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[Class of Heroes 2 available on PSN June 4]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/class-of-heroes-2-in-session-on-psn-june-4/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/class-of-heroes-2-in-session-on-psn-june-4/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/class-of-heroes-2-in-session-on-psn-june-4/#commentsClass of Heroes 2 PSN June 4 Class of Heroes 2, MonkeyPaw's PSP game from 2009, is finally coming to North America on June 4. PSN users can snag the fully localized JRPG dungeon crawler - which is playable on both PSP and PS Vita - for $25 from the PSN store.

The effort to localize Class of Heroes 2 began in 2012 with a Kickstarter campaign seeking $500,000 in funding. Ultimately, only $96,951 was raised, though MonkeyPaw CEO John Greiner wasn't too down in a follow-up interview with Joystiq.

Greiner said that even though the Kickstarter campaign failed, "we were able to educate people about the game and its features. That will help immensely when we release the digital version."

Continue reading Class of Heroes 2 available on PSN June 4

JoystiqClass of Heroes 2 available on PSN June 4 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 24 May 2013 04:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>class-of-heroes-2gaijinworksJRPGMonkeyPaw-Gamesplaystationplaystation-vitapsnpsprelease-datesonyvitaFri, 24 May 2013 04:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Gamestop Q1 sales and profits down, mobile/digital sales up]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/gamestop-q1-sales-and-profits-down-mobile-digital-sales-up/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/gamestop-q1-sales-and-profits-down-mobile-digital-sales-up/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/gamestop-q1-sales-and-profits-down-mobile-digital-sales-up/#comments Gamestop's financial data for the first quarter of its fiscal 2013 have arrived like a pizza with nearly 25 percent fewer toppings than the pizza you ordered during the same 13-week period last year. Also, cheesy bread sales are way up? This may not be the strongest analogy.

In non-allegorical terms, gross revenue (overall sales) and net income (post-tax profit) were both down year-over-year, at $1.865 billion and $54.6 million, respectively. As far as net income, that's a 24.69 percent decrease from the $72.5 million Gamestop reported at the end of Q1 2012.

Meanwhile, mobile device sales were up 290 percent, though this massive increase was largely due to the fact that Gamestop's mobile trade-in/sales program was just getting started during Q1 of 2012. Digital sales also increased, to the tune of 47.3 percent year-over-year, while new software sales, both physical and digital, fell 3.8 percent.

As was the case during Q1 2012, used hardware and software sales accounted for the majority of Gamestop's pre-tax profit, with new hardware and software sales making up just 29.5 percent of the quarter's overall gross.

JoystiqGamestop Q1 sales and profits down, mobile/digital sales up originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 23 May 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>20133dsandroiddsfinancialsfiscal-2013gamestopmicrosoftmobilenintendopcplaystationplaystation-vitaps3pspQ1sonyvitawiiwii-uxboxThu, 23 May 2013 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony considers splitting the company after proposed IPO]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/sony-considers-splitting-the-company-after-proposed-ipo/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/sony-considers-splitting-the-company-after-proposed-ipo/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/sony-considers-splitting-the-company-after-proposed-ipo/#commentsSony considering splitting entertainment and business divisions Sony executives are considering splitting the company's entertainment and electronics divisions, following billionaire Daniel Loeb's proposed initial public offering of its entertainment business. The entertainment arm includes all PlayStation properties, alongside Sony's film and music businesses.

Loeb, with Third Point LLC, owns a 6 percent stake in Sony worth $1.1 billion, and is Sony's biggest investor. Sony CEO Kazuo Hirai confirmed that the top brass is considering Loeb's offer, but didn't say when it would come to a decision, Bloomberg reports.

"It's only a start," Hirai said. "It's important that the board will discuss this and come to a decision that represents Sony's stance." Following Loeb's offer yesterday, Sony stock surged 9 percent.

JoystiqSony considers splitting the company after proposed IPO originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 23 May 2013 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>entertainmentipokazuo-hiraiplaystationplaystation-4playstation-vitaps3ps4pspsonyvitaThu, 23 May 2013 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: Square Enix America CEO leaves, joins Amazon]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/report-square-enix-america-ceo-leaves-joins-amazon/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/report-square-enix-america-ceo-leaves-joins-amazon/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/report-square-enix-america-ceo-leaves-joins-amazon/#commentshit 1st Report Square Enix America president is out Square Enix America CEO Mike Fischer left the company this month and is now vice president of digital music and video for Amazon in Japan, Polygon reports. This follows news in April that Square Enix America eliminated "a number of positions" and Fischer was expected to leave in May. Those same reports said the head of marketing should be gone after E3, along with other employees in public relations.

In March, Square Enix President Yoichi Wada stepped down and the company announced widespread restructuring that it expected to cost $106 million. Square Enix posted a net loss of $134 million for fiscal year 2013, citing "weak" sales of major console games, including Sleeping Dogs, Hitman: Absolution and Tomb Raider, the last of which sold 3.4 million in its first month.

JoystiqReport: Square Enix America CEO leaves, joins Amazon originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 23 May 2013 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dslay-offslayoffsmicrosoftmobilenintendopcplaystationplaystation-vitaps3pspsonySquare-Enixvitawiiwii-uxboxThu, 23 May 2013 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Epic Mickey 2 mouses around on Vita June 18]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/epic-mickey-2-mouses-around-on-vita-june-18/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/epic-mickey-2-mouses-around-on-vita-june-18/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/epic-mickey-2-mouses-around-on-vita-june-18/#commentsEpic Mickey 2 mouses around on Vita June 18 Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two charges onto Vita in a few weeks time. SCE America announced a release date of June 18 this morning. The Vita port of the co-op game is also confirmed for Europe, although that remains undated for now.

SCE America says the Vita version, being handled by Blitz Game Studios, features ad hoc network support. Lots of the additions center on the touchscreen, including being able to control paint, thinner, and the electric beam of Oswald (the one that's not Mickey). The touchscreen can also be used to command AI and navigate the user interface, among a number of other actions.

Disney closed original developer Junction Point earlier this year. The game sold 529,000 units in the US across November and December 2012, having launched for PS3, Xbox 360, Wii U, and Wii on November 18.

Gallery: Epic Mickey 2 (Vita)

JoystiqEpic Mickey 2 mouses around on Vita June 18 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 23 May 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blitz-game-studiosjunction-point-studiosplaystationplaystation-vitarelease-dateSony-Computer-Entertainment-AmericavitaThu, 23 May 2013 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Tearaway hogs all of the pre-order perks in the US]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/tearaway-hogs-all-of-the-pre-order-perks-in-the-us/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/tearaway-hogs-all-of-the-pre-order-perks-in-the-us/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/tearaway-hogs-all-of-the-pre-order-perks-in-the-us/#commentsTearaway US preorders detailed, screens mini Forget everything you know about Tearaway and focus on this one fact: It has an in-game, rideable pig. This little piggy is only accessible through pre-orders at participating retailers, Media Molecule Community Manager James Spafford writes on the PlayStation Blog.

Pre-orders in the US get a slew of swine-related and assorted goodies: the Tearaway soundtrack with a bonus song, iota and atoi costumes for LittleBigPlanet, a Vita wallpaper, iota and atoi avatars for use on PSN, and a skin for a rideable pig and matching, real-life printable papercraft.

These pre-order perks sound suspiciously similar to those announced for Europe, but those were split into two packs; one with the soundtrack but without the pig, and the other with the pig but no tunes.

JoystiqTearaway hogs all of the pre-order perks in the US originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 22 May 2013 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>media-moleculeplaystationplaystation-vitapre-ordertearawayvitaWed, 22 May 2013 22:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: Slant Six worked on Medal of Honor PS Vita game]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/rumor-slant-six-worked-on-medal-of-honor-ps-vita-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/rumor-slant-six-worked-on-medal-of-honor-ps-vita-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/rumor-slant-six-worked-on-medal-of-honor-ps-vita-game/#commentsSlant Six linked to canned Medal of Honor Vita game

At one point, Slant Six Games was apparently working on a Medal of Honor game for PS Vita. Some concept art for the game showed up over on an artist's portfolio site, spotted by the @supererogatory Twitter account.

Medal of Honor: Warfighter was the latest entry in the Medal of Honor series, developed by EA's Danger Close studio. Following that game's poor reception, EA's Peter Moore announced the franchise is now "out of the rotation."

Slant Six Games' last release was the lackluster Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City for Capcom - a spin-off that takes place during the outbreak of Raccoon City, first seen in Resident Evil 2. In April, Slant Six Games issued temporary layoffs, a stopgap measure to help keep interim operating costs down in-between contract work. Slant Six issued similar layoffs in 2010 and after shipping RE: Operation Raccoon City last year.

JoystiqRumor: Slant Six worked on Medal of Honor PS Vita game originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 22 May 2013 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eamedal-of-honormedal-of-honor-warfighterplaystationplaystation-vitaslant-six-gamesvitaWed, 22 May 2013 01:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Dying: Sinner Escape absconding to Vita, iOS]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/dying-sinner-escape-absconding-to-vita-ios/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/dying-sinner-escape-absconding-to-vita-ios/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/dying-sinner-escape-absconding-to-vita-ios/#comments The Vita and iOS devices are set to receive a new dose of horror courtesy of Dying: Sinner Escape. The game is being made with help from the creator of Saw, according to developer Nekcom Entertainment, though the announcement neglects to name exactly which creator it's referring to. Neither Saw's director, James Wan, nor its screenwriter, Leigh Whannell, are mentioned specifically.

Regardless, Dying clearly has a Saw vibe. It's story revolves around characters being trapped in foreboding environments, forcing them to solve strange puzzles and try to escape. The game will be released episodically with the first episode, "Last Hour," slated to arrive on May 25.

Gallery: Dying: Sinner Escape

JoystiqDying: Sinner Escape absconding to Vita, iOS originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 21 May 2013 23:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dying-sinner-escapeiosipadiphonemobilenekcom-entertainmentplaystationplaystation-vitasawvitaTue, 21 May 2013 23:59:00 EST<![CDATA[PSN Tuesday - Ratchet: Deadlocked, Call of Juarez: Gunslinger]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/psn-tuesday-ratchet-deadlocked-call-of-juarez-gunslinger/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/psn-tuesday-ratchet-deadlocked-call-of-juarez-gunslinger/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/psn-tuesday-ratchet-deadlocked-call-of-juarez-gunslinger/#commentsPSN Tuesday Ratchet Deadlocked, Call of Juarez Gunslinger This week's PlayStation Store update brings the release of Techland's first-person shooter Call of Juarez: Gunslinger, along with an upgraded, HD version of Insomniac Games' PlayStation 2 platformer Ratchet: Deadlocked.

PS Vita owners can opt for the budget-priced janitor sim Men's Room Mayhem or the Cross-Buy enabled tower defense game Ratchet & Clank: Full Frontal Assault, which includes a free copy of the PlayStation 3 version with purchase. Reminder: Ratchet: Deadlocked is available as a free download for players who purchased the retail PlayStation 3 version of Full Frontal Assault.

Pinball Arcade and Germinator headline this week's PlayStation Plus update, and subscribers also have access to discounts for ten DLC-bundled Ultimate Edition titles.

The full list of this week's store additions is available on the PlayStation Blog.

JoystiqPSN Tuesday - Ratchet: Deadlocked, Call of Juarez: Gunslinger originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 21 May 2013 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>call-of-juarez-gunslingerplaystationplaystation-vitaps3psn-tuesdayratchet-and-clank-full-frontal-assaultratchet-deadlockedvitaTue, 21 May 2013 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA['Panopticon' is Freedom Wars, a Vita multiplayer action game due in 2014 [update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/panopticon-is-freedom-wars-a-vita-multiplayer-action-game-d/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/panopticon-is-freedom-wars-a-vita-multiplayer-action-game-d/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/panopticon-is-freedom-wars-a-vita-multiplayer-action-game-d/#comments
Sony's Japan Studio followed up last week's mysterious 'Panopticon' trailer with a second offering today, unveiling the project a a Vita multiplayer action game called Freedom Wars. The trailer also revealed it's coming to Japan sometime next year.

The new trailer is an embellishment of the first one, providing more context. Panopticon seems to be the region Freedom Wars takes place in, a totalitarian dystopia in the future. The world is devastated by dwindling resources and zero population growth - maybe because hundreds of millions are dying in war.

The YouTube blurb denotes Freedom Wars as a "multiplayer action" game. A collection of screens on the game's website show what looks like skirmishes taking place across regions in Japan. One screen is a Yahoo Maps snapshot of the Shibuya region in Tokyo, but with icons superimposed on it indicating particular in-game locations.

Freedom Wars remains shrouded in mystery - although at least we now know it's a Vita game. The website indicates more info will be spilled later this month.

Update: Here's a bit more info, courtesy of a press release translated by NeoGAF. According to it, Freedom Wars supports 8-player co-op and competitive modes, supports both Adhoc and Wi-Fi, and use the Vita's GPS and Near tech - which may explain the Yahoo Maps screen (see above).
Freedom Wars is a brand new game which aims to offer a new gaming experience in the popular multiplayer action genre by taking advantage of the PS Vita's unique functions. The player is a criminal in a post-apocalyptic near future, sentenced to a million years of hard labor, fighting for his freedom. By completing missions where you rescue civilians and allies who have been captured by huge enemies known as Abductors, you can reduce your sentence. The game supports a maximum of 8 players at a time in both co-op and competitive modes, and supports Adhoc and Wi-Fi Online functions so players all over the country can play together. The game will also support the GPS and Near capabilities of the PS Vita to enhance the gameplay experience.

Joystiq'Panopticon' is Freedom Wars, a Vita multiplayer action game due in 2014 [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 21 May 2013 06:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>freedom-warsjapan-studiopanopticonplaystationplaystation-vitavitaTue, 21 May 2013 06:30:00 EST<![CDATA[PS Plus weekly: Pinball Arcade, Germinator available for free]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/ps-plus-weekly-pinball-arcade-germinator-available-for-free/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/ps-plus-weekly-pinball-arcade-germinator-available-for-free/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/ps-plus-weekly-pinball-arcade-germinator-available-for-free/#commentsPS Plus weekly Pinball Arcade, Germinator available for free Starting tomorrow, PlayStation Plus members in North America can download FarSight's Cross-Buy pinball sim Pinball Arcade and Creat Studios' PS Vita puzzler Germinator free of charge.

Pinball Arcade, regularly priced at $10, features the classic tables Tales of the Arabian Nights, Ripley's Believe It or Not, Theatre of Magic, and Black Hole. PlayStation Plus members will have access to both the PlayStation 3 and Vita versions of the core four-table download, and 24 additional machines are available as paid DLC.

Vita owners also receive free access to Germinator, which originally premiered in March at $10. Similar in premise to Taito's bubble-bursting puzzler Puzzle Bobble, Germinator challenges players to match like-colored germs, causing them to grow and eventually explode in a gooey mess.

Member-exclusive discounted items for this week include Metro: Last Light's season pass, the newly released Vita janitor sim Men's Room Mayhem, and Capcom's Darkstalkers Resurrection and Super Puzzle Fighter 2, along with a collection of DLC-bundled Ultimate Editions.

JoystiqPS Plus weekly: Pinball Arcade, Germinator available for free originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 20 May 2013 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>germinatorpinball-arcadeplaystationplaystation-plusplaystation-vitaps-plusps3the-pinball-arcadevitaMon, 20 May 2013 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Now Playing: May 20-26, 2013]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/now-playing-may-20-26-2013/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/now-playing-may-20-26-2013/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/now-playing-may-20-26-2013/#commentsNow Playing May 2026, 2013
Shoot up the old west this week with Call of Juarez: Gunslinger...

Choose your platform to jump to a specific release list:

Continue reading Now Playing: May 20-26, 2013

JoystiqNow Playing: May 20-26, 2013 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 20 May 2013 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsdskinectmacmicrosoftmovenintendonow-playingpcplaystationplaystation-vitaps3pspsonyvitawiiwii-uxboxMon, 20 May 2013 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Ratchet & Clank: Full Frontal Assault launches for PS Vita next week]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/ratchet-and-clank-full-frontal-assault-launches-for-ps-vita-next/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/ratchet-and-clank-full-frontal-assault-launches-for-ps-vita-next/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/ratchet-and-clank-full-frontal-assault-launches-for-ps-vita-next/#commentsRatchet & Clank Full Frontal Assault launches for PS Vita next week The once-delayed PlayStation Vita version of Insomniac's hybrid tower defense-action game Ratchet & Clank: Full Frontal Assault will launch next week as a downloadable PlayStation Network title in North America and Europe.

Full Frontal Assault was originally released as a retail and downloadable PlayStation 3 title back in November, boasting cross-play features with a Vita edition that was subsequently hit with a series of delays. Buyers of the retail version of Full Frontal Assault - and its renamed European counterpart Ratchet & Clank: QForce - will be able to download the Vita edition for free starting May 21 in North America and May 22 in Europe by accessing the game's "Disc Benefits" option.

Those who purchased Full Frontal Assault's retail edition will also receive an additional bonus after redeeming the PS Vita version when it launches next week. Ratchet Deadlocked HD, an Idol Minds-developed PlayStation 3 port of the fourth PS2 entry in the Ratchet & Clank series, will be available as a free download for Full Frontal Assault buyers when it launches in the PlayStation Store.

A release date for Deadlocked HD (also known as Ratchet: Gladiator in Europe) has not been announced.

JoystiqRatchet & Clank: Full Frontal Assault launches for PS Vita next week originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 17 May 2013 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cross-playidol-mindsinsomniac-gamesplaystationplaystation-vitaps3ratchet-and-clankratchet-and-clank-full-frontal-assaultratchet-deadlockedvitaFri, 17 May 2013 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Killzone: Mercenary deployment moved up to September 10, pre-order goods revealed]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/killzone-mercenary-deployment-moved-up-to-september-10-pre-ord/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/killzone-mercenary-deployment-moved-up-to-september-10-pre-ord/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/killzone-mercenary-deployment-moved-up-to-september-10-pre-ord/#comments
Killzone: Mercenary, the upcoming PS Vita installment in Sony's shooter series from Guerrilla Cambridge, has had its release bumped up a week. Previously pegged for a September 17 launch in North America, Killzone: Mercenary is now due on September 10.

In addition to moving up the date, Sony has revealed some pre-order incentives for Killzone: Mercenary over on the PlayStation Blog. The first perk is a 48-hour double XP boost, which spans all in-game contracts, bonuses and payouts. Joining that is additional in-game cash at the outset and a pre-order exclusive machine gun, the M224-A1.

JoystiqKillzone: Mercenary deployment moved up to September 10, pre-order goods revealed originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 17 May 2013 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Guerrilla-Cambridgekillzone-mercenaryplaystationplaystation-vitarelease-datesceavitaFri, 17 May 2013 17:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Men's Room Mayhem hits PSN next week, Aliens: Colonial Marines DLC]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/mens-room-mayhem-hits-psn-next-week-aliens-colonial-marines-d/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/mens-room-mayhem-hits-psn-next-week-aliens-colonial-marines-d/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/mens-room-mayhem-hits-psn-next-week-aliens-colonial-marines-d/#commentsMen's Room Mayhem hits PSN next week, Aliens Colonial Marines DLC too The former Sony Liverpool devs at Sawfly Studios are bringing Men's Room Mayhem to Vita next week, via PSN. It should arrive on May 21 in North America, although as always with news revealed by the PlayStation Blogcast, dates can be subject to change.

If you're curious about the curiously named game, Phil Gaskell from publisher Ripstone describes it as "Flight Control meets Carry on at Your Convenience." - No, it's not the flight paths of... that stuff, but about getting patrons to where they need to go.

"In Men's Room Mayhem you're hired as the janitor of your very own chaotic men's room," said Gaskell on the PlayStation Blog. "You're responsible for directing patrons, keeping everywhere sparkling clean and steering patrons away from trouble! You need to get your customers safely to the urinals and cubicles in time - otherwise there'll be a few nasty accidents for you to clean up!"

The Blogcast also outed a wee (ahem) bit of other content in next week's PS Store update. A "smattering of DLC" is coming to Aliens: Colonial Marines, although the podcast wasn't any more specific than that. A digital PS3 version of Mugen Souls is also due.

JoystiqMen's Room Mayhem hits PSN next week, Aliens: Colonial Marines DLC originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 17 May 2013 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Aliens-Colonial-Marinesmens-room-mayhemmugen-soulsplaystationplaystation-vitaps3psnrelease-dateripstone-publishingsawfly-studiosvitaFri, 17 May 2013 12:45:00 EST<![CDATA[OlliOlli, 2D infini-skater, kickflips to PS Vita in November]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/16/olliolli-2d-infini-skater-kickflips-to-ps-vita-in-november/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/16/olliolli-2d-infini-skater-kickflips-to-ps-vita-in-november/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/16/olliolli-2d-infini-skater-kickflips-to-ps-vita-in-november/#comments
Roll7, a development studio located in London, is working on a 2D pixelated infini-skater for the PS Vita called OlliOlli. Due in November, OlliOlli combines infinite runner style of play with the trick-heavy chains made famous in the Tony Hawk's Pro Skater series.

OlliOlli is built on a trick system of over 100 moves, with customizable characters and daily challenges on top of the usual leaderboards. You can see an early build of OlliOlli running in the video above, posted to YouTube by developer Roll7.

OlliOlli will be exclusive to the PlayStation Vita, thanks to funding for the project that was provided by Sony. OlliOlli will be playable at Sony's E3 booth, so we'll be sure to get our hands on it next month between June 11-13 when the 19th annual Electronic Entertainment Expo kicks off at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

JoystiqOlliOlli, 2D infini-skater, kickflips to PS Vita in November originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 16 May 2013 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>olliolliplaystationplaystation-vitaroll7vitaThu, 16 May 2013 23:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Atomic Ninjas brings multiplayer mayhem to PS3, Vita this summer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/16/atomic-ninjas-brings-multiplayer-mayhem-to-ps3-vita-this-summer/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/16/atomic-ninjas-brings-multiplayer-mayhem-to-ps3-vita-this-summer/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/16/atomic-ninjas-brings-multiplayer-mayhem-to-ps3-vita-this-summer/#commentsAtomic Ninjas brings multiplayer mayhem to PS3 and Vita this summer Foosball 2012 and One Epic Game developer Grip Games announced the upcoming PlayStation Network release of Atomic Ninjas, a multiplayer action game for the PlayStation 3 and PS Vita.

Atomic Ninjas is a competitive 2.5D platformer in which up to four players compete in trap-filled arenas to be the last ninja standing. The twist is that players aren't able to harm each other directly; instead, you'll need to make clever use of environmental hazards, hiding spots, and item pick-ups in order to lead competing players to their doom. The game offers seven arenas and multiple gameplay modes, including a selection of team-based competitions.

Creator Grip Games describes Atomic Ninjas as the theoretical love child of Fat Princess and Crash Commando -- a worrisome mental image, for sure, but potentially a worthwhile gameplay mix. Atomic Ninjas is set to launch this summer.

Gallery: Atomic Ninjas (PS3/Vita)

JoystiqAtomic Ninjas brings multiplayer mayhem to PS3, Vita this summer originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 16 May 2013 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atomic-ninjasgrip-gamesmultiplayerplaystationplaystation-vitaps3psnvitaThu, 16 May 2013 22:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Putty Squad bounces onto pretty much everything this summer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/16/putty-squad-bounces-onto-pretty-much-everything-this-summer/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/16/putty-squad-bounces-onto-pretty-much-everything-this-summer/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/16/putty-squad-bounces-onto-pretty-much-everything-this-summer/#comments
British publisher/developer System 3 has announced an enhanced remake of its blue-blob-based action platformer Putty Squad, available sometime this summer on Xbox 360, Wii U, PlayStation 3, Vita, 3DS and Windows 8.

The original Putty Squad was initially released on Super NES back in 1994, as a sequel to 1992's Putty for the Amiga. A demo was also released for Amiga and DOS systems, but the full game never dropped for either of those platforms. This new version, beyond offering obvious graphical improvements, will also include free downloadable levels and "location-based services used for extra content."

Continue reading Putty Squad bounces onto pretty much everything this summer

JoystiqPutty Squad bounces onto pretty much everything this summer originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 16 May 2013 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsmicrosoftnintendopcplaystationplaystation-vitaps3putty-squadSystem-3vitawii-uxboxThu, 16 May 2013 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Joystiq Indie Pitch: Guacamelee]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/15/the-joystiq-indie-pitch-guacamelee/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/15/the-joystiq-indie-pitch-guacamelee/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/15/the-joystiq-indie-pitch-guacamelee/#commentsIt's not that there are too many indie games; it's that there aren't enough hours in a day to play all of them. The Joystiq Indie Pitch curates the best indies to play now and watch out for in the future.

The Joystiq Indie Pitch Guacamelee
What's your game called and what's it about?

Guacamelee! is all about kicking ass and saving the girl.

Sell Guacamelee in one sentence:

Guacamelee is a Mexican-themed cross-platform cooperative multiplayer metroidvania dimension-swapping brawler. Warning: reading this sentence out loud may cause seizures or loss of bowel control.

Gallery: Guacamelee!

Continue reading The Joystiq Indie Pitch: Guacamelee

JoystiqThe Joystiq Indie Pitch: Guacamelee originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 May 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>drinkbox-studiosguacameleejoystiq-indie-pitchplaystationplaystation-vitaps3vitaWed, 15 May 2013 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ubisoft ends fiscal 2013 with €64.8 million in profit]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/15/ubisoft-ends-fiscal-2013-with-64-8-million-in-profit/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/15/ubisoft-ends-fiscal-2013-with-64-8-million-in-profit/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/15/ubisoft-ends-fiscal-2013-with-64-8-million-in-profit/#comments Ubisoft has released its financial information for the 12 month period ending March 31, 2013, which by all accounts seems to have been a pretty legit fiscal year for the publisher/developer conglomerate. The company crossed the finish line with €1.256 billion ($1.615 billion) in revenue and €64.8 million ($83.3 million) in profit, an 18.3 and 73.7-percent year-over-year increase, respectively, when compared to the €1.061 billion ($1.364 billion) in revenue and €37.3 million ($47.9 million) in profit recorded at the end of 2012.

Ubisoft contributes its stellar year to the continued success of its main three franchises, Assassin's Creed, Just Dance and Far Cry, the latest entries in which have all sold between six and 12 million copies.

JoystiqUbisoft ends fiscal 2013 with €64.8 million in profit originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 May 2013 12:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>20133dsAssassins-Creedassassins-creed-3far-cryfar-cry-3financialsfiscal-2013just-dancejust-dance-4macmicrosoftmobilenintendopcplaystationplaystation-vitaps3ubisoftvitawii-uxboxWed, 15 May 2013 12:15:00 EST<![CDATA[PS Plus Europe explores Amalur, Demon's Souls, Ico/SotC in June]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/15/ps-plus-europe-explores-amalur-demons-souls-ico-sotc-in-june/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/15/ps-plus-europe-explores-amalur-demons-souls-ico-sotc-in-june/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/15/ps-plus-europe-explores-amalur-demons-souls-ico-sotc-in-june/#comments European PlayStation Plus subscribers have plenty to keep themselves busy with when the rain inevitably lashes down on Wimbledon next month. June's Plus update brings two very different breeds of RPG to the PS3's Instant Game Collection in Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning and Demon's Souls, as well the Ico and Shadow of the Colossus HD Collection. All three games arrive a wee bit early on May 29.

Meanwhile on Vita, June features Rayman Origins and Coconut Dodge Revitalized for the portable. Both Vita games join the Collection on June 5. Coconut Dodge Revitalized is the next Futurlab PS Mini to get the HD treatment. As before, the self-explanatory (or not) 2D high-scorer gets leaderboards and trophies support on Vita.

As ever, the revolving door that is PS Plus means new arrivals are countered by departures. Hitman: Absolution, Joe Danger 2, and Dead or Alive 5 leave the service on May 29, followed by Sine Mora on June 5, and Futurlab's Velocity Ultra on June 12.

JoystiqPS Plus Europe explores Amalur, Demon's Souls, Ico/SotC in June originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 May 2013 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>coconut-dodge-revitalizeddemons-soulseuropefuturlabico-and-shadow-of-the-colossus-collectionkingdoms-of-amalur-reckoningplaystationplaystation-plusplaystation-vitaps3psnrayman-originsvitaWed, 15 May 2013 10:15:00 EST<![CDATA[PSN Tuesday: Metro: Last Light, Dust 514, Jacob Jones]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/14/psn-tuesday-metro-last-light-dust-514-jacob-jones/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/14/psn-tuesday-metro-last-light-dust-514-jacob-jones/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/14/psn-tuesday-metro-last-light-dust-514-jacob-jones/#comments
It's quite the week for content on Sony platforms, with several major releases making their debut on the PlayStation Network today. Metro: Last Light, the 4A Games' sequel salvaged by Deep Silver, launches today. If you haven't had a chance to read our review yet, be sure to give that a gander.

It's joined by CCP's EVE Online offshoot (get it?) Dust 514, available free to all PSN users. Jacob Jones and the Bigfoot Mystery eases its way onto PS Vita today as a $3 download, while Rockstar makes good on its promised Manhunt for $10.

PlayStation Plus subscribers' freebie this week is Knytt Underground, which is flanked by discounts on both Metro: Last Light and a special pre-order price on Grid 2. For the full list of what's in this week's content dump, hit up the PS Blog through the source link below.

JoystiqPSN Tuesday: Metro: Last Light, Dust 514, Jacob Jones originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 14 May 2013 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>4a-gamesccpcodemastersdust-514grid-2jacob-jones-and-the-bigfoot-mysterymanhuntmetro-last-lightplaystationplaystation-vitaps3psn-tuesdaypsprockstarsonyvitaTue, 14 May 2013 17:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Steam is king in service wars, Humble Store a sleeping giant, indies say]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/14/steam-is-king-in-service-wars-humble-store-a-sleeping-giant-in/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/14/steam-is-king-in-service-wars-humble-store-a-sleeping-giant-in/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/14/steam-is-king-in-service-wars-humble-store-a-sleeping-giant-in/#commentsSteam is king in service wars, Humble Store a sleeping giant, indies say Twenty-one randomly selected indie developers walk into a digital room and ponder the question, "Which online distribution system has been the most effective for your games?"

If this were the set-up to a joke, the punchline would probably be, "Facebook." But for many indie developers, the question of which platform to publish their games on is a very serious one, with potentially dire consequences. Pared down, platform success is all about accessibility, upload and support, and in terms of those factors, there's a clear, unsurprising favorite: Steam.

But maybe not for long.

I asked 21 indie developers this question, and while the majority mentioned Steam in the same casual manner that begets an unchallenged king, there were consistent whispers of other platforms doing things well, perhaps even better than Steam, from a backend perspective. One of these platforms was the Humble Store, which received the second-highest number of solid votes and a handful of positive shout-outs.

"I owe pretty much my entire survival the last few years to iOS, the Humble Store, and to a lesser extent Android and Steam," Adam Saltsman, the creator of Canabalt, said. But iOS ran into some bad censorship issues, Android had discoverability problems and Steam was "obviously" too closed, he said. If Saltsman could choose just one of those platforms to release his next game on, it would be, "Humble Store," hands-down.

Continue reading Steam is king in service wars, Humble Store a sleeping giant, indies say

JoystiqSteam is king in service wars, Humble Store a sleeping giant, indies say originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 14 May 2013 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androideShophumble-storeiosipadiphonemicrosoftmobilenintendopcplaystationplaystation-vitaps3PSNSTEAMvitawii-uXBLAxbligxboxTue, 14 May 2013 13:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Lucid's Jacob Jones and the Bigfoot Mystery unravels on Vita, iOS this week]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/14/lucids-jacob-jones-and-the-bigfoot-mystery-unravels-on-vita-io/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/14/lucids-jacob-jones-and-the-bigfoot-mystery-unravels-on-vita-io/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/14/lucids-jacob-jones-and-the-bigfoot-mystery-unravels-on-vita-io/#commentsLucid's Jacob Jones and the Bigfoot Mystery unravels on Vita, iOS this week Jacob Jones and the Bigfoot Mystery sets off for Vita and iOS this week. Lucid's cutesy-looking Unreal Engine 3 puzzler pitches up in North America via PSN on Tuesday, May 14 - it should be Wednesday in Europe. Then iOS welcomes it on Thursday. No prices are announced as yet.

The game features Jacob, a kid who prefers traipsing the outdoors to milling around with his peers. Thankfully, his trip to Camp Eagle Feather includes bumping into Bigfoot, an event that always brightened our summer camp excursions.

Meanwhile, we're still waiting on Lucid's mid-May announcement, which looks to be a racing game, and one possibly tied to Microsoft's own mid-May announcement. The studio, comprised of ex-Bizarre devs, gave a brief shout-out today to fans of Blur and Project Gotham Racing who'd sent the studio messages recently. Which group will be the more pleased later this month, if either, remains to be seen.

JoystiqLucid's Jacob Jones and the Bigfoot Mystery unravels on Vita, iOS this week originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 14 May 2013 04:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>iosipadiphonejacob-jones-and-the-bigfoot-mysterylucid-gamesmobileplaystationplaystation-vitarelease-datevitaTue, 14 May 2013 04:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Now Playing: May 13-19, 2013]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/13/now-playing-may-13-19-2013/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/13/now-playing-may-13-19-2013/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/13/now-playing-may-13-19-2013/#commentsNow Playing May 1319, 2013
Head back underground this week with Metro: Last Light...

Choose your platform to jump to a specific release list:

Continue reading Now Playing: May 13-19, 2013

JoystiqNow Playing: May 13-19, 2013 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 13 May 2013 23:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsdskinectmacmicrosoftmovenintendonow-playingpcplaystationplaystation-vitaps3pspsonyvitawiiwii-uxboxMon, 13 May 2013 23:59:00 EST<![CDATA[PS Plus weekly: Knytt Underground free, Metro: Last Light on sale]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/13/playstation-plus-gets-free-knytt-underground-discounted-metro/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/13/playstation-plus-gets-free-knytt-underground-discounted-metro/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/13/playstation-plus-gets-free-knytt-underground-discounted-metro/#commentsPlayStation Plus gets free Knytt Underground, discounted Metro Last Light This week, PlayStation Plus members in North America can snag a free copy of Knytt Underground, along with a sizable discount for Metro: Last Light.

Knytt Underground, normally priced at $15, is an exploration-based 2D platformer in which players solve environmental puzzles by swapping between their default humanoid form and a bouncy "ball" shape that can access hard-to-reach areas. Knytt Underground is available as a Cross-Buy title, and is playable on both the PlayStation 3 and PS Vita.

4A Games' first-person shooter Metro: Last Light, due for release tomorrow, is available to PlayStation Plus members for $48, or $12 off of its retail price. Codemasters' motorsports title GRID 2 also gets a discount ahead of its launch later this month, and PlayStation Plus members can pre-order it this week for $54.

Other free titles coming to PlayStation Plus this month include Pinball Arcade, Germinator, and BlazBlue: Continuum Shift Extend.

JoystiqPS Plus weekly: Knytt Underground free, Metro: Last Light on sale originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 13 May 2013 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>grid-2knytt-undergroundmetro-last-lightplaystationplaystation-plusplaystation-vitapreorderps3sonyvitaMon, 13 May 2013 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Dead Island Riptide tops the UK charts for third week running]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/13/dead-island-riptide-tops-the-uk-charts-for-third-week-running/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/13/dead-island-riptide-tops-the-uk-charts-for-third-week-running/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/13/dead-island-riptide-tops-the-uk-charts-for-third-week-running/#comments Dead Island Riptide is the second game this year to keep the competition at bay for three weeks in a row. Despite a 55 percent drop in sales, the semi-sequel repeats the run of BioShock Infinite earlier in the year. That's no surprise given the new releases shelves are just tumbleweeds rolling past each other.

The charts do include two (sort of) new releases, and both did well. Coming in at ninth is the physical box set of The Walking Dead, which released in North America late last year. Another latecomer to Europe is Persona 4 Arena, and distributor Zen United must be pleased with the fighter punching in at 11th.

As we said last week, you know it's quiet season when Call of Duty's re-gunning for the top; Black Ops 2 is now up to second place, a full six months after being released. Oh, and on the day Square Enix releases its financial results for the fiscal year, Tomb Raider makes it 10/10 - that's ten weeks in the UK top ten. Just. Saying.

Continue reading Dead Island Riptide tops the UK charts for third week running

JoystiqDead Island Riptide tops the UK charts for third week running originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 13 May 2013 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dschart-trackchart-track-weeklydead-island-riptidemicrosoftnintendopcpersona-4-arenaplaystationplaystation-vitaps3the-walking-deadukvitawii-uxboxMon, 13 May 2013 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: Final Fantasy X-2 HD could include 'Last Mission']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/13/report-final-fantasy-x-2-hd-could-include-last-mission/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/13/report-final-fantasy-x-2-hd-could-include-last-mission/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/13/report-final-fantasy-x-2-hd-could-include-last-mission/#commentsReport Final Fantasy X2 HD ruminating on 'Last Mission' inclusion Final Fantasy X-2 HD could feature content never previously released outside of Japan, although Square Enix is reportedly "undecided" about including it. According to Famitsu (via Yahoo Japan), the publisher is considering the "Last Mission" content from the Japan-only 'International Version.' It features an extra mission set after the original's ending.

Extra content would definitely make the HD remaster more enticing for western fans - although some might argue X-2's perfect ending (spoilers) tinkered with the storyline quite enough thank you. In any case (we're not bitter honestly) the remasters of X and X-2 come west (really we're not) later this year, arriving together on PS3 but separately on Vita.

Gallery: Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster

JoystiqReport: Final Fantasy X-2 HD could include 'Last Mission' originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 13 May 2013 06:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>final-fantasy-x-2final-fantasy-x-2-hd-remasterplaystationplaystation-vitaps3square-enixvitaMon, 13 May 2013 06:00:00 EST<![CDATA[C-Wars Kickstarter ends with over $95K raised, heading to Wii U, iOS and Vita]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/12/c-wars-kickstarter-ends-with-over-95k-raised-heading-to-wii-u/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/12/c-wars-kickstarter-ends-with-over-95k-raised-heading-to-wii-u/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/12/c-wars-kickstarter-ends-with-over-95k-raised-heading-to-wii-u/#comments C-Wars, the cyberpunk roguelike RTS by Beijing developer OniPunks Studio, raised a total of $95,574 in its Kickstarter campaign, which ended Saturday. That's $63,574 more than its initial $32,000 goal, just under 300 percent of its funding aspirations thanks to 3,348 backers.

The campaign hit a number of stretch goals along the way, which will result in the PC, Mac, Linux and Android game also coming to 3DS, Vita, Wii U and iOS. C-Wars is estimated to launch in late 2013.

JoystiqC-Wars Kickstarter ends with over $95K raised, heading to Wii U, iOS and Vita originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 12 May 2013 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsandroidc-warsCyberpunkiosipadiphonekickstarterLinuxmacmobilenintendoonipunksonipunks-studiopcplaystationplaystation-vitaroguelikeRTSvitawii-uSun, 12 May 2013 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Dragon's Crown introduces the Amazon]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/11/dragons-crown-introduces-the-amazon/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/11/dragons-crown-introduces-the-amazon/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/11/dragons-crown-introduces-the-amazon/#comments
Atlus released the sixth character trailer for Dragon's Crown today, and it features the Amazon - remember when you saw that word and thought of female warriors rather than online deals? What this Amazon lacks in outerwear (or anywear), she makes up for with brute strength.

JoystiqDragon's Crown introduces the Amazon originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 11 May 2013 03:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atlusdragons-crownplaystationplaystation-vitaps3vanillawarevitaSat, 11 May 2013 03:30:00 EST<![CDATA[EA executives Andrew Wilson, Stephen Bene unload stocks]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/10/ea-executives-andrew-wilson-stephen-bene-unload-stocks/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/10/ea-executives-andrew-wilson-stephen-bene-unload-stocks/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/10/ea-executives-andrew-wilson-stephen-bene-unload-stocks/#comments Two of Electronic Arts' top-level executives have collectively unloaded a total of 57,085 stocks, following a general increase in EA's stock value after this week's Star Wars exclusivity announcement. According to SEC forms filed yesterday, EA Sports executive vice president Andrew Wilson has sold his entire stake in the company: 32,085 shares at $21.42 a pop, for a grand total of $687,260.70.

EA senior vice president and General Counsel Stephen Bene followed suit, today exercising an option to buy 25,000 shares from EA at $16.06 per share for $401,500 in total, well below the current market value. Bene then sold those shares for $22.40 each, making $560,000. After subtracting the amount originally spent when the option to buy the shares was exercised, Bene made a net profit of $158,500. Unlike Wilson, Bene is still in possession of 6,700 shares of EA, according to SEC documents.

JoystiqEA executives Andrew Wilson, Stephen Bene unload stocks originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 10 May 2013 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsAndrew-WilsonEAelectronic-artsfinancemacmicrosoftmobilenintendopcplaystationplaystation-vitaps3Stephen-Benestocksvitawii-uxboxFri, 10 May 2013 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Guacamelee dominates April's PSN charts in US and Europe]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/10/guacamelee-dominates-aprils-psn-charts-in-us-and-europe/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/10/guacamelee-dominates-aprils-psn-charts-in-us-and-europe/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/10/guacamelee-dominates-aprils-psn-charts-in-us-and-europe/#commentsGuacamelee dominates April's PSN charts in US and Europe Sony reports that DrinkBox Studios' side-scrolling luchador brawler Guacamelee emerged as last month's biggest seller on the PlayStation Network, topping the PlayStation 3 and PS Vita sales charts in North America and Europe.

Guacamelee launched in both regions the week of April 9, and was bolstered by a week-long sale for PlayStation Plus members. The game beat out Terraria and the downloadable version of Square Enix's Tomb Raider for the top PS3 chart spot stateside, and overtook Sony's Soul Sacrifice and Muteki's Dragon Fantasy Book I to lead PS Vita sales.

Over in Europe, Guacamelee toppled PSN favorites Journey, Hitman: Blood Money HD and Crysis to champion the PS3 sales list, and outsold Urban Trial Freestyle and Sound Shapes in a no-holds-barred Triple Threat match on the Vita.

JoystiqGuacamelee dominates April's PSN charts in US and Europe originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 10 May 2013 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>drinkbox-studiosguacameleeplaystationplaystation-vitaps3psnsales-chartsvitaFri, 10 May 2013 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Dragon's Crown pre-orders get this art book]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/09/dragons-crown-pre-orders-get-this-art-book/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/09/dragons-crown-pre-orders-get-this-art-book/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/09/dragons-crown-pre-orders-get-this-art-book/#commentsDragon's Crown preorders get this art book Folks who pre-order Vanillaware and Atlus' forthcoming 2D hack-and-slash game, Dragon's Crown, will also receive a 64-page limited edition art book for their troubles. The paperback tome includes character and environmental artwork by Dragon's Crown designer/artist/Vanillaware president George Kamitani, in addition to pieces by other Japanese video game artists, such as Capcom alumnus Kinu Nishimura and Akira Yasuda.

Atlus has also revealed the game's North American box art, which does a good job of obfuscating the art design's more controversial aspects. Dragon's Crown will drop for PlayStation 3 and Vita August 6, at $49.99 and $39.99 respectively.

Gallery: Dragon's Crown (Art Book and Box Art)

Continue reading Dragon's Crown pre-orders get this art book

JoystiqDragon's Crown pre-orders get this art book originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 09 May 2013 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Akira-Yasudaart-bookartbookartworkAtlusbox-artdragons-crownGeorge-KamitaniKinu-Nishimuraplaystationplaystation-vitapre-orderps3vanillawarevitaThu, 09 May 2013 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Namco Bandai's year-end revenues rise despite missing Tekken target]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/09/namco-bandais-year-end-revenues-rise-despite-missing-tekken-tar/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/09/namco-bandais-year-end-revenues-rise-despite-missing-tekken-tar/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/09/namco-bandais-year-end-revenues-rise-despite-missing-tekken-tar/#commentsNamco Bandai's yearend revenues rise despite missing Tekken target Namco Bandai released its financial results for the end of its fiscal year today, noting increased earnings in multiple sectors despite missing sales targets for Tekken Tag Tournament 2 and Tales of Xillia 2.

The company's worldwide net sales grew by 7.3 percent, ending this fiscal year at ¥487 billion (approximately $4.9B), compared to last year's earnings of ¥434 billion. Namco Bandai's net income for the year ending March 31, 2013 was ¥32.4 billion ($327M), a 67.8 percent increase over last year's reported ¥19.3 billion.

Regional sales saw significant boosts. Net sales of Namco Bandai products in Japan increased 7.3 percent year-over-year to ¥406 billion ($4.1B), while sales for the Americas rose 38.3 percent, finishing at ¥33.6 billion ($339M).

The report additionally reveals that Namco Bandai failed to meet shipping targets for some of its key titles. Siliconera notes that Namco Bandai expected to ship 1.7 million units of Tekken Tag Tournament 2 worldwide, but came up short at 1.5 million. The Japan-exclusive RPG Tales of Xillia 2 shipped 500,000, missing its initial target of 650,000 units.

Other big titles for the company include SoulCalibur V, which shipped 1.05 million units worldwide in the fiscal year ending in March, and two entries in its Naruto Shippuden series, which shipped a combined 1.76 million units across all regions.

JoystiqNamco Bandai's year-end revenues rise despite missing Tekken target originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 09 May 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsfinancialsfiscal-2012fiscal-2013microsoftnamconamco-bandainintendoplaystationplaystation-vitaps3vitawii-uxboxThu, 09 May 2013 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Konami reports year-over-year losses, strength in social games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/09/konami-reports-year-over-year-losses-strength-in-social-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/09/konami-reports-year-over-year-losses-strength-in-social-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/09/konami-reports-year-over-year-losses-strength-in-social-games/#commentsKonami 2013 financial results report strength in social games, losses in pachinko Konami has released details of its financial performance in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2013, reporting sizable year-on-year losses in its digital entertainment and pachinko divisions but growth in its social gaming sector.

Company product sales and service revenue for the year amounted to ¥226 billion ($2.4B), down 15 percent from its earnings of ¥266 billion last year. Net income sank to ¥13.2 billion ($140M), a decrease of 42.8% compared to last year's reported income of ¥23 billion.

Konami saw its largest losses in the pachinko sector, in which revenue fell more than 70 percent compared to last year. The company's Digital Entertainment division reported a loss of 17.1 percent in year-on-year revenue, though solid worldwide performances for titles like Pro Evolution Soccer 2013 and Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance boosted earnings.

Konami's finances are buoyed by the success of Metal Gear Solid Social Ops and another popular online game, Dragon Collection, which it operates in partnership with Japanese social networking service GREE. Konami's social games currently boast more than 35 million registered users worldwide.

JoystiqKonami reports year-over-year losses, strength in social games originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 09 May 2013 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsfinancialsfiscal-2012fiscal-2013konamimicrosoftmobilenintendoplaystationplaystation-vitaps3vitaxboxThu, 09 May 2013 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Tearaway breaks off two EU pre-order bonuses: Soundtrack or pig]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/09/tearaway-breaks-off-two-eu-pre-order-bonuses-soundtrack-or-pig/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/09/tearaway-breaks-off-two-eu-pre-order-bonuses-soundtrack-or-pig/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/09/tearaway-breaks-off-two-eu-pre-order-bonuses-soundtrack-or-pig/#commentsTearaway Euro preorder bonuses Soundtrack or a pig Tearaway, the Vita game coming from LittleBigPlanet developer Media Molecule, has split itself into two pre-order bonuses in Europe, both available at participating retailers. The first pre-order bonus - the Jukebox Pack - includes avatars, a background for the Vita and the game's soundtrack, complete with a bonus song. The second bonus pack, Special Delivery, includes in-game costumes and an exclusive skin for a rideable pig (yes, in-game), with printable papercraft plans (out-of-game, obviously).

Tearaway hits retail and PSN on October 23 in Europe. And, once again, your choices for pre-orders in that region are soundtrack or rideable pig. We think you'll make the right decision.

JoystiqTearaway breaks off two EU pre-order bonuses: Soundtrack or pig originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 09 May 2013 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>europemedia-moleculeplaystationplaystation-vitapre-orderPSNtearawayvitaThu, 09 May 2013 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Muramasa Rebirth footage cuts loose]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/09/muramasa-rebirth-footage-cuts-loose/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/09/muramasa-rebirth-footage-cuts-loose/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/09/muramasa-rebirth-footage-cuts-loose/#comments

Muramasa Rebirth, the PlayStation Vita port of Muramasa: The Demon Blade, is still all set for handheld questing on June 25. The game is different from the original in that it has four new playable characters and four downloadable scenarios. There's also a special edition available for $60.

Continue reading Muramasa Rebirth footage cuts loose

JoystiqMuramasa Rebirth footage cuts loose originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 09 May 2013 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>muramasa-rebirthplaystationplaystation-vitavitaThu, 09 May 2013 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony posts $458M fiscal 2012 net profit, forecasts 5M portable sales in fiscal 2013]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/09/sony-posts-458m-fiscal-2012-net-profit-forecasts-5m-portable-s/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/09/sony-posts-458m-fiscal-2012-net-profit-forecasts-5m-portable-s/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/09/sony-posts-458m-fiscal-2012-net-profit-forecasts-5m-portable-s/#comments Sony had a net income for fiscal 2012 (ending March 31 2013) of ¥43 billion, which converts to $458 million. It's the first time the company's posted annual net profit since 2008. A far better situation than the company's $456.7 million loss last year.

As the company predicted following several cost-cutting measures across the previous year - including the sales of major buildings in Tokyo and New York, as well as thousands of layoffs - Sony posted an operating profit for the fiscal year, which came in at ¥230.1 billion ($2.45 billion).

Sony shifted 3.4 million PS3 and PS2 units across the last quarter, while the Vita and PSP came in at 1.3 million. Sony's fiscal year figures were in line with projections made last quarter, with the home consoles at 16.5 million and the portables at 7 million.

However, the portables' figures compare unfavorably with the company's initial estimate for the year, which was 16 million. Sony is being much more cautious for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2014, predicting only 5 million units in what's approximately the Vita's second year at retail. PS3 figures are estimated at 10 million, while Sony chose not to include PS4 projections.

The PlayStation division saw 12.2 percent year-on-year decline in sales, coming in at ¥707.1 billion ($7.52 billion). Operating income saw a much sharper drop, down 94.1 percent to ¥1.7 billion, or $18 million. Sony put the declines down to decreased hardware sales, as well as the "strategic price reduction" for the Vita in Japan earlier this year.

One area where growth is predicted is software, even without including the PS4. Sony projects an increase from the 266 million units sold in fiscal 2012 to 319 million (including digital units).

JoystiqSony posts $458M fiscal 2012 net profit, forecasts 5M portable sales in fiscal 2013 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 09 May 2013 06:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>financialsplaystationplaystation-vitaps2ps3pspsonyvitaThu, 09 May 2013 06:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Disney Interactive down $54 million in Q2]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/08/disney-interactive-down-54-million-in-q2/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/08/disney-interactive-down-54-million-in-q2/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/08/disney-interactive-down-54-million-in-q2/#comments By the end of the second quarter of its fiscal year, Disney Interactive was once again the media conglomerate's only unprofitable sector, reporting a $54 million operating income (read: pre-tax) loss for the three month period ending March 31, 2013. This is, however, a 22 percent year-over-year improvement when compared to Q2 2012's reported operating income loss of $70 million.

Disney contributes the loss to "growth at our Japan mobile business from a licensing agreement that started in February 2012 and lower acquisition accounting expense at our social games business." No mention is made of Junction Point Studios, which Disney closed in January after lackluster sales of Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two, or of the company's forthcoming game/toy platform Disney Infinity.

JoystiqDisney Interactive down $54 million in Q2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 08 May 2013 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsDisneydisney-infinityDisney-InteractiveEpic-Mickey-2financialsjunction-point-studiosmicrosoftnintendopcplaystationplaystation-vitaps3Q2Q2-2013vitawii-uxboxWed, 08 May 2013 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Activision Blizzard closes out Q1 2013 with $1.32 billion net revenue]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/08/activision-blizzard-closes-out-q1-2013-with-1-32-billion-net-re/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/08/activision-blizzard-closes-out-q1-2013-with-1-32-billion-net-re/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/08/activision-blizzard-closes-out-q1-2013-with-1-32-billion-net-re/#comments The first quarter of Activision Blizzard's fiscal 2013 has come to a close, with the massive developer/publisher reporting $1.324 billion in net revenue for the three months ending March 31, 2013. This figure is $164 million beyond Activision Blizzard's prediction for the quarter ($1.16 billion), and 12.96 percent more than the $1.172 billion earned during the same period last year.

"The shift in release dates of competing products, the disappointing launch of the Wii U, uncertainties regarding next-generation hardware, and subscriber declines in our World of Warcraft business all raise concerns, as do continued challenges in the global economy," CEO Bobby Kotick said in the report. "For these reasons, we remain cautious."

Despite this, Activision Blizzard is raising its net revenue outlook for calendar year 2013 by 3.3 percent, from $4.085 billion to $4.22 billion. Kotick attributed the company's successful quarter to Starcraft 2: Heart of the Swarm and World of Warcraft, as well as continued consumer interest in Call of Duty and Skylanders.

JoystiqActivision Blizzard closes out Q1 2013 with $1.32 billion net revenue originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 08 May 2013 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsactivision-blizzardfinancialsfiscal-2013macmicrosoftmobilenintendopcplaystationplaystation-vitaps3q1-2013vitawii-uxboxWed, 08 May 2013 17:00:00 EST