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[EA admits to more layoffs, still won't give specifics [Update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/25/ea-layoffs-april-25/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/25/ea-layoffs-april-25/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/25/ea-layoffs-april-25/#comments Update: According to an internal memo sent to EA staff and obtained by Kotaku, the publisher's latest restructuring plan includes moving EA's Origin business under the organization of Frank Gibeau's Labels group and placed EA Sports head Andrew Wilson in charge of the Origin Network.

The memo says "the workforce reductions which we communicated in the last two weeks represent the majority of our planned personnel actions."

Original Story: Following more rumored layoffs and the reported closure of EA Partners, Electronic Arts has posted the following statement regarding the constant drip of employees being let go across divisions.

"In recent weeks, EA has aligned all elements of its organizational structure behind priorities in new technologies and mobile. This has led to some difficult decisions to reduce the workforce in some locations. We are extremely grateful for the contributions made by each of our employees - those that are leaving EA will be missed by their colleagues and friends," reads a company statement posted this afternoon.

"These are hard but essential changes as we focus on delivering great games and showing players around the world why to spend their time with us."

The extent of the EA layoffs and restructuring should come into full view when the company announces its fiscal year results on May 7.

JoystiqEA admits to more layoffs, still won't give specifics [Update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 25 Apr 2013 20:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaea-partnersElectronic-ArtslayoffsThu, 25 Apr 2013 20:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: EA Partners label to close]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/25/report-ea-partners-label-to-close/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/25/report-ea-partners-label-to-close/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/25/report-ea-partners-label-to-close/#comments EA is reportedly shuttering its third-party co-publishing Partners label, responsible for bringing out the likes of the Crysis series, Shadows of the Damned, Alice: Madness Returns, Bulletstorm, Brutal Legend, and the Rock Band series among many others.

According to Game Informer, who note "multiple anonymous sources close to the matter," the Partners label will be terminated "soon." Game Informer's sources say the purported closure shouldn't affect Insomniac's Fuse and Respawn Entertainment's unannounced project being released, despite both games being tied to the label.

The report follows news of widespread layoffs at EA earlier this month, as well as the apparent retirement of its Playfish line. There are also reports of the EA Mobile Brazil and BioWare Social studios closing, as well as one in based in London, UK.

We've reached out to EA for comment.

JoystiqReport: EA Partners label to close originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 25 Apr 2013 02:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>closureeaea-partnersfuseinsomniacRespawn-EntertainmentThu, 25 Apr 2013 02:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Oddball world of Fuse: Splicing the Insomniac DNA with Smash TV]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/19/oddball-world-of-fuse-splicing-the-insomniac-dna-with-smash-tv/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/19/oddball-world-of-fuse-splicing-the-insomniac-dna-with-smash-tv/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/19/oddball-world-of-fuse-splicing-the-insomniac-dna-with-smash-tv/#comments Oddball world of Fuse Splicing the Insomniac DNA with Smash TVFuse is a difficult game to preview; it's a busy experience with plenty of interconnected systems and a HUD that brims over with symbols, numbers and meters of various sorts. Insomniac's coming shooter thumbs its nose at the current era of clean user interfaces, which attempt to disguise vital information in natural ways, in favor of the bright-as-can-be notices found in old-school arcade games. It's a retro style that, in the face of modern titles, feels decidedly fresh. Further complicating the experience is the ever-present nature of your squad, working together as a foursome set out to destroy enemy lines.

The trick with Fuse is that the four-person squad is always present: whether you're playing with friends, computer-controlled bots, or a mixture of the two. Fuse features a "Leap" system, allowing players to jump quickly between each character to command their unique skills. Insomniac says its goal is to give players the opportunity to fill every role.

"We've built this game from the ground up with that in mind," Insomniac president and CEO Ted Price tells Joystiq. "We wanted to make sure that there are always four characters in the game but you can have just as much fun by yourself, or with one friend, two friends, or three friends. So that's been our design mantra from the very beginning."

Gallery: Fuse (02/18/2013)

Continue reading Oddball world of Fuse: Splicing the Insomniac DNA with Smash TV

JoystiqOddball world of Fuse: Splicing the Insomniac DNA with Smash TV originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 19 Feb 2013 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>EAEA-PartnersElectronic-ArtsfuseInsomniacInsomniac-Gamesmicrosoftoverstrikeplaystationps3xboxTue, 19 Feb 2013 15:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Fuse trailer sticks its beak where it don't belong]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/18/fuse-trailer-sticks-its-beak-where-it-dont-belong/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/18/fuse-trailer-sticks-its-beak-where-it-dont-belong/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/18/fuse-trailer-sticks-its-beak-where-it-dont-belong/#comments
The leader of Fuse starring squad Overstrike 9, Dalton Brooks, has a blanket set of rules he likes to follow - too bad his set of rules don't apply to alien weaponry and waves of murderous occupant soldiers.

Continue reading Fuse trailer sticks its beak where it don't belong

JoystiqFuse trailer sticks its beak where it don't belong originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 18 Dec 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaea-partnersfuseinsomniacinsomniac-gamesmicrosoftoverstrikeplaystationps3xboxTue, 18 Dec 2012 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Albert Hughes, EA producing Crysis 3 web series '7 Wonders of Crysis']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/13/albert-hughes-ea-producing-crysis-3-web-series-7-wonders-of-cr/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/13/albert-hughes-ea-producing-crysis-3-web-series-7-wonders-of-cr/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/13/albert-hughes-ea-producing-crysis-3-web-series-7-wonders-of-cr/#comments
Acclaimed director Albert Hughes (Menace II Society) is producing a web series centered around Crysis 3 called 7 Wonders of Crysis - and the first episode isn't even about a young kid in a nanosuit overcoming his environment to go on and do great things. It's mostly about dudes getting shot with guns.

JoystiqAlbert Hughes, EA producing Crysis 3 web series '7 Wonders of Crysis' originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 Dec 2012 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>albert-hughescrysis-3crytekeaea-partnersmicrosoftpcplaystationps3xboxThu, 13 Dec 2012 02:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Insurmountable odds in Fuse's wave-based 'Echelon Mode']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/12/insurmountable-odds-in-fuses-wave-based-echelon-mode/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/12/insurmountable-odds-in-fuses-wave-based-echelon-mode/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/12/insurmountable-odds-in-fuses-wave-based-echelon-mode/#comments Echelon mode in Fuse is what Insomniac CEO Ted Price calls "co-opetitive," a variant on the Gears of War 'Horde' mode. Players must survive twelve waves of increasingly more difficult enemies - the exact configuration of each wave is randomized, though you're always guaranteed two boss battle waves.

Price calls Echelon "co-opetitive" because while you're ultimately working together to ensure group survival, the constant money drops - essentially experience points - are something teammates will scramble to grab. With collected cash, players can purchase and upgrade abilities, and progress in Fuse carries across all game modes.

"Part of our goal here is to make this a friendly game - if you've had experiences in multiplayer games before where you jumped in and had your head blown off in the first couple seconds, we don't want that to happen in Fuse," Insomniac CEO Ted Price told Joystiq. "We want Fuse to be a game where you're actually working with players and competing for cash and status. But it's always a friendly competition."

Continue reading Insurmountable odds in Fuse's wave-based 'Echelon Mode'

JoystiqInsurmountable odds in Fuse's wave-based 'Echelon Mode' originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 12 Dec 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaea-partnersechelon-modefuseinsomniacinsomniac-gamesmicrosoftoverstrikeplaystationps3ted-pricexboxWed, 12 Dec 2012 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Insomniac boss Ted Price explains Fuse's box art]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/12/insomniac-boss-ted-price-explains-fuses-box-art/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/12/insomniac-boss-ted-price-explains-fuses-box-art/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/12/insomniac-boss-ted-price-explains-fuses-box-art/#comments Ted Price explains the Fuse cover artAs soon as it was revealed, commenters on popular gaming websites and communities around the internet called the Fuse box art out, citing its odd aesthetic of cutting off the four main characters' faces and intense use of the color orange.

"I'm very clear on what the reaction has been from some of our critics to the cover, but we wanted to pull attention to the Fuse weapons: the Xenotech. That's why they're featured prominently," Insomniac CEO Ted Price told Joystiq during a Fuse preview event showcasing the multiplayer mode Echelon.

"Fuse is - the game revolves around 'Fuse,' storywise and gameplaywise. I think that we wanted to do something that was different. Cutting off characters' heads is not something you see in other game covers. The standard approach is to have the full character, front and center, right in the middle of the box - and we took some creative risks with that. I think some people have spoken out about the fact that we took a creative risk. Some people liked it, some people didn't."

The cover itself was created in collaboration with Petrol Advertising, an LA-based outfit whose clients include Activision, Capcom, Konami, Nintendo and numerous other gaming entities. "We worked with them and came up with a whole bunch of different approaches," Price admits. Eventually both parties decided on the image above.

"Our goal was to very clearly indicate that this is a four-player game, a four-character game. We also didn't want to do something that looked like Charlie's Angels," Price joked. "I think the temptation with four characters sometimes is to have a very high-action shot where they're posing. And we would've been raked over the coals for that."

JoystiqInsomniac boss Ted Price explains Fuse's box art originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 12 Dec 2012 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaea-partnersfuseinsomniacmicrosoftoverstrikeplaystationps3ted-pricexboxWed, 12 Dec 2012 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Crysis 3 sneaks to North America Feb. 19, Europe Feb. 22]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/06/crysis-3-sneaks-to-north-america-feb-19-europe-feb-22/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/06/crysis-3-sneaks-to-north-america-feb-19-europe-feb-22/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/06/crysis-3-sneaks-to-north-america-feb-19-europe-feb-22/#comments Last night, EA hosted a preview event focusing on its early 2013 lineup, including Crysis 3. There, Crytek founder Cevat Yerli announced Crysis 3 will launch on February 19 in North America and February 22 in Europe.

Last month, EA revealed the pre-order bonuses for Crysis 3, which include multiplayer perks - the Predator Bow, Recon Arrow, Hunter Nanosuit Module, an instant start at level five and three exclusive dog tags - plus a free digital copy of the original Crysis.

Gallery: Crysis 3 (12/6/12)

JoystiqCrysis 3 sneaks to North America Feb. 19, Europe Feb. 22 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 06 Dec 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crysis-3crytekeaea-partnersmicrosoftpcplaystationps3xboxThu, 06 Dec 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Respawn Entertainment's big reveal won't be at E3]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/respawn-entertainments-big-reveal-wont-be-at-e3/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/respawn-entertainments-big-reveal-wont-be-at-e3/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/respawn-entertainments-big-reveal-wont-be-at-e3/#comments Respawn Entertainment employees will attend this year's E3, but no, the studio won't be showing any new project at the big show. "Some of us will be present at E3, but we won't be showing anything or doing any press related to the game," Respawn community manager Abbie Heppe told Joystiq.

Thus far, little information exists on Respawn's first project. Aside from a single, extremely blurry screen and news that it's an EA Partners title, Respawn has kept the game out of the public eye. But with a team comprising many ex-Infinty Ward folks - the same folks who helped launch Call of Duty into the world of sports playoff trailer debuts - it's hard to imagine Respawn working on anything small.

Respawn wouldn't tell us whether the mystery project will be revealed this year, nor if the studio would attend the various gaming events scattered across the next several months. We're hoping for a surprise reveal during Tokyo Game Show, just to mess with the Japanese market.

JoystiqRespawn Entertainment's big reveal won't be at E3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 May 2012 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>abbie-heppee3-2012eaea-partnerselectronic-artsrespawnRespawn-EntertainmentWed, 16 May 2012 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Crysis 3 screens both new and 'new']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/crysis-3-screens-both-new-and-new/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/crysis-3-screens-both-new-and-new/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/crysis-3-screens-both-new-and-new/#comments ImageYou see that dude above, straight chillin'? Yeah, you've seen him before - like, a few weeks ago, when the image leaked alongside several other Crysis 3 screens. Well here he is again, but this time he's got a whole bunch more totally official screens, straight from EA. Thrilling!

Continue reading Crysis 3 screens both new and 'new'

JoystiqCrysis 3 screens both new and 'new' originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 May 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>conceptconcept-artcrysis-3crytekeaea-partnerselectronic-artsgameplaymicrosoftpcplaystationps3xboxWed, 16 May 2012 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Crysis 3's main man is a crack shot with a bow, apparently]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/16/crysis-3s-main-man-is-a-crack-shot-with-a-bow-apparently/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/16/crysis-3s-main-man-is-a-crack-shot-with-a-bow-apparently/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/16/crysis-3s-main-man-is-a-crack-shot-with-a-bow-apparently/#comments ImageGuys! Guys! Can you imagine if that Crysis 3 nanosuit dude is actually just Ted Nugent on a wild bow hunting spree after civilization collapses? That's the Crysis 3 we want to play. Don't you? Take a peek at the gallery below and get all up in this crazy headspace we've got going this morning.

Continue reading Crysis 3's main man is a crack shot with a bow, apparently

JoystiqCrysis 3's main man is a crack shot with a bow, apparently originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 16 Apr 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>compound-bowcryengine-3crysis-3crytekeaea-partnerselectronic-artsgameplaymicrosoftpcplaystationps3ted-nugentxboxMon, 16 Apr 2012 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA['The Legend of Dead Kel' is Reckoning's second DLC, arrives on March 20]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/29/the-legend-of-dead-kel-is-reckonings-second-dlc-arrives-on-m/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/29/the-legend-of-dead-kel-is-reckonings-second-dlc-arrives-on-m/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/29/the-legend-of-dead-kel-is-reckonings-second-dlc-arrives-on-m/#comments Interested in buying a fancy virtual house? Beyond a handful of new objectives on an island paradise (Gallow's End), that's exactly what you'll get out of the upcoming downloadable content for Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning, arriving on March 20 to Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC.

The content claims to add 15% more space to the overall world map in Reckoning as well, and introduces new enemy types, dungeon areas, and loot. More importantly, though, it introduces Gravehal Keep, a fancy new domicile for your fate-less explorer to, presumably, throw garish parties. No pricing was given for the content, but we'd wager a dollar that it'll cost at least $10 when it arrives later this month.

Update: EA confirmed the price at 800 MS Points/$9.99 across all platforms.

Gallery: Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning (The Legend of Dead Kel)

Joystiq'The Legend of Dead Kel' is Reckoning's second DLC, arrives on March 20 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 29 Feb 2012 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>38-studiosbig-huge-gamesdlcdownloadable-contenteaea-partnerselectronic-artskingdoms-of-amalur-reckoningmicrosoftoriginpcplaystationps3q1-2012release-datesteamthe-legend-of-dead-kelxboxWed, 29 Feb 2012 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Warp review: Patchwork puzzle action]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/17/warp-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/17/warp-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/17/warp-review/#comments The premise behind Warp is as easy to remember as its name. Captured by a group of scientists and their dimwitted security squadron, an adorable alien named Zero breaks free from his shackles to run amok throughout an underwater installation. How does he move about? He warps, of course, from one spot to the next and even into solid objects.

Warp borrows heavily from multiple sources to craft its world. It may be immediately compared to the puzzle propensity of Portal, the stealthy progression of Metal Gear Solid, and the chaotic tone of 'Splosion Man, but the game follows the longstanding blueprint we've all come to regard as Metroidvania. Zero uses his warp ability to get around, first through walls and then into objects.

It all looks innocent -- especially when Zero cutely chirps and animates his emotions -- but it's all a ruse. Zero eventually earns the ability to warp into humans, where a few liberal shakes of the left stick causes them to explode. Like the remnants of a popped water balloon, Zero's victims are splattered all over the laboratory's pristine interior. It goes from cute to horrifying very quickly -- in a good way.

Gallery: Warp (2/15/12)

Continue reading Warp review: Patchwork puzzle action

JoystiqWarp review: Patchwork puzzle action originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 17 Feb 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ea-partnersmicrosoftpcplaystationps3psnTrapdoorWarpxblaxboxFri, 17 Feb 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA['Outernauts' trademarked by Insomniac, could be part of EA Partners deal]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/04/outernauts-trademarked-by-insomniac-could-be-part-of-ea-partn/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/04/outernauts-trademarked-by-insomniac-could-be-part-of-ea-partn/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/04/outernauts-trademarked-by-insomniac-could-be-part-of-ea-partn/#comments The wily gentlemen at NeoGAF have spotted a copyright registration by Insomniac Games for something called Outernauts, supposedly a new game the developer is working on. If you thought the company was already working on "O-something," you're also right: Overstrike was announced at last year's E3. But Outernauts is new, and Insomniac has also registered "outernauts-game.com," and "outernauts-game.net," so the game, as they say, is afoot.

There's more, too: A Google search for the recently unburied title revealed a wiki page that was apparently meant for EA Partners marketing planning, and revealed both Overstrike and Outernauts, along with "Respawn" (probably the new project from the studio of the same name), The Secret World (which EA is publishing with Funcom) and "Populous," which might be a new version of that old strategy series. And as if all of that isn't enough, the wiki page was created by one "pmarineau," which matches up to Phil Marineau, who happens to be EA's director of marketing.

Whew! Did we mention that the NeoGAF folks were wily? We've contacted Insomniac for comment on this one, but it's unlikely they'll confirm at this point. We'll probably just have to wait for the official Outernauts announcement to know what it's all about.

Joystiq'Outernauts' trademarked by Insomniac, could be part of EA Partners deal originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 04 Feb 2012 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ea-partnersinsomniacmicrosoftouternautsoverstrikepcplaystationpopulousps3respawn-entertainmentthe-secret-worldxboxSat, 04 Feb 2012 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Syndicate will not have an online pass, EA confirms]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/01/syndicate-will-not-have-an-online-pass-ea-confirms/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/01/syndicate-will-not-have-an-online-pass-ea-confirms/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/01/syndicate-will-not-have-an-online-pass-ea-confirms/#comments
EA will break with tradition when Syndicate launches later this month. EA Partners executive producer Jeff Gamon told Eurogamer that Starbreeze's reboot would ship without an online pass, in the hopes of lowering the barrier of entry for the game's multiplayer side.

"We want as little resistance or barriers to entry as possible," Gamon said. "The co-op is equal billing in this. We wanted everyone who owns a copy of the game to have access to the entire product." It's policy for EA to include an online pass in all of its games. Curiously, this policy does not always extend to EA Partners games like Crysis 2 and Portal 2, both of which shipped without online passes. Meanwhile, Bulletstorm required a pass for its online co-op mode.

"Under normal circumstances it would have had an online pass, but because it didn't have competitive multiplayer and because we wanted as many people as possible to be playing co-op, we got away with it," Gamon added. "Maybe another reason for not having the Online Pass is we were confident in the scope of the online game." Throughout the nine multiplayer maps, he says players can expect "a good six, seven hours" on a single playthrough. "That and the single-player campaign means hopefully we won't see much in the way of early second hand sales and rentals," Gamon concluded before absconding with Princess Zelda.

Gallery: Syndicate (Dart-6 Chip)

JoystiqSyndicate will not have an online pass, EA confirms originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 01 Feb 2012 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ea-partnersmicrosoftonline-passpcplaystationproject-redlimeps3syndicatexboxWed, 01 Feb 2012 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning sets modest PC specs]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/10/kingdoms-of-amalur-reckoning-sets-modest-pc-specs/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/10/kingdoms-of-amalur-reckoning-sets-modest-pc-specs/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/10/kingdoms-of-amalur-reckoning-sets-modest-pc-specs/#comments The average hero lives their life day-to-day, most of the time only holding enough coin to fund their next expedition into a haunted mine or dark forest. The true hero is a frugal hero, not one seeking financial gain or notoriety.

A post in the official forums for Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning reveals some PC specs sure to surprise and delight those heroes who have stayed the course -- broke heroes, basically. If you haven't updated your equipment in some time, fret not. The only thing that may steer you off the course of adventure in 38 Studios' upcoming game is the graphics card: the minimum needed is a NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT 512MB or ATI Radeon HD3650 512MB or better; the recommended is a NVIDIA GeForce GTX260 1GB RAM or ATI Radeon HD4850 1GB RAM or better.

Head past the break for the full list of minimum and recommended specs.

Continue reading Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning sets modest PC specs

JoystiqKingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning sets modest PC specs originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 10 Jan 2012 01:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>38-studiosbig-huge-gameseaea-partnerskingdoms-of-amalur-reckoningpcsystem-specsTue, 10 Jan 2012 01:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq Top 10 of 2011: Shadows of the Damned]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/02/joystiq-top-10-of-2011-shadows-of-the-damned/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/02/joystiq-top-10-of-2011-shadows-of-the-damned/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/02/joystiq-top-10-of-2011-shadows-of-the-damned/#comments This sojourn in hell inspires the most intense evangelism, and that makes me think nobody in EA's marketing department bothered to play Shadows of the Damned.

Even those who acted as envoys for the game's off-kilter charms, those people who were unpaid but still rewarded, might have gotten stuck on the easy marquee description: "It's the unfathomable oddness of Suda 51, paired with Shinji Mikami sensibility and an Akira Yamaoka soundtrack!"

The summation is accurate (if a bit unfair to the major input from design lead Massimo Guarini, who left Grasshopper Manufacture in 2011), but hardly a detailed message for those unfamiliar with star Japanese designers. At least Shadows of the Damned had no troubles conveying its obvious qualities: a surprising and properly grotesque vision of post-life limbo, a protagonist passionate to a fault and a hilarious skull-on-a-stick to guide him.

Continue reading Joystiq Top 10 of 2011: Shadows of the Damned

JoystiqJoystiq Top 10 of 2011: Shadows of the Damned originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 02 Jan 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ea-partnersgrasshopper-manufacturejoystiq-best-of-2011massimo-guarinimicrosoftplaystationps3shadows-of-the-damnedsuda-51xboxMon, 02 Jan 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EA literally trolls fans with Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning special editions]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/09/ea-literally-trolls-fans-with-kingdoms-of-amalur-reckoning-spec/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/09/ea-literally-trolls-fans-with-kingdoms-of-amalur-reckoning-spec/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/09/ea-literally-trolls-fans-with-kingdoms-of-amalur-reckoning-spec/#comments No, really. You get a troll. Specifically, a 12.5" tall "Prismere Troll" statuette designed by McFarlane Toys, with the purchase of two of the newly announced Special Editions of Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning.

In all, there are three levels of specialness. For $80, you get a parchment map, a seven-piece dice set, replicas of the 40 "Destiny Cards" found in the game, a soundtrack, and DLC weapons that increase XP gained from "Fate Shift Kills." The $200 "Collector's Edition" adds the aforementioned troll and a concept art lithograph signed by Ken Rolston. This edition is limited to 700 units.

For the person who is really sure Reckoning is his or her jam (despite never having played it), there's the $275 Signature Edition. That has all the other stuff, but the troll is "signed by Todd McFarlane, R.A. Salvatore or Curt Schilling," and you get a custom sketch by Todd McFarlane. There are only 300 of these to hand out.

All three are available for pre-order here. If you're a really true fan, of course, you'll buy one of each. Just saying.

Continue reading EA literally trolls fans with Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning special editions

JoystiqEA literally trolls fans with Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning special editions originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 09 Dec 2011 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>38-studiosBig-Huge-Gamesea-partnerselectronic-artskingdoms-of-amalur-reckoningmicrosoftpcplaystationps3special-editionxboxFri, 09 Dec 2011 16:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Syndicate's protagonist isn't a good guy]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/03/syndicates-protagonist-isnt-a-good-guy/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/03/syndicates-protagonist-isnt-a-good-guy/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/03/syndicates-protagonist-isnt-a-good-guy/#comments Syndicate's protagonist won't be helping Granny cross the street or rescuing any kittens stuck in trees -- well, okay, maybe there's some kind of holo-tree mission, we don't know. The point is that you won't be playing the classic hero in EA's reboot. He's a bad dude there to do bad things.

"You're certainly not playing a good guy," producer Ben O'Donnell told Videogamer. "You follow him in the narrative, and that narrative will obviously unfold in different ways. When you first start you're playing as this agent working for EuroCorp, and you do their wet work for them. You have this really high-end chip in your head, and you can do things to people that they really wouldn't want to do -- like commit suicide or change allegiance. You're by no means a good guy, you're there to do the dirty work."

However, if you're expecting the main character to have some great moral epiphany or change of heart, don't. This isn't a game about "good and evil," O'Donnell promises. Sounds fine to us, especially since we just got one of those.

JoystiqSyndicate's protagonist isn't a good guy originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 03 Nov 2011 04:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaea-partnersmicrosoftpcplaystationproject-redlimeps3starbreezestarbreeze-studiossyndicatexboxThu, 03 Nov 2011 04:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Shank 2 announced during EA Vegas press conference, coming 'early 2012']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/27/shank-2-announced-during-ea-vegas-press-conference-coming-earl/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/27/shank-2-announced-during-ea-vegas-press-conference-coming-earl/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/27/shank-2-announced-during-ea-vegas-press-conference-coming-earl/#comments
Electronic Arts is hosting a gaming press event in Las Vegas this week, and was promising the reveal of "at least one completely new title" and it looks like that title is ... Shank 2?

In EA's liveblog, when asked "Is this the 'new ip' ?," EA's Andy Katkin replied, "You got it Mike." We're as confused as you are, but this other comment by Katkin may provide some insight. "Shank 2 isn't just a reboot of Shank," Katkin wrote, "it's an entirely new game." Klei Entertainment's Jamie Cheng said, "What we did was rip the game apart and reconstruct it to allow us to have more responsive controls and better graphics. We tore our combat system apart ... and created new controls to be able to use the enemies' weapons against themselves."

Klei also added an online co-op mode, a feature largely tacked onto the original, by way of a "prequel" level. "Instead of just giving another co-op campaign that you play once and never play again," Cheng explained, "we took the mechanics and created a new way of playing: multiplayer co-op survival mode." We don't know what that string of buzzwords means either, but we suspect we'll find out soon enough (horde mode, right?).

Shank 2 will be "available in early 2012," on the same digital distribution services as the original, including XBLA, PSN, and PC.

Gallery: Shank 2 (XBLA/PSN/PC)

JoystiqShank 2 announced during EA Vegas press conference, coming 'early 2012' originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 27 Sep 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaea-partnerselectronic-artsklei-entertainmentmicrosoftplaystationps3PSNshank-2xblaxboxTue, 27 Sep 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Shadows of the Damned soundtrack coming to Japan [update: available now internationally]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/02/shadows-of-the-damned-soundtrack-coming-to-japan/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/02/shadows-of-the-damned-soundtrack-coming-to-japan/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/02/shadows-of-the-damned-soundtrack-coming-to-japan/#comments Grasshopper Manufacture announced the very welcome news that it will release a soundtrack CD containing Akira Yamaoka's full score on Shadows of the Damned. The pre-order soundtrack was nice, but incomplete; this disc will have all 21 tracks, including "Shadows of the Damned," performed with The Damned.

In addition, GHM will release a guide book called "Kurayami Magazine," named after an earlier iteration of the game. It features a long interview with Suda 51 and original character designs.

Both items are listed on the Japanese GHM store website, with the soundtrack available tomorrow and the book on September 9. Neither has been posted on the American store yet, and we're asking-slash-begging Grasshopper for more information.

Update: GHM is selling the soundtrack on its international site now, limited to 1,000 copies. The first 300 will be signed by Akira Yamaoka!

JoystiqShadows of the Damned soundtrack coming to Japan [update: available now internationally] originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 02 Sep 2011 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ea-partnersgrasshopper-manufacturejapankurayamimicrosoftplaystationps3shadows-of-the-damnedsoundtrackxboxFri, 02 Sep 2011 01:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Your emergency dose of Shadows of the Damned]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/22/your-emergency-dose-of-shadows-of-the-damned/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/22/your-emergency-dose-of-shadows-of-the-damned/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/22/your-emergency-dose-of-shadows-of-the-damned/#comments If you crave more footage of Garcia Hotspur shooting things and cursing in two languages -- but you have yet to receive your copy of Shadows of the Damned -- you might consider today's trailer an adequate stopgap. It's nonstop shooting and polyglot obscenity. There's even a dick joke!

Continue reading Your emergency dose of Shadows of the Damned

JoystiqYour emergency dose of Shadows of the Damned originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 22 Jun 2011 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ea-partnerselectronic-artsgrasshopper-manufacturemicrosoftplaystationps3shadows-of-the-damnedxboxWed, 22 Jun 2011 22:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Insomniac revealing new IP at EA press conference]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/05/insomniac-revealing-new-ip-at-ea-press-conference/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/05/insomniac-revealing-new-ip-at-ea-press-conference/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/05/insomniac-revealing-new-ip-at-ea-press-conference/#comments When Insomniac revealed plans to develop a multiplatform original IP with EA Partners last year, the company discussed some of its plans, but kept us mostly in the dark. It seems that the covers will be ripped asunder tomorrow during EA's E3 press conference, as Insomniac noted on its official Twitter feed.

"In case you missed it -- we are announcing our new universe and multiplatform game at EA's press conference," the feed announced yesterday. And in case you've already forgotten after reading our detailed list of E3 2011's biggest events, the EA presser starts tomorrow at 3:30ET/12:30PT.

JoystiqInsomniac revealing new IP at EA press conference originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 05 Jun 2011 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3-2011eaea-partnerselectronic-artsinsomniacinsomniac-gamesmicrosoftplaystationps3twitterxboxSun, 05 Jun 2011 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Shadows of the Damned screens show Hell from a new perspective]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/27/shadows-of-the-damned-screens-show-hell-from-a-new-perspective/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/27/shadows-of-the-damned-screens-show-hell-from-a-new-perspective/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/27/shadows-of-the-damned-screens-show-hell-from-a-new-perspective/#comments The latest screens from Shadows of the Damned include things we've come to expect (by which we mean total horrors) -- as well as something we didn't. The screen above shows a stylized, side-scrolling 2D segment that kind of looks like And Yet It Moves moved to Hell.

Continue reading Shadows of the Damned screens show Hell from a new perspective

JoystiqShadows of the Damned screens show Hell from a new perspective originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 27 May 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ea-partnersgrasshopper-manufacturemicrosoftplaystationps3shadows-of-the-damnedxboxFri, 27 May 2011 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Shadows of the Damned screens don't do much for Hell's tourism]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/13/shadows-of-the-damned-screens-dont-do-much-for-hells-tourism/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/13/shadows-of-the-damned-screens-dont-do-much-for-hells-tourism/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/13/shadows-of-the-damned-screens-dont-do-much-for-hells-tourism/#comments Warning: the latest screens from Grasshopper Manufacture's Hellacious shooter Shadows of the Damned feature some ... disturbing imagery. We see a hanging dead body, a giant tattooed monster about to get shot in his demonic beanbag, and -- is that a cage full of eyeballs? The guy seen here, who appears to have a head made of three skulls hacked together, is among the tamer images.

And this is apparently just from acts 1 and 2.

Gallery: Shadows of the Damned (5/13/11)

JoystiqShadows of the Damned screens don't do much for Hell's tourism originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 13 May 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ea-partnersgrasshopper-manufacturemicrosoftplaystationps3scaredshadows-of-the-damnedxboxFri, 13 May 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Inquiring minds want to know about Star Wars: The Old Republic's 'Sith Inquisitor']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/13/inquiring-minds-want-to-know-about-star-wars-the-old-republics/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/13/inquiring-minds-want-to-know-about-star-wars-the-old-republics/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/13/inquiring-minds-want-to-know-about-star-wars-the-old-republics/#comments In this new Star Wars: The Old Republic trailer, we meet the Sith Inquisitor class. In so doing, we learned something new about the Star Wars universe: in this setting, the word "inquisition" is actually a synonym for "shooting lightning out of your hands."

Continue reading Inquiring minds want to know about Star Wars: The Old Republic's 'Sith Inquisitor'

JoystiqInquiring minds want to know about Star Wars: The Old Republic's 'Sith Inquisitor' originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 13 May 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowareea-partnerselectronic-artsmmopcStar-Wars-The-Old-RepublicThe-Old-RepublicZAPFri, 13 May 2011 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Pre-order Shadows of the Damned and get the Damned soundtrack]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/11/pre-order-shadows-of-the-damned-and-get-the-damned-soundtrack/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/11/pre-order-shadows-of-the-damned-and-get-the-damned-soundtrack/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/11/pre-order-shadows-of-the-damned-and-get-the-damned-soundtrack/#comments Shadows of the Damned is, among other things, a delivery system for new Akira Yamaoka music. Pre-ordering the game, according to a new announcement, will get you the soundtrack, featuring some new Yamaoka tunes and English punk band The Damned, in an even more convenient format.

Pre-orders of Shadows of the Damned from the EA Store, GameStop and Amazon will come with a free download of the 12-track soundtrack. Amazon specifies that the incentive applies to existing pre-orders, too, so if you've already put money down on the Suda-Mikami grindhouse epic, you're already getting a musical bonus!

You can hear a bit of the soundtrack under the funny voice-overs in this dev diary.

Continue reading Pre-order Shadows of the Damned and get the Damned soundtrack

JoystiqPre-order Shadows of the Damned and get the Damned soundtrack originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 11 May 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ea-partnersgrasshopper-manufacturemicrosoftplaystationpre-orderpre-order-bonusps3shadows-of-the-damnedsoundtrackxboxWed, 11 May 2011 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Dragon Age 2 DLC provides a touch of class to each class]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/27/dragon-age-2-dlc-provides-a-touch-of-class-to-each-class/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/27/dragon-age-2-dlc-provides-a-touch-of-class-to-each-class/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/27/dragon-age-2-dlc-provides-a-touch-of-class-to-each-class/#comments BioWare is now offering options for Dragon Age 2 players looking for some fancy new finery to show off during their extended stays in Kirkwall. The company released three new item packs today: one each for Warriors, Rogues, and Mages.

Each pack contains three follower items, new weapons, and armor. You can see the new ensembles in action in our gallery. We were just thinking that our Mage didn't look nearly enough like the child of Altair and the guy from V for Vendetta.

You can get all three packs for $5 (400 BioWare Points or Microsoft Points), and each class's pack for $3 (240 Points) on PC, Xbox 360 and (some day) PS3.

Gallery: Dragon Age 2 (Item packs)

JoystiqDragon Age 2 DLC provides a touch of class to each class originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 27 Apr 2011 21:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowaredlcDragon-Age-2ea-partnerselectronic-artsitem-packsmicrosoftpcplaystationps3psnxblaxboxWed, 27 Apr 2011 21:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Gatling Gears out on XBLA and PSN this May]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/22/gatling-gears-out-on-xbla-and-psn-this-may/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/22/gatling-gears-out-on-xbla-and-psn-this-may/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/22/gatling-gears-out-on-xbla-and-psn-this-may/#comments Though the trailer for Vanguard's twin stick shooter Gatling Gears is too brief to contain much visual meat, there's one announcement that makes it worth viewing. As revealed in the video (posted just after the jump!), the game's due out on XBLA May 11, and PSN May 18.

Continue reading Gatling Gears out on XBLA and PSN this May

JoystiqGatling Gears out on XBLA and PSN this May originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 22 Apr 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ea-partnersGatling-Gearsmicrosoftplaystationps3psnrelease-datevanguardvanguard-entertainmentxblaxboxFri, 22 Apr 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Shadows of the Damned preview: Hardly Hell]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/21/shadows-of-the-damned-preview/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/21/shadows-of-the-damned-preview/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/21/shadows-of-the-damned-preview/#comments As the tall, blood-covered Frankenstein doppleganger leapt from a gigantic flame in the middle of a courtyard, I thought to myself, "Man, this guy could really use a bath." The shock set in when the demon reached into his own chest and ripped out its heart, then ate it, causing him to transform into a gigantic beast-man with a grotesque wolf's head. Howling at the moon, he summoned forth a mouthless steed covered in blood and rotting skin. Mounting his hell ride, he then conjured a trident and spear from the ether and set his sights on me.

If there's one thing I can say about the brief 15-minute Shadows of the Damned demo I played this week, it's that the game isn't short on crazy. Also, I wish I got to kill that demon and the disfigured horse he rode in on.

Gallery: Shadows of the Damned (4/21/11)

Continue reading Shadows of the Damned preview: Hardly Hell

JoystiqShadows of the Damned preview: Hardly Hell originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 21 Apr 2011 14:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ea-partnersgoichi-sudagrasshopper-manufacturemicrosoftplaystationps3shadows-of-the-damnedshinji-mikamisuda-51xboxThu, 21 Apr 2011 14:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Shadows of the Damned launching on June 21, 2011]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/21/shadows-of-the-damned-launching-on-june-21-2011/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/21/shadows-of-the-damned-launching-on-june-21-2011/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/21/shadows-of-the-damned-launching-on-june-21-2011/#comments At a recent event in San Francisco, Suda 51 from Grasshopper Manufacture announced the new launch date for Shadows of the Damned: June 21. That gives it two weeks to get out of E3's way (the game was originally scheduled for June 7).

Shadows of the Damned is a bizarre, horror-themed third-person shooter coming from EA Partners and a trio of well-known Japanese developers. If the names Shinji Mikami (Resident Evil), Suda 51 (No More Heroes) and Akira Yamaoka (Silent Hill composer) don't ring any bells, then you really have no idea just how weird this game is going to be.

JoystiqShadows of the Damned launching on June 21, 2011 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 21 Apr 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaea-partnersgrasshopper-manufacturemicrosoftplaystationps3release-dateshadows-of-the-damnedshinji-mikamisuda-51xboxThu, 21 Apr 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Warp preview: Little creature, big choices]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/29/warp-preview-little-creature-big-choices/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/29/warp-preview-little-creature-big-choices/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/29/warp-preview-little-creature-big-choices/#comments I've been closely following the development of Fez for a long time now, and was especially excited for a chance to finally play it at this year's PAX East. While I really enjoyed what I played of Fez, its boothmate was what stood out as the hidden gem of the show for me: Warp, a downloadable title from Trapdoor Inc.

The developer takes a Happy Tree Friends approach to violence -- adorable, cartoony, and ultra-bloody -- which plays out in the game via the main character's interaction with human beings. I warped the little creature you see above into a variety of different folks throughout my brief playthrough of the build on display. Occasionally stunning those I deemed innocent enough to live, or rocking the Xbox 360 analog stick back and forth to "explode" the person or object from the inside, my little creature quickly figured out how to skirt a room full of scientists and armed guards without so much as alerting another living thing.

And if I was spotted by a living thing, it was just as quickly exploded into bits. Such is Warp.

Gallery: Warp

Continue reading Warp preview: Little creature, big choices

JoystiqWarp preview: Little creature, big choices originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 29 Mar 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaea-partnerselectronic-artsmicrosoftpax-eastpax-east-2011pcplaystationplaystation-networkps3psntrapdoortrapdoor-incWarpxblaxboxxbox-live-arcadeTue, 29 Mar 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fez being co-published by Trapdoor]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/13/fez-being-co-published-by-trapdoor/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/13/fez-being-co-published-by-trapdoor/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/13/fez-being-co-published-by-trapdoor/#comments Before jumping around Villageville with Gomez in Polytron's Fez at PAX East, we couldn't help but notice a bright logo for relatively unknown developer Trapdoor. This might not be so strange if it weren't for the fact that Trapdoor itself isn't a game publisher -- and its own XBLA/PSN/Steam game Warp is being published with EA Partners.

When asked about the surprise splash screen, Trapdoor founder Ken Schachter explained it by saying, "We should be issuing a press release this week, but the gist of it is that we're going to be announcing that we're co-publishing Fez."

That said, given Trapdoor's ability to co-publish Fez, we wondered why the studio isn't publishing its own game, Warp. "We met with a bunch of publishers, and we weighed a bunch of options, but at the end of the day we were really impressed with the team at EA, and with what they had to bring to the table," Schachter told us. He further explained, "Basically, with regards to EA Partners, they've been really great about letting us be and focus on the creative part. And really just work on our game, and retain ownership of our IP. And they have a world class business, marketing, and PR team. And that's really the best of both worlds."

As previously announced, Warp is expected to launch this summer, while Fez should arrive at some point later this year.

JoystiqFez being co-published by Trapdoor originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 13 Mar 2011 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaea-partnerselectronic-artsFezken-schachtermicrosoftpax-eastpax-east-2011polytronpolytron-corporationtrapdoorxblaxboxSun, 13 Mar 2011 15:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Dragon Age 2 glitch is an XP factory]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/10/dragon-age-2-glitch-is-an-xp-factory/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/10/dragon-age-2-glitch-is-an-xp-factory/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/10/dragon-age-2-glitch-is-an-xp-factory/#comments Amateur QA engineer "boricuacookie" discovered a glitch in Dragon Age 2 that awards XP infinitely. The glitch, taking place in the chantry, appears pretty simple to execute -- certainly much simpler than dozens of hours of fighting. But, of course, don't do this.

Continue reading Dragon Age 2 glitch is an XP factory

JoystiqDragon Age 2 glitch is an XP factory originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 10 Mar 2011 15:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowareDragon-Age-2ea-partnersglitchmicrosoftpcplaystationps3xboxThu, 10 Mar 2011 15:15:00 EST<![CDATA[EA: 40% of game sales digital, NPD becoming less relevant]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/10/ea-40-of-game-sales-digital-npd-becoming-less-relevant/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/10/ea-40-of-game-sales-digital-npd-becoming-less-relevant/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/10/ea-40-of-game-sales-digital-npd-becoming-less-relevant/#comments Digital sales have been an increasing boon for EA, a source of great profit and growth for the publishing giant, and the company now estimates 40% of games sold are bought through digital channels. Retail is becoming less of an important sector and the publisher feels NPD rankings are decreasing in relevance. Tomorrow, the latest NPD figures for the month of February will be revealed.

"Overall, we think the digital growth aspect of the EA story is likely to get even stronger and to impress investors in the coming years," said Arvind Bhatia, Sterne Agee investment firm analyst, during a recent management meeting (via IndustryGamers). Globally, EA still recognizes the importance of retail product, but locally the company is looking to expand its mobile and downloadable offerings, leaning on its new EA Partners divisions to help expand its digital business.

JoystiqEA: 40% of game sales digital, NPD becoming less relevant originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 10 Mar 2011 03:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arvind-bhatiabusinesschillingodigital-distributioneaea-partnersnpdplayfishsterne-ageeThu, 10 Mar 2011 03:51:00 EST<![CDATA[Shinji Mikami on his Shadows of the Damned role and 'adult love']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/08/shinji-mikami-on-his-shadows-of-the-damned-role-and-adult-love/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/08/shinji-mikami-on-his-shadows-of-the-damned-role-and-adult-love/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/08/shinji-mikami-on-his-shadows-of-the-damned-role-and-adult-love/#comments Shadows of the Damned represents not only a partnership between EA and Grasshopper Manufacture, but also a reunion between Grasshopper and Shinji Mikami, who produced its Killer 7 for Capcom. Mikami is lending his action-horror expertise to Grasshopper's new game, completely separate from his work with the Zenimax-owned Tango GameWorks.

"Grasshopper is making all these great games, with really a nice visual style," Mikami told us at an EA event during last week's GDC. "I'm there to make sure the gameplay is right -- make sure it's tight, make sure it's fun. That's why I'm there." He denied the assertion that Shadows of the Damned would feel strongly Mikami-like." "When you look at it, you're going to say this is a Grasshopper game," he said. "When you play it, especially if you've played a Resident Evil, you can kind of sense 'ah, there's a little bit of Resident Evil here.' But I don't think it's from the start it's a Mikami game. It's definitely a Grasshopper game."

We asked Mikami about the heart-shaped buttons EA was handing out at the event, which seemed hilariously out of step with the outrageous violence and manliness of Damned. Is Shadows of the Damned a love story? "There's two sides to it: there's that aspect of a love story, but it's not the romantic type of love," Mikami explained, cryptically. "It's a very adult type of love. And you'll see that when you play through the game -- it's definitely conveyed in certain aspects." Apparently, the "adult" type of love is so strong that a man can be fooled by a giant, grotesque demon wearing the shape of his girlfriend like a costume.

As the interview concluded, the subject turned to another violent, quirky action game from Mikami: 2006's God Hand -- a title that Mikami burst into laughter upon hearing. Mikami firmly denied even a superficial relationship between his own PS2 action game and Shadows of the Damned, but he did tell us that "I'd like to make a sequel to God Hand sometime." When we suggested he could make a spiritual "sequel" to get around the Capcom-owned IP, Mikami laughed again and said "Someday, I'll do it."

JoystiqShinji Mikami on his Shadows of the Damned role and 'adult love' originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 08 Mar 2011 20:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ea-partnersgdc-2011grasshopper-manufacturemicrosoftplaystationps3shadows-of-the-damnedshinji-mikamixboxTue, 08 Mar 2011 20:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Voice of the Damned: Suda 51 on being an EA Partner and surviving the Japanese market]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/08/voice-of-the-damned-suda-51-on-being-an-ea-partner-and-survivin/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/08/voice-of-the-damned-suda-51-on-being-an-ea-partner-and-survivin/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/08/voice-of-the-damned-suda-51-on-being-an-ea-partner-and-survivin/#comments At a preview event alongside GDC, EA offered the first playable demo of Grasshopper Manufacture's From Dusk Till Dawn-esque third-person shooter, Shadows of the Damned. Immediately after experiencing its floating skull sidekicks, baby-head gates, and demons in seductive-woman suits, we spoke to Grasshopper's CEO, Suda 51, and asked the first thing that came to mind: how did he convince EA to back such a strange game?

Suda, of course, understood the intention, saying that "strange equals compliment for us." And besides, "Actually, EA has always respected our punk rock style. It was really easy, and we had a lot of freedom. EA is not just a giant corporation, but they're very accepting." He said that Grasshopper pitched the game to EA -- though later in the same interview, he told us that it was at EA's request that the game became a shooter. "We wanted to do well with the Western market," Suda said, "and we wanted to have that challenge of creating shooters," and so the studio agreed.

Continue reading Voice of the Damned: Suda 51 on being an EA Partner and surviving the Japanese market

JoystiqVoice of the Damned: Suda 51 on being an EA Partner and surviving the Japanese market originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 08 Mar 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ea-partnersgdc-2011grasshopper-manufacturemicrosoftplaystationps3shadows-of-the-damnedsuda-51xboxTue, 08 Mar 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Shadows of the Damned preview: Goat toward the light]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/08/shadows-of-the-damned-preview/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/08/shadows-of-the-damned-preview/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/08/shadows-of-the-damned-preview/#comments If you thought Grasshopper Manufacture was "selling out" by making a third-person shooter, of all things, with EA Partners, of all people, you need not worry about such a thing. Having played Shadows of the Damned for about 20 minutes, I can confirm that it is a true Grasshopper game, full of the punk rock style, weird humor, brash, sexy women (one of whom wears mechanical devices on her arms and legs, and causes earthquakes when she dances), and over-the-top melee violence you'd expect from Suda 51's studio.

It just has better production values.

Gallery: Shadows of the Damned (3/8/11)

Continue reading Shadows of the Damned preview: Goat toward the light

JoystiqShadows of the Damned preview: Goat toward the light originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 08 Mar 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ea-partnersgdc-2011grasshopper-manufacturemicrosoftplaystationps3shadows-of-the-damnedxboxTue, 08 Mar 2011 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Alice: Madness Returns gameplay trailer is no tea party]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/07/alice-madness-returns-gameplay-trailer-is-no-tea-party/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/07/alice-madness-returns-gameplay-trailer-is-no-tea-party/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/07/alice-madness-returns-gameplay-trailer-is-no-tea-party/#comments Nothing says "Hey, it's Monday!" like murderous teapots and bloodthirsty playing cards. It's fortunate, then, that this first gameplay trailer for Alice: Madness Returns has them -- and more! -- in droves. Watch it, then learn more about the game tomorrow morning in our new preview.

Continue reading Alice: Madness Returns gameplay trailer is no tea party

JoystiqAlice: Madness Returns gameplay trailer is no tea party originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 07 Mar 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>actionAlice-2Alice-Madness-Returnsamerican-mcgeeeaea-partnersElectronic-Artsmicrosoftpcplaystationps3spicy-horsexboxMon, 07 Mar 2011 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[EA expanding 'Partners' model to mobile, social businesses]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/02/ea-expanding-partners-model-to-mobile-social-businesses/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/02/ea-expanding-partners-model-to-mobile-social-businesses/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/02/ea-expanding-partners-model-to-mobile-social-businesses/#comments EA Partners has been responsible for helping to bring some noteworthy titles to market in the past few years. The co-publishing arm has helped to distribute the likes of the Rock Band and Left 4 Dead series, as well as the recent Bulletstorm, and will aid in the upcoming releases of Crysis 2 and Portal 2.

It's perhaps surprising, then, that David DeMartini, the man who managed these successful co-publshing deals, has stepped down as the division's group general manager to pursue a "new commercial role." EA Partners looks to not miss a beat, however, as former SVP and COO of the EA Games label, Brian Neider, has stepped right in.

Neider has quickly settled into his new role, calling the Partners program an "all around win-win," which allows "EA to partner with some of the world's best console, PC and digital developers while providing those independent developers with a global distribution/publishing partner."

In fact, the shakeup marks a time of expansion for the "Partners" busines model. Through its Chillingo (mobile) and Playfish (social) divisions, EA will expand its co-publishing philosophy to capitalize on the demand for social and mobile games. "Like EA Partners, Chillingo and Playfish work with the best development talent in the mobile and social gaming space," Neider told Develop.

JoystiqEA expanding 'Partners' model to mobile, social businesses originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 02 Mar 2011 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bryan-neiderchillingodavid-demartinieaea-partnersmobileplayfishWed, 02 Mar 2011 16:20:00 EST