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[Ready at Dawn on going from handheld to next-gen, and getting away from GoW]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/21/ready-at-dawn-on-going-from-handheld-to-next-gen-and-getting-aw/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/21/ready-at-dawn-on-going-from-handheld-to-next-gen-and-getting-aw/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/21/ready-at-dawn-on-going-from-handheld-to-next-gen-and-getting-aw/#comments Ready at Dawn is known for having crafted two excellent God of War games for PSP, as well as assisting in their porting to the PlayStation 3. Unfortunately for Ready at Dawn, the company isn't known for much else - an issue that co-founder and CEO Ru Weerasuriya aims to fix by setting a new direction for his studio.

"When it came to really decide what we wanted to do next, I think most of the guys internally just wanted to do something that, in some ways, we had built this company for. It's taken us time to get there and we've wanted to do new IP, we've been working on it for a while, and we felt the time was right and it was just the perfect alignment of everything that was happening," Weerasuriya told GamesIndustry International.

Which isn't to say the team never considered resting on its laurels and crafting yet another portable God of War, this time for the Vita. "It's an idea that was floated as far as what could happen on the Vita. And especially with a platform like that, we were enticed I think by the prospect of doing something on that platform, but it just didn't align with what we wanted," Weerasuriya said. He'd still love for Sony to do such a project ("There's so much potential for it!"), but for the first time in four-plus years, his studio isn't working on Kratos' next portable game.

JoystiqReady at Dawn on going from handheld to next-gen, and getting away from GoW originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 21 Mar 2012 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>next-gennext-generationplaystationplaystation-vitapspready-at-dawnru-weerasuriyasonyvitaWed, 21 Mar 2012 11:45:00 EST<![CDATA[God of War PSP studio readying next-gen third-person action title]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/29/god-of-war-psp-studio-readying-next-gen-third-person-action-titl/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/29/god-of-war-psp-studio-readying-next-gen-third-person-action-titl/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/29/god-of-war-psp-studio-readying-next-gen-third-person-action-titl/#comments After declaring themselves as officially done with God of War PSP games, and even going as far as to announce a "story driven action-adventure game based on original IP" back in late 2010, Ready at Dawn staffers promptly revealed they were ... creating a PlayStation 3 port of their previously PSP-exclusive God of War titles. Not quite what we were expecting!

If recent job listings are any indication, though, it looks like Ready at Dawn is still working on that original IP -- but now, the game is also headed to a "next-generation home console game system." Eurogamer spotted listings for a variety of jobs on Ready at Dawn's job page, seeking experienced professionals in a variety of disciplines, from concept artists to a graphics programmer to a senior level designer. Little information can be gleaned from the listings beyond the general project, but we've reached out to Ready at Dawn for more info.

JoystiqGod of War PSP studio readying next-gen third-person action title originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 29 Feb 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>job-listingsnext-genoriginal-ipready-at-dawnWed, 29 Feb 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[God of War Origins Collection launch trailer shows Kratos' brutal beginnings]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/14/god-of-war-origins-collection-launch-trailer-shows-kratos-bruta/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/14/god-of-war-origins-collection-launch-trailer-shows-kratos-bruta/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/14/god-of-war-origins-collection-launch-trailer-shows-kratos-bruta/#comments
If you skipped Kratos' PSP adventures, you can fill the gaps of his mythos by picking up the God of War Origins Collection, the launch trailer for which is posted above. Or, you can read our handy summary: He used to be very angry, and now he is very, very angry, and he will always be so angry.

JoystiqGod of War Origins Collection launch trailer shows Kratos' brutal beginnings originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 14 Sep 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>god-of-war-origins-collectionplaystationps3Ready-At-Dawnsony-santa-monicaWed, 14 Sep 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[God of War: Origins Collection demo hits PSN tomorrow for Plus members, next week for everyone]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/29/god-of-war-origins-collection-demo-hits-psn-tomorrow-for-plus-m/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/29/god-of-war-origins-collection-demo-hits-psn-tomorrow-for-plus-m/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/29/god-of-war-origins-collection-demo-hits-psn-tomorrow-for-plus-m/#comments The life of a Spartan is hard, you know? Not only do you spend the majority of your time battling the will of the gods and/or Freddy Krueger, but you've also got to deal with Ready at Dawn rebuilding your entire body from scratch. Being completely reconstituted from the ground up is a serious drag on a wrathful deity's love life, but it looks like the reconstruction process is nearly finished, as the God of War: Origins Collection demo will soon make its way into your living room.

PlayStation Plus members itchin' for some PSP-remake action can get their hands dirty as early as tomorrow, while plebeian un-Plus members will have to quell their bloodlust until September 6. Full stereoscopic 3D will be included in the demo as well, so if you've got a 3D-capable display and an action-capable attitude, the only thing keeping you from olympian glory is yourself. Unless you're not a PlayStation Plus member; that will also keep you from olympian glory, for one week.

JoystiqGod of War: Origins Collection demo hits PSN tomorrow for Plus members, next week for everyone originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 29 Aug 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DemoGod-of-Wargod-of-war-origins-collectionplaystationPlayStation-Plusps3PSNReady-at-DawnSonyMon, 29 Aug 2011 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Ready at Dawn gets technical about God of War: Origins Collection on PS3]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/12/ready-at-dawn-gets-technical-about-god-of-war-origins-collectio/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/12/ready-at-dawn-gets-technical-about-god-of-war-origins-collectio/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/12/ready-at-dawn-gets-technical-about-god-of-war-origins-collectio/#comments
Oh, you just thought they tighten up the graphics a bit and call it a day, huh? No way, José -- converting PSP games that run at 480 x 272, 30 frames a second, to full 1080p, 60 frames a second is no small task. Ready at Dawn had to get its hands dirty and create a custom PS3 version of its internal engine for God of War: Origins Collection, Nathan Phail-Liff recounted on the PlayStation Blog today.

"We ended up going through every single character in the game and doubling or tripling polygon count by hand, as well as up-rezing and re-painting every texture across both games at 4x resolution on both characters and environments," Phail-Liff said. He also said Ready at Dawn had to re-render every cutscene from Chains of Olympus and Ghost of Sparta in the new PS3 engine. Finally, there's also going to be full stereoscopic 3D support in both games.

God of War: Origins Collection launches for the PS3 on September 13, 2011.

JoystiqReady at Dawn gets technical about God of War: Origins Collection on PS3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 12 Aug 2011 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>god-of-wargod-of-war-origins-collectionkratosplaystationps3pspReady-At-DawnsceasonyFri, 12 Aug 2011 23:30:00 EST<![CDATA[God of War: Origins E3 trailer is all angry and stuff]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/07/god-of-war-origins-e3-trailer-is-all-angry-and-stuff/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/07/god-of-war-origins-e3-trailer-is-all-angry-and-stuff/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/07/god-of-war-origins-e3-trailer-is-all-angry-and-stuff/#comments Combining both God of War: Chains of Olympus and God of War: Ghost of Sparta is the God of War Origins Collection, an improved HD-enhanced version of the PSP titles for the PS3. Revealed during Sony's E3 2011 keynote, this two-for-one is coming this year and boasts full 3D support.

Continue reading God of War: Origins E3 trailer is all angry and stuff

JoystiqGod of War: Origins E3 trailer is all angry and stuff originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 07 Jun 2011 00:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3e3-2011god-of-war-origins-collectionplaystationps3pspReady-At-Dawnsonysony-santa-monicaTue, 07 Jun 2011 00:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Mass Effect 2 wins GOTY, RPG, storytelling awards at DICE 2011]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/11/mass-effect-2-wins-goty-rpg-story-awards-at-dice-2011/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/11/mass-effect-2-wins-goty-rpg-story-awards-at-dice-2011/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/11/mass-effect-2-wins-goty-rpg-story-awards-at-dice-2011/#comments Tonight's 14th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards (i.e., the DICE awards) saw Mass Effect 2 cruise off with honors for Game of the Year, RPG of the Year and Outstanding Achievement in Story. However, Red Dead Redemption ended up with more trophies, riding away with wins for Action Game of the Year and Outstanding Character Performance, along with Outstanding Achievement in Game Direction, Art Direction and Gameplay Engineering.

The portable and casual categories were filled with rage, as God of War: Ghost of Sparta won the award for Portable Game of the Year, while Casual Game of the Year went to the ferocious fowls of Angry Birds HD.

Check out the full list of award recipients after the break.

Continue reading Mass Effect 2 wins GOTY, RPG, storytelling awards at DICE 2011

JoystiqMass Effect 2 wins GOTY, RPG, storytelling awards at DICE 2011 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 11 Feb 2011 01:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AIASangry-birdsawardsbiowareDICEDICE-2011eaElectronic-Artsgod-of-wargod-of-war-ghost-of-spartaMass-Effect-2microsoftpcplaystationps3Ready-At-Dawnred-dead-redemptionRockstar-GamesRockstar-San-DiegoRoviosceasonyxboxFri, 11 Feb 2011 01:46:00 EST<![CDATA[Ready At Dawn to reveal new original action game 'soon,' done with PSP]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/26/ready-at-dawn-to-reveal-new-original-action-game-soon-done-wi/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/26/ready-at-dawn-to-reveal-new-original-action-game-soon-done-wi/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/26/ready-at-dawn-to-reveal-new-original-action-game-soon-done-wi/#comments Ready at Dawn recently explained in an interview with Eurogamer that it's ready to make the leap away from the PSP platform that's treated it so, so well over the years. The developer is preparing to announce a new "story driven" action-adventure game based on original IP -- but Ready at Dawn co-founder Ru Weerasuriya confirmed that God of War: Ghost of Sparta is "our last PSP game."

So, where is the new project going to end up? Weerasuriya explained that it's currently being developed using the studio's self-titled Ready at Dawn engine, and "right now our engine runs on pretty much anything that's available out there." So, then, 360, PS3, PS2, Wii, Gamecube, Xbox, DS, PC, Mac, iPhone, Blackberry, Android, Windows Phone 7, Game Boy Advance, car radios, iPod Nanos and Pokéwalkers -- but totally, definitely not the PSP.

JoystiqReady At Dawn to reveal new original action game 'soon,' done with PSP originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 26 Oct 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>God-of-War-Ghost-of-SpartaplaystationpspReady-At-Dawnready-at-dawn-enginesonyTue, 26 Oct 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[God of War: Ghost of Sparta review: This Spartan stands tall]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/25/god-of-war-ghost-of-sparta-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/25/god-of-war-ghost-of-sparta-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/25/god-of-war-ghost-of-sparta-review/#comments The past 12 months have been very good to fans of the God of War franchise. Nearly a year ago, we got HD versions of the original PS2 game and its sequel, followed by the excellent God of War III for PS3. Then came the revelation that Ready At Dawn, developer of the knockout God of War: Chains of Olympus for PSP, was returning to the system with a brand new entry, God of War: Ghost of Sparta.

As great as Chains of Olympus had been, the idea that a portable God of War could satisfy after the epic PS3 iteration seemed, well, like it would take an act of ... gods. It's a good thing, then, that Ready At Dawn clearly drew on some otherworldly powers in creating Ghost of Sparta: a game that upholds the standard of quality in gameplay, storytelling and sheer wow factor of the series, while also -- like Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker before it -- blurring the lines between portable and console experiences with its amazing presentation.

Gallery: God of War: Ghost of Sparta

Continue reading God of War: Ghost of Sparta review: This Spartan stands tall

JoystiqGod of War: Ghost of Sparta review: This Spartan stands tall originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 25 Oct 2010 12:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Action-Adventuregod-of-warGod-of-War-Ghost-of-SpartaplaystationpspReady-At-DawnsonyMon, 25 Oct 2010 12:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Japan gets God of War manga as Ghost of Sparta pre-order bonus]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/21/japan-gets-god-of-war-manga-as-ghost-of-sparta-pre-order-bonus/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/21/japan-gets-god-of-war-manga-as-ghost-of-sparta-pre-order-bonus/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/21/japan-gets-god-of-war-manga-as-ghost-of-sparta-pre-order-bonus/#comments Tatsuya Egawa, creator of the risqué manga Golden Boy has been tapped by Sony to produce a short God of War: Ghost of Sparta manga as a pre-order bonus in Japan. It's intended to provide backstory for franchise newbies, but also gives Kratos an oddly proportioned head. Seriously, look at that thing!

JoystiqJapan gets God of War manga as Ghost of Sparta pre-order bonus originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 21 Oct 2010 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>God-of-War-Ghost-of-Spartagolden-boyjapanmangaplaystationpre-orderpspReady-At-DawnsonyTatsuya-EgawaThu, 21 Oct 2010 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Ghost of Sparta's 'Legionnaire' bonus costume revealed]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/10/ghost-of-spartas-legionnaire-bonus-costume-revealed/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/10/ghost-of-spartas-legionnaire-bonus-costume-revealed/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/10/ghost-of-spartas-legionnaire-bonus-costume-revealed/#comments Last week, we got a look at a hair-topped, alternate version of God of War's surly hero, Kratos -- recently, PlayStation.Blog showed off another "what if" concept of the protagonist. As in, "what if the dude wore more clothes" -- a query answered by Ghost of Sparta's "Legionnaire" pre-order bonus.

Continue reading Ghost of Sparta's 'Legionnaire' bonus costume revealed

JoystiqGhost of Sparta's 'Legionnaire' bonus costume revealed originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 10 Oct 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>God-of-War-Ghost-of-SpartaplaystationpspReady-At-Dawnsonysony-computer-entertainmentSun, 10 Oct 2010 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[God of War: Ghost of Sparta includes downloadable Deimos for GoW 3]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/07/god-of-war-ghost-of-sparta-includes-downloadable-deimos-for-gow/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/07/god-of-war-ghost-of-sparta-includes-downloadable-deimos-for-gow/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/07/god-of-war-ghost-of-sparta-includes-downloadable-deimos-for-gow/#commentsFiled under: , ,

It must be really, really hard being the brother of the God of War series' surly protagonist, Kratos. Not only was the ash-covered warrior probably a brutal roughhouser in his youth, but his siblings more than likely get pummeled with guilt at family reunions: "Why can't you be more like your brother? He's killed like, twenty gods, you know?" You'll get to suffer these slings and arrows if you pick up Ghost of Sparta, as early, specially-marked copies of the game will include a voucher to download a character skin modeled after Kratos' bro, Deimos, for use in God of War 3.

Deimos, who bears a strong familial resemblance to the titular Ghost of Sparta, isn't just more hirsute than his brother, he also comes with "enhanced combat damage and the ability to receive 4x the amount of Health, Magic and God Orbs," according to PlayStation Blog. The voucher will be available in early copies of the game, in the hardware-bundled Entertainment Pack and for PSP Go users who purchase the title from November 2-9 on the PlayStation Store. Don't miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime experience to play through a God of War game with a full head of lustrous, waxen hair.

Check out a new, extremely bald trailer for God of War: Ghost of Sparta after the jump.

Continue reading God of War: Ghost of Sparta includes downloadable Deimos for GoW 3

JoystiqGod of War: Ghost of Sparta includes downloadable Deimos for GoW 3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 07 Oct 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bonusdeimosgod-of-war-3God-of-War-Ghost-of-Spartaplaystationps3pspready-at-dawnsonySony-Computer-EntertainmentThu, 07 Oct 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[God of War: Ghost of Sparta demo arrives on PSN tomorrow]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/27/god-of-war-ghost-of-sparta-demo-arrives-on-psn-tomorrow/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/27/god-of-war-ghost-of-sparta-demo-arrives-on-psn-tomorrow/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/27/god-of-war-ghost-of-sparta-demo-arrives-on-psn-tomorrow/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Are you anxious to finally find out what new methods of dude-hurting have been introduced in Kratos' next outing, God of War: Ghost of Sparta? Put on your angry face, friends -- PlayStation Blog has announced that a demo for that ultraviolent romp through Greek history will arrive on the PlayStation Store with tomorrow's content update.

We're not sure how many minutes of chain-swinging will be included in said demo, but we do know that it probably won't be enough to tide us over until Ghost of Sparta's November 2 release date. Unless, of course, we play it a thousand times. Man, we'd be so good at that one part.

JoystiqGod of War: Ghost of Sparta demo arrives on PSN tomorrow originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 27 Sep 2010 17:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>demoGod-of-War-Ghost-of-Spartaplaystationpsnpspready-at-dawnrelease-datesonysony-santa-monicaMon, 27 Sep 2010 17:20:00 EST<![CDATA[God of War: Ghost of Sparta pre-order bonuses announced]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/16/god-of-war-ghost-of-sparta-pre-order-bonuses-announced/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/16/god-of-war-ghost-of-sparta-pre-order-bonuses-announced/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/16/god-of-war-ghost-of-sparta-pre-order-bonuses-announced/#commentsFiled under: , ,

If the recently announced God of War: Ghost of Sparta hardware bundle just isn't enough Kratos to satisfy your obsession, Sony's keen to remind you that you can deepen your devotion by pre-ordering the game. Your commitment will net you a bonus pack of extras; each of which will be individually highlighted on the PlayStation Blog over the following weeks.

While only the Kratos PSN Avatar has been fully revealed, it's probably not too much of a stretch for God of War devotees to imagine what the other bonuses entail. Also included with a Ghost of Sparta pre-order: the original soundtrack, the "God of War Live" creative directors documentary, a Legionnaire character skin, and both a PS3 Dynamic and PSP theme.

JoystiqGod of War: Ghost of Sparta pre-order bonuses announced originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 16 Sep 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bonusGod-of-War-Ghost-of-Spartaplaystationpre-orderpre-order-bonuspspready-at-dawnsonySony-Computer-EntertainmentThu, 16 Sep 2010 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[God of War: Ghost of Sparta demo for PlayStation Plus next week]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/01/god-of-war-ghost-of-sparta-demo-for-playstation-plus-next-week/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/01/god-of-war-ghost-of-sparta-demo-for-playstation-plus-next-week/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/01/god-of-war-ghost-of-sparta-demo-for-playstation-plus-next-week/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Now this is totally cooler than discounts on PS3 service plans: next Tuesday, September 7, those with subscriptions to Sony's PlayStation Plus service will score an early download of the God of War: Ghost of Sparta demo. No word yet on a non-subscriber date for the demo. We'll keep you posted.

JoystiqGod of War: Ghost of Sparta demo for PlayStation Plus next week originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 01 Sep 2010 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>demogod-of-warGod-of-War-Ghost-of-Spartaplaystationplaystation-pluspsnpspReady-At-DawnsonyWed, 01 Sep 2010 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[God of War: Ghost of Sparta special edition PSP revealed]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/30/god-of-war-ghost-of-sparta-special-edition-psp-revealed/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/30/god-of-war-ghost-of-sparta-special-edition-psp-revealed/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/30/god-of-war-ghost-of-sparta-special-edition-psp-revealed/#commentsFiled under: , ,

PlayStation Blog released a few images of the special edition PSP, seen above, included in the God of War: Ghost of Sparta bundle. It just ... looks angry, doesn't it? Like, we rarely imbue inanimate objects with human emotions, but that thing looks like it wants to cut us while we sleep.

Continue reading God of War: Ghost of Sparta special edition PSP revealed

JoystiqGod of War: Ghost of Sparta special edition PSP revealed originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 30 Aug 2010 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bundlegod-of-warGod-of-War-Ghost-of-Spartaplaystationpspready-at-dawnsonySony-Computer-Entertainmentspecial-editionMon, 30 Aug 2010 16:20:00 EST<![CDATA[God of War: Ghost of Sparta coming Nov. 2 alongside PSP hardware bundle]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/02/god-of-war-ghost-of-sparta-coming-nov-2-alongside-psp-hardware/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/02/god-of-war-ghost-of-sparta-coming-nov-2-alongside-psp-hardware/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/02/god-of-war-ghost-of-sparta-coming-nov-2-alongside-psp-hardware/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Your next chance to brutally eviscerate mythological beasts without eliciting the concern of your peers will come on November 2, when Ready at Dawn's second handheld Kratosian adventure, God of War: Ghost of Sparta, hits U.S. store shelves. The PlayStation.Blog mentions the game's arrival as "just in time for the holidays" -- we assume they're talking about Thanksgiving, which, much like God of War's ashy protagonist, places a heavy emphasis on carving.

Also announced were the game's pre-order bonuses, which include PSP and PS3 Themes and Avatars, the game's soundtrack, an in-game "Legionnaire Skin" and a video roundtable of the game's creative directors. In addition, a Ghost of Sparta PSP bundle will launch alongside the game, which comes with a red and black PSP-3000, a copy of the game, a download voucher for Chains of Olympus, Kick-Ass on UMD and a 2GB Memory Stick Pro Duo. It is, quite possibly, the most violent thing upon which you could ever spend $199.99.

JoystiqGod of War: Ghost of Sparta coming Nov. 2 alongside PSP hardware bundle originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 02 Aug 2010 12:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>God-of-War-Ghost-of-Spartahardware-bundleplaystationpre-order-bonuspspready-at-dawnrelease-datesonysony-santa-monicaMon, 02 Aug 2010 12:06:00 EST<![CDATA[New Ghost of Sparta footage teaches how to solve puzzles with murder]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/24/new-ghost-of-sparta-footage-teaches-how-to-solve-puzzles-with-mu/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/24/new-ghost-of-sparta-footage-teaches-how-to-solve-puzzles-with-mu/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/24/new-ghost-of-sparta-footage-teaches-how-to-solve-puzzles-with-mu/#comments You know, we were just thinking about how tame ol' Kratos had become in the latter portions of the God of War trilogy. What happened to the days when he'd straight murder a Greek historical figure, unprovoked, just to solve a puzzle? Fear not -- those days will apparently return in Ghost of Sparta.

Continue reading New Ghost of Sparta footage teaches how to solve puzzles with murder

JoystiqNew Ghost of Sparta footage teaches how to solve puzzles with murder originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 24 Jul 2010 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>God-of-War-Ghost-of-Spartaplaystationpspready-at-dawnsonySat, 24 Jul 2010 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Ready at Dawn confirms 13 laid off]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/14/ready-at-dawn-confirms-13-laid-off/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/14/ready-at-dawn-confirms-13-laid-off/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/14/ready-at-dawn-confirms-13-laid-off/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Ready at Dawn, the Southern Californian developer behind the upcoming God of War: Ghost of Sparta for PSP, has laid off 13 of its employees, a statement on its website confirms. While a source told Joystiq that as many as 50 were let go including contractors, company president Didier Malenfant told us, "The number on the site is accurate, that's why we put it up to make sure stupid rumors don't start flying."

The official statement calls the layoffs "the woes of being independent," saying of the now-former staff, "We simply couldn't keep them on board while one project finishes and another ramps up." Our source said that among the 13 were employees who had been with the studio since its early days, working on titles including Daxter and God of War: Chains of Olympus. Only four members of the team that worked on the latter remain, we're told.

JoystiqReady at Dawn confirms 13 laid off originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 14 Jul 2010 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>layoffsplaystationpspReady-at-DawnWed, 14 Jul 2010 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Get your first taste of God of War: Ghost of Sparta gameplay]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/08/get-your-first-taste-of-god-of-war-ghost-of-sparta-gameplay/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/08/get-your-first-taste-of-god-of-war-ghost-of-sparta-gameplay/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/08/get-your-first-taste-of-god-of-war-ghost-of-sparta-gameplay/#comments By now, we've all seen the God of War: Ghost of Sparta trailer about a few hundred times, but Sony's finally hooked us up with the good stuff -- actual gameplay footage. Past the break, you can soak your eyes in just over a minute of footage of Kratos doing what he does best: cutting down fools and harvesting their sweet, sweet orbs. We get the guy is all mad about his dead family and stuff, but does he have to eat his enemy's souls? Does he have to go that far?

Gallery: God of War: Ghost of Sparta (E3 2010)

Continue reading Get your first taste of God of War: Ghost of Sparta gameplay

JoystiqGet your first taste of God of War: Ghost of Sparta gameplay originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 08 Jul 2010 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>God-of-War-Ghost-of-SpartaReady-At-Dawnsony-santa-monicaThu, 08 Jul 2010 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Preview: God of War: Ghost of Sparta]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/22/preview-god-of-war-ghost-of-sparta/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/22/preview-god-of-war-ghost-of-sparta/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/22/preview-god-of-war-ghost-of-sparta/#comments "Every end has a beginning," the trailer for God of War: Ghost of Sparta tells us. Yet, considering how savaged Greek mythology is by the end of God of War 3, Ghost of Sparta seems a bit out of place. A new God of War prequel from Chains of Olympus developer Ready at Dawn should be cause for celebration, but perhaps it's too soon after God of War 3 -- my excitement was definitely abated when I picked up the PSP system and started playing. It felt too safe, too familiar.

That's not to say that Ghost of Sparta is bad. In fact, it's very good -- Ready at Dawn's handheld wizardry has managed to improve even more, with visuals that seem impossible on Sony's aging portable. And it's not just a pretty face: there are some new gameplay features as well, including a few refinements carried over from the PS3 game. Chains of Olympus stands as the most critically acclaimed PSP game to date, and it seems Ghost of Sparta has a chance of besting such a lofty goal.

The core mechanics will be instantly familiar to anyone who has played a God of War game. At this point, Kratos' repertoire of dual-chain attacks should be part of muscle memory. There are a few additions that make the combat feel new and fun. The "Hyperion Charge," for example, allows you to run at enemies and tackle them. Additional button presses let you bash at the enemy, MMA style, or throw it as a meatbag projectile.

Gallery: God of War: Ghost of Sparta (E3 2010)

Continue reading Preview: God of War: Ghost of Sparta

JoystiqPreview: God of War: Ghost of Sparta originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 22 Jun 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3e3-2010god-of-wargod-of-war-ghost-of-spartaplaystationpspready-at-dawnTue, 22 Jun 2010 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[God of War: Ghost of Sparta brings Kratos back to PSP]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/04/god-of-war-ghost-of-sparta-brings-kratos-back-to-psp/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/04/god-of-war-ghost-of-sparta-brings-kratos-back-to-psp/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/04/god-of-war-ghost-of-sparta-brings-kratos-back-to-psp/#comments
God of Whoa: Click to browse high-res gallery. It looks like we finally know what the "Spartans Stand Tall" teaser site was all about. Sony has just announced God of War: Ghost of Sparta, a new PSP-exclusive game developed by Ready At Dawn Studios, the same team responsible for Chains of Olympus. "Excitement for the God of War franchise is at an all-time high and we're thrilled to continue that momentum with God of War: Ghost of Sparta," Scott A. Steinberg, vice president, product marketing, SCEA, said in a press release. "This new adventure will showcase Kratos on PSP like never before in an experience that fans and newcomers can enjoy on the go, anytime, anywhere."

Ghost of Sparta features Kratos once again, this time in an adventure that takes place after the first God of War on PS2 and delves into Kratos' rise to power. According to Sony, Ready At Dawn will utilize "state-of-the-art visual technologies" that will allow "higher quality environments and characters." In addition, Ghost of Sparta will offer "over 25% more gameplay" than its PSP predecessor, while adding more enemies on screen, and a greater number of boss encounters.

God of War: Ghost of Sparta is planned for release "later this year." We expect a lot more to be revealed at E3.

Gallery: God of War: Ghost of Sparta

JoystiqGod of War: Ghost of Sparta brings Kratos back to PSP originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 04 May 2010 09:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>god-of-wargod-of-war-ghost-of-spartaready-at-dawnsonysony-santa-monicaspartans-stand-tallTue, 04 May 2010 09:17:00 EST<![CDATA[Ready at Dawn's game engine to 'support all console systems']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/13/ready-at-dawns-game-engine-to-support-all-console-systems/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/13/ready-at-dawns-game-engine-to-support-all-console-systems/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/13/ready-at-dawns-game-engine-to-support-all-console-systems/#comments

Yesterday's announcement that Daxter, God of War: Chains of Olympus and Wii Okami developer Ready at Dawn would be releasing its own game engine was missing something. Specifically: Mention of Nintendo Wii as a supported platform. We found the omission a little odd, considering the studio has done Wii development, so we contacted RAD president Didier Malenfant to find out more.

"We plan on our newly announced platform to support all console systems," Malenfant told us. OK, that was easy. When asked about the fresh job posting on his company's site seeking "a few additions to our engine team in order to add support for an unannounced console platform," though, he remarked that his previous statement was "about all I can say for now," but that "we will have more engine news soon." We're sure it will be ... rad.

JoystiqReady at Dawn's game engine to 'support all console systems' originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 13 Oct 2009 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>MicrosoftmiddlewareNintendorad-engineready-at-dawnready-at-dawn-engineWiiXbox-360Tue, 13 Oct 2009 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Ready at Dawn releasing self-titled middleware engine]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/12/ready-at-dawn-releasing-self-titled-middleware-engine/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/12/ready-at-dawn-releasing-self-titled-middleware-engine/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/12/ready-at-dawn-releasing-self-titled-middleware-engine/#comments Fact: Ready at Dawn has never made a bad game. Sure, the company's repertoire, which includes Daxter and God of War: Chains of Olympus for PSP and Okami for Wii, is limited. Still, look at those games. Not exactly the worst developer to take a cue from, right? Soon, developers large and small will be able to do just that when Ready at Dawn releases its own game development platform for the Xbox 360, PS3 and PSP, appropriately titled the Ready at Dawn Engine. (How delightfully narcissistic!)

The new engine will attempt to set itself apart from competing middleware services by offering a one-stop shop for cross-platform game development, merging its "proprietary code-base with the top providers of 3D content editing, audio, user interface and asset management systems." We suggest checking out Gamasutra's recent interview with Dawn co-founder Didier Malenfant to learn about the brazenness required to inspire a company, with three games under its belt, to make its own game-crafting engine.

JoystiqReady at Dawn releasing self-titled middleware engine originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 12 Oct 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>didier-malenfantengineMicrosoftmiddlewareready-at-dawnready-at-dawn-engineXbox-360Mon, 12 Oct 2009 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Japanese gamers want Persona 4, Phoenix Wright anime series (and so do we)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/17/japanese-gamers-want-persona-4-phoenix-wright-anime-series-and/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/17/japanese-gamers-want-persona-4-phoenix-wright-anime-series-and/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/17/japanese-gamers-want-persona-4-phoenix-wright-anime-series-and/#comments Japanese gaming pub Dengenki recently polled its readers on what series they'd like to see translated into anime form. The Top 10 list looks nearly exactly the same as our own wishlist:
  • 1. Persona 4
  • 2. Phoenix Wright
  • 3. Okami
  • 4. Kingdom Hearts
  • 5. Idol Master
  • 6. Metal Gear Solid
  • 7. Yakuza
  • 8. BlazBlue
  • 9. Persona 3
  • 10. Atelier Rorona
Atlus' PS2 RPG Persona 4 tops the list, managing to beat out some big names like Kingdom Hearts and Metal Gear Solid. Perhaps the success of Persona: Trinity Soul reminded readers that the franchise works in serialized TV format? While we'd certainly like to see another Persona anime, an adaptation of Phoenix Wright seems like a no-brainer. Capcom, are you reading this?

[Via Andriasang]

JoystiqJapanese gamers want Persona 4, Phoenix Wright anime series (and so do we) originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 17 Sep 2009 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ActionAdventureanimeatelier-roronaAtlusblazblueBlazBlue-Calamity-TriggerCapcomClover-Studiosdengenkiidol-masterkingdom-heartsmetal-gear-solidNintendookamipersona-3persona-4phoenix-wrightReady-At-DawnRPGShin-Megami-TenseiShin-Megami-Tensei-Persona-3Shin-Megami-Tensei-Persona-4WiiyakuzaThu, 17 Sep 2009 01:00:00 EST<![CDATA[April Fools: Chains of Olympus contains hidden 'Cube of War' mode ]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/01/april-fools-chains-of-olympus-contains-hidden-cube-of-war-mod/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/01/april-fools-chains-of-olympus-contains-hidden-cube-of-war-mod/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/01/april-fools-chains-of-olympus-contains-hidden-cube-of-war-mod/#comments Hot off its "Best Handheld Game" win at the 2009 Game Developer Choice Awards, Ready at Dawn has divulged the existence of a previously undiscovered mode within God of War: Chains of Olympus. Called "Cube of War," it allows players to take on the game's menagerie of murderous malcontents as ... an Aperture Science Weighted Companion Cube.

RAD isn't saying how the deal to get the Cube in the game -- and out of Portal -- was struck, but it does have instructions on unlocking this tasty (like cake) triumph: "if you finish Chains of Olympus in god mode, no upgrades, and collect all the urns of power twice without dying you open up the companion cube as a hidden character." If you can muster that, we'd consider it a huge success. If you can't, at least watch what you're missing after the break.

Continue reading April Fools: Chains of Olympus contains hidden 'Cube of War' mode

JoystiqApril Fools: Chains of Olympus contains hidden 'Cube of War' mode originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 01 Apr 2009 20:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>april-foolsapril-fools-09god-of-wargod-of-war-chains-of-olympusportalready-at-dawnweighted-companion-cubeWed, 01 Apr 2009 20:05:00 EST<![CDATA[PSA: Go buy Okami for $20 at the Capcom Store]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/31/psa-go-buy-okami-for-20-at-the-capcom-store/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/31/psa-go-buy-okami-for-20-at-the-capcom-store/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/31/psa-go-buy-okami-for-20-at-the-capcom-store/#comments It's okay, we can wait. Just head over to the Capcom Store and buy your copy of Okami right now. It's only $20.

What's that? Oh, yes, that price applies to both the PS2 and Wii versions. Seriously, Capcom lowered the price to $20. We know, right? What? You say you haven't even played Okami yet? You'd better hurry up and buy it before someone finds out. It's okay, we won't tell anyone.

JoystiqPSA: Go buy Okami for $20 at the Capcom Store originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 31 Mar 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ActionAdventurecapcomclover-studiosokamiReady-At-DawnTue, 31 Mar 2009 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ready at Dawn CEO talks up PSP, says online distribution is key]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/03/ready-at-dawn-ceo-talks-up-psp-says-online-distribution-is-key/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/03/ready-at-dawn-ceo-talks-up-psp-says-online-distribution-is-key/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/03/ready-at-dawn-ceo-talks-up-psp-says-online-distribution-is-key/#comments
Judging by last week's torrent of PSP headlines, clearly Sony has big plans in store for its handheld in the coming year. One popular rumor making the rounds of late centers on a possible redesign in the works for the portable, one which purports to drop the UMD format altogether. It's an idea that Ready at Dawn boss Didier Malenfant seems wholly in favor of seeing, if only because it looks to point towards a platform dedicated to digital distribution.

The exec admits that he doesn't have the inside track on what Sony is up to with the PSP, though he told Edge in a recent interview that he'd "love to see anything that can help distribution move quicker toward a 100 percent online model." Like Bungie's Marty O'Donnell before him, Malenfant has been feeling the financial crunch put on the industry by the used game market, and confessed that "it's not piracy but used games that are killing us."

Ready at Dawn may have a more personal stake in a possible PSP redesign as well, with rumors of a PSP sequel to God of War: Chains of Olympus in the pipeline at the Irvine, CA studio. Unfortunately, Edge wasn't ably to pry any details out of the company co-founder, with Malenfant saying only that "the PSP was a great platform to work on and it's certainly been really good to us, so we have no complaint there." However, if Ready at Dawn is back to working with the PSP, we suggest maybe holding onto a few of those dev kits after the project is out the door instead of spending all of the company profits on stamps.

JoystiqReady at Dawn CEO talks up PSP, says online distribution is key originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 03 Mar 2009 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chains-of-olympusdidier-malenfantdigitalgod-of-wargod-of-war-chains-of-olympushardwarepsppsp-4000psp2ready-at-dawnsonyTue, 03 Mar 2009 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: Ready at Dawn developing new PSP God of War]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/27/rumor-ready-at-dawn-returning-to-psp-for-new-god-of-war/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/27/rumor-ready-at-dawn-returning-to-psp-for-new-god-of-war/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/27/rumor-ready-at-dawn-returning-to-psp-for-new-god-of-war/#comments
If Tuesday's reveal of new -- even exciting -- games coming to PSP knocked you on your rump, you'd best be seated before reading any futher. Comfy? Good. Here's the deal: Joystiq has learned from a trusted source that Ready at Dawn, the studio behind the PSP's excellent God of War: Chains of Olympus, is working on a new Kratos adventure for PSP. Apparently the studio hasn't sworn off PSP development once and for all.

The informant tells us Ready at Dawn did, in fact, ship all of its PSP development kits back to Sony last summer, but received new kits in late 2008 after Sony ordered up the sequel. It's possible that, given its current state of development, the game might appear in some form at June's E3 Expo, our source reports. The title seems an unlikely candidate for release this year, but could be timed to coincide with God of War III's launch, which may occur in early 2010.

When contacted for comment, Ready at Dawn president and co-founder, Didier Malenfant, responded: "You know that even if we were [making the game], I couldn't answer your question." We see a "know" in there, but not a "no."

JoystiqRumor: Ready at Dawn developing new PSP God of War originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 27 Feb 2009 17:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chains-of-olympuse3-2009god-of-warkratospspready-at-dawnrumorsonyFri, 27 Feb 2009 17:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Ready At Dawn's next game is an 'Xbox 360 / PS3 original title' [Update: Didier responds!]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/05/ready-at-dawns-next-game-is-an-xbox-360-ps3-original-title/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/05/ready-at-dawns-next-game-is-an-xbox-360-ps3-original-title/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/05/ready-at-dawns-next-game-is-an-xbox-360-ps3-original-title/#comments John Enricco, a lighting artist at Ready At Dawn, has updated his LinkedIn profile to reflect the fact that the company is now working on an original title for the Xbox 360 and PS3. Yeah, multiplatform. Many were expecting Ready At Dawn's first current-generation title to be a PS3 exclusive, considering its relationship with Sony during PSP development. According to Ready At Dawn's website, this is just one of two projects currently being worked on.

The fact that it's an "original title" also indicates that this is a new IP, marking the first time the studio has designed its own game from scratch. Judging from the quality of Ready At Dawn's PSP titles (Daxter, God of War: Chains of Olympus), we're expecting technically great things from this new project. As for whether the game's premise is any good, we have nothing to base our expectations on. One thing's for sure, though; we can't wait to sink our teeth into more details.

[Update: We reached out to Didier Malenfant, co-founder of Ready At Dawn, who told us: "We are working on two projects at this time, codenamed R6 and R8, but haven't officially announced platforms, genres or publishers for that matter. The third version of our engine is up and running on all current-gen platforms and looks awesome while version 2.0 is still arguably the best tech around on PSP so we've got all our bases covered. Oh and by the way, we're hiring :) ]

[Thanks David, Via PlayStationLifestyle.net]

JoystiqReady At Dawn's next game is an 'Xbox 360 / PS3 original title' [Update: Didier responds!] originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 05 Feb 2009 15:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>john-enriccolinkedinMicrosoftmultiplatformR6R8ready-at-dawnXbox-360Thu, 05 Feb 2009 15:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Ready at Dawn: 'Maybe we should reconsider' PSP development]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/16/ready-at-dawn-maybe-we-should-reconsider-psp-development/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/16/ready-at-dawn-maybe-we-should-reconsider-psp-development/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/16/ready-at-dawn-maybe-we-should-reconsider-psp-development/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


We've heard of buyer's remorse. Even seller's remorse. But mailer's remorse? That could be afflicting developer Ready at Dawn, as the company jokes that it might have been too hasty when it turned its back on Sony's portable and marked all of its PSP dev kits 'return to sender.' The company announced in June that it was "officially done with PSP development," but after seeing both Daxter and God of War: Chains of Olympus among the top 5 PSP games sold on Amazon last week, the studio is cheekily patting its own back.

"Maybe we should reconsider this whole 'no more PSP games' thing because we seem to be pretty good at it," reads a post on Ready at Dawn's blog. We're inclined to agree, even if it is in jest. With a few more studios like you around, maybe the PSP wouldn't need a life raft to stay afloat.

JoystiqReady at Dawn: 'Maybe we should reconsider' PSP development originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 16 Dec 2008 10:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>daxtergod-of-wargod-of-war-chains-of-olympusPSPready-at-dawnreadyatdawnsonyTue, 16 Dec 2008 10:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Ready at Dawn: 'Maybe we should reconsider' PSP dev]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/14/ready-at-dawn-maybe-we-should-reconsider-psp-dev/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/14/ready-at-dawn-maybe-we-should-reconsider-psp-dev/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/14/ready-at-dawn-maybe-we-should-reconsider-psp-dev/#commentsFiled under:


Remember Ready at Dawn? They're the guys that gave us those little games. Y'know. God of War and Daxter. Citing continued sales of these two titles, the Ready at Dawn team posted on their official site: "Maybe we should reconsider this whole 'no more PSP games' thing because we seem to be doing pretty good at it."

We're not bitter about you saying you'll leave us forever and ever. Just come back to us, and we'll pretend this whole "abandonment" thing never happened. Heck, we won't even charge you for our therapy bills. Okay?

[Thanks to everyone that sent this in!]

JoystiqReady at Dawn: 'Maybe we should reconsider' PSP dev originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 14 Dec 2008 18:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>pspready-at-dawnSun, 14 Dec 2008 18:34:00 EST<![CDATA[Check the mail: Okami covers finally ship]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/27/check-the-mail-okami-covers-finally-ship/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/27/check-the-mail-okami-covers-finally-ship/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/27/check-the-mail-okami-covers-finally-ship/#commentsFiled under:

Just in time for you to have traded the game in three weeks ago, the replacement covers for the Wii version of Okami have finally shipped. If you can cast your minds back to late April, you'll recall when the video game blogging gods tricked Capcom into accidentally hiding the IGN logo on the box art for the game.

Though Capcom made quick work of announcing a fix, the replacement covers haven't been so speedy, but, thankfully, jilted fans should be receiving them any day now.

Gallery: Okami replacement covers

JoystiqCheck the mail: Okami covers finally ship originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 27 Aug 2008 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ActionAdventurecapcomClover-StudiosNintendookamiOkami-WiiReady-At-DawnWiiWed, 27 Aug 2008 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Okami replacement covers shipping with bonus!]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/25/okami-replacement-covers-shipping-with-bonus/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/25/okami-replacement-covers-shipping-with-bonus/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/25/okami-replacement-covers-shipping-with-bonus/#commentsFiled under:

Hey, remember ordering replacement boxart for your copy of Okami? To make up for the unsightly blemish on the covers that came with the game (sorry, IGN), Capcom offered a selection of replacement art ranging from "the real cover, but IGN-free" to completely new, unconventional box designs, and we all got to pick one.

We've had to wait a bit, but it turns out that we'll get all of them! According to Capcom's Colin Ferris, "Each cover sheet features the cleaned cover art on one side, and the two different new designs on the other." The covers are now on their way out, ready to adorn those copies of Okami that you forgot about or traded in.

If you didn't order a replacement cover, perhaps because you didn't yet own Okami and are an honest person, you can still find the high-quality images available for printing.

JoystiqOkami replacement covers shipping with bonus! originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 25 Aug 2008 11:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventureboxartcapcomcloverokamiready-at-dawnMon, 25 Aug 2008 11:51:00 EST<![CDATA[Japan readies for God of War by throwing party]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/23/japan-readies-for-god-of-war-by-throwing-party/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/23/japan-readies-for-god-of-war-by-throwing-party/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/23/japan-readies-for-god-of-war-by-throwing-party/#commentsFiled under: ,

God of War: Chains of Olympus is on its way to Japan on July 10. To help get the game into the minds of PSP gamers -- and peel them away from Monster Hunter -- a special event was held last Friday in Tokyo. There were 15 booths where people could try out the game, tons of free swag such as keychains and t-shirts, and specially crafted drinks made from goat blood, harpy milk, and cyclops sweat were served. Japanese hip-hop group YOU THE ROCK? was also around to keep things lively. See photos of the event here.

As Chains of Olympus devs Ready at Dawn have let their sun set on the PSP, this summer's release for Chains will be the final game on the system from the crew. In that respect, this event was not only the celebration for kicking off the PSP God of War game in Japan, but also, an unintentional farewell. We only hope the game does well in Japan because it really deserves the love.

JoystiqJapan readies for God of War by throwing party originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 23 Jun 2008 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>god-of-warready-at-dawnsceascejMon, 23 Jun 2008 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumorong: Ready at Dawn not going Wii-exclusive]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/11/rumorong-ready-at-dawn-not-going-wii-exclusive/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/11/rumorong-ready-at-dawn-not-going-wii-exclusive/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/11/rumorong-ready-at-dawn-not-going-wii-exclusive/#commentsFiled under: , ,

A snippet from the latest issue of GamePro claims that Daxter and God of War: Chains of Olympus dev Ready at Dawn has ditched PSP development in favor of producing Wii-only titles. Joystiq contacted RAD (pretty cool acronym, huh?) president Didier Malenfant, who was quick to squash the report (although we can't be sure he didn't thwap it with a Wii remote left over from porting Okami to Nintendo's console).

Malenfant further tells Joystiq that his company "[doesn't] have any Wii titles currently in development." RAD had previously hinted at plans to create games for current-gen consoles after finishing Okami Wii, and just today confirmed that it has two all-new games underway. So, two new games in development, none for Wii ... rumorong!

JoystiqRumorong: Ready at Dawn not going Wii-exclusive originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 11 Jun 2008 20:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chains-of-olympusdaxterdidier-malenfantokamipspready-at-dawnwiiWed, 11 Jun 2008 20:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Ready at Dawn denies piracy as reason to leave PSP]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/11/ready-at-dawn-denies-piracy-as-reason-to-leave-psp/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/11/ready-at-dawn-denies-piracy-as-reason-to-leave-psp/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/11/ready-at-dawn-denies-piracy-as-reason-to-leave-psp/#commentsFiled under:


While Ready at Dawn has established itself as the premiere PSP development team, it recently sent back all of its devkits back to Sony so that it can move to new projects on other systems. Joystiq spoke with Ready at Dawn's president, Didier Malenfant, to see why they left Sony's handheld. According to Malenfant, piracy was not a reason. "We sold over 2.3 millions copies of Daxter and are on track to beat that with Chains of Olympus so we're pretty happy with our sales," he responded. "Could we sell more games if piracy was non-existent? Maybe. But we don't target the market that could be, we target the market that is."

He adds, "Good games sell. Who would have thought?"

It seems the team is simply looking to do more on another platform, and try something new. They've seemingly pushed the PSP to its limit, and they can work their magic on other platforms. "We feel like we've done everything we wanted to do with the PSP," admitted the exec. "We have new projects on other platforms and we like to focus on one thing at a time."

JoystiqReady at Dawn denies piracy as reason to leave PSP originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 11 Jun 2008 08:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>pspready-at-dawnWed, 11 Jun 2008 08:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Ready at Dawn talks abandoning the PSP, piracy and being original]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/11/ready-at-dawn-talks-abandoning-the-psp-piracy-and-being-origin/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/11/ready-at-dawn-talks-abandoning-the-psp-piracy-and-being-origin/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/11/ready-at-dawn-talks-abandoning-the-psp-piracy-and-being-origin/#commentsFiled under: , ,


When it comes to developer Ready at Dawn, creating games for the PSP is just so last week. But while the company has closed the book on any PSP aspirations, going so far as to mail its entire stock of dev kits back to Sony, the developer of both Daxter and God of War: Chains of Olympus has played the reason for abandoning PSP development close to its chest.

It's a mystery, but mysteries give us headaches, so we tracked down Ready At Dawn's president, Didier Malenfant, to find out why exactly the studio has turned up its nose at developing for Sony's sexed-up portable. "We feel like we've done everything we wanted to do with the PSP," admitted the exec. "We have new projects on other platforms and we like to focus on one thing at a time."

Even so, Didier championed the state of PSP development, stating matter-of-factly "Good games sell. Who would have thought?"

Continue reading Ready at Dawn talks abandoning the PSP, piracy and being original

JoystiqReady at Dawn talks abandoning the PSP, piracy and being original originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 11 Jun 2008 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chains-of-olympuschainsofolympusdaxterjoystiqfeaturespspready-at-dawnreadyatdawnWed, 11 Jun 2008 05:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ready at Dawn says goodbye to their PSP devkits]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/09/ready-at-dawn-says-goodbye-to-their-psp-devkits/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/09/ready-at-dawn-says-goodbye-to-their-psp-devkits/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/09/ready-at-dawn-says-goodbye-to-their-psp-devkits/#commentsFiled under:

We knew that Daxter and Chains of Olympus developer Ready at Dawn was done with PSP. But, it's still sad to see their PSP devkits placed into storage, to be shipped away to the PSP graveyard. It's the end of an era, alright. Hopefully, it won't be too long before we see their next project -- you may have to check PS3 Fanboy when these guys are ready to make an announcement, though.

JoystiqReady at Dawn says goodbye to their PSP devkits originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 09 Jun 2008 23:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>pspready-at-dawnMon, 09 Jun 2008 23:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Ready at Dawn ceases PSP development]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/09/ready-at-dawn-ceases-psp-development/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/09/ready-at-dawn-ceases-psp-development/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/09/ready-at-dawn-ceases-psp-development/#commentsFiled under: ,


Developer Ready at Dawn has turned its back on Sony's handheld, with a short post on the company's website confirming that the studio is "now officially done with PSP development." Ready at Dawn is best recognized for two of the PSP's more landmark titles, namely Daxter and last year's God of War: Chains of Olympus, though the company's recent success in bringing Capcom's Okami to the Wii may have more than a little to do with the dev's shifting priorities.

Calling the decision "the end of an era," the move has an air of finality about it, with Ready at Dawn packing up all of its PSP dev kits and sending them back from whence they came. The news echoes comments from Ready at Dawn's Ru Weerasuriya earlier this year, with the Chains of Olympus director noting back in March that "our work on the PSP has come to an end." As for what the devs have in store for us next, your guess is as good as ours, though we've dispatched Joystiq ninjas to the Santa Ana-based studio for more information.

[Via Aeropause]

JoystiqReady at Dawn ceases PSP development originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 09 Jun 2008 23:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingnewschains-of-olympusDaxterokami-wiiPSPready-at-dawnMon, 09 Jun 2008 23:05:00 EST