Joystiq

Ascend: New Gods renamed to Ascend: Hand of Kul

Jordan Mallory — Sat, 11 May 2013 18:00:00 EST

Signal Studios' free-to-play asynchronous multiplayer XBLA strategy game Ascend: New Gods has had its name changed to Ascend: Hand of Kul. "A year has passed since our big unveil at E3 2012, and the New Gods are no longer 'new,'" as Signal Studios representative explains in a lighthearted update on PlayXBLA. "It was a tough decision, but during their board meeting in The Sanctum a couple of weeks ago, the New Gods decided to step down from power."

Aside from the fact that Hand of Kul is a "more story-centric name," no further explanation was given for the change. Well, no further real explanation. At any rate, please adjust your complicated, all-encompassing video game databases accordingly. Y'all have those too, right? It's not just us?

Ascend: New Gods renamed to Ascend: Hand of Kul originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 11 May 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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'Ascend: New Gods' coming from Toy Soldiers dev Signal Studios [update: trailer]

JC Fletcher — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 13:31:00 EST

Signal Studios, best known for the Toy Soldiers series on XBLA, just revealed its next project, Ascend: New Gods, during the Microsoft press conference. It's a turn-based strategy game with asynchronous multiplayer (like Draw Something, you know?) that works across Xbox and Windows Phone.

'Ascend: New Gods' coming from Toy Soldiers dev Signal Studios [update: trailer] originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 04 Jun 2012 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toy Soldiers storm PC today, DLC for XBLA's Toy Soldiers: Cold War tomorrow

Alexander Sliwinski — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 13:40:00 EST

Signal Studios dropped several information bombs today about its Toy Soldiers series, with the first volley announcing that the original Toy Soldiers will be available on Steam and Games for Windows Live Marketplace today for $9.99. The Steam version will be 25 percent off during launch week.

Wait a minute, but Toy Soldiers on XBLA is $15! Not anymore. The XBLA version is receiving a permanent price drop to 800 MSP ($10).

Signal Studios, which notes the Toy Soldiers franchise has had over 1 million paid downloads, also announced DLC for last year's excellent co-op XBLA sequel, Toy Soldiers: Cold War. The "Evil Empire" and "Napalm" packs will expand the single-player and co-op campaigns, having players take on the role of the USSR or Americans.

"As a thank you to our fans, we are releasing a Multiplayer DLC compatibility pack for free," said Toy Soldiers: Cold War Game Director Jason Ilano. "This will give them a chance to join matches hosted by players that have the new content, play it, and decide if it is for them."

The dueling side expansions will be 400 MSP ($5) apiece and the launch codes are set to execute tomorrow, April 25.

Continue reading Toy Soldiers storm PC today, DLC for XBLA's Toy Soldiers: Cold War tomorrow

Toy Soldiers storm PC today, DLC for XBLA's Toy Soldiers: Cold War tomorrow originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 24 Apr 2012 13:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toy Soldiers: Cold War review: Back in the USSR

Richard Mitchell — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 14:15:00 EST

When I was a kid, I loved playing with LEGOs. I didn't have many of my own, but my best friend, Matt, had tons of them, what seemed like dozens of huge plastic tubs brimming with building blocks. Together, we would build jets, tanks, spaceships and more than a few robots. Our elaborate army bases would take up entire rooms. Naturally, half the fun of playing with our creations was pitting them against one another.

The epic battles, complete with sound effects -- including what I still believe to be an incredible vocal impression of a machine gun -- would rage for hours, until we had to go to bed or I had to go home. Of course, the explosions, glorious victories and bitter defeats weren't actually real. All of it was in our heads.

Had we the ability to project our imagination into something real, I think the end result would have looked something like Toy Soldiers: Cold War. Though our version probably would have had more pirates.

Gallery: Toy Soldiers: Cold War

Continue reading Toy Soldiers: Cold War review: Back in the USSR

Toy Soldiers: Cold War review: Back in the USSR originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 15 Aug 2011 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Xbox Live Summer of Arcade 2011 kicks off July 20

David Hinkle — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 15:23:00 EST

Can't have summer without hot new Xbox Live games, right? Microsoft has announced its line-up for the warmer months, kicking off July 20 -- strangely, in an email and not, you know, during its E3 2011 press conference. Regardless, a total of five games will be on offer. No exact time table for the games was announced nor prices but, hey, at least we know what's coming.

The first game listed is Toy Soldiers: Cold War, a sequel to one of 2010's most lucrative Xbox Live Arcade games. The next game listed is Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet, Fuelcell's stylish UFO simulator, followed by Fruit Ninja Kinect, a flail-tastic port of Halfbrick's darling mobile (and soon, Facebook!) title. Next we have Bastion, a game we suggest you all should keep an eye on. Finally, rounding out the list of games is From Dust, Eric Chahi's god game. An impressive list, to say the least.

It's important to know that this is simply how Microsoft listed the games in its press email and not indicative of when each title will launch throughout the promotion.

Xbox Live Summer of Arcade 2011 kicks off July 20 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 06 Jun 2011 15:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toy Soldiers: Cold War revealed, coming to PAX East [update: now with video!]

Ben Gilbert — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 13:00:00 EST

Remember that XBLA game Toy Soldiers? With the ... umm ... toy soldiers? Well, apparently it's getting a sequel set in the 1980s. As revealed in an email missive from Microsoft regarding the publisher's PAX East showing, "Toy Soldiers: Cold War" features the same blend of first-person action and strategy of the first game, albeit with a new '80s angle. A press release that we received this afternoon further detailed the upcoming sequel, specifically noting that it'll feature co-op and new minigun-based mingames.

The publisher also revealed that Toy Soldiers: Cold War will be included among other playable titles at PAX East this coming weekend. Which is when PAX East goes down, in case you didn't know.

To date, the original Toy Soldiers has moved over 500K units, meaning that it'll make the jump to PC at some point in "late spring/early summer."

Update: We've added the game's trailer after the break and some more info to the post above.

Gallery: Toy Soldiers: Cold War

Continue reading Toy Soldiers: Cold War revealed, coming to PAX East [update: now with video!]

Toy Soldiers: Cold War revealed, coming to PAX East [update: now with video!] originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 09 Mar 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toy Soldiers' final add-on 'Invades' XBLA September 29

Griffin McElroy — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 22:30:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Signal Studios has announced that the final DLC expansion for its successful XBLA strategy title, Toy Soldiers, will launch next Wednesday, September 29. The pack, titled "Invasion," will add a new, three-level mini-campaign, 50 Gamerscore worth of new Achievements, some additional enemy units and new driveable vehicles -- most of which are based around the main campaign's alien invasion motif.

You can check out some screenshots of the new, otherworldly content in the gallery posted below and a trailer after the break. If you're jonesing to bust up some more playthings, you'll be able to grab "Invasion" for 400 Microsoft Points ($5).

Gallery: Toy Soldiers 'Invasion' DLC

Continue reading Toy Soldiers' final add-on 'Invades' XBLA September 29

Toy Soldiers' final add-on 'Invades' XBLA September 29 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 20 Sep 2010 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Swag Saturday: Toy Soldiers! (XBLA)

Kevin Kelly — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 19:00:00 EST

Signal Studios' new game Toy Soldiers might sound like any other tower defense game at first glance, but it has art direction that will knock your socks off. It's one thing to pit the Kaiser's forces against the boys from England, but Toy Soliders turns them into little clockwork toys, full of cogs and springs. Combine that with addictively fun gameplay and Facebook integration and you have a winner.

So worry not if you have moral objections to pumping howitzer shells into approaching baddies, they're just toys! We want to share this toybox full of fun with you, so we're giving away three codes for this game on Xbox Live Arcade. All you have to do is follow the rules below, and tell us what your favorite toy was. Or is. There's no shame in still playing with toys, is there?

Leave a comment telling us what your favorite toy was (or is).
You must be 18 years or older and a resident of the US or Canada (excluding Quebec, at least in part due to our vehement opposition of the Montreal Canadiens).
Limit 1 entry per person per day.
This entry period ends at 7:01PM PT on Sunday, March 7.
At that time, we'll randomly select three winners to receive a code good for one copy of Toy Soliders on XBLA (ARV: $15).
For a list of complete rules, click here.

What is Joyswag? Since we don't keep the games and merchandise we receive for review or promotional purposes, it becomes "Joyswag," which is passed along to our readers. Please note that Joyswag may be in "used" condition. For more info on our policy, click here.

Gallery: Toy Soldiers (XBLA)

Swag Saturday: Toy Soldiers! (XBLA) originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 06 Mar 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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X3F TV -- XBLA in Brief: Toy Soldiers

Richard Mitchell — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 15:15:00 EST

Filed under: X3F TV

Tower defense fans, rejoice, for Toy Soldiers has arrived. Take note, however, because Toy Soldiers adds a few twists to the standard tower defense formula. First and foremost, players can take direct control of the various towers, turrets and vehicles that are placed on the map. Whether it's sniping army men from the sniper tower or dogfighting enemy planes, there's plenty of variety. The game even packs Facebook integration (note: stay away from the Facebook app if you value productivity). Watch the latest XBLA in Brief and decide if Toy Soldiers is worth 1200 ($15).

Shortcut: Download the trial version of Toy Soldiers [via Xbox.com]

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X3F TV -- XBLA in Brief: Toy Soldiers originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 03 Mar 2010 15:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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This Wednesday: Toy Soldiers storms XBLA

Richard Mitchell — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 14:19:00 EST

This week Toy Soldiers kicks off Microsoft's month-long XBLA Block Party. While a tower defense game at its core, the game adds a small twist to the genre, allowing players to take control over individual towers and units. In other words, if you think your sniper tower is focusing on the wrong units, you can snap into first-person control and do something about it.

Toy Soldiers lands this Wednesday on XBLA for 1200 ($15). In the meantime, be sure to check out our impressions of the title back from TGS.

This Wednesday: Toy Soldiers storms XBLA originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 01 Mar 2010 14:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Stay for the entire XBLA Block Party and receive parting gifts

Randy Nelson — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 22:00:00 EST

Microsoft has announced more details about its Xbox Live Arcade "Block Party," which is ... right around the corner. Next month's lead-up to the launch of the Xbox Game Room will see a promotion similar to the one offered during last year's Summer of Arcade, and then some.

For Xbox Live Silver members that purchase all three Block Party titles released next month -- Toy Soldiers, Perfect Dark and Scrap Metal -- and then download the free Game Room "client," Microsoft will credit your account 400 ($5). So, 3200 ($40) spent on the participating XBLA titles will get you back five bucks. If you're a Gold member, though, the deal gets a little sweeter: Purchase the three titles, download Game Room, and you'll get the 400 refund and a free month of Xbox Live Gold service (worth $4 and change if you're an annual subscriber) credited to your account.

A free "everyone's a Gold member" (no, not that Goldmember) weekend is also scheduled, permitting Silver members to play the three Block Party releases online (but only the Block Party releases) from 12pm ET on Friday, March 26 through 12pm ET on Monday, March 29.

Stay for the entire XBLA Block Party and receive parting gifts originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 22 Feb 2010 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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TGS 2009: Impressions: Toy Soldiers (XBLA)

Xav de Matos — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 02:00:00 EST

While it has become an extremely popular style of game over the last few years, tower defense titles have always struck me as a boring concept, personally. Perhaps it's my penchant for firing weapons at moving targets in first-person, but I can't really articulate my lack of enthusiasm for the strategy-style gameplay.

My initial reaction to Toy Soldiers -- a tower defense game in a World War I setting -- in a behind-closed-doors Microsoft demo? Snore. Imagine my surprise, then, that I soon got genuinely excited to play the game when it lands sometime next year.

Gallery: Toy Soldiers (XBLA)

Continue reading TGS 2009: Impressions: Toy Soldiers (XBLA)

TGS 2009: Impressions: Toy Soldiers (XBLA) originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 25 Sep 2009 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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TGS 2009: Snoopy, Toy Soldiers coming to XBLA

Justin McElroy — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 09:44:00 EST

It's a question we ask ourselves every day: How can we expose our children to the glories of warfare while shielding them from the unpleasant realities of blown-off-arm-stumps? Microsoft has announced not one, but two upcoming war games for the younger set.

The first, Toy Soldiers, is a tower defense game with over fifty different units and online (as well as offline) multiplayer. It's being created by Signal Studios, though we believe this is the developer's first project, so we can't really call that a loss or a win. Stay tuned, we'll have impressions of it for you soon.

The second announcement, Snoopy Flying Ace, is an aerial combat game being developed by Smart Bomb Interactive, the same house behind Snoopy vs The Red Baron. The big shock? It doesn't look half bad. No, seriously! Check out the trailer after the jump to see for yourself.

Source -- Toy Soldiers
Source -- Snoopy Flying Ace

Continue reading TGS 2009: Snoopy, Toy Soldiers coming to XBLA

TGS 2009: Snoopy, Toy Soldiers coming to XBLA originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 24 Sep 2009 09:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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