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[Anarchy Reigns trailer (re)introduces Leo]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/24/anarchy-reigns-trailer-re-introduces-leo/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/24/anarchy-reigns-trailer-re-introduces-leo/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/24/anarchy-reigns-trailer-re-introduces-leo/#comments Fans of MadWorld may have some questions about the inclusion of Leo in Anarchy Reigns, but Sega isn't talking. Initially thought to be dead, it seems Leo survived and was rebuilt as a cyborg, with some sweet, Guyver-like arm-blades.

Continue reading Anarchy Reigns trailer (re)introduces Leo

JoystiqAnarchy Reigns trailer (re)introduces Leo originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 24 May 2011 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anarchy-reignsleomadworldmicrosoftplatinum-gamesplaystationps3segaxboxTue, 24 May 2011 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[See the madman of MadWorld in Anarchy Reigns]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/05/see-the-madman-of-madworld-in-anarchy-reigns/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/05/see-the-madman-of-madworld-in-anarchy-reigns/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/05/see-the-madman-of-madworld-in-anarchy-reigns/#commentsAnd now, here's the Anarchy Reigns character video you've been waiting to see: the one that introduces a character you already know. After the break, get reacquainted with MadWorld's chainsaw wielding slab of a protagonist, Jack. He's in color now!

Continue reading See the madman of MadWorld in Anarchy Reigns

JoystiqSee the madman of MadWorld in Anarchy Reigns originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 05 Feb 2011 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anarchy-reignsmadworldmicrosoftplatinum-gamesplaystationps3segaxboxSat, 05 Feb 2011 02:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MadWorld director joins Shinji Mikami's Tango studio]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/10/madworld-director-joins-shinji-mikamis-tango-studio/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/10/madworld-director-joins-shinji-mikamis-tango-studio/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/10/madworld-director-joins-shinji-mikamis-tango-studio/#commentsEven as work progresses on Shinji Mikami's Vanquish for Platinum Games, Mikami's own studio, Tango, is growing toward Mikami's stated goal of around 100 staffers. Platinum's Hideki Kamiya revealed via Twitter that Shigenori Nishikawa, who directed MadWorld for Platinum and did design work on Resident Evil 4 and Dino Crisis 2 and 3 at Capcom, has left Platinum for Tango. Nishikawa was one of the founders of Platinum.

Nishikawa will join former Grasshopper Manufacture sound director Masafumi Takada and art directors Ryosuke Kaiba and Naoki Katakai at Tango. The new studio has yet to announce any projects.

[Via Develop]

JoystiqMadWorld director joins Shinji Mikami's Tango studio originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 10 May 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>madworldPlatinum-Gamesplatinumgamesshigenori-nishikawashinji-mikamitangoMon, 10 May 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Sega: MadWorld on Wii a 'mismatch;' Platinum Games needs power of 360, PS3]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/05/sega-madworld-on-wii-a-mismatch-platinum-games-needs-power-o/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/05/sega-madworld-on-wii-a-mismatch-platinum-games-needs-power-o/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/05/sega-madworld-on-wii-a-mismatch-platinum-games-needs-power-o/#comments Apparently, the lack of commercial success for MadWorld wasn't due to the game being bad or anything -- it was just that it was on Wii. Sega's Mike Hayes told CVG that the game was a "mismatch with the Wii audience," citing that Sega underestimated the amount of Wii owners who also own other consoles. To him, most gamers looking to experience a Mature-rated game are going to do so on the Xbox 360, PS3 and PC ... not the Wii.

Hayes was still proud of Platinum's attempt to strike bloody gold on Nintendo's console, but thinks the developer needs the power of the Xbox 360 and PS3 to "realize what they actually want to do." He points to Bayonetta as an example of this, calling it a "very high-quality standard."

And by "very high-quality standard," we think Hayes meant "in Bayonetta, you can suplex a damn dragon."

[Via Industry Gamers]

JoystiqSega: MadWorld on Wii a 'mismatch;' Platinum Games needs power of 360, PS3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 05 Apr 2010 21:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bayonettamadworldMicrosoftmike-hayesNintendoplatinum-gamessegavanquishWiiXbox-360Mon, 05 Apr 2010 21:40:00 EST<![CDATA[MadWorld for an insanely low $10]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/04/madworld-for-an-insanely-low-10/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/04/madworld-for-an-insanely-low-10/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/04/madworld-for-an-insanely-low-10/#comments Look, we don't like giving out ultimatums here; people are free to do what they want and we wouldn't dare dream of interfering. But we feel like we just can't go on if you don't own a copy of Platinum Games' MadWorld -- or have at least played it -- at this point in time.

So, we'd like to point out this sale over at Newegg. The game will only set you back a double sawbuck ($10) and even has free shipping -- there's really no excuse for you to refuse our request. Fine, you don't even have to play it. Just give it to a friend and hang out while they enjoy the over-the-top carnage and hilarious commentating duo of Greg Proops and John Di Maggio. Relationships are give and take, so work with us here, guys!

[Via Cheap College Gamers]

JoystiqMadWorld for an insanely low $10 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 04 Mar 2010 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dealdealsmadworldneweggplatinum-gamessegaThu, 04 Mar 2010 19:15:00 EST<![CDATA[MadWorld director 'definitely' interested in doing a sequel]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/11/madworld-director-definitely-interested-in-doing-a-sequel/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/11/madworld-director-definitely-interested-in-doing-a-sequel/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/11/madworld-director-definitely-interested-in-doing-a-sequel/#comments
 Platinum Games' Shigenori Nishikawa, the director on MadWorld for the Wii, has told Official Nintendo Magazine that he wouldn't mind taking a second crack at the violent Wii game. "I think MadWorld was very well received and was acknowledged for its innovative graphical style and gameplay," Nishikawa said in Friday's upcoming issue. "We would definitely be interested in making a sequel in the future."

Of course, you might have a tough time believing that Sega would also be on board. The company has said it would probably not be interested in more mature Wii games, which means Platinum Games would have to shop around for a new publisher first.

Psst, we may know a publisher that isn't afraid to put out unique, mature games on the Wii.

JoystiqMadWorld director 'definitely' interested in doing a sequel originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 11 Jan 2010 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>madworldmadworld-2Nintendoplatinum-gamessegasequelshigenori-nishikawaWiiMon, 11 Jan 2010 19:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Sega 'probably not' making more hardcore Wii games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/04/sega-probably-not-making-more-hardcore-wii-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/04/sega-probably-not-making-more-hardcore-wii-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/04/sega-probably-not-making-more-hardcore-wii-games/#comments Sega gave it the old college try in 2009, reaching out to "mature" gamers with the likes of MadWorld, The Conduit and House of the Dead: Overkill. But after none of those made much of an NPDent, it would seem the publisher may be abandoning the practice. While speaking on the performance of those games during the 4 Guys 1UP podcast, Sega of America studio director Constantine Hantzopoulos said, "That begets the question, you know, are we gonna do more mature titles for the Wii and it's like ... probably not."

Hantzopoulos then pointed to the poor performance of Dead Space: Extraction on the Wii, saying he had been using it as a litmus test for the potential of mature titles on the platform. In other news, Sega has apparently decided on "be a little more arrogant" as its New Year's resolution.

JoystiqSega 'probably not' making more hardcore Wii games originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 04 Jan 2010 09:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hardcorehouse-of-the-dead-overkillmadworldmatureNintendosalessegathe-conduitWiiMon, 04 Jan 2010 09:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Best of the Rest: Dave's Picks of 2009]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/01/best-of-the-rest-daves-picks-of-2009/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/01/best-of-the-rest-daves-picks-of-2009/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/01/best-of-the-rest-daves-picks-of-2009/#comments Resident Evil 5
I've long been a fan of the Resident Evil series, and while the campaign here has problems and should never be played solo, the Mercenaries mode is what kept me coming back. Those action-packed levels spent trying to survive while running low on ammo and health were some of my most chaotic, yet highly enjoyable, experiences of 2009.

Continue reading Best of the Rest: Dave's Picks of 2009

JoystiqBest of the Rest: Dave's Picks of 2009 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 01 Jan 2010 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>best-of-the-rest-2009blazblueBlazBlue-Calamity-Triggerboard-gamescapcomDSFEARFEAR-2FEAR-2-Project-OriginFPSgears-of-war-2king-of-fightersking-of-fighters-xiileft-4-dead-2madworldmario-and-luigimario-and-luigi-bowsers-inside-storyMicrosoftMonolithMonolith-ProductionsNintendonoby-noby-boyresident-evilresident-evil-5skate-2torchlightWarner-BrosWarner-Bros-Interactive-EntertainmentWBIEwetWiiXbox-360Fri, 01 Jan 2010 17:15:00 EST<![CDATA[MadWorld headed to Japan, not being published by Sega]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/11/madworld-headed-to-japan-not-being-published-by-sega/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/11/madworld-headed-to-japan-not-being-published-by-sega/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/11/madworld-headed-to-japan-not-being-published-by-sega/#comments
Even though Sega was kinda proud of MadWorld's initial sales performance, the company has decided it won't handle publishing duties for a Japanese version of the game. Famitsu reports that the game will be available in Japan sometime this Winter courtesy of Spike, a company well-versed in violent video games. Hopefully it won't get a crash course in lackluster sales.

[Via Go Nintendo]

JoystiqMadWorld headed to Japan, not being published by Sega originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 11 Sep 2009 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>famitsumadworldplatinum-gamessegaspikeFri, 11 Sep 2009 19:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Some stuff is too violent even for MadWorld]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/17/even-some-stuff-is-too-violent-for-madworld/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/17/even-some-stuff-is-too-violent-for-madworld/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/17/even-some-stuff-is-too-violent-for-madworld/#comments We're sure we don't have to tell you how violent MadWorld is. But, what you may not know is that some of the over-the-top violence originally conceptualized was a bit too violent for the game disc that's not been spinning in your Wii for the last few months. Past the break, you'll find a deleted finishing move, one we must warn you is one of the most violent things you will ever see. We know the majority of MadWorld is tongue-in-cheek, but this is like tongue-in-meat-grinder-while-being-stabbed kind of gruesome. Don't say we didn't warn you!

[Via Sega Nerds]

Continue reading Some stuff is too violent even for MadWorld

JoystiqSome stuff is too violent even for MadWorld originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 17 Aug 2009 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fatalitymadworldplatinum-gamesviolenceMon, 17 Aug 2009 15:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Sega: Giving up on hardcore Wii games would be 'arrogant']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/13/sega-giving-up-on-hardcore-wii-games-would-be-arrogant/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/13/sega-giving-up-on-hardcore-wii-games-would-be-arrogant/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/13/sega-giving-up-on-hardcore-wii-games-would-be-arrogant/#commentsSega's Mike Hayes assured Wired that the company still plans to make "core" games for the Wii, despite the relative lack of success of MadWorld. For one thing, its other games are doing well, in his opinion. "We actually regard The Conduit as a success," he said. "We shipped 300,000 units, sold through half of those and now it's at the point where it's selling consistently at a time when Wii sales are generally depressed in the marketplace."

Despite somewhat disappointing sales Stateside, Hayes also told Wired that The House of the Dead: Overkill "did really well in Europe." As for MadWorld, Hayes doesn't think one game's failure is enough to close up shop on the Wii. "The thing that we're saying is, Sega would be extremely arrogant to have a title that didn't do as well as we thought on a platform and then say, Those kind of games don't sell on that platform.'"

Quite a change from the Blast Processing / "Genesis Does What Nintendon't" days when Sega was extremely, demonstrably, arrogant.

JoystiqSega: Giving up on hardcore Wii games would be 'arrogant' originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 Aug 2009 19:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>house-of-the-dead-overkillmadworldmike-hayesNintendosegathe-conduitWiiThu, 13 Aug 2009 19:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo's Kaigler: Hardcore Wii game sales could go long tail ... maybe]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/29/nintendos-kaigler-hardcore-wii-game-sales-could-go-long-tail-maybe/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/29/nintendos-kaigler-hardcore-wii-game-sales-could-go-long-tail-maybe/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/29/nintendos-kaigler-hardcore-wii-game-sales-could-go-long-tail-maybe/#comments
If there's one thing that Nintendo VP of corporate affairs Denise Kaigler knows, it's first-party game sales. In a recent Wired interview, she happily expounded on the "long tail" that Nintendo first-party games tend to enjoy (we're looking at you, anything with Mario in the title), though couldn't say as much for third-party sales on Wii -- especially those of the "hardcore" variety.

When asked about slow sales of critically acclaimed titles MadWorld and The Conduit, Kaigler said that both games could follow the non-traditional Nintendo sales trend (the aforementioned "long tail"), but her comments seemed rooted in speculation. "You know, I don't know ... it could be titles have the same type of sales curve that a lot of Nintendo titles have -- titles [that] don't follow that traditional sales curve where they launch big and then that's it." She said that Nintendo remains "hopeful" that the titles will move more units in the future, calling them both "deep experiences," though we're not sure those kind words will help soothe Sega's assuredly dented coffers.

JoystiqNintendo's Kaigler: Hardcore Wii game sales could go long tail ... maybe originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 29 Jul 2009 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businessdenise-kaiglerinterviewmadworldNintendothe-conduitWiiwiredWed, 29 Jul 2009 14:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Street Fighter IV, FEAR 2, MadWorld, more for $20 at GameStop]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/28/street-fighter-iv-fear-2-madworld-more-for-20-at-gamestop/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/28/street-fighter-iv-fear-2-madworld-more-for-20-at-gamestop/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/28/street-fighter-iv-fear-2-madworld-more-for-20-at-gamestop/#comments

Sometimes it's better not to ask questions, which is the approach we're taking with GameStop's sale on several solid titles for $20 new -- and not GameStop's definition of "new," but actually new. The sale started today, for both online and stores, and goes until August 2. Highlights include:
  • Street Fighter IV (Xbox 360 and PS3)
  • FEAR 2: Project Origin (Xbox 360 and PS3)
  • Silent Hill Homecoming (Xbox 360)
  • MadWorld (Wii)
  • Donkey Kong Jungle Beat (Wii)
The full list and more nitpicking details about the sale can be found over at CAG. Although many of the titles make sense as part of the sale (Lair), the big question is: Why Street Fighter IV? Is Capcom planning to announce a Turbo Hyper Fighting Alpha Remix Championship Beefcake Easy-Bake Snuggie Edition?

Update: We were curious to know if Capcom was invoved with the price drop. A company rep informed us, "We don't have input into these sales, they're entirely generated by Gamestop."

JoystiqStreet Fighter IV, FEAR 2, MadWorld, more for $20 at GameStop originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 28 Jul 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>donkey-kong-jungle-beatfear-2gamestopmadworldMicrosoftNintendosilent-hill-homecomingstreet-fighter-ivWiiXbox-360Tue, 28 Jul 2009 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Hey, MadWorld is $20 on Amazon]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/21/hey-madworld-is-20-on-amazon/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/21/hey-madworld-is-20-on-amazon/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/21/hey-madworld-is-20-on-amazon/#comments
If you act fast, you'll be able to grab Amazon's Deal of the Day, MadWorld on the Wii for $20. It's actually a very important moment in our ongoing love affair with you, the reader. Because if you're not willing to drop two sawbucks on what's easily one of the best action games for the Wii (not to mention its most black and white one) then we're not sure this relationship is going anywhere.

Don't cry, we can still be friends.

[Thanks, Gary!]

JoystiqHey, MadWorld is $20 on Amazon originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 21 Jul 2009 12:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazonmadworldsegaTue, 21 Jul 2009 12:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Sega considering more mature Wii titles, says Overkill was 'profitable']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/30/sega-considering-more-mature-wii-titles-says-overkill-was-prof/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/30/sega-considering-more-mature-wii-titles-says-overkill-was-prof/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/30/sega-considering-more-mature-wii-titles-says-overkill-was-prof/#comments
We loved the mother[expletive deleted] [expletive deleted] out of Sega's recent mature pair of Wii titles, House of the Dead: Overkill and MadWorld -- unfortunately, the same can't be said for the game purchasing population of the world. The two games' sales were far from stellar, but Sega isn't ready to give up on developing family unfriendly titles for Nintendo's home console.

In a recent interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Sega MD of European development, Gary Dunn, explained that the company's outlook on its two grown-up outings is far from grim -- he even claimed that "House of the Dead: Overkill was a profitable title." He went on to explain, "Whilst MadWorld commercially didn't sell what we were expecting I wouldn't say it's game over for mature Wii titles from Sega." Hopefully the company's persistence will be rewarded, if only to ensure a few dozen sequels to Overkill. (Overkill 2: Superfluous Murder, Overkill 3: The Overkillinest, etc.)

JoystiqSega considering more mature Wii titles, says Overkill was 'profitable' originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>house-of-the-dead-overkillmadworldmatureNintendoplatinum-gamessegaWiiTue, 30 Jun 2009 16:15:00 EST<![CDATA[MadWorld soundtrack seeing physical, digital release June 30]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/17/madworld-soundtrack-seeing-physical-digital-release-june-30/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/17/madworld-soundtrack-seeing-physical-digital-release-june-30/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/17/madworld-soundtrack-seeing-physical-digital-release-june-30/#comments
Platinum Games' ultra-violent Wii debut, MadWorld, has a great soundtrack; it's just hard to hear with all the obscenities being dropped by commentators Greg Proops and John DiMaggio. Soon those who didn't pre-order the game will be able to land a pristine, vulgarity-free version of the soundtrack on CD or via digital distribution. Platinum Games has announced on its official blog that the album will be available to order in both forms on June 30. It'll run $15.99 from Sumthing.com and include 20 tracks, none of which are "Mad World" by Tears for Fears or the Gary Jules cover featured in Donnie Darko.

[Via GoNintendo]

JoystiqMadWorld soundtrack seeing physical, digital release June 30 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 17 Jun 2009 19:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>madworldplatinum-gamessegasoundtrackWed, 17 Jun 2009 19:45:00 EST<![CDATA[MadWorld, HotD: Overkill now $30 on Amazon]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/18/madworld-hotd-overkill-now-30-on-amazon/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/18/madworld-hotd-overkill-now-30-on-amazon/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/18/madworld-hotd-overkill-now-30-on-amazon/#comments
Sega's MadWorld and House of the Dead: Overkill are currently being sold at $20 off at Amazon. It doesn't appear to be a flat-out price drop for the two games, which have sold ... well, that's up for interpretation. We've also noticed that MadWorld is currently $30 in-store at GameStop.

Remember: Purchasing these titles will get more M-rated games on Wii and further research into splicing wings on pigs.

Source - Amazon-MadWorld Price Drop [GoNintendo]
Source - MadWorld, Overkill $30 on Amazon [CAG]

JoystiqMadWorld, HotD: Overkill now $30 on Amazon originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 18 May 2009 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazonhouse-of-the-dead-overkillmadworldoverkillplatinum-gamessegaMon, 18 May 2009 14:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Sega swag up for grabs this Friday (includes MadWorld, NiGHTS stuff)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/07/sega-swag-up-for-grabs-this-friday-includes-madworld-nights-stuff/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/07/sega-swag-up-for-grabs-this-friday-includes-madworld-nights-stuff/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/07/sega-swag-up-for-grabs-this-friday-includes-madworld-nights-stuff/#comments
Prepare thy selves, Twitter fiends, as @SEGA is giving away goodies as part of its #FreeStuffFriday. The items up for the taking are:
  • MadWorld Wii decal set, soundtrack CD and poster signed by the PlatinumGames team.
  • OutRun Online Arcade t-shirt (size large) and free game code.
  • Bleach Kon plushie and Nintendo DS stylus.
  • Nights: Journey of Dreams soundtrack CD sampler, wristband and a SEGA sweet.
  • Football Manager "Gameplay > Polygons" t-shirt (size large) and a SEGA lip balm.
  • A grow-your-own venus fly trap plant and a SEGA lip balm.

To win the items, Twitter users need to follow @SEGA, which will follow them in return. During Friday, the account will announce the package, along with a "special code phrase." The first follower to direct-message the phrase will win the pack. Sounds simple enough ... unless the "fail whale" shows up.

JoystiqSega swag up for grabs this Friday (includes MadWorld, NiGHTS stuff) originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 07 May 2009 10:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bleachfreestufffridaymadworldoutrun-online-arcadesegavenus-fly-trapsThu, 07 May 2009 10:45:00 EST<![CDATA[MadWorld places relationship between online hype and actual sales in doubt]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/29/madworld-places-relationship-between-online-hype-and-actual-sale/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/29/madworld-places-relationship-between-online-hype-and-actual-sale/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/29/madworld-places-relationship-between-online-hype-and-actual-sale/#commentsAnalytics firm OTX Research seems to already be making a name for itself after announcing intentions last month to track game sales. Speaking at the LA Games Conference, OTX's Nick Williams explained the surprisingly weak connection between strong online awareness of a game versus actual, hard sales numbers, citing Sega's recently released MadWorld as a striking example.

Noting the game's top position among IGN.com's games with the "highest level of unique interest," MadWorld came in at a paltry number 41 using OTX's "GamePlan" metric, a system that measures "1,000 gamers on a weekly basis, tracking 400 games at any given time." This translates to a bleak eight percent of Wii owners having even heard of the title, much less purchasing it (that's .32 percent according to April's MadWorld sales data compared with the 20 million Wii owners in the US currently). Hmm, we wonder what that data would look like for Grand Theft Auto's recent foray onto Nintendo's massively popular handheld!

It took an awful lot of numbers right there to explain an idea we've all quietly agreed upon for so long now -- hype and marketing in the "hardcore" gaming world doesn't necessarily equal copies moving at retail. Now, if you'll excuse us, we'll be over here playing BlazBlue.

JoystiqMadWorld places relationship between online hype and actual sales in doubt originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 29 Apr 2009 16:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>analysisgamasutraignla-games-conferencemadworldmetricsnick-williamsNintendootxotx-researchplatinum-gamessegaWiiWed, 29 Apr 2009 16:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Dead Space Extraction producer confident about sales despite GTA: Chinatown Wars]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/27/dead-space-extraction-producer-confident-about-sales-despite-gta/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/27/dead-space-extraction-producer-confident-about-sales-despite-gta/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/27/dead-space-extraction-producer-confident-about-sales-despite-gta/#commentsSteve Papoutsis, producer of Dead Space Extraction, isn't concerned about the disappointing sales of recent Mature-rated games on Nintendo platforms.

Talking to VG247 about MadWorld on the Wii and Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars on the DS, Papoutsis said, "I think that's happening because of what people are looking to buy, I guess." In contrast, "I think with our game right now I think we're hitting on something that's really interesting and really fun, and we're hitting on the atmosphere and the visuals that people have started to associate with Dead Space." It's hard to believe that Grand Theft Auto just wasn't what people were "looking to buy," and an unexplainable not-really-rail-shooter is, but he could be on to something! Or he could have just decided not to tell VG247 how scared he really was.

Papoutsis also extolled the cooperative play found in Extraction: "I love the Wii, I love Nintendo. I love all the platforms, but I really want something that I can play co-operatively on the Wii with a friend that hits that sweet spot I think Dead Space: Extraction is in."

Gallery: Dead Space: Extraction

JoystiqDead Space Extraction producer confident about sales despite GTA: Chinatown Wars originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 27 Apr 2009 09:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dead-space-extractioneaElectronic-Artsgta-chinatown-warsmadworldNintendosteve-papoutsisWiiMon, 27 Apr 2009 09:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Lazy waggling could damage your arm]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/24/lazy-waggling-could-damage-your-arm/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/24/lazy-waggling-could-damage-your-arm/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/24/lazy-waggling-could-damage-your-arm/#commentsReading a New York Times article about repetitive stress injuries caused by the Wii is like taking a little day trip to 2006. In those days, Wii puns had just started to get old, and everyone discovered that repeated activity, even while playing a video game, can sometimes lead to injury.

This particular article features an angle we hadn't heard before: it's actually worse for your arms if you don't swing with the proper zeal. According to the article: "... a flick of the wrist is often enough to return a serve or bowl a strike. As several doctors pointed out, that is the exact motion - concentrating the force of a swing in the muscles of the forearm - that can cause tennis elbow."

Who knew -- even as you were committing graphic violence against fake dudes in MadWorld, you were mutilating your own arm?

[Via MTV Multiplayer]

JoystiqLazy waggling could damage your arm originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 24 Apr 2009 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>injuriesmadworldNintendotennis-elbowWiiwii-itisFri, 24 Apr 2009 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[MadWorld 3D screens (3D glasses not included)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/20/madworld-3d-screens-3d-glasses-not-included/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/20/madworld-3d-screens-3d-glasses-not-included/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/20/madworld-3d-screens-3d-glasses-not-included/#comments
Nintendo Everything has posted a batch of 3D screenshots of Sega's gore fest, MadWorld. Now, to be clear, these are not the 3D screenshots that you open on your computer and spin around with your mouse. Nope, you'll need to break out the old red and blue glasses for these. If you happen to have a pair lying around -- and who doesn't? -- Nintendo Everything promises a working 3D experience.

If you don't have any 3D glasses, try this: Stick your face directly against your monitor and cross your eyes as hard as you can*. It won't make the image appear three-dimensional, but it's guaranteed to give you one helluva headache.

*Don't do this. It's bad for your eyes. Seriously.

JoystiqMadWorld 3D screens (3D glasses not included) originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 20 Apr 2009 20:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>madworldplatinum-gamessegaMon, 20 Apr 2009 20:15:00 EST<![CDATA[MadWorld sells 66K in March, Sega oddly pleased]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/17/madworld-sells-66k-in-march-sega-oddly-pleased/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/17/madworld-sells-66k-in-march-sega-oddly-pleased/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/17/madworld-sells-66k-in-march-sega-oddly-pleased/#comments
Call us crazy, but we always thought that the idea behind making games was to sell tons of copies. Not so for Sega, as it seems weirdly satisfied with MadWorld's lackluster sales, based on comments to Gamasutra. Debuting early in March, Platinum Games' over-the-top brawler managed to move 66,000 copies, despite generally positive reviews.

Sega's other M-rated title on Wii, House of the Dead: Overkill, also managed to have a sub-par debut, selling 45,000 copies during February. What does this say for The Conduit, the third of Sega's big games for Wii? Could Sega's gamble on the mature audience of Wii gamers been a poor move? All signs are pointing to "yes" right about now ... but Sega seems to disagree!

JoystiqMadWorld sells 66K in March, Sega oddly pleased originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 17 Apr 2009 11:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>house-of-the-deadhouse-of-the-dead-overkillmadworldNintendoplatinum-gamessegaWiiFri, 17 Apr 2009 11:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Fanmade MadWorld figurine oozes cool]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/08/fanmade-madworld-figurine-oozes-cool/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/08/fanmade-madworld-figurine-oozes-cool/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/08/fanmade-madworld-figurine-oozes-cool/#comments
There are plenty of things to love about MadWorld. The over-the-top slapstick action, the hilarious commentators, and fun Blood Bath Challenges are just a few of the things we enjoy in Platinum Games' latest title. Well, deviantART user ebooze loves the game's main character Jack so much that he decided to make his own custom figurine, complete with detachable chainsaws of both the bloody and clean variety. Want!

[Via Go Nintendo]

JoystiqFanmade MadWorld figurine oozes cool originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 08 Apr 2009 14:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>actionartarts-and-craftscraftsjackmadworldplatinum-gamessegaWed, 08 Apr 2009 14:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Sega: Overkill sales 'met expectations,' MadWorld's 'very encouraging']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/07/sega-overkill-sales-met-expectations-madworlds-very-encour/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/07/sega-overkill-sales-met-expectations-madworlds-very-encour/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/07/sega-overkill-sales-met-expectations-madworlds-very-encour/#comments
We've kind of assumed that Sega's double shot of M-rated offerings on the Wii underperformed, because ... well, because it's the Wii. But if Sega of America VP Sean Ratcliffe is to be believed, we might just have sneered at MadWorld and House of the Dead: Overkill's numbers too soon.

Ratcliffe told VentureBeat, "House of the Dead has done very well and has absolutely met our expectations. The first set of data for MadWorld is very encouraging, as well." We know that Overkill only sold 45,000 units in February, but if that's good enough for Sega, it's just enough to allow us to keep the hope of an Overkill sequel alive in our hearts without feeling like cockeyed optimists.

JoystiqSega: Overkill sales 'met expectations,' MadWorld's 'very encouraging' originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 07 Apr 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>house-of-the-dead-overkillmadworldNintendosalessegaWiiTue, 07 Apr 2009 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo talks core, third parties, and DSi ]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/06/nintendo-talks-core-third-parties-and-dsi/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/06/nintendo-talks-core-third-parties-and-dsi/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/06/nintendo-talks-core-third-parties-and-dsi/#commentsDuring a recent interview with Gamasutra, Nintendo's Denise Kaigler spoke about a slew of subjects sensitive to the Nintendo loyal. Core gaming, third-party support, and the new DSi were just a few of the subjects Kaigler touched on. In regards to the core, Kaigler says that developing games for that audience is important for "everybody, the industry, certainly for Nintendo, but most of all, for consumers." She points to Zelda: Spirit Tracks as a game for that audience.

Moving on to third-party support, we're starting to see more and more third parties recognize Nintendo's platforms. Kaigler says that being able to offer that 150 million user base between the two systems is very enticing to those developers. But, she notes that Nintendo wants to impart its own success on the platform and show these developers how it has achieved success (see: characters with floating, circular hands in everything), which might tie into those poor sales figures for the recent original, mature games MadWorld and House of the Dead: Overkill.

Finally, no interview with a Nintendo exec can skip the company's latest handheld, the Nintendo DSi. Some folks (especially commenters on Joystiq) have felt the handheld doesn't improve enough over the DS Lite, especially for the price it's demanding. Kaigler, however, argues that the new handheld has plenty to offer, pointing out the DSi's popularity on Amazon and at GameStop through pre-order figures, as well as the one feature that we think too many people are overlooking: DSiWare.

JoystiqNintendo talks core, third parties, and DSi originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 06 Apr 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>coredenise-kaiglerDSdsiwarehouse-of-the-dead-overkillmadworldNintendonintendo-dsisegaWiizelda-spirit-tracksMon, 06 Apr 2009 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[First Bad Company 2 trailer light on gameplay, heavy on death]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/28/first-bad-company-2-trailer-light-on-gameplay-heavy-on-death/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/28/first-bad-company-2-trailer-light-on-gameplay-heavy-on-death/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/28/first-bad-company-2-trailer-light-on-gameplay-heavy-on-death/#comments
Light on gameplay but heavy on murder the first trailer for Battlefield: Bad Company 2 got "world exclusive" status on this week's GameTrailers TV (after the break).

Showcasing the cycle of "smoke a cigarette, kill a dude, get killed yourself" in a MadWorld-esque aesthetic, we can't help but wish for actual gameplay footage from the game -- the first Bad Company 2 screen was madness! We'll expect to hear more from publisher EA and developer DICE as we near E3 2009 in June. More on murder, that is.

Continue reading First Bad Company 2 trailer light on gameplay, heavy on death

JoystiqFirst Bad Company 2 trailer light on gameplay, heavy on death originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 28 Mar 2009 21:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bad-company-2battlefieldbattlefield-bad-company-2dicee3-2009eaea-diceea-partnersElectronic-Artsgametrailersgametrailers-tvmadworldmurdertrailerSat, 28 Mar 2009 21:45:00 EST<![CDATA[MadWorld: If you flail, you may fail]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/25/madworld-if-you-flail-you-may-fail/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/25/madworld-if-you-flail-you-may-fail/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/25/madworld-if-you-flail-you-may-fail/#comments
In a blog post titled MadWorld vs. The Wii Remote, Shigenori Nishikawa recommends gamers "flick" the controller rather than "flail" in order to get the best experience out of MadWorld. Nishikawa, the game's director, wrote the blog to detail the development process behind bringing the bloody MadWorld universe to the Nintendo Wii.

In order to maintain a consistent tempo between the on-screen action and the motions of the player, Platinum Games "adjusted the way" MadWorld detects swing strength. That means, gamers aren't required to "flail [their] arms around" to unlock maximum carnage. However, Nishikawa isn't stopping gamers from going crazy either, saying, "If you get into the Jack state of mind and want to swing for the fences, you are more than welcome to!" What else are you going to do with that discounted Wacky Waving Inflatable Arm Flailing Tube Man you bought?

JoystiqMadWorld: If you flail, you may fail originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 25 Mar 2009 18:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>madworldplatinum-gamessegawacky-waving-inflatable-arm-flailing-tube-manWed, 25 Mar 2009 18:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Wanted's Wanat considers Wii development a 'narrow market' [Update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/23/wanted-prod-rolls-out-his-duct-tape-madworld-needs-to-sell-2-3m/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/23/wanted-prod-rolls-out-his-duct-tape-madworld-needs-to-sell-2-3m/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/23/wanted-prod-rolls-out-his-duct-tape-madworld-needs-to-sell-2-3m/#comments
Update: Pete Wanat joined the team at 1UP and discussed comments made during Invisible Walls during the first GDC episode of ListenUP! (Download Link). During the conversation Wanat clarified that his comments were taken out of context and the numbers mentioned were simply guesstimations. Simply put, Wanat clarified that he loves games, regardless of platform ... as we all should.

Wanted: Weapons of Fate executive producer, Pete Wanat, says Sega -- whom he has no current working connection to -- would need to sell "2-3 million units" to make a sizable profit on MadWorld. Wanat doesn't pull his punches during an interview with web show Invisible Walls, criticizing the Nintendo Wii's development process where spending more than "$350,000 to $500,000" on a game runs the risk of making little to no profit.

"[Nintendo was] getting their ass handed to them [last generation], trying to compete with hardcore gamers. So they said, 'We're not going to bother, we're going to find our niche audience.'" says Wanat. "[Nintendo] has succeeded overwhelmingly so. But do not expect the rest of the industry to get down on its knees and 'blow' Nintendo to make games for that system when you can no longer use it and the same porting mechanism [when creating multiplatform SKUs on Xbox 360, PS3 and PC]."

Now Nintendo fans, before you feverishly type a retort, Wanat wants to make it clear that the Wii is home to some "unbelievable experiences" (specifically calling Nintendo's first-party titles, "Awesome"). However, as a third-party developer, "cracking the code" and finding success on the platform doesn't allow a game to be ported to other systems without completely changing the game's unique features, like gesture-based controls. "You're really getting narrowed to that one, narrow market. And what sells there? Nintendo games." It seems Sega is already feeling that sting.

[Via Sega Nerds]

Continue reading Wanted's Wanat considers Wii development a 'narrow market' [Update]

JoystiqWanted's Wanat considers Wii development a 'narrow market' [Update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 23 Mar 2009 16:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>madworldNintendopete-wanatsalessegaWiiMon, 23 Mar 2009 16:55:00 EST<![CDATA[House of the Dead: Overkill sells 45k in February]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/22/house-of-the-dead-overkill-sells-45k-in-february/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/22/house-of-the-dead-overkill-sells-45k-in-february/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/22/house-of-the-dead-overkill-sells-45k-in-february/#comments
Sega's latest (on rails) shooter -- and Guinness World Record holder -- The House of the Dead: Overkill sold 45,000 units in February, landing itself 50th place in the month's top 100 titles sold. According to data from the NPD Group (Via Edge), Overkill -- which released on February 10 -- joins other third-party Wii titles that have failed to capture attention at retail.

Last year, Sega of America president Simon Jeffery said Western publishers have ignored the hardcore market focusing instead on family friendly titles, in line with the Wii's mainstream image. Sega -- who recently released MadWorld -- is prepping for a June release of The Conduit, continuing a string of Mature rated titles developed for the top-selling console. Hopefully, it will fare better on store shelves.

JoystiqHouse of the Dead: Overkill sells 45k in February originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 22 Mar 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>house-of-the-deadhouse-of-the-dead-overkillmadworldmaturenpdsalessegathe-conduitSun, 22 Mar 2009 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[It's a mad, MadWorld blooper reel]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/21/its-a-mad-madworld-blooper-reel/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/21/its-a-mad-madworld-blooper-reel/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/21/its-a-mad-madworld-blooper-reel/#comments Make no mistake, MadWorld is one of the most violent games we've ever seen but it's all wrapped up into a big joke. It's over the top, insane and pretty hilarious. Some of that hilarity is thanks to the one-two commentary punch of Greg Proops (Whose Line is It, Anyway?) and John DiMaggio (Bender from Futurama, among other things). Unfortunately, the latest trailer for MadWorld doesn't include Proops & DiMaggio but a pair of actors trying desperately to pretend to be hilarious. Maybe we're being overly harsh but you be the judge, check out the trailer after the break.

Continue reading It's a mad, MadWorld blooper reel

JoystiqIt's a mad, MadWorld blooper reel originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 21 Mar 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bloopersmadworldsegaSat, 21 Mar 2009 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Fake severed limbs are totally hot right now]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/21/fake-severed-limbs-are-totally-hot-right-now/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/21/fake-severed-limbs-are-totally-hot-right-now/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/21/fake-severed-limbs-are-totally-hot-right-now/#comments
Occasionally, the gaming industry gets hooked on the most bizarre marketing trends, such as ARGs, and laughably unbelievable product enthusiasts. However, even with our usually spot-on industry clairvoyance, we didn't see this one coming -- for the second time in a month, a developer used fake severed limbs to attract attention to their ultraviolent title. Sega, promoting MadWorld, recently scattered monotone severed arms (all holding copies of the game) across London. Man, Londonites have got to be getting sick of these shenanigans.

We hope this trend comes to a grinding halt before other companies can hop on the bandwagon. The thought of a major metropolitan city whose desensitized residents shrug nonchalantly when they notice human gristle littering their streets makes us a tad uncomfortable.

[Thanks, Tagg.]

JoystiqFake severed limbs are totally hot right now originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 21 Mar 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>capcomlimbslondonmadworldmarketingpublicity-stuntresident-evil-5segaSat, 21 Mar 2009 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SEGA offers advice, creates MadWorld must-do list]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/15/sega-offers-advice-creates-madworld-must-do-list/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/15/sega-offers-advice-creates-madworld-must-do-list/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/15/sega-offers-advice-creates-madworld-must-do-list/#commentsPlatinum Games' well received MadWorld has been abusing and roughing up the Wii for few days and SEGA decided its the opportune time to give game advice. Only because the publisher wants to make sure everyone is getting the most brutal experience possible.

The top ten MadWorld must-do list is what SEGA came up with and is (interestingly enough) penned by the company's own senior localization producer, Patrick Riley. The list includes a few gameplay tips, some Challenge tricks and various insightful nuggets of information, like the fact that Jack can impale foes with a total of five, yes five caution signs. Yes sir ... the more you know.

JoystiqSEGA offers advice, creates MadWorld must-do list originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 15 Mar 2009 19:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Actionmad-worldmadworldplatinum-gamessegaSun, 15 Mar 2009 19:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Touch Ruminations: It's a MadWorld out there]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/13/touch-ruminations-its-a-madworld-out-there/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/13/touch-ruminations-its-a-madworld-out-there/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/13/touch-ruminations-its-a-madworld-out-there/#comments
In Touch Ruminations, former DS and Wii Fanboy Lead David Hinkle talks about whatever he feels like. He's a jerk like that. This week, it's all about Jack and his crazy romp through Varrigan City's Death Watch in MadWorld. The opinions expressed here belong to the author and don't necessarily reflect those of Joystiq, Weblogs Inc. or its affiliates.

MadWorld has been the biggest game on my radar for awhile, both professionally and personally. As a big fan of God Hand, I immediately compared MadWorld to that and expected it to carry over a lot of the things that game did so well: memorably goofy characters, ridiculously over-the-top combat, and an inspired, memorable setting. I'm glad to say that MadWorld has all of these things so far (I've only gotten through the first 3 stages, so that could change; my copy only arrived yesterday morning).

Continue reading Touch Ruminations: It's a MadWorld out there

JoystiqTouch Ruminations: It's a MadWorld out there originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 13 Mar 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>madworldplatinum-gamessegatouch-ruminationsFri, 13 Mar 2009 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Metareview -- MadWorld]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/13/metareview-madworld/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/13/metareview-madworld/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/13/metareview-madworld/#comments
You may not realize this, but MadWorld is a scathing look into the future of reality television. On today's shows we have survivors attempting to avoid madness and starvation, people who think they can dance and survivors who must dance to avoid madness and starvation (maybe we mixed that one up). MadWorld ups the ante by throwing players into a game show called Death Watch -- where winning puts $150 million in your pocket and losing puts you in the morgue. Arnold Schwarzenegger tried to warn us television would go this route ... now, it's Sega's turn.
  • 1UP (A-): "The design constraints of Nintendo's system forced the developers at Platinum Games to be creative, and they followed through on their creativity by putting together a thoroughly enjoyable brawler with just the right amount of the ultra-violence."
  • GamePro (90/100): "Dark, brutal and hilarious in just the right way, MadWorld is a title that has rocketed to the top of every staff member's must buy list. Don't let the fact that it's on a "kiddie console" fool you-this is one title every "hardcore" gamer needs to play, provided you're over eighteen years old, of course."
  • GameTrailers (85/100): "One of the most eye-catching games to come along in a while, MadWorld is stylish, bloody, and a great fit for the Wii's controls. Though there's a surprising amount of incentive to replay it, it's barely seven hours long, so if you aren't persuaded by the novelty of extreme violence buy with caution."
  • Eurogamer (70/100): "No matter how much the schoolboy-humour commentary grates, no matter how repetitive the bits in between the set-pieces start to feel and no matter how frustrating the later levels become, MadWorld provides a rush of blood to the head almost as often as it provides a rush of blood to the pavement."

JoystiqMetareview -- MadWorld originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 13 Mar 2009 06:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>madworldmetareviewNintendoplatinum-gamessegaWiiFri, 13 Mar 2009 06:00:00 EST<![CDATA[This week on the Nintendo Channel: Celebrities, Mac and Cheese]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/09/this-week-on-the-nintendo-channel-celebrities-mac-and-cheese/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/09/this-week-on-the-nintendo-channel-celebrities-mac-and-cheese/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/09/this-week-on-the-nintendo-channel-celebrities-mac-and-cheese/#commentsAnother Monday means another Nintendo Channel update, and this week we've got a boatload of new video content, as well as some new DS content to love. On the demo side, there are two piping hot samples, one of which is Personal Trainer, and the other TrackMania DS. Check the full list of demos after the break.

On the video side, there's plenty of new content to watch. You can check out some footage from Pokemon Platinum, as well a nice developer chat with the folks behind World of Goo, and some footage from Sega titles House of the Dead: Overkill and MadWorld.

Continue reading This week on the Nintendo Channel: Celebrities, Mac and Cheese

JoystiqThis week on the Nintendo Channel: Celebrities, Mac and Cheese originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 09 Mar 2009 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>house-of-the-dead-overkilllisa-kudrowmadworldnintendo-channeltrackmaniaworld-of-gooMon, 09 Mar 2009 15:45:00 EST<![CDATA[MadWorld: Just Hot Enough for TV]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/09/madworld-just-hot-enough-for-tv/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/09/madworld-just-hot-enough-for-tv/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/09/madworld-just-hot-enough-for-tv/#commentsSega is taking a somewhat rare step (for a third-party Wii game) in its advertising campaign for MadWorld: a TV commercial. We hardly ever see ads for Wii games on TV, and Sega has been responsible for two lately: this one, and the previous House of the Dead: Overkill spot, which also mentioned MadWorld.

Despite its graphic violence (which can only be hinted at on television), Platinum Games' brawler is an excellent candidate for a TV campaign: we believe that the amazing high-contrast graphical style alone can sell copies, and thus putting it in front of more people is a great thing. We also think that not all Wii owners are in the audience for game blogs, and as such may not have even known that they needed MadWorld. And now they will!

Continue reading MadWorld: Just Hot Enough for TV

JoystiqMadWorld: Just Hot Enough for TV originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 09 Mar 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>actionadvertisingmadworldplatinum-gamessegaMon, 09 Mar 2009 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Yasumi Matsuno resurfaces to discuss work on MadWorld]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/05/yasumi-matsuno-resurfaces-to-discuss-work-on-madworld/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/05/yasumi-matsuno-resurfaces-to-discuss-work-on-madworld/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/05/yasumi-matsuno-resurfaces-to-discuss-work-on-madworld/#commentsOgre Battle, Final Fantasy Tactics, and Vagrant Story creator Yasumi Matsuno left his position as director of Final Fantasy XII in the middle of development, and has been quiet ever since -- until last month, when the (weird) news came out that he had been contracted to write for ... MadWorld.

On the IGN MadWorld blog, Matsuno posted about the narrative for the brawler. Under contradictory advice from the producer and the development team, Matsuno came up with the game show idea. The development team wanted a world where violence was accepted -- but the producer (not named, but probably Atsushi Inaba) wanted a world where "Violence should ultimately be denied in the end." To comply with both of those ideas, Matsuno devised DeathWatch.

"In the extraordinary world of the DeathWatch games," Matsuno explains, "violence and brutality is not only required, but accepted. However, once you step out of the show, the world outside is ruled by normal conventions. In the conclusion of the post, Matsuno says that "it may be a little difficult to catch everything in the story by only playing the game once." We're happy to hear about some replay value!

For more from the World: Over on the Platinum Games MadWorld site (which can now be viewed on the iPhone!), director Shigenori Nishikawa explains the motivation for adding the comedic narration to the game.

JoystiqYasumi Matsuno resurfaces to discuss work on MadWorld originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 05 Mar 2009 12:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>madworldplatinum-gamessegayasumi-matsunoThu, 05 Mar 2009 12:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Capcom's Inafune: Xbox was only way into overseas market]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/03/capcoms-inafune-xbox-was-only-way-into-overseas-market/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/03/capcoms-inafune-xbox-was-only-way-into-overseas-market/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/03/capcoms-inafune-xbox-was-only-way-into-overseas-market/#comments
Capcom's Head of Research & Development Management Group and Online Business (breath) Keiji Inafune is all about the Western game market. In an internal interview on Capcom's website published earlier today, Inafune makes a variety of comments regarding Capcom's changing attitude with regards to the Western market. "I think I can only get away with saying this now, but I really thought that using the Xbox was the only way to break into overseas markets, and I took that hypothesis all the way," Inafune says in the piece, citing Lost Planet and Dead Rising as two prime examples of games targeted at Western audiences that were successful.

Speaking to the state of the video game industry and Capcom's relevance within it, he continues, "Up until now, we made games in Japan, and it was merely coincidental that those games sold overseas. But overseas game makers in regions like North America and Europe have gained strength, and it has become clear that this is the direction the game industry is going." We've heard statements like this before from MadWorld creator Atsushi Inaba, but never from such an influential and powerful figurehead within the Japanese development community. Considering the online multiplayer focus of the company's cadre of games both released and on the horizon, we think Capcom is putting its money where its mouth is.

JoystiqCapcom's Inafune: Xbox was only way into overseas market originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 03 Mar 2009 12:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atsushi-inabacapcomdead-risingeconomyinterviewkeiji-inafunelost-planetLost-Planet-Extreme-Conditionmadworldwestern-audiencewestern-developmentTue, 03 Mar 2009 12:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Platinum Games discusses enemy AI in MadWorld]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/03/platinum-games-discusses-enemy-ai-in-madworld/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/03/platinum-games-discusses-enemy-ai-in-madworld/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/03/platinum-games-discusses-enemy-ai-in-madworld/#comments
Bless the Platinum Games blog, as it's been a wonderful source of interesting stuff leading up to next week's release of MadWorld. Today, Hirono Sato takes over the driver's seat and talks about his role in the game: player interactions and the three different AIs governing enemies.

He breaks the enemy units down to "grunt," "grunt leader," and "boss." Sato explains that the "grunts" are essentially pushovers and the challenge they present is not simply just to defeat them, but to defeat them in the most stylish way possible, for the most points possible. Sato says that in a game "where running around killing all the enemies is supposed to be fun, making them so hard that you can't kill them wouldn't be fun at all."

However, for those that crave difficult combat, the "grunt leader" is always on hand to provide an ample spanking. This guy is a bit tougher to battle, so it's not as much about getting the most points possible as it is about just surviving his attacks. Then, there are the "bosses," which are pretty self-explanatory.

Sato also tells us of a cool in-game item called the "Money Grubber," a briefcase stuffed with money that you throw at enemies. Once the "grunts" see it, they'll start clawing for it, and eventually fight each other over the money. While they're busy, Sato offers a few ideas, including tossing "a drum filled with gasoline their way" and even tossing the case "onto some busy train tracks."

JoystiqPlatinum Games discusses enemy AI in MadWorld originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 03 Mar 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aijackmadworldplatinum-gamessegaTue, 03 Mar 2009 12:30:00 EST