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[Marvel collectible game coming to Facebook, iPhone]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/13/marvel-collectible-game-coming-to-facebook-iphone/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/13/marvel-collectible-game-coming-to-facebook-iphone/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/13/marvel-collectible-game-coming-to-facebook-iphone/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Call us crazy, but we always suspected that the sort of projects MechWarrior / Shadowrun / Crimson Skies IP holder Smith & Tinker would work on would ... well, would be one of those three properties. But the company has continued to confound our expectations, first with kid-friendly MMO Nanovar and now with the announcement of a Marvel-licensed digital collectible game for Facebook, iPhone and other iOS devices due in 2011.

As you can see in then press release after the break, details are otherwise scarce, but Andreea Enache-Thune, Games and Digital VP at Marvel, assures us "this agreement [is] something Iron Man, Wolverine, Thor and Captain America are all quite proud of."

... Seriously, guys? You have Captain America and Thor sitting in on biz dev deals? There wasn't something more pressing they needed to attend to? Fine, but if anybody got mugged and/or murdered while your were at P.F. Chang's, hurriedly pitching Wolverine on your Facebook game, that's on you.

Continue reading Marvel collectible game coming to Facebook, iPhone

JoystiqMarvel collectible game coming to Facebook, iPhone originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 13 Sep 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>facebookiosipadiphoneipod-touchmarvelmobilepcsmith-and-tinkerMon, 13 Sep 2010 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Mechwarrior 4 free release cleared by Microsoft]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/22/mechwarrior-4-free-release-cleared-by-microsoft/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/22/mechwarrior-4-free-release-cleared-by-microsoft/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/22/mechwarrior-4-free-release-cleared-by-microsoft/#comments After it was first announced in July of 2009, the free release of MechWarrior 4 has finally been cleared by Microsoft. The announcement comes weeks after MekTek, the studio behind the free release, revealed that the project was being held up by Microsoft's legal department. The delay resulted in financial trouble for the studio, which was actually paying out-of-pocket to maintain its servers.

MekTek believes that the revelation of the legal hold up -- and the subsequent news coverage and forum traffic -- played a role in expediting the release. The company has also thanked its partners Smith & Tinker, Virtual World Entertainment and Catalyst Game Labs for "pressing Microsoft to allow for the release."

MekTek advises fans to "stay tuned" for the impending free launch of MechWarrior 4.

JoystiqMechwarrior 4 free release cleared by Microsoft originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 22 Apr 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>catalyst-game-labsMechWarriormechwarrior-4mektekmektek-studiossmith-and-tinkervirtual-world-entertainmentThu, 22 Apr 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MechWarrior 4 free release 'held up' by Microsoft]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/02/mechwarrior-4-free-release-held-up-by-microsoft/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/02/mechwarrior-4-free-release-held-up-by-microsoft/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/02/mechwarrior-4-free-release-held-up-by-microsoft/#comments Way back in July 2009, Smith & Tinker announced that it was going to authorize MekTek to release MechWarrior 4 and all its expansions for free "soon" -- likely to drum up interest for the upcoming MechWarrior reboot. After nearly a year, the game remains unreleased. The reason for the delay, according to MekTek, lies with Microsoft. The group claims that the project is "held up at Microsoft" and it's currently "unknown" when the release will receive its "final go ahead."

The studio adds the unfortunate revelation that it's now in dire financial straights thanks to the delay. "Due to the demands placed upon us by industry lawyers to release the Mechwarrior 4 Free release we were forced to insure our Studio at a premium rate to meet the Microsoft standard," reads the announcement, adding that group's server fund has "run dry" and is currently being paid directly by staff. MekTek is asking for donations from players that download its MekPak 3.1 expansion. According to the announcement, MekTek would be able to keep the servers running for an entire year if all those who downloaded the expansion were to donate $5.

[Via Big Download]

JoystiqMechWarrior 4 free release 'held up' by Microsoft originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 02 Apr 2010 17:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fasafasa-studiosMechWarriormechwarrior-4mektekmektek-studiosmicrosoftsmith-and-tinkerFri, 02 Apr 2010 17:16:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: Footage of canned Shadowrun reboot]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/04/rumor-footage-of-canned-shadowrun-reboot/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/04/rumor-footage-of-canned-shadowrun-reboot/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/04/rumor-footage-of-canned-shadowrun-reboot/#comments Before 2007's Shadowrun released and Microsoft subsequently closed the doors on FASA, the studio was apparently working on Shadowrun: The Awakening -- a game with a full single-player campaign and unique 3D gameplay engine developed in-house. Some footage (teleport past the break to give it a look-see) managed to make its way online over at Unseen64, showing off a few environments and some character animations. As Unseen64 would tell it, the story goes: FASA brought a new art director in which, through a series of unknown events, lead to an eventual cancellation in favor of the multiplayer-driven experience that was the 2007 game.

As it stands now, Jordan Weisman managed to snag the rights to the Shadowrun IP (among others), so the possibility of seeing this resurface as an actual thing isn't entirely impossible -- though Weisman is trying to let some of the negativity surrounding the brand die down a bit before revisiting it.

[Via StrategyInformer]

Continue reading Rumor: Footage of canned Shadowrun reboot

JoystiqRumor: Footage of canned Shadowrun reboot originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fasafasa-studiosfasastudiosjordan-weismanmicrosoftmicrosoft-game-studiosshadowrunsmith-and-tinkerXbox-360Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft 'destroyed' FASA culture, but I defended Bungie, Weisman tells all]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/26/microsoft-destroyed-fasa-culture-but-i-defended-bungie-weism/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/26/microsoft-destroyed-fasa-culture-but-i-defended-bungie-weism/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/26/microsoft-destroyed-fasa-culture-but-i-defended-bungie-weism/#comments From success story to sufferer to savior, Jordan Weisman has laid claim to a variety of positions during his journey through the harrowing halls of Microsoft. The FASA Interactive founder has blasted his former overlord -- and sculpted some self-promotion for his new venture -- during a recent chat with GamesIndustry.biz.

The year was 1999 and, following what was surely a rewarding acquisition phase, things quickly soured as Weisman's studio was indoctrinated into the Microsoft way of work. "The two reasons [Microsoft] bought us was, one, they wanted the catalog of intellectual properties and, two, they felt that we had developed a really good development culture," Weisman said. "And the reality is that, pretty much from the day we moved to Redmond, that development culture was destroyed."

Lucky for Bungie, a dejected Weisman was still knocking around Microsoft when the Chicago-based studio was being acquired, and, according to Weisman, he became the "lead vocal pain in the ass to get things done very different for Bungie."

"I tried to convince [Microsoft] to leave Bungie in Chicago, but not winning that I did succeed in getting them to put them in a walled off room," Weisman recounted. "We were much better able to defend Bungie's culture than we were FASA's culture."

And so, MechWarrior was sacrificed to secure the foundation for Halo, or something like that ... right? Weisman has already raised $29 million for his new company Smith & Tinker, but we're sure he won't turn away a few more bills pitched his way for his good deeds.

JoystiqMicrosoft 'destroyed' FASA culture, but I defended Bungie, Weisman tells all originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 26 Aug 2009 13:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bungieculturefasaJordan-Weismanmicrosoftsmith-and-tinkerXbox-360Wed, 26 Aug 2009 13:46:00 EST<![CDATA[Smith & Tinker looking into homes for Crimson Skies, Shadowrun IPs]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/03/smith-and-tinker-looking-into-homes-for-crimson-skies-shadowrun-i/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/03/smith-and-tinker-looking-into-homes-for-crimson-skies-shadowrun-i/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/03/smith-and-tinker-looking-into-homes-for-crimson-skies-shadowrun-i/#comments
Smith & Tinker founder Jordan Weisman recently spoke about his plans for the other FASA IPs he licensed from Microsoft. In a recent interview with Gamespot, Weisman teased, "I think Crimson Skies is something we'd love to get some energy around, and we have some devious plans--we'll see if those materialize." Intriguing!

Shadowrun fans, however, shouldn't expect to be nearly as intrigued -- at least not anytime soon. "Shadowrun was recently...not treated well...shall we say, so the thought was let a little time pass before approaching that one again," Weisman admitted.

As for the beloved MechWarrior franchise, the series reboot is currently in development by Piranha Games for PC and Xbox 360. Smith & Tinker plans to farm out development of these old IPs to other studios over time, so if you're a fancy studio head with a clever idea for a Crimson Skies or Shadowrun revival, feel free to give Weisman a call. Like, now.

[Via VideoGamer]

JoystiqSmith & Tinker looking into homes for Crimson Skies, Shadowrun IPs originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 03 Aug 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businesscrimson-skiesfasagamespotjordan-weismanmechwarriorshadowrunsmith-and-tinkerMon, 03 Aug 2009 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Mechwarrior 4 free on BattleTech.com 'soon']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/09/mechwarrior-4-free-on-battletech-com-soon/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/09/mechwarrior-4-free-on-battletech-com-soon/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/09/mechwarrior-4-free-on-battletech-com-soon/#comments
Big robots blowing each other up! The only way to make the prior sentence more masculine would be to repeat the word "bacon" about eight times. With that said, Smith & Tinker has authorized MekTek to distribute bacon MechWarrior 4, along with its expansions, for free. This likely has just a tiny bit to do with the recently announced MechWarrior reboot.

There is currently no release date, but Smith & Tinker states "the free download will be available soon!" Yes, YES! Now to stomp to the kitchen while making Mech walking noises and fry up some bacon!

[Thanks, Old Professor Zertoss; Via MekTek]

JoystiqMechwarrior 4 free on BattleTech.com 'soon' originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 09 Jul 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>mechwarriormechwarrior-4mechwarrior-4-mercenariesmektekmektek-studiossmith-and-tinkerThu, 09 Jul 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New MechWarrior a reboot, called ... MechWarrior]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/09/new-mechwarrior-a-reboot-called-mechwarrior/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/09/new-mechwarrior-a-reboot-called-mechwarrior/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/09/new-mechwarrior-a-reboot-called-mechwarrior/#comments
Teased earlier this week, a new MechWarrior is currently being forged by Smith and Tinker (founded by FASA co-founder Jordan Weisman) and Piranha Games. IGN was informed that this is not being considered MechWarrior 5, but a reboot of the series. The title will release on PC and Xbox 360, and should include a full single-player campaign, "as well as support for four-player co-op campaign" and multiplayer.

There is currently no release window scheduled for the game, nor is there a publisher -- those two things are typically co-dependent. Check out the MechWarrior reveal trailer after the break.

Continue reading New MechWarrior a reboot, called ... MechWarrior

JoystiqNew MechWarrior a reboot, called ... MechWarrior originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 09 Jul 2009 09:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>jordan-weismanmechwarriorMicrosoftpiranhasmith-and-tinkerXbox-360Thu, 09 Jul 2009 09:56:00 EST<![CDATA[Crimson Skies may, one day, fly again]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/22/crimson-skies-may-one-day-fly-again/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/22/crimson-skies-may-one-day-fly-again/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/22/crimson-skies-may-one-day-fly-again/#commentsFiled under:

1UP posted a pretty interesting recap of one of the original Xbox's golden childen, Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge, what it was, what it ended up being and (most importantly) if we'll be seeing a sequel anytime soon. And before you get too excited, know that if a sequel were developed, it'd be a long, long while before we see it.

Long story short, after High Road to Revenge was shipped, the team started to develop yet another Crimson Skies sequel before Microsoft decided to scrap the entire project and focus on other things. Later, through an interesting turn of circumstances, the Crimson Skies franchise was purchased by the ex-Microsoft employee founded company Smith & Tinker where it currently resides. A company who admittiedly loves the Crimson Skies franchise, but is currently busy with the Capcom published Dark Void.

All said, Crimson Skies is in loving hands with Smith & Tinker, but a sequel isn't high priority right now. Though, they do leave the door open to developing more airplane funnery, admitting that they have "a lot of Crimson Skies fans around here, and if the stars aligned, it'd be something we'd definitely be willing to explore again." Our fingers are crossed.

[Via Joystiq]

JoystiqCrimson Skies may, one day, fly again originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 22 May 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crimson-skiesdark-voidfasa-studioshigh-road-to-revengemicrosoftsmith-and-tinkerThu, 22 May 2008 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Crimson Skies return uncertain, Dark Void for now [update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/22/crimson-skies-return-flight-delayed-by-dark-void/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/22/crimson-skies-return-flight-delayed-by-dark-void/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/22/crimson-skies-return-flight-delayed-by-dark-void/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Update: Just for clarification, this is in no way a confirmation that a sequel to Crimson Skies is being entertained by Airtight or any other developer at this point, as much as we may wish it to be so. Jose Perez has not actually commented on any sort of timeframe for a potential sequel and has only said that Airtight is open to the idea of revisiting the franchise. Airtight is currently developing Dark Void, which may or may not be preventing the studio from working on a new Crimson Skies, or any other title for that matter. What follows is pure speculation.

Continue reading Crimson Skies return uncertain, Dark Void for now [update]

JoystiqCrimson Skies return uncertain, Dark Void for now [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 22 May 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airtightcrimson-skiesdark-voidPS3smith-and-tinkerXboxXbox-360Thu, 22 May 2008 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Shadowrun forums close as franchise transitions into new hands]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/04/shadowrun-forums-close-as-franchise-transitions-into-new-hands/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/04/shadowrun-forums-close-as-franchise-transitions-into-new-hands/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/04/shadowrun-forums-close-as-franchise-transitions-into-new-hands/#commentsFiled under: , ,

closed
Ms. Kimona has dropped by the official Shadowrun forums to let everyone know (all three of you) that the boards will be nailed shut in a few weeks, and eventually Shadowrun.com will be transitioned over to new caretaker (and original creator) Jordan Weisman, who recently formed Tinker & Smith and promptly borrowed back several neglected franchises, including ill-fated Shadowrun. Kimona has urged all members to pack up their dwarves and pot up those Trees of Life for the long journey over to the Shadowrun forums on Xbox.com, or better, suggest a more fitting meet-up site - how about FASA's deserted offices?

JoystiqShadowrun forums close as franchise transitions into new hands originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 04 Jan 2008 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fasashadowrunsmith-and-tinkerXbox-360Fri, 04 Jan 2008 13:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Plug is being pulled on Shadowrun forums]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/03/plug-is-being-pulled-on-shadowrun-forums/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/03/plug-is-being-pulled-on-shadowrun-forums/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/03/plug-is-being-pulled-on-shadowrun-forums/#commentsFiled under:

Depressing news fellow Shadowrun fanboys. The official Shadowrun forums are being shut down soon due to the fact that most of the original FASA employees have moved on to other roles within' Microsoft and there isn't enough staff to keep watch. As a result, we advise quickly make your way to the forums and posting until your Shadowrun heart is content. Though, there is a semi-silver lining to the forum shutdown. Shadowrun.com and its contents will be transferred over to the new Shadowrun IP owners Smith & Tinker, so they'll have free range to do whatever they wish with the Shadowrun.com name. You had a good run fellow friend, but now it's time to move on to a brighter future.

[Via Shadowrun the blog]

JoystiqPlug is being pulled on Shadowrun forums originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 03 Jan 2008 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fasafasa-studiosshadowrunsmith-and-tinkerThu, 03 Jan 2008 13:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Weisman licenses MechWarrior, Shadowrun, Crimson Skies rights back from MS (internet finally notices)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/06/weisman-licenses-mechwarrior-shadowrun-crimson-skies-rights-ba/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/06/weisman-licenses-mechwarrior-shadowrun-crimson-skies-rights-ba/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/06/weisman-licenses-mechwarrior-shadowrun-crimson-skies-rights-ba/#commentsFiled under: ,

jordan weismanOn October 15th, Smith & Tinker, Jordan Weisman's new venture-backed startup, announced the licensing of the "electronic entertainment" rights to a number of Weisman's creations back from Microsoft. The deal, apparently done quietly (and ages ago in web-time), puts franchises like MechWarrior, Shadowrun and Crimson Skies back in Weisman's hands. Previously, these properties were managed and developed by FASA, another Weisman credit, which was sold to Microsoft in 1999 and dissolved several months ago.

With Microsoft suddenly short on internal development teams, the most action the FASA catalog has been seeing is a polite dusting off ever few months before being re-shelved. While Weisman and co. have yet to detail the projects, a job listing calling for online game expertise suggests MMOs could be in the works. A posting on the Smith & Tinker website assures fans that "our goal is to surprise and delight old fans, while welcoming new fans to these fantastic worlds."

[Via Gamasutra]

JoystiqWeisman licenses MechWarrior, Shadowrun, Crimson Skies rights back from MS (internet finally notices) originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 06 Dec 2007 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crimson-skiesfasajordan-weismanmechwarriorshadowrunsmith-and-tinkerThu, 06 Dec 2007 17:59:00 EST