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[Ubisoft planning to expand Toronto studio to 800 employees within 10 years]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/02/ubisoft-planning-to-expand-toronto-studio-to-800-employees-withi/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/02/ubisoft-planning-to-expand-toronto-studio-to-800-employees-withi/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/02/ubisoft-planning-to-expand-toronto-studio-to-800-employees-withi/#comments ImageUbisoft Montreal, as we've reported before, is a huge video game outfit with a large team of developers coordinating multiple projects at a time, across up to six different studios. Ubisoft wants to repeat that structure in its new Toronto studio, according to the Financial Post. The French company is adding over 600 employees to the current staff of 210 over the next 10 years, which means an investment of over $500 million in that time.

That has big ramifications, not only for Ubisoft's future as a publisher and developer, but for Toronto's Wallace Avenue neighborhood as well (where these employees will live, work, and spend all of this money). As for the studio itself, it's currently at work on five upcoming Ubisoft titles, including the next Splinter Cell. As more and more is invested in the operation there, that list will probably grow.

JoystiqUbisoft planning to expand Toronto studio to 800 employees within 10 years originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 02 May 2012 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>canadacanadiandevelopersemployeeshiringinvestmentjade-raymondneighborhoodsplinter-cellstudiotorontoubisoftwallace-avenueWed, 02 May 2012 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Indie Fund selects The Swapper as next investment]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/03/indie-fund-selects-the-swapper-as-next-investment/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/03/indie-fund-selects-the-swapper-as-next-investment/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/03/indie-fund-selects-the-swapper-as-next-investment/#comments Eerie and remarkable puzzle platformer The Swapper, last seen at Indiecade last year, has been chosen as the next financed title by the Indie Fund. The fund, put together by a team of indie developers, is designed to make sure developers of great games get the money they need to reach players. Past recipients of the Fund include games like Q.U.B.E. and Dear Esther, both of which recouped their investment very quickly.

So if you weren't already on the lookout for The Swapper, time to get out the telescope. The game is made by two young developers from the University of Helsinki (who told Joystiq that the title's unique graphical look was made using pictures of models built with clay), and though they've said it will likely arrive on "PC and Mac, maybe something else," they haven't announced release plans just yet.

JoystiqIndie Fund selects The Swapper as next investment originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 03 Mar 2012 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>developersfacepalm-gamesfundingindie-fundpcthe-swapperuniversity-of-helsinkiSat, 03 Mar 2012 01:00:00 EST<![CDATA[7Sixty releasing Western version of HurricaneX2 on XBLA as Kung Fu Strike]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/16/7sixty-releasing-western-version-of-hurricanex2-on-xbla-as-kung/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/16/7sixty-releasing-western-version-of-hurricanex2-on-xbla-as-kung/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/16/7sixty-releasing-western-version-of-hurricanex2-on-xbla-as-kung/#comments
Rumors of developer 7Sixty being hard at work on a kung fu project, based on the Chinese game HurricaneX2, are true. The game is coming to an Xbox Live Arcade near you as Kung Fu Strike: The Warrior's Rise. The teaser trailer above doesn't show much in terms of gameplay, but you can see the screenshots below for more (and there's gameplay of the Eastern version out there as well).

The title looks like a quick and stylistic arcade beat-em-up, a genre that certainly has its fans. 7Sixty says the game, which comes with local co-op and versus modes, is showing up on XBLA "early this year." Expect to see more "very soon."
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Joystiq7Sixty releasing Western version of HurricaneX2 on XBLA as Kung Fu Strike originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 16 Feb 2012 04:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>7sixtybeat-em-updevelopersfightinghurricanex2kung-fu-strikekung-fu-strike-the-warriors-risemicrosoftxblaxboxThu, 16 Feb 2012 04:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ubisoft's Reflections studio nominated for Innovation Award, now hiring]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/15/ubisofts-reflections-studio-nominated-for-innovation-award-now/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/15/ubisofts-reflections-studio-nominated-for-innovation-award-now/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/15/ubisofts-reflections-studio-nominated-for-innovation-award-now/#comments Ubisoft's Reflections studio, the developers of Driver: San Francisco, Just Dance 3, and currently working on Far Cry 3, has been nominated for an Innovation Award by the UK's Royal Television Society of the North East, spotlighting "exceptional contributions to technological and production innovations." In other words, they produce games real good, ya hear?

The awards will be handed out on Saturday in a ceremony at Newcastle upon Tyne in Northeast England. Reflections also tells Joystiq that the company is growing and hiring at the moment, so if you want to make games and live in the UK (or are willing to move there), there might be an opening for you.

Continue reading Ubisoft's Reflections studio nominated for Innovation Award, now hiring

JoystiqUbisoft's Reflections studio nominated for Innovation Award, now hiring originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 Feb 2012 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>developersdriver-san-franciscomicrosoftplaystationps3reflectionsreflections-interactiveubisoft-reflectionsxboxWed, 15 Feb 2012 03:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Facebook looking to expand Credits to other gaming portals]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/24/facebook-looking-to-expand-credits-to-other-gaming-portals/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/24/facebook-looking-to-expand-credits-to-other-gaming-portals/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/24/facebook-looking-to-expand-credits-to-other-gaming-portals/#comments Facebook's thick, sinewy tendrils continue to twist and worm their way through every facet of the internet's expansive infrastructure, as the social giant has unceremoniously announced plans to expand the Facebook Credits system to other sites. Sandwiched between payment system and graph API updates on the Platform Update developers blog, the brief entry names Gamehouse's Collapse! Blast as the project's initial testbed, adding that interested developers should get in touch.

Rather than using Paypal or their credit cards, users now sign into Collapse! Blast via Facebook, at which point their existing Facebook Credits can be spent on virtual goods. Should the expansion progress beyond these initial testing phases, Facebook Credits may provide appsperience developers with a solution that's easier and cheaper to implement than a proprietary one. Facebook's massive existing install base doesn't hurt things either, and since adoption is the key to standardization, maybe this is the first step towards a Star Trek-esque credits-based utopian future society.

JoystiqFacebook looking to expand Credits to other gaming portals originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 24 Oct 2011 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>developersexpansionfacebookfacebook-creditsmacmobilepctestingMon, 24 Oct 2011 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[IndieCade 2011: Tom Sennett cares about Deepak Fights Robots]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/10/indiecade-2011-tom-sennett-cares-about-deepak-fights-robots/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/10/indiecade-2011-tom-sennett-cares-about-deepak-fights-robots/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/10/indiecade-2011-tom-sennett-cares-about-deepak-fights-robots/#comments
When Tom Sennett stepped on stage to pick up the Game Design award at this year's IndieCade, his entire speech suggested strongly that he doesn't, um, really care. But here's his secret: He actually does. "I take the work very seriously," he said. When it comes to Deepak Fights Robots (currently available on Mac, Windows and Linux), Sennett actually cares very much.

Sure, the graphics look like they were created with free software and a mouse (they were), the action ranges from surreal to nonsensical, and the game's funky soundtrack and aesthetic (that extended even to the signs around Sennett's IndieCade display, as seen above) might make you think Deepak Fights Robots is just a joke. It is funny, but once you dive into the game mechanics at play here, there's a surprising amount of depth and insight built on just a few standard platformer-style tropes.

Continue reading IndieCade 2011: Tom Sennett cares about Deepak Fights Robots

JoystiqIndieCade 2011: Tom Sennett cares about Deepak Fights Robots originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 10 Oct 2011 23:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>deepak-fights-robotsdevelopersindiecadeindiecade-2011interviewpcMon, 10 Oct 2011 23:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Trion picks up David Luehmann to head third-party dev program]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/09/trion-picks-up-david-luehmann-to-head-third-party-dev-program/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/09/trion-picks-up-david-luehmann-to-head-third-party-dev-program/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/09/trion-picks-up-david-luehmann-to-head-third-party-dev-program/#comments Trion Worlds has hired on games developer David Luehmann to take care of its third-party development arm, and Luehmann says he'll be working on "two, three or four more" titles for the company to develop and publish in conjunction with third parties. Luehmann formerly worked with Microsoft Game Studios, a division that knows quite a bit about dealing with cross-company development, having acquired Rare and Lionhead, as well as dealing with other developers like Epic Games, Double Fine, and lots of other solid game houses.

Trion Worlds of course made and released the popular MMO Rift, and is currently working on an MMORTS title in conjuction with Petroglyph called End of Nations. Luehmann says that Trion isn't looking for any specific number of third party games to publish, but that the company is looking for "something that will turn into a fantastic experience" from a studio that's working on "connected" titles.

JoystiqTrion picks up David Luehmann to head third-party dev program originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 09 Aug 2011 03:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dave-luehmanndevelopersdevelopmentpcthird-party-developmenttriontrion-worldsTue, 09 Aug 2011 03:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Canadian Game Development Talent Awards announced]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/06/canadian-game-development-talent-awards-announced/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/06/canadian-game-development-talent-awards-announced/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/06/canadian-game-development-talent-awards-announced/#comments The Alliance numérique is a Canadian digital industry network that's putting together, in conjunction with the Canadian Interactive Alliance, the first-ever Canadian Game Development Talent Awards. This ceremony will honor Canadian finalists and winners in a number of different categories around video gaming, putting a spotlight on the creative talent available in America's neighbors to the north.

The Canadian video game industry is growing by leaps and bounds. Not only is the audience surprisingly large up there, but Pierre Proulx, General Manager of Alliance numérique, says that Canada is "now the third most important cluster in terms of video game development in the world," presumably after Japan and the United States.

The awards ceremony is being chaired by developer Jason Della Rocca, and will take place on November 2, 2011 at the Montreal International Game Summit. You can see the full announcent after the break.

Continue reading Canadian Game Development Talent Awards announced

JoystiqCanadian Game Development Talent Awards announced originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 06 Jul 2011 00:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alliance-numierqueawardscanadacanadian-game-development-talent-awardscanadian-interactive-alliancecgdtadevelopersjason-della-roccamontrealWed, 06 Jul 2011 00:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Puddle preview: Liquid assets]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/03/puddle-preview-liquid-assets/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/03/puddle-preview-liquid-assets/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/03/puddle-preview-liquid-assets/#comments Discovered among the demo units at Konami's pre-E3 event yesterday, sandwiched in between much less surprising titles like Burgertime: World Tour and Red Bull X-Fighters World Tour (with names as generic as their gameplay) was Puddle, an intriguing little game wrapped around a splashy concept.

The Konami rep running Puddle didn't have a lot of information on the game's origins, but a little Googling reveals something surprising: Puddle was a winner in the Independent Games Festival's Student Showcase at GDC 2010 earlier this year, put together by a team from the French school ENJMIN. The Konami display listed Neko Entertainment as the developer for the release on display, so presumably the French developer has hired those students to release the PC title (still available for download) on Xbox 360 and PS3.

The PS3 version is Move compatible (the Xbox version is controller-only, I was told), and that's how I played it. While the version on display was clearly still a work in progress, with most levels missing and lots of placeholder code in the UI, it was enough to see there's something special about this game.

Continue reading Puddle preview: Liquid assets

JoystiqPuddle preview: Liquid assets originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 03 Jun 2011 19:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>controldeveloperse3-2011frenchkonamiliquidmicrosoftneko-entertainmentplaystationps3puddlexboxFri, 03 Jun 2011 19:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Metacritic drops individual developer ratings for good]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/31/metacritic-drops-individual-developer-ratings-for-good/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/31/metacritic-drops-individual-developer-ratings-for-good/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/31/metacritic-drops-individual-developer-ratings-for-good/#comments Though Metacritic's recent policy of not only applying scores to video games, but also the individual people who created those games, drew some ire from the site's users, we thought it was a masterstroke. Assigning people arbitrary scores based on their past achievements? Seriously, the person who came up with that had to be, like, at least a 93. Sadly, the ratings were short-lived, and in a recent GamesIndustry interview, Metacritic founder Marc Doyle (a known 77) said, "We have no plans to bring it back."

Ultimately, Mr. 77 said the site isn't meant to "fuel some larger discussion over what person is more worthy than some other person." That's actually kind of a nice sentiment, but it's that lack of bloodthirstiness that's keeping Mr. Doyle from breaking into the low 80s.

JoystiqMetacritic drops individual developer ratings for good originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 31 Mar 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>developersindustrymarc-doylemetacriticratingreviewsscoresThu, 31 Mar 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Xbox Live Indie Games moved to 'Specialty Shops' on new Dashboard, devs not happy]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/03/xbox-live-indie-games-moved-to-specialty-shops-on-new-dashboar/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/03/xbox-live-indie-games-moved-to-specialty-shops-on-new-dashboar/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/03/xbox-live-indie-games-moved-to-specialty-shops-on-new-dashboar/#comments The new Xbox 360 Dashboard Update makes the whole interface look smoother and cleaner, but it has rubbed one part of the community the wrong way. Xbox Live Indie Game creators are bummed over on the Microsoft Developer Network forums, as their creations have been relegated to the "Specialty Shops" section of the new Dashboard, hidden behind the Avatar Marketplace and away from most of the game and demo traffic.

Most developers actually sound resigned to their fate, admitting that, while there are a few indie game breakouts, the category in general wasn't a big moneymaker for Microsoft, so it's not surprising it didn't get the spotlight when the update came around. But other devs say it's a chicken-and-the-egg problem, that indie games won't get the sales without the exposure, and hiding them away only dooms them to more failure.

That said, there's no sales data yet off of the new Dashboard; we'll just have to wait and see what effect this new placement has.

[Thanks, Richard!]

JoystiqXbox Live Indie Games moved to 'Specialty Shops' on new Dashboard, devs not happy originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 03 Nov 2010 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>developersindie-gamesmicrosoftxbligxboxxbox-360-dashboardxbox-live-indie-gamesWed, 03 Nov 2010 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[How Xbox Live Achievements work]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/17/how-xbox-live-achievements-work/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/17/how-xbox-live-achievements-work/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/17/how-xbox-live-achievements-work/#commentsFiled under: , ,

This post is for eggheads only -- we won't be talking about how to get Xbox Live achievements, or how the system of earning Gamerscore actually works. Nope, the latest Xbox Engineering blog post gets down and dirty with the actual software and hardware behind the Xbox Live Achievements system, and not only how your Xbox actually learns from whatever game you're playing that you just earned some points, but how you friends get to know it as well.

Turns out the sound we most connect with the whole system (that "Achievement Unlocked" beep) was an afterthought -- originally, Microsoft's team wasn't planning on having any notification of point scoring at all. The idea of achievements has evolved over time as well -- they did start out with the 5-50 and 1000 Gamerscore requirements, but since launch, devs have better learned how to use Achievements and how to customize them. Apparently there's a whole bunch of code and science behind the whole thing. Go figure! We always thought it was unicorn magic of some kind.

JoystiqHow Xbox Live Achievements work originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 17 Jul 2010 04:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>achievementsbeepdeveloperdevelopersmicrosoftxboxxbox-liveSat, 17 Jul 2010 04:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Interview: Wideload Games' Patrick Curry talks Disney Guilty Party, life after 'Stubbs']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/19/interview-wideload-games-patrick-curry-on-disney-guilty-party/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/19/interview-wideload-games-patrick-curry-on-disney-guilty-party/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/19/interview-wideload-games-patrick-curry-on-disney-guilty-party/#comments Some of the most fun to be had during multiplayer video games isn't actually in the game itself -- it's outside of the games, where players chat with each other for fun, break down a strategy during co-op, or trash talk in-between deathmatches. You don't usually get XP for taunting over voicechat or telling your team where the enemy is, but there's a reward nevertheless, a social bonus completely independent of the code that developers write.

Wideload Games has done a great job of focusing on that gameplay in Disney Guilty Party. I got to play the same co-op Party Mode as Randy at a pre-E3 event this week, and while it's definitely a family game, it competently serves up custom-made mysteries for families to take on. In hunting down and accusing various colorful suspects, that out-of-game conversation and interaction becomes just as important and fun as the in-game button pressing and Wiimote waggling.

Game Director Patrick Curry was my partner-in-crime-solving, and since we have common roots in Chicago (I used to work in the same building, one floor below Wideload's studios), we had a quick chat about the studio's direction towards family games, and its acquisition by Disney Interactive.

Continue reading Interview: Wideload Games' Patrick Curry talks Disney Guilty Party, life after 'Stubbs'

JoystiqInterview: Wideload Games' Patrick Curry talks Disney Guilty Party, life after 'Stubbs' originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 19 May 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>creatordevelopersdisneydisney-guilty-partydisney-interactive-studiosguilty-partyminigamesmysteryNintendoparty-gameparty-modepatrick-currywideload-gamesWiiWed, 19 May 2010 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo once again tops the Develop 100]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/11/nintendo-once-again-tops-the-develop-100/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/11/nintendo-once-again-tops-the-develop-100/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/11/nintendo-once-again-tops-the-develop-100/#comments Develop magazine has published its latest Develop 100, a list of 100 video game developers ranked by the amount of money they made at UK retail. There's a digital version of the whole book online, but the list is available in quick-browse form over on the website, and there are plenty of big industry names. Nintendo has topped the list -- it did the same thing a few years ago before Blizzard stole the No. 1 spot last time around (down to No. 80 this year).

Infinity Ward, a development house whose best days may be behind it, sits at No. 2. The biggest surprise in the top 10 may be Yuke's at No. 9, the company behind a long history of wrestling titles and creators of the popular UFC Undisputed line. It's been around this list before, though, having reached as high as No. 8 a few years ago. Midway Newcastle is on the list at No. 90, despite having shut down last year.

The US claims both the most studios on the list (40 percent) as well as the most profit earned (£484.78 million). And, in general, profits are up from previous years -- Nintendo itself is making about £70 million more than it did the last time it was in first place. Remember, these are all UK totals, but Develop has worked hard to make a fairly representative list of worldwide developers.

JoystiqNintendo once again tops the Develop 100 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 11 May 2010 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blizzarddevelopdevelop-100developersinfinty-wardnintendoprofitsrankingukyukesTue, 11 May 2010 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Skate 3: Good times with product placement]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/07/skate-3-good-times-with-product-placement/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/07/skate-3-good-times-with-product-placement/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/07/skate-3-good-times-with-product-placement/#comments
Self-identification through product choice is a mainstay of the skateboarding scene, from t-shirts to shoes to skate decks to the soundtracks on skate videos. It's all part of the culture, so it's only fitting that a skateboarding game - say, Skate 3 - shares in that. To celebrate this common thread, let's play spot the product placement after the break!

Continue reading Skate 3: Good times with product placement

JoystiqSkate 3: Good times with product placement originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 07 May 2010 06:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>black-boxdeath-wishdevelopersdr-peppereaelectronic-artsMicrosoftproduct-placementsharksskateskate-3skateboardingskatingsupratrademarksXbox-360Fri, 07 May 2010 06:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Former Blizzard dev starts Atomic Operations game studio]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/26/former-blizzard-dev-starts-atomic-operations-game-studio/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/26/former-blizzard-dev-starts-atomic-operations-game-studio/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/26/former-blizzard-dev-starts-atomic-operations-game-studio/#comments Industry veteran Chris Millar has been around -- he's been with Blizzard since the WarCraft II days, and has worked on everything from Black and White 2 to Fat Princess - but now he's off to head up his own company called Atomic Operations. In this quick Q&A with Gamasutra, he says that the company will be a grab-bag of methods and products, all using "an evolved production method similar to that of movies." They've already got a project out the door, too: Atomic is the company that's supporting Fat Princess, with the bugfixes released the other day and presumably more to come.

Millar and Atomic Operations join the multitude of other Blizzard veterans off working on their own companies. Let's see, there's Keith Lee and his crew at Booyah, the ex-Blizzard folks at Red 5 Studios, the unfortunate souls at Castaway Entertainment and Flagship Studios (now Gravity Bear and Gargantuan Studios), new WoW TCG licensees Cryptozoic, and a few other little developers and divisions headed up by ex-Blizzard devs. Whew, that's a whole lot of babies -- Blizzard is like the Zeus of gaming studios lately. What are they serving in the cafeteria over there, startup cola?

JoystiqFormer Blizzard dev starts Atomic Operations game studio originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 26 Mar 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>black-and-white-2blizzardcastaway-entertainmentcolacryptozoicdevelopersdivisionsdlcex-blizzardfat-princessflagship-studiosgamasutragargantuan-studiosgravity-bearkeith-leeprojectsred-5-studiosstartupstartupswarcraft-2warcraft-iiFri, 26 Mar 2010 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[UK moves forward with game tax relief]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/24/uk-moves-forward-with-game-tax-relief/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/24/uk-moves-forward-with-game-tax-relief/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/24/uk-moves-forward-with-game-tax-relief/#comments
[Flickr: Bashed]
Following exhaustive lobbying by TIGA, the UK will implement tax relief for video game developers. The change will allow game companies to keep more profits from successful products and receive tax credits to reduce losses when their games don't perform well.

TIGA CEO Richard Wilson believes that the relief will "protect 3,550 graduate level jobs, increase or safeguard £457 million in development expenditure and encourage developers to adopt new business models and create new intellectual property." He continued that it was a "decision at the right time for the right industry."

The UK games industry has been hit particularly hard by the current economic climate and further affected by a lack of recognition for the sector. In stark contrast is Canada, with its favorable tax breaks, as proven once again this past week as Warner Bros. announced it was opening a major studio in Montreal.

JoystiqUK moves forward with game tax relief originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 24 Mar 2010 12:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>developerstax-relieftaxestigaukWed, 24 Mar 2010 12:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft bringing 'the full lineup' of Natal titles to E3]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/09/microsoft-bringing-the-full-lineup-of-natal-titles-to-e3/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/09/microsoft-bringing-the-full-lineup-of-natal-titles-to-e3/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/09/microsoft-bringing-the-full-lineup-of-natal-titles-to-e3/#comments GDC 2010 is the hotness this week, but according to Microsoft's Mindy Mount (speaking at a tech conference in NYC), E3 should be fun this year, too. As you might expect, Microsoft is bringing "the full lineup" of Project Natal titles to the convention in June.

We know there are a whole bunch of developers working on Natal titles, including EA, Capcom, Forza Motorport's Turn 10, and SpawnPoint Studios. Mount promises that Microsoft is "putting some of our best people on coming up with great game ideas for this, and we're going to have some great stuff." We'll start working out now to make sure we have enough stamina to flail our limbs all week long.

JoystiqMicrosoft bringing 'the full lineup' of Natal titles to E3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>capcomconventiondeveloperse3-2010eaea-activeElectronic-Artsfable-3fable-iiigdc-2010microsoftmindy-mountnatalproject-natalspawnpoint-studiosturn-10Xbox-360Tue, 09 Mar 2010 02:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The9 invests nearly $15 million into Red 5 Studios, Fire Rain]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/06/the9-invests-nearly-15-million-into-red-5-studios-fire-rain/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/06/the9-invests-nearly-15-million-into-red-5-studios-fire-rain/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/06/the9-invests-nearly-15-million-into-red-5-studios-fire-rain/#comments The9 didn't have the best year in 2009 -- Blizzard decided to take away its ability to run World of Warcraft in China, and as a result, the company reported a Cataclysmic drop in revenues. But the company doesn't want you counting it out of the MMO game just yet: Reuters says that The9 has invested almost $15 million into the ailing Red 5 Studios (which, coincidentally, is staffed by some ex-Blizzard employees) as well as China-based developer Fire Rain. Last we'd heard of Red 5, it was working on some kind of fantasy MMO, though that may have since changed to an MMOFPS. There's definitely an MMO game of some kind; The studio told our buds at Massively that even with The9's help, the game will be aimed at a worldwide market, not just Chinese players.

Time will tell if The9 has a solid strategy to rebound after the big loss of WoW, or if it's desperately trying to invest the last bit of capital to keep the company alive. Red 5's work has always seemed interesting -- here's hoping this infusion is enough to get it to a worthwhile release.

JoystiqThe9 invests nearly $15 million into Red 5 Studios, Fire Rain originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 06 Feb 2010 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blizzardchinadevelopersfantasyfire-rainfundingmmommofpsmoneyred-5-studiosthe9Sat, 06 Feb 2010 05:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ken Levine goes behind the scenes on System Shock 2]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/01/ken-levine-goes-behind-the-scenes-on-system-shock-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/01/ken-levine-goes-behind-the-scenes-on-system-shock-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/01/ken-levine-goes-behind-the-scenes-on-system-shock-2/#comments Irrational Games continues to empty out its vault of memories and secrets over on its newly commissioned blog -- Ken Levine and the crew are revealing so much old insider information over there you have to wonder how long they'll keep it up. Today, it's "what might have been" on System Shock 2, as Levine relates what they would have liked to do with the SHODAN showdown game, given more time and resources. The game was originally designed as an Apocalypse Now-style assassination in space, and it included some zero-G gameplay ideas (that sound pretty similar to what Dead Space pulled off years later). The ending also had to be rewritten, as the cinematic that Levine got back didn't have much to do with the script that he had originally put together.

And perhaps the most disturbing factoid is that the entire game was created in just 900 square feet of office space, full of overworked (and smelly) game developers. Wandering around the Von Braun was scary and all, but spending 11 months in a tiny room full of developers on crunch? No wonder Levine sounds ecstatic he survived.

JoystiqKen Levine goes behind the scenes on System Shock 2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 01 Feb 2010 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apocalypse-nowassassinationdead-spacedevelopersfactsken-levineresourcessmellspacesystem-shock-2Mon, 01 Feb 2010 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Brain drain hurting UK's game development industry, government to rethink subsidies]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/19/brain-drain-hurting-uks-game-development-industry-government-t/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/19/brain-drain-hurting-uks-game-development-industry-government-t/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/19/brain-drain-hurting-uks-game-development-industry-government-t/#comments
[Image credit: ZDNet]
The UK is not only looking to remedy its ailing game development scene by rallying against outsourcing, but is also in need of finding a better solution to the bigger, and arguably more pressing, issue of brain drain. Professionals in the British game industry are leaving their native land for places like Canada and France, where game developers receive tax breaks and other incentives not offered in the UK. Tax breaks are among the most sought after subsidies for British devs, and if they're not getting it, they're obviously going to have to look elsewhere. And, look elsewhere they have -- on record, there are at least 30,000 British expats in BC, Canada alone.

The Guardian reports that communications minister, Lord Stephen Carter, is currently weighing out the best options of support to combat shrinkage, though it's not certain if and when these incentives will come into effect. The British developer landscape has become quite barren; dev studios and projects have been axed in recent times, while others have been sold to foreign companies. Of course, consumers in Britain are unaware of the state its development industry is in; they're too busy buying the latest fitness thingamabobs from Japan.

JoystiqBrain drain hurting UK's game development industry, government to rethink subsidies originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 19 May 2009 04:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>britaindevelopersdevelopmentindustryrecessionukTue, 19 May 2009 04:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Surprise! Nintendo dismisses WiiWare sales threshold as 'rumour and speculation']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/15/surprise-nintendo-dismisses-wiiware-sales-threshold-as-rumour/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/15/surprise-nintendo-dismisses-wiiware-sales-threshold-as-rumour/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/15/surprise-nintendo-dismisses-wiiware-sales-threshold-as-rumour/#commentsWhenever a topic comes up that Nintendo doesn't want to address, the company responds with, "We don't comment on rumors and speculation." Basically, anything other than a press release or recorded statement from an executive is considered rumor and speculation. MotionPlus release date? Rumors and speculation! A new DS model? Rumors and speculation! (Well, "research and speculation," just to keep it fresh!)

And so it is with the WiiWare sales threshold story presented yesterday. A Nintendo UK spokesperson told Edge that the information was "rumour and speculation." Technically, it's true to say that -- statements from unnamed developers really are rumors, just like estimates of Wii manufacturing costs are speculation. But it's no less frustrating. Even so, it's worth noting that the rep followed up not with a denial of the payment scheme, but, "The terms, conditions and contracts between Nintendo and developers is a private and confidential matter."

JoystiqSurprise! Nintendo dismisses WiiWare sales threshold as 'rumour and speculation' originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 Apr 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>developersindustryNintendorumorssalesfiguresWiiwiiwareWed, 15 Apr 2009 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: WiiWare sales threshold factors in dev profit]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/14/report-wiiware-sales-threshold-factors-in-dev-profit/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/14/report-wiiware-sales-threshold-factors-in-dev-profit/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/14/report-wiiware-sales-threshold-factors-in-dev-profit/#comments
Nintendo's WiiWare service has a minimum sales threshold set for each individual region, according to a new Gamasutra report. If indie developers fail to reach the established minimum sales mark, then they don't see one dime. Gamasutra speculates that the mystery figure is somewhere in the thousands for North America and Europe.

So is WiiWare still a worthwhile destination for indie developers to pursue? That's hard to say, as Wii's large install base and the relative ease of developing for the platform (both monetarily and architecturally) have to be appealing, despite the pressure of the alleged threshhold. One thing is certain, though: WiiWare developers should be relieved a storage solution is finally in place. Hopefully, that will prove to help more than one studio sell its wares.

JoystiqReport: WiiWare sales threshold factors in dev profit originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 14 Apr 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businessdevelopersindieNintendosalessalesfiguresWiiwiiwareTue, 14 Apr 2009 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SXSW 2009: Games By the People, For the People]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/14/sxsw-2009-games-by-the-people-for-the-people/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/14/sxsw-2009-games-by-the-people-for-the-people/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/14/sxsw-2009-games-by-the-people-for-the-people/#comments
So you enjoy playing video games, right? That's what probably brought you to Joystiq in the first place. But have you ever thought about making your own? Right now you're probably thinking, "But, Kevin... doesn't that take millions of dollars and a huge development team?" Well you happen to be in luck, because the answer is no. You can pretty much do it all on your own for pennies. But what's the secret to making it awesome? 5 out of 5 panelists agree: you need to have a good story, or a really interesting idea. Simple, right? Start thinking, and find out more after the break.

Continue reading SXSW 2009: Games By the People, For the People

JoystiqSXSW 2009: Games By the People, For the People originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 14 Mar 2009 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>boyd-multererdeveloperdevelopersgame-developmentgame-makingGareth-DavisIndieKongregateLee-UniackeScott-SteinbergSteve-Demetersxswsxsw-2009xnaSat, 14 Mar 2009 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Boston mayor forms game development expansion committee]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/14/boston-mayor-forms-game-development-expansion-committee/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/14/boston-mayor-forms-game-development-expansion-committee/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/14/boston-mayor-forms-game-development-expansion-committee/#comments
Thomas Menino, who has served as mayor of Boston for nearly 16 years, is one of the most intriguing political figures in the gaming realm. He first antagonized the gaming industry in 2007 by endorsing a Jack Thompson-authored bill that would treat the retail practices of mature games (as deemed by the state) like the retail practices of pornography. It failed miserably, and we doubt any of the many Boston-based game studios sent him any fruit baskets to console him.

In the midst of this political blunder, Mayor Menino announced he was interested bringing more game developers to work in the city. We thought it was solely a political soundbite -- but the city recently formed an advisory "Steering Committee," composed of local industry figures, to inform the mayor on how to bring further game development to Boston. In addition, the city launched PoweringUpBoston.com, which provides info and resources to Boston's game studios and potential new developers. Wicked Ahhhsome!

JoystiqBoston mayor forms game development expansion committee originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 14 Mar 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bostondevelopersindustrymassachusettsmayormeninopoliticsSat, 14 Mar 2009 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Survey: Xbox 360 has the most console developers]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/14/survey-xbox-360-has-the-most-console-developers/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/14/survey-xbox-360-has-the-most-console-developers/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/14/survey-xbox-360-has-the-most-console-developers/#commentsFiled under: ,

We're not exactly how much impact this will have the next time a civilized conversation with a gaming buddy sinks into the depths of fanboy warfare, but here it goes: According to a recent survey conducted by Game Developer Research, as reported by IGN, there are more developers working on Xbox 360 projects than there are on the Playstation 3 or Wii. Specifically, 78% of those surveyed were working on 360 projects, 58% were working on PS3, and 42% were working on Wii. As the numbers imply (notice they don't add up to 100%), they include both cross-platform games and developers that happen to be working on more than one console. This also means that the 360 doesn't necessarily have the most games in development. Still, it has the most individual developers of any console.

Now just find some way to spin that into a catchy slogan and you've got some new fanboy ammunition (fanmunition?) to go with your new (toy) fanboy gun.

JoystiqSurvey: Xbox 360 has the most console developers originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 14 Aug 2008 18:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>console-warsdevelopersThu, 14 Aug 2008 18:15:00 EST<![CDATA[DS Daily: DS Developer Daily]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/14/ds-daily-ds-developer-daily/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/14/ds-daily-ds-developer-daily/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/14/ds-daily-ds-developer-daily/#commentsFiled under:

The low cost of DS game development and the extraordinarily high popularity of the system make the DS an excellent way for new developers to find an audience. 5th Cell is a notable company who has done great with the DS -- which is why they've made this Gamasutra list of breakthrough developers. Level-5 has been huge for a while, thanks to Dragon Quest VIII, but Professor Layton upped their profile significantly.

Have any developers come to your attention since you started playing the DS? Old or new, have you become a fan of a company for their DS output? We're sure there are some out there without the number 5 in their name.

JoystiqDS Daily: DS Developer Daily originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 14 Aug 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>5th-celldeveloperslevel-5Thu, 14 Aug 2008 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[One hundred ... WiiWare ... games!]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/02/one-hundred-wiiware-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/02/one-hundred-wiiware-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/02/one-hundred-wiiware-games/#commentsFiled under: , ,


It's a good thing developers actually man up to their commitments. Speaking to IGN, Nintendo's senior director of project development, Tom Prata, made the announcement that around 100 games are currently in development for WiiWare. With a few solid titles already in the homes of Wii gamers around the world, the law of averages ensures we've got to expect a real gem or two in the forthcoming pile.

Prata also answers several general questions regarding WiiWare, and affirmed the quality and potential of downloadable content in comparison to standard games on Optical Disc. Developers have every resource available to them for ensuring a WiiWare game includes Wi-Fi, WiiConnect24 and multiplayer functionality. That's fantastic, because we don't want any of this "done the first few levels, let's ship it and and grab a burger" nonsense.

[Via GamesIndustry.biz]

JoystiqOne hundred ... WiiWare ... games! originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 02 Jun 2008 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>developersdevelopmentdownloadwiconnect24Mon, 02 Jun 2008 11:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Ware: developers are for it, vocally]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/18/wii-ware-developers-are-for-it-vocally/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/18/wii-ware-developers-are-for-it-vocally/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/18/wii-ware-developers-are-for-it-vocally/#commentsFiled under: ,

Under the cover of anonymity, Wii Ware developers are coming out in support of Nintendo's download service, to the detriment of Xbox Live Arcade. According to Develop Magazine, Nintendo has been marketing Wii Ware to developers as an alternative to Microsoft's popular store, citing advantages like flexible pricing and smaller budgets.

Their most attractive pitch: more money. Microsoft recently changed the royalty structure for XBLA games, which results in a lot less income for many developers. Also, Nintendo's division of VC and Wii Ware titles makes it easier for original games to be noticed and not lost in a pile of retro games -- a problem from which both XBLA and the PlayStation Network suffer, according to the interviewed developers. This problem led one developer to declare XBLA "full of shit."

Wii Ware's developer-friendliness isn't just good for them, it's good for us. Wii Ware is a lower-cost, higher-profit alternative to XBLA on a system with higher sales. Who's not going to want to make games for that?

JoystiqWii Ware: developers are for it, vocally originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 18 Mar 2008 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>developersxblaTue, 18 Mar 2008 14:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Game Developer Research releases "Top 50 Developers 2008" report]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/08/game-developer-research-releases-top-50-developers-2008-report/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/08/game-developer-research-releases-top-50-developers-2008-report/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/08/game-developer-research-releases-top-50-developers-2008-report/#commentsFiled under:


Much like the average review score report released earlier this week, we're sure that the report we're about to discuss will serve as ammunition for many a fanboy feud in the coming months -- Game Developer Research (a branch of Game Developer Magazine which was created in hopes of bringing a "new level of empirical measurement" to the gaming market) recently released their "Top 50 Developers 2008" report. Sadly, Backbone Emeryville, the artisanal minds behind last year's XBLA sleeper hit Yaris, didn't make the cut.

Basing their rankings on sales figures, prolificacy, average review scores, and results from over 700 surveys issued to industry suits, GDR's list seems to be the most well-founded developer ranking we've ever seen (though Yarisians would probably disagree). We've got the whole list after the jump -- aren't you curious how your faves placed?

Continue reading Game Developer Research releases "Top 50 Developers 2008" report

JoystiqGame Developer Research releases "Top 50 Developers 2008" report originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 08 Mar 2008 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>developersgamedevelopermagazinegamedeveloperresearchGDRlistrankingtop50top50developers2008Sat, 08 Mar 2008 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[GameSetWatch breaks down XBLA royalties cut]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/24/gamesetwatch-breaks-down-xbla-royalties-cut/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/24/gamesetwatch-breaks-down-xbla-royalties-cut/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/24/gamesetwatch-breaks-down-xbla-royalties-cut/#commentsFiled under: , ,


With the news that the 70 percent royalties cut for independent developers of Xbox Live Arcade titles had been cut in half, the indie gaming community was irrevocably up in arms, with some XBLA devs even threatening to switch platforms. However, the reasoning behind the cut is not as cut-and-dry as "M$ jus wants moar money" -- according to a recent GameSetWatch report, a number of factors led to the royalty shrinkage.

After a bit of Michael Clayton-esque fact finding, they discovered that the cut only affects first-party indie developers (that is, devs that publish their games directly through Microsoft's XBLA department), and while the returns from their product will indeed be half their original value, Microsoft will now cover many of the fees that the developer must address before their product can be sold -- such as ESRB certification, and localization. Ultimately, this means that their games will cost less to produce, but make less after retail -- slightly better than a flat-out cut, but not much consolation to the Ramen-fueled indie developer.


JoystiqGameSetWatch breaks down XBLA royalties cut originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 24 Feb 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arcadecutdevelopersindependentindielivearcademicrosoftroyaltiesxblaXbox-360xboxliveSun, 24 Feb 2008 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Are Wii developers lazy?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/27/are-wii-developers-lazy/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/27/are-wii-developers-lazy/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/27/are-wii-developers-lazy/#commentsFiled under: ,

Although the Wii had many good games this year, it's clear that some developers noticed the Wii's hype and have put out some unsatisfactory products in an attempt to ride the popularity wave. We're often critical of such games, "tsk, tsking" at them to our hearts' content, but it makes us feel better when developers notice this trend since they're the ones with the power. It's up to the developers to really push themselves and the machine they're working with, and as time goes on, the process becomes easier and more efficient.

Tancred Dyke-Wells, the creative director of Kuju (the company behind the Wii's Battalion Wars 2), recently criticized many Wii developers for "under-exploiting" the little white console. We tend to take his word seriously, since we think that BWII "has just about everything that fans of first-party Nintendo games are looking for," as you can see in our review of the game.

Dyke-Wells' main beef with developers is with the way in which graphics are handled on the system. While the Nintendo Wii can't compete in the graphics department with Sony's Playstation 3 and Microsoft's Xbox 360, he believes that the Wii is a "pretty good piece of kit" that overpowers the GameCube "by a factor of two."

In the end, Dyke-Wells thinks it comes down to how much respect these developers have for their companies, their products, and their consumers, and we can't help but agree. The possibility of making a quick and easy buck is tempting, but we expect developers to make good games simply because they can.

[Via Aussie-Nintendo]

JoystiqAre Wii developers lazy? originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 27 Nov 2007 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Battalion-wars-2bwiidevelopersgraphicskujulazytancred-dyke-wellsTue, 27 Nov 2007 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Game developers debate Xbox achievements]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/01/game-developers-debate-xbox-achievements/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/01/game-developers-debate-xbox-achievements/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/01/game-developers-debate-xbox-achievements/#commentsFiled under: ,


Love them or hate them, those Xbox 360 achievements have become a staple of the system. The little blips of joy are so annoying and addicting for some that we're shocked the PS3 and/or Wii didn't implement them. There's an interesting thread going on over at the International Game Developers Association forums started by Raphael Van Lierop (Relic, 3D Realms) where he believes the achievements have taken gamers off course.

Lierop writes, "I have many friends who LOVE achievements. They love the bragging rights, they love being able to compare achievements they obtained to other people ... Personally, I dislike them...a lot. I find they are changing the way we play games, and the focus of the games we play, and make. I feel that games should be crafted to have enough intrinsic reward, that a secondary external reward system should not be required... was it really necessary for us to go back to the old 'High Score' system from the days of arcade games? I would have hoped that the gameplay and immersiveness of the 'next gen' gaming experience would have been enough reward, and that we wouldn't have had to fall back on cheap gimmicks."

Now before y'all go flippin' out, go and check out the thread first. Remember, it's an IGDA thread, so for the most part these are the guys who make the games the rest of us play. And please try to keep the comments on the topic of thoughts related to achievements. Have you found "achievements" to be actual achievements as part of regular gameplay or have you found them to be asinine randomness? Should you only hit the 20% mark in achievements for a game after you've beaten it? Should you get the easy level achievements automatically if you beat a higher level (that one's annoying as anything)? The achievement system is here to stay, what can developers do to tweak it so that there's some uniformity to the system and only a minor amount of absurdity?

[Via GameSetWatch]

JoystiqGame developers debate Xbox achievements originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 01 Jun 2007 22:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>achievementsdevelopersigdamicrosoftxbox 360Xbox-360Xbox360Fri, 01 Jun 2007 22:45:00 EST<![CDATA[WayForward licensed to develop for Wii]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/17/wayforward-licensed-to-develop-for-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/17/wayforward-licensed-to-develop-for-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/17/wayforward-licensed-to-develop-for-wii/#commentsFiled under:


Another Western developer has signed on to make Wii games-- hopefully they can get the funding to make some original ones. WayForward mostly makes licensed stuff these days, of undetermined quality (we haven't had a chance to test GBA Unfabulous), but they are also responsible for the excellent Game Boy Color platformer Shantae and the clever GBA shooter Sigma Star Saga. Also Ping Pals, but let's not talk about that.

WayForward has actually had a Wii development kit since last year (they got access to some early pre-release duct tape) and they've been doing research and development since then. We know the licenses are coming, but we're really hoping that WayForward will have the time and resources to do some original stuff too.

[Via DCEmu]

JoystiqWayForward licensed to develop for Wii originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 17 May 2007 11:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>developerdeveloperslicenselicensedlicensed gameLicensedGamenintendonintendo wiiNintendoWiiping palsPingPalssagashantaesigmasigma star sagaSigmaStarSagastarunfabulouswayforwardwiiThu, 17 May 2007 11:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Monolith Soft now part of Nintendo's monolith]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/27/monolith-soft-now-part-of-nintendos-monolith/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/27/monolith-soft-now-part-of-nintendos-monolith/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/27/monolith-soft-now-part-of-nintendos-monolith/#commentsFiled under:

All those Wii and DS profits must have been burning a hole in Nintendo's pocket, because they went developer shopping and picked up Monolith Soft. We guess they really liked that one screenshot of Disaster: Day of Crisis.

Monolith Soft is responsible for the reviled Xenosaga series (the Japanese limited edition release of Xenosaga II included the unfortunate figurine seen here, nicknamed MOK-KOS), the crossover strategy game Namco X Capcom, and, in conjunction with Tri-Crescendo, the two Baten Kaitos games. Maybe now we'll get that pseudo-religious science-fiction Kirby RPG we've all been waiting for!

JoystiqMonolith Soft now part of Nintendo's monolith originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 27 Apr 2007 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bandaicapcomdevelopersdisasterkosmosmokkosmonolithmonolithsoftnamconamcoxcapcomnintendonintendowiisoftwiixenosagaFri, 27 Apr 2007 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Indie gaming site to fund 'fresh and funky and innovative and exciting' game projects]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/10/indie-gaming-site-to-fund-fresh-and-funky-and-innovative-and-ex/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/10/indie-gaming-site-to-fund-fresh-and-funky-and-innovative-and-ex/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/10/indie-gaming-site-to-fund-fresh-and-funky-and-innovative-and-ex/#commentsFiled under: ,

Indie developers have the luxury of toying with experimental ideas and releasing quirky games that would never sell in the mainstream. The catch is there's rarely any profit to be had, and developers only work in their spare time after the good ole 9-to-5 comes to an end. Dozens of innovative ideas surface, struggle, and sink each year because the creators don't have enough time or money to invest in their project.

Dan Marshall of Gibbage.co.uk is tired of seeing the good die young. Starting the very moment you read this sentence, profits earned through Dan's indie news site will be stuffed under the mattress and saved. When a promising game idea comes along that needs a monetary push, Dan will hand the team an envelope full of cash with the inspiring words "Go, my friends. Work full-time on this, your fresh and funky and innovative and exciting game.".

The Gibbage initiative will help indie devs hire artists and programmers to make their game a more polished experience. We just hope the flood of cash-hungry wannabe programmers tossing half-baked ideas around doesn't make Dan regret his offer.

JoystiqIndie gaming site to fund 'fresh and funky and innovative and exciting' game projects originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 10 Apr 2007 22:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A recent sit-down with a group of Nintendo programmers uncovers the secret world of the Wii Shop channel's creation. Their goal was to create a product-centric experience that didn't present shoppers with too much information. Along the way, the team had to deal with economic issues, delays with server uploads, cross-cultural linguistics, and much more.

If the Wii Shop interface feels a little different than the rest of the Wii menus, that's because a team coordinator was nominated to do the design. With Nintendo's devs teams working on other projects, Wii Shop lead Haruhana-san asked Shigeru Miyamoto if he could borrow someone from another group to help with the design. The answer, of course, was no, and Miyamoto asked Haruhana to do it instead.

JoystiqWii developers talk shop originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 06 Apr 2007 08:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Shigeru Miyamoto sat down with Newsweek's N'Gai Croal earlier this month and aired out his concerns with third party developers not putting their best efforts behind games for Nintendo systems. Companies often find that their biggest competition on consoles like the Wii and DS is Nintendo themselves, but according to Miyamoto, most third parties aren't rising to the challenge with their top development groups. Instead, they're depending on third- or fourth-string teams to produce their titles.

While not every game from Nintendo is a blockbuster hit, Miyamoto says that the company makes sure to put its best people behind titles that are "designed to really support and sell hardware." Can most third parties say they're doing the same? If not, then how much longer will it take before developers approach their Wii releases seriously and start using their star teams to create AAA titles for the console?

JoystiqMiyamoto calls out third parties originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 31 Mar 2007 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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This panel brought together Robert Nashak, GM of Yahoo Games, Chris Charla, director of business development for Foundation 9, Charles Merrin from Real Networks, and Brian Ring, the GM of Interactive Content for Scope Seven. The purpose was to discuss the top five trends in 2007 in the realm of gaming and entertainment.

When games meet entertainment brands, it's traditionally meant a game based on a movie that comes out a few weeks (or months) after the film has hit theaters. However, for the past few years games have started to be released concurrently with the films, or even before the movies come out. Hollywood studios now include video game development in the earliest stages of pre-production, and even involve game companies in the writing process.

Games + Entertainment Brands also encompasses traditional board games, like Scrabble and Monopoly, being licensed for video games, and toys like Bratz and Barbie as well. We break down the top five trends that will be hitting games + entertainment brands in 2007 after the jump.

Continue reading SXSW: Games + Entertainment Brands: Five Top Trends In 2007

JoystiqSXSW: Games + Entertainment Brands: Five Top Trends In 2007 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 12 Mar 2007 17:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2007BrandsdevelopersDSEntertainmentgamesMonopolymoviesNintendo WiiPS3ScrabbleSXSWSXSW07SXSW2007trendsWiiXbox-360Mon, 12 Mar 2007 17:26:00 EST<![CDATA[Analyst: Developer profits to suffer until 2008]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/28/analyst-developer-profits-to-suffer-until-2008/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/28/analyst-developer-profits-to-suffer-until-2008/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/28/analyst-developer-profits-to-suffer-until-2008/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

It might seem odd to suggest that the games industry is struggling in light of recent sales reports that show healthy growth in both software and hardware revenue. But a recent report from media analysts Screen Digest seems to do just that, saying most game developers will have trouble turning a profit until 2008.

The analysis, as reported by the BBC, suggests that rising development costs, long production timelines and small, fragmented user bases for the newest generation of systems means sales often don't make up for production costs. The end result? "Sequels to popular games or those based on films are now the focus." Say it ain't so.

The article goes on to contrast Microsoft's strategy of buying up exclusives to Sony and Nintendo's focus on home-grown hits, but it doesn't really address how to solve the core problem of runaway budgets and overwrought game design. If developers can't streamline and simplify their design processes, the industry may be doomed to a hard-to-escape downward spiral of increased costs and increased reliance on proven brands and unoriginal ideas.

JoystiqAnalyst: Developer profits to suffer until 2008 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 28 Feb 2007 15:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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