Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Child of Eden review: A momentary masterpiece]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/14/child-of-eden-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/14/child-of-eden-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/14/child-of-eden-review/#comments So, here's the thing about Child of Eden: It is quite short. That's a somewhat pedestrian complaint to leverage against a game -- and an extraordinarily pedestrian complaint to leverage in the very first sentence of a review -- but it needs to be said right up front to temper your expectations. You can beat it in a single sitting (or, as the case may be, standing), with the game's five chapters clocking in at a scant 90 minutes. It ends with a swell, and leaves you with a despondent, unanswered wish for more.

It is also one of the most remarkable video games I've ever played. Not only does it represent the most complete realization of what the Kinect has to offer, it possesses the (perhaps childish) distinction of being, for lack of a better term, a "crying game." It will almost certainly conjure tears from its hardest players -- not because it is particularly sad or melancholic, but because it is stirring.

Gallery: Child of Eden (9/27/2010)

Continue reading Child of Eden review: A momentary masterpiece

JoystiqChild of Eden review: A momentary masterpiece originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 14 Jun 2011 13:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>child-of-edenkinectmicrosofton-railsq-entertainmentrezrhythmshooterubisoftxboxTue, 14 Jun 2011 13:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Sob story: Why I'll be playing Child of Eden with Kinect]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/06/sob-story-why-ill-be-playing-child-of-eden-with-kinect/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/06/sob-story-why-ill-be-playing-child-of-eden-with-kinect/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/06/sob-story-why-ill-be-playing-child-of-eden-with-kinect/#comments It seemed like a fine idea for a feature.

Armed with a early preview disc for Ubisoft's upcoming Child of Eden, I would compare the game's two methods of control, the good old-fashioned thumbstick and buttons and the newfangled Kinect method. Then, when comparing the scores for both, I'd have a pretty good idea of which method is superior.

So what was the problem? The fly in the ointment? ... Well, see, one of the methods made me cry.

Gallery: Child of Eden (9/27/2010)

Continue reading Sob story: Why I'll be playing Child of Eden with Kinect

JoystiqSob story: Why I'll be playing Child of Eden with Kinect originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 06 May 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>child-of-edenkinectmicrosoftplaystationps3qQ-EntertainmentrezubisoftxboxFri, 06 May 2011 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Q Entertainment 'researching' PSN port of Rez HD]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/28/q-entertainment-researching-psn-port-of-rez-hd/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/28/q-entertainment-researching-psn-port-of-rez-hd/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/28/q-entertainment-researching-psn-port-of-rez-hd/#comments Very few games have been able to match the impact of the original Rez ... well, with the exception of Rez HD on Xbox Live Arcade; unsurprisingly, revamped visuals made for an even more psychedelic experience. Q Entertainment recently tweeted about a possible PSN port of the game, asking how much a PS3 version should cost. $15 seems to be the figure Q is working with, noting that "it would not be a huge profit" and "we're not big enough to do things for fun."

Q Entertainment hasn't committed to making the port yet, stating "this is no indication that it's happening, but we're researching if its feasible." Already, there have been some complaints from PlayStation loyalists who reject the notion of paying full price for a two year delayed port. We're confident that you, Joystiq reader, will be able to help Q figure out exactly what to do:

View Poll


[Thanks, kassatsu! Via PSN Stores]

JoystiqQ Entertainment 'researching' PSN port of Rez HD originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 28 Jan 2010 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>psnq-entertainmentrezrez-hdThu, 28 Jan 2010 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Sega re-registers trademarks for Rez, 18 Wheeler]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/10/sega-re-registers-trademarks-for-rez-18-wheeler/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/10/sega-re-registers-trademarks-for-rez-18-wheeler/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/10/sega-re-registers-trademarks-for-rez-18-wheeler/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Depending on what half of the information we're about to report appeals to you, be prepared to launch your trance vibrators or cans of Skoal high into the air in a fit of glee. Sega recently saved two franchises from the trademark trash compactor, effectively renewing its claim on future installments in the Rez and 18 Wheeler: American Pro Trucker series -- two staples in anyone's daily Dreamcast diet.

Try and contain some of your ecstasy/caffeine pill-fueled exuberance -- remember, re-registering a trademark isn't the same as announcing an actual game, so don't start designing your countdown page quite yet. Still, it does mean that Sega thinks these two stones have some blood left in them. Delicious, trance-inducing/cargo-hauling blood.

Source - Rez trademark
Source - 18 Wheeler: American Pro Trucker trademark

[Via Sega Nerds]

JoystiqSega re-registers trademarks for Rez, 18 Wheeler originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 10 Feb 2009 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>18-wheeler-american-pro-truckerrezsegatrademarkTue, 10 Feb 2009 05:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumors: Rez sequel, Spielberg's LMNO on hold and more from EGM]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/10/rumors-rez-sequel-spielbergs-lmno-on-hold-and-more-from-egm/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/10/rumors-rez-sequel-spielbergs-lmno-on-hold-and-more-from-egm/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/10/rumors-rez-sequel-spielbergs-lmno-on-hold-and-more-from-egm/#comments Beyond Gears of War 3 for 2010, the January 2009 issue of the future-uncertain EGM contains a handful of other rumors to pique your interest (via NeoGAF). Top of that list? A spiritual sequel to Rez is coming from creator Tetsuya Mizuguchi, who can't make an actual sequel beacuse the IP is owned by Sega. Mizuguchi's Q Entertainment recently announced a music-infused project codenamed "QJ" for Wii, though it may be unrelated.

Additionally, the issue also asserted that Spielberg's mysterious EA Project LMNO is on hold at the moment. At the end of October, EA denied speculation that there had been layoffs related to the title. The remaining rumor-mongering includes a new Rifts-licensed game in 2010 (the last one was on N-Gage) and a large co-publisher for Tecmo's PlayStation 3 exclusive Quantum Theory.

JoystiqRumors: Rez sequel, Spielberg's LMNO on hold and more from EGM originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 10 Dec 2008 15:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>egmlmnomizuguchiproject-lmnoqq-entertainmentquantum-theoryrezriftsrumorrumorsspielbergstephen-spielbergtecmotetsuya-mizuguchiWed, 10 Dec 2008 15:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Mizuguchi's XBLA games compiled in Q3 "Cubed" compilation]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/02/mizuguchis-xbla-games-compiled-in-q3-cubed-compilation/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/02/mizuguchis-xbla-games-compiled-in-q3-cubed-compilation/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/02/mizuguchis-xbla-games-compiled-in-q3-cubed-compilation/#commentsFiled under: ,

More new coming from today's Atari press conference is word that game designer Tetsuya Mizuguchi will be releasing all three of his Xbox Live Arcade games to retail as a compilation disc. This Arcade compilation will be called Q3 (Cubed) and will include Lumines Live!, Every Extend Extra Extreme as well as Rez HD and include all DLC associated with each title.

Pricing for the compilation will be €30 (around $40), but a firm release date has yet to be confirmed. Expect early 2009.

[Via Joystiq]

JoystiqMizuguchi's XBLA games compiled in Q3 "Cubed" compilation originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 02 Dec 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cubede4lumines-liveq3rezrez-hdxblaTue, 02 Dec 2008 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Warm Up: Rhythm-based downloads]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/28/wii-warm-up-rhythm-based-downloads/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/28/wii-warm-up-rhythm-based-downloads/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/28/wii-warm-up-rhythm-based-downloads/#commentsFiled under: ,

The news that Helix would be gracing WiiWare got us to thinking about other rhythm-based titles on the download service. It seems like all the competition gets the love when it comes to the genre. Steam has Audiosurf. Xbox Live has Rez. Even iTunes has Phase. Guess we'll see if Helix becomes the Wii's killer music-based title ...

But, we digress. Aside from the obvious (uh, Rez), what music-based game would you like to see available for download on WiiWare? Any of the ones listed above? A different franchise? Lay it on us!

JoystiqWii Warm Up: Rhythm-based downloads originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 28 May 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audiosurfitunesmusicphaserezrhythm-basedxbox-liveWed, 28 May 2008 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rez, Ikaruga hold record for best XBLA launches]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/27/rez-ikaruga-hold-record-for-best-xbla-launches/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/27/rez-ikaruga-hold-record-for-best-xbla-launches/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/27/rez-ikaruga-hold-record-for-best-xbla-launches/#commentsFiled under: ,

In news post yesterday, Penny Arcade's Gabe revealed the top four best launches ever for Xbox Live Arcade, with the launch window being the first three days of availability. The list is as follows:
  1. Rez HD, 25k units
  2. Ikaruga, 22.5k units
  3. Penny Arcade Adventures Episode 1, 16.5k units
  4. N+, 13k units
Honestly, we're a bit surprised by the initial success of Rez and Ikaruga. Not that we didn't want them to succeed (they really are awesome games), but we didn't expect to see Xbox Live community rally so quickly around years-old re-releases. Now, if we could only see data for worst XBLA launches, or even total Rez playtime using multiple controllers as trance vibrators.

Gallery: Rez HD (XBLA)


[Via X3F]

JoystiqRez, Ikaruga hold record for best XBLA launches originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 27 May 2008 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BreakingNewsgabeikarugann-pluspenny-arcadepenny-arcade-adventuresrezxblaXbox-360xbox-live-arcadeTue, 27 May 2008 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Rez HD Standard Mode is 4:3]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/06/rez-hd-standard-mode-is-4-3/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/06/rez-hd-standard-mode-is-4-3/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/06/rez-hd-standard-mode-is-4-3/#commentsFiled under:

Keen observers on the official Rez HD forums are up in arms about the output of Rez's standard mode on Xbox Live Arcade. Instead of scaling the game to widescreen, the title outputs its standard signal to a 4:3 aspect ratio. While some are calling it the biggest meh of the year by saying the Standard Mode is supposed to output as 4:3, forum comments reminded us that Rez always scaled to fullscreen on the Dreamcast and PlayStation 2. The worst offender seems to be playing Rez on a standard definition television where black bars are visible around the entire image. This may or may not be big issue but we all remember that some people really care about those missing pixels. We'd be wondering what happened too but we're a little busy taping multiple controllers to our bodies.

[ThatGameCalledRez.com forums. Image via flickr user Pryii]

JoystiqRez HD Standard Mode is 4:3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 06 Feb 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aspect-ratiomissing-pixelsrezrez-hdxblaxbox-live-arcadeWed, 06 Feb 2008 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rez HD and Chessmaster Live land on XBLA]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/30/rez-hd-and-chessmaster-live-land-on-xbla/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/30/rez-hd-and-chessmaster-live-land-on-xbla/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/30/rez-hd-and-chessmaster-live-land-on-xbla/#commentsFiled under: ,


If you've been waiting impatiently ever since Rez HD was first announced for Xbox Live Arcade, then today is your lucky day because it's finally here. If, on the other hand, you haven't been waiting for the game with bated breath, then we'd say it's still probably your lucky day because Rez just so happens to be a good game. We suggest you crank up the synesthetic, vibratory goodness as soon as possible. If, however, all that sounds like too much stimulation, perhaps you'd rather play a leisurely game of chess. It's still your lucky day then because Chessmaster Live is also available today. Both games can be yours if the price is right. The right price, incidentally, is 800 MS Points each.


JoystiqRez HD and Chessmaster Live land on XBLA originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 30 Jan 2008 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chesschessmasterchessmaster-liveqq-entertainmentrezrez-hdubisoftxblaxbox-live-arcadeWed, 30 Jan 2008 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Rez HD and Chessmaster Live storm XBLA this Wed]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/28/rez-hd-and-chessmaster-live-storm-xbla-this-wed/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/28/rez-hd-and-chessmaster-live-storm-xbla-this-wed/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/28/rez-hd-and-chessmaster-live-storm-xbla-this-wed/#commentsFiled under: ,

In a big old Xbox Live Arcade letdown, this week we get two games that we raise one less then enthusiastic thumbs up to. Yeah, we know we've been covering the release rumors a whole bunch last week, now they're officially confirmed and ... well, whoopee? We're of course talking about Chessmaster Live and (big yawn) Rez HD releasing to the XBLA this Wednesday, January 30th. Yup, sad huh? We know, we know, weeks like this really suck and you'd think Microsoft could wrangle together at least one enjoyable Arcade game a week, but we've been screwed again. You'll just have to settle for a 800 Microsoft point game of Chessmaster Live or (eww) Rez HD. On behalf of Microsoft, we're sorry.

KIDDING! Rez freakin' HD is coming to the XBLA in two days kids! Hear that? Rez HD is coming Wednesday! Free drinks on Richard! Get pumped up fanboys and put fresh batteries in those controllers, because Rez HD is but a few days away ... ZOMG! W00t!

JoystiqRez HD and Chessmaster Live storm XBLA this Wed originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 28 Jan 2008 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chessmaster-liverezrez-hdxblaMon, 28 Jan 2008 12:45:00 EST<![CDATA[This Wednesday: Rez, Chessmaster come to XBLA]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/28/this-wednesday-rez-chessmaster-come-to-xbla/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/28/this-wednesday-rez-chessmaster-come-to-xbla/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/28/this-wednesday-rez-chessmaster-come-to-xbla/#commentsFiled under: ,


OK, OK, so we basically knew that the beautiful, inspiring Rez was coming to the Xbox Live Arcade this week. But we were still relieved to see official word come down from on high, and we're betting you will be too: The newly-updated, fully-trance-vibrating Rez will be available this Wednesday.

The best thing? It's only going to run you 800 points (or 10 Earth dollars). If you've never played the game before (or even if you have) you need to take our word on it that a ten-spot (especially when you consider the newly added sounds and visuals) is nothing short of a steal.

The other (criminally, but for a different reason) $10 release this week: Chessmaster Live, which is like chess but ... live.

Gallery: Rez HD (XBLA)

JoystiqThis Wednesday: Rez, Chessmaster come to XBLA originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 28 Jan 2008 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>rezxblaxblawednesdayXbox-360Mon, 28 Jan 2008 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq plays Rez HD, releases next week]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/24/joystiq-plays-rez-hd/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/24/joystiq-plays-rez-hd/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/24/joystiq-plays-rez-hd/#commentsFiled under: ,


If, like us, you missed out on Rez the first time -- it was originally a PS2 and Dreamcast title -- then you may want to check out Joystiq's recent hands-on session with Rez HD (complete with extra vibrating controllers). For those that are unaware of the trappings of Rez, it is one of several musically inspired games from Tetsuya Mizuguchi and Q Entertainment. 360 owners would know their work from the Xbox Live Arcade game Lumines Live. Imagine the musical qualities that Lumines applied to the puzzle genre and then imagine the same properties being applied to an on-rails shooter and you'll have some idea of what Rez HD has in store for XBLA. If that sounds like fun to you, head over to Joystiq to learn more.

Oh, and we should probably mention that the game is releasing on XBLA next week (January 30 to be precise).

JoystiqJoystiq plays Rez HD, releases next week originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 24 Jan 2008 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>qq-entertainmentrezrez-hdtrance-vibratorxblaxbox-live-arcadeThu, 24 Jan 2008 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq hands-on: Rez HD]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/24/joystiq-hands-on-rez-hd/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/24/joystiq-hands-on-rez-hd/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/24/joystiq-hands-on-rez-hd/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

As vector-like throwing-star enemies corkscrewed towards me, I defended myself with a gun that made electronic clapping sounds. I fired the gun. Clap. I fired two quick shots. Clap Clap. My applause aligned with the electronic beats spilling from the speakers. It was Korg-like synth-aesthesia, and almost immediately, I cared more about clapping in-time to the music than shooting back.

Rez HD surrounded me in a coordinated, sensory bombardment. The controller in my hand shook and bobbed with the beats while controllers under my feet and on my back vibrated a counter-tempo pattern. 5.1 surround-sound flew from all directions, and the neon-sharp HD game-world pulled me into its reality.

In my brief time with Rez HD, I decided that it wasn't a game as much as an experience. There's a game inside somewhere, but the title feels like a journey, rewarding meandering through levels instead of racing to the end. And even though it's a linear shooter, Rez HD hides a lot of exploration; I look forward to moving slowly through the game after its January 30 release.

Gallery: Rez HD (XBLA)

Continue reading Joystiq hands-on: Rez HD

JoystiqJoystiq hands-on: Rez HD originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 24 Jan 2008 04:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Actionhands-onHexadriveimpressionsmicrosoftMicrosoft-Game-Studiosq-entertainmentqentertainmentre-makeremakerezrez-hdrezhdsynaesthesiatetsuya-mizuguchitetsuyamizuguchitrance-vibratorvibrationvibratorxblaXbox-360Thu, 24 Jan 2008 04:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor again: Rez hits XBLA next week]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/23/rumor-again-rez-hits-xbla-next-week/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/23/rumor-again-rez-hits-xbla-next-week/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/23/rumor-again-rez-hits-xbla-next-week/#commentsFiled under: ,


When rumors begin to pile up, you begin to ask yourself whether it's because the rumor is true or because you want it to be true. Keeping that in mind, we present you with a modified rumor, the original version of which we ran earlier this week. The rumor goes a little something ... a-like-a this: Rez HD could be hitting Xbox Live Arcade next week. Yes, only two days ago we were reporting that Rez could have been out today, but this time ... we're serious. A Q Entertainment spokesperson recently told Eurogamer that the game is "being prepped" and only awaits the proverbial green light from Microsoft, to which the spokesperson added, "Maybe next week?" Could it be true? Yes. Do we want it to be true? Affirmative. Thus, a rumor it remains.

JoystiqRumor again: Rez hits XBLA next week originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 23 Jan 2008 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>qq-entertainmentrezrez-hdxblaWed, 23 Jan 2008 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Register, wait and win Rez HD from Q Entertainment]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/21/register-wait-and-win-rez-hd-from-q-entertainment/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/21/register-wait-and-win-rez-hd-from-q-entertainment/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/21/register-wait-and-win-rez-hd-from-q-entertainment/#commentsFiled under: ,

Adding to the ever growing Rez HD hype machine is news that Q Entertainment is giving away 50 Marketplace codes to download the full version of Rez HD. Confused about winning a download code for a game that isn't released yet? Shh young one, just follow along ...

To try your hand at winning a copy, simply head over to the official Rez HD website, register by January 27th and wait. 50 lucky registrants will then be sent a code 72 hours after the contest closes which means one very big thing. Rez HD is guaranteed to release next week to the XBLA, w00t! Now run along kids, go register and be happy knowing that even if you don't win, you'll be able to purchase Rez HD next Wednesday.

[Via Joystiq]

JoystiqRegister, wait and win Rez HD from Q Entertainment originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 21 Jan 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>rezrez-hdxblaMon, 21 Jan 2008 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Register and ye shall REZ-eive (a free game)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/21/register-and-ye-shall-rez-ieve/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/21/register-and-ye-shall-rez-ieve/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/21/register-and-ye-shall-rez-ieve/#commentsFiled under: ,


Not content with merely updating their hypnotic trip-out sim REZ with fancy high-definition graphics and stimulating surround sound for its Xbox Live Arcade debut, the folks at Q Entertainment have decided to gift upon the world 50 free copies of the Mizuguchi masterpiece (no, not that one). To potentially grab one of 50 prepaid Xbox Live Marketplace codes, you need only visit the official REZ HD website and enter your details into the registration page.

Do that between now and Sunday, January 27th, and you might just REZ-eive a free copy of the game within 72 hours of the closing date. Don't fret if you lose out though -- with the game launching before the end of the month, we're all winners here.

Gallery: Rez HD (XBLA)

JoystiqRegister and ye shall REZ-eive (a free game) originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 21 Jan 2008 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Q-EntertainmentREZREZ-HDShooterTrance-VibratorXBLAXbox-360Xbox-Live-ArcadeXboxLiveMon, 21 Jan 2008 16:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: Rez and Chessmaster to release this week [update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/21/rumor-rez-and-chessmaster-to-release-this-week/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/21/rumor-rez-and-chessmaster-to-release-this-week/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/21/rumor-rez-and-chessmaster-to-release-this-week/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Update: Major Nelsons says no Rez HD or Chessmaster Live this week. Maybe next Wednesday?

There are whispers around the internets that both the long awaited (and vibrator equipped) Rez HD and Chessmaster Live will be making a release to the Xbox Live Arcade this week. CVG mentions the rumor coming from a tip they received, but as with all anonymous tips ... it could be hogwash.

We know there are hundreds if not thousands of fanboys who are super excited and anticipating Rez HD's XBLA release and we doubt anyone would complain about a Chessmaster Live twofer. And for whatever it's worth, both games have been promised to be January XBLA releases. No matter, we'll be able to valid or discount this XBLA release rumor within' a few hours when Microsoft announces this week's XBLA games. So, sit tight and countdown the minutes until either a Rez HD announcement or a total disappointment. How fun!

JoystiqRumor: Rez and Chessmaster to release this week [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 21 Jan 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chessmaster-liverezrez-hdrumorubisoftxblaMon, 21 Jan 2008 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Readers pick best webcomic: Synesthesia, revisited]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/15/readers-pick-best-webcomic-synesthesia-revisited/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/15/readers-pick-best-webcomic-synesthesia-revisited/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/15/readers-pick-best-webcomic-synesthesia-revisited/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Sure, many argued that this wasn't the duo's strongest game-related comic of the week (most cited Rigorous Scholarship as the better choice), but Penny Arcade nonetheless took top honors in this week's webcomic wrapup for their Rez-inspired strip.

Second places goes to Digital Unrest and third to Ctrl+Alt+Del. Thanks for your feedback on the new polling system, which is here to stay although adjustments will be happening (such as including the strip name in the choices to make an easier connection). Thanks to everyone who voted, and be sure to let us know of any game-related webcomics you stumble upon this week!

Continue reading Readers pick best webcomic: Synesthesia, revisited

JoystiqReaders pick best webcomic: Synesthesia, revisited originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 Jan 2008 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cad-comicctrl alt deldigital-unrestpenny-arcaderezsynesthesiawebcomicXbox-360Tue, 15 Jan 2008 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Hold on! Rez HD releases to the XBLA this month]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/08/hold-on-rez-hd-releases-to-the-xbla-this-month/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/08/hold-on-rez-hd-releases-to-the-xbla-this-month/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/08/hold-on-rez-hd-releases-to-the-xbla-this-month/#commentsFiled under: ,

Q Entertainment just shot an email out to our iron-fisted rulers at Joystiq to tell everyone that Rez HD will release to the Xbox Live Arcade in "only a few weeks" and that it'll be priced at a soothing 800 Microsoft points.

Q also sent some new in-game screenshots which show off its trippy visuals (we've added them to the recently created gallery) and confirmed that Rez HD will sport updated 5.1 audio, new visuals and a Replay Theater to further induce brain seizures. Joystiq also confirmed that Rez HD on the 360 will feature its own version of the infamous PS2 Trance Vibrator where you'll have the option to enable rumble on three additional Xbox 360 controllers, place them wherever you choose and let the Rez vibrating bliss ensue. And yes, we're afraid to see how people will use that "feature"

JoystiqHold on! Rez HD releases to the XBLA this month originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 08 Jan 2008 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>rezrez-hdxblaTue, 08 Jan 2008 13:45:00 EST<![CDATA[XBLA screeny blowout: Rez, Tron and Poker Smash]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/08/xbla-screeny-blowout-rez-tron-and-poker-smash/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/08/xbla-screeny-blowout-rez-tron-and-poker-smash/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/08/xbla-screeny-blowout-rez-tron-and-poker-smash/#commentsFiled under: ,

After sniffing through the deep, dark and musty bowels of Microsoft's Xbox Live Arcade marketing materials, not only did we get a nasty sinus infection, but we came across spiffy new screenshots from a few upcoming XBLA games. What Arcade games? Well, you're jumping the gun there stallion with all your questions as we were just about to tell you. Ahem. Screenshots from XBLA games including Rez, Tron and Poker Smash which can all be viewed in the galleries posted after the break. So please do us a favor and make our sinus infection worth getting by viewing as many screenshots as possible. We read somewhere that the only way to cure a blogger's sinuses is to view their screenshot galleries ... just saying.

Continue reading XBLA screeny blowout: Rez, Tron and Poker Smash

JoystiqXBLA screeny blowout: Rez, Tron and Poker Smash originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 08 Jan 2008 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>poker-smashreztronxblaTue, 08 Jan 2008 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rez HD arriving this month for 800 MSP]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/08/rez-hd-arriving-this-month-for-800-msp/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/08/rez-hd-arriving-this-month-for-800-msp/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/08/rez-hd-arriving-this-month-for-800-msp/#commentsFiled under: ,

Good news for synaesthetes and fans of all things awesome: a friendly press release from Q Entertainment informs us that Testuya Mizuguchi's Rez HD will be landing on Xbox Live Arcade in "only a few weeks," for the very reasonable price of 800 Microsoft Points.

Along with the highly-anticipated "trance vibration" support, the enhanced port of the Dreamcast/PS2 classic will include a high-definition upgrade to the visuals, and feature 5.1 surround sound. The game will also introduce new audio and visual effects, a new Replay Theater for re-watching play data, and the usual suite of XBLA leaderboards and achievements. Check out the gallery below for some gorgeous new shots of Rez in all its trippy, HD glory.

Gallery: Rez HD (XBLA)

JoystiqRez HD arriving this month for 800 MSP originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 08 Jan 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ActionHexadriveMicrosoftMicrosoft-Game-Studiosq-entertainmentrezrez-hdtetsuya-mizuguchixblaXbox-360Tue, 08 Jan 2008 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Reminder: Rez HD is a trip]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/22/reminder-rez-hd-is-a-trip/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/22/reminder-rez-hd-is-a-trip/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/22/reminder-rez-hd-is-a-trip/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


If you were one of the many shmucks who didn't pick up Rez when it came out on the Dreamcast and PS2, you can redeem yourself in our eyes when a visually souped-up version of the game drops on the Xbox Live Arcade sometime in the (hopefully) near future. Yes, it might be sans one unintentionally stimulating peripheral this time around, but it still feels like playing an absinthe-fueled round of Panzer Dragoon in the middle of a warehouse rave. Hopefully the surfacing of the above gameplay footage from the uncleverly titled Rez HD is a sign that we'll find what we really want under our tree this holiday season -- a good case of synesthesia.

JoystiqReminder: Rez HD is a trip originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 22 Dec 2007 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ActionArcadeHexadriveMicrosoftMicrosoft-Game-StudiosQ-EntertainmentRezRez-HDRezHDXBLAXbox-360XboxLiveArcadeSat, 22 Dec 2007 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft reveals XBLA games coming in December and January]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/03/microsoft-reveals-xbla-games-coming-in-december-and-january/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/03/microsoft-reveals-xbla-games-coming-in-december-and-january/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/03/microsoft-reveals-xbla-games-coming-in-december-and-january/#commentsFiled under:


As anyone who follows the new releases already knows, the quality of retail releases has been dropping precipitously since November. Thankfully, we spotted some help on the horizon when Microsoft recently released a list of XBLA games that will be coming to the 360 this month and next.

We already knew that Sensible World of Soccer was coming on Dec. 19, but we also have games to look foward to like N+, Arkadian Warriors, Rez HD, Brain Challenge, Omega Five, GripShift and Poker Smash. So keep up the the faith, even as only The Golden Compass stares up at you from the new release shelf: Fun is on the way.

JoystiqMicrosoft reveals XBLA games coming in December and January originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 03 Dec 2007 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>NrezxblaXbox-360xbox360xboxliveMon, 03 Dec 2007 11:28:00 EST<![CDATA[December and January XBLA games revealed]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/02/december-and-january-xbla-games-revealed/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/02/december-and-january-xbla-games-revealed/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/02/december-and-january-xbla-games-revealed/#commentsFiled under: ,

In a press release announcing the Fall Update's Xbox Live Arcade Hits program, Microsoft also announced the next few months' upcoming Xbox Live Arcade games that are scheduled for release. As things stand right now, the next XBLA games to get released are Arkadian Warriors, Brain Challenge, GripShift, N+, Omega Five, Poker Smash, Rez HD and Sensible World of Soccer. No specific release schedule for each game has been confirmed just yet, but it's always nice to see what's headed down the old XBLA pipeline. And this list also lets us officially get excited for N+ and Rez HD. A big w00t to that!

JoystiqDecember and January XBLA games revealed originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 02 Dec 2007 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arkadian-warriorsbrain-challengegripshiftnomega-fivepoker-smashrezrez-hdsensible-world-of-soccerxblaSun, 02 Dec 2007 16:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Revolutionary: Emulation-ary]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/25/revolutionary-emulation-ary/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/25/revolutionary-emulation-ary/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/25/revolutionary-emulation-ary/#commentsFiled under:

Every Tuesday, Mike Sylvester brings you REVOLUTIONARY, a look at the wide world of Wii possibilities.

Traditionally, consoles have had to carry over hardware from previous generations in order to offer backward compatibility. This can be thought of as a burden, as the costs of including that hardware might be better used increasing the specs and features of the system for the benefit of new games.

This generation marks a change in the method of operations in providing backward compatibility. The Xbox 360, Playstation 3 (in select models and territories), and Wii use a process known as software emulation to provide backward compatibility with their predecessors, so that they don't have to include that old hardware. What emulation does is allow one set of hardware to mimic the functions of another set of hardware. Emulation isn't a new technique, and it isn't exclusive to consoles. In fact, many people have been using it for years to play games on hardware other than for which it was developed.

Continue reading Revolutionary: Emulation-ary

JoystiqRevolutionary: Emulation-ary originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 25 Sep 2007 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DreamcastemulationFrets On FireFretsOnFireGuitar HeroGuitarHerojoystiqfeaturesOsu Ouendan TatakaeOsuOuendanTatakaeRevolutionaryRezSNESStarfoxTue, 25 Sep 2007 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Rez and Ikaruga confirmed for XBLA]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/12/rez-and-ikaruga-confirmed-for-xbla/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/12/rez-and-ikaruga-confirmed-for-xbla/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/12/rez-and-ikaruga-confirmed-for-xbla/#commentsFiled under:


Proving that the Tokyo Game Show is about more than just announcing Ninja Gaiden 2, several new (and notably Japanese) games have been announced for Xbox Live Arcade. First and foremost among these are Lumines creator Tetsuya Mizuguchi's Rez and Treasure's Ikaruga. While Ikaruga's appearance on XBLA shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone who's been paying attention, Rez comes as a pretty big surprise. If you're not familiar with Rez, you're probably better off watching the video embedded after the break than having us attempt to explain it.

Microsoft also touted several other games for XBLA including EXIT (previously announced), Every Extend Extra Extreme (ditto), Omega Five (impressions), and Triggerheart Exelica (a shooter apparently). Things are looking up for XBLA, no?

Continue reading Rez and Ikaruga confirmed for XBLA

JoystiqRez and Ikaruga confirmed for XBLA originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 12 Sep 2007 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>every-extend-extra-extremeeveryextendextraextremeexitikarugareztgs-07tgs07triggerheart-exelicaxblaWed, 12 Sep 2007 11:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Rez, Ikaruga, Exit confirmed for Xbox Live Arcade]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/12/rez-ikaruga-exit-confirmed-for-xbox-live-arcade/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/12/rez-ikaruga-exit-confirmed-for-xbox-live-arcade/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/12/rez-ikaruga-exit-confirmed-for-xbox-live-arcade/#commentsFiled under:

If you missed out on our liveblog of Microsoft's pre-TGS conference in Japan (it does, after all, require an excessive and strenuous amount of scrolling to access), you may appreciate and respond with delirious joy to some of the pertinent news to emerge from it. You should also appreciate the amount of effort that went into the preceding and vaguely professional sentence -- we really just wanted to blurt out that REZ ON XBLA YAY.

Ahem.

Microsoft confirmed that Tetsuya Mizuguchi's melodic shooter will soon make you hear everything you see and see everything you hear on Xbox Live Arcade. Other things you'll see are waves of hypnotic bullets (Ikaruga), saviors adorned with fine hats (EXIT), pulsating geometric shapes (Every Extend Extra Extreme), flying robots (Omega Five) and... er, some sort of Japanese car (Triggerheart Exelica)? No release dates have been announced for any of the games, though we suspect none of them are likely to come soon enough.

JoystiqRez, Ikaruga, Exit confirmed for Xbox Live Arcade originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 12 Sep 2007 06:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ActionBreakingNewsDSEvery-Extend-Extra-ExtremeExitIkarugaMicrosoftNintendoOmega-FiveOmegaFivePuzzleRezSquare-EnixTaitoTGS07Triggerheart-ExelicaUbisoftXBLAXbox-360Wed, 12 Sep 2007 06:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Ebert admits games can be art, but not 'high art']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/23/ebert-admits-games-can-be-art-but-not-high-art/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/23/ebert-admits-games-can-be-art-but-not-high-art/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/23/ebert-admits-games-can-be-art-but-not-high-art/#commentsFiled under:

In an editorial published last weekend, film critic Roger Ebert seems to renege somewhat on his previous insistence that video games, a medium he finds to be "inherently inferior to film and literature," cannot be considered a form of art. "Anything can be art," admits Ebert. "Even a can of Campbell's soup. What I should have said is that games could not be high art, as I understand it."

The "high art" label is almost as old and heavy as most of the works one would apply it to, and expecting a medium as young as video games (never mind the superior class of film) to hold it up would surely be met with crushing disappointment. While it's not impossible for video games to eventually reach such a lofty status in our culture, Ebert's clarification is far more agreeable than his previous statements. Of course, since we can beat down the status of art with a can of soup before allowing video games (and seemingly any old thing) entry, it's not much of a change. The same problems Ebert has always had with the medium are reflected in the rest of his response to Clive Barker's recent comments on the subject.

Continue reading Ebert admits games can be art, but not 'high art'

JoystiqEbert admits games can be art, but not 'high art' originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 23 Jul 2007 19:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ActionArtMadden(JustKidding)RezRoger-EbertRogerEbertSCEShadow-of-the-ColossusShadowOfTheColossusSonyTeam-IcoMon, 23 Jul 2007 19:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Tetsuya Mizuguchi to build Virtual Tokyo in Second Life]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/05/tetsuya-mizuguchi-to-build-virtual-tokyo-in-second-life/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/05/tetsuya-mizuguchi-to-build-virtual-tokyo-in-second-life/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/05/tetsuya-mizuguchi-to-build-virtual-tokyo-in-second-life/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Like everyone else, we're pretty sick of all the Second Life coverage; it seems like buying real estate in the massively multiplayer non-game is the modern, big-business equivalent of setting up a website for your dad's repair shop. Still, it's one thing when Mercedes sets up a virtual dealership, and a very different matter when Lumines and Rez's Tetsuya Mizuguchi decides to build a re-imagined Tokyo for the denizens of Linden Labs' mammoth world.

What makes Mizuguchi's Tokyo different than other architectural projects in Second Life is his intent in building the city. 1UP reports that rather than building an exact replica of the Japanese city, Mizuguchi wants to fashion his facsimile based on the perceptions of both locals and visitors. Speaking to 1UP, he states his hope that the project, which is a collaboration between himself and advertising firm Dentsu, can become a "museum of Japanese pop culture." We might need to dust off our Second Life avatars just to check it out when it launches.

JoystiqTetsuya Mizuguchi to build Virtual Tokyo in Second Life originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 05 Jul 2007 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>japanluminesMacmizuguchiPCrezsecondlifetetsuyamizuguchitokyoThu, 05 Jul 2007 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Rez with the Wiimote could be the best thing ever]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/10/rez-with-the-wiimote-could-be-the-best-thing-ever/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/10/rez-with-the-wiimote-could-be-the-best-thing-ever/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/10/rez-with-the-wiimote-could-be-the-best-thing-ever/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Resident GlovePIE enthusiast Tiger is at it again, this time implementing Wiimote controls with the Dreamcast title Rez. Not content to stop after showing us how the Wiimote could be used with Panzer Dragoon and House of the Dead 3, Tiger has implemented the script into Rez, which he is emulating on his PC. Check out the video of it in action past the post break.

Continue reading Rez with the Wiimote could be the best thing ever

JoystiqRez with the Wiimote could be the best thing ever originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 10 Apr 2007 10:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>nintendonintendowiirezwiiwiimoteTue, 10 Apr 2007 10:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Mizuguchi to reveal new XBLA game]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/05/mizuguchi-to-reveal-new-xbla-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/05/mizuguchi-to-reveal-new-xbla-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/05/mizuguchi-to-reveal-new-xbla-game/#commentsFiled under: , ,

CVG reports that Tetsuya Mizuguchi and Q Entertainment are set to unveil a new title for Xbox Live Arcade at this week's Game Developer's Conference in San Francisco. Of course, the word "new" is relative when it comes to the Xbox 360's download service, leaving the door open for an enhanced version of Q's Every Extend Extra, released in November on PSP.

Whatever it ends up being (the reliable internet says: Rez!), you can likely expect catchy J-pop tunes, hypnotic lights, plummeting blocks and, with any luck, ludicrous amounts of unintentional gyration.

JoystiqMizuguchi to reveal new XBLA game originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 05 Mar 2007 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingnewsGDC07LuminesMizuguchiRezTetsuya MizuguchiTetsuyaMizuguchiXbox-360Mon, 05 Mar 2007 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Mizuguchi talks Meteos Disney Magic]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/26/mizuguchi-talks-meteos-disney-magic/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/26/mizuguchi-talks-meteos-disney-magic/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/26/mizuguchi-talks-meteos-disney-magic/#commentsFiled under: ,

This brisk Gamevideos interview with Rez, Space Channel 5, Lumines, and now Meteos: Disney Magic creator Tetsuya Mizuguchi is perfect for you if:
  • You're a huge Miz fanboy, and want to bask in his calm awesomeness
  • You don't know how Meteos works, or
  • You want to see some really great close-up videos of the new version in action
Mizuguchi discusses basic Meteos gameplay, the Brain Age/"hot dog" style orientation used in the Disney edition, and his own Disney love with an interviewer who doesn't seem to have ever heard of him and may not actually be that interested. At least she keeps her composure, which we would not be able to do, at all. Seriously, we love love love Mizuguchi and his work at Sega, UGA, and Q? Entertainment.

The video is after the post break.
[Via GoNintendo]

Continue reading Mizuguchi talks Meteos Disney Magic

JoystiqMizuguchi talks Meteos Disney Magic originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 26 Feb 2007 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>disneydsds litedslitegamevideosinterviewlitemeteosmizmizuguchinintendonintendo dsnintendo ds liteNintendoDsNintendoDsLiterezspace channel 5SpaceChannel5tetsuyavideoMon, 26 Feb 2007 19:15:00 EST<![CDATA[EA to publish Bizarre's new XBLA game]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/17/ea-to-publish-bizarres-new-xbla-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/17/ea-to-publish-bizarres-new-xbla-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/17/ea-to-publish-bizarres-new-xbla-game/#commentsFiled under: ,

EA's first downloadable console title will be Boom Boom Rocket, a new rhythm game from the geometric warmongers at Bizarre Creations. The game sees players traveling through a 3D cityscape and launching rockets to the beat of the music -- the more accurate you are, the more spectacular the resulting fireworks become. Gamedaily Biz reports that Boom Boom Rocket should arrive on Xbox Live Arcade in Spring.

Chip Lange, EA's vice president of online commerce, feels they've crashed the party at the opportune moment. "Now feels like the right time. Across EA there's been a lot of internal excitement about Arcade and we're at a point where we can dedicate resources to building Arcade games. We're very excited to be entering this space. This is a great way to develop new IP and work with small development teams internally and externally to build a casual, fun game experience."

Originally thought up by EA's own Pogo casual games team, the game should be a welcome addition to the XBLA lineup, especially given the grievous lack of any other rhythm games. The fireworks in Boom Boom Rocket will be accompanied by ten original tunes from Ian Livingstone -- we certainly hope he's familiar with synesthesia.

JoystiqEA to publish Bizarre's new XBLA game originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 17 Jan 2007 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Bizarre CreationsBizarreCreationsBoom Boom RocketBoomBoomRocketEAElectronic-ArtsGeometry WarsGeometryWarsPogoProject Gotham RacingProjectGothamRacingRezXbox-360Wed, 17 Jan 2007 11:45:00 EST<![CDATA[You can chat with Tetsuya Mizuguchi [Update 1]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/13/you-can-chat-with-tetsuya-mizuguchi/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/13/you-can-chat-with-tetsuya-mizuguchi/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/13/you-can-chat-with-tetsuya-mizuguchi/#commentsFiled under:


Do you want to talk to the man behind Lumines, Rez, Space Channel 5, and more? Of course you do. Eurogamer is giving its readers the chance to chat with the legendary game designer, Tetsuya Mizuguchi. If you couldn't figure it out, Eurogamer is a European website, so make sure you adjust for the time difference. If it's 12:30PM there, what time will it be in your part of the globe? I think according to my calculations, it'll be early morning for most of America. Will you be staying up to talk to this gaming visionary?

[Picture via Siliconera]

[Update 1: Unfortunately, Mizuguchi had to reschedule his webchat to a later date. Stay tuned for more information.]

JoystiqYou can chat with Tetsuya Mizuguchi [Update 1] originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 13 Nov 2006 21:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chateurogamerluminesmizuguchirezspace channel 5SpaceChannel5Mon, 13 Nov 2006 21:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Tetsuya Mizuguchi talks about non-existing girls and alcohol]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/26/tetsuya-mizuguchi-talks-about-non-existing-girls-and-alcohol/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/26/tetsuya-mizuguchi-talks-about-non-existing-girls-and-alcohol/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/26/tetsuya-mizuguchi-talks-about-non-existing-girls-and-alcohol/#commentsFiled under: ,

You should know that Tetsuya Mizuguchi is a gaming god to me. Lumines is still one of the best games on the system by far, and Mizuguchi's puzzling sequel has me more than a little excited. CVG recently had an intimate discussion with the gaming master, and he had some really crazy, possibly drug-induced things to say:

CVG: Can you tell us a bit about the title song in Lumines 2, 'Heavenly Star'?
Mizuguchi: So the girl in the video, she is 17 years-old. She doesn't exist in this world; she's a future girl. She was born in outer space and she's never touched on this planet yet. This is kind of the big love song for the Earth; she's always dreaming of what kind of place Earth is.

Uh... Okay... Maybe the guy had a bit too much to drink before the interview:

CVG: How important is synesthesia - integrating music and visuals - in Lumines? More or less important than in Rez or Every Extend Extra?
Mizuguchi: Rez is kind of tequila; a very strong shot, but Lumines is like a Sauvignon Blanc; a wine you can drink at Sunday lunch.

Yep. The secret to Mizuguchi's success has to be some kind of chemical influence. Maybe you too can become a successful game designer with the right... materials...

JoystiqTetsuya Mizuguchi talks about non-existing girls and alcohol originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 26 Sep 2006 22:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alcoholcvgfuture girlFutureGirlheavenly starHeavenlyStarjoystiqluminesmizuguchirezsynesthesiatequilatetsuya mizuguchiTetsuyaMizuguchiwineTue, 26 Sep 2006 22:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Innovative controllers rounded up]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/13/innovative-controllers-rounded-up/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/13/innovative-controllers-rounded-up/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/13/innovative-controllers-rounded-up/#commentsFiled under: ,

This article over at bit-tech.net looks at ten of the more offbeat game control schemes -- from bongos and maracas to cameras and dance mats. It's a nice reminder that gaming isn't all "up up down down" and that sometimes you can have a little fun with the controller as well as with the game.

Of course, collecting multiple peripherals, one for each game, quickly becomes a hassle -- will next-gen's out of the box accessories render a cupboardful of controllers unnecessary? Or will we see some manufacturers continue to make third-party peripherals because their games simply aren't possible otherwise? Perhaps it'll be a bit of both -- the thought of playing Guitar Hero with a PS3 joypad, or dance games with the Wii, has us reaching for our plug-in accessories already.

JoystiqInnovative controllers rounded up originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 13 Sep 2006 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bit-techbongocontrolcontrollersdance matDanceMatrezWed, 13 Sep 2006 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq interviews Tetsuya Mizuguchi of Q Entertainment]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/17/joystiq-interviews-tetsuya-mizuguchi-of-q-entertainment/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/17/joystiq-interviews-tetsuya-mizuguchi-of-q-entertainment/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/17/joystiq-interviews-tetsuya-mizuguchi-of-q-entertainment/#commentsFiled under: , ,

In our final interview from the Develop Conference, Jen and I had a quick chat with Tetsuya Mizuguchi from Q Entertainment (and Rez fame) about the problems western developers face in trying to tackle the Japanese market, Rez 2 (he regrets never making it) and the issue of games that are critically successful, but don't sell so well (Rez again).

Earlier on in your career you worked on titles like Sega Rally, Channel 5 and Rez. These are all very different genres and styles of game. What's inspired you to create such varied styles in your games?

I don't care about the genre. Somebody once told me that I'm "hopping genres", but I've never really cared about genres. I always think about the human being, the wants that I think people have. Their basic instinct. So my games speak a universal language, so everybody can feel what is fun.

Continue reading Joystiq interviews Tetsuya Mizuguchi of Q Entertainment

JoystiqJoystiq interviews Tetsuya Mizuguchi of Q Entertainment originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 17 Jul 2006 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Channel 5Channel5develop06GenreInterviewJapaneseJoystiqJoystiq t-shirtJoystiq teeJoystiqT-shirtJoystiqTeeRezRez 2Rez2SegaSega RallySegaRallyTetsuya MizuguchiTetsuyaMizuguchiWesternMon, 17 Jul 2006 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Play Every Extend Extra... on your PC]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/14/play-every-extend-extra-on-your-pc/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/14/play-every-extend-extra-on-your-pc/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/14/play-every-extend-extra-on-your-pc/#commentsFiled under: ,

The Mizuguchi news continues here at PSP Fanboy. The esteemed creator of Lumines and Rez is fusing music and shooters yet again in Every Extend Extra. What is it, you ask? It's pretty hard to explain what this upcoming PSP game is about. My best explanation of the game involves explosions, geometric figures, numbers and vectors. If that doesn't help you at all, don't fret: 1up has discovered a playable demo of the game on the official Japanese website, but it's not for your PSP. Rather, the demo is for your PC. Sure, it would've been nice to play with the grooves on the go, but I'll gladly take this replacement... for now.

If your nihongo isn't sharp enough to understand the website, you might just want to click this link to download the demo directly. Unless your computer was made in the stone age, it should be able to run perfectly fine, but you can run this application to find out if your system is up to snuff. Once you get the demo up and running, remember this: press Z. I don't have any other tips to give you, but I'm sure once you master the game, you'll leave some comments here

JoystiqPlay Every Extend Extra... on your PC originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 14 Jul 2006 22:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>every extend extraEveryExtendExtraluminesmizuguchirezFri, 14 Jul 2006 22:33:00 EST<![CDATA[More musical Mizuguchi mayhem materializes]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/07/more-musical-mizuguchi-mayhem-materializes/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/07/more-musical-mizuguchi-mayhem-materializes/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/07/more-musical-mizuguchi-mayhem-materializes/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Oh, death by alliteration can be most painful indeed. And yet, it's a risk worth taking when it comes to revealing new PSP and DS games from Tetsuya Mizuguchi, the creative, possibly insane game designer behind Space Channel 5 (and it's swinging sequel), Rez, Sega Rally and of course, the criminally addictive Lumines. Featuring heavy musical components that can often be influenced by the player, his recent titles have demonstrated a knack for style and an unusual ability to impart something vaguely resembling inspiration. If you've played through Space Channel 5, you'll know exactly what we mean.

Thankfully abandoning orcs and dynastic warriors for greener and more familiar portable pastures, Mizuguchi is now acting as executive producer on Gunpey-R, short for Gunpey Reverse. Based on an older Wonderswan game, Gunpey-R sees the player -- wait for it -- moving square panels up and down in an effort to create lines running from right to left. Success leads to panels vanishing as ooposed to killing you violently when they claw their way to the top of the screen. The PSP version will feature interactive "skins" (in the same vein as Lumines), whereas the DS version will play different sounds as each panel is cleared.

Namco Bandai is taking care of publishing duties in Japan, with American and European releases still unaccounted for. Given the success of Q Entertainment's previous games, it shouldn't take too long before everyone is pulled back into a mesmerizing music-and-rhythm marathon. With such a widespread appeal, music is most certainly a sound route to the home of that elusive casual gamer.

See also:

JoystiqMore musical Mizuguchi mayhem materializes originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 07 Jul 2006 15:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DSLuminesLumines IILumines LiveLumines PlusLuminesIiLuminesLiveLuminesPlusmusicalPSPpuzzleRezSega RallySegaRallySpace Channel 5SpaceChannel5TetrisTetsuya MizuguchiTetsuyaMizuguchiFri, 07 Jul 2006 15:55:00 EST