-with-je/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/20/joe-danger-2-the-movie-the-nintendo-flavored-xbla-game-with-je/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/20/joe-danger-2-the-movie-the-nintendo-flavored-xbla-game-with-je/#comments The only place Joe Danger hasn't ended up is on a Nintendo console. Which made Hello Games founder Sean Murray's statement on the game's inspirations distinctly confusing when he told me this last week during Gamescom:
"What we always talk about is a kind of 'Nintendo-y' feel. The Nintendo thing for me is they make it look effortless - they just throw in things. If you're playing Mario Galaxy, you're like, 'That one five minutes, most people would make that an entire game.' That's what I really want so badly for people to play unicycle - or any of those ... we've got skis and it's only like two levels - you want someone to play that and think, 'This could've been a whole game and I would've played it. You know what I mean? But I've just had this one little nugget, and it's left me wanting more. And they move on to the next thing, and the next thing, and they feel like - when they unlock a level - 'I wonder what this one's gonna be.' So we've really stuck to that."
Like Mario Galaxy, Joe Danger 2: The Movie is pocked by one-off (or perhaps "one or two-off") gameplay vignettes. "The unicycle has that unique lean thing to stay upright, and it's a really fun vehicle. But we just use it once, don't put it anywhere else, and it's a really cool thing when you find that," Murray said. Of course, if you're just way into the unicycle, you can always create levels just for it in the game's revamped, online sharing-enabled level editor.

Gallery: Joe Danger 2: The Movie

Continue reading Joe Danger 2: The Movie - the Nintendo-flavored XBLA game with jetpacks

JoystiqJoe Danger 2: The Movie - the Nintendo-flavored XBLA game with jetpacks originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 20 Aug 2012 13:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>capcomgamescom-2012hello-gamesjoe-danger-2-the-moviejoe-danger-the-moviemicrosoftnintendosean-murraysegaxblaxboxxbox-live-arcadeMon, 20 Aug 2012 13:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Joe Danger 2: The Movie flipping to XBLA 'probably in the next month or so']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/20/joe-danger-2-the-movie-flipping-to-xbla-probably-in-the-next-m/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/20/joe-danger-2-the-movie-flipping-to-xbla-probably-in-the-next-m/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/20/joe-danger-2-the-movie-flipping-to-xbla-probably-in-the-next-m/#comments Joe Danger 2: The Movie from UK dev Hello Games is leaping to your Xbox 360 in the not-too-distant future. "We're pretty much complete," Hello Games head Sean Murray told us at Gamescom during a demo of the upcoming 2D Xbox Live Arcade racer. "We're showing the full game here, and hopefully people like it. Hopefully that means we're nearly finished," he said with a smile.

Thankfully for fans excited for the new game, reception at Gamescom was very positive. "It's been good, so the game is actually probably gonna come out in the next month or so. Something like that," Murray said.

There's only one thing standing between Joe Danger 2: The Movie and launch - certification. "That's where we're heading into now. We're doing the final, 'We shouldn't be changing anything, but we are.' Don't tell our QA!" And what about PlayStation 3 or PC versions? "At the moment, we're just showing and talking about 360. We kind of haven't made any other announcements or anything like that," Murray said. But? "But obviously the original came out on PS3 and 360, so ...," he trailed off. Take that as you will!

You'll also be glad to hear that the game is a load of fun - expect a full writeup from Gamescom 2012 later today.

JoystiqJoe Danger 2: The Movie flipping to XBLA 'probably in the next month or so' originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 20 Aug 2012 10:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gamescom-2012hello-gamesjoe-danger-2-the-moviejoe-danger-the-moviemicrosoftplaystationplaystation-networkps3psnq3-2012release-datesean-murrayxblaxboxxbox-live-arcadeMon, 20 Aug 2012 10:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Mars: War Logs coming to XBLA, PSN and PC in 2013]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/16/mars-war-logs-coming-to-xbla-psn-and-pc-in-2013/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/16/mars-war-logs-coming-to-xbla-psn-and-pc-in-2013/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/16/mars-war-logs-coming-to-xbla-psn-and-pc-in-2013/#comments Mars War Logs coming to XBLA, PSN and PC in 2013
Of Orcs and Men co-developer Spiders is sending your ass to the red planet. In the vague future of 2013, the developer will release Mars: War Logs - a cyberpunk action-RPG for Xbox Live Arcade, PlayStation Network, and PC.

Despite our wild imagination, the Silk Engine powered-Mars: War Logs isn't a futuristic reboot of that one Ren & Stimpy commercial parody, nor is it a Twin Peaks character simulator in space. "Mars: War Logs offers a wide variety of quests, dynamic tactical combat, and extensive character specialization through different skill trees and a complete craft system," a press release from publisher Focus Home Interactive revealed.

Mars: War Logs takes players to the red planet "over a century after the catastrophe that threw the planet and its colonists into chaos." In the game, companies are warring over the limited supply of water found on the arid planet's landscape.

As protagonist Roy Temperance, players can customize their combat style by selecting from "dozens of skills and perks," fighting in real-time against the creatures on Mars. Our suspicion is that the final boss will take the highly-evolved form of NASA's Curiosity rover.

More details on the game, including an outline of features, can be found in the press release after the break.

Continue reading Mars: War Logs coming to XBLA, PSN and PC in 2013

JoystiqMars: War Logs coming to XBLA, PSN and PC in 2013 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 16 Aug 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Focus-Home-Interactivemars-war-logsmicrosoftpcplaystationPlayStation-Networkps3PSNSpiderXBLAxboxxbox-live-arcadeThu, 16 Aug 2012 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hybrid jumps onto Xbox Live Arcade, server problems abound]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/08/hybrid-jumps-onto-xbox-live-arcade-server-problems-abound/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/08/hybrid-jumps-onto-xbox-live-arcade-server-problems-abound/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/08/hybrid-jumps-onto-xbox-live-arcade-server-problems-abound/#comments Hybrid, the third-person shooter brought to us by 5th Cell - a studio best known for the wildly different series, Scribblenauts - is now available on Xbox Live Arcade. At least, the game itself is available. As of this writing, the servers are experiencing some rather serious issues, namely that they are generally unavailable.

We've managed to connect to and finish a single game, but that's it. 5th Cell's Jeremiah Slaczka has responded to the issue on the Hybrid forums, stating that Microsoft is "looking into the issue." It should be noted that you can't even get to the main menu without a server connection, so you might want to wait until the servers are up and running before plunking down $15.

JoystiqHybrid jumps onto Xbox Live Arcade, server problems abound originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 08 Aug 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>5th-cellhybridhybrid-xblamicrosoftxblaxboxxbox-live-arcadeWed, 08 Aug 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Minecraft XBLA update brings the thunderclaps]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/07/minecraft-xbla-update-brings-the-thunderclaps/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/07/minecraft-xbla-update-brings-the-thunderclaps/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/07/minecraft-xbla-update-brings-the-thunderclaps/#comments Minecraft updates brings the thunderclapsMinecraft's Xbox 360 iteration just got a mess of fixes in its latest update ("Title Update 4"), including pistons at the world's edge causing crashes and thunder "not being audible." Why, that's no thunder at all, then!

Remedies are also given for the newly released skin packs and and several other minor glitches/bugs. And no, there are no content additions this time around, mostly just fixes for the last big update. But that Adventure Update is totally still coming!

Continue reading Minecraft XBLA update brings the thunderclaps

JoystiqMinecraft XBLA update brings the thunderclaps originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 07 Aug 2012 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>4j-studiosmicrosoftMinecraftmojangmojang-specificationspistonstitle-updatetitle-update-4updateupdate-1.7update-1.7.3xblaxboxxbox-live-arcadeTue, 07 Aug 2012 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Awesomenauts XBLA update is live, adds Derpl and Coco]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/23/awesomenauts-xbla-update-is-live-adds-derpl-and-coco/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/23/awesomenauts-xbla-update-is-live-adds-derpl-and-coco/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/23/awesomenauts-xbla-update-is-live-adds-derpl-and-coco/#comments
The long-awaited Awesomenauts update is now live on Xbox Live Arcade. Along with some changes and balance tweaks, the update brings with it two new characters: Coco, the hoverboard-riding harasser, and Derpl, the tank-riding defender.

The update is free and should be automatically applied the next time players boot up Awesomenauts.

Gallery: Awesomenauts (7/23/12)

JoystiqAwesomenauts XBLA update is live, adds Derpl and Coco originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 23 Jul 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>awesomenautsdtp-entertainmentmicrosoftronimo-gamesupdatexblaxboxxbox-livexbox-live-arcadeMon, 23 Jul 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft responds to Polytron's Fez patch claims]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/20/microsoft-responds-to-polytrons-fez-patch-claims/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/20/microsoft-responds-to-polytrons-fez-patch-claims/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/20/microsoft-responds-to-polytrons-fez-patch-claims/#comments Developer Polytron issued a statement two days ago, saying that a save issue affecting a small number of Fez players would no longer be resolved with an additional patch. Microsoft, who Polytron laid the brunt of fault on for demanding an expensive fee to certify and issue the new patch, has now shared its side with Giant Bomb.

"Polytron and their investor, Trapdoor, made the decision not to work on an additional title update for Fez," the statement starts. "Microsoft Studios chose to support this decision based on the belief that Polytron/Trapdoor were in the best position to determine what the acceptable quality level is for their game. While we do not disclose the cost of Title Updates, we did offer to work with Trapdoor to make sure that wasn't a blocking issue. We remain huge fans of Fez."

That last part is perhaps the most interesting, since Polytron claimed Microsoft's price for a new title update was $10,000 - this statement makes it sound like Microsoft may have been willing to negotiate on the price.

In the meantime, you can keep playing an improved post-patch Fez, in the hopes that your save makes it through the whole adventure. Polytron says less than one percent of players have succumbed to the bug.

JoystiqMicrosoft responds to Polytron's Fez patch claims originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 20 Jul 2012 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Fezmicrosoftpatchphil-fishpolytrontrapdoorupdatexblaxboxxbox-livexbox-live-arcadeFri, 20 Jul 2012 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Minecraft XBLA sells 3 million]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/20/minecraft-xbla-crafts-3-million-sales/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/20/minecraft-xbla-crafts-3-million-sales/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/20/minecraft-xbla-crafts-3-million-sales/#comments ImageMinecraft for Xbox Live Arcade has now surpassed 3 million units sold. The announcement comes via Twitter from Mojang's lord of the blocks, Markus "Notch" Persson, who wrote this morning: "I got told Minecraft for XBLA passed three million sales today!"

The $20 downloadable title launched on May 7 and sold a million units in five days. It then reached two million sales in early June. Minecraft for XBLA has also enjoyed significant support through updates, the latest (v 1.73) having gone live last week.

JoystiqMinecraft XBLA sells 3 million originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 20 Jul 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>4j-studiosmicrosoftMinecraftmojangmojang-specificationssalesxblaxboxxbox-live-arcadeFri, 20 Jul 2012 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Skulls of the Shogun launching alongside Windows 8 this October [Update: Delayed]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/19/skulls-of-the-shogun-launching-alongside-windows-8-this-october/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/19/skulls-of-the-shogun-launching-alongside-windows-8-this-october/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/19/skulls-of-the-shogun-launching-alongside-windows-8-this-october/#comments Skulls of the Shogun launching alongside Windows 8 this October
Skulls of the Shogun isn't just an Xbox Live Arcade game, y'all. It's also a Windows 8 game, a Windows Phone 7 game, and a Surface game. So when Microsoft announced the launch date for Windows 8 yesterday, we couldn't help but wonder if that meant Skulls of the Shogun would launch alongside it. "The plan is to sim-ship on Win 8 (desktop, and both versions of Surface), Windows Phone 7 and XBLA in the same week," 17-bit's Jake Kazdal told us. So, uh, sounds like it!

He added one caveat. "We're certainly shooting for day one release with Win 8, and it looks very likely, but nothing is set in stone yet," he said. Windows 8 launches on October 26, meaning you'll likely have your hands on those shogun skulls ahead of Halloween. And considering the dev studio's former name is Haunted Temple, that seems rather fitting, no?

Update: Skulls of the Shogun missed its Windows 8 launch, but is now scheduled to hit on January 30 for XBLA, Windows 8, Windows Surface and Windows Phone.

JoystiqSkulls of the Shogun launching alongside Windows 8 this October [Update: Delayed] originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 19 Jul 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>17-bithaunted-temple-studiosjake-kazdalmicrosoftmobilepcskulls-of-the-shogunsurfacewindows-8windows-phone-7xblaxboxxbox-live-arcadeThu, 19 Jul 2012 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Polytron bringing back Fez patch, won't fix save issues]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/18/polytron-bringing-back-fez-patch-wont-fix-save-issues/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/18/polytron-bringing-back-fez-patch-wont-fix-save-issues/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/18/polytron-bringing-back-fez-patch-wont-fix-save-issues/#comments After seeing major issues with a patch released for Fez on XBLA, Polytron and Microsoft decided to pull the patch from servers, returning the game to an earlier version. But now Polytron has posted that the patch is coming back, and it will not, repeat not, be fixing the issue where players may lose their save.

Why's that? It's a numbers game, says Polytron. The patch fixes multiple issues with the game (including framerating and loading problems, death loops, and more), and the save corruption issue affects less than one percent of players overall. Because sending out another patch to fix the first patch would cost Polytron "tens of thousands of dollars" to get the game re-certified by Microsoft, the patch is coming back, and any players thus affected by the save issue will just have to deal with it.

Polytron points to this as a major drawback with Microsoft's Xbox Live Arcade service, in that the company charges exorbitant fees to developers to release even free updates and content. "Had Fez been released on Steam instead of XBLA," posts Polytron, "the game would have been fixed two weeks after release, at no cost to us." Does that mean a Steam version is in progress? "Only a few months left to our XBLA exclusivity!" says the company on Twitter.

JoystiqPolytron bringing back Fez patch, won't fix save issues originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 18 Jul 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Fezfixmicrosoftpatchpolytronupdatexblaxboxxbox-live-arcadeWed, 18 Jul 2012 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Minecraft XBLA gets pistons, much more in tomorrow's 1.73 update]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/12/minecraft-xbla-gets-pistons-much-more-in-tomorrows-1-73-update/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/12/minecraft-xbla-gets-pistons-much-more-in-tomorrows-1-73-update/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/12/minecraft-xbla-gets-pistons-much-more-in-tomorrows-1-73-update/#comments Minecraft's Xbox 360 version continues to march forward, with the latest update (1.73) bringing "pistons and sticky pistons," "stackable fences," and a whole mess of other items, functions, and skins to your handcrafted block world. There are even 40 new character skins, some of which can be seen above. The update doesn't include NPCs, villages, or the much desired Adventure Mode, but 4J Studios promises those will come in time.

The patch, which corrects some errors too, goes live tomorrow at 2AM UTC. The full list of changes is right after the break.

Continue reading Minecraft XBLA gets pistons, much more in tomorrow's 1.73 update

JoystiqMinecraft XBLA gets pistons, much more in tomorrow's 1.73 update originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 12 Jul 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1.734j-studioskinectmicrosoftMinecraftminecraft-1.73mojangmojang-specificationspatchpistonsupdatexblaxboxxbox-livexbox-live-arcadeThu, 12 Jul 2012 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Awesomenauts update out soon, adding new characters and balance tweaks]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/11/awesomenauts-update-out-soon-brings-new-characters-balance-twe/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/11/awesomenauts-update-out-soon-brings-new-characters-balance-twe/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/11/awesomenauts-update-out-soon-brings-new-characters-balance-twe/#comments The Awesomenauts update that Ronimo has been teasing for two months is "almost ready," according to a post from the developer on PlayStation Blog. The update will make some tweaks to the game's balance and items, and add two new characters. The new combatants, first discovered in May, are Coco Nebulon (complete with hover-board) and Derpl Zork, a slug who utilizes a walking tank.

Coco uses electricity attacks that are good at harassing enemies and punishing those who chase her. Derpl, meanwhile, seems to be an area-control specialist and is able to turn his tank into a stationary turret.

There's no specific launch date for the update just yet, though Ronimo promises it will be "very, very soon." The update, characters included, will be free on both Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network.

Gallery: Awesomenauts (New Characters)

JoystiqAwesomenauts update out soon, adding new characters and balance tweaks originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 11 Jul 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>awesomenautsdlcmicrosoftplaystationPlayStation-Networkps3psnronimo-gamesupdatexblaxboxxbox-live-arcadeWed, 11 Jul 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Portal 2 goes Games on Demand, 50% off sales abound on Xbox Live]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/10/portal-2-goes-games-on-demand-50-off-sales-abound-on-xbox-live/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/10/portal-2-goes-games-on-demand-50-off-sales-abound-on-xbox-live/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/10/portal-2-goes-games-on-demand-50-off-sales-abound-on-xbox-live/#comments Been trying to pick up the Xbox version Portal 2 but haven't managed to open a portal from the couch to your local retailer? Xbox Live has the answer, as Portal 2 is now available on Games on Demand, according to Major Nelson.

Apart from GLaDOS and Wheatley's intrusion of Xbox Live, there are some pretty substantial sales going on. This week, a load of Bethesda DLC is 50 percent off, including the "Shivering Isles" and "Knights of the Nine" expansions for Oblivion and every piece of Fallout 3 DLC. Several Xbox Live Arcade games are 50 percent off as well this week, including Section 8: Prejudice, The Splatters, Hydro Thunder Hurricane, Hydrophobia and the excellent Toy Soldiers: Cold War.

JoystiqPortal 2 goes Games on Demand, 50% off sales abound on Xbox Live originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 10 Jul 2012 11:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftportal-2xblaxboxxbox-livexbox-live-arcadeTue, 10 Jul 2012 11:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Van Helsing gameplay footage is diabolically familiar]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/05/van-helsing-gameplay-footage-is-diabolically-familiar/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/05/van-helsing-gameplay-footage-is-diabolically-familiar/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/05/van-helsing-gameplay-footage-is-diabolically-familiar/#comments Van Helsing gameplay footage is diabolically familiar
Remember the slickly produced teaser trailer for The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing? It turns out that said trailer was pretty far removed from the actual gameplay. Based on newly released footage, it appears that Van Helsing's PC and XBLA adventure will be of the dungeon-crawling variety.

JoystiqVan Helsing gameplay footage is diabolically familiar originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 05 Jul 2012 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftneocore-gamespcthe-incredible-adventures-of-van-helsingxblaxboxXbox-Live-ArcadeThu, 05 Jul 2012 16:45:00 EST<![CDATA[NiGHTS Into Dreams gets a sweet sixteen present: an HD re-release on XBLA, PSN, and PC [update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/05/nights-into-dreams-gets-a-sweet-sixteen-present-an-hd-re-releas/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/05/nights-into-dreams-gets-a-sweet-sixteen-present-an-hd-re-releas/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/05/nights-into-dreams-gets-a-sweet-sixteen-present-an-hd-re-releas/#comments
Everyone's favorite surreal flying game for Sega Saturn, "NiGHTS into dreams...." is getting an HD rebirth "this fall" from Sega. Planned for Xbox Live Arcade, PlayStation Network, and PC, NiGHTS is an HD update of the original Sega Saturn release from 1996. Not that you weren't expecting one, of course.

Beyond the beautified graphics, Sega's adding a 16:9 aspect ratio, leaderboards, Achievements/Trophies, and "an optional Saturn Mode" (which reverts the game back to 1996 graphics). No release date is given just yet beyond the amorphous "fall," but there is the snazzy new trailer above. And these screens below. And hey, if you can't wait, you could always go play the game right now on your Saturn.

Update: We asked Sega whether the Christmas NiGHTS content would be part of the HD re-release, and were told, "Can't confirm anything about that yet." We have to keep an eye out in "the coming weeks," as Sega has "a lot of stuff in the air right now for this year."

Gallery: NiGHTS into Dreams HD

JoystiqNiGHTS Into Dreams gets a sweet sixteen present: an HD re-release on XBLA, PSN, and PC [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 05 Jul 2012 12:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftnightsnights-into-dreamsnights-into-dreams-hdpcplaystationplaystation-networkps3psnsega-saturnxblaxboxxbox-live-arcadeThu, 05 Jul 2012 12:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Marvel vs Capcom two-pack headed to XBLA and PSN this September as 'Marvel vs Capcom Origins']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/05/marvel-vs-capcom-two-pack-headed-to-xbla-and-psn-this-september/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/05/marvel-vs-capcom-two-pack-headed-to-xbla-and-psn-this-september/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/05/marvel-vs-capcom-two-pack-headed-to-xbla-and-psn-this-september/#comments Marvel vs Capcom twopack headed to XBLA and PSN this September as 'Marvel vs Capcom Origins'
"Marvel vs Capcom Origins" combines the original Marvel vs Capcom with Marvel Super Heroes, slaps a $15 price tag on it, and makes it all digital this September. Capcom announced the project this morning just ahead of upcoming fighting tournament EVO 2012 (which laces up this weekend), releasing the appropriately cheesy trailer seen above.

Like Street Fighter 3: Third Strike before it, "MvCO" includes various updates: "graphics filters, dynamic challenges, and online play with spectator modes and replay saving," according to Capcom. Of course, for the hardest core of fans, none of this talk matters comparatively with actually playing the game. Thankfully, plenty of those folks are attending EVO, where the game will make its first playable appearance.

It's unclear who's doing the port job for this (Wreckateer dev Iron Galaxy handled Third Strike), but we've reached out to Capcom for more info.

Update: Iron Galaxy confirmed to Joystiq that it's behind the port job in Marvel vs Capcom Origins.

Gallery: Marvel vs Capcom Origins

Continue reading Marvel vs Capcom two-pack headed to XBLA and PSN this September as 'Marvel vs Capcom Origins'

JoystiqMarvel vs Capcom two-pack headed to XBLA and PSN this September as 'Marvel vs Capcom Origins' originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 05 Jul 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>capcommarvelmarvel-vs-capcom-originsmicrosoftplaystationplaystation-networkps3psnxblaxboxxbox-live-arcadeThu, 05 Jul 2012 11:30:00 EST