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[Splinter Cell Conviction still an Xbox exclusive]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/23/splinter-cell-conviction-still-an-xbox-exclusive/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/23/splinter-cell-conviction-still-an-xbox-exclusive/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/23/splinter-cell-conviction-still-an-xbox-exclusive/#commentsFiled under: ,

splinter cell
Despite a recent GAME typo that listed Splinter Cell Conviction for PlayStation 3, Ubisoft has already cashed Microsoft's blank check, er, reaffirmed its "deal" with Microsoft to keep the console version of the sneaky sequel bound exclusively to Xbox 360 - and besides, PS3 can't render Sam's new beard, right? "This is just a mistake by the retailer. The game is not coming out on PS3," an Ubisoft spokesperson told VideoGamer. The representative also dismissed GAME's suggested April 1 release date, stating, "We're sticking to the original announcement." Last we heard (and confirmed again today), the next Splinter Cell is scheduled for the company's coming fiscal year (April 2008-March 2009).

JoystiqSplinter Cell Conviction still an Xbox exclusive originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 23 Jan 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>convictionPS3splinter-cellsplinter-cell-convictionsplintercellsplintercellconvictionubisoftXbox-360Wed, 23 Jan 2008 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Haze delayed until 2008, brings Rainbow Six Vegas 2 with it]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/20/haze-delayed-until-2008-brings-rainbow-six-vegas-2-with-it/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/20/haze-delayed-until-2008-brings-rainbow-six-vegas-2-with-it/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/20/haze-delayed-until-2008-brings-rainbow-six-vegas-2-with-it/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


After last week's report of Haze being on track for a December release, we're now prompted to point out the rather abrupt appearance of a detour in-between the metaphorical train and its final stop at the PlayStation 3. It seems the designers at Free Radical didn't receive nearly enough coal to reach the lead platform in time for Christmas, and now hope that you'll conduct your purchase of their first-person shooter in the first quarter of 2008.

Thankfully devoid of increasingly insufferable train puns, a Gamasutra article details the delay mentioned within Ubisoft's favorable first-half financial results. Sales for le publisher rose by 52% to $372.86 million, with profits jumping up 12% to $44.8 million. You might consider the money already spent on Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas 2, expected to arrive in the same quarter as Haze. Not much is known about the sequel, save that it'll (probably) feature soldier-types shooting up evil, one-armed bandits.

Fellow Tom Clancy property, Splinter Cell: Conviction continues to be wishy-washy about a potential release date, as it's also been pushed back to Ubisoft's fiscal year 2008-2009.

JoystiqHaze delayed until 2008, brings Rainbow Six Vegas 2 with it originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 20 Nov 2007 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BreakingNewsDelaysHazePCPS3Rainbow-Six-Vegas-2RainbowSixSplinter-CellSplinterCellTom-ClancyTomClancyUbisoftXbox-360Tue, 20 Nov 2007 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Splinter Cell: Discounted Agent]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/06/splinter-cell-discounted-agent/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/06/splinter-cell-discounted-agent/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/06/splinter-cell-discounted-agent/#commentsFiled under:

We had kind of forgotten that Ubisoft was still releasing Splinter Cell games on the GameCube as of late last year. We hate to say it, but, unlike the PS2, which is in bajillions of homes and has yet to be supplanted by its successor, the GameCube is pretty much totally redundant. Add to that the lack of online play, which has become the feature of Splinter Cell games, and you've got a game that is kind of awkward to market and maybe even hard to sell.

Imagine our surprise to find that this game was still retailing for $40, or that Amazon's one-day price of $23.99 is considered a "deal."

If you're a huge Splinter Cell fan and you just have a Nintendo system ... you already have this. If, for some reason, you don't, you can buy it now, for less money than it usually costs. Oh, unless you want the Wii version of the same game for $20. But who would want that?

JoystiqSplinter Cell: Discounted Agent originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 06 Sep 2007 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazongamecubesplintercellThu, 06 Sep 2007 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PS3 can handle complex AI, says Karraker]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/15/ps3-can-handle-complex-ai-says-karraker/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/15/ps3-can-handle-complex-ai-says-karraker/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/15/ps3-can-handle-complex-ai-says-karraker/#commentsFiled under:

If you haven't been up to date on the "he said, she said" of the industry, a producer working on the newest Splinter Cell game came out and said the title (a 360 exclusive) could never be on the Wii or PS3. The former due to graphical limitations, the latter due to its inability to handle AI effectively. Sony's Dave Karraker begs to differ and issued this rebuttal: "PS3 can more than handle AI, as you will see with Heavenly Sword, which has hundreds of on-screen enemies with different AI routines at one time thanks to the power of CELL."

We don't think the PS3 would have any trouble handling complicated AI processing or whatever technical jargon you want to toss in there. This is sort of interesting, since graphics were the last thing to get bashed on the PS3, but that topic seems to have silenced itself. Now we're moving on to AI? Eventually devs are just going to have to accept the possibility that, while architecturally different, the PS3 and 360 should be able to handle almost everything identically.

JoystiqPS3 can handle complex AI, says Karraker originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 Aug 2007 08:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>davekarrakersonysplintercellWed, 15 Aug 2007 08:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Worldwide PS3 releases for the week of August 6th]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/06/worldwide-ps3-releases-for-the-week-of-august-6th/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/06/worldwide-ps3-releases-for-the-week-of-august-6th/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/06/worldwide-ps3-releases-for-the-week-of-august-6th/#commentsFiled under:

Here we go again. The next three issues of "Worldwide PS3 releases" are going to be depressingly bare, so you can probably stop reading right now. Wait until the end of the month, then we'll have far more releases happening on a weekly basis. Possibly even, more than one. Fingers crossed.

US Games
 EU Games
  • No new releases
Asian Games
  • No new releases
No comment.

*Update*
Okay, so the confusion about Splinter Cell comes from the fact that some places like Amazon.com are listing it in 'preorder' status right now, with a ship date of tomorrow. We have no idea why it would be like this, considering it was released worldwide on March 30th of this year. Ubisoft may have cut off shipments and be rereleasing it due to some unknown bug in the original version. If we can get an answer out of Ubisoft on this weirdness, we'll let you know.

JoystiqWorldwide PS3 releases for the week of August 6th originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 06 Aug 2007 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>euroreleasesreleasesSplinter CellSplinterCellMon, 06 Aug 2007 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Splinter Cell fans have urge to buy 300]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/01/splinter-cell-fans-have-urge-to-buy-300/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/01/splinter-cell-fans-have-urge-to-buy-300/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/01/splinter-cell-fans-have-urge-to-buy-300/#commentsFiled under: ,


If you've been sneaking around in Splinter Cell: Double Agent multiplayer lately, you may have had a strange desire to purchase 300 on DVD (and Hi-Def!). X3F reader NitroFrost sent us the image above, in which you can behold the power of in-game advertising. The new ads apparently seemed to arrive at about the same time as the recently released downloadable content. As usual, seeing an ad like this makes us wonder how players actually feel about them. Frankly, it's hard for us to argue with 300's awesomeness (in the true sense of the word), but we're not sure that it adds to the experience. What say you, fanboys? Do ads ruin the experience? Does it depend on the product being advertised? What if it were Doritos or Sprite, for example)? Let your voice be heard in the comments below.

JoystiqSplinter Cell fans have urge to buy 300 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 01 Aug 2007 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>300adsbusinessingameadsscdasplintercellsplintercelldoubleagentWed, 01 Aug 2007 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Double the fun with free Double Agent DLC]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/26/double-the-fun-with-free-double-agent-dlc/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/26/double-the-fun-with-free-double-agent-dlc/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/26/double-the-fun-with-free-double-agent-dlc/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Today, Splinter Cell: Double Agent came down with a case of free downloadable content syndrome and as everyone knows, the only cure for such sickness is for you to give it a download. The free downloadable content includes two new multiplayer maps (Kinshasa and Secret Base), four new challenges, and a new Spy Girl character with three different outfits. And did we mention these goodies are free?

Hopefully this new Double Agent content will satisfy Splinter Cell fans' appetite until the recently delayed Conviction releases in 2008. It'll be a long wait, but you'll survive.

JoystiqDouble the fun with free Double Agent DLC originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 26 Jul 2007 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>doubleagentsplintercellsplintercelldoubleagentubisoftxblmThu, 26 Jul 2007 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Splinter Cell Conviction delayed til 2008]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/24/splinter-cell-conviction-delayed-til-2008/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/24/splinter-cell-conviction-delayed-til-2008/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/24/splinter-cell-conviction-delayed-til-2008/#commentsFiled under:


Firing Squad reports that Splinter Cell Conviction is no longer planned as a 2007 release. The revelation comes courtesy of an Ubisoft financial report which lists the game as a 1st quarter 2008 release. Last month, an Ubisoft release list had Conviction set as a November 2007 title. While no specific reason is given for the delay, we would imagine it has something to do with the absolutely packed holiday lineup. This lineup even contains several of Ubisoft's own titles, including newcomers Assassin's Creed and Haze. Both of these titles are also slated for a November release. Putting a proven franchise like Splinter Cell in the same month as two original IPs probably wasn't the best idea in the first place, so the delay makes sense. Sure, we'll miss Splinter Cell, but frankly, our wallets sigh with relief.

[Via Joystiq. Thanks, Captain]

JoystiqSplinter Cell Conviction delayed til 2008 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 24 Jul 2007 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>splintercellsplintercellconvictionubisoftubisoftmontrealTue, 24 Jul 2007 17:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Ubisoft dates Haze, Splinter Cell, Raving Rabbids 2, more [update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/19/ubisoft-dates-haze-splinter-cell-raving-rabbids-2-more/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/19/ubisoft-dates-haze-splinter-cell-raving-rabbids-2-more/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/19/ubisoft-dates-haze-splinter-cell-raving-rabbids-2-more/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,


Ubisoft has revealed the release dates for all of its major 2007 titles, asking the majority of them to form a neat line in November and proceed to remove the contents of your wallet one by one. You're more than welcome to make a fuss about it, but having the sneaky men of Assassin's Creed and Splinter Cell: Conviction within grasp of your neck renders such action unwise.

A more notable entry in the release schedule (as posted by Eurogamer) is Free Radical's sci-political first-person shooter, Haze, previously described as "leading on PS3" in a display of timed exclusivity:
  • Haze (PS3) -- 23 November
Oh, you'll be wanting the release date for the other platforms as well:
  • Haze (Xbox 360, PC) -- 30 November [Update: Oh dear, Ubisoft has removed the Xbox 360 and PC versions of Haze from the current release list. We're waiting to hear back from Ubisoft on the matter.]
Other key titles dated after the break include Assassin's Creed, Dark Messiah: Elements, Rayman Raving Rabbids 2, Brothers in Arms: Hell's Highway, and Splinter Cell: Conviction.

Continue reading Ubisoft dates Haze, Splinter Cell, Raving Rabbids 2, more [update]

JoystiqUbisoft dates Haze, Splinter Cell, Raving Rabbids 2, more [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 19 Jun 2007 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Assassins CreedAssassinsCreedBrothers in ArmsBrothersInArmsDark MessiahDarkMessiahDSHazeNarutoPCPS3Raving RabbidsRaving Rabbids 2RavingRabbidsRavingRabbids2RaymanRayman Raving RabbidsRaymanRavingRabbidsSplinter CellSplinterCellUbisoftWiiXbox-360Tue, 19 Jun 2007 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Ubisoft dates its winter titles]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/19/ubisoft-dates-its-winter-titles/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/19/ubisoft-dates-its-winter-titles/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/19/ubisoft-dates-its-winter-titles/#commentsFiled under: ,


It's been said by many people for months now: 2007 looks to be a big year for gamers. It seems like every company is pulling out all the stops and quality games are getting ready to rain from the heavens. Some say that 2007 may be the best year EVAR. True or not, Ubisoft is playing a large role in the 360's holiday season. As proof of that, Eurogamer has unveiled Ubisoft's official release list for this holiday season, including planned release dates for major titles like Assassin's Creed and Splinter Cell Conviction. Check out the list after the break.

Continue reading Ubisoft dates its winter titles

JoystiqUbisoft dates its winter titles originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 19 Jun 2007 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>assassins creedAssassinsCreedbrothers in armsBrothersInArmshazemight and magicMightAndMagicnarutosplinter cellsplinter cell convictionSplinterCellSplinterCellConvictionubisoftTue, 19 Jun 2007 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Splinter Cell trailer sneaks onto XBLM]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/14/splinter-cell-trailer-sneaks-onto-xblm/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/14/splinter-cell-trailer-sneaks-onto-xblm/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/14/splinter-cell-trailer-sneaks-onto-xblm/#commentsFiled under: ,


In addition to this morning's surprise Project Sylpheed demo, there is also a trailer for Splinter Cell Conviction. The trailer is the same one released at the Ubidays 07 event last month, so there isn't anything new for Splinter Cell fans to see. Also, the video quality is somewhat suspect, despite the video's label of "HD." Still, it's Splinter Cell Conviction on a larger screen, so we'll take what we can get (of course, we wouldn't mind if Ubisoft wanted to release a cleaner version in the future).

If Splinter Cell doesn't float your boat, you can also sink your teeth into a trailer for the Xbox 360 version of Rayman: Raving Rabbids. We watched it, and all we can say is DAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!

JoystiqSplinter Cell trailer sneaks onto XBLM originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 14 Jun 2007 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>raymanrayman raving rabbidsRaymanRavingRabbidssplinter cellsplinter cell convictionSplinterCellSplinterCellConvictionubisoftThu, 14 Jun 2007 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Vampire Rain downpours July 3rd]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/07/vampire-rain-downpours-july-3rd/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/07/vampire-rain-downpours-july-3rd/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/07/vampire-rain-downpours-july-3rd/#commentsFiled under:


Well, if you're a little pissy about not getting the demo in your area, at least you won't have to wait long for the retail to be released. Microsoft just sent out a release stating that Vampire Rain will be shipping July 3rd for $59.99. Not only that, but a Fan Site Kit can be downloaded at the www.vampirerain.com. So, does the idea of merging Buffy the Vampire Slayer with Sam Fisher from the Splinter Cell series interest you, or does it run a little dry?

JoystiqVampire Rain downpours July 3rd originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 07 Jun 2007 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AQ InteractiveAqInteractiveArtoonSam FisherSamFisherSplinter CellSplinterCellVampireVampire RainVampireRainVampiresThu, 07 Jun 2007 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Vampire Rain goes gold, hits stores on July 3rd]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/07/vampire-rain-goes-gold-hits-stores-on-july-3rd/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/07/vampire-rain-goes-gold-hits-stores-on-july-3rd/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/07/vampire-rain-goes-gold-hits-stores-on-july-3rd/#commentsFiled under: ,


Microsoft has announced that the Xbox 360 will soon be assaulted by moist plasma dependents in the form of Vampire Rain, which has gone gold and will commence its unrestrained display of sucking on July 3rd. Developed by Japan's Artoon (you'll see more of their work in Blue Dragon this August), the game has been summarized by internet pundits in much the same way it was originally pitched in a board meeting: Splinter Cell with vampires and, err, somewhat lower production values.

Those hoping to judge the game for themselves and play the demo can call on any of their Xbox Live friends who happen to have accounts in Japan, Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Mexico, New Zealand or Singapore. The absence of a US demo at this stage seems a little suspicious, if only because international impressions indicate that Vampire Rain falls mainly on the plain side of things. That's not something you want people to know when you dangle a $60 game in front of them, now is it?

[Via Microsoft press release]

JoystiqVampire Rain goes gold, hits stores on July 3rd originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 07 Jun 2007 12:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ArtoonMicrosoftSplinter CellSplinterCellStealthVampire RainVampireRainXbox-360Thu, 07 Jun 2007 12:43:00 EST<![CDATA[Vampire Rain demo sucks Japanese Xbox Live dry]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/06/vampire-rain-demo-sucks-japanese-xbox-live-dry/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/06/vampire-rain-demo-sucks-japanese-xbox-live-dry/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/06/vampire-rain-demo-sucks-japanese-xbox-live-dry/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


If Sam Fisher ever had to fight vampires, he would probably be really confused. Perhaps he would even cry a little bit. But he would also unwittingly be starring in the Vampire Rain demo, which just hit the Xbox Live Marketplace for those with Japanese accounts. Oh, also, he had much lower production values and was named Lloyd.

If only you had a Japanese friend who didn't mind you using his account, you could see worlds collide as not-Sam-Fisher battles hides from the children of the night. Actually, it's probably best that you don't have a friend like that, because the fan fiction storyline you're coming up with in your head right now is probably better than the demo. But hey, don't take our word for it ... go, you know, make some Japanese friends.

JoystiqVampire Rain demo sucks Japanese Xbox Live dry originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 06 Jun 2007 09:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>buffydemosplintercellvampirerainxblXbox-360Wed, 06 Jun 2007 09:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Ubisoft defends Splinter Cell series changes]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/29/ubisoft-defends-splinter-cell-series-changes/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/29/ubisoft-defends-splinter-cell-series-changes/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/29/ubisoft-defends-splinter-cell-series-changes/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

All Ubisoft wants is for Splinter Cell fans to give emo-Fisher a chance. It seems reaction has been quite strong to Sam Fisher's new look and the departure from the light-and-shadow gameplay. 'Cause, you know, Splinter Cell without light and shadow is basically that other famous stealth action game (except you'd need to add a healthy dash of eccentric characters -- really eccentric characters). Speaking with GI.biz, Splinter Cell producer Mathieu Ferland says, "We've been working very closely with the fans from the beginning ... Their first reaction was, 'What's going on? Where's Sam?' And then they discovered these new possibilities, this new mechanic and they said, 'That looks awesome. I want to play it."

Ferland goes on to say that if the game doesn't do well that they'll go back to the darkness and shadows that Fisher called home for so many years. It looks like Conviction is trying to do for Splinter Cell what Blood Money did for Hitman, by making the controls less complex and more intuitive. The game is still expected to release later this year and we don't expect Sam Fisher to release a book of poetry before then.

JoystiqUbisoft defends Splinter Cell series changes originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 29 May 2007 18:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>convictionemoPCsam fishersplinter cellSplinterCellXbox-360Tue, 29 May 2007 18:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Ubisoft: Conviction is a risk, but we believe in it]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/29/ubisoft-conviction-is-a-risk-but-we-believe-in-it/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/29/ubisoft-conviction-is-a-risk-but-we-believe-in-it/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/29/ubisoft-conviction-is-a-risk-but-we-believe-in-it/#commentsFiled under:

Talking with GameIndustry.biz, Splinter Cell Conviction producer Mathieu Ferland talks about the game revealing that he and the Ubisoft team truly believe in the new direction they are taking their stealth based franchise. In Conviction Ubisoft is switching it up by allowing players to play a different Sam Fisher who's running from the law, blending in with crowds in broad daylight, and using distraction techniques to complete missions. This ultimately changes up gameplay and strays a little bit from the proven successful Splinter Cell formula. Ferland says that they've "been working very closely with the fans from the beginning" and thinks that Conviction will be a welcomed changed to the franchise. But Ferland also let it be known that that Ubisoft is not afraid to go back to its old stealth formula if Conviction were to flop. But for now, they're confident.

As fans of the Splinter Cell franchise, do you think Conviction is a creative step in the right direction to expand the storyline and freshen up gameplay? Or are you dead set on being a shadows assassin and reject Sam Fisher's new hobo look?

JoystiqUbisoft: Conviction is a risk, but we believe in it originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 29 May 2007 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>convictionsplinter cellsplinter cell convictionSplinterCellSplinterCellConvictionubisoftTue, 29 May 2007 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[A Splinter Cell: Conviction trailer and apology to Sam]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/23/a-splinter-cell-conviction-trailer-and-apology-to-sam/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/23/a-splinter-cell-conviction-trailer-and-apology-to-sam/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/23/a-splinter-cell-conviction-trailer-and-apology-to-sam/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Dear Mr. Fisher,

Hey, it's Joystiq. Sorry to bother you, we just needed to get something off of our chests. Do you remember when we made fun of you for going totally emo? We just wanted to say we're sorry. It was short-sighted and just plain mean and we sincerely hope we can still be friends.

You're probably wondering what prompted our change of heart, but if we're being honest, it started with the above trailer for Splinter Cell: Conviction. See, in our rush to make fun of your long hair and hoodie, we kind of forgot about your tendency to throw tables at people. Oh, and your access to high-power firearms, that totally slipped our minds. And, perhaps worst of all, we neglected to consider your ability to beat a man so badly that his brain throws up. We hope there are no hard feelings, and look forward to hiding from you working with you in the future.

Sincerely, Joystiq

JoystiqA Splinter Cell: Conviction trailer and apology to Sam originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 23 May 2007 19:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>convictionsplintercellubisoftXbox-360xbox360Wed, 23 May 2007 19:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Splinter Cell Conviction trailer Bournes it up]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/23/splinter-cell-conviction-trailer-bournes-it-up/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/23/splinter-cell-conviction-trailer-bournes-it-up/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/23/splinter-cell-conviction-trailer-bournes-it-up/#commentsFiled under:


Hot on the heels of a new Assassin's Creed trailer comes this new Splinter Cell Conviction trailer from Ubisoft's Ubidays event. The trailer shows off the new social stealth system that will be employed in Conviction, as well as Sam Fisher's new combat capabilities. We've noted before that Sam Fisher now possesses some kick ass maneuvers akin to those seen in the Bourne films and this trailer confirms it. In fact, the whole atmosphere of the trailer seems to take a page from the modern spy franchise, which isn't a bad thing at all. After all, how many times can you play as a guy in a rubber suit? Check out an extended look at the game after the break. Be warned though, the video is a little dark.

Continue reading Splinter Cell Conviction trailer Bournes it up

JoystiqSplinter Cell Conviction trailer Bournes it up originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 23 May 2007 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>convictionsplinter cellsplinter cell convictionSplinterCellSplinterCellConvictiontom clancyTomClancyubisoftWed, 23 May 2007 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Playing easily, shooting happily]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/22/playing-easily-shooting-happily/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/22/playing-easily-shooting-happily/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/22/playing-easily-shooting-happily/#commentsFiled under:



Unlike other "zapper" products like Joytech's Blaster, the Pega pistol doesn't have a cavity for you to dock the Wii's nunchuck. Instead, you connect the nunchuck's cord under the butt of the $15 gun while the remote slides and locks into its top half. We're not sure yet if this is a more cumbersome or convenient implementation, but given our experiences with cheap, third-party accessories from Chinese manufacturers, you can easily guess which side we're leaning towards.

If you're wondering why we're even bothering to bring up this lackluster peripheral, it's because we love to scrutinize the packaging of these products! What's up with Splinter Cell graphics? And why is it branded with that same inapplicable Wii Sports logo we saw on Fire Bird's rechargeable controller grip? Does Pega actually expect people to play tennis with this clunky plastic attached?

[Via DCEmu]

JoystiqPlaying easily, shooting happily originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 22 May 2007 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blastergunlight gunLightGunnintendonintendo wiinintendowiipegaperipheralperipheralssplinter cellSplinterCellwiizapperTue, 22 May 2007 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Sam Fisher shows his softer side]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/18/sam-fisher-shows-his-softer-side/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/18/sam-fisher-shows-his-softer-side/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/18/sam-fisher-shows-his-softer-side/#commentsFiled under: , ,


For his latest adventure in Splinter Cell: Conviction (which appears to have dropped the capital "V"), Sam Fisher has gone positively emo. His face is capable of a wider range of emotions, he's kicking it in the Mediterranean and he's even ... grown his hair out. Mary De Marle, "narrative designer" for the game, told IGN that Sam has always been this way; he's just been waiting for the chance to let his softie flag fly. "Somehow, we are presenting the 'original' Sam, as we have been thinking him since the first days of the first Splinter Cell," De Marle said.

To help compliment this new "make love, not war" ethos, Sam has forsaken the tech supplied to him by Third Echelon in favor of the hottest new SC gadget: The hoodie. No, seriously. Sam will be able to pull it up in crowds to make himself less noticeable or to hide the single tear he's crying for his lost innocence. But mainly just the first one. When you combine some of the latest revelations with what we learned earlier this month, the new Splinter Cell sounds like a major departure from the norm -- and that sounds just fine to us.

JoystiqSam Fisher shows his softer side originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 18 May 2007 18:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>convictionsamfishersplintercellubisoftXbox-360xbox360Fri, 18 May 2007 18:27:00 EST<![CDATA[Ubisoft says: Splinter Cell Conviction couldn't be on PS3?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/07/ubisoft-says-splinter-cell-conviction-couldnt-be-on-ps3/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/07/ubisoft-says-splinter-cell-conviction-couldnt-be-on-ps3/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/07/ubisoft-says-splinter-cell-conviction-couldnt-be-on-ps3/#commentsSomeone's cooking up some flamebait, right? Wrong. This is just an interesting, confusing interview with Ubisoft about the newest Splinter Cell (which seems to have turned into a yearly franchise). The game, subtitled Conviction, is headed exclusively to the XBox 360. That's all well and good, but why did they need to talk about the PS3?

What did they say, actually? They claimed that since they're an exclusive now, they can work a lot harder on the 360's hardware and pull out some tricks they wouldn't have been able to do otherwise. They said regardless, they wouldn't have been able to do these things even if they were exclusive to the PlayStation 3. Well... maybe, but they did a pretty crappy port of Double Agent, so we're not about to agree. Just because you don't understand the tools available doesn't mean it isn't possible to build a masterpiece. Thoughts?

JoystiqUbisoft says: Splinter Cell Conviction couldn't be on PS3? originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 07 May 2007 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Splinter CellSplinterCellUbisoftMon, 07 May 2007 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Ubisoft says Conviction can't be done on PS3]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/07/ubisoft-says-conviction-cant-be-done-on-ps3/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/07/ubisoft-says-conviction-cant-be-done-on-ps3/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/07/ubisoft-says-conviction-cant-be-done-on-ps3/#commentsFiled under: ,


There's been some more sleuthing (Ha! Legitimately unintentional pun, we swear) on the Finnish magazine that had the Splinter Cell: Conviction screenshot scans from Friday. Apparently the interview has some spiffy details about the enemy AI, Sam Fisher's ability to interact with his environment, and most deliciously, Ubisoft giving the PS3 some flack.

First, they say that Conviction being exclusive allows them to accomplish things on the 360 that couldn't be done if the title was multiplatform. They even go so far to say that if the title was a PS3 exclusive, they still would not be able to achieve some of these feats. Ouch ... coming from a well respected developer like Ubisoft, that's gotta hurt.

JoystiqUbisoft says Conviction can't be done on PS3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 07 May 2007 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ConvictionP S 3Playstation 3Playstation3PS3Splinter CellSplinter Cell ConvictionSplinterCellSplinterCellConvictionUbi softUbiSoftMon, 07 May 2007 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Splinter Cell Conviction scans are purdy]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/04/splinter-cell-conviciton-scans-are-purdy/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/04/splinter-cell-conviciton-scans-are-purdy/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/04/splinter-cell-conviciton-scans-are-purdy/#commentsFiled under:


Revealed earlier this week, scans of the upcoming Splinter Cell Conviction have been uncovered by our friends at Xboxygen. It looks like Sam Fisher has forgone his typical bald-headed, grizzled appearance for that of a shaggy hobo. You can see him above sporting some ratty hair, a full beard, and an oh-so-trendy man-purse. Metrosexual flavor aside, the scans show off some impressive visuals. There are civilians everywhere and the environments are incredibly detailed. Splinter Cell has always had top notch visuals, but these shots are damned impressive. One shot in particular shows off the level of detail, as coffee cups go flying when Sam knocks a police officer into a nearby cafe. There are also some sequential shots of Sam's new Bourne-tastic maneuvers.

If the gameplay lives up to the graphics, we could be in for a real (Xbox 360 exclusive) treat. Hit the "read" link to check out the scans.

JoystiqSplinter Cell Conviction scans are purdy originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 04 May 2007 13:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>convictionsplinter cellsplinter cell convictionSplinterCellSplinterCellConvictionubisoftFri, 04 May 2007 13:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Splinter Cell: Conviction deets revealed]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/03/splinter-cell-conviction-deets-revealed/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/03/splinter-cell-conviction-deets-revealed/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/03/splinter-cell-conviction-deets-revealed/#commentsFiled under:


Hey, remember how Peter Moore said the next Splinter Cell would be Xbox 360 exclusive? Remember how it dropped off the face of the earth after that? Well, Splinter Cell Conviction is back in the news again. Finnish gaming magazine, Pelaaja (Player) reveals new details on the game (translated by Gamers Reports).

Continue reading Splinter Cell: Conviction deets revealed

JoystiqSplinter Cell: Conviction deets revealed originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 03 May 2007 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>convictionsam fisherSamFishersplinter cellsplinter cell convictionSplinterCellSplinterCellConvictionubisoftThu, 03 May 2007 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Splinter Cell conViction featured in Finnish gaming mag]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/03/splinter-cell-conviction-featured-in-finnish-gaming-mag/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/03/splinter-cell-conviction-featured-in-finnish-gaming-mag/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/03/splinter-cell-conviction-featured-in-finnish-gaming-mag/#commentsFiled under: ,

pelaaja
See what they've done with the "V"? Clever ... sorta. Finnish gaming mag Pelaaja ("Player") has the scoop on Xbox 360's console-exclusive, Splinter Cell V -- er, Splinter Cell Conviction (the title remains unchanged since it was leaked last September).

GamersReports has compiled the first Conviction gameplay details, allegedly translated from the Pelaaja article. Apparently, dear old Sam will be forced out into daylight and, taking a cue from his Ubi-cousin Altaïr, will stick to the crowd instead of the shadows. An internal threat within Third Echelon has supposedly forced Sam to defect from the agency (like, for realz this time) as he attempts to save coworker Anna Grímsdóttir. Two HUD gimmicks will form the backbone of the gameplay: the "hero instinct" gives Sam the ability to track his enemies Predator-style (in infrared); while the "danger meter" acts sorta like Spidey-sense, minus the tingle (then again, Ubisoft could utilize rumble).

Close quarters combat is said to be a lot more "Bourne" this time around, as Sam has apparently shaken off his stiffness through yoga (Downward Dog FTW!), in addition to the training he's received from the alien peacekeeper and pesky webslinger. Coupled with an upgraded physics engine that lets Sam use numerous environmental objects (not just soda cans) to his advantage, Fisher oughtta make short work of that "dynamic" AI. No mention of what's in store for multiplayer -- but we sorta have this hunch...

JoystiqSplinter Cell conViction featured in Finnish gaming mag originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 03 May 2007 12:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>360convictionfinlandfinnishpelaajasplinter cellsplinter cell convictionsplinter celll vSplinterCellSplinterCellConvictionSplinterCelllVstealthubisoftxbox 360Xbox-360Xbox360Thu, 03 May 2007 12:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Ubisoft viral site hints at new Tom Clancy game]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/10/ubisoft-viral-site-hints-at-new-tom-clancy-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/10/ubisoft-viral-site-hints-at-new-tom-clancy-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/10/ubisoft-viral-site-hints-at-new-tom-clancy-game/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Nowadays, "viral" is more or less the term used to describe any website that is overly cryptic, edgy or, thanks to an abundance of Flash, somewhat annoying. Enter the recently erected, cryptic, edgy and somewhat annoying Ubisoft website, jsf28555833-80604722.com.

Upon visiting the page, you'll be faced with all manner of military gibberish, false newscaster mutterings and a man who appears to be in a permanent state of discomfort. The Tom Clancy logo at the bottom provides the biggest clue, seeming to suggest that marketing for a new terrorist foiling sim is already in stealth swing. Splinter Cell and Rainbow Six are fair targets, but a glance at the infamous (and quite reliable) leaked list of Ubisoft games shows one of the few remaining titles to be Tom Clancy's Firehawk for PS3 and Xbox 360.

Further intrepid internet investigation (read: Google search) highlights the website's initial letters "jsf" -- Joint Strike Fighter. Is Tom Clancy taking to the skies?

[Via Eurogamer]

JoystiqUbisoft viral site hints at new Tom Clancy game originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 10 Apr 2007 22:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>FirehawkGhost ReconGhostReconPCPS3Rainbow SixRainbowSixSplinter CellSplinterCellTom ClancyTomClancyUbisoftWiiXbox-360Tue, 10 Apr 2007 22:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Viral website features Tom Clancy game]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/06/viral-website-features-tom-clancy-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/06/viral-website-features-tom-clancy-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/06/viral-website-features-tom-clancy-game/#commentsFiled under:


Ubisoft is uncharacteristically up to some viral marketing antics, hosting some teaser for an unannounced game over at www.rev64.com. The website features the face of a man who winces and grimaces and a news stream heard in the background talking about OPEC and its affect on the US. There's a whole bunch of text flanking the right side of the page with clickable links that either play news clips, make the man's face cringe, or play weird sounds. Again, we're not professionals at figuring this viral stuff out, so we'll leave it up to you guys. But we do know that all of Ubisoft's fingerprints are on the site (that's the easy part) and it also showcases the Tom Clancy logo at the bottom of the page (even though IGN reports it as a Rainbow Six logo ... tisk, tisk). Is it a new Rainbow Six game or maybe it's the next Splinter Cell installment, we just can't tell. We'll just have to wait this one out, unless someone wants to spend hours analyzing the website and report back to us. Please?

[Via IGN]

JoystiqViral website features Tom Clancy game originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 06 Apr 2007 12:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>rainbow sixRainbowSixsplinter cellSplinterCelltom clancyTomClancyubisoftviralFri, 06 Apr 2007 12:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Ubisoft opens animation studio]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/09/ubisoft-opens-animation-studio/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/09/ubisoft-opens-animation-studio/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/09/ubisoft-opens-animation-studio/#commentsFiled under: ,

Ubisoft is rich. Now they're richer, because the Canadian government is giving them money to make CG movies to be consumed by the "general public". While $8 million (about US $6.8 million) may not seem like much... it'll at least help Ubisoft open an animation studio of their very own. Now, whether this studio will make feature-length films is unsure, although a Canadian newspaper quoted the projects as "short films for the general public."

So, what sort of short films would you like to see come out of Ubisoft's new studio? Since it is animation, we'd like to steer clear of Splinter Cell or Prince of Persia films -- those ought to be live-action. As some people at GameSpot surmised, a Rayman animated film would be cute. Leave your ideas and thoughts!

JoystiqUbisoft opens animation studio originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 09 Feb 2007 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Price of PersiaPriceOfPersiaRaymanSplinter CellSplinterCellUbisoftFri, 09 Feb 2007 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Splinter Cell Double Agent getting the females]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/03/splinter-cell-double-agent-getting-the-females/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/03/splinter-cell-double-agent-getting-the-females/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/03/splinter-cell-double-agent-getting-the-females/#commentsFiled under: ,

Fans and community members of the Splinter Cell series have been worried for a while about the upcoming content for Splinter Cell Double Agent. There has been a nasty rumor floating around that only the PS3 version of the game will include female multiplayer skins. Bummer right? But fret not, because that evil rumor has been debunked! On the Ubisoft forums Rhoulette, Ubisoft community manager, confirmed that the new female skins will indeed be available on the Xbox 360 version too. It'll come in the form of downloadable content, but they'll be available none the less. So stop worrying about the female skins and get back to playing, you know, the reason you bought the game.

[Thanks, j10jep2]

JoystiqSplinter Cell Double Agent getting the females originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 03 Feb 2007 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>sam fisherSamFishersplinter cellsplinter cell double agentsplinter cell: double agentSplinterCellSplinterCell:DoubleAgentSplinterCellDoubleAgentubisoftSat, 03 Feb 2007 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Prince of Persia's Wii Waggle-Tech Demonstrated]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/24/prince-of-persias-wii-waggle-tech-demonstrated/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/24/prince-of-persias-wii-waggle-tech-demonstrated/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/24/prince-of-persias-wii-waggle-tech-demonstrated/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Ubisoft, intent on continuing their new tradition of shoehorning just about every intellectual property they can muster onto the Wii, has created a video demonstrating Prince of Persia: Rival Swords' use of the Wii controls.

In an interview with Ubisoft concerning the project ("intuitive" word count: 2), producer Ben Mattes gushed with excitement, saying "I've spent a lot of time playing [Prince of Persia] games over the last few years, and Rival Swords for the Wii is by far my favorite."

The demonstration itself is a montage of in-game clips, accompanied by haunted Wii controllers jiggling about the footage. I suppose we'll just have to wait until the games release in March to get a sense of just how well it plays as waggling the controller in place of the Two Thrones control scheme (the game in which this is based on) doesn't exactly instill us with confidence. Ben seems fairly stoked about it, but Splinter Cell and Far Cry has us a bit more cautious towards Ubisoft's non-original offerings for the Wii.

JoystiqPrince of Persia's Wii Waggle-Tech Demonstrated originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 24 Jan 2007 04:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>far cryFarCrynintnedo wiiNintnedoWiiprince of persiaprince of persia: rival swordsprince of persia: two thronesPrinceOfPersiaPrinceOfPersia:RivalSwordsPrinceOfPersia:TwoThronessplinter cellSplinterCellubisoftWiiWed, 24 Jan 2007 04:05:00 EST<![CDATA[South Korea loosens game censorship]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/29/south-korea-loosens-game-censorship/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/29/south-korea-loosens-game-censorship/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/29/south-korea-loosens-game-censorship/#commentsFiled under:

Game censorship is a big news item in the past few months. Political types of all walks of life enjoy trying to stifle the medium by passing laws that don't hold up in court in the US and even get through without much of a hitch in Europe. On the other side of the world, one nation is going the opposite direction.

South Korea, which recently proposed an anti-gold farming bill, has pulled censorship on games depicting military action against their northern neighbor. Under the ban, any game that was negative toward North Korea was not permitted for sale in the South, citing they would only inflame the existing tension. However, wiser South Korean lawmakers finally realized video games have little impact on the real world, cut the rule and games like Ghost Recon 2 can now be sold.

Lawmakers from the West take note; South Korea has the right idea. When they're sitting right next to an unstable tin-pot dictator and decide that games aren't going to cause a mass invasion, we should start reassessing this whole "games make people violent" kick. Our only hope is wiser people end up in leadership positions who actually try to solve problems instead of deflecting the responsibility on an unrelated party.

JoystiqSouth Korea loosens game censorship originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 29 Dec 2006 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>european game lawEuropeanGameLawgame cencorshipgame lawgame lawsGameCencorshipGameLawGameLawsghost reconghost recon 2GhostReconGhostRecon2illinoisillinois game lawIllinoisGameLawmichiganmichigan game lawMichiganGameLawsouth koreaSouthKoreasplinter cellSplinterCelltom clancyTomClancyvideo game cencorshipvideo game censorshipvideogame cencorshipvideogame censorshipVideoGameCencorshipVideoGameCensorshipFri, 29 Dec 2006 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Double Agent patch is hiding]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/29/double-agent-patch-is-hiding/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/29/double-agent-patch-is-hiding/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/29/double-agent-patch-is-hiding/#commentsFiled under: , ,


According to the official Splinter Cell: Double Agent website, a patch for the game was released yesterday, but we're receiving reports that it is not yet available. The patch was set to fix multiple issues with the game, including lag issues, connection issues, and a few miscellaneous issues. We aren't familiar with these issues (I still haven't played the game) but we can only assume the fixes would be welcome. In fact, reading through the fix list makes it look like there are quite a few problems with the lobby system.

Has anyone spotted the update yet, or is it still MIA?

[Thanks, Bountyhunterinc]

JoystiqDouble Agent patch is hiding originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 29 Nov 2006 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>double agentDoubleAgentlivescdasplinter cellsplinter cell dasplinter cell double agentSplinterCellSplinterCellDaSplinterCellDoubleAgentubisoftxbox liveXboxLiveWed, 29 Nov 2006 15:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii releases for the week of November 27th]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/27/wii-releases-for-the-week-of-november-27th/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/27/wii-releases-for-the-week-of-november-27th/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/27/wii-releases-for-the-week-of-november-27th/#commentsFiled under: ,


This week only brings us a handful of new releases but, arguably most important, is the fact that Wii owners will now finally be able to play the latest Sam Fisher adventure which, according to critics, is pretty darn good. Anyone looking to pick this up this week?
  • Splinter Cell: Double Agent - Ubisoft
  • Barnyard - THQ
  • Open Season - Ubisoft
As always, availability is subject to manufacturer delivery.

JoystiqWii releases for the week of November 27th originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 27 Nov 2006 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>nintendonintendowiireleasessamfishersplintercellwiiwiireleasesMon, 27 Nov 2006 09:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii gets the comic treatment]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/07/wii-gets-the-comic-treatment/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/07/wii-gets-the-comic-treatment/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/07/wii-gets-the-comic-treatment/#commentsFiled under:



Oh snap! A Wii-centric comic? And apparently all about the, ah, immersive aspects of the console. Raise your hand if you think this may be you in a few weeks?

As a side note, in no way do we encourage anyone to actually stab, choke, prod or cut family members or friends with any portion of the Nintendo Wii. Dude, you might get blood on it. Not at all cool. It stains.

[Thanks, Nikolai!]

JoystiqWii gets the comic treatment originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 07 Nov 2006 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>comicNintendoSplinter CellSplinterCellWiiWii EnhancementsWiiEnhancementsTue, 07 Nov 2006 07:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Splinter Cell: Dynamic Advertising Agent]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/30/splinter-cell-dynamic-advertising-agent/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/30/splinter-cell-dynamic-advertising-agent/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/30/splinter-cell-dynamic-advertising-agent/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Concerned reader and avid Splinter Cell fan, Carlos Birdsong, shares some interesting info about Double Agent.

"I was playing SCDA with some friends as a Merc and I saw a spy run under a truck that had a Comcast ad on it. I was out of grenades and told one of my teammates to toss a grenade under the comcast truck, only he didn't see it. Why? He saw what was by default a Hong Kong truck instead of the Comcast truck.

While I think in game ads are cool when in context, I saw some Comcast signage as well, but this dynamic ad rendering can affect gameplay--subtle but interesting side effect."

Dynamic ad placement in games is starting to become commonplace, and situations like this could be an unfortunate byproduct. Have any of you experienced similar problems? Do you think dynamic ads should be removed from multiplayer games where positioning is important, or at least made so every player sees the same thing?

[Image via Mega64]

JoystiqSplinter Cell: Dynamic Advertising Agent originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 30 Oct 2006 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advergamingdouble agentDoubleAgentin game advertisingInGameAdvertisingsplinter cellsplinter cell double agentSplinterCellSplinterCellDoubleAgentubisoftMon, 30 Oct 2006 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[How to get Double Agent for $48]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/20/how-to-get-double-agent-for-48/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/20/how-to-get-double-agent-for-48/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/20/how-to-get-double-agent-for-48/#commentsFiled under: ,


After doing the post about the Assassin's Creed collector's edition, we couldn't help but notice this little tidbit. It looks like Play-Asia is offering the region free version of Splinter Cell: Double Agent for a measly $44.90. Add $3.10 shipping and you've got your own copy for $48. That's $12 dollars of the retail price. Not bad at all. We've done a story or two on region free Xbox 360 games in the past. For the uninitiated, 360 games released in Asia are often region free. Not only that, but they are usually completely identical to their English counterparts, right down to the manual.

We haven't confirmed whether or not this is the case with Splinter Cell, but it's a fairly safe bet. Did anybody here get their copy from Play-Asia? For future reference, Play-Asia maintains a list of its region free 360 games. You might want to bookmark it if you enjoy saving money.

JoystiqHow to get Double Agent for $48 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 20 Oct 2006 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>double agentDoubleAgentplay asiaplay-asiaPlayAsiaregion freeRegionFreescscdasplinter cellsplinter cell double agentSplinterCellSplinterCellDoubleAgentubisoftFri, 20 Oct 2006 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[What are you playing: sneaky edition]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/20/what-are-you-playing-sneaky-edition/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/20/what-are-you-playing-sneaky-edition/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/20/what-are-you-playing-sneaky-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


It's time once again for that all important question, what are you playing? This week marks the release of Splinter Cell: Double Agent so, we imagine quite a few of you will be spending your weekend snapping necks and being all sneaky-like. Me, I've still got to wrap up Dead Rising, Lego Star Wars II is staring me in the face, and I have yet to crack into Enchanted Arms. And let's not forget that the Phantasy Star beta is still running. Oh, and that the Project 8 demo should hit today -- still not out as of this posting. On the Live Arcade front, there's Lumines and 3 more episodes of DOOM to clear up (on Ultra Violent difficulty, of course).

Put simply, there's just too damned much to play. How 'bout you? What will you be playing this weekend?

JoystiqWhat are you playing: sneaky edition originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 20 Oct 2006 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>double agentDoubleAgentsplinter cellsplinter cell double agentSplinterCellSplinterCellDoubleAgentubisoftwhat are you playingWhatAreYouPlayingwrupFri, 20 Oct 2006 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Nivea and Sam Fisher want you to shave that beard!]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/19/nivea-and-sam-fisher-want-you-to-shave-that-beard/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/19/nivea-and-sam-fisher-want-you-to-shave-that-beard/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/19/nivea-and-sam-fisher-want-you-to-shave-that-beard/#commentsFiled under: ,

Nivea has snuck its way into Sam Fisher's heart. The two have teamed up to bring you in-game advertisements! What better way to escape your everyday dreary and tedious world than to get pelted with ads for real companies while breaking someone's neck in a bathroom? Ubisoft's Splinter Cell: Double Agent will offer a fine array of Nivea and Philips Norelco products set along bathroom sinks in hotel rooms. There are also billboards specifically designed to talk to you, the gamer, not you, the Sam Fisher, saying such game-related teasings as "The 'Good Guy' almost never has a beard," and "There are many faces of evil. Don't let yours be one of them."

If you want your ads to be subtle, use real ads. Ads in the real world. Don't make ads that are trying to talk about the game that's being played. That's like a movie stopping suddenly and listening for the audience to laugh, or if something unrealistic happens in a movie, a character cleverly snaps out the one-liner "Only in the movies!" Please. Game advertisements may be lucrative, but they're still lame. As much as the phrase itself irks us, we're tempted to say "sell-out", but it's becoming all too common in the "Realistic Gaming" world. Sam Fisher... you can be pretty stealthy, but you're not too good at dodging corporate advertisement offers. Hmm... it sounded a tad bit better in my mind.

JoystiqNivea and Sam Fisher want you to shave that beard! originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 19 Oct 2006 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Double AgentDoubleAgentPlaystation 3Playstation3PS3Splinter CellSplinterCellUbisoftXBox 360Xbox360Thu, 19 Oct 2006 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Splinter Cell: To 1080p or not to p]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/19/splinter-cell-to-1080p-or-not-to-p/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/19/splinter-cell-to-1080p-or-not-to-p/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/19/splinter-cell-to-1080p-or-not-to-p/#commentsFiled under:


Has the 1080p console era arrived sooner than expected, courtesy of Ubisoft? The above pic is screen cap from a debug copy of Splinter Cell: Double Agent for the Xbox 360 showing support for "true HD" (to use Sony's patronizing marketing terminology). GamePro says they received confirmation from Ubisoft that the retail version will indeed support 1080p. Elsewhere, 1up says their contact told them "No, it's 1080i" but admits things are pretty hectic at Ubi right now, so who knows? All acknowledge that 1080p support is useless without the necessary update Microsoft, expected some time in the near future (although GamePro theorizes that it could be included on the Double Agent disc). Even then, without an HDMI solution from MS, the much-hyped resolution would be possible only via the rare 1080p HDTV (Sharp?) that supports 1920x1080 via VGA input.

Meanwhile, back in standard-def-trying-in-vain-to-read-that -Dead-Rising-text land, the po' folk are snickering because their snooty 720p neighbors now have to go out and buy a new TV if they want to remain on the bleeding edge of the 360 community.

How many lucky bastards already have a 1080p HDTV and are just dying to put it to use? How many don't think they'll get a 1080p set for years?

Correction: As several readers have pointed out, only 1080p movies using the HD-DVD drive require HDMI. Games will work over both HDMI or VGA.

[Thanks Luke]

JoystiqSplinter Cell: To 1080p or not to p originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 19 Oct 2006 04:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1080pdouble agentDoubleAgentsplinter cellSplinterCellubisoftupdatesThu, 19 Oct 2006 04:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Be Called to Duty on Nov. 10th]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/16/be-called-to-duty-on-nov-10th/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/16/be-called-to-duty-on-nov-10th/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/16/be-called-to-duty-on-nov-10th/#commentsFiled under: ,


Call of Duty fans mark your calendars, Call of Duty 3 has been dated. CVG lists the 360 version for November 10th, well before any other version (the PS3 version is set for March 07). Curiously absent from Activision's announcement is the date for the Xbox version. CVG speculates that this could mean the Xbox version has been canceled. It seems doubtful, but COD2 is the 360's first million seller. Maybe Activision and Mircrosoft are hoping COD3 will drive sales of the 360. Regardless, 360 owners will be the first to play.

We can't help but note that it's going to be impossible to sample all the 360 goodness this holiday. Gears of War, Phantasy Star, Splinter Cell, Viva Piñata, R6 Vegas, the list just keeps going. Who's planning on squeezing Call of Duty 3 in there?

[Via Evil Avatar]

JoystiqBe Called to Duty on Nov. 10th originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 16 Oct 2006 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>call of dutycall of duty 3CallOfDutyCallOfDuty3cod3phantasy starphantasy star universePhantasyStarPhantasyStarUniverserainbow 6 vegasrainbow six vegasRainbow6VegasRainbowSixVegassplinter cellSplinterCellviva pinataVivaPinataMon, 16 Oct 2006 14:30:00 EST