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[Australian Attorney General Atkinson plans appeal of Modern Warfare 2 rating]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/24/australian-attorney-general-atkinson-plans-appeal-of-modern-warf/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/24/australian-attorney-general-atkinson-plans-appeal-of-modern-warf/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/24/australian-attorney-general-atkinson-plans-appeal-of-modern-warf/#comments In a statement to AU GameSpot, South Australian Attorney General Michael Atkinson said he plans to appeal Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2's MA15+ rating in the region. If successful, the game will be banned in Australia and this would be Atkinson's first time intervening on a rating by the Classification Board. Atkinson explains, "I worry about any game that encourages gamers to perpetrate extreme violence and cruelty on screen, but this game allows players to be virtual terrorists and gain points by massacring civilians." Those points for killing civilians aren't the only ones Atkinson is missing.

The anti-game antics of Atkinson are coming dangerously close to reminding us of the United States' disgraced, former attorney Jack Thompson. The Age reports Atkinson was recently on Aussie national radio and expressed that the Classification Board in Australia "does everything" to "get games in under the radar, and film, generally." Later, he stated that he has "no trust" in the board to apply guidelines, thus drawing up guidelines for games to have an R18+ classification "would be to draw them up in sure and certain knowledge that they would be stretched and then broken." So, games aren't being rated properly, but he won't support an R18+ rating. Feel free to drop your "facepalm" reactions below in the comments.

Source -- Atkinson confirms MW2 appeal [AU GameSpot]
Source -- No confidence [The Age]

JoystiqAustralian Attorney General Atkinson plans appeal of Modern Warfare 2 rating originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activision blizzardactivision-blizzardActivisionBlizzardaustraliacall-of-dutycall-of-duty-modern-warfare-2infinity-wardmichael-atkinsonMicrosoftmodern-warfare-2-collectors-editionXbox-360Tue, 24 Nov 2009 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Blizzard tops list of 2008's 'most successful' game devs]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/11/blizzard-tops-list-of-2008s-most-successful-game-devs/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/11/blizzard-tops-list-of-2008s-most-successful-game-devs/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/11/blizzard-tops-list-of-2008s-most-successful-game-devs/#comments The game industry's annual popularity contest has begun making the rounds, and among game developers in 2008 there was none more in vogue than Activision stepchild Blizzard. According to Develop 100, a list of "the world's most successful games developers," the dev WoW-ed its peers from atop a mountain of money with more than a billion dollars in revenue each year from retail and online sales.

Other notables on the list include 2007's top company, Nintendo, which was forced to settle for second, followed by GTA's Rockstar North in third. LEGO everything manufacturer Traveller's Tales ranked 12th on the list, while LittleBigPlanet's Media Molecule came in at a respectable 18th, the highest among indie UK studios. The complete list can be found on the official Develop 100 website. Check it out, and let us know if your personal favorites made the cut.

JoystiqBlizzard tops list of 2008's 'most successful' game devs originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 11 May 2009 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionactivision-blizzardactivisionblizzardblizzardblizzard-entertainmentdevelop-100littlebigplanetmedia-moleculenintendorockstar-northtravellers-talesworldofwarcraftwowMon, 11 May 2009 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Activision Blizzard expects to rake in more money this quarter]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/16/activision-blizzard-expects-to-rake-in-more-money-this-quarter/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/16/activision-blizzard-expects-to-rake-in-more-money-this-quarter/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/16/activision-blizzard-expects-to-rake-in-more-money-this-quarter/#comments
Activision Blizzard officials took time out of their busy schedule counting money to let the world know that the conglomerate is not only filthy rich, but expects to stay that way. The company notes that its financial take for the most recent quarter is tracking ahead of its own expectations, thanks to what it calls "better-than-expected" sales of its games at retail.

Prior guidance had the company pegged to bring in a hefty $860 million in revenue for the period, though it's unclear how much this figure will inflate in the wake of "strong" sales of Call of Duty and Guitar Hero titles, as well as World of some such. Actiblizzard CEO Robert Kotick noted that this "bodes well" for the company's upcoming releases, which include a salvo of games "inspired by theatrical feature films," colorful prose we're sure was inspired by the bulge in Kotick's wallet.

JoystiqActivision Blizzard expects to rake in more money this quarter originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 16 Apr 2009 08:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionactivision-blizzardactivisionblizzardblizzardbobby-kotickcall-of-dutyguitar-heromoneyrobert-kotickThu, 16 Apr 2009 08:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Pachter expects strong Activision Q4 financial results]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/05/pachter-expects-strong-activision-q4-financial-results/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/05/pachter-expects-strong-activision-q4-financial-results/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/05/pachter-expects-strong-activision-q4-financial-results/#commentsFiled under:


In advance of this Thursday's release of Activision's Q4 financial results, Wedbush Morgan analyst extraordinaire Michael Pachter expects Activision's sales were up 88% this quarter over last year, based on NPD data. GameDaily reports Activision's guidance expected revenues of about $350 million this quarter, but Pachter believes it's more like $425 million.

Pachter further notes that Activision may see revenues decline this fiscal year as sales from Guitar Hero III and Call of Duty 4 wane, though the big thing for investors remains the approaching merger with Vivendi Games. Activision Blizzard should be a reality in the next few weeks and Pachter maintains a "Buy" rating on the company.

JoystiqPachter expects strong Activision Q4 financial results originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 05 May 2008 15:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionactivision-blizzardactivision-vivendiactivisionblizzardpachterMon, 05 May 2008 15:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Dell offers special edition World of Warcraft laptop (for a small fortune)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/04/dell-offers-special-edition-world-of-warcraft-laptop-for-a-smal/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/04/dell-offers-special-edition-world-of-warcraft-laptop-for-a-smal/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/04/dell-offers-special-edition-world-of-warcraft-laptop-for-a-smal/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Like an unholy alliance, Dell and Blizzard have teamed up to unleash this beast of a laptop computer into the world. The XPS M1730 World of Warcraft Edition comes in Horde and Alliance flavors, and sells for $4,499 USD. WoW, indeed.

Admittedly, you get a lot more than just the laptop for nearly five large. The deal includes a WoW-branded backpack, a "golden ticket" entitling the buyer to a FigurePrint of their in-game avatar, a special key to all future WoW betas, and a plethora of Warcraft merchandise, including novels, trading cards, soundtrack CDs, strategy guides, and a behind-the-scenes DVD disc.

The computer itself is a 17" widescreen notebook, with backlit keyboard, illuminated speaker grills, and a built-in LCD screen dedicated to displaying in-game stats. The laptop also comes pre-loaded with World of Warcraft, as well as The Burning Crusade expansion. We haven't done the math, but we're pretty sure it's still not a bargain. Still, it's a nice little collection for the Warcraft enthusiasts out there.

[Via WoW Insider]

JoystiqDell offers special edition World of Warcraft laptop (for a small fortune) originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 04 Dec 2007 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activision-blizzardactivisionblizzardblizzarddellPCwarcraftworldofwarcraftwowTue, 04 Dec 2007 10:58:00 EST<![CDATA[The Joystiq Weekend: December 1 to 3, 2007]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/03/the-joystiq-weekend-december-1-to-3-2007/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/03/the-joystiq-weekend-december-1-to-3-2007/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/03/the-joystiq-weekend-december-1-to-3-2007/#comments Remember this? You were supposed to be waiting up for this right now. At least you get to keep some extra money for the already-massive lineup of AAA titles this season. And there's always this, too. (Caution: link NSFW) Check out the (many) highlights for this (rather exhausting) weekend:

Gerstmann-Gate
Latest developments in "Gerstmann-gate"
Rumorang: Gerstmann-gate edition
Ziff Davis staff holds impromptu GameSpot rally
Gerstmann-gate: Sunday morning update
Exclusive: Gertsmann speaks about K&L review, future
Blackout Monday: virtual boycott targets GameSpot, CNET sites
Gerstmann-gate: Blackout Monday update
CNET podcast hosts comment on Gerstmann controversy
GameSpot posts official Gerstmann firing notice

Acti-Blizzard
Activision and Blizzard parent merge in $18 billion deal
Blizzard wants you to know that merger won't affect their games
GameSetWatch analyzes Activision/Vivendi merger
The Activision Blizzard conference call
Activision stock way up after merger news
Joystiq Podcast Roundtable - Blizzavision ... Actiblizzard?

Joystiquery
Japanese hardware sales, Nov. 19 - Nov. 25: Informative puppeteer edition
Reminder: Last chance to win a $5K gaming PC from Falcon Northwest
Today's danciest video: Merry Xmas 2K7
Weekly Webcomic Wrapup: charitable edition

News
Guitar Hero II gets DLC: Indie Label Pack II
Rock Band team offers free EA game for guitar repair delays
GameTap losing over 7% of games; EA, Interplay and other publishers gone Dec. 11
DS gets downloadable content with official DSVision flash card peripheral
New games this week: Universe at War: Earth Assault edition
Virtual Console gets Eternal Champions, Zanac, The Dynastic Hero
Kuju opens new Nik Nak studio aimed at kids
Resident Evil: Outbreak and Monster Hunter online services cease for PS2
Microsoft reveals XBLA games coming in December and January
Eidos trademarks 'Tomb Raider Underworld'
Metallica in talks to debut new single as Rock Band DLC
Big surprise: Guitar Hero 4, Call of Duty 5, and Tony Hawk 11 confirmed
Sega: No plans to release NiGHTS PS2 outside of Japan
This Tuesday: Arcade Hits
Tomb Raider engine to power Deus Ex 3
Xbox 360 video playback FAQ
Smash Bros blog teaches us how to make friends
Turok clips show off multiplayer
Tingle's Rosy Rupeeland: meanest Nintendo game ever?
Play as Ken and Chun Li in Korean MMO fighting game
Andy Serkis spearheading East England game industry network
Tretton admits to 'missteps' in PS3's first year

Rumors & Speculation
Take-Two CEO sees industry consolidation as 'inevitable'

Culture & Community
Sleater-Kinney guitarist talks Rock Band
Guitar Hero brings business to six-string tutors
Something Awful pokes fun at Mass Effect
Mega64's VGA 2007 TV spot makes us laugh, feel guilty
AskMen's Top 10 Hottest Women in Tech
DIY: Weighted Companion Cube paperweight
Henry Jenkins sounds off on Spencer Halpin's 'Moral Kombat'
Roll your own ugly Wii Zapper using LEGOs
The 21 days of Wii from Circuit City

JoystiqThe Joystiq Weekend: December 1 to 3, 2007 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 03 Dec 2007 23:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionactivision-blizzardactivisionblizzardblizzardcnetdailyrecapgamespotjeff-gerstmannsmash-brosssbbMon, 03 Dec 2007 23:59:00 EST