Joystiq

Nielsen: Assassin's Creed 3, Halo 4 most anticipated console titles this year

Jessica Conditt — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 23:00:00 EST

You guys are so predictable, except when you're being unpredictable. This year gamers are most excited to play Halo 4 (which still doesn't have a release date) on Xbox 360, Assassin's Creed 3 on PS3 and Madden NFL 13 on Wii, Nielsen reports from a recent study.

What baffles us is how low BioShock: Infinite rates (9th on 360 and 8th on PS3) and how eager PS3 owners are to play Prototype 2 -- it ranks 7th for PS3 gamers and doesn't even hit the top 10 on Xbox 360. We won't even discuss what business Battleship thinks it has being in 3rd place for Wii gamers.

Nielsen aggregated the scores based on eight "key customer metrics," such as "awareness" and "purchase interest." We are now certainly "aware" that we can't guess the general consumer's mindset, when all we hear about is how they have no "interest" to "purchase" another game ever again, but mainstream, full-price titles crowd the most-anticipated list. Check out the complete list here.

Nielsen: Assassin's Creed 3, Halo 4 most anticipated console titles this year originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 10 Apr 2012 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Battleship movie adapted into FPS by Double Helix

Jordan Mallory — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:00:00 EST

Activision and Double Helix have announced a video game adaptation of Battleship, the Hasbro Studios/Universal Films adaptation of Milton Bradley's Battleship. Set for an April European release and a May North American release, Battleship will combine aspects of the classic board game with FPS gameplay. It will be available on PS3 and 360, with "uniquely designed versions" released for the Wii, DS and 3DS.

The player takes on the role of demolitions expert Cole Mathis, who somehow finds himself in charge of an entire naval fleet and must use said fleet to defend the Hawaiian archipelago from underwater space aliens. This is a separate storyline from the film -- however, given the abundance of extraterrestrials and a severe lack of white and red pegs, we figure it's still set in the movie's universe. Gameplay is split between FPS sections and a "Battle Command" map, which is somewhat akin to the classic Battleship grid we're all familiar with. Here's hoping for Electronic Talking DLC on day one.

Gallery: Battleship (2/8/12)

Continue reading Battleship movie adapted into FPS by Double Helix

Battleship movie adapted into FPS by Double Helix originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

ITSP DLC sneaks onto XBLA next week, Shadow Complex also on sale

JC Fletcher — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 03:00:00 EST

The Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet DLC "Shadow Hunters" was originally set to be released in September, but that didn't happen. It's just shown up on Major Nelson's latest "coming soon" list of XBLA content, scheduled for release on October 12.

The schedule also includes some nice sales both this week and next. From today through October 10, you can get Catan, Magic the Gathering 2012, Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's, and Battleship for 50% off in the "Never Be Board Again" sale. Also half off is Bethesda "Games, Add-ons, and Avatars."

Next week, the "Saints and Shadows" sale will knock 600 points off the price of Shadow Complex, with Perfect Dark available for half-off as well. Saints Row 2 will be 25% off, with its DLC available at half price. Combined with that ITSP content, that's rather a lot of shadow.

ITSP DLC sneaks onto XBLA next week, Shadow Complex also on sale originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 05 Oct 2011 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

EA discounts more than a dozen iPhone games to $1 each

David Hinkle — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 01:00:00 EST

We can't imagine what kind of event would spur EA to slash the price on several of its big-name iPhone games -- oh, right. Regardless of motive, Touch Arcade informs us of the sale, which extends through tomorrow. Here are some highlights:

Command & Conquer: Red Alert [iTunes link]
FIFA 10 [iTunes link]
Dragon's Lair [iTunes link]
Need for Speed: Shift [iTunes link]
SimCity [iTunes link]
Battleship [iTunes link]

The good news: lots of iPhone games are only $1. The bad news: none of those games is Mirror's Edge (which is still only available for iPad).

[Thanks, Dali]

EA discounts more than a dozen iPhone games to $1 each originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 23 Jun 2010 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Xbox Live Deal of the Week: Mass Effect DLC and Battleship

Justin McElroy — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 15:30:00 EST

We know the wait until Jan. 26 and Mass Effect 2 seems insurmountable at this point, but the Xbox Deal of the Week may serve as a soothing poultice to provide a smidgen of relief. If you act this week, you can pass the next eight days playing Mass Effect DLC "Bring Down The Sky" and "Pinnacle Station" for just 240 points ($3) each.

Oops, we forgot about Battleship being lowered to 400 points, but we're assuming you will too, so no harm done, right?

Xbox Live Deal of the Week: Mass Effect DLC and Battleship originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 18 Jan 2010 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Xbox Live deals, XBLA releases and Games on Demand for January

Griffin McElroy — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 17:00:00 EST

Major Nelson recently peeled away the veil separating us from the knowledge of when stuff would be coming out on Xbox Live Marketplace over what remains of the month of January. This new knowledge includes the upcoming Deals of the Week -- on January 18, both of the DLC packs for the original Mass Effect will be marked down to 240 ($3) each and Hasbro Family Game Night: Battleship will get rolled back to 400 ($5); and on January 25, Portal: Still Alive will have its price temporarily reduced to 800 ($10).

The Major also announced two new Games on Demand: Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2, available now for $20, and Dead Rising, coming January 26 for an undisclosed price. For the rest of January's bounty, including discounted Games on Demand titles, XBLA releases and Avatar items, head past the jump.

Continue reading Xbox Live deals, XBLA releases and Games on Demand for January

Xbox Live deals, XBLA releases and Games on Demand for January originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 12 Jan 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Battleship now syncing on iPhone

Randy Nelson — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 02:00:00 EST

Adding to its growing roster of Hasbro board games retooled for board-less play, EA has christened the iPhone / iPod touch version of Battleship on its maiden voyage to the iTunes App Store. The game distinguishes itself through an animated play field, cutscenes depicting the damage being done to the enemy fleet and the fact that people won't stare at you on the train like they used to when you broke out the physical board game and started playing with friends.

Priced at $2.99, Battleship supports pass-around and local WiFi / Bluetooth multiplayer. We do not support playing the game near water, as Apple's touch-based devices have a moisture sensor to rat you out when you tell the Genius Bar you don't know why they stopped working.

Battleship ($2.99, EA Mobile):

Battleship now syncing on iPhone originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 Dec 2009 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

EA bringing Battleship, Connect 4, Monopoly to iPhone

David Hinkle — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:30:00 EST

EA is getting good mileage out of this Hasbro deal. The latest platform to be assaulted with family-friendly adaptations of classic board games is the iPhone and iPod Touch, with Battleship, Connect 4 and Monopoly Classic en route from EA Mobile. There's no word on prices or release date as of right now, but we'll be sure to pass that news along once it's available.

In the meanwhile, feel free to head into the gallery below to check out screens from each title. If you're reading Joystiq on an iPhone, you can totally pretend you're playing the games!

Gallery: Connect 4 (iPhone)

Gallery: Battleship (iPhone)

Gallery: Monopoly (iPhone)

EA bringing Battleship, Connect 4, Monopoly to iPhone originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

GDC09: Upcoming EA iPhone game list fully revealed, screens and info on Tiger

Ben Gilbert — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 17:30:00 EST

Just before the deluge of GDC 2009 news started this week, Travis Boatman, VP of worldwide studios at EA Mobile, confirmed the upcoming release of a veritable smörgåsbord of EA franchises coming to the iPhone. Today, we have confirmation from Meghan Rathman (representing EA) of the exact titles on the way to the iPhone/iTouch as well as a handful of screens from Tiger Woods PGA Tour. Unfortunately, according to Ms. Rathman, the rest of the games in development are "still too early" and don't have screens. Considering the turnaround time on iPhone/iTouch games though, we're willing to bet you'll see those shots ~~by the end of the week~~ pretty soon!

The full list of games we received from EA is as follows: Tiger Woods PGA Tour, The Sims 3, FIFA, Madden NFL Football, Spore Creatures, Mystery Mania, Wolfenstein RPG, American Idol, Connect Four, Battleship, Need for Speed, RISK, Monopoly and Clue. Differing from reports at the GDC Mobile event earlier this week, we're seeing the addition of The Sims 3 and Need for Speed. In turn, we're losing the first SSX in two years, Red Alert, NBA Live 10, American Idol, Star Trek. But hey, Tiger Woods!

The press release from EA on Tiger Woods PGA Tour tells us that the game is of the "touch" rather than of the "shake" variety, comes with achievements and offers a way to compare achievements with your friends. Of the key features listed, notably missing is "playing against friends wirelessly," though it does promise the ability to "affect your ball spin direction" using your finger. Those are comparable features, right? We'll keep on EA and let you know as soon as we find out more on their upcoming iPhone/iTouch assault.

Gallery: Tiger Woods PGA Tour on iPhone

GDC09: Upcoming EA iPhone game list fully revealed, screens and info on Tiger originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 27 Mar 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

GDC09: EA quietly announces iPhone versions of major franchises

Ben Gilbert — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 16:54:00 EST

Of the many GDC 2009 announcements taking place this week, we were most shocked to see EA sneakily introducing some of the company's most popular franchises to the Apple device some are calling the newest gaming platform -- the iPhone. Travis Boatman, VP of worldwide studios at EA Mobile, made the announcement at GDC Mobile, naming SSX, Wolfenstein RPG, Red Alert, FIFA 10, Madden 10, NBA Live 10, American Idol, Spore Creatures, Clue, Risk, Mystery Mania, Connect Four, Battleship, Tiger Woods and Star Trek, according to reports from Patrick Klepek (former MTV Multiplayer writer) and Shacknews.

While most of the titles are the to-be-expected EA mutliplatform titles like Madden 10 and NBA Live 10, the SSX series will be getting its first update in two years according to this announcement. Also of note, Wolfenstein RPG is of no relation to the just released Wolfenstein 3D for the iPhone; rather, it makes up half of the two iPhone games id Software is purportedly working on. Details are unfortunately scant at the moment but we've reached out to EA for comment.

On a personal note, we'd like to extend our personal "WHAT THE HELL?!" regarding Risk being announced for the iPhone and still not hearing a peep on it coming to XBLA/PSN. Seriously, EA. What the hell?!

[Via Shacknews]

GDC09: EA quietly announces iPhone versions of major franchises originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 26 Mar 2009 16:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

This Wednesday: Hasbro Family Game Night matches with XBLA

Justin McElroy — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 10:30:00 EST

If you, like young Mikey, love matching rows of similarly colored checkers but can't stand being around other people and all their germs, your salvation will arrive this Wednesday in the form of Connect Four, one of the first offerings in Xbox Live's Hasbro Family Game Night series.

Other games arriving today include Scrabble, Yahtzee and Battleship with Boggle, Sorry! and Sorry! Sliders coming later in the year. All the titles will be playable in a virtual game room that, in some way, incorporates Avatars. If you'd like to play beloved family games as you replace your friends and loved ones with digital simulacra, you can expect to pony up 800 ($10) a piece. (Yeah, you read that right. A piece.)

Gallery: Hasbro Family Game Night: Xbox 360

This Wednesday: Hasbro Family Game Night matches with XBLA originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 17 Mar 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Hasbro Family Games to release mid-March, include Avatar support

Dustin Burg — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 16:00:00 EST

Nestled in a press release announcing the inclusion of Yahtzee in Hasbro Family Game Night (something we already knew) is confirmation that four Hasbro games will be releasing on Xbox Live Arcade sometime this March.

Scrabble, Connect Four, Battleship and Yahtzee will be the first four Hasbro titles made available when Xbox Live's special Family Game Night Destination launches next month. Boggle, Sorry! and Sorry! Sliders will release later this year.

The press release also confirms Avatars will be supported and that each title can be purchased individually for 800 ($10). If that wasn''t enough information, we're told the Family Game Night Destination lets players launch Hasbro games from their own customized game room. This uniquely decorated space accommodates Mr. Potato Head, can be shared with friends and sounds to be somewhat inspired by Home.

Hasbro Family Games to release mid-March, include Avatar support originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 25 Feb 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Scrabble is XBLA bound, Hasbro channel coming soon

Richard Mitchell — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: News, Xbox Live Arcade

After it was first rumored nearly a year ago (along with Monopoly), EA has announced that Scrabble is indeed heading to Xbox Live Arcade. The company also announced the creation of a brand new Hasbro Family Game Night "channel" in Xbox Live Arcade. The channel will serve as a "digital game closet," according to EA Hasbro general manager Chip Lange, where players can quickly access various Hasbro games without leaving the channel. Players will be able to "earn virtual trophies, furniture and themes" to decorate their closets by playing Hasbro games. In addition to Scrabble, other titles planned for the service include Sorry!, Sorry! Sliders, Battleship, Connect Four, Boggle and Yahtzee.

The Hasbro Family Game Night channel is set to debut this spring, though no specific dates have been given for any of the individual game releases. Oh, one more thing: No Monopoly mentioned, folks. Sorry.

[Via Joystiq]

Scrabble is XBLA bound, Hasbro channel coming soon originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

XBLA receiving Hasbro game channel; EA's Scrabble coming to handhelds, consoles

Alexander Sliwinski — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 11:23:00 EST

Filed under: Nintendo DS, Sony PSP, Microsoft Xbox 360

Electronic Arts announced today that Scrabble will make its way to the DS and PSP in March, and to Xbox Live Arcade at a later date. Beginning in spring, XBLA will not only receive the perennial wordsmith board game, but also Boggle, Battleship, Yahtzee, Connect Four, Sorry! and Sorry!Sliders.

In a very interesting development, XBLA will also receive a branded "Hasbro Family Game Night" channel. Chip Lange, general manager of EA Hasbro, says it'll allow players to easily find family-friendly digital board games. We only wish that Microsoft would extend such a courtesy to the high-quality European board games that are also available on the service.

XBLA receiving Hasbro game channel; EA's Scrabble coming to handhelds, consoles originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 11:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Joystiq hands-on: Hasbro Family Game Night

Kevin Kelly — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Retro, Nintendo Wii, Casual

Stepping into Electronic Arts' "EA3" event last week, we made a beeline for ... Hasbro Family Game Night, passing up the likes of Dead Space, Mirror's Edge, Mercenaries 2, and Tiger Woods Golf 2009: Busted Knee Edition along the way. We know, we know. But who can resist the lure of Battleship, Connect Four, Yahtzee, Boggle, Sorry and its new sibling Sorry Sliders? (Answer: you maybe; not us.)

Gallery: Hasbro Family Game Night

Continue reading Joystiq hands-on: Hasbro Family Game Night

Joystiq hands-on: Hasbro Family Game Night originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 24 Jun 2008 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Family Game Night is fun for the family

Candace Savino — Fri, 16 May 2008 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: News

Remember when your family used to put one night of the week aside to play board games, so that you'd grow closer to one another amongst bouts of innocent fun and mayhem? Yeah, neither do we. Hasbro does, though, which is why the company is bringing six of its most popular board games to the Wii, in one small package.

Called Family Game Night (not to be confused with Wii Fanboy's Game Night), this title includes the following classics:

Connect Four
Yahtzee (not the one that curses a lot)
Battleship
Boggle
Sorry!
Sorry! Sliders (who wants to tell EA and Hasbro that this doesn't count as a "sixth" game?)

We know that going digital is the wave of the future, but is anyone else slightly against the entire "board games turned video games" genre? Call us old-fashioned, but when we cheat at Battleship, we want to cheat with style -- not by looking at a TV screen.

If you think differently, though, keep an eye out for Family Game Night, which will hit European Wiis this fall.

[Via press release]

Family Game Night is fun for the family originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 16 May 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

EA announces Hasbro Family Game Night for Wii, PS2

Jason Dobson — Fri, 16 May 2008 09:50:00 EST

Filed under: Sony PlayStation 2, Nintendo Wii, Puzzle, Simulations, Casual

Electronic Arts has finally revealed the fruits of its recent partnership with board game evangelist Hasbro, announcing Hasbro Family Game Night, a collection of classic board games for the Wii and PlayStation 2. Shipping this fall, the game will include a wide assortment of Hasbro properties -- six in all -- from Battleship, Yahtzee, Boggle, and Connect Four to Sorry! and its more recent incarnation in Sorry! Sliders.

Purists will be happy to know that they'll be able to play the classic games as they remember, though EA notes that new versions will also be included as well for those looking for a different way to play. In addition, the collection will let players build and decorate a virtual game room, earn trophies, and play various mini-games once they tire of sinking each other's battleships. However, even with support for between two and four players, we doubt the compilation will have us tossing out our boxed favorites just yet, though at least with this game we know we'll never have to go searching though couch cushions for missing pieces before we can play.

EA announces Hasbro Family Game Night for Wii, PS2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 16 May 2008 09:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

'You sunk my Millenium Falcon!'

Eric Caoili — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 21:00:00 EST

Filed under: Homebrew

At first glance, Star Wars Battles looks like a bare Battleship clone with a Star Wars skin, but there's more fun to it than that! Of course, the homebrew game begins with the series' main theme and signature text crawl. After you've positioned your crafts on the grid, each called shot fires a pair of lasers at your opponent's squares, complete with the appropriate sound effect.

The game really gets interesting, however, when you register a hit. Instead of automatically knocking a piece off your opponent's ship, the game takes you to a dual-screen shootout between your X-Wing and a rival Tie-Fighter, asteroids drifting in the crossfire. The champion of the duel determines whether the shot counts or not.

All it needs are some StarFox-esque scripted chatter during the combat -- we've already come up with a few possible examples:

Han Solo: "You're all clear, kid! Now let's blow this thing and go home!"
Gold Five: "It came from... behind!"
Admiral Ackbar: "It's a trap!"

'You sunk my Millenium Falcon!' originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 21 Mar 2008 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments