Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Hasbro's Zynga board games now available, paradoxical]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/04/hasbros-zynga-board-games-now-available-paradoxical/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/04/hasbros-zynga-board-games-now-available-paradoxical/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/04/hasbros-zynga-board-games-now-available-paradoxical/#comments Hasbro's Zynga board games now available, paradoxicalLest you hadn't heard, Hasbro and Zynga recently teamed up to create board game versions of its popular video games. That includes a CityVille-themed version of Monopoly, a weird mash-up of FarmVille and Hungry Hungry Hippos, and Draw Something (the board game mechanics of which should be self-explanatory).

Bizarrely, the collection also includes a board game version of Words with Friends. Words with Friends is often cited as being very similar - practically to the point of infringement - to Scrabble, the classic word game published by ... Hasbro. Just to reiterate: this is the board game version of a video game version of a different board game published by a company that should be, in theory, a competitor.

Try not to let your head explode.

Continue reading Hasbro's Zynga board games now available, paradoxical

JoystiqHasbro's Zynga board games now available, paradoxical originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 04 Oct 2012 04:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>board-gamescityvilledraw-somethingfarmvillehasbroscrabblewords-with-friendszyngaThu, 04 Oct 2012 04:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Words with Friends coming to Facebook]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/01/words-with-friends-coming-to-facebook/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/01/words-with-friends-coming-to-facebook/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/01/words-with-friends-coming-to-facebook/#comments What's the pleasure in absolutely humiliating your friends and family in a battle of verbal wits if you have no way of flaunting your spelling superiority to your other friends and family? Zynga has announced a perfect new channel for you to broadcast your Words with Friends victories: Facebook, which will receive its own version of the Scrabble-like application, complete with the social networking features you've come to expect from the platform.

No release date has been announced for the wildly popular mobile title's port, though Kotaku reports that when it does launch, it will be completely compatible with Words with Friends players on iOS and Android smartphones. Personally, we think Facebook players would have a distinct advantage in this scenario, considering they can have the Scrabulizer open with a single, dishonest click.

JoystiqWords with Friends coming to Facebook originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 01 Aug 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>facebookpcscrabblesocial-networkingwords-with-friendszyngaZynga-With-FriendsMon, 01 Aug 2011 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[New games flood App Store before impending holiday release freeze]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/16/new-games-flood-app-store-before-impending-holiday-release-freez/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/16/new-games-flood-app-store-before-impending-holiday-release-freez/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/16/new-games-flood-app-store-before-impending-holiday-release-freez/#comments The App Store is in constant danger of new release bombardments, sure, but many companies adhere to a regular, weekly bombing run beginning each Wednesday, through the wee hours of the night (UTC), dropping their new iPhone and iPad games on Apple's marketplace while many of us are snoozing. Last night was no exception -- actually, scratch that. It was exceptional!

Pending the start of the "iTunes Connect Holiday Shutdown" next Thursday -- a six-day lockout period when developers will be unable to release or update apps, including games -- an army of companies, armed with their big holiday releases (for little iDevices), launched a massive attack on the App Store last night. What began as a few warning shots yesterday grew into a full-on assault, led by Gameloft's crisp clones, NOVA 2 and Shadow Guardian, and Square Enix's surprise (and apparently rushed) port of Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light.

Even Sega couldn't resist launching a few more classics in Altered Beast and Sonic Spinball. And what's this ... Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3? Hey, if Street Fighter IV worked ...

Pursue our complete list of new release highlights after the break, and then make double-sure "Santa" knows you've been good enough for an iTunes gift card this year.

Continue reading New games flood App Store before impending holiday release freeze

JoystiqNew games flood App Store before impending holiday release freeze originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 16 Dec 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>altered-beastapp-storearalon-sword-and-shadowaralon-sword-and-shadow-hdbattlefield-bad-company-2broken-sword-the-smoking-mirrorbroken-sword-the-smoking-mirror-remastereddoctor-whodungeon-defendersdungeon-defenders-first-waveeagame-of-lifegameloftgeared-2helsings-firehelsings-fire-hdhook-worldsiosipadiphoneitunes-connectlara-croft-and-the-guardian-of-lightmobilemonkey-island-talesmonkey-island-tales-1-hdnova-2pixn-love-rushpixn-love-rush-dxpocket-godpocket-god-journey-to-uranusreal-racing-2release-daterivenriven-the-sequel-to-mystscrabbleshadow-guardiansonic-spinballspace-minerspace-miner-hdtron-legacyultimate-mortal-kombat-3world-of-gooyoot-towerzombiesmashzombiesmash-hdThu, 16 Dec 2010 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Suck it, reading: EA's Scrabble is a hit on Kindle]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/30/suck-it-reading-eas-scrabble-is-a-hit-on-kindle/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/30/suck-it-reading-eas-scrabble-is-a-hit-on-kindle/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/30/suck-it-reading-eas-scrabble-is-a-hit-on-kindle/#commentsFiled under: , ,

As fervent opponents of books and all they stand for, we're delighted to report the biggest thing on Amazon's Kindle e-book reader isn't a book at all, but rather EA's port of Scrabble, which is topping the paid charts. Hey, books? Just give it up already, OK? You're embarrassing yourselves.

JoystiqSuck it, reading: EA's Scrabble is a hit on Kindle originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 30 Sep 2010 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazoneakindlescrabbleThu, 30 Sep 2010 01:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Google to digitally distribute games through web-based app store]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/19/google-to-digitally-distribute-games-through-web-based-app-store/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/19/google-to-digitally-distribute-games-through-web-based-app-store/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/19/google-to-digitally-distribute-games-through-web-based-app-store/#comments
[Engadget]

Former Joystiqer Ross Miller is currently on the ground for Engadget at Google's annual dev conference "I/O" in San Francisco, where the company just revealed its web-based app store for Chrome and Chrome OS. Aside from a handful of regular ol' apps and an interactive version of Sports Illustrated (paper? what's that?), Google debuted games for purchase, playable in-browser.

Plants vs. Zombies and Lego Star Wars are explicitly mentioned in the piece, but we can also spot Bejeweled 2 (also by PopCap), as well as Poker Rivals, Scrabble, FIFA World Cup 2010, and Who Has the Biggest Brain? (all by EA) -- a LucasArts rep clarified for us that the version of Lego Star Wars seen is actually this already available online game. We're not sure how much the games will be going for or even exactly how it'll work just yet, but we'll let you know just as soon as we do (there's a bit more info on the FAQ page). The web store is set to go live for developers "soon," but hasn't been dated for the general public just yet.

JoystiqGoogle to digitally distribute games through web-based app store originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 19 May 2010 14:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bejeweled-2chromechrome-online-web-app-storechrome-oseaElectronic-Artsfifa-world-cup-2010googlegoogle-chromegoogle-chrome-osi-olego-star-warsplants-vs-zombiespoker-rivalspopcapscrabblesports-illustratedwho-has-the-biggest-brainWed, 19 May 2010 14:50:00 EST<![CDATA[iPad Roundup: Here's the stuff that may interest you]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/02/ipad-roundup-heres-the-stuff-that-may-interest-you/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/02/ipad-roundup-heres-the-stuff-that-may-interest-you/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/02/ipad-roundup-heres-the-stuff-that-may-interest-you/#comments With the iPad set to launch April 3, we know a lot of you out there are wondering what types of games and apps there are to look forward to. Well, we reprogrammed the Joystiq bots to scour the iTunes App store for information on updates and new games, culling the data for you all. There's plenty to look forward to, so don't waste time reading this -- head past the break for the goods!

Continue reading iPad Roundup: Here's the stuff that may interest you

JoystiqiPad Roundup: Here's the stuff that may interest you originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 02 Apr 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>10-ton-games-inc2k-gamesactivisionamazon-hidden-expeditionangry-birdsangry-birds-hdapple-ipadasphaltasphalt-5azkend-hdbig-fish-gamesbreak-hdcall-of-dutycall-of-duty-world-at-warcall-of-duty-world-at-war-zombiescastlecraftcharadiumchillingoCivilizationcivilization-revolutioncogscogs-hdCommand-and-Conquercommand-and-conquer-red-alertdoonsdoons-hddungeon-hunterdungeon-hunter-hdeaElectronic-Artsfieldrunnersfiremintfiremint-incflick-bowlingflick-fishingflight-controlflight-control-hdfreeversefroggerfrogger-padgameloftgeometry-warsgluglyder-2imahjongimahjong-hdipadipad-launcjirbokonamilaminar-researcglets-golfmarvelmarvel-comicsmarvel-comics-appmetal-gear-solidmetal-gear-solid-touchminigoreminigore-hdmirrors-edgemodern-combatmodern-combat-sandstormnamconba-hotshotneed-for-speedneed-for-speed-shiftnflnfl-2010nfl-2010-hdngmoconovapac-manpaper-footballpaper-football-hdplants-vs-zombiesplants-vs-zombies-hdpopcappopcap-gamesreal-racingreal-racing-hdreal-soccerreal-soccer-2010-hdsam-and-maxscrabblesecret-exit-ltdsegasneeziessneezies-hdsnowboardingsnowboarding-hdsparkle-hdsubatomicsubatomic-studiossuper-monkey-ballsuper-monkey-ball-2super-monkey-ball-2-sakura-editionteam-17telltale-gamestetristhe-penal-zoneunouno-hdwarpgatewe-rulex-planezen-boundzen-bound-2Fri, 02 Apr 2010 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Word wars coming to XBLA this year with the release of Quarrel]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/01/word-wars-coming-to-xbla-this-year-with-the-release-of-quarrel/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/01/word-wars-coming-to-xbla-this-year-with-the-release-of-quarrel/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/01/word-wars-coming-to-xbla-this-year-with-the-release-of-quarrel/#comments About a year and a half ago, we wrote about a fascinating title from Denki called Quarrel. The outline for the game tickled our board game-loving fancies -- you lead troops to conquer territories on a small island, building words out of tiles in order to destroy your opponents in a Risk meets Scrabble-esque fashion. We were pumped. We were 'gized. Then we didn't hear anything about the game for a year and a half.

Fortunately, the game is still very much alive and kicking, as evidenced by the trailer posted after the jump. As an added bonus, it looks like it'll also feature Avatar support, meaning you'll really be able to soak up the shame on your friends' faces when they come at you with a "C-A-T" or a "R-O-C-K."

[Via GamerBytes]

Continue reading Word wars coming to XBLA this year with the release of Quarrel

JoystiqWord wars coming to XBLA this year with the release of Quarrel originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 01 Apr 2010 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>denkiMicrosoftquarrelriskscrabbletrailervideowordsxblaXbox-360Thu, 01 Apr 2010 05:00:00 EST<![CDATA[NintendoWare Weekly: Phoenix Wright, Sonic & Knuckles, Spotto!]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/15/nintendoware-weekly-phoenix-wright-sonic-and-knuckles-spotto/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/15/nintendoware-weekly-phoenix-wright-sonic-and-knuckles-spotto/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/15/nintendoware-weekly-phoenix-wright-sonic-and-knuckles-spotto/#comments As expected, today marks the release of Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney: Justice for All on WiIWare. Capcom's lawyer-'em-up is joined by a plethora of new titles, so if you have some extra pocket change or a packed piggy bank, you'll want to head past the break and see what's available for download this week.

Continue reading NintendoWare Weekly: Phoenix Wright, Sonic & Knuckles, Spotto!

JoystiqNintendoWare Weekly: Phoenix Wright, Sonic & Knuckles, Spotto! originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 15 Feb 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Ace-AttorneyAdventureart-of-balancecalariscapcomDSdsiwareeaElectronic-Artsgameloftinterplaynintendonintendoware-weeklyphoenix-wrightphoenix-wright-ace-attorneyPhoenix-Wright-Ace-Attorney-Justice-for-All-WiiPhoenix-Wright-Justice-for-All-Wiiprehistorik-manreal-soccerscrabblescrabble-classicsegashinen-multimediasonic-and-knucklesspaceball-revolutionspottovirtual-consolevirtual-toyswarmen-tacticsWiiwiiwareMon, 15 Feb 2010 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Hardcore Ratchet fan crafts Lombax Scrabble set]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/12/hardcore-ratchet-fan-crafts-lombax-scrabble-set/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/12/hardcore-ratchet-fan-crafts-lombax-scrabble-set/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/12/hardcore-ratchet-fan-crafts-lombax-scrabble-set/#comments An Insomniac Games forumite named Paul Grzelak recently completed the labor of love you see above -- a stainless steel Scrabble tile set using the Lombax language from the Ratchet & Clank series. The set came about as a collaboration between Grzelak and Insomniac's Paul "Pacman" Haile -- a collaboration that not only resulted in the tiles seen above, but also in the formalization of the Lombax language, for which Grzelak received an in-game credit in A Crack In Time. Neat story, right?

If you were hoping to get your hands on a set of these tiles for ... some bizarre reason, you're out of luck. Grzelak only made 25 sets, one of which went to Insomniac. We'd be willing to bet the other 24 are still proudly displayed in his swingin' bachelor's pad.

[Thanks, Steliosco]

JoystiqHardcore Ratchet fan crafts Lombax Scrabble set originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 12 Jan 2010 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>insomniac-gameslanguagelombaxratchet-and-clankratchet-and-clank-a-crack-in-timescrabbleTue, 12 Jan 2010 16:45:00 EST<![CDATA[EA to follow MySims Camera with Scrabble, Littlest Pet Shop on DSiWare]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/21/ea-to-follow-mysims-camera-with-scrabble-littlest-pet-shop-on-d/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/21/ea-to-follow-mysims-camera-with-scrabble-littlest-pet-shop-on-d/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/21/ea-to-follow-mysims-camera-with-scrabble-littlest-pet-shop-on-d/#commentsIn case you think you want a camera app that adds MySims characters to your DSi photos, but aren't sure, EA sent a couple of screenshots of the app in action. It does pretty much what it says, though we didn't expect the MySims images to be so freely positionable.

Along with shots of MySims Camera and Sudoku, EA announced more upcoming DSiWare games. Littlest Pet Shop gets even littler on DSiWare, allowing you to collect and interact with pets, dress them up, and "throw a dance party for your pets and watch them groove to a cool song."

Scrabble will be released as several different apps including Scrabble Classic and Scrabble Tools, a Scrabble-themed vocabulary building game. Apparently, each Scrabble game will be a separate download.

Gallery: MySims Camera (DSiWare)

JoystiqEA to follow MySims Camera with Scrabble, Littlest Pet Shop on DSiWare originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 21 Sep 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dsiwareealittlest-pet-shopmysims-camerascrabblesudokuMon, 21 Sep 2009 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq interview: the EA/Hasbro game agreement]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/13/joystiq-interview-the-ea-hasbro-game-agreement/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/13/joystiq-interview-the-ea-hasbro-game-agreement/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/13/joystiq-interview-the-ea-hasbro-game-agreement/#comments When it comes to the realm of board games, Hasbro is quite the ... player. Over the past couple of decades, it has absorbed Parker Brothers, Milton Bradley, Avalon Hill, Wizards of the Coast, Cranium, and others. Chances are that any board game, not to mention toys, you used to play with as a kid are now owned by Hasbro.

In 2007, Electronic Arts signed an exclusive agreement with Hasbro to produce games based on some of the items in its vaults, and so far we've seen Scrabble, Hasbro Family Game Night, Trivial Pursuit, and more. EA also just announced Hasbro Family Game Night 2 for the Wii and DS, due out later this fall, which will add Pictureka, Bop-It, Operation, Jenga and others to the mix.

But where are the titles like Risk, Axis & Allies, and Dark Tower? We spoke to Steve Flege, Senior Marketing Director for Hasbro Digital and Kyle Murray, Senior Product Marketing Manager at Electronic Arts about the deal, the first games we've seen, the pricing structure, and what's coming up next. The good news: we might be getting Risk on next-gen consoles. It's been on the PC, the PS1, the PS2, and the original Xbox, so it's about time. Roll those sixes!

Gallery: Hasbro Family Game Night: Xbox 360

Continue reading Joystiq interview: the EA/Hasbro game agreement

JoystiqJoystiq interview: the EA/Hasbro game agreement originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 13 May 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>board-gamesboardgamescasualDSEAElectronic-ArtsHasbroHasbro-Family-Game-NightMicrosoftNintendoRiskScrabbleWiiXbox-360Wed, 13 May 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[This Wednesday: Hasbro Family Game Night matches with XBLA]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/17/this-wednesday-hasbro-family-game-night-matches-with-xbla/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/17/this-wednesday-hasbro-family-game-night-matches-with-xbla/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/17/this-wednesday-hasbro-family-game-night-matches-with-xbla/#comments
If you, like young Mikey, love matching rows of similarly colored checkers but can't stand being around other people and all their germs, your salvation will arrive this Wednesday in the form of Connect Four, one of the first offerings in Xbox Live's Hasbro Family Game Night series.

Other games arriving today include Scrabble, Yahtzee and Battleship with Boggle, Sorry! and Sorry! Sliders coming later in the year. All the titles will be playable in a virtual game room that, in some way, incorporates Avatars. If you'd like to play beloved family games as you replace your friends and loved ones with digital simulacra, you can expect to pony up 800 ($10) a piece. (Yeah, you read that right. A piece.)

Gallery: Hasbro Family Game Night: Xbox 360

JoystiqThis Wednesday: Hasbro Family Game Night matches with XBLA originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 17 Mar 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battleshipconnect-fourfamily-game-nighthasbro-family-game-nightMicrosoftscrabblethis-wednesdayxblaxblawednesdayXbox-360xbox-liveyahtzeeTue, 17 Mar 2009 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Hasbro Family Games to release mid-March, include Avatar support]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/25/hasbro-family-games-release-mid-march-include-avatar-support/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/25/hasbro-family-games-release-mid-march-include-avatar-support/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/25/hasbro-family-games-release-mid-march-include-avatar-support/#commentsNestled in a press release announcing the inclusion of Yahtzee in Hasbro Family Game Night (something we already knew) is confirmation that four Hasbro games will be releasing on Xbox Live Arcade sometime this March.

Scrabble, Connect Four, Battleship and Yahtzee will be the first four Hasbro titles made available when Xbox Live's special Family Game Night Destination launches next month. Boggle, Sorry! and Sorry! Sliders will release later this year.

The press release also confirms Avatars will be supported and that each title can be purchased individually for 800 ($10). If that wasn''t enough information, we're told the Family Game Night Destination lets players launch Hasbro games from their own customized game room. This uniquely decorated space accommodates Mr. Potato Head, can be shared with friends and sounds to be somewhat inspired by Home.

JoystiqHasbro Family Games to release mid-March, include Avatar support originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 25 Feb 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>avatarsbattleshipboard-gamesboggleconnect-fourEAElectronic-Artsfamily-game-nightfamily-game-night-destinationhasbrohasbro-family-game-nightscrabblexblaxbox-liveyahtzeeWed, 25 Feb 2009 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Scrabble is XBLA bound, Hasbro channel coming soon]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/06/scrabble-is-xbla-bound-hasbro-channel-coming-soon/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/06/scrabble-is-xbla-bound-hasbro-channel-coming-soon/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/06/scrabble-is-xbla-bound-hasbro-channel-coming-soon/#commentsFiled under: ,

After it was first rumored nearly a year ago (along with Monopoly), EA has announced that Scrabble is indeed heading to Xbox Live Arcade. The company also announced the creation of a brand new Hasbro Family Game Night "channel" in Xbox Live Arcade. The channel will serve as a "digital game closet," according to EA Hasbro general manager Chip Lange, where players can quickly access various Hasbro games without leaving the channel. Players will be able to "earn virtual trophies, furniture and themes" to decorate their closets by playing Hasbro games. In addition to Scrabble, other titles planned for the service include Sorry!, Sorry! Sliders, Battleship, Connect Four, Boggle and Yahtzee.

The Hasbro Family Game Night channel is set to debut this spring, though no specific dates have been given for any of the individual game releases. Oh, one more thing: No Monopoly mentioned, folks. Sorry.

[Via Joystiq]

JoystiqScrabble is XBLA bound, Hasbro channel coming soon originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battleshipboard-gamesboggleconnect-foureaelectronic-artshasbrohasbro-family-game-nightscrabblesorrysorry-slidersyahtzeeTue, 06 Jan 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[XBLA receiving Hasbro game channel; EA's Scrabble coming to handhelds, consoles]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/06/xbla-receiving-hasbro-game-channel-eas-scrabble-coming-to-hand/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/06/xbla-receiving-hasbro-game-channel-eas-scrabble-coming-to-hand/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/06/xbla-receiving-hasbro-game-channel-eas-scrabble-coming-to-hand/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Electronic Arts announced today that Scrabble will make its way to the DS and PSP in March, and to Xbox Live Arcade at a later date. Beginning in spring, XBLA will not only receive the perennial wordsmith board game, but also Boggle, Battleship, Yahtzee, Connect Four, Sorry! and Sorry!Sliders.

In a very interesting development, XBLA will also receive a branded "Hasbro Family Game Night" channel. Chip Lange, general manager of EA Hasbro, says it'll allow players to easily find family-friendly digital board games. We only wish that Microsoft would extend such a courtesy to the high-quality European board games that are also available on the service.

JoystiqXBLA receiving Hasbro game channel; EA's Scrabble coming to handhelds, consoles originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 11:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battleshipboard-gamesboggleconnect-fourDSeaElectronic-ArtshasbroHasbro-Family-Game-NightPSPscrabblesorrysorry-slidersXbox-360yahtzeeTue, 06 Jan 2009 11:23:00 EST<![CDATA[SCRABBLE coming to PSP in March]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/06/scrabble-coming-to-psp-in-march/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/06/scrabble-coming-to-psp-in-march/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/06/scrabble-coming-to-psp-in-march/#commentsFiled under:


The beloved crossword game is coming to handhelds in March, courtesy of EA. SCRABBLE will feature three gameplay modes, including: Classic, which offers traditional play; Speed, where players race the clock; and, the new SCRABBLE SLAM card game. In SLAM, players must make four letter words in an attempt to get rid of all their cards.

There will be six difficult levels, including a Training mode, which offers six training exercises. There will also be multiplayer features.

SCRABBLE is expected to retail for $30.

JoystiqSCRABBLE coming to PSP in March originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 10:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eahasbroscrabbleTue, 06 Jan 2009 10:17:00 EST<![CDATA[Scrabulous suit dropped by Hasbro]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/16/scrabulous-suit-dropped-by-hasbro/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/16/scrabulous-suit-dropped-by-hasbro/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/16/scrabulous-suit-dropped-by-hasbro/#commentsFiled under:


Hasbro has dropped its lawsuit against the creators of Facebook app. sensation Scrabulous. No reason was given in court documents as to why Hasbro dismissed its suit against the makers of the Scrabble clone, but a statement by the defendants reveals an "agreement" between the two parties "avoids potentially lengthy and costly litigations."

Electronic Arts has had an authorized Scrabble app. on Facebook since July. Mattel, which owns the rights to Scrabble outside North America, also currently has a lawsuit pending against the Scrabulous creators in its home country of India. There's currently no update of the status of that lawsuit.

[Via GamePolitics]

JoystiqScrabulous suit dropped by Hasbro originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 16 Dec 2008 10:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaElectronic-ArtsfacebookhasbromattelscrabblescrabulousTue, 16 Dec 2008 10:40:00 EST<![CDATA[XBLA Quarrel mixes Risk, Scrabble and Countdown]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/07/xbla-quarrel-mixes-risk-scrabble-and-countdown/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/07/xbla-quarrel-mixes-risk-scrabble-and-countdown/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/07/xbla-quarrel-mixes-risk-scrabble-and-countdown/#commentsFiled under: ,


Sometime soon, developer Denki has plans to release a new Xbox Live Arcade game called Quarrel. A game that's a blended mix of Risk, Scrabble and the UK game show Countdown.

To play, players try to capture and hold various territories (Risk) by competing in rounds of Countdown by spelling various words of different point values (Scrabble). Players will also have to strategically place "quarrelers" pieces on each territory, which will ultimately affect the territory's point value. Sound complicated? Sound fun? Sound Riskascrabblecountdown'riffic? Make the jump to read Square-Go's early Quarrel impressions.

[Via Joystiq]

JoystiqXBLA Quarrel mixes Risk, Scrabble and Countdown originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 07 Dec 2008 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>coutdowndenkiquarrelquarrel-word-war-oneriskscrabblexblaSun, 07 Dec 2008 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[XBLA's Quarrel will Countdown to a Risky Scrabble]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/07/xblas-quarrel-to-countdown-to-a-risky-scrabble/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/07/xblas-quarrel-to-countdown-to-a-risky-scrabble/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/07/xblas-quarrel-to-countdown-to-a-risky-scrabble/#commentsFiled under: ,


Denki, the Dundee-based developer behind the well-received GBA puzzler Denki Blocks, might just be the Girl Talk of board game mash-ups. Their upcoming Xbox Live Arcade title, Quarrel, is an amalgam of three "off-the-grid" titles: Risk, Scrabble and Countdown (a popular UK game show). The game, which is Denki's first title in seven years, is reportedly about a year away -- but gaming news site Square-Go got their hands on an early build of Quarrel in order to see just how these three great tastes taste together.

The main objective of the game is to gain control of territories (in Risk-esque fashion). Skirmishes between players are hashed out in a round of Countdown, where players make words out of tiles, which are assigned different point values (ala Scrabble). Further strategy includes managing the number of "quarrelers" you have stationed at a particular territory -- more quarrelers means more tiles with which to form longer, point-garnering words. A game where vocabulary, not physical prowess, dictates strength? It's a pulchritudinous dream come true!

[Via GamerBytes]

JoystiqXBLA's Quarrel will Countdown to a Risky Scrabble originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 07 Dec 2008 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>countdowndenkiquarrelriskscrabblexblaXbox-360Sun, 07 Dec 2008 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Scrabulous disabled for US, Canadian Facebook users]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/29/scrabulous-disabled-for-us-canadian-facebook-users/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/29/scrabulous-disabled-for-us-canadian-facebook-users/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/29/scrabulous-disabled-for-us-canadian-facebook-users/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Hoping to make a comeback with that 365-point quixotry play in Scrabulous? US and Canadian Facebook users were likely dismayed to find out this week that Scrabulous has been disabled. The region-specific lock likely has to do with Hasbro's license for all Scrabble video games, which is for US and Canada only (Mattel owns the rights for the rest of the world). In the interim, you can always play the official Scrabble Facebook app care of Electronic Arts, although it lacks the panache of the seemingly now-defunct Scrabulous.

[Thanks, Andrew B]

JoystiqScrabulous disabled for US, Canadian Facebook users originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 29 Jul 2008 12:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaelectronic-artsfacebookhasbroMacmattelPCscrabblescrabulousTue, 29 Jul 2008 12:15:00 EST<![CDATA[EA launches Scrabble on Pogo, coming to Facebook this month]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/07/ea-launches-scrabble-on-pogo-coming-to-facebook-this-month/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/07/ea-launches-scrabble-on-pogo-coming-to-facebook-this-month/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/07/ea-launches-scrabble-on-pogo-coming-to-facebook-this-month/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Electronic Arts is looking to take on the biggest Scrabble clone on Facebook with -- what else? -- an officially licensed version of Scrabble. A free online edition of of the bombastic board game is available now on Pogo, with a Facebook version coming "later this month," according a press release. The application would go up against reigning champ Scrabulous, which despite litigation threats is still alive and kicking.

The press release also confirmed that "many more Hasbro game properties in development and slated to launch on social networking sites later this year." Boggle knockoffs, beware!

JoystiqEA launches Scrabble on Pogo, coming to Facebook this month originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 07 Jul 2008 17:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaelectronic-artsfacebookhasbroMacPCpogoscrabblescrabulousMon, 07 Jul 2008 17:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Official Scrabble app 'launches' on Facebook, unplayable in North America]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/08/official-scrabble-app-launches-on-facebook-unplayable-in-nort/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/08/official-scrabble-app-launches-on-facebook-unplayable-in-nort/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/08/official-scrabble-app-launches-on-facebook-unplayable-in-nort/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


The official Scrabble Facebook application has recently launched, but don't expect the Scrabulous boys to be shaking in their word-savvy boots anytime soon. Copyright issues prevent the game from being played in the US and Canada, and numerous game-breaking bugs make it only slightly more playable everywhere else.

The region-locking is due to the confusing state of Scrabble's international copyright. In the majority of the world, toy manufacturer Mattel owns the rights to the game, but in North America, that honor goes to Hasbro. Everything would be honky dory with the Facebook version, except that EA already has an agreement with Hasbro to distribute digital versions of their titles, which the RealNetworks-developed Facebook app would be in breach of if Scrabble were playable in North America.

Fortunately, North Americans apparently aren't missing much: the game is currently suffering from the "beta blues", with its woefully-small user base already up in arms on the discussion boards over some usability issues, as well as the system's penchant for deleting in-progress games. Nothing beats the real thing, right?

[Via Purple Pawn]

JoystiqOfficial Scrabble app 'launches' on Facebook, unplayable in North America originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 08 Apr 2008 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>facebookhasbromattelPCscrabblescrabulousTue, 08 Apr 2008 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: EA brings Monopoly & Scrabble to XBLA]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/12/rumor-ea-brings-monopoly-and-scrabble-to-xbla/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/12/rumor-ea-brings-monopoly-and-scrabble-to-xbla/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/12/rumor-ea-brings-monopoly-and-scrabble-to-xbla/#commentsFiled under:

360Sync.com noticed some interesting language from an EA press release earlier today, specifically the line:

"EA also is developing new Monopoly and Scrabble (R)(in North America) titles for multiple platforms, as well as other titles that will be announced later this year."

Wait a second, could that mean that EA will be bringing Monopoly and Scrabble to XBLA? While no one is talking, we think it would be an amazing idea. Seriously people, Monopoly on Live is teh hotness.

[Thanks, xenocidic]

JoystiqRumor: EA brings Monopoly & Scrabble to XBLA originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 12 Feb 2008 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eamonopolyscrabblexblaxbox-live-arcadeTue, 12 Feb 2008 16:15:00 EST<![CDATA[EA to bring Hasbro to your DS]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/11/ea-to-bring-hasbro-to-your-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/11/ea-to-bring-hasbro-to-your-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/11/ea-to-bring-hasbro-to-your-ds/#commentsFiled under:


For those of you who find themselves enjoying board games, but would like considerable less board in there, know that EA has announced that several Hasbro properties will be turned into games by the publishing powerhouse. No longer will your games of Monopoly and Trivial Pursuit be confined to the Monday night get-together at your neighbor's house, as you'll soon be able to enjoy these games without your "friends."

The titles currently in the works are:
  • Littlest Pet Shop (DS, Wii, PC) - fall
  • NERF "N-Strike" (Wii, DS) - fall
Looking over the rest of the list for titles releasing on mobile phones and to EA's online POGO portal, we're wondering why the DS is getting the shaft. Monopoly, Yahtzee and Scrabble are all releasing on mobile phones and via POGO, but where's the DS love? All we get are these two games? We hope this changes ...

[Via Joystiq]

JoystiqEA to bring Hasbro to your DS originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 11 Feb 2008 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hasbrolittlest-pet-shopmonopolynerfscrabbletrivial-pursuitMon, 11 Feb 2008 14:15:00 EST<![CDATA[EA announces intial batch of Hasbro games, G.I. Joe sadly absent]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/11/ea-announces-intial-batch-of-hasbro-games-g-i-joe-sadly-absent/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/11/ea-announces-intial-batch-of-hasbro-games-g-i-joe-sadly-absent/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/11/ea-announces-intial-batch-of-hasbro-games-g-i-joe-sadly-absent/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Electronic Arts has sewn up the rights to deliver games based on numerous Hasbro properties, though before you get too excited in hopes that you'll soon be revisiting your past and playing games based on G.I. Joe, we should note that of this "initial slate" of brands singled out by the companies not one packs a 'kung fu grip.' EA calls these games "new ways for families to build relationships through digital entertainment," which of course means we'll be seeing at least some of these games crop up on the Wii.

In fact, the first titles from the deal confirmed for both the Wii and DS include games based on Littlest Pet Shop and NERF "N-Strike," both of which are being put together by EA's Salt Lake Studio. Last year EA inked a deal with Hasbro for rights to make games based on the seemingly innocent but often cutthroat board game Monopoly, and players will be able to edge their way out of (and into) virtual bankruptcy come March for mobile phones and later in the fall over EA's casual POGO portal for the PC. Other brands in the works as part of this new deal include Scrabble, Operation, and Trivial Pursuit, meaning that in the not to distant future we could be once again partying like it's Christmas 1980.

JoystiqEA announces intial batch of Hasbro games, G.I. Joe sadly absent originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 11 Feb 2008 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaElectronic-ArtsHasbrolittlest-pet-shopmonopolynerfoperationPCpogoscrabbletrivial-pursuitWiiMon, 11 Feb 2008 09:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Scrabulous under fire from Hasbro, Mattel]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/17/scrabulous-under-fire-from-hasbro-mattel/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/17/scrabulous-under-fire-from-hasbro-mattel/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/17/scrabulous-under-fire-from-hasbro-mattel/#commentsFiled under: ,


With 2.3 million active users, Scrabulous has become the Facebook application of choice for linguaphiles and procrastinators unlike. Unfortunately for its many, many fans, Scrabble publisher Hasbro has become a bit grumpy over the success of the free, unofficial clone of its bestselling game. CNN's Fortune blog reports that Hasbro's been trying to pull the plug, requesting that the web and Facebook versions of the clone be removed.

Hasbro owns all distribution rights for Scrabble in the United States. Mattel, who owns the rights for all other parts of the world, has only recently joined in the fight, placing further pressure on Scrabulous' developers, who are based out of Calcutta.

At the moment, EA currently has a contract deal with Hasbro to develop and distribute digital versions of its games, including Scrabble. One commenter on CNN's post, who claims to represent Hasbro, stated that EA is currently developing a digital version of Scrabble, and that Scrabulous' execution raised heads after being strikingly similar to the version in production. Whether or not this is true, we hope that some sort of agreement can be reached that can keep the Facebook app afloat.

Read - "Will someone please start a Facebook group to save Scrabulous?" [CNN Fortune]
Read - "Facebook asked by Mattel to remove Scrabulous" [CNet]

JoystiqScrabulous under fire from Hasbro, Mattel originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 17 Jan 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaea-gamesElectronic-ArtsfacebookhasbromattelPCscrabblescrabulousThu, 17 Jan 2008 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Off the Grid: Long-distance gaming]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/27/off-the-grid-long-distance-gaming/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/27/off-the-grid-long-distance-gaming/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/27/off-the-grid-long-distance-gaming/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Every other week Scott Jon Siegel contributes Off the Grid, a column about card games, board games, and everything else non-digital.

"Non-digital games are awesome" is the line I usually insist upon in this column. But even awesome analog games have their faults: namely, if you don't have anyone to play with, you can't really play.

So, as an end-of-year treat, let's look back at the last year+ of games reviewed, and find some ways to play those suckers against some internet folk:

Settlers of Catan
I still haven't gotten around to reviewing Settlers, but I did chat with Brian Reynolds about the Xbox Live Arcade version of the game, which is probably the best bet for consistent, high-volume net play.

For those who don't have an Xbox 360 (like, well, me), Aso Brain Games hosts an unofficial, Java-based version of the game called Xplorers. After a free registration, the site allows users to player ranked and un-ranked versions against other users and bots, and features a number of expansion and additions to the base rules, which can be toggled on or off. Don't let the low-fi look of the site dissuade you; Xplorers is a well-put-together Settlers clone, with a solid interface and a consistent number of users online at any time.

Continue reading Off the Grid: Long-distance gaming

JoystiqOff the Grid: Long-distance gaming originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 27 Dec 2007 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carcassonnecatanfluxxgive-me-the-brainicehousekill-doctor-luckyoff-the-gridoffthegridPCroborallyscrabblesettlers-of-catanticket-to-rideXbox-360Thu, 27 Dec 2007 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ubisoft apologizes for 'lesbo' use in Scrabble DS]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/02/ubisoft-apologizes-for-lesbo-use-in-scrabble-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/02/ubisoft-apologizes-for-lesbo-use-in-scrabble-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/02/ubisoft-apologizes-for-lesbo-use-in-scrabble-ds/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Ubisoft has apparently apologized to customers after the word "lesbo"
was discovered as a proper word to use in Scrabble 2007 for the Nintendo DS. Although the Belfast Telegraph got all uppity about the issue and Ubisoft apologized, the simple fact of the matter is that "lesbo" is an official word in the Chambers Official Scrabble Dictionary. In the game there is a "junior" version that omits offensive words, but lesbo is not considered an offensive word in the Scrabble dictionary. Ubisoft merely apologized if offense was caused, they are not pulling the game.

Ubisoft just seems to be running into language issues lately. Back in June they pulled Mind Quiz over the use of the word "spastic." In case you're wondering, many, many derogatory words are official Scrabble words and therefore make perfect sense as allowable in the game. That's the funny thing about a game based on language, they aren't all going to be happy-shiny fun nice words. Besides, a skillful player would wait until they received the extra "S" for "Lesbos," an island in the Aegean sea.

Update: Faux pas, you can't use Lesbos because it's a proper noun. Fine, then just say it's a plural of the derogatory word, that way it's still kosher, but then you become that pluralizer Scrabble player.

[Via EuroGamer]

JoystiqUbisoft apologizes for 'lesbo' use in Scrabble DS originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 02 Oct 2007 10:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apologyDSlesboscrabbleubisoftTue, 02 Oct 2007 10:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Spelling out multiple offenses with Ubisoft's Scrabble]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/28/spelling-out-multiple-offenses-with-ubisofts-scrabble/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/28/spelling-out-multiple-offenses-with-ubisofts-scrabble/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/28/spelling-out-multiple-offenses-with-ubisofts-scrabble/#commentsFiled under: ,

Every time we turn around, it seems there is another ruckus caused by the presence of a word in some game or another, but when it's in Scrabble, it raises a brow or two. After all, isn't Scrabble all about words and the vast depth of language? Apparently, not everyone thinks so. A parent in Northern Ireland received quite a shock when playing Ubisoft's Europe-only Scrabble DS recently with his seven year-old daughter. It seems they were playing in junior mode -- which strips the obviously offensive words from the official Scrabble word list -- and the word "lesbo" came up. The parent, Zachary McAdam, has called for a recall of the game based on the word's inclusion in the junior mode, because he finds it offensive.

The problem is, who decides which words are "offensive?" According to the definition in the dictionary used by Ubisoft's title, "lesbo" is a "Derogatory slang short form of lesbian. Although lesbo did not become current until 1940s: previously used by heterosexuals as derisive insults to gay women, though it seems that gay women are now using the words to describe themselves in positive terms." And that last part certainly seems to be true -- you can even find the reflected in popular culture (used by individuals and characters to self-identify in a tongue-in-cheek manner). Not even all homosexuals can agree on whether or not "lesbo" is offensive; according to qWords. org, a "a collaboratively-edited collection of queer language," "lesbo" is just "a diminutive form of lesbian." It is not labeled as usually offensive when used, as are some other words. It seems even "lesbo" can have multiple meanings and implications.

Continue reading Spelling out multiple offenses with Ubisoft's Scrabble

JoystiqSpelling out multiple offenses with Ubisoft's Scrabble originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 28 Sep 2007 16:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>europejoystiqfeaturesscrabbleSOWPODSubisoftFri, 28 Sep 2007 16:47:00 EST<![CDATA[SXSW: Games + Entertainment Brands: Five Top Trends In 2007]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/sxsw-games-entertainment-brands-five-top-trends-in-2007/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/sxsw-games-entertainment-brands-five-top-trends-in-2007/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/sxsw-games-entertainment-brands-five-top-trends-in-2007/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


This panel brought together Robert Nashak, GM of Yahoo Games, Chris Charla, director of business development for Foundation 9, Charles Merrin from Real Networks, and Brian Ring, the GM of Interactive Content for Scope Seven. The purpose was to discuss the top five trends in 2007 in the realm of gaming and entertainment.

When games meet entertainment brands, it's traditionally meant a game based on a movie that comes out a few weeks (or months) after the film has hit theaters. However, for the past few years games have started to be released concurrently with the films, or even before the movies come out. Hollywood studios now include video game development in the earliest stages of pre-production, and even involve game companies in the writing process.

Games + Entertainment Brands also encompasses traditional board games, like Scrabble and Monopoly, being licensed for video games, and toys like Bratz and Barbie as well. We break down the top five trends that will be hitting games + entertainment brands in 2007 after the jump.

Continue reading SXSW: Games + Entertainment Brands: Five Top Trends In 2007

JoystiqSXSW: Games + Entertainment Brands: Five Top Trends In 2007 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 12 Mar 2007 17:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2007BrandsdevelopersDSEntertainmentgamesMonopolymoviesNintendo WiiPS3ScrabbleSXSWSXSW07SXSW2007trendsWiiXbox-360Mon, 12 Mar 2007 17:26:00 EST