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[EA's Board of Directors breathes in Oxygen founder]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/07/eas-board-of-directors-breathes-in-oxygen-founder/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/07/eas-board-of-directors-breathes-in-oxygen-founder/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/07/eas-board-of-directors-breathes-in-oxygen-founder/#commentsFiled under: ,

Geraldine Laybourne, the founder of women's cable television channel Oxygen, has joined the Board of Directors at Electronic Arts. Prior to creating television programs that pander to the fairer sex, Laybourne also worked for Nickelodeon, where she was instrumental in launching the station's window into the past that is Nick at Night.

While it's pure guesswork as to whether this move was more driven by Laybourne's business savvy or EA's continued interest in putting games in front of women, families and tweens, we imagine that both played a vital role in getting the TV exec to hop on board.

JoystiqEA's Board of Directors breathes in Oxygen founder originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 07 Nov 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>casualeaelectronic-artselectronicartsGeraldine-LaybourneGeraldineLaybournenickelodeonoxygenwomenFri, 07 Nov 2008 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[VC Monday Madness: Super Fantasy Zone, Gley Lancer and Pirates]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/21/vc-monday-madness-super-fantasy-zone-gley-lancer-and-pirates/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/21/vc-monday-madness-super-fantasy-zone-gley-lancer-and-pirates/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/21/vc-monday-madness-super-fantasy-zone-gley-lancer-and-pirates/#commentsFiled under:


After all of the fun to be had at E3, it's time to get back to business as usual. Nintendo knows this, which is why the Virtual Console and WiiWare have both updated this week. So, let's get to the details already!

This week's WiiWare release is:
This week's Virtual Console releases are:
  • Super Fantasy Zone (Sega Genesis, 1 player, 900 Wii Points)
  • Gley Lancer (Sega Genesis, 1 player, 900 Wii Points)
And, before you ask, yes, those are the correct prices (both games are imports).

[Via press release]

JoystiqVC Monday Madness: Super Fantasy Zone, Gley Lancer and Pirates originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 21 Jul 2008 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>genesisgley-lanceroxygenoxygen-interactivepiratessegasuper-fantasy-zoneMon, 21 Jul 2008 10:15:00 EST<![CDATA[VC Friday: 'Arrrr's and cars]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/18/vc-friday-arrrrs-and-cars/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/18/vc-friday-arrrrs-and-cars/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/18/vc-friday-arrrrs-and-cars/#commentsFiled under: , ,


It's a double WiiWare update for this Friday, PAL peeps. Oxygen's Pirates: The Key of Dreams is an unknown quantity, but appears to be some kind of piracy-themed scrolling shooter with strategic elements. If that sounds like it has potential, the footage we've seen so far (viewable, as usual, after the break) isn't filling us with bright-eyed optimism. We'll be downloading that today and giving it a whirl, so let's hope we're wrong!

SPOGS Racing, on the other hand, is very much a known quantity, and not a very great one, either -- we slapped a three out of ten on it.
  • Pirates: The Key of Dreams -- WiiWare -- 1000 Wii Points
  • SPOGS Racing -- WiiWare -- 1000 Wii Points

Continue reading VC Friday: 'Arrrr's and cars

JoystiqVC Friday: 'Arrrr's and cars originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 18 Jul 2008 08:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>australiad2cd2c-gameseuropefridayoxygenpalpiratespirates-the-key-of-dreamsracingshooterspogsspogs-racingFri, 18 Jul 2008 08:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Oxygen schedules pirates and more for Europe]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/03/oxygen-schedules-pirates-and-more-for-europe/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/03/oxygen-schedules-pirates-and-more-for-europe/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/03/oxygen-schedules-pirates-and-more-for-europe/#commentsFiled under:

Oxygen Interactive has a slew of upcoming DS software in its lineup, which involve make-up, pirates, and pool respectively (although a combination of the three would be interesting, as that would likely involve applying eye-liner to Johnny Depp).

The games now have release dates (or months), which seem to be Europe-only even though the company is bringing them to the U.S. eventually. We don't imagine that this lot will take long to localize, though, as there won't be any translation issues.

The one that piques our interest the most is the August release of Pirates: Duels on the High Seas, because, well, it involves pirates. It's also a sequel to a WiiWare title called Pirates: The Key of Dreams, which should hit Nintendo's service sometime this month.

As for the pirate-less games, you have 8Ball All Stars, which is a "modern and stylish take on pool," slated for September. Then, in October you can expect Oxygen's line of demeaning girls' titles to hit the market, including My Make-Up, My Dress-Up, and My Secret Diary.

Does anyone think they'll be swashbuckling this summer -- you know, in the legal way?

Gallery: Pirates: Duels on the High Seas

JoystiqOxygen schedules pirates and more for Europe originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 03 Jul 2008 13:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>8ball8ball-all-starsduels-on-the-high-seaskey-of-dreamsmy-dress-upmy-make-upmy-secret-diaryoxygenoxygen-interactivepiratesThu, 03 Jul 2008 13:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Oxygen busts out three young girl games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/05/oxygen-busts-out-three-young-girl-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/05/oxygen-busts-out-three-young-girl-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/05/oxygen-busts-out-three-young-girl-games/#commentsFiled under:

Oxygen games is making three titles for "the young female gamer," including My Make-Up, My Dress-Up, and My Secret Diary. It's not hard to guess what each game will be about -- makeovers, fashion, and keeping a journal, respectively. As cheesy as they sound, there is a cool feature that adds interoperability between them. For example, if you save your Make-Up results and send them to a Dress-Up friend, your character gets the full makeover. Owners of these games can also talk to friends who have copies via Nintendo's WFC (we assume through text chat and not voice chat).

All in all, it's a good thing that Oxygen is making these, because the little girl market is severely under-catered to on the DS. (Okay, we were just kidding about that last part.) In any case, you can expect these titles to hit the market in Q3.

JoystiqOxygen busts out three young girl games originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 05 Jun 2008 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>my-dress-upmy-make-upmy-secret-diaryoxygenThu, 05 Jun 2008 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo reveals first WiiWare titles for Europe]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/13/nintendo-reveals-first-wiiware-titles-for-europe/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/13/nintendo-reveals-first-wiiware-titles-for-europe/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/13/nintendo-reveals-first-wiiware-titles-for-europe/#commentsFiled under: ,



Nintendo has released a list of eight games described as "launch window" titles ahead of WiiWare's debut in Europe on May 20th. Included are four games that the U.S. is still waiting on -- Dr. Mario & Germ Buster, Star Soldier R, Toki Tori, and Pirates: The Key of Dreams -- though it looks like Europe will be waiting a little longer for Defend Your Castle and V.I.P Casino: Blackjack. Frankly, we'll live without a blackjack game.

Once again, note that these are "launch window" games. How long is a launch window? No idea. "Launch window" is one of those infuriatingly flexible terms beloved by PR types. Anyway, the list of WiiWare games that Europe will be getting kinda near the launch is as follows:
There's currently no news on pricing, but we'd fully expect European WiiWare prices to match those of other regions, assuming Nintendo hasn't found a totally new and unique way to rip European gamers off.

JoystiqNintendo reveals first WiiWare titles for Europe originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 13 May 2008 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crystal-chroniclesdr-mariofinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-crystal-chroniclesfrontiergamelofthudsonlost-windslostwindsmy-life-as-a-kingnnooooxygenpiratespirates-the-key-of-dreamspopsquare-enixstar-soldier-rtoki-toritv-show-kingtwo-tribesTue, 13 May 2008 11:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Pirates arrrr coming to the DS in June]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/17/pirates-arrrr-coming-to-the-ds-in-june/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/17/pirates-arrrr-coming-to-the-ds-in-june/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/17/pirates-arrrr-coming-to-the-ds-in-june/#commentsFiled under:

Many of you fancy yourselves swashbuckling fiends, which means you grab onto any pirate-related news as if it were treasure. At least, Oxygen is banking on this, which is why they're bringing Pirates: Duels on the High Seas to the DS.

Originally, the game was supposed to end up in Europe on April 18th. Oxygen revealed today, though, that the game's release was pushed back to June. The title seems to have a lot of gameplay content (multiple single player modes, single-cart multiplayer, varying tasks, etc.), but we suppose we'll have to wait until June now to see if it's actually any good.

You can also expect a a WiiWare prequel for this game at some point this summer (called Pirates: The Key of Dreams) to expand upon the story of Duels on the High Seas.

Gallery: Pirates: Duels on the High Seas


[Via press release]

JoystiqPirates arrrr coming to the DS in June originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 17 Apr 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>actiondelaykey-of-dreamsoxygenoxygen-interactivepiratespirates-duels-on-the-high-seasprequelwiiwareThu, 17 Apr 2008 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Oxygen to release Powershot Pinball at the end of this month]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/13/oxygen-to-release-powershot-pinball-at-the-end-of-this-month/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/13/oxygen-to-release-powershot-pinball-at-the-end-of-this-month/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/13/oxygen-to-release-powershot-pinball-at-the-end-of-this-month/#commentsFiled under: ,


Pinball fanatics, your time has come to enjoy a bit of pinball on the go. Actually, you already can if you have Metroid Prime Pinball, but there aren't many other pinball games for use on the DS. Oxygen hopes that the prospect of creating your own tables and sharing them with friends (locally). We think the other selection of features is also interesting (sabotage mode, especially). After checking out the video, be sure to head into our gallery for some screens.

The game is currently set for release on March 28th in the UK.

Gallery: Powershot Pinball Constructor

JoystiqOxygen to release Powershot Pinball at the end of this month originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 Mar 2008 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>oxygenpinballpowershot-pinballThu, 13 Mar 2008 12:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Oxygen releases screens for Pirates: Duels on the High Seas]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/28/oxygen-releases-screens-for-pirates-duels-on-the-high-seas/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/28/oxygen-releases-screens-for-pirates-duels-on-the-high-seas/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/28/oxygen-releases-screens-for-pirates-duels-on-the-high-seas/#commentsFiled under: ,


Oxygen Interactive sent us a press release with the boxart you see above, as well as some screens from their upcoming seafaring romp, Pirates: Duels on the High Seas. As one might imagine, the game will feature ship battles on the open water, striped shirts and parrots.

Prates: Duels on the High Seas is set for an April 18th release.

JoystiqOxygen releases screens for Pirates: Duels on the High Seas originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 28 Feb 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>oxygenpiratespirates-duels-on-the-high-seasThu, 28 Feb 2008 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Oxygen reveals Hurry Up Hedgehog]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/26/oxygen-reveals-hurry-up-hedgehog/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/26/oxygen-reveals-hurry-up-hedgehog/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/26/oxygen-reveals-hurry-up-hedgehog/#commentsFiled under: ,


Oxygen has revealed a new game headed to the DS in Hurry Up Hedgehog. While the thought of speedy hedgehogs often leads to a certain iconic gaming character, this title instead offers puzzles and is based on a board game. The title is currently scheduled for a March 28th release in the UK.

Head on past the break for the press release and hit up our gallery below for screens.

Continue reading Oxygen reveals Hurry Up Hedgehog

JoystiqOxygen reveals Hurry Up Hedgehog originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 26 Feb 2008 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>board-gamehurry-up-hedgehogoxygenukTue, 26 Feb 2008 14:15:00 EST<![CDATA[New King of Clubs trailer and release date]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/21/new-king-of-clubs-trailer-and-release-date/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/21/new-king-of-clubs-trailer-and-release-date/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/21/new-king-of-clubs-trailer-and-release-date/#commentsFiled under: ,


Those of you looking to get into King of Clubs, know the game is releasing on March 14th. On top of that, if you've perhaps not checked the game out in awhile (it's been a bit for us, we admit), then hit up the trailer above for a fresh look at the game. Personally, we're digging the narration in the above trailer, as the comedy is spot on.

JoystiqNew King of Clubs trailer and release date originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 21 Feb 2008 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>golfking-of-clubskingofclubsoxygenThu, 21 Feb 2008 23:30:00 EST<![CDATA[King of Clubs swinging to PSPs in March]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/21/king-of-clubs-swinging-to-psps-in-march/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/21/king-of-clubs-swinging-to-psps-in-march/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/21/king-of-clubs-swinging-to-psps-in-march/#commentsFiled under:

There was once a franchise known as Outlaw [sports title]. They had a golf game. It was silly because the characters were rather trashy and the gameplay was mediocre, but people enjoyed it because it was so off-the-wall. Now it seems someone has taken up a similar idea for the PSP.

We're expecting similar results with Oxygen's newly announced King of Clubs, a Vegas-style golfing game that takes you to a run-down amusement area in a Nevada truck stop. Six characters and 95 holes of golf later, you should be having fun on your PSP in March. Against four friends, if you'd like.

JoystiqKing of Clubs swinging to PSPs in March originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 21 Feb 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>king-of-clubsoxygenThu, 21 Feb 2008 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Chronos Twins travels 88mph to bring us this video]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/18/chronos-twins-travels-88mph-to-bring-us-this-video/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/18/chronos-twins-travels-88mph-to-bring-us-this-video/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/18/chronos-twins-travels-88mph-to-bring-us-this-video/#commentsFiled under: ,


Oxygen dished out a press release today, informing us of some facts involving their upcoming Chronos Twins title for the DS. Set to release on October 12th, the game focuses on time travel (gotta go back in time), with the top screen representing the present and the bottom screen representing the past. By completing tasks in the past, you alter the present.

JoystiqChronos Twins travels 88mph to bring us this video originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 18 Sep 2007 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chronos-twinschronostwinsoxygenTue, 18 Sep 2007 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[King of Clubs dev walks us through some of the game]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/11/king-of-clubs-dev-walks-us-through-some-of-the-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/11/king-of-clubs-dev-walks-us-through-some-of-the-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/11/king-of-clubs-dev-walks-us-through-some-of-the-game/#commentsFiled under:


Based on what we've seen of the game so far, you might have forgotten that this is a golf game. Thankfully, development director Andy Squirrell with Oxygen Games, is around to remind us as he takes us through some of the title's aspects, including one of the courses and the Pro Shop, as well as some of the tricks of the trade in trying to get that coveted hole-in-one. Also, they give us a look at the Wii-specific game mode Golf Warriors, where players are given random ball and club combinations.

JoystiqKing of Clubs dev walks us through some of the game originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 11 Sep 2007 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>golfking-of-clubskingofclubsoxygenTue, 11 Sep 2007 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[UK studio sets sights solely on Nintendo consoles]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/08/uk-studio-sets-sights-solely-on-nintendo-consoles/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/08/uk-studio-sets-sights-solely-on-nintendo-consoles/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/08/uk-studio-sets-sights-solely-on-nintendo-consoles/#commentsFiled under:


Publisher Oxygen, which is based in the UK (as you may have gathered from the title of this post), has decided that they need a new internal team focused solely on Nintendo. This new internal crew of miscreants will be working with both the DS and Wii, in the hopes of capturing some of that mainstream appeal each of the systems already enjoy.

The reasoning behind the move is simple for Oxygen: they want to get as big a slice of the mainstream market pie as possible. "Today the DS is the ascendant mainstream format, and it looks like the Wii will repeat that awesome success," says Kevin Hassall, Oxygen's publishing director. They aren't the Nintendo fanboys you'd believe them to be, though, as Kevin further adds "Oxygen's objective has always been to cater for mainstream audiences. So, if we had set up Oxygen Studios a couple of years ago they would probably have started with a PS2 title."

Whatever, we'll take all the publishers and developers we can get!

JoystiqUK studio sets sights solely on Nintendo consoles originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 08 Aug 2007 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>europeinterviewoxygenukWed, 08 Aug 2007 12:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Be the King of Clubs]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/19/be-the-king-of-clubs/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/19/be-the-king-of-clubs/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/19/be-the-king-of-clubs/#commentsFiled under:


Out in the Nevada desert, next to Big Bubba's Burger Bar and Truck Stop, you'll find King of Clubs. A poker joint? Actually it's a mini-golf course complete with pteranodons on poles and spaceships on strings. Don't worry if the locals look a bit strange; how would you look if you lived on an old nuclear waste dump? We've showed you the title before, but a few new details have emerged in a recent press release from Oxygen Interactive.

Trickery and cunning are to be encouraged, with rewards to be earned and the possibility of scoring a hole in none. The game features five themed areas, each of which has its own resident pro. You can see the pros in the picture -- looks like the dress code is informal.

King of Clubs hits the Wii in July, with a DS version to follow in September.

[Via Go Nintendo]

JoystiqBe the King of Clubs originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 19 May 2007 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>golfking of clubsKingOfClubsmini golfMiniGolfoxygenoxygen gamesOxygenGamesSat, 19 May 2007 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Prostroke Golf gets release date, control system explained]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/14/prostroke-golf-gets-release-date-control-system-explained/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/14/prostroke-golf-gets-release-date-control-system-explained/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/14/prostroke-golf-gets-release-date-control-system-explained/#commentsFiled under:

Prostroke Golf gets release date, control system explained
It doesn't seem that many games are released in Europe before they are in the U.S., but ProStroke Golf: World Tour 2007 was released last month in Europe, and publisher Oxygen Interactive (No, not the women's tv channel) recently announced the game will make it across the pond Nov. 10.

In addition to the release date, Oxygen also released information about how it's highly-touted "Prostroke" control system, which supposedly gives the player complete control of their shot, actually works.

The press release goes into painful detail about the shot, and I'm sure you probably don't want to read it all. Basically, you start your swing just like any other golf game by aiming the direction of your shot, but after you select your aim, you can zoom in even further to more accurately aim your shot. The actual swing is started by pressing and holding the R shoulder button. Once you've attained the desired power, you press the L shoulder button then release the R button to start the downswing. When the power gauge reaches close to zero, you release the L button, and you're shot is off.

Pretty simple, eh?

JoystiqProstroke Golf gets release date, control system explained originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 14 Oct 2006 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>controlgolfinteractiveoxygenprostroke golf world tour 2007ProstrokeGolfWorldTour2007release dateReleaseDateSat, 14 Oct 2006 15:00:00 EST