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 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[The Sound Summer of PSN]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/31/the-sound-summer-of-psn/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/31/the-sound-summer-of-psn/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/31/the-sound-summer-of-psn/#commentsYou're reading Reaction Time, a weekly column that claims to examine recent events, games and trends in the industry, but is really just looking for an excuse to use the word "zeitgeist." It debuts on Fridays in Engadget's digital magazine, Distro.
Remember when the summer lull signaled a blissful break from the year's onslaught of new games? July was the perfect pitstop, where you'd catch up on that bloated backlog and shake off that vague, gnawing stress that comes from wanting to play everything and knowing you never will. There used to be a gap, right over here.

If things felt lethargic to you in August, you must not have been too keen on the downloadable games finding their way to the PlayStation Store - or the ones getting horribly lost and asking for directions to some nested nightmare in the current Xbox 360 dashboard.

Sony's efforts this year have been especially strong, with several standout games forming a loose alliance around music. The PlayStation Network hosted the debut of Dyad, a tumultuous, trippy shooter that puts your brain in a slingshot and fires it straight down a LED-lined tunnel. It's a product of Toronto's indie game scene and designer Shawn McGrath, who says it was relatively easy to gain Sony's stamp of approval.

Continue reading The Sound Summer of PSN

JoystiqThe Sound Summer of PSN originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 31 Aug 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dyadmicrosoftplaystationplaystation-vitaps3psnreaction-timeretro-gradesound-shapessummer-of-arcadevitaxblaxboxFri, 31 Aug 2012 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hybrid review: A hop, skip and a pump shotgun]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/13/hybrid-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/13/hybrid-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/13/hybrid-review/#comments Two hovering islands sit nestled in the skyline of a war-torn city. My decked-out soldier crouches behind a wall on one island, my opponent sitting comfortably behind cover on the other. A massive chasm separates us, but that's not a problem thanks to our handy jet packs. No, the problem is that traversing the gulf means launching myself into the air at the risk of becoming the world's biggest clay pigeon.

The ultimate goal is to take down my foe, sure, but the real challenge of Hybrid - and the real joy - is in bridging the gap between us.

Gallery: Hybrid (4/26/2012)

Continue reading Hybrid review: A hop, skip and a pump shotgun

JoystiqHybrid review: A hop, skip and a pump shotgun originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 13 Aug 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>5th-cellhybridhybrid-xblamicrosoftsummer-of-arcadesummer-of-arcade-2012xboxMon, 13 Aug 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Deadlight review: Lessons for the zombie apocalypse]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/01/deadlight-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/01/deadlight-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/01/deadlight-review/#comments Deadlight review
Playing a game about zombies is never a waste of time. Any game that features a variation of the undead - the shuffling decomposed, cannibalistic speed demons, the infected - offers a new approach to tackling the zombie apocalypse when it occurs in reality. Each new game demonstrates varied strategies and situations that it's best to be prepared for, just in case you end up next to patient zero at your next family gathering with nothing but a frying pan and a bottle of Aspirin.

All zombie survival games can teach us something; they each have a lesson that is best taken to heart, before you take a bite to the brain. Deadlight, a side-scrolling platformer set in an alternate, apocalyptic 1980s, taught me something very important.

No matter how hard you try, you will die, and it will be frustrating as hell. Every time.

Gallery: Deadlight

Continue reading Deadlight review: Lessons for the zombie apocalypse

JoystiqDeadlight review: Lessons for the zombie apocalypse originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 01 Aug 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>deadlightmicrosoftsummer-of-arcadesummer-of-arcade-2012tequila-worksXBLAxboxzombiesWed, 01 Aug 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Minecraft and Trials Evolution getting free DLC to celebrate 5 years of Summer of Arcade]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/13/minecraft-and-trials-evolution-getting-free-dlc-to-celebrate-5-y/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/13/minecraft-and-trials-evolution-getting-free-dlc-to-celebrate-5-y/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/13/minecraft-and-trials-evolution-getting-free-dlc-to-celebrate-5-y/#comments Minecraft and Trials Evolution will receive "exclusive content" on the Xbox 360, to celebrate five years of Microsoft's Summer of Arcade promotion. Beginning July 18, Minecraft players can nab a "customized Summer of Arcade skin pack" with skins inspired by this year's five Summer games. At the same time Trials Evolution will get a new themed track, once a week, alongside each new game.

For the Minecraft promo, players can download the skins by visiting the "Summer of Arcade experience" ad on the Xbox Live dashboard.

The Summer of Arcade kicks off next week with Tony Hawk's Pro Skater HD. A safe bet is that the special Trials map derived from that game includes 900 laps of something.

JoystiqMinecraft and Trials Evolution getting free DLC to celebrate 5 years of Summer of Arcade originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 13 Jul 2012 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftMinecraftSummer-of-ArcadeSummer-Of-Arcade-2012xboxFri, 13 Jul 2012 02:00:00 EST<![CDATA[XBLA Summer of Arcade 2012 detailed, Tony Hawk kickflips it off on July 18]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/19/xbla-summer-of-arcade-2012-detailed-tony-hawk-kick-flips-it-of/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/19/xbla-summer-of-arcade-2012-detailed-tony-hawk-kick-flips-it-of/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/19/xbla-summer-of-arcade-2012-detailed-tony-hawk-kick-flips-it-of/#comments XBLA's Summer of Arcade 2012 begins on July 18 with the HD-ified rebirth of Tony Hawk Pro Skater for 1200 MS Points ($15). The following week, Iron Galaxy's Angry Birds meets Boom Blox Kinect flinger Wreckateer arrives for 800 MS Points ($10), with Deadlight, Hybrid, and Dust: An Elysian Tail launching in the subsequent weeks, all for 1200 MS Points ($15) a pop.

Microsoft is offering an incentive (as always) to spur multiple Summer of Arcade purchases, giving those who snag "any three of the above titles" a free 400 MS Points ($5). From the look of things, that won't be too hard a sell.

Additionally, Tony Hawk Pro Skater HD is heading to PlayStation Network "a few weeks" after it launches on Xbox Live Arcade, but the rest of the Summer of Arcade games are exclusive to 360 (at least for now).

Continue reading XBLA Summer of Arcade 2012 detailed, Tony Hawk kickflips it off on July 18

JoystiqXBLA Summer of Arcade 2012 detailed, Tony Hawk kickflips it off on July 18 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 19 Jun 2012 12:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>deadlightdust-an-elysian-tailhybridmicrosoftsummer-of-arcadesummer-of-arcade-2012tony-hawk-pro-skater-hdtony-hawks-pro-skater-hdwreckateerxblaxboxxbox-livexbox-live-arcadexbox-live-marketplaceTue, 19 Jun 2012 12:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Summer of Arcade: Deadlight, Wreckateer, Tony Hawk HD, Dust: An Elysian Tale and Hybrid]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/04/summer-of-arcade-deadlight-wreckateer-tony-hawk-hd-dust-and/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/04/summer-of-arcade-deadlight-wreckateer-tony-hawk-hd-dust-and/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/04/summer-of-arcade-deadlight-wreckateer-tony-hawk-hd-dust-and/#comments During pre-show coverage of Microsoft's E3 press conference, Microsoft Studios head Phil Spencer revealed the lineup of this year's Summer of Arcade promotion.

The first game he talked about was Hyrbid, 5th Cell's jetpack-driven multiplayer shooter. This was followed by a brief vignette of Deadlight, the Tequila Works side-scroller set in a post-apocalyptic world. Next was Tony Hawk's Pro Skater HD from Robomodo, followed by Wreckateer for Kinect. Rounding out the list is Dust: An Elysian Tale.

There's no word on when Summer of Arcade kicks off - summer, right? - but considering Tony Hawk's Pro Skater HD drops in on July 11, at least we have some idea of the Summer of Arcade window.

JoystiqSummer of Arcade: Deadlight, Wreckateer, Tony Hawk HD, Dust: An Elysian Tale and Hybrid originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 04 Jun 2012 12:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>deadlightdust-an-elysian-tailhybridhybrid-xblakinectmicrosoftphil-spencersummer-of-arcadetony-hawks-pro-skater-hdwreckateerxblaxboxxbox-live-arcadeMon, 04 Jun 2012 12:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Fezes are cool: An afternoon with Phil Fish]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/13/fezes-are-cool-an-afternoon-with-phil-fish/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/13/fezes-are-cool-an-afternoon-with-phil-fish/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/13/fezes-are-cool-an-afternoon-with-phil-fish/#comments Amidst the gridlocked, city-wide pandemonium that is SXSW Interactive, I was able to rescue Fez's lead designer and artist Phil Fish from a pack of ravenous, business-card waving fans long enough for an interview. We set up at the quiet end of the Palmer Events Center's glass-lined second floor, standing at a chest high, sidewalk cafe-esque table overlooking Zilker Park. It had been raining for two days straight, but that morning the clouds had parted and festival attendees were treated to one of the few gorgeous spring afternoons Texas will get this year.

Fez has missed its most recently announced release window of Q1 2012, but the fact that the game is undergoing Microsoft certification means that it'll be out relatively soon. "We almost made it to Q1," Fish said. "We entered certification like two weeks ago, but we actually just failed it, which is kinda standard. Pretty much everybody fails their first cert."

Microsoft has a two-month window in which it can release Fez once it has gone gold, and Fish wants to make sure it happens as quickly as possible. "We're trying to put pressure on them to release it as soon as possible because the zeitgeist is really good right now, with the movie starting to get a lot of play and the award. And, also, it's been five years. I don't want to wait another two months after that."

Continue reading Fezes are cool: An afternoon with Phil Fish

JoystiqFezes are cool: An afternoon with Phil Fish originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 13 Mar 2012 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>FezIGFigf-2012indie-game-the-movieKickstarterLisanne-PajotmicrosoftPhil-FishPolytronpolytron-corporationsummer-of-arcadeSXSW-2012XBLAxboxTue, 13 Mar 2012 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Toy Soldiers: Cold War review: Back in the USSR]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/15/toy-soldiers-cold-war-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/15/toy-soldiers-cold-war-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/15/toy-soldiers-cold-war-review/#comments When I was a kid, I loved playing with LEGOs. I didn't have many of my own, but my best friend, Matt, had tons of them, what seemed like dozens of huge plastic tubs brimming with building blocks. Together, we would build jets, tanks, spaceships and more than a few robots. Our elaborate army bases would take up entire rooms. Naturally, half the fun of playing with our creations was pitting them against one another.

The epic battles, complete with sound effects -- including what I still believe to be an incredible vocal impression of a machine gun -- would rage for hours, until we had to go to bed or I had to go home. Of course, the explosions, glorious victories and bitter defeats weren't actually real. All of it was in our heads.

Had we the ability to project our imagination into something real, I think the end result would have looked something like Toy Soldiers: Cold War. Though our version probably would have had more pirates.

Gallery: Toy Soldiers: Cold War

Continue reading Toy Soldiers: Cold War review: Back in the USSR

JoystiqToy Soldiers: Cold War review: Back in the USSR originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 15 Aug 2011 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftsignal-studiossummer-of-arcadetoy-soldiers-cold-warxblaxboxxbox-liveMon, 15 Aug 2011 14:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Summer of Arcade games top XBLA sales]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/11/summer-of-arcade-games-top-xbla-sales/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/11/summer-of-arcade-games-top-xbla-sales/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/11/summer-of-arcade-games-top-xbla-sales/#comments In the first half of the year, whenever you ask an XBLA developer when their game is coming out, you'll almost always get the same answer: "We're shooting for summer." It's not just that downloadable games look great with a base tan. Their creators are hoping to get on board with Microsoft's Summer of Arcade promotion and all the promotion that goes with it. As the XBLA activity readings (based on purchased versions) for last week demonstrate, it's a profitable plan.

The top three titles between August 1st and 8th were the current Summer of Arcade offerings: From Dust, Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet and Bastion. We don't have specific numbers, but when you see a high-profile, high-quality July release like Ms. Splosion Man (which wasn't part of the promotion) way down there at #15, it's hard to deny the Summer of Arcade bump.

JoystiqSummer of Arcade games top XBLA sales originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 11 Aug 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bastionfrom-dustinsanely-twisted-shadow-planetmicrosoftsummer-of-arcadesummer-of-arcade-2011xblaxboxThu, 11 Aug 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fruit Ninja Kinect review: The joy of chopping]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/08/fruit-ninja-kinect-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/08/fruit-ninja-kinect-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/08/fruit-ninja-kinect-review/#comments It is good to chop fruit with your hands.

That's likely to be my very dumbest thesis for the remainder of my games-reviewing career, but let's face it: Fruit Ninja Kinect is an astonishingly dumb game. Its unswerving singlemindedness sets a new standard for simplicity: The game oscillates between binary states of chopping fruit and waiting to chop more fruit, with little extraneous cruft to pad the two. There is fruit, and then you chop it, and then the fruit -- in a burst of citrus and points -- is gone!

Such a single-faceted premise would be a mark of death for any game, even a budget-priced downloadable title. Luckily for Halfbrick, it is good to chop fruit with your hands.

Gallery: Fruit Ninja Kinect (6/7/11)

Continue reading Fruit Ninja Kinect review: The joy of chopping

JoystiqFruit Ninja Kinect review: The joy of chopping originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 08 Aug 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fruit-ninja-kinecthalfbrick-studioskinectmicrosoftsummer-of-arcadesummer-of-arcade-2011xboxMon, 08 Aug 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[From Dust breathes life into XBLA activity charts, followed by Bastion]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/04/from-dust-breathes-life-into-xbla-activity-charts-followed-by-b/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/04/from-dust-breathes-life-into-xbla-activity-charts-followed-by-b/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/04/from-dust-breathes-life-into-xbla-activity-charts-followed-by-b/#comments With a little help from the Summer of Arcade promotion, not to mention the involvement of gaming industry legend Eric Chahi, Xbox Live Arcade's From Dust managed to top Major Nelson's XBLA activity charts during its release week, followed by the previous week's offering, Bastion. It's so nice of them to fall in line like that! Like a bunch of obedient ducks, who are also downloadable video games.

As is usually the case with the activity charts, we don't know exactly how many full purchases From Dust managed to pull in. We can't be the only ones that enjoy destroying the whole world with a thousand natural disasters at once.

JoystiqFrom Dust breathes life into XBLA activity charts, followed by Bastion originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 04 Aug 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eric-chahifrom-dustmicrosoftproject-dustsummer-of-arcadeubisoftxblaxboxxbox-live-activityThu, 04 Aug 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Crimson Alliance may have price 'flexibility' at launch]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/22/crimson-alliance-may-have-price-flexibility-at-launch/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/22/crimson-alliance-may-have-price-flexibility-at-launch/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/22/crimson-alliance-may-have-price-flexibility-at-launch/#comments Certain Affinity is currently discussing Crimson Alliance pricing options with Microsoft to offer more flexibility when the game arrives on September 7. An ad for the Summer of Arcade on the Xbox dashboard states that those who purchase all five games in the promotion will receive "Crimson Alliance and all three characters as a gift." The line is oddly specific, separating the game from the characters, so we followed up with Certain Affinity.

"When Crimson Alliance launches, the full game -- all the content and characters -- will be priced at 1200 points," the rep told Joystiq. "We've discussed other pricing options with Microsoft that gives players more flexibility. We expect that to be finalized and a formal announcement closer to launch."

Crimson Alliance was a standout XBLA title at E3, where the developers alluded that the game might not follow the standard pricing model. With the "full game" costing 1200 MSP ($15), which is the standard price for most original XBLA titles now, it'll be interesting to see what alternatives are provided to those not seeking full membership in Crimson Alliance.

JoystiqCrimson Alliance may have price 'flexibility' at launch originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 22 Jul 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Certain-Affinitycrimson-alliancemicrosoftsummer-of-arcadexblaxboxFri, 22 Jul 2011 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Get The Maw free with Bastion purchase at Microsoft Store]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/21/get-the-maw-free-with-bastion-purchase-at-microsoft-store/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/21/get-the-maw-free-with-bastion-purchase-at-microsoft-store/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/21/get-the-maw-free-with-bastion-purchase-at-microsoft-store/#comments Maw? Maaaawwww? Where is that little purple guy? Oh, there he is -- as part of a free Summer of Arcade promotion on the Microsoft Store. Those who pick up a copy of Bastion via the Microsoft Store will also receive a free copy of Twisted Pixel's adorable adventure, The Maw. As we mentioned only a few words ago, The Maw is positively adorable and a decent game to boot, making this an attractive deal for those interested in Bastion.

Strangely, the site notes that the deal applies to "any" Summer of Arcade purchase, though a footnote claims that the deal is valid solely for Bastion. Considering Bastion is currently the only Summer of Arcade title available, it's possible that the deal will be applied to the rest of the Summer of Arcade lineup as each title is released.

JoystiqGet The Maw free with Bastion purchase at Microsoft Store originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 21 Jul 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bastionmicrosoftsummer-of-arcadesupergiant-gamesThe-Mawtwisted-pixelXBLAxboxThu, 21 Jul 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Bastion review: Classic composition]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/19/bastion-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/19/bastion-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/19/bastion-review/#comments If Bastion had been made by hundreds of people instead of just a handful, it would have started with a big-huge bang. The city of Caelondia would go from an everyday murmur to a cacophony of toppling buildings and panicked, immolated citizens while a tutorial told you to quickly crouch here, jump there and look at all this stuff we spent 10 million dollars on. The land would shake itself to rubble, the screen would blur and black out, and the logo would appear alongside a crass, Hans Zimmer honk.

BASTION

This much better version starts with you getting out of bed. All you know is that a calamity has wrecked the world -- and that you must be a heavy sleeper. A warm, attentive narrator identifies you as "The Kid," a character so central to the story that the world literally reforms beneath his feet, step-by-step. For reasons that I'll leave you to discover for yourself, The Kid and a handful of other apocalypse survivors are drawn to The Bastion, a floating island that may offer safety, answers, and perhaps a roll of duct tape large enough to put the world back together.

Gallery: Bastion (E3 2011)

Continue reading Bastion review: Classic composition

JoystiqBastion review: Classic composition originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 19 Jul 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bastionmicrosoftsummer-of-arcadesupergiant-gameswarner-brosxblaxboxTue, 19 Jul 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Bastion launch trailer is part prologue, briefly anti-log]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/15/bastion-launch-trailer-is-part-prologue-briefly-anti-log/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/15/bastion-launch-trailer-is-part-prologue-briefly-anti-log/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/15/bastion-launch-trailer-is-part-prologue-briefly-anti-log/#comments
Bastion's hero smashes a couple of logs with such ferocity in this launch trailer, we couldn't help but draw attention to it (not to mention our ability to conjure up eye-rolling headlines).

Writer and designer Greg Kasavin describes the creative process behind the video in sincere detail on the Supergiant Games site. While footage of the vividly drawn action-RPG would have sufficed, the small development team created original art, music, writing and narration specifically for today's presentation. "We iterate until the level of our nitpicking makes us want to kill each other or ourselves, which is when we know we're done," writes Kasavin.

Bastion launches this Wednesday, July 20, on Xbox Live Arcade as part of Microsoft's Summer of Arcade promotion.

JoystiqBastion launch trailer is part prologue, briefly anti-log originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 15 Jul 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bastiongreg-kasavinmicrosoftsummer-of-arcadesupergiant-gamesxblaxboxFri, 15 Jul 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[XBLA Summer of Arcade releases dated, buy them all for free Crimson Alliance]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/27/xbla-summer-of-arcade-releases-dated-buy-them-all-for-free-crim/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/27/xbla-summer-of-arcade-releases-dated-buy-them-all-for-free-crim/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/27/xbla-summer-of-arcade-releases-dated-buy-them-all-for-free-crim/#comments We knew which games were going to be part of this year's XBLA "Summer of Arcade" -- but not when. Today, Microsoft shared that information, allowing you to plan your season around buying video games.

The Summer kicks off with the isometric action-adventure Bastion on July 20, for 1200 Microsoft Points ($15.) Eric Chahi's volcanic god game, From Dust, follows on July 27 for the same price. On August 3, Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet will be available, also for 1200 MSP. August 10 brings a refreshing virtual fruit salad in the form of Fruit Ninja Kinect, for 800 Points. Finally, Toy Soldiers: Cold War arrives on August 17 for 1200 Points.

Like previous years, there's a bonus for buying all five Summer of Arcade titles, and this year it's a free copy of Crimson Alliance when it's released on September 7 (for 1200 Points). Fruit Ninja Kinect's inclusion in the promotion means that you must have a Kinect in order to take advantage of the free bonus. That's a bummer of Arcade for those who haven't picked up Microsoft's camera yet.

JoystiqXBLA Summer of Arcade releases dated, buy them all for free Crimson Alliance originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 27 Jun 2011 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bastioncrimson-alliancefrom-dustfruit-ninja-kinectinsanely-twisted-shadow-planetkinectmicrosoftq3-2011release-datesummer-of-arcadetoy-soldiers-cold-warxblaxboxMon, 27 Jun 2011 13:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet preview: UFO catcher]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/08/insanely-twisted-shadow-planet-preview-ufo-catcher/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/08/insanely-twisted-shadow-planet-preview-ufo-catcher/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/08/insanely-twisted-shadow-planet-preview-ufo-catcher/#comments I went into Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet with very little background information. I had seen a few trailers -- and it looks just as great in person -- but other than that I started playing knowing virtually nothing about the overall bent of its gameplay. Much to my delight, I was greeted by an expansive world (think Metroid) to explore and some inventive, well-polished mechanics.

Gallery: Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet (E3 2011)

Continue reading Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet preview: UFO catcher

JoystiqInsanely Twisted Shadow Planet preview: UFO catcher originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 08 Jun 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3-2011fuelcell-gamesinsanely-twisted-shadow-planetmicrosoftsummer-of-arcadesummer-of-arcade-2011xboxWed, 08 Jun 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Xbox Live Summer of Arcade 2011 kicks off July 20]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/06/xbox-live-summer-of-arcade-2011-kicks-off-july-20/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/06/xbox-live-summer-of-arcade-2011-kicks-off-july-20/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/06/xbox-live-summer-of-arcade-2011-kicks-off-july-20/#comments Can't have summer without hot new Xbox Live games, right? Microsoft has announced its line-up for the warmer months, kicking off July 20 -- strangely, in an email and not, you know, during its E3 2011 press conference. Regardless, a total of five games will be on offer. No exact time table for the games was announced nor prices but, hey, at least we know what's coming.

The first game listed is Toy Soldiers: Cold War, a sequel to one of 2010's most lucrative Xbox Live Arcade games. The next game listed is Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet, Fuelcell's stylish UFO simulator, followed by Fruit Ninja Kinect, a flail-tastic port of Halfbrick's darling mobile (and soon, Facebook!) title. Next we have Bastion, a game we suggest you all should keep an eye on. Finally, rounding out the list of games is From Dust, Eric Chahi's god game. An impressive list, to say the least.

It's important to know that this is simply how Microsoft listed the games in its press email and not indicative of when each title will launch throughout the promotion.

JoystiqXbox Live Summer of Arcade 2011 kicks off July 20 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 06 Jun 2011 15:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bastionfrom-dustfruit-ninja-kinectfuelcellhalfbrickinsanely-twisted-shadow-planetmicrosoftproject-dustsignal-studiossummer-of-arcadesupergiant-gamestoy-soldiers-cold-warubisoftUbisoft-Montpellierxblaxboxxbox-live-arcadeMon, 06 Jun 2011 15:23:00 EST<![CDATA[Hydro Thunder Hurricane 'Tempest Pack' available Oct. 27]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/19/hydro-thunder-hurricane-tempest-pack-available-oct-27/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/19/hydro-thunder-hurricane-tempest-pack-available-oct-27/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/19/hydro-thunder-hurricane-tempest-pack-available-oct-27/#comments Transforming supership news now, with the announcement of an October 27 release date for the "Tempest Pack," a new add-on for Xbox Live Arcade's well-received racer, Hydro Thunder Hurricane. According to developer Vector Unit, the 400 MSP ($5) pack will introduce two new boats -- "the super-agile Whiplash and the slip-slidery Psyclone" -- and three more imaginative race tracks.

If you're happy to pay for a trio of route canals, you'll end up hurtling through the Bermuda Triangle, into the lost city of Atlantis and past the boisterous bastions of Castle Von Boom. Those besotted with naval gazing will also welcome new skins for all the original boats, along with six expert-class variants of the lower-end boats, allowing you to compete effectively online with any selection. (Not against us, of course.)

JoystiqHydro Thunder Hurricane 'Tempest Pack' available Oct. 27 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 19 Oct 2010 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dlchydro-thunder-hurricanehydro-thunder-hurricane-tempest-packmicrosoftrelease-datesummer-of-arcadetempest-packvector-unitxblaxboxTue, 19 Oct 2010 15:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Castlevania HD, Lara Croft, Monday Night Combat sales analyzed]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/09/castlevania-hd-lara-croft-monday-night-combat-sales-analyzed/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/09/castlevania-hd-lara-croft-monday-night-combat-sales-analyzed/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/09/castlevania-hd-lara-croft-monday-night-combat-sales-analyzed/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Gamasutra has posted its Xbox Live Arcade sales analysis for August, and the results appear mixed for the final three Summer of Arcade titles. While the piece notes that every 2009 Summer of Arcade title managed to garner 80,000 players in their respective first weeks, this year's batch is less consistent. Based on leaderboard data, Castlevania: Harmony of Despair had only 44,601 players in its first week, with sales declining each following week to close out the month with just over 75,000 players. Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light -- perhaps due to the lack of online co-op -- befell a similar fate, acquiring 44,733 players in its first week and adding 22,498 more the following week to cap off August with 67,231 players.

Meanwhile, Monday Night Combat -- which launched between Castlevania and Lara Croft -- debuted with over 86,000 players, followed by strong additions the next two weeks for a total of nearly 172,000 in August. Granted, these numbers are all culled from leaderboards and don't necessarily translate directly to sales, it seems like this year's Summer of Arcade failed to drum up the same interest as last year's event, which packed in the likes of Shadow Complex, 'Splosion Man, and Trials HD. Check out the full article on Gamasutra for more stats than you can shake a slice of bacon at.

JoystiqCastlevania HD, Lara Croft, Monday Night Combat sales analyzed originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 09 Sep 2010 22:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>castlevania-harmony-of-despairlara-croft-and-the-guardian-of-lightmicrosoftmonday-night-combatSummer-of-ArcadexboxThu, 09 Sep 2010 22:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Review: Monday Night Combat]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/09/review-monday-night-combat/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/09/review-monday-night-combat/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/09/review-monday-night-combat/#comments It's dangerously simple to refer to a new product as an amalgam of other known quantities, but in the case of Monday Night Combat, it's the most effective sell. Here's the pitch: Imagine the class-based, team-oriented play of Team Fortress and then mix it with the escalating play of tower defense. Toss in a bright, campy sports entertainment aesthetic and you've got Monday Night Combat. And it's a blast.

Gallery: Monday Night Combat (8/7/10)

Continue reading Review: Monday Night Combat

JoystiqReview: Monday Night Combat originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 09 Aug 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftmonday-night-combatsummer-of-arcadeUber-EntertainmentxblaxboxMon, 09 Aug 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light will not have online co-op until Sept. 28]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/06/lara-croft-and-the-guardian-of-light-will-not-have-online-co-op/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/06/lara-croft-and-the-guardian-of-light-will-not-have-online-co-op/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/06/lara-croft-and-the-guardian-of-light-will-not-have-online-co-op/#commentsFiled under: , ,

We hope you've got space for Lara Croft and one guardian of light on your couch, because that's where the heroic pair will find themselves on August 18th. Developer Crystal Dynamics has confirmed that when Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light launches on Xbox Live Arcade, concluding Microsoft's Summer of Arcade promotion, it will only support offline co-op.

Online co-op, as well as Xbox Live standards like full leaderboard support and voice chat functionality, will be introduced via a free update on September 28. On the same day, Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light will arrive on PlayStation Network and Steam.

The baffling omission of the online component appears to have been made at the last minute, with Crystal Dynamics global brand director Karl Stewart telling Joystiq, "We made a decision recently because we were focusing on how we can deliver the best possible experience to the players. If we had launched with online co-op, we wouldn't feel comfortable that it was the best possible experience for the player." Though online co-op had been promoted and promised since the game's announcement, Stewart claims that "nothing underhanded" influenced the decision. "This is our first digital title and we want to make sure we deliver the best possible experience to players."

It's a tough decision: delay the game on Xbox Live Arcade and miss out on Summer of Arcade promotion, or get an imperfect version in front of players first. Either way, it's a disappointing scenario for all parties involved, including Microsoft. You can play Lara Croft on Xbox Live Arcade first -- but not on Xbox Live at first.

JoystiqLara Croft and the Guardian of Light will not have online co-op until Sept. 28 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 06 Aug 2010 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>co-opcrystal-dynamicskarl-stewartlara-croft-and-the-guardian-of-lightmicrosoftsummer-of-arcadexblaxboxFri, 06 Aug 2010 16:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Monday Night Combat gameplay walkthrough is full of bacon]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/06/monday-night-combat-gameplay-walkthrough-is-full-of-bacon/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/06/monday-night-combat-gameplay-walkthrough-is-full-of-bacon/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/06/monday-night-combat-gameplay-walkthrough-is-full-of-bacon/#commentsMonday Night Combat Monday Night Combat, out next Wednesday, will be the penultimate game in the XBLA Summer of Arcade promotion. The video after the break features a pretty good overview of the gameplay and, well, BACON! Who doesn't like bacon? Even vegetarians love bacon. It's true.

Continue reading Monday Night Combat gameplay walkthrough is full of bacon

JoystiqMonday Night Combat gameplay walkthrough is full of bacon originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 06 Aug 2010 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>developer-walkthroughmicrosoftmonday-night-combatsummer-of-arcadeuber-entertainmentxblaxboxFri, 06 Aug 2010 01:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Monday Night Combat's Assassin will stab you in the back, slap you around a little]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/30/monday-night-combats-assassin-will-stab-you-in-the-back-slap-y/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/30/monday-night-combats-assassin-will-stab-you-in-the-back-slap-y/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/30/monday-night-combats-assassin-will-stab-you-in-the-back-slap-y/#comments Don't sleep on Monday Night Combat's Assassin character -- aside from being incredibly quick and deadly, she has the unique ability to cloak herself, giving her ample opportunity to plant pointy things in your soft, flabby back. Sure, maybe if you worked out you'd have a tougher back, but we both knew when you bought that gym membership you'd never go. Now you see where you're at?

You may not be able to change the stabability of your back, but you can know your enemy and, remember, knowing is half the battle. So put some wrinkles in that noggin of yours and head past the break to watch the Assassin in action. Then maybe check with some doctors about undergoing a full-on stainless steel backiotomy, if you've got the cash -- your back is home to, like, 30 different vital organs. We read that somewhere once.

Monday Night Combat will be available on Xbox Live Arcade on August 11 for 1200 Microsoft Points ($15).

Continue reading Monday Night Combat's Assassin will stab you in the back, slap you around a little

JoystiqMonday Night Combat's Assassin will stab you in the back, slap you around a little originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 30 Jul 2010 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftmonday-night-combatsummer-of-arcadeuber-entertainmentxboxFri, 30 Jul 2010 00:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Video walkthrough: Destination Arcade]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/21/destination-arcade-video-walkthrough/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/21/destination-arcade-video-walkthrough/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/21/destination-arcade-video-walkthrough/#comments Wondering what Destination Arcade looks like -- the Summer of Arcade browser for Xbox Live Arcade titles -- yet lack the energy it takes to turn on your Xbox 360 and download it? It's cool, we know how it is -- life's tough, so we're here to help. Just beyond the break, you'll find our HD video walkthrough of the new content delivery platform, as narrated by myself and my smart, talented and downright physically attractive boss, Chris Grant.

... what? Nothing more to see here -- that's your cue to go watch the video!

Gallery: Destination Arcade

Continue reading Video walkthrough: Destination Arcade

JoystiqVideo walkthrough: Destination Arcade originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 21 Jul 2010 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>destination-arcademicrosoftsummer-of-arcadexblmxboxxbox-liveXbox-Live-Arcadexbox-live-marketplaceWed, 21 Jul 2010 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Monday Night Combat trailer schools us on sniping]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/21/monday-night-combat-trailer-schools-us-on-sniping/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/21/monday-night-combat-trailer-schools-us-on-sniping/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/21/monday-night-combat-trailer-schools-us-on-sniping/#comments
 Aside from having to deal with a grumbling tummy, we can't imagine there's much to being a sniper. But according to both Tom Berenger and the latest trailer for Monday Night Combat just past the break, there's plenty more to it.

Aside from being a bit off, every good Monday Night Combat sniper should have a repository of skills to call upon -- including traps that freeze your enemies in their tracks and a rather neat grapple skill that allows for some flashy melee maneuvers. Whoever said snipers never get their hands dirty?

Continue reading Monday Night Combat trailer schools us on sniping

JoystiqMonday Night Combat trailer schools us on sniping originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 21 Jul 2010 05:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftmonday-night-combatsummer-of-arcadeuber-entertainmentxblaxboxXbox-LiveXbox-Live-ArcadeWed, 21 Jul 2010 05:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Review: Limbo]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/19/review-limbo/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/19/review-limbo/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/19/review-limbo/#comments When trying to work out the best way to describe Limbo, I keep coming back to Edvard Munch. I've always been fascinated with Munch, an artist most famous for painting The Scream. It's his other works, however, that tend to stick with me, particularly his Madonna. As a work of art, Munch's Madonna presents the viewer with seemingly disparate imagery, at once both alluring and disquieting. It's dark, a little disturbing, and yet it's also engaging and beautiful.

That's Limbo.

Gallery: Limbo (7/6/10)

Continue reading Review: Limbo

JoystiqReview: Limbo originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 19 Jul 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>limbomicrosoftPlaydeadsummer-of-arcadexblaxboxMon, 19 Jul 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Destination Arcade only available during Summer of Arcade]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/13/destination-arcade-only-available-during-summer-of-arcade/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/13/destination-arcade-only-available-during-summer-of-arcade/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/13/destination-arcade-only-available-during-summer-of-arcade/#commentsDestination Arcade Major Nelson updated his post announcing the one week delay of Destination Arcade with the following message: "I have learned that the Destination Arcade app will only be available for the duration of the Summer of Arcade promotion which ends August 18th."

Look, we're going to come right out and say it: We have no idea what's going on in Redmond. First, they redesign the entire Dashboard to fix UI problems ... only many of those same UI problems still exist (try finding the latest XBLA release any given week in three actions or less). Next, they announce "Destination Arcade," a "brand new recommendation engine & visual browser app" that promised to deliver a more powerful, dedicated XBLA browsing interface. And now, as communicated by Major Nelson's update, Microsoft only plans to deliver that application for one month.

We've asked the good Major to clarify if the application will simply not be available for download following the 18th or if it will cease functioning as a service entirely after that date. We're not sure we understand either scenario.

Update 1:10pm: Major Nelson told Shacknews, "If you have downloaded it, it will continue to work." But that still hasn't answered the question of why it will only be available for a month.

[Thanks, Johnathan]

Gallery: Destination Arcade



JoystiqDestination Arcade only available during Summer of Arcade originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 13 Jul 2010 10:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Destination-ArcademicrosoftSummer-of-ArcadeXBLAxboxTue, 13 Jul 2010 10:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Summer of Arcade XBLA games dated and priced]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/06/summer-of-arcade-xbla-games-dated-and-priced/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/06/summer-of-arcade-xbla-games-dated-and-priced/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/06/summer-of-arcade-xbla-games-dated-and-priced/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Microsoft's suggestion for how to pass those hot summer afternoons: spend 1200 Microsoft Points ($15), repeatedly. The company released the official dates and prices for the XBLA games in this year's Summer of Arcade promotion -- or, rather, dates and price, since they all share the aforementioned 1200 MSP price tag.

Like last year's Summer of Arcade, purchasing all five games in this year's lineup entitles the buyer to a 1200-point rebate (essentially buy four, get one free). Additionally, if you buy three of the five, you'll get 400 MSP back! As for the release schedule:

JoystiqSummer of Arcade XBLA games dated and priced originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 06 Jul 2010 16:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Castlevaniacastlevania-harmony-of-despairhydro-thunder-hurricanelara-croft-and-the-guardian-of-lightLimbomicrosoftMonday-Night-Combatrelease-dateSummer-of-ArcadeXBLAXBLMxboxTue, 06 Jul 2010 16:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Castlevania: Harmony of Despair announced via Xbox Live 'Summer of Arcade' 2010 promo]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/14/castlevania-harmony-of-despair-announced-via-xbox-live-summer/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/14/castlevania-harmony-of-despair-announced-via-xbox-live-summer/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/14/castlevania-harmony-of-despair-announced-via-xbox-live-summer/#commentsFiled under: , ,

It appears Konami's leaked-pulled-and-then-leaked-again Castlevania: Harmony of Despair is very much a real thing. The rumored 2D multiplayer Castlevania game is part of the Microsoft's returning Summer of Arcade promotion. The junior year's games include:
The press release hasn't mentioned any added bonuses for purchasing all of the games, but previous years promised a refund of 800 Microsoft Points ($10) with purchase of all five participating titles. It's likely this year's Summer of Arcade will do the same, but we'll follow up.

[Thanks, mrmbado!]

JoystiqCastlevania: Harmony of Despair announced via Xbox Live 'Summer of Arcade' 2010 promo originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 14 Jun 2010 17:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>castlevania-harmony-of-despaire3-2010hydro-thunder-hurricanelara-croft-and-the-guardian-of-lightlimbomicrosoftmonday-night-combatsummer-of-arcadexblaxboxxbox-liveMon, 14 Jun 2010 17:10:00 EST<![CDATA[XBLA Summer of Arcade sales grow 200%]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/22/xbla-summer-of-arcade-sales-grow-200/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/22/xbla-summer-of-arcade-sales-grow-200/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/22/xbla-summer-of-arcade-sales-grow-200/#comments
Microsoft had a good summer, according to the company's summary of Xbox Live events. 1 vs. 100 reached nearly 3 million gamers during its beta season by Microsoft's estimates, and the Summer of Arcade Xbox Live Arcade promotion enjoyed a reported 200 percent growth in revenue over last year's sales.

While Microsoft has already relished in Metroidvania success, a press release claims that Trials HD and Marvel vs. Capcom 2 also performed well in first-week sales; and both titles join Shadow Complex in the top five bestselling week-one XBLA games of all time. Sales were no doubt boosted by a cloudy economy that kept folks indoors and looking for inexpensive entertainment. Microsoft capitalized, too, by raising the average price of its Summer of Arcade titles.

During last year's promotion, three of the five Summer of Arcade games were priced at $10, but this year, only two of the five were $10 -- the other three costing $15 apiece. (It's unclear if Microsoft counts Battlefield 1943's sales toward revenue growth; the $15 title was not technically part of Summer of Arcade this year.)

Microsoft also saw success in its bold, new free entertainment department. 1 vs. 100 averaged more than half a million users during each of the game show's live sessions. According to Microsoft, the game's near "three-million" downloads within its 13-week availability places 1 vs. 100 within the top ten downloads in Xbox Live history. If we've learned anything on this gloomy fall morning, it's that people like summer gaming and Microsoft has way too many "top" lists cluttering up its offices.

JoystiqXBLA Summer of Arcade sales grow 200% originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 22 Sep 2009 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1-vs-100capcomchair-entertainmentdataepic-gamesmarvel-vs-capcom-2Microsoftredlynxsalesshadow-complexsummer-of-arcadetrials-hdxblaXbox-360Tue, 22 Sep 2009 09:58:00 EST<![CDATA[RedLynx preparing Trials HD downloadable content]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/09/redlynx-preparing-trials-hd-downloadable-content/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/09/redlynx-preparing-trials-hd-downloadable-content/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/09/redlynx-preparing-trials-hd-downloadable-content/#comments
Having barely survived the insane stunt gauntlet crafted by Trials HD, we can only approach news of additional content in a cautious and slow manner. We're still getting used to walking with these crutches.

When asked by Console Arcade if the included level editor precluded additional downloadable levels for the bone-crunching bike-'em-up, RedLynx CEO Tero Virtala and creative director Antti Ilvessuo responded, "No, there's going to be DLC. We are working on it right now as we speak."

Not noted in the interview was the evil laughter that followed -- likely drowned out by the ritualistic chanting necessary to summon Trials HD levels from their demonic dimension of origin.

JoystiqRedLynx preparing Trials HD downloadable content originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 09 Sep 2009 16:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dlcMicrosoftredlynxsummer-of-arcadetrials-hdxblaXbox-360Wed, 09 Sep 2009 16:13:00 EST<![CDATA[Why Shadow Complex credits a multiplayer tester]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/19/why-shadow-complex-credits-a-multiplayer-tester/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/19/why-shadow-complex-credits-a-multiplayer-tester/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/19/why-shadow-complex-credits-a-multiplayer-tester/#comments Those of you who've blown through Shadow Complex already (shame on you, it should be savored) may have noticed a strange anomaly during the credits. The game (which is single-player only) credits T.J. Duez as the sole member of the game's multiplayer test team. We emailed developer Chair and parent company Epic to get the skinny.

"The only explanation I can offer is that we used a lot Epic's internal testers for the game and since they have a number of multiplayer games, that might just be his title at Epic," said Chair's Laura Mustard. "Otherwise, he's got a pretty good gig as there's not much multiplayer testing that can be done on a game that is single-player only, right?" Epic's Mark Rein concurred, adding "We have testers at Epic who specialize in multi-player testing and probably one of them helped out on Shadow Complex in their spare time."

Sorry, gang. Sounds like if you were hoping for co-op complex crawling, you're going to be waiting a while.

JoystiqWhy Shadow Complex credits a multiplayer tester originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 19 Aug 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chairepic-gamesMicrosoftshadow-complexsummer-of-arcadeXbox-360xbox-liveWed, 19 Aug 2009 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[This Wednesday: Trials HD skids onto XBLA]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/10/this-wednesday-trials-hd-skids-onto-xbla/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/10/this-wednesday-trials-hd-skids-onto-xbla/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/10/this-wednesday-trials-hd-skids-onto-xbla/#comments
We have to admit to feeling just a little silly about continuing to remind you about these XBLA releases when you knew the lot of them a month or so ago. But, we're told that people with "that Memento guy disease" (excuse the clinical terminology) make up around 10 percent of our audience, surprising as that may be.

So, as a reminder to most of you and a hot scoop for a precious few: Motocross platformer (that sounds made-up, we know) Trials HD is going to arrive on Xbox Live Arcade this Wednesday for 1200 ($15). Have fun, just don't let it stop you from tracking down John G.

JoystiqThis Wednesday: Trials HD skids onto XBLA originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 10 Aug 2009 14:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>mementoMicrosoftsummer-of-arcadetrials-hdxblaxblawednesdayXbox-360Mon, 10 Aug 2009 14:12:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft will give you $10! (For spending $70 on Xbox Live)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/29/microsoft-will-give-you-10-for-spending-70-on-xbox-live/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/29/microsoft-will-give-you-10-for-spending-70-on-xbox-live/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/29/microsoft-will-give-you-10-for-spending-70-on-xbox-live/#comments So, here's an interesting promotion. A press release just hit the ol' Joystiq inbox, claiming that those who buy all of the Xbox Live Summer of Arcade titles will be treated to 800, also known as $10 in Microsoft's funny money. This calls for copy and paste!
Just adding those up -- carry the one --- that's a free $10 for spending $70 on Xbox Live. Keep in mind it's $10 you can only spend on Xbox Live (or Zune Marketplace). While the deal might seem silly at first glance, it does essentially boil down to five XBLA games for $60, the price of one retail game. And, as another Joystiq editor pointed out, that retail game could never be 'Splosion Man.

It's a nice bonus if you already plan to pick up all the games. If you don't, you'll be saving money anyway. Everybody wins!

JoystiqMicrosoft will give you $10! (For spending $70 on Xbox Live) originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 29 Jul 2009 15:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>marvel-vs-capcom-2Microsoftshadow-complexsplosion-mansummer-of-arcadeTMNT-Turtles-in-Time-Re-Shelledtrials-hdxblaXbox-360Wed, 29 Jul 2009 15:05:00 EST<![CDATA[XBLA's 'Summer of Arcade' lineup reshuffled]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/10/xblas-summer-of-arcade-lineup-reshuffled/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/10/xblas-summer-of-arcade-lineup-reshuffled/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/10/xblas-summer-of-arcade-lineup-reshuffled/#comments As if this Friday wasn't freaky enough, Xbox Live's Major Nelson has alerted us to a schedule swap occurring within the "Summer of Arcade" lineup. 'Splosion Man has taken the July 22nd spot previously held by TMNT: Turtles in Time Re-shelled, which will now release on August 5th. The full Xbox Live Arcade release list -- excluding next week's Monkey Island revamp -- is as follows:
We're happy to experience Twisted Pixel's self-destructive efforts sooner, if only to ease us gently into a rather extravagant spending spree.

JoystiqXBLA's 'Summer of Arcade' lineup reshuffled originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 10 Jul 2009 15:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>marvel-vs-capcom-2Microsoftshadow-complexsplosion-mansummer-of-arcadetmntTMNT-Turtles-in-Time-Re-Shelledtrials-hdxblaXbox-360Fri, 10 Jul 2009 15:15:00 EST<![CDATA[XBLA 'Summer of Arcade' 2009 release schedule announced]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/09/xbla-summer-of-arcade-2009-release-schedule/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/09/xbla-summer-of-arcade-2009-release-schedule/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/09/xbla-summer-of-arcade-2009-release-schedule/#comments Microsoft's Major Nelson has revealed the full details of this year's "Summer of Arcade" ... and it's going to be mighty expensive if you're interested in the whole kaboodle.
The only difference from this list and the previously announced lineup is the absence of Monkey Island Special Edition, which is scheduled for release next week on July 15.

[Update: Release schedule revised!]

JoystiqXBLA 'Summer of Arcade' 2009 release schedule announced originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 09 Jul 2009 12:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>marvel-vs-capcom-2Microsoftshadow-complexsplosion-mansummer-of-arcadetmntTMNT-Turtles-in-Time-Re-Shelledtrials-hdxblaXbox-360Thu, 09 Jul 2009 12:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Hands-on: TMNT Turtles in Time Re-shelled (XBLA)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/12/hands-on-tmnt-turtles-in-time-re-shelled-xbla/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/12/hands-on-tmnt-turtles-in-time-re-shelled-xbla/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/12/hands-on-tmnt-turtles-in-time-re-shelled-xbla/#comments
click to enlarge Excuse us as we take a deep breath in order to introduce one of XBLA's upcoming titles for the "Summer of Arcade" -- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time Re-shelled. The ridiculously long-titled downloadable is a complete HD remake of the classic Konami arcade brawler, coming first to the Xbox 360 (a PS3 version is in the works).

Our time with Ubisoft's TMNT update was brief, but only because the game suffers from what all arcade brawlers in downloadable form do -- the levels are extremely short. Coming from an age where difficulty was ramped up to suck as many quarters as it could from a player's pocket, the new version of TMNT allowed us to quickly blaze through two levels of the game without pumping another 25 cent piece into the Xbox 360 console.

Gallery: TMNT: Turtles in Time Re-Shelled

Continue reading Hands-on: TMNT Turtles in Time Re-shelled (XBLA)

JoystiqHands-on: TMNT Turtles in Time Re-shelled (XBLA) originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 12 Jun 2009 20:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Beat-em-upMicrosoftsummer-of-arcadetmntTMNT-Turtles-in-Time-Re-ShelledUbisoftUbisoft-SingaporeXBLAXbox-360Fri, 12 Jun 2009 20:15:00 EST<![CDATA[E3 2009 highlights: The Xbox roundup]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/12/e3-2009-highlights-the-xbox-roundup/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/12/e3-2009-highlights-the-xbox-roundup/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/12/e3-2009-highlights-the-xbox-roundup/#comments E3 was brütal! If you blinked, for a split/second, you missed something. Even if you were trine to keep up, it was a blur -- staying a.wake like that, you only pushed yourself to the brink of your own dark void. That's where Joystiq comes in; to crackdown on the madness; to reach out ... with conviction -- phew! Crysis averted.

We've scoured the dark corners and survived the inferno to piece together this roundup of all things Xbox at E3. Why? Just 'cause we love you. So, draw nier and shift your eyes past the break.

Continue reading E3 2009 highlights: The Xbox roundup

JoystiqE3 2009 highlights: The Xbox roundup originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 12 Jun 2009 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alan-wakearmy-of-two-the-40th-dayassassins-creed-2avataravatarsbatman-arkham-asylumbayonettaBethesdaBethesda-Game-StudiosBethesda-Softworksbioshock-2blurbooth-tourbrinkbrutal-legendcastlevania-lords-of-shadowcrackdown-2crysis-2dancedancerevolutiondantes-infernodark-cornersdark-voiddarksidersddrdef-jam-rapstardirt-2dj-herodragon-age-originse3-2009eaEA-CanadaEA-Sportsea-sports-mmaElectronic-Artsfacebookfairytale-fightsfallout-3fight-night-round-4Fightingfinal-fantasy-xiiiforza-3front-missiongames-on-demandgametrak-freedomgears-of-war-2guitar-hero-5halo-3-odsthalo-reachhuxleyjoy-ridejust-cause-2konamilast-fmleft-4-dead-2lego-rock-bandlost-planet-2mafia-2marvel-vs-capcom-2mass-effect-2metal-gear-solid-risingmicrosoftmilommamodern-warfare-2need-for-speed-shiftnetflixniernxeoperation-flashpoint-dragon-risingoverlord-2point-lookoutproject-natalraven-squadroundupRPGrusesamurai-showdown-edge-of-destinysection-8shadow-complexsingularitysplinter-cell-convictionsplosion-manSportssqueeballssummer-of-arcadesupreme-commander-2tekken-6the-beatles-rock-bandthe-saboteurTMNT-Turtles-in-Time-Re-Shelledtony-hawk-ridetrials-hdtrinetwitterubisoftwarriors-legends-of-troywolfensteinxblaXboxXbox-360xbox-avatarsxbox-livexbox-live-partyxbox-video-marketplacezephyr-rise-of-the-elementalszune-videoFri, 12 Jun 2009 11:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Hands-on: Marvel vs. Capcom 2 (XBLA)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/03/hands-on-marvel-vs-capcom-2-xbla/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/03/hands-on-marvel-vs-capcom-2-xbla/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/03/hands-on-marvel-vs-capcom-2-xbla/#comments
click to enlarge

Although PlayStation 3 owners are currently enjoying an exclusive demo for the upcoming digital release, Microsoft was showing off Marvel vs. Capcom 2 behind closed doors at this year's E3 Expo to promote the upcoming Summer of Arcade lineup.

If you've played Marvel vs. Capcom 2 in the past, you'll know what to expect. However, in our opinion, the game loses a lot of what made the original fun by hitting the XBLA service completely unlocked. Meaning, all 56 characters are available to players as soon as they click 'Purchase Full Version.' Part of the charm of Marvel vs. Capcom 2 was collecting points to purchase the insane number of unlockable items -- ranging from costumes to characters themselves. Sadly, from what we've played of the XBLA/PSN revamp ... Marvel vs. Capcom 2 has lost a lot of its charm.

Gallery: Marvel vs Capcom 2

Continue reading Hands-on: Marvel vs. Capcom 2 (XBLA)

JoystiqHands-on: Marvel vs. Capcom 2 (XBLA) originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 03 Jun 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>capcome3-2009marvel-vs-capcom-2Microsoftsummer-of-arcadeXbox-360Wed, 03 Jun 2009 15:30:00 EST