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[Mass Effect 3 director defends DLC, endings with 'common sense']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/14/mass-effect-3-director-defends-dlc-endings-with-common-sense/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/14/mass-effect-3-director-defends-dlc-endings-with-common-sense/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/14/mass-effect-3-director-defends-dlc-endings-with-common-sense/#comments Turns out Mass Effect 3 is controversial. Some people like its DLC, ending and storyline, some don't, and some want to see the entire BioWare team thrown into pools of mud and flogged for days to pay for the things they put in their own game. Franchise executive producer and director Casey Hudson seems to be taking the mixed reactions in stride, and even has some simple, logical reasons behind a few of the supposed scandals, such as Mass Effect 3's day-one DLC, From Ashes.

"I think a lot of the common sense is prevailing," Hudson told Digital Trends. "Initially, it was spun in a direction that suggested that we had taken the lore out of Mass Effect 3 and were holding it inside the DLC only, which now the people who actually have played Mass Effect 3 and the DLC they know that that's not true."

From Ashes is an optional piece of content not integral to the main story, Hudson noted.

"When we finish a game, we finish it many months before it actually hits the shelves and that team goes on to work on something else that in those intervening months represent millions of dollars of development time.... So in this case, we chose to work on a DLC which people really enjoyed for Mass Effect 2 and we also wanted to make sure that people had it as an opportunity to build it into their first play-through if they wanted that as an optional thing."

As for the ending, Hudson said he likes its mystery and interpretation possibilities, and having a reactive ending is better than one that falls flat and fades out. "I didn't want the game to be forgettable, and even right down to the sort of polarizing reaction that the ends have had with people -- debating what the endings mean and what's going to happen next, and what situation are the characters left in -- that to me is part of what's exciting about this story."

JoystiqMass Effect 3 director defends DLC, endings with 'common sense' originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 14 Mar 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BioWarecasey-hudsoncontroversyDLCendingsFrom-Ashesmass-effect-3microsoftpcplaystationps3scandalxboxWed, 14 Mar 2012 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[GameStop pulls Deus Ex: Human Revolution PC versions from shelves]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/24/gamestop-pulls-deus-ex-human-revolution-pc-versions-from-shelve/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/24/gamestop-pulls-deus-ex-human-revolution-pc-versions-from-shelve/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/24/gamestop-pulls-deus-ex-human-revolution-pc-versions-from-shelve/#comments GameStop has apparently sent another message out to its retail locations, this time asking all of its stores to pull any PC copies of Deus Ex: Human Revolution from shelves, and place them in the backroom, eventually to be returned to publisher Square Enix. The email was sent after this afternoon's news that GameStop had directed its employees to pull coupons out of the boxes that offered free access to the OnLive cloud gaming service.

The latest email confirms that GameStop is indeed working on a competing service with its acquisition of Spawn Labs, and that because of an "agreement" with Square Enix, all of the game's copies will be recalled back to the publisher. The one exception is reserved copies, which will still be available for purchase, according to the memo.

GameStop has also pulled the PC version of the game from its website, though the console versions are still for sale. Joystiq has confirmed with local stores that the memo was received and copies were being pulled. We're also contacting GameStop corporate for an official statement on the matter.

JoystiqGameStop pulls Deus Ex: Human Revolution PC versions from shelves originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 24 Aug 2011 20:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>competitioncontroversydeus-ex-human-revolutiongamestoponlivepcpublisherservicesquare-enixWed, 24 Aug 2011 20:07:00 EST<![CDATA[Namco welcomes back Chilean miners with Mr. Driller image, apologizes]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/15/namco-welcomes-back-chilean-miners-with-mr-driller-image-apolo/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/15/namco-welcomes-back-chilean-miners-with-mr-driller-image-apolo/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/15/namco-welcomes-back-chilean-miners-with-mr-driller-image-apolo/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Namco Bandai wasn't exempt from the celebration that spread across the globe earlier this week when rescue workers retrieved 33 miners who had been trapped in a Chilean mine since early August. During the exhaustive rescue operation, the publisher Tweeted the image seen above, featuring its own mining mascot, Mr. Driller, as well as a Chilean flag and the message "Bienvenido de nuevo," or "welcome back!"

Apparently, the image rubbed some people the wrong way, as Namco Bandai has since pulled it from the company's Twitter account. In a statement Tweeted earlier today, the publisher said, "we would like to offer a profound apology to everyone. It was inexcusable." We're not so sure, Namco Bandai -- we think we could find it in our hearts to excuse you for joining in the global celebration with a lighthearted, context-appropriate greeting card.

JoystiqNamco welcomes back Chilean miners with Mr. Driller image, apologizes originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 15 Oct 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apologychilechilean-minerscontroversymr-drillernamco-bandaiFri, 15 Oct 2010 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EA won't bow to Medal of Honor controversy]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/24/ea-wont-bow-to-medal-of-honor-controversy/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/24/ea-wont-bow-to-medal-of-honor-controversy/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/24/ea-wont-bow-to-medal-of-honor-controversy/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Allow gamers to take up the mantle of the Taliban in your game and you're bound to receive some ire. EA is learning all about that with Medal of Honor, as the mainstream media and the British government have vocalized concerns. British Defence Secretary Liam Fox has actually called for a countrywide ban of the game outright, stating that it's "shocking that someone would think it acceptable to recreate the acts of the Taliban against British soldiers," even though you don't actually kill any British troops in the game. Still, EA Games president Frank Gibeau isn't sweating the bad press.

"We respect the media's views," Gibeau replied, "but at the same time [these reports] don't compromise our creative vision and what we want to do. The development teams care very much about what they're building, and of course a bit of criticism from the media causes some to get demoralised, but at the end of the day we're proud of what we're doing." Gibeau even compared the flak to the same types of reports that went on about Modern Warfare 2's infamous airport sequence -- one of many comparisons the two games have received.

Gibeau is of the mind that the collaboration between EA and the US Military and Congressional Medal of Honor Society is what will win people over in the end, not just because of the accurate depiction of the ongoing conflict, but because it has allowed EA to produce "the best story for the game." Plus, we all know the world has a natural affinity for whiskered gentlemen -- just look at the popularity of Grizzly Adams!

[Thanks, fais]

JoystiqEA won't bow to Medal of Honor controversy originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 24 Aug 2010 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>controversydanger-closedanger-close-gameseaMedal-of-Honor-2010microsoftpcplaystationps3talibanxboxTue, 24 Aug 2010 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PSA: Not all Italian Americans are descended from Mafia 2]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/18/psa-not-all-italian-americans-are-descended-from-mafia-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/18/psa-not-all-italian-americans-are-descended-from-mafia-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/18/psa-not-all-italian-americans-are-descended-from-mafia-2/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Wednesday 18 August

Weight: Ugh. I don't even want to know what I weigh after inhaling that slice.

Food consumed today: Do I really have to spell it out again? P. I. Z. Z. A. And I know for sure the guys running that joint aren't in the mafia or whatever. I don't even think they're Italian.

Evening. Cloudy. A good night for the gym.

Oh Diary, what to do about these UNICO National people? They've gone and denounced Mafia 2 as a "pile of racist nonsense" -- which is great to get some added publicity a week before launch. Lord knows this game has been in development for-ever.

But still, to suggest the game will "indoctrinate a new generation into directly associating Italians and Italian Americans with violent, murderous organized crime" -- really? Mafia 2 is clearly a period piece. I mean, look at the cars in that game. Oh, and those clothes! What a riot!

Frankly, and I don't think I'm alone here, when I think Italian American -- sure, I used to think The Godfather, and then it was The Sopranos -- but now it's GTL, you know? Those are good values. I mean, look just how far a strong body can take you. And who wants to walk around looking all pale? Which reminds me! I need to go schedule my dry cleaning to be delivered in the morning. TTYL!

-Zelny

Continue reading PSA: Not all Italian Americans are descended from Mafia 2

JoystiqPSA: Not all Italian Americans are descended from Mafia 2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 18 Aug 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>controversyGTLMafia-2microsoftpcplaystationps3racismstrauss-zelnick-diaryTake-TwoUNICO-NationalxboxWed, 18 Aug 2010 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rockstar seemingly responds to 'Eye of Sauron' comment with rad, rude wallpaper]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/16/rockstar-seemingly-responds-to-eye-of-sauron-comment-with-rad/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/16/rockstar-seemingly-responds-to-eye-of-sauron-comment-with-rad/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/16/rockstar-seemingly-responds-to-eye-of-sauron-comment-with-rad/#comments In a surprisingly lighthearted move, Rockstar appears to have responded to recent accusations of overwork (among many other things) with a series of wallpaper designs on its official site. The designs are presumably a comment based on statements made to the MTV Multiplayer Blog from a former Rockstar New York employee who compared the company management's wandering focus to that of the vengeful "Eye of Sauron" -- the fictional all-seeing evil in the Lord of the Rings franchise.

The trio of wallpaper designs -- which are not-so-subtly titled, "The Eye" -- may very well mark the first time that Rockstar has responded to claims of mismanagement and overworking its employees. While the wallpaper is certainly stylish enough for our computer backdrop, we can't help but think poking fun at reports that the company has treated its workers like robots is a little classless. Also, we have to wonder how many overtime hours were used to create these totally radical designs.

JoystiqRockstar seemingly responds to 'Eye of Sauron' comment with rad, rude wallpaper originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 16 Jan 2010 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>controversylulz-at-overworked-peoplerockstarrockstar-new-yorkrockstar-spousewallpaperSat, 16 Jan 2010 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[ECA members cry foul over auto-renewal cancellation hassles [update: Halpin responds]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/02/eca-members-cry-foul-over-auto-renewal-cancellation-hassles/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/02/eca-members-cry-foul-over-auto-renewal-cancellation-hassles/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/02/eca-members-cry-foul-over-auto-renewal-cancellation-hassles/#comments In an attempt to bolster its ranks with thrifty members of the gaming community, the Entertainment Consumers Association recently partnered with a few online retailers to offer its members some nice deals on video games, including a pretty sweet discount on purchases from Amazon. To accompany these offers, the ECA had its own spectacular deal: One free year of membership, which would normally cost $19.99. All applicants had to do was provide their credit card information, sign up and enjoy the discounts that were being passed along to ECA members.

Sadly, this is where the idyllic tale begins to go south. Shortly after the ECA began offering the free year of membership, the Amazon offer mysteriously disappeared. This drew the ire of the group's new members, but would be quickly forgotten when the option to cancel the auto-renewal of the membership fee, through the ECA's website, also vanished without a trace. An ECA forum moderator explained the option only appeared "for some browsers, but it wasn't intended to be there, wasn't a working option and was removed as soon as we became aware."

Now, users who were drawn in by these discounts can only cancel their memberships (and subsequent annual $20 fees) by sending a letter directly to the ECA's accounting department (the address is posted after the jump). What's worse, those who canceled their auto-renewal plans with the temporarily available online option could still be locked into the annual fee, if the moderator's claim that it "wasn't a working option" is accurate. We've contacted the ECA to find out if anything is being done to inform these honorable, due-paying members that they're still, you know, due-paying members.

Update: ECA president Hal Halpin issued a statement in response to the complaints, the full transcript for which can be found after the jump. He explains that the Amazon deal was taken down due to an exploit the ECA's new members found within the offer. He adds that simultaneously, the ECA updated its site as part of a "long planned for Content Management System upgrade," at which point they found a non-functioning feature which "looked to give some members the option to opt-out of the association." The option, which Halpin claims was never functional, was quickly removed.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

Continue reading ECA members cry foul over auto-renewal cancellation hassles [update: Halpin responds]

JoystiqECA members cry foul over auto-renewal cancellation hassles [update: Halpin responds] originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 02 Dec 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazoncancellationcontroversyduesecaentertainment-consumers-associationfeesmembershipWed, 02 Dec 2009 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Battlefield Heroes store updated, offers advantage to microtransacting users]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/01/battlefield-heroes-store-updated-offers-advantage-to-microtrans/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/01/battlefield-heroes-store-updated-offers-advantage-to-microtrans/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/01/battlefield-heroes-store-updated-offers-advantage-to-microtrans/#comments It's difficult to explain the current controversy surrounding Battlefield Heroes without talking a whole lot of inside baseball, so we'll keep it simple. Players of the game are up in arms due to a recent update to the title's in-game store. Though EA and DICE had worked up a balance between the game's two forms of currency -- Valor Points, which you unlock from playing, and Battlefunds, which you purchase with real-life money -- this patch heavily depreciates the value of the former while making the latter a near necessity for those who wish to stay competitive in the game.

Items have had their Valor Point costs increased across the board -- what's more, some of these items can no longer be permanently purchased with Valor Points, but can only be taken on a one or three-day test drive. However, these same items have had their Battlefund costs reduced, and allow purchasers to keep them indefinitely.

If the items being purchased were merely cosmetic, we wouldn't think twice about this shift in fungible value -- however, the torch-wielding mob now moving through the Battlefield Heroes forums seem to think that the shooter's developer has forsaken the more frugal members of its community, giving the wealthy playboys among them an unfair advantage.

JoystiqBattlefield Heroes store updated, offers advantage to microtransacting users originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 01 Dec 2009 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battlefieldBattlefield-HeroescontroversydiceeaElectronic-Artsfpsfree-to-playMicrotransactionsonlineTue, 01 Dec 2009 05:00:00 EST<![CDATA[BBC's 'The Big Questions' tackles Modern Warfare 2]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/16/bbcs-the-big-questions-tackles-modern-warfare-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/16/bbcs-the-big-questions-tackles-modern-warfare-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/16/bbcs-the-big-questions-tackles-modern-warfare-2/#comments In case you were wondering yet had no intention of finding out for yourself, Modern Warfare 2 was released specifically to offend you. "The Big Questions" takes on this exact subject in this week's episode, hosting a handful of religious leaders as well as a couple of knowledgeable game industry folks. Though we feel that the game's graphic scenes are somewhat on par with action movies like Heat or Ronin (and are nowhere near as offensive as something like, say, Hostel - or even the 30-year-old Texas Chainsaw Massacre), religious leaders guesting on this week's BBC program took approximately forty seconds before enacting Godwin's Law when speaking about the game, according to an MCV report.

"Joseph Goebbels said his entertainment did more for the German people, in terms of creating the psyche for war and hostility towards others, than the speeches of Adolf Hitler ... the idea this is entertainment is not justification whatsoever, " Fazan Mohammed of the British Muslim Forum told viewers. Thankfully, Future Publishing's James Binns kept a level head among knee-jerk claims (unlike that other gentleman). "We can make all entertainment for children, or we can take proper steps to try and protect children from adult entertainment."

So, whaddya say, folks? Modern Warfare 3 with major battles between adorable stuffed pandas and adorable stuffed kodiaks, and when they get shot (with hearts) they explode candy? Where do we sign up?!

JoystiqBBC's 'The Big Questions' tackles Modern Warfare 2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionbbccall-of-dutycall-of-duty-modern-warfare-2controversygodwins-lawinfinity-wardmcvmodern-warfare-2sensationalismthe-big-questionsMon, 16 Nov 2009 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Infinity Ward pulls 'Fight Against Grenade Spam' ad in light of backlash]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/01/infinity-ward-pulls-fight-against-grenade-spam-ad-in-light-of/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/01/infinity-ward-pulls-fight-against-grenade-spam-ad-in-light-of/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/01/infinity-ward-pulls-fight-against-grenade-spam-ad-in-light-of/#comments After having their game leaked to the planet's pirating populace and catching flak for some of the controversial secrets revealed therein, one could say that the folks at Infinity Ward are having a fairly rough week. However, they brought their latest batch of hardships upon themselves. A recent viral video for Modern Warfare 2, which featured Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels delivering a PSA (video NSFW) about overzealous grenade use, drew the ire of many of its viewers.

This wasn't due to the light swearing featured in the video, but rather, because of the name of the PSA's sponsor: Fight Against Grenade Spam, which, when acronym-ized, spells out an offensive slur. Following the inevitable backlash which occurred when the gaming community realized the slur's inclusion, Infinity Ward community manager Robert Bowling responded by Tweeting, "I think the core gag is great, the end is a bit too far from the intent of the joke & can appreciate the concerns. Pulled." True to his word, the video was soon yanked from the developer's YouTube channel.

The complaints from those who viewed the offending ad were two-fold: First, they didn't like that the slur (even in its spelled-out state) was used at all. However, the bigger complaint seemed to be that Infinity Ward was catering to the sensibilities of the foul, hateful underbelly of the online gaming community. What did you think of the video, dear readers? Let us know in the comments section, but please -- keep it civil.

JoystiqInfinity Ward pulls 'Fight Against Grenade Spam' ad in light of backlash originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 01 Nov 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>call-of-dutycall-of-duty-modern-warfare-2controversyfpsinfinity-wardMicrosoftmodern-warfaremodern-warfare-2robert-bowlingviral-videoXbox-360Sun, 01 Nov 2009 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[New Modern Warfare: Airport Murder Simulator 2 video game glorifies terrorism]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/28/new-modern-warfare-airport-murder-simulator-2-video-game-glorif/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/28/new-modern-warfare-airport-murder-simulator-2-video-game-glorif/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/28/new-modern-warfare-airport-murder-simulator-2-video-game-glorif/#comments
Sorry, mainstream press, but we already beat you to the headline! Much like the level of anticipation amongst us gamers, controversy is set to reach uncomfortable levels when Activision and Infinity Ward's Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 starts shooting up the sales chart (and the airport) on November 10th. By now, you've likely seen or heard of the leaked footage depicting a civilian massacre, perpetrated by the player himself.

Speaking to Joystiq, Activision noted that consumers will be given the option to skip such scenes, which it claims are not representative of the overall game. They'll also be preceded by explicit warnings about their "disturbing" nature. While we imagine most players will judge, discuss and react to the sequence within its context -- did you know that the plot tasks you with infiltrating a terrorist group? -- don't expect the mainstream media to handle the issue with equal consideration. Witness Mirror.co.uk's initial reaction: "Modern Warfare 2: Leaked level makes light of terrorist activities." Terrorists in my vidgame -- haha!

"The game includes a plot involving a mission carried out by a Russian villain who wants to trigger a global war," reads Activision's official statement, included in full after the break. "In order to defeat him, the player infiltrates his inner circle. The scene is designed to evoke the atrocities of terrorism." Whether or not it crosses a line in doing so is up for debate ... but don't tell Fox News that.

On the bright side, at least you can't shoot a pair of alien lesbians having sex on the luggage carousel. We'd never hear the end of it.

Continue reading New Modern Warfare: Airport Murder Simulator 2 video game glorifies terrorism

JoystiqNew Modern Warfare: Airport Murder Simulator 2 video game glorifies terrorism originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisioncall-of-dutycall-of-duty-modern-warfare-2controversyfpsinfinity-wardMicrosoftmodern-warfare-2Xbox-360Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Le controversy over French hobo sim, 'Clodogame']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/01/le-controversy-over-french-hobo-sim-clodogame/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/01/le-controversy-over-french-hobo-sim-clodogame/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/01/le-controversy-over-french-hobo-sim-clodogame/#comments Having launched a few weeks ago and having amassed over 5,000 users, German-developed Clodogame ("Trampgame", en Anglais) is off to a good start. At least it would be if it weren't inciting outrage among French citizens, who accuse the game of perpetuating a negative public image of the homeless in France, according to a Telegraph report. "The image portrayed is exactly the one against which we've been trying to fight," Red Cross spokesperson Jean-François Riffaud told Le Parisien.

From the little of the game we played (er, could translate with limited French-speaking ability), we weren't exactly outraged. It's a free-to-play, text-based kingpin sim set in Paris where players are encouraged to "attack other homeless people," and engage in a variety of thieving and coercion tactics. That does seem like a fairly negative portrayal, but we've become a bit desensitized to the matter after investing hours into games like Manhunt, Condemned and inFamous, where all the homeless people become murderous criminals and targets for your electrical super powers.

[Via Game Politics]

JoystiqLe controversy over French hobo sim, 'Clodogame' originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 01 Sep 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>controversyfrancehomelessjean-francois-riffaudpctrampgameTue, 01 Sep 2009 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Atomic Games' Peter Tamte says Six Days in Fallujah 'about two-thirds' complete]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/12/atomic-games-peter-tamte-says-six-days-in-fallujah-about-two-t/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/12/atomic-games-peter-tamte-says-six-days-in-fallujah-about-two-t/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/12/atomic-games-peter-tamte-says-six-days-in-fallujah-about-two-t/#comments
We know, we know: For us to approach video game coverage on Fox News and expect anything more than "fair and balanced" reporting (with a heavy dose of bias and spin) is, to say the least, simply asking too much. Things get much worse when a game with as controversial a setting/plot as Six Days in Fallujah falls into the mix. Atomic Games prez Peter Tamte appeared alongside the game's consultant, Capt. Read Omohundro (a gentleman who fought in the actual battle of Fallujah), and Tracey Miller, a woman who lost her son to the fight, on the channel's "Fox & Friends" program (found after the break) recently, to talk about the game and the controversy surrounding it.

Tamte reveals to the show's host that "about two-thirds of the game is complete at this point ... we only have about a third left to go." Atomic Games' challenge now, he says, is to find a new publisher for the game after Konami pulled out of the project in late April. The show ends with a totally fair and balanced comment from the show's host, who says, "Obviously you knew that you might get some blowback on it, 'cause, uh, some people lost their chidren in that battle," before cutting off any more comments and excusing all the show's guests.

Anyone want to place bets on this game never being released? We've got $20 on "Never. Ever ever ever."

[Via Big Download]

Continue reading Atomic Games' Peter Tamte says Six Days in Fallujah 'about two-thirds' complete

JoystiqAtomic Games' Peter Tamte says Six Days in Fallujah 'about two-thirds' complete originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 12 Jun 2009 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atomic-gamescontroversyfoxfox-and-friendsfox-newskonamipeter-tamteread-omohundrosix-days-in-fallujahtracey-millerFri, 12 Jun 2009 17:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Atomic Games still searching for 'Six Days in Fallujah' publisher]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/10/atomic-games-still-searching-for-six-days-in-fallujah-publishe/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/10/atomic-games-still-searching-for-six-days-in-fallujah-publishe/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/10/atomic-games-still-searching-for-six-days-in-fallujah-publishe/#comments
Despite all of the controversy surrounding Six Days in Fallujah, the latest of which has seen Konami drop the game, developer Atomic Games is still hunting down a publisher gutsy enough to get behind it. In speaking with Newsweek, Atomic Games' Peter Tamte goes into detail exactly how the project came about, how far along the team was when Konami pulled the plug, and, most importantly, that he still wants to finish the game. Madness? Perhaps ...

With the game being a $20 million project, Tamte sees the fate of Atomic Games directly tied to the fate of Six Days in Fallujah. "If for some reason it doesn't work, we'll have to think about making some very significant changes to the studio," he told Newsweek. Does Atomic Games have a realistic shot at gaining a publisher for Six Days in Fallujah? As much as we hate hearing about companies going under in this economic climate, we'd say the magic 8-ball is not offering the most reassuring glimpse into the future at this point in time.

[Via Big Download]

Gallery: Six Days in Fallujah

JoystiqAtomic Games still searching for 'Six Days in Fallujah' publisher originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 10 Jun 2009 04:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atomic-gamescontroversykonamipeter-tamteshootersix-days-in-fallujahwarWed, 10 Jun 2009 04:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple bans updated 'Hot Dog Down a Hallway' game]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/22/apple-bans-updated-hot-dog-down-a-hallway-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/22/apple-bans-updated-hot-dog-down-a-hallway-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/22/apple-bans-updated-hot-dog-down-a-hallway-game/#comments
Metaversal Studios Inc. thinks its suggestive iPhone game, Hot Dog Down a Hallway, is being unfairly treated by Apple. According to the Boston Globe, Apple has banned the sale of the game's latest version because it does not meet the company's standards -- which state Apple reserves the right to reject "content or material" it feels "may be found objectionable by...users."

In the game, players launch a hot dog down a corridor attempting to avoid various obstacles, gaining achievements in the process, each with sexually suggestive names. A previous version of the game remains for sale on the store and while it's probably better than those stupid Fart applications, you'd probably be better off spending your money on something else.

[Via GamePolitics]

JoystiqApple bans updated 'Hot Dog Down a Hallway' game originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 22 May 2009 22:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applecontroversyfarthot-dog-down-a-hallwayiphoneitunessuggestiveFri, 22 May 2009 22:15:00 EST<![CDATA[The best of WoW Insider: April 28 - May 5, 2009]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/06/the-best-of-wow-insider-april-28-may-5-2009/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/06/the-best-of-wow-insider-april-28-may-5-2009/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/06/the-best-of-wow-insider-april-28-may-5-2009/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Finding yourself lost in the World of Warcraft? Joystiq's sister site WoW Insider has everything you need to know about the biggest game around, whether you're a grizzled level 80 veteran, a newbie in the Ghostlands, or a former Molten Core raider finding yourself curious about rejoining the game. Here's our most popular posts about what's been going on in Azeroth lately.

News

Features

JoystiqThe best of WoW Insider: April 28 - May 5, 2009 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 06 May 2009 01:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blizzardcontroversydramaguildwatchholidaykaratechoplegendarymartin-furynoblegardenraidingulduarwolverineworld-of-warcraftwow-insiderWed, 06 May 2009 01:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Fallout from Fallujah fiasco continues]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/02/fallout-from-fallujah-fiasco-continues/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/02/fallout-from-fallujah-fiasco-continues/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/02/fallout-from-fallujah-fiasco-continues/#comments
Atomic Games' head Peter Tamte hasn't said much since his company's game, Six Days in Fallujah, was dropped by its publisher, Konami, this past week. Other than saying his team is still interested in completing the game, Mr. Tamte has done little to stand behind Atomic Games' foray into "documentary-style" gaming. Though during his keynote at the Triangle Game Conference this week, Tamte asked the crowd, "Are we really just high-tech toymakers, or are we media companies capable of producing content that is as relevant as movies, music and television?"

Expounding on the reasons Six Days in Fallujah stands up to the relevancy of the aforementioned mediums, Tamte said, "It is the dilemmas you face, and the choices you make, that give you insight into the events that are shaping our world in a way that no passive form of media can." For instance, when we choose which limb to eviscerate on that super mutant barreling down on us, right? Okay, maybe not. He continued, "We hope that Six Days in Fallujah will have the opportunity to change expectations of what a video game can be." Though we're more than a bit wary of Mr. Tamte's lofty expectations for the game, we've yet to get our mitts on it and will reserve our judgment until that day comes.

[Via GamePolitics]

JoystiqFallout from Fallujah fiasco continues originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 02 May 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atomic-gamescontroversyfallujahgamepoliticskonamipeter-tamtesix-days-in-fallujahtriangle-game-conferencewarSat, 02 May 2009 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Faith Fighter shut down over Islamic protest]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/28/faith-fighter-shut-down-over-islamic-protest/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/28/faith-fighter-shut-down-over-islamic-protest/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/28/faith-fighter-shut-down-over-islamic-protest/#comments
Yesterday, the media suddenly and unexpectedly went temporarily insane following UK Metro's coverage of Faith Fighter, a year-old Flash title that pits various deities against one another in Immortal Kombat. The backlash to the title from religious leaders was about as feverish as you might expect -- in fact, following protests from the Organization of the Islamic Conference, the title's Italian developer Molleindustria pulled the game from its site.

The page where the site was once hosted now holds a message from the game's developers, blaming the Metro UK article for dredging up controversy and inciting protests over a game that has been "played by millions of players on the Internet" and "been exhibited in several artistic venues around the world." Of course, as Molleindustria was quick to point out, its pulling of the game is merely a symbolic gesture -- it's pretty tough to completely remove things from the internet.

[Via GamePolitics]

JoystiqFaith Fighter shut down over Islamic protest originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 28 Apr 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>controversyfaith-fightergodjesusmohammedmolleindustriareligionuk-metroTue, 28 Apr 2009 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Pirate Bay lawyer seeking retrial]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/23/pirate-bay-lawyer-seeking-retrial/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/23/pirate-bay-lawyer-seeking-retrial/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/23/pirate-bay-lawyer-seeking-retrial/#comments
A lawyer representing Peter Sunde, spokesperson for Pirate Bay, said his client will "demand a retrial" amid reports that the preceding judge in the case was a member of several copyright protection organizations. Last week, Frederik Neij, Gottfrid Svartholm Warg, Carl Lundstrom and Peter Sunde were sentenced to a year in prison and fined 30 million kronor ($3.6m) in damages for operating the file-sharing site, The Pirate Bay.

According to reports by Sveriges Radio's P3 news, judge Tomas Norström is a signed member of the Swedish Copyright Association, three members of which are representing the entertainment industry in the case against The Pirate Bay. Norström also holds membership with the Swedish Association for the Protection of Industrial Property, an advocacy group for stricter copyright laws. However, Norström stated his connection with copyright protection organizations did not sway his opinion when ruling in the case against The Pirate Bay.

Peter Althin, the lawyer representing Peter Sunde, told The Local that the connection represented a conflict of interest, one the defense was not given an opportunity to investigate. Althin added that a lay judge in the case had already been excused for the possibility of a connection in order to maintain an impartial ruling. Looks like the pirate ship hasn't sunk just yet.

[Via Edge. Original image: marcusrg]

JoystiqPirate Bay lawyer seeking retrial originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 23 Apr 2009 14:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>controversylegallegaldramapiracypirate-bayswedenthe-pirate-bayThu, 23 Apr 2009 14:18:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: Konami may skip 'Six Days in Fallujah' Euro launch]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/14/report-konami-may-skip-six-days-in-fallujah-euro-launch/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/14/report-konami-may-skip-six-days-in-fallujah-euro-launch/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/14/report-konami-may-skip-six-days-in-fallujah-euro-launch/#comments
The dust has barely settled on the announcement of Six Days in Fallujah, but it once again finds a way into the news. During Konami's Gamer's Day in Frankfurt last week, unnamed representatives for the publisher told GamePro.de that they were waiting to see how Atomic Games would portray the brutal battle for Fallujah before deciding if the game would see a European release. Representatives also told De Telegraaf that it was unclear what the level of violence would be in the "documentary-style" shooter.

Since announcing the title, developer Atomic Games has been publicly lambasted by peace groups, veterans and their families for developing a video game based on an ongoing (and already controversial) war. Recently, a group of US military Iraq War veterans announced support of the title in an interview with G4TV, saying the project could hopefully "bolster support" for troops.

With Konami's European reps questioning a release, we wonder if Six Days in Fallujah will ever step out of the controversy long enough to hit store shelves anywhere.

Gallery: Six Days in Fallujah

JoystiqReport: Konami may skip 'Six Days in Fallujah' Euro launch originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 14 Apr 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atomic-gamescontroversykonamiMicrosoftshootersix-days-in-fallujahXbox-360Tue, 14 Apr 2009 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Soldiers discuss Six Days in Fallujah controversy]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/10/soldiers-discuss-six-days-in-fallujah-controversy/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/10/soldiers-discuss-six-days-in-fallujah-controversy/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/10/soldiers-discuss-six-days-in-fallujah-controversy/#comments
While controversies have mounted in the wake of Konami's Six Days in Fallujah reveal, a group of Iraq war veterans told G4TV they have "no problem" with the game.

"I believe that this could be a good thing for both combat veterans and for the war in general," triple-tour vet., Sgt. Casey J. McGeorge said. The group points out that a realistic game set in the current Iraq conflict may help civilians understand the situation. Army Sgt. Kevin Smith notes that an Iraq-based video game could "hopefully bolster support" for troops and encourage more empathy for veterans by showing civilians "what the war is really like [for soldiers]."

Peace groups, veterans and families called for Six Days to be banned following its announcement, but Marine Corps. Gunnery Sergeant John Mundy reminds everyone that those who are against the development of such a game "can spend their money elsewhere."

Gallery: Six Days in Fallujah



[Via BigDownload]

JoystiqSoldiers discuss Six Days in Fallujah controversy originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 10 Apr 2009 21:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atomic-gamescontroversyg4konamisix-days-in-fallujahFri, 10 Apr 2009 21:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Capcom insists RE5 Versus wasn't on the disc]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/10/capcom-insists-re5-versus-wasnt-on-the-disc/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/10/capcom-insists-re5-versus-wasnt-on-the-disc/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/10/capcom-insists-re5-versus-wasnt-on-the-disc/#comments
Resident Evil 5 controversy -- much like a zombie -- refuses to die but Capcom says claims of charging gamers for on-disc content are false. Already taking shots for charging for content gamers expected in the retail release, Capcom was recently accused by IGN of charging for its Versus DLC, claiming the content was already on the disc. The controversy stems from the DLC's file size, which sits at a slim 1.8MB on Xbox 360 and 351KB for PS3.

According to Capcom's VP of strategic planning and development, Christian Svensson, the file size is because all assets for the DLC are being pulled from the retail disc; however, the download itself is programming code that "does not exist on the disc."

"Keys are 100K or less. It is not a key," Svensson replied to a forum thread regarding IGN's claim. We're not programmers but it sounds feasible for file size to remain slim for content that pulls all assets from the disc, but you're the consumer. Do you believe Capcom?

[Via Siliconera]

JoystiqCapcom insists RE5 Versus wasn't on the disc originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 10 Apr 2009 17:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>capcomcontroversydlcdownloadable-contentresident-evil-5versusFri, 10 Apr 2009 17:04:00 EST<![CDATA[Gleaning potential controversy from Konami's 'Six Days in Fallujah']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/07/gleaning-potential-controversy-from-konamis-six-days-in-falluj/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/07/gleaning-potential-controversy-from-konamis-six-days-in-falluj/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/07/gleaning-potential-controversy-from-konamis-six-days-in-falluj/#comments
Only a day has passed since the game was announced, but Six Days in Fallujah is already stirring up controversy among veterans, families and peace groups, according to GamePolitics. The game is set during the real-life US-led battle for control in Fallujah during the rush to take Central Baghdad in 2004, one of the Iraq War's bloodiest campaigns for American and Iraqi soldiers and civilians.

Reg Keys, father of Red Cap Thomas Keys, a soldier tragically killed by an Iraqi mob in June 2003, told the UK's Daily Mail that "glorifying" the event in a video game showed "poor judgment and bad taste" on Konami's part considering the "enormous loss of life" in the Iraq War -- a war that is still ongoing.

Six Days in Fallujah is reportedly inspired by events that occurred during the second battle in Fallujah -- codenamed Operation Phantom Fury (also, Operation Al-Fajr or "The Dawn") -- which took place between November 7 and December 23, 2004. When it was announced, Anthony Crouts, vice-president of marketing for Konami, said it wasn't the publisher's intention to take a stance on war, telling The Wall Street Journal, "We just want to bring a compelling entertainment experience."

Unfortunately for Konami and developer Atomic Games, the Battle of Fallujah is widely regarded as one of the most controversial battles in recent history. Ducking any associated messages may be an uphill battle.

Gallery: Six Days in Fallujah

Continue reading Gleaning potential controversy from Konami's 'Six Days in Fallujah'

JoystiqGleaning potential controversy from Konami's 'Six Days in Fallujah' originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 07 Apr 2009 23:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atomic-gamescontroversyiraqiraq-warkonamiMicrosoftoperation-phantom-furysix-days-in-fallujahXbox-360Tue, 07 Apr 2009 23:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Chief of Germany's national police union wants to ban violent games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/23/chief-of-germanys-national-police-union-wants-to-ban-violent-ga/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/23/chief-of-germanys-national-police-union-wants-to-ban-violent-ga/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/23/chief-of-germanys-national-police-union-wants-to-ban-violent-ga/#comments
If the head of Germany's Police Union had his way, violent video games would be banned. The comments from Heini Schmitt, head of the Hessen German Police Union (DPolG), were made following a horrific school shooting at a Winnenden, Germany, secondary school.

17-year-old Tim Kretschmer reportedly murdered 15 school goers, both students and teachers -- fourteen of which were female -- before taking his own life.

According to German news site Echo Online, an addiction to "killergames" is apparent in "every situation" of violent rampages. Whether or not the site is making a statement specific to Germany or a sweeping judgment on worldwide violence is unclear. As for Schmitt, he is aware there is no evidence that violent video games cause violent behavior, but thinks the role of "killergames" cannot be "completely dismissed." With that in mind, Schmitt believes when an opportunity exists to remove a potentially violent stimulus, it must be used. "The world would be no poorer if there were no more killergames," the chief of the German police union added.

It's difficult to analyze, or even dismiss, Schmitt's claims following such a horrific act. However, it's even more difficult to gauge any psychological triggers that exist in our society. After all, throughout history violent behavior has been blamed on almost everything, but because of their graphic nature, mature games have become the easiest target to publicly lambaste.

[Via GamePolitics]

JoystiqChief of Germany's national police union wants to ban violent games originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 23 Mar 2009 15:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>controversygermanyschool-shootingshootingvideo-game-violencevideogameaddictionwinnendenMon, 23 Mar 2009 15:24:00 EST<![CDATA[Diablo II's producer weighs in on sequel's art style ]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/18/diablo-iis-producer-weighs-in-on-sequels-art-style/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/18/diablo-iis-producer-weighs-in-on-sequels-art-style/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/18/diablo-iis-producer-weighs-in-on-sequels-art-style/#comments
Former VP of the now-defunct Blizzard North and producer of Diablo II, Bill Roper, agrees with fans who feel Diablo III ... well, doesn't quite look "Diablo" enough. Roper discussed the game's brighter, more cartoon-like art style with VideoGamer.com as part of a broader interview.

"I can't say that I dislike it. I didn't look at it and go, oh my God that's horrible," Roper said of his initial reaction to Diablo III. "But I looked at it and went, it's not really... to me as a player it just didn't really ring with Diablo."

With Blizzard "really pleased" with the look and feel of the game as-is, the only option for those seeking a darker Diablo III experience will be labeled "reduce gamma" under "visual settings."

[Via Shacknews]

JoystiqDiablo II's producer weighs in on sequel's art style originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 18 Mar 2009 04:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bill-roperblizzardcontroversydiablo-3diablo-iiirainbowsunicornsWed, 18 Mar 2009 04:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MadWorld mows down North America on March 10]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/02/madworld-mows-down-north-america-march-10/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/02/madworld-mows-down-north-america-march-10/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/02/madworld-mows-down-north-america-march-10/#comments
A Sega America representative has confirmed that MadWorld is ready to begin its reign of bloody action on March 10th on the Wii in North America. Oddly enough, the title still does not have an anticipated M-rating from the ESRB, despite having already passed both Austrailian and British rating boards.

Publisher Sega has been working with the review boards to eliminate possible delays to MadWorld's release -- now that the publisher has picked an official release date, it might be good if the ESRB gave an "all clear."

Gallery: MadWorld

JoystiqMadWorld mows down North America on March 10 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 02 Feb 2009 15:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>controversymadworldNintendoplatinum-gamessegaWiiMon, 02 Feb 2009 15:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Is Islam the light for DS Baby Pals? [update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/28/is-islam-the-light-for-ds-baby-pals/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/28/is-islam-the-light-for-ds-baby-pals/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/28/is-islam-the-light-for-ds-baby-pals/#commentsFiled under: ,

Last fall, controversy about Fisher-Price's Little Mommy Cuddle 'n Coo doll rocked the local news circuit, when the doll was discovered to utter some kind of gibberish that sounded kind of like "Islam is the Light" if you were listening hard enough for things to be outraged about.

The odd sound sample has been found once again by a concerned parent, this time in Crave's Nintendo DS game Baby Pals, previously known only for being kind of creepy-looking. In a fairly hilarious coincidence, Rachel Jones of Indiana found the offending utterance first in the doll, then later in a copy of Baby Pals she had purchased for her daughter. Baby Pals came out in October 2007, a year before the row about the doll.

"Not just my daughters' toys, but we have a son too," Jones told Terre Haute's WTHI News 10. "Now I feel like I need to listen to all of his little toys to make sure they're not saying it." Check out the news footage after the break, and watch as the virtual baby intones the phrase in question over and over again while being bathed. Of course, the ability of fake babies to exert absolute influence on real children through nonsensical endorsements of religion is well-known. Everybody knows that.

If you listen to what is supposedly the original MP3 (provided by Fisher-Price, link goes straight to .mp3), it sounds much more like nonsense and less like some random attempt at indoctrination. We've contacted Crave to try to find out where it got the sample and hopefully solve this quirky mystery.

[Update: In case you haven't seen our more recent post about this, Crave has issued a response explaining the origin of the sound file.]

Continue reading Is Islam the light for DS Baby Pals? [update]

JoystiqIs Islam the light for DS Baby Pals? [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 28 Jan 2009 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>baby-palscasualcontroversycraveDSislamNintendoWed, 28 Jan 2009 17:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Big surprise: Eidos caught fixing Game of the Year poll]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/06/big-surprise-eidos-caught-fixing-game-of-the-year-poll/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/06/big-surprise-eidos-caught-fixing-game-of-the-year-poll/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/06/big-surprise-eidos-caught-fixing-game-of-the-year-poll/#commentsFiled under:


Oh, Eidos. Not content with turning Jeff Gerstmann into some kind of martyr or trying to fiddle Tomb Raider: Underworld scores, the morally dubious publisher has now been caught red-handed trying to vote for its own game in a Game of the Year poll. Palm, meet forehead.

The poll in question was being run by Aussie magazine Hyper, whose staff spotted a user with an "@eidos.co.uk" e-mail address voting for Soul Bubbles across several categories. The saddest part of this episode? We suspect some of the negative reaction generated by this could deflect onto Soul Bubbles itself, which happens to be an excellent, fun game in its own right. What a shame the company publishing it are a bunch of nitwits.


[Via Kotaku]

JoystiqBig surprise: Eidos caught fixing Game of the Year poll originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>controversyeidosmekensleepplatformpuzzlesoul-bubblesTue, 06 Jan 2009 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[EA caught, hand slapped for using Xbox 360 footage in Wii commercial]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/17/ea-caught-hand-slapped-for-using-xbox-360-footage-in-wii-commer/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/17/ea-caught-hand-slapped-for-using-xbox-360-footage-in-wii-commer/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/17/ea-caught-hand-slapped-for-using-xbox-360-footage-in-wii-commer/#commentsFiled under:


EA has been asked to pull advertisements for the Nintendo Wii version of Tiger Woods PGA Tour 09 by UK's Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) for images the agency claim are "misleading" to consumers. The ad in question showcases Tiger Woods swinging a Wii Remote (WiiMote?) against game footage complaints to the ASA allege are from the Xbox 360 version of the game.

EA has since admitted the ad does include Xbox 360 footage instead of visuals from the Nintendo Wii but claim the decision was made because the Wii footage wouldn't be of "broadcast quality." Unfortunately for EA that excuse didn't make it to the green. "Because viewers would not be able to achieve the graphical quality shown in the ad on a Wii console, we concluded that the ad was misleading," the ASA commented. Strike three, you're outta here EA! Wait, that wasn't a Golf term. Was it?

[via Joystiq]

JoystiqEA caught, hand slapped for using Xbox 360 footage in Wii commercial originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 17 Dec 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adsadvertismentscontroversyeaea-sportstiger-woods-09Wed, 17 Dec 2008 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[A new MadWorld trailer for the holidays]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/13/a-new-madworld-trailer-for-the-holidays/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/13/a-new-madworld-trailer-for-the-holidays/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/13/a-new-madworld-trailer-for-the-holidays/#commentsFiled under:


Sega and Platinum Games have sent us a gift for the holidays in the form of the trailer you see above. It gives us a little more background on the story behind MadWorld, as well as a look at some of the more unique ways to kill your opponents. Our favorite? All we have to say is this: we like ours extra crispy.

Because of the trailer being fairly gory, we've tucked it past the break.

Continue reading A new MadWorld trailer for the holidays

JoystiqA new MadWorld trailer for the holidays originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 13 Dec 2008 17:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>controversymadworldplatinum-gamessegaviolenceSat, 13 Dec 2008 17:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Lock up your children: Mr. Resetti may 'disturb' them]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/10/lock-up-your-children-mr-resetti-may-disturb-them/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/10/lock-up-your-children-mr-resetti-may-disturb-them/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/10/lock-up-your-children-mr-resetti-may-disturb-them/#commentsFiled under:

FACT: Animal Crossing games would be a lot less awesome without Mr. Resetti. The maddened mole teaches his lessons through tough love, subjecting players to lengthy, unavoidable rants every time they "forget" to save their game. Now, we're willing to admit that our parents contributed in some small way* to our upbringing, but would we be the same, upstanding citizens we are now without the firm intervention of Resetti? No.

That's why we were disappointed to hear that the mole now carries his own warning, in case he makes kids burst into floods of tears or something.

Madness, we know, but it's all there in black and white, in your Animal Crossing: City Folk manual: "Mr. Resetti's purpose is to teach players the importance of saving. However, parents should be aware that his personality and tone of voice, while intentionally humourous, are authoritative and may be disturbing to young children." Wow, protective, much?

* Kidding, obviously, if you're reading, Dad.

JoystiqLock up your children: Mr. Resetti may 'disturb' them originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 10 Dec 2008 17:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animal-crossinganimal-crossing-city-folkAnimal-Crossing-MMOAnimal-Crossing-Wiichildrencontroversymr-resettiNintendoNintendo-EADresettiWed, 10 Dec 2008 17:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Animal Crossing: Wild, Racist FILTH [update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/03/animal-crossing-wild-racist-filth/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/03/animal-crossing-wild-racist-filth/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/03/animal-crossing-wild-racist-filth/#commentsFiled under:

Update: Nintendo has issued an official statement. Head past the break to read it.

Nintendo is, famously, very politically correct where Animal Crossing is concerned. In the games, any festivals or holidays with even a hint of religious overtones are quietly repackaged: Easter becomes "Bunny Day," Christmas is "The Night that Jingle Comes to Town," and so forth. This keenness to be inclusive and totally inoffensive means Animal Crossing: Wild World was the last game we expected to spew racist terminology.

Because that's what it's done ... albeit accidentally. If you've played an Animal Crossing title before, you'll know that you can teach your fellow villagers words, which they'll then use to greet you. Naturally, this is open to player abuse, as you can enter cuss words and other rude terms -- something that not even Nintendo is above doing.

MTV Multiplayer's Stephen Totilo recently received a copy of Wild World from Nintendo, so he could test the Wii/DS transfer feature in City Folk. The copy had been played before, because it was full of rare, unlocked items, but those weren't the only secrets the cart held. As he started chatting to his village's animals, Totilo suddenly found himself being racially abused by a sheep called Baabara. "How are you, N---a?" is just one greeting he received from the woolly fascist. Whoops!

Maybe triple-check the next batch of press-only carts you send out, Nintendo? Now if you'll excuse us, we're off to phone the Daily Mail.

Gallery: Animal Crossing: Wild World

Continue reading Animal Crossing: Wild, Racist FILTH [update]

JoystiqAnimal Crossing: Wild, Racist FILTH [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 03 Dec 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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There is a popular viewpoint pushed by those who campaign against the likes of Manhunt 2, and it runs a little like this: motion-controlled on-screen violence is more likely to corrupt players than that which is played through pressing buttons. Senators have used this argument in the past, as have journalists, but they're both wrong. Gloriously, wonderfully wrong. Who says so? Science says so, that's who.

A new study from the labs of Villanova University has revealed that swinging a Wiimote and pressing a button generated the same amount of "hostility and aggressive thoughts in" 118 college students (68 female, 50 male). The participants played either Manhunt 2 or Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2008, with each individual having their levels of "psychoticism" tested before and after play. Nobody completely flipped out, and whether flailing with a controller or pressing a button, levels of hostility remained even -- and thus another anti-gaming myth crumbled.


[Via Game|Life]

JoystiqPhew!: Waggle doesn't produce murderers originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 17 Nov 2008 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>controversymanhunt-2motionrockstarsciencetiger-woodsviolencewaggleMon, 17 Nov 2008 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[House of the Dead: Overkill dev not worried about censors, piles on the gore]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/06/house-of-the-dead-overkill-dev-not-worried-about-censors-piles/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/06/house-of-the-dead-overkill-dev-not-worried-about-censors-piles/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/06/house-of-the-dead-overkill-dev-not-worried-about-censors-piles/#commentsFiled under: ,



Censors, be damned! That's more or less the attitude of House of the Dead: Overkill developer Headstrong Games, which has said it won't be compromising the amount of gore in Overkill.

"Sometimes we've gone 'ooh, we shouldn't really do that'," producer Neil McEwen tells CVG, "but then we've gone 'no, hell yes we should'." McEwen reasons that, as nobody is getting exploited, then buckets of claret are justifiable: he suggests the gore will be as "extreme as possible." He also plays the tongue-in-cheek card, though that didn't help MadWorld when the Daily Mail came knocking. Even if censors have already ensured the game won't be released in Germany, we salute McEwen and Headstrong for this carefree attitude. If only other developers and publishers were as bold.

JoystiqHouse of the Dead: Overkill dev not worried about censors, piles on the gore originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 06 Nov 2008 17:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>controversyheadstrongheadstrong-gameshouse-of-the-deadhouse-of-the-dead-overkillsegashootingzapperThu, 06 Nov 2008 17:55:00 EST<![CDATA[LittleBigControversy: Qur'an lyrics debated on BBC]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/21/littlebigcontroversy-quran-lyrics-debated-on-bbc/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/21/littlebigcontroversy-quran-lyrics-debated-on-bbc/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/21/littlebigcontroversy-quran-lyrics-debated-on-bbc/#commentsFiled under: ,

This week's BBC News at Ten featured a discussion on the LittleBigControversy, in which the game was delayed at the eleventh hour due to a song, featuring lyrics taken from the Qur'an, by Grammy award-winning artist Toumani Diabaté. According to GamesIndustry.biz, the program had Diabaté on to discuss, as well as Sheikh Ibrahim Mogra of the Muslim Council of Britain.

"It's quite normal to play music and be inspired by the words of the Prophet Mohammed," said Diabaté, himself a Muslim. "It's my way to attract and inspire people towards Islam." Mogra provided the counterpoint, saying that "Muslims believe the Qur'an to be the actual word of god and give it utmost respect" and its use in a commercial title would "upset and cause offence and hurt to many, many Muslims."

LittleBigPlanet is expected to arrive next week for North America and "no later than the week of November 3" for Europe.

JoystiqLittleBigControversy: Qur'an lyrics debated on BBC originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 21 Oct 2008 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>controversydiabatelittlebigplanetPS3quransonytoumani-diabateTue, 21 Oct 2008 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq interview: Bungie's Marty O'Donnell on the 'digital content crisis']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/16/joystiq-interview-bungies-marty-odonnell-on-the-digital-cont/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/16/joystiq-interview-bungies-marty-odonnell-on-the-digital-cont/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/16/joystiq-interview-bungies-marty-odonnell-on-the-digital-cont/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Marty O'Donnell caused something of an uproar recently following controversial comments aimed at used video game sales. In particular, it was the Bungie audio director's apparent assertion that content creators and publishers "shouldn't stop receiving income from further sales" that served as the biggest sticking point; after all, why should the game industry be given special treatment beyond the initial point of sale?

Not long ago we had the opportunity to have a candid conersation with O'Donnell on this topic, during which he clarified his stance, and stated that while he doesn't feel games represent a "special category," he believes that "digital content is creating a crisis for the economic model of new and existing mediums."

Continue reading Joystiq interview: Bungie's Marty O'Donnell on the 'digital content crisis'

JoystiqJoystiq interview: Bungie's Marty O'Donnell on the 'digital content crisis' originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 16 Oct 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bungiecontroversygamestophalousedused-gamesusedgamesXbox-360Thu, 16 Oct 2008 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Japanese hospitals want Dementium off store shelves]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/03/japanese-hospitals-want-dementium-off-store-shelves/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/03/japanese-hospitals-want-dementium-off-store-shelves/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/03/japanese-hospitals-want-dementium-off-store-shelves/#commentsFiled under:


Dementium: The Ward hit Japan this year (along with a colorful launch event for the game), yet is now enduring its first public outcry in the country. According to Yahoo! News (and Google's translation tools), the Japanese Association of Psychiatric Hospitals has requested that the title be removed from shops instantly, arguing that the game could instigate "discrimination and prejudice" against sufferers of psychiatric disorders.

Interchannel distributes the game in Japan, and has yet to comment, but Mike Wilson of [U.S. publisher] Gamecock did proffer a view to MTV Multiplayer, stating that the criticism is down to a "lack of understanding or appreciation (and therefore fear of) games outside our little sub-culture." He also confessed to being "thrilled" by the extra attention the game has enjoyed as a result; as the game failed to penetrate the Japanese top 30, we know what he means.


[Via MTV Multiplayer]

JoystiqJapanese hospitals want Dementium off store shelves originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 03 Oct 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>controversydementiumdementium-the-wardgamecockinterchannelinterchannel-holonjapanrenegade-kidsurvival-horrorFri, 03 Oct 2008 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Outrage! UK media up in arms over DS games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/26/outrage-uk-media-up-in-arms-over-ds-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/26/outrage-uk-media-up-in-arms-over-ds-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/26/outrage-uk-media-up-in-arms-over-ds-games/#commentsFiled under:

It's rare to see DS titles being held responsible by the mainstream media for society's ills. Usually, such treatment is reserved for home console releases, but in the last 24 hours two DS games have triggered a bout of misguided bleatings, both from British papers that amazingly aren't the Daily Mail. That's right, readers: two titles. Welcome to a special, double edition "Outrage!" post. Double the horror! Double the controversy! Double the irrational fear!

We'll start with the obvious one, then. We sensed there'd be a backlash against Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars as soon as we saw these shots, but even we were impressed by the speediness of The Sun's error-strewn report. Next to an incorrectly captioned picture of Grand Theft Auto III, the paper reveals how a game about selling drugs will soon be playable on the "family-friendly" Nintendo DS, and remarks that, "Experts predict the final edition is unlikely to feature explicit criminality." They're in for a surprise, then.

Next up in the stocks is a far more surprising scapegoat: the rather innocent Advance Wars. According to the Daily Telegraph, police investigating the stabbing of a 20-year-old who was also a massive fan of the game (to the extent that he ran an Advance Wars fansite) are now investigating whether the killer was a fellow "internet gamer." Of course, that's just one of several potential links being examined by the authorities, but the newspaper still leads with the Advance Wars angle. Why? OUTRAGE!

Source: Grand Theft your child's INNOCENCE [Via Game Politics]
Source: Advance Wars: Murder Weapon [Via Game Politics]

JoystiqOutrage! UK media up in arms over DS games originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 26 Sep 2008 10:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>actionadvance-warscontroversygrand-theft-autogtagta-chinatown-warsintelligent-systemsmurderrockstarstrategyFri, 26 Sep 2008 10:44:00 EST<![CDATA[DS Daily: Has Chinatown Wars surprised you?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/25/ds-daily-has-chinatown-wars-surprised-you/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/25/ds-daily-has-chinatown-wars-surprised-you/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/25/ds-daily-has-chinatown-wars-surprised-you/#commentsFiled under:

A bunch of new Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars details appeared yesterday, specifically the kind that would make the Daily Mail's hair stand on end. According to various magazine spreads, you'll be able to sell drugs (with their real names), tattoo fellow gang members, and hotwire cars. Rockstar itself has said Nintendo ruled out a GTA game for a younger audience.

As opponents of censorship in most cases, we were delighted that Rockstar has been granted such artistic freedom in Chinatown Wars, but also rather surprised. Anyone else with us, or did you expect such controversial content all along from Rockstar, even on the DS?

JoystiqDS Daily: Has Chinatown Wars surprised you? originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 25 Sep 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chinatown-warscontroversydsdgrand-theft-autogtagta-chinatown-warsThu, 25 Sep 2008 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Despite manual's claim, Spore only allows one account per copy]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/12/despite-manuals-claim-spore-only-allows-one-account-per-copy/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/12/despite-manuals-claim-spore-only-allows-one-account-per-copy/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/12/despite-manuals-claim-spore-only-allows-one-account-per-copy/#commentsFiled under: ,


The latest Spore controversy comes courtesy of some false information printed in the game's manual. The Consumerist reports that despite the game's manual stating purchasers "may have multiple Spore accounts for each installation of the game," they only have one. An EA forum rep stated that the information was a "misprint and will be corrected in future printings of the manual."

Spore has been lambasted in Amazon.com's user review section for its "draconian DRM" measures. There's no clear indication whether Spore was originally meant to allow for more than one account -- did DRM measures put the kibosh on that plan?

[Via GamePolitics]

JoystiqDespite manual's claim, Spore only allows one account per copy originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 12 Sep 2008 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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