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[Nintendo's Wii U Mario reveal based on E3 2011 Mario demo]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/17/nintendos-wii-u-mario-reveal-based-on-e3-2011-mario-demo/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/17/nintendos-wii-u-mario-reveal-based-on-e3-2011-mario-demo/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/17/nintendos-wii-u-mario-reveal-based-on-e3-2011-mario-demo/#comments Nintendo said this week that it'll have a new Mario game for the Wii U to show off at E3 - not exactly the most surprising news, but exciting no less. As it turns out, however, that game will apparently be based on last year's Wii U Mario demo ... which was essentially New Super Mario Bros. Wii with Miis in addition to Mushroom Kingdom locals.

Speaking with Eurogamer, Nintendo said of the Mario game for Wii U, "This is based on the Mario experience that was demonstrated at last year's E3 Expo." What we didn't see of the demo last year was how the game will take advantage of the Wii U's WiiPad while playing against friends, so perhaps that revelation will be enough to woo us beyond our currently tepid excitement level.

JoystiqNintendo's Wii U Mario reveal based on E3 2011 Mario demo originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 17 Apr 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3e3-2012new-super-mario-bros-wii-unintendosuper-mario-bros-wii-usuper-mario-wii-uwii-uTue, 17 Apr 2012 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: Don't expect next-Xbox announcements this year]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/30/report-dont-expect-next-xbox-announcements-this-year/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/30/report-dont-expect-next-xbox-announcements-this-year/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/30/report-dont-expect-next-xbox-announcements-this-year/#comments The marketing director of Microsoft France has said the 360 still has some life left in its hard drive, and Microsoft won't be unveiling anything new this year. "Xbox 360′s cycle is not at all finished. The proof is that we don't see the logic in cutting the price this year," Cedrick Delmax said in a French-language interview with Le Point, according to Develop. "E3 is still premature. What's certain is that there'll be nothing new in 2012."

We contacted Microsoft for clarification and a spokesperson provided the following statement:

"We're always thinking about what is next and how we can push the boundaries of technology, as we did with Kinect. We believe the key to extending the lifespan of a console is not just about the console hardware, but about the games and entertainment experiences being delivered to consumers. We have made no announcements regarding a next generation console and do not comment on rumors or speculation."

Rumors are of course rampant about the next Xbox launching in 2013, with the latest report suggesting mass production of its GPU will begin at the end of 2012.

JoystiqReport: Don't expect next-Xbox announcements this year originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 30 Jan 2012 20:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3e3-2012microsoftnext-xboxxboxxbox-nextMon, 30 Jan 2012 20:15:00 EST<![CDATA[The Simpsons go to 'E4']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/15/the-simpsons-go-to-e4/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/15/the-simpsons-go-to-e4/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/15/the-simpsons-go-to-e4/#comments The opening scene of last night's Simpsons episode brought the family to the "Expensive Electronic Entertainment Expo" (or "E4," a joke that works even better if you realize the writers forgot about the existence of E For All).

You'll have to wait eight days or so to see the episode on Hulu if you missed it -- longer still if you're outside of the US -- but GameSetWatch has done us the favor of collecting some of the on-the-nose visual gags from the scene. In addition to the three screencaps presented in the post, GSW reports that parody games including Grand Theft Scratchy: Itchy City Stories, Shaun White: Time Snowboarder, and World of Krustcraft made appearances.

Perhaps the best thing about this sequence is that it suggests a Simpsons writer was present at E3 for the sole purpose of taking notes on the spectacle.

JoystiqThe Simpsons go to 'E4' originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 Nov 2011 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3e3-expoparodythe-simpsonsTue, 15 Nov 2011 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[BioShock Infinite E3 demo video coming July 7, first two minutes right here]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/30/bioshock-infinite-e3-demo-video-coming-july-7-first-two-minutes/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/30/bioshock-infinite-e3-demo-video-coming-july-7-first-two-minutes/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/30/bioshock-infinite-e3-demo-video-coming-july-7-first-two-minutes/#comments
You've surely already read about what we saw during the E3 demo of BioShock Infinite, from the sky-lines to Elizabeth's tearing ability and all of the other quirks of the floating city of Columbia. But perhaps that's not enough for you. Perhaps you want to pick over the experience yourself, looking for succulent secrets and tasty hints that we game press types may have somehow missed.

In that case, you're in luck: Ken Levine says the entire 15-minute demo will be shown on Spike TV on July 7. Even before that, you can watch the full first two minutes of the award-winning demo above. Keep an eye out for our favorite part: "golden" American presidential statues that Booker dismisses with a certain monarchical reference. History! Metaphor! Meaning! No wonder this game's so impressive.

JoystiqBioShock Infinite E3 demo video coming July 7, first two minutes right here originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 30 Jun 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2k-gamesbioshock-infinitedemoe3e3-2011ken-levinemicrosoftpcplaystationps3xboxThu, 30 Jun 2011 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Now you too can watch the Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker HD E3 demo]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/20/now-you-too-can-watch-the-metal-gear-solid-peace-walker-hd-e3-d/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/20/now-you-too-can-watch-the-metal-gear-solid-peace-walker-hd-e3-d/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/20/now-you-too-can-watch-the-metal-gear-solid-peace-walker-hd-e3-d/#comments Anxious to get your first glimpse at Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker HD? Well, here's your chance -- just try not to be too harsh on the person Konami has playing the game. We're not sure this individual gets the whole "stealth" thing.

Continue reading Now you too can watch the Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker HD E3 demo

JoystiqNow you too can watch the Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker HD E3 demo originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 20 Jun 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3e3-2011konamimetal-gear-solid-hd-collectionplaystationps3Mon, 20 Jun 2011 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Ninja Gaiden 3 preview: The evolution of mammals]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/20/ninja-gaiden-3-preview/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/20/ninja-gaiden-3-preview/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/20/ninja-gaiden-3-preview/#comments When I asked Ninja Gaiden 3 lead Fumihiko Yasuda how the protagonist was able to glide through the air with nothing more than a black, skin-tight suit, I committed the sin of dragging logic into a discussion that was utterly incompatible with it. Ryu Hayabusa can fly because he's a ninja, and that's an axiom you'll just have to accept.

The legitimate mystery is why an army of hapless (and soon-to-be-headless) soldiers would stomp all the way through the brutally extracted entrails of their comrades, and still insist on fighting an enraged man who literally just flew in. The gushing violence signals a welcome change from Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2's purple energy nonsense and comes across as silly and satisfying, rather than OH GROSS. Hayabusa's sword never seems to clip through enemy bodies so much as it slides and scrapes through them.

Gallery: Ninja Gaiden 3 (E3 2011)

Continue reading Ninja Gaiden 3 preview: The evolution of mammals

JoystiqNinja Gaiden 3 preview: The evolution of mammals originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 20 Jun 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3e3-2011fumihiko-yasudamicrosoftninja-gaiden-3playstationps3team-ninjaxboxMon, 20 Jun 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[E3 2011 spurs half a million PlayStation Home visits]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/17/e3-2011-spurs-half-a-million-playstation-home-visits/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/17/e3-2011-spurs-half-a-million-playstation-home-visits/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/17/e3-2011-spurs-half-a-million-playstation-home-visits/#comments We like to make fun of PlayStation Home, but it turns out if you put cool stuff there, people will log in. VentureBeat reports over 500,000 people showed up for the festivities, which included interviews and gameplay demonstrations of what was on offer on the E3 show floor, plus a live stream of Sony's press conference and a virtual recreation of its booth area. Sony did a similar thing last year and pulled in 250,000.

If for some reason you weren't able to make it into Home, get caught up on our admittedly less interactive Sony coverage from the show: the keynote, the booth and E3 overall.

JoystiqE3 2011 spurs half a million PlayStation Home visits originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 17 Jun 2011 03:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3e3-2011homeplaystationplaystation-homeps3pspsonyFri, 17 Jun 2011 03:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Shinobi preview: The re-revenge of Shinobi]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/16/shinobi-preview/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/16/shinobi-preview/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/16/shinobi-preview/#comments If you've heard that the new 3DS Shinobi game feels exactly like the original -- or any Shinobi game to date -- you've heard wrong. Even though it's published by Sega and it's about a ninja, Griptonite's new Shinobi is definitely a modern action game. It does take some inspiration from the series, which makes it recognizable as a descendant of those games, but it's more reimagining than remake.

Gallery: Shinobi 3DS (E3 2011)

Continue reading Shinobi preview: The re-revenge of Shinobi

JoystiqShinobi preview: The re-revenge of Shinobi originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 16 Jun 2011 20:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsdse3e3-2011griptonite-gamesninjanintendosegashinobishinobi-3dsThu, 16 Jun 2011 20:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Risen 2: Dark Waters preview: Murky depths]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/15/risen-2-dark-waters-preview-murky-depths/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/15/risen-2-dark-waters-preview-murky-depths/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/15/risen-2-dark-waters-preview-murky-depths/#comments There's an interesting trend lately of hardcore PC RPGs coming out of Europe, of which The Witcher 2 is only the latest and greatest so far. One of the earliest entries in this sort of splinter genre was 2001's Gothic, a game that was extremely popular among its European audience despite being the first title put together by German developers Pirahna Bytes.

After a few Gothic sequels, the company introduced a new Pirate-themed RPG a few years ago called Risen and, this past week at E3, introduced that game's sequel to all of us. Just like the rest of this crop of European RPGs, Risen 2 seems a quality RPG wrapped in a not-so-great game.

The graphics are definitely better, and the controls are a little more usable than they were (Deep Silver, who's publishing the game, went so far as to show off bugs in the last version to the press just to make clear how much better the sequel was). But in the end, Risen 2 seems like it will have all of the pluses and minuses that this type of RPG always seems to have.

Gallery: Risen 2: Dark Waters (E3 2011)

Continue reading Risen 2: Dark Waters preview: Murky depths

JoystiqRisen 2: Dark Waters preview: Murky depths originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 Jun 2011 21:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>deep-silvere3e3-2011gothicmicrosoftpcpirahna-bytesplaystationps3risen-2-dark-watersxboxWed, 15 Jun 2011 21:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Cave Story 3D preview: Pixel goes polygonal]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/15/cave-story-3d-preview-pixel-goes-polygonal/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/15/cave-story-3d-preview-pixel-goes-polygonal/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/15/cave-story-3d-preview-pixel-goes-polygonal/#comments I'll admit it: my excitement about a new version of Cave Story to play on the 3DS was tempered a bit by fears that it wouldn't turn out right. To put it more directly, my excitement was tempered by the first screenshots of Cave Story 3D.

But upon playing the remake, it was immediately evident that developer Nicalis had been paying attention to the reaction to those first images, and is working to make something that reinterprets the environments of the retro-style original in a more palatable -- and more parsable -- way. It is not ruined by the 3D graphics.

Gallery: Cave Story 3D (E3 2011)

Continue reading Cave Story 3D preview: Pixel goes polygonal

JoystiqCave Story 3D preview: Pixel goes polygonal originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 Jun 2011 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dscave-story-3ddse3e3-2011nicalisnintendonis-americaWed, 15 Jun 2011 14:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Earth Defense Force: Insect Armageddon media is full of bugs]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/15/earth-defense-force-insect-armageddon-media-is-full-of-bugs/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/15/earth-defense-force-insect-armageddon-media-is-full-of-bugs/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/15/earth-defense-force-insect-armageddon-media-is-full-of-bugs/#comments Bugs don't have emotions. Bugs don't have a sense of right and wrong. All they know is that our delicious human bones are delicious. And that's why we've gotta kill 'em all ... apparently.

Continue reading Earth Defense Force: Insect Armageddon media is full of bugs

JoystiqEarth Defense Force: Insect Armageddon media is full of bugs originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 Jun 2011 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>d3d3-publishere3e3-2011earth-defense-force-insect-armageddonmicrosoftplaystationps3xboxWed, 15 Jun 2011 05:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Disneyland Adventures preview: Virtual Imagineering]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/14/disneyland-adventures-preview-virtual-imagineering/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/14/disneyland-adventures-preview-virtual-imagineering/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/14/disneyland-adventures-preview-virtual-imagineering/#comments Much like the real theme park, Disneyland Adventures isn't so much a game as it is an attraction. To be sure, the Kinect title has available mini-games, but the real meat of the experience seems to be the recreation of the park itself. Frontier Developments' David Walsh informed me that the park has been painstakingly recreated. Players can navigate the entire park using the Kinect, meeting Disney characters, visiting attractions and even collecting coveted hidden Mickeys (which I admit I'd never heard of before this preview).

The only things missing are the actual rides, which have been replaced with what appears to be a series of nearly identical minigames.

Gallery: Disneyland Adventures (E3 2011)

Continue reading Disneyland Adventures preview: Virtual Imagineering

JoystiqDisneyland Adventures preview: Virtual Imagineering originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 14 Jun 2011 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3e3-2011Frontier-Developmentskinectkinect-disneyland-adventuresmicrosoftmicrosoft-studiosxboxTue, 14 Jun 2011 14:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Street Fighter 3: Third Strike Online Edition preview: Fight in the future]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/13/street-fighter-3-third-strike-online-edition-preview/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/13/street-fighter-3-third-strike-online-edition-preview/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/13/street-fighter-3-third-strike-online-edition-preview/#comments Before I get started detailing what Street Fighter 3: Third Strike Online Edition is, I should mention what it isn't: an Xbox Live Arcade exclusive. I was under that impression, and so I was a little surprised to notice that, as I spoke with Capcom's Seth Killian, we were totally playing on a PS3. According to Killian, it's definitely coming to PSN, simultaneous with the XBLA release, and always was.

That non-exclusivity is a good thing, because I'd hate for anyone who likes Street Fighter 3 even a little to miss out on all the love poured into this collection. There might be too much love in here.

Gallery: Street Fighter III: Third Strike Online Edition (E3 2011)

Continue reading Street Fighter 3: Third Strike Online Edition preview: Fight in the future

JoystiqStreet Fighter 3: Third Strike Online Edition preview: Fight in the future originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 13 Jun 2011 20:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>capcome3e3-2011microsoftplaystationps3psnseth-killianstreet-fighter-3-third-strikestreet-fighter-3-third-strike-online-editionxblaxboxMon, 13 Jun 2011 20:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Silent Hill: Downpour preview: Shattered Homecoming]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/13/silent-hill-downpour-preview-shattered-homecoming/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/13/silent-hill-downpour-preview-shattered-homecoming/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/13/silent-hill-downpour-preview-shattered-homecoming/#comments Noisy trade show floors are notoriously bad places to preview survival horror games. You can try to preserve crucial atmosphere with headphones, but even then it's hard not to be at least a little distracted. As such, it's hard for me to compare the overall feel of Silent Hill: Downpour to that of its moody brethren, but I can at least offer a technical rundown.

Gallery: Silent Hill: Downpour (6/9/11)

Continue reading Silent Hill: Downpour preview: Shattered Homecoming

JoystiqSilent Hill: Downpour preview: Shattered Homecoming originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 13 Jun 2011 19:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3e3-2011konamimicrosoftplaystationps3silent-hill-downpourvatravatra-gamesxboxMon, 13 Jun 2011 19:20:00 EST<![CDATA[CCP shares big plans for Dust 514 and EVE Online at E3]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/13/ccp-shares-big-plans-for-dust-514-and-eve-online-at-e3/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/13/ccp-shares-big-plans-for-dust-514-and-eve-online-at-e3/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/13/ccp-shares-big-plans-for-dust-514-and-eve-online-at-e3/#comments The MMO market may be dominated by World of Warcraft, but while other games have come and gone, there's always been one other constant in massively multiplayer games: Icelandic company CCP's EVE Online. Since 2003, CCP has kept EVE's gigantic galactic server Tranquility going, allowing the game's over 350,000 users to fly around, blow up ships, trade and earn ISK, and make this virtual world that has held over 60,000 players together at one time surprisingly real.

But that's not enough for CCP. EVE has always been singled out for its precipitous difficulty curve -- because the game faithfully models everything from power management and targeting systems to realtime stocks and industrial economics, it's a tough climb for new players not necessarily interested in the ins and outs of advanced capacitor control schemes.

Enter Dust 514, then, a brand new game being developed by CCP that's designed to scoop up all of those players who've been scared away by the learning curve in EVE Online. What's the opposite of a hardcore, complicated, PC MMO? Apparently it's a massively multiplayer first-person shooter, available only on Sony's PlayStation 3. (Extensions of the game are set to be released as well, including one on the new PS Vita.)

Gallery: Dust 514/EVE Online (E3 2011)

Continue reading CCP shares big plans for Dust 514 and EVE Online at E3

JoystiqCCP shares big plans for Dust 514 and EVE Online at E3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 13 Jun 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpdust-514e3e3-2011eve-onlineicelandplaystationplaystation-vitaps-vitaps3pspshootersonyvitaMon, 13 Jun 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Relive the Joystiq E3 2011 meetup through this video]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/13/relive-the-joystiq-e3-2011-meetup-through-this-video/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/13/relive-the-joystiq-e3-2011-meetup-through-this-video/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/13/relive-the-joystiq-e3-2011-meetup-through-this-video/#comments Max Paolucci (thankfully) took some video of the Joystiq E3 meetup, both as evidence it actually happened (that whole week was a blur) and as a kindness to those unable to physically attend. It suffices to say that we love Max dearly.

Continue reading Relive the Joystiq E3 2011 meetup through this video

JoystiqRelive the Joystiq E3 2011 meetup through this video originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 13 Jun 2011 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dance-central-2dse3e3-2011macmicrosoftmobilemonaconintendopcplaystationps3pspreader-meetupretro-city-rampageretrogradesonyspypartywiixboxzombiesMon, 13 Jun 2011 15:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Super Stardust Delta preview: Tilt to live]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/13/super-stardust-delta-preview/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/13/super-stardust-delta-preview/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/13/super-stardust-delta-preview/#comments The first portable variant of Housemarque's stellar twin-stick shooter, Super Stardust, had to make do with a fifty percent reduction in analog control when it arrived on PSP. Super Stardust Delta is much better off on the superior PlayStation Vita hardware, though the authenticity of the game's asteroid slaughter feels a little muddled by excess. Like most launch titles, it's adamant about using every available feature, even if they don't necessarily augment the experience.

Gallery: Super StarDust Delta (PS Vita)

Continue reading Super Stardust Delta preview: Tilt to live

JoystiqSuper Stardust Delta preview: Tilt to live originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 13 Jun 2011 12:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3e3-2011housemarqueplaystationplaystation-vitasuper-stardust-deltavitaMon, 13 Jun 2011 12:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Skulls of the Shogun preview: Dem bones]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/13/skulls-of-the-shogun-preview-dem-bones/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/13/skulls-of-the-shogun-preview-dem-bones/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/13/skulls-of-the-shogun-preview-dem-bones/#comments All of us on the site seemed extra busy at E3 this year, our schedules filled with appointments for games both big and small. But each of us tried to grab a little time just wandering the show floor appointment-free, and in the 45 minutes I had to myself, I stumbled across this gem, sitting in the middle of the Indiecade booth area.

Skulls of the Shogun is a game created by Jake Kazdal, Ben Vance and Borut Pfeifer, three guys with extensive game development backgrounds who decided to go it independently as Haunted Temple Studios. We saw it in action last October, but I'd never heard of it before, and I was instantly charmed by the premise: a group of cartoon-y skeleton Shogun warriors battle it out in turn-based strategy, with no hexes to be seen.

Gallery: Skulls of the Shogun (6/12/11)

Continue reading Skulls of the Shogun preview: Dem bones

JoystiqSkulls of the Shogun preview: Dem bones originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 13 Jun 2011 11:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ben-vancee3e3-2011haunted-temple-studiosmicrosoftpcsimpleskulls-of-the-shogunturn-based-strategyMon, 13 Jun 2011 11:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Kinect Sports: Season 2 preview: Swing and a pass]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/12/kinect-sports-season-2-preview-swing-and-a-pass/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/12/kinect-sports-season-2-preview-swing-and-a-pass/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/12/kinect-sports-season-2-preview-swing-and-a-pass/#comments Microsoft announced the inevitable sequel to Kinect Sports during its press event at E3 this year. Kinect Sports: Season 2 features a slate of new sports, including tennis, darts, skiing and, American football and golf. I was able to try out the latter two games. One of the two didn't seem to have much substance, and the other one was golf.

Gallery: Kinect Sports: Season 2 (6/12/11)

Continue reading Kinect Sports: Season 2 preview: Swing and a pass

JoystiqKinect Sports: Season 2 preview: Swing and a pass originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 12 Jun 2011 20:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3e3-2011kinectkinect-sports-season-2microsoftmicrosoft-studiosrarerare-studiosxboxSun, 12 Jun 2011 20:26:00 EST<![CDATA[Lord of the Rings: War in the North preview: Death from above]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/11/lord-of-the-rings-war-in-the-north-preview-death-from-above/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/11/lord-of-the-rings-war-in-the-north-preview-death-from-above/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/11/lord-of-the-rings-war-in-the-north-preview-death-from-above/#comments We last saw Lord of the Rings: War in the North back in March, and the mechanics haven't changed much in the version seen on the floor of E3 earlier this week. It's still a three-player co-op game, featuring an elf caster, a human rogue and a dwarf fighter beating down some of the familiar baddies from the Lord of the Rings franchise with a nice layer of RPG on top. The game's not incredible, but it's a more than serviceable action title, made better with a few good friends to play with.

This latest preview focused on a slightly different objective than last time -- in the short part of the demo I played, my cohorts and I had to defend a set of elven brothers that were casting some magic to break open a fortress door, with a few waves of enemies rolling in after us. Fortunately, we weren't alone -- while my companions depended on their weapons, and my axe, we had one other secret weapon up our sleeves: A giant eagle.

Continue reading Lord of the Rings: War in the North preview: Death from above

JoystiqLord of the Rings: War in the North preview: Death from above originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 11 Jun 2011 23:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3e3-2011Lord-of-the-Rings-War-in-the-Northmicrosoftpcplaystationps3war-in-the-northxboxSat, 11 Jun 2011 23:15:00 EST<![CDATA[League of Legends shows off new champions, spectator mode at E3]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/11/league-of-legends-shows-off-new-champions-spectator-mode-at-e3/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/11/league-of-legends-shows-off-new-champions-spectator-mode-at-e3/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/11/league-of-legends-shows-off-new-champions-spectator-mode-at-e3/#comments Riot Games' League of Legends is one of the biggest free-to-play titles around -- it started off as a spiritual successor to the old Defense of the Ancients mod, but has since grown, strictly by word of mouth and organic growth, up into its own industry. Riot hasn't actually announced player numbers for the title yet, but this is a huge game online, consistently landing in the top spots on Xfire and other services' most-played lists.

If you've never played (and why not? It's free!), the basic structure of the game has you controlling a champion on a real-time strategy-style battleground, and Riot has been releasing one of these new champions every few weeks for quite a while now. In the game's booth at E3 last week, we got to hear about three of the upcoming new champions, as well as brand new feature to the game designed to get even more players involved: A spectator mode.

Continue reading League of Legends shows off new champions, spectator mode at E3

JoystiqLeague of Legends shows off new champions, spectator mode at E3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 11 Jun 2011 21:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>championsdotae3e3-2011league-of-legendsleonamagma-chambermobapcriot-gamesryan-scottskarneryorickSat, 11 Jun 2011 21:15:00 EST<![CDATA[SSX preview: Peaked interest]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/11/ssx-preview-peaked-interest/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/11/ssx-preview-peaked-interest/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/11/ssx-preview-peaked-interest/#comments SSX is a series that inspires fond memories in a lot of gamers, but those memories might be older than you think. The last entry in the series, a Wii exclusive called SSX Blur, came out five years ago, and SSX 3, the one-mountain classic, hit stores just two years shy of a decade ago. So EA's new version, with the back-to-basics title SSX, has the task of not only updating the series for the current generation of consoles, but also reminding gamers just what they enjoyed so much about SSX in the first place.

Based on my hands-on demo session at E3, it seems like things are progressing well. There are still quite a few questions about how the game will turn out -- EA showed off just one example of each of the game's three play types, and what we saw was far from a final version. But there's a solid plan for the game, and some interesting choices are already evident.

Continue reading SSX preview: Peaked interest

JoystiqSSX preview: Peaked interest originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 11 Jun 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3e3-2011eaea-sportsmicrosoftplaystationps3ssx-2012xboxSat, 11 Jun 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PDP's E3 lineup of peripherals exposed]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/11/pdps-e3-lineup-of-peripherals-exposed/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/11/pdps-e3-lineup-of-peripherals-exposed/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/11/pdps-e3-lineup-of-peripherals-exposed/#comments PDP came packing lots of plastic here at E3 and after taking a quick tour of the company's offerings -- some of which are available, some of which are coming down the line -- I was handed some media; lots of images for you to pore over. Hit the jump to check out the hardware.

Continue reading PDP's E3 lineup of peripherals exposed

JoystiqPDP's E3 lineup of peripherals exposed originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 11 Jun 2011 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dse3e3-2011ipadiphonemicrosoftmobilenintendoplaystationps3wiixboxSat, 11 Jun 2011 01:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Robot Entertainment planning to set a trap for Orcs Must Die! in July [Update: Actually, it's late August, early September]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/11/robot-entertainment-planning-to-set-a-trap-for-orcs-must-die-in/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/11/robot-entertainment-planning-to-set-a-trap-for-orcs-must-die-in/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/11/robot-entertainment-planning-to-set-a-trap-for-orcs-must-die-in/#comments While checking out Orcs Must Die! at E3 this week, we spoke with lead designer Ian Fischer and inquired about the game's planned launch window. The current plan is to launch on Steam and Xbox Live Arcade initially sometime this summer.

"It'll be launching on XBLA and Steam initially, then other platforms after that," he explained. "We haven't talked about price point yet, but we're looking to launch it sometime this summer -- July, at least, is what we're looking at right now."

Keep it locked for our preview, which should be live on the site here soon.

Update: Orcs Must Die!'s community coordinator, Duncan Stanley, emailed me to say that Ian was mistaken when he gave me the initial July window. The game will likely launch in late August or early September, he says.

JoystiqRobot Entertainment planning to set a trap for Orcs Must Die! in July [Update: Actually, it's late August, early September] originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 11 Jun 2011 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3e3-2011microsoftorcs-must-diepcrobot-entertainmentsteamxblaxboxSat, 11 Jun 2011 00:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Orcs Must Die! preview: Pleasure in panic]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/10/orcs-must-die-preview-pleasure-in-panic/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/10/orcs-must-die-preview-pleasure-in-panic/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/10/orcs-must-die-preview-pleasure-in-panic/#comments It's hard to define Orcs Must Die!. On paper, it's a marriage of the Tower Defense and the action-RPG genres -- but the influence of one doesn't trump the other; it doesn't feel dominated by either one of those two genres. Robot Entertainment has expertly blended the two genres together to create something new: a panic-infused experience where the player is constantly under duress.

Gallery: Orcs Must Die! (E3 2011 - Gnoll Hunter)

Continue reading Orcs Must Die! preview: Pleasure in panic

JoystiqOrcs Must Die! preview: Pleasure in panic originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 10 Jun 2011 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2originale3e3-2011microsoftorcs-must-diepcrobot-entertainmentxboxFri, 10 Jun 2011 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Silent Hill: Book of Memories developed by WayForward]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/10/silent-hill-book-of-memories-developed-by-wayforward/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/10/silent-hill-book-of-memories-developed-by-wayforward/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/10/silent-hill-book-of-memories-developed-by-wayforward/#comments We've got another marginal detail about Silent Hill: Book of Memories for you. During an E3 showing of downloadable splatterfest Bloodrayne: Betrayal, WayForward designer and director Sean Velasco briefly discussed the company's expanding slate of games -- which now includes a new Silent Hill game for PlayStation Vita.

Velasco didn't divulge much, only describing Book of Memories as a "left-field" part of the prolific developer's upcoming lineup. A "left-field" multiplayer Silent Hill game? Scariest licensed baseball game ever.

JoystiqSilent Hill: Book of Memories developed by WayForward originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 10 Jun 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3e3-2011konamiplaystationplaystation-vitasilent-hill-book-of-memoriesvitawayforwardwayforward-technologiesFri, 10 Jun 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rock of Ages granite release on Aug. 31]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/10/rock-of-ages-granite-release-on-aug-31/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/10/rock-of-ages-granite-release-on-aug-31/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/10/rock-of-ages-granite-release-on-aug-31/#comments Rock of Ages gets its rolling start on the week of August 31, smashing through historical figures and high art on Xbox Live Arcade, PlayStation Network and PC. The price has yet to be determined, but Atlus says it'll be "reasonable" and land somewhere between 10 and 15 dollars.

The barbaric pleasures of Rock of Ages -- that is, steering an enormous boulder through an opposing player's obstacles -- are paired with classy presentation and a playful approach to and through history. If you couldn't tell already, it's the latest game from ACE Team, the Chile-based developer behind Zeno Clash.

JoystiqRock of Ages granite release on Aug. 31 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 10 Jun 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ace-teamatluse3e3-2011microsoftpcplaystationps3psnrelease-daterock-of-agessteamxblaxboxFri, 10 Jun 2011 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[All Sonic Generations 3DS levels to be platform-exclusive (save for Green Hill Zone)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/10/all-sonic-generations-3ds-levels-to-be-platform-exclusive-save/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/10/all-sonic-generations-3ds-levels-to-be-platform-exclusive-save/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/10/all-sonic-generations-3ds-levels-to-be-platform-exclusive-save/#comments After showing E3 attendees a new level in Sonic Generations, game producer Takashi Iizuka highlighted some of the extra content that can only be found in the 3DS version. "One important thing to say about the Nintendo 3DS version is that besides Green Hill Zone, which is the starting zone on all versions, all the stages on the Nintendo 3DS version will be different from the stages that are seen in the PS3 and 360," Iizuka said.

Generations will revisit and remix levels from Sonic's entire history, including his Genesis and Dreamcast outings, but only the 3DS game may borrow stages from older handheld games. "For the PS3 and 360, none of the stages we're selecting are going to be from the handheld," Iizuka explained during a brief Q&A session. "However, on 3DS we're looking at picking stages from handheld as well."

The portable version of Generations will also offer a special stage, a two-player versus mode and a battery life that should effortlessly summon nostalgia for Sonic's Game Gear days.

Gallery: Sonic Generations (3DS, E3 2011)

Continue reading All Sonic Generations 3DS levels to be platform-exclusive (save for Green Hill Zone)

JoystiqAll Sonic Generations 3DS levels to be platform-exclusive (save for Green Hill Zone) originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 10 Jun 2011 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsdse3e3-2011microsoftnintendoplaystationps3segasonic-generationstakashi-iizukaxboxFri, 10 Jun 2011 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Anarchy Reigns multiplayer preview: Funstration]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/10/anarchy-reigns-multiplayer-preview-funstration/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/10/anarchy-reigns-multiplayer-preview-funstration/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/10/anarchy-reigns-multiplayer-preview-funstration/#comments You guys, I really want to like Anarchy Reigns. It's a ridiculous, over-the-top brawler and I really liked MadWorld -- like, a lot. So imagine my disappointment when I realized the only thing holding back Anarchy Reigns from being a whole lot of fun is the camera.

Gallery: Anarchy Reigns (E3 2011)

Continue reading Anarchy Reigns multiplayer preview: Funstration

JoystiqAnarchy Reigns multiplayer preview: Funstration originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 10 Jun 2011 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anarchy-reignse3e3-2011microsoftplatinum-gamesplaystationps3segaxboxFri, 10 Jun 2011 00:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Payday: The Heist preview: Everybody be cool]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/09/payday-the-heist-preview-everybody-be-cool/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/09/payday-the-heist-preview-everybody-be-cool/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/09/payday-the-heist-preview-everybody-be-cool/#comments Payday: The Heist was just announced earlier this month, but Swedish developer Overkill Software had it on display front and center at Sony Online Entertainment's booth. I wasn't sure what to expect from the downloadable co-op shooter; the elevator pitch is that it's Left 4 Dead where you're stealing things rather than killing zombies, so I sat down with more questions than answers as to how it all worked.

Turns out what I found was a surprisingly deep co-op shooter, a game that respects both its heist movie influences and the complicated tangles of co-op multiplayer gameplay. As a shooter, it's not quite as polished or graphically impressive as some bigger budget titles, but for its depth and intelligence, I actually found Payday: The Heist to be one of the best titles here at E3.

Continue reading Payday: The Heist preview: Everybody be cool

JoystiqPayday: The Heist preview: Everybody be cool originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 09 Jun 2011 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3e3-2011paydaypayday-the-heistpcplaystationps3Thu, 09 Jun 2011 22:30:00 EST<![CDATA[2K Sports on NBA Elite: We 'don't care' if EA Sports has a basketball game]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/09/2k-sports-on-nba-elite-we-dont-care-if-ea-sports-has-a-baske/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/09/2k-sports-on-nba-elite-we-dont-care-if-ea-sports-has-a-baske/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/09/2k-sports-on-nba-elite-we-dont-care-if-ea-sports-has-a-baske/#comments For the past two years, EA has been without a basketball title. EA CEO John Riccitiello decided to pull NBA Elite 11 at the last minute -- and for good reason -- and in 2012, all signs are pointing to the absence of an EA title again. Considering NBA 2K11 was 2K Sports' most successful entry to date (over five million copies sold, producer Erick Boenisch revealed), one has to wonder: if 2K Sports has no competition, what's keeping them from sitting back and putting minimal effort into NBA 2K12?

Continue reading 2K Sports on NBA Elite: We 'don't care' if EA Sports has a basketball game

Joystiq2K Sports on NBA Elite: We 'don't care' if EA Sports has a basketball game originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 09 Jun 2011 19:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2k-games2k-sportse3e3-2011microsoftnba-2k12playstationps3xboxThu, 09 Jun 2011 19:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Street Fighter X Tekken preview: Cross my heart]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/09/street-fighter-x-tekken-preview-cross-my-heart/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/09/street-fighter-x-tekken-preview-cross-my-heart/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/09/street-fighter-x-tekken-preview-cross-my-heart/#comments Street Fighter X Tekken doesn't play like Street Fighter IV and it certainly doesn't play like Tekken. To be honest, it plays more like a marriage between Street Fighter IV and the Vs. series. It's a faster paced, combo-heavy fighter -- everyone has very quick recovery times and some fighter's traditional moves have been changed to the more newbie-friendly quarter-circle movement. Oddly, Chun-Li's swapped out charges for quarter-circles for most of her moves, while another charge character, Guile, hasn't had his move set changed at all.

Gallery: Street Fighter x Tekken (E3 2011)

Continue reading Street Fighter X Tekken preview: Cross my heart

JoystiqStreet Fighter X Tekken preview: Cross my heart originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 09 Jun 2011 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>capcome3e3-2011microsoftnamco-bandaiplaystationplaystation-vitaps3pspsonystreet-fighter-x-tekkenvitaxboxThu, 09 Jun 2011 16:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Silent Hill Downpour: now with three dimensions and one Korn song]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/09/silent-hill-downpour-now-with-three-dimensions-and-one-korn-son/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/09/silent-hill-downpour-now-with-three-dimensions-and-one-korn-son/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/09/silent-hill-downpour-now-with-three-dimensions-and-one-korn-son/#comments For the best, most immersive experience in Silent Hill: Downpour, you may need to expand your set of home entertainment accoutrements. You'll need a pair of 3D glasses to take advantage of the game's newly announced stereoscopic 3D support, as well as impenetrable ear plugs to withstand the game's exclusive theme song -- provided by nu-metal band Korn.

Tentatively titled "Silent Hill," the song is pitched as "a perfect complement" to game's soundtrack, which is the first to be created by Dexter-ous composer Dan Licht. If the departure of former franchise composer Akira Yamaoka drove you into a murderous rage, a Korn-fed substitution might just compel you to sign a petition. (Oh yes, that's already happening.)

JoystiqSilent Hill Downpour: now with three dimensions and one Korn song originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 09 Jun 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3e3-2011konamikornmicrosoftplaystationps3silent-hill-downpoursoundtrackvatra-gamesxboxThu, 09 Jun 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Serious Sam 3: BFE preview: Nostalgia, reloaded]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/09/serious-sam-3-bfe-preview-nostalgia-reloaded/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/09/serious-sam-3-bfe-preview-nostalgia-reloaded/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/09/serious-sam-3-bfe-preview-nostalgia-reloaded/#comments Sam isn't a man of change. You won't find him giving Yoga a whirl and you probably won't find him taking a leap on a VitaBoost passion-mango smoothie or whatever. And it shows in Serious Sam 3: BFE -- a case where minimal change actually ends up being a good thing.

I was able to check out two different levels here at E3: the first level, a tutorial stage set in the streets of Cairo that eases you into the action, and a later, more traditional Serious Sam stage set amongst some ruins in a desert.

Gallery: Serioius Sam 3: BFE (E3 2011)

Continue reading Serious Sam 3: BFE preview: Nostalgia, reloaded

JoystiqSerious Sam 3: BFE preview: Nostalgia, reloaded originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 09 Jun 2011 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>croteamdevolver-digitale3e3-2011fpspcserious-sam-3serious-sam-3-bfeThu, 09 Jun 2011 05:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Devil May Cry screens and trailer ('cause humans do care)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/09/devil-may-cry-screens-trailer-cause-humans-do-care/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/09/devil-may-cry-screens-trailer-cause-humans-do-care/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/09/devil-may-cry-screens-trailer-cause-humans-do-care/#comments And they thought DmC: Devil May Cry was gonna change just because Dante got a haircut -- and a dye job when the devil trigger goes off. SHAME ON THEM!

Continue reading Devil May Cry screens and trailer ('cause humans do care)

JoystiqDevil May Cry screens and trailer ('cause humans do care) originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 09 Jun 2011 04:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dmc-devil-may-crye3e3-2011microsoftninja-theoryplaystationps3xboxThu, 09 Jun 2011 04:00:00 EST<![CDATA[You won't cheer for Umbrella in Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/08/you-wont-cheer-for-umbrella-in-resident-evil-operation-raccoon/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/08/you-wont-cheer-for-umbrella-in-resident-evil-operation-raccoon/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/08/you-wont-cheer-for-umbrella-in-resident-evil-operation-raccoon/#comments In Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City, you play as an elite team of Umbrella tasked with cleaning up the mess in Raccoon City during the events of Resident Evil 2. It's 1998 and even though you'll be playing as these corporate guns for hire, you won't find any endearing qualities about these individuals. They're not here to save the day, they're here to save Umbrella's ass by killing all survivors and erasing all evidence of Umbrella's involvement.

Gallery: Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City (E3 2011)

Continue reading You won't cheer for Umbrella in Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City

JoystiqYou won't cheer for Umbrella in Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 08 Jun 2011 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>capcome3e3-2011Masachika-Kawatamicrosoftpcplaystationps3resident-evil-operation-raccoon-cityxboxWed, 08 Jun 2011 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Gears of War 3 single-player preview: Two paths coming together]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/08/gears-of-war-3-single-player-preview-two-paths-coming-together/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/08/gears-of-war-3-single-player-preview-two-paths-coming-together/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/08/gears-of-war-3-single-player-preview-two-paths-coming-together/#comments During Microsoft's E3 2011 press conference, Cliff Bleszinski and Ice-T took to the stage to show off some single-player co-op action in Gears of War 3. In a small room high above Microsoft's booth here at the LA Convention Center, I was given an extended look at that sequence by Bleszinski himself, who was keen to show me the destructive capabilities of the mech, which I would ultimately get to see more of in my time with Horde mode.

As you can imagine, the Silverback mech is pretty powerful. But before we could get to that, Bleszinski set the scene. "The section we saw at the press conference showed Marcus and Dom on a flotilla, dealing with a Lambent Leviathan. It's ultimately taken out by them in a Silverback while Cole and Baird up above take a giant crate of Tickers and empty it onto it. Once we're done with Marcus and Dom, we're going to swap over to Cole and Baird and play with them during that same sequence."

Gallery: Gears of War 3 (E3 2011)

Continue reading Gears of War 3 single-player preview: Two paths coming together

JoystiqGears of War 3 single-player preview: Two paths coming together originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 08 Jun 2011 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cliff-bleszinskie3e3-2011EpicGears-of-War-3microsoftMicrosoft-Game-Studiosmicrosoft-gamesxboxWed, 08 Jun 2011 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Torchlight 2 preview: Embers only]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/08/torchlight-2-preview-embers-only/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/08/torchlight-2-preview-embers-only/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/08/torchlight-2-preview-embers-only/#comments Runic Games is showing Torchlight 2 on the floor of E3 this week, and we're just as busy as you are looking at all of this E3 news, so we'll get right to it: It's great. All of the things you loved about the first Torchlight are back, polished and updated, along with one of the most long awaited features of the game, co-op multiplayer. Not a lot has changed, but not a lot needed to -- this is Torchlight with a lot of smoothing, a great graphical upgrade, and a whole lot of fan lovin'.

There are two big announcements for the game at E3 this week. First, the Berserker has been revealed as one of the game's new classes, joining the Railman, the Outlander, and one other as of yet unannounced class. Second, the game's multiplayer will support something we haven't seen developers talk about in a while: Local Area Network, or LAN, play.

Wait a minute. LAN support? As in offline, play-with-your-friends, Fritos and Mountain Dew-fueled late night LAN party support? Runic Games CEO Max Schafer knows you don't actually have to do that for games any more, right? Like dedicated servers, LAN support is something of a lost art in this modern age of console gaming. "But people asked for it," Schafer told us, so yes, Torchlight 2 will be playable on a LAN.

Gallery: Torchlight 2 (E3 2011)

Continue reading Torchlight 2 preview: Embers only

JoystiqTorchlight 2 preview: Embers only originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 08 Jun 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>berserkere3e3-2011max-schaferpcrunic-gamestorchlighttorchlight-2Wed, 08 Jun 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Michel Ancel on Beyond Good & Evil 2: I'm waiting for it as much as you are]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/08/michel-ancel-on-beyond-good-and-evil-2-im-waiting-for-it-as-much/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/08/michel-ancel-on-beyond-good-and-evil-2-im-waiting-for-it-as-much/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/08/michel-ancel-on-beyond-good-and-evil-2-im-waiting-for-it-as-much/#comments Is Beyond Good & Evil 2 still alive? Yes. Will you still be alive when it comes out? Well, that's a question we posed to project lead Michel Ancel, whose attention is currently focused on his vibrant 2D platformer, Rayman: Origins. "Before Rayman we were working on Beyond Good & Evil 2," he said during an E3 meeting. "And the project is still on the tracks. I'd love to come back to it."

Ancel describes the game as an ambitious, conceptually amorphous undertaking, still being prototyped and still looking for a home. "It's a question of making all those things able to fit the constraints of the consoles," he said. "But with this kind of game, we can do prototypes on very high-end PCs and we can really try to play in the kind of future-console style hardware. So, it's just a question of saying, 'Okay, do we cut everything and rebuild to these consoles, or do we try to move forward?'"

Does that mean the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 are out? "I can't say totally no," Ancel said, "but the questions are still open."

The small team crafting Beyond Good and Evil 2 is wary of downscaling its vision, making it essential "to have the game on the best platform, to make [the concepts] fit." And while that happens, for who-knows-how-long, fans can take advantage of the game industry's diversity."The good thing is we are not the only one making games, so they can play a lot of other games," Ancel joked.

"The main thing, I would say, is that I'm waiting for that game as much as they are waiting for it. So that's pushing me to finish it."

JoystiqMichel Ancel on Beyond Good & Evil 2: I'm waiting for it as much as you are originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 08 Jun 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beyond-good-and-evil-2bge2e3e3-2011jademichel-ancelnext-genubisoftWed, 08 Jun 2011 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Virtually visit E3 2011 with this time-lapse video]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/08/virtually-visit-e3-2011-with-this-time-lapse-video/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/08/virtually-visit-e3-2011-with-this-time-lapse-video/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/08/virtually-visit-e3-2011-with-this-time-lapse-video/#comments Couldn't make it out to LA for E3? Don't sweat it -- the LA Times has posted a pretty neat time-lapse video from the first day of the show. For that authentic feel, we'd suggest drenching your clothes in sweat and spraying yourself with some funky odor first before hitting the play button.

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JoystiqVirtually visit E3 2011 with this time-lapse video originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 08 Jun 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dse3e3-2011macmicrosoftmobilenintendopcplaystationps3pspsonywiixboxWed, 08 Jun 2011 18:30:00 EST