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[Dark Souls 2's box art is many shades of grey]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/13/dark-souls-2s-box-art-is-many-shades-of-grey/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/13/dark-souls-2s-box-art-is-many-shades-of-grey/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/13/dark-souls-2s-box-art-is-many-shades-of-grey/#comments Dark Souls 2's box art is many shades of greyThe box art for Dark Souls 2 recently popped up on the web, and features a dude with a sword walking away from the box-holder. For all we know, the man may be walking backwards while holding the sword, as animated .gif pack shots have yet to be realized.

We've placed hi-res versions of the box art, courtesy of All Games Beta, in a gallery for your viewing pleasure below. Dark Souls 2 is coming to Xbox 360, PC and PS3.

Gallery: Dark Souls 2 (Box Art)

JoystiqDark Souls 2's box art is many shades of grey originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 13 Apr 2013 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>box-artcover-artdark-souls-2From-SoftwaremicrosoftNamco-Bandainamco-bandai-gamespcplaystationps3xboxSat, 13 Apr 2013 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Dark Souls claimed nearly 2.4 million sales worldwide]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/12/dark-souls-claims-nearly-2-4-million-sales-worldwide/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/12/dark-souls-claims-nearly-2-4-million-sales-worldwide/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/12/dark-souls-claims-nearly-2-4-million-sales-worldwide/#comments 2,367,000 people made good on their preparations to die in Dark Souls. As livedoor reports, From Software announced the latest global sales figures for the 2011 deathtrap at a recent press conference. Around half a million purchases came from Japan, the studio revealed, with the other 1.85 million or so made up from North America and Europe.

Copies which included the 'Artorios of the Abyss' DLC released last year comprised just under 700,000 sales. As ShackNews reports, according to Namco Bandai VP Carlson Choi the PC version represents "over 300,000" of that figure.

While Demon's Souls proved a surprise hit when Atlus brought it to North America, Dark Souls' sales performance may explain why its follow-up warrants a '2' tacked onto it rather than a new moniker. Even if it should be called Dragon's Souls...

JoystiqDark Souls claimed nearly 2.4 million sales worldwide originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 12 Apr 2013 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dark-soulsfrom-softwaremicrosoftnamco-bandaipcplaystationproject-darkps3xboxFri, 12 Apr 2013 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Greater priority on PC for Dark Souls, sequel director says]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/11/great-priority-on-pc-for-dark-souls-sequel-director-says/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/11/great-priority-on-pc-for-dark-souls-sequel-director-says/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/11/great-priority-on-pc-for-dark-souls-sequel-director-says/#comments Dark Souls 2 director Yui Tanimura has admitted that From Software botched the job porting Dark Souls to the PC. "A lot of it was not very well done, sort of half-assed," Tanimura told Shacknews through his translator, Tak Miyazoe.

"Yes, we will definitely put more priority on the PC," Tanimura said regarding the upcoming sequel. "Last time, we started working on PC after the console version was complete. This time, because we are considering the PC from the beginning, you can be sure there will be more care put into PC development."

The PC port of Dark Souls was the result of an impassioned internet petition that caught the attention of Namco Bandai. The first two games in the series, Demon's Souls and Dark Souls, were both directed by Hidetaka Miyazaki. Namco Bandai announced Miyazaki would not direct Dark Souls 2, a "company decision" in favor of dual directors Yui Tanimura and Tomohiro Shibuya.

Gallery: Dark Souls 2 (4/12/13)

JoystiqGreater priority on PC for Dark Souls, sequel director says originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 11 Apr 2013 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dark-souls-2from-softwaremicrosoftnamco-bandaipcplaystationps3xboxyui-tanimuraThu, 11 Apr 2013 22:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: Dark Souls 2 screens show what's going to kill you]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/10/leaked-screens-show-whats-going-to-kill-you-in-dark-souls-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/10/leaked-screens-show-whats-going-to-kill-you-in-dark-souls-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/10/leaked-screens-show-whats-going-to-kill-you-in-dark-souls-2/#comments Dark Souls 2 trailer and screens leak like a dying skeleton
All Games Beta has posted leaked screenshots and a trailer it says are from Dark Souls 2. See 12 minutes of gameplay right here.

Continue reading Rumor: Dark Souls 2 screens show what's going to kill you

JoystiqRumor: Dark Souls 2 screens show what's going to kill you originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 10 Apr 2013 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dark-souls-2from-softwareleaksmicrosoftpcplaystationps3screenstrailerxboxWed, 10 Apr 2013 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Demon's Souls pounces on PlayStation Plus today]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/02/demons-souls-pounces-on-playstation-plus-today/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/02/demons-souls-pounces-on-playstation-plus-today/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/02/demons-souls-pounces-on-playstation-plus-today/#comments The malignant majesty of Demon's Souls becomes free to North American PlayStation Plus members in today's PSN update. The servers for the From Software game are staying online for the foreseeable future, so there's no reason to pass on a PS3 game we described as a "leather-clad mistress" in our 2009 review - unless, perhaps... you're scared?

Less sadistic Plus entries coming this month include Zombie Tycoon 2, which heads to PS3 and Vita via PSN on April 30, Malicious and Labyrinth Legends for PS3, and PSP game Soulcalibur: Broken Destiny for Vita. There are no PS Plus ETAs for those last three.

As ever, new stuff coming in pushes old stuff back out. If you want to grab Spec Ops: The Line from PS Plus, today's your last chance to do so. Street Fighter 4: Arcade Edition dragon punches out on April 9, while Anomaly: Warzone Earth flees on April 16.

Finally, today's PSN update brings discounts to The Walking Dead, Rainbow Moon, and the Söldner-X series, including the first season of Telltale's zombified adventure for $14.99, a price that drops to $10.49 with Plus. For all those deals, check out the PlayStation Blog.

JoystiqDemon's Souls pounces on PlayStation Plus today originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 02 Apr 2013 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atlusDemons-Soulsfrom-softwarelabyrinth-legendsmaliciousplaystationplaystation-plusplaystation-vitaps3psnsoulcalibur-broken-destinyvitazombie-tycoon-2Tue, 02 Apr 2013 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Getting Dark Souls all wrong]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/13/getting-dark-souls-all-wrong/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/13/getting-dark-souls-all-wrong/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/13/getting-dark-souls-all-wrong/#comments This is Making Time, a column about the games we've always wanted to play, and the games we've always wanted to play again.

Getting Dark Souls all wrong
When Dark Souls first launched in October 2011, I picked it up immediately. Though that statement may seem to be tied to my love of the game's spiritual predecessor, the truth is I've never touched Demon's Souls. It was the rampant fan excitement for a new entry in From Software's action-RPG that drew me in. But Dark Souls didn't resonate with me.

It was a combination of elements that made it easy for me to shelve my copy: the continuous discussion of its incredible difficulty and the "if you don't like it, you don't get it" attitude from fanatics. I never planned to play Dark Souls again.

Early this morning, I wrapped up my fifth hour of the game on Xbox 360, after putting three-plus hours in on the (only worth playing with fan-made fixes) PC version. Dark Souls' hooks are firmly embedded under my skin.

Gallery: Dark Souls (Gamescom 2011)

Continue reading Getting Dark Souls all wrong

JoystiqGetting Dark Souls all wrong originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 13 Mar 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dark-soulsFrom-Softwaremaking-timemicrosoftNamco-BandaiOpinionpcplaystationproject-darkps3xboxWed, 13 Mar 2013 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Armored Core: Verdict Day decides on Xbox 360 and PS3 this fall]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/22/armored-core-verdict-day-decides-on-xbox-360-and-ps3-this-fall/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/22/armored-core-verdict-day-decides-on-xbox-360-and-ps3-this-fall/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/22/armored-core-verdict-day-decides-on-xbox-360-and-ps3-this-fall/#comments Armored Core: Verdict Day, the latest entry in From Software's military mech series, will be released in North America on Xbox 360 and PS3 this fall, Namco Bandai has announced. After some confusion with the source URL (it says "summer") we confirmed with Namco Bandai direct that fall is indeed the launch window.

Verdict Day puts humanity in a war over valuable natural resources, with a persistent multiplayer mode made up of territories where each faction battles for control. Factions are broken up into squads, in which up to 20 players can join up and play together - if you're playing alone or offline, AI will fill in the gaps.

Operator mode gets beefed up in Verdict Day - the tactical top-down game mode where you act as battle overseer now lets Operators see the cockpit views of individual pilots, mark targets and set rally points in real-time. Verdict Day also checks for an Armored Core 5 save file and lets you transfer your custom mech.

Gallery: Armored Core: Verdict Day

JoystiqArmored Core: Verdict Day decides on Xbox 360 and PS3 this fall originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 22 Feb 2013 20:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>armored-core-verdict-dayfrom-softwaremicrosoftnamco-bandaiplaystationps3release-datexboxFri, 22 Feb 2013 20:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Dark Souls director sad to leave series, but wants to move on to something 'warmer']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/29/dark-souls-director-sad-to-leave-series-but-wants-to-move-on-to/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/29/dark-souls-director-sad-to-leave-series-but-wants-to-move-on-to/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/29/dark-souls-director-sad-to-leave-series-but-wants-to-move-on-to/#comments

Demon's Souls and Dark Souls director Hidetaka Miyazaki is upset about leaving the series, he tells Edge. Dark Souls 2 has been passed to a new pair of directors, Tomohiro Shibuya and Yui Tanimura, a move that was "a company decision" according to Namco Bandai producer Takeshi Miyazoe, and was essentially done to inject the series with some fresh blood (large stains of it, no doubt).

Despite his feelings for the Souls series, Miyazaki admits, "Sometimes I'd like to work on a warmer game - not necessarily casual, but warmer in terms of the atmosphere and the environment." Given how pervasively gloomy the series is, we can understand how being mired in it every day might be draining. Furthermore, while Miyazaki is "sad about not being involved" with Dark Souls 2, he says, "Maybe this is the time to have new inspiration, so I'm fine about that."

For his part, he says that he is eager to play Dark Souls 2 "with a little bit of distance." The development team, fans and the press all understand "what the core of Dark Souls is," he says, and that core "will never change." Finally, while he'd rather not see "Dark Souls 8," he adds that the important thing is serving the series' fans. "We want to stay true to what they expect."

JoystiqDark Souls director sad to leave series, but wants to move on to something 'warmer' originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 29 Jan 2013 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dark-souls-2From-SoftwareHidetaka-Miyazakimicrosoftnamco-bandaipcplaystationps3xboxTue, 29 Jan 2013 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Demon's Souls PSN petrifying Europeans on January 23]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/04/demons-souls-psn-petrifying-europeans-on-january-23/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/04/demons-souls-psn-petrifying-europeans-on-january-23/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/04/demons-souls-psn-petrifying-europeans-on-january-23/#comments Demon's Souls PSN petrifying Europeans on January 23The PlayStation Network version of Demon's Souls is bringing death and despair to Europe on January 23, Namco Bandai tells us. That means our friends across the ocean must wait a little longer for From Software's downloadable dose of role-playing desolation, following yesterday's news of it coming to North America's PSN this coming Tuesday.

Namco says the game's European servers are staying online, so be sure to look out for messages telling you it's safe ahead when in fact there's a big, fat soul-loving spider who missed both breakfast and lunch and isn't really dealing with it well.

JoystiqDemon's Souls PSN petrifying Europeans on January 23 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 04 Jan 2013 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Demons-Soulsfrom-softwarenamco-bandaiplaystationps3PSNrelease-datesony-computer-entertainment-japanFri, 04 Jan 2013 11:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Even this Dark Souls 2 concept art is difficult]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/22/even-this-dark-souls-2-concept-art-is-difficult/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/22/even-this-dark-souls-2-concept-art-is-difficult/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/22/even-this-dark-souls-2-concept-art-is-difficult/#comments Even this Dark Souls 2 concept art is difficultFans of From Software's Demon's Souls and Dark Souls games sure like a challenge. While Dark Souls 2 will be "more understandable," we're expecting that it will retain the difficulty curve set by the previous games.

Since we really don't know what to make of the recent pieces of concept art for Dark Souls 2 seen in the gallery below, we figure it's just another way the series is beating our brains up.

Gallery: Dark Souls 2 (Concept Art)

JoystiqEven this Dark Souls 2 concept art is difficult originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 22 Dec 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>concept-artdark-souls-2From-SoftwaremicrosoftNamco-Bandaipcplaystationps3xboxSat, 22 Dec 2012 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Dark Souls 2 will be 'more understandable,' says director]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/10/dark-souls-2-will-be-more-understandable-says-director/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/10/dark-souls-2-will-be-more-understandable-says-director/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/10/dark-souls-2-will-be-more-understandable-says-director/#comments The upcoming Dark Souls 2 won't be quite as obtuse as its predecessor, Tomohiro Shibuya told Edge. Shibuya will direct the game alongside Yui Tanimura, taking the reins from Dark Souls director Hidetaka Miyazaki. Shibuya promises a less ambiguous experience, something that will be friendlier to new players. Noting that he personally prefers to be direct, he added that the game "will be more straightforward and more understandable."

For experienced Demon's Souls and Dark Souls players, that statement might be more terrifying than the games themselves. After all, part of the appeal of the games is their mystery and the reward of overcoming their crushing difficulty. That said, all we have to go on right now is a single trailer for Dark Souls 2, and it's as grim as we'd expect from the series, so we're not panicking just yet. Here's hoping the game's new directors can lower the bar of entry without snuffing out what made the series special in the first place.

Miyazaki himself made comments regarding Dark Souls' difficulty earlier this year in an interview with Metro. In the original interview, Miyazaki seemed to ponder the possibility of creating an easier difficulty mode for Dark Souls in order to make it more accessible. Namco later claimed that his comments were mistranslated.

JoystiqDark Souls 2 will be 'more understandable,' says director originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 10 Dec 2012 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dark-souls-2from-softwaremicrosoftpcplaystationps3xboxMon, 10 Dec 2012 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Dark Souls 2 announcement trailer has us preparing to die all over again]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/10/dark-souls-2-announcement-trailer-has-us-preparing-to-die-all-ov/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/10/dark-souls-2-announcement-trailer-has-us-preparing-to-die-all-ov/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/10/dark-souls-2-announcement-trailer-has-us-preparing-to-die-all-ov/#comments
This trailer paints a fate that's unsurprisingly bleak, but the news of a follow-up to From Software's grueling 2011 gem is anything but. We don't know when, but we do know Dark Souls 2 will lead to broken controllers and mangled keyboards on Xbox 360, PS3, and PC.

JoystiqDark Souls 2 announcement trailer has us preparing to die all over again originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 10 Dec 2012 06:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dark-souls-2from-softwaremicrosoftnamco-bandaipcplaystationps3vga-2012xboxMon, 10 Dec 2012 06:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Dark Souls 2 screens are a little shy]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/09/dark-souls-2-screens-are-a-little-shy/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/09/dark-souls-2-screens-are-a-little-shy/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/09/dark-souls-2-screens-are-a-little-shy/#comments Dark Souls 2 screens are a little shyOkay, so maybe we wanted to believe that there are adult Shy Guys in Dark Souls 2. At least, that's what we thought when viewing the announcement trailer during the 2012 VGAs a few nights ago. That's our mistake, but when you look at these screens from said trailer, can you really blame us?

Not much is known about Dark Souls 2, besides From Software's unswerving commitment to making the game incredibly difficult. We can say with certainty that Shy Guys first appeared in Super Mario Bros. 2. Dark Souls 2 has the number two in it as well. "Shy Guy" is also two words. None of that is a coincidence, right?

Gallery: Dark Souls 2 (VGAs 2012)

Continue reading Dark Souls 2 screens are a little shy

JoystiqDark Souls 2 screens are a little shy originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 09 Dec 2012 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Dark-souls-2From-SoftwaremicrosoftNamco-Bandainamco-bandai-gamespcplaystationps3screensscreenshotsshy-guyxboxSun, 09 Dec 2012 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Dark Souls is $27 this weekend on Steam]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/08/dark-souls-is-27-this-weekend-on-steam/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/08/dark-souls-is-27-this-weekend-on-steam/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/08/dark-souls-is-27-this-weekend-on-steam/#comments Dark Souls: Prepare to Die Edition is the weekend deal on Steam, cutting the masochistic experience by 33 percent to $26.79. You may be used to Steam deals dropping game prices deeper, but consider the price punishment an appetizer for what's to come.

The million seller franchise earned a spot in our Joystiq top ten for 2011 for being the Stockholm syndrome experience of the year.

Gallery: Dark Souls: Prepare to Die Edition (PC)

JoystiqDark Souls is $27 this weekend on Steam originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 08 Nov 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dark-soulsfrom-softwareNamco-Bandaipcproject-darkThu, 08 Nov 2012 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Dark Souls PC on sale for $19.90 on Amazon]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/28/dark-souls-pc-on-sale-for-19-90-on-amazon/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/28/dark-souls-pc-on-sale-for-19-90-on-amazon/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/28/dark-souls-pc-on-sale-for-19-90-on-amazon/#comments PC download codes for Dark Souls: Prepare to Die Edition are on sale for $19.90 on Amazon. The code includes the full version of the game along with the Artorias of the Abyss expansion.

The Artorias of the Abyss DLC was recently made available on Xbox Live and PSN for $15. The Prepare to Die Edition PC code requires a Steam account for activation.

JoystiqDark Souls PC on sale for $19.90 on Amazon originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 28 Oct 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dark-soulsFrom-SoftwareNamco-Bandaipcproject-darkSun, 28 Oct 2012 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Dark Souls DLC lands on PSN/XBLM October 24 in Europe [update: October 23 for NA]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/19/dark-souls-dlc-lands-on-psn-xblm-october-24-in-europe/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/19/dark-souls-dlc-lands-on-psn-xblm-october-24-in-europe/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/19/dark-souls-dlc-lands-on-psn-xblm-october-24-in-europe/#comments Dark Souls Prepare to Die DLC hits PSNXBLM October 24The Dark Souls 'Artorias of the Abyss' downloadable content is coming to Xbox Live Marketplace and PlayStation Network on October 24 in Europe and Australasia. The DLC contains the additional content of the Prepare to Die edition recently released on PC. It will cost 1200 MSP on XBLM, and $14.99 on PSN.

For those who view downloads on the same level of an invading player robbing them of all their souls, a Prepare to Die retail edition for consoles is headed to Europe and Australasia on October 26. There remains no word on it being brought to North America.

Update: We have an update on the Dark Souls Facebook page, albeit a confusingly worded one. When deciphered, it seems to indicate the Artorias of the Abyss DLC is coming to North America on October 23. It reads:
DARK SOULS : Artorias of The Abyss
Dark Souls(R): Prepare to Die Edition[TM] is coming to consoles and will be available for purchase via digital download on both the PlayStation(R)Network and Xbox LIVE(R) on :
October 23, 2012 in North America
October 24, 2012 in Europe

Dark Souls: Artorias of the Abyss will include sprawling new maps and environments, new boss characters, enemies, non-player characters (NPCs), an arsenal of new weapons and armor and additional challenging content for unrelenting heroes to face as they return to the deadly world of Lordran. Darkness born in the forests of Oolacile is expanding and engulfing the kingdom and all of its people. Only the strongest players will be able to stop the encroaching darkness. Dark Souls: Artorias of the Abyss will include an online match-making feature allowing console gamers to showcase their skills against other Dark Souls players around the world.

October 24 matches up with the European date for the DLC. Given that, we think the update means to say the additional content from the Prepare to Die edition i.e. the Artorias DLC is coming to XBLM and PSN on October 23 in North America.

Of course, we can't discount this being another nefarious Dark Souls puzzle designed to lull us into a false sense of security. So we're off to find a bonfire. Don't wait up.

Gallery: Dark Souls (Artorias of the Abyss)

Continue reading Dark Souls DLC lands on PSN/XBLM October 24 in Europe [update: October 23 for NA]

JoystiqDark Souls DLC lands on PSN/XBLM October 24 in Europe [update: October 23 for NA] originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 19 Sep 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dark-soulsfrom-softwaremicrosoftnamco-bandaiplaystationproject-darkps3PSNrelease-dateXBLMxboxWed, 19 Sep 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Namco: Dark Souls developer's 'easy mode' comments were mistranslated]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/07/namco-dark-souls-developers-easy-mode-comments-were-mistrans/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/07/namco-dark-souls-developers-easy-mode-comments-were-mistrans/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/07/namco-dark-souls-developers-easy-mode-comments-were-mistrans/#comments After comments from Dark Souls director Hidetaka Miyazaki spread across the web like a Great Chaos Fireball, Namco appears to be doing some damage control. In an interview with Metro, Miyazaki's comments - as they were originally translated - hinted at the possibility of creating an easier difficulty mode for the notoriously tough Dark Souls, or at least doing a better job of helping players understand "the messages behind our difficult games."

Namco contacted Metro saying that Miyazaki's quotes were mistranslated, and in fact he made no mention of decreasing the difficulty at all. According to Namco, what he actually said was, "I am thinking about how to make everyone complete the game while maintaining the current difficulty and carefully send all gamers the messages behind it." This, says Namco, was the "true intention" behind Miyazaki's statement.

For its part, Metro admits (as it did in the original interview article) that the translation "wasn't very good." Still, the outlet states that "the sentence in question always seemed pretty unambiguous."

JoystiqNamco: Dark Souls developer's 'easy mode' comments were mistranslated originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 07 Sep 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dark-soulsfrom-softwareHidetaka-Miyazakimicrosoftpcplaystationproject-darkps3xboxFri, 07 Sep 2012 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Boxed Dark Souls: Prepare to Die Edition heads to consoles October 26 in Europe, Australasia]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/27/boxed-dark-souls-prepare-to-die-edition-heads-to-consoles-octob/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/27/boxed-dark-souls-prepare-to-die-edition-heads-to-consoles-octob/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/27/boxed-dark-souls-prepare-to-die-edition-heads-to-consoles-octob/#comments Dark Souls: Prepare to Die Edition will be released as a boxed product for consoles, Namco Bandai has announced. Launched (and modded!) this week on PC, the Prepare to Die Edition features all of the original Dark Souls content along with a new expansion called "Artorias of the Abyss" and brand new PVP matchmaking. This new console edition will launch in Europe and Australasia on October 26. For those who already own Dark Souls on console, the new content is slated for a downloadable release as well.

We've contacted Namco Bandai to see if the retail edition is headed to North America as well.

Continue reading Boxed Dark Souls: Prepare to Die Edition heads to consoles October 26 in Europe, Australasia

JoystiqBoxed Dark Souls: Prepare to Die Edition heads to consoles October 26 in Europe, Australasia originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 27 Aug 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>australasiaaustraliadark-soulseuropefrom-softwaremicrosoftnamco-bandaiplaystationproject-darkps3xboxMon, 27 Aug 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Dark Souls PC's resolution issues fixed by modder in 23 minutes]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/24/dark-souls-pcs-resolution-issues-fixed-by-modder-in-23-minutes/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/24/dark-souls-pcs-resolution-issues-fixed-by-modder-in-23-minutes/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/24/dark-souls-pcs-resolution-issues-fixed-by-modder-in-23-minutes/#comments Dark Souls PC's resolution issues fixed by modder in 23 minutesA fan-made mod appears to have fixed Dark Souls: Prepare to Die's resolution issues, dramatically improving the game's graphics in the process. What's more, the modder was able to complete the fix within 23 minutes of the game's release.

There had been concern leading up to the PC version of Dark Souls, with From Software acknowledging that Prepare to Die would likely release without expected optimization. Producer Daisuke Uchi had told Digital Spy earlier this month that the original game's frame-rate issues would not be fully fixed, while Eurogamer raised alarms over Prepare to Die appearing to be locked at 1024x768 resolution.

With all that in mind, NeoGAF user Durante spent the week before the game's release preparing a 'dll framework' to fix the problem. When the game launched earlier today, he only needed 23 minutes to finalize the code required to render it at a higher resolution. What's most surprising is how much better Prepare to Die now looks, with Durante's mod seemingly curing the unmodded version of its blurriness. The before and after screenshots are striking.

While fans are delighted with the fix, the speed of one modder's work to improve Prepare to Die's resolution so dramatically forces questions to be raised. We've approached Namco Bandai for comment but the publisher declined to say anything at this time.

You can download Durante's fix here.

JoystiqDark Souls PC's resolution issues fixed by modder in 23 minutes originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 24 Aug 2012 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dark-soulsdark-souls-prepare-to-die-editionfrom-softwaremodsnamco-bandaipcFri, 24 Aug 2012 07:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Silver Lining: Steel Battalion Heavy Armor and humanity within the mech]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/06/silver-lining-steel-battalion-heavy-armor-and-humanity-within-t/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/06/silver-lining-steel-battalion-heavy-armor-and-humanity-within-t/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/06/silver-lining-steel-battalion-heavy-armor-and-humanity-within-t/#comments'Silver Lining' is a column from freelancer Taylor Cocke dedicated to highlighting moments of real potential in less than perfect games. This week he examines From Software's Steel Battalion: Heavy Armor.
An interesting thing happened to me within the first hours of Steel Battalion: Heavy Armor. I started to actually care about the computer controlled soldiers confined to the chassis of my hulking Vertical Tank. Natch and Parker's voices would have been out of place as bad 80s stereotypes. But as the pair reloaded our tank's weapons, spewed tactical advice in my ear, and repaired our VT from encounters, I came to know them as more than chatty computer characters. They were compatriots.

And then I'd aim down the sites to see enemy tanks, and do my absolute best to keep myself and my team alive - a difficult feat due to Steel Battalion's atrocious Kinect controls. My enemies were mechanical monsters, sent to destroy everything that I held dear. In early cinematics, they were shown as faceless killing machines, slaughtering men, women, and children indiscriminately.

In war, one of the most powerful motivational techniques is dehumanizing your enemy. Dehumanization can also be accomplished through the use of technology. Aiming down a long-range rifle's night vision scope doesn't exactly focus on the human elements at the end of the crosshairs. Drone strikes do away with even having to look at the person being shot at. And in Steel Battalion: Heavy Armor, the player is literally separated from enemy combatants by walls of steel. There is no defining human factor on the battlefield, only the game of war.

Gallery: Steel Battalion: Heavy Armor (4/10/12)

Continue reading Silver Lining: Steel Battalion Heavy Armor and humanity within the mech

JoystiqSilver Lining: Steel Battalion Heavy Armor and humanity within the mech originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 06 Jul 2012 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CapcomFrom-SoftwarekinectmicrosoftOpinionSilver-Liningsteel-battalion-heavy-armorxboxFri, 06 Jul 2012 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Dark Souls fans can 'Prepare to Die' on Steam and consoles]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/31/dark-souls-fans-can-prepare-to-die-on-steam-and-consoles/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/31/dark-souls-fans-can-prepare-to-die-on-steam-and-consoles/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/31/dark-souls-fans-can-prepare-to-die-on-steam-and-consoles/#comments Image
The additional content in the PC version of Dark Souls will be released as DLC for the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions "this winter," IGN reports. The expansion, called "Artorias of the Abyss," will cost $15 through the consoles' respective marketplaces.

There's also good news for those planning to buy the PC "Prepare to Die Edition" in August. Namco Bandai informed IGN that the game will be released not just on Games for Windows Live, but on Steam as well, negating the need for any further petitioning.
[Thanks, Logan!]

JoystiqDark Souls fans can 'Prepare to Die' on Steam and consoles originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 31 May 2012 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artorias-of-the-abyssdark-soulsDark-Souls-Prepare-to-Die-Editiondlcfrom-softwaremicrosoftpcplaystationproject-darkps3steamxboxThu, 31 May 2012 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Demon's Souls servers staying online into the 'foreseeable future']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/25/demons-souls-servers-staying-online-into-the-foreseeable-futur/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/25/demons-souls-servers-staying-online-into-the-foreseeable-futur/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/25/demons-souls-servers-staying-online-into-the-foreseeable-futur/#comments So the world might be mended. So the world might be mended.Demon's Souls will not be denied as publisher Atlus announced today that it will support the game's online features for the "foreseeable future." Unlike players in the unforgiving RPG, the servers just refuse to die!

"While it originally seemed as though it would be unfeasible for us to continue to sustain the servers, a number of developments have made it possible for us to continue to invest in and support our fans as they have continued to invest in and support us and Demon's Souls," said Tim Pivnicny, VP of Atlus marketing and sales, we imagine holding a cat o' nine tails. "For all the gamers who have yet to discover the game's amazing online experience, we're happy to say you can still log on and find out why Demon's Souls is still regarded by many as one of the finest games of all time."

The entry fee for electronic sadism is a mere $20 now, as the game is part of the PlayStation 3's "Greatest Hits" collection. The game's online features were intended to end at midnight on May 31, but darkness always finds a way to stay alive.

Continue reading Demon's Souls servers staying online into the 'foreseeable future'

JoystiqDemon's Souls servers staying online into the 'foreseeable future' originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 25 May 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AtlusDemons-SoulsFrom-Softwareplaystationps3Fri, 25 May 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Dark Souls sells 1.19 million copies across North America and Europe]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/08/dark-souls-sells-1-19-million-copies-across-north-america-and-eu/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/08/dark-souls-sells-1-19-million-copies-across-north-america-and-eu/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/08/dark-souls-sells-1-19-million-copies-across-north-america-and-eu/#comments One man's pain is another's pleasure. Never has this been more true than in the case of Dark Souls, as the sadistically difficult RPG continues a slow creep toward two million sales. As part of today's Namco Bandai financials, the company revealed sales in the United States and Europe reached 1.19 million copies.

Publishing in Japan was handled by From Software, which revealed last November that the game had shipped 370,000 units in the region.

Having punished console players within an inch of their sanity, Namco Bandai will launch Dark Souls: Prepare to Die Edition on PC August 24.

JoystiqDark Souls sells 1.19 million copies across North America and Europe originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 08 May 2012 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dark-soulsFrom-SoftwaremicrosoftNamco-Bandaipcplaystationproject-darkps3xboxTue, 08 May 2012 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Steel Battalion has four-player co-op, two videos and one pack of screens]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/10/steel-battalion-has-four-player-co-op-two-videos-and-one-pack-o/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/10/steel-battalion-has-four-player-co-op-two-videos-and-one-pack-o/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/10/steel-battalion-has-four-player-co-op-two-videos-and-one-pack-o/#comments
Image

Steel Battalion: Heavy Armor has an intriguing array of tanks and mech-like vehicles (with gigantic guns) for you to control. You use Kinect to grab, pull and lean, and a controller to view, aim and shoot. Steel Battalion will feature four-player co-op, Capcom announced, meaning that's eight arms flailing and 40 fingers flying at a single time.

This schema could get messy, but if the three-hour line to play Steel Battalion at PAX was any indication, From Software may have found the perfect balance between ergonomics and entertainment.

Gallery: Steel Battalion: Heavy Armor (4/10/12)

Continue reading Steel Battalion has four-player co-op, two videos and one pack of screens

JoystiqSteel Battalion has four-player co-op, two videos and one pack of screens originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 10 Apr 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CapcomFrom-Softwarekinectmicrosoftsteel-battalion-heavy-armorxboxTue, 10 Apr 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Put your right hand in, put your right hand out, do the Steel Battalion]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/03/put-your-right-hand-in-put-your-right-hand-out-do-the-steel-ba/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/03/put-your-right-hand-in-put-your-right-hand-out-do-the-steel-ba/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/03/put-your-right-hand-in-put-your-right-hand-out-do-the-steel-ba/#comments
Image

We've found that Steel Battalion: Heavy Armor offers a surprisingly refined, intuitive Kinect-controller hybrid scheme, and the above video explains in more detail how that whole thing works. Reach up and pull to do this, lean forward to do that, do the hokey pokey to... well, do the hokey pokey.

JoystiqPut your right hand in, put your right hand out, do the Steel Battalion originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 03 Apr 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CapcomFrom-Softwarekinectmicrosoftsteel-battalion-heavy-armorxboxTue, 03 Apr 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: Dark Souls PC announcement imminent]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/21/rumor-dark-souls-pc-announcement-imminent/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/21/rumor-dark-souls-pc-announcement-imminent/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/21/rumor-dark-souls-pc-announcement-imminent/#comments Head over to the official Dark Souls Facebook page, and you may discover a new "app" that says "an announcement is coming." The app is nothing more than a brick wall, which will seemingly be broken down once it reaches enough likes. While we'd like to think the wall hides a stack of delicious, fluffy pancakes, evidence points to the impending announcement of a PC version.

And, by evidence, we mean the Australian magazine PC PowerPlay, which strongly suggests Dark Souls will be featured in its April issue. An image of the magazine has popped up on NeoGAF, revealing a page styled after Dark Souls' infamous "YOU DIED" screen. The magazine is due on shelves April 18, so we should likely know exactly what's going on by then.

The possibility of a PC version of Dark Souls cropped up earlier this year when a Namco Bandai forum admin suggested users make a petition for the project. A week later, Namco took notice of the petition, with the admin telling users they had the company's attention and that "the future is in your hands."

JoystiqRumor: Dark Souls PC announcement imminent originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 21 Mar 2012 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dark-soulsFrom-SoftwaremicrosoftNamco-Bandaipcplaystationproject-darkps3xboxWed, 21 Mar 2012 16:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Namco Bandai takes note of Dark Souls PC petition]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/13/namco-bandai-takes-note-of-dark-souls-pc-petition/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/13/namco-bandai-takes-note-of-dark-souls-pc-petition/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/13/namco-bandai-takes-note-of-dark-souls-pc-petition/#comments We never thought we'd say this, but here goes: someone noticed an online petition. Namco Bandai threw down the gauntlet, tasking a masochistic PC audience with drumming up signatures for a potential PC port of Dark Souls. Over 64,000 of them responded.

Namco Bandai community manager Tony Shoupinou dropped into the forums to say that his bosses approached him after the news broke. "If you wanted to have the attention of Namco Bandai Games, now you have it," he wrote in a post. "The future is in your hands, and I hope you will keep supporting this. I make a personal objective to make sure every relevant people in Namco Bandai Games is in touch with this formidable effort."

It's hardly confirmation that a port is incoming, but at least you've gotten Namco-Bandai's attention -- and knowing is half the battle.

JoystiqNamco Bandai takes note of Dark Souls PC petition originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 13 Jan 2012 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dark-soulsfrom-softwarenamco-bandaipcproject-darkFri, 13 Jan 2012 05:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Armored Core 5 mechs a date with retail: March 20]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/12/armored-core-5-mechs-a-date-with-retail-march-20/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/12/armored-core-5-mechs-a-date-with-retail-march-20/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/12/armored-core-5-mechs-a-date-with-retail-march-20/#comments If you surprised yourself by becoming a superfan of Dark Souls, here's the next ... totally different From Software-developed game for you to try. Publisher Namco Bandai announced that mech action game Armored Core 5 will be released on PS3 and Xbox 360 in North America on March 20 -- which just happens to be five years to the day after Armored Core 4 came out. A European release will follow on March 23.

If you pre-order from GameStop, you'll get some extra stuff with which to outfit your giant robot: the "Heavy Assault Pack," which comes with extra weapons and parts. This stuff can be used in the competitive multiplayer, which would seem to give an advantage to GameStop buyers on release day. That hardly seems sporting.

Continue reading Armored Core 5 mechs a date with retail: March 20

JoystiqArmored Core 5 mechs a date with retail: March 20 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 12 Jan 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>armored-core-5from-softwaremicrosoftnamconamco-bandaiplaystationps3q1-2012release-datexboxThu, 12 Jan 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Dark Souls admin suggests PC could happen with a petition]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/08/dark-souls-admin-suggests-pc-could-happen-with-a-petition/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/08/dark-souls-admin-suggests-pc-could-happen-with-a-petition/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/08/dark-souls-admin-suggests-pc-could-happen-with-a-petition/#comments Petitions come and petitions go, but when an employee of Namco Bandai suggests Dark Souls could get ported to PC with a few thousand signatures, we take notice. Administrator shoupinou responded to a request for a PC version of Dark Souls with the following advice:

"There is always possibilities to have games adapted on PC and the good news is that Dark Souls is not a 100% typical Console game so the adaptation is possible. Now to make things happen, let's say the demand has to be properly done. someone to make a successful petition?"

There is a petition gathering steam as we speak -- 36,668 signatures as of this writing -- and if you're a PC or Dark Souls fan, we don't see any danger in adding your own to the fight. Unless the CIA is using it to compile a list of suspected terrorists or something.

JoystiqDark Souls admin suggests PC could happen with a petition originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 08 Jan 2012 12:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dark-soulsFrom-SoftwaremicrosoftNamco-Bandaipcpetitionplaystationproject-darkps3xboxSun, 08 Jan 2012 12:08:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq Top 10 of 2011: Dark Souls]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/02/joystiq-top-10-of-2011-dark-souls/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/02/joystiq-top-10-of-2011-dark-souls/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/02/joystiq-top-10-of-2011-dark-souls/#comments It's a crying shame that, for the uninitiated masses, Dark Souls will primarily be remembered for its considerable difficulty. It's an absolutely true shame, of course. To my recollection, no other game's punishment caused my brother to literally break a controller in a fit of rage, delete his save and write a chart-topping tribute song before his hatred could subside.

It's not all death and discouragement, however. Though every twist and turn of Dark Souls' menacing and lovely locales plays host to a preset lineup of fiends (many of whom can kill you with a sideways glance), there is a strange progress to the proceedings. It may come after hours of un-progress, but it comes -- and when it does, it comes correct.

Self-improvement in games typically comes in forms that are mechanical (you level up and gain five magic points!) or educational (now you know where the spike traps are). Dark Souls' core tenet of repetitious short-burst failure paired with a wildly open-ended RPG character progression system blends both methods perfectly. What's more, it offers an intensely terrifying risk/reward system for ever-precious Souls; fortunately, your Brains are never jeopardized.

Continue reading Joystiq Top 10 of 2011: Dark Souls

JoystiqJoystiq Top 10 of 2011: Dark Souls originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 02 Jan 2012 01:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dark-soulsfrom-softwarejoystiq-best-of-2011microsoftnamco-bandaiplaystationproject-darkps3xboxMon, 02 Jan 2012 01:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Dark Souls patch brings lots of tweaks, plenty of nerfs]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/23/dark-souls-patch-brings-lots-of-tweaks-plenty-of-nerfs/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/23/dark-souls-patch-brings-lots-of-tweaks-plenty-of-nerfs/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/23/dark-souls-patch-brings-lots-of-tweaks-plenty-of-nerfs/#comments Were you able to skirt around the considerable difficulty of Dark Souls by finding potent tactical combinations, like casting Iron Flesh and Homing Soulmass in tandem to turn yourself into an invincible, automatic killing machine? Well, you can't do that anymore: Dark Souls patch 1.05 was recently released, adding a handful of new features, tweaking a few abilities and outright nerfing some spells, including the two mentioned above.

The update is the same as the Japanese patch that went live some time ago. You can check out a full list of translated patch notes over on Eurogamer. Many condolences for the imminent death(s) of your poor, poor hero.

JoystiqDark Souls patch brings lots of tweaks, plenty of nerfs originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 23 Nov 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dark-soulsfrom-softwaremicrosoftnamco-bandaipatchplaystationproject-darkps3updatexboxWed, 23 Nov 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Dark Souls ships 1.5 million worldwide]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/02/dark-souls-ships-1-5-million-worldwide/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/02/dark-souls-ships-1-5-million-worldwide/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/02/dark-souls-ships-1-5-million-worldwide/#comments Namco Bandai is expanding its captive audience for Dark Souls, the grim action-RPG that critics and fans like, loathe and then love. According to developer From Software in Japan, 1.5 million vectors for its brutal challenge have shipped to stores worldwide.

North America has received the largest Stockholm Syndrome shipment of 620,000 units, followed by Europe with 470,000 and then Japan (370,000), where Dark Souls was published by From exclusively on PlayStation 3. The game's gauntlet landed in Asia last on October 18th, shipping 40,000 copies to that region.

We'll be keeping an eye out for Dark Souls' commercial performance in North America once the NPD releases the next round of statistics. How effective is word of mouth, we wonder, when it's whispered seductively through prison bars?

JoystiqDark Souls ships 1.5 million worldwide originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 02 Nov 2011 11:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dark-soulsfrom-softwaremicrosoftnamco-bandaiplaystationproject-darkps3shipmentsxboxWed, 02 Nov 2011 11:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Dark Souls speed run is a tour de force of tolerance]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/16/dark-souls-speed-run-is-a-tour-de-force-of-tolerance/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/16/dark-souls-speed-run-is-a-tour-de-force-of-tolerance/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/16/dark-souls-speed-run-is-a-tour-de-force-of-tolerance/#comments
Generally speaking, speed runs fall into one of two categories: "That's completely nuts" and "I should feel bad for ever trying to play this game." Most speed runs can be classified as the former; incredible displays of memorization and timing that reduce hour-long sequences into minutes. They're fun to watch, and sometimes even educational.

Speed runs like SexyShoiko's Dark Souls play-through, however, make us ashamed of the countless hours we've painstakingly bled into this unforgiving beast of a game. Over a series of seven YouTube videos (part 1 above, 2 through 7 after the break) SexyShoiko manages to topple the entire title in less than an hour and a half, which is completely bewildering. We'd call him/her a masochist, but that term seems inapplicable to someone who is quite clearly the master of their own domain.

[Thanks, everyone who sent this in!]

Continue reading Dark Souls speed run is a tour de force of tolerance

JoystiqDark Souls speed run is a tour de force of tolerance originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 16 Oct 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dark-soulsFrom-SoftwaremicrosoftNamco-Bandaiplaystationproject-darkps3speed-runxboxSun, 16 Oct 2011 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Atlus continues Demon's Souls server support into 2012]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/22/atlus-continues-demons-souls-server-support-into-2012/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/22/atlus-continues-demons-souls-server-support-into-2012/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/22/atlus-continues-demons-souls-server-support-into-2012/#comments In an announcement timed suspiciously closely to the release of a totally unrelated game (wink!), Atlus announced that it's going to continue operating the servers for Demon's Souls "into 2012." They had previously only been ensured operation until October of this year.

Thanks to this renewal, players will still be able to leave notes for one another, show up as ghosts in others' games to warn of dangerous conditions, or just become a mean-spirited invader. And with that continued support will come new "Pure White" and "Pure Black" world tendency events for unspecified dates this holiday season.

Atlus PR also just casually drops the fact that Demon's Souls has an MSRP of $19.99, making it the best bargain in From Software's two-title-strong library of hardcore action RPGs.

Continue reading Atlus continues Demon's Souls server support into 2012

JoystiqAtlus continues Demon's Souls server support into 2012 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 22 Sep 2011 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atlusDemons-Soulsfrom-softwareonlineplaystationps3psnserverThu, 22 Sep 2011 17:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: Dark Souls players punished for playing early]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/21/rumor-dark-souls-players-punished-for-playing-early/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/21/rumor-dark-souls-players-punished-for-playing-early/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/21/rumor-dark-souls-players-punished-for-playing-early/#comments According to Japanese gaming blog Esuteru, folks who managed to grab illicit, pre-launch copies of Dark Souls are being punished by developer From Software. The site says that members of the dev team are dropping horrifically overpowered, maximum level Black Phantoms into the environments of players who grabbed their copy of the game through a retailer that broke street date.

We're having a hard time corroborating the story, but it certainly sounds like something which the characteristically cruel From Software would do. In fact, we'd be surprised if those players even picked up on the retribution. They probably assumed their constant, repeated defeat was just par for the course.

JoystiqRumor: Dark Souls players punished for playing early originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 21 Sep 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dark-soulsfrom-softwarejapanmicrosoftplaystationproject-darkps3xboxWed, 21 Sep 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[How the world of Dark Souls got so dark]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/10/how-the-world-of-dark-souls-got-so-dark/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/10/how-the-world-of-dark-souls-got-so-dark/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/10/how-the-world-of-dark-souls-got-so-dark/#comments

Namco Bandai has broken up Dark Souls' prologue into chunks, we're guessing, because taken all at once it would be too much drama. In this excerpt, we see a war between impressive, powerful beings -- which helps to explain why the game world becomes so inhospitable to regular knight types later.

JoystiqHow the world of Dark Souls got so dark originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 10 Sep 2011 02:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dark-soulsfrom-softwaremicrosoftnamco-bandaiplaystationproject-darkps3xboxSat, 10 Sep 2011 02:01:00 EST<![CDATA[From Software profiled in latest Dark Souls vid]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/07/from-software-profiled-in-latest-dark-souls-vid/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/07/from-software-profiled-in-latest-dark-souls-vid/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/07/from-software-profiled-in-latest-dark-souls-vid/#comments
What's missing from this profile of From Software, developer of Dark Souls, is that we figured the studio culture would involve randomly unplugging equipment to redo hours of work. You know, get the team in touch with Demon's Souls players.

JoystiqFrom Software profiled in latest Dark Souls vid originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 07 Sep 2011 18:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dark-soulsFrom-Softwaremicrosoftplaystationproject-darkps3xboxWed, 07 Sep 2011 18:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Dark Souls prologue is kind of depressing]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/27/dark-souls-prologue-is-kind-of-depressing/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/27/dark-souls-prologue-is-kind-of-depressing/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/27/dark-souls-prologue-is-kind-of-depressing/#comments Another day in the lava pit
Demon's Souls is a depressing game, not only because of its occasionally crushing difficulty, but because it's always just so damned grim. Based on this new prologue video, it appears Dark Souls intends to keep up the trend. It's hard to imagine it being much darker but, hey, this is only part one.

JoystiqDark Souls prologue is kind of depressing originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 27 Aug 2011 07:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dark-soulsFrom-SoftwaremicrosoftNamco-Bandaiplaystationproject-darkps3xboxSat, 27 Aug 2011 07:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Dark Souls trailer hopes to lure the unwary]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/23/dark-souls-trailer-hopes-to-lure-the-unwary/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/23/dark-souls-trailer-hopes-to-lure-the-unwary/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/23/dark-souls-trailer-hopes-to-lure-the-unwary/#comments Oh dear.
Look, Dark Souls is super hard. We played it, we know. You might watch this trailer, listen to its rockin' music and think, "Hey, this looks like a cool, hip new game." Now, that thought isn't wrong per se ... just make sure you're fully informed. Take a moment to slow the video down and see what you're getting into.

Take the frame above, for example. You see that giant wolf? It has a giant sword in its mouth. As if a giant wolf weren't enough of a challenge, said giant wolf is also a trained swordsman. Or swordswolf. Whatever. Just look before you leap, that's all we're saying.

JoystiqDark Souls trailer hopes to lure the unwary originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 23 Aug 2011 13:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dark-soulsFrom-SoftwaremicrosoftNamco-Bandaiplaystationproject-darkps3xboxTue, 23 Aug 2011 13:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Steel Battalion: Heavy Armor preview: Hope everything works]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/17/steel-battalion-heavy-armor-preview-hope-everything-works/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/17/steel-battalion-heavy-armor-preview-hope-everything-works/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/17/steel-battalion-heavy-armor-preview-hope-everything-works/#comments The Kinect-based Steel Battalion: Heavy Armor is a concept that has a lot going for it, with a combination of controller and Kinect input opening up a lot of gameplay options to immerse the player into feeling like they're actually piloting a giant "Vertical Tank" (VT) mech. The only thing that could break that immersion, which we saw occur several times when we checked out the pre-alpha build at Gamescom, should be obvious: Kinect not recognizing certain gestures. It's all good and fine for a Kinect hiccup when petting your Kinectimals, but this is war!

A small blessing of Steel Battalion is that it's played sitting down (for the most part). Stretching out your arms while maintaining good posture calibrates your pilot for the system. Movement, aiming and firing are handled by the controller, while the player's gestures are used to look out windows, check outside the tank by lifting the hatch (that's the standing part), look around the cockpit and to pull down or interact with several of the VT's controls.

Gallery: Steel Battalion: Heavy Armor (Gamescom 2011)

Continue reading Steel Battalion: Heavy Armor preview: Hope everything works

JoystiqSteel Battalion: Heavy Armor preview: Hope everything works originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 17 Aug 2011 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Capcomfrom-softwaregamescom-2011kinectmicrosoftsteel-battalion-heavy-armorxboxWed, 17 Aug 2011 17:45:00 EST