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[Ghost Recon Online takes it to the sea in update 0.10.0]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/24/ghost-recon-online-takes-it-to-the-sea-in-update-0-10-0/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/24/ghost-recon-online-takes-it-to-the-sea-in-update-0-10-0/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/24/ghost-recon-online-takes-it-to-the-sea-in-update-0-10-0/#comments

Ghost Recon Online's latest patch drops a new map, new game mode and a clan match feature into the free-to-play title, along with general house cleaning and fixes. Patch 0.10.0 hit yesterday, at the same time as the Triton avatar pack, which boasts naval-themed avatars.

The new mode, Holdout, sees teams race to a single capture point and attempt to defend it until the end of the match. Balaklava Sub-Pen, the update's new map, was designed specifically for Holdout rounds. It's a symmetrical, compact area inspired by a secret underground submarine facility in Ukraine that was operational until 1933. Clan Matches build upon the implementation of October's Clan feature, allowing players to set up matches against other clans.

The Triton pack offers new helmets and armor vests, upgraded weapons and seaborne avatars. The Triton pack will be available for a limited time, during January only. Take a closer look at the Ghost Recon Online update below.

Gallery: Ghost Recon Online (1/23/13)

Continue reading Ghost Recon Online takes it to the sea in update 0.10.0

JoystiqGhost Recon Online takes it to the sea in update 0.10.0 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 24 Jan 2013 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>0.10.0ghost-recon-onlinepatchpatch-0.10.0pcUbisoftupdateThu, 24 Jan 2013 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ghost Recon Online gets 'Arctic' pack September 12]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/08/ghost-recon-online-gets-arctic-pack-september-12/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/08/ghost-recon-online-gets-arctic-pack-september-12/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/08/ghost-recon-online-gets-arctic-pack-september-12/#comments Ghost Recon Online gets 'Arctic' pack September 12The first expansion for Ubisoft's free-to-play shooter Ghost Recon Online drops next Wednesday, September 12, bringing with it new gear, weapons and the games largest map to date. Additionally, "over 300 balance changes, improvements, and bug fixes" will also be included in the update.

The new map, "Tomsk-9," is a Conquest map tucked far away in the arctic circle, in what appears to be a very cold and very snowy Russian nuclear reprocessing complex. Six arctic-camouflaged weapon variants, three arctic-camouflaged headgear variants and two arctic-camouflaged armor variants will have you looking the part, provided you've got the real and/or virtual currency to pay for it.

While the arctic headgear and armor will be permanent additions to the game's shop, the weapon variants will only be available for two weeks after the update hits.

Gallery: Ghost Recon Online - Arctic Pack

Continue reading Ghost Recon Online gets 'Arctic' pack September 12

JoystiqGhost Recon Online gets 'Arctic' pack September 12 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 08 Sep 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arctic-packghost-recon-onlinepatchpcUbisoftUbisoft-SingaporeupdateSat, 08 Sep 2012 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Ghost Recon Online for Wii U 'on hold,' Ubi focused on PC version]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/06/ghost-recon-online-for-wii-u-on-hold-ubi-focused-on-pc-versio/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/06/ghost-recon-online-for-wii-u-on-hold-ubi-focused-on-pc-versio/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/06/ghost-recon-online-for-wii-u-on-hold-ubi-focused-on-pc-versio/#comments Ghost Recon Online for Wii U on hold, Ubi focused on PC versionGhost Recon Online was one of the first games shown off for Wii U at E3 in 2011, even getting a special long-form demonstration at an Ubisoft developer roundtable event (also featuring Killer Freaks from Outer Space, which has since been transformed into ZombiU). But it won't be on Wii U at launch, as the project has been shelved indefinitely.

Producer Theo Sanders told Videogamer that "As of right now, the entire Ghost Recon team is focused on the PC version only," adding "The Wii U version is on hold." He said that the team at Ubisoft Shanghai, who was simultaneously developing both versions, simply wanted to have "all hands on deck" for the PC service, though the Wii U "was a really fun, cool platform to develop for."

"If in the future we have an opportunity to address it again, we'll make future announcements," Sanders said. "But as of right now we're focused completely on the PC version."

JoystiqGhost Recon Online for Wii U 'on hold,' Ubi focused on PC version originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 06 Sep 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ghost-recon-onlinenintendopcubisoft-shanghaiwii-uThu, 06 Sep 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ghost Recon Online beta opened up to the public]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/16/ghost-recon-online-beta-opened-up-to-the-public/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/16/ghost-recon-online-beta-opened-up-to-the-public/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/16/ghost-recon-online-beta-opened-up-to-the-public/#comments Ghost Recon Online open beta now, well, open

The Ghost Recon Online closed beta has finally flipped its cloaking device to the off position for good. At Gamescom in Germany, publisher Ubisoft announced that any and all aspiring soldiers can jump into the Ghost Recon Online open beta now - available on the game's website. As previously revealed, the game is a free-to-play shooter set in the Ghost Recon universe, and because it's free-to-play, this release essentially means the game is out, though obviously the dev team will continue to work on it going forward.

They'll also continue to work on the Wii U version, revealed by Nintendo and presumably due out with the new console later on this year. Meanwhile, you can play the PC version to your heart's content, and celebrate by watching the launch trailer above.

Gallery: Ghost Recon Online (8/15/12)

JoystiqGhost Recon Online beta opened up to the public originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 16 Aug 2012 06:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>free-to-playghost-recon-onlinegronintendoopen-betapcreleaseshooterubisoftwii-uThu, 16 Aug 2012 06:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Ubisoft Gamescom media megapost: Rayman Legends, ZombiU, and more]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/16/ubisoft-gamescom-media-megapost-rayman-legends-zombiu-and-mor/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/16/ubisoft-gamescom-media-megapost-rayman-legends-zombiu-and-mor/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/16/ubisoft-gamescom-media-megapost-rayman-legends-zombiu-and-mor/#comments Ubisoft Gamescom media megapost Rayman Legends, ZombiU, and moreJust in case you didn't get to see the Ubisoft press conference while it was streaming, don't worry. We saved all of the pictures and videos from the games they had on display, and have combined them all into this one easy-to-carry blog post for your viewing pleasure.

It took a while to figure out a way to pack all of these games into the same place, but below, you'll find new screenshots from the gorgeous Rayman Legends, videos from Ghost Recon Online and the two upcoming Might and Magic titles, and more media from upcoming titles like Avengers: Battle For Earth and the upcoming ZombiU. How convenient!

Continue reading Ubisoft Gamescom media megapost: Rayman Legends, ZombiU, and more

JoystiqUbisoft Gamescom media megapost: Rayman Legends, ZombiU, and more originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 16 Aug 2012 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>avengers-battle-for-earthgallerygamescomgamescom-2012gamescom2012ghost-recon-onlinemicrosoftmight-and-magic-heroesmight-and-magic-heroes-onlinenintendoplaystationps3rayman-legendsubisoftvideoswii-uxboxyour-shape-fitness-evolved-2013Thu, 16 Aug 2012 01:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ubisoft bringing AC3, Liberation, Far Cry 3, Zombi U and more to Gamescom]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/26/ubisoft-bringing-ac3-liberation-far-cry-3-zombi-u-and-more-to/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/26/ubisoft-bringing-ac3-liberation-far-cry-3-zombi-u-and-more-to/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/26/ubisoft-bringing-ac3-liberation-far-cry-3-zombi-u-and-more-to/#comments There are plenty of reasons to visit Germany, but for gamers looking to sample some stuff still in development, Ubisoft is making a strong claim for Primary Reason. The publisher is throwing everything at Gamescom this year, an event that saw 275,000 attendees in 2011.

Assassin's Creed 3 and its PS Vita spinoff, Assassin's Creed 3: Liberation, will both be on hand at Ubisoft's booth. They'll be joined by Far Cry 3, Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Online and Shootmania. Ubisoft is also going to truck out all of its Wii U games: Zombi U, Rayman Legends, Rabbids Land, Sports Connection and Your Shape Fitness Evolved 2013. And if you decide to skip that last game, don't sweat it - you'll get all the exercise you need running around the Koelnmesse.

Continue reading Ubisoft bringing AC3, Liberation, Far Cry 3, Zombi U and more to Gamescom

JoystiqUbisoft bringing AC3, Liberation, Far Cry 3, Zombi U and more to Gamescom originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 26 Jul 2012 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>assassins-creed-3assassins-creed-3-liberationfar-cry-3gamescom-2012ghost-recon-onlinemicrosoftnintendopcplaystationps3rabbids-landrayman-legendsshootmaniatom-clancytom-clancys-ghost-recon-onlineubisoftwii-uxboxzombi-uzombiuThu, 26 Jul 2012 05:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ghost Recon: Online 'The Specialist' video is special, we guess]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/01/ghost-recon-online-the-specialist-video-is-special-we-guess/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/01/ghost-recon-online-the-specialist-video-is-special-we-guess/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/01/ghost-recon-online-the-specialist-video-is-special-we-guess/#comments
Image

Ghost Recon: Online is totally not Ghost Recon: Future Soldier (as the below comments have pointed out; thanks, eagle eyes), which has 5,689 videos explaining how to play, who to play as and what to expect mechanically. Online has this video above, detailing the specialist class. There's still time to catch up, Online! We believe in you.

JoystiqGhost Recon: Online 'The Specialist' video is special, we guess originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 01 May 2012 05:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ghost-recon-onlinemicrosoftpcplaystationps3the-specialistUbisoftxboxTue, 01 May 2012 05:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Ghost Recon Online opens the dossier on Recon class]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/28/ghost-recon-online-opens-the-dossier-on-recon-class/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/28/ghost-recon-online-opens-the-dossier-on-recon-class/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/28/ghost-recon-online-opens-the-dossier-on-recon-class/#comments
In the future, credits won't be your most valuable asset -- it'll be information, like which foreign diplomat has an allergy to peanuts and who is late on their mortgage payment. The more you know!

JoystiqGhost Recon Online opens the dossier on Recon class originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 28 Feb 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ghost-recon-onlinemicrosoftpcplaystationps3ubisoftxboxTue, 28 Feb 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ghost Recon Online closed beta starts March 5, check out the classes now]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/10/ghost-recon-online-closed-beta-starts-march-5-check-out-the-cla/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/10/ghost-recon-online-closed-beta-starts-march-5-check-out-the-cla/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/10/ghost-recon-online-closed-beta-starts-march-5-check-out-the-cla/#comments
You might think that Ghost Recon Online's three classes are Ghost, Recon, and Online, but you'd be wrong! They're actually the more commonly named Assault, Specialist, and Recon, and the video above will walk you through the different weapons, abilities, and upgrades that each class has available. You actually earn experience for each class as you play, so if you really want to master the game, you'll need to choose and play all three.

Ubisoft has also shared that the free-to-play game is getting a closed beta, starting on March 5, which you can sign up for by applying over on the official website.

JoystiqGhost Recon Online closed beta starts March 5, check out the classes now originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 10 Feb 2012 04:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>assaultbetaclassesghost-recon-onlinegropcreconubisoftvideoFri, 10 Feb 2012 04:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Ghost Recon: Future Soldier on PC replaced by Ghost Recon Online]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/25/ghost-recon-future-soldier-on-pc-replaced-by-ghost-recon-online/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/25/ghost-recon-future-soldier-on-pc-replaced-by-ghost-recon-online/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/25/ghost-recon-future-soldier-on-pc-replaced-by-ghost-recon-online/#comments Ghost Recon: Future Soldier is not coming to PC, Ubisoft has confirmed -- but never fear, because it is coming to PC. Ghost Recon Online will take the place of Future Soldier on PC, as "Ghost Recon Online is the PC equivalent," Ubisoft tells Eurogamer. In February 2010 Ubisoft teased a PC version of Future Soldier and began forums tagged "PC" for the game, but apparently those plans have transformed into Ghost Recon Online, a free-to-play, non-DRM, multiplayer title that Ubisoft believes will deter piracy.

If released online, 95 percent of PC gamers would download Future Soldier illegally, Ghost Recon Online senior producer Sebastien Arnoult believes, and Online is a direct reaction to that assumption. "To the users that are traditionally playing the game by getting it through Pirate Bay, we said, 'Okay, go ahead guys. This is what you're asking for. We've listened to you -- we're giving you this experience. It's easy to download, there's no DRM that will pollute your experience,'" Arnoult tells PC Gamer.

Um, thanks?

JoystiqGhost Recon: Future Soldier on PC replaced by Ghost Recon Online originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 25 Nov 2011 17:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DRMfree-to-playGhost-Recon-Future-SoldierGhost-Recon-Onlinepcpiracypirate-bayUbisoftFri, 25 Nov 2011 17:13:00 EST<![CDATA[Ghost Recon Online dev diary aims to explain Ubi's intent]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/08/ghost-recon-online-dev-diary-aims-to-explain-ubis-intent/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/08/ghost-recon-online-dev-diary-aims-to-explain-ubis-intent/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/08/ghost-recon-online-dev-diary-aims-to-explain-ubis-intent/#comments
Despite being a free-to-play shooter, Ubisoft's Ghost Recon Online dev team is adamant about creating a game that's fun to play, regardless of its business model. No, seriously, here's five minutes of them explaining that. It's kind of a sticking point, clearly.

JoystiqGhost Recon Online dev diary aims to explain Ubi's intent originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 08 Oct 2011 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>free-to-playgameplayghost-recon-onlinenintendopcubisoftwii-uSat, 08 Oct 2011 01:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Iwata: 'Nintendo is not interested' in free-to-play]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/15/iwata-nintendo-is-not-interested-in-free-to-play/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/15/iwata-nintendo-is-not-interested-in-free-to-play/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/15/iwata-nintendo-is-not-interested-in-free-to-play/#comments Nintendo has never shown interest in free-to-play games in the past, likely due to their requirement of support from sophisticated online infrastructure. And ... that is unlikely to change. Speaking to AllThingsD, Satoru Iwata said flatly that "Nintendo is not interested" in freemium games, alluding to the same discussion of maintaining the "value" of games that he mentioned at GDC.

"I'm not interested in offering software for free of charge," he said. "That's because I myself am one of the game developers, who in the future wants to make efforts so the value of the software will be appreciated by the consumers." Although freemium games can make money through ads and microtransactions, Iwata expressed concerns about "[destroying] the value of game software."

So, uh, don't expect that Wii U version of Ghost Recon Online to be free-to-play, even though the PC version is.

JoystiqIwata: 'Nintendo is not interested' in free-to-play originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 Jun 2011 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dsfree-to-playghost-recon-onlinenintendosatoru-iwatawiiwii-uWed, 15 Jun 2011 16:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Ghost Recon Online on Wii U footage solidifies]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/10/ghost-recon-online-on-wii-u-footage-solidifies/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/10/ghost-recon-online-on-wii-u-footage-solidifies/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/10/ghost-recon-online-on-wii-u-footage-solidifies/#comments Who'd have thought that the folks with shaky cam footage of Ghost Recon Online for Nintendo's Wii U would be Nintendo? But here we are, showing off just that from Nintendo's own second day of E3 2011 recap video. Head past the break for a peek at the game in action.

Continue reading Ghost Recon Online on Wii U footage solidifies

JoystiqGhost Recon Online on Wii U footage solidifies originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 10 Jun 2011 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3-2011ghost-recon-onlinenintendoubisoftwii-uFri, 10 Jun 2011 02:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Farewell, Friend Codes: Wii U to have single online identity and friends list [update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/08/farewell-friend-codes-wii-u-to-have-single-gamertag-and-friend/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/08/farewell-friend-codes-wii-u-to-have-single-gamertag-and-friend/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/08/farewell-friend-codes-wii-u-to-have-single-gamertag-and-friend/#comments Surprisingly, Nintendo wasn't the one to answer the question that's been at the forefront of our minds since John Riccitiello talked up the Wii U's online capabilities: Ubisoft recently told MTV Multiplayer that the system will get rid of the maligned Friend Codes system in favor of a single online identity (think: Gamertag). Players will also be able to build friends lists without the laborious process of swapping serial numbers.

The publisher reiterated the system's new, streamlined online network during a Nintendo developer roundtable, explaining that the studio is aiming for the Wii U to be Ghost Recon Online's backbone. The title will apparently play host to leaderboards, parties and a live activity feed of your Wii U friends which appears on the WiiPad. We'll press Nintendo for more info!

Update: From what we're hearing from Nintendo's developer roundtable, Ubisoft isn't absolutely certain if the Ghost Recon Online features they mentioned will actually make it into the game -- they're just features they'd like to see implemented. As far as the Wii U's unified online functionality, they wouldn't give any details at the developer roundtable.

JoystiqFarewell, Friend Codes: Wii U to have single online identity and friends list [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 08 Jun 2011 21:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3-2011friend-codesghost-recon-onlinenintendoubisoftwiiwii-uWed, 08 Jun 2011 21:51:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii U third-party sizzle reel composed of 360/PS3/PC footage]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/08/wii-u-third-party-sizzle-reel-composed-of-360-ps3-pc-footage/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/08/wii-u-third-party-sizzle-reel-composed-of-360-ps3-pc-footage/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/08/wii-u-third-party-sizzle-reel-composed-of-360-ps3-pc-footage/#comments When Nintendo showed off a reel of major third-party games currently in development for its newly announced console, the Wii U, the footage wasn't actually playing on Wii U hardware. Nintendo of America prez Reggie Fils-Aime casually admitted as much in a post-presser interview with GameTrailers, excusing it by saying, "We're talking a year away from when the system's gonna launch" -- a hard to argue point, considering developers probably need some time to, ya know, actually make games for it.

We're hoping to see some actual third-party game footage soon, but aren't exactly expecting it in the upcoming weeks. Nintendo's Wii U is expected to launch at some point in 2012, with Nikkei predicting the latter half of the year.

JoystiqWii U third-party sizzle reel composed of 360/PS3/PC footage originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 08 Jun 2011 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>darksiders-2e3-2011geoff-keighleyghost-recon-onlinemicrosoftpcplaystationps3reggie-fils-aimewii-uxboxWed, 08 Jun 2011 01:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ghost Recon Online is a free-to-play shooter, closed beta 'this summer']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/24/ghost-recon-online-is-a-free-to-play-shooter-closed-beta-this/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/24/ghost-recon-online-is-a-free-to-play-shooter-closed-beta-this/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/24/ghost-recon-online-is-a-free-to-play-shooter-closed-beta-this/#comments While Ghost Recon Online is decidedly a video game (unlike some of Ubisoft's other experiments of late), it's clear the French publisher is eager to invest in new markets like, for example, the free-to-play shooter market. Ghost Recon Online (GROnline?) is a third-person, cover-based tactical shooter -- that's what Ghost Recon games are, after all. The big difference in this Ubisoft Singapore-developed title is that, unlike its console-based counterparts, GROnline will be freely downloadable when it launches "in the second half of 2011." Too long to wait? A closed beta kicks off this summer.

Like most other free-to-play titles, Ghost Recon Online will allow microtransactions, giving players the ability to purchase "premium items" to "personalize their experience" (and enhance their abilities). "The online market has evolved into an important new frontier for video games and for gamers," Ubi CEO Yves Guillemot said in a press release. "With Ghost Recon Online, as well as with other important upcoming projects, Ubisoft is confident that we're creating high quality, innovative online experiences, and that our customers will benefit from the choice and creativity that Ubisoft brings to the market."

If you want to get in on that beta, head over to the Ghost Recon Online site and share that email! If you just want to watch a trailer for the game, that's okay too - you'll find it just past the break.

Gallery: Ghost Recon Online

Continue reading Ghost Recon Online is a free-to-play shooter, closed beta 'this summer'

JoystiqGhost Recon Online is a free-to-play shooter, closed beta 'this summer' originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 24 May 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>free-to-playGhost-Recon-OnlinepcUbisoftUbisoft-SingaporeTue, 24 May 2011 12:00:00 EST