Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[SOE announces free-to-play Bullet Run, a revamped Hedone from Acony Games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/22/soe-announces-free-to-play-bullet-run-a-revamped-hedone-from-ac/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/22/soe-announces-free-to-play-bullet-run-a-revamped-hedone-from-ac/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/22/soe-announces-free-to-play-bullet-run-a-revamped-hedone-from-ac/#comments Acony Games, a German developer, has been working on an online first-person shooter called Hedone, about contestants fighting to win a deadly reality show. Sony Online Entertainment today announced that it is publishing a game by Acony called Bullet Run, and as far as we can tell it's Hedone with a new title.

There's no mention of Hedone on the official website or in the press release, but the free-to-play shooter now called Bullet Run boasts the same reality show premise as Acony's project, and it certainly looks the same as the old game (not to mention that hedone.tv now redirects to Sony's official Bullet Run site).

Some of Acony's developers previously worked on MMO flops APB and BattleForge, so the track record here isn't the greatest. But SOE apparently sees something in the title and is already trying to work some rebranding magic. Beta signups for Bullet Run are going on now, and the game is set to go live later this summer.

Continue reading SOE announces free-to-play Bullet Run, a revamped Hedone from Acony Games

JoystiqSOE announces free-to-play Bullet Run, a revamped Hedone from Acony Games originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 22 May 2012 21:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acony-gamesbullet-runfree-to-playhedoneonlinepcshootersoeSony-online-entertainmentTue, 22 May 2012 21:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Hawken to be playable via Gaikai prior to official release]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/20/hawken-to-be-playable-via-gaikai-prior-to-official-release/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/20/hawken-to-be-playable-via-gaikai-prior-to-official-release/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/20/hawken-to-be-playable-via-gaikai-prior-to-official-release/#comments ImageHawken keeps surprising us. First, we were surprised that the really great-looking mech shooter is being made by an indie studio, then it surprised us to learn that it would be free-to-play. And here's another surprise: Dave Perry's cloud gaming system Gaikai has signed a deal to let players see Hawken running through the service in advance of the planned December 12 release date.

Gaikai allows nearly any game to be streamed directly from its servers to any browser, which means that the first impression of the graphics-intensive Hawken will be playable anywhere Gaikai will run (including on some tablets, and computers of all shapes and sizes). This deal makes a lot of sense from both sides: Hawken needs a large audience to get its free-to-play engine running, and Gaikai could use a big title to connect users to its servers. The Gaikai demo will be on playhawken.com and a few other sites, so eyes open until then.

Continue reading Hawken to be playable via Gaikai prior to official release

JoystiqHawken to be playable via Gaikai prior to official release originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 20 May 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adhesive-gamesclouddave-perryfree-to-playgaikaihawkenmechpcservershooterstreamingSun, 20 May 2012 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Bringing a Chinese shooter to the west with Mercenary Ops]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/bringing-a-chinese-shooter-to-the-west-with-mercenary-ops/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/bringing-a-chinese-shooter-to-the-west-with-mercenary-ops/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/bringing-a-chinese-shooter-to-the-west-with-mercenary-ops/#comments ImageMercenary Ops is something of a rarity. While there are quite a few Western-developed games being published in Asia by Chinese and Korean companies, there aren't a lot of Chinese-developed online titles being published by Western companies.

Developed in China by Yingpei Games, which used to be called Epic Games China, the shooter is being distributed by the San Francisco-based outfit Kalends, a group of developers who've decided to try their hand at publishing on their own.

As for the game itself, Kalends has announced that Mercenary Ops will be released as a free-to-play, microtransaction-based title - a business plan that has deep roots in China, but is only just breaking ground stateside.

Gallery: Mercenary Ops

Continue reading Bringing a Chinese shooter to the west with Mercenary Ops

JoystiqBringing a Chinese shooter to the west with Mercenary Ops originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 May 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>asiabetaeasternfree-to-playjason-sharpkalendsmarketsmercenary-opspcshooterthird-personuswesternying-peiTue, 15 May 2012 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Guncraft is Minecraft with guns or Call of Duty with blocks, pick one]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/26/guncraft-is-minecraft-with-guns-or-call-of-duty-with-blocks-pic/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/26/guncraft-is-minecraft-with-guns-or-call-of-duty-with-blocks-pic/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/26/guncraft-is-minecraft-with-guns-or-call-of-duty-with-blocks-pic/#comments

Insert a joke about us hearing you liked things and then putting those things inside of each other, dawg. Guncraft combines two massively popular gaming tropes, shooters and cube-inspired sandboxes (OK, one of those is more popular than the other), into a first-person shooter that looks as if it were made in Minecraft.

As described by developer Exato Games, Guncraft has players construct their own levels and then share them in an online multiplayer battle, where every aspect of the environment can be destroyed. Levels are reset after each round, of course. "Voxel engines allow us complete and total environmental destruction," Exato writes on its Kickstarter page. "But wait, that's not all! We also have complete and total environmental CONSTRUCTION."

Guncraft is looking to release a PC beta in March, with a full launch in June. Exato is also set on releasing Guncraft on XBLIG eventually. To finish its project, the Guncraft team is asking for $16,000 via Kickstarter -- they're on their way, but could use some love. If you're intrigued, head on over and support Guncraft here.

JoystiqGuncraft is Minecraft with guns or Call of Duty with blocks, pick one originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 26 Feb 2012 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blocksCall-of-Dutyexato-game-studiosfpsGuncraftkickstartermicrosoftminecraftpcshootervoxelxboxSun, 26 Feb 2012 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Mommy's Best responds to new Dash gripes with new shmup Game Type]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/23/mommys-best-responds-to-new-dash-gripes-with-new-shmup-game-typ/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/23/mommys-best-responds-to-new-dash-gripes-with-new-shmup-game-typ/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/23/mommys-best-responds-to-new-dash-gripes-with-new-shmup-game-typ/#comments
When Serious Sam: Double D and Weapon of Choice developer Mommy's Best Games saw the latest Xbox 360 Dashboard, a few concerns came to mind. Rather than posting an analytical blog post, MBG spent seven days creating a playable commentary -- with parkour kick laser-beam attacks.

Continue reading Mommy's Best responds to new Dash gripes with new shmup Game Type

JoystiqMommy's Best responds to new Dash gripes with new shmup Game Type originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 23 Dec 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>game-typemicrosoftmommys-best-gamesshooterxbligxboxFri, 23 Dec 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[XBLA in Brief: Xotic]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/16/xbla-in-brief-xotic/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/16/xbla-in-brief-xotic/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/16/xbla-in-brief-xotic/#comments
This week's release on Xbox Live Arcade is the peculiar first-person shooter, Xotic. Rather than killing enemies, the focus of Xotic is purely on points.

There are new Xbox Live Arcade games released every week. We realize that our readers are busy, attractive people, and may not have time to download and examine each and every new XBLA game. You've got busy, attractive person stuff to do, after all. Not to worry though, because we've done the work for you, downloading every single trial game and giving you a taste of what to expect. Watch XBLA in Brief every week to see which games deserve a closer look. When you have the time, of course.

JoystiqXBLA in Brief: Xotic originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 Nov 2011 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftshootertikgamesvalcon-gameswxp-gamesxbla-in-briefxboxxoticWed, 16 Nov 2011 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Super Monday Night Combat introduces 'Karl,' a new Pro]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/13/super-monday-night-combat-introduces-karl-a-new-pro/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/13/super-monday-night-combat-introduces-karl-a-new-pro/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/13/super-monday-night-combat-introduces-karl-a-new-pro/#comments Uber Entertainment recently showed Shacknews one of the new Pros that will be thrown into the mix in its upcoming free-to-play shooter, Super Monday Night Combat: The dreaded Karl. He's a monocle-toting mechanical man who resembles the Assault archetype from the first game -- a jack-of-all-trades; especially when those trades require him to see really, really well out of one of his eyes.

He's also a decommissioned reconiassance cyborg created by oblivious upper-class engineers, as well as a downtrodden divorcee, having recently split from fictional supermodel Jazelle Pivovarova. We now know and care more about Karl than most of our immediate family members. Sorry, guys, maybe if you all had endearing back stories and even-more-endearing eyepieces.

JoystiqSuper Monday Night Combat introduces 'Karl,' a new Pro originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 13 Sep 2011 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dotakarlpcshootersuper-monday-night-combatuber-entertainmentTue, 13 Sep 2011 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Firefall preview: Something for everyone]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/29/firefall-preview/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/29/firefall-preview/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/29/firefall-preview/#comments There's a good chance that Firefall is going to be your absolute, undeniable jam. It's just one of those combinations of features and ideas that should apply to at least (but probably more than) one of your sensibilities: It has class-based shooting, customizable loadouts, loot, strategy, a persistent world, character creation and a focus on cooperative, Player vs. Environment gameplay.

Any of those tickle your fancy? They tickle mine. They tickle all of my fancies simultaneously.

Continue reading Firefall preview: Something for everyone

JoystiqFirefall preview: Something for everyone originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 29 Aug 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>firefallfpsmmoonlinepax-prime-2011pcred-5-studiosshooterwebzenMon, 29 Aug 2011 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Cave developing shooter for Windows Phone 7]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/29/cave-developing-shooter-for-windows-phone-7/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/29/cave-developing-shooter-for-windows-phone-7/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/29/cave-developing-shooter-for-windows-phone-7/#comments As far as Deathsmiles developer Cave is concerned, Microsoft's Windows Phone 7 platform can go to hell. Bullet-hell, that is! Makoto Asada, head of Cave's Game Development Department, has announced via dev-blog that the company is currently developing a shooter for Microsoft's burgeoning smartphone OS.

Beyond the fact that development is somewhere between 20 and 30 percent complete, details are scarce. No screenshots or other information have been given, though the announcement refers to the game as an original title, which more than likely means it won't be a port of Cave's recent Deathsmiles release for iOS (above). It's also safe to assume that the game will be bewilderingly difficult.

JoystiqCave developing shooter for Windows Phone 7 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 29 Jul 2011 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bullet-hellCaveDeathsmilesiOSmobileshooterWindows-Phone-7WP7Fri, 29 Jul 2011 02:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Polish dev Flying Wild Hog working on unnamed PC shooter]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/30/polish-dev-flying-wild-hog-working-on-unnamed-pc-shooter/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/30/polish-dev-flying-wild-hog-working-on-unnamed-pc-shooter/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/30/polish-dev-flying-wild-hog-working-on-unnamed-pc-shooter/#comments In a press release from developer Flying Wild Hog this morning, a still-untitled PC shooter from was revealed as the studio's first game (seen above). A couple of character drawings on the developer's main site also show a pair of haggard-looking cyborgs, though it's unclear what role they'll play in the game.

The announcement says the game will be detailed (and named) formally "in the next couple of weeks," but for now we know it features cyborg characters, a futuristic setting with lots of advertising, and that it's a shooter. Considering that Flying Wild Hog was founded back in April of 2009, it stands to reason that the shooter is already well into development, though we'll have to wait for confirmation of more details in the aforementioned "coming weeks."

JoystiqPolish dev Flying Wild Hog working on unnamed PC shooter originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 30 Jun 2011 14:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>flying-wild-hogpcpolandshooterThu, 30 Jun 2011 14:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Ghost Recon: Future Soldier beta deploys January 2012]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/20/ghost-recon-future-soldier-beta-deploys-january-2012/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/20/ghost-recon-future-soldier-beta-deploys-january-2012/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/20/ghost-recon-future-soldier-beta-deploys-january-2012/#comments Aspiring future soldiers will get their first taste of playing as "F-16s on legs" in Ubisoft's Ghost Recon: Future Soldier when the game's beta rolls out in January. " We know you have been asking about the beta," the publisher wrote in a tweet Monday, before saying, " We're excited to announce that the MP beta will be launching in January 2012."

Ubisoft had previously said a beta would launch this summer, but any hope of that happening was pretty much dashed when the game itself was delayed into 2012 aka the future.

JoystiqGhost Recon: Future Soldier beta deploys January 2012 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 20 Jun 2011 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betaGhost-Recon-Future-Soldiermicrosoftpcplaystationps3shootertom-clancyubisoftUbisoft-Parisubisoft-red-stormxboxMon, 20 Jun 2011 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Planck trailer is music to our eyes]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/19/planck-trailer-is-music-to-our-eyes/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/19/planck-trailer-is-music-to-our-eyes/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/19/planck-trailer-is-music-to-our-eyes/#comments We haven't heard too much yet about Planck, Shadegrown Games' music-based shooter, but this video should go a long way towards explaining exactly how it works. As you see after the break, the idea is that you're traveling along shooting items that release "trapped" sounds, building a music track as you move along. There's also a sort of boss battle at the end, though this interview with Shadegrown's Matthew Burns hints that it's a "special encounter," designed to play with the tone of the music rather than the notes themselves.

Sounds interesting. Shadegrown hasn't mentioned a release date target or even platforms for the title yet, but we'll keep our ears open and let you know when we hear something about it. Because it's a music game. Which you listen to. Get it?

Update: Shadegrown has given us both a platform and a date for release: The game will be out for PC (with other platforms to come) and probably in 2012.

Continue reading Planck trailer is music to our eyes

JoystiqPlanck trailer is music to our eyes originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 19 Jun 2011 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>boss-battlegameplaymusicplanckshadegrown-gamesshooterSun, 19 Jun 2011 22:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Child of Eden review: A momentary masterpiece]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/14/child-of-eden-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/14/child-of-eden-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/14/child-of-eden-review/#comments So, here's the thing about Child of Eden: It is quite short. That's a somewhat pedestrian complaint to leverage against a game -- and an extraordinarily pedestrian complaint to leverage in the very first sentence of a review -- but it needs to be said right up front to temper your expectations. You can beat it in a single sitting (or, as the case may be, standing), with the game's five chapters clocking in at a scant 90 minutes. It ends with a swell, and leaves you with a despondent, unanswered wish for more.

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

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

Continue reading Child of Eden review: A momentary masterpiece

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

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>child-of-edenkinectmicrosofton-railsq-entertainmentrezrhythmshooterubisoftxboxTue, 14 Jun 2011 13:15:00 EST<![CDATA[CCP shares big plans for Dust 514 and EVE Online at E3]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/13/ccp-shares-big-plans-for-dust-514-and-eve-online-at-e3/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/13/ccp-shares-big-plans-for-dust-514-and-eve-online-at-e3/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/13/ccp-shares-big-plans-for-dust-514-and-eve-online-at-e3/#comments The MMO market may be dominated by World of Warcraft, but while other games have come and gone, there's always been one other constant in massively multiplayer games: Icelandic company CCP's EVE Online. Since 2003, CCP has kept EVE's gigantic galactic server Tranquility going, allowing the game's over 350,000 users to fly around, blow up ships, trade and earn ISK, and make this virtual world that has held over 60,000 players together at one time surprisingly real.

But that's not enough for CCP. EVE has always been singled out for its precipitous difficulty curve -- because the game faithfully models everything from power management and targeting systems to realtime stocks and industrial economics, it's a tough climb for new players not necessarily interested in the ins and outs of advanced capacitor control schemes.

Enter Dust 514, then, a brand new game being developed by CCP that's designed to scoop up all of those players who've been scared away by the learning curve in EVE Online. What's the opposite of a hardcore, complicated, PC MMO? Apparently it's a massively multiplayer first-person shooter, available only on Sony's PlayStation 3. (Extensions of the game are set to be released as well, including one on the new PS Vita.)

Gallery: Dust 514/EVE Online (E3 2011)

Continue reading CCP shares big plans for Dust 514 and EVE Online at E3

JoystiqCCP shares big plans for Dust 514 and EVE Online at E3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 13 Jun 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpdust-514e3e3-2011eve-onlineicelandplaystationplaystation-vitaps-vitaps3pspshootersonyvitaMon, 13 Jun 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Bodycount preview: The journey]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/12/bodycount-preview-the-journey/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/12/bodycount-preview-the-journey/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/12/bodycount-preview-the-journey/#comments I'm going to take the mic here for a moment, readers, and tell you something personally: It has been fascinating to watch the development of Codemasters' FPS Bodycount. I originally posted the game's unofficial announcement early last year, saw a preview and talked to creator Stuart Black at last year's E3, saw the game in action after Black left the project and, finally, got to see and play it last week at this year's E3 conference.

Long story short, I've basically had a front row seat on the development of this one, and it's been very interesting to watch it develop over the past 16 months. Black's original vision was not much more than just a demo level, a slick future shooter with a snappy female voice feeding orders in your ear. And from preview to preview, that vision has been prodded and poked by other developers, growing up into the game Bodycount has become.

Unfortunately, much of what appealed in the initial vision has gotten a little muddied along the way. Some elements of that early demo are still in there (and there's a whole lot more besides), but Bodycount's gone from a lot of unique potential to a much more mundane reality.

Gallery: Bodycount (E3 2011)

Continue reading Bodycount preview: The journey

JoystiqBodycount preview: The journey originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 12 Jun 2011 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>andy-wilsonbodycountcodemasterse3-2011fpsmicrosoftpcplaystationps3shooterstuart-blackxboxSun, 12 Jun 2011 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Brink review: Jumping high and falling flat]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/10/brink-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/10/brink-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/10/brink-review/#comments In decades past, when the first-person shooter genre -- hell, when the whole of three-dimensional gaming -- was still very much in its infancy, shooters could scrape by on nothing more than their inclusion of amusing, oftentimes absurd innovations. Combat didn't have to be perfectly tight, weapons didn't have to be balanced to a T, and developers didn't need to worry about character progression to retain their audience. Some might argue that the genre's formative years produced some of the greatest shooters of all time. What they cannot argue with, however, is this: Those days are over.

Brink is built on the back of some very unique ideas, the most notable of which being its fluid, parkour-inspired movement and its procedurally generated player objectives. They have promise, to be sure, and even manage to realize some of their potential -- but unfortunately, any innovation Brink brings to the table is mired in its habitually imbalanced nature, as well as its sometimes stupefyingly flawed gameplay design.

Gallery: Brink (2/15/10)

Continue reading Brink review: Jumping high and falling flat

JoystiqBrink review: Jumping high and falling flat originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 10 May 2011 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Bethesda-SoftworksBrinkfpsid-techmicrosoftpcplaystationps3shooterSplash-DamagexboxTue, 10 May 2011 00:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony Santa Monica hiring devs with open world and shooter experience]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/28/sony-santa-monica-hiring-devs-with-open-world-and-shooter-experi/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/28/sony-santa-monica-hiring-devs-with-open-world-and-shooter-experi/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/28/sony-santa-monica-hiring-devs-with-open-world-and-shooter-experi/#comments God of War developer Sony Santa Monica has posted two new job listings, one for a Level Designer that specifically asks for experience with "'open world' games," and another for a Senior Combat Designer that mentions both first- and third-person shooters, as well as "experience working with, developing or designing vehicle combat."

That's all in addition to the job listing posted at the studio last month, which had the team looking for a Senior Online Programmer with lots of experience developing social tools. So we're not sure just what they're working on over in Santa Monica -- we drove by there the other day to try and sneak a peek, but all we heard coming out of the doors was a few band saws and loud hammering. It could be anything!

JoystiqSony Santa Monica hiring devs with open world and shooter experience originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 28 Apr 2011 19:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>first-person-shooterjob-listingsjobsopen-worldplaystationps3shootersony-santa-monicathird-person-shooterThu, 28 Apr 2011 19:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Exceptionally colorful FPS Xotic announced for XBLA]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/14/exceptionally-colorful-fps-xotic-announced-for-xbla/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/14/exceptionally-colorful-fps-xotic-announced-for-xbla/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/14/exceptionally-colorful-fps-xotic-announced-for-xbla/#comments No one can accuse Xotic of having that generic brown-and-grey FPS "look." Developer WXP Games has some experience in the genre, having developed last generation's Greg Hastings Tournament Paintball, but is going decidedly sci-fi with this XBLA-exclusive title.

Like another colorful FPS -- Bulletstorm -- the game features a bright organic environment and even seems to share a focus on racking up combos. Single-player elements such as leveling up skills and weapons using experience points are listed in the feature set, but multiplayer isn't mentioned.

Currently without a pricetag, Xotic will be available this summer.

Gallery: Xotic

Continue reading Exceptionally colorful FPS Xotic announced for XBLA

JoystiqExceptionally colorful FPS Xotic announced for XBLA originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 14 Apr 2011 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fpsmicrosoftshootertikgamesvalcon-gameswxp-gamesxblaxboxxoticThu, 14 Apr 2011 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Resistance 3 preview: Variety pack]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/13/resistance-3-preview-variety-pack/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/13/resistance-3-preview-variety-pack/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/13/resistance-3-preview-variety-pack/#comments Just over a week after its Community Day reveal of new Resistance 3 gameplay, Insomniac was back at it again, this time showing off a new single-player level and a new multiplayer map in Hollywood. I also got a chance to actually play through the boat level we saw last time around, and had the distinct feeling that, more than anything else for this game, Insomniac is really playing with the pacing of a first-person shooter.

"Part of it is really trying to keep a better picture of the game as a whole," lead designer Drew Murray told me. "Much more in Resistance 3 than in past games, the design department has been more aware of what everyone else is doing," he said, which means more playtesting, and more communication between the teams of just what a level is supposed to feel like.

Murray said that early in development, each level in Resistance 3 was assigned a descriptive word, and the word for the start of the forest-based level, seen for the first time this week, was "hunted."

Gallery: Resistance 3 (4/13/11)

Continue reading Resistance 3 preview: Variety pack

JoystiqResistance 3 preview: Variety pack originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 13 Apr 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>deadeyeinsomniacmultiplayerplaystationps3Resistance-3shootersingleplayersonyWed, 13 Apr 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SOCOM 4 review: Covert oops]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/12/socom-4-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/12/socom-4-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/12/socom-4-review/#comments When it arrived on PlayStation 2 nearly a decade ago, SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs was unlike anything console gamers had experienced before. Rather than running and gunning, it focused on strategy, stealth, teamwork and a fair amount of realism.

At the time, the idea of a military shooter in which one or two shots would take the player down was more or less unheard of, but it was a great representation of the authenticity the series strove for. True to its namesake, the title drew upon the field tactics and training of the elite U.S. Navy SEALs, putting players in command of two, two-man fire teams as they snuck behind enemy lines, destroyed targets, rescued hostages and generally worked to get their job done like ghosts.

Now the first numbered installment in the series since 2005 is finally here, and if it weren't for squad commands and a familiar acronym in the title, you might not give it the time of day -- for good reason.

Gallery: SOCOM 4

Continue reading SOCOM 4 review: Covert oops

JoystiqSOCOM 4 review: Covert oops originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 12 Apr 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>playstationps3sceashootersocomsocom-4sonythird-person-shooterZipper-InteractiveTue, 12 Apr 2011 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Giant, game-cancelling boulder catches up to Gun Loco]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/18/gun-loco-canceled/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/18/gun-loco-canceled/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/18/gun-loco-canceled/#comments We started to get suspicious after it missed its first listed release date, and now our fears have been confirmed: Square Enix's third-person arcade shooter, Gun Loco, has been canceled. The news came via the game's official site, though no more details were provided.

We're sorry for rubbing salt in the wound, but here's what Gun Loco would have been:

"Gun Loco is set on a prison planet (which, for some reason, has Earth-like ruins throughout) where the universe's worst criminals are left unsupervised. The prisoners have created different factions, and are locked in constant warfare."

Frankly, video games, if you can't make that premise work, it might be time to take a long look in that deep, dark and truthful mirror and wonder if you wouldn't be happier making add-ons for Quicken.

JoystiqGiant, game-cancelling boulder catches up to Gun Loco originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 18 Mar 2011 09:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cancelledgun-locomicrosoftshootersquare-enixxboxFri, 18 Mar 2011 09:15:00 EST<![CDATA[SOCOM 4 co-op preview: Hey, hey, the gang's all here]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/24/socom-4-preview/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/24/socom-4-preview/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/24/socom-4-preview/#comments The final major piece of Zipper Interactive's plan to put SOCOM back on the map -- five-player co-op -- has been fully declassified and I've given the latest Navy SEALs game, due April 19, a shakedown. Sony revealed at an event Tuesday evening that the cooperative mode will eschew a traditional "play through the main campaign together" setup in favor of letting players create their own full, multi-stage campaigns using a set of six maps and the ability to randomize normally scripted events on each play-through.

I experienced some of this when playing through the same map more than once, with various difficulty and enemy density settings in effect. It was easy to tell that, while your group of friends might get used to the map layouts, the challenge you'll face will never be a known quantity.

Gallery: SOCOM 4 (2/24/11)

Continue reading SOCOM 4 co-op preview: Hey, hey, the gang's all here

JoystiqSOCOM 4 co-op preview: Hey, hey, the gang's all here originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 24 Feb 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>co-opplaystationps3SCEAshootersocom-4sonyZipper-InteractiveThu, 24 Feb 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: Gears of War an on-rails shooter on Kinect]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/09/rumor-gears-of-war-an-on-rails-shooter-on-kinect/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/09/rumor-gears-of-war-an-on-rails-shooter-on-kinect/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/09/rumor-gears-of-war-an-on-rails-shooter-on-kinect/#comments Though Epic design director Cliff Bleszinski has succinctly ruled out Kinect support for Gears of War 3, Kotaku's informants insist that Microsoft's motion-sensing camera will be used for a different Gears of War game (there's no indication of a connection to the recently trademarked title, Gears of War: Exile). According to "sources claiming to be familiar with the project," the unannounced game will be an on-rails shooter that automatically moves your meat-head man-tank while you mow down enemies.

Sources claiming to be totally unfamiliar with the project were like, "What, how's that going to work?" and, "Is there going to be another train level?" Thus far, Mr. Bleszinski has offered only a tongue-in-cheek acknowledgement of the rumor, and we don't expect to hear concrete details until an official announcement -- if there is one. Twisted Pixel's upcoming marionette-'em-up, The Gunstringer, is one of the first games to promise accurate shooting via Kinect, but we've yet to see hand-guided cursors that can move with enough celerity to compete with shooters on the Wii or PlayStation Move.

Then again, Kinect also allows us to defeat Michael Phelps in a swimming contest, so anything is possible.

JoystiqRumor: Gears of War an on-rails shooter on Kinect originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 09 Feb 2011 05:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>epic-gamesgears-of-warkinectmicrosoftshooterxboxWed, 09 Feb 2011 05:25:00 EST<![CDATA[SOCOM 4 confirmed for April]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/14/socom-4-confirmed-for-april/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/14/socom-4-confirmed-for-april/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/14/socom-4-confirmed-for-april/#comments After seeing its deployment delayed into 2011 way back in July of 2010, Zipper Interactive's latest entry in the SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs franchise finally has a more tangible release date: April 2011. The date was nonchalantly dropped in a Wall Street Journal article on PlayStation Move, which the game has become a key "core" title for. SCEA subsequently confirmed to Joystiq that its release is indeed set for April. Mark your calendar -- with a bullet!

[Thanks, Devin]

JoystiqSOCOM 4 confirmed for April originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 14 Jan 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>april-2011playstationps3release-datesceashootersocomsocom-4sonyZipper-InteractiveFri, 14 Jan 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Gal Gun publisher fighting with Microsoft over panties]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/09/gal-gun-publisher-fighting-with-microsoft-over-panties/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/09/gal-gun-publisher-fighting-with-microsoft-over-panties/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/09/gal-gun-publisher-fighting-with-microsoft-over-panties/#commentsAccording to Andriasang, the countdown to Gal Gun's release has stopped in response to trouble from Microsoft. Currently, the official Gal Gun site, which hosts the countdown, is down entirely. It seems the company finally noticed what, exactly, it was showing off at its TGS booth. Gal Gun's release date was originally set for January 27.

"Negotiations have started for the great moral cause (panties)," publisher Alchemist said on the official site, suggesting that Microsoft is objecting to content in the thoroughly objectionable shooter. This should come as little surprise to Alchemist, since the game itself includes a built-in mechanism to hide its contents from others.

JoystiqGal Gun publisher fighting with Microsoft over panties originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 09 Nov 2010 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alchemistcensorshipgal-guninti-createsjapanmicrosoftshooterxboxTue, 09 Nov 2010 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Mindjack hacks your head on January 18]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/02/mindjack-release-date/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/02/mindjack-release-date/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/02/mindjack-release-date/#comments Square Enix has announced a January 18 release date in North America for Mindjack, a once-delayed shooter that sees urban environments descend into anarchy and everyday citizens succumb to remote control. The commentary on our connected society might be about as subtle as a steamroller, but developer Feelplus Inc. will put the concept to use in its networked single-player campaign. When the non-player characters in your game lose control, they become puppets to online invaders, who can either aid or crush you.

Should that pique your curiosity -- along with that of your online friends or family -- you can pick up the game for either Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3 when it launches. Oh, and if you head past the break, you'll encounter the latest trailer. We don't know yet if its bluster is indicative of the overall marketing campaign, or if Square Enix will get something more subversive and suited to the game's content. Mindjack is out in Japan on January 27.

Gallery: Mindjack (11/2/10)

Continue reading Mindjack hacks your head on January 18

JoystiqMindjack hacks your head on January 18 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 02 Nov 2010 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>feelplusmicrosoftmindjackplaystationps3q1-2011release-dateshootersquare-enixxboxTue, 02 Nov 2010 16:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Dead Nation promises online co-op at launch]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/08/dead-nation-promises-online-co-op-at-launch/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/08/dead-nation-promises-online-co-op-at-launch/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/08/dead-nation-promises-online-co-op-at-launch/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Tackling an inexhaustible undead force all by yourself just isn't a wise endeavor. Super Stardust developer Housemarque has announced that its PSN top-down scourge shooter, Dead Nation, will let two players meet in the place where barely human husks lunge violently at any signs of intelligence -- you may know it as the internet.

"Originally, online co-op wasn't going to be included as a launch feature, as the schedule and resources didn't allow it," Housemarque CEO Ilari Kuittinen wrote on the PlayStation Blog. "However, after many late night play-testing sessions and long talks with Sony Computer Entertainment, we decided that this was a must-have feature and it would be unfair to you if we launched without it!" You see, Ms. Croft? It's not that hard.

"At this point, our coders went from working 12-hour days to working 16-hour days, as well as weekends!" Oh ... well, uh ... this is awkward. Housemarque has yet to announce Dead Nation's launch date, though we know that it will cost $14.99.

Continue reading Dead Nation promises online co-op at launch

JoystiqDead Nation promises online co-op at launch originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 08 Oct 2010 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>co-opdead-nationhousemarqueonlineplaystationps3psnshooterzombiesFri, 08 Oct 2010 01:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Gun Loco preview: Run and gun]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/21/gun-loco-preview/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/21/gun-loco-preview/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/21/gun-loco-preview/#comments In Gun Loco, you can kick a man so hard that his torso flies off. Don't worry, everyone's seemingly made of manga meat -- and they're no-good criminals to boot, marooned on a decrepit prison planet once intended for "the baddest of the bad." The bizarre ruffians, who started life as toys created by artist Kenny Wong, seem almost disposable as they charge into shootouts with nary a concern for safety.

A cover system? What's that?

Gallery: Gun Loco (Xbox 360)

Continue reading Gun Loco preview: Run and gun

JoystiqGun Loco preview: Run and gun originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 21 Sep 2010 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gun-locokenny-wongmicrosoftshootersquare-enixtgs-2010xboxTue, 21 Sep 2010 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Gal Gun preview: I heart art]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/17/gal-gun-preview/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/17/gal-gun-preview/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/17/gal-gun-preview/#comments I'm so glad my mom didn't attend the Tokyo Game Show with me this year. Being forced to cover the notoriously crowded and humid event in a sweater would be a miserable experience ("You'll catch a cold!"), but the perspiration would go into overdrive if I had to explain a game like Gal Gun:

"Ludwig, are you playing a kids game?" (This is always the first question when a game's graphics don't quite portray reality.)

"No, Mom, it's cel-shaded. It's an anime-styled, on-rails shoot-her with a first-person perspective. It's called Gal Gun."

"Is that a school?"

"Uh huh, it seems like a Japanese high school. Judging by the sheer amount of girls fawning over me, it's not co-ed."

"Or anything like your school days."

Continue reading Gal Gun preview: I heart art

JoystiqGal Gun preview: I heart art originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 17 Sep 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gal-guninti-createsjapanmicrosoftnever-coming-to-americashootertgs-2010xboxFri, 17 Sep 2010 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Dead Meets Lead: another zombie game, but it's got a great name]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/10/dead-meets-lead-another-zombie-game-but-its-got-a-great-name/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/10/dead-meets-lead-another-zombie-game-but-its-got-a-great-name/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/10/dead-meets-lead-another-zombie-game-but-its-got-a-great-name/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Swedish development house Keldyn Interactive was cutting it close, but managed to clinch a last-minute win for "best game title heard this week." That title would be Dead Meets Lead, the name for its upcoming top-down shooter for PC in which players take on hordes of -- wait for it -- the undead.

This one looks to have a pretty neat twist, though, as it's set in the year 1716 -- the period leading up to the American Revolution -- and casts players as a gruff, white-wig-wearing British captain stranded on a zombie-infested island with only a sword and custom blunderbuss with which to fend the creeps off. While the screenshots are a little on the plain Jane side, the concept art, also in the gallery below, is really something special.

Keldyn Interactive has yet to set a date for when the dead will meet lead, but we'll let you know just as soon as one's announced.

Gallery: Dead Meets Lead

JoystiqDead Meets Lead: another zombie game, but it's got a great name originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 10 Sep 2010 16:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>actiondead-meets-leadKeldyn-InteractivepcshooterzombiesFri, 10 Sep 2010 16:43:00 EST<![CDATA[Give Grasshopper your best 'pew pew pew' for a Sine Mora t-shirt]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/01/give-grasshopper-your-best-pew-pew-pew-for-a-sine-mora-t-shirt/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/01/give-grasshopper-your-best-pew-pew-pew-for-a-sine-mora-t-shirt/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/01/give-grasshopper-your-best-pew-pew-pew-for-a-sine-mora-t-shirt/#commentsFiled under: , ,

To celebrate its collaboration with Digital Reality on Sine Mora, Grasshopper Manufacture printed up some shirts. To celebrate the fact that Grasshopper's handling the sound for the new downloadable shooter, the developer is giving those shirts away in exchange for shooter sounds ... made with your voice.

Continue reading Give Grasshopper your best 'pew pew pew' for a Sine Mora t-shirt

JoystiqGive Grasshopper your best 'pew pew pew' for a Sine Mora t-shirt originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 01 Sep 2010 10:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>digital-realitygrasshopper-manufacturemicrosoftmusicplaystationps3shirtsshmupshooterSine-Morasoundt-shirtxboxWed, 01 Sep 2010 10:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Bangai-O HD: Missile Fury blowing up XBLA this fall]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/31/bangai-o-hd-missile-fury-blowing-up-xbla-this-fall/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/31/bangai-o-hd-missile-fury-blowing-up-xbla-this-fall/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/31/bangai-o-hd-missile-fury-blowing-up-xbla-this-fall/#commentsFiled under: , ,

In the mood for explosive news about explosions? Treasure's multi-scrolling, fruit-collecting shooter series Bangai-O is heading to XBLA this fall, published by D3 Publisher and priced at 800 Microsoft Points. Bangai-O HD: Missile Fury features over 100 levels of omnidirectional blasting. Like its DS predecessor Bangai-O Spirits, it also features a level editor, though presumably the XBLA version won't require levels to be traded as sound files.

The game will be on display this weekend at PAX for attendees who feel like hitting giant soccer balls into ninja robots -- with a baseball bat, in exchange for giant fruit.

Continue reading Bangai-O HD: Missile Fury blowing up XBLA this fall

JoystiqBangai-O HD: Missile Fury blowing up XBLA this fall originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 31 Aug 2010 14:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bangai-obangai-o-hd-missile-furybangaio-hd-missile-furyd3-publishermicrosoftpax-2010pax-prime-2010shootertreasurexboxTue, 31 Aug 2010 14:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Cave adds three more shooters to the Xbox pile]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/17/cave-adds-three-more-shooters-to-the-xbox-pile/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/17/cave-adds-three-more-shooters-to-the-xbox-pile/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/17/cave-adds-three-more-shooters-to-the-xbox-pile/#commentsFiled under: , ,

We'd say Cave is putting more bullet-hell shmups on the Xbox 360 than we can handle, but that's hardly descriptive, since one is more than we can handle. The developer has announced ports of three more of its classic shooters for Xbox, including one two-game collection.

Dodonpachi Resurrection will be released in Japan on November 25, with new graphics and new gameplay modes, and will include a voucher for Dodonpachi Resurrection 1.51, the latest version released to arcades. In 2011, Cave is planning to release a two-pack of exceptionally weird games: Pink Sweets and the all-pig-girl Muchi Muchi Pork.

JoystiqCave adds three more shooters to the Xbox pile originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 17 Aug 2010 02:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CaveDodonpachi-ResurrectionJapanmicrosoftMuchi-Muchi-PorkPink-SweetsShmupShooterxboxTue, 17 Aug 2010 02:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Square Enix has Gun Loco for Xbox 360]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/16/square-enix-has-gun-loco-for-xbox-360/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/16/square-enix-has-gun-loco-for-xbox-360/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/16/square-enix-has-gun-loco-for-xbox-360/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Square Enix has officially revealed what its "Gun Loco" trademark is about. Stay with us, here: it's an Xbox 360 game, due next year, about a planet full of brutally insane (or "loco," if you will) criminals, okay? And they have firearms.

Gun Loco is set on a prison planet (which, for some reason, has Earth-like ruins throughout) where the universe's worst criminals are left unsupervised. The prisoners have created different factions, and are locked in constant warfare. In game terms, this setup translates to a shooter for up to 12 players, set in seven different climate zones and several different maps.

Artist and toy designer Kenny Wong is behind the look of the game, with characters literally based on action figures. Each character was created by hand as a toy, then digitally imported into the game. That's game design loco.

Gallery: Gun Loco (Xbox 360)

JoystiqSquare Enix has Gun Loco for Xbox 360 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 16 Aug 2010 13:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Gun-LocoKenny-WongmicrosoftShooterSquare-EnixxboxMon, 16 Aug 2010 13:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Serious Sam: The First Encounter (classic) now on GOG]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/05/serious-sam-the-first-encounter-classic-now-on-gog/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/05/serious-sam-the-first-encounter-classic-now-on-gog/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/05/serious-sam-the-first-encounter-classic-now-on-gog/#comments What you may not know about Sam, resident evil-alien-thing-killer and titular hero of the Serious Sam series, is that he's a serious guy. No, we don't mean he can't take a joke -- he's serious about savings, whether it be a coupon on a can of Campbell's Chunky or the fate of the whole world, he's all about the savings. And now GOG is saving you from a meaningless existence by offering the original Serious Sam: The First Encounter for $10.

That Hamilton will not only net you the original shooter, but also the game's soundtrack, though we can't imagine why anyone would want that. We panic enough when we hear this in the game -- we don't need to start looking over our shoulder at every crosswalk for fear of kamikaze, combustible dudes running us down, you know?

JoystiqSerious Sam: The First Encounter (classic) now on GOG originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 05 Aug 2010 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>actioncroteamdevolver-digitaldigital-distributionfpsgogsci-fiserious-samSerious-Sam-HDSerious-Sam-HD-The-First-Encounterserious-sam-the-first-encountershooterThu, 05 Aug 2010 00:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Treasure hiring for a new 3D shooter]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/04/treasure-hiring-for-a-new-3d-shooter/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/04/treasure-hiring-for-a-new-3d-shooter/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/04/treasure-hiring-for-a-new-3d-shooter/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Fresh off the North American release of Sin & Punishment: Star Successor, Treasure is beginning work on another 3D shooting game. If you live in Japan and have strong programming skills, perhaps you could be among the first to find out what it is. By making it!

The news comes from a job listing on Treasure's website, seeking a programmer for a "new project '3D action shooting game.'" In addition, a cryptic image on the front page, advertising the job listing, looks like it might be some kind of hint.

Treasure has made four games in the past that would fit in this genre: the PS2's Silpheed: The Lost Planet, the licensed Dragon Drive: D-Masters Shot on GameCube, and the two Sin & Punishment games. It is, however, a company that usually expresses more interest in original games than sequels, so past games are not necessarily any indication of future plans. Perhaps it's the company's long-awaited Xbox 360 shooter -- although that one was originally meant to be 2D.

JoystiqTreasure hiring for a new 3D shooter originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 04 Aug 2010 10:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3d-action-shooting-gameJapanjob-listingshmupshooterTreasureWed, 04 Aug 2010 10:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Woohoo! Vanquish has 'Casual Auto' and 'God Hard' modes]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/29/woohoo-vanquish-has-casual-auto-and-god-hard-modes/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/29/woohoo-vanquish-has-casual-auto-and-god-hard-modes/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/29/woohoo-vanquish-has-casual-auto-and-god-hard-modes/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Vanquish is following in the stiletto-heel footsteps of Platinum's last action game, Bayonetta, in a couple of interesting ways. First, the Shinji Mikami-designed shooter is being outfitted with an optional "Casual Auto" difficulty level, much like Bayonetta's "Easy Automatic" mode, designed to allow even those new to action games have a good time.

"Once you get your target on the enemy, the rest is easy as pie," Mikami said in the blog post announcing the mode. "I'm sure saying it that way makes it sound totally uninteresting, but when you actually give it a shot, the tempo it gives the game play will make you jump up and say, 'Woohoo!'" That's the other way in which Vanquish echoes Bayonetta: exclamations. It's "Woohoo!" from the player, versus "Wuhhh!!" from Bayonetta. "You know ... 'Wuhhh!!'"

Vanquish also includes an unlockable "God Hard" difficulty. "I think our fans will get where this one is going," Mikami teased. We suspect apocalyptic beatdowns are to be found within this mode.

JoystiqWoohoo! Vanquish has 'Casual Auto' and 'God Hard' modes originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 29 Jul 2010 14:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftPlatinum-Gamesplaystationps3SegaShinji-MikamishootervanquishwuhhhxboxThu, 29 Jul 2010 14:50:00 EST<![CDATA[James Bond 007: Blood Stone trailer is for your eyes only]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/16/james-bond-007-blood-stone-trailer-is-for-your-eyes-only/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/16/james-bond-007-blood-stone-trailer-is-for-your-eyes-only/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/16/james-bond-007-blood-stone-trailer-is-for-your-eyes-only/#comments James Bond is a man of action. Mere screenshots can't do his daring justice. But a trailer? Now we're talking. See Bond run, gun and generally blow things up good in the first trailer for James Bond 007: Blood Stone, which you'll find after the break. It's the kind of stuff that will leave fans of Her Majesty's top super-spy shaken and stirred.

Continue reading James Bond 007: Blood Stone trailer is for your eyes only

JoystiqJames Bond 007: Blood Stone trailer is for your eyes only originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 16 Jul 2010 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>007ActivisionActivision-BlizzardBizarre-CreationsJames-Bondjames-bond-007-blood-stonemicrosoftplaystationps3RacingShooterxboxFri, 16 Jul 2010 15:20:00 EST<![CDATA[James Bond 007: Blood Stone hurled through holiday release window, courtesy of Bizarre]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/16/james-bond-007-blood-stone-hurled-through-holiday-release-windo/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/16/james-bond-007-blood-stone-hurled-through-holiday-release-windo/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/16/james-bond-007-blood-stone-hurled-through-holiday-release-windo/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Assassinating months of speculation, Activision has finally announced its new James Bond game, helmed by Project Gotham Racing and Blur developer Bizarre Creations. Featuring an original story by Bruce Feirstein (who penned the screenplay for GoldenEye and the script for 2003's Bond game, Everything or Nothing), James Bond 007: Blood Stone features a mix of third-person cover-based shooting, hand-to-hand combat and "adrenaline-fuelled driving sequences" on land and sea -- and air, if there are enough exploding ramps.

Daniel Craig will reprise his role as suave spy guy (it's not like they need him for a movie right now) alongside Judi Dench, who once again plays stern boss lady "M." Grammy award-winning singer Joss Stone will be playing Blood Stone's obligatory gun-toting temptress, presumably because Oliver Stone couldn't quite pull off the evening gowns. Stone -- that's Joss -- will also provide the game's original theme song, "I'll Take it All," with the aid of Dave Stewart from the Eurythmics.

Bizarre's James Bond 007: Blood Stone is set to launch on PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 this holiday season. N-Space is developing a DS version for the same time frame. You can watch the trailer for the console version here.

Gallery: James Bond 007: Blood Stone (first screens)

JoystiqJames Bond 007: Blood Stone hurled through holiday release window, courtesy of Bizarre originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 16 Jul 2010 09:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>007activisionBizarreBizarre-CreationsBlood-StoneBruce-FeirsteinDaniel-CraigdsJames-BondJames-Bond-007-Blood-StoneJoss-StonemicrosoftN-SpacenintendoOliver-Stonepcplaystationps3RacingRolling-StoneShooterStone-Cold-Steve-AustinxboxFri, 16 Jul 2010 09:08:00 EST<![CDATA[How to play Sin & Punishment: Star Successor]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/14/how-to-play-sin-and-punishment-star-successor/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/14/how-to-play-sin-and-punishment-star-successor/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/14/how-to-play-sin-and-punishment-star-successor/#commentsNintendo presents this video as gameplay tips for Sin & Punishment: Star Successor players, but we think those who have yet to get into Treasure's latest explosive shooter stand to benefit more. For one thing, "get lots of coins and medals" is a gameplay tip we could probably all have intuited on our own.

For another, this video works really well as an introduction to the various moves available in game: the different charge shots (Isa's, which sets off one massive explosion, and Kachi's, which can target multiple enemies), the dodge move, the melee attack. If you've been playing the game, you know this stuff, but if you have yet to experience it, this video will give you a pretty decent idea of how it works -- with a lot of boss fight footage as a nice bonus.

Continue reading How to play Sin & Punishment: Star Successor

JoystiqHow to play Sin & Punishment: Star Successor originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 14 Jul 2010 06:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>nintendoRail-ShooterShooterSin-and-Punishmentsin-and-punishment-star-successorTreasurewiiWed, 14 Jul 2010 06:00:00 EST