Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[E3 Santa Monica cost ESA $5 million in fees]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/20/e3-santa-monica-cost-esa-5-million-in-fees/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/20/e3-santa-monica-cost-esa-5-million-in-fees/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/20/e3-santa-monica-cost-esa-5-million-in-fees/#commentsFiled under: ,


E3's experimental move to Santa Monica last year cost the ESA $5 million after breaking its contract with the LA Convention Center. Kotaku obtained IRS documents showing that the contract's end and an expected drop in E3 revenue, due to the event's smaller size, caused the association to dramatically increase membership fees.

Kotaku speculates that the increase, as well as the decision to hold E3 in Santa Monica, may have been the reasons LucasArts and Activision/Vivendi jumped ship from the ESA. The ESA says membership dues were lower in the past because of income generated by E3, but revenues dropped significantly when the ESA board (made up of executives from publishers) moved the venue last year.

Not only was Santa Monica's E3 bad due to its invite-only policy (meaning publishers got to decide who came and who didn't), it was also horrible for journalists to cover -- not good for a "media and business summit." Thankfully, this year E3 will be back in one spot at the LA Convention Center. We're still waiting to hear what Activision/Vivendi has planned.

JoystiqE3 Santa Monica cost ESA $5 million in fees originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 20 May 2008 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3-2008e307e32007esasanta monicaSantaMonicaTue, 20 May 2008 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[ONM: Mario Kart Wii supports 16 online, includes DS maps [Updated]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/06/mario-kart-wii-supports-16-online-includes-ds-maps/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/06/mario-kart-wii-supports-16-online-includes-ds-maps/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/06/mario-kart-wii-supports-16-online-includes-ds-maps/#commentsFiled under: ,

We haven't heard much about Mario Kart Wii since it was unveiled at E3. Thanks to one intrepid forum goer with just a scanner and a dream, we now have a little more info on the game from the UK's Official Nintendo Magazine.

Apparently MKW will support up to 16 players in a game (does that translate to 16 different characters?) and will be the first in the series to offer Battle Mode online. Oh, and you can now perform stunts in the air. We're not yet sure if we should be troubled by the fact that in addition to some Wii-exclusive maps, "classic DS tracks will be recreated with Wii graphics." We're going to hold off on getting worried until we see how many new tracks are being included. But let's hope for at least half-and-half, eh?

Update: According to CVG, Official Nintendo Magazine has released a statement saying, "The details printed in Official Nintendo Magazine 21 regarding Mario Kart Wii were healthy speculation on our part and are in no way an official announcement from Nintendo. We are sorry if we have mislead anyone. We do not set out to mislead our readers. ONM apologizes profusely for any misunderstandings that this has caused."

So, did ONM spill a few beans too early, or were they just making stuff up?

[Thanks, Ian]

JoystiqONM: Mario Kart Wii supports 16 online, includes DS maps [Updated] originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 06 Sep 2007 08:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e307Mario-KartMario-Kart-WiimariokartmariokartwiiNintendoNintendo-EADRacingWiiThu, 06 Sep 2007 08:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Iwata says first-party success begets third-party success]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/05/iwata-says-first-party-success-begets-third-party-success/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/05/iwata-says-first-party-success-begets-third-party-success/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/05/iwata-says-first-party-success-begets-third-party-success/#commentsFiled under: ,

Nintendo's president Satoru Iwata sat down for a probing interview with Newsweek's N'Gai Croal. While N'Gai admits the interview was long overdue for publishing (it was taken back during E307), it has several interesting tidbits within. It only makes us think that it should've been published that much sooner.

Iwata takes time to talk about all things, including the widespread popularity of the DS in Japan, as well as the low sale numbers for Twilight Princess in the region. Iwata also says that third-party publishers shouldn't be scared of Nintendo's software success on the platform, stating that, in the end, it'll actually end up being better for third-party publishers.

[Via Gamesindustry.biz]

JoystiqIwata says first-party success begets third-party success originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 05 Sep 2007 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e307iwataWed, 05 Sep 2007 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Check out some footage of Geometry Wars on the DS]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/13/check-out-some-footage-of-geometry-wars-on-the-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/13/check-out-some-footage-of-geometry-wars-on-the-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/13/check-out-some-footage-of-geometry-wars-on-the-ds/#commentsFiled under:

Chris Hardin over at Nintendo Players managed to snag some video of Geometry Wars for the DS, taking two different videos of the game's promised interplanetary conflicts between geometric shapes. For those who've been foaming at the mouth for Bizarre Creations' casual title, there is no better endorsement than the embedded videos. So, head past the break and check them out.

Continue reading Check out some footage of Geometry Wars on the DS

JoystiqCheck out some footage of Geometry Wars on the DS originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 13 Aug 2007 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ActionArcadeBizarreBizarre-Creationse307Geometry-WarsGeometry-Wars-GalaxiesKujuKuju-EntertainmentShmupSierraMon, 13 Aug 2007 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[X3F Achievements 101: The Return [update 1]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/06/achievements-101-the-return/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/06/achievements-101-the-return/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/06/achievements-101-the-return/#commentsFiled under:


After a small hiatus following the craziness that is E3, X3F Achievements 101 is back with a variety of subjects worth covering. In case some of you have forgotten how this column works, this a space devoted to Achievement Whores around the world, and gives me the opportunity to chronicle my continuing conquest of Gamerscore, on a daily basis. This week, we cover a little bit of a backlog, as there's the survival of my Achievement streak during E3, my hitting of a couple Gamerscore Milestones, and the completion of a couple more 1000 GS rentals, TMNT and Cars.

Continue reading X3F Achievements 101: The Return [update 1]

JoystiqX3F Achievements 101: The Return [update 1] originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 06 Aug 2007 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Achievements101CarsE307ShadowrunTMNTMon, 06 Aug 2007 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Eiji Aonuma is a winner]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/06/eiji-aonuma-is-a-winner/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/06/eiji-aonuma-is-a-winner/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/06/eiji-aonuma-is-a-winner/#commentsFiled under:

Level Up's N'Gai Croal interviewed some of the winners of the Game Critics Awards, because, you know, he can. As the producer of the Best Handheld Game, Contra 4 The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass, Eiji Aonuma was one of the developers tapped by Croal to give his reactions to the win.

Aonuma said that he was "very grateful" to win the award, explaining: "As we were challenged to create something very different this time, I am particularly happy because the award appears to have meant that our challenge was worthwhile." He then went on to speak about the positive Japanese reaction to the game, which he ascribes almost entirely to the fact that everyone in Japan loves the DS.

JoystiqEiji Aonuma is a winner originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 06 Aug 2007 09:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aonumae307gamecriticsawardsphantomhourglasszeldaMon, 06 Aug 2007 09:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq interviews id Software's Todd Hollenshead]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/03/joystiq-interviews-id-softwares-todd-hollenshead/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/03/joystiq-interviews-id-softwares-todd-hollenshead/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/03/joystiq-interviews-id-softwares-todd-hollenshead/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Just minutes before he takes the stage, along with John Carmack, to deliver the QuakeCon keynote address, we bring you our E3 interview with Todd Hollenshead, CEO of id Software. We had a chance to ask him about id Tech 5 and id's future in engine licensing, that new IP they keep talking about (and will be showing off any minute now), the Games for Windows initiative, their announcement of a Nintendo DS game, and more.

You guys have been laying low for a while.

Laying low, but busy.

I'm quite certain. At WWDC you guys come back out swinging, and I'd like to find out what your goal was there.

Probably a good discussion of that would start with all of the projects that we're working on that are sort of announced just so you get up to speed. And I think some of these things, people forget this is actually id working on this stuff.

You guys are working with Splash Damage and Nerve over here and then you've got ...

That stuff is all going on at id too, because we have internal resources that are devoted to that. For example, the guy who is programming all of the AI bot work for PC, 360, and PS3 is actually an id employee and he's devoted full time to the project. Of course, Kevin McCloud is the executive producer for id so he's overseeing not only the Splash Damage work but also others. So there's a significant amount of id effort that goes into a project like Enemy Territory because we're working hand in hand with all of the developers, and Activision trying to coordinate stuff.

It's resources and managerial?

Managerial? I guess it depends on how you define that word. It's design input, it's working with Activision and Splash Damage to make sure the workflow stuff that is set up is something we think is achievable and doable and is working towards the right direction. So, yeah, there is a lot of what ends up being management but not like what I would call production management work. Nobody is sitting down and going, "I've got twenty people and this person is working this many hours on this little thing and he needs to be done with that by Thursday at noon."

Continue reading Joystiq interviews id Software's Todd Hollenshead

JoystiqJoystiq interviews id Software's Todd Hollenshead originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 03 Aug 2007 18:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ActivisionAspyr-MediaDSE307Enemy-Territory-Quake-WarsFPSid-SoftwareidSoftwareMicrosoftNerve-SoftwareOrcsAndElvesPCPS3QuakeQuake-WarsSplash-DamageToddHollensheadUnderground-DevelopmentXbox-360Fri, 03 Aug 2007 18:50:00 EST<![CDATA[And the best handheld game is ...]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/02/and-the-best-handheld-game-is/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/02/and-the-best-handheld-game-is/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/02/and-the-best-handheld-game-is/#commentsFiled under:

... The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass! At least, it was the best handheld game at this year's E3, according to the Game Critics Association. While a small part of our hearts hoped Contra 4 would take the trophy (after all, we know Zelda is all kinds of good), we can't say we're at all surprised by Link's win, particularly after all we've heard about the game so far.

JoystiqAnd the best handheld game is ... originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 02 Aug 2007 10:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>E3e307GameCriticsAssociationPhantomHourglassZeldaThu, 02 Aug 2007 10:40:00 EST<![CDATA[LittleBigPlanet and Killzone win Game Critics Awards]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/01/littlebigplanet-and-killzone-win-game-critics-awards/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/01/littlebigplanet-and-killzone-win-game-critics-awards/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/01/littlebigplanet-and-killzone-win-game-critics-awards/#commentsFiled under:

Was there any doubt that LittleBigPlanet is the most original game of E3? The Game Critics Awards have named Media Molecule's 2D wonder the "Best Original Game" of E3 this year (a week after we named it the best PS3 game; and Joystiq also named it the "Best Original Game").

In addition, Killzone earned special honors in graphics -- it didn't match the visual fidelity of the original trailer, but boy did it get close.

Finally, the Game of the Show was Rock Band ... a multiplatform release that'll find its way on PS3. Not a bad line-up of awards for the PS3, no?

[Via PlayStation.blog]

JoystiqLittleBigPlanet and Killzone win Game Critics Awards originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 01 Aug 2007 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>awardse307FPSgamecriticsawardsGuerrilla-GameskillzoneKillzone-2littlebigplanetrockbandSCESonySony-Computer-EntertainmentWed, 01 Aug 2007 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rock Band slays 2007 Game Critics Awards]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/31/rock-band-slays-2007-game-critics-awards/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/31/rock-band-slays-2007-game-critics-awards/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/31/rock-band-slays-2007-game-critics-awards/#commentsFiled under:


If you've already read the Joystiq E3 2007 Awards (you have read them, right?), you already know we picked Rock Band as Best in Show. Now, the winners of the 2007 Game Critics Awards have been announced and, whaddya know, Rock Band takes the title of winningest game with three awards, including Best in Show!

Second place goes to Bioware's Mass Effect, winning Best Console Game and Best RPG. Some more fun stats: Xbox 360 is the winningest platform, with 11 wins, while Electronic Arts is the winningest publisher, with 6 wins (remember, three are for Rock Band!). Bringing up the rear, surprisingly: Nintendo.

Continue reading Rock Band slays 2007 Game Critics Awards

JoystiqRock Band slays 2007 Game Critics Awards originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 31 Jul 2007 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>E3e307GameCriticsRockBandTue, 31 Jul 2007 23:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Disney press conference fails audience participation]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/25/disney-press-conference-fails-audience-participation/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/25/disney-press-conference-fails-audience-participation/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/25/disney-press-conference-fails-audience-participation/#commentsFiled under: , ,

We're just going to say the editing by GameTrailers was done to spare you. We've shown you the face of a man after the Disney press conference, we even gave the thing an award for being so fantastically painful. Is it as bad as the Jamie Kennedy performance at the Activision press conference? Well, it's a different type of pain. Instead of feeling bad for the man on stage making a fool of himself, in this case you have to feel for the audience who definitely didn't sign up for what was incoming. Watch, enjoy, and remember that this is supposed to be a press conference -- not the halftime show at some Six Flags concert.

JoystiqDisney press conference fails audience participation originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 25 Jul 2007 20:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>disneyE3e307HighSchoolMusicalpressconferenceWed, 25 Jul 2007 20:27:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii games pepper nomination list for E3 awards]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/25/wii-games-pepper-nomination-list-for-e3-awards/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/25/wii-games-pepper-nomination-list-for-e3-awards/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/25/wii-games-pepper-nomination-list-for-e3-awards/#commentsFiled under:

The Game Critics Association has released their list of nominations for the best of E3, and Nintendo is all over the place -- particularly with Super Mario Galaxy and Wii Fit. The DS may have been spurned for anything other than the handheld category, but the Wii sure seems to be holding its own against the 360 and PS3. Unfortunately, however, none of the Wii titles made it into the nominations for Best of Show.

We'll skip over multiplatform titles like Guitar Hero III, but Wii games showed up in several categories:
  • Best Social/Casual/Puzzle Game (Wii Fit, Zack & Wiki)
  • Best Fighting Game (WWE SmackDown vs RAW 2008)
  • Best Action/Adventure Game (Super Mario Galaxy)
  • Best Action Game (Metroid Prime 3: Corruption)
  • Best Hardware (Balance Board, Zapper)
  • Best Console Game (Super Mario Galaxy)
  • Best Original Game (Wii Fit, de Blob)
An interesting mix of games -- some expected, some surprises. The winners will be announced next Tuesday. Think a few Wii games will pull out wins?

JoystiqWii games pepper nomination list for E3 awards originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 25 Jul 2007 18:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2007gamecriticsawardsbalanceboardBlue-Tongue-EntertainmentcorruptionDe-Blobe3e307gamecriticsassociationmetroidmetroidprime3PlatformersupermariogalaxyTHQwiifitwwesmackdownvsraw2008zapperWed, 25 Jul 2007 18:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Contra 4 may actually win (part of) E3]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/25/contra-4-may-actually-win-part-of-e3/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/25/contra-4-may-actually-win-part-of-e3/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/25/contra-4-may-actually-win-part-of-e3/#commentsFiled under:

We were joking before (since there wasn't a real competition at the time), but now the Game Critics Awards have come along to validate our enthusiasm. Contra 4 has been nominated for a 2007 Game Critics Best of E3 Award for Best Handheld Game. It's in the running with The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass, and, on the PSP, Dead Head Fred, God of War: Chains of Olympus, and Silent Hill Origins.

Here's the weird part. Handheld games don't appear in any of the other categories. Best Action Game? All consoles. Best Original Game? All consoles. Best of Show? Multiplatform console games! Were the console offerings really qualitatively better than everything on the DS (and Silent Hill), or were handheld games excluded from consideration for some reason?

JoystiqContra 4 may actually win (part of) E3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 25 Jul 2007 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e307gamecriticsawardsWed, 25 Jul 2007 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq picks the best and worst of E3 2007]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/25/joystiq-picks-the-best-and-worst-of-e3-2007/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/25/joystiq-picks-the-best-and-worst-of-e3-2007/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/25/joystiq-picks-the-best-and-worst-of-e3-2007/#commentsFiled under: ,


All of us here in the Joystiq network are finally settling back into the daily grind after the WiFi-less chaos of E3. We've spent a good week and a half collecting our thoughts and have compiled our own awards for E3. Of course, we've got best and worst awards, but we've also come up with a few "special" awards of our own. Head over to Joystiq to see them for yourself, then pitch in with your thoughts. While you're at it, why not give some awards of your own?

JoystiqJoystiq picks the best and worst of E3 2007 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 25 Jul 2007 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>E3e307e307awardsWed, 25 Jul 2007 14:15:00 EST<![CDATA[The Joystiq E3 2007 Awards]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/25/the-joystiq-e3-2007-awards/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/25/the-joystiq-e3-2007-awards/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/25/the-joystiq-e3-2007-awards/#commentsFiled under: ,


We haven't fully recovered from E3 2007 just yet, but in the final stages (there's 12, naturally) of recovery, we're told it's only proper to hand out awards for the best (and sometimes the worst) of what we saw in Santa Monica.

The nominations for this year's Game Critics Awards were given out on Monday and, next Monday, we'll learn who the final winners are in categories such as Best of Show and Best Original Game. For our first Joystiq E3 Awards, we've borrowed those two categories and made a bunch of our own.

So what did we like the most? Assassin's Creed, Metroid Prime 3, My Word Coach? Those were all great, but one title stood above the rest. The answers you seek lie after the break. Disclaimer: Any comments regarding Harry Potter were made prior to the release of the book and therefore do not necessarily reflect what happens in the book.

Continue reading The Joystiq E3 2007 Awards

JoystiqThe Joystiq E3 2007 Awards originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 25 Jul 2007 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>awardsbestofE3e307joystiqfeaturesWed, 25 Jul 2007 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Harrison: Hardware revision 'not out of the question']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/24/harrison-hardware-revision-not-out-of-the-question/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/24/harrison-hardware-revision-not-out-of-the-question/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/24/harrison-hardware-revision-not-out-of-the-question/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Nintendo's SVP of Marketing and Corporate Communications, George Harrison, conducted an interview with GameDaily during E3 where he spoke on a number of subjects (seriously, this interview is long). What we were interested in hearing from the interview, however, was talk of a Wii revision to the hardware in the works. George, in expert fashion, manages to provide an "answer" to the question without really answering it.

George doesn't completely dash our hopes of a bigger, badder Wii, though (we'd like more space to save our VC games, please!), stating "whenever we feel like it's time or have an upgrade, we'll do it, whether it's an improved screen for the handheld or slimmed down like the DS Lite - those types of things. So it's not out of the question on Wii, but we're not even to our second holiday yet, so it's kind of premature to talk about any revisions to the hardware itself." So, by that logic, we'll see a new Wii in 2009?

JoystiqHarrison: Hardware revision 'not out of the question' originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 24 Jul 2007 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e307georgeharrisoninterviewTue, 24 Jul 2007 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Heavenly Sword planned as trilogy, part two penned]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/23/heavenly-sword-is-a-trilogy-part-two-penned/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/23/heavenly-sword-is-a-trilogy-part-two-penned/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/23/heavenly-sword-is-a-trilogy-part-two-penned/#commentsFiled under: ,


In an interview with AMN during E3, Ninja Theory co-founder Tam Antoniades said that Heavenly Sword is being planned as a trilogy and that the story of part two has been written.

"When we set out to do Heavenly Sword ... we wanted it to be a three-game story," he said at around the 11-minute mark. "We've had the story for the sequel for awhile now. Hopefully if this game is successful, then there's no reason why there shouldn't be a sequel and we'd very much like to go into that."

Given the hype for the title and our impressions playing it, Heavenly Sword is very likely poised to be one of the standout PlayStation 3 titles this holiday season. Just don't be surprised if you defeat the final boss and receive a cliffhanger ending.

[Via PS3 Fanboy]

JoystiqHeavenly Sword planned as trilogy, part two penned originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 23 Jul 2007 17:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3e307heavenlyswordninjatheoryPS3sonytrilogyMon, 23 Jul 2007 17:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Reggie talks H.A.M.M.E.R., other E3 highlights]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/23/reggie-talks-h-a-m-m-e-r-other-e3-highlights/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/23/reggie-talks-h-a-m-m-e-r-other-e3-highlights/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/23/reggie-talks-h-a-m-m-e-r-other-e3-highlights/#commentsFiled under:

MTV's Stephen Totilo managed to not only take down Reggie's name, but also got him to plant himself in a seat for 15 minutes so that an interview may be conducted. Divided into smaller bite-sized chunks, the first-part of the proposed three-part interview has Reggie tackling many a subject. Smash Bros. Brawl, Super Mario Galaxy, Mario Kart Wii and Endless Ocean are all discussed, but what we found most interesting were Reggie's comments on Project H.A.M.M.E.R.

Turns out, the game isn't canceled, but has just been put on the back burner. While the game could very well become lost in limbo forever, we're kind of excited to see what some time away from the project could do for the game. Because, frankly, what we initially saw at E306 was nothing worth writing home about.

JoystiqReggie talks H.A.M.M.E.R., other E3 highlights originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 23 Jul 2007 16:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e307interviewreggieMon, 23 Jul 2007 16:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq interviews SCEA's Phil Rosenberg and John Koller]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/23/joystiq-interviews-sceas-phil-rosenberg-and-john-koller/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/23/joystiq-interviews-sceas-phil-rosenberg-and-john-koller/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/23/joystiq-interviews-sceas-phil-rosenberg-and-john-koller/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Phil Rosenberg (left), and PS Fanboy lead writer, Andrew Yoon (right)

At E3, we had a chance to talk to SCEA Senior Vice President Philip Rosenberg and John Koller, Senior Marketing Manager of the PSP. We talked to these two Sony executives to find out more about Home, possible PSP integration with Home, the redesign, and more.

The press conference was narrated through Home. Why does Sony believe Home is such an important part of the PlayStation family?

Phil: That's a great question. Home for us is a way to engage all of our users in real community, but in a real 3D manner that gives them a place to meet and to share their successes or their failures and then jump into gameplay. It creates an opportunity for us to help engage them even more in our platforms. I think when you look at the interface -- like how a PSP pops up in Home -- our whole proposition is around the ecosystem of PlayStation. It's not just about one platform. If you're in the house, or away from the house -- no matter where you are, you can stay connected with your peers.

Continue reading Joystiq interviews SCEA's Phil Rosenberg and John Koller

JoystiqJoystiq interviews SCEA's Phil Rosenberg and John Koller originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 23 Jul 2007 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>E3e307homeinterviewjohnkollerjoystiqfeaturesphilrosenbergps3psppsplitesceasingstarSony-Computer-Entertainment-AmericaMon, 23 Jul 2007 13:01:00 EST<![CDATA[E3 Round-up: Best of show]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/22/e3-round-up-best-of-show/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/22/e3-round-up-best-of-show/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/22/e3-round-up-best-of-show/#comments
E3 is officially over, and PS3 Fanboy is now resuming regular coverage of the top PS3 news every day. Before we say adieu to the Media & Business Summit, we wanted to wrap up all our coverage of E3 in one handy place. Check it out:

Impressions
Everyday Shooter
Folklore
Heavenly Sword
High Stakes on the Vegas Strip
High Velocity Bowling
Killzone 2
LittleBigPlanet
Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction
The Eye of Judgment
Time Crisis 4
Uncharted
Unreal Tournament 3

News
Epic Games signs exclusivity deal with Sony
Games to be launched from within Home
Haze: timed exclusive or totally exclusive?
Killzone 2 developers talk development, E3 2005
Metal Gear Solid 4: PS3 exclusive, like it always was
NCsoft and Sony get all buddy-buddy on us
Seven secret E3 videos hidden around the PS Store
Silent Hill V confirmed for PS3

Screenshots
Gran Turismo 5 Prologue
Lair
Warhawk

Video
echochrome
Infamous
Killzone 2

The PS3 also had an excellent showing. Starting strong with a $100 price drop and then announcing exclusive bombshells, Sony is showing that it's ready to play hardball. Sony had an incredible first-party showing, with many games that are going to be system sellers. But ... which game took the cake as the best PS3 game at E3? Read on to find out.

Continue reading E3 Round-up: Best of show

JoystiqE3 Round-up: Best of show originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 22 Jul 2007 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e307Sun, 22 Jul 2007 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[E3 Round-up: Best of show]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/22/e3-round-up-best-of-show/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/22/e3-round-up-best-of-show/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/22/e3-round-up-best-of-show/#comments
E3 is officially over, and PSP Fanboy is now resuming regular coverage of the top PSP news every day. Before we say adieu to the Media & Business Summit, we wanted to wrap up all our coverage of E3 in one handy place. Check it out:

Impressions
Castlevania: Dracula X Chronicles
God of War: Chains of Olympus
Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Heroes
Pursuit Force: Extreme Justice
Silent Hill Origins
Syphon Filter: Logan's Shadow
Wipeout Pulse

News
Added RAM makes PSP games load faster
Destroy All Humans gets a Big Willy on PSP
Hands-on with the new PSP
NCsoft plans "online experiences" for PSP
Original PSP to be phased out
PSP firmware 3.60 reveals hidden USB Charge feature
PSP redesign revealed: Lighter, slimmer, lasts longer
PSP Slim Lite boxart revealed
The truth about PSP Lite's battery life

Screenshots
Hellboy
SOCOM: Tactical Strike

Video
Echochrome
Patapon
SWAT: Target Liberty

It's pretty clear that PSP had a fantastic showing at E3. Beyond the redesigned system, there were a handful of truly excellent games. In fact, almost every PSP game we played at the show was excellent. But ... which game do we deem "Game of the Show"? Well, you'll have to read on for that ...

Continue reading E3 Round-up: Best of show

JoystiqE3 Round-up: Best of show originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 22 Jul 2007 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e307Sun, 22 Jul 2007 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq impressions: Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/21/joystiq-impressions-age-of-conan-hyborian-adventures/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/21/joystiq-impressions-age-of-conan-hyborian-adventures/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/21/joystiq-impressions-age-of-conan-hyborian-adventures/#commentsFiled under: , ,


When playing an MMORPG, you're essentially waging a war against the mind-numbing effects of repetition. There's no way to avoid it in a genre that's less concerned with immediate interaction than it is with protracted character building and management. The crucial trick in creating a good MMORPG then, is to bury this almost mechanical repetition in enough layers of entertainment and atmosphere to convince you that you're plundering loot from a defeated swamp creature, and not a polygonal mass of lesser statistics. World of Warcraft is demonstrably such a game and judging by our brief time spent with it, Funcom's Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures may be as well. Don't misunderstand -- it's not going to radically change your feelings towards MMORPGs, but it may prompt you to consider getting your hands dirty.

Indeed, getting your hands dirty is arguably one of Age of Conan's most prominent features. Being based on Robert E. Howard's Conan the Cimmerian novels (sorry, Arnie fans!) naturally gives the combat a barbaric edge, with the ability to string together attack combos resulting in a greater sense of immediacy and involvement compared to other titles in the genre. It's not quite an action RPG -- statistics still play a predominant role -- but you are given a variety of physical attack options through a set of on-screen buttons. A smartly executed combo will finish off weakened foes with a fatality animation and a satisfying splatter of blood across the screen.

Continue reading Joystiq impressions: Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures

JoystiqJoystiq impressions: Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 21 Jul 2007 19:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AgeOfConanE307EidosFuncomHyborianAdventuresMMORPGPCXbox-360Sat, 21 Jul 2007 19:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq impressions: Rise of the Argonauts]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/21/joystiq-impressions-rise-of-the-argonauts/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/21/joystiq-impressions-rise-of-the-argonauts/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/21/joystiq-impressions-rise-of-the-argonauts/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Liquid Entertainment's Charley Price describes Rise of the Argonauts as an "RPG without the clutter." Menus and detailed statistics are absent from Jason's mythological quest to find the Golden Fleece, thrown overboard in the developer's attempt to focus on storytelling. Though Liquid's track record (featuring Battle Realms, some Dungeons, Dragons and, err, Desperate Housewives) is somewhat uneven, the proclaimed prioritization of plot is certainly commendable. When we ask if removing "clutter" from a role-playing game doesn't simply yield an action game, Price explains that an RPG is marked by a "depth of experience" and a player's ability to "impact story and character." We'll meet him halfway and call it an action RPG.

And there is action, just so you know. The combat is classically themed and has a sense of lethality, with swords clanging against shields and spears perforating enemy soldiers in notably unpleasant ways. "We're sick of games where you stab a guy ten times before he falls down," comes the corresponding quip. Jason's party, here comprised of Atalanta and a comically proportioned Hercules, will automatically join the fray, fending for themselves and even holding down enemies for Jason to skewer. It's hard to tell how much depth there is to the fights without playing, but they're presented in the same bold style that permeates much of the game's richly colored graphics. Once the argonauts defeat a gigantic wild boar, we're reminded again of the game's clutter-free ideals -- there's no summary screen displaying experience points and potions.

Gallery: Rise of the Argonauts

Continue reading Joystiq impressions: Rise of the Argonauts

JoystiqJoystiq impressions: Rise of the Argonauts originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 21 Jul 2007 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ActionRpgCodemastersE3E307LiquidEntertainmentPCPS3RiseOfTheArgonautsXbox-360Sat, 21 Jul 2007 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq hands-on: Ontamarama (DS)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/20/joystiq-hands-on-ontamarama-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/20/joystiq-hands-on-ontamarama-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/20/joystiq-hands-on-ontamarama-ds/#commentsFiled under: ,


Ontamarama! It really is fun to say, a polysyllabic power trip, if you will. Naturally, we were more than a little disappointed when the folks at the Atlus E3 booth proceeded to tell us about the game in a restrained and entirely professional manner. We think of "Ontamarama" as something you scream with cheerleaders doing cartwheels in the background, fireworks exploding and confetti raining down from the sky. Perhaps they're saving that for the launch party.

Much like its name, there's an oddly fun and somewhat unhinged element to be found in the game itself. Though the version shown was still very much cloaked in the Japanese language, it was the music-and-rhythm gameplay itself that initially perplexed us. After several bouts of tapping the DS screen and pressing directional buttons in tandem with the music (what little we could hear over the blare of Barker Hangar), we repeatedly wound up staring at the same screen. The colorful characters displayed were just being polite about it -- we failed miserably at this game. It took a few more tries and some helpful coaching from Atlus before we heard a more familiar sound... "click."

Gallery: Ontamarama

Continue reading Joystiq hands-on: Ontamarama (DS)

JoystiqJoystiq hands-on: Ontamarama (DS) originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 20 Jul 2007 19:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AtlusDSE307OntamaramaFri, 20 Jul 2007 19:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq impressions: Condemned 2: Bloodshot]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/20/joystiq-impressions-condemned-2-bloodshot/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/20/joystiq-impressions-condemned-2-bloodshot/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/20/joystiq-impressions-condemned-2-bloodshot/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


"You're a total badass at this point," explains Marty Caplan, Associate Producer for brutal bum brawler, Condemned 2: Bloodshot. We can't really argue the point, as we watch him pummel vagrants with his fists, grab them by the collar and hurl them into broken television sets and sparking circuit boxes. Condemned's first-person melee combat has been dramatically expanded in the sequel, with grappling, fisticuffs, multiple strengths of attack and the ability to throw weapons lending each encounter more fluidity and excitement than the "one-trick pony" ridden in the first game. "Now there are many tricks to the pony," says Caplan. Even the finishing moves performed on dazed enemies have been made more elaborate, the humble neck snap now joined by rather unpleasant deaths facilitated by environmental hazards. Honestly, we have trouble reconciling adorable ponies with this sort of depravity.

Improving upon 2005's Criminal Origins, the reactionary animation is just as incredible to behold as it is to inflict. Watching a snarling zombie hobo (zombo?) reel backwards and struggle to remain on its feet after you've struck a blow injects some reality into the fights, somehow convincing you that the pipe you're wielding is very heavy indeed. The rest of the visuals have also clearly been enhanced, with high-dynamic range lighting and depth of field blurring being the technical tricks responsible for the grimy and starkly lit alleys in the demo's opening moments. The textures also seem to belong to a more colorful, earthy palette than we recall seeing in the previous crime horror.

Gallery: Condemned 2: Bloodshot (Xbox 360, PS3)

Continue reading Joystiq impressions: Condemned 2: Bloodshot

JoystiqJoystiq impressions: Condemned 2: Bloodshot originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 20 Jul 2007 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CondemnedE3E307PS3SegaXbox-360Fri, 20 Jul 2007 17:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq impressions: Phantom Hourglass, The Legend of Zelda]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/20/joystiq-impressions-phantom-hourglass-the-legend-of-zelda/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/20/joystiq-impressions-phantom-hourglass-the-legend-of-zelda/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/20/joystiq-impressions-phantom-hourglass-the-legend-of-zelda/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

phantom hourglass
The stylus controls work ... really well. Last week we wrapped our fingers around the plastic pen and pushed Link around Melka Island, impressed with how stimulating the touch-based interaction was. There are a few quirks, like the tiny circles you must draw at the screen's edges to produce a roll, but for the most part Phantom Hourglass is the best kind of gimmick -- one without the icky undertone of shallowness. This is an honest sequel to Wind Waker, and a game that will reinvigorate the DS's software dry spell.

Like most Zelda titles, Phantom Hourglass (and the E3 demo) begins with the basics, coaxing newcomers into the franchise. These routines can be tiresome for experienced players, but the new control system was different enough to make the tutorial sequences enjoyable, and frequent cut scenes helped to draw our attention into the narrative -- and brought out some of DS's less celebrated hardware potentials. But again, it was the touch screen that truly impressed; the satisfaction of commanding Link with stylus strokes, and the ability to do so as we go about our mobile routines.

Having been released in Japan nearly a month ago, Phantom Hourglass is already complete (save for the localization efforts) and earning praise. There's little we can add to what information is already available about the game. But, if you're looking for our assurance, Phantom Hourglass is still a must-play, now more than ever.

Gallery: Zelda - Phantom Hourglass

JoystiqJoystiq impressions: Phantom Hourglass, The Legend of Zelda originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 20 Jul 2007 16:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dsE3e307handsonimpressionsPhantomHourglasszeldaFri, 20 Jul 2007 16:22:00 EST<![CDATA[Is that a black and red DS Lite?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/20/is-that-a-black-and-red-ds-lite/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/20/is-that-a-black-and-red-ds-lite/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/20/is-that-a-black-and-red-ds-lite/#commentsFiled under: ,


Sure, we've seen the two new colors Japanese consumers are getting their hands on, however a third and more appealing (to us, anyway) color has emerged from the ashes of E3. A red and black DS, which is red on the top clamshell piece and black throughout the remainder of the handheld, is only to be included in special bundles along with Nintendo's upcoming sequel Brain Age 2.

In checking around the internet, we found a bundle of the new color is already being made available to Canadian folks via retailer Future Shop, where they can pick up the new DS Lite, along with Brain Age 2, for a cool $159.99 (or $152.67 USD). The bundle even comes with a carrying case, which we're not sure is to be included in other bundles, as well.

JoystiqIs that a black and red DS Lite? originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 20 Jul 2007 14:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brainagebrainage2bundlecolore307Fri, 20 Jul 2007 14:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq impressions: Braid]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/20/joystiq-impressions-braid/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/20/joystiq-impressions-braid/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/20/joystiq-impressions-braid/#commentsFiled under: , ,



While E3's Kentia Hall may be long gone, the small Independent Game Summit area of the Barker Hangar made sure the little guy wasn't completely ignored. One of the most interesting games from the summit this year was an unassuming little 2D platform-puzzler featuring a guy in a business suit.

One of the core ideas behind Braid, according to creator Jonathan Blow, is that the players time is more precious than his life. Indeed, any time your portly, suit-clad avatar dies, you can simply rewind the action a la Prince of Persia to go back to a safer portion of the level. Unlike PoP, though, there's no limit to the length or availability of your rewinds in Braid, meaning the only thing you lose if you make a mistake is a little bit of time spent rewinding.

Gallery: Braid

Continue reading Joystiq impressions: Braid

JoystiqJoystiq impressions: Braid originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 20 Jul 2007 13:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>braide307IGSindependentindiePCXbox-360Fri, 20 Jul 2007 13:43:00 EST<![CDATA[MCV: E3 moving once again, Us: You don't say!]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/20/mcv-e3-moving-once-again-us-you-dont-say/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/20/mcv-e3-moving-once-again-us-you-dont-say/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/20/mcv-e3-moving-once-again-us-you-dont-say/#commentsFiled under: ,


After an odd E3 in Santa Monica, the show's apparently picking up stakes again. UK trade publication MCV says that E3 will be moving next year. No, it's not particularly earth-shattering news, considering that the ESA circulated a survey asking where they should move the thing to, but it's nice to see that the group recognizes that Santa Monica wasn't the perfect place for the event. We've contacted the ESA for further comment, we'll let you know if we hear something back.

Pending an upcoming review of the event, the date and format are subject to change too. With a dramatic scale back and a new man at the top of the organization, E3 in flux should probably be considered the rule rather than the exception for the time being.

Update: We heard back from the ESA, but they're not commenting at the moment. Also, thanks to Fernando Rocker for the jazzy new pic!

JoystiqMCV: E3 moving once again, Us: You don't say! originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 20 Jul 2007 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3e307esaFri, 20 Jul 2007 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq impressions: Rayman: Raving Rabids 2]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/20/joysiq-impressions-rayman-raving-rabids-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/20/joysiq-impressions-rayman-raving-rabids-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/20/joysiq-impressions-rayman-raving-rabids-2/#commentsFiled under: , ,



The original Rayman: Raving Rabbids combined a great sense of style with a somewhat hit-or-miss selection of mini-games. The sequel expands on the original with more mini-games, more screaming, deformed rabbids, and fixes for some of the more annoying problems with the original.

For starters, most of the mini-games this time around will include a simultaneous multiplayer option, meaning less standing around waiting to play at your next Rabbids party. What's more, players will no longer have to break an arbitrary high score to unlock each game -- one playthrough in the campaign mode is enough to make any minigame fully selectable. Campaign mode games can also be played with friends, meaning there's no need to ever play solo. The character customization options from the original have been greatly expanded -- you can now play dress up with the rabbids, arraying them in a range of unlockable hats, shirts and accessories.

Read on for impressions of the five mini-games shown off at the show.

Gallery: Rayman: Raving Rabbids 2

Continue reading Joystiq impressions: Rayman: Raving Rabids 2

JoystiqJoystiq impressions: Rayman: Raving Rabids 2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 20 Jul 2007 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>E3e307rabbidsravingrabbidsraymanubisoftWiiFri, 20 Jul 2007 11:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq Impressions: PSN games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/20/joystiq-impressions-psn-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/20/joystiq-impressions-psn-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/20/joystiq-impressions-psn-games/#commentsFiled under: ,


You've read about the best (and the, er, not so best) now here's some quick impressions of the rest of the PSN games Sony had on display at this year's E3 Media and Business Summit.

Go! Sports Ski

This improbably punctuated title actually describes a cute little skiing game with some impressively realistic 3D graphics ... for a downloadable title, at least. The SixAxis controller's tilting abilities are put to good use to move your skier -- lean forward to to go fast, lean left and right to carve out turns. As in real skiing, it can take a second or two to switch from a hard left to a hard right, but once you get used to this built-in delay it's remarkably easy and fun to carve out the demo's simple slaloms. A rudimentary jump and trick system also showed some promise. The demo promised customizable skiers, an online battle mode and time trials as well.

Continue reading Joystiq Impressions: PSN games

JoystiqJoystiq Impressions: PSN games originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 20 Jul 2007 10:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>downloade307gosportsskinucleusPS3psntoyhomeFri, 20 Jul 2007 10:26:00 EST<![CDATA[X3F interview: Peter Molyneux]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/19/x3f-interview-peter-molyneux/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/19/x3f-interview-peter-molyneux/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/19/x3f-interview-peter-molyneux/#commentsFiled under: , ,


In another of our rapid fire, 4 minute interviews with Microsoft VIPs, we had a chance to chat with Peter Molyneux, mastermind behind Fable and the upcoming Fable 2. During our chat, we go in depth with Molyneux about the new scarring system employed in Fable 2. We also discuss the property system (which Molyneux is particularly fond of) and seafaring. And, just for grins, we ask about ninjas. If you'd prefer to listen to this interview (as well as interviews with Frank O'Connor, Brian "Ske7ch" Jarrard, and Peter Moore himself), you can check it out in our latest Fancast. Otherwise, read on.

Continue reading X3F interview: Peter Molyneux

JoystiqX3F interview: Peter Molyneux originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 19 Jul 2007 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>E3e307e307roundrobinjoystiqfeatureslionheadlionheadstudiosmgsmicrosoftgamestudiospetermolyneuxThu, 19 Jul 2007 17:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq hands-on: Beautiful Katamari]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/19/joystiq-hands-on-beautiful-katamari/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/19/joystiq-hands-on-beautiful-katamari/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/19/joystiq-hands-on-beautiful-katamari/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Katamari Damacy is a strange, strange game. This is a fact of which its fans are patently aware. I'm an Xbox guy, so my experience with Beautiful Katamari at E3 was my first with the series. Considering this is also the first time the series will be showing up on Xbox, it seemed like a good fit for me to try it out. For the uninitiated, the object of Katamari is to roll things up into a ball. By things, I mean all things. Thimbles, cats, bushes, people, cows, buildings, boats, everything: it's all up for grabs. You do this by manipulating the thumbsticks. That's it. That is the game. But most of you already knew that, so the next question is "why should I buy this game again on the Xbox 360?"

Continue reading Joystiq hands-on: Beautiful Katamari

JoystiqJoystiq hands-on: Beautiful Katamari originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 19 Jul 2007 16:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beautifulkatamaribeautifulkatamaridamacyE3e307namcobandaiXbox-360Thu, 19 Jul 2007 16:24:00 EST<![CDATA[X3F Hands-on: Beautiful Katamari]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/19/x3f-hands-on-beautiful-katamari/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/19/x3f-hands-on-beautiful-katamari/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/19/x3f-hands-on-beautiful-katamari/#commentsFiled under: ,


Katamari Damacy is a strange, strange game. This is a fact of which its fans are patently aware. I'm an Xbox guy, so my experience with Beautiful Katamari Damacy at E3 was my first with the series. Considering this is also the first time the series will be showing up on Xbox, it seemed like a good fit for me to try it out. For the uninitiated, the object of Katamari is to roll things up into a ball. By things, I mean all things. Thimbles, cats, bushes, people, cows, buildings, boats, everything: it's all up for grabs. You do this by manipulating the thumbsticks. That's it. That is the game. But most of you already knew that, so the next question is "why should I buy this game again on the Xbox 360?"

Continue reading X3F Hands-on: Beautiful Katamari

JoystiqX3F Hands-on: Beautiful Katamari originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 19 Jul 2007 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beautifulkatamaribeautifulkatamaridamacyE3e307handsonnamconamcobandaiThu, 19 Jul 2007 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq takes a look at Clive Barker's Jericho]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/19/joystiq-takes-a-look-at-clive-barkers-jericho/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/19/joystiq-takes-a-look-at-clive-barkers-jericho/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/19/joystiq-takes-a-look-at-clive-barkers-jericho/#commentsFiled under: ,


So, what was the best game at E3 that you haven't heard anything about? According to Joystiq, it might be Clive Barker's Jericho. Apart from featuring gobs of ghastly ghoulies, Jericho also looks to be sporting some very solid gameplay. The primary gameplay element revolves around the character switching dynamic, which gives players a multitude of skills and abilities spread across six different squad members. If the idea of blasting monstrous baddies with mind-controlled bullets sounds exciting. Hit the "read" link to check out Joystiq's in depth preview. Oh, ever wondered what the first person view of decapitation looks like? Yeah, that's in Jericho.

JoystiqJoystiq takes a look at Clive Barker's Jericho originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 19 Jul 2007 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>clivebarkerclivebarkersjerichocodemastersE3e307jerichoThu, 19 Jul 2007 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq checks out Ace Combat 6]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/19/joystiq-checks-out-ace-combat-6/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/19/joystiq-checks-out-ace-combat-6/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/19/joystiq-checks-out-ace-combat-6/#commentsFiled under: ,


Joystiq got a chance to try out Ace Combat 6 at E3 last week, and they came away impressed. Of particular note are the game's incredible graphics. According to Joystiq, the earth below is damned near photo-realistic. Even individual buildings are actually rendered. Furthermore, the gameplay proves to be intense, with midair skirmishes occurring all throughout the open skies. Ground and naval combat come into play as well, and players have some control over that as well, being able to command allies to target certain enemies. Yup, not much bad to say about Ace Combat 6 at all. Check out the game's jaw dropping graphics in the gallery below. Better yet, check out the demo on Xbox Live.

JoystiqJoystiq checks out Ace Combat 6 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 19 Jul 2007 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ac6Ace-CombatAce-Combat-6Ace-Combat-6-Fires-of-Liberationacecombatacecombat6E3e307namcoNamco-BandainamcobandaiThu, 19 Jul 2007 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Au Revoir Santa Monica: E3 is over but we're not done yet]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/19/au-revoir-santa-monica-e3-is-over-but-were-not-done-yet/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/19/au-revoir-santa-monica-e3-is-over-but-were-not-done-yet/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/19/au-revoir-santa-monica-e3-is-over-but-were-not-done-yet/#commentsFiled under: ,


We know that E3 was different this year, and we suspect (and hope) it will be different again next year. Between our relaunch, three major press conferences, a bunch of other less major press conferences, dozens of hands-on impressions, the occasional (and sadly rare) news post, some executive interviews, and even a party, we brought you everything E3 had to offer ... even if it wasn't the spectacle of years past.

Because of the intimate nature of the event, we spent more time seeing everything and, as a result, we're spending more time writing to give you a more thorough impression of the software at the show. We're beat - though we've got some more stuff to write up - but we're hoping you enjoyed reading our E3 coverage as much as we loved writing it. And now, for some fun stats:

Continue reading Au Revoir Santa Monica: E3 is over but we're not done yet

JoystiqAu Revoir Santa Monica: E3 is over but we're not done yet originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 19 Jul 2007 11:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>E3e307Thu, 19 Jul 2007 11:21:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq impressions: Ace Combat 6]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/19/joystiq-impressions-ace-combat-6/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/19/joystiq-impressions-ace-combat-6/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/19/joystiq-impressions-ace-combat-6/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Did the Ace Combat series ever look this good? I have to admit -- flight games were never a genre I enjoyed. However, one look at Ace Combat 6 on Xbox 360 changed my opinion instantly. It looks jaw-droppingly gorgeous. If it weren't for the constant threat of war, we'd love to simply fly around and observe the environments. From afar, the world below looks photo-realistic. Remarkably, the world retains a great deal of detail even when flying up close. Namco Bandai has an incredible technical achievement on their hands: realizing that every building in the city below is actually rendered deserves applause.

Beyond the graphics, we were impressed by the surprisingly intense gameplay. The field of play is huge, and skirmishes can occur at any point in the map. Aerial, ground and naval combats all come into play ... and thankfully, you have allies at your disposal. It only takes a simple press of the button to command awaiting ships to fire missiles at enemies. In our E3 demo, we saw a massive flurry of missiles come from supporting naval troops. Dozens of smoke trails filled the sky in a truly impressive display. Not only does it look good, but it added a great feeling of being part of an actual war, one with multiple fronts.

Our brief time with Ace Combat 6 was a fun, visceral experience. The game will support online multiplayer through Xbox Live ... and we can't wait. Ace Combat 6 will be available exclusively for Xbox 360 later this year.

Gallery: Ace Combat 6

JoystiqJoystiq impressions: Ace Combat 6 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 19 Jul 2007 10:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acecombatE3e307namcobandaiXbox-360Thu, 19 Jul 2007 10:03:00 EST<![CDATA[New SOCOM: Tactical Strike screens may be too beautiful]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/19/new-socom-tactical-strike-screens-may-be-too-beautiful/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/19/new-socom-tactical-strike-screens-may-be-too-beautiful/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/19/new-socom-tactical-strike-screens-may-be-too-beautiful/#commentsFiled under:


Unfortunately, there were a couple of games to slip past us at E3 this year, and SOCOM: Tactical Strike was one of them. Looking at these new screenshots, we have to admit that we regret that mistake. These are stunning screenshots, and this one in particular gets us quite moved. Hopefully, we'll atone our sins soon ... and get hands-on impressions the second we get a preview build of the game.

JoystiqNew SOCOM: Tactical Strike screens may be too beautiful originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 19 Jul 2007 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e307socomtacticalstrikeThu, 19 Jul 2007 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hands-on: Wipeout Pulse]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/19/hands-on-wipeout-pulse/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/19/hands-on-wipeout-pulse/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/19/hands-on-wipeout-pulse/#commentsFiled under:

Franchises rarely improve this much over time. Wipeout Pulse, the newest addition to the long revered Wipeout series, somehow manages to improve upon the already-sublime PSP launch title, Wipeout Pure. It isn't a revolutionary change from previous iterations -- but significant tweaks can be immediately noticed within a few seconds of play.

Of most importance must be the game's altered controls. Ships handle tighter than ever before, something that casual gamers will certainly appreciate. Using the analog nub feels even more precise than before (although we still prefer driving with the D-Pad). Ships still can't do hairpin turns like in F-Zero GX, but the Wipeout series always did have a different flavor than Nintendo's racing classic.

The updated HUD looks sleek -- we love seeing it shake every time we scratch the car. Weapons feel even better in Pulse: they feel more damaging, and look especially good. The ability to absorb power-ups returns, which adds a welcome layer of strategy to each of the races.

Pulse adds custom soundtracks, Infrastructure gameplay, and an in-game photo capture tool to make this one of PSP's most features-packed games yet. Pure still looks incredible on PSP ... and somehow Pulse looks even better. Futuristic racing fans will find almost nothing to complain about: Pulse is easily on its way to becoming the definitive Wipeout experience.

JoystiqHands-on: Wipeout Pulse originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 19 Jul 2007 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e307SCESCE-Studio-LiverpoolSonySony-Computer-EntertainmentStudio-LiverpoolWipeoutWipeout-PulseThu, 19 Jul 2007 08:00:00 EST