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[Uncut beta version of Conker's Bad Fur Day touted in fan fundraiser]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/07/uncut-beta-version-of-conkers-bad-fur-day-touted-in-fan-fundrai/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/07/uncut-beta-version-of-conkers-bad-fur-day-touted-in-fan-fundrai/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/07/uncut-beta-version-of-conkers-bad-fur-day-touted-in-fan-fundrai/#comments
Conker's Bad Fur Day is one of the Nintendo 64's more infamous releases. Originally pitched as a family-friendly adventure in the vein of developer Rare's own Banjo-Kazooie, Conker's direction changed drastically during its development, resulting in an M-rated adventure featuring squirrel hangovers, frequent profanity, and opera-singing turd creatures.

Conker tested the limits of Nintendo's publishing guidelines, and while much of the game's salty content made it to store shelves unscathed, some scenes were changed or removed prior to the game's completion. A fan-driven fundraiser seeks to release an uncut beta version of Conker's Bad Fur Day to the public as a downloadable ROM image.

The debug footage above, captured by demo cartridge owner Borman, shows an uncut scene in which the Nazi-like Tediz are performing experimental surgery on a live squirrel soldier. Nintendo apparently decided that this little vignette pushed things too far, as the retail version of the cutscene plays out quite a bit differently. Additional differences between Borman's demo and the retail release have been noted, spurring fan demand for a ROM release.

Along with the promised ETCS demo build, Borman will also release a second debug version of Conker, along with PAL and NTSC beta versions of Rare's Perfect Dark, once his $2,500 funding goal is met.

JoystiqUncut beta version of Conker's Bad Fur Day touted in fan fundraiser originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 07 May 2013 06:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betaconkerconkers-bad-fur-dayn64perfect-darkrareTue, 07 May 2013 06:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rare veteran George Andreas leaves Microsoft, joins Sony]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/30/rare-veteran-george-andreas-leaves-microsoft-joins-sony/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/30/rare-veteran-george-andreas-leaves-microsoft-joins-sony/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/30/rare-veteran-george-andreas-leaves-microsoft-joins-sony/#comments Rare veteran George Andreas leaves Microsoft, joins SonyFormer Rare game director George Andreas left Microsoft earlier this month to join Sony Computer Entertainment Europe. Andreas, who'd been with British developer Rare since 1996, is working as Creative Director at SCEE's London headquarters.

Andreas was creatively involved with much of Rare's work over the last 16 years, including the likes of GoldenEye, Banjo Kazooie, Perfect Dark Zero, and Viva Piñata. After the company was acquired by Microsoft in 2002, Andreas took on lead roles for Xbox 360 games, such as project leader and game director of launch game Kameo: Elements of Power, and creative director on Kinect Sports.

JoystiqRare veteran George Andreas leaves Microsoft, joins Sony originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 30 Jan 2013 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>george-andreaskameo-elements-of-powerkinect-sportslondonmicrosoftraresonysony-computer-entertainment-europeukWed, 30 Jan 2013 01:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Five ex-Rare vets form new mobile studio Flippin Pixels]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/07/five-ex-rare-vets-form-new-mobile-studio-flippin-pixels/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/07/five-ex-rare-vets-form-new-mobile-studio-flippin-pixels/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/07/five-ex-rare-vets-form-new-mobile-studio-flippin-pixels/#comments Five exRare vets form new mobile studio Flippin PixelsWith over 20 years of experience at Rare, a core group of five have formed a new mobile studio today called Flippin Pixels. Not to be confused with those other ex-Rare folks, Flippin Pixels left Microsoft's Rare in stages over the last year, the five joining forces to focus on tablet and smartphone development.

Flippin Pixels is comprised of studio director Steve Brand, software director James Ackroyd, art director Steven Hurst, design director Shaun Read and technical director Gary Richards. For a team whose primary expertise involves console development, the shift to mobile will be a challenge. "We have a lot to learn, but what we do bring is years of console experience and high quality execution," Ackroyd told GI.biz.

"We've only just recently been looking at how to monetise through games," Ackroyd added. "The nature of the mobile market is so fast moving you can't afford to stay on something for months. You need to get it out there while it's still fresh. It's a little bit like buying a lottery ticket but if you've got the quality there hopefully that rises to the top."

Flippin Pixels already has multiple projects underway, though studio director Steve Brand says only one concept is actually in development - right now, most ideas are on paper. "We have a concept that's actually partway into development and the rest of our concepts are in paper form and bubbling to the surface. We'll build those out to a bigger business plan and approach publishers with them, that's one of the short-term goals," Brand concluded.

JoystiqFive ex-Rare vets form new mobile studio Flippin Pixels originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 07 Jan 2013 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidflippin-pixelsiosipadiphonemobilerareMon, 07 Jan 2013 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Killer Instinct trademark renewal rejected, what it means]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/04/killer-instinct-trademark-renewal-rejected-what-it-means/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/04/killer-instinct-trademark-renewal-rejected-what-it-means/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/04/killer-instinct-trademark-renewal-rejected-what-it-means/#comments Microsoft renews Killer Instinct trademarkMicrosoft's trademark renewal of Killer Instinct has been rejected by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for "likelihood of confusion." As NeoGAF points out, this bit of confusion has to do with the short-lived FOX show Killer Instinct from 1995. Microsoft announced in mid-September it was in the process of renewing the long-languishing intellectual property, but did not specify the purpose.

So, what does the rejection mean? We checked with attorney Mark Methenitis who pens Law of the Game.

"In short, this means ... more or less nothing," Methenitis told us when asked if there was more to the rejection. "It's just an office action; they happen on lots of trademark applications, and is not by any means the final say on the application. It just means that Microsoft has to provide more evidence to overcome their objection to move forward with the application."

He continued, "All things considered, I would imagine that Microsoft has a pretty strong position reverting back to the previous Killer Instinct games, which far predate the Fox filing, and moreover, there's no evidence of actual confusion between that show and the game."

According to Methenitis, Microsoft has six months to respond. He equated this action to fighting games, saying it's like taking some hits in the first round, but you haven't even come close to losing the bout.

JoystiqKiller Instinct trademark renewal rejected, what it means originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 04 Dec 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>killer-instinctmicrosoftraretrademarksusptoxboxTue, 04 Dec 2012 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Ex-Rare staff want to make 'spiritual successor' to Banjo-Tooie]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/28/ex-rare-staff-want-to-make-spiritual-successor-to-banjo-tooie/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/28/ex-rare-staff-want-to-make-spiritual-successor-to-banjo-tooie/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/28/ex-rare-staff-want-to-make-spiritual-successor-to-banjo-tooie/#comments ExRare staff want to make 'spiritual successor' to BanjoTooieRare rests comfortably within Microsoft, cranking out Avatar items and Kinect Sports games. Some who have left the British development studio have taken to Twitter under the moniker Mingy Jongo, and it's these folks who yearn to get back to the studio's roots: they want to get to work on a spiritual successor to Banjo-Tooie, the direct sequel to Banjo-Kazooie - a pair of 3D platformers published by Nintendo back in the N64 days.

The account sent out missives declaring this potential game would be a 3D platformer (natch) and that while this would be a "spiritual successor" to Rare's iconic series, Mingy Jongo says the goal "wouldn't be to try and recreate Banjo" but rather to create "something new." Microsoft owns the rights to the particular bear and backpack-bird in question, you see.

Kickstarter also came up as a means to fund this potential new game, and Mingy Jongo even suggested the Unity engine might be a good fit for maintaining the same "level of detail and googly eyes close to the original." But right now, all of this stuff is hypothetical ... until we see that Kickstarter page go live, anyway.

JoystiqEx-Rare staff want to make 'spiritual successor' to Banjo-Tooie originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 28 Sep 2012 01:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>banjo-kazooieBanjo-Kazooie-2Banjo-Tooiemicrosoftmicrosoft-studiosrarerare-ltdFri, 28 Sep 2012 01:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft renews Killer Instinct trademark]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/17/microsoft-renews-killer-instinct-trademark/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/17/microsoft-renews-killer-instinct-trademark/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/17/microsoft-renews-killer-instinct-trademark/#comments Microsoft renews Killer Instinct trademarkLong-languishing intellectual property Killer Instinct has had its trademark renewed by Microsoft.

Microsoft's PlayXBLA noted the renewal, saying the company's legal department authorized the following statement about the franchise: "We have either renewed or refiled a trademark application in various jurisdictions."

The takeaway here is not much more than Microsoft protecting its rights. The most recent mention of the series was an interview with a former 3D modeler at Rare, who said, "We all wanted to make KI3, but Microsoft [was] more interested in broadening their demographic than making another fighting game ... So it never got made, I doubt it ever will."

[Thanks to all who sent this in.]

JoystiqMicrosoft renews Killer Instinct trademark originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 17 Sep 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>killer-instinctkiller-instinct-3microsoftrarexboxMon, 17 Sep 2012 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Watch the entire GoldenEye 007 postmortem from GDC Europe]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/06/watch-the-entire-goldeneye-007-postmortem-from-gdc-europe/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/06/watch-the-entire-goldeneye-007-postmortem-from-gdc-europe/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/06/watch-the-entire-goldeneye-007-postmortem-from-gdc-europe/#comments Watch the GoldenEye 007 postmortem from GDC EuropeWe've already covered ex-Rare developer Martin Hollis' GoldenEye 007 postmortem presentation quite a bit, but the GDC Vault has now made the entire presentation available for free. We managed to note the highlights in our previous piece, but Hollis covered much more ground in the hour-long talk than we could condense into a single article.

The GDC Vault version also features direct feed of all the presentation slides, which include heaps of behind-the-scenes (and in some cases never publicly shared) information about the landmark N64 shooter. If you're a game history buff, or just a dedicated GoldenEye fan, it's definitely worth a look. Find the presentation after the break (note: video will automatically play).

Continue reading Watch the entire GoldenEye 007 postmortem from GDC Europe

JoystiqWatch the entire GoldenEye 007 postmortem from GDC Europe originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 06 Sep 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gdcgdc-europegoldeneye-007historyn64nintendorareThu, 06 Sep 2012 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[James Bond meets Virtua Cop: The development of Rare's GoldenEye 007]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/03/james-bond-meets-virtua-cop-the-development-of-rares-goldeneye/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/03/james-bond-meets-virtua-cop-the-development-of-rares-goldeneye/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/03/james-bond-meets-virtua-cop-the-development-of-rares-goldeneye/#comments
During GDC Europe 2012, former Rare developer Martin Hollis recounted his experience directing GoldenEye 007, one of the most fondly remembered games of its time and a landmark title in the history of console first-person shooters. Hollis had only worked on one game for Rare at the time, the arcade version of Killer Instinct. When the opportunity arose to pursue a James Bond game in early 1995, Hollis jumped at the chance; as the video above demonstrates, he was a pretty big fan.

The rest is gaming history. Hollis went over far too much for us to condense into a single piece (in fact, we've already written two others), but we've compiled some of the highlights after the break. Read on to discover how one of GoldenEye's primary influences was actually Sega's Virtua Cop. In the gallery below, you'll find images of some of GoldenEye's original design documents and some behind the scenes stories from the original team.

Continue reading James Bond meets Virtua Cop: The development of Rare's GoldenEye 007

JoystiqJames Bond meets Virtua Cop: The development of Rare's GoldenEye 007 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 03 Sep 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Gamescom-2012gdc-europe-2012goldeneyegoldeneye-007martin-hollisrareMon, 03 Sep 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ex-Rare dev discusses Killer Instinct 3, Kinect's 'Savannah' prototype and Microsoft acquisition]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/22/ex-rare-dev-discusses-killer-instinct-3-kinects-savannah-pro/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/22/ex-rare-dev-discusses-killer-instinct-3-kinects-savannah-pro/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/22/ex-rare-dev-discusses-killer-instinct-3-kinects-savannah-pro/#comments ExRare dev discusses Killer Instinct 3 death, Kinect's 'Savannah' projectA former artist at Rare has given us a peek behind the curtain at the studio's "Savannah" project and the eventual elimination of Killer Instinct. Speaking with NotEnoughShaders, Donnchadh Murphy, who was a 3D modeler at Rare but now works at an animation studio, revealed the developer was working on a project called "Savannah" for Kinect.

Savannah (models pictured) was going to be a Kinect title where players raised a lion cub from birth, teaching the animal survival skills. The game was only ever a prototype and was never greenlit.

Meanwhile, Murphy said, the company was always interested in revisiting the Killer Instinct franchise in HD, as is often requested by ardent Rare fans. "We all wanted to make KI3, but Microsoft [was] more interested in broadening their demographic than making another fighting game," he said. "So it never got made, I doubt it ever will."

Continue reading Ex-Rare dev discusses Killer Instinct 3, Kinect's 'Savannah' prototype and Microsoft acquisition

JoystiqEx-Rare dev discusses Killer Instinct 3, Kinect's 'Savannah' prototype and Microsoft acquisition originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 22 Aug 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>killer-instinctkiller-instinct-3kinect-sports-season-2microsoftraresavannahxboxWed, 22 Aug 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rare Atari 2600 game, Red Sea Crossing, pops up in Philly shop]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/21/rare-atari-2600-game-red-sea-crossing-pops-up-in-philly-shop/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/21/rare-atari-2600-game-red-sea-crossing-pops-up-in-philly-shop/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/21/rare-atari-2600-game-red-sea-crossing-pops-up-in-philly-shop/#comments Old and rare 2600 game pops up in PhillyRed Sea Crossing is one of the rarest Atari games in existence. According to legend, the developer, Steve Schustack, made 100 copies in 1983 and promptly lost track of where they went or what happened to them. Until now, there was just one known, unauthenticated copy of the game on this planet, and after years of hoarding it the owner recently decided to auction it off on Ebay, on August 22.

Yesterday, another copy of Red Sea Crossing turned up at Medium Bob's Curiosity Shop in Philadelphia. The boys at Medium Bob's have since recorded themselves playing the game, providing proof of its functionality, which is more than the owner of the original copy has done. The owner of the first copy has since postponed his auction and made offerings to the drama llama over on the AtariAge forums.

Medium Bob's is accepting offers on its copy of Red Sea Crossing, but doesn't yet have a plan for proceeding with the sale. It will post details on its Facebook page once it decides a course of action, but for now "the game is buried deep in a vault somewhere near the Earth's core."

JoystiqRare Atari 2600 game, Red Sea Crossing, pops up in Philly shop originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 21 Aug 2012 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1983Atariatari-2600medium-bobs-curiosity-shopphiladelphiararered-sea-crossingsteve-schustackTue, 21 Aug 2012 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[GoldenEye 007's multiplayer was added last minute, unknown to Rare and Nintendo management]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/14/goldeneye-007s-multiplayer-was-added-last-minute-unknown-to-ra/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/14/goldeneye-007s-multiplayer-was-added-last-minute-unknown-to-ra/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/14/goldeneye-007s-multiplayer-was-added-last-minute-unknown-to-ra/#comments GoldenEye 007's multiplayer was added last minute, unknown to Rare and Nintendo managementYou might know that the multiplayer mode for GoldenEye 007, the seminal N64 shooter, was only added to the game late in development. What you probably don't know is that the mode was also added unbeknownst to the management at developer Rare and publisher Nintendo. The revelation comes by way of GoldenEye 007's director Martin Hollis, who delivered a postmortem presentation on the game at GDC Europe.

Hollis' presentation included stories from many of GoldenEye 007's developers, including Steve Ellis, who was responsible for programming the multiplayer mode, a feat he accomplished in a month. Wrote Ellis:
One of the things that always strikes me as crazy in retrospect is that until something like March or April of 1997, there wasn't a multiplayer mode at all. It hadn't even been started. It really was put in at the last minute - something you wouldn't dream of doing these days - and it was done without the knowledge or permission of the management at Rare and Nintendo. The first they knew about it was when we showed it to them working. However - since the game was already late by that time, if we hadn't done it that way, it probably never would have happened.

Hollis said that "quite a few features" were "snuck in" throughout development, which he chalked up to management trusting the team. "I'm sure there were six-month stretches where no member of Rare or Nintendo management came into the team offices," he said. "Which is really quite extraordinary, and all credit to them that they felt able to take that much of a leaned-back approach and place that much trust in the team."

So there you have it, GoldenEye 007's multiplayer mode - a vital, fondly-remembered component of a landmark game - was unplanned, coded in a month and might never have existed at all if it weren't for some serendipitous managerial oversight.

JoystiqGoldenEye 007's multiplayer was added last minute, unknown to Rare and Nintendo management originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 14 Aug 2012 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gamescom-2012gdc-europe-2012goldeneyegoldeneye-007n64nintendonintendo-64rareTue, 14 Aug 2012 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Seen@GDC Europe: The adorable video that led to GoldenEye 007]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/14/seen-gdc-europe-the-adorable-video-that-led-to-goldeneye-007/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/14/seen-gdc-europe-the-adorable-video-that-led-to-goldeneye-007/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/14/seen-gdc-europe-the-adorable-video-that-led-to-goldeneye-007/#comments GoldenEye 007 The Postmorteming
When Martin Hollis first pitched GoldenEye 007 to Rare boss Tim Stamper in 1995, he had worked as a programmer on the arcade version of Killer Instinct. That wasn't, however, his greatest credential to direct the project, he told an audience at GDC Europe. No, his greatest credential was a video he created with his brothers when he was 18.

We managed to record the video during the GoldenEye 007 postmortem and, as you'll see, Hollis has been a Bond fan for quite some time. We'll have more from the postmortem soon.

JoystiqSeen@GDC Europe: The adorable video that led to GoldenEye 007 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 14 Aug 2012 07:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gamescom-2012gdc-europe-2012goldeneye-007martin-hollisn64nintendonintendo-64raretim-stamperTue, 14 Aug 2012 07:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Phil Harrison heads to Microsoft as vice prez of Interactive Entertainment Business arm]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/13/report-phil-harrison-filling-molyneuxs-spot-as-head-of-microso/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/13/report-phil-harrison-filling-molyneuxs-spot-as-head-of-microso/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/13/report-phil-harrison-filling-molyneuxs-spot-as-head-of-microso/#comments We've officially turned on the theme song to Welcome Back, Kotter and started growing a lustrous mustache in honor of Phil Harrison's return to Game Industry Executiveland. This morning, reports from Europe indicated that Harrison would head to Microsoft -- Microsoft clarified the news later, which named him corporate vice president of Interactive Entertainment Business "with an emphasis on growing the division's European business."

Microsoft corporate vice president of Studios Phil Spencer welcomed Harrison in a press release. "We are honored to have Phil join a team that boasts a wealth of talent from across the industry," Spencer said. Harrison is charged with "overseeing UK-based developers Lionhead Studios, Soho Productions and Rare Ltd.," a role he'll likely warm to quickly given past work as head of worldwide studios for Sony Computer Entertainment.

Harrison's most recent employer is game industry venture capital firm London Venture Partners, where he served as general partner. He continues on as "special advisor." Harrison will not be replacing former Microsoft Studios Europe head Peter Molyneux (who recently left Microsoft), though he will be overseeing Lionhead. Molyneux's role at Lionhead as studio manager is currently occupied by COO Mark Webley, according to Microsoft.

Update: Microsoft announced Harrison's appointment this morning to corporate vice president of Microsoft's "Interactive Entertainment Business" arm, with a focus on European markets. See the full presser just below the jump.

[Image credit: Flickr user 'jontintinjordan']

Continue reading Phil Harrison heads to Microsoft as vice prez of Interactive Entertainment Business arm

JoystiqPhil Harrison heads to Microsoft as vice prez of Interactive Entertainment Business arm originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 13 Mar 2012 10:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>europekinectlionheadlionhead-studiosmicrosoftmicrosoft-game-studios-europemicrosoft-studiosmicrosoft-studios-europepeter-molyneuxphil-harrisonrarerare-ltdsoho-productionsxboxTue, 13 Mar 2012 10:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Kinect Sports: Season 2 'Maple Lakes' DLC tees off on December 20]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/14/kinect-sports-season-2-maple-lakes-dlc-tees-off-on-december-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/14/kinect-sports-season-2-maple-lakes-dlc-tees-off-on-december-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/14/kinect-sports-season-2-maple-lakes-dlc-tees-off-on-december-2/#comments
Usually, it's pretty expensive to get in nine holes at the local country club, let alone the cost of clubs and those mandatory plaid pants. But thanks to video games, no longer must we tempt fate by braving the deadly fauna and flora of the outside world.

If you're fine with miming golf in your domicile, the Maple Lakes DLC for Kinect Sports: Season 2 may interest you. It adds nine new holes on December 20, for 400 MS Points ($5).

Gallery: Kinect Sports: Season Two (Maple Lakes Golf Pack)

Continue reading Kinect Sports: Season 2 'Maple Lakes' DLC tees off on December 20

JoystiqKinect Sports: Season 2 'Maple Lakes' DLC tees off on December 20 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 14 Dec 2011 23:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dlckinectkinect-sports-season-2maple-lakesmicrosoftminigamesrarexboxWed, 14 Dec 2011 23:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Kinect Sports: Season Two Challenge Pack DLC crosses the goal line]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/07/kinect-sports-season-two-challenge-pack-dlc-crosses-the-goal-li/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/07/kinect-sports-season-two-challenge-pack-dlc-crosses-the-goal-li/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/07/kinect-sports-season-two-challenge-pack-dlc-crosses-the-goal-li/#comments
Microsoft has issued the first round of DLC for Kinect Sports: Season Two. The Challenge Pack #1 adds a new mini-game activity for each of the game's six sports. Most of them boil down to practice drills, like returning an infinite stream of tennis shots or landing a forty yard field goal in football. There's also the more quizzical addition to darts, which requires players to solve math problems with accurate throws (which is sure to be a challenge, given our experience with the game).

The add-on is free, and marks the first in a series of free monthly downloadable content. Microsoft plans to expand the game every month through "spring 2012" with new activities and, at some point, a new sport. There's no telling what the new sport might be, though we can only hope it doesn't involve any more running in place.

Gallery: Kinect Sports: Season Two (Challenge Pack 1)

Continue reading Kinect Sports: Season Two Challenge Pack DLC crosses the goal line

JoystiqKinect Sports: Season Two Challenge Pack DLC crosses the goal line originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 07 Nov 2011 18:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dlckinectkinect-sports-season-2microsoftrarexboxxbox-liveMon, 07 Nov 2011 18:06:00 EST<![CDATA[Kinect Sports: Season Two review: Sports, kind of]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/31/kinect-sports-season-two-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/31/kinect-sports-season-two-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/31/kinect-sports-season-two-review/#comments Kinect Sports may have been little more than a tech demo for the fledgling Kinect hardware, but I'll be damned if it wasn't an enjoyable tech demo. It was the stuff of family gathering legends: A game which allowed you to interact with sporting events in a somewhat limited way, using rudimentary, instantly familiar gestures. It wasn't the most intricate or intellectual use of the device's motion-tracking capabilities, but for a launch title, it worked.

If anything, Kinect Sports: Season Two is an exquisite example of how far the Kinect's software has come over the past year -- only, not in a good way. After a few hours of mock-football, mock-baseball or, perplexingly, mock-darts, I was left with the overwhelming feeling that the Kinect can be (and has been) used for so much more.

Gallery: Kinect Sports: Season 2 (6/12/11)

Continue reading Kinect Sports: Season Two review: Sports, kind of

JoystiqKinect Sports: Season Two review: Sports, kind of originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 31 Oct 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>kinectkinect-sports-season-2microsoftrarexboxMon, 31 Oct 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fusion: Genesis is an XBLA twin-stick MMO from ex-Rare devs]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/13/fusion-genesis-is-an-xbla-twin-stick-mmo-from-ex-rare-devs/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/13/fusion-genesis-is-an-xbla-twin-stick-mmo-from-ex-rare-devs/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/13/fusion-genesis-is-an-xbla-twin-stick-mmo-from-ex-rare-devs/#comments
Starfire Studios is a new outfit made up of four ex-Rare staffers, who will launch their first title, Fusion: Genesis, on XBLA this year. Gamasutra notes that the team had all previously worked at the Viva Pinata developer for over 10 years.

The Fusion: Genesis website is actually quite robust, with lots of details on the twin-stick space shooter with MMORPG elements. The game features single-player, co-op missions and PVP.

The title popped up in May as part of random trademark documents, which also included Fusion: Sentient, a Windows Phone 7 version of the game that will link with Genesis, but is being developed at a different studio.

JoystiqFusion: Genesis is an XBLA twin-stick MMO from ex-Rare devs originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 Oct 2011 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fusion-genesismicrosoftRareStarfire-StudiosXBLAxboxThu, 13 Oct 2011 15:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Rare studio tour shows that Kinect is the centerpiece these days]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/20/rare-studio-tour-shows-that-kinect-is-the-centerpiece-these-days/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/20/rare-studio-tour-shows-that-kinect-is-the-centerpiece-these-days/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/20/rare-studio-tour-shows-that-kinect-is-the-centerpiece-these-days/#comments Here's the thing: The stuff you loved when you were a kid changes as you grow up. Mr. Rogers passed away after a long and full life. The Smurfs got turned into a terrible movie starring Katy Perry. And Rare, the creators of all those games you loved way back when, are really, really into Kinect Sports.

That's the lesson from this quick tour of the company's studios, where you can see lots and lots of wall-sized displays of Kinect avatars, but only two mentions of the company's storied and prosperous history with Nintendo. Goldeneye 007 and Banjo and Kazooie may sit front and center in many gamers' hearts, but at Rare HQ these days, they mostly just sit as unmarked cartridges inside a glass history case.

That's fine -- Rare is doing quite well under Microsoft's leadership, and as the article says, the company is very proud of what it's done with Kinect and Xbox Live. But that won't keep us from remembering the good old times, and all of the fun we had together way back when.

JoystiqRare studio tour shows that Kinect is the centerpiece these days originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 20 Sep 2011 02:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>banjo-and-kazooieenglandgoldeneye-007kinectmicrosoftnintendorarestudiostudio-tourxboxTue, 20 Sep 2011 02:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Kinect Sports: Season 2 preview: Swing and a pass]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/12/kinect-sports-season-2-preview-swing-and-a-pass/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/12/kinect-sports-season-2-preview-swing-and-a-pass/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/12/kinect-sports-season-2-preview-swing-and-a-pass/#comments Microsoft announced the inevitable sequel to Kinect Sports during its press event at E3 this year. Kinect Sports: Season 2 features a slate of new sports, including tennis, darts, skiing and, American football and golf. I was able to try out the latter two games. One of the two didn't seem to have much substance, and the other one was golf.

Gallery: Kinect Sports: Season 2 (6/12/11)

Continue reading Kinect Sports: Season 2 preview: Swing and a pass

JoystiqKinect Sports: Season 2 preview: Swing and a pass originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 12 Jun 2011 20:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3e3-2011kinectkinect-sports-season-2microsoftmicrosoft-studiosrarerare-studiosxboxSun, 12 Jun 2011 20:26:00 EST<![CDATA[Kinect Sports comes back for Season 2]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/06/kinect-sports-comes-back-for-season-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/06/kinect-sports-comes-back-for-season-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/06/kinect-sports-comes-back-for-season-2/#comments Surprise! There's a Kinect Sports: Season 2. This one features new voice controls and new gestures -- and also some new sports, like skiing and tennis. There's also some team football, which looks incredibly awkward if you're the guys Microsoft got on stage to play it. But you're not those guys, right?

JoystiqKinect Sports comes back for Season 2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 06 Jun 2011 13:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3-2011kinectkinect-sports-season-2microsoftrarexboxMon, 06 Jun 2011 13:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Free Xbox Live Gold this weekend, help out with a Guinness world record attempt]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/21/free-xbox-live-gold-this-weekend-help-out-with-a-guinness-world/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/21/free-xbox-live-gold-this-weekend-help-out-with-a-guinness-world/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/21/free-xbox-live-gold-this-weekend-help-out-with-a-guinness-world/#comments Even if you've never joined the prodigious ranks of the Xbox Live Gold subscribers, or whether you've simply allowed your honorable title to fall by the wayside, you can get a temporary pass to the Gold Zone this weekend. From today through Monday, free users will find their status upgraded, giving them access to the online multiplayer functionality usually reserved for their premium counterparts.

Of course, there's no such thing as a free lunch -- Microsoft is asking that folks participating in the freekend help break an extremely specific Guinness world record using Kinect Sports: "The most people running a virtual 100m dash at one time." That ... that can't be a very large number to beat, can it? Regardless, if you'd like to participate (and grab a free Avatar shirt at the same time), check out the details on Rare's blog.

JoystiqFree Xbox Live Gold this weekend, help out with a Guinness world record attempt originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 21 Apr 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>guinnesskinectKinect-Sportsmicrosoftrarexboxxbox-livexbox-live-goldThu, 21 Apr 2011 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Kinect Sports 'Calorie Challenge' DLC lets you play with your food]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/19/kinect-sports-calorie-challenge-dlc-lets-you-play-with-your-fo/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/19/kinect-sports-calorie-challenge-dlc-lets-you-play-with-your-fo/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/19/kinect-sports-calorie-challenge-dlc-lets-you-play-with-your-fo/#comments New DLC for Kinect Sports, coming April 29, will add a new mode called "Calorie Challenge." This, of course, uses the Kinect sensor to scan every Twinkie, Monte Cristo sandwich, and bowl of melted butter you eat, keeping a running tally of exactly how many calories you consume within a time limit.

Okay, we're kidding.

The Calorie Challenge is actually a mode in which you face off against anthropomorphized snack foods in a series of challenges, with the goal to burn off as many calories as that food typically contains. You'll compete against "Peppy Pizza" to burn off 302 calories, for example, while Steady Celery will provide seconds of competition with 25 calories.

Gallery: Kinect Sports (Calorie Challenge DLC)

Continue reading Kinect Sports 'Calorie Challenge' DLC lets you play with your food

JoystiqKinect Sports 'Calorie Challenge' DLC lets you play with your food originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 19 Apr 2011 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>calorie-challengedlckinectKinect-SportsmicrosoftrarexboxTue, 19 Apr 2011 10:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Kinect Sports dev seeks participants for Guinness World Records attempt]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/14/kinect-sports-dev-seeks-participants-for-guinness-world-records/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/14/kinect-sports-dev-seeks-participants-for-guinness-world-records/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/14/kinect-sports-dev-seeks-participants-for-guinness-world-records/#comments A Guinness World Records achievement for "most people running a virtual 100m dash at one time" will take place over Easter weekend, on April 23. According to Rare, a free Xbox Nations gamer pic should be available in the coming week. Downloading it will "automatically enter you into the record attempt."

Then, at the appointed time (listed after the break), all you need to do is pop in Kinect Sports and "complete a sprint mini-game while connected to Xbox Live." Make sure not to choose the entire track and field event from the menu or it won't count.

All who download the gamer pic and participate in the record attempt will be rewarded with the Guinness World Records avatar tee (pictured). Beyond that point, you can totally make up the reason you earned it: "Yeah, I totally got that for putting four pool balls in my mouth. You should see how many you can do!"

[Thanks, David]

Continue reading Kinect Sports dev seeks participants for Guinness World Records attempt

JoystiqKinect Sports dev seeks participants for Guinness World Records attempt originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 14 Apr 2011 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>guinness-world-recordsguinness-world-records-gamers-editionkinectKinect-SportsmicrosoftRarexboxThu, 14 Apr 2011 07:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Possible character model from canceled Kameo 2 surfaces]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/07/possible-character-model-from-canceled-kameo-2-surfaces/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/07/possible-character-model-from-canceled-kameo-2-surfaces/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/07/possible-character-model-from-canceled-kameo-2-surfaces/#comments According to the portfolio of former Rare senior graphic designer Sergey Rakhmanov, the developer was once working on what may have been a very radical departure for Kameo 2. Rakhmanov's resume mentions the canceled project and includes images of a decidedly non-cartoony rendering of Kameo herself.

Given the undeniably adorable status of the first Kameo, an Xbox 360 launch title, it seems unlikely that Rare was actually considering such a drastic change for its sequel. The character model may simply represent the daydreams of an imaginative artist. Either way, it's fun to envision a grittier take on the series.

Check out Rakhmanov's portfolio for more Kameo images and a short video.

JoystiqPossible character model from canceled Kameo 2 surfaces originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 07 Apr 2011 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>concept-artkameokameo-2microsoftraresergey-rakhmanovxboxThu, 07 Apr 2011 00:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rare appoints former Colin McRae, Sonic Racing dev as studio director]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/21/rare-appoints-former-colin-mcrae-sonic-racing-dev-as-studio-dir/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/21/rare-appoints-former-colin-mcrae-sonic-racing-dev-as-studio-dir/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/21/rare-appoints-former-colin-mcrae-sonic-racing-dev-as-studio-dir/#comments Rare has hired Craig Duncan to take on the senior studio director role. Duncan will oversee all product development and staff management at the UK-based developer, part of Microsoft Game Studios.

Duncan comes to Rare with experience in product development at Codemasters, Midway Games and Sumo Digital. His credits include the Colin McRae Rally series and Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing (pictured).

Duncan's appointment at Rare follows last month's report that the studio was replacing its full-time art staff with contract workers. Rare is rumored to be working on a sequel to the "breakout hit" Kinect Sports -- perhaps with a racing minigame, now?

Continue reading Rare appoints former Colin McRae, Sonic Racing dev as studio director

JoystiqRare appoints former Colin McRae, Sonic Racing dev as studio director originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 21 Mar 2011 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>craig-duncanhiringmicrosoftmicrosoft-game-studiosrarexboxMon, 21 Mar 2011 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rare's canceled 'Perfect Dark Core' revealed in concept art and video]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/21/perfect-dark-core-canceled/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/21/perfect-dark-core-canceled/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/21/perfect-dark-core-canceled/#comments After Perfect Dark Zero, Rare had Chris Seavor and the Conker team at work on another Perfect Dark, also for Xbox, called Perfect Dark Core. Unseen64 has found concept art, 3D renders, and even video of this cancelled game -- and the other cancelled game it metamorphosed into. In this "more realistic" Perfect Dark game, players controlled a male character who accompanied a "smoking, flirting" Joanna Dark on her mission.

By late 2008, Core had been taken out of the Perfect Dark universe, and its team (cut down to three people) turned it into a mech FPS before the project was killed. It might not have been Perfect Dark, but it was probably really dark inside those mechs.

Continue reading Rare's canceled 'Perfect Dark Core' revealed in concept art and video

JoystiqRare's canceled 'Perfect Dark Core' revealed in concept art and video originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 21 Mar 2011 09:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cancelledmicrosoftperfect-darkperfect-dark-corerarexboxMon, 21 Mar 2011 09:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: Rare replacing full-time artists with contractors]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/16/report-rare-replacing-full-time-artists-with-contractors/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/16/report-rare-replacing-full-time-artists-with-contractors/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/16/report-rare-replacing-full-time-artists-with-contractors/#comments Edge reports that Microsoft's UK-based Rare studio is shifting from using permanent art staff to contract workers. According to Edge's sources, the studio is making a calculated move to narrowly dodge a "full consultation process" under European Union employment laws, whereby layoffs of twenty or more employees need to be announced at least thirty days before the first dismissal. Rare is reportedly in the process of cutting 19 staff, reducing its current art department of 42 employees to 23.

The remaining 23 full-time employees (or fewer) -- supposedly more than 20 staffers have already taken the "very generous voluntary redundancy packages" -- will now fill new managerial positions, "in name or fact," according to a source, meaning that "the actual artists" will all be contractors in the future. The long term play here is to avoid paying wages during downtime (cutting contractors is a lot easier than laying off full-timers) and to wriggle out of pesky, strict European employment legislation. A contract worker needs two years of employment in a position to have the same rights as a full-time employee in the region.

Now, we have to wonder: After all the artists are converted, who's next?

JoystiqReport: Rare replacing full-time artists with contractors originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 Feb 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>contractorslayoffsmicrosoftRarerestructuringxboxWed, 16 Feb 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Dance Central and Kinect Sports sell 1 million each in US]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/14/dance-central-and-kinect-sports-sell-1-million-each-in-us/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/14/dance-central-and-kinect-sports-sell-1-million-each-in-us/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/14/dance-central-and-kinect-sports-sell-1-million-each-in-us/#comments Microsoft's Aaron Greenberg has called Kinect launch titles Dance Central and Kinect Sports "breakout hits" for the publisher, announcing that each has accounted for one million units in US sales. Globally, the Kinect device has already achieved 8 million units shipped.

During Kinect's November launch month, Dance Central just missed making the top ten in US game sales for the month and was trailed by the Rare-developed Kinect Sports and Ubisoft's Your Shape: Fitness Evolved among the bestselling Kinect titles. Harmonix's dance game also just missed landing among our top ten games of 2010.

JoystiqDance Central and Kinect Sports sell 1 million each in US originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 14 Jan 2011 12:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Aaron-Greenbergdance-centralHarmonixkinectkinect-sportsmicrosoftNPDRaresalesxboxFri, 14 Jan 2011 12:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft contest pits UK Kinect Sports players against actual gold medalists]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/13/microsoft-contest-pits-uk-kinect-sports-players-against-actual-g/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/13/microsoft-contest-pits-uk-kinect-sports-players-against-actual-g/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/13/microsoft-contest-pits-uk-kinect-sports-players-against-actual-g/#comments Hey, UK-based readers: Do you feel like totally humiliating yourselves? You should look into Microsoft's "Game with Fame" competition, in which one lucky, Kinect Sports-playing family will compete in virtual track and field events against actual Olympians Linford Christie and Mark Lewis-Francis.

Continue reading Microsoft contest pits UK Kinect Sports players against actual gold medalists

JoystiqMicrosoft contest pits UK Kinect Sports players against actual gold medalists originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 Jan 2011 13:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>contestgame-with-famekinectKinect-Sportsmicrosoftolympicsraretrack-and-fieldxboxThu, 13 Jan 2011 13:50:00 EST<![CDATA[PSA: Kinect Sports demo out now for Xbox Live Gold members]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/24/psa-kinect-sports-demo-out-now-for-xbox-live-gold-members/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/24/psa-kinect-sports-demo-out-now-for-xbox-live-gold-members/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/24/psa-kinect-sports-demo-out-now-for-xbox-live-gold-members/#comments Tis the season to shame your familial relations in contests of virtual athletic prowess! If you're a Gold subscriber, you can now grab a free demo for Kinect Sports on the Xbox Live Marketplace -- just make sure that you don't completely crush your Maw-Maw. She deserves better, you know?

Continue reading PSA: Kinect Sports demo out now for Xbox Live Gold members

JoystiqPSA: Kinect Sports demo out now for Xbox Live Gold members originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 24 Dec 2010 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>demoKinect-Sportsmicrosoftrarexboxxbox-live-arcadexbox-live-marketplaceFri, 24 Dec 2010 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Free Kinect Sports 'Party Pack' DLC available now, Joy Ride DLC coming Jan. 4]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/14/free-kinect-sports-party-pack-dlc-available-now-joy-ride-dlc/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/14/free-kinect-sports-party-pack-dlc-available-now-joy-ride-dlc/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/14/free-kinect-sports-party-pack-dlc-available-now-joy-ride-dlc/#commentsIf you'd like to freshen up your Kinect Sports experience with fresh fruit and fresh ... chicken, head to the Xbox Live Marketplace right now. Microsoft has posted a free DLC suite, the "Party Pack."

The free download adds a "Challenge" feature to track friends' minigame scores. Appropriately, the DLC adds six new minigames: Super Striker (for Soccer), Pinvaders (for Bowling), Rapid Runner (for Track & Field), Target Smash (for Table Tennis), Fruit Splatter (for Volleyball), and King of the Ring (for Boxing). It also includes new games for the multiplayer Party Play mode, and three new "crazy" Party Play mascots: "Zippy Zombie" (okay, so maybe it's not all fresh), Champion Chicken, and Sportastico. Check after the break for descriptions of the minigames.

MS also announced that new DLC will arrive for Kinect Joy Ride on January 4. The "Chevrolet Car Pack" adds the Camaro, Corvette, and Cruze to your game. It's free -- all you'll have to do is ... select a Chevy ad in XBLM.

Update: Catch a trailer after the break -- a trailer that refers to the set as the "Samsung Party Pack."

Continue reading Free Kinect Sports 'Party Pack' DLC available now, Joy Ride DLC coming Jan. 4

JoystiqFree Kinect Sports 'Party Pack' DLC available now, Joy Ride DLC coming Jan. 4 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 14 Dec 2010 10:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advertisingbigparkchevroletdlckinectkinect-joy-rideKinect-Sportsmicrosoftparty-packrarexboxTue, 14 Dec 2010 10:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Viva Pinata one buck on Games for Windows today, Blacklight: Tango Down tomorrow]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/04/viva-pinata-one-buck-on-games-for-windows-today-blacklight-tan/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/04/viva-pinata-one-buck-on-games-for-windows-today-blacklight-tan/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/04/viva-pinata-one-buck-on-games-for-windows-today-blacklight-tan/#comments The Games for Windows platform understands how mercurial our mood can be from day-to-day. Today, the storefront's offering the charming, friendly Viva Piñata for a dollar. According to its RSS feed, it's applying the same discount to the somewhat angrier, shootier Blacklight: Tango Down tomorrow.

Continue reading Viva Pinata one buck on Games for Windows today, Blacklight: Tango Down tomorrow

JoystiqViva Pinata one buck on Games for Windows today, Blacklight: Tango Down tomorrow originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 04 Dec 2010 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blacklight-tango-downGames-for-Windowsgames-for-windows-live-marketplacepcrareViva-PinataSat, 04 Dec 2010 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[New Donkey Kong Country Returns trailer looks so tough a monkey's gotta do it]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/16/new-donkey-kong-country-returns-trailer-looks-so-tough-a-monkey/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/16/new-donkey-kong-country-returns-trailer-looks-so-tough-a-monkey/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/16/new-donkey-kong-country-returns-trailer-looks-so-tough-a-monkey/#comments This new Donkey Kong Country Returns trailer means this game's not kidding around. Retro Studios may have borrowed Rare's colorful designs, but it added a vicious platforming challenge to Kong's new banana-collecting adventure. Guess it really is on like ... well, you know.

Continue reading New Donkey Kong Country Returns trailer looks so tough a monkey's gotta do it

JoystiqNew Donkey Kong Country Returns trailer looks so tough a monkey's gotta do it originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 16 Nov 2010 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>donkey-kongdonkey-kong-country-returnsnintendorareretro-studiostrailerwiiTue, 16 Nov 2010 07:00:00 EST<![CDATA[See how Goldeneye 007 stacks up to its N64 predecessor]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/09/goldeneye-n64-wii-comparison/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/09/goldeneye-n64-wii-comparison/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/09/goldeneye-n64-wii-comparison/#comments If there were any question about how much the recently released Goldeneye title for Nintendo Wii closely resembles its N64 predecessor -- regardless of the source material -- this video from RewindReplayTV certainly cements it. Beyond the game's setting and characters, there are shot-for-shot moments that directly recreate the original game (albeit with far more detail and polish).

Also, if you needed a stirring reminder of how much a Nintendo 64 game can age over the years, Goldeneye 64 is perhaps the pinnacle among available examples. Seeing it against Eurocom's sterling Wii effort only serves to highlight the ravages of time all the more. See for yourself below the fold.

Continue reading See how Goldeneye 007 stacks up to its N64 predecessor

JoystiqSee how Goldeneye 007 stacks up to its N64 predecessor originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 09 Nov 2010 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisioncomparisoneurocomgoldeneye-007-2010goldeneye-64n64nintendorarewiiTue, 09 Nov 2010 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Kinect Sports review: A first-round pick]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/04/kinect-sports-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/04/kinect-sports-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/04/kinect-sports-review/#comments Since the launch of the Wii with its bundled Wii Sports, Nintendo's competitors have been ready with sports compilations designed to show off their respective motion control technologies. Sports Champions was arguably the most successful part of PlayStation Move's launch lineup and now, Microsoft brings Kinect to market with a completely stand-alone title: Rare's Kinect Sports.

In my (significant) time with it, I found an actual game that manages to deftly side-step being just a collection of tech demos through its polish, presentation and wide variety of genuinely fun activities.

Gallery: Kinect Sports (11/4/10)

Continue reading Kinect Sports review: A first-round pick

JoystiqKinect Sports review: A first-round pick originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 04 Nov 2010 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>kinectKinect-SportsmicrosoftMicrosoft-Game-StudiosrarexboxThu, 04 Nov 2010 00:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Rare's new boss sees Kinect as 'centerpiece' in studio strategy]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/28/rares-new-boss-sees-kinect-as-centerpiece-in-studio-strategy/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/28/rares-new-boss-sees-kinect-as-centerpiece-in-studio-strategy/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/28/rares-new-boss-sees-kinect-as-centerpiece-in-studio-strategy/#comments Following this week's announcement that Xbox manager Scott Henson is taking over as the head of Rare, the newly appointed exec is defending his studio's mission to the media. Speaking with Eurogamer, Henson re-established Kinect as "a key part of the studio's future," adding that it won't exclusively be working on 360 motion games, "but it will be the centerpiece of our strategy for sure."

He also teased further support for Rare's back catalog. When asked about revisiting the titles -- and even the possibility of adding Kinect functionality -- Henson explains, "You can look at what we're doing with Xbox Live Arcade and you can see how we've taken those classics and refreshed them and brought them to the service. We'll continue to look at those kinds of opportunities. Don't just think about packaged goods in terms of opportunities and Rare and how we bring those things to life." Unfortunately, Henson was less talkative on the subject of Killer Instinct, only offering "I know Killer Instinct is very high in the fan list and one we need to continue to keep our eye on."

JoystiqRare's new boss sees Kinect as 'centerpiece' in studio strategy originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 28 Oct 2010 18:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>developmentkinectmicrosoftmicrosoft-game-studiosrarescott-hensonxboxThu, 28 Oct 2010 18:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Xbox manager Scott Henson to head up Rare]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/27/xbox-manager-scott-henson-to-head-up-rare/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/27/xbox-manager-scott-henson-to-head-up-rare/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/27/xbox-manager-scott-henson-to-head-up-rare/#comments Microsoft has announced the immediate appointment of a new studio manager for its wholly owned, UK-based developer, Rare. Scott Henson, who has been involved with the Xbox brand since before the original black behemoth launched in 2001, will relocate from the US to Birmingham within the coming weeks.

Henson has been part of Microsoft's Xbox endeavor in numerous roles, including product unit manager for the game technology group (where he contributed to the XNA development initiative), director of platform strategy for the Xbox 360 (back when the Xbox dashboard looked like this) and Xbox group manager. "The timing is actually perfect," Henson told MCV. "I've worked on Xbox since before the original Xbox. I helped bring Xbox Live to life, which has reached millions of people. Rare over the last 25 years is the same story."

Rare's reach will become a major talking point on November 4, when Microsoft's Kinect launches in North America (Nov. 10 in Europe) and the company's casual-oriented games hope to find a new audience.

JoystiqXbox manager Scott Henson to head up Rare originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 27 Oct 2010 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>kinectmicrosoftrarescott-hensonukxboxWed, 27 Oct 2010 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Activision and Nintendo were involved in Rare bidding war, former Microsoft exec recounts]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/27/activision-and-nintendo-were-involved-in-rare-bidding-war/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/27/activision-and-nintendo-were-involved-in-rare-bidding-war/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/27/activision-and-nintendo-were-involved-in-rare-bidding-war/#comments A classic industry tale of "D'oh" tells of how Activision missed an opportunity to buy Blizzard on the cheap a decade before the $18 billion merger. Here's the opposite tale: In 2002, it seems Activision dodged a bullet by losing out in a bidding war to purchase Rare. Microsoft ended up being the fish that took the worm -- for $375 million -- and the rest has been ... well, let's just say that Rare hasn't lived up to the high expectations set by the studio's independent successes (despite having settled into a key role in the Microsoft Game Studios family).

In an interview with Develop, Ed Fries, former Microsoft VP of game publishing, revealed that Activision was close to a deal to secure Rare, but that Microsoft ended up offering more. Fries also shared that Nintendo was involved in the bidding war, further inflating an eventually outrageous price for the developer. At the time, Nintendo owned half of Rare, so if Microsoft had bid low, the House of Mario could have easily taken control of the entire studio. "So, there's a problem: If we drive a hard bargain and put in a low price for Rare, Nintendo would have the chance to buy at that low price and probably would," Fries reasoned. "So, the price was high."

Unfortunately for Fries and Microsoft, they did not heed Kenny Rodgers' sage advice: "You got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em, know when to walk away and know ... when to run."

JoystiqActivision and Nintendo were involved in Rare bidding war, former Microsoft exec recounts originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 27 Oct 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acquisitionActivisionbidding-warEd-FriesmicrosoftNintendoRarexboxWed, 27 Oct 2010 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Kinect Sports trailer enters the boxing ring]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/09/kinect-sports-trailer-enters-the-boxing-ring/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/09/kinect-sports-trailer-enters-the-boxing-ring/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/09/kinect-sports-trailer-enters-the-boxing-ring/#comments During PAX, Rare unveiled another sport from its upcoming Kinect Sports: boxing. You can see a few snippets of it in the latest trailer, embedded after the break, as well as some new screens. Rare promises that more additional sports will be revealed at TGS next week. Our hope? Ribbon dancing.

Continue reading Kinect Sports trailer enters the boxing ring

JoystiqKinect Sports trailer enters the boxing ring originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 09 Sep 2010 13:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Kinect-SportsmicrosoftMicrosoft-Game-StudiosrarexboxThu, 09 Sep 2010 13:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Sources: Kinect beta kits going out, Dashboard update live for participants (with pics!) [Update: and video!]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/26/sources-kinect-beta-kits-going-out-dashboard-update-live-for-p/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/26/sources-kinect-beta-kits-going-out-dashboard-update-live-for-p/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/26/sources-kinect-beta-kits-going-out-dashboard-update-live-for-p/#commentsFiled under: , ,

That email purportedly sent out by Microsoft a couple weeks back inviting its recipients into a Kinect beta program? Yeah -- it was legit. Joystiq has received corroborating evidence confirming the program, including pictures of the promised Kinect-enabled Dashboard update running on a participant's retail console. In them, you can clearly see the flatter presentation, new mini-guide and revamped Avatar editor -- complete with a re-proportioned Avatar.

Our tipsters clearly didn't read the included guidelines, pictured in the gallery bellow. Apart from the laundry list of methods via which participants aren't supposed to talk about the program, there's confirmation that Kinect hardware is indeed part of the beta, "is being packed" and will presumably be on its way to testers soon. These same sources report that the beta support site mentions Kinect Adventures, Kinect Sports and Kinect Joy Ride as titles they can expect to receive for testing purposes.

We'll have more on the program as its participants continue to refuse acknowledgment of Microsoft's terms and conditions. [Update 8/27, 9am: And we've got a video of the new Dash posted just after the break, featuring much more than the boot-up screen. Thanks, Bradley!]

Gallery: Kinect beta dashboard (8/26/10)

Continue reading Sources: Kinect beta kits going out, Dashboard update live for participants (with pics!) [Update: and video!]

JoystiqSources: Kinect beta kits going out, Dashboard update live for participants (with pics!) [Update: and video!] originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 26 Aug 2010 19:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Avatarbetabigparkdashboard-updatedashboard-update-fall-2010good-science-studiokinectkinect-adventureskinect-joy-ridekinect-sportsmicrosoftMicrosoft-Game-StudiosrarexboxThu, 26 Aug 2010 19:25:00 EST