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[The Walking Dead is $5 per episode, pre-orders get discount and contest]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/20/the-walking-dead-is-5-per-episode-pre-orders-get-discount-and/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/20/the-walking-dead-is-5-per-episode-pre-orders-get-discount-and/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/20/the-walking-dead-is-5-per-episode-pre-orders-get-discount-and/#comments

Telltale's The Walking Dead will launch the first of five episodes for $5 on PSN, PC and Mac, 400 Microsoft Points on XBLA, or as part of a $25 season pass from the Telltale online store, starting in "late April."

Pre-ordering for PC and Mac through the Telltale online store makes the five-episode bundle 10 percent off, $22.50, and enters pre-orderers into a contest to be drawn into the fourth episode as a human survivor who is turned into a flesh-frenzied zombie.

Just what mamma always wanted you to be.

Continue reading The Walking Dead is $5 per episode, pre-orders get discount and contest

JoystiqThe Walking Dead is $5 per episode, pre-orders get discount and contest originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 20 Mar 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>downloadEpisodicmacmicrosoftpcplaystationps3PSNthe-walking-deadXBLAxboxzombiesTue, 20 Mar 2012 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Play as a rampaging zombie in Lonely Few's debut iOS title, Brainsss]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/28/play-as-a-rampaging-zombie-in-lonely-fews-debut-ios-title-brai/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/28/play-as-a-rampaging-zombie-in-lonely-fews-debut-ios-title-brai/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/28/play-as-a-rampaging-zombie-in-lonely-fews-debut-ios-title-brai/#comments

Rod Green is a zealous, proud, card-carrying undeadist, and he's prepared to fight -- to the death -- for the equal rights of zombies across this nation's shopping malls, busy streets and suburban neighborhoods.

Green asserts that zombies are simply "misunderstood" and humans are "big bullies," said with much the same bravado as a big-cat trainer with his back to an open tiger cage. Unlike certain tiger trainers, however, Green may have a point, and he's set out to prove it with Brainsss, the first title from his two-person independent development studio, Lonely Few.

Green, previously of BioWare, and his partner, Yeong-Hao Han of former Pandemic Studios fame, have been working on Brainsss for two years and plan for it to launch on iOS devices in late March, Green tells Joystiq in an exclusive interview.

Brainsss isn't a typical zombie game. Keeping with Green's social beliefs, in Brainsss you play as the undead, trying to "persuade" humans to become zombies as well. Zombies do maul humans, "in the cutest way possible, of course," Green says, and they then become part of the players' undead army. The more humans your zombie converts, the more professional people you can persuade to join the undead cause, including police officers, hazmat workers, soldiers, fire fighters and the like.

Green calls Brainsss an RTS for the touch platform, and compares it to Pikmin's adaptation for the Wii and the original Syndicate's "persuadatron" mechanic.

Gallery: Brainsss

Continue reading Play as a rampaging zombie in Lonely Few's debut iOS title, Brainsss

JoystiqPlay as a rampaging zombie in Lonely Few's debut iOS title, Brainsss originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 28 Feb 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BrainsssindependentIndieiosipadiphoneLonely-FewmobileRod-GreenundeadYeong-Hao-HanzombiesTue, 28 Feb 2012 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Walking Dead gets new life with dev webseries, Playing Dead]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/15/the-walking-dead-gets-new-life-with-dev-webseries-playing-dead/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/15/the-walking-dead-gets-new-life-with-dev-webseries-playing-dead/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/15/the-walking-dead-gets-new-life-with-dev-webseries-playing-dead/#comments

Telltale's video game adaptation of The Walking Dead is making slow, shuffling, possibly even moaning progress into reality, at least from our perspective. Luckily for us, Telltale has created a new web show, Playing Dead, in which developers and designers talk about the tone and progress of the game, instead of taking that time to actually make it.

Don't get us wrong, we love hearing details about a game based on one of our favorite comic series in recent memory, but we won't be responsible for our actions if we don't see a gameplay video soon. We might write letters.

Playing Dead launches alongside a new website for Telltale's The Walking Dead, and the first episode is watchable above. In it, lead designers Jake Rodkin and Sean Vanaman discuss the timeline of their Walking Dead, which runs parallel to the beginning of Rick's canonical story, and the authentic approach they're taking to original writer Robert Kirkman's lore.

Rodkin and Vanaman reveal that players will interact with established characters such as Glenn and Hershel, and the video offers some in-game screenshots, one featuring a woman that could be Lori. We have provided the screens below for closer inspection.

Choices players make, such as saving a character's life, will carry through the month-to-month episodes, Rodkin and Vanaman say, affecting later decisions and gameplay options. Vanaman notes that the game is five episodes, spread over five months.

Supplementing all the new Walking Dead info, The Book of Eli writer Gary Whitta announced today that he is working with Telltale on their adaptation.

Gallery: The Walking Dead (Playing Dead)

JoystiqThe Walking Dead gets new life with dev webseries, Playing Dead originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 Feb 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gary-whittajake-rodkinpcrobert-kirkmanscreenshotssean-vanamanTelltaleTellTale-Gamesthe-walking-deadwebserieszombiesWed, 15 Feb 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Last of Us combat forces you to think through the situation, devs say]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/13/the-last-of-us-combat-forces-you-to-think-through-the-situation/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/13/the-last-of-us-combat-forces-you-to-think-through-the-situation/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/13/the-last-of-us-combat-forces-you-to-think-through-the-situation/#comments Naughty Dog is looking to make The Last of Us the most realistic fungal-zombie-apocalypse game ever created. Game director Bruce Straley and creative director Neil Druckmann let slip a few details about combat mechanics in a video interview with Game Informer: Health will not automatically regenerate; Ellie, your AI companion, will be intelligent enough to throw bricks and other materials at your enemies, and she won't break your "stealth" mode; and it may include Uncharted-esque playable cinematics, but in more intimate environments.

Straley and Druckmann discuss combat moments as part strategy, part shooter, and say they're infusing the title with realistic reactions from NPCs and the protagonist alike. Watch the entire interview here.

JoystiqThe Last of Us combat forces you to think through the situation, devs say originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 13 Feb 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aicombatfungusNaughty-Dogplaystationps3SCEASONYthe-last-of-uszombiesMon, 13 Feb 2012 18:30:00 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[Call of Duty: Black Ops Zombies coming to iOS on December 1]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/30/call-of-duty-black-ops-zombies-coming-to-ios-on-december-1/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/30/call-of-duty-black-ops-zombies-coming-to-ios-on-december-1/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/30/call-of-duty-black-ops-zombies-coming-to-ios-on-december-1/#comments Activision has announced a sequel to its first attempt at Zombies on iOS, available on December 1 for $6.99: Call of Duty: Black Ops Zombies. That's, uh, tomorrow.

Black Ops Zombies aims to offer the same features and gameplay elements found in the Zombies mode on consoles. It'll be available as a universal app for both the iPad and iPhone, optimized for third generation devices, and launches with the Kino der Toten map and the unlockable Dead Ops Arcade mini-game found in the console installment. There is also multiplayer support for up to four players and full voice chat.

Gallery: Call of Duty Black Ops Zombies (iOS)

JoystiqCall of Duty: Black Ops Zombies coming to iOS on December 1 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 30 Nov 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisioncall-of-duty-black-ops-zombiesiosipadiphonemobilezombiesWed, 30 Nov 2011 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Class3 runs on CryEngine 3, has some lazy zombies]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/21/class3-runs-on-cryengine-3-has-some-lazy-zombies/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/21/class3-runs-on-cryengine-3-has-some-lazy-zombies/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/21/class3-runs-on-cryengine-3-has-some-lazy-zombies/#comments

The above video of Undead Labs' Class3 isn't exactly what we'd call gameplay per se, but it is our first glimpse at what the survival simulator will roughly look like once it eventually shambles its way onto XBLA. The game will run on CryEngine 3, and despite still being in the earliest of development stages, things are looking pretty solid for an XBLA game.

Don't these zombies have anything better to do than to stand around all day, though? Get a job, zombies!

Gallery: Class3 (CryEngine 3 reveal)

JoystiqClass3 runs on CryEngine 3, has some lazy zombies originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 21 Aug 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>class3cryenginecryengine-3microsoftUndead-LabsXBLAxboxzombiezombiesSun, 21 Aug 2011 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Call of Duty: Black Ops Rezurrection video takes you to the labs]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/18/call-of-duty-black-ops-rezurrection-video-takes-you-to-the-labs/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/18/call-of-duty-black-ops-rezurrection-video-takes-you-to-the-labs/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/18/call-of-duty-black-ops-rezurrection-video-takes-you-to-the-labs/#comments We've accepted that killing zombies is a natural part of the human experience, typically falling somewhere between adulthood and our sunset years. If we don't kill the zombies, they overrun the breathers and humanity goes kaputski. We may not like it, but we get it.

That said, is it really necessarily for Call of Duty: Black Ops to, frankly, glorify zombicide? Just watch this new trailer for the upcoming Rezurrection DLC for a disturbing look at a developer that wants not only to kill zombies, but to have fun doing it.

First you make us misspell "resurrection" and now this? You guys really are sociopaths.

JoystiqCall of Duty: Black Ops Rezurrection video takes you to the labs originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 18 Aug 2011 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisioncall-of-duty-black-opsdlcmicrosoftpcplaystationps3rezurrectiontreyarchxboxzombiesThu, 18 Aug 2011 12:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Lollipop Chainsaw gets a debut trailer at Gamescom]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/15/lollipop-chainsaw-gets-a-debut-trailer-at-gamescom/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/15/lollipop-chainsaw-gets-a-debut-trailer-at-gamescom/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/15/lollipop-chainsaw-gets-a-debut-trailer-at-gamescom/#comments Juliet goes a little nuts with a chainsaw in Lollipop Chainsaw.
Germany's Gamescom show has brought us this debut trailer for Lollipop Chainsaw, a new title in the works from developer Goichi "Suda51" Suda's Grasshopper Manufacture. As you can tell from the (scandalous!) footage above, the game's about a cheerleader named Juliet -- who also happens to be a zombie slayer with a chainsaw.

The official site lists the location as "San Romero High School," and since American horror/comedy director James Gunn is also along for the ride, you can probably expect plenty of sly references like that one in the game. Lollipop Chainsaw is targeting a 2012 release on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.

JoystiqLollipop Chainsaw gets a debut trailer at Gamescom originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 15 Aug 2011 18:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gamescom-2011gorejames-gunnlollipop-chainsawmicrosoftplaystationps3suda-51trailerxboxzombiesMon, 15 Aug 2011 18:53:00 EST<![CDATA[COD Black Ops Rezurrection video goes straight to the Moon]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/11/cod-black-ops-rezurrection-video-goes-straight-to-the-moon/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/11/cod-black-ops-rezurrection-video-goes-straight-to-the-moon/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/11/cod-black-ops-rezurrection-video-goes-straight-to-the-moon/#comments
Activision sent out new footage of the Call of Duty: Black Ops "Rezurrection" DLC, including your first look at the "Moon" level, which features space-suited soldiers blasting zombies in low gravity. A warning: it's only a few seconds until you see a zombie depressurize, puff up and explode. Grody.

Continue reading COD Black Ops Rezurrection video goes straight to the Moon

JoystiqCOD Black Ops Rezurrection video goes straight to the Moon originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 11 Aug 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionCall-of-Duty-Black-Opsdlcmicrosoftpcplaystationps3rezurrectiontreyarchxboxzombiesThu, 11 Aug 2011 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Telltales from the crypt: The Walking Dead's first screenshot to the head]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/23/telltales-from-the-crypt-the-walking-deads-first-screenshot-to/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/23/telltales-from-the-crypt-the-walking-deads-first-screenshot-to/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/23/telltales-from-the-crypt-the-walking-deads-first-screenshot-to/#comments The Walking Dead is coming alive with the first screenshot from Telltale's adaptation, featuring the escaped criminal Lee Everett and the young girl, Clementine, looking terrified in front of a decrepit motel. Telltale has apparently stepped up its graphics game, and just in time to make The Walking Dead as gory and twisted as its ink-and-paper form.

JoystiqTelltales from the crypt: The Walking Dead's first screenshot to the head originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 23 Jul 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>comic-con-2011pcTellTale-Gamesthe-walking-deadzombiesSat, 23 Jul 2011 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Infinity Ward on the 'natural progression' of Call of Duty franchise development]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/22/infinity-ward-on-the-natural-progression-of-call-of-duty-franc/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/22/infinity-ward-on-the-natural-progression-of-call-of-duty-franc/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/22/infinity-ward-on-the-natural-progression-of-call-of-duty-franc/#comments "I can only speak on behalf of Infinity Ward, but I think it's a natural progression of how things have been going in general," Infinity Ward Creative Strategist Robert Bowling explained. We spoke last week during a Modern Warfare 3 preview event in Manhattan, in a hotel about 60 blocks north of the Wall Street setting in the game's campaign. I'd asked Bowling about the upcoming Call of Duty XP extravaganza, the variety of devs working on Modern Warfare 3, and if those things are an indication of a more unified franchise development structure -- a structure perhaps forged out of necessity, given the staff losses IW has seen over the past year.

"We're at a state now in the Call of Duty franchise, where you have several teams working on CoD that have their own very distinct styles on what type of gameplay they deliver," he continued, in reference to Sledgehammer, Infinity Ward, Treyarch, and Beachhead all working on various Call of Duty projects. "And I think that's a great thing for Call of Duty in general, especially if you're having games come out every year. To have very distinct flavors and to have very distinct styles, it allows us to innovate in different ways and not feel forced to innovate in the same ways and build on the same interactions in the other games."

Infinity Ward was showing off the newly added Spec-Ops Survival mode at the event as well, where I was handily carried on Bowling's back through eight waves of enemies before a juggernaut murdered us both. Much like Gears of War's Horde and Halo's Firefight modes, Spec-Ops Survival is, by Bowling's own description, an "infinite wave-based mode." A lot like the Treyarch-developed Call of Duty "Zombies" mode that has thus far missed inclusion in any Modern Warfare release.

While Bowling won't deny the allure of adding a Zombies mode to the Modern Warfare titles ("It's a stellar game mode!"), he believes that his branch of the franchise wouldn't be the right fit for it. "I think it comes down to design philosophies. Each game has its own personality and voice. Ours typically stick to the authentic/fun aspects, where there's goes in a different directions that's still fun, but unique to Treyarch's voice and their design sensibilities," he explained. He wouldn't outright say whether or not Spec-Ops is exclusive to IW/Sledgehammer, or if Zombies mode is exclusive to Treyarch, but it seems to be heavily encouraged that it stays as such. But then, he's only able to speak on behalf of Infinity Ward.

JoystiqInfinity Ward on the 'natural progression' of Call of Duty franchise development originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 22 Jul 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionbeachheadbeachhead-studioscall-of-duty-modern-warfare-3infinity-wardmicrosoftmodern-warfare-3pcplaystationps3robert-bowlingsledgehammersledgehammer-gamesspec-opsspec-ops-survivaltreyarchxboxzombieszombies-modeFri, 22 Jul 2011 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Portabliss: Age of Zombies (Android)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/15/portabliss-age-of-zombies-android/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/15/portabliss-age-of-zombies-android/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/15/portabliss-age-of-zombies-android/#comments Did you know that you can download handheld games now? That's amazingly convenient! The only inconvenient part of it is finding the right games to buy -- and that's where we come in, with our Portabliss column. Three times a week, our new Portabliss column will tell you about a downloadable game on the iPhone, iPad, Android device, DSi, 3DS, PSP, etc. Today: Age of Zombies!
The only way to survive the zombie apocalypse is through constant, preemptive preparation and a cache of military grade weapons - thankfully for all the procrastinators out there, Halfbrick has found a way to make one half of that as easy as making a phone call.

Age of Zombies is a straightforward, zombie-slaughtering top-down shooter featuring our time-traveling hero, Barry Steakfries, because you never know when the next phone booth you step into will be a time machine covered in the t-virus. Barry travels through five eras of undead history, including the age of decomposing dinosaurs, mummies, the American mafia, ninjas and a cyborg future. Professor Brains, evil genius, infests each era with hordes of zombies, which Barry has to mow down with a variety of weapons and his supply of snarky witticisms.

Continue reading Portabliss: Age of Zombies (Android)

JoystiqPortabliss: Age of Zombies (Android) originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 15 Jul 2011 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-zombiesbarry-steakfrieshalfbrick-studiosmobileportablissProfessor-Brainspsp-minisRAWRzombiesFri, 15 Jul 2011 14:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Dead Block due to shuffle, swing and bop onto XBLA July 6 and PSN July 20]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/29/dead-block-due-to-shuffle-swing-and-bop-onto-xbla-july-6-and-ps/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/29/dead-block-due-to-shuffle-swing-and-bop-onto-xbla-july-6-and-ps/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/29/dead-block-due-to-shuffle-swing-and-bop-onto-xbla-july-6-and-ps/#comments Nothing says "America" like apple pie, Elvis and vintage zombie hordes, straight out of the Golden 1950s. Dead Block, a suburban-zombie tower-defense title from Candygun Games, is hitting XBLA July 6, according to publisher Digital Reality. We first saw this date reported over the weekend at XBLA Fans; the only problem is, Xbox Live's Major Nelson told us, "It's not on the list that I have." Remember, kids, Xbox Live Marketplace release dates are never official until Microsoft releases them!

... but we're not sure about PlayStation Network, which Digital Reality says is scheduled to get its dose of Dead Block on July 20. Regardless of release dates, the cute-yet-crude take on the undead genre will be marked at 800 Microsoft Points on Xbox 360 and the equivalent $10 on PSN.

If you're still curious about the game, we've got a trailer for you after the break, but here's the meat of it: Zombies are created from the hip vibrations of mid-century rock 'n' roll and are slaughtered by Jack the construction worker, Foxy the traffic warden or Mike, the fat boy scout from Up.

Continue reading Dead Block due to shuffle, swing and bop onto XBLA July 6 and PSN July 20

JoystiqDead Block due to shuffle, swing and bop onto XBLA July 6 and PSN July 20 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 29 Jun 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>candygun-gamesdead-blockdigital-reality-publishingmicrosoftplaystationps3psnq3-2011release-datexblaxboxzombiesWed, 29 Jun 2011 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Relive the Joystiq E3 2011 meetup through this video]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/13/relive-the-joystiq-e3-2011-meetup-through-this-video/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/13/relive-the-joystiq-e3-2011-meetup-through-this-video/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/13/relive-the-joystiq-e3-2011-meetup-through-this-video/#comments Max Paolucci (thankfully) took some video of the Joystiq E3 meetup, both as evidence it actually happened (that whole week was a blur) and as a kindness to those unable to physically attend. It suffices to say that we love Max dearly.

Continue reading Relive the Joystiq E3 2011 meetup through this video

JoystiqRelive the Joystiq E3 2011 meetup through this video originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 13 Jun 2011 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dance-central-2dse3e3-2011macmicrosoftmobilemonaconintendopcplaystationps3pspreader-meetupretro-city-rampageretrogradesonyspypartywiixboxzombiesMon, 13 Jun 2011 15:20:00 EST<![CDATA[COD: Black Ops 'Escalation' DLC bringing Hollywood's zombies to PS3 on June 10]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/03/cod-black-ops-escalation-dlc-bringing-hollywoods-zombies-to/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/03/cod-black-ops-escalation-dlc-bringing-hollywoods-zombies-to/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/03/cod-black-ops-escalation-dlc-bringing-hollywoods-zombies-to/#comments Afte arriving exclusively on the Xbox 360 back in May (per previous agreements) and on PC yesterday, Call of Duty: Black Ops DLC "Escalation" is now getting the PS3 treatment on June 10. Beyond the four regular mutliplayer maps it adds, the much loved "Call of the Dead" level -- starring a quartet of movie stars -- is also included.

Like the PC launch before it, when the DLC arrives on PlayStation 3 next week, it'll spark a double XP outbreak all weekend on PlayStation Network. No official pricing was given in the release date announcement, but we don't imagine it'll be magically less expensive than the $15 asking price on Xbox 360 and Steam.

Update: An Activision rep confirmed to us that the PS3 release will be "consistent with previous Escalation pack pricing."

Continue reading COD: Black Ops 'Escalation' DLC bringing Hollywood's zombies to PS3 on June 10

JoystiqCOD: Black Ops 'Escalation' DLC bringing Hollywood's zombies to PS3 on June 10 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 03 Jun 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionCall-of-Duty-Black-Opscall-of-the-deaddlcdownloadable-contentmultiplayerplaystationplaystation-networkplaystation-storeps3psnq3-2011release-datetreyarchzombiesFri, 03 Jun 2011 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Dead Island gameplay tour trailer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/23/dead-island-gameplay-tour-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/23/dead-island-gameplay-tour-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/23/dead-island-gameplay-tour-trailer/#comments Be sure to watch this audio-visual version of our Dead Island preview experience for a deeper look at the zombie survival RPG's gameplay.

Continue reading Dead Island gameplay tour trailer

JoystiqDead Island gameplay tour trailer originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 23 May 2011 20:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dead-islanddeep-silvermicrosoftplaystationps3techlandxboxzombiesMon, 23 May 2011 20:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Dead Island preview: Reality bites]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/16/dead-island-preview/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/16/dead-island-preview/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/16/dead-island-preview/#comments Following our initial look at Dead Island back at GDC, I recently got our first chance to play the game for real. And "real" is the appropriate word here. Despite the zombies, wacky weapon combinations and a creepy Lost vibe, Dead Island does a lot to emphasize the reality of your admittedly unbelievable situation.

It starts right away in the demo, with an opening first-person cinematic that has my character living it up at one of the island's clubs, as signs of the big Z start to appear at the corners of my blurred, drunken vision. Is that woman just resting in the booth over there or is that blood near her head? Wait -- did that man just bite his date? Eventually, I'm too drunk to tell or even care, passing out in a nearby corner. This is when the game proper starts.

Gallery: Dead Island (5/16/11)

Continue reading Dead Island preview: Reality bites

JoystiqDead Island preview: Reality bites originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 16 May 2011 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dead-islanddeep-silvermicrosoftpcplaystationpreviewps3square-enixtechlandxboxzombiesMon, 16 May 2011 00:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Call of Duty fan film brings 'Zombies' mode to life]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/10/call-of-duty-fan-film-brings-zombies-mode-to-life/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/10/call-of-duty-fan-film-brings-zombies-mode-to-life/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/10/call-of-duty-fan-film-brings-zombies-mode-to-life/#comments You have to hand it to Studio FX Films. Its "Live Action Nazi Zombies" short film does a great job of recreating the Call of Duty Zombies mode. The video even throws in weapon purchasing and awkward spawn animations. There are plenty of zombies, too -- far too many for our protagonists, as it turns out.

Continue reading Call of Duty fan film brings 'Zombies' mode to life

JoystiqCall of Duty fan film brings 'Zombies' mode to life originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 10 May 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Call-of-Duty-Black-Opsculturemicrosoftpcplaystationps3studio-fx-filmsxboxzombiesTue, 10 May 2011 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Dead Block pairs three unlikely survivors against the zombie masses this summer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/06/dead-block-pairs-three-unlikely-survivors-against-the-zombie-mas/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/06/dead-block-pairs-three-unlikely-survivors-against-the-zombie-mas/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/06/dead-block-pairs-three-unlikely-survivors-against-the-zombie-mas/#comments Candygun Games and Digital Reality Publishing are teaming up to release a bizarre-looking ... um ... street defense game called Dead Block, coming this summer to XBLA, PSN and PC. Worried as you might be that the street itself is a zombie, you're thankfully mistaken -- turns out that the game is centered on the last remaining survivors of a 1950s zombie outbreak, holed up on one particular block of Americana.

Players control one of three different characters (swappable on the fly) in a third-person view, and apply direct or tactical violence in the form of traps to stop the stream of zombies. What's bizarre is the mix of characters, which ranges from a beefy construction worker with questionable mustache to a Blaxsploitation-era, gun-toting foxy lady to a chubby boyscout thrown in for good measure.

Despite the seeming anachronism of some of the game's characters, Dead Block's first trailer makes the game look rather promising. Head past the break and see for yourself.

Gallery: Dead Block

Continue reading Dead Block pairs three unlikely survivors against the zombie masses this summer

JoystiqDead Block pairs three unlikely survivors against the zombie masses this summer originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 06 May 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>candygun-gamesdead-blockdigital-realitydigital-reality-publishingmicrosoftpcplaystationps3psnrelease-datetower-defensexblaxboxzombiesFri, 06 May 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Making the Call of the Dead: Treyarch on Black Ops' celebrity zombie-fest]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/05/making-the-call-of-the-dead-treyarch-on-black-ops-celebrity-zo/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/05/making-the-call-of-the-dead-treyarch-on-black-ops-celebrity-zo/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/05/making-the-call-of-the-dead-treyarch-on-black-ops-celebrity-zo/#comments Most of the content in the new Call of Duty: Black Ops DLC is pretty standard for the military shooter genre -- a few new maps for $15. But the "Escalation" has one obvious standout in "Call of the Dead", a new map for the game's Zombies mode.

Out of the blue, Treyarch hired B-movie legends like Sarah Michelle Gellar, Robert Englund, Michael Rooker and Danny Trejo -- all posing as themselves -- and pitted them against the unrelenting waves of the undead, and even brought zombie master George Romero into the mix as a boss. The Zombie mode itself has always been presented as tongue-in-cheek fan service (the original mode from World at War had players fighting Nazi Zombies, and maps since then have included zombie monkeys and mad scientists), but "Call of the Dead" takes the goofiness even further.

So, how exactly did this happen? Joystiq cornered Zombies creative lead Jimmy Zielinski at a press event for the map pack earlier this week, and asked him how the developer decided to use some of the most familiar names in horror and monster film history for just one map in an add-on pack.

Continue reading Making the Call of the Dead: Treyarch on Black Ops' celebrity zombie-fest

JoystiqMaking the Call of the Dead: Treyarch on Black Ops' celebrity zombie-fest originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 05 May 2011 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisioncall-of-dutyCall-of-Duty-Black-Opscall-of-the-deaddlcescalationgeorge-romerojimmy-zielinskimicrosoftpcplaystationps3xboxzombiesThu, 05 May 2011 13:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Black Ops Escalation DLC includes 'Call of the Dead,' stars George Romero (as himself)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/26/black-ops-escalation-call-of-the-dead/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/26/black-ops-escalation-call-of-the-dead/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/26/black-ops-escalation-call-of-the-dead/#comments Well this is certainly ... wow. Activision has revealed "Call of the Dead," the previously unnamed Zombies Mode map in the Call of Duty: Black Ops "Escalation" DLC. "Call of the Dead" is no ordinary map, however, as Treyarch is throwing in lots of zombie-related fan service, starting with George Romero. The famed horror director stars as himself in the Zombies episode, alongside the likes of Sarah Michelle Gellar, Robert "Freddy Kreuger" Englund, Machete's Danny Trejo and Michael Rooker, who plays Merle Dixon in The Walking Dead.

Treyarch's Mark Lamia promises that "Call of the Dead" will provide "an exciting new zombie experience" that "takes Zombies to an insane new level." Check out some sceens in the gallery below and watch a (very Robert Rodriguez) trailer after the break. Oh, and we call dibs on Danny!

Gallery: Call of Duty: Black Ops (Call of the Dead)

Continue reading Black Ops Escalation DLC includes 'Call of the Dead,' stars George Romero (as himself)

JoystiqBlack Ops Escalation DLC includes 'Call of the Dead,' stars George Romero (as himself) originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 26 Apr 2011 15:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Call-of-Duty-Black-OpsCall-of-the-DeaddlcEscalationmicrosoftplaystationps3xboxzombiesTue, 26 Apr 2011 15:03:00 EST<![CDATA[New Dead Island screens to make you scream]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/16/new-dead-island-screens-to-make-you-scream/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/16/new-dead-island-screens-to-make-you-scream/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/16/new-dead-island-screens-to-make-you-scream/#comments Re-introduced in one of the most memorable trailers in recent years, Techland's undead-filled action game Dead Island was looking great when we saw it at GDC. Now the dev has dropped three new shots of its blood-soaked environments and a giant zombie in a straight jacket. See 'em after the break.

Continue reading New Dead Island screens to make you scream

JoystiqNew Dead Island screens to make you scream originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 Mar 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>actiondead-islanddeep-silvermicrosoftpcplaystationps3techlandxboxzombiesWed, 16 Mar 2011 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Dead Island preview: Paradise in shambles]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/03/dead-island-preview/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/03/dead-island-preview/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/03/dead-island-preview/#comments Last month's debut of the emotionally-charged trailer for Dead Island, a game completely forgotten (if ever known at all), instantly rocketed developer Techland's zombie vacation nightmare into the spotlight, spawning a number of homages and an absolute thirst to know: Could the game possibly be as good as the cinematic teaser?

After witnessing an all-too-brief gameplay demo at GDC this week, I began to answer that question for myself, likening Dead Island to a mash-up of Dead Rising 2, Borderlands, Breakdown and, to a much lesser extent than you'd think, Left 4 Dead 2 -- oh, and even some Far Cry 2 sprinkled in there. That sounds a bit chaotic, sure, but this is a zombie game.

Dead Island begins shortly after the zombie emergence depicted in the dramatic trailer, with players controlling one of four possible lead characters, each representing a different class. In the demo I was shown, the developer played as the "tank" character -- powerful, but slow.

Gallery: Dead Island (3/3/11)

Continue reading Dead Island preview: Paradise in shambles

JoystiqDead Island preview: Paradise in shambles originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 03 Mar 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dead-islandDeep-silvergdc-2011microsoftpcplaystationps3TechlandxboxzombiesThu, 03 Mar 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Dead Island is back with haunting debut trailer, Deep Silver to publish]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/16/dead-island-is-back-with-haunting-debut-trailer-deep-silver-to/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/16/dead-island-is-back-with-haunting-debut-trailer-deep-silver-to/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/16/dead-island-is-back-with-haunting-debut-trailer-deep-silver-to/#comments It's rare that, with a single trailer, a game goes from "completely off our radar" to "has complete dominion over our minds" -- yet that's what's happened when we caught the debut trailer for Techland's Dead Island. First announced in the summer of 2009, then never heard from again, the game now has a publishing partner in Deep Silver, plus one of the most invigorating trailers we've seen about zombies in a good, long while. Check it out for yourself after the jump.

IGN's preview of the game has turned out some equally savory details: According to Techland, Dead Island is a "first-person zombie-slasher/action-RPG," set in the luxurious Royal Palms Resort in Papua New Guinea. Players are tasked with escaping the island getaway, using all manner of found melee weapons (axes, pipes, etc.) to carve a bath through disturbingly realistic walking cadavers. Sounds like the camp that usually characterizes the zombie genre is going right out the window for this one.

The game is scheduled for a 2011 release on Xbox 360, PS3 and PC. We've got our fingers crossed that it's as good as the trailer lets on.

Continue reading Dead Island is back with haunting debut trailer, Deep Silver to publish

JoystiqDead Island is back with haunting debut trailer, Deep Silver to publish originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 Feb 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dead-islanddeep-silvermicrosoftpcplaystationps3techlandxboxzombiesWed, 16 Feb 2011 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Jeff Strain shares his vision for Class3, a different kind of zombie game]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/03/class3-interview-jeff-strain/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/03/class3-interview-jeff-strain/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/03/class3-interview-jeff-strain/#comments Judging by the comments section of most articles we write about new games and DLC that feature zombies, we'd say that Jeff Strain and his band of merry reanimated corpse enthusiasts (collectively and appropriately called Undead Labs) are at an immediate disadvantage with the announcement of their zombified XBLA title, Class3. We can't help but sympathize with their worries -- in the past three years, we've crushed, shot, sliced, exploded and generally obliterated more virtual zombies than we could ever possibly hope to count throughout the fullness of time.

That's exactly where Class3 -- a temporary codename, mind you, and a direct reference to Max Brooks' seminal Zombie Survival Guide -- sets itself apart. We recently spoke with Strain about how the team's first onus (which recently found a publishing partner in Microsoft Game Studios) stands out among a veritable field of undead offerings, and he explained succinctly, "In a real zombie apocalypse, you wouldn't just gather up the guns and go hunting zombies. You'd be trying to avoid them. You'd be trying to survive."

All zombie-centric games run a balance between providing the player with impetus to destroy zombies, and tasking the player with not being destroyed by zombies. Based on Strain's vision for the title, Class3 sounds like it leans decidedly towards the latter.

Gallery: Class3 (concept art)

Continue reading Jeff Strain shares his vision for Class3, a different kind of zombie game

JoystiqJeff Strain shares his vision for Class3, a different kind of zombie game originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 03 Feb 2011 19:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>class3jeff-strainmicrosoftmicrosoft-game-studiosundead-labsxblaxboxzombiesThu, 03 Feb 2011 19:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Pet Zombies in 3D is a real game Majesco is releasing for 3DS]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/18/pet-zombies-in-3d-is-a-real-game-majesco-is-releasing-for-3ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/18/pet-zombies-in-3d-is-a-real-game-majesco-is-releasing-for-3ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/18/pet-zombies-in-3d-is-a-real-game-majesco-is-releasing-for-3ds/#comments Majesco has revealed the identity of its first two potential hits on the 3DS platform -- surprisingly, neither belong to the trusted, lucrative [Gerund] Mama franchise. The first is Renegade Kid's Face Kart: Photo Finish, which lets players create a highly customizable racer or race track using the 3DS's cameras. The game will also use the handheld's gyroscopic capabilities to let players steer by tilting the system left and right. Sounds fairly promising! We enjoy Karts, and, moreso, our own faces.

The second game is 1st Playable Productions' Pet Zombies in 3D, which sees players creating and caring for their own shambling, reanimated corpses. Their ghouls will participate in mini-games to earn currency to purchase certain customizations for their undead pets and their environments. We've got our fingers crossed that this title will represent the tipping point of oversaturation for the zombie craze, leading game developers, filmmakers and authors alike to realize that this, this is what their hands have wrought.

Do you hear us, Max Brooks? Pet Zombies in 3D is all on you, man.

JoystiqPet Zombies in 3D is a real game Majesco is releasing for 3DS originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 18 Jan 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsdsface-kart-photo-finishmajesconintendopet-zombies-in-3drenegade-kidzombiesTue, 18 Jan 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Spike VGA 2010 commercial hints at 'Infected' game revelation]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/21/spike-vga-2010-commercial-hints-at-infected-game-revelation/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/21/spike-vga-2010-commercial-hints-at-infected-game-revelation/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/21/spike-vga-2010-commercial-hints-at-infected-game-revelation/#comments Once again, some sneaky developers are hinting at a big game reveal during the Spike 2010 VGAs using extremely surreptitious methods. A commercial for the awards program (posted after the jump) flashes the above image for a fraction of a second, seemingly indicating the premiere of some kind of game featuring "Infected." A couple years ago, we would have taken this as evidence of a new Left 4 Dead, but considering how zombies are now somehow included in every piece of popular media known to man, we can't be quite so certain.

Also briefly flashed during the ad is a QR code -- much like those dropped by BioWare, which hinted at its own VGA reveal last Wednesday. However, scanning this particular bar code leads you to another VGA teaser site, featuring the words "Look Closer" and "Murder." We have no idea what this means, but if someone's working on some kind of snuff film game, then they should probably stop, because we're so not down.

Continue reading Spike VGA 2010 commercial hints at 'Infected' game revelation

JoystiqSpike VGA 2010 commercial hints at 'Infected' game revelation originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 21 Nov 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>spiketeaservga-2010zombiesSun, 21 Nov 2010 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Night of the Living Dead: the interactive YouTube game]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/17/night-of-the-living-dead-the-interactive-youtube-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/17/night-of-the-living-dead-the-interactive-youtube-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/17/night-of-the-living-dead-the-interactive-youtube-game/#comments Perhaps this weekend's episode of The Walking Dead got you hungry for some zombie survival? Canadian design company Analogue has cut the Romero classic, Night of the Living Dead, into a playable choose-your-own adventure game on YouTube.

Continue reading Night of the Living Dead: the interactive YouTube game

JoystiqNight of the Living Dead: the interactive YouTube game originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 17 Nov 2010 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>analoguenight-of-the-living-deadyoutubezombiesWed, 17 Nov 2010 07:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Zombies!!! for XBLA shambling in Spring 2011]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/12/zombies-for-xbla-shambling-in-spring-2011/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/12/zombies-for-xbla-shambling-in-spring-2011/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/12/zombies-for-xbla-shambling-in-spring-2011/#comments The last we'd heard of Zombies!!! for Xbox 360, an Xbox Live Arcade adaptation of the killer board game, it was seeking a new developer after the prior one lost its head. Turns out the Xbox Live Arcade version is still alive and will be handled by Babaroga, the same developer that just brought the game to Windows Phone 7.

According to Twilight Creations, creators of the tile-based strategy board game, the XBLA version should be out sometime in the first quarter of 2011. Three years after it was first announced, it would seem the game is finally headed for a console release. Considering it's a game about classic zombies, we understand that development can shuffle along slowly.

[Thanks, Andrew O.]

JoystiqZombies!!! for XBLA shambling in Spring 2011 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 12 Nov 2010 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Babarogabig-roosterboard-gameBoard-Gamesmicrosofttwilight-creationsxboxZombiesFri, 12 Nov 2010 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Spoiler alert: Beat Black Ops and unlock something pretty special]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/01/beat-black-ops-and-unlock-something-pretty-special/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/01/beat-black-ops-and-unlock-something-pretty-special/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/01/beat-black-ops-and-unlock-something-pretty-special/#comments According to leaked footage, it would appear that a certain Call of Duty: Black Ops post-completion unlockable is one for the history books. In this image, the identities of the four-man zombie hit squad are strictly classified -- head past the break to spoil them. (Consider that fair warning!)

Continue reading Spoiler alert: Beat Black Ops and unlock something pretty special

JoystiqSpoiler alert: Beat Black Ops and unlock something pretty special originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 01 Nov 2010 20:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Call-of-Duty-Black-Opsspoilerszombie-modezombiesMon, 01 Nov 2010 20:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Dead Rising 2 ships 2 million, Blue Castle Games renamed]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/28/dead-rising-2-ships-2-million-blue-castle-games-renamed/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/28/dead-rising-2-ships-2-million-blue-castle-games-renamed/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/28/dead-rising-2-ships-2-million-blue-castle-games-renamed/#comments Capcom announced this morning that Dead Rising 2 has shipped over two million units globally, making it more successful than the original zombie survival sandbox. The company also stated that the Dead Rising franchise has shipped over four million units globally. That math likely entails the couple million copies from the sequel, the "million-plus" from the original Dead Rising, and ... oh boy, whatever Dead Rising: Chop Till you Drop shipped. It's unclear if Capcom's "most dynamic sales weapon" ever, Dead Rising 2: Case Zero, would be included in there -- considering it didn't "ship" so much as "sell" half a million units on Xbox Live Arcade.

The publisher also announced that its acquisition of Blue Castle Games was approved by Canadian authorities. The studio will now be known as Capcom Game Studio Vancouver. Will CGSV be entrusted with other Capcom franchises, or will it remain in the company of the living dead?

JoystiqDead Rising 2 ships 2 million, Blue Castle Games renamed originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 28 Oct 2010 10:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Blue-Castle-GamesCapcomCapcom-Game-Studio-Vancouvercapcom-vancouverCGSVDead-Risingdead-rising-2microsoftpcplaystationps3xboxzombiesThu, 28 Oct 2010 10:10:00 EST<![CDATA[As if you needed an explanation for this Zombie Bear]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/18/as-if-you-needed-an-explanation-for-this-zombie-bear/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/18/as-if-you-needed-an-explanation-for-this-zombie-bear/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/18/as-if-you-needed-an-explanation-for-this-zombie-bear/#commentsFiled under: , ,

There are no doubt certain sticklers for authenticity who have problematized the spread of zombies in next week's Red Dead Redemption add-on Undead Nightmare. "The undead simply do NOT belong in the heretofore historically accurate RDR canon. Period," reads one hypothetical tweet, which might echo the thoughts of others.

Perhaps giving voice to these naysayers, GameSpot has questioned Rockstar boss Dan Houser on the matter. "We wanted the game world to feel like a 1970s movie set," Houser explained, "in which by day people shot a serious revisionist Western and by night some maniacs invaded the studio and filmed a somewhat insane horror movie using the same sets and cast."

Well, good, that certainly closes the book on the issue for us -- though we do wonder about Houser's suggestion that "it simply was not what people expected." We've been pretty much stockpiling weapons in heated anticipation of a zombie apocalypse at least since '02. Now, if you'd thrown a transforming steam-powered hovertrain locomotive that flies through time at us? That would've been totally unexpected, not to mention an accepted fact of revisionist history.

JoystiqAs if you needed an explanation for this Zombie Bear originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 18 Oct 2010 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Dan-HouserDLCmicrosoftplaystationps3Red-Dead-RedemptionRockstarRockstar-GamesUndead-NightmarexboxzombiesMon, 18 Oct 2010 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Dead Nation promises online co-op at launch]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/08/dead-nation-promises-online-co-op-at-launch/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/08/dead-nation-promises-online-co-op-at-launch/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/08/dead-nation-promises-online-co-op-at-launch/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Tackling an inexhaustible undead force all by yourself just isn't a wise endeavor. Super Stardust developer Housemarque has announced that its PSN top-down scourge shooter, Dead Nation, will let two players meet in the place where barely human husks lunge violently at any signs of intelligence -- you may know it as the internet.

"Originally, online co-op wasn't going to be included as a launch feature, as the schedule and resources didn't allow it," Housemarque CEO Ilari Kuittinen wrote on the PlayStation Blog. "However, after many late night play-testing sessions and long talks with Sony Computer Entertainment, we decided that this was a must-have feature and it would be unfair to you if we launched without it!" You see, Ms. Croft? It's not that hard.

"At this point, our coders went from working 12-hour days to working 16-hour days, as well as weekends!" Oh ... well, uh ... this is awkward. Housemarque has yet to announce Dead Nation's launch date, though we know that it will cost $14.99.

Continue reading Dead Nation promises online co-op at launch

JoystiqDead Nation promises online co-op at launch originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 08 Oct 2010 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>co-opdead-nationhousemarqueonlineplaystationps3psnshooterzombiesFri, 08 Oct 2010 01:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Zombies mosey on into Red Dead Redemption's 'Undead Nightmare' trailer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/30/red-dead-redemption-undead-nightmare-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/30/red-dead-redemption-undead-nightmare-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/30/red-dead-redemption-undead-nightmare-trailer/#comments Like most issues that plagued the Wild West, the zombie situation was apparently "cured" with a bullet. See Marston take on the "Undead Nightmare" in this debut trailer for the upcoming Red Dead Redemption add-on pack.

Continue reading Zombies mosey on into Red Dead Redemption's 'Undead Nightmare' trailer

JoystiqZombies mosey on into Red Dead Redemption's 'Undead Nightmare' trailer originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 30 Sep 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DLCmicrosoftplaystationps3Red-Dead-RedemptionRockstarRockstar-Gamesundead-nightmarexboxzombiesThu, 30 Sep 2010 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Red un-Dead zombies spotted in dem dere hills]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/29/red-dead-redemption-zombie-screenshots/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/29/red-dead-redemption-zombie-screenshots/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/29/red-dead-redemption-zombie-screenshots/#comments Sure, those could just be a bunch of drunk cowpokes and some prostitutes, but why take the chance? Plus, zombie hides fetch a mighty fine price over at the Escalera general store.

Check out these first screens of the Red Dead Redemption "Undead Nightmare" DLC -- "coming soon" to Xbox Live and PSN for $10.

[Thanks Bob!]

Gallery: Red Dead Redemption (Undead Nightmare Pack)

JoystiqRed un-Dead zombies spotted in dem dere hills originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 29 Sep 2010 18:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DLCmicrosoftplaystationps3psnRed-Dead-RedemptionRockstarRockstar-Gamesundead-nightmarexboxxbox-livezombiesWed, 29 Sep 2010 18:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Call of Duty: Black Ops getting 'brand new zombie experiences']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/29/call-of-duty-black-ops-getting-brand-new-zombie-experiences/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/29/call-of-duty-black-ops-getting-brand-new-zombie-experiences/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/29/call-of-duty-black-ops-getting-brand-new-zombie-experiences/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Treyarch has finally decided to unveil "one of the most anticipated features and worst kept secrets" in Call of Duty: Black Ops -- Zombies. "Zombies have been such a hit with our community that we were committed to bringing brand new zombie experiences to Call of Duty: Black Ops," studio head Mark Lamia said. The mode will once again pit four co-op partners against wave after wave of encroaching undead, joining the new "Combat Training" mode which features up to six person co-op against enemy AI.

Four of the zombie-based maps from Call of Duty: World at War are being remade for Black Ops and will be packed in with the Prestige and Hardened editions of the game. The release doesn't detail how many maps the mode will be getting in total, or how much the aforementioned remakes will cost folks who don't purchase the Prestige or Hardened editions, but we've reached out to Activision for clarification.

JoystiqCall of Duty: Black Ops getting 'brand new zombie experiences' originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 29 Sep 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionCall-of-Duty-Black-Opsco-opfpsmark-lamiamicrosoftmultiplayerpcplaystationps3treyarchxboxzombie-modezombiesWed, 29 Sep 2010 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Call of Duty: Black Ops guide to include 'Nazi Zombie Coverage']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/27/call-of-duty-black-ops-guide-to-include-nazi-zombie-coverage/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/27/call-of-duty-black-ops-guide-to-include-nazi-zombie-coverage/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/27/call-of-duty-black-ops-guide-to-include-nazi-zombie-coverage/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The thing about a Nazi zombie is that it tends not to re-die until it's been utterly obliterated. So, it's totally plausible that the Nazi Zombie scourge continued to pester ill-fortified strongholds long after World War II. Considering Treyarch's commitment to historical entertainment, the developer could definitely get away with reintroducing the evilest undead into the Cold War setting of Call of Duty: Black Ops -- and BradyGames' strategy guide could devote a chapter to surviving the persistent threat.

In fact, product descriptions for the guide on GameStop and Play-Asia highlight "Nazi Zombie Coverage" (in addition to the typical tactical advice; e.g., "Did you know? Aiming down the sights will increase the accuracy of your shot"). Presumably, the Nazi Zombie coverage will detail the "Nazi Zombies" mode in Black Ops, which has yet to be announced by Treyarch.

Nazi Zombies was first hinted at for Black Ops last month by a retail listing. The popular minigame was introduced in World at War and later became a standalone iPhone game. "Zombies in World at War was a huge success and we were blown away by how well the fans received it," Treyarch producer Dan Bunting told us in a May interview.

Update: According to statements made by Treyarch studio head Mark Lamia in the new issue of Edge (via CVG), the developer "continued to evolve [Nazi Zombies] after World At War. There was a dialogue going on with some of our hardcore community, and we were able to interact with the community and evolve -- we did that with our zombie lore." Should we be on the lookout for Soviet Zombies now? Treyarch still isn't saying for sure; though community manager Josh Olin recently tweeted: "If Zombies have anything to do with our top-secret Co-Op mode, then it's a safe bet there will be a trailer for it eventually ..."

JoystiqCall of Duty: Black Ops guide to include 'Nazi Zombie Coverage' originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 27 Sep 2010 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ActivisionBradyGamesCall-of-Duty-Black-OpsGameStopguidemicrosoftnazi-zombiesnintendopcPlay-Asiaplaystationps3strategy-guideTreyarchwiixboxzombiesMon, 27 Sep 2010 14:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Yakuza: Of the End brings the zombie invasion to Japan]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/15/yakuza-of-the-end-brings-the-zombie-invasion-to-japan/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/15/yakuza-of-the-end-brings-the-zombie-invasion-to-japan/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/15/yakuza-of-the-end-brings-the-zombie-invasion-to-japan/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Japan's Self Defense Force is being overrun by hordes of the undead. Kamurocho (Yakuza's fictional district) is in shambles. Sure, most gangsters would run for their lives, but not returning Yakuza characters Kazuma, Goro, Ryuji and Shun. That's right -- Sega's next entry in the series is actually a shooter and features a zombie outbreak ravaging Japan, according to the latest issue of Famitsu (via Siliconera).

The publisher hasn't confirmed whether the game will be released in North America; nor has Sega verified if Yakuza: Of the End is a spinoff or a main entry in the franchise (i.e., "Yakuza 5"). Regardless, producer Toshihiro Nagoshi did tell Famitsu that he doesn't believe this will be the last entry in the Yakuza series.

JoystiqYakuza: Of the End brings the zombie invasion to Japan originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 Sep 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>playstationps3ryu-ga-gotoku-of-the-endsegatoshihiro-nagoshiyakuza-5zombiesWed, 15 Sep 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Dead Meets Lead: another zombie game, but it's got a great name]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/10/dead-meets-lead-another-zombie-game-but-its-got-a-great-name/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/10/dead-meets-lead-another-zombie-game-but-its-got-a-great-name/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/10/dead-meets-lead-another-zombie-game-but-its-got-a-great-name/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Swedish development house Keldyn Interactive was cutting it close, but managed to clinch a last-minute win for "best game title heard this week." That title would be Dead Meets Lead, the name for its upcoming top-down shooter for PC in which players take on hordes of -- wait for it -- the undead.

This one looks to have a pretty neat twist, though, as it's set in the year 1716 -- the period leading up to the American Revolution -- and casts players as a gruff, white-wig-wearing British captain stranded on a zombie-infested island with only a sword and custom blunderbuss with which to fend the creeps off. While the screenshots are a little on the plain Jane side, the concept art, also in the gallery below, is really something special.

Keldyn Interactive has yet to set a date for when the dead will meet lead, but we'll let you know just as soon as one's announced.

Gallery: Dead Meets Lead

JoystiqDead Meets Lead: another zombie game, but it's got a great name originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 10 Sep 2010 16:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>actiondead-meets-leadKeldyn-InteractivepcshooterzombiesFri, 10 Sep 2010 16:43:00 EST