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[Gamasutra dissects open world games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/26/gamasutra-dissects-open-world-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/26/gamasutra-dissects-open-world-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/26/gamasutra-dissects-open-world-games/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Following up on his recent look at difficulty in game design, Gamasutra's John Harris is at it again, this time offering an ample look at what he calls 'open world games' -- titles, according to Harris, where a player is dropped into a larger world and left to figure things out on his or her own. Like his difficult games feature, the lion's share of the article is spent looking at specific examples of games he feels fit this mold, from arcade and 8-bit classics to more contemporary examples like the Grand Theft Auto series.

Interestingly, despite GTA's inclusion in the list, Harris concedes that most of the article is spent talking about older games, an observation for which he makes no apology. According to Harris, older games feature "more elemental designs," meaning they don't get all caught up in trying to be more than just a game. Even so, the list is pretty random, with nods to titles such as Cadash, Crazy Taxi, and even Warren Robinett's Atari 2600 classic Adventure, while MMOs go strangely ignored. This last bit seems more peculiar given that that author himself spends time writing scripts for Second Life, but it is an interesting read nonetheless.

[Disclaimer: I wrote for Gamasutra from March 2006 to August 2007.]

JoystiqGamasutra dissects open world games originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 26 Sep 2007 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventurecadashcrazytaxigamasutragtaWed, 26 Sep 2007 10:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Developing Crazy Taxi made producer, well, drive crazy]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/05/developing-crazy-taxi-made-producer-well-drive-crazy/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/05/developing-crazy-taxi-made-producer-well-drive-crazy/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/05/developing-crazy-taxi-made-producer-well-drive-crazy/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Don't play Crazy Taxi for too long, folks. In a recent interview, Crazy Taxi's Keiji Kanno revealed that while making the original Crazy Taxi games, he found himself driving a bit more insanely. One time, he started driving down the center lane in traffic, realizing that the real world followed different rules. Ouch.

Yes, it's a slow news day.

JoystiqDeveloping Crazy Taxi made producer, well, drive crazy originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 05 Aug 2007 00:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crazytaxikeijikannoSun, 05 Aug 2007 00:30:00 EST<![CDATA[New Crazy Taxi screenshots get wet]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/22/new-crazy-taxi-screenshots-get-wet/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/22/new-crazy-taxi-screenshots-get-wet/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/22/new-crazy-taxi-screenshots-get-wet/#commentsFiled under:


Crazy Taxi: Fare Wars is coming to PSP in just a few weeks: August 14th, to be precise. Sega recently sent us some screenshots showcasing some of the crazier environments you'll be driving in the upcoming PSP revival. We won't comment on the graphics this time around -- we'll leave that up to you. At the very least, we hope the game will maintain the same fun and charm of the Dreamcast originals.

JoystiqNew Crazy Taxi screenshots get wet originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 22 Jul 2007 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crazytaxisegaSun, 22 Jul 2007 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[One more look at Crazy Taxi]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/25/one-more-look-at-crazy-taxi/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/25/one-more-look-at-crazy-taxi/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/25/one-more-look-at-crazy-taxi/#commentsFiled under: ,


Unlike Crush, Sega's other PSP title, Crazy Taxi, is still a ways off. This Dreamcast port combines the thrills from the first two Crazy Taxi games for the go. Although we've made fun of the game's graphics, we have to admit that this new trailer from Sega shows off some good times. It might not be technically impressive, but we're hoping it'll be entertaining nonetheless. Check out new images in our updated gallery:

JoystiqOne more look at Crazy Taxi originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 25 May 2007 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crazy taxiCrazyTaxiFri, 25 May 2007 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[SGD '07: Crazy Taxi Fare Wars]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/17/sgd-07-crazy-taxi-fare-wars/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/17/sgd-07-crazy-taxi-fare-wars/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/17/sgd-07-crazy-taxi-fare-wars/#commentsFiled under:


When in the shadow of gaming titans such as Silent Hill and God of War, this PSP Crazy Taxi port doesn't seem too hot. Although it may not be pushing the eight billion polygons that Chains of Olympus may be pushing*, the game still has a lot of potential to be fun. Check out Sony Gamers Day pics in our gallery.



*Untrue

JoystiqSGD '07: Crazy Taxi Fare Wars originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 17 May 2007 04:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crazy taxicrazy taxi fare warsCrazyTaxiCrazyTaxiFareWarsfare warsFareWarssgd07Thu, 17 May 2007 04:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The bounciest Crazy Taxi trailer yet]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/14/the-bounciest-crazy-taxi-trailer-yet/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/14/the-bounciest-crazy-taxi-trailer-yet/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/14/the-bounciest-crazy-taxi-trailer-yet/#commentsFiled under: ,

They say white guys can't jump ... but what about yellow cabs? Crazy Taxi's revival on PSP might not be the prettiest game on the block, but it certainly looks like a lot of fun. The newest trailer released by Sega shows the game's bouncy personality. Do you dig it?

JoystiqThe bounciest Crazy Taxi trailer yet originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 14 May 2007 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crazy taxiCrazyTaxisegaMon, 14 May 2007 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Crazy Taxi: Fare Wars minigame drives us mad]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/04/crazy-taxi-fare-wars-minigame-drives-us-mad/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/04/crazy-taxi-fare-wars-minigame-drives-us-mad/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/04/crazy-taxi-fare-wars-minigame-drives-us-mad/#commentsFiled under: ,


We commend the effort, Sega. But this is NOT how you should be promoting your upcoming PSP game, Crazy Taxi: Fare Wars. Just like Crazy Taxi, this frustrating Flash game has you driving around town, picking up passengers and dropping them off. However, the controls and level design are so nonsensical that the game becomes more of a frustrating exercise of self-ridicule. Maybe the intent behind this game was to make the player say: "Gee golly, that game sure was un-swell. I know Crazy Taxi will do a better job than this! Let me buy it now!"

Unlikely. Honestly, Crazy Taxi looks to be a lot of fun on PSP. It's too bad this Flash game does such a poor job of selling the title.

[Via PlayStation Boards]

JoystiqCrazy Taxi: Fare Wars minigame drives us mad originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 04 May 2007 15:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crazy taxiCrazyTaxiflashminigamesegaFri, 04 May 2007 15:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Battle of the ports: PaRappa versus Crazy Taxi]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/03/battle-of-the-ports-parappa-versus-crazy-taxi/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/03/battle-of-the-ports-parappa-versus-crazy-taxi/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/03/battle-of-the-ports-parappa-versus-crazy-taxi/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Battle of the ports: which do you want more?
PaRappa the Rapper
Crazy Taxi: Fare Wars
Neither: PSP doesn't need any more ports!
Free polls from Pollhost.com

If you haven't noticed, the PSP Fanboy team is totally "t3h b145!!!1" We've been bashing Crazy Taxi: Fare Wars for its sloppy Dreamcast-era graphics. However, we've been going totally gaga for the barely enhanced PaRappa the Rapper. Isn't that unfair? We're going to let you, the PSP Fanboy reader, tell us which of these hotly anticipated PSP ports we should be more excited for. Just check out the videos after the cut, and tell us which one you want more. If you're digging both of them, feel free to vote for both. Of course, if you're feeling particularly jaded today, you can also admit that maybe we shouldn't get so excited over ports--don't we have too many already?

Continue reading Battle of the ports: PaRappa versus Crazy Taxi

JoystiqBattle of the ports: PaRappa versus Crazy Taxi originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 03 May 2007 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crazy taxiCrazyTaxifare warsFareWarsparappaparappa the rapperParappaTheRapperpollThu, 03 May 2007 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Crazy Taxi still looks crazy bad]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/15/crazy-taxi-still-looks-crazy-bad/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/15/crazy-taxi-still-looks-crazy-bad/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/15/crazy-taxi-still-looks-crazy-bad/#commentsFiled under: ,


Sega's upcoming PSP version of Crazy Taxi has come a long way. The very first video of the game ran at a sluggish rate, featured nearly deserted streets, and had textures worse than the original Dreamcast version. It appears that some significant progress has been made, but is it enough? We say no. A new gameplay montage on IGN reveals greatly improved visuals, but the textures and polygon count still fall short of what we expect from our handheld. While the gameplay looks fun, we can't help but remember playing the taxi cab mode of Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories and being far more impressed.

At least we won't be charged an arm and a leg for this technically shallow Dreamcast port: releasing at a budget price makes sense to us. But still, wouldn't we love to see a game that truly takes advantage of PSP's capabilities?

JoystiqCrazy Taxi still looks crazy bad originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 15 Apr 2007 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crazy taxiCrazyTaxidreamcastportsegataxiSun, 15 Apr 2007 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Craaazy Crazy Taxi interview]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/30/craaazy-crazy-taxi-interview/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/30/craaazy-crazy-taxi-interview/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/30/craaazy-crazy-taxi-interview/#commentsFiled under: ,

1UP interviewed Kenji Kanno, the Chief Game Design Manager of the upcoming Crazy Taxi: Fare Wars. Amazingly, the interview doesn't really ask many questions about the PSP game. Instead, it focuses on general industry and Crazy Taxi series questions. When asked about the most important part about the evolution of the series, Kanno answered, "I wouldn't use the word 'evolution' for this series because basically the whole point of the game is to have a lot of fun in a short period of time."

Sounds like the perfect kind of game for a portable!

[Thanks Jonah]

JoystiqCraaazy Crazy Taxi interview originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 30 Mar 2007 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1upcrazy taxicrazy taxi: fare warsCrazyTaxiCrazyTaxi:FareWarsinterviewinterviewskenji kannoKenjiKannoFri, 30 Mar 2007 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Crazy Taxi trailer doesn't get us too crazy]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/06/crazy-taxi-trailer-doesnt-get-us-too-crazy/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/06/crazy-taxi-trailer-doesnt-get-us-too-crazy/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/06/crazy-taxi-trailer-doesnt-get-us-too-crazy/#commentsFiled under: ,


We heard that the upcoming PSP version of Crazy Taxi needed some graphical polish: and now we can see how much work it truly needs. IGN has the latest trailer, and it's riddled with Dreamcast-era visual quirks, from poor textures, to annoying pop-in. It certainly looks quite weak compared to what the PSP is easily capable of. In addition to revamping the graphics, let's hope that Sega will reconsider doing the sound in the game: the soundtrack and voice work looks to reek of cheese. Certainly, there's a lot more work to do before the game's release in June.

JoystiqCrazy Taxi trailer doesn't get us too crazy originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 06 Mar 2007 00:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crazy taxiCrazyTaxidreamcastignsegatrailerTue, 06 Mar 2007 00:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Interview with Sega on new Crazy Taxi]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/12/interview-with-sega-on-new-crazy-taxi/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/12/interview-with-sega-on-new-crazy-taxi/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/12/interview-with-sega-on-new-crazy-taxi/#commentsFiled under: ,


We revealed the new Crazy Taxi: Fare Wars yesterday. Our source was German, so it's nice to see the US associate producer answer some questions to Gamespot ... in English. Some noteworthy highlights:
  • The game is indeed, a compilation of Crazy Taxi and Crazy Taxi 2. Enhancements come in the form of a new multiplayer mode, and updated sound and visuals.
  • "There might be additional changes by the time the game hits store shelves, but details about that will be released at a later time."
  • There will be a multiplayer mode that will utilize a single system. Most likely, you'll pass around the system, trying to outdo each other's score.
  • The exciting movie mode feature will record up to 80 seconds of gameplay and then save onto the Memory Stick. More games should use this feature.

JoystiqInterview with Sega on new Crazy Taxi originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 12 Jan 2007 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crazy taxiCrazyTaxigamespotinterviewFri, 12 Jan 2007 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Relive Crazy Taxi with PSP rehash]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/12/relive-crazy-taxi-will-psp-rehash/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/12/relive-crazy-taxi-will-psp-rehash/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/12/relive-crazy-taxi-will-psp-rehash/#commentsFiled under: , ,

crazy, dude!Forget PSone, Sony should have worked out a deal with Sega to emulate Dreamcast on PSP. Instead, we're starting to see some attempts by publishers to revisit some of their Dreamcast titles using the UMD format. First, Capcom did Power Stone Collection, and now, Sega has announced Crazy Taxi: Fare Wars, built from Crazy Taxi 1 & 2.

While Fare Wares offers a new *Ad Hoc* multiplayer mode, we'd gladly trade the additional content for straight-up ports; if it meant we'd be downloading the games and playing them via emulation. Is this just wishful thinking?

[Via press release]

Continue reading Relive Crazy Taxi with PSP rehash

JoystiqRelive Crazy Taxi with PSP rehash originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 12 Jan 2007 04:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CapcomCrazy TaxiCrazyTaxiDreamcastEmulationFare WarsFareWarsPortPower StonePowerStonePSPRemakeSegaUMDFri, 12 Jan 2007 04:24:00 EST<![CDATA[Crazy Taxi: Fare Wars revealed]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/11/crazy-taxi-fare-wars-revealed/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/11/crazy-taxi-fare-wars-revealed/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/11/crazy-taxi-fare-wars-revealed/#commentsFiled under: ,


Sega's really starting to ramp up their PSP support. As if After Burner and Full Auto 2 wasn't enough, they recently revealed a new version of their popular Crazy Taxi series for the PSP entitled Fare Wars. GameFront has pictures of the game, and unfortunately, they don't look too sharp. Thankfully, the game has a lot of time to shape up until its expected Summer release (in Europe).

The game will feature 2 player ad-hoc multiplayer, and content from Crazy Taxi and Crazy Taxi 2. We're not sure if it'll have new content, but it will have a cool feature that allows you to record videos from the game and save it to Memory Stick, so that you can share your craziest fares.

[Via IGN]

See also:
Power Stone Collection producer wants more Dreamcast ports

JoystiqCrazy Taxi: Fare Wars revealed originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 11 Jan 2007 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crazy taxiCrazyTaxidreamcastsegataxiThu, 11 Jan 2007 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Amazon supports retro gaming]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/15/amazon-supports-retro-gaming/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/15/amazon-supports-retro-gaming/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/15/amazon-supports-retro-gaming/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Jason spotted this gem over on Amazon's "browse by system" link. It's great that they're still supporting systems that could be considered retro (Mario Kart 64 anyone? No? How about Crazy Taxi for your DC?), although excluding modern platforms like the DS and the Xbox 360 may not be in their best interest. Maybe they should start up an operation in Senegal? We hear that retro is really popular over there.

JoystiqAmazon supports retro gaming originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 15 Jun 2006 07:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AfricaAmazonCrazy TaxiCrazyTaxiDreamcastDSMario Kart 64MarioKart64Nintendo 64Nintendo64RetroSenegalXbox 360Xbox360Thu, 15 Jun 2006 07:30:00 EST