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[Activision registers domains for 'GoldenEye 007 Reloaded']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/27/activision-registers-domains-for-goldeneye-007-reloaded/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/27/activision-registers-domains-for-goldeneye-007-reloaded/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/27/activision-registers-domains-for-goldeneye-007-reloaded/#comments Internet sleuth @supererogatory discovered some recent domain name registrations made by Activision, which point at a potential re-release of 2010's Wii exclusive, GoldenEye 007. "GoldenEyeReloadedGame.com," "GoldenEye007GameReloaded.com," "GoldenEyeReloaded007.com" and "GoldenEye007Reloaded.com" were the four URLs the Santa Monica-based publisher snagged.

Now, while the possibility of a new and improved Wii game isn't out of the question, we're inclined to think that Activision is thinking about consoles other than the Wii -- specifically, PlayStation Move functionality. Of course, fans have been clamoring for a remake of the original GoldenEye 007 on N64 since they looked up the word clamor and realized it was what they were doing; unfortunately, with original developer Rare now owned by Microsoft, that path is legally perilous.

Activision has not made any announcements concerning these domain names.

JoystiqActivision registers domains for 'GoldenEye 007 Reloaded' originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 27 Jun 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionbonddomaindomain-namesgoldeneye-007-2010goldeneye-007-reloadedjames-bondMon, 27 Jun 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[James Bond: Blood Stone review: Sonic the James Bond]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/05/james-bond-blood-stone-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/05/james-bond-blood-stone-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/05/james-bond-blood-stone-review/#comments In a month where, after almost a two-year hiatus, we see two new Bond games thrown at us, PS3 and Xbox owners can't help but feel a little jaded when they see the re-vamped GoldenEye headed solely to the Wii.

"They got the new GoldenEye with a fancy new controller and all we got was another rip-off 3rd person shooter!" the masses say, clutching their well-worn N64 controller, wracked with guilt over not playing Quantum of Solace in 2008 or, worse, having played GoldenEye: Rogue Agent in 2004.

Allow me to squelch your rage with four simple words, angry mob: Blood Stone is fun.

Gallery: James Bond 007: Blood Stone (Istanbul)

Continue reading James Bond: Blood Stone review: Sonic the James Bond

JoystiqJames Bond: Blood Stone review: Sonic the James Bond originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 05 Nov 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionBizarre-Creationsbondjames-bondjames-bond-007-blood-stonemicrosoftPS3XBoxFri, 05 Nov 2010 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Bizarre-developed Bond opts for EastEnder over Daniel Craig]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/11/bizarre-developed-bond-opts-for-eastender-over-daniel-craig/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/11/bizarre-developed-bond-opts-for-eastender-over-daniel-craig/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/11/bizarre-developed-bond-opts-for-eastender-over-daniel-craig/#comments Activision's plan to annualize the Bond franchise -- regardless of the status of a movie to tie into -- has already come unraveled, with the decision to pull Mr. Bond out of Modern Warfare 2's line of sight this holiday. So, Bizarre Creations' "racing and driving focused" crack at Bond is now due in 2010, unattached to the Daniel Craig-powered, as-yet-untitled 2011 Bond movie. This poses an obvious question: With no theatrical attachment, will confessed gamer Daniel Craig reprise the interactive Bond role or will Bizarre's seemingly unique take on the license also have a unique actor in the role of 007?

According to Adam Croasdell, the EastEnders star (it's a long-running BBC soap opera, for the non-British amongst us) has wrapped up voice work on the game. "Oddly enough I have just played James Bond in the new James Bond video game -- how weird is that?" Croasdell told BBC Asian Network, as reported by the Press Association. "I think video games and the making of that type of technology, being in a funny one-piece suit and being shot with 60 cameras, I think that's sort of the future."

We're right there with you, Croasdell! Oh, and you better get used to that one-piece suit ... Activision has plans to milk that Bond license before it expires in 2014.

[Via Digital Spy]

JoystiqBizarre-developed Bond opts for EastEnder over Daniel Craig originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>007ActivisionAdam-CroasdellBizarre-CreationsBondJames-Bondjames-bond-007-blood-stoneWed, 11 Nov 2009 13:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Activision talks 2010: Bond is back, joined by Tony Hawk, Spider-Man, and 'innovative' action game]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/05/activision-talks-2010-bond-is-back-joined-by-tony-hawk-spider/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/05/activision-talks-2010-bond-is-back-joined-by-tony-hawk-spider/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/05/activision-talks-2010-bond-is-back-joined-by-tony-hawk-spider/#comments

On this afternoon's earnings call, Activision Publishing CEO Mike Griffith dropped some details on what we can expect out of Activision in 2010. Of course, there's "a strong lineup behind the Guitar Hero franchise" and some Call of Duty "new releases" as well as "online monetization" of the franchise (not this again!) and strong Modern Warfare 2 sales, but that's not all it has in store for 2010.

"We'll launch also new games based on James Bond, Tony Hawk, and Spider-Man, along with games supporting the theatrical releases for Dreamworks' Shrek 4 and How to Train Your Dragon," Griffith said. "In addition, as previously announced, we're planning to release an innovative property in the $4b action genre." Here's Activision CEO Bobby Kotick discussing the aforementioned $4b opportunity; could this be what former Dead Space producer Glen Schofield dumped EA and went to Activision for?

Regardless, it's been nearly half a year since we got an update on Activision's first stab at the Bond franchise, after acquiring the rights from EA over three years ago. So it looks we'll be seeing more of Bond in '10 ... two-thousand and ten.

JoystiqActivision talks 2010: Bond is back, joined by Tony Hawk, Spider-Man, and 'innovative' action game originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 05 Aug 2009 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010ActivisionActivision-BlizzardBizarre-CreationsBondJames-Bondjames-bond-007-blood-stoneMike-GriffithWed, 05 Aug 2009 19:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Activision: COD 6, Tony Hawk, Guitar Hero 5 talk 'speculative']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/04/activision-cod-6-tony-hawk-guitar-hero-5-talk-speculative/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/04/activision-cod-6-tony-hawk-guitar-hero-5-talk-speculative/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/04/activision-cod-6-tony-hawk-guitar-hero-5-talk-speculative/#commentsFiled under:


Following reports taken directly from an upfront with Massive Inc. that sequels were on the way for Tony Hawk, Call of Duty -- specifically, a follow-up to Modern Warfare -- and Guitar Hero, and that a new Bond game is in the works, Activision informed VideoGamer.com that such reports are "speculative." In other words, Activision declined to confirm the projects it confirmed only yesterday. In other news, when asked whether or not it intended to poop in the woods, a bear told us that such reports were "speculative." The Pope also declined to confirm whether or not he wears a funny hat.

[Via Joystiq]

JoystiqActivision: COD 6, Tony Hawk, Guitar Hero 5 talk 'speculative' originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 04 Dec 2008 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionbondcall-of-dutycall-of-duty-6guitar-heroguitar-hero-5james-bondtony-hawkThu, 04 Dec 2008 14:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Bizarre making Bond title for '09, new racing IP is 'Mario Kart meets Forza']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/03/bizarre-making-bond-title-for-2009-new-racing-ip-is-mario-kart/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/03/bizarre-making-bond-title-for-2009-new-racing-ip-is-mario-kart/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/03/bizarre-making-bond-title-for-2009-new-racing-ip-is-mario-kart/#commentsFiled under:

At a summit held by Massive for in-game advertising, Activision confirmed that Bizarre Creations is working on a new third-person Bond title for release in 2009. According to the Twitter feed of Newsweek's N'Gai Croal (trust us, he's legit), the game is being touted as "racing and driving focused." The executive also mentioned Bizarre's new racing IP, describing it as "Mario Kart meets Forza." It's not much (in fact, it's somewhat paradoxical), but it does hint at a departure from Project Gotham Racing's realism -- relative to Mario Kart!

The executive also reportedly said the next Call of Duty Modern Warfare is due out Fall 2009. We're uncertain if that's confirmation of the next COD's setting or just a glib way of saying "Infinity Ward's COD series." We're reaching out to Activision for clarification on all these statements.

JoystiqBizarre making Bond title for '09, new racing IP is 'Mario Kart meets Forza' originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 03 Dec 2008 16:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>007activisionbizarrebizarre-creationsbondcall-of-dutycall-of-duty-modern-warfare-2codjames-bondjames-bond-007james-bond-007-blood-stonemodern-warfareWed, 03 Dec 2008 16:44:00 EST<![CDATA[Quantum of Solace granted on Nov. 4, pre-order nets map pack]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/22/quantum-of-solace-granted-on-nov-4-pre-order-nets-map-pack/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/22/quantum-of-solace-granted-on-nov-4-pre-order-nets-map-pack/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/22/quantum-of-solace-granted-on-nov-4-pre-order-nets-map-pack/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


Suave super spy James Bond will live and let buy on November 4th, with the release of his Q-riously named movie tie-in, Quantum of Solace. Coming from Treyarch -- with love -- to every platform ever, the 007 shooter puts you in the potentially exploding shoes of the new(ish) franchise frontman, Daniel Craig, and tasks you with saving the world, swirling martinis and bedding duplicitous dames. Indeed, with the game featuring several flashbacks to Casino Royale, it seems someone definitely understood that our demands are for Eva.

Activision has also announced that those who pre-order the game from GameStop will receive a download token, redeemable for a forthcoming multiplayer map pack. In addition to "a variety of classic modes," Quantum of Solace will grant you a view to a team kill in several modes, including "Bond Versus," "Bond Evasion," and "Golden Gun." Note that this bonus applies to the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions -- this isn't the spy who loved Wii.

Alright, no more idiotic puns and references. We've got to save some for next year, you know.

Gallery: Quantum of Solace: The Game

JoystiqQuantum of Solace granted on Nov. 4, pre-order nets map pack originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 22 Sep 2008 18:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>007ActivisionBondBreakingNewsDSJames-BondPCPS2PS3Quantum-of-SolaceTreyarchWiiXbox-360Mon, 22 Sep 2008 18:10:00 EST<![CDATA[GoldenEye XBLA stuck in 'no man's land']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/06/goldeneye-xbla-stuck-in-no-mans-land/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/06/goldeneye-xbla-stuck-in-no-mans-land/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/06/goldeneye-xbla-stuck-in-no-mans-land/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Having foiled countless doomsday devices, monologuing masterminds and aesthetically pleasing assassins, James Bond has felt the bite of reality and become inextricably entangled in a web of legal nonsense. Though an Xbox Live Arcade version of the classic N64 FPS, GoldenEye, continues to make appearances both in dreams and alleged screenshots, nobody's been able to pull the game out of a web spun by numerous lawyers and license holders. "It's kind of locked in this no man's land."

That's according to Rare's senior software engineer, Nick Burton, who recently discussed the game's fate with VideoGamer.com. "It's incredibly hard to solve because there's so many licence holders involved," explained Burton. "You've got the guys that own the license to the gaming rights now, the guys that have the licence to Bond as an IP, and there are umpteen licensees." Last time we checked, "umpteen" was quite a lot ... at least 37 or so.

Burton goes on to explain that the game's release is no longer in Rare's hands -- it's up to the publishers to figure out how Microsoft can get its hands on a Nintendo game starring one of Activision's favorite characters. "It's probably going to go down in the annuls of gaming history as one of the big mysteries."

Wait ... the "annuls" of gaming history? What an appropriate misspelling.

JoystiqGoldenEye XBLA stuck in 'no man's land' originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 06 Aug 2008 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ActivisionBondGoldenEyeJames-BondMicrosoftN64NintendoRareXBLAXbox-360Xbox-LiveWed, 06 Aug 2008 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Bourne game rights forget Vivendi, return to Ludlum Entertainment]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/30/bourne-game-rights-forget-vivendi-return-to-ludlum-entertainmen/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/30/bourne-game-rights-forget-vivendi-return-to-ludlum-entertainmen/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/30/bourne-game-rights-forget-vivendi-return-to-ludlum-entertainmen/#commentsFiled under: , ,


With Blizzavision cleaning house of all the Vivendi properties it doesn't want, the Bourne game rights have been reqacquired by Ludlum Entertainment, the company handling Bourne author Robert Ludlum's properties. The Bourne Conspiracy was the only game to come out of the original Vivendi deal, and Ludlum Entertainment CEO, Jeffrey Weiner, says the success of the title will cause the company to find new "innovative partners in the gaming community."

The short version of why Actilizzard doesn't really care about Bourne: The company already has its own super-spy franchise to worry about. A man named Bond ... James Bond.

JoystiqBourne game rights forget Vivendi, return to Ludlum Entertainment originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 30 Jul 2008 13:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activision-blizzardbondbourneludlumludlum-entertainmentPS3Xbox-360Wed, 30 Jul 2008 13:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Homebrewer hacks GoldenEye to run on Wii]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/03/homebrewer-hacks-goldeneye-to-run-on-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/03/homebrewer-hacks-goldeneye-to-run-on-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/03/homebrewer-hacks-goldeneye-to-run-on-wii/#commentsFiled under:


Sit down if you aren't and don't start taking a sip of something before you click the play button on the video above: someone managed to get GoldenEye 007 to run on the Wii. As evidenced above, the title can be emulated on the Wii, but not in perfect form. There are still some issues with saving and frame rates dipping here and there. But, all in all, pretty impressive and manages to only strengthen our desire to have this one show up on the Virtual Console.

[Thanks, trefox!]

The homebrew community has been hard at work creating wonderful experiences for you to enjoy with your Wii. Did you know about homebrew game Masteroids? Or how about the shmup OpenTyrian? Outside of games, people have been using the Balance Board to come up with some really neat stuff. Keep up with the homebrew scene by staying current with our Homebrew category!

JoystiqHomebrewer hacks GoldenEye to run on Wii originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 03 Jul 2008 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bondemulationgoldeneyegoldeneye-007hacksjames-bondn64rareThu, 03 Jul 2008 14:45:00 EST<![CDATA[New Bond game Quantum of Solace runs on COD4 engine, launching with movie]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/09/new-bond-game-quantum-of-solace-runs-on-cod4-engine-launching-w/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/09/new-bond-game-quantum-of-solace-runs-on-cod4-engine-launching-w/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/09/new-bond-game-quantum-of-solace-runs-on-cod4-engine-launching-w/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The upcoming 007 game just got an ammo clip of good news.* Quantum of Solace, currently in development at Treyarch, is running on the Call of Duty 4 game engine and due out this Fall alongside the movie. "We look forward to launching Bond: Quantum of Solace in Q3 concurrent with movie. This game uses the Call of Duty 4 engine and technology to bring Bond games to a new level," said Activision Publishing CEO Mike Griffith in a conference call yesterday (36:20 mark).

Why does this excite us? Simply put: COD4 is one of the best multiplayer experiences currently available on consoles, and it gives us hope that this version will be able recapture the magic we felt when we first tried split-screen Goldeneye on the Nintendo 64. It also gives us an idea as to what platforms we can expect to see the game on -- likely Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and perhaps PC. Quantum of Solace, the film, is releasing October 31 in the UK, November 7 in North America.

* Note: Fear not, the writer of this joke has indeed been eliminated.

Continue reading New Bond game Quantum of Solace runs on COD4 engine, launching with movie

JoystiqNew Bond game Quantum of Solace runs on COD4 engine, launching with movie originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 09 May 2008 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>007activisionbondcall-of-duty-4cod4james-bondPCPS3quantum-of-solacetreyarchXbox-360Fri, 09 May 2008 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Bizarre seeking level designer with shooter experience]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/30/bizarre-seeking-level-designer-with-shooter-experience/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/30/bizarre-seeking-level-designer-with-shooter-experience/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/30/bizarre-seeking-level-designer-with-shooter-experience/#commentsFiled under:

bizarre
A new job posting on Bizzare's website targets single-player level designers, preferably with 1st/3rd person shooter experience. The call-out adds to growing speculation that the studio's action-oriented wing (which just wrapped up The Club) has been assigned to develop Activision's next Bond game. We know, at least, that the team will likely work with an existing IP owned by its publisher parent; and with Bizarre actively seeking 'shooter' talent, the options appear considerably narrowed. With nearly every Activision shooter closely tied to a developer (including Call of Duty 5 to Treyarch), our money's on the currently orphaned 007 franchise.

Update: The next Bond game is in Treyarch's hands, according to the studio's website. So, uh, all bets are off... [Thanks, Nima]

[Via VideoGamer]

JoystiqBizarre seeking level designer with shooter experience originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 30 Jan 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionbizarrebondjames-bondjames-bond-007-blood-stoneWed, 30 Jan 2008 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Possible title of James Bond's next game announced]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/25/possible-title-of-james-bonds-next-game-announced/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/25/possible-title-of-james-bonds-next-game-announced/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/25/possible-title-of-james-bonds-next-game-announced/#commentsFiled under: ,


So, we (like many of the film fans out there) heard yesterday that James Bond's 22nd adventure would not, as we had secretly hoped, be called James Bond 22. No, producers decided to go once more to Ian Fleming's back catalog and dredge up the name Quantum of Solace, lifted from a short story featuring the world's most prolific spy. We didn't think much more about it.

But then today, we started wondering: Could Quantum of Solace also be the name of Bond's next video game adventure too? It makes a lot of sense, though we're not laying any money on it. What we are willing to say is that it would be the best title for a Bond game ever, except for Goldeneye, Everything Or Nothing, The World Is Not Enough, Nightfire, Agent Under Fire, Tomorrow Never Dies and From Russia With Love. Oh ... and what ever that racing game was called. Except for those, it's the best.

JoystiqPossible title of James Bond's next game announced originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 25 Jan 2008 10:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>007bondjames-bondquantum-of-solaceFri, 25 Jan 2008 10:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Activision doubles up 007 projects]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/08/activision-doubles-up-007-projects/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/08/activision-doubles-up-007-projects/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/08/activision-doubles-up-007-projects/#commentsFiled under:

After snatching the James Bond license out of EA's metallic hands in 2006, Activision has quietly been endeavoring to revitalize the franchise which had recently grown about as tiresome as the films it was based on. Heck, when you get to the point where an invisible car escapes from an ice palace being melted by a space laser, the point of no return is but a speck in the rear-view mirror. Will Activision find the gaming equivalent of Casino Royale?

Speaking at a BMO Capital Markets conference (as covered by GamesIndustry.biz), Activision CEO Bobby Kotick pointed to the N64's GoldenEye as the title that made Ian Fleming's suave spy into "one of the great videogame franchises of all time." He revealed that Activision is currently working on two Bond projects, and that his plan for success involves the obvious: "I think the key to re-energising the Bond franchise is going to be ultimately the highest possible game quality." Make a good game to reinvigorate a franchise full of crap ones -- got it.

It was revealed in July last year that Treyarch, developer of Spider-Man 3 and Call of Duty 3, was to create a new 007 game for Activision. If Treyarch can administer a Casino Royale reboot of the games, we imagine it'll make them a bit like Daniel Craig. We'll make fun of them at first, but the final product will silence us.

JoystiqActivision doubles up 007 projects originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 08 Nov 2007 16:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>007ActivisionBondCasino-RoyaleJames-BondTreyarchThu, 08 Nov 2007 16:37:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii to be Bondless until 2008]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/09/wii-to-be-bondless-until-2008/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/09/wii-to-be-bondless-until-2008/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/09/wii-to-be-bondless-until-2008/#commentsFiled under:


It's been known for quite some time that Activision snatched up the Bond gaming rights after EA, but nobody knew exactly when the company's first game based on the smooth-talking British agent would release. Well, now we know, and in 2008 we'll get our first taste of the new era of Bond games, which will be a title based on the second film to star the new Bond Daniel Craig. We aren't a movie blog by any stretch of the imagination, but we were fairly happy to hear that he would be taking over following some very good past films. Of course, we already knew which development studio would actually be responsible for this new Bond game. Treyarch, as we all know, is currently knee-deep in preparing Call of Duty 3, yet will take up the reigns for the 2008 game.

No announcement has been made in regards to what systems the game will be available for, but we're 95% sure it'll end up on the Wii.

JoystiqWii to be Bondless until 2008 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 09 Aug 2006 10:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionbondcallcraigdanieldutynintendotreyarchwiiWed, 09 Aug 2006 10:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo DS is the next Bond watch [Update 1]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/27/nintendo-ds-is-the-next-bond-watch/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/27/nintendo-ds-is-the-next-bond-watch/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/27/nintendo-ds-is-the-next-bond-watch/#commentsFiled under:

Nintendo's marketing department never ceases to amaze, do they? The Nintendo DS will act as an all-in-one espionage gadget in the upcoming Generic Teen Spy Movie 18 Stormrider, the first in a long line of Alex Rider stories by author Anthony Horowitz. From the press release:

"After the murder of his uncle and guardian, the MI6 British spy agency recruits the reluctant 14-year-old Alex Rider to take over his uncle's mission. Like any good spy, during training he receives his key piece of gadgetry: a Hot Rod Red Nintendo DS. He also gets several game cards that transform his DS into an eavesdropping device, a wiretap detector or a smoke bomb."

Uhm, why can't our dual-screened wonders do all that? I wonder if the villains use PSPs which fire out UMDs at rapid speeds. Oh snap.

[Update 1: Added PSP villains, thanks, Ludwig]

JoystiqNintendo DS is the next Bond watch [Update 1] originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 27 Jun 2006 15:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Alex RiderAlexRiderAnthony HorowitzBondMI6SpyStormriderTue, 27 Jun 2006 15:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Bond takes order from Activision, EA's out]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/04/bond-takes-order-from-activision-eas-out/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/04/bond-takes-order-from-activision-eas-out/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/04/bond-takes-order-from-activision-eas-out/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

As of yesterday, our favorite secret-agent with a license to kill will be taking orders from somewhere else. Yup, M EA's out of the picture and number two publisher, Activision, will be handling the James Bond franchise from now on. "Who does number two work for?"

EA has been chasing the success of Rare's 1997 N64 classic, Goldeneye; having secured the rights to the Bond franchise until 2009, EA has made five Bond titles, none of which achieved Goldeneye's level of success. When Sony bought MGM in 2004, things apparently went south (shades of the messy Never Say Never Again situation). EA has since decided to give up the franchise to "refocus on all-new games" allowing Activision to obtain the exclusive license to the franchise until 2014.

Will Activision reinvigorate the Bond franchise while EA creates attractive, original titles? Never say never.

[Thanks to everyone that sent this one in]

(Update: cleared up some confusing language. It's much better now.)

JoystiqBond takes order from Activision, EA's out originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 04 May 2006 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>007ActivisionBondElectronic ArtsElectronicArtsJames BondJamesBondMGMPS3WiiXbox-360Thu, 04 May 2006 11:30:00 EST