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 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[SOE announces free-to-play Bullet Run, a revamped Hedone from Acony Games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/22/soe-announces-free-to-play-bullet-run-a-revamped-hedone-from-ac/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/22/soe-announces-free-to-play-bullet-run-a-revamped-hedone-from-ac/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/22/soe-announces-free-to-play-bullet-run-a-revamped-hedone-from-ac/#comments Acony Games, a German developer, has been working on an online first-person shooter called Hedone, about contestants fighting to win a deadly reality show. Sony Online Entertainment today announced that it is publishing a game by Acony called Bullet Run, and as far as we can tell it's Hedone with a new title.

There's no mention of Hedone on the official website or in the press release, but the free-to-play shooter now called Bullet Run boasts the same reality show premise as Acony's project, and it certainly looks the same as the old game (not to mention that hedone.tv now redirects to Sony's official Bullet Run site).

Some of Acony's developers previously worked on MMO flops APB and BattleForge, so the track record here isn't the greatest. But SOE apparently sees something in the title and is already trying to work some rebranding magic. Beta signups for Bullet Run are going on now, and the game is set to go live later this summer.

Continue reading SOE announces free-to-play Bullet Run, a revamped Hedone from Acony Games

JoystiqSOE announces free-to-play Bullet Run, a revamped Hedone from Acony Games originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 22 May 2012 21:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acony-gamesbullet-runfree-to-playhedoneonlinepcshootersoeSony-online-entertainmentTue, 22 May 2012 21:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Diablo 3 review: Hitting the jackpot]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/21/diablo-3-review-hitting-the-jackpot/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/21/diablo-3-review-hitting-the-jackpot/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/21/diablo-3-review-hitting-the-jackpot/#comments ImageHack-and-slash action RPGs, pioneered by Blizzard's Diablo, are essentially slot machines. You click the mouse, and every time you do there's a chance you'll get the loot you want . Yes, the trappings of role-playing and combat mechanics are there, weaker in some cases and stronger in others, but in terms of brain chemistry you're playing for the jackpot.

As anyone who's been to Vegas will tell you, there are different kinds of slot machines. There's the rickety old unit sitting in the gas station near the airport. And there's the junky Jokers Wild machines blinking and chirping in that one casino downtown, where the air smells too much like your grandmother's bathroom.

And then there are the machines in that one room in the Bellagio, where velvet seats wait underneath crystal chandeliers. That's where the shahs from Dubai come to play with thousand dollar tokens, where pretty ladies serve you drinks as you play, and where a private concierge will happily help you order up a steak, buy a Brooks Brothers suit, or get you anything else you might want. Blizzard's Diablo 3 is that Bellagio room, high stakes and luxurious and ready to cater to your every dungeon crawler need.

Gallery: Diablo 3 (10/21/11)

Continue reading Diablo 3 review: Hitting the jackpot

JoystiqDiablo 3 review: Hitting the jackpot originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 21 May 2012 12:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>action-rpgblizzarddiabloDiablo-3error-37onlinepcreal-money-auction-houserpgsocialMon, 21 May 2012 12:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Street Fighter X Tekken can't take local teams online on Xbox 360]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/06/street-fighter-x-tekken-cant-take-local-teams-online-on-xbox-360/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/06/street-fighter-x-tekken-cant-take-local-teams-online-on-xbox-360/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/06/street-fighter-x-tekken-cant-take-local-teams-online-on-xbox-360/#comments There's a major difference between the Xbox 360 version of Street Fighter X Tekken and its PS3 twin, it turns out. According to the manual included with both versions, the game's tag team modes allow you and a local friend to sign on to the same console and fight against two other people online; your buddy presses start at the character select screen and off you go. In actuality, this functionality only exists in the PS3 version of the game.

The issue has been acknowledged by Christian Svensson at Capcom, who stated that Capcom has no plans to patch the feature in, and that its inclusion in the manual was a mistake. "The reason for this difference is because of the architecture differences between [Xbox Live] gamertags and PSN IDs. I'm not sure of the technical details, but basically it amounts to: Sony made it so you can mix and match online and offline, and Microsoft made it so you can't."

That sounded like a reasonable explanation, until we remembered that the 360 version of Mortal Kombat does that exact thing, allowing two local players to take part in tag-team battles online. If it's possible for NetherRealm Studios to include the feature in Mortal Kombat -- the MK studio's first release under the NetherRealm banner -- its exclusion from Capcom's brand-new flagship fighter seems strange at the very least.

JoystiqStreet Fighter X Tekken can't take local teams online on Xbox 360 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 06 Mar 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Capcomco-opmicrosoftMortal-KombatMortal-Kombat-2011onlineplaystationps3PSNSFxTstreet-fighter-x-tekkenxboxXbox-LiveTue, 06 Mar 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[US PlayStation Vita now able to access PlayStation Store (if you have one)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/09/us-playstation-vita-now-able-to-access-playstation-store-if-you/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/09/us-playstation-vita-now-able-to-access-playstation-store-if-you/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/09/us-playstation-vita-now-able-to-access-playstation-store-if-you/#comments Despite not being available to most consumers for another week or two, the PlayStation Vita's online store is now ... online, offering five Vita titles and a handful of other content to purchase. The available Vita games mirror those already available in meatspace from GameStop and online via PS3 (Hot Shots Golf, ModNation Racers, Super Stardust, Uncharted: Golden Abyss, Wipeout 2048), while the PSP games and video content mirror the other PS Store content.

We also managed to get an online game going with Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3, so it looks like at least some of the online infrastructure is now live (the game was directly between two Vitas over the internet, but we had issues searching for public lobbies). If you're one of the lucky few within the US who already has a Vita, now would be a good time to claim an extremely limited opportunity at topping the leaderboards, not to mention beating us handily at UMvC3.

[Image above features Japanese PS Vita Store]

JoystiqUS PlayStation Vita now able to access PlayStation Store (if you have one) originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 09 Feb 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>onlineplaystationplaystation-networkplaystation-storeplaystation-vitapsnsensony-entertainment-networkvitaThu, 09 Feb 2012 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[New Soulcalibur 5 trailer shows online lobby system]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/14/new-soulcalibur-5-trailer-shows-online-lobby-system/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/14/new-soulcalibur-5-trailer-shows-online-lobby-system/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/14/new-soulcalibur-5-trailer-shows-online-lobby-system/#comments
Soul Calibur 4's online VS. modes were adequate from a netcode perspective, but like most fighting games they lacked any sort of well-developed lobby or chat system. SoulCalibur 5, on the other hand, will allow spectators to chat about matches as they happen, as seen in this latest trailer.

JoystiqNew Soulcalibur 5 trailer shows online lobby system originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 14 Jan 2012 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chatlobbymicrosoftNamco-Bandainetcodeonlineplaystationps3SC5soulcalibur-5soulcalibur-vxboxSat, 14 Jan 2012 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Star Wars: The Old Republic early access starts today]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/13/star-wars-the-old-republic-early-access-starts-today/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/13/star-wars-the-old-republic-early-access-starts-today/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/13/star-wars-the-old-republic-early-access-starts-today/#comments It's time to put your regimented dragon-killing schedule on hold for a while, replacing it completely with an all new Jedi-killing routine -- early access for Star Wars: The Old Republic opens up today. If you pre-ordered the game through a traditional retailer or virtually through Origin, you'll be able to hop into the game today; assuming you're lucky enough to be a part of one of the waves of entrants BioWare is letting in, periodically, until the game's official December 20 launch.

The game can't allow everyone in all at once, probably because it would crush the servers like the windpipe of a Death Star insubordinate. Persistence should win you your prize, though. Well, persistence, and a pre-order code, and a monthly subscription.

JoystiqStar Wars: The Old Republic early access starts today originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 13 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowareearly-accessmmommorpgonlinepcstar-warsStar-Wars-The-Old-RepublicThe-Old-RepublicTue, 13 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Here's what Ninja Gaiden 3's multiplayer looks like]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/07/heres-what-ninja-gaiden-3s-multiplayer-looks-like/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/07/heres-what-ninja-gaiden-3s-multiplayer-looks-like/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/07/heres-what-ninja-gaiden-3s-multiplayer-looks-like/#comments 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

JoystiqHere'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.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftmultiplayerninja-gaiden-3nintendoonlineonline-multiplayerplaystationps3team-ninjatecmotecmo-koeiwii-uxboxWed, 07 Dec 2011 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Saints Row: The Third online co-op campaign and 'Whored Mode' gated with online pass]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/11/saints-row-the-third-online-co-op-campaign-and-whored-mode-ga/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/11/saints-row-the-third-online-co-op-campaign-and-whored-mode-ga/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/11/saints-row-the-third-online-co-op-campaign-and-whored-mode-ga/#comments 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.

JoystiqSaints 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.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>co-opmicrosoftmultiplayeronlineonline-multiplayeronline-passplaystationps3saints-row-the-thirdthqvolitionvolition-incxboxFri, 11 Nov 2011 17:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Embrace your obsessive inner typefacer with 'KernType,' a game about kerning]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/12/embrace-your-obsessive-inner-typefacer-with-kerntype-a-game-a/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/12/embrace-your-obsessive-inner-typefacer-with-kerntype-a-game-a/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/12/embrace-your-obsessive-inner-typefacer-with-kerntype-a-game-a/#comments It's rare that we separate ourselves from our readers when choosing pieces to post on Joystiq, but with Method of Action's "KernType," we had to make an exception. You see, folks, our love for games is important, but our distinctly less relatable love/obsession with visual design is just as strong, which is why we immediately fell head over heels for KernType.

Oh, we should probably explain what "kerning" is, eh? It's the space between letters in words. Yup, thrilling stuff, we know. But it's important! And in KernType, you're tasked with fixing the kerning of various typefaces (represented by words such as "wave" and "type"), which then compares your own skill with that of proportional computations. Call of Duty deathmatch it is not, but if you're of the very particular niche that is both obsessed with games and the written word, KernType is right up your alley. Also, hey, it's free right here!

JoystiqEmbrace your obsessive inner typefacer with 'KernType,' a game about kerning originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 12 Oct 2011 07:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crazy-peopleeducationfontskerningkerntypemacmethod-of-actiononlinepctypefaceWed, 12 Oct 2011 07:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Atlus continues Demon's Souls server support into 2012]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/22/atlus-continues-demons-souls-server-support-into-2012/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/22/atlus-continues-demons-souls-server-support-into-2012/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/22/atlus-continues-demons-souls-server-support-into-2012/#comments In an announcement timed suspiciously closely to the release of a totally unrelated game (wink!), Atlus announced that it's going to continue operating the servers for Demon's Souls "into 2012." They had previously only been ensured operation until October of this year.

Thanks to this renewal, players will still be able to leave notes for one another, show up as ghosts in others' games to warn of dangerous conditions, or just become a mean-spirited invader. And with that continued support will come new "Pure White" and "Pure Black" world tendency events for unspecified dates this holiday season.

Atlus PR also just casually drops the fact that Demon's Souls has an MSRP of $19.99, making it the best bargain in From Software's two-title-strong library of hardcore action RPGs.

Continue reading Atlus continues Demon's Souls server support into 2012

JoystiqAtlus continues Demon's Souls server support into 2012 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 22 Sep 2011 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atlusDemons-Soulsfrom-softwareonlineplaystationps3psnserverThu, 22 Sep 2011 17:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Firefall preview: Something for everyone]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/29/firefall-preview/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/29/firefall-preview/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/29/firefall-preview/#comments There's a good chance that Firefall is going to be your absolute, undeniable jam. It's just one of those combinations of features and ideas that should apply to at least (but probably more than) one of your sensibilities: It has class-based shooting, customizable loadouts, loot, strategy, a persistent world, character creation and a focus on cooperative, Player vs. Environment gameplay.

Any of those tickle your fancy? They tickle mine. They tickle all of my fancies simultaneously.

Continue reading Firefall preview: Something for everyone

JoystiqFirefall preview: Something for everyone originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 29 Aug 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>firefallfpsmmoonlinepax-prime-2011pcred-5-studiosshooterwebzenMon, 29 Aug 2011 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Reggie: Wii U's online functionality will be 'flexible' to publishers]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/05/reggie-wii-us-online-functionality-will-be-flexible-for-publ/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/05/reggie-wii-us-online-functionality-will-be-flexible-for-publ/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/05/reggie-wii-us-online-functionality-will-be-flexible-for-publ/#comments If you're looking for Nintendo's Wii U to have a unified online network ... don't. While concrete plans for the system's online functionality have yet to be fully detailed, Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime made it sound like it'll be left entirely up to individual publishers in an interview with Forbes.

Nintendo is "creating a much more flexible system," Fils-Aime said, "that will allow the best approaches by independent publishers to come to bear. So instead of a situation where a publisher has their own network and wants that to be the predominant platform, and having arguments with platform holders, we're going to welcome that. We're going to welcome that from the best and the brightest of the third party publishers."

He said that Nintendo's system would be an "extremely robust online experience," but deferred to publishers regarding specifics. However, during the Ubisoft/Nintendo developer roundtable at E3, Ubisoft continually deferred to Nintendo. We hope this isn't how the actual development of the service is going.

JoystiqReggie: Wii U's online functionality will be 'flexible' to publishers originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 05 Jul 2011 19:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>nintendoonlinereggiereggie-fils-aimewiiwii-uTue, 05 Jul 2011 19:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Capcom reveals Ixion Saga, plans limited alpha in Japan next month]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/01/capcom-reveals-ixion-saga-plans-limited-alpha-in-japan-next-mon/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/01/capcom-reveals-ixion-saga-plans-limited-alpha-in-japan-next-mon/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/01/capcom-reveals-ixion-saga-plans-limited-alpha-in-japan-next-mon/#comments According to Famitsu, Capcom has announced a new title called Ixion Saga, a PC-only multiplayer combat game where three classes (Strikers, Casters and Blasters) will do battle in eight versus eight online matches. There's also a PvE element, so players will be able to form "unions" with other players and take on other creatures.

There will be a limited alpha on July 28 in Japan, and the game is due for release there sometime next summer. Capcom has had some success with online titles already, releasing a Monster Hunter MMO in Japan, but this is the first we've heard of an original MMO IP.

JoystiqCapcom reveals Ixion Saga, plans limited alpha in Japan next month originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 01 Jul 2011 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>capcomclassesfamitsuixion-sagajapanjapanesemmommorpgonlinepcFri, 01 Jul 2011 05:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Codemasters takes down GRID PS3 and PC servers]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/19/codemasters-takes-down-grid-ps3-and-pc-servers/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/19/codemasters-takes-down-grid-ps3-and-pc-servers/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/19/codemasters-takes-down-grid-ps3-and-pc-servers/#comments Fans of Codemasters' 2008 racing title GRID received some bad news this weekend: The multiplayer servers for the PC and PS3 versions of the game have been taken offline. A post on the publisher's forums explains, "This follows the decision by a third party provider to decline the offer of an extended contract to continue online play on these platforms." The provider apparently decided the 360 SKU's servers were worth saving -- Xbox Live players still have access to the game's full range on online features.

We wish Codemasters would really think these kinds of actions through before executing them. You guys know what the repercussions for this outage will be, right? Jilted PS3 and PC players are going to get into real-life illegal street racing. Do you really want to be responsible for people falling into that lifestyle, Codemasters? Do you?

JoystiqCodemasters takes down GRID PS3 and PC servers originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 19 Jun 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>codemastersGRIDonlinepcplaystationps3racingSun, 19 Jun 2011 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii U won't have DVD or Blu-ray playback, will include social media functionality]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/15/wii-u-wont-have-dvd-or-blu-ray-playback-will-include-social-me/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/15/wii-u-wont-have-dvd-or-blu-ray-playback-will-include-social-me/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/15/wii-u-wont-have-dvd-or-blu-ray-playback-will-include-social-me/#comments We already knew that the Wii U's games wouldn't be coming on DVD (like the Xbox 360) or Blu-ray (like the PlayStation 3), but we didn't know that Nintendo's next console wouldn't be able to play video from either format. Nintendo president Satoru Iwata confirmed as much in a recent investor Q&A, flat out stating that "Wii U does not have DVD or Blu-ray playback capabilities." He explained the reasoning behind this as -- unsurprisingly -- the cost, and the notion that "enough people already have devices that are capable of playing DVDs and Blu-ray."

Something that Nintendo will apparently be including in the Wii U, though: social media functionality. When asked about the new console's online experience, Iwata deftly avoids providing direct information, admitting only that "we are no longer in a period where we cannot have any connection at all with social networking sites." How this will be applied seems to still be up in the air, with Iwata later in the Q&A elaborating, "We're looking at ways that will convey to this audience which games are fun and, ideally, in a way that will enable people who are playing those games with others, to share that information socially."

He also said that the console's online infrastructure needs to be more flexible for developers, repeatedly citing third-party studios as the drive for Nintendo's new stance. Worryingly, he never speaks to the necessity of online persistence or the company's messy past with online functionality.

Continue reading Wii U won't have DVD or Blu-ray playback, will include social media functionality

JoystiqWii U won't have DVD or Blu-ray playback, will include social media functionality originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 Jun 2011 10:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blu-raydvde3-2011facebooknintendonintendo-of-japanonlinesatoru-iwatasocial-mediawii-uWed, 15 Jun 2011 10:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo's 'goal' for Mario Kart 3D: eight-player online]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/10/nintendos-goal-for-mario-kart-3d-eight-player-online/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/10/nintendos-goal-for-mario-kart-3d-eight-player-online/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/10/nintendos-goal-for-mario-kart-3d-eight-player-online/#comments Mario Kart 3D has more improvements in store than just hanggliders bolted to the backs of all the cars. It currently features eight-player local wireless racing, and, if everything goes as planned, it'll feature eight-player online as well.

Joystiq asked Mario Kart 3D producer Hideki Konno if the kart racer would feature online play, and he responded "Of course!" Though the current online configuration isn't quite set, "our goal right now is to have the same number of players for both local wireless and multiplayer over wi-fi." The bottleneck at the moment is making sure the game can handle smooth 60FPS frame rate with eight players in both online and offline, 2D and 3D.

JoystiqNintendo's 'goal' for Mario Kart 3D: eight-player online originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 10 Jun 2011 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3-2011hideki-konnomario-kartmario-kart-3dsmario-kart-7onlineFri, 10 Jun 2011 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Star Fox 64 3D multiplayer is local-only, supports Download Play]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/13/star-fox-64-3d-multiplayer-is-local-only-supports-download-play/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/13/star-fox-64-3d-multiplayer-is-local-only-supports-download-play/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/13/star-fox-64-3d-multiplayer-is-local-only-supports-download-play/#comments A few more details about the upcoming Star Fox 64 3D for Nintendo 3DS have emerged from a Japanese retailer, specifically about the game's multiplayer mode. Unfortunately, it won't be playable online, but there will be local four-player versus battles and the game will use Download Play so your friends won't need their own cartridges. (Those cheapskates!)

The retailer also says that players will be able to take photos of themselves that will show up above ships in-game, similar to the functionality used in Ridge Racer 3D.

Star Fox 64 3D is still set for a July 14 release in Japan. No date has been announced for its North American arrival.

JoystiqStar Fox 64 3D multiplayer is local-only, supports Download Play originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 13 May 2011 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>download-playdsjapanmultiplayernintendoofflineonlinestar-fox-64-3dFri, 13 May 2011 00:00:00 EST<![CDATA[GameStop opens digital storefront on Facebook]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/08/gamestop-opens-digital-storefront-on-facebook/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/08/gamestop-opens-digital-storefront-on-facebook/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/08/gamestop-opens-digital-storefront-on-facebook/#comments If you're uncomfortable with GameStop's tenacity as it pursues your reservations and trade-ins, you'll probably be displeased to learn that "pre-order pokes" could be coming in the near future. The gargantuan games retailer recently opened up a Facebook storefront, through which shoppers can purchase and reserve titles, view trailers and screenshot galleries and, in the near future, earn and redeem PowerUp Rewards points.

Between this and GameStop's recent acquisition of Impulse and Spawn Labs, it seems the retailer's taking its new digital strategy pretty seriously. We wouldn't be surprised to see if the company adopted a presence on LiveJournal, as well. We'd be curious to learn what its mood is like on a day-to-day basis, as well as what hot bands it's totally into right now.

JoystiqGameStop opens digital storefront on Facebook originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 08 Apr 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>facebookgamestopindustrymarketplaceonlinepcpowerup-rewardspre-orderretailFri, 08 Apr 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Online trailer shows upcoming collaboration with Dust 514]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/27/eve-online-trailer-shows-upcoming-collaboration-with-dust-514/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/27/eve-online-trailer-shows-upcoming-collaboration-with-dust-514/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/27/eve-online-trailer-shows-upcoming-collaboration-with-dust-514/#comments During the EVE Fanfest held earlier this week, the MMO's developers revealed a new three-minute cinematic trailer demoing the game's interactivity with its upcoming sister title, Dust 514. Sorry, that sounded way more boring than it is: Watch the trailer below, because it has so many explosions.

Continue reading EVE Online trailer shows upcoming collaboration with Dust 514

JoystiqEVE Online trailer shows upcoming collaboration with Dust 514 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 27 Mar 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccp-gamesdust-514eve-fanfesteve-onlinemmoonlineSun, 27 Mar 2011 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Bungie: MMO announcement during GDC panel was a joke]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/05/bungie-mmo-announcement-during-gdc-panel-was-a-joke/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/05/bungie-mmo-announcement-during-gdc-panel-was-a-joke/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/05/bungie-mmo-announcement-during-gdc-panel-was-a-joke/#comments In its latest weekly update, Bungie took some time to backtrack on lead network engineer David Aldridge's GDC announcement that the studio's next game would be "massively multiplayer," and similar to "WoW in space." The update explains, "Now, in rehearsal Aldridge was convinced that everybody got the joke. It was all in the delivery, he assured us, and he was certain it was clear that he was playfully riffing off of the recent rumors." Apparently, he was super, super incorrect in that assumption.

It's worth noting that the update doesn't flatly deny that the studio is working on a massively online game -- unless, of course, that denial is hidden somewhere among the cornucopia of Charlie Sheen references. We're having a hard time breaking that particular code.

JoystiqBungie: MMO announcement during GDC panel was a joke originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 05 Mar 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bungiegdc-2011microsoftmmoonlinepcplaystationps3xboxSat, 05 Mar 2011 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Gas Powered Games replaces Robot as Age of Empires Online developer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/24/gas-powered-games-replaces-robot-as-age-of-empires-online-develo/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/24/gas-powered-games-replaces-robot-as-age-of-empires-online-develo/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/24/gas-powered-games-replaces-robot-as-age-of-empires-online-develo/#comments Chris Taylor's Gas Powered Games (makers of the original Dungeon Siege and Supreme Commander) has taken over development of the upcoming free-to-play Age of Empires Online title, according to the game's official blog. Microsoft says that it became clear during development of some of the game's content packs that the GPG team "share our long-term commitment to make this a success," and that the move has been "the plan for some time," and won't delay the game at all.

This, of course, leaves previous developer Robot Entertainment - comprised of AoE veterans from the now-shuttered Ensemble Studios - in the lurch, as Microsoft has shown them the door. On its official message board, Robot confirms that "this was always in the plan," and says that the goal all along has been to work on original titles. Now that they've handed off the reins to Taylor and GPG, the company is reportedly hard at work on a new title called Orcs Must Die! Still no word on how close we are to a release date for Age of Empires Online, but Microsoft is still pushing beta signups on its website.

JoystiqGas Powered Games replaces Robot as Age of Empires Online developer originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 24 Feb 2011 20:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Age-of-Empires-Onlinedevelopergas-powered-gamesmicrosoft-game-studiosonlinepcrobot-entertainmentThu, 24 Feb 2011 20:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Vietnam requests ISPs block gaming after 10PM]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/24/vietnam-requests-isps-block-gaming-after-10pm/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/24/vietnam-requests-isps-block-gaming-after-10pm/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/24/vietnam-requests-isps-block-gaming-after-10pm/#commentsVietnam's Ministry of Information and Communication wants internet service providers to pull the plug on online games from 10PM to 8AM (ICT) by March 3. The move follows increased gaming restrictions by the government, allegedly due to real-life crime originating from online games.

Deputy Minister Le Nam Thang said the government will continue to inspect online gaming nationwide and shut down ISPs that violate the request. So it's not an option. It's an order.

JoystiqVietnam requests ISPs block gaming after 10PM originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 24 Feb 2011 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>banblockisponlinepcVietnamThu, 24 Feb 2011 05:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hit the gyms with Fight Night Champion's new online features]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/20/hit-the-gyms-with-fight-night-champions-new-online-features/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/20/hit-the-gyms-with-fight-night-champions-new-online-features/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/20/hit-the-gyms-with-fight-night-champions-new-online-features/#comments The latest dev diary for Fight Night Champion details the title's biggest, newest feature: Online Gyms. Create a fighter and join the ranks of a player-made gym, brawling up tournament ladders and taking on other teams. Just make sure your gym has a clever name, first. (For instance: "Boxers.")

Continue reading Hit the gyms with Fight Night Champion's new online features

JoystiqHit the gyms with Fight Night Champion's new online features originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 20 Feb 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>boxingeaea-sportsfight-nightfight-night-championgymmicrosoftmultiplayeronlineplaystationps3xboxSun, 20 Feb 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Engadget gets its hands on Gaikai closed beta]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/02/engadget-gets-its-hands-on-gaikai-closed-beta/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/02/engadget-gets-its-hands-on-gaikai-closed-beta/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/02/engadget-gets-its-hands-on-gaikai-closed-beta/#comments Our geekier, yet still kind of cute in her own way sister site Engadget recently took Dave Perry-fronted streaming service Gaikai for a spin, and posted the results for all to see. Though the performance sounds about comparable to OnLive, the greatest strength of Perry's competing service is that it's not, in fact, attempting to compete.

Gaikai is primarily a way to sample games before purchasing them on a retail console or PC, so the inherent limitations aren't as large of hurdles as they are on OnLive, which aims to replace the home console. Or, at least, that's how Perry's pitching it. Get more of his take (and more Engadget reaction to the Gaikai experience) right here.

JoystiqEngadget gets its hands on Gaikai closed beta originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 02 Dec 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dave-perrydavid-perrygaikaionlinepcstreamingstreaming-gameplayThu, 02 Dec 2010 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Dead Nation voice chat coming 'soon']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/02/dead-nation-voice-chat-coming-soon/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/02/dead-nation-voice-chat-coming-soon/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/02/dead-nation-voice-chat-coming-soon/#comments Saying that the developer "sincerely apologise that voice chat is not available in Dead Nation's online co-op mode," Housemarque CEO and co-founder Ilari Kuittinen writes on the EU PlayStation Blog that the zombie-filled, twin-stick shooter will be updated with the feature "soon," with the team "currently working intensely to introduce it as quickly as possible."

While Kuittinen admits in his post that the lack of voice chat is "a major issue for some players," he goes on to say, "we think that releasing Dead Nation has been the right decision as the game is still great fun." We'd have to agree with that last part -- about it being great fun -- but have to wonder how much shipping without such a integral element to online co-op was worth compared to missing out on holiday sales.

JoystiqDead Nation voice chat coming 'soon' originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 02 Dec 2010 14:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>co-opdead-nationHousemarqueIlari-Kuittinenonlinepatchplaystationps3sonyvoice-chatThu, 02 Dec 2010 14:25:00 EST<![CDATA[The Last Story has competitive and cooperative online play]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/10/the-last-story-has-competitive-and-cooperative-online-play/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/10/the-last-story-has-competitive-and-cooperative-online-play/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/10/the-last-story-has-competitive-and-cooperative-online-play/#commentsYes, it's still on the Wii.

The latest Jump magazine, summarized by Andriasang, reveals two online game modes for Mistwalker's surprisingly exciting action RPG, The Last Story. The competitive mode is a battle arena, and the cooperative mode has players teaming up to fight tough monsters -- reminiscent of a certain phenomenally successful series about hunting monsters, perhaps. Both modes support up to six players and are accessed through the game's "Raid Lobby" area.

With players meeting their pals on the internet, it makes sense that you can customize your character. Andriasang notes that players' armor and equipment is visible on their characters, and items can be "painted" to customize their color. The Last Story will be released in Japan on January 27. No plans have been announced for a launch outside of Japan.

Gallery: The Last Story (Nintendo Conference 2010)

JoystiqThe Last Story has competitive and cooperative online play originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 10 Nov 2010 11:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>co-opHironobu-Sakaguchimistwalkermultiplayernintendoonlinethe-last-storywiiWed, 10 Nov 2010 11:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Ubisoft brings online middleware dev Quazal into its brotherhood]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/04/ubisoft-brings-online-middleware-dev-quazal-into-its-brotherhood/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/04/ubisoft-brings-online-middleware-dev-quazal-into-its-brotherhood/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/04/ubisoft-brings-online-middleware-dev-quazal-into-its-brotherhood/#comments On a bit of a spending spree this week, Ubisoft today added Montreal-based Quazal Technologies to the family. Creator of multiplayer middleware and services, Quazal has worked with Ubisoft for a number of years, and its products power components in a range of the publisher's titles, including this month's Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood, the last three Splinter Cell games and Far Cry 2.

"We're happy to be able to continue to express our creative vision via the projects we'll be working on with Ubisoft," Quazal co-founder Martin Lavoie said in a press announcement. Ubisoft has plenty to be happy about, too. While no representative stood up and said as much, executives were no doubt preparing to bathe in a fresh pool of licensing loot. Quazel tech is all up in plenty of other companies' games, after all.

Continue reading Ubisoft brings online middleware dev Quazal into its brotherhood

JoystiqUbisoft brings online middleware dev Quazal into its brotherhood originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 04 Nov 2010 22:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acquisitionAssassins-Creed-BrotherhoodAssassins-Creed-MultiplayerCanadamicrosoftmiddlewareMontrealmulitplayerNet-Zonlinepcplaystationps3QuazalQuazal-TechnologiesRendez-VousUbisoftxboxThu, 04 Nov 2010 22:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: Atlus releasing three online games in America next year]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/24/report-atlus-releasing-three-online-games-in-america-next-year/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/24/report-atlus-releasing-three-online-games-in-america-next-year/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/24/report-atlus-releasing-three-online-games-in-america-next-year/#comments According to a recent report from Siliconera, Atlus is planning on publishing three online titles from fellow Index Holdings-owned developer, Rosso Index, in North America early next year. The trio of games includes Pandora Saga, Master of Epic, and The Tower of Druaga -- the latter of which may sound familiar, as its an online-enabled remake of an identically titled 1984 Namco arcade game. Hopefully the remake is a little ... faster-paced than its 26-year-old counterpart.

We've contacted Atlus for confirmation of the company's plans to port the games to North American internets, and to get a few more details about them. For instance, what is a Master of Epic, and how do we become one?

JoystiqReport: Atlus releasing three online games in America next year originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 24 Oct 2010 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atlusindex-holdingsonlinepcrosso-indexthe-tower-of-druagaSun, 24 Oct 2010 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[THQ locks down multi-year rights to Deepak Chopra games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/12/thq-locks-down-multi-year-rights-to-deepak-chopra-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/12/thq-locks-down-multi-year-rights-to-deepak-chopra-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/12/thq-locks-down-multi-year-rights-to-deepak-chopra-games/#commentsFiled under: , ,

It's not quite an EA-NFL-level blockbuster deal, but THQ has entered into a multi-year licensing agreement for exclusive video game rights to Deepak Chopra's teachings. The deal with rights holder Curious Pictures extends to pretty much every platform imaginable, including XBLA, PSN and WiiWare.

Clearly not meant for THQ's "core" catalog (though yogic ab-building minigames aren't necessarily off the table), the Deepak Chopra games will fit into the publisher's "Casual and Lifestyle Portfolio." Said THQ exec Martin Good, "THQ continues to expand its casual games portfolio and has grand plans to invigorate the lifestyle category with this game."

Dr. Chopra is the author of more than 55 books on "mind-body health, spirituality and peace." You probably won't be able to shoot things in his games, or even stomp on them.

JoystiqTHQ locks down multi-year rights to Deepak Chopra games originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 12 Oct 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>casualcurious-picturesdeepak-chopradsmacmicrosoftmobilenintendoonlinepcplaystationps3psnthe-game-of-secretsthqwiiwiiwarexblaxboxxbox-liveTue, 12 Oct 2010 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Dead Nation promises online co-op at launch]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/08/dead-nation-promises-online-co-op-at-launch/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/08/dead-nation-promises-online-co-op-at-launch/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/08/dead-nation-promises-online-co-op-at-launch/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Tackling an inexhaustible undead force all by yourself just isn't a wise endeavor. Super Stardust developer Housemarque has announced that its PSN top-down scourge shooter, Dead Nation, will let two players meet in the place where barely human husks lunge violently at any signs of intelligence -- you may know it as the internet.

"Originally, online co-op wasn't going to be included as a launch feature, as the schedule and resources didn't allow it," Housemarque CEO Ilari Kuittinen wrote on the PlayStation Blog. "However, after many late night play-testing sessions and long talks with Sony Computer Entertainment, we decided that this was a must-have feature and it would be unfair to you if we launched without it!" You see, Ms. Croft? It's not that hard.

"At this point, our coders went from working 12-hour days to working 16-hour days, as well as weekends!" Oh ... well, uh ... this is awkward. Housemarque has yet to announce Dead Nation's launch date, though we know that it will cost $14.99.

Continue reading Dead Nation promises online co-op at launch

JoystiqDead Nation promises online co-op at launch originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 08 Oct 2010 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>co-opdead-nationhousemarqueonlineplaystationps3psnshooterzombiesFri, 08 Oct 2010 01:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Call of Duty: Black Ops will block party chat in some (but fewer) modes]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/05/call-of-duty-black-ops-will-block-party-chat-in-some-but-f/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/05/call-of-duty-black-ops-will-block-party-chat-in-some-but-f/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/05/call-of-duty-black-ops-will-block-party-chat-in-some-but-f/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Xbox Live socialistas were upset by Modern Warfare 2's policy of prohibiting players from taking part in certain online multiplayer modes while in a Live Party. In a recent interview with Videogamer.com, Treyarch's online director Dan Hunting explained that this policy returns in Call of Duty: Black Ops, reminding players that "we have that same restriction in certain playlists where they can use party chat to exploit the game mode." The hardcore Search and Destroy gametype is used as an example of where this would be appropriate.

However, the restriction won't be applied to as many playlists as it was in last year's Duty, including Team Deathmatch and "any game mode where it doesn't make sense to have it." So, yes, certain game modes will still require you to converse with the hoi polloi, but isn't that part of the magic of online shooters?

JoystiqCall of Duty: Black Ops will block party chat in some (but fewer) modes originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 05 Oct 2010 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionCall-of-Duty-Black-Opsdan-huntingmicrosoftmultiplayeronlineparty-chattreyarchxboxxbox-liveTue, 05 Oct 2010 10:15:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO industry sees increased market share, but less revenue per user]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/26/mmo-industry-sees-increased-market-share-but-less-revenue-per-u/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/26/mmo-industry-sees-increased-market-share-but-less-revenue-per-u/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/26/mmo-industry-sees-increased-market-share-but-less-revenue-per-u/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The online gaming industry analysts at Screen Digest recently shared some good news and bad news with Western MMO developers. The good? According to their report, the MMO market in Europe and the U.S. increased to $1.6 billion last year, up from $1.4 billion in 2008. However, the average revenue gained per MMO player declined 10 percent over the same time period, with recurring subscriptions pulling in around $13 million in 2009. (That's the bad news.)

This decline, of course, is a result of new business models in the MMO space, such as microtransactions and free-to-play online titles. These new models appear to be shaking things up a bit -- but we suppose as long as that first number keeps going up, the second one can do whatever it likes.

JoystiqMMO industry sees increased market share, but less revenue per user originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 26 Sep 2010 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>industrymmommorpgonlinepcrevenueWorld-of-WarcraftSun, 26 Sep 2010 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Atari launches Atari GO, with plans to 'reinvent' classics for social gaming]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/23/atari-launches-atari-go-with-plans-to-reinvent-classics-for-s/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/23/atari-launches-atari-go-with-plans-to-reinvent-classics-for-s/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/23/atari-launches-atari-go-with-plans-to-reinvent-classics-for-s/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Atari today launched a new initiative called "Atari GO" (short for "Atari Games Online"), which is designed to leverage the company's current and future catalog across a number of platforms, including consoles, mobile, social and online gaming.

Joystiq spoke with Atari Executive VP of Online and Mobile Gaming Thom Kozik, who said that the new program aims to use Atari's catalog and partnered indie developers to "not only move Atari more aggressively into providing casual online and social games, but leverage that well of experience and creativity that all of these independent developers have."

Kozik reiterated that Atari has slowly built and acquired a large infrastructure for online and social gaming, and the company is now opening up that infrastructure to both developers interested in creating new Atari titles and online affiliates that can embed and host Atari's games. Through Atari GO, Kozik said he hopes to turn sites that are currently hosting unofficial versions of Atari's oldies into new sources of income. "Take that unofficial version down, replace it with our official version," he suggested, "and you'll be able to share in the revenue."

Kozik revealed that some of the Atari GO games will be tied into the company's core games. For example, a Facebook tie-in game might unlock extra content in the upcoming console racer Test Drive Unlimited 2. "So we're able to wire together, for a particular player, their virtual goods, their experiences and what they'll be able to share, back and forth," he explained. Additionally, Atari plans to "reinvent" some of its historic games within a social gaming context. Both Asteroids Online and Deer Hunter Online are due out by the end of the year and serve as "new reimaginings of those IPs in a socialized context," according to Kozik, "with microtransactions and a broader narrative."

JoystiqAtari launches Atari GO, with plans to 'reinvent' classics for social gaming originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 23 Sep 2010 18:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>asteroids-onlineatariatari-godeer-hunter-onlinemicrosoftmicrotransactionsmobileonlinepcplaystationps3social-gamessocial-gamingtest-drive-unlimited-2thom-kozikxboxThu, 23 Sep 2010 18:40:00 EST<![CDATA[New digital strategy director appointed at Atari]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/23/new-digital-strategy-director-appointed-at-atari/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/23/new-digital-strategy-director-appointed-at-atari/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/23/new-digital-strategy-director-appointed-at-atari/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Former business development and marketing consultant Alex Chung has become the senior director of digital strategy and distribution for Atari, according to a press release issued by the publisher this week. "Alex joins Atari as we continue to drive our business into the online market," said Atari president Jim Wilson of the new hire, referencing his company's online push over the last few years.

In his past, Cheung worked with Ubisoft, NHN America and Yahoo in "various business development and advisory roles." He'll be reporting directly to Atari's Jim Wilson, who, as we all know, reports to the Almighty Pong himself. Oh, is that not how game corporations work?

Continue reading New digital strategy director appointed at Atari

JoystiqNew digital strategy director appointed at Atari originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 23 Sep 2010 00:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alex-chungataribusinessdigital-strategyjim-wilsononlineThu, 23 Sep 2010 00:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Minecraft server issues cause impromptu free-to-play weekend]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/19/minecraft-server-issues-cause-impromptu-free-to-play-weekend/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/19/minecraft-server-issues-cause-impromptu-free-to-play-weekend/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/19/minecraft-server-issues-cause-impromptu-free-to-play-weekend/#commentsFiled under: , ,

If the latest Penny Arcade strip filled you with an interest/mortal fear of Markus Persson's indie sandbox title Minecraft, you'll be pleased to learn that the game is free to check out today (and possibly even a bit longer). On the game's official site, Persson reported, "Minecraft got way too popular for this humble server," leading him to temporarily shut down a few of the game's online services. Luckily for us spendthrifts, Persson decided to institute "a 'free-to-play weekend', or however long this will take to fix."

You'll have to purchase the game and register a new account once things get back up and running, but this seems like a pretty great chance to see what the game's all about without paying for it up front. That is, if you couldn't suss out from the title that it mostly focuses on mining, and then crafting.

JoystiqMinecraft server issues cause impromptu free-to-play weekend originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 19 Sep 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>free-to-playmarkus-perssonMinecraftonlinepcSun, 19 Sep 2010 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Let their voices be unheard: Halo: Reach has an auto-mute feature]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/15/halo-reach-has-an-auto-mute-feature/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/15/halo-reach-has-an-auto-mute-feature/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/15/halo-reach-has-an-auto-mute-feature/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Blatant violations of standard netiquette practices have become sorrowfully commonplace in the online gaming arena -- so commonplace, in fact, that it sometimes just doesn't even feel worth it to mute your insufferable teammates. If you're planning on sinking a good chunk of your life into Halo: Reach, we ask that you muster up the resolve to keep on muting -- not just for yourself, but for the world.

Bungie's Tyson Green (using the pseudonym "Ferrex") recently informed Ars Technica that Reach has a rather democratic auto-mute feature, which "notices, warns, and eventually defaults players to being muted when they enter games, if they are muted by enough people over a period of time." So, remain ever vigilant in the face of stupidity, dear friends. We thank you in advance.

JoystiqLet their voices be unheard: Halo: Reach has an auto-mute feature originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 Sep 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auto-mutebungiecommunityHalo-ReachmicrosoftMicrosoft-Game-Studiosmultiplayermuteonlinexboxxbox-liveWed, 15 Sep 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[NBA Jam East rosters revealed, legends included]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/08/nba-jam-east-rosters-revealed-legends-included/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/08/nba-jam-east-rosters-revealed-legends-included/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/08/nba-jam-east-rosters-revealed-legends-included/#commentsFiled under: , ,

"Mr. NBA 2K11" is still noticeably absent from NBA Jam's Eastern Conference roster, which does boast the likes of Bird, Dr. J and Jordan sidekick Scottie Pippen. Even Drazen Petrovic, who is said to haunt the original arcade game and was removed from console versions following his death in a car accident, has been resurrected as a Nets legend. Of course, the new NBA Jam will feature plenty of current players, including the Miami Thrice, when it's released next month for Wii and as a downloadable bonus with new copies of NBA Elite 11 for Xbox 360 and PS3.

Each team has 3-4 active players, as determined by fan voting (with the exception of Gilbert Arenas, who made the cut but was left out of the voting after that handgun fiasco), explains ESPN, which obtained the complete game roster -- the West's stars to be posted next week [update: West rosters]. Additionally, most teams have a "legend" or two -- or three for the Knicks: Ewing, LJ and Starks (hey, they need help!) -- on hand, with a preference for the original arcade's stars (sorry Zo!). Some teams don't have a long or storied enough history to feature a legend, in which case EA has added the team's mascot to the bench -- or in the Pacers' case (a contractual hiccup with Reggie Miller), there's simply ... Schrempf.

Some late summer trades also contribute to a few oddities in the final rosters, with Courtney Lee (now a Houston Rocket) still on the Nets and Al Harrington (now in Denver) still a Knick. It's unlikely the Wii version will be patched after release, and EA Sports community manager Alain Quinto recently confirmed (in response to the question) that it wouldn't feature online multiplayer either.

Head past the break for the full Eastern Conference breakdown.

Continue reading NBA Jam East rosters revealed, legends included

JoystiqNBA Jam East rosters revealed, legends included originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 08 Sep 2010 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaea-sportseastern-conferencemicrosoftmultiplayernba-jamnintendoonlineplaystationps3rosterwiixboxWed, 08 Sep 2010 11:15:00 EST<![CDATA[EA Sports' Moore envisions browser-based games for smaller sports]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/02/ea-sports-moore-envisions-browser-based-games-for-smaller-sport/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/02/ea-sports-moore-envisions-browser-based-games-for-smaller-sport/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/02/ea-sports-moore-envisions-browser-based-games-for-smaller-sport/#commentsFiled under: , ,

EA Sports covers nearly all the big sports: football, soccer, golf, basketball, hockey, etc. But will it ever tackle a more niche interest? Its president, Peter Moore, certainly sees that as a possibility -- just not on the current HD consoles.

Obviously, the main obstacle in the path of these smaller sports is development cost. "It would be very difficult for us to justify putting a full-blown next-gen team on with all the associated costs," Moore explained to Edge. However, he does see an alternative. "Can we do a browser based version? So I think the answer's yes, but we're not there yet ... Digitize that content and provide experience for - and I don't want to call them lesser sports - but regional sports that find it difficult to scale."

EA is already dabbling in a number of browser-based experiences, including FIFA Online and Tiger Woods Online. With its continued expansion in the area (see: the recent acquisition of Playfish), the future certainly holds a lot of possibilities. Who knows -- the lower barrier of entry may one day enable EA Sports to make that lacrosse game we've been dreaming up.

JoystiqEA Sports' Moore envisions browser-based games for smaller sports originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cricketea-sportslacrosseonlinepcpeter-moorerugbyThu, 02 Sep 2010 01:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Halo: Reach campaign co-op matchmaking confirmed]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/23/halo-reach-campaign-co-op-matchmaking-confirmed/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/23/halo-reach-campaign-co-op-matchmaking-confirmed/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/23/halo-reach-campaign-co-op-matchmaking-confirmed/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Plumbed from the depths of Bungie's latest weekly update by ThatVideogameBlog comes confirmation that Halo: Reach will support campaign co-op matchmaking. In the simplest and, may we say, least Bungie way to do it, public acknowledgment of the expected functionality was given in response to a Bungie.net user asking, "Can I haz Campaign Matchmaking?"

The answer, in one word: "Yes."

And with that, Bungie has confirmed that all three major Reach game modes -- regular ol' multiplayer, Firefight and co-op -- will support the developer's excellent matchmaking experience. Though this news is overwhelmingly good for Halo fans, we're pretty worried about what it'll do to our work days.

JoystiqHalo: Reach campaign co-op matchmaking confirmed originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 23 Aug 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bungiebungie-studioscampaign-matchmakingco-opHalo-ReachmatchmakingmicrosoftmultiplayeronlinexboxMon, 23 Aug 2010 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Chronicles of Spellborn servers going offline next month]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/10/chronicles-of-spellborn-servers-going-offline-next-month/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/10/chronicles-of-spellborn-servers-going-offline-next-month/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/10/chronicles-of-spellborn-servers-going-offline-next-month/#commentsFiled under: , ,

After a few years of service in various incarnations, Playdom's Chronicles of Spellborn MMO is calling it quits and will be shutting down its servers next month. Recent server outages are unrelated, apparently, but the game, which started out as a pay-to-play title and then redeveloped as a free-to-play game after the original developers went bankrupt, will be done for good at the end of September, according to an email from a company representative. The game still had a small but active community, and they've started the usual Internet petition to try and keep it online.

We contacted Disney to see what part, if any, it might have had in the game's shutdown, given that it now presumably oversees the property, but the House of Mouse declined a comment. Whoever decided to pull the plug, looks like the Chronicles has reached its last page.

JoystiqChronicles of Spellborn servers going offline next month originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 10 Aug 2010 05:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acclaimchronicles-of-spellborndisneyfree-to-playhouse-of-mousemmoonlinepcplaydomserversTue, 10 Aug 2010 05:30:00 EST