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[IGN hit with layoffs; 1UP, Gamespy and UGO shutting down]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/21/ign-layoffs/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/21/ign-layoffs/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/21/ign-layoffs/#comments http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2013/02/ign.jpgIGN was hit with editorial layoffs today, with sites 1UP, UGO and Gamespy expected to be shut down.

"We are focusing on our two flagship brands, IGN and AskMen. Unfortunately, as a result, we have made the decision to close sites and restructure our teams accordingly," a company spokesperson confirmed to Joystiq.

The news comes less that a month after IGN was purchased by j2 Global through its Ziff Davis subsidiary.

JoystiqIGN hit with layoffs; 1UP, Gamespy and UGO shutting down originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 21 Feb 2013 14:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>askmengamespyignlayoffsugoziff-davisThu, 21 Feb 2013 14:10:00 EST<![CDATA[GameSpy: Multiplayer server shutdown result of failure to pay by devs]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/14/gamespy-multiplayer-server-shutdown-result-of-failure-to-pay-by/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/14/gamespy-multiplayer-server-shutdown-result-of-failure-to-pay-by/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/14/gamespy-multiplayer-server-shutdown-result-of-failure-to-pay-by/#comments GameSpy Multiplayer server shutdown was result of failure to pay by devs, denies raising feesGameSpy has responded to the issue earlier this week of its owners Glu Mobile shutting down various multiplayer servers for older PC games like Neverwinter Nights and Sniper Elite. First up, GameSpy itself has put together a large blog post on its own site, making clear that GameSpy, the editorial outlet owned by IGN, is different from GameSpy Technologies, the multiplayer middleware provider owned by Glu Mobile. It's GameSpy Technologies that closed the servers down, not the GameSpy outlet.

GameSpy Technologies has also responded to the issue on its Facebook page, and says that the server shutdowns are a result of the game developers choosing not to pay their service fees, and that "in some cases this lapsing ranges back as much as four years." GameSpy Technologies tells players that it "cannot be expected to provide a service free of charge," and that's why these servers went down. The company also says it was the developers' responsibility to inform players of the impending shutdowns, and "it is regrettable that these publishers chose not to inform their users of the impending discontinuation of support."

Now, developer Rebellion said that GameSpy had changed its rates to be "far in excess of how much we were paying previously," but GameSpy Technologies reportedly told GameSpy (the editorial outlet) that server fees haven't changed in eight years and there were no increases made or even plans to do so. Someone, in other words, is mistaken. Joystiq has followed up with both parties, and we'll update this post if we hear more.

JoystiqGameSpy: Multiplayer server shutdown result of failure to pay by devs originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 14 Dec 2012 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>facebookgamespygamespy-technologieslapsepaymentpcrebeillionresponseservershutdownshutdownssniper-eliteFri, 14 Dec 2012 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[New GameSpy owners Glu Mobile shut down multiplayer servers without notice]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/12/new-gamespy-owners-glu-mobile-shut-down-multiplayer-servers-with/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/12/new-gamespy-owners-glu-mobile-shut-down-multiplayer-servers-with/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/12/new-gamespy-owners-glu-mobile-shut-down-multiplayer-servers-with/#comments New GameSpy owners Glu Mobile shut down multiplayer servers without noticePlayers of quite a few old PC games, including Neverwinter Nights, Microsoft Flight Simulator X, SWAT 4, Hidden and Dangerous 2, and Star Wars: Battlefront, are reporting that the GameSpy-powered multiplayer servers behind those titles and more have been shut off without notice. The GameSpy service was sold to publisher Glu Mobile from IGN a little while ago, so it's that company that's apparently responsible for shutting down these servers.

Another one of the games affected was Sniper Elite, and developer Rebellion says its hands are tied: Glu wants to charge a lot of money to turn the servers back on, and Rebellion doesn't have the resources to transfer the multiplayer on this old title to another service. Rebellion points out that fans of the game did get seven years of service for free. And while GameSpy's matchmaking is down, players of some of these games can still connect up online manually by IP.

Angry players have taken to GameSpy's old Facebook page to register their wrath, but there's no official response just yet.

JoystiqNew GameSpy owners Glu Mobile shut down multiplayer servers without notice originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 12 Dec 2012 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gamespyglu-mobilemultiplayerneverwinter-nightsonlinepcserverssniper-elitestar-wars-battlefrontupdatesWed, 12 Dec 2012 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PS3/PC/iOS/Android cross-platform multiplayer achieved in Dungeon Defenders]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/02/ps3-pc-ios-android-cross-platform-multiplayer-achieved-in-dungeo/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/02/ps3-pc-ios-android-cross-platform-multiplayer-achieved-in-dungeo/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/02/ps3-pc-ios-android-cross-platform-multiplayer-achieved-in-dungeo/#comments It's news when two different platforms are linked for multiplayer gaming. But four? Trendy Entertainment has managed to bring cross-platform multiplayer to its Unreal Engine-powered, action-RPG Dungeon Defenders on PS3, PC, iOS and Android. The developer has even implemented cross-platform matchmaking and buddy lists across the devices.

The experience is made possible through GameSpy's online tools, suggesting that cross-platform multiplayer will not only become a reality, but a common feature down the line. Trendy utilized GameSpy Open, a new program that enables start-up and indie developers to use the company's online tools for free.

Trendy and GameSpy plan to showcase a demonstration of the cross-platform experience at GDC later this week. Dungeon Defenders is currently available on iOS and Android; PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 versions are planned for release later this year.

Continue reading PS3/PC/iOS/Android cross-platform multiplayer achieved in Dungeon Defenders

JoystiqPS3/PC/iOS/Android cross-platform multiplayer achieved in Dungeon Defenders originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 02 Mar 2011 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidcross-platformdungeon-defendersgamespygamespy-opengdc-2011iosiphonemobilemultiplayerpcplaystationplaystation-networkps3psntrendy-entertainmentWed, 02 Mar 2011 11:20:00 EST<![CDATA[GameSpy making multiplayer tech free for smaller-scale titles]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/24/gamespy-making-multiplayer-tech-free-for-smaller-scale-titles/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/24/gamespy-making-multiplayer-tech-free-for-smaller-scale-titles/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/24/gamespy-making-multiplayer-tech-free-for-smaller-scale-titles/#comments GameSpy has announced that it's making the multiplayer framework used by a number of modern games (including Red Dead Redemption and Bulletstorm) free to any developer interested in using it. Developers of any size can get access to the code and tech required to integrate multiplayer matchmaking, player tracking, cloud data services and anything else needed to keep a large-scale multiplayer game up and running on almost any platform, even including cross-platform play.

"Free" has its limits, of course -- companies can't run a Bulletstorm-sized game using GameSpy's tech and get away with not paying at all. But much like the recent Unreal Engine 3 changes, this decision allows smaller developers to use and test the technology without any overhead costs. GameSpy's Senior Product Manager Sean Flinn tells Joystiq the service will be free below a modest cut-off point and that the company will have "additional pricing tiers" announced later this spring for titles with larger player bases. "We're not being super strict about the usage limits at launch," he says, though GameSpy will "continue to offer a paid tier of service for unlimited numbers of users and premium support."

Flinn says GameSpy is "betting big on the success of indie and start-ups," and it's hoping that independent developers using the service for free now will eventually grow to "need online services that match their ambition." Interested devs can join up with the program starting today.

Continue reading GameSpy making multiplayer tech free for smaller-scale titles

JoystiqGameSpy making multiplayer tech free for smaller-scale titles originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 24 Feb 2011 12:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gamespymicrosoftmultiplayerpcplaystationps3technologytoolsxboxThu, 24 Feb 2011 12:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Unreal Tournament 3 multiplayer powered by GameSpy]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/12/unreal-tournament-3-multiplayer-powered-by-gamespy/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/12/unreal-tournament-3-multiplayer-powered-by-gamespy/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/12/unreal-tournament-3-multiplayer-powered-by-gamespy/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

IGN and Epic sent word this morning that Unreal Tournament 3 will use GameSpy's online technology for multiplayer match ups. The announcement makes sense, given that GameSpy joined Epic's Integrated Partners Program in August, marrying the company's technology with Unreal Engine 3 and permitting cross-platform play across both the PC and PS3.

According to a statement, both versions of UT3 will leverage off of GameSpy's tools for multiplayer matchmaking, in-game and out-of-game messaging, tracking players stats, VoIP messaging, and online ranking and leaderboards. However, while interoperability between the two versions of UT3 is expected, this still has not yet been confirmed. The game is currently earmarked on our calenders for release for the PC on November 19, while the PS3 version remains something of a mystery.

[Via press release]

JoystiqUnreal Tournament 3 multiplayer powered by GameSpy originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 12 Nov 2007 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>epicfpsgamespyignPCPS3unearl tournament 3UnearlTournament3unrealunreal engineunreal tournamentUnrealEngineUnrealTournamentUT3Mon, 12 Nov 2007 10:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Metareview: Burnout Dominator]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/17/metareview-burnout-dominator/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/17/metareview-burnout-dominator/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/17/metareview-burnout-dominator/#commentsFiled under: ,

We've had our eye on Burnout Dominator for a while now: it has pretty looks, and features new content made exclusively for PSP and PS2. But, we were worried: maybe the game looks too much like the previous Burnout games? Surely, explosive car gameplay can't get old ... or can it? Let's see what the critics had to say:
  • IGN (85/100) thinks it ups the ante from previous Burnout titles ... almost: "The racing is just as adrenaline pumping as it's ever been, and possibly even more so than what we saw in Burnout Revenge as you need to be afraid of traffic once again. However, the lack of standard features and modes like Crash are a rather big disappointment."
  • Gamespot (82/100) doesn't think Dominator revolutionizes the series, but thinks it's still good: "Burnout Dominator is more Burnout, and that's great. It may not have all the newfangled bells and whistles that you'd want from a sequel, but if you're a fan of the series who absolutely must have new tracks as soon as possible, Dominator should satisfy you nicely."
  • GameSpy (60/100) thinks it's a clear step backwards for the franchise: "Rather than another true entry in the series, Dominator is a simple C-grade mashup."
You've seen the footage, so you should be able to decide for yourself: does this throwback to the earlier Burnout games do it for you? At least one thing's agreed upon by all three of these critics: get the PSP version instead of the PS2. It looks more impressive, and has slightly more functionality than the console counterpart.

JoystiqMetareview: Burnout Dominator originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 17 Mar 2007 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>burnoutburnout dominatorBurnoutDominatorgamespotgamespyignmetareviewreviewSat, 17 Mar 2007 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[A scary, scary rumor (i.e. GameSpy sucks?)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/14/a-scary-scary-rumor-i-e-gamespy-sucks/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/14/a-scary-scary-rumor-i-e-gamespy-sucks/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/14/a-scary-scary-rumor-i-e-gamespy-sucks/#commentsFiled under:

Look, it's Alisha! LOLThe good folks over at GoNintendo are referencing an informal interview by one "Falafelkid", whom they claim to be as reputable as they come. He has apparently spoken with some GameSpy PR people (whom we have attempted to contact and failed miserably), who will be partnering with Nintendo to provide online functionality in upcoming games. The grim, grim news?

Falafelkid: Just one last question to make absolutely sure I have got this right, please. If I have a friend roster in one game, that roster will not be available to me in any other game. I have to build up an entirely new list for each title, right?

GameSpy: The answer to your question is yes, for the Wii friend lists are game-specific.

Ughhhhh. We don't want to take this as fact, but the mere prospect leaves us depressed and in a need of a rainbow or something to cheer us up. The Wii maintains an internal friends list as is; why can't games simply access said list and use it universally across the platform? Why, Nintendo, why?

JoystiqA scary, scary rumor (i.e. GameSpy sucks?) originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 14 Mar 2007 18:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Friend CodesFriendCodesGameSpyOnlineWed, 14 Mar 2007 18:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Reminder: Nintendo and GameSpy partner for online functionality]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/13/reminder-nintendo-and-gamespy-partner-for-online-functionality/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/13/reminder-nintendo-and-gamespy-partner-for-online-functionality/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/13/reminder-nintendo-and-gamespy-partner-for-online-functionality/#commentsFiled under: ,

We already knew these two would be working together. Actually, we knew this since E3, so there's no news there. But, we assure you, there is some news in this story and it's the possibility of Nintendo moving away from the completely horrible friend codes system that many do not enjoy on the DS. No, the news is that Gamespy will incorporate friend rosters, matchmaking and ranking data into Wi-Fi compatible games, similar to the same online features many Xbox 360 fanboys enjoy.

And we couldn't be happier ...

JoystiqReminder: Nintendo and GameSpy partner for online functionality originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 13 Mar 2007 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gamespynintendonintendowiiwifiwiiTue, 13 Mar 2007 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo partners with GameSpy for enhanced online play]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/13/nintendo-partners-with-gamespy-for-enhanced-online-play/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/13/nintendo-partners-with-gamespy-for-enhanced-online-play/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/13/nintendo-partners-with-gamespy-for-enhanced-online-play/#commentsFiled under: , ,

In a press release sent out today, GameSpy has announced it will provide "multiplayer technology" to publishers developing games for the Wii. The middleware allows the same online functionality found in DS games but will include friend rosters, matchmaking, and ranking data similar to Xbox Live. It's about time! Looks like Nintendo is finally willing to share their online service with 3rd party developers.

Nintendo has had a toe in the online world since Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection launched in 2005, but game-specific friend codes and the lack of a central hub have made the service a cumbersome experience. Could this mean the end of friend codes and the beginning of a beautiful online experience?

JoystiqNintendo partners with GameSpy for enhanced online play originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 13 Mar 2007 10:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dsgamespynintendoonlinewifiwiiTue, 13 Mar 2007 10:48:00 EST<![CDATA[Who you gonna fight as in The Warriors?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/11/who-you-gonna-fight-as-in-the-warriors/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/11/who-you-gonna-fight-as-in-the-warriors/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/11/who-you-gonna-fight-as-in-the-warriors/#commentsFiled under:


Rockstar's latest is coming out real soon. This PS2 port has already earned one rave review from GameSpy: its budget price, and immediately available Armies of the Night mode, pushed it to a pretty fantastic 4.5/5 score from them. "The Warriors is that console generation's best pure brawler," GameSpy notes. Sounds exciting, no?

To get a better feel for the violence that'll end up in our handhelds, Gamespot has covered the various characters and fighting styles in the game. You'll be able to read up on thugs like Cleon, Swan, Snow and Ajax. Having missed the PS2 original, I have to admit that I'm pretty excited for this Tuesday's big release. Are you?

JoystiqWho you gonna fight as in The Warriors? originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 11 Feb 2007 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>armies of the nightArmiesOfTheNightbrawlergamespotgamespyrockstarthe warriorsTheWarriorswarriorsSun, 11 Feb 2007 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Gamespy says good things about Crackdown]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/04/gamespy-says-good-things-about-crackdown/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/04/gamespy-says-good-things-about-crackdown/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/04/gamespy-says-good-things-about-crackdown/#commentsFiled under: ,

Crackdown seems to be the game everyone wants to figure out, leaving us to ask ourselves a bunch of questions. Can the game hold its own? Is the Halo 3 beta attached to it solely because it sucks so bad? Why is there no crack in Crackdown? We all got our hands on the demo and the truth is, we're thinking this game could be worth the $60 by itself. Now more good news comes from the Gamespy camp where they got to play a preview build of the game and it looks like they enjoy it. Gamespy says that the game isn't reinventing the wheel when it comes to sandbox games, but does things well enough to keep the experience fun, fresh and unique. Maybe it's leveling up of one's super powers or maybe it's just because we aren't forced to be thugs in the game. Whatever it may be, Gamespy goes out and says "this title is shaping up to be a solid purchase, Halo 3 beta invite or not" ... we really hope so. Read Gamespy's full preview after the jump.

[Thanks, Jonah]

JoystiqGamespy says good things about Crackdown originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 04 Feb 2007 10:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crackdowngamespyhalo 3Halo3microsoft game studiosMicrosoftGameStudiospreviewreal time worldsRealTimeWorldsSun, 04 Feb 2007 10:35:00 EST<![CDATA[First Family Guy gameplay video released]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/10/first-family-guy-video-released/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/10/first-family-guy-video-released/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/10/first-family-guy-video-released/#commentsFiled under:

I gotta say the Family Guy game is looking pretty darn sharp with its cell-shaded graphics, and IGN has just released the game's first video, showing off those gorgeous good looks. However, don't get too excited yet because this video has been added to all IGN channels its being developed for. Still, even if it's not the PSP version, it should still look very comparable.

Gamespy had the privelage to play an early build and said the gameplay tends to get boring, but the visuals and storyline are very good.

Family Guy, which will be published by 2K Games and developed by High Voltage Software is set to ship Oct. 16.

JoystiqFirst Family Guy gameplay video released originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 10 Oct 2006 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2k games2kGamesfamily guyFamilyGuygamespyhigh voltage softwareHighVoltageSoftwareignTue, 10 Oct 2006 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Superman Returns looking bizarre]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/22/superman-returns-looking-bizarre/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/22/superman-returns-looking-bizarre/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/22/superman-returns-looking-bizarre/#commentsFiled under:

In a move seemingly inspired by Ultimate Spiderman's villainous gameplay, EA is including the famed super-clone Bizzaro as a playable character in Superman Returns. Bizarro Jerry is surely pleased. Of course, the mere hint that a Supes game doesn't suck is the clearest indication yet that we're all living in an alternate universe.

[Via VideoGameJocks]

JoystiqSuperman Returns looking bizarre originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 22 Jul 2006 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bizarrocomicseagamespysupermanvilainsSat, 22 Jul 2006 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Gamespy previews Contact]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/05/gamespy-previews-contact/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/05/gamespy-previews-contact/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/05/gamespy-previews-contact/#commentsFiled under: ,

Gamespy is running a preview of the game Contact, the collaborative effort of Grasshopper Manufacturer (Killer 7) and Marvelous Interactive (Harvest Moon: Friends of Mineral Town), adapted for localization by Atlus. One of the upcoming WiFi-compatible games eliciting the most interest, and for good reason, Contact tells the tale of an extra-terrestrial professor who crashes to Earth and meets a boy named Charlie, whom he enlists to aid him in repairing his ship. By encountering others in his travels and befriending them, Charlie then brings them into this world and can enlist their aid to accomplish said goals.

The preview is a good piece, chock full of information on the game's interesting WiFi implementation and other goodies. In connecting with friends, your character becomes a NPC in their game, complete with your own scripted dialogue and look. The game is currently scheduled for a July release in America.

JoystiqGamespy previews Contact originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 05 Apr 2006 22:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>contactdsgamespygrasshoppernintendoWed, 05 Apr 2006 22:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Independent Games Festival finalists in-depth]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/16/independent-games-festival-finalists-in-depth/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/16/independent-games-festival-finalists-in-depth/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/16/independent-games-festival-finalists-in-depth/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Gamespy has taken a detailed look at every one of the Independent Games Festival finalists, in advance of GDC next week where the awards ceremony will take place. If you've the time to go through the list in its entirety, you might be surprised at the range of games that have been under your nose all along.

Gamasutra and GameDev.net have also been running interviews with some of the creators of these games, allowing interested players or designers to get a feel for the process of independent design and find out more about the games themselves. The latest Gamasutra interview is with Ominous Development (behind game Strange Attractors); GameDev.net posted six new interviews yesterday.

JoystiqIndependent Games Festival finalists in-depth originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 16 Mar 2006 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gamespyigfindependent gamesIndependentGamesindie gamesIndieGamesPCThu, 16 Mar 2006 18:00:00 EST