Joystiq

Wii U tech won't circumvent used-game sales; first-party titles in 1080p

Jessica Conditt — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 18:30:00 EST

Nintendo hasn't incorporated any features in the Wii U to discourage used-game sales. Nintendo's Executive VP of Sales and Marketing, Scott Moffitt, told Gamespot at E3 that Nintendo isn't overtly concerned with combating used-game sales: "I don't know if we have a formal position on used-game sales. It is a reality in the marketplace," Moffitt said. "We're not trying to circumvent that." He didn't mention any specifics about online passes or DLC in Nintendo titles.

The Wii U's online strategy begins with the Miiverse, as Moffitt describes it, and Nintendo is focused on using its online capabilities to enhance social features, gameplay and "the connectedness gamers feel with one another."

Online multiplayer is a part of Nintendo's online strategy for Wii U, but not its entire focus. "Online multiplayer is one part of it, and certainly Wii U will enable the same online multiplayer features that have become popular in some of the competing consoles, but that's really one piece of the online gaming network," Moffitt said. "Our vision is broader."

Apparently Nintendo's vision isn't broad enough to include online multiplayer for Pikmin 3 - though perhaps that's a case of not seeing the forest for the Pikmin.

The Wii U's output ranges from 480i to 1080p, and Moffitt said he thinks Nintendo's first-party titles will run at 1080p.

Wii U tech won't circumvent used-game sales; first-party titles in 1080p originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 19 Jun 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pikmin 3 lacking online multiplayer because ... there are a bunch of Pikmin

Ben Gilbert — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 12:30:00 EST

Nintendo's upcoming Wii U console will be the company's most internet-enabled yet. Its Miiverse intends to greatly expand on the Wii's Mii Plaza, its Friend Codes will be "a lot simpler" than previous versions of Nintendo's online buddy system, and many of its retail games will also be available digitally. In that context, it's hard to understand why the Wii U's flagship first-party title, Pikmin 3, won't include online multiplayer.

"In the situation of Pikmin, for example, since you would have lots of individual, small creatures, the Pikmin, whose every movement and location is going to be really important in the game, it would be very difficult to sync up over an internet connection," Nintendo design lead Shigeru Miyamoto told IGN in a recent interview. While Miyamoto acknowledges that games like, say, Mario Kart Wii were online-enabled, it apparently wouldn't be possible with Pikmin 3 on Wii U.

Mario Kart worked, he said, because Nintendo was able to make up for any dropped frames over an internet connection. The issues with Pikmin 3 going online are different, and apparently insurmountable. "Unfortunately, no online multiplayer for Pikmin 3," he said.

"But the co-op local multiplayer is really fun."

Pikmin 3 lacking online multiplayer because ... there are a bunch of Pikmin originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 13 Jun 2012 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EA Canada creating a new action franchise, job listing suggests

David Hinkle — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 05:30:00 EST

EA Canada, whose last shipped product was this year's SSX reboot, is looking for somebody to help out on a new franchise, according to a job listing for a lead gameplay designer. "This is a major opportunity to lead the gameplay of an exciting new intellectual property that will entertain millions of people around the world," the listing reads.

Some of the wording also suggests this new IP is either a shooter or an action game - likely both. Either way, it's a game with a heavy online component: EA is looking for somebody with a "proven track record of designing and balancing combat, player controls, and AI for AAA shooters or action games," and who has a "deep knowledge of the action/shooter game genre." This person must "drive the player progression experience to ensure a deep and addictive persistent online experience."

With E3 going on this week, it wouldn't be a bad bet to say we'll hear more during the show; however, some of the wording suggests that this project hasn't gotten too far off the ground yet and might be too early off for an announcement. EA is still looking for someone to "plan and define all components of the game, including its setting, structure, rules, story flow, characters, objects, vehicles, interface design and game modes."

EA Canada creating a new action franchise, job listing suggests originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 04 Jun 2012 05:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Resistance: Burning Skies multiplayer page revealed, removed

Ben Gilbert — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 11:30:00 EST

What's that, PlayStation Vita owner? You want to know more about multiplayer in Resistance: Burning Skies? Unfortunately, it seems that Sony isn't ready to share that info quite yet. After updating its game page with scant details on the game mode - Wi-fi-based "8-player online multiplayer across six unique maps and three modes" - Sony later removed said info.

Presumably the details were meant for a coordinated marketing push ahead of the game's May 29 launch date, but, uh, well, here they are! We've reached out to Sony for more info, but don't expect to hear much until the stars align (and Sony is good and ready to say its piece).

[Thanks, Knives Chau!]

Resistance: Burning Skies multiplayer page revealed, removed originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 03 Apr 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mari0 is getting six-player online multi mode; you don't need friends anyway

Jessica Conditt — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 02:15:00 EST

Mari0, the Super Mario Bros./Portal platformer crossover, has been ruining friendships from a few couch cushions away since launching last month, but now its scope for poisoning even the truest of bffs is broadening. Developer Stab Yourself is working on an online multiplayer mode for Mari0, with a brief taste of the inevitable frustration, angry words, broken screens and even more irreparable relationships to come in the demo video above.

No word yet on an expected release date or details, but the video shows six whole friendships come to a grinding, chiptuned halt -- that's six players and 12 possible portals, folks. We hope you meet new people easily.

Mari0 is getting six-player online multi mode; you don't need friends anyway originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 03 Apr 2012 02:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Xbox Marketplace: RE6 features 6-player online co-op, 8-player online multi [update]

Jordan Mallory — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 15:00:00 EST

The Xbox Marketplace listing for Resident Evil 6 appears to contain some exceedingly juicy and entirely unannounced secrets about Capcom's upcoming thriller. If the listing is to be believed, Leon and Chris' latest adventure will include 2-player couch co-op, 6-player online co-op and 8-player "online multiplayer," which we're assuming will be some sort of group Mercenaries exercise.

What's even more astounding is all of this information is just out there, floating around the Internet. We didn't have to collect masks or unlock a blood-filled casket or find key cards or anything. For now, we're cautiously taking everything we read with a grain of salt, even if it is the Xbox Marketplace. We've also reached out to Capcom for confirmation of these features.

Update: We have received a missive from Capcom: "We'll have further clarification in the coming weeks." Tantalizing!

Xbox Marketplace: RE6 features 6-player online co-op, 8-player online multi [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 22 Jan 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Here's what Ninja Gaiden 3's multiplayer looks like

Ben Gilbert — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 19:30:00 EST

We know, we know -- the gallery below isn't quite a trailer showing off Ninja Gaiden 3's new multiplayer mode, but it is the first we've seen of the four vs four competitive slicer. Head past the break -- carefully -- to take a peek.

Continue reading Here's what Ninja Gaiden 3's multiplayer looks like

Here's what Ninja Gaiden 3's multiplayer looks like originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 07 Dec 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Saints Row: The Third online co-op campaign and 'Whored Mode' gated with online pass

Ben Gilbert — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 17:15:00 EST

If you're considering postponing your purchase of Saints Row: The Third until sometime after next Tuesday in hopes of snagging a less expensive used copy, but also yearn for online cooperative mayhem, beware: an online pass is required before taking to the Information Superhighway.

Included in new copies of both Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions of Saints Row: The Third are one-time use codes for redemption upon initial launch of any online multiplayer, prompting users to otherwise purchase a pass for an undisclosed amount (we've asked THQ for clarification). Unfortunately, despite having both 360 and PS3 copies available for review at Joystiq, the 360 pass won't activate until launch and very few reviewers have PS3 code. Rest assured, we'll have our own review of Saints Row: The Third -- co-op or not -- by early next week.

Saints Row: The Third online co-op campaign and 'Whored Mode' gated with online pass originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 11 Nov 2011 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NBA Jam on PS3 and Xbox getting day-one online multiplayer patch

Ben Gilbert — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 14:40:00 EST

NBA Jam ballers on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 need not worry about online functionality -- aside from "Classic Mode" being available out of the box, the patch adding online versus and co-op to the rest of the modes will be available at launch. Get an early look at what it'll add after the break.

Continue reading NBA Jam on PS3 and Xbox getting day-one online multiplayer patch

NBA Jam on PS3 and Xbox getting day-one online multiplayer patch originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 15 Nov 2010 14:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ex-Free Radical (Crytek UK) working solely on Crysis 2 multiplayer

Ben Gilbert — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 13:00:00 EST

Despite earlier claims that Haze developer Free Radical (now Crytek UK) were working on an "original FPS" for its new overlord Crytek Studios, it appears that the UK-based studio is actually hard at work on Crysis 2's multiplayer component. In an interview with VG247, CEO Cevat Yerli revealed "several online functionalities" for the game, as well as the team behind said functionalities. "That is all they [Crytek UK] are doing, with a full team on it, and they are blasting forward at full speed with more focus and dedication than I've ever had before at Crytek." Jeez you two, get a room!

Yerli unfortunately couldn't expand on the various types of multiplayer we'll find in Crysis 2 when it arrives later this year, though he did note that the team at Crytek UK will be "making the gameplay unique to both the console and PC versions." Presumably he means that in a sense greater than "The PC version has way, way prettier graphics."

Ex-Free Radical (Crytek UK) working solely on Crysis 2 multiplayer originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 10 Apr 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DICE explains Battlefield Bad Company 2 dedicated server rentals

Ben Gilbert — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 18:30:00 EST

One of the many volleys in DICE's Battlefield Bad Company 2 marketing campaign meant to sway Modern Warfare 2 loyalists towards its upcoming shooter was the promise of dedicated servers for PC players. That said, when the Swedish game development house recently announced a rental service for those interested in using said dedicated servers, some folks were less than thrilled.

According to producer Gordon Van Dyke in an interview with Eurogamer, the reasoning doesn't have to do with profits so much as protecting "the game's integrity on PC." Van Dyke also indicates that DICE's "authorized hosts" have already been chosen worldwide, though he notes that the studio "will see where the game goes and support it post-launch." At very least, PC gamers will get a chance to find out if the rental fee is worth it when the game goes into PC beta on January 28.

Gallery: Battlefield: Bad Company 2

DICE explains Battlefield Bad Company 2 dedicated server rentals originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 16 Jan 2010 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EA says Red Alert 3 online multiplayer issues with Steam were 'quickly resolved'

Ben Gilbert — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 18:00:00 EST

Recently, some Steam users reported issues with recently purchased copies of Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 -- issues said to be caused by missing serial numbers required for online play that weren't included with digitally distributed copies of the game. EA today confirmed to Joystiq via Twitter that the issue had been "quickly resolved," further adding that "all is well back in Steam land." We've followed up with EA to find out the nature of the issue and for more information on its resolution, but until we hear back, you go enjoy dropping war bears into online matches. That's what they're there for, after all.

EA says Red Alert 3 online multiplayer issues with Steam were 'quickly resolved' originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 05 Jan 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PSA: Uncharted 2 double cash weekend, Santa hats in play

Ben Gilbert — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 11:30:00 EST

In our rush to the yule late this past week, we nearly forgot to mention that Nathan Drake and Nathan Drake lookalikes (Drakealikes?) have the chance to earn double cash (read: XP) this weekend in Uncharted 2's multiplayer mode. Donning the ubiquitous red cap (and apparently two brand new invisible hands), those taking Drake online will encounter not just jollier looking foes, but also "double for all kills and medals," according to Naughty Dog marketing man Arne Meyer on the PlayStation Blog. The temporary XP boost kicked in on Christmas Eve (December 24) at 10AM PST and goes until tomorrow at 11AM PST, so there are still at least another 24 or so hours to shoot some of those dastardly Drakealikes in multiplayer.

Gallery: Uncharted 2: Multiplayer

PSA: Uncharted 2 double cash weekend, Santa hats in play originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 26 Dec 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Avatar mutliplayer trailer pits giant blue things against humans

Ben Gilbert — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 19:30:00 EST

It could happen this week, it could happen next week, but sometime in the month of December, Ubisoft will decide to liberate Avatar from the shackles of game development. And when that happens, we're prepared to go directly online and start popping 10-foot blue things with our big human weapons. This is about survival, ya dig?

It appears that in addition to simply plugging bullets into the creatures, Ubisoft will also be allowing for some form of capture the flag (wait, isn't this about survival?). Other than that one crucial detail, the only info we gleaned from the multiplayer trailer above is that there'll be a ton of explosions, even more mid-air flip-kicks, and explosion/flip-kick-laden jungle combat when the game does finally come out. For now, unfortunately, you'll have to sate yourselves with something totally boring like Modern Warfare 2. Humans against humans? Pssshhht, that's so mid-November.

Gallery: James Cameron's Avatar (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)

Avatar mutliplayer trailer pits giant blue things against humans originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 29 Nov 2009 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Splash Damage's Brink wants to change your mind on multiplayer

Ben Gilbert — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 22:00:00 EST

Are you one of these folks who don't even realize there's a "multiplayer button" in your first-person shooters? After spending hours with the single-player campaign, you shelve the game and press onward, eschewing time with multiplayer for other, more solitary experiences? Splash Damage head Paul Wedgwood wants to change your attitude, telling Eurogamer in an interview that his studio's upcoming FPS Brink will do just that.

"It's our goal from the outset to incidentally teach people to be good at multiplayer shooters while they're playing our single-player shooter," he says. Apparently, Brink will offer in-game rewards (double XP, for instance) to players willing to take their game online. "At a certain point in the game we say to them, 'Why don't you just try co-op and see how you go? For this next mission we're going to give you twice the number of experience points if you play co-operatively with somebody else.'" Thankfully though, he assures the internet-less among us (how are you reading this?!) that there's plenty of game in Brink without having to go online. "Your experience through it, imagining you have no internet connection should, for us to have achieved our goal, be as compelling as any other triple-A shooter." We'll find out if his plan works when Brink arrives sometime next year.

Gallery: Brink

Splash Damage's Brink wants to change your mind on multiplayer originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 27 Nov 2009 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Super Street Fighter IV getting 8-person lobbies for online multiplayer

Ben Gilbert — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 21:01:00 EST

Much to the chagrin of many Street Fighter fans trying to get their online multiplayer on, matchmaking issues and lack of a multiplayer lobby system really stood out as glaring missteps in Street Fighter IV. Thankfully, it appears that Capcom has taken the hint and will be including an eight-person multiplayer lobby for groups to observe other matches and virtually "quarter up," as it were.

SSFIV's Masahiro Taguchi let the cat out of the bag on the official Japanese blog for the game (translated by Andriasang), saying that the regular ol' Street Fighter IV did not properly convey "the feeling of players gathering together for fights." He says that the ability to create multiplayer lobbies was on the table before creating SFIV, but was scrapped in favor of the one-on-one model currently in place. As frame rate can be a particularly important issue with fighting games relative to other genres, Taguchi makes a point to dispel any worries of online stuttering while observers look on to games in progress, though admitting that the process of making this lag free was a bit of a "technical feat." We're looking forward to putting Taguchi's claims to the test in 2010 when Super Street Fighter IV lands on our consoles.

[Via Andriasang]

Super Street Fighter IV getting 8-person lobbies for online multiplayer originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 21:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rockstar revamps Social Club's online leaderboards and stat tracking for Gay Tony

Ben Gilbert — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:45:00 EST

With the release of this week's second Grand Theft Auto IV expansion The Ballad of Gay Tony, the game's developer has decided to update the online multiplayer statistics tracking in order to reflect the new multiplayer game types. The addition of "BASE Jump" to the mulitplayer as well as "new, tighter Deathmatch arenas" helped spur the leaderboard overhaul, according to the developer blog. The various new additions being made due to the DLC will even get their own section on the Rockstar Social Club, presumably for the four of you tracking your new GTAIV DLC stats after Modern Warfare 2 releases in a couple weeks.

Rockstar revamps Social Club's online leaderboards and stat tracking for Gay Tony originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Confirmed: Dead Rising 2 has multiplayer

Griffin McElroy — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 15:00:00 EST

Hey, remember when a representative from Dead Rising 2's middleware developer, mental mill, mentioned during a GDC presentation that Dead Rising 2 would have "multiplayer sessions," and then another mental mill representative said the first representative misspoke, and meant to say "multiplatform?" Good. Keep that hilariously convoluted exchange locked away in your mind for a minute.

Capcom development head Keiji Inafune recently confirmed to Eurogamer that Dead Rising 2 will have some form of online multiplayer component. No specifics about the multiplayer offerings have been revealed, though it's nice to finally have a clear answer on the existence of this long obfuscated feature.

[Via Shacknews]

Confirmed: Dead Rising 2 has multiplayer originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 28 Apr 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Quantum of Solace has Zapper support, online multiplayer

David Hinkle — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: News, Nintendo Wi-Fi, Peripherals

For those of you who've been tracking Quantum of Solace over at The Stiq, you know that most of the worthwhile things to discuss about the game have come from the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions. Well, it would appear that Activision isn't leaving Wii owners out to dry, as some cool features are being utilized in the Wii version of the title.

For one, there will be multiple control schemes. Gamers can use the tried-and-true Wiimote and Nunchuk setup, or they can bust out their Zapper and play with that. On top of that, Activision has also confirmed the game will feature online multiplayer, as well as 4-player split-screen local multiplayer, which is exclusive to the Wii installment.

Activision is also hard at work to make sure the game is no graphical slouch. Seeing as how the engine behind the game is the same used in Call of Duty 4, we're sure Quantum of Solace will have some lovely visuals.

Quantum of Solace has Zapper support, online multiplayer originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 24 Aug 2008 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DS Daily: Wishing for Wi-Fi

Alisha Karabinus — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: DS Daily

Sometimes, you encounter those weird DS games that are just perfect for online play ... except they don't have it. Okay, so it's sometimes more than just "sometimes," but what can you do? Talk about it, of course! From Puzzle Quest to Mario Party to the upcoming Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates, what do you wish had a little wi-fi multiplayer?

DS Daily: Wishing for Wi-Fi originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 10 Jan 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Medal of Honor: Heroes 2 marches in with new screens

Alisha Karabinus — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Screens

The World War II genre may be glutted (and a little played out) by now, but when a game looks this good and has as much to offer as Medal of Honor: Heroes 2, we're not going to complain too stridently. In other words, we'll take what we can get. Heroes 2 is set for this month, and EA released three more screenshots to whet our appetites while we wait, which you can find both above, and in our gallery below.

Medal of Honor: Heroes 2 marches in with new screens originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 10 Nov 2007 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Buy NiGHTS, play online, make a garden

Chris Greenhough — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: News, Channels

1UP recently had a chance to delve a little deeper into NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams, in particular the game's multiplayer and "My Dream" modes.

Reportedly, the former is to consist of two gametypes, one of which -- imaginatively titled "Race Mode" -- will be fully playable online. This will see two players competing in an out-and-out race to the finish line, one as the eponymous NiGHTS, and the other as ~~his~~ ~~her~~ its arch-enemy, Reala.

Passing through yellow or green rings contributes to a meter that can in turn be used for "dash boosts," while spike rings have the opposite effect. Encouragingly, it sounds like a fairly "pure" interpretation of the original Saturn game, if our withered, dried-up memories serve correctly.

"Battle Mode" is the second multiplayer variant, an offline game for two players. Here, each player has to avoid the "Mareballoon," essentially a large orange time bomb that NiGHTS and Reala can chuck between one another. If you're the one holding the Mareballoon by the time its clock has ticked down to zero, then your opponent clinches a point, with the first to three winning.

Swoop effortlessly past the break for more.

Continue reading Buy NiGHTS, play online, make a garden

Buy NiGHTS, play online, make a garden originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 05 Nov 2007 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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