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[Super Bowl 'Rio' commercial reveals secret behind Angry Birds easter egg]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/07/super-bowl-rio-commercial-reveals-secret-behind-angry-birds-ea/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/07/super-bowl-rio-commercial-reveals-secret-behind-angry-birds-ea/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/07/super-bowl-rio-commercial-reveals-secret-behind-angry-birds-ea/#comments Last night's blockbuster football contest might not have featured the most hee-larious advertisements in all of Super Bowl history -- but you can't say they weren't rewarding. Take, for instance, the trailer for 20th Century Fox's Rio, which featured a split-second image of one of the avian protagonists of Angry Birds, as well as the numbers "13-12." A few of the game's more dedicated players have cracked that riddle -- firing off the birds in a specific sequence and direction on said stage unlocks a special, Super Bowl-themed level, provided you've updated to the most recent version of the game.

Check out a video after the jump to see how the bird-firing maneuver is properly executed. Also, we'd like to see more video game easter eggs in television commercials, please. Trust us, ad executives, it's good for you too -- we must have watched that freaking Rio commercial like, twenty times now.

Continue reading Super Bowl 'Rio' commercial reveals secret behind Angry Birds easter egg

JoystiqSuper Bowl 'Rio' commercial reveals secret behind Angry Birds easter egg originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 07 Feb 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidangry-birdseaster-eggiphonemobilerioroviosuper-bowlMon, 07 Feb 2011 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Super Bowl ad to contain hidden Angry Birds level code]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/04/super-bowl-ad-to-contain-hidden-angry-birds-level-code/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/04/super-bowl-ad-to-contain-hidden-angry-birds-level-code/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/04/super-bowl-ad-to-contain-hidden-angry-birds-level-code/#commentsIf you're just hanging out playing Angry Birds in the living room while the Super Bowl is on, be sure to look up while the commercial for the animated film Rio is playing. Hidden in the ad will be a code for a downloadable Angry Birds levels (though it's not been specified if it will be compatible with all versions of the game.)

Users who find the code in the ad (which will be available on YouTube later), and then complete the level will be entered to win a trip to the March 22 premiere of Rio -- the same day the Angry Birds Rio promotional game is released. No details about the level itself have been released, but we can confirm it involves slingshotted spheroid birds launched at rickety structures.

JoystiqSuper Bowl ad to contain hidden Angry Birds level code originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 04 Feb 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>angry-birdsangry-birds-rioiphonemobileriorovio-mobilesuper-bowlFri, 04 Feb 2011 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Steelers win Madden 11 Super Bowl simulation]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/01/steelers-win-madden-11-super-bowl-simulation/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/01/steelers-win-madden-11-super-bowl-simulation/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/01/steelers-win-madden-11-super-bowl-simulation/#comments Computers can be used to calculate all sorts of truly helpful data ... or they can be used to simulate the Super Bowl. If you're going to use processing power to predict the outcome of a sporting event, then you'd better be pretty darned accurate if you hope to maintain any semblance of a reasonable use of life (it still takes human people to run, recap and even report on -- hi there! -- the simulation). EA Sports' Madden games have at least been that, accurately calling the winner of six of the last seven Super Bowls.

This year, Madden 11 sees the Pittsburgh Steelers defeating the Green Bay Packers 24-20 in Super Bowl XLV, which sounds like a good enough guess. But now, do you put money on that? (After the break, delve into the video highlights and box score ... of the simulated game.)

Also vying for "reasonability" will be this Thursday's Madden Bowl XVII (wait -- there have already been sixteen of these?). The annual tournament of NFL players gamers whose seasons have been reduced to playing as themselves will be broadcast live on ESPN3 (on your Xbox Dashboard) at 9PM ET, February 3. Hey Niners fans, did you know Alex Smith* has won a record two Madden Bowls? That's the same number of Super Bowl rings that Roethlisberger has -- well, until Sunday's victory, according to Madden. [*Update: Oops! Sorry to get your hopes up San Francisco faithful -- it's Alex Smith the tight end (currently playing for the Cleveland Browns) who holds the Madden Bowl record. Alex Smith the quarterback has never participated in the event.]

Gallery: Madden NFL 11 (Super Bowl XLV Simulation)

Continue reading Steelers win Madden 11 Super Bowl simulation

JoystiqSteelers win Madden 11 Super Bowl simulation originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 01 Feb 2011 12:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>espn3madden-bowl-xviimadden-nfl-11microsoftpackersplaystationpredictionps3simulationsonysteelerssuper-bowlsuper-bowl-xlvxboxTue, 01 Feb 2011 12:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Play The Who's Super Bowl halftime performance in Rock Band [update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/04/play-the-whos-super-bowl-halftime-performance-in-rock-band/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/04/play-the-whos-super-bowl-halftime-performance-in-rock-band/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/04/play-the-whos-super-bowl-halftime-performance-in-rock-band/#comments
[NFL]
If you want to play a bunch of songs by The Who in Rock Band in a manner that satisfies your minute attention span, and do so soon, MTV and Harmonix just made an announcement that will delight you (however briefly). Alternately, you're going to be thrilled if you want to capture some Super Bowl magic in your living room.

On Sunday, February 7, The Who will play a 15-song medley during the Super Bowl's halftime show, and Rock Band will feature that same medley as a $2 download the same day (on Xbox 360 and Wii, anyway -- the PS3 version will arrive later). The identities of the songs contained in the medley will be unknown until the Super Bowl performance, but, really, they're all good.

Yeaahhhhhhhhh!

[Update: We mistakenly identified the "S-mashup" as consisting of the 15 songs listed in the press release. It is actually a medley of unannounced songs. We apologize for the error.]

JoystiqPlay The Who's Super Bowl halftime performance in Rock Band [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 04 Feb 2010 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dlcharmonixMicrosoftmtv-gamesNintendorock-bandsuper-bowlsuper-bowl-s-mashupthe-whoWiiXbox-360Thu, 04 Feb 2010 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Madden predicts Saints win Super Bowl XLIV]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/03/madden-predicts-saints-win-super-bowl-xliv/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/03/madden-predicts-saints-win-super-bowl-xliv/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/03/madden-predicts-saints-win-super-bowl-xliv/#comments If the "Madden Curse" is the unflapping revenge exacted by the fowl spirit of the Great Turducken, its devoured body unceremoniously carved up by the bare hands of John Madden on national television those many years ago (seriously, go wikipedia that joint), then the annual "Madden NFL Super Bowl Simulation" is just ... plain math.

In the latest case of crunching the numbers, Madden 10 has predicted the New Orleans Saints to be winners of this Sunday's Super Bowl XLIV over the Indianapolis Colts. It was a real nail biter, EA recalls: "with minutes left in the game the duo of Joseph Addai and Peyton Manning put the Colts back on top with a go-ahead touchdown pass. With the game hanging in the balance, Drew Brees hits David Thomas for an 11-yard touchdown and the game winning score." The final: 35-31.

But more intriguing than the projected outcome of a mere sporting event is EA Sports' coveted simulation formula, which has become scary good. Not only did it correctly predict the winners of the conference championship games a few Sundays ago within a three-point margin of error, according to EA Sports, the formula accurately played out last year's Super Bowl down to the final score and individual player stats, which begs the question: What can't it predict?

We'd like to put a request in to EA to simulate next week's retail showdown: BioShock 2 vs. Dante's Inferno. Place your bets now!

Gallery: Madden NFL 10 Super Bowl XLIV Simulation

JoystiqMadden predicts Saints win Super Bowl XLIV originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 03 Feb 2010 20:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaea-sportsElectronic-Artsmaddenmadden-10madden-nfl-10MicrosoftNintendopredictionssimulationsuper-bowlsuper-bowl-xlivsuperbowlWiiXbox-360Wed, 03 Feb 2010 20:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: CBS rejects Dante's inferno ad over tagline]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/02/report-cbs-rejects-dantes-inferno-ad-over-tagline/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/02/report-cbs-rejects-dantes-inferno-ad-over-tagline/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/02/report-cbs-rejects-dantes-inferno-ad-over-tagline/#comments According to The Hollywood Reporter, CBS required some editing to EA's Super Bowl ad for Dante's Inferno before it would expose America's fragile hive mind to it. No, it's not because of all the demons and the brimstone and stuff, but rather due to the game's widely-used tag line "Go to Hell." As you can seen in the clip after the jump, it's replaced by "Hell Awaits."

The change is likely because of worries about offending conservative viewers, but we're secretly hoping that Doritos is launching a new super spicy chip during the big game and it just didn't want Dante copying its line.

[Via Eurogamer]

Continue reading Report: CBS rejects Dante's inferno ad over tagline

JoystiqReport: CBS rejects Dante's inferno ad over tagline originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 02 Feb 2010 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adadvertisingcensorshipdantes-infernoeaElectronic-ArtsMicrosoftsuper-bowlvisceral-gamesXbox-360Tue, 02 Feb 2010 16:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: EA buys Super Bowl ad time for Dante's Inferno]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/29/report-ea-buys-super-bowl-ad-time-for-dantes-inferno/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/29/report-ea-buys-super-bowl-ad-time-for-dantes-inferno/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/29/report-ea-buys-super-bowl-ad-time-for-dantes-inferno/#comments Because the Dante's Inferno marketing department obviously knows what it's doing, IndustryGamers reports that EA bought up some ad time during next month's Super Bowl, presumably in the hopes that some of the people watching will care enough to pick up the game when it's releases two days later. We have to wonder how many of these sports-watching people -- who are ostensibly not as interested in 14th century epic poetry -- will care about a guy with a self-inflicted sewing nightmare on his chest waging war through Hell.

So, here's ample warning. When your parents inevitably drag you over to your uncle's house to watch the San Bernardino Flim-Flams take on the Texarkana Whatsits, and your little cousin -- you know, the one way too into Dashboard Confessional with the closet full of long-sleeve shirts with thumb holes cut out -- sees the ad and goes bananas, know that Joystiq gave you the heads up. We love you like that.

JoystiqReport: EA buys Super Bowl ad time for Dante's Inferno originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 29 Jan 2010 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>addantes-infernoeaElectronic-ArtsmarketingMicrosoftsuper-bowlvisceral-gamesXbox-360Fri, 29 Jan 2010 00:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Leaked: Questionable Killzone 2 Super Bowl ad, making-of special]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/01/leaked-questionable-killzone-2-super-bowl-ad-making-of-special/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/01/leaked-questionable-killzone-2-super-bowl-ad-making-of-special/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/01/leaked-questionable-killzone-2-super-bowl-ad-making-of-special/#commentsFiled under: ,


A 52-second video purporting to be a Super Bowl advertisement for Killzone 2 has been making the rounds, though its legitimacy has come under a great deal of scrutiny. First of all, the length -- NBC is charging in 30 second increments for commercials, leaving eight seconds unaccounted for should the ad run. Also, while Sony does have a few ad spots reserved during the big game, they're set aside for movies coming out of Sony Pictures, and not for games. Also, the writing is really bad. The leaked ad is posted after the jump -- with kickoff a few hours away, we won't have to wait long to see if it's a fake.

Also posted after the jump is a leaked 23-minute making-of special for the Helghast-filled shooter, which is set to air on Bravo today. If you've remained in the dark about Killzone 2, you might want to check it out -- we found it highly educational. For instance, before we watched it, we didn't even know there was an earlier installment in the Killzone series. Yeah, apparently, it came out on PS2 in like, 2004! Crazy, right?

Source - The questionable Super Bowl ad
Source - Bravo's making-of special

Curious about Killzone 2? Check out our expert opinion in the single-player review. Not enough for ya? Then proceed directly to our ridiculously informative FAQ, featuring everything from Trophies to button layout to multiplayer analysis, and more!

Continue reading Leaked: Questionable Killzone 2 Super Bowl ad, making-of special

JoystiqLeaked: Questionable Killzone 2 Super Bowl ad, making-of special originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 01 Feb 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>commercialkillzone-2making-ofPS3super-bowlSun, 01 Feb 2009 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Cool Stuff for Sunday, Volume 1]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/01/cool-stuff-for-sunday-volume-1/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/01/cool-stuff-for-sunday-volume-1/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/01/cool-stuff-for-sunday-volume-1/#comments
Here's our new weekly feature, Cool Stuff for Sunday (a pretty straightforward name, we think). Here, we'll highlight some of the cool things we couldn't get to during the rest of the week.

Continue reading Cool Stuff for Sunday, Volume 1

JoystiqCool Stuff for Sunday, Volume 1 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 01 Feb 2009 09:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cool-stuffgran-turismogran-turismo-5gran-turismo-6hitlerkillzonekillzone-2ps1psonesuper-bowlSun, 01 Feb 2009 09:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Madden 09 predicts Pittsburgh Steelers victory in Super Bowl XLIII]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/23/madden-09-predicts-pittsburgh-steelers-victory-in-super-bowl-xli/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/23/madden-09-predicts-pittsburgh-steelers-victory-in-super-bowl-xli/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/23/madden-09-predicts-pittsburgh-steelers-victory-in-super-bowl-xli/#commentsFiled under: ,

The Super Bowl is only a few days away, and as expected, EA has run a Super Bowl simulation using this year's Madden. This year, the publisher expects the Pittsburgh Steelers to achieve a narrow victory over the Arizona Cardinals, with a final score of 28-24.

The annual Madden prediction has been fairly successful, with the exception of last year's surprise victory from the New York Giants:
  • 2004 - Madden: Patriots ; Reality: Patriots
  • 2005 - Madden: Patriots ; Reality: Patriots
  • 2006 - Madden: Steelers ; Reality: Steelers
  • 2007 - Madden: Colts ; Reality: Colts
  • 2008 - Madden: Patriots ; Reality: Giants
Super Bowl XLIII kicks off February 1st, when the NY Giants will somehow manage to pull off an even more startling victory this year. Go NY!

JoystiqMadden 09 predicts Pittsburgh Steelers victory in Super Bowl XLIII originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 23 Jan 2009 15:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cardinalsmaddenmadden-09nflsteelerssuper-bowlsuper-bowl-xliiiFri, 23 Jan 2009 15:22:00 EST<![CDATA[The Joystiq Weekend: February 2 - 3, 2008]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/03/the-joystiq-weekend-february-2-3-2008/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/03/the-joystiq-weekend-february-2-3-2008/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/03/the-joystiq-weekend-february-2-3-2008/#commentsFiled under:

Unfortunately, Tecmo Bowl can't predict everything. Now that the Super Bowl (or, perhaps more importantly, the episode of House that came on after) is over, check out the highlights for this weekend:

Joystiquery
PS Fanboy Week in Review: 1/28 - 2/3
Weekly Webcomic Wrapup: It's a Gamer's Life

News
Space Siege console port is 'definitely' being considered
Wiimote peripheral patent diagrams are hilarious, unsettling
Rockstar already expects controversy over GTA IV
Video games give B-list actors a second chance
Second Lost: Via Domus trailer is riddled with subliminal messages

Rumors & Speculation
Rumor: Novels on their way to European DSes

Culture & Community
Four48 crew takes on the world in Resident Evil 4 race
Hacked PlayStation Eye does desktop VR
New GameSpot Editor in Chief wants to regain your trust
GameTrailers Super Bowl simulation also picks Patriots

JoystiqThe Joystiq Weekend: February 2 - 3, 2008 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 03 Feb 2008 23:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dailyrecapgiantsnflpatriotssuper-bowltecmotecmo-bowlSun, 03 Feb 2008 23:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Super Bowl Sunday: Predictions, snacks and games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/03/super-bowl-sunday-predictions-snacks-and-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/03/super-bowl-sunday-predictions-snacks-and-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/03/super-bowl-sunday-predictions-snacks-and-games/#commentsFiled under:


Today, American football takes center stage as Super Bowl XLII clogs the television airwaves pitting the New England Patriots against the New York Giants. And even though the Madden Bowl festivities have all but come and gone (though, Play & Win is still trucking along), you can still celebrate XLII by cruising the Super Bowl Madden simulations (hint: Patriots can't lose) and possibly play some Madden 08 to get into the football mood. And for those who aren't about watching the jock on jock spectacle, then we say celebrate the Super Bowl your own way. Pop in your favorite 360 game of choice, gorge on salty sweet snacks, order a pizza (or six) and gawk at the million dollar commercials that will be aired. Kickoff is at 6:18PM eastern (how very specific), so make tonight an event however you choose. Just be sure to keep positive thoughts of the Patriots scoring every drive in the back of your head ... that's all we ask.

JoystiqSuper Bowl Sunday: Predictions, snacks and games originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 03 Feb 2008 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eamaddenmadden-08super-bowlsuper-bowl-xliiSun, 03 Feb 2008 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[GameTrailers Super Bowl simulation also picks Patriots]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/03/gametrailers-super-bowl-simulation-also-picks-patriots/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/03/gametrailers-super-bowl-simulation-also-picks-patriots/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/03/gametrailers-super-bowl-simulation-also-picks-patriots/#commentsFiled under:


You might have watched EA Sports' Madden '08 simulation for Super Bowl XLII when it surfaced a few days ago, where it was predicted that the Patriots would take home the Lombardi trophy by a narrow margin -- then again, you might have fallen asleep in the middle of that video, which was more or less a glorified gameplay montage, completely devoid of commentary and music.

Taking a cue from classic NFL films, GameTrailers recently performed their own Madden simulation of the Super Bowl, yielding similar, and much more watchable results. Our knowledge of the mechanics of football is limited, but basically, GameTrailers predicts that the Patriots will run the brown ball into the score zone more times than the Giants, winning with a score of 20 touchdowns to 10 touchdowns. They also predicted the entirety of Tom Petty's halftime show set list -- strangely enough, it is sans "Free Fallin'".

JoystiqGameTrailers Super Bowl simulation also picks Patriots originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 03 Feb 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>MaddenMadden08Super-BowlSuperBowlSuperBowlXLIISun, 03 Feb 2008 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Today's most retro recap video: Super Tecmo Bowl XLII]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/01/todays-most-retro-recap-video-super-tecmo-bowl-xlii/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/01/todays-most-retro-recap-video-super-tecmo-bowl-xlii/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/01/todays-most-retro-recap-video-super-tecmo-bowl-xlii/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Exactly one year ago, the BBPS gang tried to use Tecmo Bowl to predict the Super Bowl champs. The game simulation picked the Bears (yeah, that was wrong). This year, Madden 08 picked Tom Brady's New England Patriots as the winning time for Super Bowl XLII, but what does Tecmo Bowl say? ArmChairGM ran the simulation.

We'll won't spoil the results (that link will), but you can watch the game in the two videos embedded after the break.


Continue reading Today's most retro recap video: Super Tecmo Bowl XLII

JoystiqToday's most retro recap video: Super Tecmo Bowl XLII originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 01 Feb 2008 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hottestvideosuper-bowltecmotecmo-bowlFri, 01 Feb 2008 01:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Madden '08 simulation predicts Patriots win over Giants 38-30]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/31/madden-08-simulation-predicts-patriots-win-over-giants-38-30/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/31/madden-08-simulation-predicts-patriots-win-over-giants-38-30/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/31/madden-08-simulation-predicts-patriots-win-over-giants-38-30/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


EA Sports sent us a tip on how we should bet on the big game this Sunday. According to EA's Super Bowl XLII simulation in Madden '08 the New England Patriots defeated the New York Giants with a final score of 38-30. EA Sports would also like to point out that over the last five years the group has had a perfect record of predicting the Super Bowl winner.

The Madden '08 simulation used each team's current roster and player statistics. If the simulation holds up, the Patriots would be the first team in NFL history to have a perfect 19-0 season. The full release and video of the simulation can be found after the break.

Continue reading Madden '08 simulation predicts Patriots win over Giants 38-30

JoystiqMadden '08 simulation predicts Patriots win over Giants 38-30 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 31 Jan 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bradyeaeasportsElectronic-ArtsgiantspatriotsPS3super-bowlsuper-bowl-xliisuperbowlsuperbowlxliitom-bradyWiiXbox-360Thu, 31 Jan 2008 19:00:00 EST