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[Forza Horizon 'SmartGlass Experience' app now available on Windows 8]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/30/forza-horizon-smartglass-experience-app-now-available-on-windo/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/30/forza-horizon-smartglass-experience-app-now-available-on-windo/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/30/forza-horizon-smartglass-experience-app-now-available-on-windo/#comments If you've ever been playing Forza Horizon and thought "Man, I wish I could look at a tablet to see the map instead of having to hit the pause button like some kind of cave man," Microsoft has solution for your oddly specific wish.

Available now on Windows 8 and other platforms "soon," the Forza Horizon "SmartGlass Experience" moves Horizon's map from the game's pause menu to the screen of a Windows 8 tablet. There, the map continues to perform all of the same duties as it does in-game, allowing the player to set GPS destinations, get information on events, etc.

Now, however, instead of having to pause the game to look at the map, all the player has to do is put down the controller and pick up a second device to perform the same functions. Whether they pause the game first, or go careening into the side of a mountain, is entirely up to them.

Gallery: Forza Horizon (Smartglass)

Continue reading Forza Horizon 'SmartGlass Experience' app now available on Windows 8

JoystiqForza Horizon 'SmartGlass Experience' app now available on Windows 8 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 30 Oct 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>forza-horizonkinectmicrosoftMicrosoft-Game-Studiosmicrosoft-studiospcPlayground-Gamessmartglassturn-10xboxTue, 30 Oct 2012 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Final Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn vignette debuts squad]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/30/final-halo-4-forward-unto-dawn-video-debuts-squad/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/30/final-halo-4-forward-unto-dawn-video-debuts-squad/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/30/final-halo-4-forward-unto-dawn-video-debuts-squad/#comments
The final installment of the Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn vignette series debuts the Hastati squad from the Corbulo Academy of Military Science, which fight for a cause they don't seem to believe in. The live-action mini-series kicks off on Halo Waypoint and Machinima Prime on October 5.

JoystiqFinal Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn vignette debuts squad originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 30 Sep 2012 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>343-Industriesforward-unto-dawnHalohalo-4live-actionmicrosoftMicrosoft-Game-Studiosmini-seriesxboxSun, 30 Sep 2012 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Gears of War 3 'Forces of Nature' DLC emerges March 27]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/17/gears-of-war-3-forces-of-nature-dlc-emerges-march-27/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/17/gears-of-war-3-forces-of-nature-dlc-emerges-march-27/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/17/gears-of-war-3-forces-of-nature-dlc-emerges-march-27/#comments Here we were thinking the battle for humanity was wrapped up in the Gears of War universe and Epic Games goes and ruins our celebration with new downloadable content! Revealed on GTTV tonight [via Side Mission], the "Forces of Nature" DLC will add three new maps to Gears of War 3 dubbed Aftermath, Artillery, and Cove along with two returning locales, Jacinto and Raven Down.

Revealed by Epic executive produce Rod Fergusson, each map is described as taking place in the middle of or in the aftermath of a natural disaster. Gears of War 3 'Season Pass' holders will get the content free when it launches on March 27. No price was established for the DLC, but previous multiplayer DLC was made available for 800MS Points ($10).

In addition to the maps, the DLC includes four character models, three of which were previously available as a pre-order bonus (seen after the break); five new weapon skins for immediate use; and two skins only unlockable via the Forces of Nature content. It's a good thing we didn't bronze our Lancers, because it looks like more grubs need killing.

Continue reading Gears of War 3 'Forces of Nature' DLC emerges March 27

JoystiqGears of War 3 'Forces of Nature' DLC emerges March 27 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 17 Feb 2012 02:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DLCdownloadable-contentEpic-GamesGears-of-WarGears-of-War-3microsoftMicrosoft-Game-StudiosxboxFri, 17 Feb 2012 02:39:00 EST<![CDATA[Forza 4 Le Mans Series DLC Pack drops 10 new whips on Feb. 7]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/01/forza-4-le-mans-series-dlc-pack-drops-10-new-whips-on-feb-7/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/01/forza-4-le-mans-series-dlc-pack-drops-10-new-whips-on-feb-7/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/01/forza-4-le-mans-series-dlc-pack-drops-10-new-whips-on-feb-7/#comments
No, "Le Mans" isn't French for "The Dudes" -- it's the name of a city located in northwestern France that has played host to the annual "24 Hours of Lemans" endurance race since 1923. The awesome thing about Le Mans (the race, not the city) is that manufacturers build beautiful, incredibly fast vehicles specifically to handle the event's unique challenges, and those prototypes are the focus of the lastest DLC pack for Forza Motorsport 4.

Well, by "focus" we mean "there's also a Dodge Challenger owned by a UFC dude," but mostly the DLC is about Le Mans' proud racing heritage. Jump past the break for a complete breakdown of the 10 cars your 560 Microsoft Points will earn you when this pack arrives on February 7.

Gallery: Forza Motorsport 4 (February ALMS Pack)

Continue reading Forza 4 Le Mans Series DLC Pack drops 10 new whips on Feb. 7

JoystiqForza 4 Le Mans Series DLC Pack drops 10 new whips on Feb. 7 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>24-hours-of-le-mansDLCforza-4forza-motorsport-4kinectkinect-forzale-mansmicrosoftMicrosoft-Game-StudiosxboxWed, 01 Feb 2012 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PSA: Limbo now available on Mac via Steam]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/14/psa-limbo-now-available-on-mac-via-steam/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/14/psa-limbo-now-available-on-mac-via-steam/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/14/psa-limbo-now-available-on-mac-via-steam/#comments If you've been waiting for the Mac-compatible Steam release of 2010's noir-existential platformer, Limbo, know that your wait is over.

Limbo has, of course, been available via the Mac App Store for about three weeks, but the fact that Steam's version of the title includes cross-platform SteamPlay support may have been enough to convince some people to keep their credit cards in their wallets until now. All we need are 3DS and Vita ports and we'll be able to play Limbo on virtually everything we own.

JoystiqPSA: Limbo now available on Mac via Steam originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 14 Jan 2012 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>limbomacmac-app-storeMicrosoft-Game-StudiosplaydeadsteamSat, 14 Jan 2012 05:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Best of the Rest: Arthur's picks of 2011]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/03/best-of-the-rest-arthurs-picks-of-2011/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/03/best-of-the-rest-arthurs-picks-of-2011/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/03/best-of-the-rest-arthurs-picks-of-2011/#comments Battlefield 3
I love Battlefield 3. I love it almost as much as it seems to hate its players.

At least, that's the way it feels sometimes, trying to get into a game, trying to get correctly squaded up, trying to find a server with room, having to use a server browser on consoles in 2011, downloading 2 GIGABYTE patches ... y u no luv me, BF3?

But when it does love me, it loves me so well ... and there I go, into that cycle of abuse again.

Continue reading Best of the Rest: Arthur's picks of 2011

JoystiqBest of the Rest: Arthur's picks of 2011 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 03 Jan 2012 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Activisionassassins-creed-revelationsbattlefield-3BF3bulletstormcall-of-duty-modern-warfare-3DICEEAforza-4forza-motorsport-4infinity-wardMGSmicrosoftMicrosoft-Game-Studiosmodern-warfare-3pcpeople-can-flyplaystationps3rayman-originsRelic-Entertainmentsledgehammer-gamesTHQtoy-soldiers-cold-warTreyarchubisoftUbisoft-MontpellierUbisoft-Montrealwarhammer-40k-space-marinexboxTue, 03 Jan 2012 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Raam's Shadow DLC showcased in latest Gears of War 3 screens]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/08/raams-shadow-dlc-showcased-in-latest-gears-of-war-3-screens/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/08/raams-shadow-dlc-showcased-in-latest-gears-of-war-3-screens/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/08/raams-shadow-dlc-showcased-in-latest-gears-of-war-3-screens/#comments Surprisingly, the Raam's Shadow DLC for Gears of War 3 is about more than just a solemn Locust brooding in the darkness. It's also about shooting lots of stuff with enormous future guns, as portrayed in the latest screens.

Continue reading Raam's Shadow DLC showcased in latest Gears of War 3 screens

JoystiqRaam's Shadow DLC showcased in latest Gears of War 3 screens originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 08 Dec 2011 12:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dlcdownloadable-contentepicepic-gamesGears-of-War-3microsoftmicrosoft-game-studiosmicrosoft-studiosraams-shadowxboxThu, 08 Dec 2011 12:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Forza 4's next DLC features 10 new cars for $7, arrives on Dec. 6]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/30/forza-4s-next-dlc-features-10-new-cars-for-7-arrives-on-dec/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/30/forza-4s-next-dlc-features-10-new-cars-for-7-arrives-on-dec/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/30/forza-4s-next-dlc-features-10-new-cars-for-7-arrives-on-dec/#comments
Last month's delivery of DLC vehicles to Forza 4 may not have been enough for you. It was lacking something, perhaps? A certain whiff of editorial sponsorship? This month's pack should have you more than covered, with gaming site IGN teaming up with game developer Turn 10 and publisher Microsoft to release the "December IGN pack." Suddenly "November Speed Pack" sounds much more exciting than it did last month, eh?

Like November's DLC pack, this month's will come with 10 cars from across the automotive spectrum, from a modded, modern Mazda RX-8, to a not-so-modded (or modern) Alfa Romeo Spider Quadrifoglio Verde. We'll let you guess which one of those goes faster! Also like November's pack, this one is gratis should you already own the game's $30 "Season Pass," or 560 MS Points ($7) otherwise.

Head past the break for a full list of the cars.

Continue reading Forza 4's next DLC features 10 new cars for $7, arrives on Dec. 6

JoystiqForza 4's next DLC features 10 new cars for $7, arrives on Dec. 6 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 30 Nov 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dlcforza-4forza-motorsport-4kinect-forzamicrosoftmicrosoft-game-studiosmicrosoft-studiosturn-10turn-10-studiosxboxWed, 30 Nov 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[People Can Fly doing Gears of War prequel trilogy 'a likely scenario,' says OXM]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/25/people-can-fly-doing-gears-of-war-prequel-trilogy-a-likely-scen/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/25/people-can-fly-doing-gears-of-war-prequel-trilogy-a-likely-scen/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/25/people-can-fly-doing-gears-of-war-prequel-trilogy-a-likely-scen/#comments Here we are, roughly six years into the "next-generation" lifecycle and we're seeing the third installments of major franchises. In a one-year period, we'll see Resistance 3, Modern Warfare 3, Uncharted 3, Mass Effect 3, Assassin's Creed: Revolution (sort of), and Gears of War 3. And while not all of these episodes represent the end of a considered story arc, Epic Games hasn't been shy about calling Gears of War 3 the end of the line for Dom and crew. Which raises the question: Who will handle the lucrative Gears franchise going forward?

"Gears of War will live on, of course, but in what form?" the latest issue of Official Xbox Magazine posits, via CVG, before suggesting "a prequel trilogy developed by Epic-owned People Can Fly (Bulletstorm) as a likely scenario." With Bulletstorm failing to reach profitability (and presumably failing the basic litmus test for being franchised), People Can Fly will be looking for something to work on.

With three Gears titles under their belts, the core North Carolina-based Epic team may be eager to move onto greener pastures. For now, they're working on RAAM's Shadow, the first piece of campaign DLC in the Gears trilogy, and notably a prequel. Sounds like a nice way to hand things off, doesn't it?

JoystiqPeople Can Fly doing Gears of War prequel trilogy 'a likely scenario,' says OXM originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 25 Nov 2011 13:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>epic-gamesgears-of-warGears-of-War-3microsoftMicrosoft-Game-Studiosmicrosoft-studiosOXMpeople-can-flyxboxFri, 25 Nov 2011 13:15:00 EST<![CDATA[RAAM's Shadow priced and dated; Horde Command Pack maps go free on Nov 24]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/01/raams-shadow-priced-and-dated-horde-command-pack-maps-go-free/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/01/raams-shadow-priced-and-dated-horde-command-pack-maps-go-free/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/01/raams-shadow-priced-and-dated-horde-command-pack-maps-go-free/#comments If you've purchased the Gears of War 3 Horde Command Pack, now available, you've got access to three new maps titled Azura, Rustlung, and Blood Drive. However, if you wait until November 24, you'll be able to snag those three maps along with two Gears 1 favorites, Swamp and Clocktower, in the free "Versus Booster Map Pack" update. Of course, that free update leaves out the new Horde fortification upgrades, the new playable characters and weapon skins and, perhaps most importantly for some of you, the Horde Command Pack's 250 Achievement points.

But if it's single-player DLC you're interested in, RAAM's Shadow will be available on December 13 for 1200 Microsoft Points ($15). That buys you "more than three hours" of prequel gameplay, six new multiplayer characters, and another 250 Achievement points. It also gives us another opportunity to learn more about Locust war hero, General RAAM ... what are his motivations? What about his feelings?

Gallery: Gears of War 3 (Horde Command Pack)

Continue reading RAAM's Shadow priced and dated; Horde Command Pack maps go free on Nov 24

JoystiqRAAM's Shadow priced and dated; Horde Command Pack maps go free on Nov 24 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 01 Nov 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DLCepic-gamesGears-of-War-3microsoftmicrosoft-game-studiosmicrosoft-studiosraams-shadowrelease-dateversus-booster-map-packxboxTue, 01 Nov 2011 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Orcs Must Die review: Building a better Orc trap]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/05/orcs-must-die-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/05/orcs-must-die-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/05/orcs-must-die-review/#comments There truly are few things more satisfying in a video game than watching a plan of your own invention be executed with immaculate success. For all its bells, whistles and promised hordes of greenskinned invaders, the real meat of Orcs Must Die happens in the moments before your fortresses doors are kicked down. You're given as much time as you need to survey the area, choose your traps and weapons, and begin crafting piecemeal your survival strategy for the waves ahead.

There are far more layers than the game's straightforward, titular directive would suggest. Over the next few minutes, you don't just have to make all of the Orcs dead. You have to tend to that very first seed of strategy, growing it into an engine of impenetrable destruction.

Gallery: Orcs Must Die (5/4/11)

Continue reading Orcs Must Die review: Building a better Orc trap

JoystiqOrcs Must Die review: Building a better Orc trap originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 05 Oct 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftmicrosoft-game-studiosorcs-must-diepcrobot-entertainmentxblaxboxWed, 05 Oct 2011 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: Alan Wake 2 in production (for the next Xbox)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/04/rumor-alan-wake-2-in-production-for-the-next-xbox/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/04/rumor-alan-wake-2-in-production-for-the-next-xbox/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/04/rumor-alan-wake-2-in-production-for-the-next-xbox/#comments Rumors of an Alan Wake sequel have been circling about since ... well, since Alan Wake and its DLC expansions left the door wide open for one. But also since the phrase "Alan Wake 2" first appeared on an artist's resume back in May. Developer Remedy confirmed with Joystiq that it was working on more Wake, though "this next Wake installment will not be Alan Wake 2," it said. "But neither will it be DLC." How appropriately mysterious! And now a rumor from Xbox World magazine says that Remedy is indeed working on Alan Wake 2, for the next-gen Xbox.

"We hear a number of Microsoft-friendly developers are hard at work on prepping next gen games as we speak. Could this be the reason why Remedy are so quiet about Alan Wake 2? (Yes)," the magazine responded to itself. "Rare, Lionhead and Turn 10 all have teams in place too. Rare, we hear, are even prototyping ideas for a new 'mature title,'" the mag adds.

We spoke with Microsoft Studios chief Phil Spencer at E3 this year, who said he read about the project on Joystiq and had no involvement with it at that time. "I think the stuff they're doing now they wanted to incubate, Mattias and the team," Spencer said. "They wanted to incubate internally. Like I said, I don't think they've signed it with anybody." Spencer also insisted that Microsoft Studios had no next-gen games in development and was instead completely focused on Xbox 360 and Kinect software.

I think we speak for everyone (in the world) when we say that we don't care which platform Alan Wake 2 comes out on, just so long as it has a killer multiplayer deathmatch mode. We're kidding.

JoystiqRumor: Alan Wake 2 in production (for the next Xbox) originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 04 Oct 2011 16:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alan-wake-2microsoftmicrosoft-game-studiosmicrosoft-studiosremedy-entertainmentxboxxbox-720Tue, 04 Oct 2011 16:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Gears of War 3 sold over 3 million units in first week]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/29/gears-of-war-3-sold-over-3-million-units-in-first-week/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/29/gears-of-war-3-sold-over-3-million-units-in-first-week/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/29/gears-of-war-3-sold-over-3-million-units-in-first-week/#comments
Microsoft announced this morning that Gears of War 3 surpassed three million sales during its first week at retail. The publisher also reveled in this small window of opportunity to say that Gears 3, in just one week, "has already grossed more than any 2011 video game to date." That's a record it'll be lucky to hold past November 8 when Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 drops.

The success of the latest sequel also pushes the Gears of War franchise over the billion dollar mark in lifetime sales, Microsoft claims. It is also the only Xbox 360-exclusive franchise to reach this milestone after being introduced during the current console generation -- ruling out the longer-running Halo for that ultra-specific sales commendation.

Continue reading Gears of War 3 sold over 3 million units in first week

JoystiqGears of War 3 sold over 3 million units in first week originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 29 Sep 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Epic-GamesGears-of-War-3microsoftMicrosoft-Game-StudiosMicrosoft-GamessalesxboxThu, 29 Sep 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Forza Motorsport 4 gets a $30 season pass, redeemable for six DLC packs]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/22/forza-motorsport-4-gets-a-30-season-pass-redeemable-for-six-dl/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/22/forza-motorsport-4-gets-a-30-season-pass-redeemable-for-six-dl/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/22/forza-motorsport-4-gets-a-30-season-pass-redeemable-for-six-dl/#comments Turn 10 Studios has announced that it will sell a Season Pass for Forza Motorsport 4, giving players access to six DLC packs the developer plans to launch over the next year. The ticket is priced at $29.99 -- a 30 percent discount from the combined prices of the six expansions -- and comes with a bonus American Muscle car pack on launch day. Is $30 too much to spend on a Coronet Super Bee? God, we hope not.

The six DLC packs in question will launch between November 2011 and April 2012, which might be too slow a drip for the high-octane, Forza-consuming audience. We suggest Turn 10 hold off on releasing any of the DLC, and then, in the middle of February: Booyah, a thousand new cars.

Continue reading Forza Motorsport 4 gets a $30 season pass, redeemable for six DLC packs

JoystiqForza Motorsport 4 gets a $30 season pass, redeemable for six DLC packs originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 22 Sep 2011 10:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dlcforza-4forza-motorsport-4kinect-forzamicrosoftMicrosoft-Game-Studiosseason-passturn-10turn-10-studiosxboxThu, 22 Sep 2011 10:43:00 EST<![CDATA[Gears of War 3 will have 21 weapon skins for purchase on day one]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/15/gears-of-war-3-will-have-21-weapon-skins-for-purchase-on-day-one/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/15/gears-of-war-3-will-have-21-weapon-skins-for-purchase-on-day-one/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/15/gears-of-war-3-will-have-21-weapon-skins-for-purchase-on-day-one/#comments You'll be able to customize your guns for a little cash, either ala carte or in special packs, on launch day in Gears of War 3. Epic has confirmed with MTV Multiplayer that 21 different skins will be available, including floral prints, rainbows and several animated motifs.

Pricing for these weapons hasn't been revealed yet (at the moment they're listed as -1 MS Point each, which we expect to change because that's ridiculous). Producer Rod Fergusson promises to spill the beans on Friday at 5:30pm PDT during a live stream event on Twitch TV.

JoystiqGears of War 3 will have 21 weapon skins for purchase on day one originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 15 Sep 2011 19:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dlcepic-gamesGears-of-War-3microsoftMicrosoft-Game-Studiosmicrosoft-studiosweapon-skinsxboxThu, 15 Sep 2011 19:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Gears of War 3 review: The damage done]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/15/gears-of-war-3-review-the-damage-done/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/15/gears-of-war-3-review-the-damage-done/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/15/gears-of-war-3-review-the-damage-done/#comments A lot of high profile sequels are exceedingly self-conscious exercises in trying to manage player expectation, to change just enough, but throw in enough of the same to keep things familiar. Gears of War 3, on the other hand, is the most confident release this year.

The word polish is bestowed often, but Gears of War 3 is embarrassingly well assembled. Anyone who played this spring's multiplayer beta has an inkling of this. From a mechanical standpoint, the third-person, cover-based shooting in Gears has never been as fluid, as responsive to player input. Weapons feel and sound fantastic and pack the punch that previous iterations struggled with. But it isn't just those meat and potatoes aspects - or the beautiful, colorful visual palette on display, a marked departure from Gears 1 and 2 - it's the entire package. Nothing in Gears of War 3 feels like an afterthought.

Gallery: Gears of War 3 (Review)

Continue reading Gears of War 3 review: The damage done

JoystiqGears of War 3 review: The damage done originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 15 Sep 2011 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>epic-gamesgears-of-warGears-of-War-3microsoftmicrosoft-game-studiosxboxThu, 15 Sep 2011 03:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Gears of War 3 adds 3D support, we await Gears of War 3-D re-titling]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/15/gears-of-war-3-adds-3d-support-we-await-gears-of-war-3-d-re-tit/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/15/gears-of-war-3-adds-3d-support-we-await-gears-of-war-3-d-re-tit/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/15/gears-of-war-3-adds-3d-support-we-await-gears-of-war-3-d-re-tit/#comments Gears of War 3 is the latest game to leverage its numerical modifier by adding 3D support (first pioneered by classic films like Jaws 3-D and SpyKids 3-D), and joins other participants like Killzone 3, Uncharted 3, and Resistance 3. "It felt like something we wanted to have. It was a feature we didn't want to be deficient in," Gears producer Rod Fergusson told Eurogamer. "When you look at Gears 1, it was what people used to demo HD at the time."

Ironically enough, the tradeoff for 3D support in Gears 3 will be sub-HD resolutions. "Instead of 720p you're at five something," Fergusson said. "It's a little bit jaggier in certain areas." If it sounds weird to hear an Epic employee suggesting that an Epic game is anything less than a technology high-water mark, there's a reason for it: 3D support "was something that came in really late in our process," Fergusson explained. Instead of building in 3D support from the ground up, Epic instead opted for a post-processing effect that "generally works," he said. The technology is most likely TriOviz, which was accepted into Unreal Engine's Integrated Partners Program last year.

Fergusson says while 3D is still "a niche feature" we'll begin to see better support for it on the Xbox. "As you look forward, in the next [Xbox Development Kit] coming out of the Xbox, it'll have more support for 3D or more higher quality for native support for 3D," Fergusson said. "Moving forward, the Xbox will be able to take it further." And we're sure Epic and its ubiquitous Unreal Engine will be right alongside.

Update: Epic just confirmed that Gears 3 uses TriOviz. Here's the statement:
"Gears of War 3" uses Darkworks' TriOviz technology, which is integrated with Unreal Engine 3, for stereoscopic 3D support. All "Gears of War 3" gameplay and cinematics have S3D support, and this extends to split-screen play as well.

JoystiqGears of War 3 adds 3D support, we await Gears of War 3-D re-titling originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 15 Aug 2011 12:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3Depic-gamesGears-of-War-3microsoftmicrosoft-game-studiosrod-fergussonxboxMon, 15 Aug 2011 12:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Gears of War 3 campaign preview: 'End of the world, baby']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/15/gears-of-war-3-campaign-preview-end-of-the-world-baby/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/15/gears-of-war-3-campaign-preview-end-of-the-world-baby/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/15/gears-of-war-3-campaign-preview-end-of-the-world-baby/#comments It's been two years since Jacinto fell at the end of Gears of War 2. What little is left of the COG army in Gears of War 3 clings to a massive tanker, the Sovereign, which sails the coast, dispatching search parties to look for supplies. For the humans on Sera, it is their darkest hour.

The Lambent Locusts, infected by the imulsion -- the natural-flowing energy substance that once powered mankind's machines on this planet -- are the latest threat, a much more savage (and explodey) enemy. Both human and the vanilla Locust are on the run.

But with such a cliffhanger ending in Gears of War 2, why not just pick it up from there? "We wanted time to pass," executive producer Rod Fergusson told me. "We wanted things to settle in and the novels fill that gap between the second and third game. We wanted time for the weight of the war to settle in on people, for the civilization to collapse and for Dom's beard to grow in. If we [picked up from where Gears 2 left off] then we wouldn't have that weight of it being about survival and then we'd have a game where you're just cleaning up after that big battle. We wanted to make it a more personal story."

Gallery: Gears of War 3 (Act 1)

Continue reading Gears of War 3 campaign preview: 'End of the world, baby'

JoystiqGears of War 3 campaign preview: 'End of the world, baby' originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 15 Aug 2011 09:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>epicepic-gamesGears-of-War-3microsoftMicrosoft-Game-Studiosmicrosoft-gamesrod-fergussonxboxMon, 15 Aug 2011 09:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Fable: The Journey won't have swords or guns due to lack of feedback]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/11/fable-the-journey-wont-have-swords-or-guns-due-to-lack-of-feed/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/11/fable-the-journey-wont-have-swords-or-guns-due-to-lack-of-feed/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/11/fable-the-journey-wont-have-swords-or-guns-due-to-lack-of-feed/#comments If you tend to stick to the trees of Strength and Skill in the Fable series, you'll be out of your element in the series' Kinect-based installment, Fable: The Journey. In an interview with OXM, Peter Molyneux explained the player's bag of tricks would be limited strictly to magic. He added, "We could have done melee weapons, but the one thing I hate about melee weapons, and guns as well, is that the human brain is encoded to expect recoil from those things."

Molyneux said that satisfying that expectation of physical feedback was necessary, and that "visuals and the sound isn't enough." It's that weakness that makes the game's robust magic system work. Molyneux explained, "The thing about magic is there's nothing encoded in your mind about how it should feel." That's true! The only preconception we have in mind about magic is that it probably requires a lot of gesticulation; something we know for a fact the Kinect excels at.

JoystiqFable: The Journey won't have swords or guns due to lack of feedback originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 11 Aug 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fable-the-journeykinectLionheadmicrosoftMicrosoft-Game-StudiosPeter-MolyneuxrpgxboxThu, 11 Aug 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Forza 4 dev diary takes a lap around the Bernese Alps]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/04/forza-4-dev-diary-takes-a-lap-around-the-bernese-alps/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/04/forza-4-dev-diary-takes-a-lap-around-the-bernese-alps/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/04/forza-4-dev-diary-takes-a-lap-around-the-bernese-alps/#comments
A lot of work goes into creating a course in Forza Motorsport 4. Turn 10 Studios toured the Bernese Alps, taking countless photos to recreate the famous mountain range. See a recounting of that process in this developer diary.

JoystiqForza 4 dev diary takes a lap around the Bernese Alps originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 04 Aug 2011 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>forza-4forza-motorsport-4kinect-forzamicrosoftmicrosoft-game-studiosmicrosoft-gamesturn-10turn-10-studiosxboxThu, 04 Aug 2011 22:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Epic on Gears of War 3 leak: 'saddening' and 'frustrating']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/03/epic-on-gears-of-war-3-leak-saddening-and-frustrating/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/03/epic-on-gears-of-war-3-leak-saddening-and-frustrating/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/03/epic-on-gears-of-war-3-leak-saddening-and-frustrating/#comments As you might imagine, Epic Games wasn't exactly thrilled when an unfinished version of Gears of War 3 leaked onto torrent sites early last month. Executive producer Rod Fergusson told Edge in a recent interview that the breach was "saddening" and "frustrating," mostly because some fans were choosing to "ruin their own experience" before the full game's launch.

Fergusson specifically called out folks who shared video of the leaked game online, adding, "I get people going, 'oh no, I just watched this thing on YouTube and it's totally given away something'. And I go, 'well, why did you go looking and why did you watch it?" Probably the same reason why we can't stop going to Nicolas Cage movies: We can't not watch them, despite the fact that they're pretty harmful to the human psyche.

JoystiqEpic on Gears of War 3 leak: 'saddening' and 'frustrating' originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 03 Aug 2011 00:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>epic-gamesgears-of-warGears-of-War-3leakmicrosoftMicrosoft-Game-Studiosrod-fergussonxboxWed, 03 Aug 2011 00:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Orcs Must Die! coming to PC and XBLA this summer, Comic-Con this weekend]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/18/orcs-must-die-coming-to-pc-and-xbla-this-summer-comic-con-this/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/18/orcs-must-die-coming-to-pc-and-xbla-this-summer-comic-con-this/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/18/orcs-must-die-coming-to-pc-and-xbla-this-summer-comic-con-this/#comments Robot Entertainment announced today that third-person tower defender Orcs Must Die! will be published by Microsoft Studios and available later this summer for PC and Xbox Live Arcade. The developer previously gave us a window of "late August or early September."

Orcs Must Die! will be playable this weekend at San Diego Comic-Con in the Xbox Lounge, located at the Hard Rock Hotel, and Robot Entertainment will have an OMD prequel comic book available at the show.

Not going to Comic-Con, but still want to get your hands on the transmedia companion fiction that is sure to deliver Great Gatsby nuance to the Orcs Must Die universe? Don't worry, the comic will be available in a digital format "later this summer, also at no charge."

Continue reading Orcs Must Die! coming to PC and XBLA this summer, Comic-Con this weekend

JoystiqOrcs Must Die! coming to PC and XBLA this summer, Comic-Con this weekend originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 18 Jul 2011 10:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Comic-Con-2011microsoftMicrosoft-Game-Studiosmicrosoft-studiosorcs-must-diepcrobot-entertainmentxboxMon, 18 Jul 2011 10:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft signs skeleton-filled strategy title Skulls of the Shogun for XBLA]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/15/microsoft-signs-skeleton-filled-strategy-title-skulls-of-the-sho/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/15/microsoft-signs-skeleton-filled-strategy-title-skulls-of-the-sho/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/15/microsoft-signs-skeleton-filled-strategy-title-skulls-of-the-sho/#comments Microsoft has snapped up exclusive publishing rights to the first game from Haunted Temple Studios, the dev established by former EA Los Angeles staffers Jake Kazdal, Ben Vance and Borut Pfeifer. Under the agreement, the trio's original strategy offering, Skulls of the Shogun (which we first previewed here), will debut on Xbox Live Arcade under the Microsoft Game Studios banner.

Haunted Temple's Kazdal, who worked on EA and Steven Spielburg's canned Project LMNO with his two studio-mates, told Gamasutra that Microsoft "totally got" Skulls of the Shogun and "have been fully behind it" since signing it. "The support we're getting out of them has been seriously as much as I could ever ask for," he added.

The game, which we've made no bones about loving so far, is due out this fall.

JoystiqMicrosoft signs skeleton-filled strategy title Skulls of the Shogun for XBLA originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 15 Jul 2011 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Haunted-Temple-StudiosindiemicrosoftMicrosoft-Game-Studiosskulls-of-the-shogunstrategyxblaxboxFri, 15 Jul 2011 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Experience 21x XP during Gears 2's 4th of July weekend]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/02/experience-21x-xp-during-gears-2s-4th-of-july-weekend/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/02/experience-21x-xp-during-gears-2s-4th-of-july-weekend/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/02/experience-21x-xp-during-gears-2s-4th-of-july-weekend/#comments We have a sneaking suspicion that Epic Games' Joe Graf may actually be a real-life hobbit in disguise, because he's giving everyone else presents on his birthday. In celebration of his 42 years of being alive (as well as that whole American freedom thing), Epic Games has turned Gears of War 2's XP knob all the way up to 21-times-normal from now until 9 A.M. EDT on July 5th.

The game has also been tweaked to provide 4-times the normal amount of ammunition for the Hammer of Dawn, as well as the mortar, so those without fireworks can have almost as much fun blowing things up in their living rooms over the holiday weekend. Virtual things, we mean ... let's not nuke the coffee table, alright?

JoystiqExperience 21x XP during Gears 2's 4th of July weekend originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 02 Jul 2011 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bonus-xpbonus-xp-weekendEpicEpic-GamesGears-of-war-2Joe-Grafmicrosoftmicrosoft-game-studiosxboxSat, 02 Jul 2011 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Gears of War 3 grants extra goodies to previous Gears players]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/25/gears-of-war-3-grants-extra-goodies-to-previous-gears-players/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/25/gears-of-war-3-grants-extra-goodies-to-previous-gears-players/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/25/gears-of-war-3-grants-extra-goodies-to-previous-gears-players/#comments If you got yourself a golden Lancer or Hammerburst (or both) in Gears of War 2, worry not about your bling when Gears of War 3 launches on September 20 -- they'll transfer over, Epic producer Rod Fergusson told MTV Multiplayer. Other unlockables tied to older Gears of War games will mainly revolve around Achievements.

"If you did something in Gears PC you get a chrome skin, if you did something in Gears 2 you get a chrome skin. The chrome set is sort of our thank you to people who played our games in the past." Fergusson also hinted at an incentive for those who've hit level 100 and unlocked the Veteran Gear Achievement in Gears 2, though he wouldn't provide exact details on what having that Achievement would mean in Gears 3.

Better get cracking if you're looking to get that "Seriously" Achievement in the original Gears of War!

JoystiqGears of War 3 grants extra goodies to previous Gears players originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 25 Jun 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Achievementsepic-gamesgears-of-warGears-of-War-3microsoftMicrosoft-Game-StudiosxboxSat, 25 Jun 2011 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Gears of War 3's Anya briefs us on Horde 2.0]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/22/gears-of-war-3s-anya-briefs-us-on-horde-2-0/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/22/gears-of-war-3s-anya-briefs-us-on-horde-2-0/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/22/gears-of-war-3s-anya-briefs-us-on-horde-2-0/#comments While we've already said our two pennies' worth on the revamped Horde mode in Gears of War 3, some of you may appreciate having actual pictures to look at, as opposed to those mental pictures we try to paint with words. And this video is, like, a ton of pictures -- moving ones, at that!

Continue reading Gears of War 3's Anya briefs us on Horde 2.0

JoystiqGears of War 3's Anya briefs us on Horde 2.0 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 22 Jun 2011 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anyaepic-gamesGears-of-War-3horde-modemicrosoftmicrosoft-game-studiosmicrosoft-gamesxboxWed, 22 Jun 2011 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft Studios hasn't signed next Alan Wake project, would 'love to work with Remedy again']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/10/microsoft-studios-hasnt-signed-next-alan-wake-project-would-l/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/10/microsoft-studios-hasnt-signed-next-alan-wake-project-would-l/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/10/microsoft-studios-hasnt-signed-next-alan-wake-project-would-l/#comments Oskari Häkkinen, head of franchise development for Finnish developer Remedy Entertainment, told Joystiq last month that, in fact, a new Alan Wake project was under development. Admittedly, we were getting a little ahead of ourselves when we arrived at E3 this year in full Alan Wake cosplay so the absence of the latest A. Wake project - rumored to be an XBLA title called Alan Wake's Night Springs - hit us pretty hard.

So we tracked down Microsoft Studios chief Phil Spencer to grill him about Remedy's reveal and the dearth of Alan Wake games in Microsoft's E3 lineup. "I read that," Spencer said, laughing about the news. "I don't know that they've signed it with anybody." While Spencer told us that Wake "didn't sell as well as we would have liked," he was clear that it wouldn't affect their working relationship. "I'd love to work with Remedy again," he told us. "We have ongoing conversations with them."

So if Microsoft isn't privy to what Remedy's working on, who is? "I think the stuff they're doing now they wanted to incubate, Mattias and the team," Spencer said. "They wanted to incubate internally. Like I said, I don't think they've signed it with anybody." Well, as long as that's the case, we'll have our Joystiq Publishing representatives get in touch with Remedy and work something out. Our backrub-heavy royalty system is an industry first.

JoystiqMicrosoft Studios hasn't signed next Alan Wake project, would 'love to work with Remedy again' originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 10 Jun 2011 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Alan-Wakealan-wake-2Alan-Wake-Night-Springse3-2011microsoftMicrosoft-Game-StudiosMicrosoft-StudiosPhil-SpencerRemedy-EntertainmentxboxFri, 10 Jun 2011 01:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Gears of War 3 single-player preview: Two paths coming together]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/08/gears-of-war-3-single-player-preview-two-paths-coming-together/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/08/gears-of-war-3-single-player-preview-two-paths-coming-together/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/08/gears-of-war-3-single-player-preview-two-paths-coming-together/#comments During Microsoft's E3 2011 press conference, Cliff Bleszinski and Ice-T took to the stage to show off some single-player co-op action in Gears of War 3. In a small room high above Microsoft's booth here at the LA Convention Center, I was given an extended look at that sequence by Bleszinski himself, who was keen to show me the destructive capabilities of the mech, which I would ultimately get to see more of in my time with Horde mode.

As you can imagine, the Silverback mech is pretty powerful. But before we could get to that, Bleszinski set the scene. "The section we saw at the press conference showed Marcus and Dom on a flotilla, dealing with a Lambent Leviathan. It's ultimately taken out by them in a Silverback while Cole and Baird up above take a giant crate of Tickers and empty it onto it. Once we're done with Marcus and Dom, we're going to swap over to Cole and Baird and play with them during that same sequence."

Gallery: Gears of War 3 (E3 2011)

Continue reading Gears of War 3 single-player preview: Two paths coming together

JoystiqGears of War 3 single-player preview: Two paths coming together originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 08 Jun 2011 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cliff-bleszinskie3e3-2011EpicGears-of-War-3microsoftMicrosoft-Game-Studiosmicrosoft-gamesxboxWed, 08 Jun 2011 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Gears of War 3 Horde mode preview: Cash, challenge waves and boss battles, oh my!]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/08/gears-of-war-3-horde-mode-preview-cash-challenge-waves-and-bos/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/08/gears-of-war-3-horde-mode-preview-cash-challenge-waves-and-bos/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/08/gears-of-war-3-horde-mode-preview-cash-challenge-waves-and-bos/#comments Epic has been waiting to reveal Horde mode for Gears of War 3 for quite some time. I was able to go through two different sessions, ten waves a piece, each putting me Lancer-to-face with some of the Locust horde's toughest enemies. Make no mistake: some of the tougher nasties from Gears of War 2 make a return, but now COG soldiers have to take down Berserkers and immulsion-infected Lambent Locust, too.

But that's not the biggest change. Horde mode is now held up by a cash system. Players earn skrilla by killing enemies and surviving waves. Cash goes into everything: ammo, new guns (save for the ones picked up from dead enemies, of course), barriers, decoys, turrets and the Silverback, a bipedal mech sporting dual chainguns and some rocket launchers (it was shown during the Microsoft E3 2011 press conference). Cash can also resurrect players, and can be shared with all teammates via a handy chest.

Gallery: Gears of War 3 (Horde mode)

Continue reading Gears of War 3 Horde mode preview: Cash, challenge waves and boss battles, oh my!

JoystiqGears of War 3 Horde mode preview: Cash, challenge waves and boss battles, oh my! originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 08 Jun 2011 11:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3e3-2011epic-gamesGears-of-War-3horde-modemicrosoftmicrosoft-game-studiosxboxWed, 08 Jun 2011 11:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Fable: The Journey preview: Speak and spell]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/08/fable-the-journey-preview-speak-and-spell/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/08/fable-the-journey-preview-speak-and-spell/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/08/fable-the-journey-preview-speak-and-spell/#comments Shortly after Fable 3 was first announced, Peter Molyneux announced that it would include support for what was then called Project Natal. Of course, the final game abandoned that ambition with Molyneux explaining that in order to do right by both Kinect and Fable, his team at Lionhead simply needed more development time. So when Microsoft announced a Kinect-exclusive Fable game during yesterday's press conference - titled Fable: The Journey - it might seem obvious that some of that jettisoned Fable 3 content had been repackaged as a standalone Kinect title ... except it hasn't. "Whilst we thought about doing a gimmick or two for Fable 3, it was always in the back of my mind that it would be great to do a Fable for Kinect," Molyneux explained in his second demo ever for the new title.

In fact, the team working on The Journey isn't even the same as the team that made Fable 3. When he explained that the Journey team had two years worth of experience developing for Kinect, we had to ask you know what. "A lot of the team were working on Milo," Peter admitted after getting a nod from the game's marketing manager in the back of the room. "A lot of the Milo tech we're not showing off. This is the first outing of this so we're keeping some of our big stuff safe behind. A lot of the stuff you can do in Fable: The Journey is some of the stuff that was originally found in Milo."

Gallery: Fable: The Journey (E3 2011)

Continue reading Fable: The Journey preview: Speak and spell

JoystiqFable: The Journey preview: Speak and spell originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 08 Jun 2011 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3e3-2011fable-the-journeykinectLionhead-Studiosmicrosoftmicrosoft-game-studiospeter-molyneuxxboxWed, 08 Jun 2011 05:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary vs Halo: Combat Evolved: FIGHT!]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/07/halo-combat-evolved-anniversary-vs-halo-combat-evolved-fight/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/07/halo-combat-evolved-anniversary-vs-halo-combat-evolved-fight/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/07/halo-combat-evolved-anniversary-vs-halo-combat-evolved-fight/#comments You've seen Halo: Combat Evolved. You've seen Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary. But have you seen the two compared side-by-side? We've got you covered! As seen above and in the gallery below, the remastered version of the original Halo has seen some pretty enormous updates. Check out that lighting!

Continue reading Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary vs Halo: Combat Evolved: FIGHT!

JoystiqHalo: Combat Evolved Anniversary vs Halo: Combat Evolved: FIGHT! originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 07 Jun 2011 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>343-industriesbungiebungie-studioshalo-combat-evolvedhalo-combat-evolved-anniversarymicrosoftmicrosoft-game-studiosmicrosoft-studiossaber-interactivexboxTue, 07 Jun 2011 02:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Gears of War limited edition Xbox 360 bundle on Sept. 20 for $399; controller for $59.99 on August 11]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/06/gears-of-war-limited-edition-xbox-360-bundle-on-sept-20-for-39/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/06/gears-of-war-limited-edition-xbox-360-bundle-on-sept-20-for-39/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/06/gears-of-war-limited-edition-xbox-360-bundle-on-sept-20-for-39/#comments Sure, you've seen the footage on Gears of War 3, but without an Xbox 360, how are you going to gunsaw dudebeasts in half? Well, with a limited edition branded console, of course! Epic and Microsoft are teaming up to offer not only a special console bundle pack, but also custom, individual controllers -- both of which will be accompanied by download tokens for in-game content.

For $399, you can snag the console bundle (which has special sound effects like the Halo: Reach console), which features a 320gb hard drive, two Gears of War 3-branded wireless controllers, a copy of the game, headset and two pieces of DLC: the Infected Omen Weapon pack, skins for the game's starting weapons (the Lancer, Retro Lancer, Gnasher, Hammerburst and Sawed-Off Shotgun) and the Adam Fenix multiplayer character. This bundle goes on sale September 20.

If you're looking for just a special controller, you can snag one of them for $59.99 starting on August 11 -- which has that new transforming d-pad and the aforementioned in-game content. Hit the gallery below for some shots of the new hardware, conveniently posed up against a red wall. So much red!

Gallery: Gears of War 3 Limited Edition console/controller

JoystiqGears of War limited edition Xbox 360 bundle on Sept. 20 for $399; controller for $59.99 on August 11 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 06 Jun 2011 23:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>consolee3e3-2011epicGears-of-War-3gears-of-war-3-consolegears-of-war-3-limited-edition-consolelimited-edition-consolemicrosoftmicrosoft-game-studiosxboxxbox-360-sMon, 06 Jun 2011 23:41:00 EST<![CDATA[Fable: The Journey conjures up a trailer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/06/fable-the-journey-conjures-up-a-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/06/fable-the-journey-conjures-up-a-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/06/fable-the-journey-conjures-up-a-trailer/#comments
While you won't see any Kinect-enabled spells casted in this pre-rendered trailer for Fable: The Journey, there may be a few morsels of info in here. The trailer stars the series longtime prognosticator and narrator, Theresa, as she flees from a very The Nothing-like cloud of evil. Dare we say it, she looks a little younger than her previous iterations. Do we smell a prequel? Check it out after the break.

Continue reading Fable: The Journey conjures up a trailer

JoystiqFable: The Journey conjures up a trailer originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 06 Jun 2011 22:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3-2011fable-the-journeykinectlionheadmicrosoftmicrosoft-game-studiosxboxMon, 06 Jun 2011 22:42:00 EST<![CDATA[Gears of War 3 co-op gameplay footage from E3]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/06/gears-of-war-3-co-op-gameplay-footage-from-e3/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/06/gears-of-war-3-co-op-gameplay-footage-from-e3/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/06/gears-of-war-3-co-op-gameplay-footage-from-e3/#comments Keen on seeing Cliff Bleszinski and faux-detective Ice-T take on the stage three boss from Contra? Mantle on past the break and see the gameplay demo for yourself, direct from the E3 2011 Microsoft press conference stage.

Continue reading Gears of War 3 co-op gameplay footage from E3

JoystiqGears of War 3 co-op gameplay footage from E3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 06 Jun 2011 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3e3-2011epic-gamesGears-of-War-3microsoftmicrosoft-game-studiosxboxMon, 06 Jun 2011 19:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Here's what the 'new' New Xbox Experience looks like]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/06/heres-what-the-new-new-xbox-experience-looks-like/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/06/heres-what-the-new-new-xbox-experience-looks-like/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/06/heres-what-the-new-new-xbox-experience-looks-like/#comments Anxious to see how your Xbox 360's UI will transform this fall? We've got some new images for you to flip through -- you can't gesture through our gallery, but you can click through. That's kinda the same thing, right? Right?

Gallery: New Xbox Experience (2011)

JoystiqHere's what the 'new' New Xbox Experience looks like originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 06 Jun 2011 16:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3-2011microsoftMicrosoft-Game-Studiosnew-new-new-xbox-experiencenew-new-xbox-experiencenew-xbox-experiencenewer-new-xbox-experiencexboxMon, 06 Jun 2011 16:22:00 EST<![CDATA[Halo 4 finishes the fight (again) in 2012 [Update: teaser trailer!]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/06/halo-4/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/06/halo-4/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/06/halo-4/#comments At Microsoft's E3 2011 keynote today at the Galen Center, Halo 4 was officially announced -- surprise! Master Chief and Cortana are back (kicking off a new trilogy, apparently), the brief teaser trailer showed. 343 Industries is at the reigns with a Holiday 2012 launch date proposed.

Update: Hit the jump for the teaser!

Continue reading Halo 4 finishes the fight (again) in 2012 [Update: teaser trailer!]

JoystiqHalo 4 finishes the fight (again) in 2012 [Update: teaser trailer!] originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 06 Jun 2011 13:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>343-industriese3-2011halohalo-4microsoftmicrosoft-game-studiosrelease-datexboxMon, 06 Jun 2011 13:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary coming November 15, 2011]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/06/halo-combat-evolved-anniversary/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/06/halo-combat-evolved-anniversary/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/06/halo-combat-evolved-anniversary/#comments As expected, Microsoft has announced a remake for Halo: Combat Evolved to celebrate the series' 10th anniversary. The revamped version of the original Xbox launch title will deploy on November 15, 2011, boasting assassinations, online co-op and a fully remastered campaign.

Update: David Ellis, 343 Industries' content producer, hit Twitter to clarify that you can "switch between classic & new graphics" in Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary. Good to know!

JoystiqHalo: Combat Evolved Anniversary coming November 15, 2011 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 06 Jun 2011 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bungie-studiose3-2011halo-combat-evolved-anniversarymicrosoftmicrosoft-game-studiosrelease-datexboxMon, 06 Jun 2011 13:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: Halo 4, Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary revealed early by Microsoft]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/06/rumor-halo-4-halo-combat-evolved-anniversary-revealed-early-b/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/06/rumor-halo-4-halo-combat-evolved-anniversary-revealed-early-b/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/06/rumor-halo-4-halo-combat-evolved-anniversary-revealed-early-b/#comments Halo 4? Halo: Combat Evolved ... Anniversary? Wait ... Halo 4?! Allegedly, these titles (and more) were revealed by Microsoft itself, hours ahead of its 10AM (PT) press conference, on the company's E3 community site. NowGamer supposedly spotted the posting, which has since been removed by Microsoft, but not before a mess of details were loosed. Among them: news that "Halo 4 is on the way."

A scene from the end of Halo 3 prefaces the news, which also teases "but that's not all." As we reported back in February, a Halo: Combat Evolved "remaster" is also apparently in the pipeline. The image says nothing beyond the game being "remastered for a new generation," and dubs it "Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary" -- just in time for the ten year anniversary of Halo 1's original launch in November of 2001. We've reached out to Microsoft for comment, but we imagine we won't hear anything back until Microsoft's official presser in a few hours.

JoystiqRumor: Halo 4, Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary revealed early by Microsoft originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 06 Jun 2011 10:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>halo-4halo-combat-evolved-anniversaryleakmicrosoftmicrosoft-game-studiosxboxMon, 06 Jun 2011 10:46:00 EST<![CDATA[Forza 4's Kinect head tracking features previewed on video]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/02/forza-4s-kinect-head-tracking-features-previewed-on-video/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/02/forza-4s-kinect-head-tracking-features-previewed-on-video/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/02/forza-4s-kinect-head-tracking-features-previewed-on-video/#comments There are two things that every discerning gamer needs to see in the Major's Minute video posted below. First: the Kinect-based head tracking features of Forza Motorsport 4, which look exceptionally neat. Second: the steely, Earnhardtian gaze of Major Nelson behind the wheel of a virtual stock car.

Continue reading Forza 4's Kinect head tracking features previewed on video

JoystiqForza 4's Kinect head tracking features previewed on video originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 02 Jun 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>forza-4forza-motorsport-4kinect-forzamajors-minutemicrosoftMicrosoft-Game-Studiosturn-10xboxThu, 02 Jun 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Gears of War 3 campaign trailer is a great soccer moment]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/28/gears-of-war-3-campaign-trailer-is-a-great-soccer-moment/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/28/gears-of-war-3-campaign-trailer-is-a-great-soccer-moment/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/28/gears-of-war-3-campaign-trailer-is-a-great-soccer-moment/#comments For us, the most exciting part of the Champions League Final was when that grotesque tentacle-necked monster started tossing cars around, while Black Sabbath's "War Pigs" played in the background.

Or did that happen in the Gears of War 3 campaign trailer that premiered after the game? We might be getting the two mixed up. We'll watch the trailer again (after the break) to straighten the situation out.

Continue reading Gears of War 3 campaign trailer is a great soccer moment

JoystiqGears of War 3 campaign trailer is a great soccer moment originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 28 May 2011 18:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>epic-gamesGears-of-War-3microsoftmicrosoft-game-studiosoh-lord-yeahxboxSat, 28 May 2011 18:10:00 EST