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 2015 AOL, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Microsoft: 6.6 million Xbox consoles shipped in Q2 2015]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/27/microsoft-6-6-million-xbox-consoles-shipped-in-q1-2015/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/27/microsoft-6-6-million-xbox-consoles-shipped-in-q1-2015/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/27/microsoft-6-6-million-xbox-consoles-shipped-in-q1-2015/#comments In a recent earnings release, Microsoft reveals that during the quarter ending December 31, 2014 it earned revenues of $26.5 billion, partly thanks to the 6.6 million Xbox consoles it shipped in that time.

"Our sales engagement worldwide continues to focus on helping customers and partners transition to the cloud and navigate the shifting product mix related to our services and solutions," said Microsoft COO Kevin Turner of what the report describes as "strong holiday performance."

Though these figures refer to both Xbox One and Xbox 360 consoles, they do somewhat back claims Microsoft made following the recent NPD sales report, in which it stated that the Xbox One had, after months of lagging behind the PlayStation 4 in sales, becoming the "best-selling console in the U.S. in November and December."
[Image: Microsoft]

JoystiqMicrosoft: 6.6 million Xbox consoles shipped in Q2 2015 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 27 Jan 2015 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftsalesxboxxbox-oneTue, 27 Jan 2015 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyrule Warriors ships a million, celebrates with wallpaper party]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/27/hyrule-warriors-ships-a-million-celebrates-with-wallpaper-party/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/27/hyrule-warriors-ships-a-million-celebrates-with-wallpaper-party/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/27/hyrule-warriors-ships-a-million-celebrates-with-wallpaper-party/#comments Hyrule Warriors shipped a million units worldwide since it launched last fall, which equates to many, many millions of enemies taken out in the army-mashing crossover. Famitsu reported the milestone today, which we've confirmed with a Koei Tecmo Europe representative.

Koei Tecmo is celebrating like cray by publishing a set of new wallpapers based on the Wii U brawler, and they're not bad desktop bling, it has to be said. Also, there's still plenty of steam in the game's DLC train; Majora's Mask content is due to arrive next week.

And yes, the DLC features Tingle. Like absolutely everything should.
[Image: Tecmo Koei]

JoystiqHyrule Warriors ships a million, celebrates with wallpaper party originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 27 Jan 2015 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hyrule-warriorskoei-tecmonintendosalesshipmentswii-uTue, 27 Jan 2015 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Destiny tops PS4 downloads in 2014]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/16/destiny-tops-ps4-downloads-in-2014/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/16/destiny-tops-ps4-downloads-in-2014/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/16/destiny-tops-ps4-downloads-in-2014/#comments Bungie's Destiny topped the PlayStation Store's PS4 best-sellers list for all of 2014, Sony revealed today. The store's top sellers on the current-generation console don't include many surprises; Grand Theft Auto 5 took the second spot, followed by Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, Minecraft and The Last of Us Remastered to round out the top five. GTA 5 was the most purchased PS4 game in the month of December.

As for PS3 games, Minecraft led all purchases on the system in 2014 on the PS Store, followed by GTA 5, Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, Destiny and Battlefield 4. Likewise, the list of top-selling PS4 and PS3 add-ons are a mix of Destiny, Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 and Call of Duty: Ghosts DLC for the most part; Battlefield 4 Premium and The Last of Us' Left Behind DLC swooped in to the third spot in the PS4 and PS3 lists, respectively. Sword Art Online: Hollow Fragment was the highest-selling game last year on the PlayStation Store for Vita. The Bandai Namco RPG was trailed on the handheld system by Minecraft, Killzone: Mercenary, Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Z and Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster.
[Image: Activision]

JoystiqDestiny tops PS4 downloads in 2014 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 16 Jan 2015 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Battlefield-4call-of-duty-advanced-warfaredestinygrand-theft-auto-5minecraftplaystationplaystation-networkplaystation-storeplaystation-vitaps3ps4psnsalessonythe-last-of-us-remasteredtop-sellingvitaFri, 16 Jan 2015 22:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo: Amiibo sales outpace Smash Bros. Wii U]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/16/nintendo-amiibo-sales-outpace-smash-bros-wii-u/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/16/nintendo-amiibo-sales-outpace-smash-bros-wii-u/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/16/nintendo-amiibo-sales-outpace-smash-bros-wii-u/#comments Mario Kart 8 sold 1.7 million copies in 2014 both digitally and at retail in the United States according to the NPD Group, Nintendo revealed in a press release. The publisher also noted that Super Smash Bros. for Wii U sold 1.3 million copies during the year, though sales of the company's amiibo figurines were "nearly twice" that of Nintendo's Mario brawler on Wii U. Nintendo said that total hardware and software sales increased "by more than 29 percent and more than 75 percent, respectively, over sales in 2013." As of December, the publisher said that amiibo sales were "approximately equal" to that of Super Smash Bros. for Wii U.

On the handheld side of Nintendo's lineup, Super Smash Bros. for 3DS eclipsed 2 million copies sold since the game launched this past fall. Pokemon Alpha Sapphire and Omega Ruby also combined to sell 2.6 million copies in the remastered games' first six weeks. Nintendo recently offered a worldwide launch date for the company's new 3DS system during this week's Nintendo Direct presentation; the C-Stick-sporting console will arrive on February 13 for $200. The improved console will be accompanied by The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask 3D and Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate along with each game's respective special edition 3DS systems.
[Image: Nintendo]

Continue reading Nintendo: Amiibo sales outpace Smash Bros. Wii U

JoystiqNintendo: Amiibo sales outpace Smash Bros. Wii U originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 16 Jan 2015 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsamiibomario-kart-8nintendopokemon-alpha-sapphire-omega-rubysalessuper-smash-brossuper-smash-bros-2014super-smash-bros-3dssuper-smash-bros-for-wii-utoyswii-uFri, 16 Jan 2015 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Monument Valley made $5.8 million, over 80 percent on iOS]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/15/monument-valley-made-5-8-million-over-80-percent-on-ios/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/15/monument-valley-made-5-8-million-over-80-percent-on-ios/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/15/monument-valley-made-5-8-million-over-80-percent-on-ios/#comments Monument Valley developer Ustwo earned $5,858,625 from sales for the game as of this past Monday, as highlighted in a fancy infographic breaking down the puzzle game's earnings. Of that revenue, 81.7 percent was earned on iOS, compared to 13.9 percent on Android (where it was released about a month later) and 4.3 percent on Amazon. Ustwo says Monument Valley was installed on over 10 million unique devices, though its profits come from 2,440,076 official sales.

The original game took $852,000 to develop while its eight-level Forgotten Shores update cost the developer $549,000. It first arrived on iOS in April 2014 and recouped its development costed in its first week; Ustwo has now clarified that its launch day on the App Store amounted to $145,530 in revenue.
[Image: Ustwo]

JoystiqMonument Valley made $5.8 million, over 80 percent on iOS originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 15 Jan 2015 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androiddataIndieiosipadiphonemobilemonument-valleypiracyprofitspuzzlerevenuesalesustwoustwo-studioThu, 15 Jan 2015 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The War Z dev: 'We were arrogantly deaf to problems']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/15/troubled-zombie-game-the-war-z-tops-2-8-million-sales/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/15/troubled-zombie-game-the-war-z-tops-2-8-million-sales/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/15/troubled-zombie-game-the-war-z-tops-2-8-million-sales/#comments They may not be slavering corpses, but the developers of The War Z share one thing in common with the undead denizens of their game: Persistence. Despite seemingly endless controversy, the open-world zombie survival game has reportedly passed 2.8 million sales.

From the beginning, players accused The War Z (aka Infestation: Survivor Stories) of liberally borrowing ideas from Bohemia Interactive's cult-hit DayZ, including its setting and basic "survive against endless hordes of corpses" gameplay. Then The War Z reached Steam and was immediately hit by allegations that the developers knowingly listed features on the digital storefront that had not yet been added to the game. Valve eventually stepped in and pulled The War Z from Steam.

Continue reading The War Z dev: 'We were arrogantly deaf to problems'

JoystiqThe War Z dev: 'We were arrogantly deaf to problems' originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 15 Jan 2015 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>day-zhammerpoint-interactiveinfestation-survivor-storiesOP-Productionspcsalessergey-titovthe-war-zworld-war-zzombiesThu, 15 Jan 2015 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Gamestop holiday sales down 6.7 percent to $2.94 billion]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/15/gamestop-holiday-sales-down-6-7-percent-to-2-94-billion/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/15/gamestop-holiday-sales-down-6-7-percent-to-2-94-billion/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/15/gamestop-holiday-sales-down-6-7-percent-to-2-94-billion/#comments As it does every January, ubiquitous mall retailer Gamestop has issued its holiday sales report. Though sales of $2.94 billion mark a year-on-year decline in business, it comes as little surprise and the retailer remains optimistic.

That $2.94 billion figure is overshadowed by the $3.15 billion Gamestop reported last year (though it tops the $2.88 billion from the previous year's sales report). The key reason for this is a year-on-year 32 percent decline in new hardware sales. While that seems dire, keep in mind that the 2013 holiday season saw the launch of both the Xbox One and PlayStation 4, so the $3.15 billion Gamestop reported last year is likely greatly enhanced by the appearance of new hardware on the market. The highlight of Gamestop's holiday sales report is a 5.8 percent increase in new software sales, which the retailer attributes primarily to a 94.4 percent jump in sales of games for the now-established Xbox One and PlayStation 4 consoles.

"During the holiday period, consumer demand for video games was strong, resulting in new software sales growth," said Gamestop CEO Paul Raines. "We expect that trend to continue into the first quarter. Overall, each of our business units performed well giving us positive momentum as we look toward 2015."

JoystiqGamestop holiday sales down 6.7 percent to $2.94 billion originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 15 Jan 2015 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gamestopholiday-salesmoneysalesThu, 15 Jan 2015 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Apps earn more than $10 billion in App Store revenue in 2014]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/11/apps-earn-more-than-10-billion-in-app-store-revenue-in-2014/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/11/apps-earn-more-than-10-billion-in-app-store-revenue-in-2014/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/11/apps-earn-more-than-10-billion-in-app-store-revenue-in-2014/#comments
Mobile marketplaces can feel dramatically over-saturated, but lest you wonder if developers are even chasing a worthwhile audience in that space, Apple has shed some light on just how much cash is in play: Developers earned more than $10 billion in revenue across the App Store's 24 software categories during 2014, with almost half a billion being spent across apps and in-app purchases in the first week of January 2015 alone.

Apple puts the lifetime total earned by developers through the App Store at $25 billion. Considering the App Store launched in 2008, that means about 40 percent of total revenue earned by App Store developers was pulled in within the last year. It's worth noting that added store options, like last year's arrival of app previews and app bundles, have likely helped developers sell more than what was feasible in the App Store's infancy. Still, 2014's $10 billion revenue total shows the potential for success in the mobile space, so long as a developer can manage to garner visibility in the flood of apps that are currently available.

All those Minecraft, Flappy Bird and Threes piggyback clones make a little more sense now, don't they?
[Image: Apple]

JoystiqApps earn more than $10 billion in App Store revenue in 2014 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 11 Jan 2015 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>app-storeappleiosipadiphonemacmobilesalesSun, 11 Jan 2015 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Capcom drops sales forecasts ahead of year-end results]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/09/capcom-drops-sales-forecasts-ahead-of-year-end-results/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/09/capcom-drops-sales-forecasts-ahead-of-year-end-results/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/09/capcom-drops-sales-forecasts-ahead-of-year-end-results/#comments Capcom revised its consolidated earnings forecast for the fiscal year ending on March 31, lowering its net sales expectations from 80,000 million yen ($673 million) to 65,000 million yen ($547 million). The change represents an 18.75 percent decline, which Capcom said is "primarily due to the severe impact on pachislo machine sales," thanks to "the delay in the introduction of a new model."

Capcom added that "delays in the launches of some midrange titles in the Digital Contents business" also impacted its projections. While the publisher did not specify what previously-delayed digital games were the culprit, it did push back the beta for its online RPG Deep Down (seen above) to 2015 back in late August. Capcom also delayed the Japanese launch of Breath of Fire 6: Guardians of the White Dragons to this coming spring as of late July.
[Image: Capcom]

JoystiqCapcom drops sales forecasts ahead of year-end results originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 09 Jan 2015 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breath-of-fire-6breath-of-fire-6-guardians-of-the-white-dragonscapcomdeep-downdelaysearningsfinancialsfiscal-2014fy-2014salesFri, 09 Jan 2015 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Transistor get() 600,000+ sales, Bastion breach() 3 million]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/09/transistor-get-600-000-sales-bastion-breach-3-million/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/09/transistor-get-600-000-sales-bastion-breach-3-million/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/09/transistor-get-600-000-sales-bastion-breach-3-million/#comments Transistor carved its way to more than 600,000 sales in 2014, Supergiant Games revealed this week. The PS4 and PC action-RPG looks set to become the dev's second million-seller, though it's still way off the "more than 3 million" copies sold to date by Bastion.

In this week's announcement, Supergiant's Greg Kasavin noted the majority of Bastion's sales arrived "many months after the game first came out on Xbox 360 and PC. So we were very happy to see Transistor selling even faster relative to Bastion during the first couple of months after its launch."

Kasavin's talked about that long sales tail before. Speaking at E3 2013 about future Transistor ports, he said, "For us, it's really important to not be tied down for the long haul, because Bastion's success was not made on any one platform. That being said, our focus is absolutely on a successful PS4 launch and also our Steam PC launch, because if that does not go well, there will not be other versions of the game, most likely and so forth."

Continue reading Transistor get() 600,000+ sales, Bastion breach() 3 million

JoystiqTransistor get() 600,000+ sales, Bastion breach() 3 million originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 09 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bastioniosipadiphonelinuxmacmicrosoftmobilepcplaystationplaystation-vitaps4salestransistorvitaxboxFri, 09 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony: PS4 sales surpass 18.5 million following holiday boom]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/06/sony-ps4-sales-surpass-18-5-million-following-holiday-boom/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/06/sony-ps4-sales-surpass-18-5-million-following-holiday-boom/http://www.joystiq.com/2015/01/06/sony-ps4-sales-surpass-18-5-million-following-holiday-boom/#comments PlayStation 4 sales are now beyond the 18.5 million mark, according to Sony's announcement at CES 2015. The PS4's pubertal growth into the late teens (millions-wise) occurred in a prolific holiday season, with more than 4.1 million units shifted worldwide since November 23, 2014.

Sony's numbers represent the company's estimates of units sold to consumers, as opposed to retail shipments. According to Sony, the PS4 "continues to demonstrate the fastest and strongest growth in PlayStation hardware history." To contrast and compare, the PS3 shipped 10.5 million units within a similar timeframe, and the PS2 10.6 million units.

"We are absolutely delighted that so many customers around the globe have continued to select PS4 as their console of choice throughout this holiday season," said Sony Computer Entertainment CEO Andrew House. "We will continue to reinforce and deliver additional value on PS4 as the best place to play, by bringing even more exciting content and by enriching our wide array of service offerings."

Continue reading Sony: PS4 sales surpass 18.5 million following holiday boom

JoystiqSony: PS4 sales surpass 18.5 million following holiday boom originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 06 Jan 2015 05:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ces-2015globalholidayplaystationplaystation-4playstation-plusps4salessonyworldwideTue, 06 Jan 2015 05:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Tomodachi Life welcomes 1 million Miis in Europe]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2014/12/21/tomodachi-life-welcomes-1-million-miis-in-europe/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/12/21/tomodachi-life-welcomes-1-million-miis-in-europe/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/12/21/tomodachi-life-welcomes-1-million-miis-in-europe/#comments
One million Miis in Europe have found a new, bizarre home in Tomodachi Life, Nintendo's quirky apartment complex simulator that hosts strange social interactions with relish. Nintendo of Europe celebrated the sales milestone earlier this week by tweeting the above image, and while we don't have sales figures for North America, we knew its Japanese counterpart, Tomodachi Collection: New Life, had managed 1.82 million sales by April 2014.

Tomodachi Life drew criticism earlier this year over its absence of same-sex relationships, prompting an apology from Nintendo and a commitment that "if we create a next installment in the Tomodachi series, we will strive to design a game-play experience from the ground up that is more inclusive, and better represents all players."

Contributing Editor Danny Cowan had a brief stay in the Miicentric universe, and while he found its charm to wear quicker than any Animal Crossing game "due to its comparative lack of structure and progression," he added that he was still left with fond memories: "Years from now, I'll look back fondly on the day that Garfield and Morrissey became best friends, and it'll be a great honor to attend Isabelle and Hank Hill's wedding."
[Image: Nintendo]

JoystiqTomodachi Life welcomes 1 million Miis in Europe originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 21 Dec 2014 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dseuropenintendosalestomodachi-lifeSun, 21 Dec 2014 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony: PS4 demand is challenging European supply]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2014/12/19/sony-ps4-demand-is-challenging-european-supply/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/12/19/sony-ps4-demand-is-challenging-european-supply/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/12/19/sony-ps4-demand-is-challenging-european-supply/#comments The PlayStation 4 is in high demand for the second holiday season in a row, according to Sony Computer Entertainment Europe CEO Andrew House. Without offering specific sales numbers, House told Reuters that the console is potentially "going to be quite inventory challenged." Shipments for the PS4 reached 13.5 million consoles as of the end of October.

"I'm not going to say you won't be able to find a PlayStation 4," House added. "I think it's going to be kind of hand to mouth in terms of that market." The CEO noted that sales for the system in December were in line with Sony's projections, though it was a "tougher" month thanks to the $50 holiday price cut by its main competitor in the United States, Microsoft's Xbox One. While its gaming division is thriving, Sony upped its loss forecast to $2 billion in September due to struggling smartphone sales and opted to not renew its FIFA sponsorship at the beginning of this month to spend more money on structural reforms.
[Image: Sony]

JoystiqSony: PS4 demand is challenging European supply originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 19 Dec 2014 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Andrew-Houseconsoledemandeuropeplaystationps4salessceeSony-Computer-Entertainment-Europesupplysupply-and-demandFri, 19 Dec 2014 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: Call of Duty retail sales fall for third straight year]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2014/12/12/report-call-of-duty-retail-sales-fall-for-third-straight-year/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/12/12/report-call-of-duty-retail-sales-fall-for-third-straight-year/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/12/12/report-call-of-duty-retail-sales-fall-for-third-straight-year/#comments Following yesterday's NPD report, Piper Jaffray analyst Michael Olson points out that retail sales for the Call of Duty series have declined by 27 percent year-over-year.

This is not isolated news, either. The Call of Duty series has posted slumping sales in each of the past three years. While Activision's military shooters manage to sell well compared to other games the franchise is unable to reach the heights it once saw. Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare currently tops the NPD sales chart, but as Games Industry notes, this entry attracted less than half the first month sales of 2011's Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3.

Earlier this year, analysts at Cowen And Company pointed out that alongside declining sales, the Call of Duty games are also attracting declining pre-orders, with Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare drawing nearly 40 percent fewer retail pre-purchases than its predecessor.

Activision claims that Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare is the highest selling digital launch in console history but Olson does not believe that digital sales (which these analysts are not privy to) can entirely soften the blow of the retail sales slide. "NPD data does not include digital copies or international sales, which, if included, would lessen the year-over-year decline, but we believe this data suggests potential for Q4 revenue upside is now very low," Olson stated.
[Image: Activision]

JoystiqReport: Call of Duty retail sales fall for third straight year originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 12 Dec 2014 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisioncall-of-dutycall-of-duty-advanced-warfaremicrosoftpcplaystationps3ps4salesxboxxbox-oneFri, 12 Dec 2014 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA['Endless' series crosses one million copies sold]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2014/12/08/endless-space-series-crosses-one-million-copies-sold/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/12/08/endless-space-series-crosses-one-million-copies-sold/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/12/08/endless-space-series-crosses-one-million-copies-sold/#comments The "Endless" series of games reached over one million copies sold, Iceberg Interactive announced. The series consists of three games, Dungeon of the Endless, Endless Legend and Endless Space, and the trio combined to sell 1.2 million units to date.

All three games were created by Amplitude Studios, the latest being October's Dungeon of the Endless, a retro-styled roguelike for PC and Mac. Amplitude kicked the series off with Endless Space in 2012, a 4X space strategy game that served as a precursor to Endless Legend, which launched in September. Those that pick up the $20 Crystal Pack for Dungeon of the Endless on Steam receive an additional playable faction for Endless Space's Disharmony expansion as well as extra unit skins for Endless Legend.
[Image: Iceberg Interactive]

Continue reading 'Endless' series crosses one million copies sold

Joystiq'Endless' series crosses one million copies sold originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 08 Dec 2014 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>4xamplitude-studiosdungeon-of-the-endlessendless-legendendless-spaceendless-space-disharmonyiceberg-interactivemacpcroguelikesalesspacespace-strategysteamstrategyMon, 08 Dec 2014 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Shovel Knight sells in spades, surpasses 300K units]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2014/12/05/shovel-knight-sells-in-spades-surpasses-300k-units/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/12/05/shovel-knight-sells-in-spades-surpasses-300k-units/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/12/05/shovel-knight-sells-in-spades-surpasses-300k-units/#comments Shovel Knight moved heaven and earth - mostly earth - to exceed 300,000 sales worldwide since launching back in June. Yacht Club's crowdfunded homage to 8-bit classics shifted 180,000 units in its first month, surpassing the dev's expectations. Shovel Knight's now close to double that figure following last month's belated launch on the European eShop.

While six figures ain't to be sniffed at, it's not yet the seven Yacht Club was aiming for after its prolific launch and critical success.

"Our new goal is the quest to 1 million sold," programmer David D'Angelo said in August, "to truly solidify Shovel Knight as a modern platinum classic! For all of you who had doubts that a Wii U game or a digital game on a Nintendo platform could sell, we hope these facts show that a good game on any system, marketed the right way, can sell."

Continue reading Shovel Knight sells in spades, surpasses 300K units

JoystiqShovel Knight sells in spades, surpasses 300K units originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 05 Dec 2014 06:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dseShopkickstarternintendosaleswii-uyacht-club-gamesFri, 05 Dec 2014 06:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: Pokemon Omega/Alpha ships 7.7 million worldwide]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2014/12/04/report-pokemon-omega-alpha-ships-7-7-million-worldwide/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/12/04/report-pokemon-omega-alpha-ships-7-7-million-worldwide/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/12/04/report-pokemon-omega-alpha-ships-7-7-million-worldwide/#comments Pokemon is turning Ruby and Sapphire into gold again, after the 3DS remakes reportedly hit 7.7 million shipments worldwide. According to an announcement published by Famitsu (via Siliconera), last week's European arrival of Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire provided a boost in the form of 35 percent more launch sales compared to Pokemon X and Y.

While Joystiq's Earnest "Nex" Cavalli didn't see the conversion factor in Pokemon ORAS, he did see plenty of "evolution and refinement" in the GBA games' remakes.

"Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire do little to overhaul the major pillars of a series that's long relied on the same set of classic ideas, but they don't have to," Nex concluded in his review. "The core mechanics of Pokemon remain immensely addictive, and Game Freak's latest coat of polish only enhances an already captivating adventure."

JoystiqReport: Pokemon Omega/Alpha ships 7.7 million worldwide originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 04 Dec 2014 08:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsgame-freakjapannintendopokemonpokemon-alpha-sapphire-omega-rubysalesshipmentsshippedthe-pokemon-companyThu, 04 Dec 2014 08:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Development costs for This War of Mine covered in two days]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2014/11/30/development-costs-for-this-war-of-mine-covered-in-two-days/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/11/30/development-costs-for-this-war-of-mine-covered-in-two-days/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/11/30/development-costs-for-this-war-of-mine-covered-in-two-days/#comments This War of Mine presents a different vision of war than many gamers may be used to, trading QTEs and pew-pew 'splosions for somber reflection and grim analysis of war's collateral damage. And yet, despite its dreary, depressing atmosphere, developer 11 Bit Studios is likely smiling wide at the moment, as the game has sold enough copies within just 48 hours to cover development costs.

11 Bit revealed the good news in an infographic sent to Joystiq, along with a lot of other interesting information. For example, 11 Bit also revealed that while only 11 percent of players have beaten the game, 96 percent of the more than 2,700 user reviews recommend it. The gender gap is also minimal, as 56 percent of players were identified as male, while the remaining 46 percent were identified as female.

To see the infographic in its entirety, read on after the break.

Continue reading Development costs for This War of Mine covered in two days

JoystiqDevelopment costs for This War of Mine covered in two days originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 30 Nov 2014 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>11-bit-studiosinfographicmacpcsalesthis-war-of-mineSun, 30 Nov 2014 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Smash Bros. sells over 490K on Wii U in three days]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2014/11/25/smash-bros-sells-over-490k-on-wii-u-in-three-days/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/11/25/smash-bros-sells-over-490k-on-wii-u-in-three-days/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/11/25/smash-bros-sells-over-490k-on-wii-u-in-three-days/#comments Super Smash Bros. is the fastest-selling Wii U game to launch in the United States, according to a press release issued by Nintendo today. The publisher says it sold more than 490,000 copies of the game from its launch on November 21 through November 23. The figure represents sales at retail as well as digital copies of the game.

The sales data pairs well with the portable version of Super Smash Bros. for 3DS, which reached over 3.22 million copies sold as of late October. Those that own copies of the game on both platforms will receive the Pokemon character Mewtwo as a playable fighter down the road, though Nintendo may also opt to offer the fighter as premium DLC as well. Nintendo also launched its line of NFC-capable figures on the same day as Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, Amiibo, which can become pretty dastardly in the fighting game. The publisher did not offer any early sales data for Amiibo.
[Image: Nintendo]

Continue reading Smash Bros. sells over 490K on Wii U in three days

JoystiqSmash Bros. sells over 490K on Wii U in three days originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 25 Nov 2014 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fightingnintendosalessmash-brossuper-smash-brossuper-smash-bros-2014super-smash-bros-for-wii-uunited-statesuswii-uTue, 25 Nov 2014 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New Super Mario Bros Wii crosses 10 million copies sold]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2014/11/20/new-super-mario-bros-wii-crosses-10-million-copies-sold/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/11/20/new-super-mario-bros-wii-crosses-10-million-copies-sold/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/11/20/new-super-mario-bros-wii-crosses-10-million-copies-sold/#comments New Super Mario Bros Wii reached 10 million copies sold, Nintendo announced via Twitter. The side-scrolling platformer first launched on Wii in November 2009 and became Japan's fastest-selling game for the console two months later.

Nintendo's return to 2D platforming action in the Mario series was popular for its multiplayer offerings; up to four players could traverse the Mushroom Kingdom's environments together, knocking into one another along the way. The publisher has since returned to Mario-leaping action on Wii U with games like 2012's New Super Mario Bros. U and last year's Super Mario 3D World, the latter listed by Joystiq as one of the ten best titles that launched in 2013. Nintendo shipped over two million copies of Super Mario 3D World as of May.
[Image: Nintendo]

JoystiqNew Super Mario Bros Wii crosses 10 million copies sold originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 20 Nov 2014 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>mariomario-brosNew-Super-Mario-Bros-Wiinintendoplatformersalessuper-mario-broswiiThu, 20 Nov 2014 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EA CFO: Microsoft is catching up to Sony]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2014/11/19/ea-cfo-microsoft-is-catching-up-to-sony/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/11/19/ea-cfo-microsoft-is-catching-up-to-sony/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/11/19/ea-cfo-microsoft-is-catching-up-to-sony/#comments Electronic Arts CFO Blake Jorgensen believes Microsoft is "catching up" to Sony in the current-gen console battle. Jorgensen said during a talk at the UBS Global Technology Conference in Sausalito, California yesterday that "Sony has jumped out to a lead with a great console and I think a great pricing strategy" with the PS4.

Shipments for Sony's latest home console reached 13.5 million consoles as of late October, whereas Microsoft reported that shipments of Xbox One consoles hit 10 million globally last week. Jorgensen saw the Xbox One's $50 price cut for the holidays as a tactic by Microsoft that "will continue to pull the consumer into the new consoles." The EA executive estimated that combined sales for the two systems will top 25 million consoles following the holidays.
[Image: Microsoft]

JoystiqEA CFO: Microsoft is catching up to Sony originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 19 Nov 2014 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Blake-JorgensencompetitionconsoleconsolesEAElectronic-Artsmicrosoftplaystationps4salesxbox-oneWed, 19 Nov 2014 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: Pokemon 3DS remakes notch a million pre-orders in Japan]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2014/11/12/report-pokemon-3ds-remakes-notch-a-million-pre-orders-in-japan/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/11/12/report-pokemon-3ds-remakes-notch-a-million-pre-orders-in-japan/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/11/12/report-pokemon-3ds-remakes-notch-a-million-pre-orders-in-japan/#comments Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire are already major hits in Japan, despite the fact that neither game will reach store shelves until November 21. Dengeki Online (courtesy Siliconera translation) reports that the two games have already attracted over a million pre-orders in the island nation alone.

For those keeping score at home, that puts Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire - remakes of the 2003 GameBoy Advance hits Pokemon Ruby and Pokemon Sapphire - on a pace to beat the pre-order tallies for 2013's Pokemon X and Y. Both of those games sold like gangbusters even months after they first debuted, and Nintendo should be pleased with the hype its latest Pokegames are generating.
[Image: Nintendo]

JoystiqReport: Pokemon 3DS remakes notch a million pre-orders in Japan originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 12 Nov 2014 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsnintendopokemonpokemon-alpha-sapphire-omega-rubypokemon-rubypokemon-sapphirepre-orderssalesWed, 12 Nov 2014 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Nearly 10 million Xbox One consoles shipped worldwide]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2014/11/12/nearly-10-million-xbox-one-consoles-shipped-in-us/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/11/12/nearly-10-million-xbox-one-consoles-shipped-in-us/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/11/12/nearly-10-million-xbox-one-consoles-shipped-in-us/#comments Microsoft has shipped almost 10 million Xbox One consoles throughout the US world, Xbox CVP of Marketing, Strategy and Business Yusuf Mehdi writes on Xbox Wire. [Update: This post stated shipments for the US, but they're worldwide.]

"Compared to the previous week, Xbox One sales in the US have more than tripled, which is exciting as more and more friends will be playing together this holiday," Mehdi says. "As we head into the busy holiday season, Xbox One led generation 8 console sales in the US for the past two weeks. Shortly, we will have sold in to retailers more than 10 million Xbox One consoles."

Microsoft recently announced the Xbox One would be $50 cheaper from November 2 to January 3, including consoles bundled with games. The Assassin's Creed: Unity Xbox One and Kinect bundle, for example, is $450, while that bundle without Kinect is $350.

The Xbox One trailed Sony's PS4 in sales during the consoles' first months on the market. Late in October, Sony announced worldwide PS4 sales of 13.5 million. In June, Microsoft started selling the Xbox One without Kinect for $400 - $100 cheaper than the Kinect-ed launch bundle - and the company reported sales that month were "more than double" those in May.
[Image: Microsoft]

JoystiqNearly 10 million Xbox One consoles shipped worldwide originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 12 Nov 2014 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftsalesxbox-oneWed, 12 Nov 2014 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Square Enix reports year-over-year increase in sales, income]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2014/11/06/square-enix-reports-year-over-year-increase-in-sales-income/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/11/06/square-enix-reports-year-over-year-increase-in-sales-income/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/11/06/square-enix-reports-year-over-year-increase-in-sales-income/#comments Square Enix reported 35.4 billion yen ($308.6 million) in net sales for the second quarter, ending September 30. While that represents a 6.3 percent drop from the company's first quarter results, its six-month net sales of 73.1 billion yen ($637.9 million) is an 18.6 percent boost year-over-year. As for Square Enix's digital entertainment and gaming division, it saw 43.8 billion yen in net sales ($382 million) for the six month period, a 43.1 percent increase year-over-year.

The publisher's net income also dropped 32.7 percent for the quarter to 2.3 billion yen ($20 million). Its half-year measures for net income reached 5.7 billion yen ($49.7 million), a 118.8 percent increase over the same six-month period last year. Square Enix is projecting between 150 billion and 160 billion yen ($1.3 billion - $1.4 billion) in net sales for the full year, ending in March 2015, and between 7 billion and 10.5 billion yen ($61 million - $91.6 million) in net income.
[Image: Square Enix]

JoystiqSquare Enix reports year-over-year increase in sales, income originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 06 Nov 2014 10:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>earningsearnings-reportfinancial-reportfinancialsincomeprofitsq2-2014salesSquare-EnixThu, 06 Nov 2014 10:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Activision rakes in $753 million in revenue for Q3 [Update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2014/11/04/activision-rakes-in-753-million-in-revenue-for-q3/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/11/04/activision-rakes-in-753-million-in-revenue-for-q3/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/11/04/activision-rakes-in-753-million-in-revenue-for-q3/#comments Activision reported $753 million in net revenue for the third quarter (ending September 30), a nine percent increase over the publisher's $691 million in revenue recorded for the same period last year. A record 67 percent of the company's revenue came from digital channels, according to Activision's Q3 2014 financial report. The company also reported a $23 million net loss, a sizable drop from its $56 million in income reported in the same quarter last year.

Looking ahead, Activision raised its full-year projections by 2 percent thanks to the positive Q3 results. It now expects to earn $4.325 billion in net revenue in 2014, $1.492 billion of which is expected in the next quarter. Besides the continued sales of its hit MMO-meets-shooter, Destiny, Activision will report sales in Q4 for another FPS that just arrived this week, Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare. The publisher's popular mobile CCG Hearthstone will land on iPhone and Android phones early next year and Android tablets by the end of this year, having already reached 20 million downloads in September.

Update: Activision also noted that Destiny reached 9.5 million registered players in its report. The publisher clarified to Engadget that "registered users" "refers to unique PlayStation Network / Xbox Live accounts, while multiple characters per account are not factored in."
[Image: Activision]

JoystiqActivision rakes in $753 million in revenue for Q3 [Update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 04 Nov 2014 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ActivisionActivision-Blizzardearningsearnings-reportfinancialsprofitsprojectionsq3-2014revenuesalesTue, 04 Nov 2014 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[PS4 sales up to 13.5 million consoles]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2014/10/31/ps4-sales-up-to-13-5-million-consoles/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/10/31/ps4-sales-up-to-13-5-million-consoles/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/10/31/ps4-sales-up-to-13-5-million-consoles/#comments Sony reported 309.5 billion yen in sales ($2.77 billion) for its Game and Network Services division for the second quarter, ending September 30. It represents an 83.2 percent improvement year-over-year thanks to the continued success of the company's latest home console, PlayStation 4. Shipments for the PS4 have now reached 13.5 million, as the company moved 3.3 million units during the quarter.

The Games and Network Services division also posted an operating income of 21.8 billion yen ($195 million), a massive increase compared to the 4.8 billion yen ($43 million) reported in the last quarter and the 4.2 billion yen loss ($37.6 million) year-over-year. While the gaming division thrives, Sony itself is in the red, reporting an 85.6 billion yen operating loss ($766 million). The company increased its loss forecast in September due to its struggling smartphone sales.
[Image: Sony]

JoystiqPS4 sales up to 13.5 million consoles originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 31 Oct 2014 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>consoleconsolesfinancialslossesplaystationprofitsps4q2-2015revenuesalessonyFri, 31 Oct 2014 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Just Dance Now tallies 6 million downloads in a month]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2014/10/30/just-dance-now-tallies-6-million-downloads-in-a-month/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/10/30/just-dance-now-tallies-6-million-downloads-in-a-month/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/10/30/just-dance-now-tallies-6-million-downloads-in-a-month/#comments Tucked inside Ubisoft's latest financial report is a small blurb on Just Dance Now, the publisher's mobile adaptation of its hit rhythm franchise Just Dance. According to Ubisoft, the free-to-play game has already been downloaded more than 6 million times since its September 25 debut.

Further, the game's proving especially successful in the international market. Though nowhere near as saturated with mobile devices as the United States or the UK, both Brazil and the Philippines rank in the top five countries downloading Just Dance Now. The mobile rhythm game is also reportedly big in India where Ubisoft has borrowed the song "Indian Whaaale" from the recent Bollywood film Happy New Year.

JoystiqJust Dance Now tallies 6 million downloads in a month originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 30 Oct 2014 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>just-dance-nowmobilesalesubisoftThu, 30 Oct 2014 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ubisoft beats Q2 projections, reports digital revenue surge]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2014/10/30/ubisoft-beats-q2-projections-reports-digital-revenue-surge/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/10/30/ubisoft-beats-q2-projections-reports-digital-revenue-surge/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/10/30/ubisoft-beats-q2-projections-reports-digital-revenue-surge/#comments Ubisoft revealed today that it earned 124.1 million euros (approximately $156.6 million) in revenue during the second fiscal quarter of 2014 ending September 30, marking a decrease of nearly 43 percent compared to the €217.7 million ($274.8 million) earned in the same quarter last year. The report beats projected quarterly revenue of €85.0 million, however, and represents a sharp rise in sales for the first half of 2014-15.

Ubisoft earned a total of €484.2 million in revenue during the first half of 2014-15, putting it far ahead of the €293.3 million reported during first-half 2013-14. The company attributes its gains to continued sales of Watch Dogs and other flagship releases.

"The very strong momentum we saw at the beginning of the fiscal year carried on into the second quarter and enabled us to once again exceed our performance expectations," Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot said. "Ubisoft continued to capitalize on the popularity of new consoles, the successful launch of Watch Dogs, the quality of its back catalog and the considerable growth of the digital segment. Consequently, our operating income and cash flows improved significantly during the period."

Ubisoft additionally reports a 90.4% increase in digital revenue for the first half of 2014-15, compared to last year's results. The company earned €113.7 million during the period from back-catalog sales, and reports €134.7 million in total digital revenue for first-half 2014-15.

Reported sales by platform indicate that Ubisoft earned 21 percent of its quarterly revenue on the PlayStation 4, while Xbox One sales account for 9 percent. PlayStation 3 platform sales pulled in 19 percent, PC revenue clocks in at 17 percent, and Xbox 360 game sales earned 16 percent of Ubisoft's Q2 revenue.

[Image: Ubisoft]

JoystiqUbisoft beats Q2 projections, reports digital revenue surge originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 30 Oct 2014 13:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>digitaldigital-revenuedigital-salesearningsfinancialsfy-2014q2-2014revenuesalesubisoftThu, 30 Oct 2014 13:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Watch Dogs ships out 9 million units]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2014/10/30/watch-dogs-ships-out-9-million-units/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/10/30/watch-dogs-ships-out-9-million-units/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/10/30/watch-dogs-ships-out-9-million-units/#comments Ubisoft has shipped 9 million copies of Watch Dogs, the company reported in its second quarter 2014-2015 financial report [PDF]. In the first quarter of the fiscal year, just three months ago, Ubisoft announced that it had shipped 8 million copies of Watch Dogs.

Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot called out Watch Dogs specifically in his comments on today's report: "The very strong momentum we saw at the beginning of the fiscal year carried on into the second quarter and enabled us to once again exceed our performance expectations. Ubisoft continued to capitalize on the popularity of new consoles, the successful launch of Watch Dogs, the quality of its back catalog and the considerable growth of the digital segment. Consequently, our operating income and cash flows improved significantly during the period."

During the financial call, Guillemot added that Watch Dogs was on track to ship more than 10 million units by the end of fiscal 2015. Watch Dogs launched in May on Xbox One, PS4, Xbox 360, PS3 and PC. It's due out for Wii U on November 18.
[Image: Ubisoft]

JoystiqWatch Dogs ships out 9 million units originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 30 Oct 2014 13:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftpcplaystationps3ps4salesshippedUbisoftwatch-dogsxboxxbox-oneThu, 30 Oct 2014 13:04:00 EST<![CDATA[Mario Kart 8 closing on 3.5 million copies sold]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2014/10/30/mario-kart-8-closing-on-3-5-million-copies-sold/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/10/30/mario-kart-8-closing-on-3-5-million-copies-sold/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/10/30/mario-kart-8-closing-on-3-5-million-copies-sold/#comments When Nintendo reported its net profit of 29.2 billion yen yesterday ($224 million), it also revealed that it sold 3.22 million copies of Super Smash Bros. for 3DS since the game's mid-September launch in Japan. The company's improved sales can also be credited to the continued success of another staple in its catalog: Mario Kart 8, which has now sold 3.49 million copies to date, Nintendo revealed. As for other sales figures the company reported in yesterday's earnings statements, Tomodachi Life crossed 3.12 million copies sold and Pokemon X and Y sold a whopping 13.29 million copies to date.

Following its launch in May, Mario Kart 8 provided a boost to Nintendo's Wii U shipments, which have now reached 7.29 million consoles worldwide. The racing game may have a longer tail on store shelves than previous games in the series, as Nintendo will introduce its first downloadable content pack in November for $8. The first DLC pack will feature new race tracks such as the Excitebike Arena and Yoshi's Circuit, new racers like Link, Cat Peach and Tanooki Mario as well as new vehicles like the Zelda-inspired Master Cycle and Mario's returning B-Dasher kart.
[Image: Nintendo]

JoystiqMario Kart 8 closing on 3.5 million copies sold originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 30 Oct 2014 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>mario-kartmario-kart-8nintendosaleswii-uThu, 30 Oct 2014 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo sales jump as Smash Bros. 3DS sells over 3 million]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2014/10/29/nintendo-sales-jump-as-smash-bros-3ds-sells-over-3-million/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/10/29/nintendo-sales-jump-as-smash-bros-3ds-sells-over-3-million/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/10/29/nintendo-sales-jump-as-smash-bros-3ds-sells-over-3-million/#comments Nintendo posted a profit of 24.2 billion yen ($224 million) in the last quarter, ending September 30, a sizable resurgence for the company following its 9.9 billion yen loss in the previous quarter. The company also reported 96.7 billion yen in net sales ($895 million), a 29.5 percent jump compared to the last quarter. Nintendo's sales increases are thanks in no small part to Super Smash Bros. for 3DS, which sold 3.22 million copies worldwide since its mid-September launch in Japan.

Smash Bros. sales coupled well with the 1.27 million 3DS systems shipped for the quarter, bringing the total number of 3DS systems shipped to 45.4 million to date. Nintendo also reported an increase in Wii U hardware shipments to the tune of 100,000 units (610,000 for the quarter), a 19.6 percent boost over the previous three months. That brings the life-to-date shipments of Wii U systems to 7.29 million consoles worldwide. Despite the positive showing for the quarter, Nintendo did not make any adjustments to its forecasts for the fiscal year.
[Image: Nintendo]

JoystiqNintendo sales jump as Smash Bros. 3DS sells over 3 million originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 29 Oct 2014 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsearningsfinancialsfiscal-2015nintendoprofitq2-2015salessuper-smash-bros-3dswii-uWed, 29 Oct 2014 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[FIFA reigns in the UK, Bayonetta 2 debuts in top ten]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2014/10/27/fifa-reigns-in-the-uk-bayonetta-2-debuts-in-top-ten/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/10/27/fifa-reigns-in-the-uk-bayonetta-2-debuts-in-top-ten/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/10/27/fifa-reigns-in-the-uk-bayonetta-2-debuts-in-top-ten/#comments FIFA 15 continues to rock the UK's sales charts, marking the soccer sim's fifth consecutive week at the top. EA's marquee sports game is followed by the PlayStation version of Minecraft, which reached Vita this month and made a sizable jump from ninth to second in the sales charts last week. Third on the list is The Evil Within, Bethesda's frightful survival horror game.

Unsurprisingly, the middle of the pack includes Destiny, Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor and Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel. As far as new games go, the Wii U-exclusive Bayonetta 2 arrived at seventh in the UK's sales charts last week, a good spot for a single-console new release that also complements our five-star review of the game. Head past the break for the breakdown of the top-ten sellers in the UK, provided by Chart-Track.

Continue reading FIFA reigns in the UK, Bayonetta 2 debuts in top ten

JoystiqFIFA reigns in the UK, Bayonetta 2 debuts in top ten originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 27 Oct 2014 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bayonetta-2chart-trackchart-track-weeklyEAEA-Sportsfifafifa-15microsoftnintendopcPlatinum-Gamesplaystationplaystation-vitaps3ps4salesSegaukuk-salesvitawii-uxboxxbox-oneMon, 27 Oct 2014 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[September NPD: Destiny leads as software sales decline]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2014/10/16/september-npd-destiny-leads-as-software-sales-decline/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/10/16/september-npd-destiny-leads-as-software-sales-decline/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/10/16/september-npd-destiny-leads-as-software-sales-decline/#comments The gaming industry continues to grow with each passing month, though the rate of said growth in North America seems to be slowing, according to the NPD's latest report.

Though sales of video game hardware jumped an impressive 136 percent year over year - which makes sense given that the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 had yet to launch in September 2013 - total industry sales only grew by two percent. This is due to a 36 percent decline in year over year sales of new, physical console and portable games, that, while countered by a 33 percent increase in accessory sales, is complemented by a 35 percent decline in total software sales, which includes the aforementioned console games as well as their PC counterparts. However, the NPD notes that a direct comparison is difficult as September 2013 saw the launch of Grand Theft Auto 5, a game that holds the record as the most successful launch in history.

Despite the dip in software sales, Sony claims September 2014 was a "record-breaking month" for the PlayStation Network Store. "Last month's PlayStation Store revenue increased nearly 90 percent compared with Sept. 2013," stated Sony Network Entertainment International vice president Eric Lempel. "Working closely with Activision and Bungie, we wanted to make the launch of Destiny a special experience for PlayStation fans. We're thrilled to see this high engagement from PS4 and PS3 owners."

The top ten best-selling games saw a shakeup in September, with Destiny pushing Madden 15 out of the top spot and both Super Smash Bros. 3DS and Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor joining the list, at spots four and five, respectively. That success, Nintendo claims, is largely responsible for the sale of 140,000 3DS units during September. Likewise, Nintendo believes the Wii U's double-digit increase in sales can be attributed to Mario Kart 8 and Hyrule Warriors. Beyond the break, you'll find a full rundown of the top ten best-selling games for September 2014.

Continue reading September NPD: Destiny leads as software sales decline

JoystiqSeptember NPD: Destiny leads as software sales decline originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 16 Oct 2014 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsdestinymicrosoftnintendonpdpcplaystationplaystation-vitaps3ps4salesvitawii-uxboxxbox-oneThu, 16 Oct 2014 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Super Smash Bros. hits Wii U in November, 2.8M sales so far]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2014/10/07/super-smash-bros-hits-wii-u-in-november-2-8m-sales-so-far/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/10/07/super-smash-bros-hits-wii-u-in-november-2-8m-sales-so-far/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/10/07/super-smash-bros-hits-wii-u-in-november-2-8m-sales-so-far/#comments The Wii U version of Super Smash Bros. hammers onto retail shelves on November 21 in North America, with Europe having to wait a little longer until December 5. Nintendo is also launching its Amiibo range of compatible figurines on the same day stateside, while in Europe they'll arrive ahead of the Wii U game on November 28. As previously announced, the figures have a suggested price of $13 each, while the game itself comes in at $60.

That said, by the sounds of it the already released 3DS edition of the brawler is doing handily enough on its own. According to Nintendo, the handheld fighter which hit Japan's stores last month and the West only last week is up to more than 2.8 million sales worldwide.

Continue reading Super Smash Bros. hits Wii U in November, 2.8M sales so far

JoystiqSuper Smash Bros. hits Wii U in November, 2.8M sales so far originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 07 Oct 2014 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsamiiboeuropenintendonorth-americarelease-datesalessuper-smash-bros-2014wii-uTue, 07 Oct 2014 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: Microsoft sells 100K Xbox One consoles in China]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2014/10/06/report-microsoft-sells-100k-xbox-one-consoles-in-china/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/10/06/report-microsoft-sells-100k-xbox-one-consoles-in-china/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/10/06/report-microsoft-sells-100k-xbox-one-consoles-in-china/#comments Microsoft has reportedly sold over 100,000 Xbox One consoles in the system's introductory week in China. The sales figure comes from an interview with Shanghai Media Group Vice President Zhang Dazhong, courtesy of Chinese news site 17173 (translated by Kotaku). Dazhong also noted that Microsoft's Chinese partner BesTV aims to sell one million consoles in the region over the next year. The system launched in late September along with 10 games, and Microsoft said it is preparing an additional 70 games for the region.

The Xbox One is the first official foreign console to arrive in China in 14 years following the government's move to lift its longstanding console ban in January. It then began drafting rules that dictates how companies can sell games and game consoles under Shanghai's free trade zone, settling on a new set of policies in April. Game sales in China are restricted based on whether the government determines that products threaten "China's national unity, sovereignty, or territorial integrity," whether they "instigate racial/ethnic hatred," include gambling-related features, promote drug use, obscenity, violence or violate China's constitution.
[Image: Microsoft]

JoystiqReport: Microsoft sells 100K Xbox One consoles in China originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 06 Oct 2014 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bestvchinachinese-governmentconsoleconsolesmicrosoftsalesxbox-oneMon, 06 Oct 2014 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Goat Simulator gets 100,000 sales on iOS, Android]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2014/09/22/goat-simulator-gets-100-000-sales-on-ios-android/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/09/22/goat-simulator-gets-100-000-sales-on-ios-android/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/09/22/goat-simulator-gets-100-000-sales-on-ios-android/#comments Coffee Stain Studios has sold more than 100,000 copies of Goat Simulator across Android and iOS, after launching on those platforms five days ago. That's not baaah-d. Sorry, we really rammed that joke in there, didn't we? We kid, we kid.

"It feels really amazing that so many people like our game!" designer Armin Ibrisagic writes on the Coffee Stain blog. "We're also really happy that we can now reach out to even more goat fans, and that people without a computer can now also enjoy the life of being a goat!"

In terms of updates, Coffee Stain is currently focused on squashing any crash bugs on mobile. The studio is aware of the issues on Android devices listed here. "While we realize you might be super curious of our future plans, the truth is actually that we don't plan much ahead at all [....] But after a couple of weeks we'll see how it goes! Hopefully we'll be able to give you more information then."

Goat Simulator hit "almost 1 million" sales in August, and Coffee Stain recouped the game's development costs within ten minutes of launch on Steam (on April 1, of course).
[Image: Coffee Stain Studios]

JoystiqGoat Simulator gets 100,000 sales on iOS, Android originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 22 Sep 2014 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidcoffee-stain-studiosgoat-simulatoriosipadiphonemobilesalesMon, 22 Sep 2014 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Minecraft's PS4 incarnation reaches retail stores in October]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2014/09/18/minecrafts-ps4-incarnation-reaches-retail-stores-in-october/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/09/18/minecrafts-ps4-incarnation-reaches-retail-stores-in-october/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/09/18/minecrafts-ps4-incarnation-reaches-retail-stores-in-october/#comments Following the recent digital debut of Minecraft on the PlayStation 4, Sony has revealed that the sandbox construction game will also appear on store shelves on October 7.

Like its Xbox One counterpart, the PlayStation 4 version of Minecraft is based largely on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 ports of the game, which are themselves stripped down versions of the PC original. Owing to improved hardware however, the PlayStation 4's Minecraft feature worlds "36 times bigger" than its PlayStation 3 counterpart. As with the digital version of Minecraft, players with existing saved games on either the Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3 will be able to transfer their progress to the PlayStation 4 game and quickly resume where they left off.

Lacking from this announcement is any word on the long-awaited Vita version of Minecraft, but Sony claims that more information on that game will appear "in a few weeks," including word on how cross-buy functionality will work for those who already own Minecraft on another Sony gaming machine.
[Image: 4J Studios]

JoystiqMinecraft's PS4 incarnation reaches retail stores in October originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 18 Sep 2014 12:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>4j-studiosMinecraftmojangplaystationps4retailsalessonyThu, 18 Sep 2014 12:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Super Smash Bros. 3DS tops a million during first week in Japan]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2014/09/16/super-smash-bros-3ds-tops-a-million-during-first-week-in-japan/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/09/16/super-smash-bros-3ds-tops-a-million-during-first-week-in-japan/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/09/16/super-smash-bros-3ds-tops-a-million-during-first-week-in-japan/#comments Everyone's doing the Smash in Japan, where Nintendo's brand-spanning brawler is past one million sales just on 3DS. After launching Super Smash Bros for the handheld on September 13, Nintendo announced sales (including download ones) surpassed the seven-figure mark during the game's first week on retail shelves. According to Nintendo, the other 3DS games to achieve the same feat are Pokemon X and Y, Monster Hunter 4 and Yokai Watch 2.

Not that it's been the smoothest launch ever, though. First there were the leaks of the roster ahead of time, then Nintendo had to apologize after mistakenly banning players who'd fallen foul of a bug. Still, it looks like a strong start for Smash 3DS ahead of its Western launch on October 3, which'll followed by the Wii U version sometime this holiday.
[Image: Nintendo]

JoystiqSuper Smash Bros. 3DS tops a million during first week in Japan originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 16 Sep 2014 06:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsjapannintendosalessuper-smash-bros-2014Tue, 16 Sep 2014 06:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Monaco steals, sells one million copies]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2014/09/10/monaco-steals-sells-one-million-copies/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/09/10/monaco-steals-sells-one-million-copies/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/09/10/monaco-steals-sells-one-million-copies/#comments Multiplayer heist game Monaco: What's Yours Is Mine reached a new milestone this week: One million copies sold. Developer Pocketwatch Games noted via Twitter that the sales landmark doesn't include free copies it distributed during special promotions.

The game launched in April 2013 on Steam and received a very positive review from Joystiq's own Jess Conditt at that time, prior to its May 2013 XBLA launch. Monaco features clean, retro-inspired visuals and the ability to partake in heists with up to three friends, each using specialized characters with unique skill sets like the Locksmith, Pickpocket and Lookout. Pocketwatch Games issued the final update for the game in April before fully unveiling its next game about a month ago, an arcade RTS called Lead to Fire.
[Image: Pocketwatch Games]

JoystiqMonaco steals, sells one million copies originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 10 Sep 2014 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>andy-schatzmacMajescomicrosoftmonacopcPocketwatch-GamessalesSTEAMxboxWed, 10 Sep 2014 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Xbox One launch didn't ignite Japan, just 23K consoles sold]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2014/09/10/xbox-one-launch-didnt-ignite-japan-just-23k-consoles-sold/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/09/10/xbox-one-launch-didnt-ignite-japan-just-23k-consoles-sold/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/09/10/xbox-one-launch-didnt-ignite-japan-just-23k-consoles-sold/#comments Xbox failed to make Japan the land of the rising One by a long stretch, with Microsoft's latest console mustering just 23,562 units sold in its opening week. The figures, recorded by Famitsu from Thursday, September 4 to Sunday, September 7, fall well behind the two-day 62,135 sold by the Xbox 360 nearly a decade ago. Three years prior, the original Xbox sold 123,929 units in its opening weekend, more than five times the Xbox One's numbers.

The sales figures are even more unflattering when compared to the more recent launches of the PS4 and Wii U. Sony's console shifted 322,000 units during its first two days in Japan, and the Wii U's launch weekend reaped 308,000 sales back in 2012. According to Famitsu, the PS2 enjoyed the best ever launch in Japan with 630,552 sales across its opening weekend.

Continue reading Xbox One launch didn't ignite Japan, just 23K consoles sold

JoystiqXbox One launch didn't ignite Japan, just 23K consoles sold originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 10 Sep 2014 07:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>japanlaunchlaunch-salesmicrosoftmicrosoft-japansalesxbox-oneWed, 10 Sep 2014 07:30:00 EST