Joystiq

'Sup, Notch: Why Guncraft got a booth next to Minecraft's at PAX

Jessica Conditt — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 17:00:00 EST

Exato Games co-founder John Getty makes no apologies about the inspiration behind Guncraft. Yes, it's based on Minecraft. Problem?

Getty can afford to be flippant about Guncraft's origins because his game, while it resembles Minecraft, utilizes entirely different mechanics and goals, and it simply isn't a rip-off, he says. Guncraft spawned while Getty and his partner Alex Schlee were working on another game, Progenitor.

"Our artist and former programmer were having a talk about how Minecraft isn't objective-oriented enough," Getty recalls. "They thought that it would be awesome if it was like an FPS, which is an objective-driven genre, where you could also make use of the levels you intricately design. They also thought it would be awesome to be able to blow the crap out of said level, without getting banned from a server for trolling someone's masterpiece.

"I overheard the conversation and thought it was an awesome idea. After a week of drawing up some preliminary game-design documents, I pitched it to my partner, we both decided it was too good to pass up, and we postponed Progenitor in favor of Guncraft."

Guncraft is now a Kickstarter success story, raising more than $16,000 in March to continue development, and it's heading to PAX Prime in Seattle this week - in fact, it's heading to a very specific place on PAX's show floor. Guncraft has a booth right next to Minecraft's.

Continue reading 'Sup, Notch: Why Guncraft got a booth next to Minecraft's at PAX

'Sup, Notch: Why Guncraft got a booth next to Minecraft's at PAX originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 29 Aug 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mole Kart is the iOS Mario Kart rip-off you never wanted

David Hinkle — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 23:00:00 EST

It's not the first blatant rip-off to appear on the App Store by any stretch, but it might be one of the most obnoxious. Mole Kart is the quintessential Mario Kart clone, copying key gameplay mechanics, power-ups and even track designs from Nintendo's classic rubber-band racer. To top it off, it has fewer memorable characters and, based on the video above, what looks to be some way janky steering.

The game is currently available for $2.99 on the App Store and is compatible with both the iPhone/iPod Touch and iPad, granted they're running iOS 4.1 or later. Also, you'll need a high tolerance for cartoon moles because this game is totally full of them.

Mole Kart is the iOS Mario Kart rip-off you never wanted originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 12 Jan 2012 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Square Enix brings overpriced photos of Final Fantasy XIII to the iPhone

Andrew Yoon — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 01:30:00 EST

Imagine all the epic battles of Final Fantasy XIII in the palm of your hand! In fact, using your imagination is pretty much the only thing you can do with this new App.

Square Enix is proud to present an exclusive version of Final Fantasy XIII for your iPhone and iPod Touch that lets you zoom in on Lightning, Snow and the rest of the gang. See your favorite characters in dramatic poses, as they prepare for battles in the most stylish way possible. Yes, for only $8.99 you'll be able to download a small collection of still images to peruse.

But wait -- there's more! Not only can you look at pictures; you'll be able to bring up a calendar and a clock. In fact, you can look at images at the same time as the clock. That functionality makes this truly a "Larger-than-Life" experience. Download it today!

FINAL FANTASY XIII Larger-than-Life Gallery ($8.99):

Square Enix brings overpriced photos of Final Fantasy XIII to the iPhone originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 18 Mar 2010 01:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft: 'Miis didn't influence Avatars. Honest. No, really.'

Chris Greenhough — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 20:08:00 EST

Filed under: Interviews

What's that you say? Microsoft's new Avatars system for the Xbox 360 is just a rip-off of Nintendo's Miis? Poppycock and slander! Microsoft man John Schappert has explained to MCV that Avatars are merely a natural development of Microsoft's online strategy. Like, obviously.

"It'd be remiss to say that we don't enjoy playing on the other systems and we have a lot of respect for the work that Miyamoto-san and Nintendo do," remarked Schappert, warming up for a "but," "but I think it's a logical extension of our Gamercard, Gamertag and Achievements." Commence reverse peristalsis!

Schappert's denial is kind of predictable, as nobody will ever be able to absolutely prove just how much Miis influenced Avatars. With Schappert's beloved Miyamoto admitting to being "quite flattered" by Avatars, we have a hunch about what Nintendo might think.

Microsoft: 'Miis didn't influence Avatars. Honest. No, really.' originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 31 Jul 2008 20:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rock Band controllers priced and dated

Jem Alexander — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 18:30:00 EST

Filed under: News

While the foaming from the mouth may have subsided somewhat in the months since Rock Band's original release, we know that there's still a large number of you waiting for the instruments to finally become available individually. EA has today thrown you all a bone - but beware, it's a bit mouldy. The prices and dates for the guitar and drum controllers have finally been announced.

The drums will be available from the 12th of February for $79.99 and the guitar from April 1st for $59.99. This makes the bundle pack a damn good deal. It also means you've got another two months of waiting until PS3 owners can play four player. Pretty unimpressive, if you ask us.

Rock Band controllers priced and dated originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 24 Jan 2008 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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British retailers going bundle crazy

Chris Greenhough — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: News

Over at the always entertaining UK: Resistance, resident jaded cynic Cmdr_Zorg has a few strong words to say about certain UK retailers, specifically those who refuse to play fair when it comes to the increasingly rare Wii.

The source of Zorg's chagrin? That said merchants are now using the insane popularity of the Wii and crippling shortages to flog desperate consumers bundles which are, to put it charitably, a load of old bumwash. Electronics chain Dixons is one of the culprits in this growing trend, with its cheapest Wii bundle clocking in at £350 ($725). All have sold out, presumably to people who would normally have lol'd heartily at the idea of buying Smarty Pants.

Admittedly, some of the bundles being offered by Dixons contain titles that every one of us should own, but that's not the point: let us make those decisions!

British retailers going bundle crazy originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 28 Nov 2007 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A year of Wii: The PAL verdict

Chris Greenhough — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Features

Being a devotee of Nintendo in a PAL region is probably a bit like marriage (I'd urge you to stick with me here, because I've thought this analogy through for at least four minutes). For years, you slog away at the relationship, mildly irritated by the other person's foibles and imperfections, like that weird bumpy mole on their back, or how they noisily slurp soup, or how they insist on playing nothing but Keane during long car journeys.

Then every so often, you have your disputes, arguing about the merits of Magnolia Eggshell and Cream Eggshell in the aisle of Lowe's. And sometimes, these disagreements might build up to something bigger in your mind, begin to fester, and perhaps you occasionally think, "Is this it? Is this the rest of my life?" But then, something strange happens -- every so often, the other person does something really fantastic, something that reminds you exactly why you got hitched in the first place, and why you settled on this individual as your soul mate. And suddenly, everything is well with the world, or at least until it's soup night again.

The point of this long-winded comparison being: as a gamer in the UK, that pretty much sums up my relationship with Nintendo. For years now, PAL region gamers have often been treated fairly shabbily by Nintendo. I'll freely admit it doesn't take much too rile us -- we hardcore types are notoriously tough to please -- though Nintendo doesn't always help itself. Its insistence that we receive games or hardware late, or not at all, or borked ... well it's just plain infuriating is what it is. The prices, as well, leave a lot to be desired. And totally rad free gifts? Yea, forget about those.

Continue reading A year of Wii: The PAL verdict

A year of Wii: The PAL verdict originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 23 Nov 2007 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ridge Racers 2 rips you off

Andrew Yoon — Tue, 19 Sep 2006 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: News, Ridge Racer

I once wrote about Ridge Racers 2: "Doesn't it seem like there's nothing particularly new or noteworthy about this version?" Unfortunately, my statement was a bit too accurate about the game. According to an IGN preview, it appears that the sequel is barely a sequel at all. The game features the same graphics engine and the same
courses as the original launch title. Yes, there's a few new stuff: there's 10 new tracks, and two new gameplay modes. But with longer load times, is this "sequel" really worth the additional $20-30 it'll cost over the original? I'd say no. If Namco's going to rip-off gamers like that, IGN has it completely right:

"There's no word on a US release. That may be for the better though."

Ridge Racers 2 rips you off originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 19 Sep 2006 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Circuit City back compat rip-off

Ken Weeks — Mon, 04 Sep 2006 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: News

For the bargain price of $28.99, the smiling crooks at Circuit City will help some gullible soccer mom install "backwards compatibility" on a newly purchased Xbox 360, despite the fact back compat updates are free via Xbox Live (or by mail for those without an internet connection). On a more positive note, a call to my local store confirmed that Circuit City does not charge Downes Syndrome kids double for all Xbox 360 related purchases. At least not yet.

Circuit City back compat rip-off originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 04 Sep 2006 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GRAW backlash: "1200 MS Points? Kiss my ass"

Ken Weeks — Fri, 23 Jun 2006 04:00:00 EST

Filed under: Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter, Xbox Live Marketplace

That low, droning whine you hear is the predictable response to the price of the Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter's Chapter 2 Expansion pack, now available for download on Marketplace. Here's what you get for 1200 MS Points:

Continuation of the multiplayer Co-op campaign with 4 all-new missions in Chapter 2
8 revisited, relit multiplayer Adversarial maps
2 all-new game types with 1 new game mode - Team Battle
2 new camouflage patterns
4 new character customization faces
5 new weapons

Holy crap! 1200 MS Points! That's 171.75 Pesos, 576.453 Thai Baht or $15 American Dollars, the most expensive downloadable content we've seen so far. I think your level of acceptance/disgust with Ubisoft's Ghost gouging depends on whether you convince yourself this content is a true expansion pack ( the kind you used to pay $20 or $30 on an old-fashioned disc) or glorified horse armour. Team Xbox's hands-on will help you make up your mind. Of course, some people over at Major Nelson's complaint repository already have. Sample quote:

"1200 MS Points? Kiss my ass."

How many people will be shelling out for this relatively expensive expansion? Also, can somebody tell me what the PC people are getting for free?

[Thanks Andy]

GRAW backlash: "1200 MS Points? Kiss my ass" originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 23 Jun 2006 04:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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