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[Guitar teacher claims music games helping his business]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/11/guitar-teacher-claims-music-games-helping-his-business/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/11/guitar-teacher-claims-music-games-helping-his-business/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/11/guitar-teacher-claims-music-games-helping-his-business/#comments
Anecdotally speaking, the guitar teaching business has never been better for Bo Moore, a West Pennsylvania guitar teacher. Speaking with The Tribune-Democrat, he says, "We're so busy right now, and I think these games have been a big factor behind it," referring to the likes of Guitar Hero and Rock Band inspiring young musicians to pick up the real thing after playing the plastic equivalent. Quick, somebody tell Prince to chill out!

Moore says he's seen a 35 percent uptick in guitar lessons over the past two years, an increase he attributes to the mainstream ubiquity of Activision and EA's rhythm-based music games. In fact, around 80 percent of the over 100 students currently enrolled with him have taken to the guitar. Unfortunately for those teaching other instruments, business hasn't been so hot. Moore claims, from conversations he's had with other teachers, that business is down if you're not teaching the guitar. "We need more kids learning to play woodwind instruments ... we need more piano players," he says. The piece's author opines that titles like "Xylophone Xanadu" might help to push kids into other instruments, though we all know Sitar Hero is going to be the one to do it.

[Via GamePolitics]

JoystiqGuitar teacher claims music games helping his business originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 11 May 2009 23:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionbo-moorebusinesseaeconomyElectronic-Artsguitar-heroharmonixmtv-gamesneversoftprincerock-bandtribune-democratMon, 11 May 2009 23:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Prince turned down Guitar Hero, prefers kids 'learn how to actually play']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/30/prince-turned-down-guitar-hero-prefers-kids-learn-how-to-actua/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/30/prince-turned-down-guitar-hero-prefers-kids-learn-how-to-actua/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/30/prince-turned-down-guitar-hero-prefers-kids-learn-how-to-actua/#comments
When Prince isn't busy changing his name, starring in Hollywood movies, or giving your mother hot flashes, he enjoys making music. Nowadays, he's hawking his latest album at your local Target, which is the reason PBS caught up with the man for an interview.

The interview is pretty extensive, spanning a great deal of Prince's illustrious career, but of most interest to the gaming crowd are surely Prince's thoughts on Guitar Hero. When asked, Prince said, "Well, I ain't mad at them. I hear it made, like, $2 billion and they came to us and offered us a very small portion of that," which Prince, obviously, turned down. Prince thinks, "it's more important that kids learn how to actually play the guitar," even though he says it's incredibly tough to learn. According to him, the payoff is the joy of creating something from nothing.

Prince thinks that making music is the best thing in the world, but we think he's overlooking one important fact: You can create music with Guitar Hero's instruments.

[Via superannuation]

JoystiqPrince turned down Guitar Hero, prefers kids 'learn how to actually play' originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 30 Apr 2009 23:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>guitar-heromusicpbsprincepurple-rainrhythmThu, 30 Apr 2009 23:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Prince of Persia prequel confirmed]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/17/prince-of-persia-prequel-confirmed/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/17/prince-of-persia-prequel-confirmed/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/17/prince-of-persia-prequel-confirmed/#commentsFiled under:

It looks like that rumored Prince of Persia prequel is going to be a reality soon, as word hits that the title has been confirmed in the latest issue of Computer and Video Games Magazine. Dubbed Prince of Persia: Ghosts of the Past, the title is supposedly headed in a more fantasy-like direction, ditching the dark material of the last two titles in the trilogy. People are saying it's going to be a mix between Ico, Zelda and Sands of Time.

Sounds like it already has some awfully large shoes to fill.

[Via Go Nintendo]

JoystiqPrince of Persia prequel confirmed originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 17 Oct 2007 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>prequelprinceprinceofpersiaubisoftWed, 17 Oct 2007 12:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Prince gets into the Wii racket]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/04/prince-gets-into-the-wii-racket/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/04/prince-gets-into-the-wii-racket/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/04/prince-gets-into-the-wii-racket/#commentsFiled under:


Leave it to Prince, a real tennis racquet maker, to make a nice, high quality fake Wiimote tennis racquet attachment. Their Wii accessory is, quite simply, the nicest, most authentic-looking tennis-racquet-looking Wiimote topper that we've seen yet. Unfortunately, it's still kind of ridiculous. However, if the tiny Brando tennis racquet can increase the realistic feeling of Wii Sports, maybe a more realistic tennis racquet can do even better.

Luckily, you won't be paying Prince racquet prices for these sort-of-racquets-- Prince is marketing them at only $15. Maybe we'll get one for some very confusing Manhunt 2.

JoystiqPrince gets into the Wii racket originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 04 Oct 2007 15:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>princeracketracquettennisThu, 04 Oct 2007 15:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Today's full of stuff video: Beautiful Katamari]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/17/todays-full-of-stuff-video-beautiful-katamari/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/17/todays-full-of-stuff-video-beautiful-katamari/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/17/todays-full-of-stuff-video-beautiful-katamari/#commentsFiled under: , ,


While we fear the series has run its course -- and rolled up the shark -- seemingly Xbox 360 exclusive and XBLA downloadable title Beautiful Katamari wins us over for today's video pick. The extended gameplay clip looks nearly the same as what we remember from the PS2 until the camera keeps pulling back and the Prince rolls up countries and continents. That's a big katamari, full of so many dreams and so much stuff.

See the video after the break.

Continue reading Today's full of stuff video: Beautiful Katamari

JoystiqToday's full of stuff video: Beautiful Katamari originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 17 Jun 2007 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ballcosmosdownloaddownloadablegameplayhottest videoHottestVideokatamarikatamari damacyKatamariDamacyprincerollvideoxblaXbox-360Sun, 17 Jun 2007 00:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ubisoft on Ubiports: 'We made mistakes']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/31/ubisoft-on-ubiports-we-made-mistakes/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/31/ubisoft-on-ubiports-we-made-mistakes/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/31/ubisoft-on-ubiports-we-made-mistakes/#commentsFiled under:

Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot, speaking to Spiegel magazine, candidly (yet indirectly) revealed that he believed that some of his company's Wii releases were less than perfect. No, not Red Steel. Guillemot was referring to the spate of ports that Ubisoft released to fill out their lineup.

Regarding the hasty ports (games such as Prince of Persia: Rival Swords, Far Cry: Vengeance, and Monster 4x4 World Circuit), Guillemot said that "We made mistakes." Ubisoft admitting to overporting? Between this and weird releases like My Word Coach, Ubi seems like a whole new company!

JoystiqUbisoft on Ubiports: 'We made mistakes' originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 31 May 2007 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>4x4coachfarcrymonstermy word coachMyWordCoachnintendonintendo wiiNintendoWiipersiaportsprinceubisoftwiiwordThu, 31 May 2007 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Pokemon Diamond and Pearl cheat sheet]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/05/pokemon-diamond-and-pearl-cheat-sheet/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/05/pokemon-diamond-and-pearl-cheat-sheet/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/05/pokemon-diamond-and-pearl-cheat-sheet/#commentsFiled under:

With all the dashing, rangering, and mystery-dungeoning that Pokémon have been doing on the DS lately, who has time to keep up with the series nowadays? What's the deal with Diamond and Pearl? Are there new villains? Do we have to use friend codes? And why are these new versions named after an old Prince song?

1UP has compiled ten need-to-know facts about Pokémon Diamond/Pearl, saving you the trouble of having to pore through dozens of previews for answers to your Bulbasaur questions. With the release date being just a few weeks away (4/22), having something like this for quick reference really comes in handy. Print out a copy, keep it in your wallet, and impress all the girls at school with your cursory knowledge of upcoming Pokémon games!

JoystiqPokemon Diamond and Pearl cheat sheet originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 05 Apr 2007 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>diamonddiamondpearldsdslitenintendonintendodspearlpikachupokemonpreviewprinceThu, 05 Apr 2007 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rival Swords tutorial level played, filmed]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/01/rival-swords-tutorial-level-played-filmed/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/01/rival-swords-tutorial-level-played-filmed/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/01/rival-swords-tutorial-level-played-filmed/#commentsFiled under: ,


If you're one who hates to see spoilers, then this post isn't for you as the embedded video, which is available past the post break, takes us through the entire first level in the upcoming Prince of Persia: Rival Swords. A tutorial level, throughout you'll be introduced on how speed-killing works (you've already seen that though) and also shows us how to work the camera when jumping about the environment. Personally, this trailer has us pumped for the game.

Continue reading Rival Swords tutorial level played, filmed

JoystiqRival Swords tutorial level played, filmed originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 01 Mar 2007 15:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>nintendonintendowiipersiaprinceprinceofpersiarivalswordswiiThu, 01 Mar 2007 15:15:00 EST<![CDATA[New Rival Swords trailer takes us through speed killing]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/20/new-rival-swords-trailer-takes-us-through-speed-killing/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/20/new-rival-swords-trailer-takes-us-through-speed-killing/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/20/new-rival-swords-trailer-takes-us-through-speed-killing/#commentsFiled under:


Over at AMN, they got their hands on a new trailer for Prince of Persia: Rival Swords. The trailer comes in at about a minute long and has Ubisoft Producer Ben Maddis (could be a misspelling of his name, we're going from audio) showing us the subtle differences between the speed killing controls for both the Dark Prince and regular Prince. From the looks of it, not much has changed in transitioning over to the Wii, aside from the controls.

You can check out the trailer here.

JoystiqNew Rival Swords trailer takes us through speed killing originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 20 Feb 2007 15:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>nintendonintendowiiprinceprinceofpersiarivalswordsubiubisoftvideowiiTue, 20 Feb 2007 15:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Ubisoft CEO comments on PoP controls]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/14/ubisoft-ceo-comments-on-pop-controls/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/14/ubisoft-ceo-comments-on-pop-controls/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/14/ubisoft-ceo-comments-on-pop-controls/#commentsFiled under: , ,

At the end of the Montreal Internation Game Summit, Joystiq checked out the offices of many Montreal gaming studios. While checking out Ubisoft Montreal, Joystiq spoke with CEO Yannis Mallat about the upcoming Wii installment in the Prince of Persia franchise.

Turns out, the Wiimote will be used to handle jumping and other duties, while the nunchuk was used to toss the Prince's chain around. The game is still in the earlier stages of development, so one should assume that both the controls could change and a CEO of the company in charge of the game is hardly the objective source one should fully trust.

JoystiqUbisoft CEO comments on PoP controls originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 14 Nov 2006 13:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>nintendonintendowiipersiaprinceprinceofpersiaprincepersiaprincewiiubisoftwiiwiiTue, 14 Nov 2006 13:25:00 EST<![CDATA[New Prince of Persia game confirmed for the DS]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/29/new-prince-of-persia-game-confirmed-for-the-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/29/new-prince-of-persia-game-confirmed-for-the-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/29/new-prince-of-persia-game-confirmed-for-the-ds/#commentsFiled under:

Ubisoft recently confirmed that they're working on a Prince of Persia title for the DS. Instead of being a sequel to the card-based game Battles of Prince of Persia, the next outing for the Prince on the dual-screened beauty looks to be based on the franchise's latest installment, with the game having a placeholder name of Prince of Persia: Rival Blades, a name that was previously scrapped as the title for Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones.

[Via Joystiq]

JoystiqNew Prince of Persia game confirmed for the DS originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 29 Aug 2006 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bladesdslitenintendopersiaprincerivalthronestwoubiubisoftTue, 29 Aug 2006 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Confirmed: Prince of Persia on Wii]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/08/confirmed-prince-of-persia-on-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/08/confirmed-prince-of-persia-on-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/08/confirmed-prince-of-persia-on-wii/#commentsFiled under:

It wasn't long ago that Ubisoft announced what franchises they'd be bringing to the Wii, however one of their strongest franchises in Prince of Persia was strangely absent from that list. While we initially chalked it up to the trilogy of the environmental puzzle-solving Prince being complete, we're now happy to report that the Prince of Persia will in fact be hitting the Wii. While the spokesperson from Ubisoft relaying this information to IGN is nameless, we're going to take this one as truth at the moment.

So are we to assume that the console will be getting some sort of compilation title or perhaps an updated version of one of the trilogy's installments, much like Prince of Persia: Revelations was on the PSP? Personally, we'd like to see Prince of Persia: Sands of Time touched up with new content and controls. Actually, that's not so bad of an idea!

If you'll excuse us, we have some daydreaming to do, mostly involving deadly environmental traps and how we are going to cleverly avoid them.

[Via Joystiq]

JoystiqConfirmed: Prince of Persia on Wii originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 08 Aug 2006 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ignnintendopersiaprinceubisoftwiiTue, 08 Aug 2006 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Far Cry and Prince of Persia coming to the Wii?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/15/far-cry-and-prince-of-persia-coming-to-the-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/15/far-cry-and-prince-of-persia-coming-to-the-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/15/far-cry-and-prince-of-persia-coming-to-the-wii/#commentsFiled under:

According Cubed3, Ubisoft recently sent out a list containing 5 titles that would be released for the Wii within its launch window. The two biggest titles of note are Prince of Persia and Far Cry. Which version of each of these respected titles that would be represented on Nintendo's console was not stated, however. Also, a look over at Ubi's official web site does not show any press release to back up these claims, so take this all with a reasonably sized grain of salt.

[Thanks Exo!]

JoystiqFar Cry and Prince of Persia coming to the Wii? originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 15 Jun 2006 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cryfarnintendopersiaprinceubiubisoftwiiThu, 15 Jun 2006 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ubi announces Assassin's Creed for PS3]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/03/ubi-announces-assassins-creed-for-ps3/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/03/ubi-announces-assassins-creed-for-ps3/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/03/ubi-announces-assassins-creed-for-ps3/#commentsFiled under: ,

Ubisoft officially announced yesterday that it would be bringing Assassin's Creed to the PS3 in 2007. The game, which is set during 1191 AD amidst the third holy crusade, is being developed by Ubi's Montreal Studio, who're responsible for the Splinter Cell and Prince of Persia franchises. Stating that the game will "captivate audiences and affect them on the same level as an epic novel or film," Yannis Mallat, Ubisoft's Montreal Studios' chief executive officer, seems confident that gamers will receive this title with open arms.

Ubisoft's chief executive officer, Serge Hascoet, commented "Our goal to introduce three new brands into the marketplace every two years is working. With Assassin's Creed we're introducing a franchise that will establish itself as the must-have next-generation game for the next-generation gamer." A trailer for the game can be viewed/downloaded at the official site here.

JoystiqUbi announces Assassin's Creed for PS3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 03 May 2006 09:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>assassinscellcreedhascoetmallatmontrealpersiaplaystationprinceps3sergesonysplinterubiubisoftyannisWed, 03 May 2006 09:15:00 EST