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[Dune 2 ported to Javascript, play it for free in your browser]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/28/dune-2-ported-to-javascript-play-it-for-free-in-your-browser/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/28/dune-2-ported-to-javascript-play-it-for-free-in-your-browser/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/28/dune-2-ported-to-javascript-play-it-for-free-in-your-browser/#comments Play Dune 2 in your browserDune 2 is a Westwood Studios game put together back in 1992, and it's probably best known for being the prototypical RTS, one of the first games to put together all of the elements that later led to the genre that made StarCraft and Command & Conquer so popular. An open-source recreation of the game was started up a few years ago, and that version has now been ported to HTML 5, which means the original can now be played online in your browser.

This version is authentic, but t's obviously not as easy or user-friendly as you might expect from a more modern real-time strategy game. It's a nice trip down memory lane, or maybe just a free introduction to a piece of PC gaming history.

JoystiqDune 2 ported to Javascript, play it for free in your browser originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 28 Dec 2012 23:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>browserclassicdune-2javascriptopen-duneopen-sourcepcwestwood-studiosFri, 28 Dec 2012 23:59:00 EST<![CDATA['A Slower Speed of Light' is an open-source game on special relativity from MIT Game Lab]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/09/a-slower-speed-of-light-is-an-open-source-game-on-special-rela/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/09/a-slower-speed-of-light-is-an-open-source-game-on-special-rela/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/09/a-slower-speed-of-light-is-an-open-source-game-on-special-rela/#comments
The behavior of light may seem static and uninteresting (it's bright and fast, we get it), but there's actually an incredible amount of science going on that we generally don't experience during our normal lives.

A Slower Speed of Light, a new open-source game for PC and OSX from MIT Game Lab, explores the more intricate and interesting behaviors of light in a "relativistic game engine." As players collect objects, the speed of light is slowed and players are able to experience phenomena such as the Doppler effect, time dilation and the Lorentz transformation, among others.

While the open-source aspects of this project are not yet available, the plan is to release the game's Unity3D-based engine as OpenRelativity sometime in 2013. For now, the game itself can be downloaded here.

Gallery: A Slower Speed of Light

Joystiq'A Slower Speed of Light' is an open-source game on special relativity from MIT Game Lab originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 09 Nov 2012 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a-slower-speed-of-lightclassical-physicsdoppler-effectfaster-than-lightlightLorentz-transformationmacmit-game-labopen-sourcepcphysicsrelativityspecial-relativitytime-dilationFri, 09 Nov 2012 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Open source mobile game controller iControlPad 2 has QWERTY keyboard]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/29/open-source-mobile-game-controller-icontrolpad-2-has-qwerty-keyb/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/29/open-source-mobile-game-controller-icontrolpad-2-has-qwerty-keyb/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/29/open-source-mobile-game-controller-icontrolpad-2-has-qwerty-keyb/#comments
Product 3 LLC is in the midst of a Kickstarter campaign for its mobile gaming device, the
iControlPad 2. With just under two weeks to go, the project has met over half of its $150k funding goal.

Improving on the original iControlPad, the device includes a QWERTY keypad as well as a swivel-mount that clamps to your smartphone of choice. As demonstrated in the video above, the controller is expected to work with any app due to its open-source nature. The Kickstarter page for the iControlPad 2 lists Ouya and Raspberry Pi support in addition to a 12-14 hour battery life.

[Thanks, Ashley!]

JoystiqOpen source mobile game controller iControlPad 2 has QWERTY keyboard originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 29 Sep 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>controllergame-padicontrolpadicontrolpad-2iosipadiphonekickstartermobileopen-sourceperipheralsproduct-3-llcSat, 29 Sep 2012 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Create Creative Commons games and art in the 'Liberated Pixel Cup']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/13/create-creative-commons-games-and-art-in-the-liberated-pixel-cu/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/13/create-creative-commons-games-and-art-in-the-liberated-pixel-cu/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/13/create-creative-commons-games-and-art-in-the-liberated-pixel-cu/#comments ImageIf you're cool with a little freeware/open-source jargon ("free-as-in-freedom"), we encourage you to check out the Liberated Pixel Cup.

Creative Commons, the Free Software Foundation, and OpenGameArt, three organizations naturally concerned with the free transmission of culture, are partnering to make the world a better place for free game development. The contest is taking place in two phases: first, participants are encouraged to create new game art usable by anyone (as long as they attribute the source), and upload it to OpenGameArt.

Then, all that art will be used to make games, between July 1st and July 31st. Prizes will be awarded for standouts in both categories. It seems pretty likely you'll be able to download and play all the games from the contest as well, given that, you know, "free software" business. If you don't want to participate artistically, you can do so financially, by donating to the style guide artists and prize fund. Consider it an act of ironic charity.

JoystiqCreate Creative Commons games and art in the 'Liberated Pixel Cup' originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 13 Apr 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>contestcreative-commonsfree-software-foundationliberated-pixel-cupopen-sourceopengameartpcFri, 13 Apr 2012 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Mineways: Create 3D prints of your Minecraft creations, or pay someone else to]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/04/mineways-create-3d-prints-of-your-minecraft-creations-or-pay-s/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/04/mineways-create-3d-prints-of-your-minecraft-creations-or-pay-s/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/04/mineways-create-3d-prints-of-your-minecraft-creations-or-pay-s/#comments
3D printers are, indisputably, super awesome. They're boxes full of magic, hope, and lasers, which create substance from nothing and reality from dreams. Coincidentally, Minecraft basically does the exact same thing, by providing the user with a cuboid sandbox for their imagination to run wild in. Now, these two worlds of creation can be joined together via Mineways, a 3D model-exportation tool created by Eric Haines.

The process breaks down like this: Using Mineways, Minecraft players can select a portion of the world they've built and export it as a texture file and 3D model, in file formats compatible with the rendering software used by 3D printers. Those files can then be printed, creating an adorable little real-life version of whatever it is you had exported.

If you're not part of the 1 percent and as such do not have access to a 3D printer, your exported files can be sent to a printing service like Shapeways, which does exactly what a 3D printing service sounds like it would do. Based on the size and complexity of the model, getting something printed can run from 25 bucks for a small doodad to several hundred dollars for a complete landscape.

Somewhere, a very wealthy Minecraft/model train enthusiast is extremely pleased. Click here to grab the open source software directly from Eric, and to see an in-depth how-to guide.

JoystiqMineways: Create 3D prints of your Minecraft creations, or pay someone else to originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 04 Jan 2012 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3d-printingEric-HainesmacmicrosoftMinecraftminewaysmobileopen-sourcepcshapewaysxboxWed, 04 Jan 2012 01:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Marathon trilogy now free through open-source project [update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/01/marathon-trilogy-now-free-through-open-source-project/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/01/marathon-trilogy-now-free-through-open-source-project/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/01/marathon-trilogy-now-free-through-open-source-project/#comments In what we can only assume to be a charitable act made in the spirit of the holidays, the Aleph One engine, which powers Marathon 2: Durandal, Marathon Infinity and a fan remake of the original Marathon, is now available to download (alongside the aforementioned games) for free. The distribution of the engine -- assumedly approved by Bungie, who just shared it through the studio's Twitter account -- is made possible thanks to its GNU General Public License.

All three games are available for PC, Mac and Linux -- as well as the iPad, thanks to an open-source project completed this past summer -- so there's really no reason for you not to check them out. Unless, of course, you can only find satisfaction through thoroughly illegal piracy. We can role-play, if that makes it any easier. "No! Don't download all those games for free! That's illegal, you bad, bad buccaneer."

Update: As many of you have pointed out, this project has been around for some time -- today just marks the arrival of version 1.0. We apologize for being so very, very late to the party.

JoystiqMarathon trilogy now free through open-source project [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 01 Dec 2011 17:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bungiefreegnulinuxmacMarathonMarathon-Durandalopen-sourcepcThu, 01 Dec 2011 17:10:00 EST<![CDATA[PSA: Doom 3 source code now available]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/23/psa-doom-3-source-code-now-available/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/23/psa-doom-3-source-code-now-available/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/23/psa-doom-3-source-code-now-available/#comments You've been patiently awaiting your crack at id Tech 4, the engine powering Doom 3, ever since id Software announced its intention to release the source code. Now, the wait is over! You can download it for yourself from GitHub right now.

And remember, id Tech 4 isn't obsolete just yet. A modified version of it will power Human Head's Prey 2 next year.

JoystiqPSA: Doom 3 source code now available originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 23 Nov 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Doom-3doom-3-source-codeopen-sourcepcsource-codeWed, 23 Nov 2011 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Doom 3 source code 'packaged and tested,' waiting on legal OK]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/01/doom-3-source-code-packaged-and-tested-waiting-on-legal-ok/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/01/doom-3-source-code-packaged-and-tested-waiting-on-legal-ok/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/01/doom-3-source-code-packaged-and-tested-waiting-on-legal-ok/#comments

If you've been waiting for id Software to open source its retroactively titled id Tech 4 technology, first used in 2004's Doom 3, your seven-year test of patience is nearly over. John Carmack used yesterday's Halloween opportunity to burst out of a monster closet (on Twitter) declaring, "doom 3 source is packaged and tested, we are waiting on final lawyer clearance for release."

And while seven years seems like just enough time to ensure the absence of commercial viability for the tech, remember Prey 2 will be using a modified version, which producer Matt Bisenius called "capable." We're also going to take this opportunity to prematurely mark 2018 down in our calendars, for the Rage / id Tech 5 source code release.

JoystiqDoom 3 source code 'packaged and tested,' waiting on legal OK originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 01 Nov 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bethesda-softworksDoom-3id-softwarejohn-carmackopen-sourcepcTue, 01 Nov 2011 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Ancel wants Rayman Origins' UbiArt to be open-source]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/13/ancel-wants-rayman-origins-ubiart-to-be-open-source/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/13/ancel-wants-rayman-origins-ubiart-to-be-open-source/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/13/ancel-wants-rayman-origins-ubiart-to-be-open-source/#comments The UbiArt technology, which is currently being put to use on Rayman Origins, will be as free and open as the space between Rayman's hand and body, if Michel Ancel has his way. Speaking to Develop, he expressed his desire to release the framework as open-source, to benefit other developers keen on making animated 2D games.

"If you look at the best artists at Disney for example," Ancel told Develop, "they create incredible books and artwork and share their processes - it's interesting because those same people are happy to look at how other artists are developing their style. That whole medium has evolved on the basis of sharing ideas. But in games we lock it all in a black box and keep it to ourselves." Ancel hopes that the tools will inspire small devs: "It is more interesting to have a community and share our content."

When Rayman Origins was first announced at E3 2010, it was accompanied by samples of other 2D games with varying art styles also made in the UbiArt framework. Even so, this plan hasn't actually been finalized yet. While he believes the technology will be offered freely, Ubisoft executives still have to make the final decision about licensing terms.

JoystiqAncel wants Rayman Origins' UbiArt to be open-source originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 13 Jul 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsdsmichel-ancelmicrosoftnintendoopen-sourceplaystationps3raymanrayman-originsubiartxboxWed, 13 Jul 2011 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Bungie fan porting Marathon to iPad, Marathon Infinity going open source]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/24/marathon-to-ipad-marathon-infinity-going-ope/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/24/marathon-to-ipad-marathon-infinity-going-ope/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/24/marathon-to-ipad-marathon-infinity-going-ope/#comments Daniel Blezek has been working on an iPad port of Bungie's nearly 20-year-old franchise for quite some time now -- more or less since the iPad launched in January of 2010, he says. Years of perseverance, a loving family, and some basic technical chops allowed Blezek to complete the port recently. Bungie and Blezek expect it to arrive on the App Store any minute, pending Apple approval, for the low, low price of zero dollars.

If that weren't enough, Bungie has released the final game of the Marathon trilogy, Infinity, to the open source community, meaning it's likely to be included in the iPad App. Between the release of an iOS App recently and Marathon this week, it looks as though Bungie's support for the iOS platform is really up and running.

JoystiqBungie fan porting Marathon to iPad, Marathon Infinity going open source originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 24 Jun 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>app-storebungiebungie-studiosdaniel-blezekiosipadMarathonMarathon-Durandalmarathon-infinitymarathon-trilogymobileopen-sourceFri, 24 Jun 2011 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Free, open source FPS 'Red Eclipse' hits version 1.0]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/18/free-open-source-fps-red-eclipse-hits-version-1-0/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/18/free-open-source-fps-red-eclipse-hits-version-1-0/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/18/free-open-source-fps-red-eclipse-hits-version-1-0/#comments
Red Eclipse is a full-featured, Quake 3 Arena-style first person shooter with, as you can see in the trailer after the break, some nice touches, including a wallrunning system, lots of bright colors exploding around and what looks like pretty good ragdoll physics. Oh, and one more thing: It's completely free and open source.

The game, based on the Cube Engine 2 system, has just hit version 1.0 -- and, outside of any actual gameplay, just having a fully-built FPS game available to the open source community is a nice bonus. With a code library like this, developers might be able to hook it up to a Kinect, port it to any number of platforms, or do whatever else those crazy coders dream about at night.

Or you can just download and play it for free -- the game's available on Windows, Linux or Mac OS X. This is all thanks to the hard work of volunteers, so if you do like the game and/or use it in one of your own projects, we're sure donations to their cause would be much appreciated.

Continue reading Free, open source FPS 'Red Eclipse' hits version 1.0

JoystiqFree, open source FPS 'Red Eclipse' hits version 1.0 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 18 Mar 2011 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fpsfreelinuxmacopen-sourceos-xpcred-eclipseFri, 18 Mar 2011 05:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Indie iPhone sale raises $25K as Canabalt goes open source]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/31/indie-iphone-sale-raises-25k-as-canabalt-goes-open-source/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/31/indie-iphone-sale-raises-25k-as-canabalt-goes-open-source/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/31/indie-iphone-sale-raises-25k-as-canabalt-goes-open-source/#comments The generosity of indie developer Semi Secret apparently knows no bounds. Not only did the studio lend its runaway (geddit?) hit Canabalt to the Indie iPhone sale, which has already raised over $25,000 for the Child's Play Charity with its ongoing $0.99 offers on iPhone hits such as Osmos, Drop7, and Solipskier, but the two-man team behind the grayscale game has opened up the Canabalt source code for everyone's perusal.

You can download and learn more about the Canabalt source on Semi Secret's official site -- all that we ask is that, should you go poking around in the game's brain, you finally program in whatever the agile protagonist is running from. We've spun off a number of theories involving the Illuminati, but it's entirely possible that we're way, way off base.

JoystiqIndie iPhone sale raises $25K as Canabalt goes open source originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 31 Dec 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>canabaltindieiosiphonemobileopen-sourcesalesemi-secret-softwareFri, 31 Dec 2010 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Android-based 'ODROID' gaming handheld looks better than it sounds]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/02/android-based-odroid-gaming-handheld-sounds-better-than-it-loo/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/02/android-based-odroid-gaming-handheld-sounds-better-than-it-loo/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/02/android-based-odroid-gaming-handheld-sounds-better-than-it-loo/#comments The handheld gaming landscape is littered with the remnants of failed devices. Hardkernel is hoping that you don't find its ODROID among them -- but, if you do, it'll be fairly easy to spot. The device, which runs Google's Android OS, features no less than three sets of buttons that can (seemingly) serve as D-pads.

Aesthetic gripes aside, the yet-to-be-dated device is packing some nice tech. For one, it uses the same Samsung CPU as the iPhone 3GS. It can also play back 720p video on an external display via HDMI and has built-in WiFi. Oh, and it plays Android OS games of both the touch-based (and, one would think given all the buttons) traditional variety, too. All in all it sounds pretty spiffy, even if its name is a bit ... odd.

[Via Engadget]

JoystiqAndroid-based 'ODROID' gaming handheld looks better than it sounds originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 02 Sep 2009 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>google-androidhandheldhardkernelmobileodroidopen-sourceWed, 02 Sep 2009 01:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Carmack releases open source Wolfenstein for iPhone]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/24/carmack-releases-open-source-wolfenstein-for-iphone/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/24/carmack-releases-open-source-wolfenstein-for-iphone/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/24/carmack-releases-open-source-wolfenstein-for-iphone/#comments
The following post was assembled using two documents (Carmack_iPhone_development.doc and readme_iWolf.txt) written by John Carmack and included in Wolf3D iPhone v1.0 Source. The documents are posted in their exhaustive entirety after the break.

Dear Diary,

I love my iPhone. Unfortunately, things have conspired against us being out early on the platform. I had a plan for an aggressive, iPhone specific project that we actually started putting some internal resources on, but the programmer tasked with it didn't work out and was let go. In an odd coincidence, an outside development team came to us with a proposal, and we decided to have them work on the iPhone project. We should be announcing this project soon, and it is cool.

After a little looking around, I found Wolf3D Redux at http://wolf3dredux.sourceforge.net/. The game was still fun to play after all these years, and I began to think that it might be worthwhile to actually make a product out of Wolfenstein on the iPhone. The simple episodic nature of the game would make it easy to split up into a $0.99 version with just the first episode. I was getting a little ahead of myself without a fun-to-play demonstration of feasibility on the iPhone, but the idea of moving the entire line of classic Id titles over -- Wolf, Doom, Quake, Quake 2, and Quake Arena, was starting to sound like a real good idea.

Continue reading Carmack releases open source Wolfenstein for iPhone

JoystiqCarmack releases open source Wolfenstein for iPhone originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 24 Mar 2009 13:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>doomgplidid-softwareiphonejohn-carmackopen-sourcewolfensteinwolfenstein-3dTue, 24 Mar 2009 13:26:00 EST<![CDATA[Wikia launches do-it-yourself online game mag]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/15/wikia-launches-do-it-yourself-online-game-mag/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/15/wikia-launches-do-it-yourself-online-game-mag/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/15/wikia-launches-do-it-yourself-online-game-mag/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

How many times have you read a video game magazine or web site and thought, "I could write better than that." Oh yeah, tough guy? You think it's easy writing this stuff? Well, now is your chance to prove it.

Launched Tuesday, Gaming.wikia is part of a group of "open-source magazines" that "allow people to blog, rate content and freely contribute news and information on topics they are passionate about," according to the press release. In other words, it's the collaborative power of Wikipedia mixed with the democratic organization of Digg.

Or maybe not. When we loaded up the site, the top story of the moment was "Motorstorm is Awesome," which included the cogent commentary "I love racing games, but this is just FREAKING AWESOME!" Is this supposed to be an online magazine or a glorified message board?

The problem with letting everyone contribute is that you have to let everyone contribute. Without a large, well-organized community to moderate out the crap, an open-source project like this can go from controlled chaos to just plain chaos rather quickly. If Gaming.wikia can attract this sort of self-policing community, more power to them. If not, there are plenty of satisfactory sources for game news out there already. Like the fine, closed-source site you're reading right now, for instance.

[Via Game|Life]

JoystiqWikia launches do-it-yourself online game mag originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 15 Mar 2007 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gamingmagazinemediaopen-sourcePCwikiwikiaThu, 15 Mar 2007 13:20:00 EST