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[Portal co-creator's Pixld now on iOS]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/29/portal-co-creators-pixld-now-on-ios/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/29/portal-co-creators-pixld-now-on-ios/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/29/portal-co-creators-pixld-now-on-ios/#comments Portal cocreator's Pixld now on iOSPixld, the iOS puzzle game from Portal co-creator Kim Swift and Quantum Conundrum developer Airtight Games, is now available on the App Store. It's currently going for an introductory $0.99, but having introduced itself it'll return to a regular price of $1.99.

The games gives players a grid of cyan and navy blocks, tasking them with making color-matching rectangles by flipping the blocks' colors. Sounds simple, except flipping a block's color also flips the color of every adjacent block. With time-based, moves-limited, and one-life modes, Pixld is a test of vision, reflexes, and strategy. Oh, and it has weird textspeak-like shorthand in its menus, but don't worry, it's nothing too egrgs.

JoystiqPortal co-creator's Pixld now on iOS originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 29 Oct 2012 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airtight-gamesiosipadiphonekim-swiftmobilepixldrelease-dateMon, 29 Oct 2012 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Quantum Conundrum doubles down on DLC this summer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/24/quantum-conundrum-doubles-down-on-dlc-this-summer/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/24/quantum-conundrum-doubles-down-on-dlc-this-summer/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/24/quantum-conundrum-doubles-down-on-dlc-this-summer/#comments Two new DLC packs are planned for Quantum Conundrum, Square Enix announced today. The "Desmond Debacle" and "IKE-aramba!" add-ons will be available later this summer for 240 MS Points ($2.99) each.

The Desmond Debacle DLC pack launches on Steam first on July 31; PS3 and Xbox 360 get the DLC on August 14 and August 15, respectively. Players will explore a new wing of Quadwrangle Mansion with Desmond, self-professed "drinking bird" and guide through these new puzzles.

IKE-aramba! tasks players with rescuing an Interdimensional Kinetic Entity, the titular IKE. Players will "leap seemingly endless chasms" when this second DLC pack launches on Steam on August 28, followed by PS3 and Xbox 360 on September 11 and 12.

Those who've picked up a season pass through Steam will get both of these DLC packs as part of the their purchase.

Gallery: Quantum Conundrum (The Desmond Debacle and IKE-aramba!)

Continue reading Quantum Conundrum doubles down on DLC this summer

JoystiqQuantum Conundrum doubles down on DLC this summer originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 24 Jul 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airtight-gamesdlckim-swiftmicrosoftpcplaystationps3quantum-conundrumsquare-enixsteamxboxTue, 24 Jul 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Quantum Conundrum confuses PSN on July 10, XBLA on July 11]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/21/quantum-conundrum-confuses-psn-on-july-10-xbla-on-july-11/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/21/quantum-conundrum-confuses-psn-on-july-10-xbla-on-july-11/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/21/quantum-conundrum-confuses-psn-on-july-10-xbla-on-july-11/#comments Those without the requisite hardware to run Quantum Conundrum on the PC will have to wait until July. Quantum Conundrum will come to PSN on July 10 for $14.99, and XBLA on July 11 for 1200 MS Points ($15).

If you prefer to pick up Quantum Conundrum through Steam, it's now available on the PC for $14.99. Putting down $19.99 for a Steam pass will also earn you the soundtrack and two future DLC puzzle packs.

Continue reading Quantum Conundrum confuses PSN on July 10, XBLA on July 11

JoystiqQuantum Conundrum confuses PSN on July 10, XBLA on July 11 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 21 Jun 2012 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airtight-gameskim-swiftmicrosoftpcplaystationplaystation-networkps3psnquantum-conundrumrelease-datesteamxblaxboxxbox-live-arcadeThu, 21 Jun 2012 19:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Quantum Conundrum review: First rule of physics, don't talk about physics]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/21/quantum-conundrum-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/21/quantum-conundrum-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/21/quantum-conundrum-review/#comments Quantum Conundrum review First rule of physics, don't talk about itBack in February, Airtight Games creative director Kim Swift told us that she wanted Quantum Conundrum to play like a Saturday-morning cartoon - lighthearted with a slapstick edge, similar to Looney Tunes or Cartoon Network programming. This may be why I found it so unnerving that Quantum Conundrum reminded me more of Fight Club than any kid-friendly cartoons.

The standard-edition DVD of 2002's Fight Club has a looping menu that plays a round of light, elevator-style percussion music while the screen flickers invitingly on the Play button; this lasts just long enough to lull the passive listener into a false sense of tranquility, before it smashes into a measure of jarring electrical guitar and pulsating images for a few terrible seconds. Then the screen clears, and the torture repeats.

One night in my wayward youth, I fell asleep watching this Fight Club DVD. For hours after the movie had finished and returned to the menu, I would be jolted awake just enough to know nothing about what was going on, only to immediately fall back asleep once the soothing interlude picked up again. For hours. It was disorienting, sinister and, looking back on it, kind of hilarious.

Quantum Conundrum's soundtrack may be similar to Fight Club's menu screen's, but the game itself rides those same waves of frustration, persistence and disjointed comedy - the game is lovely, but the story is jarring. Some of its story elements are almost funny, some of the narrative almost make sense, all of it almost reaches a realm of lucid clarity. And yes, it does this for hours.

Gallery: Quantum Conundrum (6/21/12)

Continue reading Quantum Conundrum review: First rule of physics, don't talk about physics

JoystiqQuantum Conundrum review: First rule of physics, don't talk about physics originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 21 Jun 2012 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airtight-gamesKim-Swiftmicrosoftpcphysicsplaystationportalps3puzzlerquantum-conundrumSquare-EnixxboxThu, 21 Jun 2012 17:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Quantum Conundrum coming to PC June 21]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/31/quantum-conundrum-coming-to-pc-june-21/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/31/quantum-conundrum-coming-to-pc-june-21/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/31/quantum-conundrum-coming-to-pc-june-21/#comments ImageSquare Enix has finally laid down a launch date for Quantum Conundrum: The game will arrive on Windows via Steam on June 21. You can preorder the game right now either as a standard edition, or as a "season pass," with three exclusive Team Fortress 2 items, a downloadable soundtrack, and all of the future puzzle packs.

Preordering the game also earns you 10 percent off, and you'll be entered into a sweepstakes to win the opportunity to have your portrait hung up in the in-game world. Snazzy! Quantum Conundrum will also arrive on Microsoft's XBLA and PSN, though Square is only sticking with "summer" as a date for those versions so far.

JoystiqQuantum Conundrum coming to PC June 21 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 31 May 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airtight-gamesdlcgamekim-swiftpcpreorderquantum-conundrumseason-passsquare-enixsteamThu, 31 May 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Quantum Conundrum trailer gives us a cute creature to coo over]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/31/quantum-conundrum-trailer-gives-us-a-cute-creature-to-coo-over/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/31/quantum-conundrum-trailer-gives-us-a-cute-creature-to-coo-over/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/31/quantum-conundrum-trailer-gives-us-a-cute-creature-to-coo-over/#comments Image

Not since the Ewok have we been so immediately in love with a short chubby hairy thing. Sorry, John De Lancie - this little guy is now our favorite Quantum Conundrum character.

JoystiqQuantum Conundrum trailer gives us a cute creature to coo over originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 31 May 2012 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airtight-gameskim-swiftmicrosoftpcplaystationps3quantum-conundrumsquare-enixxboxThu, 31 May 2012 03:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Quantum Conundrum's latest trailer blows the doors off time, our minds]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/17/quantum-conundrums-latest-trailer-blows-the-doors-off-time-our/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/17/quantum-conundrums-latest-trailer-blows-the-doors-off-time-our/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/17/quantum-conundrums-latest-trailer-blows-the-doors-off-time-our/#comments Image
Quantum Conundrum's more than just fluffy pillows and super heavy stuff. It's also all about ripping apart space and time itself at your whim, with the helpful aid of a glove-enabled "shift device," as demonstrated in the trailer above.

JoystiqQuantum Conundrum's latest trailer blows the doors off time, our minds originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 17 May 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airtightairtight-gamesgameplaykim-swiftmicrosoftpcplaystationps3quantum-conundrumsquare-enixtrailerxboxThu, 17 May 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Quantum Conundrum's Kim Swift gives us some cold, hard fluff]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/15/quantum-conundrums-kim-swift-gives-us-some-cold-hard-fluff/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/15/quantum-conundrums-kim-swift-gives-us-some-cold-hard-fluff/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/15/quantum-conundrums-kim-swift-gives-us-some-cold-hard-fluff/#comments It's Saturday morning. You have a giant bowl of sugar-coated cereal, the comfiest slippers on your feet, and an entire day to spend watching talkative cartoon animals get comically mutilated in some of the most sadistic ways known to man. Quantum Conundrum is kind of like that -- sweet and fun, but with an inherent and surprising darkness, creative director Kim Swift told Joystiq in an exclusive interview.

"It has this very cartoony, dynamic feel to it with the gameplay," Swift said. "Tonality-wise, it came naturally that this game be slightly more lighthearted, slightly more on the slapstick, Looney Toons kind of a feel. But even Looney Toons has a darker element to it -- you're looking at these cartoon characters getting squished and all that stuff, so it's definitely not like we're watching PBS on a Saturday morning. More like Cartoon Network on a Saturday morning."

Swift, known for her work on Portal and its student-project predecessor, Narbacular Drop, has been developing Quantum Conundrum for Airtight Games since 2009. While the title features the same first-person physics puzzle-style of her previous work, Swift said Quantum Conundrum operates in a completely separate universe and has a starkly different feel than anything she's done.

"With Quantum Conundrum, we're a little bit more slapstick and off the wall than Portal," Swift said. "And Narbacular Drop is Narbacular Drop."

Gallery: Quantum Conundrum (2/15)

Continue reading Quantum Conundrum's Kim Swift gives us some cold, hard fluff

JoystiqQuantum Conundrum's Kim Swift gives us some cold, hard fluff originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 Feb 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fluffyfluffy-dimensionKim-Swiftmicrosoftnarbacular-droppcplaystationportalps3quantum-conundrumSquare-EnixxboxWed, 15 Feb 2012 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Airtight Games' Kim Swift discusses Portal comparisons and the democratic origin of Quantum Conundrum]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/20/airtight-games-kim-swift-discusses-portal-comparisons-and-the-d/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/20/airtight-games-kim-swift-discusses-portal-comparisons-and-the-d/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/20/airtight-games-kim-swift-discusses-portal-comparisons-and-the-d/#comments "All I care about is, 'Is the game fun? Are players gonna pick it up and have a good time?' That, first and foremost, is my job," ex-Valve developer (Portal, Left 4 Dead) and current Airtight Games creative lead Kim Swift declared to me in a pre-NY Comic Con interview last week. She was referring to her current project, Quantum Conundrum, and its similarity to her past work on Portal. I was wondering if she worried that her first big game might color perceptions about her latest, similarly-sized game -- is it just more of the same?

"Making first-person puzzle games is what I like to do," Swift said. "And there aren't a whole lot of games ... there's Portal, and that's about it. So, to me, this is the kind of game that I want to play myself." She told me that the idea for QC had come about before arriving at Airtight, and when the opportunity came to head up a team as creative lead, she jumped at the chance. But she also didn't want to be a totalitarian monster.

"Once I had gotten my team together, I didn't just wanna say, 'Hey, we're making this game, dammit! It's gonna be the way I say it's gonna be!'" Swift explained. Rather, the team members created individual "one-sheets" which would then be voted on by the whole group. As it turns out, Quantum Conundrum won out. "It just happens that this one came out on top just because it was really easy to implement right away and test," she added.

The game's room-based puzzles and play on dimensional mechanics make it "modular" -- as in, individual components can be easily swapped out for others and quickly tested. This kind of development structure allows for quick iteration, a value prized among game developers. It also makes things like DLC all the more possible, which already makes sense for a game like Quantum Conundrum. Whether gamers will be demanding more after the game ships "early" next year remains to be seen, but what I saw had a lot of promise.

Gallery: Quantum Conundrum (PAX 2011)

JoystiqAirtight Games' Kim Swift discusses Portal comparisons and the democratic origin of Quantum Conundrum originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 20 Oct 2011 15:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airtightairtight-gameskim-swiftmicrosoftnyccnycc-2011pcplaystationportalps3quantum-conundrumsquare-enixxboxThu, 20 Oct 2011 15:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Kim Swift fills us in on Airtight Games' silent 2010]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/13/kim-swift-fills-us-in-on-airtight-games-silent-2010/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/13/kim-swift-fills-us-in-on-airtight-games-silent-2010/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/13/kim-swift-fills-us-in-on-airtight-games-silent-2010/#comments After Airtight Games' last project, Dark Void, failed to succeed with critics and at retail, the studio crept back into relative quiet for the majority of 2010. Aside from a job listing popping up late in the year for "several AAA titles," and the high-profile hire of Portal lead Kim Swift just before Dark Void's launch, the studio kept mum all the way until this past summer.

Just before PAX, however, Japanese publisher Square Enix teased a big reveal for Swift's promised game. Days later, Quantum Conundrum was announced -- another first-person puzzler -- leaving us to wonder what else the studio might be working on. "There are currently two projects at Airtight: ours, and another unannounced project," Swift told me during a pre-New York Comic Con preview for Square's titles. "I can't speak to what the game is," she added (unsurprisingly).

The Airtight Games site offers only a bit more assistance in divining the studio's other project, calling it, "another ambitious AAA title in a genre that is both unique and refreshingly unexplored," and teasing the image above. Swift did tell me that 16 folks at Airtight out of approximately 50 are currently head-down on Quantum Conundrum, leaving a sizable team for other things.

And those 35 or so people have had plenty of time to get started, if development of the studio's other, "mid-sized" project is any indication. "We've technically been working on [Quantum Conundrum] for a year, but we didn't really go into production until maybe like, six, seven months ago. Not long," Swift explained with a laugh. "You'd be surprised at how many things 16 folks can make."

AG's official site also promises "more news and announcements in the near future," so perhaps the studio is ready to fully awake from its year-long silence.

JoystiqKim Swift fills us in on Airtight Games' silent 2010 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 Oct 2011 12:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airtightairtight-gameskim-swiftmicrosoftpcplaystationps3quantum-conundrumxboxThu, 13 Oct 2011 12:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Quantum Conundrum preview: Inter-dimensional charm]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/26/quantum-conundrum-preview-inter-dimensional-charm/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/26/quantum-conundrum-preview-inter-dimensional-charm/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/26/quantum-conundrum-preview-inter-dimensional-charm/#comments Recent Airtight Games convert Kim Swift's new downloadable title, Quantum Conundrum, is just about as charming as charming can be. You probably could have guessed that based on Swift's notably Portal-infused background, not to mention the pitch-perfect, cartoonish design aesthetic that pervades the manor home in which the game is set. But you really have to see its dimension shifting in action to fully understand it.

The pitch is this: Using an "Inter-dimensional Shift Device," a young boy must traverse the sprawling mansion of his mad scientist uncle, Dr. Fitz Quadwrangle, to discover said relative's whereabouts. The device in question allows the user to shift each of the puzzle-filled rooms between four dimensions to achieve goals, changing the properties of each of the objects contained therein. It's a lot less complicated once you see it in action, until it gets a whole lot more complicated.

Gallery: Quantum Conundrum (PAX 2011)

Continue reading Quantum Conundrum preview: Inter-dimensional charm

JoystiqQuantum Conundrum preview: Inter-dimensional charm originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 26 Aug 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airtight-gameskim-swiftmicrosoftpcplaystationportalps3puzzlequantum-conundrumsquare-enixxboxFri, 26 Aug 2011 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Quantum Conundrum is Portal lead Kim Swift's new downloadable game]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/25/quantum-conundrum-is-portal-lead-kim-swifts-new-downloadable-ga/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/25/quantum-conundrum-is-portal-lead-kim-swifts-new-downloadable-ga/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/25/quantum-conundrum-is-portal-lead-kim-swifts-new-downloadable-ga/#comments Quantum Conundrum Portal Quantum Conundrum, a new first-person puzzle game in which you gracefully shift between different dimensions and alter the physical properties of the environment, was inspired when the designer took a "stroll to the local bakery." Apparently, Kim Swift has not only moved from Valve to Airtight Games, but from America to Amsterdam. What exactly are they baking in there?

Due to launch on Xbox Live Arcade, PlayStation Network and Steam in 2012, Quantum Conundrum sees you exploring the enormous manor (and eccentric manner) of your uncle, Professor Fitz Quadwrangle. Using an "interdimensional shift device," you can activate different dimensions that influence the house in unusual ways. One flips the gravity, another envelopes the world in a bubble of slow-motion (perfect for tossing items to yourself), and another renders heavy, serious safes as lightweight plush toys. That would be the "fluffy dimension," according to Gamespot's preview.

Give that a look (there's a video too!) and learn how dimensional hopping helps you solve Quantum Conundrum.

JoystiqQuantum Conundrum is Portal lead Kim Swift's new downloadable game originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 25 Aug 2011 12:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airtight-gameskim-swiftmicrosoftplaystationps3PSNquantum-conundrumsquare-enixXBLAxboxThu, 25 Aug 2011 12:41:00 EST<![CDATA[Portal lead Kim Swift to debut downloadable game at PAX]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/22/portal-lead-kim-swift-to-debut-downloadable-game-at-pax/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/22/portal-lead-kim-swift-to-debut-downloadable-game-at-pax/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/22/portal-lead-kim-swift-to-debut-downloadable-game-at-pax/#commentsAfter 2010's disappointing Dark Void, we'd nearly forgotten that Airtight Games had hired Portal Creative Director Kim Swift to lead development on a "new, unnamed project." Square Enix has rekindled our interest, announcing that it's picked up publishing rights to the game and will reveal the "top-secret joint project" at PAX this Saturday (7pm in the Pegasus Room for those of you in attendance).

The only information we can glean from the announcement is that it's "downloadable" and "an incredibly fascinating and quirky game" so ... take that for what it's worth. Airtight Games' site says that while it's working on another "ambitious AAA title" it's also working on "a new mid-sized game with all kinds of physical possibilities." Physical possibilities, eh? That sounds like the one!

Continue reading Portal lead Kim Swift to debut downloadable game at PAX

JoystiqPortal lead Kim Swift to debut downloadable game at PAX originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 22 Aug 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airtight-gameskim-swiftmicrosoftpaxpax-prime-2011playstationps3PSNquantum-conundrumsquare-enixXBLAxboxMon, 22 Aug 2011 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[GDC 2010: From student game to success]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/14/gdc-2010-from-student-game-to-success/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/14/gdc-2010-from-student-game-to-success/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/14/gdc-2010-from-student-game-to-success/#comments Believe it or not, many of the best games start out as student development projects. The Misadventures of P.B. Winterbottom, flOw and even Portal all began life as student projects. Speaking at a GDC panel, the developers of the games listed above gave their advice on how budding student game designers can see their own projects become a success. The panel included Kim Swift, designer of Portal and currently of Airtight Games, Matt Korba and Paul Bellezza of The Odd Gentlemen (P.B. Winterbottom), and Kellee Santiago of thatgamecompany (flOw).

The advice was wide-ranging, though all the panelists agreed that the best way to get a game noticed is to submit it to as many competitions and festivals as possible. Swift specifically noted that it's a good idea to literally drag people to come and play your game at festivals and shows like GDC. The game itself should "grab" players as well, with Korba saying that a festival showing of a game should be get players involved within five minutes.

Continue reading GDC 2010: From student game to success

JoystiqGDC 2010: From student game to success originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 14 Mar 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2k-gamesairtight-gamesflowgdcgdc-2010kellee-santiagokim-swiftmatt-korbapaul-bellezzapb-winterbottomportalthatgamecompanythe-odd-gentlemenSun, 14 Mar 2010 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Portal lead Kim Swift heads to Airtight Games for 'new, unnamed project']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/07/portal-lead-kim-swift-heads-to-airtight-games-for-new-unnamed/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/07/portal-lead-kim-swift-heads-to-airtight-games-for-new-unnamed/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/07/portal-lead-kim-swift-heads-to-airtight-games-for-new-unnamed/#commentsBest known for her work on Joystiq's 2007 Game of the Year, Portal, Valve's Kim Swift is reportedly leaving her current position for Dark Void developer Airtight Games. According to Develop, she'll be heading up a team of developers working on a "new, unnamed project" for the US-based company. Airtight prez Jim Deal says that he's "thrilled to work with Kim," and that "her addition to the team represents a strategic move ... into new and broader gaming markets."

Swift's team will be tasked with creating "games aimed at a more diverse audience" -- a challenge Swift appears ready to handle. "I've learned so much and had some amazing experiences at Valve, but when I heard I had the opportunity to work on innovative titles with my friends over at Airtight, I couldn't pass it up." And now we wait (and hope) for the puzzle-based air combat game that's sure to come of this partnership.

JoystiqPortal lead Kim Swift heads to Airtight Games for 'new, unnamed project' originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 07 Dec 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airtightairtight-gamesbusinessdark-voiddeveloperhiringjim-dealkim-swiftportalquantum-conundrumvalvevalve-softwareMon, 07 Dec 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Left 4 Dead 2 demo running straight for Xbox/PC on October 27]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/23/left-4-dead-2-demo-running-straight-for-xbox-pc-on-october-27/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/23/left-4-dead-2-demo-running-straight-for-xbox-pc-on-october-27/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/23/left-4-dead-2-demo-running-straight-for-xbox-pc-on-october-27/#comments
Speaking about upcoming co-op zombie shooter Left 4 Dead 2 at EA's Tokyo press conference today, Valve's Kim Swift announced intentions to release a demo on October 27. Though no platforms were explicitly mentioned, we're betting pre-orders on both Xbox 360 and PC platforms will be getting first dibs, as Valve has already stated.

From what we understand, the demo will feature multiplayer, though we're not sure to what capacity this will extend. Either way, Xbox 360 and PC owners will get a chance to try out at least some of the 10 melee weapons well before the game's November 17 release. We'll ask EA for more details on the demo as the Tokyo Game Show continues this week.

Gallery: Left 4 Dead 2

JoystiqLeft 4 Dead 2 demo running straight for Xbox/PC on October 27 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 23 Sep 2009 00:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaea-partnersElectronic-Artskim-swiftleft-4-deadleft-4-dead-2Microsoftpctgstgs-2009valveXbox-360Wed, 23 Sep 2009 00:10:00 EST<![CDATA[GDC's Design Challenge panel tackles sex in games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/06/gdcs-design-challenge-panel-tackles-sex-in-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/06/gdcs-design-challenge-panel-tackles-sex-in-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/06/gdcs-design-challenge-panel-tackles-sex-in-games/#commentsHow does "My First Time" sound as this year's topic for GDC's time-honored Game Design Challenge panel? It may sound like something we cooked up ourselves, but it is, in fact, legit. This year's theme is all about the dilemma of designing games centered on "sex and autobiography." Obliviously, this won't be a discussion on how to peddle porno games; instead, it'll be about tackling the taboo and coming out with something both artistic and unique ... and probably about how to avoid a situation like this.

Eric Zimmerman (chief design officer at Gamelab), Steve Meretzky (game design VP at YouPlus), Kim Swift (Valve level designer) and Sulka Haro (Sulake lead designer) will all be speakers at the panel on March 25. Those who are attending the industry-only event might want to stop by Room 135, North Hall at 2:30pm to see what's going down ... no innuendo intended there.

[Via G4TV]

JoystiqGDC's Design Challenge panel tackles sex in games originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 06 Mar 2009 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eric-zimmermangame-developers-conferencegdcgdc-2009kim-swiftsteve-meretzkysulka-haroFri, 06 Mar 2009 02:00:00 EST<![CDATA[GDC08: Live from the Portal postmortem]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/22/gdc08-live-from-the-portal-post-mortem/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/22/gdc08-live-from-the-portal-post-mortem/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/22/gdc08-live-from-the-portal-post-mortem/#commentsFiled under:


3:36pm PT: After waiting in what can only be described as an epic line (by far the longest we've seen at GDC so far, and it's Friday afternoon!), we've found a respectable spot at the Portal postmortem, one of the most anticipated sessions of the entire week. Erik Wolpaw and Kim Swift are on stage, seemingly unaware of the sea of humans piling up outside the door.

3:53pm PT: Ludwig posted a photo of the Portal postmortem line. Best part: you still can't see most of the line which wrapped around both ends of the frame. We're just happy to be in here. We're prickly with anticipation. It's like seeing the Beatles on Ed Sullivan ... just really nerdy ...

Continue reading GDC08: Live from the Portal postmortem

JoystiqGDC08: Live from the Portal postmortem originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 22 Feb 2008 19:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Erik-WolpawGDCGDC08Kim-SwiftPortalValveFri, 22 Feb 2008 19:36:00 EST<![CDATA[GDC08: The cake is a line]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/22/gdc08-the-cake-is-a-line/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/22/gdc08-the-cake-is-a-line/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/22/gdc08-the-cake-is-a-line/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Oh, did you want to see Valve's Kim Swift and Erik Wolpaw deliver a Portal postmortem? We hope you like making your way through the digestive system of this rather large attendee snake. We'll keep you up to date -- just as soon as we figure out how to get down from this ladder.

JoystiqGDC08: The cake is a line originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 22 Feb 2008 18:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>GDCGDC08Kim-SwiftOrange-BoxOrangeBoxPCPortalValveXbox-360Fri, 22 Feb 2008 18:50:00 EST<![CDATA[GDC08: Portal designer Kim Swift mentions 'Portal 2']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/21/gdc08-portal-designer-kim-swift-mentions-portal-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/21/gdc08-portal-designer-kim-swift-mentions-portal-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/21/gdc08-portal-designer-kim-swift-mentions-portal-2/#commentsFiled under: ,


We're not sure if Portal designer Kim Swift was speaking out of turn when she told X-Play, "I believe Doug Lombardi, who's our lead marketing director at Valve, has announced Portal 2." Was she referring to Lombardi's recent comment that "There'll be more Portal"? If so, we sorta thought his qualification of "the details of that ... we're still working out" sort of meant that "more Portal" didn't necessarily mean "Portal 2."

Maybe that means "more levels" or "more musical hits by passive-aggressive AIs" ... or maybe, just maybe, it means "Portal 2." Lombardi told us, simply, "More Portal is coming. Nothing more to disclose right now." So, looks like we're back at cube one.

[Thanks, Steve G.]

JoystiqGDC08: Portal designer Kim Swift mentions 'Portal 2' originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 21 Feb 2008 21:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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