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[Guild Wars 2 preview: Common sense]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/27/guild-wars-2-preview-common-sense/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/27/guild-wars-2-preview-common-sense/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/27/guild-wars-2-preview-common-sense/#comments Of the many -- so, so many -- MMOs represented on the PAX Prime 2011 show floor, ArenaNet's long-in-development Guild Wars 2 easily presents the most outside-the-box thinking. Where other entries in the genre tend to look at their contemporaries and attempt to iteratively repair their rough edges, Guild Wars 2 throws out baby, bathwater and tub, starting with a base that's altogether unprecedented.

Take, for instance, this core conceit: Why do other MMOs require you to stand still to use most of your character's abilities? Why not allow them to fire off powers while ducking and dodging through salvos of enemy attacks? Why not let heroes use their powers, regardless of whether or not they're targeting an enemy? Why not put some action in your MMO, or vice versa? ArenaNet seems to have noticed most developers' proclivity for sacrificing streamlined gameplay for staple MMO characteristics, and repeatedly asked that very question: Why?

Continue reading Guild Wars 2 preview: Common sense

JoystiqGuild Wars 2 preview: Common sense originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 27 Aug 2011 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arenanetguild-warsGuild-Wars-2mmommorpgncsoftpax-prime-2011pcSat, 27 Aug 2011 22:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Guild Wars 2's GDC presentation now available on video]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/06/guild-wars-2s-gdc-presentation-now-available-on-video/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/06/guild-wars-2s-gdc-presentation-now-available-on-video/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/06/guild-wars-2s-gdc-presentation-now-available-on-video/#comments At last, we know why ArenaNet and NCSoft haven't realeased too many gameplay trailers for their upcoming MMO, Guild Wars 2 -- they were just waiting for GDC 2011, where they'd reveal enough video from the game to drown the internet. Check out four clips from their presentation below!

Continue reading Guild Wars 2's GDC presentation now available on video

JoystiqGuild Wars 2's GDC presentation now available on video originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 06 Mar 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arenanetgdc-2011guild-warsGuild-Wars-2ncsoftpcvideoSun, 06 Mar 2011 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[All MMOs 20 percent off at Direct2Drive, Fallout: New Vegas $20 off this weekend]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/07/all-mmos-20-percent-off-at-direct2drive-fallout-new-vegas-20/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/07/all-mmos-20-percent-off-at-direct2drive-fallout-new-vegas-20/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/07/all-mmos-20-percent-off-at-direct2drive-fallout-new-vegas-20/#comments Direct2Drive's running a pretty sweet deal for anyone looking to reach out and touch other members of the gaming community (in a completely non-weird way, we mean) -- until Monday morning, the site's entire catalog of MMOs is discounted 20 percent. That includes massively multiplayer gems like World of Warcraft, Star Wars Galaxies, Lego Universe, Guild Wars and more; just input the coupon code "JOKER" while checking out, and watch the prices fall like so, so many enemy NPCs.

If you'd rather play a game which rivals the length of an MMO, but lacks all the other human contact, the retailer is also knocking $20 off the price of Fallout: New Vegas from this Saturday until Monday morning. You don't need a coupon code for that one, though if there were one, we imagine it'd be something like "NUKA COLA" or "CREEPY HOVERING NO-BONES MAN."

Continue reading All MMOs 20 percent off at Direct2Drive, Fallout: New Vegas $20 off this weekend

JoystiqAll MMOs 20 percent off at Direct2Drive, Fallout: New Vegas $20 off this weekend originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 07 Jan 2011 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>digital-distributiondirect2driveFallout-New-Vegasguild-warslego-universemmopcstar-wars-galaxiesWorld-of-WarcraftFri, 07 Jan 2011 03:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Guild Wars surpasses 6.5 million sales, sequel will be released 'when it's done']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/31/guild-wars-surpasses-6-5-million-sales-sequel-will-be-released/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/31/guild-wars-surpasses-6-5-million-sales-sequel-will-be-released/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/31/guild-wars-surpasses-6-5-million-sales-sequel-will-be-released/#commentsFiled under: , ,

As Guild Wars 2 preps for its US hands-on debut at PAX this weekend, we followed up with NCsoft about the current state of the series. The publisher informed us that the original Guild Wars has now sold over 6.5 million units. Roughly half of those copies found homes in Europe, with Germany making up the largest fan base, which is why the publisher debuted hands-on gameplay for the sequel at this year's Gamescom.

As for Guild Wars 2's speculated release window, NCsoft is taking the Blizzard approach to the game's launch status and saying "when it's done." A representative for the company told us an MMO -- even one like Guild Wars 2 that is going down a different path -- can't be released nowadays until it's finished. It's a lesson NCsoft learned harshly through Tabula Rasa. Hopefully the eventual launch of Guild Wars 2 will wipe the slate clean of that painful memory.

JoystiqGuild Wars surpasses 6.5 million sales, sequel will be released 'when it's done' originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 31 Aug 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arenanetguild-warsGuild-Wars-2mmoncsoftpcsalesTue, 31 Aug 2010 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[NCsoft 2009 financials get high on Aion]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/11/ncsoft-2009-financials-get-high-on-aion/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/11/ncsoft-2009-financials-get-high-on-aion/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/11/ncsoft-2009-financials-get-high-on-aion/#comments Generally speaking, when a company can post a year-over-year growth in the double digits, it's doing pretty well. We write up a lot of financial news here at the 'Stiq, and it's not often that we can report that a company managed a 623 percent increase in its income. And yet, here we are, as GameSpot reports that NCsoft has done exactly that -- thanks in no small part to its latest MMO, Aion. Specifically, NCsoft reported revenues of KRW634.7 billion ($546 million) for its fiscal 2009, an 83 percent increase over the previous year. Actual income (profit, in other words) reached KRW185.4 billion ($160 million), a 623 percent increase over 2008.

Narrowing things down solely to the company's 4th quarter, income was actually up 1009 percent over the same period last year, with NCsoft reporting KRW72.1 billion ($62 million). Fourth quarter revenues, meanwhile were up 99 percent at KRW197.3 billion ($170 million).

Again, all this is mostly on the fantastic back of Aion, which brought in 43 percent of the company's game revenue for 2009, followed by Lineage II with 26 percent, the original Lineage with 23, City of Heroes with 4, Guild Wars with 3 and other titles with 1 percent.

[Via Edge]

JoystiqNCsoft 2009 financials get high on Aion originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 11 Feb 2010 06:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aionbusinesscity-of-heroescity-of-villainsfinancialguild-warslineagelineage-2mmoncsoftThu, 11 Feb 2010 06:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Guild Wars 2 trailer introduces us to the game's races]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/04/guild-wars-2-trailer-introduces-us-to-the-games-races/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/04/guild-wars-2-trailer-introduces-us-to-the-games-races/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/04/guild-wars-2-trailer-introduces-us-to-the-games-races/#comments Let's see, there's the human race, the nomadic warrior race, the mystical forest people race, the big ugly race, and the miniature race. Looks like all the MMORPG archetypes are covered! Fine, there's a bit more lore contained within the above trailer for Guild Wars 2, which explains all the motivations and backstories for each of the game's five races. Still, who cares about that stuff? Where's all the loot?

For a comprehensive breakdown of the trailer's plot elements, and some speculation on how the story of the sequel will unfold, we suggest checking out our sister site, Massively. This kind of thing is right in their wheelhouse.

JoystiqGuild Wars 2 trailer introduces us to the game's races originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 04 Dec 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arenanetguild-warsguild-wars-2mmommorpgncsofttrailerFri, 04 Dec 2009 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Steam Deals Day Four: Prince of Persia, Lucidity, Guild Wars marked down]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/29/steam-deals-day-four-prince-of-persia-lucidity-guild-wars-mar/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/29/steam-deals-day-four-prince-of-persia-lucidity-guild-wars-mar/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/29/steam-deals-day-four-prince-of-persia-lucidity-guild-wars-mar/#comments The next-to-last day of Steam's "Early Holiday Sale" brings with it an eclectic collection of discounted PC titles, including last year's Prince of Persia ($14.99), Battlefield 2 ($14.99), Lucidity ($2.49) and Guild Wars Trilogy ($24.99). Also, here's a link to a Black Friday sale for a 1TB internal HDD. If you've been following this Steam sale for the past few days, you're probably hurting for hard drive space right about now.

Make sure you free up some room before tomorrow -- at 8 a.m. PST, the last batch of 24-hour sales will be announced. Stay tuned!

JoystiqSteam Deals Day Four: Prince of Persia, Lucidity, Guild Wars marked down originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 29 Nov 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battlefield-2black-friday-2009dealearly-holiday-saleguild-warslucidityprince-of-persiasalessteamvalveworld-of-gooSun, 29 Nov 2009 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[NCSoft hints at Guild Wars 2 beta in 2010 and launch in 2011]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/10/ncsoft-hints-at-guild-wars-2-beta-in-2010-and-launch-in-2011/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/10/ncsoft-hints-at-guild-wars-2-beta-in-2010-and-launch-in-2011/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/10/ncsoft-hints-at-guild-wars-2-beta-in-2010-and-launch-in-2011/#comments The last we heard on the tentative launch window of Guild Wars 2 was a fairly vague "2010 or 2011." Fortunately, if comments made by NCSoft CEO Jaeho Lee during a recent investors' call are on the level, it seems NCSoft has made up its mind about the game's release year. Kind of. Somewhat. A little.

While speaking about the game (and another of the company's titles, Blade and Soul), Jaeho stated, "I believe there will be certain public events in the year 2010 ... at least a closed beta test for those titles. Commercialization will be expected, at this point, probably some time in the year 2011." We can stick it out until the year after next before getting our hands on this good-lookin' sequel -- we just hope it's not pushed back any further. See, we'd really like to invest some time in the game before the world ends.

JoystiqNCSoft hints at Guild Wars 2 beta in 2010 and launch in 2011 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arenanetguild-warsguild-wars-2mmommorpgncsoftTue, 10 Nov 2009 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Guild Wars 2 site opens, first trailer revealed]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/20/guild-wars-2-site-opens-first-trailer-revealed/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/20/guild-wars-2-site-opens-first-trailer-revealed/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/20/guild-wars-2-site-opens-first-trailer-revealed/#commentsAnd what a trailer it is! NCSoft and ArenaNet are taking their sweet time getting the upcoming sequel to their free-to-play MMO, Guild Wars 2, all put together. Finally, we get a look at the delicious fruits of their labor. The five-minute-long debut trailer for the game (posted above) reveals the game's five playable classes, gives a brief summary of the game's overarching plot, and caps it off with a stunning look at the title's varied environments.

There's also a fairly comprehensive FAQ sheet up on the game's recently-opened site -- the highlight from which is a re-confirmation that the game will feature zero subscription fees. Penny-pinchers, rejoice! This particular cost-efficient online RPG is looking phenomenal.

[Via Big Download]

JoystiqGuild Wars 2 site opens, first trailer revealed originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 20 Aug 2009 23:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arenanetguild-warsguild-wars-2mmommorpgncsofttrailerThu, 20 Aug 2009 23:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Guild Wars franchise sells 6 million copies]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/24/guild-wars-franchise-sells-6-million-copies/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/24/guild-wars-franchise-sells-6-million-copies/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/24/guild-wars-franchise-sells-6-million-copies/#comments
According to Videogamer.com, NCsoft and ArenaNet announced today that the Guild Wars franchise has now sold over 6 million copies. To celebrate the news, the subscription-free MMO will receive a new content update that will add new quests and more storage options. The party will also be extended into the Guild Wars universe itself starting April 28. We're not sure what the in-game celebration will entail, but we can only hope it will involve digital party hats and confetti.

Enjoy the party, Guild Wars fans. Hopefully, it will ease the wait for Guild Wars 2.

JoystiqGuild Wars franchise sells 6 million copies originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 24 Apr 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arenanetbusinessguild-warsncsoftFri, 24 Apr 2009 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[NCsoft games get Steamed]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/22/ncsoft-games-get-steamed/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/22/ncsoft-games-get-steamed/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/22/ncsoft-games-get-steamed/#comments
NCsoft has announced that it's bringing its stable of MMOs to Valve's Steam distribution platform. Starting right damn now, you can download Lineage, Lineage II, City of Heroes and every flavor of Guild Wars. Lineage II and Guild Wars Game of the Year Edition are even on sale. NCsoft's upcoming MMO Aion will also be made available on Steam when it launches later this year. The press release notes that there will be more deals on NCsoft games in the coming weeks.

So, is it too soon for a Tabula Rasa joke?

[Via Massively]

JoystiqNCsoft games get Steamed originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 22 Apr 2009 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>city-of-heroesguild-warslineagemmoncsoftsteamWed, 22 Apr 2009 22:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Telling stories: The next hurdle for story telling]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/29/telling-stories-the-next-hurdle-for-story-telling/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/29/telling-stories-the-next-hurdle-for-story-telling/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/29/telling-stories-the-next-hurdle-for-story-telling/#commentsFiled under: ,


As games have evolved, so too has the role of storytelling in the titles we play. As we turn the corner on 2008, we asked multiple industry personalities across all walks of game development on titles such as Dragon Age: Origins, Bionic Commando and Guild Wars for their thoughts.

What's next for in-game story telling? In this, our final segment looking at video game narratives, our collective of industry professionals offer insight into what they believe is the next big challenge facing the evolution of story telling in the games we play.

Continue reading Telling stories: The next hurdle for story telling

JoystiqTelling stories: The next hurdle for story telling originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 29 Dec 2008 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bionic-commandobionic-commando-rearmedcity-of-heroesgalactic-civilizationsgalactic-civilizations-iigringuild-warsguild-wars-2joystiqfeaturesjs-twittermastiffmoonnamconamco-bandaincsoftncsoft-norcalrenegade-kidresistance-retributionsonysony-bendsplatterhousestardocktelling-storiesMon, 29 Dec 2008 09:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Telling stories: The games that got it right]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/26/telling-stories-the-games-that-got-it-right/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/26/telling-stories-the-games-that-got-it-right/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/26/telling-stories-the-games-that-got-it-right/#commentsFiled under: ,


As games have evolved, so too has the role of storytelling in the titles we play. As we turn the corner on 2008, we asked multiple industry personalities across all walks of game development on titles such as Dragon Age: Origins, Bionic Commando and Guild Wars for their thoughts.

It's rare that story tellers get all of the pieces of their narrative to fit together exactly right in any medium. But in this industry, where story shares a balance with gameplay and endings often get the short end of the development stick, weaving a complete and compelling tale must be a daunting task. Now, gifts unwrapped and bellies full, our panel of industry personalities sound off on those games that they feel were up to the challenge, delivering storytelling experiences above and beyond their peers.

Continue reading Telling stories: The games that got it right

JoystiqTelling stories: The games that got it right originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 26 Dec 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bionic-commandobionic-commando-rearmedcity-of-heroesgalactic-civilizationsgalactic-civilizations-iigringuild-warsguild-wars-2joystiqfeaturesjs-twittermastiffmoonnamconamco-bandaincsoftncsoft-norcalrenegade-kidresistance-retributionsonysony-bendsplatterhousestardocktelling-storiesFri, 26 Dec 2008 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Telling stories: How much is that ending in the window?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/24/telling-stories-how-much-is-that-ending-in-the-window/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/24/telling-stories-how-much-is-that-ending-in-the-window/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/24/telling-stories-how-much-is-that-ending-in-the-window/#commentsFiled under: ,


As games have evolved, so too has the role of storytelling in the titles we play. As we turn the corner on 2008, we asked multiple industry personalities across all walks of game development on titles such as Dragon Age: Origins, Bionic Commando and Guild Wars for their thoughts.

Epic Games' Michael Capps recently caused quite an uproar among gamers with his suggestion to offer the conclusion to games as premium DLC rather than as part of the core experience. As the latest in our continuing week-long feature, we asked our panel of industry personalities what they thought of the proposal. Interestingly, much of the group was noticibly more tight-lipped in their responses than when answering other questions.

Continue reading Telling stories: How much is that ending in the window?

JoystiqTelling stories: How much is that ending in the window? originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 24 Dec 2008 10:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bionic-commandobionic-commando-rearmedcity-of-heroesgalactic-civilizationsgalactic-civilizations-iigringuild-warsguild-wars-2joystiqfeaturesjs-twittermastiffmoonncsoftncsoft-norcalrenegade-kidresistance-retributionsonysony-bendsplatterhousestardocktelling-storiesWed, 24 Dec 2008 10:18:00 EST<![CDATA[Telling stories: What's up with lame endings?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/23/telling-stories-whats-up-with-lame-endings/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/23/telling-stories-whats-up-with-lame-endings/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/23/telling-stories-whats-up-with-lame-endings/#commentsFiled under: ,


As games have evolved, so too has the role of storytelling in the titles we play. As we turn the corner on 2008, we asked multiple industry personalities across all walks of game development on titles such as Dragon Age: Origins, Bionic Commando and Guild Wars for their thoughts.

While narrative has taken on a larger role, time and again we end up being left unsatisfied in the final moments with endings that fail to wrap up stories in interesting or compelling ways. In our continuing week-long feature, we asked our diverse collection of industry personalities why so many endings in the games we play leave us cold.

Continue reading Telling stories: What's up with lame endings?

JoystiqTelling stories: What's up with lame endings? originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 23 Dec 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bionic-commandobionic-commando-rearmedcity-of-heroesgalactic-civilizationsgalactic-civilizations-iigringuild-warsguild-wars-2joystiqfeaturesjs-twittermastiffmoonncsoftncsoft-norcalrenegade-kidresistance-retributionsonysony-bendsplatterhousestardocktelling-storiesTue, 23 Dec 2008 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Telling stories: Balancing gameplay v. narrative]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/22/telling-stories-balancing-gameplay-v-narrative/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/22/telling-stories-balancing-gameplay-v-narrative/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/22/telling-stories-balancing-gameplay-v-narrative/#commentsFiled under: ,


As games have evolved, so too has the role of storytelling in the titles we play. As we turn the corner on 2008, we asked multiple industry personalities across all walks of game development on titles such as Dragon Age: Origins, Bionic Commando and Guild Wars for their thoughts.

How important are stories? How about endings? Over the next week this diverse group of personalities sounds off on these and other story-driven topics, starting today as we open up by asking whether or not narrative shares an equal burden as gameplay in carrying the video game experience.

Continue reading Telling stories: Balancing gameplay v. narrative

JoystiqTelling stories: Balancing gameplay v. narrative originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 22 Dec 2008 13:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bionic-commandobionic-commando-rearmedcity-of-heroesgalactic-civilizationsgalactic-civilizations-iigringuild-warsguild-wars-2joystiqfeaturesjs-twittermastiffmoonncsoftncsoft-norcalrenegade-kidresistance-retributionsonysony-bendsplatterhousestardocktelling-storiesMon, 22 Dec 2008 13:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively week in Review]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/25/massively-week-in-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/25/massively-week-in-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/25/massively-week-in-review/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Joystiq's sister site Massively.com has all the news you'll need about MMOs. Here's the best, brightest, and most interesting stuff from the last week, all in one convenient place for your MMO minute.
Massively's exclusive pre-launch Moria interview with Jeffrey Steefel
Massively chats with Jeffrey Steefel, Executive Producer for Lord of the Rings Online the night before the release of LotRO's first expansion. Mines of Moria is now live, and from the sounds of things the servers and players are having a great time of it.
Massively's ArenaNet interview: The past, present and future of Guild Wars PvP
Massively catches up with ArenaNet Game Designer Isaiah "Izzy" Cartwright for a brief interview regarding the past, present and future state of PvP in Guild Wars. Follow along after the cut for the full interview and some exclusive PvP screenshots supplied to us by ArenaNet.
Massively checks in on The Agency with Lead Designer Hal Milton
Massively talks over the current state of The Agency's development with the animated and always-interesting lead designer Hal Milton. Hal shares with us a bit of insight into what they're currently working on, give us a few fun facts to chew on, and makes us actually look forward to next year's summer con season.

Continue reading Massively week in Review

JoystiqMassively week in Review originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 25 Nov 2008 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arenaneteve-onlinefeaturedguild-warshal-miltonlord-of-the-rings-onlinemassivelymassively-week-in-reviewmines-of-moriaPCstar-wars-galaxiesthe-agencyTue, 25 Nov 2008 22:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: NCsoft to shutter Austin studio, reassign Tabula Rasa to Guild Wars dev]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/12/rumor-ncsoft-to-shutter-austin-studio-reassign-tabula-rasa-to/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/12/rumor-ncsoft-to-shutter-austin-studio-reassign-tabula-rasa-to/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/12/rumor-ncsoft-to-shutter-austin-studio-reassign-tabula-rasa-to/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Hot on the heels of news that Midway would be laying off approximately 90 employees from its Austin location comes a tip from a reliable source that NCsoft Austin (a.k.a. NCsoft North America) is on the verge of eliminating all of its development staff. The studio is currently home to the teams behind Tabula Rasa and Dungeon Runners, the latter of which will "be closed," according to our source. We've been told that only customer support staff will continue to operate out of the branch.

Future development of Tabula Rasa will reportedly be handed over to Seattle-based Guild Wars creator Arena.net, with Massively reporting that the title may meet a similar fate as Dungeon Runners if it "fails to turn the tide of subscribers and expectations." It has also learned that any future collaboration between NCsoft and Tabula Rasa principals Richard and Robert Garriot will be "limited in scope," due to a souring of relations with the Korean management team over their title's lackluster performance.

With regard to City of Heroes, a source at NCsoft's Bay Area studio confirmed with us that its development staff will be completely unaffected by the events transpiring in Austin, saying that the title's status is "sound." Further to this, the source echoed Massively's report that only the Austin studio is being affected, with remaining development proceeding normally in Seattle, Los Angeles, and Korea.

JoystiqRumor: NCsoft to shutter Austin studio, reassign Tabula Rasa to Guild Wars dev originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 12 Aug 2008 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arena.netbreakingnewscity-of-heroesguild-warsNCsoftNCsoft-North-AmericaPCRumortabula-rasaTue, 12 Aug 2008 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Best Of Big Download: May 16-22, 2008]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/22/the-best-of-big-download-may-16-22-2008/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/22/the-best-of-big-download-may-16-22-2008/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/22/the-best-of-big-download-may-16-22-2008/#commentsFiled under: ,


Hello once again, loyal reader. The team at Big Download has had an extremely busy second week with lots of features, downloads and news to report about on the PC gaming scene. It doesn't get much bigger than the release of Penny Arcade Adventures (and yes we have the PC, Mac and Linux demo versions available to download) and of course Age of Conan was pretty huge as well. We are still trying to iron out a few more bugs on the site but we are pretty happy with what we've got so far. Let's take a quick look at the highlights for our second official week:

Exclusive Features:

Continue reading The Best Of Big Download: May 16-22, 2008

JoystiqThe Best Of Big Download: May 16-22, 2008 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 22 May 2008 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanbig-downloadchair-entertainmentEpic-gamesguild-warsPCpenny-arcade-adventurespostal-2Thu, 22 May 2008 15:45:00 EST<![CDATA[April Fools' Alert #14: How the MMOs get their prank on]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/01/april-fools-alert-14-how-the-mmos-get-their-prank-on/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/01/april-fools-alert-14-how-the-mmos-get-their-prank-on/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/01/april-fools-alert-14-how-the-mmos-get-their-prank-on/#commentsFiled under: , ,

With only so much time left in the day, we thought we'd fit in a handful of the gros amount of April Fools' pranks found in the various MMOs today.
Speaking of WoW, our Azeroth-obsessed sister site converted to Hello Kitty Insider for a day of mass coverage (30+ posts!). Here's what their front page looked like today.

JoystiqApril Fools' Alert #14: How the MMOs get their prank on originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 01 Apr 2008 23:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanaprilfools08battle-for-middle-earthblizzardddodungeons-dragons-onlineguild-warshello-kittylord-of-the-ringslotrworld-of-warcraftwowTue, 01 Apr 2008 23:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Guild Wars franchise hits 5 million unit sold mark]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/26/guild-wars-franchise-hits-5-million-unit-sold-mark/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/26/guild-wars-franchise-hits-5-million-unit-sold-mark/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/26/guild-wars-franchise-hits-5-million-unit-sold-mark/#commentsFiled under: , ,


NCsoft announced today that its distinctly non pay-for-play MMORPG, Guild Wars, has sold five million units globally in a little under three years. The Guild Wars milestone takes into account the original game plus its three expansions: Factions, Nightfall and Eye of the North.

Guild Wars 2 is currently in development and (if it's still on track) is expected in the second half of this year. ArenaNet, developers of Guild Wars, says it will continue to support the original game and its "millions of customers." For the sake of semantics it's worth noting that this doesn't mean five million players ever consistently played Guild Wars, just that five million copies from the franchise have sold, but it's still a milestone in an arena dominated by the one.

JoystiqGuild Wars franchise hits 5 million unit sold mark originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 26 Feb 2008 12:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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