Joystiq

Square Enix lays off staff in Europe

JC Fletcher — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 11:00:00 EST

According to a statement given to UK press (including MCV and CVG) by Square Enix, the publisher is instituting an unspecified number of layoffs in Europe. "We do expect changes to the UK office, which will affect personnel," the publisher said. "We will update you when the time is right, but our priority right now is for the people within the business." We've reached out to Square Enix for more information.

These cuts follow layoffs in Square Enix's North American division, during which the company warned of cuts coming in Europe and Japan. Square Enix is undergoing massive restructuring, due in part to the fact that its Western console games only sold excellently, and failed to meet the company's stratospheric expectations.

Square Enix lays off staff in Europe originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 29 Apr 2013 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

MMA fighter Georges St-Pierre consulting on Sleeping Dogs

Jordan Mallory — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 14:30:00 EST

Square Enix has enlisted the help of UFC Welterweight Champion Georges St-Pierre (aka GSP), who will now be contributing his expertise on punching/grappling dudes to Sleeping Dogs. While GSP is said to be working on "multiple elements" of the Hong Kongian crime thriller, we have an inkling that he'll be lending the majority of his vast, worldly knowledge to the game's combat systems.

Actually, now that we've remembered how huge his bulging muscles are and how easily he could grind our puny frames into a fine mist, we suppose its entirely possible that GSP could be consulting on the game's art direction, or acting as a continuity editor for the script. In fact, forget we ever implied anything to the contrary.

Continue reading MMA fighter Georges St-Pierre consulting on Sleeping Dogs

MMA fighter Georges St-Pierre consulting on Sleeping Dogs originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 11 Apr 2012 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Carmageddon site registered to Square Enix updated with countdown

Griffin McElroy — Sat, 21 May 2011 20:00:00 EST

If you're compiling a mental list of franchises which will be summoned from their respective graves at E3 2011, it might be a safe bet to tack Stainless Games' Carmageddon onto the list. The website Carmageddon.com -- a domain registered to Square Enix Europe, owner of the original game's co-publisher SCi -- was recently updated with an ever-popular countdown timer, as well as three Jolly Rogers.

The countdown is scheduled to terminate at 5 a.m. on June 1, which seems like a weird time to announce much of anything -- assuming there's something to announce. Now, if it were us, we'd wait the extra week and announce it at the gigantic, well-publicized annual trade show. Unless, of course, this is a countdown-countdown; a maneuver that's also rapidly increasing in popularity.

Carmageddon site registered to Square Enix updated with countdown originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 21 May 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Potential Hitman ARG suggests new announcement is coming in time for E3

David Hinkle — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 15:36:00 EST

Some subtle marketing suggests we'll be hearing about a new Hitman game soon. Well, okay, we have been hearing about it -- Hitman 5 isn't exactly a secret at this point, having been mentioned on IO Interactive resumes and namedropped by a voice actor. But things are heating up yet again, indicating a full-on reveal isn't far off.

Some potential subtle marketing is the source of this latest uptick in attention, starting with an ad from Faircount Media Group in a catalog at the Sundance Film Festival depicting a box of Hitman Series brand doughnuts with a bardcode ending in "47." When a Hitman Forum user tracked down the agency responsible for the ad and emailed them, he received a response from an account saying "you are on the right track," along with a new image showing a pair of black gloves, what appears to be a game script, and another barcode ending in "47." Forum users claim some of the random numbers, when deciphered, point to E3.

Add in the vague responses from an actual IO Interactive employee on the Hitman Forum boards (Nick@IO is his user name) and it would appear we've got the makings of an ARG -- that is, unless it's all just one big, very mean conspiracy.

Potential Hitman ARG suggests new announcement is coming in time for E3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 Mar 2011 15:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Connect the dots: Possible Tomb Raider reveal in two weeks

Christopher Grant — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 18:25:00 EST

Let's connect the dots, shall we?

The current, November issue of Game Informer features the above two-page tease for its December issue stating, simply, "A survivor is born." An accompanying website at asurvivorisborn.com (and asurvivorisborn2012.com) mirrors the tease, though it's not clear who owns the domains.
A NeoGAF poster pointed out that, at one point, the Google Analytics account number 6150945-XX matched that of kaneandlynch.com, minininjas.com and deusex.com -- all Eidos / Square Enix titles. If correct, it appears the current asurvivorisborn.com account number of 19668291-1 was changed after being spotted.
The image of a crashed ocean liner recalls the leaked concept art and fact sheet spotted last year (the fact sheet description is still readable at Shacknews): "When a sudden storm destroys her research vessel, a young and inexperienced Lara Croft finds herself stranded on a mysterious and remote island hidden off the shores of Japan."
The "survivor is born" tagline recalls the origin story description in the fact sheet: "This new Tomb Raider concept reboots the franchise by exploring the origin of Lara Croft's transformation into a hardened adventurer as you unravel the story behind the island's mysterious past."
In a 346-page thread (!) on tombraiderforums.com concerning the potential of a December 6 reveal, forum admin Justin J. Farr wrote, cryptically, "I know something you lot don't." That could be the meaning of his middle initial "J" or it could be the identity of Game Informer's next cover ...

It's not quite a smoking gun, but it's certainly possible that next month's GI reveal will be the Tomb Raider reboot we know Crystal Dynamics - specifically the "pillar team" - has been working on alongside its excellent downloadable installment, Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light. After the progress the team made on the Legends, Anniversary and Underworld trilogy, all eyes are on Crystal D to keep it up with its first Tomb Raider game under the new Square Enix masthead.

Connect the dots: Possible Tomb Raider reveal in two weeks originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 16 Nov 2010 18:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Kane & Lynch 2's greedy, bloody pre-order bonuses revealed

Griffin McElroy — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 13:00:00 EST

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

When it comes to extremely violent heists, more is better, which is -- wait, what are we saying? You guys shouldn't really be engaging in extremely violent heists. Largely because they're against the law, but also because it's kind of a mean thing to do. However, if you're planning on taking part in a virtual extremely violent heist via Kane and Lynch 2: Dog Days' multiplayer modes, you can gain access to a few extra pieces of content by pre-ordering the title at various retailers.

Check out a list of these bonuses and a video of them in action just past the break.

Continue reading Kane & Lynch 2's greedy, bloody pre-order bonuses revealed

Kane & Lynch 2's greedy, bloody pre-order bonuses revealed originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 10 Aug 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Lara Croft Avatar items and premium theme coming to Marketplace

Griffin McElroy — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 01:20:00 EST

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

If your anticipation for the co-op treasure-plundering action of Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light is so strong that you're seeking for outlets through which to give Crystal Dynamics money, here's your chance. A handful of Avatar items based on the XBLA title will arrive on the Xbox Live Marketplace July 29. The particulars and prices of these items have yet to be revealed, though a handful of images posted in the gallery below indicate costumes for Lara, her partner-in-raiding Totec, a Tomb Raider-themed T-shirt, a hideous matted wig and ... some kind of ... demon suit.

The background featured in these images is actually available on the Marketplace today for 240 MSP, under the title "The Lava Tomb." It's perfect for those who think their menu navigation experience could use a bit more molten rock and ugly statuettes.

Gallery: Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light Avatar items

Continue reading Lara Croft Avatar items and premium theme coming to Marketplace

Lara Croft Avatar items and premium theme coming to Marketplace originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 24 Jul 2010 01:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Interview: Karl Stewart on Lara Croft and the new Crystal Dynamics

Christopher Grant — Thu, 20 May 2010 09:15:00 EST

At Square Enix's pre-E3 event yesterday, we got a chance to talk with Karl Stewart, global brand director for Tomb Raider developer Crystal Dynamics. We asked him about the reorganization inside the developer (which lead directly to the development of the already impressive Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light), its new approach to managing the Tomb Raider brand and how its new focus is affecting the way other Eidos studios work. We also got a taste of just how outside-the-box its new "experimental team" can go.

Joystiq: This reorganization all happened after the Square Enix acquisition?

Karl Stewart: We had actually been going through the shakeup at the studio prior to it, and really we had already presented that we knew we needed to make a drastic change for the studio and that continuing down the same path wasn't really going to cut it any longer. So Darrell Gallagher had taken over the studio at that time and he had some great ideas about how to sort of retool the studio, and it was around then that Square Enix came aboard, purchased us, so we presented our vision for it and they thought it was the right way to go. And as a result, we continued down that path.

This was after the release of Underworld?

Yeah, this was. Underworld had shipped, the DLC for 360 had already shipped and we just realized that when we started looking at our next game we knew that we needed to take a step back and build the next big title and it wasn't going to come year after year. That's been one of our frustrations: seeing the titles come out year after year after year, so we decided that was the end of that.

Continue reading Interview: Karl Stewart on Lara Croft and the new Crystal Dynamics

Interview: Karl Stewart on Lara Croft and the new Crystal Dynamics originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 20 May 2010 09:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Square Enix announces FY2009 results, revenue up 42%

Alexander Sliwinski — Tue, 18 May 2010 16:20:00 EST

Square Enix was riding high on the sales chocobo in its latest fiscal year results (ending March 31, 2010), with ¥192 billion ($2.07 billion) in revenue, up an impressive 42 percent from last year -- especially in this global economy. Profit was up over 50 percent, adding ¥9.5 billion ($102.7 million) to the guild bank. The top-selling games during the fiscal year were Final Fantasy XIII, Dragon Quest IX and The Batman's adventure in Arkham Asylum.

Naturally, the company's games division brought in the big bucks with ¥109.9 billion ($1.18 billion) in sales, up 128 percent. Surprisingly, the mobile phone division, despite having high-profile games, including Final Fantasy I & II, saw revenues drop seven percent to ¥10.1 billion ($110 million), but operating income was up by eight percent to ¥4.6 billion ($49.7 million).

Squeenix expects to have sales drop 17 percent this fiscal year to ¥160 billion ($1.73 billion), but profits to increase to ¥12 billion ($130 million).

Square Enix announces FY2009 results, revenue up 42% originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 18 May 2010 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Kane & Lynch comics to terrorize newsstands this August

David Hinkle — Thu, 13 May 2010 17:00:00 EST

Are the Kane & Lynch video games simply not enough to satiate your homicidal duo needs? Then draw pleasure in a new partnership between IO Interactive and DC Comics, which will spawn a limited comic run telling the origin stories of this reluctant duo produced by DC Wildstorm.

The series will be written by Ian Edginton, who has been in the biz for over two decades, working on comics for Marvel, Dark Horse, Heavy Metal, Top Cow and, of course, DC. Chris Mitten will handle illustration duties, while Ben Templesmith will do the covers.

The first issue releases this August, just in time for the game's August 24 launch. Why, isn't that quite the coincidence?

Kane & Lynch comics to terrorize newsstands this August originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 May 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Kane & Lynch movie poster seen at Cannes

JC Fletcher — Tue, 11 May 2010 15:30:00 EST

The Kane & Lynch movie project appears to be moving smoothly -- it's to the "poster" stage already. Proving beyond a doubt that the casting is a "done deal"(as tweeted by writer Kyle Ward), Empire spotted a Kane & Lynch movie poster with billing for both Bruce Willis and Jamie Foxx at the Cannes Film Festival. This poster covers the entrance to the Majestic Hotel, making it look a bit more like the Tacky Hotel.

According to Empire, the poster gives the film a 2011 date, but we don't see it. Perhaps it's behind that inconsiderately placed luggage cart.

[Via Collider; thanks, Gimpygoat!]

Kane & Lynch movie poster seen at Cannes originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 11 May 2010 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Square Enix 'Extreme Edges' is new label for publisher's violent games in Japan

JC Fletcher — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 11:30:00 EST

As Square Enix continues to expand globablly, it's starting to publish titles in Japan that aren't traditionally "Square Enix," like Modern Warfare 2 and games from its newly acquired Eidos subsidiary. According to Famitsu (via Andriasang), president Yoichi Wada has announced a new box label to be used by the publisher that will differentiate its "mature" Western games from its usual slate of more innocent fantasy products: "Square Enix Extreme Edges." Wait -- didn't Wada say he wanted Japanese gamers not to discriminate against Western games?

The "Extreme Edges" label will be used for Western-made games bearing CERO "D" (17+) or "Z" (18+) ratings, though Square Enix has yet to publish any CERO Z titles. The Z rating is legally age-restricted, and games bearing it are often not displayed in stores. Square Enix, however, will release Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days in Japan on August 26; a game that at least seems "edgy" and "extreme" enough for the new label and probably worthy of the CERO Z rating, as well.

Square Enix 'Extreme Edges' is new label for publisher's violent games in Japan originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 27 Apr 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Second Just Cause 2 DLC pack coming May 25 [update]

Mike Schramm — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 05:28:00 EST

The Just Cause 2 website has official news on the game's first two DLC packs. We'd already heard about the April 29 "Black Market Aerial Pack" (which will give you a new Jet Fighter to play with, along with a parachute addon to create a little more breeze), but less than a month later, ~~May 29~~ [update: May 25] will bring the "Black Market Boom Pack," with a Quad Rocket Launcher, Cluster Bomb Launcher, and an Air Propulsion Gun, which fires jet blasts powerful enough to send both soldiers and vehicles flying. You don't really get bonus points for saying, "This... is my boom pack," after sending said enemies into the air, but we'll pretend that you do.

Both packs will be $1.99 on PSN, or 160 ($2) from the Xbox Live Marketplace. Also on the official Just Cause 2 blog: you'll find YouTube videos of the game being played back at both slow- and fast-speed, showing off slow motion and time-lapse views of the impressive in-game world. We've put both of them after the break in case you want to give them a look.

Continue reading Second Just Cause 2 DLC pack coming May 25 [update]

Second Just Cause 2 DLC pack coming May 25 [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 27 Apr 2010 05:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Hands-on: Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days (single player)

Andrew Yoon — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 21:30:00 EST

There were a number of interesting features -- complex characters, a dark, mature story that explored the seedy lives of criminals -- in IO Interactive's original Kane & Lynch, provided you could look past the broken gameplay and the subsequent review scandal. While the franchise's name may be forever tarnished, that hasn't stopped IO from developing a sequel, one that expands upon the best aspects of the original. But does Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days fix the gameplay inherited from its predecessor? Sort of.

As our previous impressions indicated, there's much to like about the game's presentation. Like Dead Men before it, Kane & Lynch is certainly not short on style. The "digital camera" effect makes this shooter look unlike any other game I've seen, offering the illusion of reality. Upon closer inspection, you can see the graphics tech is far from cutting-edge, but the clever filters and camera techniques make Dog Days feel far more authentic than the photo-realistic approach most other games attempt.

Gallery: Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days - Preview (4/23/10)

Continue reading Hands-on: Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days (single player)

Hands-on: Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days (single player) originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 23 Apr 2010 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Just Cause 2 and BioShock 2 getting DLC April 29

Griffin McElroy — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 15:00:00 EST

The latest Xbox Live Newsbeat update included release dates for two pieces of downloadable content that we didn't even know existed. We typically don't care for surprises, but we're willing to make an exception if it means we get more maps for the multiplayer component of BioShock 2 and more things to explode in Just Cause 2.

On April 29, six new multiplayer maps will be added to BioShock 2 as part of the "Rapture Metro Map Pack." For 800 ($10), players get the new arenas, three new masks, a "Kill 'Em Kindly" Melee deathmatch mode, and three new Achievements. Just Cause 2 will receive the "Black Market Aerial Pack," a 160 ($2) booster which adds the chaingun-toting F-33 DragonFly Jet Fighter, a multi-lock missile launcher and a parachute thruster which extends your airtime whilst leisurely sailing across the Panauan landscape. How... unexpextedly soothing!

Just Cause 2 and BioShock 2 getting DLC April 29 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 20 Apr 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Just Cause 2 gets free 'pimped-up' ice cream truck DLC

Griffin McElroy — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 16:00:00 EST

Since it's universally accepted that Just Cause 2 is completely butt-crazy-gonzo, we weren't really surprised by today's release of a free, downloadable, "pimped-up" (according to the Xbox Live listing) ice cream truck for all platforms of the game. The "Chevalier Ice Breaker" features ultra low suspension (for those hairpin mountainous curves), front-mounted bull bars (for the ramming of things) and, presumably, more ice cream sandwiches than you could shake a Popsicle stick at.

Xbox.com: Add Chevalier Ice Breaker to your Xbox 360 download queue

Also available via PlayStation Store later today and for PC.

Just Cause 2 gets free 'pimped-up' ice cream truck DLC originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 08 Apr 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Extended Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days trailer welcomes you to Shanghai (again)

David Hinkle — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 22:00:00 EST

Usually, an extended edition features a lot of the stuff that had to be left on the cutting room floor. In the case of this Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days trailer, however, it means "the extra violent stuff we couldn't show the first time around." Seriously, don't hit that play button unless you want to watch two cops unload on a guy that's laying on the ground, practically defenseless -- save for his ability to fire off grunts and groans with every piercing bullet, that is.

Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days wreaks havoc on the Xbox 360, PS3 and PC on August 24.

Extended Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days trailer welcomes you to Shanghai (again) originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 07 Apr 2010 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days trailer welcomes you to Shanghai

Christopher Grant — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 21:00:00 EST

Watch as the always unlikable duo of Kane and Lynch (that's Bruce Willis and Jamie Foxx to you People magazine types) get reunited on the streets of Shanghai and, before catching up over a couple cold ones, find themselves caught up in a shootout and chasing a naked person through the streets. This is just how these guys get acquainted after "a while" apart! Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days welcomes you to Shanghai on August 24.

Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days trailer welcomes you to Shanghai originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 19 Mar 2010 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Deus Ex: Human Revolution trailer makes the rounds

Christopher Grant — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 02:16:00 EST

And just like that, hours after its debut at the Game Developers Choice Awards, we've got the Deus Ex: Human Revolution trailer for you to enjoy after the break. There's not a lot to see so, instead, let's talk about what we hear. Is that Christian Bale or just a Batman soundalike?

Continue reading Deus Ex: Human Revolution trailer makes the rounds

Deus Ex: Human Revolution trailer makes the rounds originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 12 Mar 2010 02:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Reminder: Just Cause 2 demo grapples XBLM

Richard Mitchell — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 15:45:00 EST

As promised, the Just Cause 2 demo is now available on Xbox Live Marketplace. While this post was written as a reminder of that fact, the game itself also serves as a reminder. You see, it reminds just how incredibly handy grappling hooks are. Watching the various trailers released for the game thus far, it's kind of hard to imagine starting a revolution without one. Just remember to bring your parachute.

Shortcut: Add the Just Cause 2 demo to your Xbox 360 download queue [Via Xbox.com]

Reminder: Just Cause 2 demo grapples XBLM originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 04 Mar 2010 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light to be an 'original digital experience'

Ludwig Kietzmann — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 07:51:00 EST

Crystal Dynamics has announced its first new game since the completion and launch of 2008's Tomb Raider: Underworld. Set to debut in 2010, Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light will see the roadworthy leading lady come to undisclosed platforms -- via download.

It wouldn't be the first time the posh pot-smasher and exotic animal extinguisher stars in a downloadable format, as Tomb Raider: Anniversary was digitally distributed in the form of Tomb Raider: Legend DLC on Xbox 360 before getting a regular retail spot. Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light, however, is a standalone title that Crystal Dynamics GM Darrell Gallagher hopes will defy expectations.

"This is a really exciting project for Crystal Dynamics, we have created something completely new and very different to what people might be expecting," he said. "Lara Croft is such an iconic character in videogames, with Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light we have created what we believe is a truly original digital experience."

We expect to catch our first glimpse of the game at next week's Game Developers Conference in San Francisco, along with an indication on what else Crystal Dynamics has in store. Since the studio is staffed for two projects, we can't imagine this being the only Tomb Raider game in the works. The other one might even have "Tomb Raider" in the title.

Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light to be an 'original digital experience' originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 04 Mar 2010 07:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Just Cause 2 demo drops in March 4

David Hinkle — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 11:21:00 EST

Just as promised, operative, you'll soon get your chance to bone up on your rocket car skills before entering the field, as the Just Cause 2 demo has been set for release next Thursday, March 4. The demo will arrive on Xbox Live, PSN and Steam and will grant access to 35 square miles of the Lautan Lama Desert -- one of the islands making up the game's promised 400 sq. miles of explorable Panau archipelago. So oil up that grappling gun and get your best black ops duds off to the dry cleaners. We want Rico looking mucho suavé out there!

Just Cause 2 is set to dive into retail on March 23 for the Xbox 360, PS3 and Games for Windows platforms.

Just Cause 2 demo drops in March 4 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 26 Feb 2010 11:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Just Cause 2 plays chicken in second 'Anatomy of a Stunt' trailer

Ben Gilbert — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 18:30:00 EST

If Just Cause 2's previous trailers have taught us anything, it's that the second game in Eidos' "do crazy sh##" series will absolutely relish in the lengths to which it enables you to live out its mission statement.

As evidenced once more in the second "Anatomy of a Stunt" trailer, wherein the game's main character mounts a speeding fire engine and takes on an aircraft, the game certainly seems to be jam-packed with the kind of insanity we like from our games (ask Red Faction Guerrilla!). Just wait until the trailers introduce a shark into that equation -- and the shark's on fire! But hey, you gotta save something for March 23 when the game comes out, right?

Gallery: Just Cause 2

Just Cause 2 plays chicken in second 'Anatomy of a Stunt' trailer originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 23 Feb 2010 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

New Just Cause 2 trailers dissect the 'Anatomy of a Stunt'

Griffin McElroy — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 13:30:00 EST

We love that Just Cause 2's trailers have simply devolved into demo reels showing off the ridiculous destructive powers the player can harness using a hookshot, a parachute and a bit of ingenuity. Two such videos were recently released by Square Enix, subtitled "Anatomy of a Stunt." The first, which shows a rather exhilarating car jump over explosive-lined jet fuel tanks, is posted above. The second, embedded after the jump, shows all the clever ways one can dispatch enemies using gravity.

Sorry, Square Enix marketing team, but we're not comfortable classifying "murder" as a "stunt," no matter how creative said "murder" might be.

Continue reading New Just Cause 2 trailers dissect the 'Anatomy of a Stunt'

New Just Cause 2 trailers dissect the 'Anatomy of a Stunt' originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 20 Feb 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Square Enix explains The Last Remnant's technical shortcomings

Andrew Yoon — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 23:15:00 EST

The Last Remnant represented a major experiment for Square Enix. Not only was it one of the company's first Xbox 360 games, it utilized the Unreal Engine, a first for the Japanese publisher. Unfortunately, the experiment wasn't quite successful, with critics calling it "a technical mess." Thankfully, the company isn't simply ignoring its mistakes, with Square Enix's new chief technology officer explaining how the misuse of the Unreal Engine led to such disappointing results. "One of the traps with middleware (like Unreal) is that some game teams believe that, because they got this middleware, maybe they need less programmers on their team, or maybe they don't need that many skilled programmers," Julien Merceron told Gamasutra.

By relying too much on middleware, teams face precarious situations when issues arise that can't be solved internally. "You don't have anyone that is able to solve the problem on your team," Merceron explained. In the case of The Last Remnant, the "problem" happened to be a wildly inconsistent framerate.

Merceron isn't advising against using middleware, noting "it won't be possible anymore to work without middleware because of time, talent, and cost reasons." Hopefully, under the new guidance of Merceron, Square Enix won't repeat the same mistakes it made with The Last Remnant.

Square Enix explains The Last Remnant's technical shortcomings originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 17 Feb 2010 23:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Just Cause 2 demo falling from the sky any day now

Ben Gilbert — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 17:29:00 EST

In the land of Twitter, Just Cause 2 developer Eidos is a fairly new entrant. Having just, 10(ish) hours ago, joined up via Square Enix Europe community manager Keir Edmonds, the company account has already dropped one bombshell: a Just Cause 2 demo is "on its way." Though the account merely alludes to "details to follow," we'd be downright surprised if the demo hit any later than the game's March 23 release date.

Just to make sure Eidos didn't want to say anything else, we've reached out for more information and we'll update this post if we hear anything else.

Gallery: Just Cause 2

[Via CVG]

Just Cause 2 demo falling from the sky any day now originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 04 Feb 2010 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Cursed Mountain dev Deep Silver Vienna shuttered

Ben Gilbert — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 17:30:00 EST

As confirmed by parent company Koch Media to Develop, Cursed Mountain developer Deep Silver Vienna has apparently been closed. Citing "the overall economic situation" and noting "this decision is not easy for us," the 20-person staff was recently cut and told they would receive pay through the end of March. Develop posits that the studio's other game -- Ride to Hell -- will likely remain unaffected by the shutdown, as UK dev house Eutechnyx is handling development and Koch Media's Munich offices will oversee the game's management.

Deep Silver Vienna was formed in the wake of Rockstar Vienna's closing back in 2006, and originally called itself Games That Matter. Ex-Rockstar Vienna heads Hannes Seifert and Niki Laber launched the studio, and it is said that Siefert has moved on to a position at Square Enix Europe as a creative director. As with every case like this, we'd like to wish those affected the best of luck.

Cursed Mountain dev Deep Silver Vienna shuttered originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 31 Jan 2010 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Just Cause 2's interactive trailer lets you choose your own adventure

Griffin McElroy — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 21:45:00 EST

Just Cause 2 has had its fair share of titillating promotional materials over the past few months, but the latest piece of marketing for the game -- an interactive trailer -- really goes for broke. It's basically showing off the various options you have when faced with a tricky hostage scenario. Hijack a fighter jet? Storm the area in a Humvee? Ride your parachute in, sneaky-creepy style? All are possible in the trailer, which we've posted after the jump.

However, the trailer's not nearly as sandbox-esque as we expect the game to be. What if, instead of infiltrating the enemy base, we just tethered two fighter jets together using our grappling hook, and then flew around clotheslining unlucky sentries? Yeah, that's a pretty specifically-tailored plan of action, but we're pretty sure that's all we're going to do once we get our hands on the game. Eidos, we expect a revised version of the trailer on our desks by tomorrow morning.

Continue reading Just Cause 2's interactive trailer lets you choose your own adventure

Just Cause 2's interactive trailer lets you choose your own adventure originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 15 Jan 2010 21:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Eidos not involved in Batman sequel, Arkham Asylum has 'almost run its course'

Alexander Sliwinski — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 11:30:00 EST

Noting that publisher Eidos' name was missing from the Batman: Arkham Asylum sequel's teaser trailer, we contacted Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment yesterday to ask if Eidos (Square Enix Europe) was involved with the game. A company representative informed Joystiq, "WBIE is publishing. Eidos is not involved. We are not disclosing any additional information at this time." In addition, our request to learn the sequel's actual name was not granted.

Meanwhile, in an interview with PC Zone magazine (via CVG), Rocksteady Senior Gameplay Programmer Paul Denning stated that the Arkham Asylum angle for Batman has "almost run its course." He elaborated, "Gotham itself is a fantastically realized fictional city and there are so many places that would be probably be ideal for gameplay and great to explore." But don't expect Grand Theft Gotham just yet, as Denning notes that "you have to be so careful when you take that route." Especially because of all the carjackings.

Eidos not involved in Batman sequel, Arkham Asylum has 'almost run its course' originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 Dec 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days officially announced for 2010

Alexander Sliwinski — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:15:00 EST

Square Enix Europe has officially announced Kane and Lynch 2: Dog Days, confirming that the trademark application from July and the recent viral video portended the return of the notorious duo -- well, "notorious" for all the wrong reasons. The action vets at IO Interactive claim to have infused Dog Days with "a new visual experience ... inspired by documentary filmmakers and the user-generated era."

We've placed the two K&L2 viral videos after the break. The game will release in 2010 under the Eidos brand for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC.

Continue reading Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days officially announced for 2010

Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days officially announced for 2010 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Goodbye Eidos, hello Square Enix Europe

Alexander Sliwinski — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:20:00 EST

Eidos is now merely a memory, much like Midway, Brash and Atari ... what do you mean Atari is still around!? Anyway, Square Enix announced today that the Eidos reorganization is complete and the company has been reborn as Square Enix Europe, which we still haven't come up with a clever nickname for: Le SquEnix? Der Europa Enix? SEEurope? Eh, still working on it.

SEE will ~~oversaw~~ watch over development studios Crystal Dynamics, IO Interactive, among others, but the company brand will show up on the box as either Square Enix, Eidos or Taito. Bon Voyage, Eidos (the company), may you find peace in the afterlife. Now, can we talk about how positive you all are that Atari still exists?

Update: Noted the brand "Eidos" still exists, even if the company doesn't.

Source: Square Enix Europe press release [PDF link]

Goodbye Eidos, hello Square Enix Europe originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Eidos dissolved into 'Square Enix Europe,' layoffs likely

James Ransom-Wiley — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 15:00:00 EST

It's a brand! Square Enix today welcomed (tentatively named) Square Enix Europe into the world; an "efficient and powerful" newborn division that looks just like Eidos' worldwide studios combined with various European sales and marketing personnel from existing Square Enix and Eidos lineages. Current Eidos CEO Phil Rogers has been selected to raise the baby branch, which replaces Eidos as a publishing label, though the Eidos brand will live on through its studios' credits. Additionally, Eidos' North American marketing, sales and distribution operations have been delegated to the territory's Square Enix office, which is led by John Yamamoto.

Of course, the icky part of Edios' arranged marriage to Square Enix and the subsequent birth of Square Enix Europe is the anticipation of an unknown number of layoffs. "Unfortunately we are expecting some jobs to be impacted directly by this in both Europe and North America," an Eidos spokesperson confirmed. "We are hoping to minimize this wherever possible and offer support and advice to any employees directly affected."

Eidos dissolved into 'Square Enix Europe,' layoffs likely originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 07 Jul 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments