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[GameStop offering Halo 4 and AC3 for $40, +50% credit on in-store trade-ins]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/26/gamestop-offering-halo-4-and-ac3-for-40-50-credit-on-in-stor/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/26/gamestop-offering-halo-4-and-ac3-for-40-50-credit-on-in-stor/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/26/gamestop-offering-halo-4-and-ac3-for-40-50-credit-on-in-stor/#comments Gamestop offering Halo 4 and AC3 for $40, 50% credit on instore tradeinsThe stockings have come down and the gifts have been unwrapped, but GameStop hasn't stopped kicking off deals for the season. The retailer's latest deals, which run now through Saturday, have Halo 4 and Assassin's Creed 3 for $39.99 each, and Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 on sale for $49.99.

Far Cry 3 is also on sale for $49.99, and you can pick up Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Future Soldier for $29.99, in addition to all of the other deals on recent and popular games. Finally, the company's offering a buy two, get one free sale on all used Wii and Nintendo DS games, and there's an ongoing promotion that will give you an extra 50 percent credit back whenever you trade any used games in. Just in case you didn't spend all your money on this year's previous sales, GameStop will be happy to help take the rest of it.

JoystiqGameStop offering Halo 4 and AC3 for $40, +50% credit on in-store trade-ins originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 26 Dec 2012 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>creditdealsdsgamestopholidaymicrosoftnintendopcplaystationps3retailersalesseasonstoretrade-intradeswiixboxWed, 26 Dec 2012 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Sound Shapes Holiday Sound Pack is a free gift to you]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/19/sound-shapes-holiday-sound-pack-is-a-free-gift-to-you/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/19/sound-shapes-holiday-sound-pack-is-a-free-gift-to-you/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/19/sound-shapes-holiday-sound-pack-is-a-free-gift-to-you/#comments

Sound Shapes developer Queasy Games wrapped up a present for everyone this holiday season, and this package is simply stunning. Look at the care that went into that tape, the love in the creases, the compassion in the folds - oh, fine, rip it apart. Just tear it open. You animal.

The Holiday Sound Pack has five new, Christmas-themed instruments from classic carols, and it's an automatic addition to all Sound Shapes games, whether on Vita or PS3, that are connected to the internet. If you're so overwhelmed by this act of kindness, you can give back to the Queasy team by uploading your own holiday level with the tag #XMAS for them to play over the break.

That will almost make up for your treatment of the wrapping paper. Almost.

JoystiqSound Shapes Holiday Sound Pack is a free gift to you originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 19 Dec 2012 12:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Christmasholidayholiday-sound-packplaystationplaystation-vitaps3sound-shapesvitaxmasWed, 19 Dec 2012 12:15:00 EST<![CDATA[US kids want an iPad more than a Wii U for the holidays, Nielsen finds]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/21/us-kids-want-an-ipad-more-than-a-wii-u-for-the-holidays-nielsen/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/21/us-kids-want-an-ipad-more-than-a-wii-u-for-the-holidays-nielsen/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/21/us-kids-want-an-ipad-more-than-a-wii-u-for-the-holidays-nielsen/#comments iPad tops Wii U on US kids' christmas lists, says NielsenIt's worthwhile to note that this Nielsen graph showing the most-wanted tech gadgets for kids age 6 - 12 in the US is titled "Interest in Buying in the Next 6 Months." That's probably an incorrect assertion, since we haven't seen any 8-year-olds working the late shift at McDonald's recently. It should be titled, "Interest in Having Someone Buy This For Me in the Next 6 Months."

Kids' holiday wishlists are dominated by the iPad, snagging the top spot from 48 percent of respondents age 6 - 12. Right behind that is the Wii U, with 39 percent. More iDevices complete the top five, though Kinect has 31 percent, and 3DS/3DS XL and other DS models grab 29 and 28 percent, respectively. PS3 comes in with 26 percent, followed by the Xbox 360 with 25 percent. Strangely enough, 18 percent of kids want a PSP, while just 14 percent would take the Vita.

In a separate study of people 13 and older, the iPad remains king with 21 percent, making the split more even across all devices. Wii U is fourth in this group with 17 percent, while the PS3 gets 8 percent and the Xbox 360 7 percent. The Vita surpasses the PSP, 4 percent compared with 3 percent.

Check out the complete graphs below.

Continue reading US kids want an iPad more than a Wii U for the holidays, Nielsen finds

JoystiqUS kids want an iPad more than a Wii U for the holidays, Nielsen finds originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 21 Nov 2012 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsandroiddsholidayholiday-2012iosipadiphonekidskinectmacmicrosoftmobilemoveNielsennintendopcplaystationplaystation-vitaps3pspsonyvitawiiwii-uwishlistxboxWed, 21 Nov 2012 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Mass Effect 3 goes trick-or-treating with a Halloween Challenge]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/31/mass-effect-3-goes-trick-or-treating-with-a-halloween-challenge/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/31/mass-effect-3-goes-trick-or-treating-with-a-halloween-challenge/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/31/mass-effect-3-goes-trick-or-treating-with-a-halloween-challenge/#comments Mass Effect 3 Halloween challenge
BioWare is celebrating Halloween with a special trick and treat-inspired multiplayer challenge in Mass Effect 3. Beginning today and running through November 5, there are three new tasks for players to take on to earn a special holiday reward: Players need to run five extractions on the Firebase Ghost map (or its Hazard version), earn 7500 points against zombies (also known as husks or abominations in the Mass Effect parlance) and earn 10,000 points against monsters (which includes brutes, scions, praetorians, and banshees). Completing the tasks on any difficulty will earn players a Halloween Challenge Banner.

What's too bad is that you won't get the Halloween-themed characters teased above to join your gang. Bioware doesn't say, but we're pretty sure they're crew members for some other Mass Effect 3 team, maybe helmed by one Commander SCARE-perd of the USS Norman-DIE! Boooooo! [Ed. Note: You're fired.]

JoystiqMass Effect 3 goes trick-or-treating with a Halloween Challenge originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 31 Oct 2012 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>achievementbannerbiowarechallengecommander-shepherdearningfunhalloweenholidaymass-effectmass-effect-3microsoftplaystationps3xboxWed, 31 Oct 2012 22:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Battlefield Heroes gets new map, weapons with special Halloween content]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/21/battlefield-heroes-gets-new-map-weapons-with-special-halloween/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/21/battlefield-heroes-gets-new-map-weapons-with-special-halloween/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/21/battlefield-heroes-gets-new-map-weapons-with-special-halloween/#comments
EA's free-to-play Battlefield Heroes shooter is going trick-or-treating with a new set of Halloween content, as seen in the trailer above and the gallery below. The holiday update will bring a brand new map called the Perilous Port, as well as new Machete weapons, and a few different spooky items and outfits to wear.

There are also some new rewards to earn: Winning 10 games on the new map on ranked servers will earn you a faction-specific Halloween t-shirt, and there are also Trick or Treat-themed supply drops, with random chances to win other great stuff. Additionally, all of the other Halloween content from the game's previous years is back online as well, so jump on in and have yourself a frighteningly fun time.

Gallery: Battlefield Heroes (Halloween 2012)

JoystiqBattlefield Heroes gets new map, weapons with special Halloween content originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 21 Oct 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battlefield-heroescostumeseafree-to-playfunhalloweenholidaypcperilous-portseasonaltrick-or-treatSun, 21 Oct 2012 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Xbox 360 holiday bundles get $50 price cut]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/14/xbox-360-holiday-bundles-get-50-price-cut/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/14/xbox-360-holiday-bundles-get-50-price-cut/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/14/xbox-360-holiday-bundles-get-50-price-cut/#comments Microsoft cut the price of its 250GB and 4GB Kinect Xbox 360 bundles by $50. All holiday bundles included in the deal can be picked up at GameStop, Best Buy, Kmart, Target and Amazon.

Each bundle is priced at $250 except for the standard and holiday 250GB Kinect bundles, which are $350. Most of the bundles have games and DLC codes packed in, including Forza 4, Kinect Adventures, Kinect: Disneyland Adventures, Fable 3, Halo: Reach and a digital copy of Skyrim.

We've called GameStop and still have yet to find an end date for this offer, but we'll update as soon as we find out.

JoystiqXbox 360 holiday bundles get $50 price cut originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 14 Oct 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>250gb4Gbbundlefable-3forza-4halo-reachholidaykinectkinect-adventureskinect-disneyland-adventuresmicrosoftprice-cutprice-dropskyrimxboxSun, 14 Oct 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Automated message from absent Joystiq staff: Happy Independence Day!]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/04/automated-message-from-absent-joystiq-staff-happy-independence/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/04/automated-message-from-absent-joystiq-staff-happy-independence/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/04/automated-message-from-absent-joystiq-staff-happy-independence/#comments Automated message from absent Joystiq staff Happy Independence Day!Happy 4th of July to our US friends, and happy whatever date it is in your time zone to everyone else! The Joystiq team is celebrating Independence Day by declaring independence from writing about video games. Fireworks may be shot, grills may be lit, fireworks may be used to light grills, and grills may be used to light fireworks.

However, we've lined up some great original stuff for you to read between your own pyrotechnics shows and savory charred foods. Enjoy it! We'll be enjoying our day off! We love writing news for you of course, but day off.

[Image via Shutterstock]

JoystiqAutomated message from absent Joystiq staff: Happy Independence Day! originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 04 Jul 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>holidayindependence-dayseriously-were-not-hereWed, 04 Jul 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Battlefield 3 players get double XP this week]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/02/battlefield-3-players-get-double-xp-this-week/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/02/battlefield-3-players-get-double-xp-this-week/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/02/battlefield-3-players-get-double-xp-this-week/#comments While many Americans plan to celebrate their country's independence on July 4 with some cold brews and succulent BBQ, EA is making a case for staying indoors and playing Battlefield 3. The XP faucet is being turned on for Premium subscribers all week, and non-paying members get a bonus too.

Premium folks get the best part of the deal, naturally - all points earned will be doubled until July 8 at 11:59pm PT. Standard Battlefield 3 players may only enjoy the doubled end-match points until July 4 at 1pm PT, which actually turns out to be pretty decent timing. That's usually when Uncle Hank comes over with the real fireworks.

JoystiqBattlefield 3 players get double XP this week originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 02 Jul 2012 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>4th-of-julybattlefield-3dicedouble-xpeafourth-of-julyholidayjuly4microsoftpcplaystationps3xboxMon, 02 Jul 2012 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Synchronized Skyrim light show knows the reason for the season]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/27/synchronized-skyrim-light-show-knows-the-reason-for-the-season/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/27/synchronized-skyrim-light-show-knows-the-reason-for-the-season/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/27/synchronized-skyrim-light-show-knows-the-reason-for-the-season/#comments
We're rarely brought to tears by displays of holiday-themed lighting strewn across the face of a residential building. Then again, most holiday lights aren't synchronized to the totally radical theme to The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. Fortunately, some are -- like the one seen in the video above.

JoystiqSynchronized Skyrim light show knows the reason for the season originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 27 Dec 2011 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Bethesda-Game-StudiosBethesda-Softworkselder-scrolls-5holidaymicrosoftpcplaystationps3skyrimthe-elder-scrolls-v-skyrimxboxTue, 27 Dec 2011 15:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Portal Christmas tree doubles our holiday cheer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/26/portal-christmas-tree-doubles-our-holiday-cheer/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/26/portal-christmas-tree-doubles-our-holiday-cheer/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/26/portal-christmas-tree-doubles-our-holiday-cheer/#comments Is there a Martha Stewart Living for Nerds monthly periodical we never knew about? We're all about games and interior decorations, but we don't know how one learns to combine those two with such grace and ease as this, the greatest Christmas tree ever, and perhaps the greatest tree ever. Behold: The Portal Christmas tree, the full glory of which can be seen after the jump.

We're typically ones to pull down (and mulch) our arboreal holiday decor on December the 26th, but we don't know that we'd ever be able to part with a tree this magical. We'd leave it up, explaining to visitors that, oh, this is our Valentine's Day tree, and also our Easter tree, and Flag Day tree, and so on.

Continue reading Portal Christmas tree doubles our holiday cheer

JoystiqPortal Christmas tree doubles our holiday cheer originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 26 Dec 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>christmasholidaymicrosoftpcplaystationportal-2ps3valvexboxMon, 26 Dec 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Dungeon Defenders for Steam gets new holiday skins and maps, on sale]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/23/dungeon-defenders-for-steam-gets-new-holiday-skins-and-maps-on/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/23/dungeon-defenders-for-steam-gets-new-holiday-skins-and-maps-on/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/23/dungeon-defenders-for-steam-gets-new-holiday-skins-and-maps-on/#comments
Dungeon Defenders has gotten a whole stockingful of new content for the holidays, available now for PC players. There are new skins and new holiday-themed weapons for all four of the classes, new holiday-themed dress and clothing for enemies, and even a brand new mission to play, which tasks players with delivering presents and then defending them against an army led by a Mega Snowman. That's a ho-ho-whole lot of updates right there.

And as if that wasn't enough, the base game is on sale on Steam for the holidays, where you can pick it up for under $10.The team at Trendy is even giving a holiday wallpaper away for free over on the official website. You'd have to be a real Grinch to not check that one out! See more of the holiday update content in the trailer above and the gallery below.

Gallery: Dungeon Defenders (Etherian Holiday Extravaganza )

JoystiqDungeon Defenders for Steam gets new holiday skins and maps, on sale originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 23 Dec 2011 07:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>challengesdungeon-defendersholidaymapspcsantaskinssnowmantrendy-entertainmentFri, 23 Dec 2011 07:15:00 EST<![CDATA[DC Universe Online invites Orange Lanterns for the holidays]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/20/dc-universe-online-invites-orange-lanterns-for-the-holidays/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/20/dc-universe-online-invites-orange-lanterns-for-the-holidays/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/20/dc-universe-online-invites-orange-lanterns-for-the-holidays/#comments Not only is DC Universe Online already giving you the greatest gift of all (being free), but it's currently doubling down on the generosity with a bonus holiday event called "Season's Greedings." Not only will you find some festive decorations around the world, but Larfleeze, leader of the greedy Orange Lanterns, is stealing all the Christmas presents for himself.

Now, you have to team with Rudolph, Baby New Year, John McClane, Scut Farkas and Kevin from Home Alone to get them back. OK, so we're making the guest stars up, but we figured as long as SOE is cribbing plots from a Rankin-Bass stop-motion special, the rest of us could get in on the act.

"Seasons Greedings" will continue until January.

JoystiqDC Universe Online invites Orange Lanterns for the holidays originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 20 Dec 2011 01:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DC-Universe-Onlineholidaypcplaystationps3seasons-greedingssoeSony-Online-EntertainmentTue, 20 Dec 2011 01:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Steam's Holiday Sale discounts everything ever, gives gifts, games and coal]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/19/steams-holiday-sale-discounts-everything-ever-gives-gifts-gam/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/19/steams-holiday-sale-discounts-everything-ever-gives-gifts-gam/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/19/steams-holiday-sale-discounts-everything-ever-gives-gifts-gam/#comments Well, we're all screwed. The annual Steam holiday deals have gone live, discounting ... let's just say "all the games" to be efficient, okay? All the games are discounted, as are a bunch of humongous packs which similarly include all the games, and, if that weren't enough, Steam is giving away free games to folks who play other games. Congratulations! We all get more games than any of us could ever hope to play in our lifetimes.

Those free games are earned by completing a series of in-game objectives which cycle everyday until January 1. Completing them either gets you a freebie off the "Great Gift Pile" or a lump of coal, seven of which can also be traded in for an actual gift. Alternatively, you could save your lumps up -- each counts as an entry into a Steam sweepstakes, the grand prize for which is every game on Steam ever. Seriously, that's not hyperbole. The prize is every game.

JoystiqSteam's Holiday Sale discounts everything ever, gives gifts, games and coal originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 19 Dec 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bethesdachristmaseaholidaymacpcsteamubisoftvalveMon, 19 Dec 2011 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Indie Royale Xmas Bundle has Eets, Dino D-Day and more]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/12/indie-royale-xmas-bundle-has-eets-dino-d-day-and-more/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/12/indie-royale-xmas-bundle-has-eets-dino-d-day-and-more/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/12/indie-royale-xmas-bundle-has-eets-dino-d-day-and-more/#comments The latest Indie Royale bundle has more than enough holiday cheer to warm the deepest, darkest cockles of your heart-meat. The "Xmas Bundle" nets its purchasers six games for the price of ... well, a street vendor hot dog -- there's the remastered Blackwell Trilogy (which is technically three games, right?), the Source-powered Dino D-Day, the topical sim The Oil Blue and the effortlessly delightful Eets.

The whole bundle's currently available (at the time of this writing) for $3.80 -- a price which will increase as time goes on, but decrease if purchasers pay more than the minimum amount. Act fast! Or, for our sakes, act charitable.

JoystiqIndie Royale Xmas Bundle has Eets, Dino D-Day and more originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 12 Dec 2011 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bundledino-d-dayeetsholidayindieindie-royalepcMon, 12 Dec 2011 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[2011 Holiday Buyers Guide: PlayStation Network]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/08/2011-holiday-buyers-guide-playstation-network/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/08/2011-holiday-buyers-guide-playstation-network/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/08/2011-holiday-buyers-guide-playstation-network/#comments Did you ravenously unwrap a gift this holiday season, only to discover a redeemable PSN card within? Don't despair -- that card can actually be turned into video games!

We've got a bunch of suggestions on which 2011 video games you should transmogrify your e-money into after the jump. Whether you're using a PS3 or PSP, we've got you covered.

Continue reading 2011 Holiday Buyers Guide: PlayStation Network

Joystiq2011 Holiday Buyers Guide: PlayStation Network originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 08 Dec 2011 10:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>buyers-guidebuyers-guide-2011guideholidayholiday-2011holiday-shoppingholidaysplaystationplaystation-storeps3psnpspshoppingsonyThu, 08 Dec 2011 10:11:00 EST<![CDATA[Retailers opening up at midnight (or even earlier) for Black Friday]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/23/retailers-opening-up-at-midnight-or-even-earlier-for-black-fri/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/23/retailers-opening-up-at-midnight-or-even-earlier-for-black-fri/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/23/retailers-opening-up-at-midnight-or-even-earlier-for-black-fri/#comments If waking up at 5am in the morning this Friday to grab some of those deals on video games at Gamestop doesn't sound like your idea of a good time, then good news times two: One, you're completely sane. Second, GameStop is actually opening at 12:01am on Thanksgiving night/Friday morning, so if you can wake yourself out of your turkey coma to go and buy some games, you can get all your shopping done before the moon even comes out.

Best Buy is also opening up at 12am on Friday morning for its doorbuster sale, as is Target, despite some protests from employees and their families. Toys R Us is the real kicker, though: Its sales are starting at 9pm on Thursday night, hardly enough time for the football games to even finish before the holiday sales begin.

You can see all of the available deals on video games, online and offline, in our big, bad Black Friday deals post for this year. If you do head out to buy some items right away at midnight, maybe offer to buy the employees you see there some doughnuts or coffee -- if they're out there all night, they'll probably need it.

JoystiqRetailers opening up at midnight (or even earlier) for Black Friday originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 23 Nov 2011 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>best-buyblack-fridayblack-friday-211gamestopholidayretailerssalestargetthanksgivingtoys-r-usWed, 23 Nov 2011 00:00:00 EST<![CDATA[2010 game industry holiday card blowout]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/23/2010-game-industry-holiday-card-blowout/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/23/2010-game-industry-holiday-card-blowout/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/23/2010-game-industry-holiday-card-blowout/#comments In the spirit of the season, we bought you a gift. Okay, okay -- maybe "bought" isn't the right word. But we did get you something! First, open this link in a new tab, then this link (also in a new tab), and then hit the play button on the second link. Isn't that warm cocoa just a little bit sweeter? Good.

Now that you're more comfy, we hope you'll join us in perusing the gallery we've dropped after the break. In it, you'll find an assortment of holiday cards from across the game industry, featuring both adorable creatures and anomalous cretins (as pictured above in no particular order). We've selected some of our favorites just before the gallery, so head past the break with us, won't you?

Continue reading 2010 game industry holiday card blowout

Joystiq2010 game industry holiday card blowout originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 23 Dec 2010 18:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>de-blob-2-the-undergrounddsgame-industryholidayholiday-cardholiday-cardsmacmicrosoftmobilenintendopcplaystationps3pspsonywiixboxThu, 23 Dec 2010 18:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Good Old Games cuts prices on 290 titles for holidays]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/14/good-old-games-cuts-prices-on-290-titles-for-holidays/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/14/good-old-games-cuts-prices-on-290-titles-for-holidays/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/14/good-old-games-cuts-prices-on-290-titles-for-holidays/#comments Call us cantankerous if you like, but we're still holding a slight grudge against Good Old Games for their stupid "We're shutting down" stunt from a few months back. Today, GOG gives a master class in "How to Earn Joystiq's Forgiveness" by offering 290 games at a discount of up to 50 percent off.

All was forgiven when we found Beyond Good and Evil for $7, but by the time we got Broken Sword 2 for $4.19, it was like the whole thing never even happened. Oh holiday savings, what problem can't you fix?

[Thanks, Dan]

JoystiqGood Old Games cuts prices on 290 titles for holidays originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 14 Dec 2010 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beyond-good-and-evilbroken-sword-2goggog.comholidaypcsalesTue, 14 Dec 2010 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Impulse drops prices for the Fourth of July]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/02/impulse-drops-prices-for-the-fourth-of-july/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/02/impulse-drops-prices-for-the-fourth-of-july/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/02/impulse-drops-prices-for-the-fourth-of-july/#comments Not to be outdone by Steam and its dangerously generous sale this week (you do own Torchlight by now, right?), Impluse is running its own 4th of July sale, with 68 different downloadable PC games given prices set to move, some even better than Steam. If you want some quality RTS action, the Company of Heroes pack is a great deal at $29.99, Command and Conquer 4 is $24.99 and the Sins of a Solar Empire expansions are $5 off.

Not quite as much variety as the Steam sale, but what's there is well-priced. PC gamers, you have no excuse to bother with any of the "going outside" or fireworks this July 4th weekend -- not when there are all these great cheap games to play!

JoystiqImpulse drops prices for the Fourth of July originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 02 Jul 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>command-and-conquer-4company-of-heroesfourth-of-julyholidayimpulsepcsaletorchlightFri, 02 Jul 2010 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Dave & Buster's declares tomorrow 'National Play Day']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/24/dave-and-busters-declares-tomorrow-national-play-day/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/24/dave-and-busters-declares-tomorrow-national-play-day/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/24/dave-and-busters-declares-tomorrow-national-play-day/#comments According to the results of a survey conducted by a nationally recognized sociological wellness research group that is also a restaurant/arcade, America is facing one of the most drastic fun shortages it's experienced in decades. To combat our nationwide doldrums, Dave & Buster's has declared May 25 to be "National Play Day," a brand new holiday that appears to be based around a downloadable $10 voucher you can use in any Dave & Buster's arcade nationwide tomorrow.

Scoff if you will, but there are way worse reasons to have a holiday. Like, for instance, Arbor Day. Yeah, sure, trees are pretty great -- but will they give you ten free plays on that Dance Dance Revolution machine? We think not.

JoystiqDave & Buster's declares tomorrow 'National Play Day' originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 24 May 2010 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arcadedave-and-bustersfreeholidaynational-play-dayvoucherMon, 24 May 2010 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[GameStop giving $20 credit for your crummy presents]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/27/gamestop-giving-20-credit-for-your-crummy-presents/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/27/gamestop-giving-20-credit-for-your-crummy-presents/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/27/gamestop-giving-20-credit-for-your-crummy-presents/#comments Sorry, that headline is a bit misleading -- GameStop's not going to give you $20 store credit in exchange for that Family Matters-branded Snuggie. Rather, the retailer has an extensive list of good and terrible games you might have received this holiday season, which your local 'Stop will give you a Jackson's worth of credit for. The offer's running until January 10, so you've still got time to decide whether you can muster up the courage to ask Maw Maw for the gift receipt, or whether you should just cut your losses.

JoystiqGameStop giving $20 credit for your crummy presents originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 27 Dec 2009 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gamestopholidayMicrosoftNintendooffersaleWiiXbox-360Sun, 27 Dec 2009 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Satire: Xbox Live prepares for its 'annual' holiday weekend outage [update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/24/xbox-live-prepares-for-its-annual-holiday-weekend-outage/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/24/xbox-live-prepares-for-its-annual-holiday-weekend-outage/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/24/xbox-live-prepares-for-its-annual-holiday-weekend-outage/#comments Update: The joke's on us, folks. The source article is, of course, satirical -- something we conveyed rather poorly in the story below. We've seen no signs of Xbox Live so much as flinching this holiday, so far, and it has continued to provide us with a legitimate excuse to ignore that one cousin that nobody seems to know but someone keeps inviting for Christmas lunch. If you can give us your forgiveness for the error, that would be a really fine gift.

Can't wait to get home to the family for the holiday this weekend ... and then completely ignore them with a Left 4 Dead 2 marathon on Xbox Live? You're not the only one. Microsoft is bracing itself for a flood of online gameplay this weekend, including players trying catch up on all of the games they were too busy (baking cookies and wrapping presents) to play since November, as well as all the new folks who just unwrapped new games from under the tree. It's become a holiday tradition -- last year two years, the outage lasted for 11 days, from the weekend before Christmas to the end of the year, and spawned not only a free game, but a class action lawsuit to boot.

Previously, the problem was compounded by most of the tech staff being offline with their families, but this year, we're sure Microsoft has both servers and staff on notice to solve problems the second a clatter happens to arise. And if not, maybe we'll get another free game. Hopefully one better than Undertow.

JoystiqSatire: Xbox Live prepares for its 'annual' holiday weekend outage [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 24 Dec 2009 20:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>annualchristmasfamiliesholidaymicrosoftofflineoutagetraditionweekendXbox-360xbox-liveThu, 24 Dec 2009 20:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Xbox Live leads Bronx police to prolific, green burglar]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/24/xbox-live-leads-bronx-police-to-prolific-green-burglar/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/24/xbox-live-leads-bronx-police-to-prolific-green-burglar/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/24/xbox-live-leads-bronx-police-to-prolific-green-burglar/#comments (An excerpt from "How The Grinch Robbed 200 Houses and Cars in the Bronx.")

Then he slithered and slunk, with a heart black as onyx,
Around the whole room, stealing all electronics!
Laptops! Fax Machines! iPhones! Three-sixties!
(The latter of which would prove fairly tricky.)
And he stuffed them in bags. Then the Grinch, very nimbly,
Stuffed all the bags, one by one, up the chimney!

And what happened then...?
Well...in Who-ville they say
The Grinch played that Three-sixty,
and without delay --
the Westchester bobbies, with Microsoft's aid,
located the Grinch-lair, and began to invade!
And they brought back the toys! And the tell-tale console!
And the Grinch went to jail. (He'd skipped out on parole.)

[Via HotBloodedGaming]

JoystiqXbox Live leads Bronx police to prolific, green burglar originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 24 Dec 2009 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crimedr-seussholidayhow-the-grinch-stole-christmasMicrosoftrhymingthe-grinchtheftXbox-360xbox-liveThu, 24 Dec 2009 13:45:00 EST<![CDATA[iPhone It In: A Christmas Santa]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/23/iphone-it-in-a-christmas-santa/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/23/iphone-it-in-a-christmas-santa/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/23/iphone-it-in-a-christmas-santa/#comments You're going to think I'm messing with you, that this is some sort of holiday gag, but I assure you that it is not: I can not remember ever being as addicted to a game as I was to A Christmas Santa. For a full calendar day it absolutely ruled my life, and then, just as quickly as it appeared, it was gone.

You think it's easy to type these words and admit that as you sit there all smug and judgmental? Well, it's not. But give me a chance to explain myself and I'm hopeful that you'll walk away -- if not convinced, perhaps just a bit more tolerant.

Gallery: A Christmas Santa (iPhone)

Continue reading iPhone It In: A Christmas Santa

JoystiqiPhone It In: A Christmas Santa originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 23 Dec 2009 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a-christmas-santaAppleblue-windcasualchristmasholidayiphone-it-iniPodWed, 23 Dec 2009 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Steam holiday sale is a legitimate Christmas miracle]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/23/steam-holiday-sale-is-a-legitimate-christmas-miracle/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/23/steam-holiday-sale-is-a-legitimate-christmas-miracle/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/23/steam-holiday-sale-is-a-legitimate-christmas-miracle/#comments We know we throw the term around quite a bit, but seriously, folks -- "Christmas miracle" is the only way we can explain what's happened to the prices on over 800 games on the Steam storefront. It's like a "Greatest Hits" special of Steam's best sales throughout the year: There are sizable discounts on games from every genre, encheapened bundles of games from a dozen different publishers (including Square Enix and Telltale), and even five super-discounted daily offers (today it's Mirror's Edge, GTA IV and more)!

You simply must go check this sale out if your bank account hasn't been completely obliterated by the holiday shopping rush. Considering the wide, wide scope of the discounts offered, we'd be worried that this was a "Going Out of Business" sale -- a circumstance made entirely unlikely by the amount of monies we've spent on these nefarious Steam sales this year.

JoystiqSteam holiday sale is a legitimate Christmas miracle originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 23 Dec 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>digital-distributiondownloadgrand-theft-auto-ivholidaymirrors-edgesalesteamvalveWed, 23 Dec 2009 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA['Tis the season: Rare holiday theme available]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/16/tis-the-season-rare-holiday-theme-available/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/16/tis-the-season-rare-holiday-theme-available/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/16/tis-the-season-rare-holiday-theme-available/#comments
Click image for hi-hi-hi res
Rare has seen fit to brighten up your Xbox Dashboard with a new holiday-inspired theme. Everyone will be able to download this new free theme -- wait, it's not free? It costs 240? Wow, we guess Christmas really is all commercial now.

Shortcut: Add Rare Holiday Theme to your Xbox 360 queue [Via Xbox.com]

Gallery: Rare Holiday Dashboard Theme

Joystiq'Tis the season: Rare holiday theme available originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 Dec 2009 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>christmasholidayrarerare-holiday-themeWed, 16 Dec 2009 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo's holiday Wii ad is pretty funny]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/08/nintendos-holiday-wii-ad-is-pretty-funny/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/08/nintendos-holiday-wii-ad-is-pretty-funny/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/08/nintendos-holiday-wii-ad-is-pretty-funny/#comments This latest ad from Nintendo isn't the usual we've come accustomed to seeing from The Big N. For one, it lacks any celebrity presence whatsoever. Second, it's the most original ad we've seen from Nintendo since the hilarious Punch-Out!! commercial. Finally, we're just really into disappointed father figures. It's kinda our thing.

Head past the break to check out the ad.

[Via GoNintendo]

Continue reading Nintendo's holiday Wii ad is pretty funny

JoystiqNintendo's holiday Wii ad is pretty funny originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 08 Dec 2009 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adcommercialholidayholidaysTue, 08 Dec 2009 16:45:00 EST<![CDATA['Tis the season for new Scribblenauts artwork]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/07/tis-the-season-for-new-scribblenauts-artwork/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/07/tis-the-season-for-new-scribblenauts-artwork/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/07/tis-the-season-for-new-scribblenauts-artwork/#comments
Click to download in Santa-sizeWe thought the Scribblenauts Halloween wallpaper was a one-off, an excuse to promote the game a bit more in the period immediately following its release. But, to our delight, 5TH Cell has delivered the Christmas present we didn't dare hope for: new Scribblenauts artwork by character designer Edison Yan. It's a Christmas miracle! Well, okay, it may not be miraculous, but it's really nice! We don't even care if it is a promotional effort to remind people to put Scribblenauts on their holiday shopping lists.

There are also two new Christmas-themed screenshots in our gallery. In retrospect, it was a pretty clever idea to make a game that includes multiple holiday-themed items as part of its nature.

Joystiq'Tis the season for new Scribblenauts artwork originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 07 Dec 2009 18:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>5th-cellchristmasDSholidayNintendoPuzzlescribblenautswarner-bros-interactiveWarner-Bros-Interactive-EntertainmentWBIEMon, 07 Dec 2009 18:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Black Friday deals for Kmart and Sears revealed]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/05/black-friday-deals-for-kmart-and-sears-revealed/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/05/black-friday-deals-for-kmart-and-sears-revealed/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/05/black-friday-deals-for-kmart-and-sears-revealed/#comments And there it is. The first shot across the bow. The first salvo of sweet - yet brief! - holiday sales offers. The first indication that, yes, the day after Thanksgiving is going to be Hell for retailers once more. Behold: The video game-related Black Friday sales selections of Kmart and Sears, which we've posted after the jump. Please avoid trampling one another as you make your way down there.

Here's a few big ticket items: Kmart's offering a free copy of Halo 3: ODST with the purchase of every Xbox 360 Elite, and both stores are cutting prices on a ton of big-ticket games (L4D2, Dragon Age, Brutal Legend) by $20. November 27 is going to be a long, long day, friends.

[Via GamerDeals]

Check out Joystiq's Black Friday Game Deals Hub or jump to a retailer guide below:


For more Black Friday coverage, check out Black Friday Deals, Cyber Monday Sales,
And other Black Friday 2009 stories today from Walletpop.com

Continue reading Black Friday deals for Kmart and Sears revealed

JoystiqBlack Friday deals for Kmart and Sears revealed originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>black-fridayblack-friday-2009dealsDSholidayholidazeholidaze-2009kmartMicrosoftNintendosalesearsWiiXbox-360Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:35:00 EST<![CDATA[GameStop hiring 15,000 temporary employees this holiday]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/27/gamestop-hiring-15-000-temporary-employees-this-holiday/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/27/gamestop-hiring-15-000-temporary-employees-this-holiday/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/27/gamestop-hiring-15-000-temporary-employees-this-holiday/#comments
Like other retailers, North America's largest video game brick-and-mortar chain will be gearing up for the holiday sales rush with a flood of new, temporary employees. GameStop is bolstering its "game advisors" numbers by 78% (see: grunts) and the company's total employee population by 46% (see: covenant) -- that's 15,000 people altogether, RTT News reports.

While the employees will be considered "seasonal," they will reportedly receive the same benefits to working at the company as any other employee, including game borrowing and an employee discount. No word on whether they'll also get the complimentary demoralization and up-selling technique training.

JoystiqGameStop hiring 15,000 temporary employees this holiday originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businesseconomygamestophiringholidayholidayshoppingretailrtt-newsseasonalTue, 27 Oct 2009 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The best of WoW.com: October 13-20, 2009]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/21/the-best-of-wow-com-october-13-20-2009/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/21/the-best-of-wow-com-october-13-20-2009/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/21/the-best-of-wow-com-october-13-20-2009/#comments It's that magical time of year in Azeroth -- pumpkins adorn the inns, players are chowing down on candy like crazy, and a deep rhyming voice echoes throughout the world, originating from somewhere in the Scarlet Monastery. Yes, it's the in-game Hallow's End holiday again, and the Headless Horseman is terrorizing newbies and veterans alike. Head past the break for all the information you need about trick-or-treating your way through Azeroth.

Continue reading The best of WoW.com: October 13-20, 2009

JoystiqThe best of WoW.com: October 13-20, 2009 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 21 Oct 2009 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animationbattle-nethallows-endheadless-horsemanholidayin-gamelevel-80lich-kingmmopatch-3.3patch-3.3-ptrpcpumpkinsspoilersstarcraft-iiworld-of-warcraftwowWed, 21 Oct 2009 03:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Animatronic Covenant Elite costume blows yours out of the water]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/19/animatronic-covenant-elite-costume-blows-yours-out-of-the-water/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/19/animatronic-covenant-elite-costume-blows-yours-out-of-the-water/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/19/animatronic-covenant-elite-costume-blows-yours-out-of-the-water/#comments The night of All Hallows' Eve is swiftly approaching. We're sure that, by now, you've got a rough outline of what pop culture icon you'll attempt to disguise yourself as. We're also sure that it's not one-tenth as awesome nor as intricate as the Covenant Elite (of Halo fame) costume recently created by YouTube user petemander1. That is, unless your Optimus Prime costume has animatronic, remote-controlled eyes and mandibles. No? It doesn't? That's what we thought.

Check out the two videos posted after the jump to get an early look at Pete's humbling (and slightly terrifying) creation. We'd say we can't wait to see how the full costume turns out, but we've already got plenty of subjects on which to base our nightmares.

Continue reading Animatronic Covenant Elite costume blows yours out of the water

JoystiqAnimatronic Covenant Elite costume blows yours out of the water originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 19 Oct 2009 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animatronicbungiecostumecovenantelitehalloweenhalloween-costumehaloholidayMicrosoftXbox-360Mon, 19 Oct 2009 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Xbox 360 Elite Holiday 2009 Bundle shipping today]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/29/xbox-360-elite-holiday-2009-bundle-shipping-today/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/29/xbox-360-elite-holiday-2009-bundle-shipping-today/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/29/xbox-360-elite-holiday-2009-bundle-shipping-today/#comments
Rumored, pictured, and now shipping to retail, the 2009 edition of the Xbox 360 Elite Holiday Bundle ($300) includes a pair of family-friendly titles from last year in Lego Batman and Pure. But, well, you knew that. (Protip: Grab and stash this before October 5 to be eligible for the $50 rebate.)

Also announced today, the Xbox 360 Wireless Controller Game Pack will go on sale in November for $60. The black gamepad and bundle of XBLA titles is so close to perfect with Geometry Wars 2, Lumines Live, Bomberman Live and ... a code for Ms. Pac-Man? Make that a Pac-Man: Championship Edition token and we'd be looking at one of the best gifts you could have given this holiday -- 'cause let's face it, you (should) already own those games.

Oh, and still no official word on that popcorn box o' peripherals.

Gallery: Xbox 360 Holiday 2009 Bundles

Xbox 360 Elite Holiday BundleXbox 360 Elite Holiday BundleXbox 360 Elite Holiday BundleXbox 360 Wireless Controller Game Pack

JoystiqXbox 360 Elite Holiday 2009 Bundle shipping today originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 29 Sep 2009 10:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blackbomberman-livebundlebundlescontrollerelitegeometry-wars-2holidayholiday-2009lego-batmanluminves-liveMicrosoftms-pac-manpurewireless-controllerxblaXbox-360xbox-360-elitexbox-360-elite-holiday-bundlexbox-360-wireless-controller-game-packTue, 29 Sep 2009 10:50:00 EST<![CDATA[The best of WoW.com: September 15-22, 2009]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/23/the-best-of-wow-com-september-15-22-2009/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/23/the-best-of-wow-com-september-15-22-2009/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/23/the-best-of-wow-com-september-15-22-2009/#commentsFiled under: , ,


It's a special time of year in the World of Warcraft -- the leaves are a'changing and the brews are a'flowing. Brewfest is upon us! Time to go imbibing the finest in Dwarven ales (and deliver some, too, on those crazy rams). If you need a guide to all of the festivities, you know Joystiq's WoW-obssessed sister site WoW.com has you covered -- here's our top ten posts from the past week.

News
Features

JoystiqThe best of WoW.com: September 15-22, 2009 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 23 Sep 2009 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agdc-09best-ofblizzardbrewfestdwarven-aleholidayinformationpatch-3.2.2world-of-warcraftwowwow-comWed, 23 Sep 2009 03:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks pulling into retail station Dec. 7]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/15/legend-of-zelda-spirit-tracks-pulling-into-retail-station-dec/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/15/legend-of-zelda-spirit-tracks-pulling-into-retail-station-dec/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/15/legend-of-zelda-spirit-tracks-pulling-into-retail-station-dec/#commentsA Nintendo press release promoting the company's holiday lineup has confirmed a December 7 release date for Link's next Nintendo DS-based outing, The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks. That's just in time for the cold, harsh winter -- but it's still quite a ways off. We suggest playing through Phantom Hourglass while watching reruns of Thomas the Tank Engine in order to tide yourself over until then.

If you're not familiar with the Spirit-ed, Hylian adventure, check out our hands-on impressions of the game from E3 earlier this year, or watch the debut GDC trailer!

Gallery: The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks

JoystiqLegend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks pulling into retail station Dec. 7 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 Sep 2009 15:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>action-rpgDSholidaynintendorelease-datespirit-tracksthe-legend-of-zelda-spirit-trackszeldaTue, 15 Sep 2009 15:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Assassin's Creed 2 ain't afraid of no Call of Duty]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/24/assassins-creed-2-aint-afraid-of-no-call-of-duty/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/24/assassins-creed-2-aint-afraid-of-no-call-of-duty/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/24/assassins-creed-2-aint-afraid-of-no-call-of-duty/#comments
Though scores of once-Holiday releases have scattered in fear of the oncoming force of nature known as Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, one title has held the line: Assassin's Creed 2. A juggernaut in its own right, this Da Vinci-inspired sequel has defiantly remained in its original November 17 release date -- just one week after the launch of Infinity Ward's megablockbuster.

Assassin's Creed 2 creative director Patrice Desilets recently stated in an interview with VG247 that Ubisoft isn't afraid of the latest Call of Duty title's proximity to its own holiday offering. He explained, "the first [Assassin's Creed] game we released two weeks after Modern Warfare, and we still sold 9m copies." That maybe true, but the first Modern Warfare didn't feature 50 Cent. You guys are totally screwed this time around.

JoystiqAssassin's Creed 2 ain't afraid of no Call of Duty originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 24 Aug 2009 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionassassins-creedassassins-creed-2call-of-dutycall-of-duty-modern-warfare-2holidayinfinity-wardMicrosoftmodern-warfare-2ubisoftXbox-360Mon, 24 Aug 2009 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EndWar creator sounds off on 'brutal' holiday market]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/04/endwar-creator-sounds-off-on-brutal-holiday-market/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/04/endwar-creator-sounds-off-on-brutal-holiday-market/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/04/endwar-creator-sounds-off-on-brutal-holiday-market/#comments
In a recent interview with Gamesindustry.biz, Ubisoft's Michael de Plater, who served as creative director for EndWar, gave some context for the Q1 2010 release window for the developer's next strategy title, RUSE. It's fairly familiar territory -- de Plater explained, "it's a bit tough to launch a new IP exactly at Christmas when you're head-to-head with blockbuster sequels," and added that the RTS title was following in the footsteps of many other Modern Warfare 2-fearing franchises.

That's just the thing, though -- de Plater mentions that the ol' Q1 shuffle is a popular move as of late. We wonder if he (and Ubisoft as a whole) realize that RUSE might have jumped out of the frying pan, and into ... an adjacent frying pan, filled with even more delicious, sizzling bacon.

JoystiqEndWar creator sounds off on 'brutal' holiday market originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>endwarholidaymichael-de-platerq1ruseubisoftTue, 04 Aug 2009 01:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Insomniac not backing down from crowded pre-holiday release]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/21/insomniac-not-backing-down-from-crowded-pre-holiday-release/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/21/insomniac-not-backing-down-from-crowded-pre-holiday-release/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/21/insomniac-not-backing-down-from-crowded-pre-holiday-release/#comments
If we were game developers, we'd be appropriately terrified of dropping our precious labors of love into the pre-holiday retail arena -- a battlefield filled with two-ton gorillas like Assassin's Creed 2 and Modern Warfare 2. Still, Insomniac Games hasn't thought twice about the late 2009 release date of Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time -- nearly all of the company's titles hit store shelves in late fall, after all.

In an interview with GamesIndustry, Insomniac director of marketing and communications Ryan Schneider explained the company has "had a lot of success" dropping its games around November. He went on to declare, "The Holiday season is still a great time to release a title." You know what else is a great time to release a title? Right now. The dust on our gaming consoles has actually started to collect its own dust.

JoystiqInsomniac not backing down from crowded pre-holiday release originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 21 Jul 2009 18:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a-crack-in-timeholidayinsomniacq4ratchet-and-clankratchet-and-clank-future-a-crack-in-timerelease-dateTue, 21 Jul 2009 18:40:00 EST<![CDATA[EEDAR analyst apologizes for his report supporting the Q4 wallet drain]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/28/eedar-analyst-apologizes-for-his-report-supporting-the-q4-wallet/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/28/eedar-analyst-apologizes-for-his-report-supporting-the-q4-wallet/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/28/eedar-analyst-apologizes-for-his-report-supporting-the-q4-wallet/#comments
The latest report from research company EEDAR reveals that, despite complaints from gamers that publishers are overloading the fourth quarter every year, well-reviewed titles typically perform 15-20 percent better than games with high Metacritic released in the "off season." Don't worry, though, we expressed our discontent by calling EEDAR analyst Jesse Divnich and yelling, "What are you doing!? You're ruining everything!" Divnich apologized and said he uses GameFly to mitigate his own personal financial damage during the holidays. He wishes the numbers would show something different and recognizes a core gamer would need to increase their gaming budget by 200% during the holidays to keep up.

Divnich also wanted us to note that, despite it being widely reported that his research states the PS3's library has the highest percentage of titles with an 85 or higher Metacritic score, the Xbox 360 has a larger quantity of such titles overall. Whatever, we've found a scapegoat for our empty wallets during the holidays. Divnich is the first phone call we're making to hit up for cash.

JoystiqEEDAR analyst apologizes for his report supporting the Q4 wallet drain originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 28 May 2009 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businessdivnicheedarholidayjesse-divnichq4salesThu, 28 May 2009 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The best of WoW Insider: April 28 - May 5, 2009]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/06/the-best-of-wow-insider-april-28-may-5-2009/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/06/the-best-of-wow-insider-april-28-may-5-2009/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/06/the-best-of-wow-insider-april-28-may-5-2009/#commentsFiled under: , ,


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JoystiqThe best of WoW Insider: April 28 - May 5, 2009 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 06 May 2009 01:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blizzardcontroversydramaguildwatchholidaykaratechoplegendarymartin-furynoblegardenraidingulduarwolverineworld-of-warcraftwow-insiderWed, 06 May 2009 01:15:00 EST