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[Mad Catz shows off MLG Pro controller at CES, for the discerning button pusher]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/17/mad-catz-shows-off-mlg-pro-controller-at-ces-for-the-discerning/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/17/mad-catz-shows-off-mlg-pro-controller-at-ces-for-the-discerning/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/17/mad-catz-shows-off-mlg-pro-controller-at-ces-for-the-discerning/#comments
A controller is a controller is a controller. The most innovative additions to console controllers these days usually involve an extra turbo switch, or maybe a fan in the handles.

Mad Catz' new MLG Pro Circuit Controller stands out, and was first shown off at CES 2012 last week. Mad Catz worked with Major League Gaming players and other gamers to figure out just what it is they wanted a controller to do, and rather than just add some new lights (or those fans), they took a few good steps forward.

The analogue sticks and D-pads are fully removable and customizable, and the controller comes with all sorts of possibilities. With this controller, you can implement the layout you want.

Continue reading Mad Catz shows off MLG Pro controller at CES, for the discerning button pusher

JoystiqMad Catz shows off MLG Pro controller at CES, for the discerning button pusher originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 17 Jan 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>buttonscesces-2012controllercustomizabledpadjoysticksmad-catzmadcatzmicrosoftmlgpcplaystationprops3xboxTue, 17 Jan 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Razer tests the waters with Project Fiona at CES]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/16/razer-tests-the-waters-with-project-fiona-at-ces/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/16/razer-tests-the-waters-with-project-fiona-at-ces/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/16/razer-tests-the-waters-with-project-fiona-at-ces/#comments Razer's Project Fiona looks just like you'd expect a prototype to look. Despite a thick but standard tablet-style body and 10.1 inch touchscreen, it has some unfinished aluminum struts sticking out of either side, with not-quite-perfect joysticks and buttons placed unceremoniously on the top. In short, it's a manufactured idea and not a real product just yet. And Razer's purpose at CES last week was to judge, reps told me, just how good that idea actually was.

Playing with the Project Fiona tablet doesn't feel quite right, but not because the games don't work. The Intel Core i7 processor powers a full Windows 7 installation (though it will eventually run Windows 8, says Razer), and the two prototypes at the show had full PC games on them, including the excellent Warhammer 40K: Space Marine. It ran quite well, but it was still difficult to play -- those joysticks and buttons just aren't fully in the right places. My thumbs did find and learn to use them after a few minutes of play, but it's unclear why, when Razer is already borrowing the "console controller" setup, the buttons are so strangely placed.

After about twenty minutes of handling and playing with Project Fiona, I came to the biggest question about the prototype: Why?

Continue reading Razer tests the waters with Project Fiona at CES

JoystiqRazer tests the waters with Project Fiona at CES originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 16 Jan 2012 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cesces-2012gamingmobilepcpc-gamespc-gamingproject-fionarazertabletMon, 16 Jan 2012 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Engadget goes hands-on with the RetroDuo Portable NES/SNES]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/15/engadget-goes-hands-on-with-the-retroduo-portable-nes-snes/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/15/engadget-goes-hands-on-with-the-retroduo-portable-nes-snes/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/15/engadget-goes-hands-on-with-the-retroduo-portable-nes-snes/#comments We don't know if you guys realize this or not, but CES is a big show. Like, really big. So big, in fact, that our crack team of ground forces couldn't possibly see all that there is to see, no matter how efficient and devilishly handsome they may be.

Thankfully, our sister site Engadget was also at the show, and they got to spend some hands-on time with the RetroDuo Portable, an NES/SNES combo device from classic console fabricator Retro-Bit. Functionally, the device serves the same purpose as the SupaBoy released by Hyperkin late last year, albeit with a few catches. Hit the source link for Engadget's full write up, and ask yourself a very important question: Which is more valuable, $90, or memories?

JoystiqEngadget goes hands-on with the RetroDuo Portable NES/SNES originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 15 Jan 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CESCES-2012engadgetNESretro-bitretrobitRetroDuoRetroDuo-PortableSNESSupaBoySun, 15 Jan 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Nexuiz brings the twitch back to FPS on XBLA]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/15/nexuiz-brings-the-twitch-back-to-fps-on-xbla/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/15/nexuiz-brings-the-twitch-back-to-fps-on-xbla/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/15/nexuiz-brings-the-twitch-back-to-fps-on-xbla/#comments It's circa 1999, and I'm in my freshman college dorm room, playing a game on my Windows 98 computer. It uses a clunky CRT monitor that takes up most of my desk, but on that monitor a series of images flashes by -- walls, a floor, a skybox overhead, more walls, more floors. Quickly, there's a flash of an colorful icon on the screen, and in first-person view I bound towards it. Just as I grab the quad-damage and jump off a cliff, an opponent appears in my peripheral. While falling through the air, I instantly move my mouse around just so, click the button, and my rocket lands perfectly alongside the enemy avatar, bursting it into a spray of gory red pixels.

A real-life cry of anguish is heard from down the hall, where my floormate has just had to click to respawn. I smile, and run off to look for more prey.

That's the feeling that made playing Quake 2 so magical back in the day, and Nexuiz is a direct descendant of that line. It was originally an open source shooter based off of the Quake engine, and developer IllFonic has now remade the game in CryEngine 3, set for release on Xbox Live Arcade next month. And though the Microsoft booth at CES 2012 is a long way away from my dorm room in both space and time, just a few minutes of gameplay pointed me right back to that formative experience.

Gallery: Nexuiz (CryEngine 3)

Continue reading Nexuiz brings the twitch back to FPS on XBLA

JoystiqNexuiz brings the twitch back to FPS on XBLA originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 15 Jan 2012 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cesces-2012illfonicmicrosoftnexuizpcquake-2retrotwitchxblaxboxSun, 15 Jan 2012 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Street Fighter IV HD on Android filmed at CES]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/14/street-fighter-iv-hd-on-android-filmed-at-ces/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/14/street-fighter-iv-hd-on-android-filmed-at-ces/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/14/street-fighter-iv-hd-on-android-filmed-at-ces/#comments
Wondering how different Street Fighter IV's mobile version looks on Android's balkanized landscape of devices? You can start by seeing it on LG's exclusive Android devices for now.

JoystiqStreet Fighter IV HD on Android filmed at CES originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 14 Jan 2012 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidcapcomcesces-2012gameplaymobilestreet-fighter-iv-hdSat, 14 Jan 2012 02:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Double Fine's Happy Action Theater conjures up Kinect magic]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/12/double-fines-happy-action-theater-conjures-up-kinect-magic/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/12/double-fines-happy-action-theater-conjures-up-kinect-magic/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/12/double-fines-happy-action-theater-conjures-up-kinect-magic/#comments Double Fine's next project, Happy Action Theater, just appeared on the floor of CES, right on time according to Tim Schafer's Twitter account. The game, available in February for what a Microsoft rep called a "reasonable" price, is basically a collection of 18 different minigames, featuring sandbox-style fun for the younger audience.

But don't let that tame description fool you: Happy Action Theater isn't just a standard minigame collection made for kids. Instead, it appears to be one of the best experiences on Kinect yet, and a perfect marriage of Double Fine's expertise at finding almost instant fun, and its skill at wringing some impressive feats out of that Kinect camera.

Continue reading Double Fine's Happy Action Theater conjures up Kinect magic

JoystiqDouble Fine's Happy Action Theater conjures up Kinect magic originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 12 Jan 2012 08:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cesces-2012double-finedouble-fine-happy-action-theaterdouble-fine-productionshappy-action-theaterkinectmicrosofttim-schaferxboxThu, 12 Jan 2012 08:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Street Fighter IV HD coming to Android Marketplace in May]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/11/street-fighter-iv-hd-coming-to-android-marketplace-in-may/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/11/street-fighter-iv-hd-coming-to-android-marketplace-in-may/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/11/street-fighter-iv-hd-coming-to-android-marketplace-in-may/#comments The Android OS version of Street Fighter IV we originally caught wind of back in September is now Street Fighter IV HD. As per the original announcement, the game will initially be exclusive to the LG Spectrum, which launches on Verizon January 19.

After LG's limited exclusivity blackout expires, however, Street Fighter IV HD will hit the US Android Marketplace in May for $12.99. A Wifi-enabled VS. mode allows for local multiplayer, although it's unclear whether wireless VS. will require two of the same handsets. Also no word yet on system requirements for non-LG devices, although since the Spectrum is launching with Gingerbread and not Ice-Cream Sandwich, any dual-core Android device seems like a good bet.

JoystiqStreet Fighter IV HD coming to Android Marketplace in May originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 11 Jan 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidandroid-marketandroid-marketplacecapcomCESCES-2012LGLG-Spectrummobilestreet-fighterstreet-fighter-4street-fighter-iv-hdWed, 11 Jan 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Gaikai coming to LG TVs, playable OnLive coming to GoogleTVs]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/11/gaikai-coming-to-lg-tvs-playable-onlive-coming-to-googletvs/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/11/gaikai-coming-to-lg-tvs-playable-onlive-coming-to-googletvs/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/11/gaikai-coming-to-lg-tvs-playable-onlive-coming-to-googletvs/#comments If you're someone whose hatred of physical media and cluttered entertainment systems is rivaled only by your passion for contemporary gaming and universal controllers, your next television purchase may have just become as conflicted as your eccentric little heart of hearts.

Gaikai and LG have announced plans to place Gaikai's cloud-based game-streaming services inside of LG's upcoming 2012 line of Cinema 3D TVs. The service will use Gaikai's middleware to power an LG-branded gaming portal within the company's existing Smart TV app ecosystem. No information has yet been given regarding how these games will actually be played, but we're hopeful it will involve a controller of some kind, rather than creative use of the TV's remote.

OnLive has also announced further integration of its cloud-based game-streaming service into Google's GoogleTV platform, by way of Vizio's "next generation" of "Internet Apps Plus" devices. Vizio TVs equipped with Internet Apps Plus and GoogleTV 2.0 will allow users to connect their Universal Controller and stream games normally. This is a big leap from OnLive's current GoogleTV presence, which is currently limited to a "Player" app that allows GoogleTV users to spectate OnLive games happening on other devices. No word on whether full OnLive functionality will come to other devices running GoogleTV 2.0.

Continue reading Gaikai coming to LG TVs, playable OnLive coming to GoogleTVs

JoystiqGaikai coming to LG TVs, playable OnLive coming to GoogleTVs originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 11 Jan 2012 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CESCES-2012Cloud-gaminggaikaiGoogle-TVGoogleTVLGonliveSmart-TVstreamingTVvizioWed, 11 Jan 2012 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Mad Catz unveils a suite of Street Fighter X Tekken sticks]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/10/mad-catz-unveils-a-suite-of-street-fighter-x-tekken-sticks/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/10/mad-catz-unveils-a-suite-of-street-fighter-x-tekken-sticks/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/10/mad-catz-unveils-a-suite-of-street-fighter-x-tekken-sticks/#comments Mad Catz's Street Fighter X Tekken FightSticks have changed since we last saw them. Not only has the company abandoned the red-and-white colorway, there are now more sticks in the line.

The now-black FightStick Pro is the next evolution of the Tournament Edition stick, with Sanwa parts and internal cable storage. The Arcade FightStick VS. Edition seems to be similar in design, but two of them can be connected with an optional attachment to create a continuous arcade machine-style panel. And the new FightPad SD is 15% smaller than previous FightPads, "inspired by the gaming preferences of legendary Street Fighter producer Yoshinori Ono."

No prices were given for any of these new accessories, but Mad Catz did offer the expected release window: concurrent with the game's March 6 debut.

Gallery: Street Fighter X Tekken FightSticks (Xbox 360, PS3)

JoystiqMad Catz unveils a suite of Street Fighter X Tekken sticks originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 10 Jan 2012 23:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arcade-stickcesces-2012fightstickfightstick-promad-catzmicrosoftplaystationps3street-fighter-x-tekkenxboxTue, 10 Jan 2012 23:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Nyko shows off PS Vita accessories at CES 2012]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/10/nyko-shows-off-ps-vita-accessories-at-ces-2012/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/10/nyko-shows-off-ps-vita-accessories-at-ces-2012/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/10/nyko-shows-off-ps-vita-accessories-at-ces-2012/#comments Nyko's showcasing its latest line of accessories at this year's Consumer Electronics Show, and we're sad to report nothing there is as insane as the Nyko Zoom Case.

The most exciting item at first glance is the Power Grip for PS Vita, pictured above. It promises to triple battery life for Sony's upcoming handheld -- and considering what Nyko did for 3DS battery life, we're willing to look past the ugly appendages. Other Vita accessories include a speaker stand and an all-in-one case, charger and USB cable combo.

In addition to that, there's a fanny pack to hold games (why?) and a battery pack for the Kindle Fire. Images of each item can be found in our gallery below; a price list is available past the jump.

Gallery: Nyko Accessories (CES 2012)

Continue reading Nyko shows off PS Vita accessories at CES 2012

JoystiqNyko shows off PS Vita accessories at CES 2012 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 10 Jan 2012 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidcesces-2012microsoftmobilenykoplaystationplaystation-vitavitaxboxTue, 10 Jan 2012 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Tiny gamepad connects to PC, tablets, or phones over Bluetooth]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/10/tiny-gamepad-connects-to-pc-tablets-or-phones-over-bluetooth/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/10/tiny-gamepad-connects-to-pc-tablets-or-phones-over-bluetooth/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/10/tiny-gamepad-connects-to-pc-tablets-or-phones-over-bluetooth/#comments It would appear the "thing" at CES this year is iPhone/iPad controllers. Following the announcement of three such devices from iCade, SteelSeries has revealed the Ion Mobile Controller, a tiny control pad designed to work over Bluetooth with PCs, tablets, or phones. It has a full suite of buttons and analog sticks, and a rechargeable battery for up to 20 hours of use.

As is unfortunately the trend with these things, no list of compatible software has been announced. More details, including pricing, will be revealed as its Q3 release approaches.

Other accessories featured in SteelSeries' lineup include an "ultra-portable" headset and a bunch of different mice. It's CES! That's prime "here's a list of accessories" season.

Gallery: Steelseries CES lineup

Continue reading Tiny gamepad connects to PC, tablets, or phones over Bluetooth

JoystiqTiny gamepad connects to PC, tablets, or phones over Bluetooth originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 10 Jan 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidcesces-2012ion-mobile-controlleriosipadiphonemobilepcsteelseriesTue, 10 Jan 2012 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Newscorp app adds Fox, IGN, the Wall Street Journal and Fox News to Xbox 360 in 2012]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/09/newscorp-app-adds-fox-ign-the-wall-street-journal-and-fox-news/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/09/newscorp-app-adds-fox-ign-the-wall-street-journal-and-fox-news/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/09/newscorp-app-adds-fox-ign-the-wall-street-journal-and-fox-news/#comments Microsoft's Craig Davison had some surprise news during the company's CES 2012 keynote this evening, bringing out word that Rupert Murdoch's Newscorp is developing an application for the Xbox 360. Several Newscorp content providers will be pushing out news and commentary via the free application, including the Wall Street Journal, Fox News, and IGN. Beyond "2012," Davison didn't allow any more specific a date to slip out.

JoystiqNewscorp app adds Fox, IGN, the Wall Street Journal and Fox News to Xbox 360 in 2012 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 09 Jan 2012 22:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cesces-2012foxignmicrosoftnewscorpthe-wall-street-journalwall-street-journalwsjxboxMon, 09 Jan 2012 22:42:00 EST<![CDATA[Xbox 360 now at 66 million worldwide, Kinect at 18 million]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/09/xbox-360-now-at-66-million-worldwide-kinect-at-18-million/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/09/xbox-360-now-at-66-million-worldwide-kinect-at-18-million/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/09/xbox-360-now-at-66-million-worldwide-kinect-at-18-million/#comments
Microsoft's Xbox 360 has had quite a year. According to a 2011 roundup video released by the company just ahead of its final CES keynote (prepare for Ballmer-age), the Xbox 360 now sits at a total of 66 million units sold worldwide. In case you're keeping track, that means nearly 10 million more were sold over the holiday season since the last check-in with Microsoft in late October.

Meanwhile, the Xbox 360's motion-detecting peripheral, the Kinect, is close to doubling its install base year-over-year, with 18 million units now attached to consoles the world over. This does mean that sales have slowed compared to its bombastic launch, however.

Adding more chest-pounding stats to the pile, the video also notes that the Xbox 360's Live service counts "nearly" 40 million users now, putting the tie-in percentage close to 60. We expect to hear some of these statistics -- and potentially more -- directly from Microsoft head honcho Steven Ballmer in tonight's keynote.

JoystiqXbox 360 now at 66 million worldwide, Kinect at 18 million originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 09 Jan 2012 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cesces-2012kinectmicrosoftsalesxboxMon, 09 Jan 2012 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[PS3 video-editing app PlayMemories Studio potentially leaked ahead of CES]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/08/ps3-video-editing-app-playmemories-studio-potentially-leaked-ahe/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/08/ps3-video-editing-app-playmemories-studio-potentially-leaked-ahe/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/08/ps3-video-editing-app-playmemories-studio-potentially-leaked-ahe/#comments A covert operative nestled deep inside the Sony booth at CES (also known as a regular guy with a cell phone) has produced two blurry-yet-insightful photos of what may very well be PlayMemories Studio, a video-editing suite for the PS3. Originally sent to our sister site Engadget, these photos (one more after the break) appear to show the user applying a slow-motion effect to stock footage of a child about to lose at Jenga.

According to a trademark filing for the title, PlayMemories Studio is "computer software for viewing, organizing and editing digital photos and videos." A Facebook page for the app has also been discovered, however there is no information there at this time. We'll know more about PlayMemories Studio (or whatever this is) once CES officially opens on Tuesday.

Continue reading PS3 video-editing app PlayMemories Studio potentially leaked ahead of CES

JoystiqPS3 video-editing app PlayMemories Studio potentially leaked ahead of CES originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 08 Jan 2012 16:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appCESCES-2012film-editingphoto-editingpicture-editingPlayMemoriesPlayMemories-Studioplaystationps3PSNvideo-editingSun, 08 Jan 2012 16:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii U making its second appearance at CES 2012]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/19/wii-u-making-its-second-appearance-at-ces-2012/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/19/wii-u-making-its-second-appearance-at-ces-2012/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/19/wii-u-making-its-second-appearance-at-ces-2012/#comments Nintendo's Wii U hasn't exactly been hanging out around paparazzi, getting its picture snapped and accidentally showing too much leg. Rather, it's been totally absent from the spotlight since its initial unveiling at E3 2011 back in June, but that's about to end. "Nintendo of America, working with the 2012 International CES management, will offer demos of the upcoming Wii U console to members of the media who did not see the system at the 2011 E3 Expo," Nintendo told Joystiq in a statement this morning.

But even though the unreleased console is making its second public debut next month, it looks like what's being shown off isn't different from what we peeped at E3 2011. "Nintendo will not have a booth at CES, nor does it plan to include any games, experiences or information beyond what was available at the 2011 E3 Expo," the statement continues. So, a handful of tech demos and Zelda HD, then. Unsurprisingly, Nintendo also noted that the console remains on track from a launch sometime "between the start of the 2012 E3 Expo in June, and the end of 2012." We're gonna go ahead and call that "the second half of 2012," if you don't mind.

JoystiqWii U making its second appearance at CES 2012 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 19 Dec 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cesces-2012nintendowii-uMon, 19 Dec 2011 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Razer Switchblade impressions: It's a 7" gaming PC with an LCD keyboard]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/13/razer-switchblade-impressions-its-a-7-gaming-pc-with-an-lcd-k/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/13/razer-switchblade-impressions-its-a-7-gaming-pc-with-an-lcd-k/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/13/razer-switchblade-impressions-its-a-7-gaming-pc-with-an-lcd-k/#comments Razer may be best known for its well-regarded line of angular, extreme gaming peripherals for the core PC gaming set - think mice, keyboards, mouse pads and yes, motion controllers - but the San Diego-based company is looking to branch out into an area you may not have expected: efficient (and graphically anemic) netbook computers.

While it's an unusual move for the peripheral maker, it's not a departure from their core competency. Gaming laptops may have whittled down the bulk required for a high-end gaming experience but they're still far from portable. Inversely, netbooks are steadily becoming increasingly capable laptop replacements, but fall short when performing the most demanding tasks ... like video gaming.

Gallery: Razer Switchblade (CES 2011)

Continue reading Razer Switchblade impressions: It's a 7" gaming PC with an LCD keyboard

JoystiqRazer Switchblade impressions: It's a 7" gaming PC with an LCD keyboard originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 Jan 2011 20:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CESCES-2011mobilepcRazerRazer-SwitchbladeWorld-of-WarcraftWoWThu, 13 Jan 2011 20:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Full House Poker preview: Know when to hold 'em]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/09/full-house-poker-preview-know-when-to-hold-em/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/09/full-house-poker-preview-know-when-to-hold-em/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/09/full-house-poker-preview-know-when-to-hold-em/#comments After leaks about the secret beta appeared way back in November, Microsoft finally unveiled its Full House Poker game during an event at CES this past week, and I sat down with members of the gaming press (and celebrity guest Shannon Elizabeth) to run the Xbox Live Arcade poker title through its paces.

The rumors of the game being part of 1 vs. 100's legacy are true. "This is pretty much a spiritual successor" to the popular-in-certain-circles event-based massively multiplayer arcade title, says lead designer John Scott Tynes. But rather than a snappy trivia game show, this is definitely a Texas Hold'em poker game -- there's no celebrity hosts or mob members here. If you don't know your straight flush from your two pair, ace high, the game does have a tutorial to teach you the basic rules, but you'll have to find your own way to figuring out when and how to go all-in.

Gallery: Full House Poker (XBLA)

Continue reading Full House Poker preview: Know when to hold 'em

JoystiqFull House Poker preview: Know when to hold 'em originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 09 Jan 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>avatarscesces-2011ces2011full-house-pokerjohn-scott-tynesmicrosoftmicrosoft-games-studiosxboxxbox-livexbox-live-arcade-house-partyxpSun, 09 Jan 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fable 3 PC playable at Microsoft's CES booth; release date still in darkness]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/06/fable-3-pc-playable-at-microsofts-ces-booth-release-date-still/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/06/fable-3-pc-playable-at-microsofts-ces-booth-release-date-still/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/06/fable-3-pc-playable-at-microsofts-ces-booth-release-date-still/#commentsFable 3 PC We knew in August that Fable 3 wouldn't hit Windows PCs day-and-date with the Xbox version last October, but Microsoft told us to "expect news soon." Well, we suppose everyone has a different definition of "soon" since Fable 3 on PC is here at CES with an expected release date of ... well, they're still not saying. But if you'd become convinced that the latest installment in Lionhead's Fable franchise would never make it off the Xbox 360, much like the excellent Fable 2, then we suppose you'll find the above photo comforting. In our short hands-on time with the title, we didn't spot any notable distinctions from the Xbox 360 version. In short, it's Fable 3, warts and all.

JoystiqFable 3 PC playable at Microsoft's CES booth; release date still in darkness originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 06 Jan 2011 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CESCES-2011Fable-3Lionhead-StudiosmicrosoftMicrosoft-Game-StudiospcxboxThu, 06 Jan 2011 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Vizio 'Versus' offers two-player head-to-head gaming on one screen (video inside!)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/06/vizio-versus-offers-two-player-head-to-head-gaming-on-one-scre/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/06/vizio-versus-offers-two-player-head-to-head-gaming-on-one-scre/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/06/vizio-versus-offers-two-player-head-to-head-gaming-on-one-scre/#comments At Vizio's CES suite, the HDTV manufacturer was showing off its "Versus"-enabled television. The tagline is "head-to-head gaming" and the feature is that simple. The set uses a 3D panel to drive two images, so two players can play the same game head-to-head. Like 3D gaming, the software needs to support the functionality; thankfully, if the game already supports stereoscopic 3D, it only needs a "small interlace tweak" to support head-to-head gaming.

It works like this: Instead of rendering two unique 540p images to create a single "1080p" 3D image, it renders two distinct gameplay streams and uses specially keyed glasses (ours were marked "L" and "R") to isolate each player's display. The game on display was Ubisoft's Shaun White Skateboarding, which already supports stereoscopic 3D. A Vizio representative said they've been working with Ubisoft and Electronic Arts on supporting the feature and are licensing the technology to publishers at no cost in an attempt to drive adoption of their standard. Vizio's also hoping that other TV manufacturers using the same passive 3D technology will license the tech at, presumably, a less altruistic rate. Also not discussed: Sony's recently published patents, which certainly seems to cover this ground.

Continue reading Vizio 'Versus' offers two-player head-to-head gaming on one screen (video inside!)

JoystiqVizio 'Versus' offers two-player head-to-head gaming on one screen (video inside!) originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 06 Jan 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3DCESCES-2011VersusVizioVizio-VersusThu, 06 Jan 2011 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[60 million PSN accounts created to date, says Sony's Stringer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/05/60-million-psn-accounts-created-to-date-says-sonys-stringer/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/05/60-million-psn-accounts-created-to-date-says-sonys-stringer/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/05/60-million-psn-accounts-created-to-date-says-sonys-stringer/#comments During the company's CES 2011 press conference this evening, Sony Corp. chairman/president/CEO and honest-to-goodness knight Sir Howard Stringer reported that, to date, there have been 60 million PlayStation Network accounts created. The news was dropped as Stringer spoke of the growing market for connected devices and Sony's place in it.

At last year's CES, it was Sony Computer Entertainment chief Kaz Hirai who revealed that, at the time, 38 million PSN accounts had been activated. This year's numbers stand in contrast to the latest user base figures for Microsoft's Xbox Live service, which as of this past November sat at 25 million users, half of which were paid subscribers. Though impressive on face value, it's worth nothing that Hirai just days ago confirmed that PSN is not yet profitable. The hardware maker hopes to change that in part through PlayStation Plus subscriptions, the number of which have been sold has yet to be disclosed.

Of course, Sony's latest figure also includes PSP users and PSN accounts created via the PlayStation website. As with delivery of these stats in the past, there's no saying whether or not Sony will go into more detail down the line about where most of the users came from and what they're doing.

Joystiq60 million PSN accounts created to date, says Sony's Stringer originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 05 Jan 2011 20:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cesces-2011Howard-StringerplaystationPlayStation-Networkps3psnpspsonyWed, 05 Jan 2011 20:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: 'Avatar Kinect' Xbox feature to be unveiled at CES]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/04/rumor-avatar-kinect-xbox-feature-to-be-unveiled-at-ces/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/04/rumor-avatar-kinect-xbox-feature-to-be-unveiled-at-ces/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/04/rumor-avatar-kinect-xbox-feature-to-be-unveiled-at-ces/#comments Glimpse Dog received what it purports to be a snapshot of a leaked slide from Microsoft's CES keynote (seen above) showing off something called "Avatar Kinect." This by itself isn't all that exciting, but Winrumors believes that Avatar Kinect will be part of a forthcoming software update -- one that "will allow Kinect owners to interact with each other using their avatars" much like Sony's Home.

Furthermore, the site believes that "the Avatars will have a separate area, much like the Nintendo's Mii Channel, that will allow for users to control them using Kinect and interact to watch content or play games." Does this mean Kinect-based A World of Keflings wrestling matches? 'Cause if so, we're totally on board -- just as long as we don't have to queue for them.

We'll presumably find out more when Microsoft's CES keynote is broadcast live this Wednesday from Las Vegas.

[Image credit: Glimpse Dog]

JoystiqRumor: 'Avatar Kinect' Xbox feature to be unveiled at CES originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 04 Jan 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>avataravatar-kinectavatarscesces-2011kinectmicrosoftsoftware-updatexboxTue, 04 Jan 2011 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[OnLive coming 'built in' to new VIZIO TVs, Blu-ray players]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/04/onlive-coming-built-in-to-new-vizio-tvs-blu-ray-players/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/04/onlive-coming-built-in-to-new-vizio-tvs-blu-ray-players/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/04/onlive-coming-built-in-to-new-vizio-tvs-blu-ray-players/#comments A month after beginning shipments of its Microconsole hardware, cloud gaming service OnLive is announcing a partnership with VIZIO, whereby the electronics company will offer televisions, Blu-ray players, tablet computers and mobile phones that can connect to OnLive right out of the box. According to the announcement made at CES 2011 today, OnLive will be featured as an application on VIZIO's new VIA Plus line of products, which includes the VIA Tablet and VIA Smart Phone, alongside other preinstalled "VIZIO Internet Apps."

OnLive founder and CEO, Steve Perlman calls the partnership "a major milestone," while VIZIO's chief technology officer, Matthew McRae, says the inclusion of the OnLive client on its VIA Plus devices will give users "the freedom to switch games much like you change the channel," and is as integral to these products as software for streaming movies and music.

VIZIO wil be demoing its VIA Plus products during CES and we'll have a first look at them soon.

Continue reading OnLive coming 'built in' to new VIZIO TVs, Blu-ray players

JoystiqOnLive coming 'built in' to new VIZIO TVs, Blu-ray players originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 04 Jan 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cesces-2011cloud-gaminggame-streamingmatthew-mcraeonliveSteve-Perlmanvia-plusvia-smart-phonevia-tabletvizioTue, 04 Jan 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo will not have a booth at CES this year]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/24/nintendo-will-not-have-a-booth-at-ces-this-year/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/24/nintendo-will-not-have-a-booth-at-ces-this-year/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/24/nintendo-will-not-have-a-booth-at-ces-this-year/#comments Yesterday, we posted that Nintendo would attend CES this year, effectively ending a 16-year-long hiatus from the show -- one of the biggest hardware and tech conventions each year, annually held in Las Vegas. The news came via the Consumer Electronics Association, who runs CES, but today it's told PC World that Nintendo actually won't have official representation on the show floor. The original report was a misprint on the CEA's part. Talk about an inconvenient tpyo.

Instead, the CEA says Nintendo will offer smaller meetings in conference rooms during the event. Honestly, we don't know what's worse: the CEA accidentally reporting Nintendo is returning to its show after over a decade-long absence, or Nintendo largely ignoring one of the biggest hardware shows of the year when it's planning to launch the 3DS.

JoystiqNintendo will not have a booth at CES this year originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 24 Nov 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dscesces-2011consumer-electronics-associationconsumer-electronics-showdsnintendoWed, 24 Nov 2010 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Slingbox DVR streaming due for PS3, says Sling Media VP]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/28/slingbox-dvr-streaming-coming-to-ps3-says-sling-media-vp/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/28/slingbox-dvr-streaming-coming-to-ps3-says-sling-media-vp/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/28/slingbox-dvr-streaming-coming-to-ps3-says-sling-media-vp/#comments Our buddy Leo LaPorte interviewed Jay Tannenbaum of Sling Media the other week on his Tech Guy Labs podcast live at CES, and reader Jason spotted a little bit of news that will be of interest to PS3 owners. The interview starts at about 33 minutes into episode 629, and in his chat with Leo at 33:35, Tannenbaum mentions that the Slingbox software allows you to stream DVR content to anywhere in the world, including "your phone, your laptop, and soon to even the PlayS -- uh, PS3." Leo responds the same way we would, with an incredulous, "Really?" And Tannenbaum answers in the affirmative.

So, wow, there you go. Presumably, you'll still need a Slingbox to actually sling the media out to your console, and obviously there's no word yet of how the software would be delivered to the PS3 (on a disk like the Netflix app, or via a purchased program like the $30 iPhone app), but eventually you'll be able to watch your Slingbox media, even in 1080i, as Tannenbaum says later in the interview, on your PlayStation 3. Interested?

Update: DustoMan in our comments says that Tannenbaum meant streaming Slingbox through the PS3's browser, as shown in these photos at CES. Still works, we guess, but not quite as groovy.

JoystiqSlingbox DVR streaming due for PS3, says Sling Media VP originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 28 Jan 2010 19:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cescontentdvrinterviewjay-tannenbaumleo-laportemedianetflixpodcastps3slingsling-mediaslingboxstreamingtech-guy-labsThu, 28 Jan 2010 19:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Xbox's Greenberg questions demand for at-home 3D]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/13/xboxs-greenberg-questions-demand-for-at-home-3d/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/13/xboxs-greenberg-questions-demand-for-at-home-3d/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/13/xboxs-greenberg-questions-demand-for-at-home-3d/#comments Over the course of this year's CES, it was easy to get swept up in the fervor around 3D technology. Not Microsoft's Xbox team lead Aaron Greenberg though -- in speaking with G4TV, Greenberg said he thinks "there's a lot of challenges about 3D in the living room." To Greenberg, it's not a question of technology (or lack thereof) that's holding back 3D, it's the home environment. "I don't know about you, but when I play games or watch TV, I've got my phone, I've got all kinds of things going on. I get up, I get down, I'm looking outside at the weather and it's ... I'm not in a dark theater, wearing glasses, staring at a screen. I think it's just a different environment."

This isn't to say Microsoft isn't flexible when it comes to consumer demand -- quite the contrary! "As consumer interest for 3D grows, we'll grow with it," Greenberg admitted. "I think right now we're unsure what level of interest there is from consumers to really want a 3D experience in the living room."

Currently, only a handful of games ( Avatar, Invicible Tiger, and upcoming XBLA racer Scrap Metal, to name a few) support 3D on Microsoft's console. "If it becomes really important and people want to do more with it, we're absolutely happy to support it," Greenberg assured. Of course, with plenty of resources currently invested in the development and launch of Project Natal and its motion-based technology, Microsoft certainly has incentive to keep interest in 3D at arm's length.

JoystiqXbox's Greenberg questions demand for at-home 3D originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 13 Jan 2010 14:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3d3d-games3dtvaaron-greenbergavatarbusinesscesces-2010microsoftproject-natalscrap-metalxblaXbox-360Wed, 13 Jan 2010 14:27:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: Console life cycles grow as big three share the market]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/11/report-console-life-cycles-grow-as-big-three-share-the-market/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/11/report-console-life-cycles-grow-as-big-three-share-the-market/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/11/report-console-life-cycles-grow-as-big-three-share-the-market/#commentsFiled under:

We've heard from a few non-Microsoft sources that the Xbox 360 is heading for an extremely long console cycle, but last week's CES found Microsoft saying exactly that. David Hufford of Xbox product management mentioned during a briefing that the 360 is "the console of the long future for us," and that he doesn't yet know "if we're at the midpoint" of the console's timeline. Which sounds pretty amazing, since the console actually released in 2005, but the numbers support that theory, with adoption only recently passing the rates of the last generation.

In other words, the mad dash from 8- to 16- to 32- to 64-bit and beyond gaming has apparently relaxed for the moment, and Jack Schofield of The Guardian says it's because all three major companies at the moment (Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo) have all achieved a viable place in the market. Without feeling constant pressure to outdo each other, the major console companies can settle into their own niches and expand their own markets. Which, as Hufford said at CES, is exactly what Microsoft is planning to do in the coming "Natal era."

JoystiqReport: Console life cycles grow as big three share the market originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 11 Jan 2010 20:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>analysisbriefingcesconsoleconsole-cycledavid-huffordguardianjack-schofieldmicrosoftmidpointnumbersthe-guardiantheorytimelinexbox-360Mon, 11 Jan 2010 20:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Ron Jeremy: games 'far worse' for kids than porn]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/10/ron-jeremy-says-games-are-worse-for-kids-than-porn/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/10/ron-jeremy-says-games-are-worse-for-kids-than-porn/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/10/ron-jeremy-says-games-are-worse-for-kids-than-porn/#comments We should warn you guys: The subject of this story is ... well, he's a man named Ron Jeremy. We know you guys probably haven't heard of this man before, but ... well, he's an actor. You definitely haven't seen him in anything, because ... he does adult films. Yes, pornography. We're sorry we had to take this post in such a blue direction, but we felt it important for you to be informed.

Mr. Jeremy, the pornographic actor, recently appeared on a CES panel which debated the effects of adult entertainment in the Internet era. As a riposte to an attack on his industry, Mr. Jeremy said, "we don't want kids to watch porn, though if they do, there are far worse influences out there - like video games. Studies have found that violent video games are much bigger a negative influence on kids." Oh, yeah? Then why is it acceptable to enjoy video games in public venues? Game, set and match, sir.

JoystiqRon Jeremy: games 'far worse' for kids than porn originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 10 Jan 2010 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cesces-2010panelpornpornographyron-jeremyviolenceviolent-video-gamesSun, 10 Jan 2010 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Project Natal focus on 'brand-new experiences' not 'little Natal components']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/09/project-natal-focus-on-brand-new-experiences-not-little-natal/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/09/project-natal-focus-on-brand-new-experiences-not-little-natal/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/09/project-natal-focus-on-brand-new-experiences-not-little-natal/#comments With the news that Project Natal would offload the image processing to the Xbox console - as opposed to handling those duties in hardware on the device itself - and consume as much as 10 to 15 percent of the console's overall "computing resources," we became concerned that the potential for "supplemental" input in core games would be blunted. When asked what percentage of the Project Natal-enabled games in development would be Natal-exclusive as opposed to Natal-enhanced titles, Microsoft's Aaron Greenberg told Joystiq, "Our focus is on most if not all them will fall into that category of completely unique, brand-new experiences for Natal."

"We're going to manage the portfolio very carefully and our focus is going to be on bringing completely brand new original experiences to the market when we launch Natal," Greenberg said. "We're not looking at just adding little Natal components to games, we're looking at how do we actually bring an entirely new category of controller-free games and entertainment to the market so I think that's where we will continue to focus."

But that doesn't mean that other developers aren't able to supplement their game's input with Natal controls. After the release this holiday, "developers will have that out there at their fingertips if they want to enable those features," Greenberg told us. "But I can't speak to what that means from a game development standpoint. As far as I'm aware, there's no real sacrifice." But Greenberg wasn't just talking up "new games" and "new ways to navigate" the console, but Microsoft is mysteriously promising "new entertainment-like experiences that will be enabled" because of the new interface.

With the "focus" on "controller-free games" and not just adding "little Natal components to games" we're left wondering how Peter Molyneux's Fable 3 - which he confirmed will have Natal support - will implement that support. With a 2010 launch for both Fable 3 and Project Natal, we expect it will be one of the device's bellwether games.

JoystiqProject Natal focus on 'brand-new experiences' not 'little Natal components' originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 09 Jan 2010 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Aaron-Greenbergcesces-2010microsoftProject-NatalXbox-360Sat, 09 Jan 2010 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Greenberg: 'millions of Natals in consumer's homes this holiday']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/09/greenberg-millions-of-natals-in-consumers-homes-this-holiday/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/09/greenberg-millions-of-natals-in-consumers-homes-this-holiday/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/09/greenberg-millions-of-natals-in-consumers-homes-this-holiday/#comments Discussing specifics of the company's forthcoming Project Natal, Microsoft's Aaron Greenberg told Joystiq, "We think that there will be millions of Natals in consumer's homes this holiday." To put that number into context, Microsoft sold 2.3m Xbox 360 consoles and Nintendo sold 1.7m copies of Wii Fit with bundled Balance Board in the US during the months of November and December, 2008.

"Millions" of Natal units in a single holiday season is certainly an ambitious goal and one usually out of reach of most video game peripherals; however, Project Natal will be released with more than a year of hype behind it, not unlike the highly anticipated Wii Fit. With more than 39 million Xboxes worldwide, there's certainly a large enough platform footprint, and Greenberg (re)assures us that Project Natal will work on every Xbox 360 released to date, whether a hard drive is present or not. "As far as I'm aware, there is no requirement for a hard drive," Greenberg said.

There is a 50mb software package that powers some of Natal's magic, which raises concerns that original Xbox 360 Arcade units wouldn't have the storage availability to use Natal. Greenberg assuaged our concerns, reminding us of Microsoft's NXE outreach, offering a free 512mb Memory Unit or a discounted hard drive. "It's kind of like the digital TV conversion you know, [subsidizing] the box," Greenberg said. "We did that with the New Xbox Experience because it did require some space and so we feel like now we're in an environment where we feel like we're fine."

JoystiqGreenberg: 'millions of Natals in consumer's homes this holiday' originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 09 Jan 2010 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Aaron-GreenbergCESCES-2010MicrosoftNGEProject-NatalXbox-360Sat, 09 Jan 2010 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Dark Void Zero not DSiware exclusive; blasting onto iPhone and PC 'soon']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/09/dark-void-zero-not-dsiware-exclusive-blasting-onto-iphone-and-p/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/09/dark-void-zero-not-dsiware-exclusive-blasting-onto-iphone-and-p/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/09/dark-void-zero-not-dsiware-exclusive-blasting-onto-iphone-and-p/#commentsCapcom's aggressive digital distribution strategy has led to major releases on everything from WiiWare to Xbox Live Arcade to PlayStation Network to Windows to iPhone, but there's been one notable absence: DSiware. Nintendo's underpromoted service hasn't had the support of a major release, so its easy to understand why Capcom targeted the platform with Dark Void Zero, the "8-bit" tie-in game due for release later this month. But while Capcom has found great success on the console platforms - including its 8-bit Mega Man 9 - they don't have any plans to release Zero there.

However, they do have plans for some other platforms. "We are actually going to be releasing on iPhone and PC, can't say exactly when but I'll say 'soon,'" a Capcom producer told Joystiq. "Xbox Live, PSN, I don't know yet. I would love to do it on those consoles." And there you have it: If you want to try and play a "very hard" game (her words) on your iPhone, with no physical buttons, you're welcome to do that "soon." We'll stick to the DSiware and PC releases, we think.

JoystiqDark Void Zero not DSiware exclusive; blasting onto iPhone and PC 'soon' originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 09 Jan 2010 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CapcomCESces-2010Dark-VoidDark-Void-ZeroDSDSiDSiwareNintendoOther-OceanSat, 09 Jan 2010 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Scrap Metal rolls onto XBLA this Spring]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/09/scrap-metal-rolls-onto-xbla-this-spring/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/09/scrap-metal-rolls-onto-xbla-this-spring/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/09/scrap-metal-rolls-onto-xbla-this-spring/#commentsAmidst the handful of CES 2010 bombs that Microsoft dropped we found a small fact sheet and a smattering of new media for upcoming XBLA racer Scrap Metal. First revealed back in August with a trailer and a handful of screenshots from developer Slick Entertainment (the folks behind the XBLA port of N+, a game that we hold dear to our hearts), we now know that the title will be hitting Microsoft's digital distribution platform sometime in "Spring 2010." While we anxiously await its arrival, we'll be furiously practicing with Rock n' Roll Racing and Super Off-Road -- two games that Scrap Metal clearly draws inspiration from.

Gallery: Scrap Metal (XBLA - CES 2010)

JoystiqScrap Metal rolls onto XBLA this Spring originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 09 Jan 2010 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cesces-2010gameplayMicrosoftscrap-metalscreenshotsslickslick-entertainmenttrailerxblxblaXbox-360xbox-live-arcadeSat, 09 Jan 2010 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Details, limitations of Xbox 360 Mediaroom 2.0 IPTV support]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/08/details-limitations-of-xbox-360-mediaroom-2-0-iptv-support/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/08/details-limitations-of-xbox-360-mediaroom-2-0-iptv-support/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/08/details-limitations-of-xbox-360-mediaroom-2-0-iptv-support/#comments Three years after being unveiled at CES, Microsoft's Mediaroom software is finally coming to Xbox 360 (in the form of Mediaroom 2.0) "later this year" thanks to AT&T's U-verse service. But, that's all the details we had. Until today, when we spoke with Xbox's Aaron Greenberg as well as a Mediacenter spokesperson on the show floor who, between the two of them, managed to answer most of our questions.

First, we asked Greenberg to explain the three-year delay between the technology's 2007 debut and this announcement. "Well, the technology that we showed [in 2007] was brand new and showing that it worked," Greenberg said. "What we then did was we went out to the IPTV content providers and said, 'Hey, now this is an option for you.'" And that option was, of course, to use the Xbox 360 to deliver IPTV content. Greenberg said, "So the technology works ... the Xbox 360 can serve as a set-top box, be a DVR, and run Mediaroom." But not so fast! We got a tour of the service and found a few disappointing shortcomings to that nominally appealing feature-set.

Continue reading Details, limitations of Xbox 360 Mediaroom 2.0 IPTV support

JoystiqDetails, limitations of Xbox 360 Mediaroom 2.0 IPTV support originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 08 Jan 2010 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Aaron-GreenbergATTCESCES-2010IPTVMediaroom-2MicrosoftU-verseXbox-360Fri, 08 Jan 2010 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Razer wants cut of Xbox 360 peripheral business]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/07/razer-wants-cut-of-xbox-360-peripheral-business/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/07/razer-wants-cut-of-xbox-360-peripheral-business/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/07/razer-wants-cut-of-xbox-360-peripheral-business/#comments
Click to cut to a bigger image

Peripheral manufacturer Razer is dipping its shaved toes in the console market, announcing "preliminary approval" from Microsoft to produce an Xbox 360 controller and headset. The $50 wired Onza -- that's the controller -- will have Razer Hyperesponse technology that'll "give faster actuation and a crisp, tactile feel." What's that now? Oh, oh, we pressy the buttons and they make the things happen? Gotcha! Why not just say that? That's what we want from a controller.

The Razer Chimaera headset, which will retail for $130, features 5.1 channel virtual surround sound. The headset also allows "multiple Razer base stations to be connected to create a direct, private communication channel for in-game team conversations" -- or the rest of us can just start a party chat? Best part, though, the "circumaural design of the headset allows for optimum noise isolation for long-hours of comfortable gameplay." Thus allowing gamers to totally tune out their parents, spouse, or crying and hungry child.

[Via GX]

Gallery: Razer Xbox 360 peripherals CES 2010

JoystiqRazer wants cut of Xbox 360 peripheral business originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 07 Jan 2010 19:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cesces-2010Microsoftperipheralsrazerrazer-chimaerarazer-onzaXbox-360Thu, 07 Jan 2010 19:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Palm adds 3D gaming to webOS, gets big EA franchises]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/07/palm-adds-3d-gaming-to-webos-gets-big-ea-franchises/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/07/palm-adds-3d-gaming-to-webos-gets-big-ea-franchises/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/07/palm-adds-3d-gaming-to-webos-gets-big-ea-franchises/#comments One of the biggest players in the battle against Apple's ubiquitous iPhone is Palm. webOS, introduced in the Pre, is an attractive mobile operating system, but has sorely lacked the one thing gamers are most interested in: booth babes games. That's about to change, as Palm has announced a significant update to the webOS platform at CES today.

Seven 3D games from EA, Gameloft and Glu have been announced for the Palm App Catalog, including Need for Speed Undercover, The Sims 3, Let's Golf! and X-Plane. Best of all for Pre and Pixi owners, these games can be downloaded right now. Engadget noted that the games "integrate seamlessly in webOS," allowing users to automatically pause a game to respond to a text message.

The Palm App Catalog is still in its infancy, with approximately 1000 apps currently available to download. Who knows? Perhaps today's announcement will encourage the billions of fart app developers for Apple to start looking at multi-platform flatulence programming.

JoystiqPalm adds 3D gaming to webOS, gets big EA franchises originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 07 Jan 2010 17:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cesces-2010ces2010eaElectronic-Artsgameloftglupalmpalm-app-catalogwebosThu, 07 Jan 2010 17:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Xbox 360 getting Mediaroom IPTV 'later this year' via AT&T U-verse ... just three years late]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/07/xbox-360-getting-mediaroom-iptv-later-this-year-through-atandt-u/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/07/xbox-360-getting-mediaroom-iptv-later-this-year-through-atandt-u/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/07/xbox-360-getting-mediaroom-iptv-later-this-year-through-atandt-u/#comments Just three short years after the CES 2007 announcement that Microsoft's Mediaroom software would turn your Xbox 360 into an IPTV set-top box, Microsoft is finally ready to deliver on that promise (and no, the 2008 BT rollout doesn't count). "I'm happy to announce that later this year AT&T will also enable subscribers to U-verse to enjoy [the new Mediaroom 2.0] service on their Xbox 360 consoles," Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer told his keynote audience. This was in addition to U-verse support for Windows 7 and Windows Mobile, though the details on all three platforms end there.

We'll be digging for more details at CES this week, but this is certainly promising news for the country's 2 million U-verse subscribers (and the "more than 20 million living units" that the service is purportedly available in).

JoystiqXbox 360 getting Mediaroom IPTV 'later this year' via AT&T U-verse ... just three years late originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 07 Jan 2010 00:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ATTCESCES-2010IPTVMediaroomMediaroom-2MicrosoftU-verseXbox-360Thu, 07 Jan 2010 00:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony PlayStation 3 sales 'exceed 3.8 million' worldwide over the holidays]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/06/sony-playstation-3-sales-exceed-3-8-million-worldwide-over-the/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/06/sony-playstation-3-sales-exceed-3-8-million-worldwide-over-the/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/06/sony-playstation-3-sales-exceed-3-8-million-worldwide-over-the/#comments On the heels of its CES 2010 keynote speech, Sony released a chest-pounding press release declaring worldwide sales "exceeding 3.8 million" of the PlayStation 3 during the 2009 holiday season. According to the company, "during the five weeks following the last week of November 2009" (ending on January 3, 2010), the console sold more than during any previous holiday season -- a 76 percent increase over last year's numbers.

Alas, the PSP and the PSP Go were neglected a mention in the presser, though Sony did reiterate the 38 million PSN user number we'd heard a bit earlier. We'll have a clearer picture of what exactly the sales shook out to for North America when the latest NPD numbers arrive next week.

JoystiqSony PlayStation 3 sales 'exceed 3.8 million' worldwide over the holidays originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 06 Jan 2010 23:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cesces-2010holiday-2009holiday-salesplaystation-networkpsnpsp-gosalessonyWed, 06 Jan 2010 23:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Xbox by the numbers: 20m Xbox Live users, 10m nongaming, 39m Xbox 360 consoles worldwide]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/06/xbox-by-the-numbers-20m-xbox-live-users-10m-nongaming-39m-xbo/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/06/xbox-by-the-numbers-20m-xbox-live-users-10m-nongaming-39m-xbo/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/06/xbox-by-the-numbers-20m-xbox-live-users-10m-nongaming-39m-xbo/#comments While Microsoft's CES announcement that Xbox Live "is now an active community of over 20 million people" is somewhat blunted by Sony's claim of 38 million PlayStation Network accounts (though if our dozens of collective PSN accounts are any indication, some of us have more than one), Redmond did have some other numbers to share regarding Xbox and Xbox Live during tonight's CES keynote. First, "Nearly 10 million people have logged into Xbox Live's nongaming applications" including "Facebook, Twitter, Netflix, Last.fm, Sky, Canal and Zune." We'll do the math for you: that's 50% of the Xbox Live audience, and those are all paying Gold users.

More numbers: "Between Christmas and New Years Day, Xbox Live experienced its busiest week ever, adding a new member every second and a record of more than 2.2 million concurrent members online." And not a network failure in sight! Congrats, Microsoft! Lastly, "there are now over 39 million Xbox 360 consoles around the world," "more than 500 million games have been sold" and "$20 billion spent in retail." Feel free to bookmark this post for frequent consultation in your comment debates.

JoystiqXbox by the numbers: 20m Xbox Live users, 10m nongaming, 39m Xbox 360 consoles worldwide originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 06 Jan 2010 22:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CESCES-2010MicrosoftXbox-360Xbox-LiveWed, 06 Jan 2010 22:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft says Project Natal coming 'holiday season 2010']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/06/microsoft-says-project-natal-coming-holiday-season-2010/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/06/microsoft-says-project-natal-coming-holiday-season-2010/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/06/microsoft-says-project-natal-coming-holiday-season-2010/#commentsAccording to a press release summing up Microsoft's CES 2010 keynote that dropped just before Ballmer took the stage, the company will be releasing Project Natal in "holiday season 2010." We heard earlier today about what year the future controller would be arriving, but now, folks, now we know during which group of months it'll be arriving at retail.

The release explicitly states that the still-codenamed Natal project is "scheduled to be available in holiday season 2010," adding that Natal "is only the most recent example of Microsoft's work creating natural user interfaces." With any luck, by E3 we'll have an actual name and maybe even a specific month for when we'll get to check it out at home! Until then, we'll have to get by with the inspirational video about Natal's origins created for today's release, embedded above.

JoystiqMicrosoft says Project Natal coming 'holiday season 2010' originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 06 Jan 2010 22:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cesces-2010ces2010microsoftnatalproject-natalrelease-datesteve-ballmerXbox-360Wed, 06 Jan 2010 22:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Capcom teases Super version of SFIV Tournament Edition joystick [update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/06/capcom-teases-super-version-of-sfiv-tournament-edition-joystick/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/06/capcom-teases-super-version-of-sfiv-tournament-edition-joystick/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/06/capcom-teases-super-version-of-sfiv-tournament-edition-joystick/#comments
click to embiggen
Update: Capcom's Twitter feed got a bit more informationey later on this evening, showing off the Capcom suite at CES, complete with "new hotness from Mad Catz." Though the shot is significantly more blurry, it certainly seems to indicate a new arcade stick coming from Mad Catz for Super Street Fighter IV.

Considering the Consumer Electronics Show is happening right this minute in Las Vegas, it's no surprise that Capcom's Twitter account is busy teasing pictures of yet-to-be-revealed arcade sticks for the upcoming sorta-sequel Super Street Fighter IV. As you can see in the image above, an inky outline of Ryu overlooks a more colorful button set than the previous game's stick. Additionally, the shape of the controller's box certainly bears a striking resemblance to the Street Fighter IV Tournament Edition joysticks from Mad Catz that were in such short supply last year. We've followed up with Capcom but were told there's no official comment just yet.

JoystiqCapcom teases Super version of SFIV Tournament Edition joystick [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 06 Jan 2010 22:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>capcom-unitycesces-2010mad-catzmadcatzMicrosoftstreet-fighterstreet-fighter-ivsuper-street-fighter-ivtwitterXbox-360Wed, 06 Jan 2010 22:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft 2010 CES press conference, live at Engadget]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/06/microsoft-2010-ces-press-conference-live-at-engadget/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/06/microsoft-2010-ces-press-conference-live-at-engadget/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/06/microsoft-2010-ces-press-conference-live-at-engadget/#comments Just like Sony earlier this evening, we're not going to be detailing all of Steve Ballmer's 2010 CES press conference, that's really Engadget's thang. Instead, we'll be bringing more details on all things gaming (think: leaked Xbox Game Room and Project Natal deets, anyone?) right back here. If you want the total experience, including lots of non-gaming stuff, venture forth, dear reader.

Engadget - Live from Steve Ballmer's CES 2010 keynote

JoystiqMicrosoft 2010 CES press conference, live at Engadget originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 06 Jan 2010 21:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CESCES-2010MicrosoftSteve-BallmerXbox-360Wed, 06 Jan 2010 21:45:00 EST