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[Banjo-Tooie to beat up on XBLA this April]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/27/banjo-tooie-to-beat-up-on-xbla-this-april/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/27/banjo-tooie-to-beat-up-on-xbla-this-april/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/27/banjo-tooie-to-beat-up-on-xbla-this-april/#commentsFiled under: ,

When Microsoft said Banjo-Tooie was coming to Xbox Live Arcade in early 2009, we were hoping for something in the first quarter or so. Rare's announcement this week puts the game just beyond that window and into April.

Rare is calling it a "note-perfect migration" with upped graphics and framerate. BT will also feature the ill-fated Stop 'n' Swop, a relic from the Nintendo 64 days allowing items collected in Banjo-Kazooie to materialize in the sequel. No indication on what such items will be or how they'll affect gameplay. As for the cost, mum's the word for now, but our guess is it'll be at or near BK's 1200 ($15) price tag.

Gallery: Banjo-Tooie (XBLA)

JoystiqBanjo-Tooie to beat up on XBLA this April originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 27 Jan 2009 12:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>banjoBanjo-KazooieBanjo-Kazooie-2banjo-tooiekazooiemgsmicrosoftMicrosoft-Game-Studiosmicrosoft-games-studiomicrosoft-xbox-360raretooiexblaxbox-360xbox-live-arcadeTue, 27 Jan 2009 12:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft exec. sends breakup letter to Ensemble]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/10/microsoft-exec-sends-breakup-letter-to-ensemble/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/10/microsoft-exec-sends-breakup-letter-to-ensemble/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/10/microsoft-exec-sends-breakup-letter-to-ensemble/#commentsFiled under: ,


GI.biz got a hold of the letter sent out by Phil Spencer, big cheese of Microsoft Games Studios, to the staff about the closure of Ensemble Studios. He explains that the closure isn't Ensemble's fault, it's Microsoft's; the company just needs to grow, and is "accountable for making tradeoffs and the right level of investments that will drive profit and future growth."

Of course, like any good break-up, Spencer still wants to be friends with the newly dejected. He says that Microsoft will try to pick up any employees not moving on to the new company being started by Ensemble's leadership team. Spencer emphasizes in the letter that Microsoft is still heavily invested in making video games, but is looking to put the money where it can get "the most ROI" (return on investment) -- and yet, Rare survives? We'll take that to mean Microsoft wasn't getting the bang for its buck from RTS-developer Ensemble.

JoystiqMicrosoft exec. sends breakup letter to Ensemble originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 10 Sep 2008 12:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>closureensembleensemble-studioshalo-warsmgsmicrosoftmicrosoft-games-studiomicrosoft-games-studiosphil-spencerXbox-360Wed, 10 Sep 2008 12:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft confirms Ensemble closure, new studio opening]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/09/microsoft-confirms-ensemble-closure-new-studio-opening/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/09/microsoft-confirms-ensemble-closure-new-studio-opening/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/09/microsoft-confirms-ensemble-closure-new-studio-opening/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

After only briefly being classified as rumor, Microsoft has confirmed that Halo Wars developer Ensemble Studios is indeed closing. Said the company in a statement (via Gamespot), "This decision does not reflect at all on Ensemble's talent or the quality of Halo Wars -- in fact, many people who have had a chance to test drive Halo Wars agree that it is on track to being a fantastic game."

According to Microsoft, Ensemble's "leadership team" is founding a new development studio that has already agreed to support Halo Wars after its launch in addition to other Microsoft Games Studios titles.

JoystiqMicrosoft confirms Ensemble closure, new studio opening originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 09 Sep 2008 21:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-empiresbreakingnewsensemblehalo-warsmicrosoftmicrosoft-games-studioPCXbox-360Tue, 09 Sep 2008 21:27:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft Game Studios' 2008 in Gaming: A Yearbook]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/23/microsoft-game-studios-2008-in-gaming-a-yearbook/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/23/microsoft-game-studios-2008-in-gaming-a-yearbook/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/23/microsoft-game-studios-2008-in-gaming-a-yearbook/#commentsFiled under:

Interested in seeing what you'll be playing on your Xbox 360 in the coming months? X3F has compiled the 2008 Microsoft Game Studios Yearbook for you, a list of this year's exclusive graduating class with a detailed account of each title's current status and the stories surrounding them.

The 2008 Microsoft Game Studios Yearbook chronicles the graduates, like the soon-to-be released Ninja Gaiden II, and the titles that didn't make it to grad, like Alan Wake. Yep, he had to be held back for a semester or two. Or maybe three, we just don't know yet.

Ladies and gentlemen, allow us to introduce the 2008 Microsoft Game Studios graduating class ...

JoystiqMicrosoft Game Studios' 2008 in Gaming: A Yearbook originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 23 May 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Actionalan-wakebanjo-kazooiebanjo-kazooie-nuts-and-boltsfable-2gears-of-war-2halohalo-warsLionheadLionhead-Studiosmarvelmarvel-universe-onlineMGSmicrosoftMicrosoft-Game-Studiosmicrosoft-games-studioninja-gaiden-2ninja-gaiden-iinuts-and-boltspeter-jacksonRPGtoo-humanviva-pinataviva-pinata-trouble-in-paradiseXbox-360yearbookFri, 23 May 2008 11:00:00 EST