Joystiq

Report: G4 to become the Esquire channel

Jordan Mallory — Sat, 08 Dec 2012 22:30:00 EST

Cable network G4 will be rebranded as the Esquire channel, acquiring the magazine's name and branding sometime in the early part of next year, The Hollywood Reporter, uhm, reports. The deal has been finalized between G4-owner NBCUniversal and Esquire-owner Hearst Corporation, according to The Hollywood Reporter's sources, and production of new content aimed at a "metrosexual" male audience is said to be underway.

While the channel's new content will feature some gaming-oriented material, subjects such as fashion, cooking and travel will also be covered in an attempt to capture a more sophisticated male audience. As X-Play and Attack of the Show have already been cancelled, we doubt any of G4's late gaming content will be resurrected in the channel's new form. We are, however, looking forward to finding out how to recreate Nathan Drake's designer look for an off-the-rack price.

Report: G4 to become the Esquire channel originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 08 Dec 2012 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Metal Gear Rising Revengeance pre-order at GameStop lets you dress up like Gray Fox

David Hinkle — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 20:15:00 EST

Wait, you've only got one suit of robotic armor in your closet? What are you, some kinda poor? GameStop is offering to double your wardrobe with the Cyborg Ninja costume - if you pre-order Metal Gear Rising Revengeace.

The GameStop-exclusive skin (for now, anyway) is modeled after the Cyborg Ninja suit worn by Frank Jaeger (AKA Gray Fox) in the original Metal Gear Solid. Not only does the ensemble have nostalgia going for it, there's also the benefit of not being able to see Raiden's face for an entire video game - you know, in case you've seen enough of Raiden's skin to last a lifetime.

Metal Gear Rising Revengeance pre-order at GameStop lets you dress up like Gray Fox originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 21 Nov 2012 20:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Xbox 360 has generated more than $56 billion in retail

Jessica Conditt — Tue, 29 May 2012 14:30:00 EST

Microsoft has sold 67 million Xbox 360 consoles since its launch in 2005, raking in more than $56 billion at retail. Kinect has sold 19 million units and Xbox Live has 40 million members, leaving us to question what the remaining 27 million people are doing with their Xboxes if they aren't downloading games or watching video on Amazon Instant, a service announced and rolled out just today.

It would appear the current generation of gaming consoles has sustained itself on its broader entertainment options, and Xbox 360 sales have increased from years four to five, five to six and six to seven, as the above graph indicates.

"The more entertainment options we add, the more time people spend on Xbox," Microsoft said.

Xbox 360 has generated more than $56 billion in retail originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 29 May 2012 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Study: Xbox 360 most popular non-PC device for watching video ads

Jessica Conditt — Sun, 13 May 2012 18:00:00 EST

The Xbox 360 is the most popular non-PC device for viewing online video, beating out iOS and Android handhelds, according to a study by online-video ad company Freewheel. Freewheel measured "professional content" only, meaning video that runs with ads -- meaning it really conducted a study on how many online ads we watch -- from companies such as NBC, CBS, ESPN and Vevo. The study didn't account for Netflix or YouTube viewership.

Xbox 360 took 28.2 percent of all viewership, followed by iPad with 27.1 percent, then iPhone, Android and iPod Touch on a decreasing scale.

In March, Microsoft announced that Xbox 360 owners use the console more for its entertainment apps than for any actual gaming purposes, spending more than half of their Xbox time on Netflix and other music and video applications. Even though the Freewheel study doesn't include Netflix views, it does support the console evolutionary theory: One day our gaming consoles will have mutated so drastically that we'll have an entirely new species, called simply "entertainment consoles."

Study: Xbox 360 most popular non-PC device for watching video ads originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 13 May 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Zombies say cheese for Resident Evil Chronicles HD Collection screens

JC Fletcher — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 12:30:00 EST

Is it just us, or is that one zombie smiling for the camera? If you ignore the hellish glowing eyes and the rotting flesh, you'd think he was just chilling at a friend's birthday party. Maybe he's just happy his game is in HD now.

Gallery: Resident Evil: Chronicles HD Collection (4/10/12)

Zombies say cheese for Resident Evil Chronicles HD Collection screens originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 10 Apr 2012 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Infamous 2: Festival of Blood gets Truly Bloody this October [update: trailer!]

JC Fletcher — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 14:24:00 EST

Electro-monster Cole from Infamous 2 is now an electro-vampire in Infamous 2: Festival of Blood, available on PSN this October. In this downloadable game, New Marais is infested by vampires. Cole is bitten, and must find the head vampire before the night ends, to reverse his condition. Does electricity hurt vampires? We'll find out, we suppose. Also, can you make a vampire game set in Louisiana and avoid comparisons to both Interview with the Vampire and True Blood? This post has already proven that you cannot.

This was called a "brand new game available for download," which sounds more like a standalone PSN game than DLC.

Update: The PlayStation Blog confirms that you don't need any other Infamous games to play this. It also posted the above trailer.

Infamous 2: Festival of Blood gets Truly Bloody this October [update: trailer!] originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 16 Aug 2011 14:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nielsen: US spending less on games, more on outdoor activities

Griffin McElroy — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 06:00:00 EST

Bad news, friends: We're losing. That's the only way we can digest the latest Nielsen consumer spending report, in which it was revealed that the US national entertainment budget share for games dropped from 9.3 percent in 2009 to 8.5 percent in 2010. Meanwhile, spending on activities that actually require you to cross the threshold of your home into the horrible, dangerous world (like dining out, going to parks, etc.) increased from 20.4 percent to 25.1 percent year-over-year.

Okay, so the raw dollar-amount spent on games hardly changed between the last two years -- but the average American's budget increased in 2010, and none of that new money was handed over the video game industry. Instead, people spent it on outdoor activities. Outdoors! Can you imagine? That's where animals live, you guys.

[Image credit: Nielson]

Nielsen: US spending less on games, more on outdoor activities originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 19 Feb 2011 06:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Joystiq chats with Jay Wilson on Diablo 3

Elizabeth Harper — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 03:00:00 EST

Filed under: Mac, PC, Online, RPGs, Interviews

click to embiggen

The buzz here at the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles is all about Diablo 3. When will we have a playable demo? When can we expect a release? Blizzard, of course, isn't willing to commit to a date other than their standard "when it's done" answer:

What classes are going to be available? Blizzard's answer: we're not ready to talk about that.
Will there be a cow level? Blizzard's answer... well, more on that later.

Joystiq had a chance to catch up with Diablo 3's lead designer Jay Wilson (whom you may know from his work on a little game called Dawn of War) and pick his brain about how he got on the Diablo 3 project, what's in store for Battle.net, and the secret cow level.

Gallery: Diablo III

Continue reading Joystiq chats with Jay Wilson on Diablo 3

Joystiq chats with Jay Wilson on Diablo 3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 29 Jun 2008 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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WiiPlayer optimizes iPlayer for Wii

Chris Greenhough — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: News

It still puzzles us that the BBC was so keen to make its (admittedly excellent and very popular) iPlayer catch-up service compatible with the Wii. Are there really that many Wii owners out there with internet-ready PCs who would opt to use the service on the Wii's slightly clunky Opera browser? Why not just use your PC to watch the latest editions of Gavin & Stacey and The Apprentice? You know: the one you're using to read these words, right at this very second?

Not only that, but the iPlayer on the Wii is hardly user-friendly. Text is so small that it's almost unreadable, loading times are hardly ideal, and the low resolution of the Wii's browser makes navigation awkward. Cue the intervention of WiiPlayer, a hacked version of the iPlayer that has been optimized for Nintendo's console, and is now available for use at http://defaced.co.uk/wiiplayer.

It won't work on your PC, and it goes without saying you'll still have to reside in the UK to use this, but WiiPlayer does do a sterling job, replacing the iPlayer's teensy text and browser-taxing layout with pleasingly chunky, Wiimote-friendly icons and a cleaner, less cluttered appearance.

Gallery: WiiPlayer

[Via Tech Digest]

WiiPlayer optimizes iPlayer for Wii originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 06 Jun 2008 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nintendo sponsors UK Gladiators

David Hinkle — Tue, 06 May 2008 22:30:00 EST

Filed under: News

To tell you the truth, we never knew you folks in the UK got your own version of American Gladiators. Growing up, we would catch the show after our usual dose of Saturday morning entertainment, as the sugar would take effect from all of the Lucky Charms we had while catching our toons, fueling our thirst to see folks get knocked into the water during Joust or tossed down several flights on the gigantic pyramid. Oh, to be young again.

But, hey, with the show's revival here in the States, it kind of feels like that again, if only a little. And now, with some thanks to Nintendo, our friends across the pond can partake in bulky men and woman tossing around scrawny participants, too! Nintendo has shelled out £1m to make sure you can get your Gladiator fix, ensuring that those of you watching in the UK won't get the annoying ads that we do in between the carnage. Instead, you'll see ads for Wii and other Nintendo-related goodies. Better, no?

Nintendo sponsors UK Gladiators originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 06 May 2008 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BBC iPlayer takes the Wii by storm

Candace Savino — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: News

Now we know what makes you people tick: the BBC. Our inboxes (and comments) have been flooded with news about the BBC iPlayer in one of our most-tipped stories ever.

If you're one of the five people who didn't send us this tip and don't know what's up, the BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) announced today that their iPlayer, which allows viewers to catch up with BBC shows online, is now compatible with the Wii. And yes, that means you'll be able to watch Dr. Who, EastEnders, and other such programmes on your TV to your tea-drinking heart's content.

Should this venture by the BBC become successful (which we think it will -- after the news was announced, the number of people using the iPlayer rose significantly), we wouldn't be surprised to see other major networks adopt their services to Nintendo's console.

That's not to say that the BBC isn't running into some problems with the idea, though. Right now, the network is quarreling with ISPs over who should pay the extra service costs. Even so, the player can be used as soon as today, with more polished video quality promised in the future. You'll probably also be relieved to know that the service is free, although it will cost you money to download Nintendo's internet channel if you haven't done so already.

The other catch? The BBC iPlayer is only available in the UK, for the time being, but BBC Worldwide is apparently working on getting an international player up and running.

[Via TVSquad; thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

BBC iPlayer takes the Wii by storm originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 09 Apr 2008 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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

Kevin Kelly — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 17:26:00 EST

Filed under: Culture, Nintendo DS, Sony PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii, Microsoft Xbox 360, Business

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

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

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

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

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

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Lieberman takes video game industry money

Alexander Sliwinski — Sat, 30 Dec 2006 18:01:00 EST

Filed under: Culture, Business

The nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics found that Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman took $73,000 from a "variety of industry sources" over the past two years.

Is $73K a pitiful amount in Lieberman's multi-million dollar warchest? It sure is. One contribution was from Linda McMahon, CEO of Stamford, Conn. based WWE Entertainment, who gave $2000 saying, "I make contributions to a variety of candidates whom I respect."

For the most part, the story from the Hartford Courant doesn't really go anywhere. The headline in the Courant says, "Lieberman defends video-game money," but the article has nothing to do with video game money. It was a very deceptive headline, one out of irony we were glad to employ. The article doesn't give any examples beyond WWE -- which most would argue isn't really a video game company -- of video game related companies that contributed to Lieberman's campaign. The article just paints Lieberman as a career politician taking money in a continual quest for more power from wherever he can get it .

See also:

Lieberman takes video game industry money originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 30 Dec 2006 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DS Gunpey vs. PSP Gunpey

David Hinkle — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 14:25:00 EST

Filed under: Reviews, Fan stuff

The next game from the folks at Q? Entertainment, responsible for the masterpieces that are Lumines and Meteos, have been working on a new puzzler for both the DS and the PSP. Each version is unique in how it plays and looks and, according to 1UP, the DS installment is superior to the PSP's game.

"The PSP version is the purest taste of Gunpey you're likely to receive anywhere. The skin collecting is addictive, and as long as you don't mind the brutal, linear, hours-long grind needed to collect them all, then this is probably the version most older gamers will go for. But if you're looking for a more full-featured game, with greater variety -- and don't mind the cartoony milieu of Gunpey DS -- then you will find this version not only a superior value, but a superior game."

[Via PSP Fanboy]

DS Gunpey vs. PSP Gunpey originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 13 Nov 2006 14:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony exec admits PSP more about media than games

Andrew Yoon — Tue, 07 Nov 2006 08:15:00 EST

Filed under: News, Interviews

Dave Karraker, new PR head for Sony, was recently confronted by Gamasutra in a pretty intense interview. While it focuses mostly on the upcoming PLAYSTATION 3, Karraker had a few interesting things to say about the PSP:

The PSP is doing incredibly well, and I think that you'll see even more interest behind it now that the PS3 is coming out, because the inner-connectivity between the two, I mean you saw the demo in terms of accessing your PS3 harddrive through your PSP. That's just the tip of the iceberg of what can be done with that... I'm not just talking about games, I'm talking about entertainment content as well. Already the TiVo-to-go option for the PSP is turning into a huge hit for us, as people discover that they can take the shows they've already stored on their TiVo and put it on their PSP and while they're riding the bus to work or to school, they can watch television shows on the PSP, I mean that's huge. You can't do that on anything else. So again, I think when you compare the two products, the Nintendo product versus our product, it's kind of apples and oranges. We're providing more of an entertainment system, and they're focused more on gaming.

While the Nintendo fanboys may criticize Sony's approach to creating a media convergence machine, I highly applaud it. I do a lot more things than simply game on my handheld, as I have no desire to carry around a huge laptop to watch movies, listen to music, and use the internet.

Continue reading Sony exec admits PSP more about media than games

Sony exec admits PSP more about media than games originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 07 Nov 2006 08:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wild Hare to bring Alten8's games to U.S., Europe

Chris Powell — Wed, 11 Oct 2006 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: News

Publisher Wild Hare Entertainment has joined forces with developer Alten8 to bring their upcoming PSP to the U.S. and Europe.

"With reciprocal content publishing and distribution between our like-minded companies, we can create a strong alliance for a cross-Atlantic partnership, which opens new doors not only for us, but for the developers, which up until now have had no access to mainstream publishing and distribution in Europe or North America," said Paul Andrews, CEO of Alten8 Limited.

You may have heard of Alten8 before. They're the developer who earlier this year caught flack for their mobile phone title, Office Massacre. In order to appease their critics, the developer changed the name to Office Zombies and reworked the plot, as well.

Hopefully in this new venture, the company can stay out of the critic's targets and focus on bringing great games to the PSP.

[Via DCEmu]

Wild Hare to bring Alten8's games to U.S., Europe originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 11 Oct 2006 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Meteos takes it online, DS Fanboy staff asks for help

David Hinkle — Wed, 13 Sep 2006 17:15:00 EST

Filed under: News, Fan stuff, Nintendo Wi-Fi

Turns out Q Entertainment has plans to take the near-perfect gameplay of one of DS Fanboy's best DS games, Meteos, and bring it online. The only problem is that this new and improved formula of Meteos is currently set to grace the PC and not the DS.

This is when the person listening to all of this would ask why this is being posted to DS Fanboy, a one-stop-shop for all the DS news big or small and the only reliable place on the inter tubes for such factual information as well as objective, intellectual views on said information. We'd then call this person Timmy and ask that they kindly shut their mouth, unless they wanted us to shut it for them. Permanently.

No, we bring this up because we know you're as passionate about the puzzling action of Meteos as we are and would love to see the game be available for play over Wi-Fi. That's why we call on you, fanboys and fangirls, asking that you make this desire known to one and all by sending electronic mails to the game's support address of support-meteosonline [at] qentertainment [dot] com. Together we can make it happen.

Meteos takes it online, DS Fanboy staff asks for help originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 13 Sep 2006 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Heroes of the Pacific sequel coming to the Wii

David Hinkle — Tue, 05 Sep 2006 10:15:00 EST

Filed under: News

Unless you're one who owns multiple consoles from the last generation or enjoy gaming via the PC, it's likely you've never played Heroes of the Pacific. While the game had some interesting segments, it was lacking in the kind of gameplay critics laud. According to Australian blog The Age, a sequel is in the works for next-gen consoles, including the Wii.

According to the post, IR Gurus have completed 6 months of pre-production on the sequel Heroes Over Europe, which is to be published by Red Mile Entertainment. Sadly though, nothing is said about the Wii version of the title specifically, leaving us to speculate on how the Wiimote will be utilized.

Heroes of the Pacific sequel coming to the Wii originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 05 Sep 2006 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video games are a part of prisoner rehabilitation

Conrad Quilty-Harper — Mon, 03 Jul 2006 14:25:00 EST

Filed under: Culture, Business

The issue of video games in prisons has resurfaced; this time the publicity surrounds a private prison in Florida purchasing two PlayStation 2 systems (with inmate commissary, not with tax dollars) as part of an attempt to relax prisoners. This comes after recent debates over the right of prisoners to play video games, with Missouri first removing violent games after a blunder that resulted in prisoners shooting virtual cops in GTA, and then banning the use of games outright after a new Governor took office. Currently the overwhelming majority of prisons in the U.S.A. do not allow prisoners access to games.

Hernando County Jail Assistant Warden Russell Washburn told the St. Petersburg Times:

"I'd rather them be thinking about race cars than how I'm mad at someone... I don't want it portrayed that all they do is sit around and play PlayStation. I would agree that's not right if that's all you do. But this is just part of the rehabilitation. You can't throw them into a place and not give them anything to do and expect no problems. ... This is not a warehouse."

We've previously reported on the positive aspects of allowing prisoners to play video games as part of the rehabilitation process: Oregon's game-friendly jails (1, 2) show how video games can help calm prisoners and reduce violent behavior inside prisons. Shouldn't that be all we need to know? If video games make the jobs of prison staff easier and potentially reduces the rate of prison suicides, then arguments of principle like Maj. Robert Lucas', an administrator with the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, statement that jail is "not fun and games" should be irrelevant.

I have an inkling that the real reason the "video games in prison" issue has been susceptible to such unwarranted attention (and sensational reporting) is due to inherent controversies with video games themselves. Why is the overall topic of entertainment in prisons being ignored? No one seems to have a problem with prisoners watching TV or DVDs, so it's reasonable to suggest that this particular problem has nothing to do with prisoner rehabilitation. Instead, this entire "controversy" shows all the hallmarks of being a thinly veiled extension of the ongoing resistance to video game media by out of touch (and/or vote grabbing) political figures.

[Thanks, Babylonian]

Video games are a part of prisoner rehabilitation originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 03 Jul 2006 14:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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FYE is taking preorders for the Wii?

David Hinkle — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 08:16:00 EST

Filed under: Rumors

Apparently, by way of a forum poster, FYE is already taking preorders for the Wii. Now, if you're one of the people who think that the system will have shortages come launch, then maybe preordering from a store such as FYE is a smart move, however there is the chance that the store will not have your system come launch day. Sure, they'll take your money, but there's no guarantee evident from this poster's experience that the management assured him/her their system would be available on launch day. Also, $50 down? Can anyone confirm if that is the minimum amount needed to put down? Can anyone confirm FYE is even doing this?

[Via NeoGAF]

FYE is taking preorders for the Wii? originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 15 Jun 2006 08:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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