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['War of the Roses' and 'Chivalry' wage war without all the nonsense]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/25/war-of-the-roses-and-chivalry-wage-war-without-all-the-nonse/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/25/war-of-the-roses-and-chivalry-wage-war-without-all-the-nonse/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/25/war-of-the-roses-and-chivalry-wage-war-without-all-the-nonse/#comments ImageOf all the games I played this year at PAX East, two unlikely contenders stood out. They weren't indie darlings or supported by the donations of Kickstarter enthusiasts. And they weren't first-person shooters, nor character action games set against historic backdrops. Both games - Fatshark's War of the Roses and Torn Banner's Chivalry: Medieval Warfare - are about as far from my usual radar as games go. That was until I played them, of course.

Both Chivalry and WotR are set in (you guessed it) medieval times, though neither employs its setting much beyond a backdrop. The games are multiplayer-focused affairs; neither has any sort of single-player campaign. Given the backdrop, you might assume multiplayer to be of the Mount & Blade variety. You'd be wrong.

Both games are vicious, fast, and, most importantly, accessible. These are not the sim medieval combat affairs of many Paradox Interactive-published games. These are arcade-style medieval combat games, presented in first- and third-person perspectives, and they're like nothing else I've played in the past few years.

Continue reading 'War of the Roses' and 'Chivalry' wage war without all the nonsense

Joystiq'War of the Roses' and 'Chivalry' wage war without all the nonsense originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 25 Apr 2012 06:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chivalry-medieval-warfarefat-sharkfatsharkgordon-van-dykeparadoxparadox-interactivepax-eastpax-east-2012pctorn-bannertorn-banner-studioswar-of-the-rosesWed, 25 Apr 2012 06:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Irrational's Levine, BioWare's Gaider, and Obsidian's Avellone on why story matters in games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/23/irrationals-levine-biowares-gaiter-and-obsidians-avellone-o/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/23/irrationals-levine-biowares-gaiter-and-obsidians-avellone-o/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/23/irrationals-levine-biowares-gaiter-and-obsidians-avellone-o/#comments
I grew up reading and loving fiction. As I've aged and taken up a profession in journalism, I've erred on the side of nonfiction. And these days, most of my storytelling experiences come from film, television, and video games. But I'd be lying if I said that many of those story experiences - especially in the gaming medium - left the same impression on me as the works of Marquez or Vonnegut.

In late summer 2007, I played BioShock, and my tune began to change. Six months later, I played Mass Effect, and my stance on games as storytelling devices was altered even further. Somewhere along the line, between Jill sandwiches and lost princesses, game devs started implementing stories that I actually cared about.

Fast-forward to 2011, and the concept of games as storytelling devices is more accepted than ever. But games haven't changed - they're still mechanically driven constructs, and they still allow player agency to run all over what the game dev set out for you to experience. I found myself having conversations with Kotaku's Jason Schreier over the course of the past year about this seeming duality within games. We felt it was time for a proper discussion.

Enter: "Plot vs. Play: The Duality of Modern Game Design," the panel Schreier and I hosted at PAX East. Our idea was to gather several game developers who've tackled this duality head on, and have them discuss their individual approaches to navigating that issue. Irrational Games creative director Ken Levine, Obsidian Entertainment creative director Chris Avellone, and BioWare lead writer David Gaider were our first team of game devs to take up the challenge - something we hope to continue at future PAXes - and they did a great job.

In our rush to prepare for both the panel and that weekend's coverage plans at our respective outlets, neither Jason nor myself thought to set up a video camera to catch the event on tape. Thankfully, Mash Those Buttons captured the whole hour and put it up on YouTube, which I've dropped above.

Let us know what you think, and please suggest any devs you'd like to see play a part in future versions of "Plot vs Play." We're open to ideas!

JoystiqIrrational's Levine, BioWare's Gaider, and Obsidian's Avellone on why story matters in games originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 23 Apr 2012 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowarebioware-austinchris-avellonedavid-gaiderdavid-gaiterirrationalirrational-gamesken-levineobisidianobsidian-entertainmentpax-eastpax-east-2012plot-vs-playplot-vs-play-2012plot-vs-play-the-duality-of-modern-game-designMon, 23 Apr 2012 11:15:00 EST<![CDATA[PAX East(er) largest show to date, no more PAX attendance figures]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/19/pax-east-er-largest-show-to-date-no-more-pax-attendance-figure/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/19/pax-east-er-largest-show-to-date-no-more-pax-attendance-figure/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/19/pax-east-er-largest-show-to-date-no-more-pax-attendance-figure/#comments Image"Did...did we ever find out what the PAX East attendance was over the Easter weekend?"

"No, did they even release those?"

Turns out, PAX East organizers didn't.

"Yeah, we no longer do the full attendance count anymore - trying to track down all the numbers with exhibitors, media, speakers etc. was just a pain," Penny Arcade business guru Robert Khoo told Joystiq. "We know it was the largest PAX ever, even with the holiday weekend, so we're super happy with how everything turned out."

Last year's PAX Prime hit 70,000 attendees. We think Khoo and company are just trying to prevent further one-upmanship between the sibling shows.

JoystiqPAX East(er) largest show to date, no more PAX attendance figures originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 19 Apr 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>pax-eastpax-east-2012Thu, 19 Apr 2012 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: Joystiq vs. PAX East 2012]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/09/video-joystiq-vs-pax-east-2012/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/09/video-joystiq-vs-pax-east-2012/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/09/video-joystiq-vs-pax-east-2012/#comments Image
With PAX East all wrapped up, it's time for the Joystiq crew to take a few moments to relax before E3 (it's only seven weeks away!). We'll be squeezing out the remainder of our PAX East coverage over the next couple of days. In the meantime, relive the adventure (or experience it vicariously for the first time) with the video above.

[Music: Trash80 - "Missing You"]

JoystiqVideo: Joystiq vs. PAX East 2012 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 09 Apr 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>joystiq-vsjoystiq-vs-pax-east-2012pax-eastpax-east-2012Mon, 09 Apr 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Co-opinion: Slaughtering Skags in Borderlands 2]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/09/co-opinion-slaughtering-skags-in-borderlands-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/09/co-opinion-slaughtering-skags-in-borderlands-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/09/co-opinion-slaughtering-skags-in-borderlands-2/#comments Image
David Hinkle: So, Borderlands 2. How fitting I would play as the slender female and you the hulking giant mohawk guy, eh?
Jessica Conditt: To be fair, Salvador is supposed to be a tiny, muscled man, not the hulking behemoth that I felt like while playing him. Double shotguns will do that to a man.
Agreed. And even though you were carrying every single gun in the universe, we ran into a few bottlenecks. I certainly tried to play Maya as a tank, but I don't think that was a very good idea. Skags, man. Skags.
And that new, juicy element. Slag, right? We took more damage when they flung it on us, which was an annoying experience. But the phaselock health dump was a saving grace there. You kept me alive on quite a few occasions with that. Slag, man. Slag.

Gallery: Borderlands 2 (PAX East 2012)

Continue reading Co-opinion: Slaughtering Skags in Borderlands 2

JoystiqCo-opinion: Slaughtering Skags in Borderlands 2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 09 Apr 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Borderlandsborderlands-2co-opGearboxGearbox-Softwaremicrosoftpax-eastpax-east-2012pcplaystationps3xboxMon, 09 Apr 2012 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[An Irrational fear of monsters]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/09/an-irrational-fear-of-monsters/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/09/an-irrational-fear-of-monsters/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/09/an-irrational-fear-of-monsters/#comments Image"A good monster is a monster you can imagine in repose."

That was the advice acclaimed horror writer and director Guillermo del Toro gave Ken Levine, the creator of the BioShock franchise, during a conversation on the Irrational Games podcast. Levine takes those words to heart in his own creative direction, and before building any terrifying monsters, he makes sure Irrational develops a rich, empathetic backstory that places each of the deformed, viciously homicidal creatures in routine settings, where they perform the most base of actions: contributing to society, petting a dog, relaxing, mourning.

Four Irrational members - Levine, art director Nate Wells, lead artist Shawn Robertson, and sound man Pat Balthrop - gave the PAX audience a glimpse into the secret lives and creation of five major BioShock Infinite villains: the Motorized Patriot, Handyman, Siren, Boys of Silence and Songbird.

Continue reading An Irrational fear of monsters

JoystiqAn Irrational fear of monsters originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 09 Apr 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2k-gamesbioshock-infiniteguillermo-del-toroHeavy-HittersirrationalIrrational-GamesKen-Levinemicrosoftmonstersnate-wellspat-balthroppax-eastpax-east-2012pcplaystationplaystation-vitaps3rob-watersshawn-robertsontake-twotake-two-interactivevitaxboxMon, 09 Apr 2012 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[How Arkedo learned to love downloadable games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/09/how-arkedo-learned-to-love-downloadable-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/09/how-arkedo-learned-to-love-downloadable-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/09/how-arkedo-learned-to-love-downloadable-games/#comments ImageHell Yeah! is the first full-scale digital release by French studio Arkedo, after two boxed DS games and a few tentative (XBLIG) digital experiments. The transition to downloadable games was not an easy decision for a company that, according to founder Camille Guermonprez, loved packaged games. But it was a necessary one.

"I started Arkedo because I wanted to make a game with boxes," he told Joystiq at PAX East. "My first company was a digital game company, in 1999, for mobile games. That was a big company. I raised the money and it was lots of fun."

Arkedo was a reaction to that previous work. "We wanted to be able to buy our game in a garage sale in 20 years, to be able to sell it for scrap, to give it as a gift," he explained. "You know, you can't give a gift with a digital title. Even if it's the same amount of money as a box, you look cheap. It's a shame."

Continue reading How Arkedo learned to love downloadable games

JoystiqHow Arkedo learned to love downloadable games originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 09 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arkedoarkedo-studiocamille-guermonprezhell-yeahmicrosoftnice-guyspax-eastpax-east-2012playstationproject-hell-yeahps3psnxblaxboxMon, 09 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Borderlands 2 conjures up Mechromancer class, adds character customization options]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/09/borderlands-2-conjures-up-mechromancer-class-adds-character-cus/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/09/borderlands-2-conjures-up-mechromancer-class-adds-character-cus/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/09/borderlands-2-conjures-up-mechromancer-class-adds-character-cus/#comments ImageOn the final day of PAX East, members of Gearbox detailed plans for Borderlands 2, which is set to drop on September 18. The biggest news nuggest is the Mechromancer, a class that will be added to the game as DLC after launch and free to those who pre-order. The Mechromancer is a female human/machine hybrid, which is totally great because we wrote all of this erotic Claptrap fan-fiction that would totally explain -- ahem, sorry. She will also have a friend: a giant robot called D374-TP (Deathtrap).

Game Informer was at the panel - all of us were too busy scurrying back to our respective journalizing holes to attend today - and says that in addition to the Mechromancer, there will be options to customize the look of your character. Costumes and custom gear will be earned when players complete missions and challenges.

Finally, there will be a special edition of Borderlands 2 that will retail for $149.99. It's packaged in a big plastic loot box replete with a Marcus Kincaid bobblehead and, obviously, a copy of Borderlands 2.

JoystiqBorderlands 2 conjures up Mechromancer class, adds character customization options originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 09 Apr 2012 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>borderlands-2gearboxgearbox-softwaremechromancermicrosoftpax-eastpax-east-2012pcplaystationps3special-editionxboxMon, 09 Apr 2012 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Antichamber and Indie Fund: A match made in M.C. Escher's basement]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/09/antichamber-and-indie-fund-a-match-made-in-m-c-eschers-baseme/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/09/antichamber-and-indie-fund-a-match-made-in-m-c-eschers-baseme/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/09/antichamber-and-indie-fund-a-match-made-in-m-c-eschers-baseme/#comments ImageAntichamber mastermind Alexander Bruce enjoys screwing with people's perceptions of reality, on the screen and on the show floor of PAX East. As part of the Indie Megabooth, Bruce had full reign to make attendees perform a mystery challenge as part of the Megabooth's signature rally. Bruce gave every hopeful participant that approached Antichamber a simple command: "I need you to stand on your hands."

A few people removed jackets and dropped their bags in preparation for the inevitable fall they'd suffer trying to perform a handstand in the middle of a crowded Indie Megabooth; one young man guessed he would probably kill someone with his gymnastics. Before anyone attempted the actual handstand though, it hit them -- this was Alex Bruce, and he wanted them to stand on their hands. So they stepped on their fingers and Bruce signed their punch cards, grinning the entire time, every time.

Continue reading Antichamber and Indie Fund: A match made in M.C. Escher's basement

JoystiqAntichamber and Indie Fund: A match made in M.C. Escher's basement originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 09 Apr 2012 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alexander-bruceantichamberhandstandsIndieIndie-fundpax-eastpax-east-2012pcMon, 09 Apr 2012 07:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Seen@PAX East: Bomberman says hello]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/08/seen-pax-east-bomberman-says-hello/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/08/seen-pax-east-bomberman-says-hello/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/08/seen-pax-east-bomberman-says-hello/#comments ImageSomeone tried to tell us this was a character from the BioShock universe, but we think we recognize Bomberman when we see him.

JoystiqSeen@PAX East: Bomberman says hello originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 08 Apr 2012 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2k2k-marinBioshock-2irrationalIrrational-Gamesmicrosoftpax-eastpax-east-2012pcplaystationps3xboxSun, 08 Apr 2012 22:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Seen@PAX East: The Mass Effect crew plays Rock Band]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/08/seen-pax-east-the-mass-effect-crew-plays-rock-band/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/08/seen-pax-east-the-mass-effect-crew-plays-rock-band/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/08/seen-pax-east-the-mass-effect-crew-plays-rock-band/#comments Image
Who knew Dr. Chakwas was such an accomplished guitarist? Or that Mordin had such a pretty singing voice?

JoystiqSeen@PAX East: The Mass Effect crew plays Rock Band originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 08 Apr 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowarechakwas-forevermass-effect-3microsoftpax-eastpax-east-2012pcplaystationps3xboxSun, 08 Apr 2012 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Sonic 4: Episode 2 spin-dashes to PSN May 15, XBLA May 16]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/07/sonic-4-episode-2-spin-dashes-to-psn-may-15-xbla-may-16/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/07/sonic-4-episode-2-spin-dashes-to-psn-may-15-xbla-may-16/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/07/sonic-4-episode-2-spin-dashes-to-psn-may-15-xbla-may-16/#comments The second episode of Sonic the Hedgehog 4 will debut on PlayStation Network and Xbox Live Arcade next month. Sega is showcasing the game at PAX East, where a representative confirmed to Joystiq that the PSN version will be released on May 15, with the XBLA version arriving the following day. The PC and mobile versions will follow at a later date.

Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 2 will likely be the last episode, as Sega revealed earlier this year that no more episodes are currently planned.

JoystiqSonic 4: Episode 2 spin-dashes to PSN May 15, XBLA May 16 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 07 Apr 2012 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftpax-eastpax-east-2012playstationps3psnrelease-datesonic-the-hedgehog-4-episode-2xblaxboxSat, 07 Apr 2012 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Seen@PAX East: Journey between halls]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/07/seen-pax-east-journey-between-halls/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/07/seen-pax-east-journey-between-halls/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/07/seen-pax-east-journey-between-halls/#comments Image
Joystiq: Oh, hello! We love your costume. What's the secret to effective, truly evocative cosplay?

Continue reading Seen@PAX East: Journey between halls

JoystiqSeen@PAX East: Journey between halls originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 07 Apr 2012 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>journeypax-eastpax-east-2012playstationps3Sat, 07 Apr 2012 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Mike Capps: Epic Games has a PC-exclusive game in the works]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/07/epic-games-has-a-pc-exclusive-in-the-works/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/07/epic-games-has-a-pc-exclusive-in-the-works/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/07/epic-games-has-a-pc-exclusive-in-the-works/#comments ImageGears of War and Fortnite dev Epic Games is getting back to its roots with a PC-exclusive project, creative lead Cliff Bleszinski and president Mike Capps announced today during a PAX East panel. "We might be working on a PC-only title," Capps teased, before Bleszinski picked up where he left off: "Let me say that again: we are working on a PC game."

The panel is still going on, but we'll be sure to chat to the Epic folks as soon as it's over.

Update: Epic Games prez Mike Capps told us after the panel that the unannounced PC project is currently underway, and that the current plans are to keep the game exclusive to the PC platform. Unsurprisingly, he wouldn't tell us anything else.

JoystiqMike Capps: Epic Games has a PC-exclusive game in the works originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 07 Apr 2012 13:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cliff-bleszinskiclifford-bleszinskiepicepic-gamesmike-cappspax-eastpax-east-2012pcSat, 07 Apr 2012 13:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Pre-Blitz: Harmonix on building a new Rock Band from scratch]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/07/pre-blitz-harmonix-on-building-a-new-rock-band-from-scratch/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/07/pre-blitz-harmonix-on-building-a-new-rock-band-from-scratch/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/07/pre-blitz-harmonix-on-building-a-new-rock-band-from-scratch/#comments ImageHarmonix team members Matthew Nordhaus, Chris Foster, Brian Chan, and Jyllian Thibodeau explained the development process that led to Rock Band Blitz, by way of showing us previous versions and iterations of the game. Collectively, these prototypes were referred to as "Pre-Blitz," and epitomized by a brief video of a version that keeps the social basis of Blitz, but with a very different aesthetic.

While the final game ended up featuring a sort of rainbow note highway in a musically reactive city, this version is a much sunnier, somewhat more literal "highway" style environment. Somewhere between these two, the team thought of having the music make the city spring up building by building, but that didn't make it.

At one point it wasn't even decided where the music would come from. A DLC strategy was important to the team, but it wasn't certain that the game would be a Rock Band game. When it was decided that it would be, the source of music became obvious. And then the team had to convert all the songs from five lanes per instrument to two -- which, Nordhaus explained, made the game way too easy in lower difficulties. Finally, against his better judgment, the team playtested a game with only one difficulty, and it worked.

Senior designer Brian Chan explained that the game lost the "track-locking" mechanic from Amplitude and other handheld Rock Bands, in favor of a system that allows players to build "levels" in individual tracks. This allowed people to play in a much more freeform manner instead of following a prescribed, single best scoring pattern.

Even the specifics of the controls were in question, with considerations like gestural controls for each instrument. Above is an idea for keyboard controls that used left, right, and a button press to simulate keys.

JoystiqPre-Blitz: Harmonix on building a new Rock Band from scratch originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 07 Apr 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>harmonixharmonix-music-systemsmicrosoftpax-eastpax-east-2012playstationprototypeps3rock-band-blitzxboxSat, 07 Apr 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Sliding and 'sploding with Ms. 'Splosion Man on iPad]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/06/sliding-and-sploding-with-ms-splosion-man-on-ipad/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/06/sliding-and-sploding-with-ms-splosion-man-on-ipad/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/06/sliding-and-sploding-with-ms-splosion-man-on-ipad/#comments Rather than create an all new experience tailored to touch screens, the iOS version of Twisted Pixel's excellent Ms. 'Splosion Man attempts to replicate the console experience -- and, yes, that means virtual buttons. So, many people have already stopped reading.

If you're still here, stick around to read about Ms. 'Splosion Man's portable outing and the future of Twisted Pixel on Mobile devices.

Continue reading Sliding and 'sploding with Ms. 'Splosion Man on iPad

JoystiqSliding and 'sploding with Ms. 'Splosion Man on iPad originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 06 Apr 2012 22:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>iosipadiphonemobilems-splosion-manpax-eastpax-east-2012pcwindows-phoneFri, 06 Apr 2012 22:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Seen@PAX East: Get your Far Cry 3 themed tattoo right here, right now]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/06/seen-pax-east-get-your-far-cry-3-themed-tattoo-right-here-righ/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/06/seen-pax-east-get-your-far-cry-3-themed-tattoo-right-here-righ/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/06/seen-pax-east-get-your-far-cry-3-themed-tattoo-right-here-righ/#comments ImageBeing veterans of the game industry's convention season, we're harder to shock when it comes to bizarre stuff seen on show floors. We've seen food trucks, and crazy shoes, and full-on jets, but we've yet to see a live tattoo application, not to mention one based on a video game.

Enter: Far Cry 3.

Ubisoft hired a local tattoo artist to pre-screen attendees for the tattoo you see being applied just above. Rather than a Far Cry 3 logo, tattooees (not tattooines) are getting a tribal tattoo ripped from the game. Maybe a game logo should have been the way to go -- to help you remember when you explain this art's origin by the time you're 80.

Gallery: Far Cry 3 tattoo booth (PAX East 2012)

JoystiqSeen@PAX East: Get your Far Cry 3 themed tattoo right here, right now originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 06 Apr 2012 19:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>far-cry-3madnessmarketingmicrosoftpax-eastpax-east-2012pcplaystationps3tattootattoosubisoftxboxFri, 06 Apr 2012 19:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Arkedo's next games are about pee and poo]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/06/arkedos-next-games-are-about-pee-and-poo/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/06/arkedos-next-games-are-about-pee-and-poo/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/06/arkedos-next-games-are-about-pee-and-poo/#comments ImageHaving completed development of Hell Yeah! for Sega, Arkedo Studio's first priority is to rest -- the studio is taking a month off after the production of what studio head Camille Guermonprez called Arkedo's biggest game ever.

Following that, the company has its number one and number two next projects in the pipeline. "We're going to make two games, one game on 'pee' and one game on 'poo,'" Guermonprez told me at Sega's PAX East booth. "One game about pee and one game about poo," he clarified. "It's gonna be a Steam game, I think."

You can fill in the joke yourselves.

JoystiqArkedo's next games are about pee and poo originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 06 Apr 2012 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arkedoarkedo-studiocamille-guermonprezhell-yeahpax-eastpax-east-2012pcpeepooproject-hell-yeahsteamFri, 06 Apr 2012 14:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Assassin's Creed 3 creative director doesn't dislike your ideas that much, Internet]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/06/assassins-creed-3-creative-director-doesnt-dislike-your-ideas/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/06/assassins-creed-3-creative-director-doesnt-dislike-your-ideas/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/06/assassins-creed-3-creative-director-doesnt-dislike-your-ideas/#comments ImageDespite Assassin's Creed 3 creative lead Alex Hutchinson's recent fighting words with the internet over its "boring" ideas for potential AC settings, he told us this morning that he still loves you. Or something like that. "It's part of a bigger discussion. Obviously any setting is potentially awesome," he said in a brief PAX East show floor followup. "The point we were making was that some settings are more familiar in video games than other settings. And the two particular ones that were mentioned are very familiar video game settings."

Hutchinson is referring to both the World War II and Feudal Japan ideas brought up during an interview with OXM recently. "The exciting thing is that the game can go anywhere," Hutchinson said. "We've had versions of the assassin ... people have thrown ideas around for probably literally any setting that people would think of. But when you get right down to it - when we're doing the actual nitty gritty of spending the time on it, spending a couple years making something - we wanna go to a setting that other games haven't gone to." As for the aforementioned pair of settings? "We're trying to find places that will surprise people."

And Hutchinson doesn't want you to hate him, internet. He also spoke to his statements regarding net denizens coming up with "the most boring settings" for future AC games. "If people think they have the worst ideas, I apologize for that," he told us. "But really, they're very predictable. The internet is not the place for insight, unfortunately," Hutchinson added with a laugh.

As for recent news that AC3 will be Desmond's biggest outing yet, Hutchinson said, "There's a big opportunity when the real timeline crosses the fictional timeline. Like, this is a fun idea. So there's stuff that we have to deal with. We feel like it's about time to pay off the people who've been sticking with the franchise for a long time." When asked if this would be Desmond's last appearance in the series, Ubisoft PR assassins jumped in and said, "I think people are gonna be entertained by it." We're not sure what that means either, but we'll be sure to keep asking.

JoystiqAssassin's Creed 3 creative director doesn't dislike your ideas that much, Internet originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 06 Apr 2012 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alex-hutchinsonassassins-creed-3microsoftnintendopax-eastpax-east-2012pcplaystationps3ubisoftubisoft-montrealwii-uxboxFri, 06 Apr 2012 10:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Play Bastion (circa October 2009) at PAX East this weekend]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/06/play-bastion-circa-october-2009-at-pax-east-this-weekend/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/06/play-bastion-circa-october-2009-at-pax-east-this-weekend/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/06/play-bastion-circa-october-2009-at-pax-east-this-weekend/#comments ImageWhat's that? You already played the entirety of Bastion, bought the soundtrack, and have been learning how to play those tunes on your Wurlitzer? That's all fine and dandy, but you probably haven't even seen how the game looked way back in October 2009 when its first playable demo burst into existence. As the picture above reveals, that demo will be available for PAX East attendees.

Supergiant and the super early build of Bastion will be on the PAX East show floor just behind The Behemoth. If you get lost, just start shouting, "Bastion! I'm looking for Bastion!" That should work out pretty well.

JoystiqPlay Bastion (circa October 2009) at PAX East this weekend originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 06 Apr 2012 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bastionpax-eastpax-east-2012supergiantsupergiant-gamesFri, 06 Apr 2012 09:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Reverb to publish Exis Interactive's Majestic 12, revealed at PAX East]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/29/reverb-to-publish-exis-interactives-majestic-12-revealed-at-pa/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/29/reverb-to-publish-exis-interactives-majestic-12-revealed-at-pa/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/29/reverb-to-publish-exis-interactives-majestic-12-revealed-at-pa/#comments Reverb Publishing is the publishing wing of Reverb Communications, a PR agency for video games that's helped launch titles like Rock Band and Zen Pinball. The latest published title from the company will be called Majestic-12, Reverb has announced. The game is developed by Exis Interactive, and is a 3D side-scroller action title, with some human-on-alien bullet hell action "in the vein of old-school shooters like Contra."

Wikipedia says "Majestic 12" is supposedly the codename for a secret government group meant to fight aliens -- so, historically, you know, the premise all checks out. There's no platform listed for the game yet, but Reverb says it'll be out for "digital download platforms," so you can start guessing Steam, and then go on from there.

Our first chance to see Majestic 12 will be at PAX East early next month -- Reverb will be there showing off the game in booth 808. We'll be sure to stop by.

Continue reading Reverb to publish Exis Interactive's Majestic 12, revealed at PAX East

JoystiqReverb to publish Exis Interactive's Majestic 12, revealed at PAX East originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 29 Mar 2012 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>contraexis-interactivemajestic-12pax-eastpcreverb-publishingrun-and-gunThu, 29 Mar 2012 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Try Hitman, Theatrhythm, and more Square games at PAX East]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/29/try-hitman-theatrhythm-and-more-square-games-at-pax-east/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/29/try-hitman-theatrhythm-and-more-square-games-at-pax-east/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/29/try-hitman-theatrhythm-and-more-square-games-at-pax-east/#comments PAX East attendees will have plenty of Square Enix-themed stuff to do -- which probably won't conflict with your most important appointment. Visitors to the company's booth will get to try two anticipated 3DS games: Heroes of Ruin and the just-announced Theatrhythm Final Fantasy, along with Sleeping Dogs, Quantum Conundrum, Risen 2, and Wakfu, which can't possibly be as much fun as its own name.

To learn more about shooting people (in Square Enix games), you can also attend a Hitman: Absolution panel and gameplay demo on Saturday, and a Hitman/Sleeping Dogs party on Friday night. Find more details after the break.

Continue reading Try Hitman, Theatrhythm, and more Square games at PAX East

JoystiqTry Hitman, Theatrhythm, and more Square games at PAX East originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 29 Mar 2012 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dshitman-absolutionmicrosoftnintendopax-eastpax-east-2012playstationps3sleeping-dogssquare-enixxboxThu, 29 Mar 2012 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq Show Live at PAX East]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/01/joystiq-show-live-at-pax-east/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/01/joystiq-show-live-at-pax-east/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/01/joystiq-show-live-at-pax-east/#comments We hope you're attending PAX East on Saturday, April 7, because that's when we plan on doing The Joystiq Show Live. As noted in the official PAX East schedule, we will be in the Manticore Theatre on Saturday from 3-4 PM.

We aren't exactly sure what we're going to do yet, but we certainly plan on having a session of "Ask JC," where you can ask our managing editor to name a game you've been trying to recall for years with only the most obscure details. Panelists also include the former X3F crew and EiC Ludwig Kietzmann hosting a "With a Q?" segment.

Or, we may scrap that whole idea and come up with something new. Either way, we'll be there. Please join us.

JoystiqJoystiq Show Live at PAX East originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 01 Mar 2012 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>joystiq-podcastjoystiq-showpax-eastpax-east-2012Thu, 01 Mar 2012 14:15:00 EST<![CDATA[PAX East has fewer than 1,000 Saturday badges left]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/28/pax-east-has-fewer-than-1-000-saturday-badges-left/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/28/pax-east-has-fewer-than-1-000-saturday-badges-left/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/28/pax-east-has-fewer-than-1-000-saturday-badges-left/#comments PAX East organizers are warning there are under 1,000 badges left for Saturday. If you're a fan of this site, that would be the day to attend (more on this at a later date). Take the town crier of Twitter seriously: the three-day badges lasted a little under 24 hours after that warning went out. Procrastination will not be rewarded.

Last year's PAX East had 69,500 revelers at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, with that number expected to climb this year. PAX East is locked into Boston until 2023, with attendance expected to climb to 100,000 sometime in the next ten years.

JoystiqPAX East has fewer than 1,000 Saturday badges left originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 28 Feb 2012 12:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>PAXpax-eastpax-east-2012Tue, 28 Feb 2012 12:40:00 EST<![CDATA[PAX East commits to Boston until 2023]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/15/pax-east-commits-to-boston-until-2023/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/15/pax-east-commits-to-boston-until-2023/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/15/pax-east-commits-to-boston-until-2023/#comments
PAX East organizers and the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority (MCCA) announced this morning that the popular video game convention will remain in Boston until 2023. Show organizers are hoping to grow attendance of the three-day show to 100,000, making it easily one of the largest public gaming conventions in the world (behind Gamescom and TGS).

PAX East will also make a sizable donation to digital games education. Massachusetts Digital Games Institute (MassDiGI) will receive a $50,000 contribution this year, along with an annual $25,000, for a total of $325,000 over the next 11 years.

"Over the last year, MassDiGI has worked towards building a strong public-private partnership across industry, academia, and government in support of the state's digital games cluster," said Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray. "PAX East's commitment to bringing the largest East Coast video gaming convention to Boston and providing an annual donation to MassDiGI complements ongoing collaboration to increase economic activity within the state and foster knowledge-transfer between Massachusetts and the rest of the world."

Beyond the academic cash, PAX East naturally brings in buckets of cash to the city through hotels and dining.

"We're thrilled to host PAX East for at least 10 more years," said James E. Rooney, executive director of the MCCA. "Hosting an event for the next decade that draws gamers from around the globe to Boston is fantastic, but the international attention it brings to the incredible technological advancements coming out of the Commonwealth is a win-win."

JoystiqPAX East commits to Boston until 2023 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 Feb 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BostonPAX-EastPAX-East-2012penny-arcadepenny-arcade-expoWed, 15 Feb 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PSA: PAX East 3-day passes sold out; sorry, slowpokes]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/08/psa-pax-east-3-day-passes-sold-out-sorry-slowpokes/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/08/psa-pax-east-3-day-passes-sold-out-sorry-slowpokes/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/08/psa-pax-east-3-day-passes-sold-out-sorry-slowpokes/#comments PAX East three-day passes have completely sold out, but single-day passes are still abundant -- for now. If you want to get your PAX East on this year, we suggest you register soon. Last year's PAX East had 69,500 attendees and was the biggest ever, so you'll have to have a strong stomach for crowds as well.

Don't forget to book a hotel too -- though if you're really dedicated, you'll just rent a VW van to sleep and eat in, and you can bathe in the Charles River (no you can't).

JoystiqPSA: PAX East 3-day passes sold out; sorry, slowpokes originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 08 Jan 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>PAXpax-eastpax-east-2012Sun, 08 Jan 2012 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PAX East three-day badges 90% sold]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/07/pax-east-three-day-badges-90-sold/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/07/pax-east-three-day-badges-90-sold/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/07/pax-east-three-day-badges-90-sold/#comments
PAX "Easter" is still about three months away, but organizers announced yesterday that the three-day passes are 90 percent sold out. Heed this warning if you plan on coming to the event. The distance between warning and tickets being totally sold out isn't very far.

"We still have tons of single day passes, but we strongly suggest people buy their passes sooner rather than later," event organizers told us. "Their pace tends to accelerate after we run out of three-day passes."

Another thing to remember is that there were issues with counterfeit badges sold at PAX Prime last year. Fake badges won't get you in the door and, if you get scammed, PAX organizers won't help resolve the problem. So, get those PAX East tickets now for the April 6-8 event.

JoystiqPAX East three-day badges 90% sold originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 07 Jan 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>pax-eastPax-East-2012Sat, 07 Jan 2012 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PAX East 2012 tickets now available]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/03/pax-east-2012-tickets-now-available/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/03/pax-east-2012-tickets-now-available/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/03/pax-east-2012-tickets-now-available/#comments
PAX East 2012 registration is officially open, so grab those three-day passes quick, because they are always the first to go. Although there will be more tickets this year for the regularly sold out show in Boston, the event will take place over Easter and Passover weekend, so be aware of those in case you have familial obligations.

"It wasn't our first choice by any means, and we apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, but we're working with the city to hopefully prevent it from happening again," PAX East organizers stated.

Organizers also warn that they had issues with counterfeit badges being sold to unsuspecting attendees at PAX Prime this year. They warn if you buy a fake badge from someone else that it won't get you into the show and they won't be able to help. So, if you grab a ticket now, you'll be all set for April 6-8.

JoystiqPAX East 2012 tickets now available originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 03 Nov 2011 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>PAXPAX-EastPAX-East-2012Thu, 03 Nov 2011 23:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Warp preview: Little creature, big choices]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/29/warp-preview-little-creature-big-choices/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/29/warp-preview-little-creature-big-choices/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/29/warp-preview-little-creature-big-choices/#comments I've been closely following the development of Fez for a long time now, and was especially excited for a chance to finally play it at this year's PAX East. While I really enjoyed what I played of Fez, its boothmate was what stood out as the hidden gem of the show for me: Warp, a downloadable title from Trapdoor Inc.

The developer takes a Happy Tree Friends approach to violence -- adorable, cartoony, and ultra-bloody -- which plays out in the game via the main character's interaction with human beings. I warped the little creature you see above into a variety of different folks throughout my brief playthrough of the build on display. Occasionally stunning those I deemed innocent enough to live, or rocking the Xbox 360 analog stick back and forth to "explode" the person or object from the inside, my little creature quickly figured out how to skirt a room full of scientists and armed guards without so much as alerting another living thing.

And if I was spotted by a living thing, it was just as quickly exploded into bits. Such is Warp.

Gallery: Warp

Continue reading Warp preview: Little creature, big choices

JoystiqWarp preview: Little creature, big choices originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 29 Mar 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaea-partnerselectronic-artsmicrosoftpax-eastpax-east-2011pcplaystationplaystation-networkps3psntrapdoortrapdoor-incWarpxblaxboxxbox-live-arcadeTue, 29 Mar 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Indies react: PAX East as a showcase for small studios]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/22/indies-react-pax-east-as-a-showcase-for-small-studios/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/22/indies-react-pax-east-as-a-showcase-for-small-studios/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/22/indies-react-pax-east-as-a-showcase-for-small-studios/#comments Like so many PAX shows before it, this year's PAX East showcased a ton of indie games -- the gaming equivalent of a Williamsburg dubstep show, if you will. In our experience at this year's event, larger industry players like EA and Bethesda showed off their titles with hired hands and private theater viewings, choosing to exhibit older demos rather than new content.

The indies and smaller studios, on the other hand, were out in force. Beyond bringing playable versions of their games to the show -- even Fez was playable, for the first time in several years of development -- the indie studios brought themselves. They continued the tradition of directly engaging with attendees and, often, solicited game-testing feedback on the fly.

"I approached PAX East as a three-day playtest session. I learned so much about what works and what doesn't just from standing in the back and observing how people played the game," Fez co-developer Phil Fish told Joystiq. "It's also an amazing morale boost to be told by so many people that your game is great."

Continue reading Indies react: PAX East as a showcase for small studios

JoystiqIndies react: PAX East as a showcase for small studios originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 22 Mar 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>albert-reedalex-schwartzbastiondemiurge-studioseitan-glinertfallen-frontierFezfire-hose-gamesgreg-kasavinmacmichael-wilfordmichel-bastienmicrosoftmobilemoonshot-gamespax-eastpax-east-2011pcphil-fishplaystationpolytron-corporationps3robert-khooshoot-many-robotsslam-bolt-scrapperssmuggle-trucksupergiant-gamesthe-gunstringertwisted-pixelxboxTue, 22 Mar 2011 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fez being co-published by Trapdoor]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/13/fez-being-co-published-by-trapdoor/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/13/fez-being-co-published-by-trapdoor/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/13/fez-being-co-published-by-trapdoor/#comments Before jumping around Villageville with Gomez in Polytron's Fez at PAX East, we couldn't help but notice a bright logo for relatively unknown developer Trapdoor. This might not be so strange if it weren't for the fact that Trapdoor itself isn't a game publisher -- and its own XBLA/PSN/Steam game Warp is being published with EA Partners.

When asked about the surprise splash screen, Trapdoor founder Ken Schachter explained it by saying, "We should be issuing a press release this week, but the gist of it is that we're going to be announcing that we're co-publishing Fez."

That said, given Trapdoor's ability to co-publish Fez, we wondered why the studio isn't publishing its own game, Warp. "We met with a bunch of publishers, and we weighed a bunch of options, but at the end of the day we were really impressed with the team at EA, and with what they had to bring to the table," Schachter told us. He further explained, "Basically, with regards to EA Partners, they've been really great about letting us be and focus on the creative part. And really just work on our game, and retain ownership of our IP. And they have a world class business, marketing, and PR team. And that's really the best of both worlds."

As previously announced, Warp is expected to launch this summer, while Fez should arrive at some point later this year.

JoystiqFez being co-published by Trapdoor originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 13 Mar 2011 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaea-partnerselectronic-artsFezken-schachtermicrosoftpax-eastpax-east-2011polytronpolytron-corporationtrapdoorxblaxboxSun, 13 Mar 2011 15:20:00 EST<![CDATA[PAX East todo: It's not the Length, it's the Mirth (Game Length Versus Value)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/13/pax-east-todo-its-not-the-length-its-the-mirth-game-length/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/13/pax-east-todo-its-not-the-length-its-the-mirth-game-length/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/13/pax-east-todo-its-not-the-length-its-the-mirth-game-length/#comments With new forms of distribution for video games come new pricing models. Outlets like Apple's iOS App Store and digital distribution storefronts like Xbox Live Arcade and PSN are challenging the convention of $60 AAA retail titles, and complicating the already peculiar brand of calculus that gamers use when determining "value". Why is $1 okay on iPhone but $6 is too expensive? Why is one ten-hour retail game criticized for being "too short" while others aren't? Why are we so hung up on game length? Join myself and a stellar lineup of panelists as we wrestle with this age-old quandary.

Panelists include:
  • Chris Hecker is the sole developer behind SpyParty, the as-yet-undated indie "about human behavior, performance, perception, and deception."
  • Mike Wilford is CEO of Twisted Pixel, the Austin-based developer behind upcoming downloadable titles Ms. Splosion Man and The Gunstringer.
  • Albert Reed is the studio director and co-founder of Cambridge-based Demiurge Studios, which has worked on everything from Mass Effect on PC to Borderlands, and its first original IP, the downloadable Shoot Many Robots.
  • Chris Grant is a writer who works from home in his pajamas.
The panel takes place at 4:30pm on Sunday, March 13, in the Wyvern Theatre (on the 2nd floor).

JoystiqPAX East todo: It's not the Length, it's the Mirth (Game Length Versus Value) originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 13 Mar 2011 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Albert-ReedChris-HeckerDemiurgeMike-WilfordPAXPAX-EastPAX-East-2011Twisted-PixelSun, 13 Mar 2011 13:20:00 EST<![CDATA[No!: PAX East attendees pitch game ideas (and get shot down)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/12/no-pax-east-attendees-pitch-game-ideas-and-get-shot-down/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/12/no-pax-east-attendees-pitch-game-ideas-and-get-shot-down/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/12/no-pax-east-attendees-pitch-game-ideas-and-get-shot-down/#comments A now annual tradition, the PAX "Pitch Your Game Idea" panel at PAX East was another guffaw-inducing affair this year. Amid the many, many, many calls of "NO!" that were tossed out from Penny Arcade staff members (and the single-player campaign tester on Gears of War 3) were a handful of "I like that" instances, which eventually resulted in a second round and, eventually, a trio of winners.

Taking the top spot in two rounds was "Double O Intern," a concept that sees a desperate intern of a superhero trying his/her best to complete objectives and set up things before time runs out. Number two was an iOS game with water mechanics, pitched as a puzzle game wherein you control an avatar who needs to reach various objectives while simultaneously employing the iOS device's tilt sensor to control the water. Think: Paired down Hydrophobia with fewer British accents. And number three went to the second round's final pick, the adorable sounding "Squirrel Dog Cat" -- a game that centers around a mouse out for revenge against the cat who killed his father. In first-person. Adorable.

We'll admit it, though -- of all the concepts, we were most on board for a game featuring an astronaut shaver who's traveling the galaxy shaving planets in search of his hair-god-cursed girlfriend. "Shave the girl, Shave the Universe!" was the game's tagline and, frankly, it really sold us.

JoystiqNo!: PAX East attendees pitch game ideas (and get shot down) originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 12 Mar 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>double-o-internpax-eastpax-east-2011pitch-your-game-ideasquirrel-dog-catSat, 12 Mar 2011 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[PAX East todo: The Digital Game Canon, a panel about video game preservation]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/12/pax-east-todo-the-digital-game-canon-a-panel-about-video-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/12/pax-east-todo-the-digital-game-canon-a-panel-about-video-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/12/pax-east-todo-the-digital-game-canon-a-panel-about-video-game/#comments PAX East is underway and we're dedicated to making sure each one of you makes it to one very special panel. But first, we'll level with you: it requires some homework on your part. "Ten Games You Need to Play: The Digital Game Canon" borrows its name from the 2007 GDC session of the same name, in which an incredible group of panelists (including this writer) deigned to select ten video games that deserved to be preserved. We're revisiting that effort, and reconsidering it with a stellar group of panelists.

This year's panelists include:
  • Henry Lowood is a professor (and curator!) at Stanford University and chairman of the IGDA's preservation SIG. His academic work is focused on the preservation of video games.
  • Chris Melissinos was a longtime gaming evangelist at Sun, before founding Past Pixels, an organization dedicated to the preservation of video games. He's currently curating the Smithsonian's Art of Video Games exhibit, scheduled to open in 2012.
  • Jon Gibson has worn many hats (including games journo and screenwriter hats) but is currently busy with iam8bit, the LA-based outfit responsible for art exhibits, books, and excellent game marketing gigs (think: Capcom Fight Club).
  • David Gibson has been employed as a Processing Technician in the Library of Congress's Moving Image section since 2006. In that time, he has become a key player in the Library's initiative to collect, preserve, and provide access to America's gaming heritage.
  • Chris Grant is a writer who works from home in his pajamas.
And your homework:
  • Get a crash course in game preservation by listening to the entire hour-long "b-side" interview with Henry from Episode 2 of the excellent A Life Well Wasted podcast, which you can find here.
  • Read the excellent "Preserving Virtual Worlds" final report while waiting in PAX East lines (download it here!) and, when you finish that, move over to "Before It's Too Late: A Digital Game Preservation White Paper" (which you can download here).
  • VOTE! Head to www.artofvideogames.org and "vote for games that you think are visually spectacular or boast innovative design!" This is for the Smithsonian Institute, guys. Think about that!
And, one final bit of homework: Get in line early. The panel takes place at 2pm on Sunday, March 13, at the IGDA Dev Center (on the 2nd floor, right next to Manticore Theater).

JoystiqPAX East todo: The Digital Game Canon, a panel about video game preservation originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 12 Mar 2011 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Chris-Melissinosdigital-game-canonHenry-Lowoodiam8bitIGDAjon-gibsonLibrary-of-CongressPAX-EastSmithsonianSat, 12 Mar 2011 15:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Seen@PAX East: The Behemoth's Battleblock Theater and Castle Crashers arcade cabinets]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/12/seen-pax-east-the-behemoths-battleblock-theater-and-castle-cra/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/12/seen-pax-east-the-behemoths-battleblock-theater-and-castle-cra/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/12/seen-pax-east-the-behemoths-battleblock-theater-and-castle-cra/#comments After experiencing Super Crate Box on the incredible Winnitron 1000 in person at GDC last week, imagine our delight to find both Castle Crashers and Battleblock Theater running on four-player arcade machines at this year's PAX East.

The Behemoth booth was packed full of folks getting their co-op on and purchasing game merch as we precariously circled and snapped a handful of shots. You can find them in the gallery below. As you'll see momentarily, the cabinets weren't just fun to play on, but also quite attractive in their own right.

Gallery: Seen@PAX East: Castle Crashers and Battleblocks Theater

JoystiqSeen@PAX East: The Behemoth's Battleblock Theater and Castle Crashers arcade cabinets originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 12 Mar 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arcadeCastle-Crashersmicrosoftpax-eastpax-east-2011the-behemothxboxSat, 12 Mar 2011 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[BioShock Infinite panel at PAX East offers a taste of rail-based gameplay]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/11/bioshock-infinite-panel-at-pax-east-offers-a-taste-of-rail-based/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/11/bioshock-infinite-panel-at-pax-east-offers-a-taste-of-rail-based/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/11/bioshock-infinite-panel-at-pax-east-offers-a-taste-of-rail-based/#comments During Irrational Games' big daddy of a BioShock Infinite panel at PAX East, Levine and co. showed off a handful of concept shots of early Columbia -- the game's main locale -- as well as some early concept footage of the game's sky rails. Though very little of the concept shots/video will make it into the final product, we were, frankly, rather excited to see a bit more of Infinite.

The (admittedly) shaky video after the break depicts the game's proof of concept for the rail transportation system -- holding onto a transportation railing and firing at murderous enemies below, in this particular case. We've also dropped a handful of shots that either directly inspired Infinite or directly contributed to the game's current art style (from Irrational's art team). Also, the game's basest concept can be seen above in the header image. Yes, it's wonderful.

Gallery: BioShock Infinite (PAX East 2011)

Continue reading BioShock Infinite panel at PAX East offers a taste of rail-based gameplay

JoystiqBioShock Infinite panel at PAX East offers a taste of rail-based gameplay originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 11 Mar 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bioshock-infiniteirrational-gamesmicrosoftpax-eastpax-east-2011pcplaystationps3take-two-interactivexboxFri, 11 Mar 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Child of Eden takes retail trip on June 14 to Xbox 360]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/11/child-of-eden-takes-retail-trip-on-june-14/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/11/child-of-eden-takes-retail-trip-on-june-14/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/11/child-of-eden-takes-retail-trip-on-june-14/#comments Psychedelic audiovisual experience Child of Eden will be available on Xbox 360 on June 14, a launch date for the PS3 will be made later. Ubisoft representatives at PAX East confirmed the date today at the show, currently taking place in Boston.

There's still plenty of time to discover the pleasure centers you want to attach those four vibration devices to.

Update: The June 14 date is only for Xbox 360.

JoystiqChild of Eden takes retail trip on June 14 to Xbox 360 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 11 Mar 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>child-of-edenmicrosoftMizuguchipax-eastpax-east-2011playstationps3Q-Entertainmentrelease-dateUbisoftxboxFri, 11 Mar 2011 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Introducing the Joystiq PAX East Loyalty Program (or: hang out with us for prizes!)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/11/introducing-the-joystiq-pax-east-loyalty-program-or-hang-out-w/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/11/introducing-the-joystiq-pax-east-loyalty-program-or-hang-out-w/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/11/introducing-the-joystiq-pax-east-loyalty-program-or-hang-out-w/#comments Your BFFs at Joystiq have a busy PAX East, hosting two live podcasts, moderating two additional panels, and even inviting everyone over for breakfast on Saturday morning. If that sounds like a lot of nerve-wracking work, well ... it is. But there's only one thing more terrifying than that: the size of the rooms at the Boston Convention Center, PAX East's embiggened new digs. We'll level with you: We can't fill 'em. They're too large! But we've never been above stone cold bribery. Seeing as how bribery is such a pejorative term, we're going to call it the Joystiq PAX East Loyalty Program, and here's how it works.
  • Attendees of Friday night's Joystiq Podcast LIVE!: The Reunion - 7:30 to 8:30pm in the Wyvern Theatre - will get a raffle ticket while waiting in line. We'll have some prizes to hand out during the podcast, but we'll have way more to hand out over the course of the show.
  • Bring that raffle ticket to Saturday Morning's Blueberry Muffin Tops breakfast at 10AM in room 052 and redeem it for a prize. You'll probably walk away with a free game! (Warning: There's one copy of Fighters Uncaged floating around in our huge collection, so ... watch out.)
  • On Saturday evening, you'll want to be seated in the Naga theatre at 8PM for the live X3F podcast. There'll be interesting prizes too -- and some will be, shall we say, unique. (Now you have to find out!)
  • Finally, you can attend the "Ten Games You Need to Play: The Digital Game Canon" panel at the IGDA Dev Center on Sunday, at 2PM, or "It's Not The Length or the Mirth: Game Length vs. Value" on Sunday in the Wyvern theatre at 4:30PM. The prizes? Uh ... the discussion generated by the esteemed panelists, of course. Yeah, let's go with that.
Just like last PAX East, we're taking the opportunity to unload all of our stuff - this includes games, clothes, swag, hardware, you name it. We don't keep anything we're sent (here's why) and giving it all away can be hard work. In other words: help us to help you!

JoystiqIntroducing the Joystiq PAX East Loyalty Program (or: hang out with us for prizes!) originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 11 Mar 2011 17:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Joystiq-PAX-East-Loyalty-Programjoystiq-podcastPAX-Eastpax-east-2011please-come-to-our-panelsx3f-liveFri, 11 Mar 2011 17:42:00 EST<![CDATA[Chiptune festival bleepin' and bloopin' at PAX East]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/11/chiptune-festival-bleepin-and-bloopin-at-pax-east/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/11/chiptune-festival-bleepin-and-bloopin-at-pax-east/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/11/chiptune-festival-bleepin-and-bloopin-at-pax-east/#comments Boston8Bit has teamed up with Magfest to bring three days of chiptune concerts to this year's PAX East. Notable chiptune artists (Animal Style and The Engadget Show's own Zen Albatross, among others) will be performing daily in PAX's "Jamspace" area daily from 11AM until 2PM EST -- we've been told the space is not full of jam, despite previous reports to the contrary.

Interested parties should head to the event-within-an-event's Facebook page to confirm attendance, or simply to find additional information. The entire list of performances broken down by day can be found after the break.

Continue reading Chiptune festival bleepin' and bloopin' at PAX East

JoystiqChiptune festival bleepin' and bloopin' at PAX East originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 11 Mar 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>8-bitbostonboston8bitchiptunepax-eastpax-east-2011zen-albatrossFri, 11 Mar 2011 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[We're live from PAX East, in not-so-sunny Boston]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/11/were-live-from-pax-east-in-not-so-sunny-boston/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/11/were-live-from-pax-east-in-not-so-sunny-boston/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/11/were-live-from-pax-east-in-not-so-sunny-boston/#comments Given that so, so many of us Joystiq writers call the American Northeast our home, it shouldn't surprise you that we're in Boston en masse for the second annual PAX East. Rather than returning to the Hynes, PAX is expanding this year into the larger Boston Convention Center, though it doesn't appear to have had a huge impact on the event's ability to sell out of tickets well ahead of time.

If you haven't already planned out your entire weekend with the free Conventionist App, allow us to suggest a few notable, 'Stiq-centric panels over the next few days: the second annual live Joystiq Podcast recording this evening, tomorrow morning's delicious (and free) Blueberry Muffintops Breakfast meetup, the first annual live X3F Fancast recording tomorrow evening, and two separate panels with our fearless leader, Chris Grant. Follow our Twitter accounts (listed after the break) for up to the minute info on what's going on. And if you see us, say hello!

Update: We're totally soaked. If you say "hello" to us at the show, please pardon our moistness.

Update 2: Actually Ben, us smart guys took a cab from the hotel, so we're dry as a popcorn fart.-Justin

Continue reading We're live from PAX East, in not-so-sunny Boston

JoystiqWe're live from PAX East, in not-so-sunny Boston originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 11 Mar 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bostonlive-frompax-eastpax-east-2011Fri, 11 Mar 2011 09:00:00 EST