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 2015 AOL, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Lumines changes hands, returning on iOS and Android]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/28/lumines-changes-hands-returning-on-ios-and-android/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/28/lumines-changes-hands-returning-on-ios-and-android/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/28/lumines-changes-hands-returning-on-ios-and-android/#comments Mobcast acquired the Lumines and Meteos properties from Q Entertainment, the Japanese smartphone game developer announced this week, as translated by Gematsu. Additionally, a new Lumines game is on the way for iOS and Android, and will be a collaboration with the colorful puzzle series' creator, Tetsuya Mizuguchi.

Mizuguchi will work on the latest Lumines at his new California-based studio, Enhance Games. The Rez and Space Channel 5 creator co-founded Q Entertainment in 2003 following his departure from Sega. Mizuguchi left the developer in March. The last Lumines game to launch was 2012's Lumines: Electronic Symphony (seen above).
[Image: Q Entertainment]

JoystiqLumines changes hands, returning on iOS and Android originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 28 Jan 2015 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acquireacquisitionacquisitionsandroidenhance-gamesiosipipadiphonelumineslumines-electronic-symphonymeteosmobcastmobilepropertypuzzleQ-Entertainmenttetsuya-mizuguchiWed, 28 Jan 2015 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq Deals: Android Game Developer Bundle]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/26/joystiq-deals-android-game-developer-bundle/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/26/joystiq-deals-android-game-developer-bundle/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/26/joystiq-deals-android-game-developer-bundle/#comments Today, Joystiq Deals serves up the Android Game Developer Bundle, a seven-course selection that will put you on the road to launching a fully fledged mobile game studio.

The package includes the No-Coding-Required Game Building Course, the Beginner Game Reskinning Course, the Android Lollipop Complete Development Course, the Unity3D 2D-Game Development Course, the All-Level Unity3D C# Game Development Course, the Intro To C# Programming & Scripting for Games in Unity, and the All-Level Android App Development Course. All seven courses can be yours for $49 through this Saturday.

Joystiq Deals is a partnership between AOL and StackSocial. A portion of sales goes to funding this site. Deals are curated by StackSocial independently of the Joystiq editorial team.

JoystiqJoystiq Deals: Android Game Developer Bundle originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 26 Jan 2015 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidjoystiq-dealsmobileMon, 26 Jan 2015 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Jon Snow brings lack of knowledge to Game of Thrones Episode 2]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/23/jon-snow-brings-lack-of-knowledge-to-game-of-thrones-episode-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/23/jon-snow-brings-lack-of-knowledge-to-game-of-thrones-episode-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/23/jon-snow-brings-lack-of-knowledge-to-game-of-thrones-episode-2/#comments
The second episode of Telltale's six-part Game of Thrones saga debuts early next month, starting February 3 for PC, Mac, PS4 and PS3. Titled "The Lost Lords," the episode is also coming to Xbox One and 360 on February 4, iOS on February 5 and Android at a later date.

The Lost Lords continues the story of House Forrester, a Westeros family who in history have aligned with the Starks - not always the wisest alignment, it has to be said. Telltale's game is interwoven with HBO's TV series, and the plot takes place between the end of the third season and the start of the fifth.

If you've played the first episode then you've already had a few chit-chats with Cersei Lannister, her brother Tyrion, Margaery Tyrell and the huggably lovely Ramsay Snow. As the teaser trailer below the break reveals, another Snow is coming to the game in Episode 2.

Continue reading Jon Snow brings lack of knowledge to Game of Thrones Episode 2

JoystiqJon Snow brings lack of knowledge to Game of Thrones Episode 2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 23 Jan 2015 08:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidgame-of-thrones-a-telltale-games-seriesgame-of-thrones-episode-2HBOiosipadiphonemacmicrosoftmobilepcplaystationps3ps4release-datetelltale-gamesxboxxbox-oneFri, 23 Jan 2015 08:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Humble Card Game Bundle deals out Scrolls, Star Realms]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/20/humble-card-game-bundle-deals-out-scrolls-star-realms/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/20/humble-card-game-bundle-deals-out-scrolls-star-realms/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/20/humble-card-game-bundle-deals-out-scrolls-star-realms/#comments Humble Bundle has a new promotion on deck: digital card games. From Mjoang's newest (and previously most litigious) Scrolls to the granddaddy of deck-builders Dominion, the Humble Card Game Bundle has plenty to offer those looking for a reprieve from that pesky Hearthstone addiction.

The "pay what you want" portion of the bundle includes copies of Scrolls (PC, Mac), SolForge: Dino Starter Deck (PC), Star Realms (a personal favorite for PC, Mac and Android), Talisman: Digital Edition and Talisman: Prologue (PC, Mac). Purchasing the bundle for more than the average price, which currently rests at $6.71, adds Magic 2015: Duels of the Planeswalkers Special Edition (PC), Dominion Online (Browser-based) and additional decks for SolForge.

Purchasing the bundle for $12 will unlock additional expansions for Dominion Online, a Deluxe Edition of Scrolls and add the basic edition of the free-to-play browser game Card Hunter. For $35 players can also gets their hands on a physical copy of Star Realms with an exclusive card and a t-shirt.

The bundle will be available to purchase for two weeks with proceeds going to charity organizations Block by Block, Save the Children and World Land Trust.
[Image: Humble Bundle]

JoystiqHumble Card Game Bundle deals out Scrolls, Star Realms originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 20 Jan 2015 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidHumble-BundleHumble-Card-Game-BundlemacmobilepcTue, 20 Jan 2015 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Bounden, Fingle studio closes its doors in April]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/20/bounden-fingle-studio-closes-its-doors-in-april/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/20/bounden-fingle-studio-closes-its-doors-in-april/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/20/bounden-fingle-studio-closes-its-doors-in-april/#comments Game Oven Studios, the independent Dutch team behind body-morphing mobile games Bounden, Bam fu, Fingle and Friendstrap, will be disbanded in April, studio co-founder Adriaan de Jongh announced in a blog post today. Game Oven will release its final game, Jelly Reef, in March on iOS and Android. Game Oven developers de Jongh and Bojan Endrovski will continue to support Bounden, Fingle, Bam fu and Jelly Reef, but they will remove Friendstrap from stores on February 1.

De Jongh and Endrovski founded Game Oven in November 2011 with their first game, Fingle, which was nominated for an IGF Nuovo award. Bounden, a two-player dancing game for mobile, is nominated this year for an IGF Nuovo prize and a GDC Innovation Award. Game Oven received financial support for Bounden from the Dutch grant program, Game Fund, and worked with the Dutch National Ballet to create the choreography.

And, despite Game Oven's closure, Bounden is doing "really well," de Jongh told me today.

"We're not making millions, no, but Bounden's profit is larger than the development costs, so maybe awards are not that disconnected from the financial success of the game," he said. "With Fingle, IGF helped us build an audience, helped us reach that critical mass, and even though we no longer do any marketing effort for Fingle, we still make one minimum wage from the game every month. The way things look now, it seems like Bounden is on that same road."

Continue reading Bounden, Fingle studio closes its doors in April

JoystiqBounden, Fingle studio closes its doors in April originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 20 Jan 2015 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidboundenclosuredutchdutch-game-gardenFingleGame-Ovengdc-2015igf-2014igf-2015IndieiosipadiphonemobileTue, 20 Jan 2015 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq Deals: Java Developer Course Bundle]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/19/joystiq-deals-java-developer-course-bundle/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/19/joystiq-deals-java-developer-course-bundle/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/19/joystiq-deals-java-developer-course-bundle/#comments Want to build up your Java programming skillset? Today, Joystiq Deals is offering the Java Developer Course Bundle, a collection that features more than 70 hours of in-depth instructional content.

The package includes the Beginner Java Essentials for Android Course, the Dynamic Website Building with Java Course, the Java Spring Framework Course, the Beginner Java Programming Course, the Java Data Structures & Algorithms Course, and the All-Level Java Swing Course. Normally priced at $399, the six-course package is available today through Joystiq Deals for only $39.

Joystiq Deals is a partnership between AOL and StackSocial. A portion of sales goes to funding this site. Deals are curated by StackSocial independently of the Joystiq editorial team.

JoystiqJoystiq Deals: Java Developer Course Bundle originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 19 Jan 2015 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidjavajoystiq-dealsmobileMon, 19 Jan 2015 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[WWE Immortals is free-to-play wrestling kombat for mobile]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/18/wwe-immortals-is-free-to-play-wrestling-kombat-for-mobile/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/18/wwe-immortals-is-free-to-play-wrestling-kombat-for-mobile/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/18/wwe-immortals-is-free-to-play-wrestling-kombat-for-mobile/#comments Have you ever found yourself playing NetherRealm's Injustice: Gods Among Us and thought, "You know, I like Superman and all, but what if he was actually John Cena?" Alternatively, perhaps you've looked at Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and wondered, "What if this guy were an actual, literal rock-man?" Well, you might want to check your brain for transmitting devices, because NetherRealm and Phosphor Games have made your thoughts reality with WWE Immortals, which is now available on iOS and Android devices.

Revealed just last month, WWE Immortals transforms various WWE superstars into warriors, mages, ninjas, knights and monsters, then pits them in touch-based battles with each other. The game is free to play and features support cards to bolster your fighting rosters' power. There's also a story about a magical lamp and alternate dimensions, but really, this is a game about men and women who get paid to fake-punch each other being transformed into mythical warriors. Plot is not going to be its strong suit.
[Image: Warner Bros. Interactive]

JoystiqWWE Immortals is free-to-play wrestling kombat for mobile originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 18 Jan 2015 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidiosipadiphonemobileNetherrealm-Studiosphosphor-gamesWarner-Bros-Interactivewwewwe-immortalsSun, 18 Jan 2015 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Minecraft getting in-game name changes, Pocket Edition sells 30 million]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/17/minecraft-getting-in-game-name-changes-pocket-edition-sells-30/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/17/minecraft-getting-in-game-name-changes-pocket-edition-sells-30/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/17/minecraft-getting-in-game-name-changes-pocket-edition-sells-30/#comments Minecraft players will be able to change their in-game name soon, development studio Mojang has announced. The process is set to go live on February 4, and looks to be pretty straightforward; once the name-changing system is in place, players can change their in-game name simply by logging into their account. Any name that is not being used by another player will be available, but players will have to wait 30 days before they can change again.

If you're worried about someone swiping your name while you wait said 30 days to come back to it though, don't be: it takes 37 days for an old name to become available for someone else. So if you were to change your name from, say, "MinecraftMasta" to something else, we wouldn't be able to swipe MinecraftMasta for ourselves before you had a chance to reclaim it. Changing names does not change inventory or character status, meaning if someone has blocked you, changing your name won't allow you to circumvent said block.

Mojang also announced that to date, Minecraft: Pocket Edition has sold a combined total of more than 30 million copies. Pocket Edition surpassed 21 million copies back in April, and expanded its reach to Windows Phone users in December, though Mojang did not share how many of the 9 million new sales were due to releasing on a new platform.
[Image: Mojang]

JoystiqMinecraft getting in-game name changes, Pocket Edition sells 30 million originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 17 Jan 2015 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidiosipadiphonemicrosoftMinecraftminecraft-pocket-editionmobilemojangplaystationps3ps4xboxxbox-oneSat, 17 Jan 2015 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Monument Valley made $5.8 million, over 80 percent on iOS]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/15/monument-valley-made-5-8-million-over-80-percent-on-ios/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/15/monument-valley-made-5-8-million-over-80-percent-on-ios/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/15/monument-valley-made-5-8-million-over-80-percent-on-ios/#comments Monument Valley developer Ustwo earned $5,858,625 from sales for the game as of this past Monday, as highlighted in a fancy infographic breaking down the puzzle game's earnings. Of that revenue, 81.7 percent was earned on iOS, compared to 13.9 percent on Android (where it was released about a month later) and 4.3 percent on Amazon. Ustwo says Monument Valley was installed on over 10 million unique devices, though its profits come from 2,440,076 official sales.

The original game took $852,000 to develop while its eight-level Forgotten Shores update cost the developer $549,000. It first arrived on iOS in April 2014 and recouped its development costed in its first week; Ustwo has now clarified that its launch day on the App Store amounted to $145,530 in revenue.
[Image: Ustwo]

JoystiqMonument Valley made $5.8 million, over 80 percent on iOS originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 15 Jan 2015 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androiddataIndieiosipadiphonemobilemonument-valleypiracyprofitspuzzlerevenuesalesustwoustwo-studioThu, 15 Jan 2015 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq Deals: One Free Month of OnLive PlayPack]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/15/joystiq-deals-one-free-month-of-onlive-playpack/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/15/joystiq-deals-one-free-month-of-onlive-playpack/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/15/joystiq-deals-one-free-month-of-onlive-playpack/#comments Today at Joystiq Deals, we're giving away one free month of OnLive PlayPack, letting you check out the service's 250-game catalog free of charge.

No game downloads are required - all you need is a compatible PC, TV, or tablet device to start streaming games directly from the cloud. Just sign up through Joystiq Deals and your trial month will begin instantly.
Joystiq Deals is a partnership between AOL and StackSocial. A portion of sales goes to funding this site. Deals are curated by StackSocial independently of the Joystiq editorial team.

JoystiqJoystiq Deals: One Free Month of OnLive PlayPack originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 15 Jan 2015 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidjoystiq-dealsmobileonlivepcThu, 15 Jan 2015 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Gaming philosopher Pippin Barr takes on the art world]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/14/gaming-philosopher-pippin-barr-takes-on-the-art-world/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/14/gaming-philosopher-pippin-barr-takes-on-the-art-world/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/14/gaming-philosopher-pippin-barr-takes-on-the-art-world/#comments Again.

Pippin Barr - game developer, philosopher, artist - has launched a game within a picture frame, complete with the player's own reflection transposed in real-time over the glass. The game is a snippet from one of Barr's earlier works, Let's Play: Ancient Greek Punishment, and it uses the camera on your computer or mobile device to throw your own image over the top of the action, as if you were staring at the piece of art in a well-lit gallery.

Barr's inspiration stems from an exhibition of his work at Australia's Andrew Baker Gallery late last year. He took a photo of a print of his Prometheus scene in Let's Play: Ancient Greek Punishment and imagined turning the photo itself into a game, he says.

"So I made a version of the Prometheus game that runs 'inside' the picture frame," Barr says. "To add to the effect, I also worked on ways to make the digital version of the frame picture reflective in the way it was in the gallery. This extends to (in the best scenario) a live webcam-based reflection that works on desktop versions of Chrome, Firefox, and Opera, a video-based reflection that works in Internet Explorer and Safari, and an animated image-based reflection in mobile browsers. It was quite the technical challenge for me, working with new web technologies I've not encountered before."

Play Let's Play: Ancient Greek Punishment: Art Edition Edition right here in your browser, or here on your mobile device. Or, see it in action in the video below. It's a fairly cool experience, even if you'll never win the game. Seriously, you won't.

Continue reading Gaming philosopher Pippin Barr takes on the art world

JoystiqGaming philosopher Pippin Barr takes on the art world originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 14 Jan 2015 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidartexperimentalIndieiosipadiphoneLets-Play-Ancient-Greek-PunishmentLets-Play-Ancient-Greek-Punishment-Art-Edition-EditionmacmobilepcPippin-BarrWed, 14 Jan 2015 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq Deals: Android Lollipop Coding Course]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/13/joystiq-deals-android-lollipop-coding-course/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/13/joystiq-deals-android-lollipop-coding-course/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/13/joystiq-deals-android-lollipop-coding-course/#comments The mobile marketplace presents a great opportunity for up-and-coming developers, and Joystiq Deals is giving you a chance to join in the fun with the Android Lollipop Coding Course, a comprehensive tutorial that will walk you through many key aspects of app creation.

Featuring over 30 hours of video instruction and a collection of hands-on app-building exercises, the Android Lollipop Coding Course covers an array of topics, ranging from Java to SQLite to Google APIs. Normally priced at $499 when purchased individually, you can get access to all of our featured courses today for only $89.

Joystiq Deals is a partnership between AOL and StackSocial. A portion of sales goes to funding this site. Deals are curated by StackSocial independently of the Joystiq editorial team.

JoystiqJoystiq Deals: Android Lollipop Coding Course originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 13 Jan 2015 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidjoystiq-dealsmobileTue, 13 Jan 2015 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Puzzle & Dragons exceeds 42 million downloads worldwide]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/11/puzzle-and-dragons-exceeds-42-million-downloads-worldwide/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/11/puzzle-and-dragons-exceeds-42-million-downloads-worldwide/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/11/puzzle-and-dragons-exceeds-42-million-downloads-worldwide/#comments
In case you're not sure how the match-three puzzle RPG Puzzle & Dragons is managing a Super Mario Bros. crossover, here's some perspective: Puzzle & Dragons has earned 42 million downloads across iOS, Android and Kindle Fire HD devices worldwide since its release in February 2012, according to a press release from GungHo Online Entertainment. Japan is to thank for roughly 33 million of those downloads, but more than 6 million of the total is attributed to the North American audience.

Last year's eShop-only Pokemon Battle Trozei offered gameplay that resembles elements of Puzzle & Dragons, but Puzzle & Dragons Super Mario Bros. Edition will be Nintendo's first by-name contribution to the series. GungHo America has mentioned plans for an "overseas release" in relation to Super Mario Bros. Edition, but with a Nintendo representative referring to the game as a "Japanese-only announcement," Super Mario Bros. Edition's Western arrival could certainly use a stronger confirmation.
[Image: GungHo Online Entertainment]

JoystiqPuzzle & Dragons exceeds 42 million downloads worldwide originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 11 Jan 2015 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidiosipadiphonekindle-fire-hdmobileSun, 11 Jan 2015 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[GDCA 2015 finalists led by Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/09/gdca-2015-finalists-led-by-middle-earth-shadow-of-mordor/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/09/gdca-2015-finalists-led-by-middle-earth-shadow-of-mordor/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/09/gdca-2015-finalists-led-by-middle-earth-shadow-of-mordor/#comments The finalists for the 2015 Game Developers Choice Awards were revealed today, led by Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor, which received five nominations. Monolith's third-person action game was nominated for Game of the Year, Innovation, Best Design, Best Narrative and Best Technology awards at the ceremony (on top of also being Joystiq's favorite game of 2014).

The other nominees for the 15th annual GDCA's Game of the Year award are Bayonetta 2, Alien: Isolation, Destiny and Hearthstone. Blizzard's collectible card game received three nominations in total, the other two for Best Design and Best Handheld/Mobile Game. Destiny also received two other nominations for Best Audio and Best Technology. The ceremony for this year's Game Developer's Choice Awards will be held during the Game Developers Conference on Wednesday, March 4 at 9:30 p.m. ET (6:30 p.m. PT) at San Francisco's Moscone Convention Center. Head past the break to see the full list of nominees.

Continue reading GDCA 2015 finalists led by Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor

JoystiqGDCA 2015 finalists led by Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 09 Jan 2015 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsandroidawardsBlizzardgame-developers-choice-awardsgame-developers-choice-awards-2015gdcagdca-15gdca-2015hearthstonehearthstone-heroes-of-warcraftiosipadiphonemacmicrosoftmiddle-earth-shadow-of-mordormobileMonolithMonolith-Productionsnintendopcplaystationps3ps4Warner-Bros-Interactive-Entertainmentwbiewii-uxboxxbox-oneFri, 09 Jan 2015 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq Deals: Last chance to enter the Double Nexus giveaway]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/09/joystiq-deals-last-chance-to-enter-the-double-nexus-giveaway/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/09/joystiq-deals-last-chance-to-enter-the-double-nexus-giveaway/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/09/joystiq-deals-last-chance-to-enter-the-double-nexus-giveaway/#comments What's better than winning one Nexus device? Winning two Nexus devices. Joystiq Deals is currently hosting a giveaway that includes both a Nexus 6 phone and a Nexus 9 tablet, a duo collectively valued at over $1,000. No purchase is necessary and entry requires only that you register a valid email address.

There is a catch, however: The giveaway is rapidly drawing to a close. Prospective Nexus owners have only three days left to enter the giveaway, and less time to share the promotion on Twitter to earn additional entries. For full rules and information on tossing your name in the virtual hat, visit the Joystiq Deals website.
Joystiq Deals is a partnership between AOL and StackSocial. A portion of sales goes to funding this site. Deals are curated by StackSocial independently of the Joystiq editorial team.

JoystiqJoystiq Deals: Last chance to enter the Double Nexus giveaway originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 09 Jan 2015 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidjoystiq-dealsmobilenexusFri, 09 Jan 2015 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: Xbox avatars to get a facelift on Xbox One]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/08/report-xbox-avatars-to-get-a-facelift-on-xbox-one/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/08/report-xbox-avatars-to-get-a-facelift-on-xbox-one/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/08/report-xbox-avatars-to-get-a-facelift-on-xbox-one/#comments Xbox avatars may soon return in an upgraded form on the Xbox One, PC platforms, and mobile devices, a pair of recent Microsoft job postings indicate.

"As we cross the threshold to a unified operating system and product experience across Microsoft, it is time to for Xbox avatars to also advance to the next level," the latter posting reads. "Come with us, as we take Xbox avatars on their biggest adventure yet in new Xbox experiences. You will be part of the broader Xbox Experiences team, which owns the Xbox One Shell, and the Xbox experiences across console, desktop, slate, mobile, iOS, and Android."

Created by Microsoft-owned studio Rare, Xbox avatars made their debut as part of an Xbox 360 firmware update in 2008, allowing Xbox Live members to associate digital characters with their gamertags. Though avatars and purchasable customization items remain a focus on the Xbox 360, the characters aren't currently given the same treatment on the Xbox One, where they only appear as part of a gamerpic photo app.

"We're always looking for talented people to innovate now and in the future," a Microsoft spokesperson told Eurogamer in response to a request for clarification. "We don't have any further comment on this or any other job posting."

[Image: Microsoft]

JoystiqReport: Xbox avatars to get a facelift on Xbox One originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 08 Jan 2015 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidavatariosipadiphonemicrosoftmobilepcreportxboxxbox-avatarsxbox-oneThu, 08 Jan 2015 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Minecraft was YouTube's second-most popular search query of 2014]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/08/minecraft-was-youtubes-second-most-popular-search-query-of-2014/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/08/minecraft-was-youtubes-second-most-popular-search-query-of-2014/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/08/minecraft-was-youtubes-second-most-popular-search-query-of-2014/#comments Mojang's breakout hit Minecraft took second place in a Google-issued list of the most popular YouTube search queries of 2014, ranking immediately behind the word "music" in terms of search frequency.

According to Google, the word "Minecraft" was more frequently searched on YouTube in 2014 than the term "movies." Gaming personality PewDiePie also ranked among the service's most popular searches in 2014, trailing queries for Disney's Frozen and for artists Drake and Beyonce.

Continue reading Minecraft was YouTube's second-most popular search query of 2014

JoystiqMinecraft was YouTube's second-most popular search query of 2014 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 08 Jan 2015 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidiosipadiphonemicrosoftminecraftmobilemojangpcplaystationplaystation-vitaps3ps4vitaxboxxbox-oneyoutubeThu, 08 Jan 2015 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Super Joystiq Podcast Live: Best of 2014 [Update: Watch the replay!]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/08/super-joystiq-podcast-live-best-of-2014/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/08/super-joystiq-podcast-live-best-of-2014/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/08/super-joystiq-podcast-live-best-of-2014/#comments


Starting at 3:30PM EST right here and on Twitch, it's JOYSTIQ DOME! Ten games enter! Ten games get robustly examined while 13 editors jaw at one another before examining the year 2014 in detail!

Yes, it's the Super Joystiq Podcast Live! Thrill as Ludwig Kietzmann tries to defend Watch Dogs. Swoon as Susan Arendt and Anthony John Agnello defend Lightning Returns with the fury of a thousand burning suns. Chortle as Alexander Sliwinski tries to resist playing Hearthstone. Jess Conditt talks Walking Dead, Danny Cowan digs Shovel Knight, Earnest Cavalli loves Sunset Overdrive, Sam Prell digs into Dragon Age: Inquisition, Richard Mitchell bets on Bayonetta, Xav de Matos feels Far Cry 4, Sinan Kubba delights in Dark Souls 2, Mike Suszek survives Desert Golfing, and Thomas Schulenberg gives Super Smash Bros. for Wii U a what for all over again. And that's just how it starts.

Tune in right here and on Twitch.tv/Joystiq at 3:30PM EST for a live, all staff round table discussion on the best games of 2014, our personal favorites, and a look back on the gaming year that was.
[Images: WBIE]

JoystiqSuper Joystiq Podcast Live: Best of 2014 [Update: Watch the replay!] originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 08 Jan 2015 15:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsandroidbest-of-2014iosipadiphonejoystiq-streamsmicrosoftmobilenintendopcplaystationplaystation-vitaps3ps4vitawii-uxboxxbox-oneThu, 08 Jan 2015 15:34:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq Deals: The OnePlus One Giveaway]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/07/joystiq-deals-the-oneplus-one-giveaway/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/07/joystiq-deals-the-oneplus-one-giveaway/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/07/joystiq-deals-the-oneplus-one-giveaway/#comments Joystiq Deals is giving away a OnePlus One Android smartphone this week, giving you the opportunity to own a cutting-edge piece of technology before it hits retail.

For a chance to win, sign up with Joystiq Deals and submit your e-mail address. You can also refer a friend to earn an additional contest entry and increase your odds of winning. Good luck!

Joystiq Deals is a partnership between AOL and StackSocial. A portion of sales goes to funding this site. Deals are curated by StackSocial independently of the Joystiq editorial team.

JoystiqJoystiq Deals: The OnePlus One Giveaway originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 07 Jan 2015 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidjoystiq-dealsmobileWed, 07 Jan 2015 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[IGF 2015 finalists: The Talos Principle, 80 Days, Invisible Inc.]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/07/igf-2015-finalists-the-talos-principle-80-days-invisible-inc/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/07/igf-2015-finalists-the-talos-principle-80-days-invisible-inc/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/07/igf-2015-finalists-the-talos-principle-80-days-invisible-inc/#comments Finalists for the $30,000 Seumas McNally Grand Prize at the 17th annual Independent Games Festival awards are Klei Entertainment's Invisible Inc., Croteam's The Talos Principle, Inkle Studios' 80 Days, Patrick Smith's Metamorphabet, 11 Bit Studio's This War of Mine and Team Outer Wilds' Outer Wilds. These games make appearances across other categories - Exellence in Visual Art, Narrative, Design, Audio and the Nuovo Award for unconventional game development - as well.

Other games up for awards from the IGF are Lumino City, Else Heart.Break(), Pry, Three Fourths Home, Framed, Killer Queen, Shovel Knight, The Vanishing of Ethan Carter, The Sailor's Dream, Desert Golfing, Elegy for a Dead World, Bounden and more, listed in full on the IGF website. The IGF jury nominated more than 30 games from a judging pool of almost 650.

The IGF awards are held during GDC, alongside the Game Developers Choice Awards, on Wednesday, March 4 in San Francisco. Congrats to all the finalists!
[Image: Klei Entertainment, Invisible Inc.]

JoystiqIGF 2015 finalists: The Talos Principle, 80 Days, Invisible Inc. originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 07 Jan 2015 12:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsandroidgdc-2015igfigf-2015Indieiosipadiphonemacmicrosoftmobilenintendopcplaystationps3ps4wii-uxboxxbox-oneWed, 07 Jan 2015 12:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Best of the Rest: Jessica's picks of 2014]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/07/best-of-the-rest-jessicas-picks-of-2014/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/07/best-of-the-rest-jessicas-picks-of-2014/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/07/best-of-the-rest-jessicas-picks-of-2014/#commentsATTENTION: The year 2014 has concluded its temporal self-destruct sequence. If you are among the escapees, please join us in salvaging and preserving the best games from the irradiated chrono-debris.

Threes

Threes is ingenious. Its simplistic presentation belies beautiful, thoughtful design and butter-smooth mechanics. Threes isn't a matter of "less is more," it's fully encapsulated and pushed to the limits of what it intends to do, providing hours upon hours of repeated gameplay on that four-by-four tiled screen. On top of the brain-teasing numbers game, writer Asher Vollmer, illustrator Greg Wohlwend and composer Jimmy Hinson infuse Threes with personality, giving the numbers voices and faces, and tipping Threes from "Fun" to "Absolutely adorable. And, of course, fun."

Continue reading Best of the Rest: Jessica's picks of 2014

JoystiqBest of the Rest: Jessica's picks of 2014 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 07 Jan 2015 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidasher-vollmerbest-of-2014best-of-the-restbest-of-the-rest-2014CroTeamdevolver-digitalgreg-wohlwendiosipadiphonejoystiq-best-of-2014macmatt-makes-gamesmicrosoftmobileMurasaki-Babyovosonicopcplaystationplaystation-vitaps4TelltaleTellTale-Gamesthe-talos-principlethe-walking-deadthe-walking-dead-season-2threestowerfalltowerfall-ascensionvitaxbox-oneWed, 07 Jan 2015 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Monument Valley dev: 5% of Android players paid to play]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/06/monument-valley-dev-5-of-android-players-paid-to-play/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/06/monument-valley-dev-5-of-android-players-paid-to-play/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/06/monument-valley-dev-5-of-android-players-paid-to-play/#comments Monument Valley developer Ustwo revealed that only five percent of the game's installs on Android are "paid for." It divulged "interesting data" about the game in recent tweets, clarifying that a "small number" of the other 95 percent of installs were legitimate. Additionally, the data does not account for the one promotional day in which Monument Valley was free on the Amazon Store. By comparison, Ustwo said that 40 percent of the installs for the game on iOS were paid for.

Piracy isn't a new problem for the Android platform, as indicated by games such as Lucky Frame's Gentlemen!. The Edinburgh, Scotland-based independent developer announced in August 2013 that just 144 of the 50,000 downloads for Gentlemen! on Android were legitimate. Ustwo first launched Monument Valley on iOS in April 2014 before it arrived on Android one month later. The game reached one million copies sold in July after having recouped its development costs after one week on the App Store. It received eight new levels on iOS in November and earned a year-end award from Apple last month.
[Image: Ustwo]

JoystiqMonument Valley dev: 5% of Android players paid to play originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 06 Jan 2015 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidgoogle-playmobilemonument-valleypiracypuzzleustwoTue, 06 Jan 2015 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Best of the Rest: Thomas' picks of 2014]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/06/best-of-the-rest-thomas-picks-of-2014/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/06/best-of-the-rest-thomas-picks-of-2014/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/06/best-of-the-rest-thomas-picks-of-2014/#commentsATTENTION: The year 2014 has concluded its temporal self-destruct sequence. If you are among the escapees, please join us in salvaging and preserving the best games from the irradiated chrono-debris.

Disney Fantasia: Music Evolved

I love listening to music alone. When no one's looking, I'm free to tap out drum beats, put on emotional lip-synchs and flail in synch with a song's swelling heights. Playing Disney Fantasia: Music Evolved is a lot like those solo jam sessions in the way it grants a free pass to completely lose myself in a song's components. Sure, I look ridiculous, but I have to! Matching notes with halfhearted swipes and restrained punches just leads to broken combos, as if the Kinect is the all-knowing gaze of an instructor ready to belittle a cold, tired performance.

Substituting instruments and creating remixes adds a welcome element of experimentation to Fantasia, but it's the core focus of moving with music that brings me back each week. It's increasingly difficult to ignore life's noise while playing a game as I grow older, but Fantasia's peak moments tune out every distraction, leaving me with an uninhibited excuse to enjoy twisted, endearing remixes of songs that I love.

Continue reading Best of the Rest: Thomas' picks of 2014

JoystiqBest of the Rest: Thomas' picks of 2014 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 06 Jan 2015 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidbest-of-2014best-of-the-rest-2014disney-fantasia-music-evolveddonkey-kong-country-tropical-freezefantasia-music-evolvedfibbagehearthstonehearthstone-heroes-of-warcrafthyrule-warriorsiosipadiphonemacmicrosoftmobilenintendopcplaystationps3ps4pushmo-worldrogue-legacysouth-park-the-stick-of-truthterra-battlewii-uwolfenstein-the-new-orderxboxxbox-oneTue, 06 Jan 2015 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Best of the Rest: Susan's picks of 2014]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/06/best-of-the-rest-susans-picks-of-2014/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/06/best-of-the-rest-susans-picks-of-2014/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/06/best-of-the-rest-susans-picks-of-2014/#commentsATTENTION: The year 2014 has concluded its temporal self-destruct sequence. If you are among the escapees, please join us in salvaging and preserving the best games from the irradiated chrono-debris.

Framed

Framed is so elegant and simple that it needs not a single word to teach you how to play. If you understand the basic function of the panels in a comic book and are able to poke things with your finger, you will swiftly understand the basics of how to make things happen in this brilliant mobile game. Arrange the panels one way, and your spy makes a daring escape from the police; position them another way, and he emerges from the wrong door right into the hands of the law.

From the very first level, which uses just two panels to illustrate how switching the order of the comic can change the outcome of its events, Framed builds on its simplicity, adding more panels, directionality and timing to create more complex puzzles in its stylish spy-vs-spy thriller. Each page of the comic is a puzzle complete unto itself, making Framed perfectly designed for short bursts of inspiration, or restricted play time. It's one of those games that's so damn clever, you wish you'd thought it up yourself.

Continue reading Best of the Rest: Susan's picks of 2014

JoystiqBest of the Rest: Susan's picks of 2014 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 06 Jan 2015 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsandroidbest-of-2014best-of-the-rest-2014danganronpa-2-goodbye-despairdanganronpa-trigger-happy-havocframediosipadiphonejoystiq-best-of-2014lightning returns final fantasy xiiimicrosoftmobilenintendopersona qplaystationplaystation-vitaps3recommendedtales from the borderlandsvitaxboxTue, 06 Jan 2015 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Clock Tower successor 'Project Scissors' becomes NightCry, gets live action teaser]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/05/clock-tower-successor-project-scissors-becomes-nightcry-gets/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/05/clock-tower-successor-project-scissors-becomes-nightcry-gets/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/05/clock-tower-successor-project-scissors-becomes-nightcry-gets/#comments
The spiritual successor to the Clock Tower survival horror series, Project Scissors, has a new name and a new live action teaser. The game is now called NightCry, and the trailer is definitely creepy, if a little light on information. One thing that Clock Tower fans will be sure to notice, however, is the presence of big, bloody scissors. Or, to put it more accurately, big scissors that appear to be made of blood.

The teaser is directed by Takashi Shimizu, director of the Ju-On horror film series and its American counterpart, The Grudge. Shimizu was revealed to be a part of the game project last year, along developer Nude Maker, which is led by the director of the original Clock Tower games, Hifumi Kouno.

NightCry is planned for iOS, Android and PlayStation Vita.
[Image: Nude Maker]

JoystiqClock Tower successor 'Project Scissors' becomes NightCry, gets live action teaser originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 05 Jan 2015 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidiosipadiphonemobilenightcrynude-makerplaystationplaystation-vitaproject-scissorsvitaMon, 05 Jan 2015 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Best of the Rest: Mike's picks of 2014]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/02/best-of-the-rest-mikes-picks-of-2014/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/02/best-of-the-rest-mikes-picks-of-2014/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/02/best-of-the-rest-mikes-picks-of-2014/#commentsATTENTION: The year 2014 has concluded its temporal self-destruct sequence. If you are among the escapees, please join us in salvaging and preserving the best games from the irradiated chrono-debris.

Desert Golfing

Imagine you're stranded in the middle of a vast desert with nothing but a golf club and ball, rolling hills of sand stretching as far as the eye can see. You're not going anywhere soon. May as well play a few thousand rounds and work on your swing, right? Whoa, did you see that cactus on hole #316? Maybe it was a mirage, but I swear I found a rock on hole #537.

This delightfully minimal, endless version of golf doesn't drown players in features. Instead, Desert Golfing perfectly mimics life on a desert golf course: Serene. Sometimes maddening.

Continue reading Best of the Rest: Mike's picks of 2014

JoystiqBest of the Rest: Mike's picks of 2014 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 02 Jan 2015 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a-golden-wakeandroidbest-of-2014best-of-the-rest-2014desert-golfinggeometry-wars-3-dimensionshitman-goiosipadiphonejoystiq-best-of-2014madden-nfl-15microsoftmobilepcplaystationps3ps4recommendedxboxxbox-oneFri, 02 Jan 2015 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq Deals: Last Chance for Golden Apple and Dropbox giveaways]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/02/joystiq-deals-last-chance-for-golden-apple-and-dropbox-giveaway/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/02/joystiq-deals-last-chance-for-golden-apple-and-dropbox-giveaway/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/02/joystiq-deals-last-chance-for-golden-apple-and-dropbox-giveaway/#comments Heads up: you've got less than one week to enter a pair of great giveaways we're offering on Joystiq Deals, and we're giving you one last chance to put yourself in the running for prizes worth more than $1,400.

Enter our Golden Apple Giveaway and you could win a golden iPad Air 2 and a gold iPhone 6. If online storage is what you need, you should also enter our Mega Dropbox Pro Giveaway, which will award three years of Dropbox Pro service and a terabyte's worth of space to one lucky winner.

The submission deadline for both contests is January 5, and make sure to share your entries on Twitter to receive additional chances to win. Good luck!

Joystiq Deals is a partnership between AOL and StackSocial. A portion of sales goes to funding this site. Deals are curated by StackSocial independently of the Joystiq editorial team.

JoystiqJoystiq Deals: Last Chance for Golden Apple and Dropbox giveaways originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 02 Jan 2015 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidgiveawayiosipadiphonejoystiq-dealsmobileFri, 02 Jan 2015 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Best of the Rest: Richard's picks of 2014]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/02/best-of-the-rest-richards-picks-of-2014/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/02/best-of-the-rest-richards-picks-of-2014/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/02/best-of-the-rest-richards-picks-of-2014/#commentsATTENTION: The year 2014 has concluded its temporal self-destruct sequence. If you are among the escapees, please join us in salvaging and preserving the best games from the irradiated chrono-debris.

The Vanishing of Ethan Carter

The best thing about The Vanishing of Ethan Carter might be that it tells its story in a way that only a video game can. Other games aspire to emulate other forms of media, to be more like movies or books. Ethan Carter, on the other hand, embraces the interactivity of the medium in a wonderful way, with an awareness of a video game's ability to let you live through a moment, rather than just witnessing it.

At first, Ethan Carter feels like a typical paranormal mystery, and its investigation mechanics are cleverly implemented, asking you to put the events of the past in the correct order to reveal the truth behind a series of murders. The mystery elements turn out to be just a small part of The Vanishing of Ethan Carter, though, and you soon find yourself pulled into some of the greatest moments of pure fantasy that I've ever seen in a video game.

I won't say another word, for fear of spoiling anything. If you appreciate a good mystery, and you believe in the transportational power of games, do yourself a favor and pick it up.

Continue reading Best of the Rest: Richard's picks of 2014

JoystiqBest of the Rest: Richard's picks of 2014 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 02 Jan 2015 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidbest-of-2014best-of-the-rest-2014dark-souls-2destinyhearthstonehearthstone-heroes-of-warcraftiosipadiphonejoystiq-best-of-2014microsoftmobilepcpersona-qpersona-q-shadow-of-the-labyrinthrecommendedtales-from-the-borderlandsthe-vanishing-of-ethan-carterxbox-oneFri, 02 Jan 2015 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq Top 10 of 2014: Valiant Hearts: The Great War]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/01/joystiq-top-10-of-2014-valiant-hearts-the-great-war/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/01/joystiq-top-10-of-2014-valiant-hearts-the-great-war/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/01/joystiq-top-10-of-2014-valiant-hearts-the-great-war/#commentsATTENTION: The year 2014 has concluded its temporal self-destruct sequence. If you are among the escapees, please join us in salvaging and preserving the best games from the irradiated chrono-debris.

War is a common theme throughout video games, usually granting you a trigger to pull and later reminding you of the true cost of battle. Ubisoft Montpellier's approach to one of history's deadliest conflicts in Valiant Hearts: The Great War eludes those narrative methods, instead spinning an endearing tale about a period of sustained malice and sorrow.

Set during the events of World War 1, Valiant Hearts' four playable humans (and one canine) get swept in the waves of global catastrophe practically by circumstance. The side-scrolling adventure game begins with the German-born Karl stripped from his family in France, then injected into the side of conflict opposite that of his father-in-law, Emile. As the world around them collapses, they meet the Belgian medic, Anna, who is drawn in for the good of others, and the voluntarily enlisted American, Freddie, who has a personal mission at heart.

Continue reading Joystiq Top 10 of 2014: Valiant Hearts: The Great War

JoystiqJoystiq Top 10 of 2014: Valiant Hearts: The Great War originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 01 Jan 2015 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidbest-of-2014gotygoty-2014iosipadiphonejoystiq-best-of-2014microsoftmobilepcplaystationps3ps4recommendedubisoftUbisoft-Montpelliervaliant-heartsvaliant-hearts-the-great-warxboxxbox-oneThu, 01 Jan 2015 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq Deals: Flexible, Sturdy, and Durable Micro USB Cables]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2014/12/31/joystiq-deals-flexible-sturdy-and-durable-micro-usb-cables/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/12/31/joystiq-deals-flexible-sturdy-and-durable-micro-usb-cables/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/12/31/joystiq-deals-flexible-sturdy-and-durable-micro-usb-cables/#comments Looking for an alternative to the flimsy charging cables that are often bundled with mobile devices? Joystiq Deals has what you need. Today we're offering a pack of three durable Micro USB cables for only $13.99.

These cables are built to last, featuring textured rubber armor that will protect your investment while offering the flexibility you need. They're compatible with any device that charges itself via a Micro USB connection, and are an ideal fit for desktop USB hubs and car chargers. Our sale price is good through the end of the week, so pick up a pack while you've got the chance!
Joystiq Deals is a partnership between AOL and StackSocial. A portion of sales goes to funding this site. Deals are curated by StackSocial independently of the Joystiq editorial team.

JoystiqJoystiq Deals: Flexible, Sturdy, and Durable Micro USB Cables originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 31 Dec 2014 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidiosipadiphonejoystiq-dealsmobileWed, 31 Dec 2014 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq Deals: Top Gear Deals of 2014]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2014/12/30/joystiq-deals-top-gear-deals-of-2014/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/12/30/joystiq-deals-top-gear-deals-of-2014/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/12/30/joystiq-deals-top-gear-deals-of-2014/#comments Joystiq Deals continues its return trip through 2014's sale catalog today, giving you a second chance to grab some of our most popular deals on gear and gadgets as the year draws to a close.

Today, you can pick up a three-month subscription to Loot Crate ($47.99), the NES30 Bluetooth controller ($29.99), the Limefuel Dual USB Battery Pack ($34.99), and the TRNDlabs Bluetooth Shower Speaker ($34.99).

Want to pilot a drone of your very own? You can grab an Extreme Micro Drone 2.0 for $74.99 or place an $89 pre-order for the upcoming Limited Edition Code Black Drone through the end of the day. Happy 2015!

Joystiq Deals is a partnership between AOL and StackSocial. A portion of sales goes to funding this site. Deals are curated by StackSocial independently of the Joystiq editorial team.

JoystiqJoystiq Deals: Top Gear Deals of 2014 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 30 Dec 2014 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidiosipadiphonejoystiq-dealsmobileTue, 30 Dec 2014 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq Deals: Top Digital Deals of 2014]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2014/12/29/joystiq-deals-top-digital-deals-of-2014/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/12/29/joystiq-deals-top-digital-deals-of-2014/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/12/29/joystiq-deals-top-digital-deals-of-2014/#comments Today on Joystiq Deals, we're returning to several of the best and most popular game development training courses we've featured throughout the year, giving you a second chance to pick up some crucial skills at a great price.

Our featured deals include the Name Your Own Price Learn to Code Bundle (beat the average for all eight online courses!), The Ultimate Game Developer Bundle ($49), The Complete iOS 8 + Swift Developers Course ($89), The Name Your Own Price Game Design Bundle, and the White Hat Hacker Bundle ($49).

We're also offering a three-year VPN Unlimited Premium Plan today, allowing you to safeguard your online activity for only $19.

Joystiq Deals is a partnership between AOL and StackSocial. A portion of sales goes to funding this site. Deals are curated by StackSocial independently of the Joystiq editorial team.

JoystiqJoystiq Deals: Top Digital Deals of 2014 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 29 Dec 2014 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidiosipadiphonejoystiq-dealsmacmobilepcMon, 29 Dec 2014 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Mevius Final Fantasy to suffer from amnesia on iPhone, Android]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2014/12/27/mevius-final-fantasy-to-suffer-from-amnesia-on-iphone-android/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/12/27/mevius-final-fantasy-to-suffer-from-amnesia-on-iphone-android/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/12/27/mevius-final-fantasy-to-suffer-from-amnesia-on-iphone-android/#comments
There are fresh Final Fantasy games to play or look forward to on most gaming platforms, and Square Enix is looking to expand its RPG portfolio with Mevius Final Fantasy on Android and iPhone. Touted as a "full-scale, high-quality RPG," Mevius FF is due to reach Japan this spring, with a Western release date still to be announced.

A Gematsu report touched on Mevius FF's story earlier this month, which plays out in Paramatia, a bleak land with a populace untouched by the "Light of Hope." Players wake in this world without a single memory, but a mysterious voice will guide them along their path.

As busy as Square Enix is working with the Final Fantasy series, those that would prefer a fresh RPG adventure should still have something to anticipate - the developer began assembling a studio to make a brand-new console RPG three months ago.
[Image: Square-Enix]

JoystiqMevius Final Fantasy to suffer from amnesia on iPhone, Android originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 27 Dec 2014 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidfinal-fantasyiosiphonemevius-final-fantasymobileSat, 27 Dec 2014 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Temple Run VR gets Demon Monkeys in your Oculus-wearing face]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2014/12/27/temple-run-vr-gets-demon-monkeys-in-your-oculus-wearing-face/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/12/27/temple-run-vr-gets-demon-monkeys-in-your-oculus-wearing-face/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/12/27/temple-run-vr-gets-demon-monkeys-in-your-oculus-wearing-face/#comments The Temple Run games have virtually defined the endless runner genre, so it's fitting that virtual reality defines the latest entry, Temple Run VR. Designed for the Samsung Gear VR (a more portable version of the Oculus Rift virtual reality headset that substitutes a Samsung Galaxy Note 4 for its screen), Temple Run VR puts you into the first-person view of an explorer who steals an ancient idol and is subsequently hunted by Arctic Demon Monkeys.

Well, it won't win any awards for best writing, but sometimes you just want to get straight into the action.

"We're thrilled to see this new virtual reality technology in the hands of consumers, and are inspired by the potential for new game experiences," Keith Shepherd, co-founder of developer Imangi Studios said in a press release. "It's been a pleasure working with Samsung and Oculus to bring Temple Run VR to life, and we can't wait to see what players think of the chase."

Temple Run VR is now available to download via the Gear VR's digital storefront for free.
[Image: Imangi Studios]

Continue reading Temple Run VR gets Demon Monkeys in your Oculus-wearing face

JoystiqTemple Run VR gets Demon Monkeys in your Oculus-wearing face originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 27 Dec 2014 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidimangi-studiosmobileoculussamsung-gear-vrtemple-runtemple-run-vrvirtual-realitySat, 27 Dec 2014 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq Deals: The Great Charger and Battery Roundup]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2014/12/25/joystiq-deals-the-great-charger-and-battery-roundup/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/12/25/joystiq-deals-the-great-charger-and-battery-roundup/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/12/25/joystiq-deals-the-great-charger-and-battery-roundup/#comments Christmas is here, and it won't be long before you're rushing to find a charging cable or batteries for your newly delivered gadgets and goodies. Don't worry - Joystiq Deals has you covered.

If you're looking for a USB charge, you can pick up the four-outlet and dual-USB PowerCube Outlet Expander for $17.95, a 10 Ft. MFi-Certified iOS Lightning Cable for $18.99, and a 20,000mAh Dual USB Battery Pack for $34.99.

Need batteries? You can pick up 100 Duracell-branded AA batteries and 52 AAAs for $59.99. And if your iPhone needs a burst of style and battery power, we've got the Afterburner iPhone 6 Battery Case for $40. Happy holiday from Joystiq Deals!

Joystiq Deals is a partnership between AOL and StackSocial. A portion of sales goes to funding this site. Deals are curated by StackSocial independently of the Joystiq editorial team.

JoystiqJoystiq Deals: The Great Charger and Battery Roundup originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 25 Dec 2014 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidbatterieschargersiosipadiphonejoystiq-dealsmobileusbThu, 25 Dec 2014 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[KOTOR finds the Androids you've been looking for]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2014/12/23/kotor-finds-the-androids-youve-been-looking-for/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/12/23/kotor-finds-the-androids-youve-been-looking-for/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/12/23/kotor-finds-the-androids-youve-been-looking-for/#comments Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, BioWare's beloved RPG, is now available on Android devices. To mark the occasion, developer Aspyr Media has slashed the usual $10 price in half (with a lightsaber, presumably). You can snag it from Google Play right now, so long as your device is up to snuff, of course.

JoystiqKOTOR finds the Androids you've been looking for originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 23 Dec 2014 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidaspyrAspyr-MediabiowareKOTORmobilestar-wars-knights-of-the-old-republicTue, 23 Dec 2014 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq Deals: Android Game Developer Bundle]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2014/12/22/joystiq-deals-android-game-developer-bundle/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/12/22/joystiq-deals-android-game-developer-bundle/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/12/22/joystiq-deals-android-game-developer-bundle/#comments Looking to grab a piece of the mobile market? Joystiq Deals will put you on the path to success with the Android Game Developer Bundle, a comprehensive game-building instructional course that will have your first project up and running in no time.

The Android Game Developer Bundle includes the No-Coding-Required Game Building Course, Beginner Game Reskinning Course, Android Lollipop Complete Development Course, Unity3D 2D-Game Development Course, All-Level Unity3D C# Game Development Course, Intro To C# Programming & Scripting for Games in Unity, and the All-Level Android App Development Course. Collectively priced at $761, these courses can be yours for only $49 via Joystiq Deals through December 26. You could have your first game ready to release in 2015, so pick up our bundle now to get started!

Joystiq Deals is a partnership between AOL and StackSocial. A portion of sales goes to funding this site. Deals are curated by StackSocial independently of the Joystiq editorial team.

JoystiqJoystiq Deals: Android Game Developer Bundle originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 22 Dec 2014 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidjoystiq-dealsmobileMon, 22 Dec 2014 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SXPD patrols monochromatic panels on Android, iOS devices]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2014/12/21/sxpd-patrols-monochromatic-panels-on-android-ios-devices/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/12/21/sxpd-patrols-monochromatic-panels-on-android-ios-devices/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/12/21/sxpd-patrols-monochromatic-panels-on-android-ios-devices/#comments

In SXPD, a comic book and video game hybrid now available on iOS and Android devices, an all-female police force patrols New Royale, the United States' hidden 52nd (yes, 52nd) state that's owned by the richest man in the country. The Secret Order of the Black Seraphim is among the forces that seek to ruin New Royale, and since the territory lies beyond the nation's conventional authority, the stimulant-supplemented SXPD are the only force capable of countering the Secret Order.

Crimestoppers can help the SXPD out by tackling the game's first chapter after an initial $1.99 download. SXPD's store description notes that after a 99-cent in-app purchase, SXPD offers 42 comic book pages from Duke Mighten (Judge Dredd, Afro Samurai), six chapters of motorbike combat directed by David Perry (designer of Earthworm Jim), six extra arcade playmodes and a challenge that pays tribute to 3D Deathchase, a ZX Spectrum title said to have inspired SXPD.
[Image: Little Chicken Game Company]

JoystiqSXPD patrols monochromatic panels on Android, iOS devices originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 21 Dec 2014 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidiosipadiphonemobilesxpdsxpd-the-comicbook-game-hybridSun, 21 Dec 2014 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars updated on iOS, out now on Android]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2014/12/21/grand-theft-auto-chinatown-wars-updated-on-ios-out-now-on-andr/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/12/21/grand-theft-auto-chinatown-wars-updated-on-ios-out-now-on-andr/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/12/21/grand-theft-auto-chinatown-wars-updated-on-ios-out-now-on-andr/#comments
When Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars launched on iOS devices in 2010, it wasn't offered as a universal app, meaning that one purchase wouldn't grant players versions of the game for both iPhone and iPad. Four years later, developer Rockstar Games has fixed that - a new patch has added universal support for iOS 7.0 devices or later to both versions of the game, along with touched-up visuals and MFi controller support.

App Store shoppers will see both versions of Chinatown Warriors, but as Touch Arcade reports, Rockstar will eventually retire the iPad version of the game. Fans that previously purchased the iPad version will have Chinatown Wars and its update in their purchase history, so the streets of Liberty City should remain open to them after Rockstar pulls the iPad build.

Either version of Chinatown Wars is $2.99 on the App Store, and an Android version with "enhanced graphics, lighting and explosion effects" launched earlier this week at the same price.
[Image: Rockstar Games]

JoystiqGrand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars updated on iOS, out now on Android originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 21 Dec 2014 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidchinatown-warsgrand-theft-autoGrand-Theft-Auto-Chinatown-Warsgrand-theft-auto-chinatown-wars-hdgtaGTA-Chinatown-WarsiosipadiphonemobileupdateSun, 21 Dec 2014 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest games discounted on mobile]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2014/12/19/final-fantasy-dragon-quest-games-discounted-on-mobile/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/12/19/final-fantasy-dragon-quest-games-discounted-on-mobile/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/12/19/final-fantasy-dragon-quest-games-discounted-on-mobile/#comments If you've been jonesing for some retro-styled RPG questing but stopped short of buying your favorites when you saw Square Enix's premium mobile game prices, your patience has paid off. Many games in the Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest franchises are now available from iTunes and Google Play at steep discounts as part of Square Enix's Mobile Holiday Sale.

Starting this week, you can pick up remade mobile ports of Final Fantasy 1 and 2 for $3.99 apiece. Final Fantasy 3 through 6 are up for grabs at $7.99 each, and Final Fantasy Tactics is currently on sale for $6.99.

Dragon Quest series fans get some love with price drops for Dragon Quest 2 ($2.99) and Dragon Quest 8 ($12.99). If SNES throwbacks are your thing, you might also want to grab Chrono Trigger at $4.99 and Secret of Mana for $3.99. Sale prices are in effect through January 5.

[Image: Square Enix)

JoystiqFinal Fantasy, Dragon Quest games discounted on mobile originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 19 Dec 2014 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidchrono-triggerdragon-questfinal-fantasyiosipadiphonemobilesecret-of-manaFri, 19 Dec 2014 17:30:00 EST