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[Wii releases for the week of October 15th]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/15/wii-releases-for-the-week-of-october-15th/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/15/wii-releases-for-the-week-of-october-15th/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/15/wii-releases-for-the-week-of-october-15th/#commentsFiled under:


This week, plenty of games are waiting for eager new players to pick them up and save them from the boring life of sitting on some store's shelf. The most notable title for us is the latest entry in the Tony Hawk franchise, Proving Ground. It's a return to the roots of the franchise and nothing like Downhill Jam. We can't wait to see how it plays on the Wii.

Releases for the week of October 15th are:
  • Tony Hawk's Proving Ground
  • Guilty Gear XX Accent Core
  • Mercury Meltdown: Revolution
  • Rockstar Games Table Tennis
  • Avatar: The Burning Earth
  • Backyard Football
  • Legend of Spyro: Eternal Night
  • Victorious Boxers

JoystiqWii releases for the week of October 15th originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 15 Oct 2007 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionprovinggroundreleasesrockstartabletennistonyhawkvictoriousboxersMon, 15 Oct 2007 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[No surprise: online not included in Table Tennis]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/24/no-surprise-online-not-included-in-table-tennis/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/24/no-surprise-online-not-included-in-table-tennis/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/24/no-surprise-online-not-included-in-table-tennis/#commentsFiled under: ,


By now, we should have learned never to expect online multiplayer, or really, any online capabilities at all in Wii games, and yet still we hope. Is an online tennis-type sports game too much to ask for? Apparently, yes; Rockstar has confirmed that their Wii version of Table Tennis will not feature online multiplayer.

So what gives? Why is Rockstar's Table Tennis port lacking the online mode that graced Xbox Live? "All the focus is going into making it the most advanced control system on the Wii," said Rockstar reps, in what has to be the most disappointing explanation of the month. It's not like the two are mutually exclusive. The real question here is who's at fault -- Nintendo or Rockstar? -- but we may never know if it's the Wii's basic online infrastructure or lazy developers looking to put out ports as quickly as possible and using controls and "family-oriented" play as an excuse to avoid extra work.

The upcoming Top Spin Tennis doesn't look like it's set to feature online play, either; every time we see the game mentioned, the focus is on that "family-oriented" play, which, in our experiences, means forget connecting with anyone outside your home. We may be waiting a long time to take some sort of tennis or table tennis game online at this rate.

JoystiqNo surprise: online not included in Table Tennis originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 24 Sep 2007 18:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2k-gamesmultiplayeronlineRockstarTable-TennisTableTennisTop-Spin-TennisTopSpinTennisWi-FiMon, 24 Sep 2007 18:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Rockstar presents: Table Tennis screens]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/12/rockstar-presents-table-tennis-screens/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/12/rockstar-presents-table-tennis-screens/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/12/rockstar-presents-table-tennis-screens/#commentsFiled under:


Well, these screens certainly pick us up, considering we were downright appalled at the first footage of the game. Now, these screens, well they tell a very different story. From a graphical standpoint, we are very much digging what we see, but with a game like this, until we can get it into our hands and give it a good play, we won't know either way.

Still, we're excited again!

See also: Table Tennis motion sensing explained

JoystiqRockstar presents: Table Tennis screens originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 12 Sep 2007 15:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>rockstartable-tennistabletennisWed, 12 Sep 2007 15:37:00 EST<![CDATA[Table Tennis motion sensing explained]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/29/table-tennis-motion-sensing-explained/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/29/table-tennis-motion-sensing-explained/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/29/table-tennis-motion-sensing-explained/#commentsFiled under:


When I played Rockstar's Table Tennis at PAX, I had a really difficult time seeing the relation between my actions and what was happening on the screen. Sure, if I moved the Wiimote, the paddle would move (most of the time), but the direction or speed of swinging didn't seem to matter as much as the d-pad-based spin controls (which mattered in that they made the ball a different color). I kind of assumed that the game really didn't take the specifics of my motions in account, rather using the swing as a trigger for a canned "swing" action.

Apparently, that's not true. Rockstar sent Wired's Chris Kohler details about the control schemes, and apparently your Wiimote movements do affect your shots like you would expect; as in, you can actually aim your swing and position the ball. This is true even in the mode in which ball placement is mapped to the joystick. In fact, the Wiimote controls are the same in all three control schemes, meaning that it would be fairly easy to try the others once you've gotten used to one. I like that; it adds a little bit of choice and replayability to the game.

At this point, I feel like my problems with the controls may be partially due to their newness and to the venue in which I was introduced to them. I'm not entirely convinced that they aren't just nuts, but I'm at least interested in giving the game another chance in a location that isn't full of the din of hundreds of World of Warcraft CCG games and virtuoso Rock Band performances.

JoystiqTable Tennis motion sensing explained originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 29 Aug 2007 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>motionrockstarsportstabletennisWed, 29 Aug 2007 09:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Warm Up: Table Tennis falls flat]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/25/wii-warm-up-table-tennis-falls-flat/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/25/wii-warm-up-table-tennis-falls-flat/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/25/wii-warm-up-table-tennis-falls-flat/#commentsFiled under:


There were some mixed opinions on the look of the port of Rockstar's Table Tennis for the Wii, but it's likely we all hoped for a good game, regardless of looks. Unfortunately, from our own JC Fletcher's impressions at PAX, it looks like we're not even getting that. Instead of something that builds on the smooth controls of a game like Wii Sports, Table Tennis sounds like a nightmare. Like us, were you hoping for something better, or were you expecting a less-than-optimal port experience? Or, just to make sure all bases are covered -- does the complicated control scheme actually seem appealing to you? After all, different gamers prefer different things.

JoystiqWii Warm Up: Table Tennis falls flat originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 25 Aug 2007 10:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>impressionsPAX07RockstarsportsTableTennisSat, 25 Aug 2007 10:38:00 EST<![CDATA[PAX 07 hands-on: Wii Table Tennis controls are insane]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/24/pax-07-hands-on-wii-table-tennis-controls-are-insane/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/24/pax-07-hands-on-wii-table-tennis-controls-are-insane/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/24/pax-07-hands-on-wii-table-tennis-controls-are-insane/#commentsFiled under:


The first thing I ran into today in the PAX exhibition hall was Rockstar's just-revealed Table Tennis port for the Wii. The graphics, while obviously better than a photo taken of a TV screen would portray, are high-end PS2. That's a pretty familiar statement for a Wii game.

Here's something that's a little uncommon for a Wii game: the controls are way too complicated. There are three different control schemes (full control scheme explanations straight from the game after the break), and they varied in complexity, from Wii Sports-esque to dubbayou-tee-eff. At no point during my short time with the game did I ever feel like I had control over my character.

The standard control scheme requires players to hit A and then motion to serve, with subsequent swings done via familiar Wiimote motions. Spin, indicated by ball color, is done by holding a direction on the D-pad. The complexity comes from what felt like a significant lag between input and action. That's fine for NES Castlevania, but not for something that feigns 1-to-1 motion.

The other two control schemes assign either player movement or ball positioning to the Nunchuk's joystick, and to make a long story short, I didn't know what was going on, and the game made no indication that it knew what I was doing. Maybe with time, I could pick up the nuanced controls, but at this point I can't tell if they're nuanced or nonresponsive.

Continue reading PAX 07 hands-on: Wii Table Tennis controls are insane

JoystiqPAX 07 hands-on: Wii Table Tennis controls are insane originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 24 Aug 2007 21:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>pax07rockstartabletenniswiiFri, 24 Aug 2007 21:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Top Spin and Table Tennis on Wii]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/22/top-spin-and-table-tennis-on-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/22/top-spin-and-table-tennis-on-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/22/top-spin-and-table-tennis-on-wii/#commentsFiled under: ,

Now if Take-Two would just come out with a badminton sim they'd have a Wii racket trifecta. Today 2K announced famous tennis game Top Spin would be making its way to the Wii in spring of '08; this follows the recent announcement that Rockstar's Table Tennis would also make its way to the console. Above you can see the video for Table Tennis on the Wii, which premiered at the Leipzig Games Conference.

A tennis game on the Wii is about as natural as peanut butter and jelly. We've been clamoring for a solid tennis experience since Wii Sports served up its first tennis ball. Of course, to compensate for the graphical downgrade that'd inevitable with the Wii, the games will have to make up for it in the ol' controls department. Top Spin says that it will use both the Wiimote and the Nunchuk; the Nunchuk controls the player and aiming, while the Wiimote will control force and style. Both games sound like they're perfectly suited for the Wii but, like all things with the console, the controls make or break the game.

JoystiqTop Spin and Table Tennis on Wii originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 22 Aug 2007 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>tabletennistaketwotennistopspinwiiWed, 22 Aug 2007 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[First Table Tennis vid]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/22/first-table-tennis-vid/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/22/first-table-tennis-vid/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/22/first-table-tennis-vid/#commentsFiled under:


The first gameplay trailer for Table Tennis on the Wii has made its way out of Leipzig and boy does it look ... well, it looks bad. Seriously, the difference in graphics between the Xbox 360 and the Wii versions are huge. That's not to say the game doesn't look like a fun time to us. It's the opposite, actually, as we know in our heart of hearts that the game will be all kinds of fun, but come on. We know the Wii can push better graphics than this.

Judge for yourself by checking out the trailer past the post break.

Continue reading First Table Tennis vid

JoystiqFirst Table Tennis vid originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 22 Aug 2007 12:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>rockstartabletennisWed, 22 Aug 2007 12:46:00 EST<![CDATA[Rockstar to rock Table Tennis at Leipzig]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/17/rockstar-to-rock-table-tennis-at-leipzig/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/17/rockstar-to-rock-table-tennis-at-leipzig/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/17/rockstar-to-rock-table-tennis-at-leipzig/#commentsFiled under:

It's been little under a month since the official announcement that Rockstar would be bringing its budget Xbox 360 title Table Tennis to the Wii. That, of course, has made us very sad bloggers, as if there is any game deserving a port to the Wii, it's this one. Seriously, we can't wait to ping pong it up (if only we had confirmation of Wi-Fi compatibility).

Now, word comes that Rockstar will be at the Leipzig Games Convention to unveil the next installment in their Midnight Club franchise and, more importantly, show off the Wii version of Table Tennis. Until then, we'll just have to wait it out until some video manages to find its way onto the net or Rockstar dishes out a press release confirming the inclusion of Wi-Fi.

JoystiqRockstar to rock Table Tennis at Leipzig originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 17 Aug 2007 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>leipzigrockstartabletennisFri, 17 Aug 2007 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Today's movie tie-in video: Balls of Fury]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/03/todays-movie-tie-in-video-balls-of-fury/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/03/todays-movie-tie-in-video-balls-of-fury/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/03/todays-movie-tie-in-video-balls-of-fury/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Rockstar must be hoping more than ever that the Wii version of Table Tennis is a hit, but movie tie-in, Balls of Fury, bounces in as another ping-pong option. Do we have high hopes for a movie property? (Especially this movie?) No.

But the game trailer is entertaining, especially if you haven't heard of the movie, as we hadn't. Here's hoping that Christopher Walken is a playable character. He's our weapon of choice.

See the trailer for this Fall, 2007 DS and Wii game after the break.

Continue reading Today's movie tie-in video: Balls of Fury

JoystiqToday's movie tie-in video: Balls of Fury originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 03 Aug 2007 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BallsOfFuryblacklanternstudiosDShottestvideoping-pongpingpongrockstartabletennistrailervideoWiiFri, 03 Aug 2007 00:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rockstar's Table Tennis heads our way]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/18/rockstars-table-tennis-heads-our-way/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/18/rockstars-table-tennis-heads-our-way/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/18/rockstars-table-tennis-heads-our-way/#commentsFiled under:



In a move that just makes good sense, Take-Two announced that the (previously) Xbox 360 exclusive title, Rockstar Games presents Table Tennis, is heading to the Wii at last. It was rumored that the game may be making its way to Nintendo's latest, but now that we have confirmation, it's time to get out the paddles and start working on that signature smash.

If you played the original, then you know as well as we do that this was a pretty slick game on the 360. We can only hope that Rockstar is going to be among the first of the third parties to get in there and show everyone just what the Wii can do, graphics-wise. Someone needs to, because with the exception of the upcoming Big Three from Nintendo, most third-party titles tend to be hovering around GameCube level, and we know the Wii can do more than that.

No real details are yet available on the game -- not even so much as a screenshot -- but Take-Two promises we'll be getting our table tennis on this fall, and the game will utilize motion controls.

[Via Joystiq; also, thanks, Brian!]

JoystiqRockstar's Table Tennis heads our way originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 18 Jul 2007 13:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>portrockstarsportstabletennistake-twoxbox360Wed, 18 Jul 2007 13:18:00 EST<![CDATA[Rockstar Table Tennis backhands over to Wii]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/18/rockstar-table-tennis-backhands-over-to-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/18/rockstar-table-tennis-backhands-over-to-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/18/rockstar-table-tennis-backhands-over-to-wii/#commentsFiled under: ,

The nightmare of living in a Wii Play world of ping pong is almost to an end as Rockstar has announced that their Xbox 360 darling, Table Tennis, will be making its way over to Nintendo's world of waggle.

As light on information as it gets, Rockstar's release is but a simple announcement and assurance that this will take -- say it along with us now -- full advantage of the Wii remote and its unique features. Okay, Rockstar founder Sam Houser really said, "a new audience can now experience a game that is beautifully designed and impossible to put down," but we know what he meant.

With a release planned for this Fall, we can only hope that we have enough time to make our way over to Japan and learn those secret paddle positions we've heard so much about.

JoystiqRockstar Table Tennis backhands over to Wii originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 18 Jul 2007 08:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>optimusrhymeRockstar GamesRockstar-San-DiegoRockstar-Table-TennisRockstarGamesSportsTable-TennistabletennisWiiWed, 18 Jul 2007 08:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: Rockstar bringing Table Tennis to the Wii?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/08/rumor-rockstar-bringing-table-tennis-to-the-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/08/rumor-rockstar-bringing-table-tennis-to-the-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/08/rumor-rockstar-bringing-table-tennis-to-the-wii/#commentsFiled under:

The rumor mill is at it again, churning out log after log of potentially possible prospects in the gaming world. The latest of which is the rumor that Rockstar is planning on bringing its Table Tennis game to the Wii. While we'd agree that the gameplay of said title would suit the console's control scheme perfectly, along with Rockstar's recent support of Nintendo by bringing Manhunt 2 over to the Wii (lending a bit of credibility to the rumor), we believe a couple of things will ultimately get in the way of this happening.

But that's not to say we don't want it to happen, we just don't think it will. First of all, the game runs on the RAGE engine (which also powers the upcoming Grand Theft Auto IV), allowing for some spiffy high-res graphics. Toning them down would turn this already beautiful game into something a lot less appealing to the eye. Of course, that isn't the end of the world, but asking consumers to pay near the same price for it on the Wii with sub-par graphics and new controls might be a problem.

We do think the controls would be superior on the Wii, however. They could map the face buttons of the 360 controller onto the d-pad of the Wiimote and use the B trigger to control your Focus shots, which would feel smooth and natural. But, in changing the control scheme to such a set-up, we have a feeling we'd get pretty tired playing a match on the Wii (and the nunchuk cord could possible get in the way). Regularly, points can get up to 70-80 volleys between opponents before they are rewarded.

And what about that nunchuk? You need it, otherwise Rockstar would be turning Table Tennis into a slicker-looking Wii Sports: Tennis as the game would control the movements of your character, increasing the potential for even higher volleys per point. How do you guys feel about the possibility of this game coming to the Wii?

[Via Go Nintendo]

JoystiqRumor: Rockstar bringing Table Tennis to the Wii? originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 08 May 2007 15:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>nintendonintendowiirockstartabletenniswiiwiimoteTue, 08 May 2007 15:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Warm Up: Take-Two's Nintendo priority]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/11/wii-warm-up-take-twos-nintendo-priority/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/11/wii-warm-up-take-twos-nintendo-priority/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/11/wii-warm-up-take-twos-nintendo-priority/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Take-Two Interactive has been in the news a lot lately. We've seen everything from trailers for GTA IV and the company's very public floundering, but it's the latest that's of particular note to Nintendo fans: Take-Two has stated, quite firmly, that they are committed to producing games for Nintendo.

Great! Welcome aboard the good ship Nintendo, where we welcome third party developers. But what will you bring us? Chairman Strauss Zelnick keeps stressing Grand Theft Auto -- even to calling it the company's "James Bond," but will we see a GTA on the Wii? We want specifics! Manhunt 2 isn't enough. If we can't get an original new gen game of our own, what about a port of Rockstar's Table Tennis? That's one port we might not complain about. Anything else you'd like to see Take-Two turn out?

JoystiqWii Warm Up: Take-Two's Nintendo priority originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 11 Apr 2007 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>GTAManhuntNintendoRockstarTable TennisTableTennisTake TwoTakeTwoWiiwwuWed, 11 Apr 2007 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New Platinum Hits games coming in March]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/22/new-platinum-hits-games-coming-in-march/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/22/new-platinum-hits-games-coming-in-march/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/22/new-platinum-hits-games-coming-in-march/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

The Gamerscore Blog guys are confirming a few games that will be headed to the Xbox 360 Platinum Hits lineup on March 16th in North America. If you didn't know, the Platinum Hits program is a list of games that have been singled out to retail for $29.99, because they "supposedly" achieved greatness during their lifetime. We may not always agree with certain games that come to the Platinum Hits, but nobody can disagree with the cheaper pricetag. Below is a list of games that will become Platinum Hits in North America.

  • Battlefield 2: Modern Combat
  • Burnout Revenge
  • Call of Duty 2
  • Dead or Alive 4
  • Fight Night Round 3
  • Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter
  • Top Spin 2
  • Rockstar Games presents Table Tennis

JoystiqNew Platinum Hits games coming in March originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 22 Feb 2007 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battlefield 2 modern combatBattlefield2ModernCombatburnout revengeBurnoutRevengecall of duty 2CallOfDuty2dead or alive 4DeadOrAlive4Fight-Night-Round-3ghost recon advanced warfighterGhostReconAdvancedWarfightergrawplatinum hitsPlatinumHitstable tennisTableTennistop spin 2TopSpin2xbox 360Xbox360Thu, 22 Feb 2007 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Play videos]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/04/wii-play-videos/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/04/wii-play-videos/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/04/wii-play-videos/#commentsFiled under:

It must be video day around here. This time, it's snippets from Wii Play, courtesy of IGN, where they have a load of new movies from the successor to Wii Sports. We've included two after the jump -- the crazy cow racing and a somewhat lackuster round of table tennis. We're really dying to see a good long volley, but it looks like we may have to wait until Wii Play is nestled in our own Wii. Oh well! Until then ... videos! Check 'em out after the jump.

Continue reading Wii Play videos

JoystiqWii Play videos originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 04 Jan 2007 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cowMiiminigamesNintendotable tennisTableTennisvideoWiiWii PlayWiiPlayThu, 04 Jan 2007 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Best of the rest: Ross' picks]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/01/best-of-the-rest-ross-picks/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/01/best-of-the-rest-ross-picks/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/01/best-of-the-rest-ross-picks/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Lumines Live! (XBLA)
On a big screen with surround sound, Q Entertainment's Lumines Live was easily the most-played game in my library (if you stretch the definition of library to digitally distributed titles). Although I railed against how microtransactions were implemented in this title and still think the extent to which they disclosed the dearth of features was misleading, both the Basic and Advanced Pack got more than enough play time, as did the multiplayer. It is the best Xbox Live Arcade title since Geometry Wars.

Continue reading Best of the rest: Ross' picks

JoystiqBest of the rest: Ross' picks originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 01 Jan 2007 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2006bestbethesdaBethesda-SoftworksBig Brain AcademyBigBrainAcademybookworm adventuresBookwormAdventuresBrain AgeBrainAgeBurger KingBurgerKingCapcomCapcom-Production-Studio-1Chibi RoboChibiRoboCookingCooking-MamaCooking-Mama-LtdDead-RisingDSgame of the yearGameOfTheYearghost reconGhostRecongotyJellyvisionluminesMacMajesco-EntertainmentMicrosoftMinigamesNintendooblivionPCq entertainmentQEntertainmentrecapRockstarSurvival-HorrorTable TennisTableTennistetristetsuya mizuguchiTetsuyaMizuguchiWiixblaxbox liveXbox-360XboxLiveYou Don\\\'t Know JackYouDon\\\'tKnowJackMon, 01 Jan 2007 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Black Friday deals on 360 games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/12/black-friday-deals-on-360-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/12/black-friday-deals-on-360-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/12/black-friday-deals-on-360-games/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

It's that time of the year when consumers wait outside stores for hours on end to get the best holiday deals. Black Friday is the unofficial start of the holiday season, presents are purchased, kids begin to beg Santa for gifts, and a huge amount of money is spent. And what would Black Friday be without leaked ad scans weeks in advance? Word on the street is that Best Buy will be having a sweet $18.99 sale on a few Xbox 360 games including R* Games Presents: Table Tennis, Condemned, Amped 3, and NBA Live 06. So, if you feel like participating in the Black Friday ritual, make the holy trek to Best Buy and pick up a few games ... just be sure to bring a roll of Tums, because we all know the day after Thanksgiving wreaks havoc on the belly.

JoystiqBlack Friday deals on 360 games originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 12 Nov 2006 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amped 3Amped3best buyBestBuyblack fridayBlackFridaycondemneddealsnba live 06NbaLive06R* presents: table tennisR*Presents:TableTennisrockstartable tennisTableTennisSun, 12 Nov 2006 05:00:00 EST<![CDATA[TGS: Today's Marketplace content, 9/21 [update 1]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/21/tgs-todays-marketplace-content/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/21/tgs-todays-marketplace-content/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/21/tgs-todays-marketplace-content/#commentsFiled under:


Another day, another batch of content. TGS rolls on, and Microsoft gives us more to drool over. Now, without further ado, today's content:

Vista Game Montage
Fusion Frenzy 2 trailer (Weren't we just talking about this?)
Kingdom Under Fire: Circle of Doom trailer
Team Fortress 2 trailer
Table Tennis trailer (Japan only)
TGS Theme

We haven't had a chance to watch any of these, but we'll give you the skinny once we do. If anybody spots one of these trailers floating around the interweb, send us a tip and we'll post it.

360 at the Tokyo Game Show:
DOAX2 video makes us feel naughty
Lost Odyssey intro video
Video of Trusty Bell
See Blue Dragon gameplay (finally)
And the mystery XBLA game is ...

Update: We've realized there will be a lot of content in the next few weeks. Changed headline to reflect the date that the content went up.

JoystiqTGS: Today's Marketplace content, 9/21 [update 1] originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 21 Sep 2006 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bringing it homeBringingItHomefuzion frenzy 2FuzionFrenzy2hudsonkingdom under firekingdom under fire circle of doomKingdomUnderFireKingdomUnderFireCircleOfDoomkufrockstarrockstar presents table tennisRockstarPresentsTableTennistable tennisTableTennisteam fortress 2TeamFortress2tgstokyo game showTokyoGameShowvalveThu, 21 Sep 2006 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Custom Rockstar Table Tennis 360]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/26/custom-rockstar-table-tennis-360/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/26/custom-rockstar-table-tennis-360/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/26/custom-rockstar-table-tennis-360/#commentsFiled under: ,


Give Llamma.com credit for coming up with a Rockstar-commissioned Table Tennis case mod that goes beyond the usual paint job and faceplate. One of these babies is destined for a future give-away, but if you have the time and desire to build your own ping pong prize, they provide a list of supplies and directions.

[Thanks AoE]

JoystiqCustom Rockstar Table Tennis 360 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 26 Aug 2006 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>case modCaseModcustomping pongPingPongrockstartable tennisTableTennisSat, 26 Aug 2006 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rockstar's Soft Serve tour in Philly tonight [update 1]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/11/rockstars-soft-serve-tour-in-philly-tonight/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/11/rockstars-soft-serve-tour-in-philly-tonight/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/11/rockstars-soft-serve-tour-in-philly-tonight/#commentsFiled under: ,

Rockstar's "art, music, video & clothing installation" is going down in the City of Brotherly Love today at Jinxed Clothing, on 4th St. just south of South St.

Not sure what to expect? Check out pictures from the Miami, Orlando, and Tampa stops. Not helping? Check out the featured artists who'll be, uh, arting at the event. Still not sure? There's going to be Table Tennis tournaments. Yup, the show isn't just about the uber-hip art world, but it's also about the uber-nerdy video game world and, try as Rockstar may to meld the two, we're like oil and vinegar, baby! We'll come together for little events like this, then be on our separate ways, back to our artist's communes/parent's basements respectively.

As soon as I can figure out what time things are supposed to go down, I'll update the post and let y'all know. Philly Weekly has a writeup of the event listing 7pm as the start time and $0 as the cost. Anyone planning on attending? Want to meet there and beat my ass at Table Tennis?

[Update: added event details.]

JoystiqRockstar's Soft Serve tour in Philly tonight [update 1] originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 11 Aug 2006 09:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>MicrosoftPhiladelphiaRockstarRockstar GamesRockstar-San-DiegoRockstar-Table-TennisRockstarGamesSoft Serve tourSoftServeTourSportsTable TennisTable-TennisTableTennisXbox-360Fri, 11 Aug 2006 09:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Rockstar presents "an art, music, video & clothing installation"]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/01/rockstar-presents-an-art-music-video-and-clothing-installation/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/01/rockstar-presents-an-art-music-video-and-clothing-installation/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/01/rockstar-presents-an-art-music-video-and-clothing-installation/#commentsFiled under: ,


The bad boys at Rockstar sent word of their latest and greatest: "a traveling group art show that features all sides of the art world, including but not limited to: painting, music, video, screen printing, drawing, wheat pasting, clothing, photography & more." So, just art and fashion and music, brought to you courtesy of Rockstar Games? Of course that's not it, there's also going to be "a fast-paced and action packed tournament courtesy of Rockstar Games presents Table Tennis."

The "installation" winds its way across the country, hitting hot spots like Columbus and Louisville, ultimately ending in The Town That Loved E3, Los Angeles. A notable omission: hipster-haven and Rockstar's 'hood, New York City. No bother here, I'll hit up the Philly show and embarrass the Joystiq name with my sorry Table Tennis skills ... I'm not even color-blind.

Continue reading Rockstar presents "an art, music, video & clothing installation"

JoystiqRockstar presents "an art, music, video & clothing installation" originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 01 Aug 2006 13:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ArtRockstarRockstar GamesRockstarGamesSoft Serve tourSoftServeTourTable TennisTableTennisXbox-360Tue, 01 Aug 2006 13:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Plight of the color blind gamer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/30/plight-of-the-color-blind-gamer/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/30/plight-of-the-color-blind-gamer/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/30/plight-of-the-color-blind-gamer/#commentsFiled under:


Joystiq has an interesting post on the unique challenge facing color blind gamers as they strive to conquer Rockstar Presents Table Tennis.

JoystiqPlight of the color blind gamer originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 30 Jul 2006 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>color blindColorBlinddisabledrockstartable tennisTableTennisSun, 30 Jul 2006 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Colorblind gaming or: Table Tennis is impossibly hard!]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/30/colorblind-gaming-or-table-tennis-is-impossibly-hard/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/30/colorblind-gaming-or-table-tennis-is-impossibly-hard/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/30/colorblind-gaming-or-table-tennis-is-impossibly-hard/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Around one in ten males and one in two hundred females are unable to discern the difference between some or all colors that other people can distinguish. Like most other people with the disability, I've been colorblind (or, to use the politically correct term, have had color sight deficiency) since birth. I find it hard, and sometimes impossible, to tell the difference between shades of red, green and brown, blue and purple and oranges and yellows. As my optician told me when I was young, this disability means that I can't work in a paint factory or be a pilot. What he didn't tell me was that I'd have trouble playing friggin' computer games!

As you probably know, the Xbox 360 features several colored buttons. Usually I can tell the difference between these buttons (the problem isn't so bad that I can't tell the difference between the equivalent of red and green at traffic lights). However, there's one game that has caused a problem: Rockstar's Table Tennis. A fundamental part of the gameplay is being able to respond to the opposing player's spin on the ball. This is represented by one of the colors which are also found on the gamepad. Blue for left spin, red for right spin, green for forward spin and yellow for back spin. Unfortunately, I can barely tell the difference between the red, green and yellow on a standard definition display. On a high definition screen the green and yellow are still nearly identical to my eyes.

This isn't usually much of a problem during normal play (besides, I can always just press the green button), but on the training levels where you are taught how to spin the ball, I found the task physically impossible. I literally had to guess which spin the computer was giving the ball! Table Tennis has the hardest training level of any game, at least for me. Since completing the training levels is an Xbox 360 achievement, it's also possibly the hardest achievement there is. It took me around 3-4 hours and dozens of reattempts to get the 5 points given to you after you complete training.

Continue reading Colorblind gaming or: Table Tennis is impossibly hard!

JoystiqColorblind gaming or: Table Tennis is impossibly hard! originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 30 Jul 2006 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BlindColor sightColor sight deficiencyColor visionColorblindColorblindnessColorSightColorSightDeficiencyColorVisionDisabilitiesDisabilityDisabledMicrosoftRockstar GamesRockstar-San-DiegoRockstar-Table-TennisRockstarGamesRockstar\'s Table TennisRockstar\'sTableTennisSightSportsTable TennisTable-TennisTableTennisXbox-360Sun, 30 Jul 2006 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Table Tennis demo now available on Live Marketplace [Update 1]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/26/table-tennis-demo-now-available-on-live-marketplace/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/26/table-tennis-demo-now-available-on-live-marketplace/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/26/table-tennis-demo-now-available-on-live-marketplace/#commentsFiled under: ,

If your eyebrow is still in a raised position with regards to Rockstar's foray into the explosive, prostitute-less world of Table Tennis, be sure to grab the newly served demo from the Xbox Live Marketplace. Coming in at 526MB, the curtailed code should give you fine opportunity to beat innocent balls senseless and engage in more back-and-forth whacking than a Sopranos episode.

Feel free to gawk at the shiny graphics and the ball physics, but don't make the crucial mistake of forgetting to press the green button. You can be sure that Conrad's sister will capitalize and promptly crush your ego in the palm of her adorable hand.

Update: Major Nelson made this addition to his blog:
"Hey, I forgot to post that this is a limited time demo. (sorry about that) That means that you can only download it and play it until the end of August. After that...the title will not work, even if you have already downloaded it! So get it and play it while it lasts!"

Looks like someone's worried the demo might be a little too good.

JoystiqTable Tennis demo now available on Live Marketplace [Update 1] originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 26 Jul 2006 20:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Grand Theft AutoGrandTheftAutoMicrosoftMSFTRockstarRockstar GamesRockstar-San-DiegoRockstar-Table-TennisRockstarGamesSportsTable TennisTable-TennisTableTennisXBLXBL MarketplaceXblMarketplaceXbox 360 DemoXbox MarketplaceXbox-360Xbox360DemoXboxMarketplaceWed, 26 Jul 2006 20:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Get your Table Tennis (demo) on]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/26/get-your-table-tennis-demo-on/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/26/get-your-table-tennis-demo-on/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/26/get-your-table-tennis-demo-on/#commentsFiled under: , ,


As many of you have already pointed out, the Table Tennis demo has hit Marketplace (even in Europe). If you'd like a description of the game, please see the above picture. That's really all there is to it. Clean, simple fun. If you haven't tried it out, give it a spin and tell us what you think.

Note: not available in Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Singapore or Taiwan.

JoystiqGet your Table Tennis (demo) on originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 26 Jul 2006 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>rockstarrockstar gamesrockstar presents table tennisrockstar table tennisRockstarGamesRockstarPresentsTableTennisRockstarTableTennistable tennisTableTennisWed, 26 Jul 2006 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Rockstar Table Tennis demo coming soon]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/20/rockstar-table-tennis-demo-coming-soon/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/20/rockstar-table-tennis-demo-coming-soon/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/20/rockstar-table-tennis-demo-coming-soon/#commentsFiled under:

Major Nelson conquered his fear of calendars to report that Rockstar would be serving up the long-awaited Table Tennis demo "very, very soon." That was three days ago. Now he better Prey it shows up.

[Thanks X Budd}

JoystiqRockstar Table Tennis demo coming soon originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 20 Jul 2006 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>demomarketplaceping pongPingPongrockstartable tennisTableTennisxblmThu, 20 Jul 2006 03:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Airborne is online]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/18/airborne-is-online/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/18/airborne-is-online/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/18/airborne-is-online/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

A trailer for Medal of Honor Airborne is now available on marketplace. I have not had the luxury of checking it out yet so, somebody get busy describing it in the comments. Why haven't I gotten it yet, you say? I was doing my patriotic duty, or jury duty to be more specific.

In other news, expect a demo of Rockstar's Table Tennis soonish. The demo is set to feature two-player but no Live play. If you haven't experienced the joy of "Pressing the green button," I hope you'll try it out.

[Thanks, X Budd]

JoystiqAirborne is online originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 18 Jul 2006 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaelectronic artsElectronicArtsmedal of honormedal of honor airborneMedalOfHonorMedalOfHonorAirbornemohmoharockstarrockstar presents table tennisRockstarPresentsTableTennistable tennisTableTennisTue, 18 Jul 2006 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[GTA4: Girl Theft Auto [update 2]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/22/gta4-girl-theft-auto/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/22/gta4-girl-theft-auto/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/22/gta4-girl-theft-auto/#commentsFiled under:


According to 360Era.com this just might be a screen from Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto IV (click for an embiggened pic). Hmm, looks about on par with Table Tennis to me.

So, is it real? Fake? Frankly, anything with a girl wielding a morning star has my approval.

Update 1: It's fake. From Eurogamer:

"Rockstar says that an image circulating around web-forums this afternoon, supposedly showing a TV screen running a debug version of Grand Theft Auto IV, is a hoax ... The image ... first showed up in the inboxes of various media organisations this morning under the subject line 'From a disgruntled ex-employee of Rockstar...' ... But that's not the case, Rockstar told us this afternoon. It really is a hoax."

Man, fake news travels fast. This screen was circulated and debunked in a matter of hours. Simply amazing. Thanks, Josh.

Update 2: It looks like QJ discovered the perpetrator behind this heinous crime. You won't believe who it is. Read the full story here.

JoystiqGTA4: Girl Theft Auto [update 2] originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 22 Jun 2006 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>grand theft autogrand theft auto 4grand theft auto ivGrandTheftAutoGrandTheftAuto4GrandTheftAutoIvgta 4gta ivGta4GtaIvragerockstarrockstar gamesRockstarGamestable tennisTableTennisThu, 22 Jun 2006 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[GTAIV will share the Table Tennis engine]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/16/gtaiv-will-share-the-table-tennis-engine/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/16/gtaiv-will-share-the-table-tennis-engine/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/16/gtaiv-will-share-the-table-tennis-engine/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

There's a rumor floating around these here internets suggesting that the next iteration of Rockstar's money-printing machine known as Grand Theft Auto will be using their own in-house RAGE engine (Rockstar Advanced Game Engine engine), recently seen in Table Tennis. Gamespot's Rumor Control traces the rumor to a TotalVideoGames.com post which mentioned, but neglected to link to, an MTV News report from over a month ago.

That report stated, "The Rockstar reps explained that the game was running on RAGE, the Rockstar Advanced Game Engine. This is the graphics technology gamers are to expect from future Rockstar games, including the next GTA." I contacted MTV News' Stephen Totilo to see just how definite this was, and he returned, "I met with Rockstar publicists and producers for Table Tennis twice prior to the game's release. Both times they volunteered that RAGE would serve as the engine for all next-gen Rockstar games. 'Including GTA?' I asked both times. Including GTA they said both times."

So there you have it folks. Following EA's acquisition of GTA's old-engine, Renderware, Rockstar has went and made their own. Sure, Table Tennis looks great but really, anything's better than the dated engine they're using now.

JoystiqGTAIV will share the Table Tennis engine originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 16 Jun 2006 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>EnginesGrandTheftAutoGTAGTAIVMicrosoftPS3RAGERenderwareRockstarRockstar GamesRockstar-San-DiegoRockstar-Table-TennisRockstarGamesRockstarNorthSportsTable-TennisTableTennisXbox-360Fri, 16 Jun 2006 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[GTA IV dumps renderware, picks up RAGE]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/16/gta-iv-dumps-renderware-picks-up-rage/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/16/gta-iv-dumps-renderware-picks-up-rage/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/16/gta-iv-dumps-renderware-picks-up-rage/#commentsFiled under: ,

Rumor has it that Grand Theft Auto IV (or GTA4 as the kids call it) will be using Rockstar's RAGE engine (that's Rockstar Advanced Game Engine). Many of you are already familiar with the RAGE engine if you own a copy of Table Tennis. The previous engine, Renderware, is seriously showing its age, and I doubt many will lament its loss. And it doesn't hurt that Table Tennis already looks mighty fine.

Is there any chance we might see Tommy Vercetti both pinging and ponging?

JoystiqGTA IV dumps renderware, picks up RAGE originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 16 Jun 2006 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eurogamerGrand theft autoGrand theft auto 4grand theft auto IVGrandTheftAutoGrandTheftAuto4GrandTheftAutoIvGTAGTA 4GTA IVGta4GtaIvRAGERockstarTable tennisTableTennisFri, 16 Jun 2006 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA["Just press the green button", I said]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/15/just-press-the-green-button-i-said/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/15/just-press-the-green-button-i-said/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/15/just-press-the-green-button-i-said/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

"Just press the green button"

Oh, those fateful little words. How naive I was to think that they wouldn't affect the ability that my sister was soon to display in a casual game of Rockstar's Table Tennis.

Continue reading "Just press the green button", I said

Joystiq"Just press the green button", I said originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 15 Jun 2006 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BoothCanterburyCanterbury, KentCanterbury,KentKentMicrosoftRockstarRockstar GamesRockstar Games Presents Table TennisRockstar-San-DiegoRockstar-Table-TennisRockstarGamesRockstarGamesPresentsTableTennisRockstar\'s Table TennisRockstar\'sTableTennisSportsTable TennisTable-TennisTableTennisTennisVirgin MegastoreVirginMegastoreXbox 360Xbox 360 boothXbox-360Xbox360Xbox360BoothThu, 15 Jun 2006 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Metareview - Rockstar Games Presents Table Tennis (Xbox 360)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/23/metareview-rockstar-games-presents-table-tennis-xbox-360/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/23/metareview-rockstar-games-presents-table-tennis-xbox-360/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/23/metareview-rockstar-games-presents-table-tennis-xbox-360/#commentsFiled under: , ,

When Rockstar announced their top secret new game, gamers were floored that the San Diego branch of the house that GTA built had traded in their baseball bats for ping pong paddles with Rockstar Games Presents Table Tennis. Big question is, how did they do with this smaller-scale, (relatively) budget-priced title?

According to the reviews that are beginning to appear, pretty darned well. The complaints focus on the title's sparse feature set while the praise focuses on the Xbox Live integration and the tight, elegant gameplay. Seriously, read through the reviews if you have a particular affinity for the words "subtle" and "nuanced." According to the reviews, Table Tennis provides a streamlined sports sim that's short on features but full of subtle gameplay, reflected in the (next-gen) budget price of $39.99.
  • IGN (78/100) - "If you want a table tennis game that's strictly focused on great mechanics and addictive gameplay, but that lacks a reasonable single-player mode and is shockingly sparse, Rockstar Presents Table Tennis is your game."
  • GamePro (85/100) - "The best thing about the gameplay is that it's all about reflex and intuition -- accessible to all, but hard to master online competitive play. Setting up power shots, killer topspin, and hitting the corners of the table becomes easy in short amount of time. This game is an instant classic and is guaranteed to please the masses."
  • Eurogamer (90/100) - "It's the sign of a great sports game when you can't think of anything you'd want to change in the next version. It doesn't need another version."

JoystiqMetareview - Rockstar Games Presents Table Tennis (Xbox 360) originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 23 May 2006 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>MicrosoftRockstarRockstar GamesRockstar San DiegoRockstar-San-DiegoRockstar-Table-TennisRockstarGamesRockstarSanDiegoSportsTable TennisTable-TennisTableTennisTake2TakeTwoTTWOXbox-360Tue, 23 May 2006 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rockstar's Table Tennis is no joke]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/03/rockstars-table-tennis-is-no-joke/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/03/rockstars-table-tennis-is-no-joke/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/03/rockstars-table-tennis-is-no-joke/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Rockstar's second-floor party pad sits at the top of a long flight of stairs just off of Bowery in Manhattan's Chinatown neighborhood. As I climbed those stairs on my way to an invitational afternoon of beer, food and Rockstar Games Presents: Table Tennis this Saturday, I half expected the door to burst open and a bunch of clowns to yell "April Fools!"

It just didn't make much sense that famously reticent, infamously too-cool-for-the-media Rockstar had actually invited members of the press to see their latest game, nevermind a lowly blogger. But for once, they're probably happy to be talking about something other than whichever version of their marquee Grand Theft Auto series has been released, been hacked, been banned, been recalled, been reissued, been whatevered.

Instead, when the door to the flat opened I was greeted by a bevvy of Rockstar marketers, three huge HD displays, and three Xbox 360s spinning a pre-release version of Rockstar Games Presents Table Tennis. Turns out the game is no joke and that Rockstar's serious about seeing that the game sees the exposure they believe it deserves.

Continue reading Rockstar's Table Tennis is no joke

JoystiqRockstar's Table Tennis is no joke originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 03 Apr 2006 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Microsoftping pongPingPongRockstarRockstar GamesRockstar-San-DiegoRockstar-Table-TennisRockstarGamesSportsTable TennisTable-TennisTableTennisXbox-360Mon, 03 Apr 2006 03:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rockstar presents Grand Theft... Ping Pong?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/03/rockstar-presents-grand-theft-ping-pong/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/03/rockstar-presents-grand-theft-ping-pong/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/03/rockstar-presents-grand-theft-ping-pong/#commentsFiled under: ,


It's been revealed unto us: the "unexpected" new 360 game that IGN promised to unveil is none other than... Rockstar Games Presents Table Tennis! Yup. The bad boys behind Grand Theft Auto are intent on delivering a game experience that puts you inside the seedy, gritty world of underground table tennis... actually, it's not like that at all. Rockstar's Sam Houser says:

"We wanted to create a sports game with the intensity of a fighting game and the sense of speed and control that would make playing it a more intense and more visceral experience than has previously been possible with sports games. It's not just about looking better, feeling better or animating better but about using the power of the hardware to make a game that engages with you on a different physical and emotional level."

We knew they were working on a new franchise for the Xbox 360, but this isn't quite what we expected from them. Wait--franchise? There're going to be more than one. I can see it now: Table Tennis 2K7. The first version of Rockstar Games Presents Table Tennis is due in May for a refreshing $39.99.

[Thanks, Matt]

JoystiqRockstar presents Grand Theft... Ping Pong? originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 03 Mar 2006 15:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ping pongPingPongRockstarTable tennisTableTennisFri, 03 Mar 2006 15:15:00 EST