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[Sega and Gearbox targeted in Aliens: Colonial Marines lawsuit]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/30/sega-and-gearbox-targeted-in-aliens-colonial-marines-lawsuit/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/30/sega-and-gearbox-targeted-in-aliens-colonial-marines-lawsuit/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/30/sega-and-gearbox-targeted-in-aliens-colonial-marines-lawsuit/#comments Gearbox Software and Sega have both been named in a class action lawsuit alleging that the two companies knowingly misrepresented Aliens: Colonial Marines in trade show demos.

After the game was released to negative reviews, some players and critics claimed the game's trailers and demonstrations didn't match up to the final product. The lawsuit's plaintiff, Damion Perrine, and the law firm of Edelson LLC have decided to take the matter to court for consumers.

The suit cites a tweet from Gearbox head Randy Pitchford, who called initial complaints over the delta between demo and final game "understood and fair." The legal action also suggests demos were misleadingly labeled as "actual gameplay," and that Sega embargoed press reviews until the early morning of Colonial Marines' release date, preventing early buyers from discovering the differences. Accordingly, the suit asks for class action damages for anyone who pre-ordered the game or bought it on release day.

The next step in a class action suit like this will be for the courts to certify the class. Unless Sega and Gearbox fight for a settlement right away, Edelson will next need to figure out how many players were mislead in the way described in the lawsuit. Once determined, the class will be notified of the suit, and the case can move forward.

JoystiqSega and Gearbox targeted in Aliens: Colonial Marines lawsuit originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 30 Apr 2013 21:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aliensaliens-colonial-marinesclass-action-lawsuitdamion-perrinedemosedelsongearbox-softwarelawlegalmicrosoftmisleadingpcplaystationps3randy-pitchfordsegasuitxboxTue, 30 Apr 2013 21:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Pitchford: Borderlands 2 has '100% chance' of level cap increase this year]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/11/pitchford-borderlands-2-has-100-chance-of-level-cap-increase/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/11/pitchford-borderlands-2-has-100-chance-of-level-cap-increase/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/11/pitchford-borderlands-2-has-100-chance-of-level-cap-increase/#comments Borderlands 2 to get level cap increase this yearGearbox President Randy Pitchford has been less than excited about raising the level cap on Borderlands 2 in the past, saying that raising the level 50 limit on the title might just "break the game." But as hard as the task will be, Pitchford has confirmed Gearbox will do it, predicting on Twitter a "100% chance" that we'll see a level cap increase this year.

He then goes on to admit that he's only "50\50 on unforeseen consequences that some people will rage about." Obviously, by definition, we can't foresee those, but Pitchford says there's no end of possible issues to the game, from skill tree balance to leveled-up enemies to even things like shotgun shell counting. One bug in the game, Pitchford says, applied a shotgun bonus to every single bullet in a shotgun blast rather than just the gun in general.

"Sometimes we trap ourselves. We get painted into corners on things. It's tricky," Pitchford said in an interview with VentureBeat. "But we're committed to it." So yes, expect the chance to level up past 50 in Borderlands 2 sometime this year.

JoystiqPitchford: Borderlands 2 has '100% chance' of level cap increase this year originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 11 Feb 2013 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>borderlandsborderlands-2dlclevel-caplevel-cap-increasemicrosoftpcpitchfordplaystationps3randy-pitchfordupdatexboxMon, 11 Feb 2013 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Hit List Q&A: Randy Pitchford, Gearbox Software President]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/24/hit-list-qanda-randy-pitchford-gearbox-software-president/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/24/hit-list-qanda-randy-pitchford-gearbox-software-president/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/24/hit-list-qanda-randy-pitchford-gearbox-software-president/#commentsIn the "Hit List" from the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences, the video game industry's top talents describe their current gaming addictions, their most anticipated releases and more. This week: Gearbox Software President Randy Pitchford.
A note from the AIAS:
Randy Pitchford is co-founder, owner and President of Gearbox Software. Randy served as Executive Producer and in creative and development capacities in the creation of Gearbox Software's award winning, best-selling original franchises Brothers in Arms and Borderlands. Under Randy's leadership, Gearbox Software has also developed a string of hits with sequels, expansions, and original games for many of the industry's most credible franchises and in 2010 acquired Duke Nukem to add to its stable of properties. Before the launch of Borderlands 2 on September 18, 2012, Gearbox Software games have sold over 30 million units earning more than $1 billion in gross revenues.

What many do not know is that prior to game development, Randy was a professional magician. In his forthcoming 2013 D.I.C.E. Summit session titled "Video Games Are Magic," Randy will explore how the lessons of magical performance apply to our industry. Along the way, he'll demonstrate and expose specific techniques, methods and ideas from magic that illustrate how the art of illusion has a lot in common with the art of interactive entertainment and leave his audience with tools that are useful and applicable from the executive level to the design level of our craft.

Continue reading Hit List Q&A: Randy Pitchford, Gearbox Software President

JoystiqHit List Q&A: Randy Pitchford, Gearbox Software President originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 24 Oct 2012 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aiasborderlands-2gearboxgearbox-softwarehit-listmicrosoftpcplaystationps3randy-pitchfordxboxWed, 24 Oct 2012 15:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Gearbox boss on an industry inching toward the 'holodeck']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/15/gearbox-boss-on-an-industry-inching-toward-the-holodeck/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/15/gearbox-boss-on-an-industry-inching-toward-the-holodeck/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/15/gearbox-boss-on-an-industry-inching-toward-the-holodeck/#comments Gearbox reaching for the next gen holodeck and Duke NukemDespite striking gold, once again, with the Borderlands series, Gearbox isn't sitting back to watch accolades and sales numbers pile up. Having recently released Borderlands 2, the Texas-based team now turns to focus on supporting that game with additional content, and on completing the team's next high-profile project, Aliens: Colonial Marines.

During the 2012 New York Comic Con, Gearbox Software President Randy Pitchford was on hand to help promote the narrative sequel to the classic mid-80s film; a game that has finally settled on a firm February 2013 release date for PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 (with a Wii U version planned later).

In keeping with Gearbox's forward-looking plans, Joystiq asked Pitchford what his team wants the next-generation Xbox and PlayStation to include. What hardware does Gearbox need?

"Imagine the spectrum of what's possible in the computing world," Pitchford dared us, asking to then pick a sweet spot between price point and computational power. Unlike the response we got from the Frostbite engine crafters at DICE, Pitchford stepped away from naming exact specifications; however, he suggested the next generation would come about from smarter, strategic partnerships across the development community.

Continue reading Gearbox boss on an industry inching toward the 'holodeck'

JoystiqGearbox boss on an industry inching toward the 'holodeck' originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 15 Oct 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Gearbox-SoftwareNYCC-12NYCC-2012Randy-PitchfordMon, 15 Oct 2012 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Pitchford: Borderlands 2 DLC may skate on the sand a la Star Wars]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/16/pitchford-borderlands-2-dlc-may-skate-on-the-sand-a-la-star-war/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/16/pitchford-borderlands-2-dlc-may-skate-on-the-sand-a-la-star-war/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/16/pitchford-borderlands-2-dlc-may-skate-on-the-sand-a-la-star-war/#comments Pitchford hints at coming DLC for Borderlands 2We expect a stream of quality downloadable content post-launch for Borderlands 2, if DLC for the first game is anything to judge by. Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford teased fans at a panel during Gearbox Software Community Day in Dallas, saying the team is channeling Star Wars: Return of the Jedi for one piece of content.

"I've always wanted to ride a sail barge and drive a Sand Skiff," Pitchford said. "I've always wanted to do that, and we've got some cool stuff that's along those lines."

Borderlands 2 will have four pieces of DLC by June 2013, available for $10 each, or all together for $30 as part of the season pass.

JoystiqPitchford: Borderlands 2 DLC may skate on the sand a la Star Wars originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 16 Sep 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>borderlands-2DLCmicrosoftpcplaystationps3Randy-PitchfordReturn-of-the-jedisand-skiffseason-passStar-WarsxboxSun, 16 Sep 2012 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Borderlands 2 bundled with GeForce GTX 660 Ti, Nvidia's cheapest Kepler card yet]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/16/borderlands-2-bundled-with-geforce-gtx-660-ti-nvidias-cheapest/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/16/borderlands-2-bundled-with-geforce-gtx-660-ti-nvidias-cheapest/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/16/borderlands-2-bundled-with-geforce-gtx-660-ti-nvidias-cheapest/#comments Borderlands 2 bundled with GeForce GTX 660 Ti, Nvidia's cheapest Kepler card yet
Borderlands 2 will accompany Nvidia's latest graphics card, the GeForce GTX 660 Ti, as a PhysX-enabled freebie in the US and Europe. The bundle should be shipping to stores today in multiple SKUs, and the included code will enable a free download of the game when it's released on September 18 (September 21 in Europe). Prices may vary between Nvidia's manufacturing partners, but the GTX 660 Ti is meant to hover around $300 - a hundred bucks below the more powerful GTX 670.

The GTX 660 Ti shoots for a sweet(er) spot between affordability and Nvidia's Kepler architecture, which has been praised for its brutish performance and energy efficiency. The company claims the 660 Ti trumps ATi's $350 Radeon HD 7950, and outperforms the GeForce GTX 560 Ti by 41 percent. It runs at a base speed of 915 MHz (boosting up to 980 MHz), carries 2GB of GDDR5 RAM and probably emits a mighty fine whirr.

Kepler also makes a case for TXAA (Temporal Approximate Anti-Aliasing), a rendering technique that examines visual output and then attempts to predict and compensate for jagged edges in upcoming frames. According to Nvidia, TXAA is superior when it comes to producing anti-aliasing for scenes in motion. The first game to make use of TXAA is Funcom's new flagship MMO, The Secret World (demonstrated after the break.)

Nvidia didn't announce TXAA support for Borderlands 2, but did peg the cel-shaded shooter's maxed-settings performance on the 660 Ti at an average of 78 frames per second, on a high-end rig and a resolution of 1080p. The video above highlights the physics-driven flair added by PhysX, though not nearly as well as the insightful quote from Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford, which we've taken verbatim from the press materials: "you can get some crazy awesome physics simulations."

Continue reading Borderlands 2 bundled with GeForce GTX 660 Ti, Nvidia's cheapest Kepler card yet

JoystiqBorderlands 2 bundled with GeForce GTX 660 Ti, Nvidia's cheapest Kepler card yet originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 16 Aug 2012 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>borderlands-2bundlegearboxgeforcegeforce-gtx-660-tinvidiapcrandy-pitchfordThu, 16 Aug 2012 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Randy Pitchford can't believe you haven't copied Borderlands yet, game industry]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/24/randy-pitchford-cant-believe-you-havent-copied-borderlands-yet/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/24/randy-pitchford-cant-believe-you-havent-copied-borderlands-yet/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/24/randy-pitchford-cant-believe-you-havent-copied-borderlands-yet/#comments Pitchford can't believe you haven't copied Borderlands yet, game industryWe can't tell if this is a sign of the times or an indicator of Randy Pitchford's own psyche as it enters the primary stages of acute paranoia. Pitchford, CEO of Gearbox Software, is surprised that Borderlands hasn't been cloned yet, even though "the formula's right there."

"I'm actually astonished that we're about to launch a sequel and no one's stole it from us," Pitchford tells Gamasutra. "The formula's right there. No one's stolen it yet. That's weird. We're in an industry where people do nothing but steal from each other."

The formula, for those who haven't picked it up yet, is [(first-person + shooter y) x (console) / (PC)], where y = a rotating variation of loot, guns and XP. Even though that super-secret formula is now public, Pitchford isn't inviting people to steal it from Gearbox.

"Not that I want anyone to steal it, or I'm challenging people to steal it," he says. "When talking about Borderlands 1, it was really confusing, because on one hand we gotta scream from the highest mountain to get attention because it's a new IP. On the other hand, it's like, 'Shit, we don't want to tell people our secret because then they're all gonna copy it because it's so good.'"

Ah, we see the root of Pitchford's perspective now. If Gearbox worried people would copy Borderlands because "it's so good," and no one has copied it, Pitchford might take that as an insult. Don't worry, Gearbox - the right people know that Borderlands is a great game, and it's entirely possible that no one at Zynga has played it yet.

JoystiqRandy Pitchford can't believe you haven't copied Borderlands yet, game industry originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 24 Jul 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BorderlandsBorderlands Game of the Year Editionclonecopycopycatmicrosoftpcplaystationps3Randy-PitchfordxboxTue, 24 Jul 2012 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Pitchford: Brothers in Arms Furious 4 still exists, 'has evolved']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/09/pitchford-brothers-in-arms-furious-4-still-exists-has-evolved/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/09/pitchford-brothers-in-arms-furious-4-still-exists-has-evolved/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/09/pitchford-brothers-in-arms-furious-4-still-exists-has-evolved/#comments "The game has evolved, I think people are going to be surprised by what they'll see, and it's still evolving," Gearbox president Randy Pitchford told CVG about Brothers in Arms: Furious 4. "One of the reasons why we're not talking about it now is that it's evolving and we need to make further changes before we can start talking about it."

The Ubisoft-published shooter was presumed dead after its E3 2011 reveal was followed up by complete silence - a silence only broken by the news that its trademarks had lapsed. CVG reports that the USPTO rejected the dual trademark application by Ubisoft and Gearbox, and Gearbox is now filing on its own.

Of course, evolution is not a quick process, and as a result Furious 4 won't make its original 2012 release window. "I might come around to talk about Furious Four between the releases of Borderlands 2 and Aliens: Colonial Marines," Pitchford said, "but certainly I won't before the release of Borderlands 2." Borderlands 2 is out in September, and Aliens is due in February.

JoystiqPitchford: Brothers in Arms Furious 4 still exists, 'has evolved' originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 09 Jul 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brothers-in-arms-the-furious-4gearbox-softwaremicrosoftpcplaystationps3Randy-PitchfordxboxMon, 09 Jul 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Gearbox wants Borderlands 2 on Vita, requests Sony's help]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/06/gearbox-wants-borderlands-2-on-vita-requests-sonys-help/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/06/gearbox-wants-borderlands-2-on-vita-requests-sonys-help/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/06/gearbox-wants-borderlands-2-on-vita-requests-sonys-help/#comments HIT 1ST Pitchford wants Borderlands 2 on Vita, but he needs Sony's helpGearbox Software president Randy Pitchford is excited about the possibility of Borderlands 2 on Vita, a version able to share characters with the PS3 version. He's not excited enough to make Borderlands 2 for Vita, however.

Speaking at the Rezzed conference today, Pitchford asked fans to bug Sony to get behind it. "Perhaps some of you folks can convince Sony to start that," Pitchford said. "We're too busy to develop it ourselves. But I know there are a lot of talented developers who could take our code, our source and our content and perhaps create something like that."

Though Borderlands publisher 2K Games would seem like a more likely decision maker for a potential port, we could see Sony potentially being interested in putting such a popular game on its handheld, which could use some popular games.

Update: Reader Stewox points out that Gearbox owns the Borderlands IP, and thus is free to talk to, say, Sony instead of its current publisher of choice.

JoystiqGearbox wants Borderlands 2 on Vita, requests Sony's help originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 06 Jul 2012 12:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>borderlands-2gearbox-softwareplaystationplaystation-vitarandy-pitchfordrezzed-2012vitaFri, 06 Jul 2012 12:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Aliens: Colonial Marines Wii U version overseen by Shoot Many Robots studio]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/04/aliens-colonial-marines-wii-u-version-overseen-by-shoot-many-ro/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/04/aliens-colonial-marines-wii-u-version-overseen-by-shoot-many-ro/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/04/aliens-colonial-marines-wii-u-version-overseen-by-shoot-many-ro/#comments Don't count out that Wii U version of Aliens: Colonial Marines, despite Gearbox pushing its launch to an unknown spot beyond the 360/PS3/PC version's February 2013 date. Gearbox head Randy Pitchford says that Shoot Many Robots studio Demiurge Studios has been overseeing the Wii U version for the past nine months, alongside both Nerve and Timegate.

Pitchford couldn't speak to many specifics of the game, but he did extol the Wii U controller. "When I play with the controller, I immediately realize that for the types of games I like to play and make, this is the best controller I've ever had from Nintendo." He also teases one potential use for the WiiPad, saying, "For Aliens: Colonial Marines, it's really exciting to have that screen there because I can do things that are very unique to this universe. For instance, we have a motion tracker in this universe. Now our motion tracker can literally be in our hands and we can see and hear it -and scan the room in 360 degrees, since it's a motion device."

Aliens: Colonial Marines launches on February 13, 2013 for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC. The Wii U version is expected some time beyond that date.

JoystiqAliens: Colonial Marines Wii U version overseen by Shoot Many Robots studio originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 04 Jun 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Aliens-Colonial-Marinesdemiurgedemiurge-studiosgearboxgearbox-softwarenervenerve-softwarenintendorandy-pitchfordsegatimegatetimegate-studioswii-uMon, 04 Jun 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The acid-blooded devil is in the details for Aliens: Colonial Marines]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/04/the-acid-blooded-devil-is-in-the-details-for-aliens-colonial-ma/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/04/the-acid-blooded-devil-is-in-the-details-for-aliens-colonial-ma/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/04/the-acid-blooded-devil-is-in-the-details-for-aliens-colonial-ma/#comments Image"You can see this pocket on the pants," Brian Burleson, senior producer of Aliens: Colonial Marines says as he points to a promotional image behind him. It shows one of the Colonial Marines standing over a Xenomorph while another alien leaps at him from behind. "When we released this [image], someone said to us, 'No, the pocket is on the front of the cargo pants.' And we were like, 'Seriously?'"

That's where a lot of developers might stop caring. It's a licensed product that serious fans will probably snatch up anyway, right? How important is a pocket on a pair of cargo pants? But Gearbox Software said "We're going back in and fixing that."

The stakes are pretty high with Colonial Marines, and not just because the series has had passionate fans for decades. This isn't an inconsequential "what if" side-story like the Aliens vs Predator games, nor is it a retelling of any of the films in the franchise. It's an entirely new, canonical entry in the Alien mythology - a true, official sequel to Aliens and Alien 3 -- and the developers are taking that opportunity and running with it.

Gallery: Aliens: Colonial Marines (4/4/12)

Continue reading The acid-blooded devil is in the details for Aliens: Colonial Marines

JoystiqThe acid-blooded devil is in the details for Aliens: Colonial Marines originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 04 Apr 2012 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Aliens-Colonial-Marinesbrian-burlesongearbox-softwaremicrosoftmikey-neumannnintendopcplaystationps3Randy-Pitchfordwii-uxboxWed, 04 Apr 2012 11:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Gearbox boss says impressive Wii U 'a really nice bridge' to the next generation]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/04/gearbox-boss-says-impressive-wii-u-a-really-nice-bridge-to-the/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/04/gearbox-boss-says-impressive-wii-u-a-really-nice-bridge-to-the/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/04/gearbox-boss-says-impressive-wii-u-a-really-nice-bridge-to-the/#comments Nintendo's Wii U demo reel at E3 last year contained a clip of Aliens: Colonial Marines, but we haven't heard much about the version since then. Speaking with Gearbox President Randy Pitchford, we tried to surgically extract a viable specimen of information out of him, but he refrained from getting too specific.

"Nintendo still has a lot to announce with their platform, and it's not up to us to go ahead of them," he told Joystiq. "I think it's a great platform and I'm really excited about it, particularly with this game, there's a lot of exciting opportunities like, 'Wow, my motion tracker is there, and I can move it like this!'" he said as he moved his arms side to side. "There's just so much cool stuff."

Gallery: Aliens: Colonial Marines (4/4/12)

Continue reading Gearbox boss says impressive Wii U 'a really nice bridge' to the next generation

JoystiqGearbox boss says impressive Wii U 'a really nice bridge' to the next generation originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 04 Apr 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Aliens-Colonial-Marinesgearboxgearbox-softwaremicrosoftnintendopcplaystationps3Randy-Pitchfordwii-uxboxWed, 04 Apr 2012 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Gearbox: Aliens Colonial Marines was announced before development started]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/04/gearbox-aliens-colonial-marines-was-announced-before-developmen/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/04/gearbox-aliens-colonial-marines-was-announced-before-developmen/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/04/gearbox-aliens-colonial-marines-was-announced-before-developmen/#comments ImageDespite first being announced by publisher Sega in 2006, development on Aliens: Colonial Marines didn't begin at Gearbox until after the title was revealed to the world.

"Everyone was just so excited that the deal got done," Gearbox President Randy Pitchford told Joystiq at a recent event for the title. "20th Century Fox, Gearbox and Sega all had to agree to do this and commit themselves to it. The fact that that deal even existed -- everyone on the business side was so excited that the deal happened that they just wanted to tell the world. So before we even started on the game they announced the deal."

Because the announcement was made so long ago, many gamers feel the game has been taking an exceptionally long time to come out. "I think there have been a couple of things that have kind of created that feeling. One thing is that it was announced before we were even started. Another thing is that there was an [Alien] RPG game in development by Obsidian which was canceled. And I think when that happened we hadn't even really shown this game or talked about it yet, so that created some confusion of, 'Wait, what was canceled?'"

Gallery: Aliens: Colonial Marines (Concept Art)

Continue reading Gearbox: Aliens Colonial Marines was announced before development started

JoystiqGearbox: Aliens Colonial Marines was announced before development started originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 04 Apr 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Aliens-Colonial-Marinesgearboxgearbox-softwaremicrosoftnintendopcplaystationps3Randy-Pitchfordwii-uxboxWed, 04 Apr 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Gearbox to move HQ to new $61 million building in Frisco, TX]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/19/gearbox-to-move-hq-to-new-61-million-building-in-frisco-tx/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/19/gearbox-to-move-hq-to-new-61-million-building-in-frisco-tx/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/19/gearbox-to-move-hq-to-new-61-million-building-in-frisco-tx/#comments Randy Pitchford's Gearbox Software (currently working on Borderlands 2) has entered into a lease for a 61,000 square foot space in Dallas, Texas, part of a new $61 million "mixed-use" space called Frisco Square that will also host other businesses, "220 apartments, 50,000 square feet of retail space and an 800-space parking garage," according to the Dallas Business Journal.

The project is scheduled to break ground sometime next year, and will be done in 2013 if things go as planned. At that time, Gearbox is scheduled to move its headquarters from about 15 miles away in Plano, TX to Frisco. A developer for the project says that Gearbox is "the straw stirring the drink" in development, with various other businesses showing interest in space after the initial deal.

That's all fine and good, but we just hope there's a nice penthouse. Duke can't be expected to move in somewhere without a fully-stocked penthouse!

JoystiqGearbox to move HQ to new $61 million building in Frisco, TX originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 19 Nov 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013borderlands-2dallasdallas-texasfriscogearbox-softwarehqindustrymoveplanorandy-pitchfordSat, 19 Nov 2011 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Duke Nukem Forever becomes a big Mac game in August]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/27/duke-nukem-forever-becomes-a-big-mac-game-in-august/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/27/duke-nukem-forever-becomes-a-big-mac-game-in-august/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/27/duke-nukem-forever-becomes-a-big-mac-game-in-august/#comments "With sales data, it seems like *customers* love Duke. I guess sometimes we want greasy hamburgers instead of caviar..." - Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford

If Pitchford is right, the upcoming Mac version of Duke Nukem Forever, being readied for August by Aspyr Media, may require a marketing strategy for different tastes. A Hunch survey published a few months ago suggested that Mac users are 80 percent more likely than PC owners to be vegetarian.

Before you spit out your San Pellegrino Limonata at the mere thought of playing Duke's repeatedly reheated entree on your Mac, let Aspyr President Michael Rogers remind you of the game's pedigree ingredients. "Duke Nukem Forever represents many of the best aspects of gaming: shooting aliens, saving ladies in distress, and great tag-lines," he says. "We think Mac gamers will love taking a bite of Duke's special pain cake."

Well, if pain cake is anything like garrote cake, it's as vegi-friendly as it is deadly.

Continue reading Duke Nukem Forever becomes a big Mac game in August

JoystiqDuke Nukem Forever becomes a big Mac game in August originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 27 Jun 2011 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aspyr-mediaduke-nukem-foreverfpsgearboxmacrandy-pitchfordrelease-dateMon, 27 Jun 2011 16:20:00 EST<![CDATA[The many hats of Demiurge Studios]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/14/demiurge-studios-humble-origins/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/14/demiurge-studios-humble-origins/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/14/demiurge-studios-humble-origins/#comments Shoot Many Robots is Boston-based Demiurge Studios' first original game, and my hands-on with it at GDC was the first time that anyone at the developer ever gave a press demo. Studio head Albert Reed was, unsurprisingly, excited to delve into the studio's origins. "We got our start doing mods for Unreal Tournament. It was me and two other college buddies doing mods in the frickin' computer cluster at Carnegie Mellon. I'm not kidding!" Reed told me before showing off Shoot Many Robots last week. "Then one thing lead to another and those companies that were licensing Unreal Engine started hiring us," Reed added humbly.

It turns out that the folks hiring Demiurge were developers like Gearbox Software, Irrational Games, BioWare, and Harmonix. "We did some work on the first level -- the lighthouse and that sort of descent into Rapture," Reed told me, casually explaining that his studio clandestinely assisted with one of gaming's most iconic openings: the beginning of BioShock.

Continue reading The many hats of Demiurge Studios

JoystiqThe many hats of Demiurge Studios originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 14 Mar 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>al-reedalbert-reedbioshockbiowareborderlandsbrothers-in-armsdemiurgedemiurge-studiosgdc-2011gearboxgearbox-softwaregreen-day-rock-bandharmonixirrational-gamesmicrosoftpcplaystationps3randy-pitchfordshoot-many-robotsunreal-tournamentxboxMon, 14 Mar 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Duke Nukem Forever being completed as 3D Realms envisioned]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/09/duke-nukem-forever-being-completed-as-3d-realms-envisioned/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/09/duke-nukem-forever-being-completed-as-3d-realms-envisioned/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/09/duke-nukem-forever-being-completed-as-3d-realms-envisioned/#comments Standing in the back room of a Las Vegas strip club -- which sounds far more seedy and sexy than it actually was -- Gearbox president Randy Pitchford detailed for us the once and future Duke Nukem Forever and how the studio's primary goal for the game is fulfilling the vision set forth by defunct developer 3D Realms.

"I bought the [Duke Nukem] brand," Pitchford said. "I'll have plenty of time to do my own thing and try to start over, take Duke in whatever direction I want." For now, he wants Forever to be what 3D Realms was working to finish after almost 14 years of development.

"What's important is that we get to play the game we've been waiting for all this time."

Continue reading Duke Nukem Forever being completed as 3D Realms envisioned

JoystiqDuke Nukem Forever being completed as 3D Realms envisioned originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 09 Feb 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>duke-nukem-forevergearboxgearbox-softwaremicrosoftpcplaystationps3randy-pitchfordxboxWed, 09 Feb 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Get some Duke Nukem Forever on May 3, 2011 [update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/21/duke-nukem-forever-release-date-may-3-2011/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/21/duke-nukem-forever-release-date-may-3-2011/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/21/duke-nukem-forever-release-date-may-3-2011/#comments It will have taken over a decade to get here, but we can finally, definitively tell you that Duke Nukem Forever may really, actually launch on May 3 in North America, followed by its worldwide release on May 6. Game Informer exclusively revealed the launch date alongside cheeky remarks from Gearbox Software prez Randy Pitchford, who humbly characterized his company's experience with the project as "inconceivable, incorrigible and inspiring."

2K Games head Christoph Hartmann was equally excited, exclaiming, "The moment fans all over the world have been waiting for is almost here ... His return is going to be epic and one that will make video gaming history!" And we tend to agree -- DNF will be that rare game that's impressive simply for being released. Heck, we haven't felt that way about a game since Gran Turismo 5.

Update: Catch the new trailer after the break.

Update 2: Whoops! Looks like Gearbox spoke too soon and the Duke won't be arriving on May 3 after all.

Continue reading Get some Duke Nukem Forever on May 3, 2011 [update]

JoystiqGet some Duke Nukem Forever on May 3, 2011 [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 21 Jan 2011 09:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2k-gameschristoph-hartmannduke-nukem-forevergearbox-softwaremicrosoftpcplaystationps3q2-2011randy-pitchfordrelease-datetake-twotake-two-interactivexboxFri, 21 Jan 2011 09:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Duke Nukem Forever interview: An end in sight]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/29/duke-nukem-forever-interview/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/29/duke-nukem-forever-interview/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/29/duke-nukem-forever-interview/#comments Duke Nukem Forever might actually be completed and released -- but like most everyone, I won't be convinced until the final product is in my hands. During a recent press event, I played through the same demo we saw at PAX and spoke with 2K Games senior producer Melissa Miller, who did her best to reassure me that the game might actually, maybe, seriously come out.

"It's really amazing when you think about it, because these guys -- along with everybody else -- thought Duke Nukem was dead," Miller recalled of one of the current developers, Triptych Games, which was founded by nine ex-members of 3D Realms. "And they were a group that just said, 'No, we're not gonna let this stop.'"

Continue reading Duke Nukem Forever interview: An end in sight

JoystiqDuke Nukem Forever interview: An end in sight originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 29 Oct 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2k-games3d-realmsallen-blumbrian-martelduke-nukemduke-nukem-forevergearboxgearbox-softwaregeorge-broussardmelissa-millermicrosoftpcpiranhapiranha-gamesplaystationps3randy-pitchfordscott-millertriptychtriptych-gamesxboxFri, 29 Oct 2010 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Pitchford: Duke Nukem Forever demo an 'important thing to do']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/06/duke-nukem-forever-demo-an-important-thing-to-do/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/06/duke-nukem-forever-demo-an-important-thing-to-do/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/06/duke-nukem-forever-demo-an-important-thing-to-do/#commentsFiled under: , ,

So you weren't at PAX last weekend, and didn't play Duke Nukem Forever? Well, then you probably agree with Gearbox's Randy Pitchford when he says that a playable demo for the mythical title is probably "an important thing to do." That's not a confirmation but, now that the cat's out of the bag, the company will start investigating ways to effectively market the game. Putting a demo in the hands of a skeptical audience is a good start, if PAX is any indication.

If you missed it, you might still think of Duke Nukem Forever as vaporware, and remain convinced that Gearbox told PAX attendees that "it would be really funny" if they all pretended the game was playable. Wouldn't it be nice to lay your extremely paranoid fears to rest?

JoystiqPitchford: Duke Nukem Forever demo an 'important thing to do' originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 06 Sep 2010 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>demoduke-nukemduke-nukem-forevergearbox-softwaremicrosoftpcplaystationps3randy-pitchfordxboxMon, 06 Sep 2010 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Gearbox discusses Aliens: Colonial Marines, Brothers in Arms, secret Pitchford-directed title, and more]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/06/gearbox-discusses-aliens-colonial-marines-brothers-in-arms-se/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/06/gearbox-discusses-aliens-colonial-marines-brothers-in-arms-se/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/06/gearbox-discusses-aliens-colonial-marines-brothers-in-arms-se/#commentsFiled under: , ,

During today's Gearbox Software panel, the developer took the opportunity to assuage concerns that new franchises like Borderlands and Duke Nukem are siphoning away time from its previous projects, like the Brothers in Arms series or the announced-in-2009-and-still-invisible Aliens: Colonial Marines. Pitchford even commented on one of the studio's three unannounced projects.

"We're not announcing anything today, but we want to tell you guys that we really care about this franchise a lot," Gearbox co-founder Brian Martel said. "It's something we created and it really means a lot to us. It's not just a game about the combat. It's about the soldiers in the war. We'll deal with Baker and his men in future games for sure." So while they're not confirming that a Brothers in Arms game is in development currently, they are confirming that one will be at some point. But Martel did give us an idea of what we might expect from a future BiA offering: "But we also may do some other things that maybe treat the game in some different ways and take some different directions." So, modern warfare then?

Pitchford then jumped in, agreeing. "It was our first original IP. So we'll be taking care of that one." Further confirming that a Brothers in Arms game is possibly in production, Pitchford said, " We've got a lot of action right now, but we're not ready quite yet to bring it out. We want to make sure we know we've got it right before we tell you what we're doing."

Continue reading Gearbox discusses Aliens: Colonial Marines, Brothers in Arms, secret Pitchford-directed title, and more

JoystiqGearbox discusses Aliens: Colonial Marines, Brothers in Arms, secret Pitchford-directed title, and more originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 06 Sep 2010 01:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Aliens-Colonial-MarinesBrothers-in-ArmsGearbox-Softwaremicrosoftpcplaystationps3Randy-PitchfordSegaxboxMon, 06 Sep 2010 01:30:00 EST<![CDATA['We bought Duke Nukem.' Franchise rights transferred from 3D Realms to Gearbox]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/05/we-bought-duke-nukem-franchise-rights-transferred-from-3d-rea/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/05/we-bought-duke-nukem-franchise-rights-transferred-from-3d-rea/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/05/we-bought-duke-nukem-franchise-rights-transferred-from-3d-rea/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Just two days after revealing its stewardship of the Duke Nukem Forever title at PAX, Gearbox Software just revealed that it has actually purchased the Duke Nukem brand. Gearbox president Randy Pitchford told an audience at PAX this afternoon that they're not just making sure Duke Nukem Forever makes it to store shelves, but they've actually purchased the entire Duke Nukem IP. "We actually bought the brand," Pitchford told fans. "We bought Duke Nukem."

A press release timed to go out with the announcement has some more information. Here's the big picture quote: "Gearbox Software announced today that it has acquired the full intellectual property rights of the 'Duke Nukem' brand including Duke Nukem Forever and all future projects in a cooperative deal made with 3D Realms." Even more interesting: "The first product to be available under the Duke Nukem brand will be the long awaited Duke Nukem Forever." Naturally, if they're buying the brand you can imagine DNF won't be the last game to feature the Duke.

Pitchford made a point to say that Alan Blum, the creator of the Duke Nukem franchise, is now with Gearbox. "He's on the 10th floor with his team," he said. He also wanted to explain that this franchise couldn't simply have been purchased by anyone. "I didn't buy it from [3D Realms]," Pitchford said. "They sold it to me." In the press release, 3D Realms' Scott Miller said, "Gearbox was handpicked as the new home for Duke Nukem because of their continued passion, commitment and long-time heritage with the brand and 3D Realms."

So, Duke Begins then?

Continue reading 'We bought Duke Nukem.' Franchise rights transferred from 3D Realms to Gearbox

Joystiq'We bought Duke Nukem.' Franchise rights transferred from 3D Realms to Gearbox originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 05 Sep 2010 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3d-realmsduke-nukemduke-nukem-forevermicrosoftPAX-2010pax-prime-2010pcplaystationps3randy-pitchfordxboxSun, 05 Sep 2010 19:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Free Borderlands update will raise level cap, rebalance main game]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/05/free-borderlands-update-will-raise-level-cap-rebalance-main-gam/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/05/free-borderlands-update-will-raise-level-cap-rebalance-main-gam/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/05/free-borderlands-update-will-raise-level-cap-rebalance-main-gam/#commentsFiled under: , ,

We've got bad news and good news. First, the bad news: The new Borderlands DLC pack - that's Claptrap's New Robot Revolution - won't include the two most requested features. Those would be a new level cap and a rebalancing of the main game to accomodate the new level cap. And neither of those will be included with the latest DLC.

Now the good news: They are being included in a free update for the game across all three platforms, Xbox 360, PS3, and PC. Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford told a live PAX audience that his studio resisted making it a part of a DLC pack since, if they included those features, "you'd have to buy every previous DLC" to get access to said features. So, instead, Pitchford said they were going to release a "free update to Borderlands that will both rebalance the original game around the level cap and increase the level cap for everyone."

But Pitchford said the studio still struggled with how high to raise it. On the one hand, Gearbox didn't want to match the 11-point upgrade that many people paid for with the "General Knox" DLC, but on the other the devs didn't want it to be too low, like 5-points. Instead, they came up with another number. "With the current level cap at 61," Pitchford teased, "we realized if we added 8 levels ... "

The audience groans.

So the new level cap is 69 and it will be released sometime around the October 12th Borderlands Game of the Year Edition release.

JoystiqFree Borderlands update will raise level cap, rebalance main game originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 05 Sep 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2K-GamesBorderlandsDLCgearboxGearbox-Softwaremicrosoftpaxpax-primepax-prime-2010pcplaystationps3randy-pitchfordTitle-updatexboxSun, 05 Sep 2010 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Pitchford explains the Duke shirt that predates Duke Nukem Forever]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/03/pitchford-explains-the-duke-shirt-that-predates-duke-nukem-forev/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/03/pitchford-explains-the-duke-shirt-that-predates-duke-nukem-forev/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/03/pitchford-explains-the-duke-shirt-that-predates-duke-nukem-forev/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Randy Pitchford Duke shirt
Come get some background on Randy Pitchford's back-in-fashion Duke Nukem shirt, seen above:

"I moved to Texas and became a professional game maker to join Allen Blum, he created Duke Nukem 3D," the Gearbox co-founder told an audience at PAX. "He and Todd Replogle in Southern California, freaking invented this whole damned thing. And I moved out to Texas to join him and George Broussard and Scott Miller, and all the guys on the team, so that I could be part of Duke Nukem 3D. Because I wanted to add to that. I thought it was awesome; it was really fun and I wanted to be part of that team.

"This t-shirt I'm wearing, George gave me this t-shirt in 1996," Pitchford continued, now speaking as part of the team that now hopes to complete Duke Nukem Forever. "And we've been waiting for this game ever since. Guys like Alan didn't want to let the Duke dream die. They've worked their butts off all this time making great stuff."

[Image credit: Mikey Neumann, Gearbox creative director; via Twitter]

JoystiqPitchford explains the Duke shirt that predates Duke Nukem Forever originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 03 Sep 2010 17:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>duke-nukem-forevergearboxgearbox-softwaremicrosoftpax-2010pax-prime-2010pcplaystationps3randy-pitchfordt-shirtxboxFri, 03 Sep 2010 17:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: Duke Nukem Forever being completed by Gearbox]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/11/rumor-duke-nukem-forever-being-completed-by-gearbox/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/11/rumor-duke-nukem-forever-being-completed-by-gearbox/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/11/rumor-duke-nukem-forever-being-completed-by-gearbox/#comments According to unnamed sources speaking with Kotaku and "claiming to have knowledge of the situation," development on Duke Nukem Forever is continuing -- until completion -- with Borderlands developer Gearbox Software. Stranger still, the sources also claim that a "playable demo" will be distributed at some point "later this year." While Take-Two confirmed that it retains the rights to DNF, it didn't offer any comment on the matter.

Gearbox head Randy Pitchford couldn't say anything either, but did note that he might be able to "better clarify the situation" at this year's PAX Prime. Duke Nukem creator George Broussard declined to comment as well. Although this is most certainly a "rumor" for now, we'd still like to wish Gearbox the best of luck over the next 15 years.

JoystiqRumor: Duke Nukem Forever being completed by Gearbox originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 11 Aug 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2k-games3d-realmsduke-nukemduke-nukem-forevergearboxgearbox-softwaregeorge-broussardmicrosoftpax-prime-2010pcplaystationps3randy-pitchfordtake-twotake-two-interactivexboxWed, 11 Aug 2010 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Pitchford: Leaked Borderlands DLC details like 'reading a draft of a script']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/06/pitchford-leaked-borderlands-dlc-details-like-reading-a-draft/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/06/pitchford-leaked-borderlands-dlc-details-like-reading-a-draft/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/06/pitchford-leaked-borderlands-dlc-details-like-reading-a-draft/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Gearbox Software President Randy Pitchford isn't denying leaked details about the company's upcoming Borderlands DLC, but he has said that the notes don't give the full picture. Speaking to IGN, Pitchford explains that the details are like "reading a draft of a script for a movie that hasn't even been announced yet." He expressed that people might learn something by reading it, but "it's not the real thing and it could just drive you crazy thinking about it."

Officially, a representative for publisher 2K Games says it plans to make an announcement about upcoming Borderlands content "in the very near future." Gearbox tells us it has no comment on the situation as it is "still getting some things sorted out." Hopefully, those announcements will include all the DLC expansions ("The Secret Armory of General Knoxx," "Mad Moxxi's Underdome Riot" and "The Zombie Island of Dr. Ned.") being put in one "Game of the Year" edition.

[Thanks, Conor]

JoystiqPitchford: Leaked Borderlands DLC details like 'reading a draft of a script' originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 06 Aug 2010 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2k-gamesBorderlandsdlcfpsgearboxgearbox-softwareleakLegendrewmicrosoftpcplaystationps3Randy-PitchfordxboxFri, 06 Aug 2010 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Borderlands sells 3 million units; Pitchford discusses Gearbox hiring policy, Gamertag]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/19/borderlands-sells-3-milion-units-pitchford-discusses-gearbox/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/19/borderlands-sells-3-milion-units-pitchford-discusses-gearbox/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/19/borderlands-sells-3-milion-units-pitchford-discusses-gearbox/#comments Gearbox head Randy Pitchford delivered some claptrap at DICE today, saying that Borderlands has sold 3 million units globally. A good sign for 2009's fastest-selling original IP, which may not have generated the most revenue, but it's apparently starting off 2010 with good momentum. And with a third DLC pack on the way, The Secret Armory of General Knoxx, it appears Borderlands may welcome even more travelers.

As DICE is a business conference, Pitchford was also quite open about what's important to Gearbox as a studio -- he also shared his Gamertag ("DuvalMagic"). He shared components of what he thinks are important to the company's employees, like aggressive profit sharing, milestone bonuses and discretionary merit based rewards. He also mentioned a crass, but wise, tenet of the studio's hiring process: "No drama, no dicks, no douchebags."

JoystiqBorderlands sells 3 million units; Pitchford discusses Gearbox hiring policy, Gamertag originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 19 Feb 2010 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2k-gamesborderlandsdice-2010gearbox-softwareMicrosoftrandy-pitchfordsalesXbox-360Fri, 19 Feb 2010 14:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Pitchford attributes Borderlands success to targeting the 'current gamer']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/21/pitchford-attributes-borderlands-success-to-targeting-the-curre/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/21/pitchford-attributes-borderlands-success-to-targeting-the-curre/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/21/pitchford-attributes-borderlands-success-to-targeting-the-curre/#comments If you haven't been paying attention to the end-of-year NPD reports, it may surprise you to learn that Gearbox's multiplayer shooter slash RPG, Borderlands, performed quite well in the gruesome 2009 gaming sales arena. How did it manage this feat? Well, we'd attribute it to the game's massive stockpile of collectible weaponry, which we found to be black tar heroin-esque in its addictiveness. However, Gearbox president Randy Pitchford chalks it up to choosing hardcore gamers as the title's target audience.

"Perhaps Borderlands can be a lesson for all of us -- that when making a videogame, we should not be afraid to identify gamers as the audience," Pitchford said in a recent interview with IGN. "I wonder if too frequently publishers and developers are so caught up with going after new, untapped audiences that they can forget to care for the largest, most loyal and reliable audience there is -- the current gamer," he added. Well, there go our hopes for a Facebook-based Borderlands gem-swapping casual puzzler.

JoystiqPitchford attributes Borderlands success to targeting the 'current gamer' originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 21 Jan 2010 20:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2k-gamesborderlandsfpshardcoreMicrosoftRandy-Pitchfordsalestake-twoXbox-360Thu, 21 Jan 2010 20:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Borderlands PC DRM loyally guards street date; Pitchford unable to order stand-down]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/23/borderlands-pc-drm-loyally-guards-street-date-pitchford-unable/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/23/borderlands-pc-drm-loyally-guards-street-date-pitchford-unable/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/23/borderlands-pc-drm-loyally-guards-street-date-pitchford-unable/#comments
Isn't this what we all feared would happen when the machines took over? Even the boss's hands are tied in the curious case of consumers legally purchasing copies of Borderlands for PC, only to be barred from playing until the game's official street date, October 26, which is six days later than the console release. On publisher 2K Games' forums, the conspiracy theory abounds -- it's a tactic to boost console sales! -- but the obvious conclusion is that the digital rights management (DRM) technology in place to "protect" the game's release date unnecessarily punishes consumers.

Big Download contacted Randy Pitchford, president of Borderlands development studio Gearbox Software, who said, "I don't know if something can be done to unlock copies for people that somehow get a copy before the street date ... I certainly can't do anything about it." Pitchford's sympathetic, of course -- which reminds him of, ugh, Valve's Half-Life 2 DRM -- but as a developer there's not much he can do once the game's been handed over to the publisher and surrounded by unflinching DRM.

"I know how that feels," Pitchford related. "I'm sorry it's happening to customers of Borderlands, and I wish there was something I could do about it."

JoystiqBorderlands PC DRM loyally guards street date; Pitchford unable to order stand-down originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 23 Oct 2009 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>borderlandsdrmgearboxgearbox-softwarerandy-pitchfordFri, 23 Oct 2009 12:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Devs show Steam love as Pitchford defends his criticism]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/20/developers-show-steam-love-as-pitchford-defends-his-criticism/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/20/developers-show-steam-love-as-pitchford-defends-his-criticism/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/20/developers-show-steam-love-as-pitchford-defends-his-criticism/#comments
Just under two weeks ago, Gearbox Software's Randy Pitchford let out his less than pleasant feelings regarding digital distribution platform Steam and its owner, Valve Software. Today, Ars Techinca posted a rundown of developers from World of Goo's 2D Boy to Sam & Max's Telltale Games who all feel ... the exact opposite of Pitchford. "If this is exploitation, more please," Audiosurf creator Dylan Fitterer said.

According to Telltale CTO Kevin Bruner, "Steam may be one the greatest things to happen recently ... we put Steam as one of the A-list distribution channels; up there with XBLA and WiiWare." The praise doesn't stop there -- Ars points out that it was unable to find even one developer who would "admit to feeling exploited" by Valve's business practices concerning Steam.

We reached out to Pitchford, who told us, "As a gamer, I love Valve ... as a customer, I love Steam." He clarified, "From an industry perspective, Steam would be even better off if it were a separate company ... trust issues that result from conflict of interest could be mitigated." To Pitchford, it's a question of appearances rather than actual impropriety. "It's just perception within segments of the publishing and development community that, I guess, no one is really talking about."

We've posted Pitchford's entire (and quite lengthy) response after the break. Hopefully we're not alone in hoping everyone will just hug it out.

Continue reading Devs show Steam love as Pitchford defends his criticism

JoystiqDevs show Steam love as Pitchford defends his criticism originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 20 Oct 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2d-boyars-technicaaudiosurfborderlandsdigital-distributiondylan-fitterergearboxgearbox-softwarekevin-brunerrandy-pitchfordsteamsteamworkstelltale-gamesvalvevalve-softwareworld-of-gooTue, 20 Oct 2009 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Randy Pitchford on Steam: 'Valve is taking a larger share than it should']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/07/randy-pitchford-on-steam-valve-is-taking-a-larger-share-than-i/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/07/randy-pitchford-on-steam-valve-is-taking-a-larger-share-than-i/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/07/randy-pitchford-on-steam-valve-is-taking-a-larger-share-than-i/#comments Randy Pitchford has a thing for making headlines. Referring to the hugely popular Steam digital distribution platform, the Gearbox boss recently told Maximum PC "I don't trust Valve." Having started his company making Half-Life expansions, Pitchford quickly couched that statement saying, "I, personally, trust Valve. But I'm just saying, honestly, I think a lot of the industry doesn't."

Of course, the idea that an independent video game developer would perceive one of the most successful digital distribution platforms for PC games in existence being controlled by essentially a competitor as troubling is ... well, it's enormously understandable. The question then is, why haven't more developers spoken out? While Apple's iTunes Music Store regularly gathers plenty of music industry grumping, Steam has coasted by on a wave of industry support.

The solution? Says Pitchford, "It would be much better if Steam was its own business." If Valve spun off the content delivery system, it would also remove the perceived conflict of interest Pitchford takes umbrage with. "Steam helps us as customers, but it's also a money grab, and Valve is exploiting a lot of people in a way that's not totally fair," Pitchford says. "Valve is taking a larger share than it should for the service it's providing. It's exploiting a lot of small guys."

Yeah. We expect to hear more on this all week long.

JoystiqRandy Pitchford on Steam: 'Valve is taking a larger share than it should' originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 07 Oct 2009 20:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Gearbox-SoftwareMaximum-PCRandy-PitchfordSteamValveWed, 07 Oct 2009 20:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Pitchford: Easy Achievements boost sales by up to 40,000 units]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/07/pitchford-easy-achievements-boost-sales-by-up-to-40-000-units/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/07/pitchford-easy-achievements-boost-sales-by-up-to-40-000-units/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/07/pitchford-easy-achievements-boost-sales-by-up-to-40-000-units/#comments We knew that there was contingency of Xbox 360 owners who place a remarkable amount of importance on their largely unimportant Gamerscore -- however, a recent Official Xbox Magazine interview with Gearbox president Randy Pitchford has got us worried about our fellow man. According to Pitchford, developers who tweak their game's Achievements to make them a tad easier to obtain can boost sales of said game "by something like 10 and 40 thousand units."

Yes, Pitchford claims that there are 10 to 40 thousand people out there who purchase games based on their capacity to bolster their e-peen. That represents around $2.4 million being spent on making an inconsequential number slightly larger. Our faith in humanity wasn't just shaken by Pitchford's report -- it was absolutely obliterated. We're gonna go watch Rudy a few times until that faith is restored.

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JoystiqPitchford: Easy Achievements boost sales by up to 40,000 units originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 07 Oct 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>achievementsgamerscoregearboxMicrosoftrandy-pitchfordxbox-360Wed, 07 Oct 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[No demo for Borderlands - at least not 'before launch']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/20/no-demo-for-borderlands-at-least-not-before-launch/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/20/no-demo-for-borderlands-at-least-not-before-launch/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/20/no-demo-for-borderlands-at-least-not-before-launch/#comments
The October 20 release of Gearbox's Borderlands will not be accompanied by a demo, but that doesn't mean that there won't be one. A 2K representative informs Joystiq, "Everyone is really, really focusing on getting the game done for release ... that's not to say there will never be a demo, just not before launch."

New properties typically have a hard time breaking through in the infamous fourth quarter release window, and Borderlands is certainly no exception. 2K Games' BioShock, a bit of an unknown quantity at the time, benefited from its pre-release demo, which sent buzz through the roof. Gearbox president Randy Pitchford said in a GamesCom presentation that he hopes folks will be driven to the original property through solid word of mouth.

JoystiqNo demo for Borderlands - at least not 'before launch' originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 20 Aug 2009 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2k-gamesborderlandsdemofpsgamescomgamescom-2009Microsoftrandy-pitchfordXbox-360Thu, 20 Aug 2009 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[What's in a Name: Gearbox Software [update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/17/whats-in-a-name-gearbox-software/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/17/whats-in-a-name-gearbox-software/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/17/whats-in-a-name-gearbox-software/#commentsIf you looked at the Joystiq calendar, you would have seen a bright red circle drawn around today with something like 17 little smiley faces around it. Sure, that was in part because it's taco salad day in the cafeteria, but also because we couldn't wait to share this new What's in a Name with you.

So, straight from boss Randy Pitchford, check out the totally epic story of how [Randy says] Gearbox Software got its name.

Update: Valve has informed us that Randy and Gabe didn't meet until after Valve had shipped Half-Life, making Randy's story seem ... well, unlikely. We're trying to find out what happened right now.

Update 2: Well, we just heard from PR and they confirmed that the story is a fabrication. Pitchford is apparently going to get in contact to explain what happened. We can't wait to find out his excuse for taking advantage of our Pollyanna-esque faith in the inherent goodness of people, and, by extension, telling tall tales to you, the people who are buying his games.
"This is interesting because I've never been asked about how we got the name 'Gearbox' before, but there is a bit of a story to it. Given everything that's happened over the past 10 years or so, the story seems a little hard to believe now that I'm telling it!

Continue reading What's in a Name: Gearbox Software [update]

JoystiqWhat's in a Name: Gearbox Software [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 17 Aug 2009 12:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gabe-newellgearboxGearbox-Softwarepokerrandy-pitchfordvalvewhats-in-a-nameMon, 17 Aug 2009 12:14:00 EST<![CDATA[Pitchford on Borderlands cover: The game 'will blow your mind']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/15/pitchford-on-borderlands-cover-the-game-will-blow-your-mind/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/15/pitchford-on-borderlands-cover-the-game-will-blow-your-mind/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/15/pitchford-on-borderlands-cover-the-game-will-blow-your-mind/#comments
Gearbox Software prez Randy Pitchford says upcoming post-apocalyptic shooter Borderlands will "blow your mind." After issuing the game's daring cover this past week, the development studio head talked to IGN about it and claimed, "The motive is about the goals of a box cover - you want to evoke something, get attention and have something honest to say about the promise of the game."

Though he admits some were worried at Gearbox as well as at publisher 2K Games, he believes it was the right decision to choose that cover in the end. "Judging from the response so far, it looks like it was the right call." We absolutely agree, Mr. Pitchford. Will gamers pick it up at the store this October next to Brütal Legend and other AAA titles? That remains to be seen -- but all these games that have been pushed back to 2010 couldn't hurt, right?

Gallery: Borderlands cover art

borderlandspcborderlandsps3borderlandsx

JoystiqPitchford on Borderlands cover: The game 'will blow your mind' originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 15 Aug 2009 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>borderlandsbox-artbrutal-legendcovergearboxgearbox-softwareignMicrosoftrandy-pitchfordXbox-360Sat, 15 Aug 2009 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Gearbox gives up on Heat, says IP is up for grabs ... kinda]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/02/gearbox-gives-up-on-heat-says-ip-is-up-for-grabs-kinda/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/02/gearbox-gives-up-on-heat-says-ip-is-up-for-grabs-kinda/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/02/gearbox-gives-up-on-heat-says-ip-is-up-for-grabs-kinda/#commentsEver since Heat's 1995 cinematic debut, aggression-soaked psychos (like ourselves) have been clamoring for a game adaptation of the crime drama. Gearbox Software prez Randy Pitchford agreed as well, optioning the rights to develop a game back in the mid-oughts. Fast forward to 2009, and GameSpot drops the hammer on him during a Borderlands press tour. "So what is the current status of the Heat game?"

In so many words: Kaput. "In a nutshell, we're nowhere," Pitchford said. And it's not for a lack of trying, as "filmmakers, game makers, and publishing partners" are all still apparently on board. He says, more or less, it's a matter of time -- or lack thereof. Due to time constraints, Pitchford says that his studio won't be keeping the rights to the game adaptation of Heat any longer. "We're not keeping the IP locked down anymore ... if somebody else were in a spot where they could do it, and everybody was comfortable with that, then conceivably that could happen."

So, how about it, aggression-soaked entrepreneurs? Hmmm?

JoystiqGearbox gives up on Heat, says IP is up for grabs ... kinda originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 02 Aug 2009 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gamespotgearboxgearbox-softwareheatheat-gameinterviewlicensed-gamesmichael-mannrandy-pitchfordSun, 02 Aug 2009 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Gearbox CEO wants Bungie & Infinity Ward to move beyond established brands]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/22/gearbox-ceo-wants-bungie-and-infinity-ward-to-move-beyond-establis/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/22/gearbox-ceo-wants-bungie-and-infinity-ward-to-move-beyond-establis/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/22/gearbox-ceo-wants-bungie-and-infinity-ward-to-move-beyond-establis/#comments Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford wants Bungie and Infinity Ward to leave behind the Halo and Call of Duty/Modern Warfare brands and create something new. While he prefaced his comments by showering both devs with celestial praise, Pitchford said he is eagerly anticipating new intellectual properties from each team.

"I keep waiting to hear what Bungie is going to do that's not Halo," Pitchford told VideoGamer at E3. "Same with Infinity Ward. It's like, dude I'm totally psyched to get my Call of Duty fix every year, but you guys are amazing! What else have you got? Can you give me something I haven't seen before?"

Pitchford does admit it's difficult to walk away from established brands when the risk of creating a new IP is so high, but says innovators need to be rewarded so that teams "making big bets can take that risk."

Gearbox Software itself is no stranger to established brands. After porting Halo: Combat Evolved to PC in 2003, Gearbox developed the Brothers in Arms series, which has seen 10 titles released across 11 platforms since its debut in 2005. Gearbox is currently developing the new IP Borderlands, which is set to hit the Xbox 360, PS3 and PC this fall.
[Photo Credit]

JoystiqGearbox CEO wants Bungie & Infinity Ward to move beyond established brands originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 22 Jun 2009 18:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brothers-in-armsbungiecall-of-dutygearboxgearbox-softwarehaloinfinity-wardmodern-warfare-2randy-pitchfordMon, 22 Jun 2009 18:15:00 EST<![CDATA[OXM rumor: Gearbox developing Halo 4 as launch title for next Xbox]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/25/oxm-rumor-gearbox-developing-halo-4-as-launch-title-for-next-xb/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/25/oxm-rumor-gearbox-developing-halo-4-as-launch-title-for-next-xb/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/25/oxm-rumor-gearbox-developing-halo-4-as-launch-title-for-next-xb/#commentsFiled under: ,


Remember back in February when Gearbox Software big boss Randy Pitchford teased his studio's next project as something "big"? Well, not just "big" but something that was "even bigger" than anything Gearbox is currently working on? Well, the kids at OXM sure remembered and they sent their spies deep undercover into Gearbox territory and came back with one heck of a rumor for their October issue: Gearbox is working on Halo 4 as a launch title for the next Xbox (NextBox?).

With Bungie admittedly uninterested in creating Halo games ad nauseum, and Gearbox one of the industry's top FPS developers, we've certainly heard crazier rumors. And there are few licenses that would get a studio chieftain to inadvertently slam his own games in development. Whatever the project is, Pitchford has said he'll be directing it himself, adding, "When you find out what this is, you'll likely agree that I can't oversell this one." Nope, you probably couldn't Randy. Overselling Halo is Microsoft's job anyway; you guys just make with the shooting of the aliens ... no, the other aliens.

[Thanks for the tip, Jordan!]

JoystiqOXM rumor: Gearbox developing Halo 4 as launch title for next Xbox originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 25 Aug 2008 22:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>GearboxGearbox-SoftwareHalo-4Randy-PitchfordRumorXbox-360Mon, 25 Aug 2008 22:38:00 EST