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[Draw Something 2 is coming soon]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/19/draw-something-2-is-coming-soon/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/19/draw-something-2-is-coming-soon/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/19/draw-something-2-is-coming-soon/#comments Draw Something 2 is coming
No, that's not a threat; it's a fact. Just about a year after Zynga bought developer OMGPOP, CEO Dan Porter has confirmed on Twitter that a sequel to Draw Something is coming soon. Porter says the new version of the game will feature "new ways to draw and connect," and TV host Ryan Seacrest has been posting screenshots that reveal new paint swatches and a number of other additions and upgrades. Don't worry: There's also a price-tag button right on the top bar, so the app will undoubtedly feature lots of in-app purchase options.

The original Draw Something (which was released on mobile platforms and Facebook) saw its daily users drop quickly after the Zynga acquisition, but OMGPOP recently announced the game has seen over 100 million downloads and 11 billion drawings in the year since release.

JoystiqDraw Something 2 is coming soon originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 19 Mar 2013 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dan-porterdraw-somethingdraw-something-2facebookgamingiosiphonemobileomgpoppcsocialzyngaTue, 19 Mar 2013 02:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Over 2,100 sex offenders discovered and banned from online games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/20/over-2-100-sex-offenders-discovered-and-banned-from-online-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/20/over-2-100-sex-offenders-discovered-and-banned-from-online-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/20/over-2-100-sex-offenders-discovered-and-banned-from-online-games/#comments Over 2,100 sexual offenders discovered and banned from online gamesNew York Attorney General Eric T. Schniderman says that five gaming companies, including NCSoft and THQ, have agreed to purge the accounts of over 2100 registered sex offenders from their services. Earlier this year, over 3500 accounts were purged from major online game services run by Microsoft, Apple, Blizzard, EA, and others, and this latest drive adds more to that total (including some from Sony, which agreed to the initial purge but wasn't able to remove the accounts until now).

The goal here is to keep registered sex offenders (who are required by law to register their email addresses, screen names, and other online information) away from children who might be playing on these platforms, and prevent them from contacting potential prey anonymously. Operation: Game Over, as this drive is being called, is the first instance of using this registration information to keep predators off of gaming networks. Hopefully, says Schniderman, it will help "block sex offenders from using gaming systems as a vehicle to prey on underage victims."

JoystiqOver 2,100 sex offenders discovered and banned from online games originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 20 Dec 2012 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>attorney-generalchildreneric-schnidermaneric-t-schneidermangaminginternetlawlegalonlinepredatorssafetyservicessex-offendersThu, 20 Dec 2012 01:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Card Hunter combines tabletop gaming with digital magic]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/04/card-hunter-combines-tabletop-gaming-with-digital-magic/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/04/card-hunter-combines-tabletop-gaming-with-digital-magic/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/04/card-hunter-combines-tabletop-gaming-with-digital-magic/#comments Card Hunter combines tabletop gaming with digital magicJon Chey is a co-founder of Irrational Games, who recently formed up a brand new studio called Blue Manchu, to work on a new game called Card Hunter. Card Hunter might easily be mistaken for many similar games of much lower quality: It's a Flash game that runs in your browser, and it's going to be a free-to-play title monetized by microtransactions, using collectible cards to fuel the gameplay.

While Card Hunter may look shallow on the surface, it's anything but. Chey and his team have crafted what's essentially a love letter to tabletop gaming, combining mechanics usually meant for traditional board gaming (like game boards, cardboard cutouts, dice, and action cards) with a high-quality and well-designed video game.

Gallery: Card Hunter (PAX Prime 2012)

Continue reading Card Hunter combines tabletop gaming with digital magic

JoystiqCard Hunter combines tabletop gaming with digital magic originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 04 Sep 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>card-huntercardsdicedigitalflashfree-to-playgamingjonathan-cheynostalgiapax-2012pax-prime-2012pcrpgtabletopTue, 04 Sep 2012 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[OnLive on rumors of closure: 'of course not' [update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/17/onlive-on-rumors-of-closure-of-course-not/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/17/onlive-on-rumors-of-closure-of-course-not/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/17/onlive-on-rumors-of-closure-of-course-not/#comments Report Onlive laying off all employees, rebooting the company

InXile Entertainment's Brian Fargo tweeted this morning that he heard from someone inside Onlive that it was closing down, and has now posted that everyone on staff has lost their jobs, and that "a new company will be formed" soon after. A Mashable report from an anonymous source alleges the same.

Joystiq reached out to OnLive directly to ask about the rumors, and Director of Corporate Communications Brian Jaquet replied to us with a blunt denial: "We don't respond to rumors, but of course not."

"The exciting news is that the first VIZIO Co-Stars (Google TV stream players) with the OnLive app built-in have just arrived in customer homes," he continued, "and our second of three 'Indie Giveaway Weekends' is going on now. OnLive users can get a free copy of the award-winning games Space Pirates and Zombies and SpaceChem." So it sounds like OnLive is still open for business.

Joystiq followed up to ask if there were any layoffs at the company this morning at all, and Jaquet could only confirm that "the OnLive service is not shutting down." We'll update this post with any more details if we can get them.

Update: Kotaku is now hearing from "a source inside OnLive" that there in fact was a meeting this morning where CEO Steve Perlman told the staff that the company was filing for bankruptcy, and that no one would be employed by the current OnLive going forward. We're still researching this story, and will provide more information when we get it.

Update 2: IDG's Martyn Williams reports via Twitter that he's outside OnLive's headquarters in Palo Alto, CA, and that he's seeing "employees leaving OnLive headquarters with moving boxes." It's looking more and more like there were layoffs at the company today. Joystiq is continuing to follow up.

Update 3: OnLive laid off "at least 50 percent" of its staff this afternoon, and the company is being taken over by an unknown third-party. More through this link.

JoystiqOnLive on rumors of closure: 'of course not' [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 17 Aug 2012 16:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ceocloudgaminglayoffsonlivepatentspcrebootrumorservicestreamingFri, 17 Aug 2012 16:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Wikipad specs revealed, will run Android 4.1 games on a 10.1" screen]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/31/wikipad-specs-revealed-will-run-android-4-1-games-on-a-10-1-sc/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/31/wikipad-specs-revealed-will-run-android-4-1-games-on-a-10-1-sc/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/31/wikipad-specs-revealed-will-run-android-4-1-games-on-a-10-1-sc/#comments Yo dawg, Wikipad's Wikipad specs revealedThe Wikipad is a gaming tablet device revealed at CES earlier this year, and it's slowly moving from idea to reality. The company behind the tablet (also known as Wikipad, go figure) has announced the final specs for the design, and they're hot: The display will be 10.1 inches with a 16:10 1280x800 resolution, the tablet will be powered by an Nvidia Tegra 3 T30 1.4 GHz processor, and it will run with 1 GB of DDR2 RAM, and at least 16 GB of internal Flash memory storage. Android 4.1 will power the OS, and an onboard 23.46Wh battery will go for six hours of gaming and eight hours of video playback.

There will be an 8 megapixel camera on the back, as well as a 2 megapixel camera on the front. An early model this year featured a 3D display, but the final version will opt for 2D.

For the casing itself, Wikipad is going with a flat-backed shape with rounded corners, both slightly thicker, but also lighter, than the iPad 2. The controller add-on, which you can see above, is similar to a current-gen gaming controller (complete with triggers and buttons on the back) and will come with the unit.

A price and release date haven't been officially announced yet, but Wikipad is planning to have its namesake device out later this year.

JoystiqWikipad specs revealed, will run Android 4.1 games on a 10.1" screen originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 31 Jul 2012 01:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androiddevicegamingmobilespecstabletwikipadTue, 31 Jul 2012 01:30:00 EST<![CDATA[SpyParty selected as the Indie Showcase title for EVO 2012]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/21/spyparty-selected-as-the-indie-showcase-title-for-evo-2012/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/21/spyparty-selected-as-the-indie-showcase-title-for-evo-2012/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/21/spyparty-selected-as-the-indie-showcase-title-for-evo-2012/#comments Remember Spy Party, that sniper vs. spy game Chris Hecker made and showed off at our E3 meetup last year? The game, originally designed as the ultimate test of deep gaming skill, is getting a spotlight on one of the biggest competitive gaming stages as the Indie Showcase title at EVO 2012.

That means Spy Party will be playable at the event in Las Vegas in two weeks, and Hecker says he's hoping to have the demos hooked up to the Internet, letting attendees play some of the top players online. 50 beta invites are also being given away right now, so head over and sign up if you're interested. Spy Party was designed to test and highlight extreme player skill, so it's awesome to see it get placed in an event that brings in skilled gamers from all over the world.

JoystiqSpyParty selected as the Indie Showcase title for EVO 2012 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 21 Jun 2012 22:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betachris-heckerevo-2012gamingpcreleaseskillspy-partyspypartyThu, 21 Jun 2012 22:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Zynga's paid $300 per new user in the past nine months, says analyst]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/21/zyngas-paid-300-per-new-user-in-the-past-nine-months-says-ana/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/21/zyngas-paid-300-per-new-user-in-the-past-nine-months-says-ana/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/21/zyngas-paid-300-per-new-user-in-the-past-nine-months-says-ana/#comments Zynga has been struggling with its stock price since the IPO late last year, and Sterne Agee analyst Arvind Bhatia says there are more dark days ahead. When you compare Zynga's $120 million marketing budget to its recent rise in only 400,000 new players (about $300 a person), the numbers don't look good: "We know that, on average, these people are spending about $150 or so," says Bhatia, which suggests that Zynga is spending about $300 for every $150 in profit. "That math won't work for very long," obviously.

Zynga's spending is indicative of a few trends in social gaming. First, the company has discovered it's very hard to earn new players. Many of Zynga's games are similar, and without really experimenting, it's going to be hard to generate uniques. Second, Zynga's earnings are based on "whales": A small percentage of players who spend big. You need to find a lot of unique free-to-play players to land a few whales, and Bhatia doesn't see Zynga doing that lately.

So what's the solution? "Zynga will have to find their next FarmVille," says Bhatia. Until the company finds another phenomenally popular hit and the surge in new players that comes along with it (which is incredibly tough to do), Bhatia expects to see even more problems with Zynga and its stock.

JoystiqZynga's paid $300 per new user in the past nine months, says analyst originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 21 Jan 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arvind-bhatiafarmvillefinancialsgamingipomafia-warsmobilepcpricessocialsocial-gamingstockzyngaSat, 21 Jan 2012 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Razer tests the waters with Project Fiona at CES]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/16/razer-tests-the-waters-with-project-fiona-at-ces/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/16/razer-tests-the-waters-with-project-fiona-at-ces/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/16/razer-tests-the-waters-with-project-fiona-at-ces/#comments Razer's Project Fiona looks just like you'd expect a prototype to look. Despite a thick but standard tablet-style body and 10.1 inch touchscreen, it has some unfinished aluminum struts sticking out of either side, with not-quite-perfect joysticks and buttons placed unceremoniously on the top. In short, it's a manufactured idea and not a real product just yet. And Razer's purpose at CES last week was to judge, reps told me, just how good that idea actually was.

Playing with the Project Fiona tablet doesn't feel quite right, but not because the games don't work. The Intel Core i7 processor powers a full Windows 7 installation (though it will eventually run Windows 8, says Razer), and the two prototypes at the show had full PC games on them, including the excellent Warhammer 40K: Space Marine. It ran quite well, but it was still difficult to play -- those joysticks and buttons just aren't fully in the right places. My thumbs did find and learn to use them after a few minutes of play, but it's unclear why, when Razer is already borrowing the "console controller" setup, the buttons are so strangely placed.

After about twenty minutes of handling and playing with Project Fiona, I came to the biggest question about the prototype: Why?

Continue reading Razer tests the waters with Project Fiona at CES

JoystiqRazer tests the waters with Project Fiona at CES originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 16 Jan 2012 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cesces-2012gamingmobilepcpc-gamespc-gamingproject-fionarazertabletMon, 16 Jan 2012 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[OnLive releases iOS and Android apps, custom touch controls, and a wireless controller]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/07/onlive-releases-ios-and-android-apps-custom-touch-controls-and/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/07/onlive-releases-ios-and-android-apps-custom-touch-controls-and/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/07/onlive-releases-ios-and-android-apps-custom-touch-controls-and/#comments Cloud gaming service OnLive has been up and running for about a year now, and in all that time it's been doing exactly what many gamers thought impossible: Playing high resolution games over the Internet on any computer powerful enough to run a simple streaming app. Now, the company is taking its cloud-based show to smartphones and tablets, with a whole suite of apps available this week for Android and iOS devices.

Joystiq had a chance to chat with OnLive CEO Steve Perlman, and he told us how the company has brought OnLive's library of PC and console titles to touchscreens everywhere (with the help of developers like Rockstar Games and a brand new controller), how OnLive and its service compares to the Xbox 360 console, and how his company would rather play nice with traditional console makers like Microsoft and Sony than disrupt their current business models.

Continue reading OnLive releases iOS and Android apps, custom touch controls, and a wireless controller

JoystiqOnLive releases iOS and Android apps, custom touch controls, and a wireless controller originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 07 Dec 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidappsceocloudgamingiosipadiphonemobileonlivesteve-perlmanstreamingtabletWed, 07 Dec 2011 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Extra Life 2011 charity event starts today, to raise money for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/14/extra-life-2011-charity-event-starts-today-to-raise-money-for-c/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/14/extra-life-2011-charity-event-starts-today-to-raise-money-for-c/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/14/extra-life-2011-charity-event-starts-today-to-raise-money-for-c/#comments You may have already heard about this one, but in case not, know that starting today through tomorrow morning, quite a few folks online are going to be playing video games for 24 hours straight, aiming to raise money for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals.

The Extra Life Charity marathon is going on this weekend, and though players don't have to stream (or play the whole 24 hours, really -- it's all in good fun), lots of people will be doing so. Our very own Arthur Gies is even participating in the event all weekend long, as is Massively writer Beau Hindman. The Paragon Studios team will have a livestream up, Rift has a special in-game event going, and outlets like G4, GotGame, Aussie Gamer, and Platform Nation are all joining in to play and raise money.

If you'd like to contribute, it's definitely not too late. Play some games, watch some people playing others, and by all means, head on over to the Extra Life site and donate a few bucks to the cause. It's great to see gamers come together in a huge event like this, to both celebrate the act of playing games, and of course raise some money for charity as well.

JoystiqExtra Life 2011 charity event starts today, to raise money for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 14 Oct 2011 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>charitychildrens-miracle-networkdonationseventextra lifeExtraLifegamingmarathonraise-moneystreamingFri, 14 Oct 2011 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[URL Hunter offers a whole game in your browser's address bar]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/26/url-hunter-offers-a-whole-game-in-your-browsers-address-bar/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/26/url-hunter-offers-a-whole-game-in-your-browsers-address-bar/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/26/url-hunter-offers-a-whole-game-in-your-browsers-address-bar/#comments Perhaps you saw (and even played) URL Hunter when it was being passed around the Internets a little while back -- it's a tiny little HTML 5 game that takes place all inside a long Uniform Resource Locator in your web browser's address bar. The HTML script moves a few little "a" characters around, and you can line them up in your sights with arrow keys, pressing space to fire and shoot as many as possible within a time limit.

Developer Corey Johnson, formerly of Maxis and now working at Github, says the game was developed over just a few hours of programming time. After reading about HTML 5's address bar API, he decided to try and make it interactive, and came up with URL Hunter. He had "lots of ideas at first, but cut most of them because of my self-imposed time constraints" of only a few hours of work.

Johnson says that HTML 5's Canvas element offers much more "potential" for browser-based games than his URL hacking. But that hasn't stopped us from getting the initial funding together for Joystiq Publishing's first browser-based product, Call of Document Object: Model Web Design 2.

JoystiqURL Hunter offers a whole game in your browser's address bar originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 26 Mar 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>browsercanvascodecorey-johnsongaminghtml5pcurl-hunterSat, 26 Mar 2011 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Verizon iPhone has devs, analysts excited by increased audience]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/11/verizon-iphone-has-devs-analysts-excited-by-increased-audience/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/11/verizon-iphone-has-devs-analysts-excited-by-increased-audience/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/11/verizon-iphone-has-devs-analysts-excited-by-increased-audience/#comments As expected, Verizon announced today that it would become the second US company to carry Apple's iPhone on its service, finally offering an alternative to AT&T, which up until now has had an iron grip on the popular device. Game developers are thrilled at the prospect of a whole new audience for a platform so friendly to mobile games, with some analysts and devs predicting mobile gaming revenue could double as soon as the end of this year.

Of course, devs are aware that there could be some issues, both with bringing scads of new customers onto the platform as well as transferring some customers from AT&T over to Verizon. But on the whole, they're giddy with optimism -- analysts are saying that as many as 13 million new iPhones could be sold on the Verizon service, and each one of those is a potential new customer for iOS developers.

JoystiqVerizon iPhone has devs, analysts excited by increased audience originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 11 Jan 2011 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>analystsapplegamesgamingiosiphonemobilemobile-gamingrevenuesverizonTue, 11 Jan 2011 22:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Inafune talks about Capcom split, wants to be 'driving force' in game development]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/01/inafune-talks-about-capcom-split-wants-to-be-driving-force-in/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/01/inafune-talks-about-capcom-split-wants-to-be-driving-force-in/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/01/inafune-talks-about-capcom-split-wants-to-be-driving-force-in/#comments
Mega Man creator Keiji Inafune has blasted the Japanese gaming industry in an interview conducted by 4Gamer.net right after his recent exit from Capcom, and translated by a NeoGAF forum user. In it, Inafune says that Japanese publishers are "making developers into salarymen" and that he could no longer be the designer he wanted to be at Capcom. Inafune also revealed that he would have liked to have worked alongside his former employer after the split, perhaps as an outside contractor, but was told, "That won't be necessary."

Inafune is quite honest in the interview, commenting that Capcom won't survive using its current employment structure, and that the company will have to pare down its internal workforce and commission Western developers to help make its games in the future. Western developers, says Inafune, are "far and away more passionate" than Capcom's internal teams -- and technically superior, as well.

As for what's next, it sounds like Inafune is planning to start his own company. He says he wants to "do business" and be a "further driving force" in the Japanese games industry. It's a pretty epic interview; you can read it in its entirety at the via link.

JoystiqInafune talks about Capcom split, wants to be 'driving force' in game development originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 01 Nov 2010 21:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dead-rising-2gamingindustryinterviewjapankeiji-inafuneMon, 01 Nov 2010 21:35:00 EST<![CDATA[OnLive now working over Wi-Fi, announces 'Indie Fest']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/15/onlive-now-working-over-wi-fi-announces-indie-fest/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/15/onlive-now-working-over-wi-fi-announces-indie-fest/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/15/onlive-now-working-over-wi-fi-announces-indie-fest/#commentsFiled under: , ,

OnLive has begun rolling out support for Wi-Fi connections to its cloud gaming service. So sure is the company that it can offer lag free streaming of game content that it is bringing Wi-Fi support to subscribers before it planned to. Support is still in beta, but most OnLive members are supposed to see the fuctionality available sometime this month. OnLive users with questions can get answers from this FAQ.

Additionally, the company has announced an initiative to support indie games on the service, offering its developer tools and SDK to independent game companies to sell their titles to subscribers. This coming weekend, OnLive is holding an "Indie Fest," offering discounts of up to 75% on great indie games like World of Goo, Trine, and AaaaaAaaaAAAaaAAAAaAAAAA!!! We would like to know how offering indie games for cheap means you're supporting the developers, but it's cool -- we don't understand how the whole streaming things works so well either.

JoystiqOnLive now working over Wi-Fi, announces 'Indie Fest' originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 Sep 2010 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa-a-reckless-disregard-for-gravitycloudgamesgamingindieindie-gamingnetworkonlivepcservicesubscriptiontrinewi-fiworld-of-gooWed, 15 Sep 2010 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[id's Todd Hollenshead: 3D gaming will probably have to wait]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/27/ids-todd-hollenshead-3d-gaming-will-probably-have-to-wait/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/27/ids-todd-hollenshead-3d-gaming-will-probably-have-to-wait/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/27/ids-todd-hollenshead-3d-gaming-will-probably-have-to-wait/#commentsFiled under: , ,

So there we were at the wedding last weekend -- our cousin Video Gaming and his fiancée 3D were all set to tie the knot, when Uncle Todd stood up at the rehearsal dinner table and said what most of us were thinking. "Maybe we're getting to the point," he said loudly while spilling a little champagne, "where the people who have been pushing 3D, or are pushing 3D now, have figured out a way to make it cool and not so nerdy that nobody wants to do it." The rest of the room gasped, gaming looked really confused, and 3D ran out the back door, her eyes filling with tears.

Hollenshead had a point, though -- it's been a really quick romance, and while gaming's certainly attracted to 3D (who wouldn't be -- Avatar made her look super hot), the couple's definitely been pushed together by the two families. But maybe Uncle Todd was right when he said that the relationship "has to be more pervasive and more widely adopted before it makes sense for videogame development companies to invest."

We talked it over with Video Gaming, and he agreed that maybe they should take it a little slower -- spend some more development time together, sell a few more solid titles and then we'd talk about an actual marriage. 3D was kind of bummed out by the whole thing, but everyone agreed that as much it would cost to lose the deposit on the reception hall, the cost of going through with a troubled marriage would be even worse. As Uncle Todd put it, "the TVs are f***ing expensive. Is there enough content to justify?"

Joystiqid's Todd Hollenshead: 3D gaming will probably have to wait originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 27 Aug 2010 00:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3d3d-gaminggamingid-softwaremicrosoftpcplaystationps3todd-hollensheadxboxFri, 27 Aug 2010 00:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Study: Average social gamer age is only 29 in the US]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/26/study-average-social-gamer-age-is-only-27-in-the-us/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/26/study-average-social-gamer-age-is-only-27-in-the-us/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/26/study-average-social-gamer-age-is-only-27-in-the-us/#comments If you think that those silly social games like Farmville and Mafia Wars are full of teenagers, you're only half right. The average player of social games is actually younger than previously believed, according to a new study, but a little older than teenage: 29 in the US and 27 in the EU. That's an interesting conclusion, especially since the average gamer is actually a little older than that (s/he was 30 a few years ago and has been getting steadily older since then), and most people believe that social gamers on Facebook tend to skew even older.

This survey by GamesIndustry.com, however, goes against that grain, and claims that while there are more females playing these games than males, they tend to be younger than expected. Peter Warman of that site says that the reason for this is that most such surveys don't poll any lower than age 18: "It is therefore not at all surprising that their average age is extraordinarily high ... Data from kids and teens is vital and should always be taken into account."

If these surveys aren't representing anyone below age 18, then it's possible gamers, especially those playing social games on Facebook and elsewhere, are even younger than anyone's guessed previously.

JoystiqStudy: Average social gamer age is only 29 in the US originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 26 Mar 2010 03:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ageaverageaverage-gamereufacebookfarmvillegamergamesindustrygamingmafia-warsoldersocial-gamingsurveyusyoungerFri, 26 Mar 2010 03:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Disney wants to take Epic Mickey to 'Nintendo levels' on the Wii]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/27/disney-wants-to-take-epic-mickey-to-nintendo-levels-on-the-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/27/disney-wants-to-take-epic-mickey-to-nintendo-levels-on-the-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/27/disney-wants-to-take-epic-mickey-to-nintendo-levels-on-the-wii/#comments
 Gamasutra got a chance to speak with the executive VP and GM of Disney Interactive Studios, Graham Hopper, who says that Disney is swinging for the stands on their future game releases. The games division is learning from "pure" gaming studios and their success, and while Hopper admits that the company hasn't always treated their properties correctly on the gaming side, starting with Disney's Epic Mickey, it wants to "give their projects the time and appropriate resources to be successful." In other words, let them stand on their own as games, rather than squeeze them up against a movie's release date.

And Hopper hopes for quite the payoff, too -- while third-party titles on the Wii have been hit or miss (mostly miss), Hopper expects Epic Mickey's success to go "to Nintendo levels." He does say that they don't want to turn Mickey into Mario by "simply using him as an icon or an avatar in a game," but Disney's goal in the future will be to make sure that each of their properties' appearances are worth it. Hopper says if they port a film to five different gaming platforms, customers should expect "not the same story five times over, but five different stories, each uniquely suited for the platform they're on." A good plan to have, but much easier said than done.

JoystiqDisney wants to take Epic Mickey to 'Nintendo levels' on the Wii originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 27 Feb 2010 00:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>customersdisney-interactive-studiosdisneys-epic-mickeyepic-mickeygaminggoalgraham-hoppermariomickey-mouseNintendothird-partytitleswiiSat, 27 Feb 2010 00:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Can Apple save gaming magazines?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/26/can-apple-save-gaming-magazines/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/26/can-apple-save-gaming-magazines/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/26/can-apple-save-gaming-magazines/#comments
[SI.com; tablet concept]
What do these publications have in common: EGM, Games for Windows, Official PlayStation Magazine, Computer Games Magazine, Tips and Tricks, GMR, Xbox Nation, and Massive? Video games, sure, but all have also perished in the last five years. With the looming announcement of Apple's long-rumored tablet device, there's a chance that gaming magazines may finally be able to stop the bleeding.

It's no secret that just about every video game magazine out there is hurting right now -- save for the absurdly colossal Game Informer (its unique arrangement with GameStop provides the publication with a seemingly infinite subscriber base eager to save on used-game purchases and get extra trade-in credit). The magazine world in general has been hit hard by the evaporation of advertising dollars, and gaming publications have been subjected to some of the worst of that storm due to the movement of their traditionally tech-savvy audience away from print and to digital media.

However, Apple is rumored to be launching a device that could make magazines cool again and help the gaming print media crawl off its deathbed. The Wall Street Journal reported several days ago on information from anonymous sources that Apple has been in talks with several print media corporations, including Conde Nast, one of the largest magazine publishers in the world, to bring its publications to Apple's long-rumored tablet PC -- expected to be announced tomorrow, January 27, at a press event in San Francisco. The article speculated that Apple has plans to use this new device to redefine print media in much the same way that iTunes and the iPod revolutionized the monetization of music.

Continue reading Can Apple save gaming magazines?

JoystiqCan Apple save gaming magazines? originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 26 Jan 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleapple-tabletdigitaldigital-magazinee-magazineezinegamingipadiPodislateitabletmagazinepublishingtablettablet-magazineTue, 26 Jan 2010 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Austin Independent School District makes deal to buy more video games for classrooms]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/07/austin-independent-school-district-makes-deal-to-buy-more-video/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/07/austin-independent-school-district-makes-deal-to-buy-more-video/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/07/austin-independent-school-district-makes-deal-to-buy-more-video/#comments
We've seen educational video games show up in the classroom before, and it looks like one school district is coming back for more. The Austin Independent School District has ordered up another set of edu-games from a company called Tabula Digita that provides 3D, first-person action-based games to teach students how to do basic math and algebra. One sample scenario in the games has students calculating the location of an in-game weather station on a graph, and then using the data found there to make charts and track down alien creatures.

The press release doesn't mention costs, but according to its website, 15 single-user licenses to the games cost the school $1049.25 each, making up a cost of just over $24,000 for the entire 350 student program. The students, who were part of a 10-day JumpStart program and had previously failed a math retest, were allowed to play the games for 30 minutes a day, and, afterwards, 82% of the kids said they had improved their understanding of the concepts. No word on how their k/d ratio came out.

JoystiqAustin Independent School District makes deal to buy more video games for classrooms originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 07 Jan 2010 03:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dalgebraaustinchartclassroomclassroom-gamesdimension-meducationfirst-persongames-in-the-classroomgaminggaming-in-the-classroomgraphindependentkd-ratiolearningmathschool-districtschoolsThu, 07 Jan 2010 03:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: Gaming dominates iPhone app sales]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/07/report-gaming-dominates-iphone-app-sales/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/07/report-gaming-dominates-iphone-app-sales/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/07/report-gaming-dominates-iphone-app-sales/#comments
We're totally surprised too, guys! With such gems as iFart, iPint and the always fun Shotgun, we were hard-pressed to think that games were a popular distraction for App store browsers. That was until Distimo (via GI.biz) unleashed its extensive report looking at iPhone users, which has determined that games are the top download on Apple's fancy schmancy phone.

The conclusion was made by looking at the overall top 15 downloads, as well as the top free downloads unique to the 3G and the 3GS models. Games made up nine of the overall top 15 and, looking at the free downloads for each hardware type, 30% were games. Due to this news, Joystiq is proud to report that it has begun work on a Where's Waldo-like unicorn-spotting game for the iPhone called Ultrastiq. Look for it in Q4 2009 Q1 2010.

Source - Distimo report (PDF link) [Via GI.biz]

JoystiqReport: Gaming dominates iPhone app sales originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 07 Aug 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>app-storeApplegamesgamingiPodFri, 07 Aug 2009 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Honolulu mayor bans 'mobile electronic devices' while driving]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/06/honolulu-mayor-bans-mobile-electronic-devices-while-driving/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/06/honolulu-mayor-bans-mobile-electronic-devices-while-driving/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/06/honolulu-mayor-bans-mobile-electronic-devices-while-driving/#comments
Honolulu (Hawaii, not Idaho) Mayor Mufi Hannemann will soon sign a bill making the use of mobile electronic devices illegal while driving. According to the Star Bulletin, Bill 4 is aimed at stopping "text messaging and video-game playing," but the blanket law for all devices had to be done to make the bill enforceable. Officers simply need to see a driver using a handheld device to issue a citation -- hands-free devices are kosher.

So, if you're looking to game and drive to the beach, head on over to Kailua. The beaches are better and there are far fewer tourists to inattentively run over.

[Via GamePolitics]
[Image]

JoystiqHonolulu mayor bans 'mobile electronic devices' while driving originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 06 May 2009 02:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>drivinggaminghonolulumufi-hannemanntextingwaikikiWed, 06 May 2009 02:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Study: Kids want their folks involved in gaming]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/06/study-kids-want-their-folks-involved-in-gaming/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/06/study-kids-want-their-folks-involved-in-gaming/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/06/study-kids-want-their-folks-involved-in-gaming/#comments
A survey carried out as part of Microsoft's "Play Smart, Play Safe" campaign shows 60% of kids surveyed wish their folks would become more involved in their gaming. Of all of the children polled, 47% admitted their parents "never" involve themselves with gaming, which is just plain shocking, but not as surprising as the 47% of parents who admitted they sometimes allow their child to play a game rated for a higher age set.

On top of this, only 60% of the parents questioned say they fully understand the rating system (are you serious?). However, 94% of the parents feel personally responsible for checking, so we guess that's something. In an effort to get the kids and 'rents together for some gaming, we've come up with with titles we think the whole family can enjoy. You can find the list past the break.

[Via GI.biz]

Continue reading Study: Kids want their folks involved in gaming

JoystiqStudy: Kids want their folks involved in gaming originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 06 Mar 2009 06:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gamingmicrosoftparentsplay-smart-play-safepollFri, 06 Mar 2009 06:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New York to open game-focused school this fall]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/16/new-york-to-open-game-focused-school-this-fall/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/16/new-york-to-open-game-focused-school-this-fall/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/16/new-york-to-open-game-focused-school-this-fall/#commentsEnrolling in a game-focused school may have been just a dream for us children of the 20th century, but for the kids growing up in the 21st, this fantasy will soon become reality. Quest to Learn is New York's new school for "digital kids" in grades 6 through 12. It uses the "underlying design principles of games to create highly immersive, game-like learning experiences for students."

The basic goal of Quest is to enhance traditional academics with new ways of learning through "digital media, games, online networks and mobile technologies." Students will not just utilize these new learning tools, but will also learn to design them. They can eventually take courses in computer programming, media arts and game design. Internship and mentorship programs also aim to further the learning experience, while affiliates like the Parsons New School for Design further helps a Quest student prepare for a career in new media. We already know what Parsons students are capable of, but how is the untested Quest to Learn going to fair? Hopefully these bred-for-gaming star developers of the future will give us more games like this and fewer of these. Quest opens with its first 6th grade class this fall.

[Thanks, Drew]

JoystiqNew York to open game-focused school this fall originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 16 Feb 2009 18:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>academicsgaminglearningparsonsquest-to-learnMon, 16 Feb 2009 18:40:00 EST<![CDATA[CES 2009: The Gaming Showcase of Mystery]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/10/ces-2009-the-gaming-showcase-of-mystery/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/10/ces-2009-the-gaming-showcase-of-mystery/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/10/ces-2009-the-gaming-showcase-of-mystery/#commentsFiled under: ,


Imagine, if you will, that all of CES (which includes over 130,000 attendees) has been shrunk down to a scale model roughly the size of a football field. Or better yet, the map room in Raiders of the Lost Ark. Off in the far corner, there's an extremely small, tiny, miniscule hut. Way back behind the big temples and buildings and such. See it? Probably not. Well, there's no headpiece to the Staff of Ra to illuminate it, but that's representative of the "Gaming Showcase" at CES.

The real thing is off the beaten path, and none of the people staffing the information booths had heard of it. They kept sending us in endless loops back to the Hilton, where it most definitely is not located. In fact, we saw so much of the Hilton (which is now sadly missing the defunct Star Trek: The Experience) that we memorized the entire layout of the place. Finally, after throwing away all of our maps and tosing caution to the winds, we accidentally stumbled across it in the South Hall.

It was full of wholesalers, the ever present Entropia Universe, Boomchairs, third-party peripheral accesory makers, headphone manufacturers, and a very sad dearth of games. In fact, we only saw one game being shown off. It's called Merchants of Brooklyn from Paleo Entertainment, so check back for a writeup on it shortly. Until then, enjoy the Gaming Showcase gallery below, and pray for us to unearth another secret room contaning the Ark of the Covenant of gaming. Or some energy drinks and granola bars.

Gallery: CES Gaming Showcase 2009

JoystiqCES 2009: The Gaming Showcase of Mystery originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 10 Jan 2009 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CESces-2009gamingjoystiqfeaturesMerchants-Of-BrooklynPaleo-EntertainmentSat, 10 Jan 2009 02:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq goes to E for All]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/03/joystiq-goes-to-e-for-all/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/03/joystiq-goes-to-e-for-all/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/03/joystiq-goes-to-e-for-all/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

E for All remains the ghostly and distant third cousin of the previous mammoth version of E3 that's open to the public, and it takes place inside the carcass of that fearsome beast, the Los Angeles Convention Center. While we misjudged the time and arrived two hours early, that gives us plenty of time to peruse the schedule and pick our poison.

So far the highlights include:
  • A treadmill race across Azeroth
  • Meet and greet with Billy Mitchell
  • Samples of Gamer Grub, snacks developed for gamers
  • Hands-on with Ubisoft's Far Cry 2, Tom Clancy's End War, Shaun White Snowboarding, and Activision's Guitar Hero World Tour
  • Putting our butt in a Boom Chair
  • And the... Los Angeles Unified School District? "Participating students will obtain a deeper understanding of video games and how they can be incorporated into their future careers from speakers - including Fatal1ty - who will describe their experience with video games and ways to break into the industry." Run kids, run.

JoystiqJoystiq goes to E for All originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 03 Oct 2008 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>consumerconventionE-For-AllE3EForAllgamingLos-AngelespublicFri, 03 Oct 2008 13:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq Exclusive: a sneak peek at the upcoming i am 8 bit show]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/31/joystiq-exclusive-a-sneak-peek-at-the-upcoming-i-am-8-bit-show/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/31/joystiq-exclusive-a-sneak-peek-at-the-upcoming-i-am-8-bit-show/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/31/joystiq-exclusive-a-sneak-peek-at-the-upcoming-i-am-8-bit-show/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


We've been able to pry some exclusive images out of the i am 8 bit showrunners -- here they are in gallery-tastic form, just for you. As a wallpaper-friendly reminder, be sure to click the "Hi Res" button in the upper right corner to get some enormo versions of the art. It's the best way to have a technicolor Samus gracing your desktop.

The new gallery show will open on August 14th in Los Angeles, and will run through September 7th. If you can't make it West, don't worry ... Joystiq will have you covered. Check back on the evening of the 14th for a plethora of photos from the show. That is, if we haven't hocked our laptops to buy this Dig Dug meets Animal Crossing piece.

Gallery: i am 8-bit: 2008

JoystiqJoystiq Exclusive: a sneak peek at the upcoming i am 8 bit show originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 31 Jul 2008 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>8-bitartworkdig-dugdonkey-konggallerygamingi-am-8-bitlos-angelesretrosamusThu, 31 Jul 2008 15:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Overheard@E3: "Check out all these girls playing games!"]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/17/overheard-e3-check-out-all-these-girls-playing-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/17/overheard-e3-check-out-all-these-girls-playing-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/17/overheard-e3-check-out-all-these-girls-playing-games/#commentsFiled under: ,


When the doors of the E3 showfloor first opened, herds of eager game industry denizens rushed inside to set up stations at kiosks to try their hands at the new wares. One small gaggle of gaming journalists from a world where women must not exist gawped and said "Check out all these girls playing games!" Keep in mind, this was after seeing two women playing games at one console.

Two girls, one console. Yes, apparently women play games.

JoystiqOverheard@E3: "Check out all these girls playing games!" originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 17 Jul 2008 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>E3E3-2008GamingGirlsOverheardWomenThu, 17 Jul 2008 23:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Glenn Beck proves how much of a jerk he is]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/08/glenn-beck-proves-how-much-of-a-jerk-he-is/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/08/glenn-beck-proves-how-much-of-a-jerk-he-is/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/08/glenn-beck-proves-how-much-of-a-jerk-he-is/#commentsFiled under:


So, reader Steven is, like, the greatest guy ever. He got some time in with Glenn Beck, who apparently has a radio show (as if having his mug on TV for however long he's on each day isn't enough) and, we're convinced the guy is just a jerk, plain and simple. Instead of, oh, we don't know, treating Steven like a human being and having a civil discussion, Glenn Beck instead decides to pull out his big book of clichés and takes the time to place every stereotype gamers above the age of 12 suffer from onto Steven. Real mature, Glenn, real mature.

Also, what else comes off as comical to us is Glenn's recollection of his remarks that game bloggers are losers. He says it was a joke, that he said it in a joking fashion, yet, when we watch the video again, we don't see a smile, a smirk or even hear a chuckle. Glenn looks pretty darn serious when he says it. But, then again, we're often busy losing at life and converting our parents' basement into the bridge of the Enterprise, so we're not really sure how emotions or human interaction work. We are gamers so that's how it goes, right Glenn?

Hit up the link below to download the segment for yourself. Around the 6:50 mark is when Steven calls in.

JoystiqGlenn Beck proves how much of a jerk he is originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 08 May 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blogbloggersbloggers-are-losersblogospheregamingglenn-beckThu, 08 May 2008 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Glenn Beck doesn't like game bloggers too much]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/07/glenn-beck-doesnt-like-game-bloggers-too-much/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/07/glenn-beck-doesnt-like-game-bloggers-too-much/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/07/glenn-beck-doesnt-like-game-bloggers-too-much/#commentsFiled under:


Okay, now this bit on Glenn Beck's show revolves around that GTA IV game, but he does manage to say something relevant to us (and, in turn, you all reading this). He thinks game blogs are a waste of time and their bloggers are "losers," citing that he could care less about video games overall, even though he has a pretty lengthy segment on his show about them (we imagine he's had other gaming-related topics on his show, but we steer clear of shows with hosts on power trips). We can only imagine what this implies about you, the reader, who spends their time keeping current on the industry news with us.

It honestly cracks us up, because not only is he calling us losers and pretty much saying video games aren't worth his effort, but he's being such a toolbox as to say his supposed opinions during a video game segment on his show. You tell us what is worse, fine readers: a person who blogs about something they're passionate about, or a guy on TV who talks about what his producers say are the day's hot topics and blatantly shows no regard for the subject matter?

[Via Go Nintendo]

JoystiqGlenn Beck doesn't like game bloggers too much originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 07 May 2008 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blogbloggersbloggers-are-losersblogospheregamingglenn-beckWed, 07 May 2008 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Tomb Raider comes to online video slot machines. Finally!]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/13/tomb-raider-comes-to-online-video-slot-machines-finally/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/13/tomb-raider-comes-to-online-video-slot-machines-finally/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/13/tomb-raider-comes-to-online-video-slot-machines-finally/#commentsFiled under: ,

If there's one thing we here at Joystiq constantly find ourselves thinking while playing Tomb Raider games, it's "Man, if only this experience could be translated into an online video slot machine." Well someone at Belle Rock Entertainment must have had a window into our souls, because the group has just unveiled Tomb Raider: The Secret of the Sword, a new video slot for their online casinos.

The machine isn't based directly on the games, unfortunately. Instead, it promises to "faithfully capture the gripping excitement and suspense of the original movie" with "a glossy 5 reel 30 pay-line multi-faceted package." Fans of the movie will be happy to know that the "randomly triggered Super Mode" and "Global Adventure Bonus" have been faithfully captured here. The Secret of the Sword joins a similar Hitman slot machine in the annals of lame cross-marketing ideas for Eidos products impressive and engaging Eidos slot machine ports.

JoystiqTomb Raider comes to online video slot machines. Finally! originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 Mar 2008 22:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>casinoeidosgamblinggaminghitmanPCslot-mahcineslotstomb-raiderThu, 13 Mar 2008 22:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Slot machines to become more like video games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/11/slot-machines-to-become-more-like-video-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/11/slot-machines-to-become-more-like-video-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/11/slot-machines-to-become-more-like-video-games/#commentsFiled under: , ,

There's usually not that much overlap between the gaming industry (the gambling one) and the gaming industry (the one you actually are about). That seems poised to change, though, as the New York Times reports slot machine manufacturers are adding skill-based gaming elements to the one-armed bandits in an effort to attract new players. "We can't just make a slot thinking about the 55-year-old lady who comes to the casino a few times a month," said Rob Bone, marketing director for WMS Gaming. "We need to appeal to new buckets of players, or we'll die."

To that end, Bally Technologies has signed a deal with Atari to make machines based on Pong and Breakout, which let you play simplified versions of the games during a bonus round. Don't get too excited, though -- your gaming skills won't let you break the bank at Vegas. As the Times points out, "skill will take a player only so far as these machines are still calibrated to pay out less money than they take in." That's OK though ... back in the '80s we put money into these games without expecting to get any money back.

[Thanks Vlad]

JoystiqSlot machines to become more like video games originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 11 Dec 2007 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atariBallybreakoutcasinoclassicgamblinggamingpongretroslot machinesSlotMachinesvegasTue, 11 Dec 2007 14:15:00 EST<![CDATA[An American Tourist's Abbreviated Guide to London Gaming]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/30/an-american-tourists-abbreviated-guide-to-london-gaming/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/30/an-american-tourists-abbreviated-guide-to-london-gaming/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/30/an-american-tourists-abbreviated-guide-to-london-gaming/#commentsFiled under: , ,


In America, Thanksgiving is a time of family, turkey, and football. In England, Thanksgiving is, well, just another day (although there was football). Unfortunately, I happened to be in the latter country with my wife and her family for the week surrounding the holiday, which means I didn't get a chance to revel in the Rock Band release or gawk at the Black Friday madness. I did, however, get an extremely cursory glance at the state of gaming and gaming culture as I toured the country's capital, London. Check out the below gallery for a glance at that glance, and be sure to read the captions to figure out what's going on. And, if you happen to be from England, I apologize in advance for what I'm sure is my total misunderstanding of everything I saw.

Above: A totally awesome Real Puncher game at the Namco Station arcade. The game is apparently the sequel to Sonic Blast Man, which was a childhood arcade favorite of mine.

Gallery: An American Tourist's Abbreviated Guide to London Gaming

Namco Station

JoystiqAn American Tourist's Abbreviated Guide to London Gaming originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 30 Nov 2007 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arcadeenglandgaminglondontouristFri, 30 Nov 2007 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The long, slightly distracted arm of the law]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/22/the-long-slightly-distracted-arm-of-the-law/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/22/the-long-slightly-distracted-arm-of-the-law/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/22/the-long-slightly-distracted-arm-of-the-law/#commentsFiled under:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/wlwt/20071017/lo_wlwt/14363937Video games aren't only destroying lives and causing global terrorism - they're also preventing the enforcement of the very laws we live by. Or at least, they are if you live in Cincinnati, where two doltish police officers and five of their supervisors now face punishment for playing games while on duty.

The officers in question were supposed to be undertaking 60 days of foot patrol, but instead opted to put their feet up inside a substation located in a strip mall, and get their game on (sadly, what they were playing isn't specified).

Unsurprisingly, Cincinnati Police Chief Tom Streicher isn't a happy bunny. "They basically left roll call, went to a substation (and) stayed inside that substation all day," he told gathered media. "My understanding is they were watching television, playing video games and, if they left, they left to get something to eat and they came straight back and spent the entire eight hours locked in a room over in Hyde Park."

It's claimed the pair even ignored calls from dispatchers while glued to the TV, and their supervisors turned a blind eye in the process. So there you go: self-discipline and basic powers of concentration aren't a prerequisite if you want in at the Cincinnati force.

JoystiqThe long, slightly distracted arm of the law originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 22 Oct 2007 18:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CrimeGamingPoliceMon, 22 Oct 2007 18:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Gaming's money-making secrets available for free]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/18/gamings-money-making-secrets-available-for-free/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/18/gamings-money-making-secrets-available-for-free/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/18/gamings-money-making-secrets-available-for-free/#commentsFiled under: ,

If you ask rich people how they got rich, we doubt most of them will say it was by playing a lot of video games. Nevertheless, a new book promises to show you the path to untold riches for doing just that.

Get Rich Playing Games is the brainchild of the ridiculously busy industry consultant, journalist and author Scott Steinberg (full disclosure: I worked with Scott on the Videogame Style Guide and Reference Manual). The book details three main paths to gaming mega-bucks: developer, executive and journalist. Wait, journalist? Doesn't he realize what the average game journalist gets paid? Trust us, you'd have better chances getting rich trawling for change in your local fountain.

The 177-page book is available as a $17.95 paperback or a free PDF eBook because, let's face it, no one ever got rich by paying for stuff.

JoystiqGaming's money-making secrets available for free originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 18 Sep 2007 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bookfreegamingmoneyrichTue, 18 Sep 2007 10:31:00 EST<![CDATA[MTV's Nickelodeon spending $100 million on gaming]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/18/mtvs-nickelodeon-spending-100-million-on-gaming/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/18/mtvs-nickelodeon-spending-100-million-on-gaming/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/18/mtvs-nickelodeon-spending-100-million-on-gaming/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Nickelodeon, former network of You Can't Do That on Television and Double Dare, announced they will be spending -- keeping the zeros in for effect -- $100,000,000 to become the top provider of casual games and master of casual game sites. Oh, and that $100 million isn't over many rotations around the sun either, that's just in the next two years for "development, distribution and creation."

If you're attempting to put two and two together at the moment on why Nickelodeon ... remember how obsessed you were with Nickelodeon as a child? Well, things haven't changed much, so by investing in games for their 8 -14 demographic, MTV networks can gateway drug potential casual gamers into other divisions of their vast media empire. This MTV gaming focus is nothing new, they have been gobbling up many gaming properties in recent years like Xfire, GameTrailers and the purchase of Harmonix, creators of potential mega-hit Rock Band. Nickelodeon should begin showing signs of this master plan later next year.

JoystiqMTV's Nickelodeon spending $100 million on gaming originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 18 Jul 2007 17:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businesscasualgamingmoneymtvnetworksnickelodeonPS3Xbox-360Wed, 18 Jul 2007 17:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Gaming while driving laws coming soon]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/09/gaming-while-driving-laws-coming-soon/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/09/gaming-while-driving-laws-coming-soon/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/09/gaming-while-driving-laws-coming-soon/#commentsFiled under:

As states pass legislation to curb the distractions of drivers, we can't help but agree with one bit of anti-gaming legislation: gaming and driving laws. Considering the number of people that have either come close to, or have fully experienced, the fun of somebody hitting your car because they are on their cell phone -- we're cool with many states attempting to pass gaming and driving laws. If they try to pass coffee drinking and gaming laws there'll be some drama though.

Approximately 12 states are trying to forbid drivers from playing video games or using computers and/or fax machines while they drive. Pity the person who still faxes and fear the fool who does it driving. The New York Senate, although having a slew of crazy video game bills, did recently pass S634-C, which should stop gaming and driving. But having a law and enforcing it are two separate worlds. It is expected to be finalized when the Assembly Codes Committee comes back from summer recess.

[Via GamePolitics]

JoystiqGaming while driving laws coming soon originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 09 Jul 2007 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>burnoutcrashdrivegamingnew yorkpoliticsMon, 09 Jul 2007 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Study: Gamers read, study less but still socialize]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/03/study-gamers-read-study-less-but-still-socialize/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/03/study-gamers-read-study-less-but-still-socialize/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/03/study-gamers-read-study-less-but-still-socialize/#commentsFiled under:

The latest scientific study of gamers is kind of a wash for the image of our favorite hobby. On the plus side, adolescents who play games were shown to spend just as much time socializing with family and friends as non-gamers. On the downside, adolescent gamers were found to spend less time reading and doing homework than non-gamers.

The University of Michigan study asked nearly 1,500 10- to 19-year-olds across the country to report how they spent their time during the 2002-03 school year. The roughly 36 percent of the sample that played games spent 30 percent less time reading and 34 percent less time doing homework than their non-gaming peers. Interestingly, the reading deficit came mostly from male gamers while the homework deficit was caused mostly by female gamers, according to a Reuters story on the study. It's not all bad news though; the study also concluded that "gamers and nongamers did not differ in the amount of time they spent interacting with family and friends."

Before you go off believing that gamers are more likely to be lazy ignoramuses, understand that reading and homework time are not direct measures of intelligence. The study author herself admitted to Reuters that "there have been some studies that show that high academic achievers spend less time doing homework." In other words, perhaps gamers have just been trained to work smarter, not harder.

JoystiqStudy: Gamers read, study less but still socialize originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 03 Jul 2007 10:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adolescenteducationgamergaminghomeworkmichiganreadingsciencestudyTue, 03 Jul 2007 10:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Are today's students getting enough gaming time?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/06/are-todays-student-getting-enough-gaming-time/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/06/are-todays-student-getting-enough-gaming-time/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/06/are-todays-student-getting-enough-gaming-time/#commentsFiled under: , ,

There's an alarming epidemic facing high school graduates in this country. No, we're not talking about literacy or obesity or anything so unimportant. We're talking about video games. Get your priorities straight, people!

According to a shocking report in the Dayton Daily News, the graduating class of 2007 is being distracted from important game-playing time by attention-stealing activities like "homework, jobs and extracurricular activities." That's right ... the promise of our future would rather do their homework than put in the important gaming time that will help them grow into mature and active adult gamers.

What's worse, some of today's graduating seniors have a hard time envisioning a future that included normative social gaming. "If some guy was like 'You want to go on a date? We could play Guitar Hero,' and I'm 30, I'd be, like, 'No!,' " said one such lost youth. It's enough to make you long for the good old days when students knew how important a Pac-Man high score was to their future.

[Via Gaming Today]

JoystiqAre today's students getting enough gaming time? originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 06 Jun 2007 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dance dance revolutionDanceDanceRevolutiondropeducationgamingpac-manschoolstudentstimeWed, 06 Jun 2007 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Games blamed for decline in national park attendance]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/06/games-blamed-for-decline-in-national-park-attendance/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/06/games-blamed-for-decline-in-national-park-attendance/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/06/games-blamed-for-decline-in-national-park-attendance/#commentsFiled under:


The Christian Science Monitor along with the National Wildlife Federation reports that videogames are one of the reasons (along with cell phones, TV, and gas prices) national parks in North America have seen a sharp decline in attendance over the last few years. More kids are becoming couch potatoes and developing a "nature deficit disorder", and parks are suffering as a result. The NWF is launching programs around the country to fight the indooredness of these sun-deprived folk whose only interaction with trees is in World of Warcraft.

We love gaming, but we also love nature. While you can't do both at the same time (waterfall hikes with gaming gear in tow can get messy), we can't help but feel there's a deeper reason behind the decline. Maybe Nature just needs a better marketing team to jazz things up, make it more exciting? It's time for Nature 2.0.

[Via Gaming Today]

JoystiqGames blamed for decline in national park attendance originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 06 Jun 2007 15:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>culturegamingnaturenewsWed, 06 Jun 2007 15:25:00 EST<![CDATA[DS Daily: Why do you play?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/31/ds-daily-why-do-you-play/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/31/ds-daily-why-do-you-play/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/31/ds-daily-why-do-you-play/#commentsFiled under:

We've asked you a lot of things -- sometimes some very silly things -- but there's one thing that we're still a little curious about. Why do you game? It's one of those questions that can be hard to answer, like, "why is water wet?" and "how did Bob Barker refrain from aging for so long?" But give it some thought, and try to let us know what it is about this hobby that keeps you coming back. Is it just nice to have something to do with your hands that also engages your brain? Do you play to relax? To, uh, stay tense? Just because it's fun? Dig deep and see what you can come up with.

JoystiqDS Daily: Why do you play? originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 31 May 2007 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dsdgamingmotivationwhyThu, 31 May 2007 09:00:00 EST