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[Halo co-creator Alex Seropian founds Industrial Toys, focused on mobile]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/23/halo-co-creator-alex-seropian-founds-industrial-toys-focused-on/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/23/halo-co-creator-alex-seropian-founds-industrial-toys-focused-on/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/23/halo-co-creator-alex-seropian-founds-industrial-toys-focused-on/#comments Halo co-creator and Bungie co-founder Alex Seropian has embarked on yet another new venture. After founding Wideload Games almost ten years ago and then joining Disney Interactive as head of game development for a few years, Seropian has now started up a company named Industrial Toys. Along with "some kickass art talent from ex-Marvel and DC guys," as president Tim Harris (formerly of Seven Lights) puts it, Seropian and the rest of the company plan to make hardcore games for mobile platforms. "We're going deep on story and community and all sorts of nerdy goodness," says Harris.

While we have a while yet to wait on actual game products, the company has already jumped onto Twitter in a big way. It's also posting updates on Facebook, sharing some pictures of the HQ under construction in Los Angeles (those are network wires hanging from the ceiling). It all sounds exciting, and Seropian and friends certainly have pedigree enough to make something really interesting.

JoystiqHalo co-creator Alex Seropian founds Industrial Toys, focused on mobile originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 23 Feb 2012 21:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alex-seropianbungieindustrial-toyslos-angelesmobileofficestartuptim-harrisThu, 23 Feb 2012 21:15:00 EST<![CDATA[See Level-5's opulent offices]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/28/see-level-5-opulent-offices/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/28/see-level-5-opulent-offices/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/28/see-level-5-opulent-offices/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Would you like to see how you'd be living if you had created Professor Layton and Inazuma Eleven instead of doing whatever you've been doing? Level-5 has posted a photo tour of its Fukuoka headquarters, revealing basically the nicest-looking office ever. At a time when other Japanese publishers are hurting (in denial), Level-5 has been able to continue expanding, while keeping its employees in luxurious working environment. Show-offs.

After seeing this office, we're thinking that it might be worth any American game industry job seekers' time to keep an eye out for the opening of Level-5 International America.

JoystiqSee Level-5's opulent offices originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 28 Sep 2010 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dsjapanlevel-5nintendoofficeplaystationps3pspsonywiiTue, 28 Sep 2010 05:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Epic Games planning gala celebration to open Tokyo office]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/12/epic-games-planning-gala-celebration-to-open-tokyo-office/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/12/epic-games-planning-gala-celebration-to-open-tokyo-office/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/12/epic-games-planning-gala-celebration-to-open-tokyo-office/#comments
Fujisoft building in Akihabara [image source] Epic Games has announced the official opening of its Japan office -- on April 15, the company will hold an event in the Fujisoft Building in Tokyo's Akihabara district, and the guest list includes a few gaming luminaries, including No More Heroes' Suda51, Halo Legends producer Joseph Chou and, of course, Epic Games' Tim Sweeney and Jay Wilbur will be there as well. Cliff Bleszinski won't be in attendance -- he'll be delivering an address via video, which we presume will come from the underground bunker where he's working on Gears of War 3.

Taka Kawasaki will also be there -- he's the "territory manager" for Epic Games Japan, and he'll give a short address about the purpose of the studio, which will be to handle both licensing and tech support for Unreal Engine 3 in the region with a team hired starting last year at TGS. This will be the sixth such center for Epic, which also operates centers in North Carolina and Utah, and overseas in Poland, Shanghai and Seoul. There was one set up on the far-off planet of Sera, but unfortunately it was destroyed by a giant worm. We're told Sera-based licensees should call Utah if they happen to need engine support.

JoystiqEpic Games planning gala celebration to open Tokyo office originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 12 Apr 2010 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>akihabaracliff-bleszinskiepic-gamesgears-of-war-3internationaljapanofficeoverseasstudiotokyoMon, 12 Apr 2010 23:30:00 EST<![CDATA[A trip to the dentist becomes a treat thanks to the DS]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/14/a-trip-to-the-dentist-becomes-a-treat-thanks-to-the-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/14/a-trip-to-the-dentist-becomes-a-treat-thanks-to-the-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/14/a-trip-to-the-dentist-becomes-a-treat-thanks-to-the-ds/#commentsFiled under:


One dentist practice is pioneering a new, better way to handle folks stuck in the waiting room. As seen above, courtesy of flickr user tarabrown, the choice between magazines and some sweet handhelds is available to folks who find themselves waiting on their dentist. No word in the way of what games are available, but this is just an all-around great idea.

Seriously, for how cheap a DS is (or an original GBA, for that matter), we imagine a practice could just snag a copy of Brain Age and Nintendogs and have their waiting room content and at ease while they, uh ... wait. Might help with those few who become pretty irate when forced to park it in the waiting room.

According to Tara, the practice is run by one Dr. Jade Kim and located in Seattle, WA. You can check out the website right here. Apparently, the DS had Mario Kart DS in there. Awesome!

JoystiqA trip to the dentist becomes a treat thanks to the DS originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 14 Jul 2008 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dentistgame-boygame-boy-advanceofficewaiting-roomMon, 14 Jul 2008 14:45:00 EST<![CDATA[A peek into Will Wright's office]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/13/a-peak-into-will-wrights-office/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/13/a-peak-into-will-wrights-office/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/13/a-peak-into-will-wrights-office/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

While wandering through EA's Maxis office for a recent Spore demo or two (or three), we snapped a few pictures of building art and Will Wright's office. (We've grown unexpectedly fascinated with people's desks.) "It's not a bug, it's a feature" never gets old. And it's a veritable game of spot-the-technology-that-shouldn't-be-here inside Wright's workspace. Well, "shouldn't" for game developers who aren't trying to launch the SimEverything genre. Somehow, we think Wright needs everything in the photo.

Gallery: Will Wright's office



Check out all our extensive coverage of Will Wright's Spore!





JoystiqA peek into Will Wright's office originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 13 Feb 2008 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bug-vs-featureDSeaElectronic-Artsemeryvilleit's-not-a-bug-it's-a-featureMacmaxisMobileofficePCsporewill-wrightwill-wright-officewillwrightWed, 13 Feb 2008 03:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Take Nintendo to work with you]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/27/take-nintendo-to-work-with-you/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/27/take-nintendo-to-work-with-you/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/27/take-nintendo-to-work-with-you/#commentsFiled under:


If you have a need for a pile of business cards at the ready, then we have something special for you. Surely you want to personalize the ol' office, yeah? What better way to do that than by showing off your Nintendo love? Etsy seller lostmitten has this sweet little NES-themed business card holder that might be just what you need for that touch of flair.

JoystiqTake Nintendo to work with you originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 27 Nov 2007 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>business-cardcraftsofficeperler-beadsTue, 27 Nov 2007 14:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Study: One in four white collar workers game at work]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/05/study-one-in-four-white-collar-workers-game-at-work/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/05/study-one-in-four-white-collar-workers-game-at-work/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/05/study-one-in-four-white-collar-workers-game-at-work/#commentsFiled under: ,

Not everyone is fortunate enough to have a job like ours that lets -- nay, encourages -- you to play games while on the job. That doesn't seem to stop many white collar workers, though, according to a recent study commissioned by casual game maker PopCap.

The study, conducted by Information Solutions Group, found that 24 percent of white collar workers played games while on the job. More surprising (or perhaps less, depending on how cynical you are) a full 35 percent of the senior executives surveyed said they gamed at work. Of those who played at work, 53 percent said they did so at least once a day and 14 percent admitted they played during business meetings or conference calls. The overwhelming majority of work gamers said they did it to "feel more relaxed and less stressed out."

Before you go decrying the death of the American work ethic, realize that the survey was conducted on 2,842 random visitors to Popcap.com, a group likely to be playing games anyway. The results might also be skewed because the overwhelming majority (72 percent) of respondents were female, and, as we all know, women make up a majority of casual gamers. Still, take comfort the next time you sneak in a quick game of coffee break Tetris. You're not alone.

JoystiqStudy: One in four white collar workers game at work originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 05 Sep 2007 13:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>officepopcapsurveyworkWed, 05 Sep 2007 13:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Companies looking to make work more like games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/27/companies-looking-to-make-work-more-like-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/27/companies-looking-to-make-work-more-like-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/27/companies-looking-to-make-work-more-like-games/#commentsFiled under: ,

Wish you could play games at work? You know, without having to sneak around? Soon you might be able to. Entrepreneur.com has a short report on the growing number of companies and government agencies that are making their work interfaces more like games.

The article doesn't go into much detail, but organizations from IBM to Microsoft and even the military are looking to integrating games into their work processes. The move comes partly because an increasing part of the workforce are growing up with "neuropathways ... being formed around game logic," according to John Beck, co-author of The Kids Are Alright.

It's fine in concept, but we're skeptical that any game can make the drudgery of cubicle life more enjoyable. Regardless, playing games at work will bring a new meaning to the term daily grind. *rim shot*

JoystiqCompanies looking to make work more like games originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 27 Jul 2007 15:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>funofficeseriousseriousgamesworkFri, 27 Jul 2007 15:22:00 EST<![CDATA[The (American) Office comes to the DS]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/20/the-american-office-comes-to-the-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/20/the-american-office-comes-to-the-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/20/the-american-office-comes-to-the-ds/#commentsFiled under:

While we will always enjoy the British (see: O.G.) version of The Office more, the American version starring funny man Steve Carell has begun to grow on us. We're not quite sure if we're ready to play a video game based on the show, however. Universal seems to think many are, though, as they announced a partnership with developer MumboJumbo to bring a game based on the show to the DS.

Nothing has been revealed about the game, but Bill Kispert, vice president and general manager of Universal's Interactive group, thinks the game will be something casual players and fans alike will appreciate. The game, he says, will feature "a proven, addictive game mechanic we think will be welcomed by fans and casual game players alike."

So, who's ready to play a game based on The Office?

JoystiqThe (American) Office comes to the DS originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 20 Jun 2007 15:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dsdslitedwightlitenintendonintendodsnintendodsliteofficetheofficeWed, 20 Jun 2007 15:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Coming to Xbox Live Arcade: The Office?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/20/coming-to-xbox-live-arcade-the-office/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/20/coming-to-xbox-live-arcade-the-office/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/20/coming-to-xbox-live-arcade-the-office/#commentsFiled under: ,

You might have read over at Joystiq that MumboJumbo is working on a video game based on NBC's The Office. The game is set to feature the characters from the show depicted as bobblehead dolls. Players will be challenged to complete jobs and pull pranks around the office. Currently, the game is slated to appear on the DS, PSP, and PC. According to Variety, the game won't be developed for new-gen consoles because of its relative simplicity. XBLArcade begs to differ, noting that MumboJumbo's deal includes the option to create the title for Xbox Live Arcade.

MumboJumbo recently released Luxor 2 on XBLA, so they definitely have experience with the platform. Whether or not The Office will actually make an appearance on Live Arcade remains only a rumor at this point.

Now, if we could just get The Office to make an appearance on Video Marketplace, we'd really be getting somewhere.

JoystiqComing to Xbox Live Arcade: The Office? originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 20 Jun 2007 12:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arcadelive arcadeLiveArcademumbo jumboMumboJumboofficethe officeTheOfficexblaxbox live arcadeXboxLiveArcadeWed, 20 Jun 2007 12:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Break room games help office morale, productivity]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/06/break-room-games-help-office-morale-productivity/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/06/break-room-games-help-office-morale-productivity/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/06/break-room-games-help-office-morale-productivity/#commentsFiled under: ,

We at Joystiq understand that not everyone is lucky enough to have a job that allows, nay, requires them to play games on the job. The folks at Entrepreneur Magazine know this too, and are helping out by singing the praises of video games in the employee break room.

It's not that surprising that places like Popcap Games encourage their employees to learn from the competition, but even non-game related business like law firms and automotive websites are finding that games improve office morale and productivity. Employers also note that game rooms help attract younger employees and makes a hell of an impression during an applicant interview.

Still, aren't office game rooms an invitation for employees to goof off all day? Apparently not -- none of the businesses Entrepreneur found needed to impose any limits on play. As one employer paraphrased, "the only employees who might have trouble in this type of environment are the ones that can't regulate themselves." And those people are probably playing Minesweeper all day anyway.

JoystiqBreak room games help office morale, productivity originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 06 Jun 2007 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arcadebreak roomBreakRoomemployeegamesmoraleofficeproductivityworkplaceWed, 06 Jun 2007 15:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Japanese hardware sales, May. 7 - May 13: Office Space edition]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/18/japanese-hardware-sales-may-7-may-13-office-space-edition/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/18/japanese-hardware-sales-may-7-may-13-office-space-edition/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/18/japanese-hardware-sales-may-7-may-13-office-space-edition/#commentsFiled under:

Loadletter beatdown
David: Hey, Jason, yeahhhh, I'm gonna need you to get on those JHS reports ... did you see the memo?

Jason: Uh, yeah, I saw it. Thanks, Dave.

David: Good, good. I'll let you get to it, then.

(Jason sighs, and begins to type frantically.)

Alisha: Heyyyyy, Jason, did you see the mem--

Jason: For the love of God, yes. I'm on it.

Alisha: No need to snap, Jason. Sounds like someone has a case of the Fridays.

(Jason mumbles as Alisha walks away. JC and Eric approach.)

JC: I can't believe it. I told those fudgepackers I liked JC's music. Me! I've never despised any form of sensory input as I do those songs.

Continue reading Japanese hardware sales, May. 7 - May 13: Office Space edition

JoystiqJapanese hardware sales, May. 7 - May 13: Office Space edition originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 18 May 2007 23:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BossCubicleHardwareJapaneseJHSLoadletterNumbersOfficeReportsSalesSpaceStaplerTPSWorkFri, 18 May 2007 23:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Japanese hardware sales, May. 7 - May 13: Office Space edition]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/18/japanese-hardware-sales-may-7-may-13-office-space-edition/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/18/japanese-hardware-sales-may-7-may-13-office-space-edition/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/18/japanese-hardware-sales-may-7-may-13-office-space-edition/#commentsFiled under:

JHS Reports...worse than TPS Reports.
David: Hey, Jason, yeahhhh, I'm gonna need you to get on those JHS reports ... did you see the memo?

Jason: Uh, yeah, I saw it. Thanks, Dave.

David: Good, good. I'll let you get to it, then.

(Jason sighs, and begins to type frantically.)

Alisha: Heyyyyy, Jason, did you see the mem--

Jason: For the love of God, yes. I'm on it.

Alisha: No need to snap, Jason. Sounds like someone has a case of the Fridays.

(Jason mumbles as Alisha walks away. JC and Eric approach.)

JC: I can't believe it. I told those fudgepackers I liked JC's music. Me! I've never despised any form of sensory input as I do those songs.

Continue reading Japanese hardware sales, May. 7 - May 13: Office Space edition

JoystiqJapanese hardware sales, May. 7 - May 13: Office Space edition originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 18 May 2007 23:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AppleBossCubicleEditionHardwareJapaneseJHSMacBookNumbersOfficeReportsSalesSpaceTPSWorkFri, 18 May 2007 23:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Human Head survives fire, no data loss reported]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/24/human-head-survives-fire-no-data-loss-reported/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/24/human-head-survives-fire-no-data-loss-reported/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/24/human-head-survives-fire-no-data-loss-reported/#commentsFiled under: , ,

fire, for realzEarly Friday morning (late Thursday night for most), a devastating fire feasted on a historical building in Madison, Wisconsin. Local news coverage identified the multi-use building as home to Human Head Studios, developer of last year's long-incubated shooter Prey. Thankfully, the level designers had been released from their shackles for the night. No one was harmed in the fire.

But what of the precious MEE data? Had Marc Ecko's rags-to-renders dream gone up in ... smoke? According to today's update from Human Head, no. "[Though] we suffered some equipment and furniture loss due to smoke and water, we suffered no significant data loss," reports the studio. A temporary relocation plan seems to indicate that Human Head is eager to get back to work on the Ecko-endorsed project, shedding any stigma earned from Prey's 5-year development cycle.

JoystiqHuman Head survives fire, no data loss reported originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 24 Apr 2007 17:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fireHuman HeadHuman Head StudiosHumanHeadHumanHeadStudiosmadisonMarc EckoMarcEckomeeofficestudiowisconsinTue, 24 Apr 2007 17:23:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo's got a new backend]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/15/nintendos-got-a-new-backend/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/15/nintendos-got-a-new-backend/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/15/nintendos-got-a-new-backend/#commentsFiled under: ,

Gamasutra reports that Nintendo HQ has adopted a new software management solution in Aldon Lifecycle Manager. What this new program allows the bigwigs over in Washington to do is maintain a high level of awareness throughout different development projects (such as all upcoming Revolution titles) as they go through their lifecycles. Now, apparently, it won't be the impossibly difficult task of walking over to the development area and asking the Project Lead where they're at currently. It's now only a mouse click away. Let's hope it helps those at Nintendo who've been having problems with their TPS reports, also.

JoystiqNintendo's got a new backend originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 Mar 2006 16:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aldongamasutranintendoofficereportsrevolutionspacetpswashingtonWed, 15 Mar 2006 16:47:00 EST