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[EA to buy Pandemic Studios and BioWare]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/11/ea-to-buy-pandemic-studios-and-bioware/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/11/ea-to-buy-pandemic-studios-and-bioware/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/11/ea-to-buy-pandemic-studios-and-bioware/#commentsFiled under: ,

Electronic Arts has announced today that it will acquire VG Holding Corp. from Elevation Partners. VG Holding owns both Pandemic Studios and BioWare, which means the deal nabs both developers for EA. Electronic Arts will be paying up to $650 million in cash to the stockholders of VG Holding, with up to $155 million being paid in equity to specific employees. Pandemic is currently hard at work on the excessively violent sandbox title, Mercenaries 2, which is being published by EA. The deal raises questions about BioWare, as the company is currently developing the galaxy hopping RPG Mass Effect for Microsoft Game Studios. As the game is set to be a trilogy, we have to wonder what this deal means for the next two installments.

We'd love to make some sort of Madden RPG joke here (Madden Effect, perhaps?), but we just don't have the energy. Hit the "read" link for the full press release.

[Via Joystiq]

JoystiqEA to buy Pandemic Studios and BioWare originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 11 Oct 2007 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowareeaelectronic-artsmass-effectmasseffectmercenaries-2mercenaries2pandemicpandemic-studiospandemicstudiosThu, 11 Oct 2007 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Mercenaries 2 designer explains delay]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/24/mercenaries-2-designer-explains-delay/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/24/mercenaries-2-designer-explains-delay/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/24/mercenaries-2-designer-explains-delay/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Pandemic Studios is ready to explain why Mercenaries 2: World in Flames was delayed until 2008. In an IGN interview, Pandemic pres. Josh Resnick says they delayed the game so that "every corner of our vast, open-world, highly explosive gameplay is completely polished." He says they are not adding anything else to the game but are merely fixing bugs "to make gamers proud that they own a copy of Mercenaries 2 by making the highest quality next-gen open-world experience the world has ever seen." Well, hopefully Pandemic can own that title for a while before GTA IV comes out around the same time.

Did the multi-platform development cause the delay? Resnick says , "Not at all." He says that all the different version are "shaping up nicely." He also says that the delay has not affected the development of Saboteur and it's still planned for 2008. There's a lot of fluff in the interview, but at least the developers have spoken on the issue instead of just letting the fanboys blame the PS3 for every game with multi-platform development.

JoystiqMercenaries 2 designer explains delay originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 24 Sep 2007 18:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>delaymerc2mercenaries2pandemicPCPS2PS3saboteurXbox-360Mon, 24 Sep 2007 18:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Mercenaries 2 bitten by the delay bug]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/24/mercenaries-2-bitten-by-the-delay-bug/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/24/mercenaries-2-bitten-by-the-delay-bug/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/24/mercenaries-2-bitten-by-the-delay-bug/#commentsFiled under:

Online retailers have been hinting at it for a while and now developer Pandemic is fessing up announcing that Mercenaries 2: World in Flames has officially been delayed into early 2008. In an interview with IGN, president of Pandemic Josh Resnick stated that Mercenaries 2 fell back to a Q1 2008 release because they need some more development time and that the studio doesn't "want to slop out a game just to meet a deadline". Kudos for being frank and honest Mr. Resnick, sometimes games need to cook in the oven a bit longer to bring out their subtle flavors and lovely texture. We'll be ready and willing to snack on destruction next year.

[Thanks, todd]

JoystiqMercenaries 2 bitten by the delay bug originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 24 Sep 2007 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eamercenaries-2-world-in-flamesmercenaries2pandemicMon, 24 Sep 2007 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Mercenaries 2 misses 2007 mark, targets 2008]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/04/mercenaries-2-misses-2007-mark-targets-2008/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/04/mercenaries-2-misses-2007-mark-targets-2008/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/04/mercenaries-2-misses-2007-mark-targets-2008/#commentsFiled under:

This is a case of what happened with Dark Sector, we believe. See, this holiday season already has such a large lineup of games situated for release that to increase chances of scoring sales, some of the titles with lower expectations (we don't think less of them, the publishers just think they can't compete with bigger titles) are getting shoved into an early 2008 release window. Mercenaries 2: World in Flames, long scheduled for a 2007 release, has recently gotten nudged into that early '08 slot for reasons unknown, besides our own theory, of course.

The thing is, games like Mercenaries 2 and to a lesser extent, Dark Sector, aren't bad looking games. They could probably hold their own if released over the holidays, but to really increase their chances of being runaway hits, holding off until next year is a pretty safe alternative. So for those of you itching to get your sandbox-destruction on, we're sorry, but you'll have to find another way to enjoy explosions, since Mercenaries 2 has been pushed back.

[via N4G]

JoystiqMercenaries 2 misses 2007 mark, targets 2008 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 04 Sep 2007 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>mercenaries2Tue, 04 Sep 2007 22:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Mercenaries 2 slips to '08 -- happy delay]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/04/mercenaries-2-slips-to-08-happy-delay/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/04/mercenaries-2-slips-to-08-happy-delay/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/04/mercenaries-2-slips-to-08-happy-delay/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


We should really start marking every delay with a "happy delay" or "sad delay". Mercenaries 2: World in Flames being pushed to 2008 is a happy delay. We've already discovered that this holiday season is already so disgustingly jam-packed with games that we'll take any delays we can get -- unless it's something major we can no longer wait for. Merc 2, not so major, gives them time to polish -- happy delay.

EA hasn't given an official reason for the delay, that's fine. Add some more explosions, get the AI working properly -- whatever, take your time Pandemic, no rush. The game is expected for PC, Xbox 360, PS3 and PS2. As long as Mercenaries 2 brings the destruction of the first one back with more polish, it'll be a nice mindless title of joy in the vein of Crackdown to get us through early '08.

Gallery: Mercenaries 2

JoystiqMercenaries 2 slips to '08 -- happy delay originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 04 Sep 2007 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>delaymerc2mercenaries2pandemicPCPS2PS3Xbox-360Tue, 04 Sep 2007 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq impressions: Mercenaries 2]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/12/joystiq-impressions-mercenaries-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/12/joystiq-impressions-mercenaries-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/12/joystiq-impressions-mercenaries-2/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

mercs 2
Pandemic describes Mercenaries 2 as "Bruckheimer meets Tarantino," drawing a distinction between its sequel and the narratively drab original. Mercs 2 is "sexy" and campy, and wildly destructive. "I'm just hooked on the destruction!" shouted a developer into a Canadian cameraman's lens. Bridges and building burst into flames and debris (and then respawn later), only to be demolished again.

Much like Burnout Paradise, Mercs 2 is played in a virtual sandbox that feels lonesome, even boring without the company of a human co-player. Luckily, Pandemic will include full co-op support (though unlike the E3 Burnout preview, this feature was not on display). Without the promised structure of a hearty narrative and "three-dimensional" characters, our demo felt like long stretches of the first Mercenaries game, as we leveled structures and mowed down unsophisticated AI combatants with little purpose.

The danger of many open-world titles is the possibility of wondering off onto redundant tangents that don't offer much to discover, just more to destroy. Ironically, as much ballooned, generic action as Mercs 2 provides, it feels like a niche game. A fun buddy romp for sure, but Mercs has now slid out to the peripheral of our radar, no longer a must-look-for during this year's rich holiday season.

Note: Xbox 360 box art is used above to reflect that Pandemic and EA are currently previewing Mercenaries 2 on Xbox 360 only.

Gallery: Mercenaries 2

JoystiqJoystiq impressions: Mercenaries 2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 12 Jul 2007 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>E3e307eaElectronic-Artshandsonimpressionsmercenaries2mercs2pandemicPCps2ps3Xbox-360Xbox360Thu, 12 Jul 2007 14:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Mercenaries 2 lets you destroy just about anything]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/09/mercenaries-2-lets-you-destroy-just-about-anything/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/09/mercenaries-2-lets-you-destroy-just-about-anything/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/09/mercenaries-2-lets-you-destroy-just-about-anything/#commentsFiled under:

We are a gaming news site, after all. Let's move away from all the juicy new info and give you a preview of a game we're still in the air about. Some may dislike it, but the loyal fanbase of the original Mercenaries title are ready for more and we've got some hands-on impressions from IGN to keep you worked up. Let's make a list.
  • Everything is destructible, so set those trees on fire and watch the blaze spread. The fire is claimed to be the best-looking thing in the early build of the game. So either it looks really good or the game looks kinda bland.
  • Did we mention everything is destructible? Every building, vehicle, other person, whatever -- all can meet their doom thanks to you.
  • There are thirty weapons in Mercs 2 and over 200 vehicles. The fun lies in the vehicles, though. You won't necessarily have to pull a Grand Theft Auto and take a 20 minute jog to get the perfect vehicle, though. As you kick ass, you earn cash. This cash can be traded in for special weapons, attacks (air strikes), or vehicles to be delivered on the spot. Want a Wave Runner on that small lake? You got it!
  • Stealing a tank from an enemy involves a more God of War inspired button-pressing sequence, whereas other vehicles will only require one press of the action button to oust whoever else happened to be driving it.
There are a lot more impressions about the actual level played in the hands-on treatment, but we'd like to leave that up to you to read. It's pretty entertaining and we're moderately jealous. The game seems to be shaping up nice, but since we haven't heard how their online service will work, we've got our reservations until we see that in action.

JoystiqMercenaries 2 lets you destroy just about anything originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 09 Jul 2007 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaelectronic artsElectronicArtsmercenaries 2Mercenaries2pandemic studiosPandemicStudiosplaystation 3Playstation3ps3sonyMon, 09 Jul 2007 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PSP Fanboy Theatre: Volume 25]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/23/psp-fanboy-theatre-volume-25/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/23/psp-fanboy-theatre-volume-25/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/23/psp-fanboy-theatre-volume-25/#commentsFiled under:

PSP Fanboy offers the latest and greatest movie and game trailers, formatted for the PSP in this new weekly feature. Check it out every Saturday. PSP owners can download files wirelessly via m.pspfanboy.com.

Instructions: Save all movie and thumbnail files to the VIDEO folder. These high resolution 480x272 videos require firmware 3.30 or above. (Note: OE custom firmware will also play these videos.)

New for PSP: Get selected videos delivered automatically to your PSP via our new RSS feed.


Folklore [PS3]
Download MP4 (24.2MB) | Download JPG

The following videos are featured after the break: Call of Duty 4 (PS3, 360), Lair (PS3), Mercenaries 2 (PS3, 360), Motorstorm (PS3), Super Stardust HD (PS3), Transformers: The Game (All)

Continue reading PSP Fanboy Theatre: Volume 25

JoystiqPSP Fanboy Theatre: Volume 25 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 23 Jun 2007 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>call of duty 4CallOfDuty4folklorelairmercenariesmercenaries 2Mercenaries2motorstormsuper stardustsuper stardust hdSuperStardustSuperStardustHdtransformersSat, 23 Jun 2007 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: Mercenaries 2 trailer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/18/video-mercenaries-2-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/18/video-mercenaries-2-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/18/video-mercenaries-2-trailer/#commentsFiled under:


The debut trailer for Mercenaries 2: World in Flames has been released and we have it embedded above for your convenience. The action in the game looks pretty hot, and the graphics aren't too shabby either. The lighting and explosions are really impressive, and the destructive enviroments look really ... breakable? Either way it looks really cool, and a blast to play. Jacking helicopters looks completely crazy. Did you ever get your hands on the first Mercenaries, and are you ready for some new gen flavor?

[Thanks, Jonah Falcon]

JoystiqVideo: Mercenaries 2 trailer originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 18 Jun 2007 07:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>E AEAElectronic ArtsElectronicArtsMercenariesMercenaries 2Mercenaries 2 World in FlamesMercenaries IIMercenaries II World in FlamesMercenaries2Mercenaries2WorldInFlamesMercenariesIiMercenariesIiWorldInFlamesPandemicMon, 18 Jun 2007 07:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Mercenaries 2 to have no competitive multiplayer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/01/mercenaries-2-to-have-no-competive-multiplayer/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/01/mercenaries-2-to-have-no-competive-multiplayer/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/01/mercenaries-2-to-have-no-competive-multiplayer/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Like a long-lost lover seen in our periphery as they board a train to Paris, our dream of teabagging a friend's corpse right after we call an air strike on them continues to flit just out of our reach. Its latest elusion: The exclusion of competitive multiplayer from Mercenaries 2.

Do we take some comfort in the dozens of new weapons mentioned in the Eurogamer interview? The addition of boats? The hundreds of other new vehicles? Sure, some. But it's a cold comfort. And yes, we can already hear you now: "There's cooperative multiplayer, can't you air strike/teabag that way? Isn't that the same?" But that's obviously different. How can you teabag someone without a victory? It's just ... hollow.

[Via Xbox 360 Fanboy]

JoystiqMercenaries 2 to have no competitive multiplayer originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 01 Jun 2007 10:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>mercenariesmercenaries2PCps2ps3Xbox-360xbox360Fri, 01 Jun 2007 10:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Pandemic talks Mercenaries 2: no vs. multiplayer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/31/pandemic-talks-mercenaries-2-no-vs-multiplayer/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/31/pandemic-talks-mercenaries-2-no-vs-multiplayer/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/31/pandemic-talks-mercenaries-2-no-vs-multiplayer/#commentsFiled under:


Eurogamer recently sat down with Scott Warner, Pandemic's lead designer for Mercenaries 2. We don't get a ton of new info on the game, but it's interesting nonetheless. One nugget that was revealed is that while most areas will respawn after they've been destroyed, there are certain areas that will remain in tatters after you've blown them to smithereens. The game will feature hundreds of new vehicles including boats, a first for the series. There's bad news for multiplayer fans though, as there are no plans for any competitive multiplayer. Mercenaries 2 will, however, feature online co-op. Hit the "read" link for the full interview.

There is no mention of Bono in the interview by the way, though we expect he was -- as always -- lurking in the shadows.

JoystiqPandemic talks Mercenaries 2: no vs. multiplayer originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 31 May 2007 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaelectronic artsElectronicArtsmercenaries 2Mercenaries2pandemicpandemic studiopandemic studiosPandemicStudioPandemicStudiosThu, 31 May 2007 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Mercenaries 2 thinks: well, screw U2!]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/22/mercenaries-2-thinks-well-screw-u2/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/22/mercenaries-2-thinks-well-screw-u2/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/22/mercenaries-2-thinks-well-screw-u2/#commentsFiled under: ,

Oh, it was an attempted play on the most annoying famous band in the world's name. Political activists have called on various religious leaders to join in creating a petition asking, specifically, Bono (frontman of U2) to prevent the release of Pandemic's upcoming sandbox title that just happens to take place in Venezuela. The petition goes thus:

"The organization is seeking to gather the signatures of various religious leaders for a letter (PDF format) intended for the one man they feel can and should stop the game from going to market--U2 frontman Bono. The Irish crooner and part-time activist is one of the board members of Elevation Partners, the venture capital firm that is a majority stakeholder in the partnership between Pandemic and BioWare, which brought the two independent game developers together under the name BioWare/Pandemic Studios."

Stupid. Nothing annoys this guy more. Especially if you read the humorous take from Maddox's website on U2 -- not to be taken seriously (and not for the young'uns). We should create a petition for people to petition against stupid petitions. Is anyone seriously offended by this, of all games?

[also available in Joystiq coloring]

JoystiqMercenaries 2 thinks: well, screw U2! originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 22 Mar 2007 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Mercenaries 2Mercenaries2MicrosoftPandemicPlayStation 3Playstation3PS3SonyXBox 360Xbox360Thu, 22 Mar 2007 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Venezuela enlists Bono to stop Mercs 2]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/22/venezuela-enlists-bono-to-stop-mercs-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/22/venezuela-enlists-bono-to-stop-mercs-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/22/venezuela-enlists-bono-to-stop-mercs-2/#commentsFiled under:

A group called Venezuelan Solidarity isn't happy about Mercenaries 2 (that sounds awfully familiar). Apparently the group isn't so keen on the game's depiction of Venezuelan locales, not to mention the "extremely realistic" violence Mercenaries 2 encourages in said locales. In an open letter to Bono, Venezuelan Solidarity asks the U2 singer-cum-activist to pull the support of Elevation Partners -- Bono's investment firm -- from Pandemic Studios, developers of Mercenaries 2. The group pulls at Bono's human rights strings, asking that he "reconsider [his] investment in a company that glorifies violence and militarization." Furthermore, Venezuelan Solidarity implores the rock star to prevent the game from being sold "anywhere." That's a mighty tall order, even for Bono.

Whether or not Bono will accept this call to arms remains to be seen. We wait with bated breath.

[Via Joystiq. Thanks, Stynk Monkey]

JoystiqVenezuela enlists Bono to stop Mercs 2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 22 Mar 2007 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bonoelevation partnerelevation partnersElevationPartnerElevationPartnersmercenaries 2Mercenaries2mercs 2Mercs2pandemicpandemic studiosPandemicStudiosThu, 22 Mar 2007 12:45:00 EST<![CDATA[U2's Bono called upon to battle Mercenaries]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/22/u2s-bono-called-upon-to-battle-mercenaries/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/22/u2s-bono-called-upon-to-battle-mercenaries/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/22/u2s-bono-called-upon-to-battle-mercenaries/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

More Venezuela versus Pandemic news now, with the attack on Mercenaries 2: Venezuela World in Flames now bolstered by the attempted enlistment of Bono -- charitable human rights rescuer and lead singer for rock group U2. In a pair of open letters addressed to religious leaders and the bland-o-rama band frontman, Venezuelan Solidarity humbly asks Bono to use his "considerable influence" to halt development on the game and perhaps invest in a company that doesn't detract "from [his] image as a human rights defender." Does Bono know how to dismantle an anti-static BD-ROM?

The political group's concerns arise from the fact that the "extremely realistic" game allows players to shoot and otherwise demolish people and constructions within the recognizable borders of Venezuela. Their paranoid plea frantically plucks nebulous studies ("research demonstrates that playing violent video games increases the likelihood of aggressive behavior"), bizarre gamer hostility ("the game inevitably will provoke increased tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela) and unfounded fiction fear ("celebration of violence in much of our media, music and video games is poisoning our children") from the air, shortly before rolling everything into a moist ball and splattering it across Bono's front door.

In other news, both Sony's David Jaffe and Cory Barlog have been asked to stop their rampage against Greece's tourism industry. "We're not all half-naked barbarians and bloodthirsty minotaurs, you know!"

[Via Gamesindustry.biz]

JoystiqU2's Bono called upon to battle Mercenaries originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 22 Mar 2007 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BonoMercenaries 2Mercenaries2PandemicPS2PS3U2VenezuelaXbox-360Thu, 22 Mar 2007 11:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Mercenaries 2 screenshots go boom!]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/19/mercenaries-2-screenshots-go-boom/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/19/mercenaries-2-screenshots-go-boom/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/19/mercenaries-2-screenshots-go-boom/#commentsFiled under:


Today, Pandemic released a few screenshots of their upcoming sequel Mercenaries 2. The graphics look okay, the lighting is fine, and the textures will pass, but there's nothing jaw dropping here. Maybe the in-game explosions will make us wet ourselves, but we don't get the same effect from screenshots. Also, who's enjoying the main character's badass image? Tattoos, stylish hair, tight jeans, and a sleeveless shirt ... he's my idol. Anyone eagerly anticipating Mercenaries 2 and want to share your impressions of the new screenshots?

[Thanks, un1qu3 n3wy0rk]

JoystiqMercenaries 2 screenshots go boom! originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 19 Mar 2007 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>mercenariesmercenaries 2Mercenaries2pandemicMon, 19 Mar 2007 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[GameTrailer's GDC video wrap-up]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/10/gametrailers-gdc-video-wrap-up/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/10/gametrailers-gdc-video-wrap-up/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/10/gametrailers-gdc-video-wrap-up/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Our 2007 Game Developers Conference has come to an end, we've had a fun ride, but there is still more to see. And the nice folks over at GameTrailers have their GDC section quarantined off and ready to showcase some of the best Xbox 360 media. You can sit back and watch a new Portal video, maybe some Mercenaries 2, a Fable 2 dog demo, or The Darkness. It's every video they have to offer from GDC that is Xbox 360 related. And we definitely recommend watching the Fable 2 dog demo, because it just might make you think differently about this new "revolutionary" feature. GDC may be over, but your video watching has just begun.

JoystiqGameTrailer's GDC video wrap-up originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 10 Mar 2007 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fable 2Fable2gdcgdc 07GDC-2007Gdc07mercenaries 2Mercenaries2portalthe darknessTheDarknessSat, 10 Mar 2007 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Mercenaries 2 World in Flames impressions]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/07/mercenaries-2-world-in-flames-impressions/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/07/mercenaries-2-world-in-flames-impressions/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/07/mercenaries-2-world-in-flames-impressions/#commentsFiled under: , ,


At an Electronic Arts event in San Francisco last night, Pandemic showed off an early, pre-alpha build of Mercenaries 2. The demo -- which was of Mr. Mohawk running around a jungle environment -- was being presented by a developer using an Xbox 360, which gave us somewhat of a chuckle considering the effort Pandemic went through to keep the Xbox 360 version unofficial.

As to why they abstained from announcing the Microsoft iteration for so long, Pandemic CEO Andrew Goldman told us it was "just the way we did it." As for future plans and exclusivity, Goldman said that there is one IP they have right now that may go exclusive and will be announced "pretty soon."

Gallery: Mercenaries 2

Continue reading Mercenaries 2 World in Flames impressions

JoystiqMercenaries 2 World in Flames impressions originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 07 Mar 2007 21:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaelectronic artsElectronic-ArtsElectronicArtsmercenariesmercenaries 2Mercenaries2pandemicPS3world in flamesWorldInFlamesXbox-360Wed, 07 Mar 2007 21:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Mercenaries 2: confirmed coming to many, many consoles]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/22/mercenaries-2-confirmed-coming-to-many-many-consoles/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/22/mercenaries-2-confirmed-coming-to-many-many-consoles/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/22/mercenaries-2-confirmed-coming-to-many-many-consoles/#commentsFiled under: ,

This isn't speculation -- this is official. Mercenaries 2 has long been rumored and, in essence, accepted as a 360 title as well as a PlayStation 3 title. Well, it's on 360, we know. But what we were surprised to learn is that the game is also making its way to the PC... and the PlayStation 2. Why the [expletive deleted] would they do that? We don't care if it goes to the 360, PC, Wii, and IMAX or whatever, but the PS2? Come, here is a free ticket for the logic train.

Multiplatform titles are all well and good, but we really think enough is enough: no cross-generation games anymore. We're referring to games being released on a "next-gen" console and a "last-gen" console. Sure, you may get more software sales, but you're hindering the adoption rate of next-gen consoles. "Why should I get a PS3 for this game if it's good enough to work on the PS2, also?" This happened with the first wave of XBox 360 titles, so it's not a new trend. Even so, it's aggravating. Keep the "next-gen" games on the next-gen consoles... don't dumb them down for the previous generation of gaming systems. Bah. Rant end... leave your thoughts, though!

[via Joystiq]

JoystiqMercenaries 2: confirmed coming to many, many consoles originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 22 Feb 2007 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Mercenaries 2Mercenaries2MicrosoftPCPlayStation 2Playstation 3Playstation2Playstation3PS3SonyXBox 360Xbox360Thu, 22 Feb 2007 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Mercenaries 2 on Xbox 360 ... PC & PS2 (this time it's official)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/22/mercenaries-2-on-xbox-360-pc-and-ps2-this-time-its-official/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/22/mercenaries-2-on-xbox-360-pc-and-ps2-this-time-its-official/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/22/mercenaries-2-on-xbox-360-pc-and-ps2-this-time-its-official/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

parity?
Why was it such a big secret? That's about the only question Pandemic senior producer Jonathan Zamkoff wasn't asked in a lengthy Mercenaries 2 tell-all hosted by IGN. Rumblings, reports, and recordings were the evidence leading up to today's confession: Mercs 2 is on Xbox 360 -- and oh, by the way, PC and PlayStation 2. "So here's the scoop. We are shooting for true feature parity on the PS3, 360, and PC. There will be small visual differences on those consoles due to platform specific texture compression algorithms and other platform-specific graphics implementation, but to the end-user the game experience will be nearly identical," explained Zamkoff. "For the PS2 we are taking a different tact. We're working extremely closely with Pi studios ... They are using the Mercs 1 core engine and toolchain, coupled with modified Mercs 2 assets to create the Mercs 2 PS2 version."

The big addition to Mercs 2 is online co-op, which will be nixed from the PS2 version, but intact on PS3. "We have no intention to provide one feature for one system that the other one doesn't have. So, yes, both [Xbox 360 & PS3] will have cooperative multiplayer -- online cooperative multiplayer," confirmed Zamkoff, adding, "We started from scratch to program for the multiprocessors on both machines. They were both in mind when we were writing the text, so we didn't want to create a PS3 engine, which was and has been, and is, our lead SKU, but we didn't want to ignore the Xbox 360. Even though we're just now announcing the 360 version, we have been working on it for quite some time ... In terms of timing, both games are within a week of each other in development." Pandemic is tentatively set on a fall 2007 release.

JoystiqMercenaries 2 on Xbox 360 ... PC & PS2 (this time it's official) originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 22 Feb 2007 10:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>360Co-opEAElectronic-ArtsMercenaries2Mercs2PandemicPCPlayStationNetworkPS2PS3Xbox-360Xbox360XboxLiveThu, 22 Feb 2007 10:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Mercenaries 2 for 360 is official]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/22/mercenaries-2-for-360-is-official/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/22/mercenaries-2-for-360-is-official/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/22/mercenaries-2-for-360-is-official/#commentsFiled under:


Looks like we need a new "worst kept secret" in the game industry, as Mercenaries 2 has finally been officially announced for the Xbox 360. Following months of speculation, the news breaks from IGN during an interview with Pandemic. The game is set to feature a large, streaming world. To put it in perspective, the world of Mercenaries 2 is the size of all the maps in Mercenaries 1 put together. The game will also feature oh-so-trendy online co-op (system link is still being considered). The game is set to include plenty of vehicles, including jets and watercraft. Finally, Mercenaries 2 is expected to release this fall. Hit the "read" link for screens and more details on gameplay.

[Thanks, Machiavelli 420 # 2]

JoystiqMercenaries 2 for 360 is official originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 22 Feb 2007 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaelectronic artsElectronicArtsmercenaries 2Mercenaries2mercs 2Mercs2pandemicThu, 22 Feb 2007 10:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Electronic Arts' GDC game lineup]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/21/electronic-arts-gdc-game-lineup/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/21/electronic-arts-gdc-game-lineup/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/21/electronic-arts-gdc-game-lineup/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Among other things, EA is bringing some pretty big guns to GDC in March. They'll be speaking about Sims on the Wii, seeking new IPs and other stuff. Aside from those, though, the following are listed as confirmed to show up:

  • Crysis
  • Hellgate: London
  • Mercenaries 2: World in Flames
  • The Orange Box (this has Half-Life 2: Episode 2, Portal and Team Fortress 2 in it)

Oh, did we mention? These won't be on the show floor. Seems they're only for super-secret, special people. Oh well. We're sure stuff will get leaked about them no matter who is or isn't allowed.

JoystiqElectronic Arts' GDC game lineup originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 21 Feb 2007 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CrysisElectronic ArtsElectronicArtsHellgate: LondonHellgate:LondonMercenaries 2Mercenaries2Playstation 3Playstation3PS3SonyThe orange boxTheOrangeBoxWed, 21 Feb 2007 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Mercenaries 2 co-op and grappling hook revealed!]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/14/mercenaries-2-co-op-and-grappling-hook-revealed/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/14/mercenaries-2-co-op-and-grappling-hook-revealed/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/14/mercenaries-2-co-op-and-grappling-hook-revealed/#commentsFiled under: ,

The other week, we wrote up a little ditty on Mercenaries 2: World in Flames and we talked about what you could expect when the game hits shelves later this year. What we couldn't tell you were the online plans for the title and certain gameplay elements that were being kept mum. Well, apparently there's been a leak in the system and we've learned a bit about both.

As far as online gaming goes, there will be an online co-op mode similar to Gears of War where one player invites another into an existing game and they tackle campaign missions together. You can still recruit NPC's for extra support, so don't feel like it's a two-man mission... even though that would make it more exciting.

A new gameplay element, the grappling hook, has been revealed also. This little puppy has a multitude of uses: flooring enemies, scaling buildings, hijacking cars, commandeer helicopters, shoot it on a speeding boat and go skiing... you name it.

That's all else we've learned for now. We'll keep bringing you more information as it surfaces. Oh, wait... there are pirates. They sell you stuff. Pirates are always welcome in any game. Along with ninjas... but never together.

JoystiqMercenaries 2 co-op and grappling hook revealed! originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 14 Feb 2007 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Mercenaries 2Mercenaries2Playstation 3Playstation3PS3SonyWed, 14 Feb 2007 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Mercenaries 2: some questions, some answers]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/07/mercenaries-2-some-questions-some-answers/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/07/mercenaries-2-some-questions-some-answers/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/07/mercenaries-2-some-questions-some-answers/#commentsFiled under: ,

So, we're aware that Mercenaries 2 has found a publisher in Electronic Arts, moving away from their original publisher, LucasArts. At least they're staying "Arts"-y. Yeah, that one was bad... apologies. Anyway, a recent Q&A was put into action about the new title. Here's what's worth knowing:

  • A completely new next-gen engine was built for this sequel. Also, as Pandemic Studios President Josh Resnick gracefully put it: "Aside from dealing with the scale and detail of next generation games, the engine has a fundamentally different architecture to deliver a much bigger open-world experience. The sheer number of things that you can grab, shoot, drive, fly and blow-the-crap-out-of is astonishing."
  • The original "deck of 52" device used in the first game has been set aside, opting for a new story and mission progression system.
  • Pandemic Studios is remaining mum on online multiplayer! It hurts!
  • Pandemic plans to have a more challenging title this go around and will keep actual gameplay time up to snuff with competing "open-world" titles.
  • The setting? Venezuela.

That's it for now. This seems like it'll be a pretty fun title, so long as it doesn't become a generic Grand Theft Auto meets Burnout meets Crackdown meets that atrocious Domino movie. Absolutely awful.

JoystiqMercenaries 2: some questions, some answers originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 07 Feb 2007 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Mercenaries 2Mercenaries2Pandemic StudiosPandemicStudiosPlaystation 3Playstation3PS3SonyWed, 07 Feb 2007 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[EA to publish Mercenaries 2, still PS3-only]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/01/ea-to-publish-mercenaries-2-still-ps3-only/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/01/ea-to-publish-mercenaries-2-still-ps3-only/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/01/ea-to-publish-mercenaries-2-still-ps3-only/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

ea to the rescue!How long was Pandemic's Mercenaries 2 to press on without a publisher? After LucasArts tapped out following a promising first round, it looked as if the BioWare-Pandemic conglomerate might go it alone, but then, from above, a bulging mass cast its thick shadow over the bustling Los Angeles studio. Megapublisher EA had arrived. It was time.

Pandemic has announced that EA will publish Mercenaries 2 through its EA Partners program. The game has been tossed into a tentative holiday 2007 release window and remains confirmed for PlayStation 3 only -- despite a growing archive of evidence that suggests otherwise.

JoystiqEA to publish Mercenaries 2, still PS3-only originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 01 Feb 2007 18:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BioWareEAElectronic-ArtsMercenaries2PandemicPS3Thu, 01 Feb 2007 18:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Mercenaries 2 on Xbox 360? IGN thought so, but changed mind]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/19/mercenaries-2-on-xbox-360-ign-thought-so-but-changed-mind/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/19/mercenaries-2-on-xbox-360-ign-thought-so-but-changed-mind/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/19/mercenaries-2-on-xbox-360-ign-thought-so-but-changed-mind/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

...Pandemic won't come out and say it -- but the tape displayed it. And now IGN has inflated it. "It" being the rumor that Mercenaries 2 is also being developed for Xbox 360 (the game's already confirmed for PlayStation 3). Are we still calling this a rumor?

At the end of its roundtable discussion with Pandemic, IGN posted the obligatory plug for the developer's forthcoming game, originally writing (as captured by Xbox 360 Fanboy), "Keep an eye out for their next release, Mercenaries 2, coming to Xbox 360 and PS3, as well as some cool announcements in the coming months." IGN has since revised that sentence to read: "Keep an eye out for their next release, Mercenaries 2, as well as some cool announcements in the coming months." So was the original posting a typo? Or had IGN accidentally blown the lid off one of those "cool announcements"?

JoystiqMercenaries 2 on Xbox 360? IGN thought so, but changed mind originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 19 Jan 2007 00:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>360Mercenaries 2Mercenaries2Mercs 2Mercs2PandemicPS3Xbox 360Xbox-360Xbox360Fri, 19 Jan 2007 00:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Mercenaries 2 for 360, more from Pandemic [update 2]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/18/mercenaries-2-for-360-more-from-pandemic/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/18/mercenaries-2-for-360-more-from-pandemic/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/18/mercenaries-2-for-360-more-from-pandemic/#commentsFiled under:


Update 2: IGN has revised the paragraph again, and has reinserted the phrase claiming the title is coming to both PS3 and Xbox 360. What's going on over there?

Update 1: Looks like someone at IGN spoke a little too soon. The paragraph claiming that Mercenaries 2 is coming to the Xbox 360 has been removed.

After noticing some 360 peripherals in the latest Pandemic developer video, many were led to believe that Mercenaries 2 was headed to the Xbox 360. Pandemic hasn't been shy about the possibility, but as yet no official announcements have been made. We're not sure if this is official, but IGN has now stated that the game is definitely headed to the Xbox 360. The remark is located at the tail end of an interview with Pandemic: "Keep an eye out for [Pandemic's] next release, Mercenaries 2, coming to Xbox 360 and PS3, as well as some cool announcements in the coming months." IGN may have made a mistake there, but we doubt it. So there you have it, it looks like Mercenaries 2 is definitely headed to our favorite curvy, white box.

The interview itself is actually pretty interesting, too. The subject is the importance -- or lack thereof -- of graphics in new gen games. 360 fanboys will quickly zero in on a quote concerning the PS3 vs. the Xbox 360. Coming from Pandemic's Morgan Jaffit, "If you look at the on-paper specs, the PS3 doesn't have this mythical, untapped reservoir of power. There's been a lot of talk about that, but it doesn't seem to be there." He does, however, go on to say that it's possible that the PS3 may eventually have an advantage (apparently he didn't talk to Mr. Gates)

But let's not dwell on fanboy bickering. The important thing is that Mercenaries 2 is coming to 360. It's Mercenaries 2! Hooray, Mercenaries 2!

[Thanks, Ricardo]

JoystiqMercenaries 2 for 360, more from Pandemic [update 2] originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 18 Jan 2007 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>mercenariesmercenaries 2Mercenaries2pandemicThu, 18 Jan 2007 17:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Mercenaries 2 devs spotted with 360 gear]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/22/mercenaries-2-devs-spotted-with-360-gear/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/22/mercenaries-2-devs-spotted-with-360-gear/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/22/mercenaries-2-devs-spotted-with-360-gear/#commentsFiled under:


Back in July, there was a rumor going around that Mercenaries 2 (only announced for PS3) would be heading to the Xbox 360. Via our friends at Xboxygen, we have uncovered more fuel for that particular fire. In Pandemic's latest Mercenaries 2 developer blog video, there are clear shots of both an Xbox 360 dev kit -- look for the 360 with a huge hard drive in the background -- and a developer holding a 360 controller. Of course, it's possible that the developers are working on some other secret project for the 360. However, given their previous open minded statements, we think it's fairly safe to assume Mercenaries 2 is going multiplatform. Hit the "read" link to watch the video, and remember to keep your eyes peeled.

[Via Xboxygen]

JoystiqMercenaries 2 devs spotted with 360 gear originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 22 Dec 2006 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>mercenariesmercenaries 2Mercenaries2mercs 2Mercs2pandemicFri, 22 Dec 2006 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Mercenaries 2 on Xbox 360: a tale of the tape]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/22/mercenaries-2-on-xbox-360-a-tale-of-the-tape/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/22/mercenaries-2-on-xbox-360-a-tale-of-the-tape/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/22/mercenaries-2-on-xbox-360-a-tale-of-the-tape/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

would this hold up in court?
Either the developers of Mercenaries 2 play a lot of Xbox 360 in their downtime, or Pandemic is bringing its sandbox sequel to Microsoft's console. The chances are strong, even by admission, but Mercs 2 remains exclusively tied to PlayStation 3 -- for now. So guys, care to explain all the 360 equipment cluttering the office in your latest video blog? Perhaps it's time for the official announcement...

[Via GamersReports]

JoystiqMercenaries 2 on Xbox 360: a tale of the tape originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 22 Dec 2006 13:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>360ExclusiveExclusivityMercenaries 2Mercenaries2Mercs 2Mercs2PandemicPS3Video blogVideoBlogXbox 360Xbox-360Xbox360Fri, 22 Dec 2006 13:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Mercenaries 2 uses 30% of PS3, but is that a surprise?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/26/mercenaries-2-uses-30-of-ps3-but-is-that-a-surprise/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/26/mercenaries-2-uses-30-of-ps3-but-is-that-a-surprise/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/26/mercenaries-2-uses-30-of-ps3-but-is-that-a-surprise/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The official Mercenaries 2 board has been hopping lately and the lead designer, Scott Warner, has addressed many question, a few of which are interesting. The first to strike a "hmm, neat" chord was this tidbit: " There will be an initial load when you pop the Mercs 2 disc in but there will be no loading in the game world itself." Hooray! Loading sucks. Especially when trying to cross to a different side of the city in, say, the Grand Theft Auto games. No load times is good news. While unrelated, the only other game boasting little or no load times is the PS2 RPG, Rogue Galaxy. Looks neat for those Skies of Arcadia lovers (imagine... pirates, but this time, in space!).

Now to address the subject line. Scott has admitted, "We estimate that we are currently only tapping around 30% of the PS3's potential power." But... Mercenaries 2 looks pretty nice already! Is this really news, though? Look at the first titles on most any system and compare them to titles a year later. There's a huge difference. Heck, just compare Final Fantasy 7 to Final Fantasy 8. Or... Halo to Halo 2? Not as good an example... whatever. The point is -- Sony's initial titles are already on par with competition graphically and a year behind. Granted the 360 isn't at optimum potential (usually happens at the end of a console's life), but with so much room to improve, we're all in for a treat! And a war! Look for Mercenaries 2 sometime in 2007.

JoystiqMercenaries 2 uses 30% of PS3, but is that a surprise? originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 26 Jul 2006 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Mercenaries 2Mercenaries2Playstation 3Playstation3PS3Scott WarnerScottWarnerSonyWed, 26 Jul 2006 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Pandemic "definitely considering" Mercenaries 2 for Xbox 360]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/10/pandemic-definitely-considering-mercenaries-2-for-xbox-360/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/10/pandemic-definitely-considering-mercenaries-2-for-xbox-360/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/10/pandemic-definitely-considering-mercenaries-2-for-xbox-360/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Mercenaries 2In a recent conversation with IGN, Pandemic spoke about the possibility of Mercenaries 2: World in Flames coming to Xbox 360. "Right now, we have PS3 development kits and it's on PS3, and there is no announcement, but we're definitely considering Xbox 360. There is still a lot of time and we haven't ruled the Xbox 360 out," a representative told IGN.

Interestingly, Pandemic still has not secured a publisher for its sandbox sequel. Perhaps the asking price (for publishing rights) is too high for an IP that Pandemic will continue to own and a game that -- for the time being -- is only destined for one platform. Expect an official announcement in the coming months.

JoystiqPandemic "definitely considering" Mercenaries 2 for Xbox 360 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 10 Jul 2006 15:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Mercenaries 2Mercenaries2PandemicPlayStation 3Playstation3PS3Xbox-360Mon, 10 Jul 2006 15:55:00 EST