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[Chinese World of Warcraft project chief resigns]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/25/chinese-world-of-warcraft-project-chief-resigns-from-netease/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/25/chinese-world-of-warcraft-project-chief-resigns-from-netease/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/25/chinese-world-of-warcraft-project-chief-resigns-from-netease/#comments Just when it seemed that NetEase had finally gotten things under control to operate World of Warcraft in China, it's hit another potential road bump. The company released an official statement to Chinese press announcing the resignation of project chief Li Riqiang, according to JLM Pacific Epoch, a research firm that focuses on China. The statement did not give a specific explanation for Riqian's departure nor did it name a possible replacement to fill the seemingly important vacancy.

Since taking over World of Warcraft operations in China from The9, NetEase has faced a series of difficulties. It seemed like the company had finally gotten back on track, however, as NetEase was recently approved to run World of Warcraft and the Burning Crusade expansion. It's as yet unclear how Li's absence might sour that good fortune.

[Via GI.biz]

JoystiqChinese World of Warcraft project chief resigns originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 25 Feb 2010 23:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activision-blizzardblizzardburning-crusadechinachinesejlm-epochli-riqiangmmommorpgneteaseoperationpressstatementworld-of-warcraftThu, 25 Feb 2010 23:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Eidos Life President Livingstone speaks out against mainstream media's game coverage]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/22/eidos-life-president-livingstone-speaks-out-against-mainstream-m/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/22/eidos-life-president-livingstone-speaks-out-against-mainstream-m/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/22/eidos-life-president-livingstone-speaks-out-against-mainstream-m/#comments During the Westminster eForum this week, Eidos head (and Life President) Ian Livingstone had some less than favorable things to say about the mainstream media's coverage of the gaming industry. "People just couldn't accept that games are a great learning tool," Livingstone told the crowd of "industry representatives and their advisors, interest groups, local authorities, the voluntary sector and academia, along with members of the reporting press," reports MCV. He asked for mainstream news outlets to focus less on violence in games and to instead look at "the poor skills the UK has to make games."

In his eyes, the mainstream media's overwhelming focus on violence in games -- and consistent ignoring of the economically beneficial side of the game industry -- certainly isn't helping to bring the development tax breaks he's been pushing in the UK for quite some time now. To help change minds, we suggest that Mr. Livingstone get in touch with the two people who have been most able to clearly convey our feelings on the violent video game debate -- Penn and Teller, of course!

JoystiqEidos Life President Livingstone speaks out against mainstream media's game coverage originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 22 Jan 2010 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eidoseidos-life-presidentian-livingstonelife-presidentmainstream-mediamediapenn-and-tellerpresstax-breaksukwestminsterwestminster-eforumFri, 22 Jan 2010 01:00:00 EST<![CDATA[GamePro shutters BlogFaction websites, focusing on GamePro.com]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/16/gamepro-shutters-blogfaction-websites-focusing-on-gamepro-com/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/16/gamepro-shutters-blogfaction-websites-focusing-on-gamepro-com/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/16/gamepro-shutters-blogfaction-websites-focusing-on-gamepro-com/#comments
For those of you visiting BlogFaction.com in the past day or two, the news that the handful of GamePro-owned sites aggregated there (including GameGirl and GamePro Arcade) are being shuttered isn't exactly fresh. The closing of the "BlogFaction" branded sites comes just weeks after the announcement of new leadership under ex-1UP/WhatTheyPlay owner John Davison. Joystiq spoke with Davison this afternoon about the change and confirmed that while the sites will remain online, they will no longer receive any updates.

"We've invited all the BlogFaction contributors to pitch stories to GamePro," Davison told us. "A lot of my emphasis is going to be on building up online and really trying to think of GamePro as 'GamePro, the brand,' not just 'GamePro, the magazine' ... I started last week and the charge I was given was to help reboot GamePro as a brand." He explained that the reasoning behind discontinuing updates to the BlogFaction sites is to refocus effort on GamePro.com, and his next focus is on delineating between GP content that works online versus that which works in print. He left us with the hint that we'll hopefully be seeing the fruits of his labor by early next year.

JoystiqGamePro shutters BlogFaction websites, focusing on GamePro.com originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 16 Oct 2009 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blogfactionbusinessgameprogamepro.comjohn-davisonmediapressFri, 16 Oct 2009 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fight Night 4 enters the ring June 25th]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/01/e3-2009-fight-night-4-enters-the-ring-june-25th/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/01/e3-2009-fight-night-4-enters-the-ring-june-25th/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/01/e3-2009-fight-night-4-enters-the-ring-june-25th/#comments
EA's fourth iteration of the Fight Night series not only looks better than it ever has, but it's coming very soon to a store near you. EA tells us at their press conference in LA that the game will drop June 25th on the 360 and PS3 -- five days sooner than we expected it.

So get the gloves on and taped up and make sure that mouthpiece is in nice and secure. You've got about three weeks to get down to fighting weight.

JoystiqFight Night 4 enters the ring June 25th originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 01 Jun 2009 17:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>boxingconferencee3-2009eaElectronic-Artsfight-nightjune-25thMicrosoftpressXbox-360Mon, 01 Jun 2009 17:48:00 EST<![CDATA[This year's fashionable Wii injury: Wii knee]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/23/this-years-fashionable-wii-injury-wii-knee/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/23/this-years-fashionable-wii-injury-wii-knee/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/23/this-years-fashionable-wii-injury-wii-knee/#commentsFiled under:

'Tis the season when people buy a lot of Wiis, which can mean only one thing: a 29,392% increase in ridiculous Wii scare stories from British newspapers. Over the last few days, in a bid to squeeze a story from thin air, at least two UK publications featured articles about how playing on a Wii can cause physical damage to users; you know, in the same way that any physical motion whatsoever could conceivably hurt somebody, somewhere.

The Daily Telegraph was first off the mark over the weekend, describing how brilliant young doctors at Leeds Teaching Hospital have "discovered" what they call "Wii knee." Alas, this exciting development for medical science isn't actually mentioned beyond its name, because all of a sudden the newspaper is too busy getting a scary quote from a hand doctor (eh?).

Not to be outdone, The Sun followed up today with its own piss-poor take on the WII IZ THE END TIMES angle, pointing out that ten Brits are hospitalized through Wii injuries each week. It then wheels out that 2007 favorite, "Wii-itis"/"Wii-itus" (choose your own spelling -- The Sun couldn't), before also referring to Wii knee, all while I weep for my once-proud nation.

Source: The Telegraph kicks things off ...
Source: ... and The Sun follows.

JoystiqThis year's fashionable Wii injury: Wii knee originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 23 Dec 2008 20:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>pressthe-daily-telegraphthe-sunukwii-kneewiiitiswiinjuryTue, 23 Dec 2008 20:13:00 EST<![CDATA[House of the Amazing Swag]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/22/house-of-the-amazing-swag/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/22/house-of-the-amazing-swag/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/22/house-of-the-amazing-swag/#commentsFiled under: ,


So far, we're loving Sega's marketing of House of the Dead: Overkill. We thought nothing could top the cracking grindhouse-style trailer released when the game was announced, but some of the swag associated with the game comes close.

Destructoid's Jim Sterling (and we assume our other esteemed, Leipzig-attending colleagues in the press) just received the above video cassette box. Inside, Sterling discovered a postcard resembling a VHS tape, and a T-shirt that expands in water. Best of all, he notes how the box has been designed to look damaged and scuffed, so that it looks like the kind of under-the-counter filth that you may have found abandoned on a disused section of railway as a youngster; very subtle, Sega! Blast your way through the break for a couple more shots.

Continue reading House of the Amazing Swag

JoystiqHouse of the Amazing Swag originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 22 Aug 2008 21:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>headstronghouse-of-the-deadhouse-of-the-dead-overkilllightgunoverkillpresssegaswagzapperFri, 22 Aug 2008 21:23:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo holding back WiiWare launch list]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/06/nintendo-holding-back-wiiware-launch-list/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/06/nintendo-holding-back-wiiware-launch-list/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/06/nintendo-holding-back-wiiware-launch-list/#commentsFiled under: ,


We have a rough idea of which software is coming to WiiWare, but when it's coming is a different matter. Apparently, Nintendo doesn't want to help us find out either. Game|Life's Chris Kohler recently spoke to a company representative, who revealed that there may not be a list of WiiWare launch titles until the launch itself, on May 12th. Why? We've no idea, but it's a mighty strange way of getting consumers excited, Nintendo.

A few games (including Hudson's Star Soldier R, Konami's Critter Round-Up, and Two Tribes' Toki Tori) have already been confirmed for a release on May 12th by their publishers, but we're largely in the dark here. As Nintendo of America is planning to model the WiiWare release schedule on that of the Virtual Console, does that mean we'll be getting far fewer games than we originally expected when we turn our Wiis on next Monday morning?

JoystiqNintendo holding back WiiWare launch list originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 06 May 2008 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>critter-round-uplaunchpressstar-soldiertoki-toriTue, 06 May 2008 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[E307: Mainstream press loves WiiFit, constructs Wii robot as tribute]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/13/mainstream-press-loves-wiifit-constructs-wii-robot-as-tribute/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/13/mainstream-press-loves-wiifit-constructs-wii-robot-as-tribute/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/13/mainstream-press-loves-wiifit-constructs-wii-robot-as-tribute/#commentsFiled under:

Though the gaming press's reactions to Nintendo's E3 media briefing have been, for the most part, lukewarm, mainstream publications are very positive about WiiFit's debut. Here are a few headlines that enunciate the differences in perception between the gaming hardcore and the general public:
The Mercury News went so far as to fashion together an automaton (see image above) out of coils and Wii scraps in order to illustrate Nintendo's domination. We'd be too scared to even compete with the company, knowing that this ED-209-esque villain could break into our houses and stamp us out at any moment. Jump past the post break for a better view of its hulking figure.

Continue reading E307: Mainstream press loves WiiFit, constructs Wii robot as tribute

JoystiqE307: Mainstream press loves WiiFit, constructs Wii robot as tribute originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 13 Jul 2007 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>automatone3e307mainstreammainstream pressMainstreamPressperceptionpressrobotrobotswiifitFri, 13 Jul 2007 14:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq live at the Midway E3 07 Press Conference]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/11/joystiq-live-at-the-midway-press-conference/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/11/joystiq-live-at-the-midway-press-conference/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/11/joystiq-live-at-the-midway-press-conference/#commentsFiled under:



The press conferences just keep coming. Check out our live coverage of the Midway E3 '07 press conference after the break.

Continue reading Joystiq live at the Midway E3 07 Press Conference

JoystiqJoystiq live at the Midway E3 07 Press Conference originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 11 Jul 2007 19:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakinge307liveblogMidwaypresspress conferencePressConferenceWed, 11 Jul 2007 19:47:00 EST<![CDATA[Getting to know you: The Microsoft E3 press questionnaire]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/07/getting-to-know-you-the-microsoft-e3-press-questionnaire/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/07/getting-to-know-you-the-microsoft-e3-press-questionnaire/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/07/getting-to-know-you-the-microsoft-e3-press-questionnaire/#commentsFiled under: , ,



One of the reasons blogs were invented was to pull away the curtain and show the reader, on some small level, what's really going on in the land of OZ. As journalists who were invited to E3 are digging their Nintendo invites out of the spam filter (yup, that's probably where it ended up), Microsoft's invitations to their briefing just arrived. No big deal, fill out the form per usual ... and then there's Step 3 of the registration. A gaggle of questions that are perfectly innocent, but just a little strange to be asked.

Wondering what they are? Check them out after the break.

Continue reading Getting to know you: The Microsoft E3 press questionnaire

JoystiqGetting to know you: The Microsoft E3 press questionnaire originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 07 Jun 2007 02:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3inside baseballinvitemetamicrosoftpressXboxXbox-360Thu, 07 Jun 2007 02:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Min-E3 press conference confirmed, dated]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/25/min-e3-press-conference-confirmed-dated/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/25/min-e3-press-conference-confirmed-dated/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/25/min-e3-press-conference-confirmed-dated/#commentsFiled under:

He's so cute!We hath mourned the death of the one and true E3, but like a mentally handicapped phoenix, the new Min-E3 has risen from the ashes. And while the glitz, glamour, and majority of games will have vanished into thinnest air, the wondrous tradition of the press conference remains. All three players will attempt to outdo the other, yet again.

This year, Nintendo is second on the list: 9:30 AM PST on Wednesday, July 11th. Prior to their engagement is Microsoft the day before, and Sony is naught but two hours later at 11:30. We expect solid release dates for at least one of Super Mario Galaxy or Super Smash Bros. Brawl, as well as more than a few surprises. C'mon, Iwata ... drop the bomb.

JoystiqMin-E3 press conference confirmed, dated originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 25 May 2007 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BombCaliforniaConductorConferenceDropE3IwataJulyMicrosoftMin-E3MiyamotoNintendoPressFri, 25 May 2007 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Manhunt 2 on Wii: A true murder simulator?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/10/manhunt-2-on-wii-a-true-murder-simulator/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/10/manhunt-2-on-wii-a-true-murder-simulator/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/10/manhunt-2-on-wii-a-true-murder-simulator/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


This is all dependent on the fun factor and responsiveness of the controls, but Manhunt 2 for the Wii could be a fantastic murder simulator for the M rated set. Following the announcement of Manhunt 2 by Rockstar on various consoles, GamePolitics took the obvious next step and asked Nintendo how they felt about having the ultra-violent game on their motion control system?

Speaking for Nintendo, Beth Llewelyn, senior director of corporate communications, said, "Manhunt 2 is not developed or published by Nintendo. It is one of many titles released by third party publishers for our system that appeal to people of all ages and interests ... retailers and purchasers are strongly encouraged to follow the age-specific ESRB ratings when considering what software to sell or buy. If parents are concerned about kids having access to inappropriate Wii games, we encourage them to utilize the PIN-operated Parental Control features built into Wii."

The original Manhunt was about getting jollies from up-close and personal impaling. That mechanic will certainly be more satisfying and personal on the Wii. For the most part, we're just waiting for the mainstream media to get their hands on this story. It'll have all the clichés we've come to expect: Surface treatment of facts by the nightly news, kids under 17 saying they love to stab people in the game and parents talking about how they have absolutely no control to stop their children.

See also: Manhunt 2 Wii box art more interesting than teaser

JoystiqManhunt 2 on Wii: A true murder simulator? originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 10 Feb 2007 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>mainstream pressmanhuntmurder simulatorpressPS3WiiXbox-360Sat, 10 Feb 2007 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Why don't portables get more respect?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/15/why-dont-portable-get-more-respect/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/15/why-dont-portable-get-more-respect/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/15/why-dont-portable-get-more-respect/#commentsFiled under:

The DS sells more than most consoles. The PSP has some games that look better than many PS2 games. Despite this, there are few magazines or websites devoted to portables. When the web or a mag do focus on a portable, it always seems to be to a lesser degree. If you need any proof, just look at the number of portable games that go un-reviewed compared to consoles. But when the sales are up as is the quality of the games, why do handhelds still get shafted?

They're a substitute

It seems as though some gamers and press view portable games as a substitute for "real" gaming. Just something to pass the time when you're somewhere unpleasant and unable to play a console game. While it is true that the very nature of a portable game is to give you gaming on the go, it doesn't necessarily mean it isn't as fun or as valuable of a gaming experience as console games. Anyone who's gotten sucked into Lumines or Vice City Stories for hours can attest to that.

Kid Stuff

While it's true that many games aimed for children have been released for portables through the years, there's no shortage of great games for any age. Especially this generation of portables, it seems more and more portables are aiming their sights for older gamers. Brain Age, Metal Gear and GTA are proof enough that in no way are portables just for the playground.

Less vocal fan community

One thing that hurts the portable gaming community is that despite the great sales for systems and games, the fan community is far less vocal than the typical console fan base. Of course part of this seems to be self perpetuating since if there aren't many online or print sources for portable gaming, there are obviously less places for those fans to express their feelings.

Not as many huge titles

Some would say that the portables lack blockbuster titles and that is why they garner less attention. This hardly seems like a good excuse though since at this point nearly every blockbuster franchise has a version on handhelds. From Metal Gear to Mario, if there is a big game on a console there is typically a counterpart on the portable. Not only that, but some portable games consistently sell better than most console games.

So while there may be no good reason portables get overlooked, it does seem like they're on there way to reversing this fate. With the increased importance of blogs and forums in the gaming world, it seems like only a matter of time before portable games do get the equal respect they deserve. Until then, the average gamer may just be too busy playing their PSP to even care.

JoystiqWhy don't portables get more respect? originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 15 Jan 2007 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blogdsfansluminesmetal gearMetalGearpressrespectwhy don't portab les get more respectWhyDon'tPortabLesGetMoreRespectMon, 15 Jan 2007 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Analyzing the press' Second Life obsession]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/13/analyzing-the-press-second-life-obsession/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/13/analyzing-the-press-second-life-obsession/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/13/analyzing-the-press-second-life-obsession/#commentsFiled under: , ,

For the past few years, journalists in both the gaming and mainstream press (Joystiq included) have been enamored with Second Life, covering every minor new "first" in the quickly growing virtual world as more evidence that it is destined to become the first true metaverse. Valleywag contributor Clay Shirkey has taken a good look at this press hype and determined that Second Life is a phenomenon "built on sand."

Shirkey's major argument is that Second Life's impressive registered user numbers are inflated by a "Try Me" effect where people sign up, tinker around, and then leave in relatively short order. While there are over 1.9 million registered Second Life accounts, Shirkey estimates that there are less than 10,000 or so active users walking the game's servers at any one time. That's not nothing, but as Shirkey puts it, "in a billion-person internet, that population is also a rounding error."

Shirkey points to other failed metaverse experiments like MUDs and VRML that were once touted as the holy grail of virtual spaces only to quickly fade to obscurity. He doesn't quite make the same prediction for Second Life's eventual fate, but he makes a good case for the virtual world becoming more of an social niche than an Internet revolution.

Maybe we're all just focused on the wrong virtual world -- after all, World of Warcraft just recently passed seven million registered users.

[Via Boing Boing]

JoystiqAnalyzing the press' Second Life obsession originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 13 Dec 2006 16:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hypePCpressSecond LifeSecondLifeWed, 13 Dec 2006 16:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Scenes from Barcelona: X06 pre-show mixer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/27/scenes-from-barcelona-x06-pre-show-mixer/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/27/scenes-from-barcelona-x06-pre-show-mixer/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/27/scenes-from-barcelona-x06-pre-show-mixer/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Hello again from Barcelona, where the X06 press conference is scheduled to start in just under an hour. We'll be bringing you all of the show's big announcements live, but first we thought you'd like a little behind the scenes peek at the scene from the Teatre Nacional de Catalunya. Continue reading to get a feel for how Microsoft treats its honored developers, publishers and press.

Continue reading Scenes from Barcelona: X06 pre-show mixer

JoystiqScenes from Barcelona: X06 pre-show mixer originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 27 Sep 2006 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BarcelonaconferencepressX06XboxXbox-360Wed, 27 Sep 2006 12:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii news and how the DS was affected]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/14/wii-news-and-how-the-ds-was-affected/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/14/wii-news-and-how-the-ds-was-affected/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/14/wii-news-and-how-the-ds-was-affected/#commentsFiled under:

Nintendo's US press event recently concluded and while all of your Wii information needs have probably been satisfied, nothing else was discussed about Wii-DS connectivity. We know that Iwata already said that the WiiConnect24 service could be used to download content to the DS, whether it be a demo or something else, and also that the DS could also be used as a controller through the Wii's menu interface, but this was not demonstrated at the event or further discussed there.

So what does this mean? Probably nothing. We should still see Nintendo's handheld play a large role in the Wii's interactivity and extra content. We should still see the DS downloading demos from the WiiConnect24 service. We should still see the DS being used as a controller to navigate menus in the Wii's interface. Just because Nintendo didn't show any of the features you'll be able to access on the Wii through the DS doesn't mean they aren't coming. We should be seeing and hearing more on the two consoles interacting as the launch date for the Wii draws near.

JoystiqWii news and how the DS was affected originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 14 Sep 2006 12:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>citydseventlitenewnintendonycpresswiiwiiconnect24yorkThu, 14 Sep 2006 12:05:00 EST<![CDATA[U.S. Nintendo presser somewhat-liveblogging [update 8]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/14/u-s-nintendo-presser-not-at-all-liveblogging/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/14/u-s-nintendo-presser-not-at-all-liveblogging/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/14/u-s-nintendo-presser-not-at-all-liveblogging/#commentsFiled under: ,



Our man on the ground in NYC for the U.S. Wii information event has been delayed [update 1: He's there and feeding information below the jump], but we're keeping up with the news via sites like GoNintendo and Engadget (who provided the above photo). A lot of the stuff was already revealed in the Japanese press conference early this morning but here's what seems to be new:
  • Confirmed price of $249.99 on Nov. 19 in U.S. with Wii Sports pack-in. Worldwide debut is in U.S. Reggie: "One price, one config, one color: white." Included in box seems similar to Japanese system, besides Wii Sports.
  • Games will cost roughly $49.99.
  • Virtual console games will be $5 for NES, $8 for SNES, $10 for N64. Super Mario 64, Super Mario World, Donkey Kong and Legend of Zelda at launch.
  • Thirty titles in U.S. by year's end, about half at launch. Launch games include (compiled from GoNintendo/Engadget): The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, Excite Truck, Trauma Center, Madden 07, Need for Speed: Carbon, Elebits, Super Monkey Ball Banana Blitz, Metal Slug Anthology, Rayman: Raving Rabids, Red Steel, Barnyard, Cars, Avatar, Blazing Angels, Far Cry: Vengeance.
Continue reading for more direct from the press conference.

Continue reading U.S. Nintendo presser somewhat-liveblogging [update 8]

JoystiqU.S. Nintendo presser somewhat-liveblogging [update 8] originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 14 Sep 2006 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>detailseventnintendopressreleasewiiThu, 14 Sep 2006 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo Japan conference not-so-liveblogging [update 29]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/14/nintendo-japan-conference-not-so-liveblogging/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/14/nintendo-japan-conference-not-so-liveblogging/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/14/nintendo-japan-conference-not-so-liveblogging/#commentsFiled under: ,

After some mistaken information about start times and a few false starts around the internet, it looks like Nintendo's Japanese press conference is actually set to start at 2 p.m. Japan time (1 a.m. Eastern time, 10 p.m. Pacific time, 0500 GMT). Though Joystiq doesn't have anyone on the ground in Tokyo, we're working to attain the best feed and translation services available for the event. We do plan to cover any big news from the conference by monitoring a purported live online feed, with translation services provided by ittousai of Engadget Japan. If that doesn't work, we'll monitor our sources into the night to bring you this information as soon as it's available.

Keep checking back on this post as the deadline approaches for not-quite-live coverage of what is likely to be a major conference.

Continue reading Nintendo Japan conference not-so-liveblogging [update 29]

JoystiqNintendo Japan conference not-so-liveblogging [update 29] originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 14 Sep 2006 00:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>japannewsnintendopresspress conferencePressConferencewiiThu, 14 Sep 2006 00:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Wherefore art thou Lester Bangs of gaming?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/19/wherefore-art-thou-lester-bangs-of-gaming/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/19/wherefore-art-thou-lester-bangs-of-gaming/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/19/wherefore-art-thou-lester-bangs-of-gaming/#commentsFiled under:

Chuck Klosterman, a contributing writer for Esquire and regular columnist for SPIN Magazine, has written a fascinating and frustrating feature for the former inquiring as to the whereabouts of "The Lester Bangs of Video Games." Klosterman wants to know why there is no video game analog to film-critics like Pauline Kael or music-critics like Lester Bangs, and explains why he suspects there never will be.

He asks Steven Johnson, whose Everything Bad is Good for You Klosterman calls "one of the only mainstream books that comes remotely close to the kind of gaming criticism I just described," about the dilemma. Johnson responds, "Video games generally have narratives and some kind of character development, but-almost without exception-these are the least interesting things about them. Gamers don't play because they're drawn into the story line; they play because there's something intoxicating about the mix of exploring an environment and solving problems. The stories are an afterthought." He also talks with MIT's Henry Jenkins who says, "Game designers are asking themselves questions about how a game should look and what it should do, but not about what the game is supposed to mean."

What's refreshing about Klosterman's take is that he's willing to acknowledge the importance and potential of video games (unlike other critics who've issued similar  dictums) while also noting and understanding the shortcomings. What's frustrating are the ommissions; some would be heirs to this throne do come to mind and -- curiously enough -- some even appear on Something Awful's list of the five worst game reviews. Do gamers want anything more than a shopping guide out of their reviews? Do game designers even mean anything with the games they make?

So we're all on the same page, before you start commenting on the column, be sure to read it first!

[Update: for some rebuttals, check out Game Girl Advance, John Scalzi, and Clive Thompson.]

JoystiqWherefore art thou Lester Bangs of gaming? originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 19 Jun 2006 19:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>EsquireGame journalistsGameJournalistsHenry JenkinsHenryJenkinsJournalismLester BangsLesterBangsPressMon, 19 Jun 2006 19:28:00 EST<![CDATA[7 more reasons for bogus games "journalism" [update 1]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/30/7-more-reasons-for-bogus-games-journalism/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/30/7-more-reasons-for-bogus-games-journalism/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/30/7-more-reasons-for-bogus-games-journalism/#commentsFiled under: ,

Why do games "journalists" publish so many lies, untruths and half-truths? There are seven reasons, according to GameDaily BIZ: (1) fanboyishness, (2) wimpiness, (3) laziness, (4) inexperience with real journalism, (5) herd mentality, (6) sensationalism, (7) confusion over technicalities.

A solid list on an important topic...

We just wish GameDaily BIZ hadn't unwittingly illustrated one of their own points. By publishing their best criticism under an anonymous pseudonym ("Mr. Media Coverage"), GameDaily proves a corollary of rule #2: few games-industry writers are willing to put their own names down next to honest criticism because they fear reprisals of some sort.

[Update 1: corrected a typo in third paragraph.]

Joystiq7 more reasons for bogus games "journalism" [update 1] originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 30 May 2006 02:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>games industryjournalismmediapressTue, 30 May 2006 02:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Get yer free EGMs here, get em while they're hot]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/24/get-yer-free-egms-here-get-em-while-theyre-hot/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/24/get-yer-free-egms-here-get-em-while-theyre-hot/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/24/get-yer-free-egms-here-get-em-while-theyre-hot/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

The good people at Ziff-Davis have pointed us towards a limited-time offer for a free one-year subscription to their flagship gaming mag, Electronic Gaming Monthly, a $20 value. The deal is being sponsored by World Cyber Games USA, so don't worry about old, Uncle ZD going bellyup after you all grab free subs. The only catch: you gotta do it by Friday or "while supplies last."

How to get it: go here, fill out your info, and hit the "Order FREE Subscription" button. Afterwards, you'll be taken to a an optional registration page for the WCG which you do not have to fill out this to get the free subscription.

JoystiqGet yer free EGMs here, get em while they're hot originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 24 May 2006 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DSEGMElectronic Gaming MonthlyElectronicGamingMonthlyFreeGameCubeMagazinesPressPS2PS3PSPWiiXboxXbox-360Wed, 24 May 2006 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Overheard: polite clapping for Nintendo is quite enough, fanboys]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/18/overheard-at-e3-polite-handclaps-for-nintendo-only-please/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/18/overheard-at-e3-polite-handclaps-for-nintendo-only-please/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/18/overheard-at-e3-polite-handclaps-for-nintendo-only-please/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Fellow Joystiq blogger Chris Grant forwarded the following quote to me and asked, "Why does this sound like something you'd say?"

Washington Post blogger Mike Musgrove overheard one member of a cluster of bloggers behind him caution his fellow bloggers just prior to the beginning of the Nintendo's E3 press conference: "Remember, no fanboyism -- if something happens, polite clapping is enough."

Hilarious!

... but only for a moment. Editorialising follows after the post break.

Continue reading Overheard: polite clapping for Nintendo is quite enough, fanboys

JoystiqOverheard: polite clapping for Nintendo is quite enough, fanboys originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 18 May 2006 22:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3e32006e3expojournalismpressThu, 18 May 2006 22:15:00 EST<![CDATA[PS3 could debut in Europe for 500 euros, says SCEE exec]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/05/ps3-could-debut-in-europe-for-500-euros-says-scee-exec/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/05/ps3-could-debut-in-europe-for-500-euros-says-scee-exec/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/05/ps3-could-debut-in-europe-for-500-euros-says-scee-exec/#commentsFiled under:

A stack of eurosLa PlayStation Trois! French gamers must be familiar with that combination by now, and if a certain Sony executive gets his way, the PS3 could be appearing in Europe for as low as 500 euros this fall.

Apparently George Fornay (president of Sony Computer Entertainment France and vice president of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe) confirmed to Generation Europe 1, in French, that the PS3 could be priced around the 500 euro mark, most likely between 499 euros and 599 euros. For the unfiltered French audio, try the Play button near the middle of Europe 1's podcast page here.

Such an estimated figure may include Europe's Value Added Tax (VAT), so the final price range in the States might well be lower than the current U.S. currency equivalent of roughly $600-$725 for those many euros. Of course, who's to say whether Mr. Fornay was simply speculating on a local podcast or whether he actually exhibited loose lips before the French press?

[Thanks, Fan; also via Joystiq]

JoystiqPS3 could debut in Europe for 500 euros, says SCEE exec originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 05 Apr 2006 11:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>499 euros499Euros500 euros500Euros599 euros599Euroscurrency equivalentCurrencyEquivalentdebutEuropeEurope 1Europe1execexecutiveFrenchGeneration Europe 1GenerationEurope1George FornayGeorgeFornayLa PlayStation TroisLaPlaystationTroisloose lipsLooseLipsPlaypodcastpresidentpressSCEESony Computer Entertainment FranceSonyComputerEntertainmentFrancespeculatingValue Added TaxValueAddedTaxVATvice presidentVicePresidentVPWed, 05 Apr 2006 11:14:00 EST