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<generator>Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/</generator><item><title>Major Minor's Ultimate Raving High School All-star Samba de Dance Dance party @ E3 2008</title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/19/major-minors-ultimate-raving-high-school-all-star-samba-de-danc/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/19/major-minors-ultimate-raving-high-school-all-star-samba-de-danc/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/19/major-minors-ultimate-raving-high-school-all-star-samba-de-danc/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/culture/" rel="tag">Culture</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/e3/" rel="tag">E3</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/video/" rel="tag">Video</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/rhythm/" rel="tag">Rhythm</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" width="490" height="410" id="viddler_e775a843"><param name="movie" value="http://www.viddler.com/player/e775a843/" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed src="http://www.viddler.com/player/e775a843/" width="490" height="410" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowScriptAccess="always" allowFullScreen="true" name="viddler_e775a843" ></embed></object></div>
The first thing we noticed when we stepped into the Showcase Pavillion at this year's E3: <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/17/all-of-e3s-showcase-pavillion-in-about-five-minutes/">This is really quite small</a>. The second thing we noticed: Everyone seems to be dancing! Everywhere we looked, there seemed to be someone (usually with a Wii Remote/Nunchuk in hand) waggling about to some vary hard-to-hear music. But don't just take our word or it. Check out our video montage of just some of the dancing fools on this year's show floor. See if you can guess which dancers are random attendees and which ones are PR people who've been assigned to pretend to be interested in dancing these same steps ALL DAMN DAY. Fun!<br />Games shown (in order of appearance):<br />
<ol>
    <li><em>Major Minor's Majestic March</em></li>
    <li><em>Ultimate Band</em></li>
    <li><em>Rayman Raving Rabbids: TV Party</em></li>
    <li><em>High School Musical 3: Senior Year Dance<br /></em></li>
    <li><em>All-Star Cheer Squad</em></li>
    <li><em>Samba De Amigo</em></li>
    <li><em>Dance Dance Revolution Universe 3</em></li>
    <li><em>Dance Dance Revolution Hottest Party 2</em></li>
</ol><p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/19/major-minors-ultimate-raving-high-school-all-star-samba-de-danc/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/1261126/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/19/major-minors-ultimate-raving-high-school-all-star-samba-de-danc/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><category>all-star-cheer-squad</category><category>dance-dance-revolution</category><category>Disney</category><category>Disney-interactive</category><category>e3-2008</category><category>Konami</category><category>major-minors-majestic-march</category><category>rayman-raving-rabbids</category><category>rayman-raving-rabbids-tv-party</category><category>Samba-de-amigo</category><category>THQ</category><category>Ubisoft</category><category>ultimate-band</category><dc:creator>Kyle Orland</dc:creator><dc:date>2008-07-19T13:30:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>Ultimate Band getting charity concert venue, Linkin Park love</title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/14/ultimate-band-getting-charity-concert-venue-linkin-park-love/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/14/ultimate-band-getting-charity-concert-venue-linkin-park-love/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/14/ultimate-band-getting-charity-concert-venue-linkin-park-love/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/wii/" rel="tag">Nintendo Wii</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/rhythm/" rel="tag">Rhythm</a></p><div align="center"><a href="http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/ultimate-band-disney-interactive-studios-partnering-with-linkin-park-s-music-for-relief-fund-raising-organization"><img vspace="4" hspace="0" border="1" src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2008/07/ultimateband.jpg" alt="" /></a><br /></div>
While there's no shortage of games designed to keeping you humming songs in your head until all you want to do is scream, there's only one that will give you the warm fuzzy feeling that comes from giving back. That game is <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/tag/Ultimate-Band/"><em>Ultimate Band</em></a>, as publisher Disney today linked up with Linkin Park's non-profit, Music for Relief, to help raise awareness of disaster victims and global warming by letting players rock out from the safety of their living rooms. <br /><br />Sure, it might not be the most altruistic alliance, but Wii rockers can nonetheless look forward to lending their rhythm-keeping talents during a Music for Relief charity concert, which has been added as an in-game venue. Curiously, only the Wii version was mentioned in the announcement, though a DS version of <em>Ultimate Band</em> is also planned. The game will also make a featured appearance during Linkin Park's own Projekt Revolution 2008 tour, kicking off this week in Burgettstown, PA, though we're not sure a game featuring the music of The Who and Devo is exactly poised to rock nu metal fans out of their fishnet socks.<p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href=http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/ultimate-band-disney-interactive-studios-partnering-with-linkin-park-s-music-for-relief-fund-raising-organization>Read</a> | <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/14/ultimate-band-getting-charity-concert-venue-linkin-park-love/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/1255426/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/14/ultimate-band-getting-charity-concert-venue-linkin-park-love/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><category>charity</category><category>disney</category><category>e3-2008</category><category>linkin-park</category><category>linkinpark</category><category>ultimate-band</category><dc:creator>Jason Dobson</dc:creator><dc:date>2008-07-14T20:30:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>Spector's Junction Point working on Disney / Pixar collaboration</title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/13/spectors-junction-point-working-on-disney-pixar-collaboration/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/13/spectors-junction-point-working-on-disney-pixar-collaboration/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/13/spectors-junction-point-working-on-disney-pixar-collaboration/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/business/" rel="tag">Business</a></p><div align="center"><a href="http://junctionpoint.wordpress.com/2008/07/13/im-ba-ack/"><img vspace="4" hspace="0" border="1" src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2008/07/spector-mickey-490.jpg"  alt="" /></a><br /></div>
Almost exactly one year after announcing that <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/12/disney-acquires-warren-spectors-junction-point-studios/">Disney Interactive Studios acquired his Junction Point Studios</a> at last year's E3, Warren Spector - the famed game designer with his hands on everything from <em>System Shock</em> to <em>Thief</em> to <em>Deus Ex</em> - announced via his blog that his studio's first project will in fact be a "collaboration with folks from Disney Feature Animation and Pixar." He's not ready to say anymore (though he did say that he would "say nothing" just before telling us about the Disney / Pixar info) but we're holding out for some sort of announcement at E3 this week. Movie tie-in? New video game IP developed by Pixar and Disney? He's not telling!<br /><br />[Via <a href="http://nukoda.com/news/warren-spector-working-with-disney-feature-animation-pixar/">Nukoda</a>]<p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href=http://junctionpoint.wordpress.com/2008/07/13/im-ba-ack/>Read</a> | <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/13/spectors-junction-point-working-on-disney-pixar-collaboration/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/1254070/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/13/spectors-junction-point-working-on-disney-pixar-collaboration/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><category>BreakingNews</category><category>Disney</category><category>Junction-Point</category><category>Pixar</category><category>Warren-Spector</category><dc:creator>Christopher Grant</dc:creator><dc:date>2008-07-13T13:59:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>Wall-E becomes first Arabic-language game for current-gen consoles</title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/05/wall-e-becomes-first-arabic-language-game-for-current-gen-consol/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/05/wall-e-becomes-first-arabic-language-game-for-current-gen-consol/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/05/wall-e-becomes-first-arabic-language-game-for-current-gen-consol/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/ps3/" rel="tag">Sony PlayStation 3</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/xbox360/" rel="tag">Microsoft Xbox 360</a></p><div align="left">
<div align="center"><a href="http://www.pcmag-mideast.com/NewsDetail.aspx?ID=1439"><img hspace="4" vspace="4" border="1" src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2008/07/wallearabic.jpg"  alt="" /></a></div>
We know its July 4 an we should be focusing on celebrating our country's independence by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbecue">eating dead animals</a> and/or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fireworks">blowing stuff up</a> (ideally <a href="http://gifts.cafepress.com/item/fireworks-bbq-apron/244328503">at the same time</a>). That said, we just couldn't resist sharing this story we just stumbled upon about THQ's <em>Wall-E</em> being the <a href="http://www.pcmag-mideast.com/NewsDetail.aspx?ID=1439">first current-generation game to be published in Arabic</a> for the Middle Eastern Market.<br /><br />Porting the game to Arabic was a no-brainer, according to THQ's Export Sales and Marketing Manager Luke Keighran. "There are only few games that would suit the Middle East's morals more than WALL●E," he told <em>PC Magazine Middle and Near East</em>. "The game depicts family virtues through a fun and adventurous story line." We guess that means <a href="http://www.thq.com/games/gameinfo.php?id=1325"><em>WWE Smackdown Vs. Raw 2009</em></a> won't be seeing an Arabic port any time soon, huh?<br /><br />[Via <a href="http://www.gamesetwatch.com/2008/07/gamesetlinks_thurs.php">GameSetWatch</a>]</div><p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href=http://www.pcmag-mideast.com/NewsDetail.aspx?ID=1439>Read</a> | <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/05/wall-e-becomes-first-arabic-language-game-for-current-gen-consol/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/1246030/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/05/wall-e-becomes-first-arabic-language-game-for-current-gen-consol/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><category>disney</category><category>egypt</category><category>middle-east</category><category>movie</category><category>saudi arabia</category><category>SaudiArabia</category><category>THQ</category><category>wall-e</category><dc:creator>Kyle Orland</dc:creator><dc:date>2008-07-05T02:00:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>Disney announces Bolt licensed games, our minds wander</title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/20/disney-announces-bolt-licensed-games-our-minds-wander/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/20/disney-announces-bolt-licensed-games-our-minds-wander/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/20/disney-announces-bolt-licensed-games-our-minds-wander/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/ds/" rel="tag">Nintendo DS</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/pc/" rel="tag">PC</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/ps2/" rel="tag">Sony PlayStation 2</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/ps3/" rel="tag">Sony PlayStation 3</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/wii/" rel="tag">Nintendo Wii</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/xbox360/" rel="tag">Microsoft Xbox 360</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/business/" rel="tag">Business</a></p><div align="center"><a href="http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/news/disneys-bolt-comes-to-gaming/?biz=1"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" alt="" src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2008/06/disneyboltmain.jpg" /></a><br /></div>
Disney Interactive Studios <a href="http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/news/disneys-bolt-comes-to-gaming/?biz=1">announced</a> yesterday it will release a video game based on its upcoming movie <em>Bolt</em> for pretty much every system currently available -- except Mac, natch. <em>Bolt</em> is the latest Disney CGI film -- no, that's not the same as a Pixar CGI film -- and stars John Travolta as a TV-star dog with an identity crisis ... blah, blah, blah.<br /><br />Why are we even bringing up this totally random licensed game that reviewers will automatically give a 7 to? Well, it's only a few more weeks until E3 2008 and we wanted to remind everyone of <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/25/disney-press-conference-fails-audience-participation/">last year's Disney press conference</a>. Let your imaginations run free gentle readers, what horrible thing tied into this game could Disney make journalists experience this year?<p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href=http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/news/disneys-bolt-comes-to-gaming/?biz=1>Read</a> | <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/20/disney-announces-bolt-licensed-games-our-minds-wander/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/1231805/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/20/disney-announces-bolt-licensed-games-our-minds-wander/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><category>bolt</category><category>disney</category><category>licensed-game</category><dc:creator>Alexander Sliwinski</dc:creator><dc:date>2008-06-20T12:00:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>Spector: 100-hour games are out</title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/18/spector-100-hour-games-out-asks-how-many-actually-finished-gta/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/18/spector-100-hour-games-out-asks-how-many-actually-finished-gta/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/18/spector-100-hour-games-out-asks-how-many-actually-finished-gta/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/culture/" rel="tag">Culture</a></p><div align="center"><a href="http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=18986"><img width="490" vspace="4" hspace="0" height="353" border="1" src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2008/06/spectormainrandom.jpg" alt="" /></a><br /></div>
Junction Point's <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/tag/warren-spector">Warren</a> <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/tag/spector">Spector</a>, best known for <em><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/tag/deus-ex">Deus Ex</a></em>, spoke last week at the Game Education Summit in Dallas and expressed his belief that 100-hour games are on the way out. <a href="http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=18986">Gamasutra</a> reports Spector expressed being tired of making games about "guys in black leather carrying guns," and that expectations for titles costing between $35 - 100 million are huge. He also pondered how many people actually finished <em>GTA</em>, noting a desire that players see the last level if he was going to spend $100 million on a game.<br /><br />Not that he thinks going casual is the answer. He fears that the casual field is now "really crowded" and that competition, despite being in a considerably cheaper development field, is just as tough. The point Spector made is that it all comes down to a company differentiating itself from the pack. On that note, we'll hopefully hear soon -- like during E3 -- how Spector's <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/12/disney-acquires-warren-spectors-junction-point-studios/">Disney-owned</a> studio, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/tag/junction-point">Junction Point</a>, plans on doing just that.<p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href=http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=18986>Read</a> | <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/18/spector-100-hour-games-out-asks-how-many-actually-finished-gta/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/1229298/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/18/spector-100-hour-games-out-asks-how-many-actually-finished-gta/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><category>disney</category><category>junction-point</category><category>junctionpoint</category><category>spector</category><category>warren-spector</category><dc:creator>Alexander Sliwinski</dc:creator><dc:date>2008-06-18T16:30:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>Rumor: Ultimate Band coming to 360, PS3, compat with Rock Band instruments; new trailer for Wii</title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/15/rumor-ultimate-band-coming-to-360-ps3-new-trailer-for-wii/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/15/rumor-ultimate-band-coming-to-360-ps3-new-trailer-for-wii/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/15/rumor-ultimate-band-coming-to-360-ps3-new-trailer-for-wii/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/ps3/" rel="tag">Sony PlayStation 3</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/wii/" rel="tag">Nintendo Wii</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/xbox360/" rel="tag">Microsoft Xbox 360</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/rhythm/" rel="tag">Rhythm</a></p><center><object width="490" height="396"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/VUF-wL4r4lg&amp;hl=nl"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/VUF-wL4r4lg&amp;hl=nl" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="490" height="396"></embed></object></center> Disney's <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/27/disney-announces-peripheral-free-ultimate-band-for-wii-and-ds/"><em>Ultimate Band</em></a> is reportedly heading to Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. According to <a href="http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=282qrz7&amp;s=3">a screengrab</a> from a <a href="http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=312708">now-infamous NeoGAF page</a> of 360 leaks, the rhythm game is compatible with <span style="font-style: italic;">Rock Band</span> instruments. It will cost $170 with instruments or $50 as a standalone game. A transcript from the screen can be found after the break.<br /><br />Additionally, a trailer for the Wii version has been found (embedded above) showing the game being played "peripheral-free," which also reveals bubblegum covers of the White Stripes' "Fell in Love with a Girl" and The Who's "My Generation." Just a reminder: all of this is still a rumor, so don't get your hopes up until there's an official announcement.<br /><br />From the screenshot:<br /><br />"Now there's a new music game designed for the whole family to enjoy. Introducing Ultimate Band, designed for the Wii, PS3 and Xbox 360. Complete with game controllers shaped like real instruments - guitar, drum kit and microphone - (or use the instrument controllers you may already own), Ultimate Band allows you to rock your way from your basement to a world stage with the eventual goal of becoming the 'Ultimate Band.'<br /><br />"Play over 30 current tracks by top artists including Avril Lavigne, the Plain White T's, the Jonas Brothers, Bowling for Soup, Miley Cyrus and more. Customize every aspect of your band with a broad range of character styles ranging from a typical rocker to a surfer, nerd, and more. And play your music at a mix of real and fantastical venues including a garage, fairgrounds, skate park, aquarium, hautned house and more. Rock your way to the top, alone or with your favorite band-mates. <br /><br />"Retail price is $169.99 with instruments at $49.99 without instruments (compatible with current Rock Band instrument controllers). Rated E."<p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href=http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=282qrz7&amp;s=3>Read</a> | <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/15/rumor-ultimate-band-coming-to-360-ps3-new-trailer-for-wii/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/1226183/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/15/rumor-ultimate-band-coming-to-360-ps3-new-trailer-for-wii/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><category>disney</category><category>rock-band</category><category>rumor</category><category>ultimate-band</category><dc:creator>Ross Miller</dc:creator><dc:date>2008-06-15T23:20:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>Disney's games and internet divisions merging</title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/05/disneys-games-and-internet-divisions-merging/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/05/disneys-games-and-internet-divisions-merging/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/05/disneys-games-and-internet-divisions-merging/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/business/" rel="tag">Business</a></p><div align="center"><img width="490" vspace="4" hspace="0" height="279" border="0" align="top" alt="" src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2008/06/disneygamermergermain.jpg" /><br /></div>
Disney Interactive Studios and the company's Internet Group will merge into one unit, named Disney Interactive Media Group. Disney Interactive Studios has published games like <em>Hannah Montana, High School Musical </em>and <em>Turok</em>; meanwhile, the internet division was responsible for hundreds of online casual games and <em>Pirates of the Caribbean Online</em>. Clearly, the merger makes sense, and can be likened to when <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/13/soe-to-report-directly-to-kaz-hirai-scei/">Sony Online Entertainment became part of SCEI</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://weblogs.variety.com/the_cut_scene/2008/06/disney-merging.html">Variety</a> speculates the merger is so that Disney can report all its digital revenues in one spot, instead of games being lumped in with the consumer products. It doesn't appear many (if any) pink slips will be handed out in the unification, as these seemingly offline and online games divisions continue doing their separate things. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.paidcontent.org/entry/419-disney-merging-wdig-group-with-games-unit-forming-disney-interactive-me/#extended">Source</a> -- Disney Merging WDIG Group With Games Unit<br /><a href="http://kara.allthingsd.com/20080604/disney-combines-digital-units-heres-the-iger-memo/">Source</a> -- AllThingsD Iger memo<p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/05/disneys-games-and-internet-divisions-merging/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/1217106/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/05/disneys-games-and-internet-divisions-merging/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><category>allthingsd</category><category>disney</category><category>disney-interactive</category><category>disney-interactive-media</category><category>disney-interactive-media-group</category><category>paidcontent</category><category>variety</category><dc:creator>Alexander Sliwinski</dc:creator><dc:date>2008-06-05T20:50:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>Zero Punctuation hunts Turok and other FPSs</title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/19/zero-punctuation-hunts-turok-and-other-fpss/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/19/zero-punctuation-hunts-turok-and-other-fpss/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/19/zero-punctuation-hunts-turok-and-other-fpss/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/culture/" rel="tag">Culture</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/ps3/" rel="tag">Sony PlayStation 3</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/xbox360/" rel="tag">Microsoft Xbox 360</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/firstpersonshooters/" rel="tag">First Person Shooters</a></p><div align="center"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" alt="" src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2008/03/zeropuncturok.jpg" /><br /></div>
<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/tag/zero-punctuation">Zero Punctuation</a> tries to be helpful this week by beating <em>Turok</em> with blunt vocabulary and attempting to help other first person shooter developers not make the same mistakes. The six minor points Yahtzee lays out ask shooters not to be cheap imitations of <em>Halo</em>, which itself is a cheap knock-off of ... oh, let's avoid finishing that sentence for the sake of being able to turn on the car tomorrow morning with reasonable knowledge it won't explode.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/editorials/zeropunctuation/3040-Zero-Punctuation-Turok">This week's</a> NSFW review of <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/13/overheard-e3-duh-rassic-park/">that game with dinosaurs</a>, <em>Turok</em>, is embedded all cozy-like after the break.<br /><br /> <center><embed width="490" height="422" align="middle" src="http://update.videoegg.com/flash/proxy.swf?jsver=1.4" flashvars="gc=c2hvd0FkPXRydWUmYWRWYXJzPWFyZWE9Z2FtZXMmc2l0ZT1lc2NhcGlzdG1hZ2F6aW5lJmZpbGU9aHR0cCUzQSUyRiUyRnNlbGZzZXJ2ZTMwMCUyRWRvd25sb2FkJTJFdmlkZW9lZ2clMkVjb20lMkZnaWQzODklMkZjaWQxMzg5JTJGWTYlMkZINCUyRjEyMDU5Mzg4MzdjdGFTVGtQWXVuWWdvSVR1a0F6aCZzd2ZwYXRoPWh0dHAlM0ElMkYlMkZ1cGRhdGUlMkV2aWRlb2VnZyUyRWNvbSUyRmZsYXNoJTJGcHJveHklMkVzd2YlM0Zqc3ZlciUzRDElMkU0JmF1dG9QbGF5PWZhbHNlJnNob3dBZFByaW1hcnk9dHJ1ZSZ3bW9kZT13aW5kb3cmYWxsb3dGbGFzaDlGdWxsc2NyZWVuPXRydWU=" quality="high" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" scale="noscale" wmode="window" name="VE_Player" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed></center><p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/editorials/zeropunctuation/3040-Zero-Punctuation-Turok>Read</a> | <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/19/zero-punctuation-hunts-turok-and-other-fpss/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/1144146/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/19/zero-punctuation-hunts-turok-and-other-fpss/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><category>disney</category><category>escapist</category><category>the-escapist</category><category>touchstone</category><category>turok</category><category>yahtzee</category><category>zero-punctuation</category><category>zeropunctuation</category><dc:creator>Alexander Sliwinski</dc:creator><dc:date>2008-03-19T19:00:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>Disney announces DS sequel to Spectrobes</title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/19/disney-announces-ds-sequel-to-spectrobes/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/19/disney-announces-ds-sequel-to-spectrobes/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/19/disney-announces-ds-sequel-to-spectrobes/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/ds/" rel="tag">Nintendo DS</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/online/" rel="tag">Online</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/rpgs/" rel="tag">RPGs</a></p><div align="center"><a href="http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/?ndmViewId=news_view&amp;newsId=20080319005338&amp;newsLang=en"><img vspace="4" hspace="0" border="1" src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2008/03/spectrobes_joy_large.jpg" alt="" /></a><br /></div>
After vowing to <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/11/disney-to-triple-spending-on-game-development/">triple spending on game development</a> in 2007, Disney has announced <em>Spectrobes: Beyond The Portals</em>, a follow up to last year's <em>Pokemon</em>-inspired RPG that's expected to ship for the Nintendo DS this fall. In the same breath, Disney also confirmed that the original title has shipped more than a million units globally and was the best-selling third-party DS game in North America last year, no doubt making the return trip to the well a no-brainer for the animation powerhouse.<br /><br />Like the original, <em>Beyond the Portals</em> is being handled by Japanese developer Jupiter, and will include a number of additions including a new "three-dimensional perspective" and an online battle system. As surprised as might be otherwise, some of the new game announcement's thunder was stolen by Disney CFO Tom Staggs, who last summer casually mentioned that <em>Spectrobes </em>"warrants a sequel in the games business." Still, be careful what you wish for, as Disney marketing guru Craig Relyea calls the game "part of our plan to expand the series in the coming years.<span id="bwanpa8">"</span><p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href=http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/?ndmViewId=news_view&amp;newsId=20080319005338&amp;newsLang=en>Read</a> | <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/19/disney-announces-ds-sequel-to-spectrobes/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/1143919/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/19/disney-announces-ds-sequel-to-spectrobes/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><category>Beyond-The-Portals</category><category>breakingnews</category><category>disney</category><category>jupiter</category><category>pokemon</category><category>sequel</category><category>spectrobes</category><dc:creator>Jason Dobson</dc:creator><dc:date>2008-03-19T11:15:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>Prince of Persia heads to Morocco for film shoot</title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/10/prince-of-persia-heads-to-morocco-for-film-shoot/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/10/prince-of-persia-heads-to-morocco-for-film-shoot/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/10/prince-of-persia-heads-to-morocco-for-film-shoot/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/culture/" rel="tag">Culture</a></p><center><object width="490" height="420"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Ycf7zwxo6mc"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Ycf7zwxo6mc" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="490" height="420"></embed></object></center>The transition between video game and film is typically no different than one of those trap-laden corridors Ubisoft's princely protagonist dashes through on a regular basis. Though we yearn to say otherwise, Disney's <em><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/tag/prince-of-persia">Prince of Persia</a>: Sands of Time </em>film hasn't shown to be particularly adept at running the gauntlet. Coupling mega producer Jerry Bruckheimer's <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/04/bruckheimer-might-change-prince-of-persia-time-period/">involvement</a> with director Mike Newell's promise (of having his <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/12/newell-prince-of-persia-not-a-video-game-movie/"><em>assistant</em> play through</a> the game) leads us to believe that the crew has fallen into the very first pit and succumbed to one of those spinning blade thingies.<br /><br />Still, we'd best give them a chance to finish shooting in Morocco this June, which <a href="http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117981952.html?categoryId=13&amp;cs=1"><em>Variety</em></a> notes will have a positive effect on the North African film business. Scenes for the Jeffrey Nachmanoff- and Jordan Mechner-written project will also be filmed at the UK's Pinewood Shepperton studios. Cross your fingers and hope for something more than a literal explosion of bullet-time sword fights, churlish chariot chases and liberal lingering on Farah's faucets.<p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href=http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117981952.html?categoryId=13&amp;cs=1>Read</a> | <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/10/prince-of-persia-heads-to-morocco-for-film-shoot/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/1136633/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/10/prince-of-persia-heads-to-morocco-for-film-shoot/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><category>Disney</category><category>Jerry-Bruckheimer</category><category>Jordan-Mechner</category><category>Mike-Newell</category><category>PoP</category><category>Prince-of-Persia</category><category>PrinceofPersia</category><category>Sands-of-Time</category><dc:creator>Ludwig Kietzmann</dc:creator><dc:date>2008-03-10T22:00:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>Disney announces peripheral-free 'Ultimate Band' for Wii, DS</title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/27/disney-announces-peripheral-free-ultimate-band-for-wii-and-ds/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/27/disney-announces-peripheral-free-ultimate-band-for-wii-and-ds/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/27/disney-announces-peripheral-free-ultimate-band-for-wii-and-ds/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/ds/" rel="tag">Nintendo DS</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/wii/" rel="tag">Nintendo Wii</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/rhythm/" rel="tag">Rhythm</a></p><div align="center"><a href="http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/?ndmViewId=news_view&amp;newsId=20080227005331&amp;newsLang=en"><img vspace="4" hspace="0" border="1" src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2008/02/ultimateband.jpg" alt="" /></a></div>
Sure, you love <em>Rock Band</em>, but shelling out the $170 for the requisite game and peripherals isn't even an option if you're a Wii or DS owner. Enter Disney Interactive, who think they can bring peripheral-free rhythm gaming to Nintendo systems with <em>Ultimate Band</em>.<br /><br />No, the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fall_Line_Studios">Fall Line Studios</a>-developed game won't feature Mickey, Donald or other familiar characters (unlike some <a href="http://www.konami.com/Konami/ctl3810/cp20109/si1742880/cl1/dance_dance_revolution_disney_mix">other Disney-fied rhythm games</a>) but it will feature a "deep song list, dynamic venues, and customizable characters" according to the <a href="http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/?ndmViewId=news_view&amp;newsId=20080227005331&amp;newsLang=en">press release</a>. The Wii version will let players use the Wii remote and Nunchuk to play drums, guitars and "front man" while the DS version will also let players "create their own original songs ... and apply creative mixing effects." The portable version will also include support for Disney's <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/12/disney-unveils-dgamer-social-network-for-ds-and-pc/">DGamer online social network</a>. Look for both versions by the holidays.<br /><br />Also see: <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/07/thq-announces-band-mashups-wii-exclusive-rhythm-game-for-april/">THQ's Band Mashups for the Wii</a><p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href=http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/?ndmViewId=news_view&amp;newsId=20080227005331&amp;newsLang=en>Read</a> | <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/27/disney-announces-peripheral-free-ultimate-band-for-wii-and-ds/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/1126269/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/27/disney-announces-peripheral-free-ultimate-band-for-wii-and-ds/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><category>Disney</category><category>Disney-Interactive</category><category>DS</category><category>rock-band</category><category>Ultimate-Band</category><category>Wii</category><dc:creator>Kyle Orland</dc:creator><dc:date>2008-02-27T15:00:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>Disney Channel programming launches on Live Marketplace</title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/16/disney-channel-content-launches-on-live-marketplace/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/16/disney-channel-content-launches-on-live-marketplace/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/16/disney-channel-content-launches-on-live-marketplace/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/xbox360/" rel="tag">Microsoft Xbox 360</a></p><a href="http://www.xbox.com/en-US/live/marketplace/moviestv/disneychannel.htm"><img vspace="4" hspace="0" border="1" alt="" src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2008/02/gam_hannahmontana_490.jpg" /></a><br />We were planning on accompanying this post with a poll asking how many of our readers regularly watch Hannah Montana, but we're pretty sure we can guess the results of that questionnaire -- half of our readers would fess up to watching the pre-teen pop queen, and the other half would be bold-faced liars. <br /><br />Fine, you don't have to admit it -- but if you have a friend (wink, wink) with an Xbox Live account, that friend (nudge, nudge) can now download episodes of Hannah Montana as well as <a href="http://www.xbox.com/en-US/live/marketplace/moviestv/disneychannel.htm">a plethora of other Disney channel programming</a> on Live Marketplace. It's just like having that <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zac_Efron">dreamy Zac Efron</a> live inside of your Xbox 360 hard drive, ready to serenade you at your behest, just one ashamed button press away from your Veteran career on <em>Call of Duty 4</em>.<br /><br />[Via <a href="http://gamerscoreblog.com/team/archive/2008/02/12/557352.aspx">Gamerscore Blog</a>]<p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href=http://gamerscoreblog.com/team/archive/2008/02/12/557352.aspx>Read</a> | <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/16/disney-channel-content-launches-on-live-marketplace/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/1116894/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/16/disney-channel-content-launches-on-live-marketplace/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><category>disney</category><category>hannahmontana</category><category>marketplace</category><category>suitelifeofzackandcody</category><category>xbl</category><category>xbox live</category><category>XboxLive</category><dc:creator>Griffin McElroy</dc:creator><dc:date>2008-02-16T18:00:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>Disney announces Pure, plans to "redefine" off-road racing</title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/14/disney-announces-pure-plans-to-redefine-off-road-racing/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/14/disney-announces-pure-plans-to-redefine-off-road-racing/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/14/disney-announces-pure-plans-to-redefine-off-road-racing/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/pc/" rel="tag">PC</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/ps3/" rel="tag">Sony PlayStation 3</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/xbox360/" rel="tag">Microsoft Xbox 360</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/action/" rel="tag">Action</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/driving/" rel="tag">Driving</a></p><div align="center"><a href="http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=33104"><img vspace="4" hspace="0" border="1" src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2008/02/pure-ps3__xbox_360__pcscreens9418screenshot_009w_sm.jpg" alt="" /></a><br /></div>
<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/tag/motorstorm/"><em>Motorstorm</em></a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/tag/DIRT/"><em>DiRT</em></a>, that game with Ivan "Ironman" Stewart -- these are among the elite of off-road racing titles, having set the bar ridiculously high for other games to follow. Disney, however, has its dirt-encrusted sights set higher by announcing <em>Pure</em>, an upcoming off-road racer that it claims will "redefine the off-road racing genre." <br /><br />In development for the Xbox 360, PS3 and PC, the game is currently being dragged through the mud at Disney's Brighton, England studio Black Rock, formerly known as Climax Racing, a studio known for such racing franchises as <em>Moto GP</em> and <em>ATV Offroad Fury</em>. Even with this experience, however, we're not exactly sure how Disney's plans reshape how we think about off-road racing, though it might have something to do with what it calls "breakneck racing" and "jaw-dropping aerial tricks," all of which are apparently being overseen by stunt guru and ATV filmmaker <a href="http://www.hbombfilms.com/home.php">Wes Miller</a>. Still, we've read these sorts of claims before, and while the initial bath of media looks interesting it's a good bet our jaws are in no danger of hitting the floor just yet.<br /><br /><div class="postgallery"><p><strong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/photos/pure/">Pure</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/photos/pure/641622/"><img src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2008/02/pure-ps3__xbox_360__pcscreens9419screenshot_011w_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/photos/pure/641621/"><img src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2008/02/pure-ps3__xbox_360__pcscreens9418screenshot_009w_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/photos/pure/641620/"><img src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2008/02/pure-ps3__xbox_360__pcscreens9417screenshot_006p_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/photos/pure/641619/"><img src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2008/02/pure-ps3__xbox_360__pcscreens9416screenshot_005p_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/photos/pure/641617/"><img src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2008/02/pure-ps3__xbox_360__pcscreens9415screenshot_002p_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href=http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=33104>Read</a> | <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/14/disney-announces-pure-plans-to-redefine-off-road-racing/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/1114925/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/14/disney-announces-pure-plans-to-redefine-off-road-racing/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><category>atv</category><category>black-rock</category><category>blackrock</category><category>climax</category><category>disney</category><category>off-road</category><category>pure</category><dc:creator>Jason Dobson</dc:creator><dc:date>2008-02-14T09:30:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>This Wednesday: Commanders, Discs of Tron assault XBLA</title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/11/this-wednesday-commanders-discs-of-tron-assault-xbla/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/11/this-wednesday-commanders-discs-of-tron-assault-xbla/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/11/this-wednesday-commanders-discs-of-tron-assault-xbla/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/arcade/" rel="tag">Arcade</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/retro/" rel="tag">Retro</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/xbox360/" rel="tag">Microsoft Xbox 360</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/strategy/" rel="tag">Strategy</a></p><div align="center"><a href="http://gamerscoreblog.com/team/archive/2008/02/11/557321.aspx"><img vspace="4" hspace="0" border="1" src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2008/02/commanders-discs-of-tron-xb.jpg" alt="" /></a><br /></div>
Turn-based strategy and relentless disc flinging will be coming to <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/tag/XBLA">Xbox Live Arcade</a> this week, with <a href="http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/c/commandersxboxlivearcade/"><em>Commanders: Attack of the Genos</em></a> and <em><a href="http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/d/discsoftronxboxlivearcade/">Discs of Tron</a> </em>scheduled to arrive on <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/tag/XBLAWednesday">Wednesday</a>. Sierra Online's <em>Commanders</em> pits you (a <em>commander</em>, we suspect) against an invading army of genetically modified miscreants who, at the very least, are polite enough to wage war in turns. Fifteen missions, fifteen specialized units and a "retro-futuristic" setting can be had for 800 MS Points ($10).<br /><div class="postgallery"><p><strong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/photos/commanders-attack-of-the-genos/">Commanders: Attack of the Genos</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/photos/commanders-attack-of-the-genos/635320/"><img src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2008/02/commanders-attack-of-the-genos-01_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/photos/commanders-attack-of-the-genos/635326/"><img src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2008/02/commanders-attack-of-the-genos-02_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/photos/commanders-attack-of-the-genos/635321/"><img src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2008/02/commanders-attack-of-the-genos-03_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/photos/commanders-attack-of-the-genos/635322/"><img src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2008/02/commanders-attack-of-the-genos-04_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/photos/commanders-attack-of-the-genos/635323/"><img src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2008/02/commanders-attack-of-the-genos-05_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div>  <br />As the title succinctly implies, <em>Discs of Tron</em> is primarily concerned with opponents hurling Tron discs at each other, very often while standing on discs within Tron. The disc-less download, which sports enhanced graphics and "CD-quality sound," will require you to discard 400 of your MS Points ($5).<br /><div class="postgallery"><p><strong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/photos/tron-discs-of-tron-xbla/">Tron / Discs of Tron (XBLA)</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/photos/tron-discs-of-tron-xbla/231889/"><img src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2007/05/xbla-discs-of-tron---enhanced-1_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/photos/tron-discs-of-tron-xbla/231885/"><img src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2007/05/xbla-discs-of-tron---enhanced-2_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/photos/tron-discs-of-tron-xbla/231883/"><img src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2007/05/xbla-discs-of-tron---enhanced-3_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/photos/tron-discs-of-tron-xbla/231882/"><img src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2007/05/xbla-discs-of-tron---enhanced-4_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/photos/tron-discs-of-tron-xbla/231886/"><img src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2007/05/xbla-discs-of-tron---original-1_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href=http://gamerscoreblog.com/team/archive/2008/02/11/557321.aspx>Read</a> | <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/11/this-wednesday-commanders-discs-of-tron-assault-xbla/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/1112018/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/11/this-wednesday-commanders-discs-of-tron-assault-xbla/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><category>Commanders</category><category>Commanders-Attack-of-the-Genos</category><category>Discs-of-Tron</category><category>Disney</category><category>Sierra-Online</category><category>SierraOnline</category><category>SouthEnd-Interactive</category><category>Tron</category><dc:creator>Ludwig Kietzmann</dc:creator><dc:date>2008-02-11T14:48:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>Discs of Tron uploads into Xbox Live next week</title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/08/discs-of-tron-uploads-into-xbox-live-next-week/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/08/discs-of-tron-uploads-into-xbox-live-next-week/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/08/discs-of-tron-uploads-into-xbox-live-next-week/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/arcade/" rel="tag">Arcade</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/retro/" rel="tag">Retro</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/xbox360/" rel="tag">Microsoft Xbox 360</a></p><div align="center"><a href="http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&amp;newsId=20080208005140&amp;newsLang=en"><img vspace="4" hspace="0" border="1" alt="" src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2008/02/discs-of-tron-and-that-guy-490.jpg" /></a></div>
Midway's <em>Discs of Tron</em>, the second <em>Tron</em> arcade game to hit Xbox Live (the first arrived <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/03/two-tron-games-head-to-xbla-we-get-depressed/">a month ago</a>) will debut next week, according to a <a href="http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&amp;newsId=20080208005140&amp;newsLang=en">press release</a> from <em>Tron </em>license holder Disney. The game will feature upgraded visuals and audio, although a "classic" option is reportedly available.<br /><br />Although concepts from the game are 25 years old, you will reportedly not be able to digitize yourself into the virtual environment -- you'll just have to make do with the Xbox 360 controller. <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/03/two-tron-games-head-to-xbla-we-get-depressed/">So sad</a>. You can take on Sark yourself on February 13.<br /><br /><div class="postgallery"><p><strong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/photos/tron-discs-of-tron-xbla/">Tron / Discs of Tron (XBLA)</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/photos/tron-discs-of-tron-xbla/231889/"><img src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2007/05/xbla-discs-of-tron---enhanced-1_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/photos/tron-discs-of-tron-xbla/231885/"><img src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2007/05/xbla-discs-of-tron---enhanced-2_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/photos/tron-discs-of-tron-xbla/231883/"><img src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2007/05/xbla-discs-of-tron---enhanced-3_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/photos/tron-discs-of-tron-xbla/231882/"><img src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2007/05/xbla-discs-of-tron---enhanced-4_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/photos/tron-discs-of-tron-xbla/231886/"><img src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2007/05/xbla-discs-of-tron---original-1_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href=http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&amp;newsId=20080208005140&amp;newsLang=en>Read</a> | <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/08/discs-of-tron-uploads-into-xbox-live-next-week/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/1110261/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/08/discs-of-tron-uploads-into-xbox-live-next-week/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><category>discs-of-tron</category><category>disney</category><category>midway</category><category>tron</category><category>xbla</category><category>xbox-live</category><dc:creator>Ross Miller</dc:creator><dc:date>2008-02-08T13:40:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>Disney uses the DS as tiniest tour guide</title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/22/disney-uses-the-ds-as-tiniest-tour-guide/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/22/disney-uses-the-ds-as-tiniest-tour-guide/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/22/disney-uses-the-ds-as-tiniest-tour-guide/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/ds/" rel="tag">Nintendo DS</a></p><div align="center"><a href="http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showpost.php?s=5af6c187c86d4ecce92ae9f1d313ffbe&amp;p=2687886&amp;postcount=95"><img vspace="4" hspace="0" border="1" alt="" src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2008/01/disneydsguide.jpg" /></a><br /></div>
As anyone who's been to Walt Disney World can tell you, it's a dangerous place. Around every corner there are hot dogs that not only cost $9 but would likely lead to an early grave and one wrong turn can lead you to fake Mexico where a charming local will try to trick you into smuggling "Disney Magic" into fake Germany. It's rough. Luckily, Disney is rolling out the Disney Magic Connection, a new portable tour guide that runs on Nintendo's DS to help keep newbies out of such tight spots.<br /><br />The system is GPS equipped so you can use it to see where you are in the park and the best way to get to some of the most important attractions (the restrooms). Sadly, you can't use your own system (magic doesn't come standard on the DS), but you probably wouldn't want to take it into the wilds of the park anyway.<br /><br />[Via <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/21/disney-puts-nintendo-ds-to-use-as-interactive-tour-guide/">Engadget</a>]<p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href=http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showpost.php?s=5af6c187c86d4ecce92ae9f1d313ffbe&amp;p=2687886&amp;postcount=95>Read</a> | <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/22/disney-uses-the-ds-as-tiniest-tour-guide/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/1092891/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/22/disney-uses-the-ds-as-tiniest-tour-guide/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><category>disney</category><category>walt-disney-world</category><dc:creator>Justin McElroy</dc:creator><dc:date>2008-01-22T09:00:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>Disney Interactive hires former Atari exec ... stop giggling!</title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/15/disney-interactive-hires-former-atari-exec-stop-giggling/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/15/disney-interactive-hires-former-atari-exec-stop-giggling/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/15/disney-interactive-hires-former-atari-exec-stop-giggling/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/business/" rel="tag">Business</a></p><div align="center"><a href="http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/news/disney-interactive-studios-hires-jeanmarcel-nicolai/19082/?biz=1"><img width="490" vspace="4" hspace="0" height="241" border="0" align="top" src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2008/01/ataridisneymain.jpg" alt="" /></a><br /></div>
Loyal readers who peruse our humble site on daily basis, please take a moment before this post starts to imagine the confluence of events that would need to occur for you to ever hire a former high-level <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/tag/atari">Atari</a> executive to your video game company? Now, explain this: Disney Interactive Studios has <a href="http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/news/disney-interactive-studios-hires-jeanmarcel-nicolai/19082/?biz=1">hired</a> former Atari executive Jean-Marcel Nicolai as the senior vice president of global production; in his position he'll head Disney's external and internal projects. For those just tuning in on the drama: <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/03/atari-parent-infogrames-scrapes-by-with-proceeds-from-bond-issue/">Atari's</a> <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/27/nasdaq-atari-could-be-delisted-market-value-too-low/">got</a> <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/20/atari-expecting-layoffs-and-ip-sales/">problems</a>.<br /><br />In case you're thinking Nicolai was just a random executive at Atari, he was actually responsible for external product development, production support, technology development and managing five internal studios as VP of product development and chief technology officer. So, Disney hired the guy responsible for a lot of Atari games over the last few years. In trying to place this on the Disney Interactive "wall of weird," we don't know if this goes before the company telling us <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/13/overheard-e3-duh-rassic-park/"><em>Turok</em> will feature dinosaurs</a> and its <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/25/disney-press-conference-fails-audience-participation/">E3 press conference</a>, or after.<p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href=http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/news/disney-interactive-studios-hires-jeanmarcel-nicolai/19082/?biz=1>Read</a> | <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/15/disney-interactive-hires-former-atari-exec-stop-giggling/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/1088037/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/15/disney-interactive-hires-former-atari-exec-stop-giggling/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><category>atari</category><category>disney</category><category>disney-interactive</category><category>jean-marcel-nicolai</category><category>nicolai</category><dc:creator>Alexander Sliwinski</dc:creator><dc:date>2008-01-15T22:45:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>THQ plans games based on Pixar's WALL●E, nobody surprised</title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/03/thq-plans-games-based-on-pixars-wall-e-nobody-surprised/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/03/thq-plans-games-based-on-pixars-wall-e-nobody-surprised/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/03/thq-plans-games-based-on-pixars-wall-e-nobody-surprised/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/ds/" rel="tag">Nintendo DS</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/pc/" rel="tag">PC</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/ps2/" rel="tag">Sony PlayStation 2</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/ps3/" rel="tag">Sony PlayStation 3</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/psp/" rel="tag">Sony PSP</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/wii/" rel="tag">Nintendo Wii</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/xbox360/" rel="tag">Microsoft Xbox 360</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/action/" rel="tag">Action</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/adventure/" rel="tag">Adventure</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/business/" rel="tag">Business</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/mobile/" rel="tag">Mobile</a></p><p align="center"><a href="http://www.macworld.com/article/131371/2008/01/walle.html?t=109"><img alt="" src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2008/01/walle.jpg" vspace="4" border="1" /></a></p>
<p>With THQ still riding the wave of financial fortitude created by its adaptations of Disney Pixar's <em>Cars</em> and <em>Ratatouille</em> animated features, the company has unsurprisingly confirmed plans to give the film studio's next feature, <em>WALLo.E</em>, similar treatment. Versions of the movie-made-game, which centers on a story of a robot named <em>WALLo.E</em> (short for Waste Allocation Load Lifter Earth-Class) and his journey of self discovery, should begin to populate store shelves for every platform under the sun in time for the film's summer release. <br /><br />This game is the second title, following last year's <em>Ratatouille</em>, to stem from a new four game deal between THQ and Pixar, meaning that we expect these two will remain in bed together over the next couple of years at the very least. THQ hasn't shed many details on how the<em> WALLo.E</em> games will play out, though given previous releases, we expect a handful of levels lifted from the film, partnered with mind numbing icon collecting and actors delivering lines with all of the enthusiasm of a cheese sandwich. Excited yet?</p><p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href=http://www.macworld.com/article/131371/2008/01/walle.html?t=109>Read</a> | <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/03/thq-plans-games-based-on-pixars-wall-e-nobody-surprised/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/1076175/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/03/thq-plans-games-based-on-pixars-wall-e-nobody-surprised/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><category>Cars</category><category>disney</category><category>license</category><category>pixar</category><category>Ratatouille</category><category>thq</category><category>wall e</category><category>wall-e</category><category>walle</category><dc:creator>Jason Dobson</dc:creator><dc:date>2008-01-03T08:57:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>Warren Spector talks retirement, Deus Ex 3, selling out</title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/19/warren-spector-talks-retirement-deus-ex-3-selling-out/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/19/warren-spector-talks-retirement-deus-ex-3-selling-out/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/19/warren-spector-talks-retirement-deus-ex-3-selling-out/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/adventure/" rel="tag">Adventure</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/business/" rel="tag">Business</a></p><div align="center"><a href="http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=89497"><img vspace="4" hspace="0" border="1" alt="" src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2007/12/warrenspectorretirementplan.jpg" /></a><br /></div>
He's got at least three more games under his belt, and yet <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/tag/warrenspector">Warren Spector</a> is already planning his exit strategy, according to a <a href="http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=89497">recent interview with Eurogamer</a>. The 52-year-old game designer believes that he will work on a maximum of five more games during his career, "more likely probably three given how long they take."<br /><br />In the interview, Spector also discusses <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/tag/deus-ex-3"><em>Deux Ex 3</em></a>, which will be the first of the series which Spector will have no input on. Although he has not been in direct contact with developer Eidos Montreal, Spector expresses concern over the <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/tag/deusex"><em>Deus Ex</em></a> franchise, claiming it to be "delicate" and hoping that the third title might in some way correct some of the mistakes made in <em>Deus Ex: Invisible War</em>.<br /><br />Though no details are given about Spector's newest project -- which is being developed for Junction Studios owner <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/tag/disney/">Disney</a> -- Spector does state that the hardcore gaming community will undoubtedly lash out in response to the eventual announcement, and he anticipates claims that he has sold out. According to Spector, it will be "glorious. Just glorious."<p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href=http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=89497>Read</a> | <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/19/warren-spector-talks-retirement-deus-ex-3-selling-out/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/1066495/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/19/warren-spector-talks-retirement-deus-ex-3-selling-out/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><category>deus-ex</category><category>deus-ex-3</category><category>deusex</category><category>disney</category><category>junction-point</category><category>junctionpoint</category><category>warren-spector</category><category>warrenspector</category><dc:creator>Scott Jon Siegel</dc:creator><dc:date>2007-12-19T07:59:00+00:00</dc:date></item></channel></rss>