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[Pre-Blitz: Harmonix on building a new Rock Band from scratch]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/07/pre-blitz-harmonix-on-building-a-new-rock-band-from-scratch/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/07/pre-blitz-harmonix-on-building-a-new-rock-band-from-scratch/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/07/pre-blitz-harmonix-on-building-a-new-rock-band-from-scratch/#comments ImageHarmonix team members Matthew Nordhaus, Chris Foster, Brian Chan, and Jyllian Thibodeau explained the development process that led to Rock Band Blitz, by way of showing us previous versions and iterations of the game. Collectively, these prototypes were referred to as "Pre-Blitz," and epitomized by a brief video of a version that keeps the social basis of Blitz, but with a very different aesthetic.

While the final game ended up featuring a sort of rainbow note highway in a musically reactive city, this version is a much sunnier, somewhat more literal "highway" style environment. Somewhere between these two, the team thought of having the music make the city spring up building by building, but that didn't make it.

At one point it wasn't even decided where the music would come from. A DLC strategy was important to the team, but it wasn't certain that the game would be a Rock Band game. When it was decided that it would be, the source of music became obvious. And then the team had to convert all the songs from five lanes per instrument to two -- which, Nordhaus explained, made the game way too easy in lower difficulties. Finally, against his better judgment, the team playtested a game with only one difficulty, and it worked.

Senior designer Brian Chan explained that the game lost the "track-locking" mechanic from Amplitude and other handheld Rock Bands, in favor of a system that allows players to build "levels" in individual tracks. This allowed people to play in a much more freeform manner instead of following a prescribed, single best scoring pattern.

Even the specifics of the controls were in question, with considerations like gestural controls for each instrument. Above is an idea for keyboard controls that used left, right, and a button press to simulate keys.

JoystiqPre-Blitz: Harmonix on building a new Rock Band from scratch originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 07 Apr 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>harmonixharmonix-music-systemsmicrosoftpax-eastpax-east-2012playstationprototypeps3rock-band-blitzxboxSat, 07 Apr 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Indie Royale bundle offers bonus Explodemon prototype]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/07/indie-royale-bundle-offers-bonus-explodemon-prototype/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/07/indie-royale-bundle-offers-bonus-explodemon-prototype/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/07/indie-royale-bundle-offers-bonus-explodemon-prototype/#comments ImageThe Indie Royale "April Fool's" bundle includes Defense Grid: The Awakening, Hack, Slash, Loot, Alien Zombie Megadeath, Astro Tripper, and Explodemon. It also includes, as a bonus, exclusive access to the past.

A new surprise unlocked for the bundle yesterday is a 2005 prototype for Explodemon, used in level development of the final, polygonal version. This historical document is playable in Windows.

If you exceed the average pay-what-you-want price, you also get Sexy-Synthesizer's chiptune album Rock - Deluxe Edition. If you're considering the bundle, be sure to get this.

JoystiqIndie Royale bundle offers bonus Explodemon prototype originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 07 Apr 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>defense-grid-the-awakeningexplodemonindie-royalepcprototypeSat, 07 Apr 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Double Fine made this bizarre and hilarious prototype for a Kinect adventure game]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/23/double-fine-made-this-bizarre-and-hilarious-prototype-for-a-kine/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/23/double-fine-made-this-bizarre-and-hilarious-prototype-for-a-kine/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/23/double-fine-made-this-bizarre-and-hilarious-prototype-for-a-kine/#comments
Double Fine's Tim Schafer was the guest of honor last evening at New York University's Game Center, joining Zynga New York's creative director (and NYU professor) Frank Lantz for an "Inside the Gamer's Studio" conversation. Schafer, however, brought more than just good conversation. He showed off two separate versions of a prototyped game that Double Fine ended up shelving. The prototype, for no reason at all, is dubbed "*Specs."

In the first video (seen above), rudimentary concepts for the game are introduced. Two convicts sit in a prison cell, a shiv on the floor between them. The player character isn't one of the two convicts, or even the shiv, but instead a possessed amulet that's using its power of influence to guide the actions of those around it (inanimate objects included). As it turns out, one of the two convicts has said amulet in his hand when the prototype kicks off.

The two emotions that the amulet can produce - love and hate - are represented by blue and red cursors on-screen, each mapped to one of your hands. With just two emotions, a handful of set pieces to interact with, and a Kinect, a variety of potential outcomes with varying levels of hilarity ensued.

*Double Fine senior gameplay programmer Anna Kipnis explained the name via Twitter. "We name prototypes after Chinatown bars at DF (running out of bars now)," Kipnis said, in reference to San Francisco's Chinatown. "Psychonauts was Li Po. Brütal Legend was my favorite bar in Chinatown, Buddha Bar." So there's that! This is "Specs."

Continue reading Double Fine made this bizarre and hilarious prototype for a Kinect adventure game

JoystiqDouble Fine made this bizarre and hilarious prototype for a Kinect adventure game originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 23 Mar 2012 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>double-finedouble-fine-productionsfrank-lantzkinectmicrosoftnew-york-universitynew-york-university-game-centernyu-game-centerprototypespecstim-schaferxboxFri, 23 Mar 2012 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Super Meat Boy's super boys explain what it means to go mobile]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/10/super-meat-boys-super-boys-explain-what-it-means-to-go-mobile/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/10/super-meat-boys-super-boys-explain-what-it-means-to-go-mobile/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/10/super-meat-boys-super-boys-explain-what-it-means-to-go-mobile/#comments Yesterday Edmund McMillen and Tommy Refenes of Team Meat dropped a gigantic, raw bomb on Twitter (gross), announcing their plans to strip down Super Meat Boy and rebuild it completely for mobile touch devices. They were vague on details apart from an intent to create a brand new game in the Super Meat Boy universe, and that they definitely wouldn't use "shitty touch controls."

We thought they were being coy, but it turns out they don't know much more about the touchscreen version than we do. It's still in the engine phase of development, McMillen told Joystiq, and they're pretty much winging it, playing with things that work and throwing out ideas that don't -- even if that includes the entire game.

"I mean, honestly, this is simply a challenge for us," McMillen said. "It's easy to poo-poo a new system because of its horrible use of touchscreen on ported titles; it's harder to attempt to try and figure out a design that works and make something worth checking out.

"So that's basically what we are doing -- no idea how it will turn out -- but Tommy and I wanted to jump back into dev again with something that isn't going to take a year-plus to make, so prototyping this idea seemed most appropriate and inspired."

Continue reading Super Meat Boy's super boys explain what it means to go mobile

JoystiqSuper Meat Boy's super boys explain what it means to go mobile originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidedmund-mcmilleniosipadiphonemacmicrosoftmobilepcprototypesuper-meat-boyteam-meattommy-refenestouchscreenxboxFri, 10 Feb 2012 19:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Super Meat Boy to be torn apart, rebuilt for touchscreen devices]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/09/super-meat-boy-to-be-torn-apart-rebuilt-for-touchscreen-devices/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/09/super-meat-boy-to-be-torn-apart-rebuilt-for-touchscreen-devices/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/09/super-meat-boy-to-be-torn-apart-rebuilt-for-touchscreen-devices/#comments Super Meat Boy has seen success on Xbox Live, PC and Mac, but as is often the case while playing SMB, Team Meat have decided that's not good enough. Edmund McMillen and Tommy Refenes of Team Meat announced via Twitter today that they're rebuilding Super Meat Boy from scratch for a potential launch on mobile touch devices.

In a six-part tweetfest, Team Meat disclosed the following details: The touch title will be remade from scratch and won't play like Super Meat Boy; it will be a larger, more traditional game, unlike titles such as Doodle Jump; and they promised it won't use "shitty touch controls."

"if you liked SMB im sure you will enjoy this (if its good enough to continue on :) ) we just had a few cool ideas and wanted a challange," one of Team Meat's tweets reads.

Team Meat said that if the project fails and turns out to not be any fun, they'll scrap it and move on to the next idea, which we can only assume is a Super Meat Boy live-action point-and-click adventure title in 3D. Those adventure things are all the rage these days, we're told.

JoystiqSuper Meat Boy to be torn apart, rebuilt for touchscreen devices originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 09 Feb 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>edmund-mcmillenmacmicrosoftmobilepcprototypesuper-meat-boyteam-meattommy-refenestouchtwitterxboxThu, 09 Feb 2012 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Man ransoming unreleased Resident Evil GBC prototype ROMs to the Internet]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/29/man-ransoming-unreleased-resident-evil-gbc-prototype-roms-to-the/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/29/man-ransoming-unreleased-resident-evil-gbc-prototype-roms-to-the/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/29/man-ransoming-unreleased-resident-evil-gbc-prototype-roms-to-the/#comments Two prototype versions of the Game Boy Color port of Resident Evil are waiting in the wings for an imminent release; news that strikes us as rather serendipitous considering that we were just talking about that game last week. Like all great news, however, there's a bit of a catch.

We're not talking about something awesome and legit, like an official 3DS eShop release, we're talking about ROMs. What's more, the ROMs for these two prototype cartridges, one containing most of Jill's campaign and the other containing an earlier build, will only be released to the internet if the anonymous seller's "fundraiser" reaches its $2,000 goal by the end of February.

Now, that sounds more like extortion than a fundraiser, but the third party running the sale maintains that the benefactor in question is actually taking a substantial loss at that price point. That sounded reasonable at first, but the more we think about it, the less we buy it.

It's true that some rare games can sell for tens of thousands of dollars, but those games tend to exist in extremely limited quantities and also tend to be remarkably verifiable; Stadium Events for the NES and the European version of Kizuna Encounter for the Neo Geo immediately spring to mind. Those are actual games, though, and not ROMs. Unless this collector destroys these cartridges after the ROMs are posted, the $2,000 entry fee is nothing but pure profit, since the cartridges can still be sold afterwards.

Don't get us wrong, we love the idea of preserving the gaming industry's wackier moments. What we don't love is the idea of someone coercing a substantial amount of money from a dedicated fan base by ransoming the distribution of a product that they have no right to distribute. To paraphrase a brilliant professor of archeology, "They belong in a museum!"

JoystiqMan ransoming unreleased Resident Evil GBC prototype ROMs to the Internet originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 29 Jan 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fundraisergame-boy-colorprototyperansomresident-evilROMunreleasedSun, 29 Jan 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Kinect sensors being tested for use in laptops [Update: Microsoft responds]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/27/kinect-sensors-being-tested-for-use-in-laptops/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/27/kinect-sensors-being-tested-for-use-in-laptops/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/27/kinect-sensors-being-tested-for-use-in-laptops/#comments As far as we're able to tell, Microsoft envisions a future where powerful businessmen and hipster ultrabloggers (like ourselves) flail wildly in front of our laptops while on crowded public transportation. Yes, the Kinect's array of cameras and sensors is being tested on various prototype Windows 8 laptops, according to a preview by The Daily.

On the laptops seen, the Kinect's cameras were placed above the screen, where you would normally expect a small webcam to exist; rows of what appeared to be LEDs lined the bottom of the screen. Beyond gaming applications, Kinect sensors integrated into a laptop could be used to navigate Windows 8's Metro UI, in a fashion not entirely dissimilar to navigating the Metro-esque interface on the latest Xbox dashboard. Additionally, a Kinect-equipped device could also be used for something actually useful by providing the disabled with another means of interacting with a computer.

Just like it does with its software, Microsoft be will licensing the Kinect technology out to hardware manufacturers, who will then implement it into their laptop designs. Considering the Kinect's rather expansive deadzone, we're interested in seeing how the technology functions in such an up close and personal application.

Update: We've received an interesting statement from Microsoft after inquiring about seeing the prototypes ourselves: "Kinect has changed the way we think about the future of games, entertainment, education and business. We're always thinking about what is next and how we can push the boundaries of our technologies to transform how consumers interact with our products and experiences. Beyond that we don't comment on rumors or speculation." Interesting indeed.

JoystiqKinect sensors being tested for use in laptops [Update: Microsoft responds] originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 27 Jan 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>kinectlaptoppcprototypexboxFri, 27 Jan 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Razer's 'Project Fiona' is a gaming tablet prototype ... and it plays PC games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/10/razers-project-fiona-is-a-gaming-tablet-prototype-and-it/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/10/razers-project-fiona-is-a-gaming-tablet-prototype-and-it/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/10/razers-project-fiona-is-a-gaming-tablet-prototype-and-it/#comments Perhaps the PlayStation Vita's leggy 5 inch screen just isn't enough for your dedicated gaming portable needs. Perhaps -- and this is just a theoretical, of course -- you think Sony's promise of console quality games on the Vita isn't nearly as important as full-on console games on the go. Enter Razer's "Project Fiona PC Gaming Tablet." It's merely a prototype (at least for now), but this may be the go-to portable for you at some point in the future, fictional crazy person.

Razer unveiled the prototype concept this week at CES, ending an ambiguous, weeks-long promotional campaign (seen after the break). According to a press release issued by the hardware company, the Project Fiona tablet comes with an Intel Core i7 processor, and is capable of running "current-generation PC games" -- Firefall, Assassin's Creed: Revelations and H.A.W.X. 2 are shown in the teaser, offering examples of some titles that will apparently work on the device -- surprise surprise, Ubisoft is jumping at the chance to showcase its wares on a new gaming device. Razer claimed in the announce that "many" PC games will "run natively" on the device without any need for specialization.

Beyond being a super powerful gaming tablet, Project Fiona also keeps up with the Joneses by including "ultra-precise accelerometers and a highly sensitive multi-touch screen," which is intended to give developers a chance to cater their PC games to the device. It also has now de rigeur forced feedback, so you can rumble while commuting.

Unlike Razer's previous gaming prototype, the Switchblade, the company isn't giving out a hard price for Project Fiona, but said it'll be "under $1,000" when it's expected to launch in "Q4 2012."

Gallery: Razer's 'Project Fiona' PC gaming tablet

Continue reading Razer's 'Project Fiona' is a gaming tablet prototype ... and it plays PC games

JoystiqRazer's 'Project Fiona' is a gaming tablet prototype ... and it plays PC games originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 10 Jan 2012 15:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>firefallmobilepcproject-fionaproject-fiona-pc-gaming-tabletprototypeq4-2012razerred-5red-5-studiosrelease-datetabletubisoftTue, 10 Jan 2012 15:10:00 EST<![CDATA[NerdHeist 2011: Razer Blade prototypes stolen from Razer R&D]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/14/nerdheist-2011-razer-blade-prototypes-stolen-from-razer-randd/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/14/nerdheist-2011-razer-blade-prototypes-stolen-from-razer-randd/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/14/nerdheist-2011-razer-blade-prototypes-stolen-from-razer-randd/#commentsAfter what we can only imagine was an exciting and Hollywood worthy laser-grid-circumnavigating vault heist, two experimental Blade prototypes have been stolen from a Razer research and development laboratory in the San Francisco bay area, according to a Facebook post made by Razer CEO Min-Liang Tan.

It's unclear as to whether or not these were the only two prototypes, but it's safe to say that any loss like this is a significant one, and that the prototypes are worth far more than the $2,800 retail price originally quoted for the laptop. Tan is asking for anyone with information about the theft to send an email to cult at razerzone dot com.

The Blade, revealed earlier this year at PAX, makes use of a proprietary user interface and LCD touchpad; trade secrets which Razer must desperately (and understandably) want to keep out of the hands of the competition. We're not saying this was corporate espionage, of course, but we are heavily implying that.

Gallery: Razer Blade (Announcement)

JoystiqNerdHeist 2011: Razer Blade prototypes stolen from Razer R&D originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 14 Nov 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bladeheistlaptopmodelpcprototyperazerrazer-bladestolentheftMon, 14 Nov 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New Prototype 2 trailer explores the power of tendrils]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/17/new-prototype-2-trailer-explores-the-power-of-tendrils/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/17/new-prototype-2-trailer-explores-the-power-of-tendrils/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/17/new-prototype-2-trailer-explores-the-power-of-tendrils/#comments
As far as the destructonamiacs here at Joystiq are concerned, Prototype's sandbox mayhem was one of, if not the main selling points for the title. Judging by the latest trailer for Prototype 2, it looks like Radical Entertainment knows exactly what we want, in a big way.

JoystiqNew Prototype 2 trailer explores the power of tendrils originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 17 Jul 2011 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftpcplaystationPrototypeprototype-2ps3Radical-EntertainmentxboxSun, 17 Jul 2011 11:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Prototype 2 preview: To Heller and back]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/05/prototype-2-preview/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/05/prototype-2-preview/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/05/prototype-2-preview/#comments We're just going to throw this out there, harsh as it may be: Does Prototype, 2009's open world New York-based superhero fantasy title, really need a sequel? Sure, there was some fun to be had in Alex Mercer's shoes, pulling off some over-the-top (and often just overwhelming) proto-moves, navigating a New York under alien and military siege. But by the end of the first game, we'd taken out tank after tank after tank, gutted Supreme Hunter after Supreme Hunter, and learned everything we needed to know about Blackwatch and the Blacklight virus, didn't we? There was a lot of game in Prototype -- repeated, some might say, more than even its fans wanted.

Ken Rossman, the studio head at Radical Entertainment, obviously believes we do. He and his studio are hard at work on Prototype 2, and when we spoke with him at a pre-E3 event a little while ago, he made his case as to why we want to return to this world. The main problem with Prototype, he told us, was that "it had two volumes: 1 and 11. And really there was nothing in that middle range, so either you were in disguise and the world ignored you, sometimes, or all of a sudden you kicked the hornet's nest and the world's on fire. So that was something that we acknowledged and we were like, 'That's something that we need to figure out in a better way.'"

Gallery: Prototype 2 (6/5/2011)

Continue reading Prototype 2 preview: To Heller and back

JoystiqPrototype 2 preview: To Heller and back originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 05 Jun 2011 20:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionalex-mercere3e3-2011interviewjames-hellermicrosoftopen-worldpcplaystationprototypeprototype-2ps3radical-entertainmentxboxSun, 05 Jun 2011 20:20:00 EST<![CDATA[3DS producer reveals Wii-based, arts-and-crafts 3D prototype]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/02/3ds-producer-reveals-wii-based-arts-and-crafts-3d-prototype/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/02/3ds-producer-reveals-wii-based-arts-and-crafts-3d-prototype/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/02/3ds-producer-reveals-wii-based-arts-and-crafts-3d-prototype/#comments Previous "Iwata Asks" interviews have brought up several previous 3D prototypes from Nintendo, including GBA and GameCube-based versions. During his talk about the 3DS's development, hardware producer Hideki Konno revealed another prototype, designed before the 3DS was even a glimmer in Nintendo's collective eye.

Nintendo wired up a glasses-free 3D display to a Wii, and set it up on a cart to wheel around the company for demonstrations. And then, because it wasn't hacky or impractical enough, the team hooked a proof-of-concept version of the 3D depth slider to a Nunchuk -- with hot glue.

Gallery: 3DS prototype images (GDC 2011)

Joystiq3DS producer reveals Wii-based, arts-and-crafts 3D prototype originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 02 Mar 2011 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3d3dsgdc-2011hideki-konnoprototypeWed, 02 Mar 2011 03:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft shows off prototype avatar that will haunt your dreams]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/25/microsoft-shows-off-prototype-avatar-that-will-haunt-your-dreams/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/25/microsoft-shows-off-prototype-avatar-that-will-haunt-your-dreams/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/25/microsoft-shows-off-prototype-avatar-that-will-haunt-your-dreams/#comments Microsoft's chief research and strategy officer Craig Mundie wants to show you the haunting bridge his team has built over the uncanny valley. Employing Kinect hardware and custom PC software, the research team at Microsoft has created an unnervingly realistic new avatar that can handle text-to-speech when combined with a script and can recognize the words in any order.

"This is a way to create a synthetic model of people that will be acceptable to them when they would look at them on a television or in an Avatar Kinect kind of scenario," Mundie told USA Today in a video interview. "There's no reason that we couldn't do that in real time by feeding the information that we get from a Kinect sensor, including its audio input and its 3D modeling, spacial representation, and couple that to the body and the gesture recognition in order to create a full body avatar, that has photo realistic features and full facial animation," he added.

This impressive (if not somewhat terrifying) demo is still very much in the prototype phase, however, and Mundie said it would be "some time before we see it show up in products." We're just hoping those first "products" aren't T-1000s.

Continue reading Microsoft shows off prototype avatar that will haunt your dreams

JoystiqMicrosoft shows off prototype avatar that will haunt your dreams originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 25 Feb 2011 04:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>avataravatar-kinectavatarscraig-mundiekinectmicrosoftpcprototyperesearch-and-developmentuncanny-valleyxboxFri, 25 Feb 2011 04:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PSN Tuesday: eh-eh-eh-eh-eh-eh X-Men Arcade]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/14/psn-tuesday-eh-eh-eh-eh-eh-eh-x-men-arcade/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/14/psn-tuesday-eh-eh-eh-eh-eh-eh-x-men-arcade/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/14/psn-tuesday-eh-eh-eh-eh-eh-eh-x-men-arcade/#comments For those who don't have all the X-Men Arcade tracks forever burned into their brain, here's the reference for the headline. This week's PSN update is packed with downloadable superheroes. The full game of Prototype is available, along with the aforementioned X-Men Arcade and the flipping good Marvel Pinball.

Also available is emo Prince from Warrior Within who, when he isn't slicing up bad guys, is constantly cutting himself as an ever-present reminder of his pain for not selling enough copies of The Sands of TIme, the result of which forced him to wear "man-scara" in the sequel. Check out the full PSN update after the break.

Choose your platform to view the corresponding release list:
(Note: Continue past the break to view both release lists.)

Continue reading PSN Tuesday: eh-eh-eh-eh-eh-eh X-Men Arcade

JoystiqPSN Tuesday: eh-eh-eh-eh-eh-eh X-Men Arcade originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 14 Dec 2010 18:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>LittleBigPlanetmarvel-pinballplaystationprince-of-persia-warrior-withinprototypeps3PSNPSN-Storepsn-tuesdaypsn-weeklypspsackboys-prehistoric-movessonyx-men-arcadeTue, 14 Dec 2010 18:10:00 EST<![CDATA['Murder Your Maker' VGA teaser site updated with Prototype footage]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/04/murder-your-maker-vga-teaser-site-updated-with-prototype-foota/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/04/murder-your-maker-vga-teaser-site-updated-with-prototype-foota/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/04/murder-your-maker-vga-teaser-site-updated-with-prototype-foota/#comments Last week, Activision uploaded a teaser site featuring the tagline "Murder Your Maker," which we hypothesized was hinting at the reveal of a new installment in the Prototype series during the Spike VGAs. A brief video which was recently added to the site appears to confirm our suspicions.

Continue reading 'Murder Your Maker' VGA teaser site updated with Prototype footage

Joystiq'Murder Your Maker' VGA teaser site updated with Prototype footage originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 04 Dec 2010 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftmurder-your-makerplaystationPrototypeprototype-2ps3Radical-Entertainmentteaservga-2010xboxSat, 04 Dec 2010 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA['Murder Your Maker' teaser site hints at VGA reveal]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/26/murder-your-maker-teaser-site-hints-at-vga-reveal/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/26/murder-your-maker-teaser-site-hints-at-vga-reveal/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/26/murder-your-maker-teaser-site-hints-at-vga-reveal/#comments Earlier this week, a mysterious Spike VGA 2010 site asked its visitors to consider the secret meanings of two mysterious and secret phrases: "MURDER" and "LOOK CLOSER." Today, a new teaser site offers a few more clues. The page, titled "Murder Your Maker," features the image seen above: A bald man, staring at a wall covered in maps, newspaper clippings and delicious strands of black licorice. Or, wait. String. Yeah, that's definitely string.

The "Murder Your Maker" tagline has led some theorists to believe we're looking at a teaser for a sequel to last year's super violent, open-world title, Prototype. Alex Mercer certainly has some daddy issues, but our money is on that new God of War game, where Kratos is literally tasked with killing God.

Oh, Activision runs the website? Well, in that case ... does "Bloodhunt" sound about right?

Joystiq'Murder Your Maker' teaser site hints at VGA reveal originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 26 Nov 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionprototypeprototype-2teaservga-2010Fri, 26 Nov 2010 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[First Kinect prototype cost Microsoft $30,000]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/25/first-kinect-prototype-cost-microsoft-30-000/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/25/first-kinect-prototype-cost-microsoft-30-000/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/25/first-kinect-prototype-cost-microsoft-30-000/#commentsGrumbling over the prospect of spending $150 on a Kinect sensor? At least you didn't have to drop $30,000 to get your Sonic Free Riders on. The NYT reports that the first Kinect prototype cost Microsoft that much to build -- which kind of makes the fact that Microsoft was able to get that technology into a $150 box (on each sale of which, the Times' Ashlee Vance notes, MS will profit) a bit more impressive.

The article provides a tidbit of new information about how the device recognizes people. In the case of identical, identically-dressed twins, the Kinect's software will evidently distinguish between the two by asking each to identify him or herself. "'If it can't disambiguate, we say, 'Please tell us if you are A or B,'" Xbox director of incubation Alex Kipman said. "Then, you end up with the equivalent of a different bar code." You'll be able to turn your family into bar codes on November 4.

JoystiqFirst Kinect prototype cost Microsoft $30,000 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 25 Oct 2010 12:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alex-kipmankinectmicrosoftprototypexboxMon, 25 Oct 2010 12:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: Rez 2 prototype was in the works, Project LMNO canned]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/11/report-rez-2-prototype-was-in-the-works-project-lmno-canned/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/11/report-rez-2-prototype-was-in-the-works-project-lmno-canned/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/11/report-rez-2-prototype-was-in-the-works-project-lmno-canned/#commentsFiled under: , ,

According to industry vet Jake Kazdal, immediately following the completion of Rez, a small group of developers at United Game Artists worked on a prototype for Rez 2. Kazdal -- a man who's worked everywhere from Nintendo to Irem to Sega, and is currently developing Skulls of the Shogun -- also explained on the latest 8-4 Play podcast that another game he worked on, Steven Spielberg's now mythic "Project LMNO," has been cancelled. EA confirmed as much, telling Joystiq this afternoon, "While EA maintains its relationship with Steven Spielberg, we ceased development of LMNO."

We pushed EA for clarification about the status of any projects in development with Spielberg and were told again, "EA maintains its relationship with Steven Spielberg. EA has ceased development of LMNO. EA continually monitors development resources and adjusts resources as appropriate. No new title announcements."

Continue reading Report: Rez 2 prototype was in the works, Project LMNO canned

JoystiqReport: Rez 2 prototype was in the works, Project LMNO canned originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 11 Oct 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>8-48-4-playeaealaelectronic-artsjake-kazdalLMNOmicrosoftplaystationProject-LMNOprototypeps3rez-2segasteven-spielbergugaunited-game-artistsxboxMon, 11 Oct 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Assassin's Creed 2, Dragon Age: Origins win Canadian game awards]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/06/assassins-creed-2-dragon-age-origins-win-canadian-game-awards/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/06/assassins-creed-2-dragon-age-origins-win-canadian-game-awards/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/06/assassins-creed-2-dragon-age-origins-win-canadian-game-awards/#comments We like to playfully rip on Canada every now and then (America's hat!), but we must admit that The Great White North knows how to make some quality games, evidenced by the winners at the inaugural Canadian Videogame Awards ceremony. While Game of the Year went to Bioware's Dragon Age: Origins, Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed 2 made out with the most awards, winning Best Console Game, Best Visual Arts, and Best Game Design, and sharing the award for Best Technology with Radical Entertainment's Prototype.

That's not to say all of the awards went to the triple-A titles, as Toronto's own darling, Capybara Games, received nods for two of its titles: Might and Magic: Clash of Heroes, which won Best Handheld Game, and Critter Crunch, which secured victory as the Best Downloadable Game. Maybe now that cute little guy will stop crying so much!

[Thanks, Alan Strangis]

JoystiqAssassin's Creed 2, Dragon Age: Origins win Canadian game awards originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 06 May 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Appleassassins-creedassassins-creed-2biowarecanadacanadian-videogame-awardsCapyCapybara-GamesCritter-Crunchdragon-agedragon-age-originsiPodmight-and-magic-clash-of-heroesprototypePSNPuzzleradicalradical-entertainmentubisoftThu, 06 May 2010 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Xbox 360 copies of Singularity to offer free Prototype 'for a limited time']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/28/xbox-360-copies-of-singularity-to-offer-free-prototype-for-a-li/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/28/xbox-360-copies-of-singularity-to-offer-free-prototype-for-a-li/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/28/xbox-360-copies-of-singularity-to-offer-free-prototype-for-a-li/#comments Here's a real concern everyone should be cognizant about: Just how many times can you reduce people to decrepit, withered husks writhing in agony until it starts getting a little ... old? Wouldn't it be nice if, between face-melting blasts of temporal energy, you could resort to dismemberment, impalement and tentacular catastrophe? What if you didn't have to suffer the slightest penalty or inhibition for spending the day shooting and stabbing anonymous meatbags, just as your desires dictated?
We'll likely never find out, but you can do all of that stuff in a video game if you buy Singularity on Xbox 360 and take advantage of a limited-time mail-in offer for a free copy of Infamous Prototype. Raven's time-twisting shooter is out on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC on June 29th.

Gallery: Singularity


JoystiqXbox 360 copies of Singularity to offer free Prototype 'for a limited time' originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 28 Apr 2010 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionfpsMicrosoftprototyperadical-entertainmentraven-softwaresingularityXbox-360Wed, 28 Apr 2010 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[iPhone 4th-gen prototype lost and found in the wild]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/19/iphone-4th-gen-prototype-lost-and-found-in-the-wild/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/19/iphone-4th-gen-prototype-lost-and-found-in-the-wild/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/19/iphone-4th-gen-prototype-lost-and-found-in-the-wild/#comments What you see above might just be the fourth generation iPhone. The pictured prototype was reportedly lost in a Redwood City, Calif. bar and found its way to Gizmodo for immediate deconstruction. Though the phone has been remotely deactivated, preventing its fortunate locator from running any Apps on it, there are a few external design changes that may have some implications as far as the device's gaming capabilities are concerned.

The foremost of these changes is a new, front-mounted camera, which will make DSi porting much easier -- in other words, "put your face in the game" gimmickry could become common in new iPhone games. Also, according to Gizmodo's preliminary findings, the new hardware's screen appears to have a higher resolution than the 3GS screen (at least, it's smaller in size). The back of the prototype does not reveal the amount of internal memory in the device, but previous reports have suggested the next iPhone will have up to 80GB of space (which would be a stupid silly amount of games). Additionally, there's a larger battery installed in the lost-n-found unit than the one in the 3GS.

Finally, the prototype sports a new shell with a flat back, which apparently feels "freaking amazing." That's always a good thing for handheld gaming, right?

[Via Engadget]

JoystiqiPhone 4th-gen prototype lost and found in the wild originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 19 Apr 2010 12:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>4g4th-genapplegizmodohardwareiphone-4giPodmobileprototypeMon, 19 Apr 2010 12:51:00 EST<![CDATA[Luxoflux shuttered as layoffs hit Activision dev studios, publisher confirms]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/11/luxoflux-shuttered-as-layoffs-hit-activision-dev-studios-publis/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/11/luxoflux-shuttered-as-layoffs-hit-activision-dev-studios-publis/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/11/luxoflux-shuttered-as-layoffs-hit-activision-dev-studios-publis/#comments Reports began circulating this morning about major layoffs at a handful of Activision-owned development studios, affecting as much as half of Radical Entertainment's staff (Prototype), an undisclosed amount of Neversoft employees (Guitar Hero, Tony Hawk), and the entirety of Luxoflux (Tranformers). An Activision rep confirmed two former studio layoffs to us this afternoon, though a representative didn't city any official numbers -- the rep also told us he could "confirm the closure of Luxoflux."

The full, significantly more vague, company statement given out to everyone reads: "Activision Publishing continually evaluates its resources to ensure that they are properly matched against its product slate and strategic goals. In 2010, the company's SKU count will be smaller than in 2009 driven in part, by a decrease in the number of music-based games we will be releasing. As we discussed on our earnings conference call yesterday, we are directing our resources against the largest and most profitable business segments, and as part of this initiative, we are realigning our resources to better reflect our slate and the market opportunities. At the same time, we are increasing our digital/online capabilities as we expect that digital/online will continue to become a more meaningful part of our business model in the years ahead."

JoystiqLuxoflux shuttered as layoffs hit Activision dev studios, publisher confirms originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 11 Feb 2010 18:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionactivision-blizzardactivision-publishingDSfiringguitar-herolayoffsluxofluxMicrosoftneversoftNintendoprototyperadicalradical-entertainmentrumortony-hawktransformersWiiXbox-360Thu, 11 Feb 2010 18:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Natal prototype model revealed (it's either adorable or terrifying)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/04/natal-prototype-model-revealed-its-either-adorable-or-terrifyi/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/04/natal-prototype-model-revealed-its-either-adorable-or-terrifyi/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/04/natal-prototype-model-revealed-its-either-adorable-or-terrifyi/#comments The image above could serve as kind of robotic Rorschach test. What do you see? A cute little tripod help-o-bot, whose head is cocked curiously to the side, as though it's studying its new master to better serve his or her robotic needs? Or is it a three-legged killing machine, who's observing his new master's weaknesses, which it plans to exploit with its now-charging eye lasers?

Sadly, the answer's not as provocative as either of those two choices -- its actually a photo of a Project Natal prototype, as nabbed by the Seattle Times. According to the report which includes the photograph, Natal units and iPhones are being produced in the same factory. We're terrified of the thought of these two consumer electronics cross-pollinating -- we're pretty sure that's how SkyNet got started.

[Via Siliconera]

JoystiqNatal prototype model revealed (it's either adorable or terrifying) originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 04 Feb 2010 11:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftproject-natalprototypeseattle-timestechnologyXbox-360Thu, 04 Feb 2010 11:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft patents EMG muscle controller, is one step closer to Air Guitar Hero]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/04/microsoft-patents-emg-muscle-controller-is-one-step-closer-to-a/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/04/microsoft-patents-emg-muscle-controller-is-one-step-closer-to-a/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/04/microsoft-patents-emg-muscle-controller-is-one-step-closer-to-a/#comments Our elderly readers may remember all the way back in October of 2009 when we showed you the first video of Microsoft Research's muscle-based game control interface. While it'd be a safe bet to say that the project is still very much in the prototype phase, the experimental division of Microsoft recently filed a patent application for the "Wearable Electromyography-based Controller for Human-Computer Interface", effectively bringing us all one step closer to a future with fully realized air guitar.

Sure, the interface could be used for "computer stuff" or something we suppose, but what'd be the fun in that? Though, as Engadget points out, we're not likely to see anything more solid on this in the near future -- most Microsoft Research projects are "pretty far from market." That being said, a combination of muscle sensor-based control and the not quite 1:1 video capture of Project Natal could produce some rather intriguing results. Your move, Big M.

[Via Engadget]

JoystiqMicrosoft patents EMG muscle controller, is one step closer to Air Guitar Hero originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 04 Jan 2010 14:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>air-guitarair-guitar-heroemg-muscle-controllermicrosoftmicrosoft-researchpatentproject-natalprototypeusptoMon, 04 Jan 2010 14:04:00 EST<![CDATA[Prototype Wii game found in developer portfolio]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/04/prototype-wii-game-found-in-developer-portfolio/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/04/prototype-wii-game-found-in-developer-portfolio/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/04/prototype-wii-game-found-in-developer-portfolio/#commentsThe website for Eric Testroete, who recently made the rounds for his "big head mode" Halloween costume, shows work-in-progress screens of an unannounced Wii war game he animated for MLB Superstars developer Deep Fried Entertainment. The game uses an almost top-down, zoomed-out perspective, and appears to put the player (or players) in control of jeeps equipped with machine guns.

As Kotaku notes, it looks rather like Konami's Jackal, prompting the site to speculate that it's a ReBirth made for Konami, like the recent Castlevania, Contra, and Gradius games. If true, it would be the first ReBirth title not to be developed by M2 in Japan. Of course, the American side of Konami is also working on refreshes of old Konami franchises in the form of Rocket Knight, so there is precedent.

Gallery: Undisclosed Deep Fried Entertainment game (Wii)

JoystiqPrototype Wii game found in developer portfolio originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>deep-fried-entertainmenteric-testroedejackalkonamiNintendoprototypeWiiWed, 04 Nov 2009 18:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Steam slashes price on Prototype until August 13]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/06/steam-slashes-price-on-prototype-until-august-13/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/06/steam-slashes-price-on-prototype-until-august-13/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/06/steam-slashes-price-on-prototype-until-august-13/#commentsFans of Barry Pepper and blowin' the crap out of everything in sight need to pay attention to this next string of words: Steam is discounting Prototype by 20% until August 13, bringing the game's price down to $40. While the story is largely forgettable, there's big value in elbow-dropping tanks and throwing air conditioners into helicopters. Oh, and consuming everyone in Manhattan ain't too bad a time, either.

JoystiqSteam slashes price on Prototype until August 13 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 06 Aug 2009 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionprototyperadicalradical-entertainmentsalesalessteamThu, 06 Aug 2009 16:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Trophies: Prototype]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/31/trophies-prototype/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/31/trophies-prototype/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/31/trophies-prototype/#comments
Prototype and Infamous get compared pretty frequently, but you're probably more interested in this: which one has easier Trophies? Easy, that award goes to Infamous.

View Trophy List | Visit Trophy Portal

Continue reading Trophies: Prototype

JoystiqTrophies: Prototype originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 31 Jul 2009 19:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>prototypetrophiestrophyFri, 31 Jul 2009 19:46:00 EST<![CDATA[June NPD: Prototype rips apart the sales charts]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/16/june-npd-prototype-rips-apart-the-sales-charts/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/16/june-npd-prototype-rips-apart-the-sales-charts/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/16/june-npd-prototype-rips-apart-the-sales-charts/#comments
You're sure going to see a lot of green arrows in the chart below. However, don't be fooled -- while sales have gone up from last month, overall sales are down from 2008. In fact, total industry sales dropped 31% year-over-year to a measly $1.17 billion.

-DS: 766K132K (+20%)
-Wii: 361K71K (+24%)
-Xbox 360: 240K65K (+37%)
-PS3: 165K34K (+26%)
-PSP: 164K64K (+64%)
-PS2: 153K36K (+31%)

Check out the software sales chart after the break.

Continue reading June NPD: Prototype rips apart the sales charts

JoystiqJune NPD: Prototype rips apart the sales charts originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 16 Jul 2009 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>npdnpd-monthlyprototypesalesThu, 16 Jul 2009 19:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Tiger Woods and Fight Night top UK charts again]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/14/tiger-woods-and-fight-night-top-uk-charts-again/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/14/tiger-woods-and-fight-night-top-uk-charts-again/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/14/tiger-woods-and-fight-night-top-uk-charts-again/#comments
Tiger Woods Pro Tour 10 and Fight Night Round 4 dominated UK sales charts for the second week in a row (albeit in a different order), taking first and second place, respectively. In total, Electronic Arts software accounted for four of the top 10 titles for the week ending July 11, according to Chart Track.

Top 10 chart mainstay Wii Fit fell to number six, while Ubisoft's Western-themed Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood climbed ahead to number five. Activision Blizzard also scored big with Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (#3), Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (#9) and Prototype (#10) in the platform-combined top 10 list. With Transformers sneaking into the third spot, we're content to find out that, for all the cred British people get for being classy, they still make as many terrible decisions as North Americans. Cool, innit?

Continue reading Tiger Woods and Fight Night top UK charts again

JoystiqTiger Woods and Fight Night top UK charts again originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 14 Jul 2009 01:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionactivision-blizzardeaEA-Canadaea-sportsElectronic-Artsfight-night-round-4FightingprototypeSportstiger-woods-10transformers-revenge-of-the-fallenukuk-salesukchartsXboxTue, 14 Jul 2009 01:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Amazon offers up Prototype at $40 on consoles, $30 on PC]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/09/amazon-offers-up-prototype-at-40-on-consoles-30-on-pc/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/09/amazon-offers-up-prototype-at-40-on-consoles-30-on-pc/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/09/amazon-offers-up-prototype-at-40-on-consoles-30-on-pc/#comments
It appears that Amazon is slashing and absorbing the extra cost of Prototype, as the action-packed, vertical sandbox gorefest has been reduced by $20 on Xbox 360, PS3 and PC for today only.

The game was certainly well-received, so nobody is going to spit on you for deciding to take Amazon's offer. Well, inFamous' Cole might spit on you, which would be shocking. But not as shocking as these photos of him and Alex Mercer when they aren't saving/destroying the world!

[Thanks, Lesek]

JoystiqAmazon offers up Prototype at $40 on consoles, $30 on PC originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 09 Jul 2009 13:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionamazonamazon.comMicrosoftprototyperadical-entertainmentXbox-360Thu, 09 Jul 2009 13:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Happy 4th of July! Here's Alex Mercer with boobs, Cole McGrath in a bikini]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/04/happy-4th-of-july-heres-alex-mercer-with-boobs-cole-mcgrath-i/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/04/happy-4th-of-july-heres-alex-mercer-with-boobs-cole-mcgrath-i/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/04/happy-4th-of-july-heres-alex-mercer-with-boobs-cole-mcgrath-i/#comments
In the celebration of all things great and American, we're proud to present the characters of inFamous and Prototype cross-dressing. YAY! (See inFamous' Cole after the break.)

Okay, so you're probably wondering where these images came from. Yahtzee presented a challenge to the development teams of these two games after he couldn't decide which game was better in a recent episode of Zero Punctuation. So, he jokingly said the "winner" would be whichever team sends in an image of the other game's protagonist cross-dressing.

And now the world is a much better place.

Continue reading Happy 4th of July! Here's Alex Mercer with boobs, Cole McGrath in a bikini

JoystiqHappy 4th of July! Here's Alex Mercer with boobs, Cole McGrath in a bikini originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 04 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cross-dressinginfamouslolMicrosoftprototypeXbox-360zero-punctuationSat, 04 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EST<![CDATA[UK chart get: Prototype on top, Ghostbusters debuts at third]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/22/uk-chart-get-prototype-on-top-ghostbusters-debuts-at-third/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/22/uk-chart-get-prototype-on-top-ghostbusters-debuts-at-third/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/22/uk-chart-get-prototype-on-top-ghostbusters-debuts-at-third/#comments
According to Chart Track's UK software sales figures from last week, we know the Barry Pepper-voiced free-roamer, Prototype, has managed to secure the top spot. It wasn't an easy battle, as Radical Entertainment's title had some stiff competition in Terminal Reality's Ghostbusters, which made its debut in the UK last week.

The ghost bustin' reunion was not enough to topple the "go anywhere, kill everything" game, and managed to secure the bronze with a third place showing. It should be noted that this is the all-format charts, and with it being a PS3 exclusive in the territory (Xbox 360 owners do have options, though), third is pretty impressive for a game on just one platform (excluding Wii Fit). As for second place, The Sims 3 dropped down from its cushy throne last week thanks to a 49% decline in sales. Don't feel too bad for the game, though -- it did have the best PC launch in EA's history, you know.

JoystiqUK chart get: Prototype on top, Ghostbusters debuts at third originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 22 Jun 2009 15:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionatarichart-trackeaElectronic-ArtsghostbustersmaxisMicrosoftprototyperadicalradical-entertainmentsonyterminal-realitythe-simsukXbox-360Mon, 22 Jun 2009 15:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq turns 5, you get the presents! Win inFamous & Prototype on PS3]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/20/joystiq-turns-5-you-get-the-presents-win-infamous-and-prototype/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/20/joystiq-turns-5-you-get-the-presents-win-infamous-and-prototype/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/20/joystiq-turns-5-you-get-the-presents-win-infamous-and-prototype/#comments
[Update: We've picked a winner! Congratulations, mahunoy! Everyone else: thanks for the best wishes. Here's to five (hundred?) more! Now, enough playtime. We've got some news to report on!]

Earlier this week, Joystiq turned five. Five! That's half a decade of daily video game reporting. That's over 38,000 posts and over 1.5 million of your comments. That's up from over 27,000 posts last year, and less than a million comments! Let's put that in perspective: even lowballing the average word count per post at 100 words (for example, this post is 339 words) that's nearly four million words! How does that stack up? If Joystiq had been a monthly magazine, and if you consider a standard printed page to be 250 words per page (spoiler: game magazines aren't 250 words per page), each issue would have been over 250 pages, with no images and no ads. And we're lowballing here! And that doesn't include comments.

So what? This is all to say, "Thanks!" Thanks for reading the site today; this week; this year; or this half-decade. Thanks for supporting our unique flavor of game journalism. Thanks for taking us to task when we get it wrong and for sharing when we get it right. Thanks for being interested enough in video games to read about them every day, multiple times a day, and for staying engaged.

So, what better way to say "thanks" than to give you free stuff. Introducing Swag Saturdays - every Saturday, we'll be donating something from our pile of free stuff to you, the Reader. Slow week, it may be a shirt for an iPhone game. This week: A superhero c-c-c-combo pack for your PS3, featuring both inFamous and Prototype.

Again, thanks!

-Love, Team Joystiq

Rules after the break!

Continue reading Joystiq turns 5, you get the presents! Win inFamous & Prototype on PS3

JoystiqJoystiq turns 5, you get the presents! Win inFamous & Prototype on PS3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 20 Jun 2009 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>inFamousJoyswagPrototypeswag-saturdaySat, 20 Jun 2009 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Metareview: Prototype ]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/11/metareview-prototype/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/11/metareview-prototype/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/11/metareview-prototype/#comments Hitting retailers just two weeks after the PlayStation 3 exclusive (and highly regarded) inFamous, we were a bit worried about the fate of Radical Entertainment's Prototype. It seems from the response that most game reviewers are having to it, our worries were somewhat unfounded.
  • 1UP (B-): "Making Alex [the main character] such a badass also proves to be Prototype's undoing. It becomes a fight to follow and control Alex in the midst of the action. This problem mounts the further you get into the game, leading to more frustration than fun ... Alex can essentially fly around the city. With his jump, air dash, and glide abilities fully powered up, and the basic ability to run on any surface, the buildings become like a giant jungle gym."
  • Eurogamer (7/10): "Fans of serious hero fiction will find Prototype a bit of a turn-off. You're infected with some sort of virus ... and the story of why, told through snatches of video obtained by absorbing key characters (basically, weakening and eating them) and in moody cut-scenes, is basic and yet difficult to follow ... Mission design isn't very open-ended, usually boiling down to doing something violently or stealthily, but with such a vast array of attacking options you often have the luxury of trying something different."
  • IGN (7.5/10): "How long can you do flying elbow drops onto tanks or throw people off of rooftops before it gets boring? The world itself here is far from the most engaging ... Since repetition is oftentimes the name of the game here, you can be sure you'll be doing uninspired tasks over and over again."
  • Giant Bomb (4/5): "Radical almost went too far with its kitchen-sink approach to combat design, but the gameplay here is satisfying and broad enough that you can have plenty of fun with it even without mastering the nuances of every last combo and attack ... Prepare to be frustrated from time to time when the mission difficulty amps up to insane levels and you feel it's you against the entire world all of a sudden."

Gallery: Prototype

JoystiqMetareview: Prototype originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 11 Jun 2009 13:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>metareviewMicrosoftprototyperadicalradical-entertainmentXbox-360Thu, 11 Jun 2009 13:15:00 EST<![CDATA[PS3 version of Prototype features installation bug, annoying workaround]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/10/ps3-version-of-prototype-features-installation-bug-annoying-wor/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/10/ps3-version-of-prototype-features-installation-bug-annoying-wor/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/10/ps3-version-of-prototype-features-installation-bug-annoying-wor/#comments
Did you just pick up the PS3 version of Prototype only to discover you can't, um, play it? You are not alone! If your PS3 tells you that you don't have enough hard disk space for the installation -- and you know that it's LYING to you -- then you'll have to use this workaround, provided by Activision support: change the amount of free hard disk space on your system by 700MB. This can be done by either installing another PS3 game (like Infamous), downloading game demos (like the Infamous demo), or downloading and removing videos from the hard drive (like videos of Infamous).

The Activision support site notes the team is working on a better solution: "We take this issue very seriously and are working to resolve this issue as soon as possible. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause." We're sure PS3 owners will patiently wait for a patch.

[Thanks, Patrick!]

JoystiqPS3 version of Prototype features installation bug, annoying workaround originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 10 Jun 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisioninstallationprototypesupportWed, 10 Jun 2009 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Watch four minutes of Prototype, the death of a helicopter]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/28/watch-four-minutes-of-prototype-the-death-of-a-helicopter/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/28/watch-four-minutes-of-prototype-the-death-of-a-helicopter/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/28/watch-four-minutes-of-prototype-the-death-of-a-helicopter/#comments
So, Prototype, we're a little worried about you, not gonna lie. Considering the recent wave of positive inFamous reviews, talk of Crackdown 2, and APB's E3 reveal, a game we once looked forward to greatly could quite possibly fall by the wayside.

Luckily, the developer walkthrough of "mission #7" (found after the break) helps to assuage our concerns and brings back some fire into our lonely, cold hearts. Unfortunately for the person piloting Prototype's main man Alex Mercer, things don't go so well and the video ends in tragedy (spoilerz! omg!). Hopefully we'll do better when we get our hands on the retail copy June 9.

Gallery: Prototype

Continue reading Watch four minutes of Prototype, the death of a helicopter

JoystiqWatch four minutes of Prototype, the death of a helicopter originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 28 May 2009 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisiondeveloper-walkthroughgameplayMicrosoftpcprototyperadicalradical-entertainmentXbox-360Thu, 28 May 2009 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq hands-on: two hours with Prototype]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/22/joystiq-hands-on-two-hours-with-prototype/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/22/joystiq-hands-on-two-hours-with-prototype/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/22/joystiq-hands-on-two-hours-with-prototype/#comments
Soon, Prototype will be shipping to stores for its June 9 launch, exactly one week after E3 kicks off. So how did Activision and Radical Entertainment decide to spend the intervening weeks between finishing and launching the game? By having a press event at the New York, New York hotel in Las Vegas, where one of the bars was done over in Prototype fashion: think New York covered in trash (including rats and crows), faux battle damage, zombie-fied go-go girls, dense fog, and even a model helicopter overhead.

Amidst all this (and some pulse-pounding techno music) there were game stations set up to distract us from the theme park environment. We managed to ignore the actual bizarre sights long enough to dive in and enjoy the virtual ones. Head past the break for our thoughts on the two hours spent with the upcoming action-adventure title (spoiler alert: it's fun).

Also be sure and check out the new images from the game and the event below, along with the new "Boss Battles" video at the end of the post.

Gallery: Prototype: 05/21/09


Gallery: Prototype: Las Vegas

Continue reading Joystiq hands-on: two hours with Prototype

JoystiqJoystiq hands-on: two hours with Prototype originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 22 May 2009 09:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ActivisionMicrosoftPrototypeRadicalRadical-EntertainmentXbox-360Fri, 22 May 2009 09:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq interview: Radical prez Kelly Zmak on Prototype]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/21/joystiq-interview-radical-prez-kelly-zmak-on-prototype/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/21/joystiq-interview-radical-prez-kelly-zmak-on-prototype/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/21/joystiq-interview-radical-prez-kelly-zmak-on-prototype/#comments
Radical Entertainment president Kelly Zmak donned zombie makeup (and cowboy duds?) at the last-hurrah-before-launch event for Prototype (besides E3, of course) in Las Vegas on Tuesday night. Surprisingly, it's the first time we've ever seen the head of a company appear as a member of the undead -- or whatever it is that's happening to folks in the game.

We took our chances, closing in on Zmak with a microphone -- well within range of his open sores -- to get his answers on all things Prototype. Continue on after the break for the full interview, and then join us in petitioning Radical to release "Tank Battle" (not to be confused with Battle Tanks). As for us, we've got to go rinse off ...

Gallery: Prototype: Las Vegas

Continue reading Joystiq interview: Radical prez Kelly Zmak on Prototype

JoystiqJoystiq interview: Radical prez Kelly Zmak on Prototype originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 21 May 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ActivisioninterviewKelly-ZmakMicrosoftPrototypeRadicalRadical-EntertainmentXbox-360Thu, 21 May 2009 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Leaked images from Factor 5's Wii 'flight' game]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/15/leaked-images-from-factor-5s-wii-flight-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/15/leaked-images-from-factor-5s-wii-flight-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/15/leaked-images-from-factor-5s-wii-flight-game/#comments
Click image for more almost-made gameness
With Factor 5 closing its doors in the US, it's uncertain whether the games that were in development there will be moved to its German studio, or if the titles will be scrapped entirely. Courtesy of Unseen64, we have some concept art from a flight game the company was working on for Wii.

Supposedly, these are images created using the Wii version of Factor 5's Lair Engine, though that is unconfirmed. Based on the images, however, we can glean that the game would have had players visiting several different parts of the world, as there's a few images striking an amazing resemblance to Big Ben.

We've put in word to Factor 5 for comment, but we're hoping the employees have already set sail toward a brighter future, much like the Crimson Permanent Assurance. Sadly, real life isn't as fun ...

Gallery: Factor 5 Wii 'flight game' prototype

JoystiqLeaked images from Factor 5's Wii 'flight' game originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 15 May 2009 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>factor-5flightNintendoprototypeWiiFri, 15 May 2009 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Radical job listings might hint at Wii Prototype port]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/13/radical-job-listings-might-hint-at-prototype-port/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/13/radical-job-listings-might-hint-at-prototype-port/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/13/radical-job-listings-might-hint-at-prototype-port/#comments
We're doing our best not to let our imaginations run away with this, so here are the facts: As superannuation recently noticed, Radical Entertainment is looking for a Wii designer with an "affinity for 3rd Person 'Open-World' Camera Design/Functionality" and a Wii programmer to "take game features from concept to execution for a port of a 360/PS3 game to the Wii."

Now, we'd like to think that this is an indication that Radical's bringing upcoming open-world action game, Prototype, to the Wii. Considering the company's track record, however, there's every chance that this is for another Crash game. Less depressingly, the listing could also be recruiting for an unconfirmed Spider-Man game. Not as juicy as Prototype, but hey, at least it's not Crash. What are you hoping for?

Source -- Senior Wii Programmer (Systems & Rendering)
Source -- Wii Gameplay Designer

JoystiqRadical job listings might hint at Wii Prototype port originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 13 May 2009 10:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisioncrashNintendoportsprototyperadicalradical-entertainmentWiiWed, 13 May 2009 10:40:00 EST