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[Amazon 'Spring Sale' on PC has LA Noire for $5, Crysis 2 for $7.50]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/05/amazon-spring-sale-on-pc-has-la-noire-for-5-crysis-2-for-7/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/05/amazon-spring-sale-on-pc-has-la-noire-for-5-crysis-2-for-7/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/05/amazon-spring-sale-on-pc-has-la-noire-for-5-crysis-2-for-7/#comments Amazon's 'Spring Sale' kicked off today on select downloadable PC games. If you don't play them now, you can save them for a rainy day. The standout of the pack is Rockstar's detective adventure L.A. Noire for $5, a price that almost makes up for the confusion over those "truth, doubt or lie" interrogation techniques.

Also worth grabbing is the Dragon Age Pack, a bundle that includes Origins Ultimate and Dragon Age 2, for $10. The recently released and well-received shooter, The Darkness 2, can be yours for $12.50.

There are also a couple Hamiltons off Mass Effect 3, Syndicate and Kingdoms of Amalur. Check out the list of discounted core game (in addition to 300 casual items) after the break.

Continue reading Amazon 'Spring Sale' on PC has LA Noire for $5, Crysis 2 for $7.50

JoystiqAmazon 'Spring Sale' on PC has LA Noire for $5, Crysis 2 for $7.50 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 05 Apr 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazonLA-NoiremacpcsalesalesThu, 05 Apr 2012 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hands-on with LA Noire on a tablet with OnLive]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/23/hands-on-with-la-noire-on-a-tablet-with-onlive/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/23/hands-on-with-la-noire-on-a-tablet-with-onlive/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/23/hands-on-with-la-noire-on-a-tablet-with-onlive/#comments Getting a technically complex game like LA Noire running on a tablet is an impressive feat, and one that OnLive has every right to crow about. That Rockstar took the time to implement touch controls so that LA Noire could be played natively is equally laudable. That said, the touch support isn't nearly as well-implemented as it might have been and is, in fact, downright clunky.

In short, it's LA Noire on a tablet with virtual controls, which plays out exactly how you think it does.

Continue reading Hands-on with LA Noire on a tablet with OnLive

JoystiqHands-on with LA Noire on a tablet with OnLive originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 23 Mar 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidhands-onLA-Noiremobileonliverockstar-gamesteam-bondiFri, 23 Mar 2012 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[OnLive and Rockstar release touch-controlled version of LA Noire]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/20/onlive-and-rockstar-release-touch-controlled-version-of-la-noire/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/20/onlive-and-rockstar-release-touch-controlled-version-of-la-noire/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/20/onlive-and-rockstar-release-touch-controlled-version-of-la-noire/#comments Way back in December, when OnLive first announced it would release a set of tablet apps for its cloud gaming service, we heard that Rockstar Games was also working on touch controls for LA Noire, making the console and PC game behave more like a native touchscreen app. And tonight, OnLive says those controls are finally available. If you load up LA Noire in an OnLive mobile app, you can play it by directly swiping across the screen rather than using virtual buttons or OnLive's wireless controller.

You'll need a free OnLive account to sign on to the service, and you'll need to buy LA Noire on the service if you want to play the whole thing (though just like all of the other games on OnLive, there is a free trial available to play with as well, no installation required).

And for now, you'll still need an Android tablet. OnLive has said it's working on an iOS version, but even though the company has released an iOS app for its Windows PC cloud service, the game client is "still in approval process with Apple," the company told Joystiq. It's been in that situation ever since it was announced, which suggests perhaps Apple isn't so happy with the app, though OnLive couldn't confirm anything along those lines. At any rate, if you have the app on Android and want to try touching LA Noire a little more directly, give it a shot.

JoystiqOnLive and Rockstar release touch-controlled version of LA Noire originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 20 Mar 2012 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidcontrolsfreeiosipadLA-Noiremobileonliveonlive-gamingrockstar-gamestouchscreenTue, 20 Mar 2012 00:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Steam has midweek madness in the beginning of the week, sales abound]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/13/steam-has-midweek-madness-in-the-beginning-of-the-week-sales-ab/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/13/steam-has-midweek-madness-in-the-beginning-of-the-week-sales-ab/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/13/steam-has-midweek-madness-in-the-beginning-of-the-week-sales-ab/#comments Steam's midweek madness sale has Orcs Must Die! and a bunch of L.A. Noire goodies on sale through March 15. Orcs Must Die! is 75 percent off, for $3.75. L.A. Noire, L.A. Noire Complete Edition and the Brady Guide are all half off: Snag the standard title for $15, Complete Edition for $20 and the Brady Guide for $10. The Complete Edition and Brady Guide combo is also 50 percent off, for $25.

If that's not enough, today's Daily Deal is Burnout Paradise: The Ultimate Box, on sale for 75 percent off, or $5.

JoystiqSteam has midweek madness in the beginning of the week, sales abound originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 13 Mar 2012 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Burnout-paradise-the-ultimate-boxdaily-dealLA-Noiremidweek-madnessorcs-must-diepcrobot-entertainmentRockStarTue, 13 Mar 2012 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[DirectX 11 support added to L.A. Noire: The Complete Edition on PC]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/20/directx-11-support-added-to-l-a-noire-the-complete-edition-on/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/20/directx-11-support-added-to-l-a-noire-the-complete-edition-on/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/20/directx-11-support-added-to-l-a-noire-the-complete-edition-on/#comments You went out and set up your fancy rig, with all of its shaders and its pixel core density modifiers -- you want to play games that will take full advantage of your hardware. We hear you.

So has Rockstar. DirectX 11 support headlines the latest title update for L.A. Noire: The Complete Edition, which should hopefully help you better decide the fates of the game's virtual persons of interest. You'll be able to switch between DirectX 9 and DirectX 11 renderers on the fly through the game launcher.

JoystiqDirectX 11 support added to L.A. Noire: The Complete Edition on PC originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 20 Feb 2012 02:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>directx-11directx11LA-Noirela-noire-the-complete-editionpatchpcrockstartake-twowindowsMon, 20 Feb 2012 02:45:00 EST<![CDATA[More LA Noire a possibility, Rockstar not in a 'rush' for sequel]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/14/more-la-noire-a-possibility-rockstar-not-in-a-rush-for-sequel/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/14/more-la-noire-a-possibility-rockstar-not-in-a-rush-for-sequel/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/14/more-la-noire-a-possibility-rockstar-not-in-a-rush-for-sequel/#comments Even following the closure of developer Team Bondi, Rockstar isn't necessarily giving up on more LA Noire. In a recent Q&A session, a Rockstar rep noted that while there won't be any more content released for LA Noire, fans shouldn't "count out the possibility of a new game in the LA Noire franchise in the future." The studio added that it is "considering what the future may hold for LA Noire as a series," and that it doesn't "always rush to make sequels, but that does not mean [it] won't get to them eventually." This isn't the first time LA Noire has been referred to as a franchise. Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick called it "a powerful new franchise" shortly after LA Noire's release last year, though that was before Team Bondi was shuttered.

That Rockstar is still bullish on LA Noire is particularly noteworthy considering the fate of Team Bondi. In other words, if Rockstar pursues an LA Noire sequel, it will do so without the developer that made it a success. Then again, that's not anything new for Rockstar -- it's currently developing Max Payne 3, part of a series originally created by Alan Wake developer Remedy.

JoystiqMore LA Noire a possibility, Rockstar not in a 'rush' for sequel originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 14 Feb 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>LA-Noiremicrosoftpcplaystationps3rockstartake-twoteam-bondixboxTue, 14 Feb 2012 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Rockstar lives up to its name in Q3]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/02/rockstar-lives-up-to-its-name-in-q3/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/02/rockstar-lives-up-to-its-name-in-q3/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/02/rockstar-lives-up-to-its-name-in-q3/#comments Rockstar Games should be partying like, well, itself, according to the stats released in Take-Two's Q3 fiscal report. Rockstar has sold through more than 13 million units of Red Dead Redemption worldwide and more than 5 million units of L.A. Noire since launch. The mobile version of Grand Theft Auto 3 beat all the odds and reviews to become Take-Two's best-selling mobile title to date.

JoystiqRockstar lives up to its name in Q3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidfinancialsgrand-theft-auto-3iosipadiphoneLA-Noiremicrosoftmobilepcplaystationps3q3-2011Red-Dead-RedemptionTake-TwoxboxThu, 02 Feb 2012 16:34:00 EST<![CDATA[LA Noire deals on XBLM this week, Bastion deal and Rhythm Party next week]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/24/la-noire-deals-on-xblm-this-week-bastion-deal-and-rhythm-party/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/24/la-noire-deals-on-xblm-this-week-bastion-deal-and-rhythm-party/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/24/la-noire-deals-on-xblm-this-week-bastion-deal-and-rhythm-party/#comments A month after the last half-off deal for Bastion on XBLA, Microsoft is offering the discount again. If you happened to miss out on our #5 game of 2011, you can pick it up for 600 Microsoft Points from January 31 through February 6. If you're eager to spend money this week, all LA Noire DLC is half off on the Xbox Live Marketplace through January 30.

Upcoming XBLA releases include Puddle and Quarrel this week, and a new Kinect dance game from Konami's DanceMasters team on Feb. 1. You can see Rhythm Party above, in the moment before you're struck blind.

JoystiqLA Noire deals on XBLM this week, Bastion deal and Rhythm Party next week originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 24 Jan 2012 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bastiondeal-of-the-weekkinectkonamila-noiremicrosoftrhythm-partyxblaxblmxboxTue, 24 Jan 2012 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Final Steam Sale of 2011 predicts zombie apocalypse, crime in 2012]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/31/final-steam-sale-of-2011-predicts-zombie-apocalypse-crime-in-20/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/31/final-steam-sale-of-2011-predicts-zombie-apocalypse-crime-in-20/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/31/final-steam-sale-of-2011-predicts-zombie-apocalypse-crime-in-20/#comments
The Steam Holiday Sale doesn't stop for anyone or anything -- not the end of a year, an era or the world -- and today, New Year's Eve 2011, is no different. The 13th day of the Steam Holiday Sale offers 75 percent off L.A. Noire, Bit.Trip Runner, the Hitman franchise, Magicka, both BioShocks, Hoard, GRID and the Counter-Strike series, and more titles at various other deduction rates.

Check out all the deals before the year and our life as we know it ends.

JoystiqFinal Steam Sale of 2011 predicts zombie apocalypse, crime in 2012 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 31 Dec 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bioshockbioshock-2Bit-Trip-Runnercounter-strikedead-islandgridhitmanhoardLA-Noiremagickapcsteam-holiday-sale-2011steam-saleSat, 31 Dec 2011 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Editorial: 'I'm tired of saving the world']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/28/editorial-im-tired-of-saving-the-world/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/28/editorial-im-tired-of-saving-the-world/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/28/editorial-im-tired-of-saving-the-world/#comments Heavy Rain asks us "How far would you go to save someone you love?" Few games bother with this sort of question because the answer is intensely personal. Most games would rather task you with saving the world than with rocking a baby to sleep or patching up a failed relationship. This intransigence on the part of developers to create idiosyncratic stories that resonate with the individual is holding the medium back.

Why should gaming's prime inspiration be Michael Bay instead of David Lynch, David Mamet, Paul Thomas Anderson, or even Mel Brooks? An interactive medium like this has the potential to tell complex stories in ways that are sublime, irreverent, and evocative.

Gaming could explore the human condition by interfacing with the player like books, movies, and TV never could. Instead, we do battle with rogue Russian nationalists, storm Normandy for the 47th time, or fight off an alien invasion. I can't relate to any of this.

I'm tired of saving the world, and the industry is belatedly coming to the same realization. My favorite games of 2011, L.A. Noire and Catherine, spent generous time on character development, with highly personal stories that resonate with the individual.

Continue reading Editorial: 'I'm tired of saving the world'

JoystiqEditorial: 'I'm tired of saving the world' originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 28 Dec 2011 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dscatherinedseditorialheavy-rainla-noiremicrosoftmobilenintendopcplaystationps3pspsonyxboxWed, 28 Dec 2011 16:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Australian indie: From ratings systems to a boom of small studios, how AU will survive]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/13/australian-indie-from-ratings-systems-to-a-boom-of-small-studio/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/13/australian-indie-from-ratings-systems-to-a-boom-of-small-studio/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/13/australian-indie-from-ratings-systems-to-a-boom-of-small-studio/#comments Australia has one of the most lenient video-game-rating systems in the world.

No, really -- despite its reputation as an ultra-conservative, mature-rating hating government, "the reality is that many more games that are restricted to 17-year-olds in the U.S. or 18-year-olds in Europe are available without edit for 15-year-olds in Australia," said Chris Wright, former marketing head for THQ's two Australian studios, Blue Tongue and Studio Australia. "On balance, Australia is probably the most lenient country in the world for access to mature games."

No, really -- Wright was the man who presented Saints Row to the Australian classification board and he prepared plenty of ratings submissions in the country, both as head of THQ Asia Pacific and its two Australian studios. He knows the system, meaning he knows what it has and what it doesn't, such as an R18+ rating.

"I believe passionately that Australia needs an R18+ rating," Wright said. "But for me the R18+ rating is not about access to games, but parity with other entertainment forms and the acknowledgement of gaming as an adult pursuit. The R18+ rating will have a net effect of greater overall restrictions on access to games -- many games that would have previously been available to 15-year-olds will now only be available for 18-year-olds and above -- but will mean that a few games at the top end of the maturity scale are allowed to be released."

Legislation in Australia recently approved the R18+ rating (though it may take a few years to be enacted) and its Law Reform Commission is attempting to revamp the country's video-game rating system to acknowledge its adult audience. But recently, Australia has had more than ratings to worry about.

Continue reading Australian indie: From ratings systems to a boom of small studios, how AU will survive

JoystiqAustralian indie: From ratings systems to a boom of small studios, how AU will survive originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 13 Nov 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>australiaChris-WrightclosureDe-BlobDestroy-All-HumansIndieLA-Noirelayoffsmicrosoftmobilenintendopcplaystationps3ratingsSaints-RowTHQwiixboxSun, 13 Nov 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[McNamara explains why LA Noire's Cole seemed like a 'psycho']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/10/mcnamara-explains-why-la-noires-cole-seemed-like-a-psycho/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/10/mcnamara-explains-why-la-noires-cole-seemed-like-a-psycho/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/10/mcnamara-explains-why-la-noires-cole-seemed-like-a-psycho/#comments Former Team Bondi head Brendan McNamara recently illuminated why L.A. Noire's Detective Cole Phelps would often ... overreact during interrogations.

"When we originally wrote the game the questions you asked were coax, force and lie. It was actually force because it was a more aggressive answer. That's the way we recorded it," McNamara explained at the Bradford Animation Festival, reports Eurogamer. "But when the game came out it was truth, doubt or lie. Everyone always says Aaron on the second question is a psycho. So that's not his fault."

McNamara also feels the reason some players felt the characters were dead from the neck down was because they were so lively in the face. He believes that players got used to seeing the facial detail and started getting picky about other stuff.

"It's a subtle thing, but once you attune to that level of realism then you start looking for the other things," he said. "And we had some criticism from people saying people were a bit stiff in their clothes and from the way they were done. But they were only stiff in comparison to real life."

JoystiqMcNamara explains why LA Noire's Cole seemed like a 'psycho' originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 10 Nov 2011 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brendan-mcnamaraLA-Noiremicrosoftpcplaystationps3RockstarRockstar-GamesTeam-BondixboxThu, 10 Nov 2011 11:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Take-Two earns $107m in second fiscal quarter, thanks to L.A. Noire]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/08/take-two-earns-107m-in-second-fiscal-quarter-thanks-to-l-a-no/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/08/take-two-earns-107m-in-second-fiscal-quarter-thanks-to-l-a-no/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/08/take-two-earns-107m-in-second-fiscal-quarter-thanks-to-l-a-no/#comments Take-Two Interactive recently released its financial figures for the second quarter of the 2012 fiscal year, boasting "better-than-expected" net revenue of $107 million. That figure -- driven largely by L.A. Noire and MLB 2K11 sales -- pales in comparison to the company's $245 million in earnings from the same period last year. Of course, that period last year had Civilization 5, Mafia 2 and Red Dead Redemption on the docket, so there's that.

Despite the surprise upswing, Take-Two didn't revise its expectations for the entire fiscal year, during which it hopes to earn around $1 billion in revenue. Though they didn't explicitly say so, we're assuming they've revised expectations for whichever quarter Grand Theft Auto V will launch in to "three bajillionty dollars."

JoystiqTake-Two earns $107m in second fiscal quarter, thanks to L.A. Noire originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 08 Nov 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fy-2012LA-Noiremicrosoftmlb-2k11pcplaystationps3q2-2011q2-2012salestake-twoxboxTue, 08 Nov 2011 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Pre-purchase L.A. Noire: The Complete Edition on Steam or OnLive for 10% off]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/22/pre-purchase-l-a-noire-the-complete-edition-on-steam-or-onlive/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/22/pre-purchase-l-a-noire-the-complete-edition-on-steam-or-onlive/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/22/pre-purchase-l-a-noire-the-complete-edition-on-steam-or-onlive/#comments Though L.A. Noire: The Complete Edition is set to launch on Steam and OnLive next month, plunking down the cash now will net you a price break. A pre-purchase will save you 10% off the final asking price, bringing it down to $44.99. L.A. Noire: The Complete Edition comes packed with all of the game's DLC.

Seems like an open-and-shut case for us, though you may wish to investigate other leads -- up to you, detective!

JoystiqPre-purchase L.A. Noire: The Complete Edition on Steam or OnLive for 10% off originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 22 Oct 2011 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>LA-Noirela-noire-the-complete-editiononlivepcrockstarsteamtake-twoSat, 22 Oct 2011 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[L.A. Noire: The Complete Edition coming to PS3, 360 this November]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/20/l-a-noire-the-complete-edition-coming-to-ps3-360-this-novembe/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/20/l-a-noire-the-complete-edition-coming-to-ps3-360-this-novembe/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/20/l-a-noire-the-complete-edition-coming-to-ps3-360-this-novembe/#comments L.A. Noire: The Complete Edition is coming to Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 on November 15th in North America (and November 18th elsewhere), just a week after the game debuts on PC. And like the PC game, The Complete Edition comes packed with every piece of DLC released thus far. [Update: We've confirmed with Rockstar that this will retail for $49.99.]

The bonus cases stacked atop your desk/disc include "The Nicholson Electroplating," "The Consul's Car," "Reefer Madness," "The Naked City" and "A Slip of the Tongue." They cover the arson, vice and traffic beats, and are offered alongside The Badge Pursuit Challenge and all unlockable outfits and weapons.

There's also a new prologue that explains why Cole Phelps transforms into Sergeant Frank Drebin every time he gets behind the wheel of a car.

(Or is there? Truth, doubt, lie, etc.)

JoystiqL.A. Noire: The Complete Edition coming to PS3, 360 this November originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 20 Oct 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>la-noirela-noire-the-complete-editionmicrosoftplaystationps3release-datetake-twoteam-bondixboxThu, 20 Oct 2011 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[GameFly's 'Under $20' sale has too many good values]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/19/gameflys-under-20-sale-has-too-many-good-values/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/19/gameflys-under-20-sale-has-too-many-good-values/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/19/gameflys-under-20-sale-has-too-many-good-values/#comments LA Noire for $19.99? Dead Space 2 for $12.99? Vanquish for just $9.99? If watching broadcast news wasn't enough to convince you that the US economy is down in the dumps, GameFly's impressive "Under $20" sale is here to hammer the point home.

Everything from the aforementioned trio of titles to Disney Epic Mickey (and many more) are currently available from GameFly's insane sale, all being offered with free shipping. The discounts expire on October 24, so we'd suggest you get on that -- if you're not too busy zipping around Gotham, of course.

JoystiqGameFly's 'Under $20' sale has too many good values originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 19 Oct 2011 06:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsdead-space-2dsla-noiremicrosoftnintendoplaystationps3pspsonyvanquishwiixboxWed, 19 Oct 2011 06:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Team Bondi owed $1.4 million to employees, faces tech company]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/07/team-bondi-owed-1-4-million-to-employees-faces-tech-company/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/07/team-bondi-owed-1-4-million-to-employees-faces-tech-company/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/07/team-bondi-owed-1-4-million-to-employees-faces-tech-company/#comments LA Noire's defunct developer Team Bondi owed AU$1,425,156 ($1.4M USD) to creditors when the decision was made to shutter the studio. Edge reports over a million dollars was owed to the staff, with tens of thousands owed to developers who defended the working conditions at the studio, and nearly $100k apiece owed to the studio's controversial executives.

The real kicker is that nearly $150K is still owed to Depth Analysis, Team Bondi studio boss Brendan McNamara's firm that created the MotionScan facial animation tech, unquestionably a major factor that helped the game stand out.

Hold up, we take it back... the real kicker is that $54,427.01 is still owed to Bondi's accountants.

JoystiqTeam Bondi owed $1.4 million to employees, faces tech company originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 07 Oct 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>LA-Noiremicrosoftplaystationps3RockstarTeam-BondixboxFri, 07 Oct 2011 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[LA Noire developer Team Bondi shutting down]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/05/la-noire-developer-team-bondi-shutting-down/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/05/la-noire-developer-team-bondi-shutting-down/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/05/la-noire-developer-team-bondi-shutting-down/#comments Team Bondi, developer of Rockstar hit LA Noire, is kaput. Edge reports that documents were filed with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, indicating that the studio would close. The studio entered administration in late August, with its assets reportedly sold to Australian production company Kennedy Miller Mitchell.

Although LA Noire was an unquestionable hit for publisher Rockstar, becoming the "fastest-selling new video game IP ever in the UK," the game was on a separate narrative track from the internal drama going on at Team Bondi. Seven years of development took its toll on the staff and company.

In time, the truth will shake out about what went wrong at Team Bondi, in a year that should have established the studio as a force ending with its demise. For those who only care about the future of LA Noire ... don't you worry, IP holder Take-Two Interactive (parent company of Rockstar) isn't about to let a new series -- that shipped 4 million copies -- just disappear.

JoystiqLA Noire developer Team Bondi shutting down originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 05 Oct 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>LA-Noiremicrosoftpcplaystationps3Rockstar-GamesTake-TwoTake-Two-InteractiveTeam-BondixboxWed, 05 Oct 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[LA Noire hits PC on Nov. 8 in US, Nov. 11 in EU; specs revealed]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/28/la-noire-hits-pc-on-nov-8-in-us-nov-11-in-eu-specs-revealed/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/28/la-noire-hits-pc-on-nov-8-in-us-nov-11-in-eu-specs-revealed/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/28/la-noire-hits-pc-on-nov-8-in-us-nov-11-in-eu-specs-revealed/#comments Rockstar revealed this morning that its crime drama slash adventure game, L.A. Noire, will become available on PC in North America on November 8, and in Europe on November 11, nearly six months after it debuted on consoles. There's no mention of a Mac port, but it is launching on OnLive the same day, allowing Mac gamers one potential avenue into this gritty city.

The "Complete Edition" was handled by Rockstar Leeds (Liberty City Stories), and adds 3D support, includes all the DLC missions, and asks for a lot in terms of recommended specifications. Head past the break for the full rundown.

Continue reading LA Noire hits PC on Nov. 8 in US, Nov. 11 in EU; specs revealed

JoystiqLA Noire hits PC on Nov. 8 in US, Nov. 11 in EU; specs revealed originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 28 Sep 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>LA-Noiremacpcq4-2011release-daterockstarrockstar-gamesrockstar-leedstake-twotake-two-interactiveWed, 28 Sep 2011 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: LA Noire dev Team Bondi enters administration]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/01/report-la-noire-dev-team-bondi-enters-administration/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/01/report-la-noire-dev-team-bondi-enters-administration/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/01/report-la-noire-dev-team-bondi-enters-administration/#comments You don't normally expect a company to release a well-reviewed hit in May and then enter administration three months later, but L.A. Noire maker Team Bondi is following a strange, tumultuous timeline. SmartCompany reports that the Sydney-based studio has been placed into administration, with accounting firm de Vries Tayeh handling the ongoing process.

A company in turmoil can be placed into administration to help facilitate payments to creditors, possibly through sale of assets or parts of the company. It's not known how exactly administration will proceed with Team Bondi, but earlier reports suggested that company assets were acquired by Kennedy Miller Mitchell (KMM), an Australian production company thought to be working on a Mad Max game. Staff at Team Bondi were reportedly offered jobs at KMM if they did not take severance pay.

If you're looking for further developments regarding the L.A. Noire franchise, it will be have to be at Rockstar -- the publisher owns the rights to what is likely to be the last game from Team Bondi as we knew it.

JoystiqReport: LA Noire dev Team Bondi enters administration originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 01 Sep 2011 04:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>administrationde-vries-tayehkmmLA-Noiremicrosoftpcplaystationps3rockstarteam-bondixboxThu, 01 Sep 2011 04:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Gamestop Q2 financials anchored by strong used game and digital sales]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/18/gamestop-q2-financials-anchored-by-strong-used-game-and-digital/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/18/gamestop-q2-financials-anchored-by-strong-used-game-and-digital/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/18/gamestop-q2-financials-anchored-by-strong-used-game-and-digital/#comments GameStop's total sales were down 3.1% in the quarter ending July 30, 2011 -- $1.74 billion in sales this quarter compared to $1.8 billion in the same period last year. A boon for the company has been (get this!) used game and digital sales, which both rose 12% and 69% year-over-year, respectively. Digital sales are up 16% compared to Q1 of 2011 and with the recent announcement of downloadable PC games being sold at retail, we wouldn't be surprised to see even greater digital revenue in Q3.

GameStop also cited lower hardware sales and fewer games this quarter compared to last year, both of which the company said contributed to an overall lower quarter for store sales, down 9.1%. The retailer also reported diminished net sales of $30.9 million compared to $40.3 million in 2010.

LA Noire, NCAA Football 12, Infamous 2, Brink and Mortal Kombat were GameStop's top earners in the quarter, spanning the classic genres of shooters, sports games, fighters and whatever you'd call LA Noire. Crime drama genre? The "character actor did it" genre?

JoystiqGamestop Q2 financials anchored by strong used game and digital sales originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 18 Aug 2011 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dsearningsfinancialsgamestopLA-Noiremacmicrosoftmobilenintendopcplaystationps3pspq2salessonywiixboxThu, 18 Aug 2011 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: Team Bondi sells assets to Mad Max studio, KMM; staff offered new jobs or severance]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/09/report-team-bondi-sells-assets-to-mad-max-studio-kmm-staff-of/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/09/report-team-bondi-sells-assets-to-mad-max-studio-kmm-staff-of/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/09/report-team-bondi-sells-assets-to-mad-max-studio-kmm-staff-of/#comments Following last weekend's rumor that Sydney-based L.A. Noire developer Team Bondi was to be acquired by Kennedy Miller Mitchell, the Australian production company thought to be working on a Mad Max game, comes a report from UK trade site Develop seemingly corroborating the rumor. "Game IP and other remaining assets owned by Sydney studio Team Bondi have been sold off," Develop reports, citing a single anonymous source "who engages with both companies locally." The staff at Team Bondi were reportedly "given choice of new job at Kennedy Miller Mitchell or severance pay." Develop doesn't know if Team Bondi will continue to exist and the developer has declined to comment.

Develop lists several additional, unconfirmed rumors or bits of speculation, including whether or not the studio has "gone bankrupt" or whether Brendan McNamara would join KMM as well, reuniting the Team Bondi leader with the "many staff" that left during L.A. Noire's troubled development. While the sale ostensibly included "game IP," one thing KMM won't be getting is the L.A. Noire IP, which is owned by publisher Rockstar. Depth Analysis, the company whose technology powered L.A. Noire's eye-catching facial animation, "is not thought to be affected" by the sale, Develop reports.

JoystiqReport: Team Bondi sells assets to Mad Max studio, KMM; staff offered new jobs or severance originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 09 Aug 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AustraliaKennedy-Miller-MitchellKMMLA-NoireTeam-BondiTue, 09 Aug 2011 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: Team Bondi to be acquired by Mad Max studio, KMM]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/06/rumor-team-bondi-to-be-acquired-by-mad-max-studio-kmm/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/06/rumor-team-bondi-to-be-acquired-by-mad-max-studio-kmm/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/06/rumor-team-bondi-to-be-acquired-by-mad-max-studio-kmm/#comments Mad Max's George Miller is playing host to the artists behind L.A. Noire, Team Bondi, as the developer faces a tortured reputation, burned bridges with Rockstar and is in need of fresh studio support, according to sources at Kotaku. Team Bondi bossman Brendan McNamara has been spotted touring Miller's KMM Studio in Sydney, including a stop at Dr. D, the animation shop currently finishing Happy Feet 2, one person said.

A few former Team Bondi employees -- the same ones who reported terrible work conditions under McNamara -- work at Dr. D and found it unsettling that McNamara was touring the offices, the source said. Apparently Miller is a fan of Team Bondi's work and is sympathetic to McNamara's reputation as a strict taskmaster, according to one employee at Dr. D: "The word is going 'round that Team Bondi is being folded into KMM studios; Team Bondi is pretty much doomed after the scandal and can't find any new supporters, so by doing this they can hide their name."

JoystiqRumor: Team Bondi to be acquired by Mad Max studio, KMM originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 06 Aug 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brendan-mcnamaradr.-dgeorge-millerkmmLA-Noiremad-maxmicrosoftpcplaystationps3Team-BondixboxSat, 06 Aug 2011 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Amazon Alert: L.A. Noire on sale for $37.00]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/17/amazon-alert-l-a-noire-on-sale-for-37-00/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/17/amazon-alert-l-a-noire-on-sale-for-37-00/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/17/amazon-alert-l-a-noire-on-sale-for-37-00/#comments Listen up, gum-shoes! Team Bondi's homicide-homage to 1940s Los Angeles is on sale at Amazon for the criminally low sum of $37.00. At a nearly 40-percent markdown from retail, we think this deal warrants some investigation.

JoystiqAmazon Alert: L.A. Noire on sale for $37.00 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 17 Jul 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AmazonLA-NoiremicrosoftNoireplaystationps3RockstarTeam-BondixboxSun, 17 Jul 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Kojima on Snatcher: 'If anyone else would like to develop it, I would love it.']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/16/kojima-on-snatcher-if-anyone-else-would-like-to-develop-it-i/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/16/kojima-on-snatcher-if-anyone-else-would-like-to-develop-it-i/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/16/kojima-on-snatcher-if-anyone-else-would-like-to-develop-it-i/#comments During an interview with PlayStation Blog, Metal Gear mogul and transfarring technorati Hideo Kojima dropped a crucial truth-bomb about the future of Snatcher, his cyberpunk cult-classic.

With L.A. Noire's brain-bustingly successful existence as an adventure game, and with Deus Ex: Human Revolution bringing cyberpunk back into the limelight, Kojima was asked whether or not he thinks the world is ready for another Snatcher. "I would love to do something like Snatcher," he said, "but I do not have the time or the means to do so. But if anyone else would like to develop it, I would love it."

It's sad to hear that the series' progenitor won't be returning to Neo Kobe City anytime soon, but at least die-hard Snatcher fans (Snatchies, we call ourselves) can look forward to a radio drama based on the game. What do you think? Should Snatcher be handed off to another developer, or left as-is?

View Poll

JoystiqKojima on Snatcher: 'If anyone else would like to develop it, I would love it.' originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 16 Jul 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>deus-ex-human-revolutionHideo-KojimaKojimaLA-NoireMetal-GearpcPollSega-CDSnatchertransfarringSat, 16 Jul 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[L.A. Noire lead programmer defends Team Bondi, admits development hardship]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/15/l-a-noire-lead-programmer-defends-team-bondi-admits-developmen/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/15/l-a-noire-lead-programmer-defends-team-bondi-admits-developmen/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/15/l-a-noire-lead-programmer-defends-team-bondi-admits-developmen/#comments Team Bondi has caught a lot of flack from ex-staffers recently about unfair work hours in the final weeks of L.A. Noire development. Lead gameplay programmer Dave Heironymus recently defended the company to the IGDA in a letter republished by Gamasutra, explaining that he "didn't want to see [Team Bondi] destroyed by anonymous ex-employees."

Taking a similar stance as studio boss Brendan McNamara, Heironymus says that while employees worked long hours, they weren't being asked to do anything that their superiors weren't also doing. Heironymus also downplayed the 100-hour weeks that some staffers have claimed, saying that he would have discouraged any members of his team attempting to work that much.

However, Heironymus isn't claiming innocence for Team Bondi's management. He writes, "no-one at Team Bondi is under the illusion that crunching is a good way to work and we're actively working to learn from our mistakes for our next project."

JoystiqL.A. Noire lead programmer defends Team Bondi, admits development hardship originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 15 Jul 2011 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brendan-mcnamaradave-heironymusLA-Noiremicrosoftpcplaystationps3rockstarteam-bondixboxFri, 15 Jul 2011 11:15:00 EST<![CDATA[June NPD: Duke Nukem Forever is #2]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/14/june-npd-duke-nukem-forever-is-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/14/june-npd-duke-nukem-forever-is-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/14/june-npd-duke-nukem-forever-is-2/#comments Yes, it's true. A startling (and vaguely insulting) number of American consumers ignored our review and purchased Duke Nukem Forever, rocketing it to the #2 position on the NPD sales charts for the month of June. Perhaps they just didn't want to ask for refunds on those 14-year-old pre-orders. The Duke occupies a position on the charts just under its equally retro (in a different way) Take-Two contemporary, L.A. Noire.

Also notable on the sales charts is the debut of another time-lost title, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D. At #5, it is the first 3DS exclusive to chart in the NPD top ten. Find the top ten best-selling games listed after the break.

It's definitely a triumphant month for the past, as total game sales were down from $1.15 billion in June of 2010 to $1.03 billion in June of this year. Once again, however, Microsoft is happy, declaring its Xbox 360 the only console in the US to show year-over-year growth. The Xbox was the top-selling console with 507,000 units which Microsoft claims is "nearly twice as many units as other current-generation platforms" this month.

Continue reading June NPD: Duke Nukem Forever is #2

JoystiqJune NPD: Duke Nukem Forever is #2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 14 Jul 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsdsduke-nukem-foreverla-noiremicrosoftnintendonpdnpd-monthlypcplaystationps3salesthe-legend-of-zelda-ocarina-of-timethe-legend-of-zelda-ocarina-of-time-3dwiixboxThu, 14 Jul 2011 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Zumba Fitness tops UK charts for fourth week in a row]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/11/zumba-fitness-tops-uk-charts-for-fourth-week-in-a-row/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/11/zumba-fitness-tops-uk-charts-for-fourth-week-in-a-row/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/11/zumba-fitness-tops-uk-charts-for-fourth-week-in-a-row/#comments
For a fourth consecutive week, Zumba Fitness maintained its spot atop Chart-Track's UK all-formats chart. The title has danced its way to the gold seven times since the Wii version launched in March. Another fitness game that's making moves on the charts is THQ's UFC Personal Trainer, which debuted at #22 a couple weeks back, but is now close to punching into the top ten at #13.

No new releases broke the Top 40 last week, so the top ten is full of the usual suspects, many which benefited from price promotions. Such was the case with Dirt 3, which raced into second, with a 28 percent increase in sales. Transformers: Dark of the Moon, the tie-in title to the summer blockbuster, transformed that extra exposure into a 10 percent increase in sales, placing it in third. Autobots can roll out past the break for the UK top ten.

Continue reading Zumba Fitness tops UK charts for fourth week in a row

JoystiqZumba Fitness tops UK charts for fourth week in a row originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 11 Jul 2011 09:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chart-trackchart-track-weeklyDirt-3LA-Noirelego-pirates-of-the-caribbeanlego-pirates-of-the-caribbean-the-video-gamemicrosoftnintendoplaystationps3transformers-dark-of-the-moonwiixboxzumba-fitnessMon, 11 Jul 2011 09:25:00 EST<![CDATA[LA Noire's 'Reefer Madness' going green next week]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/07/la-noires-reefer-madness-going-green-next-week/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/07/la-noires-reefer-madness-going-green-next-week/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/07/la-noires-reefer-madness-going-green-next-week/#comments The debut trailer for LA Noire's next downloadable case, "Reefer Madness," has been released, showing off the illicit substances Cole will tackle when the DLC drops July 12. You know what substance we're talking about, right? Mary Jane. Jazz cigarettes. Um ... lung whiskey.

JoystiqLA Noire's 'Reefer Madness' going green next week originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 07 Jul 2011 12:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dlcLA-Noiremicrosoftplaystationps3reefer-madnessrockstar-gamesteam-bondixboxThu, 07 Jul 2011 12:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: Emails show Team Bondi/Rockstar schism, long hours for L.A. Noire devs]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/05/report-emails-show-team-bondi-rockstar-schism-long-hours-for-l/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/05/report-emails-show-team-bondi-rockstar-schism-long-hours-for-l/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/05/report-emails-show-team-bondi-rockstar-schism-long-hours-for-l/#comments More and more, its seems that L.A. Noire's most perplexing mystery is how the detective game got made without any of its developers sizing each other up for concrete shoes. Late last month, a story in IGN Australia painted a pretty miserable picture of the working conditions at developer Team Bondi. Now, original author Andrew McMillen has returned to GamesIndustry.biz to reveal some of his whistle-blowing emails.

In the story, we see a fracture begin to form in the developer's relationship with publisher Rockstar when the latter pulled out of E3 in 2010. We read why some environments in L.A. Noire seemed lifeless, and about developers scared to quit before the production wrapped, for fear that they wouldn't received accrued overtime pay.

We're familiar enough with crunch time in the industry, but this sounds like a particularly egregious case. We know we should be able to separate art from its artist but, frankly, stories like this make us appreciate the end product just a little bit less.

JoystiqReport: Emails show Team Bondi/Rockstar schism, long hours for L.A. Noire devs originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 05 Jul 2011 12:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crunch-timeLA-Noiremicrosoftpcplaystationps3Rockstar-Gamesteam-bondixboxTue, 05 Jul 2011 12:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Zumba Fitness manages chart-topping hat trick in UK]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/04/zumba-fitness-manages-chart-topping-hat-trick-in-uk/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/04/zumba-fitness-manages-chart-topping-hat-trick-in-uk/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/04/zumba-fitness-manages-chart-topping-hat-trick-in-uk/#comments
Zumba Fitness has maintained the top spot on the UK charts for three straight weeks, with Chart-Track prognosticating the title has "a good chance of holding on for a few more weeks yet." The workout dance game has reached the top spot in the UK a total of six times and -- here's the mind blowing part -- last week beat the sales of the games in spots two through five combined, despite Zumba experiencing a 5 percent drop in sales. We know this time is "quiet" in terms of sales, but this is just getting seriously awkward.

With the completion of Wimbledon 2011, two tennis titles racketed up some sales. Virtua Tennis 4 stormed the court, moving up 15 spots into the fifth seat, while Top Spin 4 jumped two spots into eigth.

Last week's debut titles to crack the top 40 were Capcom's Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D and THQ's UFC Personal Trainer, at spots 21 and 22, respectively. Check out the UK's top ten games after the break.

Continue reading Zumba Fitness manages chart-topping hat trick in UK

JoystiqZumba Fitness manages chart-topping hat trick in UK originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 04 Jul 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chart-trackchart-track-weeklyFEAR-3LA-Noirelego-pirates-of-the-caribbeanlego-pirates-of-the-caribbean-the-video-gamemicrosoftnintendoplaystationps3Virtua-Tennis-4wiixboxzumba-fitnessMon, 04 Jul 2011 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[LAPD Homicide Detective details L.A. Noire's inaccuracies]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/03/lapd-homicide-detective-details-l-a-noires-inaccuracies/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/03/lapd-homicide-detective-details-l-a-noires-inaccuracies/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/03/lapd-homicide-detective-details-l-a-noires-inaccuracies/#comments Sure, Rockstar's detective simulator L.A. Noire is popular, but is it accurate? If hard-pressed, could Noire train someone to solve a real-life murder, or would they make a hash of it and go to prison forever and ever? We're really hoping it's the former: Ever since Joystiq PD's Homicide Desk got wiped out by the recession, we've had a lot of unsolved murders piling up around here. Like, a lot.

Thankfully, long-time LAPD veteran Skip Bauchman (yes, his real name) is here to tell us just how true-to-life Rockstar's true-to-life melodrama really is in the G4 video above. It's all fascinating stuff, but after watching the interview we're starting to think L.A. Noire hasn't given us the skill-set necessary to finally figure out who shot J.R.

[Thanks Michael!]

JoystiqLAPD Homicide Detective details L.A. Noire's inaccuracies originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 03 Jul 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chris-grant-is-dead-miss-him-miss-himLA-Noiremicrosoftpcplaystationps3RockStarRockstar-GamesxboxSun, 03 Jul 2011 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[IGDA looking for feedback on L.A. Noire development conditions]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/28/igda-looking-for-feedback-on-l-a-noire-development-conditions/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/28/igda-looking-for-feedback-on-l-a-noire-development-conditions/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/28/igda-looking-for-feedback-on-l-a-noire-development-conditions/#comments The International Game Developers Association, a game industry non-profit organization, is responding to this past weekend's report of continuous "crunch" and dictatorial working conditions at LA Noire development studio Team Bondi by launching a full investigation. According to IGDA chair Brian Robbins, the organization will be soliciting reports, "positive or negative," from "any Team Bondi employee and/or family member."

Robbins told Develop, "Reports of 12-hour a day, lengthy crunch time, if true, are absolutely unacceptable and harmful to the individuals involved, the final product, and the industry as a whole," echoing sentiments made in the past by a variety of game industry leaders. He also encouraged the aforementioned folks tied to Team Bondi to shoot an email to "qol@igda.org," before he added, "But no lolcats please ... okay, maybe a few."

JoystiqIGDA looking for feedback on L.A. Noire development conditions originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 28 Jun 2011 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brian-robbinscrunchigdainternational-game-developers-associationLA-Noiremicrosoftpcplaystationps3quality-of-liferockstarrockstar-gamesteam-bondixboxTue, 28 Jun 2011 12:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Zumba Fitness stays atop UK charts for fifth week, LA Noire brings up second place]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/27/zumba-fitness-stays-atop-uk-charts-for-fifth-week-la-noire-brin/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/27/zumba-fitness-stays-atop-uk-charts-for-fifth-week-la-noire-brin/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/27/zumba-fitness-stays-atop-uk-charts-for-fifth-week-la-noire-brin/#comments It seems that 505 Games' Zumba Fitness motion game is destined to occupy every living room in the UK, as it was the UK's highest selling title last week -- even after 31 weeks of availability. Regaining a place in the top five, Rockstar's LA Noire took second place, though it saw a 15 percent dip in sales.

Here's where things get really depressing: Suda 51 and Shinji Mikami's excellent Shadows of the Damned debuted on the charts at number 31, beaten not only by the likes of recently released stinkfest Duke Nukem Forever, but even older titles like Art Academy and EA Sports Active 2. FEAR 3 faced a starkly different reception, landing the number three spot just below LA Noire. We're not mad, UK readers and EA marketers -- just, ya know, disappointed.

JoystiqZumba Fitness stays atop UK charts for fifth week, LA Noire brings up second place originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 27 Jun 2011 08:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>505-gameschart-trackchart-track-weeklydsfear-3la-noiremicrosoftnintendoplaystationps3pspsalesshadows-of-the-damnedsonywiixboxzumba-fitnessMon, 27 Jun 2011 08:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Former Team Bondi employees dish on LA Noire's troubled development]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/25/former-team-bondi-employees-dish-on-l-a-noires-troubled-develo/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/25/former-team-bondi-employees-dish-on-l-a-noires-troubled-develo/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/25/former-team-bondi-employees-dish-on-l-a-noires-troubled-develo/#comments Perfection comes at a price, kid, and payday ain't for weeks. Capisce?

LA Noire spent seven years in fiery development Hell under production by Team Bondi, and now the gritty details about its tumultuous birth are surfacing like a quick glance away on a pretty face. Following dozens of reports of inhumane work conditions, 60-hour weeks and extreme turnover, IGN Australia contacted 11 unnamed former Team Bondi employees and bossman Brendan McNamara for the lowdown on developing LA Noire Down Under.

One recurring point of contention was overtime: "No overtime was officially paid in the three years and three months that I worked at Team Bondi," one of the anonymous former employees said. McNamara responded to this complaint (and many others), saying Team Bondi had overtime pay in place, "but contractually, we don't have to do that."

Another anonymous source described McNamara as a "24/7 corpse grinder with perpetual crunch and weekend overtime." McNamara didn't seem to have a response to that one. Read all of the complaints and McNamara's rebuttals in the full interview.

JoystiqFormer Team Bondi employees dish on LA Noire's troubled development originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 25 Jun 2011 16:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brendan-mcnamaraLA-Noiremicrosoftplaystationps3Rockstar-GamesTeam-BondixboxSat, 25 Jun 2011 16:35:00 EST<![CDATA[LA Noire has shipped 4 million copies]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/23/l-a-noire-has-shipped-4-million-copies/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/23/l-a-noire-has-shipped-4-million-copies/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/23/l-a-noire-has-shipped-4-million-copies/#comments Hidden within the announcement of a PC version of L.A. Noire is a clue as to Take-Two's motivation for making the game available on another platform. "Since its release on May 17," Take-Two said, "L.A. Noire has shipped approximately 4 million units worldwide to date."

We don't know exactly how many of those 4 million copies were sold to consumers, except for the 899,000 that were sold in the US last month. In addition, we know that ... a lot of copies have been sold in the UK.

JoystiqLA Noire has shipped 4 million copies originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 23 Jun 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>LA-Noirerockstar-gamessalestake-twoteam-bondiThu, 23 Jun 2011 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[LA Noire arriving on PC this fall, with 3D support and improved graphics]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/23/l-a-noire-arriving-on-pc-this-fall-with-3d-support-and-improve/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/23/l-a-noire-arriving-on-pc-this-fall-with-3d-support-and-improve/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/23/l-a-noire-arriving-on-pc-this-fall-with-3d-support-and-improve/#comments After Red Dead Redemption failed to make an appearance on PCs, computerologists may have worried that Rockstar had abandoned the platform entirely, in favor of totally wimpy consoles. But the publisher just announced that Team Bondi's L.A. Noire "will be arriving this fall for the PC" with porting being handled by Grand Theft Auto Stories-developer Rockstar Leeds.

Okay, so Rockstar hasn't abandoned the platform, but what about the performance issues that plagued the initial PC release of Grand Theft Auto IV? The press release promises that not only will the PC release feature 3D support and "improved graphical enhancements" but it will "run on a wide range of PCs" - naturally, we'll wait until its release, when PC gamers will inevitably assault the game with every hardware permutation imaginable while clinically taking frame rate readings every 15 seconds.

L.A. Noire will find its way to PCs this fall, in both retail and digital formats.

JoystiqLA Noire arriving on PC this fall, with 3D support and improved graphics originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 23 Jun 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>LA-NoirepcRockstarRockstar-GamesTake-TwoTeam-BondiThu, 23 Jun 2011 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[PSA: LA Noire's 'Nicholson Electroplating' DLC out today]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/21/psa-la-noires-nicholson-electroplating-dlc-out-today/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/21/psa-la-noires-nicholson-electroplating-dlc-out-today/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/21/psa-la-noires-nicholson-electroplating-dlc-out-today/#comments If you're ready to return to the beat as LA Noire's Cole Phelps, heed this friendly reminder that the "Nicholson Electroplating" DLC case will be available today on both Xbox 360 (for 320 Microsoft Points) and PS3 (for $3.99). Or, as we prefer to call it, "The Case of the Totally Huge Explosion."

In this arson case, the titular facility explodes in downtown LA, and Phelps and partner Biggs have to figure out whether this was due to intentional arson or accident. Our first clue: OSHA was established in 1970.

Gallery: LA Noire (Nicholson Electroplating Arson Case DLC)

JoystiqPSA: LA Noire's 'Nicholson Electroplating' DLC out today originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 21 Jun 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dlcLA-Noiremicrosoftnicholson-electroplatingplaystationps3psarockstar-gamesteam-bondixboxTue, 21 Jun 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Zumba Fitness regains top UK sales spot; Ocarina of Time plays second fiddle]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/20/zumba-fitness-regains-top-uk-sales-spot-ocarina-of-time-plays-s/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/20/zumba-fitness-regains-top-uk-sales-spot-ocarina-of-time-plays-s/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/20/zumba-fitness-regains-top-uk-sales-spot-ocarina-of-time-plays-s/#comments
We've given up trying to understand. Zumba Fitness is back atop the UK charts this week, a position it's enjoyed several times before. This latest ascension for Zumba was thanks to a 51 percent increase in sales of the Wii version. Chart-Track doesn't provide an explanation for the sales boost ... probably because some things just can't be explained.

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for 3DS enjoyed a second place debut on the charts, with around 20% of UK 3DS owners buying the title during its launch week. Duke Nukem Forever sales slipped 58 percent and the title drops two spots into third place for its second week at retail -- this hasn't quite been the glorious comeback for Nukem.

Other premieres last week were Dungeon Siege 3 and Alice: Madness Returns, which charted at ninth and 13th, respectively. Child of Eden, the Kinect-enabled sensory experience appreciated by critics, debuted in 25th. Taste the purple of the UK top ten after the break.

Continue reading Zumba Fitness regains top UK sales spot; Ocarina of Time plays second fiddle

JoystiqZumba Fitness regains top UK sales spot; Ocarina of Time plays second fiddle originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 20 Jun 2011 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Brinkchart-trackchart-track-weeklydsduke-nukem-foreverLA-Noiremicrosoftnintendoplaystationps3the-legend-of-zelda-ocarina-of-timethe-legend-of-zelda-ocarina-of-time-3dUKxboxzumba-fitnessMon, 20 Jun 2011 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Cole Phelps takes a stilted walk around 'Real Life LA Noire']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/17/cole-phelps-takes-a-stilted-walk-around-real-life-la-noire/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/17/cole-phelps-takes-a-stilted-walk-around-real-life-la-noire/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/17/cole-phelps-takes-a-stilted-walk-around-real-life-la-noire/#comments Like any good comedy, Funny or Die's interpretation of LA Noire protagonist Cole Phelps is a bit over the top, but it also does a great job of pointing out some of the game's oddest missteps. For instance: why are there so, so many useless bottles to look at?!

Continue reading Cole Phelps takes a stilted walk around 'Real Life LA Noire'

JoystiqCole Phelps takes a stilted walk around 'Real Life LA Noire' originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 17 Jun 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2k-gamesLA-Noiremicrosoftplaystationps3real-life-la-noirerockstarrockstar-gamestake-two-interactiveteam-bondixboxFri, 17 Jun 2011 15:00:00 EST