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[Perfect Dark Zero sequel on the way?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/11/perfect-dark-zero-sequel-on-the-way/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/11/perfect-dark-zero-sequel-on-the-way/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/11/perfect-dark-zero-sequel-on-the-way/#commentsFiled under: ,


Seems like a good day for rumors springing from magazines, so why not add one more? This one comes to us courtesy of the Official Xbox Magazine. It seems that a recent press release regarding the next novel in the Perfect Dark series also mentioned a forthcoming sequel to the game itself. Given that Perfect Dark is really one of the only existing Rare IPs that Microsoft can leverage (Donkey Kong is out for obvious reasons), it makes sense that they would be gunning for a sequel. Perfect Dark Zero suffered from more than a few issues, no doubt brought on by a monstrous development cycle that saw the game jump from Gamecube to Xbox to Xbox 360 (the same thing that happened to Kameo, by the way). Considering these previous issues, a sequel designed from the ground up for the 360 is just what the doctor ordered. Still, with Halo 3 coming out later this year and a Gears of War sequel presumably falling in 2008, we wonder where Perfect Dark would fit.

For our two cents, we'd rather see a great sequel to Kameo, as the 360 is woefully short of decent platformers. At any rate, a sequel to Perfect Dark is all but assured. The only question is when.

JoystiqPerfect Dark Zero sequel on the way? originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 11 Apr 2007 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoft game studiosMicrosoftGameStudiospd0pdzperfect darkperfect dark zeroPerfectDarkPerfectDarkZerorarerare studiosRareStudiosWed, 11 Apr 2007 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Machine used to unlock Xbox 360 Achievement Points]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/27/machine-used-to-unlock-xbox-360-achievement-points/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/27/machine-used-to-unlock-xbox-360-achievement-points/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/27/machine-used-to-unlock-xbox-360-achievement-points/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

xbot
Just 60 of 'em. Yep, $60 for parts and a long day's worth of labor birthed the "xBot," a monstrous lil' bugger that latches onto the Xbox 360 controller and presses 'Start' and 'B' like, well, like a machine. Car mechanic David Harr assembled the xBot to unlock a pair of Perfect Dark Zero Achievements, which require playing 1,000 (offline) multiplayer matches in both Deathmatch and DarkOps modes -- each worth 30 points. Since matches don't need to be completed to register as "played," Harr calculated that it would take him roughly 40 hours to start, exit, and restart enough matches to unlock the Achievements; he would use just ten to assemble his xBot. Muahahahah!

While some whine that Harr's 'workaround' is unethical, the Seattle mechanic argues, "This is not playing online on Xbox Live -- it is not playing against other people ... This is a one trick pony, getting you just 60 points. It's not stepping on anyone's toes." We say, let him have his 60 points.

JoystiqMachine used to unlock Xbox 360 Achievement Points originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 27 Feb 2007 20:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>360AchievementPointsAchievementsGamerscorePDZPerfectDarkZeroSeattlexBotXbox-360Xbox360Tue, 27 Feb 2007 20:26:00 EST<![CDATA[A real Xbot grabs PDZ achievements]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/19/a-real-xbot-grabs-pdz-achievements/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/19/a-real-xbot-grabs-pdz-achievements/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/19/a-real-xbot-grabs-pdz-achievements/#commentsFiled under:


360 Fanboys, Xbots, Micro$ux, these are all words that are bandied about on your typical Microsoft/Sony flame war. We're naturally fond of the fanboy moniker (we're taking it back), but we've got a soft spot for Xbot, too. Xbot evokes the image of Bill Gates leading his robot army towards the impending Robot Apocalypse(R), and that makes us smile. Imagine our excitement when we saw this video of a working Xbot. Unfortunately, it doesn't conquer the world, it just plays Perfect Dark: Zero. In fact, it doesn't really even play per se. Created by David Harr (gamertag: Diego Knyte), it just starts another match once the current match ends. Why, you ask? To earn 60 gamerscore points, of course! The robot was built specifically to complete the "Played 1000 Dark Ops Games" and "Played 1000 Deathmatch Games" achievements. It supposedly took 10 hours to design and build. All this to avoid 40 hours of gameplay. That's 30 hours saved! Good job, Diego Knyte!

[Via Live Gamer]

JoystiqA real Xbot grabs PDZ achievements originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 19 Feb 2007 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>diego knyteDiegoKnytepdzperfect dark zeroPerfectDarkZeroxbotMon, 19 Feb 2007 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Rare reluctant to pursue Microsoft's vision]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/29/rare-reluctant-to-pursue-microsofts-vision/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/29/rare-reluctant-to-pursue-microsofts-vision/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/29/rare-reluctant-to-pursue-microsofts-vision/#commentsFiled under: ,

Viva Pi�ataSpeaking with GamesIndustry.biz, Rare's lead designer Gregg Mayles sounded reluctant about developing downloadable content for Viva Piñata. "We've got plenty of ideas for what we can do ... But the jury is still out," said Mayles. For now, Rare seems content to sit back and watch other studios' successes and failures.

It's clear that if Rare is to continue to provide downloadable content, it doesn't want to go the EA route; that's not to say the developer is in the business of hand-outs. Ill-reception of Kameo's premium content has forced Rare to rethink its strategy, leading the studio to consider that resources are perhaps better spent on the 'next' project. Despite forming a branch of the Microsoft camp, Rare is having a difficult time adopting its parent company's content-for-now, content-for-later model.

JoystiqRare reluctant to pursue Microsoft's vision originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 29 Nov 2006 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>downloadable contentDownloadableContentKameoKameo-Elements-of-PowerMicrosoft-Game-StudiosPDZPerfect Dark ZeroPerfectDarkZeroRareViva PinataVivaPinataXbox LiveXbox-360XboxLiveWed, 29 Nov 2006 12:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Goldeneye throwback maps for download, Xbox Goldies only]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/01/goldeneye-throwback-maps-for-download-xbox-goldies-only/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/01/goldeneye-throwback-maps-for-download-xbox-goldies-only/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/01/goldeneye-throwback-maps-for-download-xbox-goldies-only/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Goldeneye (N64)Microsoft and Rare have released updated versions of Goldeneye's Facility and Temple (now "Ruin") multiplayer maps for use with Perfect Dark Zero. The pair is free to download, but only available to Xbox Live Gold members (hey, it pays to pay). Throw in a polished-up Complex, and we just might consider re-investing in this game.

JoystiqGoldeneye throwback maps for download, Xbox Goldies only originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 01 Nov 2006 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>007downloadGoldGoldeneyemapmultiplayerN64PDZPerfect Dark ZeroPerfectDarkZeroRareXbox LiveXbox-360XboxLiveWed, 01 Nov 2006 16:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Gamestation becomes 360 mecca]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/17/gamestation-is-turned-into-360-mecca/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/17/gamestation-is-turned-into-360-mecca/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/17/gamestation-is-turned-into-360-mecca/#commentsFiled under: ,


Alex Donaldson (AKA APZonerunner), writer for RPGSite in the UK, sends us news that the GameStation in Birmingham (again, UK) has been completely remodeled ... by Microsoft. GameStation is a multiplatform gaming store akin to GameStop here in the US, and apparently the one in Birmingham is huge -- are there game stores in the US with more than one floor? Alex was walking in to purchase a DS game when he noticed that there was green everywhere. Downstairs, there were twelve 360 demo kiosks on the bottom floor. What's more, the demo kiosks were all networked, allowing customers to play matches of Perfect Dark: Zero. The kiosks are all hooked up to high definition televisions, and some of them have bean bags or green and white couches in from of them. In the future there are plans to hold tournaments at the store (don't forget to bring your Live account on a memory card). Truly a 360 gamers paradise. Of course, there was one PS2 demo kiosk, but it was broken.

Even though GameStation is a multiplatform store, it looks like Microsoft is hoping to make an impression on potential Wii buyers this holiday. Follow the read link for lots of pictures. Any of our UK readers been to this store yet? For that matter, can we get something like that in the US, please?

JoystiqGamestation becomes 360 mecca originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 17 Oct 2006 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gamestationgamestopmeccaperfect dark zeroPerfectDarkZeroTue, 17 Oct 2006 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[New 360 Platinum Hits for $29.99]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/20/new-360-platinum-hits-for-29-99/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/20/new-360-platinum-hits-for-29-99/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/20/new-360-platinum-hits-for-29-99/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

It's platinum, get it?Microsoft has officially announced the first batch of Platinum Hits for the Xbox 360. The games are:

Perfect Dark Zero
Project Gotham Racing 3
Kameo: Elements of Power
Need for Speed Most Wanted

Conspicuously missing from the list is Call of Duty 2, the 360's first million seller. The first four Platinum Hits will be available for the bargain price of $29.99 starting October 15th -- the second set should be announced in the spring of 2007. It's a far cry from what we considered a bargain last gen, but it's definitely better than nothing. So, for those of you that haven't picked these up yet, will a $29.99 price tag make you reconsider?

See the full press release after the break.

Continue reading New 360 Platinum Hits for $29.99

JoystiqNew 360 Platinum Hits for $29.99 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 20 Sep 2006 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>call of duty 2CallOfDuty2kameokameo elements of powerKameo-Elements-of-PowerKameoElementsOfPowerMicrosoft-Game-Studiosneed for speed most wantedNeedForSpeedMostWantedpdzperfect dark zeroPerfectDarkZeropgr3platinumplatinum hitsPlatinumHitsproject gotham racing 3ProjectGothamRacing3RareWed, 20 Sep 2006 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Viva Pinata gameplay revealed]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/29/viva-pinata-gameplay-revealed/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/29/viva-pinata-gameplay-revealed/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/29/viva-pinata-gameplay-revealed/#commentsFiled under: ,


If you've been hungering to know (and see) more specifics regarding Rare's upcoming game, Viva Piñata, take a gander at this massive video demonstration from Leipzig. Clocking in at over twenty minutes long, the video goes over just about everything you've wanted to know, including:
  • Attracting piñatas to your garden
  • Tending said garden
  • Piñata romance (rowr!)
  • Xbox Live features
  • Piñatas, piñatas, piñatas.
The game looks great. Rare's first game developed entirely on the 360 is colorful, vibrant, and overall very nice. Check out the video if you've got the time to kill.

Anyone else think it's strange not to have a third person avatar in a children's game?

JoystiqViva Pinata gameplay revealed originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 29 Aug 2006 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>kameoKameo-Elements-of-PowerMicrosoft-Game-Studiospdzperfect dark zeroPerfectDarkZerorarerare studiosRareStudiosviva pinataVivaPinataTue, 29 Aug 2006 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[New PDZ maps headed to XBL Marketplace, demo too]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/24/new-pdz-maps-headed-to-xbl-marketplace-demo-too/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/24/new-pdz-maps-headed-to-xbl-marketplace-demo-too/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/24/new-pdz-maps-headed-to-xbl-marketplace-demo-too/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Perfect Dark ZeroMicrosoft has announced that a premium content bundle, containing four new Perfect Dark Zero multiplayer maps, will soon be available for purchase on the Xbox Live Marketplace - the price has not yet been revealed. A free playable demo will also be posted for download, featuring the Outpost campaign level (solo, split screen, and Live co-op modes supported) and a new multiplayer map, Plaza.

In addition, PDZ will receive several free auto-updates. One update will install 8 new bot (AI) personalities, including judge bot, who attacks the player with the most kills; bully bot, who attacks the player with the least kills; venge bot, who attacks the last person to kill the bot; and DarkOps Bot, who is the 'baddest' bot of them all.

[Via Microsoft press release]

JoystiqNew PDZ maps headed to XBL Marketplace, demo too originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 24 Apr 2006 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>downloadPDZPerfect Dark ZeroPerfectDarkZeroRareXbox LiveXbox-360XboxLiveMon, 24 Apr 2006 14:57:00 EST<![CDATA[PDZ video walkthroughs, on Dark Agent]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/01/22/pdz-video-walkthroughs-on-dark-agent/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/01/22/pdz-video-walkthroughs-on-dark-agent/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/01/22/pdz-video-walkthroughs-on-dark-agent/#commentsFiled under:


If you're having some trouble making your way through Perfect Dark Zero, then watching these walkthrough videos completed on Dark Agent difficulty will either:
  • Help you immensely, giving you that little edge you needed to make it through a tricky part...
  • ...or crush your gaming spirit, quickly and wholly, reminding you that no matter how good you think you may be, there are an infinite number of people all over the world who are infinitely better at video games than you are.
Dark Agent can only be unlocked after completing the entire game on Perfect Agent. Cheat Code Central has this to say about Dark Agent mode: "You don't even want to know about the Dark Agent. Only the hardest of the hardcore will see the ending credits on this difficulty level."
[Thanks for the tip, Efrain]

JoystiqPDZ video walkthroughs, on Dark Agent originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 22 Jan 2006 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Perfect Dark ZeroPerfectDarkZeroRareSun, 22 Jan 2006 03:00:00 EST