Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Collect the first look at Paper Titans]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/18/collect-the-first-look-at-paper-titans/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/18/collect-the-first-look-at-paper-titans/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/18/collect-the-first-look-at-paper-titans/#comments
Paper is the new ... what are video game characters normally made out of? Joining Tearaway and Derrick the Deathfin in this trend of UK-born paper games is Paper Titans by Team Lumo and Blitz Games, a "fold-em-up" in which the characters are explicitly papercraft models.

The first such character we meet is The Collector, a "natural leader" who also obsessively grabs stuff. He's featured in the video above, with the first screenshots for the iOS game available in our gallery. At the Paper Titans website, you can even print your own papercraft model of the Collector.

Gallery: Paper Titans

JoystiqCollect the first look at Paper Titans originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 18 Mar 2013 02:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blitz-gamesiosipadmobilepaper-titansteam-lumoMon, 18 Mar 2013 02:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Blitz closes 'Blitz 1UP' service, moves to Indie City]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/08/blitz-closes-blitz-1up-service-moves-to-indie-city/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/08/blitz-closes-blitz-1up-service-moves-to-indie-city/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/08/blitz-closes-blitz-1up-service-moves-to-indie-city/#comments The 'Blitz 1UP' program, an initiative by developer Blitz Games meant to provide free development and QA assistance to indie games, has closed after three years of activity and support of "over 30 games."

"We've had some great successes during our time working on this initiative," said producer Neil Holmes in a statement on the forums. "But unfortunately we haven't consistently reached the levels of success we had hoped to, and sadly we have now closed the programme to new applications."

Holmes said that the lack of success is partly due to the fact that Blitz 1UP couldn't afford a great deal of marketing for its titles. "The other issue we have had is with the portals we have worked with," he said -- meaning Steam. "Getting their approval on indie games is difficult and their decision making process can often appear quite random. Even when we have succeeded in getting games on to Steam they've often only stayed on the dashboard for a few days before disappearing into the indie games section, which results in a massive drop in sales."

Blitz is launching a website called Indie City in order to continue promoting Blitz 1UP games. The new site will offer "powerful community tools through blogs, forums, achievements and global leaderboards to help keep indie fans coming back for more," as well as recommendations tailored to each user.

JoystiqBlitz closes 'Blitz 1UP' service, moves to Indie City originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 08 Aug 2011 11:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blitz-1upblitz-gamesindieindie-citypcsteamMon, 08 Aug 2011 11:13:00 EST<![CDATA[Michael Phelps pushes the limit for Kinect this June]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/02/michael-phelps-push-the-limit-kinect/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/02/michael-phelps-push-the-limit-kinect/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/02/michael-phelps-push-the-limit-kinect/#comments Much to the dismay of ingrained anti-evolution campaigners, 16-time Olympic medalist and super swimmer Michael Phelps is now a video game. 505 Games has announced Michael Phelps - Push The Limit, "a competitive sports journey" that sees you slipping into a speedo and diving into "one of the most realistic and intense sports simulations ever created." No, it really sees you -- you'll be doing this in front of a Kinect.

The claims of realism are obviously suspect -- you need some ropes and pulleys for this to really work, and you probably keep those in the bedroom -- but Push The Limit seems like it'll be split into different swimming stages, with digi-Phelps helping you manage your adrenaline on the starting block, time your finish to perfection and shop for size 14 shoes (probably). With enough practice and frantic air swatting, you could emerge closer to "the hope of taking down Michael Phelps." (Protip: It's easiest if you play as the keen-nosed photographer.)

"This definitely isn't your typical video game," says Phelps, perhaps unaware that evolution isn't all it's cracked up to be these days. Come this June, he's in danger of being beaten by a shirtless fat kid jiggling in front of a camera.

Gallery: Michael Phelps: Push the Limit

Continue reading Michael Phelps pushes the limit for Kinect this June

JoystiqMichael Phelps pushes the limit for Kinect this June originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 02 Feb 2011 12:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>505-gamesblitz-gameskinectmichael-phelps-push-the-limitmicrosoftrelease-datexboxWed, 02 Feb 2011 12:35:00 EST<![CDATA[THQ announces Fantastic Pets for Kinect]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/21/fantastic-pets-kinect/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/21/fantastic-pets-kinect/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/21/fantastic-pets-kinect/#comments What good's a pet lizard if it doesn't morph into a dragon? THQ and Blitz Games will perhaps endanger the welfare of real, ordinary chameleons (color-changing? pfft), tempting children to turn away from their terrariums and step into the world of Fantastic Pets, the so-called "first augmented reality game" for Kinect, coming March 2011.

While Fantastic Pets might start off as an utterly domestic pet sim -- kids pick out a dog, cat, horse or lizard -- dedicated pretend care will eventually expand the game's genus well beyond the apparently tame Kinectimals kingdom. The lines between reality and fantasy will blur as players are transported into the gameworld through commonplace camera technology, barking orders as they command their beasts through mini-games and talents shows. Can your kid suspend disbelief long enough to reach the "professional ranks" of the vaunted Pet Trainer?

"As you discover your pet's personality and become enmeshed within the world, Fantastic Pets becomes more like a personalized adventure and less like a game," says THQ ringmaster Martin Good. But at what point do you break it to the young man? No honey, unicorns ... They've -- they've never been real.

JoystiqTHQ announces Fantastic Pets for Kinect originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 21 Oct 2010 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blitz-gamesblitz-games-studiosfantastic-petskinectmicrosoftq1-2011release-datethqxboxThu, 21 Oct 2010 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Thomas was alone: a minimalist game about friendship]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/18/thomas-was-alone-a-minimalist-game-about-friendship/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/18/thomas-was-alone-a-minimalist-game-about-friendship/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/18/thomas-was-alone-a-minimalist-game-about-friendship/#commentsFiled under: , ,

If you're not too busy shooting all the aliens, you might want to give a new indie game on Kongregate a go. "Thomas was alone" was made by Blitz Games Studios designer Mike Bithell on October 16th and 17th, during a span of just 24 hours. As Bithell notes, "I went from blank screen to decent puzzle platformer in less time than it takes Jack Bauer to save the world. That's a pretty cool achievement."

Thomas was alone is part minimalist platformer, part geometric buddy road-trip. Things get interesting once Thomas encounters his first friend, a dull, prim-and-proper Puritan and all-around square. Also, he's literally a square. By taking control of different pals and taking advantage of their unique dimensions, you'll be able to solve simple platforming challenges and progress. Describing it as a block-stacking game is accurate, albeit unimaginative.

We've enjoyed one of Mike Bithell's games before (surely you remember Visiting Day from 2006?), and while this one's bothered by slippery controls, it's an effective reminder of how simple, immediately decipherable mechanics form the basis of any worthwhile game, regardless of the presentation. The impressive 24-hour construction period is also motivational to any budding designers out there. Why, just look what Blitz Games Studios has to say on the matter:

"The games you make don't have to be epic masterpieces, they don't need to make use of bleeding edge graphics. A little bit of heart and a simple idea can go a long way. Frankly though, if Mike can manage it, so can you!"

JoystiqThomas was alone: a minimalist game about friendship originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 18 Oct 2010 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blitz-gamesindiekongregatepcthomas-was-aloneMon, 18 Oct 2010 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[European developers rally to help ex-Realtime Worlds employees]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/19/european-developers-rally-to-help-ex-realtime-world-employees/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/19/european-developers-rally-to-help-ex-realtime-world-employees/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/19/european-developers-rally-to-help-ex-realtime-world-employees/#commentsFiled under: , ,

It's when things seem at their darkest when the true light and goodness of humanity can really shine through ... or something like that. Following APB developer Realtime Worlds' decision to go into administration -- and the 75 percent staff cut the studio was forced to undergo -- fellow game developers Codemasters, The Creative Assembly, Blitz Games Studios, Activision and Sony Europe have announced recruitment events in the coming weeks to help the displaced staff get back on its feet.

There should be plenty of openings to go around for the 185 unemployed artists, writers and programmers -- Codemasters alone is reportedly looking for 150 new hires to fill its UK studios and The Creative Assembly is staffing up to work on an "unannounced AAA title" for Sega. Not to be outdone, Activision's also making a huge hiring push -- though these unfortunate souls will be relegated to the dance cages located in the foyer of Bobby Kotick's Miami-based "party palace." (Fine, we made that last part up. Please don't sue us.)

JoystiqEuropean developers rally to help ex-Realtime Worlds employees originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 19 Aug 2010 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionAPBblitz-gamescodemasterseuropelayoffspcrealtime-worldssceesony-computer-entertainment-europethe-creative-assemblyThu, 19 Aug 2010 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Can Kinect handle a player lying down? Yes and no]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/14/can-kinect-handle-a-player-lying-down-yes-and-no/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/14/can-kinect-handle-a-player-lying-down-yes-and-no/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/14/can-kinect-handle-a-player-lying-down-yes-and-no/#comments Amidst all the hubbub around the question of whether Kinect can or can't handle a player sitting on a couch, one related question seems to have been lost: Can Kinect handle players lying on the floor? This important issue was finally addressed at a session of the Develop Conference in Brighton today, and the answer is a definitive "kind of."

Speaking at the session, Blitz Games CTO Andrew Oliver said his team ran into this very issue when developing their The Biggest Loser: Ultimate Workout game for Kinect. Many of the exercises on The Biggest Loser TV show, such as push-ups and certain yoga poses, require lying on the ground.

Replicating these in the game offered a new challenge for Microsoft's 3D motion sensing hardware, and apparently it's a test the hardware fails. Oliver reported lying on the ground fundamentally breaks the 3D skeleton of your body detected by the Kinect camera and technology. "We had to consider, would this skeletal tracking ever realistically be able to work out that a player is laying on the floor," Oliver said. "We asked - believe me we asked - and we were told it wasn't going to happen."

Continue reading Can Kinect handle a player lying down? Yes and no

JoystiqCan Kinect handle a player lying down? Yes and no originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 14 Jul 2010 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Andrew-OliverBlitz-Gamesdevelop-2010KinectmicrosoftNick-BurtonRarexboxWed, 14 Jul 2010 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[XBL Indie 'Weapon of Choice' chosen by Blitz for PC release]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/25/xbl-indie-weapon-of-choice-chosen-by-blitz-for-pc-release/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/25/xbl-indie-weapon-of-choice-chosen-by-blitz-for-pc-release/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/25/xbl-indie-weapon-of-choice-chosen-by-blitz-for-pc-release/#comments
The debut Xbox Live Indie Game from former Insomniac designer Nathan Fouts, Weapon of Choice, is headed to the PC by way of Blitz Games Studios and its Blitz 1UP label. It's not the first Indie picked up by the publisher; Binary Tweed's Clover: A Curious Tale was released for Windows via a number of different digital distribution services earlier this year.

Blitz doesn't have a launch date yet for the port of WOC, but creator Fouts has made a strong case for PC players to be excited. "With the help of Blitz 1UP, we hope to relieve your monitors from constantly displaying games in browns and grays," he stated in today's announcement, adding, "It's time to vomit up some vibrant color with trip-inducing visuals of alien viscera!" Kevin Butler, watch your back.

You can try (and, if you like, buy) the second XBL Indie release from Mommy's Best Games, Shoot 1UP, right now from the Xbox Live Marketplace. [Handy-dandy Marketplace link!]

JoystiqXBL Indie 'Weapon of Choice' chosen by Blitz for PC release originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 25 Mar 2010 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blitz-1upblitz-gamesindie-gamesmommys-best-gamesweapon-of-choicexbl-indie-gamesThu, 25 Mar 2010 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[This Wednesday: KrissX will make you jump, jump, solve puzzles on XBLA]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/25/this-wednesday-krissx-will-make-you-jump-jump-solve-puzzles/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/25/this-wednesday-krissx-will-make-you-jump-jump-solve-puzzles/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/25/this-wednesday-krissx-will-make-you-jump-jump-solve-puzzles/#comments It's not a good sign when Xbox know-it-all Major Nelson admits in his This Week on Arcade post that "information on the game is light, so here is what I was able to find." However, we can't blame him -- we'd never heard of KrissX, this week's new XBLA game, before today either.

Apparently, the Blitz Games-developed, Konami-published puzzler tasks players with solving crosswords and unscrambling "over 3,500 jumbled words that will test your trivia knowledge and expand your own daily vocabulary." We're automatically apprehensive about games that try to sneak some education into our entertainment regimen -- we'll have to wait and see if KrissX is actually fun enough to deserve our 800 ($10).

Sadly, we don't think the game has anything in common with Kriss Kross' other ludological outing. Someday, friends. Someday.

JoystiqThis Wednesday: KrissX will make you jump, jump, solve puzzles on XBLA originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 25 Jan 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blitz-gamescrossword-puzzlekonamikrissxMicrosoftpuzzlexblaxbla-wednesdayXbox-360Mon, 25 Jan 2010 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Drop everything and watch this Droplitz video]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/28/drop-everything-and-watch-this-droplitz-video/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/28/drop-everything-and-watch-this-droplitz-video/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/28/drop-everything-and-watch-this-droplitz-video/#comments The video above is a rather amazing tutorial, explaining the basics of the upcoming iPhone, PSN and XBLA game Droplitz. As you watch, a very British woman will guide you through the game which, apparently, involves maneuvering your droplitz -- or "dinky little balls of indeterminate stuff" as the tutorial lady so wonderfully puts it -- from one end of the grid to the other, by rotating the pipe pieces.

While the narration is the real star of the video, the game does actually look like quite good fun. There's no word on a release date yet, but we'll be sure to let you know as soon as Atlus announces one. Make sure you watch the full video to find out exactly why these droplitz aren't adorable little fluffy creatures with cute googly eyes and little button noses.

JoystiqDrop everything and watch this Droplitz video originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 28 May 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AppleAtlusBlitz-ArcadeBlitz-gamesdroplitziphoneiPodMicrosoftPSNPuzzleXBLAXbox-360Thu, 28 May 2009 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA['Dead to Rights: Retribution' details, screens revealed]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/16/dead-to-rights-retribution-details-screens-revealed/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/16/dead-to-rights-retribution-details-screens-revealed/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/16/dead-to-rights-retribution-details-screens-revealed/#comments
It seems 1UP has the first details on Volatile Games' upcoming third-person shooter slash dog-commanding sim, Dead to Rights: Retribution. The game will reportedly be an origin story, setting up the history of longtime Dead to Rights series protagonist Jack Slate and describe how he and Shadow (the game's iconic dog) "first come together as partners against those who would bring the once great city to its knees."

Namco Bandai claims the game will feature a "hybrid combat system," which combines hand-to-hand combat and shooting, but the first screens do little to show off this concept. You also get to push people down stairs!

To keep you in the loop, we've created a handy list of things we know about Dead to Rights: Retribution so far:
  1. The game is named Dead to Rights: Retribution and it's an origin story.
  2. It's coming to Xbox 360 and PS3 in Q4 2009 according to Namco Bandai, the game's publisher.
  3. There's totally a dog in it.
You're welcome!

Joystiq'Dead to Rights: Retribution' details, screens revealed originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 16 Feb 2009 12:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blitz-gamesdead-to-rightsdead-to-rights-retributionMicrosoftnamconamco-bandaivolatile-gamesXbox-360Mon, 16 Feb 2009 12:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: PS3 going 3-D, 4th dimension untapped]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/18/report-ps3-going-3-d-4th-dimension-untapped/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/18/report-ps3-going-3-d-4th-dimension-untapped/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/18/report-ps3-going-3-d-4th-dimension-untapped/#commentsFiled under:

As it turns out, stereoscopic 3-D technology isn't just reserved for the fabulously bored ... of making flat, $1.8 billion-grossing Hollywood weepies. No, 3-D, like "put on those big, goofy glasses" 3D, can be the work of mere mortals. Like these two fellers above, from Blitz Games Studios.

In what's been billed as an MTBS exclusive (that's: "Meant To Be Seen"), Blitz has reportedly confirmed that Sony "fully intends" to update PlayStation 3 to support stereoscopic 3-D gaming and Blu-ray watching next year (presumably, in time for Ubisoft's 3-D Avatar game). What's more, MTBS suggests that the ability to upgrade to 3-D via a firmware update could be unique to PS3 (the console is a 4D concept, after all) -- potentially leaving current Xbox 360 owners to endure gaming life in a veritable stone age.

Blitz, famous for its trio of Burger King Xbox games, has its hands in the forthcoming movement, developing its own "BlitzTech" 3-D engine, which debuted earlier this month at the 3D Entertainment Summit in LA. Well then Blitz, we can't wait to see it in Hell, er, Hall, Kentia Hall -- next June.

[Thanks, Heavytoka]

JoystiqReport: PS3 going 3-D, 4th dimension untapped originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 18 Dec 2008 18:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dblitz-gamesblitz-games-studiosblitztechbreakingnewsPS3stereoscopic-3dThu, 18 Dec 2008 18:46:00 EST<![CDATA[Meteos Wars and PowerUp Forever rain down on XBLA]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/10/meteos-wars-and-powerup-forever-rain-down-on-xbla/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/10/meteos-wars-and-powerup-forever-rain-down-on-xbla/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/10/meteos-wars-and-powerup-forever-rain-down-on-xbla/#commentsFiled under: ,


Xbox Live Arcade Wednesday is upon us, and that means it's time for some new games. This week, we're treated to the Q? Entertainment puzzler Meteos Wars and multi-directional shooter PowerUp Forever from Namco Bandai. The former has made a long journey all the way from the Nintendo DS and the latter ... has power-ups. Should you desire, you can pick them both up for 800 Microsoft Points. These are the only new releases on the Xbox 360 this week, so if you just have to have a new game, they're your only choice.

Download Meteos Wars trial game from Xbox Live Marketplace

Download PowerUp Forever trial game from Xbox Live Marketplace

Gallery: Meteos (XBLA)

JoystiqMeteos Wars and PowerUp Forever rain down on XBLA originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 10 Dec 2008 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arcadeblitz-gameslive-arcademeteosmeteos-warsnamco-bandaipowerup-foreverq-entertainmentxblaxbla-releasesxbox-live-arcadeWed, 10 Dec 2008 11:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Meteos Wars and PowerUp Forever on XBLA this Wednesday]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/08/meteos-wars-and-powerup-forever-on-xbla-this-wednesday/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/08/meteos-wars-and-powerup-forever-on-xbla-this-wednesday/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/08/meteos-wars-and-powerup-forever-on-xbla-this-wednesday/#commentsFiled under: ,


Looks like the rumor was true, as both Meteos Wars and PowerUp Forever are officially heading to Xbox Live Arcade this week. Meteos Wars is an XBLA version of the Q Entertainment puzzler title with expanded multiplayer (including Xbox Live play), while PowerUp Forever is a shooter from Blitz (the folks behind SpongeBob Squarepants Underpants Slam) and published by Namco Bandai. PowerUp Forever features procedurally generated environments, a unique "growth mechanic" (whatever that is) and, get this, power-ups.

Both PowerUp Forever and Meteos Wars will be available this Wednesday for 800 points each.

Gallery: Meteos (XBLA)



Source -- Meteos Wars page on Xbox.com
Source -- PowerUp Forever page on Namco Bandai Games

JoystiqMeteos Wars and PowerUp Forever on XBLA this Wednesday originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 08 Dec 2008 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arcadeblitz-gameslive-arcademeteosmeteos-warspowerup-foreverqq-entertainmentxblaxbla-releasesxbox-live-arcadeMon, 08 Dec 2008 14:15:00 EST<![CDATA[A zappy Zapper is officially an Xbox Original]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/17/a-zappy-zapper-is-officially-an-xbox-original/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/17/a-zappy-zapper-is-officially-an-xbox-original/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/17/a-zappy-zapper-is-officially-an-xbox-original/#commentsFiled under: ,


As promised, the classic and wicked cricket Zapper has made its way to the Xbox Live Marketplace as a 1200 Microsoft point Xbox Original title. Blitz Games' 599MB Zapper includes eighteen levels spread across four worlds with one final boss that's oh so intimidatingly named Maggie. Exciting stuff.

Warning to those who love themselves scrolling credits, because Microsoft warns that the Xbox Originals version of Zapper suffers from "minor graphical corruption occurs in the End Credits" which "causes some of the end credits to appear cut off." End credits being cut off? Seriously, what has the world come to?

JoystiqA zappy Zapper is officially an Xbox Original originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 17 Nov 2008 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blitz-gamesxblmxbox-originalszapperMon, 17 Nov 2008 15:30:00 EST