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[Gears of War 3 announced by ... your Xbox]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/09/gears-of-war-3-announced-by-your-xbox/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/09/gears-of-war-3-announced-by-your-xbox/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/09/gears-of-war-3-announced-by-your-xbox/#comments We actually hadn't heard that Gears of War 3 was announced -- wasn't Cliff Bleszinski's big reveal bumped to Monday? -- but thanks to the marvels of modern technology and inattentive switch flippers, our Xbox 360 has brought us up to speed. The menu item (shown above) in the Xbox Spotlight channel doesn't lead to any further information, but does seem to confirm that "the epic story concludes April 2011." [Update: It's gone now.]

Oh no, all our GoW trilogies are coming to an end!

[Thanks, Daryl]

JoystiqGears of War 3 announced by ... your Xbox originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 09 Apr 2010 07:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingepicEpic-Gamesgears-of-wargears-of-war-3Microsoftmicrosoft-game-studiosoopsrelease-dateXbox-360Fri, 09 Apr 2010 07:11:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Fit Plus shapes up for fall, lets you 'be' Mario]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/02/wii-fit-plus-shapes-up-for-fall-lets-you-be-mario/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/02/wii-fit-plus-shapes-up-for-fall-lets-you-be-mario/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/02/wii-fit-plus-shapes-up-for-fall-lets-you-be-mario/#comments As expected, Nintendo has seen fit to announce Wii Fit Plus during its E3 presser. The new fitness software is planned for release this fall in two flavors: bundled with the Wii Balance Board and as stand-alone software.

According to Cammie Dunaway, the new Wii Fit "moves in an added direction" beyond the original, by enabling users to "create a specific workout program that's perfect" for them. Six new strength and yoga activities can be mixed and match depending on what goals they're shooting for, and there's a revamped interface focused on creating seamless routines of 20, 30, 40 minutes (and conceivably more).

Strengthening the "core" appeal, Plus will introduce 15 new minigames -- juggling, skateboarding and something called "perfect 10" were shown, the latter requiring players to move their hips to select numbers that add up to 10. "Brain Age for your backside," Cammie said. The most exciting minigame: a forward-moving "platforming" level using gameplay elements from the Mario series.

JoystiqWii Fit Plus shapes up for fall, lets you 'be' Mario originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 02 Jun 2009 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakinge3-2009nintendoWiiwii-fitwii-fit-plusTue, 02 Jun 2009 12:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Hybrid DVD/Blu-ray disc released in Japan]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/22/hybrid-dvd-blu-ray-disc-released-in-japan/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/22/hybrid-dvd-blu-ray-disc-released-in-japan/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/22/hybrid-dvd-blu-ray-disc-released-in-japan/#commentsFiled under:


Don't you wish your favorite Blu-ray movie could work at grandma's place? But drats, for some reason she just doesn't have a Blu-ray player. Thankfully, you own a hybrid DVD/Blu-ray disc, so you'll be able to watch your Blu-ray movie on a standard DVD player. It won't be in HD, but SD movie better than no movie, right?

This tech isn't far off. In fact, it's available now. Infinity Storage Media has released the first hybrid disc, which allows just that. By using a clever dual-layer process, DVD drives will be able to read a DVD layer, while Blu-ray drives will be able to read a Blu-ray layer. The image above shows the process in a rather simple way.

We're not sure how far this technology will reach, or if it will be adopted by other companies. For now, this is a strictly Japan-only product. We can see tons of studios capitalizing on the HD transition by releasing their movies on a hybrid disc like this.

[Via digg]

JoystiqHybrid DVD/Blu-ray disc released in Japan originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 22 Dec 2008 09:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blu-raybreakingdvdhybridMon, 22 Dec 2008 09:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Voice chat returns on PlayStation Home]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/22/voice-chat-returns-on-playstation-home/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/22/voice-chat-returns-on-playstation-home/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/22/voice-chat-returns-on-playstation-home/#commentsFiled under:

PlayStation Home has been patched (yet again!), this time restoring voice chat. Update 1.05, available now, adds voice chat to personal spaces and clubhouses. This means you foul-mouthed pirates can chat with each other in the privacy of your own virtual-homes. However, expect public spaces to be as quiet as Sunday mass.

[Thanks, heavenssniper!]

JoystiqVoice chat returns on PlayStation Home originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 22 Dec 2008 08:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakinghomeplaystation-homeMon, 22 Dec 2008 08:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Whoops! No Red Bull Air Race this year]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/21/whoops-no-red-bull-air-race-this-year/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/21/whoops-no-red-bull-air-race-this-year/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/21/whoops-no-red-bull-air-race-this-year/#commentsFiled under:

You may have noticed that the Home launch hasn't exactly gone smoothly. With the Home teams worldwide working on fixes for the numerous server and login issues the content release schedule has been pushed back, as people are now taking their Christmas breaks. What this boils down to is this: Don't expect to see the Red Bull Air Race this year.

TedTheDog has stated on the European PlayStation forums that it definitely won't appear in 2008. Though "it really ought to be worth the wait, its really quite impressive and a lot of fun." We've played it and, while it's kind of neat, it's not quite as awesome as it's maybe getting hyped up to be. Still, content is content, and even TedTheDog admits that Home is currently "a little bare."

He goes on to say that "we've got some problems to solve, but they'll be solved and we can then move on to running it as the service we all want." In other words, please remain patient for just a little longer. Well, we've waited this long, what's a few more weeks?

JoystiqWhoops! No Red Bull Air Race this year originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 21 Dec 2008 22:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakinghomered-bullred-bull-air-raceSun, 21 Dec 2008 22:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Cellfactor: Psychokinetic Wars attacks XBLA in 2009]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/21/cellfactor-psychokinetic-wars-attacks-xbla-in-2009/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/21/cellfactor-psychokinetic-wars-attacks-xbla-in-2009/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/21/cellfactor-psychokinetic-wars-attacks-xbla-in-2009/#commentsFiled under: ,


Sure, the Xbox Live Arcade has FPS classics we spent much of our youth playing against others. DOOM, Duke Nukem 3D, Marathon: Durandal ... but the service is still sorely missing a fast-paced action shooter (Sup, Quake?). Thanks to Ubisoft the wait may be over in the form of Cellfactor: Psychokinetic Wars -- a "fast paced" multiplayer shooter -- hitting the XBLA and PSN in early 09.

The upcoming Arcade FPS, developed by Immersion Games, throws players into an arena to do battle with their choice of gunfire and/or telekinetic superpowers. You know, because guns aren't deadly enough these days.

Psychokinetic Wars will offer 30 single-player "challenges," three playable characters and four multiplayer modes (Death Match, Team Death Match, Capture the Flag and Assault) for up to 16 players. Cellfactor: Psychokinetic Wars should also change its ridiculous name. Cellfactor is plenty, the rest is just marketing research gone bad.

[via Joystiq]

Gallery: Cellfactor: Psychokinetic Wars (PSN, XBLA)

JoystiqCellfactor: Psychokinetic Wars attacks XBLA in 2009 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 21 Dec 2008 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Breakingcellfactor-psychokinetic-warsimmersion-gamesubisoftxblaxbox-live-arcadeSun, 21 Dec 2008 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony declares death to the clamshell]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/21/sony-declares-death-to-the-clamshell/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/21/sony-declares-death-to-the-clamshell/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/21/sony-declares-death-to-the-clamshell/#commentsFiled under:


Have you ever tried to open one of those annoying plastic containers that so many companies seem to use? Y'know what we're talking about. These nearly indestructible packages hold your favorite toys (like the PlayStation Eye), but required Herculean strength to open. Sony Electronics has declared "death to the clamshell," and we're hoping that means SCE will follow suit as well. You wouldn't want to be like this guy, would you? (Video after the break.)

[Via Joystiq]

Continue reading Sony declares death to the clamshell

JoystiqSony declares death to the clamshell originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 21 Dec 2008 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingclamshellsonySun, 21 Dec 2008 11:45:00 EST<![CDATA[PixelJunk Monsters coming to PSP]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/19/pixeljunk-monsters-coming-to-psp/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/19/pixeljunk-monsters-coming-to-psp/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/19/pixeljunk-monsters-coming-to-psp/#commentsFiled under:

Looks like more PS3 games are coming to the PSP. The popular tower defense game, PixelJunk Monsters, is heading to the PSP. In fact, there's going to be more content than ever before. This is great news, especially because we're not too fond of using Remote Play to stream games. We can't wait to see more when the game comes out in 2009. To find out more about the game, check out all the news on PS3 Fanboy.

[Thanks, Top_Slacker!]

JoystiqPixelJunk Monsters coming to PSP originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 19 Dec 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingpixeljunkpixeljunk-monsterspspq-gamesFri, 19 Dec 2008 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rock Band DLC twofer: A few Foo Fighters tracks]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/19/rock-band-dlc-twofer-a-few-foo-fighters-tracks/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/19/rock-band-dlc-twofer-a-few-foo-fighters-tracks/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/19/rock-band-dlc-twofer-a-few-foo-fighters-tracks/#commentsFiled under: , ,


If you thought the Rock Band holiday tracks were the only musical goodness coming to the Marketplace next week, you were wrong and are denied your weekly allotment of hot cocoa. Harmonix just revealed that on next Tuesday, December 23rd they'll be adding three Foo Fighters tracks to the Rock Band library. Each song is priced at 160 Microsoft points and the three song pack will be available for 440 points. Also, DOA should be an insta-buy.
  • "DOA" by Foo Fighters
  • "Times Like These" by Foo Fighters
  • "This Is A Call" by by Foo Fighters

JoystiqRock Band DLC twofer: A few Foo Fighters tracks originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 19 Dec 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Breakingeaharmonixmtv-gamesrock-bandrock-band-2xblmFri, 19 Dec 2008 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Everybody's Wii Theater dated, priced in Japan]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/19/everybodys-wii-theater-dated-priced-in-japan/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/19/everybodys-wii-theater-dated-priced-in-japan/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/19/everybodys-wii-theater-dated-priced-in-japan/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Fujisoft's Minna no Theater Wii (Everybody's Theater Wii), essentially a video rental service, will launch on January 27 in Japan, after slipping from its original December release date. We already knew that purchasing the video viewer cost 500 Wii Points, but now we have concrete prices for renting content:
  • A single title for two days: 300 Wii Points
  • Two titles for three days: 600 Wii Points
  • Three titles for five days: 800 Wii Points
When it launches next month, 3,000 pieces of video content will be available. These span 150 franchises, including Astro Boy, Transformers, Hajime no Ippo, and Dogtanian. Anime currently dominates the line-up, though movies, drama, and educational shows will also be present, if a bit scarcer.

A further 50 pieces of content will be released every month following the launch, and Fujisoft claims its content comes "close" to delivering DVD quality. It's just a shame we'll probably never see this here to test that statement.

JoystiqEverybody's Wii Theater dated, priced in Japan originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 19 Dec 2008 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animebreakingfujisoftjapanminna-no-theater-wiitvvideoFri, 19 Dec 2008 11:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Ubisoft working on Shaun White Snowboarding sequel]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/18/ubisoft-working-on-shaun-white-snowboarding-sequel/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/18/ubisoft-working-on-shaun-white-snowboarding-sequel/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/18/ubisoft-working-on-shaun-white-snowboarding-sequel/#commentsFiled under:


It's no secret that Ubisoft has high hopes for Shaun White Snowboarding. The company said it expects the game to sell a million copies and, so far, the game is flying off retail shelves faster than scrumptious hotcakes, unloading 259,000 copies in the U.S. across the various platforms in November alone (generating $13.6 million for Ubisoft). We'd also like to point out that 40% of that figure is Wii sales.

Ubisoft has liked the reception, apparently, as a sequel to the game is already underway, Shaun White confirmed. "Now that I have the knowledge and I can speak to programmers better and I understand a lot more about what's possible and what's not possible, this will all help with the next game," he said.

So, how many of you picked it up? What kind of additions or changes would you like to see in the next game?

JoystiqUbisoft working on Shaun White Snowboarding sequel originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 18 Dec 2008 17:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>balance-boardbreakingshaun-whiteshaun-white-snowboardingsnowboardingsportsubisoftThu, 18 Dec 2008 17:23:00 EST<![CDATA[800 MS point cards now available at retail [update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/18/800-ms-point-cards-now-available-at-retail/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/18/800-ms-point-cards-now-available-at-retail/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/18/800-ms-point-cards-now-available-at-retail/#commentsFiled under:


Update: Upon further inspection, the pricing for 800 MS point cards looks to be $9.99 making it only $.01 cheaper than 1600 point cards.

At retail in the U.S., Microsoft point purchasers only have one buying option and that's a 1600 Microsoft point card for around $19.99. But let's say a customer (a retail buying customer) wants, say, half that. Something more like 800 points. Well, that customer would normally be out of luck. That is until now, because we just learned that Microsoft is now selling 800 MS point cards at the retail level. These point of sale activation cards (as seen above) are even value priced at $9.39 USD priced at $9.99, which is in line with the 1600 point cards. How's that for convenience?

[Thanks, Adam L.]

Joystiq800 MS point cards now available at retail [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 18 Dec 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Breakingmicrosoft-pointsms-pointsx3f-twitterxbox-liveThu, 18 Dec 2008 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Call of Duty: World Fails at Buying It]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/18/call-of-duty-world-fails-at-buying-it/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/18/call-of-duty-world-fails-at-buying-it/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/18/call-of-duty-world-fails-at-buying-it/#commentsFiled under:


Or the United States does, at least. Arguably due to a lack of minigames, GameDaily noted that Call of Duty: World at War sold miserably on the Wii (and DS). The latest NPD numbers saw the Xbox 360 (1.41 million units) and PS3 (597,000) versions in second and sixth place respectively, but the Wii iteration was nowhere to be found -- something you guys also picked up on.

In fact, the Wii game lagged embarrassingly far behind its high-definition cousins: according to GameDaily, the PS2, PC, DS and Wii editions sold around 200,000 units combined. This makes us genuinely fear for games like The Conduit. Call of Duty is pretty much the biggest name in the console shooter business, so if that can't shift copies on Wii, what chance a brand-new IP?

JoystiqCall of Duty: World Fails at Buying It originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 18 Dec 2008 12:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionbreakingcall-of-dutyfailfpsnpdshootertreyarchworld-at-warwwiiThu, 18 Dec 2008 12:47:00 EST<![CDATA[Successful GTA on DS could lead to more mature Take-Two games on Wii]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/18/successful-gta-on-ds-could-lead-to-more-mature-take-two-games-on/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/18/successful-gta-on-ds-could-lead-to-more-mature-take-two-games-on/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/18/successful-gta-on-ds-could-lead-to-more-mature-take-two-games-on/#commentsFiled under:

Take-Two expects Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars on the DS to do quite well. The company hasn't really been putting their Mature-rated content on Nintendo systems that often, aside from the notorious Manhunt 2. But that's probably going to change in the near future, and, according to CEO Ben Feder, the company will be looking at the performance of GTA to help guide their plans on Wii:

"... Even the M-rated content that we think is much more appropriate for the PS3 or 360," he said in a financial earnings call, "we have to look at the Wii as a viable platform across all our labels." Not just the sports games and the Carnival Games! Feder said that Take-Two is going to do "a lot of learning" with Chinatown Wars.

We're of the opinion that all Take-Two really has to do is make some high-quality original games and market them like they would any of their mature titles. At least they aren't just taking the easy way out and putting out an exclusively Carnival Games lineup.

JoystiqSuccessful GTA on DS could lead to more mature Take-Two games on Wii originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 18 Dec 2008 10:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingcarnival-gamesgrand-theft-autoindustryrockstartake-twoThu, 18 Dec 2008 10:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Rockstar vets cement long-term deal with Take-Two]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/18/rockstar-vets-cement-long-term-deal-with-take-two/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/18/rockstar-vets-cement-long-term-deal-with-take-two/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/18/rockstar-vets-cement-long-term-deal-with-take-two/#commentsFiled under:

For brothers who've become popular creating games starring characters who seek out freedom from society's corporate machine this is a strange move but not unexpected. Take-Two Interactive have announced a new long-term agreement with "key members of the creative team" behind Grand Theft Auto IV, including Sam (pictured) and Dan Houser. Terms of the agreement would see the team locked into an publishing deal with Take-Two until January 31, 2012.

The arrangement also includes a new incentive compensation program for the Rockstar Games label and an agreement from Take-Two "to fund the future development of certain new intellectual property to be owned by a newly formed company controlled by key Rockstar Games team members." Our guess? Lemmings Kart Racing. Believe.

JoystiqRockstar vets cement long-term deal with Take-Two originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 18 Dec 2008 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Breakingdan-housergrand-theft-autogrand-theft-auto-4grand-theft-auto-ivgtaivrockstarrockstar-gamesrockstar-northsam-housertake-twotake-two-interactiveThu, 18 Dec 2008 09:45:00 EST<![CDATA[New Play Control! New-ish boxart!]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/18/new-play-control-new-ish-boxart/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/18/new-play-control-new-ish-boxart/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/18/new-play-control-new-ish-boxart/#commentsFiled under:


The packages for the Japanese Play on Wii series feature the original boxarts for the GameCube games framed in a new white border, with a blue bar at the bottom explaining that the games have new Wii Remote-based controls. According to teensy preview images found on GameStop.com, the North American New Play Control! versions of Pikmin and Mario Power Tennis, officially announced just yesterday, will employ the same strategy. As in, exactly the same.

The only difference (aside from the language stuff and the fact that the North American boxart images are used) is that the Play on Wii boxes feature a curved top border in the blue area. If we're lucky, the covers will be reversible like the Japanese ones. We probably won't be that lucky!

We have yet to see the box designs for the European NEW PLAY CONTROL! series. We'll keep you updated, because we love pointing out that the European title for the series seems to officially be NEW PLAY CONTROL! in all caps.

Source: Pikmin
Source: Mario Power Tennis

JoystiqNew Play Control! New-ish boxart! originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 18 Dec 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>boxartbreakinggamecubemario-power-tennisnew-play-controlpikminplay-on-wiiThu, 18 Dec 2008 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Tech issues delay Fable 2 Knothole DLC into Jan.]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/18/tech-issues-delay-fable-2-knothole-dlc-into-jan/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/18/tech-issues-delay-fable-2-knothole-dlc-into-jan/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/18/tech-issues-delay-fable-2-knothole-dlc-into-jan/#commentsFiled under: ,


Lionhead's first Fable 2 expansion, Knothole Island, was set for release to the Marketplace next Monday, December 22nd. Sadly, that just isn't the case anymore, because "unexpected technical difficulties" have caused its release to delay into late January.

According to the official Xbox.com page for the Knothole Island DLC, we're informed (in big red text, no less) that the late January time frame will be the Fable 2 DLC's new release. Exact date, yet to be announced. This delay is further proof of the longstanding rumor that Lionhead has been developing Fable 2 under an ancient Voodoo curse.

JoystiqTech issues delay Fable 2 Knothole DLC into Jan. originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 18 Dec 2008 00:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Breakingfable-2fable-iiknothole-islandlionheadlionhead-studiosx3f-twitterThu, 18 Dec 2008 00:50:00 EST<![CDATA[BlizzCon 2008: The comedy of the closing ceremony]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/12/blizzcon-2008-the-comedy-of-the-closing-ceremony/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/12/blizzcon-2008-the-comedy-of-the-closing-ceremony/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/12/blizzcon-2008-the-comedy-of-the-closing-ceremony/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


BlizzCon offered up not one but two, Two, TWO comedians for the price of one at the closing ceremonies. We knew Patton Oswalt would be performing, but were weren't aware he'd have a warm-up act. As far as our experience with comedy goes (which is basically reading Ludwig's and Justin's posts), opening acts normally suck. And even though he dresses like a lumberjack and looks much older than the 31 his MySpace page claims, Kyle Kinane was funny as well.

Head after the jump to listen to the full comedy stylings of both Patton and Kyle after the break. You may never go commando in corduroy pants again.

Continue reading BlizzCon 2008: The comedy of the closing ceremony

JoystiqBlizzCon 2008: The comedy of the closing ceremony originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 12 Oct 2008 00:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BlizzardBlizzconBlizzCon-2008breakingbreakingnewsComedyDiablio-IIIjoystiqfeaturesKyle-KinaneMacPatton-OswaltPCStarcraft-2World-of-WarcraftSun, 12 Oct 2008 00:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Blizzard's Wilson: Some Battle.net features to be 'monetized']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/11/blizzards-wilson-some-battle-net-features-to-be-monetized/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/11/blizzards-wilson-some-battle-net-features-to-be-monetized/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/11/blizzards-wilson-some-battle-net-features-to-be-monetized/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Speaking at yesterday's Diablo III Gameplay panel, Blizzard's Jay Wilson was asked one of the questions that's been hiding in the back of all of our brains, "Is Battle.Net going to remain free?"

His response probably wasn't what you'd want to hear. "We are looking to monetize Battle.Net so that we get to keep making these games and updating features," said Wilson. "We kind of have to." He went on to say that they do recognize that everyone loves having it as a free service, and that they don't have a strong desire to make a subscription-based game.

What does that mean for our beloved free online gaming service? We're hoping to find out when we talk to Blizzard bigwig Rob Pardo later this afternoon.

JoystiqBlizzard's Wilson: Some Battle.net features to be 'monetized' originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 11 Oct 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Battle-NetBattle.NetBlizzardBlizzconBlizzcon-2008breakingbreakingnewsdiablodiablo-3diablo-iiiMacPCSat, 11 Oct 2008 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Castle Crashers, Galaga Legions, more on XBLA in 4-6 weeks]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/17/castle-crashers-galaga-legions-more-on-xbla-in-4-6-weeks/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/17/castle-crashers-galaga-legions-more-on-xbla-in-4-6-weeks/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/17/castle-crashers-galaga-legions-more-on-xbla-in-4-6-weeks/#commentsFiled under: ,


During our guided demo of Microsoft's upcoming stable of XBLA games, Microsoft's Scott Austin informed us that all the games on display would be available in the next four to six weeks on Xbox Live Arcade. All of 'em. If you've been reading the impressions on Joystiq, you'll know that this a reason to be excited. For the record, the XBLA games being shown by Microsoft are:
We expected Microsoft to show off some cool XBLA games at E3, but we weren't expecting four to six weeks of win.

JoystiqCastle Crashers, Galaga Legions, more on XBLA in 4-6 weeks originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 17 Jul 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bionic-commandobionic-commando-rearmedbraidbreakingbreakingnewscastle-crasherse3e3-08e308galagagalaga-legionsgeometry-warsgeometry-wars-2xblaXbox-360xbox-live-arcadeThu, 17 Jul 2008 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony 'disappointed' by FFXIII for 360 announcement]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/16/sony-disappointed-by-ffxiii-for-360-announcement/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/16/sony-disappointed-by-ffxiii-for-360-announcement/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/16/sony-disappointed-by-ffxiii-for-360-announcement/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

SCEA president Jack Tretton has aired his feelings on Square Enix's decision to nix PS3 exclusivity for Final Fantasy XIII. During a roundtable chat this morning, Tretton said that he was disappointed by the decision, but not exactly caught off guard.

"Am I disappointed by it? Yes," Tretton told us, adding: "Am I surprised by it? No." He was quick to stress that the game remains a PS3 exclusive in Japan, but that "seeing as there isn't that big of a [PS3] installed base in [there], I don't know how big of a coup that is for us."

Speaking to the concept of paying third parties for exclusives, Tretton said that Sony has "invested so much money in the [PS3] hardware" that it simply "can't write checks for exclusive software."

Echoing statements made by Sony Worlwide Studios head Shuhei Yoshida prior to E3, Tretton said that Sony's is more focused on exclusive titles from its own teams. "You've got to create platform-defining franchises that you own," he said. "It's the only way you're going to guarantee exclusivity going forward."


JoystiqSony 'disappointed' by FFXIII for 360 announcement originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 Jul 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingbreakingnewsE3e3-2008final-fantasy-xiiijack-trettonPS2PS3PSPWed, 16 Jul 2008 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[E308: Bungie's E3 announcement deferred by publisher [Update 4]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/15/e308-bungie-net-revealed-countdown-cancelled/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/15/e308-bungie-net-revealed-countdown-cancelled/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/15/e308-bungie-net-revealed-countdown-cancelled/#commentsFiled under:


Update 4: Xbox head Don Mattrick confirmed that Bungie is working on a new Halo title. Whether this is related to the announcement is unclear.

Update 3: Luke Smith has commented to Joystiq: "We still have an exclusive publishing agreement with Microsoft, as we confirmed when we announced the split last year. That arrangement has not changed." Also, all teased images of an announcement have now been removed from Bungie.net and within Halo 3. View images in the gallery below.

Update 2: Luke Smith replied to a comment made in NeoGAF confirming the publisher in question is in fact Microsoft. Reponding to the comment, "Bungie is the one who made this great little hype machine. And--although this will just add to the fire--they never say it's Microsoft." Smith replied, "Our publisher is Microsoft."

Update: Bungie community lead Luke Smith has confirmed the postponement is legitimate. "We already are deeply disappointed with how things unfolded to this point without getting our fans to the intended payoff." When forum goers at NeoGAF assumed it was a joke Smith responded with the above comment and added, "Nope. Not our style." It's real everyone. Sorry.

It appears that the wait is over. Forgoing the original plan of waiting for the countdown clock to reach zero, Bungie.net has been updated with new information regarding the mysterious Superintendent. According to the newly refreshed site, the Superintendent is ... well, we don't know. According to the site Bungie was working toward a reveal when its publishing partner, presumably Microsoft, canceled the announcement.

Right now on Bungie.net a letter from Bungie president, Harold Ryan is displayed and reveals the cancellation of the announcement.

Note: To clarify the speculation that Harold Ryan is not the president (effectively the studio manager) of Bungie LLC, you may want to listen to the January 18, 2008 Bungie Podcast [link opens iTunes]

Jump in to read the letter.

Gallery: Bungie Announcement Cancellation

Light Map ChangesBungie FavoritesLetter Announcing the Cancellation

Continue reading E308: Bungie's E3 announcement deferred by publisher [Update 4]

JoystiqE308: Bungie's E3 announcement deferred by publisher [Update 4] originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 Jul 2008 22:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingbungieE3e3-08e3-2008e308microsoftTue, 15 Jul 2008 22:09:00 EST<![CDATA[PSN's video content is "open for business to all studios" tonight]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/15/psns-video-content-is-open-for-business-to-all-studios/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/15/psns-video-content-is-open-for-business-to-all-studios/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/15/psns-video-content-is-open-for-business-to-all-studios/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Sony has announced that they are willing to carry all studios' video content on their PSN video delivery service -- they'll be hosting standard and high definition videos from anyone who wants to sell them. Video will be available for both sale and rental, and will be portable -- you'll be able to buy it on a PS3, download it to the PSP, and have it live on both devices at the same time.

Prices are said to be $2.99 for an SD rental, and $5.99 for an HD download. Purchase price is $14.99 for SD movies, and it's unclear yet whether HD content will be sold for purchase. The video store will look much like the game store, and will be available tonight on PSN.

JoystiqPSN's video content is "open for business to all studios" tonight originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 Jul 2008 15:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingE3e3-2008hdjoystiqfeaturesPS3psnPSPsdsoesonyvideoTue, 15 Jul 2008 15:24:00 EST<![CDATA[Ratchet and Clank: Quest for Booty $14.99 this summer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/15/ratchet-and-clank-quest-for-booty-14-99-this-summer/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/15/ratchet-and-clank-quest-for-booty-14-99-this-summer/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/15/ratchet-and-clank-quest-for-booty-14-99-this-summer/#commentsFiled under: ,


The newest iteration in the terrific Ratchet and Clank series is going for quality over quantity -- Sony has announced that the game will release for $15 on the PSN sometime this summer, and will feature "a shorter game at a lower price." The game will describe what happens to Clank after the end of Ratchet and Clank: Future, and will serve as a "great introduction to what R&C is all about."

No official date yet ("just this summer"), but looks like some good and cheap Ratchet and Clank fun.

JoystiqRatchet and Clank: Quest for Booty $14.99 this summer originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 Jul 2008 15:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingcheapE3e3-08e3-2008playstation-networkpricePS3quantityratchet-and-clanksonyTue, 15 Jul 2008 15:18:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony announces PS3 greatest hits: Resistance, Oblivion, others $30]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/15/sony-announces-ps3-greatest-hits-resistance-oblivion-others/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/15/sony-announces-ps3-greatest-hits-resistance-oblivion-others/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/15/sony-announces-ps3-greatest-hits-resistance-oblivion-others/#commentsFiled under: ,


Sony has announced that, as predicted, they'll be introducing a Greatest Hits program for some of their best-selling titles. The listed games include:
  • Motorstorm
  • Resistance
  • Warhawk
  • Call of Duty 3
  • Fight Night
  • Need for Speed: Carbon
  • Assassin's Creed
  • Rainbow Six Vegas
  • Oblivion: The Elder Scrolls
  • Ninja Gaiden
All the Greatest Hits games will sell for the MSRP of $29.99. No word on timing yet, but retail stores will likely list the new prices as soon as possible.

JoystiqSony announces PS3 greatest hits: Resistance, Oblivion, others $30 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 Jul 2008 15:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingE3e3-2008featuresgreatest-hitsjoystiq-featuredps2ps3sonyTue, 15 Jul 2008 15:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Castlevania comes to Wii as a 3D fighter]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/26/castlevania-comes-to-wii-as-a-3d-fighter/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/26/castlevania-comes-to-wii-as-a-3d-fighter/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/26/castlevania-comes-to-wii-as-a-3d-fighter/#commentsFiled under: ,

Castlevania's coming to Wii after all, but not in the form you expected ... or may have hoped for. Nintendo Power's latest issue (August 2008, their 20th anniversary edition - congrats!) has the scoop on Castlevania Judgment, a 3D fighting game featuring characters (and game mechanics) from the classic vampire-thwapping franchise.

In its first look at the game, the Nintendo Power gang reveals that Castlevania Judgment will feature gameplay that uses the nunchuck for character movement and the Wii remote for swing-based attacks. Sub-weapons such as crosses and holy water, a staple of the series, will appear and - just as in the action-adventure games - cost hearts to use. The character roster as revealed so far includes Simon Belmont, Alucard, Dracula, Maria Renard, and Shanoa. Traps, random monsters, and destructible environments will also play into combat.

The August issue of Nintendo Power is arriving in subscriber's mailboxes now. Thanks to GoNintendo for the heads-up, and to Nintendo Power for confirming the story. Otherwise, we'd have chalked this one up to a really bad weird dream caused by too much cold medicine. Achoo!

JoystiqCastlevania comes to Wii as a 3D fighter originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 26 Jun 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingcastlevaniacastlevania-judgmentkonamiWiiThu, 26 Jun 2008 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Latest developments in "Gerstmann-gate"]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/01/latest-developments-in-gerstmann-gate/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/01/latest-developments-in-gerstmann-gate/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/01/latest-developments-in-gerstmann-gate/#commentsFiled under: ,

More tidbits surrounding Jeff Gerstmann's controversial firing from Gamespot, from around the web and our own reporting:
  • Gerstmann has confirmed to Joystiq that there are "legal reasons" why he can't comment on the controversy, in addition to questions of "respect for the product team still on board at GameSpot, who are some of the most amazing people I've ever met." He added that he is not under any sort of non-compete agreement regarding future work in the industry.
  • Eidos issues a 'no comment' to 1UP: "Eidos is not able to comment on another company's policies and procedures." Valleywag says Eidos "insiders" are "freaking out" over being blamed for something they say they had nothing to do with. Still no response from Eidos to our requests for comment.
  • Former Gamespot editor-in-chief Greg Kasavin, on his GameSpot blog: "As the longest-tenured GameSpot editor, Jeff Gerstmann deserved a respectful send-off."
  • Current Gamespot editor-in-chief Alex Navarro compares the whole situation to hitting the disaster button in SimCity.
  • Former Gamespot staffer Bob Colayco and Adam Buchen clarify that just because Gerstmann was fired doesn't mean Gamespot staffers routinely get paid off for good reviews. Buchen also cancels his Gamespot account and urges others to do the same.
  • An anonymous Valleywag commenter going by the handle "gamespot" and claiming to be a company insider: "There has been an increasing amount of pressure to allow the advertising teams to have more of a say in the editorial process." More: "Also, despite the fact that this occured [sic] two weeks ago, there was no way they were going to fire him then; the last big games didn't come out until just before Thanksgiving, and there was no doubt that management knew that the rest of the reviewers would refuse to write any reviews after his termination, which is indeed what is happening. [emphasis added]"
We'll continue to update as more information comes out. Thanks to Gamespot user subrosian and all the tipsters who sent in information. Keep it coming.

JoystiqLatest developments in "Gerstmann-gate" originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 01 Dec 2007 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingeidosfiringgamespotgerstmannjeff-gerstmannjournalismkane-and-lynchSat, 01 Dec 2007 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: Gamespot's editorial director fired over Kane & Lynch review]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/30/rumor-gamespots-editorial-director-fired-over-kane-and-lynch-rev/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/30/rumor-gamespots-editorial-director-fired-over-kane-and-lynch-rev/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/30/rumor-gamespots-editorial-director-fired-over-kane-and-lynch-rev/#commentsFiled under: ,



Update 2:45 PM EST: Gamespot has issued a massive Q&A addressing many outstanding issues surrounding the firing.

Update: 11:50 AM EST Dec. 5, 2007: Check out Joystiq's analysis of the edits to Gerstmann's Kane & Lynch review. GameSpot editors comment on their Hot Spot podcast. Also: Tuesday and Wednesday updates from around the web.

Update 10:00 PM EST: Gamespot has posted official notice of the firing on their website. Meanwhile, some editors at CNET have commented on the controversy in a podcast.

Update - 11:20 AM EST Dec. 3, 2007: Further updates, and Gerstmann's exclusive comments to Joystiq.

Update - 11:00AM EST Dec. 2, 2007: More updates from around the web.

Update - 3:45PM EST: Ziff Davis employees rally for Gerstmann

Update - 9:00AM EST Dec. 1, 2007: The latest developments on the story.

Update - 5:45PM EST: CNET has amended their earlier statement with Joystiq.

Update - 3:20PM EST: We just noticed that Gerstmann's video review, previously accessible only through a direct link, has been removed from the site. Here's an alternate YouTube link.

Update - 2:20PM EST: We got a response from CNET, GameSpot's parent company, that totally explains the whole thing away ... you see. Actually, they don't say much.

Update - 12:52 AM EST: Penny Arcade, which helped popularize this story with their comic last night, has posted an accompanying commentary piece on the issue. The story they were told (by whom, we do not know) has Gamespot management angry at Gerstmann for long-standing problems with his reviewing "tone." The Kane & Lynch review, which allegedly caused Eidos to withdraw "hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of future advertising from the site," served as the straw that broke the camel's back. There's no named source for this information, but the piece does say that "the firm belief internally [is] that Jeff was sacrificed."

Update - 11:00 AM EST: The anonymous source/speculation train rolls on. Rock Paper Shotgun has posted a story citing an unnamed "very reliable source" as saying that "while Gerstmann wasn't the most popular man with the CNET owners, it was his Kane & Lynch review alone that saw him lose his job." Meanwhile, a poster at Forumopolis who claims to be directly involved with the Kane & Lynch ad campaign says that the whole thing is just a matter of bad timing. "I sincerely doubt that Eidos made Gamespot fire him," the poster writes. "CNET doesn't kowtow to its advertisers, and I've more than once seen the higher-ups turn away big advertising dollars for the sake of the company's integrity." Make of this what you will.

Update - 10:44 AM EST: Gamespot PR representative Leslie Van Every has responded to Joystiq's request for comment with ... a predictable 'no comment.' "It is CNET Networks' policy to never comment on individual employees--current or former--regarding their job status," Van Every told Joystiq. "This policy is in place out of respect for the individuals' privacy."

Update - 7:12 AM EST: Jeff has confirmed his firing to us via e-mail, but says he's "not really able to comment on the specifics of my termination." He added that he's "looking forward to getting back out there and figuring out what's next." We're still digging.

Update - 1:35 AM EST: The Kane and Lynch ads that blanketed Gamespot's front page are no longer being shown. Check out the picture above to see what the site looked at just an hour ago.

Original Post:
So before we get going, we should make it clear that this post is still just a rumor and many of the facts behind it are still up in the air. That being said, word around game journalism's virtual water cooler is that Gamespot Editorial Director Jeff Gerstmann has been fired because publisher Eidos was unhappy about his negative review of Kane & Lynch: Dead Men.

What seems in little dispute, going by forum chatter as well as multiple published sources (referencing conversations with multiple CNet employees), is that Gerstmann has indeed been fired after over ten years working at the site. We were not immediately able to confirm the firing with Gamespot or Gerstmann directly, but an e-mail sent to his Gamespot address did get returned with a "permanent failure" error. Seems pretty serious to us ... (see 7:12 AM update above)

Continue reading Rumor: Gamespot's editorial director fired over Kane & Lynch review

JoystiqRumor: Gamespot's editorial director fired over Kane & Lynch review originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 30 Nov 2007 00:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advertiserbreakingbreakingnewscontroversyEidosfiredGamespotGerstmanninfluencejeff-gerstmannjournalismkane-and-lynchFri, 30 Nov 2007 00:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Harmonix confirms Amazon Rock Band delay notices are wrong]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/26/harmonix-confirms-amazon-rock-band-delay-notices-are-wrong/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/26/harmonix-confirms-amazon-rock-band-delay-notices-are-wrong/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/26/harmonix-confirms-amazon-rock-band-delay-notices-are-wrong/#commentsFiled under: ,


We'll keep this short and sweet. Amazon sent out notices this morning to customers that Rock Band had been delayed until late 2008. That is just plain wrong says Harmonix's PR. They have absolutely no idea how it happened, but when they asked Amazon to update their information to correct the error, Amazon then shifted all Rock Band content to 2008. Rock Band is still planned for this November with an official release date being announced "very soon."

A representative for Harmonix tells Joystiq, "We have asked Amazon to address this and we'll be coming out November of this year. We've requested they update their information. We have no idea where that date came from." So all those preparing to rock, and especially those that pre-ordered their Rock Band bundle off Amazon, it looks like everything's gonna be all right.

[Thanks to all those who sent this in]

JoystiqHarmonix confirms Amazon Rock Band delay notices are wrong originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 26 Sep 2007 16:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazonbreakingbreakingnewsPS3rockbandXbox-360Wed, 26 Sep 2007 16:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Confirmed: RadioShack to start selling games in-store]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/18/analysts-radioshack-to-start-selling-games-in-store/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/18/analysts-radioshack-to-start-selling-games-in-store/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/18/analysts-radioshack-to-start-selling-games-in-store/#commentsFiled under: ,

Update: A RadioShack manager who wishes to remain anonymous has confirmed to Joystiq that the retailer will begin selling games and hardware in most of their stores nationwide on Sept. 24. The selection of titles will include Halo 3 (available at launch on Sept. 25), Madden 08 and "every major launch title for the holiday season" according to the source, who was briefed on the plans by a corporate broadcast.

Fourteen games in all will be available through the holiday season, though a list of specific games was not available. In addition, 2,500 of the chain's 6,000+ stores will be selling Xbox 360, Wii and PS2 (but not PS3) hardware in-store -- other locations will be able to special order hardware at a customer's request.

According to our source, the focus will not be on just selling the systems and games, but also the associated accessories and cables that Radio Shack specializes in (and makes the most margin on). After the holidays, the retailer will probably suspend the game sales program "unless it does really well," our source told us. The program will be promoted to consumers in RadioShack's October flier.

Original Post: GameShack, anyone? Analysts are predicting that venerable electronics retailer RadioShack is looking to increase the video game presence in its 6,000 locations across the U.S. Media reports cite analysts from Citigroup and Credit Suisse as predicting the company will start testing game sales in their brick and mortar locations as early as this holiday season. One analyst note suggested stores would be limited to 14 games per location to start. Not exactly numbers to strike fear into the heart of GameStop ... at least not yet.

The Shack has offered a wide selection of games and hardware on its website since 2005 but their in-store gaming selection has been traditionally limited to memory cards, controllers and other accessories. The move into the thriving game industry might be an attempt to reverse three quarters of declining sales for the retailer, yet RadioShack stock was down 6.6 percent Monday on fears that selling games might further depress earnings. Go fig.

Read - Reuters report citing Citigroup analyst
Read - Dallas Morning News report citing Credit Suisse analyst

JoystiqConfirmed: RadioShack to start selling games in-store originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 18 Sep 2007 11:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingbreakingnewsgamestopradio shackRadioShackretailsalesTue, 18 Sep 2007 11:37:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony: Enough 60GBs for "several months" in U.S. [Update 4]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/13/sony-says-60gb-is-not-over-in-us/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/13/sony-says-60gb-is-not-over-in-us/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/13/sony-says-60gb-is-not-over-in-us/#commentsFiled under: ,

Dave Karraker of Sony Computer Entertainment of America has contacted Joystiq to give us clarification on the story that would have made us believe Sony had truly lost its mind once and for all. The fun never ends, does it?

Karraker says the quotes from David Reeves are not accurate. He explains that if they had lowered the price in Europe, that territory would have run out of their current inventory by the end of July. He says in a statement, "As announced this week, SCEA's product offering in North America consists of a 80GB PS3 available in August at $599 and a 60GB PS3 available now for $499. We have will have ample supplies of both models to meet the needs of our consumers for the foreseeable future."

Update 1: There are some serious conflicting reports going on at the moment. We're working on answers while still trying to cover E3 the best we can.

Update 2: As you may have seen in this clip about 1:45 in, Kaz Hirai says "The $499 price adjustment that we did for the 60 GB version for the American market, we're no longer in production for that product. So once that product is gone from the retailers shelves, then we're back to the $599 SKU only, so it's not like we have a two price strategy here in the U.S. market, which we found early on consumers react most to just having one SKU as opposed to two." So, we're attempting to get some clarification. You'll know when we do.

Update 3: According to Karraker, "The 60GB PS3 will be available in North America for $499 until supplies of that unit are depleted. We have ample inventory to meet the immediate needs of consumers in this territory for several months to come. We won't be making any further announcements regarding our hardware offerings in the North America at this time." In our opinion, it's a touch disingenuous for Sony to just now be bringing this information to light, even though Karraker goes on to insist that this is not a bait-and-switch. If that's the truth, why make it seem like the company was returning to a two-SKU strategy when that was clearly just temporary?

Update 4: We got this clarified statement from Karraker, who said "The 60GB PS3 will be available in North America for $499 until supplies of that unit are depleted. We have ample inventory to meet the immediate needs of consumers in this territory for several months to come. We won't be making any further announcements regarding our PS3 model hardware strategy in North America until the 60GB model is exhausted and market conditions are evaluated."

JoystiqSony: Enough 60GBs for "several months" in U.S. [Update 4] originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 13 Jul 2007 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingbreakingnewsbusinesse3e307e3breakingnewsps3sonyFri, 13 Jul 2007 16:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq live at THQ's E3 07 press conference]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/12/joystiq-live-at-thqs-e3-07-pres-conference/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/12/joystiq-live-at-thqs-e3-07-pres-conference/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/12/joystiq-live-at-thqs-e3-07-pres-conference/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



9:19AM PDT - After waiting in line for over half an hour we're here in the front row of the press briefing room. Stay tuned for all the announcements as they happen.

Continue reading Joystiq live at THQ's E3 07 press conference

JoystiqJoystiq live at THQ's E3 07 press conference originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 12 Jul 2007 12:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakinge307e307breakingliveblogPS3THQWiiXbox-360Thu, 12 Jul 2007 12:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Rock Band party: Pseudo-anti live blog]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/12/rock-band-party-pseudo-anti-live-blog/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/12/rock-band-party-pseudo-anti-live-blog/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/12/rock-band-party-pseudo-anti-live-blog/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


This is rock n' roll! Connection is awful and we're probably going to finish this off later, but Harmonix's Rock Band party is the place to be! Energy is high, music rocks, Gamecock brings their hardcore style and it's just everything that can be rock and roll in here. Oh, and Peter Moore can RAWK! Not one pause, more on that in video form later!

Helen from Harmonix (pictured above) brought down the house with Peter, far better than what we saw in the Microsoft press conference. Jay from Gamecock says he's pro Eagles of Death Metal who are playing. We also got Andy McNamara from Game Informer who says, "Queens of Stone Age (who are also playing) are riff masters." More on all of this later.

Gallery: Rock Band Party

JoystiqRock Band party: Pseudo-anti live blog originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 12 Jul 2007 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakinge3e307party, unbelievablePS3rock bandWiiXbox-360Thu, 12 Jul 2007 02:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq live at the Midway E3 07 Press Conference]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/11/joystiq-live-at-the-midway-press-conference/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/11/joystiq-live-at-the-midway-press-conference/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/11/joystiq-live-at-the-midway-press-conference/#commentsFiled under:



The press conferences just keep coming. Check out our live coverage of the Midway E3 '07 press conference after the break.

Continue reading Joystiq live at the Midway E3 07 Press Conference

JoystiqJoystiq live at the Midway E3 07 Press Conference originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 11 Jul 2007 19:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakinge307liveblogMidwaypresspress conferencePressConferenceWed, 11 Jul 2007 19:47:00 EST<![CDATA[Super Mario Galaxy dated: Nov. 12, 2007]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/11/super-mario-galaxy-dated-nov-12-2007/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/11/super-mario-galaxy-dated-nov-12-2007/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/11/super-mario-galaxy-dated-nov-12-2007/#commentsFiled under: ,



Reggie Fils-Aime just announced that the much-anticipated Super Mario Galaxy will be released in America on Nov. 12, 2007 at Nintendo's E3 2007 press conference. The announcement accompanied an extensive new video of the game. More new photos direct from the conference after the break.

Continue reading Super Mario Galaxy dated: Nov. 12, 2007

JoystiqSuper Mario Galaxy dated: Nov. 12, 2007 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 11 Jul 2007 13:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingE307marioSuper Mario GalaxySuperMarioGalaxywiiWed, 11 Jul 2007 13:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo announces online Wii Mario Kart, Wii Wheel]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/11/nintendo-announces-online-wii-mario-kart-wii-wheel/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/11/nintendo-announces-online-wii-mario-kart-wii-wheel/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/11/nintendo-announces-online-wii-mario-kart-wii-wheel/#commentsFiled under: , ,



At Nintendo's E3 press conference today, Reggie Fils-Aime announced the first online-enabled console Mario Kart will come out for the Wii in the first quarter of 2008. Fils-Aime said the game is "not your father's Mario Kart," and hinted that the game will have a large number of characters. He also announced a "Wii Wheel" peripheral which will be packaged with the game and "level the track for beginners." More pictures of both the game and the wheel after the break.

Continue reading Nintendo announces online Wii Mario Kart, Wii Wheel

JoystiqNintendo announces online Wii Mario Kart, Wii Wheel originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 11 Jul 2007 12:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingbreakingnewse307mario kartMarioKartonlinewheelwiiwii wheelWiiWheelWed, 11 Jul 2007 12:51:00 EST<![CDATA[Xbox.com: $30 360 thumb board launching Sept. 4]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/10/xbox-com-30-360-thumb-board-launching-sept-4/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/10/xbox-com-30-360-thumb-board-launching-sept-4/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/10/xbox-com-30-360-thumb-board-launching-sept-4/#commentsFiled under: ,


Fans of quick text entry rejoice! Microsoft has put up an official page for the previously announced QWERTY thumb board, which is now officially being called the Xbox 360 Messenger Kit. The $29.99 unit will include a custom headset (because the existing one doesn't work while the keyboard is installed) and seems set for a Sept. 4 release date. It sure beats having an ugly USB keyboard hanging off of your system.

[Via X3F]

JoystiqXbox.com: $30 360 thumb board launching Sept. 4 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 10 Jul 2007 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingbreakingnewschat pade3e307messenger padperipheralsthumb padThumbPadXbox-360xbox360Tue, 10 Jul 2007 17:15:00 EST