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[Tigon's Ian Stevens sees an evolving relationship between gaming and Hollywood]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/25/tigons-ian-stevens-sees-an-evolving-relationship -between-gaming-and-hollywoo/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/25/tigons-ian-stevens-sees-an-evolving-relationship -between-gaming-and-hollywoo/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/25/tigons-ian-stevens-sees-an-evolving-relationship -between-gaming-and-hollywoo/#comments
No stranger to the Stiq, Tigon Studios head Ian Stevens has been talking Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena post-mortem recently. While speaking to GamesIndustry.biz, though, Stevens discussed the game industry and Hollywood becoming closer bedfellows, mostly due to -- wait for it -- money! Considering the $22 billion gaming made in the US in 2008, we're not exactly surprised when he says, "Hollywood and games, over the next decade, you'll see some really interesting things happen."

When asked whether he believes Hollywood's attitude towards gaming has changed over the past five years, he seems somewhat wishy-washy, saying, "It certainly has [but] people in Hollywood struggle to understand the creative decisions that we make." And that's likely how we end up with treasures like 2004's Van Helsing, which Stevens says took precedence over the first Chronicles of Riddick game, Escape From Butcher Bay. How the tables have turned, eh Ian?

JoystiqTigon's Ian Stevens sees an evolving relationship between gaming and Hollywood originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 25 Jun 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>assault-on-dark-athenabusinesschronicles-of-riddickchronicles-of-riddick-assault-on-dark-athenagamesindustry.bizhollywoodian-stevensindustrytigontigon-studiosThu, 25 Jun 2009 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Metareview - Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/09/metareview-chronicles-of-riddick-assault-on-dark-athena/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/09/metareview-chronicles-of-riddick-assault-on-dark-athena/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/09/metareview-chronicles-of-riddick-assault-on-dark-athena/#comments
It's a strange concept, but Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena might be 2009's answer (in value) to The Orange Box. Riddick's return essentially includes three games for the price of one, with Butcher Bay, Assault on Dark Athena and new multiplayer features rounding out the retail package. Sure, the quality bar may not be as high as Valve's five-game release, but value is important. Here's the word around the industry campfire about Riddick's HD outing (a second opinion since you've already read our review, right?):
  • GamePro (90/100): "But when you step back and consider the entire package, you start to appreciate Dark Athena for what it truly is. Instead, look at Dark Athena as a flawed yet enjoyable way to extend the thrill ride that is Escape from Butcher Bay."
  • GameTrailers (84/100): "The Escape may handily trump the Assault, but neophyte Riddicks have a unique experience to work through. Though vets who return may begrudge Athena, it's doubtful they won't finish. It's an abridged effort, and more of a dreaded point-five than a true sequel, but with both missions it still reigns as the best first-person, melee, stealth, parkour game featuring Vin Diesel."
  • 1UP (B-): "As a product, this package is recommendable to anyone who hasn't experienced the first game, or wishes to add it back to their current library. It also includes a surprisingly fun multiplayer suite, with the Riddick vs. Everyone Else mode "Pitch Black" as the main attraction. But as single-player games, the unsatisfying Dark Athena should be played as a curiosity and then put back where it belongs: in Butcher Bay's shadow."
  • Worthplaying (75/100): "Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena is half excellent game, half mediocre game. Unfortunately, the excellent half is the same game that was released years ago, just with a small new segment taken from the PC port."
Source - Metacritic: Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena (X360)
Source - Metacritic: Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena (PS3)

Gallery: The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena

JoystiqMetareview - Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 09 Apr 2009 18:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>assault-on-dark-athenachronicles-of-riddickchronicles-of-riddick-assault-on-dark-athenametareviewMicrosoftvin-dieselXbox-360Thu, 09 Apr 2009 18:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq Review: Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/08/joystiq-review-chronicles-of-riddick-assault-on-dark-athena/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/08/joystiq-review-chronicles-of-riddick-assault-on-dark-athena/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/08/joystiq-review-chronicles-of-riddick-assault-on-dark-athena/#comments
This is an exceedingly weird release. On the same disc, you've got an older, graphically-juiced version of the classic Escape from Butcher Bay paired with Assault on Dark Athena, a modern take on the same game, but one that never feels like anything more than an expansion.

So, as the game's targeting a lot of different audiences, I thought I'd write short, separate reviews for each of these groups. I know, it's totally Web 3.0.

If you played and liked Butcher Bay: You're going to want this. You can't play your old version on your 360, and besides, the new version looks great. The one thing you may have forgotten from BB that hasn't aged so well? Load times. Seriously, when you're going from one area to another in the prison, it's brutal. We're talking 13 to 15 seconds every couple of minutes in some sections. The good stuff's still there, though. Melee combat is satisfyingly brutal, voice acting's great, and the stealth is really intuitive and well-handled.

Gallery: The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena

Continue reading Joystiq Review: Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena

JoystiqJoystiq Review: Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 08 Apr 2009 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>assault-on-dark-athenaatarichronicles-of-riddickchronicles-of-riddick-assault-on-dark-athenaMicrosoftstarbreezeXbox-360Wed, 08 Apr 2009 14:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena trailers to tide you over]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/02/riddick-assault-on-dark-athena-trailers-to-tide-you-over/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/02/riddick-assault-on-dark-athena-trailers-to-tide-you-over/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/02/riddick-assault-on-dark-athena-trailers-to-tide-you-over/#comments
For some, the April 7 release of Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena can't come soon enough. To help ease the pain of waiting, we present two new trailers from the game (viewable after the break). The first clip shows our anti-hero storming one of the ship's generators, while the second clip showcases the many enemies that try to get in Riddick's way. Oh, you silly NPCs ...

If you want your experience to be extra authentic, shave your head, turn off the lights, and don some shades while watching. Around the office, we call that Vin-O-vision.

Source - Generator room gameplay
Source - Riddick's enemies vignette

Continue reading Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena trailers to tide you over

JoystiqRiddick: Assault on Dark Athena trailers to tide you over originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 02 Apr 2009 03:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>assault-on-dark-athenachronicles-of-riddickchronicles-of-riddick-assault-on-dark-athenafpsMicrosoftstarbreezestarbreeze-studiostigontigon-studiosXbox-360Thu, 02 Apr 2009 03:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena getting DLC map pack]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/28/riddick-assault-on-dark-athena-getting-dlc-map-pack/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/28/riddick-assault-on-dark-athena-getting-dlc-map-pack/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/28/riddick-assault-on-dark-athena-getting-dlc-map-pack/#comments
Fans of the surprisingly well-crafted Escape from Butcher Bay have likely been salivating over the brutal possibilities offered by the multiplayer mode featured in its successor, Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena. With six different gameplay modes and 15 levels to choose from, the "shiv-happy" among you will probably have enough to keep yourselves busy for quite some time -- just in case, developer Starbreeze Studios will reportedly be dropping a five-map DLC pack some time after the game's release.

Little is known about the pricing, release schedule or arrangement of these extra maps, but given the gaming community's lack of enthusiasm for DLC that's announced for yet-to-be-released games, we suggest the additional levels have some extremely catchy titles. We suggest Shanktown, Knifewound Central, Laceration Station, or Stabbythroat Junction.

JoystiqRiddick: Assault on Dark Athena getting DLC map pack originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 28 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>assault-on-dark-athenaatarichronicles-of-riddickchronicles-of-riddick-assault-on-dark-athenadlcmap-packMicrosoftmultiplayerstarbreeze-studiosXbox-360Sat, 28 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Trophies: Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/10/trophies-chronicles-of-riddick-assault-on-dark-athena/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/10/trophies-chronicles-of-riddick-assault-on-dark-athena/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/10/trophies-chronicles-of-riddick-assault-on-dark-athena/#comments
1 Platinum
3 Gold
5 Silver
45 Bronze
 Difficulty: Difficult
Online Trophies? Yes
Time to Completion: 30 hours
DLC Trophies? No
View Trophy List Read More About the Game

Gallery: The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena

Continue reading Trophies: Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena

JoystiqTrophies: Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 10 Mar 2009 16:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>assault-on-dark-athenachronicles-of-riddickriddicktrophiestrophyTue, 10 Mar 2009 16:06:00 EST<![CDATA[Riddick's Assault on Dark Athena demo up on XBLM, full of 'ulaks']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/04/riddicks-assault-on-dark-athena-demo-up-on-xblm-full-of-ulaks/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/04/riddicks-assault-on-dark-athena-demo-up-on-xblm-full-of-ulaks/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/04/riddicks-assault-on-dark-athena-demo-up-on-xblm-full-of-ulaks/#comments
Gravelly-voiced space crook news now, with a demo version of The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena arriving on the Xbox Live Marketplace. In addition to piloting Vin Diesel through the presumably dark corridors of the titular Athena, you'll be able to pilot a "drone" through one of the demo's segments. We're not really sure how different those two really are, but the latter makes for an interesting bullet point in the press release.

Those uninterested in bullets can also take a stab at wielding Riddick's "razor-sharp ulaks," though we'll remind you that bringing an ulak to a disintegrator fight is always a bad idea. Look for the demo on PSN later this March, and the full game on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 on April 7th (April 24th if you live in Europe).

Gallery: The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena (3/4/09)

JoystiqRiddick's Assault on Dark Athena demo up on XBLM, full of 'ulaks' originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 04 Mar 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Assault-on-Dark-AthenaChronicles-of-RiddickChronicles-of-Riddick-Assault-on-Dark-AthenaDemoFPSMicrosoftStardockVin-DieselXBLMXbox-360Xbox-LiveWed, 04 Mar 2009 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Riddick assaults Dark Athena April 7 in North America, Europe April 24]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/23/riddick-assaults-dark-athena-april-7-in-north-america-europe-ap/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/23/riddick-assaults-dark-athena-april-7-in-north-america-europe-ap/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/23/riddick-assaults-dark-athena-april-7-in-north-america-europe-ap/#comments
Riddick better get all those dark, monotone soliloquies out of his system before assaulting the Dark Athena crew on April 7 in North America, and April 24 in Europe. Atari sends word that The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena will be available for PC, PS3 and X360, with demos releasing in March for the console versions.

Don't forget that Dark Athena also comes with an enhanced Escape from Butcher's Bay, so there'll be plenty of Riddick packed onto the disc come April.

Update: Big Download has word that a PC demo is in the works. No word of when it'll release, though.

Gallery: The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena

JoystiqRiddick assaults Dark Athena April 7 in North America, Europe April 24 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 23 Feb 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>assault-on-dark-athenaatarichronicles-of-riddickchronicles-of-riddick-assault-on-dark-athenaMicrosoftriddickstarbreezestarbreeze-studiosXbox-360Mon, 23 Feb 2009 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: Riddick - Assault on Dark Athena 'Desperation' trailer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/22/video-riddick-assault-on-dark-athena-desperation-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/22/video-riddick-assault-on-dark-athena-desperation-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/22/video-riddick-assault-on-dark-athena-desperation-trailer/#commentsFiled under:

We couldn't have been more excited when we heard that one of the most under appreciated original Xbox titles, The Chronicles of Riddick, was going to get a next-gen upgrade. When we heard the upgrade also included an entire new campaign plus new multiplayer modes, our heads nearly exploded. Above is the latest trailer, titled "Desperation," for The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena, which showcases stealth action, both hand-to-hand and weapon combat, and more legendary Vin Diesel dialog.

JoystiqVideo: Riddick - Assault on Dark Athena 'Desperation' trailer originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 22 Jan 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>assault-on-dark-athenaatarichronicles-of-riddickstarbreezetigontrailerx3f-twitterThu, 22 Jan 2009 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Riddick debut trailer is dark, gravelly]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/04/riddick-debut-trailer-is-dark-gravelly/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/04/riddick-debut-trailer-is-dark-gravelly/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/04/riddick-debut-trailer-is-dark-gravelly/#commentsFiled under:

"The darkness, for me, is where I shine," says Vin Diesel as Riddick, his greatest character (apart from the Iron Giant, of course). While it's clear that his daily breakfast of Gravel-Os probably ruined his chances at a singing career, it's also obvious that Riddick has a bright future in killing people with knives. Put bluntly (sharply?), The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena looks great, as is made plainly clear by the debut trailer above. Given that the game is being made by the same team that made the original (which fared very well), we're hopeful that it plays just as good as it looks. We'll find out when the game ships early next year.

JoystiqRiddick debut trailer is dark, gravelly originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 04 Dec 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>assault-on-dark-athenaatarichronicles-of-riddickchronicles-of-riddick-assault-on-dark-athenariddickstarbreezestarbreeze-studiosThu, 04 Dec 2008 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New impressions of Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/03/new-impressions-of-chronicles-of-riddick-assault-on-dark-athena/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/03/new-impressions-of-chronicles-of-riddick-assault-on-dark-athena/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/03/new-impressions-of-chronicles-of-riddick-assault-on-dark-athena/#commentsFiled under:


Our PC loving brethren over at Big Download recently got a chance to sit down for a hands-off session of The Chronicles: Assault on Dark Athena. Dark Athena is essentially two games in one, as it is both a remake of the first Riddick title, Escape from Butcher Bay, and it also includes a brand new campaign entitled (you guessed it) Assault on Dark Athena. Fans of the original will be happy to hear that the new campaign can be started from the outset, so it won't be necessary to play the enhanced original unless you want to.

Big Download notes that the entire team that created Escape from Butcher Bay has returned to work on Dark Athena, ensuring that the game is more than just a simple remake. Dark Athena takes place directly after the first game, with Riddick tasked with escaping the Dark Athena, a ship replete with shadows and enemies that need killing. Among the new enemies are Drones, remote controlled androids that Riddick can incapacitate and use as shields. Riddick can also ustilise an incapacitated Drone's gun and, with the help of a control station, can even control Drones directly. This comes in handy should you find heavy opposition or otherwise impassable obstacles. Overall, it sounds like the game is shaping up well for its 2009 release.

Head over to Big Download for full impressions.

JoystiqNew impressions of Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 03 Dec 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>assault-on-dark-athenaatarichronicles-of-riddickchronicles-of-riddick-assault-on-dark-athenariddickstarbreezestarbreeze-studiosWed, 03 Dec 2008 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Riddick: Dark Athena coming early '09, features new 10-hour campaign]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/02/riddick-dark-athena-coming-early-09-features-new-10-hour-camp/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/02/riddick-dark-athena-coming-early-09-features-new-10-hour-camp/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/02/riddick-dark-athena-coming-early-09-features-new-10-hour-camp/#commentsFiled under: , ,


click to enlarge
It's no secret that Atari rescued Starbreeze Studios' hi-def remake of The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay after Activision-Blizzard kicked it to the curb. What you don't know - and we didn't know until we recently saw it in action - is that those added "Dark Athena" levels are quite substantial. They've been expended into an entirely new, 10-plus-hour campaign, complete with new game mechanics, full-game production values ... the works.

Starbreeze told us that, despite the game being absent from anyone's radar for quite some time, it never let up on development. In fact, the acquisition of the game by Atari has afforded the team upwards of nine additional months of development time, hence the (essentally) second full game and what the team was visibly ecstatic about: more time to polish every last detail.

The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena (Escape from Butcher's Bay is still there, looks amazing, and will incorporate new gameplay and tech developed for Dark Athena) is set for release in spring of 2009. Check back tomorrow for our full impressions of the new campaign.

Gallery: The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena

JoystiqRiddick: Dark Athena coming early '09, features new 10-hour campaign originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 02 Dec 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>assault-on-dark-athenaatariChronicles-of-RiddickChronicles-of-Riddick-Assault-on-Dark-AthenaJS-TwitterPS3remakeriddickstarbreezetigonvin-dieselXbox-360Tue, 02 Dec 2008 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Atari unleashes Tekken 6 and Riddick screens]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/02/atari-unleashes-tekken-6-and-riddick-screens/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/02/atari-unleashes-tekken-6-and-riddick-screens/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/02/atari-unleashes-tekken-6-and-riddick-screens/#commentsFiled under:


As part of today's press conference, Atari unloaded a bunch of fresh screenshots for next year's upcoming Tekken 6 and Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena. You can view the Tekken and Riddick screens below, but be warned about those Riddick screens. If you thought Gears of War was lacking color, then keep clear of Riddick's drab and dull "color" palette. Actually, it isn't so much a color palette as it is a black to white gradient.


JoystiqAtari unleashes Tekken 6 and Riddick screens originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 02 Dec 2008 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>assault-on-dark-athenaatarichronicles-of-riddickchronicles-of-riddick-assault-on-dark-athenariddicktekkentekken-6Tue, 02 Dec 2008 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Chronicles of Riddick picked up by Atari, now has brand new campaign]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/30/chronicles-of-riddick-picked-up-by-atari-now-has-brand-new-camp/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/30/chronicles-of-riddick-picked-up-by-atari-now-has-brand-new-camp/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/30/chronicles-of-riddick-picked-up-by-atari-now-has-brand-new-camp/#commentsFiled under:


Atari today announced that it will publish The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena from Tigon Studios and The Darkness developer Starbreeze Studios. The title was previously announced as a graphically enhanced remake of the original Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay that would also feature a new chapter and multiplayer support. According to the press release, not only will the game include the remake of the original campaign, but the new chapter has now been expanded to include "a brand new full-length campaign" as well as the previously announced online multiplayer support. We're just going to guess that might be why the game missed its original winter 2007 release date.

The newly revamped Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena is expected to release in spring 2009. Check out a hi-res version of the first screenshot by clicking the image above.

JoystiqChronicles of Riddick picked up by Atari, now has brand new campaign originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 30 Oct 2008 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>assault-on-dark-athenaatarichronicles-of-riddickchronicles-of-riddick-assault-on-dark-athenariddickstarbreezestarbreeze-studiostigontigon-studiosThu, 30 Oct 2008 11:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Ask X3F: Riddick-ulous edition]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/27/ask-x3f-riddick-ulous-edition/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/27/ask-x3f-riddick-ulous-edition/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/27/ask-x3f-riddick-ulous-edition/#commentsFiled under:


With so many editions of Ask X3F come and gone, one would think that we would have answered them all by now. But no, man is a curious creature, a creature whose thirst for knowledge will not be slaked. Also, it turns out, people just love asking questions about unreleased games. The most recent game-du-semaine is none other than The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena. Announced just over a year ago, it missed its projected 2007 release and sank into obscurity. What happened to it? Find our best theory (and feel free to submit your own) after the break Oh, and we answer other questions too.

Got a question for Ask X3F? Maybe you have a story or some information you'd like to share? Send it all to ask [at] xbox360fanboy [dawt] com.

Continue reading Ask X3F: Riddick-ulous edition

JoystiqAsk X3F: Riddick-ulous edition originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 27 May 2008 18:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ask-x3fassault-on-dark-athenachronicles-of-riddickchronicles-of-riddick-assault-on-dark-athenariddickTue, 27 May 2008 18:45:00 EST