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 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[April NPD: Injustice: Gods Among Us reigns supreme]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/16/april-npd-injustice-gods-among-us-reigns-supreme/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/16/april-npd-injustice-gods-among-us-reigns-supreme/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/16/april-npd-injustice-gods-among-us-reigns-supreme/#comments Another hot, fresh loaf of financial data has been pulled out of The NPD Group's analytical oven, and its buttery goodness contains sales information for the four week period between April 4 and May 7, 2013. During that time, the physical retail sector of the games industry was down 25 percent when compared with its performance over the same four weeks in 2012, pulling in a grand total of $495.2 million. It's worth noting, however, that this figure does not include the sale of PC games.

Hardware sales brought in $109.5 million, a 42 percent decrease from the $187.8 million seen last year, with the Xbox 360 once again enjoying the highest sales with 130,000 units moved. Meanwhile, the brief reprieve from year-over-year decline seen by the Accessories segment last month was short lived, as in April it by dropped 19 percent to a total of $131.4 million.

Software sales (including PC games) topped out at $267.8 million, with NetherRealm Studios' Injustice: Gods Among Us taking top honors as the best-selling game for the period, the first time a fighting game has finished in first since 2011's Mortal Kombat. Dead Island: Riptide and BioShock Infinite rounded out the podium in spots two and three respectively - meanwhile MMO/Syfy series Defiance debuted in fifth. As always, scope the full list after the break.

Continue reading April NPD: Injustice: Gods Among Us reigns supreme

JoystiqApril NPD: Injustice: Gods Among Us reigns supreme originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 16 May 2013 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>20133dsapril-npdbioshock-infinitedead-island-riptidefinancialinjustice-gods-among-usmicrosoftnintendoNPDpcplaystationps3saleswiiwii-uxboxThu, 16 May 2013 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Dead Island Riptide tops the UK charts for third week running]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/13/dead-island-riptide-tops-the-uk-charts-for-third-week-running/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/13/dead-island-riptide-tops-the-uk-charts-for-third-week-running/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/13/dead-island-riptide-tops-the-uk-charts-for-third-week-running/#comments Dead Island Riptide is the second game this year to keep the competition at bay for three weeks in a row. Despite a 55 percent drop in sales, the semi-sequel repeats the run of BioShock Infinite earlier in the year. That's no surprise given the new releases shelves are just tumbleweeds rolling past each other.

The charts do include two (sort of) new releases, and both did well. Coming in at ninth is the physical box set of The Walking Dead, which released in North America late last year. Another latecomer to Europe is Persona 4 Arena, and distributor Zen United must be pleased with the fighter punching in at 11th.

As we said last week, you know it's quiet season when Call of Duty's re-gunning for the top; Black Ops 2 is now up to second place, a full six months after being released. Oh, and on the day Square Enix releases its financial results for the fiscal year, Tomb Raider makes it 10/10 - that's ten weeks in the UK top ten. Just. Saying.

Continue reading Dead Island Riptide tops the UK charts for third week running

JoystiqDead Island Riptide tops the UK charts for third week running originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 13 May 2013 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dschart-trackchart-track-weeklydead-island-riptidemicrosoftnintendopcpersona-4-arenaplaystationplaystation-vitaps3the-walking-deadukvitawii-uxboxMon, 13 May 2013 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Dead Island Riptide stays afloat of this week's UK Charts]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/07/dead-island-riptide-stays-afloat-of-this-weeks-uk-charts/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/07/dead-island-riptide-stays-afloat-of-this-weeks-uk-charts/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/07/dead-island-riptide-stays-afloat-of-this-weeks-uk-charts/#comments A 32 percent drop in sales isn't enough to keep Dead Island Riptide from surviving as the UK's No. 1. A quiet week bereft of major new releases means it's a largely familiar line-up; this week's top ten features nine of the entries from last week.

Injustice: Gods Among Us makes it three weeks in the top two, while Tomb Raider climbs back up to number 3 as one of the few games to hold steady sales. As ever, when FIFA and Call of Duty are on the up, chances are there's a new releases lull.

One game that was released last week was Soul Sacrifice, with the time ripe for it to make a strong impression on the charts. Keiji Inafune's Vita game only debuted in 26th.

Continue reading Dead Island Riptide stays afloat of this week's UK Charts

JoystiqDead Island Riptide stays afloat of this week's UK Charts originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 07 May 2013 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dschart-trackchart-track-weeklydead-island-riptidemicrosoftnintendopcplaystationplaystation-vitaps3soul-sacrificeukvitawii-uxboxTue, 07 May 2013 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Dead Island Riptide surfs the crest of this week's UK charts]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/29/dead-island-riptide-surfs-the-crest-of-this-weeks-uk-charts/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/29/dead-island-riptide-surfs-the-crest-of-this-weeks-uk-charts/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/29/dead-island-riptide-surfs-the-crest-of-this-weeks-uk-charts/#comments Dead Island Riptide is the new chart leader in the UK. Like Dead Island before it, the zombie-stuffed continuation may be critically divisive, but commercially it's doing the business so far. Having said that, Riptide's first week sales come in at less than half of the original's. Dead Island sliced through the 5 million mark for sales earlier this year.

Caught in the high Riptide is Injustice: Gods Among Us; last week's number one washes up this week in number two. Meanwhile, enhanced re-release Dark Arisen also matches its original's first week chart performance, notching third spot just like Dragon's Dogma did. The third of four new releases in this week's top ten is Star Trek; it boldly goes into fourth place. The last top ten debutante is Lego City Undercover: The Chase Begins, the 3DS version doing what its sibling failed to; the Wii U version debuted at 12th earlier this year.

Outside of the new releases, this week's musical chairs are very interesting. Tomb Raider continues its impressive run, only down from fourth to fifth. FYI, Square Enix, that's eight weeks it's been in the UK top five, and it's ahead now of BioShock Infinite. After five weeks, Irrational's sky-high shooter is floating just below in sixth. Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon is another consistent performer, and five weeks in the 3DS game is still haunting the top ten.

Continue reading Dead Island Riptide surfs the crest of this week's UK charts

JoystiqDead Island Riptide surfs the crest of this week's UK charts originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 29 Apr 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dschart-trackchart-track-weeklydead-island-riptidedeep-silvermicrosoftnintendopcplaystationplaystation-vitaps3techlandukvitawii-uxboxMon, 29 Apr 2013 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Dead Island Riptide review: DNR]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/26/dead-island-riptide-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/26/dead-island-riptide-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/26/dead-island-riptide-review/#comments Dead Island was a bit strange. A showy, standout marketing campaign belied a familiar zombie game, its roots in Dead Rising and weapon-heavy looters like Borderlands obvious. For all the modesty of its combat, for all the bugs and rough edges, it was satisfying. The endless array of swipes, kicks, bashes, decapitations and dismemberment got repetitive fast, that's true. But when it was fresh, that shaky first-person melee offered an adrenaline rush that remains vivid.

The reason it's so vivid is because I'm playing the same game all over again in Dead Island Riptide, an uninspired and unashamed rehash. Not only is it less satisfying, but any satisfaction gained is done so begrudgingly, because the game plainly doesn't deserve it.

Gallery: Dead Island: Riptide (4/9/13)

Continue reading Dead Island Riptide review: DNR

JoystiqDead Island Riptide review: DNR originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 26 Apr 2013 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dead-island-riptidemicrosoftpcplaystationps3xboxFri, 26 Apr 2013 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[PSN Tuesday: Dead Island Riptide, Star Trek, Thomas Was Alone]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/23/psn-tuesday-dead-island-riptide-star-trek-thomas-was-alone/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/23/psn-tuesday-dead-island-riptide-star-trek-thomas-was-alone/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/23/psn-tuesday-dead-island-riptide-star-trek-thomas-was-alone/#comments PSN Tuesday Dead Island Riptide, Star Trek, Thomas Was AloneThe PlayStation Store update this week includes four full games, two new for PSN and three Vita games. The full games are Star Trek, SoulCalibur 5, Dead Island Riptide and Blazing Angels 2: Secret Missions of WWII, while PSN gets God Mode and Thomas Was Alone.

Thomas Was Alone is a Cross Buy game, making it available on Vita today as well, along with Draw Slasher and Guilty Gear XX Accent Core Plus R.

Fire Pro Wrestling Returns is out as a PS2 Classic and PSP gets Black Rock Shooter The Game. The Spring Sale is still on, with discounts on Resident Evil 6 and Thomas Was Alone this week.

JoystiqPSN Tuesday: Dead Island Riptide, Star Trek, Thomas Was Alone originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 23 Apr 2013 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blazing-angels-2dead-island-riptideplaystationplaystation-vitaps3PSNpsn-tuesdaypspsonysoulcalibur-5Star-Trekthomas-was-alonevitaTue, 23 Apr 2013 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Metareview: Dead Island: Riptide]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/22/metareview-dead-island-riptide/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/22/metareview-dead-island-riptide/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/22/metareview-dead-island-riptide/#comments
Dead Island Riptide puts some spring back in zombies' steps
Dead Island: Riptide, the pseudo sequel to paradise-gone-wrong simulator Dead Island, shares one clear trait with its predecessor. No, not zombies (but, yeah, those are in there). It's that reviews are all over the place for the game's launch. The original Dead Island entered into a similarly hostile critical climate, but went on to sell 5 million units globally. Our Riptide review will be available later this week.
  • Game Informer (80/100): "Riptide's flaws are many, but they couldn't hold me back from having a blast. Few games nail the visceral feel of melee combat and co-op fun like Dead Island. At its worst, an annoying hiccup breaks the immersion of the grizzly trek through a zombie-infested paradise. At its best, Riptide hits the same high notes as the original."
  • IGN (72/100): "Technically, it's done nothing to build itself into a great game. Rather than fix the graphics and the performance problems that plagued the original two years ago, Techland slightly modified the setting and delivered a new character and more content. It's a fun time, but there are no surprises or killer new features to make it an impressive package."
  • Eurogamer (60/100): "What makes that so sad is that this feels like a series only a few great decisions away from being really good. A better script with a sense of humor, a bit more imagination in quest design, more coherent inventory management and character development... These things shouldn't be unattainable goals for a developer that must be flush from the unexpected success of the first game."
  • VideoGamer (50/100): "On the whole however Riptide is yet another missed opportunity, and just too painfully average, wonky and padded out with filler to truly recommend."
  • Gamespot (40/100): "Riptide is dumb, and mind-numbingly slow, and somehow manages to make the art of zombie-slaying feel like utter tedium. And if slaying zombies isn't fun in a game that's all about slaying zombies, why bother? "

JoystiqMetareview: Dead Island: Riptide originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 22 Apr 2013 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dead-island-riptideDeep-silverMetareviewmetareviewsmicrosoftpcplaystationps3xboxMon, 22 Apr 2013 11:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Dead Island Riptide gameplay trailer thought it was safe]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/21/dead-island-riptide-gameplay-trailer-thought-it-was-safe/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/21/dead-island-riptide-gameplay-trailer-thought-it-was-safe/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/21/dead-island-riptide-gameplay-trailer-thought-it-was-safe/#comments
If you'd like to know how Dead Island transitions into the upcoming Riptide spin-off, watch this video. If you'd rather not have Dead Island's ending pseudo-spoiled for you, look away now. If you're indifferent about all of that and just want zombie carnage, why are you still reading?

JoystiqDead Island Riptide gameplay trailer thought it was safe originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 21 Mar 2013 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dead-island-riptidedeep-silvermicrosoftpcplaystationps3techlandxboxThu, 21 Mar 2013 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Dead Island: Riptide UK pre-order bonuses slice, dice, BBQ zombie flesh [Update: US too]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/01/dead-island-riptide-uk-pre-order-bonuses-slice-dice-bbq-zombi/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/01/dead-island-riptide-uk-pre-order-bonuses-slice-dice-bbq-zombi/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/01/dead-island-riptide-uk-pre-order-bonuses-slice-dice-bbq-zombi/#comments Dead Island preorder bonusesVery few things will survive the zombie apocalypse. One thing that will make the cut: pre-order bonuses. Quite literally in this case, as Dead Island: Riptide bonuses in the UK will include the Survivor Pack, which features the BBQ Blade seen above. The hefty machete has a fuel tank attached that, presumably, will set the blade on fire. If a giant flaming knife just isn't enough for you, the pack will also include a special in-game shop with discounted items and a higher chance for rare items. Furthermore, the Survivor Pack includes a booster for both XP and stats.

Finally, those who pre-order from GAME will also get the Fashion Victim pack, which includes new skins for all playable characters. New skin is probably handy for those times when you find all of yours gnawed off by the undead.

We've contacted Deep Silver to find out if these bonuses are headed to North America as well. At the moment, US retailers are listing a pre-order special edition including a Steelbook case, weapon mods, character skins and a digital map. That's not to be confused with the $80 "Rigor Mortis" Edition.

Dead Island: Riptide launches April 23.

Update: Amazon now lists the same pre-order bonuses for the US as well.

Continue reading Dead Island: Riptide UK pre-order bonuses slice, dice, BBQ zombie flesh [Update: US too]

JoystiqDead Island: Riptide UK pre-order bonuses slice, dice, BBQ zombie flesh [Update: US too] originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 01 Mar 2013 20:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dead-island-riptidedeep-silvermicrosoftpcplaystationps3TechlandxboxFri, 01 Mar 2013 20:40:00 EST<![CDATA[9 minutes of Dead Island Riptide's new hub defense missions]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/24/9-minutes-of-dead-island-riptides-new-hub-defense-missions/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/24/9-minutes-of-dead-island-riptides-new-hub-defense-missions/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/24/9-minutes-of-dead-island-riptides-new-hub-defense-missions/#comments
This Dead Island Riptide video showcases a new gameplay element, hub defense missions. These missions involve making preparations - like hunting down some mounted machine guns - in order to defend a single location. They also involve zombies. Lots of those.

Joystiq9 minutes of Dead Island Riptide's new hub defense missions originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 24 Jan 2013 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dead-island-riptidemicrosoftpcplaystationps3xboxThu, 24 Jan 2013 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Deep Silver apologizes for 'gruesome statue']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/15/deep-silver-apologizes-for-gruesome-statue/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/15/deep-silver-apologizes-for-gruesome-statue/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/15/deep-silver-apologizes-for-gruesome-statue/#comments After discovering that sane people are universally disgusted by its foot-tall statue of a mutilated human torso in a bikini, included with the Europe/Australian Dead Island Riptide Zombie Bait Edition, publisher Deep Silver issued an apology today through its Twitter account.

The company said the statue was inspired by the violence in the game: "a decision was made to include a gruesome statue of a zombie torso, which was cut up like many of our fans had done to the undead enemies in the original Dead Island."

Deep Silver said it "sincerely regret[s] this choice," and that it is "committed to making sure this will never happen again," which is as simple as not doing it again.

What isn't clear, however, is whether it's still happening this time. The apology note makes no mention of pulling or replacing the offending item from the Zombie Bait Edition.

JoystiqDeep Silver apologizes for 'gruesome statue' originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 Jan 2013 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dead-islanddead-island-riptidedeep-silvermicrosoftxboxTue, 15 Jan 2013 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Dead Island: Riptide's UK 'Zombie Bait' edition comes with bloody torso]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/15/dead-island-riptides-uk-zombie-bait-edition-comes-with-blood/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/15/dead-island-riptides-uk-zombie-bait-edition-comes-with-blood/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/15/dead-island-riptides-uk-zombie-bait-edition-comes-with-blood/#comments Dead Island Riptide UK CE edition features a gross, gross statueIf you're less than thrilled about the contents of the North American Dead Island: Riptide "Rigor Mortis" Edition, know that it could be worse. In fact, it is worse in the UK, where the collector's edition of Techland's latest comes with this mangled torso, presumably intended for you to display in your home. It's too gross even to qualify for the A Christmas Story joke that usually applies to body-part statues.

The 31 cm-high statue, and the rest of the "Zombie Bait Edition," are only available with the Xbox 360 version of the game, limiting the potential spread of these things and ensuing psychological damage somewhat. It will be released in the UK on April 26.

Continue reading Dead Island: Riptide's UK 'Zombie Bait' edition comes with bloody torso

JoystiqDead Island: Riptide's UK 'Zombie Bait' edition comes with bloody torso originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 Jan 2013 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dead-islanddead-island-riptidemicrosoftukxboxzombie-bait-editionTue, 15 Jan 2013 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Dead Island: Riptide's 'Rigor Mortis' edition has a case of zombies]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/10/dead-island-riptides-rigor-mortis-edition-has-a-case-of-zomb/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/10/dead-island-riptides-rigor-mortis-edition-has-a-case-of-zomb/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/10/dead-island-riptides-rigor-mortis-edition-has-a-case-of-zomb/#comments Dead Island special Rigor Mortis editionDead Island: Riptide's "Rigor Mortis Edition" has everything you need to survive a zombie invasion: a small suitcase, a zombie hula girl figurine, a bottle opener that looks like a hand, and a key. Everything! There's also a "digital strategy map" and bundled DLC for the game. The contents of the $80 collection were chosen by a fan survey.

According to Deep Silver, the Rigor Mortis Edition is available for pre-order now in North and Latin America in "extremely limited" quantities. There are only so many tiny magnetic zombies out there to provide source material for those bottle openers, after all.

Continue reading Dead Island: Riptide's 'Rigor Mortis' edition has a case of zombies

JoystiqDead Island: Riptide's 'Rigor Mortis' edition has a case of zombies originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 10 Jan 2013 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>collectors-editiondead-islanddead-island-riptidemicrosoftpcplaystationps3rigor-mortis-editionspecial-editionxboxThu, 10 Jan 2013 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Dead Island: Riptide not washing up in Germany]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/30/dead-island-riptide-not-washing-up-in-germany/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/30/dead-island-riptide-not-washing-up-in-germany/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/30/dead-island-riptide-not-washing-up-in-germany/#comments Dead Island Riptide puts some spring back in zombies' stepsDead Island: Riptide, like the original Dead Island, won't be released in Germany, home base of publisher Deep Silver. Riptide creative producer Sebastian Reichert said at Gamescom he "wouldn't bet" on the game being available in Germany, but now he's stated it officially.

"We have no censored version of the game," Reichert told PCGamesN. "So we cannot release it in Germany. It feels f*cking awkward to have one of the most successful games in years and nobody in your country knows it."

We double-checked with publisher Deep Silver to make sure there wasn't anything lost in translation and a company representative confirmed Riptide wouldn't be available in Germany. The Unterhaltungssoftware Selbskontrolle (USK) must follow government-enforced criteria that, along with other elements, note a game can't have extreme violence against human-like enemies.

Under a microscope, the USK's determination of such things can get awfully fiddly. It was a surprise back in 2011 when Epic's Gears of War 3 passed the censors, while no other installment in the series had made the grade. It wasn't just a surprise to us, but to Epic itself.

JoystiqDead Island: Riptide not washing up in Germany originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 30 Nov 2012 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dead-island-riptideDeep-silvergermanymicrosoftpcplaystationps3techlanduskxboxFri, 30 Nov 2012 13:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Dead Island: Riptide's fake rap video stars real artist Chamillionaire]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/15/dead-island-riptides-fake-rap-video-stars-real-artist-chamilli/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/15/dead-island-riptides-fake-rap-video-stars-real-artist-chamilli/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/15/dead-island-riptides-fake-rap-video-stars-real-artist-chamilli/#comments

Dead Island is famous for having arguably the most dramatic, memorable advertisement of 2011, with its backward, slow-mo gore fest featuring an undead child. With Dead Island: Riptide, the marketing team is taking a decidedly different approach: They've decided on "No Room in Hell," a rap music video from in-game character Sam B, featuring real-life artist Chamillionaire.

In the Dead Island universe, Sam B is a one-hit wonder for his song "Who Do You Voodoo, Bitch?" and "No Room in Hell" is the last single he recorded before traveling to the Royal Palms Resort Hotel on Banoi. Considering what went down on the island when he got there, his fake record label fears this might very well be his last single, ever.

JoystiqDead Island: Riptide's fake rap video stars real artist Chamillionaire originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 15 Nov 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Chamillionairedead-island-riptideDeep-silvermicrosoftmusic-videopcplaystationps3rapsam-bxboxThu, 15 Nov 2012 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Dead Island: Riptide introduces brawler John Morgan]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/05/dead-island-riptide-introduces-brawler-john-morgan/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/05/dead-island-riptide-introduces-brawler-john-morgan/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/05/dead-island-riptide-introduces-brawler-john-morgan/#comments Dead Island Riptide intros fifth playable character, John MorganDead Island: Riptide will add a fisticuffs-based character to the zombie survival simulator. John Morgan is a master of hand-to-hand combat and can be played from the beginning of Riptide, along with the four members of the original game's cast. We've confirmed co-op play is still set to four players, so don't take this as a sign of party of five antics.

According to publisher Deep Silver, Morgan was "inspired by some very popular fan mods" for the original game, which we wanted to know more about.

"So one thing we really like about our community is that they did so many crazy mods for Dead Island on PC. One of the mods was an awesome Fist of the North Star thing and a dude made a hilarious video out of it," a representative for Deep Silver told us, digging up the YouTube we've placed after the break. "Obviously, our character is not exactly like this, but since people liked this mod so much, it made us think about doing a hand-to-hand combat character."

Dead Island: Riptide washes in late April next year.

Gallery: Dead Island: Riptide (11/5/12)

Continue reading Dead Island: Riptide introduces brawler John Morgan

JoystiqDead Island: Riptide introduces brawler John Morgan originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 05 Nov 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dead-island-riptidemicrosoftpcplaystationps3xboxMon, 05 Nov 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Dead Island: Riptide launches April 23 in North America, April 26 worldwide]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/30/dead-island-riptide-release-date-april/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/30/dead-island-riptide-release-date-april/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/30/dead-island-riptide-release-date-april/#comments Dead Island: Riptide will launch on April 23, 2013 in North America, with a worldwide release to follow on April 26. Publisher Deep Silver has also announced pre-order bonuses for the soggy zombie sequel, namely an "exclusive pack of weapon mods." A special edition will also be available - specific retailers to be announced soon - and will include a special character skin "not obtainable anywhere else."

Dead Island: Riptide is set to feature an improved engine, a new weather system and character continuation from the first Dead Island. Also zombies.

Gallery: Dead Island: Riptide

Continue reading Dead Island: Riptide launches April 23 in North America, April 26 worldwide

JoystiqDead Island: Riptide launches April 23 in North America, April 26 worldwide originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 30 Oct 2012 10:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dead-island-riptidemicrosoftpcplaystationps3xboxTue, 30 Oct 2012 10:42:00 EST<![CDATA[Dead Island: Riptide pulls in a fifth playable character, 'darker' story]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/23/dead-island-riptide-pulls-in-a-fifth-playable-character-darke/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/23/dead-island-riptide-pulls-in-a-fifth-playable-character-darke/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/23/dead-island-riptide-pulls-in-a-fifth-playable-character-darke/#comments Dead Island sequel will be 'darker' in tone, introduce fifth playable characterDead Island: Riptide will introduce a fifth playable character, who from the looks of things is a burly man with a backward baseball cap, or what is the world's most well-kept mullet. Deep Silver creative director Sebastian Reichert confirms the new character to VG24/7, adding that Riptide's story is darker, with a more natural sense of beauty-gone-wrong.

"For example, in Dead Island the beauty of the island was often created by man - the Beach Resort, Hotel, etc. - and the terror was created by the zombies," Reichert says. "This main design theme has changed. Palanai is an island full of natural beauty, for example, wonderful waterfalls, contrasted by natural destruction caused by storms, monsoons and rain. And of course the zombies."

Riptide isn't a sequel - it's a spin-off that can take the game in a new direction. Reichert believes the boat and flooding systems will differentiate Riptide from Dead Island, along with a new program that tracks which weapons players use and doles out proficiency stats accordingly.

"Plotwise, 'darker' is good description of where we're heading, but of course we stay bright and beautiful on the outside," Reichert says. "We are taking a very special step in this installment and we are looking forward to see how the fans react to it."

JoystiqDead Island: Riptide pulls in a fifth playable character, 'darker' story originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 23 Oct 2012 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dead-island-riptideDeep-silvermicrosoftpcplaystationps3xboxTue, 23 Oct 2012 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Dead Island: Riptide's CGI trailer mixes romance with lots of zombies]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/18/dead-island-riptides-cgi-trailer-mixes-romance-with-lots-of-zo/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/18/dead-island-riptides-cgi-trailer-mixes-romance-with-lots-of-zo/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/18/dead-island-riptides-cgi-trailer-mixes-romance-with-lots-of-zo/#comments

Remember all the fuss over the Dead Island trailer? Well, Techland is giving its follow-up a similarly artistic treatment, albeit not quite as spectacular. This CGI video punctuates a loving final farewell with a surrounding megaton of undead. As with its predecessor's cinematic debut, we don't learn that much about Dead Island: Riptide from it. Still, it does make us appreciate how romantic a lighter can be, even outside of Elton John gigs.

The zombie-stuffed follow-up is set to launch next year.

JoystiqDead Island: Riptide's CGI trailer mixes romance with lots of zombies originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 18 Sep 2012 12:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dead-island-riptidedeep-silvermicrosoftpcplaystationps3techlandxboxTue, 18 Sep 2012 12:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Dead Island Riptide allows character continuation, arrives 2013]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/31/dead-island-riptide-2013/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/31/dead-island-riptide-2013/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/31/dead-island-riptide-2013/#comments Dead Island Riptide puts some spring back in zombies' stepsDead Island Riptide is a spin-off of the original zombie resort simulator. Publisher Deep Silver is very clear to point out it is not a sequel, so think more Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood or Halo 3: ODST. Riptide was announced this summer, but now we have some more details.

The game will return the focus to close combat from the latter gunplay found in Dead Island, with a new weather system and upgrades to the engine of the first game. The weather system will now include flooding and lovely trips down zombie infested rivers on little boats. There are also forts that need to be reinforced and barricaded.

Players will be able to import their character stats from the previous game, but the new game takes place in a new location. It's the same archipelago, but not the same island. The game will launch in 2013.

Gallery: Dead Island: Riptide

JoystiqDead Island Riptide allows character continuation, arrives 2013 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 31 Aug 2012 10:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dead-island-riptideDeep-silvermicrosoftpcplaystationps3TechlandxboxFri, 31 Aug 2012 10:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Dead Island studio unveils new game in development, 'Project Hell']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/28/dead-island-studio-unveils-new-game-in-development-project-hel/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/28/dead-island-studio-unveils-new-game-in-development-project-hel/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/28/dead-island-studio-unveils-new-game-in-development-project-hel/#comments Dead Island studio unveils new game in development, 'Project Hell' Techland today announced 'Project Hell', the codename for a new game the studio is developing. The developer launched a new blog for the project, revealing the game's prototype was borne out of an internally-created weapon mod for Dead Island.

Although there isn't much yet to go on, it looks like Project Hell, as the name suggests, won't stray far from Dead Island's bloodied roots. The team's opening post says that they prefer "breaking through hordes of undead minions" over stuff with "unicorns and fairies." The post also notes the game will use some of Dead Island's technology.

The announcement follows the news earlier this month that Dead Island shipped 4 million copies worldwide. Techland is also working on the next installment in that series, Riptide, which is reportedly set to debut at PAX Prime this weekend.

JoystiqDead Island studio unveils new game in development, 'Project Hell' originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 28 Aug 2012 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dead-islanddead-island-riptidepax-prime-2012project-helltechlandTue, 28 Aug 2012 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Dead Island: Riptide producer hopes game releases in Germany, but isn't betting on it]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/16/dead-island-riptide-producer-hopes-game-releases-in-germany-bu/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/16/dead-island-riptide-producer-hopes-game-releases-in-germany-bu/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/16/dead-island-riptide-producer-hopes-game-releases-in-germany-bu/#comments Dead Island Riptide puts some spring back in those zombies' stepsDead Island: Riptide, like its predecessor, is unlikely to be released in Germany. The situation is awkwardly laughable, since the game is being shown at behind-closed-door sessions at Gamescom in Germany, but the audience in attendance won't likely get to legally play the game. Pouring lemon juice on the paper cut, publisher Deep Silver is a German company.

"Maybe they change the laws? It's about time," said Sebastian Reichert, creative producer of Riptide, expressing it's a little awkward being German and most people don't know his game. "I wouldn't bet on it [coming out here]."

The Unterhaltungssoftware Selbskontrolle (USK) must follow government-enforced rules determined by the BPjM (German Federal Department for Media Harmful to Young Persons). Games can't have extreme violence against human-like enemies, along with many other criteria. Dead Island: Riptide has not yet been submitted to the USK.

JoystiqDead Island: Riptide producer hopes game releases in Germany, but isn't betting on it originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 16 Aug 2012 07:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dead-islanddead-island-riptidegamescom-2012microsoftpcplaystationps3xboxThu, 16 Aug 2012 07:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Dead Island Riptide puts some spring back in zombies' steps]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/05/dead-island-riptide-puts-some-spring-back-in-those-zombies-step/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/05/dead-island-riptide-puts-some-spring-back-in-those-zombies-step/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/05/dead-island-riptide-puts-some-spring-back-in-those-zombies-step/#comments Dead Island Riptide puts some spring back in those zombies' stepsDead Island Riptide is a standalone new installment in Deep Silver's zombie vacation simulator franchise. Riptide will be for retail for consoles and PCs, developed by Techland, and is set for an "extensive reveal" this summer.

Continue reading Dead Island Riptide puts some spring back in zombies' steps

JoystiqDead Island Riptide puts some spring back in zombies' steps originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 05 Jun 2012 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dead-island-riptideDeep-silvere3-2012microsoftpcplaystationps3TechlandxboxTue, 05 Jun 2012 15:45:00 EST