Joystiq

SSX drops to $40, free update adds two new game modes

Alexander Sliwinski — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 23:59:00 EST

EA Sports wants you in a game of SSX, adding two new modes and dropping the price. The free update adds "3-2-1-Go!" and "Freeride" events. 3-2-1-Go! involves race and trick scenarios, with the former won by getting down the mountain fastest and the latter involving high score.

Freeride is a single-player mode that allows players to explore at their own pace (finally!). No clocks, score, riders or rules.

For those who haven't hit the slopes yet, best of all, the game is now $40 at retail. Which is not a bad deal given GameStop's used charge ($10 online pass is extra).

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SSX drops to $40, free update adds two new game modes originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 07 Aug 2012 23:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Amazon Gold Box discounts games all day, starting with SSX

JC Fletcher — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 10:30:00 EST

It's time for another all-day Gold Box for games on Amazon, during which the retailer will attempt to shake out any money you didn't blow over at Steam. The sale is headed by an all-day 50 percent discount on Brave games, but also offers limited-time deals on things that aren't necessarily based on Disney films.

Things like SSX, for example, which is on sale right now for $35. Find more after the break.

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Amazon Gold Box discounts games all day, starting with SSX originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 24 Jul 2012 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Syndicate reboot 'didn't pay off' for EA; SSX reboot 'very successful'

David Hinkle — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 15:45:00 EST

Clearly a positive review on Joystiq isn't the sales driver we thought it was. Despite having a good time with it ourselves, it would seem EA's Syndicate reboot was not the commercial success the company had hoped for. So says EA Labels president Frank Gibeau.

"Syndicate was something that we took a risk on. It didn't pay off - it didn't work," Gibeau told CVG. "But in general it doesn't change my appetite for wanting to go look in the library and see what we have and maybe bring back some IPs for the next-generation. That's the nature of the business; some stuff works, some stuff doesn't."

EA's other big reboot this year, SSX, apparently fared a bit better. Gibeau called this year's revival "a very successful launch for us," and lauded the game's "online innovation" as a catalyst for bringing the series back. "It's done well and you'll probably see more in the future," Gibeau concluded.

Syndicate reboot 'didn't pay off' for EA; SSX reboot 'very successful' originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 14 Jun 2012 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SSX dares you to continue defying reality with latest DLC vid

Ben Gilbert — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 16:30:00 EST

SSX's Zoe doesn't care that you're comfy with reality - she's got a bone to pick with physics in general, actually. And she's taking that bone to the slopes, as evidenced in the latest DLC trailer for this year's SSX. The DLC arrives next week on May 1.

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SSX dares you to continue defying reality with latest DLC vid originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 24 Apr 2012 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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'Tricky inspired' SSX DLC glides in May 1

JC Fletcher — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 20:00:00 EST

New DLC for SSX will have you nostalgic for the mountains you used to fall off of back in the day. Due May 1, the "Mt. Eddie & Classic Characters Bundle Pack" includes a new "ultra-long" course inspired by 2001's SSX Tricky, "filled with huge kickers, ridiculous grinds, a Big Air drop, fireworks, and a whole lot more - the classic SSX experience!"

Further cementing the nostalgic feel for the game that came out - oh, god, eleven years ago - the bundle includes seven characters from SSX Tricky and SSX 3. All of the content will also be sold separately, for those of you with selective memories.

[Thanks, emirarkman!]

'Tricky inspired' SSX DLC glides in May 1 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 16 Apr 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SSX begins UK race atop Mt. Retail

Alexander Sliwinski — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 08:30:00 EST

SSX returns after an extended hiatus and goes straight up the leaderboards to take the first place finish in its debut week. According to Chart-Track, there hasn't been a new SSX installment in about five year and the latest is the first time the franchise has every premiered in the top spot. The closest it ever got before was SSX 3 back in 2003, and even then it had half the sales.

EA also holds the second place spot with FIFA 12, as the prior week's Vita launch titles begin sliding down the charts. Mario Party 9 debuted in third, but due to not being stocked by retailer Game over the company's current financial condition, it would have likely done better. Check out the UK top ten after the break.

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SSX begins UK race atop Mt. Retail originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 05 Mar 2012 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SSX review: The odd couple

Ben Gilbert — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 17:30:00 EST

Much like one of my favorite games of 2011, Saints Row: The Third, the franchise reboot of SSX kicks off with a leap out of an airplane. And as in Saints Row, the section of Twilight Zone-esque endless sky serves as a tutorial to a variety of gameplay mechanics. When complete, you deploy a damn wingsuit and fly off, presumably to do something else equally awesome.

Soon after, you're quickly mastering one of three control variants (or all three), before jumping directly in to the world of mountains and snow and, uh, wingsuits (did I mention there are wingsuits?). I was doing 1080 Switch Tailgrabs in under five minutes!

But before I go on, let me first take you back to SSX's original name -- SSX: Deadly Descents. Aside from sounding like a brand of violent deodorant, that subtitle is a nod to the nine major mountain ranges featured in SSX, each with its own "Deadly Descent" (essentially a boss battle, but, ya know, on a snowboard). They are supposed to punctuate a particular gameplay hook for each range of mountains. And they almost ruin the game.

Gallery: SSX (2/28/12)

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SSX review: The odd couple originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 28 Feb 2012 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Glide on a mountain breeze in SSX's wingsuit races

JC Fletcher — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 21:45:00 EST

If you were a real snowboarder sliding down a mountain, and you hit a jump and started gliding in a wingsuit like you can in SSX ... dude, you'd get so many high fives that day from all the other intensive care patients.

Glide on a mountain breeze in SSX's wingsuit races originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 23 Feb 2012 21:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SSX demo available now on Xbox 360, later today on PS3

Alexander Sliwinski — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 09:30:00 EST

It's time to return to SSX's pixel peaks and commit death-defying stunts from the comfort of your couch (hot cocoa optional). The demo for EA's SSX reboot is available now on Xbox 360, featuring classic SSX character Zoe Payne in "Race it" and "Trick it" events.

The demo also features some online functionality, allowing players to upload ghosts of their best runs in the "Explore mode." It's also possible to unlock Mac Fraser (pictured) by sending the demo to a friend.

PS3 owners itching to hit the slopes can join as soon as the PSN updates later today. The full tricky experience will be available February 28 in North America.

SSX demo available now on Xbox 360, later today on PS3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 21 Feb 2012 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SSX demo descends on Xbox 360 and PS3 next week

David Hinkle — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 17:00:00 EST

If you're anxious to carve powder in EA's SSX reboot, you'll get a chance next week. Creative director Todd Batty revealed the news in the latest episode of the SSX Ubercast, a bi-weekly podcast centering on, well, you know.

The demo will launch on Xbox 360 worldwide and PS3 in North America on February 21; the PS3 demo will be available a day later in the rest of the world. It will feature one playable character, Zoe -- Mac is unlockable through a referral system that EA has yet to reveal -- and two tutorials, plus two events and skydiving.

[Thanks, Jack.] Update: Added more detail via @kfatyas. Thanks!

SSX demo descends on Xbox 360 and PS3 next week originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 17 Feb 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SSX soundtrack surprisingly doesn't feature The Avalanches

Jordan Mallory — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:30:00 EST

True, SSX's soundtrack may not include any songs by The Avalanches, an appropriately named and incredibly talented Australian breakbeat group, but it does include 36 licensed tracks and 10 original songs produced specifically for the title by Amon Tobin, Camo & Krooked, Raffertie, and The Qemists.

There's a complete list of artists featured in the game after the break, but let us save you some time by telling you that yes, it does include Skrillex. Not only is it Skrillex, but it's our favorite song from his first EP: "Scatta," which features sick verses by Foreign Beggars and a drop so heavy that it may cause a few avalanches of its own. A new version of Run-DMC's "It's Tricky" also returns for old time's sake, remixed by soundtrack compatriots Pretty Lights, as well as cuts from DJ Shadow and a Lateef the Truthspeaker joint featuring Hiero-hero Del the Funky Homosapien.

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SSX soundtrack surprisingly doesn't feature The Avalanches originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SSX online pass doesn't lock out multiplayer

Alexander Sliwinski — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 13:00:00 EST

The online pass for SSX will not lock players out of multiplayer competition. Instead, it is used to lock players out of obtaining in-game credits used to unlock content.

EA tells Game Informer that players without the online pass will be able to compete and play in both of SSX's online game modes, "Explore" and "Global Events," but that credits awarded to those without the online pass in Global Events will be inaccessible and banked until they pony up the $10 for the pass.

EA concludes, "Economy balance makes it possible to unlock all available content and allows you to participate in all event drops across both Explore and Global Events, with credits earned solely in Explore."

Gallery: SSX (2012) (9/30/11)

SSX online pass doesn't lock out multiplayer originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 31 Jan 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SSX to feature online pass

Richard Mitchell — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 11:00:00 EST

In today's least surprising headline, it appears that the upcoming SSX will use an online pass. In an SSX video posted by Giant Bomb, an option to acquire an online pass can be seen clearly in one of the game's menus (pictured above). ~~It's not clear exactly which features the pass will unlock.~~

Again, though, it's hardly shocking, given EA's commitment to the concept. Last week, Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning was also confirmed to have an online pass.

Update: The online pass is tied to in-game credits.

SSX to feature online pass originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 30 Jan 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Do a spin kick with classic SSX character Zoe Payne

Ben Gilbert — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 21:00:00 EST

When she's not busy shredding the slopes and jumping out of planes, SSX veteran Zoe Payne is doing spin kicks and ... probably hanging out at Hot Topic or something?

Do a spin kick with classic SSX character Zoe Payne originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 17 Jan 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SSX to change your working definition of 'tagging'

Ben Gilbert — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 11:20:00 EST

Forget about all that Facebook nonsense. SSX is trying to redefine the way you use the word "tagging" between friends with its geotagging feature, which allows you to set hard-to-reach points as challenges for other folks. That's way better than a photo gallery feature if you ask us.

SSX to change your working definition of 'tagging' originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 13 Jan 2012 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pro snowboarder Travis Rice leaves Wyoming for the slopes of SSX

Ben Gilbert — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 09:00:00 EST

Being the first non-fictional dude in an SSX game is an honor, we imagine, and Wyoming native Travis Rice is the first gentleman to become just that. Above, he describes how he mentally prepares for taking to the real-life slopes, all set to a delightful dubstep wubwub.

Pro snowboarder Travis Rice leaves Wyoming for the slopes of SSX originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 09 Jan 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EA unable to gain rights to SSX.com

Jordan Mallory — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 14:15:00 EST

EA, in an attempt to gain ownership of SSX.com ahead of the series' February relaunch, challenged Abstract Holdings International LTD's claim on the address, saying that the URL was registered in "bad faith." A panel at The National Arbitration Forum, however, has determined that EA's argument was insufficient.

"The EA allegations of bad faith in part are based upon the lack of due diligence conducted by retailers of domain names like Respondent," the Forum determined. "EA would seem to require that entities like Respondent conduct an international search for relatively obscure trademarks in order to determine whether a name is a registered mark. The Panel is not willing to go so far."

In this case, EA's claim of "bad faith" hinged on the fact that SSX.com briefly contained video game-related advertisements. Since these advertisements are now gone, there's nothing inherently malicious or misleading about the site, negating EA's ability to claim any misuse. For now, SSX.com remains the property of Abstract Holdings, although we imagine several zeroes and a few commas written on EA letterhead would change their minds.

EA unable to gain rights to SSX.com originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 06 Jan 2012 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SSX gameplay gets tricky in latest trailer

Ben Gilbert — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 08:45:00 EST

We're told that it's ... somewhat difficult to put together a rhyme that's within a reasonable frame of time. What's even harder? Pulling off the humanly impossible moves featured in the latest trailer for next year's SSX reboot.

SSX gameplay gets tricky in latest trailer originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 25 Dec 2011 08:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SSX takes path less traveled, delayed two weeks

Alexander Sliwinski — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 15:49:00 EST

EA broke our hearts today, delaying SSX, most recently intended as a Valentine's Day gift, by a couple extra weeks. SSX Creative Director Todd Batty notes the team decided to take the time to give the game a "final bit of polish." It will cruise in on February 28 and March 2 in North America and "the rest of the world," respectively.

"Over the course of more than 10 years of making games I have not worked on a single project where our team did not wish, coming down the home stretch, that we could have just a bit more time," wrote Batty on the game's official site. "There is a reason why Tricky and SSX3 are still among the highest rated games of all time, and it is because even playing them today they still stand the test of time. Our goal from Day 1 was to re-launch this amazing franchise with a new SSX game that could live up to that legacy."

This is the second delay for the game, adding an extra month of time on the ride up the mountain. On the sunny side, now we can all focus our attention on our significant others on V-Day.

Gallery: SSX (2012) (9/30/11)

SSX takes path less traveled, delayed two weeks originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 21 Dec 2011 15:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EA gets tricky with latest SSX trailer

Richard Mitchell — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 14:15:00 EST

Remember SSX Tricky? Electronic Arts sure hopes you do. Presumably, it also hopes you don't mind having your nostalgia hijacked by a nearly unrecognizable remix of the game's title track, Run-D.M.C.'s classic, "It's Tricky."

EA gets tricky with latest SSX trailer originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 18 Nov 2011 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SSX comes shredding in a few weeks late on February 14, 2012

Ben Gilbert — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 16:30:00 EST

Despite carving out a January 2012 launch window for itself earlier this year, it seems that SSX won't be making its way down from the peak (of ... uh ... development? or something?) until February 14, 2012. EA's official SSX site unceremoniously unveiled the release date on its front splash page, floating mysteriously above a snowy backdrop.

Before the game's arrival on Valentine's Day, might we suggest practicing your transitional snowboarding slash wingsuit skills? You'll never know when a deadly descent (or descents, of course) will suddenly appear, ya know?

SSX comes shredding in a few weeks late on February 14, 2012 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 21 Oct 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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From the slopes to the air with SSX's wingsuits

Mike Schramm — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 13:30:00 EST

Back when the latest SSX was first introduced, players worried that this supposedly "grim, darker" take on the franchise would lose the goofy, colorful elements that made the series so popular. Most of those elements (the over-the-top tricks, the larger-than-life settings, and the extravagantly ramped and rail-equipped levels) have survived just fine according to what we've seen so far, but art director Geoff Coates does say that some of the fun had to go.

"If you look at the character design [in previous versions]," he says, "it's characters that are wearing t-shirts and jeans, and dresses or whatever, and they're being thrown out on these mountains." So it's fair to say that we won't see jean shorts or bikinis on SSX's latest class. "The character design now is taking the characters, retaining their personality, but still giving them that survival aspect. You'll see they have backpacks, they have gear that's a little more appropriate."

"And the wingsuits," Coates continues, "are part of that." Yes, the wingsuits. Oh my, the wingsuits.

Gallery: SSX (2012) (9/30/11)

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From the slopes to the air with SSX's wingsuits originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 30 Sep 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SSX trailer brings Zoe back to the snow-y

Mike Schramm — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 11:30:00 EST

This motion-comic-style trailer for EA's SSX tells the story of Zoe Payne and her transition from motocross racing back into the dangerous and snowy world of SSX. Apparently she believes it's easier to "defy reality" and "own the planet" from a snowboard than a bike. Makes ... sense?

SSX trailer brings Zoe back to the snow-y originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 27 Aug 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New SSX trailer shows off social features, Ridernet competition

Mike Schramm — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 07:00:00 EST

The latest trailer out of Gamescom for EA's upcoming SSX shows off a little bit of that social functionality we just heard about. After a quick walk around the world and the previously revealed NASA terrain data (that was eventually turned into the game's maps), we get to see an example of how Ridernet will work. You can pull in a friend's (or, presumably, a stranger's) ghost run, then race it down a mountain anywhere in the game's world.

You can also see a quick glimpse of the online gameplay, with "up to 100,000 players" competing all at once around the globe. Not on the same map, we hope -- that would probably get a little crowded. There's a few screenshots of all of this functionality (and a sassy-looking updated Elise) in the gallery below.

Gallery: SSX (Gamescom 2011)

New SSX trailer shows off social features, Ridernet competition originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 19 Aug 2011 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SSX to feature 100,000 player events, pre-order bonuses announced

Richard Mitchell — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 11:30:00 EST

Speaking on stage at EA's Gamescom press event, SSX creative director Todd Batty announced several new features for the upcoming xtreme sports title. The game looks to be heavily influenced by EA recent racing titles, with Batty noting that every time a player records a personal best on a particular event, a ghost of the run will be uploaded for their friends to compete against.

Players will also be able to set up customized events. These events can be global, with Batty stating that up to 100,000 players will be able to compete simultaneously in real time. SSX will also feature an Autolog-like service called Ridernet. Powered by the same engine as Autolog, Ridernet will allow players to "like" certain drops and will recommend new drops for the player to try. The service also keeps track of friends, allowing players to vote them up -- or down if they're just too good.

Finally, EA announced the pre-order bonuses for SSX. GameStop will include a bonus character, Eddie Wachowski (watch out, he's tricky), his elite snowboard and a "bonus boost." Origin, Amazon, Best Buy and Wal-mart will all receive one character's elite snowboard and a bonus boost. See the full list after the break.

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SSX to feature 100,000 player events, pre-order bonuses announced originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 16 Aug 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SSX preview: Peaked interest

Mike Schramm — Sat, 11 Jun 2011 11:00:00 EST

SSX is a series that inspires fond memories in a lot of gamers, but those memories might be older than you think. The last entry in the series, a Wii exclusive called SSX Blur, came out five years ago, and SSX 3, the one-mountain classic, hit stores just two years shy of a decade ago. So EA's new version, with the back-to-basics title SSX, has the task of not only updating the series for the current generation of consoles, but also reminding gamers just what they enjoyed so much about SSX in the first place.

Based on my hands-on demo session at E3, it seems like things are progressing well. There are still quite a few questions about how the game will turn out -- EA showed off just one example of each of the game's three play types, and what we saw was far from a final version. But there's a solid plan for the game, and some interesting choices are already evident.

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SSX preview: Peaked interest originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 11 Jun 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SSX trailer re-introduces Mac to the mountain

Mike Schramm — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 22:00:00 EST

SSX ~~Deadly Descents~~ (sorry, it's just SSX now, we forgot) has a brand new trailer out, and there's a peek at the new version of SSX standby Mac Fraser, who looks ... just as generic as all the previous versions. At least all that powder and those gnarly ramps look fun.

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SSX trailer re-introduces Mac to the mountain originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 03 Jun 2011 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SSX motion comic features Elise Riggs, typo

Alexander Sliwinski — Mon, 30 May 2011 14:15:00 EST

EA's first motion comic to feature characters from the upcoming SSX reboot is all about Elise Riggs ... and a jarring typo at :21. Maybe it's an ARG? Combine the typos to reveal something about the game? Yeah, let's go with that.

Continue reading SSX motion comic features Elise Riggs, typo

SSX motion comic features Elise Riggs, typo originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 30 May 2011 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SSX dev diary brings back some familiar faces

Griffin McElroy — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 17:30:00 EST

Though it sounds like SSX is mixing up the franchise in some fairly bold ways, it won't be throwing out the series' tried and true cast of downhill daredevils. Check out the developer diary after the jump to see how EA Canada is breathing new life into these powder-caked veterans.

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SSX dev diary brings back some familiar faces originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 30 Apr 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SSX dev diary explores the mountain range

Griffin McElroy — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 12:10:00 EST

All the flips, spins, grabs and other gnarly tricks in the world won't do you much good if you don't have anything to trick off of, you know. This latest SSX dev diary looks at EA Canada's level design philosophy, which seems to center around "let's make this half pipe as dangerous as possible."

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SSX dev diary explores the mountain range originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 20 Apr 2011 12:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SSX to descend in January 2012

David Hinkle — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 12:00:00 EST

During EA's Season Opener event yesterday, SSX creative director Todd Batty revealed a launch window for the snowboarding revival: January 2012. The game will be playable at E3 in June, so expect a more detailed evaluation from us at that point.

The presentation was very light on SSX gameplay footage, though we were shown some new mechanics. An overhauled physics system in the game will attempt to eliminate invisible or man-made boundaries, allowing you to trick off rocks and find you own way down through the particular track in question. You'll also be able to employ a wingsuit in mid-air, making it possible to clear large, otherwise unnavigable terrain. Expect some familiar faces to return for this latest entry, too -- you can see the new version of Elise in the gallery below.

During our interview with Batty following his presentation, he explained that dynamic snow particles, imbued with their own physics, could influence spontaneous avalanches throughout descent (now that sounds deadly).

Gallery: SSX (4/13/11)

SSX to descend in January 2012 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 13 Apr 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SSX dev diary finally shows off the tricks of the trade

Griffin McElroy — Sun, 10 Apr 2011 18:00:00 EST

Okay, we've heard a lot about EA Canada's upcoming SSX (née Deadly Descents) -- but somewhat inexplicably, we haven't heard a lot about the sweet tricks therein. Fortunately, that ever-important mortar that holds the franchise together is discussed in great detail in the dev diary posted below.

Continue reading SSX dev diary finally shows off the tricks of the trade

SSX dev diary finally shows off the tricks of the trade originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 10 Apr 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New SSX drops 'Deadly Descents' subtitle

James Ransom-Wiley — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 14:06:00 EST

EA Sports looks to still any bad vibes that have reverberated from negative reaction to the debut teaser for SSX: Deadly Descents by toning down the emphasis on "deadly." The company has officially dropped "Deadly Descents" from the game title, Game Informer confirms, and has begun a marketing campaign that, in part, assures fans that developer EA Canada is not abandoning the series' arcade roots in favor of more realistic gameplay in the reboot.

The cinematic teaser, which portrays a desperate snowboarder skidding down a dark and stormy Himalayan slope -- his last words: "I'm not gonna make it," as he shoots over a cliff side and into the air, deploying his squirrel suit -- seemed to suggest that the new SSX would be "moving away from the bright colors and crazy arcade feel of the early titles in favor of a more realistic tone," as Game Informer observed. "Is this true?" the site asked creative director Todd Batty.

"No, absolutely not," insisted Batty, who described "Deadly Descent" as a "new" event type in the game, "which is all about survival gameplay." SSX will also include "Speed Descent" and "Tricky Descent" events, according to Batty. "We wanted to make sure we hit the over-the-top arcadey gameplay in all of these different gameplay modes. We decided to lead with the new Deadly Descent gameplay in that trailer, but all of the classic SSX style will be there, too."

The image makeover isn't fully complete, however, as the original SSX: Deadly Descents logo and name are still prominent on the EA.com game page (as of publishing); though the new, just SSX logo was used in last week's promotional video and is featured on the game's Facebook page. Of course, as Joystiq commenter "ptcamn" pointed out last week, lost in this little fiasco is the fact that EA tried a very similar, "survive the ride" marketing campaign for 2003's SSX 3 -- skull-face lightning flash and all.

New SSX drops 'Deadly Descents' subtitle originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 07 Apr 2011 14:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The third pillar of SSX: Deadly Descents: 'Survive It'

James Ransom-Wiley — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 20:40:00 EST

Following the ill-advised turn taken in 2009's SSX Blindside, EA Canada looks to sure up the game plan for the snowboarding franchise's latest run, Deadly Descents, by introducing a new aspect to the game design: "survival gameplay." We'll let creative director Todd Batty try to explain this one.

Continue reading The third pillar of SSX: Deadly Descents: 'Survive It'

The third pillar of SSX: Deadly Descents: 'Survive It' originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 01 Apr 2011 20:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EA reveals some dark, dangerous details on SSX: Deadly Descents

Griffin McElroy — Sun, 12 Dec 2010 11:30:00 EST

EA wasted no time in getting up an official website for SSX: Deadly Descents -- or, as the cast of True Blood promptly renamed it during its reveal at last night's calamitous VGAs, Deadly Ascent (backwards snowboarding woooo). The page includes last night's announcement trailer and a few screens (posted in the gallery below), as well as a few intriguing details in the game's description. In short, it sounds like the worlds' first extreme sports/racing/survival horror game.

The site explains "players will explore the story of a team who seek to be the first to descend the faces of the most treacherous mountain ranges on the planet." Players will visit "the peaks of the Himalayas, where the air is so thin that riders have to descend through the death zone at breakneck speeds to keep from blacking out, to the solid ice ranges of Antarctica, where a sunlit line is the only survival option when temperatures drop 50 degrees centigrade in the shade." We wonder if you get bonus points if you finish the race with all your fingers and toes un-frostbitten.

The game won't defy the series' penchant for sweet aerial tricks, as the site explains "the first goal is to survive. The second, in true SSX fashion, is to look good doing it." Seriously, we're going to have a hard time remembering to do the latter while constantly fretting about the former.

Gallery: SSX: Deadly Descents

EA reveals some dark, dangerous details on SSX: Deadly Descents originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 12 Dec 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SSX: Deadly Descents debuts at Spike VGAs

Ben Gilbert — Sat, 11 Dec 2010 21:45:00 EST

What is SSX: Deadly Descents? It's the next SSX game of course, silly! A brief trailer shown at tonight's Spike VGAs shows a distinctly darker, bro-ier snowboarding game than we're used to from the series -- "Nothing is more bone-chilling than reality!" is its tagline, for instance. Some consolation? The game will apparently use real world landscapes. Then again, we're happy as all get out to see anything from SSX.

So, in summary: snowboarding, SSX, EA, bros, real-world environments. We've added the trailer after the break, so head past and see for yourself!

Continue reading SSX: Deadly Descents debuts at Spike VGAs

SSX: Deadly Descents debuts at Spike VGAs originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 11 Dec 2010 21:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumor: New SSX developed by Skate team members

Alexander Sliwinski — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 10:32:00 EST

EA Sports' Peter Moore may consider it an "obscure new title" being teased in a recent VGA trailer, but word in the ski lodge is that it could be hinting at the new SSX game. A Kotaku source tells the site that a new installment in the abandoned snowboarding franchise has been in development at EA Canada by "much of the Skate team." The expectation is that Skate's inspired and innovative use of the right analog stick to perform tricks will transfer into the series.

Whispers and hints of a legitimate SSX title have been echoing through the mountains since last year, with things taking a more substantial turn with the domain registrations of "SSX: Deadly Descent" and "SSX: First Descent." The VGAs will take place this Saturday, December 11, on Spike.

Rumor: New SSX developed by Skate team members originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 08 Dec 2010 10:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SSX 'Descent' sites registered

James Ransom-Wiley — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 14:20:00 EST

With Shaun White now taking it to the streets, perhaps there's an opening on the slope for EA's snowboarding franchise, SSX, to reemerge from hibernation. A mess of newly registered domains points to the possibility of a reboot of the series, which has been sidelined since 2007's pedestrian Wii release, Blur.

Professional domain registration outfit Corporate Domains, Inc. (what a gig!) has locked down URL variations of "SSX: Deadly Descent," plus an "SSX: First Descent" domain -- suggestive of the popular reboot motif: the origin story. While none of this activity is confirmation of a new SSX game, EA has worked through Corporate Domains in the past in advance of public announcements, most recently to secure web real estate for potential Need for Speed names (though Hot Pursuit was ultimately recycled) and The Sims Medieval.

As for SSX, it's been more than a year since EA Montreal's Alain Tascan left open the possibility for a new entry in the series, saying in September 2009, "If the market is there and is ready for a new one, then we'll consider it." Perhaps through Move and Kinect, EA Montreal sees its ready market and an opportunity to build on the motion-controlled framework established in its Blur effort. Of course, fans of the last-generation games might prefer to see the series' original developer, EA Canada, stage the comeback. And what a meta-comeback story it could be! (The studio could use a big win following the NBA Elite 11 fail, after all.)

Still, all this domain fuss could just as easily be over the naming of the SSX iPhone game, which has been -- quietly -- in the works for too long.

SSX 'Descent' sites registered originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 09 Nov 2010 14:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EA done with Boogie franchise for now, SSX revived if market is 'ready'

Xav de Matos — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 13:15:00 EST

In an interview with Gamesindustry.biz, EA Montreal general manager Alain Tascan discussed the possibility of a SSX franchise revival, saying, "If the market is there and is ready for a new one then we'll consider it." While Wii gamers have already hit the slopes with SSX Blur, the closest PS3 and Xbox 360 users have been to the franchise is through shoddy backwards compatibility features.

Tascan also discounted a new installment in the rhythm music franchise, Boogie. According to Tascan, the franchise has been a success for EA and, while the publisher is proud of its work with the series, there are no plans for Boogie to return at this time. Thankfully, the games industry has plenty of music games to spare nowadays.

[Via G4TV]

EA done with Boogie franchise for now, SSX revived if market is 'ready' originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 18 Sep 2009 13:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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