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 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Classic game postmortems return to GDC]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/08/classic-game-postmortems-return-to-gdc/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/08/classic-game-postmortems-return-to-gdc/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/08/classic-game-postmortems-return-to-gdc/#comments Last year, for the 25th anniversary of the show, GDC featured a series of "Classic Game Postmortems" on games like Pac-Man, Prince of Persia, Another World, and Marble Madness. These new looks at old games proved so popular that the show is bringing them back for the crucial 26th anniversary event.

This year's set of classic games to go under the microscope includes Alone in the Dark (with designer Frederick Raynal), Fallout (with designer Tim Cain), Gauntlet (with creator Ed Logg) and Harvest Moon (with producer and former Marvelous CEO Yasuhiro Wada). Forget about all those new games! This is why we really go to conferences.

JoystiqClassic game postmortems return to GDC originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 08 Feb 2012 22:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alone-in-the-darkclassic-game-postmortemfalloutgauntletgdc-2012harvest-moonWed, 08 Feb 2012 22:15:00 EST<![CDATA[THQ partners with Innovative Leisure for digital and mobile]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/04/thq-partners-with-innovative-leisure-for-digital-and-mobile/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/04/thq-partners-with-innovative-leisure-for-digital-and-mobile/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/04/thq-partners-with-innovative-leisure-for-digital-and-mobile/#comments You gotta hand it to THQ, despite posting a $56 million loss last quarter, the publisher is still willing to take a risk on bringing a fresh-faced developer into the fold. Of course, when you take into account that said developer is staffed by a who's who list of classic game designers, the proposition sounds less risky.

Innovative Leisure, the brand-new developer in question, touts Seamus Blackley, Ed Logg, Ed Rotberg, Rich Adam and others among its ranks. If those names sound slightly familiar, it's for a good reason: Blackley co-wrote the original Xbox proposal and helped shepherd the product into existence. Meanwhile, Logg was responsible for Asteroids, Centipede and Gauntlet, while Rotberg and Adam were responsible for Battlezone and Missile Command, respectively.

The studio will focus on creating titles for mobile, downloadable and social platforms; THQ is applying Innovative Leisure's extensive collective experience in design-driven experiences to produce accessible titles that work well in small doses. Here's hoping for a Saints Row-themed Missile Command clone for iOS and Android.

JoystiqTHQ partners with Innovative Leisure for digital and mobile originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 04 Feb 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidAsteroidsBattlezoneCentipedeGauntletInnovative-LeisureiosiphonemacMissile-CommandmobileTHQSat, 04 Feb 2012 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Midway's XBLA classics removed from Marketplace]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/17/midway-xbla-classics-removed-from-xbox-marketplace/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/17/midway-xbla-classics-removed-from-xbox-marketplace/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/17/midway-xbla-classics-removed-from-xbox-marketplace/#comments Several classic Midway games have been removed from Xbox Live Arcade, including Cyberball 2072, Defender, Gauntlet, Joust, Paperboy, Robotron 2084, Rootbeer Tapper, Smash TV and Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3. The titles have been pulled due to "publisher evolving rights and permissions," according to a Major Nelson tweet, but will remain playable and can be re-downloaded by users that previously purchased any of the games. While Major Nelson didn't expressly say so, it would appear that the disappearing titles are the result of Warner Bros.' acquisition of Midway last year. Warner Bros. now owns at least some of the trademarks involved in the removal from XBLA.

You're not alone in suspecting that some of the affected titles were pulled in anticipation of Microsoft's upcoming Game Room (where different versions of the same games could presumably be made available for purchase). After all, the simply emulated Game Room games don't stack up well against their more fully-featured XBLA counterparts. However, Major Nelson has quashed that theory, tweeting, "No, it's not Game room related."

This is not the first time that XBLA content has been pulled because of changing publisher relationships. Lost Cities was removed from XBLA last year after licensing rights were lost in the Activision-Vivendi merger.

JoystiqMidway's XBLA classics removed from Marketplace originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 17 Feb 2010 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cyberballcyberball-2072defendergauntletjoustMicrosoftmidwaypaperboyrobotron-2084rootbeer-tappersmash-tvultimate-mortal-kombat-3warner-brosxblaxblmXbox-360Wed, 17 Feb 2010 14:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Gauntlet DS found on ESRB website with Majesco as publisher]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/13/gauntlet-ds-found-on-esrb-website-with-majesco-as-publisher/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/13/gauntlet-ds-found-on-esrb-website-with-majesco-as-publisher/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/13/gauntlet-ds-found-on-esrb-website-with-majesco-as-publisher/#comments
After being potentially canceled as of a few months ago, Gauntlet DS has re-emerged from purgatory with a new publisher in Majesco. At very least, that's our best guess based on an ESRB rating for the game found by a Gauntlet-lovin' GoNintendo reader.

Once announced as being developed by Backbone Entertainment and published by now Square Enix-owned Eidos, the title was delisted from GameStop's website as well as Amazon back in February. Does this mean we'll finally be able to try our very best not to shoot food on the DS in the near future? One can only dream.

JoystiqGauntlet DS found on ESRB website with Majesco as publisher originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 13 Jun 2009 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazonbackbone-entertainmentDSeidosesrbgamestopgauntletgauntlet-dsgonintendomajescoNintendoSat, 13 Jun 2009 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: Gauntlet DS has died]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/04/rumor-gauntlet-ds-has-died/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/04/rumor-gauntlet-ds-has-died/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/04/rumor-gauntlet-ds-has-died/#comments
Gauntlet DS has been removed or changed to a nebulous status on several retail sites. GoNintendo took notice that the title was removed from GameStop; allegedly, Amazon told customers that the game had been "canceled." Furthermore, Eidos no longer makes any mention of the title on its site.

A source familiar with the development of the title has confirmed to Joystiq that Gauntlet DS has indeed been scrapped; however, we've contacted both Eidos and developer Backbone Entertainment to learn what has (or hasn't) befallen the DS dungeon crawler. We'll update as soon as we hear something official.

Gallery: Gauntlet DS

JoystiqRumor: Gauntlet DS has died originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 04 Feb 2009 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>backbonebackbone-entertainmentDSeidosgauntletgauntlet-dsNintendoWed, 04 Feb 2009 14:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Gauntlet delayed again?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/05/gauntlet-delayed-again/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/05/gauntlet-delayed-again/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/05/gauntlet-delayed-again/#commentsFiled under:

What's become of Gauntlet DS? The game was first announced last April, with a then-lightning fast release scheduled for a mere two months later. But June came and went with no multiplayer hack-n-slash game anywhere to be seen, and after a time, we were told October. Later, February. Now? According to GameStop, we might see Gauntlet in April, a year after the game's initial confirmation. And even that's not official.

So what's happened to the game? "Official" hands-on reports and impressions have been positive, even when they criticize certain aspects of the game, like its framerate (from impressions of last year's version), though some of our readers have reported negatively on the game. After so many delays, we have to assume Backbone Entertainment was doing something to the game, but what, we just don't know.

Gallery: Gauntlet


[Via GoNintendo]

JoystiqGauntlet delayed again? originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 05 Jan 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventurebackbone-entertainmenteidosgauntlethack-n-slashmultiplayerMon, 05 Jan 2009 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Fresh Gauntlet shots arrive: 'Welcome, brown screens!']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/01/fresh-gauntlet-shots-arrive-welcome-brown-screens/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/01/fresh-gauntlet-shots-arrive-welcome-brown-screens/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/01/fresh-gauntlet-shots-arrive-welcome-brown-screens/#commentsFiled under: ,

Even by Gauntlet standards, the latest screenshots from Eidos' hack-and-slash revival are chockful of brown and beige. Not that we even care that much about how this will look -- Gauntlet is all about the co-op, after all -- but come on, guys! We know you possess knowledge of other colors.

In between the unrelenting brownness, you'll get a glimpse of a couple of the enemies you will encounter, including the "Soulless Leech" (the red, swirly chap here) and the "Beast of Burden" (here, no, sorry, here). Gauntlet will now be coming out in October, after it slipped from its original June date.

Finally, if somebody could reassure us that they got the reference in the title so we don't feel about 800 years old, that'd be peachy. Cheers.


[Via press release]

JoystiqFresh Gauntlet shots arrive: 'Welcome, brown screens!' originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 01 Sep 2008 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventurebackbone-entertainmenteidosgauntlethack-and-slashMon, 01 Sep 2008 22:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Stubbs and Gauntlet now on Xbox Originals]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/19/stubbs-and-gauntlet-now-on-xbox-originals/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/19/stubbs-and-gauntlet-now-on-xbox-originals/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/19/stubbs-and-gauntlet-now-on-xbox-originals/#commentsFiled under: ,

It's time for some new Xbox Originals, kids! This time we get Stubbs the Zombie and Gauntlet: Seven Sorrows. Stubbs was created by Wideload, the studio behind the upcoming Hail to the Chimp. Those who fancy playing the role of a zombie (as opposed to ruthlessly slaughtering them) should definitely take note. Seven Sorrows successfully managed to fall off the radar, probably thanks to the fact that it launched in December of 2005. You may recall a certain console that launched a month prior. While it may have been overlooked, Seven Sorrows is unique in the Gauntlet series as it was originally developed by industry vet John Romero (best known for the awesome Doom series or the awful Daikatana, depending on your point of view). He left the project (and Midway) just months prior to completion.

Of the two 1200 MS Point ($15) titles, Stubbs seems to be the better value, as Amazon has the retail version's used price pegged at around $25, whereas Gauntlet: Seven Sorrows hovers right around the $17 dollar mark with shipping.

Continue reading Stubbs and Gauntlet now on Xbox Originals

JoystiqStubbs and Gauntlet now on Xbox Originals originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 19 May 2008 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gauntletgauntlet-seven-sorrowsstubbsstubbs-the-zombiexblmxbox-originalsMon, 19 May 2008 11:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Stubbs the Zombie and Gauntlet coming soon to Xbox Originals]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/14/stubbs-the-zombie-and-gauntlet-coming-soon-to-xbox-originals/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/14/stubbs-the-zombie-and-gauntlet-coming-soon-to-xbox-originals/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/14/stubbs-the-zombie-and-gauntlet-coming-soon-to-xbox-originals/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Microsoft's Xbox Originals collection on Xbox Live continues to slowly grow, with two new titles to add to the list next week: Stubbs the Zombie in Rebel Without a Pulse, and Gauntlet: Seven Sorrows.

Stubbs the Zombie is an under-appreciated 2005 release from Wideload Games, featuring a satirical film-noir approach to the zombie genre. Gauntlet: Seven Sorrows is, well, another Gauntlet game, this time handled by veteran Doom designer John Romero. Reviews for Gauntlet were, at best, a mixed bag, so Stubbs looks to be the cream of the crop in this Originals installment. Both titles are due for release Monday, May 19 for 1200 MSP each.

JoystiqStubbs the Zombie and Gauntlet coming soon to Xbox Originals originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 14 May 2008 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gauntletgauntlet-seven-sorrowsstubbs-the-zombiestubbsthezombieXboxXbox-360xbox-originalsWed, 14 May 2008 15:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Stubbs and Gauntlet to become Xbox Originals]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/14/stubbs-and-gauntlet-to-become-xbox-originals/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/14/stubbs-and-gauntlet-to-become-xbox-originals/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/14/stubbs-and-gauntlet-to-become-xbox-originals/#commentsFiled under: ,

Microsoft just announced that both Wideload Games' Stubbs the Zombie in Rebel Without a Pulse and Midway's Gauntlet: Seven Sorrows are headed to the XBLM as Xbox Originals next Monday, May 19th. Yuppers ...

As always, each title will cost 1200 Microsoft points, have no achievements and play exactly as it did on the original Xbox plus any quirks that are introduced thanks to the 360's emulation. But we're going to be optimistic this time and be excited about these new Xbox Originals, because we've been told that we've been too negative in the past when talking about these oh so grand downloads. So, as we smile from ear to ear, enjoy next Monday's entertaining, convenient and affordable Stubbs and Gauntlet Xbox Originals downloads that are sure to put a smile on any fanboys' face. Insert awkwardly large fake smile here.

JoystiqStubbs and Gauntlet to become Xbox Originals originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 14 May 2008 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gauntletgauntlet-seven-sorrowsstubbs-the-zombiexblmxbox-originalsWed, 14 May 2008 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Blog embarks on quest, finds fresh Gauntlet screens]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/07/blog-embarks-on-quest-finds-fresh-gauntlet-screens/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/07/blog-embarks-on-quest-finds-fresh-gauntlet-screens/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/07/blog-embarks-on-quest-finds-fresh-gauntlet-screens/#commentsFiled under:

Our usual Monday morning trek to our friendly local press site unearthed something that should ensure a pleasant start to the week for many of you: plentiful supplies of food, potions, and a dozen screens of Eidos' modern remake of Gauntlet, which was revealed over the weekend and will support a host of multiplayer modes, playable locally or over the intertubes (with voice chat, yaaaay).

A few of these screens already appeared at IGN, but most are new, and contain a reassuring number of ghoulies, treasure, and suspiciously well-prepared food. Have a mooch around our gallery to take them all in.


[Via press release]

JoystiqBlog embarks on quest, finds fresh Gauntlet screens originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 07 Apr 2008 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventurebackbone-entertainmenteidosgauntlethack-and-slashMon, 07 Apr 2008 11:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Eidos shoots the food, confirms Gauntlet for DS]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/07/eidos-shoots-the-food-confirms-gauntlet-for-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/07/eidos-shoots-the-food-confirms-gauntlet-for-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/07/eidos-shoots-the-food-confirms-gauntlet-for-ds/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Eidos and developer Backbone are bringing Gauntlet's food-shooting, poison-eating, death-avoiding action to the Nintendo DS later this year. Eidos describes the upcoming title as a "modern reworking" of the arcade classic, thankfully returning the series to its overhead roots rather than the forgettable 3D entries of recent years.

Gauntlet for the DS will once again reunite the series' iconic Elf, Warrior, Wizard, and Valkyrie, and include 40 maps across three different areas. What's more, as Gauntlet has always been been strongest when played in groups, this latest version will boast ranked 4-player co-op and competitive multiplayer modes, playable both wirelessly and over Nintendo's Wi-Fi Connection. Just remember, shots do NOT hurt other players ... yet.

[Via Nintendo DS Fanboy]

Gallery: Gauntlet DS

JoystiqEidos shoots the food, confirms Gauntlet for DS originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 07 Apr 2008 09:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arcadebackbonebreakingnewsDSeidosgauntlethack-and-slashhackandslashhandheldmidwaywificonnectionMon, 07 Apr 2008 09:05:00 EST<![CDATA[DS needs hack and slash badly]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/06/ds-needs-hack-and-slash-badly/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/06/ds-needs-hack-and-slash-badly/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/06/ds-needs-hack-and-slash-badly/#commentsFiled under:


... and it's going to get it! February's speculation after Gauntlet appeared on the ESRB's website has become fact: Eidos and Backbone Entertainment are bringing the classic to the DS. But let's get the best news out of the way up front -- Gauntlet has always been known for awesome multiplayer action, and the DS will continue that tradition. Not only will you be able to throw down with your friends using local wireless, Gauntlet will also support multiplayer over WiFi. They've even thrown in voice chat to make adventuring easier (and potentially more fun). Of course, there's also a single player mode, for those times when you just can't wait for everyone to get together.

Gauntlet will come into rotation for Game Night be released in late June. Start hoarding funds (and food) now.

JoystiqDS needs hack and slash badly originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 06 Apr 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventurebackbone-entertainmentclassiceidosgauntlethack-and-slashSun, 06 Apr 2008 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[ESRB throws the Gauntlet (rating) down]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/14/esrb-throws-the-gauntlet-rating-down/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/14/esrb-throws-the-gauntlet-rating-down/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/14/esrb-throws-the-gauntlet-rating-down/#commentsFiled under: ,


A mysterious rating has shown up on the ESRB's search page for a DS game called Gauntlet. Our first assumption is that this would be a continuation of the modern Gauntlet series from Midway, but the game is listed as being published by Eidos. Furthermore, the specifics of the rating (Alcohol Reference, and Fantasy Violence as opposed to the Cartoon, Animated, or just plain Violence described in the others) suggest that this is an original game.

Is it a remake of the arcade game, maybe? Whatever it is, as long as there's top-down arcade (fantasy) violence and the pressing need for food, we're interested. We just hope it's not some kind of Road Rules game.

[Via Siliconera]

JoystiqESRB throws the Gauntlet (rating) down originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 14 Feb 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eidosesrbgauntletThu, 14 Feb 2008 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Cyberball, Fatal Fury on XBLA next week, limited price drops this weekend]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/30/cyberball-fatal-fury-on-xbla-next-week-limited-price-drops-thi/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/30/cyberball-fatal-fury-on-xbla-next-week-limited-price-drops-thi/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/30/cyberball-fatal-fury-on-xbla-next-week-limited-price-drops-thi/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

special
Eager to ditch the office for the last rays of summer sun, Microsoft has let loose word of next week's Xbox Live Arcade update a bit early. Ready for this...? A pair of Silver Age arcade ports:
  • Cyberball 2072 (400 points): X3F calls it "football for nerds" where today's deficiencies are replaced with robots and the pigskin explodes. 2072 is the 1989 update to the original Atari game and is better known as Tournament Cyberball, which still captivates competitive circles of, um, nerds.
  • Fatal Fury Special (400 points): Fatal Fury 2 with bells and whistles, namely some old fighters and playable bosses. As Garou Densetsu Special, the game became a huge hit in Japan for successfully transplanting Ryo Sakazaki (from sister franchise Art of Fighting) as a hidden character, laying the seed for SNK's The King of Fighters series. Nearly 15 years later, perhaps the innovation is lost on us.
And for those in search of an alternative to the weekend's poolside barbecue, Microsoft has also announced a Labor Day XBLA sale, dropping Zuma and Small Arms from to 800 to 400 Microsoft Points, and Dig Dug and Gauntlet from 400 to 200 points. The sale begins at 5:00 PM PT on Saturday, Sept. 1st, and ends at 4:59 PM PT on Monday, Sept. 3rd. Nothing like half-priced underperformers, eh?

JoystiqCyberball, Fatal Fury on XBLA next week, limited price drops this weekend originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 30 Aug 2007 15:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Cyberball2072DigDugFatalFurySpecialGauntletSmallArmsxblaXBLA-WednesdayXBLAWednesdayXbox-360ZumaThu, 30 Aug 2007 15:43:00 EST<![CDATA[European PSN releases for June 29th]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/29/european-psn-releases-for-june-29th/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/29/european-psn-releases-for-june-29th/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/29/european-psn-releases-for-june-29th/#commentsFiled under: , ,


We've had two weeks of good PSN updates so far. Can Sony make it a hat-trick with a third? In short, yes. Check the full release list below.
That's right. Sony were good to their word and have released Super Stardust HD worldwide within 24 hours. This is an excellent game and we will have a review up before too long to tell you exactly why. The other two available games (ah, it feels good to be able to say that ... ) are midway remakes, so have a think about it before you buy. Having said that, we've heard that Gauntlet 2 was pretty good online.

The Ninja Gaiden demo is a must get, if you haven't already nabbed if from the US store. Hopefully it will be compatible with the full title's in-game rewards for completing the demo, as the US version will be. Keep these killer updates coming, Sony.

JoystiqEuropean PSN releases for June 29th originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 29 Jun 2007 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>championship sprintChampionshipSprinteuroreleasesgauntletgauntlet 2Gauntlet2Ninja-GaidenNinja-Gaiden-Sigmasuper stardust hdsuperstardusthdFri, 29 Jun 2007 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Gauntlet II comes to PSN for sure Thursday]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/02/gauntlet-ii-comes-to-psn-for-sure-thursday/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/02/gauntlet-ii-comes-to-psn-for-sure-thursday/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/02/gauntlet-ii-comes-to-psn-for-sure-thursday/#commentsFiled under: ,

Looks like Gauntlet II is going through the PSN gauntlet alone this Thursday. Sure, Calling All Cars said that they'd be buddies and come out together on May 3, but looks like CAC is a fair-weather friend. Gauntlet II will be offered at the very-easy-on-the-wallet price of $4.99.

There really isn't too much to say about Gauntlet II, it's a better version of Gauntlet, and the game will include full online play, online leaderboards and one hundred levels. Sure, Gauntlet II is nothing new like Calling All Cars, but given the reviews for David Jaffe's latest title, at least Gauntlet II should be a reliable title. We do hope CAC comes out better after getting the nip and tuck that Jaffe thinks it needs. We can be patient ... for a couple weeks at least.

JoystiqGauntlet II comes to PSN for sure Thursday originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 02 May 2007 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gauntletPS3PSNWed, 02 May 2007 02:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SOE to bring six Midway classics to Playstation Network]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/08/soe-to-bring-six-midway-classics-to-playstation-network/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/08/soe-to-bring-six-midway-classics-to-playstation-network/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/08/soe-to-bring-six-midway-classics-to-playstation-network/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

In an effort to ensure that Joust will grace just about every console known to humankind, Sony Online Entertainment announced today that Mortal Kombat II, Gauntlet II, Rampart, Rampage World Tour, Championship Spirit and yes, Joust, will all be making their way to the Playstation Network.

These six titles, chosen based upon their specific multiplayer strengths, will be playable online and developed by SOE themselves as opposed to a third-party company along the lines of Digital Eclipse who handled the Xbox Live Arcade ports for Midway. Dates and prices have yet to be announced beyond "early 2007," so we should have but a short wait ahead of us before we find out if someone out there listened to our own Vlad's whacky ideas concerning these classic quarter gobblers.

JoystiqSOE to bring six Midway classics to Playstation Network originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 08 Jan 2007 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>championship spiritChampionshipSpiritdigital downloadsdigital eclipseDigitalDownloadsDigitalEclipsegauntletjoustmidwaymortal kombatMortalKombatplaystation 3playstation networkPlaystation3PlaystationNetworkPS3rampage world tourRampageWorldTourrampartsony online entertainmentSonyOnlineEntertainmentMon, 08 Jan 2007 12:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Quarter gobblers are broken on XBLA [update 2]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/30/quarter-gobblers-are-broken-on-xbla/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/30/quarter-gobblers-are-broken-on-xbla/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/30/quarter-gobblers-are-broken-on-xbla/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Joystiq reader "epobirs" disagreed with our comment earlier today that Xbox Live Arcade title Gauntlet is broken. We'd like to dig into the issue a little more, because we feel that developers are missing a major opportunity to resurrect the true arcade experience.

Games like Gauntlet were designed for an era in which expensive game cabinets were purchased by small businessmen who hoped that the large up-front purchase would be paid for (and them some) by teens plunking quarter after quarter into the machines in order to keep playing. Game designers therefore had to make sure (1) that the average player would die frequently; (2) that the game was fun enough to convince the average player to drop another quarter in the slot.

Gauntlet, released in 1985 (at the height of the arcade craze) was a masterpiece of the form. It greedily gobbled quarters from addicted gamers who were enthralled by the game's tight design. What made the game so fun was the fact that your money was always at stake. A mistake meant that you had to reach into your pocket and insert more money. There was a constant tension between performance and pocketbook, and this tension made the game.

Every non coin-operated release of Gauntlet since then has missed the point. The Xbox Live Arcade version, for instance, allows players to hit a button on the Xbox 360 controller in order to simulate putting a quarter in the machine. Of course, a button press costs nothing, and so the essential tension is lost. The game loses a fundamental game play mechanism by replacing quarter insertion with button pressing.

What we'd love to see is a release of Gauntlet for Xbox Live Arcade (or for a competing service) that's free (or very cheap) to "purchase" but that costs $.25 per health increase (equivalent to 20 MS Points). The developer that brings back this core game play mechanism will claim the title of "most authentic arcade experience."

We're certain that are some great arcade titles slated for release in 2007. They'd be better if they stayed true to the arcade experience.

Continue reading Quarter gobblers are broken on XBLA [update 2]

JoystiqQuarter gobblers are broken on XBLA [update 2] originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 30 Dec 2006 14:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arcadeclassic gamesgauntletmicrosoftPS3retrogamingWiixblaxboxxbox 360Xbox-360Sat, 30 Dec 2006 14:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Sinistar: I hunger! Seriously, help me out]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/09/sinistar-i-hunger-seriously-help-me-out/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/09/sinistar-i-hunger-seriously-help-me-out/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/09/sinistar-i-hunger-seriously-help-me-out/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click on the box above (warning: it makes sounds) to check out this bad dude disregarding the plight of his fellow 'cade vets. All Sinistar wants is some food, the Elf needs some food badly, and Q*bert ... hell, does Q*bert even eat?

Check out Lore Sjöberg's Bad Gods for a couple more of these bite-sized diversions. Not sure what the posting frequency is, but I've added it to my feeds.

[Thanks, TheMatt]

JoystiqSinistar: I hunger! Seriously, help me out originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 09 Jun 2006 13:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Bad GodsBadGodsGauntletLore SjobergLoreSjobergQbertSinistarFri, 09 Jun 2006 13:15:00 EST