Joystiq

Print gaming journalism may be on its way out, says 1UP's Cox

Griffin McElroy — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Culture

We can still fondly recall those afternoons during our formative years when, while returning from school, we would notice a rolled-up, plastic sheathed bundle of gaming journalism joy poking out of our mailbox. We're sure it's an occasion that most of you can warm-heartedly remember as well, whether your poison was Nintendo Power or Electronic Gaming Monthly. Unfortunately, in a recent interview with the mighty Ombudsman, 1UP's Simon Cox spoke about the closing of Games For Windows magazine, and how EGM (as well as print gaming journalism as a whole) may have an expiration date.

Cox explained that "dollars and eyes," particularly the beady, sunken eyes of PC gamers, are continually moving away from print media and towards internet publications, stripping the ink-and-papers of their subscribers, advertisers and, eventually, life. Cox remarked that while EGM still has a great deal of spunk, and is supported by a body of loyal readers, it too will eventually be crushed by the incipient, grim claw of new media. The fact that you're reading this right now may support his claim -- have your gaming news consuming habits changed over the past few years?

Print gaming journalism may be on its way out, says 1UP's Cox originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 13 Apr 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

CES 2008: New titles join Games for Windows portfolio

Ludwig Kietzmann — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 15:45:00 EST

Filed under: PC, CES

In another CES 2008 announcement, Microsoft has highlighted nine new additions to its Games for Windows endeavor, promising to "continue the momentum for Windows-based gaming in 2008" and "revive" the PC gaming space. The titles due to be dressed in Microsoft's colors include:

Alone in the Dark (Atari)
Bionic Commando (Capcom)
Conflict: Denied Ops (Eidos Interactive)
Empire: Total War (SEGA)
LEGO Indiana Jones (LucasArts)
Microsoft Train Simulator 2 (Microsoft Game Studios)
Sins of a Solar Empire (Stardock)
Space Siege (SEGA)
Tomb Raider: Underworld (Eidos Interactive)

The list not only cements the "Underworld" subtitle to Eidos' next Tomb Raider, but provides reassurance as to the longevity of Microsoft's initiative. Games for Windows is sure to be around for quite some time if Alone in the Dark manages to arrive under its banner. Microsoft's polite press release is also keen to remind us that other expected 2008 titles -- Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures, Borderlands, The Club, Fallout 3 and Frontlines: Fuel of War -- will stand beneath the flapping emblem.

CES 2008: New titles join Games for Windows portfolio originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 07 Jan 2008 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Rainbow Six Vegas 2 to feature 'more Vegas'

James Ransom-Wiley — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 15:25:00 EST

Filed under: PC, Sony PlayStation 3, Microsoft Xbox 360, First Person Shooters

"Talk to the hand!" has been the sentiment of the two Rainbow Six Vegas 2 teaser trailers released thus far, and while Ubisoft still isn't ready to show us the game, the publisher is ready to talk. A smattering of gameplay details was disclosed today, confirming what the game title already reveals: we're in for more Rainbow Six Vegas. More weapons, more armor, mo' better AI, more multiplayer and, of course, "more Vegas."

As the Tom Clancy franchises continue along the 'EA Sports trajectory,' Vegas 2 will see its most ambitious seasonal tweaks in the form of ~~improved~~ "vastly improved" co-op play (a jump-in/jump-out campaign) and single-player expansion of the first game's multiplayer progression system (offline experience points). Anyone else convinced that the Ubisoft Montreal devs could code this game in their sleep?

Rainbow Six Vegas 2 is being developed for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Games for Windows, and is currently scheduled for a March 2008 release.

Rainbow Six Vegas 2 to feature 'more Vegas' originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 20 Dec 2007 15:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Brace yourself: Ziff Davis is $390 million in debt

Alexander Sliwinski — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 18:56:00 EST

Filed under: Business

Publisher Ziff Davis has been in trouble for a while, and now we know how bad. The publisher skipped an interest payment and is entering into negotiations regarding its $390 million debt. Ziff Davis says they are still operationally "in very good shape," but they still have debt left over from when the company "was a very different scale." The company used to employ 1,200 people, it is now down to 290 and among its many websites (including 1UP), it only has three magazines left: PC Magazine, EGM and Games for Windows. During the attempted sales of its games division it became clear buyers wanted 1UP, but had no interest in the declining magazines.

Death in the video game magazine business seems inevitable, unless you're bundled with a mega gaming retail chain's discount card. Although this shouldn't be taken as a sign that EGM and your other Ziff publication's are finished. There's obviously a reason these magazines have survived while the others died off.

[Via Evil Avatar]

Brace yourself: Ziff Davis is $390 million in debt originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 16 Aug 2007 18:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

PC Live Arcade: Dubbed 'Vega,' aims to roll out with 10-20 games in Nov.

Ludwig Kietzmann — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 19:58:00 EST

Filed under: PC, Microsoft Xbox 360, Online, Casual

Already mentioned at Gamefest 2007, Microsoft is planning to launch a Games For Windows variant of Xbox Live Arcade. The digital distribution service will naturally be aimed at the gamer who's more likely to be rearranging jewels on the desktop than snarling faces. A trusted source has furnished Joystiq with further details regarding the service, as well as a strange urge to refer to themselves in third person.

Internally labeled as "Vega" (possibly referring to the star and not the Street Fighter weirdo), the service is expected to launch in early November with 10-20 games. The portfolio of Live-enabled casual titles will match the taxonomy of Xbox Live Arcade and hopes to be bolstered by 2-4 new games every month following launch. Potential users will be funneled to the service from numerous Microsoft outlets, including MSN Games and the official Xbox website. Much like Live Anywhere, Vega contributes to Microsoft's goal of spreading the Live experiencing across multiple linked platforms -- and likewise aims to entice more and more people with Live subscriptions.

Developers, who will be responsible for costs associated with development, localization, rating and certification, will receive 60% of earned revenue, with Microsoft taking the remaining 40%. Game pricing will be similar to that of Xbox Live Arcade and can be set at either $5, $10, $15, $20 or $30. The 150MB size limit is also present, though developers will be allowed to exceed it when providing adequate justification.

The list of launch titles is currently unknown, a fact that will change once Microsoft's marketing machine lights up Vega come this November.

[Update: "We don't have any additional details to share at this time," said Microsoft, "but we are excited to be implementing this next phase of Games for Windows - LIVE. Please stay tuned!"]

PC Live Arcade: Dubbed 'Vega,' aims to roll out with 10-20 games in Nov. originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 Aug 2007 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Joystiq impressions: Crysis

James Ransom-Wiley — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 01:28:00 EST

Filed under: PC, Action, First Person Shooters, Strategy, E3, Galleries

Rob Letts, executive producer of Crysis, wandered over to a chicken that was milling about outside a military compound and scooped the plump bird up into his arms. He turned around, headed about 20 yards to the edge of the water, pointed his sights (and the chicken) up and out over the ocean, activated his nanosuit's strength ability and tossed the bird some 40 feet into the air. He drew his assault rifle and opened fire, landing a few scattered shots into the carcass before it disappeared into the water.

Letts followed his execution with a dip, swimming out past a loading dock, admiring a few crabs that scuttled about the ocean floor and a school of snaking fish off in the distance. Letts assured us that there were -- or would be -- sharks in deeper waters; the type that would be drawn to a slowly bleeding North Korean soldier launched from your arms into the depths.

Crysis is a joy for its subtleties, and for its complexities. We watched as Letts haphazardly caused enough commotion for an enemy combatant to fire a flare out over the tree tops. A minute later, reinforcements arrived by boat and by jeep. Some time later, over the ridge, troops who had spotted the flare earlier where still on alert. Letts spoke of a basic set of variables (the whos, whats, and wheres), which when applied to a dynamic environment, provide the player with ever-unpredictable "action bubbles." While there is a narrative structure to Crysis and a series of well-documented twists (two major environmental upheavals that change the nature of gameplay), Letts seemed most proud of the "sandbox" nature of Crytek's tactical shooter. 'Sandbox' might be a waning buzzword that's propelled too many lazily-developed borefests, but Crysis is clearly a title that will defend the legitimacy of such a fundamental design choice. If you've got the right rig for the job, peep Crysis when it drops (by the end of the year).

Gallery: Crysis

Joystiq impressions: Crysis originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 12 Jul 2007 01:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

First video of Gears of War on PC

Andrew Yoon — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 01:15:00 EST

Filed under: PC, E3, Video

The just-announced Gears of War looks fantastic on the PC. The already-beautiful Unreal Engine 3 is pushed even further on Games For Windows as can be seen in this first ever footage of the game running on the PC. With new levels, a level editor, and more surprises on the way, will Xbox 360 owners cry at feeling neglected by this "super-awesome" version?

First video of Gears of War on PC originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 11 Jul 2007 01:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Gears of War and Viva Pinata go to PC

Andrew Yoon — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 23:07:00 EST

Filed under: PC, Action, E3

Gears of War is no longer a Xbox 360 exclusive. Neither is Viva Pinata. Two of Microsoft's premiere console titles is now getting the Games For Windows treatment. The Game of the Year-winning shooter from Epic will gain a few enhancements on the PC, such as five new levels, a new editor, and "some very big surprises." Could the game look even prettier on a DirectX 10 PC? Believe it. Thankfully, the game will run on both Windows XP and Windows Vista.

Viva Pinata and a major list of new Games for Windows titles were revealed at the Microsoft keynote, including titles such as Age of Empires 3: The Asian Dynasties, Stranglehold, Blacksite: Area 51, and Kane and Lynch: Dead Men.

Gears of War and Viva Pinata go to PC originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 10 Jul 2007 23:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Universe at War features Xbox 360, PC cross-platform play

Ross Miller — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 13:20:00 EST

Filed under: PC, Microsoft Xbox 360, Online, Strategy, Competitive Gaming

Sega's upcoming strategy title Universe at War: Earth Assault is embracing the battle of keyboard and mouse vs. gamepad by allowing cross-platform play, joining Shadowrun and Uno as titles utilizing Microsoft's LIVE Anywhere

Can Xbox 360 owners fare well against their Windows counterparts in a largely point-and-click-centric genre? When announcing the console version, Sega VP of Marketing Steinberg lauded the gamepad control scheme but gave no details on how it works.

Universe at War is coming out for PC in late 2007 and the Xbox 360 sometime in 2008.

Gallery: Universe at War: Earth Assault

Universe at War features Xbox 360, PC cross-platform play originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 28 Jun 2007 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Metareview: Shadowrun (Xbox 360, PC)

Ludwig Kietzmann — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 20:32:00 EST

Filed under: Microsoft Xbox 360, First Person Shooters, Metareviews

As far as weird decisions go, exhuming a popular pen-and-paper RPG franchise and transforming it into a cross-platform shooter isn't nearly as disastrous as you might expect. Indeed, most Shadowrun reviewers concur that the gameplay is enjoyable and pleasingly distinct from your space donut shootouts. As for the decisions that led to a dearth of single-player content and a comically high price tag, well, those are every bit as disastrous as you'd expect.

Eurogamer (6/10) considers Shadowrun to be a "well-designed, well-conceived game," but faults its anemic features and "counter-productive" price. "There's nothing wrong with a game choosing to specialise in either offline or online experience, of course," notes Kieron Gillen. "But if you decide to completely ignore one pole of the experience, you have to offer something generally astounding and/or groundbreaking to justify yourselves."
Gamespot (6.9/10) feels the game, which is "about $30 too expensive," makes poor use of the Shadowrun license and doesn't offer enough variety. Despite finding the combat unique and the customization choices to be meaningful, Jeff "8.8" Gerstmann ultimately labels Shadowrun as "a pretty shallow experience."
IGN (6.8/10) loathes the game's presentation, one of many criticisms it piles atop the "well-designed nucleus of gameplay." Charles Onyett finds the whole thing to be unrewarding, explaining that, "As gamers, it's rewards we crave, be it of the narrative variety, in-game items, new options or modes, or something entirely different."

It's a shame to see Shadowrun providing "something different" to a crowded genre, only to clumsily stumble its way into the retail world with a heavy price on its back. We're sure the brilliant executives at Microsoft will pin the blame for inhibited sales on the license itself: "What? Shadowrun tanked? Well, that could only be due to the fact that nobody likes the Shadowrun universe anymore! Let's put that one back in the closet, eh chaps?"

Read -- Metacritic on the PC version
Read -- Metacritic on the Xbox 360 version

Metareview: Shadowrun (Xbox 360, PC) originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 05 Jun 2007 20:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Top ten things wrong with Games for Windows

Kevin Kelly — Sat, 02 Jun 2007 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Culture, PC, Business

The din about Games for Windows seems to cycle between a very quiet roar (remember their presence at E3?) to a muted hubbub, like the babbling of a crowd at a party that you can't quite make out. But what exactly do people think about the service now that it's getting out there into the wild?

The Hushed Casket has a list of the top ten things wrong with Games for Windows, and we'd have to agree with them. Although #8 on the list is more of a plus for another network -- "Xbox Live users have it so much better" -- it proves how the same company can do two similar things with very different results.

Our own James Ransom-Wiley called GFW a risk back in December, and this list pretty much confirms that opinion. Microsoft has been putting a lot of eggs in this basket, even publishing Games for Windows Magazine (without editorial influence) and mentioning the service left and right ... but will it pay off? Right now they've got a lot of uphill work to do. Check out the list and see if you agree.

Top ten things wrong with Games for Windows originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 02 Jun 2007 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Halo 2 Vista ships May 31 in US, Europe June 8

Richard Mitchell — Thu, 24 May 2007 15:05:00 EST

Filed under: News

Having already been pushed back from its original release date of May 8 and subsequently not showing up on the new date of May 22, Halo 2 Vista is finally set to land on store shelves May 31. European Halo fans can grab their copies on June 8. Among the reasons readers have given us for purchasing the game (assuming most of you already have it on Xbox), our favorite is that it's the perfect game to play on your work PC during lunch. Indeed.

For those of you who need your Games for Windows Live fix as soon as possible, don't forget that Shadowrun is set to release on the 29th for both the Xbox 360 and PC.

Halo 2 Vista ships May 31 in US, Europe June 8 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 24 May 2007 15:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

NY Times on PC game biz rebound

Kyle Orland — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 12:10:00 EST

Filed under: PC, Online, MMO, Business

For an industry that has been purported to be "dying" in some form or another for the past two decades or so, PC gaming has remained a remarkably consistent niche in the overall games business. The New York Times today takes a look at a recent upturn in the PC games market, partially fueled by the phenomenal success of World of Warcraft and the imitators it has spawned.

Don't cancel your console development plans yet, though. While domestic PC game sales were up 48 percent to $203 million in the first two months of 2007, the PC market was still dwarfed by the $990 million spent on console games during the same period. And while efforts like Games for Windows and HP's gaming initiative are likely to help attract attention to computer games, it's hard to match the focused marketing muscle of the big three console makers. So while PC gaming may not be dying, it's not exactly threatening to take over the country, either. The rest of the world, on the other hand ...

NY Times on PC game biz rebound originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 23 Apr 2007 12:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Ziff Davis Game Group still profitable but revenue declining

Zack Stern — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 16:57:00 EST

Filed under: Business

GamesIndustry.biz reports that the Ziff Davis Game Group -- home to publications like EGM and Games for Windows -- has continued to recede, with expectations for the game magazines offset only partially by a growing 1UP. Total gaming profits for Q4 2006 were down to $1.6 million from $3 million in Q4 2005, while the online subset of those totals grew 76 percent.

Ziff Davis profits as a whole increased 70 percent over that period, meaning that while the games group is still making money, it's not matching pace with the rest of the publicly traded company. Would the Game Group do better with a new owner?

Ziff Davis Game Group still profitable but revenue declining originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 26 Mar 2007 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Valve questions Microsoft's PC gaming initiative

James Ransom-Wiley — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 12:28:00 EST

Filed under: PC, Strategy, Business

Valve marketing manager Doug Lombardi has questioned Microsoft's new commitment to PC gaming during a recent interview with GamesIndustry.biz. "Right now it seems like [Games for Windows is] part of the marketing push to help Vista," criticized Lombardi, adding, "To really back a platform is a sustained effort over years and years, so we'll see if in two years Microsoft is still spending money to put Games for Windows sections in retail, and having PR people preach that message that the PC isn't dying".

But this isn't a desperate call for loyalty. Lombardi appears confident that the PC gaming industry will continue to flourish with or without Games for Windows. "If you took World of Warcraft, Steam, PopCap and added it to the PC pool, all these huge revenues -- just WoW by itself, right? If you took WoW's 2006 revenues and the 360's revenues and compared them, even then you would say I don't think the PC's really dead."

Lombardi's remarks are a reminder to Microsoft that PC gaming has apparently thrived without a "team" name. While not quite threatening, there's an aggressive overtone in Lombardi's words; a "check yo'self" sorta vibe. Valve's marketing manager is certainly not alone in his skepticism of Microsoft's motives. There's no denying that Games for Windows is being used to promote the launch of Vista -- but will the commitment last beyond the initial push? The answer to that seems obvious: As long as the money is good.

Valve questions Microsoft's PC gaming initiative originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 12 Mar 2007 12:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Shadowrun cross-play requires Games for Windows Live Gold account

Ross Miller — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 10:25:00 EST

When we spoke with PR Manager Michael Wolf about Games for Windows Live, he was sparse in details regarding a Games for Windows Live Gold account. "All I can say now is that we're working to make a Gold membership worthwhile even if you're only connecting to Live from Windows Vista," he said.

It seems Microsoft has revealed one of those incentives in the form of cross-platform multiplayer. Text shown at the end of the latest Shadowrun trailer notes that "cross platform play requires Xbox LIVE Gold ... or Games for Windows -- LIVE Gold account (on Windows)."

We're betting that PC vs. PC multiplayer will still be free, as it has been historically. However, we're hoping that Microsoft has some more ingenious plans for GFW Live Gold. Paying a monthly premium just to settle the keyboard vs. gamepad debate does not sit well. How about a GDC announcement to soothe our nerves?

Trailer embedded after the break.

Gallery: Shadowrun

Continue reading Shadowrun cross-play requires Games for Windows Live Gold account

Shadowrun cross-play requires Games for Windows Live Gold account originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 05 Mar 2007 10:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Joyswag: Free 1-year subscription to Games for Windows magazine

Christopher Grant — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 12:05:00 EST

Filed under: Joyswag

[Update: "Thank you for your interest in Games for Windows. Unfortunately, this promotion has ended." And with that, our Games for Windows: The Official Magazine promotion has run its course; exhausted from a non-stop barrage of subscription requests, it finally toppled over and died. See what you've done? Enjoy!]

Sure, they've got a new corporately-sanctioned identity, but beneath the glitz and glamour of the Games for Windows branding, it's the same old Computer Gaming World magazine, one of the longest-running gaming mags around. To maintain their street cred, the editorial team introduced some risky features, like a new scoring system that ranks a 5 out of 10 as "average," and sounded off on their trepidation about upgrading to Vista, Microsoft's latest and greatest and, ostensibly, the very reason behind their magazine's name change.

So what is this all about? We've teamed up with Ziff-Davis, the publishers behind Games for Windows: TOM, to give away 25,000 free 1-year subscriptions (to US readers only ... sorry!). How free? You won't need to provide your credit card information; your subscription won't be automatically renewed at the end of the year; and you will need to "opt-in" to renew your subscription before receiving any bill for the magazine. Free.

Thanks, Joystiq readers!

Joyswag: Free 1-year subscription to Games for Windows magazine originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 27 Feb 2007 12:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Shadowrun: controller vs. mouse. Fight!

Richard Mitchell — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: News

Shadowrun, in a way, is Microsoft's great white hope. Shadowrun is poised to launch Live Anywhere, the extension of Xbox Live that allows players on PC to share game space with players on the Xbox 360. Hell, even cell phones are being thrown into the mix. VelocityGirl is thrilled. Shadowrun, in particular, raises some questions. Scratch that. It raises one question: how will controller players fare against the deadly mouse and keyboard combo? According to Joystiq's recent play test, pretty damned well. That's right, Joystiq was getting the tobacco juice beaten out of them by one of the devs, Mitch Gitelman. Gitelman was using a PC, but much to the surprise of the Joystiq team, he was using an Xbox 360 controller. Granted, Shadowrun was built from the ground up to accommodate both controllers and the KB & mouse combo, but it's a surprising result nonetheless. Joystiq notes that neither setup proved overwhelmingly advantageous -- though the controller was significantly faster at navigating the radial menus at the beginning of each match.

Long story short, if Microsoft really wants to converge the Xbox 360 and its Games for Windows brand, Shadowrun just might be the game to do it. Hit the "read" link for the full story. Be sure to check out Joystiq's gallery of images while your at it.

Shadowrun: controller vs. mouse. Fight! originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 23 Feb 2007 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Shadowrun: Keyboard versus controller in the final battle

Jared Rea — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: PC, Microsoft Xbox 360, First Person Shooters

With consoles on one side and PC's on the other, the room was literally divided between the two factions. The only unification between the them being that of Microsoft and FASA Studios' upcoming shooter, Shadowrun. Best known for its cross-platform gameplay, all eyes are on Shadowrun to bring some real gravitas to the never-ending debate between fragging with a controller or the staple keyboard and mouse. We received our Shadowrun training on the Xbox 360 and while it was educational, we wanted to play "the right way" over on the Windows Vista build of the game.

A few rounds later and the collective butt of our team was sore from the repeated beatings it was taking. Next to us on a PC was Mitch Gitelman of FASA Studios. With every frag a taunt and every victory a celebration, you can only imagine our surprise when we realized that he was doing it all with the Xbox 360 controller.

Sacrilege? Maybe. Boundaries? Shattered. And if Microsoft gets what they want out of the Games for Windows brand, get used to it. Read on to discover how Shadowrun is making the controller a serious contender.

Gallery: Shadowrun

Continue reading Shadowrun: Keyboard versus controller in the final battle

Shadowrun: Keyboard versus controller in the final battle originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 23 Feb 2007 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Today's sneakiest game video: Frontlines - Fuel of War hidden tour

Kevin Kelly — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 00:01:00 EST

Filed under: Culture, PC, Action, Adventure, Simulations, Video, Competitive Gaming

Sneaky hidden videos will always score high on our list, particularly if they don't involve Britney, Paris, and Lindsay. It's time we reclaimed their 15 minutes because they've run into serious overtime.

So, the story behind this video is as follows: 'Games For Windows' Magazine recently filmed a totally unathorized, hidden video tour of Kaos Studios for a piece about Frontlines: Fuel of War. They weren't thrilled about having their HQ filmed Geraldo-style, but THQ (the publisher) didn't want to retaliate against the magazine, for fear that they would give them a bad review in return.

So, once all the smoke has cleared, what does that leave us with? Frankly, not too much. Either it's a well planned "fake" secret video, or else it's a new wave of marketing going into effect that really embraces the old adage "there's no such thing as bad publicity." Of course, nothing really groundbreaking or damaging was revealed in this video ... or was it? Does this mean we can start running around developer HQs with a camera, knowing that they won't want us to pan their upcoming games?

Hmmmmmm ...

Today's sneakiest game video: Frontlines - Fuel of War hidden tour originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 21 Feb 2007 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Atari to publish The Witcher

James Ransom-Wiley — Mon, 05 Feb 2007 17:55:00 EST

Filed under: PC, Action, RPGs

Atari has extended its deal with CD Projekt, agreeing to publish the Polish developer's action-RPG The Witcher in North America; in addition to Europe and Asia. Based on Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski's Blood of the Elves book series, The Witcher (originally, Wied?min) was first unveiled in June 2003 and made subsequent appearances at E3 each of the following years. The game utilizes a modified version of BioWare's Aurora Engine and is said to blend fast-paced combat with a twisting storyline driven by players' decisions.

The Witcher's relevance in North America is crippled by a lack of English-translated Sapkowski work (only one short story collection has been translated; to be published in April). Even the awkward name witcher is lost on English-speaking audiences (Sapkowski actually prefers his word to be translated as hexer). Wied?min is derived from the polish word for "witch" (wied?ma), and, as Sapkowski imagined, was invented by magicians as a derogatory term used to describe sterile mutants with (supposedly limited) supernatural abilities. In the game, players are Geralt, Sapkowski's legendary monster slayer, who is a witcher -- "The Witcher."

The Witcher is scheduled for release in North America this fall under the Games for Windows brand, and will be compatible with Windows XP and Vista.

Gallery: The Witcher

Atari to publish The Witcher originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 05 Feb 2007 17:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

MS wants simultaneous Vista & 360 releases

Richard Mitchell — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 15:15:00 EST

Filed under: News

According to a recent article on GamesIndustry.biz, Microsoft is pushing its third party publishers to release games simultaneously for both Windows Vista and the Xbox 360. The move is designed to facilitate bringing the two platforms together, and no doubt to encourage more developers to make games that are playable across both platforms over Live. According to Rick Wickham, director for Windows Gaming, several titles are expected to debut simultaneously for both platforms this year (we imagine Shadowrun will be the first). He adds that the final decision to make a simultaneous release is left to the publishers.

Of course, the big question: is Live more appealing if it allows matches against PC gamers? More players is always better, but there are concerns. For instance, there are already worries that mouse players will dominate controller players at FPS games. What do you think? Are you excited, disinterested, a little verklempt?

[Via Tech Digest]

MS wants simultaneous Vista & 360 releases originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 24 Jan 2007 15:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Free games! 101 and then some

James Ransom-Wiley — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 13:25:00 EST

Filed under: Arcade, Mac, PC, Retro, Action, Fighting, First Person Shooters, Online, Puzzle, RPGs, Simulations, Sports, Strategy, Rhythm

1UP has done the good service of republishing a Games for Windows feature that dug up more than 101 free PC-based games. The guide is divided into these fifteen genres:

Most of the games have been uploaded to FileFront (links included in the guide). So what are you waiting for?

Free games! 101 and then some originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 19 Jan 2007 13:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Carmack blasts Vista gaming initiative

James Ransom-Wiley — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 23:26:00 EST

Filed under: PC, Business

id Software's John Carmack isn't ready for his studio to make the jump to Windows Vista. "Nothing is going to help a new game by going to a new operating system. There were some clear wins going from Windows 95 to Windows XP for games, but there really aren't any for Vista," Carmack recently told Game Informer during a lengthy interview, which also featured id colleague Todd Hollenshead.

While Carmack remains keen on Xbox 360, he thinks the Vista initiative is bogus, accusing Microsoft of using the new OS's "artificial" tie with DirectX 10 to lure consumers (and developers). "They're really grasping at straws for reasons to upgrade the operating system. I suspect I could run XP for a great many more years without having a problem with it," concluded Carmack. Good news for those content with XP.

[Via GamesIndustry.biz]

See also: Games for Windows Vista: how the new brand & OS will change PC gaming

Carmack blasts Vista gaming initiative originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 11 Jan 2007 23:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Bethesda mum about Oblivion expansion

James Ransom-Wiley — Tue, 09 Jan 2007 18:09:00 EST

Filed under: PC, Sony PlayStation 3, Microsoft Xbox 360, Action, Adventure, RPGs

Call it a formality, but Bethesda refuses to confirm Shivering Isles, Oblivion's first full-length expansion. But the forthcoming content is no myth. After all, Bethesda supplied the details for the scoops that were bought and published by PCZone and PC Gamer, two UK mags. In fact, another Shivering Isles feature will appear in the March issue of Games for Windows (due Feb. 6 on newsstands).

This is just the business of embargoes, folks. Once Games for Windows has had its window of opportunity to sell the "exclusive" content, Bethesda will open right up.

Bethesda mum about Oblivion expansion originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 09 Jan 2007 18:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Today's most geometric game video: Geometry Wars PC 'Vista'

Kevin Kelly — Tue, 09 Jan 2007 01:21:00 EST

Filed under: Arcade, Culture, PC, Microsoft Xbox 360, Puzzle, Video, Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved has had its own little evolution, going from minigame, to full-fledged console game, and now it'll be dropping onto PCs everywhere and we've got the video to prove it. Yes, it's retro gaming action that takes you back to the land of arcade quarter-eaters like Tempest and Qix ... and it's incredibly addictive fun.

Check out the Vista version in action after the jump. It looks pretty spiffy on that monitor, or else the brightness levels are just kicked up to 11. Either way, PC users can finally toss Minesweeper and Solitaire away, because this will be the new king of the timesuck in cubicle-land.

Continue reading Today's most geometric game video: Geometry Wars PC 'Vista'

Today's most geometric game video: Geometry Wars PC 'Vista' originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 09 Jan 2007 01:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Games for Windows Vista: how the new brand & OS will change PC gaming [update 1]

James Ransom-Wiley — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 11:55:00 EST

Filed under: Features, PC, Microsoft Xbox 360, Online, Peripherals, Business

We recently sat down with Games for Windows (GFW) Marketing Director Kevin Unangst and PR Manager Michael Wolf for a brief pre-launch tour of gaming on Vista. Admittedly, the implementation hasn't changed much since we first previewed Vista nearly a year ago. Even so, from a GUI-perspective, Vista features a user-friendly central location for cataloging, accessing, and tweaking (settings, parental controls, updating, etc.) GFW-branded games -- non-GFW games won't necessarily be excluded, but they won't feature many of the required functionalities built into the branded titles.

Games for Windows is still very much a vision. The first priority, a retail initiative, is currently underway. By employing marketing strategies used by console makers, namely platform-branding, Microsoft hopes that PC gaming (under the 'Games for Windows' banner) will become less intimidating to mainstream consumers -- no longer will the PC games isle be a cluttered mess of disparate titles. Computer Gaming World was also renamed as Games For Windows to help drive Microsoft's new brand. Aside from retail consolidation, this branding will ensure certain requirements are met by games' publishers. To earn the GFW brand, a title must comply with certain Microsoft-tested specifications, including widescreen support, compatibility with the Xbox 360 controller, parental control features, and simple installation. GFW games will also begin to carry a system rating, based on a 5-point scale. Vista will assess the value of your PC's gaming abilities and assign a rating (or "WinSAT"), say 4.5. You can then weigh that rating against a game's recommended rating (example: 5.0) and its required rating (example: 3.5) before purchasing. Update: The scale will begin at five points, but is designed to grow as newer technologies enter the market.

Continue reading Games for Windows Vista: how the new brand & OS will change PC gaming [update 1]

Games for Windows Vista: how the new brand & OS will change PC gaming [update 1] originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 18 Dec 2006 11:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

2006 belongs to PS2, rules Game Informer [update 2]

James Ransom-Wiley — Tue, 12 Dec 2006 16:20:00 EST

Filed under: Nintendo DS, Nintendo GameCube, PC, Sony PlayStation 2, Sony PlayStation 3, Sony PSP, Nintendo Wii, Microsoft Xbox, Microsoft Xbox 360, Action, Adventure, Driving, Fighting, First Person Shooters, Online, Puzzle, Simulations, Sports, Strategy, MMO, Rhythm

The new issue of Game Informer (#165) offers the editors' vision of the 'Top 50 games of 2006.' According to GI, while Wii and PlayStation 3 overpowered our attentions, PlayStation 2 quietly enjoyed the year's most fulfilling lineup, trumping Xbox 360's solid first year.

Here's a breakdown of the number of Top 50 games per system (includes multi-platform titles):

PS2: 20 (8 multi-platform)
Xbox 360: 16 (10 multi-platform)
PC: 15 (8 multi-platform)
PS3: 6 (5 multi-platform)
Xbox: 6 (all multi-platform)
DS: 6
PSP: 4
Wii: 3 (GI lists 3 in table, but only highlights 2 games in article)
GameCube: 0*

Despite Sony systems featuring 30 of GI's 2006 favorites, Nintendo was selected as both top publisher and developer of the year; and Twilight Princess (for Wii) was elected as 'Game of the Year.' It's also worth noting that while PS2 featured a wealth of top-rated games, the console was also home to the majority of lowest-rated, compatible with six of the 'Top 10 Worst Games of 2006.'

Update 1: because you all demanded it, here are GI's picks for PS3 games included in the year's Top 50 (in no particular order): Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, Need for Speed Carbon, Call of Duty 3, Resistance: Fall of Man, Tony Hawk's Project 8, and Fight Night Round 3. Only Resistance is a PS3 exclusive.

Update 2: specified number of multi-platform titles per system in Top 50 breakdown.

*Twilight Princess was not included in the GameCube category.

[Via print edition]

See also: Winner of strongest fall lineup is ... PS2?

2006 belongs to PS2, rules Game Informer [update 2] originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 12 Dec 2006 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Wireless 360 receiver for your PC

Dustin Burg — Tue, 05 Dec 2006 15:45:00 EST

Filed under: News, Peripherals

IGN got their hands on the upcoming Xbox 360 Wireless Receiver that allows one to use all their 360 wireless peripherals on their PC. When hooked to a PC via USB, this little dongle will allow up to four 360 controllers and four headsets to connect to a PC and will natively support all other wireless devices including the new Wireless Racing Wheel. The good news is that IGN actually enjoys the device and gives it praise for being so simple and just working. I'm more of a fan of the price ... $19.99 for wireless connectivity to a PC, not to shabby indeed.

Wireless 360 receiver for your PC originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 05 Dec 2006 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Gaming-ready PCs could hit 90 million in 2007

Justin Murray — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 12:55:00 EST

Filed under: PC

Forget the other guys, gaming PCs could be sitting pretty at around 90 million units by the end of 2007. According to IDC, an analyst group, Windows Vista is expected to obtain this mad install-base; the bulk of the installations are expected to be in home computers.

IDC expects out of those 90 million units that 67% will be Vista Basic and 30% will be Vista Premium (both private consumer versions). Vista requires the PC to have a semi-competent graphics processor, able to push DX9, just to function properly. This could mean the PC gaming market will enjoy more potential customers, especially among more graphically intense programs.

Since each Vista PC will have a DX9 capable card sitting in it, we can now understand the logic behind Microsoft's Games for Windows push. This could easily cut into the console market; people buy PCs for functions that consoles cannot perform (word processing, etc). If the PC can play games right out of the box, why buy the console -- where games now cost upwards of $20 more on average -- when the PC they buy at Best Buy does the job?

[Via FiringSquad]

Gaming-ready PCs could hit 90 million in 2007 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 30 Nov 2006 12:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Games for Windows Magazine hits newsstands

Vladimir Cole — Sat, 18 Nov 2006 21:55:00 EST

Filed under: Mac, PC, Business

The first-ever issue of Games for Windows: The Official Magazine (formerly Computer Gaming World) hit newsstands Friday. Weighing in at 134 pages, the magazine's new focus on games for Windows allows the editorial staff to focus on the PC as a platform to rival consoles "minus the annoying Linux and Mac noise" according to the magazine's editor.

A few highlights from issue 01:

Nice, light design. Most game magazines have a heavy, dark feel to them. GFW's art and layout are lighter and easier on the eyes, though almost all of the advertising is still annoyingly black.
GFW's editor (Jeff Green) promises that Microsoft has no say in anything that his staff prints between the covers of the magazine. It's still an independent editorial venture, "despite that big honkin' Windows logo on the front cover." That's important.
If you didn't care for the magazine before, it's unlikely that the renaming and new design will change your mind. The magazine's contents are still the same because it's still staffed by the same staff sitting in the same seats at the same desks covering the same games. This is the same book with a different cover.
The most exciting change is GFW's new scoring system. In a ballsy move, GFW has recalibrated their score system: a score of 5 out of 10 is "average." Anything above a five is "above average" and anything below five is "below average." Games that previously might have earned 8 or 9 might now be earning scores of 6 or 7! Let's see how long they'll stick to their guns on this one, as they're sure to catch a lot of heat from game publishers. Stay strong, guys! You're on the side of the gamer with this change.

Games for Windows Magazine hits newsstands originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 18 Nov 2006 21:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Gears of War coming to PC ... maybe

Dustin Burg — Sat, 18 Nov 2006 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: News, Gears of War

In the latest holiday issue of PC Gamer magazine, there is a Microsoft advertisement showing a retail display for the "Games for Windows" PC games. And what game is pictured on the lower shelf squeezed between the PC versions of Shadowrun and Age of Empires III? Gears of War, you silly goose! This ad could just as well be "concept art" and just showing off Microsoft's big hitting video games, but why would they put a supposed Xbox 360 exclusive game like Gears of War in that ad if it wasn't going to be part of their Games for Windows marketing campaign? I'm betting all my chips on Gears of War coming to the PC in 2007, probably around August and only playable on Vista. Playing Gears on your PC, does that sound appealing to you?

Gears of War coming to PC ... maybe originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 18 Nov 2006 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

PC gaming "becoming a niche" -- analysts speak

Jennie Lees — Mon, 11 Sep 2006 15:45:00 EST

Filed under: PC, Business

Three analysts are spilling their thoughts over at Gamasutra, examining the state of the PC gaming industry at the moment. With console platforms offering an appealing piracy-free environment, it's no wonder soundbites like "becoming a niche" and "retail spending ... will decline" are springing readily to mind; however, the overall tone is mostly positive.

Will the PC market become one of digital distribution, MMOs and casual games only? Analysts disagree; digital distribution has limits, but offers the opportunity for more revenue and profit. MMOs and casual games are on the rise, but the "Games for Windows" initiative may provide a much needed consolidation and marketing effort for PC games in other genres as well.

PC gaming "becoming a niche" -- analysts speak originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 11 Sep 2006 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Goodbye Computer Gaming World, hello Games for Windows magazine [update 1]

Christopher Grant — Wed, 02 Aug 2006 15:10:00 EST

Filed under: Culture, PC, Business

Microsoft, the computer industry giant, and Ziff-Davis, the gaming-mag giant, just sent word that they've joined forces to rip the covers off all future issues of the seminal (and creatively titled) computer gaming mag, Computer Gaming World. In their place will be shiny, new Games for Windows: The Official Magazine covers. And here we were thinking CGW was a creative name! As part of their rebranding strategy, they'll also be renaming the cgw.1up.com site (we imagine to the much more memorable gfwtom.1up.com).

Don't worry about the mag's intrepid staff, they aren't being booted on their keisters (just yet), rather "the new magazine and web initiative will carry on the editorial, production and art staff of Computer Gaming World." So this is just branding; Microsoft's goal of marketing Windows Vista as a gaming console continues. Like any "official" magazine, we'll need to reconsider coverage of first-party (in this case, Microsoft Game Studios) properties but, otherwise, CGW already was a Windows-focused gaming mag. But when the oldest video game publication still in existence (founded in 1981) adds corporate sponsorship to their name, you know something's up in dead tree land.

[Update: Firing Squad spoke with CGW ... err, GfW:tOM's editor Jeff Green about the situation. They write, "Green also said that their contract with Microsoft states that Microsoft will not have any editorial influence on the new Games For Windows magazine and said that long time CGW readers should trust that will be the case." The last issue of CGW will be Oct. 06 and GfW:tOM will debut in Nov. or Dec. 06.]

Read the entire press release after the break.

Continue reading Goodbye Computer Gaming World, hello Games for Windows magazine [update 1]

Goodbye Computer Gaming World, hello Games for Windows magazine [update 1] originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 02 Aug 2006 15:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments