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[Report: Microsoft reduces staff at Vancouver studio, cans 'Project Columbia' for Kinect]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/25/report-microsoft-reduces-staff-at-vancouver-studio-cans-proje/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/25/report-microsoft-reduces-staff-at-vancouver-studio-cans-proje/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/25/report-microsoft-reduces-staff-at-vancouver-studio-cans-proje/#comments Report Microsoft reduces staff at Vancouver studio, cans 'Project Columbia' for KinectMicrosoft has confirmed that a "small" number of positions at its Vancouver-based development studio have been terminated. According to an official statement, the roles were no longer deemed necessary after development ceased on Microsoft's free-to-play Flight, which was released in February, and an unreleased Kinect project known only as "Columbia."

Project Columbia, as described in late 2011, was to be an educational Kinect title meant to engage young players by pairing books with interactive music and illustrations. It was being designed in collaboration with Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit (and muppet-infused) educational organization.

A report on Kotaku brought the layoffs to light earlier today, after several former employees of the Vancouver studio shared the news on Twitter. A Microsoft Studios spokesperson claims "human resources is working with the affected individuals to find new roles within the company," and that Microsoft remains invested in the British Columbia games industry.

JoystiqReport: Microsoft reduces staff at Vancouver studio, cans 'Project Columbia' for Kinect originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 25 Jul 2012 23:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>kinectlayoffsmicrosoftmicrosoft-flightmicrosoft-studiosmicrosoft-studios-vancouverproject-columbiasesame-workshopvancouverxboxWed, 25 Jul 2012 23:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft Flight is free as a bird on Feb. 29]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/06/microsoft-flight-is-free-as-a-bird-on-feb-29/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/06/microsoft-flight-is-free-as-a-bird-on-feb-29/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/06/microsoft-flight-is-free-as-a-bird-on-feb-29/#comments
Microsoft clearly has no care for the silly paramaters we call "seasons," as its launching Microsoft Flight on February 29, bucking the original "spring" launch window. Microsoft Flight's official site will be hosting downloads of the free application starting that Wednesday -- no other distribution channels are named, but we suspect it'll also be up on Games for Windows Live's Marketplace as well.

That guess' accuracy is bolstered by the news that the "Hawaiian Adventure Pack" wil be made available as well on the 29th, coming in at $19.99. The pack is said to include the "remaining Hawaiian Islands, a new plane, and 20 new missions," should you have already exhausted your enjoyment of the other content, perhaps during the simulation's beta period. More details on the DLC can be found just after the break, including two additional planes, priced at $7.99 and $14.99 (for regular and "deluxe" models, respectively).

At this point, we were gonna make a flippant joke about Flight being little more than flying simulation, but then we thought about that Louis CK bit and started feeling all guilty. So, here we are. Either way, how about those DLC prices, eh? Madness!

Gallery: Microsoft Flight (Hawaiian Adventure Pack)

Continue reading Microsoft Flight is free as a bird on Feb. 29

JoystiqMicrosoft Flight is free as a bird on Feb. 29 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>flight-simflight-simulationmicrosoft-flightmicrosoft-studiospcq1-2012release-datesimulationMon, 06 Feb 2012 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft's free-to-play Flight lands this spring]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/04/microsofts-free-to-play-flight-lands-this-spring/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/04/microsofts-free-to-play-flight-lands-this-spring/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/04/microsofts-free-to-play-flight-lands-this-spring/#comments
Flight simulator enthusiasts are a very specific, complex subsect of the gaming world. Their passion for checklists and indecipherable user interfaces places them at an almost MMO-level of dedication and persistence, and -- like the popular multiplayer RPGs -- flight sims are starting to make the leap to free-to-play.

Microsoft Flight will bring affordable ailerons and aerofoils to PC pilots this spring, according to an update on Major Nelson's blog. Everyone will have access to free crashes aircraft, though those who sign in with a Games for Windows Live account will receive additional free planes, missions and access to those sweet 'chievos.

The sim will also include the ICON A5, an amphibious, lightweight vehicle which doesn't enter real-world commercial production until the end of this year. Microsoft's PR describes the A5 as "the jet ski for the skies," which sounds like the most terrifying, fantastic way to die.

Prospective pilots can still sign up for that closed beta we mentioned by clicking here, presumably after strapping on goggles and a dashing scarf.

JoystiqMicrosoft's free-to-play Flight lands this spring originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 04 Jan 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>closed-betaflight-simflight-simulatorfree-to-playICON-A5microsoftmicrosoft-flightpcrelease-datesimsspringspring-2012Wed, 04 Jan 2012 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft Flight accepting beta applications, fasten seatbelt sign on]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/03/microsoft-flight-accepting-beta-applications-fasten-seatbelt-si/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/03/microsoft-flight-accepting-beta-applications-fasten-seatbelt-si/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/03/microsoft-flight-accepting-beta-applications-fasten-seatbelt-si/#comments

Microsoft Flight, a revamped, streamlined flight simulator-slash-game, is accepting applications for its beta program right now. The Microsoft Flight beta is scheduled to begin in January, and the dev team is accepting applications via Microsoft Connect for some brave pilots to try it before everyone else rides it. Applications sent to the Microsoft Flight email will not be reviewed for the beta, so do it right, or don't do it at all. Remember, when you're handling a 100-foot steel tube 32,000 feet above the earth, you only get one chance to get it perfect.

JoystiqMicrosoft Flight accepting beta applications, fasten seatbelt sign on originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 03 Dec 2011 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betabeta-applicationflight-simulatorMicrosoftmicrosoft-flightpcSat, 03 Dec 2011 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA['Microsoft Flight' announced ... minus the 'Simulator']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/17/microsoft-flight-announced-minus-the-simulator/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/17/microsoft-flight-announced-minus-the-simulator/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/17/microsoft-flight-announced-minus-the-simulator/#commentsFiled under: , ,

[Flight Simultator History]
Tucked away within the press release for Age of Empires Online was the announcement of a new entry in a really long-lived Microsoft game series: Microsoft Flight Simulator. The latest Windows-exclusive title, now called simply Microsoft Flight, "will bring a new perspective to the long-standing genre," according to the press release, "welcoming everyone, including long-time fans, to experience the magic of flight."

There are no details beyond that, and the listed website is not live at the moment. However, the "welcoming everyone" language combined with the symbolic omission of the word "simulator" gives us an idea of what to expect: a more game-like, streamlined experience.

Update: The site is now live, featuring a teaser video -- which you can also see after the break.

Continue reading 'Microsoft Flight' announced ... minus the 'Simulator'

Joystiq'Microsoft Flight' announced ... minus the 'Simulator' originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 17 Aug 2010 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>flight-simulatormicrosoftmicrosoft-flightmicrosoft-flight-simulatorpcwindowsTue, 17 Aug 2010 01:00:00 EST