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[Trials developer put its own game on torrent sites for marketing]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/07/trials-developer-put-its-own-game-on-torrent-sites-for-marketing/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/07/trials-developer-put-its-own-game-on-torrent-sites-for-marketing/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/07/trials-developer-put-its-own-game-on-torrent-sites-for-marketing/#comments We all know the timeless adage: "If you can't beat them, then think of cleverer ways to entice them, then break down their spirits, showing them the error of their ways, which will ultimately lead to you beating them." Developer RedLynx employed this strategy when trying to make a foothold in the piracy-riddled PC gaming market when it released its motorbike platformer, Trials, last year. However, the method of this "release" were unconventional, to say the least: The studio actually beat PC pirates to the punch, and uploaded its own game to a number of popular torrent sites.

The version the developer distributed was missing one key feature, however: Leaderboard support. According to RedLynx CEO Tero Virtala, who spoke on the bizarre distribution model at the Develop Liverpool conference, "leaderboards are the soul of the game." He hoped that pirates would fall in love with the leaderboard-less version of the game, then purchase the full version so they could compete with their law-abiding friends.

Virtala admitted that he has no way of knowing how successful that strategy was, but we applaud the studio's unbridled chutzpah nonetheless.

JoystiqTrials developer put its own game on torrent sites for marketing originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 07 Nov 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bikemotorbikepiracyredlynxtero-virtalatorrenttrialsSat, 07 Nov 2009 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Alternate kart universe]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/21/alternate-kart-universe/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/21/alternate-kart-universe/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/21/alternate-kart-universe/#commentsFiled under:


Karts are cool, but they are so sixteen years ago. However, our favorite Nintendo racing franchise is evolving and expanding to include a whole new selection of vehicles. No longer are you limited to the archaic kart, the common carriage, or the pedestrian pipes-on-wheels. But how will the addition of bikes affect the future of the franchise? We've cooked up a few possible additions to the Mario Karts of tomorrow, and while we could have gone with the obvious, such as rideable Yoshis, or perhaps a water pack à la Super Mario Sunshine (but not this one), instead we tried to think outside the box ... or kart.

Let's see if we can get those engines revving for the future of Mario Kart!


Zip forward in our time machine!

JoystiqAlternate kart universe originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 21 Apr 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alternativebikejoystiqfeaturesmario-kartmario-kart-weekMon, 21 Apr 2008 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Mario Kart: Four wheels good, two wheels better]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/17/mario-kart-four-wheels-good-two-wheels-better/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/17/mario-kart-four-wheels-good-two-wheels-better/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/17/mario-kart-four-wheels-good-two-wheels-better/#commentsFiled under:


The word on the street at CVG is that bikes are the way forward when it comes to Mario Kart Wii. Head online, and the vast majority of fastest times are held by bikes, while their superior turning and all-round nippiness mean they often trump karts in multiplayer sessions. The boost gained from performing wheelies down straight sections of track is earmarked as one of the biggest culprits.

So dominant are these "two-wheeled spawns of the devil" that the CVG staffers are now contemplating banning the things. It disappoints us to think that such a finely balanced formula has been upset by the inclusion of bikes; any European owners/importers wish to comment?

JoystiqMario Kart: Four wheels good, two wheels better originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 17 Apr 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bikemario-kartmultiplayerracingThu, 17 Apr 2008 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Diagrams for wacky Wii remote peripherals]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/30/diagrams-for-wacky-wii-remote-peripherals/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/30/diagrams-for-wacky-wii-remote-peripherals/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/30/diagrams-for-wacky-wii-remote-peripherals/#commentsFiled under: ,


Third-party accessory manufacturers aren't the only ones coming up with ridiculous things to attach your Wii remote onto! A recent patent application posted at the European Patent Office's site reveals some of the crazy peripherals Nintendo dreamed up to explain the controller's potential, like the goggles shown above. ThinkGeek's Wii Helm seems like a respectable, thought-out product, compared to this silly idea. Wouldn't that unbalanced weight give you a sore neck after a minute of wearing this headpiece?

And there are much zanier diagrams in the application document -- Wii remotes in racing helmets, bike pedals, skateboard wheels, and teddy bears! How would this stuff even work? There are also drafts for a docking station and the old shotgun-design Zapper (the GameCube and wireless receiver demonstrating the Zapper shows the artwork's age). You can check them all out in our gallery below!


[Via 22Hundred]

JoystiqDiagrams for wacky Wii remote peripherals originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 30 Jan 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>baseball-batbikechairdockfishing-poleflight-stickgogglesgolf-clubhelmetpatentracketskateboardsteering-wheelteddy-bearzapperWed, 30 Jan 2008 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq hands-on: PGR4 (Xbox 360)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/09/joystiq-hands-on-pgr4-xbox-360/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/09/joystiq-hands-on-pgr4-xbox-360/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/09/joystiq-hands-on-pgr4-xbox-360/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Project Gotham Racing 4 follows the track of previous PGR titles by recreating cities on a building-by-building basis and then letting the fast cars loose. The September Xbox 360 game will include 10 total locations: New York City, Tokyo, London, Las Vegas, Quebec City, Shanghai, Macau, St. Petersburg, Nuerburgring, and the Michelin Test Track.

I got some hands-on time with a recent version of the in-progress game, with the touted weather and rain specifically being shown off. PGR4 looks and feels like it'll be a fun racer, and this time, motorcycles get to play alongside the cars.

Gallery: PGR4 (Xbox 360)

Continue reading Joystiq hands-on: PGR4 (Xbox 360)

JoystiqJoystiq hands-on: PGR4 (Xbox 360) originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 09 Jul 2007 10:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bikebizarreBizarreCreationscarhandsonimpressionsmotorcyclepgrpgr4ProjectGothamRacingXbox-360Mon, 09 Jul 2007 10:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Work out your PSP on a Trixter X-bike]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/31/work-out-your-psp-on-a-trixter-x-bike/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/31/work-out-your-psp-on-a-trixter-x-bike/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/31/work-out-your-psp-on-a-trixter-x-bike/#comments
Cycling with your PSP is becoming quite popular, even more so with a new modification to the Trixter line of X-bikes. Apparently, a PSP can be attached to the bike itself, enabling catered exercise programs to reach your eyes as well as your ears, for your grueling workout. We suppose it's mildly interesting, though the initiative of infusing exercise with gaming is starting to get a little ridiculous. Honestly, we're still holding out for a model of the X-bike series that allows us to play games while the bike works its wonderful magic on our motionless bodies. Playing games while burning fat ... a lovely combination. Come on, make it happen Trixter.

[Via Tech Digest]

JoystiqWork out your PSP on a Trixter X-bike originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 31 May 2007 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bicyclebikecyclingexercisetrixterx-bikexbike 600Xbike600Thu, 31 May 2007 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Today's raddest game video: GTA San Andreas bike stunts]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/30/todays-raddest-game-video-gta-san-andreas-bike-stunts/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/30/todays-raddest-game-video-gta-san-andreas-bike-stunts/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/30/todays-raddest-game-video-gta-san-andreas-bike-stunts/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


It takes a brave man (or woman) to try his hand on the dangerous streets of GTA:SA, and an even braver man (or woman) to try those streets on a motorcycle. Then to go above and beyond that, and drive like a complete and total maniac? Fugeddaboutit.

Thankfully, someone else has done all the work for you, slapped a thrashing soundtrack to it, and uploaded it to YouTube. All you have to do now is sit back, hit play, and enjoy. Better yet, watch it, and then go out and try it all yourself. Virtually, that is. Please don't try this at home. Unless you're trying it on your console. We don't mean standing on your console, we mean ... ah, forget it. Just watch the darn thing.

JoystiqToday's raddest game video: GTA San Andreas bike stunts originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 30 Jan 2007 01:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>awesomebikeGrand Theft AutoGrandTheftAutoGTAmotocycleradicalSan AndreasstuntstuntsverticalTue, 30 Jan 2007 01:15:00 EST<![CDATA[GPS biking in Japan]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/27/gps-biking-in-japan/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/27/gps-biking-in-japan/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/27/gps-biking-in-japan/#commentsFiled under: ,


PSP GadgetZ is up to it again: they took a "Ram Mount," attached it to a GPS-enabled PSP, and then grafted it to a bike, and rode away in style. If that isn't pure dedication to the system, nothing is. Hopefully, this intrepid blogger won't watch movies while riding... I'm sure that's a lethal combination.

See a video of the "Ram Mount" in action, after the cut.

Continue reading GPS biking in Japan

JoystiqGPS biking in Japan originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 27 Dec 2006 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bicyclebikegpspsp gadgetzPspGadgetzram mountRamMountWed, 27 Dec 2006 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Amsterdam has the sweetest PSP ride]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/19/amsterdam-has-the-sweetest-psp-ride/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/19/amsterdam-has-the-sweetest-psp-ride/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/19/amsterdam-has-the-sweetest-psp-ride/#commentsFiled under:


One of our dedicated readers, Joseph Skar, recently went on a trip to the Netherlands, where he took a quick shot of this PSP-themed vehicle. Inspired by Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories, Joseph easily carjacked the vehicle (he pressed Triangle), and sped away... until he slammed into the PSP Vespa.

Certainly, this vehicle is cool enough as-is, but Joseph speculated: "It would be very cool with a GPS attachment."

Indeed.

JoystiqAmsterdam has the sweetest PSP ride originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 19 Dec 2006 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amsterdambikejoseph skarJosephSkarnetherlandnetherlandspspTue, 19 Dec 2006 12:30:00 EST