Joystiq

Variety: Gears of War movie script back in the works

Mike Schramm — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 21:30:00 EST

The ethereal Gears of War movie is back in the headlines, with Variety reporting that producer Scott Stuber has signed on with the project. There's still no writer or distributor attached, but Stuber will work with his own studio, called Bluegrass Films, and Epic Games to develop a script and finance the project. Universal Studios currently has first look rights to whatever he can come up with.

Stuber has produced a number of big-budget films, including Battleship, Ted, and the upcoming 47 Ronin. A movie based on Gears of War was originally set for a release in 2010, but that project allegedly fell apart due to "creative differences."

Variety: Gears of War movie script back in the works originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 29 Apr 2013 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Disney reaches into the Toy Box with the new Infinity platform

Mike Schramm — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 12:15:00 EST

The signs were all there in the rumors leading up to yesterday's big Disney Infinity reveal in Los Angeles. Disney's been working on a new gaming "platform," designed to bring all of its properties together in one IP spanning across multiple consoles and outlets. But the one note we missed was the most important: this game is connected to a series of real toys that interact with Disney's digital worlds, Skylanders-style.

There are a few important differences, but the similarities between Activision's enormously popular toys-into-games platform and Disney's new Infinity initiative are quite striking. Both are inspired by smaller developers with big ideas: Toys for Bob on the Activision side, and Avalanche Software on Disney's, which developed the "Toy Box" idea in a much smaller form as part of the Toy Story 3 game. Both are big, expandable product lines with lots of options for console (and eventually mobile) titles, and both take retail-friendly physical toys and tie them directly into engagement-friendly video game experiences.

Oh, and both franchises are probably going to make their owners lots and lots of money.

Gallery: Disney Infinity

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Disney reaches into the Toy Box with the new Infinity platform originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 Jan 2013 12:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft Soho hiring producer to develop 'interactive TV experiences'

Jessica Conditt — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 20:00:00 EST

Microsoft's Interactive Entertainment Business studio in Soho is seeking a television producer to "develop and deliver a number of new TV projects" using Xbox Live and Kinect, a LinkedIn want ad reads.

"Soho Productions is pushing the boundaries of Kinect and Xbox Live to bring a new line of interactive television experiences to the world," the ad continues. "Working with leading global entertainment partners, we are creating experiences that are not bound by the traditional definitions of television or gaming. Experiences where watching and participating are inseparable that will delight and enrich the lives of people everywhere."

As the console landscape alters to highlight mainstream entertainment services, such as music and streaming television and movies, Microsoft appears to be making a major grab for the potential of a broader audience. Microsoft is rumored to be working on a set-top box called Xbox TV, and the Spartan Ops Halo 4 series is an ambitious, serialized endeavor - a television producer would fit nicely within the system the company may be cultivating.

We can't wait for the first episode of The Master Chief Comedy Hour (Now better with Kinect!).

Microsoft Soho hiring producer to develop 'interactive TV experiences' originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 03 Dec 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Silent Hill: Downpour brings the old back to the new

Mike Schramm — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 17:00:00 EST

As we saw back at E3, Silent Hill: Downpour evokes the feel of old Silent Hill games, by sending its protagonist Murphy into the familiar town, where he finds monsters, creepiness, and all sorts of dangerous puzzles. But producer Tomm Hulett says this version of the game isn't just about revisiting the setting of the old titles -- he's trying to collect some new fans as well.

"Bringing Silent Hill into sort of a modern game, for old fans, mainstream, for new fans, whatever, it's interesting," he told us at a recent preview event. "Because you need to keep those classic elements but you need to make them interesting for people who are used to Dead Space or Red Dead."

To that end, Downpour has a few systems in it designed to make sure that the new game not only lives up to the Silent Hill franchise, but allows newer players (and even those who just want a good scare) to experience all the frightening fun, too.

Gallery: Silent Hill Downpour (1/4/12)

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Silent Hill: Downpour brings the old back to the new originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 09 Jan 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GoldenEye 007: Reloaded preview: Bringing back Bond

Mike Schramm — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 19:00:00 EST

Here we go again. It was almost a certainty last year that we'd see the version of GoldenEye 007 released for the Wii eventually brought out to the HD consoles, but it's fair to say that Activision surprised everyone with the reveal of GoldenEye 007: Reloaded, being released this fall as a full retail title.

So yes, the odds are that we'll all be playing through GoldenEye (first created by Rare for the Nintendo 64 fourteen years ago, and reimagined by Eurocom for the Wii release last year) yet again. This new version has the modern story tweaks, the addition of Daniel Craig, and all of the other reimaginings from the Wii, but Eurocom is aiming for even more, adding in a new set of modes called MI-6 Ops, as well as co-op and full competitive multiplayer. If Call of Duty had a baby with Rare's classic, this is what would crawl out.

Gallery: GoldenEye 007: Reloaded (7/21/11)

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GoldenEye 007: Reloaded preview: Bringing back Bond originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 22 Jul 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Just Cause film optioned, screenwriter attached

Ben Gilbert — Sun, 03 Oct 2010 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Eric Eisner's L+E Productions has optioned the rights to a Just Cause movie script written by Michael Ross, reports Variety. Producer Adrian Askarieh is helping the production company flesh out the project "before shopping it to the studios." L+E Productions' first project, Hamlet 2, was picked up by Focus Features for a reported $10 million in 2008, giving some hope to the possibility of Just Cause actually appearing in theaters at some point in the future. Askarieh also helped to get the Hitman film out the door, to which a sequel is currently in production.

The Just Cause film will apparently focus on the story of Rico "The Scorpion" Rodriguez as he takes on "deadly missions for the US government that come in the form of creating chaos and destrabalizing rogue nations from within and turning the bad guys against each other." Sound familiar? Let's just hope the adaptation doesn't take any of that ... questionable NPC chatter along for the ride.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

Just Cause film optioned, screenwriter attached originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 03 Oct 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Takeuchi unsure about his Resident Evil 6 involvement

Griffin McElroy — Fri, 07 May 2010 21:30:00 EST

It sounds like that high-stakes game of Blackjack might not be necessary in deciding the producer of Resident Evil 6. In an interview with Xbox World 360 magazine (via online affiliate CVG), Resident Evil 5 and Lost Planet 2 producer Jun Takeuchi acknowledged his intent to give up a possible leadership role in developing the next installment in the series.

"Personally, I don't think I'm gonna deal with Resident Evil 6 at all," Takeuchi explained, "as far as the series is concerned I'm not planning to return until at least two more Olympics have passed!" You mean ... in four years? (Why couldn't he just say "in four years?")

Well then, we hope to hear more about the future of Resident Evil in just 1/24th of an Olympics calendar. Which is to say, in June, at E3 2010.

Takeuchi unsure about his Resident Evil 6 involvement originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 07 May 2010 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Interview: Battlefield: Bad Company 2 Senior Producer Patrick Bach

Mike Schramm — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 16:30:00 EST

The Battlefield: Bad Company 2 celebrity bracket challenge was a lonely event for us gamers -- while there were lots of TV stars and NFL players around to talk to, we had to really search the club for someone who actually had some insight on the game for us. But there in the back, among the PR organizers and "Athlete Relations" representatives, we found the game's senior producer Patrick Bach (second from right in the picture above). He may never have starred on a network drama or celebrated on the field after a touchdown, but the guy knows how to make first-person shooters, and that's good enough for us.

After the break, hear what he thinks of celebrities playing his game, just how ready DICE is for release, and what kinds of secret plans his team has for DLC.

Continue reading Interview: Battlefield: Bad Company 2 Senior Producer Patrick Bach

Interview: Battlefield: Bad Company 2 Senior Producer Patrick Bach originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 19 Feb 2010 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Blackjack game may decide producer of Resident Evil 6

Griffin McElroy — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 14:45:00 EST

Curious about the direction the next entry in the Resident Evil will follow? By the sound of things, so are the franchise's tried-and-true creators. During Capcom's San Diego Comic Con panel, Resident Evil 5 producer Jun Takeuchi responded to a fan's query about the possibility of a series reboot with a startling answer -- he's apparently playing a long-running game of Blackjack with fellow RE5 producer Masachika Kawata to see who will be in charge of the next Resident Evil title. Seriously.

We're not sure if Takeuchi's response was sincere -- after all, he later explained that "it doesn't appear as though either of us is going to be in charge." Still, we wouldn't be surprised if he was telling the truth. There's certainly precedent for this kind of thing. Remember when Satoru Iwata won the presidency of Nintendo from Hiroshi Yamauchi in a high-stakes Cribbage game?

Blackjack game may decide producer of Resident Evil 6 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 24 Jul 2009 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Avoid getting beaten up by funding Boll's next film

Griffin McElroy — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 01:00:00 EST

Filed under: Culture

We've all said more than a few not-so-kind words about the collected works of the German film-mangler known as Uwe Boll -- a fact that divides the gaming community into two different groups: The Punched, and The Soon To Be Punched. Sorry, gang. It's an inevitable conclusion. You messed with the Boll, and now you're gonna get the horns.

Maybe, just maybe, he'll take you off his list if you help pay for his next film -- he's currently asking his supporters (and his bizarrely dedicated detractors) to help him foot the $18.5 million bill required to produce Blackout, his potentially upcoming "terrorist disaster epic". We assume he's talking about the plot of the film there, and not just previewing the buzzwords reviewers will use when critiquing the picture.

Kookily enough, avoiding pending pummeling isn't the only thing contributors have to gain from their donations -- hundreds will be chosen from the pool of would-be producers and rewarded with small roles in the film, as well as cash prizes ultimately equaling half of the amount Boll is asking people to donate. Also, at the end of next year, Boll will hold another raffle in which over 300 contributors will receive 20 percent of the film's annual profits; or, in simpler terms, absolutely nothing.

Avoid getting beaten up by funding Boll's next film originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 14 Feb 2009 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Producer talks about what to expect from de Blob

David Hinkle — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 13:15:00 EST

Filed under: Video

With de Blob's release getting closer and closer (September), we're starting to see more and more media on the title. This, to us, is a good thing. And informed public is a good public. Also, we want to see stuff get all painted up.

This latest bit of media is an interview with Nick Hagger, the game's producer. He talks about the sinister corporation that's sucked all of the color out of Chroma City, the way Blob can acquire color and roll about, as well as his gang of cohorts. It's an insightful look at THQ's upcoming game and we suggest you check it out.

Producer talks about what to expect from de Blob originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 01 Jul 2008 13:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Uwe Boll confirms 'Boll vs. Bay' brawl, Michael Bay denies accepting Boll's challenge

Griffin McElroy — Sat, 03 May 2008 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: Culture

Those who were wishing to actually witness a few rounds of fisticuffs between crummy filmmaker Uwe Boll and occasionally crummy filmmaker Michael Bay (following Boll's challenge last weekend) have certainly ridden a rollercoaster of excitement and disappointment these past few days. We admit, we got pretty pumped after viewing the above video, a supposed confirmation that Bay had accepted Boll's terms, and that the two would meet in the ring -- unfortunately, this directorial showdown isn't in the cards (much to Boll's chagrin, we're sure).

An administrator on Michael Bay's official forums recently talked to the blockbuster poster boy (currently doing post-production work for "The Horsemen") who denied accepting Boll's challenge, and claimed he'd never spoken directly with Boll in the first place. We can't help but wonder -- is this another publicity stunt for the antagonized franchise-wrecker in light of the May 23 U.S. release for "Postal", or has Uwe finally lost his damn mind? Little from Column A, little from Column B.

[Thanks, Fernando]

Uwe Boll confirms 'Boll vs. Bay' brawl, Michael Bay denies accepting Boll's challenge originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 03 May 2008 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Producer De Luca eases our fears on MGS movie

Kyle Orland — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Culture, Sony PlayStation 2, Sony PlayStation 3, Action

Last time we talked about the now-officially-official Metal Gear Solid movie, we were a little concerned about producer Joe De Luca's interest in somewhat unproven writer/director Kurt Wimmer. Well, now that we've read an extremely long and somewhat rambling interview with De Luca over at Collider, we're a little less worried about the movie's prospects.

In the interview, De Luca assures us that he knows the difference between what makes a good video game and a good movie. "You're immediately disadvantaged in the theatre because you're not feeling anything," he said, "you're not going to get the excitement or the adrenalin rush of doing it yourself, so we have to do it for you in a way that makes up for that."

That said, De Luca thinks the deep Metal Gear Solid universe has silver screen potential that a game-movie like Mortal Kombat just doesn't. "I think we have a leg up already in that it's such a rich universe... what it says about war by proxy in this kind of future where war has been outsourced to private companies I think can be almost very topical and also kind of satirical in like a Robocop kind of way." As far as we're concerned, you can be as topical and satirical as you want as long as the movie is also entertaining in a Robocop kind of way.

Producer De Luca eases our fears on MGS movie originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 27 Mar 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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John Woo directing Ninja Gold film in conjunction with Warren Spector's game

James Ransom-Wiley — Tue, 29 May 2007 11:14:00 EST

Filed under: Culture, Action, Adventure, Business

John Woo will direct and produce the film-half of Ninja Gold, a multiformat project co-created with celebrated game creator Warren Spector. According to Woo's production partner Terrence Chang, the concept is based on ongoing factual accounts of the Yakuza and Russian mob stealing gold from South Africa. "The idea actually started with John Woo," Spector told Reuters, "He wanted to do something involving traditional ninjas in a modern-day setting, and the idea just resonated with me."

The two components, the game and film, will be developed somewhat independently, while retaining similar elements that will provide a narrative link. In a departure from the norm, neither will be entirely based on the other -- think: convergence, like, totally. Though Spector has been credited as an executive producer of the film, he implied that Woo will be commanding the movie with little help from the game developers. Chang added that the film will be more reality-based (so no signature-Woo bullet ballets?), borrowing lightly from the fantastic elements of the game. Chang hopes that a script can be completed soon, so that production can begin next year. No timetable has been given for the game's development.

As for Woo's other game-related project, Stranglehold, Chang suggested that a film adaptation was a strong possibility. "We would definitely bring Stranglehold to the big screen," Chang said. "We would like game titles to have all kinds of possibility. Having a movie made from them is certainly a major consideration for deciding on a title."

John Woo directing Ninja Gold film in conjunction with Warren Spector's game originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 29 May 2007 11:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NiGHTs interview, details

Adam Holisky — Fri, 11 May 2007 13:35:00 EST

Filed under: News, Interviews

On a scale of one to whimsical, NiGHTs: Journey of Dreams is pretty high up there. A recent Sega event showed off some early gameplay footage, and those present scored a first-hand look at the upcoming flight ... adventure ... whirly ... whatever genre it is, anyway.

Apparently the presentation kicked off with a comparison between NiGHTs and the works of famous psychologist Carl Jung, who did extensive work on dream theory. The game will consist of seven dream worlds, each divided into the colorful Nightopia and the darker, sinister realm of Nightmare, in which the game's unique bosses reside. For those worried about an unnatural Wii waggle factor, the game will feature an alternate, analog stick control method for a more traditional experience. An interview with producer Takashi Iizuka can be found here for more information, as well as several first-hand experiences.

And just look at those silly clothes. What was he thinking that morning ...?

NiGHTs interview, details originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 11 May 2007 13:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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