Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2008 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Stormrise devs call PC market a 'strong niche'http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/16/stormrise-devs-call-pc-market-a-strong-niche/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/16/stormrise-devs-call-pc-market-a-strong-niche/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/16/stormrise-devs-call-pc-market-a-strong-niche/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


You may think that strategy games are the domain of the keyboard and mouse, but don't tell that to the guys at Creative Assembly. During E3, company reps walked us through several minutes of their upcoming console-focused RTS, Stormrise, but not before while lamenting the reason for the studio's move beyond the PC -- a market project director Ken Turner calls a "good, strong niche."

Awwe, thanks man, that's so sweet of you to...hey wait a sec! Why you! "We're hoping that there will be other people out there who'll appreciate what we can do," explained Turner, who calls the now three-and-a-half year old effort a "breaking away" project for the company. He further noted that Creative Assembly "targeted the console directly," and "distilled it down to an interface where 90% of what you do is with two thumbsticks and one button." After watching Stormrise being played his words certainly ring true, though admittedly it's hard to hear his point beneath the claxon of so many PC gamers' disdain.

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]]>creative-assemblycreativeassemblye3-2008e32008pcsegastormriseJason Dobson2008-07-16T13:00:00+00:00Big Versus compares Civilization Revolution to PC predecessorshttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/12/big-versus-compares-civilization-revolution-to-pc-predecessors/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/12/big-versus-compares-civilization-revolution-to-pc-predecessors/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/12/big-versus-compares-civilization-revolution-to-pc-predecessors/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Wipe away those tears, sunken-eyed PC loyalists. We know you're upset that Firaxis appears to have turned their back on you in favor of the somewhat fairer console waters, but perhaps the latest edition of Big Versus on Joystiq's youngest sibling, Big Download, will mend your tattered hearts. The console-exclusive Civilization Revolution is measured against the PC-exclusive Civilization IV in this installment -- are PC gamers being robbed of an important chapter in the seminal turn-based strategy franchise, or are they dodging a dumbed-down, oversimplified bullet? You've got to read to find out -- but knowing you brainy PC types, that shouldn't be a problem.

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]]>big-downloadbig-versuscivilization-ivcivilization-revolut...comparisonconsolefiraxispcstrategyturn-based-strategyGriffin McElroy2008-07-12T19:00:00+00:00Diablo 3 'theoretically possible' for console porthttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/05/diablo-3-theoretically-possible-for-console-port/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/05/diablo-3-theoretically-possible-for-console-port/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/05/diablo-3-theoretically-possible-for-console-port/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


In our interview with Diablo 3 lead designer Jay Wilson, it was explained that there were no plans to bring the long-awaited title to any platform other than PC and Mac. However, in the six days that have passed since said interview, a couple of Blizzard higher-ups weren't quite as dismissive of the possibility of the dungeon crawler making an appearance on our primitive gameboxes -- though the language used to describe this possibility hasn't exactly given us high-apple-pie-in-the-sky hopes.

When asked about a console rendition of the third entry in the Lord of Terror-slaying franchise, Blizzard COO Paul Sams gave an inconclusive "I don't know yet," though Vice President of Game Design Rob Pardo suggested a console port was "theoretically possible," as out of all of Blizzard's franchises, Diablo would be the most console-friendly. We guess a theoretical "yes" is better than an actual "no", or a metaphorical "maybe", but we're still not holding our bated breath for a non-compy version of Diablo the Third.

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]]>blizzardblizzard-entertainmentconsolediablo-3macpcportps3xbox360Griffin McElroy2008-07-05T16:30:00+00:00Peter Moore explains EA Sports' PC snubhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/04/peter-moore-explains-ea-sports-pc-snub/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/04/peter-moore-explains-ea-sports-pc-snub/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/04/peter-moore-explains-ea-sports-pc-snub/#commentsFiled under: ,


PC sports gamers are somewhat justifiably unhappy with Peter Moore right now. Earlier this year, the EA Sports executive announced that Madden and many other EA Sports games won't be coming to the PC market this year. But wait, you didn't give him a chance to explain! Well, actually, you did, and he did, but today Moore went into more detail about his division's scaled back PC support. A summary of the reasoning behind the decision:
  • PC sports gamers are gravitating to consoles.
  • The PC sports gaming market is gravitating to a downloadable model rather than a "packaged" model.
  • The PC versions of EA Sports games aren't getting a good enough return on investment.
  • You PC gamers just pirate everything anyway and we're not going to make a PC version just so millions of you can just steal it! (We may have exaggerated the tone a little bit on this one, but you get the idea).
PC Sports fans can still hold out hope that EA Sports will change its mind, though. Moore hinted that the company might be coming back into the PC space next year with "new, innovative, maybe even less-expensive ways to play all of our franchises on the PC." If there's one thing sports fans should be familiar with, it's squeezing that one, slim ray of hope for all it's worth.


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]]>09EA sportsea-sportsEaSportselectronic artselectronic-artsElectronicArtsmaddenmoorePCpeter-mooreKyle Orland2008-07-04T01:00:00+00:00MGS Europe: Simultaneous 360/PC releases like shooting ourselves in the foothttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/01/mgs-europe-simultaneous-360-pc-releases-like-shooting-ourselves/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/01/mgs-europe-simultaneous-360-pc-releases-like-shooting-ourselves/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/01/mgs-europe-simultaneous-360-pc-releases-like-shooting-ourselves/#commentsFiled under: , ,


News from the MGS we haven't heard from in a while now, with Microsoft Game Studios Europe explaining why simultaneous releases on the Xbox 360 and PC don't always make business sense. Speaking to GamesIndustry.biz, Peter Zetterberg, business development manager for MGS Europe, described such releases as the equivalent of placing a bullet in the foot.

"On a global scale the Windows Vista business is as important as our Xbox 360 business. But in Germany for example, we want more gamers to buy our Xbox 360," Zetterberg said. "If we launch a game that is on 360 and PC simultaneously, we basically shoot ourselves in the foot by allowing the German market to choose to play the PC version - because they are more likely to buy that than spend their money on the Xbox 360."

Though the absence of immediate consumer choice is always regrettable, the sharing of exclusives between two platforms will inevitably put the least popular one at a disadvantage. After all, why would you purchase an Xbox 360 if the game you want would work just fine, if not better, on your Vista PC? Microsoft isn't just leaving the PC with leftovers, though, as Zetterberg adds that the publisher is always looking to tweak its business model to allow for a "multitude" of independent titles "under an MGS flag." Kinda like PC Live Arcade ... hey, whatever happened to that?

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]]>EuropeMicrosoft-Game-StudiosPCXbox-360Ludwig Kietzmann2008-07-01T10:54:00+00:00First super details on Sony's DC Universe Onlinehttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/28/first-super-details-on-sonys-dc-universe-online/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/28/first-super-details-on-sonys-dc-universe-online/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/28/first-super-details-on-sonys-dc-universe-online/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Breaking a new title into the MMO market is difficult, as any game developer whose name isn't synonymous with an overabundance of frosty precipitation will attest -- especially when your title fits into a particular niche already explored by another developer. For instance, NCSoft's City of Heroes cornered the super hero MMO market when it debuted in 2004, creating an intimidating hurdle that other online vigilante simulators have yet to attempt to vault.

The latest issue of Edge magazine features an interview with Jim Lee, creative director for Sony's upcoming DC Universe Online, who reveals the steps Sony is taking to set their title apart from NCSoft's. With their inclusion of a number of recognizable faces from DC's voluminous roster, and their focus on making the title a "kick-ass hybrid between a traditional MMO and a first-person action console game", the apparent differences between the two games are clear. As long as there's a rich, intricate fish-controlling engine, we'll give it a shot.

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]]>dcdc-comicsdc-universe-onlinedcuniverseonlinemmommorpgpcps3sonyGriffin McElroy2008-06-28T13:00:00+00:00Riccitiello: Warhammer won't rival World of Warcrafthttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/22/riccitiello-warhammer-wont-rival-world-of-warcraft/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/22/riccitiello-warhammer-wont-rival-world-of-warcraft/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/22/riccitiello-warhammer-wont-rival-world-of-warcraft/#commentsFiled under: ,


Serving as the CEO for a high-profile game publisher means having responsibilities beyond just attending the occasional meeting or PR function. Many gaming industry executives also find themselves moonlighting as Flavor Flav-esque hype men (and women) for their company's blockbuster releases. Then again, some leaders take a different approaching to promoting their big titles, replacing boisterous claims with cautious, realistic optimism. Then there's a third group of leaders, who etch their upcoming games into their flesh.

Electronic Arts CEO John Riccitiello fits neatly into group number two, as his comments to a group of investors concerning EA Mythic's upcoming Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning demonstrates. Riccitiello plainly stated that "Warhammer Online [will be] a strong entry in the MMORPG space," but will not "rival WoW." We appreciate Riccitiello's candor, but with Warhammer out of the running, we're beginning to wonder what it will take for a title to knock Blizzard's billion-dollar baby from its position atop the crest of the MMO dogpile.

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]]>blizzardeaea-mythicmmommorpgpcwarhammerwarhammer-onlinewarhammer-online-age-of-reckoningworld-of-warcraftwowGriffin McElroy2008-06-22T15:30:00+00:00The Sims 2 Apartment games coming to PC, DS in Augusthttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/05/the-sims-2-apartment-games-coming-to-pc-ds-in-august/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/05/the-sims-2-apartment-games-coming-to-pc-ds-in-august/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/05/the-sims-2-apartment-games-coming-to-pc-ds-in-august/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Though EA puts a positive spin on bringing "the adventure, fun and drama of close quarters of apartment living to your Sims," life has shown us that putting a bunch of gibberish-spouting hipsters into an enclosed living space is a recipe for disaster. This latest Sims 2 expansion, Apartment Life, promises new social networks, character types, buildings and a "reputation meter," but it's all inevitably going to devolve into spats over how we left the toilet seat up or forgot the cat outside in the rain. Again.

Incidentally, you'll probably want to avoid doing just that in The Sims 2 Apartment Pets, a matching "apartment adventure" just for the Nintendo DS. The portable pet sim will task you with taking care of a variety of pets -- including "cats and dogs, slithery snakes, hamsters, colorful birds, and cuddly rabbits" -- and realizing that putting them all in the same room is probably not a great idea.

Both games are due on August 26 in North America and August 22 in European and Asia-Pacific regions. The Sims 2 Apartment Life will also be available in a Limited Collection, which includes The Sims 2 Double Deluxe ... and that would be The Sims 2, The Sims 2 Nightlife Expansion Pack, The Sims 2 Celebration Stuff and a DVD filled with "tips and tricks." Those should come in handy for defeating the final boss, Death.

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]]>DSEAPCThe-SimsThe-Sims-2The-Sims-2-Apartment-LifeThe-Sims-2-Apartment-PetsLudwig Kietzmann2008-06-05T16:00:00+00:00Call of Duty 4 maps coming to PC June 5http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/31/call-of-duty-4-maps-coming-to-pc-june-5/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/31/call-of-duty-4-maps-coming-to-pc-june-5/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/31/call-of-duty-4-maps-coming-to-pc-june-5/#commentsFiled under: ,


Those on active virtual duty in Call of Duty 4 have seen combat in all manner of locales during their tours -- though earlier this year, their theater of operations saw a major expansion with the "Variety" map pack, allowing them to get their war on in four new exotic, terrorist-rich locations. Unfortunately, these lush warzones were only available to those playing the game's console iterations, and devout WASD-ers were left out of the new territories.

Fear not, mousegrabbers, your day has come -- or rather, it is coming on June 5, according to Infinity Ward figurehead fourzerotwo. As expected from a map pack that's been available on other formats for nearly two months, the pack will be free to download on PC thanks to a sponsorship from NVIDIA. Little has changed for the PC versions of the four maps, though we find it regrettable that "Chinatown" is now known as "NVIDIAtown" and the Spetsnaz have been renamed the "GeForce Freedom Fighters".

[Via Evil Avatar]

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]]>activisioncall-of-duty-4CallOfDuty4cod4dlcfourzerotwoinfinitywardmappackmapspcvarietyGriffin McElroy2008-05-31T14:30:00+00:00Bushnell: New encryption chip to effectively end PC gaming piracyhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/25/bushnell-new-encryption-chip-to-effectively-end-pc-gaming-pirac/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/25/bushnell-new-encryption-chip-to-effectively-end-pc-gaming-pirac/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/25/bushnell-new-encryption-chip-to-effectively-end-pc-gaming-pirac/#commentsFiled under: ,


As much as we enjoy not paying for things, we here at Joystiq HQ are vehemently opposed to piracy. Partly because we think cheating music, film, and gaming companies out of their hard-earned recompense is a despicable act, but mostly because we don't like equating paltry key-cracking to the visceral thrill of high seas swashbuckling. Apparently, Nolan Bushnell shares our disdain for modern-day "pirates" as well -- in a recent speech to a Wedbush Morgan Securities conference, the Atari founder discussed a new encryption chip which will "absolutely stop piracy of gameplay."

The stealth encryption chip known as TPM will appear on the motherboards of many computers currently being produced, according to Bushnell, and will allow game developers to imbue their future titles with completely uncrackable, unsharable activation passwords. We've found that e-pirates are a resourceful lot, so the prolonged effectiveness of this measure is questionable -- still, it could rejuvenate PC gaming in areas of the world where piracy runs rampant. Lord knows the industry could use a booster shot in Tortuga.

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]]>ataribushnellencryptionnolanbushnellpcpcgamingpiracypiratetpmGriffin McElroy2008-05-25T16:30:00+00:00Announcing Joystiq's newest sibling: Big Download (beta!)http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/08/announcing-joystiqs-newest-sibling-big-download-beta/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/08/announcing-joystiqs-newest-sibling-big-download-beta/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/08/announcing-joystiqs-newest-sibling-big-download-beta/#commentsFiled under: ,



What's been missing from the Joystiq family? The console fans all have their homes, handhelds too, and even MMO enthusiasts and WoW players have a corner to call their own. Today we're happy to give PC gamers a place to call home at our new sister site, Big Download. In partnership with our good friends at GameDaily, we're taking the wraps off the beta version of a full-fledged, fast and free PC downloads engine married to a news and features blog powered by Joystiq -- chock full of all the Special Goodness TM our writers bring to you daily.

At Big Download you'll get all the news and views fit to print about PC gaming, a file tracking system that remembers your favorite titles, and no waiting, no fees access to demos, patches, mods, trailers and more. We're inviting you to come on in, make yourself at home and start poking everything with sticks. Like any modern web product we're launching in beta version -- there may be kinks and rough edges to be worked out, so bear with us, mind the dust and be sure to send us any feedback you have so we can make all the final fixes. Unlike certain products that stay in beta forever we hope to remove the beta tag with all due swiftness and come out with guns blazing. Big guns.

We hope to see you at Big Download, where all the news is big and all the downloads are above average!

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]]>big-downloadbigdownloadbreakingnewspcpc-gamingBarb Dybwad2008-05-08T12:00:00+00:00Full version of indie gem Noitu Love 2: Devolution now availablehttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/19/full-version-of-indie-gem-noitu-love-2-devolution-now-available/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/19/full-version-of-indie-gem-noitu-love-2-devolution-now-available/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/19/full-version-of-indie-gem-noitu-love-2-devolution-now-available/#commentsFiled under: ,


With a title like Noitu Love 2: Devolution, we're fully aware that it sounds like the kind of inappropriate Japanese dating sim your creepy partner in junior high computers class would oft log on to Newgrounds to play -- but we hope that its unsettling eponym doesn't scare you off from what could be one of the best indie titles of the year. Observe the above trailer, and just try to suppress your glowing nostalgia for cult classics Gunstar Heroes and Mischief Makers.

Creator Joakim Sandberg recently made the full version of the game available to purchase on his website for $20 -- but we know that you, our thrifty readers, will download the free, recently extended demo, to see if the Treasure-esque, mouse-controlled action game touches your heart as it touched ours.

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]]>actiongunstarheroesjoakimsandbergkonjakmishiefmakersnoitu-love-2noitulove2pctreasureGriffin McElroy2008-04-19T16:00:00+00:00Acer planning 'open standard' gaming PChttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/19/acer-planning-open-standard-gaming-pc/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/19/acer-planning-open-standard-gaming-pc/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/19/acer-planning-open-standard-gaming-pc/#commentsFiled under:

Taiwan's Acer computers is looking to expand past its image as a budget notebook maker with a planned gaming-centric PC, according to a recent interview. Details are scarce, but company VP James T. Wong touted the planned gaming machine's basis in "open standards," compared to closed, proprietary systems of the likes of Microsoft and Nintendo (perhaps Mr. Wong has not heard about the system-opening efforts of XNA and Wii Ware).

Of course, an "open standard" gaming PC could be anything from a simple PC Gaming Alliance-approved system to a full-on Phantom-style set-top box that can run any PC game. We're certainly hoping its the latter -- headline writing hasn't been nearly as fun without the Phantom to kick around.

[Via Engadget]

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]]>consolegaming PCGamingPchardwarePCplansKyle Orland2008-03-19T13:15:00+00:00Epic's Mark Rein and CliffyB explain PC gaming 'disarray'http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/02/epics-mark-rein-and-cliffyb-explain-pc-gaming-disarray/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/02/epics-mark-rein-and-cliffyb-explain-pc-gaming-disarray/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/02/epics-mark-rein-and-cliffyb-explain-pc-gaming-disarray/#commentsFiled under:


Gears of War creator and faux-chainsaw-gun wielder Cliff Blezinski made some pretty disparaging (if not slightly true) comments about the state of PC gaming to MTV Multiplayer's Stephen Totilo at last month's DICE summit in Las Vegas -- leading to to his illustrated immolation on a webcomic a few of you have probably heard of. At GDC, StevieT got another chance to sit down with CliffyB, this time with fellow Epic bigwig Mark Rein (MarkyR?) to flesh out the problems plaguing the PC gaming industry.

The two never backtrack on CliffyB's original statement, but they do express their fervent support for the PC Gaming Alliance -- a sentiment which will hopefully cause anti-console gamers to dismantle any ballistic weaponry they may have pointed at Cliffy's residence. We do so want a Gears of War 3.

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]]>cliffblezinskicliffybdisarrayepicmarkreinpcpcgaminalliancestephentotilototiloGriffin McElroy2008-03-02T18:00:00+00:00APB demonstration shows 'Cops and Robbers' gameplayhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/24/apb-demonstration-shows-cops-and-robbers-gameplay/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/24/apb-demonstration-shows-cops-and-robbers-gameplay/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/24/apb-demonstration-shows-cops-and-robbers-gameplay/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Sure, these past few days have seen a number of megaton announcements come from the Game Developers Conference, but nothing tickled our collective fancy quite like Realtime Worlds' Crackdown-turned-MMO, All Points Bulletin. The above trailer more than justifies our infatuation -- with Ronin-esque car chases instead of corpse runs, and assault rifles in lieu of broadswords, there may be no country for old MMOs once APB hits the unsuspecting online gaming market.

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]]>all-points-bulletinallpointsbulletinapbcrackdownmmopcrealtime-worldsrealtimeworldsxbox360Griffin McElroy2008-02-24T16:00:00+00:00Space Siege console port is 'definitely' being consideredhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/02/space-siege-console-port-is-definitely-being-considered/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/02/space-siege-console-port-is-definitely-being-considered/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/02/space-siege-console-port-is-definitely-being-considered/#commentsFiled under: ,


After our brief hands-on time with the game at CES, we're anxiously awaiting the September release of Gas Powered Games' Space Siege, the interstellar reimagining of Dungeon Siege (the classic RPG series, not the latest box office turd from team Boll/Statham). However, it's a little known fact that four out of every five Joystiq writers don't own computers -- many of our posts are actually published with an intricate system of smoke signals, morse code, and carrier pigeons.

Luckily, we, along with the rest of the WASDaphobic world, might not miss out Space Siege -- According to videogaming247, the game's associate producer recently explained that "a console version is something that's being considered right now." While he mentioned that a port of the game is not officially confirmed, the very thought of getting our PC-fearing hands on the spiritual successor to one of our favorite RPG franchises is enough to inspire visions of zero-G Krug dancing through our heads.

[Via X3F]

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]]>ConsoleDungeonSiegeGasPoweredGamesPCRPGSegaSpaceSiegeGriffin McElroy2008-02-02T12:00:00+00:00Play PC games on your PS3 with StreamMyGamehttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/20/play-pc-games-on-your-ps3-with-streammygame/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/20/play-pc-games-on-your-ps3-with-streammygame/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/20/play-pc-games-on-your-ps3-with-streammygame/#commentsFiled under: , ,


We're not just ragging on the PS3 when we say this -- we're all admittedly going through a bit of a video game drought. Perhaps there's a few PC games from last year's surplus that you'd like to play, but you've recently developed serious allergies to computer monitors ... and you lack the appropriate cables to hook your PC up to your television. Okay, the requirements for the StreamMyGame service to be useful are somewhat outlandish, but at least you have the option now, right?

The service lets you stream games running on your Windows or Linux PC onto your Linux-enabled PS3 via a LAN. It's not as complicated as it sounds, and is completely free of charge -- plus, imagine how freaked out your friends will be when they walk in the room and see you running Halo 2 off your PS3. Tell them it's the new PS360, and cackle maniacally as they run to Best Buy to get their own.

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]]>lanpcps3sonystreamstreammygameGriffin McElroy2008-01-20T17:00:00+00:00New Penny Arcade Adventures gameplay footage features hobo warfarehttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/19/new-penny-arcade-adventures-gameplay-footage-features-hobo-warfa/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/19/new-penny-arcade-adventures-gameplay-footage-features-hobo-warfa/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/19/new-penny-arcade-adventures-gameplay-footage-features-hobo-warfa/#commentsFiled under: ,


The font of information about Penny Arcade Adventures: On The Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness has slowed to a light trickle since last year's Penny Arcade Expo, where it was announced the game would be released on Xbox Live Arcade as well as Mac and PC. That's why we were so pleased to see this new gameplay footage, which gives us a taste of the game's eccentric turn-based combat system, and an idea of exactly how the duo's comedic style will translate into an interactive format.

The new footage also reveals that the game might overtake Condemned: Criminal Origins as the premier hobo murder simulator for the Xbox 360, a distinction that Gabe and Tycho would no doubt be extremely proud of.

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]]>pcpenny arcadePennyArcadepennyarcadeadventuresrainslickprecipiceofdarknessxblaxbox360Griffin McElroy2008-01-19T13:45:00+00:00N+ greenlighted for Xbox Live Arcade, includes multiplayerhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/19/n-greenlighted-for-xbox-live-arcade-includes-multiplayer/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/19/n-greenlighted-for-xbox-live-arcade-includes-multiplayer/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/19/n-greenlighted-for-xbox-live-arcade-includes-multiplayer/#commentsFiled under: ,


News about the Xbox Live Arcade adaptation of N, the popular freeware platformer featuring everyone's favorite pint-sized, treasure hungry ninja, has been slim as of late. Though news of a cancellation or delay of the title would not surprise our bitter, jaded hearts, we were pleased to learn that N+ was recently approved by the XBLA gatekeepers, and should be showing up in the marketplace before too much longer.

Of course, you could always download the full PC version of the game for free, however, you'll be missing out on the upgraded features and visuals of the XBLA title, not to mention the recently announced multiplayer modes. With frantic, four-player ninja-on-ninja-on-ninja-on-ninja action, we're sure the game will be a big hit -- we just hope this will allow developer Slick Entertainment to afford a longer title for their next creation.

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]]>NPCPlatformerSlickEntertainmentXBLAXboxLiveArcadeGriffin McElroy2008-01-19T12:05:00+00:00NASA may enter game publishing realm with space exploration MMOhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/19/nasa-enters-game-publishing-realm-with-space-exploration-mmo/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/19/nasa-enters-game-publishing-realm-with-space-exploration-mmo/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/19/nasa-enters-game-publishing-realm-with-space-exploration-mmo/#commentsFiled under: ,


Though space-themed MMOs have a tendency of hastily going the way of the dodo (sometimes before they're ever released), NASA is considering throwing their lot into the ever-growing MMO market with an online space exploration game that will allow players to "simulate real Nasa engineering and science missions" with thousands of other wannabe cosmonauts. That is, if a thousand people purchase the game -- an unlikely scenario, considering the title doesn't include the words "world", "of", "war", or "craft".

We love the idea of an MMO based on real-life space experiments, however, we doubt the game will appeal to the Barrens Chat crowd without the timely addition of "lazorz" and "totally crazy aliens". Actually, that might be a good thing -- we shudder to think of the implications of the creation of "Uranus Chat".

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]]>MMONASAOnlinegamingPCSpaceWoWGriffin McElroy2008-01-19T10:30:00+00:00