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[XSEED announces rhythm/strategy title 'Orgarhythm' for Vita]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/05/xseed-announces-rhythm-strategy-title-orgarhythm-for-vita/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/05/xseed-announces-rhythm-strategy-title-orgarhythm-for-vita/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/05/xseed-announces-rhythm-strategy-title-orgarhythm-for-vita/#comments Image
Move over Theatrhythm, there's a new absurdly titled and unpronounceable handheld rhythm game in town: Orgarhythm. Developed by Acquire (in association with Neilo) and set to be published in North America by XSEED sometime this year, Orgarhythm is a hybrid rhythm/strategy game for the Vita.

Acting as the God of Light, players do battle against the diametrically named God of Darkness by commanding armies of elementally-themed soldiers. The game's soundtrack, described as "a hypnotic mix of rock, club and tribal music," affects how and when your units attack, with the beat of the music acting as a quantifiable resource to be spent on stronger attacks. The music also dynamically alters itself depending on the circumstances of the battle, adding additional layers of complexity as more troops enter the fray.

As implied by the rather artsy trailer above, commanding your army is handled entirely by the Vita's touchscreen - tapping to select troops, swiping to direct them towards the desired target, etc. Said troops also have a Pokemon-esque relationship with the enemy, due to the fact that every unit is either an Earth, water or fire-type, with all the inferred weaknesses and strengths you'd expect from such a system.

Eventual DLC is mentioned by the press release tucked away after the break, but no specific plans are actually outlined. If you're an aspiring musician, however, take note: XSEED will be looking for independent artists sometime in the near future to bolstier Orgarhythm's aural catalog.

Gallery: Orgarhythm (Announcement)

Continue reading XSEED announces rhythm/strategy title 'Orgarhythm' for Vita

JoystiqXSEED announces rhythm/strategy title 'Orgarhythm' for Vita originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 05 May 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AcquireNeiloOrgarhythmplaystationplaystation-vitaRhythmstrategyvitaXSEEDSat, 05 May 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Anno 2070 dives deep to extract expansion this fall]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/24/anno-2070-dives-deep-to-extract-expansion-this-fall/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/24/anno-2070-dives-deep-to-extract-expansion-this-fall/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/24/anno-2070-dives-deep-to-extract-expansion-this-fall/#comments ImageAnno 2070 will go under the sea this autumn with the "Deep Ocean" expansion. The pack will allow for an underwater geothermal plant, a "hostile takeover" without the use of military, a new population class of "Genius" for the Tech faction and several other additions.

The futurisitic update of the commerce and ecological strategy simulation has been receiving generally positive reviews since its launch late last year. It's too bad then that news about the game has circled around complications from Ubisoft's DRM.

Also, let us know if that carefully placed "under the sea" earlier triggered a brain hack forcing you to start humming the song from The Little Mermaid.

Gallery: Anno 2070: Deep Ocean

Continue reading Anno 2070 dives deep to extract expansion this fall

JoystiqAnno 2070 dives deep to extract expansion this fall originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 24 Apr 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anno-2070Anno-2070-Deep-Oceanblue-bytepcrelated-designsstrategyubisoftTue, 24 Apr 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Current gen consoles 'can't cope' with traditional Total War]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/31/current-gen-consoles-cant-cope-with-traditional-total-war/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/31/current-gen-consoles-cant-cope-with-traditional-total-war/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/31/current-gen-consoles-cant-cope-with-traditional-total-war/#comments Creative Assembly's Mike Simpson says the popular Total War series of strategy games wouldn't work on the current console generation, just in terms of hardware requirements. "They don't have enough memory, by a large factor," Simpson tells Eurogamer. The audience for console games tends to be a little more action-oriented and a little less strategy focused, and the experiences are very different as well, he asserts. But there's hope yet, "for all sorts of reasons."

The user interface is another issue, according to Simpson, but it's fixable through solid game design. While he doesn't mention the Total War version coming to iOS, that's definitely a clear indicator that the game can work on platforms other than PC. And Simpson says that despite the differences, Creative Assembly has some "very clever ideas" on adapting its popular strategy games for the next wave of consoles and the pick-up-and-play style that go along with them.

JoystiqCurrent gen consoles 'can't cope' with traditional Total War originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 31 Mar 2012 02:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>creative-assemblymicrosoftmike-simpsonpcplaystationportsps3shogun-2-total-warstrategytotal-warxboxSat, 31 Mar 2012 02:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Mass Effect 3 multiplayer strategy videos to help you destroy everyone]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/18/mass-effect-3-multiplayer-strategy-videos-to-help-you-destroy-ev/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/18/mass-effect-3-multiplayer-strategy-videos-to-help-you-destroy-ev/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/18/mass-effect-3-multiplayer-strategy-videos-to-help-you-destroy-ev/#comments

Mass Effect 3's multiplayer has more depth than a panel at the "I'm A Reality TV Star And I Have More Twitter Followers Than You" convention (IARTVSAIHMTFTY Con), or at least that's what we think BioWare developers are trying to get across in the two mulitplayer strategy videos viewable right here.

The above video explains tactics for taking out specific enemies in multiplayer combat, and the one below discusses the strengths and weaknesses of each combat class. Get educated:

Continue reading Mass Effect 3 multiplayer strategy videos to help you destroy everyone

JoystiqMass Effect 3 multiplayer strategy videos to help you destroy everyone originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 18 Mar 2012 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BioWarecombatdevsenemiesmass-effect-3microsoftmultiplayerpcplaystationps3strategyxboxSun, 18 Mar 2012 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Sid Meier: modern graphics have lowered the barriers of entry to gaming]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/01/sid-meier-modern-graphics-have-lowered-the-barriers-of-entry-to/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/01/sid-meier-modern-graphics-have-lowered-the-barriers-of-entry-to/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/01/sid-meier-modern-graphics-have-lowered-the-barriers-of-entry-to/#comments In this interview with Game Informer, legendary developer Sid Meier says even he has succumbed to the lure of modern graphics. "I used to love to try and challenge the players' imagination," he says, "to show them a few pixels in 16 colors and try and convince them that they're ruling an empire to stand the test of time. But I think today's player is not really willing to make that investment, so we're able to bring the worlds to life in 3D."

But he also believes that beefing up the graphics has brought in a much bigger audience than games could have picked up 20 years ago. "You had to kind of suspend your disbelief and be willing to step into that world," says Meier. "Today we make it a lot easier," and as a result, players who want more than a few pixels on screen can also get their fix.

Meier's currently the creative director of game development at Firaxis, and though he's not participating directly on XCOM it doesn't mean he's not working. Every morning, he says, he comes out of the shower with "about 10 ideas," and is constantly iterating with his team on different prototypes. "Most of them," he says, "just go back into the trash heap." In other words, anyone who wants to make an awesome game should probably go root around in the garbage cans near Sparks Glencoe, Maryland.

JoystiqSid Meier: modern graphics have lowered the barriers of entry to gaming originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 01 Feb 2012 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>civilizationfiraxis-gamesgame-designgraphicsinterviewmarylandpcsid-meierstrategyWed, 01 Feb 2012 03:00:00 EST<![CDATA[King Arthur 2 demo fuses dark fantasy with deep strategy]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/26/king-arthur-2-demo-fuses-dark-fantasy-with-deep-strategy/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/26/king-arthur-2-demo-fuses-dark-fantasy-with-deep-strategy/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/26/king-arthur-2-demo-fuses-dark-fantasy-with-deep-strategy/#comments King Arthur II: The Role-Playing Wargame combines the massive armies and strategic elements from games like Shogun 2: Total War and sets them in the dark fantasy world of Arthurian legend, complete with Sidhe (faeries), magic, and The Knights of the Round Table. The demo is available now, giving players a chance to see if they have what it takes to be king and hold Camelot together.

This demo includes the game's tutorial and first mission, which is about an hour's worth of gameplay. System requirements are shown after the jump.

Download the King Arthur 2 demo (1.66 GB)

Gallery: King Arthur II: The Role-Playing Wargame (PC)

Continue reading King Arthur 2 demo fuses dark fantasy with deep strategy

JoystiqKing Arthur 2 demo fuses dark fantasy with deep strategy originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>demoking-arthur-2neocore-gamesParadox-InteractivepcrpgstrategyThu, 26 Jan 2012 18:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Anno 2070 DRM grudgingly altered as little as possible]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/23/anno-2070-drm-grudingly-altered-as-little-as-possible/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/23/anno-2070-drm-grudingly-altered-as-little-as-possible/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/23/anno-2070-drm-grudingly-altered-as-little-as-possible/#comments It's hard to watch Ubisoft's abusive relationship with PC gamers, but here's another example of the publisher delivering a box of chocolates to the hospital room. Economics and ecology simulator Anno 2070 has some pretty strict DRM, allowing only three installs per copy, which is restrictive but not unusual for the publisher. The crazy part occurred when Guru3D discovered that changing graphics cards on the PC counted as an installation.

The situation hit DEFCON "facepalm" when Rock Paper Shotgun followed up with the publisher to ask if the bug would be fixed, to which Ubisoft responded that the DRM was working as intended. The publisher continued, "On the rare occasion when a customer does need additional activations, Ubisoft customer service is available to quickly resolve the situation, and we encourage those customers to contact us directly so that we can ensure they are able to continue to enjoy their game."

Anno 2070 developer BlueByte has since gotten in contact with Guru3D to say it has removed the graphics hardware from "the hash used to identify the PC." Customers who legally purchased the game can now switch graphics cards as many times as they want, putting them in parity with those who pirated the game.

JoystiqAnno 2070 DRM grudgingly altered as little as possible originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 23 Jan 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anno-2070blue-byteDRMpcrelated-designsstrategyubisoftMon, 23 Jan 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[XCOM: Enemy Unknown returns to strategy genre, thanks to Firaxis]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/05/xcom-enemy-unknown-returns-to-strategy-genre-thanks-to-firaxis/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/05/xcom-enemy-unknown-returns-to-strategy-genre-thanks-to-firaxis/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/05/xcom-enemy-unknown-returns-to-strategy-genre-thanks-to-firaxis/#comments Were you thoroughly enraged when 2K Games announced intentions to first-person shooter-ize your favorite strategy game series, XCOM? Here's some potentially good (and calming) news: Civilization developer Firaxis Games is currently working on another totally new XCOM game, called XCOM: Enemy Unknown. Unlike 2K Marin's game (simply called XCOM), this one falls under the strategy genre that popularized the franchise to begin with.

Despite the strategy angle, the game is planned for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC for this fall. More info will be revealed in this month's issue of Game Informer, per the cover reveal. We'd also like to bet right now that the Firaxis title arrives before the 2K Marin one. It's a race!

It's worth noting that the first XCOM was subtitled "Enemy Unknown," though no indication is given that it's a remake of the original title. We've reached out to Firaxis and 2K all the same, but for now we're presuming it's little more than a nod to the original title.

JoystiqXCOM: Enemy Unknown returns to strategy genre, thanks to Firaxis originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 05 Jan 2012 11:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2k-gamesfiraxisfiraxis-gamesmicrosoftpcplaystationps3strategyxboxxcom-enemy-unknownThu, 05 Jan 2012 11:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Orcs Must Die's 'Lost Adventures' DLC coming to XBLA in December]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/02/orcs-must-dies-lost-adventures-dlc-coming-to-xbla-in-december/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/02/orcs-must-dies-lost-adventures-dlc-coming-to-xbla-in-december/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/02/orcs-must-dies-lost-adventures-dlc-coming-to-xbla-in-december/#comments Have you already fulfilled the titular imperative delivered unto the player in Robot Entertainment's XBLA strategy-action title, Orcs Must Die? The joke's on you: There are always more Orcs. This time, they come in the form of the "Lost Adventures" DLC pack -- an expansion which came to PC last month, and will bring its five new fortresses, two enemies and additional collectible skulls to the XBLA version of the game sometime in December.

Of course, the 400 Microsoft Points ($5) you drop on this bad boy will also net you a handful of new tools, like the energy-restoring Mana Well, the health-draining Vampiric Gauntlets and the Shock Zapper, which both shocks and zaps. We know, we always assumed those two were synonyms as well. We guess we'll have to see the thing in action before we understand the subtle differences.

Continue reading Orcs Must Die's 'Lost Adventures' DLC coming to XBLA in December

JoystiqOrcs Must Die's 'Lost Adventures' DLC coming to XBLA in December originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 02 Dec 2011 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dlcmicrosoftorcs-must-dierobot-entertainmentstrategytower-defensexblaxboxFri, 02 Dec 2011 00:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Shogun 2: Fall of the Samurai brings progress (and death) to Total War]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/29/shogun-2-fall-of-the-samurai-brings-progress-and-death-to-tot/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/29/shogun-2-fall-of-the-samurai-brings-progress-and-death-to-tot/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/29/shogun-2-fall-of-the-samurai-brings-progress-and-death-to-tot/#comments
Sega has announced a new standalone expansion for Total War: Shogun 2, called Fall of the Samurai, that introduces new units, a new campaign map, and new content to the acclaimed tactical strategy title. As you can see in the trailer above, the biggest new addition to the title is the inclusion of more modern Western troops and weapons, including a Gatling gun, as well as British and US troops and marines.

There are six new playable clans to deal with the American, British and French foreign powers, and there are 39 new units in total (including ten new ships), as well as four new historical scenarios to play. Multiplayer is also getting revamped, as are a few other gameplay mechanics, including siege battles.

Sega and The Creative Assembly plan to have the title ready to go in March of next year. If the trailer is any indication, the samurai should probably start making bulletproof armor right about now.

Gallery: Shogun 2: Fall of the Samurai

JoystiqShogun 2: Fall of the Samurai brings progress (and death) to Total War originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 29 Nov 2011 08:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>expansionpcsegashogun-2-fall-of-the-samuraistandalonestrategythe-creative-assemblytotal-wartotal-war-shogun-2Tue, 29 Nov 2011 08:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Getting Skulls of the Shogun's characters just right]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/23/getting-skulls-of-the-shoguns-characters-just-right/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/23/getting-skulls-of-the-shoguns-characters-just-right/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/23/getting-skulls-of-the-shoguns-characters-just-right/#comments Haunted Temple Studios says it's still a little while out on completing Skulls of the Shogun, an impressive turn-based strategy game due out for XBLA early next year. But the current focus, as I saw during a short demo at the company's HQ (which right now means a living room in an apartment belonging to one of the developers, just a few blocks from the beach in Venice, CA), is not only weeding the bugs out, but making the game look the way it should, so players can make the best strategic decisions possible.

For example, the game's archer is relatively powerful, with an attack value of six. When pitted against units with a low defense score, he can sometimes change the tide of a battle all by himself. Graphically, his role is clear -- he's got a bow, and you can clearly see when moving him around that he's meant to be a ranged character.

His power isn't quite as apparent, however. Haunted Temple is working on making him look just right: weak enough that he can't withstand a close-up attack, but strong enough that, at range, he's a force to be reckoned with.

Gallery: Skulls of the Shogun (11/22/2011)

Continue reading Getting Skulls of the Shogun's characters just right

JoystiqGetting Skulls of the Shogun's characters just right originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 23 Nov 2011 15:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>haunted-temple-studiosmicrosoftskulls-of-the-shogunstrategytacticsxblaxboxWed, 23 Nov 2011 15:05:00 EST<![CDATA[A Game of Thrones - Genesis fights dirty on September 29]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/07/a-game-of-thrones-genesis-fights-dirty-on-september-29/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/07/a-game-of-thrones-genesis-fights-dirty-on-september-29/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/07/a-game-of-thrones-genesis-fights-dirty-on-september-29/#comments If you've been left unsatisfied by all the honorable, upstanding strategy games that have come out over the past year, you should brace yourself for a healthy dose of deception later this month. Focus Home Interactive has announced that Cyanide Studios' first adaptation of George R.R. Martin's Song of Ice and Fire series, A Game of Thrones - Genesis, will arrive on store shelves of the tangible and digital varieties on September 29.

If you haven't already consumed every single page of the aforementioned series of novels, you don't really have enough time to do so before the game comes out. Maybe you could watch the TV series! It's like a novel that bunch of famous people read for you.

Continue reading A Game of Thrones - Genesis fights dirty on September 29

JoystiqA Game of Thrones - Genesis fights dirty on September 29 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 07 Sep 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>A-Game-of-Thrones-Genesiscyanide-studiosfocus-home-interactivepcrelease-datertsstrategyWed, 07 Sep 2011 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Disgaea 4: A Promise Unforgotten review: A premise unchanged]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/07/disgaea-4-a-promise-unforgotten-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/07/disgaea-4-a-promise-unforgotten-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/07/disgaea-4-a-promise-unforgotten-review/#comments The Disgaea series is a tough nut to crack. With its dated gameplay and recycled graphics and music, each new entry in the franchise has flown in the face of convention. Nevertheless, whether owing its longevity to quirky storytelling or staggeringly deep and complex mechanics, the franchise has found favor among strategy role-playing game enthusiasts.

That storied tradition looks to continue with earnest in Disgaea 4: A Promise Unforgotten, a testament that, all things considered, developer Nippon Ichi definitely still knows its audience.

Gallery: Disgaea 4: A Promise Unforgotten (8/22/11)

Continue reading Disgaea 4: A Promise Unforgotten review: A premise unchanged

JoystiqDisgaea 4: A Promise Unforgotten review: A premise unchanged originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 07 Sep 2011 09:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>disgaea-4Nippon-Ichi-Softwarenis-americaplaystationps3strategyWed, 07 Sep 2011 09:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Age of Empires Online review: Casual conquest]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/16/age-of-empires-online-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/16/age-of-empires-online-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/16/age-of-empires-online-review/#comments In reading online discussions surrounding Age of Empires Online, you'd think that the developers had taken to traveling the country with the express intent of running over kittens.

Clearly, players have taken issue with this latest in the Ensemble-created historical strategy franchise, which layers the series' core formula beneath a highly stylized coat of paint and free-to-play business model. However, much of the mechanics that made Age of Empires a household name remain, though now alongside new features designed explicitly to both ease new players into the experience as well as capture the attention of the coveted MMO crowd.

Gallery: Age of Empires Online (5/31/11)

Continue reading Age of Empires Online review: Casual conquest

JoystiqAge of Empires Online review: Casual conquest originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 16 Aug 2011 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-empiresAge-of-Empires-OnlineGas-Powered-Gamesmicrosoftpcrobot-entertainmentrtsstrategyTue, 16 Aug 2011 16:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Tropico 4 demo welcomes you back, El Presidente]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/09/tropico-4-demo-welcomes-you-back-el-presidente/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/09/tropico-4-demo-welcomes-you-back-el-presidente/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/09/tropico-4-demo-welcomes-you-back-el-presidente/#comments Brush up on your speech-writing skills and get set to shape the political and economic future of a small island nation, because the Tropico 4 demo is here. The playable demo includes the tutorial and one mission from the main campaign to give you a taste of what to expect when the game is released on September 1st. We can almost guarantee it'll be less depressing than what's happening with real life politics.

Ready to become leader? You can download the Tropico 4 demo right here. System requirements are shown after the jump.

Continue reading Tropico 4 demo welcomes you back, El Presidente

JoystiqTropico 4 demo welcomes you back, El Presidente originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 09 Aug 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>demoHaemimont-GamesKalypso-mediapcstrategytropico-4Tue, 09 Aug 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Civilization 5 marked down to $17, Altitude free-to-play this weekend on Steam]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/22/civilization-5-marked-down-to-17-altitude-free-to-play-this-we/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/22/civilization-5-marked-down-to-17-altitude-free-to-play-this-we/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/22/civilization-5-marked-down-to-17-altitude-free-to-play-this-we/#comments It's far too hot to even consider crossing the threshold of your domicile this weekend. We suggest you tap into Steam's two big deals instead: Until Monday at 10 a.m. PT, Civilization V is down to $17, while the biplane combat title Altitude is half-price and free-to-play until Sunday afternoon.

Continue reading Civilization 5 marked down to $17, Altitude free-to-play this weekend on Steam

JoystiqCivilization 5 marked down to $17, Altitude free-to-play this weekend on Steam originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 22 Jul 2011 10:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2k-gamesaltitudecivilization-5Firaxis-GamespcsteamstrategyFri, 22 Jul 2011 10:37:00 EST<![CDATA[Ubisoft announces free-to-play strategy title 'Castle Empire']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/21/ubisoft-announces-free-to-play-strategy-title-castle-empire/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/21/ubisoft-announces-free-to-play-strategy-title-castle-empire/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/21/ubisoft-announces-free-to-play-strategy-title-castle-empire/#comments If you're keen on using your web browser less for watching videos of Zombies Ate My Neighbors speed runs and more for conquering the world, Ubisoft's ready to help you shift your aspirations. The publisher recently announced Castle Empire, a free-to-play, browser-based strategy title that went into beta in Europe under the title The Settlers Online. The game is currently in closed beta in North America. Unless you luck into a golden ticket, you'll have to stick a pin in your plan for global domination.

You can check out a trailer for Castle Empire above, though it doesn't do much to show what the game itself looks like (it certainly doesn't look like an Esurance commercial). For a more accurate look at the game, check out the gallery below.

Gallery: Castle Empire (7/20/11)

JoystiqUbisoft announces free-to-play strategy title 'Castle Empire' originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 21 Jul 2011 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blue-byteBlue-Byte-Softwarebrowser-basedcastle-empirefree-to-playpcstrategyubisoftThu, 21 Jul 2011 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft signs skeleton-filled strategy title Skulls of the Shogun for XBLA]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/15/microsoft-signs-skeleton-filled-strategy-title-skulls-of-the-sho/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/15/microsoft-signs-skeleton-filled-strategy-title-skulls-of-the-sho/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/15/microsoft-signs-skeleton-filled-strategy-title-skulls-of-the-sho/#comments Microsoft has snapped up exclusive publishing rights to the first game from Haunted Temple Studios, the dev established by former EA Los Angeles staffers Jake Kazdal, Ben Vance and Borut Pfeifer. Under the agreement, the trio's original strategy offering, Skulls of the Shogun (which we first previewed here), will debut on Xbox Live Arcade under the Microsoft Game Studios banner.

Haunted Temple's Kazdal, who worked on EA and Steven Spielburg's canned Project LMNO with his two studio-mates, told Gamasutra that Microsoft "totally got" Skulls of the Shogun and "have been fully behind it" since signing it. "The support we're getting out of them has been seriously as much as I could ever ask for," he added.

The game, which we've made no bones about loving so far, is due out this fall.

JoystiqMicrosoft signs skeleton-filled strategy title Skulls of the Shogun for XBLA originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 15 Jul 2011 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Haunted-Temple-StudiosindiemicrosoftMicrosoft-Game-Studiosskulls-of-the-shogunstrategyxblaxboxFri, 15 Jul 2011 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Game of Thrones: Genesis screens actually have a throne]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/12/game-of-thrones-genesis-screens-actually-have-a-throne/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/12/game-of-thrones-genesis-screens-actually-have-a-throne/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/12/game-of-thrones-genesis-screens-actually-have-a-throne/#comments We were ready to give Cyanide's A Game of Thrones: Genesis the "Most Disingenuously Named Game of the Year" award -- until this most recent batch of screenshots appeared in our inbox. We can now confirm that, yes, it is a game which contains at least one throne.

Continue reading Game of Thrones: Genesis screens actually have a throne

JoystiqGame of Thrones: Genesis screens actually have a throne originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 12 Jul 2011 11:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>A-Game-of-Thrones-Genesisa-song-of-ice-and-firecyanide-studiosfocus-home-interactivegeorge-r-r-martinpcstrategyTue, 12 Jul 2011 11:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Risk: Factions coming to Facebook, bringing special faction-based weapons]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/07/risk-factions-coming-to-facebook-bringing-special-faction-base/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/07/risk-factions-coming-to-facebook-bringing-special-faction-base/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/07/risk-factions-coming-to-facebook-bringing-special-faction-base/#comments EA just announced at its Summer Showcase that it will bring its downloadable version of the timeless strategic board game, Risk: Factions, to Facebook this summer. The title will feature the same competitive multiplayer components of its XBLA, PSN and PC counterpart, and will add "special weapons" to help distinguish each of the different factions therein. For instance, humans will have an ability that boosts their attack, while zombies have a weapon which makes them "better brain-eaters." (Sharper teeth, we guess?)

Risk: Factions is currently in closed beta, meaning we should find out how these new special abilities influence the game's tightly-balanced strategy soon enough. All the tactics in the world can't overcome razor-sharp zombie molars, you know?

JoystiqRisk: Factions coming to Facebook, bringing special faction-based weapons originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 07 Jul 2011 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eafacebookpcplayfishriskRisk-FactionssocialstrategyThu, 07 Jul 2011 16:57:00 EST<![CDATA[New Dota challenger Rise of Immortals goes into open beta]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/05/new-dota-challenger-rise-of-immortals-goes-into-open-beta/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/05/new-dota-challenger-rise-of-immortals-goes-into-open-beta/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/05/new-dota-challenger-rise-of-immortals-goes-into-open-beta/#comments Petroglyph Games' Rise of Immortals has entered into an open beta, meaning that you can now try out this new entry into the growing Defense of the Ancients-based (sometimes called Moba) genre for yourself. Register an account on the official site, download the game client and you're good to play. Winning, on the other hand, will probably take longer than that, as these games aren't known for their smooth learning curves, especially if you're not familiar with the premise.

We got to see this one back at GDC, and played it during the closed beta period. The game does bring some innovations to the genre, including a player-level progression system and a map that's designed specifically for a three-person PvE experience. Unfortunately, the polish just isn't there yet, especially when compared to more established titles in the genre like the very popular League of Legends.

But then again, that's what a beta's for, right? No word on how long the beta will last, but given that it was supposed to start even earlier this spring, you can guess it'll probably be around as long as it needs to be.

Continue reading New Dota challenger Rise of Immortals goes into open beta

JoystiqNew Dota challenger Rise of Immortals goes into open beta originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 05 Jul 2011 22:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betadotaopen-betapcpetroglyph-gamesrise-of-immortalsroistrategyTue, 05 Jul 2011 22:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Magicka PVP update released, new DLC available]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/23/magicka-pvp-update-released-new-dlc-available/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/23/magicka-pvp-update-released-new-dlc-available/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/23/magicka-pvp-update-released-new-dlc-available/#comments As promised, new player-versus-player content has been released for Magicka. The free update features three new modes including Classic Deathmatch and a last-man-standing mode called Brawl. The Krietor mode, named after a Magicka modder, unlocks new spells -- and thus new strategic possibilities -- as the round progresses.

New Magicka DLC is up for purchase as well. First is the Final Frontier pack, priced at $2.99, which includes the Vulcanus Arena map and some new sci-fi goodies (remember that episode of Star Trek?). Also, for $1.99 each, players can pick up the Frozen Lake map, the Watchtower map or the Party Robe pack.

Continue reading Magicka PVP update released, new DLC available

JoystiqMagicka PVP update released, new DLC available originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 23 Jun 2011 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arrowhead-game-studiosdlcmagickaParadox-InteractivepcstrategyThu, 23 Jun 2011 03:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Trenched review: Let's mech love]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/20/trenched-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/20/trenched-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/20/trenched-review/#comments I wouldn't blame you if your reaction to the announcement of Trenched, Double Fine's downloadable tower defense title, was entirely non-plussed and even a bit disappointed. "Wow, how original." After all, this sub-genre of strategy games is approaching -- or has already reached! -- full saturation. I would blame you, though, if you didn't give it a chance, because it's honestly a desperately needed breath of fresh air in the genre.

It's not just that Double Fine's trademark wit and humor is evident in every facet of the game's design; Trenched a seriously polished and surprisingly deep game, too.

Gallery: Trenched

Continue reading Trenched review: Let's mech love

JoystiqTrenched review: Let's mech love originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 20 Jun 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>double-fineiron-brigademicrosoftstrategytrenchedxblaxboxMon, 20 Jun 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Age of Empires Online begins August 16]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/31/age-of-empires-online-begins-august-16/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/31/age-of-empires-online-begins-august-16/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/31/age-of-empires-online-begins-august-16/#comments Age of Empires Online is ready to be ushered out of beta and onto PCs worldwide on August 16. The game, which will initially launch with the Greek and Egyptian factions, will be available at retail and online at AgeofEmpiresOnline.com.

The freemium title will offer "more than 40 hours" of free co-op and competitive gameplay, but if you're looking to upgrade straight out the gate, Microsoft has booster bundles available.

Gallery: Age of Empires Online (5/31/11)

Continue reading Age of Empires Online begins August 16

JoystiqAge of Empires Online begins August 16 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 31 May 2011 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-empiresAge-of-Empires-Onlinegas-powered-gamesmicrosoftpcrelease-daterobot-entertainmentrtsstrategyTue, 31 May 2011 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Empires & Allies launches preemptive strike for Zynga against Civ World, arrives June 1]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/31/empires-and-allies-launch-date/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/31/empires-and-allies-launch-date/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/31/empires-and-allies-launch-date/#comments Known for crafting a variety of addictive, microtransaction-based Villes, Zynga has yet to step into the strategy genre. But with tomorrow's launch of Empires & Allies, the predominantly casual gamer-focused company enters the ring with the likes of Firaxis -- a veteran developer currently honing its own Facebook strategy title, Civilization World. And strategically speaking, Zynga's in a good spot launching tomorrow, considering Civ World's still ambiguous "summer" release window.

Per Zynga's press release, Empires & Allies is "strategy combat gone social ... think CityVille meets Risk," further explained as a combination of Zynga's world-building games with a new strategy-combat twist. Beyond fighting off other empires, brokering diplomacy and navigating global politics with Facebook friends, players will also be striving for vengeance against an "unapologetic tyrant" known as "The Raven" who, apparently, collapsed your empire. Thankfully, video game omnipotence has made it possible to seek revenge.

Ex-EA Command & Conquer designer Amer Ajami is heading up the project as executive producer, the first title Ajami has released as head of Zynga's Los Angeles development studio. Head past the break for a look at the game in action, four short hours before launch.

Gallery: Empires & Allies

Continue reading Empires & Allies launches preemptive strike for Zynga against Civ World, arrives June 1

JoystiqEmpires & Allies launches preemptive strike for Zynga against Civ World, arrives June 1 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 31 May 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amer-ajamiempires-and-alliesmacpcstrategyzyngazynga-los-angelesTue, 31 May 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Amazon selling Supreme Commander for a Lincoln]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/20/amazon-selling-supreme-commander-for-a-lincoln/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/20/amazon-selling-supreme-commander-for-a-lincoln/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/20/amazon-selling-supreme-commander-for-a-lincoln/#comments Amazon has Chris Taylor's legendary RTS title Supreme Commander as a Games for Windows edition for the low, low price of just $4.50. It's only available to US customers, and only as a download.

Yes, for less than the price of a gallon of gas, you too can command vast armies of units of all shapes and sizes, zooming in and out of a gigantic map at will. It'll be the cheapest war ever fought.

JoystiqAmazon selling Supreme Commander for a Lincoln originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 20 May 2011 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazonchris-taylordealpcrtsstrategysupreme-commanderFri, 20 May 2011 07:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Sims 3: Generations trailer introduces the world's worst teenagers]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/18/sims-3-generations-trailer-introduces-the-worlds-worst-teenage/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/18/sims-3-generations-trailer-introduces-the-worlds-worst-teenage/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/18/sims-3-generations-trailer-introduces-the-worlds-worst-teenage/#comments If hooking up in the hot tub isn't your ultimate end-game in The Sims 3, then you might want to check out Generations, the latest expansion. Now it's your mid-life crisis instead of just another Tuesday! It's all about experiencing life's major moments, like raising lawn-hating teenagers.

Continue reading Sims 3: Generations trailer introduces the world's worst teenagers

JoystiqSims 3: Generations trailer introduces the world's worst teenagers originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 18 May 2011 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaelectronic-artssimulationstrategythe-simsThe-Sims-3Wed, 18 May 2011 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Sleep is Death creator's latest still coming to DS]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/04/sleep-is-death-creators-latest-heads-to-steam-ds-version-still/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/04/sleep-is-death-creators-latest-heads-to-steam-ds-version-still/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/04/sleep-is-death-creators-latest-heads-to-steam-ds-version-still/#comments The latest game from prolific indie designer Jason Rohrer, Diamond Trust of London will finally see the light of day on DS. In an interview with Charge Shot!!!, Rohrer said that he's landed a publisher -- Zoo Games -- for the long-awaited handheld release, which was originally being handled by Majesco.

Diamond Trust of London is Rohrer's 16th game and, in keeping with its developer's penchant for unconventional concepts, is a strategy title which revolves around the underground "blood diamond" trade. If it captures anywhere near the amount of genius found in other Rohrer games, such as Sleep is Death and Inside a Star-Filled Sky, we're sold.

[Ed. Note: Since this post was published, Charge Shot!!! has updated its interview with Rohrer to clarify that his Inside a Star-Filled Sky, and not Diamond Trust of London, is coming to Steam "soon."]

JoystiqSleep is Death creator's latest still coming to DS originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 04 May 2011 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>diamond-trust-of-londondsindiejason-rohrernintendostrategyzoo-gamesWed, 04 May 2011 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[See the pretty, sterile Anno 2070 debut teaser trailer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/13/see-the-pretty-sterile-anno-2070-debut-teaser-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/13/see-the-pretty-sterile-anno-2070-debut-teaser-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/13/see-the-pretty-sterile-anno-2070-debut-teaser-trailer/#comments Anno 2070's first trailer feels so much like a pharmaceutical commercial that we keep waiting for the voice-over to tell us the side effects of playing the game. You know, beyond: sense of lost time.

Continue reading See the pretty, sterile Anno 2070 debut teaser trailer

JoystiqSee the pretty, sterile Anno 2070 debut teaser trailer originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 13 Apr 2011 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anno-2070blue-byteBlue-Byte-Softwarepcrelated-designsstrategyubisoftWed, 13 Apr 2011 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Clash of Heroes HD trailer teaches the tactics of puzzle-fighting]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/05/clash-of-heroes-hd-trailer-teaches-the-tactics-of-puzzle-fightin/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/05/clash-of-heroes-hd-trailer-teaches-the-tactics-of-puzzle-fightin/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/05/clash-of-heroes-hd-trailer-teaches-the-tactics-of-puzzle-fightin/#comments Missed out on Might and Magic: Clash of Heroes when it originally launched in 2009? You don't have to go into the HD remake, due out next week, completely uninformed -- check out the video after the jump to learn the basic mechanics of the game's rows-and-columns combat.

Continue reading Clash of Heroes HD trailer teaches the tactics of puzzle-fighting

JoystiqClash of Heroes HD trailer teaches the tactics of puzzle-fighting originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 05 Apr 2011 21:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Capybara-GamesmicrosoftMight-and-MagicMight-and-Magic-Clash-of-Heroesplaystationps3puzzlestrategyxboxTue, 05 Apr 2011 21:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Ubisoft puts Anno 2070 on its calendar for anno 2011]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/04/ubisoft-puts-anno-2070-on-its-calendar-for-anno-2011/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/04/ubisoft-puts-anno-2070-on-its-calendar-for-anno-2011/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/04/ubisoft-puts-anno-2070-on-its-calendar-for-anno-2011/#comments Having released Dawn of Discovery in 2009, German developer Related Designs is producing a follow-up to its city building / strategy game which shifts the timeline several centuries forward. Co-developed by The Settlers studio Blue Byte, Anno 2070 is due out on PC this year, promising some twists on the core mechanics of its predecessors as the result of its near-future setting.

Ubisoft says that the results of global climate change depicted in-game will require players to take advantage of "architectural breakthroughs" in order to grow their nations. By setting the title in the future, "the development team wasn't restricted by historical boundaries and was able to dream bigger than ever before."

You'd think eco-disasters would have put the kibosh on industrialization, but in fact, players will get to side with either the "pave the planet" Tycoons or the "the greener the better" Ecos from the outset. A third faction, one that can't be bothered to separate the recycling or install compact fluorescent light bulbs, was deemed too apathetic to make the cut.

Gallery: Anno 2070

Continue reading Ubisoft puts Anno 2070 on its calendar for anno 2011

JoystiqUbisoft puts Anno 2070 on its calendar for anno 2011 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 04 Apr 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anno-2070blue-bytepcrelated-designsstrategyubisoftMon, 04 Apr 2011 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Hoard coming to PC and Mac via Steam on April 4]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/17/hoard-coming-to-pc-and-mac-via-steam-on-april-4/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/17/hoard-coming-to-pc-and-mac-via-steam-on-april-4/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/17/hoard-coming-to-pc-and-mac-via-steam-on-april-4/#comments Big Sandwich Games' underrated strategy/RPG Hoard has added another platform to its growing stash -- it's due out on the PSP later this month, and now the game is also coming to PC and Mac via a Steam release dated for April 4. Its price is set at $9.99, but starting March 21, it'll be available for pre-sale at 25% off, or you can buy a four-pack for you and three friends and get the last copy free. In addition to the standard features, the Steam release will also boast a Night Mode, a new Winter tile set and new maps to play with.

And since the game is being released with Steam Play, buyers will have access to both PC and Mac versions, and players across both platforms will be able to play with each other online. Hoard's a great game that didn't really find the audience it deserved, so maybe a big Steam release will help bring the gold home.

Gallery: Hoard

JoystiqHoard coming to PC and Mac via Steam on April 4 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 17 Mar 2011 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>big-sandwich-gameshoardmacpcsteamstrategyvalveThu, 17 Mar 2011 07:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Peter Molyneux's 'FeedMe' is a 256-player Populous pet project]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/03/peter-molyneuxs-feedme-is-a-256-player-populous-pet-project/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/03/peter-molyneuxs-feedme-is-a-256-player-populous-pet-project/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/03/peter-molyneuxs-feedme-is-a-256-player-populous-pet-project/#comments After taking a trip back through the development of his first game, Populous, at GDC today, Lionhead's Peter Molyneux revealed that he's actually still working on the game. Programmed by Molyneux in his spare time, "FeedMe" is a 256-player version of the original Commodore Amiga title -- and the audience for his presentation got a rare look at it.

Showing if off wasn't easy. Molyneux had to compile the Visual C++ code, encountered a fatal error and sucessfully debugged it. The result: a very basic, high-res Populous world map with almost no user interface. In the course of watching this, we realized that the famed designer has only one game in the taskbar on his computer: Minecraft -- which, when you think about it, does draw inspiration from Molyneux's world-manipulation-based classic.

JoystiqPeter Molyneux's 'FeedMe' is a 256-player Populous pet project originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 03 Mar 2011 21:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bullfrogeaelectronic-artsfeedmegdcgdc-2011macmultiplayerpcPeter-MolyneuxpopulousstrategyThu, 03 Mar 2011 21:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Shogun 2: Total War trailer assembles for battle]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/12/shogun-2-total-war-trailer-assembles-for-battle/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/12/shogun-2-total-war-trailer-assembles-for-battle/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/12/shogun-2-total-war-trailer-assembles-for-battle/#comments There's totally a war going down between the old and new shogun, and this latest CGI trailer for Shogun 2: Total War from The Creative Assembly and Sega really demonstrates that. Thankfully for us, it's a virtual war based on events that took place long ago. Whew!

Continue reading Shogun 2: Total War trailer assembles for battle

JoystiqShogun 2: Total War trailer assembles for battle originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 12 Feb 2011 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cgipcrtssegashogun-2-total-warstrategythe-creative-assemblySat, 12 Feb 2011 07:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Dark Reign: The Future of War marches onto GOG]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/26/dark-reign-the-future-of-war-marches-onto-gog/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/26/dark-reign-the-future-of-war-marches-onto-gog/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/26/dark-reign-the-future-of-war-marches-onto-gog/#comments Do you primarily use the GOG platform as a channel through which you can build virtual armies to destroy neighboring, virtual civilizations? There are certainly plenty of games on the network that will let you do just that -- and today, that list became one entry longer. Auran's 1997 strategy title Dark Reign: The Future of War (and its expansion, The Rise of the Shadowhand) both arrived on the GOG store today for $9.99.

So, what sets Dark Reign apart from all the other strategy titles the digital distributor offers? Well, according to its product description, the game has "Many mods and impressively polished unofficial patches created by a still very active community." Also, all those other games? Their reigns aren't really all that dark. They're moody, sure, but we don't think we'd say full-blown dark.

JoystiqDark Reign: The Future of War marches onto GOG originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 26 Jan 2011 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionclassicsdark-reigngogpcrtsstrategyWed, 26 Jan 2011 01:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Neocore Games working on Paradox-published King Arthur 2]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/18/neocore-games-working-on-paradox-published-king-arthur-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/18/neocore-games-working-on-paradox-published-king-arthur-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/18/neocore-games-working-on-paradox-published-king-arthur-2/#comments Paradox Interactive has announced that it's going to publish King Arthur 2, a sequel to the role-playing strategy game from a few years back. The title will be developed by Neocore Games, the team behind the original, and this time around introduces a dark fantasy setting for the Arthurian battles -- along with the various demons and dragons that comes with. This time around, King Arthur is known as the "Maimed King" and will face bigger battles and boss fights, while the game takes advantage of an improved camera, new animations and "an extensive tutorial."

There's no release date yet, but it sounds like development is just getting underway.

JoystiqNeocore Games working on Paradox-published King Arthur 2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 18 Jan 2011 06:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>king-arthurking-arthur-2neocore-gamesparadox-interactivepcrole-playingstrategyTue, 18 Jan 2011 06:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Blizzard launches StarCraft 2 Master League, plans for Grandmaster League]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/13/blizzard-launches-starcraft-2-master-league-plans-for-grandmast/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/13/blizzard-launches-starcraft-2-master-league-plans-for-grandmast/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/13/blizzard-launches-starcraft-2-master-league-plans-for-grandmast/#comments Have you found competition in StarCraft 2's online multiplayer "Diamond League" to be unrewarding? Do you hang, effortlessly, from the very highest rungs of the tallest competition ladder? It's time for you to shed your burdensome chrysalis and ascend to your next challenge: the recently launched "Master League," which pits the top two percent of players from each region against one another for true StarCraft supremacy. If you're eligible for the new league, you won't have to do anything special to join; Blizzard automatically elevates top-two-percenters to the Master bracket.

Of course, the raw exclusivity of this new ladder will lose a bit of its luster when Blizzard launches the "Grandmaster League," which will only invite the top 200 players from each region to battle. There's no timetable for the release of this ladder, though we imagine it'll come well before the arrival of the Great-Grandmaster League, which forces the very best player on the planet to play against an evil clone of him or herself all day, every day, for twenty years. You get a T-shirt if you win that one, though, so it's totally worth it.

JoystiqBlizzard launches StarCraft 2 Master League, plans for Grandmaster League originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 Jan 2011 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blizzardgrandmaster-leagueladdermaster-leaguemultiplayerpcrtsStarcraft-2strategytournamentThu, 13 Jan 2011 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Valve shares some insight into Dota 2's development]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/09/valve-shares-some-insight-into-dota-2s-development/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/09/valve-shares-some-insight-into-dota-2s-development/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/09/valve-shares-some-insight-into-dota-2s-development/#comments Turning a Warcraft 3 mod into a fully-fledged product is probably a tricky process, especially when that mod has a feverishly devoted fan base. Valve senior project manager Erik Johnson recently spoke to IGN about how the Dota 2 dev team is tiptoeing through this potential minefield, explaining that the core gameplay of the mod will remain unchanged. "We'd be pretty hard-pressed to improve on that," Johnson explained.

Valve's additions to the DotA formula will be largely cosmetic, focusing on "infrastructure, art, and providing helpful tools to newcomers so they can figure out what's going on." That seems like a good compromise -- keep the things that hardcore DotA fans already know and love, while giving a leg-up to people like us, who manage to lose DotA matches within mere milliseconds.

JoystiqValve shares some insight into Dota 2's development originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 09 Jan 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dota-2icefrogpcstrategyvalvewarcraft-3Sun, 09 Jan 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Star Trek Online artist voyages to iOS with Empire of the Eclipse]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/05/star-trek-online-artist-voyages-to-ios-with-empire-of-the-eclips/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/05/star-trek-online-artist-voyages-to-ios-with-empire-of-the-eclips/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/05/star-trek-online-artist-voyages-to-ios-with-empire-of-the-eclips/#comments When Lee Dotson left his job as lead artist on Star Trek Online to form his own development studio, ZarkSoft Games, he clearly didn't leave behind a thing for interstellar combat. Empire of the Eclipse for iOS, the indie's first title, draws its inspiration from the classic 4X strategy game Master of Orion, Dotson says, as well as the Civilization series.

ZarkSoft has "worked diligently to make a game that lives up to the standards set by those milestone titles," according to Dotson, and has built an engine that supports up to 1500 players per game instance across 90,000 sectors of space. In announcing the game, the developer stressed that Empire of the Eclipse won't include microtransactions of any sort, in order to preserve a "fair and competitive play experience for all."

There's no hard date or pricing yet -- just a promised release window of Q1 2011 for the title.

JoystiqStar Trek Online artist voyages to iOS with Empire of the Eclipse originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 05 Jan 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>app-storeempire-of-the-eclipseiosmobileq1-2011strategyzarksoftWed, 05 Jan 2011 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[StarCraft 2 user-created map takes the fight into space]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/05/starcraft-2-user-created-map-takes-the-fight-into-space/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/05/starcraft-2-user-created-map-takes-the-fight-into-space/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/05/starcraft-2-user-created-map-takes-the-fight-into-space/#comments While most of us would consider StarCraft 2 to be a space-themed strategy title, very little of the game actually takes place in the outer parts of space -- you know, the parts where no one can hear you scream. A custom map by the name of Star Battle fixes that oversight, pitting two teams of six players against one another in a massive, DotA-esque encounter. Only, instead of controlling fantasy archetypes, you control gigantic spaceships, which we think we can all agree is way cooler.

The map has proven to be the most popular custom gametype on the European Battle.net servers, and is now available on the U.S. servers as well. Check out the tutorial video posted after the jump to learn the rules the game before jumping into it -- a smart move, considering player death in Star Battle is permanent. (BUH BUH BUUHHHHH)

Continue reading StarCraft 2 user-created map takes the fight into space

JoystiqStarCraft 2 user-created map takes the fight into space originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 05 Jan 2011 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blizzardcustommodpcstar-battleStarcraft-2strategyuser-generated-contentWed, 05 Jan 2011 00:00:00 EST