Joystiq

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[Penny Arcade 3 shaves pennies for PAX, down to $3]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/31/penny-arcade-3-shaves-pennies-for-pax-down-to-3/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/31/penny-arcade-3-shaves-pennies-for-pax-down-to-3/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/31/penny-arcade-3-shaves-pennies-for-pax-down-to-3/#comments

In celebration of PAX, which is taking place this weekend, the price of Penny Arcade's On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness 3 has been knocked down to $3 this week, two bucks off the usual price. You can grab it now on Steam.

In other Rain-Slick news, the mobile version will be shown at PAX in space S4 of the South Lobby. The mobile version is headed to both iOS and Android this October. The Mac version is slated for October as well.

Continue reading Penny Arcade 3 shaves pennies for PAX, down to $3

Penny Arcade 3 shaves pennies for PAX, down to $3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 31 Aug 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidiosipadiphonemacmobilepax-eastpax-prime-2011pcpenny-arcade-adventures-3Fri, 31 Aug 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Jurassic Park: The Game promo Jeep deal causes dino-sized kerfuffle on Reddit]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/15/jurassic-park-the-game-promo-jeep-deal-causes-dino-sized-kerfuf/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/15/jurassic-park-the-game-promo-jeep-deal-causes-dino-sized-kerfuf/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/15/jurassic-park-the-game-promo-jeep-deal-causes-dino-sized-kerfuf/#comments

Yesterday, we received a flood of tips from Redditors and other folks urging us to report on a post at the community site, titled, "I let TellTale borrow my Jurassic Park Jeep and all I got was this lousy Dino-Damage." Written by Jurassic Park-themed Jeep Wrangler owner Kevin "Boomerjinks" Henry of the Jurassic Jeep group, he recounts the events that transpired upon arranging a deal with Telltale Games to use his vehicle for promotion at this past September's PAX, where the studio was showing attendees its upcoming Jurassic Park game.

Henry alleges that a variety of communication issues transpired prior to shipment of the Jeep from his location in Colorado to the convention in Washington, and that upon arrival, the vehicle itself had been damaged (scuffs and chips, mostly). Though he says he was assured that he'd be compensated for the damages, the company apparently went dark on him after several exchanges in the weeks following PAX. So he took to Reddit, but we'd only heard one side of the story.

But after a minor uproar ensued, Telltale head Kevin Bruner took to Reddit himself to air his company's side of things, even agreeing to pay the damages in full out of pocket immediately. While he says he doesn't like "the circumstances this is going down in," he'd rather move things along. "This way we won't need to hash this out publicly any longer." As Telltale has been going through the vehicle transport's insurance holder, things haven't been speeding along for Henry's Jeep fix, Bruner claims.

Meanwhile, as a fallout from the initial report, the ex-Telltale employee who organized the Jeep deal with Henry has been virtually mobbed by angry Redditors -- one of which posted the former employee's name, which resulted in "83 phone calls (according to Google voice), 41 Facebook messages, and 19 emails." Also, Jurassic Park: The Game is out today, in case you were wondering.

Update: Apparently Henry himself outed the former Telltale employee, according to this Reddit comment.

Jurassic Park: The Game promo Jeep deal causes dino-sized kerfuffle on Reddit originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 Nov 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>boomerjinksjeepjurassic-jeepjurassic-parkkevin-boomerjinks-henrykevin-brunerkevin-henrypax-2011pax-primepax-prime-2011reddittelltaletelltale-gamesTue, 15 Nov 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Monaco preview: Get in, get out, get paid]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/06/monaco-preview/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/06/monaco-preview/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/06/monaco-preview/#comments

You know what? My friends and I are better thieves than George Clooney. Well, we are if Monaco is any indication.

Sure, George may have all the charm and handsomeness, but if there's any one trait I look for in my friends, it's the appreciation of a good heist. And Monaco is all about stealing some stuff.

The premise of Monaco is simple: Take your team into a heavily guarded building to steal a trophy, and get out without getting caught or killed. A retro feel, a top-down camera angle, and a simplified control scheme comprise its approach to getting some co-op good times going.

Rather than implement an overly complex control scheme that requires a specific set of controls for each class, Monaco designer Andy Schatz has culled the controls down to a two-button system. Every action, like hacking a computer, breaking into a safe or unlocking the door to the escape car is done by running into the object for a couple of seconds.

Gallery: Monaco

Continue reading Monaco preview: Get in, get out, get paid

Monaco preview: Get in, get out, get paid originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 06 Sep 2011 09:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>andy-schatzmacmicrosoftmonacopax-2011pax-prime-2011pcplaystationpocketwatch-gamesps3PSNXBLAxboxTue, 06 Sep 2011 09:07:00 EST<![CDATA[SpyParty preview: Turing, eat your heart out]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/02/spy-party-preview-turing-eat-your-heart-out/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/02/spy-party-preview-turing-eat-your-heart-out/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/02/spy-party-preview-turing-eat-your-heart-out/#comments

These days, multiplayer games are all about letting the player play the way that they want to. Shooters let you customize your loadouts, racers give you a selecton of cars. If it's online, it's all about standing back and letting players determine their experience. And Spy Party creator Chris Hecker couldn't care less.

Spy Party, his multiplayer espionage game, demands that you play by its rules. It doesn't bend the rules, even in the slightest. Either you learn its complexities, or you lose. Every time. Guaranteed.

Gallery: SpyParty (2/23/11)

Continue reading SpyParty preview: Turing, eat your heart out

SpyParty preview: Turing, eat your heart out originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 02 Sep 2011 22:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chris-heckermacpax-prime-2011pcspypartyFri, 02 Sep 2011 22:09:00 EST<![CDATA[Antichamber preview: Psycholudology]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/02/antichamber-preview-psycholudology/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/02/antichamber-preview-psycholudology/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/02/antichamber-preview-psycholudology/#comments

Trying to describe the hour I spent with Alexander Bruce's PAX 10 Finalist indie game, Antichamber, is going to be one of the most difficult descriptive feats I've ever attempted. I think that the big hang-up is that it's going to mean a lot of different things to a lot of different people: For me, my time with the game was all about learning the obscure rules of a universe with no immediate context; a game about second, then third, then fourth-guessing my own actions until I found a solution I was able to walk away from with just a modicum of satisfaction.

For the person who took up the demo after me, it was about moving forward as quickly he could, attempting to adhere to an entirely pointless 90-minute time limit while ignoring all the lessons the game had to teach. Here's the thing: I'm not entirely sure either of us was playing it wrong.

Continue reading Antichamber preview: Psycholudology

Antichamber preview: Psycholudology originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 02 Sep 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventurealexander-bruceantichamberdemruthindiepax-10pax-prime-2011pcpuzzleFri, 02 Sep 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Uber Entertainment explains Super Monday Night Combat's lessened lethality]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/01/uber-entertainment-explains-super-monday-night-combats-lessened/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/01/uber-entertainment-explains-super-monday-night-combats-lessened/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/01/uber-entertainment-explains-super-monday-night-combats-lessened/#comments

Later this year or early next year, Uber Entertainment's going to try and thread a fairly dangerous needle. The studio, which saw success with its very first product, the XBLA and PC shooter Monday Night Combat, is trying to branch the franchise out into the increasingly populated free-to-play space. To do so successfully, it'll need to maintain its community's good will with some substantial -- but not too substantial -- changes.

"Super Monday Night Combat is going to be the same basic world," Uber Entertainment creative director John Comes explained to us at PAX last week. "We still have the same kind of lightheartedness, with the announcer and the mascot -- that same happy, fast, punchy game." The development team won't leave the formula entirely untouched, however. "Some of the balance has changed," Comes added. "Mainly, the lethality has been lowered a bit, which we've found makes for more frantic fights."

Gallery: Super Monday Night Combat (8/20/11)

Continue reading Uber Entertainment explains Super Monday Night Combat's lessened lethality

Uber Entertainment explains Super Monday Night Combat's lessened lethality originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 01 Sep 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betadotamonday-night-combatpax-prime-2011pcsteamsuper-monday-night-combatuber-entertainmentThu, 01 Sep 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Firefall's PAX trailer could really use a lozenge]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/01/firefalls-pax-trailer-could-really-use-a-lozenge/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/01/firefalls-pax-trailer-could-really-use-a-lozenge/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/01/firefalls-pax-trailer-could-really-use-a-lozenge/#comments

There's so much to fight on Firefall's planet: Indigenous creatures, invading aliens and, if the voice in this trailer is any indication, air full of particulate matter that can clog up your vocal folds. Need some water, dude?

Firefall's PAX trailer could really use a lozenge originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 01 Sep 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>firefallfree-to-playpax-prime-2011pcred-5-studiostrailerwebzenThu, 01 Sep 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Vessel preview: Don't forget to hydrate]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/31/vessel-preview-dont-forget-to-hydrate/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/31/vessel-preview-dont-forget-to-hydrate/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/31/vessel-preview-dont-forget-to-hydrate/#comments

Vessel

You know how they say that water is the essence of life? In Vessel, water takes it one more step: It literally becomes life. Inventor Arkwright has invented what he calls Fluros, little creatures that attract any liquid around them and build them into a body. They're pretty great for doing work around his factory, especially because of their seemingly bottomless desire to step on buttons. Handily, Arkwright's entire factory seems to run on those little buttons.

Relying on the little guys probably isn't the best idea, though. If Fantasia taught us anything, it's that employing vaguely magical automatons to do your dirty work always goes awry. Soon, the Fluros have taken over the factory and start wreaking havoc, breaking down a variety of large machines that the good inventor needs to keep things running smoothly. So, obviously, he must go on a 2D-platformer adventure to solve that not-so-little issue.

Gallery: Vessel (XBLA / PSN / PC)

Continue reading Vessel preview: Don't forget to hydrate

Vessel preview: Don't forget to hydrate originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 31 Aug 2011 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>indiepubmicrosoftpax-prime-2011pcplaystationps3PSNstrange-loop-gamesvesselXBLAxboxWed, 31 Aug 2011 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[PAX Prime attendance grows to 70,000]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/31/pax-prime-attendance-grows-to-70-000/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/31/pax-prime-attendance-grows-to-70-000/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/31/pax-prime-attendance-grows-to-70-000/#comments

Hey, PAX East? Sit down, we gotta talk. You know how we made a big deal about your 69,500 attendees earlier this year? Well, we don't want you to freak out, but your older brother PAX Prime has surpassed that figure, establishing the record for most attendees at a PAX.

Look, don't be down, PAX East. We're a growing family with a third kid on the way, but there will be plenty of opportunity for you to prove yourself again. Chin up!

PAX Prime attendance grows to 70,000 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 31 Aug 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>paxpax-2011pax-prime-2011penny-arcadepenny-arcade-expopenny-arcade-expo-2011Wed, 31 Aug 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[See SOL: Exodus' space battles in gameplay video]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/31/see-sol-exodus-space-battles-in-gameplay-video/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/31/see-sol-exodus-space-battles-in-gameplay-video/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/31/see-sol-exodus-space-battles-in-gameplay-video/#comments

Now that we've got adventure games fairly well resuscitated (yes, we're taking all the credit) our next target is the space shooter. And no, we don't mean guys from different planets shooting at each other (that's already roughly 74 percent of the market). We want to get behind the throttle of our own ship, fly in any direction we please and, perhaps most importantly, make much larger capital ships explode by shooting exposed vents.

SOL: Exodus, a downloadable space shooter coming to PC and (maybe) consoles from Seamless Entertainment, is doing its part to help us realize the dream. We got a look during PAX, and were hugely relieved to finally find a space sim that's not mired in the past.

For starters, there's the "slide" mechanic, which lets you shoot in any direction and immediately redirect your ship without having to fight momentum or an unwieldy turning radius. Purists may complain, but it made the ship feel responsive in a way that most modern gamers would likely expect.

SOL: Exodus also features a bit more interactivity than we're used to from the genre, such as the ability to hack into enemy defenses to help turn the tide of a seemingly hopeless fight. Here's hoping that Seamless' baby can be a similar turning point in our struggle to bring back the space opera.

See SOL: Exodus' space battles in gameplay video originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 31 Aug 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>pax-prime-2011pcseamless-entertainmentsol-exodusspace-shooterWed, 31 Aug 2011 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Go Home Dinosaurs preview: Steak 'n' Shake]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/31/go-home-dinosaurs-preview-steak-n-shake/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/31/go-home-dinosaurs-preview-steak-n-shake/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/31/go-home-dinosaurs-preview-steak-n-shake/#comments

Go Home Dinosaurs!

I learn something new every day. While playing the Go Home Dinosaurs PAX demo, I learned that even the most herbivorous of dinosaurs can't resist a nice, juicy steak. Also, little prehistorical mole creatures are the controllers and distributors of said steak, and they don't take too kindly to dinos attempting to crash their BBQ. Fortunately for them, dinosaurs aren't smart enough to stray from a straight path to get to those delicious smelling things.

Yeah, Go Home Dinosaurs is a tower defense game where moles are trying to defend their BBQ from advancing hordes of pterodactyls. Excellent.

Another thing I learned: Moles aren't terribly good at spacial management. They may be great at creating prehistoric turrets, lasers, and all kinds of general dinosaur-harming structures, but the concept of uniform sizes for those buildings is totally foreign to them. Like big, oddly shaped Tetris blocks, each of the weapons takes up a different shape on the board, each defensive building's location has to be carefully planned out to allow for future placements of those of different shapes. Making sure your laser fires down the longest stretch of dino path possible is tough when you have to think about where you'll place your meteor magnet next.

That's right, a meteor magnet. How else will you make those dinos extinct?

Gallery: Go Home Dinosaurs

Continue reading Go Home Dinosaurs preview: Steak 'n' Shake

Go Home Dinosaurs preview: Steak 'n' Shake originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 31 Aug 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fire-hose-gamesgo-home-dinosaursmicrosoftpax-prime-2011playstationps3PSNXBLAxboxWed, 31 Aug 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wildstar preview: Have it your way]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/31/wildstar-preview/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/31/wildstar-preview/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/31/wildstar-preview/#comments

If I were to ask you how you like to play your MMORPGs, you'd probably describe a perplexing predilection for one of the genre's cookie-cutter classes: "Oh, I'm a Mage-guy, definitely." Though NCSoft and Carbine's recently announced MMO Wildstar will allow you to fill that (or any other) professional archetype, they're taking a broader look at that question, not asking what type of character you prefer to be in-game but what type of player you prefer to be.

The PAX Prime demo of Wildstar showed off some interesting innovations on the MMO formula, like fast-paced combat and an active dodge system that rewards you with bonus XP for your deft avoidance. The most promising aspect of the game, however, is that very core tenet: Wildstar rewards you for playing the game how you choose to play it.

Gallery: WildStar

Continue reading Wildstar preview: Have it your way

Wildstar preview: Have it your way originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 31 Aug 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carbine-studiosmmommorpgncsoftpax-prime-2011pcwildstarWed, 31 Aug 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Todd Howard on Skyrim's worthwhile glitches, MMOs and when big is big enough]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/31/todd-howard-on-skyrims-worthwhile-glitches-mmos-and-when-big-i/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/31/todd-howard-on-skyrims-worthwhile-glitches-mmos-and-when-big-i/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/31/todd-howard-on-skyrims-worthwhile-glitches-mmos-and-when-big-i/#comments

November 11 is fast approaching and that means that Bethesda Game Director/Executive Producer Todd Howard and company are putting the finishing touches on The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. But with a game this massive, is there really such a thing as "finished"? How do you know?

"I guess we just kind of know," Howard told us at PAX. "Content wise, we want to have a lot, and we want it to work well together. Mainly we're looking for a saturation of activity -- is there always something to do, without being overwhelmed. As the project goes on, we're finding areas where there isn't enough to do, and we keep adding. So the game always ends up a lot bigger than we anticipated.

Gallery: The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (4/1/11)

Continue reading Todd Howard on Skyrim's worthwhile glitches, MMOs and when big is big enough

Todd Howard on Skyrim's worthwhile glitches, MMOs and when big is big enough originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 31 Aug 2011 15:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>elder-scrolls-5microsoftpax-prime-2011pcplaystationps3skyrimthe-elder-scrolls-v-skyrimtodd-howardxboxWed, 31 Aug 2011 15:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Medieval Moves preview: Sporty skeleton]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/30/medieval-moves-preview/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/30/medieval-moves-preview/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/30/medieval-moves-preview/#comments

One of my biggest surprises during PAX Prime 2011 was a game I almost decided not to play.

Time is limited at these events, so when I was presented with a swath of choices at Sony's corner of the show at the nearby Grand Hyatt, I had to be shrewd. Starhawk? Sure! Journey! You bet. Medieval Moves: Deadmund's Quest? Ehh ...

Boy, am I glad I took a chance on this one, because slashing, guarding and shooting as the diminutive skeleton was some of the most fun I had all weekend.

Gallery: Medieval Moves: Deadmund's Quest (PS3)

Continue reading Medieval Moves preview: Sporty skeleton

Medieval Moves preview: Sporty skeleton originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 30 Aug 2011 14:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>medieval-movesmedieval-moves-deadmunds-questmovepax-prime-2011playstationplaystation-moveps3zindagi-gamesTue, 30 Aug 2011 14:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Minecraft Adventure Update preview: It's a start]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/30/minecraft-adventure-update-preview/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/30/minecraft-adventure-update-preview/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/30/minecraft-adventure-update-preview/#comments

As completely and undeniably delightful as Mojang's indie blockbuster Minecraft is, there's a sense of emptiness that pervades its cuboid worlds. It's a void too large to be filled with replica Enterprises and scale models of the Zelda: Link to the Past overworld. It's a cavity left by the absence of adventure. Sure, the game's already got enemies and hidden treasures, but it can only really switch between binary states of peril and exploration. That, friends, does not an adventure make.

Fortunately, Mojang understands its already successful title needs a bit more adventure-meat on the bones. Its first step in breathing more life into its destructible, constructible game is the Adventure Update, which the studio was showing off at PAX. Fitting in with the game's iteratively updated release formula, the addition doesn't tack on all the things the title needs -- but it lays some compelling groundwork for the game's transformation into a fully-fledged RPG affair.

Continue reading Minecraft Adventure Update preview: It's a start

Minecraft Adventure Update preview: It's a start originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 30 Aug 2011 11:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>MinecraftMojang-Specificationsnotchpax-prime-2011pcTue, 30 Aug 2011 11:55:00 EST<![CDATA[BioShock Infinite PAX panel video explores the importance of relationships, crying in tiny rooms]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/29/bioshock-infinite-pax-panel-video-explores-the-importance-of-rel/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/29/bioshock-infinite-pax-panel-video-explores-the-importance-of-rel/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/29/bioshock-infinite-pax-panel-video-explores-the-importance-of-rel/#comments

PAX can be a fantastic catalyst for news and breaking information about upcoming games, but it also provides a unique window into the development process that we as consumers don't often get a chance to see. This year's BioShock Infinite panel, for instance, dove into the art of voice-acting, the challenges associated with dynamic story telling in a first person environment, and the benefits associated with crying in a 5-by-6 closet while strangers viciously berate you.

The panel, hosted by G4's Adam Sessler, starred Irrational Games' Creative Director Ken Levine, as well as voice actors Troy Baker and Courtnee Draper, who voice Infinite's Booker DeWitt and Elizabeth, respectively. The group covered a wide range of topics regarding Infinite's lead characters, their motivations, and the somewhat unorthodox techniques used to extract such emotional performances from the actors.

Despite being fairly F-bomb heavy, the above video doesn't disclose any information we weren't already aware of, so the spoiler-cautious among you need not worry.

BioShock Infinite PAX panel video explores the importance of relationships, crying in tiny rooms originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 29 Aug 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BioShockbioshock-infiniteCourtnee-DraperIrrational-GamesKen-Levinemicrosoftpax-2011pax-prime-2011PAX2011pcplaystationps3Troy-BakerxboxMon, 29 Aug 2011 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Ablegamers president explains Adroit Switchblade controller]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/29/ablegamers-president-explains-adroit-switchblade-controller/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/29/ablegamers-president-explains-adroit-switchblade-controller/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/29/ablegamers-president-explains-adroit-switchblade-controller/#comments

If you're not particularly well versed in controller accessibility, the Adroit Switchblade (recently unveiled by the Ablegamers Foundation) may seem a little daunting.

If you're interested (and you should be, because it's really cool), Ablegamers co-founder and president Mark Barlet took a few minutes out of PAX to demonstrate exactly how this unique controller functions.

Gallery: Adroit Switchblade controller

Ablegamers president explains Adroit Switchblade controller originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 29 Aug 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ablegamersadroitadroit-switchbladeevil-controllersmark-barletmicrosoftpax-prime-2011xboxMon, 29 Aug 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Firefall preview: Something for everyone]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/29/firefall-preview/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/29/firefall-preview/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/29/firefall-preview/#comments

There's a good chance that Firefall is going to be your absolute, undeniable jam. It's just one of those combinations of features and ideas that should apply to at least (but probably more than) one of your sensibilities: It has class-based shooting, customizable loadouts, loot, strategy, a persistent world, character creation and a focus on cooperative, Player vs. Environment gameplay.

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

Continue reading Firefall preview: Something for everyone

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

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>firefallfpsmmoonlinepax-prime-2011pcred-5-studiosshooterwebzenMon, 29 Aug 2011 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Trine 2 preview: Brains and beauty]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/29/trine-2-preview/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/29/trine-2-preview/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/29/trine-2-preview/#comments

The first things you're going to notice are the visuals. Don't feel bad, happens to everybody.

But while you're ogling Trine 2's look, you may just miss that its most significant improvements are in how it's playing with your mind.

Gallery: Trine 2 (E3)

Continue reading Trine 2 preview: Brains and beauty

Trine 2 preview: Brains and beauty originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 29 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atlusfrozenbytemicrosoftpax-prime-2011pcplaystationps3trine-2xboxMon, 29 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Bioware 'greatly expanding the pool of testers' for Star Wars: The Old Republic]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/28/bioware-greatly-expanding-the-pool-of-testers-for-star-wars-t/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/28/bioware-greatly-expanding-the-pool-of-testers-for-star-wars-t/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/28/bioware-greatly-expanding-the-pool-of-testers-for-star-wars-t/#comments

Rejoice potential padawan! Bioware announced at its PAX Star Wars: The Old
Republic panel that it will roll out a whole slew of beta invites to
appease your debilitating midichlorian habit. Starting September 2, keep an eye on your
inbox, as the company will periodically send them out during the month.

They will, however, still limit the number of day one copies available. Do try and
keep your blasters, lightsabers and second lightsabers holstered until then.

Bioware 'greatly expanding the pool of testers' for Star Wars: The Old Republic originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 28 Aug 2011 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betabiowareealucasartspax-prime-2011pcStar-Wars-The-Old-RepublicThe-Old-RepublicSun, 28 Aug 2011 22:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Gearbox gifts Borderlands 2 to its PAX panel attendees, you want ours?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/28/gearbox-gifts-borderlands-2-to-its-pax-panel-attendees-you-want/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/28/gearbox-gifts-borderlands-2-to-its-pax-panel-attendees-you-want/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/28/gearbox-gifts-borderlands-2-to-its-pax-panel-attendees-you-want/#comments

In an undeniably generous gesture, Gearbox gave a voucher good for a free copy of Borderlands 2 to all of the more than a thousand attendees of its PAX Prime 2011 panel. Yes, you read that right. Free. For everybody.

If you weren't among the lucky hanging out in the Pegasus room, we're continuing the Oprah spirit by passing on our code to you. Yep, that's ours up there. Go ahead. Take it. Oh, and let us know in the comments that you got it. (Update: Looks like it's been used!)

Gearbox gifts Borderlands 2 to its PAX panel attendees, you want ours? originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 28 Aug 2011 21:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>borderlands-2gearboxmicrosoftpax-prime-2011pcplaystationps3xboxSun, 28 Aug 2011 21:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Brothers In Arms franchise will return to Sgt. Baker]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/28/brothers-in-arms-franchise-will-return-to-sgt-baker/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/28/brothers-in-arms-franchise-will-return-to-sgt-baker/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/28/brothers-in-arms-franchise-will-return-to-sgt-baker/#comments

Though the slightly more light-hearded Brothers In Arms: Furious Four may be the next step in the franchise, Gearbox says it isn't done with franchise star Sgt. Matt Baker. Company boss Randy Pitchford confirmed at PAX Prime 2011 that another game is in the works involving Baker, the lead in previous Brothers In Arms games Road to Hill 30, Earned in Blood and Hell's Highway.

Here's the twist: No shooting. ... No, no, we're kidding. There will probably be shooting.

Brothers In Arms franchise will return to Sgt. Baker originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 28 Aug 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brothers-in-armsgearboxpax-prime-2011Sun, 28 Aug 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Aliens: Infestation hits DS on October 11]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/28/aliens-infestation-infests-ds-on-october-11/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/28/aliens-infestation-infests-ds-on-october-11/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/28/aliens-infestation-infests-ds-on-october-11/#comments

Hope you're not "bugged" by a little news this late on a Sunday but Gearbox just announced that Aliens: Infestation would arrive on the DS on Oct. 11 in the US and on Sept. 30 in the EU. It's a little bit of a delay from the previous loose window of "September" for the WayForward-developed title.

Also, we're supremely sorry about that "bugged" part. We're in a room with like a thousand sweaty dudes and all we've eaten today is a low-fat muffin.

Gallery: Aliens: Infestation (7/20/11)

Aliens: Infestation hits DS on October 11 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 28 Aug 2011 18:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aliens-infestationdsgearboxnintendopax-prime-2011Sun, 28 Aug 2011 18:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Cobalt preview: Chaotic and robotic]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/28/cobalt-preview-chaotic-and-robotic/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/28/cobalt-preview-chaotic-and-robotic/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/28/cobalt-preview-chaotic-and-robotic/#comments

There's a lot going on in Cobalt. Like, a lot.

In fact, as much as I detest "it's like this but this," I feel like that's the best place to start. The best way I can describe Cobalt (the first third-party release from Minecraft's Mojang) is as a curious mix of John Woo, Super Meat Boy, Contra and (most prominently) Super Smash Brothers.

Like I said ... a lot going on.

Gallery: Cobalt (Windows, Mac, PC)

Continue reading Cobalt preview: Chaotic and robotic

Cobalt preview: Chaotic and robotic originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 28 Aug 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cobaltmacMojang-Specificationsoxeye-game-studiospax-prime-2011pcSun, 28 Aug 2011 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[New Final Fantasy XIII-2 trailer has everything you'd expect]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/28/new-final-fantasy-xiii-2-trailer-has-everything-youd-expect/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/28/new-final-fantasy-xiii-2-trailer-has-everything-youd-expect/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/28/new-final-fantasy-xiii-2-trailer-has-everything-youd-expect/#comments

Final Fantasy games are universally known for certain things, and even with a brand-spankin'-new trailer like this one, it's easy to guess what you're getting into. Moogles? Got 'em. Gorgeous pre-rendered cutscenes? Yup, got those too. Metal horse? You'd better believe it.

New Final Fantasy XIII-2 trailer has everything you'd expect originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 28 Aug 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>final-fantasy-xiii-2microsoftPAX-2011pax-prime-2011PAX2011playstationps3Square-EnixxboxSun, 28 Aug 2011 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Seen@PAX: Jerry Holkins just dances]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/28/seen-pax-jerry-holkins-just-dances/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/28/seen-pax-jerry-holkins-just-dances/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/28/seen-pax-jerry-holkins-just-dances/#comments

Snicker all you want at this footage we captured of Penny Arcade godfather Jerry Holkins playing Just Dance 3 on stage at PAX, the fact of the matter is this: The guy's got moves. Also, is that Quail Man at his side? Trick question, we were there: It's totally Quail Man.

Seen@PAX: Jerry Holkins just dances originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 28 Aug 2011 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>jerry-holkinsjust-dance-3pax-prime-2011penny-arcadeubisoftSun, 28 Aug 2011 02:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Guild Wars 2 preview: Common sense]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/27/guild-wars-2-preview-common-sense/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/27/guild-wars-2-preview-common-sense/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/27/guild-wars-2-preview-common-sense/#comments

Of the many -- so, so many -- MMOs represented on the PAX Prime 2011 show floor, ArenaNet's long-in-development Guild Wars 2 easily presents the most outside-the-box thinking. Where other entries in the genre tend to look at their contemporaries and attempt to iteratively repair their rough edges, Guild Wars 2 throws out baby, bathwater and tub, starting with a base that's altogether unprecedented.

Take, for instance, this core conceit: Why do other MMOs require you to stand still to use most of your character's abilities? Why not allow them to fire off powers while ducking and dodging through salvos of enemy attacks? Why not let heroes use their powers, regardless of whether or not they're targeting an enemy? Why not put some action in your MMO, or vice versa? ArenaNet seems to have noticed most developers' proclivity for sacrificing streamlined gameplay for staple MMO characteristics, and repeatedly asked that very question: Why?

Continue reading Guild Wars 2 preview: Common sense

Guild Wars 2 preview: Common sense originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 27 Aug 2011 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arenanetguild-warsGuild-Wars-2mmommorpgncsoftpax-prime-2011pcSat, 27 Aug 2011 22:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim preview: Dovahkiind of wonderful]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/27/the-elder-scrolls-v-skyrim-preview-dovahkiind-of-wonderful/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/27/the-elder-scrolls-v-skyrim-preview-dovahkiind-of-wonderful/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/27/the-elder-scrolls-v-skyrim-preview-dovahkiind-of-wonderful/#comments

"Oh that? That's old man McElroy's house. People say he hasn't left since Nov. 11, 2011. I guess a video game came out that day -- it was on a disc, if you remember those -- called The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and he just never, ever left after he started playing it. It's very sad.

But they say he warned everyone in a preview he wrote at PAX Prime 2011. They say he played an hour and knew right then that his time as part of human society was limited."

Gallery: The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (Gamescom 2011)

Continue reading The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim preview: Dovahkiind of wonderful

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim preview: Dovahkiind of wonderful originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 27 Aug 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>elder-scrolls-5microsoftPAX-2011pax-prime-2011PAX2011pcplaystationps3skyrimthe-elder-scrolls-v-skyrimxboxSat, 27 Aug 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Halo Combat Evolved Anniversary preview: Like falling off a log]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/27/halo-combat-evolved-anniversary-preview/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/27/halo-combat-evolved-anniversary-preview/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/27/halo-combat-evolved-anniversary-preview/#comments

I haven't been particularly skillful at any of the Halo games that succeeded Halo -- a direct result of the fact that the original game possesses a language that the rest of the series eschewed. Perhaps it was a language of simplicity; after all, true success only demanded proficiency with one weapon, the pistol, which could take enemies down in a handful of well-placed headshots. Forget armor abilities, dual wielding and deployable items: There was only gun, and the manner in which you used gun.

While playing Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary earlier this week -- in its single-player, multiplayer and multi-dimensional varieties -- I was struck by how quickly that language came sailing back to me. I probably didn't realize it until that moment, but in the ten years that have passed since the original launch of Halo, I've really come to miss Halo.

Gallery: Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary (Gamescom 2011)

Continue reading Halo Combat Evolved Anniversary preview: Like falling off a log

Halo Combat Evolved Anniversary preview: Like falling off a log originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 27 Aug 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>343-Industrieshalohalo-combat-evolved-anniversaryhalo-festmicrosoftpax-prime-2011xboxSat, 27 Aug 2011 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Penny Arcade Expo planning on branching out to third city]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/26/penny-arcade-expo-planning-on-branching-out-to-third-city/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/26/penny-arcade-expo-planning-on-branching-out-to-third-city/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/26/penny-arcade-expo-planning-on-branching-out-to-third-city/#comments

Jerry Holkins and Mike Krahulik -- the pair of minds behind Penny Arcade, which is the comic behind the major gaming convention that's happening right now -- have confirmed that PAX will soon find a home in a third location somewhere on the planet. "Yeah, there's going to be a third PAX," Krahulik explained in an interview with us earlier today. "Believe it," Holkins added. We do!

The duo said they have a city in mind, but didn't divulge which one it is -- a shame, because there are a lot of cities to guess from. During last year's PAX Press Q&A, they hinted that a third PAX might come together, perhaps in an overseas locale they'd like to visit. Any international readers have a hometown they'd like to see wholly and completely overrun by gamingkind?

Penny Arcade Expo planning on branching out to third city originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 26 Aug 2011 23:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eventsgabeinternationalpaxpax-east-2011pax-prime-2011penny-arcadepenny-arcade-expotychoFri, 26 Aug 2011 23:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Spider-Man Edge of Time preview: Edge of glory]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/26/spider-man-edge-of-time-preview/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/26/spider-man-edge-of-time-preview/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/26/spider-man-edge-of-time-preview/#comments

Like a vagabond Lothario who flees from a relationship the moment it turns serious, Spider-Man always seems to leave developers just short of something really special. Neversoft never quite cracked "the perfect Spider-Man" while it had the license, and Shaba Games came within inches of it before it was shuttered.

Now, with Spider-Man: Edge of Time, Beenox is taking its second pass at the Web Head, and if the quality I saw at my PAX demo was any indication, it may be time to start getting nervous when Spidey "just runs out to buy some smokes real quick."

Gallery: Spider-Man: Edge of Time (PS3/360)

Continue reading Spider-Man Edge of Time preview: Edge of glory

Spider-Man Edge of Time preview: Edge of glory originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 26 Aug 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionbeenoxmicrosoftpax-prime-2011playstationps3spider-man-edge-of-timespiderman-edge-of-timexboxFri, 26 Aug 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Penny Arcade Adventures Episode 3 still alive, Zeboyd at the helm]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/26/penny-arcade-adventures-episode-3-still-alive-zeboyd-at-the-hel/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/26/penny-arcade-adventures-episode-3-still-alive-zeboyd-at-the-hel/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/26/penny-arcade-adventures-episode-3-still-alive-zeboyd-at-the-hel/#comments

Penny Arcade Adventures lives on

After its abrupt cancellation last year, Penny Arcade Adventures: Episode 3 has risen from the ashes with developer Zeboyd Games taking control of the project. The studio is best known for its Xbox Live Indie Games and PC releases, Cthulhu Saves the World and Breath of Death 7.

RPGamer reports that, given the retro nature of Zeboyd's titles, Penny Arcade Episode 3 will take on a similar graphical style (think: the 16-bit Final Fantasy games); Alex Mauer will be providing the soundtrack. This marks the first game in the series not developed by Hothead, which left the project last year and went on to develop DeathSpank.

Episode 3 is set to be released in 2012 on "as many systems" as possible. More information will be revealed at PAX East next year ... but that won't stop us from harassing Gabe and Tycho for information all weekend.

Penny Arcade Adventures Episode 3 still alive, Zeboyd at the helm originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 26 Aug 2011 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>paxpax-2011pax-prime-2011penny-arcadepenny-arcade-adventures-episode-3penny-arcade-adventures-on-the-rainslick-precipice-of-darkness-epenny-arcade-advenures-3zeboyd-gamesFri, 26 Aug 2011 15:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Torchlight 2 priced at $20, final class revealed]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/26/torchlight-2-priced-at-20-final-class-revealed/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/26/torchlight-2-priced-at-20-final-class-revealed/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/26/torchlight-2-priced-at-20-final-class-revealed/#comments

Torchlight 2, the cooperation-friendly sequel to the million-selling dungeon crawler, has been officially priced at $20 by Runic Games. That's the same price as the original Torchlight. which had a far lower profile.

"Everyone who wants to play Torchlight 2 will be able to comfortably afford to do so, and they'll be able to play with their friend online or via a LAN, or play single player offline, all with no further purchase," said Max Schaefer, CEO of Runic Games.

Runic also revealed the fourth and final class in the game, the Embermage, who will join the Berserker, Outlander and Engineer on an obsessive quest for better loot. We're sure they'll save the world along the way or whatever, but it's the loot that's important.

Torchlight 2 is still targeting a 2011 launch.

Gallery: Torchlight 2 (Ember Mage)

Torchlight 2 priced at $20, final class revealed originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 26 Aug 2011 09:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>pax-prime-2011pcrunic-gamestorchlight-2Fri, 26 Aug 2011 09:40:00 EST<![CDATA[The Xbox 360 PAX deserves, but not the one it needs: Custom Batman: Arkham City console]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/26/the-xbox-360-pax-deserves-but-not-the-one-it-needs-custom-batm/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/26/the-xbox-360-pax-deserves-but-not-the-one-it-needs-custom-batm/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/26/the-xbox-360-pax-deserves-but-not-the-one-it-needs-custom-batm/#comments

One lucky PAX attendee will be able to walk away with the custom console above. Warner Bros isn't saying much on how you can win this custom Batman: Arkham City Xbox 360 at Seattle's to-do, though the Facebook page announcing the promotion does offer hope to those who aren't Seattle-bound: Xbox will apparently be giving away the same console at an unspecified later time.

Feel free to glide on into our gallery below to drool over the thing. On one side, Batman; on the other, Joker. Way in the back, envious that they can't win this thing for themselves: the Joystiq staff.

Gallery: PAX 2011 (Custom Batman: Arkham City Xbox 360 console)

The Xbox 360 PAX deserves, but not the one it needs: Custom Batman: Arkham City console originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 26 Aug 2011 06:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Batman-Arkham-Asylum-2Batman-Arkham-Citymicrosoftpaxpax-2011pax-prime-2011Rocksteady-Studioswarner-brosxboxFri, 26 Aug 2011 06:10:00 EST<![CDATA[PSA: Visit OnLive at PAX, get a free OnLive console]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/25/psa-visit-onlive-at-pax-get-a-free-onlive-console/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/25/psa-visit-onlive-at-pax-get-a-free-onlive-console/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/25/psa-visit-onlive-at-pax-get-a-free-onlive-console/#comments

OnLive has announced a tasty little scheme for PAX. Anybody who heads over to the site and signs up for a PlayerTag can snag a free OnLive console. All you have to do is show up at the OnLive booth during the Seattle show this weekend and tell them your PlayerTag. Simple.

Recently, OnLive added a slew of social features to its games streaming service, including Facebook achievement posting and group chat. It also found itself dominating headlines all over the web when game retail giant GameStop pulled OnLive tokens from sealed copies of Deus Ex: Human Revolution on PC.

PSA: Visit OnLive at PAX, get a free OnLive console originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 25 Aug 2011 16:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>mobileonlivepax-2011pax-primepax-prime-2011pcThu, 25 Aug 2011 16:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Ubisoft bringing the big guns (and the tiny, hidden blades) to PAX]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/24/ubisoft-bringing-the-big-guns-and-the-tiny-hidden-blades-to-p/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/24/ubisoft-bringing-the-big-guns-and-the-tiny-hidden-blades-to-p/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/24/ubisoft-bringing-the-big-guns-and-the-tiny-hidden-blades-to-p/#comments

Ubisoft isn't messing around at PAX Prime this year, evidenced by the fact that the company is bringing just about every game it's currently working on to the show -- and even some that are already out. Here's the full list:

Assassin's Creed: Revelations
From Dust
Just Dance 3
Might and Magic Heroes VI
Might and Magic Heroes Kingdoms
Rayman Origins
Rocksmith
Shoot Many Robots
Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Online
Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Future Soldier
TrackMania Canyon

In addition to having games to play, Ubisoft is also looking for attendees to pre-order upcoming games by hooking them up with exclusive goodies. A pre-order of Future Soldier will net PAX attendees an exclusive gun skin, a Revelations pre-order gives you an Altair avatar, Just Dance 3 has a neon watch, Rayman Origins has a custom T-shirt, and pre-ordering Rocksmith gets you an exclusive guitar strap.

Attendees can also check out the Assassin's Creed panel in the Main Theatre on Friday at 6pm PT. There, Ubisoft will show off single-player footage of the game, hopefully adding to what we've seen come out of Gamescom.

Ubisoft bringing the big guns (and the tiny, hidden blades) to PAX originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 24 Aug 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>assassins-creed-revelationsdsmacmicrosoftmobilenintendopaxpax-2011pax-prime-2011pcplaystationps3pspsonyubisoftwiixboxWed, 24 Aug 2011 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Sonic CD coming to XBLA, playable at PAX [update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/22/sonic-cd-coming-to-xbla-playable-at-pax/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/22/sonic-cd-coming-to-xbla-playable-at-pax/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/22/sonic-cd-coming-to-xbla-playable-at-pax/#comments

Major Nelson, majordomo of all things Xbox, took to his blog this afternoon and posted a detailed list of all the games and events that will be spread out across Microsoft's five booths at this week's Penny Arcade Expo. It's about what you'd expect; Gears of War 3 Horde mode, Forza 4, Mass Effect 3, etc, until you get to the list of Booth 432's XBLA titles. Right near the end, snuggled squarely between Retro City Rampage and War of the Worlds, is an unannounced XBLA port of Sonic CD.

We've reached out to Major Nelson and Sega for comment, but as of yet no additional confirmation has been provided by either party. We suspect they're too enthralled by Sonic CD's masterful theme song to even move, let alone respond to our e mails.

Update: A communique has hit our inbox from Sega PR: "We don't have any details at this time, but we'll be sharing some more information soon."

Sonic CD coming to XBLA, playable at PAX [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 22 Aug 2011 18:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftPAXpax-primepax-prime-2011PAX2011SegaSega-CDSonicSonic-CDXBLAxboxMon, 22 Aug 2011 18:24:00 EST<![CDATA[Portal lead Kim Swift to debut downloadable game at PAX]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/22/portal-lead-kim-swift-to-debut-downloadable-game-at-pax/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/22/portal-lead-kim-swift-to-debut-downloadable-game-at-pax/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/22/portal-lead-kim-swift-to-debut-downloadable-game-at-pax/#commentsAfter 2010's disappointing Dark Void, we'd nearly forgotten that Airtight Games had hired Portal Creative Director Kim Swift to lead development on a "new, unnamed project." Square Enix has rekindled our interest, announcing that it's picked up publishing rights to the game and will reveal the "top-secret joint project" at PAX this Saturday (7pm in the Pegasus Room for those of you in attendance).

The only information we can glean from the announcement is that it's "downloadable" and "an incredibly fascinating and quirky game" so ... take that for what it's worth. Airtight Games' site says that while it's working on another "ambitious AAA title" it's also working on "a new mid-sized game with all kinds of physical possibilities." Physical possibilities, eh? That sounds like the one!

Continue reading Portal lead Kim Swift to debut downloadable game at PAX

Portal lead Kim Swift to debut downloadable game at PAX originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 22 Aug 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airtight-gameskim-swiftmicrosoftpaxpax-prime-2011playstationps3PSNquantum-conundrumsquare-enixXBLAxboxMon, 22 Aug 2011 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Orcs Must Die players at PAX Prime get Cardboard Tube Samurai skin, comic book]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/15/orcs-must-die-players-at-pax-prime-get-cardboard-tube-samurai-s/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/15/orcs-must-die-players-at-pax-prime-get-cardboard-tube-samurai-s/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/15/orcs-must-die-players-at-pax-prime-get-cardboard-tube-samurai-s/#comments

Robot Entertainment is not only bringing tower defense title Orcs Must Die to PAX Prime later on this week, but the company is providing a show special as well. At the booth in Seattle during the show, they'll be giving out special codes for the game's War Mage character, designed after Penny Arcade's own Cardboard Tube Samurai, to visitors who sign up for the company forums.

The first 200 people to play the game each day of the show will also pick up a prequel comic book from the company. The rest of us, at home, who can't play the game live on the floor of PAX? All we get is to wait until the game comes out later this year on XBLA and PC.

Orcs Must Die players at PAX Prime get Cardboard Tube Samurai skin, comic book originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 15 Aug 2011 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cardboard-tube-samuraifreegiveawaymicrosoftorcs-must-diepax-2011pax-prime-2011pcrobot-entertainmentskinxboxMon, 15 Aug 2011 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Retro/Grade headed to PAX Prime with fancy ID cards]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/03/retro-grade-headed-to-pax-prime-with-fancy-id-cards/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/03/retro-grade-headed-to-pax-prime-with-fancy-id-cards/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/03/retro-grade-headed-to-pax-prime-with-fancy-id-cards/#comments

Retro/Grade developers 24 Caret Games will print customized ID cards for PAX Prime attendees this August, giving some peace of mind to those dreading sudden separation from their like-minded groups in Penny Arcade's increasingly packed event.

The crew from 24 Caret will be at this year's Seattle-based soiree, showing off its game and holding a promotional contest -- and that's where the ID cards really come in. Entry in the high score contest is tied to pre-registering for a card (which you can do right here) for free -- if you're not into that kinda thing, generic Rick Rocket cards will be available otherwise at the show. That said, if you pre-register, it'll also net you a totally swanky identification for the duration of PAX, undoubtedly helpful in your repeated self-introductions as "The guy who plans to conquer your Retro/Grade high score."

Retro/Grade headed to PAX Prime with fancy ID cards originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 03 Aug 2011 11:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>24-caret-gamescontesthigh-score-contestpax-2011pax-primepax-prime-2011retro-gradeWed, 03 Aug 2011 11:33:00 EST